N-CSR 1 tm211924d1_ncsr.htm N-CSR

 

UNITED STATES

SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION

Washington, D.C. 20549

 

FORM N-CSR

 

CERTIFIED SHAREHOLDER REPORT OF REGISTERED

MANAGEMENT INVESTMENT COMPANIES

 

Investment Company Act file number: 811-05624

 

Morgan Stanley Institutional Fund, Inc.

(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,

 

Date of reporting period: December 31, 2020

 

 

 

Item 1 - Report to Shareholders

 

 

 

INVESTMENT MANAGEMENT

Morgan Stanley Institutional Fund, Inc.

Active International Allocation Portfolio

Annual Report

December 31, 2020



Morgan Stanley Institutional Fund, Inc.

Annual Report — December 31, 2020

Table of Contents

Shareholders' Letter

   

2

   

Expense Example

   

3

   

Investment Overview

   

4

   

Portfolio of Investments

   

7

   

Statement of Assets and Liabilities

   

10

   

Statement of Operations

   

12

   

Statements of Changes in Net Assets

   

13

   

Financial Highlights

   

15

   

Notes to Financial Statements

   

21

   

Report of Independent Registered Public Accounting Firm

   

32

   

Liquidity Risk Management Program

   

33

   

Federal Tax Notice

   

34

   

Privacy Notice

   

35

   

Director and Officer Information

   

38

   

This report is authorized for distribution only when preceded or accompanied by a prospectus or summary prospectus of the applicable Fund of Morgan Stanley Institutional Fund, Inc. To receive a prospectus and/or statement of additional information ("SAI"), which contains more complete information such as investment objectives, charges, expenses, policies for voting proxies, risk considerations and describes in detail each of the Fund's investment policies to the prospective investor, please call toll free 1 (800) 548-7786. Please read the prospectuses carefully before you invest or send money.

Additionally, you can access information about the Fund, including performance, characteristics and investment team commentary, through Morgan Stanley Investment Management's website: www.morganstanley.com/im/shareholderreports.

Market forecasts provided in this report may not necessarily come to pass. There is no guarantee that any sectors mentioned will continue to perform as discussed herein or that securities in such sectors will be held by the Fund in the future. There is no assurance that a fund will achieve its investment objective. Funds are subject to market risk, which is the possibility that market values of securities owned by the Fund will decline and, therefore, the value of the Fund's shares may be less than what you paid for them. Accordingly, you can lose money investing in this Fund. Please see the prospectus for more complete information on investment risks.


1



Morgan Stanley Institutional Fund, Inc.

Annual Report — December 31, 2020

Shareholders' Letter (unaudited)

Dear Shareholders,

We are pleased to provide this Annual Report, in which you will learn how your investment in Active International Allocation Portfolio (the "Fund") performed during the latest twelve-month period.

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

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

Sincerely,

John H. Gernon
President and Principal Executive Officer

January 2021


2



Morgan Stanley Institutional Fund, Inc.

Annual Report — December 31, 2020

Expense Example (unaudited)

Active International Allocation Portfolio

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

This example is based on an investment of $1,000 invested at the beginning of the six-month period ended December 31, 2020 and held for the entire six-month period.

Actual Expenses

The table below provides information about actual account values and actual expenses. You may use the information in this table, 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 table under the heading entitled "Actual Expenses Paid During Period" to estimate the expenses you paid on your account during this period.

Hypothetical Example for Comparison Purposes

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

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

    Beginning
Account
Value
7/1/20
  Actual Ending
Account
Value
12/31/20
  Hypothetical
Ending Account
Value
  Actual
Expenses
Paid
During
Period*
  Hypothetical
Expenses Paid
During Period*
  Net
Expense
Ratio
During
Period**
 

Active International Allocation Portfolio Class I

 

$

1,000.00

   

$

1,362.70

   

$

1,020.66

   

$

5.29

   

$

4.52

     

0.89

%

 

Active International Allocation Portfolio Class A

   

1,000.00

     

1,361.20

     

1,019.20

     

7.00

     

5.99

     

1.18

   

Active International Allocation Portfolio Class L

   

1,000.00

     

1,357.60

     

1,016.39

     

10.31

     

8.82

     

1.74

   

Active International Allocation Portfolio Class C

   

1,000.00

     

1,356.00

     

1.015.13

     

11.79

     

10.08

     

1.99

   

Active International Allocation Portfolio Class IS

   

1,000.00

     

1,363.50

     

1,020.91

     

4.99

     

4.27

     

0.84

   

Active International Allocation Portfolio Class IR

   

1,000.00

     

1,363.50

     

1,020.91

     

4.99

     

4.27

     

0.84

   

*  Expenses are calculated using each Fund Class' annualized net expense ratio (as disclosed), multiplied by the average account value over the period and multiplied by 184/366 (to reflect the most recent one-half year period).

**  Annualized.

  Effective April 30, 2020, the Board of Directors of the Fund approved the elimination of redemption fees charged by the Fund.


3



Morgan Stanley Institutional Fund, Inc.

Annual Report — December 31, 2020

Investment Overview (unaudited)

Active International Allocation Portfolio

The Fund seeks long-term capital appreciation.

Performance

For the fiscal year ended December 31, 2020, the Fund's Class I shares had a total return based on net asset value and reinvestment of distributions per share of 30.48%, net of fees. The Fund's Class I shares outperformed the Fund's benchmark, the MSCI All Country World ex USA Index (the "Index"), which returned 10.65%.

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

Factors Affecting Performance

•  2020 was a year of stark contrasts: the virus caused illness and death, job losses, business failures and wholesale disruption to our families, work and social lives. Conversely, asset markets flourished and global equity markets rose to record highs as a result of massive amounts of fiscal and monetary support.

•  For the full year, our overweights to media and entertainment, semiconductors, and gold and copper mining stocks contributed to portfolio performance. Our underweight to banks was also positive, as were the zero allocations to Australia and Italy and overweights to Germany and the Netherlands.

•  Detractors from 2020 portfolio performance included an overweight to and positioning in energy services and beverages, and a zero allocation to health care technology stocks. From a country perspective, the small allocation to Argentina (which was sold in the first quarter of 2020) was negative for performance, as was the overweight to Brazil and underweights to Japan and China. The Fund sometimes uses derivative instruments to manage certain market or currency exposures. This detracted from performance in the period.

Management Strategies

•  In the fourth quarter of 2020, on the back of positive news on the vaccine as well as a fairly decisive outcome of the U.S. elections, global investors have demonstrated their belief in a robust cyclical recovery in 2021. The vaccines are a game-changer, and their use should allow the world to return to a somewhat normal environment as herd immunity is reached, although there are still many variables to consider in

determining the exact timing of a return to widespread social interaction and travel. We are encouraged by the speed of the vaccine discovery, and see this development as demonstrating the incredible power of science, data and technology available to us today. We note that optimistic 2021 forecasts rely on additional fiscal spending and pent-up demand to close the very large output gap.

•  In December when we looked forward to 2021, our investment outlook at the time anticipated a solid economic recovery in the first half of the new year fueled by the ample liquidity supplied by central banks, potential additional fiscal spending in the U.S., as well as some normalization of economic activity as vaccinations are rolled out. However, since then, virus cases and deaths have climbed, a more contagious new variant of the virus has been discovered and has since spread, and restrictions, particularly in Europe, have correspondingly tightened. Additionally, the rollout of vaccines has been disappointing. On the back of this, it now seems likely that the rebound will be further postponed. It is also clear to us that further fiscal and monetary support are even more critical to continue to bridge economies until the vaccination rate is widespread, economies can normalize and growth can recover. Our base case for 2021 is more moderate.

•  Once the vaccinations are more widespread, we expect a solid economic recovery fueled by the ample liquidity supplied by central banks, a potential new fiscal package from the U.S., as well as some normalization of economic activity as vaccinations are rolled out. However, we see a risk to more optimistic forecasts, particularly in the U.S., as potential political constraints could limit the fiscal spending outlook, while the trail of COVID-19 leaves many industries displaced and with higher debt levels, with the pain concentrated in small and medium enterprises that form the backbone of many local economies.

•  Therefore, while 2021 will in many ways be a return to business as usual, it has to be remembered that even prior to the onset of the global pandemic, the global economy was less than robust as a result of high global debt levels, challenging demographics and deglobalization. While monetary support and fiscal stimulus, as well as a new friendlier to trade administration in Washington, are all positive factors, many of the structural issues that were


4



Morgan Stanley Institutional Fund, Inc.

Annual Report — December 31, 2020

Investment Overview (unaudited) (cont'd)

Active International Allocation Portfolio

holding back the global economy are still there. Many industries face a weak demand backdrop, while their indebtedness has increased. Therefore, we think that while the economic outlook since November has clearly improved, the degree of optimism being exhibited by global stock markets today may be hard to achieve as the pace of economic recovery from the lows plateaus and the comparisons get harder after May.

•  This is why, as the calendar moves further into 2021, we see a more challenging fundamental environment, although with an important caveat. That caveat is that policy is likely to stay stimulative, while the pain seen by small and medium enterprises is likely to benefit the large corporates. This means that asset prices should still be well-supported by liquidity, while many companies will be reporting significant market share gains that will somewhat offset loss of economic momentum. In many ways, this environment is likely to look similar to the environment seen during the fourth quarter of 2020. Given this constructive but moderate view, we are maintaining our barbell positioning that has been successful for the past 18 months. Although on absolute valuations, large value sectors such as financials and energy look cheap, we are cautious on the fundamental improvements needed for these businesses. Central banks are likely to keep rates pinned at low levels for years, hurting the profitability of the financial sector, while it is hard to see the oil oversupply issues abating without a large cut in U.S. domestic oil production that would need to be coupled with several years of above-average growth in global demand.

•  For the first quarter, our expectation is that economic data is likely to be mixed. In the U.S., there are signs of softening in the labor markets, making the recently passed $900 billion fiscal package crucial in helping to offset job/wage losses. In China, last year was a year of economic recovery post-virus, government stimulus and a strong renminbi. This year will be a year of less stimulus and stabilizing overall debt levels. Europe posted solid fourth quarter 2020 economic growth based primarily on exports to Asia and will likely suffer in the first quarter of 2021 as the new virus strains necessitate lockdowns and restrictive measures. U.S. bond yields above 1%, energy and financials rallying and a strengthening Australian dollar seem

to indicate that many investors are looking through weakness in the first quarter to a stronger backdrop. We remain a bit more cautious in the short term as we wait for the proverbial dust to settle and to see a clearer sign of a stability. Equity markets are discounting mechanisms, but the evolution of this pandemic has been very changeable and difficult to predict. We are not ready to give the all-clear signal or make changes in portfolio positioning with the information currently in hand. We are more inclined to maintain our current sector and industry positioning, which we think offers upside to economic improvement but also some ballast as many companies in our portfolios have strong balance sheets, sizeable competitive advantages and high recurring revenues/strong cash generation.

•  Given very disparate forecasts on the pace and trajectory of the economic recovery ahead of us in 2021, we believe the current investment environment will likely serve up many opportunities for investors who can separate the noise from the signal. For us, the environment remains a tug-of-war between long-running deflationary forces and dramatic policy actions that are meant to encourage reflation. This tug-of-war is likely to continue for a while before a clear winner emerges.

*  Minimum Investment for Class I shares

In accordance with SEC regulations, the Fund's performance shown assumes that all recurring fees (including management fees) were deducted and all dividends and distributions were reinvested. The performance of Class A, L, C, IS and IR shares will vary from the performance of Class I shares based upon their different inception dates and will be negatively impacted by additional fees assessed to those classes (if applicable).


5



Morgan Stanley Institutional Fund, Inc.

Annual Report — December 31, 2020

Investment Overview (unaudited) (cont'd)

Active International Allocation Portfolio

Performance Compared to the MSCI All Country World ex USA Index(1), the Active International Allocation Blend Index(2), the Lipper International Large-Cap Growth Funds Index(3) and the Lipper International Multi-Cap Growth Funds Index(4)

    Period Ended December 31, 2020
Total Returns(5)
 
       

Average Annual

 
    One
Year
  Five
Years
  Ten
Years
  Since
Inception(11)
 
Fund — Class I Shares
w/o sales charges(6)
   

30.48

%

   

10.93

%

   

6.53

%

   

6.53

%

 
Fund — Class A Shares
w/o sales charges(7)
   

30.10

     

10.56

     

6.19

     

5.94

   
Fund — Class A Shares with
maximum 5.25% sales charges(7)
   

23.26

     

9.37

     

5.62

     

5.71

   
Fund — Class L Shares
w/o sales charges(8)
   

29.38

     

9.98

     

     

8.96

   
Fund — Class C Shares
w/o sales charges(9)
   

29.13

     

9.69

     

     

6.30

   
Fund — Class C Shares with
maximum 1.00% deferred
sales charges(9)
   

28.13

     

9.69

     

     

6.30

   
Fund — Class IS Shares
w/o sales charges(10)
   

30.55

     

     

     

33.32

   
Fund — Class IR Shares
w/o sales charges(10)
   

30.55

     

     

     

33.32

   

MSCI All Country World ex USA Index

   

10.65

     

8.93

     

4.92

     

6.00

   
Active International Allocation
Blend Index
   

10.65

     

8.19

     

5.87

     

5.82

   
Lipper International Large-Cap
Growth Funds Index
   

19.39

     

10.90

     

7.11

     

N/A

   
Lipper International Multi-Cap
Growth Funds Index
   

15.49

     

9.70

     

6.14

     

N/A

   

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. Performance assumes that all dividends and distributions, if any, were reinvested. For the most recent month-end performance figures, please visit www.morganstanley.com/im/shareholderreports. Investment return and principal value will fluctuate so that Fund shares, when redeemed, may be worth more or less than their original cost. Total returns do not reflect the deduction of taxes that a shareholder would pay on Fund distributions or the redemption of Fund shares. Performance of share classes will vary due to difference in sales charges and expenses.

(1)  The MSCI All Country World ex USA Index is a free float-adjusted market capitalization weighted index designed to measure the equity market performance of developed and emerging markets, excluding the United States. 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. Returns, including periods prior to January 1, 2001, are calculated using the return data of the MSCI All Country World ex USA Index (gross dividends) through December 31, 2000 and the return data of the MSCI All Country World ex USA Index (net dividends) after December 31, 2000. Net total return indices reinvest dividends after the deduction of withholding taxes, using (for international indices) a tax rate applicable to non-resident institutional

investors who do not benefit from double taxation treaties. The Index is unmanaged and its returns do not include any sales charges or fees. Such costs would lower performance. It is not possible to invest directly in an index.

(2)  The Active International Allocation Blend Index is a performance linked benchmark of the old and new benchmark of the Fund, the old benchmark represented by MSCI EAFE Index (a benchmark measures the international equity market performance of developed markets excluding the United States and Canada) from the Fund's inception to December 31, 2016 and the new benchmark represented by MSCI All Country World ex USA Index 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 Lipper International Large-Cap Growth Funds Index is an equally weighted performance index of the largest qualifying funds (based on net assets) in the Lipper International Large-Cap Growth Funds classification. The Index, which is adjusted for capital gains distributions and income dividends, is unmanaged and should not be considered an investment. There are currently 30 funds represented in this Index. As of the date of this report, the Fund was in the Lipper International Large-Cap Growth Funds classification. The Funds' Lipper category changed from Lipper International Multi-Cap Growth Funds to Lipper International Large-Cap Growth Funds.

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

(5)  Total returns for the Fund reflect fees waived and expenses reimbursed, if applicable, by the Adviser (as defined herein). Without such waivers and reimbursements, total returns would have been lower.

(6)  Commenced operations on January 17, 1992.

(7)  Commenced offering on January 2, 1996.

(8)  Commenced offering on June 14, 2012.

(9)  Commenced offering on April 30, 2015.

(10)  Commenced offering on October 31, 2019.

(11)  For comparative purposes, average annual since inception returns listed for the Indexes refer to the inception date of Class I of the Fund, not the inception of the Index.


6



Morgan Stanley Institutional Fund, Inc.

Annual Report — December 31, 2020

Portfolio of Investments

Active International Allocation Portfolio

   

Shares

  Value
(000)
 

Common Stocks (99.2%)

 

Belgium (1.0%)

 

Anheuser-Busch InBev SA N.V.

   

30,404

   

$

2,121

   

Brazil (1.8%)

 

Ambev SA ADR

   

916,103

     

2,803

   

Petroleo Brasileiro SA (Preference)

   

230,481

     

1,251

   
     

4,054

   

Canada (6.9%)

 

Agnico Eagle Mines Ltd.

   

39,382

     

2,772

   

Altus Group Ltd.

   

25,941

     

1,001

   

First Quantum Minerals Ltd.

   

512,779

     

9,205

   

Gildan Activewear, Inc.

   

79,644

     

2,227

   
     

15,205

   

China (6.4%)

 

Alibaba Group Holding Ltd. ADR (a)

   

22,403

     

5,214

   

China Resources Beer Holdings Co., Ltd. (b)

   

122,000

     

1,122

   

Tencent Holdings Ltd. (b)

   

57,100

     

4,108

   

Tencent Music Entertainment Group ADR (a)

   

94,130

     

1,811

   

Trip.com Group Ltd. ADR (a)

   

58,933

     

1,988

   
     

14,243

   

Denmark (1.4%)

 

Drilling Co of 1972 A/S (The) (a)

   

14,139

     

443

   

Novo Nordisk A/S Series B

   

37,166

     

2,592

   
     

3,035

   

France (9.4%)

 

Air Liquide SA

   

5,440

     

892

   

Airbus SE (a)

   

38,883

     

4,267

   

Capgemini SE

   

10,908

     

1,697

   

Dassault Systemes SE

   

5,613

     

1,138

   

EssilorLuxottica SA

   

4,581

     

714

   

Hermes International

   

463

     

498

   

Kering SA

   

2,026

     

1,470

   

L'Oreal SA (BSRM)

   

3,731

     

1,424

   

Legrand SA

   

6,555

     

586

   

LVMH Moet Hennessy Louis Vuitton SE

   

1,997

     

1,250

   

Pernod Ricard SA

   

7,755

     

1,489

   

Remy Cointreau SA

   

5,608

     

1,047

   

Sanofi

   

11,120

     

1,078

   

Ubisoft Entertainment SA (a)

   

16,975

     

1,636

   

Vivendi SA

   

48,795

     

1,574

   
     

20,760

   

Germany (7.8%)

 

Bayer AG (Registered)

   

57,833

     

3,407

   

Bayerische Motoren Werke AG

   

4,266

     

377

   

CTS Eventim AG & Co. KGaA (a)

   

30,316

     

2,026

   

Duerr AG

   

34,808

     

1,423

   

Infineon Technologies AG

   

47,928

     

1,830

   

Jungheinrich AG (Preference)

   

31,250

     

1,397

   

KION Group AG

   

15,048

     

1,305

   

Linde PLC (a)

   

7,252

     

1,912

   
   

Shares

  Value
(000)
 

SAP SE

   

11,726

   

$

1,519

   

Siemens Healthineers AG

   

38,054

     

1,958

   
     

17,154

   

India (2.7%)

 

Apollo Hospitals Enterprise Ltd.

   

45,661

     

1,507

   

ICICI Bank Ltd. (a)

   

129,188

     

950

   

ICICI Prudential Life Insurance Co., Ltd. (a)

   

144,760

     

989

   

Maruti Suzuki India Ltd.

   

12,004

     

1,259

   

Reliance Industries Ltd.

   

48,168

     

1,311

   
     

6,016

   

Ireland (0.3%)

 

Kerry Group PLC, Class A

   

4,867

     

707

   

Japan (9.8%)

 

FANUC Corp.

   

5,150

     

1,271

   

Hoya Corp.

   

7,800

     

1,080

   

Keyence Corp.

   

5,600

     

3,150

   

Murata Manufacturing Co., Ltd.

   

8,700

     

788

   

Nexon Co., Ltd.

   

83,800

     

2,586

   

Nintendo Co., Ltd.

   

1,808

     

1,161

   

Shimano, Inc.

   

4,350

     

1,018

   

Shiseido Co., Ltd.

   

10,300

     

713

   

SMC Corp.

   

2,105

     

1,285

   

Sony Corp.

   

32,993

     

3,325

   

Sony Corp. ADR

   

27,816

     

2,812

   

Tokyo Electron Ltd.

   

5,200

     

1,942

   

Unicharm Corp.

   

13,300

     

631

   
     

21,762

   

Korea, Republic of (4.8%)

 

Samsung Electronics Co., Ltd.

   

104,272

     

7,787

   

SK Hynix, Inc.

   

26,843

     

2,932

   
     

10,719

   

Malta (0.0%)

 

BGP Holdings PLC (a)(c)

   

72,261

     

@

 

Netherlands (4.3%)

 

Akzo Nobel N.V.

   

9,009

     

967

   

ASML Holding N.V.

   

6,988

     

3,384

   

Koninklijke Philips N.V. (a)

   

77,023

     

4,149

   

Wolters Kluwer N.V.

   

10,871

     

916

   
     

9,416

   

Norway (1.0%)

 

Adevinta ASA (a)

   

109,989

     

1,849

   

Subsea 7 SA (a)

   

36,850

     

379

   
     

2,228

   

Poland (1.2%)

 

Allegro.eu SA (a)

   

119,357

     

2,706

   

Singapore (9.5%)

 

Sea Ltd. ADR (a)

   

105,951

     

21,090

   

Spain (2.2%)

 

Amadeus IT Group SA

   

64,631

     

4,771

   

The accompanying notes are an integral part of the financial statements.
7



Morgan Stanley Institutional Fund, Inc.

Annual Report — December 31, 2020

Portfolio of Investments (cont'd)

Active International Allocation Portfolio

   

Shares

  Value
(000)
 

Sweden (1.5%)

 

Atlas Copco AB, Class A

   

12,321

   

$

633

   

Epiroc AB, Class A

   

35,510

     

645

   

Telefonaktiebolaget LM Ericsson, Class B

   

181,320

     

2,157

   
     

3,435

   

Switzerland (1.4%)

 

Givaudan SA (Registered)

   

246

     

1,041

   

Nestle SA (Registered)

   

16,605

     

1,963

   
     

3,004

   

Taiwan (3.8%)

 

Airtac International Group

   

32,000

     

1,028

   

Taiwan Semiconductor Manufacturing Co., Ltd.

   

246,000

     

4,654

   

Taiwan Semiconductor Manufacturing Co., Ltd. ADR

   

24,292

     

2,649

   
     

8,331

   

Thailand (0.5%)

 

Muangthai Capital PCL (Foreign Shares) (a)

   

532,400

     

1,046

   

United Kingdom (7.8%)

 

AstraZeneca PLC

   

12,945

     

1,291

   

Diageo PLC

   

72,987

     

2,888

   

Intertek Group PLC

   

3,793

     

293

   

Keywords Studios PLC (a)

   

59,074

     

2,307

   

Ryanair Holdings PLC ADR (a)

   

37,133

     

4,084

   

Sage Group PLC (The)

   

72,435

     

575

   

Unilever PLC

   

38,935

     

2,357

   

Unilever PLC CVA

   

44,586

     

2,674

   

Weir Group PLC (The) (a)

   

25,917

     

705

   
     

17,174

   

United States (13.7%)

 

Air Products & Chemicals, Inc.

   

2,851

     

779

   

Booking Holdings, Inc. (a)

   

1,543

     

3,437

   

Charles River Laboratories International, Inc. (a)

   

6,040

     

1,509

   

Cognex Corp.

   

7,900

     

634

   

Estee Lauder Cos., Inc. (The), Class A

   

5,577

     

1,485

   

Farfetch Ltd., Class A (a)

   

104,568

     

6,672

   

ICON PLC (a)

   

4,120

     

803

   

Mastercard, Inc., Class A

   

1,524

     

544

   

Medtronic PLC

   

6,287

     

736

   

Micron Technology, Inc. (a)

   

103,244

     

7,762

   

Mondelez International, Inc., Class A

   

7,637

     

447

   

Newmont Goldcorp Corp. (NYSE)

   

29,024

     

1,738

   

Newmont Goldcorp Corp. (d) (TSX)

   

29,323

     

1,755

   

Palo Alto Networks, Inc. (a)

   

721

     

256

   

Schlumberger Ltd.

   

46,230

     

1,009

   

Visa, Inc., Class A

   

2,441

     

534

   

Xilinx, Inc.

   

1,930

     

274

   
     

30,374

   

Total Common Stocks (Cost $127,620)

   

219,351

   

Investment Company (0.6%)

 

United States (0.6%)

 
Morgan Stanley China A Share Fund, Inc.
(See Note G) (Cost $1,324)
   

56,878

     

1,260

   
   

Shares

  Value
(000)
 

Short-Term Investment (0.5%)

 

Investment Company (0.5%)

 
Morgan Stanley Institutional Liquidity
Funds — Treasury Securities Portfolio —
Institutional Class (See Note G)
(Cost $1,074)
   

1,074,225

   

$

1,074

   
Total Investments (100.3%) (Cost $130,018)
Including $66 of Securities Loaned (e)(f)(g)
   

221,685

   

Other Assets in Excess of Liabilities (0.6%)

   

1,482

   
Total Written Options Outstanding (–0.9%)
(Premiums Received $764)
   

(2,055

)

 

Net Assets (100.0%)

 

$

221,112

   

Country assignments and aggregations are based generally on third party vendor classifications and information, and may be different from the assignments and aggregations under the policies set forth in the Fund's prospectus and/or statement of additional information relating to geographic classifications.

@  value is less than $500.

(a)  Non-income producing security.

(b)  Security trades on the Hong Kong exchange.

(c)  At December 31, 2020, the Fund held a fair valued security valued at less than $500, representing less than 0.05% of net assets. This security has been fair valued as determined in good faith under procedures established by and under the general supervision of the Company's (as defined herein) Directors.

(d)  All or a portion of this security was on loan at December 31, 2020.

(e)  Securities are available for collateral in connection with open foreign currency forward exchange contracts.

(f)  The approximate fair value and percentage of net assets, $125,212,000 and 56.6%, respectively, represent the securities that have been fair valued under the fair valuation policy for international investments as described in Note A-1 within the Notes to the Financial Statements.

(g)  At December 31, 2020, the aggregate cost for federal income tax purposes is approximately $130,348,000. The aggregate gross unrealized appreciation is approximately $94,996,000 and the aggregate gross unrealized depreciation is approximately $5,619,000, resulting in net unrealized appreciation of approximately $89,377,000.

ADR  American Depositary Receipt.

CVA  Certificaten Van Aandelen.

BSRM  Berlin Second Regulated Market.

NYSE  New York Stock Exchange.

TSX  Toronto Stock Exchange.

The accompanying notes are an integral part of the financial statements.
8



Morgan Stanley Institutional Fund, Inc.

Annual Report — December 31, 2020

Portfolio of Investments (cont'd)

Active International Allocation Portfolio

Foreign Currency Forward Exchange Contracts:

The Fund had the following foreign currency forward exchange contracts open at December 31, 2020:

Counterparty

  Contracts to
Deliver
(000)
  In Exchange
For
(000)
  Delivery
Date
  Unrealized
Appreciation
(Depreciation)
(000)
 

Citibank NA

 

EUR

1,593

   

$

1,941

   

3/18/21

 

$

(9

)

 

State Street Bank and Trust Co.

 

HKD

4,194

   

$

541

   

3/18/21

   

(—

@)

 

State Street Bank and Trust Co.

 

HKD

8,639

   

$

1,115

   

3/18/21

   

@

 

State Street Bank and Trust Co.

 

$

2,539

   

GBP

1,894

   

3/18/21

   

51

   

State Street Bank and Trust Co.

 

$

2,053

   

JPY

212,626

   

3/18/21

   

9

   
               

$

51

   

Call Options Written:

The Fund had the following call options written purchased open at December 31, 2020:

Counterparty

 

Description

  Strike
Price
  Expiration
Date
  Number of
Contracts
  Notional
Amount
(000)
  Value
(000)
  Premiums
Received
(000)
  Unrealized
Depreciation
(000)
 

UBS Securities LLC

  USD/CNH  

CNH

190

   

Feb-21

   

72,800

     

73

   

$

(1,487

)

 

$

(682

)

 

$

(805

)

 

UBS Securities LLC

  USD/CNH  

CNH

65

   

Jan-21

   

53,000

     

53

     

(568

)

   

(82

)

   

(486

)

 
                       

$

(2,055

)

 

$

(764

)

 

$

(1,291

)

 

@  Value is less than $500.

CNH  —  Chinese Yuan Renminbi Offshore

EUR  —  Euro

GBP  —  British Pound

HKD  —  Hong Kong Dollar

JPY  —  Japanese Yen

USD  —  United States Dollar

Portfolio Composition

Classification

  Percentage of
Total Investments
 

Other*

   

52.9

%

 

Entertainment

   

14.4

   

Semiconductors & Semiconductor Equipment

   

11.5

   

Internet & Direct Marketing Retail

   

9.0

   

Metals & Mining

   

7.0

   

Beverages

   

5.2

   

Total Investments

   

100.0

%**

 

*  Industries and/or investment types representing less than 5% of total investments.

**  Does not include open foreign currency forward exchange contracts with net unrealized appreciation of approximately $51,000.

The accompanying notes are an integral part of the financial statements.
9



Morgan Stanley Institutional Fund, Inc.

Annual Report — December 31, 2020

Active International Allocation Portfolio

Statement of Assets and Liabilities

  December 31, 2020
(000)
 

Assets:

 

Investments in Securities of Unaffiliated Issuers, at Value(1) (Cost $127,620)

 

$

219,351

   

Investments in Securities of Affiliated Issuers, at Value (Cost $2,398)

   

2,334

   

Total Investments in Securities, at Value (Cost $130,018)

   

221,685

   

Foreign Currency, at Value (Cost $45)

   

59

   

Due from Broker

   

1,820

   

Tax Reclaim Receivable

   

359

   

Receivable for Fund Shares Sold

   

209

   

Dividends Receivable

   

135

   

Unrealized Appreciation on Foreign Currency Forward Exchange Contracts

   

60

   

Receivable from Affiliate

   

@

 

Receivable from Securities Lending Income

   

@

 

Other Assets

   

62

   

Total Assets

   

224,389

   

Liabilities:

 

Options Written, at Value (Premiums received $764)

   

2,055

   

Bank Overdraft

   

640

   

Payable for Advisory Fees

   

262

   

Payable for Fund Shares Redeemed

   

170

   

Payable for Professional Fees

   

29

   

Payable for Sub Transfer Agency Fees — Class I

   

13

   

Payable for Sub Transfer Agency Fees — Class A

   

7

   

Payable for Sub Transfer Agency Fees — Class L

   

1

   

Payable for Sub Transfer Agency Fees — Class C

   

@

 

Payable for Shareholder Services Fees — Class A

   

14

   

Payable for Distribution and Shareholder Services Fees — Class L

   

4

   

Payable for Distribution and Shareholder Services Fees — Class C

   

@

 

Payable for Custodian Fees

   

15

   

Payable for Administration Fees

   

15

   

Unrealized Depreciation on Foreign Currency Forward Exchange Contracts

   

9

   

Due to Broker

   

5

   

Payable for Transfer Agency Fees — Class I

   

1

   

Payable for Transfer Agency Fees — Class A

   

2

   

Payable for Transfer Agency Fees — Class L

   

1

   

Payable for Transfer Agency Fees — Class C

   

@

 

Payable for Transfer Agency Fees — Class IS

   

@

 

Payable for Transfer Agency Fees — Class IR

   

@

 

Other Liabilities

   

34

   

Total Liabilities

   

3,277

   

Net Assets

 

$

221,112

   

Net Assets Consist of:

 

Paid-in-Capital

 

$

135,192

   

Total Distributable Earnings

   

85,920

   

Net Assets

 

$

221,112

   

The accompanying notes are an integral part of the financial statements.
10



Morgan Stanley Institutional Fund, Inc.

Annual Report — December 31, 2020

Active International Allocation Portfolio

Statement of Assets and Liabilities (cont'd)

  December 31, 2020
(000)
 

CLASS I:

 

Net Assets

 

$

146,087

   
Shares Outstanding $0.001 par value shares of beneficial interest (unlimited shares authorized) (not in 000's)    

7,674,972

   

Net Asset Value, Offering and Redemption Price Per Share

 

$

19.03

   

CLASS A:

 

Net Assets

 

$

69,135

   
Shares Outstanding $0.001 par value shares of beneficial interest (unlimited shares authorized) (not in 000's)    

3,557,731

   

Net Asset Value, Redemption Price Per Share

 

$

19.43

   

Maximum Sales Load

   

5.25

%

 

Maximum Sales Charge

 

$

1.08

   

Maximum Offering Price Per Share

 

$

20.51

   

CLASS L:

 

Net Assets

 

$

5,718

   
Shares Outstanding $0.001 par value shares of beneficial interest (unlimited shares authorized) (not in 000's)    

296,688

   

Net Asset Value, Offering and Redemption Price Per Share

 

$

19.27

   

CLASS C:

 

Net Assets

 

$

144

   
Shares Outstanding $0.001 par value shares of beneficial interest (unlimited shares authorized) (not in 000's)    

7,485

   

Net Asset Value, Offering and Redemption Price Per Share

 

$

19.22

   

CLASS IS:

 

Net Assets

 

$

14

   
Shares Outstanding $0.001 par value shares of beneficial interest (unlimited shares authorized) (not in 000's)    

735

   

Net Asset Value, Offering and Redemption Price Per Share

 

$

19.04

   

CLASS IR:

 

Net Assets

 

$

14

   
Shares Outstanding $0.001 par value shares of beneficial interest (unlimited shares authorized) (not in 000's)    

735

   

Net Asset Value, Offering and Redemption Price Per Share

 

$

19.04

   
(1) Including:
Securities on Loan, at Value:
 

$

66

   

@  Amount is less than $500.

The accompanying notes are an integral part of the financial statements.
11



Morgan Stanley Institutional Fund, Inc.

Annual Report — December 31, 2020

Active International Allocation Portfolio

Statement of Operations

  Year Ended
December 31, 2020
(000)
 

Investment Income:

 

Dividends from Securities of Unaffiliated Issuers (Net of $242 of Foreign Taxes Withheld)

 

$

1,873

   

Dividends from Securities of Affiliated Issuers (Note G)

   

134

   

Income from Securities Loaned — Net

   

11

   

Total Investment Income

   

2,018

   

Expenses:

 

Advisory Fees (Note B)

   

1,161

   

Shareholder Services Fees — Class A (Note D)

   

137

   

Distribution and Shareholder Services Fees — Class L (Note D)

   

35

   

Distribution and Shareholder Services Fees — Class C (Note D)

   

1

   

Professional Fees

   

171

   

Administration Fees (Note C)

   

143

   

Sub Transfer Agency Fees — Class I

   

65

   

Sub Transfer Agency Fees — Class A

   

42

   

Sub Transfer Agency Fees — Class L

   

3

   

Sub Transfer Agency Fees — Class C

   

@

 

Registration Fees

   

107

   

Shareholder Reporting Fees

   

56

   

Custodian Fees (Note F)

   

46

   

Transfer Agency Fees — Class I (Note E)

   

5

   

Transfer Agency Fees — Class A (Note E)

   

10

   

Transfer Agency Fees — Class L (Note E)

   

4

   

Transfer Agency Fees — Class C (Note E)

   

2

   

Transfer Agency Fees — Class IS (Note E)

   

2

   

Transfer Agency Fees — Class IR (Note E)

   

2

   

Pricing Fees

   

8

   

Directors' Fees and Expenses

   

4

   

Interest Expenses

   

3

   

Other Expenses

   

28

   

Total Expenses

   

2,035

   

Waiver of Advisory Fees (Note B)

   

(204

)

 

Rebate from Morgan Stanley Affiliate (Note G)

   

(20

)

 

Reimbursement of Class Specific Expenses — Class I (Note B)

   

(10

)

 

Reimbursement of Class Specific Expenses — Class C (Note B)

   

(2

)

 

Reimbursement of Class Specific Expenses — Class IS (Note B)

   

(2

)

 

Reimbursement of Class Specific Expenses — Class IR (Note B)

   

(2

)

 

Net Expenses

   

1,795

   

Net Investment Income

   

223

   

Realized Gain (Loss):

 

Investments Sold

   

(25

)

 

Investments in Affiliates

   

(295

)

 

Foreign Currency Forward Exchange Contracts

   

(57

)

 

Foreign Currency Translation

   

(129

)

 

Futures Contracts

   

(3,210

)

 

Options Written

   

4,944

   

Net Realized Gain

   

1,228

   

Change in Unrealized Appreciation (Depreciation):

 

Investments (Net of Decrease in Deferred Capital Gain Country Tax of $67)

   

50,321

   

Investments in Affiliates

   

285

   

Foreign Currency Forward Exchange Contracts

   

28

   

Foreign Currency Translation

   

58

   

Futures Contracts

   

5

   

Options Written

   

(1,291

)

 

Net Change in Unrealized Appreciation (Depreciation)

   

49,406

   

Net Realized Gain and Change in Unrealized Appreciation (Depreciation)

   

50,634

   

Net Increase in Net Assets Resulting from Operations

 

$

50,857

   

@  Amount is less than $500.

The accompanying notes are an integral part of the financial statements.
12



Morgan Stanley Institutional Fund, Inc.

Annual Report — December 31, 2020

Active International Allocation Portfolio

Statements of Changes in Net Assets

  Year Ended
December 31, 2020
(000)
  Year Ended
December 31, 2019
(000)
 

Increase (Decrease) in Net Assets:

 

Operations:

 

Net Investment Income

 

$

223

   

$

2,002

   

Net Realized Gain

   

1,228

     

6,934

   

Net Change in Unrealized Appreciation (Depreciation)

   

49,406

     

27,852

   

Net Increase in Net Assets Resulting from Operations

   

50,857

     

36,788

   

Dividends and Distributions to Shareholders:

 

Class I

   

(57

)

   

(1,578

)

 

Class A

   

(26

)

   

(537

)

 

Class L

   

(2

)

   

(19

)

 

Class C

   

(—

@)

   

(—

@)

 

Class IS

   

(—

@)

   

(—

@)

 

Class IR

   

(—

@)

   

(—

@)

 

Total Dividends and Distributions to Shareholders

   

(85

)

   

(2,134

)

 

Capital Share Transactions:(1)

 

Class I:

 

Subscribed

   

13,746

     

8,659

   

Distributions Reinvested

   

57

     

1,571

   

Redeemed

   

(28,630

)

   

(26,981

)

 

Class A:

 

Subscribed

   

5,120

     

9,097

   

Distributions Reinvested

   

26

     

531

   

Redeemed

   

(9,666

)

   

(12,119

)

 

Class L:

 

Exchanged

   

334

     

29

   

Distributions Reinvested

   

2

     

18

   

Redeemed

   

(637

)

   

(632

)

 

Class C:

 

Subscribed

   

83

     

7

   

Distributions Reinvested

   

@

   

@

 

Redeemed

   

(5

)

   

(12

)

 

Class IS:

 

Subscribed

   

     

10

(a)

 

Distributions Reinvested

   

@

   

@(a)

 

Class IR:

 

Subscribed

   

     

10

(a)

 

Distributions Reinvested

   

@

   

@(a)

 

Net Decrease in Net Assets Resulting from Capital Share Transactions

   

(19,570

)

   

(19,812

)

 

Redemption Fees

   

     

@

 

Total Increase in Net Assets

   

31,202

     

14,842

   

Net Assets:

 

Beginning of Period

   

189,910

     

175,068

   

End of Period

 

$

221,112

   

$

189,910

   

The accompanying notes are an integral part of the financial statements.
13



Morgan Stanley Institutional Fund, Inc.

Annual Report — December 31, 2020

Active International Allocation Portfolio

Statements of Changes in Net Assets (cont'd)

  Year Ended
December 31, 2020
(000)
  Year Ended
December 31, 2019
(000)
 

(1)   Capital Share Transactions:

 

Class I:

 

Shares Subscribed

   

915

     

654

   

Shares Issued on Distributions Reinvested

   

3

     

109

   

Shares Redeemed

   

(1,939

)

   

(2,005

)

 

Net Decrease in Class I Shares Outstanding

   

(1,021

)

   

(1,242

)

 

Class A:

 

Shares Subscribed

   

323

     

654

   

Shares Issued on Distributions Reinvested

   

1

     

36

   

Shares Redeemed

   

(672

)

   

(890

)

 

Net Decrease in Class A Shares Outstanding

   

(348

)

   

(200

)

 

Class L:

 

Shares Exchanged

   

29

     

3

   

Shares Issued on Distributions Reinvested

   

@@

   

1

   

Shares Redeemed

   

(44

)

   

(47

)

 

Net Decrease in Class L Shares Outstanding

   

(15

)

   

(43

)

 

Class C:

 

Shares Subscribed

   

4

     

1

   

Shares Issued on Distributions Reinvested

   

@@

   

@@

 

Shares Redeemed

   

(—

@@)

   

(1

)

 

Net Increase (Decrease) in Class C Shares Outstanding

   

4

     

(—

@@)

 

Class IS:

 

Shares Subscribed

   

     

1

   

Shares Issued on Distributions Reinvested

   

@@

   

@@

 

Net Increase in Class IS Shares Outstanding

   

@@

   

1

(a)

 

Class IR:

 

Shares Subscribed

   

     

1

   

Shares Issued on Distributions Reinvested

   

@@

   

@@

 

Net Increase in Class IR Shares Outstanding

   

@@

   

1

(a)

 

(a)  For the period October 31, 2019 through December 31, 2019.

@  Amount is less than $500.

@@  Amount is less than 500 shares.

The accompanying notes are an integral part of the financial statements.
14



Morgan Stanley Institutional Fund, Inc.

Annual Report — December 31, 2020

Financial Highlights

Active International Allocation Portfolio

   

Class I

 
   

Year Ended December 31,

 

Selected Per Share Data and Ratios

 

2020

 

2019

 

2018

 

2017

 

2016(1)

 

Net Asset Value, Beginning of Period

 

$

14.59

   

$

12.07

   

$

14.46

   

$

11.83

   

$

12.20

   

Income (Loss) from Investment Operations:

 

Net Investment Income(2)

   

0.04

     

0.16

     

0.23

     

0.19

     

0.26

   

Net Realized and Unrealized Gain (Loss)

   

4.41

     

2.54

     

(2.41

)

   

2.74

     

(0.34

)

 

Total from Investment Operations

   

4.45

     

2.70

     

(2.18

)

   

2.93

     

(0.08

)

 

Distributions from and/or in Excess of:

 

Net Investment Income

   

(0.01

)

   

(0.18

)

   

(0.21

)

   

(0.30

)

   

(0.29

)

 

Redemption Fees

   

     

0.00

(3)

   

0.00

(3)

   

0.00

(3)

   

0.00

(3)

 

Net Asset Value, End of Period

 

$

19.03

   

$

14.59

   

$

12.07

   

$

14.46

   

$

11.83

   

Total Return(4)

   

30.48

%

   

22.41

%

   

(15.14

)%

   

24.76

%

   

(0.67

)%

 

Ratios to Average Net Assets and Supplemental Data:

 

Net Assets, End of Period (Thousands)

 

$

146,087

   

$

126,860

   

$

119,925

   

$

155,550

   

$

169,589

   

Ratio of Expenses Before Expense Limitation

   

1.02

%

   

0.97

%

   

0.97

%

   

1.14

%

   

0.94

%

 

Ratio of Expenses After Expense Limitation

   

0.89

%(5)

   

0.89

%(5)

   

0.88

%(5)

   

0.88

%(5)

   

0.76

%(5)

 

Ratio of Expenses After Expense Limitation Excluding Interest Expenses

   

0.89

%(5)

   

N/A

     

N/A

     

N/A

     

N/A

   

Ratio of Net Investment Income

   

0.24

%(5)

   

1.22

%(5)

   

1.67

%(5)

   

1.44

%(5)

   

2.18

%(5)

 

Ratio of Rebate from Morgan Stanley Affiliates

   

0.01

%

   

0.01

%

   

0.02

%

   

0.02

%

   

0.01

%

 

Portfolio Turnover Rate

   

37

%

   

34

%

   

43

%

   

22

%

   

40

%

 

(1)  Reflects prior period custodian out-of-pocket expenses that were reimbursed in September 2016. The amount of the reimbursement was immaterial on a per share basis and did not impact the total return of Class I shares. The Ratio of Expenses After Expense Limitation would have been 0.13% higher and the Ratio of Net Investment Income would have been 0.13% lower had the custodian not reimbursed the Fund.

(2)  Per share amount is based on average shares outstanding.

(3)  Amount is less than $0.005 per share.

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

(5)  The Ratio of Expenses After Expense Limitation and Ratio of Net Investment Income reflect the rebate of certain Fund expenses in connection with the investments in Morgan Stanley affiliates during the period. The effect of the rebate on the ratios is disclosed in the above table as "Ratio of Rebate from Morgan Stanley Affiliates."

The accompanying notes are an integral part of the financial statements.
15



Morgan Stanley Institutional Fund, Inc.

Annual Report — December 31, 2020

Financial Highlights

Active International Allocation Portfolio

   

Class A

 
   

Year Ended December 31,

 

Selected Per Share Data and Ratios

 

2020

 

2019

 

2018

 

2017

 

2016(1)

 

Net Asset Value, Beginning of Period

 

$

14.94

   

$

12.36

   

$

14.79

   

$

12.10

   

$

12.47

   

Income (Loss) from Investment Operations:

 

Net Investment Income (Loss)(2)

   

(0.01

)

   

0.11

     

0.19

     

0.14

     

0.21

   

Net Realized and Unrealized Gain (Loss)

   

4.51

     

2.61

     

(2.46

)

   

2.80

     

(0.34

)

 

Total from Investment Operations

   

4.50

     

2.72

     

(2.27

)

   

2.94

     

(0.13

)

 

Distributions from and/or in Excess of:

 

Net Investment Income

   

(0.01

)

   

(0.14

)

   

(0.16

)

   

(0.25

)

   

(0.24

)

 

Redemption Fees

   

     

0.00

(3)

   

0.00

(3)

   

0.00

(3)

   

0.00

(3)

 

Net Asset Value, End of Period

 

$

19.43

   

$

14.94

   

$

12.36

   

$

14.79

   

$

12.10

   

Total Return(4)

   

30.10

%

   

22.00

%

   

(15.38

)%

   

24.29

%

   

(1.05

)%

 

Ratios to Average Net Assets and Supplemental Data:

 

Net Assets, End of Period (Thousands)

 

$

69,135

   

$

58,339

   

$

50,726

   

$

65,710

   

$

56,934

   

Ratio of Expenses Before Expense Limitation

   

1.31

%

   

1.25

%

   

1.26

%

   

1.48

%

   

1.32

%

 

Ratio of Expenses After Expense Limitation

   

1.19

%(5)

   

1.22

%(5)

   

1.19

%(5)

   

1.23

%(5)

   

1.14

%(5)

 

Ratio of Expenses After Expense Limitation Excluding Interest Expenses

   

1.19

%(5)

   

N/A

     

N/A

     

N/A

     

N/A

   

Ratio of Net Investment Income (Loss)

   

(0.06

)%(5)

   

0.82

%(5)

   

1.37

%(5)

   

1.02

%(5)

   

1.79

%(5)

 

Ratio of Rebate from Morgan Stanley Affiliates

   

0.01

%

   

0.01

%

   

0.02

%

   

0.02

%

   

0.01

%

 

Portfolio Turnover Rate

   

37

%

   

34

%

   

43

%

   

22

%

   

40

%

 

(1)  Reflects prior period custodian out-of-pocket expenses that were reimbursed in September 2016. The amount of the reimbursement was immaterial on a per share basis and did not impact the total return of Class A shares. The Ratio of Expenses After Expense Limitation would have been 0.10% higher and the Ratio of Net Investment Income would have been 0.10% lower had the custodian not reimbursed the Fund.

(2)  Per share amount is based on average shares outstanding.

(3)  Amount is less than $0.005 per share.

(4)  Calculated based on the net asset value which does not reflect sales charges, if applicable, as of the last business day of the period.

(5)  The Ratio of Expenses After Expense Limitation and Ratio of Net Investment Income (Loss) reflect the rebate of certain Fund expenses in connection with the investments in Morgan Stanley affiliates during the period. The effect of the rebate on the ratios is disclosed in the above table as "Ratio of Rebate from Morgan Stanley Affiliates."

The accompanying notes are an integral part of the financial statements.
16



Morgan Stanley Institutional Fund, Inc.

Annual Report — December 31, 2020

Financial Highlights

Active International Allocation Portfolio

   

Class L

 
   

Year Ended December 31,

 

Selected Per Share Data and Ratios

 

2020

 

2019

 

2018

 

2017

 

2016(1)

 

Net Asset Value, Beginning of Period

 

$

14.90

   

$

12.32

   

$

14.73

   

$

12.04

   

$

12.41

   

Income (Loss) from Investment Operations:

 

Net Investment Income (Loss)(2)

   

(0.09

)

   

0.05

     

0.13

     

0.07

     

0.14

   

Net Realized and Unrealized Gain (Loss)

   

4.47

     

2.59

     

(2.46

)

   

2.79

     

(0.35

)

 

Total from Investment Operations

   

4.38

     

2.64

     

(2.33

)

   

2.86

     

(0.21

)

 

Distributions from and/or in Excess of:

 

Net Investment Income

   

(0.01

)

   

(0.06

)

   

(0.08

)

   

(0.17

)

   

(0.16

)

 

Redemption Fees

   

     

0.00

(3)

   

0.00

(3)

   

0.00

(3)

   

0.00

(3)

 

Net Asset Value, End of Period

 

$

19.27

   

$

14.90

   

$

12.32

   

$

14.73

   

$

12.04

   

Total Return(4)

   

29.38

%

   

21.43

%

   

(15.87

)%

   

23.80

%

   

(1.68

)%

 

Ratios to Average Net Assets and Supplemental Data:

 

Net Assets, End of Period (Thousands)

 

$

5,718

   

$

4,644

   

$

4,375

   

$

6,463

   

$

6,053

   

Ratio of Expenses Before Expense Limitation

   

1.86

%

   

1.81

%

   

1.76

%

   

2.07

%

   

1.93

%

 

Ratio of Expenses After Expense Limitation

   

1.74

%(5)

   

1.74

%(5)

   

1.69

%(5)

   

1.73

%(5)

   

1.74

%(5)

 

Ratio of Expenses After Expense Limitation Excluding Interest Expenses

   

1.74

%(5)

   

N/A

     

N/A

     

N/A

     

N/A

   

Ratio of Net Investment Income (Loss)

   

(0.61

)%(5)

   

0.35

%(5)

   

0.92

%(5)

   

0.54

%(5)

   

1.20

%(5)

 

Ratio of Rebate from Morgan Stanley Affiliates

   

0.01

%

   

0.01

%

   

0.02

%

   

0.02

%

   

0.01

%

 

Portfolio Turnover Rate

   

37

%

   

34

%

   

43

%

   

22

%

   

40

%

 

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

(2)  Per share amount is based on average shares outstanding.

(3)  Amount is less than $0.005 per share.

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

(5)  The Ratio of Expenses After Expense Limitation and Ratio of Net Investment Income (Loss) reflect the rebate of certain Fund expenses in connection with the investments in Morgan Stanley affiliates during the period. The effect of the rebate on the ratios is disclosed in the above table as "Ratio of Rebate from Morgan Stanley Affiliates."

The accompanying notes are an integral part of the financial statements.
17



Morgan Stanley Institutional Fund, Inc.

Annual Report — December 31, 2020

Financial Highlights

Active International Allocation Portfolio

   

Class C

 
   

Year Ended December 31,

 

Selected Per Share Data and Ratios

 

2020

 

2019

 

2018

 

2017

 

2016(1)

 

Net Asset Value, Beginning of Period

 

$

14.89

   

$

12.34

   

$

14.77

   

$

12.15

   

$

12.38

   

Income (Loss) from Investment Operations:

 

Net Investment Income (Loss)(2)

   

(0.12

)

   

0.00

(3)

   

0.09

     

(0.00

)(3)

   

0.14

   

Net Realized and Unrealized Gain (Loss)

   

4.46

     

2.59

     

(2.45

)

   

2.83

     

(0.37

)

 

Total from Investment Operations

   

4.34

     

2.59

     

(2.36

)

   

2.83

     

(0.23

)

 

Distributions from and/or in Excess of:

 

Net Investment Income

   

(0.01

)

   

(0.04

)

   

(0.07

)

   

(0.21

)

   

   

Redemption Fees

   

     

0.00

(3)

   

0.00

(3)

   

0.00

(3)

   

0.00

(3)

 

Net Asset Value, End of Period

 

$

19.22

   

$

14.89

   

$

12.34

   

$

14.77

   

$

12.15

   

Total Return(4)

   

29.13

%

   

21.03

%

   

(16.04

)%

   

23.42

%

   

(1.94

)%

 

Ratios to Average Net Assets and Supplemental Data:

 

Net Assets, End of Period (Thousands)

 

$

144

   

$

45

   

$

42

   

$

23

   

$

9

   

Ratio of Expenses Before Expense Limitation

   

5.66

%

   

7.49

%

   

7.18

%

   

20.06

%

   

8.58

%

 

Ratio of Expenses After Expense Limitation

   

1.99

%(5)

   

1.99

%(5)

   

1.98

%(5)

   

1.97

%(5)

   

1.99

%(5)

 

Ratio of Expenses After Expense Limitation Excluding Interest Expenses

   

1.99

%(5)

   

N/A

     

N/A

     

N/A

     

N/A

   

Ratio of Net Investment Income (Loss)

   

(0.81

)%(5)

   

0.03

%(5)

   

0.67

%(5)

   

(0.03

)%(5)

   

1.19

%(5)

 

Ratio of Rebate from Morgan Stanley Affiliates

   

0.01

%

   

0.01

%

   

0.02

%

   

0.03

%

   

0.01

%

 

Portfolio Turnover Rate

   

37

%

   

34

%

   

43

%

   

22

%

   

40

%

 

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

(2)  Per share amount is based on average shares outstanding.

(3)  Amount is less than $0.005 per share.

(4)  Calculated based on the net asset value which does not reflect sales charges, if applicable, as of the last business day of the period.

(5)  The Ratio of Expenses After Expense Limitation and Ratio of Net Investment Income (Loss) reflect the rebate of certain Fund expenses in connection with the investments in Morgan Stanley affiliates during the period. The effect of the rebate on the ratios is disclosed in the above table as "Ratio of Rebate from Morgan Stanley Affiliates."

The accompanying notes are an integral part of the financial statements.
18



Morgan Stanley Institutional Fund, Inc.

Annual Report — December 31, 2020

Financial Highlights

Active International Allocation Portfolio

   

Class IS

 

Selected Per Share Data and Ratios

 
Year Ended
December 31, 2020
  Period from
October 31, 2019(1) to
December 31, 2019
 

Net Asset Value, Beginning of Period

 

$

14.59

   

$

13.79

   

Income from Investment Operations:

 

Net Investment Income(2)

   

0.04

     

0.00

(3)

 

Net Realized and Unrealized Gain

   

4.42

     

0.98

   

Total from Investment Operations

   

4.46

     

0.98

   

Distributions from and/or in Excess of:

 

Net Investment Income

   

(0.01

)

   

(0.18

)

 

Net Asset Value, End of Period

 

$

19.04

   

$

14.59

   

Total Return(4)

   

30.55

%

   

7.15

%(6)

 

Ratios to Average Net Assets and Supplemental Data:

 

Net Assets, End of Period (Thousands)

 

$

14

   

$

11

   

Ratio of Expenses Before Expense Limitation

   

21.16

%

   

14.33

%(7)

 

Ratio of Expenses After Expense Limitation

   

0.84

%(5)

   

0.84

%(5)(7)

 

Ratio of Expenses After Expense Limitation Excluding Interest Expenses

   

0.84

%(5)

   

N/A

   

Ratio of Net Investment Income

   

0.28

%(5)

   

0.18

%(5)(7)

 

Ratio of Rebate from Morgan Stanley Affiliates

   

0.01

%

   

0.01

%(7)

 

Portfolio Turnover Rate

   

37

%

   

34

%

 

(1)  Commencement of Offering.

(2)  Per share amount is based on average shares outstanding.

(3)  Amount is less than $0.005 per share.

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

(5)  The Ratio of Expenses After Expense Limitation and Ratio of Net Investment Income reflect the rebate of certain Fund expenses in connection with the investments in Morgan Stanley affiliates during the period. The effect of the rebate on the ratios is disclosed in the above table as "Ratio of Rebate from Morgan Stanley Affiliates."

(6)  Not annualized.

(7)  Annualized.

The accompanying notes are an integral part of the financial statements.
19



Morgan Stanley Institutional Fund, Inc.

Annual Report — December 31, 2020

Financial Highlights

Active International Allocation Portfolio

   

Class IR

 

Selected Per Share Data and Ratios

 
Year Ended
December 31, 2020
  Period from
October 31, 2019(1) to
December 31, 2019
 

Net Asset Value, Beginning of Period

 

$

14.59

   

$

13.79

   

Income from Investment Operations:

 

Net Investment Income(2)

   

0.04

     

0.00

(3)

 

Net Realized and Unrealized Gain on Investments

   

4.42

     

0.98

   

Total from Investment Operations

   

4.46

     

0.98

   

Distributions from and/or in Excess of:

 

Net Investment Income

   

(0.01

)

   

(0.18

)

 

Net Asset Value, End of Period

 

$

19.04

   

$

14.59

   

Total Return(4)

   

30.55

%

   

7.15

%(6)

 

Ratios to Average Net Assets and Supplemental Data:

 

Net Assets, End of Period, (Thousands)

 

$

14

   

$

11

   

Ratio of Expenses Before Expense Limitation

   

20.70

%

   

14.33

%(7)

 

Ratio of Expenses After Expense Limitation

   

0.84

%(5)

   

0.84

%(5)(7)

 

Ratios of Expenses After Expense Limitation Excluding Interest Expenses

   

0.84

%(5)

   

N/A

   

Ratio of Net Investment Income

   

0.29

%(5)

   

0.18

%(5)(7)

 

Ratio of Rebate from Morgan Stanley Affiliates

   

0.01

%

   

0.01

%(7)

 

Portfolio Turnover Rate

   

37

%

   

34

%

 

(1)  Commencement of Offering.

(2)  Per share amount is based on average shares outstanding.

(3)  Amount is less than $0.005 per share.

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

(5)  The Ratio of Expenses After Expense Limitation and Ratio of Net Investment Income reflect the rebate of certain Fund expenses in connection with the investments in Morgan Stanley affiliates during the period. The effect of the rebate on the ratios is disclosed in the above table as "Ratio of Rebate from Morgan Stanley Affiliates."

(6)  Not annualized.

(7)  Annualized.

The accompanying notes are an integral part of the financial statements.
20



Morgan Stanley Institutional Fund, Inc.

Annual Report — December 31, 2020

Notes to Financial Statements

Morgan Stanley Institutional Fund, Inc. (the "Company") is registered under the Investment Company Act of 1940, as amended (the "Act"), as an open-end management investment company. The Company is comprised of thirty-one separate, active, diversified and non-diversified funds (individually referred to as a "Fund," collectively as the "Funds"). The Company applies investment company accounting and reporting guidance.

The accompanying financial statements relate to the Active International Allocation Portfolio. The Fund seeks long-term capital appreciation.

The Fund offers six classes of shares — Class I, Class A, Class L, Class C, Class IS and Class IR. On April 30, 2015, the Fund suspended offering of Class L shares. Existing Class L shareholders may invest through reinvestment of dividends and distributions. In addition, Class L shares of the Fund may be exchanged for Class L shares of any Morgan Stanley Multi-Class Fund, even though Class L shares are closed to investors.

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

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

closing price), and if there was no trading in the security on a given day and if there is no official closing price from relevant markets for that day, the security is valued at the mean between the last reported bid and asked prices if such bid and asked prices are available on the relevant markets. An unlisted equity security that does not trade on the valuation date and for which bid and asked prices from the relevant markets are unavailable is valued at the mean between the current bid and asked prices obtained from one or more reputable brokers or dealers; (3) certain portfolio securities may be valued by an outside pricing service/vendor approved by the Company's Board of Directors (the "Directors"). The pricing service/vendor may employ a pricing model that takes into account, among other things, bids, yield spreads and/or other market data and specific security characteristics. Alternatively, if a valuation is not available from an outside pricing service/vendor, and the security trades on an exchange, the security may be valued at its latest reported sale price (or at the exchange official closing price if such exchange reports an official closing price), prior to the time when assets are valued. If there are no sales on a given day and if there is no official exchange closing price for that day, the security is valued at the mean between the last reported bid and asked prices if such bid and asked prices are available in the relevant exchanges. If only bid prices are available then the latest bid price may be used. If Morgan Stanley Investment Management Inc. (the "Adviser"), a wholly-owned subsidiary of Morgan Stanley, determines that the price provided by the outside pricing service/vendor or exchange does not reflect the security's fair value or is unable to provide a price, prices from brokers or dealers may also be utilized. In these circumstances, the value of the security will be the mean of bid and asked prices obtained from brokers or dealers; (4) futures are valued at the settlement price on the exchange on which they trade or, if a settlement price is unavailable, at the last sale price on the exchange; (5) when market quotations are not readily available, including circumstances under which the Adviser 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 Directors. 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


21



Morgan Stanley Institutional Fund, Inc.

Annual Report — December 31, 2020

Notes to Financial Statements (cont'd)

market on which the securities trade) and the close of business of the New York Stock Exchange ("NYSE"). If developments occur during such periods that are expected to materially affect the value of such securities, such valuations may be adjusted to reflect the estimated fair value of such securities as of the close of the NYSE, as determined in good faith by the Directors or by the Adviser using a pricing service and/or procedures approved by the Directors; (6) quotations of foreign portfolio securities, other assets and liabilities and forward contracts stated in foreign currency are translated into U.S. dollar equivalents at the prevailing market rates prior to the close of the NYSE; and (7) investments in mutual funds, including the Morgan Stanley Institutional Liquidity Funds, are valued at the net asset value ("NAV") as of the close of each business day.

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

2.  Fair Value Measurement: Financial Accounting Standards Board ("FASB") Accounting Standards CodificationTM ("ASC") 820, "Fair Value Measurement" ("ASC 820"), defines fair value as the value that the Fund would receive to sell an investment or pay to transfer a liability in a timely transaction with an independent buyer in the principal market, or in the absence of a principal market, the most advantageous market for the investment or liability. ASC 820 establishes a three-tier hierarchy to distinguish between (1) inputs that reflect the assumptions market participants would use in valuing an asset or liability developed based on market data obtained from sources independent of the reporting entity (observable inputs) and (2) inputs that reflect the reporting entity's own assumptions about the assumptions market participants

would use in valuing an asset or liability developed based on the best information available in the circumstances (unobservable inputs) and to establish classification of fair value measurements for disclosure purposes. Various inputs are used in determining the value of the Fund's investments. The inputs are summarized in the three broad levels listed below:

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

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

•  Level 3 – significant unobservable inputs including the Fund's own assumptions in determining the fair value of investments. Factors considered in making this determination may include, but are not limited to, information obtained by contacting the issuer, analysts, or the appropriate stock exchange (for exchange-traded securities), analysis of the issuer's financial statements or other available documents and, if necessary, available information concerning other securities in similar circumstances.

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

The following is a summary of the inputs used to value the Fund's investments as of December 31, 2020:

Investment Type

  Level 1
Unadjusted
quoted
prices
(000)
  Level 2
Other
significant
observable
inputs
(000)
  Level 3
Significant
unobservable
inputs
(000)
  Total
(000)
 

Assets:

 

Common Stocks

 

Aerospace & Defense

 

$

   

$

4,267

   

$

   

$

4,267

   

Airlines

   

4,084

     

     

     

4,084

   

Automobiles

   

     

1,636

     

     

1,636

   

Banks

   

     

950

     

     

950

   

Beverages

   

2,803

     

8,667

     

     

11,470

   

Chemicals

   

779

     

4,812

     

     

5,591

   
Communications
Equipment
   

     

2,157

     

     

2,157

   


22



Morgan Stanley Institutional Fund, Inc.

Annual Report — December 31, 2020

Notes to Financial Statements (cont'd)

Investment Type

  Level 1
Unadjusted
quoted
prices
(000)
  Level 2
Other
significant
observable
inputs
(000)
  Level 3
Significant
unobservable
inputs
(000)
  Total
(000)
 

Common Stocks (cont'd)

 

Consumer Finance

 

$

   

$

1,046

   

$

   

$

1,046

   

Electrical Equipment

   

     

586

     

     

586

   
Electronic Equipment,
Instruments &
Components
   

634

     

3,938

     

     

4,572

   
Energy Equipment &
Services
   

1,009

     

822

     

     

1,831

   

Entertainment

   

22,901

     

8,983

     

     

31,884

   

Food Products

   

447

     

2,670

     

     

3,117

   
Health Care Equipment &
Supplies
   

736

     

7,187

     

     

7,923

   
Health Care Providers &
Services
   

     

1,507

     

     

1,507

   

Household Durables

   

2,812

     

3,325

     

     

6,137

   

Household Products

   

     

631

     

     

631

   
Information Technology
Services
   

1,078

     

8,775

     

     

9,853

   

Insurance

   

     

989

     

     

989

   
Interactive Media &
Services
   

     

5,957

     

     

5,957

   
Internet & Direct
Marketing Retail
   

20,017

     

     

     

20,017

   

Leisure Products

   

     

1,018

     

     

1,018

   
Life Sciences Tools &
Services
   

2,312

     

     

     

2,312

   

Machinery

   

     

9,692

     

     

9,692

   

Metals & Mining

   

15,470

     

     

     

15,470

   
Oil, Gas & Consumable
Fuels
   

     

2,562

     

     

2,562

   

Personal Products

   

3,842

     

4,811

     

     

8,653

   

Pharmaceuticals

   

     

8,368

     

     

8,368

   

Professional Services

   

     

1,209

     

     

1,209

   
Real Estate Management &
Development
   

1,001

     

     

@

   

1,001

   
Semiconductors &
Semiconductor
Equipment
   

10,685

     

14,742

     

     

25,427

   

Software

   

256

     

3,232

     

     

3,488

   
Tech Hardware, Storage &
Peripherals
   

     

7,787

     

     

7,787

   
Textiles, Apparel &
Luxury Goods
   

2,227

     

3,932

     

     

6,159

   

Total Common Stocks

   

93,093

     

126,258

     

@

   

219,351

   

Investment Company

   

1,260

     

     

     

1,260

   

Short-Term Investment

 

Investment Company

   

1,074

     

     

     

1,074

   
Foreign Currency Forward
Exchange Contracts
   

     

60

     

     

60

   

Total Assets

   

95,427

     

126,318

     

@

   

221,745

   

Liabilities:

 
Foreign Currency Forward
Exchange Contracts
   

     

(9

)

   

     

(9

)

 

Written Options

   

     

(2,055

)

   

     

(2,055

)

 

Total Liabilities

   

     

(2,064

)

   

     

(2,064

)

 

Total

 

$

95,427

   

$

124,254

   

$

@

 

$

219,681

   

@  Value is less than $500.

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

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

    Common
Stock
(000)
 

Beginning Balance

 

$

@

 

Purchases

   

   

Sales

   

   

Amortization of discount

   

   

Transfers in

   

   

Transfers out

   

   

Corporate actions

   

   

Change in unrealized appreciation (depreciation)

   

@

 

Realized gains (losses)

   

   

Ending Balance

 

$

@

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

$

@

 

@  Value is less than $500.

3.  Repurchase Agreements: The Fund may enter into repurchase agreements under which the Fund lends cash and takes possession of securities with an agreement that the counterparty will repurchase such securities. In connection with transactions in repurchase agreements, a bank as custodian for the Fund takes possession of the underlying securities which are held as collateral, with a market value at least equal to the amount of the repurchase transaction, including principal and accrued interest. To the extent that any repurchase transaction exceeds one business day, the value of the collateral is marked-tomarket on a daily basis 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. In the event of default on the obligation to repurchase, the Fund has the right to liquidate the collateral and apply the proceeds in satisfaction of the obligation. In the event of default or bankruptcy by the counterparty to the agreement, realization of the collateral proceeds may be subject to cost and delays. The Fund, along with other affiliated investment companies, may utilize a joint trading account for the purpose of entering into repurchase agreements.


23



Morgan Stanley Institutional Fund, Inc.

Annual Report — December 31, 2020

Notes to Financial Statements (cont'd)

4.  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.

Net realized gains (losses) on foreign currency transactions represent net foreign exchange gains (losses) from foreign currency forward exchange contracts, disposition of foreign currencies, currency gains (losses) realized between the trade and settlement dates on securities transactions, and the difference between the amount of investment income and foreign withholding taxes recorded on the Fund's books and the U.S. dollar equivalent amounts actually received or paid. The change in unrealized currency gains (losses) on foreign currency transactions for the period is reflected in the Statement of Operations.

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.

Governmental approval for foreign investments may be required in advance of making an investment under certain circumstances in some countries, and the extent of foreign investments in domestic companies may be subject to limitation in other countries. Foreign ownership limitations also may be imposed by the charters of individual companies to prevent, among other concerns, violations of foreign investment limitations. As a result, an additional class of shares (identified as "Foreign" in the Portfolio of Investments) may be created and offered for investment. The "local" and "foreign shares" market values may differ. In the absence of trading of the foreign shares in such markets, the Fund values the foreign shares at the closing exchange price of the local shares.

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


24



Morgan Stanley Institutional Fund, Inc.

Annual Report — December 31, 2020

Notes to Financial Statements (cont'd)

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

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

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

stock indexes, futures, securities or currencies it owns or in which it may invest. Writing put options tend to increase the Fund's exposure to the underlying instrument. Writing call options tend to decrease the Fund's exposure to the underlying instruments. When the Fund writes a call or put option, an amount equal to the premium received is recorded as a liability. Any liability recorded is subsequently adjusted to reflect the current value of the options written. Premiums received from writing options which expire are treated as realized gains. Premiums received from writing options which are exercised or are closed are added to or offset against the proceeds or amount paid on the transaction to determine the net realized gain or loss. The Fund as a writer of an option has no control over whether the underlying future, security or currency may be sold (call) or purchased (put) and as a result bears the market risk of an unfavorable change in the price of the future, security or currency underlying the written option. When options are purchased OTC, the Fund bears the risk that the counterparty that wrote the option will be unable or unwilling to perform its obligations under the option contract. Options may also be illiquid and the Fund may have difficulty closing out its position. A decision as to whether, when and how to use options involves the exercise of skill and judgment and even a well-conceived option transaction may be unsuccessful because of market behavior or unexpected events. The prices of options can be highly volatile and the use of options can lower total returns.

As of December 31, 2020, the Fund did not have any outstanding purchased options.

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


25



Morgan Stanley Institutional Fund, Inc.

Annual Report — December 31, 2020

Notes to Financial Statements (cont'd)

even a well-conceived 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 the Fund'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 the Fund of margin deposits in the event of bankruptcy of a broker with which the Fund has open positions in the futures contract.

As of December 31, 2020, the Fund did not have any open futures contracts.

Foreign Currency Forward Exchange Contracts: In connection with its investments in foreign securities, the Fund also 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. To the extent hedged by the use of currency contracts, the precise matching of the currency contract amounts and the value of the securities involved will not generally be possible because the future value of such securities in foreign currencies will change as a consequence of market movements in the value of those securities between the date on which the contract is entered into and the date it matures. Furthermore, such transactions may reduce or preclude the opportunity for gain if the value of the currency should move in the direction opposite to the position taken. There is additional risk to the extent that currency contracts create exposure to currencies in which the Fund's securities are not denominated. Unanticipated changes in currency prices may result in poorer overall performance for the Fund than if it had not entered into such 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 terms of the contract. A currency contract is marked-to-market daily and the change in market value is recorded by the Fund as unrealized gain or loss. The Fund records realized gains (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.

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

The following tables set forth the fair value of the Fund's derivative contracts by primary risk exposure as of December 31, 2020:

    Asset Derivatives
Statement of Assets and
Liabilities Location
  Primary Risk
Exposure
  Value
(000)
 
Foreign Currency Forward
Exchange Contracts
  Unrealized Appreciation on
Foreign Currency Forward
Exchange Contracts
 

Currency Risk

 

$

60

   
    Liability Derivatives
Statement of Assets and
Liabilities Location
  Primary Risk
Exposure
  Value
(000)
 
Foreign Currency Forward
Exchange Contracts
  Unrealized Depreciation on
Foreign Currency Forward
Exchange Contracts
 

Currency Risk

 

$

(9

)

 

Written Options

  Investments, at Value
(Written Options)
 

Currency Risk

   

(2,055

)

 

Total

         

$

(2,064

)

 

The following tables set forth by primary risk exposure the Fund's realized gains (losses) and change in unrealized appreciation (depreciation) by type of derivative contract for the year ended December 31, 2020 in accordance with ASC 815:

Realized Gain (Loss)

 

Primary Risk Exposure

 

Derivative Type

  Value
(000)
 

Currency Risk

  Foreign Currency Forward
Exchange Contracts
 

$

(57

)

 

Equity Risk

 

Futures Contracts

   

(3,210

)

 

Currency Risk

 

Purchased Options

   

(5,278

)(a)

 

Currency Risk

 

Written Options

   

4,944

   

Total

     

$

(3,601

)

 

(a) Amounts are included in Investments Sold in the Statement of Operations.


26



Morgan Stanley Institutional Fund, Inc.

Annual Report — December 31, 2020

Notes to Financial Statements (cont'd)

Change in Unrealized Appreciation (Depreciation)

 

Primary Risk Exposure

 

Derivative Type

  Value
(000)
 

Currency Risk

  Foreign Currency Forward
Exchange Contracts
 

$

28

   

Equity Risk

 

Futures Contracts

   

5

   

Currency Risk

 

Written Options

   

(1,291

)

 

Total

     

$

(1,258

)

 

At December 31, 2020, the Fund's derivative assets and liabilities are as follows:

Gross Amounts of Assets and Liabilities
Presented in the Statement of Assets and Liabilities
 

Derivatives(b)

  Assets(c)
(000)
  Liabilities(c)
(000)
 
Foreign Currency Forward
Exchange Contracts
 

$

60

   

$

(9

)

 

Written Options

   

     

(2,055

)

 

Total

 

$

60

   

$

(2,064

)

 

(b) Excludes exchange-traded derivatives.

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

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

right to terminate a Master Agreement after a counterparty experiences a termination event as defined in the Master Agreement, the return of collateral with market value in excess of the Fund's net liability may be delayed or denied.

The following tables present derivative financial instruments that are subject to enforceable netting arrangements as of December 31, 2020:

Gross Amounts Not Offset in the Statement of Assets and Liabilities

 

Counterparty

  Gross Asset
Derivatives
Presented in
the Statement of
Assets and
Liabilities
(000)
  Financial
Instrument
(000)
  Collateral
Received
(000)
  Net Amount
(not less
than $0)
(000)
 
State Street Bank
and Trust Co.
 

$

60

   

$

(—

@)

 

$

   

$

60

   

Gross Amounts Not Offset in the Statement of Assets and Liabilities

 

Counterparty

  Gross Liability
Derivatives
Presented in
the Statement of
Assets and
Liabilities
(000)
  Financial
Instrument
(000)
  Collateral
Pledged
(000)
  Net Amount
(not less
than $0)
(000)
 

Citibank NA

 

$

9

   

$

   

$

   

$

9

   
State Street Bank
and Trust Co.
   

@

   

(—

@)

   

     

0

   

UBS Securities LLC

   

2,055

     

     

(1,820

)

   

235

   

Total

 

$

2,064

   

$

(—

@)

 

$

(1,820

)

 

$

244

   

@ Value is less than $500.

For the year ended December 31, 2020, the approximate average monthly amount outstanding for each derivative type is as follows:

Foreign Currency Forward Exchange Contracts:

 

Average monthly principal amount

 

$

8,859,000

   

Futures Contracts:

 

Average monthly notional value

 

$

26,150,000

   

Purchased Options:

 

Average monthly notional amount

   

15,000

   

Written Options:

 

Average monthly notional amount

   

66,000

   

6.  Securities Lending: The Fund lends securities to qualified financial institutions, such as broker-dealers, to earn additional income. Any increase or decrease in the fair value of the securities loaned that might occur and any interest earned or dividends declared on those securities during the term of the loan would remain in the Fund. The Fund would receive cash or securities as collateral in an amount equal to or exceeding 100% of the current fair


27



Morgan Stanley Institutional Fund, Inc.

Annual Report — December 31, 2020

Notes to Financial Statements (cont'd)

value of the loaned securities. The collateral is marked-to-market daily by State Street Bank and Trust Company ("State Street"), the securities lending agent, to ensure that a minimum of 100% collateral coverage is maintained.

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

The Fund has the right under the securities 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, 2020:

Gross Amounts Not Offset in the Statement of Assets and Liabilities

 
Gross Asset
Amounts
Presented in
the Statement of
Assets and
Liabilities
(000)
  Financial
Instrument
(000)
  Collateral
Received
(000)
  Net Amount
(not less
than $0)
(000)
 
$

66

(d)

 

$

   

$

(66

)(e)(f)

 

$

0

   

(d) Represents market value of loaned securities at year end.

(e) The Fund received non-cash collateral of approximately $70,000 in the form of U.S. Government obligations, which the Fund cannot sell or repledge, and accordingly are not reflected in the Portfolio of Investments.

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

7.  Redemption Fees: The Fund will assess a 2% redemption fee on Class I shares, Class A shares, Class L shares, Class C shares, Class IS shares and Class IR shares, which is paid directly to the Fund, for shares redeemed or exchanged within thirty days of purchase, subject to certain exceptions. The redemption fee is designed to protect the Fund and its remaining shareholders from the effects of short-term trading. These fees, if any, are included in the Statements of Changes in Net Assets. Effective April 30,

2020, the Board of Directors of the Fund approved the elimination of redemption fees charged by the Fund.

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

9.  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. Net realized capital gains, if any, are distributed at least annually.

10.  Security Transactions, Income and Expenses: Security transactions are accounted for on the trade date (date the order to buy or sell is executed). Realized gains and losses on the sale of investment securities are determined on the specific identified cost method. Dividend income and other distributions are recorded on the ex-dividend date (except for certain foreign dividends which may be recorded as soon as the Fund is informed of such dividends) net of applicable withholding taxes. Interest income is recognized on the accrual basis except where collection is in doubt. Discounts are accreted and premiums are amortized over the life of the respective securities. Most expenses of the Company can be directly attributed to a particular Fund. Expenses which cannot be directly attributed are apportioned among the Funds based upon relative net assets or other appropriate methods. Income, expenses (other than class specific expenses — distribution and shareholder services, transfer agency and sub transfer agency fees) and realized and unrealized gains or losses are allocated to each class of shares based upon their relative net assets.

B. Advisory Fees: The Adviser, a wholly-owned subsidiary of Morgan Stanley, provides the Fund with advisory services under the terms of an Investment Advisory Agreement, paid quarterly, at the annual rate based on the daily net assets as follows:

First $1
billion
  Over $1
billion
 
  0.65

%

   

0.60

%

 

For the year ended December 31, 2020, the advisory fee rate (net of waiver/rebate) was equivalent to an annual effective rate of 0.52% of the Fund's average daily net assets.


28



Morgan Stanley Institutional Fund, Inc.

Annual Report — December 31, 2020

Notes to Financial Statements (cont'd)

The Adviser has agreed to reduce its advisory fee and/or reimburse the Fund so that total annual Fund operating expenses, excluding certain investment related expenses, taxes, interest and other extraordinary expenses (including litigation), will not exceed 0.90% for Class I shares, 1.25% for Class A shares, 1.75% for Class L shares, 2.00% for Class C shares, 0.85% for Class IS shares and 0.85% for Class IR shares. The fee waivers and/or expense reimbursements will continue for at least one year from the date of the Fund's prospectus or until such time as the Directors act to discontinue all or a portion of such waivers and/or reimbursements when they deem such action is appropriate. For the year ended December 31, 2020, approximately $204,000 of advisory fees were waived and approximately $16,000 of other expenses were reimbursed by the Adviser pursuant to this arrangement.

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

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

D. Distribution and Shareholder Services Fees: Morgan Stanley Distribution, Inc. ("MSDI" or the "Distributor"), a wholly-owned subsidiary of the Adviser and an indirect subsidiary of Morgan Stanley, serves as the Company's Distributor of Fund shares pursuant to a Distribution Agreement. The Company has adopted a Shareholder Services Plan with respect to Class A shares pursuant to Rule 12b-1 under the Act. Under the Shareholder Services Plan, the Fund pays the Distributor a shareholder services fee, accrued daily and paid monthly, at an annual rate of 0.25% of the Fund's average daily net assets attributable to Class A shares.

The Company has adopted a Distribution and Shareholder Services Plan with respect to Class L shares pursuant to Rule 12b-1 under the Act. Under the Distribution and Shareholder Services Plan, the Fund pays the Distributor a distribution fee, accrued daily and paid monthly, at an annual rate of 0.50% and a shareholder services fee, accrued daily and paid monthly, at an annual rate of 0.25% of the Fund's average daily net assets attributable to Class L shares.

The Company has adopted a Distribution and Shareholder Services Plan with respect to Class C shares pursuant to Rule 12b-1 under the Act. Under the Distribution and Shareholder Services Plan, the Fund pays the Distributor a distribution fee, accrued daily and paid monthly, at an annual rate of 0.75% and a shareholder services fee, accrued daily and paid monthly, at an annual rate of 0.25% of the Fund's average daily net assets attributable to Class C shares.

The distribution and shareholder services fees are used to support the expenses associated with servicing and maintaining accounts. The Distributor may compensate other parties for providing shareholder support services to investors who purchase Class A, Class L and Class C shares.

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

F. Custodian Fees: State Street (the "Custodian") also serves as Custodian for the Company in accordance with a Custodian Agreement. The Custodian holds cash, securities and other assets of the Company as required by the Act. Custody fees are payable monthly based on assets held in custody, investment purchases and sales activity and account maintenance fees, plus reimbursement for certain out-of-pocket expenses.

G. Security Transactions and Transactions with Affiliates: For the year ended December 31, 2020, purchases and sales of investment securities for the Fund, other than long-term U.S. Government securities and short-term investments were approximately $66,244,000 and $90,290,000, respectively. There were no purchases and sales of long-term U.S. Government securities for the year ended December 31, 2020.

The Fund invests in the Institutional Class of the Morgan Stanley Institutional Liquidity Funds — Treasury Securities Portfolio (the "Liquidity Funds"), an open-end management investment company managed by the Adviser, both directly and as a portion of the securities held as collateral on loaned securities. Advisory fees paid by the Fund are reduced by an amount equal to its pro-rata share of the advisory and administration fees paid by the Fund due to its investment in the Liquidity Funds. For the year ended December 31, 2020, advisory


29



Morgan Stanley Institutional Fund, Inc.

Annual Report — December 31, 2020

Notes to Financial Statements (cont'd)

fees paid were reduced by approximately $2,000 relating to the Fund's investment in the Liquidity Funds.

The Fund invests in Morgan Stanley China A Share Fund, Inc., a closed-end management investment company advised by an affiliate of the Adviser. Advisory fees paid by the Fund are reduced by an amount equal to its pro-rata share of the advisory and administration fees paid by the Morgan Stanley China A Share Fund, Inc. For the year ended December 31, 2020, advisory fees paid were reduced by approximately $18,000 relating to the Fund's investment in the Morgan Stanley China A Share Fund, Inc.

The Fund had transactions with Mitsubishi UFJ Financial Group, Inc., and its affiliated broker-dealers, which may be deemed affiliates of the Adviser/Administrator and Distributor under Section 17 the Act.

A summary of the Fund's transactions in shares of affiliated investments during the year ended December 31, 2020 is as follows:

Affiliated
Investment
Company/Issuer
  Value
December 31,
2019
(000)
  Purchases
at Cost
(000)
  Proceeds
from Sales
(000)
  Dividend
Income
(000)
 

Liquidity Funds

 

$

6,898

   

$

42,489

   

$

48,313

   

$

3

   
Morgan Stanley
China A Share
Fund
   

1,235

     

     

     

131

   
Mitsubishi UFJ
Financial
Group, Inc.
   

250

     

     

215

     

   

Total

 

$

8,383

   

$

42,489

   

$

48,528

   

$

134

   
Affiliated
Investment
Company/Issuer (cont'd)
  Realized
Gain (Loss)
(000)
  Change in
Unrealized
Appreciation
(Depreciation)
(000)
  Value
December 31,
2020
(000)
 

Liquidity Funds

 

$

   

$

   

$

1,074

   
Morgan Stanley
China A Share
Fund
   

     

25

     

1,260

   
Mitsubishi UFJ
Financial
Group, Inc.
   

(295

)

   

260

     

   

Total

 

$

(295

)

 

$

285

   

$

2,334

   

The Fund is permitted to purchase and sell securities ("cross-trade") from and to other Morgan Stanley funds as well as other funds and client accounts for which the Adviser or an affiliate of the Adviser serves as investment adviser, pursuant to procedures approved by the Directors in compliance with

Rule 17a-7 under the Act (the "Rule"). Each cross-trade is executed at the current market price in compliance with provisions of the Rule. For the year ended December 31, 2020, the Fund did not engage in any cross-trade transactions.

The Fund has an unfunded Deferred Compensation Plan (the "Compensation Plan"), which allows each independent Director to defer payment of all, or a portion, of the fees he or she receives for serving on the Board of Directors. Each eligible Director generally may elect to have the deferred amounts credited with a return equal to the total return on one or more of the Morgan Stanley funds that are offered as investment options under the Compensation Plan. Appreciation/depreciation and distributions received from these investments are recorded with an offsetting increase/decrease in the deferred compensation obligation and do not affect the NAV of the Fund.

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

The Fund may be subject to taxes imposed by countries in which it invests. Such taxes are generally based on income and/or capital gains earned or repatriated. Taxes are accrued based on net investment income, net realized gains and net unrealized appreciation as such income and/or gains are earned. Taxes may also be based on transactions in foreign currency and are accrued based on the value of investments denominated in such currency.

FASB ASC 740-10, "Income Taxes — Overall", sets forth a minimum threshold for financial statement recognition of the benefit of a tax position taken or expected to be taken in a tax return. Management has concluded there are no significant uncertain tax positions that would require recognition in the financial statements. If applicable, the Fund recognizes interest accrued related to unrecognized tax benefits in "Interest Expense" and penalties in "Other Expenses" in the Statement of Operations. The Fund files tax returns with the U.S. Internal Revenue Service, New York and various states. Generally, each of the tax years in the four-year period ended December 31, 2020 remains subject to examination by taxing authorities.

The tax character of distributions paid may differ from the character of distributions shown for GAAP purposes due to


30



Morgan Stanley Institutional Fund, Inc.

Annual Report — December 31, 2020

Notes to Financial Statements (cont'd)

short-term capital gains being treated as ordinary income for tax purposes. The tax character of distributions paid during fiscal years 2020 and 2019 was as follows:

2020 Distributions
Paid From:
Ordinary Income
(000)
  2019 Distributions
Paid From:
Ordinary Income
(000)
 
$

85

   

$

2,134

   

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

Permanent differences, primarily due to a nondeductible expense, resulted in the following reclassifications among the components of net assets at December 31, 2020:

Total
Distributable
Earnings
(000)
  Paid-in
Capital
(000)
 
$

@

 

$

(—

@)

 

@ Amount is less than $500.

At December 31, 2020, the Fund had no distributable earnings on a tax basis.

At December 31, 2020, the Fund had available for federal income tax purposes unused short-term capital losses of approximately $3,422,000 that do not have an expiration date.

To the extent that capital loss carryforwards are used to offset any future capital gains realized, no capital gains tax liability will be incurred by the Fund for gains realized and not distributed. To the extent that capital gains are offset, such gains will not be distributed to the shareholders. During the year ended December 31, 2020, the Fund utilized capital loss carryforwards for U.S. federal income tax purposes of approximately $1,602,000.

Qualified late year losses are capital losses and specified ordinary losses, including currency losses, incurred after October 31 but within the taxable year that, if elected, are deemed to arise on

the first day of the Fund's next taxable year. For the year ended December 31, 2020, the Fund intends to defer to January 1, 2021 for U.S. federal income tax purposes the following losses:

Qualified
Late Year
Ordinary
Losses
(000)
  Post-October
Capital
Losses
(000)
 
$

21

   

$

   

I. Credit Facility: The Company and other Morgan Stanley funds participated in a $300,000,000 committed, unsecured revolving line of credit facility (the "Facility") with State Street. This Facility is to be used for temporary emergency purposes or funding of shareholder redemption requests. The interest rate on borrowings is based on the federal funds rate or 1 month LIBOR rate plus a spread. The Facility also has a commitment fee of 0.25% per annum based on the unused portion of the Facility. During the year ended December 31, 2020, the Fund did not have any borrowings under the   Facility.

J. Other: At December 31, 2020, the Fund had record owners of 10% or greater. Investment activities of these shareholders could have a material impact on the Fund. The aggregate percentage of such owners was 82.9%.

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


31



Morgan Stanley Institutional Fund, Inc.

Annual Report — December 31, 2020

Report of Independent Registered Public Accounting Firm

To the Shareholders and Board of Directors of
Morgan Stanley Institutional Fund, Inc. —
Active International Allocation Portfolio

Opinion on the Financial Statements

We have audited the accompanying statement of assets and liabilities of Active International Allocation Portfolio (the "Fund") (one of the funds constituting Morgan Stanley Institutional Fund, Inc. (the "Company")), including the portfolio of investments, as of December 31, 2020, and the related statement of operations for the year then ended, the statements of changes in net assets for each of the two years in the period then ended, the financial highlights for each of the five years in the period then ended and the related notes (collectively referred to as the "financial statements"). In our opinion, the financial statements present fairly, in all material respects, the financial position of Active International Allocation Portfolio (one of the funds constituting Morgan Stanley Institutional Fund, Inc.) at December 31, 2020, the results of its operations for the year then ended, the changes in its net assets for each of the two years in the period then ended and its financial highlights for each of the five years in the period then ended, in conformity with U.S. generally accepted accounting principles.

Basis for Opinion

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

We conducted our audits in accordance with the standards of the PCAOB. Those standards require that we plan and perform the audit to obtain reasonable assurance about whether the financial statements are free of material misstatement, whether due to error or fraud. The Company is not required to have, nor were we engaged to perform, an audit of the Company's internal control over financial reporting. As part of our audits, we are required to obtain an understanding of internal control over financial reporting, but not for the purpose of expressing an opinion on the effectiveness of the Company's internal control over financial reporting. Accordingly, we express no such opinion.

Our audits included performing procedures to assess the risks of material misstatement of the financial statements, whether due to error or fraud, and performing procedures that respond to those risks. Such procedures included examining, on a test basis, evidence regarding the amounts and disclosures in the financial statements. Our procedures included confirmation of securities owned as of December 31, 2020 by correspondence with the custodian and others or by other appropriate auditing procedures where replies from others were not received. Our audits also included evaluating the accounting principles used and significant estimates made by management, as well as evaluating the overall presentation of the financial statements. We believe that our audits provide a reasonable basis for our opinion.

We have served as the auditor of one or more Morgan Stanley investment companies since 2000.
Boston, Massachusetts
February 26, 2021


32



Morgan Stanley Institutional Fund, Inc.

Annual Report — December 31, 2020

Liquidity Risk Management Program (unaudited)

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

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

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

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

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

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


33



Morgan Stanley Institutional Fund, Inc.

Annual Report — December 31, 2020

Federal Tax Notice (unaudited)

For federal income tax purposes, the following information is furnished with respect to the distributions paid by the Fund during its taxable year ended December 31, 2020. For corporate shareholders 39.0% of the dividends qualified for the dividends received deduction.

For federal income tax purposes, the following information is furnished with respect to the Fund's earnings for its taxable year ended December 31, 2020. When distributed, certain earnings may be subject to a maximum tax rate of 15% as provided for by the Jobs and Growth Tax Relief Reconciliation Act of 2003. The Fund designated up to a maximum of approximately $324,000 as taxable at this lower rate.

The Fund intends to pass through foreign tax credits of approximately $238,000 and has derived net income from sources within foreign countries amounting to approximately $1,987,000.

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


34



Morgan Stanley Institutional Fund, Inc.

Annual Report — December 31, 2020

Privacy Notice (unaudited)  April 2019

FACTS

 

WHAT DOES MSIM DO WITH YOUR PERSONAL INFORMATION?

 

Why?

 

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

 

What?

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

How?

 

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

 

 

Reasons we can share your personal information

 

Does MSIM share?

 

Can you limit this sharing?

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

Yes

 

No

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

Yes

 

No

 

For joint marketing with other financial companies

 

No

 

We don't share

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

Yes

 

No

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

No

 

We don't share

 

For our affiliates to market to you

 

No

 

We don't share

 

For non-affiliates to market to you

 

No

 

We don't share

 

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


35



Morgan Stanley Institutional Fund, Inc.

Annual Report — December 31, 2020

Privacy Notice (unaudited) (cont'd)  April 2019

Who we are

Who is providing this notice?

 

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

 

What we do

How does MSIM protect my personal information?

 

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

 

How does MSIM collect my personal information?

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

Why can't I limit all sharing?

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

Definitions

Affiliates

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

Non-affiliates

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

Joint marketing

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


36



Morgan Stanley Institutional Fund, Inc.

Annual Report — December 31, 2020

Privacy Notice (unaudited) (cont'd)  April 2019

Other important information

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

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


37



Morgan Stanley Institutional Fund, Inc.

Annual Report — December 31, 2020

Director and Officer Information (unaudited)

Independent Directors:

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

Director

 

Since August 2006

 

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

 

79

 

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

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

Director

 

Since August 2006

 

Chairperson of the Governance Committee (January 2021), Chairperson of the Liquidity and Alternatives Sub-Committee of the Investment Committee (2006-2020); and Director or Trustee of various Morgan Stanley Funds (since August 2006); President, Cedarwood Associates (mutual fund and investment management consulting) (since July 2006); formerly, Senior Managing Director of Victory Capital Management (1993-2006).

 

79

 

Board Member, University of Albany Foundation (2012-present); Board Member, Mutual Funds Directors Forum (2014-present); Director of various non-profit organizations.

 
Nancy C. Everett
c/o Perkins Coie LLP
Counsel to the Independent Directors
1155 Avenue of the Americas,
22nd Floor
New York, NY 10036
Birth Year: 1955
 

Director

 

Since January 2015

 

Chairperson of the Equity Investment Committee (since January 2021); Director or Trustee of various Morgan Stanley Funds (since January 2015); Chief Executive Officer, Virginia Commonwealth University Investment Company (since November 2015); Owner, OBIR, LLC (institutional investment management consulting) (since June 2014); formerly, Managing Director, BlackRock, Inc. (February 2011-December 2013); and Chief Executive Officer, General Motors Asset Management (a/k/a Promark Global Advisors, Inc.) (June 2005-May 2010).

 

80

 

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

 


38



Morgan Stanley Institutional Fund, Inc.

Annual Report — December 31, 2020

Director and Officer Information (unaudited) (cont'd)

Independent Directors (cont'd):

Name, Address and Birth
Year of Independent Director
  Position(s)
Held with
Registrant
  Length of Time
Served*
  Principal Occupation(s) During Past 5 Years and Other
Relevant Professional Experience
  Number of
Funds
in Fund Complex
Overseen by
Independent
Director**
  Other Directorships
Held by Independent
Director***
 
Jakki L. Haussler
c/o Perkins Coie LLP
Counsel to the Independent Directors
1155 Avenue of the Americas,
22nd Floor
New York, NY 10036
Birth Year: 1957
 

Director

 

Since January 2015

 

Director or Trustee of various Morgan Stanley Funds (since January 2015) Chairman, Opus Capital Group (1996); formerly, Chief Executive Officer, Opus Capital Group (1996-2019); Director, Capvest Venture Fund, LP (May 2000-December 2011); Partner, Adena Ventures, LP (July 1999-December 2010); Director, The Victory Funds (February 2005-July 2008).

 

80

 

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

 
Dr. Manuel H. Johnson
c/o Johnson Smick International, Inc.
220 I Street, NE — Suite 200
Washington, D.C. 20002
Birth Year: 1949
 

Director

 

Since July 1991

 

Senior Partner, Johnson Smick International, Inc. (consulting firm); Chairperson of the Fixed Income, Liquidity and Alternatives Investment Committee (January 2021), Chairperson of the Investment Committee (2006-2020) and Director or Trustee of various Morgan Stanley Funds (since July 1991); Co-Chairman and a founder of the Group of Seven Council (G7C) (international economic commission); formerly, Chairperson of the Audit Committee (July 1991-September 2006), Vice Chairman of the Board of Governors of the Federal Reserve System and Assistant Secretary of the U.S. Treasury.

 

79

 

Director of NVR, Inc. (home construction).

 


39



Morgan Stanley Institutional Fund, Inc.

Annual Report — December 31, 2020

Director and Officer Information (unaudited) (cont'd)

Independent Directors (cont'd):

Name, Address and Birth
Year of Independent Director
  Position(s)
Held with
Registrant
  Length of Time
Served*
  Principal Occupation(s) During Past 5 Years and Other
Relevant Professional Experience
  Number of
Funds
in Fund Complex
Overseen by
Independent
Director**
  Other Directorships
Held by Independent
Director***
 
Joseph J. Kearns
c/o Perkins Coie LLP
Counsel to the Independent Directors
1155 Avenue of the Americas,
22nd Floor
New York, NY 10036
Birth Year: 1942
 

Director

 

Since August 1994

 

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

 

80

 

Director, Rubicon Investment (since February 2019); Prior to August 2016, Director of Electro Rent Corporation (equipment leasing); Prior to December 31, 2013, Director of The Ford Family Foundation.

 
Michael F. Klein
c/o Perkins Coie LLP
Counsel to the Independent Directors
1155 Avenue of the Americas,
22nd Floor
New York, NY 10036
Birth Year: 1958
 

Director

 

Since August 2006

 

Chairperson of the Risk Committee (since January 2021); Managing Director, Aetos Alternatives Management, LP (since March 2000); Co-President, Aetos Alternatives Management, LP (since January 2004) and Co-Chief Executive Officer of Aetos Alternatives Management, LP (since August 2013); Chairperson of the fixed Income Sub-Committee of the Investment committee (2006-2020) and Director or Trustee of various Morgan Stanley Funds (since August 2006); formerly, Managing Director, Morgan Stanley & Co. Inc. and Morgan Stanley Dean Witter Investment Management and President, various Morgan Stanley Funds (June 1998-March 2000); Principal, Morgan Stanley & Co. Inc. and Morgan Stanley Dean Witter Investment Management (August 1997-December 1999).

 

79

 

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

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

Director

 

Since January 2017

 

Director or Trustee of various Morgan Stanley Funds (since January 2017); Managing Director, JPMorgan Asset Management (2004-2016); Oversight and Control Head of Fiduciary and Conflicts of Interest Program (2015-2016); Chief Control Officer-Global Asset Management (2013-2015); President, JPMorgan Funds (2010-2013); Chief Administrative Officer (2004-2013); various other positions including Treasurer and Board Liaison (since 2001).

 

80

 

None.

 
W. Allen Reed
c/o Perkins Coie LLP
Counsel to the Independent Directors
1155 Avenue of the Americas,
22nd Floor
New York, NY 10036
Birth Year: 1947
 

Chair of the Board and Director

 

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

 

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

 

79

 

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

 

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

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

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


40



Morgan Stanley Institutional Fund, Inc.

Annual Report — December 31, 2020

Director and Officer Information (unaudited) (cont'd)

Executive Officers:

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

Principal Occupation(s) During Past 5 Years

 
John H. Gernon
522 Fifth Avenue
New York, NY 10036
Birth Year: 1963
 

President and Principal Executive Officer

 

Since September 2013

 

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

 
Timothy J. Knierim
1633 Broadway
New York, NY 10019
Birth Year: 1959
 

Chief Compliance Officer

 

Since December 2016

 

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

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

Treasurer and Principal Financial Officer

 

Treasurer since July 2003 and Principal Financial Officer since September 2002

 

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

 
Mary E. Mullin
1633 Broadway
New York, NY 10019
Birth Year: 1967
 

Secretary

 

Since June 1999

 

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

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

Vice President

 

Since June 2017

 

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

 

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


41



Morgan Stanley Institutional Fund, Inc.

Annual Report — December 31, 2020

Adviser and Administrator

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

Distributor

Morgan Stanley Distribution, Inc.
522 Fifth Avenue
New York, New York 10036

Dividend Disbursing and Transfer Agent

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

Custodian

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

Legal Counsel

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

Counsel to the Independent Directors

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

Independent Registered Public Accounting Firm

Ernst & Young LLP
200 Clarendon Street
Boston, Massachusetts 02116

Reporting to Shareholders

Each Morgan Stanley fund provides a complete schedule of portfolio holdings in its Semi-Annual and the Annual Reports within 60 days of the end of the fund's second and fourth fiscal quarters. The Semi-Annual and Annual Reports are filed electronically with the Securities and Exchange Commission ("SEC") on Form N-CSRS and Form N-CSR, respectively. Morgan Stanley also delivers the Semi-Annual and Annual Reports to fund shareholders and makes these reports available on its public website, www.morganstanley.com/im/shareholderreports. Each Morgan Stanley non-money market fund also files a complete schedule of portfolio holdings with the SEC for the fund's first and third fiscal quarters as an attachment to Form N-PORT. Morgan Stanley does not deliver the reports for the first and third fiscal quarters to shareholders, but makes the complete schedule of portfolio holdings for the fund's first and third fiscal quarters available on its public website. The holdings for each money market fund are also posted to the Morgan Stanley public website. You may obtain the Form N-PORT filings (as well as the Form N-CSR and N-CSRS filings) by accessing the SEC's website, www.sec.gov. You can also request copies of these materials, upon payment of a duplicating fee, by electronic request at the SEC's email address (publicinfo@sec.gov).

Proxy Voting Policies and Procedures and Proxy Voting Record

You may obtain a copy of the Company's Proxy Voting Policy and Procedures and information regarding how the Company voted proxies relating to portfolio securities during the most recent twelve-month period ended June 30, without charge, upon request, by calling toll free 1 (800) 548-7786 or by visiting our website at www.morganstanley.com/im/shareholderreports. This information is also available on the SEC's website at www.sec.gov.

This report is authorized for distribution only when preceded or accompanied by a prospectus or summary prospectus of the applicable fund of Morgan Stanley Institutional Fund, Inc., which describes in detail the fund's investment policies, risks, fees and expenses. Please read the prospectus carefully before you invest or send money. For additional information, including information regarding the investments comprising the Fund, please visit our website at www.morganstanley.com/im/shareholderreports or call toll free 1 (800) 548-7786.


42



Printed in U.S.A.
This Report has been prepared for shareholders and may be distributed to others only if preceded or accompanied by a current prospectus.

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

© 2021 Morgan Stanley. Morgan Stanley Distribution, Inc.

IFIAIAANN
3386847 EXP 02.28.22



INVESTMENT MANAGEMENT

Morgan Stanley Institutional Fund, Inc.

Advantage Portfolio

Annual Report

December 31, 2020



Morgan Stanley Institutional Fund, Inc.

Annual Report — December 31, 2020

Table of Contents

Shareholders' Letter

   

2

   

Expense Example

   

3

   

Investment Overview

   

4

   

Portfolio of Investments

   

7

   

Statement of Assets and Liabilities

   

9

   

Statement of Operations

   

11

   

Statements of Changes in Net Assets

   

12

   

Financial Highlights

   

14

   

Notes to Financial Statements

   

19

   

Report of Independent Registered Public Accounting Firm

   

28

   

Liquidity Risk Management Program

   

29

   

Federal Tax Notice

   

30

   

Privacy Notice

   

31

   

Director and Officer Information

   

34

   

This report is authorized for distribution only when preceded or accompanied by a prospectus or summary prospectus of the applicable Fund of Morgan Stanley Institutional Fund, Inc. To receive a prospectus and/or statement of additional information ("SAI"), which contains more complete information such as investment objectives, charges, expenses, policies for voting proxies, risk considerations and describes in detail each of the Fund's investment policies to the prospective investor, please call toll free 1 (800) 548-7786. Please read the prospectuses carefully before you invest or send money.

Additionally, you can access information about the Fund, including performance, characteristics and investment team commentary, through Morgan Stanley Investment Management's website: www.morganstanley.com/im/shareholderreports.

Market forecasts provided in this report may not necessarily come to pass. There is no guarantee that any sectors mentioned will continue to perform as discussed herein or that securities in such sectors will be held by the Fund in the future. There is no assurance that a fund will achieve its investment objective. Funds are subject to market risk, which is the possibility that market values of securities owned by the Fund will decline and, therefore, the value of the Fund's shares may be less than what you paid for them. Accordingly, you can lose money investing in this Fund. Please see the prospectus for more complete information on investment risks.


1



Morgan Stanley Institutional Fund, Inc.

Annual Report — December 31, 2020

Shareholders' Letter (unaudited)

Dear Shareholders,

We are pleased to provide this Annual Report, in which you will learn how your investment in Advantage Portfolio (the "Fund") performed during the latest twelve-month period.

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

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

Sincerely,

John H. Gernon
President and Principal Executive Officer

January 2021


2



Morgan Stanley Institutional Fund, Inc.

Annual Report — December 31, 2020

Expense Example (unaudited)

Advantage Portfolio

As a shareholder of the Fund, you incur two types of costs: (1) transactional costs; and (2) ongoing costs, which may include advisory fees, administration fees, distribution and shareholder services fees and other Fund expenses. This example is intended to help you understand your ongoing costs (in dollars) of investing in the Fund and to compare these costs with the ongoing costs of investing in other mutual funds.

This example is based on an investment of $1,000 invested at the beginning of the six-month period ended December 31, 2020 and held for the entire six-month period.

Actual Expenses

The table below provides information about actual account values and actual expenses. You may use the information in this table, 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 table under the heading entitled "Actual Expenses Paid During Period" to estimate the expenses you paid on your account during this period.

Hypothetical Example for Comparison Purposes

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

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

    Beginning
Account
Value
7/1/20
  Actual Ending
Account
Value
12/31/20
  Hypothetical
Ending Account
Value
  Actual
Expenses
Paid
During
Period*
  Hypothetical
Expenses Paid
During Period*
  Net
Expense
Ratio
During
Period**
 

Advantage Portfolio Class I

 

$

1,000.00

   

$

1,321.80

   

$

1,020.91

   

$

4.90

   

$

4.27

     

0.84

%

 

Advantage Portfolio Class A

   

1,000.00

     

1,320.00

     

1,019.41

     

6.65

     

5.79

     

1.14

   

Advantage Portfolio Class L

   

1,000.00

     

1,321.30

     

1,020.41

     

5.48

     

4.77

     

0.94

   

Advantage Portfolio Class C

   

1,000.00

     

1,315.30

     

1,015.89

     

10.71

     

9.32

     

1.84

   

Advantage Portfolio Class IS

   

1,000.00

     

1,322.10

     

1,021.22

     

4.55

     

3.96

     

0.78

   

*  Expenses are calculated using each Fund Class' annualized net expense ratio (as disclosed), multiplied by the average account value over the period and multiplied by 184/366 (to reflect the most recent one-half year period).

**  Annualized.


3



Morgan Stanley Institutional Fund, Inc.

Annual Report — December 31, 2020

Investment Overview (unaudited)

Advantage Portfolio

The Fund seeks long-term capital appreciation.

Performance

For the fiscal year ended December 31, 2020, the Fund's Class I shares had a total return based on net asset value and reinvestment of distributions per share of 74.79%, net of fees. The Fund's Class I shares outperformed the Fund's benchmark, the Russell 1000® Growth Index (the "Index"), which returned 38.49%.

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

Factors Affecting Performance

•  U.S. equities reversed a steep sell-off caused by the COVID-19 pandemic shock, aided by massive fiscal and monetary stimulus that kept liquidity flowing and supported a faster-than-expected rebound in economic activity. Promising vaccine news throughout the year, along with the start of vaccine distribution across the U.S. and Europe in December 2020, also helped investors look past resurgences of the virus and renewed curbs on social and business activity that have slowed the economic recovery in the short term. Political uncertainty eased after the U.S. election in November 2020, with markets taking a positive stance on a Biden administration and the prospect for additional fiscal stimulus in 2021.

•  Within the Index, consumer discretionary, information technology and communication services were the top-performing sectors for the year, while energy (the only sector with a negative return), real estate and industrials were the weakest performers.

•  Counterpoint Global seeks high quality companies, which we define primarily as those with sustainable competitive advantages. We manage concentrated portfolios that are highly differentiated from the benchmark, with securities weighted on our assessment of the quality of the company and our conviction. The value added or detracted in any period of time will result from stock selection, given our philosophy and process. For the year, the Fund outperformed the Index.

•  The long-term investment horizon and conviction-weighted investment approach embraced by the

team since 1998 can result in periods of performance deviation from the benchmark and peers. The Fund outperformed the Index in this reporting period due to favorable stock selection, which more than offset the small negative impact from sector allocations.

•  Stock selection was the strongest across the information technology sector. Eight of the Fund's 10 largest contributors to relative performance were from the information technology sector. In addition, stock selection in the health care, industrials, communication services, materials, financials and consumer discretionary sectors moderately contributed to relative outperformance.

•  Given the magnitude of the Fund's outperformance relative to the benchmark, there were no meaningful sector detractors from performance. An overweight to the materials sector was detrimental on a relative basis but was more than offset by the outperformance of our stock selection in the sector. An underweight to the consumer discretionary sector marginally detracted as well but was countered by a small relative gain from stock selection there, resulting in an overall nearly neutral impact on relative performance.

Management Strategies

•  As a team, we believe having a market outlook can be an anchor. Our focus is on assessing company prospects over a five-year horizon, and owning a portfolio of unique companies whose market value we believe can increase significantly for underlying fundamental reasons.


4



Morgan Stanley Institutional Fund, Inc.

Annual Report — December 31, 2020

Investment Overview (unaudited) (cont'd)

Advantage Portfolio

*  Minimum Investment for Class I shares

In accordance with SEC regulations, the Fund's performance shown assumes that all recurring fees (including management fees) were deducted and all dividends and distributions were reinvested. The performance of Class A, L, C and IS shares will vary from the performance of Class I shares based upon their different inception dates and will be negatively impacted by additional fees assessed to those classes (if applicable).

Performance Compared to the Russell 1000® Growth Index(1), the Lipper Multi-Cap Growth Funds Index(2) and the Lipper Large-Cap Growth Funds Index(3)

    Period Ended December 31, 2020
Total Returns(4)
 
       

Average Annual

 
    One
Year
  Five
Years
  Ten
Years
  Since
Inception(8)
 
Fund — Class I Shares
w/o sales charges(5)
   

74.79

%

   

25.53

%

   

20.28

%

   

16.93

%

 
Fund — Class A Shares
w/o sales charges(5)
   

74.27

     

25.12

     

19.90

     

20.80

   
Fund — Class A Shares with
maximum 5.25% sales charges(5)
   

65.11

     

23.79

     

19.26

     

20.19

   
Fund — Class L Shares
w/o sales charges(5)
   

74.65

     

25.40

     

20.16

     

16.80

   
Fund — Class C Shares
w/o sales charges(7)
   

73.10

     

24.24

     

     

21.91

   
Fund — Class C Shares
with maximum 1.00% deferred
sales charges(7)
   

72.10

     

24.24

     

     

21.91

   
Fund — Class IS Shares
w/o sales charges(6)
   

74.93

     

25.58

     

     

22.33

   

Russell 1000® Growth Index

   

38.49

     

21.00

     

17.21

     

14.28

   
Lipper Multi-Cap Growth
Funds Index
   

43.16

     

19.56

     

15.56

     

12.87

   
Lipper Large-Cap Growth
Funds Index
   

38.60

     

19.55

     

15.80

     

12.82

   

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. Performance assumes that all dividends and distributions, if any, were reinvested. For the most recent month-end performance figures, please visit www.morganstanley.com/im/shareholderreports. Investment return and principal value will fluctuate so that Fund shares, when redeemed, may be worth more or less than their original cost. Total returns do not reflect the deduction of taxes that a shareholder would pay on Fund distributions or the redemption of Fund shares. Performance of share classes will vary due to difference in sales charges and expenses.

(1)  The Russell 1000® Growth Index measures the performance of the large-cap growth segment of the U.S. equity universe. It includes those Russell 1000® Index companies with higher price-to-book ratios and higher forecasted growth values. The Russell 1000® Index is an index of approximately 1,000 of the largest U.S. companies based on a combination of market capitalization and current index membership. The Index is unmanaged and its returns do not include any sales charges or fees. Such costs would lower performance. It is not possible to invest directly in an index.

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

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

(4)  Total returns for the Fund reflect fees waived and expenses reimbursed, if applicable, by the Adviser (as defined herein). Without such waivers and reimbursements, total returns would have been lower.


5



Morgan Stanley Institutional Fund, Inc.

Annual Report — December 31, 2020

Investment Overview (unaudited) (cont'd)

Advantage Portfolio

(5)  On May 21, 2010 Class C and Class I shares of Van Kampen Core Growth Fund (the "Predecessor Fund") were reorganized into Class L and Class I shares of Morgan Stanley Advantage Portfolio (the "Fund"), respectively. Class L and Class I shares' returns of the Fund will differ from the Predecessor Fund as they have different expenses. Performance shown for the Fund's Class I and Class L shares reflects the performance of the shares of the Predecessor Fund for periods prior to May 21, 2010. The Class C and I shares of the Predecessor Fund commenced operations on June 30, 2008. Class P shares, which were renamed Class A shares effective September 9, 2013, commenced operations on May 21, 2010.

(6)  Commenced offering on September 13, 2013.

(7)  Commenced offering on April 30, 2015.

(8)  For comparative purposes, average annual since inception returns listed for the Indexes refer to the inception date of Class I of the Fund, not the inception of the Index.


6



Morgan Stanley Institutional Fund, Inc.

Annual Report — December 31, 2020

Portfolio of Investments

Advantage Portfolio

   

Shares

  Value
(000)
 

Common Stocks (93.1%)

 

Aerospace & Defense (2.3%)

 

HEICO Corp., Class A

   

176,414

   

$

20,651

   

Capital Markets (1.7%)

 

Intercontinental Exchange, Inc.

   

53,221

     

6,136

   

S&P Global, Inc.

   

28,231

     

9,280

   
     

15,416

   

Chemicals (3.2%)

 

Ecolab, Inc.

   

94,397

     

20,424

   

Sherwin-Williams Co. (The)

   

11,905

     

8,749

   
     

29,173

   

Construction Materials (2.3%)

 

Martin Marietta Materials, Inc.

   

71,964

     

20,436

   

Containers & Packaging (0.8%)

 

Ball Corp.

   

82,104

     

7,650

   

Entertainment (7.5%)

 

Activision Blizzard, Inc.

   

155,751

     

14,461

   

Spotify Technology SA (a)

   

138,508

     

43,583

   

Take-Two Interactive Software, Inc. (a)

   

46,710

     

9,706

   
     

67,750

   

Food & Staples Retailing (2.5%)

 

Costco Wholesale Corp.

   

59,722

     

22,502

   

Health Care Equipment & Supplies (6.1%)

 

Danaher Corp.

   

41,714

     

9,266

   

Intuitive Surgical, Inc. (a)

   

55,527

     

45,427

   
     

54,693

   

Health Care Technology (4.7%)

 

Veeva Systems, Inc., Class A (a)

   

157,083

     

42,766

   

Industrial Conglomerates (1.0%)

 

Roper Technologies, Inc.

   

21,068

     

9,082

   

Information Technology Services (19.2%)

 

Adyen N.V. (Netherlands) (a)

   

5,680

     

13,198

   

Okta, Inc. (a)

   

117,960

     

29,993

   

Shopify, Inc., Class A (Canada) (a)

   

38,274

     

43,324

   

Snowflake, Inc., Class A (a)

   

40,188

     

11,309

   

Square, Inc., Class A (a)

   

206,621

     

44,969

   

Twilio, Inc., Class A (a)

   

90,677

     

30,694

   
     

173,487

   

Interactive Media & Services (13.8%)

 

Facebook, Inc., Class A (a)

   

159,192

     

43,485

   

IAC/InterActiveCorp (a)

   

108,952

     

20,630

   

Match Group, Inc. (a)

   

91,190

     

13,787

   

Twitter, Inc. (a)

   

871,471

     

47,190

   
     

125,092

   

Internet & Direct Marketing Retail (11.5%)

 

Amazon.com, Inc. (a)

   

20,557

     

66,953

   

Chewy, Inc., Class A (a)

   

245,437

     

22,062

   

Farfetch Ltd., Class A (a)

   

239,014

     

15,251

   
     

104,266

   
   

Shares

  Value
(000)
 

Metals & Mining (0.1%)

 

Royal Gold, Inc.

   

9,747

   

$

1,037

   

Oil, Gas & Consumable Fuels (0.2%)

 

Texas Pacific Land Trust

   

2,722

     

1,979

   

Pharmaceuticals (3.2%)

 

Royalty Pharma PLC, Class A

   

388,318

     

19,435

   

Zoetis, Inc.

   

57,487

     

9,514

   
     

28,949

   

Software (12.0%)

 

Avalara, Inc. (a)

   

82,064

     

13,532

   

Coupa Software, Inc. (a)

   

64,586

     

21,889

   

ServiceNow, Inc. (a)

   

40,769

     

22,440

   

Tyler Technologies, Inc. (a)

   

19,508

     

8,516

   

Workday, Inc., Class A (a)

   

95,002

     

22,763

   

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

   

58,321

     

19,673

   
     

108,813

   

Textiles, Apparel & Luxury Goods (1.0%)

 

Lululemon Athletica, Inc. (a)

   

26,291

     

9,150

   

Total Common Stocks (Cost $492,933)

   

842,892

   

Short-Term Investment (7.1%)

 

Investment Company (7.1%)

 
Morgan Stanley Institutional Liquidity
Funds — Treasury Securities Portfolio —
Institutional Class (See Note G)
(Cost $63,846)
   

63,845,686

     

63,846

   
Total Investments Excluding Purchased
Options (100.2%) (Cost $556,779)
       

906,738

   
Total Purchased Options Outstanding (0.1%)
(Cost $3,233)
   

591

   

Total Investments (100.3%) (Cost $560,012) (b)(c)

   

907,329

   

Liabilities in Excess of Other Assets (–0.3%)

   

(3,050

)

 

Net Assets (100.0%)

 

$

904,279

   

(a)  Non-income producing security.

(b)  The approximate fair value and percentage of net assets, $13,198,000 and 1.5%, respectively, represent the securities that have been fair valued under the fair valuation policy for international investments as described in Note A-1 within the Notes to the Financial Statements.

(c)  At December 31, 2020, the aggregate cost for federal income tax purposes is approximately $566,430,000. The aggregate gross unrealized appreciation is approximately $350,896,000 and the aggregate gross unrealized depreciation is approximately $9,997,000, resulting in net unrealized appreciation of approximately $340,899,000.

The accompanying notes are an integral part of the financial statements.
7



Morgan Stanley Institutional Fund, Inc.

Annual Report — December 31, 2020

Portfolio of Investments (cont'd)

Advantage Portfolio

Call Options Purchased:

The Fund had the following call options purchased open at December 31, 2020:

Counterparty

 

Description

  Strike
Price
  Expiration
Date
  Number of
Contracts
  Notional
Amount
(000)
  Value
(000)
  Premiums
Paid
(000)
  Unrealized
Depreciation
(000)
 

BNP Paribas

  USD/CNH  

CNH

7.99

   

Sep-21

   

121,426,064

     

121,426

   

$

115

   

$

735

   

$

(620

)

 

BNP Paribas

  USD/CNH  

CNH

7.64

   

Nov-21

   

140,421,482

     

140,421

     

384

     

763

     

(379

)

 

Royal Bank of Scotland

  USD/CNH  

CNH

7.75

   

Jan-21

   

105,617,492

     

105,617

     

@

   

461

     

(461

)

 

Royal Bank of Scotland

  USD/CNH  

CNH

8.06

   

Jul-21

   

133,439,457

     

133,439

     

80

     

708

     

(628

)

 

Royal Bank of Scotland

  USD/CNH  

CNH

8.48

   

May-21

   

90,639,683

     

90,640

     

12

     

566

     

(554

)

 
                       

$

591

   

$

3,233

   

$

(2,642

)

 

@    Value is less than $500.

CNH  —  Chinese Yuan Renminbi Offshore

USD  —  United States Dollar

Portfolio Composition

Classification

  Percentage of
Total Investments
 

Other*

   

23.0

%

 

Information Technology Services

   

19.1

   

Interactive Media & Services

   

13.8

   

Software

   

12.0

   

Internet & Direct Marketing Retail

   

11.5

   

Entertainment

   

7.5

   

Short-Term Investments

   

7.1

   

Health Care Equipment & Supplies

   

6.0

   

Total Investments

   

100.0

%

 

*  Industries and/or investment types representing less than 5% of total investments.

The accompanying notes are an integral part of the financial statements.
8



Morgan Stanley Institutional Fund, Inc.

Annual Report — December 31, 2020

Advantage Portfolio

Statement of Assets and Liabilities

  December 31, 2020
(000)
 

Assets:

 

Investments in Securities of Unaffiliated Issuers, at Value (Cost $496,166)

 

$

843,483

   

Investment in Security of Affiliated Issuer, at Value (Cost $63,846)

   

63,846

   

Total Investments in Securities, at Value (Cost $560,012)

   

907,329

   

Foreign Currency, at Value (Cost $1)

   

1

   

Receivable for Fund Shares Sold

   

5,986

   

Receivable for Investments Sold

   

5,265

   

Dividends Receivable

   

52

   

Tax Reclaim Receivable

   

23

   

Receivable from Affiliate

   

@

 

Other Assets

   

71

   

Total Assets

   

918,727

   

Liabilities:

 

Payable for Investments Purchased

   

7,204

   

Payable for Fund Shares Redeemed

   

4,823

   

Payable for Advisory Fees

   

1,243

   

Due to Broker

   

890

   

Payable for Shareholder Services Fees — Class A

   

28

   

Payable for Distribution and Shareholder Services Fees — Class L

   

@

 

Payable for Distribution and Shareholder Services Fees — Class C

   

60

   

Payable for Professional Fees

   

14

   

Payable for Sub Transfer Agency Fees — Class I

   

66

   

Payable for Sub Transfer Agency Fees — Class A

   

11

   

Payable for Sub Transfer Agency Fees — Class L

   

@

 

Payable for Sub Transfer Agency Fees — Class C

   

4

   

Payable for Administration Fees

   

60

   

Payable for Transfer Agency Fees — Class I

   

2

   

Payable for Transfer Agency Fees — Class A

   

2

   

Payable for Transfer Agency Fees — Class L

   

1

   

Payable for Transfer Agency Fees — Class C

   

2

   

Payable for Transfer Agency Fees — Class IS

   

1

   

Payable for Custodian Fees

   

8

   

Other Liabilities

   

29

   

Total Liabilities

   

14,448

   

Net Assets

 

$

904,279

   

Net Assets Consist of:

 

Paid-in-Capital

 

$

504,713

   

Total Distributable Earnings

   

399,566

   

Net Assets

 

$

904,279

   

The accompanying notes are an integral part of the financial statements.
9



Morgan Stanley Institutional Fund, Inc.

Annual Report — December 31, 2020

Advantage Portfolio

Statement of Assets and Liabilities (cont'd)

  December 31, 2020
(000)
 

CLASS I:

 

Net Assets

 

$

656,030

   
Shares Outstanding $0.001 par value shares of beneficial interest (unlimited shares authorized) (not in 000's)    

15,159,190

   

Net Asset Value, Offering and Redemption Price Per Share

 

$

43.28

   

CLASS A:

 

Net Assets

 

$

130,176

   
Shares Outstanding $0.001 par value shares of beneficial interest (unlimited shares authorized) (not in 000's)    

3,097,863

   

Net Asset Value, Redemption Price Per Share

 

$

42.02

   

Maximum Sales Load

   

5.25

%

 

Maximum Sales Charge

 

$

2.33

   

Maximum Offering Price Per Share

 

$

44.35

   

CLASS L:

 

Net Assets

 

$

5,391

   
Shares Outstanding $0.001 par value shares of beneficial interest (unlimited shares authorized) (not in 000's)    

125,267

   

Net Asset Value, Offering and Redemption Price Per Share

 

$

43.04

   

CLASS C:

 

Net Assets

 

$

71,419

   
Shares Outstanding $0.001 par value shares of beneficial interest (unlimited shares authorized) (not in 000's)    

1,766,114

   

Net Asset Value, Offering and Redemption Price Per Share

 

$

40.44

   

CLASS IS:

 

Net Assets

 

$

41,263

   
Shares Outstanding $0.001 par value shares of beneficial interest (unlimited shares authorized) (not in 000's)    

950,447

   

Net Asset Value, Offering and Redemption Price Per Share

 

$

43.41

   

@  Amount is less than $500.

The accompanying notes are an integral part of the financial statements.
10



Morgan Stanley Institutional Fund, Inc.

Annual Report — December 31, 2020

Advantage Portfolio

Statement of Operations

  Year Ended
December 31, 2020
(000)
 

Investment Income:

 

Dividends from Securities of Unaffiliated Issuers (Net of $2 of Foreign Taxes Withheld)

 

$

1,612

   

Income from Securities Loaned — Net

   

232

   

Dividends from Security of Affiliated Issuer (Note G)

   

75

   

Total Investment Income

   

1,919

   

Expenses:

 

Advisory Fees (Note B)

   

4,109

   

Shareholder Services Fees — Class A (Note D)

   

237

   

Distribution and Shareholder Services Fees — Class L (Note D)

   

33

   

Distribution and Shareholder Services Fees — Class C (Note D)

   

519

   

Sub Transfer Agency Fees — Class I

   

476

   

Sub Transfer Agency Fees — Class A

   

103

   

Sub Transfer Agency Fees — Class L

   

2

   

Sub Transfer Agency Fees — Class C

   

28

   

Administration Fees (Note C)

   

507

   

Registration Fees

   

113

   

Professional Fees

   

109

   

Shareholder Reporting Fees

   

64

   

Custodian Fees (Note F)

   

24

   

Transfer Agency Fees — Class I (Note E)

   

6

   

Transfer Agency Fees — Class A (Note E)

   

8

   

Transfer Agency Fees — Class L (Note E)

   

4

   

Transfer Agency Fees — Class C (Note E)

   

11

   

Transfer Agency Fees — Class IS (Note E)

   

2

   

Directors' Fees and Expenses

   

10

   

Pricing Fees

   

3

   

Other Expenses

   

34

   

Total Expenses

   

6,402

   

Reimbursement of Class Specific Expenses — Class I (Note B)

   

(186

)

 

Rebate from Morgan Stanley Affiliate (Note G)

   

(40

)

 

Distribution Fees- Class L Shares Waived (Note D)

   

(31

)

 

Net Expenses

   

6,145

   

Net Investment Loss

   

(4,226

)

 

Realized Gain (Loss):

 

Investments Sold

   

98,718

   

Foreign Currency Translation

   

(17

)

 

Net Realized Gain

   

98,701

   

Change in Unrealized Appreciation (Depreciation):

 

Investments

   

270,284

   

Foreign Currency Translation

   

2

   

Net Change in Unrealized Appreciation (Depreciation)

   

270,286

   

Net Realized Gain and Change in Unrealized Appreciation (Depreciation)

   

368,987

   

Net Increase in Net Assets Resulting from Operations

 

$

364,761

   

The accompanying notes are an integral part of the financial statements.
11



Morgan Stanley Institutional Fund, Inc.

Annual Report — December 31, 2020

Advantage Portfolio

Statements of Changes in Net Assets

  Year Ended
December 31, 2020
(000)
  Year Ended
December 31, 2019
(000)
 

Increase (Decrease) in Net Assets:

 

Operations:

 

Net Investment Loss

 

$

(4,226

)

 

$

(1,207

)

 

Net Realized Gain

   

98,701

     

14,608

   

Net Change in Unrealized Appreciation (Depreciation)

   

270,286

     

59,735

   

Net Increase in Net Assets Resulting from Operations

   

364,761

     

73,136

   

Dividends and Distributions to Shareholders:

 

Class I

   

(31,922

)

   

(5,355

)

 

Class A

   

(6,564

)

   

(1,499

)

 

Class L

   

(269

)

   

(82

)

 

Class C

   

(3,709

)

   

(792

)

 

Class IS

   

(2,037

)

   

(548

)

 

Total Dividends and Distributions to Shareholders

   

(44,501

)

   

(8,276

)

 

Capital Share Transactions:(1)

 

Class I:

 

Subscribed

   

287,542

     

196,712

   

Distributions Reinvested

   

30,715

     

5,237

   

Redeemed

   

(193,112

)

   

(102,075

)

 

Class A:

 

Subscribed

   

63,008

     

52,689

   

Distributions Reinvested

   

6,509

     

1,446

   

Redeemed

   

(66,691

)

   

(26,447

)

 

Class L:

 

Exchange

   

6

     

   

Distributions Reinvested

   

264

     

81

   

Redeemed

   

(1,327

)

   

(361

)

 

Class C:

 

Subscribed

   

15,494

     

16,430

   

Distributions Reinvested

   

3,598

     

762

   

Redeemed

   

(14,501

)

   

(15,239

)

 

Class IS:

 

Subscribed

   

11,240

     

2,008

   

Distributions Reinvested

   

2,037

     

548

   

Redeemed

   

(13,749

)

   

(6,464

)

 

Net Increase in Net Assets Resulting from Capital Share Transactions

   

131,033

     

125,327

   

Total Increase in Net Assets

   

451,293

     

190,187

   

Net Assets:

 

Beginning of Period

   

452,986

     

262,799

   

End of Period

 

$

904,279

   

$

452,986

   

The accompanying notes are an integral part of the financial statements.
12



Morgan Stanley Institutional Fund, Inc.

Annual Report — December 31, 2020

Advantage Portfolio

Statements of Changes in Net Assets (cont'd)

  Year Ended
December 31, 2020
(000)
  Year Ended
December 31, 2019
(000)
 

(1)   Capital Share Transactions:

 

Class I:

 

Shares Subscribed

   

8,865

     

7,750

   

Shares Issued on Distributions Reinvested

   

726

     

205

   

Shares Redeemed

   

(5,822

)

   

(4,038

)

 

Net Increase in Class I Shares Outstanding

   

3,769

     

3,917

   

Class A:

 

Shares Subscribed

   

1,823

     

2,101

   

Shares Issued on Distributions Reinvested

   

158

     

58

   

Shares Redeemed

   

(2,060

)

   

(1,074

)

 

Net Increase (Decrease) in Class A Shares Outstanding

   

(79

)

   

1,085

   

Class L:

 

Shares Exchanged

   

@@

   

   

Shares Issued on Distributions Reinvested

   

6

     

3

   

Shares Redeemed

   

(49

)

   

(14

)

 

Net Decrease in Class L Shares Outstanding

   

(43

)

   

(11

)

 

Class C:

 

Shares Subscribed

   

473

     

675

   

Shares Issued on Distributions Reinvested

   

91

     

31

   

Shares Redeemed

   

(502

)

   

(629

)

 

Net Increase in Class C Shares Outstanding

   

62

     

77

   

Class IS:

 

Shares Subscribed

   

275

     

78

   

Shares Issued on Distributions Reinvested

   

48

     

21

   

Shares Redeemed

   

(482

)

   

(255

)

 

Net Decrease in Class IS Shares Outstanding

   

(159

)

   

(156

)

 

@@  Amount is less than 500 shares.

The accompanying notes are an integral part of the financial statements.
13



Morgan Stanley Institutional Fund, Inc.

Annual Report — December 31, 2020

Financial Highlights

Advantage Portfolio

   

Class I

 
   

Year Ended December 31,

 

Selected Per Share Data and Ratios

 

2020

 

2019

 

2018

 

2017

 

2016(1)

 

Net Asset Value, Beginning of Period

 

$

26.06

   

$

20.98

   

$

21.45

   

$

17.47

   

$

17.40

   

Income (Loss) from Investment Operations:

 

Net Investment Income (Loss)(2)

   

(0.19

)

   

(0.04

)

   

(0.01

)

   

0.00

(3)

   

0.07

   

Net Realized and Unrealized Gain

   

19.64

     

5.61

     

0.87

     

5.57

     

0.42

   

Total from Investment Operations

   

19.45

     

5.57

     

0.86

     

5.57

     

0.49

   

Distributions from and/or in Excess of:

 

Net Investment Income

   

     

     

     

     

(0.04

)

 

Net Realized Gain

   

(2.23

)

   

(0.49

)

   

(1.33

)

   

(1.59

)

   

(0.38

)

 

Total Distributions

   

(2.23

)

   

(0.49

)

   

(1.33

)

   

(1.59

)

   

(0.42

)

 

Net Asset Value, End of Period

 

$

43.28

   

$

26.06

   

$

20.98

   

$

21.45

   

$

17.47

   

Total Return(4)

   

74.79

%

   

26.60

%

   

3.74

%

   

32.06

%

   

2.82

%

 

Ratios to Average Net Assets and Supplemental Data:

 

Net Assets, End of Period (Thousands)

 

$

656,030

   

$

296,843

   

$

156,782

   

$

54,002

   

$

42,695

   

Ratio of Expenses Before Expense Limitation

   

0.89

%

   

0.93

%

   

1.01

%

   

1.09

%

   

1.15

%

 

Ratio of Expenses After Expense Limitation

   

0.84

%(5)

   

0.84

%(5)

   

0.84

%(5)

   

0.84

%(5)

   

0.84

%(5)

 

Ratio of Expenses After Expense Limitation Excluding Interest Expenses

   

N/A

     

0.84

%(5)

   

N/A

     

N/A

     

N/A

   

Ratio of Net Investment Income (Loss)

   

(0.54

)%(5)

   

(0.15

)%(5)

   

(0.02

)%(5)

   

0.02

%(5)

   

0.38

%(5)

 

Ratio of Rebate from Morgan Stanley Affiliates

   

0.01

%

   

0.01

%

   

0.01

%

   

0.01

%

   

0.01

%

 

Portfolio Turnover Rate

   

73

%

   

70

%

   

79

%

   

65

%

   

79

%

 

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

(2)  Per share amount is based on average shares outstanding.

(3)  Amount is less than $0.005 per share.

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

(5)  The Ratio of Expenses After Expense Limitation and Ratio of Net Investment Income (Loss) reflect the rebate of certain Fund expenses in connection with the investments in Morgan Stanley affiliates during the period. The effect of the rebate on the ratios is disclosed in the above table as "Ratio of Rebate from Morgan Stanley Affiliates."

The accompanying notes are an integral part of the financial statements.
14



Morgan Stanley Institutional Fund, Inc.

Annual Report — December 31, 2020

Financial Highlights

Advantage Portfolio

   

Class A

 
   

Year Ended December 31,

 

Selected Per Share Data and Ratios

 

2020

 

2019

 

2018

 

2017

 

2016(1)

 

Net Asset Value, Beginning of Period

 

$

25.42

   

$

20.54

   

$

21.10

   

$

17.26

   

$

17.22

   

Income (Loss) from Investment Operations:

 

Net Investment Income (Loss)(2)

   

(0.28

)

   

(0.13

)

   

(0.08

)

   

(0.06

)

   

0.01

   

Net Realized and Unrealized Gain

   

19.11

     

5.50

     

0.85

     

5.49

     

0.41

   

Total from Investment Operations

   

18.83

     

5.37

     

0.77

     

5.43

     

0.42

   

Distributions from and/or in Excess of:

 

Net Realized Gain

   

(2.23

)

   

(0.49

)

   

(1.33

)

   

(1.59

)

   

(0.38

)

 

Net Asset Value, End of Period

 

$

42.02

   

$

25.42

   

$

20.54

   

$

21.10

   

$

17.26

   

Total Return(3)

   

74.27

%

   

26.20

%

   

3.37

%

   

31.64

%

   

2.47

%

 

Ratios to Average Net Assets and Supplemental Data:

 

Net Assets, End of Period (Thousands)

 

$

130,176

   

$

80,743

   

$

42,959

   

$

23,715

   

$

19,850

   

Ratio of Expenses Before Expense Limitation

   

N/A

     

1.21

%

   

1.29

%

   

1.39

%

   

1.43

%

 

Ratio of Expenses After Expense Limitation

   

1.15

%(4)

   

1.19

%(4)

   

1.17

%(4)

   

1.19

%(4)

   

1.19

%(4)

 

Ratio of Expenses After Expense Limitation Excluding Interest Expenses

   

N/A

     

1.19

%(4)

   

N/A

     

N/A

     

N/A

   

Ratio of Net Investment Income (Loss)

   

(0.84

)%(4)

   

(0.50

)%(4)

   

(0.37

)%(4)

   

(0.32

)%(4)

   

0.04

%(4)

 

Ratio of Rebate from Morgan Stanley Affiliates

   

0.01

%

   

0.01

%

   

0.01

%

   

0.01

%

   

0.01

%

 

Portfolio Turnover Rate

   

73

%

   

70

%

   

79

%

   

65

%

   

79

%

 

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

(2)  Per share amount is based on average shares outstanding.

(3)  Calculated based on the net asset value which does not reflect sales charges, if applicable, as of the last business day of the period.

(4)  The Ratio of Expenses After Expense Limitation and Ratio of Net Investment Income (Loss) reflect the rebate of certain Fund expenses in connection with the investments in Morgan Stanley affiliate during the period. The effect of the rebate on the ratios is disclosed in the above table as "Ratio of Rebate from Morgan Stanley Affiliates."

The accompanying notes are an integral part of the financial statements.
15



Morgan Stanley Institutional Fund, Inc.

Annual Report — December 31, 2020

Financial Highlights

Advantage Portfolio

   

Class L

 
   

Year Ended December 31,

 

Selected Per Share Data and Ratios

 

2020

 

2019

 

2018

 

2017

 

2016(1)

 

Net Asset Value, Beginning of Period

 

$

25.95

   

$

20.92

   

$

21.42

   

$

17.46

   

$

17.40

   

Income (Loss) from Investment Operations:

 

Net Investment Income (Loss)(2)

   

(0.21

)

   

(0.06

)

   

(0.05

)

   

(0.02

)

   

0.04

   

Net Realized and Unrealized Gain

   

19.53

     

5.58

     

0.88

     

5.57

     

0.43

   

Total from Investment Operations

   

19.32

     

5.52

     

0.83

     

5.55

     

0.47

   

Distributions from and/or in Excess of:

 

Net Investment Income

   

     

     

     

     

(0.03

)

 

Net Realized Gain

   

(2.23

)

   

(0.49

)

   

(1.33

)

   

(1.59

)

   

(0.38

)

 

Total Distributions

   

(2.23

)

   

(0.49

)

   

(1.33

)

   

(1.59

)

   

(0.41

)

 

Net Asset Value, End of Period

 

$

43.04

   

$

25.95

   

$

20.92

   

$

21.42

   

$

17.46

   

Total Return(3)

   

74.65

%

   

26.44

%

   

3.61

%

   

31.96

%

   

2.72

%

 

Ratios to Average Net Assets and Supplemental Data:

 

Net Assets, End of Period (Thousands)

 

$

5,391

   

$

4,363

   

$

3,751

   

$

4,077

   

$

3,684

   

Ratio of Expenses Before Expense Limitation

   

1.66

%

   

1.69

%

   

1.82

%

   

1.87

%

   

1.85

%

 

Ratio of Expenses After Expense Limitation

   

0.95

%(4)

   

0.95

%(4)

   

0.98

%(4)

   

0.96

%(4)

   

0.91

%(4)

 

Ratio of Expenses After Expense Limitation Excluding Interest Expenses

   

N/A

     

0.95

%(4)

   

N/A

     

N/A

     

N/A

   

Ratio of Net Investment Income (Loss)

   

(0.64

)%(4)

   

(0.25

)%(4)

   

(0.21

)%(4)

   

(0.10

)%(4)

   

0.26

%(4)

 

Ratio of Rebate from Morgan Stanley Affiliates

   

0.01

%

   

0.01

%

   

0.01

%

   

0.01

%

   

0.01

%

 

Portfolio Turnover Rate

   

73

%

   

70

%

   

79

%

   

65

%

   

79

%

 

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

(2)  Per share amount is based on average shares outstanding.

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

(4)  The Ratio of Expenses After Expense Limitation and Ratio of Net Investment Income (Loss) reflect the rebate of certain Fund expenses in connection with the investments in Morgan Stanley affiliates during the period. The effect of the rebate on the ratios is disclosed in the above table as "Ratio of Rebate from Morgan Stanley Affiliates."

The accompanying notes are an integral part of the financial statements.
16



Morgan Stanley Institutional Fund, Inc.

Annual Report — December 31, 2020

Financial Highlights

Advantage Portfolio

   

Class C

 
   

Year Ended December 31,

 

Selected Per Share Data and Ratios

 

2020

 

2019

 

2018

 

2017

 

2016(1)

 

Net Asset Value, Beginning of Period

 

$

24.68

   

$

20.10

   

$

20.82

   

$

17.16

   

$

17.25

   

Income (Loss) from Investment Operations:

 

Net Investment Loss(2)

   

(0.50

)

   

(0.29

)

   

(0.24

)

   

(0.20

)

   

(0.12

)

 

Net Realized and Unrealized Gain

   

18.49

     

5.36

     

0.85

     

5.45

     

0.41

   

Total from Investment Operations

   

17.99

     

5.07

     

0.61

     

5.25

     

0.29

   

Distributions from and/or in Excess of:

 

Net Realized Gain

   

(2.23

)

   

(0.49

)

   

(1.33

)

   

(1.59

)

   

(0.38

)

 

Net Asset Value, End of Period

 

$

40.44

   

$

24.68

   

$

20.10

   

$

20.82

   

$

17.16

   

Total Return(3)

   

73.10

%

   

25.27

%

   

2.64

%

   

30.77

%

   

1.71

%

 

Ratios to Average Net Assets and Supplemental Data:

 

Net Assets, End of Period (Thousands)

 

$

71,419

   

$

42,054

   

$

32,706

   

$

11,835

   

$

6,376

   

Ratio of Expenses Before Expense Limitation

   

N/A

     

1.93

%

   

2.00

%

   

2.10

%

   

2.20

%

 

Ratio of Expenses After Expense Limitation

   

1.85

%(4)

   

1.90

%(4)

   

1.88

%(4)

   

1.90

%(4)

   

1.94

%(4)

 

Ratio of Expenses After Expense Limitation Excluding Interest Expenses

   

N/A

     

1.90

%(4)

   

N/A

     

N/A

     

N/A

   

Ratio of Net Investment Loss

   

(1.55

)%(4)

   

(1.20

)%(4)

   

(1.08

)%(4)

   

(1.01

)%(4)

   

(0.72

)%(4)

 

Ratio of Rebate from Morgan Stanley Affiliates

   

0.01

%

   

0.01

%

   

0.01

%

   

0.01

%

   

0.01

%

 

Portfolio Turnover Rate

   

73

%

   

70

%

   

79

%

   

65

%

   

79

%

 

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

(2)  Per share amount is based on average shares outstanding.

(3)  Calculated based on the net asset value which does not reflect sales charges, if applicable, as of the last business day of the period.

(4)  The Ratio of Expenses After Expense Limitation and Ratio of Net Investment Loss reflect the rebate of certain Fund expenses in connection with the investments in Morgan Stanley affiliates during the period. The effect of the rebate on the ratios is disclosed in the above table as "Ratio of Rebate from Morgan Stanley Affiliates."

The accompanying notes are an integral part of the financial statements.
17



Morgan Stanley Institutional Fund, Inc.

Annual Report — December 31, 2020

Financial Highlights

Advantage Portfolio

   

Class IS

 
   

Year Ended December 31,

 

Selected Per Share Data and Ratios

 

2020

 

2019

 

2018

 

2017

 

2016(1)

 

Net Asset Value, Beginning of Period

 

$

26.12

   

$

21.02

   

$

21.49

   

$

17.48

   

$

17.42

   

Income (Loss) from Investment Operations:

 

Net Investment Income (Loss)(2)

   

(0.16

)

   

(0.03

)

   

(0.01

)

   

0.01

     

0.08

   

Net Realized and Unrealized Gain

   

19.68

     

5.62

     

0.87

     

5.59

     

0.41

   

Total from Investment Operations

   

19.52

     

5.59

     

0.86

     

5.60

     

0.49

   

Distributions from and/or in Excess of:

 

Net Investment Income

   

     

     

     

     

(0.05

)

 

Net Realized Gain

   

(2.23

)

   

(0.49

)

   

(1.33

)

   

(1.59

)

   

(0.38

)

 

Total Distributions

   

(2.23

)

   

(0.49

)

   

(1.33

)

   

(1.59

)

   

(0.43

)

 

Net Asset Value, End of Period

 

$

43.41

   

$

26.12

   

$

21.02

   

$

21.49

   

$

17.48

   

Total Return(3)

   

74.93

%

   

26.64

%

   

3.74

%

   

32.22

%

   

2.79

%

 

Ratios to Average Net Assets and Supplemental Data:

 

Net Assets, End of Period (Thousands)

 

$

41,263

   

$

28,983

   

$

26,601

   

$

17,542

   

$

13,273

   

Ratio of Expenses Before Expense Limitation

   

N/A

     

0.83

%

   

0.93

%

   

1.01

%

   

1.05

%

 

Ratio of Expenses After Expense Limitation

   

0.79

%(4)

   

0.80

%(4)

   

0.80

%(4)

   

0.80

%(4)

   

0.80

%(4)

 

Ratio of Expenses After Expense Limitation Excluding Interest Expenses

   

N/A

     

0.80

%(4)

   

N/A

     

N/A

     

N/A

   

Ratio of Net Investment Income (Loss)

   

(0.47

)%(4)

   

(0.10

)%(4)

   

(0.04

)%(4)

   

0.07

%(4)

   

0.46

%(4)

 

Ratio of Rebate from Morgan Stanley Affiliates

   

0.01

%

   

0.01

%

   

0.01

%

   

0.01

%

   

0.01

%

 

Portfolio Turnover Rate

   

73

%

   

70

%

   

79

%

   

65

%

   

79

%

 

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

(2)  Per share amount is based on average shares outstanding.

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

(4)  The Ratio of Expenses After Expense Limitation and Ratio of Net Investment Income (Loss) reflect the rebate of certain Fund expenses in connection with the investments in Morgan Stanley affiliates during the period. The effect of the rebate on the ratios is disclosed in the above table as "Ratio of Rebate from Morgan Stanley Affiliates."

The accompanying notes are an integral part of the financial statements.
18



Morgan Stanley Institutional Fund, Inc.

Annual Report — December 31, 2020

Notes to Financial Statements

Morgan Stanley Institutional Fund, Inc. (the "Company") is registered under the Investment Company Act of 1940, as amended (the "Act"), as an open-end management investment company. The Company is comprised of thirty-one separate, active, diversified and non-diversified funds (individually referred to as a "Fund," collectively as the "Funds"). The Company applies investment company accounting and reporting guidance.

The accompanying financial statements relate to the Advantage Portfolio. The Fund seeks long-term capital appreciation.

The Fund offers five classes of shares — Class I, Class A, Class L, Class C and Class IS. On April 30, 2015, the Fund suspended offering of Class L shares. Existing Class L shareholders may invest through reinvestment of dividends and distributions. In addition, Class L shares of the Fund may be exchanged for Class L shares of any Morgan Stanley Multi-Class Fund, even though Class L shares are closed to investors.

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

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

closing price), and if there was no trading in the security on a given day and if there is no official closing price from relevant markets for that day, the security is valued at the mean between the last reported bid and asked prices if such bid and asked prices are available on the relevant markets. An unlisted equity security that does not trade on the valuation date and for which bid and asked prices from the relevant markets are unavailable is valued at the mean between the current bid and asked prices obtained from one or more reputable brokers or dealers; (3) listed options are valued at the last reported sales price on the exchange on which they are listed (or at the exchange official closing price if such exchange reports an official closing price). If an official closing price or last reported sales price is unavailable, the listed option should be fair valued at the mean between its latest bid and ask prices. Unlisted options are valued at the mean between their latest bid and ask prices from a broker/dealer or valued by a pricing service/vendor; (4) certain portfolio securities may be valued by an outside pricing service/vendor approved by the Company's Board of Directors (the "Directors"). The pricing service/vendor may employ a pricing model that takes into account, among other things, bids, yield spreads and/or other market data and specific security characteristics. Alternatively, if a valuation is not available from an outside pricing service/vendor, and the security trades on an exchange, the security may be valued at its latest reported sale price (or at the exchange official closing price if such exchange reports an official closing price), prior to the time when assets are valued. If there are no sales on a given day and if there is no official exchange closing price for that day, the security is valued at the mean between the last reported bid and asked prices if such bid and asked prices are available in the relevant exchanges. If only bid prices are available then the latest bid price may be used. If Morgan Stanley Investment Management Inc. (the "Adviser"), a wholly-owned subsidiary of Morgan Stanley, determines that the price provided by the outside pricing service/vendor or exchange does not reflect the security's fair value or is unable to provide a price, prices from brokers or dealers may also be utilized. In these circumstances, the value of the security will be the mean of bid and asked prices obtained from brokers or dealers; (5) when market quotations are not readily available, including circumstances under which the Adviser determines that the closing price, last sale price or the mean between


19



Morgan Stanley Institutional Fund, Inc.

Annual Report — December 31, 2020

Notes to Financial Statements (cont'd)

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 Directors. 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 of the New York Stock Exchange ("NYSE"). If developments occur during such periods that are expected to materially affect the value of such securities, such valuations may be adjusted to reflect the estimated fair value of such securities as of the close of the NYSE, as determined in good faith by the Directors or by the Adviser using a pricing service and/or procedures approved by the Directors; (6) quotations of foreign portfolio securities, other assets and liabilities and forward contracts stated in foreign currency are translated into U.S. dollar equivalents at the prevailing market rates prior to the close of the NYSE; and (7) investments in mutual funds, including the Morgan Stanley Institutional Liquidity Funds, are valued at the NAV as of the close of each business day.

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

2.  Fair Value Measurement: Financial Accounting Standards Board ("FASB") Accounting Standards CodificationTM ("ASC") 820, "Fair Value Measurement" ("ASC 820"), defines fair value as the value that the Fund

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

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

•  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.


20



Morgan Stanley Institutional Fund, Inc.

Annual Report — December 31, 2020

Notes to Financial Statements (cont'd)

The following is a summary of the inputs used to value the Fund's investments as of December 31, 2020:

Investment Type

  Level 1
Unadjusted
quoted
prices
(000)
  Level 2
Other
significant
observable
inputs
(000)
  Level 3
Significant
unobservable
inputs
(000)
  Total
(000)
 

Assets:

 

Common Stocks

 

Aerospace & Defense

 

$

20,651

   

$

   

$

   

$

20,651

   

Capital Markets

   

15,416

     

     

     

15,416

   

Chemicals

   

29,173

     

     

     

29,173

   

Construction Materials

   

20,436

     

     

     

20,436

   

Containers & Packaging

   

7,650

     

     

     

7,650

   

Entertainment

   

67,750

     

     

     

67,750

   

Food & Staples Retailing

   

22,502

     

     

     

22,502

   
Health Care
Equipment & Supplies
   

54,693

     

     

     

54,693

   

Health Care Technology

   

42,766

     

     

     

42,766

   

Industrial Conglomerates

   

9,082

     

     

     

9,082

   
Information Technology
Services
   

160,289

     

13,198

     

     

173,487

   
Interactive Media &
Services
   

125,092

     

     

     

125,092

   
Internet & Direct
Marketing Retail
   

104,266

     

     

     

104,266

   

Metals & Mining

   

1,037

     

     

     

1,037

   
Oil, Gas & Consumable
Fuels
   

1,979

     

     

     

1,979

   

Pharmaceuticals

   

28,949

     

     

     

28,949

   

Software

   

108,813

     

     

     

108,813

   
Textiles, Apparel &
Luxury Goods
   

9,150

     

     

     

9,150

   

Total Common Stocks

   

829,694

     

13,198

     

     

842,892

   

Call Options Purchased

   

     

591

     

     

591

   

Short-Term Investment

 

Investment Company

   

63,846

     

     

     

63,846

   

Total Assets

 

$

893,540

   

$

13,789

   

$

   

$

907,329

   

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

3.  Repurchase Agreements: The Fund may enter into repurchase agreements under which the Fund lends cash and takes possession of securities with an agreement that the counterparty will repurchase such securities. In connection with transactions in repurchase agreements, a bank as custodian for the Fund takes possession of the underlying securities which are held as collateral, with a market value at least equal to the amount of the repurchase transaction, including principal and accrued interest. To the extent that any repurchase transaction exceeds one business day, the value of the collateral is marked-tomarket on a daily basis 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. In the event of default on the obligation to repurchase, the Fund has the right to liquidate the collateral and apply the proceeds in satisfaction of the obligation. In the event of default or bankruptcy by the counterparty to the agreement, realization of the collateral proceeds may be subject to cost and delays. The Fund, along with other affiliated investment companies, may utilize a joint trading account for the purpose of entering into repurchase agreements.

4.  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.

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


21



Morgan Stanley Institutional Fund, Inc.

Annual Report — December 31, 2020

Notes to Financial Statements (cont'd)

recorded on the Fund's books and the U.S. dollar equivalent amounts actually received or paid. The change in unrealized currency gains (losses) on foreign currency transactions for the period is reflected in the Statement of Operations.

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.

Governmental approval for foreign investments may be required in advance of making an investment under certain circumstances in some countries, and the extent of foreign investments in domestic companies may be subject to limitation in other countries. Foreign ownership limitations also may be imposed by the charters of individual companies to prevent, among other concerns, violations of foreign investment limitations. As a result, an additional class of shares (identified as "Foreign" in the Portfolio of Investments) may be created and offered for investment. The "local" and "foreign shares" market values may differ. In the absence of trading of the foreign shares in such markets, the Fund values the foreign shares at the closing exchange price of the local shares.

5.  Derivatives: The Fund may, but is not required to, use derivative instruments for a variety of purposes, including hedging, risk management, portfolio management or to earn income. Derivatives are financial instruments whose value is based, in part, on the value of an underlying asset, interest rate, index or financial instrument. Prevailing interest rates and volatility levels, among other things, also affect the value of derivative instruments. A derivative instrument often has risks similar to its underlying asset and may have additional risks, including imperfect correlation between the value of the derivative and the underlying asset, risks of default by the counterparty to certain transactions, magnification of losses incurred due to changes in the market value of the securities, instruments, indices or interest rates to which the derivative instrument relates, risks that the transactions may not be liquid and risks arising from margin requirements. The use of derivatives involves risks that are different from, and possibly greater than, the risks associated with other portfolio investments.

Derivatives may involve the use of highly specialized instruments that require investment techniques and risk analyses different from those associated with other portfolio investments. All of the Fund's holdings, including derivative instruments, are marked-to-market each day with the change in value reflected in unrealized appreciation (depreciation). Upon disposition, a realized gain or loss is recognized.

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

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

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


22



Morgan Stanley Institutional Fund, Inc.

Annual Report — December 31, 2020

Notes to Financial Statements (cont'd)

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

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

The following table sets forth the fair value of the Fund's derivative contracts by primary risk exposure as of December 31, 2020:

    Asset Derivatives
Statement of Assets and
Liabilities Location
  Primary Risk
Exposure
  Value
(000)
 

Purchased Options

  Investments, at Value
(Purchased Options)
 

Currency Risk

 

$

591

(a)

 

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

The following tables set forth by primary risk exposure the Fund's realized gains (losses) and change in unrealized appreciation (depreciation) by type of derivative contract for the year ended December 31, 2020 in accordance with ASC 815:

Realized Gain (Loss)

 

Primary Risk Exposure

 

Derivative Type

  Value
(000)
 

Currency Risk

  Investments
(Purchased Options)
 

$

(1,100

)(b)

 

(b) Amounts are included in Investments Sold in the Statement of Operations.

Change in Unrealized Appreciation (Depreciation)

 

Primary Risk Exposure

 

Derivative Type

  Value
(000)
 

Currency Risk

  Investments
(Purchased Options)
    $(1,681)(c)    

(c) Amounts are included in Investments in the Statement of Operations.

At December 31, 2020, the Fund's derivative assets and liabilities are as follows:

Presented in the Statement of Assets and Liabilities

 

Gross Amounts of Assets and Liabilities

 

Derivatives

  Assets(d)
(000)
  Liabilities(d)
(000)
 

Purchased Options

 

$

591

(a)

 

$

   

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

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

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


23



Morgan Stanley Institutional Fund, Inc.

Annual Report — December 31, 2020

Notes to Financial Statements (cont'd)

defined in the Master Agreement, the return of collateral with market value in excess of the Fund's net liability may be delayed or denied.

The following table presents derivative financial instruments that are subject to enforceable netting arrangements as of December 31, 2020:

Gross Amounts Not Offset in the Statement of Assets and Liabilities

 

Counterparty

  Gross Asset
Derivatives
Presented in
the Statement of
Assets and
Liabilities(a)
(000)
  Financial
Instrument
(000)
  Collateral
Received(e)
(000)
  Net Amount
(not less
than $0)
(000)
 

BNP Paribas

 

$

499

   

$

   

$

(499

)

 

$

0

   

Royal Bank of Scotland

   

92

     

     

(92

)

   

0

   

Total

 

$

591

   

$

   

$

(591

)

 

$

0

   

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

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

For the year ended December 31, 2020, the approximate average monthly amount outstanding for each derivative type is as follows:

Purchased Options:

 

Average monthly notional amount

   

381,622,000

   

6.  Securities Lending: The Fund lends securities to qualified financial institutions, such as broker-dealers, to earn additional income. Any increase or decrease in the fair value of the securities loaned that might occur and any interest earned or dividends declared on those securities during the term of the loan would remain in the Fund.

The Fund would receive cash or securities as collateral in an amount equal to or exceeding 100% of the current fair value of the loaned securities. The collateral is marked-to-market daily by State Street Bank and Trust Company ("State Street"), the securities lending agent, to ensure that a minimum of 100% collateral coverage is maintained.

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

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

At December 31, 2020, the Fund did not have any outstanding securities on loan.

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

8.  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. Net realized capital gains, if any, are distributed at least annually.

9.  Security Transactions, Income and Expenses: Security transactions are accounted for on the trade date (date the order to buy or sell is executed). Realized gains and losses on the sale of investment securities are determined on the specific identified cost method. Dividend income and other distributions are recorded on the ex-dividend date (except for certain foreign dividends which may be recorded as soon as the Fund is informed of such dividends) net of applicable withholding taxes. Interest income is recognized on the accrual basis except where collection is in doubt. Discounts are accreted and premiums are amortized over the life of the respective securities. Most expenses of the Company can be directly attributed to a particular Fund. Expenses which cannot be directly attributed are apportioned among the Funds based upon relative net assets or other appropriate methods. Income, expenses (other than class specific expenses — distribution and shareholder services, transfer agency and sub transfer agency fees) and realized and unrealized gains or losses are allocated to each class of shares based upon their relative net assets.

B. Advisory Fees: The Adviser, a wholly-owned subsidiary of Morgan Stanley, provides the Fund with advisory services


24



Morgan Stanley Institutional Fund, Inc.

Annual Report — December 31, 2020

Notes to Financial Statements (cont'd)

under the terms of an Investment Advisory Agreement, paid quarterly, at the annual rate based on the daily net assets as follows:

First $750
million
  Next $750
million
  Over $1.5
billion
 
  0.65

%

   

0.60

%

   

0.55

%

 

For the year ended December 31, 2020, the advisory fee rate (net of rebate) was equivalent to an annual effective rate of 0.64% of the Fund's average daily net assets.

The Adviser has agreed to reduce its advisory fee and/or reimburse the Fund so that total annual Fund operating expenses, excluding certain investment related expenses, taxes, interest and other extraordinary expenses (including litigation), will not exceed 0.85% for Class I shares, 1.20% for Class A shares, 0.99% for Class L shares, 1.95% for Class C shares and 0.81% for Class IS shares. The fee waivers and/or expense reimbursements will continue for at least one year from the date of the Fund's prospectus or until such time as the Directors act to discontinue all or a portion of such waivers and/or reimbursements when they deem such action is appropriate. For the year ended December 31, 2020, approximately $186,000 of other expenses were reimbursed by the Adviser pursuant to this arrangement.

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

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

D. Distribution and Shareholder Services Fees: Morgan Stanley Distribution, Inc. ("MSDI" or the "Distributor"), a wholly-owned subsidiary of the Adviser and an indirect subsidiary of Morgan Stanley, serves as the Company's Distributor of Fund shares pursuant to a Distribution Agreement. The Company has adopted a Shareholder Services Plan with respect to Class A shares pursuant to Rule 12b-1 under the Act. Under the Shareholder Services Plan, the Fund pays the Distributor a shareholder services fee, accrued daily and paid monthly, at an annual rate of 0.25% of the Fund's average daily net assets attributable to Class A shares.

The Company has adopted a Distribution and Shareholder Services Plan with respect to Class L shares pursuant to Rule 12b-1 under the Act. Under the Distribution and Shareholder Services Plan, the Fund pays the Distributor a distribution fee, accrued daily and paid monthly, at an annual rate of 0.50% and a shareholder services fee, accrued daily and paid monthly, at an annual rate of 0.25% of the Fund's average daily net assets attributable to Class L shares. The Distributor has agreed to waive for at least one year from the date of the Fund's prospectus or until such time as the Directors act to discontinue all or a portion of such waivers and/or reimbursements when they deem such action is appropriate, the 12b-1 fees on Class L shares of the Fund to the extent it exceeds 0.04% of the average daily net assets of such shares on an annualized basis. For the year ended December 31, 2020, this waiver amounted to approximately $31,000.

The Company has adopted a Distribution and Shareholder Services Plan with respect to Class C shares pursuant to Rule 12b-1 under the Act. Under the Distribution and Shareholder Services Plan, the Fund pays the Distributor a distribution fee, accrued daily and paid monthly, at an annual rate of 0.75% and a shareholder services fee, accrued daily and paid monthly, at an annual rate of 0.25% of the Fund's average daily net assets attributable to Class C shares.

The distribution and shareholder services fees are used to support the expenses associated with servicing and maintaining accounts. The Distributor may compensate other parties for providing shareholder support services to investors who purchase Class A, Class L and Class C shares.

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

F. Custodian Fees: State Street (the "Custodian") also serves as Custodian for the Company in accordance with a Custodian Agreement. The Custodian holds cash, securities and other assets of the Company as required by the Act. Custody fees are payable monthly based on assets held in custody, investment purchases and sales activity and account maintenance fees, plus reimbursement for certain out-of-pocket expenses.

G. Security Transactions and Transactions with Affiliates: For the year ended December 31, 2020, purchases and sales of investment securities for the Fund, other than


25



Morgan Stanley Institutional Fund, Inc.

Annual Report — December 31, 2020

Notes to Financial Statements (cont'd)

long-term U.S. Government securities and short-term investments were approximately $489,640,000 and $443,234,000, respectively. There were no purchases and sales of long-term U.S. Government securities for the year ended December 31, 2020.

The Fund 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 the advisory and administration fees paid by the Fund due to its investment in the Liquidity Funds. For the year ended December 31, 2020, advisory fees paid were reduced by approximately $40,000 relating to the Fund's investment in the Liquidity Funds.

A summary of the Fund's transactions in shares of affiliated investments during the year ended December 31, 2020 is as follows:

Affiliated
Investment
Company
  Value
December 31,
2019
(000)
  Purchases
at Cost
(000)
  Proceeds
from Sales
(000)
  Dividend
Income
(000)
 

Liquidity Funds

 

$

30,479

   

$

273,839

   

$

240,472

   

$

75

   
Affiliated
Investment
Company (cont'd)
  Realized
Gain (Loss)
(000)
  Change in
Unrealized
Appreciation
(Depreciation)
(000)
  Value
December 31,
2020
(000)
 

Liquidity Funds

 

$

   

$

   

$

63,846

   

The Fund is permitted to purchase and sell securities ("cross-trade") from and to other Morgan Stanley funds as well as other funds and client accounts for which the Adviser or an affiliate of the Adviser serves as investment adviser, pursuant to procedures approved by the Directors in compliance with Rule 17a-7 under the Act (the "Rule"). Each cross-trade is executed at the current market price in compliance with provisions of the Rule. For the year ended December 31, 2020, the Fund did not engage in any cross-trade transactions.

The Fund has an unfunded Deferred Compensation Plan (the "Compensation Plan"), which allows each independent Director to defer payment of all, or a portion, of the fees he or she receives for serving on the Board of Directors. Each eligible Director generally may elect to have the deferred amounts credited with a return equal to the total return on one or more of the Morgan Stanley funds that are offered as investment options under the Compensation Plan. Appreciation/depreciation and distributions received from these investments are recorded

with an offsetting increase/decrease in the deferred compensation obligation and do not affect the NAV of the Fund.

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

The Fund may be subject to taxes imposed by countries in which it invests. Such taxes are generally based on income and/or capital gains earned or repatriated. Taxes are accrued based on net investment income, net realized gains and net unrealized appreciation as such income and/or gains are earned. Taxes may also be based on transactions in foreign currency and are accrued based on the value of investments denominated in such currency.

FASB ASC 740-10, "Income Taxes — Overall", sets forth a minimum threshold for financial statement recognition of the benefit of a tax position taken or expected to be taken in a tax return. Management has concluded there are no significant uncertain tax positions that would require recognition in the financial statements. If applicable, the Fund recognizes interest accrued related to unrecognized tax benefits in "Interest Expense" and penalties in "Other Expenses" in the Statement of Operations. The Fund files tax returns with the U.S. Internal Revenue Service, New York and various states. Generally, each of the tax years in the four-year period ended December 31, 2020 remains subject to examination by taxing authorities.

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

2020
Distributions
Paid From:
  2019
Distributions
Paid From:
 
Ordinary
Income
(000)
  Long-Term
Capital Gain
(000)
  Ordinary
Income
(000)
  Long-Term
Capital Gain
(000)
 
$

18,463

   

$

26,038

   

$

1,435

   

$

6,841

   

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 attributable to differing book and tax treatments for the timing of the recognition of gains


26



Morgan Stanley Institutional Fund, Inc.

Annual Report — December 31, 2020

Notes to Financial Statements (cont'd)

(losses) on certain investment transactions and the timing of the deductibility of certain expenses.

The Fund had no permanent differences causing reclassifications among the components of net assets for the year ended December 31, 2020.

At December 31, 2020, the components of distributable earnings for the Fund on a tax basis were as follows:

Undistributed
Ordinary
Income
(000)
  Undistributed
Long-Term
Capital Gain
(000)
 
$

42,371

   

$

16,306

   

I. Credit Facility: The Company and other Morgan Stanley funds participated in a $300,000,000 committed, unsecured revolving line of credit facility (the "Facility") with State Street. This Facility is to be used for temporary emergency purposes or funding of shareholder redemption requests. The interest rate on borrowings is based on the federal funds rate or 1 month LIBOR rate plus a spread. The Facility also has a commitment fee of 0.25% per annum based on the unused portion of the Facility. During the year ended December 31, 2020, the Fund did not have any borrowings under the Facility.

J. Other: At December 31, 2020, the Fund had record owners of 10% or greater. Investment activities of these shareholders could have a material impact on the Fund. The aggregate percentage of such owners was 28.0%.

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


27



Morgan Stanley Institutional Fund, Inc.

Annual Report — December 31, 2020

Report of Independent Registered Public Accounting Firm

To the Shareholders and Board of Directors of
Morgan Stanley Institutional Fund, Inc. —
Advantage Portfolio

Opinion on the Financial Statements

We have audited the accompanying statement of assets and liabilities of Advantage Portfolio (the "Fund") (one of the funds constituting Morgan Stanley Institutional Fund, Inc. (the "Company")), including the portfolio of investments, as of December 31, 2020, and the related statement of operations for the year then ended, the statements of changes in net assets for each of the two years in the period then ended, the financial highlights for each of the five years in the period then ended and the related notes (collectively referred to as the "financial statements"). In our opinion, the financial statements present fairly, in all material respects, the financial position of Advantage Portfolio (one of the funds constituting Morgan Stanley Institutional Fund, Inc.) at December 31, 2020, the results of its operations for the year then ended, the changes in its net assets for each of the two years in the period then ended and its financial highlights for each of the five years in the period then ended, in conformity with U.S. generally accepted accounting principles.

Basis for Opinion

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

We conducted our audits in accordance with the standards of the PCAOB. Those standards require that we plan and perform the audit to obtain reasonable assurance about whether the financial statements are free of material misstatement, whether due to error or fraud. The Company is not required to have, nor were we engaged to perform, an audit of the Company's internal control over financial reporting. As part of our audits, we are required to obtain an understanding of internal control over financial reporting, but not for the purpose of expressing an opinion on the effectiveness of the Company's internal control over financial reporting. Accordingly, we express no such opinion.

Our audits included performing procedures to assess the risks of material misstatement of the financial statements, whether due to error or fraud, and performing procedures that respond to those risks. Such procedures included examining, on a test basis, evidence regarding the amounts and disclosures in the financial statements. Our procedures included confirmation of securities owned as of December 31, 2020 by correspondence with the custodian and others or by other appropriate auditing procedures where replies from others were not received. Our audits also included evaluating the accounting principles used and significant estimates made by management, as well as evaluating the overall presentation of the financial statements. We believe that our audits provide a reasonable basis for our opinion.

We have served as the auditor of one or more Morgan Stanley investment companies since 2000.
Boston, Massachusetts
February 26, 2021


28



Morgan Stanley Institutional Fund, Inc.

Annual Report — December 31, 2020

Liquidity Risk Management Program (unaudited)

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

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

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

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

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

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


29



Morgan Stanley Institutional Fund, Inc.

Annual Report — December 31, 2020

Federal Tax Notice (unaudited)

For federal income tax purposes, the following information is furnished with respect to the distributions paid by the Fund during its taxable year ended December 31, 2020. For corporate shareholders 6.02% of the dividends qualified for the dividends received deduction.

The Fund designated and paid approximately $26,038,000 as a long-term capital gain distribution.

For federal income tax purposes, the following information is furnished with respect to the Fund's earnings for its taxable year ended December 31, 2020. When distributed, certain earnings may be subject to a maximum tax rate of 15% as provided for by the Jobs and Growth Tax Relief Reconciliation Act of 2003. The Fund designated up to a maximum of approximately $1,532,000 as taxable at this lower rate.

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


30



Morgan Stanley Institutional Fund, Inc.

Annual Report — December 31, 2020

Privacy Notice (unaudited)  April 2019

FACTS

 

WHAT DOES MSIM DO WITH YOUR PERSONAL INFORMATION?

 

Why?

 

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

 

What?

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

How?

 

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

 

 

Reasons we can share your personal information

 

Does MSIM share?

 

Can you limit this sharing?

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

Yes

 

No

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

Yes

 

No

 

For joint marketing with other financial companies

 

No

 

We don't share

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

Yes

 

No

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

No

 

We don't share

 

For our affiliates to market to you

 

No

 

We don't share

 

For non-affiliates to market to you

 

No

 

We don't share

 

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


31



Morgan Stanley Institutional Fund, Inc.

Annual Report — December 31, 2020

Privacy Notice (unaudited) (cont'd)  April 2019

Who we are

Who is providing this notice?

 

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

 

What we do

How does MSIM protect my personal information?

 

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

 

How does MSIM collect my personal information?

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

Why can't I limit all sharing?

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

Definitions

Affiliates

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

Non-affiliates

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

Joint marketing

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


32



Morgan Stanley Institutional Fund, Inc.

Annual Report — December 31, 2020

Privacy Notice (unaudited) (cont'd)  April 2019

Other Important Information

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

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


33



Morgan Stanley Institutional Fund, Inc.

Annual Report — December 31, 2020

Director and Officer Information (unaudited)

Independent Directors:

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

Director

 

Since August 2006

 

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

 

79

 

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

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

Director

 

Since August 2006

 

Chairperson of the Governance Committee (January 2021), Chairperson of the Liquidity and Alternatives Sub-Committee of the Investment Committee (2006-2020); and Director or Trustee of various Morgan Stanley Funds (since August 2006); President, Cedarwood Associates (mutual fund and investment management consulting) (since July 2006); formerly, Senior Managing Director of Victory Capital Management (1993-2006).

 

79

 

Board Member, University of Albany Foundation (2012-present); Board Member, Mutual Funds Directors Forum (2014-present); Director of various non-profit organizations.

 
Nancy C. Everett
c/o Perkins Coie LLP
Counsel to the Independent Directors
1155 Avenue of the Americas,
22nd Floor
New York, NY 10036
Birth Year: 1955
 

Director

 

Since January 2015

 

Chairperson of the Equity Investment Committee (since January 2021); Director or Trustee of various Morgan Stanley Funds (since January 2015); Chief Executive Officer, Virginia Commonwealth University Investment Company (since November 2015); Owner, OBIR, LLC (institutional investment management consulting) (since June 2014); formerly, Managing Director, BlackRock, Inc. (February 2011-December 2013); and Chief Executive Officer, General Motors Asset Management (a/k/a Promark Global Advisors, Inc.) (June 2005-May 2010).

 

80

 

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

 


34



Morgan Stanley Institutional Fund, Inc.

Annual Report — December 31, 2020

Director and Officer Information (unaudited) (cont'd)

Independent Directors (cont'd):

Name, Address and Birth
Year of Independent Director
  Position(s)
Held with
Registrant
  Length of Time
Served*
  Principal Occupation(s) During Past 5 Years and Other
Relevant Professional Experience
  Number of
Funds
in Fund Complex
Overseen by
Independent
Director**
  Other Directorships
Held by Independent
Director***
 
Jakki L. Haussler
c/o Perkins Coie LLP
Counsel to the Independent Directors
1155 Avenue of the Americas,
22nd Floor
New York, NY 10036
Birth Year: 1957
 

Director

 

Since January 2015

 

Director or Trustee of various Morgan Stanley Funds (since January 2015) Chairman, Opus Capital Group (1996); formerly, Chief Executive Officer, Opus Capital Group (1996-2019); Director, Capvest Venture Fund, LP (May 2000-December 2011); Partner, Adena Ventures, LP (July 1999-December 2010); Director, The Victory Funds (February 2005-July 2008).

 

80

 

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

 
Dr. Manuel H. Johnson
c/o Johnson Smick International, Inc.
220 I Street, NE — Suite 200
Washington, D.C. 20002
Birth Year: 1949
 

Director

 

Since July 1991

 

Senior Partner, Johnson Smick International, Inc. (consulting firm); Chairperson of the Fixed Income, Liquidity and Alternatives Investment Committee (January 2021), Chairperson of the Investment Committee (2006-2020) and Director or Trustee of various Morgan Stanley Funds (since July 1991); Co-Chairman and a founder of the Group of Seven Council (G7C) (international economic commission); formerly, Chairperson of the Audit Committee (July 1991-September 2006), Vice Chairman of the Board of Governors of the Federal Reserve System and Assistant Secretary of the U.S. Treasury.

 

79

 

Director of NVR, Inc. (home construction).

 


35



Morgan Stanley Institutional Fund, Inc.

Annual Report — December 31, 2020

Director and Officer Information (unaudited) (cont'd)

Independent Directors (cont'd):

Name, Address and Birth
Year of Independent Director
  Position(s)
Held with
Registrant
  Length of Time
Served*
  Principal Occupation(s) During Past 5 Years and Other
Relevant Professional Experience
  Number of
Funds
in Fund Complex
Overseen by
Independent
Director**
  Other Directorships
Held by Independent
Director***
 
Joseph J. Kearns
c/o Perkins Coie LLP
Counsel to the Independent Directors
1155 Avenue of the Americas,
22nd Floor
New York, NY 10036
Birth Year: 1942
 

Director

 

Since August 1994

 

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

 

80

 

Director, Rubicon Investment (since February 2019); Prior to August 2016, Director of Electro Rent Corporation (equipment leasing); Prior to December 31, 2013, Director of The Ford Family Foundation.

 
Michael F. Klein
c/o Perkins Coie LLP
Counsel to the Independent Directors
1155 Avenue of the Americas,
22nd Floor
New York, NY 10036
Birth Year: 1958
 

Director

 

Since August 2006

 

Chairperson of the Risk Committee (since January 2021); Managing Director, Aetos Alternatives Management, LP (since March 2000); Co-President, Aetos Alternatives Management, LP (since January 2004) and Co-Chief Executive Officer of Aetos Alternatives Management, LP (since August 2013); Chairperson of the fixed Income Sub-Committee of the Investment committee (2006-2020) and Director or Trustee of various Morgan Stanley Funds (since August 2006); formerly, Managing Director, Morgan Stanley & Co. Inc. and Morgan Stanley Dean Witter Investment Management and President, various Morgan Stanley Funds (June 1998-March 2000); Principal, Morgan Stanley & Co. Inc. and Morgan Stanley Dean Witter Investment Management (August 1997-December 1999).

 

79

 

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

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

Director

 

Since January 2017

 

Director or Trustee of various Morgan Stanley Funds (since January 2017); Managing Director, JPMorgan Asset Management (2004-2016); Oversight and Control Head of Fiduciary and Conflicts of Interest Program (2015-2016); Chief Control Officer-Global Asset Management (2013-2015); President, JPMorgan Funds (2010-2013); Chief Administrative Officer (2004-2013); various other positions including Treasurer and Board Liaison (since 2001).

 

80

 

None.

 
W. Allen Reed
c/o Perkins Coie LLP
Counsel to the Independent Directors
1155 Avenue of the Americas,
22nd Floor
New York, NY 10036
Birth Year: 1947
 

Chair of the Board and Director

 

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

 

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

 

79

 

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

 

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

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

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


36



Morgan Stanley Institutional Fund, Inc.

Annual Report — December 31, 2020

Director and Officer Information (unaudited) (cont'd)

Executive Officers:

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

Principal Occupation(s) During Past 5 Years

 
John H. Gernon
522 Fifth Avenue
New York, NY 10036
Birth Year: 1963
 

President and Principal Executive Officer

 

Since September 2013

 

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

 
Timothy J. Knierim
1633 Broadway
New York, NY 10019
Birth Year: 1959
 

Chief Compliance Officer

 

Since December 2016

 

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

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

Treasurer and Principal Financial Officer

 

Treasurer since July 2003 and Principal Financial Officer since September 2002

 

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

 
Mary E. Mullin
1633 Broadway
New York, NY 10019
Birth Year: 1967
 

Secretary

 

Since June 1999

 

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

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

Vice President

 

Since June 2017

 

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

 

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


37



Morgan Stanley Institutional Fund, Inc.

Annual Report — December 31, 2020

Adviser and Administrator

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

Distributor

Morgan Stanley Distribution, Inc.
522 Fifth Avenue
New York, New York 10036

Dividend Disbursing and Transfer Agent

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

Custodian

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

Legal Counsel

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

Counsel to the Independent Directors

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

Independent Registered Public Accounting Firm

Ernst & Young LLP
200 Clarendon Street
Boston, Massachusetts 02116

Reporting to Shareholders

Each Morgan Stanley fund provides a complete schedule of portfolio holdings in its Semi-Annual and the Annual Reports within 60 days of the end of the fund's second and fourth fiscal quarters. The Semi-Annual and Annual Reports are filed electronically with the Securities and Exchange Commission ("SEC") on Form N-CSRS and Form N-CSR, respectively. Morgan Stanley also delivers the Semi-Annual and Annual Reports to fund shareholders and makes these reports available on its public website, www.morganstanley.com/im/shareholderreports. Each Morgan Stanley non-money market fund also files a complete schedule of portfolio holdings with the SEC for the fund's first and third fiscal quarters as an attachment to Form N-PORT. Morgan Stanley does not deliver the reports for the first and third fiscal quarters to shareholders, but makes the complete schedule of portfolio holdings for the fund's first and third fiscal quarters available on its public website. The holdings for each money market fund are also posted to the Morgan Stanley public website. You may obtain the Form N-PORT filings (as well as the Form N-CSR and N-CSRS filings) by accessing the SEC's website, www.sec.gov. You can also request copies of these materials, upon payment of a duplicating fee, by electronic request at the SEC's email address (publicinfo@sec.gov).

Proxy Voting Policies and Procedures and Proxy Voting Record

You may obtain a copy of the Company's Proxy Voting Policy and Procedures and information regarding how the Company voted proxies relating to portfolio securities during the most recent twelve-month period ended June 30, without charge, upon request, by calling toll free 1 (800) 548-7786 or by visiting our website at www.morganstanley.com/im/shareholderreports. This information is also available on the SEC's website at www.sec.gov.

This report is authorized for distribution only when preceded or accompanied by a prospectus or summary prospectus of the applicable fund of Morgan Stanley Institutional Fund, Inc., which describes in detail the fund's investment policies, risks, fees and expenses. Please read the prospectus carefully before you invest or send money. For additional information, including information regarding the investments comprising the Fund, please visit our website at www.morganstanley.com/im/shareholderreports or call toll free 1 (800) 548-7786.


38



Printed in U.S.A.
This Report has been prepared for shareholders and may be distributed to others only if preceded or accompanied by a current prospectus.

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

© 2021 Morgan Stanley. Morgan Stanley Distribution, Inc.

IFIADVANN
3386848 EXP 02.28.22



INVESTMENT MANAGEMENT

Morgan Stanley Institutional Fund, Inc.

Asia Opportunity Portfolio

Annual Report

December 31, 2020



Morgan Stanley Institutional Fund, Inc.

Annual Report — December 31, 2020

Table of Contents

Shareholders' Letter

   

2

   

Expense Example

   

3

   

Investment Overview

   

4

   

Portfolio of Investments

   

6

   

Statement of Assets and Liabilities

   

8

   

Statement of Operations

   

10

   

Statements of Changes in Net Assets

   

11

   

Financial Highlights

   

12

   

Notes to Financial Statements

   

16

   

Report of Independent Registered Public Accounting Firm

   

25

   

Liquidity Risk Management Program

   

26

   

Federal Tax Notice

   

27

   

Privacy Notice

   

28

   

Director and Officer Information

   

31

   

This report is authorized for distribution only when preceded or accompanied by a prospectus or summary prospectus of the applicable Fund of Morgan Stanley Institutional Fund, Inc. To receive a prospectus and/or statement of additional information ("SAI"), which contains more complete information such as investment objectives, charges, expenses, policies for voting proxies, risk considerations and describes in detail each of the Fund's investment policies to the prospective investor, please call toll free 1 (800) 548-7786. Please read the prospectuses carefully before you invest or send money.

Additionally, you can access information about the Fund, including performance, characteristics and investment team commentary, through Morgan Stanley Investment Management's website: www.morganstanley.com/im/shareholderreports.

Market forecasts provided in this report may not necessarily come to pass. There is no guarantee that any sectors mentioned will continue to perform as discussed herein or that securities in such sectors will be held by the Fund in the future. There is no assurance that a fund will achieve its investment objective. Funds are subject to market risk, which is the possibility that market values of securities owned by the Fund will decline and, therefore, the value of the Fund's shares may be less than what you paid for them. Accordingly, you can lose money investing in this Fund. Please see the prospectus for more complete information on investment risks.


1



Morgan Stanley Institutional Fund, Inc.

Annual Report — December 31, 2020

Shareholders' Letter (unaudited)

Dear Shareholders,

We are pleased to provide this Annual Report, in which you will learn how your investment in Asia Opportunity Portfolio (the "Fund") performed during the latest twelve-month period.

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

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

Sincerely,

John H. Gernon
President and Principal Executive Officer

January 2021


2



Morgan Stanley Institutional Fund, Inc.

Annual Report — December 31, 2020

Expense Example (unaudited)

Asia Opportunity Portfolio

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

This example is based on an investment of $1,000 invested at the beginning of the six-month period ended December 31, 2020 and held for the entire six-month period.

Actual Expenses

The table below provides information about actual account values and actual expenses. You may use the information in this table, 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 table under the heading entitled "Actual Expenses Paid During Period" to estimate the expenses you paid on your account during this period.

Hypothetical Example for Comparison Purposes

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

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

    Beginning
Account
Value
7/1/20
  Actual Ending
Account
Value
12/31/20
  Hypothetical
Ending Account
Value
  Actual
Expenses
Paid
During
Period*
  Hypothetical
Expenses Paid
During Period*
  Net
Expense
Ratio
During
Period**
 

Asia Opportunity Portfolio Class I

 

$

1,000.00

   

$

1,367.30

   

$

1,019.81

   

$

6.31

   

$

5.38

     

1.06

%

 

Asia Opportunity Portfolio Class A

   

1,000.00

     

1,365.20

     

1,018.45

     

7.91

     

6.75

     

1.33

   

Asia Opportunity Portfolio Class C

   

1,000.00

     

1,360.40

     

1,014.73

     

12.28

     

10.48

     

2.07

   

Asia Opportunity Portfolio Class IS

   

1,000.00

     

1,367.80

     

1,020.11

     

5.95

     

5.08

     

1.00

   

*  Expenses are calculated using each Fund Class' annualized net expense ratio (as disclosed), multiplied by the average account value over the period and multiplied by 184/366 (to reflect the most recent one-half year period).

**  Annualized.


3



Morgan Stanley Institutional Fund, Inc.

Annual Report — December 31, 2020

Investment Overview (unaudited)

Asia Opportunity Portfolio

The Fund seeks long-term capital appreciation.

Performance

For the fiscal year ended December 31, 2020, the Fund's Class I shares had a total return based on net asset value and reinvestment of distributions per share of 52.53%, net of fees. The Fund's Class I shares outperformed the Fund's benchmark, the MSCI All Country Asia ex Japan Net Index (the "Index"), which returned 25.02%.

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

Factors Affecting Performance

•  Equity markets rebounded after the volatility seen in the first quarter of 2020, which had been driven by a broad sell-off due to concerns regarding COVID-19 and its potential impacts to global economic activity. The rebound was a result of a general market recovery from the COVID-19-related decline earlier in the year, as well as optimism following successful COVID-19 vaccine trials and rollouts in various countries. Uncertainty surrounding U.S.-China tensions, U.S. elections and Brexit negotiations also affected markets during the year.

•  Asian equity markets advanced by 25.02% for the 12-month period ended December 31, 2020, as measured by the Index. Our team remained focused on assessing company prospects over a longer-term period of three to five years, and owning a portfolio of high quality companies with diverse business drivers not tied to a particular market environment.

•  The team manages concentrated portfolios that are highly differentiated from the benchmark, with securities weighted on our assessment of the quality of the company and our conviction. Our longer-term focus results in lower turnover than many of our peers. The value added or detracted in any period of time will typically result from stock selection, given our philosophy and process. For the 12-month period, the Fund outperformed the Index due to favorable stock selection and sector allocation.

•  Our stock selection in the consumer staples sector, along with stock selection and a sector overweight

position in the consumer discretionary sector contributed the most to the Fund's relative performance.

•  The main detractors from relative performance were a sector underweight position in the information technology sector, a sector overweight position in the consumer staples sector and sector underweight position in the materials sector.

Management Strategies

•  There were no changes to our bottom-up investment process during the period. The Fund seeks long-term capital appreciation by investing in high quality established and emerging companies located in Asia (excluding Japan) that the investment team believes are undervalued at the time of purchase. To help achieve its objective, the investment team typically favors companies it believes have sustainable competitive advantages that can be monetized through growth. The investment process integrates analysis of sustainability with respect to disruptive change, financial strength, environmental and social externalities and governance (also referred to as ESG).

•  At the close of the period, consumer discretionary represented the largest sector weight in the portfolio, followed by financials, consumer staples and communication services. Our bottom-up investment process resulted in sector overweight positions in consumer staples, consumer discretionary, financials and communication services, and underweight positions in information technology, industrials, materials, real estate, health care, energy and utilities. The Fund had no holdings in energy, materials, industrials, utilities and real estate at the end of the reporting period.


4



Morgan Stanley Institutional Fund, Inc.

Annual Report — December 31, 2020

Investment Overview (unaudited) (cont'd)

Asia Opportunity Portfolio

*  Minimum Investment for Class I shares

**  Commenced Operations on December 29, 2015.

In accordance with SEC regulations, the Fund's performance shown assumes that all recurring fees (including management fees) were deducted and all dividends and distributions were reinvested. The performance of Class A, C and IS shares will vary from the performance of Class I shares and will be negatively impacted by additional fees assessed to those classes (if applicable).

Performance Compared to the MSCI All Country Asia ex Japan Net Index(1) and the Lipper Pacific Region ex Japan Funds Index(2)

    Period Ended December 31, 2020
Total Returns(3)
 
       

Average Annual

 
    One
Year
  Five
Years
  Ten
Years
  Since
Inception(5)
 
Fund — Class I Shares
w/o sales charges(4)
   

52.53

%

   

27.17

%

   

     

27.21

%

 
Fund — Class A Shares
w/o sales charges(4)
   

52.15

     

26.76

     

     

26.80

   
Fund — Class A Shares with
maximum 5.25% sales charges(4)
   

44.18

     

25.39

     

     

25.45

   
Fund — Class C Shares
w/o sales charges(4)
   

51.02

     

25.80

     

     

25.85

   
Fund — Class C Shares with
maximum 1.00% deferred sales
charges(4)
   

50.02

     

25.80

     

     

25.85

   
Fund — Class IS Shares
w/o sales charges(4)
   

52.58

     

27.22

     

     

27.26

   
MSCI All Country Asia ex Japan
Net Index
   

25.02

     

13.58

     

     

13.52

   
Lipper Pacific Region ex Japan
Funds Index
   

37.38

     

14.06

     

     

13.90

   

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. Performance assumes that all dividends and distributions, if any, were reinvested. For the most recent month-end performance figures, please visit www.morganstanley.com/im/shareholderreports. Investment return and principal value will fluctuate so that Fund shares, when redeemed, may be worth more or less than their original cost. Total returns do not reflect the deduction of taxes that a shareholder would pay on Fund distributions or the redemption of Fund shares. Performance of share classes will vary due to difference in sales charges and expenses.

(1)  The MSCI All Country Asia ex Japan Net Index is a free float-adjusted market capitalization weighted index that is designed to measure the equity market performance of Asia, excluding Japan. The performance of the Index is listed in U.S. dollars and assumes reinvestment of net dividends. Net total return indices reinvest dividends after the deduction of withholding taxes, using (for international indices) a tax rate applicable to non-resident institutional investors who do not benefit from double taxation treaties. The Index is unmanaged and its returns do not include any sales charges or fees. Such costs would lower performance. It is not possible to invest directly in an index.

(2)  The Lipper Pacific Region ex Japan Funds Index is an equally weighted performance index of the largest qualifying funds (based on net assets) in the Lipper Pacific Region ex Japan Funds classification. The Index, which is adjusted for capital gains distributions and income dividends, is unmanaged and should not be considered an investment. There are currently 10 funds represented in this Index. As of the date of this report, the Fund was in the Lipper Pacific Region ex Japan Funds classification.

(3)  Total returns for the Fund reflect fees waived and expenses reimbursed, if applicable, by the Adviser (as defined herein). Without such waivers and reimbursements, total returns would have been lower.

(4)  Commenced operations on December 29, 2015.

(5)  For comparative purposes, average annual since inception returns listed for the Indexes refer to the inception date of the Fund, not the inception of the Index.


5



Morgan Stanley Institutional Fund, Inc.

Annual Report — December 31, 2020

Portfolio of Investments

Asia Opportunity Portfolio

   

Shares

  Value
(000)
 

Common Stocks (90.6%)

 

China (56.5%)

 

Alibaba Group Holding Ltd. ADR (a)

   

85,211

   

$

19,831

   

China East Education Holdings Ltd. (b)(c)

   

2,964,000

     

7,133

   

China Resources Beer Holdings Co., Ltd. (b)

   

2,314,300

     

21,282

   
Foshan Haitian Flavouring & Food Co., Ltd.,
Class A
   

849,618

     

26,088

   

Haidilao International Holding Ltd. (b)(c)

   

1,361,000

     

10,496

   
Hangzhou Tigermed Consulting Co. Ltd.
H Shares (a)(b)
   

347,600

     

8,061

   

Huazhu Group Ltd. ADR

   

78,784

     

3,548

   

HUYA, Inc. ADR (a)(c)

   

1,049,784

     

20,922

   
Inner Mongolia Yili Industrial Group Co., Ltd.,
Class A
   

1,678,486

     

11,390

   

Kweichow Moutai Co., Ltd., Class A

   

70,894

     

21,665

   

Meituan Dianping, Class B (a)(b)

   

1,014,500

     

38,189

   

New Frontier Health Corp.

   

73,619

     

633

   

New Frontier Health Corp. (a)(c)

   

20,175

     

173

   

Shenzhou International Group Holdings Ltd. (b)

   

876,700

     

17,182

   

TAL Education Group ADR (a)

   

387,614

     

27,718

   

Tencent Holdings Ltd. (b)

   

306,200

     

22,032

   

Trip.com Group Ltd. ADR (a)

   

662,304

     

22,340

   

Tsingtao Brewery Co., Ltd. H Shares (b)

   

962,000

     

10,079

   
     

288,762

   

Hong Kong (4.4%)

 

AIA Group Ltd.

   

1,714,700

     

20,895

   

Alphamab Oncology (a)

   

686,000

     

1,439

   
     

22,334

   

India (17.9%)

 

HDFC Bank Ltd. (a)

   

766,637

     

15,100

   

HDFC Bank Ltd. ADR (a)

   

259,489

     

18,751

   

ICICI Bank Ltd. ADR (a)

   

1,710,035

     

25,411

   

IndusInd Bank Ltd. (a)

   

1,117,243

     

13,710

   

Kotak Mahindra Bank Ltd. (a)

   

675,407

     

18,460

   
     

91,432

   

Korea, Republic of (4.4%)

 

NAVER Corp.

   

83,916

     

22,621

   

Taiwan (7.4%)

 

Nien Made Enterprise Co., Ltd.

   

621,000

     

7,221

   

Silergy Corp.

   

69,000

     

5,938

   

Taiwan Semiconductor Manufacturing Co., Ltd.

   

1,307,000

     

24,725

   
     

37,884

   

Total Common Stocks (Cost $304,799)

   

463,033

   

Short-Term Investments (10.6%)

 

Securities held as Collateral on Loaned Securities (1.7%)

 

Investment Company (1.5%)

 
Morgan Stanley Institutional Liquidity
Funds — Treasury Securities Portfolio —
Institutional Class (See Note G)
   

7,407,430

     

7,407

   
    Face
Amount
(000)
  Value
(000)
 

Repurchase Agreements (0.2%)

 
Barclays Capital, Inc., (0.05%,
dated 12/31/20, due 1/4/21; proceeds
$226; fully collateralized by a U.S.
Government obligation; 1.63%
due 11/15/22; valued at $230)
 

$

226

   

$

226

   
HSBC Securities USA, Inc., (0.05%,
dated 12/31/20, due 1/4/21; proceeds
$881; fully collateralized by a U.S.
Government obligation; 0.15%
due 10/31/22; valued at $898)
   

881

     

881

   
Merrill Lynch & Co., Inc., (0.06%,
12/31/20, due 1/4/21; proceeds $90;
fully collateralized by a U.S. Government
obligation; 2.50% due 5/15/46;
valued at $92)
   

90

     

90

   
     

1,197

   
Total Securities held as Collateral on Loaned
Securities (Cost $8,604)
   

8,604

   
   

Shares

     

Investment Company (8.9%)

 
Morgan Stanley Institutional Liquidity
Funds — Treasury Securities Portfolio —
Institutional Class (See Note G)
(Cost $45,368)
   

45,368,236

     

45,368

   

Total Short-Term Investments (Cost $53,972)

   

53,972

   
Total Investments (101.2%) (Cost $358,771)
Including $30,532 of Securities Loaned (d)(e)
   

517,005

   

Liabilities in Excess of Other Assets (–1.2%)

   

(5,939

)

 

Net Assets (100.0%)

 

$

511,066

   

Country assignments and aggregations are based generally on third party vendor classifications and information, and may be different from the assignments and aggregations under the policies set forth in the Fund's prospectus and/or statement of additional information relating to geographic classifications.

(a)  Non-income producing security.

(b)  Security trades on the Hong Kong exchange.

(c)  All or a portion of this security was on loan at December 31, 2020.

(d)  The approximate fair value and percentage of net assets, $323,706,000 and 63.3%, respectively, represent the securities that have been fair valued under the fair valuation policy for international investments as described in Note A-1 within the Notes to the Financial Statements.

(e)  At December 31, 2020, the aggregate cost for federal income tax purposes is approximately $367,087,000. The aggregate gross unrealized appreciation is approximately $150,244,000 and the aggregate gross unrealized depreciation is approximately $326,000, resulting in net unrealized appreciation of approximately $149,918,000.

ADR  American Depositary Receipt.

The accompanying notes are an integral part of the financial statements.
6



Morgan Stanley Institutional Fund, Inc.

Annual Report — December 31, 2020

Portfolio of Investments (cont'd)

Asia Opportunity Portfolio

Portfolio Composition*

Classification

  Percentage of
Total Investments
 

Banks

   

18.0

%

 

Other**

   

17.8

   

Internet & Direct Marketing Retail

   

15.8

   

Beverages

   

10.4

   

Short-Term Investments

   

8.9

   

Interactive Media & Services

   

8.8

   

Food Products

   

7.4

   

Diversified Consumer Services

   

6.9

   

Semiconductors & Semiconductor Equipment

   

6.0

   

Total Investments

   

100.0

%

 

*  Percentages indicated are based upon total investments (excluding Securities held as Collateral on Loaned Securities) as of December 31, 2020.

**  Industries and/or investment types representing less than 5% of total investments.

The accompanying notes are an integral part of the financial statements.
7



Morgan Stanley Institutional Fund, Inc.

Annual Report — December 31, 2020

Asia Opportunity Portfolio

Statement of Assets and Liabilities

  December 31, 2020
(000)
 

Assets:

 

Investments in Securities of Unaffiliated Issuers, at Value(1) (Cost $305,996)

 

$

464,230

   

Investment in Security of Affiliated Issuer, at Value (Cost $52,775)

   

52,775

   

Total Investments in Securities, at Value (Cost $358,771)

   

517,005

   

Foreign Currency, at Value (Cost $38)

   

38

   

Receivable for Investments Sold

   

3,491

   

Receivable for Fund Shares Sold

   

2,972

   

Dividends Receivable

   

89

   

Receivable from Securities Lending Income

   

79

   

Receivable from Affiliate

   

@

 

Other Assets

   

75

   

Total Assets

   

523,749

   

Liabilities:

 

Collateral on Securities Loaned, at Value

   

8,604

   

Deferred Capital Gain Country Tax

   

2,152

   

Payable for Advisory Fees

   

843

   

Payable for Investments Purchased

   

785

   

Payable for Fund Shares Redeemed

   

151

   

Payable for Shareholder Services Fees — Class A

   

20

   

Payable for Distribution and Shareholder Services Fees — Class C

   

14

   

Payable for Administration Fees

   

32

   

Payable for Custodian Fees

   

25

   

Payable for Sub Transfer Agency Fees — Class I

   

19

   

Payable for Sub Transfer Agency Fees — Class A

   

4

   

Payable for Sub Transfer Agency Fees — Class C

   

1

   

Payable for Professional Fees

   

17

   

Payable for Transfer Agency Fees — Class I

   

1

   

Payable for Transfer Agency Fees — Class A

   

1

   

Payable for Transfer Agency Fees — Class C

   

1

   

Payable for Transfer Agency Fees — Class IS

   

@

 

Other Liabilities

   

13

   

Total Liabilities

   

12,683

   

Net Assets

 

$

511,066

   

Net Assets Consist of:

 

Paid-in-Capital

 

$

359,205

   

Total Distributable Earnings

   

151,861

   

Net Assets

 

$

511,066

   

The accompanying notes are an integral part of the financial statements.
8



Morgan Stanley Institutional Fund, Inc.

Annual Report — December 31, 2020

Asia Opportunity Portfolio

Statement of Assets and Liabilities (cont'd)

  December 31, 2020
(000)
 

CLASS I:

 

Net Assets

 

$

366,758

   
Shares Outstanding $0.001 par value shares of beneficial interest (unlimited shares authorized) (not in 000's)    

11,561,070

   

Net Asset Value, Offering and Redemption Price Per Share

 

$

31.72

   

CLASS A:

 

Net Assets

 

$

98,559

   
Shares Outstanding $0.001 par value shares of beneficial interest (unlimited shares authorized) (not in 000's)    

3,150,119

   

Net Asset Value, Redemption Price Per Share

 

$

31.29

   

Maximum Sales Load

   

5.25

%

 

Maximum Sales Charge

 

$

1.73

   

Maximum Offering Price Per Share

 

$

33.02

   

CLASS C:

 

Net Assets

 

$

19,042

   
Shares Outstanding $0.001 par value shares of beneficial interest (unlimited shares authorized) (not in 000's)    

626,580

   

Net Asset Value, Offering and Redemption Price Per Share

 

$

30.39

   

CLASS IS:

 

Net Assets

 

$

26,707

   
Shares Outstanding $0.001 par value shares of beneficial interest (unlimited shares authorized) (not in 000's)    

840,849

   

Net Asset Value, Offering and Redemption Price Per Share

 

$

31.76

   
(1) Including:
Securities on Loan, at Value:
 

$

30,532

   

@  Amount is less than $500.

The accompanying notes are an integral part of the financial statements.
9



Morgan Stanley Institutional Fund, Inc.

Annual Report — December 31, 2020

Asia Opportunity Portfolio

Statement of Operations

  Year Ended
December 31, 2020
(000)
 

Investment Income:

 

Dividends from Securities of Unaffiliated Issuers (Net of $152 of Foreign Taxes Withheld)

 

$

1,375

   

Income from Securities Loaned — Net

   

211

   

Dividends from Security of Affiliated Issuer (Note G)

   

60

   

Total Investment Income

   

1,646

   

Expenses:

 

Advisory Fees (Note B)

   

2,250

   

Shareholder Services Fees — Class A (Note D)

   

141

   

Distribution and Shareholder Services Fees — Class C (Note D)

   

110

   

Administration Fees (Note C)

   

225

   

Sub Transfer Agency Fees — Class I

   

116

   

Sub Transfer Agency Fees — Class A

   

46

   

Sub Transfer Agency Fees — Class C

   

6

   

Professional Fees

   

117

   

Custodian Fees (Note F)

   

98

   

Registration Fees

   

95

   

Shareholder Reporting Fees

   

29

   

Transfer Agency Fees — Class I (Note E)

   

4

   

Transfer Agency Fees — Class A (Note E)

   

4

   

Transfer Agency Fees — Class C (Note E)

   

3

   

Transfer Agency Fees — Class IS (Note E)

   

2

   

Directors' Fees and Expenses

   

7

   

Pricing Fees

   

2

   

Other Expenses

   

24

   

Total Expenses

   

3,279

   

Rebate from Morgan Stanley Affiliate (Note G)

   

(39

)

 

Reimbursement of Class Specific Expenses — Class IS (Note B)

   

(1

)

 

Net Expenses

   

3,239

   

Net Investment Loss

   

(1,593

)

 

Realized Gain (Loss):

 

Investments Sold (Net of $9 of Capital Gain Country Tax)

   

6,107

   

Foreign Currency Translation

   

(140

)

 

Net Realized Gain

   

5,967

   

Change in Unrealized Appreciation (Depreciation):

 

Investments (Net of Increase in Deferred Capital Gain Country Tax of $2,152)

   

132,043

   

Foreign Currency Translation

   

(1

)

 

Net Change in Unrealized Appreciation (Depreciation)

   

132,042

   

Net Realized Gain and Change in Unrealized Appreciation (Depreciation)

   

138,009

   

Net Increase in Net Assets Resulting from Operations

 

$

136,416

   

The accompanying notes are an integral part of the financial statements.
10



Morgan Stanley Institutional Fund, Inc.

Annual Report — December 31, 2020

Asia Opportunity Portfolio

Statements of Changes in Net Assets

  Year Ended
December 31, 2020
(000)
  Year Ended
December 31, 2019
(000)
 

Increase (Decrease) in Net Assets:

 

Operations:

 

Net Investment Loss

 

$

(1,593

)

 

$

(49

)

 

Net Realized Gain (Loss)

   

5,967

     

(1,070

)

 

Net Change in Unrealized Appreciation (Depreciation)

   

132,042

     

24,040

   

Net Increase in Net Assets Resulting from Operations

   

136,416

     

22,921

   

Dividends and Distributions to Shareholders:

 

Class I

   

(3,671

)

   

(37

)

 

Class A

   

(1,035

)

   

   

Class C

   

(190

)

   

   

Class IS

   

(280

)

   

(—

@)

 

Total Dividends and Distributions to Shareholders

   

(5,176

)

   

(37

)

 

Capital Share Transactions:(1)

 

Class I:

 

Subscribed

   

275,285

     

49,930

   

Distributions Reinvested

   

3,669

     

37

   

Redeemed

   

(89,217

)

   

(7,719

)

 

Class A:

 

Subscribed

   

60,482

     

46,014

   

Distributions Reinvested

   

1,027

     

   

Redeemed

   

(31,767

)

   

(13,086

)

 

Class C:

 

Subscribed

   

9,579

     

4,940

   

Distributions Reinvested

   

190

     

   

Redeemed

   

(3,635

)

   

(653

)

 

Class IS:

 

Subscribed

   

18,500

     

   

Distributions Reinvested

   

280

     

@

 

Redeemed

   

(2,000

)

   

   

Net Increase in Net Assets Resulting from Capital Share Transactions

   

242,393

     

79,463

   

Redemption Fees

   

51

     

29

   

Total Increase in Net Assets

   

373,684

     

102,376

   

Net Assets:

 

Beginning of Period

   

137,382

     

35,006

   

End of Period

 

$

511,066

   

$

137,382

   

(1)   Capital Share Transactions:

 

Class I:

 

Shares Subscribed

   

11,091

     

2,659

   

Shares Issued on Distributions Reinvested

   

118

     

2

   

Shares Redeemed

   

(3,635

)

   

(428

)

 

Net Increase in Class I Shares Outstanding

   

7,574

     

2,233

   

Class A:

 

Shares Subscribed

   

2,396

     

2,421

   

Shares Issued on Distributions Reinvested

   

33

     

   

Shares Redeemed

   

(1,448

)

   

(732

)

 

Net Increase in Class A Shares Outstanding

   

981

     

1,689

   

Class C:

 

Shares Subscribed

   

374

     

269

   

Shares Issued on Distributions Reinvested

   

6

     

   

Shares Redeemed

   

(168

)

   

(36

)

 

Net Increase in Class C Shares Outstanding

   

212

     

233

   

Class IS:

 

Shares Subscribed

   

897

     

   

Shares Issued on Distributions Reinvested

   

9

     

@@

 

Shares Redeemed

   

(66

)

   

   

Net Increase in Class IS Shares Outstanding

   

840

     

@@

 

@  Amount is less than $500.

@@  Amount is less than 500 shares.

The accompanying notes are an integral part of the financial statements.
11



Morgan Stanley Institutional Fund, Inc.

Annual Report — December 31, 2020

Financial Highlights

Asia Opportunity Portfolio

   

Class I

 
   

Year Ended December 31,

 

Selected Per Share Data and Ratios

 

2020

 

2019

 

2018

 

2017

 

2016

 

Net Asset Value, Beginning of Period

 

$

21.02

   

$

14.53

   

$

16.92

   

$

9.68

   

$

10.03

   

Income (Loss) from Investment Operations:

 

Net Investment Income (Loss)(1)

   

(0.12

)

   

0.02

     

0.01

     

(0.04

)

   

(0.03

)

 

Net Realized and Unrealized Gain (Loss)

   

11.16

     

6.47

     

(2.30

)

   

7.47

     

(0.10

)

 

Total from Investment Operations

   

11.04

     

6.49

     

(2.29

)

   

7.43

     

(0.13

)

 

Distributions from and/or in Excess of:

 

Net Investment Income

   

     

(0.01

)

   

     

     

(0.08

)

 

Net Realized Gain

   

(0.34

)

   

     

(0.10

)

   

(0.19

)

   

   

Paid-in-Capital

   

     

     

     

     

(0.14

)

 

Total Distributions

   

(0.34

)

   

(0.01

)

   

(0.10

)

   

(0.19

)

   

(0.22

)

 

Redemption Fees

   

0.00

(2)

   

0.01

     

0.00

(2)

   

0.00

(2)

   

   

Net Asset Value, End of Period

 

$

31.72

   

$

21.02

   

$

14.53

   

$

16.92

   

$

9.68

   

Total Return(3)

   

52.53

%

   

44.74

%

   

(13.65

)%

   

76.82

%

   

(1.34

)%

 

Ratios to Average Net Assets and Supplemental Data:

 

Net Assets, End of Period (Thousands)

 

$

366,758

   

$

83,805

   

$

25,479

   

$

15,913

   

$

5,405

   

Ratio of Expenses Before Expense Limitation

   

N/A

     

1.28

%

   

1.67

%

   

3.10

%

   

5.28

%

 

Ratio of Expenses After Expense Limitation

   

1.06

%(4)

   

1.08

%(4)

   

1.09

%(4)

   

1.06

%(4)

   

1.08

%(4)

 

Ratio of Net Investment Income (Loss)

   

(0.48

)%(4)

   

0.11

%(4)

   

0.04

%(4)

   

(0.27

)%(4)

   

(0.31

)%(4)

 

Ratio of Rebate from Morgan Stanley Affiliates

   

0.01

%

   

0.02

%

   

0.01

%

   

0.01

%

   

0.01

%

 

Portfolio Turnover Rate

   

44

%

   

27

%

   

63

%

   

50

%

   

44

%

 

(1)  Per share amount is based on average shares outstanding.

(2)  Amount is less than $0.005 per share.

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

(4)  The Ratio of Expenses After Expense Limitation and Ratio of Net Investment Income (Loss) reflect the rebate of certain Fund expenses in connection with the investments in Morgan Stanley affiliates during the period. The effect of the rebate on the ratios is disclosed in the above table as "Ratio of Rebate from Morgan Stanley Affiliates."

The accompanying notes are an integral part of the financial statements.
12



Morgan Stanley Institutional Fund, Inc.

Annual Report — December 31, 2020

Financial Highlights

Asia Opportunity Portfolio

   

Class A

 
   

Year Ended December 31,

 

Selected Per Share Data and Ratios

 

2020

 

2019

 

2018

 

2017

 

2016

 

Net Asset Value, Beginning of Period

 

$

20.79

   

$

14.42

   

$

16.84

   

$

9.67

   

$

10.03

   

Income (Loss) from Investment Operations:

 

Net Investment Loss(1)

   

(0.19

)

   

(0.06

)

   

(0.04

)

   

(0.10

)

   

(0.08

)

 

Net Realized and Unrealized Gain (Loss)

   

11.03

     

6.42

     

(2.28

)

   

7.46

     

(0.09

)

 

Total from Investment Operations

   

10.84

     

6.36

     

(2.32

)

   

7.36

     

(0.17

)

 

Distributions from and/or in Excess of:

 

Net Investment Income

   

     

     

     

     

(0.05

)

 

Net Realized Gain

   

(0.34

)

   

     

(0.10

)

   

(0.19

)

   

   

Paid-in-Capital

   

     

     

     

     

(0.14

)

 

Total Distributions

   

(0.34

)

   

     

(0.10

)

   

(0.19

)

   

(0.19

)

 

Redemption Fees

   

0.00

(2)

   

0.01

     

0.00

(2)

   

0.00

(2)

   

   

Net Asset Value, End of Period

 

$

31.29

   

$

20.79

   

$

14.42

   

$

16.84

   

$

9.67

   

Total Return(3)

   

52.15

%

   

44.17

%

   

(13.89

)%

   

76.17

%

   

(1.67

)%

 

Ratios to Average Net Assets and Supplemental Data:

 

Net Assets, End of Period (Thousands)

 

$

98,559

   

$

45,111

   

$

6,930

   

$

2,873

   

$

535

   

Ratio of Expenses Before Expense Limitation

   

N/A

     

1.56

%

   

2.05

%

   

3.50

%

   

6.36

%

 

Ratio of Expenses After Expense Limitation

   

1.34

%(4)

   

1.37

%(4)

   

1.44

%(4)

   

1.44

%(4)

   

1.44

%(4)

 

Ratio of Net Investment Loss

   

(0.76

)%(4)

   

(0.33

)%(4)

   

(0.22

)%(4)

   

(0.69

)%(4)

   

(0.78

)%(4)

 

Ratio of Rebate from Morgan Stanley Affiliates

   

0.01

%

   

0.02

%

   

0.01

%

   

0.01

%

   

0.01

%

 

Portfolio Turnover Rate

   

44

%

   

27

%

   

63

%

   

50

%

   

44

%

 

(1)  Per share amount is based on average shares outstanding.

(2)  Amount is less than $0.005 per share.

(3)  Calculated based on the net asset value which does not reflect sales charges, if applicable, as of the last business day of the period.

(4)  The Ratio of Expenses After Expense Limitation and Ratio of Net Investment Loss reflect the rebate of certain Fund expenses in connection with the investments in Morgan Stanley affiliates during the period. The effect of the rebate on the ratios is disclosed in the above table as "Ratio of Rebate from Morgan Stanley Affiliates."

The accompanying notes are an integral part of the financial statements.
13



Morgan Stanley Institutional Fund, Inc.

Annual Report — December 31, 2020

Financial Highlights

Asia Opportunity Portfolio

   

Class C

 
   

Year Ended December 31,

 

Selected Per Share Data and Ratios

 

2020

 

2019

 

2018

 

2017

 

2016

 

Net Asset Value, Beginning of Period

 

$

20.35

   

$

14.21

   

$

16.73

   

$

9.68

   

$

10.03

   

Income (Loss) from Investment Operations:

 

Net Investment Loss(1)

   

(0.36

)

   

(0.17

)

   

(0.15

)

   

(0.22

)

   

(0.14

)

 

Net Realized and Unrealized Gain (Loss)

   

10.74

     

6.30

     

(2.27

)

   

7.46

     

(0.10

)

 

Total from Investment Operations

   

10.38

     

6.13

     

(2.42

)

   

7.24

     

(0.24

)

 

Distributions from and/or in Excess of:

 

Net Realized Gain

   

(0.34

)

   

     

(0.10

)

   

(0.19

)

   

   

Paid-in-Capital

   

     

     

     

     

(0.11

)

 

Total Distributions

   

(0.34

)

   

     

(0.10

)

   

(0.19

)

   

(0.11

)

 

Redemption Fees

   

0.00

(2)

   

0.01

     

0.00

(2)

   

0.00

(2)

   

   

Net Asset Value, End of Period

 

$

30.39

   

$

20.35

   

$

14.21

   

$

16.73

   

$

9.68

   

Total Return(3)

   

51.02

%

   

43.21

%

   

(14.58

)%

   

74.85

%

   

(2.44

)%

 

Ratios to Average Net Assets and Supplemental Data:

 

Net Assets, End of Period (Thousands)

 

$

19,042

   

$

8,445

   

$

2,582

   

$

431

   

$

10

   

Ratio of Expenses Before Expense Limitation

   

N/A

     

2.33

%

   

2.80

%

   

5.26

%

   

27.34

%

 

Ratio of Expenses After Expense Limitation

   

2.08

%(4)

   

2.14

%(4)

   

2.19

%(4)

   

2.19

%(4)

   

2.19

%(4)

 

Ratio of Net Investment Loss

   

(1.49

)%(4)

   

(0.95

)%(4)

   

(0.92

)%(4)

   

(1.51

)%(4)

   

(1.42

)%(4)

 

Ratio of Rebate from Morgan Stanley Affiliates

   

0.01

%

   

0.02

%

   

0.01

%

   

0.01

%

   

0.01

%

 

Portfolio Turnover Rate

   

44

%

   

27

%

   

63

%

   

50

%

   

44

%

 

(1)  Per share amount is based on average shares outstanding.

(2)  Amount is less than $0.005 per share.

(3)  Calculated based on the net asset value which does not reflect sales charges, if applicable, as of the last business day of the period.

(4)  The Ratio of Expenses After Expense Limitation and Ratio of Net Investment Loss reflect the rebate of certain Fund expenses in connection with the investments in Morgan Stanley affiliates during the period. The effect of the rebate on the ratios is disclosed in the above table as "Ratio of Rebate from Morgan Stanley Affiliates."

The accompanying notes are an integral part of the financial statements.
14



Morgan Stanley Institutional Fund, Inc.

Annual Report — December 31, 2020

Financial Highlights

Asia Opportunity Portfolio

   

Class IS

 
   

Year Ended December 31,

 

Selected Per Share Data and Ratios

 

2020

 

2019

 

2018

 

2017

 

2016

 

Net Asset Value, Beginning of Period

 

$

21.04

   

$

14.54

   

$

16.92

   

$

9.68

   

$

10.03

   

Income (Loss) from Investment Operations:

 

Net Investment Income (Loss)(1)

   

(0.09

)

   

0.03

     

0.01

     

(0.02

)

   

(0.03

)

 

Net Realized and Unrealized Gain (Loss)

   

11.15

     

6.48

     

(2.29

)

   

7.45

     

(0.10

)

 

Total from Investment Operations

   

11.06

     

6.51

     

(2.28

)

   

7.43

     

(0.13

)

 

Distributions from and/or in Excess of:

 

Net Investment Income

   

     

(0.02

)

   

     

     

(0.08

)

 

Net Realized Gain

   

(0.34

)

   

     

(0.10

)

   

(0.19

)

   

   

Paid-in-Capital

   

     

     

     

     

(0.14

)

 

Total Distributions

   

(0.34

)

   

(0.02

)

   

(0.10

)

   

(0.19

)

   

(0.22

)

 

Redemption Fees

   

0.00

(2)

   

0.01

     

0.00

(2)

   

0.00

(2)

   

   

Net Asset Value, End of Period

 

$

31.76

   

$

21.04

   

$

14.54

   

$

16.92

   

$

9.68

   

Total Return(3)

   

52.58

%

   

44.82

%

   

(13.59

)%

   

76.82

%

   

(1.29

)%

 

Ratios to Average Net Assets and Supplemental Data:

 

Net Assets, End of Period (Thousands)

 

$

26,707

   

$

21

   

$

15

   

$

17

   

$

10

   

Ratio of Expenses Before Expense Limitation

   

1.03

%

   

11.85

%

   

13.31

%

   

17.65

%

   

25.20

%

 

Ratio of Expenses After Expense Limitation

   

1.01

%(4)

   

1.03

%(4)

   

1.04

%(4)

   

1.04

%(4)

   

1.04

%(4)

 

Ratio of Net Investment Income (Loss)

   

(0.32

)%(4)

   

0.19

%(4)

   

0.05

%(4)

   

(0.18

)%(4)

   

(0.26

)%(4)

 

Ratio of Rebate from Morgan Stanley Affiliates

   

0.01

%

   

0.02

%

   

0.01

%

   

0.01

%

   

0.01

%

 

Portfolio Turnover Rate

   

44

%

   

27

%

   

63

%

   

50

%

   

44

%

 

(1)  Per share amount is based on average shares outstanding.

(2)  Amount is less than $0.005 per share.

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

(4)  The Ratio of Expenses After Expense Limitation and Ratio of Net Investment Income (Loss) reflect the rebate of certain Fund expenses in connection with the investments in Morgan Stanley affiliates during the period. The effect of the rebate on the ratios is disclosed in the above table as "Ratio of Rebate from Morgan Stanley Affiliates."

The accompanying notes are an integral part of the financial statements.
15



Morgan Stanley Institutional Fund, Inc.

Annual Report — December 31, 2020

Notes to Financial Statements

Morgan Stanley Institutional Fund, Inc. (the "Company") is registered under the Investment Company Act of 1940, as amended (the "Act"), as an open-end management investment company. The Company is comprised of thirty-one separate, active, diversified and non-diversified funds (individually referred to as a "Fund," collectively as the "Funds"). The Company applies investment company accounting and reporting guidance.

The accompanying financial statements relate to the Asia Opportunity Portfolio. The Fund seeks long-term capital appreciation.

The Fund offers four classes of shares — Class I, Class A, Class C and Class IS.

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

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

such bid and asked prices are available on the relevant markets. An unlisted equity security that does not trade on the valuation date and for which bid and asked prices from the relevant markets are unavailable is valued at the mean between the current bid and asked prices obtained from one or more reputable brokers or dealers; (3) certain portfolio securities may be valued by an outside pricing service/vendor approved by the Company's Board of Directors (the "Directors"). The pricing service/vendor may employ a pricing model that takes into account, among other things, bids, yield spreads and/or other market data and specific security characteristics. Alternatively, if a valuation is not available from an outside pricing service/vendor, and the security trades on an exchange, the security may be valued at its latest reported sale price (or at the exchange official closing price if such exchange reports an official closing price), prior to the time when assets are valued. If there are no sales on a given day and if there is no official exchange closing price for that day, the security is valued at the mean between the last reported bid and asked prices if such bid and asked prices are available in the relevant exchanges. If only bid prices are available then the latest bid price may be used. If Morgan Stanley Investment Management Inc. (the "Adviser"), a wholly-owned subsidiary of Morgan Stanley, determines that the price provided by the outside pricing service/vendor or exchange does not reflect the security's fair value or is unable to provide a price, prices from brokers or dealers may also be utilized. In these circumstances, the value of the security will be the mean of bid and asked prices obtained from brokers or dealers; (4) listed options are valued at the last reported sales price on the exchange on which they are listed (or at the exchange official closing price if such exchange reports an official closing price). If an official closing price or last reported sales price is unavailable, the listed option should be fair valued at the mean between its latest bid and ask prices. Unlisted options are valued at the mean between their latest bid and ask prices from a broker/dealer or valued by a pricing service/vendor; (5) when market quotations are not readily available, including circumstances under which the Adviser 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 Directors. Occasionally, developments affecting the closing prices of


16



Morgan Stanley Institutional Fund, Inc.

Annual Report — December 31, 2020

Notes to Financial Statements (cont'd)

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 of the New York Stock Exchange ("NYSE"). If developments occur during such periods that are expected to materially affect the value of such securities, such valuations may be adjusted to reflect the estimated fair value of such securities as of the close of the NYSE, as determined in good faith by the Directors or by the Adviser using a pricing service and/or procedures approved by the Directors; (6) quotations of foreign portfolio securities, other assets and liabilities and forward contracts stated in foreign currency are translated into U.S. dollar equivalents at the prevailing market rates prior to the close of the NYSE; and (7) investments in mutual funds, including the Morgan Stanley Institutional Liquidity Funds, are valued at the net asset value ("NAV") as of the close of each business day.

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

2.  Fair Value Measurement: Financial Accounting Standards Board ("FASB") Accounting Standards CodificationTM ("ASC") 820, "Fair Value Measurement" ("ASC 820"), defines fair value as the value that the Fund would receive to sell an investment or pay to transfer a liability in a timely transaction with an independent buyer in the principal market, or in the absence of a principal market, the most advantageous market for the investment or liability. ASC 820 establishes a three-tier hierarchy to distinguish between (1) inputs that reflect the assumptions market participants would use in valuing an asset or liability developed based on market data obtained from sources independent of the reporting entity (observable inputs)

and (2) inputs that reflect the reporting entity's own assumptions about the assumptions market participants would use in valuing an asset or liability developed based on the best information available in the circumstances (unobservable inputs) and to establish classification of fair value measurements for disclosure purposes. Various inputs are used in determining the value of the Fund's investments. The inputs are summarized in the three broad levels listed below:

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

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

•  Level 3 – significant unobservable inputs including the Fund's own assumptions in determining the fair value of investments. Factors considered in making this determination may include, but are not limited to, information obtained by contacting the issuer, analysts, or the appropriate stock exchange (for exchange-traded securities), analysis of the issuer's financial statements or other available documents and, if necessary, available information concerning other securities in similar circumstances.

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

The following is a summary of the inputs used to value the Fund's investments as of December 31, 2020:

Investment Type

  Level 1
Unadjusted
quoted
prices
(000)
  Level 2
Other
significant
observable
inputs
(000)
  Level 3
Significant
unobservable
inputs
(000)
  Total
(000)
 

Assets:

 

Common Stocks

 

Banks

 

$

44,162

   

$

47,270

   

$

   

$

91,432

   

Beverages

   

     

53,026

     

     

53,026

   

Biotechnology

   

     

1,439

     

     

1,439

   
Diversified Consumer
Services
   

27,718

     

7,133

     

     

34,851

   

Entertainment

   

20,922

     

     

     

20,922

   


17



Morgan Stanley Institutional Fund, Inc.

Annual Report — December 31, 2020

Notes to Financial Statements (cont'd)

Investment Type

  Level 1
Unadjusted
quoted
prices
(000)
  Level 2
Other
significant
observable
inputs
(000)
  Level 3
Significant
unobservable
inputs
(000)
  Total
(000)
 

Common Stocks (cont'd)

 

Food Products

 

$

   

$

37,478

   

$

   

$

37,478

   
Health Care Providers &
Services
   

806

     

     

     

806

   
Hotels, Restaurants &
Leisure
   

3,548

     

10,496

     

     

14,044

   

Household Durables

   

     

7,221

     

     

7,221

   

Insurance

   

     

20,895

     

     

20,895

   
Interactive Media &
Services
   

     

44,653

     

     

44,653

   
Internet & Direct
Marketing Retail
   

42,171

     

38,189

     

     

80,360

   
Life Sciences Tools &
Services
   

     

8,061

     

     

8,061

   
Semiconductors &
Semiconductor
Equipment
   

     

30,663

     

     

30,663

   
Textiles, Apparel &
Luxury Goods
   

     

17,182

     

     

17,182

   

Total Common Stocks

   

139,327

     

323,706

     

     

463,033

   

Short-Term Investments

 

Investment Company

   

52,775

     

     

     

52,775

   

Repurchase Agreements

   

     

1,197

     

     

1,197

   
Total Short-Term
Investments
   

52,775

     

1,197

     

     

53,972

   

Total Assets

 

$

192,102

   

$

324,903

   

$

   

$

517,005

   

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

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

event of default or bankruptcy by the counterparty to the agreement, realization of the collateral proceeds may be subject to cost and delays. The Fund, along with other affiliated investment companies, may utilize a joint trading account for the purpose of entering into repurchase agreements.

4.  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.

Net realized gains (losses) on foreign currency transactions represent net foreign exchange gains (losses) from foreign currency forward exchange contracts, disposition of foreign currencies, currency gains (losses) realized between the trade and settlement dates on securities transactions, and the difference between the amount of investment income and foreign withholding taxes recorded on the Fund's books and the U.S. dollar equivalent amounts actually received or paid. The change in


18



Morgan Stanley Institutional Fund, Inc.

Annual Report — December 31, 2020

Notes to Financial Statements (cont'd)

unrealized currency gains (losses) on foreign currency transactions for the period is reflected in the Statement of Operations.

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.

Governmental approval for foreign investments may be required in advance of making an investment under certain circumstances in some countries, and the extent of foreign investments in domestic companies may be subject to limitation in other countries. Foreign ownership limitations also may be imposed by the charters of individual companies to prevent, among other concerns, violations of foreign investment limitations. As a result, an additional class of shares (identified as "Foreign" in the Portfolio of Investments) may be created and offered for investment. The "local" and "foreign shares" market values may differ. In the absence of trading of the foreign shares in such markets, the Fund values the foreign shares at the closing exchange price of the local shares.

5.  Derivatives: The Fund may, but is not required to, use derivative instruments for a variety of purposes, including hedging, risk management, portfolio management or to earn income. Derivatives are financial instruments whose value is based, in part, on the value of an underlying asset, interest rate, index or financial instrument. Prevailing interest rates and volatility levels, among other things, also affect the value of derivative instruments. A derivative instrument often has risks similar to its underlying asset and may have additional risks, including imperfect correlation between the value of the derivative and the underlying asset, risks of default by the counterparty to certain transactions, magnification of losses incurred due to changes in the market value of the securities, instruments, indices or interest rates to which the derivative instrument relates, risks that the transactions may not be liquid and risks arising from margin requirements. The use of derivatives involves risks that are different from, and possibly greater than, the risks associated with other portfolio investments. Derivatives may involve the use of highly specialized instruments that require investment techniques and risk

analyses different from those associated with other portfolio investments. All of the Fund's holdings, including derivative instruments, are marked-to-market each day with the change in value reflected in unrealized appreciation (depreciation). Upon disposition, a realized gain or loss is recognized.

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

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

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


19



Morgan Stanley Institutional Fund, Inc.

Annual Report — December 31, 2020

Notes to Financial Statements (cont'd)

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

As of December 31, 2020, the Fund did not have any outstanding purchased options.

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

The following tables set forth by primary risk exposure the Fund's realized gains (losses) and change in unrealized appreciation (depreciation) by type of derivative contract for the year ended December 31, 2020 in accordance with ASC 815:

Realized Gain (Loss)

 

Primary Risk Exposure

 

Derivative Type

  Value
(000)
 
Currency Risk
 
  Investments
(Purchased Options)
 

$

(180

)(a)

 

(a) Amounts are included in Investments Sold in the Statement of Operations.

Change in Unrealized Appreciation (Depreciation)

 

Primary Risk Exposure

 

Derivative Type

  Value
(000)
 
Currency Risk
 
  Investments
(Purchased Options)
 

$

155

(b)

 

(b) Amounts are included in Investments in the Statement of Operations.

For the year ended December 31, 2020, the approximate average monthly amount outstanding for each derivative type is as follows:

Purchased Options:

 

Average monthly notional amount

   

14,957,000

   

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

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

The Fund has the right under the securities 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, 2020:

Gross Amounts Not Offset in the Statement of Assets and Liabilities

 
Gross Asset
Amounts
Presented in the
Statement of
Assets and
Liabilities
(000)
  Financial
Instrument
(000)
  Collateral
Received
(000)
  Net Amount
(not less
than $0)
(000)
 
$

30,532

(c)

 

$

   

$

(30,532

)(d)(e)

 

$

0

   

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


20



Morgan Stanley Institutional Fund, Inc.

Annual Report — December 31, 2020

Notes to Financial Statements (cont'd)

(d) The Fund received cash collateral of approximately $8,604,000, which was subsequently invested in Repurchase Agreements and Morgan Stanley Institutional Liquidity Funds as reported in the Portfolio of Investments. In addition, the Fund received non-cash collateral of approximately $22,897,000 in the form of U.S. Government obligations, which the Fund cannot sell or repledge, and accordingly are not reflected in the Portfolio of Investments.

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

FASB ASC 860, "Transfers & Servicing: Repurchase-to-Maturity Transactions, Repurchase Financings, and Disclosures", is intended to provide increased transparency about the types of collateral pledged in securities lending transactions and other similar transactions that are accounted for as secured borrowing.

The following table displays a breakdown of transactions accounted for as secured borrowings, the gross obligations by class of collateral pledged and the remaining contractual maturity of those transactions as of December 31, 2020:

Remaining Contractual Maturity of the Agreements

 
    Overnight and
Continuous
(000)
  <30 days
(000)
  Between
30 &
90 days
(000)
  >90 days
(000)
  Total
(000)
 
Securities Lending
Transactions
 

Common Stocks

 

$

8,604

   

$

   

$

   

$

   

$

8,604

   

Total Borrowings

 

$

8,604

   

$

   

$

   

$

   

$

8,604

   
Gross amount of
recognized liabilities
for securities lending
transactions
                 

$

8,604

   

7.  Redemption Fees: The Fund will assess a 2% redemption fee on Class I shares, Class A shares, Class C shares and Class IS shares, which is paid directly to the Fund, for shares redeemed or exchanged within thirty days of purchase, subject to certain exceptions. The redemption fee is designed to protect the Fund and its remaining shareholders from the effects of short-term trading. These fees, if any, are included in the Statements of Changes in Net Assets.

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

9.  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. Net realized capital gains, if any, are distributed at least annually.

10.  Security Transactions, Income and Expenses: Security transactions are accounted for on the trade date (date the order to buy or sell is executed). Realized gains and losses on the sale of investment securities are determined on the specific identified cost method. Dividend income and other distributions are recorded on the ex-dividend date (except for certain foreign dividends which may be recorded as soon as the Fund is informed of such dividends) net of applicable withholding taxes. Interest income is recognized on the accrual basis except where collection is in doubt. Discounts are accreted and premiums are amortized over the life of the respective securities. Most expenses of the Company can be directly attributed to a particular Fund. Expenses which cannot be directly attributed are apportioned among the Funds based upon relative net assets or other appropriate methods. Income, expenses (other than class specific expenses — distribution and shareholder services, transfer agency and sub transfer agency fees) and realized and unrealized gains or losses are allocated to each class of shares based upon their relative net assets.

B. Advisory Fees: The Adviser, a wholly-owned subsidiary of Morgan Stanley, provides the Fund with advisory services under the terms of an Investment Advisory Agreement, paid quarterly, at the annual rate based on the daily net assets as follows:

First $750
million
  Next $750
million
  Over $1.5
billion
 
 

0.80

%

   

0.75

%

   

0.70

%

 

For the year ended December 31, 2020, the advisory fee rate (net of rebate) was equivalent to an annual effective rate of 0.79% of the Fund's average daily net assets.

The Adviser has agreed to reduce its advisory fee and/or reimburse the Fund so that total annual Fund operating expenses, excluding certain investment related expenses, taxes, interest and other extraordinary expenses (including litigation), will not exceed 1.10% for Class I shares, 1.45% for Class A shares, 2.20% for Class C shares and 1.05% for Class IS shares. The fee waivers and/or expense reimbursements will continue for at least one year from the date of the Fund's prospectus or until such time as the Directors act to discontinue all or a portion of such waivers and/or reimbursements when they deem such action is appropriate. For the year ended December 31, 2020,


21



Morgan Stanley Institutional Fund, Inc.

Annual Report — December 31, 2020

Notes to Financial Statements (cont'd)

approximately $1,000 of other expenses were reimbursed by the Adviser pursuant to this arrangement.

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

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

D. Distribution and Shareholder Services Fees: Morgan Stanley Distribution, Inc. ("MSDI" or the "Distributor"), a wholly-owned subsidiary of the Adviser and an indirect subsidiary of Morgan Stanley, serves as the Company's Distributor of Fund shares pursuant to a Distribution Agreement. The Company has adopted a Shareholder Services Plan with respect to Class A shares pursuant to Rule 12b-1 under the Act. Under the Shareholder Services Plan, the Fund pays the Distributor a shareholder services fee, accrued daily and paid monthly, at an annual rate of 0.25% of the Fund's average daily net assets attributable to Class A shares.

The Company has adopted a Distribution and Shareholder Services Plan with respect to Class C shares pursuant to Rule 12b-1 under the Act. Under the Distribution and Shareholder Services Plan, the Fund pays the Distributor a distribution fee, accrued daily and paid monthly, at an annual rate of 0.75% and a shareholder services fee, accrued daily and paid monthly, at an annual rate of 0.25% of the Fund's average daily net assets attributable to Class C shares.

The distribution and shareholder services fees are used to support the expenses associated with servicing and maintaining accounts. The Distributor may compensate other parties for providing shareholder support services to investors who purchase Class A and Class C shares.

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

F. Custodian Fees: State Street (the "Custodian") also serves as Custodian for the Company in accordance with a

Custodian Agreement. The Custodian holds cash, securities and other assets of the Company as required by the Act. Custody fees are payable monthly based on assets held in custody, investment purchases and sales activity and account maintenance fees, plus reimbursement for certain out-of-pocket expenses.

G. Security Transactions and Transactions with Affiliates: For the year ended December 31, 2020, purchases and sales of investment securities for the Fund, other than long-term U.S. Government securities and short-term investments were approximately $313,814,000 and $114,120,000, respectively. There were no purchases and sales of long-term U.S. Government securities for the year ended December 31, 2020.

The Fund invests in the Institutional Class of the Morgan Stanley Institutional Liquidity Funds — Treasury Securities Portfolio (the "Liquidity Funds"), an open-end management investment company managed by the Adviser, both directly and as a portion of the securities held as collateral on loaned securities. Advisory fees paid by the Fund are reduced by an amount equal to its pro-rata share of the advisory and administration fees paid by the Fund due to its investment in the Liquidity Funds. For the year ended December 31, 2020, advisory fees paid were reduced by approximately $39,000 relating to the Fund's investment in the Liquidity Funds.

A summary of the Fund's transactions in shares of affiliated investments during the year ended December 31, 2020 is as follows:

Affiliated
Investment
Company
  Value
December 31,
2019
(000)
  Purchases
at Cost
(000)
  Proceeds
from Sales
(000)
  Dividend
Income
(000)
 

Liquidity Funds

 

$

14,961

   

$

260,654

   

$

222,840

   

$

60

   
Affiliated
Investment
Company (cont'd)
  Realized
Gain
(Loss)
(000)
  Change in
Unrealized
Appreciation
(Depreciation)
(000)
  Value
December 31,
2020
(000)
 

Liquidity Funds

 

$

   

$

   

$

52,775

   

The Fund is permitted to purchase and sell securities ("cross-trade") from and to other Morgan Stanley funds as well as other funds and client accounts for which the Adviser or an affiliate of the Adviser serves as investment adviser, pursuant to procedures approved by the Directors in compliance with Rule 17a-7 under the Act (the "Rule"). Each cross-trade is executed at the current market price in compliance with provisions of the Rule. For the year ended December 31, 2020, the Fund did not engage in any cross-trade transactions.


22



Morgan Stanley Institutional Fund, Inc.

Annual Report — December 31, 2020

Notes to Financial Statements (cont'd)

The Fund has an unfunded Deferred Compensation Plan (the "Compensation Plan"), which allows each independent Director to defer payment of all, or a portion, of the fees he or she receives for serving on the Board of Directors. Each eligible Director generally may elect to have the deferred amounts credited with a return equal to the total return on one or more of the Morgan Stanley funds that are offered as investment options under the Compensation Plan. Appreciation/depreciation and distributions received from these investments are recorded with an offsetting increase/decrease in the deferred compensation obligation and do not affect the NAV of the Fund.

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

The Fund may be subject to taxes imposed by countries in which it invests. Such taxes are generally based on income and/or capital gains earned or repatriated. Taxes are accrued based on net investment income, net realized gains and net unrealized appreciation as such income and/or gains are earned. Taxes may also be based on transactions in foreign currency and are accrued based on the value of investments denominated in such currency.

FASB ASC 740-10, "Income Taxes — Overall", sets forth a minimum threshold for financial statement recognition of the benefit of a tax position taken or expected to be taken in a tax return. Management has concluded there are no significant uncertain tax positions that would require recognition in the financial statements. If applicable, the Fund recognizes interest accrued related to unrecognized tax benefits in "Interest Expense" and penalties in "Other Expenses" in the Statement of Operations. The Fund files tax returns with the U.S. Internal Revenue Service, New York and various states. Generally, each of the tax years in the four-year period ended December 31, 2020 remains subject to examination by taxing authorities.

The tax character of distributions paid may differ from the character of distributions shown for GAAP purposes due to short-term capital gains being treated as ordinary income for

tax purposes. The tax character of distributions paid during fiscal years 2020 and 2019 was as follows:

2020
Distributions
Paid From:
  2019
Distributions
Paid From:
 
Ordinary
Income
(000)
  Long-Term
Capital Gain
(000)
  Ordinary
Income
(000)
  Long-Term
Capital Gain
(000)
 
$

3,766

   

$

1,410

   

$

37

   

$

   

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

The Fund had no permanent differences causing reclassifications among the components of net assets for the year ended December 31, 2020.

At December 31, 2020, the components of distributable earnings for the Fund on a tax basis were as follows:

Undistributed
Ordinary
Income
(000)
  Undistributed
Long-Term
Capital Gain
(000)
 
$

   

$

4,138

   

During the year ended December 31, 2020, the Fund utilized capital loss carryforwards for U. S. federal income tax purposes of approximately $2,541,000.

I. Credit Facility: The Company and other Morgan Stanley funds participated in a $300,000,000 committed, unsecured revolving line of credit facility (the "Facility") with State Street. This Facility is to be used for temporary emergency purposes or funding of shareholder redemption requests. The interest rate on borrowings is based on the federal funds rate or 1 month LIBOR rate plus a spread. The Facility also has a commitment fee of 0.25% per annum based on the unused portion of the Facility. During the year ended December 31, 2020, the Fund did not have any borrowings under the Facility.


23



Morgan Stanley Institutional Fund, Inc.

Annual Report — December 31, 2020

Notes to Financial Statements (cont'd)

J. Other: At December 31, 2020, the Fund had record owners of 10% or greater. Investment activities of these shareholders could have a material impact on the Fund. The aggregate percentage of such owners was 35.5%.

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


24



Morgan Stanley Institutional Fund, Inc.

Annual Report — December 31, 2020

Report of Independent Registered Public Accounting Firm

To the Shareholders and Board of Directors of
Morgan Stanley Institutional Fund, Inc. —
Asia Opportunity Portfolio

Opinion on the Financial Statements

We have audited the accompanying statement of assets and liabilities of Asia Opportunity Portfolio (the "Fund") (one of the funds constituting Morgan Stanley Institutional Fund, Inc. (the "Company")), including the portfolio of investments, as of December 31, 2020, and the related statement of operations for the year then ended, the statements of changes in net assets for each of the two years in the period then ended, the financial highlights for each of the five years in the period then ended and the related notes (collectively referred to as the "financial statements"). In our opinion, the financial statements present fairly, in all material respects, the financial position of Asia Opportunity Portfolio (one of the funds constituting Morgan Stanley Institutional Fund, Inc.) at December 31, 2020, the results of its operations for the year then ended, the changes in its net assets for each of the two years in the period then ended and its financial highlights for each of the five years in the period then ended, in conformity with U.S. generally accepted accounting principles.

Basis for Opinion

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

We conducted our audits in accordance with the standards of the PCAOB. Those standards require that we plan and perform the audit to obtain reasonable assurance about whether the financial statements are free of material misstatement, whether due to error or fraud. The Company is not required to have, nor were we engaged to perform, an audit of the Company's internal control over financial reporting. As part of our audits, we are required to obtain an understanding of internal control over financial reporting, but not for the purpose of expressing an opinion on the effectiveness of the Company's internal control over financial reporting. Accordingly, we express no such opinion.

Our audits included performing procedures to assess the risks of material misstatement of the financial statements, whether due to error or fraud, and performing procedures that respond to those risks. Such procedures included examining, on a test basis, evidence regarding the amounts and disclosures in the financial statements. Our procedures included confirmation of securities owned as of December 31, 2020 by correspondence with the custodian and others or by other appropriate auditing procedures where replies from others were not received. Our audits also included evaluating the accounting principles used and significant estimates made by management, as well as evaluating the overall presentation of the financial statements. We believe that our audits provide a reasonable basis for our opinion.

We have served as the auditor of one or more Morgan Stanley investment companies since 2000.
Boston, Massachusetts
February 26, 2021


25



Morgan Stanley Institutional Fund, Inc.

Annual Report — December 31, 2020

Liquidity Risk Management Program (unaudited)

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

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

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

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

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

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


26



Morgan Stanley Institutional Fund, Inc.

Annual Report — December 31, 2020

Federal Tax Notice (unaudited)

For federal income tax purposes, the following information is furnished with respect to the distributions paid by the Fund during its taxable year ended December 31, 2020.

The Fund designated and paid approximately $1,410,000 as a long-term capital gain distribution.

For federal income tax purposes, the following information is furnished with respect to the Fund's earnings for its taxable year ended December 31, 2019. When distributed, certain earnings may be subject to a maximum tax rate of 15% as provided for by the Jobs and Growth Tax Relief Reconciliation Act of 2003. The Fund designated up to a maximum of approximately $404,000 as taxable at this lower rate.

The Fund intends to pass through foreign tax credits of approximately $152,000 and has derived net income from sources within foreign countries amounting to approximately $1,528,000.

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


27



Morgan Stanley Institutional Fund, Inc.

Annual Report — December 31, 2020

Privacy Notice (unaudited)  April 2019

FACTS

 

WHAT DOES MSIM DO WITH YOUR PERSONAL INFORMATION?

 

Why?

 

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

 

What?

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

How?

 

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

 

 

Reasons we can share your personal information

 

Does MSIM share?

 

Can you limit this sharing?

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

Yes

 

No

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

Yes

 

No

 

For joint marketing with other financial companies

 

No

 

We don't share

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

Yes

 

No

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

No

 

We don't share

 

For our affiliates to market to you

 

No

 

We don't share

 

For non-affiliates to market to you

 

No

 

We don't share

 

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


28



Morgan Stanley Institutional Fund, Inc.

Annual Report — December 31, 2020

Privacy Notice (unaudited) (cont'd)  April 2019

Who we are

Who is providing this notice?

 

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

 

What we do

How does MSIM protect my personal information?

 

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

 

How does MSIM collect my personal information?

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

Why can't I limit all sharing?

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

Definitions

Affiliates

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

Non-affiliates

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

Joint marketing

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


29



Morgan Stanley Institutional Fund, Inc.

Annual Report — December 31, 2020

Privacy Notice (unaudited) (cont'd)  April 2019

Other important information

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

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


30



Morgan Stanley Institutional Fund, Inc.

Annual Report — December 31, 2020

Director and Officer Information (unaudited)

Independent Directors:

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

Director

 

Since August 2006

 

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

 

79

 

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

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

Director

 

Since August 2006

 

Chairperson of the Governance Committee (January 2021), Chairperson of the Liquidity and Alternatives Sub-Committee of the Investment Committee (2006-2020); and Director or Trustee of various Morgan Stanley Funds (since August 2006); President, Cedarwood Associates (mutual fund and investment management consulting) (since July 2006); formerly, Senior Managing Director of Victory Capital Management (1993-2006).

 

79

 

Board Member, University of Albany Foundation (2012-present); Board Member, Mutual Funds Directors Forum (2014-present); Director of various non-profit organizations.

 
Nancy C. Everett
c/o Perkins Coie LLP
Counsel to the Independent Directors
1155 Avenue of the Americas,
22nd Floor
New York, NY 10036
Birth Year: 1955
 

Director

 

Since January 2015

 

Chairperson of the Equity Investment Committee (since January 2021); Director or Trustee of various Morgan Stanley Funds (since January 2015); Chief Executive Officer, Virginia Commonwealth University Investment Company (since November 2015); Owner, OBIR, LLC (institutional investment management consulting) (since June 2014); formerly, Managing Director, BlackRock, Inc. (February 2011-December 2013); and Chief Executive Officer, General Motors Asset Management (a/k/a Promark Global Advisors, Inc.) (June 2005-May 2010).

 

80

 

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

 


31



Morgan Stanley Institutional Fund, Inc.

Annual Report — December 31, 2020

Director and Officer Information (unaudited) (cont'd)

Independent Directors (cont'd):

Name, Address and Birth
Year of Independent Director
  Position(s)
Held with
Registrant
  Length of Time
Served*
  Principal Occupation(s) During Past 5 Years and Other
Relevant Professional Experience
  Number of
Funds
in Fund Complex
Overseen by
Independent
Director**
  Other Directorships
Held by Independent
Director***
 
Jakki L. Haussler
c/o Perkins Coie LLP
Counsel to the Independent Directors
1155 Avenue of the Americas,
22nd Floor
New York, NY 10036
Birth Year: 1957
 

Director

 

Since January 2015

 

Director or Trustee of various Morgan Stanley Funds (since January 2015) Chairman, Opus Capital Group (1996); formerly, Chief Executive Officer, Opus Capital Group (1996-2019); Director, Capvest Venture Fund, LP (May 2000-December 2011); Partner, Adena Ventures, LP (July 1999-December 2010); Director, The Victory Funds (February 2005-July 2008).

 

80

 

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

 
Dr. Manuel H. Johnson
c/o Johnson Smick International, Inc.
220 I Street, NE — Suite 200
Washington, D.C. 20002
Birth Year: 1949
 

Director

 

Since July 1991

 

Senior Partner, Johnson Smick International, Inc. (consulting firm); Chairperson of the Fixed Income, Liquidity and Alternatives Investment Committee (January 2021), Chairperson of the Investment Committee (2006-2020) and Director or Trustee of various Morgan Stanley Funds (since July 1991); Co-Chairman and a founder of the Group of Seven Council (G7C) (international economic commission); formerly, Chairperson of the Audit Committee (July 1991-September 2006), Vice Chairman of the Board of Governors of the Federal Reserve System and Assistant Secretary of the U.S. Treasury.

 

79

 

Director of NVR, Inc. (home construction).

 


32



Morgan Stanley Institutional Fund, Inc.

Annual Report — December 31, 2020

Director and Officer Information (unaudited) (cont'd)

Independent Directors (cont'd):

Name, Address and Birth
Year of Independent Director
  Position(s)
Held with
Registrant
  Length of Time
Served*
  Principal Occupation(s) During Past 5 Years and Other
Relevant Professional Experience
  Number of
Funds
in Fund Complex
Overseen by
Independent
Director**
  Other Directorships
Held by Independent
Director***
 
Joseph J. Kearns
c/o Perkins Coie LLP
Counsel to the Independent Directors
1155 Avenue of the Americas,
22nd Floor
New York, NY 10036
Birth Year: 1942
 

Director

 

Since August 1994

 

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

 

80

 

Director, Rubicon Investment (since February 2019); Prior to August 2016, Director of Electro Rent Corporation (equipment leasing); Prior to December 31, 2013, Director of The Ford Family Foundation.

 
Michael F. Klein
c/o Perkins Coie LLP
Counsel to the Independent Directors
1155 Avenue of the Americas,
22nd Floor
New York, NY 10036
Birth Year: 1958
 

Director

 

Since August 2006

 

Chairperson of the Risk Committee (since January 2021); Managing Director, Aetos Alternatives Management, LP (since March 2000); Co-President, Aetos Alternatives Management, LP (since January 2004) and Co-Chief Executive Officer of Aetos Alternatives Management, LP (since August 2013); Chairperson of the fixed Income Sub-Committee of the Investment committee (2006-2020) and Director or Trustee of various Morgan Stanley Funds (since August 2006); formerly, Managing Director, Morgan Stanley & Co. Inc. and Morgan Stanley Dean Witter Investment Management and President, various Morgan Stanley Funds (June 1998-March 2000); Principal, Morgan Stanley & Co. Inc. and Morgan Stanley Dean Witter Investment Management (August 1997-December 1999).

 

79

 

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

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

Director

 

Since January 2017

 

Director or Trustee of various Morgan Stanley Funds (since January 2017); Managing Director, JPMorgan Asset Management (2004-2016); Oversight and Control Head of Fiduciary and Conflicts of Interest Program (2015-2016); Chief Control Officer-Global Asset Management (2013-2015); President, JPMorgan Funds (2010-2013); Chief Administrative Officer (2004-2013); various other positions including Treasurer and Board Liaison (since 2001).

 

80

 

None.

 
W. Allen Reed
c/o Perkins Coie LLP
Counsel to the Independent Directors
1155 Avenue of the Americas,
22nd Floor
New York, NY 10036
Birth Year: 1947
 

Chair of the Board and Director

 

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

 

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

 

79

 

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

 

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

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

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


33



Morgan Stanley Institutional Fund, Inc.

Annual Report — December 31, 2020

Director and Officer Information (unaudited) (cont'd)

Executive Officers:

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

Principal Occupation(s) During Past 5 Years

 
John H. Gernon
522 Fifth Avenue
New York, NY 10036
Birth Year: 1963
 

President and Principal Executive Officer

 

Since September 2013

 

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

 
Timothy J. Knierim
1633 Broadway
New York, NY 10019
Birth Year: 1959
 

Chief Compliance Officer

 

Since December 2016

 

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

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

Treasurer and Principal Financial Officer

 

Treasurer since July 2003 and Principal Financial Officer since September 2002

 

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

 
Mary E. Mullin
1633 Broadway
New York, NY 10019
Birth Year: 1967
 

Secretary

 

Since June 1999

 

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

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

Vice President

 

Since June 2017

 

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

 

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


34



Morgan Stanley Institutional Fund, Inc.

Annual Report — December 31, 2020

Adviser and Administrator

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

Distributor

Morgan Stanley Distribution, Inc.
522 Fifth Avenue
New York, New York 10036

Dividend Disbursing and Transfer Agent

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

Custodian

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

Legal Counsel

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

Counsel to the Independent Directors

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

Independent Registered Public Accounting Firm

Ernst & Young LLP
200 Clarendon Street
Boston, Massachusetts 02116

Reporting to Shareholders

Each Morgan Stanley fund provides a complete schedule of portfolio holdings in its Semi-Annual and the Annual Reports within 60 days of the end of the fund's second and fourth fiscal quarters. The Semi-Annual and Annual Reports are filed electronically with the Securities and Exchange Commission ("SEC") on Form N-CSRS and Form N-CSR, respectively. Morgan Stanley also delivers the Semi-Annual and Annual Reports to fund shareholders and makes these reports available on its public website, www.morganstanley.com/im/shareholderreports. Each Morgan Stanley non-money market fund also files a complete schedule of portfolio holdings with the SEC for the fund's first and third fiscal quarters as an attachment to Form N-PORT. Morgan Stanley does not deliver the reports for the first and third fiscal quarters to shareholders, but makes the complete schedule of portfolio holdings for the fund's first and third fiscal quarters available on its public website. The holdings for each money market fund are also posted to the Morgan Stanley public website. You may obtain the Form N-PORT filings (as well as the Form N-CSR and N-CSRS filings) by accessing the SEC's website, www.sec.gov. You can also request copies of these materials, upon payment of a duplicating fee, by electronic request at the SEC's email address (publicinfo@sec.gov).

Proxy Voting Policies and Procedures and Proxy Voting Record

You may obtain a copy of the Company's Proxy Voting Policy and Procedures and information regarding how the Company voted proxies relating to portfolio securities during the most recent twelve-month period ended June 30, without charge, upon request, by calling toll free 1 (800) 548-7786 or by visiting our website at www.morganstanley.com/im/shareholderreports. This information is also available on the SEC's website at www.sec.gov.

This report is authorized for distribution only when preceded or accompanied by a prospectus or summary prospectus of the applicable fund of Morgan Stanley Institutional Fund, Inc., which describes in detail the fund's investment policies, risks, fees and expenses. Please read the prospectus carefully before you invest or send money. For additional information, including information regarding the investments comprising the Fund, please visit our website at www.morganstanley.com/im/shareholderreports or call toll free 1 (800) 548-7786.


35



Printed in U.S.A.
This Report has been prepared for shareholders and may be distributed to others only if preceded or accompanied by a current prospectus.

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

© 2021 Morgan Stanley. Morgan Stanley Distribution, Inc.

IFIASOPPANN
3386849 EXP 02.28.22



INVESTMENT MANAGEMENT

Morgan Stanley Institutional Fund, Inc.

China Equity Portfolio

Annual Report

December 31, 2020



Morgan Stanley Institutional Fund, Inc.

Annual Report — December 31, 2020

Table of Contents

Shareholders' Letter

   

2

   

Expense Example

   

3

   

Investment Overview

   

4

   

Portfolio of Investments

   

7

   

Statement of Assets and Liabilities

   

8

   

Statement of Operations

   

9

   

Statements of Changes in Net Assets

   

10

   

Financial Highlights

   

11

   

Notes to Financial Statements

   

15

   

Report of Independent Registered Public Accounting Firm

   

21

   

Liquidity Risk Management Program

   

22

   

Federal Tax Notice

   

23

   

Privacy Notice

   

24

   

Director and Officer Information

   

27

   

This report is authorized for distribution only when preceded or accompanied by a prospectus or summary prospectus of the applicable Fund of Morgan Stanley Institutional Fund, Inc. To receive a prospectus and/or statement of additional information ("SAI"), which contains more complete information such as investment objectives, charges, expenses, policies for voting proxies, risk considerations and describes in detail each of the Fund's investment policies to the prospective investor, please call toll free 1 (800) 548-7786. Please read the prospectuses carefully before you invest or send money.

Additionally, you can access information about the Fund, including performance, characteristics and investment team commentary, through Morgan Stanley Investment Management's website: www.morganstanley.com/im/shareholderreports.

Market forecasts provided in this report may not necessarily come to pass. There is no guarantee that any sectors mentioned will continue to perform as discussed herein or that securities in such sectors will be held by the Fund in the future. There is no assurance that a fund will achieve its investment objective. Funds are subject to market risk, which is the possibility that market values of securities owned by the Fund will decline and, therefore, the value of the Fund's shares may be less than what you paid for them. Accordingly, you can lose money investing in this Fund. Please see the prospectus for more complete information on investment risks.


1



Morgan Stanley Institutional Fund, Inc.

Annual Report — December 31, 2020

Shareholders' Letter (unaudited)

Dear Shareholders,

We are pleased to provide this Annual Report, in which you will learn how your investment in China Equity Portfolio (the "Fund") performed during the latest twelve-month period.

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

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

Sincerely,

John H. Gernon
President and Principal Executive Officer

January 2021


2



Morgan Stanley Institutional Fund, Inc.

Annual Report — December 31, 2020

Expense Example (unaudited)

China Equity Portfolio

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

This example is based on an investment of $1,000 invested at the beginning of the six-month period ended December 31, 2020 and held for the entire six-month period.

Actual Expenses

The table below provides information about actual account values and actual expenses. You may use the information in this table, 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 table under the heading entitled "Actual Expenses Paid During Period" to estimate the expenses you paid on your account during this period.

Hypothetical Example for Comparison Purposes

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

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

    Beginning
Account
Value
7/1/20
  Actual Ending
Account
Value
12/31/20
  Hypothetical
Ending Account
Value
  Actual
Expenses
Paid During
Period*
  Hypothetical
Expenses Paid
During Period*
  Net
Expense
Ratio During
Period**
 

China Equity Portfolio Class I

 

$

1,000.00

   

$

1,195.70

   

$

1,019.30

   

$

6.40

   

$

5.89

     

1.16

%

 

China Equity Portfolio Class A

   

1,000.00

     

1,193.00

     

1,017.34

     

8.54

     

7.86

     

1.55

   

China Equity Portfolio Class C

   

1,000.00

     

1,189.50

     

1,013.57

     

12.66

     

11.64

     

2.30

   

China Equity Portfolio Class IS

   

1,000.00

     

1,195.90

     

1,019.36

     

6.35

     

5.84

     

1.15

   

*  Expenses are calculated using each Fund Class' annualized net expense ratio (as disclosed), multiplied by the average account value over the period and multiplied by 184/366 (to reflect the most recent one-half year period).

**  Annualized.


3



Morgan Stanley Institutional Fund, Inc.

Annual Report — December 31, 2020

Investment Overview (unaudited)

China Equity Portfolio

The Fund seeks long-term capital appreciation.

Performance

For the fiscal year ended December 31, 2020, the Fund's Class I shares had a total return based on net asset value and reinvestment of distributions per share of 28.80%, net of fees. The Fund's Class I shares underperformed the Fund's benchmark, the MSCI China Net Index, which returned 29.49%.

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

Factors Affecting Performance

•  For the year ending December 31, 2020, the Fund's sector allocation contributed strongly to returns. However, our stock selection detracted from returns, offsetting the gains from sector allocation.

•  Our overweight allocation to consumer staples, along with our underweight to energy, financials and real estate, contributed most to returns.

•  While our stock selection in consumer staples, communication services and financials contributed to returns, it was more than offset by the drag from stock selection in consumer discretionary and health care, which hampered the portfolio's overall performance.

•  The top contributors to the Fund's performance over the year were our holdings in a premium Chinese liquor maker, a Chinese semiconductor foundry and a major beer producer in China. We believe these companies have benefited from structural growth themes in China, including consumption upgrade and technology supply chain localization.

•  The largest detractors from performance were our zero allocation to a food delivery company, a Chinese new energy vehicle maker and a major e-commerce company. Our overweight to two pharmaceutical companies also detracted.

Management Strategies

•  China equities staged a strong rebound after the pandemic-induced selloffs in March 2020, outperforming regional peers for the year, thanks to China's effective virus control, rapid economic recovery and accommodative policies. Against the backdrop of heightened U.S.-China tensions and new consumption demand generated by coronavirus controls, domestic demand-driven sectors such as consumers, health care and internet saw a strong rally, while cyclical sectors such as energy, real estate and financials underperformed.

•  We consolidated the Fund's portfolio throughout the year, trimming our exposure to financials and real estate sectors as we foresaw a challenging macroeconomic backdrop for these sectors. Meanwhile, we added positions in high quality companies with structural growth opportunities, mostly in "new economy" sectors such as consumers, health care and information technology.

•  In particular, we see strong momentum in China's consumption upgrade, which can help drive growth and lift profit margins for leading companies that are able to capture the premiumization trend. We also added exposure to heath care companies that we believe have strong innovative capabilities and an ability to gain market share in the domestic market. We also see secular trends of supply chain localization and import substitution across various industries, and we believe companies with competitive products and effective business strategies are more likely to increase penetration and win market share from foreign competitors.

•  Regarding the implications of the COVID-19 pandemic, we believe surviving companies with strong balance sheets and cash flow could become market share consolidators afterward and thus likely long-term winners. In addition, the pandemic is likely to foster digital trends on both the consumer and enterprise sides, favoring companies that embrace and enable the digital economy.

•  Our China portfolio has always been focused on long-term fundamentals, and the impact of coronavirus on near-term market sentiment will not change our long-term investment philosophy. We


4



Morgan Stanley Institutional Fund, Inc.

Annual Report — December 31, 2020

Investment Overview (unaudited) (cont'd)

China Equity Portfolio

continue to focus on investing in quality growth companies with structural growth, competitive advantages and financial strength.

•  Our medium-term view of the market hinges on whether the Chinese government can take the external pressure to further launch and implement long-term reform measures. While the economic growth rate may continue to slow, reforms could help enhance the quality and sustainability of the economy, which in turn could help boost China's corporate return on equity and valuation multiple. There are also structural themes that will likely play out, including the ongoing industry consolidation and consumption upgrade. We expect "new economy" companies to deliver superior growth and attract market interest as the Chinese economy continues to evolve. Against the macro backdrop of slower growth and lower global interest rates, we believe high quality stocks with secular growth trends will likely continue to enjoy a valuation premium and outperform the market in the longer run. As such, we believe bottom-up stock selection is important to generate outperformance by identifying companies with structural growth, competitive advantages, strong governance and financial strength.

•  The investment team actively selects positions in a limited number of equity securities (25 to 50 holdings) using a fundamental bottom-up stock selection process informed by macro thematic research on China. We employ this consistent and targeted approach, seeking companies with strong sustainable earnings growth and fundamentals.

•  The investment process takes into account information about environmental, social and governance (ESG) issues when making investment decisions. The team focuses on engaging company management around corporate governance practices, as well as what we consider to be materially important environmental and/or social issues facing a company.


5



Morgan Stanley Institutional Fund, Inc.

Annual Report — December 31, 2020

Investment Overview (unaudited) (cont'd)

China Equity Portfolio

*  Minimum Investment for Class I shares

**  Commenced Operations on October 31, 2019.

In accordance with SEC regulations, the Fund's performance shown assumes that all recurring fees (including management fees) were deducted and all dividends and distributions were reinvested. The performance of Class A, C and IS shares will vary from the performance of Class I shares and will be negatively impacted by additional fees assessed to those classes (if applicable).

Performance Compared to the MSCI China Net Index(1) and the Lipper China Region Funds Index(2)

    Period Ended December 31, 2020
Total Returns(3)
 
       

Average Annual

 
    One
Year
  Five
Years
  Ten
Years
  Since
Inception(5)
 
Fund — Class I Shares
w/o sales charges(4)
   

28.80

%

   

     

     

33.52

%

 
Fund — Class A Shares
w/o sales charges(4)
   

28.30

     

     

     

32.98

   
Fund — Class A Shares with
maximum 5.25% sales charges(4)
   

21.59

     

     

     

27.02

   
Fund — Class C Shares
w/o sales charges (4)
   

27.38

     

     

     

32.05

   
Fund — Class C Shares with
maximum 1.00% deferred
sales charges(4)
   

26.38

     

     

     

32.05

   
Fund — Class IS Shares
w/o sales charges(4)
   

28.82

     

     

     

33.54

   

MSCI China Net Index

   

29.49

     

     

     

35.70

   

Lipper China Region Funds Index

   

36.61

     

     

     

38.30

   

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. Performance assumes that all dividends and distributions, if any, were reinvested. For the most recent month-end performance figures, please visit www.morganstanley.com/im/shareholderreports. Investment return and principal value will fluctuate so that Fund shares, when redeemed, may be worth more or less than their original cost. Total returns do not reflect the deduction of taxes that a shareholder would pay on Fund distributions or the redemption of Fund shares. Performance of share classes will vary due to difference in sales charges and expenses.

(1)  The MSCI China Net Index is a free float-adjusted market capitalization index that captures large and mid cap representation across China A shares, H shares, B shares, Red chips, P chips and foreign listings (e.g. ADRs). The performance of the Index is listed in U.S. dollars and assumes reinvestment of net dividends. Net total return indices reinvest dividends after the deduction of withholding taxes, using (for international indices) a tax rate applicable to non-resident institutional investors who do not benefit from double taxation treaties. The Index is unmanaged and its returns do not include any sales charges or fees. Such costs would lower performance. It is not possible to invest directly in an index.

(2)  The Lipper China Region Funds Index is an equally weighted performance index of the largest qualifying funds (based on net assets) in the Lipper China Region Funds classification. The Index, which is adjusted for capital gains distributions and income dividends, is unmanaged and should not be considered an investment. There are currently 10 funds represented in this Index. As of the date of this report, the Fund was in the Lipper China Region Funds classification.

(3)  Total returns for the Fund reflect fees waived and expenses reimbursed, if applicable, by the Adviser (as defined herein). Without such waivers and reimbursements, total returns would have been lower.

(4)  Commenced operations on October 31, 2019.

(5)  For comparative purposes, average annual since inception returns listed for the Indexes refer to the inception date of the Fund, not the inception of the Index.


6



Morgan Stanley Institutional Fund, Inc.

Annual Report — December 31, 2020

Portfolio of Investments

China Equity Portfolio

   

Shares

  Value
(000)
 

Common Stocks (96.9%)

 

Banks (6.0%)

 

China Construction Bank Corp. H Shares (a)

   

503,000

   

$

379

   

China Merchants Bank Co., Ltd. H Shares (a)

   

51,500

     

326

   
Industrial & Commercial Bank
of China Ltd. H Shares (a)
   

211,000

     

136

   
     

841

   

Beverages (13.9%)

 

China Resources Beer Holdings Co., Ltd. (a)

   

76,000

     

699

   

Kweichow Moutai Co., Ltd., Class A

   

4,100

     

1,253

   
     

1,952

   

Capital Markets (4.4%)

 

Hong Kong Exchanges & Clearing Ltd.

   

11,200

     

614

   

Computers & Peripherals (2.5%)

 

Xiaomi Corp., Class B (a)(b)

   

82,000

     

349

   

Diversified Consumer Services (6.8%)

 
New Oriental Education & Technology
Group, Inc. ADR (b)
   

3,300

     

613

   

TAL Education Group ADR (b)

   

4,700

     

336

   
     

949

   

Electronic Equipment, Instruments & Components (1.1%)

 
Universal Scientific Industrial Shanghai Co., Ltd.,
Class A
   

50,700

     

150

   

Food Products (6.6%)

 

China Mengniu Dairy Co., Ltd. (a)(b)

   

110,000

     

663

   

Yihai International Holding Ltd. (a)(b)

   

18,000

     

267

   
     

930

   

Health Care Equipment & Supplies (1.5%)

 
Shandong Weigao Group Medical Polymer
Co., Ltd. H Shares (a)
   

96,000

     

217

   

Insurance (2.6%)

 
Ping An Insurance Group Co. of
China Ltd. H Shares (a)
   

30,500

     

371

   

Interactive Media & Services (19.1%)

 

Tencent Holdings Ltd. (a)

   

37,200

     

2,677

   

Internet & Direct Marketing Retail (20.2%)

 

Alibaba Group Holding Ltd. (a)(b)

   

64,228

     

1,868

   

Alibaba Group Holding Ltd. ADR (b)

   

1,034

     

241

   

JD Health International, Inc. (a)(b)

   

4,000

     

77

   

Meituan, Class B (a)(b)

   

17,200

     

648

   
     

2,834

   

Pharmaceuticals (4.3%)

 

CSPC Pharmaceutical Group Ltd. (a)

   

214,960

     

219

   

Jiangsu Hengrui Medicine Co., Ltd., Class A

   

15,718

     

268

   

Joincare Pharmaceutical Group Industry Co. Ltd.

   

57,500

     

122

   
     

609

   

Real Estate Management & Development (0.6%)

 

China Resources Land Ltd. (a)

   

22,000

     

91

   

Semiconductors & Semiconductor Equipment (2.3%)

 

Hua Hong Semiconductor Ltd. (a)(b)

   

58,000

     

330

   
   

Shares

  Value
(000)
 

Textiles, Apparel & Luxury Goods (3.9%)

 

Shenzhou International Group Holdings Ltd. (a)

   

27,800

   

$

545

   

Wireless Telecommunication Services (1.1%)

 

China Mobile Ltd. (a)

   

27,500

     

157

   

Total Common Stocks (Cost $9,634)

   

13,616

   

Short-Term Investment (3.0%)

 

Investment Company (3.0%)

 
Morgan Stanley Institutional Liquidity
Funds — Government Portfolio —
Institutional Class (See Note G)
(Cost $415)
   

415,157

     

415

   
Total Investments (99.9%)
(Cost $10,049) (c)(d)
   

14,031

   

Other Assets in Excess of Liabilities (0.1%)

   

19

   

Net Assets (100.0%)

 

$

14,050

   

(a)  Security trades on the Hong Kong exchange.

(b)  Non-income producing security.

(c)  The approximate fair value and percentage of net assets, $12,349,000 and 87.9%, respectively, represent the securities that have been fair valued under the fair valuation policy for international investments as described in Note A-1 within the Notes to the Financial Statements.

(d)  At December 31, 2020, the aggregate cost for federal income tax purposes is approximately $10,406,000. The aggregate gross unrealized appreciation is approximately $4,141,000 and the aggregate gross unrealized depreciation is approximately $516,000, resulting in net unrealized appreciation of approximately $3,625,000.

ADR  American Depositary Receipt.

Portfolio Composition

Classification

  Percentage of
Total Investments
 

Other*

   

27.4

%

 

Internet & Direct Marketing Retail

   

20.2

   

Interactive Media & Services

   

19.1

   

Beverages

   

13.9

   

Diversified Consumer Services

   

6.8

   

Food Products

   

6.6

   

Banks

   

6.0

   

Total Investments

   

100.0

%

 

*  Industries and/or investment types representing less than 5% of total investments.

The accompanying notes are an integral part of the financial statements.
7



Morgan Stanley Institutional Fund, Inc.

Annual Report — December 31, 2020

China Equity Portfolio

Statement of Assets and Liabilities

  December 31, 2020
(000)
 

Assets:

 

Investments in Securities of Unaffiliated Issuers, at Value (Cost $9,634)

 

$

13,616

   

Investment in Security of Affiliated Issuer, at Value (Cost $415)

   

415

   

Total Investments in Securities, at Value (Cost $10,049)

   

14,031

   

Due from Adviser

   

7

   

Receivable from Affiliate

   

@

 

Other Assets

   

39

   

Total Assets

   

14,077

   

Liabilities:

 

Payable for Professional Fees

   

15

   

Payable for Custodian Fees

   

2

   

Payable for Transfer Agency Fees — Class I

   

—-

@

 

Payable for Transfer Agency Fees — Class A

   

@

 

Payable for Transfer Agency Fees — Class C

   

@

 

Payable for Transfer Agency Fees — Class IS

   

@

 

Payable for Administration Fees

   

1

   

Payable for Shareholder Services Fees — Class A

   

@

 

Payable for Distribution and Shareholder Services Fees — Class C

   

@

 

Other Liabilities

   

9

   

Total Liabilities

   

27

   

Net Assets

 

$

14,050

   

Net Assets Consist of:

 

Paid-in-Capital

 

$

10,215

   

Total Distributable Earnings

   

3,835

   

Net Assets

 

$

14,050

   

CLASS I:

 

Net Assets

 

$

13,970

   
Shares Outstanding $0.001 par value shares of beneficial interest (unlimited shares authorized) (not in 000's)    

1,010,221

   

Net Asset Value, Offering and Redemption Price Per Share

 

$

13.83

   

CLASS A:

 

Net Assets

 

$

14

   
Shares Outstanding $0.001 par value shares of beneficial interest (unlimited shares authorized) (not in 000's)    

1,010

   

Net Asset Value, Redemption Price Per Share

 

$

13.81

   

Maximum Sales Load

   

5.25

%

 

Maximum Sales Charge

 

$

0.77

   

Maximum Offering Price Per Share

 

$

14.58

   

CLASS C:

 

Net Assets

 

$

52

   
Shares Outstanding $0.001 par value shares of beneficial interest (unlimited shares authorized) (not in 000's)    

3,797

   

Net Asset Value, Offering and Redemption Price Per Share

 

$

13.72

   

CLASS IS:

 

Net Assets

 

$

14

   
Shares Outstanding $0.001 par value shares of beneficial interest (unlimited shares authorized) (not in 000's)    

1,013

   

Net Asset Value, Offering and Redemption Price Per Share

 

$

13.83

   

@  Amount is less than $500.

The accompanying notes are an integral part of the financial statements.
8



Morgan Stanley Institutional Fund, Inc.

Annual Report — December 31, 2020

China Equity Portfolio

Statement of Operations

  Year Ended
December 31, 2020
(000)
 

Investment Income:

 

Dividends from Securities of Unaffiliated Issuers (Net of $9 of Foreign Taxes Withheld)

 

$

124

   

Dividends from Security of Affiliated Issuer (Note G)

   

1

   

Total Investment Income

   

125

   

Expenses:

 

Professional Fees

   

115

   

Offering Costs

   

101

   

Advisory Fees (Note B)

   

96

   

Registration Fees

   

19

   

Shareholder Reporting Fees

   

15

   

Administration Fees (Note C)

   

10

   

Transfer Agency Fees — Class I (Note E)

   

2

   

Transfer Agency Fees — Class A (Note E)

   

2

   

Transfer Agency Fees — Class C (Note E)

   

2

   

Transfer Agency Fees — Class IS (Note E)

   

2

   

Custodian Fees (Note F)

   

7

   

Directors' Fees and Expenses

   

2

   

Pricing Fees

   

1

   

Shareholder Services Fees — Class A (Note D)

   

@

 

Distribution and Shareholder Services Fees — Class C (Note D)

   

@

 

Other Expenses

   

16

   

Total Expenses

   

390

   

Expenses Reimbursed by Adviser (Note B)

   

(148

)

 

Waiver of Advisory Fees (Note B)

   

(96

)

 

Reimbursement of Class Specific Expenses — Class A (Note B)

   

(2

)

 

Reimbursement of Class Specific Expenses — Class C (Note B)

   

(2

)

 

Reimbursement of Class Specific Expenses — Class IS (Note B)

   

(2

)

 

Rebate from Morgan Stanley Affiliate (Note G)

   

(1

)

 

Net Expenses

   

139

   

Net Investment Loss

   

(14

)

 

Realized Gain:

 

Investments Sold

   

56

   

Foreign Currency Translation

   

2

   

Net Realized Gain

   

58

   

Change in Unrealized Appreciation (Depreciation):

 

Investments

   

3,092

   

Net Realized Gain and Change in Unrealized Appreciation (Depreciation)

   

3,150

   

Net Increase in Net Assets Resulting from Operations

 

$

3,136

   

@  Amount is less than $500.

The accompanying notes are an integral part of the financial statements.
9



Morgan Stanley Institutional Fund, Inc.

Annual Report — December 31, 2020

China Equity Portfolio

Statements of Changes in Net Assets

  Year Ended
December 31, 2020
(000)
  Period from
October 31, 2019^ to
December 31, 2019
(000)
 

Increase (Decrease) in Net Assets:

 

Operations:

 

Net Investment Loss

 

$

(14

)

 

$

(16

)

 

Net Realized Gain

   

58

     

5

   

Net Change in Unrealized Appreciation (Depreciation)

   

3,092

     

890

   

Net Increase in Net Assets Resulting from Operations

   

3,136

     

879

   

Dividends and Distributions to Shareholders:

 

Class I

   

(180

)

   

   

Class A

   

(—

@)

   

   

Class C

   

(—

@)

   

   

Class IS

   

(—

@)

   

   

Total Dividends and Distributions to Shareholders

   

(180

)

   

   

Capital Share Transactions:(1)

 

Class I:

 

Subscribed

   

     

9,970

   

Distributions Reinvested

   

180

     

   

Class A:

 

Subscribed

   

     

10

   

Distributions Reinvested

   

@

   

   

Class C:

 

Subscribed

   

35

     

10

   

Distributions Reinvested

   

@

   

   

Redeemed

   

(—

@)

   

   

Class IS:

 

Subscribed

   

     

10

   

Distributions Reinvested

   

@

   

   

Net Increase in Net Assets Resulting from Capital Share Transactions

   

215

     

10,000

   

Total Increase in Net Assets

   

3,171

     

10,879

   

Net Assets:

 

Beginning of Period

   

10,879

     

   

End of Period

 

$

14,050

   

$

10,879

   

(1)   Capital Share Transactions:

 

Class I:

 

Shares Subscribed

   

     

997

   

Shares Issued on Distributions Reinvested

   

13

     

   

Net Increase in Class I Shares Outstanding

   

13

     

997

   

Class A:

 

Shares Subscribed

   

     

1

   

Shares Issued on Distributions Reinvested

   

@@

   

   

Net Increase in Class A Shares Outstanding

   

@@

   

1

   

Class C:

 

Shares Subscribed

   

3

     

1

   

Shares Issued on Distributions Reinvested

   

@@

   

   

Shares Redeemed

   

(—

@@)

   

   

Net Increase in Class C Shares Outstanding

   

3

     

1

   

Class IS:

 

Shares Subscribed

   

     

1

   

Shares Issued on Distributions Reinvested

   

@@

   

   

Net Increase in Class IS Shares Outstanding

   

@@

   

1

   

^  Commencement of Operations.

@  Amount is less than $500.

@@  Amount is less than 500 shares.

The accompanying notes are an integral part of the financial statements.
10



Morgan Stanley Institutional Fund, Inc.

Annual Report — December 31, 2020

Financial Highlights

China Equity Portfolio

   

Class I

 

Selected Per Share Data and Ratios

  Year Ended
December 31, 2020
  Period from
October 31, 2019(1) to
December 31, 2019
 

Net Asset Value, Beginning of Period

 

$

10.88

   

$

10.00

   

Income (Loss) from Investment Operations:

 

Net Investment Loss(2)

   

(0.01

)

   

(0.02

)

 

Net Realized and Unrealized Gain

   

3.14

     

0.90

   

Total from Investment Operations

   

3.13

     

0.88

   

Distributions from and/or in Excess of:

 

Net Investment Income

   

(0.18

)

   

   

Net Asset Value, End of Period

 

$

13.83

   

$

10.88

   

Total Return(3)

   

28.80

%

   

8.80

%(5)

 

Ratios to Average Net Assets and Supplemental Data:

 

Net Assets, End of Period (Thousands)

 

$

13,970

   

$

10,846

   

Ratio of Expenses Before Expense Limitation

   

3.20

%

   

5.72

%(6)

 

Ratio of Expenses After Expense Limitation

   

1.16

%(4)

   

1.15

%(4)(6)

 

Ratio of Net Investment Loss

   

(0.11

)%(4)

   

(0.98

)%(4)(6)

 

Ratio of Rebate from Morgan Stanley Affiliates

   

0.01

%

   

0.01

%(6)

 

Portfolio Turnover Rate

   

25

%

   

0

%(5)

 

(1)  Commencement of Operations.

(2)  Per share amount is based on average shares outstanding.

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

(4)  The Ratio of Expenses After Expense Limitation and Ratio of Net Investment Loss reflect the rebate of certain Fund expenses in connection with the investments in Morgan Stanley affiliates during the period. The effect of the rebate on the ratios is disclosed in the above table as "Ratio of Rebate from Morgan Stanley Affiliates."

(5)  Not annualized.

(6)  Annualized.

The accompanying notes are an integral part of the financial statements.
11



Morgan Stanley Institutional Fund, Inc.

Annual Report — December 31, 2020

Financial Highlights

China Equity Portfolio

   

Class A

 

Selected Per Share Data and Ratios

  Year Ended
December 31, 2020
  Period from
October 31, 2019(1) to
December 31, 2019
 

Net Asset Value, Beginning of Period

 

$

10.87

   

$

10.00

   

Income (Loss) from Investment Operations:

 

Net Investment Loss(2)

   

(0.06

)

   

(0.02

)

 

Net Realized and Unrealized Gain

   

3.13

     

0.89

   

Total from Investment Operations

   

3.07

     

0.87

   

Distributions from and/or in Excess of:

 

Net Investment Income

   

(0.13

)

   

   

Net Asset Value, End of Period

 

$

13.81

   

$

10.87

   

Total Return(3)

   

28.30

%

   

8.70

%(5)

 

Ratios to Average Net Assets and Supplemental Data:

 

Net Assets, End of Period (Thousands)

 

$

14

   

$

11

   

Ratio of Expenses Before Expense Limitation

   

21.25

%

   

19.30

%(6)

 

Ratio of Expenses After Expense Limitation

   

1.54

%(4)

   

1.54

%(4)(6)

 

Ratio of Net Investment Loss

   

(0.50

)%(4)

   

(1.37

)%(4)(6)

 

Ratio of Rebate from Morgan Stanley Affiliates

   

0.01

%

   

0.01

%(6)

 

Portfolio Turnover Rate

   

25

%

   

0

%(5)

 

(1)  Commencement of Operations.

(2)  Per share amount is based on average shares outstanding.

(3)  Calculated based on the net asset value which does not reflect sales charges, if applicable, as of the last business day of the period.

(4)  The Ratio of Expenses After Expense Limitation and Ratio of Net Investment Loss reflect the rebate of certain Fund expenses in connection with the investments in Morgan Stanley affiliates during the period. The effect of the rebate on the ratios is disclosed in the above table as "Ratio of Rebate from Morgan Stanley Affiliates."

(5)  Not annualized.

(6)  Annualized.

The accompanying notes are an integral part of the financial statements.
12



Morgan Stanley Institutional Fund, Inc.

Annual Report — December 31, 2020

Financial Highlights

China Equity Portfolio

   

Class C

 

Selected Per Share Data and Ratios

  Year Ended
December 31, 2020
  Period from
October 31, 2019(1) to
December 31, 2019
 

Net Asset Value, Beginning of Period

 

$

10.86

   

$

10.00

   

Income (Loss) from Investment Operations:

 

Net Investment Loss(2)

   

(0.21

)

   

(0.04

)

 

Net Realized and Unrealized Gain

   

3.18

     

0.90

   

Total from Investment Operations

   

2.97

     

0.86

   

Distributions from and/or in Excess of:

 

Net Investment Income

   

(0.11

)

   

   

Net Asset Value, End of Period

 

$

13.72

   

$

10.86

   

Total Return(3)

   

27.38

%

   

8.60

%(5)

 

Ratios to Average Net Assets and Supplemental Data:

 

Net Assets, End of Period (Thousands)

 

$

52

   

$

11

   

Ratio of Expenses Before Expense Limitation

   

13.32

%

   

20.07

%(6)

 

Ratio of Expenses After Expense Limitation

   

2.29

%(4)

   

2.29

%(4)(6)

 

Ratio of Net Investment Loss

   

(1.66

)%(4)

   

(2.12

)%(4)(6)

 

Ratio of Rebate from Morgan Stanley Affiliates

   

0.01

%

   

0.01

%(6)

 

Portfolio Turnover Rate

   

25

%

   

0

%(5)

 

(1)  Commencement of Operations.

(2)  Per share amount is based on average shares outstanding.

(3)  Calculated based on the net asset value which does not reflect sales charges, if applicable, as of the last business day of the period.

(4)  The Ratio of Expenses After Expense Limitation and Ratio of Net Investment Loss reflect the rebate of certain Fund expenses in connection with the investments in Morgan Stanley affiliates during the period. The effect of the rebate on the ratios is disclosed in the above table as "Ratio of Rebate from Morgan Stanley Affiliates."

(5)  Not annualized.

(6)  Annualized.

The accompanying notes are an integral part of the financial statements.
13



Morgan Stanley Institutional Fund, Inc.

Annual Report — December 31, 2020

Financial Highlights

China Equity Portfolio

   

Class IS

 

Selected Per Share Data and Ratios

  Year Ended
December 31, 2020
  Period from
October 31, 2019(1) to
December 31, 2019
 

Net Asset Value, Beginning of Period

 

$

10.88

   

$

10.00

   

Income (Loss) from Investment Operations:

 

Net Investment Loss(2)

   

(0.01

)

   

(0.02

)

 

Net Realized and Unrealized Gain

   

3.14

     

0.90

   

Total from Investment Operations

   

3.13

     

0.88

   

Distributions from and/or in Excess of:

 

Net Investment Income

   

(0.18

)

   

   

Net Asset Value, End of Period

 

$

13.83

   

$

10.88

   

Total Return(3)

   

28.82

%

   

8.80

%(5)

 

Ratios to Average Net Assets and Supplemental Data:

 

Net Assets, End of Period (Thousands)

 

$

14

   

$

11

   

Ratio of Expenses Before Expense Limitation

   

20.92

%

   

19.05

%(6)

 

Ratio of Expenses After Expense Limitation

   

1.14

%(4)

   

1.14

%(4)(6)

 

Ratio of Net Investment Loss

   

(0.10

)%(4)

   

(0.97

)%(4)(6)

 

Ratio of Rebate from Morgan Stanley Affiliates

   

0.01

%

   

0.01

%(6)

 

Portfolio Turnover Rate

   

25

%

   

0

%(5)

 

(1)  Commencement of Operations.

(2)  Per share amount is based on average shares outstanding.

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

(4)  The Ratio of Expenses After Expense Limitation and Ratio of Net Investment Loss reflect the rebate of certain Fund expenses in connection with the investments in Morgan Stanley affiliates during the period. The effect of the rebate on the ratios is disclosed in the above table as "Ratio of Rebate from Morgan Stanley Affiliates."

(5)  Not annualized.

(6)  Annualized.

The accompanying notes are an integral part of the financial statements.
14



Morgan Stanley Institutional Fund, Inc.

Annual Report — December 31, 2020

Notes to Financial Statements

Morgan Stanley Institutional Fund, Inc. (the "Company") is registered under the Investment Company Act of 1940, as amended (the "Act"), as an open-end management investment company. The Company is comprised of thirty-one separate, active, diversified and non-diversified funds (individually referred to as a "Fund," collectively as the "Funds"). The Company applies investment company accounting and reporting guidance.

The accompanying financial statements relate to the China Equity Portfolio. The Fund seeks long-term capital appreciation.

The Fund offers four classes of shares — Class I, Class A, Class C and Class IS.

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

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

markets. An unlisted equity security that does not trade on the valuation date and for which bid and asked prices from the relevant markets are unavailable is valued at the mean between the current bid and asked prices obtained from one or more reputable brokers or dealers; (3) certain portfolio securities may be valued by an outside pricing service/vendor approved by the Company's Board of Directors (the "Directors"). The pricing service/vendor may employ a pricing model that takes into account, among other things, bids, yield spreads and/or other market data and specific security characteristics. Alternatively, if a valuation is not available from an outside pricing service/vendor, and the security trades on an exchange, the security may be valued at its latest reported sale price (or at the exchange official closing price if such exchange reports an official closing price), prior to the time when assets are valued. If there are no sales on a given day and if there is no official exchange closing price for that day, the security is valued at the mean between the last reported bid and asked prices if such bid and asked prices are available in the relevant exchanges. If only bid prices are available then the latest bid price may be used. If Morgan Stanley Investment Management Inc. (the "Adviser") or Morgan Stanley Investment Management Company ("MSIM Company") (the "Sub-Adviser"), each a wholly-owned subsidiary of Morgan Stanley, determines that the price provided by the outside pricing service/vendor or exchange does not reflect the security's fair value or is unable to provide a price, prices from brokers or dealers may also be utilized. In these circumstances, the value of the security will be the mean of bid and asked prices obtained from brokers or dealers; (4) when market quotations are not readily available, including circumstances under which the Adviser or the Sub-Adviser 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 Directors. 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 of the New York Stock Exchange ("NYSE"). If developments occur during such periods that are expected to materially affect the value of such securities, such valuations may be adjusted to reflect the estimated fair value of


15



Morgan Stanley Institutional Fund, Inc.

Annual Report — December 31, 2020

Notes to Financial Statements (cont'd)

such securities as of the close of the NYSE, as determined in good faith by the Directors or by the Adviser using a pricing service and/or procedures approved by the Directors; (5) quotations of foreign portfolio securities, other assets and liabilities and forward contracts stated in foreign currency are translated into U.S. dollar equivalents at the prevailing market rates prior to the close of the NYSE; and (6) investments in mutual funds, including the Morgan Stanley Institutional Liquidity Funds, are valued at the net asset value ("NAV") as of the close of each business day.

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

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

investments. The inputs are summarized in the three broad levels listed below:

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

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

•  Level 3 – significant unobservable inputs including the Fund's own assumptions in determining the fair value of investments. Factors considered in making this determination may include, but are not limited to, information obtained by contacting the issuer, analysts, or the appropriate stock exchange (for exchange-traded securities), analysis of the issuer's financial statements or other available documents and, if necessary, available information concerning other securities in similar circumstances.

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

The following is a summary of the inputs used to value the Fund's investments as of December 31, 2020:

Investment Type

  Level 1
Unadjusted
quoted
prices
(000)
  Level 2
Other
significant
observable
inputs
(000)
  Level 3
Significant
unobservable
inputs
(000)
  Total
(000)
 

Assets:

 

Common Stocks

 

Banks

 

$

   

$

841

   

$

   

$

841

   

Beverages

   

     

1,952

     

     

1,952

   

Capital Markets

   

     

614

     

     

614

   

Computers & Peripherals

   

     

349

     

     

349

   
Diversified Consumer
Services
   

949

     

     

     

949

   
Electronic Equipment,
Instruments &
Components
   

     

150

     

     

150

   

Food Products

   

     

930

     

     

930

   
Health Care Equipment &
Supplies
   

     

217

     

     

217

   

Insurance

   

     

371

     

     

371

   
Interactive Media &
Services
   

     

2,677

     

     

2,677

   


16



Morgan Stanley Institutional Fund, Inc.

Annual Report — December 31, 2020

Notes to Financial Statements (cont'd)

Investment Type

  Level 1
Unadjusted
quoted
prices
(000)
  Level 2
Other
significant
observable
inputs
(000)
  Level 3
Significant
unobservable
inputs
(000)
  Total
(000)
 

Common Stocks (cont'd)

 
Internet & Direct Marketing
Retail
 

$

318

   

$

2,516

   

$

   

$

2,834

   

Pharmaceuticals

   

     

609

     

     

609

   
Real Estate Management &
Development
   

     

91

     

     

91

   
Semiconductors &
Semiconductor
Equipment
   

     

330

     

     

330

   
Textiles, Apparel & Luxury
Goods
   

     

545

     

     

545

   
Wireless
Telecommunication
Services
   

     

157

     

     

157

   

Total Common Stocks

   

1,267

     

12,349

     

     

13,616

   

Short-Term Investment

 

Investment Company

   

415

     

     

     

415

   

Total Assets

 

$

1,682

   

$

12,349

   

$

   

$

14,031

   

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

3.  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.

Net realized gains (losses) on foreign currency transactions represent net foreign exchange gains (losses) from foreign currency forward exchange contracts, disposition of foreign currencies, currency gains (losses) realized between the trade and settlement dates on securities transactions, and the difference between the amount of investment income and foreign withholding taxes recorded on the Fund's books and the U.S. dollar equivalent amounts actually received or paid. The change in unrealized currency gains (losses) on foreign currency transactions for the period is reflected in the Statement of Operations.

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.

Governmental approval for foreign investments may be required in advance of making an investment under certain circumstances in some countries, and the extent of foreign investments in domestic companies may be subject to limitation in other countries. Foreign ownership limitations also may be imposed by the charters of individual companies to prevent, among other concerns, violations of foreign investment limitations. As a result, an additional class of shares (identified as "Foreign" in the Portfolio of Investments) may be created and offered for investment. The "local" and "foreign shares" market values may differ. In the absence of trading of the foreign shares in such markets, the Fund values the foreign shares at the closing exchange price of the local shares.

4.  Redemption Fees: The Fund will assess a 2% redemption fee on Class I shares, Class A shares, Class C shares and Class IS shares, which is paid directly to the Fund, for shares redeemed or exchanged within thirty days of purchase, subject to certain exceptions. The redemption fee is designed to protect the Fund and its remaining shareholders from the effects of short-term trading. These fees, if any, are included in the Statements of Changes in Net Assets.


17



Morgan Stanley Institutional Fund, Inc.

Annual Report — December 31, 2020

Notes to Financial Statements (cont'd)

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

6.  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. Net realized capital gains, if any, are distributed at least annually.

7.  Security Transactions, Income and Expenses: Security transactions are accounted for on the trade date (date the order to buy or sell is executed). Realized gains and losses on the sale of investment securities are determined on the specific identified cost method. Dividend income and other distributions are recorded on the ex-dividend date (except for certain foreign dividends which may be recorded as soon as the Fund is informed of such dividends) net of applicable withholding taxes. Interest income is recognized on the accrual basis except where collection is in doubt. Discounts are accreted and premiums are amortized over the life of the respective securities. Most expenses of the Company can be directly attributed to a particular Fund. Expenses which cannot be directly attributed are apportioned among the Funds based upon relative net assets or other appropriate methods. Income, expenses (other than class specific expenses — distribution and shareholder services, transfer agency and sub transfer agency fees) and realized and unrealized gains or losses are allocated to each class of shares based upon their relative net assets.

B. Advisory/Sub-Advisory Fees: The Adviser, a wholly-owned subsidiary of Morgan Stanley, provides the Fund with advisory services under the terms of an Investment Advisory Agreement, paid quarterly, at an annual rate of 0.80% of the daily net assets of the Fund.

The Adviser has agreed to reduce its advisory fee and/or reimburse the Fund so that total annual Fund operating expenses, excluding certain investment related expenses, taxes, interest and other extraordinary expenses (including litigation), will not exceed 1.20% for Class I shares, 1.55% for Class A shares, 2.30% for Class C shares and 1.15% for Class IS shares. The fee waivers and/or expense reimbursements will continue for at least one year from the date of the Fund's prospectus or until such time as the Directors act to discontinue all or a portion of

such waivers and/or reimbursements when they deem such action is appropriate. For the year ended December 31, 2020, approximately $96,000 of advisory fees were waived and approximately $154,000 of other expenses were reimbursed by the Adviser pursuant to this arrangement.

Effective December 9, 2020, the Adviser has entered into a Sub-Advisory Agreement with the Sub-Adviser, a wholly-owned subsidiary of Morgan Stanley. The Sub-Adviser provides the Fund with advisory services subject to the overall supervision of the Adviser and the Fund's Officers and Directors. The Adviser pays the Sub-Adviser on a monthly basis a portion of the net advisory fees the Adviser receives from the Fund.

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

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

D. Distribution and Shareholder Services Fees: Morgan Stanley Distribution, Inc. ("MSDI" or the "Distributor"), a wholly-owned subsidiary of the Adviser and an indirect subsidiary of Morgan Stanley, serves as the Company's Distributor of Fund shares pursuant to a Distribution Agreement. The Company has adopted a Shareholder Services Plan with respect to Class A shares pursuant to Rule 12b-1 under the Act. Under the Shareholder Services Plan, the Fund pays the Distributor a shareholder services fee, accrued daily and paid monthly, at an annual rate of 0.25% of the Fund's average daily net assets attributable to Class A shares.

The Company has adopted a Distribution and Shareholder Services Plan with respect to Class C shares pursuant to Rule 12b-1 under the Act. Under the Distribution and Shareholder Services Plan, the Fund pays the Distributor a distribution fee, accrued daily and paid monthly, at an annual rate of 0.75% and a shareholder services fee, accrued daily and paid monthly, at an annual rate of 0.25% of the Fund's average daily net assets attributable to Class C shares.

The distribution and shareholder services fees are used to support the expenses associated with servicing and maintaining


18



Morgan Stanley Institutional Fund, Inc.

Annual Report — December 31, 2020

Notes to Financial Statements (cont'd)

accounts. The Distributor may compensate other parties for providing shareholder support services to investors who purchase Class A and Class C shares.

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

F. Custodian Fees: State Street (the "Custodian") also serves as Custodian for the Company in accordance with a Custodian Agreement. The Custodian holds cash, securities and other assets of the Company as required by the Act. Custody fees are payable monthly based on assets held in custody, investment purchases and sales activity and account maintenance fees, plus reimbursement for certain out-of-pocket expenses.

G. Security Transactions and Transactions with Affiliates: For the year ended December 31, 2020, purchases and sales of investment securities for the Fund, other than long-term U.S. Government securities and short-term investments were approximately $3,081,000 and $2,959,000, respectively. There were no purchases and sales of long-term U.S. Government securities for the year ended December 31, 2020.

The Fund invests in the Institutional Class of the Morgan Stanley Institutional Liquidity Funds — Treasury Securities Portfolio (the "Liquidity Funds"), an open-end management investment company managed by the Adviser. Advisory fees paid by the Fund are reduced by an amount equal to its pro-rata share of the advisory and administration fees paid by the Fund due to its investment in the Liquidity Funds. For the year ended December 31, 2020, advisory fees paid were reduced by approximately $1,000 relating to the Fund's investment in the Liquidity Funds.

A summary of the Fund's transactions in shares of affiliated investments during the year ended December 31, 2020 is as follows:

Affiliated
Investment
Company
  Value
December 31,
2019
(000)
  Purchases
at Cost
(000)
  Proceeds
from Sales
(000)
  Dividend
Income
(000)
 

Liquidity Funds

 

$

550

   

$

1,621

   

$

1,756

   

$

1

   
Affiliated
Investment
Company (cont'd)
  Realized
Gain (Loss)
(000)
  Change in
Unrealized
Appreciation
(Depreciation)
(000)
  Value
December 31,
2020
(000)
 

Liquidity Funds

 

$

   

$

   

$

415

   

The Fund is permitted to purchase and sell securities ("cross-trade") from and to other Morgan Stanley funds as well as other funds and client accounts for which the Adviser or an affiliate of the Adviser serves as investment adviser, pursuant to procedures approved by the Directors in compliance with Rule 17a-7 under the Act (the "Rule"). Each cross-trade is executed at the current market price in compliance with provisions of the Rule. For the year ended December 31, 2020, the Fund did not engage in any cross-trade transactions.

The Fund has an unfunded Deferred Compensation Plan (the "Compensation Plan"), which allows each independent Director to defer payment of all, or a portion, of the fees he or she receives for serving on the Board of Directors. Each eligible Director generally may elect to have the deferred amounts credited with a return equal to the total return on one or more of the Morgan Stanley funds that are offered as investment options under the Compensation Plan. Appreciation/depreciation and distributions received from these investments are recorded with an offsetting increase/decrease in the deferred compensation obligation and do not affect the NAV of the Fund.

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

The Fund may be subject to taxes imposed by countries in which it invests. Such taxes are generally based on income and/or capital gains earned or repatriated. Taxes are accrued based on net investment income, net realized gains and net unrealized appreciation as such income and/or gains are earned. Taxes may also be based on transactions in foreign currency and are accrued based on the value of investments denominated in such currency.

FASB ASC 740-10, "Income Taxes — Overall", sets forth a minimum threshold for financial statement recognition of the benefit of a tax position taken or expected to be taken in a tax return. Management has concluded there are no significant uncertain tax positions that would require recognition in the financial statements. If applicable, the Fund recognizes interest accrued related to unrecognized tax benefits in "Interest Expense" and penalties in "Other Expenses" in the Statement of Operations. The Fund files tax returns with the U.S. Internal Revenue Service, New York and various states. Each of the tax years in the two-year period ended December 31, 2020 remains subject to examination by taxing authorities.


19



Morgan Stanley Institutional Fund, Inc.

Annual Report — December 31, 2020

Notes to Financial Statements (cont'd)

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

2020
Distributions
Paid From:
  2019
Distributions
Paid From:
 
Ordinary
Income
(000)
  Long-Term
Capital Gain
(000)
  Ordinary
Income
(000)
  Long-Term
Capital Gain
(000)
 
$

180

   

$

   

$

   

$

   

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

The Fund had no permanent differences causing reclassifications among the components of net assets for the year ended December 31, 2020.

At December 31, 2020, the components of distributable earnings for the Fund on a tax basis were as follows:

Undistributed
Ordinary
Income
(000)
  Undistributed
Long-Term
Capital Gain
(000)
 
$

240

   

$

18

   

I. Credit Facility: The Company and other Morgan Stanley funds participated in a $300,000,000 committed, unsecured revolving line of credit facility (the "Facility") with State Street. This Facility is to be used for temporary emergency purposes or funding of shareholder redemption requests. The interest rate on borrowings is based on the federal funds rate or 1 month LIBOR rate plus a spread. The Facility also has a commitment fee of 0.25% per annum based on the unused portion of the Facility. During the year ended December 31, 2020, the Fund did not have any borrowings under the Facility.

J. Other: At December 31, 2020, the Fund did not have record owners of 10% or greater.

K. Market Risk: Certain impacts to public health conditions particular to the coronavirus (COVID-19) outbreak could impact the operations and financial performance of certain of the Fund's investments. The extent of the impact to the financial

performance of the Fund's investments will depend on future developments, including (i) the duration and spread of the outbreak, (ii) the restrictions and advisories, (iii) the effects on the financial markets, and (iv) the effects on the economy overall, all of which are highly uncertain and cannot be predicted. If the financial performance of the Fund's investments is impacted because of these factors for an extended period, the Fund's investment results may be adversely affected.


20



Morgan Stanley Institutional Fund, Inc.

Annual Report — December 31, 2020

Report of Independent Registered Public Accounting Firm

To the Shareholders and Board of Directors of
Morgan Stanley Institutional Fund, Inc. —
China Equity Portfolio

Opinion on the Financial Statements

We have audited the accompanying statement of assets and liabilities of China Equity Portfolio (the "Fund") (one of the funds constituting Morgan Stanley Institutional Fund, Inc. (the "Company")), including the portfolio of investments, as of December 31, 2020, and the related statement of operations for the year then ended and the statements of changes in net assets and the financial highlights for the year ended December 31, 2020 and the period from October 31, 2019 (commencement of operations) through December 31, 2019 and the related notes (collectively referred to as the "financial statements"). In our opinion, the financial statements present fairly, in all material respects, the financial position of China Equity Portfolio (one of the funds constituting Morgan Stanley Institutional Fund, Inc.) at December 31, 2020, the results of its operations for the year then ended and the changes in its net assets and its financial highlights for the year ended December 31, 2020 and the period from October 31, 2019 (commencement of operations) through December 31, 2019, in conformity with U.S. generally accepted accounting principles.

Basis for Opinion

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

We conducted our audits in accordance with the standards of the PCAOB. Those standards require that we plan and perform the audit to obtain reasonable assurance about whether the financial statements are free of material misstatement, whether due to error or fraud. The Company is not required to have, nor were we engaged to perform, an audit of the Company's internal control over financial reporting. As part of our audits, we are required to obtain an understanding of internal control over financial reporting, but not for the purpose of expressing an opinion on the effectiveness of the Company's internal control over financial reporting. Accordingly, we express no such opinion.

Our audits included performing procedures to assess the risks of material misstatement of the financial statements, whether due to error or fraud, and performing procedures that respond to those risks. Such procedures included examining, on a test basis, evidence regarding the amounts and disclosures in the financial statements. Our procedures included confirmation of securities owned as of December 31, 2020 by correspondence with the custodian and others or by other appropriate auditing procedures where replies from others were not received. Our audits also included evaluating the accounting principles used and significant estimates made by management, as well as evaluating the overall presentation of the financial statements. We believe that our audits provide a reasonable basis for our opinion.

We have served as the auditor of one or more Morgan Stanley investment companies since 2000.
Boston, Massachusetts
February 26, 2021


21



Morgan Stanley Institutional Fund, Inc.

Annual Report — December 31, 2020

Liquidity Risk Management Program (unaudited)

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

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

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

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

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

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


22



Morgan Stanley Institutional Fund, Inc.

Annual Report — December 31, 2020

Federal Tax Notice (unaudited)

For federal income tax purposes, the following information is furnished with respect to the Fund's earnings for its taxable year ended December 31, 2020. When distributed, certain earnings may be subject to a maximum tax rate of 15% as provided for by the Jobs and Growth Tax Relief Reconciliation Act of 2003. The Fund designated up to a maximum of approximately $34,000 as taxable at this lower rate.

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


23



Morgan Stanley Institutional Fund, Inc.

Annual Report — December 31, 2020

Privacy Notice (unaudited)  April 2019

FACTS

 

WHAT DOES MSIM DO WITH YOUR PERSONAL INFORMATION?

 

Why?

 

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

 

What?

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

How?

 

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

 

 

Reasons we can share your personal information

 

Does MSIM share?

 

Can you limit this sharing?

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

Yes

 

No

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

Yes

 

No

 

For joint marketing with other financial companies

 

No

 

We don't share

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

Yes

 

No

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

No

 

We don't share

 

For our affiliates to market to you

 

No

 

We don't share

 

For non-affiliates to market to you

 

No

 

We don't share

 

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


24



Morgan Stanley Institutional Fund, Inc.

Annual Report — December 31, 2020

Privacy Notice (unaudited) (cont'd)  April 2019

Who we are

Who is providing this notice?

 

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

 

What we do

How does MSIM protect my personal information?

 

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

 

How does MSIM collect my personal information?

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

Why can't I limit all sharing?

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

Definitions

Affiliates

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

Non-affiliates

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

Joint marketing

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


25



Morgan Stanley Institutional Fund, Inc.

Annual Report — December 31, 2020

Privacy Notice (unaudited) (cont'd)  April 2019

Other Important Information

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

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


26



Morgan Stanley Institutional Fund, Inc.

Annual Report — December 31, 2020

Director and Officer Information (unaudited)

Independent Directors:

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

Director

 

Since August 2006

 

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

 

79

 

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

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

Director

 

Since August 2006

 

Chairperson of the Governance Committee (January 2021), Chairperson of the Liquidity and Alternatives Sub-Committee of the Investment Committee (2006-2020); and Director or Trustee of various Morgan Stanley Funds (since August 2006); President, Cedarwood Associates (mutual fund and investment management consulting) (since July 2006); formerly, Senior Managing Director of Victory Capital Management (1993-2006).

 

79

 

Board Member, University of Albany Foundation (2012-present); Board Member, Mutual Funds Directors Forum (2014-present); Director of various non-profit organizations.

 
Nancy C. Everett
c/o Perkins Coie LLP
Counsel to the Independent Directors
1155 Avenue of the Americas,
22nd Floor
New York, NY 10036
Birth Year: 1955
 

Director

 

Since January 2015

 

Chairperson of the Equity Investment Committee (since January 2021); Director or Trustee of various Morgan Stanley Funds (since January 2015); Chief Executive Officer, Virginia Commonwealth University Investment Company (since November 2015); Owner, OBIR, LLC (institutional investment management consulting) (since June 2014); formerly, Managing Director, BlackRock, Inc. (February 2011-December 2013); and Chief Executive Officer, General Motors Asset Management (a/k/a Promark Global Advisors, Inc.) (June 2005-May 2010).

 

80

 

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

 


27



Morgan Stanley Institutional Fund, Inc.

Annual Report — December 31, 2020

Director and Officer Information (unaudited) (cont'd)

Independent Directors (cont'd):

Name, Address and Birth
Year of Independent Director
  Position(s)
Held with
Registrant
  Length of Time
Served*
  Principal Occupation(s) During Past 5 Years and Other
Relevant Professional Experience
  Number of
Funds
in Fund Complex
Overseen by
Independent
Director**
  Other Directorships
Held by Independent
Director***
 
Jakki L. Haussler
c/o Perkins Coie LLP
Counsel to the Independent Directors
1155 Avenue of the Americas,
22nd Floor
New York, NY 10036
Birth Year: 1957
 

Director

 

Since January 2015

 

Director or Trustee of various Morgan Stanley Funds (since January 2015) Chairman, Opus Capital Group (1996); formerly, Chief Executive Officer, Opus Capital Group (1996-2019); Director, Capvest Venture Fund, LP (May 2000-December 2011); Partner, Adena Ventures, LP (July 1999-December 2010); Director, The Victory Funds (February 2005-July 2008).

 

80

 

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

 
Dr. Manuel H. Johnson
c/o Johnson Smick International, Inc.
220 I Street, NE — Suite 200
Washington, D.C. 20002
Birth Year: 1949
 

Director

 

Since July 1991

 

Senior Partner, Johnson Smick International, Inc. (consulting firm); Chairperson of the Fixed Income, Liquidity and Alternatives Investment Committee (January 2021), Chairperson of the Investment Committee (2006-2020) and Director or Trustee of various Morgan Stanley Funds (since July 1991); Co-Chairman and a founder of the Group of Seven Council (G7C) (international economic commission); formerly, Chairperson of the Audit Committee (July 1991-September 2006), Vice Chairman of the Board of Governors of the Federal Reserve System and Assistant Secretary of the U.S. Treasury.

 

79

 

Director of NVR, Inc. (home construction).

 


28



Morgan Stanley Institutional Fund, Inc.

Annual Report — December 31, 2020

Director and Officer Information (unaudited) (cont'd)

Independent Directors (cont'd):

Name, Address and Birth
Year of Independent Director
  Position(s)
Held with
Registrant
  Length of Time
Served*
  Principal Occupation(s) During Past 5 Years and Other
Relevant Professional Experience
  Number of
Funds
in Fund Complex
Overseen by
Independent
Director**
  Other Directorships
Held by Independent
Director***
 
Joseph J. Kearns
c/o Perkins Coie LLP
Counsel to the Independent Directors
1155 Avenue of the Americas,
22nd Floor
New York, NY 10036
Birth Year: 1942
 

Director

 

Since August 1994

 

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

 

80

 

Director, Rubicon Investment (since February 2019); Prior to August 2016, Director of Electro Rent Corporation (equipment leasing); Prior to December 31, 2013, Director of The Ford Family Foundation.

 
Michael F. Klein
c/o Perkins Coie LLP
Counsel to the Independent Directors
1155 Avenue of the Americas,
22nd Floor
New York, NY 10036
Birth Year: 1958
 

Director

 

Since August 2006

 

Chairperson of the Risk Committee (since January 2021); Managing Director, Aetos Alternatives Management, LP (since March 2000); Co-President, Aetos Alternatives Management, LP (since January 2004) and Co-Chief Executive Officer of Aetos Alternatives Management, LP (since August 2013); Chairperson of the fixed Income Sub-Committee of the Investment committee (2006-2020) and Director or Trustee of various Morgan Stanley Funds (since August 2006); formerly, Managing Director, Morgan Stanley & Co. Inc. and Morgan Stanley Dean Witter Investment Management and President, various Morgan Stanley Funds (June 1998-March 2000); Principal, Morgan Stanley & Co. Inc. and Morgan Stanley Dean Witter Investment Management (August 1997-December 1999).

 

79

 

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

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

Director

 

Since January 2017

 

Director or Trustee of various Morgan Stanley Funds (since January 2017); Managing Director, JPMorgan Asset Management (2004-2016); Oversight and Control Head of Fiduciary and Conflicts of Interest Program (2015-2016); Chief Control Officer-Global Asset Management (2013-2015); President, JPMorgan Funds (2010-2013); Chief Administrative Officer (2004-2013); various other positions including Treasurer and Board Liaison (since 2001).

 

80

 

None.

 
W. Allen Reed
c/o Perkins Coie LLP
Counsel to the Independent Directors
1155 Avenue of the Americas,
22nd Floor
New York, NY 10036
Birth Year: 1947
 

Chair of the Board and Director

 

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

 

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

 

79

 

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

 

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

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

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


29



Morgan Stanley Institutional Fund, Inc.

Annual Report — December 31, 2020

Director and Officer Information (unaudited) (cont'd)

Executive Officers:

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

Principal Occupation(s) During Past 5 Years

 
John H. Gernon
522 Fifth Avenue
New York, NY 10036
Birth Year: 1963
 

President and Principal Executive Officer

 

Since September 2013

 

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

 
Timothy J. Knierim
1633 Broadway
New York, NY 10019
Birth Year: 1959
 

Chief Compliance Officer

 

Since December 2016

 

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

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

Treasurer and Principal Financial Officer

 

Treasurer since July 2003 and Principal Financial Officer since September 2002

 

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

 
Mary E. Mullin
1633 Broadway
New York, NY 10019
Birth Year: 1967
 

Secretary

 

Since June 1999

 

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

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

Vice President

 

Since June 2017

 

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

 

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


30



Morgan Stanley Institutional Fund, Inc.

Annual Report — December 31, 2020

Adviser and Administrator

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

Sub-Adviser

Morgan Stanley Investment Management Company
23 Church Street
16-01 Capital Square, Singapore 049481

Distributor

Morgan Stanley Distribution, Inc.
522 Fifth Avenue
New York, New York 10036

Dividend Disbursing and Transfer Agent

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

Custodian

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

Legal Counsel

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

Counsel to the Independent Directors

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

Independent Registered Public Accounting Firm

Ernst & Young LLP
200 Clarendon Street
Boston, Massachusetts 02116

Reporting to Shareholders

Each Morgan Stanley fund provides a complete schedule of portfolio holdings in its Semi-Annual and the Annual Reports within 60 days of the end of the fund's second and fourth fiscal quarters. The Semi-Annual and Annual Reports are filed electronically with the Securities and Exchange Commission ("SEC") on Form N-CSRS and Form N-CSR, respectively. Morgan Stanley also delivers the Semi-Annual and Annual Reports to fund shareholders and makes these reports available on its public website, www.morganstanley.com/im/shareholderreports. Each Morgan Stanley non-money market fund also files a complete schedule of portfolio holdings with the SEC for the fund's first and third fiscal quarters as an attachment to Form N-PORT. Morgan Stanley does not deliver the reports for the first and third fiscal quarters to shareholders, but makes the complete schedule of portfolio holdings for the fund's first and third fiscal quarters available on its public website. The holdings for each money market fund are also posted to the Morgan Stanley public website. You may obtain the Form N-PORT filings (as well as the Form N-CSR and N-CSRS filings) by accessing the SEC's website, www.sec.gov. You can also request copies of these materials, upon payment of a duplicating fee, by electronic request at the SEC's email address (publicinfo@sec.gov).

Proxy Voting Policies and Procedures and Proxy Voting Record

You may obtain a copy of the Company's Proxy Voting Policy and Procedures and information regarding how the Company voted proxies relating to portfolio securities during the most recent twelve-month period ended June 30, without charge, upon request, by calling toll free 1 (800) 548-7786 or by visiting our website at www.morganstanley.com/im/shareholderreports. This information is also available on the SEC's website at www.sec.gov.

This report is authorized for distribution only when preceded or accompanied by a prospectus or summary prospectus of the applicable fund of Morgan Stanley Institutional Fund, Inc., which describes in detail the fund's investment policies, risks, fees and expenses. Please read the prospectus carefully before you invest or send money. For additional information, including information regarding the investments comprising the Fund, please visit our website at www.morganstanley.com/im/shareholderreports or call toll free 1 (800) 548-7786.


31



Printed in U.S.A.
This Report has been prepared for shareholders and may be distributed to others only if preceded or accompanied by a current prospectus.

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

© 2021 Morgan Stanley. Morgan Stanley Distribution, Inc.

IFICEQANN
3386852 EXP 02.28.22



INVESTMENT MANAGEMENT

Morgan Stanley Institutional Fund, Inc.

Counterpoint Global Portfolio

(formerly Global Counterpoint Portfolio)

Annual Report

December 31, 2020



Morgan Stanley Institutional Fund, Inc.

Annual Report — December 31, 2020

Table of Contents

Shareholders' Letter

   

2

   

Expense Example

   

3

   

Investment Overview

   

4

   

Portfolio of Investments

   

6

   

Statement of Assets and Liabilities

   

10

   

Statement of Operations

   

12

   

Statements of Changes in Net Assets

   

13

   

Financial Highlights

   

14

   

Notes to Financial Statements

   

18

   

Report of Independent Registered Public Accounting Firm

   

27

   

Liquidity Risk Management Program

   

28

   

Federal Tax Notice

   

29

   

Privacy Notice

   

30

   

Director and Officer Information

   

33

   

This report is authorized for distribution only when preceded or accompanied by a prospectus or summary prospectus of the applicable Fund of Morgan Stanley Institutional Fund, Inc. To receive a prospectus and/or statement of additional information ("SAI"), which contains more complete information such as investment objectives, charges, expenses, policies for voting proxies, risk considerations and describes in detail each of the Fund's investment policies to the prospective investor, please call toll free 1 (800) 548-7786. Please read the prospectuses carefully before you invest or send money.

Additionally, you can access information about the Fund, including performance, characteristics and investment team commentary, through Morgan Stanley Investment Management's website: www.morganstanley.com/im/shareholderreports.

Market forecasts provided in this report may not necessarily come to pass. There is no guarantee that any sectors mentioned will continue to perform as discussed herein or that securities in such sectors will be held by the Fund in the future. There is no assurance that a fund will achieve its investment objective. Funds are subject to market risk, which is the possibility that market values of securities owned by the Fund will decline and, therefore, the value of the Fund's shares may be less than what you paid for them. Accordingly, you can lose money investing in this Fund. Please see the prospectus for more complete information on investment risks.


1



Morgan Stanley Institutional Fund, Inc.

Annual Report — December 31, 2020

Shareholders' Letter (unaudited)

Dear Shareholders,

We are pleased to provide this Annual Report, in which you will learn how your investment in Counterpoint Global Portfolio (the "Fund") (formerly Global Counterpoint Portfolio) performed during the latest twelve-month period.

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

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

Sincerely,

John H. Gernon
President and Principal Executive Officer

January 2021


2



Morgan Stanley Institutional Fund, Inc.

Annual Report — December 31, 2020

Expense Example (unaudited)

Counterpoint Global Portfolio

As a shareholder of the Fund, you incur two types of costs: (1) transactional costs; and (2) ongoing costs, which may include advisory fees, administration fees, distribution and shareholder services fees and other Fund expenses. This example is intended to help you understand your ongoing costs (in dollars) of investing in the Fund and to compare these costs with the ongoing costs of investing in other mutual funds.

This example is based on an investment of $1,000 invested at the beginning of the six-month period ended December 31, 2020 and held for the entire six-month period.

Actual Expenses

The table below provides information about actual account values and actual expenses. You may use the information in this table, 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 table under the heading entitled "Actual Expenses Paid During Period" to estimate the expenses you paid on your account during this period.

Hypothetical Example for Comparison Purposes

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

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

    Beginning
Account
Value
7/1/20
  Actual Ending
Account
Value
12/31/20
  Hypothetical
Ending Account
Value
  Actual
Expenses
Paid
During
Period*
  Hypothetical
Expenses Paid
During Period*
  Net
Expense
Ratio
During
Period**
 

Counterpoint Global Portfolio Class I

 

$

1,000.00

   

$

1,399.40

   

$

1,019.91

   

$

6.27

   

$

5.28

     

1.04

%

 

Counterpoint Global Portfolio Class A

   

1,000.00

     

1,397.80

     

1,018.15

     

8.38

     

7.05

     

1.39

   

Counterpoint Global Portfolio Class C

   

1,000.00

     

1,392.00

     

1,014.38

     

12.87

     

10.84

     

2.14

   

Counterpoint Global Portfolio Class IS

   

1,000.00

     

1,399.80

     

1,020.16

     

6.97

     

5.03

     

0.99

   

*  Expenses are calculated using each Fund Class' annualized net expense ratio (as disclosed), multiplied by the average account value over the period and multiplied by 184/366 (to reflect the most recent one-half year period).

**  Annualized.


3



Morgan Stanley Institutional Fund, Inc.

Annual Report — December 31, 2020

Investment Overview (unaudited)

Counterpoint Global Portfolio

The Fund seeks long-term capital appreciation.

Performance

For the fiscal year ended December 31, 2020, the Fund's Class I shares had a total return based on net asset value and reinvestment of distributions per share of 72.70%, net of fees. The Fund's Class I shares outperformed the Fund's benchmark, the MSCI All Country World Net Index (the "Index"), which returned 16.25%.

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

Factors Affecting Performance

•  Global equities, as measured by the Index, rose 16.25% in the year, bouncing back strongly in a year of significant volatility caused by the COVID-19 pandemic. With lockdowns and disruptions to economic activity driving much of the world economy into a deep recession, governments and central banks responded with massive fiscal and monetary stimulus. These measures helped soothe the markets, kept liquidity flowing and supported a faster-than-expected rebound in economic activity. Toward year end, positive vaccine news added to the hope that economies could normalize in 2021, while the election of U.S. President Joe Biden and the Brexit trade deal reduced other sources of market uncertainty that were prevalent in 2020.

•  Index performance was led by the information technology, consumer discretionary and communication services sectors. Energy, real estate and financials, each with negative performance for the year, were the Index's weakest performing sectors.

•  Counterpoint Global seeks high quality companies, which we define primarily as those with sustainable competitive advantages. We manage concentrated portfolios that are highly differentiated from the benchmark, with securities weighted on our assessment of the quality of the company and our conviction. The value added or detracted in any period of time will result from stock selection, given our philosophy and process. For the year, the Fund outperformed the Index.

•  The long-term investment horizon and conviction-weighted investment approach embraced by the team since 1998 can result in periods of performance deviation from the benchmark and peers. The Fund outperformed the Index in this reporting period due to favorable stock selection with a smaller contribution from sector allocations.

•  Strong stock selection in information technology and consumer discretionary contributed the majority of the Fund's relative outperformance, further supported by overweights to both sectors. Seven of the 10 largest contributing holdings were from these two sectors, led by a cloud-based platform that enables retailers and manufacturers to have a web-store and online presence. The company has become the provider of choice for small and medium-sized merchants who generally do not have sufficient scale to build their own bespoke online e-commerce systems.

•  Stock selection in health care, communication services, industrials, consumer staples, financials and real estate added to relative gains, to a lesser extent.

•  Given the magnitude of the Fund's outperformance relative to the benchmark, there were no meaningful sector detractors from performance. An overweight to the health care sector marginally hurt relative performance, but it was more than offset by the strength of our stock selection there, which outperformed the Index.

Management Strategies

•  As a team, we believe having a market outlook can be an anchor. Our focus is on assessing company prospects over a five-year horizon, and owning a portfolio of unique companies whose market value we believe can increase significantly for underlying fundamental reasons.


4



Morgan Stanley Institutional Fund, Inc.

Annual Report — December 31, 2020

Investment Overview (unaudited) (cont'd)

Counterpoint Global Portfolio

*  Minimum Investment for Class I shares

**  Commenced Operations on June 29, 2018.

In accordance with SEC regulations, the Fund's performance shown assumes that all recurring fees (including management fees) were deducted and all dividends and distributions were reinvested. The performance of Class A, C and IS shares will vary from the performance of Class I shares and will be negatively impacted by additional fees assessed to those classes (if applicable).

Performance Compared to the MSCI All Country World Net Index(1) and the Lipper Global Multi-Cap Growth Funds Index(2)

    Period Ended December 31, 2020
Total Returns(3)
 
       

Average Annual

 
    One
Year
  Five
Years
  Ten
Years
  Since
Inception(5)
 
Fund — Class I Shares
w/o sales charges(4)
   

72.70

%

   

     

     

31.30

%

 
Fund — Class A Shares
w/o sales charges(4)
   

72.25

     

     

     

30.87

   
Fund — Class A Shares
with maximum 5.25%
sales charges(4)
   

63.14

     

     

     

28.10

   
Fund — Class C Shares
w/o sales charges(4)
   

70.89

     

     

     

29.86

   
Fund — Class C Shares
with maximum 1.00%
deferred sales charges(4)
   

69.89

     

     

     

29.86

   
Fund — Class IS Shares
w/o sales charges(4)
   

72.88

     

     

     

31.36

   

MSCI All Country World Net Index

   

16.25

     

     

     

12.35

   
Lipper Global Multi-Cap Growth
Funds Index
   

36.37

     

     

     

19.35

   

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. Performance assumes that all dividends and distributions, if any, were reinvested. For the most recent month-end performance figures, please visit www.morganstanley.com/im/shareholderreports. Investment return and principal value will fluctuate so that Fund shares, when redeemed, may be worth more or less than their original cost. Total returns do not reflect the deduction of taxes that a shareholder would pay on Fund distributions or the redemption of Fund shares. Performance of share classes will vary due to difference in sales charges and expenses.

(1)  The MSCI All Country World Net Index is a free float-adjusted market capitalization weighted index designed to measure the equity market performance of developed and emerging markets. 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. Net total return indices reinvest dividends after the deduction of withholding taxes, using (for international indices) a tax rate applicable to non-resident institutional investors who do not benefit from double taxation treaties. The Index is unmanaged and its returns do not include any sales charges or fees. Such costs would lower performance. It is not possible to invest directly in an index.

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

(3)  Total returns for the Fund reflect fees waived and expenses reimbursed, if applicable, by the Adviser (as defined herein). Without such waivers and reimbursements, total returns would have been lower.

(4)  Commenced operations on June 29, 2018.

(5)  For comparative purposes, average annual since inception returns listed for the Indexes refer to the inception date of the Fund, not the inception of the Index.


5



Morgan Stanley Institutional Fund, Inc.

Annual Report — December 31, 2020

Portfolio of Investments

Counterpoint Global Portfolio

   

Shares

  Value
(000)
 

Common Stocks (91.6%)

 

Argentina (0.1%)

 

Globant SA (a)

   

85

   

$

19

   

Australia (1.1%)

 

Afterpay Ltd. (a)

   

678

     

62

   

Brookfield Infrastructure Partners LP

   

1,500

     

74

   

Redbubble Ltd. (a)

   

8,693

     

37

   

Xero Ltd. (a)

   

847

     

96

   
     

269

   

Brazil (0.1%)

 

B3 SA - Brasil Bolsa Balcao

   

390

     

5

   

Magazine Luiza SA

   

2,509

     

12

   
     

17

   

Canada (4.2%)

 

Brookfield Asset Management, Inc., Class A

   

1,774

     

73

   

Canada Goose Holdings, Inc. (a)

   

3,087

     

92

   

Canadian National Railway Co.

   

226

     

25

   

Colliers International Group, Inc.

   

1,074

     

96

   

Constellation Software, Inc.

   

88

     

114

   

FirstService Corp.

   

1,322

     

181

   

Score Media and Gaming, Inc. (a)

   

15,910

     

19

   

Shopify, Inc., Class A (a)

   

390

     

441

   

Topicus.com, Inc. (a)

   

164

     

1

   
     

1,042

   

China (3.6%)

 

Alibaba Group Holding Ltd. ADR (a)

   

474

     

110

   

China East Education Holdings Ltd. (b)

   

3,000

     

7

   

China Resources Beer Holdings Co., Ltd. (b)

   

2,000

     

18

   
Foshan Haitian Flavouring & Food Co., Ltd.,
Class A
   

5,160

     

158

   

Haidilao International Holding Ltd. (b)

   

2,000

     

15

   
Hangzhou Tigermed Consulting Co. Ltd.
H Shares (a)(b)
   

500

     

12

   

Huazhu Group Ltd. ADR

   

89

     

4

   

HUYA, Inc. ADR (a)

   

1,255

     

25

   
Inner Mongolia Yili Industrial Group Co., Ltd.,
Class A
   

900

     

6

   

Meituan, Class B (a)(b)

   

3,800

     

143

   

New Frontier Health Corp. (a)

   

1,068

     

9

   

Shenzhou International Group Holdings Ltd. (b)

   

800

     

16

   

TAL Education Group ADR (a)

   

3,784

     

271

   

Tencent Holdings Ltd. (b)

   

300

     

22

   

Trip.com Group Ltd. ADR (a)

   

1,772

     

60

   
     

876

   

Denmark (1.8%)

 

Chr Hansen Holding A/S (a)

   

862

     

89

   

DSV Panalpina A/S

   

2,037

     

342

   

Novo Nordisk A/S Series B

   

66

     

5

   
     

436

   

Finland (0.1%)

 

Revenio Group Oyj

   

518

     

32

   
   

Shares

  Value
(000)
 

France (3.2%)

 

Christian Dior SE

   

227

   

$

126

   

Dassault Systemes SE

   

244

     

49

   

EssilorLuxottica SA

   

109

     

17

   

Getlink SE (a)

   

2,348

     

41

   

Hermes International

   

404

     

434

   

L'Oreal SA (BSRM)

   

68

     

26

   

Pernod Ricard SA

   

254

     

49

   

Remy Cointreau SA

   

164

     

31

   
     

773

   

Germany (0.8%)

 

Adidas AG (a)

   

156

     

57

   

CompuGroup Medical SE & Co. KGaA

   

426

     

41

   

HelloFresh SE (a)

   

289

     

22

   

Puma SE (a)

   

94

     

11

   

Zalando SE (a)

   

524

     

58

   
     

189

   

Hong Kong (0.4%)

 

AIA Group Ltd.

   

7,800

     

95

   

India (2.5%)

 

HDFC Bank Ltd. ADR (a)

   

7,568

     

547

   

ICICI Bank Ltd. ADR (a)

   

4,311

     

64

   
     

611

   

Italy (1.3%)

 

Brunello Cucinelli SpA (a)

   

354

     

15

   

Davide Campari-Milano N.V.

   

4,859

     

56

   

Moncler SpA (a)

   

3,890

     

239

   
     

310

   

Japan (1.7%)

 

BASE, Inc. (a)

   

900

     

85

   

Demae-Can Co., Ltd. (a)

   

1,200

     

37

   

Freee KK (a)

   

200

     

19

   

Keyence Corp.

   

300

     

169

   

Mercari, Inc.

   

200

     

9

   

Pigeon Corp.

   

2,200

     

91

   
     

410

   

Korea, Republic of (0.2%)

 

NAVER Corp.

   

178

     

48

   

Mexico (0.2%)

 
Grupo Aeroportuario del Sureste
SAB de CV, Class B (a)
   

2,620

     

43

   

Netherlands (2.1%)

 

Adyen N.V. (a)

   

142

     

330

   

ASML Holding N.V.

   

310

     

150

   

JDE Peet's N.V. (a)

   

555

     

25

   

Just Eat Takeaway.com N.V (a)

   

106

     

12

   
     

517

   

New Zealand (0.3%)

 

Ryman Healthcare Ltd.

   

6,158

     

68

   

Poland (0.2%)

 

Dino Polska SA (a)

   

586

     

45

   

The accompanying notes are an integral part of the financial statements.
6



Morgan Stanley Institutional Fund, Inc.

Annual Report — December 31, 2020

Portfolio of Investments (cont'd)

Counterpoint Global Portfolio

   

Shares

  Value
(000)
 

Singapore (2.5%)

 

Sea Ltd. ADR (a)

   

3,144

   

$

626

   

Spain (0.2%)

 

Aena SME SA (a)

   

235

     

41

   

Sweden (0.6%)

 

AddLife AB

   

4,735

     

83

   

Cellavision AB (a)

   

566

     

21

   

Evolution Gaming Group AB

   

134

     

13

   

Vitrolife AB (a)

   

1,633

     

43

   
     

160

   

Switzerland (0.5%)

 

Kuehne & Nagel International AG (Registered)

   

227

     

52

   

Straumann Holding AG (Registered)

   

55

     

64

   
     

116

   

Taiwan (0.5%)

 

Taiwan Semiconductor Manufacturing Co., Ltd.

   

1,000

     

19

   
Taiwan Semiconductor Manufacturing Co., Ltd.
ADR
   

1,040

     

113

   
     

132

   

United Kingdom (2.6%)

 

Abcam PLC

   

1,589

     

34

   

Abcam PLC ADR (a)

   

1,842

     

40

   

Angle PLC (a)

   

29,726

     

20

   
ASOS PLC (a)    

452

     

29

   

Atlassian Corp., PLC, Class A (a)

   

389

     

91

   

Blue Prism Group PLC (a)

   

1,260

     

30

   

boohoo Group PLC (a)

   

1,577

     

7

   

Diageo PLC

   

941

     

37

   

Fevertree Drinks PLC

   

670

     

23

   

Intertek Group PLC

   

200

     

15

   

Rentokil Initial PLC (a)

   

2,035

     

14

   

Rightmove PLC (a)

   

9,681

     

86

   

Victoria PLC (a)

   

24,677

     

221

   
     

647

   

United States (60.8%)

 

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

   

875

     

124

   

4D Molecular Therapeutics, Inc. (a)

   

300

     

12

   

Activision Blizzard, Inc.

   

660

     

61

   

Adaptive Biotechnologies Corp. (a)

   

158

     

9

   

Adobe, Inc. (a)

   

188

     

94

   

Airbnb, Inc., Class A (a)

   

191

     

28

   

Alnylam Pharmaceuticals, Inc. (a)

   

137

     

18

   

Alphabet, Inc., Class C (a)

   

49

     

86

   

Alteryx, Inc., Class A (a)

   

135

     

16

   

Amazon.com, Inc. (a)

   

171

     

557

   

American Tower Corp. REIT

   

11

     

2

   

ANSYS, Inc. (a)

   

7

     

3

   

Anterix, Inc. (a)

   

1,643

     

62

   

Appfolio, Inc., Class A (a)

   

1,210

     

218

   

Appian Corp. (a)

   

2,450

     

397

   
ASML Holding NV    

188

     

92

   

At Home Group, Inc. (a)

   

4,352

     

67

   
   

Shares

  Value
(000)
 

Autodesk, Inc. (a)

   

8

   

$

2

   

Avalara, Inc. (a)

   

23

     

4

   

Ball Corp.

   

301

     

28

   

Berkeley Lights, Inc. (a)

   

114

     

10

   

Berkshire Hathaway, Inc., Class B (a)

   

25

     

6

   

BigCommerce Holdings, Inc. (a)

   

371

     

24

   

Bill.Com Holdings, Inc. (a)

   

90

     

12

   

C3.ai, Inc., Class A (a)

   

74

     

10

   

Cadence Design Systems, Inc. (a)

   

28

     

4

   

Cardlytics, Inc. (a)

   

2,072

     

296

   

Carvana Co. (a)

   

1,604

     

384

   

Chegg, Inc. (a)

   

28

     

2

   

Chewy, Inc., Class A (a)

   

293

     

26

   

Cintas Corp.

   

59

     

21

   

Cloudflare, Inc., Class A (a)

   

728

     

55

   

Colgate-Palmolive Co.

   

43

     

4

   

ContextLogic, Inc., Class A (a)

   

1,410

     

26

   

Copart, Inc. (a)

   

165

     

21

   

CoStar Group, Inc. (a)

   

24

     

22

   

Costco Wholesale Corp.

   

405

     

153

   

Coupa Software, Inc. (a)

   

708

     

240

   

Covetrus, Inc. (a)

   

20,389

     

586

   

Danaher Corp.

   

12

     

3

   

Datadog, Inc., Class A (a)

   

180

     

18

   

DexCom, Inc. (a)

   

291

     

108

   

DocuSign, Inc. (a)

   

80

     

18

   

DoorDash, Inc., Class A (a)

   

493

     

70

   

DraftKings, Inc., Class A (a)

   

336

     

16

   

Dragoneer Growth Opportunities Corp. (a)

   

1,417

     

20

   

Dropbox, Inc., Class A (a)

   

1,209

     

27

   

Ecolab, Inc.

   

572

     

124

   

Editas Medicine, Inc. (a)

   

141

     

10

   

EPAM Systems, Inc. (a)

   

527

     

189

   

Equinix, Inc. REIT

   

3

     

2

   

EVI Industries, Inc. (a)

   

486

     

15

   

Exact Sciences Corp. (a)

   

155

     

20

   

Facebook, Inc., Class A (a)

   

388

     

106

   

Farfetch Ltd., Class A (a)

   

5,044

     

322

   

Fastenal Co.

   

433

     

21

   

Fastly, Inc., Class A (a)

   

7,987

     

698

   

Floor & Decor Holdings, Inc. (a)

   

924

     

86

   

GameStop Corp., Class A (a)

   

7,211

     

136

   

GoodRx Holdings, Inc., Class A (a)

   

299

     

12

   

Guardant Health, Inc. (a)

   

442

     

57

   

Guidewire Software, Inc. (a)

   

19

     

2

   

HealthEquity, Inc. (a)

   

201

     

14

   

HEICO Corp., Class A

   

1,003

     

117

   

Home Depot, Inc. (The)

   

14

     

4

   

IAC/InterActiveCorp (a)

   

189

     

36

   

IDEXX Laboratories, Inc. (a)

   

5

     

2

   

Illumina, Inc. (a)

   

22

     

8

   

Inspire Medical Systems, Inc. (a)

   

212

     

40

   

Intellia Therapeutics, Inc. (a)

   

186

     

10

   

The accompanying notes are an integral part of the financial statements.
7



Morgan Stanley Institutional Fund, Inc.

Annual Report — December 31, 2020

Portfolio of Investments (cont'd)

Counterpoint Global Portfolio

   

Shares

  Value
(000)
 

United States (cont'd)

 

Intercontinental Exchange, Inc.

   

590

   

$

68

   

Intuitive Surgical, Inc. (a)

   

493

     

403

   

Linde PLC

   

64

     

17

   

Lululemon Athletica, Inc. (a)

   

7

     

2

   

Madison Square Garden Sports Corp., Class A (a)

   

14

     

3

   

Martin Marietta Materials, Inc.

   

393

     

112

   

Mastercard, Inc., Class A

   

550

     

196

   

Match Group, Inc. (a)

   

25

     

4

   

MercadoLibre, Inc. (a)

   

123

     

206

   

MicroStrategy, Inc., Class A (a)

   

497

     

193

   

Moderna, Inc. (a)

   

265

     

28

   

MongoDB, Inc. (a)

   

277

     

99

   

NanoString Technologies, Inc. (a)

   

2,585

     

173

   

Netflix, Inc. (a)

   

5

     

3

   

NIKE, Inc., Class B

   

27

     

4

   

Northern Star Acquisition Corp. (a)

   

1,809

     

28

   

Nuance Communications, Inc. (a)

   

223

     

10

   

NVIDIA Corp.

   

7

     

4

   

Okta, Inc. (a)

   

885

     

225

   

Opendoor Technologies, Inc. (a)

   

405

     

9

   

Outset Medical, Inc. (a)

   

246

     

14

   

Overstock.com, Inc. (a)

   

10,232

     

491

   

Party City Holdco, Inc. (a)

   

23,113

     

142

   

Passage Bio, Inc. (a)

   

518

     

13

   

Peloton Interactive, Inc., Class A (a)

   

117

     

18

   

Penumbra, Inc. (a)

   

39

     

7

   

Pinterest, Inc., Class A (a)

   

2,176

     

143

   

Pool Corp.

   

7

     

3

   

Progressive Corp. (The)

   

25

     

2

   

Quotient Ltd. (a)

   

2,160

     

11

   

RedBall Acquisition Corp., Class A (a)

   

225

     

2

   

Redfin Corp. (a)

   

2,471

     

170

   

Relay Therapeutics, Inc. (a)

   

137

     

6

   

Ribbit LEAP Ltd. (a)

   

1,397

     

21

   

Roku, Inc. (a)

   

53

     

18

   

Rollins, Inc.

   

58

     

2

   

Roper Technologies, Inc.

   

60

     

26

   

Royal Gold, Inc.

   

268

     

28

   

Royalty Pharma PLC, Class A

   

9,016

     

451

   

S&P Global, Inc.

   

271

     

89

   

salesforce.com, Inc. (a)

   

322

     

72

   

Schrodinger, Inc. (a)

   

328

     

26

   

Seer, Inc. (a)

   

821

     

46

   

Service Corp. International

   

50

     

2

   

ServiceNow, Inc. (a)

   

290

     

160

   

Sherwin-Williams Co. (The)

   

31

     

23

   

Skillz, Inc. (a)

   

19,546

     

391

   

Smartsheet, Inc., Class A (a)

   

1,140

     

79

   

Snap, Inc., Class A (a)

   

2,910

     

146

   

Snowflake, Inc., Class A (a)

   

710

     

200

   

Spotify Technology SA (a)

   

1,518

     

478

   

Square, Inc., Class A (a)

   

1,917

     

417

   
   

Shares

  Value
(000)
 

Starbucks Corp.

   

36

   

$

4

   

Stitch Fix, Inc., Class A (a)

   

3,730

     

219

   

Synopsys, Inc. (a)

   

14

     

4

   

Take-Two Interactive Software, Inc. (a)

   

13

     

3

   

Teladoc Health, Inc. (a)

   

48

     

10

   

Texas Pacific Land Trust

   

88

     

64

   

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

   

186

     

149

   

Twilio, Inc., Class A (a)

   

936

     

317

   

Twitter, Inc. (a)

   

6,714

     

364

   

Tyler Technologies, Inc. (a)

   

56

     

24

   

Uber Technologies, Inc. (a)

   

6,926

     

353

   

Unity Software, Inc. (a)

   

332

     

51

   

UTZ Brands, Inc.

   

7,014

     

155

   

Vail Resorts, Inc.

   

9

     

2

   

Veeva Systems, Inc., Class A (a)

   

1,642

     

447

   

Verisk Analytics, Inc.

   

106

     

22

   

Visa, Inc., Class A

   

568

     

124

   

Vroom, Inc. (a)

   

957

     

39

   

Walt Disney Co. (The) (a)

   

992

     

180

   

Waste Connections, Inc.

   

209

     

21

   

Watsco, Inc.

   

11

     

2

   

Wayfair, Inc., Class A (a)

   

647

     

146

   

Workday, Inc., Class A (a)

   

113

     

27

   

Zillow Group, Inc., Class A (a)

   

220

     

30

   

Zillow Group, Inc., Class C (a)

   

649

     

84

   

Zoetis, Inc.

   

16

     

3

   

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

   

1,030

     

347

   

ZoomInfo Technologies, Inc., Class A (a)

   

1,936

     

93

   

Zynga, Inc., Class A (a)

   

1,915

     

19

   
     

14,880

   

Total Common Stocks (Cost $13,100)

   

22,402

   

Preferred Stocks (0.0%)

 

United States (0.0%)

 
Overstock.com, Inc. Series A-1
(Cost $1)
   

176

     

8

   

Short-Term Investment (7.9%)

 

Investment Company (7.9%)

 
Morgan Stanley Institutional Liquidity
Funds — Treasury Securities Portfolio —
Institutional Class (See Note G)
(Cost $1,944)
   

1,944,408

     

1,944

   
Total Investments Excluding Purchased
Options (99.5%) (Cost $15,045)
   

24,354

   
Total Purchased Options Outstanding (0.1%)
(Cost $51)
   

10

   

Total Investments (99.6%) (Cost $15,096) (c)(d)

   

24,364

   

Other Assets in Excess of Liabilities (0.4%)

   

96

   

Net Assets (100.0%)

 

$

24,460

   

The accompanying notes are an integral part of the financial statements.
8



Morgan Stanley Institutional Fund, Inc.

Annual Report — December 31, 2020

Portfolio of Investments (cont'd)

Counterpoint Global Portfolio

Country assignments and aggregations are based generally on third party vendor classifications and information, and may be different from the assignments and aggregations under the policies set forth in the Fund's prospectus and/or statement of additional information relating to geographic classifications.

(a)  Non-income producing security.

(b)  Security trades on the Hong Kong exchange.

(c)  The approximate fair value and percentage of net assets, $4,384,000 and 17.9%, respectively, represent the securities that have been fair valued under the fair valuation policy for international investments as described in Note A-1 within the Notes to the Financial Statements.

(d)  At December 31, 2020, the aggregate cost for federal income tax purposes is approximately $15,698,000. The aggregate gross unrealized appreciation is approximately $9,367,000 and the aggregate gross unrealized depreciation is approximately $701,000, resulting in net unrealized appreciation of approximately $8,666,000.

ADR  American Depositary Receipt.

REIT  Real Estate Investment Trust.

Call Options Purchased:

The Fund had the following call options purchased open at December 31, 2020:

Counterparty

 

Description

  Strike
Price
  Expiration
Date
  Number of
Contracts
  Notional
Amount
(000)
  Value
(000)
  Premiums
Paid
(000)
  Unrealized
Depreciation
(000)
 

BNP Paribas

  USD/CNH  

CNH

7.99

   

Sep-21

   

1,958,561

     

1,959

   

$

2

   

$

12

   

$

(10

)

 

BNP Paribas

  USD/CNH  

CNH

7.64

   

Nov-21

   

2,347,349

     

2,347

     

7

     

13

     

(6

)

 

JP Morgan Chase Bank NA

  USD/CNH  

CNH

7.74

   

Jan-21

   

1,617,368

     

1,617

     

@

   

6

     

(6

)

 

JP Morgan Chase Bank NA

  USD/CNH  

CNH

8.10

   

Jul-21

   

2,322,002

     

2,322

     

1

     

11

     

(10

)

 

JP Morgan Chase Bank NA

  USD/CNH  

CNH

8.49

   

May-21

   

1,600,649

     

1,601

     

@

   

9

     

(9

)

 
                       

$

10

   

$

51

   

$

(41

)

 

@    Value is less than $500.

CNH  —  Chinese Yuan Renminbi Offshore

USD  —  United States Dollar

Portfolio Composition

Classification

  Percentage of
Total Investments
 

Other*

   

43.8

%

 

Information Technology Services

   

14.2

   

Software

   

12.4

   

Internet & Direct Marketing Retail

   

10.6

   

Short-Term Investments

   

8.0

   

Entertainment

   

5.9

   

Interactive Media & Services

   

5.1

   

Total Investments

   

100.0

%

 

*  Industries and/or investment types representing less than 5% of total investments.

The accompanying notes are an integral part of the financial statements.
9



Morgan Stanley Institutional Fund, Inc.

Annual Report — December 31, 2020

Counterpoint Global Portfolio

Statement of Assets and Liabilities

  December 31, 2020
(000)
 

Assets:

 

Investments in Securities of Unaffiliated Issuers, at Value (Cost $13,152)

 

$

22,420

   

Investment in Security of Affiliated Issuer, at Value (Cost $1,944)

   

1,944

   

Total Investments in Securities, at Value (Cost $15,096)

   

24,364

   

Foreign Currency, at Value (Cost $11)

   

11

   

Cash

   

1

   

Receivable for Investments Sold

   

341

   

Due from Adviser

   

48

   

Receivable for Fund Shares Sold

   

9

   

Tax Reclaim Receivable

   

3

   

Dividends Receivable

   

2

   

Receivable from Affiliate

   

@

 

Other Assets

   

38

   

Total Assets

   

24,817

   

Liabilities:

 

Payable for Investments Purchased

   

289

   

Payable for Custodian Fees

   

33

   

Payable for Professional Fees

   

20

   

Payable for Transfer Agency Fees — Class I

   

1

   

Payable for Transfer Agency Fees — Class A

   

@

 

Payable for Transfer Agency Fees — Class C

   

@

 

Payable for Transfer Agency Fees — Class IS

   

@

 

Payable for Administration Fees

   

2

   

Payable for Sub Transfer Agency Fees — Class I

   

1

   

Payable for Sub Transfer Agency Fees — Class A

   

@

 

Payable for Sub Transfer Agency Fees — Class C

   

@

 

Payable for Shareholder Services Fees — Class A

   

@

 

Payable for Distribution and Shareholder Services Fees — Class C

   

@

 

Other Liabilities

   

11

   

Total Liabilities

   

357

   

Net Assets

 

$

24,460

   

Net Assets Consist of:

 

Paid-in-Capital

 

$

14,374

   

Total Distributable Earnings

   

10,086

   

Net Assets

 

$

24,460

   

The accompanying notes are an integral part of the financial statements.
10



Morgan Stanley Institutional Fund, Inc.

Annual Report — December 31, 2020

Counterpoint Global Portfolio

Statement of Assets and Liabilities (cont'd)

  December 31, 2020
(000)
 

CLASS I:

 

Net Assets

 

$

23,717

   
Shares Outstanding $0.001 par value shares of beneficial interest (unlimited shares authorized) (not in 000's)    

1,247,363

   

Net Asset Value, Offering and Redemption Price Per Share

 

$

19.01

   

CLASS A:

 

Net Assets

 

$

696

   
Shares Outstanding $0.001 par value shares of beneficial interest (unlimited shares authorized) (not in 000's)    

36,854

   

Net Asset Value, Redemption Price Per Share

 

$

18.89

   

Maximum Sales Load

   

5.25

%

 

Maximum Sales Charge

 

$

1.05

   

Maximum Offering Price Per Share

 

$

19.94

   

CLASS C:

 

Net Assets

 

$

27

   
Shares Outstanding $0.001 par value shares of beneficial interest (unlimited shares authorized) (not in 000's)    

1,455

   

Net Asset Value, Offering and Redemption Price Per Share

 

$

18.60

   

CLASS IS:

 

Net Assets

 

$

20

   
Shares Outstanding $0.001 par value shares of beneficial interest (unlimited shares authorized) (not in 000's)    

1,028

   

Net Asset Value, Offering and Redemption Price Per Share

 

$

19.03

   

@  Amount is less than $500.

The accompanying notes are an integral part of the financial statements.
11



Morgan Stanley Institutional Fund, Inc.

Annual Report — December 31, 2020

Counterpoint Global Portfolio

Statement of Operations

  Year Ended
December 31, 2020
(000)
 

Investment Income:

 

Dividends from Securities of Unaffiliated Issuers (Net of $3 of Foreign Taxes Withheld)

 

$

38

   

Dividends from Security of Affiliated Issuer (Note G)

   

4

   

Total Investment Income

   

42

   

Expenses:

 

Custodian Fees (Note F)

   

139

   

Advisory Fees (Note B)

   

133

   

Professional Fees

   

123

   

Registration Fees

   

78

   

Pricing Fees

   

15

   

Administration Fees (Note C)

   

13

   

Shareholder Reporting Fees

   

12

   

Transfer Agency Fees — Class I (Note E)

   

4

   

Transfer Agency Fees — Class A (Note E)

   

2

   

Transfer Agency Fees — Class C (Note E)

   

2

   

Transfer Agency Fees — Class IS (Note E)

   

2

   

Sub Transfer Agency Fees — Class I

   

6

   

Sub Transfer Agency Fees — Class A

   

@

 

Sub Transfer Agency Fees — Class C

   

@

 

Directors' Fees and Expenses

   

4

   

Shareholder Services Fees — Class A (Note D)

   

1

   

Distribution and Shareholder Services Fees — Class C (Note D)

   

@

 

Other Expenses

   

22

   

Total Expenses

   

556

   

Expenses Reimbursed by Adviser (Note B)

   

(238

)

 

Waiver of Advisory Fees (Note B)

   

(133

)

 

Reimbursement of Class Specific Expenses — Class I (Note B)

   

(3

)

 

Reimbursement of Class Specific Expenses — Class A (Note B)

   

(2

)

 

Reimbursement of Class Specific Expenses — Class C (Note B)

   

(2

)

 

Reimbursement of Class Specific Expenses — Class IS (Note B)

   

(2

)

 

Rebate from Morgan Stanley Affiliate (Note G)

   

(2

)

 

Net Expenses

   

174

   

Net Investment Loss

   

(132

)

 

Realized Gain:

 

Investments Sold

   

1,835

   

Foreign Currency Translation

   

1

   

Net Realized Gain

   

1,836

   

Change in Unrealized Appreciation (Depreciation):

 

Investments

   

8,072

   

Foreign Currency Translation

   

@

 

Net Change in Unrealized Appreciation (Depreciation)

   

8,072

   

Net Realized Gain and Change in Unrealized Appreciation (Depreciation)

   

9,908

   

Net Increase in Net Assets Resulting from Operations

 

$

9,776

   

@  Amount is less than $500.

The accompanying notes are an integral part of the financial statements.
12



Morgan Stanley Institutional Fund, Inc.

Annual Report — December 31, 2020

Counterpoint Global Portfolio

Statements of Changes in Net Assets

  Year Ended
December 31, 2020
(000)
  Year Ended
December 31, 2019
(000)
 

Increase (Decrease) in Net Assets:

 

Operations:

 

Net Investment Loss

 

$

(132

)

 

$

(18

)

 

Net Realized Gain

   

1,836

     

230

   

Net Change in Unrealized Appreciation (Depreciation)

   

8,072

     

1,737

   

Net Increase in Net Assets Resulting from Operations

   

9,776

     

1,949

   

Dividends and Distributions to Shareholders:

 

Class I

   

(654

)

   

   

Class A

   

(18

)

   

   

Class C

   

(1

)

   

   

Class IS

   

(1

)

   

   

Total Dividends and Distributions to Shareholders

   

(674

)

   

   

Capital Share Transactions:(1)

 

Class I:

 

Subscribed

   

9,074

     

2,424

   

Distributions Reinvested

   

654

     

   

Redeemed

   

(5,076

)

   

   

Class A:

 

Subscribed

   

654

     

4

   

Distributions Reinvested

   

18

     

   

Redeemed

   

(109

)

   

(—

@)

 

Class C:

 

Subscribed

   

7

     

   

Distributions Reinvested

   

1

     

   

Class IS:

 

Distributions Reinvested

   

1

     

   

Net Increase in Net Assets Resulting from Capital Share Transactions

   

5,224

     

2,428

   

Total Increase in Net Assets

   

14,326

     

4,377

   

Net Assets:

 

Beginning of Period

   

10,134

     

5,757

   

End of Period

 

$

24,460

   

$

10,134

   

(1)   Capital Share Transactions:

 

Class I:

 

Shares Subscribed

   

753

     

215

   

Shares Issued on Distributions Reinvested

   

34

     

   

Shares Redeemed

   

(432

)

   

   

Net Increase in Class I Shares Outstanding

   

355

     

215

   

Class A:

 

Shares Subscribed

   

41

     

@@

 

Shares Issued on Distributions Reinvested

   

1

     

   

Shares Redeemed

   

(6

)

   

(—

@@)

 

Net Increase in Class A Shares Outstanding

   

36

     

@@

 

Class C:

 

Shares Subscribed

   

@@

   

   

Shares Issued on Distributions Reinvested

   

@@

   

   

Net Increase in Class C Shares Outstanding

   

@@

   

   

Class IS:

 

Shares Issued on Distributions Reinvested

   

@@

   

   

@  Amount is less than $500.

@@  Amount is less than 500 shares.

The accompanying notes are an integral part of the financial statements.
13



Morgan Stanley Institutional Fund, Inc.

Annual Report — December 31, 2020

Financial Highlights

Counterpoint Global Portfolio

   

Class I

 
   

Year Ended December 31,

  Period from
June 29, 2018(1) to
 

Selected Per Share Data and Ratios

 

2020

 

2019

 

December 31, 2018

 

Net Asset Value, Beginning of Period

 

$

11.32

   

$

8.46

   

$

10.00

   

Income (Loss) from Investment Operations:

 

Net Investment Loss(2)

   

(0.11

)

   

(0.03

)

   

(0.03

)

 

Net Realized and Unrealized Gain (Loss)

   

8.34

     

2.89

     

(1.41

)

 

Total from Investment Operations

   

8.23

     

2.86

     

(1.44

)

 

Distributions from and/or in Excess of:

 

Net Investment Income

   

     

     

(0.03

)

 

Net Realized Gain

   

(0.54

)

   

     

   

Paid-in-Capital

   

     

     

(0.07

)

 

Total Distributions

   

(0.54

)

   

     

(0.10

)

 

Net Asset Value, End of Period

 

$

19.01

   

$

11.32

   

$

8.46

   

Total Return(3)

   

72.70

%

   

33.81

%

   

(14.36

)%(5)

 

Ratios to Average Net Assets and Supplemental Data:

 

Net Assets, End of Period (Thousands)

 

$

23,717

   

$

10,097

   

$

5,733

   

Ratio of Expenses Before Expense Limitation

   

3.29

%

   

5.22

%

   

6.83

%(6)

 

Ratio of Expenses After Expense Limitation

   

1.04

%(4)

   

1.03

%(4)

   

1.03

%(4)(6)

 

Ratio of Net Investment Loss

   

(0.79

)%(4)

   

(0.25

)%(4)

   

(0.54

)%(4)(6)

 

Ratio of Rebate from Morgan Stanley Affiliates

   

0.01

%

   

0.01

%

   

0.01

%(6)

 

Portfolio Turnover Rate

   

116

%

   

67

%

   

54

%(5)

 

(1)  Commencement of Operations.

(2)  Per share amount is based on average shares outstanding.

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

(4)  The Ratio of Expenses After Expense Limitation and Ratio of Net Investment Loss reflect the rebate of certain Fund expenses in connection with the investments in Morgan Stanley affiliates during the period. The effect of the rebate on the ratios is disclosed in the above table as "Ratio of Rebate from Morgan Stanley Affiliates."

(5)  Not annualized.

(6)  Annualized.

The accompanying notes are an integral part of the financial statements.
14



Morgan Stanley Institutional Fund, Inc.

Annual Report — December 31, 2020

Financial Highlights

Counterpoint Global Portfolio

   

Class A

 
   

Year Ended December 31,

  Period from
June 29, 2018(1) to
 

Selected Per Share Data and Ratios

 

2020

 

2019

 

December 31, 2018

 

Net Asset Value, Beginning of Period

 

$

11.28

   

$

8.47

   

$

10.00

   

Income (Loss) from Investment Operations:

 

Net Investment Loss(2)

   

(0.19

)

   

(0.06

)

   

(0.04

)

 

Net Realized and Unrealized Gain (Loss)

   

8.34

     

2.87

     

(1.40

)

 

Total from Investment Operations

   

8.15

     

2.81

     

(1.44

)

 

Distributions from and/or in Excess of:

 

Net Investment Income

   

     

     

(0.03

)

 

Net Realized Gain

   

(0.54

)

   

     

   

Paid-in-Capital

   

     

     

(0.06

)

 

Total Distributions

   

(0.54

)

   

     

(0.09

)

 

Net Asset Value, End of Period

 

$

18.89

   

$

11.28

   

$

8.47

   

Total Return(3)

   

72.25

%

   

33.18

%

   

(14.44

)%(5)

 

Ratios to Average Net Assets and Supplemental Data:

 

Net Assets, End of Period (Thousands)

 

$

696

   

$

15

   

$

8

   

Ratio of Expenses Before Expense Limitation

   

4.61

%

   

23.73

%

   

26.82

%(6)

 

Ratio of Expenses After Expense Limitation

   

1.39

%(4)

   

1.39

%(4)

   

1.39

%(4)(6)

 

Ratio of Net Investment Loss

   

(1.16

)%(4)

   

(0.62

)%(4)

   

(0.91

)%(4)(6)

 

Ratio of Rebate from Morgan Stanley Affiliates

   

0.01

%

   

0.01

%

   

0.01

%(6)

 

Portfolio Turnover Rate

   

116

%

   

67

%

   

54

%(5)

 

(1)  Commencement of Operations.

(2)  Per share amount is based on average shares outstanding.

(3)  Calculated based on the net asset value which does not reflect sales charges, if applicable, as of the last business day of the period.

(4)  The Ratio of Expenses After Expense Limitation and Ratio of Net Investment Loss reflect the rebate of certain Fund expenses in connection with the investments in Morgan Stanley affiliates during the period. The effect of the rebate on the ratios is disclosed in the above table as "Ratio of Rebate from Morgan Stanley Affiliates."

(5)  Not annualized.

(6)  Annualized.

The accompanying notes are an integral part of the financial statements.
15



Morgan Stanley Institutional Fund, Inc.

Annual Report — December 31, 2020

Financial Highlights

Counterpoint Global Portfolio

   

Class C

 
   

Year Ended December 31,

  Period from
June 29, 2018(1) to
 

Selected Per Share Data and Ratios

 

2020

 

2019

 

December 31, 2018

 

Net Asset Value, Beginning of Period

 

$

11.20

   

$

8.47

   

$

10.00

   

Income (Loss) from Investment Operations:

 

Net Investment Loss(2)

   

(0.27

)

   

(0.14

)

   

(0.08

)

 

Net Realized and Unrealized Gain (Loss)

   

8.21

     

2.87

     

(1.40

)

 

Total from Investment Operations

   

7.94

     

2.73

     

(1.48

)

 

Distributions from and/or in Excess of:

 

Net Investment Income

   

     

     

(0.02

)

 

Net Realized Gain

   

(0.54

)

   

     

   

Paid-in-Capital

   

     

     

(0.03

)

 

Total Distributions

   

(0.54

)

   

     

(0.05

)

 

Net Asset Value, End of Period

 

$

18.60

   

$

11.20

   

$

8.47

   

Total Return(3)

   

70.89

%

   

32.23

%

   

(14.80

)%(5)

 

Ratios to Average Net Assets and Supplemental Data:

 

Net Assets, End of Period (Thousands)

 

$

27

   

$

11

   

$

8

   

Ratio of Expenses Before Expense Limitation

   

18.57

%

   

24.53

%

   

27.44

%(6)

 

Ratio of Expenses After Expense Limitation

   

2.14

%(4)

   

2.14

%(4)

   

2.14

%(4)(6)

 

Ratio of Net Investment Loss

   

(1.90

)%(4)

   

(1.37

)%(4)

   

(1.66

)%(4)(6)

 

Ratio of Rebate from Morgan Stanley Affiliates

   

0.01

%

   

0.01

%

   

0.01

%(6)

 

Portfolio Turnover Rate

   

116

%

   

67

%

   

54

%(5)

 

(1)  Commencement of Operations.

(2)  Per share amount is based on average shares outstanding.

(3)  Calculated based on the net asset value which does not reflect sales charges, if applicable, as of the last business day of the period.

(4)  The Ratio of Expenses After Expense Limitation and Ratio of Net Investment Loss reflect the rebate of certain Fund expenses in connection with the investments in Morgan Stanley affiliates during the period. The effect of the rebate on the ratios is disclosed in the above table as "Ratio of Rebate from Morgan Stanley Affiliates."

(5)  Not annualized.

(6)  Annualized.

The accompanying notes are an integral part of the financial statements.
16



Morgan Stanley Institutional Fund, Inc.

Annual Report — December 31, 2020

Financial Highlights

Counterpoint Global Portfolio

   

Class IS

 
   

Year Ended December 31,

  Period from
June 29, 2018(1) to
 

Selected Per Share Data and Ratios

 

2020

 

2019

 

December 31, 2018

 

Net Asset Value, Beginning of Period

 

$

11.32

   

$

8.46

   

$

10.00

   

Income (Loss) from Investment Operations:

 

Net Investment Loss(2)

   

(0.10

)

   

(0.02

)

   

(0.02

)

 

Net Realized and Unrealized Gain (Loss)

   

8.35

     

2.88

     

(1.41

)

 

Total from Investment Operations

   

8.25

     

2.86

     

(1.43

)

 

Distributions from and/or in Excess of:

 

Net Investment Income

   

     

     

(0.03

)

 

Net Realized Gain

   

(0.54

)

   

     

   

Paid-in-Capital

   

     

     

(0.08

)

 

Total Distributions

   

(0.54

)

   

     

(0.11

)

 

Net Asset Value, End of Period

 

$

19.03

   

$

11.32

   

$

8.46

   

Total Return(3)

   

72.88

%

   

33.81

%

   

(14.34

)%(5)

 

Ratios to Average Net Assets and Supplemental Data:

 

Net Assets, End of Period (Thousands)

 

$

20

   

$

11

   

$

8

   

Ratio of Expenses Before Expense Limitation

   

19.31

%

   

23.44

%

   

26.39

%(6)

 

Ratio of Expenses After Expense Limitation

   

0.99

%(4)

   

0.99

%(4)

   

0.99

%(4)(6)

 

Ratio of Net Investment Loss

   

(0.74

)%(4)

   

(0.22

)%(4)

   

(0.51

)%(4)(6)

 

Ratio of Rebate from Morgan Stanley Affiliates

   

0.01

%

   

0.01

%

   

0.01

%(6)

 

Portfolio Turnover Rate

   

116

%

   

67

%

   

54

%(5)

 

(1)  Commencement of Operations.

(2)  Per share amount is based on average shares outstanding.

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

(4)  The Ratio of Expenses After Expense Limitation and Ratio of Net Investment Loss reflect the rebate of certain Fund expenses in connection with the investments in Morgan Stanley affiliates during the period. The effect of the rebate on the ratios is disclosed in the above table as "Ratio of Rebate from Morgan Stanley Affiliates."

(5)  Not annualized.

(6)  Annualized.

The accompanying notes are an integral part of the financial statements.
17



Morgan Stanley Institutional Fund, Inc.

Annual Report — December 31, 2020

Notes to Financial Statements

Morgan Stanley Institutional Fund, Inc. (the "Company") is registered under the Investment Company Act of 1940, as amended (the "Act"), as an open-end management investment company. The Company is comprised of thirty-one separate, active, diversified and non-diversified funds (individually referred to as a "Fund," collectively as the "Funds"). The Company applies investment company accounting and reporting guidance.

The accompanying financial statements relate to the Counterpoint Global Portfolio (name changed on January 2, 2020, formerly Global Counterpoint Portfolio). The Fund seeks long-term capital appreciation.

The Fund offers four classes of shares — Class I, Class A, Class C and Class IS.

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

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

relevant markets for that day, the security is valued at the mean between the last reported bid and asked prices if such bid and asked prices are available on the relevant markets. An unlisted equity security that does not trade on the valuation date and for which bid and asked prices from the relevant markets are unavailable is valued at the mean between the current bid and asked prices obtained from one or more reputable brokers or dealers; (3) listed options are valued at the last reported sales price on the exchange on which they are listed (or at the exchange official closing price if such exchange reports an official closing price). If an official closing price or last reported sales price is unavailable, the listed option should be fair valued at the mean between its latest bid and ask prices. Unlisted options are valued at the mean between their latest bid and ask prices from a broker/dealer or valued by a pricing service/vendor; (4) certain portfolio securities may be valued by an outside pricing service/vendor approved by the Company's Board of Directors (the "Directors"). The pricing service/vendor may employ a pricing model that takes into account, among other things, bids, yield spreads and/or other market data and specific security characteristics. Alternatively, if a valuation is not available from an outside pricing service/vendor, and the security trades on an exchange, the security may be valued at its latest reported sale price (or at the exchange official closing price if such exchange reports an official closing price), prior to the time when assets are valued. If there are no sales on a given day and if there is no official exchange closing price for that day, the security is valued at the mean between the last reported bid and asked prices if such bid and asked prices are available in the relevant exchanges. If only bid prices are available then the latest bid price may be used. If Morgan Stanley Investment Management Inc. (the "Adviser"), a wholly-owned subsidiary of Morgan Stanley, determines that the price provided by the outside pricing service/vendor or exchange does not reflect the security's fair value or is unable to provide a price, prices from brokers or dealers may also be utilized. In these circumstances, the value of the security will be the mean of bid and asked prices obtained from brokers or dealers; (5) when market quotations are not readily available, including circumstances under which the Adviser 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


18



Morgan Stanley Institutional Fund, Inc.

Annual Report — December 31, 2020

Notes to Financial Statements (cont'd)

their fair value as determined in good faith under procedures established by and under the general supervision of the Directors. 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 of the New York Stock Exchange ("NYSE"). If developments occur during such periods that are expected to materially affect the value of such securities, such valuations may be adjusted to reflect the estimated fair value of such securities as of the close of the NYSE, as determined in good faith by the Directors or by the Adviser using a pricing service and/or procedures approved by the Directors; (6) quotations of foreign portfolio securities, other assets and liabilities and forward contracts stated in foreign currency are translated into U.S. dollar equivalents at the prevailing market rates prior to the close of the NYSE; and (7) investments in mutual funds, including the Morgan Stanley Institutional Liquidity Funds, are valued at the net asset value ("NAV") as of the close of each business day.

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

2.  Fair Value Measurement: Financial Accounting Standards Board ("FASB") Accounting Standards CodificationTM ("ASC") 820, "Fair Value Measurement" ("ASC 820"), defines fair value as the value that the Fund would receive to sell an investment or pay to transfer a liability in a timely transaction with an independent buyer in

the principal market, or in the absence of a principal market, the most advantageous market for the investment or liability. ASC 820 establishes a three-tier hierarchy to distinguish between (1) inputs that reflect the assumptions market participants would use in valuing an asset or liability developed based on market data obtained from sources independent of the reporting entity (observable inputs) and (2) inputs that reflect the reporting entity's own assumptions about the assumptions market participants would use in valuing an asset or liability developed based on the best information available in the circumstances (unobservable inputs) and to establish classification of fair value measurements for disclosure purposes. Various inputs are used in determining the value of the Fund's investments. The inputs are summarized in the three broad levels listed below:

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

•  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.


19



Morgan Stanley Institutional Fund, Inc.

Annual Report — December 31, 2020

Notes to Financial Statements (cont'd)

The following is a summary of the inputs used to value the Fund's investments as of December 31, 2020:

Investment Type

  Level 1
Unadjusted
quoted
prices
(000)
  Level 2
Other
significant
observable
inputs
(000)
  Level 3
Significant
unobservable
inputs
(000)
  Total
(000)
 

Assets:

 

Common Stocks

 

Aerospace & Defense

 

$

117

   

$

   

$

   

$

117

   

Air Freight & Logistics

   

     

342

     

     

342

   

Banks

   

611

     

     

     

611

   

Beverages

   

     

214

     

     

214

   

Biotechnology

   

157

     

77

     

     

234

   

Capital Markets

   

230

     

5

     

     

235

   

Chemicals

   

164

     

89

     

     

253

   
Commercial Services &
Supplies
   

65

     

14

     

     

79

   

Construction Materials

   

112

     

     

     

112

   

Containers & Packaging

   

28

     

     

     

28

   

Distributors

   

3

     

     

     

3

   
Diversified Consumer
Services
   

275

     

7

     

     

282

   
Diversified Financial
Services
   

6

     

     

     

6

   
Diversified Holding
Companies
   

71

     

     

     

71

   
Diversified
Telecommunication
Services
   

62

     

     

     

62

   
Electronic Equipment,
Instruments &
Components
   

     

169

     

     

169

   

Entertainment

   

1,435

     

     

     

1,435

   
Equity Real Estate
Investment Trusts
(REITs)
   

4

     

     

     

4

   

Food & Staples Retailing

   

153

     

45

     

     

198

   

Food Products

   

155

     

189

     

     

344

   
Health Care Equipment &
Supplies
   

548

     

137

     

     

685

   
Health Care Providers &
Services
   

666

     

68

     

     

734

   

Health Care Technology

   

535

     

41

     

     

576

   
Hotels, Restaurants &
Leisure
   

54

     

28

     

     

82

   

Household Durables

   

     

221

     

     

221

   

Household Products

   

4

     

91

     

     

95

   

Industrial Conglomerates

   

26

     

     

     

26

   
Information Technology
Services
   

2,975

     

477

     

     

3,452

   

Insurance

   

2

     

95

     

     

97

   
Interactive Media &
Services
   

1,092

     

156

     

     

1,248

   
Internet & Direct
Marketing Retail
   

2,216

     

354

     

     

2,570

   

Leisure Products

   

18

     

     

     

18

   
Life Sciences Tools &
Services
   

370

     

95

     

     

465

   

Marine

   

     

52

     

     

52

   

Media

   

296

     

     

     

296

   

Metals & Mining

   

28

     

     

     

28

   

Multi-Line Retail

   

     

12

     

     

12

   

Multi-Utilities

   

74

     

     

     

74

   

Oil, Gas & Consumable Fuels

   

64

     

     

     

64

   

Investment Type

  Level 1
Unadjusted
quoted
prices
(000)
  Level 2
Other
significant
observable
inputs
(000)
  Level 3
Significant
unobservable
inputs
(000)
  Total
(000)
 

Common Stocks (cont'd)

 

Personal Products

 

$

   

$

26

   

$

   

$

26

   

Pharmaceuticals

   

454

     

5

     

     

459

   

Professional Services

   

44

     

15

     

     

59

   
Real Estate
Management &
Development
   

447

     

     

     

447

   

Road & Rail

   

378

     

     

     

378

   
Semiconductors &
Semiconductor
Equipment
   

209

     

169

     

     

378

   

Software

   

2,832

     

195

     

     

3,027

   

Specialty Retail

   

858

     

     

     

858

   
Textiles, Apparel &
Luxury Goods
   

98

     

915

     

     

1,013

   
Trading Companies &
Distributors
   

38

     

     

     

38

   
Transportation
Infrastructure
   

43

     

82

     

     

125

   

Total Common Stocks

   

18,017

     

4,385

     

     

22,402

   

Preferred Stocks

 
Internet & Direct
Marketing Retail
   

8

     

     

     

8

   

Call Options Purchased

   

     

10

     

     

10

   

Short-Term Investment

 

Investment Company

   

1,944

     

     

     

1,944

   

Total Assets

 

$

19,969

   

$

4,395

   

$

   

$

24,364

   

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

3.  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


20



Morgan Stanley Institutional Fund, Inc.

Annual Report — December 31, 2020

Notes to Financial Statements (cont'd)

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

Net realized gains (losses) on foreign currency transactions represent net foreign exchange gains (losses) from foreign currency forward exchange contracts, disposition of foreign currencies, currency gains (losses) realized between the trade and settlement dates on securities transactions, and the difference between the amount of investment income and foreign withholding taxes recorded on the Fund's books and the U.S. dollar equivalent amounts actually received or paid. The change in unrealized currency gains (losses) on foreign currency transactions for the period is reflected in the Statement of Operations.

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.

Governmental approval for foreign investments may be required in advance of making an investment under certain circumstances in some countries, and the extent of foreign investments in domestic companies may be subject to limitation in other countries. Foreign ownership limitations also may be imposed by the charters of individual companies to prevent, among other concerns, violations of foreign investment limitations. As a result, an additional class of shares (identified as "Foreign" in the Portfolio of Investments) may be created and offered for investment. The "local" and "foreign shares" market values may differ. In the absence of trading of the foreign shares in such markets, the Fund values the foreign shares at the closing exchange price of the local shares.

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

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

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

Options: With respect to options, the Fund is subject to equity risk, interest rate risk and foreign currency exchange risk in the normal course of pursuing its


21



Morgan Stanley Institutional Fund, Inc.

Annual Report — December 31, 2020

Notes to Financial Statements (cont'd)

investment objectives. If the Fund buys an option, it buys a legal contract giving it the right to buy or sell a specific amount of the underlying instrument or foreign currency, or futures contract on the underlying instrument or foreign currency, at an agreed-upon price during a period of time or on a specified date typically in exchange for a premium paid by the Fund. The Fund may purchase and/or sell put and call options. Purchasing call options tends to increase the Fund's exposure to the underlying (or similar) instrument. Purchasing put options tends to decrease the Fund's exposure to the underlying (or similar) instrument. When entering into purchased option contracts, the Fund bears the risk of interest or exchange rates or securities prices moving unexpectedly, in which case, the Fund may not achieve the anticipated benefits of the purchased option contracts; however the risk of loss is limited to the premium paid. Purchased options are reported as part of "Total Investments in Securities" in the Statement of Assets and Liabilities. Premiums paid for purchasing options which expired are treated as realized losses. If the Fund sells an option, it sells to another party the right to buy from or sell to the Fund a specific amount of the underlying instrument or foreign currency, or futures contract on the underlying instrument or foreign currency, at an agreed-upon price during a period of time or on a specified date typically in exchange for a premium received by the Fund. When options are purchased OTC, the Fund bears the risk that the counterparty that wrote the option will be unable or unwilling to perform its obligations under the option contract. Options may also be illiquid and the Fund may have difficulty closing out its position. A decision as to whether, when and how to use options involves the exercise of skill and judgment and even a well-conceived option transaction may be unsuccessful because of market behavior or unexpected events. The prices of options can be highly volatile and the use of options can lower total returns.

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

The following table sets forth the fair value of the Fund's derivative contracts by primary risk exposure as of December 31, 2020:

    Asset Derivatives
Statement of Assets and
Liabilities Location
  Primary Risk
Exposure
  Value
(000)
 
Purchased Options
 
  Investments, at Value
(Purchased Options)
 

Currency Risk

 

$

10

(a)

 

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

The following tables set forth by primary risk exposure the Fund's realized gains (losses) and change in unrealized appreciation (depreciation) by type of derivative contract for the year ended December 31, 2020 in accordance with ASC 815:

Realized Gain (Loss)

 

Primary Risk Exposure

 

Derivative Type

  Value
(000)
 
Currency Risk
 
  Investments
(Purchased Options)
 

$

(19

)(b)

 

(b) Amounts are included in Investments Sold in the Statement of Operations.

Change in Unrealized Appreciation (Depreciation)

 

Primary Risk Exposure

 

Derivative Type

  Value
(000)
 
Currency Risk
 
  Investments
(Purchased Options)
 

$

24

(c)

 

(c) Amounts are included in Investments in the Statement of Operations.

At December 31, 2020, the Fund's derivative assets and liabilities are as follows:

Gross Amounts of Assets and Liabilities
Presented in the Statement of Assets and Liabilities
 

Derivatives

  Assets(d)
(000)
  Liabilities(d)
(000)
 

Purchased Options

 

$

10

(a)

 

$

   

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

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

The Fund typically enters into International Swaps and Derivatives Association, Inc. Master Agreements ("ISDA Master Agreements") or similar master agreements (collectively, "Master Agreements") with its contract counterparties for certain OTC derivatives in order to, among other things, reduce its credit risk to counterparties. ISDA Master Agreements include provisions for general obligations, representations, collateral and events of default or termination. Under an ISDA Master Agreement, the Fund typically may offset with the counterparty certain OTC derivative financial instruments' payables and/or receivables with collateral held


22



Morgan Stanley Institutional Fund, Inc.

Annual Report — December 31, 2020

Notes to Financial Statements (cont'd)

and/or posted and create one single net payment (close-out netting) in the event of default, termination and/or potential deterioration in the credit quality of the counterparty. Various Master Agreements govern the terms of certain transactions with counterparties, including transactions such as swap, forward, repurchase and reverse repurchase agreements. These Master Agreements typically attempt to reduce the counterparty risk associated with such transactions by specifying credit protection mechanisms and providing standardization that improves legal certainty. Cross-termination provisions under Master Agreements typically provide that a default in connection with one transaction between the Fund and a counterparty gives the non-defaulting party the right to terminate any other transactions in place with the defaulting party to create one single net payment due to/due from the defaulting party and may be a feature in certain Master Agreements. In the event the Fund exercises its right to terminate a Master Agreement after a counterparty experiences a termination event as defined in the Master Agreement, the return of collateral with market value in excess of the Fund's net liability may be delayed or denied.

The following table presents derivative financial instruments that are subject to enforceable netting arrangements as of December 31, 2020:

Gross Amounts Not Offset in the Statement of Assets and Liabilities

 

Counterparty

  Gross Asset
Derivatives
Presented in
the Statement of
Assets and
Liabilities(a)
(000)
  Financial
Instrument
(000)
  Collateral
Received
(000)
  Net Amount
(not less
than $0)
(000)
 

BNP Paribas

 

$

9

   

$

   

$

   

$

9

   

JP Morgan Chase Bank NA

   

1

     

     

     

1

   

Total

 

$

10

   

$

   

$

   

$

10

   

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

For the year ended December 31, 2020, the approximate average monthly amount outstanding for each derivative type is as follows:

Purchased Options:

 

Average monthly notional amount

   

6,613,000

   

5.  Indemnifications: The Company enters into contracts that contain a variety of indemnifications. The Company's maximum exposure under these arrangements is unknown. However, the Company has not had prior claims

or losses pursuant to these contracts and expects the risk of loss to be remote.

6.  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. Net realized capital gains, if any, are distributed at least annually.

7.  Security Transactions, Income and Expenses: Security transactions are accounted for on the trade date (date the order to buy or sell is executed). Realized gains and losses on the sale of investment securities are determined on the specific identified cost method. Dividend income and other distributions are recorded on the ex-dividend date (except for certain foreign dividends which may be recorded as soon as the Fund is informed of such dividends) net of applicable withholding taxes. Interest income is recognized on the accrual basis except where collection is in doubt. Discounts are accreted and premiums are amortized over the life of the respective securities. Most expenses of the Company can be directly attributed to a particular Fund. Expenses which cannot be directly attributed are apportioned among the Funds based upon relative net assets or other appropriate methods. Income, expenses (other than class specific expenses — distribution and shareholder services, transfer agency and sub transfer agency fees) and realized and unrealized gains or losses are allocated to each class of shares based upon their relative net assets.

B. Advisory Fees: The Adviser, a wholly-owned subsidiary of Morgan Stanley, provides the Fund with advisory services under the terms of an Investment Advisory Agreement, paid quarterly, at the annual rate based on the daily net assets as follows:

First $1
billion
  Over $1
billion
 
  0.80

%

   

0.75

%

 

For the year ended December 31, 2020, the advisory fee rate (net of waiver/rebate) was equivalent to an annual effective rate of 0.00% of the Fund's average daily net assets.

The Adviser has agreed to reduce its advisory fee and/or reimburse the Fund so that total annual Fund operating expenses, excluding certain investment related expenses, taxes, interest and other extraordinary expenses (including litigation), will not exceed 1.05% for Class I shares, 1.40% for Class A shares, 2.15% for Class C shares and 1.00% for Class IS shares. The fee waivers and/or expense reimbursements will continue for at


23



Morgan Stanley Institutional Fund, Inc.

Annual Report — December 31, 2020

Notes to Financial Statements (cont'd)

least one year from the date of the Fund's prospectus or until such time as the Directors act to discontinue all or a portion of such waivers and/or reimbursements when they deem such action is appropriate. For the year ended December 31, 2020, approximately $133,000 of advisory fees were waived and approximately $247,000 of other expenses were reimbursed by the Adviser pursuant to this arrangement.

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

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

D. Distribution and Shareholder Services Fees: Morgan Stanley Distribution, Inc. ("MSDI" or the "Distributor"), a wholly-owned subsidiary of the Adviser and an indirect subsidiary of Morgan Stanley, serves as the Company's Distributor of Fund shares pursuant to a Distribution Agreement. The Company has adopted a Shareholder Services Plan with respect to Class A shares pursuant to Rule 12b-1 under the Act. Under the Shareholder Services Plan, the Fund pays the Distributor a shareholder services fee, accrued daily and paid monthly, at an annual rate of 0.25% of the Fund's average daily net assets attributable to Class A shares.

The Company has adopted a Distribution and Shareholder Services Plan with respect to Class C shares pursuant to Rule 12b-1 under the Act. Under the Distribution and Shareholder Services Plan, the Fund pays the Distributor a distribution fee, accrued daily and paid monthly, at an annual rate of 0.75% and a shareholder services fee, accrued daily and paid monthly, at an annual rate of 0.25% of the Fund's average daily net assets attributable to Class C shares.

The distribution and shareholder services fees are used to support the expenses associated with servicing and maintaining accounts. The Distributor may compensate other parties for providing shareholder support services to investors who purchase Class A and Class C shares.

E. Dividend Disbursing and Transfer Agent: The Company's dividend disbursing and transfer agent is DST Asset

Manager Solutions, Inc. ("DST"). Pursuant to a Transfer Agency Agreement, the Company pays DST a fee based on the number of classes, accounts and transactions relating to the Funds of the Company.

F. Custodian Fees: State Street (the "Custodian") also serves as Custodian for the Company in accordance with a Custodian Agreement. The Custodian holds cash, securities and other assets of the Company as required by the Act. Custody fees are payable monthly based on assets held in custody, investment purchases and sales activity and account maintenance fees, plus reimbursement for certain out-of-pocket expenses.

G. Security Transactions and Transactions with Affiliates: For the year ended December 31, 2020, purchases and sales of investment securities for the Fund, other than long-term U.S. Government securities and short-term investments were approximately $21,919,000 and $17,826,000, respectively. There were no purchases and sales of long-term U.S. Government securities for the year ended December 31, 2020.

The Fund invests in the Institutional Class of the Morgan Stanley Institutional Liquidity Funds — Treasury Securities Portfolio (the "Liquidity Funds"), an open-end management investment company managed by the Adviser. Advisory fees paid by the Fund are reduced by an amount equal to its pro-rata share of the advisory and administration fees paid by the Fund due to its investment in the Liquidity Funds. For the year ended December 31, 2020, advisory fees paid were reduced by approximately $2,000 relating to the Fund's investment in the Liquidity Funds.

A summary of the Fund's transactions in shares of affiliated investments during the year ended December 31, 2020 is as follows:

Affiliated
Investment
Company
  Value
December 31,
2019
(000)
  Purchases
at Cost
(000)
  Proceeds
from Sales
(000)
  Dividend
Income
(000)
 

Liquidity Funds

 

$

2,154

   

$

9,283

   

$

9,493

   

$

4

   
Affiliated
Investment
Company (cont'd)
  Realized Gain
(Loss)
(000)
  Change in
Unrealized
Appreciation
(Depreciation)
(000)
  Value
December 31,
2020
(000)
 

Liquidity Funds

 

$

   

$

   

$

1,944

   

The Fund is permitted to purchase and sell securities ("cross-trade") from and to other Morgan Stanley funds as well as other funds and client accounts for which the Adviser or an affiliate of the Adviser serves as investment adviser, pursuant to


24



Morgan Stanley Institutional Fund, Inc.

Annual Report — December 31, 2020

Notes to Financial Statements (cont'd)

procedures approved by the Directors in compliance with Rule 17a-7 under the Act (the "Rule"). Each cross-trade is executed at the current market price in compliance with provisions of the Rule. For the year ended December 31, 2020, the Fund did not engage in any cross-trade transactions.

The Fund has an unfunded Deferred Compensation Plan (the "Compensation Plan"), which allows each independent Director to defer payment of all, or a portion, of the fees he or she receives for serving on the Board of Directors. Each eligible Director generally may elect to have the deferred amounts credited with a return equal to the total return on one or more of the Morgan Stanley funds that are offered as investment options under the Compensation Plan. Appreciation/depreciation and distributions received from these investments are recorded with an offsetting increase/decrease in the deferred compensation obligation and do not affect the NAV of the Fund.

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

The Fund may be subject to taxes imposed by countries in which it invests. Such taxes are generally based on income and/or capital gains earned or repatriated. Taxes are accrued based on net investment income, net realized gains and net unrealized appreciation as such income and/or gains are earned. Taxes may also be based on transactions in foreign currency and are accrued based on the value of investments denominated in such currency.

FASB ASC 740-10, "Income Taxes — Overall", sets forth a minimum threshold for financial statement recognition of the benefit of a tax position taken or expected to be taken in a tax return. Management has concluded there are no significant uncertain tax positions that would require recognition in the financial statements. If applicable, the Fund recognizes interest accrued related to unrecognized tax benefits in "Interest Expense" and penalties in "Other Expenses" in the Statement of Operations. The Fund files tax returns with the U.S. Internal Revenue Service, New York and various states. Each of the tax years in the three-year period ended December 31, 2020 remains subject to examination by taxing authorities.

The tax character of distributions paid may differ from the character of distributions shown for GAAP purposes due to short-term capital gains being treated as ordinary income for

tax purposes. The tax character of distributions paid during fiscal years 2020 and 2019 was as follows:

2020
Distributions
Paid From:
  2019
Distributions
Paid From:
 
Ordinary
Income
(000)
  Long-Term
Capital Gain
(000)
  Ordinary
Income
(000)
  Long-Term
Capital Gain
(000)
 
$

442

   

$

232

   

$

   

$

   

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

Permanent differences, due to a nondeductible expense, resulted in the following reclassifications among the components of net assets at December 31, 2020:

Total
Distributable
Earnings
(000)
  Paid-in
Capital
(000)
 
$

@

 

$

(—

@)

 

@ Amount is less than $500.

At December 31, 2020, the components of distributable earnings for the Fund on a tax basis were as follows:

Undistributed
Ordinary
Income
(000)
  Undistributed
Long-Term
Capital Gain
(000)
 
$

1,142

   

$

306

   

During the year ended December 31, 2020, the Fund utilized capital loss carryforwards for U.S. federal income tax purposes of approximately $88,000.

I. Credit Facility: The Company and other Morgan Stanley funds participated in a $300,000,000 committed, unsecured revolving line of credit facility (the "Facility") with State Street. This Facility is to be used for temporary emergency purposes or funding of shareholder redemption requests. The interest rate on borrowings is based on the federal funds rate or 1 month LIBOR rate plus a spread. The Facility also has a commitment fee of 0.25% per annum based on the unused portion of the Facility. During the year ended December 31, 2020, the Fund did not have any borrowings under the Facility.


25



Morgan Stanley Institutional Fund, Inc.

Annual Report — December 31, 2020

Notes to Financial Statements (cont'd)

J. Other: At December 31, 2020, the Fund had record owners of 10% or greater. Investment activities of these shareholders could have a material impact on the Fund. The aggregate percentage of such owners was 39.2%.

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


26



Morgan Stanley Institutional Fund, Inc.

Annual Report — December 31, 2020

Report of Independent Registered Public Accounting Firm

To the Shareholders and Board of Directors of
Morgan Stanley Institutional Fund, Inc. —
Counterpoint Global Portfolio

Opinion on the Financial Statements

We have audited the accompanying statement of assets and liabilities of Counterpoint Global Portfolio (formerly Global Counterpoint Portfolio) (the "Fund") (one of the funds constituting Morgan Stanley Institutional Fund, Inc. (the "Company")), including the portfolio of investments, as of December 31, 2020, and the related statement of operations for the year then ended, the statements of changes in net assets for each of the two years in the period then ended and the financial highlights for each of the two years in the period then ended and the period from June 29, 2018 (commencement of operations) through December 31, 2018 and the related notes (collectively referred to as the "financial statements"). In our opinion, the financial statements present fairly, in all material respects, the financial position of Counterpoint Global Portfolio (formerly Global Counterpoint Portfolio) (one of the funds constituting Morgan Stanley Institutional Fund, Inc.) at December 31, 2020, the results of its operations for the year then ended, the changes in its net assets for each of the two years in the period then ended, and its financial highlights for each of the two years in the period then ended and the period from June 29, 2018 (commencement of operations) through December 31, 2018, in conformity with U.S. generally accepted accounting principles.

Basis for Opinion

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

We conducted our audits in accordance with the standards of the PCAOB. Those standards require that we plan and perform the audit to obtain reasonable assurance about whether the financial statements are free of material misstatement, whether due to error or fraud. The Company is not required to have, nor were we engaged to perform, an audit of the Company's internal control over financial reporting. As part of our audits, we are required to obtain an understanding of internal control over financial reporting, but not for the purpose of expressing an opinion on the effectiveness of the Company's internal control over financial reporting. Accordingly, we express no such opinion.

Our audits included performing procedures to assess the risks of material misstatement of the financial statements, whether due to error or fraud, and performing procedures that respond to those risks. Such procedures included examining, on a test basis, evidence regarding the amounts and disclosures in the financial statements. Our procedures included confirmation of securities owned as of December 31, 2020 by correspondence with the custodian and others or by other appropriate auditing procedures where replies from others were not received. Our audits also included evaluating the accounting principles used and significant estimates made by management, as well as evaluating the overall presentation of the financial statements. We believe that our audits provide a reasonable basis for our opinion.

We have served as the auditor of one or more Morgan Stanley investment companies since 2000.
Boston, Massachusetts
February 26, 2021


27



Morgan Stanley Institutional Fund, Inc.

Annual Report — December 31, 2020

Liquidity Risk Management Program (unaudited)

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

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

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

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

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

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


28



Morgan Stanley Institutional Fund, Inc.

Annual Report — December 31, 2020

Federal Tax Notice (unaudited)

For federal income tax purposes, the following information is furnished with respect to the distributions paid by the Fund during its taxable year ended December 31, 2020. For corporate shareholders 0.91% of the dividends qualified for the dividends received deduction.

The Fund designated and paid approximately $232,000 as a long-term capital gain distribution. In addition, the Fund designated approximately $441,000 of its distributions paid as business interest income.

For federal income tax purposes, the following information is furnished with respect to the Fund's earnings for its taxable year ended December 31, 2020. When distributed, certain earnings may be subject to a maximum tax rate of 15% as provided for by the Jobs and Growth Tax Relief Reconciliation Act of 2003. The Fund designated up to a maximum of approximately $9,000 as taxable at this lower rate.

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


29



Morgan Stanley Institutional Fund, Inc.

Annual Report — December 31, 2020

Privacy Notice (unaudited)  April 2019

FACTS

 

WHAT DOES MSIM DO WITH YOUR PERSONAL INFORMATION?

 

Why?

 

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

 

What?

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

How?

 

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

 

 

Reasons we can share your personal information

 

Does MSIM share?

 

Can you limit this sharing?

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

Yes

 

No

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

Yes

 

No

 

For joint marketing with other financial companies

 

No

 

We don't share

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

Yes

 

No

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

No

 

We don't share

 

For our affiliates to market to you

 

No

 

We don't share

 

For non-affiliates to market to you

 

No

 

We don't share

 

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


30



Morgan Stanley Institutional Fund, Inc.

Annual Report — December 31, 2020

Privacy Notice (unaudited) (cont'd)  April 2019

Who we are

Who is providing this notice?

 

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

 

What we do

How does MSIM protect my personal information?

 

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

 

How does MSIM collect my personal information?

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

Why can't I limit all sharing?

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

Definitions

Affiliates

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

Non-affiliates

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

Joint marketing

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


31



Morgan Stanley Institutional Fund, Inc.

Annual Report — December 31, 2020

Privacy Notice (unaudited) (cont'd)  April 2019

Other Important Information

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

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


32



Morgan Stanley Institutional Fund, Inc.

Annual Report — December 31, 2020

Director and Officer Information (unaudited)

Independent Directors:

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

Director

 

Since August 2006

 

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

 

79

 

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

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

Director

 

Since August 2006

 

Chairperson of the Governance Committee (January 2021), Chairperson of the Liquidity and Alternatives Sub-Committee of the Investment Committee (2006-2020); and Director or Trustee of various Morgan Stanley Funds (since August 2006); President, Cedarwood Associates (mutual fund and investment management consulting) (since July 2006); formerly, Senior Managing Director of Victory Capital Management (1993-2006).

 

79

 

Board Member, University of Albany Foundation (2012-present); Board Member, Mutual Funds Directors Forum (2014-present); Director of various non-profit organizations.

 
Nancy C. Everett
c/o Perkins Coie LLP
Counsel to the Independent Directors
1155 Avenue of the Americas,
22nd Floor
New York, NY 10036
Birth Year: 1955
 

Director

 

Since January 2015

 

Chairperson of the Equity Investment Committee (since January 2021); Director or Trustee of various Morgan Stanley Funds (since January 2015); Chief Executive Officer, Virginia Commonwealth University Investment Company (since November 2015); Owner, OBIR, LLC (institutional investment management consulting) (since June 2014); formerly, Managing Director, BlackRock, Inc. (February 2011-December 2013); and Chief Executive Officer, General Motors Asset Management (a/k/a Promark Global Advisors, Inc.) (June 2005-May 2010).

 

80

 

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

 


33



Morgan Stanley Institutional Fund, Inc.

Annual Report — December 31, 2020

Director and Officer Information (unaudited) (cont'd)

Independent Directors (cont'd):

Name, Address and Birth
Year of Independent Director
  Position(s)
Held with
Registrant
  Length of Time
Served*
  Principal Occupation(s) During Past 5 Years and Other
Relevant Professional Experience
  Number of
Funds
in Fund Complex
Overseen by
Independent
Director**
  Other Directorships
Held by Independent
Director***
 
Jakki L. Haussler
c/o Perkins Coie LLP
Counsel to the Independent Directors
1155 Avenue of the Americas,
22nd Floor
New York, NY 10036
Birth Year: 1957
 

Director

 

Since January 2015

 

Director or Trustee of various Morgan Stanley Funds (since January 2015) Chairman, Opus Capital Group (1996); formerly, Chief Executive Officer, Opus Capital Group (1996-2019); Director, Capvest Venture Fund, LP (May 2000-December 2011); Partner, Adena Ventures, LP (July 1999-December 2010); Director, The Victory Funds (February 2005-July 2008).

 

80

 

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

 
Dr. Manuel H. Johnson
c/o Johnson Smick International, Inc.
220 I Street, NE — Suite 200
Washington, D.C. 20002
Birth Year: 1949
 

Director

 

Since July 1991

 

Senior Partner, Johnson Smick International, Inc. (consulting firm); Chairperson of the Fixed Income, Liquidity and Alternatives Investment Committee (January 2021), Chairperson of the Investment Committee (2006-2020) and Director or Trustee of various Morgan Stanley Funds (since July 1991); Co-Chairman and a founder of the Group of Seven Council (G7C) (international economic commission); formerly, Chairperson of the Audit Committee (July 1991-September 2006), Vice Chairman of the Board of Governors of the Federal Reserve System and Assistant Secretary of the U.S. Treasury.

 

79

 

Director of NVR, Inc. (home construction).

 


34



Morgan Stanley Institutional Fund, Inc.

Annual Report — December 31, 2020

Director and Officer Information (unaudited) (cont'd)

Independent Directors (cont'd):

Name, Address and Birth
Year of Independent Director
  Position(s)
Held with
Registrant
  Length of Time
Served*
  Principal Occupation(s) During Past 5 Years and Other
Relevant Professional Experience
  Number of
Funds
in Fund Complex
Overseen by
Independent
Director**
  Other Directorships
Held by Independent
Director***
 
Joseph J. Kearns
c/o Perkins Coie LLP
Counsel to the Independent Directors
1155 Avenue of the Americas,
22nd Floor
New York, NY 10036
Birth Year: 1942
 

Director

 

Since August 1994

 

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

 

80

 

Director, Rubicon Investment (since February 2019); Prior to August 2016, Director of Electro Rent Corporation (equipment leasing); Prior to December 31, 2013, Director of The Ford Family Foundation.

 
Michael F. Klein
c/o Perkins Coie LLP
Counsel to the Independent Directors
1155 Avenue of the Americas,
22nd Floor
New York, NY 10036
Birth Year: 1958
 

Director

 

Since August 2006

 

Chairperson of the Risk Committee (since January 2021); Managing Director, Aetos Alternatives Management, LP (since March 2000); Co-President, Aetos Alternatives Management, LP (since January 2004) and Co-Chief Executive Officer of Aetos Alternatives Management, LP (since August 2013); Chairperson of the fixed Income Sub-Committee of the Investment committee (2006-2020) and Director or Trustee of various Morgan Stanley Funds (since August 2006); formerly, Managing Director, Morgan Stanley & Co. Inc. and Morgan Stanley Dean Witter Investment Management and President, various Morgan Stanley Funds (June 1998-March 2000); Principal, Morgan Stanley & Co. Inc. and Morgan Stanley Dean Witter Investment Management (August 1997-December 1999).

 

79

 

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

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

Director

 

Since January 2017

 

Director or Trustee of various Morgan Stanley Funds (since January 2017); Managing Director, JPMorgan Asset Management (2004-2016); Oversight and Control Head of Fiduciary and Conflicts of Interest Program (2015-2016); Chief Control Officer-Global Asset Management (2013-2015); President, JPMorgan Funds (2010-2013); Chief Administrative Officer (2004-2013); various other positions including Treasurer and Board Liaison (since 2001).

 

80

 

None.

 
W. Allen Reed
c/o Perkins Coie LLP
Counsel to the Independent Directors
1155 Avenue of the Americas,
22nd Floor
New York, NY 10036
Birth Year: 1947
 

Chair of the Board and Director

 

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

 

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

 

79

 

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

 

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

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

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


35



Morgan Stanley Institutional Fund, Inc.

Annual Report — December 31, 2020

Director and Officer Information (unaudited) (cont'd)

Executive Officers:

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

Principal Occupation(s) During Past 5 Years

 
John H. Gernon
522 Fifth Avenue
New York, NY 10036
Birth Year: 1963
 

President and Principal Executive Officer

 

Since September 2013

 

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

 
Timothy J. Knierim
1633 Broadway
New York, NY 10019
Birth Year: 1959
 

Chief Compliance Officer

 

Since December 2016

 

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

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

Treasurer and Principal Financial Officer

 

Treasurer since July 2003 and Principal Financial Officer since September 2002

 

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

 
Mary E. Mullin
1633 Broadway
New York, NY 10019
Birth Year: 1967
 

Secretary

 

Since June 1999

 

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

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

Vice President

 

Since June 2017

 

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

 

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


36



Morgan Stanley Institutional Fund, Inc.

Annual Report — December 31, 2020

Adviser and Administrator

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

Distributor

Morgan Stanley Distribution, Inc.
522 Fifth Avenue
New York, New York 10036

Dividend Disbursing and Transfer Agent

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

Custodian

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

Legal Counsel

Dechert LLP
1095 Avenue of the Americas
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Boston, Massachusetts 02116

Reporting to Shareholders

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This report is authorized for distribution only when preceded or accompanied by a prospectus or summary prospectus of the applicable fund of Morgan Stanley Institutional Fund, Inc., which describes in detail the fund's investment policies, risks, fees and expenses. Please read the prospectus carefully before you invest or send money. For additional information, including information regarding the investments comprising the Fund, please visit our website at www.morganstanley.com/im/shareholderreports or call toll free 1 (800) 548-7786.


37



Printed in U.S.A.
This Report has been prepared for shareholders and may be distributed to others only if preceded or accompanied by a current prospectus.

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

© 2021 Morgan Stanley. Morgan Stanley Distribution, Inc.

IFIGCPTANN
3386875 EXP 02.28.22



INVESTMENT MANAGEMENT

Morgan Stanley Institutional Fund, Inc.

Developing Opportunity Portfolio

Annual Report

December 31, 2020



Morgan Stanley Institutional Fund, Inc.

Annual Report — December 31, 2020

Table of Contents

Shareholders' Letter

   

2

   

Expense Example

   

3

   

Investment Overview

   

4

   

Portfolio of Investments

   

6

   

Statement of Assets and Liabilities

   

7

   

Statement of Operations

   

8

   

Statement of Changes in Net Assets

   

9

   

Financial Highlights

   

10

   

Notes to Financial Statements

   

14

   

Report of Independent Registered Public Accounting Firm

   

20

   

Liquidity Risk Management Program

   

21

   

Privacy Notice

   

22

   

Director and Officer Information

   

25

   

This report is authorized for distribution only when preceded or accompanied by a prospectus or summary prospectus of the applicable Fund of Morgan Stanley Institutional Fund, Inc. To receive a prospectus and/or statement of additional information ("SAI"), which contains more complete information such as investment objectives, charges, expenses, policies for voting proxies, risk considerations and describes in detail each of the Fund's investment policies to the prospective investor, please call toll free 1 (800) 548-7786. Please read the prospectuses carefully before you invest or send money.

Additionally, you can access information about the Fund, including performance, characteristics and investment team commentary, through Morgan Stanley Investment Management's website: www.morganstanley.com/im/shareholderreports.

Market forecasts provided in this report may not necessarily come to pass. There is no guarantee that any sectors mentioned will continue to perform as discussed herein or that securities in such sectors will be held by the Fund in the future. There is no assurance that a fund will achieve its investment objective. Funds are subject to market risk, which is the possibility that market values of securities owned by the Fund will decline and, therefore, the value of the Fund's shares may be less than what you paid for them. Accordingly, you can lose money investing in this Fund. Please see the prospectus for more complete information on investment risks.


1



Morgan Stanley Institutional Fund, Inc.

Annual Report — December 31, 2020

Shareholders' Letter (unaudited)

Dear Shareholders,

We are pleased to provide this Annual Report, in which you will learn how your investment in Developing Opportunity Portfolio (the "Fund") performed during the period beginning February 14, 2020 (when the Fund commenced operations) and ended December 31, 2020.

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

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

Sincerely,

John H. Gernon
President and Principal Executive Officer

January 2021


2



Morgan Stanley Institutional Fund, Inc.

Annual Report — December 31, 2020

Expense Example (unaudited)

Developing Opportunity Portfolio

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

This example is based on an investment of $1,000 invested at the beginning of the six-month period ended December 31, 2020 and held for the entire six-month period.

Actual Expenses

The table below provides information about actual account values and actual expenses. You may use the information in this table, 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 table under the heading entitled "Actual Expenses Paid During Period" to estimate the expenses you paid on your account during this period.

Hypothetical Example for Comparison Purposes

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

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

    Beginning
Account
Value
7/1/20
  Actual Ending
Account
Value
12/31/20
  Hypothetical
Ending Account
Value
  Actual
Expenses
Paid
During
Period*
  Hypothetical
Expenses Paid
During Period*
  Net
Expense
Ratio
During
Period**
 

Developing Opportunity Portfolio Class I

 

$

1,000.00

   

$

1,366.60

   

$

1,019.41

   

$

6.78

   

$

5.79

     

1.14

%

 

Developing Opportunity Portfolio Class A

   

1,000.00

     

1,366.40

     

1,017.90

     

8.57

     

7.30

     

1.44

   

Developing Opportunity Portfolio Class C

   

1,000.00

     

1,359.80

     

1,013.88

     

13.29

     

11.34

     

2.24

   

Developing Opportunity Portfolio Class IS

   

1,000.00

     

1,366.30

     

1,019.66

     

6.48

     

5.53

     

1.09

   

*  Expenses are calculated using each Fund Class' annualized net expense ratio (as disclosed), multiplied by the average account value over the period and multiplied by 184/366 (to reflect the most recent one-half year period).

**  Annualized.


3



Morgan Stanley Institutional Fund, Inc.

Annual Report — December 31, 2020

Investment Overview (unaudited)

Developing Opportunity Portfolio

The Fund seeks long-term capital appreciation.

Performance

For the period from Fund inception on February 14, 2020 through December 31, 2020, the Fund's Class I shares had a total return based on net asset value and reinvestment of distributions per share of 45.00%, net of fees. The Fund's Class I shares outperformed the Fund's benchmark, the MSCI Emerging Markets Net Index (the "Index"), which returned 19.14%.

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

Factors Affecting Performance

•  Equity markets rebounded after the volatility seen in the first quarter of 2020, which had been driven by a broad sell-off due to concerns regarding COVID-19 and its potential impacts to global economic activity. The rebound was a result of a general market recovery from the COVID-19-related decline earlier in the year, as well as optimism following successful COVID-19 vaccine trials and rollouts in various countries. Uncertainty surrounding U.S.-China tensions, U.S. elections and Brexit negotiations also affected markets during the year.

•  Emerging market equities advanced by 19.14% for the period from fund inception through December 31, 2020, as measured by the Index. Our team remained focused on assessing company prospects over a longer-term period of three to five years, and owning a portfolio of high quality companies with diverse business drivers not tied to a particular market environment.

•  The team manages concentrated portfolios that are highly differentiated from the benchmark, with securities weighted on our assessment of the quality of the company and our conviction. Our longer-term focus results in lower turnover than many of our peers. The value added or detracted in any period of time will typically result from stock selection, given our philosophy and process. For the since inception period, the Fund outperformed the Index due to favorable stock selection and sector allocation.

•  Our stock selection in the consumer staples sector, along with stock selection and a sector overweight position in consumer discretionary, contributed the most to the Fund's relative performance.

•  The main detractors from relative performance were sector underweight positions in information technology, health care and materials.

Management Strategies

•  There were no changes to our bottom-up investment process during the period. The Fund seeks long-term capital appreciation by investing primarily in high quality companies located or operating in developing or emerging market countries, with capitalizations within the range of companies in the MSCI Emerging Markets Net Index. To help achieve its objective, the investment team typically favors companies it believes have sustainable competitive advantages that can be monetized through growth. The investment process integrates analysis of sustainability with respect to disruptive change, financial strength, environmental and social externalities and governance (also referred to as ESG).

•  At the close of the period, consumer discretionary represented the largest sector weight in the portfolio, followed by financials, consumer staples and communication services. Our bottom-up investment process resulted in sector overweight positions in consumer discretionary, consumer staples and communication services, and underweight positions in information technology, materials, energy, health care, industrials, real estate and utilities. The Fund had no holdings in energy, materials, utilities and real estate at the end of the reporting period.


4



Morgan Stanley Institutional Fund, Inc.

Annual Report — December 31, 2020

Investment Overview (unaudited) (cont'd)

Developing Opportunity Portfolio

*  Minimum Investment for Class I shares

**  Commenced Operations on February 14, 2020.

In accordance with SEC regulations, the Fund's performance shown assumes that all recurring fees (including management fees) were deducted and all dividends and distributions were reinvested. The performance of Class A, C and IS shares will vary from the performance of Class I shares and will be negatively impacted by additional fees assessed to those classes (if applicable).

Performance Compared to the MSCI Emerging Markets Net Index(1) and the Lipper Emerginng Markets Funds Index(2)

    Period Ended December 31, 2020
Total Returns(3)
 
    One
Year
  Five
Years
  Ten
Years
  Since
Inception(5)
 
Fund — Class I Shares
w/o sales charges(4)
   

     

     

     

45.00

%

 
Fund — Class A Shares
w/o sales charges(4)
   

     

     

     

44.70

   
Fund — Class A Shares
with maximum 5.25%
sales charges(4)
   

     

     

     

37.16

   
Fund — Class C Shares
w/o sales charges(4)
   

     

     

     

43.60

   
Fund — Class C Shares
with maximum 1.00% deferred
sales charges(4)
   

     

     

     

42.60

   
Fund — Class IS Shares
w/o sales charges(4)
   

     

     

     

45.10

   
MSCI Emerging Markets
Net Index
   

     

     

     

19.14

   
Lipper Emerging Markets
Funds Index
   

     

     

     

21.54

   

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. Performance assumes that all dividends and distributions, if any, were reinvested. For the most recent month-end performance figures, please visit www.morganstanley.com/im/shareholderreports. Investment return and principal value will fluctuate so that Fund shares, when redeemed, may be worth more or less than their original cost. Returns for periods less than one year are not annualized. Total returns do not reflect the deduction of taxes that a shareholder would pay on Fund distributions or the redemption of Fund shares. Performance of share classes will vary due to difference in sales charges and expenses.

(1)  The MSCI Emerging Markets Net Index is a free float-adjusted market capitalization weighted index that is designed to measure equity market performance of emerging markets. 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 MSCI Emerging Markets Net Index currently consists of 27 emerging market country indices. The performance of the Index is listed in U.S. dollars and assumes reinvestment of net dividends. Net total return indices reinvest dividends after the deduction of withholding taxes, using (for international indices) a tax rate applicable to non-resident institutional investors who do not benefit from double taxation treaties. The Index is unmanaged and its returns do not include any sales charges or fees. Such costs would lower performance. It is not possible to invest directly in an index.

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

(3)  Total returns for the Fund reflect fees waived and expenses reimbursed, if applicable, by the Adviser (as defined herein). Without such waivers and reimbursements, total returns would have been lower.

(4)  Commenced operations on February 14, 2020.

(5)  For comparative purposes, average annual since inception returns listed for the Indexes refer to the inception date of the Fund, not the inception of the Index.


5



Morgan Stanley Institutional Fund, Inc.

Annual Report — December 31, 2020

Portfolio of Investments

Developing Opportunity Portfolio

   

Shares

  Value
(000)
 

Common Stocks (89.4%)

 

Argentina (1.8%)

 

Globant SA (a)

   

21,083

   

$

4,588

   

Brazil (6.3%)

 

B3 SA — Brasil Bolsa Balcao

   

369,465

     

4,424

   

Magazine Luiza SA

   

2,379,255

     

11,409

   
     

15,833

   

China (44.5%)

 

Alibaba Group Holding Ltd. ADR (a)

   

40,904

     

9,520

   

China East Education Holdings Ltd. (b)

   

1,066,000

     

2,565

   

China Resources Beer Holdings Co., Ltd. (b)

   

558,000

     

5,131

   
Foshan Haitian Flavouring & Food Co., Ltd.,
Class A
   

402,668

     

12,364

   

Haidilao International Holding Ltd. (b)

   

526,000

     

4,056

   
Hangzhou Tigermed Consulting Co. Ltd.
H Shares (a)(b)
   

14,100

     

327

   

Huazhu Group Ltd. ADR

   

48,425

     

2,181

   

HUYA, Inc. ADR (a)

   

470,877

     

9,385

   

Kweichow Moutai Co., Ltd., Class A

   

27,789

     

8,492

   

Meituan Dianping, Class B (a)(b)

   

471,800

     

17,760

   

New Frontier Health Corp. (a)

   

7,725

     

66

   

Shenzhou International Group Holdings Ltd. (b)

   

323,500

     

6,340

   

TAL Education Group ADR (a)

   

170,858

     

12,218

   

Tencent Holdings Ltd. (b)

   

129,300

     

9,304

   

Trip.com Group Ltd. ADR (a)

   

247,252

     

8,340

   

Tsingtao Brewery Co., Ltd. H Shares (b)

   

412,000

     

4,317

   
     

112,366

   

Hong Kong (0.2%)

 

Alphamab Oncology (a)

   

241,000

     

505

   

India (16.2%)

 

HDFC Bank Ltd. (a)

   

759,247

     

14,955

   

ICICI Bank Ltd. ADR (a)

   

851,309

     

12,650

   

IndusInd Bank Ltd. (a)

   

527,600

     

6,474

   

Kotak Mahindra Bank Ltd. (a)

   

248,477

     

6,791

   
     

40,870

   

Korea, Republic of (4.3%)

 

NAVER Corp.

   

40,341

     

10,875

   

Mexico (0.7%)

 
Grupo Aeroportuario del Sureste SAB de CV,
Class B (a)
   

112,265

     

1,861

   

Taiwan (7.0%)

 

Nien Made Enterprise Co., Ltd.

   

162,000

     

1,884

   

Silergy Corp.

   

42,000

     

3,614

   
Taiwan Semiconductor
Manufacturing Co., Ltd. ADR
   

112,666

     

12,285

   
     

17,783

   

United States (8.4%)

 

EPAM Systems, Inc. (a)

   

23,046

     

8,258

   

MercadoLibre, Inc. (a)

   

7,763

     

13,005

   
     

21,263

   

Total Common Stocks (Cost $184,875)

   

225,944

   
   

Shares

  Value
(000)
 

Short-Term Investment (10.2%)

 

Investment Company (10.2%)

 
Morgan Stanley Institutional Liquidity
Funds — Treasury Securities Portfolio —
Institutional Class (See Note G)
(Cost $25,691)
   

25,691,251

   

$

25,691

   
Total Investments (99.6%)
(Cost $210,566) (c)(d)
   

251,635

   

Other Assets in Excess of Liabilities (0.4%)

   

917

   

Net Assets (100.0%)

 

$

252,552

   

Country assignments and aggregations are based generally on third party vendor classifications and information, and may be different from the assignments and aggregations under the policies set forth in the Fund's prospectus and/or statement of additional information relating to geographic classifications.

(a)  Non-income producing security.

(b)  Security trades on the Hong Kong exchange.

(c)  The approximate fair value and percentage of net assets, $131,587,000 and 52.1%, respectively, represent the securities that have been fair valued under the fair valuation policy for international investments as described in Note A-1 within the Notes to the Financial Statements.

(d)  At December 31, 2020, the aggregate cost for federal income tax purposes is approximately $211,985,000. The aggregate gross unrealized appreciation is approximately $42,917,000 and the aggregate gross unrealized depreciation is approximately $3,267,000, resulting in net unrealized appreciation of approximately $39,650,000.

ADR  American Depositary Receipt.

Portfolio Composition

Classification

  Percentage of
Total Investments
 

Other*

   

21.8

%

 

Internet & Direct Marketing Retail

   

19.3

   

Banks

   

16.3

   

Short-Term Investments

   

10.2

   

Interactive Media & Services

   

8.0

   

Beverages

   

7.1

   

Semiconductors & Semiconductor Equipment

   

6.3

   

Diversified Consumer Services

   

5.9

   

Information Technology Services

   

5.1

   

Total Investments

   

100.0

%

 

*  Industries and/or investment types representing less than 5% of total investments.

The accompanying notes are an integral part of the financial statements.
6



Morgan Stanley Institutional Fund, Inc.

Annual Report — December 31, 2020

Developing Opportunity Portfolio

Statement of Assets and Liabilities

  December 31, 2020
(000)
 

Assets:

 

Investments in Securities of Unaffiliated Issuers, at Value (Cost $184,875)

 

$

225,944

   

Investment in Security of Affiliated Issuer, at Value (Cost $25,691)

   

25,691

   

Total Investments in Securities, at Value (Cost $210,566)

   

251,635

   

Foreign Currency, at Value (Cost —@)

   

@

 

Receivable for Fund Shares Sold

   

2,390

   

Receivable for Investments Sold

   

1,676

   

Dividends Receivable

   

49

   

Prepaid Offering Costs

   

16

   

Receivable from Affiliate

   

@

 

Other Assets

   

66

   

Total Assets

   

255,832

   

Liabilities:

 

Payable for Investments Purchased

   

1,565

   

Deferred Capital Gain Country Tax

   

1,112

   

Payable for Advisory Fees

   

397

   

Payable for Offering Costs

   

103

   

Payable for Professional Fees

   

24

   

Payable for Custodian Fees

   

18

   

Payable for Administration Fees

   

16

   

Payable for Sub Transfer Agency Fees — Class I

   

13

   

Payable for Sub Transfer Agency Fees — Class A

   

1

   

Payable for Sub Transfer Agency Fees — Class C

   

@

 

Payable for Fund Shares Redeemed

   

11

   

Payable for Shareholder Services Fees — Class A

   

2

   

Payable for Distribution and Shareholder Services Fees — Class C

   

5

   

Payable for Transfer Agency Fees — Class I

   

1

   

Payable for Transfer Agency Fees — Class A

   

@

 

Payable for Transfer Agency Fees — Class C

   

@

 

Payable for Transfer Agency Fees — Class IS

   

@

 

Other Liabilities

   

12

   

Total Liabilities

   

3,280

   

Net Assets

 

$

252,552

   

Net Assets Consist of:

 

Paid-in-Capital

 

$

214,099

   

Total Distributable Earnings

   

38,453

   

Net Assets

 

$

252,552

   

CLASS I:

 

Net Assets

 

$

234,923

   
Shares Outstanding $0.001 par value shares of beneficial interest (unlimited shares authorized) (not in 000's)    

16,201,248

   

Net Asset Value, Offering and Redemption Price Per Share

 

$

14.50

   

CLASS A:

 

Net Assets

 

$

11,721

   
Shares Outstanding $0.001 par value shares of beneficial interest (unlimited shares authorized) (not in 000's)    

810,275

   

Net Asset Value, Redemption Price Per Share

 

$

14.47

   

Maximum Sales Load

   

5.25

%

 

Maximum Sales Charge

 

$

0.80

   

Maximum Offering Price Per Share

 

$

15.27

   

CLASS C:

 

Net Assets

 

$

5,893

   
Shares Outstanding $0.001 par value shares of beneficial interest (unlimited shares authorized) (not in 000's)    

410,428

   

Net Asset Value, Offering and Redemption Price Per Share

 

$

14.36

   

CLASS IS:

 

Net Assets

 

$

15

   
Shares Outstanding $0.001 par value shares of beneficial interest (unlimited shares authorized) (not in 000's)    

1,000

   

Net Asset Value, Offering and Redemption Price Per Share

 

$

14.51

   

@  Amount is less than $500.

The accompanying notes are an integral part of the financial statements.
7



Morgan Stanley Institutional Fund, Inc.

Annual Report — December 31, 2020

Developing Opportunity Portfolio

Statement of Operations

  Period from
February 14, 2020^ to
December 31, 2020
(000)
 

Investment Income:

 

Dividends from Securities of Unaffiliated Issuers (Net of $27 of Foreign Taxes Withheld)

 

$

192

   

Dividends from Security of Affiliated Issuer (Note G)

   

3

   

Total Investment Income

   

195

   

Expenses:

 

Advisory Fees (Note B)

   

666

   

Offering Costs

   

112

   

Professional Fees

   

87

   

Administration Fees (Note C)

   

59

   

Custodian Fees (Note F)

   

39

   

Sub Transfer Agency Fees — Class I

   

32

   

Sub Transfer Agency Fees — Class A

   

2

   

Sub Transfer Agency Fees — Class C

   

1

   

Shareholder Services Fees — Class A (Note D)

   

8

   

Distribution and Shareholder Services Fees — Class C (Note D)

   

16

   

Shareholder Reporting Fees

   

18

   

Registration Fees

   

17

   

Transfer Agency Fees — Class I (Note E)

   

2

   

Transfer Agency Fees — Class A (Note E)

   

2

   

Transfer Agency Fees — Class C (Note E)

   

2

   

Transfer Agency Fees — Class IS (Note E)

   

2

   

Directors' Fees and Expenses

   

1

   

Pricing Fees

   

1

   

Other Expenses

   

11

   

Total Expenses

   

1,078

   

Waiver of Advisory Fees (Note B)

   

(196

)

 

Rebate from Morgan Stanley Affiliate (Note G)

   

(10

)

 

Reimbursement of Class Specific Expenses — Class C (Note B)

   

(—

@)

 

Reimbursement of Class Specific Expenses — Class IS (Note B)

   

(2

)

 

Net Expenses

   

870

   

Net Investment Loss

   

(675

)

 

Realized Loss:

 

Investments Sold (Net of $—@ of Capital Gain Country Tax)

   

(877

)

 

Foreign Currency Translation

   

(68

)

 

Net Realized Loss

   

(945

)

 

Change in Unrealized Appreciation (Depreciation):

 

Investments (Net of Increase in Deferred Capital Gain Country Tax of $1,112)

   

39,957

   

Foreign Currency Translation

   

(—

@)

 

Net Change in Unrealized Appreciation (Depreciation)

   

39,957

   

Net Realized Loss and Change in Unrealized Appreciation (Depreciation)

   

39,012

   

Net Increase in Net Assets Resulting from Operations

 

$

38,337

   

^  Commencement of Operations.

@  Amount is less than $500.

The accompanying notes are an integral part of the financial statements.
8



Morgan Stanley Institutional Fund, Inc.

Annual Report — December 31, 2020

Developing Opportunity Portfolio

Statement of Changes in Net Assets

  Period from
February 14, 2020^ to
December 31, 2020
(000)
 

Increase (Decrease) in Net Assets:

 

Operations:

 

Net Investment Loss

 

$

(675

)

 

Net Realized Loss

   

(945

)

 

Net Change in Unrealized Appreciation (Depreciation)

   

39,957

   

Net Increase in Net Assets Resulting from Operations

   

38,337

   

Capital Share Transactions:(1)

 

Class I:

 

Subscribed

   

203,978

   

Redeemed

   

(4,898

)

 

Class A:

 

Subscribed

   

11,456

   

Redeemed

   

(1,392

)

 

Class C:

 

Subscribed

   

5,215

   

Redeemed

   

(173

)

 

Class IS:

 

Subscribed

   

10

   

Net Increase in Net Assets Resulting from Capital Share Transactions

   

214,196

   

Redemption Fees

   

19

   

Total Increase in Net Assets

   

252,552

   

Net Assets:

 

Beginning of Period

   

   

End of Period

 

$

252,552

   

(1)   Capital Share Transactions:

 

Class I:

 

Shares Subscribed

   

16,607

   

Shares Redeemed

   

(406

)

 

Net Increase in Class I Shares Outstanding

   

16,201

   

Class A:

 

Shares Subscribed

   

922

   

Shares Redeemed

   

(112

)

 

Net Increase in Class A Shares Outstanding

   

810

   

Class C:

 

Shares Subscribed

   

426

   

Shares Redeemed

   

(16

)

 

Net Increase in Class C Shares Outstanding

   

410

   

Class IS:

 

Shares Subscribed

   

1

   

^  Commencement of Operations.

The accompanying notes are an integral part of the financial statements.
9



Morgan Stanley Institutional Fund, Inc.

Annual Report — December 31, 2020

Financial Highlights

Developing Opportunity Portfolio

   

Class I

 

Selected Per Share Data and Ratios

  Period from
February 14, 2020(1) to
December 31, 2020
 

Net Asset Value, Beginning of Period

 

$

10.00

   

Income (Loss) from Investment Operations:

 

Net Investment Loss(2)

   

(0.10

)

 

Net Realized and Unrealized Gain

   

4.60

   

Total from Investment Operations

   

4.50

   

Redemption Fees

   

0.00

(3)

 

Net Asset Value, End of Period

 

$

14.50

   

Total Return(4)

   

45.00

%(6)

 

Ratios to Average Net Assets and Supplemental Data:

 

Net Assets, End of Period (Thousands)

 

$

234,923

   

Ratio of Expenses Before Expense Limitation

   

1.41

%(7)

 

Ratio of Expenses After Expense Limitation

   

1.14

%(5)(7)

 

Ratio of Net Investment Loss

   

(0.87

)%(5)(7)

 

Ratio of Rebate from Morgan Stanley Affiliates

   

0.01

%(7)

 

Portfolio Turnover Rate

   

18

%(6)

 

(1)  Commencement of Operations.

(2)  Per share amount is based on average shares outstanding.

(3)  Amount is less than $0.005 per share.

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

(5)  The Ratio of Expenses After Expense Limitation and Ratio of Net Investment Loss reflect the rebate of certain Fund expenses in connection with the investments in Morgan Stanley affiliates during the period. The effect of the rebate on the ratios is disclosed in the above table as "Ratio of Rebate from Morgan Stanley Affiliates."

(6)  Not annualized.

(7)  Annualized.

The accompanying notes are an integral part of the financial statements.
10



Morgan Stanley Institutional Fund, Inc.

Annual Report — December 31, 2020

Financial Highlights

Developing Opportunity Portfolio

   

Class A

 

Selected Per Share Data and Ratios

  Period from
February 14, 2020(1) to
December 31, 2020
 

Net Asset Value, Beginning of Period

 

$

10.00

   

Income (Loss) from Investment Operations:

 

Net Investment Loss(2)

   

(0.13

)

 

Net Realized and Unrealized Gain

   

4.60

   

Total from Investment Operations

   

4.47

   

Redemption Fees

   

0.00

(3)

 

Net Asset Value, End of Period

 

$

14.47

   

Total Return(4)

   

44.70

%(6)

 

Ratios to Average Net Assets and Supplemental Data:

 

Net Assets, End of Period (Thousands)

 

$

11,721

   

Ratio of Expenses Before Expense Limitation

   

1.72

%(7)

 

Ratio of Expenses After Expense Limitation

   

1.44

%(5)(7)

 

Ratio of Net Investment Loss

   

(1.17

)%(5)(7)

 

Ratio of Rebate from Morgan Stanley Affiliates

   

0.01

%(7)

 

Portfolio Turnover Rate

   

18

%(6)

 

(1)  Commencement of Operations.

(2)  Per share amount is based on average shares outstanding.

(3)  Amount is less than $0.005 per share.

(4)  Calculated based on the net asset value which does not reflect sales charges, if applicable, as of the last business day of the period.

(5)  The Ratio of Expenses After Expense Limitation and Ratio of Net Investment Loss reflect the rebate of certain Fund expenses in connection with the investments in Morgan Stanley affiliates during the period. The effect of the rebate on the ratios is disclosed in the above table as "Ratio of Rebate from Morgan Stanley Affiliates."

(6)  Not annualized.

(7)  Annualized.

The accompanying notes are an integral part of the financial statements.
11



Morgan Stanley Institutional Fund, Inc.

Annual Report — December 31, 2020

Financial Highlights

Developing Opportunity Portfolio

   

Class C

 

Selected Per Share Data and Ratios

  Period from
February 14, 2020(1) to
December 31, 2020
 

Net Asset Value, Beginning of Period

 

$

10.00

   

Income (Loss) from Investment Operations:

 

Net Investment Loss(2)

   

(0.22

)

 

Net Realized and Unrealized Gain

   

4.58

   

Total from Investment Operations

   

4.36

   

Redemption Fees

   

0.00

(3)

 

Net Asset Value, End of Period

 

$

14.36

   

Total Return(4)

   

43.60

%(6)

 

Ratios to Average Net Assets and Supplemental Data:

 

Net Assets, End of Period (Thousands)

 

$

5,893

   

Ratio of Expenses Before Expense Limitation

   

2.53

%(7)

 

Ratio of Expenses After Expense Limitation

   

2.24

%(5)(7)

 

Ratio of Net Investment Loss

   

(1.97

)%(5)(7)

 

Ratio of Rebate from Morgan Stanley Affiliates

   

0.01

%(7)

 

Portfolio Turnover Rate

   

18

%(6)

 

(1)  Commencement of Operations.

(2)  Per share amount is based on average shares outstanding.

(3)  Amount is less than $0.005 per share.

(4)  Calculated based on the net asset value which does not reflect sales charges, if applicable, as of the last business day of the period.

(5)  The Ratio of Expenses After Expense Limitation and Ratio of Net Investment Loss reflect the rebate of certain Fund expenses in connection with the investments in Morgan Stanley affiliates during the period. The effect of the rebate on the ratios is disclosed in the above table as "Ratio of Rebate from Morgan Stanley Affiliates."

(6)  Not annualized.

(7)  Annualized.

The accompanying notes are an integral part of the financial statements.
12



Morgan Stanley Institutional Fund, Inc.

Annual Report — December 31, 2020

Financial Highlights

Developing Opportunity Portfolio

   

Class IS

 

Selected Per Share Data and Ratios

  Period from
February 14, 2020(1) to
December 31, 2020
 

Net Asset Value, Beginning of Period

 

$

10.00

   

Income (Loss) from Investment Operations:

 

Net Investment Loss(2)

   

(0.07

)

 

Net Realized and Unrealized Gain

   

4.58

   

Total from Investment Operations

   

4.51

   

Redemption Fees

   

0.00

(3)

 

Net Asset Value, End of Period

 

$

14.51

   

Total Return(4)

   

45.10

%(6)

 

Ratios to Average Net Assets and Supplemental Data:

 

Net Assets, End of Period (Thousands)

 

$

15

   

Ratio of Expenses Before Expense Limitation

   

17.67

%(7)

 

Ratio of Expenses After Expense Limitation

   

1.09

%(5)(7)

 

Ratio of Net Investment Loss

   

(0.67

)%(5)(7)

 

Ratio of Rebate from Morgan Stanley Affiliates

   

0.01

%(7)

 

Portfolio Turnover Rate

   

18

%(6)

 

(1)  Commencement of Operations.

(2)  Per share amount is based on average shares outstanding.

(3)  Amount is less than $0.005 per share.

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

(5)  The Ratio of Expenses After Expense Limitation and Ratio of Net Investment Loss reflect the rebate of certain Fund expenses in connection with the investments in Morgan Stanley affiliates during the period. The effect of the rebate on the ratios is disclosed in the above table as "Ratio of Rebate from Morgan Stanley Affiliates."

(6)  Not annualized.

(7)  Annualized.

The accompanying notes are an integral part of the financial statements.
13



Morgan Stanley Institutional Fund, Inc.

Annual Report — December 31, 2020

Notes to Financial Statements

Morgan Stanley Institutional Fund, Inc. (the "Company") is registered under the Investment Company Act of 1940, as amended (the "Act"), as an open-end management investment company. The Company is comprised of thirty-one separate, active, diversified and non-diversified funds (individually referred to as a "Fund," collectively as the "Funds"). The Company applies investment company accounting and reporting guidance.

The accompanying financial statements relate to the Developing Opportunity Portfolio. The Fund seeks long-term capital appreciation.

The Fund commenced operations on February 14, 2020 and offers four classes of shares — Class I, Class A, Class C and Class IS.

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

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

mean between the last reported bid and asked prices if such bid and asked prices are available on the relevant markets. An unlisted equity security that does not trade on the valuation date and for which bid and asked prices from the relevant markets are unavailable is valued at the mean between the current bid and asked prices obtained from one or more reputable brokers or dealers; (3) certain portfolio securities may be valued by an outside pricing service/vendor approved by the Company's Board of Directors (the "Directors"). The pricing service/vendor may employ a pricing model that takes into account, among other things, bids, yield spreads and/or other market data and specific security characteristics. Alternatively, if a valuation is not available from an outside pricing service/vendor, and the security trades on an exchange, the security may be valued at its latest reported sale price (or at the exchange official closing price if such exchange reports an official closing price), prior to the time when assets are valued. If there are no sales on a given day and if there is no official exchange closing price for that day, the security is valued at the mean between the last reported bid and asked prices if such bid and asked prices are available in the relevant exchanges. If only bid prices are available then the latest bid price may be used. If Morgan Stanley Investment Management Inc. (the "Adviser"), a wholly-owned subsidiary of Morgan Stanley, determines that the price provided by the outside pricing service/vendor or exchange does not reflect the security's fair value or is unable to provide a price, prices from brokers or dealers may also be utilized. In these circumstances, the value of the security will be the mean of bid and asked prices obtained from brokers or dealers; (4) when market quotations are not readily available, including circumstances under which the Adviser 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 Directors. 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 of the New York Stock Exchange ("NYSE"). If developments occur during such periods that are expected to materially affect the value of such securities, such valuations may be adjusted to reflect the estimated fair value of


14



Morgan Stanley Institutional Fund, Inc.

Annual Report — December 31, 2020

Notes to Financial Statements (cont'd)

such securities as of the close of the NYSE, as determined in good faith by the Directors or by the Adviser using a pricing service and/or procedures approved by the Directors; (5) quotations of foreign portfolio securities, other assets and liabilities and forward contracts stated in foreign currency are translated into U.S. dollar equivalents at the prevailing market rates prior to the close of the NYSE; and (6) investments in mutual funds, including the Morgan Stanley Institutional Liquidity Funds, are valued at the net asset value ("NAV") as of the close of each business day.

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

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

investments. The inputs are summarized in the three broad levels listed below:

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

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

•  Level 3 – significant unobservable inputs including the Fund's own assumptions in determining the fair value of investments. Factors considered in making this determination may include, but are not limited to, information obtained by contacting the issuer, analysts, or the appropriate stock exchange (for exchange-traded securities), analysis of the issuer's financial statements or other available documents and, if necessary, available information concerning other securities in similar circumstances.

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

The following is a summary of the inputs used to value the Fund's investments as of December 31, 2020:

Investment Type

  Level 1
Unadjusted
quoted
prices
(000)
  Level 2
Other
significant
observable
inputs
(000)
  Level 3
Significant
unobservable
inputs
(000)
  Total
(000)
 

Assets:

 

Common Stocks

 

Banks

 

$

12,650

   

$

28,220

   

$

   

$

40,870

   

Beverages

   

     

17,940

     

     

17,940

   

Biotechnology

   

     

505

     

     

505

   

Capital Markets

   

     

4,424

     

     

4,424

   
Diversified Consumer
Services
   

12,218

     

2,565

     

     

14,783

   

Entertainment

   

9,385

     

     

     

9,385

   

Food Products

   

     

12,364

     

     

12,364

   
Health Care Providers &
Services
   

66

     

     

     

66

   
Hotels, Restaurants &
Leisure
   

2,181

     

4,056

     

     

6,237

   

Household Durables

   

     

1,884

     

     

1,884

   
Information Technology
Services
   

12,846

     

     

     

12,846

   


15



Morgan Stanley Institutional Fund, Inc.

Annual Report — December 31, 2020

Notes to Financial Statements (cont'd)

Investment Type

  Level 1
Unadjusted
quoted
prices
(000)
  Level 2
Other
significant
observable
inputs
(000)
  Level 3
Significant
unobservable
inputs
(000)
  Total
(000)
 

Common Stocks (cont'd)

 
Interactive Media &
Services
 

$

   

$

20,179

   

$

   

$

20,179

   
Internet & Direct
Marketing Retail
   

30,865

     

17,760

     

     

48,625

   
Life Sciences Tools &
Services
   

     

327

     

     

327

   

Multi-Line Retail

   

     

11,409

     

     

11,409

   
Semiconductors &
Semiconductor
Equipment
   

12,285

     

3,614

     

     

15,899

   
Textiles, Apparel &
Luxury Goods
   

     

6,340

     

     

6,340

   
Transportation
Infrastructure
   

1,861

     

     

     

1,861

   

Total Common Stocks

   

94,357

     

131,587

     

     

225,944

   

Short-Term Investment

 

Investment Company

   

25,691

     

     

     

25,691

   

Total Assets

 

$

120,048

   

$

131,587

   

$

   

$

251,635

   

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

3.  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.

Net realized gains (losses) on foreign currency transactions represent net foreign exchange gains (losses) from foreign currency forward exchange contracts, disposition of foreign currencies, currency gains (losses) realized between the trade and settlement dates on securities transactions, and the difference between the amount of investment income and foreign withholding taxes recorded on the Fund's books and the U.S. dollar equivalent amounts actually received or paid. The change in unrealized currency gains (losses) on foreign currency transactions for the period is reflected in the Statement of Operations.

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.

Governmental approval for foreign investments may be required in advance of making an investment under certain circumstances in some countries, and the extent of foreign investments in domestic companies may be subject to limitation in other countries. Foreign ownership limitations also may be imposed by the charters of individual companies to prevent, among other concerns, violations of foreign investment limitations. As a result, an additional class of shares (identified as "Foreign" in the Portfolio of Investments) may be created and offered for investment. The "local" and "foreign shares" market values may differ. In the absence of trading of the foreign shares in such markets, the Fund values the foreign shares at the closing exchange price of the local shares.

4.  Redemption Fees: The Fund will assess a 2% redemption fee on Class I shares, Class A shares, Class C shares and Class IS shares, which is paid directly to the Fund, for shares redeemed or exchanged within thirty days of purchase, subject to certain exceptions. The redemption fee is


16



Morgan Stanley Institutional Fund, Inc.

Annual Report — December 31, 2020

Notes to Financial Statements (cont'd)

designed to protect the Fund and its remaining shareholders from the effects of short-term trading. These fees, if any, are included in the Statement of Changes in Net Assets.

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

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

7.  Security Transactions, Income and Expenses: Security transactions are accounted for on the trade date (date the order to buy or sell is executed). Realized gains and losses on the sale of investment securities are determined on the specific identified cost method. Dividend income and other distributions are recorded on the ex-dividend date (except for certain foreign dividends which may be recorded as soon as the Fund is informed of such dividends) net of applicable withholding taxes. Interest income is recognized on the accrual basis except where collection is in doubt. Discounts are accreted and premiums are amortized over the life of the respective securities. Most expenses of the Company can be directly attributed to a particular Fund. Expenses which cannot be directly attributed are apportioned among the Funds based upon relative net assets or other appropriate methods. Income, expenses (other than class specific expenses — distribution and shareholder services, transfer agency and sub transfer agency fees) and realized and unrealized gains or losses are allocated to each class of shares based upon their relative net assets.

B. Advisory Fees: The Adviser, a wholly-owned subsidiary of Morgan Stanley, provides the Fund with advisory services under the terms of an Investment Advisory Agreement, paid quarterly, at the annual rate based on the daily net assets as follows:

First $1
billion
  Over $1
billion
 
  0.90

%

   

0.85

%

 

For the period ended December 31, 2020, the advisory fee rate (net of waiver/rebate) was equivalent to an annual effective rate of 0.62% of the Fund's average daily net assets.

The Adviser has agreed to reduce its advisory fee and/or reimburse the Fund so that total annual Fund operating expenses, excluding certain investment related expenses, taxes, interest and other extraordinary expenses (including litigation), will not exceed 1.15% for Class I shares, 1.50% for Class A shares, 2.25% for Class C shares and 1.10% for Class IS shares. The fee waivers and/or expense reimbursements will continue for at least one year from the date of the Fund's prospectus or until such time as the Directors act to discontinue all or a portion of such waivers and/or reimbursements when they deem such action is appropriate. For the period ended December 31, 2020, approximately $196,000 of advisory fees were waived and approximately $2,000 of other expenses were reimbursed by the Adviser pursuant to this arrangement.

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

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

D. Distribution and Shareholder Services Fees: Morgan Stanley Distribution, Inc. ("MSDI" or the "Distributor"), a wholly-owned subsidiary of the Adviser and an indirect subsidiary of Morgan Stanley, serves as the Company's Distributor of Fund shares pursuant to a Distribution Agreement. The Company has adopted a Shareholder Services Plan with respect to Class A shares pursuant to Rule 12b-1 under the Act. Under the Shareholder Services Plan, the Fund pays the Distributor a shareholder services fee, accrued daily and paid monthly, at an annual rate of 0.25% of the Fund's average daily net assets attributable to Class A shares.

The Company has adopted a Distribution and Shareholder Services Plan with respect to Class C shares pursuant to Rule 12b-1 under the Act. Under the Distribution and Shareholder Services Plan, the Fund pays the Distributor a distribution fee, accrued daily and paid monthly, at an annual rate of 0.75% and a shareholder services fee, accrued daily and paid


17



Morgan Stanley Institutional Fund, Inc.

Annual Report — December 31, 2020

Notes to Financial Statements (cont'd)

monthly, at an annual rate of 0.25% of the Fund's average daily net assets attributable to Class C shares.

The distribution and shareholder services fees are used to support the expenses associated with servicing and maintaining accounts. The Distributor may compensate other parties for providing shareholder support services to investors who purchase Class A and Class C shares.

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

F. Custodian Fees: State Street (the "Custodian") also serves as Custodian for the Company in accordance with a Custodian Agreement. The Custodian holds cash, securities and other assets of the Company as required by the Act. Custody fees are payable monthly based on assets held in custody, investment purchases and sales activity and account maintenance fees, plus reimbursement for certain out-of-pocket expenses.

G. Security Transactions and Transactions with Affiliates: For the period ended December 31, 2020, purchases and sales of investment securities for the Fund, other than long-term U.S. Government securities and short-term investments were approximately $200,667,000 and $14,915,000, respectively. There were no purchases and sales of long-term U.S. Government securities for the period ended December 31, 2020.

The Fund invests in the Institutional Class of the Morgan Stanley Institutional Liquidity Funds — Treasury Securities Portfolio (the "Liquidity Funds"), an open-end management investment company managed by the Adviser. Advisory fees paid by the Fund are reduced by an amount equal to its pro-rata share of the advisory and administration fees paid by the Liquidity Funds. For the period ended December 31, 2020, advisory fees paid were reduced by approximately $10,000 relating to the Fund's investment in the Liquidity Funds.

A summary of the Fund's transactions in shares of affiliated investments during the period ended December 31, 2020 is as follows:

Affiliated
Investment
Company
  Value
February 14,
2020
(000)
  Purchases
at Cost
(000)
  Proceeds
from Sales
(000)
  Dividend
Income
(000)
 

Liquidity Funds

 

$

   

$

145,129

   

$

119,438

   

$

3

   
Affiliated
Investment
Company (cont'd)
  Realized
Gain (Loss)
(000)
  Change in
Unrealized
Appreciation
(Depreciation)
(000)
  Value
December 31,
2020
(000)
 

Liquidity Funds

 

$

   

$

   

$

25,691

   

The Fund is permitted to purchase and sell securities ("cross-trade") from and to other Morgan Stanley funds as well as other funds and client accounts for which the Adviser or an affiliate of the Adviser serves as investment adviser, pursuant to procedures approved by the Directors in compliance with Rule 17a-7 under the Act (the "Rule"). Each cross-trade is executed at the current market price in compliance with provisions of the Rule. For the period ended December 31, 2020, the Fund did not engage in any cross-trade transactions.

The Fund has an unfunded Deferred Compensation Plan (the "Compensation Plan"), which allows each independent Director to defer payment of all, or a portion, of the fees he or she receives for serving on the Board of Directors. Each eligible Director generally may elect to have the deferred amounts credited with a return equal to the total return on one or more of the Morgan Stanley funds that are offered as investment options under the Compensation Plan. Appreciation/depreciation and distributions received from these investments are recorded with an offsetting increase/decrease in the deferred compensation obligation and do not affect the NAV of the Fund.

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

The Fund may be subject to taxes imposed by countries in which it invests. Such taxes are generally based on income and/or capital gains earned or repatriated. Taxes are accrued


18



Morgan Stanley Institutional Fund, Inc.

Annual Report — December 31, 2020

Notes to Financial Statements (cont'd)

based on net investment income, net realized gains and net unrealized appreciation as such income and/or gains are earned. Taxes may also be based on transactions in foreign currency and are accrued based on the value of investments denominated in such currency.

FASB ASC 740-10, "Income Taxes — Overall", sets forth a minimum threshold for financial statement recognition of the benefit of a tax position taken or expected to be taken in a tax return. Management has concluded there are no significant uncertain tax positions that would require recognition in the financial statements. If applicable, the Fund recognizes interest accrued related to unrecognized tax benefits in "Interest Expense" and penalties in "Other Expenses" in the Statement of Operations. The Fund files tax returns with the U.S. Internal Revenue Service, New York and various states. The tax year ended December 31, 2020 remains subject to examination by taxing authorities.

The tax character of distributions paid may differ from the character of distributions shown for GAAP purposes due to short-term capital gains being treated as ordinary income for tax purposes. There were no distributions paid during fiscal year 2020.

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

Permanent differences, primarily due to a net operating loss, resulted in the following reclassifications among the components of net assets at December 31, 2020:

Total
Distributable
Earnings
(000)
  Paid-in
Capital
(000)
 
$

116

   

$

(116

)

 

At December 31, 2020, the Fund had no distributable earnings on a tax basis.

I. Credit Facility: The Company and other Morgan Stanley funds participated in a $300,000,000 committed, unsecured revolving line of credit facility (the "Facility") with State Street. This Facility is to be used for temporary emergency purposes or funding of shareholder redemption requests. The interest rate on borrowings is based on the federal funds rate or 1 month LIBOR rate plus a spread. The Facility also has a commitment fee of 0.25% per annum based on the unused portion of the Facility. During the period ended December 31, 2020, the Fund did not have any borrowings under the Facility.

J. Other: At December 31, 2020, the Fund had record owners of 10% or greater. Investment activities of these shareholders could have a material impact on the Fund. The aggregate percentage of such owners was 72.6%.

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


19



Morgan Stanley Institutional Fund, Inc.

Annual Report — December 31, 2020

Report of Independent Registered Public Accounting Firm

To the Shareholders and Board of Directors of
Morgan Stanley Institutional Fund, Inc. —
Developing Opportunity Portfolio

Opinion on the Financial Statements

We have audited the accompanying statement of assets and liabilities of Developing Opportunity Portfolio (the "Fund") (one of the funds constituting Morgan Stanley Institutional Fund, Inc. (the "Company")), including the portfolio of investments, as of December 31, 2020, and the related statements of operations and changes in net assets and the financial highlights for the period from February 14, 2020 (commencement of operations) through December 31, 2020 and the related notes (collectively referred to as the "financial statements"). In our opinion, the financial statements present fairly, in all material respects, the financial position of Developing Opportunity Portfolio (one of the funds constituting Morgan Stanley Institutional Fund, Inc.) at December 31, 2020, and the results of its operations, the changes in its net assets and its financial highlights for the period from February 14, 2020 (commencement of operations) through December 31, 2020, in conformity with U.S. generally accepted accounting principles.

Basis for Opinion

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

We conducted our audit in accordance with the standards of the PCAOB. Those standards require that we plan and perform the audit to obtain reasonable assurance about whether the financial statements are free of material misstatement, whether due to error or fraud. The Company is not required to have, nor were we engaged to perform, an audit of the Company's internal control over financial reporting. As part of our audit, we are required to obtain an understanding of internal control over financial reporting, but not for the purpose of expressing an opinion on the effectiveness of the Company's internal control over financial reporting. Accordingly, we express no such opinion.

Our audit included performing procedures to assess the risks of material misstatement of the financial statements, whether due to error or fraud, and performing procedures that respond to those risks. Such procedures included examining, on a test basis, evidence regarding the amounts and disclosures in the financial statements. Our procedures included confirmation of securities owned as of December 31, 2020 by correspondence with the custodian and others or by other appropriate auditing procedures where replies from others were not received. Our audit also included evaluating the accounting principles used and significant estimates made by management, as well as evaluating the overall presentation of the financial statements. We believe that our audit provides a reasonable basis for our opinion.

We have served as the auditor of one or more Morgan Stanley investment companies since 2000.
Boston, Massachusetts
February 26, 2021


20



Morgan Stanley Institutional Fund, Inc.

Annual Report — December 31, 2020

Liquidity Risk Management Program (unaudited)

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

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

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

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

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

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


21



Morgan Stanley Institutional Fund, Inc.

Annual Report — December 31, 2020

Privacy Notice (unaudited)  April 2019

FACTS

 

WHAT DOES MSIM DO WITH YOUR PERSONAL INFORMATION?

 

Why?

 

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

 

What?

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

How?

 

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

 

 

Reasons we can share your personal information

 

Does MSIM share?

 

Can you limit this sharing?

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

Yes

 

No

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

Yes

 

No

 

For joint marketing with other financial companies

 

No

 

We don't share

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

Yes

 

No

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

No

 

We don't share

 

For our affiliates to market to you

 

No

 

We don't share

 

For non-affiliates to market to you

 

No

 

We don't share

 

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


22



Morgan Stanley Institutional Fund, Inc.

Annual Report — December 31, 2020

Privacy Notice (unaudited) (cont'd)  April 2019

Who we are

Who is providing this notice?

 

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

 

What we do

How does MSIM protect my personal information?

 

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

 

How does MSIM collect my personal information?

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

Why can't I limit all sharing?

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

Definitions

Affiliates

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

Non-affiliates

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

Joint marketing

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


23



Morgan Stanley Institutional Fund, Inc.

Annual Report — December 31, 2020

Privacy Notice (unaudited) (cont'd)  April 2019

Other Important Information

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

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


24



Morgan Stanley Institutional Fund, Inc.

Annual Report — December 31, 2020

Director and Officer Information (unaudited)

Independent Directors:

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

Director

 

Since August 2006

 

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

 

79

 

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

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

Director

 

Since August 2006

 

Chairperson of the Governance Committee (January 2021), Chairperson of the Liquidity and Alternatives Sub-Committee of the Investment Committee (2006-2020); and Director or Trustee of various Morgan Stanley Funds (since August 2006); President, Cedarwood Associates (mutual fund and investment management consulting) (since July 2006); formerly, Senior Managing Director of Victory Capital Management (1993-2006).

 

79

 

Board Member, University of Albany Foundation (2012-present); Board Member, Mutual Funds Directors Forum (2014-present); Director of various non-profit organizations.

 
Nancy C. Everett
c/o Perkins Coie LLP
Counsel to the Independent Directors
1155 Avenue of the Americas,
22nd Floor
New York, NY 10036
Birth Year: 1955
 

Director

 

Since January 2015

 

Chairperson of the Equity Investment Committee (since January 2021); Director or Trustee of various Morgan Stanley Funds (since January 2015); Chief Executive Officer, Virginia Commonwealth University Investment Company (since November 2015); Owner, OBIR, LLC (institutional investment management consulting) (since June 2014); formerly, Managing Director, BlackRock, Inc. (February 2011-December 2013); and Chief Executive Officer, General Motors Asset Management (a/k/a Promark Global Advisors, Inc.) (June 2005-May 2010).

 

80

 

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

 


25



Morgan Stanley Institutional Fund, Inc.

Annual Report — December 31, 2020

Director and Officer Information (unaudited) (cont'd)

Independent Directors (cont'd):

Name, Address and Birth
Year of Independent Director
  Position(s)
Held with
Registrant
  Length of Time
Served*
  Principal Occupation(s) During Past 5 Years and Other
Relevant Professional Experience
  Number of
Funds
in Fund Complex
Overseen by
Independent
Director**
  Other Directorships
Held by Independent
Director***
 
Jakki L. Haussler
c/o Perkins Coie LLP
Counsel to the Independent Directors
1155 Avenue of the Americas,
22nd Floor
New York, NY 10036
Birth Year: 1957
 

Director

 

Since January 2015

 

Director or Trustee of various Morgan Stanley Funds (since January 2015) Chairman, Opus Capital Group (1996); formerly, Chief Executive Officer, Opus Capital Group (1996-2019); Director, Capvest Venture Fund, LP (May 2000-December 2011); Partner, Adena Ventures, LP (July 1999-December 2010); Director, The Victory Funds (February 2005-July 2008).

 

80

 

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

 
Dr. Manuel H. Johnson
c/o Johnson Smick International, Inc.
220 I Street, NE — Suite 200
Washington, D.C. 20002
Birth Year: 1949
 

Director

 

Since July 1991

 

Senior Partner, Johnson Smick International, Inc. (consulting firm); Chairperson of the Fixed Income, Liquidity and Alternatives Investment Committee (January 2021), Chairperson of the Investment Committee (2006-2020) and Director or Trustee of various Morgan Stanley Funds (since July 1991); Co-Chairman and a founder of the Group of Seven Council (G7C) (international economic commission); formerly, Chairperson of the Audit Committee (July 1991-September 2006), Vice Chairman of the Board of Governors of the Federal Reserve System and Assistant Secretary of the U.S. Treasury.

 

79

 

Director of NVR, Inc. (home construction).

 


26



Morgan Stanley Institutional Fund, Inc.

Annual Report — December 31, 2020

Director and Officer Information (unaudited) (cont'd)

Independent Directors (cont'd):

Name, Address and Birth
Year of Independent Director
  Position(s)
Held with
Registrant
  Length of Time
Served*
  Principal Occupation(s) During Past 5 Years and Other
Relevant Professional Experience
  Number of
Funds
in Fund Complex
Overseen by
Independent
Director**
  Other Directorships
Held by Independent
Director***
 
Joseph J. Kearns
c/o Perkins Coie LLP
Counsel to the Independent Directors
1155 Avenue of the Americas,
22nd Floor
New York, NY 10036
Birth Year: 1942
 

Director

 

Since August 1994

 

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

 

80

 

Director, Rubicon Investment (since February 2019); Prior to August 2016, Director of Electro Rent Corporation (equipment leasing); Prior to December 31, 2013, Director of The Ford Family Foundation.

 
Michael F. Klein
c/o Perkins Coie LLP
Counsel to the Independent Directors
1155 Avenue of the Americas,
22nd Floor
New York, NY 10036
Birth Year: 1958
 

Director

 

Since August 2006

 

Chairperson of the Risk Committee (since January 2021); Managing Director, Aetos Alternatives Management, LP (since March 2000); Co-President, Aetos Alternatives Management, LP (since January 2004) and Co-Chief Executive Officer of Aetos Alternatives Management, LP (since August 2013); Chairperson of the fixed Income Sub-Committee of the Investment committee (2006-2020) and Director or Trustee of various Morgan Stanley Funds (since August 2006); formerly, Managing Director, Morgan Stanley & Co. Inc. and Morgan Stanley Dean Witter Investment Management and President, various Morgan Stanley Funds (June 1998-March 2000); Principal, Morgan Stanley & Co. Inc. and Morgan Stanley Dean Witter Investment Management (August 1997-December 1999).

 

79

 

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

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

Director

 

Since January 2017

 

Director or Trustee of various Morgan Stanley Funds (since January 2017); Managing Director, JPMorgan Asset Management (2004-2016); Oversight and Control Head of Fiduciary and Conflicts of Interest Program (2015-2016); Chief Control Officer-Global Asset Management (2013-2015); President, JPMorgan Funds (2010-2013); Chief Administrative Officer (2004-2013); various other positions including Treasurer and Board Liaison (since 2001).

 

80

 

None.

 
W. Allen Reed
c/o Perkins Coie LLP
Counsel to the Independent Directors
1155 Avenue of the Americas,
22nd Floor
New York, NY 10036
Birth Year: 1947
 

Chair of the Board and Director

 

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

 

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

 

79

 

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

 

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

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

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


27



Morgan Stanley Institutional Fund, Inc.

Annual Report — December 31, 2020

Director and Officer Information (unaudited) (cont'd)

Executive Officers:

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

Principal Occupation(s) During Past 5 Years

 
John H. Gernon
522 Fifth Avenue
New York, NY 10036
Birth Year: 1963
 

President and Principal Executive Officer

 

Since September 2013

 

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

 
Timothy J. Knierim
1633 Broadway
New York, NY 10019
Birth Year: 1959
 

Chief Compliance Officer

 

Since December 2016

 

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

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

Treasurer and Principal Financial Officer

 

Treasurer since July 2003 and Principal Financial Officer since September 2002

 

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

 
Mary E. Mullin
1633 Broadway
New York, NY 10019
Birth Year: 1967
 

Secretary

 

Since June 1999

 

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

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

Vice President

 

Since June 2017

 

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

 

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


28



Morgan Stanley Institutional Fund, Inc.

Annual Report — December 31, 2020

Adviser and Administrator

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

Distributor

Morgan Stanley Distribution, Inc.
522 Fifth Avenue
New York, New York 10036

Dividend Disbursing and Transfer Agent

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

Custodian

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

Legal Counsel

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

Counsel to the Independent Directors

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

Independent Registered Public Accounting Firm

Ernst & Young LLP
200 Clarendon Street
Boston, Massachusetts 02116

Reporting to Shareholders

Each Morgan Stanley fund provides a complete schedule of portfolio holdings in its Semi-Annual and the Annual Reports within 60 days of the end of the fund's second and fourth fiscal quarters. The Semi-Annual and Annual Reports are filed electronically with the Securities and Exchange Commission ("SEC") on Form N-CSRS and Form N-CSR, respectively. Morgan Stanley also delivers the Semi-Annual and Annual Reports to fund shareholders and makes these reports available on its public website, www.morganstanley.com/im/shareholderreports. Each Morgan Stanley non-money market fund also files a complete schedule of portfolio holdings with the SEC for the fund's first and third fiscal quarters as an attachment to Form N-PORT. Morgan Stanley does not deliver the reports for the first and third fiscal quarters to shareholders, but makes the complete schedule of portfolio holdings for the fund's first and third fiscal quarters available on its public website. The holdings for each money market fund are also posted to the Morgan Stanley public website. You may obtain the Form N-PORT filings (as well as the Form N-CSR and N-CSRS filings) by accessing the SEC's website, www.sec.gov. You can also request copies of these materials, upon payment of a duplicating fee, by electronic request at the SEC's email address (publicinfo@sec.gov).

Proxy Voting Policies and Procedures and Proxy Voting Record

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This report is authorized for distribution only when preceded or accompanied by a prospectus or summary prospectus of the applicable fund of Morgan Stanley Institutional Fund, Inc., which describes in detail the fund's investment policies, risks, fees and expenses. Please read the prospectus carefully before you invest or send money. For additional information, including information regarding the investments comprising the Fund, please visit our website at www.morganstanley.com/im/shareholderreports or call toll free 1 (800) 548-7786.


29



Printed in U.S.A.
This Report has been prepared for shareholders and may be distributed to others only if preceded or accompanied by a current prospectus.

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

© 2021 Morgan Stanley. Morgan Stanley Distribution, Inc.

IFIDOANN
3390162 EXP 02.28.22



INVESTMENT MANAGEMENT

Morgan Stanley Institutional Fund, Inc.

Emerging Markets Fixed Income Opportunities Portfolio

Annual Report

December 31, 2020



Morgan Stanley Institutional Fund, Inc.

Annual Report — December 31, 2020

Table of Contents

Shareholders' Letter

   

2

   

Expense Example

   

3

   

Investment Overview

   

4

   

Portfolio of Investments

   

7

   

Statement of Assets and Liabilities

   

13

   

Statement of Operations

   

15

   

Statements of Changes in Net Assets

   

16

   

Financial Highlights

   

18

   

Notes to Financial Statements

   

23

   

Report of Independent Registered Public Accounting Firm

   

32

   

Liquidity Risk Management Program

   

33

   

Privacy Notice

   

34

   

Director and Officer Information

   

37

   

This report is authorized for distribution only when preceded or accompanied by a prospectus or summary prospectus of the applicable Fund of Morgan Stanley Institutional Fund, Inc. To receive a prospectus and/or statement of additional information ("SAI"), which contains more complete information such as investment objectives, charges, expenses, policies for voting proxies, risk considerations and describes in detail each of the Fund's investment policies to the prospective investor, please call toll free 1 (800) 548-7786. Please read the prospectuses carefully before you invest or send money.

Additionally, you can access information about the Fund, including performance, characteristics and investment team commentary, through Morgan Stanley Investment Management's website: www.morganstanley.com/im/shareholderreports.

Market forecasts provided in this report may not necessarily come to pass. There is no guarantee that any sectors mentioned will continue to perform as discussed herein or that securities in such sectors will be held by the Fund in the future. There is no assurance that a fund will achieve its investment objective. Funds are subject to market risk, which is the possibility that market values of securities owned by the Fund will decline and, therefore, the value of the Fund's shares may be less than what you paid for them. Accordingly, you can lose money investing in this Fund. Please see the prospectus for more complete information on investment risks.


1



Morgan Stanley Institutional Fund, Inc.

Annual Report — December 31, 2020

Shareholders' Letter (unaudited)

Dear Shareholders,

We are pleased to provide this Annual Report, in which you will learn how your investment in Emerging Markets Fixed Income Opportunities Portfolio (the "Fund") performed during the latest twelve-month period.

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

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

Sincerely,

John H. Gernon
President and Principal Executive Officer

January 2021


2



Morgan Stanley Institutional Fund, Inc.

Annual Report — December 31, 2020

Expense Example (unaudited)

Emerging Markets Fixed Income Opportunities Portfolio

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

This example is based on an investment of $1,000 invested at the beginning of the six-month period ended December 31, 2020 and held for the entire six-month period.

Actual Expenses

The table below provides information about actual account values and actual expenses. You may use the information in this table, 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 table under the heading entitled "Actual Expenses Paid During Period" to estimate the expenses you paid on your account during this period.

Hypothetical Example for Comparison Purposes

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

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

    Beginning
Account
Value
7/1/20
  Actual Ending
Account
Value
12/31/20
  Hypothetical
Ending Account
Value
  Actual
Expenses
Paid
During
Period*
  Hypothetical
Expenses Paid
During Period*
  Net
Expense
Ratio
During
Period**
 

Emerging Markets Fixed Income Opportunities Portfolio Class I

 

$

1,000.00

   

$

1,107.10

   

$

1,020.86

   

$

4.50

   

$

4.32

     

0.85

%

 

Emerging Markets Fixed Income Opportunities Portfolio Class A

   

1,000.00

     

1,105.60

     

1,019.10

     

6.35

     

6.09

     

1.20

   

Emerging Markets Fixed Income Opportunities Portfolio Class L

   

1,000.00

     

1,103.70

     

1,017.85

     

7.67

     

7.35

     

1.45

   

Emerging Markets Fixed Income Opportunities Portfolio Class C

   

1,000.00

     

1,102.50

     

1,015.33

     

10.31

     

9.88

     

1.95

   

Emerging Markets Fixed Income Opportunities Portfolio Class IS

   

1,000.00

     

1,107.20

     

1,021.01

     

4.34

     

4.17

     

0.82

   

*  Expenses are calculated using each Fund Class' annualized net expense ratio (as disclosed), multiplied by the average account value over the period and multiplied by 184/366 (to reflect the most recent one-half year period).

**  Annualized.


3



Morgan Stanley Institutional Fund, Inc.

Annual Report — December 31, 2020

Investment Overview (unaudited)

Emerging Markets Fixed Income Opportunities Portfolio

The Fund seeks high total return.

Performance

For the fiscal year ended December 31, 2020, the Fund's Class I shares had a total return based on net asset value and reinvestment of distributions per share of 4.69% net of fees. The Fund's Class I shares underperformed the Fund's benchmark, the J.P. Morgan Emerging Markets Blended Index (JEMB) — Equal Weighted (the "Index"), which returned 5.07% for the year ended December 31, 2020 and was composed of one-third J.P. Morgan Emerging Markets Bond Global Diversified Index (returned 5.26%), one-third J.P. Morgan GBI-EM Global Diversified Index (returned 2.69%) and one-third J.P. Morgan CEMBI Broad Diversified Index (returned 7.13%).

Factors Affecting Performance

•  Emerging market (EM) fixed income debt returned 5.07% in 2020, as measured by the Index. Dollar-denominated corporates outperformed dollar-denominated sovereign debt, and both of which outperformed EM domestic debt as EM local bond performance outpaced currency returns.

•  Extraordinary times were matched by extraordinary price action across markets in the first quarter of 2020, and movements in emerging market (EM) debt were no exception. Risk markets registered new historic lows in March 2020 and wiped out gains from January and February 2020. EM assets were struck by a combination of the global slowdown in response to COVID-19, and the drop in oil prices, due to both demand destruction and supply-side frictions between Saudi Arabia and Russia. Given the overall uncertainty, we expected price volatility to remain elevated as the negative news accompanying the pandemic worked its way around the world and influenced investment flows, and liquidity constraints, which were exacerbated by widely adopted work-from-home arrangements. As such, where possible, we took steps to pare risk in the more vulnerable countries (where fiscal dynamics limit a strong COVID-19 response), certain sectors (the more obvious being energy and commodity-related) and individual high yield issuers that struggled to pass our stress tests. Later in the period, risk appetite began to rebound in April 2020, with September 2020 being the first month since the spring during which risk aversion

drove price action. While economic data improved in the second half of the year, it lost some of the momentum built up over the summer in September, as rising levels of infection stoked fears of greater restrictions and the consequent economic damage. However, EM rebounded in October given continued expectations of monetary and fiscal support for markets, optimism regarding a potential coronavirus vaccine, and better-than-expected third quarter 2020 corporate earnings. In November, the market reacted positively to the U.S. election result, pricing out odds of a contested election scenario and focusing on the perception that a Biden administration would lead to more predictable and multilateral policymaking. Risk-on sentiment kept driving price action in December, supported by the ongoing policy support, vaccine approvals and the avoidance of a "no-deal" Brexit.

•  During the period, broad duration positioning contributed to the Fund's relative performance, as did security selection within countries, while curve positioning and sector allocation detracted overall.

•  Overall, underweight positioning in corporate bonds detracted, while overweight positions in sovereign and quasi-sovereign bonds as well as local rates were positive.

•  At the country level, underweight positions in Sri Lanka, China and the U.A.E. contributed positively, as did the overweight positions in Colombia and Indonesia. In terms of security selection, Egypt, Argentina and Colombia contributed the most, while Lithuania, Ecuador and Qatar detracted.

•  Derivative usage, aside from the use of currency forwards and bond futures to hedge interest rates, did not have a material impact on performance in the period.

Management Strategies

•  Conditions for EM debt outperformance in the near term appear to be in place, despite the recent tightening of lockdown measures around the world in response to a rapid increase in infections and the emergence of more contagious strains of the COVID-19 virus. Our constructive view on risk assets is predicated on a global backdrop of steady, extended monetary accommodation, an ongoing


4



Morgan Stanley Institutional Fund, Inc.

Annual Report — December 31, 2020

Investment Overview (unaudited) (cont'd)

Emerging Markets Fixed Income Opportunities Portfolio

rollout of multiple vaccines in the developed world (and parts of EM), and expectations of looser fiscal policy under the incoming Biden administration. Therefore, we believe high yield credit, EM currencies and local currency high-yielders may outperform investment grade counterparts, which have less valuation cushion and are vulnerable to a potential steepening of developed market yield curves. Moreover, the incoming U.S. administration, by signaling a more cooperative and multilateral foreign policy stance, may alleviate trade tensions and support global trade, thus further supporting EM assets. Finally, the weak U.S. dollar consensus view, if proven accurate, would further strengthen the case in favor of EM currencies.

•  Notwithstanding our constructive outlook for the asset class, we highlight potential risks. First, a delayed deployment of vaccines in EM would demand a more protracted policy support by governments, exacerbating fiscal and debt sustainability concerns. Therefore, the potential for debt restructurings and defaults is non-negligible, though in our view, these would not pose a systemic risk for the asset class. More generally, a delayed transition to fiscal consolidation, whether it is caused by logistical hurdles in deploying vaccines in EM or by governments' reluctance to incur the political cost of fiscal austerity, may prompt the market to demand higher risk premiums in EM fixed income assets. Finally, potentially excessive optimism about reduced trade frictions under a Biden administration (particularly in U.S.-China relations) could challenge our positive scenarios for global trade and growth, and thus negatively impact the performance of growth-sensitive EM assets.

*  Minimum Investment for Class I shares

**  Commenced Operations on May 24, 2012.

In accordance with SEC regulations, the Fund's performance shown assumes that all recurring fees (including management fees) were deducted and all dividends and distributions were reinvested. The performance of Class A, L, C and IS shares will vary from the performance of Class I shares based upon their different inception dates and will be negatively impacted by additional fees assessed to those classes (if applicable).


5



Morgan Stanley Institutional Fund, Inc.

Annual Report — December 31, 2020

Investment Overview (unaudited) (cont'd)

Emerging Markets Fixed Income Opportunities Portfolio

Performance Compared to the J.P. Morgan Emerging Markets Blended Index (JEMB) — Equal Weighted(1), the Emerging Markets Fixed Income Blend Index(2) and the Lipper Emerging Markets Hard Currency Debt Funds Index(3)

    Period Ended December 31, 2020
Total Returns(4)
 
       

Average Annual

 
    One
Year
  Five
Years
  Ten
Years
  Since
Inception(8)
 
Fund — Class I Shares
w/o sales charges(5)
   

4.69

%

   

7.27

%

   

     

4.90

%

 
Fund — Class A Shares
w/o sales charges(5)
   

4.33

     

6.91

     

     

4.55

   
Fund — Class A Shares with
maximum 3.25% sales charges(5)
   

0.94

     

6.20

     

     

4.15

   
Fund — Class L Shares
w/o sales charges(5)
   

4.06

     

6.63

     

     

4.26

   
Fund — Class C Shares
w/o sales charges(7)
   

3.63

     

6.13

     

     

4.05

   
Fund — Class C Shares with
maximum 1.00% deferred
sales charges(7)
   

2.64

     

6.13

     

     

4.05

   
Fund — Class IS Shares
w/o sales charges(6)
   

4.84

     

7.31

     

     

5.44

   
J.P. Morgan Emerging Markets
Blended Index (JEMB) — Equal
Weighted
   

5.07

     

7.05

     

     

4.53

   
Emerging Markets Fixed Income
Blend Index
   

5.07

     

6.93

     

     

5.45

   
Lipper Emerging Markets Hard
Currency Debt Funds Index
   

3.65

     

6.56

     

     

4.49

   

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. Performance assumes that all dividends and distributions, if any, were reinvested. For the most recent month-end performance figures, please visit www.morganstanley.com/im/shareholderreports. Investment return and principal value will fluctuate so that Fund shares, when redeemed, may be worth more or less than their original cost. Total returns do not reflect the deduction of taxes that a shareholder would pay on Fund distributions or the redemption of Fund shares. Performance of share classes will vary due to difference in sales charges and expenses.

(1)  The J.P. Morgan Emerging Markets Blended Index (JEMB) — Equal Weighted is a blend of 1/3 J.P. Morgan Emerging Markets Bond Global Diversified Index (EMBI Global Diversified Index) (a benchmark that tracks total returns for U.S. dollar-denominated debt instruments issued by emerging markets sovereign and quasi-sovereign entities but limits the weights of countries with larger debt stocks by only including a specified portion of these countries' eligible current face amounts of debt outstanding), 1/3 J.P. Morgan Government Bond Index- Emerging Markets Global Diversified Index (GBI-EM Global Diversified Index) (a benchmark that tracks local currency government bonds issued by emerging markets) and 1/3 J.P. Morgan Corporate Emerging Markets Bond Index Broad Diversified (CEMBI Broad Diversified Index) (a benchmark that tracks performance of corporate issued debt instruments issued by emerging markets).

The Index is unmanaged and its returns do not include any sales charges or fees. Such costs would lower performance. It is not possible to invest directly in an index.

(2)  The Emerging Markets Fixed Income Blend Index is a performance linked benchmark of the old and new benchmarks of the Fund. The old benchmark represented by J.P. Morgan Emerging Markets Bond Global Index (EMBI Global Index) (a benchmark that tracks total returns for U.S. dollar-denominated debt instruments issued by emerging markets sovereign and quasi-sovereign entities) for period from the Fund's inception to September 25, 2015 and the Blended Index which consists of 1/3 J.P. Morgan EMBI Global Index, 1/3 J.P. Morgan GBI-EM Global Diversified Index, 1/3 J.P. Morgan CEMBI Broad Diversified Index for periods from September 26, 2015 to December 31, 2019 and the new benchmark J.P. Morgan Emerging Markets Blended Index (JEMB)- Equal Weighted for periods thereafter. Following close of business on September 25, 2015, Morgan Stanley Institutional Fund, Inc. Emerging Markets Domestic Debt Portfolio merged into Morgan Stanley Institutional Fund, Inc. Emerging Markets External Debt Portfolio. In conjunction with this Reorganization, the Fund was renamed Morgan Stanley Institutional Fund, Inc. Emerging Markets Fixed Income Opportunities Portfolio and changed its principal investment policy. 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 Lipper Emerging Market Hard Currency Debt Funds Index is an equally weighted performance index of the largest qualifying funds (based on net assets) in the Lipper Emerging Market Hard Currency Debt Funds classification. The Index, which is adjusted for capital gains distributions and income dividends, is unmanaged and should not be considered an investment. There are currently 30 funds represented in this Index. As of the date of this report, the Fund was in the Lipper Emerging Market Hard Currency Debt Funds classification.

(4)  Total returns for the Fund reflect fees waived and expenses reimbursed, if applicable, by the Adviser (as defined herein). Without such waivers and reimbursements, total returns would have been lower.

(5)  Commenced operations on May 24, 2012.

(6)  Commenced offering on September 13, 2013.

(7)  Commenced offering on April 30, 2015.

(8)  For comparative purposes, average annual since inception returns listed for the Indexes refer to the inception date of Class I of the Fund, not the inception of the Index.


6



Morgan Stanley Institutional Fund, Inc.

Annual Report — December 31, 2020

Portfolio of Investments

Emerging Markets Fixed Income Opportunities Portfolio

    Face
Amount
(000)
  Value
(000)
 

Fixed Income Securities (93.0%)

 

Argentina (2.0%)

 

Corporate Bonds (1.6%)

 

Pampa Energia SA,

 

9.13%, 4/15/29 (a)

 

$

150

   

$

133

   

Province of Santa Fe,

 

6.90%, 11/1/27 (a)

   

200

     

138

   

Provincia de Cordoba,

 

7.45%, 9/1/24 (a)

   

330

     

206

   

Provincia de Entre Rios Argentina,

 

8.75%, 2/8/25 (a)(b)(c)

   

230

     

132

   

Telecom Argentina SA,

 

8.00%, 7/18/26 (a)

   

50

     

47

   
     

656

   

Sovereign (0.4%)

 
Argentine Republic Government
International Bond,
 

0.13%, 7/9/30 - 7/9/35 (d)

   

359

     

137

   

1.00%, 7/9/29

   

24

     

10

   
     

147

   
     

803

   

Armenia (1.2%)

 

Corporate Bond (0.7%)

 

Ardshinbank CJSC Via Dilijan Finance BV,

 

6.50%, 1/28/25 (a)

   

270

     

259

   

Sovereign (0.5%)

 

Republic of Armenia International Bond,

 

3.95%, 9/26/29

   

200

     

203

   
     

462

   

Bahrain (0.9%)

 

Sovereign (0.9%)

 

Bahrain Government International Bond,

 

7.50%, 9/20/47

   

300

     

353

   

Belarus (0.5%)

 

Sovereign (0.5%)

 

Republic of Belarus International Bond,

 

6.20%, 2/28/30 (a)

   

200

     

203

   

Brazil (5.6%)

 

Corporate Bonds (1.8%)

 

CSN Resources SA,

 

7.63%, 4/17/26 (a)

   

260

     

280

   

Minerva Luxembourg SA,

 

5.88%, 1/19/28 (a)

   

200

     

216

   

Petrobras Global Finance BV,

 

6.75%, 6/3/50

   

140

     

174

   

Suzano Austria GmbH,

 

3.75%, 1/15/31

   

40

     

43

   
     

713

   

Sovereign (3.8%)

 

Brazil Notas do Tesouro Nacional, Series F,

 

10.00%, 1/1/23 - 1/1/25

 

BRL

5,942

     

1,310

   
    Face
Amount
(000)
  Value
(000)
 

Brazilian Government International Bond,

 

3.88%, 6/12/30

 

$

200

   

$

211

   
     

1,521

   
     

2,234

   

Chile (2.6%)

 

Corporate Bonds (1.7%)

 

Cencosud SA,

 

4.38%, 7/17/27

   

200

     

225

   

Colbun SA,

 

3.15%, 3/6/30 (a)

   

200

     

216

   

VTR Finance,

 

6.38%, 7/15/28 (a)

   

225

     

246

   
     

687

   

Sovereign (0.9%)

 
Bonos de la Tesoreria de la
Republica en pesos,
 

2.80%, 10/1/33 (a)

 

CLP

135,000

     

184

   

4.50%, 3/1/26

   

115,000

     

186

   
     

370

   
     

1,057

   

China (5.0%)

 

Corporate Bonds (2.2%)

 

Country Garden Holdings Co., Ltd.,

 

7.25%, 4/8/26

 

$

260

     

293

   

Scenery Journey Ltd.,

 

11.50%, 10/24/22

   

250

     

234

   

Yuzhou Group Holdings Co. Ltd.,

 

8.38%, 10/30/24

   

300

     

328

   
     

855

   

Sovereign (2.8%)

 

China Government Bond,

 

3.13%, 11/21/29

 

CNY

4,900

     

744

   

3.29%, 10/18/23

   

940

     

145

   
Sinopec Group Overseas Development
2018 Ltd.,
 

2.95%, 11/12/29 (a)

 

$

200

     

211

   
     

1,100

   
     

1,955

   

Colombia (4.9%)

 

Corporate Bonds (3.0%)

 

Banco de Bogota SA,

 

4.38%, 8/3/27

   

300

     

332

   

Canacol Energy Ltd.,

 

7.25%, 5/3/25 (a)

   

200

     

215

   

Geopark Ltd.,

 

6.50%, 9/21/24 (a)

   

200

     

208

   

Grupo Aval Ltd.,

 

4.38%, 2/4/30 (a)

   

200

     

213

   

Termocandelaria Power Ltd.,

 

7.88%, 1/30/29 (a)

   

200

     

220

   
     

1,188

   

The accompanying notes are an integral part of the financial statements.
7



Morgan Stanley Institutional Fund, Inc.

Annual Report — December 31, 2020

Portfolio of Investments (cont'd)

Emerging Markets Fixed Income Opportunities Portfolio

    Face
Amount
(000)
  Value
(000)
 

Sovereign (1.9%)

 

Colombian TES,

 

Series B

 

6.00%, 4/28/28

 

COP

951,400

   

$

298

   

7.00%, 6/30/32

   

253,800

     

82

   

7.50%, 8/26/26

   

575,100

     

195

   

10.00%, 7/24/24

   

454,100

     

162

   
     

737

   
     

1,925

   

Costa Rica (0.5%)

 

Sovereign (0.5%)

 

Costa Rica Government International Bond,

 

6.13%, 2/19/31 (a)

 

$

200

     

187

   

Dominican Republic (1.8%)

 

Corporate Bond (0.5%)

 
AES Andres BV/Dominican Power Partners/
Empresa Generadora de Electricidad It,
 

(Units)

 

7.95%, 5/11/26 (a)(e)

   

200

     

207

   

Sovereign (1.3%)

 

Dominican Republic International Bond,

 

5.88%, 1/30/60 (a)

 

DOP

300

     

332

   

9.75%, 6/5/26 (a)

   

10,550

     

195

   
     

527

   
     

734

   

Ecuador (0.9%)

 

Sovereign (0.9%)

 

Ecuador Government International Bond,

 

0.00%, 7/31/30 (a)

 

$

20

     

10

   

0.50%, 7/31/30 - 7/31/40 (a)(d)

   

401

     

223

   

0.50%, 7/31/35 - 7/31/40 (d)

   

241

     

126

   
     

359

   

Egypt (3.1%)

 

Corporate Bond (1.1%)

 

African Export-Import Bank (The),

 

3.99%, 9/21/29 (a)

   

390

     

419

   

Sovereign (2.0%)

 

Arab Republic of Egypt,

 

5.25%, 10/6/25 (a)

   

200

     

213

   

Egypt Government International Bond,

 

6.38%, 4/11/31 (a)

 

EUR

230

     

303

   

8.15%, 11/20/59 (a)

   

260

     

287

   
     

803

   
     

1,222

   

El Salvador (0.5%)

 

Sovereign (0.5%)

 

El Salvador Government International Bond,

 

7.12%, 1/20/50 (a)

 

$

150

     

135

   

8.63%, 2/28/29 (a)

   

80

     

80

   
     

215

   
    Face
Amount
(000)
  Value
(000)
 

Gabon (0.5%)

 

Sovereign (0.5%)

 

Gabon Government International Bond,

 

6.63%, 2/6/31 (a)

 

$

200

   

$

207

   

Ghana (0.5%)

 

Corporate Bond (0.5%)

 

Kosmos Energy Ltd.,

 

7.13%, 4/4/26 (a)

   

200

     

194

   

Guatemala (0.9%)

 

Sovereign (0.9%)

 

Guatemala Government Bond,

 

4.88%, 2/13/28

   

300

     

346

   

Hungary (0.6%)

 

Sovereign (0.6%)

 

Hungary Government Bond,

 

3.00%, 8/21/30

 

HUF

62,000

     

227

   

India (0.6%)

 

Corporate Bond (0.6%)

 

Greenko Investment Co.,

 

4.88%, 8/16/23 (a)

 

$

240

     

246

   

Indonesia (7.2%)

 

Corporate Bonds (1.5%)

 

Jababeka International BV,

 

6.50%, 10/5/23 (a)

   

460

     

448

   

Soechi Capital Pte Ltd.,

 

8.38%, 1/31/23 (a)

   

200

     

140

   
     

588

   

Sovereign (5.7%)

 

Indonesia Government International Bond,

 

4.45%, 4/15/70

   

230

     

283

   

Indonesia Treasury Bond,

 

7.00%, 9/15/30

 

IDR

3,916,000

     

302

   

7.50%, 8/15/32

   

3,790,000

     

294

   

8.13%, 5/15/24

   

5,017,000

     

394

   

8.38%, 3/15/34 - 4/15/39

   

5,600,000

     

470

   

8.75%, 5/15/31

   

1,310,000

     

111

   

9.00%, 3/15/29

   

1,395,000

     

119

   

Pertamina Persero PT,

 

6.50%, 11/7/48 (a)

 

$

200

     

282

   
     

2,255

   
     

2,843

   

Israel (0.8%)

 

Corporate Bond (0.8%)

 

Teva Pharmaceutical Finance Netherlands III BV,

 

7.13%, 1/31/25

   

300

     

332

   

Jamaica (0.9%)

 

Sovereign (0.9%)

 

Jamaica Government International Bond,

 

8.00%, 3/15/39

   

250

     

366

   

The accompanying notes are an integral part of the financial statements.
8



Morgan Stanley Institutional Fund, Inc.

Annual Report — December 31, 2020

Portfolio of Investments (cont'd)

Emerging Markets Fixed Income Opportunities Portfolio

    Face
Amount
(000)
  Value
(000)
 

Jordan (0.6%)

 

Sovereign (0.6%)

 

Jordan Government International Bond,

 

7.38%, 10/10/47 (a)

 

$

200

   

$

234

   

Lebanon (0.1%)

 

Sovereign (0.1%)

 

Lebanon Government International Bond,

 

6.85%, 3/23/27 (b)(c)

   

266

     

38

   

Malaysia (2.3%)

 

Sovereign (2.3%)

 

Malaysia Government Bond,

 

3.96%, 9/15/25

 

MYR

1,603

     

431

   

4.16%, 7/15/21

   

195

     

49

   

4.18%, 7/15/24

   

762

     

203

   

4.23%, 6/30/31

   

246

     

69

   

4.50%, 4/15/30

   

559

     

160

   
     

912

   

Mexico (10.4%)

 

Corporate Bonds (2.2%)

 

Alpha Holding SA de CV,

 

10.00%, 12/19/22 (a)

 

$

200

     

172

   
Financiera Independencia SAB de
CV SOFOM ENR,
 

8.00%, 7/19/24 (a)

   

250

     

224

   

Total Play Telecomunicaciones SA de CV,

 

7.50%, 11/12/25 (a)

   

200

     

200

   

Trust Fibra Uno,

 

6.39%, 1/15/50 (a)

   

240

     

281

   
     

877

   

Sovereign (8.2%)

 

Mexican Bonos,

 

Series M

 

7.50%, 6/3/27

 

MXN

14,668

     

839

   

7.75%, 5/29/31

   

5,070

     

300

   

8.00%, 12/7/23

   

2,072

     

114

   

10.00%, 12/5/24

   

10,128

     

610

   

Mexico Government International Bond,

 

4.50%, 4/22/29

 

$

200

     

235

   

Petroleos Mexicanos,

 

6.50%, 3/13/27 - 1/23/29

   

626

     

656

   

6.88%, 10/16/25 (a)

   

135

     

148

   

6.95%, 1/28/60

   

365

     

344

   
     

3,246

   
     

4,123

   

Moldova (0.7%)

 

Corporate Bond (0.7%)

 

Aragvi Finance International DAC,

 

12.00%, 4/9/24 (a)

   

260

     

284

   
    Face
Amount
(000)
  Value
(000)
 

Morocco (0.5%)

 

Sovereign (0.5%)

 

Morocco Government International Bond,

 

4.00%, 12/15/50 (a)

 

$

200

   

$

207

   

Nigeria (3.1%)

 

Corporate Bonds (2.6%)

 

Fidelity Bank PLC,

 

10.50%, 10/16/22 (a)

   

220

     

235

   
First Bank of Nigeria Ltd. Via FBN
Finance Co. BV,
 

8.63%, 10/27/25 (a)

   

200

     

217

   

IHS Netherlands Holdco BV,

 

8.00%, 9/18/27 (a)

   

270

     

292

   

United Bank for Africa PLC,

 

7.75%, 6/8/22 (a)

   

300

     

309

   
     

1,053

   

Sovereign (0.5%)

 

Nigeria Government International Bond,

 

7.14%, 2/23/30 (a)

   

200

     

216

   
     

1,269

   

Panama (1.1%)

 

Corporate Bond (0.5%)

 

AES Panama Generation Holdings SRL,

 

4.38%, 5/31/30 (a)

   

200

     

217

   

Sovereign (0.6%)

 

Aeropuerto Internacional de Tocumen SA,

 

5.63%, 5/18/36 (a)

   

200

     

233

   
     

450

   

Paraguay (0.6%)

 

Sovereign (0.6%)

 

Paraguay Government International Bond,

 

4.95%, 4/28/31 (a)

   

200

     

243

   

Peru (1.6%)

 

Corporate Bond (0.6%)

 

Lima Metro Line 2 Finance Ltd.,

 

4.35%, 4/5/36 (a)

   

200

     

222

   

Sovereign (1.0%)

 

Peru Government Bond,

 

5.40%, 8/12/34

 

PEN

259

     

79

   

5.94%, 2/12/29

   

892

     

308

   

6.15%, 8/12/32

   

1

     

@

 
     

387

   
     

609

   

Poland (3.4%)

 

Sovereign (3.4%)

 

Republic of Poland Government Bond,

 

3.25%, 7/25/25

 

PLN

2,044

     

618

   

4.00%, 10/25/23

   

455

     

135

   

5.75%, 10/25/21 - 9/23/22

   

2,020

     

590

   
     

1,343

   

The accompanying notes are an integral part of the financial statements.
9



Morgan Stanley Institutional Fund, Inc.

Annual Report — December 31, 2020

Portfolio of Investments (cont'd)

Emerging Markets Fixed Income Opportunities Portfolio

    Face
Amount
(000)
  Value
(000)
 

Qatar (1.5%)

 

Sovereign (1.5%)

 

Qatar Government International Bond,

 

4.82%, 3/14/49 (a)

 

$

430

   

$

588

   

Romania (1.1%)

 

Sovereign (1.1%)

 

Romania Government Bond,

 

4.75%, 2/24/25

 

RON

1,545

     

420

   

Russia (5.2%)

 

Corporate Bond (0.8%)

 

Alfa Bank AO Via Alfa Bond Issuance PLC,

 

5.95%, 4/15/30

 

$

300

     

312

   

Sovereign (4.4%)

 

Russian Federal Bond — OFZ,

 

6.90%, 5/23/29

 

RUB

22,541

     

328

   

7.70%, 3/23/33

   

46,360

     

707

   

7.95%, 10/7/26

   

9,240

     

140

   

Russian Foreign Bond — Eurobond,

 

5.63%, 4/4/42

 

$

400

     

557

   
     

1,732

   
     

2,044

   

Saudi Arabia (1.7%)

 

Corporate Bond (0.5%)

 

Saudi Arabian Oil Co.,

 

3.50%, 11/24/70 (a)

   

210

     

213

   

Sovereign (1.2%)

 

Saudi Government International Bond,

 

5.25%, 1/16/50 (a)

   

340

     

465

   
     

678

   

Senegal (1.0%)

 

Sovereign (1.0%)

 

Senegal Government International Bond,

 

6.25%, 5/23/33 (a)

   

350

     

394

   

Serbia (0.5%)

 

Sovereign (0.5%)

 

Serbia International Bond,

 

3.13%, 5/15/27 (a)

 

EUR

140

     

193

   

South Africa (4.9%)

 

Sovereign (4.9%)

 

Eskom Holdings SOC Ltd.,

 

7.13%, 2/11/25

 

$

200

     

205

   

8.45%, 8/10/28 (a)

   

200

     

221

   

Republic of South Africa Government Bond,

 

8.00%, 1/31/30

 

ZAR

19,061

   

1,239

   

8.25%, 3/31/32

   

2,437

     

150

   

8.75%, 1/31/44

   

820

     

46

   

9.00%, 1/31/40

   

1,500

     

87

   
     

1,948

   
    Face
Amount
(000)
  Value
(000)
 

Supranational (1.0%)

 

Banque Ouest Africaine de Developpement,

 

4.70%, 10/22/31 (a)

 

$

370

   

$

402

   

Tanzania, United Republic of (0.5%)

 

Corporate Bond (0.5%)

 

HTA Group Ltd.,

 

7.00%, 12/18/25 (a)

   

200

     

216

   

Thailand (2.0%)

 

Sovereign (2.0%)

 

Thailand Government Bond,

 

3.63%, 6/16/23

 

THB

9,000

     

324

   

4.88%, 6/22/29

   

10,434

     

452

   
     

776

   

Turkey (1.8%)

 

Sovereign (1.8%)

 

Turkey Government Bond,

 

8.00%, 3/12/25

 

TRY

1,443

     

165

   

10.50%, 8/11/27

   

455

     

56

   

11.00%, 2/24/27

   

586

     

74

   

Turkey Government International Bond,

 

6.38%, 10/14/25

 

$

200

     

216

   

7.25%, 12/23/23

   

200

     

219

   
     

730

   

Ukraine (2.0%)

 

Sovereign (2.0%)

 
NAK Naftogaz Ukraine via Kondor
Finance PLC,
 

7.13%, 7/19/24

 

EUR

200

     

255

   

Ukraine Government International Bond,

 

6.75%, 6/20/26 (a)

 

$

100

     

135

   

7.75%, 9/1/26

   

380

     

430

   

   

820

   

United Arab Emirates (3.2%)

 

Corporate Bonds (1.9%)

 

DP World PLC,

 

5.63%, 9/25/48 (a)

   

200

     

256

   

Galaxy Pipeline Assets Bidco Ltd.,

 

3.25%, 9/30/40 (a)

   

230

     

244

   

MAF Global Securities Ltd.,

 

6.38%, 1/1/46 (f)

   

250

     

262

   

   

762

   

Sovereign (1.3%)

 

Abu Dhabi Government International Bond,

 

3.13%, 4/16/30

   

200

     

226

   

DP World Crescent Ltd.,

 

4.85%, 9/26/28

   

220

     

256

   

       

482

   
     

1,244

   

The accompanying notes are an integral part of the financial statements.
10



Morgan Stanley Institutional Fund, Inc.

Annual Report — December 31, 2020

Portfolio of Investments (cont'd)

Emerging Markets Fixed Income Opportunities Portfolio

    Face
Amount
(000)
  Value
(000)
 

Uzbekistan (0.5%)

 

Sovereign (0.5%)

 

Republic of Uzbekistan Bond,

 

3.70%, 11/25/30 (a)

 

$

200

   

$

211

   

Venezuela (0.2%)

 

Sovereign (0.2%)

 

Petroleos de Venezuela SA,

 

6.00%, 11/15/26 (b)(c)

   

1,582

     

63

   

Total Fixed Income Securities (Cost $35,685)

   

36,909

   
    No. of
Warrants
     

Warrant (0.0%) (g)

 

Venezuela (0.0%) (g)

 
Venezuela Government International Bond,
Oil-Linked Payment Obligation, 0.0%
expires 4/15/20 (h) (Cost $—)
   

1,495

     

1

   
   

Shares

     

Short-Term Investments (5.6%)

 

United States (4.5%)

 

Investment Company (4.5%)

 
Morgan Stanley Institutional Liquidity
Funds — Treasury Securities Portfolio —
Institutional Class (See Note G)
(Cost $1,781)
   

1,781,329

     

1,781

   
    Face
Amount
(000)
     

Egypt (1.0%)

 

Sovereign (1.0%)

 

Egypt Treasury Bills,

 

13.60%, 3/2/21

 

EGP

625

     

39

   

13.65%, 3/2/21

   

1,025

     

64

   

13.66%, 3/2/21

   

1,525

     

96

   

13.68%, 3/2/21

   

2,175

     

136

   

13.69%, 3/2/21

   

1,000

     

63

   

13.70%, 3/2/21

   

150

     

10

   

Total Sovereign (Cost $401)

   

408

   

United States (0.1%)

 

U.S. Treasury Security (0.1%)

 

U.S. Treasury Bill,

 
0.09%, 6/3/21 (i) (Cost $30)  

$

30

     

30

   

Total Short-Term Investments (Cost $2,212)

   

2,219

   

Total Investments (98.6%) (Cost $37,897) (j)(k)

   

39,129

   

Other Assets in Excess of Liabilities (1.4%)

   

542

   

Net Assets (100.0%)

 

$

39,671

   

Country assignments and aggregations are based generally on third party vendor classifications and information, and may be different from the assignments and aggregations under the policies set forth in the Fund's prospectus and/or statement of additional information relating to geographic classifications.

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

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

(c)  Issuer in bankruptcy.

(d)  Multi-step — Coupon rate changes in predetermined increments to maturity. Rate disclosed is as of December 31, 2020. Maturity date disclosed is the ultimate maturity date.

(e)  Consists of one or more classes of securities traded together as a unit.

(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, 2020.

(g)  Amount is less than 0.05%.

(h)  Perpetual maturity date. Date disclosed is the last expiration date.

(i)  Rate shown is the yield to maturity at December 31, 2020.

(j)  Securities are available for collateral in connection with open foreign currency forward exchange contracts.

(k)  At December 31, 2020, the aggregate cost for federal income tax purposes is approximately $38,185,000. The aggregate gross unrealized appreciation is approximately $2,639,000 and the aggregate gross unrealized depreciation is approximately $1,695,000, resulting in net unrealized appreciation of approximately $944,000.

@  Value is less than $500.

OFZ  Obilgatsyi Federal'novo Zaima (Russian Federal Loan Obligation).

The accompanying notes are an integral part of the financial statements.
11



Morgan Stanley Institutional Fund, Inc.

Annual Report — December 31, 2020

Portfolio of Investments (cont'd)

Emerging Markets Fixed Income Opportunities Portfolio

Foreign Currency Forward Exchange Contracts:

The Fund had the following foreign currency forward exchange contracts open at December 31, 2020:




Counterparty
 
Contracts to
Deliver
(000)
 
In Exchange
For
(000)
 

Delivery
Date
  Unrealized
Appreciation
(Depreciation)
(000)
 

BNP Paribas SA

 

EUR

740

   

$

900

   

3/5/21

 

$

(5

)

 

BNP Paribas SA

 

$

656

   

CZK

14,240

   

3/5/21

   

7

   

BNP Paribas SA

 

$

285

   

HUF

84,000

   

3/5/21

   

(2

)

 

BNP Paribas SA

 

$

119

   

RUB

9,000

   

3/5/21

   

3

   

Citibank NA

 

PLN

1,120

   

$

304

   

3/5/21

   

4

   

JPMorgan Chase Bank NA

 

IDR

3,300,000

   

$

231

   

3/5/21

   

(3

)

 

JPMorgan Chase Bank NA

 

ZAR

4,870

   

$

316

   

3/5/21

   

(13

)

 

UBS AG

 

MXN

7,330

   

$

365

   

3/5/21

   

(1

)

 

UBS AG

 

$

442

   

CNH

2,910

   

3/5/21

   

3

   
               

$

(7

)

 

BRL  —  Brazilian Real

CLP  —  Chilean Peso

CNH  —  Chinese Yuan Renminbi Offshore

CNY  —  Chinese Yuan Renminbi

COP  —  Colombian Peso

CZK  —  Czech Koruna

DOP  —  Dominican Peso

EGP  —  Egyptian Pound

EUR  —  Euro

HUF  —  Hungarian Forint

IDR  —  Indonesian Rupiah

MXN  —  Mexican Peso

MYR  —  Malaysian Ringgit

PEN  —  Peruvian Nuevo Sol

PLN  —  Polish Zloty

RON  —  Romanian New Leu

RUB  —  Russian Ruble

THB  —  Thai Baht

TRY  —  Turkish Lira

ZAR  —  South African Rand

Portfolio Composition

Classification

  Percentage of
Total Investments
 

Sovereign

   

67.5

%

 

Corporate Bonds

   

26.8

   

Short-Term Investments

   

5.7

   

Other*

   

1.0

   

Total Investments

   

100.0

%**

 

*  Industries and/or investment types representing less than 5% of total investments.

**  Does not include open foreign currency forward exchange contracts with net unrealized depreciation of approximately $7,000.

The accompanying notes are an integral part of the financial statements.
12



Morgan Stanley Institutional Fund, Inc.

Annual Report — December 31, 2020

Emerging Markets Fixed Income Opportunities Portfolio

Statement of Assets and Liabilities

  December 31, 2020
(000)
 

Assets:

 

Investments in Securities of Unaffiliated Issuers, at Value (Cost $36,116)

 

$

37,348

   

Investment in Security of Affiliated Issuer, at Value (Cost $1,781)

   

1,781

   

Total Investments in Securities, at Value (Cost $37,897)

   

39,129

   

Foreign Currency, at Value (Cost $24)

   

21

   

Interest Receivable

   

622

   

Tax Reclaim Receivable

   

25

   

Unrealized Appreciation on Foreign Currency Forward Exchange Contracts

   

17

   

Due from Adviser

   

3

   

Receivable from Affiliate

   

@

 

Receivable for Fund Shares Sold

   

@

 

Other Assets

   

33

   

Total Assets

   

39,850

   

Liabilities:

 

Deferred Capital Gain Country Tax

   

107

   

Unrealized Depreciation on Foreign Currency Forward Exchange Contracts

   

24

   

Payable for Professional Fees

   

15

   

Payable for Custodian Fees

   

9

   

Payable for Sub Transfer Agency Fees — Class I

   

3

   

Payable for Sub Transfer Agency Fees — Class A

   

@

 

Payable for Sub Transfer Agency Fees — Class L

   

@

 

Payable for Sub Transfer Agency Fees — Class C

   

@

 

Payable for Administration Fees

   

3

   

Payable for Transfer Agency Fees — Class I

   

1

   

Payable for Transfer Agency Fees — Class A

   

1

   

Payable for Transfer Agency Fees — Class L

   

@

 

Payable for Transfer Agency Fees — Class C

   

@

 

Payable for Transfer Agency Fees — Class IS

   

@

 

Payable for Shareholder Services Fees — Class A

   

1

   

Payable for Distribution and Shareholder Services Fees — Class L

   

@

 

Payable for Distribution and Shareholder Services Fees — Class C

   

@

 

Other Liabilities

   

15

   

Total Liabilities

   

179

   

Net Assets

 

$

39,671

   

Net Assets Consist of:

 

Paid-in-Capital

 

$

45,376

   

Total Accumulated Loss

   

(5,705

)

 

Net Assets

 

$

39,671

   

The accompanying notes are an integral part of the financial statements.
13



Morgan Stanley Institutional Fund, Inc.

Annual Report — December 31, 2020

Emerging Markets Fixed Income Opportunities Portfolio

Statement of Assets and Liabilities (cont'd)

  December 31, 2020
(000)
 

CLASS I:

 

Net Assets

 

$

35,262

   
Shares Outstanding $0.001 par value shares of beneficial interest (unlimited shares authorized) (not in 000's)    

3,847,730

   

Net Asset Value, Offering and Redemption Price Per Share

 

$

9.16

   

CLASS A:

 

Net Assets

 

$

3,325

   
Shares Outstanding $0.001 par value shares of beneficial interest (unlimited shares authorized) (not in 000's)    

363,218

   

Net Asset Value, Redemption Price Per Share

 

$

9.15

   

Maximum Sales Load

   

3.25

%

 

Maximum Sales Charge

 

$

0.31

   

Maximum Offering Price Per Share

 

$

9.46

   

CLASS L:

 

Net Assets

 

$

589

   
Shares Outstanding $0.001 par value shares of beneficial interest (unlimited shares authorized) (not in 000's)    

64,407

   

Net Asset Value, Offering and Redemption Price Per Share

 

$

9.14

   

CLASS C:

 

Net Assets

 

$

475

   
Shares Outstanding $0.001 par value shares of beneficial interest (unlimited shares authorized) (not in 000's)    

52,081

   

Net Asset Value, Offering and Redemption Price Per Share

 

$

9.13

   

CLASS IS:

 

Net Assets

 

$

20

   
Shares Outstanding $0.001 par value shares of beneficial interest (unlimited shares authorized) (not in 000's)    

2,129

   

Net Asset Value, Offering and Redemption Price Per Share

 

$

9.17

   

@  Amount is less than $500.

The accompanying notes are an integral part of the financial statements.
14



Morgan Stanley Institutional Fund, Inc.

Annual Report — December 31, 2020

Emerging Markets Fixed Income Opportunities Portfolio

Statement of Operations

  Year Ended
December 31, 2020
(000)
 

Investment Income:

 

Interest from Securities of Unaffiliated Issuers (Net of $39 of Foreign Taxes Withheld)

 

$

2,698

   

Dividends from Security of Affiliated Issuer (Note G)

   

14

   

Total Investment Income

   

2,712

   

Expenses:

 

Advisory Fees (Note B)

   

345

   

Professional Fees

   

133

   

Registration Fees

   

75

   

Administration Fees (Note C)

   

37

   

Custodian Fees (Note F)

   

28

   

Sub Transfer Agency Fees — Class I

   

20

   

Sub Transfer Agency Fees — Class A

   

2

   

Sub Transfer Agency Fees — Class L

   

@

 

Sub Transfer Agency Fees — Class C

   

@

 

Shareholder Reporting Fees

   

19

   

Pricing Fees

   

16

   

Shareholder Services Fees — Class A (Note D)

   

8

   

Distribution and Shareholder Services Fees — Class L (Note D)

   

3

   

Distribution and Shareholder Services Fees — Class C (Note D)

   

4

   

Transfer Agency Fees — Class I (Note E)

   

3

   

Transfer Agency Fees — Class A (Note E)

   

3

   

Transfer Agency Fees — Class L (Note E)

   

2

   

Transfer Agency Fees — Class C (Note E)

   

2

   

Transfer Agency Fees — Class IS (Note E)

   

2

   

Directors' Fees and Expenses

   

5

   

Other Expenses

   

22

   

Total Expenses

   

729

   

Waiver of Advisory Fees (Note B)

   

(300

)

 

Reimbursement of Class Specific Expenses — Class I (Note B)

   

(11

)

 

Reimbursement of Class Specific Expenses — Class A (Note B)

   

(—

@)

 

Reimbursement of Class Specific Expenses — Class L (Note B)

   

(2

)

 

Reimbursement of Class Specific Expenses — Class C (Note B)

   

(2

)

 

Reimbursement of Class Specific Expenses — Class IS (Note B)

   

(2

)

 

Rebate from Morgan Stanley Affiliate (Note G)

   

(4

)

 

Net Expenses

   

408

   

Net Investment Income

   

2,304

   

Realized Gain (Loss):

 

Investments Sold (Net of $8 of Capital Gain Country Tax)

   

(2,280

)

 

Foreign Currency Forward Exchange Contracts

   

26

   

Foreign Currency Translation

   

(49

)

 

Net Realized Loss

   

(2,303

)

 

Change in Unrealized Appreciation (Depreciation):

 

Investments (Net of Increase in Deferred Capital Gain Country Tax of $50)

   

(882

)

 

Foreign Currency Forward Exchange Contracts

   

39

   

Foreign Currency Translation

   

1

   

Net Change in Unrealized Appreciation (Depreciation)

   

(842

)

 

Net Realized Loss and Change in Unrealized Appreciation (Depreciation)

   

(3,145

)

 

Net Decrease in Net Assets Resulting from Operations

 

$

(841

)

 

@  Amount is less than $500.

The accompanying notes are an integral part of the financial statements.
15



Morgan Stanley Institutional Fund, Inc.

Annual Report — December 31, 2020

Emerging Markets Fixed Income Opportunities Portfolio

Statements of Changes in Net Assets

  Year Ended
December 31, 2020
(000)
  Year Ended
December 31, 2019
(000)
 

Increase (Decrease) in Net Assets:

 

Operations:

 

Net Investment Income

 

$

2,304

   

$

2,801

   

Net Realized Loss

   

(2,303

)

   

(980

)

 

Net Change in Unrealized Appreciation (Depreciation)

   

(842

)

   

4,411

   

Net Increase (Decrease) in Net Assets Resulting from Operations

   

(841

)

   

6,232

   

Dividends and Distributions to Shareholders:

 

Class I

   

(1,008

)

   

(2,260

)

 

Class A

   

(75

)

   

(82

)

 

Class L

   

(14

)

   

(30

)

 

Class C

   

(8

)

   

(18

)

 

Class IS

   

(1

)

   

(18

)

 

Paid-in-Capital:

 

Class I

   

(1,137

)

   

(275

)

 

Class A

   

(84

)

   

(10

)

 

Class L

   

(16

)

   

(4

)

 

Class C

   

(10

)

   

(2

)

 

Class IS

   

(1

)

   

(2

)

 

Total Dividends and Distributions to Shareholders

   

(2,354

)

   

(2,701

)

 

Capital Share Transactions:(1)

 

Class I:

 

Subscribed

   

2,814

     

22,927

   

Distributions Reinvested

   

2,140

     

2,529

   

Redeemed

   

(24,914

)

   

(3,153

)

 

Class A:

 

Subscribed

   

2,384

     

1,620

   

Distributions Reinvested

   

159

     

92

   

Redeemed

   

(1,124

)

   

(1,006

)

 

Class L:

 

Distributions Reinvested

   

31

     

34

   

Redeemed

   

(188

)

   

(58

)

 

Class C:

 

Subscribed

   

127

     

453

   

Distributions Reinvested

   

18

     

20

   

Redeemed

   

(182

)

   

(13

)

 

Class IS:

 

Subscribed

   

     

725

   

Distributions Reinvested

   

1

     

1

   

Redeemed

   

     

(1,430

)

 

Net Increase (Decrease) in Net Assets Resulting from Capital Share Transactions

   

(18,734

)

   

22,741

   

Redemption Fees

   

@

   

@

 

Total Increase (Decrease) in Net Assets

   

(21,929

)

   

26,272

   

Net Assets:

 

Beginning of Period

   

61,600

     

35,328

   

End of Period

 

$

39,671

   

$

61,600

   

The accompanying notes are an integral part of the financial statements.
16



Morgan Stanley Institutional Fund, Inc.

Annual Report — December 31, 2020

Emerging Markets Fixed Income Opportunities Portfolio

Statements of Changes in Net Assets (cont'd)

  Year Ended
December 31, 2020
(000)
  Year Ended
December 31, 2019
(000)
 

(1)   Capital Share Transactions:

 

Class I:

 

Shares Subscribed

   

318

     

2,527

   

Shares Issued on Distributions Reinvested

   

258

     

278

   

Shares Redeemed

   

(3,008

)

   

(349

)

 

Net Increase (Decrease) in Class I Shares Outstanding

   

(2,432

)

   

2,456

   

Class A:

 

Shares Subscribed

   

257

     

178

   

Shares Issued on Distributions Reinvested

   

19

     

10

   

Shares Redeemed

   

(144

)

   

(110

)

 

Net Increase in Class A Shares Outstanding

   

132

     

78

   

Class L:

 

Shares Issued on Distributions Reinvested

   

4

     

4

   

Shares Redeemed

   

(22

)

   

(7

)

 

Net Decrease in Class L Shares Outstanding

   

(18

)

   

(3

)

 

Class C:

 

Shares Subscribed

   

14

     

50

   

Shares Issued on Distributions Reinvested

   

2

     

2

   

Shares Redeemed

   

(21

)

   

(1

)

 

Net Increase (Decrease) in Class C Shares Outstanding

   

(5

)

   

51

   

Class IS:

 

Shares Subscribed

   

     

81

   

Shares Issued on Distributions Reinvested

   

@@

   

@@

 

Shares Redeemed

   

     

(158

)

 

Net Increase (Decrease) in Class IS Shares Outstanding

   

@@

   

(77

)

 

@  Amount is less than $500.

@@  Amount is less than 500 shares.

The accompanying notes are an integral part of the financial statements.
17



Morgan Stanley Institutional Fund, Inc.

Annual Report — December 31, 2020

Financial Highlights

Emerging Markets Fixed Income Opportunities Portfolio

   

Class I

 
   

Year Ended December 31,

 

Selected Per Share Data and Ratios

 

2020

 

2019

 

2018

 

2017

 

2016(1)

 

Net Asset Value, Beginning of Period

 

$

9.25

   

$

8.52

   

$

9.68

   

$

9.07

   

$

8.53

   

Income (Loss) from Investment Operations:

 

Net Investment Income(2)

   

0.44

     

0.51

     

0.57

     

0.65

     

0.67

   

Net Realized and Unrealized Gain (Loss)

   

(0.06

)

   

0.70

     

(1.24

)

   

0.52

     

0.42

   

Total from Investment Operations

   

0.38

     

1.21

     

(0.67

)

   

1.17

     

1.09

   

Distributions from and/or in Excess of:

 

Net Investment Income

   

(0.22

)

   

(0.43

)

   

(0.49

)

   

(0.56

)

   

(0.55

)

 

Paid-in-Capital

   

(0.25

)

   

(0.05

)

   

     

     

   

Total Distributions

   

(0.47

)

   

(0.48

)

   

(0.49

)

   

(0.56

)

   

(0.55

)

 

Redemption Fees

   

0.00

(3)

   

0.00

(3)

   

0.00

(3)

   

0.00

(3)

   

0.00

(3)

 

Net Asset Value, End of Period

 

$

9.16

   

$

9.25

   

$

8.52

   

$

9.68

   

$

9.07

   

Total Return(4)

   

4.69

%

   

14.41

%

   

(6.93

)%

   

12.94

%

   

12.80

%

 

Ratios to Average Net Assets and Supplemental Data:

 

Net Assets, End of Period (Thousands)

 

$

35,262

   

$

58,152

   

$

32,575

   

$

22,219

   

$

20,332

   

Ratio of Expenses Before Expense Limitation

   

1.53

%

   

1.39

%

   

1.98

%

   

2.01

%

   

2.03

%

 

Ratio of Expenses After Expense Limitation

   

0.84

%(5)

   

0.83

%(5)

   

0.84

%(5)

   

0.83

%(5)

   

0.84

%(5)

 

Ratio of Net Investment Income

   

5.05

%(5)

   

5.65

%(5)

   

6.24

%(5)

   

6.73

%(5)

   

7.32

%(5)

 

Ratio of Rebate from Morgan Stanley Affiliates

   

0.01

%

   

0.02

%

   

0.01

%

   

0.01

%

   

0.00

%(6)

 

Portfolio Turnover Rate

   

54

%

   

58

%

   

47

%

   

77

%

   

116

%

 

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

(2)  Per share amount is based on average shares outstanding.

(3)  Amount is less than $0.005 per share.

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

(5)  The Ratio of Expenses After Expense Limitation and Ratio of Net Investment Income reflect the rebate of certain Fund expenses in connection with the investments in Morgan Stanley affiliates during the period. The effect of the rebate on the ratios is disclosed in the above table as "Ratio of Rebate from Morgan Stanley Affiliates."

(6)  Amount is less than 0.005%.

The accompanying notes are an integral part of the financial statements.
18



Morgan Stanley Institutional Fund, Inc.

Annual Report — December 31, 2020

Financial Highlights

Emerging Markets Fixed Income Opportunities Portfolio

   

Class A

 
   

Year Ended December 31,

 

Selected Per Share Data and Ratios

 

2020

 

2019

 

2018

 

2017

 

2016(1)

 

Net Asset Value, Beginning of Period

 

$

9.24

   

$

8.51

   

$

9.67

   

$

9.06

   

$

8.52

   

Income (Loss) from Investment Operations:

 

Net Investment Income(2)

   

0.41

     

0.48

     

0.52

     

0.61

     

0.64

   

Net Realized and Unrealized Gain (Loss)

   

(0.06

)

   

0.70

     

(1.22

)

   

0.52

     

0.42

   

Total from Investment Operations

   

0.35

     

1.18

     

(0.70

)

   

1.13

     

1.06

   

Distributions from and/or in Excess of:

 

Net Investment Income

   

(0.19

)

   

(0.40

)

   

(0.46

)

   

(0.52

)

   

(0.52

)

 

Paid-in-Capital

   

(0.25

)

   

(0.05

)

   

     

     

   

Total Distributions

   

(0.44

)

   

(0.45

)

   

(0.46

)

   

(0.52

)

   

(0.52

)

 

Redemption Fees

   

0.00

(3)

   

0.00

(3)

   

0.00

(3)

   

0.00

(3)

   

0.00

(3)

 

Net Asset Value, End of Period

 

$

9.15

   

$

9.24

   

$

8.51

   

$

9.67

   

$

9.06

   

Total Return(4)

   

4.33

%

   

14.03

%

   

(7.29

)%

   

12.54

%

   

12.53

%

 

Ratios to Average Net Assets and Supplemental Data:

 

Net Assets, End of Period (Thousands)

 

$

3,325

   

$

2,141

   

$

1,306

   

$

1,150

   

$

972

   

Ratio of Expenses Before Expense Limitation

   

1.87

%

   

1.81

%

   

2.49

%

   

2.51

%

   

2.28

%

 

Ratio of Expenses After Expense Limitation

   

1.19

%(5)

   

1.18

%(5)

   

1.19

%(5)

   

1.19

%(5)

   

1.09

%(5)

 

Ratio of Net Investment Income

   

4.72

%(5)

   

5.31

%(5)

   

5.74

%(5)

   

6.37

%(5)

   

7.03

%(5)

 

Ratio of Rebate from Morgan Stanley Affiliates

   

0.01

%

   

0.02

%

   

0.01

%

   

0.01

%

   

0.00

%(6)

 

Portfolio Turnover Rate

   

54

%

   

58

%

   

47

%

   

77

%

   

116

%

 

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

(2)  Per share amount is based on average shares outstanding.

(3)  Amount is less than $0.005 per share.

(4)  Calculated based on the net asset value which does not reflect sales charges, if applicable, as of the last business day of the period.

(5)  The Ratio of Expenses After Expense Limitation and Ratio of Net Investment Income reflect the rebate of certain Fund expenses in connection with the investments in Morgan Stanley affiliates during the period. The effect of the rebate on the ratios is disclosed in the above table as "Ratio of Rebate from Morgan Stanley Affiliates."

(6)  Amount is less than 0.005%.

The accompanying notes are an integral part of the financial statements.
19



Morgan Stanley Institutional Fund, Inc.

Annual Report — December 31, 2020

Financial Highlights

Emerging Markets Fixed Income Opportunities Portfolio

   

Class L

 
   

Year Ended December 31,

 

Selected Per Share Data and Ratios

 

2020

 

2019

 

2018

 

2017

 

2016(1)

 

Net Asset Value, Beginning of Period

 

$

9.23

   

$

8.50

   

$

9.65

   

$

9.05

   

$

8.51

   

Income (Loss) from Investment Operations:

 

Net Investment Income(2)

   

0.39

     

0.46

     

0.50

     

0.59

     

0.62

   

Net Realized and Unrealized Gain (Loss)

   

(0.06

)

   

0.70

     

(1.22

)

   

0.51

     

0.41

   

Total from Investment Operations

   

0.33

     

1.16

     

(0.72

)

   

1.10

     

1.03

   

Distributions from and/or in Excess of:

 

Net Investment Income

   

(0.17

)

   

(0.38

)

   

(0.43

)

   

(0.50

)

   

(0.49

)

 

Paid-in-Capital

   

(0.25

)

   

(0.05

)

   

     

     

   

Total Distributions

   

(0.42

)

   

(0.43

)

   

(0.43

)

   

(0.50

)

   

(0.49

)

 

Redemption Fees

   

0.00

(3)

   

0.00

(3)

   

0.00

(3)

   

0.00

(3)

   

0.00

(3)

 

Net Asset Value, End of Period

 

$

9.14

   

$

9.23

   

$

8.50

   

$

9.65

   

$

9.05

   

Total Return(4)

   

4.06

%

   

13.76

%

   

(7.52

)%

   

12.28

%

   

12.15

%

 

Ratios to Average Net Assets and Supplemental Data:

 

Net Assets, End of Period (Thousands)

 

$

589

   

$

764

   

$

727

   

$

842

   

$

777

   

Ratio of Expenses Before Expense Limitation

   

2.35

%

   

2.16

%

   

2.78

%

   

2.77

%

   

2.78

%

 

Ratio of Expenses After Expense Limitation

   

1.44

%(5)

   

1.43

%(5)

   

1.44

%(5)

   

1.44

%(5)

   

1.45

%(5)

 

Ratio of Net Investment Income

   

4.48

%(5)

   

5.05

%(5)

   

5.51

%(5)

   

6.11

%(5)

   

6.70

%(5)

 

Ratio of Rebate from Morgan Stanley Affiliates

   

0.01

%

   

0.02

%

   

0.01

%

   

0.01

%

   

0.00

%(6)

 

Portfolio Turnover Rate

   

54

%

   

58

%

   

47

%

   

77

%

   

116

%

 

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

(2)  Per share amount is based on average shares outstanding.

(3)  Amount is less than $0.005 per share.

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

(5)  The Ratio of Expenses After Expense Limitation and Ratio of Net Investment Income reflect the rebate of certain Fund expenses in connection with the investments in Morgan Stanley affiliates during the period. The effect of the rebate on the ratios is disclosed in the above table as "Ratio of Rebate from Morgan Stanley Affiliates."

(6)  Amount is less than 0.005%.

The accompanying notes are an integral part of the financial statements.
20



Morgan Stanley Institutional Fund, Inc.

Annual Report — December 31, 2020

Financial Highlights

Emerging Markets Fixed Income Opportunities Portfolio

   

Class C

 
   

Year Ended December 31,

 

Selected Per Share Data and Ratios

 

2020

 

2019

 

2018

 

2017

 

2016(1)

 

Net Asset Value, Beginning of Period

 

$

9.21

   

$

8.50

   

$

9.65

   

$

9.05

   

$

8.52

   

Income (Loss) from Investment Operations:

 

Net Investment Income(2)

   

0.34

     

0.41

     

0.46

     

0.50

     

0.54

   

Net Realized and Unrealized Gain (Loss)

   

(0.05

)

   

0.70

     

(1.22

)

   

0.55

     

0.43

   

Total from Investment Operations

   

0.29

     

1.11

     

(0.76

)

   

1.05

     

0.97

   

Distributions from and/or in Excess of:

 

Net Investment Income

   

(0.12

)

   

(0.35

)

   

(0.39

)

   

(0.45

)

   

(0.44

)

 

Paid-in-Capital

   

(0.25

)

   

(0.05

)

   

     

     

   

Total Distributions

   

(0.37

)

   

(0.40

)

   

(0.39

)

   

(0.45

)

   

(0.44

)

 

Redemption Fees

   

0.00

(3)

   

0.00

(3)

   

0.00

(3)

   

0.00

(3)

   

0.00

(3)

 

Net Asset Value, End of Period

 

$

9.13

   

$

9.21

   

$

8.50

   

$

9.65

   

$

9.05

   

Total Return(4)

   

3.63

%

   

13.19

%

   

(7.98

)%

   

11.76

%

   

11.60

%

 

Ratios to Average Net Assets and Supplemental Data:

 

Net Assets, End of Period (Thousands)

 

$

475

   

$

524

   

$

48

   

$

284

   

$

225

   

Ratio of Expenses Before Expense Limitation

   

3.05

%

   

2.92

%

   

3.79

%

   

3.84

%

   

3.97

%

 

Ratio of Expenses After Expense Limitation

   

1.94

%(5)

   

1.93

%(5)

   

1.94

%(5)

   

1.94

%(5)

   

1.95

%(5)

 

Ratio of Net Investment Income

   

3.98

%(5)

   

4.54

%(5)

   

5.09

%(5)

   

5.18

%(5)

   

5.87

%(5)

 

Ratio of Rebate from Morgan Stanley Affiliates

   

0.01

%

   

0.02

%

   

0.01

%

   

0.01

%

   

0.00

%(6)

 

Portfolio Turnover Rate

   

54

%

   

58

%

   

47

%

   

77

%

   

116

%

 

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

(2)  Per share amount is based on average shares outstanding.

(3)  Amount is less than $0.005 per share.

(4)  Calculated based on the net asset value which does not reflect sales charges, if applicable, as of the last business day of the period.

(5)  The Ratio of Expenses After Expense Limitation and Ratio of Net Investment Income reflect the rebate of certain Fund expenses in connection with the investments in Morgan Stanley affiliates during the period. The effect of the rebate on the ratios is disclosed in the above table as "Ratio of Rebate from Morgan Stanley Affiliates."

(6)  Amount is less than 0.005%.

The accompanying notes are an integral part of the financial statements.
21



Morgan Stanley Institutional Fund, Inc.

Annual Report — December 31, 2020

Financial Highlights

Emerging Markets Fixed Income Opportunities Portfolio

   

Class IS

 
   

Year Ended December 31,

 

Selected Per Share Data and Ratios

 

2020

 

2019

 

2018

 

2017

 

2016(1)

 

Net Asset Value, Beginning of Period

 

$

9.25

   

$

8.52

   

$

9.68

   

$

9.07

   

$

8.53

   

Income (Loss) from Investment Operations:

 

Net Investment Income(2)

   

0.44

     

0.52

     

0.56

     

0.65

     

0.67

   

Net Realized and Unrealized Gain (Loss)

   

(0.05

)

   

0.69

     

(1.23

)

   

0.52

     

0.42

   

Total from Investment Operations

   

0.39

     

1.21

     

(0.67

)

   

1.17

     

1.09

   

Distributions from and/or in Excess of:

 

Net Investment Income

   

(0.22

)

   

(0.43

)

   

(0.49

)

   

(0.56

)

   

(0.55

)

 

Paid-in-Capital

   

(0.25

)

   

(0.05

)

   

     

     

   

Total Distributions

   

(0.47

)

   

(0.48

)

   

(0.49

)

   

(0.56

)

   

(0.55

)

 

Redemption Fees

   

0.00

(3)

   

0.00

(3)

   

0.00

(3)

   

0.00

(3)

   

0.00

(3)

 

Net Asset Value, End of Period

 

$

9.17

   

$

9.25

   

$

8.52

   

$

9.68

   

$

9.07

   

Total Return(4)

   

4.84

%

   

14.44

%

   

(6.91

)%

   

12.95

%

   

12.81

%

 

Ratios to Average Net Assets and Supplemental Data:

 

Net Assets, End of Period (Thousands)

 

$

20

   

$

19

   

$

672

   

$

763

   

$

716

   

Ratio of Expenses Before Expense Limitation

   

12.56

%

   

1.73

%

   

2.22

%

   

2.25

%

   

2.25

%

 

Ratio of Expenses After Expense Limitation

   

0.81

%(5)

   

0.80

%(5)

   

0.81

%(5)

   

0.81

%(5)

   

0.82

%(5)

 

Ratio of Net Investment Income

   

5.10

%(5)

   

5.72

%(5)

   

6.15

%(5)

   

6.74

%(5)

   

7.33

%(5)

 

Ratio of Rebate from Morgan Stanley Affiliates

   

0.01

%

   

0.02

%

   

0.01

%

   

0.01

%

   

0.00

%(6)

 

Portfolio Turnover Rate

   

54

%

   

58

%

   

47

%

   

77

%

   

116

%

 

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

(2)  Per share amount is based on average shares outstanding.

(3)  Amount is less than $0.005 per share.

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

(5)  The Ratio of Expenses After Expense Limitation and Ratio of Net Investment Income reflect the rebate of certain Fund expenses in connection with the investments in Morgan Stanley affiliates during the period. The effect of the rebate on the ratios is disclosed in the above table as "Ratio of Rebate from Morgan Stanley Affiliates."

(6)  Amount is less than 0.005%.

The accompanying notes are an integral part of the financial statements.
22



Morgan Stanley Institutional Fund, Inc.

Annual Report — December 31, 2020

Notes to Financial Statements

Morgan Stanley Institutional Fund, Inc. (the "Company") is registered under the Investment Company Act of 1940, as amended (the "Act"), as an open-end management investment company. The Company is comprised of thirty-one separate, active, diversified and non-diversified funds (individually referred to as a "Fund," collectively as the "Funds"). The Company applies investment company accounting and reporting guidance.

The accompanying financial statements relate to the Emerging Markets Fixed Income Opportunities Portfolio. The Fund seeks high total return.

The Fund offers five classes of shares — Class I, Class A, Class L, Class C and Class IS. On April 30, 2015, the Fund suspended offering of Class L shares. Existing Class L shareholders may invest through reinvestment of dividends and distributions. In addition, Class L shares of the Fund may be exchanged for Class L shares of any Morgan Stanley Multi-Class Fund, even though Class L shares are closed to investors.

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

1.  Security Valuation: (1) Certain portfolio securities may be valued by an outside pricing service/vendor approved by the Company's Board of Directors (the "Directors"). The pricing service/vendor may employ a pricing model that takes into account, among other things, bids, yield spreads and/or other market data and specific security characteristics. Alternatively, if a valuation is not available from an outside pricing service/vendor, and the security trades on an exchange, the security may be valued at its latest reported sale price (or at the exchange official closing price if such exchange reports an official closing price), prior to the time when assets are valued. If there are no sales on a given day and if there is no official exchange closing price for that day, the security is valued at the mean between the last reported bid and asked prices if such bid and asked prices are available in the relevant exchanges. If only bid prices are available then the latest bid price may be used. If Morgan Stanley Investment Management Inc. (the "Adviser") or Morgan Stanley Investment Management Limited ("MSIM Limited") and Morgan

Stanley Investment Management Company ("MSIM Company") (together, the "Sub-Advisers"), each a wholly-owned subsidiary of Morgan Stanley, determines that the price provided by the outside pricing service/vendor or exchange does not reflect the security's fair value or is unable to provide a price, prices from brokers or dealers may also be utilized. In these circumstances, the value of the security will be the mean of bid and asked prices obtained from brokers or dealers; (2) an equity portfolio security listed or traded on an exchange is valued at its latest reported sales price (or at the exchange official closing price if such exchange reports an official closing price), and if there were no sales on a given day and if there is no official exchange closing price for that day, the security is valued at the mean between the last reported bid and asked prices if such bid and asked prices are available on the relevant exchanges. If only bid prices are available then the latest bid price may be used. Listed equity securities not traded on the valuation date with no reported bid and asked prices available on the exchange are valued at the mean between the current bid and asked prices obtained from one or more reputable brokers or dealers. In cases where a security is traded on more than one exchange, the security is valued on the exchange designated as the primary market; (3) all other equity portfolio securities for which over-the-counter ("OTC") market quotations are readily available are valued at the latest reported sales price (or at the market official closing price if such market reports an official closing price), and if there was no trading in the security on a given day and if there is no official closing price from relevant markets for that day, the security is valued at the mean between the last reported bid and asked prices if such bid and asked prices are available on the relevant markets. An unlisted equity security that does not trade on the valuation date and for which bid and asked prices from the relevant markets are unavailable is valued at the mean between the current bid and asked prices obtained from one or more reputable brokers or dealers; (4) when market quotations are not readily available, including circumstances under which the Adviser or the Sub-Advisers determine 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 Directors. Occasionally, developments affecting the closing prices of securities and other assets may


23



Morgan Stanley Institutional Fund, Inc.

Annual Report — December 31, 2020

Notes to Financial Statements (cont'd)

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 of the New York Stock Exchange ("NYSE"). If developments occur during such periods that are expected to materially affect the value of such securities, such valuations may be adjusted to reflect the estimated fair value of such securities as of the close of the NYSE, as determined in good faith by the Directors or by the Adviser using a pricing service and/or procedures approved by the Directors; (5) quotations of foreign portfolio securities, other assets and liabilities and forward contracts stated in foreign currency are translated into U.S. dollar equivalents at the prevailing market rates prior to the close of the NYSE; and (6) investments in mutual funds, including the Morgan Stanley Institutional Liquidity Funds, are valued at the net asset value ("NAV") as of the close of each business day.

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

2.  Fair Value Measurement: Financial Accounting Standards Board ("FASB") Accounting Standards CodificationTM ("ASC") 820, "Fair Value Measurement" ("ASC 820"), defines fair value as the value that the Fund would receive to sell an investment or pay to transfer a liability in a timely transaction with an independent buyer in the principal market, or in the absence of a principal market, the most advantageous market for the investment or liability. ASC 820 establishes a three-tier

hierarchy to distinguish between (1) inputs that reflect the assumptions market participants would use in valuing an asset or liability developed based on market data obtained from sources independent of the reporting entity (observable inputs) and (2) inputs that reflect the reporting entity's own assumptions about the assumptions market participants would use in valuing an asset or liability developed based on the best information available in the circumstances (unobservable inputs) and to establish classification of fair value measurements for disclosure purposes. Various inputs are used in determining the value of the Fund's investments. The inputs are summarized in the three broad levels listed below:

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

•  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.


24



Morgan Stanley Institutional Fund, Inc.

Annual Report — December 31, 2020

Notes to Financial Statements (cont'd)

The following is a summary of the inputs used to value the Fund's investments as of December 31, 2020:

Investment Type

  Level 1
Unadjusted
quoted
prices
(000)
  Level 2
Other
significant
observable
inputs
(000)
  Level 3
Significant
unobservable
inputs
(000)
  Total
(000)
 

Assets:

 

Fixed Income Securities

 

Corporate Bonds

 

$

   

$

10,500

   

$

   

$

10,500

   

Sovereign

   

     

26,007

     

     

26,007

   

Supranational

   

     

402

     

     

402

   
Total Fixed Income
Securities
   

     

36,909

     

     

36,909

   

Warrant

   

     

1

     

     

1

   

Short-Term Investments

 

Investment Company

   

1,781

     

     

     

1,781

   

Sovereign

   

     

408

     

     

408

   

U.S. Treasury Security

   

     

30

     

     

30

   
Total Short-Term
Investments
   

1,781

     

438

     

     

2,219

   
Foreign Currency Forward
Exchange Contracts
   

     

17

     

     

17

   

Total Assets

   

1,781

     

37,365

     

     

39,146

   

Liabilities:

 
Foreign Currency Forward
Exchange Contracts
   

     

(24

)

   

     

(24

)

 

Total

 

$

1,781

   

$

37,341

   

$

   

$

39,122

   

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

3.  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.

Net realized gains (losses) on foreign currency transactions represent net foreign exchange gains (losses) from foreign currency forward exchange contracts, disposition of foreign currencies, currency gains (losses) realized between the trade and settlement dates on securities transactions, and the difference between the amount of investment income and foreign withholding taxes recorded on the Fund's books and the U.S. dollar equivalent amounts actually received or paid. The change in unrealized currency gains (losses) on foreign currency transactions for the period is reflected in the Statement of Operations.

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.

Governmental approval for foreign investments may be required in advance of making an investment under certain circumstances in some countries, and the extent of foreign investments in domestic companies may be subject to limitation in other countries. Foreign ownership limitations also may be imposed by the charters of individual companies to prevent, among other concerns, violations of foreign investment limitations. As a result, an additional class of shares (identified as "Foreign" in the Portfolio of Investments) may be created and offered for investment. The "local" and "foreign shares" market values may differ. In the absence of trading of the foreign shares in such markets, the Fund values the foreign shares at the closing exchange price of the local shares.


25



Morgan Stanley Institutional Fund, Inc.

Annual Report — December 31, 2020

Notes to Financial Statements (cont'd)

4.  Structured Investments: The Fund invested a portion of its assets in structured investments. A structured investment is a derivative security designed to offer a return linked to a particular underlying security, currency, commodity or market. Structured investments may come in various forms including notes (such as exchange-traded notes), warrants and options to purchase securities. The Fund will typically use structured investments to gain exposure to a permitted underlying security, currency, commodity or market when direct access to a market is limited or inefficient from a tax or cost standpoint. There can be no assurance that structured investments will trade at the same price or have the same value as the underlying security, currency, commodity or market. Investments in structured investments involve risks including issuer risk, counterparty risk and market risk. Holders of structured investments bear risks of the underlying investment and are subject to issuer or counterparty risk because the Fund is relying on the creditworthiness of such issuer or counterparty and has no rights with respect to the underlying investment. Certain structured investments may be thinly traded or have a limited trading market and may have the effect of increasing the Fund's illiquidity to the extent that the Fund, at a particular time, may be unable to find qualified buyers for these securities.

5.  Derivatives: The Fund may, but is not required to, use derivative instruments for a variety of purposes, including hedging, risk management, portfolio management or to earn income. Derivatives are financial instruments whose value is based, in part, on the value of an underlying asset, interest rate, index or financial instrument. Prevailing interest rates and volatility levels, among other things, also affect the value of derivative instruments. A derivative instrument often has risks similar to its underlying asset and may have additional risks, including imperfect correlation between the value of the derivative and the underlying asset, risks of default by the counterparty to certain transactions, magnification of losses incurred due to changes in the market value of the securities, instruments, indices or interest rates to which the derivative instrument relates, risks that the transactions may not be liquid and risks arising from margin requirements. The use of derivatives involves risks that are different from, and possibly greater than, the risks associated with other portfolio investments. Derivatives may involve the use of highly specialized instruments that require investment techniques and risk

analyses different from those associated with other portfolio investments. All of the Fund's holdings, including derivative instruments, are marked-to-market each day with the change in value reflected in unrealized appreciation (depreciation). Upon disposition, a realized gain or loss is recognized.

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

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

Foreign Currency Forward Exchange Contracts: In connection with its investments in foreign securities, the Fund also 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. To the extent hedged by the use of currency contracts, the precise matching of the currency contract amounts and the value of the securities involved will not generally be possible because the future value of such securities in foreign currencies will change as a consequence of market movements in the value of those securities between the date on which the contract is entered into and the date it matures. Furthermore, such transactions may reduce or preclude the opportunity for gain if the value of the currency should move in the direction opposite to the position taken. There is additional risk to the extent that currency contracts create


26



Morgan Stanley Institutional Fund, Inc.

Annual Report — December 31, 2020

Notes to Financial Statements (cont'd)

exposure to currencies in which the Fund's securities are not denominated. Unanticipated changes in currency prices may result in poorer overall performance for the Fund than if it had not entered into such 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 terms of the contract. A currency contract is marked-to-market daily and the change in market value is recorded by the Fund as unrealized gain or loss. The Fund records realized gains (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.

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

The following tables set forth the fair value of the Fund's derivative contracts by primary risk exposure as of December 31, 2020:

    Asset Derivatives
Statement of Assets and
Liabilities Location
  Primary Risk
Exposure
  Value
(000)
 
Foreign Currency Forward
Exchange Contracts
 
  Unrealized Appreciation on
Foreign Currency Forward
Exchange Contracts
 

Currency Risk
 

$

17

   
    Liability Derivatives
Statement of Assets and
Liabilities Location
  Primary Risk
Exposure
  Value
(000)
 
Foreign Currency Forward
Exchange Contracts
 
  Unrealized Depreciation on
Foreign Currency Forward
Exchange Contracts
 

Currency Risk
 

$

(24

)

 

The following tables set forth by primary risk exposure the Fund's realized gains (losses) and change in unrealized appreciation (depreciation) by type of derivative contract for the year ended December 31, 2020 in accordance with ASC 815:

Realized Gain (Loss)

 

Primary Risk Exposure

 

Derivative Type

  Value
(000)
 
Currency Risk
 
  Foreign Currency Forward
Exchange Contracts
 

$

26

   

Change in Unrealized Appreciation (Depreciation)

 

Primary Risk Exposure

 

Derivative Type

  Value
(000)
 
Currency Risk
 
  Foreign Currency Forward
Exchange Contracts
 

$

39

   

At December 31, 2020, the Fund's derivative assets and liabilities are as follows:

Gross Amounts of Assets and Liabilities
Presented in the Statement of Assets and Liabilities
 

Derivatives

  Assets(a)
(000)
  Liabilities(a)
(000)
 

Foreign Currency Forward Exchange Contracts

 

$

17

   

$

(24

)

 

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

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


27



Morgan Stanley Institutional Fund, Inc.

Annual Report — December 31, 2020

Notes to Financial Statements (cont'd)

The following tables present derivative financial instruments that are subject to enforceable netting arrangements as of December 31, 2020:

Gross Amounts Not Offset in the Statement of Assets and Liabilities

 

Counterparty

  Gross Asset
Derivatives
Presented in
the Statement of
Assets and
Liabilities
(000)
  Financial
Instrument
(000)
  Collateral
Received
(000)
  Net Amount
(not less
than $0)
(000)
 

BNP Paribas SA

 

$

10

   

$

(7

)

 

$

   

$

3

   

Citibank NA

   

4

     

     

     

4

   

UBS AG

   

3

     

(1

)

   

     

2

   

Total

 

$

17

   

$

(8

)

 

$

   

$

9

   

Gross Amounts Not Offset in the Statement of Assets and Liabilities

 

Counterparty

  Gross Liability
Derivatives
Presented in
the Statement of
Assets and
Liabilities
(000)
  Financial
Instrument
(000)
  Collateral
Pledged
(000)
  Net Amount
(not less
than $0)
(000)
 

BNP Paribas SA

 

$

7

   

$

(7

)

 

$

   

$

0

   

JPMorgan Chase Bank NA

   

16

     

     

     

16

   

UBS AG

   

1

     

(1

)

   

     

0

   

Total

 

$

24

   

$

(8

)

 

$

   

$

16

   

For the year ended December 31, 2020, the approximate average monthly amount outstanding for each derivative type is as follows:

Foreign Currency Forward Exchange Contracts:

 

Average monthly principal amount

 

$

4,786,000

   

6.  Redemption Fees: The Fund will assess a 2% redemption fee on Class I shares, Class A shares, Class L shares, Class C shares and Class IS shares, which is paid directly to the Fund, for shares redeemed or exchanged within thirty days of purchase, subject to certain exceptions. The redemption fee is designed to protect the Fund and its remaining shareholders from the effects of short-term trading. These fees, if any, are included in the Statements of Changes in Net Assets.

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

8.  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 quarterly. Net realized capital gains, if any, are distributed at least annually.

9.  Security Transactions, Income and Expenses: Security transactions are accounted for on the trade date (date the order to buy or sell is executed). Realized gains and losses on the sale of investment securities are determined on the specific identified cost method. Dividend income and other distributions are recorded on the ex-dividend date. Interest income is recognized on the accrual basis except where collection is in doubt. Discounts are accreted and premiums are amortized over the life of the respective securities. Most expenses of the Company can be directly attributed to a particular Fund. Expenses which cannot be directly attributed are apportioned among the Funds based upon relative net assets or other appropriate methods. Income, expenses (other than class specific expenses — distribution and shareholder services, transfer agency and sub transfer agency fees) and realized and unrealized gains or losses are allocated to each class of shares based upon their relative net assets.

B. Advisory/Sub-Advisory Fees: The Adviser, a wholly-owned subsidiary of Morgan Stanley, provides the Fund with advisory services under the terms of an Investment Advisory Agreement, paid quarterly, at the annual rate based on the daily net assets as follows:

First $500
million
  Next $500
million
  Over $1
billion
 
  0.75

%

   

0.70

%

   

0.65

%

 

For the year ended December 31, 2020, the advisory fee rate (net of waiver/rebate) was equivalent to an annual effective rate of 0.09% of the Fund's average daily net assets.

The Adviser has agreed to reduce its advisory fee and/or reimburse the Fund so that total annual Fund operating expenses, excluding certain investment related expenses, taxes, interest and other extraordinary expenses (including litigation), will not exceed 0.85% for Class I shares, 1.20% for Class A shares, 1.45% for Class L shares, 1.95% for Class C shares and 0.82% for Class IS shares. The fee waivers and/or expense reimbursements will continue for at least one year from the date of the Fund's prospectus or until such time as the Directors act to discontinue all or a portion of such waivers and/or reimbursements when they deem such action is appropriate. For the year ended December 31, 2020, approximately $300,000 of advisory fees were waived and approximately $17,000 of other expenses were reimbursed by the Adviser pursuant to this arrangement.


28



Morgan Stanley Institutional Fund, Inc.

Annual Report — December 31, 2020

Notes to Financial Statements (cont'd)

The Adviser has entered into Sub-Advisory Agreements with the Sub-Advisers, each a wholly-owned subsidiary of Morgan Stanley. The Sub-Advisers provide the Fund with advisory services subject to the overall supervision of the Adviser and the Company's Officers and Directors. The Adviser pays the Sub-Advisers on a monthly basis a portion of the net advisory fees the Adviser receives from the Fund.

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

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

D. Distribution and Shareholder Services Fees: Morgan Stanley Distribution, Inc. ("MSDI" or the "Distributor"), a wholly-owned subsidiary of the Adviser and an indirect subsidiary of Morgan Stanley, serves as the Company's Distributor of Fund shares pursuant to a Distribution Agreement. The Company has adopted a Shareholder Services Plan with respect to Class A shares pursuant to Rule 12b-1 under the Act. Under the Shareholder Services Plan, the Fund pays the Distributor a shareholder services fee, accrued daily and paid monthly, at an annual rate of 0.25% of the Fund's average daily net assets attributable to Class A shares.

The Company has adopted a Distribution and Shareholder Services Plan with respect to Class L shares pursuant to Rule 12b-1 under the Act. Under the Distribution and Shareholder Services Plan, the Fund pays the Distributor a distribution fee, accrued daily and paid monthly, at an annual rate of 0.25% and a shareholder services fee, accrued daily and paid monthly, at an annual rate of 0.25% of the Fund's average daily net assets attributable to Class L shares.

The Company has adopted a Distribution and Shareholder Services Plan with respect to Class C shares pursuant to Rule 12b-1 under the Act. Under the Distribution and Shareholder Services Plan, the Fund pays the Distributor a

distribution fee, accrued daily and paid monthly, at an annual rate of 0.75% and a shareholder services fee, accrued daily and paid monthly, at an annual rate of 0.25% of the Fund's average daily net assets attributable to Class C shares.

The distribution and shareholder services fees are used to support the expenses associated with servicing and maintaining accounts. The Distributor may compensate other parties for providing shareholder support services to investors who purchase Class A, Class L and Class C shares.

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

F. Custodian Fees: State Street (the "Custodian") also serves as Custodian for the Company in accordance with a Custodian Agreement. The Custodian holds cash, securities and other assets of the Company as required by the Act. Custody fees are payable monthly based on assets held in custody, investment purchases and sales activity and account maintenance fees, plus reimbursement for certain out-of-pocket expenses.

G. Security Transactions and Transactions with Affiliates: For the year ended December 31, 2020, purchases and sales of investment securities for the Fund, other than long-term U.S. Government securities and short-term investments were approximately $23,268,000 and $38,265,000, respectively. There were no purchases and sales of long-term U.S. Government securities for the year ended December 31, 2020.

The Fund invests in the Institutional Class of the Morgan Stanley Institutional Liquidity Funds — Treasury Securities Portfolio (the "Liquidity Funds"), an open-end management investment company managed by the Adviser. Advisory fees paid by the Fund are reduced by an amount equal to its pro-rata share of the advisory and administration fees paid by the Fund due to its investment in the Liquidity Funds. For the year ended December 31, 2020, advisory fees paid were reduced by approximately $4,000 relating to the Fund's investment in the Liquidity Funds.


29



Morgan Stanley Institutional Fund, Inc.

Annual Report — December 31, 2020

Notes to Financial Statements (cont'd)

A summary of the Fund's transactions in shares of affiliated investments during the year ended December 31, 2020 is as follows:

Affiliated
Investment
Company
  Value
December 31,
2019
(000)
  Purchases
at Cost
(000)
  Proceeds
from Sales
(000)
  Dividend
Income
(000)
 

Liquidity Funds

 

$

4,403

   

$

22,662

   

$

25,284

   

$

14

   
Affiliated
Investment
Company (cont'd)
  Realized
Gain
Loss
(Loss)
(000)
  Change in
Unrealized
Appreciation
(Depreciation)
(000)
  Value
December 31,
2020
(000)
 

Liquidity Funds

 

$

   

$

   

$

1,781

   

The Fund is permitted to purchase and sell securities ("cross-trade") from and to other Morgan Stanley funds as well as other funds and client accounts for which the Adviser or an affiliate of the Adviser serves as investment adviser, pursuant to procedures approved by the Directors in compliance with Rule 17a-7 under the Act (the "Rule"). Each cross-trade is executed at the current market price in compliance with provisions of the Rule. For the year ended December 31, 2020, the Fund did not engage in any cross-trade transactions.

The Fund has an unfunded Deferred Compensation Plan (the "Compensation Plan"), which allows each independent Director to defer payment of all, or a portion, of the fees he or she receives for serving on the Board of Directors. Each eligible Director generally may elect to have the deferred amounts credited with a return equal to the total return on one or more of the Morgan Stanley funds that are offered as investment options under the Compensation Plan. Appreciation/depreciation and distributions received from these investments are recorded with an offsetting increase/decrease in the deferred compensation obligation and do not affect the NAV of the Fund.

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

The Fund may be subject to taxes imposed by countries in which it invests. Such taxes are generally based on income and/or capital gains earned or repatriated. Taxes are accrued based on net investment income, net realized gains and net unrealized appreciation as such income and/or gains are earned. Taxes may also be based on transactions in foreign currency and are accrued based on the value of investments denominated in such currency.

FASB ASC 740-10, "Income Taxes — Overall", sets forth a minimum threshold for financial statement recognition of the benefit of a tax position taken or expected to be taken in a tax return. Management has concluded there are no significant uncertain tax positions that would require recognition in the financial statements. If applicable, the Fund recognizes interest accrued related to unrecognized tax benefits in "Interest Expense" and penalties in "Other Expenses" in the Statement of Operations. The Fund files tax returns with the U.S. Internal Revenue Service, New York and various states. Generally, each of the tax years in the four-year period ended December 31, 2020 remains subject to examination by taxing authorities.

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

2020
Distributions
Paid From:
  2019
Distributions
Paid From:
 
Ordinary
Income
(000)
  Paid-in-
Capital
(000)
  Ordinary
Income
(000)
  Paid-in-
Capital
(000)
 
$

1,106

   

$

1,248

   

$

2,408

   

$

293

   

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

The Fund had no permanent differences causing reclassifications among the components of net assets for the year ended December 31, 2020.

At December 31, 2020, the Fund had no distributable earnings on a tax basis.

At December 31, 2020, the Fund had available for federal income tax purposes unused short-term and long-term capital losses of approximately $1,713,000 and $4,504,000, respectively, that do not have an expiration date. These amounts include capital losses acquired from MSIF Emerging Markets Domestic Debt that may be subject to limitation under IRC Section 382 in future years.

To the extent that capital loss carryforwards are used to offset any future capital gains realized, no capital gains tax liability


30



Morgan Stanley Institutional Fund, Inc.

Annual Report — December 31, 2020

Notes to Financial Statements (cont'd)

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

I. Credit Facility: The Company and other Morgan Stanley funds participated in a $300,000,000 committed, unsecured revolving line of credit facility (the "Facility") with State Street. This Facility is to be used for temporary emergency purposes or funding of shareholder redemption requests. The interest rate on borrowings is based on the federal funds rate or 1 month LIBOR rate plus a spread. The Facility also has a commitment fee of 0.25% per annum based on the unused portion of the Facility. During the year ended December 31, 2020, the Fund did not have any borrowings under the Facility.

J. Other: At December 31, 2020, the Fund had record owners of 10% or greater. Investment activities of these shareholders could have a material impact on the Fund. The aggregate percentage of such owners was 58.4%.

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


31



Morgan Stanley Institutional Fund, Inc.

Annual Report — December 31, 2020

Report of Independent Registered Public Accounting Firm

To the Shareholders and Board of Directors of
Morgan Stanley Institutional Fund, Inc. —
Emerging Markets Fixed Income Opportunities Portfolio

Opinion on the Financial Statements

We have audited the accompanying statement of assets and liabilities of Emerging Markets Fixed Income Opportunities Portfolio (the "Fund") (one of the funds constituting Morgan Stanley Institutional Fund, Inc. (the "Company")), including the portfolio of investments, as of December 31, 2020, and the related statement of operations for the year then ended, the statements of changes in net assets for each of the two years in the period then ended, the financial highlights for each of the five years in the period then ended and the related notes (collectively referred to as the "financial statements"). In our opinion, the financial statements present fairly, in all material respects, the financial position of Emerging Markets Fixed Income Opportunities Portfolio (one of the funds constituting Morgan Stanley Institutional Fund, Inc.) at December 31, 2020, the results of its operations for the year then ended, the changes in its net assets for each of the two years in the period then ended and its financial highlights for each of the five years in the period then ended, in conformity with U.S. generally accepted accounting principles.

Basis for Opinion

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

We conducted our audits in accordance with the standards of the PCAOB. Those standards require that we plan and perform the audit to obtain reasonable assurance about whether the financial statements are free of material misstatement, whether due to error or fraud. The Company is not required to have, nor were we engaged to perform, an audit of the Company's internal control over financial reporting. As part of our audits, we are required to obtain an understanding of internal control over financial reporting, but not for the purpose of expressing an opinion on the effectiveness of the Company's internal control over financial reporting. Accordingly, we express no such opinion.

Our audits included performing procedures to assess the risks of material misstatement of the financial statements, whether due to error or fraud, and performing procedures that respond to those risks. Such procedures included examining, on a test basis, evidence regarding the amounts and disclosures in the financial statements. Our procedures included confirmation of securities owned as of December 31, 2020 by correspondence with the custodian and others or by other appropriate auditing procedures where replies from others were not received. Our audits also included evaluating the accounting principles used and significant estimates made by management, as well as evaluating the overall presentation of the financial statements. We believe that our audits provide a reasonable basis for our opinion.

We have served as the auditor of one or more Morgan Stanley investment companies since 2000.
Boston, Massachusetts
February 26, 2021


32



Morgan Stanley Institutional Fund, Inc.

Annual Report — December 31, 2020

Liquidity Risk Management Program (unaudited)

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

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

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

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

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

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


33



Morgan Stanley Institutional Fund, Inc.

Annual Report — December 31, 2020

Privacy Notice (unaudited)  April 2019

FACTS

 

WHAT DOES MSIM DO WITH YOUR PERSONAL INFORMATION?

 

Why?

 

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

 

What?

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

How?

 

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

 

 

Reasons we can share your personal information

 

Does MSIM share?

 

Can you limit this sharing?

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

Yes

 

No

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

Yes

 

No

 

For joint marketing with other financial companies

 

No

 

We don't share

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

Yes

 

No

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

No

 

We don't share

 

For our affiliates to market to you

 

No

 

We don't share

 

For non-affiliates to market to you

 

No

 

We don't share

 

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


34



Morgan Stanley Institutional Fund, Inc.

Annual Report — December 31, 2020

Privacy Notice (unaudited) (cont'd)  April 2019

Who we are

Who is providing this notice?

 

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

 

What we do

How does MSIM protect my personal information?

 

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

 

How does MSIM collect my personal information?

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

Why can't I limit all sharing?

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

Definitions

Affiliates

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

Non-affiliates

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

Joint marketing

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


35



Morgan Stanley Institutional Fund, Inc.

Annual Report — December 31, 2020

Privacy Notice (unaudited) (cont'd)  April 2019

Other Important Information

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

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


36



Morgan Stanley Institutional Fund, Inc.

Annual Report — December 31, 2020

Director and Officer Information (unaudited)

Independent Directors:

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

Director

  Since
August
2006
 

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

 

79

 

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

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

Director

  Since
August
2006
 

Chairperson of the Governance Committee (January 2021), Chairperson of the Liquidity and Alternatives Sub-Committee of the Investment Committee (2006-2020); and Director or Trustee of various Morgan Stanley Funds (since August 2006); President, Cedarwood Associates (mutual fund and investment management consulting) (since July 2006); formerly, Senior Managing Director of Victory Capital Management (1993-2006).

 

79

 

Board Member, University of Albany Foundation (2012-present); Board Member, Mutual Funds Directors Forum (2014-present); Director of various non-profit organizations.

 
Nancy C. Everett
c/o Perkins Coie LLP
Counsel to the Independent Directors
1155 Avenue of the Americas,
22nd Floor
New York, NY 10036
Birth Year: 1955
 

Director

  Since
January
2015
 

Chairperson of the Equity Investment Committee (since January 2021); Director or Trustee of various Morgan Stanley Funds (since January 2021); Chief Executive Officer, Virginia Commonwealth University Investment Company (since November 2015); Owner, OBIR, LLC (institutional investment management consulting) (since June 2014); formerly, Managing Director, BlackRock, Inc. (February 2011-December 2013); and Chief Executive Officer, General Motors Asset Management (a/k/a Promark Global Advisors, Inc.) (June 2005-May 2010).

 

80

 

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

 


37



Morgan Stanley Institutional Fund, Inc.

Annual Report — December 31, 2020

Director and Officer Information (unaudited) (cont'd)

Independent Directors: (cont'd)

Name, Address and Birth
Year of Independent Director
  Position(s)
Held with
Registrant
  Length of Time
Served*
  Principal Occupation(s) During Past 5 Years and Other
Relevant Professional Experience
  Number of
Funds in
Fund Complex
Overseen by
Independent
Director**
  Other Directorships
Held by Independent
Director***
 
Jakki L. Haussler
c/o Perkins Coie LLP
Counsel to the Independent Directors
1155 Avenue of the Americas,
22nd Floor
New York, NY 10036
Birth Year: 1957
 

Director

  Since
January
2015
 

Director or Trustee of various Morgan Stanley Funds (since January 2015) Chairman, Opus Capital Group (1996); formerly, Chief Executive Officer, Opus Capital Group (1996-2019); Director, Capvest Venture Fund, LP (May 2000-December 2011); Partner, Adena Ventures, LP (July 1999-December 2010); Director, The Victory Funds (February 2005-July 2008).

 

80

 

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

 
Dr. Manuel H. Johnson
c/o Johnson Smick
International, Inc.
220 I Street, NE — Suite 200
Washington, D.C. 20002
Birth Year: 1949
 

Director

  Since
July
1991
 

Senior Partner, Johnson Smick International, Inc. (consulting firm); Chairperson of the Fixed Income, Liquidity and Alternatives Investment Committee (January 2021), Chairperson of the Investment Committee (2006-2020) and Director or Trustee of various Morgan Stanley Funds (since July 1991); Co-Chairman and a founder of the Group of Seven Council (G7C) (international economic commission); formerly, Chairperson of the Audit Committee (July 1991-September 2006) Vice Chairman of the Board of Governors of the Federal Reserve System and Assistant Secretary of the U.S. Treasury.

 

79

 

Director of NVR, Inc. (home construction).

 


38



Morgan Stanley Institutional Fund, Inc.

Annual Report — December 31, 2020

Director and Officer Information (unaudited) (cont'd)

Independent Directors: (cont'd)

Name, Address and Birth
Year of Independent Director
  Position(s)
Held with
Registrant
  Length of Time
Served*
  Principal Occupation(s) During Past 5 Years and Other
Relevant Professional Experience
  Number of
Funds in
Fund Complex
Overseen by
Independent
Director**
  Other Directorships
Held by Independent
Director***
 
Joseph J. Kearns
c/o Perkins Coie LLP
Counsel to the Independent Directors
1155 Avenue of the Americas,
22nd Floor
New York, NY 10036
Birth Year: 1942
 

Director

  Since
August
1994
 

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

 

80

 

Director, Rubicon Investment (since February 2019); Prior to August 2016, Director of Electro Rent Corporation (equipment leasing); Prior to December 31, 2013, Director of The Ford Family Foundation.

 
Michael F. Klein
c/o Perkins Coie LLP
Counsel to the Independent Directors
1155 Avenue of the Americas,
22nd Floor
New York, NY 10036
Birth Year: 1958
 

Director

  Since
August
2006
 

Chairperson of the Risk Committee (since January 2021); Managing Director, Aetos Alternatives Management, LP (since March 2000); Co-President, Aetos Alternatives Management, LP (since January 2004) and Co-Chief Executive Officer of Aetos Alternatives Management, LP (since August 2013); Chairperson of the fixed Income Sub-Committee of the Investment committee (2006-2020) and Director or Trustee of various Morgan Stanley Funds (since August 2006); formerly, Managing Director, Morgan Stanley & Co. Inc. and Morgan Stanley Dean Witter Investment Management and President, various Morgan Stanley Funds (June 1998-March 2000); Principal, Morgan Stanley & Co. Inc. and Morgan Stanley Dean Witter Investment Management (August 1997-December 1999).

 

79

 

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

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

Director

  Since
January
2017
 

Director or Trustee of various Morgan Stanley Funds (since January 2017); Managing Director, JPMorgan Asset Management (2004-2016); Oversight and Control Head of Fiduciary and Conflicts of Interest Program (2015-2016); Chief Control Officer-Global Asset Management (2013-2015); President, JPMorgan Funds (2010-2013); Chief Administrative Officer (2004-2013); various other positions including Treasurer and Board Liaison (since 2001).

 

80

 

None.

 
W. Allen Reed
c/o Perkins Coie LLP
Counsel to the Independent Directors
1155 Avenue of the Americas,
22nd Floor
New York, NY 10036
Birth Year: 1947
 

Chair of the Board and Director

 

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

 

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

 

79

 

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

 

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

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

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


39



Morgan Stanley Institutional Fund, Inc.

Annual Report — December 31, 2020

Director and Officer Information (unaudited) (cont'd)

Executive Officers:

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

Principal Occupation(s) During Past 5 Years

 
John H. Gernon
522 Fifth Avenue
New York, NY 10036
Birth Year: 1963
 

President and Principal Executive Officer

 

Since September 2013

 

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

 
Timothy J. Knierim
1633 Broadway
New York, NY 10019
Birth Year: 1959
 

Chief Compliance Officer

 

Since December 2016

 

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

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

Treasurer and Principal Financial Officer

 

Treasurer since July 2003 and Principal Financial Officer since September 2002

 

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

 
Mary E. Mullin
1633 Broadway
New York, NY 10019
Birth Year: 1967
 

Secretary

  Since
June
1999
 

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

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

Vice President

  Since
June
2017
 

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

 

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


40



Morgan Stanley Institutional Fund, Inc.

Annual Report — December 31, 2020

Adviser and Administrator

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, Singapore 049481

Distributor

Morgan Stanley Distribution, Inc.
522 Fifth Avenue
New York, New York 10036

Dividend Disbursing and Transfer Agent

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

Custodian

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

Legal Counsel

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

Counsel to the Independent Directors

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

Independent Registered Public Accounting Firm

Ernst & Young LLP
200 Clarendon Street
Boston, Massachusetts 02116

Reporting to Shareholders

Each Morgan Stanley fund provides a complete schedule of portfolio holdings in its Semi-Annual and the Annual Reports within 60 days of the end of the fund's second and fourth fiscal quarters. The Semi-Annual and Annual Reports are filed electronically with the Securities and Exchange Commission ("SEC") on Form N-CSRS and Form N-CSR, respectively. Morgan Stanley also delivers the Semi-Annual and Annual Reports to fund shareholders and makes these reports available on its public website, www.morganstanley.com/im/shareholderreports. Each Morgan Stanley non-money market fund also files a complete schedule of portfolio holdings with the SEC for the fund's first and third fiscal quarters as an attachment to Form N-PORT. Morgan Stanley does not deliver the reports for the first and third fiscal quarters to shareholders, but makes the complete schedule of portfolio holdings for the fund's first and third fiscal quarters available on its public website. The holdings for each money market fund are also posted to the Morgan Stanley public website. You may obtain the Form N-PORT filings (as well as the Form N-CSR and N-CSRS filings) by accessing the SEC's website, www.sec.gov. You can also request copies of these materials, upon payment of a duplicating fee, by electronic request at the SEC's email address (publicinfo@sec.gov).

Proxy Voting Policies and Procedures and Proxy Voting Record

You may obtain a copy of the Company's Proxy Voting Policy and Procedures and information regarding how the Company voted proxies relating to portfolio securities during the most recent twelve-month period ended June 30, without charge, upon request, by calling toll free 1 (800) 548-7786 or by visiting our website at www.morganstanley.com/im/shareholderreports. This information is also available on the SEC's website at www.sec.gov.

This report is authorized for distribution only when preceded or accompanied by a prospectus or summary prospectus of the applicable fund of Morgan Stanley Institutional Fund, Inc., which describes in detail the fund's investment policies, risks, fees and expenses. Please read the prospectus carefully before you invest or send money. For additional information, including information regarding the investments comprising the Fund, please visit our website at www.morganstanley.com/im/shareholderreports or call toll free 1 (800) 548-7786.


41



Printed in U.S.A.
This Report has been prepared for shareholders and may be distributed to others only if preceded or accompanied by a current prospectus.

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

© 2021 Morgan Stanley. Morgan Stanley Distribution, Inc.

IFIEMEDANN
3386862 EXP 02.28.22



INVESTMENT MANAGEMENT

Morgan Stanley Institutional Fund, Inc.

Emerging Markets Leaders Portfolio

Annual Report

December 31, 2020



Morgan Stanley Institutional Fund, Inc.

Annual Report — December 31, 2020

Table of Contents

Shareholders' Letter

   

2

   

Expense Example

   

3

   

Investment Overview

   

4

   

Portfolio of Investments

   

7

   

Statement of Assets and Liabilities

   

8

   

Statement of Operations

   

10

   

Statements of Changes in Net Assets

   

11

   

Financial Highlights

   

13

   

Notes to Financial Statements

   

17

   

Report of Independent Registered Public Accounting Firm

   

23

   

Liquidity Risk Management Program

   

24

   

Federal Tax Notice

   

25

   

Privacy Notice

   

26

   

Director and Officer Information

   

29

   

This report is authorized for distribution only when preceded or accompanied by a prospectus or summary prospectus of the applicable Fund of Morgan Stanley Institutional Fund, Inc. To receive a prospectus and/or statement of additional information ("SAI"), which contains more complete information such as investment objectives, charges, expenses, policies for voting proxies, risk considerations and describes in detail each of the Fund's investment policies to the prospective investor, please call toll free 1 (800) 548-7786. Please read the prospectuses carefully before you invest or send money.

Additionally, you can access information about the Fund, including performance, characteristics and investment team commentary, through Morgan Stanley Investment Management's website: www.morganstanley.com/im/shareholderreports.

Market forecasts provided in this report may not necessarily come to pass. There is no guarantee that any sectors mentioned will continue to perform as discussed herein or that securities in such sectors will be held by the Fund in the future. There is no assurance that a fund will achieve its investment objective. Funds are subject to market risk, which is the possibility that market values of securities owned by the Fund will decline and, therefore, the value of the Fund's shares may be less than what you paid for them. Accordingly, you can lose money investing in this Fund. Please see the prospectus for more complete information on investment risks.


1



Morgan Stanley Institutional Fund, Inc.

Annual Report — December 31, 2020

Shareholders' Letter (unaudited)

Dear Shareholders,

We are pleased to provide this Annual Report, in which you will learn how your investment in Emerging Markets Leaders Portfolio (the "Fund") performed during the latest twelve-month period.

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

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

Sincerely,

John H. Gernon
President and Principal Executive Officer

January 2021


2



Morgan Stanley Institutional Fund, Inc.

Annual Report — December 31, 2020

Expense Example (unaudited)

Emerging Markets Leaders Portfolio

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

This example is based on an investment of $1,000 invested at the beginning of the six-month period ended December 31, 2020 and held for the entire six-month period.

Actual Expenses

The table below provides information about actual account values and actual expenses. You may use the information in this table, 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 table under the heading entitled "Actual Expenses Paid During Period" to estimate the expenses you paid on your account during this period.

Hypothetical Example for Comparison Purposes

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

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

    Beginning
Account
Value
7/1/20
  Actual Ending
Account
Value
12/31/20
  Hypothetical
Ending Account
Value
  Actual
Expenses
Paid
During
Period*
  Hypothetical
Expenses Paid
During Period*
  Net
Expense
Ratio
During
Period**
 

Emerging Markets Leaders Portfolio Class I

 

$

1,000.00

   

$

1,497.00

   

$

1,019.36

   

$

7.22

   

$

5.84

     

1.15

%

 

Emerging Markets Leaders Portfolio Class A

   

1,000.00

     

1,495.00

     

1,017.65

     

9.34

     

7.56

     

1.49

   

Emerging Markets Leaders Portfolio Class C

   

1,000.00

     

1,489.00

     

1,013.62

     

14.33

     

11.59

     

2.29

   

Emerging Markets Leaders Portfolio Class IS

   

1,000.00

     

1,497.30

     

1,019.66

     

6.84

     

5.53

     

1.09

   

*  Expenses are calculated using each Fund Class' annualized net expense ratio (as disclosed), multiplied by the average account value over the period and multiplied by 184/366 (to reflect the most recent one-half year period).

**  Annualized.


3



Morgan Stanley Institutional Fund, Inc.

Annual Report — December 31, 2020

Investment Overview (unaudited)

Emerging Markets Leaders Portfolio

The Fund seeks long-term capital appreciation.

Performance

For the fiscal year ended December 31, 2020, the Fund's Class I shares had a total return based on net asset value and reinvestment of distributions per share of 59.36%, net of fees. The Fund's Class I shares outperformed the Fund's benchmark, MSCI Emerging Markets Net Index (the "Index"), which returned 18.31%.

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

Factors Affecting Performance

•  The emerging markets continued the momentum started in 2019 as the equity market shrugged off COVID-19 concerns, especially as many of index-heavyweight North Asian markets addressed the pandemic more decisively than other regions. The markets recorded strong return as Korea, Taiwan and China were the best performing markets within emerging markets.

•  The Emerging Markets Leaders Portfolio benefit from bottom-up stock selection, top-down thematic selection. The adoption rate for our long-term themes gathered momentum during the pandemic.

•  The Fund benefited from our China stock selection in the first half of the year and our stock selections in Latin America and Southeast Asian countries in the latter half. The only detractor from the Fund's overall performance in the past 12 months has been our zero weight in Korea as the country performed well in fighting the pandemic and benefited from the strong performance of its internet and hardware technology heavyweights.

•  The top contributors to the Fund's performance over the year were our holdings in a platform delivery company in China, a Latin American e-commerce company, a Southeast Asian e-commerce company, a North Asian analog integrated circuit company and a Chinese sportswear brand company.

•  The largest detractors from relative performance were our holdings in an Indian niche lender, a zero weight in a Korean electronics company that performed strongly, an Indian bank and a Latin American online travel company.

Management Strategies

•  The Fund remains an all-cap growth strategy investing in structural growth opportunities in emerging market equities. We believe that growth-oriented companies offer the best return prospects in the emerging markets and that these can be found at many different market caps; however, given the inherent volatility and liquidity constraints in these markets, the Emerging Market Leaders (EML) Portfolio will generally look to invest in companies with market capitalizations larger than $1 billion. We give ourselves the maximum flexibility to invest by region, sector and size, preferring not to limit ourselves to a particular factor or market-cap band. The investment universe for the EML strategy is not limited to only those companies listed in the emerging markets but can be listed anywhere, as long as a significant portion of revenue or growth is derived from emerging markets.

•  As the performance in 2020 highlighted, our focus on "high quality" businesses: those with what we believe to be a high predictability/near certainty of earnings, alongside sustainable or improving return on invested capital above the cost of capital, have allowed the Fund to achieve returns that historically have been higher than the market. We have continued to focus on companies with management integrity, a proven track record of great capital allocation and lean balance sheets. The businesses that we own in the portfolio are either industry leaders or emerging leaders, with dominant market share, pricing power and sustainable competitive advantages. A focus on quality and avoiding volatile business models helps us avoid downside risks in the portfolio.

•  We believe our high conviction, thematic view of the emerging markets is, in our opinion, the best way to invest in emerging markets now. Our longer-term investment horizon and our unwavering focus on the quality of our invested companies has allowed us to deliver strong compounded returns over time by protecting our investors' capital during periods of significant market dislocation.

•  While it is a concentrated portfolio, no one country or no one theme is so big that it will unduly impact the portfolio. An example of this portfolio construction played out well when the Indian market was significantly impacted earlier in 2020 during the nationwide COVID-related lockdown, and our positions in China and Southeast Asia


4



Morgan Stanley Institutional Fund, Inc.

Annual Report — December 31, 2020

Investment Overview (unaudited) (cont'd)

Emerging Markets Leaders Portfolio

buffered against India's underperformance. Another example was recently when some of the Chinese e-commerce platform companies we're invested in came under pressure toward year end, it was offset by other themes in technology and consumers that performed well for us.

•  One of our main themes in the health care sector had a mixed impact on performance during the year due to COVID-19. Our exposure to hospitals suffered initially as countries went into lockdown, limiting non-essential surgeries and visits. However, our exposure to a telemedicine company benefited as the consumer shift to online consultation accelerated and customer acquisition costs declined. The situation has recovered since then, as health care expenditure in emerging markets has remained resilient and hospital capacity utilization rates have already recovered to pre-COVID-19 levels. Overall, our exposure to health care was a positive contributor to relative outperformance in 2020.

•  Our exposure to structural growth themes in e-commerce, food delivery, rising fintech penetration, athleisure and premiumization of consumption have all contributed to the strong returns in the year, along with our focus on the large continental-sized markets of Greater China, India, Brazil and Southeast Asia.

•  We remain upbeat on the outlook for emerging markets, and we believe this large universe of companies offers us significant opportunities to generate potentially outsized returns in the years to come. Our portfolio positioning has been anchored by our investment process of finding companies with a demonstrated track-record of 15% return on invested capital and an expected 15% compound annual growth rate earnings growth outlook for the next three to five years.

•  Our businesses have a long track record of great capital allocation and have emerged stronger after each business cycle. This has also proven true in 2020. The future portfolio return will be a function of the delivery on the growth expectations; thus, poor execution by management teams is always a risk and this is an area of intense focus in our bottom-up analysis. While some political risks arising from growing nationalism remains, most of the businesses that we have invested in are domestic

in nature and focused on the multi-year consumption theme and should be largely insulated from extraneous variables.

•  We are expecting that the world will start the gradual process of returning to normalcy as various countries implement COVID-19 vaccination programs. Considerable discussion has been held on whether the consumer behavior changes seen in 2020 will continue to stick around in the post-COVID-19 world. Our view is that COVID-19 only accelerated the structural changes that were already under way in emerging markets, and the digitalization of businesses will likely continue in the post-COVID-19 world. The growth rate of some of our portfolio companies will inevitably slow in 2021 from the current elevated levels, but we believe these companies may still offer among the best-in-class growth in the market. We are confident that our portfolio of structural compounders can continue to deliver on growth expectations in 2021 and beyond.

*  Minimum Investment for Class I shares

**  Commenced Operations on June 30, 2011. Performance shown for the Fund's Class I shares reflects the performance of the Morgan Stanley Emerging Markets Leaders Fund (Cayman) LP, a private fund managed by the Adviser for periods prior to close of business on January 5, 2015, when the Fund acquired substantially all of the assets and liabilities of the Private Fund in exchange for shares of the Fund (the "Emerging Markets Leaders Reorganization").

In accordance with SEC regulations, the Fund's performance shown assumes that all recurring fees (including management fees) were deducted and all dividends and distributions were reinvested. The performance of Class A, C and IS shares will vary from the performance of Class I shares based upon their different inception dates and will be negatively impacted by additional fees assessed to those classes (if applicable).


5



Morgan Stanley Institutional Fund, Inc.

Annual Report — December 31, 2020

Investment Overview (unaudited) (cont'd)

Emerging Markets Leaders Portfolio

Performance Compared to the MSCI Emerging Markets Net Index(1) and the Lipper Emerging Markets Funds Index(2)

    Period Ended December 31, 2020
Total Returns(3)
 
       

Average Annual

 
    One
Year
  Five
Years
  Ten
Years
  Since
Inception(6)
 
Fund — Class I Shares
w/o sales charges(4)
   

59.36

%

   

17.62

%

   

     

9.18

%

 
Fund — Class A Shares
w/o sales charges(4)
   

58.81

     

17.15

     

     

8.91

   
Fund — Class A Shares with
maximum 5.25% sales charges(4)
   

50.52

     

15.90

     

     

8.30

   
Fund — Class C Shares
w/o sales charges(5)
   

57.59

     

16.29

     

     

11.99

   
Fund — Class C Shares with
maximum 1.00% deferred
sales charges(5)
   

56.59

     

16.29

     

     

11.99

   
Fund — Class IS Shares
w/o sales charges(4)
   

59.39

     

17.67

     

     

9.21

   
MSCI Emerging Markets
Net Index
   

18.31

     

12.81

     

     

3.73

   
Lipper Emerging Market
Funds Index
   

20.52

     

13.43

     

     

4.41

   

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. Performance assumes that all dividends and distributions, if any, were reinvested. For the most recent month-end performance figures, please visit www.morganstanley.com/im/shareholderreports. Investment return and principal value will fluctuate so that Fund shares, when redeemed, may be worth more or less than their original cost. Total returns do not reflect the deduction of taxes that a shareholder would pay on Fund distributions or the redemption of Fund shares. Performance of share classes will vary due to difference in sales charges and expenses.

(1)  The MSCI Emerging Markets Net Index is a free float-adjusted market capitalization weighted index that is designed to measure equity market performance of emerging markets. 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 MSCI Emerging Markets Net Index currently consists of 27 emerging market country indices. The performance of the Index is listed in U.S. dollars and assumes reinvestment of net dividends. Net total return indices reinvest dividends after the deduction of withholding taxes, using (for international indices) a tax rate applicable to non-resident institutional investors who do not benefit from double taxation treaties. The Index is unmanaged and its returns do not include any sales charges or fees. Such costs would lower performance. It is not possible to invest directly in an index.

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

(3)  Total returns for the Fund reflect fees waived and expenses reimbursed, if applicable, by the Adviser (as defined herein). Without such waivers and reimbursements, total returns would have been lower.

(4)  Pursuant to an agreement and plan of reorganization, between Morgan Stanley Institutional Fund, Inc., on behalf of the Fund, and Morgan Stanley Emerging Markets Leaders Fund (Cayman) LP, a private fund managed by the Adviser (the "Private Fund"), following close of business on January 5, 2015, the Fund acquired substantially all of the assets and liabilities of the Private Fund in exchange for shares of the Fund (the "Emerging Markets Leaders Reorganization"). The Private Fund commenced operations on June 30, 2011. The Fund adopted the performance history of the Private Fund. Performance shown for the Fund's Class I, Class A and Class IS shares reflects the performance of the limited partnership interests of the Private Fund, adjusted to reflect any applicable sales charge of the Class, but not adjusted for any other differences in expenses. If adjusted for other expenses, the historical returns would be different.

(5)  Commenced offering on April 30, 2015.

(6)  For comparative purposes, average annual since inception returns listed for the Indexes refer to the inception date of Class I of the Fund, not the inception of the Index.


6



Morgan Stanley Institutional Fund, Inc.

Annual Report — December 31, 2020

Portfolio of Investments

Emerging Markets Leaders Portfolio

   

Shares

  Value
(000)
 

Common Stocks (97.7%)

 

Brazil (7.2%)

 

Pagseguro Digital Ltd., Class A (a)

   

70,605

   

$

4,016

   

StoneCo Ltd., Class A (a)

   

54,361

     

4,562

   
     

8,578

   

China (33.1%)

 

Agora, Inc. ADR (a)

   

22,367

     

885

   

Alibaba Group Holding Ltd. (a)(b)

   

191,544

     

5,571

   

Bilibili, Inc. ADR (a)

   

3,672

     

315

   
Kingdee International Software
Group Co., Ltd. (a)(b)
   

789,000

     

3,221

   

Li Ning Co., Ltd. (b)

   

747,500

     

5,144

   

Meituan Dianping, Class B (a)(b)

   

202,400

     

7,619

   
New Oriental Education & Technology
Group, Inc. ADR (a)
   

9,101

     

1,691

   

Pinduoduo, Inc. ADR (a)

   

15,149

     

2,691

   

Ping An Healthcare and Technology Co., Ltd. (a)(b)

   

164,300

     

1,995

   

Tencent Holdings Ltd. (b)

   

103,900

     

7,476

   

Wuliangye Yibin Co., Ltd., Class A

   

61,700

     

2,756

   
     

39,364

   

Germany (5.0%)

 

Delivery Hero SE (a)

   

28,957

     

4,529

   

Global Fashion Group SA (a)

   

118,546

     

1,422

   
     

5,951

   

India (20.5%)

 

Aarti Industries Ltd.

   

189,803

     

3,213

   

Apollo Hospitals Enterprise Ltd.

   

131,847

     

4,351

   

AU Small Finance Bank Ltd. (a)

   

227,914

     

2,664

   

Bajaj Finance Ltd.

   

78,731

     

5,716

   

HDFC Life Insurance Co., Ltd. (a)

   

208,302

     

1,934

   

Kotak Mahindra Bank Ltd. (a)

   

161,985

     

4,427

   

PI Industries Ltd.

   

31,595

     

950

   

SRF Ltd.

   

15,680

     

1,198

   
     

24,453

   

Poland (0.3%)

 

Allegro.eu SA (a)

   

17,231

     

390

   

Singapore (8.5%)

 

Sea Ltd. ADR (a)

   

50,716

     

10,095

   

Taiwan (11.2%)

 

Silergy Corp.

   

40,000

     

3,442

   

Taiwan Semiconductor Manufacturing Co., Ltd.

   

338,000

     

6,394

   

Voltronic Power Technology Corp.

   

88,334

     

3,530

   
     

13,366

   

United States (11.9%)

 

Advanced Micro Devices, Inc. (a)

   

12,358

     

1,133

   

MercadoLibre, Inc. (a)

   

4,053

     

6,790

   

NIKE, Inc., Class B

   

26,794

     

3,791

   

NVIDIA Corp.

   

4,602

     

2,403

   
     

14,117

   

Total Common Stocks (Cost $72,313)

   

116,314

   
   

Shares

  Value
(000)
 

Short-Term Investment (4.6%)

 

Investment Company (4.6%)

 
Morgan Stanley Institutional Liquidity
Funds — Government Portfolio —
Institutional Class (See Note G)
(Cost $5,488)
   

5,487,728

   

$

5,488

   

Total Investments (102.3%) (Cost $77,801) (c)(d)

   

121,802

   

Liabilities in Excess of Other Assets (–2.3%)

   

(2,787

)

 

Net Assets (100.0%)

 

$

119,015

   

Country assignments and aggregations are based generally on third party vendor classifications and information, and may be different from the assignments and aggregations under the policies set forth in the Fund's prospectus and/or statement of additional information relating to geographic classifications.

(a)  Non-income producing security.

(b)  Security trades on the Hong Kong exchange.

(c)  The approximate fair value and percentage of net assets, $77,552,000 and 65.2%, respectively, represent the securities that have been fair valued under the fair valuation policy for international investments as described in Note A-1 within the Notes to the Financial Statements.

(d)  At December 31, 2020, the aggregate cost for federal income tax purposes is approximately $78,528,000. The aggregate gross unrealized appreciation is approximately $44,316,000 and the aggregate gross unrealized depreciation is approximately $1,042,000, resulting in net unrealized appreciation of approximately $43,274,000.

ADR  American Depositary Receipt.

Portfolio Composition

Classification

  Percentage of
Total Investments
 

Other*

   

30.3

%

 

Internet & Direct Marketing Retail

   

23.8

   

Semiconductors & Semiconductor Equipment

   

11.0

   

Entertainment

   

8.6

   

Textiles, Apparel & Luxury Goods

   

7.3

   

Information Technology Services

   

7.1

   

Interactive Media & Services

   

6.1

   

Banks

   

5.8

   

Total Investments

   

100.0

%

 

*  Industries and/or investment types representing less than 5% of total investments.

The accompanying notes are an integral part of the financial statements.
7



Morgan Stanley Institutional Fund, Inc.

Annual Report — December 31, 2020

Emerging Markets Leaders Portfolio

Statement of Assets and Liabilities

  December 31, 2020
(000)
 

Assets:

 

Investments in Securities of Unaffiliated Issuers, at Value (Cost $72,313)

 

$

116,314

   

Investment in Security of Affiliated Issuer, at Value (Cost $5,488)

   

5,488

   

Total Investments in Securities, at Value (Cost $77,801)

   

121,802

   

Foreign Currency, at Value (Cost $1,293)

   

1,292

   

Receivable for Investments Sold

   

370

   

Receivable for Fund Shares Sold

   

335

   

Tax Reclaim Receivable

   

23

   

Dividends Receivable

   

21

   

Receivable from Affiliate

   

@

 

Other Assets

   

51

   

Total Assets

   

123,894

   

Liabilities:

 

Payable for Investments Purchased

   

3,496

   

Deferred Capital Gain Country Tax

   

806

   

Bank Overdraft

   

370

   

Payable for Advisory Fees

   

143

   

Payable for Professional Fees

   

22

   

Payable for Custodian Fees

   

15

   

Payable for Administration Fees

   

7

   

Payable for Shareholder Services Fees — Class A

   

1

   

Payable for Distribution and Shareholder Services Fees — Class C

   

3

   

Payable for Sub Transfer Agency Fees — Class I

   

3

   

Payable for Sub Transfer Agency Fees — Class A

   

@

 

Payable for Sub Transfer Agency Fees — Class C

   

@

 

Payable for Transfer Agency Fees — Class I

   

1

   

Payable for Transfer Agency Fees — Class A

   

1

   

Payable for Transfer Agency Fees — Class C

   

1

   

Payable for Transfer Agency Fees — Class IS

   

1

   

Payable to the Advisor

   

2

   

Other Liabilities

   

7

   

Total Liabilities

   

4,879

   

Net Assets

 

$

119,015

   

Net Assets Consist of:

 

Paid-in-Capital

 

$

76,374

   

Total Distributable Earnings

   

42,641

   

Net Assets

 

$

119,015

   

The accompanying notes are an integral part of the financial statements.
8



Morgan Stanley Institutional Fund, Inc.

Annual Report — December 31, 2020

Emerging Markets Leaders Portfolio

Statement of Assets and Liabilities (cont'd)

  December 31, 2020
(000)
 

CLASS I:

 

Net Assets

 

$

80,465

   
Shares Outstanding $0.001 par value shares of beneficial interest (unlimited shares authorized) (not in 000's)    

4,140,801

   

Net Asset Value, Offering and Redemption Price Per Share

 

$

19.43

   

CLASS A:

 

Net Assets

 

$

7,925

   
Shares Outstanding $0.001 par value shares of beneficial interest (unlimited shares authorized) (not in 000's)    

415,132

   

Net Asset Value, Redemption Price Per Share

 

$

19.09

   

Maximum Sales Load

   

5.25

%

 

Maximum Sales Charge

 

$

1.06

   

Maximum Offering Price Per Share

 

$

20.15

   

CLASS C:

 

Net Assets

 

$

3,395

   
Shares Outstanding $0.001 par value shares of beneficial interest (unlimited shares authorized) (not in 000's)    

184,846

   

Net Asset Value, Offering and Redemption Price Per Share

 

$

18.37

   

CLASS IS:

 

Net Assets

 

$

27,230

   
Shares Outstanding $0.001 par value shares of beneficial interest (unlimited shares authorized) (not in 000's)    

1,399,662

   

Net Asset Value, Offering and Redemption Price Per Share

 

$

19.45

   

@  Amount is less than $500.

The accompanying notes are an integral part of the financial statements.
9



Morgan Stanley Institutional Fund, Inc.

Annual Report — December 31, 2020

Emerging Markets Leaders Portfolio

Statement of Operations

  Year Ended
December 31, 2020
(000)
 

Investment Income:

 

Dividends from Securities of Unaffiliated Issuers (Net of $36 of Foreign Taxes Withheld)

 

$

262

   

Dividends from Security of Affiliated Issuer (Note G)

   

6

   

Total Investment Income

   

268

   

Expenses:

 

Advisory Fees (Note B)

   

566

   

Professional Fees

   

132

   

Registration Fees

   

58

   

Administration Fees (Note C)

   

50

   

Custodian Fees (Note F)

   

43

   

Sub Transfer Agency Fees — Class I

   

19

   

Sub Transfer Agency Fees — Class A

   

1

   

Sub Transfer Agency Fees — Class C

   

1

   

Shareholder Services Fees — Class A (Note D)

   

6

   

Shareholder Reporting Fees

   

16

   

Distribution and Shareholder Services Fees — Class C (Note D)

   

15

   

Transfer Agency Fees — Class I (Note E)

   

3

   

Transfer Agency Fees — Class A (Note E)

   

2

   

Transfer Agency Fees — Class C (Note E)

   

3

   

Transfer Agency Fees — Class IS (Note E)

   

2

   

Directors' Fees and Expenses

   

5

   

Pricing Fees

   

2

   

Other Expenses

   

15

   

Total Expenses

   

939

   

Waiver of Advisory Fees (Note B)

   

(196

)

 

Rebate from Morgan Stanley Affiliate (Note G)

   

(3

)

 

Reimbursement of Class Specific Expenses — Class C (Note B)

   

(—

@)

 

Reimbursement of Class Specific Expenses — Class IS (Note B)

   

(2

)

 

Net Expenses

   

738

   

Net Investment Loss

   

(470

)

 

Realized Gain (Loss):

 

Investments Sold (Net of $11 of Capital Gain Country Tax)

   

4,290

   

Foreign Currency Translation

   

(39

)

 

Net Realized Gain

   

4,251

   

Change in Unrealized Appreciation (Depreciation):

 

Investments (Net of Increase in Deferred Capital Gain Country Tax of $617)

   

29,944

   

Foreign Currency Translation

   

(4

)

 

Net Change in Unrealized Appreciation (Depreciation)

   

29,940

   

Net Realized Gain and Change in Unrealized Appreciation (Depreciation)

   

34,191

   

Net Increase in Net Assets Resulting from Operations

 

$

33,721

   

@  Amount is less than $500.

The accompanying notes are an integral part of the financial statements.
10



Morgan Stanley Institutional Fund, Inc.

Annual Report — December 31, 2020

Emerging Markets Leaders Portfolio

Statements of Changes in Net Assets

  Year Ended
December 31, 2020
(000)
  Year Ended
December 31, 2019
(000)
 

Increase (Decrease) in Net Assets:

 

Operations:

 

Net Investment Loss

 

$

(470

)

 

$

(59

)

 

Net Realized Gain

   

4,251

     

2,214

   

Net Change in Unrealized Appreciation (Depreciation)

   

29,940

     

9,889

   

Net Increase in Net Assets Resulting from Operations

   

33,721

     

12,044

   

Dividends and Distributions to Shareholders:

 

Class I

   

(2,732

)

   

(1,093

)

 

Class A

   

(274

)

   

(40

)

 

Class C

   

(126

)

   

(33

)

 

Class IS

   

(1,054

)

   

(539

)

 

Total Dividends and Distributions to Shareholders

   

(4,186

)

   

(1,705

)

 

Capital Share Transactions:(1)

 

Class I:

 

Subscribed

   

52,338

     

9,014

   

Distributions Reinvested

   

2,728

     

1,089

   

Redeemed

   

(25,342

)

   

(23,753

)

 

Class A:

 

Subscribed

   

7,127

     

76

   

Distributions Reinvested

   

274

     

40

   

Redeemed

   

(1,831

)

   

(155

)

 

Class C:

 

Subscribed

   

1,756

     

150

   

Distributions Reinvested

   

125

     

33

   

Redeemed

   

(143

)

   

(123

)

 

Class IS:

 

Subscribed

   

5

     

3,649

   

Distributions Reinvested

   

1,054

     

539

   

Redeemed

   

(3,300

)

   

   

Net Increase (Decrease) in Net Assets Resulting from Capital Share Transactions

   

34,791

     

(9,441

)

 

Redemption Fees

   

2

     

@

 

Total Increase in Net Assets

   

64,328

     

898

   

Net Assets:

 

Beginning of Period

   

54,687

     

53,789

   

End of Period

 

$

119,015

   

$

54,687

   

The accompanying notes are an integral part of the financial statements.
11



Morgan Stanley Institutional Fund, Inc.

Annual Report — December 31, 2020

Emerging Markets Leaders Portfolio

Statements of Changes in Net Assets (cont'd)

  Year Ended
December 31, 2020
(000)
  Year Ended
December 31, 2019
(000)
 

(1)   Capital Share Transactions:

 

Class I:

 

Shares Subscribed

   

3,072

     

806

   

Shares Issued on Distributions Reinvested

   

145

     

87

   

Shares Redeemed

   

(1,647

)

   

(2,098

)

 

Net Increase (Decrease) in Class I Shares Outstanding

   

1,570

     

(1,205

)

 

Class A:

 

Shares Subscribed

   

422

     

7

   

Shares Issued on Distributions Reinvested

   

15

     

3

   

Shares Redeemed

   

(117

)

   

(14

)

 

Net Increase (Decrease) in Class A Shares Outstanding

   

320

     

(4

)

 

Class C:

 

Shares Subscribed

   

107

     

14

   

Shares Issued on Distributions Reinvested

   

7

     

3

   

Shares Redeemed

   

(12

)

   

(12

)

 

Net Increase in Class C Shares Outstanding

   

102

     

5

   

Class IS:

 

Shares Subscribed

   

@@

   

287

   

Shares Issued on Distributions Reinvested

   

56

     

43

   

Shares Redeemed

   

(217

)

   

   

Net Increase (Decrease) in Class IS Shares Outstanding

   

(161

)

   

330

   

@  Amount is less than $500.

@@  Amount is less than 500 shares.

The accompanying notes are an integral part of the financial statements.
12



Morgan Stanley Institutional Fund, Inc.

Annual Report — December 31, 2020

Financial Highlights

Emerging Markets Leaders Portfolio

   

Class I

 
   

Year Ended December 31,

 

Selected Per Share Data and Ratios

 

2020

 

2019

 

2018

 

2017

 

2016(1)

 

Net Asset Value, Beginning of Period

 

$

12.70

   

$

10.38

   

$

12.14

   

$

9.73

   

$

9.45

   

Income (Loss) from Investment Operations:

 

Net Investment Income (Loss)(2)

   

(0.11

)

   

(0.02

)

   

0.03

     

0.08

     

0.04

   

Net Realized and Unrealized Gain (Loss)

   

7.62

     

2.78

     

(1.74

)

   

2.45

     

0.25

   

Total from Investment Operations

   

7.51

     

2.76

     

(1.71

)

   

2.53

     

0.29

   

Distributions from and/or in Excess of:

 

Net Investment Income

   

     

     

(0.01

)

   

(0.08

)

   

(0.01

)

 

Net Realized Gain

   

(0.78

)

   

(0.44

)

   

(0.04

)

   

(0.04

)

   

   

Paid-in-Capital

   

     

     

     

     

(0.00

)(3)

 

Total Distributions

   

(0.78

)

   

(0.44

)

   

(0.05

)

   

(0.12

)

   

(0.01

)

 

Redemption Fees

   

0.00

(3)

   

0.00

(3)

   

0.00

(3)

   

0.00

(3)

   

0.00

(3)

 

Net Asset Value, End of Period

 

$

19.43

   

$

12.70

   

$

10.38

   

$

12.14

   

$

9.73

   

Total Return(4)

   

59.36

%

   

26.63

%

   

(14.12

)%

   

26.01

%

   

3.08

%

 

Ratios to Average Net Assets and Supplemental Data:

 

Net Assets, End of Period (Thousands)

 

$

80,465

   

$

32,651

   

$

39,206

   

$

73,273

   

$

25,374

   

Ratio of Expenses Before Expense Limitation

   

1.47

%

   

1.57

%

   

1.48

%

   

1.43

%

   

1.32

%

 

Ratio of Expenses After Expense Limitation

   

1.15

%(5)

   

1.17

%(5)

   

1.17

%(5)

   

1.11

%(5)

   

1.10

%(5)

 

Ratio of Expenses After Expense Limitation Excluding Interest Expenses

   

N/A

     

1.16

%(5)

   

1.16

%(5)

   

N/A

     

N/A

   

Ratio of Net Investment Income (Loss)

   

(0.73

)%(5)

   

(0.14

)%(5)

   

0.29

%(5)

   

0.67

%(5)

   

0.37

%(5)

 

Ratio of Rebate from Morgan Stanley Affiliates

   

0.01

%

   

0.01

%

   

0.01

%

   

0.01

%

   

0.02

%

 

Portfolio Turnover Rate

   

57

%

   

58

%

   

47

%

   

79

%

   

45

%

 

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

(2)  Per share amount is based on average shares outstanding.

(3)  Amount is less than $0.005 per share.

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

(5)  The Ratio of Expenses After Expense Limitation and Ratio of Net Investment Income (Loss) reflect the rebate of certain Fund expenses in connection with the investments in Morgan Stanley affiliates during the period. The effect of the rebate on the ratios is disclosed in the above table as "Ratio of Rebate from Morgan Stanley Affiliates."

The accompanying notes are an integral part of the financial statements.
13



Morgan Stanley Institutional Fund, Inc.

Annual Report — December 31, 2020

Financial Highlights

Emerging Markets Leaders Portfolio

   

Class A

 
   

Year Ended December 31,

 

Selected Per Share Data and Ratios

 

2020

 

2019

 

2018

 

2017

 

2016(1)

 

Net Asset Value, Beginning of Period

 

$

12.53

   

$

10.29

   

$

12.06

   

$

9.67

   

$

9.43

   

Income (Loss) from Investment Operations:

 

Net Investment Income (Loss)(2)

   

(0.17

)

   

(0.05

)

   

(0.00

)(3)

   

0.02

     

(0.03

)

 

Net Realized and Unrealized Gain (Loss)

   

7.51

     

2.73

     

(1.73

)

   

2.44

     

0.28

   

Total from Investment Operations

   

7.34

     

2.68

     

(1.73

)

   

2.46

     

0.25

   

Distributions from and/or in Excess of:

 

Net Investment Income

   

     

     

     

(0.03

)

   

(0.01

)

 

Net Realized Gain

   

(0.78

)

   

(0.44

)

   

(0.04

)

   

(0.04

)

   

   

Paid-in-Capital

   

     

     

     

     

(0.00

)(3)

 

Total Distributions

   

(0.78

)

   

(0.44

)

   

(0.04

)

   

(0.07

)

   

(0.01

)

 

Redemption Fees

   

0.00

(3)

   

0.00

(3)

   

0.00

(3)

   

0.00

(3)

   

0.00

(3)

 

Net Asset Value, End of Period

 

$

19.09

   

$

12.53

   

$

10.29

   

$

12.06

   

$

9.67

   

Total Return(4)

   

58.81

%

   

26.08

%

   

(14.41

)%

   

25.46

%

   

2.63

%

 

Ratios to Average Net Assets and Supplemental Data:

 

Net Assets, End of Period (Thousands)

 

$

7,925

   

$

1,191

   

$

1,024

   

$

1,102

   

$

821

   

Ratio of Expenses Before Expense Limitation

   

1.82

%

   

2.04

%

   

1.93

%

   

2.01

%

   

1.96

%

 

Ratio of Expenses After Expense Limitation

   

1.50

%(5)

   

1.55

%(5)

   

1.55

%(5)

   

1.54

%(5)

   

1.53

%(5)

 

Ratio of Expenses After Expense Limitation Excluding Interest Expenses

   

N/A

     

1.54

%(5)

   

1.54

%(5)

   

N/A

     

N/A

   

Ratio of Net Investment Income (Loss)

   

(1.13

)%(5)

   

(0.45

)%(5)

   

(0.04

)%(5)

   

0.18

%(5)

   

(0.33

)%(5)

 

Ratio of Rebate from Morgan Stanley Affiliates

   

0.01

%

   

0.01

%

   

0.01

%

   

0.01

%

   

0.02

%

 

Portfolio Turnover Rate

   

57

%

   

58

%

   

47

%

   

79

%

   

45

%

 

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

(2)  Per share amount is based on average shares outstanding.

(3)  Amount is less than $0.005 per share.

(4)  Calculated based on the net asset value which does not reflect sales charges, if applicable, as of the last business day of the period.

(5)  The Ratio of Expenses After Expense Limitation and Ratio of Net Investment Income (Loss) reflect the rebate of certain Fund expenses in connection with the investments in Morgan Stanley affiliates during the period. The effect of the rebate on the ratios is disclosed in the above table as "Ratio of Rebate from Morgan Stanley Affiliates."

The accompanying notes are an integral part of the financial statements.
14



Morgan Stanley Institutional Fund, Inc.

Annual Report — December 31, 2020

Financial Highlights

Emerging Markets Leaders Portfolio

   

Class C

 
   

Year Ended December 31,

 

Selected Per Share Data and Ratios

 

2020

 

2019

 

2018

 

2017

 

2016(1)

 

Net Asset Value, Beginning of Period

 

$

12.17

   

$

10.08

   

$

11.90

   

$

9.59

   

$

9.42

   

Income (Loss) from Investment Operations:

 

Net Investment Loss(2)

   

(0.27

)

   

(0.13

)

   

(0.09

)

   

(0.06

)

   

(0.10

)

 

Net Realized and Unrealized Gain (Loss)

   

7.25

     

2.66

     

(1.69

)

   

2.41

     

0.28

   

Total from Investment Operations

   

6.98

     

2.53

     

(1.78

)

   

2.35

     

0.18

   

Distributions from and/or in Excess of:

 

Net Investment Income

   

     

     

     

     

(0.01

)

 

Net Realized Gain

   

(0.78

)

   

(0.44

)

   

(0.04

)

   

(0.04

)

   

   

Paid-in-Capital

   

     

     

     

     

(0.00

)(3)

 

Total Distributions

   

(0.78

)

   

(0.44

)

   

(0.04

)

   

(0.04

)

   

(0.01

)

 

Redemption Fees

   

0.00

(3)

   

0.00

(3)

   

0.00

(3)

   

0.00

(3)

   

0.00

(3)

 

Net Asset Value, End of Period

 

$

18.37

   

$

12.17

   

$

10.08

   

$

11.90

   

$

9.59

   

Total Return(4)

   

57.59

%

   

25.14

%

   

(15.02

)%

   

24.53

%

   

1.89

%

 

Ratios to Average Net Assets and Supplemental Data:

 

Net Assets, End of Period (Thousands)

 

$

3,395

   

$

1,007

   

$

780

   

$

926

   

$

587

   

Ratio of Expenses Before Expense Limitation

   

2.63

%

   

2.82

%

   

2.75

%

   

2.80

%

   

3.08

%

 

Ratio of Expenses After Expense Limitation

   

2.29

%(5)

   

2.30

%(5)

   

2.30

%(5)

   

2.29

%(5)

   

2.28

%(5)

 

Ratio of Expenses After Expense Limitation Excluding Interest Expenses

   

N/A

     

2.29

%(5)

   

2.29

%(5)

   

N/A

     

N/A

   

Ratio of Net Investment Loss

   

(1.88

)%(5)

   

(1.18

)%(5)

   

(0.83

)%(5)

   

(0.49

)%(5)

   

(0.99

)%(5)

 

Ratio of Rebate from Morgan Stanley Affiliates

   

0.01

%

   

0.01

%

   

0.01

%

   

0.01

%

   

0.02

%

 

Portfolio Turnover Rate

   

57

%

   

58

%

   

47

%

   

79

%

   

45

%

 

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

(2)  Per share amount is based on average shares outstanding.

(3)  Amount is less than $0.005 per share.

(4)  Calculated based on the net asset value which does not reflect sales charges, if applicable, as of the last business day of the period.

(5)  The Ratio of Expenses After Expense Limitation and Ratio of Net Investment Loss reflect the rebate of certain Fund expenses in connection with the investments in Morgan Stanley affiliates during the period. The effect of the rebate on the ratios is disclosed in the above table as "Ratio of Rebate from Morgan Stanley Affiliates."

The accompanying notes are an integral part of the financial statements.
15



Morgan Stanley Institutional Fund, Inc.

Annual Report — December 31, 2020

Financial Highlights

Emerging Markets Leaders Portfolio

   

Class IS

 
   

Year Ended December 31,

 

Selected Per Share Data and Ratios

 

2020

 

2019

 

2018

 

2017

 

2016(1)

 

Net Asset Value, Beginning of Period

 

$

12.71

   

$

10.38

   

$

12.14

   

$

9.73

   

$

9.45

   

Income (Loss) from Investment Operations:

 

Net Investment Income (Loss)(2)

   

(0.09

)

   

0.00

(3)

   

0.04

     

0.08

     

(0.00

)(3)

 

Net Realized and Unrealized Gain (Loss)

   

7.61

     

2.77

     

(1.74

)

   

2.45

     

0.29

   

Total from Investment Operations

   

7.52

     

2.77

     

(1.70

)

   

2.53

     

0.29

   

Distributions from and/or in Excess of:

 

Net Investment Income

   

     

     

(0.02

)

   

(0.08

)

   

(0.01

)

 

Net Realized Gain

   

(0.78

)

   

(0.44

)

   

(0.04

)

   

(0.04

)

   

   

Paid-in-Capital

   

     

     

     

     

(0.00

)(3)

 

Total Distributions

   

(0.78

)

   

(0.44

)

   

(0.06

)

   

(0.12

)

   

(0.01

)

 

Redemption Fees

   

0.00

(3)

   

0.00

(3)

   

0.00

(3)

   

0.00

(3)

   

0.00

(3)

 

Net Asset Value, End of Period

 

$

19.45

   

$

12.71

   

$

10.38

   

$

12.14

   

$

9.73

   

Total Return(4)

   

59.39

%

   

26.73

%

   

(14.03

)%

   

26.02

%

   

3.09

%

 

Ratios to Average Net Assets and Supplemental Data:

 

Net Assets, End of Period (Thousands)

 

$

27,230

   

$

19,838

   

$

12,779

   

$

14,868

   

$

88,880

   

Ratio of Expenses Before Expense Limitation

   

1.42

%

   

1.53

%

   

1.44

%

   

1.42

%

   

1.31

%

 

Ratio of Expenses After Expense Limitation

   

1.09

%(5)

   

1.10

%(5)

   

1.10

%(5)

   

1.09

%(5)

   

1.08

%(5)

 

Ratio of Expenses After Expense Limitation Excluding Interest Expenses

   

N/A

     

1.09

%(5)

   

1.09

%(5)

   

N/A

     

N/A

   

Ratio of Net Investment Income (Loss)

   

(0.65

)%(5)

   

0.00

%(6)

   

0.38

%(5)

   

0.72

%(5)

   

(0.00

)%(5)(6)

 

Ratio of Rebate from Morgan Stanley Affiliates

   

0.01

%

   

0.01

%

   

0.01

%

   

0.01

%

   

0.02

%

 

Portfolio Turnover Rate

   

57

%

   

58

%

   

47

%

   

79

%

   

45

%

 

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

(2)  Per share amount is based on average shares outstanding.

(3)  Amount is less than $0.005 per share.

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

(5)  The Ratio of Expenses After Expense Limitation and Ratio of Net Investment Income (Loss) reflect the rebate of certain Fund expenses in connection with the investments in Morgan Stanley affiliates during the period. The effect of the rebate on the ratios is disclosed in the above table as "Ratio of Rebate from Morgan Stanley Affiliates."

(6)  Amount is less than 0.005%.

The accompanying notes are an integral part of the financial statements.
16



Morgan Stanley Institutional Fund, Inc.

Annual Report — December 31, 2020

Notes to Financial Statements

Morgan Stanley Institutional Fund, Inc. (the "Company") is registered under the Investment Company Act of 1940, as amended (the "Act"), as an open-end management investment company. The Company is comprised of thirty-one separate, active, diversified and non-diversified funds (individually referred to as a "Fund," collectively as the "Funds"). The Company applies investment company accounting and reporting guidance.

The accompanying financial statements relate to the Emerging Markets Leaders Portfolio. The Fund seeks long-term capital appreciation.

The Fund offers four classes of shares — Class I, Class A, Class C and Class IS.

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

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

such bid and asked prices are available on the relevant markets. An unlisted equity security that does not trade on the valuation date and for which bid and asked prices from the relevant markets are unavailable is valued at the mean between the current bid and asked prices obtained from one or more reputable brokers or dealers; (3) certain portfolio securities may be valued by an outside pricing service/vendor approved by the Company's Board of Directors (the "Directors"). The pricing service/vendor may employ a pricing model that takes into account, among other things, bids, yield spreads and/or other market data and specific security characteristics. Alternatively, if a valuation is not available from an outside pricing service/vendor, and the security trades on an exchange, the security may be valued at its latest reported sale price (or at the exchange official closing price if such exchange reports an official closing price), prior to the time when assets are valued. If there are no sales on a given day and if there is no official exchange closing price for that day, the security is valued at the mean between the last reported bid and asked prices if such bid and asked prices are available in the relevant exchanges. If only bid prices are available then the latest bid price may be used. If Morgan Stanley Investment Management Inc. (the "Adviser") or Morgan Stanley Investment Management Company ("MSIM Company") (the "Sub-Adviser"), each a wholly-owned subsidiary of Morgan Stanley, determines that the price provided by the outside pricing service/vendor or exchange does not reflect the security's fair value or is unable to provide a price, prices from brokers or dealers may also be utilized. In these circumstances, the value of the security will be the mean of bid and asked prices obtained from brokers or dealers; (4) when market quotations are not readily available, including circumstances under which the Adviser or the Sub-Adviser 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 Directors. 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 of the New York Stock Exchange ("NYSE"). If developments occur during such periods that are expected to materially affect the value of such securities, such


17



Morgan Stanley Institutional Fund, Inc.

Annual Report — December 31, 2020

Notes to Financial Statements (cont'd)

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 Directors or by the Adviser using a pricing service and/or procedures approved by the Directors; (5) quotations of foreign portfolio securities, other assets and liabilities and forward contracts stated in foreign currency are translated into U.S. dollar equivalents at the prevailing market rates prior to the close of the NYSE; and (6) investments in mutual funds, including the Morgan Stanley Institutional Liquidity Funds, are valued at the net asset value ("NAV") as of the close of each business day.

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

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

determining the value of the Fund's investments. The inputs are summarized in the three broad levels listed below:

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

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

•  Level 3 – significant unobservable inputs including the Fund's own assumptions in determining the fair value of investments. Factors considered in making this determination may include, but are not limited to, information obtained by contacting the issuer, analysts, or the appropriate stock exchange (for exchange-traded securities), analysis of the issuer's financial statements or other available documents and, if necessary, available information concerning other securities in similar circumstances.

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

The following is a summary of the inputs used to value the Fund's investments as of December 31, 2020:

Investment Type

  Level 1
Unadjusted
quoted
prices
(000)
  Level 2
Other
significant
observable
inputs
(000)
  Level 3
Significant
unobservable
inputs
(000)
  Total
(000)
 

Assets:

 

Common Stocks

 

Banks

 

$

   

$

7,091

   

$

   

$

7,091

   

Beverages

   

     

2,756

     

     

2,756

   

Chemicals

   

     

5,361

     

     

5,361

   

Consumer Finance

   

     

5,716

     

     

5,716

   
Diversified Consumer
Services
   

1,691

     

     

     

1,691

   

Electrical Equipment

   

     

3,530

     

     

3,530

   

Entertainment

   

10,410

     

     

     

10,410

   
Health Care Providers &
Services
   

     

4,351

     

     

4,351

   

Health Care Technology

   

     

1,995

     

     

1,995

   
Information Technology
Services
   

8,578

     

     

     

8,578

   

Insurance

   

     

1,934

     

     

1,934

   


18



Morgan Stanley Institutional Fund, Inc.

Annual Report — December 31, 2020

Notes to Financial Statements (cont'd)

Investment Type

  Level 1
Unadjusted
quoted
prices
(000)
  Level 2
Other
significant
observable
inputs
(000)
  Level 3
Significant
unobservable
inputs
(000)
  Total
(000)
 

Common Stocks (cont'd)

 
Interactive Media &
Services
 

$

   

$

7,476

   

$

   

$

7,476

   
Internet & Direct Marketing
Retail
   

9,871

     

19,141

     

     

29,012

   
Semiconductors &
Semiconductor
Equipment
   

3,536

     

9,836

     

     

13,372

   

Software

   

885

     

3,221

     

     

4,106

   
Textiles, Apparel & Luxury
Goods
   

3,791

     

5,144

     

     

8,935

   

Total Common Stocks

   

38,762

     

77,552

     

     

116,314

   

Short-Term Investment

 

Investment Company

   

5,488

     

     

     

5,488

   

Total Assets

 

$

44,250

   

$

77,552

   

$

   

$

121,802

   

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

3.  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.

Net realized gains (losses) on foreign currency transactions represent net foreign exchange gains (losses) from foreign currency forward exchange contracts, disposition of foreign currencies, currency gains (losses) realized between the trade and settlement dates on securities transactions, and the difference between the amount of investment income and foreign withholding taxes recorded on the Fund's books and the U.S. dollar equivalent amounts actually received or paid. The change in unrealized currency gains (losses) on foreign currency transactions for the period is reflected in the Statement of Operations.

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.

Governmental approval for foreign investments may be required in advance of making an investment under certain circumstances in some countries, and the extent of foreign investments in domestic companies may be subject to limitation in other countries. Foreign ownership limitations also may be imposed by the charters of individual companies to prevent, among other concerns, violations of foreign investment limitations. As a result, an additional class of shares (identified as "Foreign" in the Portfolio of Investments) may be created and offered for investment. The "local" and "foreign shares" market values may differ. In the absence of trading of the foreign shares in such markets, the Fund values the foreign shares at the closing exchange price of the local shares.

4.  Redemption Fees: The Fund will assess a 2% redemption fee on Class I shares, Class A shares, Class C shares and Class IS shares, which is paid directly to the Fund, for shares redeemed or exchanged within thirty days of purchase, subject to certain exceptions. The redemption fee is designed to protect the Fund and its remaining shareholders from the effects of short-term trading. These fees, if any, are included in the Statements of Changes in Net Assets.


19



Morgan Stanley Institutional Fund, Inc.

Annual Report — December 31, 2020

Notes to Financial Statements (cont'd)

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

6.  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. Net realized capital gains, if any, are distributed at least annually.

7.  Security Transactions, Income and Expenses: Security transactions are accounted for on the trade date (date the order to buy or sell is executed). Realized gains and losses on the sale of investment securities are determined on the specific identified cost method. Dividend income and other distributions are recorded on the ex-dividend date (except for certain foreign dividends which may be recorded as soon as the Fund is informed of such dividends) net of applicable withholding taxes. Interest income is recognized on the accrual basis except where collection is in doubt. Discounts are accreted and premiums are amortized over the life of the respective securities. Most expenses of the Company can be directly attributed to a particular Fund. Expenses which cannot be directly attributed are apportioned among the Funds based upon relative net assets or other appropriate methods. Income, expenses (other than class specific expenses — distribution and shareholder services, transfer agency and sub transfer agency fees) and realized and unrealized gains or losses are allocated to each class of shares based upon their relative net assets.

B. Advisory/Sub-Advisory Fees: The Adviser, a wholly-owned subsidiary of Morgan Stanley, provides the Fund with advisory services under the terms of an Investment Advisory Agreement, paid quarterly, at the annual rate based on the daily net assets as follows:

First $1
billion
  Over $1
billion
 
  0.90

%

   

0.85

%

 

For the year ended December 31, 2020, the advisory fee rate (net of waiver/rebate) was equivalent to an annual effective rate of 0.58% of the Fund's average daily net assets.

The Adviser has agreed to reduce its advisory fee and/or reimburse the Fund so that total annual Fund operating expenses,

excluding certain investment related expenses, taxes, interest and other extraordinary expenses (including litigation), will not exceed 1.20% for Class I shares, 1.55% for Class A shares, 2.30% for Class C shares and 1.10% for Class IS shares. The fee waivers and/or expense reimbursements will continue for at least one year from the date of the Fund's prospectus or until such time as the Directors act to discontinue all or a portion of such waivers and/or reimbursements when they deem such action is appropriate. For the year ended December 31, 2020, approximately $196,000 of advisory fees were waived and approximately $2,000 of other expenses were reimbursed by the Adviser pursuant to this arrangement.

The Adviser has entered into a Sub-Advisory Agreement with the Sub-Adviser, a wholly-owned subsidiary of Morgan Stanley. The Sub-Adviser provides the Fund with advisory services subject to the overall supervision of the Adviser and the Fund's Officers and Directors. The Adviser pays the Sub-Adviser on a monthly basis a portion of the net advisory fees the Adviser receives from the Fund.

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

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

D. Distribution and Shareholder Services Fees: Morgan Stanley Distribution, Inc. ("MSDI" or the "Distributor"), a wholly-owned subsidiary of the Adviser and an indirect subsidiary of Morgan Stanley, serves as the Company's Distributor of Fund shares pursuant to a Distribution Agreement. The Company has adopted a Shareholder Services Plan with respect to Class A shares pursuant to Rule 12b-1 under the Act. Under the Shareholder Services Plan, the Fund pays the Distributor a shareholder services fee, accrued daily and paid monthly, at an annual rate of 0.25% of the Fund's average daily net assets attributable to Class A shares.

The Company has adopted a Distribution and Shareholder Services Plan with respect to Class C shares pursuant to Rule 12b-1 under the Act. Under the Distribution and


20



Morgan Stanley Institutional Fund, Inc.

Annual Report — December 31, 2020

Notes to Financial Statements (cont'd)

Shareholder Services Plan, the Fund pays the Distributor a distribution fee, accrued daily and paid monthly, at an annual rate of 0.75% and a shareholder services fee, accrued daily and paid monthly, at an annual rate of 0.25% of the Fund's average daily net assets attributable to Class C shares.

The distribution and shareholder services fees are used to support the expenses associated with servicing and maintaining accounts. The Distributor may compensate other parties for providing shareholder support services to investors who purchase Class A and Class C shares.

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

F. Custodian Fees: State Street (the "Custodian") also serves as Custodian for the Company in accordance with a Custodian Agreement. The Custodian holds cash, securities and other assets of the Company as required by the Act. Custody fees are payable monthly based on assets held in custody, investment purchases and sales activity and account maintenance fees, plus reimbursement for certain out-of-pocket expenses.

G. Security Transactions and Transactions with Affiliates: For the year ended December 31, 2020, purchases and sales of investment securities for the Fund, other than long-term U.S. Government securities and short-term investments were approximately $65,009,000 and $35,700,000, respectively. There were no purchases and sales of long-term U.S. Government securities for the year ended December 31, 2020.

The Fund invests in the Institutional Class of the Morgan Stanley Institutional Liquidity Funds — Government Portfolio (the "Liquidity Funds"), an open-end management investment company managed by the Adviser. Advisory fees paid by the Fund are reduced by an amount equal to its pro-rata share of the advisory and administration fees paid by the Fund due to its investment in the Liquidity Funds. For the year ended December 31, 2020, advisory fees paid were reduced by approximately $3,000 relating to the Fund's investment in the Liquidity Funds.

A summary of the Fund's transactions in shares of affiliated investments during the year ended December 31, 2020 is as follows:

Affiliated
Investment
Company
  Value
December 31,
2019
(000)
  Purchases
at Cost
(000)
  Proceeds
from Sales
(000)
  Dividend
Income
(000)
 

Liquidity Funds

 

$

2,729

   

$

51,505

   

$

48,746

   

$

6

   
Affiliated
Investment
Company (cont'd)
  Realized
Gain (Loss)
(000)
  Change in
Unrealized
Appreciation
(Depreciation)
(000)
  Value
December 31,
2020
(000)
 

Liquidity Funds

 

$

   

$

   

$

5,488

   

The Fund is permitted to purchase and sell securities ("cross-trade") from and to other Morgan Stanley funds as well as other funds and client accounts for which the Adviser or an affiliate of the Adviser serves as investment adviser, pursuant to procedures approved by the Directors in compliance with Rule 17a-7 under the Act (the "Rule"). Each cross-trade is executed at the current market price in compliance with provisions of the Rule. For the year ended December 31, 2020, the Fund did not engage in any cross-trade transactions.

The Fund has an unfunded Deferred Compensation Plan (the "Compensation Plan"), which allows each independent Director to defer payment of all, or a portion, of the fees he or she receives for serving on the Board of Directors. Each eligible Director generally may elect to have the deferred amounts credited with a return equal to the total return on one or more of the Morgan Stanley funds that are offered as investment options under the Compensation Plan. Appreciation/depreciation and distributions received from these investments are recorded with an offsetting increase/decrease in the deferred compensation obligation and do not affect the NAV of the Fund.

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

The Fund may be subject to taxes imposed by countries in which it invests. Such taxes are generally based on income and/or capital gains earned or repatriated. Taxes are accrued based on net investment income, net realized gains and net unrealized appreciation as such income and/or gains are earned. Taxes may also be based on transactions in foreign currency and are accrued based on the value of investments denominated in such currency.


21



Morgan Stanley Institutional Fund, Inc.

Annual Report — December 31, 2020

Notes to Financial Statements (cont'd)

FASB ASC 740-10, "Income Taxes — Overall", sets forth a minimum threshold for financial statement recognition of the benefit of a tax position taken or expected to be taken in a tax return. Management has concluded there are no significant uncertain tax positions that would require recognition in the financial statements. If applicable, the Fund recognizes interest accrued related to unrecognized tax benefits in "Interest Expense" and penalties in "Other Expenses" in the Statement of Operations. The Fund files tax returns with the U.S. Internal Revenue Service, New York and various states. Generally, each of the tax years in the four-year period ended December 31, 2020 remains subject to examination by taxing authorities.

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

2020
Distributions
Paid From:
  2019
Distributions
Paid From:
 
Ordinary
Income
(000)
  Long-Term
Capital Gain
(000)
  Ordinary
Income
(000)
  Long-Term
Capital Gain
(000)
 
$

1,256

   

$

2,930

   

$

   

$

1,705

   

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

The Fund had no permanent differences causing reclassifications among the components of net assets for the year ended December 31, 2020.

At December 31, 2020, the components of distributable earnings for the Fund on a tax basis were as follows:

Undistributed
Ordinary
Income
(000)
  Undistributed
Long-Term
Capital Gain
(000)
 
$

205

   

$

122

   

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

interest rate on borrowings is based on the federal funds rate or 1 month LIBOR rate plus a spread. The Facility also has a commitment fee of 0.25% per annum based on the unused portion of the Facility. During the year ended December 31, 2020, the Fund did not have any borrowings under the Facility.

J. Other: At December 31, 2020, the Fund had record owners of 10% or greater. Investment activities of these shareholders could have a material impact on the Fund. The aggregate percentage of such owners was 66.4%.

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


22



Morgan Stanley Institutional Fund, Inc.

Annual Report — December 31, 2020

Report of Independent Registered Public Accounting Firm

To the Stockholders and Board of Directors of
Morgan Stanley Institutional Fund, Inc. —
Emerging Markets Leaders Portfolio

Opinion on the Financial Statements

We have audited the accompanying statement of assets and liabilities of Emerging Markets Leaders Portfolio (the "Fund") (one of the funds constituting Morgan Stanley Institutional Fund, Inc. (the "Company")), including the portfolio of investments, as of December 31, 2020, and the related statement of operations for the year then ended, the statements of changes in net assets for each of the two years in the period then ended, the financial highlights for each of the five years in the period then ended and the related notes (collectively referred to as the "financial statements"). In our opinion, the financial statements present fairly, in all material respects, the financial position of Emerging Markets Leaders Portfolio (one of the funds constituting Morgan Stanley Institutional Fund, Inc.) at December 31, 2020, the results of its operations for the year then ended, the changes in its net assets for each of the two years in the period then ended and its financial highlights for each of the five years in the period then ended, in conformity with U.S. generally accepted accounting principles.

Basis for Opinion

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

We conducted our audits in accordance with the standards of the PCAOB. Those standards require that we plan and perform the audit to obtain reasonable assurance about whether the financial statements are free of material misstatement, whether due to error or fraud. The Company is not required to have, nor were we engaged to perform, an audit of the Company's internal control over financial reporting. As part of our audits, we are required to obtain an understanding of internal control over financial reporting, but not for the purpose of expressing an opinion on the effectiveness of the Company's internal control over financial reporting. Accordingly, we express no such opinion.

Our audits included performing procedures to assess the risks of material misstatement of the financial statements, whether due to error or fraud, and performing procedures that respond to those risks. Such procedures included examining, on a test basis, evidence regarding the amounts and disclosures in the financial statements. Our procedures included confirmation of securities owned as of December 31, 2019 by correspondence with the custodian and others or by other appropriate auditing procedures where replies from others were not received. Our audits also included evaluating the accounting principles used and significant estimates made by management, as well as evaluating the overall presentation of the financial statements. We believe that our audits provide a reasonable basis for our opinion.

We have served as the auditor of one or more Morgan Stanley investment companies since 2000.
Boston, Massachusetts
February 26, 2021


23



Morgan Stanley Institutional Fund, Inc.

Annual Report — December 31, 2020

Liquidity Risk Management Program (unaudited)

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

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

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

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

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

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


24



Morgan Stanley Institutional Fund, Inc.

Annual Report — December 31, 2020

Federal Tax Notice (unaudited)

For federal income tax purposes, the following information is furnished with respect to the distributions paid by the Fund during its taxable year ended December 31, 2020. For corporate shareholders 2.44% of the dividends qualified for the dividends received deduction.

The Fund designated and paid approximately $2,930,000 as a long-term capital gain distribution.

For federal income tax purposes, the following information is furnished with respect to the Fund's earnings for its taxable year ended December 31, 2020. When distributed, certain earnings may be subject to a maximum tax rate of 15% as provided for by the Jobs and Growth Tax Relief Reconciliation Act of 2003. The Fund designated up to a maximum of approximately $64,000 as taxable at this lower rate.

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


25



Morgan Stanley Institutional Fund, Inc.

Annual Report — December 31, 2020

Privacy Notice (unaudited)  April 2019

FACTS

 

WHAT DOES MSIM DO WITH YOUR PERSONAL INFORMATION?

 

Why?

 

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

 

What?

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

How?

 

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

 

 

Reasons we can share your personal information

 

Does MSIM share?

 

Can you limit this sharing?

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

Yes

 

No

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

Yes

 

No

 

For joint marketing with other financial companies

 

No

 

We don't share

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

Yes

 

No

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

No

 

We don't share

 

For our affiliates to market to you

 

No

 

We don't share

 

For non-affiliates to market to you

 

No

 

We don't share

 

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


26



Morgan Stanley Institutional Fund, Inc.

Annual Report — December 31, 2020

Privacy Notice (unaudited) (cont'd)  April 2019

Who we are

Who is providing this notice?

 

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

 

What we do

How does MSIM protect my personal information?

 

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

 

How does MSIM collect my personal information?

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

Why can't I limit all sharing?

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

Definitions

Affiliates

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

Non-affiliates

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

Joint marketing

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


27



Morgan Stanley Institutional Fund, Inc.

Annual Report — December 31, 2020

Privacy Notice (unaudited) (cont'd)  April 2019

Other Important Information

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

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


28



Morgan Stanley Institutional Fund, Inc.

Annual Report — December 31, 2020

Director and Officer Information (unaudited)

Independent Directors:

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

Director

 

Since August 2006

 

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

 

79

 

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

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

Director

 

Since August 2006

 

Chairperson of the Governance Committee (January 2021), Chairperson of the Liquidity and Alternatives Sub-Committee of the Investment Committee (2006-2020); and Director or Trustee of various Morgan Stanley Funds (since August 2006); President, Cedarwood Associates (mutual fund and investment management consulting) (since July 2006); formerly, Senior Managing Director of Victory Capital Management (1993-2006).

 

79

 

Board Member, University of Albany Foundation (2012-present); Board Member, Mutual Funds Directors Forum (2014-present); Director of various non-profit organizations.

 
Nancy C. Everett
c/o Perkins Coie LLP
Counsel to the Independent Directors
1155 Avenue of the Americas,
22nd Floor
New York, NY 10036
Birth Year: 1955
 

Director

 

Since January 2015

 

Chairperson of the Equity Investment Committee (since January 2021); Director or Trustee of various Morgan Stanley Funds (since January 2015); Chief Executive Officer, Virginia Commonwealth University Investment Company (since November 2015); Owner, OBIR, LLC (institutional investment management consulting) (since June 2014); formerly, Managing Director, BlackRock, Inc. (February 2011-December 2013); and Chief Executive Officer, General Motors Asset Management (a/k/a Promark Global Advisors, Inc.) (June 2005-May 2010).

 

80

 

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

 


29



Morgan Stanley Institutional Fund, Inc.

Annual Report — December 31, 2020

Director and Officer Information (unaudited) (cont'd)

Independent Directors (cont'd):

Name, Address and Birth
Year of Independent Director
  Position(s)
Held with
Registrant
  Length of Time
Served*
  Principal Occupation(s) During Past 5 Years and Other
Relevant Professional Experience
  Number of
Funds
in Fund Complex
Overseen by
Independent
Director**
  Other Directorships
Held by Independent
Director***
 
Jakki L. Haussler
c/o Perkins Coie LLP
Counsel to the Independent Directors
1155 Avenue of the Americas,
22nd Floor
New York, NY 10036
Birth Year: 1957
 

Director

 

Since January 2015

 

Director or Trustee of various Morgan Stanley Funds (since January 2015) Chairman, Opus Capital Group (1996); formerly, Chief Executive Officer, Opus Capital Group (1996-2019); Director, Capvest Venture Fund, LP (May 2000-December 2011); Partner, Adena Ventures, LP (July 1999-December 2010); Director, The Victory Funds (February 2005-July 2008).

 

80

 

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

 
Dr. Manuel H. Johnson
c/o Johnson Smick International, Inc.
220 I Street, NE — Suite 200
Washington, D.C. 20002
Birth Year: 1949
 

Director

 

Since July 1991

 

Senior Partner, Johnson Smick International, Inc. (consulting firm); Chairperson of the Fixed Income, Liquidity and Alternatives Investment Committee (January 2021), Chairperson of the Investment Committee (2006-2020) and Director or Trustee of various Morgan Stanley Funds (since July 1991); Co-Chairman and a founder of the Group of Seven Council (G7C) (international economic commission); formerly, Chairperson of the Audit Committee (July 1991-September 2006), Vice Chairman of the Board of Governors of the Federal Reserve System and Assistant Secretary of the U.S. Treasury.

 

79

 

Director of NVR, Inc. (home construction).

 


30



Morgan Stanley Institutional Fund, Inc.

Annual Report — December 31, 2020

Director and Officer Information (unaudited) (cont'd)

Independent Directors (cont'd):

Name, Address and Birth
Year of Independent Director
  Position(s)
Held with
Registrant
  Length of Time
Served*
  Principal Occupation(s) During Past 5 Years and Other
Relevant Professional Experience
  Number of
Funds
in Fund Complex
Overseen by
Independent
Director**
  Other Directorships
Held by Independent
Director***
 
Joseph J. Kearns
c/o Perkins Coie LLP
Counsel to the Independent Directors
1155 Avenue of the Americas,
22nd Floor
New York, NY 10036
Birth Year: 1942
 

Director

 

Since August 1994

 

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

 

80

 

Director, Rubicon Investment (since February 2019); Prior to August 2016, Director of Electro Rent Corporation (equipment leasing); Prior to December 31, 2013, Director of The Ford Family Foundation.

 
Michael F. Klein
c/o Perkins Coie LLP
Counsel to the Independent Directors
1155 Avenue of the Americas,
22nd Floor
New York, NY 10036
Birth Year: 1958
 

Director

 

Since August 2006

 

Chairperson of the Risk Committee (since January 2021); Managing Director, Aetos Alternatives Management, LP (since March 2000); Co-President, Aetos Alternatives Management, LP (since January 2004) and Co-Chief Executive Officer of Aetos Alternatives Management, LP (since August 2013); Chairperson of the fixed Income Sub-Committee of the Investment committee (2006-2020) and Director or Trustee of various Morgan Stanley Funds (since August 2006); formerly, Managing Director, Morgan Stanley & Co. Inc. and Morgan Stanley Dean Witter Investment Management and President, various Morgan Stanley Funds (June 1998-March 2000); Principal, Morgan Stanley & Co. Inc. and Morgan Stanley Dean Witter Investment Management (August 1997-December 1999).

 

79

 

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

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

Director

 

Since January 2017

 

Director or Trustee of various Morgan Stanley Funds (since January 2017); Managing Director, JPMorgan Asset Management (2004-2016); Oversight and Control Head of Fiduciary and Conflicts of Interest Program (2015-2016); Chief Control Officer-Global Asset Management (2013-2015); President, JPMorgan Funds (2010-2013); Chief Administrative Officer (2004-2013); various other positions including Treasurer and Board Liaison (since 2001).

 

80

 

None.

 
W. Allen Reed
c/o Perkins Coie LLP
Counsel to the Independent Directors
1155 Avenue of the Americas,
22nd Floor
New York, NY 10036
Birth Year: 1947
 

Chair of the Board and Director

 

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

 

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

 

79

 

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

 

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

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

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


31



Morgan Stanley Institutional Fund, Inc.

Annual Report — December 31, 2020

Director and Officer Information (unaudited) (cont'd)

Executive Officers:

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

Principal Occupation(s) During Past 5 Years

 
John H. Gernon
522 Fifth Avenue
New York, NY 10036
Birth Year: 1963
 

President and Principal Executive Officer

 

Since September 2013

 

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

 
Timothy J. Knierim
1633 Broadway
New York, NY 10019
Birth Year: 1959
 

Chief Compliance Officer

 

Since December 2016

 

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

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

Treasurer and Principal Financial Officer

 

Treasurer since July 2003 and Principal Financial Officer since September 2002

 

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

 
Mary E. Mullin
1633 Broadway
New York, NY 10019
Birth Year: 1967
 

Secretary

 

Since June 1999

 

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

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

Vice President

 

Since June 2017

 

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

 

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


32



Morgan Stanley Institutional Fund, Inc.

Annual Report — December 31, 2020

Adviser and Administrator

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

Sub-Adviser

Morgan Stanley Investment Management Company
23 Church Street
16-01 Capital Square, Singapore 049481

Distributor

Morgan Stanley Distribution, Inc.
522 Fifth Avenue
New York, New York 10036

Dividend Disbursing and Transfer Agent

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

Custodian

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

Legal Counsel

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

Counsel to the Independent Directors

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

Independent Registered Public Accounting Firm

Ernst & Young LLP
200 Clarendon Street
Boston, Massachusetts 02116

Reporting to Shareholders

Each Morgan Stanley fund provides a complete schedule of portfolio holdings in its Semi-Annual and the Annual Reports within 60 days of the end of the fund's second and fourth fiscal quarters. The Semi-Annual and Annual Reports are filed electronically with the Securities and Exchange Commission ("SEC") on Form N-CSRS and Form N-CSR, respectively. Morgan Stanley also delivers the Semi-Annual and Annual Reports to fund shareholders and makes these reports available on its public website, www.morganstanley.com/im/shareholderreports. Each Morgan Stanley non-money market fund also files a complete schedule of portfolio holdings with the SEC for the fund's first and third fiscal quarters as an attachment to Form N-PORT. Morgan Stanley does not deliver the reports for the first and third fiscal quarters to shareholders, but makes the complete schedule of portfolio holdings for the fund's first and third fiscal quarters available on its public website. The holdings for each money market fund are also posted to the Morgan Stanley public website. You may obtain the Form N-PORT filings (as well as the Form N-CSR and N-CSRS filings) by accessing the SEC's website, www.sec.gov. You can also request copies of these materials, upon payment of a duplicating fee, by electronic request at the SEC's email address (publicinfo@sec.gov).

Proxy Voting Policies and Procedures and Proxy Voting Record

You may obtain a copy of the Company's Proxy Voting Policy and Procedures and information regarding how the Company voted proxies relating to portfolio securities during the most recent twelve-month period ended June 30, without charge, upon request, by calling toll free 1 (800) 548-7786 or by visiting our website at www.morganstanley.com/im/shareholderreports. This information is also available on the SEC's website at www.sec.gov.

This report is authorized for distribution only when preceded or accompanied by a prospectus or summary prospectus of the applicable fund of Morgan Stanley Institutional Fund, Inc., which describes in detail the fund's investment policies, risks, fees and expenses. Please read the prospectus carefully before you invest or send money. For additional information, including information regarding the investments comprising the Fund, please visit our website at www.morganstanley.com/im/shareholderreports or call toll free 1 (800) 548-7786.


33



Printed in U.S.A.
This Report has been prepared for shareholders and may be distributed to others only if preceded or accompanied by a current prospectus.

Morgan Stanley Investment Management Inc.
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IFIEMLANN
3386864 EXP 02.28.22



INVESTMENT MANAGEMENT

Morgan Stanley Institutional Fund, Inc.

Emerging Markets Portfolio

Annual Report

December 31, 2020



Morgan Stanley Institutional Fund, Inc.

Annual Report — December 31, 2020

Table of Contents

Shareholders' Letter

   

2

   

Expense Example

   

3

   

Investment Overview

   

4

   

Portfolio of Investments

   

7

   

Statement of Assets and Liabilities

   

9

   

Statement of Operations

   

11

   

Statements of Changes in Net Assets

   

12

   

Financial Highlights

   

14

   

Notes to Financial Statements

   

20

   

Report of Independent Registered Public Accounting Firm

   

30

   

Liquidity Risk Management Program

   

31

   

Federal Tax Notice

   

32

   

Privacy Notice

   

33

   

Director and Officer Information

   

36

   

This report is authorized for distribution only when preceded or accompanied by a prospectus or summary prospectus of the applicable Fund of Morgan Stanley Institutional Fund, Inc. To receive a prospectus and/or statement of additional information ("SAI"), which contains more complete information such as investment objectives, charges, expenses, policies for voting proxies, risk considerations and describes in detail each of the Fund's investment policies to the prospective investor, please call toll free 1 (800) 548-7786. Please read the prospectuses carefully before you invest or send money.

Additionally, you can access information about the Fund, including performance, characteristics and investment team commentary, through Morgan Stanley Investment Management's website: www.morganstanley.com/im/shareholderreports.

Market forecasts provided in this report may not necessarily come to pass. There is no guarantee that any sectors mentioned will continue to perform as discussed herein or that securities in such sectors will be held by the Fund in the future. There is no assurance that a fund will achieve its investment objective. Funds are subject to market risk, which is the possibility that market values of securities owned by the Fund will decline and, therefore, the value of the Fund's shares may be less than what you paid for them. Accordingly, you can lose money investing in this Fund. Please see the prospectus for more complete information on investment risks.


1



Morgan Stanley Institutional Fund, Inc.

Annual Report — December 31, 2020

Shareholders' Letter (unaudited)

Dear Shareholders,

We are pleased to provide this Annual Report, in which you will learn how your investment in Emerging Markets Portfolio (the "Fund") performed during the latest twelve-month period.

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

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

Sincerely,

John H. Gernon
President and Principal Executive Officer

January 2021


2



Morgan Stanley Institutional Fund, Inc.

Annual Report — December 31, 2020

Expense Example (unaudited)

Emerging Markets Portfolio

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

This example is based on an investment of $1,000 invested at the beginning of the six-month period ended December 31, 2020 and held for the entire six-month period.

Actual Expenses

The table below provides information about actual account values and actual expenses. You may use the information in this table, 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 table under the heading entitled "Actual Expenses Paid During Period" to estimate the expenses you paid on your account during this period.

Hypothetical Example for Comparison Purposes

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

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

    Beginning
Account
Value
7/1/20
  Actual Ending
Account
Value
12/31/20
  Hypothetical
Ending Account
Value
  Actual
Expenses
Paid
During
Period*
  Hypothetical
Expenses Paid
During Period*
  Net
Expense
Ratio
During
Period**
 

Emerging Markets Portfolio Class I

 

$

1,000.00

   

$

1,305.00

   

$

1,019.86

   

$

6.08

   

$

5.33

     

1.05

%

 

Emerging Markets Portfolio Class A

   

1,000.00

     

1,302.60

     

1,018.30

     

7.87

     

6.90

     

1.36

   

Emerging Markets Portfolio Class L

   

1,000.00

     

1,299.30

     

1,015.58

     

10.98

     

9.63

     

1.90

   

Emerging Markets Portfolio Class C

   

1,000.00

     

1,297.40

     

1,014.33

     

12.42

     

10.89

     

2.15

   

Emerging Markets Portfolio Class IS

   

1,000.00

     

1,305.50

     

1,020.36

     

5.51

     

4.82

     

0.95

   

Emerging Markets Portfolio Class IR

   

1,000.00

     

1,305.50

     

1,020.36

     

5.51

     

4.82

     

0.95

   

*  Expenses are calculated using each Fund Class' annualized net expense ratio (as disclosed), multiplied by the average account value over the period and multiplied by 184/366 (to reflect the most recent one-half year period).

**  Annualized.


3



Morgan Stanley Institutional Fund, Inc.

Annual Report — December 31, 2020

Investment Overview (unaudited)

Emerging Markets Portfolio

The Fund seeks long-term capital appreciation by investing primarily in growth-oriented equity securities of issuers in emerging market countries.

Performance

For the fiscal year ended December 31, 2020, the Fund's Class I shares had a total return based on net asset value and reinvestment of distributions per share of 14.58%, net of fees. The Fund's Class I shares underperformed the Fund's benchmark, the MSCI Emerging Markets Index (the "Index"), which returned 18.31%.

Factors Affecting Performance

•  Our aggregate stock selection was the main driver of performance for the full year. Country allocation contributed positively in November and December of 2020 as country dispersion began to increase in recent months. Emerging market (EM) equities recovered in the second half of the year, following the COVID-related market volatility that marked the first quarter of 2020. In the six months ending December 31, 2020, the Index returned +31.14% with returns more broadly based. Our process of identifying and owning growth stocks in many different countries across the EM universe was starting to be rewarded, and we believe this dispersion can continue.

•  The Fund underperformed the Index in the first quarter of 2020 as investors flocked to the perceived safety of what had worked in the past during the sell-off triggered by the COVID-19 crisis. Investors flooded back to those countries, sectors and stocks that were already outperforming — and relatively expensive — before the pandemic broke out (North Asia, technology, semiconductors and mega-cap stocks). This resulted in extreme clustering at the country and industry levels on relative performance and valuation metrics.

•  Throughout 2020, developed countries along with China, Korea and Taiwan have had the greater fiscal resources to spend more heavily on stimulus than the majority of EM countries, and this was reflected in market performance. Korea, Taiwan and China were the best performing markets in EM in 2020, returning +45%, +42% and +30%, respectively, while the majority of remaining EM countries ended the year with negative returns. Our underweight allocation to North Asia and overweight allocations to the neglected parts of EM — select Latin America countries like Brazil

and Central and Eastern European (CEE) countries like Poland and Russia — detracted from returns.

•  For the full year, stock selection in Taiwan and Russia were top contributors to returns. In Taiwan, overweight allocations to two semiconductor companies helped drive returns. Within technology in Taiwan, we are focused on companies with competitive technology expertise, strong pricing power and structural growth in the value chain, particularly those in the hardware space.

•  In Russia, the portfolio benefited from a combination of long-held high quality growth names supported by secular trends and some recent additions in 2020 in companies that we believe can benefit from accelerated trends such as digitalization.

•  Stock selection in and underweight allocation to China was the largest detractor from performance. Though long-standing holdings in secular growth stories such as a leading beer brand and a dairy products company contributed, zero allocations to a shopping platform, electric vehicle manufacturer and an e-commerce company detracted as these stocks saw sharp rallies in 2020.

•  Our overweight allocation to and stock selection in Poland detracted, driven by an allocation to a game developer. The stock underperformed following a turbulent release of its latest game in the fourth quarter of 2020.

•  Stock selection in Turkey and India, particularly in the financials sector, also detracted. In India, financials were particularly hard hit when the government announced a 21-day lockdown in the first quarter of 2020 in response to the COVID-19 pandemic. Our allocation to a large bank in Turkey detracted as the worsening currency outlook for the Turkish lira remained a headwind for the stock.

Management Strategies

•  Looking ahead, we are very constructive on the broad outlook for emerging markets as an asset class over the next five to 10 years after the U.S. dominance of market returns in the past decade. Key among the catalysts to trigger robust returns for EM equities are the weakening of the U.S. dollar, the recovery of commodities prices, and the emerging reforms and digital innovations emanating from many EM countries. We believe EM valuations overall are at very compelling valuations relative to the U.S. equity market, which are likely to trigger asset


4



Morgan Stanley Institutional Fund, Inc.

Annual Report — December 31, 2020

Investment Overview (unaudited) (cont'd)

Emerging Markets Portfolio

allocation shifts. We believe we are at an important inflection point as drivers of economic growth and equity market returns converge to help power the asset class after nearly a decade of underperforming the U.S.

•  The portfolio is focused on the themes, stocks and countries that we believe can thrive even if growth levels are much lower than they were in the first decade of the 2000s when EM boomed. We continue to be overweight secular growth winners and are incrementally adding cyclical recovery plays, including select materials and energy companies. From a country allocation perspective, our overweights are primarily in those countries with healthy or improving domestic demand, low debt and resilience in the face of declining global trade as nationalism and protectionism continue to increase.

•  We continue to overweight the CEE region through our exposure to stocks in Poland, Hungary and Czech Republic. CEE countries entered the pandemic with little or no economic imbalances and have ample room both on the monetary and fiscal sides to counter the economic impact of COVID-19, making it possible for these economies to recover faster than other developing countries. Recently, COVID-19 cases have increased in the region, but governments are taking measures to control the spread and limit the economic impact. That said, the companies we own have strong balance sheets that we believe can sustain another period of economic stress. We continue to invest in secular growth stories and strong franchises in CEE.

•  We remain overweight Russia. Russia continues to follow a very orthodox macro policy framework, which has materially reduced the vulnerability of the Russian economy to external shocks. Further, we believe the monetary and fiscal policies of the Russian government have not only reduced inflation to post-Soviet lows, but also are materially reducing the sensitivity of the Russian economy to oil and leading to a less volatile domestic economy. Within this macro context and given other features of Russia — including strong software engineering talent, an underdeveloped regional economy and abundant low-cost resources — we like select domestic stocks given their secular earnings growth opportunities, as well as specific low-cost commodity producers with healthy balance sheets and strong free cash flow even at current commodity prices, and reinvestment/growth opportunities.

•  Brazil suffered in 2020 from a combination of the pandemic, economic contraction and political uncertainty; however, we remain constructive on the prospects for reform advancing and on the quality, resilience and future growth prospects of the companies we own. We remain overweight Brazil, emphasizing stock opportunities within a still difficult — even if better than expected — macro environment.

•  We remain underweight China, mostly owing to our limited our exposure to state-owned and so-called "old" China industries. We believe surviving companies with strong balance sheets and cash flow could become market share consolidators in a post-COVID-19 world and thus likely long-term winners. In addition, the outbreak of the virus may foster digital trends on both the consumer and enterprise sides, favoring companies that embrace and enable the digital economy. We continue to focus on long-term fundamentals and identifying structural growth opportunities.

•  We are underweight Korea given its high absolute levels of debt and status as a quasi-developed market. Our stock selection in Korea remains focused on identifying growth opportunities within the specific themes of technology, electric vehicles, media and gaming, most of which are driven by global demand.

*  Minimum Investment for Class I shares

In accordance with SEC regulations, the Fund's performance shown assumes that all recurring fees (including management fees) were deducted and all dividends and distributions were reinvested. The performance of Class A, L, C, IS and IR shares will vary from the performance of Class I shares based upon their different inception dates and will be negatively impacted by additional fees assessed to those classes (if applicable).


5



Morgan Stanley Institutional Fund, Inc.

Annual Report — December 31, 2020

Investment Overview (unaudited) (cont'd)

Emerging Markets Portfolio

Performance Compared to the MSCI Emerging Markets Index(1) and the Lipper Emerging Markets Funds Index(2)

    Period Ended December 31, 2020
Total Returns(3)
 
       

Average Annual

 
    One
Year
  Five
Years
  Ten
Years
  Since
Inception(10)
 
Fund — Class I Shares
w/o sales charges(4)
   

14.58

%

   

10.26

%

   

3.11

%

   

7.78

%

 
Fund — Class A Shares
w/o sales charges(5)
   

14.21

     

9.91

     

2.80

     

6.76

   
Fund — Class A Shares with
maximum 5.25% sales charges(5)
   

8.20

     

8.74

     

2.24

     

6.54

   
Fund — Class L Shares
w/o sales charges(6)
   

13.65

     

9.31

     

     

3.73

   
Fund — Class C Shares
w/o sales charges(8)
   

13.32

     

9.05

     

     

4.22

   
Fund — Class C Shares with
maximum 1.00% deferred
sales charges(8)
   

12.32

     

9.05

     

     

4.22

   
Fund — Class IS Shares
w/o sales charges(7)
   

14.73

     

10.37

     

     

5.04

   
Fund — Class IR Shares
w/o sales charges(9)
   

14.73

     

     

     

7.75

   

MSCI Emerging Markets Index

   

18.31

     

12.81

     

3.63

     

7.81

   
Lipper Emerging Market
Funds Index
   

20.52

     

13.43

     

4.23

     

N/A

   

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. Performance assumes that all dividends and distributions, if any, were reinvested. For the most recent month-end performance figures, please visit www.morganstanley.com/im/shareholderreports. Investment return and principal value will fluctuate so that Fund shares, when redeemed, may be worth more or less than their original cost. Total returns do not reflect the deduction of taxes that a shareholder would pay on Fund distributions or the redemption of Fund shares. Performance of share classes will vary due to difference in sales charges and expenses.

(1)  The MSCI Emerging Markets Index is a free float-adjusted market capitalization weighted index that is designed to measure equity market performance of emerging markets. 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 MSCI Emerging Markets Index currently consists of 27 emerging market country indices. The performance of the Index is listed in U.S. dollars and assumes reinvestment of net dividends. Returns, including periods prior to January 1, 2001, are calculated using the return data of the MSCI Emerging Markets Index (gross dividends) through December 31, 2000 and the return data of the MSCI Emerging Markets Net Index (net dividends) after December 31, 2000. Net total return indices reinvest dividends after the deduction of withholding taxes, using (for international indices) a tax rate applicable to non-resident institutional investors who do not benefit from double taxation treaties. The Index is unmanaged and its returns do not include any sales charges or fees. Such costs would lower performance. It is not possible to invest directly in an index.

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

(3)  Total returns for the Fund reflect fees waived and expenses reimbursed, if applicable, by the Adviser (as defined herein). Without such waivers and reimbursements, total returns would have been lower.

(4)  Commenced operations on September 25, 1992.

(5)  Commenced offering on January 2, 1996.

(6)  Commenced offering on April 27, 2012.

(7)  Commenced offering on September 13, 2013.

(8)  Commenced offering on April 30, 2015.

(9)  Commenced offering on June 15, 2018.

(10)  For comparative purposes, average annual since inception returns listed for the Indexes refer to the inception date of Class I of the Fund, not the inception of the Index.


6



Morgan Stanley Institutional Fund, Inc.

Annual Report — December 31, 2020

Portfolio of Investments

Emerging Markets Portfolio

   

Shares

  Value
(000)
 

Common Stocks (98.9%)

 

Argentina (1.1%)

 

Globant SA (a)

   

37,358

   

$

8,130

   

Brazil (7.2%)

 

Hapvida Participacoes e Investimentos SA

   

2,787,880

     

8,225

   

Localiza Rent a Car SA

   

531,163

     

7,079

   

Lojas Renner SA

   

1,084,116

     

9,116

   

Pagseguro Digital Ltd., Class A (a)

   

176,088

     

10,016

   

Petroleo Brasileiro SA

   

1,226,146

     

6,774

   

Petroleo Brasileiro SA (Preference)

   

1,390,921

     

7,551

   

Rumo SA (a)

   

1,590,508

     

5,882

   
     

54,643

   

China (30.6%)

 

Alibaba Group Holding Ltd. (a)(b)

   

1,124,872

     

32,716

   

Alibaba Group Holding Ltd. ADR (a)

   

30,803

     

7,169

   

Anhui Conch Cement Co., Ltd., Class A

   

874,767

     

6,915

   

China Construction Bank Corp. H Shares (b)

   

13,435,120

     

10,134

   
China International Capital Corp., Ltd.
H Shares (a)(b)
   

1,596,000

     

4,327

   

China Mengniu Dairy Co., Ltd. (a)(b)

   

2,406,000

     

14,506

   

China Resources Beer Holdings Co., Ltd. (b)

   

1,818,000

     

16,718

   

China Resources Land Ltd. (b)

   

760,000

     

3,132

   

Hua Hong Semiconductor Ltd. (a)(b)(c)

   

1,016,000

     

5,784

   

Jiangsu Hengrui Medicine Co., Ltd., Class A

   

249,916

     

4,258

   

Joincare Pharmaceutical Group Industry Co. Ltd.

   

1,067,000

     

2,269

   

Kweichow Moutai Co., Ltd., Class A

   

85,849

     

26,235

   
New Oriental Education &
Technology Group, Inc. ADR (a)
   

56,307

     

10,463

   
Ping An Insurance Group Co. of China Ltd.,
Class A
   

416,674

     

5,544

   
Ping An Insurance Group Co. of China Ltd.
H Shares (b)
   

274,500

     

3,341

   
Shandong Weigao Group Medical
Polymer Co., Ltd. H Shares (b)
   

1,212,000

     

2,742

   

Shenzhou International Group Holdings Ltd. (b)

   

590,000

     

11,563

   

TAL Education Group ADR (a)

   

79,627

     

5,694

   

Tencent Holdings Ltd. (b)

   

723,000

     

52,023

   
Universal Scientific Industrial Shanghai Co., Ltd.,
Class A
   

1,368,653

     

4,055

   

Yihai International Holding Ltd. (a)(b)

   

255,000

     

3,787

   
     

233,375

   

Hong Kong (1.0%)

 

Hong Kong Exchanges & Clearing Ltd.

   

139,400

     

7,646

   

Hungary (1.1%)

 

Richter Gedeon Nyrt

   

323,585

     

8,121

   

India (8.5%)

 

Bharti Airtel Ltd.

   

705,533

     

4,927

   

Eicher Motors Ltd.

   

82,273

     

2,854

   

HDFC Bank Ltd. ADR (a)

   

91,419

     

6,606

   

Housing Development Finance Corp., Ltd.

   

288,282

     

10,100

   

ICICI Bank Ltd. (a)

   

1,249,102

     

9,185

   

ICICI Prudential Life Insurance Co., Ltd. (a)

   

493,095

     

3,370

   

Infosys Ltd.

   

372,902

     

6,393

   

Infosys Ltd. ADR

   

135,891

     

2,303

   
   

Shares

  Value
(000)
 

Mahindra & Mahindra Ltd.

   

408,467

   

$

4,039

   

Marico Ltd.

   

326,513

     

1,801

   

Reliance Industries Ltd.

   

203,662

     

5,541

   

Reliance Industries Partly Paid

   

281,990

     

4,332

   

Shree Cement Ltd.

   

9,326

     

3,067

   
     

64,518

   

Indonesia (1.2%)

 

Bank Central Asia Tbk PT

   

3,974,700

     

9,581

   

Korea, Republic of (10.0%)

 

Kakao Corp.

   

20,482

     

7,349

   

LG Chem Ltd.

   

4,933

     

3,751

   

NCSoft Corp.

   

4,814

     

4,133

   

Samsung Biologics Co., Ltd. (a)

   

5,685

     

4,329

   

Samsung Electronics Co., Ltd.

   

613,913

     

45,844

   

Samsung SDI Co., Ltd.

   

7,240

     

4,196

   

SK Hynix, Inc.

   

58,061

     

6,342

   
     

75,944

   

Mexico (1.2%)

 
Grupo Aeroportuario del Centro Norte
SAB de CV (a)
   

1,449,113

     

9,348

   

Poland (2.4%)

 

Allegro.eu SA (a)

   

312,418

     

7,084

   

Jeronimo Martins SGPS SA

   

226,712

     

3,811

   

LPP SA (a)

   

3,175

     

7,068

   
     

17,963

   

Russia (6.8%)

 

LUKOIL PJSC ADR

   

101,418

     

6,898

   

Novatek PJSC GDR (Registered)

   

55,914

     

9,105

   

Novolipetskiy Metallurgicheskiy Kombinat PAO GDR

   

303,810

     

8,406

   

TCS Group Holding PLC GDR

   

260,794

     

8,581

   

X5 Retail Group N.V. GDR

   

191,415

     

6,912

   

Yandex N.V., Class A (a)

   

169,204

     

11,773

   
     

51,675

   

Singapore (1.3%)

 

Sea Ltd. ADR (a)

   

49,977

     

9,948

   

South Africa (5.0%)

 

Anglo American Platinum Ltd.

   

53,561

     

5,270

   

Anglo American PLC

   

428,108

     

14,209

   

Capitec Bank Holdings Ltd. (a)

   

104,605

     

10,230

   

Clicks Group Ltd.

   

482,317

     

8,284

   
     

37,993

   

Taiwan (12.7%)

 

ASE Technology Holding Co., Ltd.

   

3,081,626

     

8,939

   

Delta Electronics, Inc.

   

1,012,000

     

9,490

   

MediaTek, Inc.

   

427,000

     

11,387

   

Taiwan Semiconductor Manufacturing Co., Ltd.

   

3,553,205

     

67,218

   
     

97,034

   

United Kingdom (2.8%)

 

Avast PLC

   

1,493,278

     

10,965

   

Mondi PLC

   

440,379

     

10,331

   
     

21,296

   

The accompanying notes are an integral part of the financial statements.
7



Morgan Stanley Institutional Fund, Inc.

Annual Report — December 31, 2020

Portfolio of Investments (cont'd)

Emerging Markets Portfolio

   

Shares

  Value
(000)
 

United States (6.0%)

 

ASML Holding N.V.

   

37,667

   

$

18,371

   

EPAM Systems, Inc. (a)

   

20,763

     

7,440

   

MercadoLibre, Inc. (a)

   

6,366

     

10,664

   

NIKE, Inc., Class B

   

66,471

     

9,404

   
     

45,879

   

Total Common Stocks (Cost $439,827)

   

753,094

   

Short-Term Investments (1.1%)

 

Securities held as Collateral on Loaned Securities (0.0%)

 

Investment Company (0.0%)

 
Morgan Stanley Institutional Liquidity
Funds — Government Portfolio —
Institutional Class (See Note G)
(Cost $220)
   

219,594

     

220

   

Investment Company (1.1%)

 
Morgan Stanley Institutional Liquidity
Funds — Government Portfolio —
Institutional Class (See Note G)
(Cost $8,721)8,721,349
   

8,721

   

Total Short-Term Investments (Cost $8,941)

   

8,941

   
Total Investments (100.0%) (Cost $448,768)
Including $4,744 of Securities Loaned (d)(e)
   

762,035

   

Liabilities in Excess of Other Assets (0.0%) (f)

   

(191

)

 

Net Assets (100.0%)

 

$

761,844

   

Country assignments and aggregations are based generally on third party vendor classifications and information, and may be different from the assignments and aggregations under the policies set forth in the Fund's prospectus and/or statement of additional information relating to geographic classifications.

(a)  Non-income producing security.

(b)  Security trades on the Hong Kong exchange.

(c)  All or a portion of this security was on loan at December 31, 2020.

(d)  The approximate fair value and percentage of net assets, $618,681,000 and 81.2%, respectively, represent the securities that have been fair valued under the fair valuation policy for international investments as described in Note A-1 within the Notes to the Financial Statements.

(e)  At December 31, 2020, the aggregate cost for federal income tax purposes is approximately $459,295,000. The aggregate gross unrealized appreciation is approximately $303,872,000 and the aggregate gross unrealized depreciation is approximately $1,132,000, resulting in net unrealized appreciation of approximately $302,740,000.

(f)  Amount is less than 0.05%.

ADR  American Depositary Receipt.

GDR  Global Depositary Receipt.

PJSC  Public Joint Stock Company.

Portfolio Composition*

Classification

  Percentage of
Total Investments
 

Other**

   

43.5

%

 

Semiconductors & Semiconductor Equipment

   

15.5

   

Interactive Media & Services

   

9.4

   

Internet & Direct Marketing Retail

   

7.6

   

Banks

   

7.1

   

Tech Hardware, Storage & Peripherals

   

6.0

   

Beverages

   

5.6

   

Oil, Gas & Consumable Fuels

   

5.3

   

Total Investments

   

100.0

%

 

*  Percentages indicated are based upon total investments (excluding Securities held as Collateral on Loaned Securities) as of December 31, 2020.

**  Industries and/or investment types representing less than 5% of total investments.

The accompanying notes are an integral part of the financial statements.
8



Morgan Stanley Institutional Fund, Inc.

Annual Report — December 31, 2020

Emerging Markets Portfolio

Statement of Assets and Liabilities

  December 31, 2020
(000)
 

Assets:

 

Investments in Securities of Unaffiliated Issuers, at Value(1) (Cost $439,827)

 

$

753,094

   

Investment in Security of Affiliated Issuer, at Value (Cost $8,941)

   

8,941

   

Total Investments in Securities, at Value (Cost $448,768)

   

762,035

   

Foreign Currency, at Value (Cost $3,213)

   

3,190

   

Dividends Receivable

   

1,128

   

Receivable for Investments Sold

   

830

   

Receivable for Fund Shares Sold

   

259

   

Tax Reclaim Receivable

   

163

   

Receivable from Securities Lending Income

   

6

   

Receivable from Affiliate

   

@

 

Other Assets

   

139

   

Total Assets

   

767,750

   

Liabilities:

 

Payable for Investments Purchased

   

2,404

   

Payable for Advisory Fees

   

1,490

   

Deferred Capital Gain Country Tax

   

1,179

   

Payable for Fund Shares Redeemed

   

239

   

Collateral on Securities Loaned, at Value

   

220

   

Payable for Custodian Fees

   

122

   

Payable for Sub Transfer Agency Fees — Class I

   

38

   

Payable for Sub Transfer Agency Fees — Class A

   

1

   

Payable for Sub Transfer Agency Fees — Class L

   

@

 

Payable for Sub Transfer Agency Fees — Class C

   

@

 

Payable for Administration Fees

   

39

   

Payable for Professional Fees

   

31

   

Payable for Transfer Agency Fees — Class I

   

9

   

Payable for Transfer Agency Fees — Class A

   

1

   

Payable for Transfer Agency Fees — Class L

   

@

 

Payable for Transfer Agency Fees — Class C

   

@

 

Payable for Transfer Agency Fees — Class IS

   

6

   

Payable for Transfer Agency Fees — Class IR

   

@

 

Payable for Shareholder Services Fees — Class A

   

2

   

Payable for Distribution and Shareholder Services Fees — Class L

   

@

 

Payable for Distribution and Shareholder Services Fees — Class C

   

@

 

Other Liabilities

   

125

   

Total Liabilities

   

5,906

   

Net Assets

 

$

761,844

   

Net Assets Consist of:

 

Paid-in-Capital

 

$

489,646

   

Total Distributable Earnings

   

272,198

   

Net Assets

 

$

761,844

   

The accompanying notes are an integral part of the financial statements.
9



Morgan Stanley Institutional Fund, Inc.

Annual Report — December 31, 2020

Emerging Markets Portfolio

Statement of Assets and Liabilities (cont'd)

  December 31, 2020
(000)
 

CLASS I:

 

Net Assets

 

$

312,834

   
Shares Outstanding $0.001 par value shares of beneficial interest (unlimited shares authorized) (not in 000's)    

11,650,358

   

Net Asset Value, Offering and Redemption Price Per Share

 

$

26.85

   

CLASS A:

 

Net Assets

 

$

7,907

   
Shares Outstanding $0.001 par value shares of beneficial interest (unlimited shares authorized) (not in 000's)    

302,576

   

Net Asset Value, Redemption Price Per Share

 

$

26.13

   

Maximum Sales Load

   

5.25

%

 

Maximum Sales Charge

 

$

1.45

   

Maximum Offering Price Per Share

 

$

27.58

   

CLASS L:

 

Net Assets

 

$

215

   
Shares Outstanding $0.001 par value shares of beneficial interest (unlimited shares authorized) (not in 000's)    

8,409

   

Net Asset Value, Offering and Redemption Price Per Share

 

$

25.51

   

CLASS C:

 

Net Assets

 

$

530

   
Shares Outstanding $0.001 par value shares of beneficial interest (unlimited shares authorized) (not in 000's)    

20,961

   

Net Asset Value, Offering and Redemption Price Per Share

 

$

25.29

   

CLASS IS:

 

Net Assets

 

$

440,346

   
Shares Outstanding $0.001 par value shares of beneficial interest (unlimited shares authorized) (not in 000's)    

16,402,672

   

Net Asset Value, Offering and Redemption Price Per Share

 

$

26.85

   

CLASS IR:

 

Net Assets

 

$

12

   
Shares Outstanding $0.001 par value shares of beneficial interest (unlimited shares authorized) (not in 000's)    

439

   

Net Asset Value, Offering and Redemption Price Per Share

 

$

26.85

   
(1) Including:
Securities on Loan, at Value:
 

$

4,744

   

@  Amount is less than $500.

The accompanying notes are an integral part of the financial statements.
10



Morgan Stanley Institutional Fund, Inc.

Annual Report — December 31, 2020

Emerging Markets Portfolio

Statement of Operations

  Year Ended
December 31, 2020
(000)
 

Investment Income:

 

Dividends from Securities of Unaffiliated Issuers (Net of $1,472 of Foreign Taxes Withheld)

 

$

10,743

   

Income from Securities Loaned — Net

   

113

   

Dividends from Security of Affiliated Issuer (Note G)

   

25

   

Total Investment Income

   

10,881

   

Expenses:

 

Advisory Fees (Note B)

   

5,516

   

Administration Fees (Note C)

   

535

   

Custodian Fees (Note F)

   

366

   

Sub Transfer Agency Fees — Class I

   

229

   

Sub Transfer Agency Fees — Class A

   

11

   

Sub Transfer Agency Fees — Class L

   

@

 

Sub Transfer Agency Fees — Class C

   

@

 

Professional Fees

   

234

   

Registration Fees

   

99

   

Transfer Agency Fees — Class I (Note E)

   

44

   

Transfer Agency Fees — Class A (Note E)

   

4

   

Transfer Agency Fees — Class L (Note E)

   

2

   

Transfer Agency Fees — Class C (Note E)

   

2

   

Transfer Agency Fees — Class IS (Note E)

   

3

   

Transfer Agency Fees — Class IR (Note E)

   

2

   

Shareholder Reporting Fees

   

53

   

Shareholder Services Fees — Class A (Note D)

   

21

   

Distribution and Shareholder Services Fees — Class L (Note D)

   

1

   

Distribution and Shareholder Services Fees — Class C (Note D)

   

4

   

Pricing Fees

   

7

   

Interest Expenses

   

23

   

Reorganization Expenses

   

(189

)*

 

Other Expenses

   

44

   

Total Expenses

   

7,011

   

Waiver of Advisory Fees (Note B)

   

(310

)

 

Reimbursement of Class Specific Expenses — Class I (Note B)

   

(5

)

 

Reimbursement of Class Specific Expenses — Class L (Note B)

   

(2

)

 

Reimbursement of Class Specific Expenses — Class C (Note B)

   

(2

)

 

Reimbursement of Class Specific Expenses — Class IS (Note B)

   

(3

)

 

Reimbursement of Class Specific Expenses — Class IR (Note B)

   

(2

)

 

Rebate from Morgan Stanley Affiliate (Note G)

   

(13

)

 

Net Expenses

   

6,674

   

Net Investment Income

   

4,207

   

Realized Loss:

 

Investments Sold

   

(26,622

)

 

Foreign Currency Forward Exchange Contracts

   

(1,280

)

 

Foreign Currency Translation

   

(823

)

 

Net Realized Loss

   

(28,725

)

 

Change in Unrealized Appreciation (Depreciation):

 

Investments (Net of Increase in Deferred Capital Gain Country Tax of $386)

   

127,676

   

Foreign Currency Forward Exchange Contracts

   

510

   

Foreign Currency Translation

   

55

   

Net Change in Unrealized Appreciation (Depreciation)

   

128,241

   

Net Realized Loss and Change in Unrealized Appreciation (Depreciation)

   

99,516

   

Net Increase in Net Assets Resulting from Operations

 

$

103,723

   

@  Amount is less than $500.

*  Over accrual of reorganization expenses.

The accompanying notes are an integral part of the financial statements.
11



Morgan Stanley Institutional Fund, Inc.

Annual Report — December 31, 2020

Emerging Markets Portfolio

Statements of Changes in Net Assets

  Year Ended
December 31, 2020
(000)
  Year Ended
December 31, 2019
(000)
 

Increase (Decrease) in Net Assets:

 

Operations:

 

Net Investment Income

 

$

4,207

   

$

13,422

   

Net Realized Gain (Loss)

   

(28,725

)

   

107,229

   

Net Change in Unrealized Appreciation (Depreciation)

   

128,241

     

37,183

   

Net Increase in Net Assets Resulting from Operations

   

103,723

     

157,834

   

Dividends and Distributions to Shareholders:

 

Class I

   

(3,316

)

   

(33,365

)

 

Class A

   

(58

)

   

(1,495

)

 

Class L

   

(1

)

   

(29

)

 

Class C

   

(3

)

   

(55

)

 

Class IS

   

(5,074

)

   

(62,373

)

 

Class IR

   

(—

@)

   

(1

)

 

Total Dividends and Distributions to Shareholders

   

(8,452

)

   

(97,318

)

 

Capital Share Transactions:(1)

 

Class I:

 

Subscribed

   

61,286

     

28,345

   

Issued due to a tax-free reorganization

   

     

438,765

   

Distributions Reinvested

   

3,187

     

31,579

   

Redeemed

   

(73,298

)

   

(457,409

)

 

Class A:

 

Subscribed

   

1,609

     

3,722

   

Distributions Reinvested

   

58

     

1,482

   

Redeemed

   

(5,575

)

   

(8,421

)

 

Class L:

 

Exchanged

   

50

     

   

Distributions Reinvested

   

1

     

29

   

Redeemed

   

(54

)

   

(127

)

 

Class C:

 

Subscribed

   

42

     

108

   

Distributions Reinvested

   

3

     

55

   

Redeemed

   

(27

)

   

(28

)

 

Class IS:

 

Subscribed

   

27,884

     

100,062

   

Distributions Reinvested

   

5,074

     

52,608

   

Redeemed

   

(167,078

)

   

(478,275

)

 

Class IR:

 

Distributions Reinvested

   

@

   

1

   

Net Decrease in Net Assets Resulting from Capital Share Transactions

   

(146,838

)

   

(287,504

)

 

Redemption Fees

   

12

     

11

   

Total Decrease in Net Assets

   

(51,555

)

   

(226,977

)

 

Net Assets:

 

Beginning of Period

   

813,399

     

1,040,376

   

End of Period

 

$

761,844

   

$

813,399

   

The accompanying notes are an integral part of the financial statements.
12



Morgan Stanley Institutional Fund, Inc.

Annual Report — December 31, 2020

Emerging Markets Portfolio

Statements of Changes in Net Assets (cont'd)

  Year Ended
December 31, 2020
(000)
  Year Ended
December 31, 2019
(000)
 

(1) Capital Share Transactions:

 

Class I:

 

Shares Subscribed

   

3,098

     

1,180

   

Shares Issued due to a tax-free reorganization

   

     

17,868

   

Shares Issued on Distributions Reinvested

   

121

     

1,359

   

Shares Redeemed

   

(3,267

)

   

(18,880

)

 

Net Increase (Decrease) in Class I Shares Outstanding

   

(48

)

   

1,527

   

Class A:

 

Shares Subscribed

   

75

     

157

   

Shares Issued on Distributions Reinvested

   

2

     

66

   

Shares Redeemed

   

(260

)

   

(356

)

 

Net Decrease in Class A Shares Outstanding

   

(183

)

   

(133

)

 

Class L:

 

Shares Exchanged

   

2

     

   

Shares Issued on Distributions Reinvested

   

@@

   

1

   

Shares Redeemed

   

(3

)

   

(5

)

 

Net Decrease in Class L Shares Outstanding

   

(1

)

   

(4

)

 

Class C:

 

Shares Subscribed

   

2

     

5

   

Shares Issued on Distributions Reinvested

   

@@

   

2

   

Shares Redeemed

   

(1

)

   

(1

)

 

Net Increase in Class C Shares Outstanding

   

1

     

6

   

Class IS:

 

Shares Subscribed

   

1,282

     

4,177

   

Shares Issued on Distributions Reinvested

   

193

     

2,266

   

Shares Redeemed

   

(7,218

)

   

(19,685

)

 

Net Decrease in Class IS Shares Outstanding

   

(5,743

)

   

(13,242

)

 

Class IR:

 

Shares Issued on Distributions Reinvested

   

@@

   

@@

 

@  Amount is less than $500.

@@  Amount is less than 500 shares.

The accompanying notes are an integral part of the financial statements.
13



Morgan Stanley Institutional Fund, Inc.

Annual Report — December 31, 2020

Financial Highlights

Emerging Markets Portfolio

   

Class I

 
   

Year Ended December 31,

 

Selected Per Share Data and Ratios

 

2020

 

2019

 

2018

 

2017

 

2016(1)

 

Net Asset Value, Beginning of Period

 

$

23.69

   

$

22.53

   

$

27.95

   

$

20.83

   

$

19.68

   

Income (Loss) from Investment Operations:

 

Net Investment Income(2)

   

0.13

     

0.41

     

0.28

     

0.19

     

0.17

   

Net Realized and Unrealized Gain (Loss)

   

3.32

     

3.92

     

(5.15

)

   

7.10

     

1.15

   

Total from Investment Operations

   

3.45

     

4.33

     

(4.87

)

   

7.29

     

1.32

   

Distributions from and/or in Excess of:

 

Net Investment Income

   

(0.14

)

   

(0.18

)

   

(0.35

)

   

(0.17

)

   

(0.17

)

 

Net Realized Gain

   

(0.15

)

   

(2.99

)

   

(0.20

)

   

     

   

Total Distributions

   

(0.29

)

   

(3.17

)

   

(0.55

)

   

(0.17

)

   

(0.17

)

 

Redemption Fees

   

0.00

(3)

   

0.00

(3)

   

0.00

(3)

   

0.00

(3)

   

0.00

(3)

 

Net Asset Value, End of Period

 

$

26.85

   

$

23.69

   

$

22.53

   

$

27.95

   

$

20.83

   

Total Return(4)

   

14.58

%

   

19.44

%

   

(17.32

)%

   

34.97

%

   

6.73

%

 

Ratios to Average Net Assets and Supplemental Data:

 

Net Assets, End of Period (Thousands)

 

$

312,834

   

$

277,114

   

$

229,132

   

$

342,400

   

$

282,674

   

Ratio of Expenses Before Expense Limitation

   

1.10

%

   

1.16

%

   

N/A

     

1.07

%

   

1.16

%

 

Ratio of Expenses After Expense Limitation

   

1.05

%(5)

   

1.05

%(5)

   

1.03

%(5)

   

1.04

%(5)

   

1.11

%(5)(6)

 

Ratio of Expenses After Expense Limitation Excluding Interest Expenses

   

1.05

%(5)

   

1.05

%(5)

   

N/A

     

N/A

     

N/A

   

Ratio of Net Investment Income

   

0.58

%(5)

   

1.69

%(5)

   

1.08

%(5)

   

0.75

%(5)

   

0.83

%(5)

 

Ratio of Rebate from Morgan Stanley Affiliates

   

0.00

%(7)

   

0.00

%(7)

   

0.01

%

   

0.00

%(7)

   

0.00

%(7)

 

Portfolio Turnover Rate

   

57

%

   

58

%

   

56

%

   

35

%

   

33

%

 

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

(2)  Per share amount is based on average shares outstanding.

(3)  Amount is less than $0.005 per share.

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

(5)  The Ratio of Expenses After Expense Limitation and Ratio of Net Investment Income reflect the rebate of certain Fund expenses in connection with the investments in Morgan Stanley affiliates during the period. The effect of the rebate on the ratios is disclosed in the above table as "Ratio of Rebate from Morgan Stanley Affiliates."

(6)  Effective September 30, 2016, the Adviser has agreed to limit the ratio of expenses to average net assets to the maximum ratio of 1.05% for Class I shares. Prior to September 30, 2016, the maximum ratio was 1.20% for Class I shares.

(7)  Amount is less than 0.005%.

The accompanying notes are an integral part of the financial statements.
14



Morgan Stanley Institutional Fund, Inc.

Annual Report — December 31, 2020

Financial Highlights

Emerging Markets Portfolio

   

Class A

 
   

Year Ended December 31,

 

Selected Per Share Data and Ratios

 

2020

 

2019

 

2018

 

2017

 

2016(1)

 

Net Asset Value, Beginning of Period

 

$

23.05

   

$

21.99

   

$

27.24

   

$

20.31

   

$

19.19

   

Income (Loss) from Investment Operations:

 

Net Investment Income(2)

   

0.05

     

0.30

     

0.20

     

0.10

     

0.11

   

Net Realized and Unrealized Gain (Loss)

   

3.22

     

3.85

     

(5.01

)

   

6.92

     

1.11

   

Total from Investment Operations

   

3.27

     

4.15

     

(4.81

)

   

7.02

     

1.22

   

Distributions from and/or in Excess of:

 

Net Investment Income

   

(0.04

)

   

(0.10

)

   

(0.24

)

   

(0.09

)

   

(0.10

)

 

Net Realized Gain

   

(0.15

)

   

(2.99

)

   

(0.20

)

   

     

   

Total Distributions

   

(0.19

)

   

(3.09

)

   

(0.44

)

   

(0.09

)

   

(0.10

)

 

Redemption Fees

   

0.00

(3)

   

0.00

(3)

   

0.00

(3)

   

0.00

(3)

   

0.00

(3)

 

Net Asset Value, End of Period

 

$

26.13

   

$

23.05

   

$

21.99

   

$

27.24

   

$

20.31

   

Total Return(4)

   

14.21

%

   

19.08

%

   

(17.58

)%

   

34.54

%

   

6.37

%

 

Ratios to Average Net Assets and Supplemental Data:

 

Net Assets, End of Period (Thousands)

 

$

7,907

   

$

11,195

   

$

13,605

   

$

23,952

   

$

18,824

   

Ratio of Expenses Before Expense Limitation

   

1.43

%

   

1.43

%

   

N/A

     

1.40

%

   

1.48

%

 

Ratio of Expenses After Expense Limitation

   

1.38

%(5)

   

1.34

%(5)

   

1.34

%(5)

   

1.36

%(5)

   

1.45

%(5)(6)

 

Ratio of Expenses After Expense Limitation Excluding Interest Expenses

   

1.38

%(5)

   

1.34

%(5)

   

N/A

     

N/A

     

N/A

   

Ratio of Net Investment Income

   

0.24

%(5)

   

1.26

%(5)

   

0.78

%(5)

   

0.42

%(5)

   

0.55

%(5)

 

Ratio of Rebate from Morgan Stanley Affiliates

   

0.00

%(7)

   

0.00

%(7)

   

0.01

%

   

0.00

%(7)

   

0.00

%(7)

 

Portfolio Turnover Rate

   

57

%

   

58

%

   

56

%

   

35

%

   

33

%

 

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

(2)  Per share amount is based on average shares outstanding.

(3)  Amount is less than $0.005 per share.

(4)  Calculated based on the net asset value which does not reflect sales charges, if applicable, as of the last business day of the period.

(5)  The Ratio of Expenses After Expense Limitation and Ratio of Net Investment Income reflect the rebate of certain Fund expenses in connection with the investments in Morgan Stanley affiliates during the period. The effect of the rebate on the ratios is disclosed in the above table as "Ratio of Rebate from Morgan Stanley Affiliates."

(6)  Effective September 30, 2016, the Adviser has agreed to limit the ratio of expenses to average net assets to the maximum ratio of 1.40% for Class A shares. Prior to September 30, 2016, the maximum ratio was 1.55% for Class A shares.

(7)  Amount is less than 0.005%.

The accompanying notes are an integral part of the financial statements.
15



Morgan Stanley Institutional Fund, Inc.

Annual Report — December 31, 2020

Financial Highlights

Emerging Markets Portfolio

   

Class L

 
   

Year Ended December 31,

 

Selected Per Share Data and Ratios

 

2020

 

2019

 

2018

 

2017

 

2016(1)

 

Net Asset Value, Beginning of Period

 

$

22.59

   

$

21.64

   

$

26.85

   

$

20.08

   

$

18.98

   

Income (Loss) from Investment Operations:

 

Net Investment Income (Loss)(2)

   

(0.08

)

   

0.17

     

0.05

     

(0.01

)

   

0.00

(3)

 

Net Realized and Unrealized Gain (Loss)

   

3.15

     

3.77

     

(4.91

)

   

6.80

     

1.10

   

Total from Investment Operations

   

3.07

     

3.94

     

(4.86

)

   

6.79

     

1.10

   

Distributions from and/or in Excess of:

 

Net Investment Income

   

     

     

(0.15

)

   

(0.02

)

   

   

Net Realized Gain

   

(0.15

)

   

(2.99

)

   

(0.20

)

   

     

   

Total Distributions

   

(0.15

)

   

(2.99

)

   

(0.35

)

   

(0.02

)

   

   

Redemption Fees

   

0.00

(3)

   

0.00

(3)

   

0.00

(3)

   

0.00

(3)

   

0.00

(3)

 

Net Asset Value, End of Period

 

$

25.51

   

$

22.59

   

$

21.64

   

$

26.85

   

$

20.08

   

Total Return(4)

   

13.65

%

   

18.37

%

   

(18.03

)%

   

33.80

%

   

5.80

%

 

Ratios to Average Net Assets and Supplemental Data:

 

Net Assets, End of Period (Thousands)

 

$

215

   

$

210

   

$

292

   

$

253

   

$

239

   

Ratio of Expenses Before Expense Limitation

   

3.06

%

   

2.47

%

   

2.55

%

   

2.54

%

   

2.69

%

 

Ratio of Expenses After Expense Limitation

   

1.90

%(5)

   

1.90

%(5)

   

1.89

%(5)

   

1.90

%(5)

   

2.01

%(5)(6)

 

Ratio of Expenses After Expense Limitation Excluding Interest Expenses

   

1.90

%(5)

   

1.90

%(5)

   

N/A

     

N/A

     

N/A

   

Ratio of Net Investment Income (Loss)

   

(0.40

)%(5)

   

0.73

%(5)

   

0.20

%(5)

   

(0.03

)%(5)

   

0.00

%(5)(7)

 

Ratio of Rebate from Morgan Stanley Affiliates

   

0.00

%(7)

   

0.00

%(7)

   

0.01

%

   

0.00

%(7)

   

0.00

%(7)

 

Portfolio Turnover Rate

   

57

%

   

58

%

   

56

%

   

35

%

   

33

%

 

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

(2)  Per share amount is based on average shares outstanding.

(3)  Amount is less than $0.005 per share.

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

(5)  The Ratio of Expenses After Expense Limitation and Ratio of Net Investment Income (Loss) reflect the rebate of certain Fund expenses in connection with the investments in Morgan Stanley affiliates during the period. The effect of the rebate on the ratios is disclosed in the above table as "Ratio of Rebate from Morgan Stanley Affiliates."

(6)  Effective September 30, 2016, the Adviser has agreed to limit the ratio of expenses to average net assets to the maximum ratio of 1.90% for Class L shares. Prior to September 30, 2016, the maximum ratio was 2.05% for Class L shares.

(7)  Amount is less than 0.005%.

The accompanying notes are an integral part of the financial statements.
16



Morgan Stanley Institutional Fund, Inc.

Annual Report — December 31, 2020

Financial Highlights

Emerging Markets Portfolio

   

Class C

 
   

Year Ended December 31,

 

Selected Per Share Data and Ratios

 

2020

 

2019

 

2018

 

2017

 

2016(1)

 

Net Asset Value, Beginning of Period

 

$

22.45

   

$

21.57

   

$

26.66

   

$

19.99

   

$

18.95

   

Income (Loss) from Investment Operations:

 

Net Investment Income (Loss)(2)

   

(0.11

)

   

0.11

     

0.04

     

(0.09

)

   

(0.04

)

 

Net Realized and Unrealized Gain (Loss)

   

3.10

     

3.76

     

(4.93

)

   

6.78

     

1.09

   

Total from Investment Operations

   

2.99

     

3.87

     

(4.89

)

   

6.69

     

1.05

   

Distributions from and/or in Excess of:

 

Net Investment Income

   

     

     

(0.00

)(3)

   

(0.02

)

   

(0.01

)

 

Net Realized Gain

   

(0.15

)

   

(2.99

)

   

(0.20

)

   

     

   

Total Distributions

   

(0.15

)

   

(2.99

)

   

(0.20

)

   

(0.02

)

   

(0.01

)

 

Redemption Fees

   

0.00

(3)

   

0.00

(3)

   

0.00

(3)

   

0.00

(3)

   

0.00

(3)

 

Net Asset Value, End of Period

 

$

25.29

   

$

22.45

   

$

21.57

   

$

26.66

   

$

19.99

   

Total Return(4)

   

13.32

%

   

18.16

%

   

(18.26

)%

   

33.45

%

   

5.56

%

 

Ratios to Average Net Assets and Supplemental Data:

 

Net Assets, End of Period (Thousands)

 

$

530

   

$

454

   

$

309

   

$

817

   

$

608

   

Ratio of Expenses Before Expense Limitation

   

2.60

%

   

2.58

%

   

2.37

%

   

2.30

%

   

2.58

%

 

Ratio of Expenses After Expense Limitation

   

2.15

%(5)

   

2.15

%(5)

   

2.14

%(5)

   

2.15

%(5)

   

2.24

%(5)(6)

 

Ratio of Expenses After Expense Limitation Excluding Interest Expenses

   

2.15

%(5)

   

2.15

%(5)

   

N/A

     

N/A

     

N/A

   

Ratio of Net Investment Income (Loss)

   

(0.53

)%(5)

   

0.47

%(5)

   

0.17

%(5)

   

(0.36

)%(5)

   

(0.19

)%(5)

 

Ratio of Rebate from Morgan Stanley Affiliates

   

0.00

%(7)

   

0.00

%(7)

   

0.01

%

   

0.00

%(7)

   

0.00

%(7)

 

Portfolio Turnover Rate

   

57

%

   

58

%

   

56

%

   

35

%

   

33

%

 

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

(2)  Per share amount is based on average shares outstanding.

(3)  Amount is less than $0.005 per share.

(4)  Calculated based on the net asset value which does not reflect sales charges, if applicable, as of the last business day of the period.

(5)  The Ratio of Expenses After Expense Limitation and Ratio of Net Investment Income (Loss) reflect the rebate of certain Fund expenses in connection with the investments in Morgan Stanley affiliates during the period. The effect of the rebate on the ratios is disclosed in the above table as "Ratio of Rebate from Morgan Stanley Affiliates."

(6)  Effective September 30, 2016, the Adviser has agreed to limit the ratio of expenses to average net assets to the maximum ratio of 2.15% for Class C shares. Prior to September 30, 2016, the maximum ratio was 2.30% for Class C shares.

(7)  Amount is less than 0.005%.

The accompanying notes are an integral part of the financial statements.
17



Morgan Stanley Institutional Fund, Inc.

Annual Report — December 31, 2020

Financial Highlights

Emerging Markets Portfolio

   

Class IS

 
   

Year Ended December 31,

 

Selected Per Share Data and Ratios

 

2020

 

2019

 

2018

 

2017

 

2016(1)

 

Net Asset Value, Beginning of Period

 

$

23.68

   

$

22.52

   

$

27.96

   

$

20.83

   

$

19.68

   

Income (Loss) from Investment Operations:

 

Net Investment Income(2)

   

0.15

     

0.36

     

0.31

     

0.21

     

0.21

   

Net Realized and Unrealized Gain (Loss)

   

3.33

     

4.00

     

(5.17

)

   

7.11

     

1.12

   

Total from Investment Operations

   

3.48

     

4.36

     

(4.86

)

   

7.32

     

1.33

   

Distributions from and/or in Excess of:

 

Net Investment Income

   

(0.16

)

   

(0.21

)

   

(0.38

)

   

(0.19

)

   

(0.18

)

 

Net Realized Gain

   

(0.15

)

   

(2.99

)

   

(0.20

)

   

     

   

Total Distributions

   

(0.31

)

   

(3.20

)

   

(0.58

)

   

(0.19

)

   

(0.18

)

 

Redemption Fees

   

0.00

(3)

   

0.00

(3)

   

0.00

(3)

   

0.00

(3)

   

0.00

(3)

 

Net Asset Value, End of Period

 

$

26.85

   

$

23.68

   

$

22.52

   

$

27.96

   

$

20.83

   

Total Return(4)

   

14.73

%

   

19.58

%

   

(17.25

)%

   

35.09

%

   

6.79

%

 

Ratios to Average Net Assets and Supplemental Data:

 

Net Assets, End of Period (Thousands)

 

$

440,346

   

$

524,416

   

$

797,029

   

$

1,034,348

   

$

657,106

   

Ratio of Expenses Before Expense Limitation

   

1.00

%

   

1.04

%

   

N/A

     

0.98

%

   

1.07

%

 

Ratio of Expenses After Expense Limitation

   

0.95

%(5)

   

0.95

%(5)

   

0.92

%(5)

   

0.95

%(5)

   

1.04

%(5)(6)

 

Ratio of Expenses After Expense Limitation Excluding Interest Expenses

   

0.95

%(5)

   

0.95

%(5)

   

N/A

     

N/A

     

N/A

   

Ratio of Net Investment Income

   

0.67

%(5)

   

1.47

%(5)

   

1.21

%(5)

   

0.82

%(5)

   

0.99

%(5)

 

Ratio of Rebate from Morgan Stanley Affiliates

   

0.00

%(7)

   

0.00

%(7)

   

0.01

%

   

0.00

%(7)

   

0.00

%(7)

 

Portfolio Turnover Rate

   

57

%

   

58

%

   

56

%

   

35

%

   

33

%

 

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

(2)  Per share amount is based on average shares outstanding.

(3)  Amount is less than $0.005 per share.

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

(5)  The Ratio of Expenses After Expense Limitation and Ratio of Net Investment Income reflect the rebate of certain Fund expenses in connection with the investments in Morgan Stanley affiliates during the period. The effect of the rebate on the ratios is disclosed in the above table as "Ratio of Rebate from Morgan Stanley Affiliates."

(6)  Effective September 30, 2016, the Adviser has agreed to limit the ratio of expenses to average net assets to the maximum ratio of 0.95% for Class IS shares. Prior to September 30, 2016, the maximum ratio was 1.10% for Class IS shares.

(7)  Amount is less than 0.005%.

The accompanying notes are an integral part of the financial statements.
18



Morgan Stanley Institutional Fund, Inc.

Annual Report — December 31, 2020

Financial Highlights

Emerging Markets Portfolio

   

Class IR

 
   

Year Ended December 31,

  Period from
June 15, 2018(1) to
 

Selected Per Share Data and Ratios

 

2020

 

2019

 

December 31, 2018

 

Net Asset Value, Beginning of Period

 

$

23.68

   

$

22.54

   

$

26.23

   

Income (Loss) from Investment Operations:

 

Net Investment Income(2)

   

0.12

     

0.40

     

0.20

   

Net Realized and Unrealized Gain

   

3.36

     

3.94

     

(3.31

)

 

Total from Investment Operations

   

3.48

     

4.34

     

(3.11

)

 

Distributions from and/or in Excess of:

 

Net Investment Income

   

(0.16

)

   

(0.21

)

   

(0.38

)

 

Net Realized Gain

   

(0.15

)

   

(2.99

)

   

(0.20

)

 

Total Distributions

   

(0.31

)

   

(3.20

)

   

(0.58

)

 

Redemption Fees

   

0.00

(3)

   

0.00

(3)

   

0.00

(3)

 

Net Asset Value, End of Period

 

$

26.85

   

$

23.68

   

$

22.54

   

Total Return(4)

   

14.73

%

   

19.53

%

   

(11.82

)%(7)

 

Ratios to Average Net Assets and Supplemental Data:

 

Net Assets, End of Period, (Thousands)

 

$

12

   

$

10

   

$

9

   

Ratio of Expenses Before Expense Limitation

   

21.21

%

   

21.52

%

   

19.46

%(8)

 

Ratio of Expenses After Expense Limitation

   

0.95

%(5)

   

0.95

%(5)

   

0.93

%(5)(8)

 

Ratios of Expenses After Expense Limitation Excluding Interest Expenses

   

0.95

%(5)

   

0.95

%(5)

   

N/A

   

Ratio of Net Investment Income

   

0.55

%(5)

   

1.62

%(5)

   

1.56

%(5)(8)

 

Ratio of Rebate from Morgan Stanley Affiliates

   

0.00

%(6)

   

0.00

%(6)

   

0.01

%(8)

 

Portfolio Turnover Rate

   

57

%

   

58

%

   

56

%

 

(1)  Commencement of Offering.

(2)  Per share amount is based on average shares outstanding.

(3)  Amount is less than $0.005 per share.

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

(5)  The Ratio of Expenses After Expense Limitation and Ratio of Net Investment Income reflect the rebate of certain Fund expenses in connection with the investments in Morgan Stanley affiliates during the period. The effect of the rebate on the ratios is disclosed in the above table as "Ratio of Rebate from Morgan Stanley Affiliates."

(6)  Amount is less than 0.005%.

(7)  Not annualized.

(8)  Annualized.

The accompanying notes are an integral part of the financial statements.
19



Morgan Stanley Institutional Fund, Inc.

Annual Report — December 31, 2020

Notes to Financial Statements

Morgan Stanley Institutional Fund, Inc. (the "Company") is registered under the Investment Company Act of 1940, as amended (the "Act"), as an open-end management investment company. The Company is comprised of thirty-one separate, active, diversified and non-diversified funds (individually referred to as a "Fund," collectively as the "Funds"). The Company applies investment company accounting and reporting guidance.

The accompanying financial statements relate to the Emerging Markets Portfolio. The Fund seeks long-term capital appreciation by investing primarily in growth-oriented equity securities of issuers in emerging market countries.

The Fund offers six classes of shares — Class I, Class A, Class L, Class C, Class IS and Class IR. On April 30, 2015, the Fund suspended offering of Class L shares. Existing Class L shareholders may invest through reinvestment of dividends and distributions. In addition, Class L shares of the Fund may be exchanged for Class L shares of any Morgan Stanley Multi-Class Fund, even though Class L shares are closed to investors.

On February 22, 2019, the Fund acquired the net assets of Morgan Stanley Emerging Markets Fund, Inc. ("Emerging Markets Fund"), a closed-end management investment company, based on the respective valuations as of the close of business on February 22, 2019, pursuant to a Plan of Reorganization approved by the shareholders of Emerging Markets Fund on January 7, 2019 ("Reorganization A"). The purpose of the transaction was to combine two portfolios managed by Morgan Stanley Investment Management Inc., (the "Adviser") with comparable investment objectives and strategies. The acquisition was accomplished by a tax-free exchange of 9,264,009 Class I shares of the Fund at a net asset value ("NAV") of $24.31 for 13,428,781 shares of Emerging Markets Fund. The net assets of Emerging Markets Fund before Reorganization A were approximately $225,208,000, including unrealized appreciation (depreciation) of approximately $24,269,000 at February 22, 2019. The investment portfolio of Emerging Markets Fund, with a fair value of approximately $220,642,000 and identified cost of approximately $196,373,000, on February 22, 2019, was the principal asset acquired by the Fund. For financial reporting purposes, assets received and shares issued by the Fund were recorded at fair value; however, the cost basis of the investments received from Emerging Markets Fund was carried forward to align ongoing reporting of the Fund's realized and unrealized gains and losses with amounts distributable to shareholders for tax purposes. Immediately prior to Reorganization A, the net assets of the

Fund were approximately $1,130,576,000. Immediately after Reorganization A, the net assets of the Fund were approximately $1,355,784,000.

Upon closing of Reorganization A, shareholders of Emerging Markets Fund received shares of the Fund as follows:

Emerging
Markets Fund
  Emerging
Markets Portfolio
 
Common Shares  

Class I

 

Assuming the acquisition had been completed on January 1, 2019, the beginning of the annual reporting period of the Fund, the Fund's pro-forma results of operations for the year ended December 31, 2019, are approximately as follows:

Net investment income(1)

 

$

14,773,000

   

Net realized gain and unrealized gain(2)

 

$

189,147,000

   
Net increase in net assets resulting
from operations
 

$

203,920,000

   

(1) Approximately $13,422,000 as reported, plus approximately $361,000 Emerging Markets Fund prior to Reorganization A, plus approximately $990,000 of estimated pro-forma eliminated expenses.

(2) Approximately $144,412,000 as reported, plus approximately $44,735,000 Emerging Markets Fund prior to Reorganization A.

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 Emerging Markets Fund that have been included in the Fund's Statement of Operations since February 22, 2019.

On April 5, 2019, the Fund acquired the net assets of Morgan Stanley Asia-Pacific Fund, Inc. ("Asia-Pacific Fund"), a closed-end management investment company, based on the respective valuations as of the close of business on April 5, 2019, pursuant to a Plan of Reorganization approved by the shareholders of Asia-Pacific Fund on March 8, 2019 ("Reorganization B"). The purpose of the transaction was to combine two portfolios managed by the Adviser with comparable investment objectives and strategies. The acquisition was accomplished by a tax-free exchange of 8,604,225 Class I shares of the Fund at a NAV of $24.82 for 12,679,878 shares of Asia-Pacific Fund. The net assets of Asia-Pacific Fund before Reorganization B were approximately $213,557,000, including unrealized appreciation (depreciation) of approximately $20,463,000 at April 5, 2019. The investment portfolio of Asia-Pacific Fund, with a fair value of approximately $209,696,000 and identified cost of approximately $189,233,000, on April 5, 2019, was the principal asset acquired by the Fund. For financial reporting purposes, assets received and shares issued by the Fund were recorded at fair value; however, the cost basis of the investments received from Asia-Pacific Fund was carried forward to


20



Morgan Stanley Institutional Fund, Inc.

Annual Report — December 31, 2020

Notes to Financial Statements (cont'd)

align ongoing reporting of the Fund's realized and unrealized gains and losses with amounts distributable to shareholders for tax purposes. Immediately prior to Reorganization B, the net assets of the Fund were approximately $840,351,000. Immediately after Reorganization B, the net assets of the Fund were approximately $1,053,908,000.

Upon closing of Reorganization B, shareholders of Asia-Pacific Fund received shares of the Fund as follows:

Asia-Pacific Fund   Emerging
Markets Portfolio
 
Common Shares  

Class I

 

Assuming the acquisition had been completed on January 1, 2019, the beginning of the annual reporting period of the Fund, the Fund's pro-forma results of operations for the year ended December 31, 2019, are approximately as follows:

Net investment income(1)

 

$

15,510,000

   

Net realized gain and unrealized gain(2)

 

$

190,531,000

   
Net increase in net assets resulting
from operations
 

$

206,041,000

   

(1) Approximately $13,422,000 as reported, plus approximately $994,000 Asia-Pacific Fund prior to Reorganization B, plus approximately $1,094,000 of estimated pro-forma eliminated expenses.

(2) Approximately $144,412,000 as reported, plus approximately $46,119,000 Asia-Pacific Fund prior to Reorganization B.

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 Asia-Pacific Fund that have been included in the Fund's Statement of Operations since April 5, 2019.

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

1.  Security Valuation: (1) An equity portfolio security listed or traded on an exchange is valued at its latest reported sales price (or at the exchange official closing price if such exchange reports an official closing price), and if there were no sales on a given day and if there is no official exchange closing price for that day, the security is valued at the mean between the last reported bid and asked prices if such bid and asked prices are available on the relevant exchanges. If only bid prices are available then the latest

bid price may be used. Listed equity securities not traded on the valuation date with no reported bid and asked prices available on the exchange are valued at the mean between the current bid and asked prices obtained from one or more reputable brokers or dealers. In cases where a security is traded on more than one exchange, the security is valued on the exchange designated as the primary market; (2) all other equity portfolio securities for which over-the-counter ("OTC") market quotations are readily available are valued at the latest reported sales price (or at the market official closing price if such market reports an official closing price), and if there was no trading in the security on a given day and if there is no official closing price from relevant markets for that day, the security is valued at the mean between the last reported bid and asked prices if such bid and asked prices are available on the relevant markets. An unlisted equity security that does not trade on the valuation date and for which bid and asked prices from the relevant markets are unavailable is valued at the mean between the current bid and asked prices obtained from one or more reputable brokers or dealers; (3) certain portfolio securities may be valued by an outside pricing service/vendor approved by the Company's Board of Directors (the "Directors"). The pricing service/vendor may employ a pricing model that takes into account, among other things, bids, yield spreads and/or other market data and specific security characteristics. Alternatively, if a valuation is not available from an outside pricing service/vendor, and the security trades on an exchange, the security may be valued at its latest reported sale price (or at the exchange official closing price if such exchange reports an official closing price), prior to the time when assets are valued. If there are no sales on a given day and if there is no official exchange closing price for that day, the security is valued at the mean between the last reported bid and asked prices if such bid and asked prices are available in the relevant exchanges. If only bid prices are available then the latest bid price may be used. If the Adviser or Morgan Stanley Investment Management Company ("MSIM Company") (the "Sub-Adviser"), each a wholly-owned subsidiary of Morgan Stanley, determines that the price provided by the outside pricing service/vendor or exchange does not reflect the security's fair value or is unable to provide a price, prices from brokers or dealers may also be utilized. In these circumstances, the value of the security will be the mean of bid and asked prices obtained from brokers or dealers; (4) when market quotations are


21



Morgan Stanley Institutional Fund, Inc.

Annual Report — December 31, 2020

Notes to Financial Statements (cont'd)

not readily available, including circumstances under which the Adviser or the Sub-Adviser 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 Directors. 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 of the New York Stock Exchange ("NYSE"). If developments occur during such periods that are expected to materially affect the value of such securities, such valuations may be adjusted to reflect the estimated fair value of such securities as of the close of the NYSE, as determined in good faith by the Directors or by the Adviser using a pricing service and/or procedures approved by the Directors; (5) quotations of foreign portfolio securities, other assets and liabilities and forward contracts stated in foreign currency are translated into U.S. dollar equivalents at the prevailing market rates prior to the close of the NYSE; and (6) investments in mutual funds, including the Morgan Stanley Institutional Liquidity Funds, are valued at the NAV as of the close of each business day.

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

2.  Fair Value Measurement: Financial Accounting Standards Board ("FASB") Accounting Standards CodificationTM ("ASC") 820, "Fair Value Measurement" ("ASC 820"), defines fair value as the value that the Fund

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

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

•  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.


22



Morgan Stanley Institutional Fund, Inc.

Annual Report — December 31, 2020

Notes to Financial Statements (cont'd)

The following is a summary of the inputs used to value the Fund's investments as of December 31, 2020:

Investment Type

  Level 1
Unadjusted
quoted
prices
(000)
  Level 2
Other
significant
observable
inputs
(000)
  Level 3
Significant
unobservable
inputs
(000)
  Total
(000)
 

Assets:

 

Common Stocks

 

Automobiles

 

$

   

$

6,893

   

$

   

$

6,893

   

Banks

   

6,606

     

47,711

     

     

54,317

   

Beverages

   

     

42,953

     

     

42,953

   

Capital Markets

   

     

11,973

     

     

11,973

   

Chemicals

   

     

3,751

     

     

3,751

   

Construction Materials

   

     

9,982

     

     

9,982

   
Diversified Consumer
Services
   

16,157

     

     

     

16,157

   
Electronic Equipment,
Instruments &
Components
   

     

17,741

     

     

17,741

   

Entertainment

   

9,948

     

4,133

     

     

14,081

   

Food & Staples Retailing

   

     

19,007

     

     

19,007

   

Food Products

   

     

18,293

     

     

18,293

   
Health Care Equipment &
Supplies
   

     

2,742

     

     

2,742

   
Health Care Providers &
Services
   

     

8,225

     

     

8,225

   
Information Technology
Services
   

27,889

     

6,393

     

     

34,282

   

Insurance

   

     

12,255

     

     

12,255

   
Interactive Media &
Services
   

11,773

     

59,372

     

     

71,145

   
Internet & Direct Marketing
Retail
   

24,917

     

32,716

     

     

57,633

   
Life Sciences Tools &
Services
   

     

4,329

     

     

4,329

   

Metals & Mining

   

     

27,885

     

     

27,885

   

Multi-Line Retail

   

     

9,116

     

     

9,116

   
Oil, Gas & Consumable
Fuels
   

     

40,201

     

     

40,201

   

Paper & Forest Products

   

     

10,331

     

     

10,331

   

Personal Products

   

     

1,801

     

     

1,801

   

Pharmaceuticals

   

     

14,648

     

     

14,648

   
Real Estate Management &
Development
   

     

3,132

     

     

3,132

   

Road & Rail

   

     

12,961

     

     

12,961

   
Semiconductors &
Semiconductor
Equipment
   

18,371

     

99,670

     

     

118,041

   

Software

   

     

10,965

     

     

10,965

   
Tech Hardware, Storage &
Peripherals
   

     

45,844

     

     

45,844

   
Textiles, Apparel & Luxury
Goods
   

9,404

     

18,631

     

     

28,035

   

Thrifts & Mortgage Finance

   

     

10,100

     

     

10,100

   
Transportation
Infrastructure
   

9,348

     

     

     

9,348

   
Wireless
Telecommunication
Services
   

     

4,927

     

     

4,927

   

Total Common Stocks

   

134,413

     

618,681

     

     

753,094

   

Short-Term Investments

 

Investment Company

   

8,941

     

     

     

8,941

   

Total Assets

 

$

143,354

   

$

618,681

   

$

   

$

762,035

   

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

3.  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.

Net realized gains (losses) on foreign currency transactions represent net foreign exchange gains (losses) from foreign currency forward exchange contracts, disposition of foreign currencies, currency gains (losses) realized between the trade and settlement dates on securities transactions, and the difference between the amount of investment income and foreign withholding taxes recorded on the Fund's books and the U.S. dollar equivalent amounts actually received or paid. The change in unrealized currency gains (losses) on foreign currency transactions for the period is reflected in the Statement of Operations.


23



Morgan Stanley Institutional Fund, Inc.

Annual Report — December 31, 2020

Notes to Financial Statements (cont'd)

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.

Governmental approval for foreign investments may be required in advance of making an investment under certain circumstances in some countries, and the extent of foreign investments in domestic companies may be subject to limitation in other countries. Foreign ownership limitations also may be imposed by the charters of individual companies to prevent, among other concerns, violations of foreign investment limitations. As a result, an additional class of shares (identified as "Foreign" in the Portfolio of Investments) may be created and offered for investment. The "local" and "foreign shares" market values may differ. In the absence of trading of the foreign shares in such markets, the Fund values the foreign shares at the closing exchange price of the local shares.

4.  Derivatives: The Fund may, but is not required to, use derivative instruments for a variety of purposes, including hedging, risk management, portfolio management or to earn income. Derivatives are financial instruments whose value is based, in part, on the value of an underlying asset, interest rate, index or financial instrument. Prevailing interest rates and volatility levels, among other things, also affect the value of derivative instruments. A derivative instrument often has risks similar to its underlying asset and may have additional risks, including imperfect correlation between the value of the derivative and the underlying asset, risks of default by the counterparty to certain transactions, magnification of losses incurred due to changes in the market value of the securities, instruments, indices or interest rates to which the derivative instrument relates, risks that the transactions may not be liquid and risks arising from margin requirements. The use of derivatives involves risks that are different from, and possibly greater than, the risks associated with other portfolio investments. Derivatives may involve the use of highly specialized instruments that require investment techniques and risk analyses different from those associated with other portfolio investments. All of the Fund's holdings, including derivative instruments, are marked-to-market each day with

the change in value reflected in unrealized appreciation (depreciation). Upon disposition, a realized gain or loss is recognized.

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

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

Foreign Currency Forward Exchange Contracts: In connection with its investments in foreign securities, the Fund also 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. To the extent hedged by the use of currency contracts, the precise matching of the currency contract amounts and the value of the securities involved will not generally be possible because the future value of such securities in foreign currencies will change as a consequence of market movements in the value of those securities between the date on which the contract is entered into and the date it matures. Furthermore, such transactions may reduce or preclude the opportunity for gain if the value of the currency should move in the direction opposite to the position taken. There is additional risk to the extent that currency contracts create exposure to currencies in which the Fund's securities are not denominated. Unanticipated changes in currency


24



Morgan Stanley Institutional Fund, Inc.

Annual Report — December 31, 2020

Notes to Financial Statements (cont'd)

prices may result in poorer overall performance for the Fund than if it had not entered into such 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 terms of the contract. A currency contract is marked-to-market daily and the change in market value is recorded by the Fund as unrealized gain or loss. The Fund records realized gains (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.

As of December 31, 2020, the Fund did not have any open foreign currency forward exchange contracts.

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

The following tables set forth by primary risk exposure the Fund's realized gains (losses) and change in unrealized appreciation (depreciation) by type of derivative contract for the year ended December 31, 2020 in accordance with ASC 815:

Realized Gain (Loss)

 

Primary Risk Exposure

 

Derivative Type

  Value
(000)
 

Currency Risk

  Foreign Currency Forward
Exchange Contracts
 

$

(1,280

)

 

Change in Unrealized Appreciation (Depreciation)

 

Primary Risk Exposure

 

Derivative Type

  Value
(000)
 

Currency Risk

  Foreign Currency Forward
Exchange Contracts
 

$

510

   

For the year ended December 31, 2020, the approximate average monthly amount outstanding for each derivative type is as follows:

Foreign Currency Forward Exchange Contracts:

 

Average monthly principal amount

 

$

45,495,000

   

5.  Securities Lending: The Fund lends securities to qualified financial institutions, such as broker-dealers, to earn additional income. Any increase or decrease in the fair value of the securities loaned that might occur and any interest earned or dividends declared on those securities

during the term of the loan would remain in the Fund. The Fund would receive cash or securities as collateral in an amount equal to or exceeding 100% of the current fair value of the loaned securities. The collateral is marked-to-market daily by State Street Bank and Trust Company ("State Street"), the securities lending agent, to ensure that a minimum of 100% collateral coverage is maintained.

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

The Fund has the right under the securities 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, 2020:

Gross Amounts Not Offset in the Statement of Assets and Liabilities

 
Gross Asset
Amounts
Presented in the
Statement of
Assets and
Liabilities
(000)
  Financial
Instrument
(000)
  Collateral
Received
(000)
  Net Amount
(not less
than $0)
(000)
 
$

4,744

(a)

 

$

   

$

(4,744

)(b)(c)

 

$

0

   

(a) Represents market value of loaned securities at year end.

(b) The Fund received cash collateral of approximately $220,000, which was subsequently invested in Morgan Stanley Institutional Liquidity Funds as reported in the Portfolio of Investments. In addition, the Fund received non-cash collateral of approximately $5,005,000 in the form of U.S. Government obligations, which the Fund cannot sell or repledge, and accordingly are not reflected in the Portfolio of Investments.

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

FASB ASC 860, "Transfers & Servicing: Repurchase-to-Maturity Transactions, Repurchase Financings, and Disclosures", is intended to provide increased transparency about the types of collateral pledged in securities lending


25



Morgan Stanley Institutional Fund, Inc.

Annual Report — December 31, 2020

Notes to Financial Statements (cont'd)

transactions and other similar transactions that are accounted for as secured borrowing.

The following table displays a breakdown of transactions accounted for as secured borrowings, the gross obligations by class of collateral pledged and the remaining contractual maturity of those transactions as of December 31, 2020:

Remaining Contractual Maturity of the Agreements

 
    Overnight and
Continuous
(000)
  <30 days
(000)
  Between
30 &
90 days
(000)
  >90 days
(000)
  Total
(000)
 
Securities Lending
Transactions
 

Common Stocks

 

$

220

   

$

   

$

   

$

   

$

220

   

Total Borrowings

 

$

220

   

$

   

$

   

$

   

$

220

   
Gross amount of
recognized liabilities
for securities lending
transactions
                 

$

220

   

6.  Redemption Fees: The Fund will assess a 2% redemption fee on Class I shares, Class A shares, Class L shares, Class C shares, Class IS shares and Class IR shares which is paid directly to the Fund, for shares redeemed or exchanged within thirty days of purchase, subject to certain exceptions. The redemption fee is designed to protect the Fund and its remaining shareholders from the effects of short-term trading. These fees, if any, are included in the Statements of Changes in Net Assets.

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

8.  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. Net realized capital gains, if any, are distributed at least annually.

9.  Security Transactions, Income and Expenses: Security transactions are accounted for on the trade date (date the order to buy or sell is executed). Realized gains and losses on the sale of investment securities are determined on the specific identified cost method. Dividend income and other distributions are recorded on the ex-dividend date (except for certain foreign dividends which may be recorded as soon as the Fund is informed of

such dividends) net of applicable withholding taxes. Interest income is recognized on the accrual basis except where collection is in doubt. Discounts are accreted and premiums are amortized over the life of the respective securities. Most expenses of the Company can be directly attributed to a particular Fund. Expenses which cannot be directly attributed are apportioned among the Funds based upon relative net assets or other appropriate methods. Income, expenses (other than class specific expenses — distribution and shareholder services, transfer agency and sub transfer agency fees) and realized and unrealized gains or losses are allocated to each class of shares based upon their relative net assets.

B. Advisory/Sub-Advisory Fees: The Adviser, a wholly-owned subsidiary of Morgan Stanley, provides the Fund with advisory services under the terms of an Investment Advisory Agreement, paid quarterly, at the annual rate based on the daily net assets as follows:

First $500
million
  Next $500
million
  Next $1.5
billion
  Over $2.5
billion
 
  0.85

%

   

0.75

%

   

0.70

%

   

0.65

%

 

For the year ended December 31, 2020, the advisory fee rate (net of waiver/rebate) was equivalent to an annual effective rate of 0.78% of the Fund's average daily net assets.

The Adviser has agreed to reduce its advisory fee and/or reimburse the Fund so that total annual Fund operating expenses, excluding certain investment related expenses, taxes, interest and other extraordinary expenses (including litigation), will not exceed 1.05% for Class I shares, 1.40% for Class A shares, 1.90% for Class L shares, 2.15% for Class C shares, 0.95% for Class IS shares and 0.95% for Class IR shares. The fee waivers and/or expense reimbursements will continue for at least one year from the date of the Fund's prospectus or until such time as the Directors act to discontinue all or a portion of such waivers and/or reimbursements when they deem such action is appropriate. For the year ended December 31, 2020, approximately $310,000 of advisory fees were waived and approximately $14,000 of other expenses were reimbursed by the Adviser pursuant to this arrangement.

The Adviser has entered into a Sub-Advisory Agreement with the Sub-Adviser, a wholly-owned subsidiary of Morgan Stanley. The Sub-Adviser provides the Fund with advisory services subject to the overall supervision of the Adviser and the Fund's Officers and Directors. The Adviser pays the Sub-Adviser on a monthly basis a portion of the net advisory fees the Adviser receives from the Fund.


26



Morgan Stanley Institutional Fund, Inc.

Annual Report — December 31, 2020

Notes to Financial Statements (cont'd)

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

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

D. Distribution and Shareholder Services Fees: Morgan Stanley Distribution, Inc. ("MSDI" or the "Distributor"), a wholly-owned subsidiary of the Adviser and an indirect subsidiary of Morgan Stanley, serves as the Company's Distributor of Fund shares pursuant to a Distribution Agreement. The Company has adopted a Shareholder Services Plan with respect to Class A shares pursuant to Rule 12b-1 under the Act. Under the Shareholder Services Plan, the Fund pays the Distributor a shareholder services fee, accrued daily and paid monthly, at an annual rate of 0.25% of the Fund's average daily net assets attributable to Class A shares.

The Company has adopted a Distribution and Shareholder Services Plan with respect to Class L shares pursuant to Rule 12b-1 under the Act. Under the Distribution and Shareholder Services Plan, the Fund pays the Distributor a distribution fee, accrued daily and paid monthly, at an annual rate of 0.50% and a shareholder services fee, accrued daily and paid monthly, at an annual rate of 0.25% of the Fund's average daily net assets attributable to Class L shares.

The Company has adopted a Distribution and Shareholder Services Plan with respect to Class C shares pursuant to Rule 12b-1 under the Act. Under the Distribution and Shareholder Services Plan, the Fund pays the Distributor a distribution fee, accrued daily and paid monthly, at an annual rate of 0.75% and a shareholder services fee, accrued daily and paid monthly, at an annual rate of 0.25% of the Fund's average daily net assets attributable to Class C shares.

The distribution and shareholder services fees are used to support the expenses associated with servicing and maintaining accounts. The Distributor may compensate other parties for providing shareholder support services to investors who purchase Class A, Class L and Class C shares.

E. Dividend Disbursing and Transfer Agent: The Company's dividend disbursing and transfer agent is DST Asset

Manager Solutions, Inc. ("DST"). Pursuant to a Transfer Agency Agreement, the Company pays DST a fee based on the number of classes, accounts and transactions relating to the Funds of the Company.

F. Custodian Fees: State Street (the "Custodian") also serves as Custodian for the Company in accordance with a Custodian Agreement. The Custodian holds cash, securities and other assets of the Company as required by the Act. Custody fees are payable monthly based on assets held in custody, investment purchases and sales activity and account maintenance fees, plus reimbursement for certain out-of-pocket expenses.

G. Security Transactions and Transactions with Affiliates: For the year ended December 31, 2020, purchases and sales of investment securities for the Fund, other than long-term U.S. Government securities and short-term investments were approximately $374,884,000 and $532,697,000, respectively. There were no purchases and sales of long-term U.S. Government securities for the year ended December 31, 2020.

The Fund invests in the Institutional Class of the Morgan Stanley Institutional Liquidity Funds — Government Portfolio (the "Liquidity Funds"), an open-end management investment company managed by the Adviser, both directly and as a portion of the securities held as collateral on loaned securities. Advisory fees paid by the Fund are reduced by an amount equal to its pro-rata share of the advisory and administration fees paid by the Fund due to its investment in the Liquidity Funds. For the year ended December 31, 2020, advisory fees paid were reduced by approximately $13,000 relating to the Fund's investment in the Liquidity Funds.

A summary of the Fund's transactions in shares of affiliated investments during the year ended December 31, 2020 is as follows:

Affiliated
Investment
Company
  Value
December 31,
2019
(000)
  Purchases
at Cost
(000)
  Proceeds
from Sales
(000)
  Dividend
Income
(000)
 

Liquidity Funds

 

$

9,572

   

$

207,274

   

$

207,905

   

$

25

   
Affiliated
Investment
Company (cont'd)
  Realized
Gain
(Loss)
(000)
  Change in
Unrealized
Appreciation
(Depreciation)
(000)
  Value
December 31,
2020
(000)
 

Liquidity Funds

 

$

   

$

   

$

8,941

   

The Fund is permitted to purchase and sell securities ("cross-trade") from and to other Morgan Stanley funds as well as other funds and client accounts for which the Adviser or an affiliate


27



Morgan Stanley Institutional Fund, Inc.

Annual Report — December 31, 2020

Notes to Financial Statements (cont'd)

of the Adviser serves as investment adviser, pursuant to procedures approved by the Directors in compliance with Rule 17a-7 under the Act (the "Rule"). Each cross-trade is executed at the current market price in compliance with provisions of the Rule. For the year ended December 31, 2020, the Fund did not engage in any cross-trade transactions.

The Fund has an unfunded Deferred Compensation Plan (the "Compensation Plan"), which allows each independent Director to defer payment of all, or a portion, of the fees he or she receives for serving on the Board of Directors. Each eligible Director generally may elect to have the deferred amounts credited with a return equal to the total return on one or more of the Morgan Stanley funds that are offered as investment options under the Compensation Plan. Appreciation/depreciation and distributions received from these investments are recorded with an offsetting increase/decrease in the deferred compensation obligation and do not affect the NAV of the Fund.

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

The Fund may be subject to taxes imposed by countries in which it invests. Such taxes are generally based on income and/or capital gains earned or repatriated. Taxes are accrued based on net investment income, net realized gains and net unrealized appreciation as such income and/or gains are earned. Taxes may also be based on transactions in foreign currency and are accrued based on the value of investments denominated in such currency.

FASB ASC 740-10, "Income Taxes — Overall", sets forth a minimum threshold for financial statement recognition of the benefit of a tax position taken or expected to be taken in a tax return. Management has concluded there are no significant uncertain tax positions that would require recognition in the financial statements. If applicable, the Fund recognizes interest accrued related to unrecognized tax benefits in "Interest Expense" and penalties in "Other Expenses" in the Statement of Operations. The Fund files tax returns with the U.S. Internal Revenue Service, New York and various states. Generally, each of the tax years in the four-year period ended December 31, 2020 remains subject to examination by taxing authorities.

The tax character of distributions paid may differ from the character of distributions shown for GAAP purposes due to short-term capital gains being treated as ordinary income for

tax purposes. The tax character of distributions paid during fiscal years 2020 and 2019 was as follows:

2020
Distributions
Paid From:
  2019
Distributions
Paid From:
 
Ordinary
Income
(000)
  Long-Term
Capital Gain
(000)
  Ordinary
Income
(000)
  Long-Term
Capital Gain
(000)
 
$

4,274

   

$

4,178

   

$

6,000

   

$

91,318

   

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

The Fund had no permanent differences causing reclassifications among the components of net assets for the year ended December 31, 2020.

At December 31, 2020, the components of distributable earnings for the Fund on a tax basis were as follows:

Undistributed
Ordinary
Income
(000)
  Undistributed
Long-Term
Capital Gain
(000)
 
$

6,770

   

$

   

At December 31, 2020, the Fund had available for federal income tax purposes unused short-term and long-term capital losses of approximately $24,243,000 and $12,199,000, respectively, that do not have an expiration date.

To the extent that capital loss carryforwards are used to offset any future capital gains realized, no capital gains tax liability will be incurred by the Fund for gains realized and not distributed. To the extent that capital gains are offset, such gains will not be distributed to the shareholders.

I. Credit Facility: The Company and other Morgan Stanley funds participated in a $300,000,000 committed, unsecured revolving line of credit facility (the "Facility") with State Street. This Facility is to be used for temporary emergency purposes or funding of shareholder redemption requests. The interest rate on borrowings is based on the federal funds rate or 1 month LIBOR rate plus a spread. The Facility also has a commitment fee of 0.25% per annum based on the unused portion of the Facility. During the year ended December 31, 2020, the Fund did not have any borrowings under the Facility.


28



Morgan Stanley Institutional Fund, Inc.

Annual Report — December 31, 2020

Notes to Financial Statements (cont'd)

J. Other: At December 31, 2020, the Fund had record owners of 10% or greater. Investment activities of these shareholders could have a material impact on the Fund. The aggregate percentage of such owners was 62.4%.

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


29



Morgan Stanley Institutional Fund, Inc.

Annual Report — December 31, 2020

Report of Independent Registered Public Accounting Firm

To the Shareholders and Board of Directors of
Morgan Stanley Institutional Fund, Inc. —
Emerging Markets Portfolio

Opinion on the Financial Statements

We have audited the accompanying statement of assets and liabilities of Emerging Markets Portfolio (the "Fund") (one of the funds constituting Morgan Stanley Institutional Fund, Inc. (the "Company")), including the portfolio of investments, as of December 31, 2020, and the related statement of operations for the year then ended, the statements of changes in net assets for each of the two years in the period then ended, the financial highlights for each of the five years in the period then ended and the related notes (collectively referred to as the "financial statements"). In our opinion, the financial statements present fairly, in all material respects, the financial position of Emerging Markets Portfolio (one of the funds constituting Morgan Stanley Institutional Fund, Inc.) at December 31, 2020, the results of its operations for the year then ended, the changes in its net assets for each of the two years in the period then ended and its financial highlights for each of the five years in the period then ended, in conformity with U.S. generally accepted accounting principles.

Basis for Opinion

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

We conducted our audits in accordance with the standards of the PCAOB. Those standards require that we plan and perform the audit to obtain reasonable assurance about whether the financial statements are free of material misstatement, whether due to error or fraud. The Company is not required to have, nor were we engaged to perform, an audit of the Company's internal control over financial reporting. As part of our audits, we are required to obtain an understanding of internal control over financial reporting, but not for the purpose of expressing an opinion on the effectiveness of the Company's internal control over financial reporting. Accordingly, we express no such opinion.

Our audits included performing procedures to assess the risks of material misstatement of the financial statements, whether due to error or fraud, and performing procedures that respond to those risks. Such procedures included examining, on a test basis, evidence regarding the amounts and disclosures in the financial statements. Our procedures included confirmation of securities owned as of December 31, 2020 by correspondence with the custodian and others or by other appropriate auditing procedures where replies from others were not received. Our audits also included evaluating the accounting principles used and significant estimates made by management, as well as evaluating the overall presentation of the financial statements. We believe that our audits provide a reasonable basis for our opinion.

We have served as the auditor of one or more Morgan Stanley investment companies since 2000.
Boston, Massachusetts
February 26, 2021


30



Morgan Stanley Institutional Fund, Inc.

Annual Report — December 31, 2020

Liquidity Risk Management Program (unaudited)

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

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

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

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

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

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


31



Morgan Stanley Institutional Fund, Inc.

Annual Report — December 31, 2020

Federal Tax Notice (unaudited)

For federal income tax purposes, the following information is furnished with respect to the distributions paid by the Fund during its taxable year ended December 31, 2020. For corporate shareholders 0.45% of the dividends qualified for the dividends received deduction.

The Fund designated and paid approximately $4,178,000 as a long-term capital gain distribution.

For federal income tax purposes, the following information is furnished with respect to the Fund's earnings for its taxable year ended December 31, 2020. When distributed, certain earnings may be subject to a maximum tax rate of 15% as provided for by the Jobs and Growth Tax Relief Reconciliation Act of 2003. The Fund designated up to a maximum of approximately $5,015,000 as taxable at this lower rate.

The Fund intends to pass through foreign tax credits of approximately $1,425,000 and has derived net income from sources within foreign countries amounting to approximately $11,879,000.

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


32



Morgan Stanley Institutional Fund, Inc.

Annual Report — December 31, 2020

Privacy Notice (unaudited)  April 2019

FACTS

 

WHAT DOES MSIM DO WITH YOUR PERSONAL INFORMATION?

 

Why?

 

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

 

What?

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

How?

 

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

 

 

Reasons we can share your personal information

 

Does MSIM share?

 

Can you limit this sharing?

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

Yes

 

No

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

Yes

 

No

 

For joint marketing with other financial companies

 

No

 

We don't share

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

Yes

 

No

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

No

 

We don't share

 

For our affiliates to market to you

 

No

 

We don't share

 

For non-affiliates to market to you

 

No

 

We don't share

 

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


33



Morgan Stanley Institutional Fund, Inc.

Annual Report — December 31, 2020

Privacy Notice (unaudited) (cont'd)  April 2019

Who we are

Who is providing this notice?

 

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

 

What we do

How does MSIM protect my personal information?

 

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

 

How does MSIM collect my personal information?

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

Why can't I limit all sharing?

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

Definitions

Affiliates

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

Non-affiliates

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

Joint marketing

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


34



Morgan Stanley Institutional Fund, Inc.

Annual Report — December 31, 2020

Privacy Notice (unaudited) (cont'd)  April 2019

Other important information

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

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


35



Morgan Stanley Institutional Fund, Inc.

Annual Report — December 31, 2020

Director and Officer Information (unaudited)

Independent Directors:

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

Director

 

Since August 2006

 

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

 

79

 

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

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

Director

 

Since August 2006

 

Chairperson of the Governance Committee (January 2021), Chairperson of the Liquidity and Alternatives Sub-Committee of the Investment Committee (2006-2020); and Director or Trustee of various Morgan Stanley Funds (since August 2006); President, Cedarwood Associates (mutual fund and investment management consulting) (since July 2006); formerly, Senior Managing Director of Victory Capital Management (1993-2006).

 

79

 

Board Member, University of Albany Foundation (2012-present); Board Member, Mutual Funds Directors Forum (2014-present); Director of various non-profit organizations.

 
Nancy C. Everett
c/o Perkins Coie LLP
Counsel to the Independent Directors
1155 Avenue of the Americas,
22nd Floor
New York, NY 10036
Birth Year: 1955
 

Director

 

Since January 2015

 

Chairperson of the Equity Investment Committee (since January 2021); Director or Trustee of various Morgan Stanley Funds (since January 2015); Chief Executive Officer, Virginia Commonwealth University Investment Company (since November 2015); Owner, OBIR, LLC (institutional investment management consulting) (since June 2014); formerly, Managing Director, BlackRock, Inc. (February 2011-December 2013); and Chief Executive Officer, General Motors Asset Management (a/k/a Promark Global Advisors, Inc.) (June 2005-May 2010).

 

80

 

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

 


36



Morgan Stanley Institutional Fund, Inc.

Annual Report — December 31, 2020

Director and Officer Information (unaudited) (cont'd)

Independent Directors (cont'd):

Name, Address and Birth
Year of Independent Director
  Position(s)
Held with
Registrant
  Length of Time
Served*
  Principal Occupation(s) During Past 5 Years and Other
Relevant Professional Experience
  Number of
Funds
in Fund Complex
Overseen by
Independent
Director**
  Other Directorships
Held by Independent
Director***
 
Jakki L. Haussler
c/o Perkins Coie LLP
Counsel to the Independent Directors
1155 Avenue of the Americas,
22nd Floor
New York, NY 10036
Birth Year: 1957
 

Director

 

Since January 2015

 

Director or Trustee of various Morgan Stanley Funds (since January 2015) Chairman, Opus Capital Group (1996); formerly, Chief Executive Officer, Opus Capital Group (1996-2019); Director, Capvest Venture Fund, LP (May 2000-December 2011); Partner, Adena Ventures, LP (July 1999-December 2010); Director, The Victory Funds (February 2005-July 2008).

 

80

 

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

 
Dr. Manuel H. Johnson
c/o Johnson Smick International, Inc.
220 I Street, NE — Suite 200
Washington, D.C. 20002
Birth Year: 1949
 

Director

 

Since July 1991

 

Senior Partner, Johnson Smick International, Inc. (consulting firm); Chairperson of the Fixed Income, Liquidity and Alternatives Investment Committee (January 2021), Chairperson of the Investment Committee (2006-2020) and Director or Trustee of various Morgan Stanley Funds (since July 1991); Co-Chairman and a founder of the Group of Seven Council (G7C) (international economic commission); formerly, Chairperson of the Audit Committee (July 1991-September 2006), Vice Chairman of the Board of Governors of the Federal Reserve System and Assistant Secretary of the U.S. Treasury.

 

79

 

Director of NVR, Inc. (home construction).

 


37



Morgan Stanley Institutional Fund, Inc.

Annual Report — December 31, 2020

Director and Officer Information (unaudited) (cont'd)

Independent Directors (cont'd):

Name, Address and Birth
Year of Independent Director
  Position(s)
Held with
Registrant
  Length of Time
Served*
  Principal Occupation(s) During Past 5 Years and Other
Relevant Professional Experience
  Number of
Funds
in Fund Complex
Overseen by
Independent
Director**
  Other Directorships
Held by Independent
Director***
 
Joseph J. Kearns
c/o Perkins Coie LLP
Counsel to the Independent Directors
1155 Avenue of the Americas,
22nd Floor
New York, NY 10036
Birth Year: 1942
 

Director

 

Since August 1994

 

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

 

80

 

Director, Rubicon Investment (since February 2019); Prior to August 2016, Director of Electro Rent Corporation (equipment leasing); Prior to December 31, 2013, Director of The Ford Family Foundation.

 
Michael F. Klein
c/o Perkins Coie LLP
Counsel to the Independent Directors
1155 Avenue of the Americas,
22nd Floor
New York, NY 10036
Birth Year: 1958
 

Director

 

Since August 2006

 

Chairperson of the Risk Committee (since January 2021); Managing Director, Aetos Alternatives Management, LP (since March 2000); Co-President, Aetos Alternatives Management, LP (since January 2004) and Co-Chief Executive Officer of Aetos Alternatives Management, LP (since August 2013); Chairperson of the fixed Income Sub-Committee of the Investment committee (2006-2020) and Director or Trustee of various Morgan Stanley Funds (since August 2006); formerly, Managing Director, Morgan Stanley & Co. Inc. and Morgan Stanley Dean Witter Investment Management and President, various Morgan Stanley Funds (June 1998-March 2000); Principal, Morgan Stanley & Co. Inc. and Morgan Stanley Dean Witter Investment Management (August 1997-December 1999).

 

79

 

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

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

Director

 

Since January 2017

 

Director or Trustee of various Morgan Stanley Funds (since January 2017); Managing Director, JPMorgan Asset Management (2004-2016); Oversight and Control Head of Fiduciary and Conflicts of Interest Program (2015-2016); Chief Control Officer-Global Asset Management (2013-2015); President, JPMorgan Funds (2010-2013); Chief Administrative Officer (2004-2013); various other positions including Treasurer and Board Liaison (since 2001).

 

80

 

None.

 
W. Allen Reed
c/o Perkins Coie LLP
Counsel to the Independent Directors
1155 Avenue of the Americas,
22nd Floor
New York, NY 10036
Birth Year: 1947
 

Chair of the Board and Director

 

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

 

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

 

79

 

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

 

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

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

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


38



Morgan Stanley Institutional Fund, Inc.

Annual Report — December 31, 2020

Director and Officer Information (unaudited) (cont'd)

Executive Officers:

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

Principal Occupation(s) During Past 5 Years

 
John H. Gernon
522 Fifth Avenue
New York, NY 10036
Birth Year: 1963
 

President and Principal Executive Officer

 

Since September 2013

 

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

 
Timothy J. Knierim
1633 Broadway
New York, NY 10019
Birth Year: 1959
 

Chief Compliance Officer

 

Since December 2016

 

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

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

Treasurer and Principal Financial Officer

 

Treasurer since July 2003 and Principal Financial Officer since September 2002

 

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

 
Mary E. Mullin
1633 Broadway
New York, NY 10019
Birth Year: 1967
 

Secretary

 

Since June 1999

 

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

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

Vice President

 

Since June 2017

 

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

 

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


39



Morgan Stanley Institutional Fund, Inc.

Annual Report — December 31, 2020

Adviser and Administrator

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

Sub-Adviser

Morgan Stanley Investment Management Company
23 Church Street
16-01 Capital Square, Singapore 049481

Distributor

Morgan Stanley Distribution, Inc.
522 Fifth Avenue
New York, New York 10036

Dividend Disbursing and Transfer Agent

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

Custodian

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

Legal Counsel

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

Counsel to the Independent Directors

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

Independent Registered Public Accounting Firm

Ernst & Young LLP
200 Clarendon Street
Boston, Massachusetts 02116

Reporting to Shareholders

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40



Printed in U.S.A.
This Report has been prepared for shareholders and may be distributed to others only if preceded or accompanied by a current prospectus.

Morgan Stanley Investment Management Inc.
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© 2021 Morgan Stanley. Morgan Stanley Distribution, Inc.

IFIEMANN
3386865 EXP 02.28.22



INVESTMENT MANAGEMENT

Morgan Stanley Institutional Fund, Inc.

Emerging Markets Small Cap Portfolio

Annual Report

December 31, 2020



Morgan Stanley Institutional Fund, Inc.

Annual Report — December 31, 2020

Table of Contents

Shareholders' Letter

   

2

   

Expense Example

   

3

   

Investment Overview

   

4

   

Portfolio of Investments

   

7

   

Statement of Assets and Liabilities

   

9

   

Statement of Operations

   

11

   

Statements of Changes in Net Assets

   

12

   

Financial Highlights

   

13

   

Notes to Financial Statements

   

17

   

Report of Independent Registered Public Accounting Firm

   

25

   

Liquidity Risk Management Program

   

26

   

Federal Tax Notice

   

27

   

Privacy Notice

   

28

   

Director and Officer Information

   

31

   

This report is authorized for distribution only when preceded or accompanied by a prospectus or summary prospectus of the applicable Fund of Morgan Stanley Institutional Fund, Inc. To receive a prospectus and/or statement of additional information ("SAI"), which contains more complete information such as investment objectives, charges, expenses, policies for voting proxies, risk considerations and describes in detail each of the Fund's investment policies to the prospective investor, please call toll free 1 (800) 548-7786. Please read the prospectuses carefully before you invest or send money.

Additionally, you can access information about the Fund, including performance, characteristics and investment team commentary, through Morgan Stanley Investment Management's website: www.morganstanley.com/im/shareholderreports.

Market forecasts provided in this report may not necessarily come to pass. There is no guarantee that any sectors mentioned will continue to perform as discussed herein or that securities in such sectors will be held by the Fund in the future. There is no assurance that a fund will achieve its investment objective. Funds are subject to market risk, which is the possibility that market values of securities owned by the Fund will decline and, therefore, the value of the Fund's shares may be less than what you paid for them. Accordingly, you can lose money investing in this Fund. Please see the prospectus for more complete information on investment risks.


1



Morgan Stanley Institutional Fund, Inc.

Annual Report — December 31, 2020

Shareholders' Letter (unaudited)

Dear Shareholders,

We are pleased to provide this Annual Report, in which you will learn how your investment in Emerging Markets Small Cap Portfolio (the "Fund") performed during the latest twelve-month period.

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

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

Sincerely,

John H. Gernon

President and Principal Executive Officer

January 2021


2



Morgan Stanley Institutional Fund, Inc.

Annual Report — December 31, 2020

Expense Example (unaudited)

Emerging Markets Small Cap Portfolio

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

This example is based on an investment of $1,000 invested at the beginning of the six-month period ended December 31, 2020 and held for the entire six-month period.

Actual Expenses

The table below provides information about actual account values and actual expenses. You may use the information in this table, 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 table under the heading entitled "Actual Expenses Paid During Period" to estimate the expenses you paid on your account during this period.

Hypothetical Example for Comparison Purposes

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

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

    Beginning
Account
Value
7/1/20
  Actual Ending
Account
Value
12/31/20
  Hypothetical
Ending Account
Value
  Actual
Expenses
Paid
During
Period*
  Hypothetical
Expenses Paid
During Period*
  Net
Expense
Ratio
During
Period**
 

Emerging Markets Small Cap Portfolio Class I

 

$

1,000.00

   

$

1,212.50

   

$

1,018.60

   

$

7.23

   

$

6.60

     

1.30

%

 

Emerging Markets Small Cap Portfolio Class A

   

1,000.00

     

1,209.80

     

1,016.84

     

9.17

     

8.36

     

1.65

   

Emerging Markets Small Cap Portfolio Class C

   

1,000.00

     

1,205.70

     

1,013.07

     

13.31

     

12.14

     

2.40

   

Emerging Markets Small Cap Portfolio Class IS

   

1,000.00

     

1,211.70

     

1,018.85

     

6.95

     

6.34

     

1.25

   

*  Expenses are calculated using each Fund Class' annualized net expense ratio (as disclosed), multiplied by the average account value over the period and multiplied by 184/366 (to reflect the most recent one-half year period).

**  Annualized.


3



Morgan Stanley Institutional Fund, Inc.

Annual Report — December 31, 2020

Investment Overview (unaudited)

Emerging Markets Small Cap Portfolio

The Fund seeks long-term capital appreciation.

Performance

For the fiscal year ended December 31, 2020, the Fund's Class I shares had a total return based on net asset value and reinvestment of distributions per share of 5.80%, net of fees. The Fund's Class I shares underperformed the Fund's benchmark, the MSCI Emerging Markets Small Cap Net Index (the "Index"), which returned 19.29%.

Factors Affecting Performance

•  Emerging market (EM) small-cap companies recovered in the second half of 2020, following the COVID-related market volatility that marked the first quarter. During that early year volatility, investors flocked back to those countries, industries and companies that had worked in the previous three years (namely, North Asia, technology and mega caps). In the six months ending December 31, 2020, the Index returned +36.70%, outperforming the MSCI Emerging Markets Index (+31.14%), which helped EM small caps (+19.29%) outperform the broader EM (+18.31%) for the full year. We believe small caps are poised to benefit from the next leg of growth in emerging markets, particularly against the backdrop of a global economic recovery.

•  Positive contributors to the Fund's performance during the period included our stock selection in and overweight allocation to China. Our stock selection in and underweight allocation to South Africa also contributed strongly.

•  Key detractors from performance included the Fund's stock selection in and underweight allocations to Korea and Taiwan. We continue to invest in structural stories with sustainable growth that benefit from domestic, consumer-oriented themes in emerging markets. As a result, our portfolio tends to be underweight countries with a higher concentration of export-focused businesses, such as Korea and Taiwan. We are confident in our current portfolio positioning and believe that as country performance dispersion increases and the neglected parts of EM rise again, our portfolio can deliver strong excess returns.

•  From a sector perspective, our underweight allocation to real estate and stock selection in and

underweight allocation to utilities contributed strongly to returns. Our stock selection in and overweight allocation to financials detracted from returns.

Management Strategies

•  We believe EM small caps are uniquely positioned to capitalize on major shifts in the global economy as the world faces greater pressure from deglobalization. As it becomes harder for countries to export their way to prosperity, governments are shifting their focus to stimulating domestic demand, by encouraging consumption and infrastructure investment. EM small-cap companies are likely to benefit from this shift, because they have a greater exposure to domestically-oriented sectors. Our Emerging Markets Small Cap Portfolio is highly exposed to domestic demand, focused on services, the consumer, health care, technology and industrials. EM small caps outperformed EM in the second half of 2020, and we believe small caps are poised to benefit from the next leg of growth in emerging markets, particularly against the backdrop of a global economic recovery.

•  Our portfolio is overweight small EMs, such as Egypt, Indonesia and the Philippines, that were particularly hard hit in 2020 as investors focused on North Asia amid the pandemic-related volatility. We remain significantly underweight to North Asia, specifically in Korea and Taiwan, and in mega-cap technology companies. We continue to find quality companies with structural growth stories in the small EM countries. We are confident in our current portfolio positioning and believe that as country performance dispersion increases and the neglected parts of EM rise again, our portfolio can deliver strong excess returns.

•  In the face of the pandemic throughout 2020, developed countries along with China, Korea and Taiwan had the greater fiscal resources to spend more heavily on stimulus than the majority of EM countries. Looking ahead, though, we are very constructive on the broad outlook for emerging markets as an asset class over the next 5 to 10 years after the U.S. dominance of market returns in the past decade. Key among the catalysts to trigger robust returns for EM equities are the weakening of the U.S. dollar, the recovery of commodities prices,


4



Morgan Stanley Institutional Fund, Inc.

Annual Report — December 31, 2020

Investment Overview (unaudited) (cont'd)

Emerging Markets Small Cap Portfolio

and the emerging reforms and digital innovations emanating from many EM countries. We believe EM valuations overall are at very compelling valuations relative to the U.S. equity market, which are likely to trigger asset allocation shifts. We believe we are at an important inflection point as drivers of economic growth and equity market returns converge to help power the asset class after nearly a decade of underperforming the U.S.

•  The portfolio is focused on the themes, stocks and countries that we believe can thrive even if growth levels are much lower than they were in the first decade of the 2000s when EM boomed. We continue to be overweight secular growth winners and are incrementally adding cyclical recovery plays, including select materials and energy companies. From a country allocation perspective, our overweights are primarily in those countries with healthy or improving domestic demand, low debt and resilience in the face of declining global trade as nationalism and protectionism continue to increase.

*  Minimum Investment for Class I shares

**  Commenced Operations on December 15, 2015.

In accordance with SEC regulations, the Fund's performance shown assumes that all recurring fees (including management fees) were deducted and all dividends and distributions were reinvested. The performance of Class A, C and IS shares will vary from the performance of Class I shares and will be negatively impacted by additional fees assessed to those classes (if applicable).


5



Morgan Stanley Institutional Fund, Inc.

Annual Report — December 31, 2020

Investment Overview (unaudited) (cont'd)

Emerging Markets Small Cap Portfolio

Performance Compared to the MSCI Emerging Markets Small Cap Net Index(1) and the Lipper Emerging Markets Funds Index(2)

    Period Ended December 31, 2020
Total Returns(3)
 
       

Average Annual

 
    One
Year
  Five
Years
  Ten
Years
  Since
Inception(5)
 
Fund — Class I Shares
w/o sales charges(4)
   

5.80

%

   

5.54

%

   

     

6.07

%

 
Fund — Class A Shares
w/o sales charges(4)
   

5.43

     

5.14

     

     

5.67

   
Fund — Class A Shares
with maximum 5.25%
sales charges(4)
   

–0.14

     

4.01

     

     

4.56

   
Fund — Class C Shares
w/o sales charges(4)
   

4.72

     

4.37

     

     

4.90

   
Fund — Class C Shares
with maximum 1.00%
deferred sales charges(4)
   

3.72

     

4.37

     

     

4.90

   
Fund — Class IS Shares
w/o sales charges(4)
   

5.84

     

5.56

     

     

6.09

   
MSCI Emerging Markets
Small Cap Net Index
   

19.29

     

8.19

     

     

9.07

   
Lipper Emerging Markets
Funds Index
   

20.52

     

13.43

     

     

13.57

   

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. Performance assumes that all dividends and distributions, if any, were reinvested. For the most recent month-end performance figures, please visit www.morganstanley.com/im/shareholderreports. Investment return and principal value will fluctuate so that Fund shares, when redeemed, may be worth more or less than their original cost. Total returns do not reflect the deduction of taxes that a shareholder would pay on Fund distributions or the redemption of Fund shares. Performance of share classes will vary due to difference in sales charges and expenses.

(1)  The MSCI Emerging Markets Small Cap Net Index is a free float-adjusted market capitalization weighted index that is designed to measure small cap equity market performance of emerging markets. 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. Net total return indices reinvest dividends after the deduction of withholding taxes, using (for international indices) a tax rate applicable to non-resident institutional investors who do not benefit from double taxation treaties. The Index is unmanaged and its returns do not include any sales charges or fees. Such costs would lower performance. It is not possible to invest directly in an index.

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

(3)  Total returns for the Fund reflect fees waived and expenses reimbursed, if applicable, by the Adviser (as defined herein). Without such waivers and reimbursements, total returns would have been lower.

(4)  Commenced operations on December 15, 2015.

(5)  For comparative purposes, average annual since inception returns listed for the Indexes refer to the inception date of the Fund, not the inception of the Index.


6



Morgan Stanley Institutional Fund, Inc.

Annual Report — December 31, 2020

Portfolio of Investments

Emerging Markets Small Cap Portfolio

   

Shares

  Value
(000)
 

Common Stocks (98.4%)

 

Brazil (8.5%)

 

Afya Ltd., Class A (a)

   

63,023

   

$

1,595

   
Ambipar Participacoes
e Empreendimentos S/A (a)
   

211,327

     

1,076

   

Boa Vista Serviscos SA

   

463,139

     

1,129

   

Neogrid Participacoes SA (a)

   

302,496

     

416

   

Pet Center Comercio e Participacoes SA

   

239,392

     

878

   
Randon SA Implementos e Participacoes
(Preference)
   

273,500

     

851

   

TOTVS SA

   

229,537

     

1,272

   
     

7,217

   

China (12.4%)

 

360 DigiTech, Inc. (a)

   

72,778

     

858

   
A-Living Smart City Services Co., Ltd.
H Shares (b)
   

207,250

     

920

   

Beijing Thunisoft Corp., Ltd., Class A

   

307,522

     

1,124

   

China Education Group Holdings Ltd. (b)

   

789,000

     

1,522

   

China New Higher Education Group Ltd. (b)

   

2,546,000

     

1,587

   
Jiangsu Nhwa Pharmaceutical Co. Ltd.,
Class A
   

310,008

     

756

   
Jinke Smart Services Group Co. Ltd.
H Shares (a)(b)
   

139,200

     

1,120

   

New Frontier Health Corp. (a)

   

95,246

     

819

   

Sichuan Swellfun Co. Ltd., Class A

   

72,100

     

916

   
Zhou Hei Ya International
Holdings Co., Ltd. (a)(b)
   

860,000

     

915

   
     

10,537

   

Egypt (4.7%)

 
Cairo Investment & Real Estate
Development Co. SAE
   

1,655,254

     

1,498

   

Edita Food Industries SAE

   

2,726,889

     

1,541

   
Fawry for Banking & Payment Technology
Services SAE (a)
   

443,828

     

949

   
     

3,988

   

Hong Kong (4.9%)

 

Archosaur Games, Inc. (a)

   

325,000

     

882

   

Baozun, Inc., Class A (a)

   

172,866

     

1,983

   

Yeahka Ltd. (a)(c)

   

264,400

     

1,285

   
     

4,150

   

India (17.1%)

 

Blue Star Ltd.

   

84,347

     

927

   

Can Fin Homes Ltd.

   

264,800

     

1,810

   

Cholamandalam Investment and Finance Co., Ltd.

   

338,309

     

1,797

   

Dr Lal PathLabs Ltd.

   

26,120

     

825

   

Gulf Oil Lubricants India Ltd.

   

90,927

     

896

   

Happiest Minds Technologies Ltd. (a)

   

186,211

     

879

   

Indiamart Intermesh Ltd.

   

11,695

     

1,029

   

Info Edge India Ltd.

   

16,351

     

1,067

   

Spandana Sphoorty Financial Ltd. (a)

   

161,271

     

1,657

   

SpiceJet Ltd. (a)

   

583,794

     

761

   

Subros Ltd.

   

229,922

     

1,081

   
   

Shares

  Value
(000)
 

TCI Express Ltd.

   

72,331

   

$

918

   

Varun Beverages Ltd.

   

68,035

     

854

   
     

14,501

   

Indonesia (5.3%)

 

Bank BTPN Syariah Tbk PT

   

4,575,800

     

1,222

   

Map Aktif Adiperkasa PT (a)

   

5,706,300

     

988

   

Mitra Keluarga Karyasehat Tbk PT

   

6,768,300

     

1,316

   

Nippon Indosari Corpindo Tbk PT

   

9,845,300

     

953

   
     

4,479

   

Kazakhstan (2.4%)

 

NAC Kazatomprom JSC GDR

   

112,940

     

2,035

   

Korea, Republic of (11.2%)

 

AfreecaTV Co., Ltd.

   

29,939

     

1,670

   

Douzone Bizon Co., Ltd.

   

8,268

     

792

   

Ezwel Co. Ltd.

   

123,928

     

1,240

   

KINX, Inc.

   

23,653

     

1,567

   

Nasmedia Co., Ltd.

   

32,232

     

909

   

Settle Bank, Inc./Korea

   

46,312

     

1,415

   

Studio Dragon Corp. (a)

   

12,859

     

1,098

   

Webcash Corp.

   

12,327

     

813

   
     

9,504

   

Mexico (1.0%)

 
Grupo Aeroportuario del Centro Norte
SAB de CV (a)
   

138,472

     

893

   

Pakistan (1.6%)

 

MCB Bank Ltd.

   

1,125,287

     

1,322

   

Philippines (2.7%)

 

Converge ICT Solutions, Inc. (a)

   

3,588,800

     

1,113

   

Shakey's Pizza Asia Ventures, Inc.

   

7,585,400

     

1,217

   
     

2,330

   

Poland (2.4%)

 
11 bit studios SA (a)    

9,342

     

1,188

   

LiveChat Software SA

   

30,835

     

868

   
     

2,056

   

Russia (2.0%)

 

Detsky Mir PJSC

   

445,200

     

818

   

Ozon Holdings PLC ADR (a)

   

20,583

     

852

   
     

1,670

   

South Africa (1.3%)

 

Transaction Capital Ltd.

   

663,240

     

1,129

   

Taiwan (14.6%)

 

Acer Cyber Security, Inc.

   

228,378

     

1,164

   

ASPEED Technology, Inc.

   

22,000

     

1,345

   

Chief Telecom, Inc.

   

131,000

     

1,656

   

eCloudvalley Digital Technology Co. Ltd.

   

190,058

     

1,152

   

Innodisk Corp.

   

210,300

     

1,245

   

Merida Industry Co., Ltd.

   

159,000

     

1,336

   

Poya International Co., Ltd.

   

77,492

     

1,590

   

Sunny Friend Environmental Technology Co., Ltd.

   

219,000

     

1,819

   

Voltronic Power Technology Corp.

   

26,250

     

1,049

   
     

12,356

   

The accompanying notes are an integral part of the financial statements.
7



Morgan Stanley Institutional Fund, Inc.

Annual Report — December 31, 2020

Portfolio of Investments (cont'd)

Emerging Markets Small Cap Portfolio

   

Shares

  Value
(000)
 

Thailand (1.1%)

 

Srisawad Corp., PCL (Foreign Shares)

   

410,800

   

$

900

   

United Arab Emirates (1.9%)

 

Network International Holdings PLC (a)

   

351,208

     

1,583

   

United States (3.3%)

 

Arco Platform Ltd., Class A (a)(c)

   

33,795

     

1,199

   

Vasta Platform Ltd. (a)

   

112,798

     

1,636

   
     

2,835

   

Total Common Stocks (Cost $69,871)

   

83,485

   

Short-Term Investment (2.2%)

 

Investment Company (2.2%)

 
Morgan Stanley Institutional Liquidity
Funds — Government Portfolio —
Institutional Class (See Note G)
(Cost $1,893)
   

1,893,470

     

1,893

   
Total Investments (100.6%) (Cost $71,764)
Including $991 of Securities Loaned (d)(e)
   

85,378

   

Liabilities in Excess of Other Assets (–0.6%)

   

(547

)

 

Net Assets (100.0%)

 

$

84,831

   

Country assignments and aggregations are based generally on third party vendor classifications and information, and may be different from the assignments and aggregations under the policies set forth in the Fund's prospectus and/or statement of additional information relating to geographic classifications.

(a)  Non-income producing security.

(b)  Security trades on the Hong Kong exchange.

(c)  All or a portion of this security was on loan at December 31, 2020.

(d)  The approximate fair value and percentage of net assets, $72,084,000 and 85.0%, respectively, represent the securities that have been fair valued under the fair valuation policy for international investments as described in Note A-1 within the Notes to the Financial Statements.

(e)  At December 31, 2020, the aggregate cost for federal income tax purposes is approximately $73,579,000. The aggregate gross unrealized appreciation is approximately $14,010,000 and the aggregate gross unrealized depreciation is approximately $2,211,000, resulting in net unrealized appreciation of approximately $11,799,000.

ADR  American Depositary Receipt.

GDR  Global Depositary Receipt.

PJSC  Public Joint Stock Company.

Portfolio Composition

Classification

  Percentage of
Total Investments
 

Other*

   

59.4

%

 

Diversified Consumer Services

   

10.6

   

Information Technology Services

   

9.9

   

Software

   

7.6

   

Consumer Finance

   

7.4

   

Diversified Telecommunication Services

   

5.1

   

Total Investments

   

100.0

%

 

*  Industries and/or investment types representing less than 5% of total investments.

The accompanying notes are an integral part of the financial statements.
8



Morgan Stanley Institutional Fund, Inc.

Annual Report — December 31, 2020

Emerging Markets Small Cap Portfolio

Statement of Assets and Liabilities

  December 31, 2020
(000)
 

Assets:

 

Investments in Securities of Unaffiliated Issuers, at Value(1) (Cost $69,871)

 

$

83,485

   

Investment in Security of Affiliated Issuer, at Value (Cost $1,893)

   

1,893

   

Total Investments in Securities, at Value (Cost $71,764)

   

85,378

   

Foreign Currency, at Value (Cost $33)

   

33

   

Dividends Receivable

   

61

   

Receivable for Investments Sold

   

39

   

Receivable for Fund Shares Sold

   

29

   

Receivable from Securities Lending Income

   

7

   

Tax Reclaim Receivable

   

@

 

Receivable from Affiliate

   

@

 

Other Assets

   

45

   

Total Assets

   

85,592

   

Liabilities:

 

Deferred Capital Gain Country Tax

   

555

   

Payable for Advisory Fees

   

124

   

Payable for Custodian Fees

   

38

   

Payable for Professional Fees

   

23

   

Payable for Sub Transfer Agency Fees — Class I

   

4

   

Payable for Sub Transfer Agency Fees — Class A

   

@

 

Payable for Sub Transfer Agency Fees — Class C

   

@

 

Payable for Administration Fees

   

6

   

Payable for Transfer Agency Fees — Class I

   

1

   

Payable for Transfer Agency Fees — Class A

   

@

 

Payable for Transfer Agency Fees — Class C

   

@

 

Payable for Transfer Agency Fees — Class IS

   

@

 

Payable for Fund Shares Redeemed

   

3

   

Payable for Shareholder Services Fees — Class A

   

@

 

Payable for Distribution and Shareholder Services Fees — Class C

   

@

 

Other Liabilities

   

7

   

Total Liabilities

   

761

   

Net Assets

 

$

84,831

   

Net Assets Consist of:

 

Paid-in-Capital

 

$

80,215

   

Total Distributable Earnings

   

4,616

   

Net Assets

 

$

84,831

   

The accompanying notes are an integral part of the financial statements.
9



Morgan Stanley Institutional Fund, Inc.

Annual Report — December 31, 2020

Emerging Markets Small Cap Portfolio

Statement of Assets and Liabilities (cont'd)

  December 31, 2020
(000)
 

CLASS I:

 

Net Assets

 

$

84,535

   
Shares Outstanding $0.001 par value shares of beneficial interest (unlimited shares authorized) (not in 000's)    

6,817,197

   

Net Asset Value, Offering and Redemption Price Per Share

 

$

12.40

   

CLASS A:

 

Net Assets

 

$

256

   
Shares Outstanding $0.001 par value shares of beneficial interest (unlimited shares authorized) (not in 000's)    

20,804

   

Net Asset Value, Redemption Price Per Share

 

$

12.29

   

Maximum Sales Load

   

5.25

%

 

Maximum Sales Charge

 

$

0.68

   

Maximum Offering Price Per Share

 

$

12.97

   

CLASS C:

 

Net Assets

 

$

27

   
Shares Outstanding $0.001 par value shares of beneficial interest (unlimited shares authorized) (not in 000's)    

2,220

   

Net Asset Value, Offering and Redemption Price Per Share

 

$

12.04

   

CLASS IS:

 

Net Assets

 

$

13

   
Shares Outstanding $0.001 par value shares of beneficial interest (unlimited shares authorized) (not in 000's)    

1,024

   

Net Asset Value, Offering and Redemption Price Per Share

 

$

12.40

   
(1) Including:
Securities on Loan, at Value:
 

$

991

   

@  Amount is less than $500.

The accompanying notes are an integral part of the financial statements.
10



Morgan Stanley Institutional Fund, Inc.

Annual Report — December 31, 2020

Emerging Markets Small Cap Portfolio

Statement of Operations

  Year Ended
December 31, 2020
(000)
 

Investment Income:

 

Dividends from Securities of Unaffiliated Issuers (Net of $127 of Foreign Taxes Withheld)

 

$

624

   

Income from Securities Loaned — Net

   

34

   

Dividends from Security of Affiliated Issuer (Note G)

   

8

   

Total Investment Income

   

666

   

Expenses:

 

Advisory Fees (Note B)

   

826

   

Professional Fees

   

138

   

Custodian Fees (Note F)

   

137

   

Registration Fees

   

56

   

Administration Fees (Note C)

   

53

   

Sub Transfer Agency Fees — Class I

   

40

   

Sub Transfer Agency Fees — Class A

   

@

 

Sub Transfer Agency Fees — Class C

   

@

 

Shareholder Reporting Fees

   

15

   

Transfer Agency Fees — Class I (Note E)

   

2

   

Transfer Agency Fees — Class A (Note E)

   

2

   

Transfer Agency Fees — Class C (Note E)

   

2

   

Transfer Agency Fees — Class IS (Note E)

   

2

   

Directors' Fees and Expenses

   

5

   

Pricing Fees

   

5

   

Shareholder Services Fees — Class A (Note D)

   

1

   

Distribution and Shareholder Services Fees — Class C (Note D)

   

@

 

Interest Expenses

   

3

   

Other Expenses

   

15

   

Total Expenses

   

1,302

   

Waiver of Advisory Fees (Note B)

   

(424

)

 

Reimbursement of Class Specific Expenses — Class I (Note B)

   

(11

)

 

Reimbursement of Class Specific Expenses — Class A (Note B)

   

(2

)

 

Reimbursement of Class Specific Expenses — Class C (Note B)

   

(2

)

 

Reimbursement of Class Specific Expenses — Class IS (Note B)

   

(2

)

 

Rebate from Morgan Stanley Affiliate (Note G)

   

(3

)

 

Net Expenses

   

858

   

Net Investment Loss

   

(192

)

 

Realized Loss:

 

Investments Sold

   

(4,745

)

 

Foreign Currency Forward Exchange Contracts

   

(39

)

 

Foreign Currency Translation

   

(170

)

 

Net Realized Loss

   

(4,954

)

 

Change in Unrealized Appreciation (Depreciation):

 

Investments (Net of Increase in Deferred Capital Gain Country Tax of $534)

   

7,583

   

Foreign Currency Forward Exchange Contracts

   

22

   

Foreign Currency Translation

   

11

   

Net Change in Unrealized Appreciation (Depreciation)

   

7,616

   

Net Realized Loss and Change in Unrealized Appreciation (Depreciation)

   

2,662

   

Net Increase in Net Assets Resulting from Operations

 

$

2,470

   

@  Amount is less than $500.

The accompanying notes are an integral part of the financial statements.
11



Morgan Stanley Institutional Fund, Inc.

Annual Report — December 31, 2020

Emerging Markets Small Cap Portfolio

Statements of Changes in Net Assets

  Year Ended
December 31, 2020
(000)
  Year Ended
December 31, 2019
(000)
 

Increase (Decrease) in Net Assets:

 

Operations:

 

Net Investment Income (Loss)

 

$

(192

)

 

$

475

   

Net Realized Loss

   

(4,954

)

   

(363

)

 

Net Change in Unrealized Appreciation (Depreciation)

   

7,616

     

7,401

   

Net Increase in Net Assets Resulting from Operations

   

2,470

     

7,513

   

Dividends and Distributions to Shareholders:

 

Class I

   

(1,482

)

   

(276

)

 

Class A

   

(4

)

   

(—

@)

 

Class C

   

(—

@)

   

   

Class IS

   

(—

@)

   

(42

)

 

Total Dividends and Distributions to Shareholders

   

(1,486

)

   

(318

)

 

Capital Share Transactions:(1)

 

Class I:

 

Subscribed

   

32,697

     

7,917

   

Distributions Reinvested

   

897

     

192

   

Redeemed

   

(10,537

)

   

(3,998

)

 

Class A:

 

Subscribed

   

78

     

85

   

Distributions Reinvested

   

4

     

@

 

Redeemed

   

(67

)

   

(59

)

 

Class C:

 

Distributions Reinvested

   

@

   

   

Redeemed

   

(11

)

   

   

Class IS:

 

Distributions Reinvested

   

@

   

42

   

Redeemed

   

(7,045

)

   

   

Net Increase in Net Assets Resulting from Capital Share Transactions

   

16,016

     

4,179

   

Redemption Fees

   

1

     

@

 

Total Increase in Net Assets

   

17,001

     

11,374

   

Net Assets:

 

Beginning of Period

   

67,830

     

56,456

   

End of Period

 

$

84,831

   

$

67,830

   

(1)   Capital Share Transactions:

 

Class I:

 

Shares Subscribed

   

2,922

     

693

   

Shares Issued on Distributions Reinvested

   

73

     

16

   

Shares Redeemed

   

(1,153

)

   

(349

)

 

Net Increase in Class I Shares Outstanding

   

1,842

     

360

   

Class A:

 

Shares Subscribed

   

8

     

8

   

Shares Issued on Distributions Reinvested

   

@@

   

@@

 

Shares Redeemed

   

(7

)

   

(5

)

 

Net Increase in Class A Shares Outstanding

   

1

     

3

   

Class C:

 

Shares Issued on Distributions Reinvested

   

@@

   

   

Shares Redeemed

   

(1

)

   

   

Net Decrease in Class C Shares Outstanding

   

(1

)

   

   

Class IS:

 

Shares Issued on Distributions Reinvested

   

@@

   

4

   

Shares Redeemed

   

(688

)

   

   

Net Increase (Decrease) in Class IS Shares Outstanding

   

(688

)

   

4

   

@  Amount is less than $500.

@@  Amount is less than 500 shares.

The accompanying notes are an integral part of the financial statements.
12



Morgan Stanley Institutional Fund, Inc.

Annual Report — December 31, 2020

Financial Highlights

Emerging Markets Small Cap Portfolio

   

Class I

 
   

Year Ended December 31,

 

Selected Per Share Data and Ratios

 

2020

 

2019

 

2018

 

2017

 

2016

 

Net Asset Value, Beginning of Period

 

$

11.93

   

$

10.61

   

$

12.77

   

$

9.85

   

$

10.28

   

Income (Loss) from Investment Operations:

 

Net Investment Income (Loss)(1)

   

(0.03

)

   

0.09

     

0.02

     

(0.01

)

   

0.02

   

Net Realized and Unrealized Gain (Loss)

   

0.72

     

1.29

     

(2.01

)

   

3.38

     

(0.35

)

 

Total from Investment Operations

   

0.69

     

1.38

     

(1.99

)

   

3.37

     

(0.33

)

 

Distributions from and/or in Excess of:

 

Net Investment Income

   

(0.22

)

   

(0.06

)

   

     

     

(0.10

)

 

Net Realized Gain

   

     

     

(0.17

)

   

(0.45

)

   

   

Total Distributions

   

(0.22

)

   

(0.06

)

   

(0.17

)

   

(0.45

)

   

(0.10

)

 

Redemption Fees

   

0.00

(2)

   

0.00

(2)

   

0.00

(2)

   

     

   

Net Asset Value, End of Period

 

$

12.40

   

$

11.93

   

$

10.61

   

$

12.77

   

$

9.85

   

Total Return(3)

   

5.80

%

   

12.98

%

   

(15.73

)%

   

34.29

%

   

(3.19

)%

 

Ratios to Average Net Assets and Supplemental Data:

 

Net Assets, End of Period (Thousands)

 

$

84,535

   

$

59,335

   

$

48,965

   

$

25,762

   

$

19,673

   

Ratio of Expenses Before Expense Limitation

   

1.96

%

   

1.83

%

   

2.18

%

   

2.58

%

   

2.63

%

 

Ratio of Expenses After Expense Limitation

   

1.30

%(4)

   

1.30

%(4)

   

1.41

%(4)(5)

   

1.57

%(4)

   

1.61

%(4)

 

Ratio of Expenses After Expense Limitation Excluding Interest Expenses

   

1.30

%(4)

   

N/A

     

N/A

     

N/A

     

N/A

   

Ratio of Net Investment Income (Loss)

   

(0.31

)%(4)

   

0.74

%(4)

   

0.14

%(4)

   

(0.09

)%(4)

   

0.16

%(4)

 

Ratio of Rebate from Morgan Stanley Affiliates

   

0.00

%(6)

   

0.00

%(6)

   

0.01

%

   

0.04

%

   

0.00

%(6)

 

Portfolio Turnover Rate

   

140

%

   

69

%

   

70

%

   

71

%

   

69

%

 

(1)  Per share amount is based on average shares outstanding.

(2)  Amount is less than $0.005 per share.

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

(4)  The Ratio of Expenses After Expense Limitation and Ratio of Net Investment Income (Loss) reflect the rebate of certain Fund expenses in connection with the investments in Morgan Stanley affiliates during the period. The effect of the rebate on the ratios is disclosed in the above table as "Ratio of Rebate from Morgan Stanley Affiliates."

(5)  Effective July 13, 2018, the Adviser has agreed to limit the ratio of expenses to average net assets to the maximum ratio of 1.30% for Class I shares. Prior to July 13, 2018, the maximum ratio was 1.65% for Class I shares.

(6)  Amount is less than 0.005%.

The accompanying notes are an integral part of the financial statements.
13



Morgan Stanley Institutional Fund, Inc.

Annual Report — December 31, 2020

Financial Highlights

Emerging Markets Small Cap Portfolio

   

Class A

 
   

Year Ended December 31,

 

Selected Per Share Data and Ratios

 

2020

 

2019

 

2018

 

2017

 

2016

 

Net Asset Value, Beginning of Period

 

$

11.83

   

$

10.53

   

$

12.72

   

$

9.85

   

$

10.28

   

Income (Loss) from Investment Operations:

 

Net Investment Income (Loss)(1)

   

(0.07

)

   

0.05

     

(0.01

)

   

(0.06

)

   

(0.02

)

 

Net Realized and Unrealized Gain (Loss)

   

0.71

     

1.27

     

(2.01

)

   

3.38

     

(0.35

)

 

Total from Investment Operations

   

0.64

     

1.32

     

(2.02

)

   

3.32

     

(0.37

)

 

Distributions from and/or in Excess of:

 

Net Investment Income

   

(0.18

)

   

(0.02

)

   

     

     

(0.06

)

 

Net Realized Gain

   

     

     

(0.17

)

   

(0.45

)

   

   

Total Distributions

   

(0.18

)

   

(0.02

)

   

(0.17

)

   

(0.45

)

   

(0.06

)

 

Redemption Fees

   

0.00

(2)

   

0.00

(2)

   

0.00

(2)

   

     

   

Net Asset Value, End of Period

 

$

12.29

   

$

11.83

   

$

10.53

   

$

12.72

   

$

9.85

   

Total Return(3)

   

5.43

%

   

12.51

%

   

(16.03

)%

   

33.79

%

   

(3.58

)%

 

Ratios to Average Net Assets and Supplemental Data:

 

Net Assets, End of Period (Thousands)

 

$

256

   

$

233

   

$

179

   

$

188

   

$

10

   

Ratio of Expenses Before Expense Limitation

   

3.27

%

   

2.88

%

   

3.49

%

   

12.38

%

   

22.65

%

 

Ratio of Expenses After Expense Limitation

   

1.65

%(4)

   

1.65

%(4)

   

1.83

%(4)(5)

   

1.96

%(4)

   

2.00

%(4)

 

Ratio of Expenses After Expense Limitation Excluding Interest Expenses

   

1.65

%(4)

   

N/A

     

N/A

     

N/A

     

N/A

   

Ratio of Net Investment Income (Loss)

   

(0.61

)%(4)

   

0.42

%(4)

   

(0.11

)%(4)

   

(0.50

)%(4)

   

(0.22

)%(4)

 

Ratio of Rebate from Morgan Stanley Affiliates

   

0.00

%(6)

   

0.00

%(6)

   

0.01

%

   

0.04

%

   

0.00

%(6)

 

Portfolio Turnover Rate

   

140

%

   

69

%

   

70

%

   

71

%

   

69

%

 

(1)  Per share amount is based on average shares outstanding.

(2)  Amount is less than $0.005 per share.

(3)  Calculated based on the net asset value which does not reflect sales charges, if applicable, as of the last business day of the period.

(4)  The Ratio of Expenses After Expense Limitation and Ratio of Net Investment Income (Loss) reflect the rebate of certain Fund expenses in connection with the investments in Morgan Stanley affiliates during the period. The effect of the rebate on the ratios is disclosed in the above table as "Ratio of Rebate from Morgan Stanley Affiliates."

(5)  Effective July 13, 2018, the Adviser has agreed to limit the ratio of expenses to average net assets to the maximum ratio of 1.65% for Class A shares. Prior to July 13, 2018, the maximum ratio was 2.00% for Class A shares.

(6)  Amount is less than 0.005%.

The accompanying notes are an integral part of the financial statements.
14



Morgan Stanley Institutional Fund, Inc.

Annual Report — December 31, 2020

Financial Highlights

Emerging Markets Small Cap Portfolio

   

Class C

 
   

Year Ended December 31,

 

Selected Per Share Data and Ratios

 

2020

 

2019

 

2018

 

2017

 

2016

 

Net Asset Value, Beginning of Period

 

$

11.56

   

$

10.35

   

$

12.60

   

$

9.84

   

$

10.28

   

Income (Loss) from Investment Operations:

 

Net Investment Loss(1)

   

(0.14

)

   

(0.04

)

   

(0.10

)

   

(0.15

)

   

(0.10

)

 

Net Realized and Unrealized Gain (Loss)

   

0.69

     

1.25

     

(1.98

)

   

3.36

     

(0.34

)

 

Total from Investment Operations

   

0.55

     

1.21

     

(2.08

)

   

3.21

     

(0.44

)

 

Distributions from and/or in Excess of:

 

Net Investment Income

   

(0.07

)

   

     

     

     

   

Net Realized Gain

   

     

     

(0.17

)

   

(0.45

)

   

   

Total Distributions

   

(0.07

)

   

     

(0.17

)

   

(0.45

)

   

   

Redemption Fees

   

0.00

(2)

   

0.00

(2)

   

0.00

(2)

   

     

   

Net Asset Value, End of Period

 

$

12.04

   

$

11.56

   

$

10.35

   

$

12.60

   

$

9.84

   

Total Return(3)

   

4.72

%

   

11.69

%

   

(16.66

)%

   

32.70

%

   

(4.28

)%

 

Ratios to Average Net Assets and Supplemental Data:

 

Net Assets, End of Period (Thousands)

 

$

27

   

$

37

   

$

33

   

$

24

   

$

10

   

Ratio of Expenses Before Expense Limitation

   

9.92

%

   

8.37

%

   

9.02

%

   

20.48

%

   

23.48

%

 

Ratio of Expenses After Expense Limitation

   

2.40

%(4)

   

2.40

%(4)

   

2.58

%(4)(5)

   

2.71

%(4)

   

2.75

%(4)

 

Ratio of Expenses After Expense Limitation Excluding Interest Expenses

   

2.40

%(4)

   

N/A

     

N/A

     

N/A

     

N/A

   

Ratio of Net Investment Loss

   

(1.30

)%(4)

   

(0.36

)%(4)

   

(0.84

)%(4)

   

(1.27

)%(4)

   

(0.99

)%(4)

 

Ratio of Rebate from Morgan Stanley Affiliates

   

0.00

%(6)

   

0.00

%(6)

   

0.01

%

   

0.04

%

   

0.00

%(6)

 

Portfolio Turnover Rate

   

140

%

   

69

%

   

70

%

   

71

%

   

69

%

 

(1)  Per share amount is based on average shares outstanding.

(2)  Amount is less than $0.005 per share.

(3)  Calculated based on the net asset value which does not reflect sales charges, if applicable, as of the last business day of the period.

(4)  The Ratio of Expenses After Expense Limitation and Ratio of Net Investment Loss reflect the rebate of certain Fund expenses in connection with the investments in Morgan Stanley affiliates during the period. The effect of the rebate on the ratios is disclosed in the above table as "Ratio of Rebate from Morgan Stanley Affiliates."

(5)  Effective July 13, 2018, the Adviser has agreed to limit the ratio of expenses to average net assets to the maximum ratio of 2.40% for Class C shares. Prior to July 13, 2018, the maximum ratio was 2.75% for Class C shares.

(6)  Amount is less than 0.005%.

The accompanying notes are an integral part of the financial statements.
15



Morgan Stanley Institutional Fund, Inc.

Annual Report — December 31, 2020

Financial Highlights

Emerging Markets Small Cap Portfolio

   

Class IS

 
   

Year Ended December 31,

 

Selected Per Share Data and Ratios

 

2020

 

2019

 

2018

 

2017

 

2016

 

Net Asset Value, Beginning of Period

 

$

11.93

   

$

10.62

   

$

12.77

   

$

9.85

   

$

10.28

   

Income (Loss) from Investment Operations:

 

Net Investment Income (Loss)(1)

   

0.01

     

0.09

     

0.00

(2)

   

(0.01

)

   

0.02

   

Net Realized and Unrealized Gain (Loss)

   

0.68

     

1.28

     

(1.98

)

   

3.38

     

(0.35

)

 

Total from Investment Operations

   

0.69

     

1.37

     

(1.98

)

   

3.37

     

(0.33

)

 

Distributions from and/or in Excess of:

 

Net Investment Income

   

(0.22

)

   

(0.06

)

   

     

     

(0.10

)

 

Net Realized Gain

   

     

     

(0.17

)

   

(0.45

)

   

   

Total Distributions

   

(0.22

)

   

(0.06

)

   

(0.17

)

   

(0.45

)

   

(0.10

)

 

Redemption Fees

   

0.00

(2)

   

0.00

(2)

   

0.00

(2)

   

     

   

Net Asset Value, End of Period

 

$

12.40

   

$

11.93

   

$

10.62

   

$

12.77

   

$

9.85

   

Total Return(3)

   

5.84

%

   

12.93

%

   

(15.65

)%

   

34.29

%

   

(3.18

)%

 

Ratios to Average Net Assets and Supplemental Data:

 

Net Assets, End of Period (Thousands)

 

$

13

   

$

8,225

   

$

7,279

   

$

13

   

$

10

   

Ratio of Expenses Before Expense Limitation

   

1.96

%

   

1.78

%

   

2.10

%

   

19.47

%

   

21.37

%

 

Ratio of Expenses After Expense Limitation

   

1.25

%(4)

   

1.25

%(4)

   

1.26

%(4)(5)

   

1.55

%(4)

   

1.60

%(4)

 

Ratio of Expenses After Expense Limitation Excluding Interest Expenses

   

1.25

%(4)

   

N/A

     

N/A

     

N/A

     

N/A

   

Ratio of Net Investment Income (Loss)

   

0.05

%(4)

   

0.79

%(4)

   

0.03

%(4)

   

(0.08

)%(4)

   

0.16

%(4)

 

Ratio of Rebate from Morgan Stanley Affiliates

   

0.00

%(6)

   

0.00

%(6)

   

0.01

%

   

0.05

%

   

0.00

%(6)

 

Portfolio Turnover Rate

   

140

%

   

69

%

   

70

%

   

71

%

   

69

%

 

(1)  Per share amount is based on average shares outstanding.

(2)  Amount is less than $0.005 per share.

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

(4)  The Ratio of Expenses After Expense Limitation and Ratio of Net Investment Income (Loss) reflect the rebate of certain Fund expenses in connection with the investments in Morgan Stanley affiliates during the period. The effect of the rebate on the ratios is disclosed in the above table as "Ratio of Rebate from Morgan Stanley Affiliates."

(5)  Effective July 13, 2018, the Adviser has agreed to limit the ratio of expenses to average net assets to the maximum ratio of 1.25% for Class IS shares. Prior to July 13, 2018, the maximum ratio was 1.60% for Class IS shares.

(6)  Amount is less than 0.005%.

The accompanying notes are an integral part of the financial statements.
16



Morgan Stanley Institutional Fund, Inc.

Annual Report — December 31, 2020

Notes to Financial Statements

Morgan Stanley Institutional Fund, Inc. (the "Company") is registered under the Investment Company Act of 1940, as amended (the "Act"), as an open-end management investment company. The Company is comprised of thirty-one separate, active, diversified and non-diversified funds (individually referred to as a "Fund," collectively as the "Funds"). The Company applies investment company accounting and reporting guidance.

The accompanying financial statements relate to the Emerging Markets Small Cap Portfolio. The Fund seeks long-term capital appreciation.

The Fund offers four classes of shares — Class I, Class A, Class C and Class IS.

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

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

such bid and asked prices are available on the relevant markets. An unlisted equity security that does not trade on the valuation date and for which bid and asked prices from the relevant markets are unavailable is valued at the mean between the current bid and asked prices obtained from one or more reputable brokers or dealers; (3) certain portfolio securities may be valued by an outside pricing service/vendor approved by the Company's Board of Directors (the "Directors"). The pricing service/vendor may employ a pricing model that takes into account, among other things, bids, yield spreads and/or other market data and specific security characteristics. Alternatively, if a valuation is not available from an outside pricing service/vendor, and the security trades on an exchange, the security may be valued at its latest reported sale price (or at the exchange official closing price if such exchange reports an official closing price), prior to the time when assets are valued. If there are no sales on a given day and if there is no official exchange closing price for that day, the security is valued at the mean between the last reported bid and asked prices if such bid and asked prices are available in the relevant exchanges. If only bid prices are available then the latest bid price may be used. If Morgan Stanley Investment Management Inc. (the "Adviser"), a wholly-owned subsidiary of Morgan Stanley, determines that the price provided by the outside pricing service/vendor or exchange does not reflect the security's fair value or is unable to provide a price, prices from brokers or dealers may also be utilized. In these circumstances, the value of the security will be the mean of bid and asked prices obtained from brokers or dealers; (4) when market quotations are not readily available, including circumstances under which the Adviser 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 Directors. 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 of the New York Stock Exchange ("NYSE"). If developments occur during such periods that are expected to materially affect the value of such securities, such valuations may be adjusted to reflect the estimated fair value of such securities as of the close of the NYSE, as determined


17



Morgan Stanley Institutional Fund, Inc.

Annual Report — December 31, 2020

Notes to Financial Statements (cont'd)

in good faith by the Directors or by the Adviser using a pricing service and/or procedures approved by the Directors; (5) quotations of foreign portfolio securities, other assets and liabilities and forward contracts stated in foreign currency are translated into U.S. dollar equivalents at the prevailing market rates prior to the close of the NYSE; and (6) investments in mutual funds, including the Morgan Stanley Institutional Liquidity Funds, are valued at the net asset value ("NAV") as of the close of each business day.

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

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

investments. The inputs are summarized in the three broad levels listed below:

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

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

•  Level 3 – significant unobservable inputs including the Fund's own assumptions in determining the fair value of investments. Factors considered in making this determination may include, but are not limited to, information obtained by contacting the issuer, analysts, or the appropriate stock exchange (for exchange-traded securities), analysis of the issuer's financial statements or other available documents and, if necessary, available information concerning other securities in similar circumstances.

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

The following is a summary of the inputs used to value the Fund's investments as of December 31, 2020:

Investment Type

  Level 1
Unadjusted
quoted
prices
(000)
  Level 2
Other
significant
observable
inputs
(000)
  Level 3
Significant
unobservable
inputs
(000)
  Total
(000)
 

Assets:

 

Common Stocks

 

Air Freight & Logistics

 

$

   

$

918

   

$

   

$

918

   

Airlines

   

     

761

     

     

761

   

Auto Components

   

     

1,081

     

     

1,081

   

Banks

   

     

2,544

     

     

2,544

   

Beverages

   

     

1,770

     

     

1,770

   

Building Products

   

     

927

     

     

927

   

Chemicals

   

     

896

     

     

896

   
Commercial Services &
Supplies
   

     

3,815

     

     

3,815

   

Computers & Peripherals

   

     

1,245

     

     

1,245

   

Consumer Finance

   

858

     

5,483

     

     

6,341

   
Diversified Consumer
Services
   

4,430

     

4,607

     

     

9,037

   


18



Morgan Stanley Institutional Fund, Inc.

Annual Report — December 31, 2020

Notes to Financial Statements (cont'd)

Investment Type

  Level 1
Unadjusted
quoted
prices
(000)
  Level 2
Other
significant
observable
inputs
(000)
  Level 3
Significant
unobservable
inputs
(000)
  Total
(000)
 

Common Stocks (cont'd)

 
Diversified
Telecommunication
Services
 

$

1,113

   

$

3,223

   

$

   

$

4,336

   

Electrical Equipment

   

     

1,049

     

     

1,049

   

Entertainment

   

     

3,168

     

     

3,168

   

Food Products

   

     

3,409

     

     

3,409

   
Health Care Providers &
Services
   

819

     

2,141

     

     

2,960

   
Hotels, Restaurants &
Leisure
   

     

1,217

     

     

1,217

   
Information Technology
Services
   

     

8,427

     

     

8,427

   
Interactive Media &
Services
   

     

2,737

     

     

2,737

   
Internet & Direct
Marketing Retail
   

852

     

1,983

     

     

2,835

   

Leisure Products

   

     

1,336

     

     

1,336

   

Machinery

   

     

851

     

     

851

   

Media

   

     

909

     

     

909

   

Multi-Line Retail

   

     

1,590

     

     

1,590

   
Oil, Gas & Consumable
Fuels
   

     

2,035

     

     

2,035

   

Pharmaceuticals

   

     

756

     

     

756

   

Professional Services

   

     

1,129

     

     

1,129

   
Real Estate Management &
Development
   

1,120

     

     

     

1,120

   
Semiconductors &
Semiconductor
Equipment
   

     

1,345

     

     

1,345

   

Software

   

416

     

6,109

     

     

6,525

   

Specialty Retail

   

     

2,684

     

     

2,684

   

Thrifts & Mortgage Finance

   

     

1,810

     

     

1,810

   
Trading Companies &
Distributors
   

     

1,029

     

     

1,029

   
Transportation
Infrastructure
   

893

     

     

     

893

   

Total Common Stocks

   

10,501

     

72,984

     

     

83,485

   

Short-Term Investment

 

Investment Company

   

1,893

     

     

     

1,893

   

Total Assets

 

$

12,394

   

$

72,984

   

$

   

$

85,378

   

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

3.  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.

Net realized gains (losses) on foreign currency transactions represent net foreign exchange gains (losses) from foreign currency forward exchange contracts, disposition of foreign currencies, currency gains (losses) realized between the trade and settlement dates on securities transactions, and the difference between the amount of investment income and foreign withholding taxes recorded on the Fund's books and the U.S. dollar equivalent amounts actually received or paid. The change in unrealized currency gains (losses) on foreign currency transactions for the period is reflected in the Statement of Operations.

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


19



Morgan Stanley Institutional Fund, Inc.

Annual Report — December 31, 2020

Notes to Financial Statements (cont'd)

Governmental approval for foreign investments may be required in advance of making an investment under certain circumstances in some countries, and the extent of foreign investments in domestic companies may be subject to limitation in other countries. Foreign ownership limitations also may be imposed by the charters of individual companies to prevent, among other concerns, violations of foreign investment limitations. As a result, an additional class of shares (identified as "Foreign" in the Portfolio of Investments) may be created and offered for investment. The "local" and "foreign shares" market values may differ. In the absence of trading of the foreign shares in such markets, the Fund values the foreign shares at the closing exchange price of the local shares.

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

Certain derivative transactions may give rise to a form of leverage. Leverage magnifies the potential for gain and the risk of loss. Leverage associated with derivative transactions may cause the Fund to liquidate portfolio positions when it may not be advantageous to do so to

satisfy its obligations or to meet earmarking or segregation requirements, pursuant to applicable Securities and Exchange Commission ("SEC") rules and regulations, or may cause the Fund to be more volatile than if the Fund had not been leveraged. Although the Adviser seek to use derivatives to further the Fund's investment objectives, there is no assurance that the use of derivatives will achieve this result.

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

Foreign Currency Forward Exchange Contracts: In connection with its investments in foreign securities, the Fund also 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. To the extent hedged by the use of currency contracts, the precise matching of the currency contract amounts and the value of the securities involved will not generally be possible because the future value of such securities in foreign currencies will change as a consequence of market movements in the value of those securities between the date on which the contract is entered into and the date it matures. Furthermore, such transactions may reduce or preclude the opportunity for gain if the value of the currency should move in the direction opposite to the position taken. There is additional risk to the extent that currency contracts create exposure to currencies in which the Fund's securities are not denominated. Unanticipated changes in currency prices may result in poorer overall performance for the Fund than if it had not entered into such 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 terms of the contract. A currency contract is marked-to-market daily and the change in market value is recorded by the Fund as


20



Morgan Stanley Institutional Fund, Inc.

Annual Report — December 31, 2020

Notes to Financial Statements (cont'd)

unrealized gain or loss. The Fund 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.

As of December 31, 2020, the Fund did not have any open foreign currency forward exchange contracts.

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

The following tables set forth by primary risk exposure the Fund's change in unrealized appreciation (depreciation) by type of derivative contract for the year ended December 31, 2020 in accordance with ASC 815:

Realized Gain (Loss)

 

Primary Risk Exposure

 

Derivative Type

  Value
(000)
 
Currency Risk
 
 
  Foreign Currency
Forward Exchange
Contracts
 

$

(39

)

 

Change in Unrealized Appreciation (Depreciation)

 

Primary Risk Exposure

 

Derivative Type

  Value
(000)
 
Currency Risk
 
 
  Foreign Currency
Forward Exchange
Contracts
 

$

22

   

For the year ended December 31, 2020, the approximate average monthly amount outstanding for each derivative type is as follows:

Foreign Currency Forward Exchange Contracts:

 

Average monthly principal amount

 

$

1,580,000

   

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

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

The Fund has the right under the securities 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, 2020:

Gross Amounts Not Offset in the Statement of Assets and Liabilities

 
Gross Asset
Amounts
Presented in
the Statement
of Assets and
Liabilities
(000)
  Financial
Instrument
(000)
  Collateral
Received
(000)
  Net Amount
(not less
than $0)
(000)
 
$

991

(a)

 

$

   

$

(991

)(b)(c)

 

$

0

   

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

(b) The Fund received non-cash collateral of approximately $1,052,000 in the form of U.S. Government obligations, which the Fund cannot sell or repledge, and accordingly are not reflected in the Portfolio of Investments.

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

6.  Redemption Fees: The Fund will assess a 2% redemption fee on Class I shares, Class A shares, Class C shares and Class IS shares, which is paid directly to the Fund, for shares redeemed or exchanged within thirty days of purchase, subject to certain exceptions. The redemption fee is designed to protect the Fund and its remaining shareholders from the effects of short-term trading. These fees, if any, are included in the Statements of Changes in Net Assets.

7.  Indemnifications: The Company enters into contracts that contain a variety of indemnifications. The Company's maximum exposure under these arrangements is unknown. However, the Company has not had prior claims


21



Morgan Stanley Institutional Fund, Inc.

Annual Report — December 31, 2020

Notes to Financial Statements (cont'd)

or losses pursuant to these contracts and expects the risk of loss to be remote.

8.  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. Net realized capital gains, if any, are distributed at least annually.

9.  Security Transactions, Income and Expenses: Security transactions are accounted for on the trade date (date the order to buy or sell is executed). Realized gains and losses on the sale of investment securities are determined on the specific identified cost method. Dividend income and other distributions are recorded on the ex-dividend date (except for certain foreign dividends which may be recorded as soon as the Fund is informed of such dividends) net of applicable withholding taxes. Interest income is recognized on the accrual basis except where collection is in doubt. Discounts are accreted and premiums are amortized over the life of the respective securities. Most expenses of the Company can be directly attributed to a particular Fund. Expenses which cannot be directly attributed are apportioned among the Funds based upon relative net assets or other appropriate methods. Income, expenses (other than class specific expenses — distribution and shareholder services, transfer agency and sub transfer agency fees) and realized and unrealized gains or losses are allocated to each class of shares based upon their relative net assets.

B. Advisory Fees: The Adviser, a wholly-owned subsidiary of Morgan Stanley, provides the Fund with advisory services under the terms of an Investment Advisory Agreement, paid quarterly, at an annual rate of 1.25% of the average daily net assets of the Fund.

The Adviser has agreed to reduce its advisory fee and/or reimburse the Fund so that total annual Fund operating expenses, excluding certain investment related expenses, taxes, interest and other extraordinary expenses (including litigation), will not exceed 1.30% for Class I shares, 1.65% for Class A shares, 2.40% for Class C shares and 1.25% for Class IS shares. The fee waivers and/or expense reimbursements will continue for at least one year from the date of the Fund's prospectus or until such time as the Directors act to discontinue all or a portion of such waivers and/or reimbursements when they deem such action is appropriate. For the year ended December 31, 2020, approximately $424,000 of advisory fees were waived and

approximately $17,000 of other expenses were reimbursed by the Adviser pursuant to this arrangement.

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

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

D. Distribution and Shareholder Services Fees: Morgan Stanley Distribution, Inc. ("MSDI" or the "Distributor"), a wholly-owned subsidiary of the Adviser and an indirect subsidiary of Morgan Stanley, serves as the Company's Distributor of Fund shares pursuant to a Distribution Agreement. The Company has adopted a Shareholder Services Plan with respect to Class A shares pursuant to Rule 12b-1 under the Act. Under the Shareholder Services Plan, the Fund pays the Distributor a shareholder services fee, accrued daily and paid monthly, at an annual rate of 0.25% of the Fund's average daily net assets attributable to Class A shares.

The Company has adopted a Distribution and Shareholder Services Plan with respect to Class C shares pursuant to Rule 12b-1 under the Act. Under the Distribution and Shareholder Services Plan, the Fund pays the Distributor a distribution fee, accrued daily and paid monthly, at an annual rate of 0.75% and a shareholder services fee, accrued daily and paid monthly, at an annual rate of 0.25% of the Fund's average daily net assets attributable to Class C shares.

The distribution and shareholder services fees are used to support the expenses associated with servicing and maintaining accounts. The Distributor may compensate other parties for providing shareholder support services to investors who purchase Class A and Class C shares.

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

F. Custodian Fees: State Street (the "Custodian") also serves as Custodian for the Company in accordance with a


22



Morgan Stanley Institutional Fund, Inc.

Annual Report — December 31, 2020

Notes to Financial Statements (cont'd)

Custodian Agreement. The Custodian holds cash, securities and other assets of the Company as required by the Act. Custody fees are payable monthly based on assets held in custody, investment purchases and sales activity and account maintenance fees, plus reimbursement for certain out-of-pocket expenses.

G. Security Transactions and Transactions with Affiliates: For the year ended December 31, 2020, purchases and sales of investment securities for the Fund, other than long-term U.S. Government securities and short-term investments were approximately $104,833,000 and $91,412,000, respectively. There were no purchases and sales of long-term U.S. Government securities for the year ended December 31, 2020.

The Fund invests in the Institutional Class of the Morgan Stanley Institutional Liquidity Funds — Government Portfolio (the "Liquidity Funds"), an open-end management investment company managed by the Adviser, both directly and as a portion of the securities held as collateral on loaned securities. Advisory fees paid by the Fund are reduced by an amount equal to its pro-rata share of the advisory and administration fees paid by the Fund due to its investment in the Liquidity Funds. For the year ended December 31, 2020, advisory fees paid were reduced by approximately $3,000 relating to the Fund's investment in the Liquidity Funds.

A summary of the Fund's transactions in shares of affiliated investments during the year ended December 31, 2020 is as follows:

Affiliated
Investment
Company
  Value
December 31,
2019
(000)
  Purchases
at Cost
(000)
  Proceeds
from Sales
(000)
  Dividend
Income
(000)
 

Liquidity Funds

 

$

1,586

   

$

100,383

   

$

100,076

   

$

8

   
Affiliated
Investment
Company (cont'd)
  Realized
Gain (Loss)
(000)
  Change in
Unrealized
Appreciation
(Depreciation)
(000)
  Value
December 31,
2020
(000)
 

Liquidity Funds

 

$

   

$

   

$

1,893

   

The Fund is permitted to purchase and sell securities ("cross-trade") from and to other Morgan Stanley funds as well as other funds and client accounts for which the Adviser or an affiliate of the Adviser serves as investment adviser, pursuant to procedures approved by the Directors in compliance with Rule 17a-7 under the Act (the "Rule"). Each cross-trade is executed at the current market price in compliance with

provisions of the Rule. For the year ended December 31, 2020, the Fund did not engage in any cross-trade transactions.

The Fund has an unfunded Deferred Compensation Plan (the "Compensation Plan"), which allows each independent Director to defer payment of all, or a portion, of the fees he or she receives for serving on the Board of Directors. Each eligible Director generally may elect to have the deferred amounts credited with a return equal to the total return on one or more of the Morgan Stanley funds that are offered as investment options under the Compensation Plan. Appreciation/depreciation and distributions received from these investments are recorded with an offsetting increase/decrease in the deferred compensation obligation and do not affect the NAV of the Fund.

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

The Fund may be subject to taxes imposed by countries in which it invests. Such taxes are generally based on income and/or capital gains earned or repatriated. Taxes are accrued based on net investment income, net realized gains and net unrealized appreciation as such income and/or gains are earned. Taxes may also be based on transactions in foreign currency and are accrued based on the value of investments denominated in such currency.

FASB ASC 740-10, "Income Taxes — Overall", sets forth a minimum threshold for financial statement recognition of the benefit of a tax position taken or expected to be taken in a tax return. Management has concluded there are no significant uncertain tax positions that would require recognition in the financial statements. If applicable, the Fund recognizes interest accrued related to unrecognized tax benefits in "Interest Expense" and penalties in "Other Expenses" in the Statement of Operations. The Fund files tax returns with the U.S. Internal Revenue Service, New York and various states. Generally, each of the tax years in the four-year period ended December 31, 2020 remains subject to examination by taxing authorities.

The tax character of distributions paid may differ from the character of distributions shown for GAAP purposes due to short-term capital gains being treated as ordinary income for


23



Morgan Stanley Institutional Fund, Inc.

Annual Report — December 31, 2020

Notes to Financial Statements (cont'd)

tax purposes. The tax character of distributions paid during fiscal years 2020 and 2019 was as follows:

2020
Distributions
Paid From:
  2019
Distributions
Paid From:
 
Ordinary
Income
(000)
  Ordinary
Income
(000)
 
$

1,486

   

$

318

   

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 attributable to differing book and tax treatments for the timing of the recognition of gains (losses) on certain investment transactions and the timing of the deductibility of certain expenses.

The Fund had no permanent differences causing reclassifications among the components of net assets for the year ended December 31, 2020.

At December 31, 2020, the components of distributable earnings for the Fund on a tax basis were as follows:

Undistributed
Ordinary
Income
(000)
  Undistributed
Long-Term
Capital Gain
(000)
 
$

1,924

   

$

   

At December 31, 2020, the Fund had available for federal income tax purposes unused short-term and long-term capital losses of approximately $5,897,000 and $2,574,000, respectively, that do not have an expiration date.

To the extent that capital loss carryforwards are used to offset any future capital gains realized, no capital gains tax liability will be incurred by the Fund for gains realized and not distributed. To the extent that capital gains are offset, such gains will not be distributed to the shareholders.

I. Credit Facility: The Company and other Morgan Stanley funds participated in a $300,000,000 committed, unsecured revolving line of credit facility (the "Facility") with State Street. This Facility is to be used for temporary emergency purposes or funding of shareholder redemption requests. The interest rate on borrowings is based on the federal funds rate or 1 month LIBOR rate plus a spread. The Facility also has a commitment fee of 0.25% per annum based on the unused portion of the Facility. During the year ended December 31, 2020, the Fund did not have any borrowings under the Facility.

J. Other: At December 31, 2020, the Fund had record owners of 10% or greater. Investment activities of these shareholders could have a material impact on the Fund. The aggregate percentage of such owners was 67.1%.

K. Market Risk: Certain impacts to public health conditions particular to the coronavirus (COVID-19) outbreak could impact the operations and financial performance of certain of the Fund's investments. The extent of the impact to the financial performance of the Fund's investments will depend on future developments, including (i) the duration and spread of the outbreak, (ii) the restrictions and advisories, (iii) the effects on the financial markets, and (iv) the effects on the economy overall, all of which are highly uncertain and cannot be predicted. If the financial performance of the Fund's investments is impacted because of these factors for an extended period, the Fund's investment results may be adversely affected.


24



Morgan Stanley Institutional Fund, Inc.

Annual Report — December 31, 2020

Report of Independent Registered Public Accounting Firm

To the Shareholders and Board of Directors of
Morgan Stanley Institutional Fund, Inc. —
Emerging Markets Small Cap Portfolio

Opinion on the Financial Statements

We have audited the accompanying statement of assets and liabilities of Emerging Markets Small Cap Portfolio (the "Fund") (one of the funds constituting Morgan Stanley Institutional Fund, Inc. (the "Company")), including the portfolio of investments, as of December 31, 2020, and the related statement of operations for the year then ended, the statements of changes in net assets for each of the two years in the period then ended, the financial highlights for each of the five years in the period then ended and the related notes (collectively referred to as the "financial statements"). In our opinion, the financial statements present fairly, in all material respects, the financial position of Emerging Markets Small Cap Portfolio (one of the funds constituting Morgan Stanley Institutional Fund, Inc.) at December 31, 2020, the results of its operations for the year then ended, the changes in its net assets for each of the two years in the period then ended and its financial highlights for each of the five years in the period then ended, in conformity with U.S. generally accepted accounting principles.

Basis for Opinion

These financial statements are the responsibility of the Company's management. Our responsibility is to express an opinion on the Fund's financial statements based on our audits. We are a public accounting firm registered with the Public Company Accounting Oversight Board (United States) ("PCAOB") and are required to be independent with respect to the Company in accordance with the U.S. federal securities law and the applicable rules and regulations of the Securities and Exchange Commission and the PCAOB.

We conducted our audits in accordance with the standards of the PCAOB. Those standards require that we plan and perform the audit to obtain reasonable assurance about whether the financial statements are free of material misstatement, whether due to error or fraud. The Company is not required to have, nor were we engaged to perform, an audit of the Company's internal control over financial reporting. As part of our audits, we are required to obtain an understanding of internal control over financial reporting, but not for the purpose of expressing an opinion on the effectiveness of the Company's internal control over financial reporting. Accordingly, we express no such opinion.

Our audits included performing procedures to assess the risks of material misstatement of the financial statements, whether due to error or fraud, and performing procedures that respond to those risks. Such procedures included examining, on a test basis, evidence regarding the amounts and disclosures in the financial statements. Our procedures included confirmation of securities owned as of December 31, 2020 by correspondence with the custodian and others or by other appropriate auditing procedures where replies from others were not received. Our audits also included evaluating the accounting principles used and significant estimates made by management, as well as evaluating the overall presentation of the financial statements. We believe that our audits provide a reasonable basis for our opinion.

We have served as the auditor of one or more Morgan Stanley investment companies since 2000.
Boston, Massachusetts
February 26, 2021


25



Morgan Stanley Institutional Fund, Inc.

Annual Report — December 31, 2020

Liquidity Risk Management Program (unaudited)

In compliance with Rule 22e-4 under the Investment Company Act of 1940, as amended (the "Liquidity Rule"), the Fund has adopted and implemented a liquidity risk management program (the "Program"), which is reasonably designed to assess and manage the risk that the Fund could not meet requests to redeem shares issued by the Fund without significant dilution of remaining investors' interests in the Fund (i.e., liquidity risk). The Fund's Board of Directors (the "Board") previously approved the designation of the Liquidity Risk Subcommittee (the "LRS") as Program administrator. The LRS is comprised of representatives from various divisions within Morgan Stanley Investment Management.

At a meeting held on April 22-23, 2020, the Board reviewed a written report prepared by the LRS that addressed the Program's operation and assessed its adequacy, and effectiveness of implementation for the period from December 1, 2018, through December 31, 2019, as required under the Liquidity Rule. The report concluded that the Program operated effectively and was adequately and effectively implemented in all material aspects, and that the relevant controls and safeguards were appropriately designed to enable the LRS to administer the Program in compliance with the Liquidity Rule.

In accordance with the Program, the LRS assessed each Fund's liquidity risk no less frequently than annually taking into consideration certain factors, as applicable, such as (i) investment strategy and liquidity of portfolio investments, (ii) short-term and long-term cash flow projections and (iii) holdings of cash and cash equivalents and borrowing arrangements and other funding sources. Certain factors are considered under both normal and reasonably foreseeable stressed conditions.

Each Fund portfolio investment is classified into one of four liquidity categories, which classification is assessed at least monthly by the LRS. The classification is based on a determination of the number of days it is reasonably expected to take to convert the investment into cash, or sell or dispose of the investment, in current market conditions without significantly changing the market value of the investment. Liquidity classification determinations take into account various market, trading and investment-specific considerations, as well as market depth, and in some cases utilize third-party vendor data.

The Liquidity Rule limits a fund's investments in illiquid investments to 15% of its net assets and requires funds that do not primarily hold assets that are highly liquid investments to determine and maintain a minimum percentage of the fund's net assets to be invested in highly liquid investments (highly liquid investment minimum or "HLIM"). The LRS believes that the Program includes provisions reasonably designed to review, monitor and comply with the 15% limit on illiquid investments and for determining, periodically reviewing and complying with the HLIM requirement, as applicable.

There can be no assurance that the Program will achieve its objectives under all circumstances in the future. Please refer to the Fund's prospectus for more information regarding the Fund's exposure to liquidity risk and other risks to which it may be subject.


26



Morgan Stanley Institutional Fund, Inc.

Annual Report — December 31, 2020

Federal Tax Notice (unaudited)

For federal income tax purposes, the following information is furnished with respect to the Fund's earnings for its taxable year ended December 31, 2020. When distributed, certain earnings may be subject to a maximum tax rate of 15% as provided for by the Jobs and Growth Tax Relief Reconciliation Act of 2003. The Fund designated up to a maximum of approximately $178,000 as taxable at this lower rate.

The Fund intends to pass through foreign tax credits of approximately $106,000 and has derived net income from sources within foreign countries amounting to approximately $749,000.

In January, the Fund provides tax information to shareholders for the preceding calendar year.


27



Morgan Stanley Institutional Fund, Inc.

Annual Report — December 31, 2020

Privacy Notice (unaudited)  April 2019

FACTS

 

WHAT DOES MSIM DO WITH YOUR PERSONAL INFORMATION?

 

Why?

 

Financial companies choose how they share your personal information. Federal law gives consumers the right to limit some but not all sharing. Federal law also requires us to tell you how we collect, share, and protect your personal information. Please read this notice carefully to understand what we do.

 

What?

  The types of personal information we collect and share depend on the product or service you have with us. This information can include:
n Social Security number and income
n investment experience and risk tolerance
n checking account number and wire transfer instructions
 

How?

 

All financial companies need to share customers' personal information to run their everyday business. In the section below, we list the reasons financial companies can share their customers' personal information; the reasons MSIM chooses to share; and whether you can limit this sharing.

 

 

Reasons we can share your personal information

 

Does MSIM share?

 

Can you limit this sharing?

 
For our everyday business purposes —
such as to process your transactions, maintain your account(s), respond to court orders and legal investigations, or report to credit bureaus
 

Yes

 

No

 
For our marketing purposes —
to offer our products and services to you
 

Yes

 

No

 

For joint marketing with other financial companies

 

No

 

We don't share

 
For our affiliates' everyday business purposes —
information about your transactions and experiences
 

Yes

 

No

 
For our affiliates' everyday business purposes —
information about your creditworthiness
 

No

 

We don't share

 

For our affiliates to market to you

 

No

 

We don't share

 

For non-affiliates to market to you

 

No

 

We don't share

 

Questions?  Call toll-free (844) 312-6327 or email: imprivacyinquiries@morganstanley.com


28



Morgan Stanley Institutional Fund, Inc.

Annual Report — December 31, 2020

Privacy Notice (unaudited) (cont'd)  April 2019

Who we are

Who is providing this notice?

 

Morgan Stanley Investment Management, Inc. and its affiliated registered investment advisers, registered broker-dealers, and registered and unregistered funds ("MSIM")

 

What we do

How does MSIM protect my personal information?

 

To protect your personal information from unauthorized access and use, we use security measures that comply with federal law. These measures include computer safeguards and secured files and buildings. We have policies governing the proper handling of customer information by personnel and requiring third parties that provide support to adhere to appropriate security standards with respect to such information.

 

How does MSIM collect my personal information?

  We collect your personal information, for example, when you
n open an account or make deposits or withdrawals from your account
n buy securities from us or make a wire transfer
n give us your contact information
We also collect your personal information from others, such as credit bureaus, affiliates, or other companies.
 

Why can't I limit all sharing?

  Federal law gives you the right to limit only
n sharing for affiliates' everyday business purposes — information about your creditworthiness
n affiliates from using your information to market to you
n sharing for non-affiliates to market to you
State laws and individual companies may give you additional rights to limit sharing. See below for more on your rights under state law.
 

Definitions

Affiliates

  Companies related by common ownership or control. They can be financial and non-financial companies.
n Our affiliates include companies with a Morgan Stanley name and financial companies such as Morgan Stanley Smith Barney LLC and Morgan Stanley & Co.
 

Non-affiliates

  Companies not related by common ownership or control. They can be financial and non-financial companies.
n MSIM does not share with non-affiliates so they can market to you.
 

Joint marketing

  A formal agreement between non-affiliated financial companies that together market financial products or services to you.
n MSIM doesn't jointly market
 


29



Morgan Stanley Institutional Fund, Inc.

Annual Report — December 31, 2020

Privacy Notice (unaudited) (cont'd)  April 2019

Other important information

Vermont: Except as permitted by law, we will not share personal information we collect about Vermont residents with Non-affiliates unless you provide us with your written consent to share such information.

California: Except as permitted by law, we will not share personal information we collect about California residents with Non-affiliates and we will limit sharing such personal information with our Affiliates to comply with California privacy laws that apply to us.


30



Morgan Stanley Institutional Fund, Inc.

Annual Report — December 31, 2020

Director and Officer Information (unaudited)

Independent Directors:

Name, Address and Birth
Year of Independent Director
  Position(s)
Held with
Registrant
  Length of Time
Served*
  Principal Occupation(s) During Past 5 Years and Other
Relevant Professional Experience
  Number of
Funds
in Fund Complex
Overseen by
Independent
Director**
  Other Directorships
Held by Independent
Director***
 
Frank L. Bowman
c/o Perkins Coie LLP
Counsel to the Independent Directors
1155 Avenue of the Americas,
22nd Floor
New York, NY 10036
Birth Year: 1944
 

Director

 

Since August 2006

 

President, Strategic Decisions, LLC (consulting) (since February 2009); Director or Trustee of various Morgan Stanley Funds (since August 2006); Chairperson of the Compliance and Insurance Committee (since October 2015); formerly, Chairperson of the Insurance Sub-Committee of the Compliance and Insurance Committee (2007-2015); served as President and Chief Executive Officer of the Nuclear Energy Institute (policy organization) (February 2005-November 2008); retired as Admiral, U.S. Navy after serving over 38 years on active duty including 8 years as Director of the Naval Nuclear Propulsion Program in the Department of the Navy and the U.S. Department of Energy (1996-2004); served as Chief of Naval Personnel (July 1994-September 1996) and on the Joint Staff as Director of Political Military Affairs (June 1992-July 1994); knighted as Honorary Knight Commander of the Most Excellent Order of the British Empire; awarded the Officier de l'Orde National du Mérite by the French Government; elected to the National Academy of Engineering (2009).

 

79

 

Director of Naval and Nuclear Technologies LLP; Director Emeritus of the Armed Services YMCA; Member of the National Security Advisory Council of the Center for U.S. Global Engagement and a member of the CNA Military Advisory Board; Trustee of Fairhaven United Methodist Church; Member of the Board of Advisors of the Dolphin Scholarship Foundation; Director of other various non-profit organizations; formerly, Director of BP plc (November 2010May 2019).

 
Kathleen A. Dennis
c/o Perkins Coie LLP
Counsel to the Independent Directors
1155 Avenue of the Americas,
22nd Floor
New York, NY 10036
Birth Year: 1953
 

Director

 

Since August 2006

 

Chairperson of the Governance Committee (January 2021), Chairperson of the Liquidity and Alternatives Sub-Committee of the Investment Committee (2006-2020); and Director or Trustee of various Morgan Stanley Funds (since August 2006); President, Cedarwood Associates (mutual fund and investment management consulting) (since July 2006); formerly, Senior Managing Director of Victory Capital Management (1993-2006).

 

79

 

Board Member, University of Albany Foundation (2012-present); Board Member, Mutual Funds Directors Forum (2014-present); Director of various non-profit organizations.

 
Nancy C. Everett
c/o Perkins Coie LLP
Counsel to the Independent Directors
1155 Avenue of the Americas,
22nd Floor
New York, NY 10036
Birth Year: 1955
 

Director

 

Since January 2015

 

Chairperson of the Equity Investment Committee (since January 2021); Director or Trustee of various Morgan Stanley Funds (since January 2015); Chief Executive Officer, Virginia Commonwealth University Investment Company (since November 2015); Owner, OBIR, LLC (institutional investment management consulting) (since June 2014); formerly, Managing Director, BlackRock, Inc. (February 2011-December 2013); and Chief Executive Officer, General Motors Asset Management (a/k/a Promark Global Advisors, Inc.) (June 2005-May 2010).

 

80

 

Formerly, Member of Virginia Commonwealth University School of Business Foundation (2005-2016); Member of Virginia Commonwealth University Board of Visitors (2013-2015); Member of Committee on Directors for Emerging Markets Growth Fund, Inc. (2007-2010); Chairperson of Performance Equity Management, LLC (2006-2010); and Chairperson, GMAM Absolute Return Strategies Fund, LLC (2006-2010).

 


31



Morgan Stanley Institutional Fund, Inc.

Annual Report — December 31, 2020

Director and Officer Information (unaudited) (cont'd)

Independent Directors (cont'd):

Name, Address and Birth
Year of Independent Director
  Position(s)
Held with
Registrant
  Length of Time
Served*
  Principal Occupation(s) During Past 5 Years and Other
Relevant Professional Experience
  Number of
Funds
in Fund Complex
Overseen by
Independent
Director**
  Other Directorships
Held by Independent
Director***
 
Jakki L. Haussler
c/o Perkins Coie LLP
Counsel to the Independent Directors
1155 Avenue of the Americas,
22nd Floor
New York, NY 10036
Birth Year: 1957
 

Director

 

Since January 2015

 

Director or Trustee of various Morgan Stanley Funds (since January 2015) Chairman, Opus Capital Group (1996); formerly, Chief Executive Officer, Opus Capital Group (1996-2019); Director, Capvest Venture Fund, LP (May 2000-December 2011); Partner, Adena Ventures, LP (July 1999-December 2010); Director, The Victory Funds (February 2005-July 2008).

 

80

 

Director of Cincinnati Bell Inc. and Member, Audit Committee and Chairman, Governance and Nominating Committee; Director of Service Corporation International and Member, Audit Committee and Investment Committee; Director of Northern Kentucky University Foundation and Member, Investment Committee; Member of Chase College of Law Transactional Law Practice Center Board of Advisors; Director of Best Transport; Director of Chase College of Law Board of Visitors; formerly, Member, University of Cincinnati Foundation Investment Committee; Member, Miami University Board of Visitors (2008-2011); Trustee of Victory Funds (2005-2008) and Chairman, Investment Committee (2007-2008); and Member, Service Provider Committee (2005-2008).

 
Dr. Manuel H. Johnson
c/o Johnson Smick International, Inc.
220 I Street, NE — Suite 200
Washington, D.C. 20002
Birth Year: 1949
 

Director

 

Since July 1991

 

Senior Partner, Johnson Smick International, Inc. (consulting firm); Chairperson of the Fixed Income, Liquidity and Alternatives Investment Committee (January 2021), Chairperson of the Investment Committee (2006-2020) and Director or Trustee of various Morgan Stanley Funds (since July 1991); Co-Chairman and a founder of the Group of Seven Council (G7C) (international economic commission); formerly, Chairperson of the Audit Committee (July 1991-September 2006), Vice Chairman of the Board of Governors of the Federal Reserve System and Assistant Secretary of the U.S. Treasury.

 

79

 

Director of NVR, Inc. (home construction).

 


32



Morgan Stanley Institutional Fund, Inc.

Annual Report — December 31, 2020

Director and Officer Information (unaudited) (cont'd)

Independent Directors (cont'd):

Name, Address and Birth
Year of Independent Director
  Position(s)
Held with
Registrant
  Length of Time
Served*
  Principal Occupation(s) During Past 5 Years and Other
Relevant Professional Experience
  Number of
Funds
in Fund Complex
Overseen by
Independent
Director**
  Other Directorships
Held by Independent
Director***
 
Joseph J. Kearns
c/o Perkins Coie LLP
Counsel to the Independent Directors
1155 Avenue of the Americas,
22nd Floor
New York, NY 10036
Birth Year: 1942
 

Director

 

Since August 1994

 

Senior Adviser, Kearns & Associates LLC (investment consulting); Chairperson of the Audit Committee (since October 2006) and Director or Trustee of various Morgan Stanley Funds (since August 1994); formerly, Deputy Chairperson of the Audit Committee (July 2003-September 2006) and Chairperson of the Audit Committee of various Morgan Stanley Funds (since August 1994); CFO of the J. Paul Getty Trust (1982-1999).

 

80

 

Director, Rubicon Investment (since February 2019); Prior to August 2016, Director of Electro Rent Corporation (equipment leasing); Prior to December 31, 2013, Director of The Ford Family Foundation.

 
Michael F. Klein
c/o Perkins Coie LLP
Counsel to the Independent Directors
1155 Avenue of the Americas,
22nd Floor
New York, NY 10036
Birth Year: 1958
 

Director

 

Since August 2006

 

Chairperson of the Risk Committee (since January 2021); Managing Director, Aetos Alternatives Management, LP (since March 2000); Co-President, Aetos Alternatives Management, LP (since January 2004) and Co-Chief Executive Officer of Aetos Alternatives Management, LP (since August 2013); Chairperson of the fixed Income Sub-Committee of the Investment committee (2006-2020) and Director or Trustee of various Morgan Stanley Funds (since August 2006); formerly, Managing Director, Morgan Stanley & Co. Inc. and Morgan Stanley Dean Witter Investment Management and President, various Morgan Stanley Funds (June 1998-March 2000); Principal, Morgan Stanley & Co. Inc. and Morgan Stanley Dean Witter Investment Management (August 1997-December 1999).

 

79

 

Director of certain investment funds managed or sponsored by Aetos Alternatives Management, LP; Director of Sanitized AG and Sanitized Marketing AG (specialty chemicals).

 
Patricia Maleski
c/o Perkins Coie LLP
Counsel to the Independent Directors
1155 Avenue of the Americas,
22nd Floor
New York, NY 10036
Birth Year: 1960
 

Director

 

Since January 2017

 

Director or Trustee of various Morgan Stanley Funds (since January 2017); Managing Director, JPMorgan Asset Management (2004-2016); Oversight and Control Head of Fiduciary and Conflicts of Interest Program (2015-2016); Chief Control Officer-Global Asset Management (2013-2015); President, JPMorgan Funds (2010-2013); Chief Administrative Officer (2004-2013); various other positions including Treasurer and Board Liaison (since 2001).

 

80

 

None.

 
W. Allen Reed
c/o Perkins Coie LLP
Counsel to the Independent Directors
1155 Avenue of the Americas,
22nd Floor
New York, NY 10036
Birth Year: 1947
 

Chair of the Board and Director

 

Chair of the Boards since August 2020 and Director since August 2006

 

Chair of the Boards of various Morgan Stanley Funds (since August 2020); Director or Trustee of various Morgan Stanley Funds (since August 2006); formerly, Vice Chair of the Boards of various Morgan Stanley Funds (January 2020-August 2020); President and Chief Executive Officer of General Motors Asset Management; Chairman and Chief Executive Officer of the GM Trust Bank and Corporate Vice President of General Motors Corporation (August 1994-December 2005).

 

79

 

Formerly, Director of Legg Mason, Inc. (2006-2019); and Director of the Auburn University Foundation (2010-2015).

 

*  This is the earliest date the Director began serving the Morgan Stanley Funds. Each Director serves an indefinite term, until his or her successor is elected.

**  The Fund Complex includes (as of December 31, 2020) all open-end and closed-end funds (including all of their portfolios) advised by Morgan Stanley Investment Management Inc. (the "Adviser") and any funds that have an adviser that is an affiliated person of the Adviser (including, but not limited to, Morgan Stanley AIP GP LP).

***  This includes any directorships at public companies and registered investment companies held by the Director at any time during the past five years.


33



Morgan Stanley Institutional Fund, Inc.

Annual Report — December 31, 2020

Director and Officer Information (unaudited) (cont'd)

Executive Officers:

Name, Address and
Birth Year of Executive Officer
  Position(s) Held
with
Registrant
  Length of
Time Served*
 

Principal Occupation(s) During Past 5 Years

 
John H. Gernon
522 Fifth Avenue
New York, NY 10036
Birth Year: 1963
 

President and Principal Executive Officer

 

Since September 2013

 

President and Principal Executive Officer of the Equity and Fixed Income Funds and the Morgan Stanley AIP Funds (since September 2013) and the Liquidity Funds and various money market funds (since May 2014) in the Fund Complex; Managing Director of the Adviser; Head of Public Markets Product Development (since 2006).

 
Timothy J. Knierim
1633 Broadway
New York, NY 10019
Birth Year: 1959
 

Chief Compliance Officer

 

Since December 2016

 

Managing Director of the Adviser and various entities affiliated with the Adviser; Chief Compliance Officer of various Morgan Stanley Funds and the Adviser (since December 2016) and Chief Compliance Officer of Morgan Stanley AIP GP LP (since 2014). Formerly, Managing Director and Deputy Chief Compliance Officer of the Adviser (2014-2016).

 
Francis J. Smith
522 Fifth Avenue
New York, NY 10036
Birth Year: 1965
 

Treasurer and Principal Financial Officer

 

Treasurer since July 2003 and Principal Financial Officer since September 2002

 

Managing Director of the Adviser and various entities affiliated with the Adviser; Treasurer (since July 2003) and Principal Financial Officer of various Morgan Stanley Funds (since September 2002).

 
Mary E. Mullin
1633 Broadway
New York, NY 10019
Birth Year: 1967
 

Secretary

 

Since June 1999

 

Managing Director of the Adviser; Secretary of various Morgan Stanley Funds (since June 1999).

 
Michael J. Key
522 Fifth Avenue
New York, NY 10036
Birth Year: 1979
 

Vice President

 

Since June 2017

 

Vice President of the Equity and Fixed Income Funds, Liquidity Funds, various money market funds and the Morgan Stanley AIP Funds in the Fund Complex (since June 2017); Executive Director of the Adviser; Head of Product Development for Equity and Fixed Income Funds (since August 2013).

 

*  This is the earliest date the officer began serving the Morgan Stanley Funds. Each officer serves a one-year term, until his or her successor is elected and qualifies.


34



Morgan Stanley Institutional Fund, Inc.

Annual Report — December 31, 2020

Adviser and Administrator

Morgan Stanley Investment Management Inc.
522 Fifth Avenue
New York, New York 10036

Distributor

Morgan Stanley Distribution, Inc.
522 Fifth Avenue
New York, New York 10036

Dividend Disbursing and Transfer Agent

DST Asset Manager Solutions, Inc.
2000 Crown Colony Drive
Quincy, Massachusetts 02169

Custodian

State Street Bank and Trust Company
One Lincoln Street
Boston, Massachusetts 02111

Legal Counsel

Dechert LLP
1095 Avenue of the Americas
New York, New York 10036

Counsel to the Independent Directors

Perkins Coie LLP
1155 Avenue of the Americas,
22nd Floor
New York, New York 10036

Independent Registered Public Accounting Firm

Ernst & Young LLP
200 Clarendon Street
Boston, Massachusetts 02116

Reporting to Shareholders

Each Morgan Stanley fund provides a complete schedule of portfolio holdings in its Semi-Annual and the Annual Reports within 60 days of the end of the fund's second and fourth fiscal quarters. The Semi-Annual and Annual Reports are filed electronically with the Securities and Exchange Commission ("SEC") on Form N-CSRS and Form N-CSR, respectively. Morgan Stanley also delivers the Semi-Annual and Annual Reports to fund shareholders and makes these reports available on its public website, www.morganstanley.com/im/shareholderreports. Each Morgan Stanley non-money market fund also files a complete schedule of portfolio holdings with the SEC for the fund's first and third fiscal quarters as an attachment to Form N-PORT. Morgan Stanley does not deliver the reports for the first and third fiscal quarters to shareholders, but makes the complete schedule of portfolio holdings for the fund's first and third fiscal quarters available on its public website. The holdings for each money market fund are also posted to the Morgan Stanley public website. You may obtain the Form N-PORT filings (as well as the Form N-CSR and N-CSRS filings) by accessing the SEC's website, www.sec.gov. You can also request copies of these materials, upon payment of a duplicating fee, by electronic request at the SEC's email address (publicinfo@sec.gov).

Proxy Voting Policies and Procedures and Proxy Voting Record

You may obtain a copy of the Company's Proxy Voting Policy and Procedures and information regarding how the Company voted proxies relating to portfolio securities during the most recent twelve-month period ended June 30, without charge, upon request, by calling toll free 1 (800) 548-7786 or by visiting our website at www.morganstanley.com/im/shareholderreports. This information is also available on the SEC's website at www.sec.gov.

This report is authorized for distribution only when preceded or accompanied by a prospectus or summary prospectus of the applicable fund of Morgan Stanley Institutional Fund, Inc., which describes in detail the fund's investment policies, risks, fees and expenses. Please read the prospectus carefully before you invest or send money. For additional information, including information regarding the investments comprising the Fund, please visit our website at www.morganstanley.com/im/shareholderreports or call toll free 1 (800) 548-7786.


35



Printed in U.S.A.
This Report has been prepared for shareholders and may be distributed to others only if preceded or accompanied by a current prospectus.

Morgan Stanley Investment Management Inc.
522 Fifth Avenue
New York, New York 10036

© 2021 Morgan Stanley. Morgan Stanley Distribution, Inc.

IFIEMSCANN
3386866 EXP 02.28.22



INVESTMENT MANAGEMENT

Morgan Stanley Institutional Fund, Inc.

Frontier Markets Portfolio

Annual Report

December 31, 2020



Morgan Stanley Institutional Fund, Inc.

Annual Report — December 31, 2020

Table of Contents

Shareholders' Letter

   

2

   

Expense Example

   

3

   

Investment Overview

   

4

   

Portfolio of Investments

   

7

   

Statement of Assets and Liabilities

   

8

   

Statement of Operations

   

10

   

Statements of Changes in Net Assets

   

11

   

Financial Highlights

   

13

   

Notes to Financial Statements

   

18

   

Report of Independent Registered Public Accounting Firm

   

24

   

Liquidity Risk Management Program

   

25

   

Federal Tax Notice

   

26

   

Privacy Notice

   

27

   

Director and Officer Information

   

30

   

This report is authorized for distribution only when preceded or accompanied by a prospectus or summary prospectus of the applicable Fund of Morgan Stanley Institutional Fund, Inc. To receive a prospectus and/or statement of additional information ("SAI"), which contains more complete information such as investment objectives, charges, expenses, policies for voting proxies, risk considerations and describes in detail each of the Fund's investment policies to the prospective investor, please call toll free 1 (800) 548-7786. Please read the prospectuses carefully before you invest or send money.

Additionally, you can access information about the Fund, including performance, characteristics and investment team commentary, through Morgan Stanley Investment Management's website: www.morganstanley.com/im/shareholderreports.

Market forecasts provided in this report may not necessarily come to pass. There is no guarantee that any sectors mentioned will continue to perform as discussed herein or that securities in such sectors will be held by the Fund in the future. There is no assurance that a fund will achieve its investment objective. Funds are subject to market risk, which is the possibility that market values of securities owned by the Fund will decline and, therefore, the value of the Fund's shares may be less than what you paid for them. Accordingly, you can lose money investing in this Fund. Please see the prospectus for more complete information on investment risks.


1



Morgan Stanley Institutional Fund, Inc.

Annual Report — December 31, 2020

Shareholders' Letter (unaudited)

Dear Shareholders,

We are pleased to provide this Annual Report, in which you will learn how your investment in Frontier Markets Portfolio (the "Fund") performed during the latest twelve-month period.

Morgan Stanley Investment Management is a client-centric, investor-led organization. Our global presence, intellectual capital, and breadth of products and services enable us to partner with investors to meet the evolving challenges of today's financial markets. We aim to deliver superior investment service and to empower our clients to make the informed decisions that help them reach their investment goals.

As always, we thank you for selecting Morgan Stanley Investment Management, and look forward to working with you in the months and years ahead.

Sincerely,

John H. Gernon
President and Principal Executive Officer

January 2021


2



Morgan Stanley Institutional Fund, Inc.

Annual Report — December 31, 2020

Expense Example (unaudited)

Frontier Markets Portfolio

As a shareholder of the Fund, you incur two types of costs: (1) transactional costs, including redemption fees; and (2) ongoing costs, which may include advisory fees, administration fees, distribution and shareholder services fees and other Fund expenses. This example is intended to help you understand your ongoing costs (in dollars) of investing in the Fund and to compare these costs with the ongoing costs of investing in other mutual funds.

This example is based on an investment of $1,000 invested at the beginning of the six-month period ended December 31, 2020 and held for the entire six-month period.

Actual Expenses

The table below provides information about actual account values and actual expenses. You may use the information in this table, 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 table under the heading entitled "Actual Expenses Paid During Period" to estimate the expenses you paid on your account during this period.

Hypothetical Example for Comparison Purposes

The table below provides information about hypothetical account values and hypothetical expenses based on the Fund's actual expense ratio and an assumed rate of return of 5% per year before expenses, which is not the Fund's actual return. The hypothetical account values and expenses may not be used to estimate the actual ending account balance or expenses you paid for the period. You may use this information to compare the ongoing costs of investing in the Fund and other funds. To do so, compare this 5% hypothetical example with the 5% hypothetical examples that appear in the shareholder reports of the other funds.

Please note that the expenses shown in the table are meant to highlight your ongoing costs only and do not reflect any transactional costs, such as sales charges (loads) and redemption fees. Therefore, the information for each class in the table is useful in comparing ongoing costs only, and will not help you determine the relative total costs of owning different funds. In addition, if these transactional costs were included, your costs would have been higher.

    Beginning
Account
Value
7/1/20
  Actual Ending
Account
Value
12/31/20
  Hypothetical
Ending Account
Value
  Actual
Expenses
Paid
During
Period*
  Hypothetical
Expenses Paid
During Period*
  Net
Expense
Ratio
During
Period**
 

Frontier Markets Portfolio Class I

 

$

1,000.00

   

$

1,248.20

   

$

1,015.58

   

$

10.74

   

$

9.63

     

1.90

%

 

Frontier Markets Portfolio Class A

   

1,000.00

     

1,246.10

     

1,013.83

     

12.70

     

11.39

     

2.25

   

Frontier Markets Portfolio Class L

   

1,000.00

     

1,243.40

     

1,011.31

     

15.51

     

13.90

     

2.75

   

Frontier Markets Portfolio Class C

   

1,000.00

     

1,241.60

     

1,010.05

     

16.90

     

15.16

     

3.00

   

Frontier Markets Portfolio Class IS

   

1,000.00

     

1,248.20

     

1,015.84

     

10.45

     

9.37

     

1.85

   

*  Expenses are calculated using each Fund Class' annualized net expense ratio (as disclosed), multiplied by the average account value over the period and multiplied by 184/366 (to reflect the most recent one-half year period).

**  Annualized.


3



Morgan Stanley Institutional Fund, Inc.

Annual Report — December 31, 2020

Investment Overview (unaudited)

Frontier Markets Portfolio

The Fund seeks long-term capital appreciation.

Performance

For the fiscal year ended December 31, 2020, the Fund's Class I shares had a total return based on net asset value and reinvestment of distributions per share of 14.02%, net of fees. The Fund's Class I shares outperformed the Fund's benchmark, the MSCI Frontier Markets Net Index (the "Index"), which returned 1.43%.

Factors Affecting Performance

•  The Index (+1.43%) underperformed the MSCI Emerging Markets Index (+18.31%) in the year ended December 31, 2020. Within the Index, Lebanon (+62.34%), Nigeria (+23.52%), Slovenia (+20.07%), Lithuania (+16.02%) and Bangladesh (+15.88%) led market returns. Jordan (–48.27%), Mauritius (–34.01%), Sri Lanka (–11.40%), Bahrain (–9.63%) and Kenya (–9.50%) were the worst performing markets.

•  The Fund's allocation to an Indonesian gaming and e-commerce company was the largest contributor to performance for the year. We believe that the Indonesian "internet economy" will likely continue to see accelerating adoption of digital entertainment in the form of gaming and continued acceleration in e-commerce. We believe e-commerce in Southeast Asia is broadly tracking China with a roughly six- to seven-year lag, and therefore we still see ample room for robust growth.

•  The Fund's allocation to a Brazilian e-commerce company also contributed strongly to returns during the year. The Fund's allocations to a Polish cybersecurity company and an Argentinian software company added to returns, as well.

•  The Fund's allocation to a digital payments company and an allocation to a financial services company in Egypt hampered returns. Our zero allocations to a Vietnamese steelmaker and a Vietnamese food conglomerate detracted from relative performance as the stocks rallied during the year.

Management Strategies

•  We remain positive on the frontier market equity asset class. Frontier markets provide exposure to large and fast-growing countries, which are set to

become future emerging markets. We continue to invest in countries we believe may be the winners of the next decade, including those benefiting from a shift out of China (Vietnam) and countries with large shares of domestic demand that are less reliant on exports (Egypt, Indonesia). The frontier market equity asset class can offer strong diversification benefits, and this diversification can be bought at historic lows in terms of current valuations relative to global equities. After a period of underperformance, we believe frontier equities are set up well to be a clear winner in the coming decade.

•  In the aftermath of the COVID-19 crisis, we expect an acceleration of several trends that were already in motion before the pandemic and for which our portfolio had already been positioned. We have long invested in the theme of greater digitization in frontier markets, and with much of the world's population now at home, the online economy has been booming, be it e-commerce, mobile gaming, digital payments or cybersecurity. Another trend is toward formalization — as consumers are looking to buy from modern retail outlets, be it groceries, health care or education, instead of more traditional "mom and pop" companies — which was already underway and is likely to pick up speed for reasons of quality, safety and pricing.

•  We are also finding attractive investment opportunities in the "100 Million Club," which we consider to be overlooked countries with large populations of over 100 million consumers: Vietnam, Indonesia, Pakistan, Bangladesh, the Philippines, Egypt and Nigeria. Over the coming decade, 125 million people will enter the labor force in these countries, and more workers means more demand for consumer goods, such as packaged food and beverages, apparel, and digital goods. While we have a number of investments in strong consumer franchises with high returns on capital in these countries, we are looking to add a few more given attractive valuations relative to what we see as a long-term secular story of rising consumer incomes. We continue to evaluate our current portfolio and any potential new entrants using our process, which screens for sustainable quality growth.


4



Morgan Stanley Institutional Fund, Inc.

Annual Report — December 31, 2020

Investment Overview (unaudited) (cont'd)

Frontier Markets Portfolio

*  Minimum Investment for Class I shares

**  Performance shown for the Fund's Class I shares reflects the performance of the common shares of Morgan Stanley Frontier Emerging Markets Fund, Inc. (the "Predecessor Fund") for periods prior to September 17, 2012.

In accordance with SEC regulations, the Fund's performance shown assumes that all recurring fees (including management fees) were deducted and all dividends and distributions were reinvested. The performance of Class A, L, C and IS shares will vary from the performance of Class I shares based upon their different inception dates and will be negatively impacted by additional fees assessed to those classes (if applicable).

Performance Compared to the MSCI Frontier Markets Net Index(1) and the Lipper Frontier Markets Funds Average(2)

    Period Ended December 31, 2020
Total Returns(3)
 
       

Average Annual

 
    One
Year
  Five
Years
  Ten
Years
  Since
Inception(8)
 
Fund — Class I Shares
w/o sales charges(4)
   

14.02

%

   

4.49

%

   

3.62

%

   

1.63

%

 
Fund — Class A Shares
w/o sales charges(5)
   

13.57

     

4.14

     

     

5.53

   
Fund — Class A Shares with
maximum 5.25% sales charges(5)
   

7.61

     

3.02

     

     

4.85

   
Fund — Class L Shares
w/o sales charges(5)
   

13.01

     

3.55

     

     

4.92

   
Fund — Class C Shares
w/o sales charges(7)
   

12.74

     

3.35

     

     

0.22

   
Fund — Class C Shares with
maximum 1.00% deferred
sales charges(7)
   

11.74

     

3.35

     

     

0.22

   
Fund — Class IS Shares
w/o sales charges(6)
   

14.02

     

4.52

     

     

1.77

   

MSCI Frontier Markets Net Index

   

1.43

     

6.25

     

3.26

     

–0.20

   
Lipper Frontier Markets Funds
Average
   

6.79

     

4.82

     

1.97

     

1.09

   

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. Performance assumes that all dividends and distributions, if any, were reinvested. For the most recent month-end performance figures, please visit www.morganstanley.com/im/shareholderreports. Investment return and principal value will fluctuate so that Fund shares, when redeemed, may be worth more or less than their original cost. Total returns do not reflect the deduction of taxes that a shareholder would pay on Fund distributions or the redemption of Fund shares. Performance of share classes will vary due to difference in sales charges and expenses.

(1)  The MSCI Frontier Markets Net Index is a free float-adjusted market capitalization index that is designed to measure equity market performance of frontier markets. The MSCI Frontier Markets Net Index currently consists of 27 frontier market country indices. The performance of the Index is calculated in U.S. dollars and assumes reinvestment of net dividends. Net total return indices reinvest dividends after the deduction of withholding taxes, using (for international indices) a tax rate applicable to non-resident institutional investors who do not benefit from double taxation treaties. The Index is unmanaged and its returns do not include any sales charges or fees. Such costs would lower performance. It is not possible to invest directly in an index.

(2)  The Lipper Frontier Markets Funds Average tracks the performance of all funds in the Lipper Frontier Markets Funds classification. The Average, which is adjusted for capital gains distributions and income dividends, is unmanaged and should not be considered an investment. As of the date of this report, the Fund was in the Lipper Frontier Markets Funds classification.

(3)  Total returns for the Fund reflect fees waived and expenses reimbursed, if applicable, by the Adviser (as defined herein). Without such waivers and reimbursements, total returns would have been lower.


5



Morgan Stanley Institutional Fund, Inc.

Annual Report — December 31, 2020

Investment Overview (unaudited) (cont'd)

Frontier Markets Portfolio

(4)  On September 17, 2012, all assets of Morgan Stanley Frontier Markets Fund, Inc. (the "Predecessor Fund") were reorganized into Class I shares of Morgan Stanley Institutional Fund, Inc. Frontier Markets Portfolio ("the Fund"). Performance shown for Class I shares reflects the performance of the shares of the Predecessor Fund for periods prior to September 17, 2012. The Predecessor Fund may have performed differently if it were an open-end fund since closed-end funds are generally not subject to the cash flow fluctuations of an open-end fund. In addition, Class I shares' returns of the Fund will differ from the Predecessor Fund as they have different expenses. The Predecessor Fund commenced operations on August 25, 2008.

(5)  Commenced offering on September 14, 2012.

(6)  Commenced offering on February 27, 2015.

(7)  Commenced offering on April 30, 2015.

(8)  For comparative purposes, average annual since inception returns listed for the Indexes refer to the inception date of Class I of the Fund, not the inception of the Index.


6



Morgan Stanley Institutional Fund, Inc.

Annual Report — December 31, 2020

Portfolio of Investments

Frontier Markets Portfolio

   

Shares

  Value
(000)
 

Common Stocks (100.4%)

 

Argentina (4.4%)

 

Globant SA (a)

   

13,316

   

$

2,898

   

Bangladesh (2.3%)

 

Brac Bank Ltd.

   

2,919,340

     

1,527

   

Egypt (8.6%)

 
Cairo Investment & Real Estate
Development Co. SAE
   

1,161,175

     

1,051

   

Commercial International Bank Egypt SAE

   

793,190

     

2,996

   

Edita Food Industries SAE

   

567,322

     

321

   
Fawry for Banking & Payment Technology
Services SAE (a)
   

576,996

     

1,233

   
     

5,601

   

Kazakhstan (5.6%)

 

Halyk Savings Bank of Kazakhstan JSC GDR

   

55,021

     

641

   

Kaspi.KZ JSC GDR (a)

   

15,453

     

1,037

   

NAC Kazatomprom JSC GDR

   

108,118

     

1,948

   
     

3,626

   

Kenya (4.9%)

 

Safaricom PLC

   

10,234,055

     

3,200

   

Kuwait (1.2%)

 

National Bank of Kuwait

   

289,848

     

801

   

Morocco (3.0%)

 

Label Vie

   

3,674

     

1,321

   

Maroc Telecom

   

20,326

     

330

   

Societe d'Exploitation des Ports

   

14,287

     

336

   
     

1,987

   

Nigeria (1.9%)

 

Nestle Nigeria PLC

   

405,894

     

1,256

   

Pakistan (2.1%)

 

MCB Bank Ltd.

   

1,177,878

     

1,384

   

Peru (2.3%)

 

Credicorp Ltd.

   

9,141

     

1,499

   

Poland (3.6%)

 
11 bit studios SA (a)    

9,688

     

1,232

   

LiveChat Software SA

   

39,717

     

1,118

   
     

2,350

   

Romania (4.6%)

 

Banca Transilvania SA

   

3,980,312

     

2,253

   
Societatea Nationala de Gaze Naturale
Romgaz SA
   

109,265

     

771

   
     

3,024

   

Russia (3.9%)

 

TCS Group Holding PLC GDR

   

76,901

     

2,530

   

Singapore (11.6%)

 

Sea Ltd. ADR (a)

   

37,971

     

7,558

   

Slovenia (3.7%)

 

Krka dd Novo mesto

   

21,787

     

2,435

   

United Arab Emirates (1.2%)

 

Network International Holdings PLC (a)

   

173,409

     

781

   
   

Shares

  Value
(000)
 

United Kingdom (4.2%)

 

Avast PLC

   

369,815

   

$

2,715

   

United States (9.6%)

 

MercadoLibre, Inc. (a)

   

3,767

     

6,311

   

Vietnam (21.7%)

 

Bank for Foreign Trade of Vietnam JSC

   

777,710

     

3,305

   

FPT Corp.

   

528,436

     

1,477

   

Mobile World Investment Corp.

   

619,463

     

3,690

   

Sai Gon Cargo Service Corp.

   

265,470

     

1,473

   

Saigon Beer Alcohol Beverage Corp.

   

169,320

     

1,430

   

Vietnam Dairy Products JSC

   

605,592

     

2,857

   
     

14,232

   

Total Common Stocks (Cost $42,901)

   

65,715

   

Short-Term Investment (0.5%)

 

Investment Company (0.5%)

 
Morgan Stanley Institutional Liquidity Funds —
Government Portfolio — Institutional Class
(See Note G) (Cost $356)
   

356,371

     

356

   

Total Investments (100.9%) (Cost $43,257) (b)(c)

   

66,071

   

Liabilities in Excess of Other Assets (–0.9%)

   

(563

)

 

Net Assets (100.0%)

 

$

65,508

   

Country assignments and aggregations are based generally on third party vendor classifications and information, and may be different from the assignments and aggregations under the policies set forth in the Fund's prospectus and/or statement of additional information relating to geographic classifications.

(a)  Non-income producing security.

(b)  The approximate fair value and percentage of net assets, $39,297,000 and 60.0%, respectively, represent the securities that have been fair valued under the fair valuation policy for international investments as described in Note A-1 within the Notes to the Financial Statements.

(c)  At December 31, 2020, the aggregate cost for federal income tax purposes is approximately $44,329,000. The aggregate gross unrealized appreciation is approximately $23,446,000 and the aggregate gross unrealized depreciation is approximately $1,708,000, resulting in net unrealized appreciation of approximately $21,738,000.

ADR  American Depositary Receipt.

GDR  Global Depositary Receipt.

Portfolio Composition

Classification

  Percentage of
Total Investments
 

Banks

   

25.6

%

 

Other*

   

23.7

   

Entertainment

   

13.3

   

Information Technology Services

   

9.7

   

Internet & Direct Marketing Retail

   

9.6

   

Food Products

   

6.7

   

Software

   

5.8

   

Specialty Retail

   

5.6

   

Total Investments

   

100.0

%

 

*  Industries and/or investment types representing less than 5% of total investments.

The accompanying notes are an integral part of the financial statements.
7



Morgan Stanley Institutional Fund, Inc.

Annual Report — December 31, 2020

Frontier Markets Portfolio

Statement of Assets and Liabilities

  December 31, 2020
(000)
 

Assets:

 

Investments in Securities of Unaffiliated Issuers, at Value (Cost $42,901)

 

$

65,715

   

Investment in Security of Affiliated Issuer, at Value (Cost $356)

   

356

   

Total Investments in Securities, at Value (Cost $43,257)

   

66,071

   

Foreign Currency, at Value (Cost $25)

   

21

   

Cash

   

21

   

Dividends Receivable

   

35

   

Receivable for Fund Shares Sold

   

18

   

Tax Reclaim Receivable

   

@

 

Receivable from Affiliate

   

@

 

Other Assets

   

63

   

Total Assets

   

66,229

   

Liabilities:

 

Payable for Advisory Fees

   

289

   

Payable for Fund Shares Redeemed

   

269

   

Payable for Custodian Fees

   

79

   

Payable for Professional Fees

   

27

   

Payable for Sub Transfer Agency Fees — Class I

   

7

   

Payable for Sub Transfer Agency Fees — Class A

   

1

   

Payable for Sub Transfer Agency Fees — Class L

   

@

 

Payable for Sub Transfer Agency Fees — Class C

   

@

 

Payable for Administration Fees

   

5

   

Payable for Transfer Agency Fees — Class I

   

2

   

Payable for Transfer Agency Fees — Class A

   

1

   

Payable for Transfer Agency Fees — Class L

   

@

 

Payable for Transfer Agency Fees — Class C

   

1

   

Payable for Transfer Agency Fees — Class IS

   

1

   

Payable for Shareholder Services Fees — Class A

   

2

   

Payable for Distribution and Shareholder Services Fees — Class L

   

@

 

Payable for Distribution and Shareholder Services Fees — Class C

   

1

   

Other Liabilities

   

36

   

Total Liabilities

   

721

   

Net Assets

 

$

65,508

   

Net Assets Consist of:

 

Paid-in-Capital

 

$

129,642

   

Total Accumulated Loss

   

(64,134

)

 

Net Assets

 

$

65,508

   

The accompanying notes are an integral part of the financial statements.
8



Morgan Stanley Institutional Fund, Inc.

Annual Report — December 31, 2020

Frontier Markets Portfolio

Statement of Assets and Liabilities (cont'd)

  December 31, 2020
(000)
 

CLASS I:

 

Net Assets

 

$

55,533

   
Shares Outstanding $0.001 par value shares of beneficial interest (unlimited shares authorized) (not in 000's)    

2,849,082

   

Net Asset Value, Offering and Redemption Price Per Share

 

$

19.49

   

CLASS A:

 

Net Assets

 

$

8,436

   
Shares Outstanding $0.001 par value shares of beneficial interest (unlimited shares authorized) (not in 000's)    

433,157

   

Net Asset Value, Redemption Price Per Share

 

$

19.47

   

Maximum Sales Load

   

5.25

%

 

Maximum Sales Charge

 

$

1.08

   

Maximum Offering Price Per Share

 

$

20.55

   

CLASS L:

 

Net Assets

 

$

378

   
Shares Outstanding $0.001 par value shares of beneficial interest (unlimited shares authorized) (not in 000's)    

19,548

   

Net Asset Value, Offering and Redemption Price Per Share

 

$

19.34

   

CLASS C:

 

Net Assets

 

$

843

   
Shares Outstanding $0.001 par value shares of beneficial interest (unlimited shares authorized) (not in 000's)    

44,382

   

Net Asset Value, Offering and Redemption Price Per Share

 

$

18.99

   

CLASS IS:

 

Net Assets

 

$

318

   
Shares Outstanding $0.001 par value shares of beneficial interest (unlimited shares authorized) (not in 000's)    

16,320

   

Net Asset Value, Offering and Redemption Price Per Share

 

$

19.49

   

@  Amount is less than $500.

The accompanying notes are an integral part of the financial statements.
9



Morgan Stanley Institutional Fund, Inc.

Annual Report — December 31, 2020

Frontier Markets Portfolio

Statement of Operations

  Year Ended
December 31, 2020
(000)
 

Investment Income:

 

Dividends from Securities of Unaffiliated Issuers (Net of $109 of Foreign Taxes Withheld)

 

$

1,662

   

Dividends from Security of Affiliated Issuer (Note G)

   

@

 

Total Investment Income

   

1,662

   

Expenses:

 

Advisory Fees (Note B)

   

956

   

Custodian Fees (Note F)

   

246

   

Sub Transfer Agency Fees — Class I

   

60

   

Sub Transfer Agency Fees — Class A

   

11

   

Sub Transfer Agency Fees — Class L

   

—-

@

 

Sub Transfer Agency Fees — Class C

   

1

   

Professional Fees

   

172

   

Registration Fees

   

70

   

Administration Fees (Note C)

   

61

   

Shareholder Services Fees — Class A (Note D)

   

21

   

Distribution and Shareholder Services Fees — Class L (Note D)

   

3

   

Distribution and Shareholder Services Fees — Class C (Note D)

   

7

   

Shareholder Reporting Fees

   

25

   

Transfer Agency Fees — Class I (Note E)

   

10

   

Transfer Agency Fees — Class A (Note E)

   

3

   

Transfer Agency Fees — Class L (Note E)

   

2

   

Transfer Agency Fees — Class C (Note E)

   

2

   

Transfer Agency Fees — Class IS (Note E)

   

2

   

Pricing Fees

   

2

   

Interest Expenses

   

41

   

Other Expenses

   

14

   

Total Expenses

   

1,709

   

Waiver of Advisory Fees (Note B)

   

(170

)

 

Reimbursement of Class Specific Expenses — Class I (Note B)

   

(37

)

 

Reimbursement of Class Specific Expenses — Class A (Note B)

   

(2

)

 

Reimbursement of Class Specific Expenses — Class L (Note B)

   

(2

)

 

Reimbursement of Class Specific Expenses — Class C (Note B)

   

(2

)

 

Reimbursement of Class Specific Expenses — Class IS (Note B)

   

(2

)

 

Rebate from Morgan Stanley Affiliate (Note G)

   

(—

@)

 

Net Expenses

   

1,494

   

Net Investment Income

   

168

   

Realized Loss:

 

Investments Sold

   

(2,959

)

 

Foreign Currency Translation

   

(355

)

 

Net Realized Loss

   

(3,314

)

 

Change in Unrealized Appreciation (Depreciation):

 

Investments

   

(3,314

)

 

Foreign Currency Translation

   

(3

)

 

Net Change in Unrealized Appreciation (Depreciation)

   

(3,317

)

 

Net Realized Loss and Change in Unrealized Appreciation (Depreciation)

   

(6,631

)

 

Net Decrease in Net Assets Resulting from Operations

 

$

(6,463

)

 

@  Amount is less than $500.

The accompanying notes are an integral part of the financial statements.
10



Morgan Stanley Institutional Fund, Inc.

Annual Report — December 31, 2020

Frontier Markets Portfolio

Statements of Changes in Net Assets

  Year Ended
December 31, 2020
(000)
  Year Ended
December 31, 2019
(000)
 

Increase (Decrease) in Net Assets:

 

Operations:

 

Net Investment Income

 

$

168

   

$

4,621

   

Net Realized Loss

   

(3,314

)

   

(477

)

 

Net Change in Unrealized Appreciation (Depreciation)

   

(3,317

)

   

23,772

   

Net Increase (Decrease) in Net Assets Resulting from Operations

   

(6,463

)

   

27,916

   

Dividends and Distributions to Shareholders:

 

Class I

   

(20

)

   

(3,717

)

 

Class A

   

(3

)

   

(261

)

 

Class L

   

(—

@)

   

(10

)

 

Class C

   

(—

@)

   

(21

)

 

Class IS

   

(—

@)

   

(46

)

 

Total Dividends and Distributions to Shareholders

   

(23

)

   

(4,055

)

 

Capital Share Transactions:(1)

 

Class I:

 

Subscribed

   

8,168

     

18,572

   

Distributions Reinvested

   

19

     

3,144

   

Redeemed

   

(71,098

)

   

(145,539

)

 

Class A:

 

Subscribed

   

708

     

5,119

   

Distributions Reinvested

   

3

     

261

   

Redeemed

   

(4,888

)

   

(31,321

)

 

Class L:

 

Distributions Reinvested

   

@

   

10

   

Redeemed

   

(229

)

   

(780

)

 

Class C:

 

Subscribed

   

40

     

29

   

Distributions Reinvested

   

@

   

21

   

Redeemed

   

(153

)

   

(977

)

 

Class IS:

 

Subscribed

   

315

     

307

   

Distributions Reinvested

   

@

   

46

   

Redeemed

   

(1,743

)

   

(3,781

)

 

Net Decrease in Net Assets Resulting from Capital Share Transactions

   

(68,858

)

   

(154,889

)

 

Redemption Fees

   

1

     

6

   

Total Decrease in Net Assets

   

(75,343

)

   

(131,022

)

 

Net Assets:

 

Beginning of Period

   

140,851

     

271,873

   

End of Period

 

$

65,508

   

$

140,851

   

The accompanying notes are an integral part of the financial statements.
11



Morgan Stanley Institutional Fund, Inc.

Annual Report — December 31, 2020

Frontier Markets Portfolio

Statements of Changes in Net Assets (cont'd)

  Year Ended
December 31, 2020
(000)
  Year Ended
December 31, 2019
(000)
 

(1)   Capital Share Transactions:

 

Class I:

 

Shares Subscribed

   

520

     

1,103

   

Shares Issued on Distributions Reinvested

   

1

     

184

   

Shares Redeemed

   

(5,028

)

   

(8,625

)

 

Net Decrease in Class I Shares Outstanding

   

(4,507

)

   

(7,338

)

 

Class A:

 

Shares Subscribed

   

45

     

299

   

Shares Issued on Distributions Reinvested

   

@@

   

15

   

Shares Redeemed

   

(314

)

   

(1,832

)

 

Net Decrease in Class A Shares Outstanding

   

(269

)

   

(1,518

)

 

Class L:

 

Shares Issued on Distributions Reinvested

   

@@

   

1

   

Shares Redeemed

   

(14

)

   

(47

)

 

Net Decrease in Class L Shares Outstanding

   

(14

)

   

(46

)

 

Class C:

 

Shares Subscribed

   

2

     

2

   

Shares Issued on Distributions Reinvested

   

@@

   

1

   

Shares Redeemed

   

(10

)

   

(59

)

 

Net Decrease in Class C Shares Outstanding

   

(8

)

   

(56

)

 

Class IS:

 

Shares Subscribed

   

20

     

18

   

Shares Issued on Distributions Reinvested

   

@@

   

3

   

Shares Redeemed

   

(96

)

   

(225

)

 

Net Decrease in Class IS Shares Outstanding

   

(76

)

   

(204

)

 

@  Amount is less than $500.

@@  Amount is less than 500 shares.

The accompanying notes are an integral part of the financial statements.
12



Morgan Stanley Institutional Fund, Inc.

Annual Report — December 31, 2020

Financial Highlights

Frontier Markets Portfolio

   

Class I

 
   

Year Ended December 31,

 

Selected Per Share Data and Ratios

 

2020

 

2019

 

2018

 

2017

 

2016(1)

 

Net Asset Value, Beginning of Period

 

$

17.10

   

$

15.63

   

$

21.02

   

$

17.39

   

$

16.98

   

Income (Loss) from Investment Operations:

 

Net Investment Income(2)

   

0.04

     

0.39

     

0.33

     

0.16

     

0.31

   

Net Realized and Unrealized Gain (Loss)

   

2.36

     

1.58

     

(5.07

)

   

3.47

     

0.33

   

Total from Investment Operations

   

2.40

     

1.97

     

(4.74

)

   

3.63

     

0.64

   

Distributions from and/or in Excess of:

 

Net Investment Income

   

(0.01

)

   

(0.50

)

   

(0.65

)

   

     

(0.23

)

 

Paid-in-Capital

   

     

     

     

     

(0.00

)(3)

 

Total Distributions

   

(0.01

)

   

(0.50

)

   

(0.65

)

   

     

(0.23

)

 

Redemption Fees

   

0.00

(3)

   

0.00

(3)

   

0.00

(3)

   

0.00

(3)

   

0.00

(3)

 

Net Asset Value, End of Period

 

$

19.49

   

$

17.10

   

$

15.63

   

$

21.02

   

$

17.39

   

Total Return(4)

   

14.02

%

   

12.53

%

   

(22.60

)%

   

20.82

%

   

3.83

%

 

Ratios to Average Net Assets and Supplemental Data:

 

Net Assets, End of Period (Thousands)

 

$

55,533

   

$

125,780

   

$

229,688

   

$

632,435

   

$

525,664

   

Ratio of Expenses Before Expense Limitation

   

2.13

%

   

1.92

%

   

N/A

     

N/A

     

1.69

%

 

Ratio of Expenses After Expense Limitation

   

1.90

%(5)(6)

   

1.90

%(5)(6)

   

1.77

%(5)

   

1.73

%(5)

   

1.67

%(5)

 

Ratio of Expenses After Expense Limitation Excluding Interest Expenses

   

1.85

%(5)

   

1.85

%(5)

   

1.76

%(5)

   

1.73

%(5)

   

N/A

   

Ratio of Net Investment Income

   

0.24

%(5)

   

2.33

%(5)

   

1.68

%(5)

   

0.82

%(5)

   

1.82

%(5)

 

Ratio of Rebate from Morgan Stanley Affiliates

   

0.00

%(7)

   

0.00

%(7)

   

0.00

%(7)

   

0.00

%(7)

   

0.00

%(7)

 

Portfolio Turnover Rate

   

56

%

   

68

%

   

61

%

   

52

%

   

30

%

 

(1)  Reflects prior period custodian out-of-pocket expenses that were reimbursed in September 2016. The amount of the reimbursement was immaterial on a per share basis and did not impact the total return of Class I shares. The Ratio of Expenses After Expense Limitation would have been 0.01% higher and the Ratio of Net Investment Income would have been 0.01% lower had the custodian not reimbursed the Fund.

(2)  Per share amount is based on average shares outstanding.

(3)  Amount is less than $0.005 per share.

(4)  Calculated based on the net asset value as of the last business day of the period.

(5)  The Ratio of Expenses After Expense Limitation and Ratio of Net Investment Income reflect the rebate of certain Fund expenses in connection with the investments in Morgan Stanley affiliates during the period. The effect of the rebate on the ratios is disclosed in the above table as "Ratio of Rebate from Morgan Stanley Affiliates."

(6)  Ratio is above the expense limitation due to interest expenses, which are not included in the determination of the expense limitation. Refer to Footnote B in the Notes to the Financial Statements.

(7)  Amount is less than 0.005%.

The accompanying notes are an integral part of the financial statements.
13



Morgan Stanley Institutional Fund, Inc.

Annual Report — December 31, 2020

Financial Highlights

Frontier Markets Portfolio

   

Class A

 
   

Year Ended December 31,

 

Selected Per Share Data and Ratios

 

2020

 

2019

 

2018

 

2017

 

2016(1)

 

Net Asset Value, Beginning of Period

 

$

17.15

   

$

15.61

   

$

20.86

   

$

17.31

   

$

16.90

   

Income (Loss) from Investment Operations:

 

Net Investment Income(2)

   

0.01

     

0.42

     

0.34

     

0.11

     

0.24

   

Net Realized and Unrealized Gain (Loss)

   

2.32

     

1.48

     

(5.10

)

   

3.44

     

0.35

   

Total from Investment Operations

   

2.33

     

1.90

     

(4.76

)

   

3.55

     

0.59

   

Distributions from and/or in Excess of:

 

Net Investment Income

   

(0.01

)

   

(0.36

)

   

(0.49

)

   

     

(0.18

)

 

Paid-in-Capital

   

     

     

     

     

(0.00

)(3)

 

Total Distributions

   

(0.01

)

   

(0.36

)

   

(0.49

)

   

     

(0.18

)

 

Redemption Fees

   

0.00

(3)

   

0.00

(3)

   

0.00

(3)

   

0.00

(3)

   

0.00

(3)

 

Net Asset Value, End of Period

 

$

19.47

   

$

17.15

   

$

15.61

   

$

20.86

   

$

17.31

   

Total Return(4)

   

13.57

%

   

12.13

%

   

(22.80

)%

   

20.39

%

   

3.49

%

 

Ratios to Average Net Assets and Supplemental Data:

 

Net Assets, End of Period (Thousands)

 

$

8,436

   

$

12,044

   

$

34,654

   

$

86,324

   

$

90,817

   

Ratio of Expenses Before Expense Limitation

   

2.44

%

   

2.23

%

   

N/A

     

N/A

     

2.03

%

 

Ratio of Expenses After Expense Limitation

   

2.26

%(5)(6)

   

2.25

%(5)(6)

   

2.07

%(5)

   

2.05

%(5)

   

2.01

%(5)

 

Ratio of Expenses After Expense Limitation Excluding Interest Expenses

   

2.20

%(5)

   

2.20

%(5)

   

2.06

%(5)

   

2.05

%(5)

   

N/A

   

Ratio of Net Investment Income

   

0.07

%(5)

   

2.48

%(5)

   

1.71

%(5)

   

0.59

%(5)

   

1.40

%(5)

 

Ratio of Rebate from Morgan Stanley Affiliates

   

0.00

%(7)

   

0.00

%(7)

   

0.00

%(7)

   

0.00

%(7)

   

0.00

%(7)

 

Portfolio Turnover Rate

   

56

%

   

68

%

   

61

%

   

52

%

   

30

%

 

(1)  Reflects prior period custodian out-of-pocket expenses that were reimbursed in September 2016. The amount of the reimbursement was immaterial on a per share basis and did not impact the total return of Class A shares. The Ratio of Expenses After Expense Limitation would have been 0.01% higher and the Ratio of Net Investment Income would have been 0.01% lower had the custodian not reimbursed the Fund.

(2)  Per share amount is based on average shares outstanding.

(3)  Amount is less than $0.005 per share.

(4)  Calculated based on the net asset value which does not reflect sales charges, if applicable, as of the last business day of the period.

(5)  The Ratio of Expenses After Expense Limitation and Ratio of Net Investment Income reflect the rebate of certain Fund expenses in connection with the investments in Morgan Stanley affiliates during the period. The effect of the rebate on the ratios is disclosed in the above table as "Ratio of Rebate from Morgan Stanley Affiliates."

(6)  Ratio is above the expense limitation due to interest expenses, which are not included in the determination of the expense limitation. Refer to Footnote B in the Notes to the Financial Statements.

(7)  Amount is less than 0.005%.

The accompanying notes are an integral part of the financial statements.
14



Morgan Stanley Institutional Fund, Inc.

Annual Report — December 31, 2020

Financial Highlights

Frontier Markets Portfolio

   

Class L

 
   

Year Ended December 31,

 

Selected Per Share Data and Ratios

 

2020

 

2019

 

2018

 

2017

 

2016(1)

 

Net Asset Value, Beginning of Period

 

$

17.11

   

$

15.59

   

$

20.65

   

$

17.25

   

$

16.79

   

Income (Loss) from Investment Operations:

 

Net Investment Income (Loss)(2)

   

(0.06

)

   

0.25

     

0.17

     

(0.02

)

   

0.15

   

Net Realized and Unrealized Gain (Loss)

   

2.30

     

1.56

     

(4.98

)

   

3.42

     

0.32

   

Total from Investment Operations

   

2.24

     

1.81

     

(4.81

)

   

3.40

     

0.47

   

Distributions from and/or in Excess of:

 

Net Investment Income

   

(0.01

)

   

(0.29

)

   

(0.25

)

   

     

(0.01

)

 

Paid-in-Capital

   

     

     

     

     

(0.00

)(3)

 

Total Distributions

   

(0.01

)

   

(0.29

)

   

(0.25

)

   

     

(0.01

)

 

Redemption Fees

   

0.00

(3)

   

0.00

(3)

   

0.00

(3)

   

0.00

(3)

   

0.00

(3)

 

Net Asset Value, End of Period

 

$

19.34

   

$

17.11

   

$

15.59

   

$

20.65

   

$

17.25

   

Total Return(4)

   

13.01

%

   

11.58

%

   

(23.19

)%

   

19.59

%

   

2.77

%

 

Ratios to Average Net Assets and Supplemental Data:

 

Net Assets, End of Period (Thousands)

 

$

378

   

$

570

   

$

1,241

   

$

2,570

   

$

2,630

   

Ratio of Expenses Before Expense Limitation

   

3.44

%

   

2.90

%

   

N/A

     

2.76

%

   

2.80

%

 

Ratio of Expenses After Expense Limitation

   

2.76

%(5)(6)

   

2.75

%(5)(6)

   

2.57

%(5)

   

2.70

%(5)

   

2.70

%(5)

 

Ratio of Expenses After Expense Limitation Excluding Interest Expenses

   

2.70

%(5)

   

2.70

%(5)

   

2.56

%(5)

   

2.70

%(5)

   

N/A

   

Ratio of Net Investment Income (Loss)

   

(0.39

)%(5)

   

1.47

%(5)

   

0.88

%(5)

   

(0.13

)%(5)

   

0.88

%(5)

 

Ratio of Rebate from Morgan Stanley Affiliates

   

0.00

%(7)

   

0.00

%(7)

   

0.00

%(7)

   

0.00

%(7)

   

0.00

%(7)

 

Portfolio Turnover Rate

   

56

%

   

68

%

   

61

%

   

52

%

   

30

%

 

(1)  Reflects prior period custodian out-of-pocket expenses that were reimbursed in September 2016. The amount of the reimbursement was immaterial on a per share basis and did not impact the total return of Class L shares. The Ratio of Expenses After Expense Limitation and the Ratio of Net Investment Income would be unchanged as the reimbursement of custodian fees was offset against expense waivers/reimbursements with no impact to net expenses or net investment income.

(2)  Per share amount is based on average shares outstanding.

(3)  Amount is less than $0.005 per share.

(4)  Calculated based on the net asset value as of the last business day of the period.

(5)  The Ratio of Expenses After Expense Limitation and Ratio of Net Investment Income (Loss) reflect the rebate of certain Fund expenses in connection with the investments in Morgan Stanley affiliates during the period. The effect of the rebate on the ratios is disclosed in the above table as "Ratio of Rebate from Morgan Stanley Affiliates."

(6)  Ratio is above the expense limitation due to interest expenses, which are not included in the determination of the expense limitation. Refer to Footnote B in the Notes to the Financial Statements.

(7)  Amount is less than 0.005%.

The accompanying notes are an integral part of the financial statements.
15



Morgan Stanley Institutional Fund, Inc.

Annual Report — December 31, 2020

Financial Highlights

Frontier Markets Portfolio

   

Class C

 
   

Year Ended December 31,

 

Selected Per Share Data and Ratios

 

2020

 

2019

 

2018

 

2017

 

2016(1)

 

Net Asset Value, Beginning of Period

 

$

16.85

   

$

15.38

   

$

20.41

   

$

17.07

   

$

16.69

   

Income (Loss) from Investment Operations:

 

Net Investment Income (Loss)(2)

   

(0.10

)

   

0.20

     

0.11

     

(0.05

)

   

0.10

   

Net Realized and Unrealized Gain (Loss)

   

2.25

     

1.56

     

(4.90

)

   

3.39

     

0.34

   

Total from Investment Operations

   

2.15

     

1.76

     

(4.79

)

   

3.34

     

0.44

   

Distributions from and/or in Excess of:

 

Net Investment Income

   

(0.01

)

   

(0.29

)

   

(0.24

)

   

     

(0.06

)

 

Paid-in-Capital

   

     

     

     

     

(0.00

)(3)

 

Total Distributions

   

(0.01

)

   

(0.29

)

   

(0.24

)

   

     

(0.06

)

 

Redemption Fees

   

0.00

(3)

   

0.00

(3)

   

0.00

(3)

   

0.00

(3)

   

0.00

(3)

 

Net Asset Value, End of Period

 

$

18.99

   

$

16.85

   

$

15.38

   

$

20.41

   

$

17.07

   

Total Return(4)

   

12.74

%

   

11.34

%

   

(23.42

)%

   

19.51

%

   

2.63

%

 

Ratios to Average Net Assets and Supplemental Data:

 

Net Assets, End of Period (Thousands)

 

$

843

   

$

877

   

$

1,657

   

$

2,857

   

$

1,925

   

Ratio of Expenses Before Expense Limitation

   

3.42

%

   

3.07

%

   

N/A

     

N/A

     

2.89

%

 

Ratio of Expenses After Expense Limitation

   

3.00

%(5)(6)

   

2.99

%(5)(6)

   

2.83

%(5)

   

2.81

%(5)

   

2.88

%(5)

 

Ratio of Expenses After Expense Limitation Excluding Interest Expenses

   

2.95

%(5)

   

2.95

%(5)

   

2.82

%(5)

   

2.81

%(5)

   

N/A

   

Ratio of Net Investment Income (Loss)

   

(0.66

)%(5)

   

1.17

%(5)

   

0.56

%(5)

   

(0.26

)%(5)

   

0.57

%(5)

 

Ratio of Rebate from Morgan Stanley Affiliates

   

0.00

%(7)

   

0.00

%(7)

   

0.00

%(7)

   

0.00

%(7)

   

0.00

%(7)

 

Portfolio Turnover Rate

   

56

%

   

68

%

   

61

%

   

52

%

   

30

%

 

(1)  Reflects prior period custodian out-of-pocket expenses that were reimbursed in September 2016. The amount of the reimbursement was immaterial on a per share basis and did not impact the total return of Class C shares. The Ratio of Expenses After Expense Limitation would have been 0.01% higher and the Ratio of Net Investment Income would have been 0.01% lower had the custodian not reimbursed the Fund.

(2)  Per share amount is based on average shares outstanding.

(3)  Amount is less than $0.005 per share.

(4)  Calculated based on the net asset value which does not reflect sales charges, if applicable, as of the last business day of the period.

(5)  The Ratio of Expenses After Expense Limitation and Ratio of Net Investment Income (Loss) reflect the rebate of certain Fund expenses in connection with the investments in Morgan Stanley affiliates during the period. The effect of the rebate on the ratios is disclosed in the above table as "Ratio of Rebate from Morgan Stanley Affiliates."

(6)  Ratio is above the expense limitation due to interest expenses, which are not included in the determination of the expense limitation. Refer to Footnote B in the Notes to the Financial Statements.

(7)  Amount is less than 0.005%.

The accompanying notes are an integral part of the financial statements.
16



Morgan Stanley Institutional Fund, Inc.

Annual Report — December 31, 2020

Financial Highlights

Frontier Markets Portfolio

   

Class IS

 
   

Year Ended December 31,

 

Selected Per Share Data and Ratios

 

2020

 

2019

 

2018

 

2017

 

2016(1)

 

Net Asset Value, Beginning of Period

 

$

17.09

   

$

15.63

   

$

21.02

   

$

17.39

   

$

16.97

   

Income (Loss) from Investment Operations:

 

Net Investment Income(2)

   

0.09

     

0.33

     

0.58

     

0.13

     

0.30

   

Net Realized and Unrealized Gain (Loss)

   

2.32

     

1.64

     

(5.33

)

   

3.50

     

0.36

   

Total from Investment Operations

   

2.41

     

1.97

     

(4.75

)

   

3.63

     

0.66

   

Distributions from and/or in Excess of:

 

Net Investment Income

   

(0.01

)

   

(0.51

)

   

(0.64

)

   

     

(0.24

)

 

Paid-in-Capital

   

     

     

     

     

(0.00

)(3)

 

Total Distributions

   

(0.01

)

   

(0.51

)

   

(0.64

)

   

     

(0.24

)

 

Redemption Fees

   

0.00

(3)

   

0.00

(3)

   

0.00

(3)

   

0.00

(3)

   

0.00

(3)

 

Net Asset Value, End of Period

 

$

19.49

   

$

17.09

   

$

15.63

   

$

21.02

   

$

17.39

   

Total Return(4)

   

14.02

%

   

12.60

%

   

(22.61

)%

   

20.83

%

   

3.88

%

 

Ratios to Average Net Assets and Supplemental Data:

 

Net Assets, End of Period (Thousands)

 

$

318

   

$

1,580

   

$

4,633

   

$

16,344

   

$

12,055

   

Ratio of Expenses Before Expense Limitation

   

2.20

%

   

1.91

%

   

N/A

     

N/A

     

1.64

%

 

Ratio of Expenses After Expense Limitation

   

1.86

%(5)(6)

   

1.85

%(5)(6)

   

1.74

%(5)

   

1.69

%(5)

   

1.62

%(5)

 

Ratio of Expenses After Expense Limitation Excluding Interest Expenses

   

1.80

%(5)

   

1.80

%(5)

   

1.73

%(5)

   

1.69

%(5)

   

N/A

   

Ratio of Net Investment Income

   

0.55

%(5)

   

1.95

%(5)

   

2.85

%(5)

   

0.65

%(5)

   

1.75

%(5)

 

Ratio of Rebate from Morgan Stanley Affiliates

   

0.00

%(7)

   

0.00

%(7)

   

0.00

%(7)

   

0.00

%(7)

   

0.00

%(7)

 

Portfolio Turnover Rate

   

56

%

   

68

%

   

61

%

   

52

%

   

30

%

 

(1)  Reflects prior period custodian out-of-pocket expenses that were reimbursed in September 2016. The amount of the reimbursement was immaterial on a per share basis and did not impact the total return of Class IS shares. The Ratio of Expenses After Expense Limitation would have been 0.01% higher and the Ratio of Net Investment Income would have been 0.01% lower had the custodian not reimbursed the Fund.

(2)  Per share amount is based on average shares outstanding.

(3)  Amount is less than $0.005 per share.

(4)  Calculated based on the net asset value as of the last business day of the period.

(5)  The Ratio of Expenses After Expense Limitation and Ratio of Net Investment Income reflect the rebate of certain Fund expenses in connection with the investments in Morgan Stanley affiliates during the period. The effect of the rebate on the ratios is disclosed in the above table as "Ratio of Rebate from Morgan Stanley Affiliates."

(6)  Ratio is above the expense limitation due to interest expenses, which are not included in the determination of the expense limitation. Refer to Footnote B in the Notes to the Financial Statements.

(7)  Amount is less than 0.005%.

The accompanying notes are an integral part of the financial statements.
17



Morgan Stanley Institutional Fund, Inc.

Annual Report — December 31, 2020

Notes to Financial Statements

Morgan Stanley Institutional Fund, Inc. (the "Company") is registered under the Investment Company Act of 1940, as amended (the "Act"), as an open-end management investment company. The Company is comprised of thirty-one separate, active, diversified and non-diversified funds (individually referred to as a "Fund," collectively as the "Funds"). The Company applies investment company accounting and reporting guidance.

The accompanying financial statements relate to the Frontier Markets Portfolio. The Fund seeks long-term capital appreciation.

The Fund offers five classes of shares — Class I, Class A, Class L, Class C and Class IS. On April 30, 2015, the Fund suspended offering of Class L shares. Existing Class L shareholders may invest through reinvestment of dividends and distributions. In addition, Class L shares of the Fund may be exchanged for Class L shares of any Morgan Stanley Multi-Class Fund, even though Class L shares are closed to investors.

A. Significant Accounting Policies: The following significant accounting policies are in conformity with U.S. generally accepted accounting principles ("GAAP"). Such policies are consistently followed by the Company in the preparation of its financial statements. GAAP may require management to make estimates and assumptions that affect the reported amounts and disclosures in the financial statements. Actual results may differ from those estimates.

1.  Security Valuation: (1) An equity portfolio security listed or traded on an exchange is valued at its latest reported sales price (or at the exchange official closing price if such exchange reports an official closing price), and if there were no sales on a given day and if there is no official exchange closing price for that day, the security is valued at the mean between the last reported bid and asked prices if such bid and asked prices are available on the relevant exchanges. If only bid prices are available then the latest bid price may be used. Listed equity securities not traded on the valuation date with no reported bid and asked prices available on the exchange are valued at the mean between the current bid and asked prices obtained from one or more reputable brokers or dealers. In cases where a security is traded on more than one exchange, the security is valued on the exchange designated as the primary market; (2) all other equity portfolio securities for which over-the-counter ("OTC") market quotations are readily available are valued at the latest reported sales price (or at the market official closing price if such market reports an official closing price), and if there was no trading in the security on a given

day and if there is no official closing price from relevant markets for that day, the security is valued at the mean between the last reported bid and asked prices if such bid and asked prices are available on the relevant markets. An unlisted equity security that does not trade on the valuation date and for which bid and asked prices from the relevant markets are unavailable is valued at the mean between the current bid and asked prices obtained from one or more reputable brokers or dealers; (3) certain portfolio securities may be valued by an outside pricing service/vendor approved by the Company's Board of Directors (the "Directors"). The pricing service/vendor may employ a pricing model that takes into account, among other things, bids, yield spreads and/or other market data and specific security characteristics. Alternatively, if a valuation is not available from an outside pricing service/vendor, and the security trades on an exchange, the security may be valued at its latest reported sale price (or at the exchange official closing price if such exchange reports an official closing price), prior to the time when assets are valued. If there are no sales on a given day and if there is no official exchange closing price for that day, the security is valued at the mean between the last reported bid and asked prices if such bid and asked prices are available in the relevant exchanges. If only bid prices are available then the latest bid price may be used. If Morgan Stanley Investment Management Inc. (the "Adviser"), a wholly-owned subsidiary of Morgan Stanley, determines that the price provided by the outside pricing service/vendor or exchange does not reflect the security's fair value or is unable to provide a price, prices from brokers or dealers may also be utilized. In these circumstances, the value of the security will be the mean of bid and asked prices obtained from brokers or dealers; (4) when market quotations are not readily available, including circumstances under which the Adviser 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 Directors. 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 of the New York Stock Exchange ("NYSE"). If developments occur during such periods that are expected to materially affect the value of such


18



Morgan Stanley Institutional Fund, Inc.

Annual Report — December 31, 2020

Notes to Financial Statements (cont'd)

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 Directors or by the Adviser using a pricing service and/or procedures approved by the Directors; (5) quotations of foreign portfolio securities, other assets and liabilities and forward contracts stated in foreign currency are translated into U.S. dollar equivalents at the prevailing market rates prior to the close of the NYSE; and (6) investments in mutual funds, including the Morgan Stanley Institutional Liquidity Funds, are valued at the net asset value ("NAV") as of the close of each business day.

The Directors have responsibility for determining in good faith the fair value of the investments, and the Directors may appoint others, such as the Company's Adviser or a valuation committee, to assist the Directors in determining fair value and to make the actual calculations pursuant to the fair valuation methodologies previously approved by the Directors. Under procedures approved by the Directors, the Company's Adviser has formed a Valuation Committee whose members are approved by the Directors. The Valuation Committee provides administration and oversight of the Company's valuation policies and procedures, which are reviewed at least annually by the Directors. These procedures allow the Company to utilize independent pricing services, quotations from securities and financial instrument dealers and other market sources to determine fair value.

2.  Fair Value Measurement: Financial Accounting Standards Board ("FASB") Accounting Standards CodificationTM ("ASC") 820, "Fair Value Measurement" ("ASC 820"), defines fair value as the value that the Fund would receive to sell an investment or pay to transfer a liability in a timely transaction with an independent buyer in the principal market, or in the absence of a principal market, the most advantageous market for the investment or liability. ASC 820 establishes a three-tier hierarchy to distinguish between (1) inputs that reflect the assumptions market participants would use in valuing an asset or liability developed based on market data obtained from sources independent of the reporting entity (observable inputs) and (2) inputs that reflect the reporting entity's own assumptions about the assumptions market participants would use in valuing an asset or liability developed based on the best information available in the circumstances (unobservable inputs) and to establish classification of fair value measurements for disclosure purposes. Various

inputs are used in determining the value of the Fund's investments. The inputs are summarized in the three broad levels listed below:

•  Level 1 – unadjusted quoted prices in active markets for identical investments

•  Level 2 – other significant observable inputs (including quoted prices for similar investments, interest rates, prepayment speeds, credit risk, etc.)

•  Level 3 – significant unobservable inputs including the Fund's own assumptions in determining the fair value of investments. Factors considered in making this determination may include, but are not limited to, information obtained by contacting the issuer, analysts, or the appropriate stock exchange (for exchange-traded securities), analysis of the issuer's financial statements or other available documents and, if necessary, available information concerning other securities in similar circumstances.

The inputs or methodology used for valuing securities are not necessarily an indication of the risk associated with investing in those securities and the determination of the significance of a particular input to the fair value measurement in its entirety requires judgment and considers factors specific to each security.

The following is a summary of the inputs used to value the Fund's investments as of December 31, 2020:

Investment Type

  Level 1
Unadjusted
quoted
prices
(000)
  Level 2
Other
significant
observable
inputs
(000)
  Level 3
Significant
unobservable
inputs
(000)
  Total
(000)
 

Assets:

 

Common Stocks

 

Air Freight & Logistics

 

$

   

$

1,473

   

$

   

$

1,473

   

Banks

   

1,499

     

15,437

     

     

16,936

   

Beverages

   

     

1,430

     

     

1,430

   

Consumer Finance

   

1,037

     

     

     

1,037

   
Diversified Consumer
Services
   

     

1,051

     

     

1,051

   
Diversified
Telecommunication
Services
   

     

330

     

     

330

   

Entertainment

   

7,558

     

1,232

     

     

8,790

   

Food & Staples Retailing

   

     

1,321

     

     

1,321

   

Food Products

   

     

4,434

     

     

4,434

   
Information Technology
Services
   

2,898

     

3,491

     

     

6,389

   
Internet & Direct
Marketing Retail
   

6,311

     

     

     

6,311

   


19



Morgan Stanley Institutional Fund, Inc.

Annual Report — December 31, 2020

Notes to Financial Statements (cont'd)

Investment Type

  Level 1
Unadjusted
quoted
prices
(000)
  Level 2
Other
significant
observable
inputs
(000)
  Level 3
Significant
unobservable
inputs
(000)
  Total
(000)
 

Common Stocks (cont'd)

 
Oil, Gas & Consumable
Fuels
 

$

   

$

2,719

   

$

   

$

2,719

   

Pharmaceuticals

   

     

2,435

     

     

2,435

   

Software

   

     

3,833

     

     

3,833

   

Specialty Retail

   

     

3,690

     

     

3,690

   
Transportation
Infrastructure
   

     

336

     

     

336

   
Wireless
Telecommunication
Services
   

     

3,200

     

     

3,200

   

Total Common Stocks

   

19,303

     

46,412

     

     

65,715

   

Short-Term Investment

 

Investment Company

   

356

     

     

     

356

   

Total Assets

 

$

19,659

   

$

46,412

   

$

   

$

66,071

   

Transfers between investment levels may occur as the markets fluctuate and/or the availability of data used in an investment's valuation changes.

Following is a reconciliation of investments in which significant unobservable inputs (Level 3) were used in determining fair value:

    Common
Stock
(000)
 

Beginning Balance

 

$

920

   

Purchases

   

   

Sales

   

(2,017

)

 

Amortization of discount

   

   

Transfers in

   

   

Transfers out

   

   

Corporate actions

   

   

Change in unrealized appreciation (depreciation)

   

5,952

   

Realized gains (losses)

   

(4,855

)

 

Ending Balance

 

$

   
Net change in unrealized appreciation (depreciation) from investments
still held as of December 31, 2020
 

$

   

3.  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.

Net realized gains (losses) on foreign currency transactions represent net foreign exchange gains (losses) from foreign currency forward exchange contracts, disposition of foreign currencies, currency gains (losses) realized between the trade and settlement dates on securities transactions, and the difference between the amount of investment income and foreign withholding taxes recorded on the Fund's books and the U.S. dollar equivalent amounts actually received or paid. The change in unrealized currency gains (losses) on foreign currency transactions for the period is reflected in the Statement of Operations.

A significant portion of the Fund's net assets consist of securities of issuers located in emerging markets, which are denominated in foreign currencies. Such securities may be concentrated in a limited number of countries and regions and may vary throughout the year. Changes in currency exchange rates will affect the value of securities and investment income from foreign currency denominated securities. Emerging market securities are often subject to greater price volatility, limited capitalization and liquidity, and higher rates of inflation than securities of companies based in the U.S. In addition, emerging market issuers may be subject to substantial governmental involvement in the economy and greater social, economic and political uncertainty.


20



Morgan Stanley Institutional Fund, Inc.

Annual Report — December 31, 2020

Notes to Financial Statements (cont'd)

Governmental approval for foreign investments may be required in advance of making an investment under certain circumstances in some countries, and the extent of foreign investments in domestic companies may be subject to limitation in other countries. Foreign ownership limitations also may be imposed by the charters of individual companies to prevent, among other concerns, violations of foreign investment limitations. As a result, an additional class of shares (identified as "Foreign" in the Portfolio of Investments) may be created and offered for investment. The "local" and "foreign shares" market values may differ. In the absence of trading of the foreign shares in such markets, the Fund values the foreign shares at the closing exchange price of the local shares.

4.  Redemption Fees: The Fund will assess a 2% redemption fee on Class I shares, Class A shares, Class L shares, Class C shares and Class IS shares, which is paid directly to the Fund, for shares redeemed or exchanged within thirty days of purchase, subject to certain exceptions. The redemption fee is designed to protect the Fund and its remaining shareholders from the effects of short-term trading. These fees, if any, are included in the Statements of Changes in Net Assets.

5.  Indemnifications: The Company enters into contracts that contain a variety of indemnifications. The Company's maximum exposure under these arrangements is unknown. However, the Company has not had prior claims or losses pursuant to these contracts and expects the risk of loss to be remote.

6.  Dividends and Distributions to Shareholders: Dividend income and distributions to shareholders are recorded on the ex-dividend date. Dividends from net investment income, if any, are declared and paid annually. Net realized capital gains, if any, are distributed at least annually.

7.  Security Transactions, Income and Expenses: Security transactions are accounted for on the trade date (date the order to buy or sell is executed). Realized gains and losses on the sale of investment securities are determined on the specific identified cost method. Dividend income and other distributions are recorded on the ex-dividend date (except for certain foreign dividends which may be recorded as soon as the Fund is informed of such dividends) net of applicable withholding taxes. Interest income is recognized on the accrual basis except where collec-

tion is in doubt. Discounts are accreted and premiums are amortized over the life of the respective securities. Most expenses of the Company can be directly attributed to a particular Fund. Expenses which cannot be directly attributed are apportioned among the Funds based upon relative net assets or other appropriate methods. Income, expenses (other than class specific expenses — distribution and shareholder services, transfer agency and sub transfer agency fees) and realized and unrealized gains or losses are allocated to each class of shares based upon their relative net assets.

B. Advisory Fees: The Adviser, a wholly-owned subsidiary of Morgan Stanley, provides the Fund with advisory services under the terms of an Investment Advisory Agreement, paid quarterly, at an annual rate of 1.25% of the daily net assets of the Fund.

The Adviser has agreed to reduce its advisory fee and/or reimburse the Fund so that total annual Fund operating expenses, excluding certain investment related expenses, taxes, interest and other extraordinary expenses (including litigation), will not exceed 1.85% for Class I shares, 2.20% for Class A shares, 2.70% for Class L shares, 2.95% for Class C shares and 1.80% for Class IS shares. The fee waivers and/or expense reimbursements will continue for at least one year from the date of the Fund's prospectus or until such time as the Directors act to discontinue all or a portion of such waivers and/or reimbursements when they deem such action is appropriate. For the year ended December 31, 2020, approximately $170,000 of advisory fees were waived and approximately $45,000 of other expenses were reimbursed by the Adviser pursuant to this arrangement.

C. Administration Fees: The Adviser also serves as Administrator to the Company and provides administrative services pursuant to an Administration Agreement for an annual fee, accrued daily and paid monthly, of 0.08% of the Fund's average daily net assets.

Under a Sub-Administration Agreement between the Administrator and State Street Bank and Trust Company ("State Street"), State Street provides certain administrative services to the Company. For such services, the Administrator pays State Street a portion of the fee the Administrator receives from the Fund.

D. Distribution and Shareholder Services Fees: Morgan Stanley Distribution, Inc. ("MSDI" or the "Distributor"), a wholly-owned subsidiary of the Adviser and an indirect subsidiary of Morgan Stanley, serves as the Company's Distrib-


21



Morgan Stanley Institutional Fund, Inc.

Annual Report — December 31, 2020

Notes to Financial Statements (cont'd)

utor of Fund shares pursuant to a Distribution Agreement. The Company has adopted a Shareholder Services Plan with respect to Class A shares pursuant to Rule 12b-1 under the Act. Under the Shareholder Services Plan, the Fund pays the Distributor a shareholder services fee, accrued daily and paid monthly, at an annual rate of 0.25% of the Fund's average daily net assets attributable to Class A shares.

The Company has adopted a Distribution and Shareholder Services Plan with respect to Class L shares pursuant to Rule 12b-1 under the Act. Under the Distribution and Shareholder Services Plan, the Fund pays the Distributor a distribution fee, accrued daily and paid monthly, at an annual rate of 0.50% and a shareholder services fee, accrued daily and paid monthly, at an annual rate of 0.25% of the Fund's average daily net assets attributable to Class L shares.

The Company has adopted a Distribution and Shareholder Services Plan with respect to Class C shares pursuant to Rule 12b-1 under the Act. Under the Distribution and Shareholder Services Plan, the Fund pays the Distributor a distribution fee, accrued daily and paid monthly, at an annual rate of 0.75% and a shareholder services fee, accrued daily and paid monthly, at an annual rate of 0.25% of the Fund's average daily net assets attributable to Class C shares.

The distribution and shareholder services fees are used to support the expenses associated with servicing and maintaining accounts. The Distributor may compensate other parties for providing shareholder support services to investors who purchase Class A, Class L and Class C shares.

E. Dividend Disbursing and Transfer Agent: The Company's dividend disbursing and transfer agent is DST Asset Manager Solutions, Inc. ("DST"). Pursuant to a Transfer Agency Agreement, the Company pays DST a fee based on the number of classes, accounts and transactions relating to the Funds of the Company.

F. Custodian Fees: State Street (the "Custodian") also serves as Custodian for the Company in accordance with a Custodian Agreement. The Custodian holds cash, securities and other assets of the Company as required by the Act. Custody fees are payable monthly based on assets held in custody, investment purchases and sales activity and account maintenance fees, plus reimbursement for certain out-of-pocket expenses.

G. Security Transactions and Transactions with Affiliates: For the year ended December 31, 2020, purchases and sales of investment securities for the Fund, other than long-term U.S. Government securities and short-term invest-

ments were approximately $43,767,000 and $112,474,000, respectively. There were no purchases and sales of long-term U.S. Government securities for the year ended December 31, 2020.

The Fund invests in the Institutional Class of the Morgan Stanley Institutional Liquidity Funds — Government Portfolio (the "Liquidity Funds"), an open-end management investment company managed by the Adviser. Advisory fees paid by the Fund are reduced by an amount equal to its pro-rata share of the advisory and administration fees paid by the Fund due to its investment in the Liquidity Funds. For the year ended December 31, 2020, advisory fees paid were reduced by less than $500 relating to the Fund's investment in the Liquidity Funds.

A summary of the Fund's transactions in shares of affiliated investments during the year ended December 31, 2020 is as follows:

Affiliated
Investment
Company
  Value
December 31,
2019
(000)
  Purchases
at Cost
(000)
  Proceeds
from Sales
(000)
  Dividend
Income
(000)
 

Liquidity Funds

 

$

   

$

11,322

   

$

10,966

   

$

@

 
Affiliated
Investment
Company (cont'd)
  Realized
Gain (Loss)
(000)
  Change in
Unrealized
Appreciation
(Depreciation)
(000)
  Value
December 31,
2020
(000)
 

Liquidity Funds

 

$

   

$

   

$

356

   

@ Amount is less than $500.

The Fund is permitted to purchase and sell securities ("cross-trade") from and to other Morgan Stanley funds as well as other funds and client accounts for which the Adviser or an affiliate of the Adviser serves as investment adviser, pursuant to procedures approved by the Directors in compliance with Rule 17a-7 under the Act (the "Rule"). Each cross-trade is executed at the current market price in compliance with provisions of the Rule. For the year ended December 31, 2020, the Fund did not engage in any cross-trade transactions.

The Fund has an unfunded Deferred Compensation Plan (the "Compensation Plan"), which allows each independent Director to defer payment of all, or a portion, of the fees he or she receives for serving on the Board of Directors. Each eligible Director generally may elect to have the deferred amounts credited with a return equal to the total return on one or more of the Morgan Stanley funds that are offered as investment options under the Compensation Plan. Appreciation/depreciation and distributions received from these investments are recorded with an offsetting increase/decrease in the deferred compensation obligation and do not affect the NAV of the Fund.


22



Morgan Stanley Institutional Fund, Inc.

Annual Report — December 31, 2020

Notes to Financial Statements (cont'd)

H. Federal Income Taxes: It is the Fund's intention to continue to qualify as a regulated investment company and distribute all of its taxable and tax-exempt income. Accordingly, no provision for federal income taxes is required in the financial statements.

The Fund may be subject to taxes imposed by countries in which it invests. Such taxes are generally based on income and/or capital gains earned or repatriated. Taxes are accrued based on net investment income, net realized gains and net unrealized appreciation as such income and/or gains are earned. Taxes may also be based on transactions in foreign currency and are accrued based on the value of investments denominated in such currency.

FASB ASC 740-10, "Income Taxes — Overall", sets forth a minimum threshold for financial statement recognition of the benefit of a tax position taken or expected to be taken in a tax return. Management has concluded there are no significant uncertain tax positions that would require recognition in the financial statements. If applicable, the Fund recognizes interest accrued related to unrecognized tax benefits in "Interest Expense" and penalties in "Other Expenses" in the Statement of Operations. The Fund files tax returns with the U.S. Internal Revenue Service, New York and various states. Generally, each of the tax years in the four-year period ended December 31, 2020 remains subject to examination by taxing authorities.

The tax character of distributions paid may differ from the character of distributions shown for GAAP purposes due to short-term capital gains being treated as ordinary income for tax purposes. The tax character of distributions paid during fiscal years 2020 and 2019 was as follows:

2020 Distributions
Paid From:
Ordinary Income
(000)
  2019 Distributions
Paid From:
Ordinary Income
(000)
 
$

23

   

$

4,055

   

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 attributable to differing book and tax treatments for the timing of the recognition of gains (losses) on certain investment transactions and the timing of the deductibility of certain expenses.

Permanent differences, primarily due to a net operating loss, resulted in the following reclassifications among the components of net assets at December 31, 2020:

Total
Accumulated
Loss
(000)
  Paid-in
Capital
(000)
 
$

186

   

$

(186

)

 

At December 31, 2020, the Fund had no distributable earnings on a tax basis.

At December 31, 2020, the Fund had available for federal income tax purposes unused short-term capital losses of approximately $85,847,000 that do not have an expiration date.

To the extent that capital loss carryforwards are used to offset any future capital gains realized, no capital gains tax liability will be incurred by the Fund for gains realized and not distributed. To the extent that capital gains are offset, such gains will not be distributed to the shareholders.

I. Credit Facility: The Company and other Morgan Stanley funds participated in a $300,000,000 committed, unsecured revolving line of credit facility (the "Facility") with State Street. This Facility is to be used for temporary emergency purposes or funding of shareholder redemption requests. The interest rate on borrowings is based on the federal funds rate or 1 month LIBOR rate plus a spread. The Facility also has a commitment fee of 0.25% per annum based on the unused portion of the Facility. During the year ended December 31, 2020, the Fund did not have any borrowings under the Facility.

J. Other: At December 31, 2020, the Fund had record owners of 10% or greater. Investment activities of these shareholders could have a material impact on the Fund. The aggregate percentage of such owners was 53.8%.

K. Market Risk: Certain impacts to public health conditions particular to the coronavirus (COVID-19) outbreak could impact the operations and financial performance of certain of the Fund's investments. The extent of the impact to the financial performance of the Fund's investments will depend on future developments, including (i) the duration and spread of the outbreak, (ii) the restrictions and advisories, (iii) the effects on the financial markets, and (iv) the effects on the economy overall, all of which are highly uncertain and cannot be predicted. If the financial performance of the Fund's investments is impacted because of these factors for an extended period, the Fund's investment results may be adversely affected.


23



Morgan Stanley Institutional Fund, Inc.

Annual Report — December 31, 2020

Report of Independent Registered Public Accounting Firm

To the Shareholders and Board of Directors of
Morgan Stanley Institutional Fund, Inc. —
Frontier Markets Portfolio

Opinion on the Financial Statements

We have audited the accompanying statement of assets and liabilities of Frontier Markets Portfolio (the "Fund") (one of the funds constituting Morgan Stanley Institutional Fund, Inc. (the "Company")), including the portfolio of investments, as of December 31, 2020, and the related statement of operations for the year then ended, the statements of changes in net assets for each of the two years in the period then ended, the financial highlights for each of the five years in the period then ended and the related notes (collectively referred to as the "financial statements"). In our opinion, the financial statements present fairly, in all material respects, the financial position of Frontier Markets Portfolio (one of the funds constituting Morgan Stanley Institutional Fund, Inc.) at December 31, 2020, the results of its operations for the year then ended, the changes in its net assets for each of the two years in the period then ended and its financial highlights for each of the five years in the period then ended, in conformity with U.S. generally accepted accounting principles.

Basis for Opinion

These financial statements are the responsibility of the Company's management. Our responsibility is to express an opinion on the Fund's financial statements based on our audits. We are a public accounting firm registered with the Public Company Accounting Oversight Board (United States) ("PCAOB") and are required to be independent with respect to the Company in accordance with the U.S. federal securities law and the applicable rules and regulations of the Securities and Exchange Commission and the PCAOB.

We conducted our audits in accordance with the standards of the PCAOB. Those standards require that we plan and perform the audit to obtain reasonable assurance about whether the financial statements are free of material misstatement, whether due to error or fraud. The Company is not required to have, nor were we engaged to perform, an audit of the Company's internal control over financial reporting. As part of our audits, we are required to obtain an understanding of internal control over financial reporting, but not for the purpose of expressing an opinion on the effectiveness of the Company's internal control over financial reporting. Accordingly, we express no such opinion.

Our audits included performing procedures to assess the risks of material misstatement of the financial statements, whether due to error or fraud, and performing procedures that respond to those risks. Such procedures included examining, on a test basis, evidence regarding the amounts and disclosures in the financial statements. Our procedures included confirmation of securities owned as of December 31, 2020 by correspondence with the custodian and others or by other appropriate auditing procedures where replies from others were not received. Our audits also included evaluating the accounting principles used and significant estimates made by management, as well as evaluating the overall presentation of the financial statements. We believe that our audits provide a reasonable basis for our opinion.

We have served as the auditor of one or more Morgan Stanley investment companies since 2000.
Boston, Massachusetts
February 26, 2021


24



Morgan Stanley Institutional Fund, Inc.

Annual Report — December 31, 2020

Liquidity Risk Management Program (unaudited)

In compliance with Rule 22e-4 under the Investment Company Act of 1940, as amended (the "Liquidity Rule"), the Fund has adopted and implemented a liquidity risk management program (the "Program"), which is reasonably designed to assess and manage the risk that the Fund could not meet requests to redeem shares issued by the Fund without significant dilution of remaining investors' interests in the Fund (i.e., liquidity risk). The Fund's Board of Directors (the "Board") previously approved the designation of the Liquidity Risk Subcommittee (the "LRS") as Program administrator. The LRS is comprised of representatives from various divisions within Morgan Stanley Investment Management.

At a meeting held on April 22-23, 2020, the Board reviewed a written report prepared by the LRS that addressed the Program's operation and assessed its adequacy, and effectiveness of implementation for the period from December 1, 2018, through December 31, 2019, as required under the Liquidity Rule. The report concluded that the Program operated effectively and was adequately and effectively implemented in all material aspects, and that the relevant controls and safeguards were appropriately designed to enable the LRS to administer the Program in compliance with the Liquidity Rule.

In accordance with the Program, the LRS assessed each Fund's liquidity risk no less frequently than annually taking into consideration certain factors, as applicable, such as (i) investment strategy and liquidity of portfolio investments, (ii) short-term and long-term cash flow projections and (iii) holdings of cash and cash equivalents and borrowing arrangements and other funding sources. Certain factors are considered under both normal and reasonably foreseeable stressed conditions.

Each Fund portfolio investment is classified into one of four liquidity categories, which classification is assessed at least monthly by the LRS. The classification is based on a determination of the number of days it is reasonably expected to take to convert the investment into cash, or sell or dispose of the investment, in current market conditions without significantly changing the market value of the investment. Liquidity classification determinations take into account various market, trading and investment-specific considerations, as well as market depth, and in some cases utilize third-party vendor data.

The Liquidity Rule limits a fund's investments in illiquid investments to 15% of its net assets and requires funds that do not primarily hold assets that are highly liquid investments to determine and maintain a minimum percentage of the fund's net assets to be invested in highly liquid investments (highly liquid investment minimum or "HLIM"). The LRS believes that the Program includes provisions reasonably designed to review, monitor and comply with the 15% limit on illiquid investments and for determining, periodically reviewing and complying with the HLIM requirement, as applicable.

There can be no assurance that the Program will achieve its objectives under all circumstances in the future. Please refer to the Fund's prospectus for more information regarding the Fund's exposure to liquidity risk and other risks to which it may be subject.


25



Morgan Stanley Institutional Fund, Inc.

Annual Report — December 31, 2020

Federal Tax Notice (unaudited)

For federal income tax purposes, the following information is furnished with respect to the Fund's earnings for its taxable year ended December 31, 2020. When distributed, certain earnings may be subject to a maximum tax rate of 15% as provided for by the Jobs and Growth Tax Relief Reconciliation Act of 2003. The Fund designated up to a maximum of approximately $16,000 as taxable at this lower rate.

In January, the Fund provides tax information to shareholders for the preceding calendar year.


26



Morgan Stanley Institutional Fund, Inc.

Annual Report — December 31, 2020

Privacy Notice (unaudited)  April 2019

FACTS

 

WHAT DOES MSIM DO WITH YOUR PERSONAL INFORMATION?

 

Why?

 

Financial companies choose how they share your personal information. Federal law gives consumers the right to limit some but not all sharing. Federal law also requires us to tell you how we collect, share, and protect your personal information. Please read this notice carefully to understand what we do.

 

What?

  The types of personal information we collect and share depend on the product or service you have with us. This information can include:
n Social Security number and income
n investment experience and risk tolerance
n checking account number and wire transfer instructions
 

How?

 

All financial companies need to share customers' personal information to run their everyday business. In the section below, we list the reasons financial companies can share their customers' personal information; the reasons MSIM chooses to share; and whether you can limit this sharing.

 

 

Reasons we can share your personal information

 

Does MSIM share?

 

Can you limit this sharing?

 
For our everyday business purposes —
such as to process your transactions, maintain your account(s), respond to court orders and legal investigations, or report to credit bureaus
 

Yes

 

No

 
For our marketing purposes —
to offer our products and services to you
 

Yes

 

No

 

For joint marketing with other financial companies

 

No

 

We don't share

 
For our affiliates' everyday business purposes —
information about your transactions and experiences
 

Yes

 

No

 
For our affiliates' everyday business purposes —
information about your creditworthiness
 

No

 

We don't share

 

For our affiliates to market to you

 

No

 

We don't share

 

For non-affiliates to market to you

 

No

 

We don't share

 

Questions?  Call toll-free (844) 312-6327 or email: imprivacyinquiries@morganstanley.com


27



Morgan Stanley Institutional Fund, Inc.

Annual Report — December 31, 2020

Privacy Notice (unaudited) (cont'd)  April 2019

Who we are

Who is providing this notice?

 

Morgan Stanley Investment Management, Inc. and its affiliated registered investment advisers, registered broker-dealers, and registered and unregistered funds ("MSIM")

 

What we do

How does MSIM protect my personal information?

 

To protect your personal information from unauthorized access and use, we use security measures that comply with federal law. These measures include computer safeguards and secured files and buildings. We have policies governing the proper handling of customer information by personnel and requiring third parties that provide support to adhere to appropriate security standards with respect to such information.

 

How does MSIM collect my personal information?

  We collect your personal information, for example, when you
n open an account or make deposits or withdrawals from your account
n buy securities from us or make a wire transfer
n give us your contact information
We also collect your personal information from others, such as credit bureaus, affiliates, or other companies.
 

Why can't I limit all sharing?

  Federal law gives you the right to limit only
n sharing for affiliates' everyday business purposes — information about your creditworthiness
n affiliates from using your information to market to you
n sharing for non-affiliates to market to you
State laws and individual companies may give you additional rights to limit sharing. See below for more on your rights under state law.
 

Definitions

Affiliates

  Companies related by common ownership or control. They can be financial and non-financial companies.
n Our affiliates include companies with a Morgan Stanley name and financial companies such as Morgan Stanley Smith Barney LLC and Morgan Stanley & Co.
 

Non-affiliates

  Companies not related by common ownership or control. They can be financial and non-financial companies.
n MSIM does not share with non-affiliates so they can market to you.
 

Joint marketing

  A formal agreement between non-affiliated financial companies that together market financial products or services to you.
n MSIM doesn't jointly market
 


28



Morgan Stanley Institutional Fund, Inc.

Annual Report — December 31, 2020

Privacy Notice (unaudited) (cont'd)  April 2019

Other important information

Vermont: Except as permitted by law, we will not share personal information we collect about Vermont residents with Non-affiliates unless you provide us with your written consent to share such information.

California: Except as permitted by law, we will not share personal information we collect about California residents with Non-affiliates and we will limit sharing such personal information with our Affiliates to comply with California privacy laws that apply to us.


29



Morgan Stanley Institutional Fund, Inc.

Annual Report — December 31, 2020

Director and Officer Information (unaudited)

Independent Directors:

Name, Address and Birth
Year of Independent Director
  Position(s)
Held with
Registrant
  Length of Time
Served*
  Principal Occupation(s) During Past 5 Years and Other
Relevant Professional Experience
  Number of
Funds
in Fund Complex
Overseen by
Independent
Director**
  Other Directorships
Held by Independent
Director***
 
Frank L. Bowman
c/o Perkins Coie LLP
Counsel to the Independent Directors
1155 Avenue of the Americas,
22nd Floor
New York, NY 10036
Birth Year: 1944
 

Director

 

Since August 2006

 

President, Strategic Decisions, LLC (consulting) (since February 2009); Director or Trustee of various Morgan Stanley Funds (since August 2006); Chairperson of the Compliance and Insurance Committee (since October 2015); formerly, Chairperson of the Insurance Sub-Committee of the Compliance and Insurance Committee (2007-2015); served as President and Chief Executive Officer of the Nuclear Energy Institute (policy organization) (February 2005-November 2008); retired as Admiral, U.S. Navy after serving over 38 years on active duty including 8 years as Director of the Naval Nuclear Propulsion Program in the Department of the Navy and the U.S. Department of Energy (1996-2004); served as Chief of Naval Personnel (July 1994-September 1996) and on the Joint Staff as Director of Political Military Affairs (June 1992-July 1994); knighted as Honorary Knight Commander of the Most Excellent Order of the British Empire; awarded the Officier de l'Orde National du Mérite by the French Government; elected to the National Academy of Engineering (2009).

 

79

 

Director of Naval and Nuclear Technologies LLP; Director Emeritus of the Armed Services YMCA; Member of the National Security Advisory Council of the Center for U.S. Global Engagement and a member of the CNA Military Advisory Board; Trustee of Fairhaven United Methodist Church; Member of the Board of Advisors of the Dolphin Scholarship Foundation; Director of other various non-profit organizations; formerly, Director of BP plc (November 2010May 2019).

 
Kathleen A. Dennis
c/o Perkins Coie LLP
Counsel to the Independent Directors
1155 Avenue of the Americas,
22nd Floor
New York, NY 10036
Birth Year: 1953
 

Director

 

Since August 2006

 

Chairperson of the Governance Committee (January 2021), Chairperson of the Liquidity and Alternatives Sub-Committee of the Investment Committee (2006-2020); and Director or Trustee of various Morgan Stanley Funds (since August 2006); President, Cedarwood Associates (mutual fund and investment management consulting) (since July 2006); formerly, Senior Managing Director of Victory Capital Management (1993-2006).

 

79

 

Board Member, University of Albany Foundation (2012-present); Board Member, Mutual Funds Directors Forum (2014-present); Director of various non-profit organizations.

 
Nancy C. Everett
c/o Perkins Coie LLP
Counsel to the Independent Directors
1155 Avenue of the Americas,
22nd Floor
New York, NY 10036
Birth Year: 1955
 

Director

 

Since January 2015

 

Chairperson of the Equity Investment Committee (since January 2021); Director or Trustee of various Morgan Stanley Funds (since January 2015); Chief Executive Officer, Virginia Commonwealth University Investment Company (since November 2015); Owner, OBIR, LLC (institutional investment management consulting) (since June 2014); formerly, Managing Director, BlackRock, Inc. (February 2011-December 2013); and Chief Executive Officer, General Motors Asset Management (a/k/a Promark Global Advisors, Inc.) (June 2005-May 2010).

 

80

 

Formerly, Member of Virginia Commonwealth University School of Business Foundation (2005-2016); Member of Virginia Commonwealth University Board of Visitors (2013-2015); Member of Committee on Directors for Emerging Markets Growth Fund, Inc. (2007-2010); Chairperson of Performance Equity Management, LLC (2006-2010); and Chairperson, GMAM Absolute Return Strategies Fund, LLC (2006-2010).

 


30



Morgan Stanley Institutional Fund, Inc.

Annual Report — December 31, 2020

Director and Officer Information (unaudited) (cont'd)

Independent Directors (cont'd):

Name, Address and Birth
Year of Independent Director
  Position(s)
Held with
Registrant
  Length of Time
Served*
  Principal Occupation(s) During Past 5 Years and Other
Relevant Professional Experience
  Number of
Funds
in Fund Complex
Overseen by
Independent
Director**
  Other Directorships
Held by Independent
Director***
 
Jakki L. Haussler
c/o Perkins Coie LLP
Counsel to the Independent Directors
1155 Avenue of the Americas,
22nd Floor
New York, NY 10036
Birth Year: 1957
 

Director

 

Since January 2015

 

Director or Trustee of various Morgan Stanley Funds (since January 2015) Chairman, Opus Capital Group (1996); formerly, Chief Executive Officer, Opus Capital Group (1996-2019); Director, Capvest Venture Fund, LP (May 2000-December 2011); Partner, Adena Ventures, LP (July 1999-December 2010); Director, The Victory Funds (February 2005-July 2008).

 

80

 

Director of Cincinnati Bell Inc. and Member, Audit Committee and Chairman, Governance and Nominating Committee; Director of Service Corporation International and Member, Audit Committee and Investment Committee; Director of Northern Kentucky University Foundation and Member, Investment Committee; Member of Chase College of Law Transactional Law Practice Center Board of Advisors; Director of Best Transport; Director of Chase College of Law Board of Visitors; formerly, Member, University of Cincinnati Foundation Investment Committee; Member, Miami University Board of Visitors (2008-2011); Trustee of Victory Funds (2005-2008) and Chairman, Investment Committee (2007-2008); and Member, Service Provider Committee (2005-2008).

 
Dr. Manuel H. Johnson
c/o Johnson Smick International, Inc.
220 I Street, NE — Suite 200
Washington, D.C. 20002
Birth Year: 1949
 

Director

 

Since July 1991

 

Senior Partner, Johnson Smick International, Inc. (consulting firm); Chairperson of the Fixed Income, Liquidity and Alternatives Investment Committee (January 2021), Chairperson of the Investment Committee (2006-2020) and Director or Trustee of various Morgan Stanley Funds (since July 1991); Co-Chairman and a founder of the Group of Seven Council (G7C) (international economic commission); formerly, Chairperson of the Audit Committee (July 1991-September 2006), Vice Chairman of the Board of Governors of the Federal Reserve System and Assistant Secretary of the U.S. Treasury.

 

79

 

Director of NVR, Inc. (home construction).

 


31



Morgan Stanley Institutional Fund, Inc.

Annual Report — December 31, 2020

Director and Officer Information (unaudited) (cont'd)

Independent Directors (cont'd):

Name, Address and Birth
Year of Independent Director
  Position(s)
Held with
Registrant
  Length of Time
Served*
  Principal Occupation(s) During Past 5 Years and Other
Relevant Professional Experience
  Number of
Funds
in Fund Complex
Overseen by
Independent
Director**
  Other Directorships
Held by Independent
Director***
 
Joseph J. Kearns
c/o Perkins Coie LLP
Counsel to the Independent Directors
1155 Avenue of the Americas,
22nd Floor
New York, NY 10036
Birth Year: 1942
 

Director

 

Since August 1994

 

Senior Adviser, Kearns & Associates LLC (investment consulting); Chairperson of the Audit Committee (since October 2006) and Director or Trustee of various Morgan Stanley Funds (since August 1994); formerly, Deputy Chairperson of the Audit Committee (July 2003-September 2006) and Chairperson of the Audit Committee of various Morgan Stanley Funds (since August 1994); CFO of the J. Paul Getty Trust (1982-1999).

 

80

 

Director, Rubicon Investment (since February 2019); Prior to August 2016, Director of Electro Rent Corporation (equipment leasing); Prior to December 31, 2013, Director of The Ford Family Foundation.

 
Michael F. Klein
c/o Perkins Coie LLP
Counsel to the Independent Directors
1155 Avenue of the Americas,
22nd Floor
New York, NY 10036
Birth Year: 1958
 

Director

 

Since August 2006

 

Chairperson of the Risk Committee (since January 2021); Managing Director, Aetos Alternatives Management, LP (since March 2000); Co-President, Aetos Alternatives Management, LP (since January 2004) and Co-Chief Executive Officer of Aetos Alternatives Management, LP (since August 2013); Chairperson of the fixed Income Sub-Committee of the Investment committee (2006-2020) and Director or Trustee of various Morgan Stanley Funds (since August 2006); formerly, Managing Director, Morgan Stanley & Co. Inc. and Morgan Stanley Dean Witter Investment Management and President, various Morgan Stanley Funds (June 1998-March 2000); Principal, Morgan Stanley & Co. Inc. and Morgan Stanley Dean Witter Investment Management (August 1997-December 1999).

 

79

 

Director of certain investment funds managed or sponsored by Aetos Alternatives Management, LP; Director of Sanitized AG and Sanitized Marketing AG (specialty chemicals).

 
Patricia Maleski
c/o Perkins Coie LLP
Counsel to the Independent Directors
1155 Avenue of the Americas,
22nd Floor
New York, NY 10036
Birth Year: 1960
 

Director

 

Since January 2017

 

Director or Trustee of various Morgan Stanley Funds (since January 2017); Managing Director, JPMorgan Asset Management (2004-2016); Oversight and Control Head of Fiduciary and Conflicts of Interest Program (2015-2016); Chief Control Officer-Global Asset Management (2013-2015); President, JPMorgan Funds (2010-2013); Chief Administrative Officer (2004-2013); various other positions including Treasurer and Board Liaison (since 2001).

 

80

 

None.

 
W. Allen Reed
c/o Perkins Coie LLP
Counsel to the Independent Directors
1155 Avenue of the Americas,
22nd Floor
New York, NY 10036
Birth Year: 1947
 

Chair of the Board and Director

 

Chair of the Boards since August 2020 and Director since August 2006

 

Chair of the Boards of various Morgan Stanley Funds (since August 2020); Director or Trustee of various Morgan Stanley Funds (since August 2006); formerly, Vice Chair of the Boards of various Morgan Stanley Funds (January 2020-August 2020); President and Chief Executive Officer of General Motors Asset Management; Chairman and Chief Executive Officer of the GM Trust Bank and Corporate Vice President of General Motors Corporation (August 1994-December 2005).

 

79

 

Formerly, Director of Legg Mason, Inc. (2006-2019); and Director of the Auburn University Foundation (2010-2015).

 

*  This is the earliest date the Director began serving the Morgan Stanley Funds. Each Director serves an indefinite term, until his or her successor is elected.

**  The Fund Complex includes (as of December 31, 2020) all open-end and closed-end funds (including all of their portfolios) advised by Morgan Stanley Investment Management Inc. (the "Adviser") and any funds that have an adviser that is an affiliated person of the Adviser (including, but not limited to, Morgan Stanley AIP GP LP).

***  This includes any directorships at public companies and registered investment companies held by the Director at any time during the past five years.


32



Morgan Stanley Institutional Fund, Inc.

Annual Report — December 31, 2020

Director and Officer Information (unaudited) (cont'd)

Executive Officers:

Name, Address and
Birth Year of Executive Officer
  Position(s) Held
with
Registrant
  Length of
Time Served*
 

Principal Occupation(s) During Past 5 Years

 
John H. Gernon
522 Fifth Avenue
New York, NY 10036
Birth Year: 1963
 

President and Principal Executive Officer

 

Since September 2013

 

President and Principal Executive Officer of the Equity and Fixed Income Funds and the Morgan Stanley AIP Funds (since September 2013) and the Liquidity Funds and various money market funds (since May 2014) in the Fund Complex; Managing Director of the Adviser; Head of Public Markets Product Development (since 2006).

 
Timothy J. Knierim
1633 Broadway
New York, NY 10019
Birth Year: 1959
 

Chief Compliance Officer

 

Since December 2016

 

Managing Director of the Adviser and various entities affiliated with the Adviser; Chief Compliance Officer of various Morgan Stanley Funds and the Adviser (since December 2016) and Chief Compliance Officer of Morgan Stanley AIP GP LP (since 2014). Formerly, Managing Director and Deputy Chief Compliance Officer of the Adviser (2014-2016).

 
Francis J. Smith
522 Fifth Avenue
New York, NY 10036
Birth Year: 1965
 

Treasurer and Principal Financial Officer

 

Treasurer since July 2003 and Principal Financial Officer since September 2002

 

Managing Director of the Adviser and various entities affiliated with the Adviser; Treasurer (since July 2003) and Principal Financial Officer of various Morgan Stanley Funds (since September 2002).

 
Mary E. Mullin
1633 Broadway
New York, NY 10019
Birth Year: 1967
 

Secretary

 

Since June 1999

 

Managing Director of the Adviser; Secretary of various Morgan Stanley Funds (since June 1999).

 
Michael J. Key
522 Fifth Avenue
New York, NY 10036
Birth Year: 1979
 

Vice President

 

Since June 2017

 

Vice President of the Equity and Fixed Income Funds, Liquidity Funds, various money market funds and the Morgan Stanley AIP Funds in the Fund Complex (since June 2017); Executive Director of the Adviser; Head of Product Development for Equity and Fixed Income Funds (since August 2013).

 

*  This is the earliest date the officer began serving the Morgan Stanley Funds. Each officer serves a one-year term, until his or her successor is elected and qualifies.


33



Morgan Stanley Institutional Fund, Inc.

Annual Report — December 31, 2020

Adviser and Administrator

Morgan Stanley Investment Management Inc.
522 Fifth Avenue
New York, New York 10036

Distributor

Morgan Stanley Distribution, Inc.
522 Fifth Avenue
New York, New York 10036

Dividend Disbursing and Transfer Agent

DST Asset Manager Solutions, Inc.
2000 Crown Colony Drive
Quincy, Massachusetts 02169

Custodian

State Street Bank and Trust Company
One Lincoln Street
Boston, Massachusetts 02111

Legal Counsel

Dechert LLP
1095 Avenue of the Americas
New York, New York 10036

Counsel to the Independent Directors

Perkins Coie LLP
1155 Avenue of the Americas,
22nd Floor
New York, New York 10036

Independent Registered Public Accounting Firm

Ernst & Young LLP
200 Clarendon Street
Boston, Massachusetts 02116

Reporting to Shareholders

Each Morgan Stanley fund provides a complete schedule of portfolio holdings in its Semi-Annual and the Annual Reports within 60 days of the end of the fund's second and fourth fiscal quarters. The Semi-Annual and Annual Reports are filed electronically with the Securities and Exchange Commission ("SEC") on Form N-CSRS and Form N-CSR, respectively. Morgan Stanley also delivers the Semi-Annual and Annual Reports to fund shareholders and makes these reports available on its public website, www.morganstanley.com/im/shareholderreports. Each Morgan Stanley non-money market fund also files a complete schedule of portfolio holdings with the SEC for the fund's first and third fiscal quarters as an attachment to Form N-PORT. Morgan Stanley does not deliver the reports for the first and third fiscal quarters to shareholders, but makes the complete schedule of portfolio holdings for the fund's first and third fiscal quarters available on its public website. The holdings for each money market fund are also posted to the Morgan Stanley public website. You may obtain the Form N-PORT filings (as well as the Form N-CSR and N-CSRS filings) by accessing the SEC's website, www.sec.gov. You can also request copies of these materials, upon payment of a duplicating fee, by electronic request at the SEC's email address (publicinfo@sec.gov).

Proxy Voting Policies and Procedures and Proxy Voting Record

You may obtain a copy of the Company's Proxy Voting Policy and Procedures and information regarding how the Company voted proxies relating to portfolio securities during the most recent twelve-month period ended June 30, without charge, upon request, by calling toll free 1 (800) 548-7786 or by visiting our website at www.morganstanley.com/im/shareholderreports. This information is also available on the SEC's website at www.sec.gov.

This report is authorized for distribution only when preceded or accompanied by a prospectus or summary prospectus of the applicable fund of Morgan Stanley Institutional Fund, Inc., which describes in detail the fund's investment policies, risks, fees and expenses. Please read the prospectus carefully before you invest or send money. For additional information, including information regarding the investments comprising the Fund, please visit our website at www.morganstanley.com/im/shareholderreports or call toll free 1 (800) 548-7786.


34



Printed in U.S.A.
This Report has been prepared for shareholders and may be distributed to others only if preceded or accompanied by a current prospectus.

Morgan Stanley Investment Management Inc.
522 Fifth Avenue
New York, New York 10036

© 2021 Morgan Stanley. Morgan Stanley Distribution, Inc.

IFIFEMANN
3386867 EXP 02.28.22



INVESTMENT MANAGEMENT

Morgan Stanley Institutional Fund, Inc.

Global Advantage Portfolio

Annual Report

December 31, 2020



Morgan Stanley Institutional Fund, Inc.

Annual Report — December 31, 2020

Table of Contents

Shareholders' Letter

   

2

   

Expense Example

   

3

   

Investment Overview

   

4

   

Portfolio of Investments

   

6

   

Statement of Assets and Liabilities

   

8

   

Statement of Operations

   

10

   

Statements of Changes in Net Assets

   

11

   

Financial Highlights

   

12

   

Notes to Financial Statements

   

16

   

Report of Independent Registered Public Accounting Firm

   

26

   

Liquidity Risk Management Program

   

27

   

Federal Tax Notice

   

28

   

Privacy Notice

   

29

   

Director and Officer Information

   

32

   

This report is authorized for distribution only when preceded or accompanied by a prospectus or summary prospectus of the applicable Fund of Morgan Stanley Institutional Fund, Inc. To receive a prospectus and/or statement of additional information ("SAI"), which contains more complete information such as investment objectives, charges, expenses, policies for voting proxies, risk considerations and describes in detail each of the Fund's investment policies to the prospective investor, please call toll free 1 (800) 548-7786. Please read the prospectuses carefully before you invest or send money.

Additionally, you can access information about the Fund, including performance, characteristics and investment team commentary, through Morgan Stanley Investment Management's website: www.morganstanley.com/im/shareholderreports.

Market forecasts provided in this report may not necessarily come to pass. There is no guarantee that any sectors mentioned will continue to perform as discussed herein or that securities in such sectors will be held by the Fund in the future. There is no assurance that a fund will achieve its investment objective. Funds are subject to market risk, which is the possibility that market values of securities owned by the Fund will decline and, therefore, the value of the Fund's shares may be less than what you paid for them. Accordingly, you can lose money investing in this Fund. Please see the prospectus for more complete information on investment risks.


1



Morgan Stanley Institutional Fund, Inc.

Annual Report — December 31, 2020

Shareholders' Letter (unaudited)

Dear Shareholders,

We are pleased to provide this Annual Report, in which you will learn how your investment in Global Advantage Portfolio (the "Fund") performed during the latest twelve-month period.

Morgan Stanley Investment Management is a client-centric, investor-led organization. Our global presence, intellectual capital, and breadth of products and services enable us to partner with investors to meet the evolving challenges of today's financial markets. We aim to deliver superior investment service and to empower our clients to make the informed decisions that help them reach their investment goals.

As always, we thank you for selecting Morgan Stanley Investment Management, and look forward to working with you in the months and years ahead.

Sincerely,

John H. Gernon
President and Principal Executive Officer

January 2021


2



Morgan Stanley Institutional Fund, Inc.

Annual Report — December 31, 2020

Expense Example (unaudited)

Global Advantage Portfolio

As a shareholder of the Fund, you incur two types of costs: (1) transactional costs; and (2) ongoing costs, which may include advisory fees, administration fees, distribution and shareholder services fees and other Fund expenses. This example is intended to help you understand your ongoing costs (in dollars) of investing in the Fund and to compare these costs with the ongoing costs of investing in other mutual funds.

This example is based on an investment of $1,000 invested at the beginning of the six-month period ended December 31, 2020 and held for the entire six-month period.

Actual Expenses

The table below provides information about actual account values and actual expenses. You may use the information in this table, 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 table under the heading entitled "Actual Expenses Paid During Period" to estimate the expenses you paid on your account during this period.

Hypothetical Example for Comparison Purposes

The table below provides information about hypothetical account values and hypothetical expenses based on the Fund's actual expense ratio and an assumed rate of return of 5% per year before expenses, which is not the Fund's actual return. The hypothetical account values and expenses may not be used to estimate the actual ending account balance or expenses you paid for the period. You may use this information to compare the ongoing costs of investing in the Fund and other funds. To do so, compare this 5% hypothetical example with the 5% hypothetical examples that appear in the shareholder reports of the other funds.

Please note that the expenses shown in the table are meant to highlight your ongoing costs only and do not reflect any transactional costs, such as sales charges (loads). Therefore, the information for each class in the table is useful in comparing ongoing costs only, and will not help you determine the relative total costs of owning different funds. In addition, if these transactional costs were included, your costs would have been higher.

    Beginning
Account
Value
7/1/20
  Actual Ending
Account
Value
12/31/20
  Hypothetical
Ending Account
Value
  Actual
Expenses
Paid
During
Period*
  Hypothetical
Expenses Paid
During Period*
  Net
Expense
Ratio
During
Period**
 

Global Advantage Portfolio Class I

 

$

1,000.00

   

$

1,414.30

   

$

1,019.66

   

$

6.61

   

$

5.53

     

1.09

%

 

Global Advantage Portfolio Class A

   

1,000.00

     

1,412.50

     

1,018.50

     

8.00

     

6.70

     

1.32

   

Global Advantage Portfolio Class L

   

1,000.00

     

1,408.10

     

1,015.33

     

11.80

     

9.88

     

1.95

   

Global Advantage Portfolio Class C

   

1,000.00

     

1,407.30

     

1,014.73

     

12.53

     

10.48

     

2.07

   

*  Expenses are calculated using each Fund Class' annualized net expense ratio (as disclosed), multiplied by the average account value over the period and multiplied by 184/366 (to reflect the most recent one-half year period).

**  Annualized.


3



Morgan Stanley Institutional Fund, Inc.

Annual Report — December 31, 2020

Investment Overview (unaudited)

Global Advantage Portfolio

The Fund seeks long-term capital appreciation.

Performance

For the fiscal year ended December 31, 2020, the Fund's Class I shares had a total return based on net asset value and reinvestment of distributions per share of 94.98%, net of fees. The Fund's Class I shares outperformed the Fund's benchmark, the MSCI All Country World Net Index (the "Index"), which returned 16.25%.

Please keep in mind that high double-digit returns are highly unusual and cannot be sustained. Investors should also be aware that these returns were primarily achieved during favorable market conditions.

Factors Affecting Performance

•  Global equities, as measured by the Index, rose 16.25% in the year, bouncing back strongly in a year of significant volatility caused by the COVID-19 pandemic. With lockdowns and disruptions to economic activity driving much of the world economy into a deep recession, governments and central banks responded with massive fiscal and monetary stimulus. These measures helped soothe the markets, kept liquidity flowing and supported a faster-than-expected rebound in economic activity. Toward year end, positive vaccine news added to the hope that economies could normalize in 2021, while the election of U.S. President Joe Biden and the Brexit trade deal reduced other sources of market uncertainty that were prevalent in 2020.

•  Index performance was led by the information technology, consumer discretionary and communication services sectors. Energy, real estate and financials, each with negative performance for the year, were the Index's weakest performing sectors.

•  Counterpoint Global seeks high quality companies, which we define primarily as those with sustainable competitive advantages. We manage concentrated portfolios that are highly differentiated from the benchmark, with securities weighted on our assessment of the quality of the company and our conviction. The value added or detracted in any period of time will result from stock selection, given our philosophy and process. For the year, the Fund outperformed the Index.

•  The long-term investment horizon and conviction-weighted investment approach embraced by the team since 1998 can result in periods of performance deviation from the benchmark and peers. The Fund outperformed the Index in this reporting period due to favorable stock selection and, to a lesser extent, sector allocations.

•  Strong stock selection in information technology, communication services and consumer discretionary contributed the majority of the Fund's relative performance. The top contributing holding across these sectors and the whole portfolio was an e-commerce and online gaming leader in Southeast Asia. The company experienced greater efficiencies leading to a higher take rate in its online retail business, which has continued to benefit from the accelerating growth in e-commerce globally, and saw strong user growth and monetization trends in its gaming franchise.

•  Given the magnitude of the Fund's outperformance relative to the benchmark, there were no meaningful sector detractors from performance. Slight average underweights during the period in the health care and materials sectors were a marginal detractor, but the adverse impact was more than offset by the relative outperformance of our stock selection in the sectors.

Management Strategies

•  As a team, we believe having a market outlook can be an anchor. Our focus is on assessing company prospects over a five-year horizon, and owning a portfolio of unique companies whose market value we believe can increase significantly for underlying fundamental reasons.


4



Morgan Stanley Institutional Fund, Inc.

Annual Report — December 31, 2020

Investment Overview (unaudited) (cont'd)

Global Advantage Portfolio

*  Minimum Investment for Class I shares

In accordance with SEC regulations, the Fund's performance shown assumes that all recurring fees (including management fees) were deducted and all dividends and distributions were reinvested. The performance of Class A, L and C shares will vary from the performance of Class I shares based upon their different inception dates and will be negatively impacted by additional fees assessed to those classes.

Performance Compared to the MSCI All Country World Net Index(1) and the Lipper Global Multi-Cap Growth Funds Index(2)

    Period Ended December 31, 2020
Total Returns(3)
 
       

Average Annual

 
    One
Year
  Five
Years
  Ten
Years
  Since
Inception(6)
 
Fund — Class I Shares
w/o sales charges(4)
   

94.98

%

   

27.94

%

   

19.09

%

   

19.09

%

 
Fund — Class A Shares
w/o sales charges(4)
   

94.46

     

27.53

     

18.71

     

18.71

   
Fund — Class A Shares
with maximum 5.25%
sales charges(4)
   

84.29

     

26.16

     

18.08

     

18.07

   
Fund — Class L Shares
w/o sales charges(4)
   

93.38

     

26.85

     

18.10

     

18.10

   
Fund — Class C Shares
w/o sales charges(5)
   

92.97

     

26.53

     

     

22.41

   
Fund — Class C Shares
with maximum 1.00%
deferred sales charges(5)
   

91.97

     

26.53

     

     

22.41

   

MSCI All Country World Net Index

   

16.25

     

12.26

     

9.13

     

9.19

   
Lipper Global Multi-Cap Growth
Funds Index
   

36.37

     

16.21

     

10.95

     

11.01

   

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. Performance assumes that all dividends and distributions, if any, were reinvested. For the most recent month-end performance figures, please visit www.morganstanley.com/im/shareholderreports. Investment return and principal value will fluctuate so that Fund shares, when redeemed, may be worth more or less than their original cost. Total returns do not reflect the deduction of taxes that a shareholder would pay on Fund distributions or the redemption of Fund shares. Performance of share classes will vary due to difference in sales charges and expenses.

(1)  The MSCI All Country World Net Index is a free float-adjusted market capitalization weighted index designed to measure the equity market performance of developed and emerging markets. 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. Net total return indices reinvest dividends after the deduction of withholding taxes, using (for international indices) a tax rate applicable to non-resident institutional investors who do not benefit from double taxation treaties. The Index is unmanaged and its returns do not include any sales charges or fees. Such costs would lower performance. It is not possible to invest directly in an index.

(2)  The Lipper Global Multi-Cap Growth Funds Index is an equally weighted performance index of the largest qualifying funds (based on net assets) in the Lipper Global Multi-Cap Growth Funds classification. The Index, which is adjusted for capital gains distributions and income dividends, is unmanaged and should not be considered an investment. There are currently 30 funds represented in this Index. As of the date of this report, the Fund was in the Lipper Global Multi-Cap Growth Funds classification.

(3)  Total returns for the Fund reflect fees waived and expenses reimbursed, if applicable, by the Adviser (as defined herein). Without such waivers and reimbursements, total returns would have been lower.

(4)  Commenced operations on December 28, 2010.

(5)  Commenced offering on April 30, 2015.

(6)  For comparative purposes, average annual since inception returns listed for the Indexes refer to the inception date of Class I of the Fund, not the inception of the Index.


5



Morgan Stanley Institutional Fund, Inc.

Annual Report — December 31, 2020

Portfolio of Investments

Global Advantage Portfolio

   

Shares

  Value
(000)
 

Common Stocks (87.7%)

 

Australia (5.2%)

 

Afterpay Ltd. (a)

   

79,369

   

$

7,215

   

Redbubble Ltd. (a)

   

1,014,540

     

4,320

   

Xero Ltd. (a)

   

99,124

     

11,250

   
     

22,785

   

Canada (6.2%)

 

FirstService Corp.

   

48,055

     

6,577

   

Shopify, Inc., Class A (a)

   

18,291

     

20,705

   
     

27,282

   

France (4.1%)

 

Christian Dior SE

   

12,605

     

7,000

   

Hermes International

   

10,451

     

11,238

   
     

18,238

   

Germany (1.5%)

 

Zalando SE (a)

   

61,299

     

6,818

   

India (3.6%)

 

HDFC Bank Ltd. ADR (a)

   

216,033

     

15,611

   

Japan (2.6%)

 

BASE, Inc. (a)

   

74,600

     

7,061

   

Demae-Can Co., Ltd. (a)

   

138,800

     

4,235

   
     

11,296

   

Netherlands (4.5%)

 

Adyen N.V. (a)

   

8,580

     

19,936

   

Singapore (5.2%)

 

Sea Ltd. ADR (a)

   

114,092

     

22,710

   

United Kingdom (2.4%)

 

Atlassian Corp., PLC, Class A (a)

   

45,577

     

10,659

   

United States (52.4%)

 

Activision Blizzard, Inc.

   

72,231

     

6,707

   

Costco Wholesale Corp.

   

11,218

     

4,227

   

Coupa Software, Inc. (a)

   

30,675

     

10,396

   

Ecolab, Inc.

   

27,774

     

6,009

   

Farfetch Ltd., Class A (a)

   

334,047

     

21,316

   

HEICO Corp., Class A

   

45,485

     

5,325

   

IAC/InterActiveCorp (a)

   

18,347

     

3,474

   

Intercontinental Exchange, Inc.

   

23,760

     

2,739

   

Intuitive Surgical, Inc. (a)

   

19,118

     

15,640

   

Martin Marietta Materials, Inc.

   

20,246

     

5,749

   

MercadoLibre, Inc. (a)

   

12,912

     

21,630

   

Okta, Inc. (a)

   

32,078

     

8,156

   

Palantir Technologies, Inc. (a)

   

4,864

     

109

   

Royal Gold, Inc.

   

4,870

     

518

   

Royalty Pharma PLC, Class A

   

397,839

     

19,912

   

S&P Global, Inc.

   

13,554

     

4,456

   

Snowflake, Inc., Class A (a)

   

18,723

     

5,269

   

Spotify Technology SA (a)

   

64,842

     

20,403

   

Square, Inc., Class A (a)

   

70,418

     

15,326

   

Texas Pacific Land Trust

   

1,255

     

912

   

Twilio, Inc., Class A (a)

   

30,749

     

10,409

   

Twitter, Inc. (a)

   

295,623

     

16,008

   
   

Shares

  Value
(000)
 

Veeva Systems, Inc., Class A (a)

   

58,300

   

$

15,872

   

Zoom Video Communications, Inc., Class A (a)

   

28,567

     

9,636

   
     

230,198

   

Total Common Stocks (Cost $246,431)

   

385,533

   

Preferred Stocks (0.1%)

 

United States (0.1%)

 
Airbnb, Inc. Series D (a)(b)
(acquisition cost — $78; acquired 4/16/14)
   

3,834

     

518

   
Lookout, Inc. Series F (a)(b)(c)
(acquisition cost — $73; acquired 6/17/14)
   

6,374

     

20

   

Total Preferred Stocks (Cost $151)

   

538

   

Short-Term Investment (12.2%)

 

Investment Company (12.2%)

 
Morgan Stanley Institutional Liquidity
Funds — Treasury Securities Portfolio —
Institutional Class (See Note G)
(Cost $53,463)
   

53,463,141

     

53,463

   
Total Investments Excluding Purchased
Options (100.0%) (Cost $300,045)
   

439,534

   
Total Purchased Options Outstanding (0.1%)
(Cost $1,195)
   

254

   
Total Investments (100.1%)
(Cost $301,240) (d)(e)
   

439,788

   

Liabilities in Excess of Other Assets (–0.1%)

   

(644

)

 

Net Assets (100.0%)

 

$

439,144

   

Country assignments and aggregations are based generally on third party vendor classifications and information, and may be different from the assignments and aggregations under the policies set forth in the Fund's prospectus and/or statement of additional information relating to geographic classifications.

(a)  Non-income producing security.

(b)  Security cannot be offered for public resale without first being registered under the Securities Act of 1933 and related rules ("restricted security"). Acquisition date represents the day on which an enforceable right to acquire such security is obtained and is presented along with related cost in the security description. The Fund has registration rights for certain restricted securities. Any costs related to such registration are borne by the issuer. The aggregate value of restricted securities (excluding 144A holdings) at December 31, 2020 amounts to approximately $538,000 and represents 0.1% of net assets.

(c)  At December 31, 2020, the Fund held fair valued securities valued at approximately $20,000, representing less than 0.05% of net assets. These securities have been fair valued as determined in good faith under procedures established by and under the general supervision of the Company's (as defined herein) Directors.

(d)  The approximate fair value and percentage of net assets, $79,073,000 and 18.0%, respectively, represent the securities that have been fair valued under the fair valuation policy for international investments as described in Note A-1 within the Notes to the Financial Statements.

(e)  At December 31, 2020, the aggregate cost for federal income tax purposes is approximately $305,128,000. The aggregate gross unrealized appreciation is approximately $140,862,000 and the aggregate gross unrealized depreciation is approximately $6,202,000, resulting in net unrealized appreciation of approximately $134,660,000.

ADR  American Depositary Receipt.

The accompanying notes are an integral part of the financial statements.
6



Morgan Stanley Institutional Fund, Inc.

Annual Report — December 31, 2020

Portfolio of Investments (cont'd)

Global Advantage Portfolio

Call Options Purchased:

The Fund had the following call options purchased open at December 31, 2020:

Counterparty

 

Description

  Strike
Price
  Expiration
Date
  Number of
Contracts
  Notional
Amount
(000)
  Value
(000)
  Premiums
Paid
(000)
  Unrealized
Depreciation
(000)
 

BNP Paribas

  USD/CNH  

CNH

7.99

   

Sep-21

   

47,104,572

     

47,105

   

$

45

   

$

285

   

$

(240

)

 

BNP Paribas

  USD/CNH  

CNH

7.64

   

Nov-21

   

64,087,776

     

64,088

     

175

     

348

     

(173

)

 

JP Morgan Chase Bank NA

  USD/CNH  

CNH

8.10

   

Jul-21

   

53,186,867

     

53,187

     

30

     

249

     

(219

)

 

JP Morgan Chase Bank NA

  USD/CNH  

CNH

8.49

   

May-21

   

29,023,770

     

29,024

     

4

     

169

     

(165

)

 

Royal Bank of Scotland

  USD/CNH  

CNH

7.75

   

Jan-21

   

32,872,723

     

32,873

     

@

   

144

     

(144

)

 
                       

$

254

   

$

1,195

   

$

(941

)

 

@    Value is less than $500.

CNH  —  Chinese Yuan Renminbi Offshore

USD  —  United States Dollar

Portfolio Composition

Classification

  Percentage of
Total Investments
 

Other*

   

32.1

%

 

Information Technology Services

   

21.4

   

Internet & Direct Marketing Retail

   

13.4

   

Short-Term Investments

   

12.2

   

Entertainment

   

11.3

   

Software

   

9.6

   

Total Investments

   

100.0

%

 

*  Industries and/or investment types representing less than 5% of total investments.

The accompanying notes are an integral part of the financial statements.
7



Morgan Stanley Institutional Fund, Inc.

Annual Report — December 31, 2020

Global Advantage Portfolio

Statement of Assets and Liabilities

  December 31, 2020
(000)
 

Assets:

 

Investments in Securities of Unaffiliated Issuers, at Value (Cost $247,777)

 

$

386,325

   

Investment in Security of Affiliated Issuer, at Value (Cost $53,463)

   

53,463

   

Total Investments in Securities, at Value (Cost $301,240)

   

439,788

   

Foreign Currency, at Value (Cost $4)

   

4

   

Receivable for Investments Sold

   

10,565

   

Receivable for Fund Shares Sold

   

1,364

   

Tax Reclaim Receivable

   

48

   

Dividends Receivable

   

29

   

Receivable from Affiliate

   

@

 

Other Assets

   

68

   

Total Assets

   

451,866

   

Liabilities:

 

Payable for Investments Purchased

   

10,992

   

Payable for Advisory Fees

   

752

   

Due to Broker

   

560

   

Payable for Fund Shares Redeemed

   

266

   

Payable for Shareholder Services Fees — Class A

   

20

   

Payable for Distribution and Shareholder Services Fees — Class L

   

1

   

Payable for Distribution and Shareholder Services Fees — Class C

   

17

   

Payable for Sub Transfer Agency Fees — Class I

   

26

   

Payable for Sub Transfer Agency Fees — Class A

   

9

   

Payable for Sub Transfer Agency Fees — Class L

   

@

 

Payable for Sub Transfer Agency Fees — Class C

   

1

   

Payable for Administration Fees

   

29

   

Payable for Professional Fees

   

17

   

Payable for Transfer Agency Fees — Class I

   

7

   

Payable for Transfer Agency Fees — Class A

   

1

   

Payable for Transfer Agency Fees — Class L

   

@

 

Payable for Transfer Agency Fees — Class C

   

2

   

Payable for Custodian Fees

   

9

   

Other Liabilities

   

13

   

Total Liabilities

   

12,722

   

Net Assets

 

$

439,144

   

Net Assets Consist of:

 

Paid-in-Capital

 

$

263,084

   

Total Distributable Earnings

   

176,060

   

Net Assets

 

$

439,144

   

The accompanying notes are an integral part of the financial statements.
8



Morgan Stanley Institutional Fund, Inc.

Annual Report — December 31, 2020

Global Advantage Portfolio

Statement of Assets and Liabilities (cont'd)

  December 31, 2020
(000)
 

CLASS I:

 

Net Assets

 

$

314,038

   
Shares Outstanding $0.001 par value shares of beneficial interest (unlimited shares authorized) (not in 000's)    

9,282,171

   

Net Asset Value, Offering and Redemption Price Per Share

 

$

33.83

   

CLASS A:

 

Net Assets

 

$

103,550

   
Shares Outstanding $0.001 par value shares of beneficial interest (unlimited shares authorized) (not in 000's)    

3,139,322

   

Net Asset Value, Redemption Price Per Share

 

$

32.98

   

Maximum Sales Load

   

5.25

%

 

Maximum Sales Charge

 

$

1.83

   

Maximum Offering Price Per Share

 

$

34.81

   

CLASS L:

 

Net Assets

 

$

923

   
Shares Outstanding $0.001 par value shares of beneficial interest (unlimited shares authorized) (not in 000's)    

29,443

   

Net Asset Value, Offering and Redemption Price Per Share

 

$

31.34

   

CLASS C:

 

Net Assets

 

$

20,633

   
Shares Outstanding $0.001 par value shares of beneficial interest (unlimited shares authorized) (not in 000's)    

671,347

   

Net Asset Value, Offering and Redemption Price Per Share

 

$

30.73

   

@  Amount is less than $500.

The accompanying notes are an integral part of the financial statements.
9



Morgan Stanley Institutional Fund, Inc.

Annual Report — December 31, 2020

Global Advantage Portfolio

Statement of Operations

  Year Ended
December 31, 2020
(000)
 

Investment Income:

 

Dividends from Securities of Unaffiliated Issuers (Net of $20 of Foreign Taxes Withheld)

 

$

347

   

Dividends from Security of Affiliated Issuer (Note G)

   

15

   

Income from Securities Loaned — Net

   

4

   

Total Investment Income

   

366

   

Expenses:

 

Advisory Fees (Note B)

   

1,904

   

Shareholder Services Fees — Class A (Note D)

   

145

   

Distribution and Shareholder Services Fees — Class L (Note D)

   

5

   

Distribution and Shareholder Services Fees — Class C (Note D)

   

132

   

Sub Transfer Agency Fees — Class I

   

137

   

Sub Transfer Agency Fees — Class A

   

61

   

Sub Transfer Agency Fees — Class L

   

@

 

Sub Transfer Agency Fees — Class C

   

6

   

Administration Fees (Note C)

   

190

   

Professional Fees

   

124

   

Registration Fees

   

65

   

Transfer Agency Fees — Class I (Note E)

   

34

   

Transfer Agency Fees — Class A (Note E)

   

4

   

Transfer Agency Fees — Class L (Note E)

   

2

   

Transfer Agency Fees — Class C (Note E)

   

10

   

Shareholder Reporting Fees

   

29

   

Custodian Fees (Note F)

   

28

   

Directors' Fees and Expenses

   

4

   

Pricing Fees

   

3

   

Other Expenses

   

26

   

Total Expenses

   

2,909

   

Rebate from Morgan Stanley Affiliate (Note G)

   

(18

)

 

Reimbursement of Class Specific Expenses — Class L (Note B)

   

(1

)

 

Net Expenses

   

2,890

   

Net Investment Loss

   

(2,524

)

 

Realized Gain:

 

Investments Sold

   

53,472

   

Foreign Currency Translation

   

6

   

Net Realized Gain

   

53,478

   

Change in Unrealized Appreciation (Depreciation):

 

Investments

   

116,073

   

Foreign Currency Translation

   

16

   

Net Change in Unrealized Appreciation (Depreciation)

   

116,089

   

Net Realized Gain and Change in Unrealized Appreciation (Depreciation)

   

169,567

   

Net Increase in Net Assets Resulting from Operations

 

$

167,043

   

@  Amount is less than $500.

The accompanying notes are an integral part of the financial statements.
10



Morgan Stanley Institutional Fund, Inc.

Annual Report — December 31, 2020

Global Advantage Portfolio

Statements of Changes in Net Assets

  Year Ended
December 31, 2020
(000)
  Year Ended
December 31, 2019
(000)
 

Increase (Decrease) in Net Assets:

 

Operations:

 

Net Investment Loss

 

$

(2,524

)

 

$

(400

)

 

Net Realized Gain

   

53,478

     

8,401

   

Net Change in Unrealized Appreciation (Depreciation)

   

116,089

     

24,236

   

Net Increase in Net Assets Resulting from Operations

   

167,043

     

32,237

   

Dividends and Distributions to Shareholders:

 

Class I

   

(10,229

)

   

(1,881

)

 

Class A

   

(3,353

)

   

(956

)

 

Class L

   

(34

)

   

(13

)

 

Class C

   

(752

)

   

(250

)

 

Total Dividends and Distributions to Shareholders

   

(14,368

)

   

(3,100

)

 

Capital Share Transactions:(1)

 

Class I:

 

Subscribed

   

178,652

     

29,609

   

Distributions Reinvested

   

10,225

     

1,880

   

Redeemed

   

(70,645

)

   

(21,827

)

 

Class A:

 

Subscribed

   

49,117

     

10,308

   

Distributions Reinvested

   

3,353

     

955

   

Redeemed

   

(28,326

)

   

(9,908

)

 

Class L:

 

Exchanged

   

6

     

   

Distributions Reinvested

   

34

     

13

   

Redeemed

   

(112

)

   

(28

)

 

Class C:

 

Subscribed

   

5,354

     

1,557

   

Distributions Reinvested

   

752

     

250

   

Redeemed

   

(4,669

)

   

(2,463

)

 

Net Increase in Net Assets Resulting from Capital Share Transactions

   

143,741

     

10,346

   

Total Increase in Net Assets

   

296,416

     

39,483

   

Net Assets:

 

Beginning of Period

   

142,728

     

103,245

   

End of Period

 

$

439,144

   

$

142,728

   

(1)   Capital Share Transactions:

 

Class I:

 

Shares Subscribed

   

6,937

     

1,751

   

Shares Issued on Distributions Reinvested

   

305

     

106

   

Shares Redeemed

   

(2,837

)

   

(1,296

)

 

Net Increase in Class I Shares Outstanding

   

4,405

     

561

   

Class A:

 

Shares Subscribed

   

1,787

     

615

   

Shares Issued on Distributions Reinvested

   

102

     

55

   

Shares Redeemed

   

(1,229

)

   

(614

)

 

Net Increase in Class A Shares Outstanding

   

660

     

56

   

Class L:

 

Shares Exchanged

   

@@

   

   

Shares Issued on Distributions Reinvested

   

1

     

1

   

Shares Redeemed

   

(6

)

   

(2

)

 

Net Decrease in Class L Shares Outstanding

   

(5

)

   

(1

)

 

Class C:

 

Shares Subscribed

   

212

     

97

   

Shares Issued on Distributions Reinvested

   

25

     

15

   

Shares Redeemed

   

(230

)

   

(160

)

 

Net Increase (Decrease) in Class C Shares Outstanding

   

7

     

(48

)

 

@@  Amount is less than 500 shares.

The accompanying notes are an integral part of the financial statements.
11



Morgan Stanley Institutional Fund, Inc.

Annual Report — December 31, 2020

Financial Highlights

Global Advantage Portfolio

   

Class I

 
   

Year Ended December 31,

 

Selected Per Share Data and Ratios

 

2020

 

2019

 

2018

 

2017

 

2016(1)

 

Net Asset Value, Beginning of Period

 

$

17.96

   

$

13.96

   

$

15.43

   

$

12.12

   

$

12.36

   

Income (Loss) from Investment Operations:

 

Net Investment Income (Loss)(2)

   

(0.24

)

   

(0.02

)

   

(0.03

)

   

(0.03

)

   

0.00

(3)

 

Net Realized and Unrealized Gain (Loss)

   

17.29

     

4.41

     

(0.80

)

   

5.07

     

0.02

   

Total from Investment Operations

   

17.05

     

4.39

     

(0.83

)

   

5.04

     

0.02

   

Distributions from and/or in Excess of:

 

Net Realized Gain

   

(1.18

)

   

(0.39

)

   

(0.64

)

   

(1.73

)

   

(0.26

)

 

Net Asset Value, End of Period

 

$

33.83

   

$

17.96

   

$

13.96

   

$

15.43

   

$

12.12

   

Total Return(4)

   

94.98

%

   

31.49

%

   

(5.75

)%

   

41.56

%

   

0.21

%

 

Ratios to Average Net Assets and Supplemental Data:

 

Net Assets, End of Period (Thousands)

 

$

314,038

   

$

87,595

   

$

60,271

   

$

7,005

   

$

3,229

   

Ratio of Expenses Before Expense Limitation

   

N/A

     

1.21

%

   

1.82

%

   

3.67

%

   

3.82

%

 

Ratio of Expenses After Expense Limitation

   

1.09

%(5)

   

1.09

%(5)

   

1.09

%(5)

   

1.09

%(5)

   

1.09

%(5)

 

Ratio of Expenses After Expense Limitation Excluding Interest Expenses

   

N/A

     

1.09

%(5)

   

N/A

     

N/A

     

N/A

   

Ratio of Net Investment Income (Loss)

   

(0.94

)%(5)

   

(0.11

)%(5)

   

(0.19

)%(5)

   

(0.19

)%(5)

   

0.04

%(5)

 

Ratio of Rebate from Morgan Stanley Affiliates

   

0.01

%

   

0.01

%

   

0.01

%

   

0.01

%

   

0.01

%

 

Portfolio Turnover Rate

   

85

%

   

95

%

   

130

%

   

103

%

   

90

%

 

(1)  Reflects prior period custodian out-of-pocket expenses that were reimbursed in September 2016. The amount of the reimbursement was immaterial on a per share basis and did not impact the total return of Class I shares. The Ratio of Expenses After Expense Limitation and the Ratio of Net Investment Income would be unchanged as the reimbursement of custodian fees was offset against expense waivers/reimbursements with no impact to net expenses or net investment income.

(2)  Per share amount is based on average shares outstanding.

(3)  Amount is less than $0.005 per share.

(4)  Calculated based on the net asset value as of the last business day of the period.

(5)  The Ratio of Expenses After Expense Limitation and Ratio of Net Investment Income (Loss) reflect the rebate of certain Fund expenses in connection with the investments in Morgan Stanley affiliates during the period. The effect of the rebate on the ratios is disclosed in the above table as "Ratio of Rebate from Morgan Stanley Affiliates."

The accompanying notes are an integral part of the financial statements.
12



Morgan Stanley Institutional Fund, Inc.

Annual Report — December 31, 2020

Financial Highlights

Global Advantage Portfolio

   

Class A

 
   

Year Ended December 31,

 

Selected Per Share Data and Ratios

 

2020

 

2019

 

2018

 

2017

 

2016(1)

 

Net Asset Value, Beginning of Period

 

$

17.57

   

$

13.71

   

$

15.21

   

$

12.01

   

$

12.29

   

Income (Loss) from Investment Operations:

 

Net Investment Loss(2)

   

(0.29

)

   

(0.07

)

   

(0.08

)

   

(0.08

)

   

(0.05

)

 

Net Realized and Unrealized Gain (Loss)

   

16.88

     

4.32

     

(0.78

)

   

5.01

     

0.03

   

Total from Investment Operations

   

16.59

     

4.25

     

(0.86

)

   

4.93

     

(0.02

)

 

Distributions from and/or in Excess of:

 

Net Realized Gain

   

(1.18

)

   

(0.39

)

   

(0.64

)

   

(1.73

)

   

(0.26

)

 

Net Asset Value, End of Period

 

$

32.98

   

$

17.57

   

$

13.71

   

$

15.21

   

$

12.01

   

Total Return(3)

   

94.46

%

   

31.04

%

   

(6.03

)%

   

41.02

%

   

(0.11

)%

 

Ratios to Average Net Assets and Supplemental Data:

 

Net Assets, End of Period (Thousands)

 

$

103,550

   

$

43,576

   

$

33,240

   

$

4,577

   

$

2,640

   

Ratio of Expenses Before Expense Limitation

   

N/A

     

1.48

%

   

1.95

%

   

3.88

%

   

4.09

%

 

Ratio of Expenses After Expense Limitation

   

1.35

%(4)

   

1.41

%(4)

   

1.41

%(4)(5)

   

1.41

%(4)

   

1.44

%(4)

 

Ratio of Expenses After Expense Limitation Excluding Interest Expenses

   

N/A

     

1.41

%(4)

   

N/A

     

N/A

     

N/A

   

Ratio of Net Investment Loss

   

(1.20

)%(4)

   

(0.43

)%(4)

   

(0.54

)%(4)

   

(0.52

)%(4)

   

(0.38

)%(4)

 

Ratio of Rebate from Morgan Stanley Affiliates

   

0.01

%

   

0.01

%

   

0.01

%

   

0.01

%

   

0.01

%

 

Portfolio Turnover Rate

   

85

%

   

95

%

   

130

%

   

103

%

   

90

%

 

(1)  Reflects prior period custodian out-of-pocket expenses that were reimbursed in September 2016. The amount of the reimbursement was immaterial on a per share basis and did not impact the total return of Class A shares. The Ratio of Expenses After Expense Limitation and the Ratio of Net Investment Loss would be unchanged as the reimbursement of custodian fees was offset against expense waivers/reimbursements with no impact to net expenses or net investment loss.

(2)  Per share amount is based on average shares outstanding.

(3)  Calculated based on the net asset value which does not reflect sales charges, if applicable, as of the last business day of the period.

(4)  The Ratio of Expenses After Expense Limitation and Ratio of Net Investment Loss reflect the rebate of certain Fund expenses in connection with the investments in Morgan Stanley affiliates during the period. The effect of the rebate on the ratios is disclosed in the above table as "Ratio of Rebate from Morgan Stanley Affiliates."

(5)  Effective November 19, 2018, the Adviser has agreed to limit the ratio of expenses to average net assets to the maximum ratio of 1.42% for Class A shares. Prior to November 19, 2018, the maximum ratio was 1.45% for Class A shares.

The accompanying notes are an integral part of the financial statements.
13



Morgan Stanley Institutional Fund, Inc.

Annual Report — December 31, 2020

Financial Highlights

Global Advantage Portfolio

   

Class L

 
   

Year Ended December 31,

 

Selected Per Share Data and Ratios

 

2020

 

2019

 

2018

 

2017

 

2016(1)

 

Net Asset Value, Beginning of Period

 

$

16.82

   

$

13.21

   

$

14.75

   

$

11.74

   

$

12.09

   

Income (Loss) from Investment Operations:

 

Net Investment Loss(2)

   

(0.40

)

   

(0.16

)

   

(0.16

)

   

(0.15

)

   

(0.10

)

 

Net Realized and Unrealized Gain (Loss)

   

16.10

     

4.16

     

(0.74

)

   

4.89

     

0.01

   

Total from Investment Operations

   

15.70

     

4.00

     

(0.90

)

   

4.74

     

(0.09

)

 

Distributions from and/or in Excess of:

 

Net Realized Gain

   

(1.18

)

   

(0.39

)

   

(0.64

)

   

(1.73

)

   

(0.26

)

 

Net Asset Value, End of Period

 

$

31.34

   

$

16.82

   

$

13.21

   

$

14.75

   

$

11.74

   

Total Return(3)

   

93.38

%

   

30.32

%

   

(6.50

)%

   

40.34

%

   

(0.70

)%

 

Ratios to Average Net Assets and Supplemental Data:

 

Net Assets, End of Period (Thousands)

 

$

923

   

$

573

   

$

462

   

$

327

   

$

217

   

Ratio of Expenses Before Expense Limitation

   

2.09

%

   

2.16

%

   

3.29

%

   

5.07

%

   

5.12

%

 

Ratio of Expenses After Expense Limitation

   

1.94

%(4)

   

1.94

%(4)

   

1.94

%(4)

   

1.94

%(4)

   

1.94

%(4)

 

Ratio of Expenses After Expense Limitation Excluding Interest Expenses

   

N/A

     

1.94

%(4)

   

N/A

     

N/A

     

N/A

   

Ratio of Net Investment Loss

   

(1.79

)%(4)

   

(0.96

)%(4)

   

(1.03

)%(4)

   

(1.05

)%(4)

   

(0.86

)%(4)

 

Ratio of Rebate from Morgan Stanley Affiliates

   

0.01

%

   

0.01

%

   

0.01

%

   

0.01

%

   

0.01

%

 

Portfolio Turnover Rate

   

85

%

   

95

%

   

130

%

   

103

%

   

90

%

 

(1)  Reflects prior period custodian out-of-pocket expenses that were reimbursed in September 2016. The amount of the reimbursement was immaterial on a per share basis and did not impact the total return of Class L shares. The Ratio of Expenses After Expense Limitation and the Ratio of Net Investment Loss would be unchanged as the reimbursement of custodian fees was offset against expense waivers/reimbursements with no impact to net expenses or net investment loss.

(2)  Per share amount is based on average shares outstanding.

(3)  Calculated based on the net asset value as of the last business day of the period.

(4)  The Ratio of Expenses After Expense Limitation and Ratio of Net Investment Loss reflect the rebate of certain Fund expenses in connection with the investments in Morgan Stanley affiliates during the period. The effect of the rebate on the ratios is disclosed in the above table as "Ratio of Rebate from Morgan Stanley Affiliates."

The accompanying notes are an integral part of the financial statements.
14



Morgan Stanley Institutional Fund, Inc.

Annual Report — December 31, 2020

Financial Highlights

Global Advantage Portfolio

   

Class C

 
   

Year Ended December 31,

 

Selected Per Share Data and Ratios

 

2020

 

2019

 

2018

 

2017

 

2016(1)

 

Net Asset Value, Beginning of Period

 

$

16.54

   

$

13.03

   

$

14.60

   

$

11.66

   

$

12.04

   

Income (Loss) from Investment Operations:

 

Net Investment Loss(2)

   

(0.43

)

   

(0.19

)

   

(0.18

)

   

(0.19

)

   

(0.13

)

 

Net Realized and Unrealized Gain (Loss)

   

15.80

     

4.09

     

(0.75

)

   

4.86

     

0.01

   

Total from Investment Operations

   

15.37

     

3.90

     

(0.93

)

   

4.67

     

(0.12

)

 

Distributions from and/or in Excess of:

 

Net Realized Gain

   

(1.18

)

   

(0.39

)

   

(0.64

)

   

(1.73

)

   

(0.26

)

 

Net Asset Value, End of Period

 

$

30.73

   

$

16.54

   

$

13.03

   

$

14.60

   

$

11.66

   

Total Return(3)

   

92.97

%

   

29.97

%

   

(6.77

)%

   

40.02

%

   

(0.95

)%

 

Ratios to Average Net Assets and Supplemental Data:

 

Net Assets, End of Period (Thousands)

 

$

20,633

   

$

10,984

   

$

9,272

   

$

549

   

$

180

   

Ratio of Expenses Before Expense Limitation

   

N/A

     

2.24

%

   

2.70

%

   

5.22

%

   

6.12

%

 

Ratio of Expenses After Expense Limitation

   

2.11

%(4)

   

2.19

%(4)

   

2.19

%(4)

   

2.19

%(4)

   

2.19

%(4)

 

Ratio of Expenses After Expense Limitation Excluding Interest Expenses

   

N/A

     

2.19

%(4)

   

N/A

     

N/A

     

N/A

   

Ratio of Net Investment Loss

   

(1.96

)%(4)

   

(1.21

)%(4)

   

(1.29

)%(4)

   

(1.30

)%(4)

   

(1.12

)%(4)

 

Ratio of Rebate from Morgan Stanley Affiliates

   

0.01

%

   

0.01

%

   

0.01

%

   

0.01

%

   

0.01

%

 

Portfolio Turnover Rate

   

85

%

   

95

%

   

130

%

   

103

%

   

90

%

 

(1)  Reflects prior period custodian out-of-pocket expenses that were reimbursed in September 2016. The amount of the reimbursement was immaterial on a per share basis and did not impact the total return of Class C shares. The Ratio of Expenses After Expense Limitation and the Ratio of Net Investment Loss would be unchanged as the reimbursement of custodian fees was offset against expense waivers/reimbursements with no impact to net expenses or net investment loss.

(2)  Per share amount is based on average shares outstanding.

(3)  Calculated based on the net asset value which does not reflect sales charges, if applicable, as of the last business day of the period.

(4)  The Ratio of Expenses After Expense Limitation and Ratio of Net Investment Loss reflect the rebate of certain Fund expenses in connection with the investments in Morgan Stanley affiliates during the period. The effect of the rebate on the ratios is disclosed in the above table as "Ratio of Rebate from Morgan Stanley Affiliates."

The accompanying notes are an integral part of the financial statements.
15



Morgan Stanley Institutional Fund, Inc.

Annual Report — December 31, 2020

Notes to Financial Statements

Morgan Stanley Institutional Fund, Inc. (the "Company") is registered under the Investment Company Act of 1940, as amended (the "Act"), as an open-end management investment company. The Company is comprised of thirty-one separate, active, diversified and non-diversified funds (individually referred to as a "Fund," collectively as the "Funds"). The Company applies investment company accounting and reporting guidance.

The accompanying financial statements relate to the Global Advantage Portfolio. The Fund seeks long-term capital appreciation.

The Fund offers four classes of shares — Class I, Class A, Class L and Class C. On April 30, 2015, the Fund suspended offering Class L shares. Existing Class L shareholders may invest through reinvestment of dividends and distributions. In addition, Class L shares of the Fund may be exchanged for Class L shares of any Morgan Stanley Multi-Class Fund, even though Class L shares are closed to investors.

A. Significant Accounting Policies: The following significant accounting policies are in conformity with U.S. generally accepted accounting principles ("GAAP"). Such policies are consistently followed by the Company in the preparation of its financial statements. GAAP may require management to make estimates and assumptions that affect the reported amounts and disclosures in the financial statements. Actual results may differ from those estimates.

1.  Security Valuation: (1) An equity portfolio security listed or traded on an exchange is valued at its latest reported sales price (or at the exchange official closing price if such exchange reports an official closing price), and if there were no sales on a given day and if there is no official exchange closing price for that day, the security is valued at the mean between the last reported bid and asked prices if such bid and asked prices are available on the relevant exchanges. If only bid prices are available then the latest bid price may be used. Listed equity securities not traded on the valuation date with no reported bid and asked prices available on the exchange are valued at the mean between the current bid and asked prices obtained from one or more reputable brokers or dealers. In cases where a security is traded on more than one exchange, the security is valued on the exchange designated as the primary market; (2) all other equity portfolio securities for which over-the-counter ("OTC") market quotations are readily available are valued at the latest reported sales price (or at the

market official closing price if such market reports an official closing price), and if there was no trading in the security on a given day and if there is no official closing price from relevant markets for that day, the security is valued at the mean between the last reported bid and asked prices if such bid and asked prices are available on the relevant markets. An unlisted equity security that does not trade on the valuation date and for which bid and asked prices from the relevant markets are unavailable is valued at the mean between the current bid and asked prices obtained from one or more reputable brokers or dealers; (3) listed options are valued at the last reported sales price on the exchange on which they are listed (or at the exchange official closing price if such exchange reports an official closing price). If an official closing price or last reported sales price is unavailable, the listed option should be fair valued at the mean between its latest bid and ask prices. Unlisted options are valued at the mean between their latest bid and ask prices from a broker/dealer or valued by a pricing service/vendor; (4) certain portfolio securities may be valued by an outside pricing service/vendor approved by the Company's Board of Directors (the "Directors"). The pricing service/vendor may employ a pricing model that takes into account, among other things, bids, yield spreads and/or other market data and specific security characteristics. Alternatively, if a valuation is not available from an outside pricing service/vendor, and the security trades on an exchange, the security may be valued at its latest reported sale price (or at the exchange official closing price if such exchange reports an official closing price), prior to the time when assets are valued. If there are no sales on a given day and if there is no official exchange closing price for that day, the security is valued at the mean between the last reported bid and asked prices if such bid and asked prices are available in the relevant exchanges. If only bid prices are available then the latest bid price may be used. If Morgan Stanley Investment Management Inc. (the "Adviser"), a wholly-owned subsidiary of Morgan Stanley, determines that the price provided by the outside pricing service/vendor or exchange does not reflect the security's fair value or is unable to provide a price, prices from brokers or dealers may also be utilized. In these circumstances, the value of the security will be the mean of bid and asked prices obtained from brokers or dealers; (5) when market quotations are not readily available, including circumstances under which the Adviser determines that the closing price, last sale price or the mean between


16



Morgan Stanley Institutional Fund, Inc.

Annual Report — December 31, 2020

Notes to Financial Statements (cont'd)

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 Directors. 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 of the New York Stock Exchange ("NYSE"). If developments occur during such periods that are expected to materially affect the value of such securities, such valuations may be adjusted to reflect the estimated fair value of such securities as of the close of the NYSE, as determined in good faith by the Directors or by the Adviser using a pricing service and/or procedures approved by the Directors; (6) quotations of foreign portfolio securities, other assets and liabilities and forward contracts stated in foreign currency are translated into U.S. dollar equivalents at the prevailing market rates prior to the close of the NYSE; and (7) investments in mutual funds, including the Morgan Stanley Institutional Liquidity Funds, are valued at the net asset value ("NAV") as of the close of each business day.

The Directors have responsibility for determining in good faith the fair value of the investments, and the Directors may appoint others, such as the Company's Adviser or a valuation committee, to assist the Directors in determining fair value and to make the actual calculations pursuant to the fair valuation methodologies previously approved by the Directors. Under procedures approved by the Directors, the Company's Adviser has formed a Valuation Committee whose members are approved by the Directors. The Valuation Committee provides administration and oversight of the Company's valuation policies and procedures, which are reviewed at least annually by the Directors. These procedures allow the Company to utilize independent pricing services, quotations from securities and financial instrument dealers and other market sources to determine fair value.

2.  Fair Value Measurement: Financial Accounting Standards Board ("FASB") Accounting Standards CodificationTM ("ASC") 820, "Fair Value Measurement" ("ASC 820"), defines fair value as the value that the Fund would receive to sell an investment or pay to transfer a

liability in a timely transaction with an independent buyer in the principal market, or in the absence of a principal market, the most advantageous market for the investment or liability. ASC 820 establishes a three-tier hierarchy to distinguish between (1) inputs that reflect the assumptions market participants would use in valuing an asset or liability developed based on market data obtained from sources independent of the reporting entity (observable inputs) and (2) inputs that reflect the reporting entity's own assumptions about the assumptions market participants would use in valuing an asset or liability developed based on the best information available in the circumstances (unobservable inputs) and to establish classification of fair value measurements for disclosure purposes. Various inputs are used in determining the value of the Fund's investments. The inputs are summarized in the three broad levels listed below:

•  Level 1 – unadjusted quoted prices in active markets for identical investments

•  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.


17



Morgan Stanley Institutional Fund, Inc.

Annual Report — December 31, 2020

Notes to Financial Statements (cont'd)

The following is a summary of the inputs used to value the Fund's investments as of December 31, 2020:

Investment Type

  Level 1
Unadjusted
quoted
prices
(000)
  Level 2
Other
significant
observable
inputs
(000)
  Level 3
Significant
unobservable
inputs
(000)
  Total
(000)
 

Assets:

 

Common Stocks

 

Aerospace & Defense

 

$

5,325

   

$

   

$

   

$

5,325

   

Banks

   

15,611

     

     

     

15,611

   

Capital Markets

   

7,195

     

     

     

7,195

   

Chemicals

   

6,009

     

     

     

6,009

   

Construction Materials

   

5,749

     

     

     

5,749

   

Entertainment

   

49,820

     

     

     

49,820

   

Food & Staples Retailing

   

4,227

     

     

     

4,227

   
Health Care Equipment &
Supplies
   

15,640

     

     

     

15,640

   

Health Care Technology

   

15,872

     

     

     

15,872

   
Information Technology
Services
   

59,865

     

34,212

     

     

94,077

   
Interactive Media &
Services
   

19,482

     

     

     

19,482

   
Internet & Direct
Marketing Retail
   

42,946

     

15,373

     

     

58,319

   

Metals & Mining

   

518

     

     

     

518

   
Oil, Gas & Consumable
Fuels
   

912

     

     

     

912

   

Pharmaceuticals

   

19,912

     

     

     

19,912

   
Real Estate
Management &
Development
   

6,577

     

     

     

6,577

   

Software

   

30,691

     

11,359

     

     

42,050

   
Textiles, Apparel &
Luxury Goods
   

     

18,238

     

     

18,238

   

Total Common Stocks

   

306,351

     

79,182

     

     

385,533

   

Preferred Stocks

 
Internet & Direct
Marketing Retail
   

     

518

     

     

518

   

Software

   

     

     

20

     

20

   

Total Preferred Stocks

   

     

518

     

20

     

538

   

Call Options Purchased

   

     

254

     

     

254

   

Short-Term Investment

 

Investment Company

   

53,463

     

     

     

53,463

   

Total Assets

 

$

359,814

   

$

79,954

   

$

20

   

$

439,788

   

Transfers between investment levels may occur as the markets fluctuate and/or the availability of data used in an investment's valuation changes.

Following is a reconciliation of investments in which significant unobservable inputs (Level 3) were used in determining fair value:

    Preferred
Stocks
(000)
 

Beginning Balance

 

$

306

   

Purchases

   

   

Sales

   

   

Amortization of discount

   

   

Transfers in

   

   

Transfers out

   

(252

)†

 

Corporate actions

   

(38

)

 

Change in unrealized appreciation (depreciation)

   

4

   

Realized gains (losses)

   

   

Ending Balance

 

$

20

   
Net change in unrealized appreciation (depreciation) from investments
still held as of December 31, 2020
 

$

4

   

†  A security transferred out of level 3 due to an Initial Public Offering.


18



Morgan Stanley Institutional Fund, Inc.

Annual Report — December 31, 2020

Notes to Financial Statements (cont'd)

The following table presents additional information about valuation techniques and inputs used for investments that are measured at fair value and categorized within Level 3 as of December 31, 2020. Various valuation techniques were used in the valuation of certain investments and weighted based on the level of significance. The Fund calculated the weighted averages of the unobservable inputs relative to each investment's fair value as of December 31, 2020.

    Fair Value at
December 31, 2020
(000)
  Valuation
Technique
  Unobservable
Input
 

Amount*

  Impact to
Valuation from an
Increase in Input**
 

Preferred Stock

 

$

20

   
Discounted Cash Flow
  Weighted Average
Cost of Capital
   

14.5

%

 

Decrease

 
                   

Perpetual Growth Rate

   

3.5

%

 

Increase

 
     
  Market Comparable
Companies
  Enterprise
Value/Revenue
   

5.0

x

 

Increase

 
                    Discount for Lack
of Marketability
   

15.0

%

 

Decrease

 
     
  Comparable
Transactions
  Enterprise
Value/Revenue
   

4.0

x

 

Increase

 

*  Amount is indicative of the weighted average.

**  Represents the expected directional change in the fair value of the Level 3 investments that would result from an increase in the corresponding input. A decrease to the unobservable input would have the opposite effect. Significant changes in these inputs could result in significantly higher or lower fair value measurements.

3.  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.

Net realized gains (losses) on foreign currency transactions represent net foreign exchange gains (losses) from foreign currency forward exchange contracts, disposition of foreign currencies, currency gains (losses) realized between the trade and settlement dates on securities transactions, and the difference between the amount of investment income and foreign withholding taxes recorded on the Fund's books and the U.S. dollar equivalent amounts actually received or paid. The change in unrealized currency gains (losses) on foreign currency transactions for the period is reflected in the Statement of Operations.

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.

Governmental approval for foreign investments may be required in advance of making an investment under certain circumstances in some countries, and the extent of foreign investments in domestic companies may be subject to limitation in other countries. Foreign ownership


19



Morgan Stanley Institutional Fund, Inc.

Annual Report — December 31, 2020

Notes to Financial Statements (cont'd)

limitations also may be imposed by the charters of individual companies to prevent, among other concerns, violations of foreign investment limitations. As a result, an additional class of shares (identified as "Foreign" in the Portfolio of Investments) may be created and offered for investment. The "local" and "foreign shares" market values may differ. In the absence of trading of the foreign shares in such markets, the Fund values the foreign shares at the closing exchange price of the local shares.

4.  Derivatives: The Fund may, but is not required to, use derivative instruments for a variety of purposes, including hedging, risk management, portfolio management or to earn income. Derivatives are financial instruments whose value is based, in part, on the value of an underlying asset, interest rate, index or financial instrument. Prevailing interest rates and volatility levels, among other things, also affect the value of derivative instruments. A derivative instrument often has risks similar to its underlying asset and may have additional risks, including imperfect correlation between the value of the derivative and the underlying asset, risks of default by the counterparty to certain transactions, magnification of losses incurred due to changes in the market value of the securities, instruments, indices or interest rates to which the derivative instrument relates, risks that the transactions may not be liquid and risks arising from margin requirements. The use of derivatives involves risks that are different from, and possibly greater than, the risks associated with other portfolio investments. Derivatives may involve the use of highly specialized instruments that require investment techniques and risk analyses different from those associated with other portfolio investments. All of the Fund's holdings, including derivative instruments, are marked-to-market each day with the change in value reflected in unrealized appreciation (depreciation). Upon disposition, a realized gain or loss is recognized.

Certain derivative transactions may give rise to a form of leverage. Leverage magnifies the potential for gain and the risk of loss. Leverage associated with derivative transactions may cause the Fund to liquidate portfolio positions when it may not be advantageous to do so to satisfy its obligations or to meet earmarking or segregation requirements, pursuant to applicable Securities and Exchange Commission ("SEC") rules and regulations, or may cause the Fund to be more volatile than if the Fund had not been leveraged. Although the Adviser seeks to

use derivatives to further the Fund's investment objectives, there is no assurance that the use of derivatives will achieve this result.

Following is a description of the derivative instruments and techniques that the Fund used during the period and their associated risks:

Options: With respect to options, the Fund is subject to equity risk, interest rate risk and foreign currency exchange risk in the normal course of pursuing its investment objectives. If the Fund buys an option, it buys a legal contract giving it the right to buy or sell a specific amount of the underlying instrument or foreign currency, or futures contract on the underlying instrument or foreign currency, at an agreed-upon price during a period of time or on a specified date typically in exchange for a premium paid by the Fund. The Fund may purchase and/or sell put and call options. Purchasing call options tends to increase the Fund's exposure to the underlying (or similar) instrument. Purchasing put options tends to decrease the Fund's exposure to the underlying (or similar) instrument. When entering into purchased option contracts, the Fund bears the risk of interest or exchange rates or securities prices moving unexpectedly, in which case, the Fund may not achieve the anticipated benefits of the purchased option contracts; however the risk of loss is limited to the premium paid. Purchased options are reported as part of "Total Investments in Securities" in the Statement of Assets and Liabilities. Premiums paid for purchasing options which expired are treated as realized losses. If the Fund sells an option, it sells to another party the right to buy from or sell to the Fund a specific amount of the underlying instrument or foreign currency, or futures contract on the underlying instrument or foreign currency, at an agreed-upon price during a period of time or on a specified date typically in exchange for a premium received by the Fund. When options are purchased OTC, the Fund bears the risk that the counterparty that wrote the option will be unable or unwilling to perform its obligations under the option contract. Options may also be illiquid and the Fund may have difficulty closing out its position. A decision as to whether, when and how to use options involves the exercise of skill and judgment and even a well-conceived option transaction may be unsuccessful because of market behavior or unexpected events. The prices of options can be highly volatile and the use of options can lower total returns.


20



Morgan Stanley Institutional Fund, Inc.

Annual Report — December 31, 2020

Notes to Financial Statements (cont'd)

FASB ASC 815, "Derivatives and Hedging" ("ASC 815"), is intended to improve financial reporting about derivative instruments by requiring enhanced disclosures to enable investors to better understand how and why the Fund uses derivative instruments, how these derivative instruments are accounted for and their effects on the Fund's financial position and results of operations.

The following table sets forth the fair value of the Fund's derivative contracts by primary risk exposure as of December 31, 2020:

    Asset Derivatives
Statement of Assets and
Liabilities Location
  Primary Risk
Exposure
  Value
(000)
 
Purchased Options
 
  Investments, at Value
(Purchased Options)
 
Currency Risk
 

$

254

(a)

 

(a) Amounts are included in Investments in Securities in the Statement of Assets and Liabilities.

The following tables set forth by primary risk exposure the Fund's realized gains (losses) and change in unrealized appreciation (depreciation) by type of derivative contract for the year ended December 31, 2020 in accordance with ASC 815:

Realized Gain (Loss)

 

Primary Risk Exposure

 

Derivative Type

  Value
(000)
 
Currency Risk
 
  Investments
(Purchased Options)
 

$

(381

)(b)

 

(b) Amounts are included in Investments Sold in the Statement of Operations.

Change in Unrealized Appreciation (Depreciation)

 

Primary Risk Exposure

 

Derivative Type

  Value
(000)
 
Currency Risk
 
  Investments
(Purchased Options)
 

$

(605

)(c)

 

(c) Amounts are included in Investments in the Statement of Operations.

At December 31, 2020, the Fund's derivative assets and liabilities are as follows:

Gross Amounts of Assets and Liabilities
Presented in the Statement of Assets and Liabilities
 

Derivatives

  Assets(d)
(000)
  Liabilities(d)
(000)
 

Purchased Options

 

$

254

(a)

 

$

   

(a) Amounts are included in Investments in Securities in the Statement of Assets and Liabilities.

(d) Absent an event of default or early termination, OTC derivative assets and liabilities are presented gross and not offset in the Statement of Assets and Liabilities.

The Fund typically enters into International Swaps and Derivatives Association, Inc. Master Agreements ("ISDA Master Agreements") or similar master agreements (collectively, "Master Agreements") with its contract counterparties for certain OTC derivatives in order to,

among other things, reduce its credit risk to counterparties. ISDA Master Agreements include provisions for general obligations, representations, collateral and events of default or termination. Under an ISDA Master Agreement, the Fund typically may offset with the counterparty certain OTC derivative financial instruments' payables and/or receivables with collateral held and/or posted and create one single net payment (close-out netting) in the event of default, termination and/or potential deterioration in the credit quality of the counterparty. Various Master Agreements govern the terms of certain transactions with counterparties, including transactions such as swap, forward, repurchase and reverse repurchase agreements. These Master Agreements typically attempt to reduce the counterparty risk associated with such transactions by specifying credit protection mechanisms and providing standardization that improves legal certainty. Cross-termination provisions under Master Agreements typically provide that a default in connection with one transaction between the Fund and a counterparty gives the non-defaulting party the right to terminate any other transactions in place with the defaulting party to create one single net payment due to/due from the defaulting party and may be a feature in certain Master Agreements. In the event the Fund exercises its right to terminate a Master Agreement after a counterparty experiences a termination event as defined in the Master Agreement, the return of collateral with market value in excess of the Fund's net liability may be delayed or denied.

The following table presents derivative financial instruments that are subject to enforceable netting arrangements as of December 31, 2020:

Gross Amounts Not Offset in the Statement of Assets and Liabilities

 

Counterparty

  Gross Asset
Derivatives
Presented in
the Statement of
Assets and
Liabilities(a)
(000)
  Financial
Instrument
(000)
  Collateral
Received(e)
(000)
  Net Amount
(not less
than $0)
(000)
 

BNP Paribas

 

$

220

   

$

   

$

(220

)

 

$

0

   

JP Morgan Chase Bank NA

   

34

     

     

(34

)

   

0

   

Royal Bank of Scotland

   

@

   

     

(—

@)

   

0

   

Total

 

$

254

   

$

   

$

(254

)

 

$

0

   

@ Value is less than $500.

(a) Amounts are included in Investments in Securities in the Statement of Assets and Liabilities.

(e) In some instances, the actual collateral received or pledged may be more than the amount shown here due to overcollateralization.


21



Morgan Stanley Institutional Fund, Inc.

Annual Report — December 31, 2020

Notes to Financial Statements (cont'd)

For the year ended December 31, 2020, the approximate average monthly amount outstanding for each derivative type is as follows:

Purchased Options:

 

Average monthly notional amount

   

133,168,000

   

5.  Securities Lending: The Fund lends securities to qualified financial institutions, such as broker-dealers, to earn additional income. Any increase or decrease in the fair value of the securities loaned that might occur and any interest earned or dividends declared on those securities during the term of the loan would remain in the Fund.

The Fund would receive cash or securities as collateral in an amount equal to or exceeding 100% of the current fair value of the loaned securities. The collateral is marked-to-market daily by State Street Bank and Trust Company ("State Street"), the securities lending agent, to ensure that a minimum of 100% collateral coverage is maintained.

Based on pre-established guidelines, the securities lending agent invests any cash collateral that is received in an affiliated money market portfolio and repurchase agreements. Securities lending income is generated from the earnings on the invested collateral and borrowing fees, less any rebates owed to the borrowers and compensation to the lending agent, and is recorded as "Income from Securities Loaned — Net" in the Fund's Statement of Operations. 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.

The Fund has the right under the securities lending agreement to recover the securities from the borrower on demand.

At December 31, 2020, the Fund did not have any outstanding securities on loan.

6.  Restricted Securities: The Fund invests in unregistered or otherwise restricted securities. The term "restricted securities" refers to securities that are unregistered or are held by control persons of the issuer and securities that are subject to contractual restrictions on their resale. As a result, restricted securities may be more difficult to value and the Fund may have difficulty disposing of such

assets either in a timely manner or for a reasonable price. In order to dispose of an unregistered security, the Fund, where it has contractual rights to do so, may have to cause such security to be registered. A considerable period may elapse between the time the decision is made to sell the security and the time the security is registered so that the Fund can sell it. Contractual restrictions on the resale of securities vary in length and scope and are generally the result of a negotiation between the issuer and the acquirer of the securities. The Fund would, in either case, bear market risks during that period. Restricted securities are identified in the Portfolio of Investments.

7.  Indemnifications: The Company enters into contracts that contain a variety of indemnifications. The Company's maximum exposure under these arrangements is unknown. However, the Company has not had prior claims or losses pursuant to these contracts and expects the risk of loss to be remote.

8.  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. Net realized capital gains, if any, are distributed at least annually.

9.  Security Transactions, Income and Expenses: Security transactions are accounted for on the trade date (date the order to buy or sell is executed). Realized gains and losses on the sale of investment securities are determined on the specific identified cost method. Dividend income and other distributions are recorded on the ex-dividend date (except for certain foreign dividends which may be recorded as soon as the Fund is informed of such dividends) net of applicable withholding taxes. Interest income is recognized on the accrual basis except where collection is in doubt. Discounts are accreted and premiums are amortized over the life of the respective securities. Most expenses of the Company can be directly attributed to a particular Fund. Expenses which cannot be directly attributed are apportioned among the Funds based upon relative net assets or other appropriate methods. Income, expenses (other than class specific expenses — distribution and shareholder services, transfer agency and sub transfer agency fees) and realized and unrealized gains or losses are allocated to each class of shares based upon their relative net assets.


22



Morgan Stanley Institutional Fund, Inc.

Annual Report — December 31, 2020

Notes to Financial Statements (cont'd)

B. Advisory Fees: The Adviser, a wholly-owned subsidiary of Morgan Stanley, provides the Fund with advisory services under the terms of an Investment Advisory Agreement, paid quarterly, at the annual rate based on the daily net assets as follows:

First $1
billion
  Over $1
billion
 
  0.80

%

   

0.75

%

 

For the year ended December 31, 2020, the advisory fee rate (net of rebate) was equivalent to an annual effective rate of 0.79% of the Fund's average daily net assets.

The Adviser has agreed to reduce its advisory fee and/or reimburse the Fund so that total annual Fund operating expenses, excluding certain investment related expenses, taxes, interest and other extraordinary expenses (including litigation), will not exceed 1.10% for Class I shares, 1.42% for Class A shares, 1.95% for Class L shares and 2.20% for Class C shares. The fee waivers and/or expense reimbursements will continue for at least one year from the date of the Fund's prospectus or until such time as the Directors act to discontinue all or a portion of such waivers and/or reimbursements when they deem such action is appropriate. For the year ended December 31, 2020, approximately $1,000 of other expenses were reimbursed by the Adviser pursuant to this arrangement.

C. Administration Fees: The Adviser also serves as Administrator to the Company and provides administrative services pursuant to an Administration Agreement for an annual fee, accrued daily and paid monthly, of 0.08% of the Fund's average daily net assets.

Under a Sub-Administration Agreement between the Administrator and State Street, State Street provides certain administrative services to the Company. For such services, the Administrator pays State Street a portion of the fee the Administrator receives from the Fund.

D. Distribution and Shareholder Services Fees: Morgan Stanley Distribution, Inc. ("MSDI" or the "Distributor"), a wholly-owned subsidiary of the Adviser and an indirect subsidiary of Morgan Stanley, serves as the Company's Distributor of Fund shares pursuant to a Distribution Agreement. The Company has adopted a Shareholder Services Plan with respect to Class A shares pursuant to Rule 12b-1 under the Act. Under the Shareholder Services Plan, the Fund pays the Distributor a shareholder services fee, accrued daily and paid monthly, at an annual rate of 0.25% of the Fund's average daily net assets attributable to Class A shares.

The Company has adopted a Distribution and Shareholder Services Plan with respect to Class L shares pursuant to Rule 12b-1 under the Act. Under the Distribution and Shareholder Services Plan, the Fund pays the Distributor a distribution fee, accrued daily and paid monthly, at an annual rate of 0.50% and a shareholder services fee, accrued daily and paid monthly, at an annual rate of 0.25% of the Fund's average daily net assets attributable to Class L shares.

The Company has adopted a Distribution and Shareholder Services Plan with respect to Class C shares pursuant to Rule 12b-1 under the Act. Under the Distribution and Shareholder Services Plan, the Fund pays the Distributor a distribution fee, accrued daily and paid monthly, at an annual rate of 0.75% and a shareholder services fee, accrued daily and paid monthly, at an annual rate of 0.25% of the Fund's average daily net assets attributable to Class C shares.

The distribution and shareholder services fees are used to support the expenses associated with servicing and maintaining accounts. The Distributor may compensate other parties for providing shareholder support services to investors who purchase Class A, Class L and Class C shares.

E. Dividend Disbursing and Transfer Agent: The Company's dividend disbursing and transfer agent is DST Asset Manager Solutions, Inc. ("DST"). Pursuant to a Transfer Agency Agreement, the Company pays DST a fee based on the number of classes, accounts and transactions relating to the Funds of the Company.

F. Custodian Fees: State Street (the "Custodian") also serves as Custodian for the Company in accordance with a Custodian Agreement. The Custodian holds cash, securities and other assets of the Company as required by the Act. Custody fees are payable monthly based on assets held in custody, investment purchases and sales activity and account maintenance fees, plus reimbursement for certain out-of-pocket expenses.

G. Security Transactions and Transactions with Affiliates: For the year ended December 31, 2020, purchases and sales of investment securities for the Fund, other than long-term U.S. Government securities and short-term investments were approximately $269,180,000 and $194,252,000, respectively. There were no purchases and sales of long-term U.S. Government securities for the year ended December 31, 2020.

The Fund invests in the Institutional Class of the Morgan Stanley Institutional Liquidity Funds — Treasury Securities


23



Morgan Stanley Institutional Fund, Inc.

Annual Report — December 31, 2020

Notes to Financial Statements (cont'd)

Portfolio (the "Liquidity Funds"), an open-end management investment company managed by the Adviser, both directly and as a portion of the securities held as collateral on loaned securities. Advisory fees paid by the Fund are reduced by an amount equal to its pro-rata share of the advisory and administration fees paid by the Fund due to its investment in the Liquidity Funds. For the year ended December 31, 2020, advisory fees paid were reduced by approximately $18,000 relating to the Fund's investment in the Liquidity Funds.

A summary of the Fund's transactions in shares of affiliated investments during the year ended December 31, 2020 is as follows:

Affiliated
Investment
Company
  Value
December 31,
2019
(000)
  Purchases
at Cost
(000)
  Proceeds
from Sales
(000)
  Dividend
Income
(000)
 

Liquidity Funds

 

$

2,991

   

$

226,226

   

$

175,754

   

$

15

   
Affiliated
Investment
Company (cont'd)
  Realized
Gain (Loss)
(000)
  Change in
Unrealized
Appreciation
(Depreciation)
(000)
  Value
December 31,
2020
(000)
 

Liquidity Funds

 

$

   

$

   

$

53,463

   

The Fund is permitted to purchase and sell securities ("cross-trade") from and to other Morgan Stanley funds as well as other funds and client accounts for which the Adviser or an affiliate of the Adviser serves as investment adviser, pursuant to procedures approved by the Directors in compliance with Rule 17a-7 under the Act (the "Rule"). Each cross-trade is executed at the current market price in compliance with provisions of the Rule. For the year ended December 31, 2020, the Fund did not engage in any cross-trade transactions.

The Fund has an unfunded Deferred Compensation Plan (the "Compensation Plan"), which allows each independent Director to defer payment of all, or a portion, of the fees he or she receives for serving on the Board of Directors. Each eligible Director generally may elect to have the deferred amounts credited with a return equal to the total return on one or more of the Morgan Stanley funds that are offered as investment options under the Compensation Plan. Appreciation/depreciation and distributions received from these investments are recorded with an offsetting increase/decrease in the deferred compensation obligation and do not affect the NAV of the Fund.

H. Federal Income Taxes: It is the Fund's intention to continue to qualify as a regulated investment company and distribute all of its taxable and tax-exempt income. Accordingly,

no provision for federal income taxes is required in the financial statements.

The Fund may be subject to taxes imposed by countries in which it invests. Such taxes are generally based on income and/or capital gains earned or repatriated. Taxes are accrued based on net investment income, net realized gains and net unrealized appreciation as such income and/or gains are earned. Taxes may also be based on transactions in foreign currency and are accrued based on the value of investments denominated in such currency.

FASB ASC 740-10, "Income Taxes — Overall", sets forth a minimum threshold for financial statement recognition of the benefit of a tax position taken or expected to be taken in a tax return. Management has concluded there are no significant uncertain tax positions that would require recognition in the financial statements. If applicable, the Fund recognizes interest accrued related to unrecognized tax benefits in "Interest Expense" and penalties in "Other Expenses" in the Statement of Operations. The Fund files tax returns with the U.S. Internal Revenue Service, New York and various states. Generally, each of the tax years in the four-year period ended December 31, 2020 remains subject to examination by taxing authorities.

The tax character of distributions paid may differ from the character of distributions shown for GAAP purposes due to short-term capital gains being treated as ordinary income for tax purposes. The tax character of distributions paid during fiscal years 2020 and 2019 was as follows:

2020
Distributions
Paid From:
  2019
Distributions
Paid From:
 
Ordinary
Income
(000)
  Long-Term
Capital Gain
(000)
  Ordinary
Income
(000)
  Long-Term
Capital Gain
(000)
 
$

   

$

14,368

   

$

   

$

3,100

   

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 attributable to differing book and tax treatments for the timing of the recognition of gains (losses) on certain investment transactions and the timing of the deductibility of certain expenses.

The Fund had no permanent differences causing reclassifications among the components of net assets for the year ended December 31, 2020.


24



Morgan Stanley Institutional Fund, Inc.

Annual Report — December 31, 2020

Notes to Financial Statements (cont'd)

At December 31, 2020, the components of distributable earnings for the Fund on a tax basis were as follows:

Undistributed
Ordinary
Income
(000)
  Undistributed
Long-Term
Capital Gain
(000)
 
$

11,251

   

$

30,141

   

I. Credit Facility: The Company and other Morgan Stanley funds participated in a $300,000,000 committed, unsecured revolving line of credit facility (the "Facility") with State Street. This Facility is to be used for temporary emergency purposes or funding of shareholder redemption requests. The interest rate on borrowings is based on the federal funds rate or 1 month LIBOR rate plus a spread. The Facility also has a commitment fee of 0.25% per annum based on the unused portion of the Facility. During the year ended December 31, 2020, the Fund did not have any borrowings under the Facility.

J. Other: At December 31, 2020, the Fund had record owners of 10% or greater. Investment activities of these shareholders could have a material impact on the Fund. The aggregate percentage of such owners was 26.0%.

K. Market Risk: Certain impacts to public health conditions particular to the coronavirus (COVID-19) outbreak could impact the operations and financial performance of certain of the Fund's investments. The extent of the impact to the financial performance of the Fund's investments will depend on future developments, including (i) the duration and spread of the outbreak, (ii) the restrictions and advisories, (iii) the effects on the financial markets, and (iv) the effects on the economy overall, all of which are highly uncertain and cannot be predicted. If the financial performance of the Fund's investments is impacted because of these factors for an extended period, the Fund's investment results may be adversely affected.


25



Morgan Stanley Institutional Fund, Inc.

Annual Report — December 31, 2020

Report of Independent Registered Public Accounting Firm

To the Shareholders and Board of Directors of
Morgan Stanley Institutional Fund, Inc. —
Global Advantage Portfolio

Opinion on the Financial Statements

We have audited the accompanying statement of assets and liabilities of Global Advantage Portfolio (the "Fund") (one of the funds constituting Morgan Stanley Institutional Fund, Inc. (the "Company")), including the portfolio of investments, as of December 31, 2020, and the related statement of operations for the year then ended, the statements of changes in net assets for each of the two years in the period then ended, the financial highlights for each of the five years in the period then ended and the related notes (collectively referred to as the "financial statements"). In our opinion, the financial statements present fairly, in all material respects, the financial position of Global Advantage Portfolio (one of the funds constituting Morgan Stanley Institutional Fund, Inc.) at December 31, 2020, the results of its operations for the year then ended, the changes in its net assets for each of the two years in the period then ended and its financial highlights for each of the five years in the period then ended, in conformity with U.S. generally accepted accounting principles.

Basis for Opinion

These financial statements are the responsibility of the Company's management. Our responsibility is to express an opinion on the Fund's financial statements based on our audits. We are a public accounting firm registered with the Public Company Accounting Oversight Board (United States) ("PCAOB") and are required to be independent with respect to the Company in accordance with the U.S. federal securities law and the applicable rules and regulations of the Securities and Exchange Commission and the PCAOB.

We conducted our audits in accordance with the standards of the PCAOB. Those standards require that we plan and perform the audit to obtain reasonable assurance about whether the financial statements are free of material misstatement, whether due to error or fraud. The Company is not required to have, nor were we engaged to perform, an audit of the Company's internal control over financial reporting. As part of our audits, we are required to obtain an understanding of internal control over financial reporting, but not for the purpose of expressing an opinion on the effectiveness of the Company's internal control over financial reporting. Accordingly, we express no such opinion.

Our audits included performing procedures to assess the risks of material misstatement of the financial statements, whether due to error or fraud, and performing procedures that respond to those risks. Such procedures included examining, on a test basis, evidence regarding the amounts and disclosures in the financial statements. Our procedures included confirmation of securities owned as of December 31, 2020 by correspondence with the custodian and others or by other appropriate auditing procedures where replies from others were not received. Our audits also included evaluating the accounting principles used and significant estimates made by management, as well as evaluating the overall presentation of the financial statements. We believe that our audits provide a reasonable basis for our opinion.

We have served as the auditor of one or more Morgan Stanley investment companies since 2000.
Boston, Massachusetts
February 26, 2021


26



Morgan Stanley Institutional Fund, Inc.

Annual Report — December 31, 2020

Liquidity Risk Management Program (unaudited)

In compliance with Rule 22e-4 under the Investment Company Act of 1940, as amended (the "Liquidity Rule"), the Fund has adopted and implemented a liquidity risk management program (the "Program"), which is reasonably designed to assess and manage the risk that the Fund could not meet requests to redeem shares issued by the Fund without significant dilution of remaining investors' interests in the Fund (i.e., liquidity risk). The Fund's Board of Directors (the "Board") previously approved the designation of the Liquidity Risk Subcommittee (the "LRS") as Program administrator. The LRS is comprised of representatives from various divisions within Morgan Stanley Investment Management.

At a meeting held on April 22-23, 2020, the Board reviewed a written report prepared by the LRS that addressed the Program's operation and assessed its adequacy, and effectiveness of implementation for the period from December 1, 2018, through December 31, 2019, as required under the Liquidity Rule. The report concluded that the Program operated effectively and was adequately and effectively implemented in all material aspects, and that the relevant controls and safeguards were appropriately designed to enable the LRS to administer the Program in compliance with the Liquidity Rule.

In accordance with the Program, the LRS assessed each Fund's liquidity risk no less frequently than annually taking into consideration certain factors, as applicable, such as (i) investment strategy and liquidity of portfolio investments, (ii) short-term and long-term cash flow projections and (iii) holdings of cash and cash equivalents and borrowing arrangements and other funding sources. Certain factors are considered under both normal and reasonably foreseeable stressed conditions.

Each Fund portfolio investment is classified into one of four liquidity categories, which classification is assessed at least monthly by the LRS. The classification is based on a determination of the number of days it is reasonably expected to take to convert the investment into cash, or sell or dispose of the investment, in current market conditions without significantly changing the market value of the investment. Liquidity classification determinations take into account various market, trading and investment-specific considerations, as well as market depth, and in some cases utilize third-party vendor data.

The Liquidity Rule limits a fund's investments in illiquid investments to 15% of its net assets and requires funds that do not primarily hold assets that are highly liquid investments to determine and maintain a minimum percentage of the fund's net assets to be invested in highly liquid investments (highly liquid investment minimum or "HLIM"). The LRS believes that the Program includes provisions reasonably designed to review, monitor and comply with the 15% limit on illiquid investments and for determining, periodically reviewing and complying with the HLIM requirement, as applicable.

There can be no assurance that the Program will achieve its objectives under all circumstances in the future. Please refer to the Fund's prospectus for more information regarding the Fund's exposure to liquidity risk and other risks to which it may be subject.


27



Morgan Stanley Institutional Fund, Inc.

Annual Report — December 31, 2020

Federal Tax Notice (unaudited)

For federal income tax purposes, the following information is furnished with respect to the distributions paid by the Fund during its taxable year ended December 31, 2020.

The Fund designated and paid approximately $14,368,000 as a long-term capital gain distribution.

In January, the Fund provides tax information to shareholders for the preceding calendar year.


28



Morgan Stanley Institutional Fund, Inc.

Annual Report — December 31, 2020

Privacy Notice (unaudited)  April 2019

FACTS

 

WHAT DOES MSIM DO WITH YOUR PERSONAL INFORMATION?

 

Why?

 

Financial companies choose how they share your personal information. Federal law gives consumers the right to limit some but not all sharing. Federal law also requires us to tell you how we collect, share, and protect your personal information. Please read this notice carefully to understand what we do.

 

What?

  The types of personal information we collect and share depend on the product or service you have with us. This information can include:
n Social Security number and income
n investment experience and risk tolerance
n checking account number and wire transfer instructions
 

How?

 

All financial companies need to share customers' personal information to run their everyday business. In the section below, we list the reasons financial companies can share their customers' personal information; the reasons MSIM chooses to share; and whether you can limit this sharing.

 

 

Reasons we can share your personal information

 

Does MSIM share?

 

Can you limit this sharing?

 
For our everyday business purposes —
such as to process your transactions, maintain your account(s), respond to court orders and legal investigations, or report to credit bureaus
 

Yes

 

No

 
For our marketing purposes —
to offer our products and services to you
 

Yes

 

No

 

For joint marketing with other financial companies

 

No

 

We don't share

 
For our affiliates' everyday business purposes —
information about your transactions and experiences
 

Yes

 

No

 
For our affiliates' everyday business purposes —
information about your creditworthiness
 

No

 

We don't share

 

For our affiliates to market to you

 

No

 

We don't share

 

For non-affiliates to market to you

 

No

 

We don't share

 

Questions?  Call toll-free (844) 312-6327 or email: imprivacyinquiries@morganstanley.com


29



Morgan Stanley Institutional Fund, Inc.

Annual Report — December 31, 2020

Privacy Notice (unaudited) (cont'd)  April 2019

Who we are

Who is providing this notice?

 

Morgan Stanley Investment Management, Inc. and its affiliated registered investment advisers, registered broker-dealers, and registered and unregistered funds ("MSIM")

 

What we do

How does MSIM protect my personal information?

 

To protect your personal information from unauthorized access and use, we use security measures that comply with federal law. These measures include computer safeguards and secured files and buildings. We have policies governing the proper handling of customer information by personnel and requiring third parties that provide support to adhere to appropriate security standards with respect to such information.

 

How does MSIM collect my personal information?

  We collect your personal information, for example, when you
n open an account or make deposits or withdrawals from your account
n buy securities from us or make a wire transfer
n give us your contact information
We also collect your personal information from others, such as credit bureaus, affiliates, or other companies.
 

Why can't I limit all sharing?

  Federal law gives you the right to limit only
n sharing for affiliates' everyday business purposes — information about your creditworthiness
n affiliates from using your information to market to you
n sharing for non-affiliates to market to you
State laws and individual companies may give you additional rights to limit sharing. See below for more on your rights under state law.
 

Definitions

Affiliates

  Companies related by common ownership or control. They can be financial and non-financial companies.
n Our affiliates include companies with a Morgan Stanley name and financial companies such as Morgan Stanley Smith Barney LLC and Morgan Stanley & Co.
 

Non-affiliates

  Companies not related by common ownership or control. They can be financial and non-financial companies.
n MSIM does not share with non-affiliates so they can market to you.
 

Joint marketing

  A formal agreement between non-affiliated financial companies that together market financial products or services to you.
n MSIM doesn't jointly market
 


30



Morgan Stanley Institutional Fund, Inc.

Annual Report — December 31, 2020

Privacy Notice (unaudited) (cont'd)  April 2019

Other Important Information

Vermont: Except as permitted by law, we will not share personal information we collect about Vermont residents with Non-affiliates unless you provide us with your written consent to share such information.

California: Except as permitted by law, we will not share personal information we collect about California residents with Non-affiliates and we will limit sharing such personal information with our Affiliates to comply with California privacy laws that apply to us.


31



Morgan Stanley Institutional Fund, Inc.

Annual Report — December 31, 2020

Director and Officer Information (unaudited)

Independent Directors:

Name, Address and Birth
Year of Independent Director
  Position(s)
Held with
Registrant
  Length of Time
Served*
  Principal Occupation(s) During Past 5 Years and Other
Relevant Professional Experience
  Number of
Funds
in Fund Complex
Overseen by
Independent
Director**
  Other Directorships
Held by Independent
Director***
 
Frank L. Bowman
c/o Perkins Coie LLP
Counsel to the Independent Directors
1155 Avenue of the Americas,
22nd Floor
New York, NY 10036
Birth Year: 1944
 

Director

 

Since August 2006

 

President, Strategic Decisions, LLC (consulting) (since February 2009); Director or Trustee of various Morgan Stanley Funds (since August 2006); Chairperson of the Compliance and Insurance Committee (since October 2015); formerly, Chairperson of the Insurance Sub-Committee of the Compliance and Insurance Committee (2007-2015); served as President and Chief Executive Officer of the Nuclear Energy Institute (policy organization) (February 2005-November 2008); retired as Admiral, U.S. Navy after serving over 38 years on active duty including 8 years as Director of the Naval Nuclear Propulsion Program in the Department of the Navy and the U.S. Department of Energy (1996-2004); served as Chief of Naval Personnel (July 1994-September 1996) and on the Joint Staff as Director of Political Military Affairs (June 1992-July 1994); knighted as Honorary Knight Commander of the Most Excellent Order of the British Empire; awarded the Officier de l'Orde National du Mérite by the French Government; elected to the National Academy of Engineering (2009).

 

79

 

Director of Naval and Nuclear Technologies LLP; Director Emeritus of the Armed Services YMCA; Member of the National Security Advisory Council of the Center for U.S. Global Engagement and a member of the CNA Military Advisory Board; Trustee of Fairhaven United Methodist Church; Member of the Board of Advisors of the Dolphin Scholarship Foundation; Director of other various non-profit organizations; formerly, Director of BP plc (November 2010May 2019).

 
Kathleen A. Dennis
c/o Perkins Coie LLP
Counsel to the Independent Directors
1155 Avenue of the Americas,
22nd Floor
New York, NY 10036
Birth Year: 1953
 

Director

 

Since August 2006

 

Chairperson of the Governance Committee (January 2021), Chairperson of the Liquidity and Alternatives Sub-Committee of the Investment Committee (2006-2020); and Director or Trustee of various Morgan Stanley Funds (since August 2006); President, Cedarwood Associates (mutual fund and investment management consulting) (since July 2006); formerly, Senior Managing Director of Victory Capital Management (1993-2006).

 

79

 

Board Member, University of Albany Foundation (2012-present); Board Member, Mutual Funds Directors Forum (2014-present); Director of various non-profit organizations.

 
Nancy C. Everett
c/o Perkins Coie LLP
Counsel to the Independent Directors
1155 Avenue of the Americas,
22nd Floor
New York, NY 10036
Birth Year: 1955
 

Director

 

Since January 2015

 

Chairperson of the Equity Investment Committee (since January 2021); Director or Trustee of various Morgan Stanley Funds (since January 2015); Chief Executive Officer, Virginia Commonwealth University Investment Company (since November 2015); Owner, OBIR, LLC (institutional investment management consulting) (since June 2014); formerly, Managing Director, BlackRock, Inc. (February 2011-December 2013); and Chief Executive Officer, General Motors Asset Management (a/k/a Promark Global Advisors, Inc.) (June 2005-May 2010).

 

80

 

Formerly, Member of Virginia Commonwealth University School of Business Foundation (2005-2016); Member of Virginia Commonwealth University Board of Visitors (2013-2015); Member of Committee on Directors for Emerging Markets Growth Fund, Inc. (2007-2010); Chairperson of Performance Equity Management, LLC (2006-2010); and Chairperson, GMAM Absolute Return Strategies Fund, LLC (2006-2010).

 


32



Morgan Stanley Institutional Fund, Inc.

Annual Report — December 31, 2020

Director and Officer Information (unaudited) (cont'd)

Independent Directors (cont'd):

Name, Address and Birth
Year of Independent Director
  Position(s)
Held with
Registrant
  Length of Time
Served*
  Principal Occupation(s) During Past 5 Years and Other
Relevant Professional Experience
  Number of
Funds
in Fund Complex
Overseen by
Independent
Director**
  Other Directorships
Held by Independent
Director***
 
Jakki L. Haussler
c/o Perkins Coie LLP
Counsel to the Independent Directors
1155 Avenue of the Americas,
22nd Floor
New York, NY 10036
Birth Year: 1957
 

Director

 

Since January 2015

 

Director or Trustee of various Morgan Stanley Funds (since January 2015) Chairman, Opus Capital Group (1996); formerly, Chief Executive Officer, Opus Capital Group (1996-2019); Director, Capvest Venture Fund, LP (May 2000-December 2011); Partner, Adena Ventures, LP (July 1999-December 2010); Director, The Victory Funds (February 2005-July 2008).

 

80

 

Director of Cincinnati Bell Inc. and Member, Audit Committee and Chairman, Governance and Nominating Committee; Director of Service Corporation International and Member, Audit Committee and Investment Committee; Director of Northern Kentucky University Foundation and Member, Investment Committee; Member of Chase College of Law Transactional Law Practice Center Board of Advisors; Director of Best Transport; Director of Chase College of Law Board of Visitors; formerly, Member, University of Cincinnati Foundation Investment Committee; Member, Miami University Board of Visitors (2008-2011); Trustee of Victory Funds (2005-2008) and Chairman, Investment Committee (2007-2008); and Member, Service Provider Committee (2005-2008).

 
Dr. Manuel H. Johnson
c/o Johnson Smick International, Inc.
220 I Street, NE — Suite 200
Washington, D.C. 20002
Birth Year: 1949
 

Director

 

Since July 1991

 

Senior Partner, Johnson Smick International, Inc. (consulting firm); Chairperson of the Fixed Income, Liquidity and Alternatives Investment Committee (January 2021), Chairperson of the Investment Committee (2006-2020) and Director or Trustee of various Morgan Stanley Funds (since July 1991); Co-Chairman and a founder of the Group of Seven Council (G7C) (international economic commission); formerly, Chairperson of the Audit Committee (July 1991-September 2006), Vice Chairman of the Board of Governors of the Federal Reserve System and Assistant Secretary of the U.S. Treasury.

 

79

 

Director of NVR, Inc. (home construction).

 


33



Morgan Stanley Institutional Fund, Inc.

Annual Report — December 31, 2020

Director and Officer Information (unaudited) (cont'd)

Independent Directors (cont'd):

Name, Address and Birth
Year of Independent Director
  Position(s)
Held with
Registrant
  Length of Time
Served*
  Principal Occupation(s) During Past 5 Years and Other
Relevant Professional Experience
  Number of
Funds
in Fund Complex
Overseen by
Independent
Director**
  Other Directorships
Held by Independent
Director***
 
Joseph J. Kearns
c/o Perkins Coie LLP
Counsel to the Independent Directors
1155 Avenue of the Americas,
22nd Floor
New York, NY 10036
Birth Year: 1942
 

Director

 

Since August 1994

 

Senior Adviser, Kearns & Associates LLC (investment consulting); Chairperson of the Audit Committee (since October 2006) and Director or Trustee of various Morgan Stanley Funds (since August 1994); formerly, Deputy Chairperson of the Audit Committee (July 2003-September 2006) and Chairperson of the Audit Committee of various Morgan Stanley Funds (since August 1994); CFO of the J. Paul Getty Trust (1982-1999).

 

80

 

Director, Rubicon Investment (since February 2019); Prior to August 2016, Director of Electro Rent Corporation (equipment leasing); Prior to December 31, 2013, Director of The Ford Family Foundation.

 
Michael F. Klein
c/o Perkins Coie LLP
Counsel to the Independent Directors
1155 Avenue of the Americas,
22nd Floor
New York, NY 10036
Birth Year: 1958
 

Director

 

Since August 2006

 

Chairperson of the Risk Committee (since January 2021); Managing Director, Aetos Alternatives Management, LP (since March 2000); Co-President, Aetos Alternatives Management, LP (since January 2004) and Co-Chief Executive Officer of Aetos Alternatives Management, LP (since August 2013); Chairperson of the fixed Income Sub-Committee of the Investment committee (2006-2020) and Director or Trustee of various Morgan Stanley Funds (since August 2006); formerly, Managing Director, Morgan Stanley & Co. Inc. and Morgan Stanley Dean Witter Investment Management and President, various Morgan Stanley Funds (June 1998-March 2000); Principal, Morgan Stanley & Co. Inc. and Morgan Stanley Dean Witter Investment Management (August 1997-December 1999).

 

79

 

Director of certain investment funds managed or sponsored by Aetos Alternatives Management, LP; Director of Sanitized AG and Sanitized Marketing AG (specialty chemicals).

 
Patricia Maleski
c/o Perkins Coie LLP
Counsel to the Independent Directors
1155 Avenue of the Americas,
22nd Floor
New York, NY 10036
Birth Year: 1960
 

Director

 

Since January 2017

 

Director or Trustee of various Morgan Stanley Funds (since January 2017); Managing Director, JPMorgan Asset Management (2004-2016); Oversight and Control Head of Fiduciary and Conflicts of Interest Program (2015-2016); Chief Control Officer-Global Asset Management (2013-2015); President, JPMorgan Funds (2010-2013); Chief Administrative Officer (2004-2013); various other positions including Treasurer and Board Liaison (since 2001).

 

80

 

None.

 
W. Allen Reed
c/o Perkins Coie LLP
Counsel to the Independent Directors
1155 Avenue of the Americas,
22nd Floor
New York, NY 10036
Birth Year: 1947
 

Chair of the Board and Director

 

Chair of the Boards since August 2020 and Director since August 2006

 

Chair of the Boards of various Morgan Stanley Funds (since August 2020); Director or Trustee of various Morgan Stanley Funds (since August 2006); formerly, Vice Chair of the Boards of various Morgan Stanley Funds (January 2020-August 2020); President and Chief Executive Officer of General Motors Asset Management; Chairman and Chief Executive Officer of the GM Trust Bank and Corporate Vice President of General Motors Corporation (August 1994-December 2005).

 

79

 

Formerly, Director of Legg Mason, Inc. (2006-2019); and Director of the Auburn University Foundation (2010-2015).

 

*  This is the earliest date the Director began serving the Morgan Stanley Funds. Each Director serves an indefinite term, until his or her successor is elected.

**  The Fund Complex includes (as of December 31, 2020) all open-end and closed-end funds (including all of their portfolios) advised by Morgan Stanley Investment Management Inc. (the "Adviser") and any funds that have an adviser that is an affiliated person of the Adviser (including, but not limited to, Morgan Stanley AIP GP LP).

***  This includes any directorships at public companies and registered investment companies held by the Director at any time during the past five years.


34



Morgan Stanley Institutional Fund, Inc.

Annual Report — December 31, 2020

Director and Officer Information (unaudited) (cont'd)

Executive Officers:

Name, Address and
Birth Year of Executive Officer
  Position(s) Held
with
Registrant
  Length of
Time Served*
 

Principal Occupation(s) During Past 5 Years

 
John H. Gernon
522 Fifth Avenue
New York, NY 10036
Birth Year: 1963
 

President and Principal Executive Officer

 

Since September 2013

 

President and Principal Executive Officer of the Equity and Fixed Income Funds and the Morgan Stanley AIP Funds (since September 2013) and the Liquidity Funds and various money market funds (since May 2014) in the Fund Complex; Managing Director of the Adviser; Head of Public Markets Product Development (since 2006).

 
Timothy J. Knierim
1633 Broadway
New York, NY 10019
Birth Year: 1959
 

Chief Compliance Officer

 

Since December 2016

 

Managing Director of the Adviser and various entities affiliated with the Adviser; Chief Compliance Officer of various Morgan Stanley Funds and the Adviser (since December 2016) and Chief Compliance Officer of Morgan Stanley AIP GP LP (since 2014). Formerly, Managing Director and Deputy Chief Compliance Officer of the Adviser (2014-2016).

 
Francis J. Smith
522 Fifth Avenue
New York, NY 10036
Birth Year: 1965
 

Treasurer and Principal Financial Officer

 

Treasurer since July 2003 and Principal Financial Officer since September 2002

 

Managing Director of the Adviser and various entities affiliated with the Adviser; Treasurer (since July 2003) and Principal Financial Officer of various Morgan Stanley Funds (since September 2002).

 
Mary E. Mullin
1633 Broadway
New York, NY 10019
Birth Year: 1967
 

Secretary

 

Since June 1999

 

Managing Director of the Adviser; Secretary of various Morgan Stanley Funds (since June 1999).

 
Michael J. Key
522 Fifth Avenue
New York, NY 10036
Birth Year: 1979
 

Vice President

 

Since June 2017

 

Vice President of the Equity and Fixed Income Funds, Liquidity Funds, various money market funds and the Morgan Stanley AIP Funds in the Fund Complex (since June 2017); Executive Director of the Adviser; Head of Product Development for Equity and Fixed Income Funds (since August 2013).

 

*  This is the earliest date the officer began serving the Morgan Stanley Funds. Each officer serves a one-year term, until his or her successor is elected and qualifies.


35



Morgan Stanley Institutional Fund, Inc.

Annual Report — December 31, 2020

Adviser and Administrator

Morgan Stanley Investment Management Inc.
522 Fifth Avenue
New York, New York 10036

Distributor

Morgan Stanley Distribution, Inc.
522 Fifth Avenue
New York, New York 10036

Dividend Disbursing and Transfer Agent

DST Asset Manager Solutions, Inc.
2000 Crown Colony Drive
Quincy, Massachusetts 02169

Custodian

State Street Bank and Trust Company
One Lincoln Street
Boston, Massachusetts 02111

Legal Counsel

Dechert LLP
1095 Avenue of the Americas
New York, New York 10036

Counsel to the Independent Directors

Perkins Coie LLP
1155 Avenue of the Americas,
22nd Floor
New York, New York 10036

Independent Registered Public Accounting Firm

Ernst & Young LLP
200 Clarendon Street
Boston, Massachusetts 02116

Reporting to Shareholders

Each Morgan Stanley fund provides a complete schedule of portfolio holdings in its Semi-Annual and the Annual Reports within 60 days of the end of the fund's second and fourth fiscal quarters. The Semi-Annual and Annual Reports are filed electronically with the Securities and Exchange Commission ("SEC") on Form N-CSRS and Form N-CSR, respectively. Morgan Stanley also delivers the Semi-Annual and Annual Reports to fund shareholders and makes these reports available on its public website, www.morganstanley.com/im/shareholderreports. Each Morgan Stanley non-money market fund also files a complete schedule of portfolio holdings with the SEC for the fund's first and third fiscal quarters as an attachment to Form N-PORT. Morgan Stanley does not deliver the reports for the first and third fiscal quarters to shareholders, but makes the complete schedule of portfolio holdings for the fund's first and third fiscal quarters available on its public website. The holdings for each money market fund are also posted to the Morgan Stanley public website. You may obtain the Form N PORT filings (as well as the Form N-CSR and N-CSRS filings) by accessing the SEC's website, www.sec.gov. You can also request copies of these materials, upon payment of a duplicating fee, by electronic request at the SEC's email address (publicinfo@sec.gov).

Proxy Voting Policies and Procedures and Proxy Voting Record

You may obtain a copy of the Company's Proxy Voting Policy and Procedures and information regarding how the Company voted proxies relating to portfolio securities during the most recent twelve-month period ended June 30, without charge, upon request, by calling toll free 1 (800) 548-7786 or by visiting our website at www.morganstanley.com/im/shareholderreports. This information is also available on the SEC's website at www.sec.gov.

This report is authorized for distribution only when preceded or accompanied by a prospectus or summary prospectus of the applicable fund of Morgan Stanley Institutional Fund, Inc., which describes in detail the fund's investment policies, risks, fees and expenses. Please read the prospectus carefully before you invest or send money. For additional information, including information regarding the investments comprising the Fund, please visit our website at www.morganstanley.com/im/shareholderreports or call toll free 1 (800) 548-7786.


36



Printed in U.S.A.
This Report has been prepared for shareholders and may be distributed to others only if preceded or accompanied by a current prospectus.

Morgan Stanley Investment Management Inc.
522 Fifth Avenue
New York, New York 10036

© 2021 Morgan Stanley. Morgan Stanley Distribution, Inc.

IFIGAANN
3386869 EXP 02.28.22



INVESTMENT MANAGEMENT

Morgan Stanley Institutional Fund, Inc.

Global Concentrated Portfolio

Annual Report

December 31, 2020



Morgan Stanley Institutional Fund, Inc.

Annual Report — December 31, 2020

Table of Contents

Shareholders' Letter

   

2

   

Expense Example

   

3

   

Investment Overview

   

4

   

Portfolio of Investments

   

7

   

Statement of Assets and Liabilities

   

8

   

Statement of Operations

   

9

   

Statements of Changes in Net Assets

   

10

   

Financial Highlights

   

11

   

Notes to Financial Statements

   

15

   

Report of Independent Registered Public Accounting Firm

   

20

   

Liquidity Risk Management Program

   

21

   

Federal Tax Notice

   

22

   

Privacy Notice

   

23

   

Director and Officer Information

   

26

   

This report is authorized for distribution only when preceded or accompanied by a prospectus or summary prospectus of the applicable Fund of Morgan Stanley Institutional Fund, Inc. To receive a prospectus and/or statement of additional information ("SAI"), which contains more complete information such as investment objectives, charges, expenses, policies for voting proxies, risk considerations and describes in detail each of the Fund's investment policies to the prospective investor, please call toll free 1 (800) 548-7786. Please read the prospectuses carefully before you invest or send money.

Additionally, you can access information about the Fund, including performance, characteristics and investment team commentary, through Morgan Stanley Investment Management's website: www.morganstanley.com/im/shareholderreports.

Market forecasts provided in this report may not necessarily come to pass. There is no guarantee that any sectors mentioned will continue to perform as discussed herein or that securities in such sectors will be held by the Fund in the future. There is no assurance that a fund will achieve its investment objective. Funds are subject to market risk, which is the possibility that market values of securities owned by the Fund will decline and, therefore, the value of the Fund's shares may be less than what you paid for them. Accordingly, you can lose money investing in this Fund. Please see the prospectus for more complete information on investment risks.


1



Morgan Stanley Institutional Fund, Inc.

Annual Report — December 31, 2020

Shareholders' Letter (unaudited)

Dear Shareholders,

We are pleased to provide this Annual Report, in which you will learn how your investment in Global Concentrated Portfolio (the "Fund") performed during the latest twelve-month period.

Morgan Stanley Investment Management is a client-centric, investor-led organization. Our global presence, intellectual capital, and breadth of products and services enable us to partner with investors to meet the evolving challenges of today's financial markets. We aim to deliver superior investment service and to empower our clients to make the informed decisions that help them reach their investment goals.

As always, we thank you for selecting Morgan Stanley Investment Management, and look forward to working with you in the months and years ahead.

Sincerely,

John H. Gernon
President and Principal Executive Officer

January 2021


2



Morgan Stanley Institutional Fund, Inc.

Annual Report — December 31, 2020

Expense Example (unaudited)

Global Concentrated Portfolio

As a shareholder of the Fund, you incur two types of costs: (1) transactional costs; and (2) ongoing costs, which may include advisory fees, administration fees, distribution and shareholder services fees and other Fund expenses. This example is intended to help you understand your ongoing costs (in dollars) of investing in the Fund and to compare these costs with the ongoing costs of investing in other mutual funds.

This example is based on an investment of $1,000 invested at the beginning of the six-month period ended December 31, 2020 and held for the entire six-month period.

Actual Expenses

The table below provides information about actual account values and actual expenses. You may use the information in this table, 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 table under the heading entitled "Actual Expenses Paid During Period" to estimate the expenses you paid on your account during this period.

Hypothetical Example for Comparison Purposes

The table below provides information about hypothetical account values and hypothetical expenses based on the Fund's actual expense ratio and an assumed rate of return of 5% per year before expenses, which is not the Fund's actual return. The hypothetical account values and expenses may not be used to estimate the actual ending account balance or expenses you paid for the period. You may use this information to compare the ongoing costs of investing in the Fund and other funds. To do so, compare this 5% hypothetical example with the 5% hypothetical examples that appear in the shareholder reports of the other funds.

Please note that the expenses shown in the table are meant to highlight your ongoing costs only and do not reflect any transactional costs, such as sales charges (loads). Therefore, the information for each class in the table is useful in comparing ongoing costs only, and will not help you determine the relative total costs of owning different funds. In addition, if these transactional costs were included, your costs would have been higher.

    Beginning
Account
Value
7/1/20
  Actual Ending
Account
Value
12/31/20
  Hypothetical
Ending Account
Value
  Actual
Expenses
Paid
During
Period*
  Hypothetical
Expenses Paid
During Period*
  Net
Expense
Ratio
During
Period**
 

Global Concentrated Portfolio Class I

 

$

1,000.00

   

$

1,299.00

   

$

1,020.16

   

$

5.72

   

$

5.03

     

0.99

%

 

Global Concentrated Portfolio Class A

   

1,000.00

     

1,297.70

     

1,018.50

     

7.62

     

6.70

     

1.32

   

Global Concentrated Portfolio Class C

   

1,000.00

     

1,292.50

     

1,014.63

     

12.04

     

10.58

     

2.09

   

Global Concentrated Portfolio Class IS

   

1,000.00

     

1,300.50

     

1,020.36

     

5.49

     

4.82

     

0.95

   

*  Expenses are calculated using each Fund Class' annualized net expense ratio (as disclosed), multiplied by the average account value over the period and multiplied by 184/366 (to reflect the most recent one-half year period).

**  Annualized.


3



Morgan Stanley Institutional Fund, Inc.

Annual Report — December 31, 2020

Investment Overview (unaudited)

Global Concentrated Portfolio

The Fund seeks long-term capital appreciation.

Performance

For the fiscal year ended December 31, 2020, the Fund's Class I shares had a total return based on net asset value and reinvestment of distributions per share of 23.52%, net of fees. The Fund's Class I shares outperformed the Fund's benchmark, the MSCI World Net Index (the "Index"), which returned 15.90%.

Please keep in mind that double-digit returns are highly unusual and cannot be sustained. Investors should also be aware that these returns were primarily achieved during favorable market conditions.

Factors Affecting Performance

•  The Fund returned strong performance on both an absolute and relative basis in 2020.

•  For the duration of 2020, the Fund held both growth and value stocks, with some exposure to more defensive bond proxy stocks in terms of utilities and real estate investment trusts (REITs) to help mitigate market volatility. This positioning contributed to performance.

•  Early year expectations were for a market that would respond positively to easy earnings comparisons, a strengthening U.S. housing market, combined accommodative U.S. Federal Reserve and European Central Bank stimulus policy, historically low unemployment, overly negative investor sentiment and potential resolution to the U.S. versus China trade dispute. However, a global government-induced economic shutdown to mitigate the spread of COVID-19 quickly tipped the economy into recession and pushed equities into bear market territory. As the markets dropped in the last days of the first quarter of 2020 prior to beginning their remarkable recovery, the more volatile, cyclical value stocks in the portfolio were even more greatly impacted than the growth stocks in the portfolio. These value stocks were historically inexpensive with strong balance sheets, providing potential for strong upside in a market recovery, hence the decision to maintain weighting in these names.

•  As the recovery progressed, growth stocks, and secular growth stocks in particular, appreciated to

become extraordinarily expensive relative to their history, approaching valuation levels they last achieved prior to the 2000 dot-com bust, implying unreasonably high expectations. To mitigate the associated risk, the allocation increased to cyclical value stocks, which were more greatly impacted in the first quarter drawdown and priced at similarly low historic valuation levels, a magnitude last seen in 2008. The resultant positioning served us well. Value cyclical stocks performed strongly, especially in the fourth quarter of 2020, with both growth and value stocks contributing positively to performance for the full year.

•  From a geographic standpoint, regional positioning positively contributed to performance in 2020. Being underweight and remaining more defensive in the European region and maintaining no weight in Japan were favorable decisions that positively contributed to performance.

•  With valuations versus their U.S. technology peers at extreme lows, Asia technology was the largest overweight in the portfolio in 2020. Asia technology positions as a group significantly contributed to performance for the year. The recent depreciation of the dollar versus Asia ex-Japan currencies has provided added reason to hold Asia ex-Japan exposure entering 2021.

•  The Fund's consistent lack of allocation to Japan in 2020 contributed somewhat to performance. Not only do we struggle quantitatively to find factors that have persistence, but we also struggle to find specific stocks that persistently outperform. This poses a longer-term risk, and the team remains negative on the region.

•  Entering 2021, the portfolio holds about 40% growth and 60% value/core stocks in the U.S., including some exposure to more defensive bond proxy stocks in terms of utilities and REITs to help mitigate market volatility. From a geographic standpoint, the portfolio is underweight North America, overweight Asia ex-Japan and underweight Europe versus the benchmark while maintaining no weighting in Japan.

•  Within stock selection, the largest detractors were a U.S.-based global bank weighed down by concerns regarding slower loan growth and macro


4



Morgan Stanley Institutional Fund, Inc.

Annual Report — December 31, 2020

Investment Overview (unaudited) (cont'd)

Global Concentrated Portfolio

headwinds, a U.K.-based beer and spirits company impacted by reduction in on-premise consumption of alcoholic beverages, and a REIT focused on suburban residential apartments in California and Seattle, both regions which had been significantly impacted by COVID-19.

•  The Fund benefited the most from positions in technology stocks, most notably a Taiwan-based semiconductor manufacturer, a U.S.-based software and services company, and a China-based internet company. Other top contributors to performance for the period were a U.S. regional bank based in Silicon Valley and a U.S.-based designer athletic apparel manufacturer and retailer.

Management Strategies

•  There have been no changes to our investment process during the period. Applied Equity Advisors' investment process is comprised of two parts: a Factor Timing Engine and a Stock Selection Engine. The first step, the Factor Timing Engine, takes into account not only what market factors or areas of the market are in leadership, but also how much momentum a particular factor has, whether that factor is cheap or expensive, and whether the timing is right to be tilted toward that factor. The timing decision comes down to the team's judgment and our combined decades of experience in factor investing. With regard to the Factor Timing Engine, investing in a particular area of the market that shows cheap historical valuation levels may not appear to be advantageous at first, but if chosen correctly, sticking with that investment often proves to be successful over the longer term. The Stock Selection Engine begins its work once the desired factor positioning is understood. There are three steps to the Stock Selection Engine: 1. regression analysis to determine the drivers of a particular stock's price performance; 2. Sustainability Analysis; and 3. further evaluation of the company fundamentals. The result is a highly active portfolio of fundamentally attractive stocks which the team believes could benefit from what we have identified to be quantitative investment styles likely to outperform in each region.

*  Minimum Investment for Class I shares

**  Commenced Operations on May 27, 2016.

In accordance with SEC regulations, the Fund's performance shown assumes that all recurring fees (including management fees) were deducted and all dividends and distributions were reinvested. The performance of Class A, C and IS shares will vary from the performance of Class I shares and will be negatively impacted by additional fees assessed to those classes (if applicable).


5



Morgan Stanley Institutional Fund, Inc.

Annual Report — December 31, 2020

Investment Overview (unaudited) (cont'd)

Global Concentrated Portfolio

Performance Compared to the MSCI World Net Index(1), the Lipper Global Large-Cap Growth Funds Index(2) and the Lipper Global Large-Cap Core Funds Index(3)

    Period Ended December 31, 2020
Total Returns(4)
 
       

Average Annual

 
    One
Year
  Five
Years
  Ten
Years
  Since
Inception(6)
 
Fund — Class I Shares
w/o sales charges(5)
   

23.52

%

   

     

     

13.09

%

 
Fund — Class A Shares
w/o sales charges(5)
   

23.19

     

     

     

12.70

   
Fund — Class A Shares
with maximum 5.25%
sales charges(5)
   

16.76

     

     

     

11.40

   
Fund — Class C Shares
w/o sales charges(5)
   

22.23

     

     

     

11.87

   
Fund — Class C Shares
with maximum 1.00%
deferred sales charges(5)
   

21.23

     

     

     

11.87

   
Fund — Class IS Shares
w/o sales charges(5)
   

23.67

     

     

     

13.16

   

MSCI World Net Index

   

15.90

     

     

     

12.89

   
Lipper Global Large-Cap
Growth Funds Index
   

27.24

     

     

     

16.84

   
Lipper Global Large-Cap
Core Funds Index
   

13.84

     

     

     

12.11

   

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. Performance assumes that all dividends and distributions, if any, were reinvested. For the most recent month-end performance figures, please visit www.morganstanley.com/im/shareholderreports. Investment return and principal value will fluctuate so that Fund shares, when redeemed, may be worth more or less than their original cost. Total returns do not reflect the deduction of taxes that a shareholder would pay on Fund distributions or the redemption of Fund shares. Performance of share classes will vary due to difference in sales charges and expenses.

(1)  The MSCI World Net Index is a free float-adjusted market capitalization weighted index designed to measure the equity market performance of developed markets. 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 MSCI World Index currently consists of 23 developed market country indices. The performance of the Index is listed in US dollars and assumes reinvestment of net dividends. Net total return indices reinvest dividends after the deduction of withholding taxes, using (for international indices) a tax rate applicable to non-resident institutional investors who do not benefit from double taxation treaties. The Index is unmanaged and its returns do not include any sales charges or fees. Such costs would lower performance. It is not possible to invest directly in an index.

(2)  The Lipper Global Large-Cap Growth Funds Index is an equally weighted performance index of the largest qualifying funds (based on net assets) in the Lipper Global Large-Cap Growth Funds classification. The Index, which is adjusted for capital gains distributions and income dividends, is unmanaged and should not be considered an investment. There are currently 30 funds represented in this Index. As of the date of this report, the Fund was in the Lipper Global Large-Cap Growth Funds classification. The Funds' Lipper category changed from Lipper Global Large-Cap Core Funds to Lipper Global Large-Cap Growth Funds.

(3)  The Lipper Global Large-Cap Core Funds Index is an equally weighted performance index of the largest qualifying funds (based on net assets) in the Lipper Global Large-Cap Core Funds classification. The Index, which is adjusted for capital gains distributions and income dividends, is unmanaged and should not be considered an investment. There are currently 10 funds represented in this Index.

(4)  Total returns for the Fund reflect fees waived and expenses reimbursed, if applicable, by the Adviser (as defined herein). Without such waivers and reimbursements, total returns would have been lower.

(5)  Commenced operations on May 27, 2016.

(6)  For comparative purposes, average annual since inception returns listed for the Indexes refer to the inception date of the Fund, not the inception of the Index.


6



Morgan Stanley Institutional Fund, Inc.

Annual Report — December 31, 2020

Portfolio of Investments

Global Concentrated Portfolio

   

Shares

  Value
(000)
 

Common Stocks (98.5%)

 

Canada (1.4%)

 

Franco-Nevada Corp.

   

6,305

   

$

790

   

China (12.8%)

 

Alibaba Group Holding Ltd. ADR (a)

   

16,284

     

3,790

   

Tencent Holdings Ltd. ADR

   

46,252

     

3,325

   
     

7,115

   

France (6.7%)

 

LVMH Moet Hennessy Louis Vuitton SE ADR

   

29,971

     

3,738

   

India (7.2%)

 

HDFC Bank Ltd. ADR (a)

   

55,510

     

4,011

   

Italy (5.4%)

 

Ferrari N.V.

   

13,195

     

3,029

   

Taiwan (8.6%)

 

Taiwan Semiconductor Manufacturing Co., Ltd. ADR

   

43,684

     

4,763

   

United States (56.4%)

 

Danaher Corp.

   

7,775

     

1,727

   

Domino's Pizza, Inc.

   

7,386

     

2,832

   

Estee Lauder Cos., Inc. (The), Class A

   

7,503

     

1,997

   

JPMorgan Chase & Co.

   

4,261

     

542

   

Lululemon Athletica, Inc. (a)

   

5,360

     

1,865

   

Mastercard, Inc., Class A

   

9,774

     

3,489

   

Microsoft Corp.

   

19,686

     

4,379

   

NextEra Energy, Inc.

   

25,650

     

1,979

   

Planet Fitness, Inc., Class A (a)

   

11,860

     

921

   

STORE Capital Corp. REIT

   

118,456

     

4,025

   

SVB Financial Group (a)

   

10,275

     

3,985

   

United Rentals, Inc. (a)

   

9,301

     

2,157

   

Waste Management, Inc.

   

12,643

     

1,491

   
     

31,389

   

Total Common Stocks (Cost $44,816)

   

54,835

   

Short-Term Investment (1.6%)

 

Investment Company (1.6%)

 
Morgan Stanley Institutional Liquidity
Funds — Treasury Securities Portfolio —
Institutional Class (See Note G)
(Cost $863)
   

863,471

     

863

   
Total Investments (100.1%)
(Cost $45,679) (b)
   

55,698

   

Liabilities in Excess of Other Assets (–0.1%)

   

(50

)

 

Net Assets (100.0%)

 

$

55,648

   

Country assignments and aggregations are based generally on third party vendor classifications and information, and may be different from the assignments and aggregations under the policies set forth in the Fund's prospectus and/or statement of additional information relating to geographic classifications.

(a)  Non-income producing security.

(b)  At December 31, 2020, the aggregate cost for federal income tax purposes is approximately $45,916,000. The aggregate gross unrealized appreciation is approximately $10,261,000 and the aggregate gross unrealized depreciation is approximately $479,000, resulting in net unrealized appreciation of approximately $9,782,000.

ADR  American Depositary Receipt.

REIT  Real Estate Investment Trust.

Portfolio Composition

Classification

  Percentage of
Total Investments
 

Other*

   

19.8

%

 

Banks

   

15.3

   

Textiles, Apparel & Luxury Goods

   

10.1

   

Semiconductors & Semiconductor Equipment

   

8.5

   

Software

   

7.9

   

Equity Real Estate Investment Trusts (REITs)

   

7.2

   

Internet & Direct Marketing Retail

   

6.8

   

Hotels, Restaurants & Leisure

   

6.7

   

Information Technology Services

   

6.3

   

Interactive Media & Services

   

6.0

   

Automobiles

   

5.4

   

Total Investments

   

100.0

%

 

*  Industries and/or investment types representing less than 5% of total investments.

The accompanying notes are an integral part of the financial statements.
7



Morgan Stanley Institutional Fund, Inc.

Annual Report — December 31, 2020

Global Concentrated Portfolio

Statement of Assets and Liabilities

  December 31, 2020
(000)
 

Assets:

 

Investments in Securities of Unaffiliated Issuers, at Value (Cost $44,816)

 

$

54,835

   

Investment in Security of Affiliated Issuer, at Value (Cost $863)

   

863

   

Total Investments in Securities, at Value (Cost $45,679)

   

55,698

   

Receivable for Fund Shares Sold

   

390

   

Dividends Receivable

   

59

   

Tax Reclaim Receivable

   

1

   

Receivable from Affiliate

   

@

 

Other Assets

   

28

   

Total Assets

   

56,176

   

Liabilities:

 

Payable for Investments Purchased

   

470

   

Payable for Advisory Fees

   

23

   

Payable for Professional Fees

   

17

   

Payable for Administration Fees

   

4

   

Payable for Shareholder Services Fees — Class A

   

1

   

Payable for Distribution and Shareholder Services Fees — Class C

   

3

   

Payable for Transfer Agency Fees — Class I

   

1

   

Payable for Transfer Agency Fees — Class A

   

1

   

Payable for Transfer Agency Fees — Class C

   

1

   

Payable for Transfer Agency Fees — Class IS

   

@

 

Payable for Sub Transfer Agency Fees — Class I

   

1

   

Payable for Sub Transfer Agency Fees — Class A

   

1

   

Payable for Sub Transfer Agency Fees — Class C

   

@

 

Payable for Custodian Fees

   

2

   

Other Liabilities

   

3

   

Total Liabilities

   

528

   

Net Assets

 

$

55,648

   

Net Assets Consist of:

 

Paid-in-Capital

 

$

45,424

   

Total Distributable Earnings

   

10,224

   

Net Assets

 

$

55,648

   

CLASS I:

 

Net Assets

 

$

45,946

   
Shares Outstanding $0.001 par value shares of beneficial interest (unlimited shares authorized) (not in 000's)    

2,683,085

   

Net Asset Value, Offering and Redemption Price Per Share

 

$

17.12

   

CLASS A:

 

Net Assets

 

$

6,091

   
Shares Outstanding $0.001 par value shares of beneficial interest (unlimited shares authorized) (not in 000's)    

358,290

   

Net Asset Value, Redemption Price Per Share

 

$

17.00

   

Maximum Sales Load

   

5.25

%

 

Maximum Sales Charge

 

$

0.94

   

Maximum Offering Price Per Share

 

$

17.94

   

CLASS C:

 

Net Assets

 

$

3,568

   
Shares Outstanding $0.001 par value shares of beneficial interest (unlimited shares authorized) (not in 000's)    

214,166

   

Net Asset Value, Offering and Redemption Price Per Share

 

$

16.66

   

CLASS IS:

 

Net Assets

 

$

43

   
Shares Outstanding $0.001 par value shares of beneficial interest (unlimited shares authorized) (not in 000's)    

2,489

   

Net Asset Value, Offering and Redemption Price Per Share

 

$

17.14

   

@  Amount is less than $500.

The accompanying notes are an integral part of the financial statements.
8



Morgan Stanley Institutional Fund, Inc.

Annual Report — December 31, 2020

Global Concentrated Portfolio

Statement of Operations

  Year Ended
December 31, 2020
(000)
 

Investment Income:

 

Dividends from Securities of Unaffiliated Issuers (Net of $15 of Foreign Taxes Withheld)

 

$

318

   

Dividends from Security of Affiliated Issuer (Note G)

   

1

   

Total Investment Income

   

319

   

Expenses:

 

Advisory Fees (Note B)

   

200

   

Professional Fees

   

125

   

Registration Fees

   

57

   

Shareholder Reporting Fees

   

44

   

Shareholder Services Fees — Class A (Note D)

   

11

   

Distribution and Shareholder Services Fees — Class C (Note D)

   

27

   

Administration Fees (Note C)

   

21

   

Sub Transfer Agency Fees — Class I

   

6

   

Sub Transfer Agency Fees — Class A

   

3

   

Sub Transfer Agency Fees — Class C

   

1

   

Transfer Agency Fees — Class I (Note E)

   

2

   

Transfer Agency Fees — Class A (Note E)

   

2

   

Transfer Agency Fees — Class C (Note E)

   

2

   

Transfer Agency Fees — Class IS (Note E)

   

2

   

Custodian Fees (Note F)

   

7

   

Directors' Fees and Expenses

   

5

   

Pricing Fees

   

1

   

Other Expenses

   

14

   

Total Expenses

   

530

   

Waiver of Advisory Fees (Note B)

   

(200

)

 

Expenses Reimbursed by Adviser (Note B)

   

(19

)

 

Reimbursement of Class Specific Expenses — Class IS (Note B)

   

(2

)

 

Rebate from Morgan Stanley Affiliate (Note G)

   

(1

)

 

Net Expenses

   

308

   

Net Investment Income

   

11

   

Realized Gain:

 

Investments Sold

   

394

   

Change in Unrealized Appreciation (Depreciation):

 

Investments

   

6,411

   

Net Realized Gain and Change in Unrealized Appreciation (Depreciation)

   

6,805

   

Net Increase in Net Assets Resulting from Operations

 

$

6,816

   

The accompanying notes are an integral part of the financial statements.
9



Morgan Stanley Institutional Fund, Inc.

Annual Report — December 31, 2020

Global Concentrated Portfolio

Statements of Changes in Net Assets

  Year Ended
December 31, 2020
(000)
  Year Ended
December 31, 2019
(000)
 

Increase (Decrease) in Net Assets:

 

Operations:

 

Net Investment Income

 

$

11

   

$

82

   

Net Realized Gain

   

394

     

559

   

Net Change in Unrealized Appreciation (Depreciation)

   

6,411

     

4,466

   

Net Increase in Net Assets Resulting from Operations

   

6,816

     

5,107

   

Dividends and Distributions to Shareholders:

 

Class I

   

(1

)

   

(164

)

 

Class A

   

(—

@)

   

(24

)

 

Class C

   

(—

@)

   

(2

)

 

Class IS

   

(—

@)

   

(—

@)

 

Total Dividends and Distributions to Shareholders

   

(1

)

   

(190

)

 

Capital Share Transactions:(1)

 

Class I:

 

Subscribed

   

28,607

     

1,770

   

Distributions Reinvested

   

1

     

164

   

Redeemed

   

(2,846

)

   

(2,155

)

 

Class A:

 

Subscribed

   

2,087

     

2,061

   

Distributions Reinvested

   

@

   

24

   

Redeemed

   

(1,077

)

   

(1,014

)

 

Class C:

 

Subscribed

   

1,818

     

590

   

Distributions Reinvested

   

@

   

2

   

Redeemed

   

(1,387

)

   

(788

)

 

Class IS:

 

Subscribed

   

18

     

   

Distributions Reinvested

   

@

   

@

 

Net Increase in Net Assets Resulting from Capital Share Transactions

   

27,221

     

654

   

Total Increase in Net Assets

   

34,036

     

5,571

   

Net Assets:

 

Beginning of Period

   

21,612

     

16,041

   

End of Period

 

$

55,648

   

$

21,612

   

(1)   Capital Share Transactions:

 

Class I:

 

Shares Subscribed

   

1,823

     

142

   

Shares Issued on Distributions Reinvested

   

@@

   

12

   

Shares Redeemed

   

(214

)

   

(177

)

 

Net Increase (Decrease) in Class I Shares Outstanding

   

1,609

     

(23

)

 

Class A:

 

Shares Subscribed

   

150

     

161

   

Shares Issued on Distributions Reinvested

   

@@

   

2

   

Shares Redeemed

   

(82

)

   

(84

)

 

Net Increase in Class A Shares Outstanding

   

68

     

79

   

Class C:

 

Shares Subscribed

   

133

     

46

   

Shares Issued on Distributions Reinvested

   

@@

   

@@

 

Shares Redeemed

   

(117

)

   

(66

)

 

Net Increase (Decrease) in Class C Shares Outstanding

   

16

     

(20

)

 

Class IS:

 

Shares Subscribed

   

1

     

   

Shares Issued on Distributions Reinvested

   

@@

   

@@

 

Net Increase in Class IS Shares Outstanding

   

1

     

@@

 

@  Amount is less than $500.

@@  Amount is less than 500 shares.

The accompanying notes are an integral part of the financial statements.
10



Morgan Stanley Institutional Fund, Inc.

Annual Report — December 31, 2020

Financial Highlights

Global Concentrated Portfolio

   

Class I

 
   

Year Ended December 31,

  Period from
May 27, 2016(1) to
 

Selected Per Share Data and Ratios

 

2020

 

2019

 

2018

 

2017

 

December 31, 2016

 

Net Asset Value, Beginning of Period

 

$

13.86

   

$

10.53

   

$

12.42

   

$

10.16

   

$

10.00

   

Income (Loss) from Investment Operations:

 

Net Investment Income(2)

   

0.03

     

0.08

     

0.14

     

0.02

     

0.03

   

Net Realized and Unrealized Gain (Loss)

   

3.23

     

3.40

     

(1.95

)

   

2.28

     

0.19

   

Total from Investment Operations

   

3.26

     

3.48

     

(1.81

)

   

2.30

     

0.22

   

Distributions from and/or in Excess of:

 

Net Investment Income

   

(0.00

)(3)

   

(0.15

)

   

(0.08

)

   

(0.03

)

   

(0.06

)

 

Paid-in-Capital

   

     

     

     

(0.01

)

   

   

Total Distributions

   

(0.00

)(3)

   

(0.15

)

   

(0.08

)

   

(0.04

)

   

(0.06

)

 

Net Asset Value, End of Period

 

$

17.12

   

$

13.86

   

$

10.53

   

$

12.42

   

$

10.16

   

Total Return(4)

   

23.52

%

   

33.10

%

   

(14.61

)%

   

22.64

%

   

2.24

%(7)

 

Ratios to Average Net Assets and Supplemental Data:

 

Net Assets, End of Period (Thousands)

 

$

45,946

   

$

14,885

   

$

11,554

   

$

11,814

   

$

6,922

   

Ratio of Expenses Before Expense Limitation

   

1.81

%

   

1.96

%

   

1.90

%

   

3.13

%

   

3.57

%(8)

 

Ratio of Expenses After Expense Limitation

   

0.99

%(5)

   

1.00

%(5)

   

1.00

%(5)

   

0.98

%(5)

   

0.97

%(5)(8)

 

Ratio of Net Investment Income

   

0.21

%(5)

   

0.64

%(5)

   

1.13

%(5)

   

0.15

%(5)

   

0.48

%(5)(8)

 

Ratio of Rebate from Morgan Stanley Affiliates

   

0.00

%(6)

   

0.00

%(6)

   

0.00

%(6)

   

0.00

%(6)

   

0.00

%(6)(8)

 

Portfolio Turnover Rate

   

54

%

   

123

%

   

94

%

   

68

%

   

44

%(7)

 

(1)  Commencement of Operations.

(2)  Per share amount is based on average shares outstanding.

(3)  Amount is less than $0.005 per share.

(4)  Calculated based on the net asset value as of the last business day of the period.

(5)  The Ratio of Expenses After Expense Limitation and Ratio of Net Investment Income reflect the rebate of certain Fund expenses in connection with the investments in Morgan Stanley affiliates during the period. The effect of the rebate on the ratios is disclosed in the above table as "Ratio of Rebate from Morgan Stanley Affiliates."

(6)  Amount is less than 0.005%.

(7)  Not annualized.

(8)  Annualized.

The accompanying notes are an integral part of the financial statements.
11



Morgan Stanley Institutional Fund, Inc.

Annual Report — December 31, 2020

Financial Highlights

Global Concentrated Portfolio

   

Class A

 
   

Year Ended December 31,

  Period from
May 27, 2016(1) to
 

Selected Per Share Data and Ratios

 

2020

 

2019

 

2018

 

2017

 

December 31, 2016

 

Net Asset Value, Beginning of Period

 

$

13.80

   

$

10.49

   

$

12.37

   

$

10.15

   

$

10.00

   

Income (Loss) from Investment Operations:

 

Net Investment Income (Loss)(2)

   

(0.02

)

   

0.04

     

0.11

     

(0.03

)

   

0.01

   

Net Realized and Unrealized Gain (Loss)

   

3.22

     

3.38

     

(1.95

)

   

2.28

     

0.19

   

Total from Investment Operations

   

3.20

     

3.42

     

(1.84

)

   

2.25

     

0.20

   

Distributions from and/or in Excess of:

 

Net Investment Income

   

(0.00

)(3)

   

(0.11

)

   

(0.04

)

   

(0.03

)

   

(0.05

)

 

Net Asset Value, End of Period

 

$

17.00

   

$

13.80

   

$

10.49

   

$

12.37

   

$

10.15

   

Total Return(4)

   

23.19

%

   

32.64

%

   

(14.91

)%

   

22.17

%

   

2.02

%(7)

 

Ratios to Average Net Assets and Supplemental Data:

 

Net Assets, End of Period (Thousands)

 

$

6,091

   

$

4,009

   

$

2,213

   

$

1,666

   

$

782

   

Ratio of Expenses Before Expense Limitation

   

2.13

%

   

2.29

%

   

2.24

%

   

3.61

%

   

4.23

%(8)

 

Ratio of Expenses After Expense Limitation

   

1.31

%(5)

   

1.34

%(5)

   

1.35

%(5)

   

1.35

%(5)

   

1.35

%(5)(8)

 

Ratio of Net Investment Income (Loss)

   

(0.14

)%(5)

   

0.32

%(5)

   

0.91

%(5)

   

(0.25

)%(5)

   

0.16

%(5)(8)

 

Ratio of Rebate from Morgan Stanley Affiliates

   

0.00

%(6)

   

0.00

%(6)

   

0.00

%(6)

   

0.00

%(6)

   

0.00

%(6)(8)

 

Portfolio Turnover Rate

   

54

%

   

123

%

   

94

%

   

68

%

   

44

%(7)

 

(1)  Commencement of Operations.

(2)  Per share amount is based on average shares outstanding.

(3)  Amount is less than $0.005 per share.

(4)  Calculated based on the net asset value which does not reflect sales charges, if applicable, as of the last business day of the period.

(5)  The Ratio of Expenses After Expense Limitation and Net Investment Income (Loss) reflect the rebate of certain Fund expenses in connection with the investments Morgan Stanley affiliates during the period. The effect of the rebate on the ratios is disclosed in the above table as "Ratio of Rebate from Morgan Stanley Affiliates."

(6)  Amount is less than 0.005%.

(7)  Not annualized.

(8)  Annualized.

The accompanying notes are an integral part of the financial statements.
12



Morgan Stanley Institutional Fund, Inc.

Annual Report — December 31, 2020

Financial Highlights

Global Concentrated Portfolio

   

Class C

 
   

Year Ended December 31,

  Period from
May 27, 2016(1) to
 

Selected Per Share Data and Ratios

 

2020

 

2019

 

2018

 

2017

 

December 31, 2016

 

Net Asset Value, Beginning of Period

 

$

13.63

   

$

10.36

   

$

12.27

   

$

10.15

   

$

10.00

   

Income (Loss) from Investment Operations:

 

Net Investment Income (Loss)(2)

   

(0.12

)

   

(0.06

)

   

0.02

     

(0.11

)

   

(0.04

)

 

Net Realized and Unrealized Gain (Loss)

   

3.15

     

3.34

     

(1.93

)

   

2.26

     

0.21

   

Total from Investment Operations

   

3.03

     

3.28

     

(1.91

)

   

2.15

     

0.17

   

Distributions from and/or in Excess of:

 

Net Investment Income

   

(0.00

)(3)

   

(0.01

)

   

     

(0.03

)

   

(0.02

)

 

Net Asset Value, End of Period

 

$

16.66

   

$

13.63

   

$

10.36

   

$

12.27

   

$

10.15

   

Total Return(4)

   

22.23

%

   

31.69

%

   

(15.57

)%

   

21.18

%

   

1.69

%(7)

 

Ratios to Average Net Assets and Supplemental Data:

 

Net Assets, End of Period (Thousands)

 

$

3,568

   

$

2,704

   

$

2,263

   

$

1,728

   

$

877

   

Ratio of Expenses Before Expense Limitation

   

2.91

%

   

3.06

%

   

2.98

%

   

4.36

%

   

4.81

%(8)

 

Ratio of Expenses After Expense Limitation

   

2.09

%(5)

   

2.10

%(5)

   

2.09

%(5)

   

2.10

%(5)

   

2.10

%(5)(8)

 

Ratio of Net Investment Income (Loss)

   

(0.91

)%(5)

   

(0.46

)%(5)

   

0.18

%(5)

   

(0.95

)%(5)

   

(0.69

)%(5)(8)

 

Ratio of Rebate from Morgan Stanley Affiliates

   

0.00

%(6)

   

0.00

%(6)

   

0.00

%(6)

   

0.00

%(6)

   

0.00

%(6)(8)

 

Portfolio Turnover Rate

   

54

%

   

123

%

   

94

%

   

68

%

   

44

%(7)

 

(1)  Commencement of Operations.

(2)  Per share amount is based on average shares outstanding.

(3)  Amount is less than $0.005 per share.

(4)  Calculated based on the net asset value which does not reflect sales charges, if applicable, as of the last business day of the period.

(5)  The Ratio of Expenses After Expense Limitation and Net Investment Income (Loss) reflect the rebate of certain Fund expenses in connection with the investments Morgan Stanley affiliates during the period. The effect of the rebate on the ratios is disclosed in the above table as "Ratio of Rebate from Morgan Stanley Affiliates."

(6)  Amount is less than 0.005%.

(7)  Not annualized.

(8)  Annualized.

The accompanying notes are an integral part of the financial statements.
13



Morgan Stanley Institutional Fund, Inc.

Annual Report — December 31, 2020

Financial Highlights

Global Concentrated Portfolio

   

Class IS

 
   

Year Ended December 31,

  Period from
May 27, 2016(1) to
 

Selected Per Share Data and Ratios

 

2020

 

2019

 

2018

 

2017

 

December 31, 2016

 

Net Asset Value, Beginning of Period

 

$

13.86

   

$

10.53

   

$

12.42

   

$

10.16

   

$

10.00

   

Income (Loss) from Investment Operations:

 

Net Investment Income(2)

   

0.03

     

0.09

     

0.16

     

0.02

     

0.03

   

Net Realized and Unrealized Gain (Loss)

   

3.25

     

3.40

     

(1.97

)

   

2.28

     

0.20

   

Total from Investment Operations

   

3.28

     

3.49

     

(1.81

)

   

2.30

     

0.23

   

Distributions from and/or in Excess of:

 

Net Investment Income

   

(0.00

)(3)

   

(0.16

)

   

(0.08

)

   

(0.03

)

   

(0.07

)

 

Paid-in-Capital

   

     

     

     

(0.01

)

   

   

Total Distributions

   

(0.00

)(3)

   

(0.16

)

   

(0.08

)

   

(0.04

)

   

(0.07

)

 

Net Asset Value, End of Period

 

$

17.14

   

$

13.86

   

$

10.53

   

$

12.42

   

$

10.16

   

Total Return(4)

   

23.67

%

   

33.16

%

   

(14.55

)%

   

22.67

%

   

2.25

%(7)

 

Ratios to Average Net Assets and Supplemental Data:

 

Net Assets, End of Period (Thousands)

 

$

43

   

$

14

   

$

11

   

$

12

   

$

10

   

Ratio of Expenses Before Expense Limitation

   

9.20

%

   

17.68

%

   

17.97

%

   

18.61

%

   

19.43

%(8)

 

Ratio of Expenses After Expense Limitation

   

0.95

%(5)

   

0.95

%(5)

   

0.95

%(5)

   

0.95

%(5)

   

0.95

%(5)(8)

 

Ratio of Net Investment Income

   

0.22

%(5)

   

0.68

%(5)

   

1.27

%(5)

   

0.22

%(5)

   

0.56

%(5)(8)

 

Ratio of Rebate from Morgan Stanley Affiliates

   

0.00

%(6)

   

0.00

%(6)

   

0.00

%(6)

   

0.00

%(6)

   

0.00

%(6)(8)

 

Portfolio Turnover Rate

   

54

%

   

123

%

   

94

%

   

68

%

   

44

%(7)

 

(1)  Commencement of Operations.

(2)  Per share amount is based on average shares outstanding.

(3)  Amount is less than $0.005 per share.

(4)  Calculated based on the net asset value as of the last business day of the period.

(5)  The Ratio of Expenses After Expense Limitation and Ratio of Net Investment Income reflect the rebate of certain Fund expenses in connection with the investments in Morgan Stanley affiliates during the period. The effect of the rebate on the ratios is disclosed in the above table as "Ratio of Rebate from Morgan Stanley Affiliates."

(6)  Amount is less than 0.005%.

(7)  Not annualized.

(8)  Annualized.

The accompanying notes are an integral part of the financial statements.
14



Morgan Stanley Institutional Fund, Inc.

Annual Report — December 31, 2020

Notes to Financial Statements

Morgan Stanley Institutional Fund, Inc. (the "Company") is registered under the Investment Company Act of 1940, as amended (the "Act"), as an open-end management investment company. The Company is comprised of thirty-one separate, active, diversified and non-diversified funds (individually referred to as a "Fund," collectively as the "Funds"). The Company applies investment company accounting and reporting guidance.

The accompanying financial statements relate to the Global Concentrated Portfolio. The Fund seeks long-term capital appreciation.

The Fund offers four classes of shares — Class I, Class A, Class C and Class IS.

A. Significant Accounting Policies: The following significant accounting policies are in conformity with U.S. generally accepted accounting principles ("GAAP"). Such policies are consistently followed by the Company in the preparation of its financial statements. GAAP may require management to make estimates and assumptions that affect the reported amounts and disclosures in the financial statements. Actual results may differ from those estimates.

1.  Security Valuation: (1) An equity portfolio security listed or traded on an exchange is valued at its latest reported sales price (or at the exchange official closing price if such exchange reports an official closing price), and if there were no sales on a given day and if there is no official exchange closing price for that day, the security is valued at the mean between the last reported bid and asked prices if such bid and asked prices are available on the relevant exchanges. If only bid prices are available then the latest bid price may be used. Listed equity securities not traded on the valuation date with no reported bid and asked prices available on the exchange are valued at the mean between the current bid and asked prices obtained from one or more reputable brokers or dealers. In cases where a security is traded on more than one exchange, the security is valued on the exchange designated as the primary market; (2) all other equity portfolio securities for which over-the-counter ("OTC") market quotations are readily available are valued at the latest reported sales price (or at the market official closing price if such market reports an official closing price), and if there was no trading in the security on a given day and if there is no official closing price from relevant markets for that day, the security is valued at the mean between the last reported bid and asked prices if such bid and

asked prices are available on the relevant markets. An unlisted equity security that does not trade on the valuation date and for which bid and asked prices from the relevant markets are unavailable is valued at the mean between the current bid and asked prices obtained from one or more reputable brokers or dealers; (3) certain portfolio securities may be valued by an outside pricing service/vendor approved by the Company's Board of Directors (the "Directors"). The pricing service/vendor may employ a pricing model that takes into account, among other things, bids, yield spreads and/or other market data and specific security characteristics. Alternatively, if a valuation is not available from an outside pricing service/vendor, and the security trades on an exchange, the security may be valued at its latest reported sale price (or at the exchange official closing price if such exchange reports an official closing price), prior to the time when assets are valued. If there are no sales on a given day and if there is no official exchange closing price for that day, the security is valued at the mean between the last reported bid and asked prices if such bid and asked prices are available in the relevant exchanges. If only bid prices are available then the latest bid price may be used. If Morgan Stanley Investment Management Inc. (the "Adviser"), a wholly-owned subsidiary of Morgan Stanley, determines that the price provided by the outside pricing service/vendor or exchange does not reflect the security's fair value or is unable to provide a price, prices from brokers or dealers may also be utilized. In these circumstances, the value of the security will be the mean of bid and asked prices obtained from brokers or dealers; (4) when market quotations are not readily available, including circumstances under which the Adviser 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 Directors. 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 of the New York Stock Exchange ("NYSE"). If developments occur during such periods that are expected to materially affect the value of such securities, such valuations may be adjusted to reflect the estimated fair value of such securities as of the close of the NYSE, as determined in good faith by the Directors or by


15



Morgan Stanley Institutional Fund, Inc.

Annual Report — December 31, 2020

Notes to Financial Statements (cont'd)

the Adviser using a pricing service and/or procedures approved by the Directors; and (5) investments in mutual funds, including the Morgan Stanley Institutional Liquidity Funds, are valued at the net asset value ("NAV") as of the close of each business day.

The Directors have responsibility for determining in good faith the fair value of the investments, and the Directors may appoint others, such as the Company's Adviser or a valuation committee, to assist the Directors in determining fair value and to make the actual calculations pursuant to the fair valuation methodologies previously approved by the Directors. Under procedures approved by the Directors, the Company's Adviser has formed a Valuation Committee whose members are approved by the Directors. The Valuation Committee provides administration and oversight of the Company's valuation policies and procedures, which are reviewed at least annually by the Directors. These procedures allow the Company to utilize independent pricing services, quotations from securities and financial instrument dealers and other market sources to determine fair value.

2.  Fair Value Measurement: Financial Accounting Standards Board ("FASB") Accounting Standards CodificationTM ("ASC") 820, "Fair Value Measurement" ("ASC 820"), defines fair value as the value that the Fund would receive to sell an investment or pay to transfer a liability in a timely transaction with an independent buyer in the principal market, or in the absence of a principal market, the most advantageous market for the investment or liability. ASC 820 establishes a three-tier hierarchy to distinguish between (1) inputs that reflect the assumptions market participants would use in valuing an asset or liability developed based on market data obtained from sources independent of the reporting entity (observable inputs) and (2) inputs that reflect the reporting entity's own assumptions about the assumptions market participants would use in valuing an asset or liability developed based on the best information available in the circumstances (unobservable inputs) and to establish classification of fair value measurements for disclosure purposes. Various inputs are used in determining the value of the Fund's investments. The inputs are summarized in the three broad levels listed below:

•  Level 1 – unadjusted quoted prices in active markets for identical investments

•  Level 2 – other significant observable inputs (including quoted prices for similar investments, interest rates, prepayment speeds, credit risk, etc.)

•  Level 3 – significant unobservable inputs including the Fund's own assumptions in determining the fair value of investments. Factors considered in making this determination may include, but are not limited to, information obtained by contacting the issuer, analysts, or the appropriate stock exchange (for exchange-traded securities), analysis of the issuer's financial statements or other available documents and, if necessary, available information concerning other securities in similar circumstances.

The inputs or methodology used for valuing securities are not necessarily an indication of the risk associated with investing in those securities and the determination of the significance of a particular input to the fair value measurement in its entirety requires judgment and considers factors specific to each security.

The following is a summary of the inputs used to value the Fund's investments as of December 31, 2020:

Investment Type

  Level 1
Unadjusted
quoted
prices
(000)
  Level 2
Other
significant
observable
inputs
(000)
  Level 3
Significant
unobservable
inputs
(000)
  Total
(000)
 

Assets:

 

Common Stocks

 

Automobiles

 

$

3,029

   

$

   

$

   

$

3,029

   

Banks

   

8,538

     

     

     

8,538

   
Commercial Services &
Supplies
   

1,491

     

     

     

1,491

   

Electric Utilities

   

1,979

     

     

     

1,979

   
Equity Real
Estate Investment
Trusts (REITs)
   

4,025

     

     

     

4,025

   
Health Care Equipment &
Supplies
   

1,727

     

     

     

1,727

   
Hotels, Restaurants &
Leisure
   

3,753

     

     

     

3,753

   
Information Technology
Services
   

3,489

     

     

     

3,489

   
Interactive Media &
Services
   

3,325

     

     

     

3,325

   
Internet & Direct
Marketing Retail
   

3,790

     

     

     

3,790

   

Metals & Mining

   

790

     

     

     

790

   

Personal Products

   

1,997

     

     

     

1,997

   


16



Morgan Stanley Institutional Fund, Inc.

Annual Report — December 31, 2020

Notes to Financial Statements (cont'd)

Investment Type

  Level 1
Unadjusted
quoted
prices
(000)
  Level 2
Other
significant
observable
inputs
(000)
  Level 3
Significant
unobservable
inputs
(000)
  Total
(000)
 

Common Stocks (cont'd)

 
Semiconductors &
Semiconductor
Equipment
 

$

4,763

   

$

   

$

   

$

4,763

   

Software

   

4,379

     

     

     

4,379

   
Textiles, Apparel &
Luxury Goods
   

5,603

     

     

     

5,603

   
Trading Companies &
Distributors
   

2,157

     

     

     

2,157

   

Total Common Stocks

   

54,835

     

     

     

54,835

   

Short-Term Investment

 

Investment Company

   

863

     

     

     

863

   

Total Assets

 

$

55,698

   

$

   

$

   

$

55,698

   

Transfers between investment levels may occur as the markets fluctuate and/or the availability of data used in an investment's valuation changes.

3.  Indemnifications: The Company enters into contracts that contain a variety of indemnifications. The Company's maximum exposure under these arrangements is unknown. However, the Company has not had prior claims or losses pursuant to these contracts and expects the risk of loss to be remote.

4.  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. Net realized capital gains, if any, are distributed at least annually.

5.  Security Transactions, Income and Expenses: Security transactions are accounted for on the trade date (date the order to buy or sell is executed). Realized gains and losses on the sale of investment securities are determined on the specific identified cost method. Dividend income and other distributions are recorded on the ex-dividend date (except for certain foreign dividends which may be recorded as soon as the Fund is informed of such dividends) net of applicable withholding taxes. Interest income is recognized on the accrual basis except where collection is in doubt. Discounts are accreted and premiums are amortized over the life of the respective securities. Most expenses of the Company can be directly attributed to a particular Fund. Expenses which cannot be directly attributed are apportioned among the Funds based upon relative net assets or other appropriate methods. Income, expenses (other than class specific expenses — distribution

and shareholder services, transfer agency and sub transfer agency fees) and realized and unrealized gains or losses are allocated to each class of shares based upon their relative net assets.

B. Advisory Fees: The Adviser, a wholly-owned subsidiary of Morgan Stanley, provides the Fund with advisory services under the terms of an Investment Advisory Agreement, paid quarterly, at the annual rate based on the daily net assets as follows:

First $750
million
  Next $750
million
  Over $1.5
billion
 
  0.75

%

   

0.70

%

   

0.65

%

 

For the year ended December 31, 2020, the advisory fee rate (net of waiver/rebate) was equivalent to an annual effective rate of 0.00% of the Fund's average daily net assets.

The Adviser has agreed to reduce its advisory fee and/or reimburse the Fund so that total annual Fund operating expenses, excluding certain investment related expenses, taxes, interest and other extraordinary expenses (including litigation), will not exceed 1.00% for Class I shares, 1.35% for Class A shares, 2.10% for Class C shares and 0.95% for Class IS shares. The fee waivers and/or expense reimbursements will continue for at least one year from the date of the Fund's prospectus or until such time as the Directors act to discontinue all or a portion of such waivers and/or reimbursements when they deem such action is appropriate. For the year ended December 31, 2020, approximately $200,000 of advisory fees were waived and approximately $21,000 of other expenses were reimbursed by the Adviser pursuant to this arrangement.

C. Administration Fees: The Adviser also serves as Administrator to the Company and provides administrative services pursuant to an Administration Agreement for an annual fee, accrued daily and paid monthly, of 0.08% of the Fund's average daily net assets.

Under a Sub-Administration Agreement between the Administrator and State Street Bank and Trust Company ("State Street"), State Street provides certain administrative services to the Company. For such services, the Administrator pays State Street a portion of the fee the Administrator receives from the Fund.

D. Distribution and Shareholder Services Fees: Morgan Stanley Distribution, Inc. ("MSDI" or the "Distributor"), a wholly-owned subsidiary of the Adviser and an indirect subsidiary of Morgan Stanley, serves as the Company's Distributor of Fund shares pursuant to a Distribution Agreement.


17



Morgan Stanley Institutional Fund, Inc.

Annual Report — December 31, 2020

Notes to Financial Statements (cont'd)

The Company has adopted a Shareholder Services Plan with respect to Class A shares pursuant to Rule 12b-1 under the Act. Under the Shareholder Services Plan, the Fund pays the Distributor a shareholder services fee, accrued daily and paid monthly, at an annual rate of 0.25% of the Fund's average daily net assets attributable to Class A shares.

The Company has adopted a Distribution and Shareholder Services Plan with respect to Class C shares pursuant to Rule 12b-1 under the Act. Under the Distribution and Shareholder Services Plan, the Fund pays the Distributor a distribution fee, accrued daily and paid monthly, at an annual rate of 0.75% and a shareholder services fee, accrued daily and paid monthly, at an annual rate of 0.25% of the Fund's average daily net assets attributable to Class C shares.

The distribution and shareholder services fees are used to support the expenses associated with servicing and maintaining accounts. The Distributor may compensate other parties for providing shareholder support services to investors who purchase Class A and Class C shares.

E. Dividend Disbursing and Transfer Agent: The Company's dividend disbursing and transfer agent is DST Asset Manager Solutions, Inc. ("DST"). Pursuant to a Transfer Agency Agreement, the Company pays DST a fee based on the number of classes, accounts and transactions relating to the Funds of the Company.

F. Custodian Fees: State Street (the "Custodian") also serves as Custodian for the Company in accordance with a Custodian Agreement. The Custodian holds cash, securities and other assets of the Company as required by the Act. Custody fees are payable monthly based on assets held in custody, investment purchases and sales activity and account maintenance fees, plus reimbursement for certain out-of-pocket expenses.

G. Security Transactions and Transactions with Affiliates: For the year ended December 31, 2020, purchases and sales of investment securities for the Fund, other than long-term U.S. Government securities and short-term investments were approximately $41,239,000 and $14,449,000, respectively. There were no purchases and sales of long-term U.S. Government securities for the year ended December 31, 2020.

The Fund invests in the Institutional Class of the Morgan Stanley Institutional Liquidity Funds — Treasury Securities Portfolio (the "Liquidity Funds"), an open-end management investment company managed by the Adviser. Advisory fees

paid by the Fund are reduced by an amount equal to its pro-rata share of the advisory and administration fees paid by the Fund due to its investment in the Liquidity Funds. For the year ended December 31, 2020, advisory fees paid were reduced by approximately $1,000 relating to the Fund's investment in the Liquidity Funds.

A summary of the Fund's transactions in shares of affiliated investments during the year ended December 31, 2020 is as follows:

Affiliated
Investment
Company
  Value
December 31,
2019
(000)
  Purchases
at Cost
(000)
  Proceeds
from Sales
(000)
  Dividend
Income
(000)
 

Liquidity Funds

 

$

359

   

$

27,433

   

$

26,929

   

$

1

   
Affiliated
Investment
Company (cont'd)
  Realized
Gain (Loss)
(000)
  Change in
Unrealized
Appreciation
(Depreciation)
(000)
  Value
December 31,
2020
(000)
 

Liquidity Funds

 

$

   

$

   

$

863

   

The Fund is permitted to purchase and sell securities ("cross-trade") from and to other Morgan Stanley funds as well as other funds and client accounts for which the Adviser or an affiliate of the Adviser serves as investment adviser, pursuant to procedures approved by the Directors in compliance with Rule 17a-7 under the Act (the "Rule"). Each cross-trade is executed at the current market price in compliance with provisions of the Rule. For the year ended December 31, 2020, the Fund did not engage in any cross-trade transactions.

The Fund has an unfunded Deferred Compensation Plan (the "Compensation Plan"), which allows each independent Director to defer payment of all, or a portion, of the fees he or she receives for serving on the Board of Directors. Each eligible Director generally may elect to have the deferred amounts credited with a return equal to the total return on one or more of the Morgan Stanley funds that are offered as investment options under the Compensation Plan. Appreciation/depreciation and distributions received from these investments are recorded with an offsetting increase/decrease in the deferred compensation obligation and do not affect the NAV of the Fund.

H. Federal Income Taxes: It is the Fund's intention to continue to qualify as a regulated investment company and distribute all of its taxable and tax-exempt income. Accordingly, no provision for federal income taxes is required in the financial statements.

The Fund may be subject to taxes imposed by countries in which it invests. Such taxes are generally based on income


18



Morgan Stanley Institutional Fund, Inc.

Annual Report — December 31, 2020

Notes to Financial Statements (cont'd)

and/or capital gains earned or repatriated. Taxes are accrued based on net investment income, net realized gains and net unrealized appreciation as such income and/or gains are earned. Taxes may also be based on transactions in foreign currency and are accrued based on the value of investments denominated in such currency.

FASB ASC 740-10, "Income Taxes — Overall", sets forth a minimum threshold for financial statement recognition of the benefit of a tax position taken or expected to be taken in a tax return. Management has concluded there are no significant uncertain tax positions that would require recognition in the financial statements. If applicable, the Fund recognizes interest accrued related to unrecognized tax benefits in "Interest Expense" and penalties in "Other Expenses" in the Statement of Operations. The Fund files tax returns with the U.S. Internal Revenue Service, New York and various states. Generally, each of the tax years in the four-year period ended December 31, 2020 remains subject to examination by taxing authorities.

The tax character of distributions paid may differ from the character of distributions shown for GAAP purposes due to short-term capital gains being treated as ordinary income for tax purposes. The tax character of distributions paid during fiscal years 2020 and 2019 was as follows:

2020 Distributions
Paid From:
Long-Term
Capital Gain
(000)
  2019 Distributions
Paid From:
Ordinary Income
(000)
 
$

1

   

$

190

   

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 attributable to differing book and tax treatments for the timing of the recognition of gains (losses) on certain investment transactions and the timing of the deductibility of certain expenses.

Permanent differences, primarily due to a net operating loss, resulted in the following reclassifications among the components of net assets at December 31, 2020:

Total
Distributable
Earnings
(000)
  Paid-in
Capital
(000)
 
$

14

   

$

(14

)

 

At December 31, 2020, the components of distributable earnings for the Fund on a tax basis were as follows:

Undistributed
Ordinary
Income
(000)
  Undistributed
Long-Term
Capital Gain
(000)
 
$

   

$

482

   

During the year ended December 31, 2020, the Fund utilized capital loss carryforwards for U.S. federal income tax purposes of approximately $106,000.

I. Credit Facility: The Company and other Morgan Stanley funds participated in a $300,000,000 committed, unsecured revolving line of credit facility (the "Facility") with State Street. This Facility is to be used for temporary emergency purposes or funding of shareholder redemption requests. The interest rate on borrowings is based on the federal funds rate or 1 month LIBOR rate plus a spread. The Facility also has a commitment fee of 0.25% per annum based on the unused portion of the Facility. During the year ended December 31, 2020, the Fund did not have any borrowings under the Facility.

J. Other: At December 31, 2020, the Fund had record owners of 10% or greater. Investment activities of these shareholders could have a material impact on the Fund. The aggregate percentage of such owners was 70.9%.

K. Market Risk: Certain impacts to public health conditions particular to the coronavirus (COVID-19) outbreak could impact the operations and financial performance of certain of the Fund's investments. The extent of the impact to the financial performance of the Fund's investments will depend on future developments, including (i) the duration and spread of the outbreak, (ii) the restrictions and advisories, (iii) the effects on the financial markets, and (iv) the effects on the economy overall, all of which are highly uncertain and cannot be predicted. If the financial performance of the Fund's investments is impacted because of these factors for an extended period, the Fund's investment results may be adversely affected.


19



Morgan Stanley Institutional Fund, Inc.

Annual Report — December 31, 2020

Report of Independent Registered Public Accounting Firm

To the Shareholders and Board of Directors of
Morgan Stanley Institutional Fund, Inc. —
Global Concentrated Portfolio

Opinion on the Financial Statements

We have audited the accompanying statement of assets and liabilities of Global Concentrated Portfolio (the "Fund") (one of the funds constituting Morgan Stanley Institutional Fund, Inc. (the "Company")), including the portfolio of investments, as of December 31, 2020, and the related statement of operations for the year then ended, the statements of changes in net assets for each of the two years in the period then ended, the financial highlights for each of the four years in the period then ended and the period from May 27, 2016 (commencement of operations) through December 31, 2016 and the related notes (collectively referred to as the "financial statements"). In our opinion, the financial statements present fairly, in all material respects, the financial position of Global Concentrated Portfolio (one of the funds constituting Morgan Stanley Institutional Fund, Inc.) at December 31, 2020, the results of its operations for the year then ended, the changes in its net assets for each of the two years in the period then ended, and its financial highlights for each of the four years in the period then ended and the period from May 27, 2016 (commencement of operations) through December 31, 2016, in conformity with U.S. generally accepted accounting principles.

Basis for Opinion

These financial statements are the responsibility of the Company's management. Our responsibility is to express an opinion on the Fund's financial statements based on our audits. We are a public accounting firm registered with the Public Company Accounting Oversight Board (United States) ("PCAOB") and are required to be independent with respect to the Company in accordance with the U.S. federal securities law and the applicable rules and regulations of the Securities and Exchange Commission and the PCAOB.

We conducted our audits in accordance with the standards of the PCAOB. Those standards require that we plan and perform the audit to obtain reasonable assurance about whether the financial statements are free of material misstatement, whether due to error or fraud. The Company is not required to have, nor were we engaged to perform, an audit of the Company's internal control over financial reporting. As part of our audits, we are required to obtain an understanding of internal control over financial reporting, but not for the purpose of expressing an opinion on the effectiveness of the Company's internal control over financial reporting. Accordingly, we express no such opinion.

Our audits included performing procedures to assess the risks of material misstatement of the financial statements, whether due to error or fraud, and performing procedures that respond to those risks. Such procedures included examining, on a test basis, evidence regarding the amounts and disclosures in the financial statements. Our procedures included confirmation of securities owned as of December 31, 2020 by correspondence with the custodian and others or by other appropriate auditing procedures where replies from others were not received. Our audits also included evaluating the accounting principles used and significant estimates made by management, as well as evaluating the overall presentation of the financial statements. We believe that our audits provide a reasonable basis for our opinion.

We have served as the auditor of one or more Morgan Stanley investment companies since 2000.
Boston, Massachusetts
February 26, 2021


20



Morgan Stanley Institutional Fund, Inc.

Annual Report — December 31, 2020

Liquidity Risk Management Program (unaudited)

In compliance with Rule 22e-4 under the Investment Company Act of 1940, as amended (the "Liquidity Rule"), the Fund has adopted and implemented a liquidity risk management program (the "Program"), which is reasonably designed to assess and manage the risk that the Fund could not meet requests to redeem shares issued by the Fund without significant dilution of remaining investors' interests in the Fund (i.e., liquidity risk). The Fund's Board of Directors (the "Board") previously approved the designation of the Liquidity Risk Subcommittee (the "LRS") as Program administrator. The LRS is comprised of representatives from various divisions within Morgan Stanley Investment Management.

At a meeting held on April 22-23, 2020, the Board reviewed a written report prepared by the LRS that addressed the Program's operation and assessed its adequacy, and effectiveness of implementation for the period from December 1, 2018, through December 31, 2019, as required under the Liquidity Rule. The report concluded that the Program operated effectively and was adequately and effectively implemented in all material aspects, and that the relevant controls and safeguards were appropriately designed to enable the LRS to administer the Program in compliance with the Liquidity Rule.

In accordance with the Program, the LRS assessed each Fund's liquidity risk no less frequently than annually taking into consideration certain factors, as applicable, such as (i) investment strategy and liquidity of portfolio investments, (ii) short-term and long-term cash flow projections and (iii) holdings of cash and cash equivalents and borrowing arrangements and other funding sources. Certain factors are considered under both normal and reasonably foreseeable stressed conditions.

Each Fund portfolio investment is classified into one of four liquidity categories, which classification is assessed at least monthly by the LRS. The classification is based on a determination of the number of days it is reasonably expected to take to convert the investment into cash, or sell or dispose of the investment, in current market conditions without significantly changing the market value of the investment. Liquidity classification determinations take into account various market, trading and investment-specific considerations, as well as market depth, and in some cases utilize third-party vendor data.

The Liquidity Rule limits a fund's investments in illiquid investments to 15% of its net assets and requires funds that do not primarily hold assets that are highly liquid investments to determine and maintain a minimum percentage of the fund's net assets to be invested in highly liquid investments (highly liquid investment minimum or "HLIM"). The LRS believes that the Program includes provisions reasonably designed to review, monitor and comply with the 15% limit on illiquid investments and for determining, periodically reviewing and complying with the HLIM requirement, as applicable.

There can be no assurance that the Program will achieve its objectives under all circumstances in the future. Please refer to the Fund's prospectus for more information regarding the Fund's exposure to liquidity risk and other risks to which it may be subject.


21



Morgan Stanley Institutional Fund, Inc.

Annual Report — December 31, 2020

Federal Tax Notice (unaudited)

For federal income tax purposes, the following information is furnished with respect to the distributions paid by the Fund during its taxable year ended December 31, 2020.

The fund designated and paid approximately $1,000 as a long-term capital gain distribution.

In January, the Fund provides tax information to shareholders for the preceding calendar year.


22



Morgan Stanley Institutional Fund, Inc.

Annual Report — December 31, 2020

Privacy Notice (unaudited)  April 2019

FACTS

 

WHAT DOES MSIM DO WITH YOUR PERSONAL INFORMATION?

 

Why?

 

Financial companies choose how they share your personal information. Federal law gives consumers the right to limit some but not all sharing. Federal law also requires us to tell you how we collect, share, and protect your personal information. Please read this notice carefully to understand what we do.

 

What?

  The types of personal information we collect and share depend on the product or service you have with us. This information can include:
n Social Security number and income
n investment experience and risk tolerance
n checking account number and wire transfer instructions
 

How?

 

All financial companies need to share customers' personal information to run their everyday business. In the section below, we list the reasons financial companies can share their customers' personal information; the reasons MSIM chooses to share; and whether you can limit this sharing.

 

 

Reasons we can share your personal information

 

Does MSIM share?

 

Can you limit this sharing?

 
For our everyday business purposes —
such as to process your transactions, maintain your account(s), respond to court orders and legal investigations, or report to credit bureaus
 

Yes

 

No

 
For our marketing purposes —
to offer our products and services to you
 

Yes

 

No

 

For joint marketing with other financial companies

 

No

 

We don't share

 
For our affiliates' everyday business purposes —
information about your transactions and experiences
 

Yes

 

No

 
For our affiliates' everyday business purposes —
information about your creditworthiness
 

No

 

We don't share

 

For our affiliates to market to you

 

No

 

We don't share

 

For non-affiliates to market to you

 

No

 

We don't share

 

Questions?  Call toll-free (844) 312-6327 or email: imprivacyinquiries@morganstanley.com


23



Morgan Stanley Institutional Fund, Inc.

Annual Report — December 31, 2020

Privacy Notice (unaudited) (cont'd)  April 2019

Who we are

Who is providing this notice?

 

Morgan Stanley Investment Management, Inc. and its affiliated registered investment advisers, registered broker-dealers, and registered and unregistered funds ("MSIM")

 

What we do

How does MSIM protect my personal information?

 

To protect your personal information from unauthorized access and use, we use security measures that comply with federal law. These measures include computer safeguards and secured files and buildings. We have policies governing the proper handling of customer information by personnel and requiring third parties that provide support to adhere to appropriate security standards with respect to such information.

 

How does MSIM collect my personal information?

  We collect your personal information, for example, when you
n open an account or make deposits or withdrawals from your account
n buy securities from us or make a wire transfer
n give us your contact information
We also collect your personal information from others, such as credit bureaus, affiliates, or other companies.
 

Why can't I limit all sharing?

  Federal law gives you the right to limit only
n sharing for affiliates' everyday business purposes — information about your creditworthiness
n affiliates from using your information to market to you
n sharing for non-affiliates to market to you
State laws and individual companies may give you additional rights to limit sharing. See below for more on your rights under state law.
 

Definitions

Affiliates

  Companies related by common ownership or control. They can be financial and non-financial companies.
n Our affiliates include companies with a Morgan Stanley name and financial companies such as Morgan Stanley Smith Barney LLC and Morgan Stanley & Co.
 

Non-affiliates

  Companies not related by common ownership or control. They can be financial and non-financial companies.
n MSIM does not share with non-affiliates so they can market to you.
 

Joint marketing

  A formal agreement between non-affiliated financial companies that together market financial products or services to you.
n MSIM doesn't jointly market
 


24



Morgan Stanley Institutional Fund, Inc.

Annual Report — December 31, 2020

Privacy Notice (unaudited) (cont'd)  April 2019

Other important information

Vermont: Except as permitted by law, we will not share personal information we collect about Vermont residents with Non-affiliates unless you provide us with your written consent to share such information.

California: Except as permitted by law, we will not share personal information we collect about California residents with Non-affiliates and we will limit sharing such personal information with our Affiliates to comply with California privacy laws that apply to us.


25



Morgan Stanley Institutional Fund, Inc.

Annual Report — December 31, 2020

Director and Officer Information (unaudited)

Independent Directors:

Name, Address and Birth
Year of Independent Director
  Position(s)
Held with
Registrant
  Length of Time
Served*
  Principal Occupation(s) During Past 5 Years and Other
Relevant Professional Experience
  Number of
Funds
in Fund Complex
Overseen by
Independent
Director**
  Other Directorships
Held by Independent
Director***
 
Frank L. Bowman
c/o Perkins Coie LLP
Counsel to the Independent Directors
1155 Avenue of the Americas,
22nd Floor
New York, NY 10036
Birth Year: 1944
 

Director

 

Since August 2006

 

President, Strategic Decisions, LLC (consulting) (since February 2009); Director or Trustee of various Morgan Stanley Funds (since August 2006); Chairperson of the Compliance and Insurance Committee (since October 2015); formerly, Chairperson of the Insurance Sub-Committee of the Compliance and Insurance Committee (2007-2015); served as President and Chief Executive Officer of the Nuclear Energy Institute (policy organization) (February 2005-November 2008); retired as Admiral, U.S. Navy after serving over 38 years on active duty including 8 years as Director of the Naval Nuclear Propulsion Program in the Department of the Navy and the U.S. Department of Energy (1996-2004); served as Chief of Naval Personnel (July 1994-September 1996) and on the Joint Staff as Director of Political Military Affairs (June 1992-July 1994); knighted as Honorary Knight Commander of the Most Excellent Order of the British Empire; awarded the Officier de l'Orde National du Mérite by the French Government; elected to the National Academy of Engineering (2009).

 

79

 

Director of Naval and Nuclear Technologies LLP; Director Emeritus of the Armed Services YMCA; Member of the National Security Advisory Council of the Center for U.S. Global Engagement and a member of the CNA Military Advisory Board; Trustee of Fairhaven United Methodist Church; Member of the Board of Advisors of the Dolphin Scholarship Foundation; Director of other various non-profit organizations; formerly, Director of BP plc (November 2010May 2019).

 
Kathleen A. Dennis
c/o Perkins Coie LLP
Counsel to the Independent Directors
1155 Avenue of the Americas,
22nd Floor
New York, NY 10036
Birth Year: 1953
 

Director

 

Since August 2006

 

Chairperson of the Governance Committee (January 2021), Chairperson of the Liquidity and Alternatives Sub-Committee of the Investment Committee (2006-2020); and Director or Trustee of various Morgan Stanley Funds (since August 2006); President, Cedarwood Associates (mutual fund and investment management consulting) (since July 2006); formerly, Senior Managing Director of Victory Capital Management (1993-2006).

 

79

 

Board Member, University of Albany Foundation (2012-present); Board Member, Mutual Funds Directors Forum (2014-present); Director of various non-profit organizations.

 
Nancy C. Everett
c/o Perkins Coie LLP
Counsel to the Independent Directors
1155 Avenue of the Americas,
22nd Floor
New York, NY 10036
Birth Year: 1955
 

Director

 

Since January 2015

 

Chairperson of the Equity Investment Committee (since January 2021); Director or Trustee of various Morgan Stanley Funds (since January 2015); Chief Executive Officer, Virginia Commonwealth University Investment Company (since November 2015); Owner, OBIR, LLC (institutional investment management consulting) (since June 2014); formerly, Managing Director, BlackRock, Inc. (February 2011-December 2013); and Chief Executive Officer, General Motors Asset Management (a/k/a Promark Global Advisors, Inc.) (June 2005-May 2010).

 

80

 

Formerly, Member of Virginia Commonwealth University School of Business Foundation (2005-2016); Member of Virginia Commonwealth University Board of Visitors (2013-2015); Member of Committee on Directors for Emerging Markets Growth Fund, Inc. (2007-2010); Chairperson of Performance Equity Management, LLC (2006-2010); and Chairperson, GMAM Absolute Return Strategies Fund, LLC (2006-2010).

 


26



Morgan Stanley Institutional Fund, Inc.

Annual Report — December 31, 2020

Director and Officer Information (unaudited) (cont'd)

Independent Directors (cont'd):

Name, Address and Birth
Year of Independent Director
  Position(s)
Held with
Registrant
  Length of Time
Served*
  Principal Occupation(s) During Past 5 Years and Other
Relevant Professional Experience
  Number of
Funds
in Fund Complex
Overseen by
Independent
Director**
  Other Directorships
Held by Independent
Director***
 
Jakki L. Haussler
c/o Perkins Coie LLP
Counsel to the Independent Directors
1155 Avenue of the Americas,
22nd Floor
New York, NY 10036
Birth Year: 1957
 

Director

 

Since January 2015

 

Director or Trustee of various Morgan Stanley Funds (since January 2015) Chairman, Opus Capital Group (1996); formerly, Chief Executive Officer, Opus Capital Group (1996-2019); Director, Capvest Venture Fund, LP (May 2000-December 2011); Partner, Adena Ventures, LP (July 1999-December 2010); Director, The Victory Funds (February 2005-July 2008).

 

80

 

Director of Cincinnati Bell Inc. and Member, Audit Committee and Chairman, Governance and Nominating Committee; Director of Service Corporation International and Member, Audit Committee and Investment Committee; Director of Northern Kentucky University Foundation and Member, Investment Committee; Member of Chase College of Law Transactional Law Practice Center Board of Advisors; Director of Best Transport; Director of Chase College of Law Board of Visitors; formerly, Member, University of Cincinnati Foundation Investment Committee; Member, Miami University Board of Visitors (2008-2011); Trustee of Victory Funds (2005-2008) and Chairman, Investment Committee (2007-2008); and Member, Service Provider Committee (2005-2008).

 
Dr. Manuel H. Johnson
c/o Johnson Smick International, Inc.
220 I Street, NE — Suite 200
Washington, D.C. 20002
Birth Year: 1949
 

Director

 

Since July 1991

 

Senior Partner, Johnson Smick International, Inc. (consulting firm); Chairperson of the Fixed Income, Liquidity and Alternatives Investment Committee (January 2021), Chairperson of the Investment Committee (2006-2020) and Director or Trustee of various Morgan Stanley Funds (since July 1991); Co-Chairman and a founder of the Group of Seven Council (G7C) (international economic commission); formerly, Chairperson of the Audit Committee (July 1991-September 2006), Vice Chairman of the Board of Governors of the Federal Reserve System and Assistant Secretary of the U.S. Treasury.

 

79

 

Director of NVR, Inc. (home construction).

 


27



Morgan Stanley Institutional Fund, Inc.

Annual Report — December 31, 2020

Director and Officer Information (unaudited) (cont'd)

Independent Directors (cont'd):

Name, Address and Birth
Year of Independent Director
  Position(s)
Held with
Registrant
  Length of Time
Served*
  Principal Occupation(s) During Past 5 Years and Other
Relevant Professional Experience
  Number of
Funds
in Fund Complex
Overseen by
Independent
Director**
  Other Directorships
Held by Independent
Director***
 
Joseph J. Kearns
c/o Perkins Coie LLP
Counsel to the Independent Directors
1155 Avenue of the Americas,
22nd Floor
New York, NY 10036
Birth Year: 1942
 

Director

 

Since August 1994

 

Senior Adviser, Kearns & Associates LLC (investment consulting); Chairperson of the Audit Committee (since October 2006) and Director or Trustee of various Morgan Stanley Funds (since August 1994); formerly, Deputy Chairperson of the Audit Committee (July 2003-September 2006) and Chairperson of the Audit Committee of various Morgan Stanley Funds (since August 1994); CFO of the J. Paul Getty Trust (1982-1999).

 

80

 

Director, Rubicon Investment (since February 2019); Prior to August 2016, Director of Electro Rent Corporation (equipment leasing); Prior to December 31, 2013, Director of The Ford Family Foundation.

 
Michael F. Klein
c/o Perkins Coie LLP
Counsel to the Independent Directors
1155 Avenue of the Americas,
22nd Floor
New York, NY 10036
Birth Year: 1958
 

Director

 

Since August 2006

 

Chairperson of the Risk Committee (since January 2021); Managing Director, Aetos Alternatives Management, LP (since March 2000); Co-President, Aetos Alternatives Management, LP (since January 2004) and Co-Chief Executive Officer of Aetos Alternatives Management, LP (since August 2013); Chairperson of the fixed Income Sub-Committee of the Investment committee (2006-2020) and Director or Trustee of various Morgan Stanley Funds (since August 2006); formerly, Managing Director, Morgan Stanley & Co. Inc. and Morgan Stanley Dean Witter Investment Management and President, various Morgan Stanley Funds (June 1998-March 2000); Principal, Morgan Stanley & Co. Inc. and Morgan Stanley Dean Witter Investment Management (August 1997-December 1999).

 

79

 

Director of certain investment funds managed or sponsored by Aetos Alternatives Management, LP; Director of Sanitized AG and Sanitized Marketing AG (specialty chemicals).

 
Patricia Maleski
c/o Perkins Coie LLP
Counsel to the Independent Directors
1155 Avenue of the Americas,
22nd Floor
New York, NY 10036
Birth Year: 1960
 

Director

 

Since January 2017

 

Director or Trustee of various Morgan Stanley Funds (since January 2017); Managing Director, JPMorgan Asset Management (2004-2016); Oversight and Control Head of Fiduciary and Conflicts of Interest Program (2015-2016); Chief Control Officer-Global Asset Management (2013-2015); President, JPMorgan Funds (2010-2013); Chief Administrative Officer (2004-2013); various other positions including Treasurer and Board Liaison (since 2001).

 

80

 

None.

 
W. Allen Reed
c/o Perkins Coie LLP
Counsel to the Independent Directors
1155 Avenue of the Americas,
22nd Floor
New York, NY 10036
Birth Year: 1947
 

Chair of the Board and Director

 

Chair of the Boards since August 2020 and Director since August 2006

 

Chair of the Boards of various Morgan Stanley Funds (since August 2020); Director or Trustee of various Morgan Stanley Funds (since August 2006); formerly, Vice Chair of the Boards of various Morgan Stanley Funds (January 2020-August 2020); President and Chief Executive Officer of General Motors Asset Management; Chairman and Chief Executive Officer of the GM Trust Bank and Corporate Vice President of General Motors Corporation (August 1994-December 2005).

 

79

 

Formerly, Director of Legg Mason, Inc. (2006-2019); and Director of the Auburn University Foundation (2010-2015).

 

*  This is the earliest date the Director began serving the Morgan Stanley Funds. Each Director serves an indefinite term, until his or her successor is elected.

**  The Fund Complex includes (as of December 31, 2020) all open-end and closed-end funds (including all of their portfolios) advised by Morgan Stanley Investment Management Inc. (the "Adviser") and any funds that have an adviser that is an affiliated person of the Adviser (including, but not limited to, Morgan Stanley AIP GP LP).

***  This includes any directorships at public companies and registered investment companies held by the Director at any time during the past five years.


28



Morgan Stanley Institutional Fund, Inc.

Annual Report — December 31, 2020

Director and Officer Information (unaudited) (cont'd)

Executive Officers:

Name, Address and
Birth Year of Executive Officer
  Position(s) Held
with
Registrant
  Length of
Time Served*
 

Principal Occupation(s) During Past 5 Years

 
John H. Gernon
522 Fifth Avenue
New York, NY 10036
Birth Year: 1963
 

President and Principal Executive Officer

 

Since September 2013

 

President and Principal Executive Officer of the Equity and Fixed Income Funds and the Morgan Stanley AIP Funds (since September 2013) and the Liquidity Funds and various money market funds (since May 2014) in the Fund Complex; Managing Director of the Adviser; Head of Public Markets Product Development (since 2006).

 
Timothy J. Knierim
1633 Broadway
New York, NY 10019
Birth Year: 1959
 

Chief Compliance Officer

 

Since December 2016

 

Managing Director of the Adviser and various entities affiliated with the Adviser; Chief Compliance Officer of various Morgan Stanley Funds and the Adviser (since December 2016) and Chief Compliance Officer of Morgan Stanley AIP GP LP (since 2014). Formerly, Managing Director and Deputy Chief Compliance Officer of the Adviser (2014-2016).

 
Francis J. Smith
522 Fifth Avenue
New York, NY 10036
Birth Year: 1965
 

Treasurer and Principal Financial Officer

 

Treasurer since July 2003 and Principal Financial Officer since September 2002

 

Managing Director of the Adviser and various entities affiliated with the Adviser; Treasurer (since July 2003) and Principal Financial Officer of various Morgan Stanley Funds (since September 2002).

 
Mary E. Mullin
1633 Broadway
New York, NY 10019
Birth Year: 1967
 

Secretary

 

Since June 1999

 

Managing Director of the Adviser; Secretary of various Morgan Stanley Funds (since June 1999).

 
Michael J. Key
522 Fifth Avenue
New York, NY 10036
Birth Year: 1979
 

Vice President

 

Since June 2017

 

Vice President of the Equity and Fixed Income Funds, Liquidity Funds, various money market funds and the Morgan Stanley AIP Funds in the Fund Complex (since June 2017); Executive Director of the Adviser; Head of Product Development for Equity and Fixed Income Funds (since August 2013).

 

*  This is the earliest date the officer began serving the Morgan Stanley Funds. Each officer serves a one-year term, until his or her successor is elected and qualifies.


29



Morgan Stanley Institutional Fund, Inc.

Annual Report — December 31, 2020

Adviser and Administrator

Morgan Stanley Investment Management Inc.
522 Fifth Avenue
New York, New York 10036

Distributor

Morgan Stanley Distribution, Inc.
522 Fifth Avenue
New York, New York 10036

Dividend Disbursing and Transfer Agent

DST Asset Manager Solutions, Inc.
2000 Crown Colony Drive
Quincy, Massachusetts 02169

Custodian

State Street Bank and Trust Company
One Lincoln Street
Boston, Massachusetts 02111

Legal Counsel

Dechert LLP
1095 Avenue of the Americas
New York, New York 10036

Counsel to the Independent Directors

Perkins Coie LLP
1155 Avenue of the Americas,
22nd Floor
New York, New York 10036

Independent Registered Public Accounting Firm

Ernst & Young LLP
200 Clarendon Street
Boston, Massachusetts 02116

Reporting to Shareholders

Each Morgan Stanley fund provides a complete schedule of portfolio holdings in its Semi-Annual and the Annual Reports within 60 days of the end of the fund's second and fourth fiscal quarters. The Semi-Annual and Annual Reports are filed electronically with the Securities and Exchange Commission ("SEC") on Form N-CSRS and Form N-CSR, respectively. Morgan Stanley also delivers the Semi-Annual and Annual Reports to fund shareholders and makes these reports available on its public website, www.morganstanley.com/im/shareholderreports. Each Morgan Stanley non-money market fund also files a complete schedule of portfolio holdings with the SEC for the fund's first and third fiscal quarters as an attachment to Form N-PORT. Morgan Stanley does not deliver the reports for the first and third fiscal quarters to shareholders, but makes the complete schedule of portfolio holdings for the fund's first and third fiscal quarters available on its public website. The holdings for each money market fund are also posted to the Morgan Stanley public website. You may obtain the Form N-PORT filings (as well as the Form N-CSR and N-CSRS filings) by accessing the SEC's website, www.sec.gov. You can also request copies of these materials, upon payment of a duplicating fee, by electronic request at the SEC's email address (publicinfo@sec.gov).

Proxy Voting Policies and Procedures and Proxy Voting Record

You may obtain a copy of the Company's Proxy Voting Policy and Procedures and information regarding how the Company voted proxies relating to portfolio securities during the most recent twelve-month period ended June 30, without charge, upon request, by calling toll free 1 (800) 548-7786 or by visiting our website at www.morganstanley.com/im/shareholderreports. This information is also available on the SEC's website at www.sec.gov.

This report is authorized for distribution only when preceded or accompanied by a prospectus or summary prospectus of the applicable fund of Morgan Stanley Institutional Fund, Inc., which describes in detail the fund's investment policies, risks, fees and expenses. Please read the prospectus carefully before you invest or send money. For additional information, including information regarding the investments comprising the Fund, please visit our website at www.morganstanley.com/im/shareholderreports or call toll free 1 (800) 548-7786.


30



Printed in U.S.A.
This Report has been prepared for shareholders and may be distributed to others only if preceded or accompanied by a current prospectus.

Morgan Stanley Investment Management Inc.
522 Fifth Avenue
New York, New York 10036

© 2021 Morgan Stanley. Morgan Stanley Distribution, Inc.

IFIGCNPANN
3386870 EXP 02.28.22



INVESTMENT MANAGEMENT

Morgan Stanley Institutional Fund, Inc.

Global Concentrated Real Estate Portfolio

Annual Report

December 31, 2020



Morgan Stanley Institutional Fund, Inc.

Annual Report — December 31, 2020

Table of Contents

Shareholders' Letter

   

2

   

Expense Example

   

3

   

Investment Overview

   

4

   

Portfolio of Investments

   

6

   

Statement of Assets and Liabilities

   

8

   

Statement of Operations

   

9

   

Statements of Changes in Net Assets

   

10

   

Financial Highlights

   

11

   

Notes to Financial Statements

   

15

   

Report of Independent Registered Public Accounting Firm

   

22

   

Liquidity Risk Management Program

   

23

   

Federal Tax Notice

   

24

   

Privacy Notice

   

25

   

Director and Officer Information

   

28

   

This report is authorized for distribution only when preceded or accompanied by a prospectus or summary prospectus of the applicable Fund of Morgan Stanley Institutional Fund, Inc. To receive a prospectus and/or statement of additional information ("SAI"), which contains more complete information such as investment objectives, charges, expenses, policies for voting proxies, risk considerations and describes in detail each of the Fund's investment policies to the prospective investor, please call toll free 1 (800) 548-7786. Please read the prospectuses carefully before you invest or send money.

Additionally, you can access information about the Fund, including performance, characteristics and investment team commentary, through Morgan Stanley Investment Management's website: www.morganstanley.com/im/shareholderreports.

Market forecasts provided in this report may not necessarily come to pass. There is no guarantee that any sectors mentioned will continue to perform as discussed herein or that securities in such sectors will be held by the Fund in the future. There is no assurance that a fund will achieve its investment objective. Funds are subject to market risk, which is the possibility that market values of securities owned by the Fund will decline and, therefore, the value of the Fund's shares may be less than what you paid for them. Accordingly, you can lose money investing in this Fund. Please see the prospectus for more complete information on investment risks.


1



Morgan Stanley Institutional Fund, Inc.

Annual Report — December 31, 2020

Shareholders' Letter (unaudited)

Dear Shareholders,

We are pleased to provide this Annual Report, in which you will learn how your investment in Global Concentrated Real Estate Portfolio (the "Fund") performed during the latest twelve-month period.

Morgan Stanley Investment Management is a client-centric, investor-led organization. Our global presence, intellectual capital, and breadth of products and services enable us to partner with investors to meet the evolving challenges of today's financial markets. We aim to deliver superior investment service and to empower our clients to make the informed decisions that help them reach their investment goals.

As always, we thank you for selecting Morgan Stanley Investment Management, and look forward to working with you in the months and years ahead.

Sincerely,

John H. Gernon
President and Principal Executive Officer

January 2021


2



Morgan Stanley Institutional Fund, Inc.

Annual Report — December 31, 2020

Expense Example (unaudited)

Global Concentrated Real Estate Portfolio

As a shareholder of the Fund, you incur two types of costs: (1) transactional costs; and (2) ongoing costs, which may include advisory fees, administration fees, distribution and shareholder services fees and other Fund expenses. This example is intended to help you understand your ongoing costs (in dollars) of investing in the Fund and to compare these costs with the ongoing costs of investing in other mutual funds.

This example is based on an investment of $1,000 invested at the beginning of the six-month period ended December 31, 2020 and held for the entire six-month period.

Actual Expenses

The table below provides information about actual account values and actual expenses. You may use the information in this table, 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 table under the heading entitled "Actual Expenses Paid During Period" to estimate the expenses you paid on your account during this period.

Hypothetical Example for Comparison Purposes

The table below provides information about hypothetical account values and hypothetical expenses based on the Fund's actual expense ratio and an assumed rate of return of 5% per year before expenses, which is not the Fund's actual return. The hypothetical account values and expenses may not be used to estimate the actual ending account balance or expenses you paid for the period. You may use this information to compare the ongoing costs of investing in the Fund and other funds. To do so, compare this 5% hypothetical example with the 5% hypothetical examples that appear in the shareholder reports of the other funds.

Please note that the expenses shown in the table are meant to highlight your ongoing costs only and do not reflect any transactional costs, such as sales charges (loads). Therefore, the information for each class in the table is useful in comparing ongoing costs only, and will not help you determine the relative total costs of owning different funds. In addition, if these transactional costs were included, your costs would have been higher.

    Beginning
Account
Value
7/1/20
  Actual Ending
Account
Value
12/31/20
  Hypothetical
Ending Account
Value
  Actual
Expenses
Paid
During
Period*
  Hypothetical
Expenses Paid
During Period*
  Net
Expense
Ratio
During
Period**
 

Global Concentrated Real Estate Portfolio Class I

 

$

1,000.00

   

$

1,164.40

   

$

1,020.36

   

$

5.17

   

$

4.82

     

0.95

%

 

Global Concentrated Real Estate Portfolio Class A

   

1,000.00

     

1,162.30

     

1,018.60

     

7.07

     

6.60

     

1.30

   

Global Concentrated Real Estate Portfolio Class C

   

1,000.00

     

1,156.30

     

1,014.83

     

11.11

     

10.38

     

2.05

   

Global Concentrated Real Estate Portfolio Class IS

   

1,000.00

     

1,164.90

     

1,020.61

     

4.90

     

4.57

     

0.90

   

*  Expenses are calculated using each Fund Class' annualized net expense ratio (as disclosed), multiplied by the average account value over the period and multiplied by 184/366 (to reflect the most recent one-half year period).

**  Annualized.


3



Morgan Stanley Institutional Fund, Inc.

Annual Report — December 31, 2020

Investment Overview (unaudited)

Global Concentrated Real Estate Portfolio

The Fund seeks to provide current income and long-term capital appreciation.

Performance

For the fiscal year ended December 31, 2020, the Fund's Class I shares had a total return based on net asset value and reinvestment of distributions per share of –21.64%, net of fees. The Fund's Class I shares underperformed the Fund's benchmark, the FTSE EPRA Nareit Developed Real Estate Net Total Return Index (the "Index"), which returned –9.04%.

Factors Affecting Performance

•  Global real estate securities declined 9.0% during the 12-month period ending December 31, 2020, as measured by the Index, as the impacts of COVID-19 and the widespread economic and social shutdowns experienced worldwide disproportionately impacted fundamentals for the property sector. After a sharp decline in the first quarter of 2020 following the initial outbreak and spread of COVID-19, the sector posted gains for the remainder of the year, as markets responded positively to fiscal and monetary stimulus policies. Importantly, real estate posted strong gains in the fourth quarter of 2020, after a strong rally in November on news that the Pfizer-BioNTech and Moderna vaccines were over 90% effective in preventing COVID-19.

•  The largest declines for the year from a sector perspective were experienced in the retail, hotel and office property sectors.

•  Retail real estate experienced a pullback for the year given the direct impact social distancing and quarantining measures have had on earnings. The retail sector underperformed as London (declined 39.2%), Continental Europe (declined 39.0%) and U.S. retail assets (–37.4% for U.S. malls and –27.8% U.S. shopping centers) posted losses for the full year.i The temporary closure of a significant faction of retail real estate impaired cash rent collections. Additionally, the strain that the pandemic has placed on retail tenants has called into question the solvency of such tenants going forward, leading to greater uncertainty in cash flow projections for retail landlords.

•  The Fund's security selection and overweight allocation to U.S. malls, security selection in the U.K. Majors and overweight to Continental European retail detracted from performance for the year. However, the underweight to U.S. shopping centers overall, coupled with positive security selection, contributed to performance for the Fund.

•  Global offices also underperformed for the year, as growing uncertainty regarding the potential structural impact of the work-from-home theme impacted the sector. For the full-year period, U.S. primary central business district (CBD) offices declined 22.0%, London offices declined 20.5% and U.S. secondary CBD/suburban offices declined 14.8%.(i) Despite this increased uncertainty, office companies have continued to have high rent collections and limited tenant bankruptcies. Additionally, despite low utilization of office space in much of the U.S. and Europe, it is noteworthy that in Northern Asia, where the health crisis is currently deemed to be more under control, the labor force has mostly returned to the workplace and the office market is not facing as intense scrutiny with regard to the structural impact from the work-from-home theme.

•  The Fund's overweight allocation to primary CBD office within the U.S. was the largest detractor from performance, as was stock selection in this segment.

•  Hotel stocks in the U.S. underperformed for the year (–25.9%) due to a significant decline in demand stemming from a pullback in both business and leisure travel as a result of the pandemic.i Despite this headwind, the Fund's positions in select hotel companies modestly contributed to performance.

•  German residential, U.S. data centers and U.S. industrial were top performers over the course of the year, returning 35.7%, 18.1% and 13.4%, respectively.(i) Within Germany, investors were drawn to the defensive characteristics displayed by the residential landlords, as the pandemic had little impact on rental levels, occupancy rates and rent collections. Within the U.S., both data centers and industrial benefited from increased demand as a result of COVID-19 stemming from the increased

(i)  Returns provided are a sub-segment of the FTSE EPRA Nareit Developed Index. Data as of December 31, 2020.


4



Morgan Stanley Institutional Fund, Inc.

Annual Report — December 31, 2020

Investment Overview (unaudited) (cont'd)

Global Concentrated Real Estate Portfolio

need for digital infrastructure and e-commerce fulfillment.

•  The underweight in German residential detracted from relative performance. Despite an underweight position in the U.S. industrial sector detracting from the Fund's performance, favorable security selection was additive for the year.

Management Strategies

•  While real estate securities posted a negative return for the year, recent market strength in the asset class is supported by a number of macro and fundamental factors, including monetary stimulus, vaccine discovery and clarity on the timeline for successful vaccine dissemination, and the reopening of economies and related positive demand impacts for sectors across real estate. Additionally, we believe the relative valuation of real estate securities is attractive compared to investable alternatives including the broader equity market, fixed income and direct property investment.

•  For these reasons, we have a favorable outlook for real estate over the next year, however, continue to believe active management with a keen focus on relative value is important.

*  Minimum Investment for Class I shares

**  Commenced Operations on June 18, 2018.

In accordance with SEC regulations, the Fund's performance shown assumes that all recurring fees (including management fees) were deducted and all dividends and distributions were reinvested. The performance of Class A, C and IS shares will vary from the performance of Class I shares and will be negatively impacted by additional fees assessed to those classes (if applicable).

Performance Compared to the FTSE EPRA Nareit Developed Real Estate Net Total Return Index(1) and the Lipper Global Real Estate Funds Index(2)

    Period Ended December 31, 2020
Total Returns(3)
 
       

Average Annual

 
    One
Year
  Five
Years
  Ten
Years
  Since
Inception(5)
 
Fund — Class I Shares
w/o sales charges(4)
   

–21.64

%

   

     

     

–8.23

%

 
Fund — Class A Shares
w/o sales charges(4)
   

–21.90

     

     

     

–8.55

   
Fund — Class A Shares with
maximum 5.25% sales charges(4)
   

–26.03

     

     

     

–10.46

   
Fund — Class C Shares
w/o sales charges(4)
   

–22.55

     

     

     

–9.27

   
Fund — Class C Shares with
maximum 1.00% deferred
sales charges(4)
   

–23.31

     

     

     

–9.27

   
Fund — Class IS Shares
w/o sales charges(4)
   

–21.60

     

     

     

–8.19

   
FTSE EPRA Nareit Developed
Real Estate Net Total Return Index
   

–9.04

     

     

     

2.07

   
Lipper Global Real Estate
Funds Index
   

–5.16

     

     

     

3.83

   

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. Performance assumes that all dividends and distributions, if any, were reinvested. For the most recent month-end performance figures, please visit www.morganstanley.com/im/shareholderreports. Investment return and principal value will fluctuate so that Fund shares, when redeemed, may be worth more or less than their original cost. Total returns do not reflect the deduction of taxes that a shareholder would pay on Fund distributions or the redemption of Fund shares. Performance of share classes will vary due to difference in sales charges and expenses.

(1)  The FTSE EPRA Nareit Developed Real Estate Net Total Return Index is a market capitalization weighted index designed to reflect the stock performance of companies engaged in the North American, European and Asian real estate markets. 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.

(2)  The Lipper Global Real Estate Funds Index is an equally weighted performance index of the largest qualifying funds (based on net assets) in the Lipper Global Real Estate Funds classification. The Index, which is adjusted for capital gains distributions and income dividends, is unmanaged and should not be considered an investment. There are currently 30 funds represented in this Index. As of the date of this report, the Fund was in the Lipper Global Real Estate Funds classification.

(3)  Total returns for the Fund reflect fees waived and expenses reimbursed, if applicable, by the Adviser (as defined herein). Without such waivers and reimbursements, total returns would have been lower.

(4)  Commenced operations on June 18, 2018.

(5)  For comparative purposes, average annual since inception returns listed for the Indexes refer to the inception date of the Fund, not the inception of the Index.


5



Morgan Stanley Institutional Fund, Inc.

Annual Report — December 31, 2020

Portfolio of Investments

Global Concentrated Real Estate Portfolio

   

Shares

  Value
(000)
 

Common Stocks (95.8%)

 

Australia (1.9%)

 

Dexus REIT

   

5,187

   

$

38

   

GPT Group (The) REIT

   

5,159

     

18

   

Scentre Group REIT

   

8,526

     

18

   
     

74

   

Canada (0.3%)

 

RioCan Real Estate Investment Trust REIT

   

838

     

11

   

China (0.4%)

 

China Overseas Land & Investment Ltd. (a)

   

1,444

     

3

   

China Resources Land Ltd. (a)

   

3,282

     

14

   

China Resources Mixc Lifestyle Services Ltd. (a)(b)

   

25

     

@

 
     

17

   

Finland (0.4%)

 

Citycon Oyj (c)

   

1,361

     

13

   

France (6.3%)

 

Gecina SA REIT

   

631

     

98

   

ICADE REIT

   

33

     

3

   

Klepierre SA REIT (c)

   

4,786

     

108

   

Mercialys SA REIT

   

3,915

     

34

   
     

243

   

Germany (2.7%)

 

Deutsche Wohnen SE

   

1,971

     

105

   

Hong Kong (11.2%)

 

CK Asset Holdings Ltd.

   

1,935

     

10

   

Hongkong Land Holdings Ltd.

   

31,940

     

132

   

Link REIT

   

5,097

     

46

   

New World Development Co. Ltd.

   

2,511

     

12

   

Sino Land Co., Ltd.

   

10,338

     

13

   

Sun Hung Kai Properties Ltd.

   

7,182

     

92

   

Swire Properties Ltd.

   

25,456

     

74

   

Wharf Real Estate Investment Co., Ltd.

   

9,733

     

51

   
     

430

   

Ireland (0.8%)

 

Hibernia REIT PLC

   

22,555

     

32

   

Japan (8.4%)

 

GLP J-REIT

   

1

     

2

   

Japan Hotel REIT Investment Corp.

   

81

     

42

   

Mitsubishi Estate Co., Ltd.

   

6,132

     

98

   

Mitsui Fudosan Co., Ltd.

   

4,313

     

90

   

Nippon Building Fund, Inc. REIT

   

10

     

58

   

Sumitomo Realty & Development Co., Ltd.

   

1,002

     

31

   
     

321

   

Netherlands (1.3%)

 

Eurocommercial Properties N.V. CVA REIT (b)

   

2,567

     

48

   

Singapore (2.2%)

 

CapitaLand Ltd.

   

3,097

     

8

   

Mandarin Oriental International Ltd. (b)

   

42,176

     

72

   

UOL Group Ltd.

   

937

     

5

   
     

85

   
   

Shares

  Value
(000)
 

Spain (2.1%)

 

Inmobiliaria Colonial Socimi SA REIT

   

2,332

   

$

23

   

Merlin Properties Socimi SA REIT

   

6,160

     

59

   
     

82

   

Sweden (0.5%)

 

Hufvudstaden AB, Class A

   

1,162

     

19

   

United Kingdom (9.7%)

 

British Land Co., PLC (The) REIT

   

12,163

     

81

   

Derwent London PLC REIT

   

1,221

     

52

   

Great Portland Estates PLC REIT

   

7,144

     

65

   

Hammerson PLC REIT

   

172,875

     

59

   

Land Securities Group PLC REIT

   

10,516

     

97

   

Segro PLC REIT

   

938

     

12

   

St. Modwen Properties PLC

   

1,003

     

6

   
     

372

   

United States (47.6%)

 

Alexandria Real Estate Equities, Inc. REIT

   

12

     

2

   

American Campus Communities, Inc. REIT

   

210

     

9

   

Apartment Income Corp. REIT (b)

   

124

     

5

   

AvalonBay Communities, Inc. REIT

   

691

     

111

   

Boston Properties, Inc. REIT

   

1,689

     

160

   

Camden Property Trust REIT

   

303

     

30

   

CubeSmart REIT

   

240

     

8

   

DiamondRock Hospitality Co. REIT

   

156

     

1

   

Digital Realty Trust, Inc. REIT

   

164

     

23

   

Equity Residential REIT

   

1,933

     

115

   

Essex Property Trust, Inc. REIT

   

93

     

22

   

Federal Realty Investment Trust REIT

   

188

     

16

   

Healthcare Realty Trust, Inc. REIT

   

552

     

16

   

Healthpeak Properties, Inc. REIT

   

64

     

2

   

Host Hotels & Resorts, Inc. REIT

   

5,389

     

79

   

Hudson Pacific Properties, Inc. REIT

   

2,163

     

52

   

Invitation Homes, Inc. REIT

   

1,491

     

44

   

JBG SMITH Properties REIT

   

783

     

24

   

Kimco Realty Corp. REIT

   

1,280

     

19

   

Life Storage, Inc. REIT

   

242

     

29

   

Mack-Cali Realty Corp. REIT

   

2,943

     

37

   

Mid-America Apartment Communities, Inc. REIT

   

117

     

15

   

Paramount Group, Inc. REIT

   

1,826

     

16

   

ProLogis, Inc. REIT

   

2,319

     

231

   

Public Storage REIT

   

157

     

36

   

QTS Realty Trust, Inc., Class A REIT

   

64

     

4

   

Regency Centers Corp. REIT

   

1,239

     

56

   

RLJ Lodging Trust REIT

   

2,560

     

36

   

Simon Property Group, Inc. REIT

   

1,779

     

152

   

SITE Centers Corp. REIT

   

459

     

5

   

SL Green Realty Corp. REIT

   

3,454

     

206

   

Sunstone Hotel Investors, Inc. REIT

   

5,183

     

59

   

Ventas, Inc. REIT

   

1,084

     

53

   

Vornado Realty Trust REIT

   

2,779

     

104

   

Weingarten Realty Investors REIT

   

2,206

     

48

   
     

1,825

   

Total Common Stocks (Cost $4,294)

   

3,677

   

The accompanying notes are an integral part of the financial statements.
6



Morgan Stanley Institutional Fund, Inc.

Annual Report — December 31, 2020

Portfolio of Investments (cont'd)

Global Concentrated Real Estate Portfolio

   

Shares

  Value
(000)
 

Short-Term Investments (9.4%)

 

Securities held as Collateral on Loaned Securities (3.0%)

 

Investment Company (2.6%)

 
Morgan Stanley Institutional Liquidity
Funds — Treasury Securities Portfolio —
Institutional Class (See Note G)
   

97,306

   

$

97

   
    Face
Amount
 

(000)

 

Repurchase Agreements (0.4%)

 
Barclays Capital, Inc. (0.05%, dated 12/31/20,
due 1/4/21; proceeds $3; fully collateralized
by a U.S. Government obligation; 1.63%
due 11/15/22; valued at $3)
 

$

3

     

3

   
HSBC Securities USA, Inc. (0.05%, dated
12/31/20, due 1/4/21; proceeds $12; fully
collateralized by a U.S. Government obligation;
0.15% due 10/31/22; valued at $12)
   

12

     

12

   
Merrill Lynch & Co., Inc. (0.06%, 12/31/20,
due 1/4/21; proceeds $1; fully collateralized
by a U.S. Government obligation; 2.50%
due 5/15/46; valued at $1)
   

1

     

1

   
     

16

   
Total Securities held as Collateral on Loaned
Securities (Cost $113)
   

113

   
   

Shares

     

Investment Company (6.4%)

 
Morgan Stanley Institutional Liquidity
Funds — Treasury Portfolio —
Institutional Class (See Note G)
(Cost $245)
   

245,485

     

245

   

Total Short-Term Investments (Cost $358)

   

358

   
Total Investments (105.2%) (Cost $4,652)
Including $118 of Securities Loaned (d)(e)
   

4,035

   

Liabilities in Excess of Other Assets (–5.2%)

   

(198

)

 

Net Assets (100.0%)

 

$

3,837

   

Country assignments and aggregations are based generally on third party vendor classifications and information, and may be different from the assignments and aggregations under the policies set forth in the Fund's prospectus and/or statement of additional information relating to geographic classifications.

(a)  Security trades on the Hong Kong exchange.

(b)  Non-income producing security.

(c)  All or a portion of this security was on loan at December 31, 2020.

(d)  The approximate fair value and percentage of net assets, $1,841,000 and 48.0%, respectively, represent the securities that have been fair valued under the fair valuation policy for international investments as described in Note A-1 within the Notes to the Financial Statements.

(e)  At December 31, 2020, the aggregate cost for federal income tax purposes is approximately $4,709,000. The aggregate gross unrealized appreciation is approximately $157,000 and the aggregate gross unrealized depreciation is approximately $831,000, resulting in net unrealized depreciation of approximately $674,000.

@  Value is less than $500.

CVA  Certificaten Van Aandelen.

REIT  Real Estate Investment Trust.

Portfolio Composition*

Classification

  Percentage of
Total Investments
 

Diversified

   

26.5

%

 

Office

   

22.2

   

Retail

   

16.1

   

Residential

   

11.7

   

Lodging/Resorts

   

7.4

   

Industrial

   

6.2

   

Short-Term Investments

   

6.2

   

Other**

   

3.7

   

Total Investments

   

100.0

%

 

*  Percentages indicated are based upon total investments (excluding Securities held as Collateral on Loaned Securities) as of December 31, 2020.

**  Industries and/or investment types representing less than 5% of total investments.

The accompanying notes are an integral part of the financial statements.
7



Morgan Stanley Institutional Fund, Inc.

Annual Report — December 31, 2020

Global Concentrated Real Estate Portfolio

Statement of Assets and Liabilities

  December 31, 2020
(000)
 

Assets:

 

Investments in Securities of Unaffiliated Issuers, at Value(1) (Cost $4,310)

 

$

3,693

   

Investment in Security of Affiliated Issuer, at Value (Cost $342)

   

342

   

Total Investments in Securities, at Value (Cost $4,652)

   

4,035

   

Foreign Currency, at Value (Cost $7)

   

7

   

Due from Adviser

   

55

   

Dividends Receivable

   

19

   

Tax Reclaim Receivable

   

5

   

Receivable from Affiliate

   

@

 

Receivable from Securities Lending Income

   

@

 

Other Assets

   

24

   

Total Assets

   

4,145

   

Liabilities:

 

Payable for Investments Purchased

   

161

   

Collateral on Securities Loaned, at Value

   

113

   

Payable for Professional Fees

   

16

   

Payable for Custodian Fees

   

8

   

Payable for Transfer Agency Fees — Class I

   

@

 

Payable for Transfer Agency Fees — Class A

   

@

 

Payable for Transfer Agency Fees — Class C

   

@

 

Payable for Transfer Agency Fees — Class IS

   

@

 

Payable for Administration Fees

   

@

 

Other Liabilities

   

10

   

Total Liabilities

   

308

   

Net Assets

 

$

3,837

   

Net Assets Consist of:

 

Paid-in-Capital

 

$

5,133

   

Total Accumulated Loss

   

(1,296

)

 

Net Assets

 

$

3,837

   

CLASS I:

 

Net Assets

 

$

3,813

   
Shares Outstanding $0.001 par value shares of beneficial interest (unlimited shares authorized) (not in 000's)    

522,638

   

Net Asset Value, Offering and Redemption Price Per Share

 

$

7.30

   

CLASS A:

 

Net Assets

 

$

8

   
Shares Outstanding $0.001 par value shares of beneficial interest (unlimited shares authorized) (not in 000's)    

1,045

   

Net Asset Value, Redemption Price Per Share

 

$

7.30

   

Maximum Sales Load

   

5.25

%

 

Maximum Sales Charge

 

$

0.40

   

Maximum Offering Price Per Share

 

$

7.70

   

CLASS C:

 

Net Assets

 

$

8

   
Shares Outstanding $0.001 par value shares of beneficial interest (unlimited shares authorized) (not in 000's)    

1,029

   

Net Asset Value, Offering and Redemption Price Per Share

 

$

7.29

   

CLASS IS:

 

Net Assets

 

$

8

   
Shares Outstanding $0.001 par value shares of beneficial interest (unlimited shares authorized) (not in 000's)    

1,052

   

Net Asset Value, Offering and Redemption Price Per Share

 

$

7.30

   
(1) Including:
Securities on Loan, at Value:
 

$

118

   

@  Amount is less than $500.

The accompanying notes are an integral part of the financial statements.
8



Morgan Stanley Institutional Fund, Inc.

Annual Report — December 31, 2020

Global Concentrated Real Estate Portfolio

Statement of Operations

  Year Ended
December 31, 2020
(000)
 

Investment Income:

 

Dividends from Securities of Unaffiliated Issuers (Net of $4 of Foreign Taxes Withheld)

 

$

120

   

Dividends from Security of Affiliated Issuer (Note G)

   

1

   

Income from Securities Loaned — Net

   

@

 

Total Investment Income

   

121

   

Expenses:

 

Professional Fees

   

112

   

Registration Fees

   

50

   

Advisory Fees (Note B)

   

27

   

Custodian Fees (Note F)

   

27

   

Shareholder Reporting Fees

   

12

   

Transfer Agency Fees — Class I (Note E)

   

2

   

Transfer Agency Fees — Class A (Note E)

   

2

   

Transfer Agency Fees — Class C (Note E)

   

2

   

Transfer Agency Fees — Class IS (Note E)

   

2

   

Pricing Fees

   

5

   

Directors' Fees and Expenses

   

4

   

Administration Fees (Note C)

   

3

   

Shareholder Services Fees — Class A (Note D)

   

@

 

Distribution and Shareholder Services Fees — Class C (Note D)

   

@

 

Other Expenses

   

19

   

Total Expenses

   

267

   

Expenses Reimbursed by Adviser (Note B)

   

(200

)

 

Waiver of Advisory Fees (Note B)

   

(27

)

 

Reimbursement of Class Specific Expenses — Class I (Note B)

   

(—

@)

 

Reimbursement of Class Specific Expenses — Class A (Note B)

   

(2

)

 

Reimbursement of Class Specific Expenses — Class C (Note B)

   

(2

)

 

Reimbursement of Class Specific Expenses — Class IS (Note B)

   

(2

)

 

Rebate from Morgan Stanley Affiliate (Note G)

   

(—

@)

 

Net Expenses

   

34

   

Net Investment Income

   

87

   

Realized Loss:

 

Investments Sold

   

(645

)

 

Foreign Currency Translation

   

(—

@)

 

Net Realized Loss

   

(645

)

 

Change in Unrealized Appreciation (Depreciation):

 

Investments

   

(502

)

 

Foreign Currency Translation

   

1

   

Net Change in Unrealized Appreciation (Depreciation)

   

(501

)

 

Net Realized Loss and Change in Unrealized Appreciation (Depreciation)

   

(1,146

)

 

Net Decrease in Net Assets Resulting from Operations

 

$

(1,059

)

 

@  Amount is less than $500.

The accompanying notes are an integral part of the financial statements.
9



Morgan Stanley Institutional Fund, Inc.

Annual Report — December 31, 2020

Global Concentrated Real Estate Portfolio

Statements of Changes in Net Assets

  Year Ended
December 31, 2020
(000)
  Year Ended
December 31, 2019
(000)
 

Increase (Decrease) in Net Assets:

 

Operations:

 

Net Investment Income

 

$

87

   

$

77

   

Net Realized Gain (Loss)

   

(645

)

   

53

   

Net Change in Unrealized Appreciation (Depreciation)

   

(501

)

   

443

   

Net Increase (Decrease) in Net Assets Resulting from Operations

   

(1,059

)

   

573

   

Dividends and Distributions to Shareholders:

 

Class I

   

(67

)

   

(154

)

 

Class A

   

(—

@)

   

(—

@)

 

Class C

   

(—

@)

   

(—

@)

 

Class IS

   

(—

@)

   

(—

@)

 

Total Dividends and Distributions to Shareholders

   

(67

)

   

(154

)

 

Capital Share Transactions:(1)

 

Class I:

 

Distributions Reinvested

   

67

     

154

   

Class A:

 

Subscribed

   

1

     

1

   

Distributions Reinvested

   

@

   

@

 

Redeemed

   

(1

)

   

(—

@)

 

Class C:

 

Distributions Reinvested

   

@

   

@

 

Class IS:

 

Distributions Reinvested

   

@

   

@

 

Net Increase in Net Assets Resulting from Capital Share Transactions

   

67

     

155

   

Total Increase (Decrease) in Net Assets

   

(1,059

)

   

574

   

Net Assets:

 

Beginning of Period

   

4,896

     

4,322

   

End of Period

 

$

3,837

   

$

4,896

   

(1)   Capital Share Transactions:

 

Class I:

 

Shares Issued on Distributions Reinvested

   

9

     

17

   

Class A:

 

Shares Subscribed

   

@@

   

@@

 

Shares Issued on Distributions Reinvested

   

@@

   

@@

 

Shares Redeemed

   

(—

@@)

   

(—

@@)

 

Net Increase in Class A Shares Outstanding

   

@@

   

@@

 

Class C:

 

Shares Issued on Distributions Reinvested

   

@@

   

@@

 

Class IS:

 

Shares Issued on Distributions Reinvested

   

@@

   

@@

 

@  Amount is less than $500.

@@  Amount is less than 500 shares.

The accompanying notes are an integral part of the financial statements.
10



Morgan Stanley Institutional Fund, Inc.

Annual Report — December 31, 2020

Financial Highlights

Global Concentrated Real Estate Portfolio

   

Class I

 
   

Year Ended December 31,

  Period from
June 18, 2018(1) to
 

Selected Per Share Data and Ratios

 

2020

 

2019

 

December 31, 2018

 

Net Asset Value, Beginning of Period

 

$

9.48

   

$

8.64

   

$

10.00

   

Income (Loss) from Investment Operations:

 

Net Investment Income(2)

   

0.17

     

0.16

     

0.23

   

Net Realized and Unrealized Gain (Loss)

   

(2.22

)

   

0.99

     

(1.16

)

 

Total from Investment Operations

   

(2.05

)

   

1.15

     

(0.93

)

 

Distributions from and/or in Excess of:

 

Net Investment Income

   

(0.13

)

   

(0.31

)

   

(0.29

)

 

Paid-in-Capital

   

     

     

(0.14

)

 

Total Distributions

   

(0.13

)

   

(0.31

)

   

(0.43

)

 

Net Asset Value, End of Period

 

$

7.30

   

$

9.48

   

$

8.64

   

Total Return(3)

   

(21.64

)%

   

13.38

%

   

(9.49

)%(6)

 

Ratios to Average Net Assets and Supplemental Data:

 

Net Assets, End of Period (Thousands)

 

$

3,813

   

$

4,866

   

$

4,295

   

Ratio of Expenses Before Expense Limitation

   

7.26

%

   

6.15

%

   

8.58

%(7)

 

Ratio of Expenses After Expense Limitation

   

0.95

%(4)

   

0.94

%(4)

   

0.94

%(4)(7)

 

Ratio of Net Investment Income

   

2.41

%(4)

   

1.67

%(4)

   

4.42

%(4)(7)

 

Ratio of Rebate from Morgan Stanley Affiliates

   

0.00

%(5)

   

0.00

%(5)

   

0.00

%(5)(7)

 

Portfolio Turnover Rate

   

31

%

   

21

%

   

19

%(6)

 

(1)  Commencement of Operations.

(2)  Per share amount is based on average shares outstanding.

(3)  Calculated based on the net asset value as of the last business day of the period.

(4)  The Ratio of Expenses After Expense Limitation and Ratio of Net Investment Income reflect the rebate of certain Fund expenses in connection with the investments in Morgan Stanley affiliates during the period. The effect of the rebate on the ratios is disclosed in the above table as "Ratio of Rebate from Morgan Stanley Affiliates."

(5)  Amount is less than 0.005%.

(6)  Not annualized.

(7)  Annualized.

The accompanying notes are an integral part of the financial statements.
11



Morgan Stanley Institutional Fund, Inc.

Annual Report — December 31, 2020

Financial Highlights

Global Concentrated Real Estate Portfolio

   

Class A

 
   

Year Ended December 31,

  Period from
June 18, 2018(1) to
 

Selected Per Share Data and Ratios

 

2020

 

2019

 

December 31, 2018

 

Net Asset Value, Beginning of Period

 

$

9.48

   

$

8.65

   

$

10.00

   

Income (Loss) from Investment Operations:

 

Net Investment Income(2)

   

0.14

     

0.12

     

0.21

   

Net Realized and Unrealized Gain (Loss)

   

(2.22

)

   

0.99

     

(1.15

)

 

Total from Investment Operations

   

(2.08

)

   

1.11

     

(0.94

)

 

Distributions from and/or in Excess of:

 

Net Investment Income

   

(0.10

)

   

(0.28

)

   

(0.27

)

 

Paid-in-Capital

   

     

     

(0.14

)

 

Total Distributions

   

(0.10

)

   

(0.28

)

   

(0.41

)

 

Net Asset Value, End of Period

 

$

7.30

   

$

9.48

   

$

8.65

   

Total Return(3)

   

(21.90

)%

   

12.85

%

   

(9.57

)%(6)

 

Ratios to Average Net Assets and Supplemental Data:

 

Net Assets, End of Period (Thousands)

 

$

8

   

$

10

   

$

9

   

Ratio of Expenses Before Expense Limitation

   

35.01

%

   

26.09

%

   

26.73

%(7)

 

Ratio of Expenses After Expense Limitation

   

1.30

%(4)

   

1.30

%(4)

   

1.30

%(4)(7)

 

Ratio of Net Investment Income

   

2.08

%(4)

   

1.31

%(4)

   

4.06

%(4)(7)

 

Ratio of Rebate from Morgan Stanley Affiliates

   

0.00

%(5)

   

0.00

%(5)

   

0.00

%(5)(7)

 

Portfolio Turnover Rate

   

31

%

   

21

%

   

19

%(6)

 

(1)  Commencement of Operations.

(2)  Per share amount is based on average shares outstanding.

(3)  Calculated based on the net asset value which does not reflect sales charges, if applicable, as of the last business day of the period.

(4)  The Ratio of Expenses After Expense Limitation and Ratio of Net Investment Income reflect the rebate of certain Fund expenses in connection with the investments in Morgan Stanley affiliates during the period. The effect of the rebate on the ratios is disclosed in the above table as "Ratio of Rebate from Morgan Stanley Affiliates."

(5)  Amount is less than 0.005%.

(6)  Not annualized.

(7)  Annualized.

The accompanying notes are an integral part of the financial statements.
12



Morgan Stanley Institutional Fund, Inc.

Annual Report — December 31, 2020

Financial Highlights

Global Concentrated Real Estate Portfolio

   

Class C

 
   

Year Ended December 31,

  Period from
June 18, 2018(1) to
 

Selected Per Share Data and Ratios

 

2020

 

2019

 

December 31, 2018

 

Net Asset Value, Beginning of Period

 

$

9.48

   

$

8.65

   

$

10.00

   

Income (Loss) from Investment Operations:

 

Net Investment Income(2)

   

0.09

     

0.05

     

0.17

   

Net Realized and Unrealized Gain (Loss)

   

(2.23

)

   

0.98

     

(1.15

)

 

Total from Investment Operations

   

(2.14

)

   

1.03

     

(0.98

)

 

Distributions from and/or in Excess of:

 

Net Investment Income

   

(0.05

)

   

(0.20

)

   

(0.23

)

 

Paid-in-Capital

   

     

     

(0.14

)

 

Total Distributions

   

(0.05

)

   

(0.20

)

   

(0.37

)

 

Net Asset Value, End of Period

 

$

7.29

   

$

9.48

   

$

8.65

   

Total Return(3)

   

(22.55

)%

   

12.01

%

   

(9.94

)%(6)

 

Ratios to Average Net Assets and Supplemental Data:

 

Net Assets, End of Period (Thousands)

 

$

8

   

$

10

   

$

9

   

Ratio of Expenses Before Expense Limitation

   

36.87

%

   

26.91

%

   

27.50

%(7)

 

Ratio of Expenses After Expense Limitation

   

2.05

%(4)

   

2.05

%(4)

   

2.05

%(4)(7)

 

Ratio of Net Investment Income

   

1.31

%(4)

   

0.55

%(4)

   

3.30

%(4)(7)

 

Ratio of Rebate from Morgan Stanley Affiliates

   

0.00

%(5)

   

0.00

%(5)

   

0.00

%(5)(7)

 

Portfolio Turnover Rate

   

31

%

   

21

%

   

19

%(6)

 

(1)  Commencement of Operations.

(2)  Per share amount is based on average shares outstanding.

(3)  Calculated based on the net asset value which does not reflect sales charges, if applicable, as of the last business day of the period.

(4)  The Ratio of Expenses After Expense Limitation and Ratio of Net Investment Income reflect the rebate of certain Fund expenses in connection with the investments in Morgan Stanley affiliates during the period. The effect of the rebate on the ratios is disclosed in the above table as "Ratio of Rebate from Morgan Stanley Affiliates."

(5)  Amount is less than 0.005%.

(6)  Not annualized.

(7)  Annualized.

The accompanying notes are an integral part of the financial statements.
13



Morgan Stanley Institutional Fund, Inc.

Annual Report — December 31, 2020

Financial Highlights

Global Concentrated Real Estate Portfolio

   

Class IS

 
   

Year Ended December 31,

  Period from
June 18, 2018(1) to
 

Selected Per Share Data and Ratios

 

2020

 

2019

 

December 31, 2018

 

Net Asset Value, Beginning of Period

 

$

9.48

   

$

8.64

   

$

10.00

   

Income (Loss) from Investment Operations:

 

Net Investment Income(2)

   

0.17

     

0.16

     

0.23

   

Net Realized and Unrealized Gain (Loss)

   

(2.22

)

   

0.99

     

(1.16

)

 

Total from Investment Operations

   

(2.05

)

   

1.15

     

(0.93

)

 

Distributions from and/or in Excess of:

 

Net Investment Income

   

(0.13

)

   

(0.31

)

   

(0.29

)

 

Paid-in-Capital

   

     

     

(0.14

)

 

Total Distributions

   

(0.13

)

   

(0.31

)

   

(0.43

)

 

Net Asset Value, End of Period

 

$

7.30

   

$

9.48

   

$

8.64

   

Total Return(3)

   

(21.60

)%

   

13.43

%

   

(9.47

)%(6)

 

Ratios to Average Net Assets and Supplemental Data:

 

Net Assets, End of Period (Thousands)

 

$

8

   

$

10

   

$

9

   

Ratio of Expenses Before Expense Limitation

   

34.53

%

   

25.85

%

   

26.46

%(7)

 

Ratio of Expenses After Expense Limitation

   

0.90

%(4)

   

0.90

%(4)

   

0.90

%(4)(7)

 

Ratio of Net Investment Income

   

2.46

%(4)

   

1.71

%(4)

   

4.45

%(4)(7)

 

Ratio of Rebate from Morgan Stanley Affiliates

   

0.00

%(5)

   

0.00

%(5)

   

0.00

%(5)(7)

 

Portfolio Turnover Rate

   

31

%

   

21

%

   

19

%(6)

 

(1)  Commencement of Operations.

(2)  Per share amount is based on average shares outstanding.

(3)  Calculated based on the net asset value as of the last business day of the period.

(4)  The Ratio of Expenses After Expense Limitation and Ratio of Net Investment Income reflect the rebate of certain Fund expenses in connection with the investments in Morgan Stanley affiliates during the period. The effect of the rebate on the ratios is disclosed in the above table as "Ratio of Rebate from Morgan Stanley Affiliates."

(5)  Amount is less than 0.005%.

(6)  Not annualized.

(7)  Annualized.

The accompanying notes are an integral part of the financial statements.
14



Morgan Stanley Institutional Fund, Inc.

Annual Report — December 31, 2020

Notes to Financial Statements

Morgan Stanley Institutional Fund, Inc. (the "Company") is registered under the Investment Company Act of 1940, as amended (the "Act"), as an open-end management investment company. The Company is comprised of thirty-one separate, active, diversified and non-diversified funds (individually referred to as a "Fund," collectively as the "Funds"). The Company applies investment company accounting and reporting guidance.

The accompanying financial statements relate to the Global Concentrated Real Estate Portfolio. The Fund seeks to provide current income and long-term capital appreciation.

The Fund offers four classes of shares — Class I, Class A, Class C and Class IS.

A. Significant Accounting Policies: The following significant accounting policies are in conformity with U.S. generally accepted accounting principles ("GAAP"). Such policies are consistently followed by the Company in the preparation of its financial statements. GAAP may require management to make estimates and assumptions that affect the reported amounts and disclosures in the financial statements. Actual results may differ from those estimates.

1.  Security Valuation: (1) An equity portfolio security listed or traded on an exchange is valued at its latest reported sales price (or at the exchange official closing price if such exchange reports an official closing price), and if there were no sales on a given day and if there is no official exchange closing price for that day, the security is valued at the mean between the last reported bid and asked prices if such bid and asked prices are available on the relevant exchanges. If only bid prices are available then the latest bid price may be used. Listed equity securities not traded on the valuation date with no reported bid and asked prices available on the exchange are valued at the mean between the current bid and asked prices obtained from one or more reputable brokers or dealers. In cases where a security is traded on more than one exchange, the security is valued on the exchange designated as the primary market; (2) all other equity portfolio securities for which over-the-counter ("OTC") market quotations are readily available are valued at the latest reported sales price (or at the market official closing price if such market reports an official closing price), and if there was no trading in the security on a given day and if there is no official closing price from relevant markets for that day, the security is valued at the mean between the last reported bid and asked prices if such bid and asked prices are available on the relevant markets. An unlisted equity security that does not trade on the valuation date and for which bid and asked prices from the

relevant markets are unavailable is valued at the mean between the current bid and asked prices obtained from one or more reputable brokers or dealers; (3) certain portfolio securities may be valued by an outside pricing service/vendor approved by the Company's Board of Directors (the "Directors"). The pricing service/vendor may employ a pricing model that takes into account, among other things, bids, yield spreads and/or other market data and specific security characteristics. Alternatively, if a valuation is not available from an outside pricing service/vendor, and the security trades on an exchange, the security may be valued at its latest reported sale price (or at the exchange official closing price if such exchange reports an official closing price), prior to the time when assets are valued. If there are no sales on a given day and if there is no official exchange closing price for that day, the security is valued at the mean between the last reported bid and asked prices if such bid and asked prices are available in the relevant exchanges. If only bid prices are available then the latest bid price may be used. If Morgan Stanley Investment Management Inc. (the "Adviser"), a wholly-owned subsidiary of Morgan Stanley, determines that the price provided by the outside pricing service/vendor or exchange does not reflect the security's fair value or is unable to provide a price, prices from brokers or dealers may also be utilized. In these circumstances, the value of the security will be the mean of bid and asked prices obtained from brokers or dealers; (4) when market quotations are not readily available, including circumstances under which the Adviser 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 Directors. 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 of the New York Stock Exchange ("NYSE"). If developments occur during such periods that are expected to materially affect the value of such securities, such valuations may be adjusted to reflect the estimated fair value of such securities as of the close of the NYSE, as determined in good faith by the Directors or by the Adviser using a pricing service and/or procedures approved by the Directors; (5) 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


15



Morgan Stanley Institutional Fund, Inc.

Annual Report — December 31, 2020

Notes to Financial Statements (cont'd)

the NYSE; and (6) investments in mutual funds, including the Morgan Stanley Institutional Liquidity Funds, are valued at the net asset value ("NAV") as of the close of each business day.

The Directors have responsibility for determining in good faith the fair value of the investments, and the Directors may appoint others, such as the Company's Adviser or a valuation committee, to assist the Directors in determining fair value and to make the actual calculations pursuant to the fair valuation methodologies previously approved by the Directors. Under procedures approved by the Directors, the Company's Adviser has formed a Valuation Committee whose members are approved by the Directors. The Valuation Committee provides administration and oversight of the Company's valuation policies and procedures, which are reviewed at least annually by the Directors. These procedures allow the Company to utilize independent pricing services, quotations from securities and financial instrument dealers and other market sources to determine fair value.

The Fund invests a significant portion of its assets in securities of real estate investment trusts ("REITs"). The market's perception of prospective declines in private real estate values and other financial assets may result in increased volatility of market prices that can negatively impact the valuation of certain issuers held by the Fund.

2.  Fair Value Measurement: Financial Accounting Standards Board ("FASB") Accounting Standards CodificationTM ("ASC") 820, "Fair Value Measurement" ("ASC 820"), defines fair value as the value that the Fund would receive to sell an investment or pay to transfer a liability in a timely transaction with an independent buyer in the principal market, or in the absence of a principal market, the most advantageous market for the investment or liability. ASC 820 establishes a three-tier hierarchy to distinguish between (1) inputs that reflect the assumptions market participants would use in valuing an asset or liability developed based on market data obtained from sources independent of the reporting entity (observable inputs) and (2) inputs that reflect the reporting entity's own assumptions about the assumptions market participants would use in valuing an asset or liability developed based on the best information available in the circumstances (unobservable inputs) and to establish classification of fair value measurements for disclosure purposes. Various inputs are used in determining the value of the Fund's

investments. The inputs are summarized in the three broad levels listed below:

•  Level 1 – unadjusted quoted prices in active markets for identical investments

•  Level 2 – other significant observable inputs (including quoted prices for similar investments, interest rates, prepayment speeds, credit risk, etc.)

•  Level 3 – significant unobservable inputs including the Fund's own assumptions in determining the fair value of investments. Factors considered in making this determination may include, but are not limited to, information obtained by contacting the issuer, analysts, or the appropriate stock exchange (for exchange-traded securities), analysis of the issuer's financial statements or other available documents and, if necessary, available information concerning other securities in similar circumstances.

The inputs or methodology used for valuing securities are not necessarily an indication of the risk associated with investing in those securities and the determination of the significance of a particular input to the fair value measurement in its entirety requires judgment and considers factors specific to each security.

The following is a summary of the inputs used to value the Fund's investments as of December 31, 2020:

Investment Type

  Level 1
Unadjusted
quoted
prices
(000)
  Level 2
Other
significant
observable
inputs
(000)
  Level 3
Significant
unobservable
inputs
(000)
  Total
(000)
 

Assets:

 

Common Stocks

 

Diversified

 

$

192

   

$

846

   

$

   

$

1,038

   

Health Care

   

71

     

     

     

71

   

Industrial

   

231

     

14

     

     

245

   

Lodging/Resorts

   

175

     

114

     

     

289

   

Office

   

436

     

433

     

     

869

   

Residential

   

351

     

108

     

     

459

   

Retail

   

307

     

326

     

     

633

   

Self Storage

   

73

     

     

     

73

   

Total Common Stocks

   

1,836

     

1,841

     

     

3,677

   

Short-Term Investments

 

Investment Company

   

342

     

     

     

342

   

Repurchase Agreements

   

     

16

     

     

16

   
Total Short-Term
Investments
   

342

     

16

     

     

358

   

Total Assets

 

$

2,178

   

$

1,857

   

$

   

$

4,035

   


16



Morgan Stanley Institutional Fund, Inc.

Annual Report — December 31, 2020

Notes to Financial Statements (cont'd)

Transfers between investment levels may occur as the markets fluctuate and/or the availability of data used in an investment's valuation changes.

3.  Repurchase Agreements: The Fund may enter into repurchase agreements under which the Fund lends cash and takes possession of securities with an agreement that the counterparty will repurchase such securities. In connection with transactions in repurchase agreements, a bank as custodian for the Fund takes possession of the underlying securities which are held as collateral, with a market value at least equal to the amount of the repurchase transaction, including principal and accrued interest. To the extent that any repurchase transaction exceeds one business day, the value of the collateral is marked-to-market on a daily basis to determine 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. In the event of default on the obligation to repurchase, the Fund has the right to liquidate the collateral and apply the proceeds in satisfaction of the obligation. In the event of default or bankruptcy by the counterparty to the agreement, realization of the collateral proceeds may be subject to cost and delays. The Fund, along with other affiliated investment companies, may utilize a joint trading account for the purpose of entering into repurchase agreements.

4.  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.

Net realized gains (losses) on foreign currency transactions represent net foreign exchange gains (losses) from foreign currency forward exchange contracts, disposition of foreign currencies, currency gains (losses) realized between the trade and settlement dates on securities transactions, and the difference between the amount of investment income and foreign withholding taxes recorded on the Fund's books and the U.S. dollar equivalent amounts actually received or paid. The change in unrealized currency gains (losses) on foreign currency transactions for the period is reflected in the Statement of Operations.

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.

Governmental approval for foreign investments may be required in advance of making an investment under certain circumstances in some countries, and the extent of foreign investments in domestic companies may be subject to limitation in other countries. Foreign ownership limitations also may be imposed by the charters of individual companies to prevent, among other concerns, violations of foreign investment limitations. As a result, an additional class of shares (identified as "Foreign" in the Portfolio of Investments) may be created and offered for investment. The "local" and "foreign shares" market values may differ. In the absence of trading of the foreign shares in such markets, the Fund values the foreign shares at the closing exchange price of the local shares.


17



Morgan Stanley Institutional Fund, Inc.

Annual Report — December 31, 2020

Notes to Financial Statements (cont'd)

5.  Securities Lending: The Fund lends securities to qualified financial institutions, such as broker-dealers, to earn additional income. Any increase or decrease in the fair value of the securities loaned that might occur and any interest earned or dividends declared on those securities during the term of the loan would remain in the Fund. The Fund would receive cash or securities as collateral in an amount equal to or exceeding 100% of the current fair value of the loaned securities. The collateral is marked-to-market daily by State Street Bank and Trust Company ("State Street"), the securities lending agent, to ensure that a minimum of 100% collateral coverage is maintained.

Based on pre-established guidelines, the securities lending agent invests any cash collateral that is received in an affiliated money market portfolio and repurchase agreements. Securities lending income is generated from the earnings on the invested collateral and borrowing fees, less any rebates owed to the borrowers and compensation to the lending agent, and is recorded as "Income from Securities Loaned — Net" in the Fund's Statement of Operations. 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.

The Fund has the right under the securities 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, 2020:

Gross Amounts Not Offset in the Statement of Assets and Liabilities

 
Gross Asset
Amounts
Presented in
the Statement
of Assets and
Liabilities
(000)
  Financial
Instrument
(000)
  Collateral
Received
(000)
  Net Amount
(not less
than $0)
(000)
 
$

118

(a)

 

$

   

$

(118

)(b)(c)

 

$

0

   

(a) Represents market value of loaned securities at year end.

(b) The Fund received cash collateral of approximately $113,000, which was subsequently invested in Repurchase Agreements and Morgan Stanley Institutional Liquidity Funds as reported in the Portfolio of Investments. In addition, the Fund received non-cash collateral of approximately $14,000 in the form of U.S. Government obligations, which the Fund cannot sell or repledge, and accordingly are not reflected in the Portfolio of Investments.

(c) The actual collateral received is greater than the amount shown here due to overcollateralization.

FASB ASC 860, "Transfers & Servicing: Repurchase-to-Maturity Transactions, Repurchase Financings, and Disclosures", is intended to provide increased transparency about the types of collateral pledged in securities lending transactions and other similar transactions that are accounted for as secured borrowing.

The following table displays a breakdown of transactions accounted for as secured borrowings, the gross obligations by class of collateral pledged and the remaining contractual maturity of those transactions as of December 31, 2020:

Remaining Contractual Maturity of the Agreements

 
    Overnight and
Continuous
(000)
  <30 days
(000)
  Between
30 &
90 days
(000)
  >90 days
(000)
  Total
(000)
 
Securities Lending
Transactions
 

Common Stocks

 

$

113

   

$

   

$

   

$

   

$

113

   

Total Borrowings

 

$

113

   

$

   

$

   

$

   

$

113

   
Gross amount of
recognized liabilities
for securities lending
transactions
                 

$

113

   

6.  Indemnifications: The Company enters into contracts that contain a variety of indemnifications. The Company's maximum exposure under these arrangements is unknown. However, the Company has not had prior claims or losses pursuant to these contracts and expects the risk of loss to be remote.

7.  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. Net realized capital gains, if any, are distributed at least annually.

8.  Security Transactions, Income and Expenses: Security transactions are accounted for on the trade date (date the order to buy or sell is executed). Realized gains and losses on the sale of investment securities are determined on the specific identified cost method. Dividend income and other distributions are recorded on the ex-dividend date (except for certain foreign dividends which may be recorded as soon as the Fund is informed of such dividends) net of applicable withholding taxes. Interest income is recognized on the accrual basis except where collection is in doubt. Discounts are accreted and premiums are amortized over the life of the respective securities. Most expenses of the Company can be directly attributed


18



Morgan Stanley Institutional Fund, Inc.

Annual Report — December 31, 2020

Notes to Financial Statements (cont'd)

to a particular Fund. Expenses which cannot be directly attributed are apportioned among the Funds based upon relative net assets or other appropriate methods. Income, expenses (other than class specific expenses — distribution and shareholder services, transfer agency and sub transfer agency fees) and realized and unrealized gains or losses are allocated to each class of shares based upon their relative net assets.

The Fund owns shares of REITs which report information on the source of their distributions annually in the following calendar year. A portion of distributions received from REITs during the year is estimated to be a return of capital and is recorded as a reduction of their cost.

B. Advisory Fees: The Adviser, a wholly-owned subsidiary of Morgan Stanley, provides the Fund with advisory services under the terms of an Investment Advisory Agreement, paid quarterly, at the annual rate based on the daily net assets as follows:

First $2
billion
  Over $2
billion
 
  0.75

%

   

0.70

%

 

For the year ended December 31, 2020, the advisory fee rate (net of waiver/rebate) was equivalent to an annual effective rate of 0.00% of the Fund's average daily net assets.

The Adviser has agreed to reduce its advisory fee and/or reimburse the Fund so that total annual Fund operating expenses, excluding certain investment related expenses, taxes, interest and other extraordinary expenses (including litigation), will not exceed 0.95% for Class I shares, 1.30% for Class A shares, 2.05% for Class C shares and 0.90% for Class IS shares. The fee waivers and/or expense reimbursements will continue for at least one year from the date of the Fund's prospectus or until such time that the Directors act to discontinue all or a portion of such waivers or reimbursements when they deem such action is appropriate. For the year ended December 31, 2020, approximately $27,000 of advisory fees were waived and approximately $206,000 of other expenses were reimbursed by the Adviser pursuant to this arrangement.

C. Administration Fees: The Adviser also serves as Administrator to the Company and provides administrative services pursuant to an Administration Agreement for an annual fee, accrued daily and paid monthly, of 0.08% of the Fund's average daily net assets.

Under a Sub-Administration Agreement between the Administrator and State Street Bank and Trust Company ("State Street"), State Street provides certain administrative services to the Company. For such services, the Administrator pays State Street a portion of the fee the Administrator receives from the Fund.

D. Distribution and Shareholder Services Fees: Morgan Stanley Distribution, Inc. ("MSDI" or the "Distributor"), a wholly-owned subsidiary of the Adviser and an indirect subsidiary of Morgan Stanley, serves as the Company's Distributor of Fund shares pursuant to a Distribution Agreement. The Company has adopted a Shareholder Services Plan with respect to Class A shares pursuant to Rule 12b-1 under the Act. Under the Shareholder Services Plan, the Fund pays the Distributor a shareholder services fee, accrued daily and paid monthly, at an annual rate of 0.25% of the Fund's average daily net assets attributable to Class A shares.

The Company has adopted a Distribution and Shareholder Services Plan with respect to Class C shares pursuant to Rule 12b-1 under the Act. Under the Distribution and Shareholder Services Plan, the Fund pays the Distributor a distribution fee, accrued daily and paid monthly, at an annual rate of 0.75% and a shareholder services fee, accrued daily and paid monthly, at an annual rate of 0.25% of the Fund's average daily net assets attributable to Class C shares.

The distribution and shareholder services fees are used to support the expenses associated with servicing and maintaining accounts. The Distributor may compensate other parties for providing shareholder support services to investors who purchase Class A and Class C shares.

E. Dividend Disbursing and Transfer Agent: The Company's dividend disbursing and transfer agent is DST Asset Manager Solutions, Inc. ("DST"). Pursuant to a Transfer Agency Agreement, the Company pays DST a fee based on the number of classes, accounts and transactions relating to the Funds of the Company.

F. Custodian Fees: State Street (the "Custodian") also serves as Custodian for the Company in accordance with a Custodian Agreement. The Custodian holds cash, securities and other assets of the Company as required by the Act. Custody fees are payable monthly based on assets held in custody, investment purchases and sales activity and account maintenance fees, plus reimbursement for certain out-of-pocket expenses.


19



Morgan Stanley Institutional Fund, Inc.

Annual Report — December 31, 2020

Notes to Financial Statements (cont'd)

G. Security Transactions and Transactions with Affiliates: For the year ended December 31, 2020, purchases and sales of investment securities for the Fund, other than long-term U.S. Government securities and short-term investments were approximately $1,271,000 and $1,087,000, respectively. There were no purchases and sales of long-term U.S. Government securities for the year ended December 31, 2020.

The Fund invests in the Institutional Class of the Morgan Stanley Institutional Liquidity Funds — Treasury Portfolio (the "Liquidity Funds"), an open-end management investment company managed by the Adviser, both directly and as a portion of the securities held as collateral on loaned securities. Advisory fees paid by the Fund are reduced by an amount equal to its pro-rata share of the advisory and administration fees paid by the Fund due to its investment in the Liquidity Funds. For the year ended December 31, 2020, advisory fees paid were reduced by less than $500 relating to the Fund's investment in the Liquidity Funds.

A summary of the Fund's transactions in shares of affiliated investments during the year ended December 31, 2020 is as follows:

Affiliated
Investment
Company
  Value
December 31,
2019
(000)
  Purchases
at Cost
(000)
  Proceeds
from Sales
(000)
  Dividend
Income
(000)
 

Liquidity Funds

 

$

231

   

$

863

   

$

752

   

$

1

   
Affiliated
Investment
Company (cont'd)
  Realized
Gain
(Loss)
(000)
  Change in
Unrealized
Appreciation
(Depreciation)
(000)
  Value
December 31,
2020
(000)
 

Liquidity Funds

 

$

   

$

   

$

342

   

The Fund is permitted to purchase and sell securities ("cross-trade") from and to other Morgan Stanley funds as well as other funds and client accounts for which the Adviser or an affiliate of the Adviser serves as investment adviser, pursuant to procedures approved by the Directors in compliance with Rule 17a-7 under the Act (the "Rule"). Each cross-trade is executed at the current market price in compliance with provisions of the Rule. For the year ended December 31, 2020, the Fund did not engage in any cross-trade transactions.

The Fund has an unfunded Deferred Compensation Plan (the "Compensation Plan"), which allows each independent Director to defer payment of all, or a portion, of the fees he or she receives for serving on the Board of Directors. Each eligible Director generally may elect to have the deferred amounts

credited with a return equal to the total return on one or more of the Morgan Stanley funds that are offered as investment options under the Compensation Plan. Appreciation/depreciation and distributions received from these investments are recorded with an offsetting increase/decrease in the deferred compensation obligation and do not affect the NAV of the Fund.

H. Federal Income Taxes: It is the Fund's intention to continue to qualify as a regulated investment company and distribute all of its taxable and tax-exempt income. Accordingly, no provision for federal income taxes is required in the financial statements.

The Fund may be subject to taxes imposed by countries in which it invests. Such taxes are generally based on income and/or capital gains earned or repatriated. Taxes are accrued based on net investment income, net realized gains and net unrealized appreciation as such income and/or gains are earned. Taxes may also be based on transactions in foreign currency and are accrued based on the value of investments denominated in such currency.

FASB ASC 740-10, "Income Taxes — Overall", sets forth a minimum threshold for financial statement recognition of the benefit of a tax position taken or expected to be taken in a tax return. Management has concluded there are no significant uncertain tax positions that would require recognition in the financial statements. If applicable, the Fund recognizes interest accrued related to unrecognized tax benefits in "Interest Expense" and penalties in "Other Expenses" in the Statement of Operations. The Fund files tax returns with the U.S. Internal Revenue Service, New York and various states. Each of the tax years in the three-year period ended December 31, 2020 remains subject to examination by taxing authorities.

The tax character of distributions paid may differ from the character of distributions shown for GAAP purposes due to short-term capital gains being treated as ordinary income for tax purposes. The tax character of distributions paid during fiscal years 2020 and 2019 was as follows:

2020
Distributions
Paid From:
  2019
Distributions
Paid From:
 
Ordinary
Income
(000)
  Long-Term
Capital Gain
(000)
  Ordinary
Income
(000)
  Long-Term
Capital Gain
(000)
 
$

67

   

$

@

 

$

149

   

$

5

   

@ Amount is less that $500.


20



Morgan Stanley Institutional Fund, Inc.

Annual Report — December 31, 2020

Notes to Financial Statements (cont'd)

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 attributable to differing book and tax treatments for the timing of the recognition of gains (losses) on certain investment transactions and the timing of the deductibility of certain expenses.

The Fund had no permanent differences causing reclassifications among the components of net assets for the year ended December 31, 2020.

At December 31, 2020, the components of distributable earnings for the Fund on a tax basis were as follows:

Undistributed
Ordinary
Income
(000)
  Undistributed
Long-Term
Capital Gain
(000)
 
$

30

   

$

   

At December 31, 2020, the Fund had available for federal income tax purposes unused short-term and long-term capital losses of approximately $13,000 and $618,000, respectively, that do not have an expiration date.

To the extent that capital loss carryforwards are used to offset any future capital gains realized, no capital gains tax liability will be incurred by the Fund for gains realized and not distributed. To the extent that capital gains are offset, such gains will not be distributed to the shareholders.

I. Credit Facility: The Company and other Morgan Stanley funds participated in a $300,000,000 committed, unsecured revolving line of credit facility (the "Facility") with State Street. This Facility is to be used for temporary emergency purposes or funding of shareholder redemption requests. The interest rate on borrowings is based on the federal funds rate or 1 month LIBOR rate plus a spread. The Facility also has a commitment fee of 0.25% per annum based on the unused portion of the Facility. During the year ended December 31, 2020, the Fund did not have any borrowings under the Facility.

J. Other: At December 31, 2020, the Fund did not have record owners of 10% or greater.

K. Market Risk: Certain impacts to public health conditions particular to the coronavirus (COVID-19) outbreak could impact the operations and financial performance of certain of the Fund's investments. The extent of the impact to the financial

performance of the Fund's investments will depend on future developments, including (i) the duration and spread of the outbreak, (ii) the restrictions and advisories, (iii) the effects on the financial markets, and (iv) the effects on the economy overall, all of which are highly uncertain and cannot be predicted. If the financial performance of the Fund's investments is impacted because of these factors for an extended period, the Fund's investment results may be adversely affected.


21



Morgan Stanley Institutional Fund, Inc.

Annual Report — December 31, 2020

Report of Independent Registered Public Accounting Firm

To the Shareholders and Board of Directors of
Morgan Stanley Institutional Fund, Inc. —
Global Concentrated Real Estate Portfolio

Opinion on the Financial Statements

We have audited the accompanying statement of assets and liabilities of Global Concentrated Real Estate Portfolio (the "Fund") (one of the funds constituting Morgan Stanley Institutional Fund, Inc. (the "Company")), including the portfolio of investments, as of December 31, 2020, and the related statement of operations for the year then ended, the statements of changes in net assets for each of the two years in the period then ended and the financial highlights for each of the two years in the period then ended and the period from June 18, 2018 (commencement of operations) through December 31, 2018 and the related notes (collectively referred to as the "financial statements"). In our opinion, the financial statements present fairly, in all material respects, the financial position of Global Concentrated Real Estate Portfolio (one of the funds constituting Morgan Stanley Institutional Fund, Inc.) at December 31, 2020, the results of its operations for the year then ended, the changes in its net assets for each of the two years in the period then ended, and its financial highlights for each of the two years in the period then ended and the period from June 18, 2018 (commencement of operations) through December 31, 2018, in conformity with U.S. generally accepted accounting principles.

Basis for Opinion

These financial statements are the responsibility of the Company's management. Our responsibility is to express an opinion on the Fund's financial statements based on our audit. We are a public accounting firm registered with the Public Company Accounting Oversight Board (United States) ("PCAOB") and are required to be independent with respect to the Company in accordance with the U.S. federal securities law and the applicable rules and regulations of the Securities and Exchange Commission and the PCAOB.

We conducted our audit in accordance with the standards of the PCAOB. Those standards require that we plan and perform the audit to obtain reasonable assurance about whether the financial statements are free of material misstatement, whether due to error or fraud. The Company is not required to have, nor were we engaged to perform, an audit of the Company's internal control over financial reporting. As part of our audit, we are required to obtain an understanding of internal control over financial reporting, but not for the purpose of expressing an opinion on the effectiveness of the Company's internal control over financial reporting. Accordingly, we express no such opinion.

Our audit included performing procedures to assess the risks of material misstatement of the financial statements, whether due to error or fraud, and performing procedures that respond to those risks. Such procedures included examining, on a test basis, evidence regarding the amounts and disclosures in the financial statements. Our procedures included confirmation of securities owned as of December 31, 2020 by correspondence with the custodian and others or by other appropriate auditing procedures where replies from others were not received. Our audit also included evaluating the accounting principles used and significant estimates made by management, as well as evaluating the overall presentation of the financial statements. We believe that our audit provides a reasonable basis for our opinion.

We have served as the auditor of one or more Morgan Stanley investment companies since 2000.
Boston, Massachusetts
February 26, 2021


22



Morgan Stanley Institutional Fund, Inc.

Annual Report — December 31, 2020

Liquidity Risk Management Program (unaudited)

In compliance with Rule 22e-4 under the Investment Company Act of 1940, as amended (the "Liquidity Rule"), the Fund has adopted and implemented a liquidity risk management program (the "Program"), which is reasonably designed to assess and manage the risk that the Fund could not meet requests to redeem shares issued by the Fund without significant dilution of remaining investors' interests in the Fund (i.e., liquidity risk). The Fund's Board of Directors (the "Board") previously approved the designation of the Liquidity Risk Subcommittee (the "LRS") as Program administrator. The LRS is comprised of representatives from various divisions within Morgan Stanley Investment Management.

At a meeting held on April 22-23, 2020, the Board reviewed a written report prepared by the LRS that addressed the Program's operation and assessed its adequacy, and effectiveness of implementation for the period from December 1, 2018, through December 31, 2019, as required under the Liquidity Rule. The report concluded that the Program operated effectively and was adequately and effectively implemented in all material aspects, and that the relevant controls and safeguards were appropriately designed to enable the LRS to administer the Program in compliance with the Liquidity Rule.

In accordance with the Program, the LRS assessed each Fund's liquidity risk no less frequently than annually taking into consideration certain factors, as applicable, such as (i) investment strategy and liquidity of portfolio investments, (ii) short-term and long-term cash flow projections and (iii) holdings of cash and cash equivalents and borrowing arrangements and other funding sources. Certain factors are considered under both normal and reasonably foreseeable stressed conditions.

Each Fund portfolio investment is classified into one of four liquidity categories, which classification is assessed at least monthly by the LRS. The classification is based on a determination of the number of days it is reasonably expected to take to convert the investment into cash, or sell or dispose of the investment, in current market conditions without significantly changing the market value of the investment. Liquidity classification determinations take into account various market, trading and investment-specific considerations, as well as market depth, and in some cases utilize third-party vendor data.

The Liquidity Rule limits a fund's investments in illiquid investments to 15% of its net assets and requires funds that do not primarily hold assets that are highly liquid investments to determine and maintain a minimum percentage of the fund's net assets to be invested in highly liquid investments (highly liquid investment minimum or "HLIM"). The LRS believes that the Program includes provisions reasonably designed to review, monitor and comply with the 15% limit on illiquid investments and for determining, periodically reviewing and complying with the HLIM requirement, as applicable.

There can be no assurance that the Program will achieve its objectives under all circumstances in the future. Please refer to the Fund's prospectus for more information regarding the Fund's exposure to liquidity risk and other risks to which it may be subject.


23



Morgan Stanley Institutional Fund, Inc.

Annual Report — December 31, 2020

Federal Tax Notice (unaudited)

For federal income tax purposes, the following information is furnished with respect to the distributions paid by the Fund during its taxable year ended December 31, 2020.

The Fund designated and paid approximately $200 as a long-term capital gain distribution. In addition, the Fund designated approximately $26,000 of its distributions paid as qualified business income.

For federal income tax purposes, the following information is furnished with respect to the Fund's earnings for its taxable year ended December 31, 2020. When distributed, certain earnings may be subject to a maximum tax rate of 15% as provided for by the Jobs and Growth Tax Relief Reconciliation Act of 2003. The Fund designated up to a maximum of approximately $21,000 as taxable at this lower rate.

In January, the Fund provides tax information to shareholders for the preceding calendar year.


24



Morgan Stanley Institutional Fund, Inc.

Annual Report — December 31, 2020

Privacy Notice (unaudited)  April 2019

FACTS

 

WHAT DOES MSIM DO WITH YOUR PERSONAL INFORMATION?

 

Why?

 

Financial companies choose how they share your personal information. Federal law gives consumers the right to limit some but not all sharing. Federal law also requires us to tell you how we collect, share, and protect your personal information. Please read this notice carefully to understand what we do.

 

What?

  The types of personal information we collect and share depend on the product or service you have with us. This information can include:
n Social Security number and income
n investment experience and risk tolerance
n checking account number and wire transfer instructions
 

How?

 

All financial companies need to share customers' personal information to run their everyday business. In the section below, we list the reasons financial companies can share their customers' personal information; the reasons MSIM chooses to share; and whether you can limit this sharing.

 

 

Reasons we can share your personal information

 

Does MSIM share?

 

Can you limit this sharing?

 
For our everyday business purposes —
such as to process your transactions, maintain your account(s), respond to court orders and legal investigations, or report to credit bureaus
 

Yes

 

No

 
For our marketing purposes —
to offer our products and services to you
 

Yes

 

No

 

For joint marketing with other financial companies

 

No

 

We don't share

 
For our affiliates' everyday business purposes —
information about your transactions and experiences
 

Yes

 

No

 
For our affiliates' everyday business purposes —
information about your creditworthiness
 

No

 

We don't share

 

For our affiliates to market to you

 

No

 

We don't share

 

For non-affiliates to market to you

 

No

 

We don't share

 

Questions?  Call toll-free (844) 312-6327 or email: imprivacyinquiries@morganstanley.com


25



Morgan Stanley Institutional Fund, Inc.

Annual Report — December 31, 2020

Privacy Notice (unaudited) (cont'd)  April 2019

Who we are

Who is providing this notice?

 

Morgan Stanley Investment Management, Inc. and its affiliated registered investment advisers, registered broker-dealers, and registered and unregistered funds ("MSIM")

 

What we do

How does MSIM protect my personal information?

 

To protect your personal information from unauthorized access and use, we use security measures that comply with federal law. These measures include computer safeguards and secured files and buildings. We have policies governing the proper handling of customer information by personnel and requiring third parties that provide support to adhere to appropriate security standards with respect to such information.

 

How does MSIM collect my personal information?

  We collect your personal information, for example, when you
n open an account or make deposits or withdrawals from your account
n buy securities from us or make a wire transfer
n give us your contact information
We also collect your personal information from others, such as credit bureaus, affiliates, or other companies.
 

Why can't I limit all sharing?

  Federal law gives you the right to limit only
n sharing for affiliates' everyday business purposes — information about your creditworthiness
n affiliates from using your information to market to you
n sharing for non-affiliates to market to you
State laws and individual companies may give you additional rights to limit sharing. See below for more on your rights under state law.
 

Definitions

Affiliates

  Companies related by common ownership or control. They can be financial and non-financial companies.
n Our affiliates include companies with a Morgan Stanley name and financial companies such as Morgan Stanley Smith Barney LLC and Morgan Stanley & Co.
 

Non-affiliates

  Companies not related by common ownership or control. They can be financial and non-financial companies.
n MSIM does not share with non-affiliates so they can market to you.
 

Joint marketing

  A formal agreement between non-affiliated financial companies that together market financial products or services to you.
n MSIM doesn't jointly market
 


26



Morgan Stanley Institutional Fund, Inc.

Annual Report — December 31, 2020

Privacy Notice (unaudited) (cont'd)  April 2019

Other Important Information

Vermont: Except as permitted by law, we will not share personal information we collect about Vermont residents with Non-affiliates unless you provide us with your written consent to share such information.

California: Except as permitted by law, we will not share personal information we collect about California residents with Non-affiliates and we will limit sharing such personal information with our Affiliates to comply with California privacy laws that apply to us.


27



Morgan Stanley Institutional Fund, Inc.

Annual Report — December 31, 2020

Director and Officer Information (unaudited)

Independent Directors:

Name, Address and Birth
Year of Independent Director
  Position(s)
Held with
Registrant
  Length of Time
Served*
  Principal Occupation(s) During Past 5 Years and Other
Relevant Professional Experience
  Number of
Funds
in Fund Complex
Overseen by
Independent
Director**
  Other Directorships
Held by Independent
Director***
 
Frank L. Bowman
c/o Perkins Coie LLP
Counsel to the Independent Directors
1155 Avenue of the Americas,
22nd Floor
New York, NY 10036
Birth Year: 1944
 

Director

 

Since August 2006

 

President, Strategic Decisions, LLC (consulting) (since February 2009); Director or Trustee of various Morgan Stanley Funds (since August 2006); Chairperson of the Compliance and Insurance Committee (since October 2015); formerly, Chairperson of the Insurance Sub-Committee of the Compliance and Insurance Committee (2007-2015); served as President and Chief Executive Officer of the Nuclear Energy Institute (policy organization) (February 2005-November 2008); retired as Admiral, U.S. Navy after serving over 38 years on active duty including 8 years as Director of the Naval Nuclear Propulsion Program in the Department of the Navy and the U.S. Department of Energy (1996-2004); served as Chief of Naval Personnel (July 1994-September 1996) and on the Joint Staff as Director of Political Military Affairs (June 1992-July 1994); knighted as Honorary Knight Commander of the Most Excellent Order of the British Empire; awarded the Officier de l'Orde National du Mérite by the French Government; elected to the National Academy of Engineering (2009).

 

79

 

Director of Naval and Nuclear Technologies LLP; Director Emeritus of the Armed Services YMCA; Member of the National Security Advisory Council of the Center for U.S. Global Engagement and a member of the CNA Military Advisory Board; Trustee of Fairhaven United Methodist Church; Member of the Board of Advisors of the Dolphin Scholarship Foundation; Director of other various non-profit organizations; formerly, Director of BP plc (November 2010-May 2019).

 
Kathleen A. Dennis
c/o Perkins Coie LLP
Counsel to the Independent Directors
1155 Avenue of the Americas,
22nd Floor
New York, NY 10036
Birth Year: 1953
 

Director

 

Since August 2006

 

Chairperson of the Governance Committee (January 2021), Chairperson of the Liquidity and Alternatives Sub-Committee of the Investment Committee (2006-2020); and Director or Trustee of various Morgan Stanley Funds (since August 2006); President, Cedarwood Associates (mutual fund and investment management consulting) (since July 2006); formerly, Senior Managing Director of Victory Capital Management (1993-2006).

 

79

 

Board Member, University of Albany Foundation (2012-present); Board Member, Mutual Funds Directors Forum (2014-present); Director of various non-profit organizations.

 
Nancy C. Everett
c/o Perkins Coie LLP
Counsel to the Independent Directors
1155 Avenue of the Americas,
22nd Floor
New York, NY 10036
Birth Year: 1955
 

Director

 

Since January 2015

 

Chairperson of the Equity Investment Committee (since January 2021); Director or Trustee of various Morgan Stanley Funds (since January 2015); Chief Executive Officer, Virginia Commonwealth University Investment Company (since November 2015); Owner, OBIR, LLC (institutional investment management consulting) (since June 2014); formerly, Managing Director, BlackRock, Inc. (February 2011-December 2013); and Chief Executive Officer, General Motors Asset Management (a/k/a Promark Global Advisors, Inc.) (June 2005-May 2010).

 

80

 

Formerly, Member of Virginia Commonwealth University School of Business Foundation (2005-2016); Member of Virginia Commonwealth University Board of Visitors (2013-2015); Member of Committee on Directors for Emerging Markets Growth Fund, Inc. (2007-2010); Chairperson of Performance Equity Management, LLC (2006-2010); and Chairperson, GMAM Absolute Return Strategies Fund, LLC (2006-2010).

 


28



Morgan Stanley Institutional Fund, Inc.

Annual Report — December 31, 2020

Director and Officer Information (unaudited) (cont'd)

Independent Directors (cont'd):

Name, Address and Birth
Year of Independent Director
  Position(s)
Held with
Registrant
  Length of Time
Served*
  Principal Occupation(s) During Past 5 Years and Other
Relevant Professional Experience
  Number of
Funds
in Fund Complex
Overseen by
Independent
Director**
  Other Directorships
Held by Independent
Director***
 
Jakki L. Haussler
c/o Perkins Coie LLP
Counsel to the Independent Directors
1155 Avenue of the Americas,
22nd Floor
New York, NY 10036
Birth Year: 1957
 

Director

 

Since January 2015

 

Director or Trustee of various Morgan Stanley Funds (since January 2015) Chairman, Opus Capital Group (1996); formerly, Chief Executive Officer, Opus Capital Group (1996-2019); Director, Capvest Venture Fund, LP (May 2000-December 2011); Partner, Adena Ventures, LP (July 1999-December 2010); Director, The Victory Funds (February 2005-July 2008).

 

80

 

Director of Cincinnati Bell Inc. and Member, Audit Committee and Chairman, Governance and Nominating Committee; Director of Service Corporation International and Member, Audit Committee and Investment Committee; Director of Northern Kentucky University Foundation and Member, Investment Committee; Member of Chase College of Law Transactional Law Practice Center Board of Advisors; Director of Best Transport; Director of Chase College of Law Board of Visitors; formerly, Member, University of Cincinnati Foundation Investment Committee; Member, Miami University Board of Visitors (2008-2011); Trustee of Victory Funds (2005-2008) and Chairman, Investment Committee (2007-2008); and Member, Service Provider Committee (2005-2008).

 
Dr. Manuel H. Johnson
c/o Johnson Smick International, Inc.
220 I Street, NE — Suite 200
Washington, D.C. 20002
Birth Year: 1949
 

Director

 

Since July 1991

 

Senior Partner, Johnson Smick International, Inc. (consulting firm); Chairperson of the Fixed Income, Liquidity and Alternatives Investment Committee (January 2021), Chairperson of the Investment Committee (2006-2020) and Director or Trustee of various Morgan Stanley Funds (since July 1991); Co-Chairman and a founder of the Group of Seven Council (G7C) (international economic commission); formerly, Chairperson of the Audit Committee (July 1991-September 2006), Vice Chairman of the Board of Governors of the Federal Reserve System and Assistant Secretary of the U.S. Treasury.

 

79

 

Director of NVR, Inc. (home construction).

 


29



Morgan Stanley Institutional Fund, Inc.

Annual Report — December 31, 2020

Director and Officer Information (unaudited) (cont'd)

Independent Directors (cont'd):

Name, Address and Birth
Year of Independent Director
  Position(s)
Held with
Registrant
  Length of Time
Served*
  Principal Occupation(s) During Past 5 Years and Other
Relevant Professional Experience
  Number of
Funds
in Fund Complex
Overseen by
Independent
Director**
  Other Directorships
Held by Independent
Director***
 
Joseph J. Kearns
c/o Perkins Coie LLP
Counsel to the Independent Directors
1155 Avenue of the Americas,
22nd Floor
New York, NY 10036
Birth Year: 1942
 

Director

 

Since August 1994

 

Senior Adviser, Kearns & Associates LLC (investment consulting); Chairperson of the Audit Committee (since October 2006) and Director or Trustee of various Morgan Stanley Funds (since August 1994); formerly, Deputy Chairperson of the Audit Committee (July 2003-September 2006) and Chairperson of the Audit Committee of various Morgan Stanley Funds (since August 1994); CFO of the J. Paul Getty Trust (1982-1999).

 

80

 

Director, Rubicon Investment (since February 2019); Prior to August 2016, Director of Electro Rent Corporation (equipment leasing); Prior to December 31, 2013, Director of The Ford Family Foundation.

 
Michael F. Klein
c/o Perkins Coie LLP
Counsel to the Independent Directors
1155 Avenue of the Americas,
22nd Floor
New York, NY 10036
Birth Year: 1958
 

Director

 

Since August 2006

 

Chairperson of the Risk Committee (since January 2021); Managing Director, Aetos Alternatives Management, LP (since March 2000); Co-President, Aetos Alternatives Management, LP (since January 2004) and Co-Chief Executive Officer of Aetos Alternatives Management, LP (since August 2013); Chairperson of the fixed Income Sub-Committee of the Investment committee (2006-2020) and Director or Trustee of various Morgan Stanley Funds (since August 2006); formerly, Managing Director, Morgan Stanley & Co. Inc. and Morgan Stanley Dean Witter Investment Management and President, various Morgan Stanley Funds (June 1998-March 2000); Principal, Morgan Stanley & Co. Inc. and Morgan Stanley Dean Witter Investment Management (August 1997-December 1999).

 

79

 

Director of certain investment funds managed or sponsored by Aetos Alternatives Management, LP; Director of Sanitized AG and Sanitized Marketing AG (specialty chemicals).

 
Patricia Maleski
c/o Perkins Coie LLP
Counsel to the Independent Directors
1155 Avenue of the Americas,
22nd Floor
New York, NY 10036
Birth Year: 1960
 

Director

 

Since January 2017

 

Director or Trustee of various Morgan Stanley Funds (since January 2017); Managing Director, JPMorgan Asset Management (2004-2016); Oversight and Control Head of Fiduciary and Conflicts of Interest Program (2015-2016); Chief Control Officer-Global Asset Management (2013-2015); President, JPMorgan Funds (2010-2013); Chief Administrative Officer (2004-2013); various other positions including Treasurer and Board Liaison (since 2001).

 

80

 

None.

 
W. Allen Reed
c/o Perkins Coie LLP
Counsel to the Independent Directors
1155 Avenue of the Americas,
22nd Floor
New York, NY 10036
Birth Year: 1947
 

Chair of the Board and Director

 

Chair of the Boards since August 2020 and Director since August 2006

 

Chair of the Boards of various Morgan Stanley Funds (since August 2020); Director or Trustee of various Morgan Stanley Funds (since August 2006); formerly, Vice Chair of the Boards of various Morgan Stanley Funds (January 2020-August 2020); President and Chief Executive Officer of General Motors Asset Management; Chairman and Chief Executive Officer of the GM Trust Bank and Corporate Vice President of General Motors Corporation (August 1994-December 2005).

 

79

 

Formerly, Director of Legg Mason, Inc. (2006-2019); and Director of the Auburn University Foundation (2010-2015).

 

*  This is the earliest date the Director began serving the Morgan Stanley Funds. Each Director serves an indefinite term, until his or her successor is elected.

**  The Fund Complex includes (as of December 31, 2020) all open-end and closed-end funds (including all of their portfolios) advised by Morgan Stanley Investment Management Inc. (the "Adviser") and any funds that have an adviser that is an affiliated person of the Adviser (including, but not limited to, Morgan Stanley AIP GP LP).

***  This includes any directorships at public companies and registered investment companies held by the Director at any time during the past five years.


30



Morgan Stanley Institutional Fund, Inc.

Annual Report — December 31, 2020

Director and Officer Information (unaudited) (cont'd)

Executive Officers:

Name, Address and
Birth Year of Executive Officer
  Position(s) Held
with
Registrant
  Length of
Time Served*
 

Principal Occupation(s) During Past 5 Years

 
John H. Gernon
522 Fifth Avenue
New York, NY 10036
Birth Year: 1963
 

President and Principal Executive Officer

 

Since September 2013

 

President and Principal Executive Officer of the Equity and Fixed Income Funds and the Morgan Stanley AIP Funds (since September 2013) and the Liquidity Funds and various money market funds (since May 2014) in the Fund Complex; Managing Director of the Adviser; Head of Public Markets Product Development (since 2006).

 
Timothy J. Knierim
1633 Broadway
New York, NY 10019
Birth Year: 1959
 

Chief Compliance Officer

 

Since December 2016

 

Managing Director of the Adviser and various entities affiliated with the Adviser; Chief Compliance Officer of various Morgan Stanley Funds and the Adviser (since December 2016) and Chief Compliance Officer of Morgan Stanley AIP GP LP (since 2014). Formerly, Managing Director and Deputy Chief Compliance Officer of the Adviser (2014-2016).

 
Francis J. Smith
522 Fifth Avenue
New York, NY 10036
Birth Year: 1965
 

Treasurer and Principal Financial Officer

 

Treasurer since July 2003 and Principal Financial Officer since September 2002

 

Managing Director of the Adviser and various entities affiliated with the Adviser; Treasurer (since July 2003) and Principal Financial Officer of various Morgan Stanley Funds (since September 2002).

 
Mary E. Mullin
1633 Broadway
New York, NY 10019
Birth Year: 1967
 

Secretary

 

Since June 1999

 

Managing Director of the Adviser; Secretary of various Morgan Stanley Funds (since June 1999).

 
Michael J. Key
522 Fifth Avenue
New York, NY 10036
Birth Year: 1979
 

Vice President

 

Since June 2017

 

Vice President of the Equity and Fixed Income Funds, Liquidity Funds, various money market funds and the Morgan Stanley AIP Funds in the Fund Complex (since June 2017); Executive Director of the Adviser; Head of Product Development for Equity and Fixed Income Funds (since August 2013).

 

*  This is the earliest date the officer began serving the Morgan Stanley Funds. Each officer serves a one-year term, until his or her successor is elected and qualifies.


31



Morgan Stanley Institutional Fund, Inc.

Annual Report — December 31, 2020

Adviser and Administrator

Morgan Stanley Investment Management Inc.
522 Fifth Avenue
New York, New York 10036

Distributor

Morgan Stanley Distribution, Inc.
522 Fifth Avenue
New York, New York 10036

Dividend Disbursing and Transfer Agent

DST Asset Manager Solutions, Inc.
2000 Crown Colony Drive
Quincy, Massachusetts 02169

Custodian

State Street Bank and Trust Company
One Lincoln Street
Boston, Massachusetts 02111

Legal Counsel

Dechert LLP
1095 Avenue of the Americas
New York, New York 10036

Counsel to the Independent Directors

Perkins Coie LLP
1155 Avenue of the Americas,
22nd Floor
New York, New York 10036

Independent Registered Public Accounting Firm

Ernst & Young LLP
200 Clarendon Street
Boston, Massachusetts 02116

Reporting to Shareholders

Each Morgan Stanley fund provides a complete schedule of portfolio holdings in its Semi-Annual and the Annual Reports within 60 days of the end of the fund's second and fourth fiscal quarters. The Semi-Annual and Annual Reports are filed electronically with the Securities and Exchange Commission ("SEC") on Form N-CSRS and Form N-CSR, respectively. Morgan Stanley also delivers the Semi-Annual and Annual Reports to fund shareholders and makes these reports available on its public website, www.morganstanley.com/im/shareholderreports. Each Morgan Stanley non-money market fund also files a complete schedule of portfolio holdings with the SEC for the fund's first and third fiscal quarters as an attachment to Form N-PORT. Morgan Stanley does not deliver the reports for the first and third fiscal quarters to shareholders, but makes the complete schedule of portfolio holdings for the fund's first and third fiscal quarters available on its public website. The holdings for each money market fund are also posted to the Morgan Stanley public website. You may obtain the Form N-PORT filings (as well as the Form N-CSR and N-CSRS filings) by accessing the SEC's website, www.sec.gov. You can also request copies of these materials, upon payment of a duplicating fee, by electronic request at the SEC's email address (publicinfo@sec.gov).

Proxy Voting Policies and Procedures and Proxy Voting Record

You may obtain a copy of the Company's Proxy Voting Policy and Procedures and information regarding how the Company voted proxies relating to portfolio securities during the most recent twelve-month period ended June 30, without charge, upon request, by calling toll free 1 (800) 548-7786 or by visiting our website at www.morganstanley.com/im/shareholderreports. This information is also available on the SEC's website at www.sec.gov.

This report is authorized for distribution only when preceded or accompanied by a prospectus or summary prospectus of the applicable fund of Morgan Stanley Institutional Fund, Inc., which describes in detail the fund's investment policies, risks, fees and expenses. Please read the prospectus carefully before you invest or send money. For additional information, including information regarding the investments comprising the Fund, please visit our website at www.morganstanley.com/im/shareholderreports or call toll free 1 (800) 548-7786.


32



Printed in U.S.A.
This Report has been prepared for shareholders and may be distributed to others only if preceded or accompanied by a current prospectus.

Morgan Stanley Investment Management Inc.
522 Fifth Avenue
New York, New York 10036

© 2021 Morgan Stanley. Morgan Stanley Distribution, Inc.

IFIGLCONREANN
3386871 EXP 02.28.22



INVESTMENT MANAGEMENT

Morgan Stanley Institutional Fund, Inc.

Global Core Portfolio

Annual Report

December 31, 2020



Morgan Stanley Institutional Fund, Inc.

Annual Report — December 31, 2020

Table of Contents

Shareholders' Letter

   

2

   

Expense Example

   

3

   

Investment Overview

   

4

   

Portfolio of Investments

   

7

   

Statement of Assets and Liabilities

   

8

   

Statement of Operations

   

9

   

Statements of Changes in Net Assets

   

10

   

Financial Highlights

   

11

   

Notes to Financial Statements

   

15

   

Report of Independent Registered Public Accounting Firm

   

21

   

Liquidity Risk Management Program

   

22

   

Privacy Notice

   

23

   

Director and Officer Information

   

26

   

This report is authorized for distribution only when preceded or accompanied by a prospectus or summary prospectus of the applicable Fund of Morgan Stanley Institutional Fund, Inc. To receive a prospectus and/or statement of additional information ("SAI"), which contains more complete information such as investment objectives, charges, expenses, policies for voting proxies, risk considerations and describes in detail each of the Fund's investment policies to the prospective investor, please call toll free 1 (800) 548-7786. Please read the prospectuses carefully before you invest or send money.

Additionally, you can access information about the Fund, including performance, characteristics and investment team commentary, through Morgan Stanley Investment Management's website: www.morganstanley.com/im/shareholderreports.

Market forecasts provided in this report may not necessarily come to pass. There is no guarantee that any sectors mentioned will continue to perform as discussed herein or that securities in such sectors will be held by the Fund in the future. There is no assurance that a fund will achieve its investment objective. Funds are subject to market risk, which is the possibility that market values of securities owned by the Fund will decline and, therefore, the value of the Fund's shares may be less than what you paid for them. Accordingly, you can lose money investing in this Fund. Please see the prospectus for more complete information on investment risks.


1



Morgan Stanley Institutional Fund, Inc.

Annual Report — December 31, 2020

Shareholders' Letter (unaudited)

Dear Shareholders,

We are pleased to provide this Annual Report, in which you will learn how your investment in Global Core Portfolio (the "Fund") performed during the latest twelve-month period.

Morgan Stanley Investment Management is a client-centric, investor-led organization. Our global presence, intellectual capital, and breadth of products and services enable us to partner with investors to meet the evolving challenges of today's financial markets. We aim to deliver superior investment service and to empower our clients to make the informed decisions that help them reach their investment goals.

As always, we thank you for selecting Morgan Stanley Investment Management, and look forward to working with you in the months and years ahead.

Sincerely,

John H. Gernon
President and Principal Executive Officer

January 2021


2



Morgan Stanley Institutional Fund, Inc.

Annual Report — December 31, 2020

Expense Example (unaudited)

Global Core Portfolio

As a shareholder of the Fund, you incur two types of costs: (1) transactional costs; and (2) ongoing costs, which may include advisory fees, administration fees, distribution and shareholder services fees and other Fund expenses. This example is intended to help you understand your ongoing costs (in dollars) of investing in the Fund and to compare these costs with the ongoing costs of investing in other mutual funds.

This example is based on an investment of $1,000 invested at the beginning of the six-month period ended December 31, 2020 and held for the entire six-month period.

Actual Expenses

The table below provides information about actual account values and actual expenses. You may use the information in this table, 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 table under the heading entitled "Actual Expenses Paid During Period" to estimate the expenses you paid on your account during this period.

Hypothetical Example for Comparison Purposes

The table below provides information about hypothetical account values and hypothetical expenses based on the Fund's actual expense ratio and an assumed rate of return of 5% per year before expenses, which is not the Fund's actual return. The hypothetical account values and expenses may not be used to estimate the actual ending account balance or expenses you paid for the period. You may use this information to compare the ongoing costs of investing in the Fund and other funds. To do so, compare this 5% hypothetical example with the 5% hypothetical examples that appear in the shareholder reports of the other funds.

Please note that the expenses shown in the table are meant to highlight your ongoing costs only and do not reflect any transactional costs, such as sales charges (loads). Therefore, the information for each class in the table is useful in comparing ongoing costs only, and will not help you determine the relative total costs of owning different funds. In addition, if these transactional costs were included, your costs would have been higher.

    Beginning
Account
Value
7/1/20
  Actual Ending
Account
Value
12/31/20
  Hypothetical
Ending Account
Value
  Actual
Expenses
Paid
During
Period*
  Hypothetical
Expenses Paid
During Period*
  Net
Expense
Ratio
During
Period**
 

Global Core Portfolio Class I

 

$

1,000.00

   

$

1,278.20

   

$

1,020.21

   

$

5.61

   

$

4.98

     

0.98

%

 

Global Core Portfolio Class A

   

1,000.00

     

1,276.70

     

1,018.35

     

7.73

     

6.85

     

1.35

   

Global Core Portfolio Class C

   

1,000.00

     

1,271.50

     

1,014.58

     

11.99

     

10.63

     

2.10

   

Global Core Portfolio Class IS

   

1,000.00

     

1,279.00

     

1,020.36

     

5.44

     

4.82

     

0.95

   

*  Expenses are calculated using each Fund Class' annualized net expense ratio (as disclosed), multiplied by the average account value over the period and multiplied by 184/366 (to reflect the most recent one-half year period).

**  Annualized.


3



Morgan Stanley Institutional Fund, Inc.

Annual Report — December 31, 2020

Investment Overview (unaudited)

Global Core Portfolio

The Fund seeks long-term capital appreciation.

Performance

For the fiscal year ended December 31, 2020, the Fund's Class I shares had a total return based on net asset value and reinvestment of distributions per share of 21.23%, net of fees. The Fund's Class I shares outperformed the Fund's benchmark, the MSCI World Net Index (the "Index"), which returned 15.90%.

Please keep in mind that double-digit returns are highly unusual and cannot be sustained. Investors should also be aware that these returns were primarily achieved during favorable market conditions.

Factors Affecting Performance

•  The Fund returned strong performance on both an absolute and relative basis in 2020.

•  For the duration of 2020, the Fund held both growth and value stocks, with some exposure to more defensive bond proxy stocks in terms of utilities and real estate investment trusts (REITs) to help mitigate market volatility. This positioning contributed to performance.

•  Early year expectations were for a market that would respond positively to easy earnings comparisons, a strengthening U.S. housing market, combined accommodative U.S. Federal Reserve and European Central Bank stimulus policy, historically low unemployment, overly negative investor sentiment and potential resolution to the U.S. versus China trade dispute. However, a global government-induced economic shutdown to mitigate the spread of COVID-19 quickly tipped the economy into recession and pushed equities into bear market territory. As the markets dropped in the last days of the first quarter of 2020 prior to beginning their remarkable recovery, the more volatile, cyclical value stocks in the portfolio were even more greatly impacted than the growth stocks in the portfolio. These value stocks were historically inexpensive with strong balance sheets, providing potential for strong upside in a market recovery, hence the decision to maintain weighting in these names.

•  As the recovery progressed, growth stocks, and secular growth stocks in particular, appreciated to

become extraordinarily expensive relative to their history, approaching valuation levels they last achieved prior to the 2000 dot-com bust, implying unreasonably high expectations. To mitigate the associated risk, the allocation increased to cyclical value stocks, which were more greatly impacted in the first quarter drawdown and priced at similarly low historic valuation levels, a magnitude last seen in 2008. The resultant positioning served us well. Value cyclical stocks performed strongly, especially in the fourth quarter of 2020, with both growth and value stocks contributing positively to performance for the full year.

•  From a geographic standpoint, regional positioning positively contributed to performance in 2020. Being underweight and remaining more defensive in the European region and maintaining no weight in Japan were favorable decisions that positively contributed to performance.

•  With valuations versus their U.S. technology peers at extreme lows, Asia technology was the largest overweight in the portfolio in 2020. Asia technology positions as a group significantly contributed to performance for the year. The recent depreciation of the dollar versus Asia ex-Japan currencies has provided added reason to hold Asia ex-Japan exposure entering 2021.

•  The Fund's consistent lack of allocation to Japan in 2020 contributed somewhat to performance. Not only do we struggle quantitatively to find factors that have persistence, but we also struggle to find specific stocks that persistently outperform. This poses a longer-term risk, and the team remains negative on the region.

•  Entering 2021, the portfolio holds about 40% growth and 60% value/core stocks in the U.S., including some exposure to more defensive bond proxy stocks in terms of utilities and REITs to help mitigate market volatility. From a geographic standpoint, the portfolio is underweight North America, overweight Asia ex-Japan and underweight Europe versus the benchmark while maintaining no weighting in Japan.

•  Within stock selection, the largest detractors were an airline manufacturing and services company based in Europe impacted by pandemic-induced


4



Morgan Stanley Institutional Fund, Inc.

Annual Report — December 31, 2020

Investment Overview (unaudited) (cont'd)

Global Core Portfolio

consequences, a U.S. global bank weighed down by concerns regarding slower loan growth and macro headwinds, and a U.K.-based beer and spirits company impacted by reduction in on-premise consumption of alcoholic beverages.

•  The Fund benefited the most from technology stocks: a U.S.-based communication and mobile device company, a Taiwan-based semiconductor manufacturer and a China-based internet company. Other top contributors to performance for the period were a U.S.-based designer athletic apparel manufacturer and retailer and a U.S.-based maker of science and medical diagnostics.

Management Strategies

•  There have been no changes to our investment process during the period. Applied Equity Advisors' investment process is comprised of two parts: a Factor Timing Engine and a Stock Selection Engine. The first step, the Factor Timing Engine, takes into account not only what market factors or areas of the market are in leadership, but also how much momentum a particular factor has, whether that factor is cheap or expensive, and whether the timing is right to be tilted toward that factor. The timing decision comes down to the team's judgment and our combined decades of experience in factor investing. With regard to the Factor Timing Engine, investing in a particular area of the market that shows cheap historical valuation levels may not appear to be advantageous at first, but if chosen correctly, sticking with that investment often proves to be successful over the longer term. The Stock Selection Engine begins its work once the desired factor positioning is understood. There are three steps to the Stock Selection Engine: 1. regression analysis to determine the drivers of a particular stock's price performance; 2. Sustainability Analysis; and 3. further evaluation of the company fundamentals. The result is a highly active portfolio of fundamentally attractive stocks which the team believes could benefit from what we have identified to be quantitative investment styles likely to outperform in each region.


5



Morgan Stanley Institutional Fund, Inc.

Annual Report — December 31, 2020

Investment Overview (unaudited) (cont'd)

Global Core Portfolio

*  Minimum Investment for Class I shares

**  Commenced Operations on May 27, 2016.

In accordance with SEC regulations, the Fund's performance shown assumes that all recurring fees (including management fees) were deducted and all dividends and distributions were reinvested. The performance of Class A, C and IS shares will vary from the performance of Class I shares and will be negatively impacted by additional fees assessed to those classes (if applicable).

Performance Compared to the MSCI World Net Index(1), the Lipper Global Large-Cap Growth Funds Index(2) and the Lipper Global Large-Cap Core Funds Index(3)

    Period Ended December 31, 2020
Total Returns(4)
 
       

Average Annual

 
    One
Year
  Five
Years
  Ten
Years
  Since
Inception(6)
 
Fund — Class I Shares
w/o sales charges(5)
   

21.23

%

   

     

     

11.44

%

 
Fund — Class A Shares
w/o sales charges(5)
   

20.88

     

     

     

11.03

   
Fund — Class A Shares with
maximum 5.25% sales charges(5)
   

14.53

     

     

     

9.75

   
Fund — Class C Shares
w/o sales charges(5)
   

19.89

     

     

     

10.20

   
Fund — Class C Shares with
maximum 1.00% deferred
sales charges(5)
   

18.89

     

     

     

10.20

   
Fund — Class IS Shares
w/o sales charges(5)
   

21.40

     

     

     

11.49

   

MSCI World Net Index

   

15.90

     

     

     

12.89

   
Lipper Global Large-Cap Growth
Funds Index
   

27.24

     

     

     

16.84

   
Lipper Global Large-Cap Core
Funds Index
   

13.84

     

—-

     

—-

     

12.11

   

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. Performance assumes that all dividends and distributions, if any, were reinvested. For the most recent month-end performance figures, please visit www.morganstanley.com/im/shareholderreports. Investment return and principal value will fluctuate so that Fund shares, when redeemed, may be worth more or less than their original cost. Total returns do not reflect the deduction of taxes that a shareholder would pay on Fund distributions or the redemption of Fund shares. Performance of share classes will vary due to difference in sales charges and expenses.

(1)  The MSCI World Net Index is a free float-adjusted market capitalization weighted index designed to measure the equity market performance of developed markets. 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 MSCI World Net Index currently consists of 23 developed market country indices. The performance of the Index is listed in U.S. dollars and assumes reinvestment of net dividends. Net total return indices reinvest dividends after the deduction of withholding taxes, using (for international indices) a tax rate applicable to non-resident institutional investors who do not benefit from double taxation treaties. The Index is unmanaged and its returns do not include any sales charges or fees. Such costs would lower performance. It is not possible to invest directly in an index.

(2)  The Lipper Global Large-Cap Growth Funds Index is an equally weighted performance index of the largest qualifying funds (based on net assets) in the Lipper Global Large-Cap Growth Funds classification. The Index, which is adjusted for capital gains distributions and income dividends, is unmanaged and should not be considered an investment. There are currently 30 funds represented in this Index. As of the date of this report, the Fund was in the Lipper Global Large-Cap Growth Funds classification. The Funds' Lipper category changed from Lipper Global Large-Cap Core Funds to Lipper Global Large-Cap Growth Funds.

(3)  The Lipper Global Large-Cap Core Funds Index is an equally weighted performance index of the largest qualifying funds (based on net assets) in the Lipper Global Large-Cap Core Funds classification. The Index, which is adjusted for capital gains distributions and income dividends, is unmanaged and should not be considered an investment. There are currently 10 funds represented in this Index.

(4)  Total returns for the Fund reflect fees waived and expenses reimbursed, if applicable, by the Adviser (as defined herein). Without such waivers and reimbursements, total returns would have been lower.

(5)  Commenced operations on May 27, 2016.

(6)  For comparative purposes, average annual since inception returns listed for the Indexes refer to the inception date of the Fund, not the inception of the Index.


6



Morgan Stanley Institutional Fund, Inc.

Annual Report — December 31, 2020

Portfolio of Investments

Global Core Portfolio

   

Shares

  Value
(000)
 

Common Stocks (98.7%)

 

Canada (1.4%)

 

Franco-Nevada Corp.

   

1,579

   

$

198

   

China (12.1%)

 

Alibaba Group Holding Ltd. ADR (a)

   

2,903

     

676

   

NetEase, Inc. ADR

   

2,473

     

237

   

Tencent Holdings Ltd. ADR

   

10,419

     

749

   
     

1,662

   

France (4.1%)

 

LVMH Moet Hennessy Louis Vuitton SE

   

898

     

562

   

India (3.4%)

 

HDFC Bank Ltd. ADR (a)

   

6,491

     

469

   

Ireland (1.6%)

 

CRH PLC ADR

   

5,153

     

219

   

Italy (3.8%)

 

Ferrari N.V.

   

2,298

     

528

   

Japan (1.5%)

 

Nippon Telegraph & Telephone Corp. ADR

   

8,262

     

212

   

Singapore (1.2%)

 

Sea Ltd. ADR (a)

   

821

     

163

   

Taiwan (4.7%)

 

Taiwan Semiconductor Manufacturing Co., Ltd. ADR

   

5,929

     

647

   

United Kingdom (7.8%)

 

Diageo PLC ADR

   

2,218

     

352

   

Experian PLC ADR

   

5,495

     

209

   

London Stock Exchange Group PLC

   

2,704

     

334

   

Ryanair Holdings PLC ADR (a)

   

1,541

     

169

   
     

1,064

   

United States (57.1%)

 

Adobe, Inc. (a)

   

332

     

166

   

Ameriprise Financial, Inc.

   

1,592

     

309

   

Apple, Inc.

   

7,180

     

953

   

Chevron Corp.

   

939

     

79

   

Cigna Corp.

   

847

     

176

   

Comcast Corp., Class A

   

2,194

     

115

   

Danaher Corp.

   

1,857

     

413

   

Estee Lauder Cos., Inc. (The), Class A

   

1,298

     

346

   

Euronet Worldwide, Inc. (a)

   

327

     

47

   

First Republic Bank

   

2,636

     

387

   

Fortune Brands Home & Security, Inc.

   

2,079

     

178

   

JPMorgan Chase & Co.

   

2,786

     

354

   

Lennar Corp., Class A

   

2,814

     

215

   

Lululemon Athletica, Inc. (a)

   

1,268

     

441

   

Mastercard, Inc., Class A

   

2,104

     

751

   

McDonald's Corp.

   

1,240

     

266

   

MGM Resorts International

   

6,247

     

197

   

Microsoft Corp.

   

3,492

     

777

   

NextEra Energy, Inc.

   

4,698

     

362

   

Planet Fitness, Inc., Class A (a)

   

530

     

41

   

STORE Capital Corp. REIT

   

13,642

     

464

   

SVB Financial Group (a)

   

925

     

359

   
   

Shares

  Value
(000)
 

Target Corp.

   

742

   

$

131

   

United Rentals, Inc. (a)

   

660

     

153

   

Veeva Systems, Inc., Class A (a)

   

572

     

156

   
     

7,836

   

Total Common Stocks (Cost $8,400)

   

13,560

   

Short-Term Investment (1.7%)

 

Investment Company (1.7%)

 
Morgan Stanley Institutional Liquidity
Funds — Treasury Securities Portfolio —
Institutional Class (See Note G)
(Cost $229)
   

229,380

     

229

   

Total Investments (100.4%) (Cost $8,629) (b)(c)

   

13,789

   

Liabilities in Excess of Other Assets (–0.4%)

   

(57

)

 

Net Assets (100.0%)

 

$

13,732

   

Country assignments and aggregations are based generally on third party vendor classifications and information, and may be different from the assignments and aggregations under the policies set forth in the Fund's prospectus and/or statement of additional information relating to geographic classifications.

(a)  Non-income producing security.

(b)  The approximate fair value and percentage of net assets, $896,000 and 6.5%, respectively, represent the securities that have been fair valued under the fair valuation policy for international investments as described in Note A-1 within the Notes to the Financial Statements.

(c)  At December 31, 2020, the aggregate cost for federal income tax purposes is approximately $8,660,000. The aggregate gross unrealized appreciation is approximately $5,156,000 and the aggregate gross unrealized depreciation is approximately $27,000, resulting in net unrealized appreciation of approximately $5,129,000.

ADR  American Depositary Receipt.

REIT  Real Estate Investment Trust.

Portfolio Composition

Classification

  Percentage of
Total Investments
 

Other*

   

56.4

%

 

Banks

   

11.4

   

Textiles, Apparel & Luxury Goods

   

7.3

   

Tech Hardware, Storage & Peripherals

   

6.9

   

Software

   

6.8

   

Information Technology Services

   

5.8

   

Interactive Media & Services

   

5.4

   

Total Investments

   

100.0

%

 

*  Industries and/or investment types representing less than 5% of total investments.

The accompanying notes are an integral part of the financial statements.
7



Morgan Stanley Institutional Fund, Inc.

Annual Report — December 31, 2020

Global Core Portfolio

Statement of Assets and Liabilities

  December 31, 2020
(000)
 

Assets:

 

Investments in Securities of Unaffiliated Issuers, at Value (Cost $8,400)

 

$

13,560

   

Investment in Security of Affiliated Issuer, at Value (Cost $229)

   

229

   

Total Investments in Securities, at Value (Cost $8,629)

   

13,789

   

Foreign Currency, at Value (Cost —@)

   

@

 

Receivable for Investments Sold

   

102

   

Due from Adviser

   

34

   

Dividends Receivable

   

7

   

Tax Reclaim Receivable

   

3

   

Receivable from Affiliate

   

@

 

Other Assets

   

24

   

Total Assets

   

13,959

   

Liabilities:

 

Payable for Investments Purchased

   

199

   

Payable for Professional Fees

   

14

   

Payable for Custodian Fees

   

2

   

Payable for Shareholder Services Fees — Class A

   

@

 

Payable for Distribution and Shareholder Services Fees — Class C

   

2

   

Payable for Transfer Agency Fees — Class I

   

1

   

Payable for Transfer Agency Fees — Class A

   

@

 

Payable for Transfer Agency Fees — Class C

   

@

 

Payable for Transfer Agency Fees — Class IS

   

@

 

Payable for Fund Shares Redeemed

   

1

   

Payable for Administration Fees

   

1

   

Payable for Sub Transfer Agency Fees — Class I

   

@

 

Payable for Sub Transfer Agency Fees — Class A

   

@

 

Payable for Sub Transfer Agency Fees — Class C

   

@

 

Other Liabilities

   

7

   

Total Liabilities

   

227

   

Net Assets

 

$

13,732

   

Net Assets Consist of:

 

Paid-in-Capital

 

$

8,804

   

Total Distributable Earnings

   

4,928

   

Net Assets

 

$

13,732

   

CLASS I:

 

Net Assets

 

$

9,849

   
Shares Outstanding $0.001 par value shares of beneficial interest (unlimited shares authorized) (not in 000's)    

615,870

   

Net Asset Value, Offering and Redemption Price Per Share

 

$

15.99

   

CLASS A:

 

Net Assets

 

$

1,869

   
Shares Outstanding $0.001 par value shares of beneficial interest (unlimited shares authorized) (not in 000's)    

117,446

   

Net Asset Value, Redemption Price Per Share

 

$

15.92

   

Maximum Sales Load

   

5.25

%

 

Maximum Sales Charge

 

$

0.88

   

Maximum Offering Price Per Share

 

$

16.80

   

CLASS C:

 

Net Assets

 

$

1,998

   
Shares Outstanding $0.001 par value shares of beneficial interest (unlimited shares authorized) (not in 000's)    

128,482

   

Net Asset Value, Offering and Redemption Price Per Share

 

$

15.55

   

CLASS IS:

 

Net Assets

 

$

16

   
Shares Outstanding $0.001 par value shares of beneficial interest (unlimited shares authorized) (not in 000's)    

1,008

   

Net Asset Value, Offering and Redemption Price Per Share

 

$

15.99

   

@  Amount is less than $500.

The accompanying notes are an integral part of the financial statements.
8



Morgan Stanley Institutional Fund, Inc.

Annual Report — December 31, 2020

Global Core Portfolio

Statement of Operations

  Year Ended
December 31, 2020
(000)
 

Investment Income:

 

Dividends from Securities of Unaffiliated Issuers (Net of $4 of Foreign Taxes Withheld)

 

$

128

   

Dividends from Security of Affiliated Issuer (Note G)

   

@

 

Total Investment Income

   

128

   

Expenses:

 

Professional Fees

   

114

   

Advisory Fees (Note B)

   

82

   

Registration Fees

   

55

   

Shareholder Reporting Fees

   

32

   

Shareholder Services Fees — Class A (Note D)

   

4

   

Distribution and Shareholder Services Fees — Class C (Note D)

   

15

   

Administration Fees (Note C)

   

9

   

Transfer Agency Fees — Class I (Note E)

   

2

   

Transfer Agency Fees — Class A (Note E)

   

2

   

Transfer Agency Fees — Class C (Note E)

   

2

   

Transfer Agency Fees — Class IS (Note E)

   

2

   

Custodian Fees (Note F)

   

6

   

Directors' Fees and Expenses

   

4

   

Pricing Fees

   

3

   

Sub Transfer Agency Fees — Class I

   

1

   

Sub Transfer Agency Fees — Class A

   

1

   

Sub Transfer Agency Fees — Class C

   

1

   

Other Expenses

   

13

   

Total Expenses

   

348

   

Expenses Reimbursed by Adviser (Note B)

   

(131

)

 

Waiver of Advisory Fees (Note B)

   

(82

)

 

Reimbursement of Class Specific Expenses — Class A (Note B)

   

(1

)

 

Reimbursement of Class Specific Expenses — Class C (Note B)

   

(1

)

 

Reimbursement of Class Specific Expenses — Class IS (Note B)

   

(2

)

 

Rebate from Morgan Stanley Affiliate (Note G)

   

(—

@)

 

Net Expenses

   

131

   

Net Investment Loss

   

(3

)

 

Realized Gain:

 

Investments Sold

   

68

   

Foreign Currency Translation

   

@

 

Net Realized Gain

   

68

   

Change in Unrealized Appreciation (Depreciation):

 

Investments

   

2,053

   

Foreign Currency Translation

   

(—

@)

 

Net Change in Unrealized Appreciation (Depreciation)

   

2,053

   

Net Realized Gain and Change in Unrealized Appreciation (Depreciation)

   

2,121

   

Net Increase in Net Assets Resulting from Operations

 

$

2,118

   

@  Amount is less than $500.

The accompanying notes are an integral part of the financial statements.
9



Morgan Stanley Institutional Fund, Inc.

Annual Report — December 31, 2020

Global Core Portfolio

Statements of Changes in Net Assets

  Year Ended
December 31, 2020
(000)
  Year Ended
December 31, 2019
(000)
 

Increase (Decrease) in Net Assets:

 

Operations:

 

Net Investment Loss

 

$

(3

)

 

$

42

   

Net Realized Gain

   

68

     

54

   

Net Change in Unrealized Appreciation (Depreciation)

   

2,053

     

2,613

   

Net Increase in Net Assets Resulting from Operations

   

2,118

     

2,709

   

Dividends and Distributions to Shareholders:

 

Class I

   

     

(57

)

 

Class A

   

     

(9

)

 

Class IS

   

     

(—

@)

 

Paid-in-Capital:

 

Class I

   

     

(3

)

 

Class A

   

     

(1

)

 

Class IS

   

     

(—

@)

 

Total Dividends and Distributions to Shareholders

   

     

(70

)

 

Capital Share Transactions:(1)

 

Class I:

 

Subscribed

   

989

     

342

   

Distributions Reinvested

   

     

60

   

Redeemed

   

(793

)

   

(821

)

 

Class A:

 

Subscribed

   

277

     

1,100

   

Distributions Reinvested

   

     

10

   

Redeemed

   

(918

)

   

(688

)

 

Class C:

 

Subscribed

   

371

     

135

   

Redeemed

   

(116

)

   

(352

)

 

Class IS:

 

Distributions Reinvested

   

     

@

 

Net Decrease in Net Assets Resulting from Capital Share Transactions

   

(190

)

   

(214

)

 

Total Increase in Net Assets

   

1,928

     

2,425

   

Net Assets:

 

Beginning of Period

   

11,804

     

9,379

   

End of Period

 

$

13,732

   

$

11,804

   

(1) Capital Share Transactions:

 

Class I:

 

Shares Subscribed

   

66

     

27

   

Shares Issued on Distributions Reinvested

   

     

5

   

Shares Redeemed

   

(69

)

   

(77

)

 

Net Decrease in Class I Shares Outstanding

   

(3

)

   

(45

)

 

Class A:

 

Shares Subscribed

   

21

     

95

   

Shares Issued on Distributions Reinvested

   

     

1

   

Shares Redeemed

   

(69

)

   

(60

)

 

Net Increase (Decrease) in Class A Shares Outstanding

   

(48

)

   

36

   

Class C:

 

Shares Subscribed

   

26

     

12

   

Shares Redeemed

   

(9

)

   

(31

)

 

Net Increase (Decrease) in Class C Shares Outstanding

   

17

     

(19

)

 

Class IS:

 

Shares Issued on Distributions Reinvested

   

     

@@

 

@  Amount is less than $500.

@@  Amount is less than 500 shares.

The accompanying notes are an integral part of the financial statements.
10



Morgan Stanley Institutional Fund, Inc.

Annual Report — December 31, 2020

Financial Highlights

Global Core Portfolio

   

Class I

 
   

Year Ended December 31,

  Period from
May 27, 2016(1) to
 

Selected Per Share Data and Ratios

 

2020

 

2019

 

2018

 

2017

 

December 31, 2016

 

Net Asset Value, Beginning of Period

 

$

13.19

   

$

10.15

   

$

12.20

   

$

10.03

   

$

10.00

   

Income (Loss) from Investment Operations:

 

Net Investment Income(2)

   

0.02

     

0.07

     

0.12

     

0.07

     

0.05

   

Net Realized and Unrealized Gain (Loss)

   

2.78

     

3.07

     

(2.09

)

   

2.16

     

0.06

   

Total from Investment Operations

   

2.80

     

3.14

     

(1.97

)

   

2.23

     

0.11

   

Distributions from and/or in Excess of:

 

Net Investment Income

   

     

(0.09

)

   

(0.08

)

   

(0.06

)

   

(0.08

)

 

Paid-in-Capital

   

     

(0.01

)

   

     

(0.00

)(3)

   

   

Total Distributions

   

     

(0.10

)

   

(0.08

)

   

(0.06

)

   

(0.08

)

 

Net Asset Value, End of Period

 

$

15.99

   

$

13.19

   

$

10.15

   

$

12.20

   

$

10.03

   

Total Return(4)

   

21.23

%

   

30.96

%

   

(16.15

)%

   

22.27

%

   

1.08

%(7)

 

Ratios to Average Net Assets and Supplemental Data:

 

Net Assets, End of Period (Thousands)

 

$

9,849

   

$

8,157

   

$

6,738

   

$

10,398

   

$

6,517

   

Ratio of Expenses Before Expense Limitation

   

2.93

%

   

2.73

%

   

2.53

%

   

2.89

%

   

3.73

%(8)

 

Ratio of Expenses After Expense Limitation

   

0.99

%(5)

   

0.98

%(5)

   

1.00

%(5)

   

0.97

%(5)

   

0.98

%(5)(8)

 

Ratio of Net Investment Income

   

0.18

%(5)

   

0.61

%(5)

   

0.97

%(5)

   

0.64

%(5)

   

0.82

%(5)(8)

 

Ratio of Rebate from Morgan Stanley Affiliates

   

0.00

%(6)

   

0.00

%(6)

   

0.00

%(6)

   

0.00

%(6)

   

0.01

%(8)

 

Portfolio Turnover Rate

   

30

%

   

61

%

   

50

%

   

41

%

   

22

%(7)

 

(1)  Commencement of Operations.

(2)  Per share amount is based on average shares outstanding.

(3)  Amount is less than $0.005 per share.

(4)  Calculated based on the net asset value as of the last business day of the period.

(5)  The Ratio of Expenses After Expense Limitation and Ratio of Net Investment Income reflect the rebate of certain Fund expenses in connection with the investments in Morgan Stanley affiliates during the period. The effect of the rebate on the ratios is disclosed in the above table as "Ratio of Rebate from Morgan Stanley Affiliates."

(6)  Amount is less than 0.005%.

(7)  Not annualized.

(8)  Annualized.

The accompanying notes are an integral part of the financial statements.
11



Morgan Stanley Institutional Fund, Inc.

Annual Report — December 31, 2020

Financial Highlights

Global Core Portfolio

   

Class A

 
   

Year Ended December 31,

  Period from
May 27, 2016(1) to
 

Selected Per Share Data and Ratios

 

2020

 

2019

 

2018

 

2017

 

December 31, 2016

 

Net Asset Value, Beginning of Period

 

$

13.17

   

$

10.15

   

$

12.18

   

$

10.02

   

$

10.00

   

Income (Loss) from Investment Operations:

 

Net Investment Income (Loss)(2)

   

(0.02

)

   

0.03

     

0.07

     

0.03

     

0.02

   

Net Realized and Unrealized Gain (Loss)

   

2.77

     

3.05

     

(2.07

)

   

2.15

     

0.06

   

Total from Investment Operations

   

2.75

     

3.08

     

(2.00

)

   

2.18

     

0.08

   

Distributions from and/or in Excess of:

 

Net Investment Income

   

     

(0.05

)

   

(0.03

)

   

(0.02

)

   

(0.06

)

 

Paid-in-Capital

   

     

(0.01

)

   

     

(0.00

)(3)

   

   

Total Distributions

   

     

(0.06

)

   

(0.03

)

   

(0.02

)

   

(0.06

)

 

Net Asset Value, End of Period

 

$

15.92

   

$

13.17

   

$

10.15

   

$

12.18

   

$

10.02

   

Total Return(4)

   

20.88

%

   

30.36

%

   

(16.41

)%

   

21.82

%

   

0.83

%(7)

 

Ratios to Average Net Assets and Supplemental Data:

 

Net Assets, End of Period (Thousands)

 

$

1,869

   

$

2,186

   

$

1,320

   

$

1,962

   

$

1,263

   

Ratio of Expenses Before Expense Limitation

   

3.32

%

   

3.12

%

   

2.89

%

   

3.36

%

   

4.16

%(8)

 

Ratio of Expenses After Expense Limitation

   

1.35

%(5)

   

1.35

%(5)

   

1.35

%(5)

   

1.35

%(5)

   

1.35

%(5)(8)

 

Ratio of Net Investment Income (Loss)

   

(0.18

)%(5)

   

0.26

%(5)

   

0.62

%(5)

   

0.25

%(5)

   

0.39

%(5)(8)

 

Ratio of Rebate from Morgan Stanley Affiliates

   

0.00

%(6)

   

0.00

%(6)

   

0.00

%(6)

   

0.00

%(6)

   

0.00

%(6)(8)

 

Portfolio Turnover Rate

   

30

%

   

61

%

   

50

%

   

41

%

   

22

%(7)

 

(1)  Commencement of Operations.

(2)  Per share amount is based on average shares outstanding.

(3)  Amount is less than $0.005 per share.

(4)  Calculated based on the net asset value which does not reflect sales charges, if applicable, as of the last business day of the period.

(5)  The Ratio of Expenses After Expense Limitation and Ratio of Net Investment Income (Loss) reflect the rebate of certain Fund expenses in connection with the investments in Morgan Stanley affiliates during the period. The effect of the rebate on the ratios is disclosed in the above table as "Ratio of Rebate from Morgan Stanley Affiliates."

(6)  Amount is less than 0.005%.

(7)  Not annualized.

(8)  Annualized.

The accompanying notes are an integral part of the financial statements.
12



Morgan Stanley Institutional Fund, Inc.

Annual Report — December 31, 2020

Financial Highlights

Global Core Portfolio

   

Class C

 
   

Year Ended December 31,

  Period from
May 27, 2016(1) to
 

Selected Per Share Data and Ratios

 

2020

 

2019

 

2018

 

2017

 

December 31, 2016

 

Net Asset Value, Beginning of Period

 

$

12.97

   

$

10.02

   

$

12.08

   

$

10.00

   

$

10.00

   

Income (Loss) from Investment Operations:

 

Net Investment Loss(2)

   

(0.12

)

   

(0.05

)

   

(0.01

)

   

(0.06

)

   

(0.02

)

 

Net Realized and Unrealized Gain (Loss)

   

2.70

     

3.00

     

(2.05

)

   

2.15

     

0.06

   

Total from Investment Operations

   

2.58

     

2.95

     

(2.06

)

   

2.09

     

0.04

   

Distributions from and/or in Excess of:

 

Net Investment Income

   

     

     

     

(0.01

)

   

(0.04

)

 

Net Asset Value, End of Period

 

$

15.55

   

$

12.97

   

$

10.02

   

$

12.08

   

$

10.00

   

Total Return(3)

   

19.89

%

   

29.44

%

   

(17.05

)%

   

20.92

%

   

0.41

%(6)

 

Ratios to Average Net Assets and Supplemental Data:

 

Net Assets, End of Period (Thousands)

 

$

1,998

   

$

1,448

   

$

1,311

   

$

1,246

   

$

901

   

Ratio of Expenses Before Expense Limitation

   

4.11

%

   

3.92

%

   

3.66

%

   

4.19

%

   

5.02

%(7)

 

Ratio of Expenses After Expense Limitation

   

2.10

%(4)

   

2.10

%(4)

   

2.10

%(4)

   

2.10

%(4)

   

2.10

%(4)(7)

 

Ratio of Net Investment Loss

   

(0.94

)%(4)

   

(0.45

)%(4)

   

(0.05

)%(4)

   

(0.50

)%(4)

   

(0.36

)%(4)(7)

 

Ratio of Rebate from Morgan Stanley Affiliates

   

0.00

%(5)

   

0.00

%(5)

   

0.00

%(5)

   

0.00

%(5)

   

0.00

%(5)(7)

 

Portfolio Turnover Rate

   

30

%

   

61

%

   

50

%

   

41

%

   

22

%(6)

 

(1)  Commencement of Operations.

(2)  Per share amount is based on average shares outstanding.

(3)  Calculated based on the net asset value which does not reflect sales charges, if applicable, as of the last business day of the period.

(4)  The Ratio of Expenses After Expense Limitation and Ratio of Net Investment Loss reflect the rebate of certain Fund expenses in connection with the investments in Morgan Stanley affiliates during the period. The effect of the rebate on the ratios is disclosed in the above table as "Ratio of Rebate from Morgan Stanley Affiliates."

(5)  Amount is less than 0.005%.

(6)  Not annualized.

(7)  Annualized.

The accompanying notes are an integral part of the financial statements.
13



Morgan Stanley Institutional Fund, Inc.

Annual Report — December 31, 2020

Financial Highlights

Global Core Portfolio

   

Class IS

 
   

Year Ended December 31,

  Period from
May 27, 2016(1) to
 

Selected Per Share Data and Ratios

 

2020

 

2019

 

2018

 

2017

 

December 31, 2016

 

Net Asset Value, Beginning of Period

 

$

13.18

   

$

10.15

   

$

12.20

   

$

10.03

   

$

10.00

   

Income (Loss) from Investment Operations:

 

Net Investment Income(2)

   

0.03

     

0.07

     

0.13

     

0.07

     

0.05

   

Net Realized and Unrealized Gain (Loss)

   

2.78

     

3.06

     

(2.09

)

   

2.17

     

0.06

   

Total from Investment Operations

   

2.81

     

3.13

     

(1.96

)

   

2.24

     

0.11

   

Distributions from and/or in Excess of:

 

Net Investment Income

   

     

(0.09

)

   

(0.09

)

   

(0.07

)

   

(0.08

)

 

Paid-in-Capital

   

     

(0.01

)

   

     

(0.00

)(3)

   

   

Total Distributions

   

     

(0.10

)

   

(0.09

)

   

(0.07

)

   

(0.08

)

 

Net Asset Value, End of Period

 

$

15.99

   

$

13.18

   

$

10.15

   

$

12.20

   

$

10.03

   

Total Return(4)

   

21.40

%

   

30.90

%

   

(16.10

)%

   

22.29

%

   

1.10

%(7)

 

Ratios to Average Net Assets and Supplemental Data:

 

Net Assets, End of Period (Thousands)

 

$

16

   

$

13

   

$

10

   

$

12

   

$

10

   

Ratio of Expenses Before Expense Limitation

   

18.19

%

   

18.98

%

   

19.09

%

   

18.67

%

   

19.70

%(8)

 

Ratio of Expenses After Expense Limitation

   

0.95

%(5)

   

0.95

%(5)

   

0.95

%(5)

   

0.95

%(5)

   

0.95

%(5)(8)

 

Ratio of Net Investment Income

   

0.22

%(5)

   

0.63

%(5)

   

1.06

%(5)

   

0.66

%(5)

   

0.84

%(5)(8)

 

Ratio of Rebate from Morgan Stanley Affiliates

   

0.00

%(6)

   

0.00

%(6)

   

0.00

%(6)

   

0.00

%(6)

   

0.00

%(6)(8)

 

Portfolio Turnover Rate

   

30

%

   

61

%

   

50

%

   

41

%

   

22

%(7)

 

(1)  Commencement of Operations.

(2)  Per share amount is based on average shares outstanding.

(3)  Amount is less than $0.005 per share.

(4)  Calculated based on the net asset value as of the last business day of the period.

(5)  The Ratio of Expenses After Expense Limitation and Ratio of Net Investment Income reflect the rebate of certain Fund expenses in connection with the investments in Morgan Stanley affiliates during the period. The effect of the rebate on the ratios is disclosed in the above table as "Ratio of Rebate from Morgan Stanley Affiliates."

(6)  Amount is less than 0.005%.

(7)  Not annualized.

(8)  Annualized.

The accompanying notes are an integral part of the financial statements.
14



Morgan Stanley Institutional Fund, Inc.

Annual Report — December 31, 2020

Notes to Financial Statements

Morgan Stanley Institutional Fund, Inc. (the "Company") is registered under the Investment Company Act of 1940, as amended (the "Act"), as an open-end management investment company. The Company is comprised of thirty-one separate, active, diversified and non-diversified funds (individually referred to as a "Fund," collectively as the "Funds"). The Company applies investment company accounting and reporting guidance.

The accompanying financial statements relate to the Global Core Portfolio. The Fund seeks long-term capital appreciation.

The Fund offers four classes of shares — Class I, Class A, Class C and Class IS.

A. Significant Accounting Policies: The following significant accounting policies are in conformity with U.S. generally accepted accounting principles ("GAAP"). Such policies are consistently followed by the Company in the preparation of its financial statements. GAAP may require management to make estimates and assumptions that affect the reported amounts and disclosures in the financial statements. Actual results may differ from those estimates.

1.  Security Valuation: (1) An equity portfolio security listed or traded on an exchange is valued at its latest reported sales price (or at the exchange official closing price if such exchange reports an official closing price), and if there were no sales on a given day and if there is no official exchange closing price for that day, the security is valued at the mean between the last reported bid and asked prices if such bid and asked prices are available on the relevant exchanges. If only bid prices are available then the latest bid price may be used. Listed equity securities not traded on the valuation date with no reported bid and asked prices available on the exchange are valued at the mean between the current bid and asked prices obtained from one or more reputable brokers or dealers. In cases where a security is traded on more than one exchange, the security is valued on the exchange designated as the primary market; (2) all other equity portfolio securities for which over-the-counter ("OTC") market quotations are readily available are valued at the latest reported sales price (or at the market official closing price if such market reports an official closing price), and if there was no trading in the security on a given day and if there is no official closing price from relevant markets for that day, the security is valued at the mean between the last reported bid and asked prices if such bid and asked prices are available on the relevant

markets. An unlisted equity security that does not trade on the valuation date and for which bid and asked prices from the relevant markets are unavailable is valued at the mean between the current bid and asked prices obtained from one or more reputable brokers or dealers; (3) certain portfolio securities may be valued by an outside pricing service/vendor approved by the Company's Board of Directors (the "Directors"). The pricing service/vendor may employ a pricing model that takes into account, among other things, bids, yield spreads and/or other market data and specific security characteristics. Alternatively, if a valuation is not available from an outside pricing service/vendor, and the security trades on an exchange, the security may be valued at its latest reported sale price (or at the exchange official closing price if such exchange reports an official closing price), prior to the time when assets are valued. If there are no sales on a given day and if there is no official exchange closing price for that day, the security is valued at the mean between the last reported bid and asked prices if such bid and asked prices are available in the relevant exchanges. If only bid prices are available then the latest bid price may be used. If Morgan Stanley Investment Management Inc. (the "Adviser"), a wholly-owned subsidiary of Morgan Stanley, determines that the price provided by the outside pricing service/vendor or exchange does not reflect the security's fair value or is unable to provide a price, prices from brokers or dealers may also be utilized. In these circumstances, the value of the security will be the mean of bid and asked prices obtained from brokers or dealers; (4) when market quotations are not readily available, including circumstances under which the Adviser 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 Directors. 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 of the New York Stock Exchange ("NYSE"). If developments occur during such periods that are expected to materially affect the value of such securities, such valuations may be adjusted to reflect the estimated fair value of such securities as of the close of the NYSE, as determined in good faith by the Directors or by the Adviser using a


15



Morgan Stanley Institutional Fund, Inc.

Annual Report — December 31, 2020

Notes to Financial Statements (cont'd)

pricing service and/or procedures approved by the Directors; (5) quotations of foreign portfolio securities, other assets and liabilities and forward contracts stated in foreign currency are translated into U.S. dollar equivalents at the prevailing market rates prior to the close of the NYSE; and (6) investments in mutual funds, including the Morgan Stanley Institutional Liquidity Funds, are valued at the net asset value ("NAV") as of the close of each business day.

The Directors have responsibility for determining in good faith the fair value of the investments, and the Directors may appoint others, such as the Company's Adviser or a valuation committee, to assist the Directors in determining fair value and to make the actual calculations pursuant to the fair valuation methodologies previously approved by the Directors. Under procedures approved by the Directors, the Company's Adviser has formed a Valuation Committee whose members are approved by the Directors. The Valuation Committee provides administration and oversight of the Company's valuation policies and procedures, which are reviewed at least annually by the Directors. These procedures allow the Company to utilize independent pricing services, quotations from securities and financial instrument dealers and other market sources to determine fair value.

2.  Fair Value Measurement: Financial Accounting Standards Board ("FASB") Accounting Standards CodificationTM ("ASC") 820, "Fair Value Measurement" ("ASC 820"), defines fair value as the value that the Fund would receive to sell an investment or pay to transfer a liability in a timely transaction with an independent buyer in the principal market, or in the absence of a principal market, the most advantageous market for the investment or liability. ASC 820 establishes a three-tier hierarchy to distinguish between (1) inputs that reflect the assumptions market participants would use in valuing an asset or liability developed based on market data obtained from sources independent of the reporting entity (observable inputs) and (2) inputs that reflect the reporting entity's own assumptions about the assumptions market participants would use in valuing an asset or liability developed based on the best information available in the circumstances (unobservable inputs) and to establish classification of fair value measurements for disclosure purposes. Various inputs are used in determining the value of the Fund's

investments. The inputs are summarized in the three broad levels listed below:

•  Level 1 – unadjusted quoted prices in active markets for identical investments

•  Level 2 – other significant observable inputs (including quoted prices for similar investments, interest rates, prepayment speeds, credit risk, etc.)

•  Level 3 – significant unobservable inputs including the Fund's own assumptions in determining the fair value of investments. Factors considered in making this determination may include, but are not limited to, information obtained by contacting the issuer, analysts, or the appropriate stock exchange (for exchange-traded securities), analysis of the issuer's financial statements or other available documents and, if necessary, available information concerning other securities in similar circumstances.

The inputs or methodology used for valuing securities are not necessarily an indication of the risk associated with investing in those securities and the determination of the significance of a particular input to the fair value measurement in its entirety requires judgment and considers factors specific to each security.

The following is a summary of the inputs used to value the Fund's investments as of December 31, 2020:

Investment Type

  Level 1
Unadjusted
quoted
prices
(000)
  Level 2
Other
significant
observable
inputs
(000)
  Level 3
Significant
unobservable
inputs
(000)
  Total
(000)
 

Assets:

 

Common Stocks

 

Airlines

 

$

169

   

$

   

$

   

$

169

   

Automobiles

   

528

     

     

     

528

   

Banks

   

1,569

     

     

     

1,569

   

Beverages

   

352

     

     

     

352

   

Building Products

   

178

     

     

     

178

   

Capital Markets

   

309

     

334

     

     

643

   

Construction Materials

   

219

     

     

     

219

   
Diversified
Telecommunication
Services
   

212

     

     

     

212

   

Electric Utilities

   

362

     

     

     

362

   

Entertainment

   

400

     

     

     

400

   


16



Morgan Stanley Institutional Fund, Inc.

Annual Report — December 31, 2020

Notes to Financial Statements (cont'd)

Investment Type

  Level 1
Unadjusted
quoted
prices
(000)
  Level 2
Other
significant
observable
inputs
(000)
  Level 3
Significant
unobservable
inputs
(000)
  Total
(000)
 

Common Stocks (cont'd)

 
Equity Real Estate
Investment Trusts
(REITs)
 

$

464

   

$

   

$

   

$

464

   
Health Care Equipment &
Supplies
   

413

     

     

     

413

   
Health Care Providers &
Services
   

176

     

     

     

176

   

Health Care Technology

   

156

     

     

     

156

   
Hotels, Restaurants &
Leisure
   

504

     

     

     

504

   

Household Durables

   

215

     

     

     

215

   
Information Technology
Services
   

798

     

     

     

798

   

Interactive Media & Services

   

749

     

     

     

749

   
Internet & Direct
Marketing Retail
   

676

     

     

     

676

   

Media

   

115

     

     

     

115

   

Metals & Mining

   

198

     

     

     

198

   

Multi-Line Retail

   

131

     

     

     

131

   
Oil, Gas & Consumable
Fuels
   

79

     

     

     

79

   

Personal Products

   

346

     

     

     

346

   

Professional Services

   

209

     

     

     

209

   
Semiconductors &
Semiconductor
Equipment
   

647

     

     

     

647

   

Software

   

943

     

     

     

943

   
Tech Hardware,
Storage & Peripherals
   

953

     

     

     

953

   
Textiles, Apparel &
Luxury Goods
   

441

     

562

     

     

1,003

   
Trading Companies &
Distributors
   

153

     

     

     

153

   

Total Common Stocks

   

12,664

     

896

     

     

13,560

   

Short-Term Investment

 

Investment Company

   

229

     

     

     

229

   

Total Assets

 

$

12,893

   

$

896

   

$

   

$

13,789

   

Transfers between investment levels may occur as the markets fluctuate and/or the availability of data used in an investment's valuation changes.

3.  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.

Net realized gains (losses) on foreign currency transactions represent net foreign exchange gains (losses) from foreign currency forward exchange contracts, disposition of foreign currencies, currency gains (losses) realized between the trade and settlement dates on securities transactions, and the difference between the amount of investment income and foreign withholding taxes recorded on the Fund's books and the U.S. dollar equivalent amounts actually received or paid. The change in unrealized currency gains (losses) on foreign currency transactions for the period is reflected in the Statement of Operations.

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 security markets and the possibility of political or economic instability.

Governmental approval for foreign investments may be required in advance of making an investment under certain circumstances in some countries, and the extent of foreign investments in domestic companies may be subject to limitation in other countries. Foreign ownership limitations also may be imposed by the charters of


17



Morgan Stanley Institutional Fund, Inc.

Annual Report — December 31, 2020

Notes to Financial Statements (cont'd)

individual companies to prevent, among other concerns, violations of foreign investment limitations. As a result, an additional class of shares (identified as "Foreign" in the Portfolio of Investments) may be created and offered for investment. The "local" and "foreign shares" market values may differ. In the absence of trading of the foreign shares in such markets, the Fund values the foreign shares at the closing exchange price of the local shares.

4.  Indemnifications: The Company enters into contracts that contain a variety of indemnifications. The Company's maximum exposure under these arrangements is unknown. However, the Company has not had prior claims or losses pursuant to these contracts and expects the risk of loss to be remote.

5.  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. Net realized capital gains, if any, are distributed at least annually.

6.  Security Transactions, Income and Expenses: Security transactions are accounted for on the trade date (date the order to buy or sell is executed). Realized gains and losses on the sale of investment securities are determined on the specific identified cost method. Dividend income and other distributions are recorded on the ex-dividend date (except for certain foreign dividends which may be recorded as soon as the Fund is informed of such dividends) net of applicable withholding taxes. Interest income is recognized on the accrual basis except where collection is in doubt. Discounts are accreted and premiums are amortized over the life of the respective securities. Most expenses of the Company can be directly attributed to a particular Fund. Expenses which cannot be directly attributed are apportioned among the Funds based upon relative net assets or other appropriate methods. Income, expenses (other than class specific expenses — distribution and shareholder services, transfer agency and sub transfer agency fees) and realized and unrealized gains or losses are allocated to each class of shares based upon their relative net assets.

B. Advisory Fees: The Adviser, a wholly-owned subsidiary of Morgan Stanley, provides the Fund with advisory services under the terms of an Investment Advisory Agreement, paid

quarterly, at the annual rate based on the daily net assets as follows:

First $750
million
  Next $750
million
  Over $1.5
billion
 
  0.75

%

   

0.70

%

   

0.65

%

 

For the year ended December 31, 2020, the advisory fee rate (net of waiver/rebate) was equivalent to an annual effective rate of 0.00% of the Fund's average daily net assets.

The Adviser has agreed to reduce its advisory fee and/or reimburse the Fund so that total annual Fund operating expenses, excluding certain investment related expenses, taxes, interest and other extraordinary expenses (including litigation), will not exceed 1.00% for Class I shares, 1.35% for Class A shares, 2.10% for Class C shares and 0.95% for Class IS shares. The fee waivers and/or expense reimbursements will continue for at least one year from the date of the Fund's prospectus or until such time as the Directors act to discontinue all or a portion of such waivers and/or reimbursements when they deem such action is appropriate. For the year ended December 31, 2020, approximately $82,000 of advisory fees were waived and approximately $135,000 of other expenses were reimbursed by the Adviser pursuant to this arrangement.

C. Administration Fees: The Adviser also serves as Administrator to the Company and provides administrative services pursuant to an Administration Agreement for an annual fee, accrued daily and paid monthly, of 0.08% of the Fund's average daily net assets.

Under a Sub-Administration Agreement between the Administrator and State Street Bank and Trust Company ("State Street"), State Street provides certain administrative services to the Company. For such services, the Administrator pays State Street a portion of the fee the Administrator receives from the Fund.

D. Distribution and Shareholder Services Fees: Morgan Stanley Distribution, Inc. ("MSDI" or the "Distributor"), a wholly-owned subsidiary of the Adviser and an indirect subsidiary of Morgan Stanley, serves as the Company's Distributor of Fund shares pursuant to a Distribution Agreement. The Company has adopted a Shareholder Services Plan with respect to Class A shares pursuant to Rule 12b-1 under the Act. Under the Shareholder Services Plan, the Fund pays the Distributor a shareholder services fee, accrued daily and paid monthly, at an annual rate of 0.25% of the Fund's average daily net assets attributable to Class A shares.


18



Morgan Stanley Institutional Fund, Inc.

Annual Report — December 31, 2020

Notes to Financial Statements (cont'd)

The Company has adopted a Distribution and Shareholder Services Plan with respect to Class C shares pursuant to Rule 12b-1 under the Act. Under the Distribution and Shareholder Services Plan, the Fund pays the Distributor a distribution fee, accrued daily and paid monthly, at an annual rate of 0.75% and a shareholder services fee, accrued daily and paid monthly, at an annual rate of 0.25% of the Fund's average daily net assets attributable to Class C shares.

The distribution and shareholder services fees are used to support the expenses associated with servicing and maintaining accounts. The Distributor may compensate other parties for providing shareholder support services to investors who purchase Class A and Class C shares.

E. Dividend Disbursing and Transfer Agent: The Company's dividend disbursing and transfer agent is DST Asset Manager Solutions, Inc. ("DST"). Pursuant to a Transfer Agency Agreement, the Company pays DST a fee based on the number of classes, accounts and transactions relating to the Funds of the Company.

F. Custodian Fees: State Street (the "Custodian") also serves as Custodian for the Company in accordance with a Custodian Agreement. The Custodian holds cash, securities and other assets of the Company as required by the Act. Custody fees are payable monthly based on assets held in custody, investment purchases and sales activity and account maintenance fees, plus reimbursement for certain out-of-pocket expenses.

G. Security Transactions and Transactions with Affiliates: For the year ended December 31, 2020, purchases and sales of investment securities for the Fund, other than long-term U.S. Government securities and short-term investments were approximately $3,307,000 and $3,565,000, respectively. There were no purchases and sales of long-term U.S. Government securities for the year ended December 31, 2020.

The Fund invests in the Institutional Class of the Morgan Stanley Institutional Liquidity Funds — Treasury Securities Portfolio (the "Liquidity Funds"), an open-end management investment company managed by the Adviser. Advisory fees paid by the Fund are reduced by an amount equal to its pro-rata share of the advisory and administration fees paid by the Fund due to its investment in the Liquidity Funds. For the

year ended December 31, 2020, advisory fees paid were reduced by less than $500 relating to the Fund's investment in the Liquidity Funds.

A summary of the Fund's transactions in shares of affiliated investments during the year ended December 31, 2020 is as follows:

Affiliated
Investment
Company
  Value
December 31,
2019
(000)
  Purchases
at Cost
(000)
  Proceeds
from Sales
(000)
  Dividend
Income
(000)
 

Liquidity Funds

 

$

80

   

$

1,791

   

$

1,642

   

$

@

 
Affiliated
Investment
Company (cont'd)
  Realized
Gain (Loss)
(000)
  Change in
Unrealized
Appreciation
(Depreciation)
(000)
  Value
December 31,
2020
(000)
 

Liquidity Funds

 

$

   

$

   

$

229

   

@ Amount is less than $500.

The Fund is permitted to purchase and sell securities ("cross-trade") from and to other Morgan Stanley funds as well as other funds and client accounts for which the Adviser or an affiliate of the Adviser serves as investment adviser, pursuant to procedures approved by the Directors in compliance with Rule 17a-7 under the Act (the "Rule"). Each cross-trade is executed at the current market price in compliance with provisions of the Rule. For the year ended December 31, 2020, the Fund did not engage in any cross-trade transactions.

The Fund has an unfunded Deferred Compensation Plan (the "Compensation Plan"), which allows each independent Director to defer payment of all, or a portion, of the fees he or she receives for serving on the Board of Directors. Each eligible Director generally may elect to have the deferred amounts credited with a return equal to the total return on one or more of the Morgan Stanley funds that are offered as investment options under the Compensation Plan. Appreciation/depreciation and distributions received from these investments are recorded with an offsetting increase/decrease in the deferred compensation obligation and do not affect the NAV of the Fund.

H. Federal Income Taxes: It is the Fund's intention to continue to qualify as a regulated investment company and distribute all of its taxable and tax-exempt income. Accordingly, no provision for federal income taxes is required in the financial statements.


19



Morgan Stanley Institutional Fund, Inc.

Annual Report — December 31, 2020

Notes to Financial Statements (cont'd)

The Fund may be subject to taxes imposed by countries in which it invests. Such taxes are generally based on income and/or capital gains earned or repatriated. Taxes are accrued based on net investment income, net realized gains and net unrealized appreciation as such income and/or gains are earned. Taxes may also be based on transactions in foreign currency and are accrued based on the value of investments denominated in such currency.

FASB ASC 740-10, "Income Taxes — Overall", sets forth a minimum threshold for financial statement recognition of the benefit of a tax position taken or expected to be taken in a tax return. Management has concluded there are no significant uncertain tax positions that would require recognition in the financial statements. If applicable, the Fund recognizes interest accrued related to unrecognized tax benefits in "Interest Expense" and penalties in "Other Expenses" in the Statement of Operations. The Fund files tax returns with the U.S. Internal Revenue Service, New York and various states. Generally, each of the tax years in the four-year period ended December 31, 2020 remains subject to examination by taxing authorities.

The tax character of distributions paid may differ from the character of distributions shown for GAAP purposes due to short-term capital gains being treated as ordinary income for tax purposes. The tax character of distributions paid during fiscal years 2020 and 2019 was as follows:

2020
Distributions
Paid From:
  2019
Distributions
Paid From:
 
Ordinary
Income
(000)
  Paid-in-
Capital
(000)
  Ordinary
Income
(000)
  Paid-in-
Capital
(000)
 
$

   

$

   

$

66

   

$

4

   

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 attributable to differing book and tax treatments for the timing of the recognition of gains (losses) on certain investment transactions and the timing of the deductibility of certain expenses.

Permanent differences, primarily due to a net operating loss, resulted in the following reclassifications among the components of net assets at December 31, 2020:

Total
Distributable
Earnings
(000)
  Paid-in
Capital
(000)
 
$

4

   

$

(4

)

 

At December 31, 2020, the Fund had no distributable earnings on a tax basis.

At December 31, 2020, the Fund had available for federal income tax purposes unused short-term capital losses of approximately $169,000 that do not have an expiration date.

To the extent that capital loss carryforwards are used to offset any future capital gains realized, no capital gains tax liability will be incurred by the Fund for gains realized and not distributed. To the extent that capital gains are offset, such gains will not be distributed to the shareholders. During the year ended December 31, 2020, the Fund utilized capital loss carryforwards for U.S. federal income tax purposes of approximately $89,000.

I. Credit Facility: The Company and other Morgan Stanley funds participated in a $300,000,000 committed, unsecured revolving line of credit facility (the "Facility") with State Street. This Facility is to be used for temporary emergency purposes or funding of shareholder redemption requests. The interest rate on borrowings is based on the federal funds rate or 1 month LIBOR rate plus a spread. The Facility also has a commitment fee of 0.25% per annum based on the unused portion of the Facility. During the year ended December 31, 2020, the Fund did not have any borrowings under the Facility.

J. Other: At December 31, 2020, the Fund had record owners of 10% or greater. Investment activities of these shareholders could have a material impact on the Fund. The aggregate percentage of such owners was 39.1%.

K. Market Risk: Certain impacts to public health conditions particular to the coronavirus (COVID-19) outbreak could impact the operations and financial performance of certain of the Fund's investments. The extent of the impact to the financial performance of the Fund's investments will depend on future developments, including (i) the duration and spread of the outbreak, (ii) the restrictions and advisories, (iii) the effects on the financial markets, and (iv) the effects on the economy overall, all of which are highly uncertain and cannot be predicted. If the financial performance of the Fund's investments is impacted because of these factors for an extended period, the Fund's investment results may be adversely affected.


20



Morgan Stanley Institutional Fund, Inc.

Annual Report — December 31, 2020

Report of Independent Registered Public Accounting Firm

To the Shareholders and Board of Directors of
Morgan Stanley Institutional Fund, Inc. —
Global Core Portfolio

Opinion on the Financial Statements

We have audited the accompanying statement of assets and liabilities of Global Core Portfolio (the "Fund") (one of the funds constituting Morgan Stanley Institutional Fund, Inc. (the "Company")), including the portfolio of investments, as of December 31, 2020, and the related statement of operations for the year then ended, the statements of changes in net assets for each of the two years in the period then ended and the financial highlights for each of the four years in the period then ended and the period from May 27, 2016 (commencement of operations) through December 31, 2016 and the related notes (collectively referred to as the "financial statements"). In our opinion, the financial statements present fairly, in all material respects, the financial position of Global Core Portfolio (one of the funds constituting Morgan Stanley Institutional Fund, Inc.) at December 31, 2020, the results of its operations for the year then ended, the changes in its net assets for each of the two years in the period then ended, and its financial highlights for each of the four years in the period then ended and the period from May 27, 2016 (commencement of operations) through December 31, 2016, in conformity with U.S. generally accepted accounting principles.

Basis for Opinion

These financial statements are the responsibility of the Company's management. Our responsibility is to express an opinion on the Fund's financial statements based on our audits. We are a public accounting firm registered with the Public Company Accounting Oversight Board (United States) ("PCAOB") and are required to be independent with respect to the Company in accordance with the U.S. federal securities law and the applicable rules and regulations of the Securities and Exchange Commission and the PCAOB.

We conducted our audits in accordance with the standards of the PCAOB. Those standards require that we plan and perform the audit to obtain reasonable assurance about whether the financial statements are free of material misstatement, whether due to error or fraud. The Company is not required to have, nor were we engaged to perform, an audit of the Company's internal control over financial reporting. As part of our audits, we are required to obtain an understanding of internal control over financial reporting, but not for the purpose of expressing an opinion on the effectiveness of the Company's internal control over financial reporting. Accordingly, we express no such opinion.

Our audits included performing procedures to assess the risks of material misstatement of the financial statements, whether due to error or fraud, and performing procedures that respond to those risks. Such procedures included examining, on a test basis, evidence regarding the amounts and disclosures in the financial statements. Our procedures included confirmation of securities owned as of December 31, 2020 by correspondence with the custodian and others or by other appropriate auditing procedures where replies from others were not received. Our audits also included evaluating the accounting principles used and significant estimates made by management, as well as evaluating the overall presentation of the financial statements. We believe that our audits provide a reasonable basis for our opinion.

We have served as the auditor of one or more Morgan Stanley investment companies since 2000.
Boston, Massachusetts
February 26, 2021


21



Morgan Stanley Institutional Fund, Inc.

Annual Report — December 31, 2020

Liquidity Risk Management Program (unaudited)

In compliance with Rule 22e-4 under the Investment Company Act of 1940, as amended (the "Liquidity Rule"), the Fund has adopted and implemented a liquidity risk management program (the "Program"), which is reasonably designed to assess and manage the risk that the Fund could not meet requests to redeem shares issued by the Fund without significant dilution of remaining investors' interests in the Fund (i.e., liquidity risk). The Fund's Board of Directors (the "Board") previously approved the designation of the Liquidity Risk Subcommittee (the "LRS") as Program administrator. The LRS is comprised of representatives from various divisions within Morgan Stanley Investment Management.

At a meeting held on April 22-23, 2020, the Board reviewed a written report prepared by the LRS that addressed the Program's operation and assessed its adequacy, and effectiveness of implementation for the period from December 1, 2018, through December 31, 2019, as required under the Liquidity Rule. The report concluded that the Program operated effectively and was adequately and effectively implemented in all material aspects, and that the relevant controls and safeguards were appropriately designed to enable the LRS to administer the Program in compliance with the Liquidity Rule.

In accordance with the Program, the LRS assessed each Fund's liquidity risk no less frequently than annually taking into consideration certain factors, as applicable, such as (i) investment strategy and liquidity of portfolio investments, (ii) short-term and long-term cash flow projections and (iii) holdings of cash and cash equivalents and borrowing arrangements and other funding sources. Certain factors are considered under both normal and reasonably foreseeable stressed conditions.

Each Fund portfolio investment is classified into one of four liquidity categories, which classification is assessed at least monthly by the LRS. The classification is based on a determination of the number of days it is reasonably expected to take to convert the investment into cash, or sell or dispose of the investment, in current market conditions without significantly changing the market value of the investment. Liquidity classification determinations take into account various market, trading and investment-specific considerations, as well as market depth, and in some cases utilize third-party vendor data.

The Liquidity Rule limits a fund's investments in illiquid investments to 15% of its net assets and requires funds that do not primarily hold assets that are highly liquid investments to determine and maintain a minimum percentage of the fund's net assets to be invested in highly liquid investments (highly liquid investment minimum or "HLIM"). The LRS believes that the Program includes provisions reasonably designed to review, monitor and comply with the 15% limit on illiquid investments and for determining, periodically reviewing and complying with the HLIM requirement, as applicable.

There can be no assurance that the Program will achieve its objectives under all circumstances in the future. Please refer to the Fund's prospectus for more information regarding the Fund's exposure to liquidity risk and other risks to which it may be subject.


22



Morgan Stanley Institutional Fund, Inc.

Annual Report — December 31, 2020

Privacy Notice (unaudited)  April 2019

FACTS

 

WHAT DOES MSIM DO WITH YOUR PERSONAL INFORMATION?

 

Why?

 

Financial companies choose how they share your personal information. Federal law gives consumers the right to limit some but not all sharing. Federal law also requires us to tell you how we collect, share, and protect your personal information. Please read this notice carefully to understand what we do.

 

What?

  The types of personal information we collect and share depend on the product or service you have with us. This information can include:
n Social Security number and income
n investment experience and risk tolerance
n checking account number and wire transfer instructions
 

How?

 

All financial companies need to share customers' personal information to run their everyday business. In the section below, we list the reasons financial companies can share their customers' personal information; the reasons MSIM chooses to share; and whether you can limit this sharing.

 

 

Reasons we can share your personal information

 

Does MSIM share?

 

Can you limit this sharing?

 
For our everyday business purposes —
such as to process your transactions, maintain your account(s), respond to court orders and legal investigations, or report to credit bureaus
 

Yes

 

No

 
For our marketing purposes —
to offer our products and services to you
 

Yes

 

No

 

For joint marketing with other financial companies

 

No

 

We don't share

 
For our affiliates' everyday business purposes —
information about your transactions and experiences
 

Yes

 

No

 
For our affiliates' everyday business purposes —
information about your creditworthiness
 

No

 

We don't share

 

For our affiliates to market to you

 

No

 

We don't share

 

For non-affiliates to market to you

 

No

 

We don't share

 

Questions?  Call toll-free (844) 312-6327 or email: imprivacyinquiries@morganstanley.com


23



Morgan Stanley Institutional Fund, Inc.

Annual Report — December 31, 2020

Privacy Notice (unaudited) (cont'd)  April 2019

Who we are

Who is providing this notice?

 

Morgan Stanley Investment Management, Inc. and its affiliated registered investment advisers, registered broker-dealers, and registered and unregistered funds ("MSIM")

 

What we do

How does MSIM protect my personal information?

 

To protect your personal information from unauthorized access and use, we use security measures that comply with federal law. These measures include computer safeguards and secured files and buildings. We have policies governing the proper handling of customer information by personnel and requiring third parties that provide support to adhere to appropriate security standards with respect to such information.

 

How does MSIM collect my personal information?

  We collect your personal information, for example, when you
n open an account or make deposits or withdrawals from your account
n buy securities from us or make a wire transfer
n give us your contact information
We also collect your personal information from others, such as credit bureaus, affiliates, or other companies.
 

Why can't I limit all sharing?

  Federal law gives you the right to limit only
n sharing for affiliates' everyday business purposes — information about your creditworthiness
n affiliates from using your information to market to you
n sharing for non-affiliates to market to you
State laws and individual companies may give you additional rights to limit sharing. See below for more on your rights under state law.
 

Definitions

Affiliates

  Companies related by common ownership or control. They can be financial and non-financial companies.
n Our affiliates include companies with a Morgan Stanley name and financial companies such as Morgan Stanley Smith Barney LLC and Morgan Stanley & Co.
 

Non-affiliates

  Companies not related by common ownership or control. They can be financial and non-financial companies.
n MSIM does not share with non-affiliates so they can market to you.
 

Joint marketing

  A formal agreement between non-affiliated financial companies that together market financial products or services to you.
n MSIM doesn't jointly market
 


24



Morgan Stanley Institutional Fund, Inc.

Annual Report — December 31, 2020

Privacy Notice (unaudited) (cont'd)  April 2019

Other Important Information

Vermont: Except as permitted by law, we will not share personal information we collect about Vermont residents with Non-affiliates unless you provide us with your written consent to share such information.

California: Except as permitted by law, we will not share personal information we collect about California residents with Non-affiliates and we will limit sharing such personal information with our Affiliates to comply with California privacy laws that apply to us.


25



Morgan Stanley Institutional Fund, Inc.

Annual Report — December 31, 2020

Director and Officer Information (unaudited)

Independent Directors:

Name, Address and Birth
Year of Independent Director
  Position(s)
Held with
Registrant
  Length of Time
Served*
  Principal Occupation(s) During Past 5 Years and Other
Relevant Professional Experience
  Number of
Funds
in Fund Complex
Overseen by
Independent
Director**
  Other Directorships
Held by Independent
Director***
 
Frank L. Bowman
c/o Perkins Coie LLP
Counsel to the Independent Directors
1155 Avenue of the Americas,
22nd Floor
New York, NY 10036
Birth Year: 1944
 

Director

 

Since August 2006

 

President, Strategic Decisions, LLC (consulting) (since February 2009); Director or Trustee of various Morgan Stanley Funds (since August 2006); Chairperson of the Compliance and Insurance Committee (since October 2015); formerly, Chairperson of the Insurance Sub-Committee of the Compliance and Insurance Committee (2007-2015); served as President and Chief Executive Officer of the Nuclear Energy Institute (policy organization) (February 2005-November 2008); retired as Admiral, U.S. Navy after serving over 38 years on active duty including 8 years as Director of the Naval Nuclear Propulsion Program in the Department of the Navy and the U.S. Department of Energy (1996-2004); served as Chief of Naval Personnel (July 1994-September 1996) and on the Joint Staff as Director of Political Military Affairs (June 1992-July 1994); knighted as Honorary Knight Commander of the Most Excellent Order of the British Empire; awarded the Officier de l'Orde National du Mérite by the French Government; elected to the National Academy of Engineering (2009).

 

79

 

Director of Naval and Nuclear Technologies LLP; Director Emeritus of the Armed Services YMCA; Member of the National Security Advisory Council of the Center for U.S. Global Engagement and a member of the CNA Military Advisory Board; Trustee of Fairhaven United Methodist Church; Member of the Board of Advisors of the Dolphin Scholarship Foundation; Director of other various non-profit organizations; formerly, Director of BP plc (November 2010May 2019).

 
Kathleen A. Dennis
c/o Perkins Coie LLP
Counsel to the Independent Directors
1155 Avenue of the Americas,
22nd Floor
New York, NY 10036
Birth Year: 1953
 

Director

 

Since August 2006

 

Chairperson of the Governance Committee (January 2021), Chairperson of the Liquidity and Alternatives Sub-Committee of the Investment Committee (2006-2020); and Director or Trustee of various Morgan Stanley Funds (since August 2006); President, Cedarwood Associates (mutual fund and investment management consulting) (since July 2006); formerly, Senior Managing Director of Victory Capital Management (1993-2006).

 

79

 

Board Member, University of Albany Foundation (2012-present); Board Member, Mutual Funds Directors Forum (2014-present); Director of various non-profit organizations.

 
Nancy C. Everett
c/o Perkins Coie LLP
Counsel to the Independent Directors
1155 Avenue of the Americas,
22nd Floor
New York, NY 10036
Birth Year: 1955
 

Director

 

Since January 2015

 

Chairperson of the Equity Investment Committee (since January 2021); Director or Trustee of various Morgan Stanley Funds (since January 2015); Chief Executive Officer, Virginia Commonwealth University Investment Company (since November 2015); Owner, OBIR, LLC (institutional investment management consulting) (since June 2014); formerly, Managing Director, BlackRock, Inc. (February 2011-December 2013); and Chief Executive Officer, General Motors Asset Management (a/k/a Promark Global Advisors, Inc.) (June 2005-May 2010).

 

80

 

Formerly, Member of Virginia Commonwealth University School of Business Foundation (2005-2016); Member of Virginia Commonwealth University Board of Visitors (2013-2015); Member of Committee on Directors for Emerging Markets Growth Fund, Inc. (2007-2010); Chairperson of Performance Equity Management, LLC (2006-2010); and Chairperson, GMAM Absolute Return Strategies Fund, LLC (2006-2010).

 


26



Morgan Stanley Institutional Fund, Inc.

Annual Report — December 31, 2020

Director and Officer Information (unaudited) (cont'd)

Independent Directors (cont'd):

Name, Address and Birth
Year of Independent Director
  Position(s)
Held with
Registrant
  Length of Time
Served*
  Principal Occupation(s) During Past 5 Years and Other
Relevant Professional Experience
  Number of
Funds
in Fund Complex
Overseen by
Independent
Director**
  Other Directorships
Held by Independent
Director***
 
Jakki L. Haussler
c/o Perkins Coie LLP
Counsel to the Independent Directors
1155 Avenue of the Americas,
22nd Floor
New York, NY 10036
Birth Year: 1957
 

Director

 

Since January 2015

 

Director or Trustee of various Morgan Stanley Funds (since January 2015) Chairman, Opus Capital Group (1996); formerly, Chief Executive Officer, Opus Capital Group (1996-2019); Director, Capvest Venture Fund, LP (May 2000-December 2011); Partner, Adena Ventures, LP (July 1999-December 2010); Director, The Victory Funds (February 2005-July 2008).

 

80

 

Director of Cincinnati Bell Inc. and Member, Audit Committee and Chairman, Governance and Nominating Committee; Director of Service Corporation International and Member, Audit Committee and Investment Committee; Director of Northern Kentucky University Foundation and Member, Investment Committee; Member of Chase College of Law Transactional Law Practice Center Board of Advisors; Director of Best Transport; Director of Chase College of Law Board of Visitors; formerly, Member, University of Cincinnati Foundation Investment Committee; Member, Miami University Board of Visitors (2008-2011); Trustee of Victory Funds (2005-2008) and Chairman, Investment Committee (2007-2008); and Member, Service Provider Committee (2005-2008).

 
Dr. Manuel H. Johnson
c/o Johnson Smick International, Inc.
220 I Street, NE — Suite 200
Washington, D.C. 20002
Birth Year: 1949
 

Director

 

Since July 1991

 

Senior Partner, Johnson Smick International, Inc. (consulting firm); Chairperson of the Fixed Income, Liquidity and Alternatives Investment Committee (January 2021), Chairperson of the Investment Committee (2006-2020) and Director or Trustee of various Morgan Stanley Funds (since July 1991); Co-Chairman and a founder of the Group of Seven Council (G7C) (international economic commission); formerly, Chairperson of the Audit Committee (July 1991-September 2006), Vice Chairman of the Board of Governors of the Federal Reserve System and Assistant Secretary of the U.S. Treasury.

 

79

 

Director of NVR, Inc. (home construction).

 


27



Morgan Stanley Institutional Fund, Inc.

Annual Report — December 31, 2020

Director and Officer Information (unaudited) (cont'd)

Independent Directors (cont'd):

Name, Address and Birth
Year of Independent Director
  Position(s)
Held with
Registrant
  Length of Time
Served*
  Principal Occupation(s) During Past 5 Years and Other
Relevant Professional Experience
  Number of
Funds
in Fund Complex
Overseen by
Independent
Director**
  Other Directorships
Held by Independent
Director***
 
Joseph J. Kearns
c/o Perkins Coie LLP
Counsel to the Independent Directors
1155 Avenue of the Americas,
22nd Floor
New York, NY 10036
Birth Year: 1942
 

Director

 

Since August 1994

 

Senior Adviser, Kearns & Associates LLC (investment consulting); Chairperson of the Audit Committee (since October 2006) and Director or Trustee of various Morgan Stanley Funds (since August 1994); formerly, Deputy Chairperson of the Audit Committee (July 2003-September 2006) and Chairperson of the Audit Committee of various Morgan Stanley Funds (since August 1994); CFO of the J. Paul Getty Trust (1982-1999).

 

80

 

Director, Rubicon Investment (since February 2019); Prior to August 2016, Director of Electro Rent Corporation (equipment leasing); Prior to December 31, 2013, Director of The Ford Family Foundation.

 
Michael F. Klein
c/o Perkins Coie LLP
Counsel to the Independent Directors
1155 Avenue of the Americas,
22nd Floor
New York, NY 10036
Birth Year: 1958
 

Director

 

Since August 2006

 

Chairperson of the Risk Committee (since January 2021); Managing Director, Aetos Alternatives Management, LP (since March 2000); Co-President, Aetos Alternatives Management, LP (since January 2004) and Co-Chief Executive Officer of Aetos Alternatives Management, LP (since August 2013); Chairperson of the fixed Income Sub-Committee of the Investment committee (2006-2020) and Director or Trustee of various Morgan Stanley Funds (since August 2006); formerly, Managing Director, Morgan Stanley & Co. Inc. and Morgan Stanley Dean Witter Investment Management and President, various Morgan Stanley Funds (June 1998-March 2000); Principal, Morgan Stanley & Co. Inc. and Morgan Stanley Dean Witter Investment Management (August 1997-December 1999).

 

79

 

Director of certain investment funds managed or sponsored by Aetos Alternatives Management, LP; Director of Sanitized AG and Sanitized Marketing AG (specialty chemicals).

 
Patricia Maleski
c/o Perkins Coie LLP
Counsel to the Independent Directors
1155 Avenue of the Americas,
22nd Floor
New York, NY 10036
Birth Year: 1960
 

Director

 

Since January 2017

 

Director or Trustee of various Morgan Stanley Funds (since January 2017); Managing Director, JPMorgan Asset Management (2004-2016); Oversight and Control Head of Fiduciary and Conflicts of Interest Program (2015-2016); Chief Control Officer-Global Asset Management (2013-2015); President, JPMorgan Funds (2010-2013); Chief Administrative Officer (2004-2013); various other positions including Treasurer and Board Liaison (since 2001).

 

80

 

None.

 
W. Allen Reed
c/o Perkins Coie LLP
Counsel to the Independent Directors
1155 Avenue of the Americas,
22nd Floor
New York, NY 10036
Birth Year: 1947
 

Chair of the Board and Director

 

Chair of the Boards since August 2020 and Director since August 2006

 

Chair of the Boards of various Morgan Stanley Funds (since August 2020); Director or Trustee of various Morgan Stanley Funds (since August 2006); formerly, Vice Chair of the Boards of various Morgan Stanley Funds (January 2020-August 2020); President and Chief Executive Officer of General Motors Asset Management; Chairman and Chief Executive Officer of the GM Trust Bank and Corporate Vice President of General Motors Corporation (August 1994-December 2005).

 

79

 

Formerly, Director of Legg Mason, Inc. (2006-2019); and Director of the Auburn University Foundation (2010-2015).

 

*  This is the earliest date the Director began serving the Morgan Stanley Funds. Each Director serves an indefinite term, until his or her successor is elected.

**  The Fund Complex includes (as of December 31, 2020) all open-end and closed-end funds (including all of their portfolios) advised by Morgan Stanley Investment Management Inc. (the "Adviser") and any funds that have an adviser that is an affiliated person of the Adviser (including, but not limited to, Morgan Stanley AIP GP LP).

***  This includes any directorships at public companies and registered investment companies held by the Director at any time during the past five years.


28



Morgan Stanley Institutional Fund, Inc.

Annual Report — December 31, 2020

Director and Officer Information (unaudited) (cont'd)

Executive Officers:

Name, Address and
Birth Year of Executive Officer
  Position(s) Held
with
Registrant
  Length of
Time Served*
 

Principal Occupation(s) During Past 5 Years

 
John H. Gernon
522 Fifth Avenue
New York, NY 10036
Birth Year: 1963
 

President and Principal Executive Officer

 

Since September 2013

 

President and Principal Executive Officer of the Equity and Fixed Income Funds and the Morgan Stanley AIP Funds (since September 2013) and the Liquidity Funds and various money market funds (since May 2014) in the Fund Complex; Managing Director of the Adviser; Head of Public Markets Product Development (since 2006).

 
Timothy J. Knierim
1633 Broadway
New York, NY 10019
Birth Year: 1959
 

Chief Compliance Officer

 

Since December 2016

 

Managing Director of the Adviser and various entities affiliated with the Adviser; Chief Compliance Officer of various Morgan Stanley Funds and the Adviser (since December 2016) and Chief Compliance Officer of Morgan Stanley AIP GP LP (since 2014). Formerly, Managing Director and Deputy Chief Compliance Officer of the Adviser (2014-2016).

 
Francis J. Smith
522 Fifth Avenue
New York, NY 10036
Birth Year: 1965
 

Treasurer and Principal Financial Officer

 

Treasurer since July 2003 and Principal Financial Officer since September 2002

 

Managing Director of the Adviser and various entities affiliated with the Adviser; Treasurer (since July 2003) and Principal Financial Officer of various Morgan Stanley Funds (since September 2002).

 
Mary E. Mullin
1633 Broadway
New York, NY 10019
Birth Year: 1967
 

Secretary

 

Since June 1999

 

Managing Director of the Adviser; Secretary of various Morgan Stanley Funds (since June 1999).

 
Michael J. Key
522 Fifth Avenue
New York, NY 10036
Birth Year: 1979
 

Vice President

 

Since June 2017

 

Vice President of the Equity and Fixed Income Funds, Liquidity Funds, various money market funds and the Morgan Stanley AIP Funds in the Fund Complex (since June 2017); Executive Director of the Adviser; Head of Product Development for Equity and Fixed Income Funds (since August 2013).

 

*  This is the earliest date the officer began serving the Morgan Stanley Funds. Each officer serves a one-year term, until his or her successor is elected and qualifies.


29



Morgan Stanley Institutional Fund, Inc.

Annual Report — December 31, 2020

Adviser and Administrator

Morgan Stanley Investment Management Inc.
522 Fifth Avenue
New York, New York 10036

Distributor

Morgan Stanley Distribution, Inc.
522 Fifth Avenue
New York, New York 10036

Dividend Disbursing and Transfer Agent

DST Asset Manager Solutions, Inc.
2000 Crown Colony Drive
Quincy, Massachusetts 02169

Custodian

State Street Bank and Trust Company
One Lincoln Street
Boston, Massachusetts 02111

Legal Counsel

Dechert LLP
1095 Avenue of the Americas
New York, New York 10036

Counsel to the Independent Directors

Perkins Coie LLP
1155 Avenue of the Americas,
22nd Floor
New York, New York 10036

Independent Registered Public Accounting Firm

Ernst & Young LLP
200 Clarendon Street
Boston, Massachusetts 02116

Reporting to Shareholders

Each Morgan Stanley fund provides a complete schedule of portfolio holdings in its Semi-Annual and the Annual Reports within 60 days of the end of the fund's second and fourth fiscal quarters. The Semi-Annual and Annual Reports are filed electronically with the Securities and Exchange Commission ("SEC") on Form N-CSRS and Form N-CSR, respectively. Morgan Stanley also delivers the Semi-Annual and Annual Reports to fund shareholders and makes these reports available on its public website, www.morganstanley.com/im/shareholderreports. Each Morgan Stanley non-money market fund also files a complete schedule of portfolio holdings with the SEC for the fund's first and third fiscal quarters as an attachment to Form N-PORT. Morgan Stanley does not deliver the reports for the first and third fiscal quarters to shareholders, but makes the complete schedule of portfolio holdings for the fund's first and third fiscal quarters available on its public website. The holdings for each money market fund are also posted to the Morgan Stanley public website. You may obtain the Form N-PORT filings (as well as the Form N-CSR and N-CSRS filings) by accessing the SEC's website, www.sec.gov. You can also request copies of these materials, upon payment of a duplicating fee, by electronic request at the SEC's email address (publicinfo@sec.gov).

Proxy Voting Policies and Procedures and Proxy Voting Record

You may obtain a copy of the Company's Proxy Voting Policy and Procedures and information regarding how the Company voted proxies relating to portfolio securities during the most recent twelve-month period ended June 30, without charge, upon request, by calling toll free 1 (800) 548-7786 or by visiting our website at www.morganstanley.com/im/shareholderreports. This information is also available on the SEC's website at www.sec.gov.

This report is authorized for distribution only when preceded or accompanied by a prospectus or summary prospectus of the applicable fund of Morgan Stanley Institutional Fund, Inc., which describes in detail the fund's investment policies, risks, fees and expenses. Please read the prospectus carefully before you invest or send money. For additional information, including information regarding the investments comprising the Fund, please visit our website at www.morganstanley.com/im/shareholderreports or call toll free 1 (800) 548-7786.


30



Printed in U.S.A.
This Report has been prepared for shareholders and may be distributed to others only if preceded or accompanied by a current prospectus.

Morgan Stanley Investment Management Inc.
522 Fifth Avenue
New York, New York 10036

© 2021 Morgan Stanley. Morgan Stanley Distribution, Inc.

IFIGCPANN
3386873 EXP 02.28.22



INVESTMENT MANAGEMENT

Morgan Stanley Institutional Fund, Inc.

Global Endurance Portfolio

Annual Report

December 31, 2020



Morgan Stanley Institutional Fund, Inc.

Annual Report — December 31, 2020

Table of Contents

Shareholders' Letter

   

2

   

Expense Example

   

3

   

Investment Overview

   

4

   

Portfolio of Investments

   

6

   

Statement of Assets and Liabilities

   

8

   

Statement of Operations

   

9

   

Statements of Changes in Net Assets

   

10

   

Financial Highlights

   

11

   

Notes to Financial Statements

   

15

   

Report of Independent Registered Public Accounting Firm

   

22

   

Liquidity Risk Management Program

   

23

   

Federal Tax Notice

   

24

   

Privacy Notice

   

25

   

Director and Officer Information

   

28

   

This report is authorized for distribution only when preceded or accompanied by a prospectus or summary prospectus of the applicable Fund of Morgan Stanley Institutional Fund, Inc. To receive a prospectus and/or statement of additional information ("SAI"), which contains more complete information such as investment objectives, charges, expenses, policies for voting proxies, risk considerations and describes in detail each of the Fund's investment policies to the prospective investor, please call toll free 1 (800) 548-7786. Please read the prospectuses carefully before you invest or send money.

Additionally, you can access information about the Fund, including performance, characteristics and investment team commentary, through Morgan Stanley Investment Management's website: www.morganstanley.com/im/shareholderreports.

Market forecasts provided in this report may not necessarily come to pass. There is no guarantee that any sectors mentioned will continue to perform as discussed herein or that securities in such sectors will be held by the Fund in the future. There is no assurance that a fund will achieve its investment objective. Funds are subject to market risk, which is the possibility that market values of securities owned by the Fund will decline and, therefore, the value of the Fund's shares may be less than what you paid for them. Accordingly, you can lose money investing in this Fund. Please see the prospectus for more complete information on investment risks.


1



Morgan Stanley Institutional Fund, Inc.

Annual Report — December 31, 2020

Shareholders' Letter (unaudited)

Dear Shareholders,

We are pleased to provide this Annual Report, in which you will learn how your investment in Global Endurance Portfolio (the "Fund") performed during the latest twelve-month period.

Morgan Stanley Investment Management is a client-centric, investor-led organization. Our global presence, intellectual capital, and breadth of products and services enable us to partner with investors to meet the evolving challenges of today's financial markets. We aim to deliver superior investment service and to empower our clients to make the informed decisions that help them reach their investment goals.

As always, we thank you for selecting Morgan Stanley Investment Management, and look forward to working with you in the months and years ahead.

Sincerely,

John H. Gernon
President and Principal Executive Officer

January 2021


2



Morgan Stanley Institutional Fund, Inc.

Annual Report — December 31, 2020

Expense Example (unaudited)

Global Endurance Portfolio

As a shareholder of the Fund, you incur two types of costs: (1) transactional costs; and (2) ongoing costs, which may include advisory fees, administration fees, distribution and shareholder services fees and other Fund expenses. This example is intended to help you understand your ongoing costs (in dollars) of investing in the Fund and to compare these costs with the ongoing costs of investing in other mutual funds.

This example is based on an investment of $1,000 invested at the beginning of the six-month period ended December 31, 2020 and held for the entire six-month period.

Actual Expenses

The table below provides information about actual account values and actual expenses. You may use the information in this table, 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 table under the heading entitled "Actual Expenses Paid During Period" to estimate the expenses you paid on your account during this period.

Hypothetical Example for Comparison Purposes

The table below provides information about hypothetical account values and hypothetical expenses based on the Fund's actual expense ratio and an assumed rate of return of 5% per year before expenses, which is not the Fund's actual return. The hypothetical account values and expenses may not be used to estimate the actual ending account balance or expenses you paid for the period. You may use this information to compare the ongoing costs of investing in the Fund and other funds. To do so, compare this 5% hypothetical example with the 5% hypothetical examples that appear in the shareholder reports of the other funds.

Please note that the expenses shown in the table are meant to highlight your ongoing costs only and do not reflect any transactional costs, such as sales charges (loads). Therefore, the information for each class in the table is useful in comparing ongoing costs only, and will not help you determine the relative total costs of owning different funds. In addition, if these transactional costs were included, your costs would have been higher.

    Beginning
Account
Value
7/1/20
  Actual Ending
Account
Value
12/31/20
  Hypothetical
Ending Account
Value
  Actual
Expenses
Paid
During
Period*
  Hypothetical
Expenses Paid
During Period*
  Net
Expense
Ratio
During
Period**
 

Global Endurance Portfolio Class I

 

$

1,000.00

   

$

1,641.70

   

$

1,020.11

   

$

6.64

   

$

5.08

     

1.00

%

 

Global Endurance Portfolio Class A

   

1,000.00

     

1,637.20

     

1,018.35

     

8.95

     

6.85

     

1.35

   

Global Endurance Portfolio Class C

   

1,000.00

     

1,631.60

     

1,014.58

     

13.89

     

10.63

     

2.10

   

Global Endurance Portfolio Class IS

   

1,000.00

     

1,641.30

     

1,020.36

     

6.31

     

4.82

     

0.95

   

*  Expenses are calculated using each Fund Class' annualized net expense ratio (as disclosed), multiplied by the average account value over the period and multiplied by 184/366 (to reflect the most recent one-half year period).

**  Annualized.


3



Morgan Stanley Institutional Fund, Inc.

Annual Report — December 31, 2020

Investment Overview (unaudited)

Global Endurance Portfolio

The Fund seeks long-term capital appreciation.

Performance

For the fiscal year ended December 31, 2020, the Fund's Class I shares had a total return based on net asset value and reinvestment of distributions per share of 110.03%, net of fees. The Fund's Class I shares outperformed the Fund's benchmark, the MSCI All Country World Net Index (the "Index"), which returned 16.25%.

Please keep in mind that triple-digit returns are highly unusual and cannot be sustained. Investors should also be aware that these returns were primarily achieved during favorable market conditions.

Factors Affecting Performance

•  Global equities, as measured by the Index, rose 16.25% in the year, bouncing back strongly in a year of significant volatility caused by the COVID-19 pandemic. With lockdowns and disruptions to economic activity driving much of the world economy into a deep recession, governments and central banks responded with massive fiscal and monetary stimulus. These measures helped soothe the markets, kept liquidity flowing and supported a faster-than-expected rebound in economic activity. Toward year end, positive vaccine news added to the hope that economies could normalize in 2021, while the election of U.S. President Joe Biden and the Brexit trade deal reduced other sources of market uncertainty that were prevalent in 2020.

•  Index performance was led by the information technology, consumer discretionary and communication services sectors. Energy, real estate and financials, each with negative performance for the year, were the Index's weakest performing sectors.

•  Counterpoint Global seeks high quality companies, which we define primarily as those with sustainable competitive advantages. We manage concentrated portfolios that are highly differentiated from the benchmark, with securities weighted on our assessment of the quality of the company and our conviction. The value added or detracted in any period of time will result from stock selection, given our philosophy and process. For the year, the Fund outperformed the Index.

•  The long-term investment horizon and conviction-weighted investment approach embraced by the team since 1998 can result in periods of performance deviation from the benchmark and peers. The Fund outperformed the Index in this reporting period due to favorable stock selection and a smaller contribution from sector allocation.

•  Strong stock selection in information technology and consumer discretionary contributed the majority of the Fund's relative performance, further supported by overweights to both sectors. Eight of the 10 largest contributing holdings were from these two sectors; the leading holding in information technology was a company that operates an edge cloud platform for processing, serving and securing customers' applications, and the leader in consumer discretionary was an online furniture retailer.

•  Stock selection in communication services and consumer staples contributed small relative gains.

•  Detracting slightly from the Fund's relative outperformance was the industrials sector, where our stock selection underperformed and an underweight was disadvantageous. The real estate sector was also modestly detrimental due to the relatively weaker performance of our stock selection and an unfavorable overweight allocation.

Management Strategies

•  As a team, we believe having a market outlook can be an anchor. Our focus is on assessing company prospects over a five-year horizon, and owning a portfolio of unique companies whose market value we believe can increase significantly for underlying fundamental reasons.


4



Morgan Stanley Institutional Fund, Inc.

Annual Report — December 31, 2020

Investment Overview (unaudited) (cont'd)

Global Endurance Portfolio

*  Minimum Investment for Class I shares

**  Commenced Operations on December 31, 2018.

In accordance with SEC regulations, the Fund's performance shown assumes that all recurring fees (including management fees) were deducted and all dividends and distributions were reinvested. The performance of Class A, C and IS shares will vary from the performance of Class I shares and will be negatively impacted by additional fees assessed to those classes (if applicable).

Performance Compared to the MSCI All Country World Net Index(1) and the Lipper Global Small-/Mid-Cap Funds Index(2)

    Period Ended December 31, 2020
Total Returns(3)
 
       

Average Annual

 
    One
Year
  Five
Years
  Ten
Years
  Since
Inception(5)
 
Fund — Class I Shares
w/o sales charges(4)
   

110.03

%

   

     

     

65.43

%

 
Fund — Class A Shares
w/o sales charges(4)
   

109.10

     

     

     

64.81

   
Fund — Class A Shares with
maximum 5.25% sales charges(4)
   

98.12

     

     

     

60.46

   
Fund — Class C Shares
w/o sales charges(4)
   

107.59

     

     

     

63.58

   
Fund — Class C Shares with
maximum 1.00% deferred
sales charges(4)
   

106.59

     

     

     

63.58

   
Fund — Class IS Shares
w/o sales charges(4)
   

110.08

     

     

     

65.51

   

MSCI All Country World Net Index

   

16.25

     

     

     

21.32

   
Lipper Global Small-/Mid-Cap
Funds Index
   

23.84

     

     

     

23.67

   

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. Performance assumes that all dividends and distributions, if any, were reinvested. For the most recent month-end performance figures, please visit www.morganstanley.com/im/shareholderreports. Investment return and principal value will fluctuate so that Fund shares, when redeemed, may be worth more or less than their original cost. Total returns do not reflect the deduction of taxes that a shareholder would pay on Fund distributions or the redemption of Fund shares. Performance of share classes will vary due to difference in sales charges and expenses.

(1)  The MSCI All Country World Net Index is a free float-adjusted market capitalization weighted index designed to measure the equity market performance of developed and emerging markets. 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. Net total return indices reinvest dividends after the deduction of withholding taxes, using (for international indices) a tax rate applicable to non-resident institutional investors who do not benefit from double taxation treaties. The Index is unmanaged and its returns do not include any sales charges or fees. Such costs would lower performance. It is not possible to invest directly in an index.

(2)  The Lipper Global Small-/Mid-Cap Funds Index is an equally weighted performance index of the largest qualifying funds (based on net assets) in the Lipper Global Small-/Mid-Cap Funds classification. The Index, which is adjusted for capital gains distributions and income dividends, is unmanaged and should not be considered an investment. There are currently 30 funds represented in this Index. As of the date of this report, the Fund was in the Lipper Global Small-/Mid-Cap Funds classification.

(3)  Total returns for the Fund reflect fees waived and expenses reimbursed, if applicable, by the Adviser (as defined herein). Without such waivers and reimbursements, total returns would have been lower.

(4)  Commenced operations on December 31, 2018.

(5)  For comparative purposes, average annual since inception returns listed for the Indexes refer to the inception date of the Fund, not the inception of the Index.


5



Morgan Stanley Institutional Fund, Inc.

Annual Report — December 31, 2020

Portfolio of Investments

Global Endurance Portfolio

   

Shares

  Value
(000)
 

Common Stocks (97.8%)

 

Canada (6.1%)

 

Colliers International Group, Inc.

   

5,078

   

$

452

   

Constellation Software, Inc.

   

99

     

128

   

Score Media and Gaming, Inc. (a)

   

67,270

     

79

   

Topicus.com, Inc. (a)

   

184

     

1

   
     

660

   

Finland (1.0%)

 

Revenio Group Oyj

   

1,679

     

103

   

Germany (1.3%)

 

CompuGroup Medical SE & Co. KGaA

   

1,476

     

142

   

Japan (3.0%)

 

BASE, Inc. (a)

   

900

     

85

   

Freee KK (a)

   

1,500

     

147

   

Mercari, Inc.

   

2,000

     

88

   
     

320

   

New Zealand (3.2%)

 

Ryman Healthcare Ltd.

   

31,243

     

343

   

Poland (4.2%)

 

Dino Polska SA (a)

   

5,913

     

459

   

Sweden (4.0%)

 

AddLife AB

   

20,330

     

356

   

Cellavision AB (a)

   

1,951

     

73

   
     

429

   

United Kingdom (7.9%)

 

Angle PLC (a)

   

53,184

     

35

   
ASOS PLC (a)    

2,188

     

143

   

Blue Prism Group PLC (a)

   

4,063

     

95

   

Victoria PLC (a)

   

64,753

     

579

   
     

852

   

United States (67.1%)

 

Appfolio, Inc., Class A (a)

   

1,308

     

236

   

Appian Corp. (a)

   

5,104

     

827

   

At Home Group, Inc. (a)

   

20,088

     

311

   

Cardlytics, Inc. (a)

   

4,511

     

644

   

Carvana Co. (a)

   

2,360

     

565

   

DraftKings, Inc., Class A (a)

   

3,447

     

160

   

Fastly, Inc., Class A (a)

   

5,453

     

476

   

Floor & Decor Holdings, Inc. (a)

   

5,266

     

489

   

GameStop Corp., Class A (a)(b)

   

10,489

     

198

   

Northern Star Acquisition Corp. (a)

   

4,025

     

63

   

Party City Holdco, Inc. (a)

   

82,951

     

510

   

Royalty Pharma PLC, Class A

   

9,184

     

460

   

Skillz, Inc. (a)

   

29,826

     

597

   

Smartsheet, Inc., Class A (a)

   

6,016

     

417

   

Snowflake, Inc., Class A (a)

   

640

     

180

   

Stitch Fix, Inc., Class A (a)

   

6,694

     

393

   

UTZ Brands, Inc.

   

5,170

     

114

   

Wayfair, Inc., Class A (a)

   

899

     

203

   
   

Shares

  Value
(000)
 

Zoom Video Communications, Inc., Class A (a)

   

395

   

$

133

   

ZoomInfo Technologies, Inc., Class A (a)

   

5,465

     

264

   
     

7,240

   

Total Common Stocks (Cost $6,060)

   

10,548

   

Short-Term Investments (2.4%)

 

Securities held as Collateral on Loaned Securities (2.0%)

 

Investment Company (1.7%)

 
Morgan Stanley Institutional Liquidity
Funds — Treasury Securities Portfolio —
Institutional Class (See Note G)
   

178,341

     

178

   
    Face
Amount
(000)
     

Repurchase Agreements (0.3%)

 
Barclays Capital, Inc. (0.05%, dated 12/31/20,
due 1/4/21; proceeds $6; fully collateralized by
a U.S. Government obligation; 1.63%
due 11/15/22; valued at $6)
 

$

6

     

6

   
HSBC Securities USA, Inc. (0.05%, dated 12/31/20,
due 1/4/21; proceeds $21; fully collateralized
by a U.S. Government obligation; 1.50%
due 10/31/22; valued at $22)
   

21

     

21

   
Merrill Lynch & Co., Inc. (0.06%, 12/31/20,
due 1/4/21; proceeds $2; fully collateralized by
a U.S. Government obligation; 2.50% due
5/15/46; valued at $2)
   

2

     

2

   
     

29

   
Total Securities held as Collateral on Loaned
Securities (Cost $207)
   

207

   
   

Shares

     

Investment Company (0.4%)

 
Morgan Stanley Institutional Liquidity
Funds — Treasury Securities Portfolio —
Institutional Class (See Note G)
(Cost $48)
   

47,617

     

48

   

Total Short-Term Investments (Cost $255)

   

255

   
Total Investments (100.2%) (Cost $6,315)
Including $198 of Securities Loaned (c)(d)
   

10,803

   

Liabilities in Excess of Other Assets (–0.2%)

   

(20

)

 

Net Assets (100.0%)

 

$

10,783

   

Country assignments and aggregations are based generally on third party vendor classifications and information, and may be different from the assignments and aggregations under the policies set forth in the Fund's prospectus and/or statement of additional information relating to geographic classifications.

(a)  Non-income producing security.

(b)  All or a portion of this security was on loan at December 31, 2020.

(c)  The approximate fair value and percentage of net assets, $2,648,000 and 24.6%, respectively, represent the securities that have been fair valued under the fair valuation policy for international investments as described in Note A-1 within the Notes to the Financial Statements.

(d)  At December 31, 2020, the aggregate cost for federal income tax purposes is approximately $6,414,000. The aggregate gross unrealized appreciation is approximately $4,402,000 and the aggregate gross unrealized depreciation is approximately $13,000, resulting in net unrealized appreciation of approximately $4,389,000.

The accompanying notes are an integral part of the financial statements.
6



Morgan Stanley Institutional Fund, Inc.

Annual Report — December 31, 2020

Portfolio of Investments (cont'd)

Global Endurance Portfolio

Portfolio Composition*

Classification

  Percentage of
Total Investments
 

Other**

   

29.7

%

 

Software

   

24.3

   

Specialty Retail

   

19.6

   

Internet & Direct Marketing Retail

   

7.8

   

Information Technology Services

   

7.0

   

Media

   

6.1

   

Household Durables

   

5.5

   

Total Investments

   

100.0

%

 

*  Percentages indicated are based upon total investments (excluding Securities held as Collateral on Loaned Securities) as of December 31, 2020.

**  Industries and/or investment types representing less than 5% of total investments.

The accompanying notes are an integral part of the financial statements.
7



Morgan Stanley Institutional Fund, Inc.

Annual Report — December 31, 2020

Global Endurance Portfolio

Statement of Assets and Liabilities

  December 31, 2020
(000)
 

Assets:

 

Investments in Securities of Unaffiliated Issuers, at Value(1) (Cost $6,089)

 

$

10,577

   

Investment in Security of Affiliated Issuer, at Value (Cost $226)

   

226

   

Total Investments in Securities, at Value (Cost $6,315)

   

10,803

   

Foreign Currency, at Value (Cost —@)

   

@

 

Receivable for Fund Shares Sold

   

166

   

Due from Adviser

   

36

   

Receivable from Securities Lending Income

   

2

   

Dividends Receivable

   

1

   

Receivable from Affiliate

   

@

 

Other Assets

   

41

   

Total Assets

   

11,049

   

Liabilities:

 

Collateral on Securities Loaned, at Value

   

207

   

Payable for Investments Purchased

   

32

   

Payable for Professional Fees

   

14

   

Payable for Custodian Fees

   

3

   

Payable for Transfer Agency Fees — Class I

   

1

   

Payable for Transfer Agency Fees — Class A

   

@

 

Payable for Transfer Agency Fees — Class C

   

@

 

Payable for Transfer Fees — Class IS

   

@

 

Payable for Administration Fees

   

1

   

Payable for Shareholder Services Fees — Class A

   

1

   

Payable for Distribution and Shareholder Services Fees — Class C

   

@

 

Payable for Sub Transfer Agency Fees — Class A

   

@

 

Payable for Sub Transfer Agency Fees — Class C

   

@

 

Other Liabilities

   

7

   

Total Liabilities

   

266

   

Net Assets

 

$

10,783

   

Net Assets Consist of:

 

Paid-in-Capital

 

$

6,231

   

Total Distributable Earnings

   

4,552

   

Net Assets

 

$

10,783

   

CLASS I:

 

Net Assets

 

$

7,854

   
Shares Outstanding $0.001 par value shares of beneficial interest (unlimited shares authorized) (not in 000's)    

296,318

   

Net Asset Value, Offering and Redemption Price Per Share

 

$

26.51

   

CLASS A:

 

Net Assets

 

$

2,462

   
Shares Outstanding $0.001 par value shares of beneficial interest (unlimited shares authorized) (not in 000's)    

93,492

   

Net Asset Value, Redemption Price Per Share

 

$

26.33

   

Maximum Sales Load

   

5.25

%

 

Maximum Sales Charge

 

$

1.46

   

Maximum Offering Price Per Share

 

$

27.79

   

CLASS C:

 

Net Assets

 

$

439

   
Shares Outstanding $0.001 par value shares of beneficial interest (unlimited shares authorized) (not in 000's)    

16,940

   

Net Asset Value, Offering and Redemption Price Per Share

 

$

25.93

   

CLASS IS:

 

Net Assets

 

$

28

   
Shares Outstanding $0.001 par value shares of beneficial interest (unlimited shares authorized) (not in 000's)    

1,072

   

Net Asset Value, Offering and Redemption Price Per Share

 

$

26.53

   
(1) Including:
Securities on Loan, at Value:
 

$

198

   

@  Amount is less than $500.

The accompanying notes are an integral part of the financial statements.
8



Morgan Stanley Institutional Fund, Inc.

Annual Report — December 31, 2020

Global Endurance Portfolio

Statement of Operations

  Year Ended
December 31, 2020
(000)
 

Investment Income:

 

Income from Securities Loaned — Net

 

$

12

   

Dividends from Securities of Unaffiliated Issuers (Net of $1 of Foreign Taxes Withheld)

   

11

   

Dividends from Security of Affiliated Issuer (Note G)

   

@

 

Total Investment Income

   

23

   

Expenses:

 

Professional Fees

   

114

   

Registration Fees

   

52

   

Advisory Fees (Note B)

   

38

   

Shareholder Reporting Fees

   

12

   

Transfer Agency Fees — Class I (Note E)

   

2

   

Transfer Agency Fees — Class A (Note E)

   

2

   

Transfer Agency Fees — Class C (Note E)

   

2

   

Transfer Agency Fees — Class IS (Note E)

   

2

   

Custodian Fees (Note F)

   

8

   

Administration Fees (Note C)

   

4

   

Pricing Fees

   

2

   

Shareholder Services Fees — Class A (Note D)

   

2

   

Distribution and Shareholder Services Fees — Class C (Note D)

   

1

   

Directors' Fees and Expenses

   

3

   

Sub Transfer Agency Fees — Class I

   

@

 

Sub Transfer Agency Fees — Class A

   

1

   

Sub Transfer Agency Fees — Class C

   

@

 

Other Expenses

   

10

   

Total Expenses

   

255

   

Expenses Reimbursed by Adviser (Note B)

   

(159

)

 

Waiver of Advisory Fees (Note B)

   

(38

)

 

Reimbursement of Class Specific Expenses — Class I (Note B)

   

(—

@)

 

Reimbursement of Class Specific Expenses — Class A (Note B)

   

(2

)

 

Reimbursement of Class Specific Expenses — Class C (Note B)

   

(2

)

 

Reimbursement of Class Specific Expenses — Class IS (Note B)

   

(2

)

 

Rebate from Morgan Stanley Affiliate (Note G)

   

(—

@)

 

Net Expenses

   

52

   

Net Investment Loss

   

(29

)

 

Realized Gain (Loss):

 

Investments Sold

   

430

   

Foreign Currency Translation

   

(—

@)

 

Net Realized Gain

   

430

   

Change in Unrealized Appreciation (Depreciation):

 

Investments

   

3,833

   

Foreign Currency Translation

   

@

 

Net Change in Unrealized Appreciation (Depreciation)

   

3,833

   

Net Realized Gain and Change in Unrealized Appreciation (Depreciation)

   

4,263

   

Net Increase in Net Assets Resulting from Operations

 

$

4,234

   

@  Amount is less than $500.

The accompanying notes are an integral part of the financial statements.
9



Morgan Stanley Institutional Fund, Inc.

Annual Report — December 31, 2020

Global Endurance Portfolio

Statements of Changes in Net Assets

  Year Ended
December 31, 2020
(000)
  Year Ended
December 31, 2019
(000)
 

Increase (Decrease) in Net Assets:

 

Operations:

 

Net Investment Loss

 

$

(29

)

 

$

(11

)

 

Net Realized Gain (Loss)

   

430

     

(3

)

 

Net Change in Unrealized Appreciation (Depreciation)

   

3,833

     

658

   

Net Increase in Net Assets Resulting from Operations

   

4,234

     

644

   

Dividends and Distributions to Shareholders:

 

Class I

   

(235

)

   

   

Class A

   

(73

)

   

   

Class C

   

(14

)

   

   

Class IS

   

(1

)

   

   

Total Dividends and Distributions to Shareholders

   

(323

)

   

   

Capital Share Transactions:(1)

 

Class I:

 

Subscribed

   

1,651

     

105

   

Distributions Reinvested

   

235

     

   

Redeemed

   

(7

)

   

   

Class A:

 

Subscribed

   

2,453

     

   

Distributions Reinvested

   

73

     

   

Redeemed

   

(630

)

   

   

Class C:

 

Subscribed

   

317

     

   

Distributions Reinvested

   

14

     

   

Redeemed

   

(32

)

   

   

Class IS:

 

Subscribed

   

1

     

   

Distributions Reinvested

   

1

     

   

Net Increase in Net Assets Resulting from Capital Share Transactions

   

4,076

     

105

   

Total Increase in Net Assets

   

7,987

     

749

   

Net Assets:

 

Beginning of Period

   

2,796

     

2,047

   

End of Period

 

$

10,783

   

$

2,796

   

(1)   Capital Share Transactions:

 

Class I:

 

Shares Subscribed

   

76

     

9

   

Shares Issued on Distributions Reinvested

   

9

     

   

Shares Redeemed

   

(—

@@)

   

   

Net Increase in Class I Shares Outstanding

   

85

     

9

   

Class A:

 

Shares Subscribed

   

117

     

   

Shares Issued on Distributions Reinvested

   

3

     

   

Shares Redeemed

   

(28

)

   

   

Net Increase in Class A Shares Outstanding

   

92

     

   

Class C:

 

Shares Subscribed

   

17

     

   

Shares Issued on Distributions Reinvested

   

1

     

   

Shares Redeemed

   

(2

)

   

   

Net Increase in Class C Shares Outstanding

   

16

     

   

Class IS:

 

Shares Subscribed

   

@@

   

   

Shares Issued on Distributions Reinvested

   

@@

   

   

Net Increase in Class IS Shares Outstanding

   

@@

   

   

@@  Amount is less than 500 shares.

The accompanying notes are an integral part of the financial statements.
10



Morgan Stanley Institutional Fund, Inc.

Annual Report — December 31, 2020

Financial Highlights

Global Endurance Portfolio

   

Class I

 
   

Year Ended December 31,

 

Period Ended

 

Selected Per Share Data and Ratios

 

2020

 

2019

 

December 31, 2018(1)

 

Net Asset Value, Beginning of Period

 

$

13.03

   

$

9.98

   

$

10.00

   

Income (Loss) from Investment Operations:

 

Net Investment Loss(2)

   

(0.09

)

   

(0.05

)

   

(0.00

)(3)

 

Net Realized and Unrealized Gain (Loss)

   

14.41

     

3.10

     

(0.02

)

 

Total from Investment Operations

   

14.32

     

3.05

     

(0.02

)

 

Distributions from and/or in Excess of:

 

Net Investment Income

   

(0.03

)

   

     

   

Net Realized Gain

   

(0.81

)

   

     

   

Total Distributions

   

(0.84

)

   

     

   

Net Asset Value, End of Period

 

$

26.51

   

$

13.03

   

$

9.98

   

Total Return(4)

   

110.03

%

   

30.30

%

   

0.00

%(7)

 

Ratios to Average Net Assets and Supplemental Data:

 

Net Assets, End of Period (Thousands)

 

$

7,854

   

$

2,757

   

$

2,017

   

Ratio of Expenses Before Expense Limitation

   

5.12

%

   

14.17

%

   

913.94

%(8)

 

Ratio of Expenses After Expense Limitation

   

1.00

%(5)

   

1.00

%(5)

   

1.00

%(8)

 

Ratio of Net Investment Loss

   

(0.52

)%(5)

   

(0.42

)%(5)

   

(1.00

)%(8)

 

Ratio of Rebate from Morgan Stanley Affiliates

   

0.00

%(6)

   

0.00

%(6)

   

N/A

   

Portfolio Turnover Rate

   

46

%

   

74

%

   

0

%(7)

 

(1)  Commencement of Operations.

(2)  Per share amount is based on average shares outstanding.

(3)  Amount is less than $0.005 per share.

(4)  Calculated based on the net asset value as of the last business day of the period.

(5)  The Ratio of Expenses After Expense Limitation and Ratio of Net Investment Loss reflect the rebate of certain Fund expenses in connection with the investments in Morgan Stanley affiliate during the period. The effect of the rebate on the ratios is disclosed in the above table as "Ratio of Rebate from Morgan Stanley Affiliates."

(6)  Amount is less than 0.005%.

(7)  Not annualized.

(8)  Annualized.

The accompanying notes are an integral part of the financial statements.
11



Morgan Stanley Institutional Fund, Inc.

Annual Report — December 31, 2020

Financial Highlights

Global Endurance Portfolio

   

Class A

 
   

Year Ended December 31,

 

Period Ended

 

Selected Per Share Data and Ratios

 

2020

 

2019

 

December 31, 2018(1)

 

Net Asset Value, Beginning of Period

 

$

12.99

   

$

9.98

   

$

10.00

   

Income (Loss) from Investment Operations:

 

Net Investment Loss(2)

   

(0.19

)

   

(0.09

)

   

(0.00

)(3)

 

Net Realized and Unrealized Gain (Loss)

   

14.34

     

3.10

     

(0.02

)

 

Total from Investment Operations

   

14.15

     

3.01

     

(0.02

)

 

Distributions from and/or in Excess of:

 

Net Investment Income

   

(0.00

)(3)

   

     

   

Net Realized Gain

   

(0.81

)

   

     

   

Total Distributions

   

(0.81

)

   

     

   

Net Asset Value, End of Period

 

$

26.33

   

$

12.99

   

$

9.98

   

Total Return(4)

   

109.10

%

   

29.90

%

   

0.00

%(7)

 

Ratios to Average Net Assets and Supplemental Data:

 

Net Assets, End of Period (Thousands)

 

$

2,462

   

$

13

   

$

10

   

Ratio of Expenses Before Expense Limitation

   

5.67

%

   

29.52

%

   

927.90

%(8)

 

Ratio of Expenses After Expense Limitation

   

1.35

%(5)

   

1.35

%(5)

   

1.35

%(8)

 

Ratio of Net Investment Loss

   

(0.86

)%(5)

   

(0.77

)%(5)

   

(1.35

)%(8)

 

Ratio of Rebate from Morgan Stanley Affiliates

   

0.00

%(6)

   

0.00

%(6)

   

N/A

   

Portfolio Turnover Rate

   

46

%

   

74

%

   

0

%(7)

 

(1)  Commencement of Operations.

(2)  Per share amount is based on average shares outstanding.

(3)  Amount is less than $0.005 per share.

(4)  Calculated based on the net asset value which does not reflect sales charges, if applicable, as of the last business day of the period.

(5)  The Ratio of Expenses After Expense Limitation and Ratio of Net Investment Loss reflect the rebate of certain Fund expenses in connection with the investments in Morgan Stanley affiliates during the period. The effect of the rebate on the ratios is disclosed in the above table as "Ratio of Rebate from Morgan Stanley Affiliates."

(6)  Amount is less than 0.005%.

(7)  Not annualized.

(8)  Annualized.

The accompanying notes are an integral part of the financial statements.
12



Morgan Stanley Institutional Fund, Inc.

Annual Report — December 31, 2020

Financial Highlights

Global Endurance Portfolio

   

Class C

 
   

Year Ended December 31,

 

Period Ended

 

Selected Per Share Data and Ratios

 

2020

 

2019

 

December 31, 2018(1)

 

Net Asset Value, Beginning of Period

 

$

12.89

   

$

9.98

   

$

10.00

   

Income (Loss) from Investment Operations:

 

Net Investment Loss(2)

   

(0.33

)

   

(0.18

)

   

(0.00

)(3)

 

Net Realized and Unrealized Gain (Loss)

   

14.18

     

3.09

     

(0.02

)

 

Total from Investment Operations

   

13.85

     

2.91

     

(0.02

)

 

Distributions from and/or in Excess of:

 

Net Realized Gain

   

(0.81

)

   

     

   

Net Asset Value, End of Period

 

$

25.93

   

$

12.89

   

$

9.98

   

Total Return(4)

   

107.59

%

   

28.90

%

   

0.00

%(7)

 

Ratios to Average Net Assets and Supplemental Data:

 

Net Assets, End of Period (Thousands)

 

$

439

   

$

13

   

$

10

   

Ratio of Expenses Before Expense Limitation

   

7.61

%

   

30.23

%

   

928.63

%(8)

 

Ratio of Expenses After Expense Limitation

   

2.10

%(5)

   

2.10

%(5)

   

2.10

%(8)

 

Ratio of Net Investment Loss

   

(1.62

)%(5)

   

(1.52

)%(5)

   

(2.10

)%(8)

 

Ratio of Rebate from Morgan Stanley Affiliates

   

0.00

%(6)

   

0.00

%(6)

   

N/A

   

Portfolio Turnover Rate

   

46

%

   

74

%

   

0

%(7)

 

(1)  Commencement of Operations.

(2)  Per share amount is based on average shares outstanding.

(3)  Amount is less than $0.005 per share.

(4)  Calculated based on the net asset value which does not reflect sales charges, if applicable, as of the last business day of the period.

(5)  The Ratio of Expenses After Expense Limitation and Ratio of Net Investment Loss reflect the rebate of certain Fund expenses in connection with the investments in Morgan Stanley affiliates during the period. The effect of the rebate on the ratios is disclosed in the above table as "Ratio of Rebate from Morgan Stanley Affiliates."

(6)  Amount is less than 0.005%.

(7)  Not annualized.

(8)  Annualized.

The accompanying notes are an integral part of the financial statements.
13



Morgan Stanley Institutional Fund, Inc.

Annual Report — December 31, 2020

Financial Highlights

Global Endurance Portfolio

   

Class IS

 
   

Year Ended December 31,

 

Period Ended

 

Selected Per Share Data and Ratios

 

2020

 

2019

 

December 31, 2018(1)

 

Net Asset Value, Beginning of Period

 

$

13.04

   

$

9.98

   

$

10.00

   

Income (Loss) from Investment Operations:

 

Net Investment Loss(2)

   

(0.08

)

   

(0.04

)

   

(0.00

)(3)

 

Net Realized and Unrealized Gain (Loss)

   

14.41

     

3.10

     

(0.02

)

 

Total from Investment Operations

   

14.33

     

3.06

     

(0.02

)

 

Distributions from and/or in Excess of:

 

Net Investment Income

   

(0.03

)

   

     

   

Net Realized Gain

   

(0.81

)

   

     

   

Total Distributions

   

(0.84

)

   

     

   

Net Asset Value, End of Period

 

$

26.53

   

$

13.04

   

$

9.98

   

Total Return(4)

   

110.08

%

   

30.40

%

   

0.00

%(7)

 

Ratios to Average Net Assets and Supplemental Data:

 

Net Assets, End of Period (Thousands)

 

$

28

   

$

13

   

$

10

   

Ratio of Expenses Before Expense Limitation

   

16.93

%

   

29.13

%

   

927.65

%(8)

 

Ratio of Expenses After Expense Limitation

   

0.95

%(5)

   

0.95

%(5)

   

0.95

%(8)

 

Ratio of Net Investment Loss

   

(0.47

)%(5)

   

(0.37

)%(5)

   

(0.95

)%(8)

 

Ratio of Rebate from Morgan Stanley Affiliates

   

0.00

%(6)

   

0.00

%(6)

   

N/A

   

Portfolio Turnover Rate

   

46

%

   

74

%

   

0

%(7)

 

(1)  Commencement of Operations.

(2)  Per share amount is based on average shares outstanding.

(3)  Amount is less than $0.005 per share.

(4)  Calculated based on the net asset value as of the last business day of the period.

(5)  The Ratio of Expenses After Expense Limitation and Ratio of Net Investment Loss reflect the rebate of certain Fund expenses in connection with the investments in Morgan Stanley affiliate during the period. The effect of the rebate on the ratios is disclosed in the above table as "Ratio of Rebate from Morgan Stanley Affiliates."

(6)  Amount is less than 0.005%.

(7)  Not annualized.

(8)  Annualized.

The accompanying notes are an integral part of the financial statements.
14



Morgan Stanley Institutional Fund, Inc.

Annual Report — December 31, 2020

Notes to Financial Statements

Morgan Stanley Institutional Fund, Inc. (the "Company") is registered under the Investment Company Act of 1940, as amended (the "Act"), as an open-end management investment company. The Company is comprised of thirty-one separate, active, diversified and non-diversified funds (individually referred to as a "Fund," collectively as the "Funds"). The Company applies investment company accounting and reporting guidance.

The accompanying financial statements relate to the Global Endurance Portfolio. The Fund seeks long-term capital appreciation.

The Fund offers four classes of shares — Class I, Class A, Class C and Class IS.

A. Significant Accounting Policies: The following significant accounting policies are in conformity with U.S. generally accepted accounting principles ("GAAP"). Such policies are consistently followed by the Company in the preparation of its financial statements. GAAP may require management to make estimates and assumptions that affect the reported amounts and disclosures in the financial statements. Actual results may differ from those estimates.

1.  Security Valuation: (1) An equity portfolio security listed or traded on an exchange is valued at its latest reported sales price (or at the exchange official closing price if such exchange reports an official closing price), and if there were no sales on a given day and if there is no official exchange closing price for that day, the security is valued at the mean between the last reported bid and asked prices if such bid and asked prices are available on the relevant exchanges. If only bid prices are available then the latest bid price may be used. Listed equity securities not traded on the valuation date with no reported bid and asked prices available on the exchange are valued at the mean between the current bid and asked prices obtained from one or more reputable brokers or dealers. In cases where a security is traded on more than one exchange, the security is valued on the exchange designated as the primary market; (2) all other equity portfolio securities for which over-the-counter ("OTC") market quotations are readily available are valued at the latest reported sales price (or at the market official closing price if such market reports an official closing price), and if there was no trading in the security on a given day and if there is no official closing price from relevant markets for that day, the security is valued at the mean between the last reported bid and asked prices if

such bid and asked prices are available on the relevant markets. An unlisted equity security that does not trade on the valuation date and for which bid and asked prices from the relevant markets are unavailable is valued at the mean between the current bid and asked prices obtained from one or more reputable brokers or dealers; (3) certain portfolio securities may be valued by an outside pricing service/vendor approved by the Company's Board of Directors (the "Directors"). The pricing service/vendor may employ a pricing model that takes into account, among other things, bids, yield spreads and/or other market data and specific security characteristics. Alternatively, if a valuation is not available from an outside pricing service/vendor, and the security trades on an exchange, the security may be valued at its latest reported sale price (or at the exchange official closing price if such exchange reports an official closing price), prior to the time when assets are valued. If there are no sales on a given day and if there is no official exchange closing price for that day, the security is valued at the mean between the last reported bid and asked prices if such bid and asked prices are available in the relevant exchanges. If only bid prices are available then the latest bid price may be used. If Morgan Stanley Investment Management Inc. (the "Adviser"), a wholly-owned subsidiary of Morgan Stanley, determines that the price provided by the outside pricing service/vendor or exchange does not reflect the security's fair value or is unable to provide a price, prices from brokers or dealers may also be utilized. In these circumstances, the value of the security will be the mean of bid and asked prices obtained from brokers or dealers; (4) when market quotations are not readily available, including circumstances under which the Adviser 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 Directors. 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 of the New York Stock Exchange ("NYSE"). If developments occur during such periods that are expected to materially affect the value of such securities, such valuations may be adjusted to reflect the estimated fair value of such securities as of the close of the NYSE, as determined


15



Morgan Stanley Institutional Fund, Inc.

Annual Report — December 31, 2020

Notes to Financial Statements (cont'd)

in good faith by the Directors or by the Adviser using a pricing service and/or procedures approved by the Directors; (5) quotations of foreign portfolio securities, other assets and liabilities and forward contracts stated in foreign currency are translated into U.S. dollar equivalents at the prevailing market rates prior to the close of the NYSE; and (6) investments in mutual funds, including the Morgan Stanley Institutional Liquidity Funds, are valued at the net asset value ("NAV") as of the close of each business day.

The Directors have responsibility for determining in good faith the fair value of the investments, and the Directors may appoint others, such as the Company's Adviser or a valuation committee, to assist the Directors in determining fair value and to make the actual calculations pursuant to the fair valuation methodologies previously approved by the Directors. Under procedures approved by the Directors, the Company's Adviser has formed a Valuation Committee whose members are approved by the Directors. The Valuation Committee provides administration and oversight of the Company's valuation policies and procedures, which are reviewed at least annually by the Directors. These procedures allow the Company to utilize independent pricing services, quotations from securities and financial instrument dealers and other market sources to determine fair value.

2.  Fair Value Measurement: Financial Accounting Standards Board ("FASB") Accounting Standards CodificationTM ("ASC") 820, "Fair Value Measurement" ("ASC 820"), defines fair value as the value that the Fund would receive to sell an investment or pay to transfer a liability in a timely transaction with an independent buyer in the principal market, or in the absence of a principal market, the most advantageous market for the investment or liability. ASC 820 establishes a three-tier hierarchy to distinguish between (1) inputs that reflect the assumptions market participants would use in valuing an asset or liability developed based on market data obtained from sources independent of the reporting entity (observable inputs) and (2) inputs that reflect the reporting entity's own assumptions about the assumptions market participants would use in valuing an asset or liability developed based on the best information available in the circumstances (unobservable inputs) and to establish classification of fair value measurements for disclosure purposes. Various inputs are used in determining the value of the Fund's

investments. The inputs are summarized in the three broad levels listed below:

•  Level 1 – unadjusted quoted prices in active markets for identical investments

•  Level 2 – other significant observable inputs (including quoted prices for similar investments, interest rates, prepayment speeds, credit risk, etc.)

•  Level 3 – significant unobservable inputs including the Fund's own assumptions in determining the fair value of investments. Factors considered in making this determination may include, but are not limited to, information obtained by contacting the issuer, analysts, or the appropriate stock exchange (for exchange-traded securities), analysis of the issuer's financial statements or other available documents and, if necessary, available information concerning other securities in similar circumstances.

The inputs or methodology used for valuing securities are not necessarily an indication of the risk associated with investing in those securities and the determination of the significance of a particular input to the fair value measurement in its entirety requires judgment and considers factors specific to each security.

The following is a summary of the inputs used to value the Fund's investments as of December 31, 2020:

Investment Type

  Level 1
Unadjusted
quoted
prices
(000)
  Level 2
Other
significant
observable
inputs
(000)
  Level 3
Significant
unobservable
inputs
(000)
  Total
(000)
 

Assets:

 

Common Stocks

 
Diversified Holding
Companies
 

$

63

   

$

   

$

   

$

63

   

Entertainment

   

79

     

     

     

79

   

Food & Staples Retailing

   

     

459

     

     

459

   

Food Products

   

114

     

     

     

114

   
Health Care Equipment &
Supplies
   

     

211

     

     

211

   
Health Care Providers &
Services
   

     

343

     

     

343

   

Health Care Technology

   

     

142

     

     

142

   
Hotels, Restaurants &
Leisure
   

160

     

     

     

160

   

Household Durables

   

     

579

     

     

579

   
Information Technology
Services
   

656

     

85

     

     

741

   


16



Morgan Stanley Institutional Fund, Inc.

Annual Report — December 31, 2020

Notes to Financial Statements (cont'd)

Investment Type

  Level 1
Unadjusted
quoted
prices
(000)
  Level 2
Other
significant
observable
inputs
(000)
  Level 3
Significant
unobservable
inputs
(000)
  Total
(000)
 

Common Stocks (cont'd)

 
Interactive Media &
Services
 

$

264

   

$

   

$

   

$

264

   
Internet & Direct
Marketing Retail
   

596

     

231

     

     

827

   
Life Sciences Tools &
Services
   

     

356

     

     

356

   

Media

   

644

     

     

     

644

   

Pharmaceuticals

   

460

     

     

     

460

   
Real Estate
Management &
Development
   

452

     

     

     

452

   

Software

   

2,338

     

243

     

     

2,581

   

Specialty Retail

   

2,073

     

     

     

2,073

   

Total Common Stocks

   

7,899

     

2,649

     

     

10,548

   

Short-Term Investments

 

Investment Company

   

226

     

     

     

226

   

Repurchase Agreements

   

     

29

     

     

29

   
Total Short-Term
Investments
   

226

     

29

     

     

255

   

Total Assets

 

$

8,125

   

$

2,678

   

$

   

$

10,803

   

Transfers between investment levels may occur as the markets fluctuate and/or the availability of data used in an investment's valuation changes.

3.  Repurchase Agreements: The Fund may enter into repurchase agreements under which the Fund lends cash and takes possession of securities with an agreement that the counterparty will repurchase such securities. In connection with transactions in repurchase agreements, a bank as custodian for the Fund takes possession of the underlying securities which are held as collateral, with a market value at least equal to the amount of the repurchase transaction, including principal and accrued interest. To the extent that any repurchase transaction exceeds one business day, the value of the collateral is marked-to-market on a daily basis to determine 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. In the event of default on the obligation to repurchase, the Fund has the right to liquidate the collateral and apply the proceeds in satisfaction of the obligation. In the event of default or bankruptcy by the counterparty to the agreement, realization of the collateral proceeds may be subject to cost and delays. The Fund, along with other affiliated investment companies, may utilize a joint trading account for the purpose of entering into repurchase agreements.

4.  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.

Net realized gains (losses) on foreign currency transactions represent net foreign exchange gains (losses) from foreign currency forward exchange contracts, disposition of foreign currencies, currency gains (losses) realized between the trade and settlement dates on securities transactions, and the difference between the amount of investment income and foreign withholding taxes recorded on the Fund's books and the U.S. dollar equivalent amounts actually received or paid. The change in unrealized currency gains (losses) on foreign currency transactions for the period is reflected in the Statement of Operations.

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


17



Morgan Stanley Institutional Fund, Inc.

Annual Report — December 31, 2020

Notes to Financial Statements (cont'd)

lower levels of governmental supervision and regulation of foreign securities markets and the possibility of political or economic instability.

Governmental approval for foreign investments may be required in advance of making an investment under certain circumstances in some countries, and the extent of foreign investments in domestic companies may be subject to limitation in other countries. Foreign ownership limitations also may be imposed by the charters of individual companies to prevent, among other concerns, violations of foreign investment limitations. As a result, an additional class of shares (identified as "Foreign" in the Portfolio of Investments) may be created and offered for investment. The "local" and "foreign shares" market values may differ. In the absence of trading of the foreign shares in such markets, the Fund values the foreign shares at the closing exchange price of the local shares.

5.  Securities Lending: The Fund lends securities to qualified financial institutions, such as broker-dealers, to earn additional income. Any increase or decrease in the fair value of the securities loaned that might occur and any interest earned or dividends declared on those securities during the term of the loan would remain in the Fund. The Fund would receive cash or securities as collateral in an amount equal to or exceeding 100% of the current fair value of the loaned securities. The collateral is marked-to-market daily by State Street Bank and Trust Company ("State Street"), the securities lending agent, to ensure that a minimum of 100% collateral coverage is maintained.

Based on pre-established guidelines, the securities lending agent invests any cash collateral that is received in an affiliated money market portfolio and repurchase agreements. Securities lending income is generated from the earnings on the invested collateral and borrowing fees, less any rebates owed to the borrowers and compensation to the lending agent, and is recorded as "Income from Securities Loaned — Net" in the Fund's Statement of Operations. 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.

The Fund has the right under the securities 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, 2020:

Gross Amounts Not Offset in the Statement of Assets and Liabilities

 
Gross Asset
Amounts
Presented in
the Statement of
Assets and
Liabilities
(000)
  Financial
Instrument
(000)
  Collateral
Received
(000)
  Net Amount
(not less
than $0)
(000)
 
$

198

(a)

 

$

   

$

(198

)(b)(c)

 

$

0

   

(a) Represents market value of loaned securities at year end.

(b) The Fund received cash collateral of approximately $207,000, which was subsequently invested in Repurchase Agreements and Morgan Stanley Institutional Liquidity Funds as reported in the Portfolio of Investments.

(c) The actual collateral received is greater than the amount shown here due to overcollateralization.

FASB ASC 860, "Transfers & Servicing: Repurchase-to-Maturity Transactions, Repurchase Financings, and Disclosures", is intended to provide increased transparency about the types of collateral pledged in securities lending transactions and other similar transactions that are accounted for as secured borrowing.

The following table displays a breakdown of transactions accounted for as secured borrowings, the gross obligations by class of collateral pledged and the remaining contractual maturity of those transactions as of December 31, 2020:

Remaining Contractual Maturity of the Agreements

 
    Overnight and
Continuous
(000)
  <30 days
(000)
  Between
30 &
90 days
(000)
  >90 days
(000)
  Total
(000)
 
Securities Lending
Transactions
 

Common Stocks

 

$

207

   

$

   

$

   

$

   

$

207

   

Total Borrowings

 

$

207

   

$

   

$

   

$

   

$

207

   
Gross amount of
recognized liabilities
for securities lending
transactions
                 

$

207

   

6.  Indemnifications: The Company enters into contracts that contain a variety of indemnifications. The Company's maximum exposure under these arrangements is unknown. However, the Company has not had prior claims or losses pursuant to these contracts and expects the risk of loss to be remote.


18



Morgan Stanley Institutional Fund, Inc.

Annual Report — December 31, 2020

Notes to Financial Statements (cont'd)

7.  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. Net realized capital gains, if any, are distributed at least annually.

8.  Security Transactions, Income and Expenses: Security transactions are accounted for on the trade date (date the order to buy or sell is executed). Realized gains and losses on the sale of investment securities are determined on the specific identified cost method. Dividend income and other distributions are recorded on the exdividend date (except for certain foreign dividends which may be recorded as soon as the Fund is informed of such dividends) net of applicable withholding taxes. Interest income is recognized on the accrual basis except where collection is in doubt. Discounts are accreted and premiums are amortized over the life of the respective securities. Most expenses of the Company can be directly attributed to a particular Fund. Expenses which cannot be directly attributed are apportioned among the Funds based upon relative net assets or other appropriate methods. Income, expenses (other than class specific expenses — distribution and shareholder services, transfer agency and sub transfer agency fees) and realized and unrealized gains or losses are allocated to each class of shares based upon their relative net assets.

B. Advisory Fees: The Adviser, a wholly-owned subsidiary of Morgan Stanley, provides the Fund with advisory services under the terms of an Investment Advisory Agreement, paid quarterly, at the annual rate based on the daily net assets as follows:

First $1
billion
  Over $1
billion
 
  0.80

%

   

0.75

%

 

For the year ended December 31, 2020, the advisory fee rate (net of waiver/rebate) was equivalent to an annual effective rate of 0.00% of the Fund's average daily net assets.

The Adviser has agreed to reduce its advisory fee and/or reimburse the Fund so that total annual Fund operating expenses, excluding certain investment related expenses, taxes, interest and other extraordinary expenses (including litigation), will not exceed 1.00% for Class I shares, 1.35% for Class A shares, 2.10% for Class C shares and 0.95% for Class IS shares. The fee waivers and/or expense reimbursements will continue for at least one year from the date of the Fund's prospectus or until such time as the Directors act to discontinue all or a portion of

such waivers and/or reimbursements when they deem such action is appropriate. For the year ended December 31, 2020, approximately $38,000 of advisory fees were waived and approximately $165,000 of other expenses were reimbursed by the Adviser pursuant to this arrangement.

C. Administration Fees: The Adviser also serves as Administrator to the Company and provides administrative services pursuant to an Administration Agreement for an annual fee, accrued daily and paid monthly, of 0.08% of the Fund's average daily net assets.

Under a Sub-Administration Agreement between the Administrator and State Street, State Street provides certain administrative services to the Company. For such services, the Administrator pays State Street a portion of the fee the Administrator receives from the Fund.

D. Distribution and Shareholder Services Fees: Morgan Stanley Distribution, Inc. ("MSDI" or the "Distributor"), a wholly-owned subsidiary of the Adviser and an indirect subsidiary of Morgan Stanley, serves as the Company's Distributor of Fund shares pursuant to a Distribution Agreement. The Company has adopted a Shareholder Services Plan with respect to Class A shares pursuant to Rule 12b-1 under the Act. Under the Shareholder Services Plan, the Fund pays the Distributor a shareholder services fee, accrued daily and paid monthly, at an annual rate of 0.25% of the Fund's average daily net assets attributable to Class A shares.

The Company has adopted a Distribution and Shareholder Services Plan with respect to Class C shares pursuant to Rule 12b-1 under the Act. Under the Distribution and Shareholder Services Plan, the Fund pays the Distributor a distribution fee, accrued daily and paid monthly, at an annual rate of 0.75% and a shareholder services fee, accrued daily and paid monthly, at an annual rate of 0.25% of the Fund's average daily net assets attributable to Class C shares.

The distribution and shareholder services fees are used to support the expenses associated with servicing and maintaining accounts. The Distributor may compensate other parties for providing shareholder support services to investors who purchase Class A and Class C shares.

E. Dividend Disbursing and Transfer Agent: The Company's dividend disbursing and transfer agent is DST Asset Manager Solutions, Inc. ("DST"). Pursuant to a Transfer Agency Agreement, the Company pays DST a fee based on the number of classes, accounts and transactions relating to the Funds of the Company.


19



Morgan Stanley Institutional Fund, Inc.

Annual Report — December 31, 2020

Notes to Financial Statements (cont'd)

F. Custodian Fees: State Street (the "Custodian") also serves as Custodian for the Company in accordance with a Custodian Agreement. The Custodian holds cash, securities and other assets of the Company as required by the Act. Custody fees are payable monthly based on assets held in custody, investment purchases and sales activity and account maintenance fees, plus reimbursement for certain out-of-pocket expenses.

G. Security Transactions and Transactions with Affiliates: For the year ended December 31, 2020, purchases and sales of investment securities for the Fund, other than long-term U.S. Government securities and short-term investments were approximately $5,674,000 and $2,217,000, respectively. There were no purchases and sales of long-term U.S. Government securities for the year ended December 31, 2020.

The Fund invests in the Institutional Class of the Morgan Stanley Institutional Liquidity Funds — Treasury Securities Portfolio (the "Liquidity Funds"), an open-end management investment company managed by the Adviser, both directly and as a portion of the securities held as collateral on loaned securities. Advisory fees paid by the Fund are reduced by an amount equal to its pro-rata share of the advisory and administration fees paid by the Fund due to its investment in the Liquidity Funds. For the year ended December 31, 2020, advisory fees paid were reduced by less than $500 relating to the Fund's investment in the Liquidity Funds.

A summary of the Fund's transactions in shares of affiliated investments during the year ended December 31, 2020 is as follows:


Affiliated
Investment
Company
  Value
December 31,
2019
(000)
  Purchases
at Cost
(000)
  Proceeds
from Sales
(000)
  Dividend
Income
(000)
 

Liquidity Funds

 

$

62

   

$

4,886

   

$

4,722

   

$

@

 
Affiliated
Investment
Company (cont'd)
 
Realized
Gain (Loss)
(000)
  Change in
Unrealized
Appreciation
(Depreciation)
(000)
  Value
December 31,
2020
(000)
 

Liquidity Funds

 

$

   

$

   

$

226

   

@ Amount is less than $500.

The Fund is permitted to purchase and sell securities ("cross-trade") from and to other Morgan Stanley funds as well as other funds and client accounts for which the Adviser or an affiliate of the Adviser serves as investment adviser, pursuant to procedures approved by the Directors in compliance with Rule 17a-7 under the Act (the "Rule"). Each cross-trade is executed at the current market price in compliance with provisions of the Rule.

For the year ended December 31, 2020, the Fund did not engage in any cross-trade transactions.

The Fund has an unfunded Deferred Compensation Plan (the "Compensation Plan"), which allows each independent Director to defer payment of all, or a portion, of the fees he or she receives for serving on the Board of Directors. Each eligible Director generally may elect to have the deferred amounts credited with a return equal to the total return on one or more of the Morgan Stanley funds that are offered as investment options under the Compensation Plan. Appreciation/depreciation and distributions received from these investments are recorded with an offsetting increase/decrease in the deferred compensation obligation and do not affect the NAV of the Fund.

H. Federal Income Taxes: It is the Fund's intention to continue to qualify as a regulated investment company and distribute all of its taxable and tax-exempt income. Accordingly, no provision for federal income taxes is required in the financial statements.

The Fund may be subject to taxes imposed by countries in which it invests. Such taxes are generally based on income and/or capital gains earned or repatriated. Taxes are accrued based on net investment income, net realized gains and net unrealized appreciation as such income and/or gains are earned. Taxes may also be based on transactions in foreign currency and are accrued based on the value of investments denominated in such currency.

FASB ASC 740-10, "Income Taxes — Overall", sets forth a minimum threshold for financial statement recognition of the benefit of a tax position taken or expected to be taken in a tax return. Management has concluded there are no significant uncertain tax positions that would require recognition in the financial statements. If applicable, the Fund recognizes interest accrued related to unrecognized tax benefits in "Interest Expense" and penalties in "Other Expenses" in the Statement of Operations. The Fund files tax returns with the U.S. Internal Revenue Service, New York and various states. Each of the tax years in the three-year period ended December 31, 2020 remains subject to examination by taxing authorities.

The tax character of distributions paid may differ from the character of distributions shown for GAAP purposes due to short-term capital gains being treated as ordinary income for


20



Morgan Stanley Institutional Fund, Inc.

Annual Report — December 31, 2020

Notes to Financial Statements (cont'd)

tax purposes. The tax character of distributions paid during fiscal years 2020 and 2019 was as follows:

2020
Distributions
Paid From:
  2019
Distributions
Paid From:
 
Ordinary
Income
(000)
  Long-Term
Capital Gain
(000)
  Ordinary
Income
(000)
  Long-Term
Capital Gain
(000)
 
$

31

   

$

292

   

$

   

$

   

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 attributable to differing book and tax treatments for the timing of the recognition of gains (losses) on certain investment transactions and the timing of the deductibility of certain expenses.

Permanent differences, primarily due to a nondeductible expense, resulted in the following reclassifications among the components of net assets at December 31, 2020:

Total
Distributable
Earnings
(000)
  Paid-in
Capital
(000)
 
$

@

 

$

(—

@)

 

@ Amount is less than $500.

At December 31, 2020, the components of distributable earnings for the Fund on a tax basis were as follows:

Undistributed
Ordinary
Income
(000)
  Undistributed
Long-Term
Capital Gain
(000)
 
$

51

   

$

130

   

I. Credit Facility: The Company and other Morgan Stanley funds participated in a $300,000,000 committed, unsecured revolving line of credit facility (the "Facility") with State Street. This Facility is to be used for temporary emergency purposes or funding of shareholder redemption requests. The interest rate on borrowings is based on the federal funds rate or 1 month LIBOR rate plus a spread. The Facility also has a commitment fee of 0.25% per annum based on the unused portion of the Facility. During the year ended December 31, 2020, the Fund did not have any borrowings under the Facility.

J. Other: At December 31, 2020, the Fund had record owners of 10% or greater. Investment activities of these shareholders could have a material impact on the Fund. The aggregate percentage of such owners was 49.9%.

K. Market Risk: Certain impacts to public health conditions particular to the coronavirus (COVID-19) outbreak could impact the operations and financial performance of certain of the Fund's investments. The extent of the impact to the financial performance of the Fund's investments will depend on future developments, including (i) the duration and spread of the outbreak, (ii) the restrictions and advisories, (iii) the effects on the financial markets, and (iv) the effects on the economy overall, all of which are highly uncertain and cannot be predicted. If the financial performance of the Fund's investments is impacted because of these factors for an extended period, the Fund's investment results may be adversely affected.


21



Morgan Stanley Institutional Fund, Inc.

Annual Report — December 31, 2020

Report of Independent Registered Public Accounting Firm

To the Shareholders and Board of Directors of
Morgan Stanley Institutional Fund, Inc. —
Global Endurance Portfolio

Opinion on the Financial Statements

We have audited the accompanying statement of assets and liabilities of Global Endurance Portfolio (the "Fund") (one of the funds constituting Morgan Stanley Institutional Fund, Inc. (the "Company")), including the portfolio of investments, as of December 31, 2020, and the related statement of operations for the year then ended, the statements of changes in net assets for each of the two years in the period then ended and the financial highlights for each of the two years in the period then ended and the period from December 31, 2018 (commencement of operations) through December 31, 2018 and the related notes (collectively referred to as the "financial statements"). In our opinion, the financial statements present fairly, in all material respects, the financial position of Global Endurance Portfolio (one of the funds constituting Morgan Stanley Institutional Fund, Inc.) at December 31, 2020, the results of its operations for the year then ended, the changes in its net assets for each of the two years in the period then ended, and its financial highlights for each of the two years then ended and the period from December 31, 2018 (commencement of operations) through December 31, 2018, in conformity with U.S. generally accepted accounting principles.

Basis for Opinion

These financial statements are the responsibility of the Company's management. Our responsibility is to express an opinion on the Fund's financial statements based on our audits. We are a public accounting firm registered with the Public Company Accounting Oversight Board (United States) ("PCAOB") and are required to be independent with respect to the Company in accordance with the U.S. federal securities law and the applicable rules and regulations of the Securities and Exchange Commission and the PCAOB.

We conducted our audits in accordance with the standards of the PCAOB. Those standards require that we plan and perform the audit to obtain reasonable assurance about whether the financial statements are free of material misstatement, whether due to error or fraud. The Company is not required to have, nor were we engaged to perform, an audit of the Company's internal control over financial reporting. As part of our audits, we are required to obtain an understanding of internal control over financial reporting, but not for the purpose of expressing an opinion on the effectiveness of the Company's internal control over financial reporting. Accordingly, we express no such opinion.

Our audits included performing procedures to assess the risks of material misstatement of the financial statements, whether due to error or fraud, and performing procedures that respond to those risks. Such procedures included examining, on a test basis, evidence regarding the amounts and disclosures in the financial statements. Our procedures included confirmation of securities owned as of December 31, 2020 by correspondence with the custodian and others or by other appropriate auditing procedures where replies from others were not received. Our audits also included evaluating the accounting principles used and significant estimates made by management, as well as evaluating the overall presentation of the financial statements. We believe that our audits provide a reasonable basis for our opinion.

We have served as the auditor of one or more Morgan Stanley investment companies since 2000.
Boston, Massachusetts
February 26, 2021


22



Morgan Stanley Institutional Fund, Inc.

Annual Report — December 31, 2020

Liquidity Risk Management Program (unaudited)

In compliance with Rule 22e-4 under the Investment Company Act of 1940, as amended (the "Liquidity Rule"), the Fund has adopted and implemented a liquidity risk management program (the "Program"), which is reasonably designed to assess and manage the risk that the Fund could not meet requests to redeem shares issued by the Fund without significant dilution of remaining investors' interests in the Fund (i.e., liquidity risk). The Fund's Board of Directors (the "Board") previously approved the designation of the Liquidity Risk Subcommittee (the "LRS") as Program administrator. The LRS is comprised of representatives from various divisions within Morgan Stanley Investment Management.

At a meeting held on April 22-23, 2020, the Board reviewed a written report prepared by the LRS that addressed the Program's operation and assessed its adequacy, and effectiveness of implementation for the period from December 1, 2018, through December 31, 2019, as required under the Liquidity Rule. The report concluded that the Program operated effectively and was adequately and effectively implemented in all material aspects, and that the relevant controls and safeguards were appropriately designed to enable the LRS to administer the Program in compliance with the Liquidity Rule.

In accordance with the Program, the LRS assessed each Fund's liquidity risk no less frequently than annually taking into consideration certain factors, as applicable, such as (i) investment strategy and liquidity of portfolio investments, (ii) short-term and long-term cash flow projections and (iii) holdings of cash and cash equivalents and borrowing arrangements and other funding sources. Certain factors are considered under both normal and reasonably foreseeable stressed conditions.

Each Fund portfolio investment is classified into one of four liquidity categories, which classification is assessed at least monthly by the LRS. The classification is based on a determination of the number of days it is reasonably expected to take to convert the investment into cash, or sell or dispose of the investment, in current market conditions without significantly changing the market value of the investment. Liquidity classification determinations take into account various market, trading and investment-specific considerations, as well as market depth, and in some cases utilize third-party vendor data.

The Liquidity Rule limits a fund's investments in illiquid investments to 15% of its net assets and requires funds that do not primarily hold assets that are highly liquid investments to determine and maintain a minimum percentage of the fund's net assets to be invested in highly liquid investments (highly liquid investment minimum or "HLIM"). The LRS believes that the Program includes provisions reasonably designed to review, monitor and comply with the 15% limit on illiquid investments and for determining, periodically reviewing and complying with the HLIM requirement, as applicable.

There can be no assurance that the Program will achieve its objectives under all circumstances in the future. Please refer to the Fund's prospectus for more information regarding the Fund's exposure to liquidity risk and other risks to which it may be subject.


23



Morgan Stanley Institutional Fund, Inc.

Annual Report — December 31, 2020

Federal Tax Notice (unaudited)

For federal income tax purposes, the following information is furnished with respect to the distributions paid by the Fund during its taxable year ended December 31, 2020. For corporate shareholders 1.82% of the dividends qualified for the dividends received deduction.

The Fund designated and paid approximately $292,000 as a long-term capital gain distribution.

For federal income tax purposes, the following information is furnished with respect to the Fund's earnings for its taxable year ended December 31, 2020. When distributed, certain earnings may be subject to a maximum tax rate of 15% as provided for by the Jobs and Growth Tax Relief Reconciliation Act of 2003. The Fund designated up to a maximum of approximately $3,000 as taxable at this lower rate.

In January, the Fund provides tax information to shareholders for the preceding calendar year.


24



Morgan Stanley Institutional Fund, Inc.

Annual Report — December 31, 2020

Privacy Notice (unaudited)  April 2019

FACTS

 

WHAT DOES MSIM DO WITH YOUR PERSONAL INFORMATION?

 

Why?

 

Financial companies choose how they share your personal information. Federal law gives consumers the right to limit some but not all sharing. Federal law also requires us to tell you how we collect, share, and protect your personal information. Please read this notice carefully to understand what we do.

 

What?

  The types of personal information we collect and share depend on the product or service you have with us. This information can include:
n Social Security number and income
n investment experience and risk tolerance
n checking account number and wire transfer instructions
 

How?

 

All financial companies need to share customers' personal information to run their everyday business. In the section below, we list the reasons financial companies can share their customers' personal information; the reasons MSIM chooses to share; and whether you can limit this sharing.

 

 

Reasons we can share your personal information

 

Does MSIM share?

 

Can you limit this sharing?

 
For our everyday business purposes —
such as to process your transactions, maintain your account(s), respond to court orders and legal investigations, or report to credit bureaus
 

Yes

 

No

 
For our marketing purposes —
to offer our products and services to you
 

Yes

 

No

 

For joint marketing with other financial companies

 

No

 

We don't share

 
For our affiliates' everyday business purposes —
information about your transactions and experiences
 

Yes

 

No

 
For our affiliates' everyday business purposes —
information about your creditworthiness
 

No

 

We don't share

 

For our affiliates to market to you

 

No

 

We don't share

 

For non-affiliates to market to you

 

No

 

We don't share

 

Questions?  Call toll-free (844) 312-6327 or email: imprivacyinquiries@morganstanley.com


25



Morgan Stanley Institutional Fund, Inc.

Annual Report — December 31, 2020

Privacy Notice (unaudited) (cont'd)  April 2019

Who we are

Who is providing this notice?

 

Morgan Stanley Investment Management, Inc. and its affiliated registered investment advisers, registered broker-dealers, and registered and unregistered funds ("MSIM")

 

What we do

How does MSIM protect my personal information?

 

To protect your personal information from unauthorized access and use, we use security measures that comply with federal law. These measures include computer safeguards and secured files and buildings. We have policies governing the proper handling of customer information by personnel and requiring third parties that provide support to adhere to appropriate security standards with respect to such information.

 

How does MSIM collect my personal information?

  We collect your personal information, for example, when you
n open an account or make deposits or withdrawals from your account
n buy securities from us or make a wire transfer
n give us your contact information
We also collect your personal information from others, such as credit bureaus, affiliates, or other companies.
 

Why can't I limit all sharing?

  Federal law gives you the right to limit only
n sharing for affiliates' everyday business purposes — information about your creditworthiness
n affiliates from using your information to market to you
n sharing for non-affiliates to market to you
State laws and individual companies may give you additional rights to limit sharing. See below for more on your rights under state law.
 

Definitions

Affiliates

  Companies related by common ownership or control. They can be financial and non-financial companies.
n Our affiliates include companies with a Morgan Stanley name and financial companies such as Morgan Stanley Smith Barney LLC and Morgan Stanley & Co.
 

Non-affiliates

  Companies not related by common ownership or control. They can be financial and non-financial companies.
n MSIM does not share with non-affiliates so they can market to you.
 

Joint marketing

  A formal agreement between non-affiliated financial companies that together market financial products or services to you.
n MSIM doesn't jointly market
 


26



Morgan Stanley Institutional Fund, Inc.

Annual Report — December 31, 2020

Privacy Notice (unaudited) (cont'd)  April 2019

Other Important Information

Vermont: Except as permitted by law, we will not share personal information we collect about Vermont residents with Non-affiliates unless you provide us with your written consent to share such information.

California: Except as permitted by law, we will not share personal information we collect about California residents with Non-affiliates and we will limit sharing such personal information with our Affiliates to comply with California privacy laws that apply to us.


27



Morgan Stanley Institutional Fund, Inc.

Annual Report — December 31, 2020

Director and Officer Information (unaudited)

Independent Directors:

Name, Address and Birth
Year of Independent Director
  Position(s)
Held with
Registrant
  Length of Time
Served*
  Principal Occupation(s) During Past 5 Years and Other
Relevant Professional Experience
  Number of
Funds in
Fund Complex
Overseen by
Independent
Director**
  Other Directorships
Held by Independent
Director***
 
Frank L. Bowman
c/o Perkins Coie LLP
Counsel to the Independent Directors
1155 Avenue of the Americas,
22nd Floor
New York, NY 10036
Birth Year: 1944
 

Director

  Since
August
2006
 

President, Strategic Decisions, LLC (consulting) (since February 2009); Director or Trustee of various Morgan Stanley Funds (since August 2006); Chairperson of the Compliance and Insurance Committee (since October 2015); formerly, Chairperson of the Insurance Sub-Committee of the Compliance and Insurance Committee (2007-2015); served as President and Chief Executive Officer of the Nuclear Energy Institute (policy organization) (February 2005-November 2008); retired as Admiral, U.S. Navy after serving over 38 years on active duty including 8 years as Director of the Naval Nuclear Propulsion Program in the Department of the Navy and the U.S. Department of Energy (1996-2004); served as Chief of Naval Personnel (July 1994-September 1996) and on the Joint Staff as Director of Political Military Affairs (June 1992-July 1994); knighted as Honorary Knight Commander of the Most Excellent Order of the British Empire; awarded the Officier de l'Orde National du Mérite by the French Government; elected to the National Academy of Engineering (2009).

 

79

 

Director of Naval and Nuclear Technologies LLP; Director Emeritus of the Armed Services YMCA; Member of the National Security Advisory Council of the Center for U.S. Global Engagement and a member of the CNA Military Advisory Board; Trustee of Fairhaven United Methodist Church; Member of the Board of Advisors of the Dolphin Scholarship Foundation; Director of other various non-profit organizations; formerly, Director of BP plc (November 2010-May 2019).

 
Kathleen A. Dennis
c/o Perkins Coie LLP
Counsel to the Independent Directors
1155 Avenue of the Americas,
22nd Floor
New York, NY 10036
Birth Year: 1953
 

Director

  Since
August
2006
 

Chairperson of the Governance Committee (January 2021), Chairperson of the Liquidity and Alternatives Sub-Committee of the Investment Committee (2006-2020); and Director or Trustee of various Morgan Stanley Funds (since August 2006); President, Cedarwood Associates (mutual fund and investment management consulting)(since July 2006); formerly, Senior Managing Director of Victory Capital Management (1993-2006).

 

79

 

Board Member, University of Albany Foundation (2012-present); Board Member, Mutual Funds Directors Forum (2014-present); Director of various non-profit organizations.

 
Nancy C. Everett
c/o Perkins Coie LLP
Counsel to the Independent Directors
1155 Avenue of the Americas,
22nd Floor
New York, NY 10036
Birth Year: 1955
 

Director

  Since
January
2015
 

Chairperson of the Equity Investment Committee (since January 2021); Director or Trustee of various Morgan Stanley Funds (since January 2015); Chief Executive Officer, Virginia Commonwealth University Investment Company (since November 2015); Owner, OBIR, LLC (institutional investment management consulting) (since June 2014); formerly, Managing Director, BlackRock, Inc. (February 2011-December 2013); and Chief Executive Officer, General Motors Asset Management (a/k/a Promark Global Advisors, Inc.) (June 2005-May 2010).

 

80

 

Formerly, Member of Virginia Commonwealth University School of Business Foundation (2005-2016); Member of Virginia Commonwealth University Board of Visitors (2013-2015); Member of Committee on Directors for Emerging Markets Growth Fund, Inc. (2007-2010); Chairperson of Performance Equity Management, LLC (2006-2010); and Chairperson, GMAM Absolute Return Strategies Fund, LLC (2006-2010).

 


28



Morgan Stanley Institutional Fund, Inc.

Annual Report — December 31, 2020

Director and Officer Information (unaudited) (cont'd)

Independent Directors: (cont'd)

Name, Address and Birth
Year of Independent Director
  Position(s)
Held with
Registrant
  Length of Time
Served*
  Principal Occupation(s) During Past 5 Years and Other
Relevant Professional Experience
  Number of
Funds in
Fund Complex
Overseen by
Independent
Director**
  Other Directorships
Held by Independent
Director***
 
Jakki L. Haussler
c/o Perkins Coie LLP
Counsel to the Independent Directors
1155 Avenue of the Americas,
22nd Floor
New York, NY 10036
Birth Year: 1957
 

Director

  Since
January
2015
 

Director or Trustee of various Morgan Stanley Funds (since January 2015); Chairman, Opus Capital Group (1996); formerly, Chief Executive Officer, Opus Capital Group (1996-2019); Director, Capvest Venture Fund, LP (May 2000-December 2011); Partner, Adena Ventures, LP (July 1999-December 2010); Director, The Victory Funds (February 2005-July 2008).

 

80

 

Director of Cincinnati Bell Inc. and Member, Audit Committee and Chairman, Governance and Nominating Committee; Director of Service Corporation International and Member, Audit Committee and Investment Committee; Director of Northern Kentucky University Foundation and Member, Investment Committee; Member of Chase College of Law Transactional Law Practice Center Board of Advisors; Director of Best Transport; Director of Chase College of Law Board of Visitors; formerly, Member, University of Cincinnati Foundation Investment Committee; Member, Miami University Board of Visitors (2008-2011); Trustee of Victory Funds (2005-2008) and Chairman, Investment Committee (2007-2008); and Member, Service Provider Committee (2005-2008).

 
Dr. Manuel H. Johnson
c/o Johnson Smick
International, Inc.
220 I Street, NE — Suite 200
Washington, D.C. 20002
Birth Year: 1949
 

Director

  Since
July
1991
 

Senior Partner, Johnson Smick International, Inc. (consulting firm); Chairperson of the Fixed Income, Liquidity and Alternatives Investment Committee (January 2021), Chairperson of the Investment Committee (2006-2020) and Director or Trustee of various Morgan Stanley Funds (since July 1991); Co-Chairman and a founder of the Group of Seven Council (G7C) (international economic commission); formerly, Chairperson of the Audit Committee (July 1991-September 2006) Vice Chairman of the Board of Governors of the Federal Reserve System and Assistant Secretary of the U.S. Treasury.

 

79

 

Director of NVR, Inc. (home construction).

 


29



Morgan Stanley Institutional Fund, Inc.

Annual Report — December 31, 2020

Director and Officer Information (unaudited) (cont'd)

Independent Directors: (cont'd)

Name, Address and Birth
Year of Independent Director
  Position(s)
Held with
Registrant
  Length of Time
Served*
  Principal Occupation(s) During Past 5 Years and Other
Relevant Professional Experience
  Number of
Funds in
Fund Complex
Overseen by
Independent
Director**
  Other Directorships
Held by Independent
Director***
 
Joseph J. Kearns
c/o Perkins Coie LLP
Counsel to the Independent Directors
1155 Avenue of the Americas,
22nd Floor
New York, NY 10036
Birth Year: 1942
 

Director

  Since
August
1994
 

Senior Adviser, Kearns & Associates LLC (investment consulting); Chairperson of the Audit Committee (since October 2006) and Director or Trustee of various Morgan Stanley Funds (since August 1994); formerly, Deputy Chairperson of the Audit Committee (July 2003-September 2006) and Chairperson of the Audit Committee of various Morgan Stanley Funds (since August 1994); CFO of the J. Paul Getty Trust (1982-1999).

 

80

 

Director, Rubicon Investment (since February 2019); Prior to August 2016, Director of Electro Rent Corporation (equipment leasing); Prior to December 31, 2013, Director of The Ford Family Foundation.

 
Michael F. Klein
c/o Perkins Coie LLP
Counsel to the Independent Directors
1155 Avenue of the Americas,
22nd Floor
New York, NY 10036
Birth Year: 1958
 

Director

  Since
August
2006
 

Chairperson of the Risk Committee (since January 2021); Managing Director, Aetos Alternatives Management, LP (since March 2000); Co-President, Aetos Alternatives Management, LP (since January 2004) and Co-Chief Executive Officer of Aetos Alternatives Management, LP (since August 2013); Chairperson of the fixed Income Sub-Committee of the Investment committee (2006-2020) and Director or Trustee of various Morgan Stanley Funds (since August 2006); formerly, Managing Director, Morgan Stanley & Co. Inc. and Morgan Stanley Dean Witter Investment Management and President, various Morgan Stanley Funds (June 1998-March 2000); Principal, Morgan Stanley & Co. Inc. and Morgan Stanley Dean Witter Investment Management (August 1997-December 1999).

 

79

 

Director of certain investment funds managed or sponsored by Aetos Alternatives Management, LP; Director of Sanitized AG and Sanitized Marketing AG (specialty chemicals).

 
Patricia Maleski
c/o Perkins Coie LLP
Counsel to the Independent Directors
1155 Avenue of the Americas,
22nd Floor
New York, NY 10036
Birth Year: 1960
 

Director

  Since
January
2017
 

Director or Trustee of various Morgan Stanley Funds (since January 2017); Managing Director, JPMorgan Asset Management (2004-2016); Oversight and Control Head of Fiduciary and Conflicts of Interest Program (2015-2016); Chief Control Officer-Global Asset Management (2013-2015); President, JPMorgan Funds (2010-2013); Chief Administrative Officer (2004-2013); various other positions including Treasurer and Board Liaison (since 2001).

 

80

 

None.

 
W. Allen Reed
c/o Perkins Coie LLP
Counsel to the Independent Directors
1155 Avenue of the Americas,
22nd Floor
New York, NY 10036
Birth Year: 1947
 

Chair of the Board and Director

 

Chair of the Boards since August 2020 and Director since August 2006

 

Chair of the Boards of various Morgan Stanley Funds (since August 2020); Director or Trustee of various Morgan Stanley Funds (since August 2006); formerly, Vice Chair of the Boards of various Morgan Stanley Funds (January 2020-August 2020); President and Chief Executive Officer of General Motors Asset Management; Chairman and Chief Executive Officer of the GM Trust Bank and Corporate Vice President of General Motors Corporation (August 1994-December 2005).

 

79

 

Formerly, Director of Legg Mason, Inc. (2006-2019); and Director of the Auburn University Foundation (2010-2015).

 

*  This is the earliest date the Director began serving the Morgan Stanley Funds. Each Director serves an indefinite term, until his or her successor is elected.

**  The Fund Complex includes (as of December 31, 2020) all open-end and closed-end funds (including all of their portfolios) advised by Morgan Stanley Investment Management Inc. (the "Adviser") and any funds that have an adviser that is an affiliated person of the Adviser (including, but not limited to, Morgan Stanley AIP GP LP).

***  This includes any directorships at public companies and registered investment companies held by the Director at any time during the past five years.


30



Morgan Stanley Institutional Fund, Inc.

Annual Report — December 31, 2020

Director and Officer Information (unaudited) (cont'd)

Executive Officers:

Name, Address and
Birth Year of Executive Officer
  Position(s) Held
with
Registrant
  Length of
Time Served*
 

Principal Occupation(s) During Past 5 Years

 
John H. Gernon
522 Fifth Avenue
New York, NY 10036
Birth Year: 1963
 

President and Principal Executive Officer

 

Since September 2013

 

President and Principal Executive Officer of the Equity and Fixed Income Funds and the Morgan Stanley AIP Funds (since September 2013) and the Liquidity Funds and various money market funds (since May 2014) in the Fund Complex; Managing Director of the Adviser; Head of Public Markets Product Development (since 2006).

 
Timothy J. Knierim
1633 Broadway
New York, NY 10019
Birth Year: 1959
 

Chief Compliance Officer

 

Since December 2016

 

Managing Director of the Adviser and various entities affiliated with the Adviser; Chief Compliance Officer of various Morgan Stanley Funds and the Adviser (since December 2016) and Chief Compliance Officer of Morgan Stanley AIP GP LP (since 2014). Formerly, Managing Director and Deputy Chief Compliance Officer of the Adviser (2014-2016).

 
Francis J. Smith
522 Fifth Avenue
New York, NY 10036
Birth Year: 1965
 

Treasurer and Principal Financial Officer

 

Treasurer since July 2003 and Principal Financial Officer since September 2002

 

Managing Director of the Adviser and various entities affiliated with the Adviser; Treasurer (since July 2003) and Principal Financial Officer of various Morgan Stanley Funds (since September 2002).

 
Mary E. Mullin
1633 Broadway
New York, NY 10019
Birth Year: 1967
 

Secretary

  Since
June
1999
 

Managing Director of the Adviser; Secretary of various Morgan Stanley Funds (since June 1999).

 
Michael J. Key
522 Fifth Avenue
New York, NY 10036
Birth Year: 1979
 

Vice President

  Since
June
2017
 

Vice President of the Equity and Fixed Income Funds, Liquidity Funds, various money market funds and the Morgan Stanley AIP Funds in the Fund Complex (since June 2017); Executive Director of the Adviser; Head of Product Development for Equity and Fixed Income Funds (since August 2013).

 

*  This is the earliest date the officer began serving the Morgan Stanley Funds. Each officer serves a one-year term, until his or her successor is elected and qualifies.


31



Morgan Stanley Institutional Fund, Inc.

Annual Report — December 31, 2020

Adviser and Administrator

Morgan Stanley Investment Management Inc.
522 Fifth Avenue
New York, New York 10036

Distributor

Morgan Stanley Distribution, Inc.
522 Fifth Avenue
New York, New York 10036

Dividend Disbursing and Transfer Agent

DST Asset Manager Solutions, Inc.
2000 Crown Colony Drive
Quincy, Massachusetts 02169

Custodian

State Street Bank and Trust Company
One Lincoln Street
Boston, Massachusetts 02111

Legal Counsel

Dechert LLP
1095 Avenue of the Americas
New York, New York 10036

Counsel to the Independent Directors

Perkins Coie LLP
1155 Avenue of the Americas,
22nd Floor
New York, New York 10036

Independent Registered Public Accounting Firm

Ernst & Young LLP
200 Clarendon Street
Boston, Massachusetts 02116

Reporting to Shareholders

Each Morgan Stanley fund provides a complete schedule of portfolio holdings in its Semi-Annual and the Annual Reports within 60 days of the end of the fund's second and fourth fiscal quarters. The Semi-Annual and Annual Reports are filed electronically with the Securities and Exchange Commission ("SEC") on Form N-CSRS and Form N-CSR, respectively. Morgan Stanley also delivers the Semi-Annual and Annual Reports to fund shareholders and makes these reports available on its public website, www.morganstanley.com/im/shareholderreports. Each Morgan Stanley non-money market fund also files a complete schedule of portfolio holdings with the SEC for the fund's first and third fiscal quarters as an attachment to Form N-PORT. Morgan Stanley does not deliver the reports for the first and third fiscal quarters to shareholders, but makes the complete schedule of portfolio holdings for the fund's first and third fiscal quarters available on its public website. The holdings for each money market fund are also posted to the Morgan Stanley public website. You may obtain the Form N-PORT filings (as well as the Form N-CSR and N-CSRS filings) by accessing the SEC's website, www.sec.gov. You can also request copies of these materials, upon payment of a duplicating fee, by electronic request at the SEC's email address (publicinfo@sec.gov).

Proxy Voting Policies and Procedures and Proxy Voting Record

You may obtain a copy of the Company's Proxy Voting Policy and Procedures and information regarding how the Company voted proxies relating to portfolio securities during the most recent twelve-month period ended June 30, without charge, upon request, by calling toll free 1 (800) 548-7786 or by visiting our website at www.morganstanley.com/im/shareholderreports. This information is also available on the SEC's website at www.sec.gov.

This report is authorized for distribution only when preceded or accompanied by a prospectus or summary prospectus of the applicable fund of Morgan Stanley Institutional Fund, Inc., which describes in detail the fund's investment policies, risks, fees and expenses. Please read the prospectus carefully before you invest or send money. For additional information, including information regarding the investments comprising the Fund, please visit our website at www.morganstanley.com/im/shareholderreports or call toll free 1 (800) 548-7786.


32



Printed in U.S.A.
This Report has been prepared for shareholders and may be distributed to others only if preceded or accompanied by a current prospectus.

Morgan Stanley Investment Management Inc.
522 Fifth Avenue
New York, New York 10036

© 2021 Morgan Stanley. Morgan Stanley Distribution, Inc.

IFIGENDANN
3386879 EXP 02.28.22



INVESTMENT MANAGEMENT

Morgan Stanley Institutional Fund, Inc.

Global Franchise Portfolio

Annual Report

December 31, 2020



Morgan Stanley Institutional Fund, Inc.

Annual Report — December 31, 2020

Table of Contents

Shareholders' Letter

   

2

   

Expense Example

   

3

   

Investment Overview

   

4

   

Portfolio of Investments

   

8

   

Statement of Assets and Liabilities

   

9

   

Statement of Operations

   

11

   

Statements of Changes in Net Assets

   

12

   

Financial Highlights

   

14

   

Notes to Financial Statements

   

19

   

Report of Independent Registered Public Accounting Firm

   

25

   

Liquidity Risk Management Program

   

26

   

Federal Tax Notice

   

27

   

Privacy Notice

   

28

   

Director and Officer Information

   

31

   

This report is authorized for distribution only when preceded or accompanied by a prospectus or summary prospectus of the applicable Fund of Morgan Stanley Institutional Fund, Inc. To receive a prospectus and/or statement of additional information ("SAI"), which contains more complete information such as investment objectives, charges, expenses, policies for voting proxies, risk considerations and describes in detail each of the Fund's investment policies to the prospective investor, please call toll free 1 (800) 548-7786. Please read the prospectuses carefully before you invest or send money.

Additionally, you can access information about the Fund, including performance, characteristics and investment team commentary, through Morgan Stanley Investment Management's website: www.morganstanley.com/im/shareholderreports.

Market forecasts provided in this report may not necessarily come to pass. There is no guarantee that any sectors mentioned will continue to perform as discussed herein or that securities in such sectors will be held by the Fund in the future. There is no assurance that a fund will achieve its investment objective. Funds are subject to market risk, which is the possibility that market values of securities owned by the Fund will decline and, therefore, the value of the Fund's shares may be less than what you paid for them. Accordingly, you can lose money investing in this Fund. Please see the prospectus for more complete information on investment risks.


1



Morgan Stanley Institutional Fund, Inc.

Annual Report — December 31, 2020

Shareholders' Letter (unaudited)

Dear Shareholders,

We are pleased to provide this Annual Report, in which you will learn how your investment in Global Franchise Portfolio (the "Fund") performed during the latest twelve-month period.

Morgan Stanley Investment Management is a client-centric, investor-led organization. Our global presence, intellectual capital, and breadth of products and services enable us to partner with investors to meet the evolving challenges of today's financial markets. We aim to deliver superior investment service and to empower our clients to make the informed decisions that help them reach their investment goals.

As always, we thank you for selecting Morgan Stanley Investment Management, and look forward to working with you in the months and years ahead.

Sincerely,

John H. Gernon
President and Principal Executive Officer

January 2021


2



Morgan Stanley Institutional Fund, Inc.

Annual Report — December 31, 2020

Expense Example (unaudited)

Global Franchise Portfolio

As a shareholder of the Fund, you incur two types of costs: (1) transactional costs; and (2) ongoing costs, which may include advisory fees, administration fees, distribution and shareholder services fees and other Fund expenses. This example is intended to help you understand your ongoing costs (in dollars) of investing in the Fund and to compare these costs with the ongoing costs of investing in other mutual funds.

This example is based on an investment of $1,000 invested at the beginning of the six-month period ended December 31, 2020 and held for the entire six-month period.

Actual Expenses

The table below provides information about actual account values and actual expenses. You may use the information in this table, 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 table under the heading entitled "Actual Expenses Paid During Period" to estimate the expenses you paid on your account during this period.

Hypothetical Example for Comparison Purposes

The table below provides information about hypothetical account values and hypothetical expenses based on the Fund's actual expense ratio and an assumed rate of return of 5% per year before expenses, which is not the Fund's actual return. The hypothetical account values and expenses may not be used to estimate the actual ending account balance or expenses you paid for the period. You may use this information to compare the ongoing costs of investing in the Fund and other funds. To do so, compare this 5% hypothetical example with the 5% hypothetical examples that appear in the shareholder reports of the other funds.

Please note that the expenses shown in the table are meant to highlight your ongoing costs only and do not reflect any transactional costs, such as sales charges (loads). Therefore, the information for each class in the table is useful in comparing ongoing costs only, and will not help you determine the relative total costs of owning different funds. In addition, if these transactional costs were included, your costs would have been higher.

    Beginning
Account
Value
7/1/20
  Actual Ending
Account
Value
12/31/20
  Hypothetical
Ending Account
Value
  Actual
Expenses
Paid
During
Period*
  Hypothetical
Expenses Paid
During Period*
  Net
Expense
Ratio
During
Period**
 

Global Franchise Portfolio Class I

 

$

1,000.00

   

$

1,125.10

   

$

1,020.46

   

$

4.97

   

$

4.72

     

0.93

%

 

Global Franchise Portfolio Class A

   

1,000.00

     

1,124.20

     

1,019.25

     

6.25

     

5.94

     

1.17

   

Global Franchise Portfolio Class L

   

1,000.00

     

1,121.00

     

1,016.79

     

8.85

     

8.42

     

1.66

   

Global Franchise Portfolio Class C

   

1,000.00

     

1,119.60

     

1,015.48

     

10.23

     

9.73

     

1.92

   

Global Franchise Portfolio Class IS

   

1,000.00

     

1,125.80

     

1,020.96

     

4.44

     

4.22

     

0.83

   

*  Expenses are calculated using each Fund Class' annualized net expense ratio (as disclosed), multiplied by the average account value over the period and multiplied by 184/366 (to reflect the most recent one-half year period).

**  Annualized.


3



Morgan Stanley Institutional Fund, Inc.

Annual Report — December 31, 2020

Investment Overview (unaudited)

Global Franchise Portfolio

The Fund seeks long-term capital appreciation.

Performance

For the fiscal year ended December 31, 2020, the Fund's Class I shares had a total return based on net asset value and reinvestment of distributions per share of 13.22%, net of fees. The Fund's Class I shares underperformed the Fund's benchmark, the MSCI World Net Index (the "Index"), which returned 15.90%.

Factors Affecting Performance

•  The Index was up a mighty 14% in the fourth quarter of 2020 in U.S. dollars (USD), though a lower 12.4% in local currency terms given the dollar weakness. The strong fourth quarter meant that 2020 delivered double-digit returns for the Index despite the pandemic, up 15.9% in USD and 13.5% in local currency. Information technology (+44%) was the clear beneficiary of the pandemic, given the growth of remote working, e-commerce and the cloud, and was thus naturally the strongest sector, with all three sub-sectors doing well. Software & services rose 38%, semiconductors was up 47% and hardware gained 54%. Consumer discretionary (+37%) and communication services (+23%) also comfortably beat the Index, but this was far more dependent on a few winners rather than general sector strength. Two companies drove over 70% of consumer discretionary performance, while three companies did the same for communication services.(i) Materials (+20%) was also slightly ahead of the Index. At the other end of the spectrum, energy ended the year down 31%, despite the fourth quarter rally, while financials (–3%) and real estate (–5%) also posted negative returns. The risk-on fourth quarter of 2020 meant that the classic defensive sectors also lagged the Index, with utilities only up 5%, consumer staples up 8% and health care up 14%. Industrials (+12%) finished slightly behind the Index.

•  For the Fund's performance in the year, sector allocation was positive, but stock selection negative. The overweight in information technology helped a great deal with sector allocation, as did the underweight in financials and the lack of energy stocks, despite the two sectors' strong performance

in the fourth quarter of 2020. These positive effects were significantly larger than the negative impacts of the consumer staples overweight and consumer discretionary underweight. The underperformance in information technology was the main driver of the negative stock selection. Communication services also underperformed for 2020 as a whole, while health care and financials outperformed.

•  Over the year, the largest absolute contributors were Microsoft, Danaher, Reckitt Benckiser, Accenture and Thermo Fisher. The top absolute detractors for the same period were Coca-Cola, Fox Corporation, Heineken, BAT and Becton Dickinson.

Management Strategies

•  One of the benefits of compounders is that they are robust in tough times. Their recurring revenues help preserve their sales while their pricing power protects margins. 2020 was certainly tough times, with world gross domestic product estimated to be down 4.4%, and advanced economies faring even worse, down 5.8%.(ii) The idiosyncratic nature of the crisis did affect some of the holdings in the portfolio, with beverage companies hit by the closure of bars and restaurants, a financial services company's lucrative cross-border business severely affected by the collapse in travel, and some health care players affected by the cancellation of routine operations and the logistical challenges of the pandemic. Despite this, the portfolio's earnings held up well overall given the general resilience of the companies, with the next 12 months' forward earnings up 6%, while dividends, actually up 5% for the year, provided another 2% of returns.(iii) The rest of the portfolio's total return for the year was due to a mild single-digit re-rating.

•  This is in stark contrast to the MSCI World Index as a whole. Its forward earnings fell 7%, despite all the government support for corporates. This meant that more than 100% of the overall Index return of 16% was accounted for by the major 23% re-rating. This repeated the pattern of 2019, when the Index returned 27%, despite a 1% fall in forward earnings, with re-rating driving the performance. Across the two years of 2019 and 2020, the Index has re-rated by 55%, from 13.4x to 20.7x next

(i)  Source: FactSet and Morgan Stanley Investment Management.

(ii)  Source: International Monetary Fund.

(iii)  Source for all earnings and valuations data used in this report: FactSet and Morgan Stanley Investment Management.


4



Morgan Stanley Institutional Fund, Inc.

Annual Report — December 31, 2020

Investment Overview (unaudited) (cont'd)

Global Franchise Portfolio

12 months' forward earnings. It is also at an elevated 17.9x on a 24-month forward basis. The portfolio has also re-rated, by a more modest 22%, but at least half the returns have come from the compounding earnings, up 18%, and dividends.

•  It is the relative de-rating that has driven the portfolio's relative underperformance, in the face of sharply better earnings growth. While the fourth quarter of 2020 saw a cyclical/value rally, this was not the driver of underperformance for the year as a whole, given that energy and financials still remained massively behind the Index for 2020. This issue was around the dominance of technology in the market's returns. The information technology sector alone delivered 60% of the Index's 16% return in 2020, and adding in certain household names in e-commerce, streaming, electric vehicles and social media — regarded by most people, if not MSCI, as technology companies — takes the share to 89%, meaning that the rest of the market only delivered 11% of the Index performance.(i) Another way of looking at it is that over half the total Index performance was delivered by only five companies, and 78% by the top 25, of which only one company is listed outside the U.S.

•  The Fund has a strong weighting in information technology, 30% as against 20% for the Index, which secured the portfolio's positive sector allocation in 2020, given that the other two key sectors, consumer staples and health care, underperformed the Index. The issue was the portfolio's failure to keep up with the sector's hot pace, as our picks only delivered 20%, as against the Index's 44%, driving the portfolio's negative stock selection in the year. There were stock-specific factors behind this large gap: the collapse in international travel hit a financial services company's cross-border business, while store closures held back one of our holding's merchant acquirer division. In addition, a management services company was hit by concerns about U.S. employment levels and one of our software holding's strategy change and associated target re-basing were not welcomed by the market. Looking at the other side, not holding an Index-heavyweight consumer electronics company proved expensive.

All that said, there were two more structural factors that drove the shortfall.

•  The first was the portfolio's focus on services & software within information technology, which was "only" up 37%, lagging hardware (+54%) and semiconductors (+47%). Perhaps more importantly, the team's valuation discipline meant that the portfolio did not get the benefit of the year's massive growth boom (we are deliberately avoiding the term "bubble"). 2020 saw a spectacular 480 initial public offerings, amongst which there were 248 SPACs (special purpose acquisition companies), also known as "shell" or "blank check" companies.(iv)

•  There are only two ways of losing money in equities: either the earnings go away or the valuation goes away. Our quality-obsessed investment philosophy looks to minimize the former, and the rise in the portfolio's 2020 earnings has provided further evidence of resilience, despite some of the idiosyncratic headwinds the pandemic has produced. We have also looked to reduce the risk of the latter, in the face of the market's 20x forward earnings multiple. Not only have we abjured the more boisterous segments of the information technology sector, but we have shown discipline within the portfolio's existing holdings. 2020 saw around 600 basis points of net shifts from the growthier end of portfolio (where we estimate top-line growth of 6% or above) to the duller end (sub-6% growth). This makes a cumulative 1,700 basis point shift over the last three years. This shift to cheaper stocks has been to the detriment of performance, given the continued progress for growthier names, but we believe should support the portfolio's resilience in the future.

•  We do not claim that the current multiple of 23x forward earnings means that the Fund is cheap in absolute terms — that would be tough to ask 11 years into a bull market. However, a relative earnings multiple of 1.11x the Index, which drops to parity on a free cash flow basis, does look far more defensible. Now more than ever, it is time to focus on keeping the lights on, rather than attempting to shoot them out, and reasonably priced compounders seem a reasonable way of avoiding a plunge into darkness.

(i)  Source: FactSet and Morgan Stanley Investment Management.

(iv)  Source: PwC Global IPO Watch.


5



Morgan Stanley Institutional Fund, Inc.

Annual Report — December 31, 2020

Investment Overview (unaudited) (cont'd)

Global Franchise Portfolio

*  Minimum Investment for Class I shares

In accordance with SEC regulations, the Fund's performance shown assumes that all recurring fees (including management fees) were deducted and all dividends and distributions were reinvested. The performance of Class A, L , C and IS shares will vary from the performance of Class I shares based upon their different inception dates and will be negatively impacted by additional fees assessed to those classes (if applicable).

Performance Compared to the MSCI World Net Index(1) and the Lipper Global Large-Cap Growth Funds Index(2)

    Period Ended December 31, 2020
Total Returns(3)
 
       

Average Annual

 
    One
Year
  Five
Years
  Ten
Years
  Since
Inception(8)
 
Fund — Class I Shares
w/o sales charges(4)
   

13.22

%

   

13.95

%

   

12.48

%

   

11.78

%

 
Fund — Class A Shares
w/o sales charges(4)
   

12.95

     

13.66

     

12.18

     

11.48

   
Fund — Class A Shares
with maximum 5.25%
sales charges(4)
   

7.03

     

12.44

     

11.57

     

11.17

   
Fund — Class L Shares
w/o sales charges(5)
   

12.38

     

13.10

     

     

10.87

   
Fund — Class C Shares
w/o sales charges(7)
   

12.09

     

12.81

     

     

13.23

   
Fund — Class C Shares
with maximum 1.00%
deferred sales charges(7)
   

11.09

     

12.81

     

     

13.23

   
Fund — Class IS Shares
w/o sales charges(6)
   

13.33

     

14.04

     

     

12.56

   

MSCI World Net Index

   

15.90

     

12.19

     

9.87

     

7.44

   
Lipper Global Large-Cap
Growth Funds Index
   

27.24

     

15.47

     

11.34

     

7.95

   

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. Performance assumes that all dividends and distributions, if any, were reinvested. For the most recent month-end performance figures, please visit www.morganstanley.com/im/shareholderreports. Investment return and principal value will fluctuate so that Fund shares, when redeemed, may be worth more or less than their original cost. Total returns do not reflect the deduction of taxes that a shareholder would pay on Fund distributions or the redemption of Fund shares. Performance of share classes will vary due to difference in sales charges and expenses.

(1)  The MSCI World Net Index is a free float-adjusted market capitalization weighted index that is designed to measure the global equity market performance of developed markets. 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 MSCI World Net Index currently consists of 23 developed market country indices. The performance of the Index is listed in U.S. dollars and assumes reinvestment of net dividends. Net total return indices reinvest dividends after the deduction of withholding taxes, using (for international indices) a tax rate applicable to non-resident institutional investors who do not benefit from double taxation treaties. The Index is unmanaged and its returns do not include any sales charges or fees. Such costs would lower performance. It is not possible to invest directly in an index.

(2)  The Lipper Global Large-Cap Growth Funds Index is an equally weighted performance index of the largest qualifying funds (based on net assets) in the Lipper Global Large-Cap Growth Funds classification. The Index, which is adjusted for capital gains distributions and income dividends, is unmanaged and should not be considered an investment. There are currently 30 funds represented in this Index. As of the date of this report, the Fund was in the Lipper Global Large-Cap Growth Funds classification.


6



Morgan Stanley Institutional Fund, Inc.

Annual Report — December 31, 2020

Investment Overview (unaudited) (cont'd)

Global Franchise Portfolio

(3)  Total returns for the Fund reflect fees waived and expenses reimbursed, if applicable, by the Adviser (as defined herein). Without such waivers and reimbursements, total returns would have been lower.

(4)  Commenced operations on November 28, 2001.

(5)  Commenced offering on April 27, 2012.

(6)  Commenced offering on May 29, 2015.

(7)  Commenced offering on September 30, 2015.

(8)  For comparative purposes, average annual since inception returns listed for the Indexes refer to the inception date of Class I of the Fund, not the inception of the Index.


7



Morgan Stanley Institutional Fund, Inc.

Annual Report — December 31, 2020

Portfolio of Investments

Global Franchise Portfolio

   

Shares

  Value
(000)
 

Common Stocks (97.8%)

 

France (5.7%)

 

L'Oreal SA (BSRM)

   

205,223

   

$

78,303

   

LVMH Moet Hennessy Louis Vuitton SE

   

84,737

     

53,046

   

Pernod Ricard SA

   

252,189

     

48,432

   
     

179,781

   

Germany (4.4%)

 

SAP SE

   

1,058,875

     

137,144

   

Italy (0.5%)

 

Davide Campari-Milano N.V.

   

1,376,714

     

15,780

   

Netherlands (2.4%)

 

Heineken N.V.

   

664,390

     

73,953

   

United Kingdom (16.0%)

 

British American Tobacco PLC

   

1,990,155

     

73,908

   

Experian PLC

   

756,530

     

28,740

   

Reckitt Benckiser Group PLC

   

2,790,837

     

249,094

   

RELX PLC (Euronext N.V.)

   

1,051,879

     

25,704

   

RELX PLC (LSE)

   

2,719,950

     

66,550

   

Unilever PLC

   

909,204

     

54,528

   
     

498,524

   

United States (68.8%)

 

Abbott Laboratories

   

1,105,711

     

121,064

   

Accenture PLC, Class A

   

580,316

     

151,584

   

Automatic Data Processing, Inc.

   

696,991

     

122,810

   

Baxter International, Inc.

   

1,582,374

     

126,970

   

Becton Dickinson & Co.

   

460,723

     

115,282

   

Coca-Cola Co. (The)

   

1,116,218

     

61,213

   

Danaher Corp.

   

563,755

     

125,233

   

Factset Research Systems, Inc.

   

61,058

     

20,302

   

Fidelity National Information Services, Inc.

   

531,255

     

75,151

   

Fox Corp., Class A

   

642,980

     

18,724

   

Fox Corp., Class B (a)

   

485,819

     

14,030

   

Intercontinental Exchange, Inc.

   

760,949

     

87,730

   

Microsoft Corp.

   

1,205,309

     

268,085

   

Moody's Corp.

   

115,256

     

33,452

   

NIKE, Inc., Class B

   

372,710

     

52,727

   

Philip Morris International, Inc.

   

2,982,161

     

246,893

   

Procter & Gamble Co. (The)

   

1,047,010

     

145,681

   

Roper Technologies, Inc.

   

68,259

     

29,426

   

Thermo Fisher Scientific, Inc.

   

241,109

     

112,304

   

Visa, Inc., Class A

   

792,421

     

173,326

   

Zoetis, Inc.

   

276,290

     

45,726

   
     

2,147,713

   

Total Common Stocks (Cost $2,279,896)

   

3,052,895

   
   

Shares

  Value
(000)
 

Short-Term Investment (2.1%)

 

Investment Company (2.1%)

 
Morgan Stanley Institutional Liquidity
Funds — Treasury Securities Portfolio —
Institutional Class (See Note G)
(Cost $65,563)
   

65,562,747

   

$

65,563

   
Total Investments (99.9%)
(Cost $2,345,459) (b)(c)
   

3,118,458

   

Other Assets in Excess of Liabilities (0.1%)

   

4,099

   

Net Assets (100.0%)

 

$

3,122,557

   

Country assignments and aggregations are based generally on third party vendor classifications and information, and may be different from the assignments and aggregations under the policies set forth in the Fund's prospectus and/or statement of additional information relating to geographic classifications.

(a)  Non-income producing security.

(b)  The approximate fair value and percentage of net assets, $905,182,000 and 29.0%, respectively, represent the securities that have been fair valued under the fair valuation policy for international investments as described in Note A-1 within the Notes to the Financial Statements.

(c)  At December 31, 2020, the aggregate cost for federal income tax purposes is approximately $2,369,209,000. The aggregate gross unrealized appreciation is approximately $795,048,000 and the aggregate gross unrealized depreciation is approximately $45,799,000, resulting in net unrealized appreciation of approximately $749,249,000.

Euronext N.V.  Euronext Amsterdam Stock Market.

LSE    London Stock Exchange.

Portfolio Composition

Classification

  Percentage of
Total Investments
 

Other*

   

25.2

%

 

Information Technology Services

   

16.8

   

Health Care Equipment & Supplies

   

15.7

   

Software

   

13.0

   

Household Products

   

12.6

   

Tobacco

   

10.3

   

Beverages

   

6.4

   

Total Investments

   

100.0

%

 

*  Industries and/or investment types representing less than 5% of total investments.

The accompanying notes are an integral part of the financial statements.
8



Morgan Stanley Institutional Fund, Inc.

Annual Report — December 31, 2020

Global Franchise Portfolio

Statement of Assets and Liabilities

  December 31, 2020
(000)
 

Assets:

 

Investments in Securities of Unaffiliated Issuers, at Value (Cost $2,279,896)

 

$

3,052,895

   

Investment in Security of Affiliated Issuer, at Value (Cost $65,563)

   

65,563

   

Total Investments in Securities, at Value (Cost $2,345,459)

   

3,118,458

   

Cash

   

1

   

Dividends Receivable

   

6,052

   

Receivable for Fund Shares Sold

   

4,263

   

Tax Reclaim Receivable

   

736

   

Receivable from Affiliate

   

1

   

Other Assets

   

161

   

Total Assets

   

3,129,672

   

Liabilities:

 

Payable for Advisory Fees

   

5,297

   

Payable for Fund Shares Redeemed

   

972

   

Payable for Sub Transfer Agency Fees — Class I

   

268

   

Payable for Sub Transfer Agency Fees — Class A

   

36

   

Payable for Sub Transfer Agency Fees — Class L

   

1

   

Payable for Sub Transfer Agency Fees — Class C

   

14

   

Payable for Shareholder Services Fees — Class A

   

66

   

Payable for Distribution and Shareholder Services Fees — Class L

   

5

   

Payable for Distribution and Shareholder Services Fees — Class C

   

105

   

Payable for Administration Fees

   

204

   

Payable for Custodian Fees

   

28

   

Payable for Transfer Agency Fees — Class I

   

4

   

Payable for Transfer Agency Fees — Class A

   

1

   

Payable for Transfer Agency Fees — Class L

   

@

 

Payable for Transfer Agency Fees — Class C

   

2

   

Payable for Transfer Agency Fees — Class IS

   

1

   

Other Liabilities

   

111

   

Total Liabilities

   

7,115

   

Net Assets

 

$

3,122,557

   

Net Assets Consist of:

 

Paid-in-Capital

 

$

2,369,636

   

Total Distributable Earnings

   

752,921

   

Net Assets

 

$

3,122,557

   

The accompanying notes are an integral part of the financial statements.
9



Morgan Stanley Institutional Fund, Inc.

Annual Report — December 31, 2020

Global Franchise Portfolio

Statement of Assets and Liabilities (cont'd)

  December 31, 2020
(000)
 

CLASS I:

 

Net Assets

 

$

2,300,448

   
Shares Outstanding $0.001 par value shares of beneficial interest (unlimited shares authorized) (not in 000's)    

73,724,139

   

Net Asset Value, Offering and Redemption Price Per Share

 

$

31.20

   

CLASS A:

 

Net Assets

 

$

317,673

   
Shares Outstanding $0.001 par value shares of beneficial interest (unlimited shares authorized) (not in 000's)    

10,436,972

   

Net Asset Value, Redemption Price Per Share

 

$

30.44

   

Maximum Sales Load

   

5.25

%

 

Maximum Sales Charge

 

$

1.69

   

Maximum Offering Price Per Share

 

$

32.13

   

CLASS L:

 

Net Assets

 

$

8,390

   
Shares Outstanding $0.001 par value shares of beneficial interest (unlimited shares authorized) (not in 000's)    

275,898

   

Net Asset Value, Offering and Redemption Price Per Share

 

$

30.41

   

CLASS C:

 

Net Assets

 

$

125,919

   
Shares Outstanding $0.001 par value shares of beneficial interest (unlimited shares authorized) (not in 000's)    

4,229,151

   

Net Asset Value, Offering and Redemption Price Per Share

 

$

29.77

   

CLASS IS:

 

Net Assets

 

$

370,127

   
Shares Outstanding $0.001 par value shares of beneficial interest (unlimited shares authorized) (not in 000's)    

11,857,505

   

Net Asset Value, Offering and Redemption Price Per Share

 

$

31.21

   

@  Amount is less than $500.

The accompanying notes are an integral part of the financial statements.
10



Morgan Stanley Institutional Fund, Inc.

Annual Report — December 31, 2020

Global Franchise Portfolio

Statement of Operations

  Year Ended
December 31, 2020
(000)
 

Investment Income:

 

Dividends from Securities of Unaffiliated Issuers (Net of $704 of Foreign Taxes Withheld)

 

$

49,365

   

Dividends from Security of Affiliated Issuer (Note G)

   

202

   

Total Investment Income

   

49,567

   

Expenses:

 

Advisory Fees (Note B)

   

18,537

   

Administration Fees (Note C)

   

2,033

   

Sub Transfer Agency Fees — Class I

   

1,659

   

Sub Transfer Agency Fees — Class A

   

245

   

Sub Transfer Agency Fees — Class L

   

5

   

Sub Transfer Agency Fees — Class C

   

84

   

Shareholder Services Fees — Class A (Note D)

   

721

   

Distribution and Shareholder Services Fees — Class L (Note D)

   

59

   

Distribution and Shareholder Services Fees — Class C (Note D)

   

1,105

   

Registration Fees

   

199

   

Shareholder Reporting Fees

   

111

   

Professional Fees

   

94

   

Custodian Fees (Note F)

   

88

   

Transfer Agency Fees — Class I (Note E)

   

24

   

Transfer Agency Fees — Class A (Note E)

   

5

   

Transfer Agency Fees — Class L (Note E)

   

2

   

Transfer Agency Fees — Class C (Note E)

   

8

   

Transfer Agency Fees — Class IS (Note E)

   

4

   

Pricing Fees

   

2

   

Interest Expenses

   

17

   

Other Expenses

   

66

   

Total Expenses

   

25,068

   

Rebate from Morgan Stanley Affiliate (Note G)

   

(101

)

 

Net Expenses

   

24,967

   

Net Investment Income

   

24,600

   

Realized Gain (Loss):

 

Investments Sold

   

65,081

   

Foreign Currency Translation

   

(27

)

 

Net Realized Gain

   

65,054

   

Change in Unrealized Appreciation (Depreciation):

 

Investments

   

262,186

   

Foreign Currency Translation

   

47

   

Net Change in Unrealized Appreciation (Depreciation)

   

262,233

   

Net Realized Gain and Change in Unrealized Appreciation (Depreciation)

   

327,287

   

Net Increase in Net Assets Resulting from Operations

 

$

351,887

   

The accompanying notes are an integral part of the financial statements.
11



Morgan Stanley Institutional Fund, Inc.

Annual Report — December 31, 2020

Global Franchise Portfolio

Statements of Changes in Net Assets

  Year Ended
December 31, 2020
(000)
  Year Ended
December 31, 2019
(000)
 

Increase (Decrease) in Net Assets:

 

Operations:

 

Net Investment Income

 

$

24,600

   

$

18,037

   

Net Realized Gain

   

65,054

     

75,417

   

Net Change in Unrealized Appreciation (Depreciation)

   

262,233

     

342,113

   

Net Increase in Net Assets Resulting from Operations

   

351,887

     

435,567

   

Dividends and Distributions to Shareholders:

 

Class I

   

(77,432

)

   

(69,422

)

 

Class A

   

(10,258

)

   

(12,386

)

 

Class L

   

(235

)

   

(324

)

 

Class C

   

(3,376

)

   

(3,695

)

 

Class IS

   

(10,185

)

   

(6,101

)

 

Total Dividends and Distributions to Shareholders

   

(101,486

)

   

(91,928

)

 

Capital Share Transactions:(1)

 

Class I:

 

Subscribed

   

925,113

     

610,415

   

Distributions Reinvested

   

74,251

     

66,894

   

Redeemed

   

(495,524

)

   

(243,674

)

 

Class A:

 

Subscribed

   

94,968

     

129,760

   

Distributions Reinvested

   

9,770

     

11,893

   

Redeemed

   

(103,292

)

   

(42,410

)

 

Class L:

 

Exchanged

   

20

     

153

   

Distributions Reinvested

   

234

     

324

   

Redeemed

   

(881

)

   

(971

)

 

Class C:

 

Subscribed

   

40,555

     

39,565

   

Distributions Reinvested

   

3,270

     

3,620

   

Redeemed

   

(26,830

)

   

(13,421

)

 

Class IS:

 

Subscribed

   

323,345

     

27,633

   

Distributions Reinvested

   

9,909

     

6,101

   

Redeemed

   

(113,147

)

   

(145,085

)

 

Net Increase in Net Assets Resulting from Capital Share Transactions

   

741,761

     

450,797

   

Total Increase in Net Assets

   

992,162

     

794,436

   

Net Assets:

 

Beginning of Period

   

2,130,395

     

1,335,959

   

End of Period

 

$

3,122,557

   

$

2,130,395

   

The accompanying notes are an integral part of the financial statements.
12



Morgan Stanley Institutional Fund, Inc.

Annual Report — December 31, 2020

Global Franchise Portfolio

Statements of Changes in Net Assets (cont'd)

  Year Ended
December 31, 2020
(000)
  Year Ended
December 31, 2019
(000)
 

(1)   Capital Share Transactions:

 

Class I:

 

Shares Subscribed

   

33,099

     

22,755

   

Shares Issued on Distributions Reinvested

   

2,414

     

2,357

   

Shares Redeemed

   

(17,628

)

   

(9,143

)

 

Net Increase in Class I Shares Outstanding

   

17,885

     

15,969

   

Class A:

 

Shares Subscribed

   

3,390

     

4,988

   

Shares Issued on Distributions Reinvested

   

326

     

429

   

Shares Redeemed

   

(3,779

)

   

(1,617

)

 

Net Increase (Decrease) in Class A Shares Outstanding

   

(63

)

   

3,800

   

Class L:

 

Shares Exchanged

   

1

     

5

   

Shares Issued on Distributions Reinvested

   

8

     

12

   

Shares Redeemed

   

(34

)

   

(41

)

 

Net Decrease in Class L Shares Outstanding

   

(25

)

   

(24

)

 

Class C:

 

Shares Subscribed

   

1,471

     

1,520

   

Shares Issued on Distributions Reinvested

   

111

     

133

   

Shares Redeemed

   

(985

)

   

(519

)

 

Net Increase in Class C Shares Outstanding

   

597

     

1,134

   

Class IS:

 

Shares Subscribed

   

10,853

     

988

   

Shares Issued on Distributions Reinvested

   

322

     

215

   

Shares Redeemed

   

(4,129

)

   

(5,250

)

 

Net Increase (Decrease) in Class IS Shares Outstanding

   

7,046

     

(4,047

)

 

The accompanying notes are an integral part of the financial statements.
13



Morgan Stanley Institutional Fund, Inc.

Annual Report — December 31, 2020

Financial Highlights

Global Franchise Portfolio

   

Class I

 
   

Year Ended December 31,

 

Selected Per Share Data and Ratios

 

2020

 

2019

 

2018

 

2017

 

2016(1)

 

Net Asset Value, Beginning of Period

 

$

28.53

   

$

23.03

   

$

24.72

   

$

20.56

   

$

20.33

   

Income (Loss) from Investment Operations:

 

Net Investment Income(2)

   

0.30

     

0.30

     

0.29

     

0.27

     

0.30

   

Net Realized and Unrealized Gain (Loss)

   

3.45

     

6.51

     

(0.63

)

   

5.05

     

0.84

   

Total from Investment Operations

   

3.75

     

6.81

     

(0.34

)

   

5.32

     

1.14

   

Distributions from and/or in Excess of:

 

Net Investment Income

   

(0.28

)

   

(0.27

)

   

(0.27

)

   

(0.24

)

   

(0.28

)

 

Net Realized Gain

   

(0.80

)

   

(1.04

)

   

(1.08

)

   

(0.92

)

   

(0.63

)

 

Total Distributions

   

(1.08

)

   

(1.31

)

   

(1.35

)

   

(1.16

)

   

(0.91

)

 

Net Asset Value, End of Period

 

$

31.20

   

$

28.53

   

$

23.03

   

$

24.72

   

$

20.56

   

Total Return(3)

   

13.22

%

   

29.60

%

   

(1.50

)%

   

25.85

%

   

5.64

%

 

Ratios to Average Net Assets and Supplemental Data:

 

Net Assets, End of Period (Thousands)

 

$

2,300,448

   

$

1,593,092

   

$

918,409

   

$

753,107

   

$

601,340

   

Ratio of Expenses Before Expense Limitation

   

N/A

     

N/A

     

N/A

     

N/A

     

0.98

%

 

Ratio of Expenses After Expense Limitation

   

0.92

%(4)

   

0.93

%(4)

   

0.94

%(4)

   

0.98

%(4)

   

0.97

%(4)

 

Ratio of Expenses After Expense Limitation Excluding Interest Expenses

   

0.92

%(4)

   

0.93

%(4)

   

N/A

     

N/A

     

N/A

   

Ratio of Net Investment Income

   

1.04

%(4)

   

1.09

%(4)

   

1.14

%(4)

   

1.17

%(4)

   

1.40

%(4)

 

Ratio of Rebate from Morgan Stanley Affiliates

   

0.00

%(5)

   

0.00

%(5)

   

0.00

%(5)

   

0.00

%(5)

   

0.00

%(5)

 

Portfolio Turnover Rate

   

19

%

   

16

%

   

27

%

   

28

%

   

30

%

 

(1)  Reflects prior period custodian out-of-pocket expenses that were reimbursed in September 2016. The amount of the reimbursement was immaterial on a per share basis and did not impact the total return of Class I shares. The Ratio of Expenses After Expense Limitation would have been 0.01% higher and the Ratio of Net Investment Income would have been 0.01% lower had the custodian not reimbursed the Fund.

(2)  Per share amount is based on average shares outstanding.

(3)  Calculated based on the net asset value as of the last business day of the period.

(4)  The Ratio of Expenses After Expense Limitation and Ratio of Net Investment Income reflect the rebate of certain Fund expenses in connection with the investments in Morgan Stanley affiliates during the period. The effect of the rebate on the ratios is disclosed in the above table as "Ratio of Rebate from Morgan Stanley Affiliates."

(5)  Amount is less than 0.005%.

The accompanying notes are an integral part of the financial statements.
14



Morgan Stanley Institutional Fund, Inc.

Annual Report — December 31, 2020

Financial Highlights

Global Franchise Portfolio

   

Class A

 
   

Year Ended December 31,

 

Selected Per Share Data and Ratios

 

2020

 

2019

 

2018

 

2017

 

2016(1)

 

Net Asset Value, Beginning of Period

 

$

27.86

   

$

22.53

   

$

24.21

   

$

20.16

   

$

19.96

   

Income (Loss) from Investment Operations:

 

Net Investment Income(2)

   

0.22

     

0.23

     

0.21

     

0.22

     

0.23

   

Net Realized and Unrealized Gain (Loss)

   

3.37

     

6.35

     

(0.61

)

   

4.94

     

0.83

   

Total from Investment Operations

   

3.59

     

6.58

     

(0.40

)

   

5.16

     

1.06

   

Distributions from and/or in Excess of:

 

Net Investment Income

   

(0.21

)

   

(0.21

)

   

(0.20

)

   

(0.19

)

   

(0.23

)

 

Net Realized Gain

   

(0.80

)

   

(1.04

)

   

(1.08

)

   

(0.92

)

   

(0.63

)

 

Total Distributions

   

(1.01

)

   

(1.25

)

   

(1.28

)

   

(1.11

)

   

(0.86

)

 

Net Asset Value, End of Period

 

$

30.44

   

$

27.86

   

$

22.53

   

$

24.21

   

$

20.16

   

Total Return(3)

   

12.95

%

   

29.24

%

   

(1.77

)%

   

25.58

%

   

5.36

%

 

Ratios to Average Net Assets and Supplemental Data:

 

Net Assets, End of Period (Thousands)

 

$

317,673

   

$

292,491

   

$

150,936

   

$

146,722

   

$

104,306

   

Ratio of Expenses Before Expense Limitation

   

N/A

     

N/A

     

N/A

     

N/A

     

1.23

%

 

Ratio of Expenses After Expense Limitation

   

1.16

%(4)

   

1.19

%(4)

   

1.23

%(4)

   

1.21

%(4)

   

1.22

%(4)

 

Ratio of Expenses After Expense Limitation Excluding Interest Expenses

   

1.16

%(4)

   

1.19

%(4)

   

N/A

     

N/A

     

N/A

   

Ratio of Net Investment Income

   

0.77

%(4)

   

0.83

%(4)

   

0.84

%(4)

   

0.94

%(4)

   

1.13

%(4)

 

Ratio of Rebate from Morgan Stanley Affiliates

   

0.00

%(5)

   

0.00

%(5)

   

0.00

%(5)

   

0.00

%(5)

   

0.00

%(5)

 

Portfolio Turnover Rate

   

19

%

   

16

%

   

27

%

   

28

%

   

30

%

 

(1)  Reflects prior period custodian out-of-pocket expenses that were reimbursed in September 2016. The amount of the reimbursement was immaterial on a per share basis and did not impact the total return of Class A shares. The Ratio of Expenses After Expense Limitation would have been 0.01% higher and the Ratio of Net Investment Income would have been 0.01% lower had the custodian not reimbursed the Fund.

(2)  Per share amount is based on average shares outstanding.

(3)  Calculated based on the net asset value which does not reflect sales charges, if applicable, as of the last business day of the period.

(4)  The Ratio of Expenses After Expense Limitation and Ratio of Net Investment Income reflect the rebate of certain Fund expenses in connection with the investments in Morgan Stanley affiliates during the period. The effect of the rebate on the ratios is disclosed in the above table as "Ratio of Rebate from Morgan Stanley Affiliates."

(5)  Amount is less than 0.005%.

The accompanying notes are an integral part of the financial statements.
15



Morgan Stanley Institutional Fund, Inc.

Annual Report — December 31, 2020

Financial Highlights

Global Franchise Portfolio

   

Class L

 
   

Year Ended December 31,

 

Selected Per Share Data and Ratios

 

2020

 

2019

 

2018

 

2017

 

2016(1)

 

Net Asset Value, Beginning of Period

 

$

27.84

   

$

22.51

   

$

24.18

   

$

20.13

   

$

19.91

   

Income (Loss) from Investment Operations:

 

Net Investment Income(2)

   

0.07

     

0.09

     

0.09

     

0.10

     

0.13

   

Net Realized and Unrealized Gain (Loss)

   

3.36

     

6.35

     

(0.62

)

   

4.93

     

0.82

   

Total from Investment Operations

   

3.43

     

6.44

     

(0.53

)

   

5.03

     

0.95

   

Distributions from and/or in Excess of:

 

Net Investment Income

   

(0.06

)

   

(0.07

)

   

(0.06

)

   

(0.06

)

   

(0.10

)

 

Net Realized Gain

   

(0.80

)

   

(1.04

)

   

(1.08

)

   

(0.92

)

   

(0.63

)

 

Total Distributions

   

(0.86

)

   

(1.11

)

   

(1.14

)

   

(0.98

)

   

(0.73

)

 

Net Asset Value, End of Period

 

$

30.41

   

$

27.84

   

$

22.51

   

$

24.18

   

$

20.13

   

Total Return(3)

   

12.38

%

   

28.62

%

   

(2.29

)%

   

24.98

%

   

4.82

%

 

Ratios to Average Net Assets and Supplemental Data:

 

Net Assets, End of Period (Thousands)

 

$

8,390

   

$

8,388

   

$

7,312

   

$

7,993

   

$

7,449

   

Ratio of Expenses Before Expense Limitation

   

N/A

     

N/A

     

N/A

     

N/A

     

1.72

%

 

Ratio of Expenses After Expense Limitation

   

1.66

%(4)

   

1.69

%(4)

   

1.73

%(4)

   

1.70

%(4)

   

1.71

%(4)

 

Ratio of Expenses After Expense Limitation Excluding Interest Expenses

   

1.66

%(4)

   

1.69

%(4)

   

N/A

     

N/A

     

N/A

   

Ratio of Net Investment Income

   

0.26

%(4)

   

0.31

%(4)

   

0.36

%(4)

   

0.44

%(4)

   

0.65

%(4)

 

Ratio of Rebate from Morgan Stanley Affiliates

   

0.00

%(5)

   

0.00

%(5)

   

0.00

%(5)

   

0.00

%(5)

   

0.00

%(5)

 

Portfolio Turnover Rate

   

19

%

   

16

%

   

27

%

   

28

%

   

30

%

 

(1)  Reflects prior period custodian out-of-pocket expenses that were reimbursed in September 2016. The amount of the reimbursement was immaterial on a per share basis and did not impact the total return of Class L shares. The Ratio of Expenses After Expense Limitation would have been 0.01% higher and the Ratio of Net Investment Income would have been 0.01% lower had the custodian not reimbursed the Fund.

(2)  Per share amount is based on average shares outstanding.

(3)  Calculated based on the net asset value as of the last business day of the period.

(4)  The Ratio of Expenses After Expense Limitation and Ratio of Net Investment Income reflect the rebate of certain Fund expenses in connection with the investments in Morgan Stanley affiliates during the period. The effect of the rebate on the ratios is disclosed in the above table as "Ratio of Rebate from Morgan Stanley Affiliates."

(5)  Amount is less than 0.005%.

The accompanying notes are an integral part of the financial statements.
16



Morgan Stanley Institutional Fund, Inc.

Annual Report — December 31, 2020

Financial Highlights

Global Franchise Portfolio

   

Class C

 
   

Year Ended December 31,

 

Selected Per Share Data and Ratios

 

2020

 

2019

 

2018

 

2017

 

2016(1)

 

Net Asset Value, Beginning of Period

 

$

27.30

   

$

22.13

   

$

23.82

   

$

19.88

   

$

19.75

   

Income (Loss) from Investment Operations:

 

Net Investment Income(2)

   

0.01

     

0.02

     

0.03

     

0.04

     

0.06

   

Net Realized and Unrealized Gain (Loss)

   

3.27

     

6.23

     

(0.60

)

   

4.86

     

0.84

   

Total from Investment Operations

   

3.28

     

6.25

     

(0.57

)

   

4.90

     

0.90

   

Distributions from and/or in Excess of:

 

Net Investment Income

   

(0.01

)

   

(0.04

)

   

(0.04

)

   

(0.04

)

   

(0.14

)

 

Net Realized Gain

   

(0.80

)

   

(1.04

)

   

(1.08

)

   

(0.92

)

   

(0.63

)

 

Total Distributions

   

(0.81

)

   

(1.08

)

   

(1.12

)

   

(0.96

)

   

(0.77

)

 

Net Asset Value, End of Period

 

$

29.77

   

$

27.30

   

$

22.13

   

$

23.82

   

$

19.88

   

Total Return(3)

   

12.09

%

   

28.27

%

   

(2.51

)%

   

24.63

%

   

4.58

%

 

Ratios to Average Net Assets and Supplemental Data:

 

Net Assets, End of Period (Thousands)

 

$

125,919

   

$

99,141

   

$

55,271

   

$

47,726

   

$

29,650

   

Ratio of Expenses Before Expense Limitation

   

N/A

     

N/A

     

N/A

     

N/A

     

2.00

%

 

Ratio of Expenses After Expense Limitation

   

1.91

%(4)

   

1.95

%(4)

   

1.96

%(4)

   

1.98

%(4)

   

1.99

%(4)

 

Ratio of Expenses After Expense Limitation Excluding Interest Expenses

   

1.91

%(4)

   

1.95

%(4)

   

N/A

     

N/A

     

N/A

   

Ratio of Net Investment Income

   

0.03

%(4)

   

0.07

%(4)

   

0.12

%(4)

   

0.16

%(4)

   

0.29

%(4)

 

Ratio of Rebate from Morgan Stanley Affiliates

   

0.00

%(5)

   

0.00

%(5)

   

0.00

%(5)

   

0.00

%(5)

   

0.00

%(5)

 

Portfolio Turnover Rate

   

19

%

   

16

%

   

27

%

   

28

%

   

30

%

 

(1)  Reflects prior period custodian out-of-pocket expenses that were reimbursed in September 2016. The amount of the reimbursement was immaterial on a per share basis and did not impact the total return of Class C shares. The Ratio of Expenses After Expense Limitation would have been 0.01% higher and the Ratio of Net Investment Income would have been 0.01% lower had the custodian not reimbursed the Fund.

(2)  Per share amount is based on average shares outstanding.

(3)  Calculated based on the net asset value which does not reflect sales charges, if applicable, as of the last business day of the period.

(4)  The Ratio of Expenses After Expense Limitation and Ratio of Net Investment Income reflect the rebate of certain Fund expenses in connection with the investments in Morgan Stanley affiliates during the period. The effect of the rebate on the ratios is disclosed in the above table as "Ratio of Rebate from Morgan Stanley Affiliates."

(5)  Amount is less than 0.005%.

The accompanying notes are an integral part of the financial statements.
17



Morgan Stanley Institutional Fund, Inc.

Annual Report — December 31, 2020

Financial Highlights

Global Franchise Portfolio

   

Class IS

 
   

Year Ended December 31,

 

Selected Per Share Data and Ratios

 

2020

 

2019

 

2018

 

2017

 

2016(1)

 

Net Asset Value, Beginning of Period

 

$

28.53

   

$

23.03

   

$

24.72

   

$

20.55

   

$

20.33

   

Income (Loss) from Investment Operations:

 

Net Investment Income(2)

   

0.33

     

0.32

     

0.32

     

0.29

     

0.21

   

Net Realized and Unrealized Gain (Loss)

   

3.45

     

6.51

     

(0.65

)

   

5.05

     

0.93

   

Total from Investment Operations

   

3.78

     

6.83

     

(0.33

)

   

5.34

     

1.14

   

Distributions from and/or in Excess of:

 

Net Investment Income

   

(0.30

)

   

(0.29

)

   

(0.28

)

   

(0.25

)

   

(0.29

)

 

Net Realized Gain

   

(0.80

)

   

(1.04

)

   

(1.08

)

   

(0.92

)

   

(0.63

)

 

Total Distributions

   

(1.10

)

   

(1.33

)

   

(1.36

)

   

(1.17

)

   

(0.92

)

 

Net Asset Value, End of Period

 

$

31.21

   

$

28.53

   

$

23.03

   

$

24.72

   

$

20.55

   

Total Return(3)

   

13.33

%

   

29.67

%

   

(1.45

)%

   

26.00

%

   

5.70

%

 

Ratios to Average Net Assets and Supplemental Data:

 

Net Assets, End of Period (Thousands)

 

$

370,127

   

$

137,283

   

$

204,031

   

$

90,488

   

$

19,334

   

Ratio of Expenses Before Expense Limitation

   

N/A

     

N/A

     

N/A

     

N/A

     

0.94

%

 

Ratio of Expenses After Expense Limitation

   

0.83

%(4)

   

0.86

%(4)

   

0.88

%(4)

   

0.91

%(4)

   

0.92

%(4)

 

Ratio of Expenses After Expense Limitation Excluding Interest Expenses

   

0.83

%(4)

   

0.86

%(4)

   

N/A

     

N/A

     

N/A

   

Ratio of Net Investment Income

   

1.14

%(4)

   

1.21

%(4)

   

1.30

%(4)

   

1.23

%(4)

   

0.99

%(4)

 

Ratio of Rebate from Morgan Stanley Affiliates

   

0.00

%(5)

   

0.00

%(5)

   

0.00

%(5)

   

0.00

%(5)

   

0.00

%(5)

 

Portfolio Turnover Rate

   

19

%

   

16

%

   

27

%

   

28

%

   

30

%

 

(1)  Reflects prior period custodian out-of-pocket expenses that were reimbursed in September 2016. The amount of the reimbursement was immaterial on a per share basis and did not impact the total return of Class IS shares. The Ratio of Expenses After Expense Limitation would have been 0.01% higher and the Ratio of Net Investment Income would have been 0.01% lower had the custodian not reimbursed the Fund.

(2)  Per share amount is based on average shares outstanding.

(3)  Calculated based on the net asset value as of the last business day of the period.

(4)  The Ratio of Expenses After Expense Limitation and Ratio of Net Investment Income reflect the rebate of certain Fund expenses in connection with the investments in Morgan Stanley affiliates during the period. The effect of the rebate on the ratios is disclosed in the above table as "Ratio of Rebate from Morgan Stanley Affiliates."

(5)  Amount is less than 0.005%.

The accompanying notes are an integral part of the financial statements.
18



Morgan Stanley Institutional Fund, Inc.

Annual Report — December 31, 2020

Notes to Financial Statements

Morgan Stanley Institutional Fund, Inc. (the "Company") is registered under the Investment Company Act of 1940, as amended (the "Act"), as an open-end management investment company. The Company is comprised of thirty-one separate, active, diversified and non-diversified funds (individually referred to as a "Fund," collectively as the "Funds"). The Company applies investment company accounting and reporting guidance.

The accompanying financial statements relate to the Global Franchise Portfolio. The Fund seeks long-term capital appreciation.

The Fund offers five classes of shares — Class I, Class A, Class L, Class C and Class IS. On April 30, 2015, the Fund suspended offering of Class L shares. Existing Class L shareholders may invest through reinvestment of dividends and distributions. In addition, Class L shares of the Fund may be exchanged for Class L shares of any Morgan Stanley Multi-Class Fund, even though Class L shares are closed to investors.

A. Significant Accounting Policies: The following significant accounting policies are in conformity with U.S. generally accepted accounting principles ("GAAP"). Such policies are consistently followed by the Company in the preparation of its financial statements. GAAP may require management to make estimates and assumptions that affect the reported amounts and disclosures in the financial statements. Actual results may differ from those estimates.

1.  Security Valuation: (1) An equity portfolio security listed or traded on an exchange is valued at its latest reported sales price (or at the exchange official closing price if such exchange reports an official closing price), and if there were no sales on a given day and if there is no official exchange closing price for that day, the security is valued at the mean between the last reported bid and asked prices if such bid and asked prices are available on the relevant exchanges. If only bid prices are available then the latest bid price may be used. Listed equity securities not traded on the valuation date with no reported bid and asked prices available on the exchange are valued at the mean between the current bid and asked prices obtained from one or more reputable brokers or dealers. In cases where a security is traded on more than one exchange, the security is valued on the exchange designated as the primary market; (2) all other equity portfolio securities for which over-the-counter ("OTC") market quotations are readily available are valued at the latest reported sales price (or at the market official closing price if such market reports an official

closing price), and if there was no trading in the security on a given day and if there is no official closing price from relevant markets for that day, the security is valued at the mean between the last reported bid and asked prices if such bid and asked prices are available on the relevant markets. An unlisted equity security that does not trade on the valuation date and for which bid and asked prices from the relevant markets are unavailable is valued at the mean between the current bid and asked prices obtained from one or more reputable brokers or dealers; (3) certain portfolio securities may be valued by an outside pricing service/vendor approved by the Company's Board of Directors (the "Directors"). The pricing service/vendor may employ a pricing model that takes into account, among other things, bids, yield spreads and/or other market data and specific security characteristics. Alternatively, if a valuation is not available from an outside pricing service/vendor, and the security trades on an exchange, the security may be valued at its latest reported sale price (or at the exchange official closing price if such exchange reports an official closing price), prior to the time when assets are valued. If there are no sales on a given day and if there is no official exchange closing price for that day, the security is valued at the mean between the last reported bid and asked prices if such bid and asked prices are available in the relevant exchanges. If only bid prices are available then the latest bid price may be used. If Morgan Stanley Investment Management Inc. (the "Adviser") or Morgan Stanley Investment Management Limited ("MSIM Limited") (the "Sub-Adviser"), each a wholly-owned subsidiary of Morgan Stanley, determines that the price provided by the outside pricing service/vendor or exchange does not reflect the security's fair value or is unable to provide a price, prices from brokers or dealers may also be utilized. In these circumstances, the value of the security will be the mean of bid and asked prices obtained from brokers or dealers; (4) when market quotations are not readily available, including circumstances under which the Adviser or the Sub-Adviser 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 Directors. 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


19



Morgan Stanley Institutional Fund, Inc.

Annual Report — December 31, 2020

Notes to Financial Statements (cont'd)

foreign market on which the securities trade) and the close of business of the New York Stock Exchange ("NYSE"). If developments occur during such periods that are expected to materially affect the value of such securities, such valuations may be adjusted to reflect the estimated fair value of such securities as of the close of the NYSE, as determined in good faith by the Directors or by the Adviser using a pricing service and/or procedures approved by the Directors; (5) quotations of foreign portfolio securities, other assets and liabilities and forward contracts stated in foreign currency are translated into U.S. dollar equivalents at the prevailing market rates prior to the close of the NYSE; and (6) investments in mutual funds, including the Morgan Stanley Institutional Liquidity Funds, are valued at the net asset value ("NAV") as of the close of each business day.

The Directors have responsibility for determining in good faith the fair value of the investments, and the Directors may appoint others, such as the Company's Adviser or a valuation committee, to assist the Directors in determining fair value and to make the actual calculations pursuant to the fair valuation methodologies previously approved by the Directors. Under procedures approved by the Directors, the Company's Adviser has formed a Valuation Committee whose members are approved by the Directors. The Valuation Committee provides administration and oversight of the Company's valuation policies and procedures, which are reviewed at least annually by the Directors. These procedures allow the Company to utilize independent pricing services, quotations from securities and financial instrument dealers and other market sources to determine fair value.

2.  Fair Value Measurement: Financial Accounting Standards Board ("FASB") Accounting Standards CodificationTM ("ASC") 820, "Fair Value Measurement" ("ASC 820"), defines fair value as the value that the Fund would receive to sell an investment or pay to transfer a liability in a timely transaction with an independent buyer in the principal market, or in the absence of a principal market, the most advantageous market for the investment or liability. ASC 820 establishes a three-tier hierarchy to distinguish between (1) inputs that reflect the assumptions market participants would use in valuing an asset or liability developed based on market data obtained from sources independent of the reporting entity (observable inputs) and (2) inputs that reflect the reporting entity's own assumptions about the assumptions market participants

would use in valuing an asset or liability developed based on the best information available in the circumstances (unobservable inputs) and to establish classification of fair value measurements for disclosure purposes. Various inputs are used in determining the value of the Fund's investments. The inputs are summarized in the three broad levels listed below:

•  Level 1 – unadjusted quoted prices in active markets for identical investments

•  Level 2 – other significant observable inputs (including quoted prices for similar investments, interest rates, prepayment speeds, credit risk, etc.)

•  Level 3 – significant unobservable inputs including the Fund's own assumptions in determining the fair value of investments. Factors considered in making this determination may include, but are not limited to, information obtained by contacting the issuer, analysts, or the appropriate stock exchange (for exchange-traded securities), analysis of the issuer's financial statements or other available documents and, if necessary, available information concerning other securities in similar circumstances.

The inputs or methodology used for valuing securities are not necessarily an indication of the risk associated with investing in those securities and the determination of the significance of a particular input to the fair value measurement in its entirety requires judgment and considers factors specific to each security.

The following is a summary of the inputs used to value the Fund's investments as of December 31, 2020:

Investment Type

  Level 1
Unadjusted
quoted
prices
(000)
  Level 2
Other
significant
observable
inputs
(000)
  Level 3
Significant
unobservable
inputs
(000)
  Total
(000)
 

Assets:

 

Common Stocks

 

Beverages

 

$

61,213

   

$

138,165

   

$

   

$

199,378

   

Capital Markets

   

141,484

     

     

     

141,484

   
Health Care
Equipment &
Supplies
   

488,549

     

     

     

488,549

   

Household Products

   

145,681

     

249,094

     

     

394,775

   
Industrial
Conglomerates
   

29,426

     

     

     

29,426

   


20



Morgan Stanley Institutional Fund, Inc.

Annual Report — December 31, 2020

Notes to Financial Statements (cont'd)

Investment Type

  Level 1
Unadjusted
quoted
prices
(000)
  Level 2
Other
significant
observable
inputs
(000)
  Level 3
Significant
unobservable
inputs
(000)
  Total
(000)
 

Common Stocks (cont'd)

 
Information
Technology
Services
 

$

522,871

   

$

   

$

   

$

522,871

   
Life Sciences
Tools &
Services
   

112,304

     

     

     

112,304

   

Media

   

32,754

     

     

     

32,754

   

Personal Products

   

     

132,831

     

     

132,831

   

Pharmaceuticals

   

45,726

     

     

     

45,726

   
Professional
Services
   

     

120,994

     

     

120,994

   

Software

   

268,085

     

137,144

     

     

405,229

   
Textiles, Apparel &
Luxury Goods
   

52,727

     

53,046

     

     

105,773

   

Tobacco

   

246,893

     

73,908

     

     

320,801

   

Total Common Stocks

   

2,147,713

     

905,182

     

     

3,052,895

   

Short-Term Investment

 

Investment Company

   

65,563

     

     

     

65,563

   

Total Assets

 

$

2,213,276

   

$

905,182

   

$

   

$

3,118,458

   

Transfers between investment levels may occur as the markets fluctuate and/or the availability of data used in an investment's valuation changes.

3.  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.

Net realized gains (losses) on foreign currency transactions represent net foreign exchange gains (losses) from foreign currency forward exchange contracts, disposition of foreign currencies, currency gains (losses) realized between the trade and settlement dates on securities transactions, and the difference between the amount of investment income and foreign withholding taxes recorded on the Fund's books and the U.S. dollar equivalent amounts actually received or paid. The change in unrealized currency gains (losses) on foreign currency transactions for the period is reflected in the Statement of Operations.

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.

Governmental approval for foreign investments may be required in advance of making an investment under certain circumstances in some countries, and the extent of foreign investments in domestic companies may be subject to limitation in other countries. Foreign ownership limitations also may be imposed by the charters of individual companies to prevent, among other concerns, violations of foreign investment limitations. As a result, an additional class of shares (identified as "Foreign" in the Portfolio of Investments) may be created and offered for investment. The "local" and "foreign shares" market values may differ. In the absence of trading of the foreign shares in such markets, the Fund values the foreign shares at the closing exchange price of the local shares.

4.  Indemnifications: The Company enters into contracts that contain a variety of indemnifications. The Company's maximum exposure under these arrangements is unknown. However, the Company has not had prior claims or losses pursuant to these contracts and expects the risk of loss to be remote.


21



Morgan Stanley Institutional Fund, Inc.

Annual Report — December 31, 2020

Notes to Financial Statements (cont'd)

5.  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. Net realized capital gains, if any, are distributed at least annually.

6.  Security Transactions, Income and Expenses: Security transactions are accounted for on the trade date (date the order to buy or sell is executed). Realized gains and losses on the sale of investment securities are determined on the specific identified cost method. Dividend income and other distributions are recorded on the ex-dividend date (except for certain foreign dividends which may be recorded as soon as the Fund is informed of such dividends) net of applicable withholding taxes. Interest income is recognized on the accrual basis except where collection is in doubt. Discounts are accreted and premiums are amortized over the life of the respective securities. Most expenses of the Company can be directly attributed to a particular Fund. Expenses which cannot be directly attributed are apportioned among the Funds based upon relative net assets or other appropriate methods. Income, expenses (other than class specific expenses — distribution and shareholder services, transfer agency and sub transfer agency fees) and realized and unrealized gains or losses are allocated to each class of shares based upon their relative net assets.

B. Advisory/Sub-Advisory Fees: The Adviser, a wholly-owned subsidiary of Morgan Stanley, provides the Fund with advisory services under the terms of an Investment Advisory Agreement, paid quarterly, at the annual rate based on the daily net assets as follows:

First $500
million
  Next $500
million
  Over $1
billion
 
  0.80

%

   

0.75

%

   

0.70

%

 

For the year ended December 31, 2020, the advisory fee rate (net of rebate) was equivalent to an annual effective rate of 0.73% of the Fund's average daily net assets.

The Adviser has agreed to reduce its advisory fee and/or reimburse the Fund so that total annual Fund operating expenses, excluding certain investment related expenses, taxes, interest and other extraordinary expenses (including litigation), will not exceed 1.00% for Class I shares, 1.35% for Class A shares, 1.85% for Class L shares, 2.10% for Class C shares and 0.95% for Class IS shares. The fee waivers and/or expense reimbursements will continue for at least one year from the date of the

Fund's prospectus or until such time as the Directors act to discontinue all or a portion of such waivers and/or reimbursements when they deem such action is appropriate. This arrangement had no effect for the year ended December 31, 2020.

The Adviser has entered into a Sub-Advisory Agreement with the Sub-Adviser, a wholly-owned subsidiary of Morgan Stanley. The Sub-Adviser provides the Fund with advisory services subject to the overall supervision of the Adviser and the Fund's Officers and Directors. The Adviser pays the Sub-Adviser on a monthly basis a portion of the net advisory fees the Adviser receives from the Fund.

C. Administration Fees: The Adviser also serves as Administrator to the Company and provides administrative services pursuant to an Administration Agreement for an annual fee, accrued daily and paid monthly, of 0.08% of the Fund's average daily net assets.

Under a Sub-Administration Agreement between the Administrator and State Street Bank and Trust Company ("State Street"), State Street provides certain administrative services to the Company. For such services, the Administrator pays State Street a portion of the fee the Administrator receives from the Fund.

D. Distribution and Shareholder Services Fees: Morgan Stanley Distribution, Inc. ("MSDI" or the "Distributor"), a wholly-owned subsidiary of the Adviser and an indirect subsidiary of Morgan Stanley, serves as the Company's Distributor of Fund shares pursuant to a Distribution Agreement. The Company has adopted a Shareholder Services Plan with respect to Class A shares pursuant to Rule 12b-1 under the Act. Under the Shareholder Services Plan, the Fund pays the Distributor a shareholder services fee, accrued daily and paid monthly, at an annual rate of 0.25% of the Fund's average daily net assets attributable to Class A shares.

The Company has adopted a Distribution and Shareholder Services Plan with respect to Class L shares pursuant to Rule 12b-1 under the Act. Under the Distribution and Shareholder Services Plan, the Fund pays the Distributor a distribution fee, accrued daily and paid monthly, at an annual rate of 0.50% and a shareholder services fee, accrued daily and paid monthly, at an annual rate of 0.25% of the Fund's average daily net assets attributable to Class L shares.

The Company has adopted a Distribution and Shareholder Services Plan with respect to Class C shares pursuant to


22



Morgan Stanley Institutional Fund, Inc.

Annual Report — December 31, 2020

Notes to Financial Statements (cont'd)

Rule 12b-1 under the Act. Under the Distribution and Shareholder Services Plan, the Fund pays the Distributor a distribution fee, accrued daily and paid monthly, at an annual rate of 0.75% and a shareholder services fee, accrued daily and paid monthly, at an annual rate of 0.25% of the Fund's average daily net assets attributable to Class C shares.

The distribution and shareholder services fees are used to support the expenses associated with servicing and maintaining accounts. The Distributor may compensate other parties for providing shareholder support services to investors who purchase Class A, Class L and Class C shares.

E. Dividend Disbursing and Transfer Agent: The Company's dividend disbursing and transfer agent is DST Asset Manager Solutions, Inc. ("DST"). Pursuant to a Transfer Agency Agreement, the Company pays DST a fee based on the number of classes, accounts and transactions relating to the Funds of the Company.

F. Custodian Fees: State Street (the "Custodian") also serves as Custodian for the Company in accordance with a Custodian Agreement. The Custodian holds cash, securities and other assets of the Company as required by the Act. Custody fees are payable monthly based on assets held in custody, investment purchases and sales activity and account maintenance fees, plus reimbursement for certain out-of-pocket expenses.

G. Security Transactions and Transactions with Affiliates: For the year ended December 31, 2020, purchases and sales of investment securities for the Fund, other than long-term U.S. Government securities and short-term investments were approximately $1,129,783,000 and $476,800,000, respectively. There were no purchases and sales of long-term U.S. Government securities for the year ended December 31, 2020.

The Fund invests in the Institutional Class of the Morgan Stanley Institutional Liquidity Funds — Treasury Securities Portfolio (the "Liquidity Funds"), an open-end management investment company managed by the Adviser. Advisory fees paid by the Fund are reduced by an amount equal to its pro-rata share of the advisory and administration fees paid by the Fund due to its investment in the Liquidity Funds. For the year ended December 31, 2020, advisory fees paid were reduced by approximately $101,000 relating to the Fund's investment in the Liquidity Funds.

A summary of the Fund's transactions in shares of affiliated investments during the year ended December 31, 2020 is as follows:

Affiliated
Investment
Company
  Value
December 31,
2019
(000)
  Purchases
at Cost
(000)
  Proceeds
from Sales
(000)
  Dividend
Income
(000)
 

Liquidity Funds

 

$

52,999

   

$

844,660

   

$

832,096

   

$

202

   
Affiliated
Investment
Company (cont'd)
  Realized
Gain (Loss)
(000)
  Change in
Unrealized
Appreciation
(Depreciation)
(000)
  Value
December 31,
2020
(000)
 

Liquidity Funds

 

$

   

$

   

$

65,563

   

The Fund is permitted to purchase and sell securities ("cross-trade") from and to other Morgan Stanley funds as well as other funds and client accounts for which the Adviser or an affiliate of the Adviser serves as investment adviser, pursuant to procedures approved by the Directors in compliance with Rule 17a-7 under the Act (the "Rule"). Each cross-trade is executed at the current market price in compliance with provisions of the Rule. For the year ended December 31, 2020, the Fund did not engage in any cross-trade transactions.

The Fund has an unfunded Deferred Compensation Plan (the "Compensation Plan"), which allows each independent Director to defer payment of all, or a portion, of the fees he or she receives for serving on the Board of Directors. Each eligible Director generally may elect to have the deferred amounts credited with a return equal to the total return on one or more of the Morgan Stanley funds that are offered as investment options under the Compensation Plan. Appreciation/depreciation and distributions received from these investments are recorded with an offsetting increase/decrease in the deferred compensation obligation and do not affect the NAV of the Fund.

H. Federal Income Taxes: It is the Fund's intention to continue to qualify as a regulated investment company and distribute all of its taxable and tax-exempt income. Accordingly, no provision for federal income taxes is required in the financial statements.

The Fund may be subject to taxes imposed by countries in which it invests. Such taxes are generally based on income and/or capital gains earned or repatriated. Taxes are accrued based on net investment income, net realized gains and net unrealized appreciation as such income and/or gains are earned. Taxes may also be based on transactions in foreign currency and are accrued based on the value of investments denominated in such currency.


23



Morgan Stanley Institutional Fund, Inc.

Annual Report — December 31, 2020

Notes to Financial Statements (cont'd)

FASB ASC 740-10, "Income Taxes — Overall", sets forth a minimum threshold for financial statement recognition of the benefit of a tax position taken or expected to be taken in a tax return. Management has concluded there are no significant uncertain tax positions that would require recognition in the financial statements. If applicable, the Fund recognizes interest accrued related to unrecognized tax benefits in "Interest Expense" and penalties in "Other Expenses" in the Statement of Operations. The Fund files tax returns with the U.S. Internal Revenue Service, New York and various states. Generally, each of the tax years in the four-year period ended December 31, 2020 remains subject to examination by taxing authorities.

The tax character of distributions paid may differ from the character of distributions shown for GAAP purposes due to short-term capital gains being treated as ordinary income for tax purposes. The tax character of distributions paid during fiscal years 2020 and 2019 was as follows:

2020
Distributions
Paid From:
  2019
Distributions
Paid From:
 
Ordinary
Income
(000)
  Long-Term
Capital Gain
(000)
  Ordinary
Income
(000)
  Long-Term
Capital Gain
(000)
 
$

25,074

   

$

76,412

   

$

22,253

   

$

69,675

   

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 attributable to differing book and tax treatments for the timing of the recognition of gains (losses) on certain investment transactions and the timing of the deductibility of certain expenses.

The Fund had no permanent differences causing reclassifications among the components of net assets for the year ended December 31, 2020.

At December 31, 2020, the components of distributable earnings for the Fund on a tax basis were as follows:

Undistributed
Ordinary
Income
(000)
  Undistributed
Long-Term
Capital Gain
(000)
 
$

86

   

$

3,573

   

I. Credit Facility: The Company and other Morgan Stanley funds participated in a $300,000,000 committed, unsecured revolving line of credit facility (the "Facility") with State Street. This Facility is to be used for temporary emergency

purposes or funding of shareholder redemption requests. The interest rate on borrowings is based on the federal funds rate or 1 month LIBOR rate plus a spread. The Facility also has a commitment fee of 0.25% per annum based on the unused portion of the Facility. During the year ended December 31, 2020, the Fund did not have any borrowings under the Facility.

J. Other: At December 31, 2020, the Fund had record owners of 10% or greater. Investment activities of these shareholders could have a material impact on the Fund. The aggregate percentage of such owners was 34.3%.

L. Market Risk: Certain impacts to public health conditions particular to the coronavirus (COVID-19) outbreak could impact the operations and financial performance of certain of the Fund's investments. The extent of the impact to the financial performance of the Fund's investments will depend on future developments, including (i) the duration and spread of the outbreak, (ii) the restrictions and advisories, (iii) the effects on the financial markets, and (iv) the effects on the economy overall, all of which are highly uncertain and cannot be predicted. If the financial performance of the Fund's investments is impacted because of these factors for an extended period, the Fund's investment results may be adversely affected.


24



Morgan Stanley Institutional Fund, Inc.

Annual Report — December 31, 2020

Report of Independent Registered Public Accounting Firm

To the Shareholders and Board of Directors of
Morgan Stanley Institutional Fund, Inc. —
Global Franchise Portfolio

Opinion on the Financial Statements

We have audited the accompanying statement of assets and liabilities of Global Franchise Portfolio (the "Fund") (one of the funds constituting Morgan Stanley Institutional Fund, Inc. (the "Company")), including the portfolio of investments, as of December 31, 2020, and the related statement of operations for the year then ended, the statements of changes in net assets for each of the two years in the period then ended, the financial highlights for each of the five years in the period then ended and the related notes (collectively referred to as the "financial statements"). In our opinion, the financial statements present fairly, in all material respects, the financial position of Global Franchise Portfolio (one of the funds constituting Morgan Stanley Institutional Fund, Inc.) at December 31, 2020, the results of its operations for the year then ended, the changes in its net assets for each of the two years in the period then ended and its financial highlights for each of the five years in the period then ended, in conformity with U.S. generally accepted accounting principles.

Basis for Opinion

These financial statements are the responsibility of the Company's management. Our responsibility is to express an opinion on the Fund's financial statements based on our audits. We are a public accounting firm registered with the Public Company Accounting Oversight Board (United States) ("PCAOB") and are required to be independent with respect to the Company in accordance with the U.S. federal securities law and the applicable rules and regulations of the Securities and Exchange Commission and the PCAOB.

We conducted our audits in accordance with the standards of the PCAOB. Those standards require that we plan and perform the audit to obtain reasonable assurance about whether the financial statements are free of material misstatement, whether due to error or fraud. The Company is not required to have, nor were we engaged to perform, an audit of the Company's internal control over financial reporting. As part of our audits, we are required to obtain an understanding of internal control over financial reporting, but not for the purpose of expressing an opinion on the effectiveness of the Company's internal control over financial reporting. Accordingly, we express no such opinion.

Our audits included performing procedures to assess the risks of material misstatement of the financial statements, whether due to error or fraud, and performing procedures that respond to those risks. Such procedures included examining, on a test basis, evidence regarding the amounts and disclosures in the financial statements. Our procedures included confirmation of securities owned as of December 31, 2020 by correspondence with the custodian and others. Our audits also included evaluating the accounting principles used and significant estimates made by management, as well as evaluating the overall presentation of the financial statements. We believe that our audits provide a reasonable basis for our opinion.

We have served as the auditor of one or more Morgan Stanley investment companies since 2000.
Boston, Massachusetts
February 26, 2021


25



Morgan Stanley Institutional Fund, Inc.

Annual Report — December 31, 2020

Liquidity Risk Management Program (unaudited)

In compliance with Rule 22e-4 under the Investment Company Act of 1940, as amended (the "Liquidity Rule"), the Fund has adopted and implemented a liquidity risk management program (the "Program"), which is reasonably designed to assess and manage the risk that the Fund could not meet requests to redeem shares issued by the Fund without significant dilution of remaining investors' interests in the Fund (i.e., liquidity risk). The Fund's Board of Directors (the "Board") previously approved the designation of the Liquidity Risk Subcommittee (the "LRS") as Program administrator. The LRS is comprised of representatives from various divisions within Morgan Stanley Investment Management.

At a meeting held on April 22-23, 2020, the Board reviewed a written report prepared by the LRS that addressed the Program's operation and assessed its adequacy, and effectiveness of implementation for the period from December 1, 2018, through December 31, 2019, as required under the Liquidity Rule. The report concluded that the Program operated effectively and was adequately and effectively implemented in all material aspects, and that the relevant controls and safeguards were appropriately designed to enable the LRS to administer the Program in compliance with the Liquidity Rule.

In accordance with the Program, the LRS assessed each Fund's liquidity risk no less frequently than annually taking into consideration certain factors, as applicable, such as (i) investment strategy and liquidity of portfolio investments, (ii) short-term and long-term cash flow projections and (iii) holdings of cash and cash equivalents and borrowing arrangements and other funding sources. Certain factors are considered under both normal and reasonably foreseeable stressed conditions.

Each Fund portfolio investment is classified into one of four liquidity categories, which classification is assessed at least monthly by the LRS. The classification is based on a determination of the number of days it is reasonably expected to take to convert the investment into cash, or sell or dispose of the investment, in current market conditions without significantly changing the market value of the investment. Liquidity classification determinations take into account various market, trading and investment-specific considerations, as well as market depth, and in some cases utilize third-party vendor data.

The Liquidity Rule limits a fund's investments in illiquid investments to 15% of its net assets and requires funds that do not primarily hold assets that are highly liquid investments to determine and maintain a minimum percentage of the fund's net assets to be invested in highly liquid investments (highly liquid investment minimum or "HLIM"). The LRS believes that the Program includes provisions reasonably designed to review, monitor and comply with the 15% limit on illiquid investments and for determining, periodically reviewing and complying with the HLIM requirement, as applicable.

There can be no assurance that the Program will achieve its objectives under all circumstances in the future. Please refer to the Fund's prospectus for more information regarding the Fund's exposure to liquidity risk and other risks to which it may be subject.


26



Morgan Stanley Institutional Fund, Inc.

Annual Report — December 31, 2020

Federal Tax Notice (unaudited)

For federal income tax purposes, the following information is furnished with respect to the distributions paid by the Fund during its taxable year ended December 31, 2020. For corporate shareholders 99.58% of the dividends qualified for the dividends received deduction.

The Fund designated and paid approximately $76,412,000 as a long-term capital gain distribution.

For federal income tax purposes, the following information is furnished with respect to the Fund's earnings for its taxable year ended December 31, 2020. When distributed, certain earnings may be subject to a maximum tax rate of 15% as provided for by the Jobs and Growth Tax Relief Reconciliation Act of 2003. The Fund designated up to a maximum of approximately $24,499,000 as taxable at this lower rate.

In January, the Fund provides tax information to shareholders for the preceding calendar year.


27



Morgan Stanley Institutional Fund, Inc.

Annual Report — December 31, 2020

Privacy Notice (unaudited)  April 2019

FACTS

 

WHAT DOES MSIM DO WITH YOUR PERSONAL INFORMATION?

 

Why?

 

Financial companies choose how they share your personal information. Federal law gives consumers the right to limit some but not all sharing. Federal law also requires us to tell you how we collect, share, and protect your personal information. Please read this notice carefully to understand what we do.

 

What?

  The types of personal information we collect and share depend on the product or service you have with us. This information can include:
n Social Security number and income
n investment experience and risk tolerance
n checking account number and wire transfer instructions
 

How?

 

All financial companies need to share customers' personal information to run their everyday business. In the section below, we list the reasons financial companies can share their customers' personal information; the reasons MSIM chooses to share; and whether you can limit this sharing.

 

 

Reasons we can share your personal information

 

Does MSIM share?

 

Can you limit this sharing?

 
For our everyday business purposes —
such as to process your transactions, maintain your account(s), respond to court orders and legal investigations, or report to credit bureaus
 

Yes

 

No

 
For our marketing purposes —
to offer our products and services to you
 

Yes

 

No

 

For joint marketing with other financial companies

 

No

 

We don't share

 
For our affiliates' everyday business purposes —
information about your transactions and experiences
 

Yes

 

No

 
For our affiliates' everyday business purposes —
information about your creditworthiness
 

No

 

We don't share

 

For our affiliates to market to you

 

No

 

We don't share

 

For non-affiliates to market to you

 

No

 

We don't share

 

Questions?  Call toll-free (844) 312-6327 or email: imprivacyinquiries@morganstanley.com


28



Morgan Stanley Institutional Fund, Inc.

Annual Report — December 31, 2020

Privacy Notice (unaudited) (cont'd)  April 2019

Who we are

Who is providing this notice?

 

Morgan Stanley Investment Management, Inc. and its affiliated registered investment advisers, registered broker-dealers, and registered and unregistered funds ("MSIM")

 

What we do

How does MSIM protect my personal information?

 

To protect your personal information from unauthorized access and use, we use security measures that comply with federal law. These measures include computer safeguards and secured files and buildings. We have policies governing the proper handling of customer information by personnel and requiring third parties that provide support to adhere to appropriate security standards with respect to such information.

 

How does MSIM collect my personal information?

  We collect your personal information, for example, when you
n open an account or make deposits or withdrawals from your account
n buy securities from us or make a wire transfer
n give us your contact information
We also collect your personal information from others, such as credit bureaus, affiliates, or other companies.
 

Why can't I limit all sharing?

  Federal law gives you the right to limit only
n sharing for affiliates' everyday business purposes — information about your creditworthiness
n affiliates from using your information to market to you
n sharing for non-affiliates to market to you
State laws and individual companies may give you additional rights to limit sharing. See below for more on your rights under state law.
 

Definitions

Affiliates

  Companies related by common ownership or control. They can be financial and non-financial companies.
n Our affiliates include companies with a Morgan Stanley name and financial companies such as Morgan Stanley Smith Barney LLC and Morgan Stanley & Co.
 

Non-affiliates

  Companies not related by common ownership or control. They can be financial and non-financial companies.
n MSIM does not share with non-affiliates so they can market to you.
 

Joint marketing

  A formal agreement between non-affiliated financial companies that together market financial products or services to you.
n MSIM doesn't jointly market
 


29



Morgan Stanley Institutional Fund, Inc.

Annual Report — December 31, 2020

Privacy Notice (unaudited) (cont'd)  April 2019

Other important information

Vermont: Except as permitted by law, we will not share personal information we collect about Vermont residents with Non-affiliates unless you provide us with your written consent to share such information.

California: Except as permitted by law, we will not share personal information we collect about California residents with Non-affiliates and we will limit sharing such personal information with our Affiliates to comply with California privacy laws that apply to us.


30



Morgan Stanley Institutional Fund, Inc.

Annual Report — December 31, 2020

Director and Officer Information (unaudited)

Independent Directors:

Name, Address and Birth
Year of Independent Director
  Position(s)
Held with
Registrant
  Length of Time
Served*
  Principal Occupation(s) During Past 5 Years and Other
Relevant Professional Experience
  Number of
Funds
in Fund Complex
Overseen by
Independent
Director**
  Other Directorships
Held by Independent
Director***
 
Frank L. Bowman
c/o Perkins Coie LLP
Counsel to the Independent Directors
1155 Avenue of the Americas,
22nd Floor
New York, NY 10036
Birth Year: 1944
 

Director

 

Since August 2006

 

President, Strategic Decisions, LLC (consulting) (since February 2009); Director or Trustee of various Morgan Stanley Funds (since August 2006); Chairperson of the Compliance and Insurance Committee (since October 2015); formerly, Chairperson of the Insurance Sub-Committee of the Compliance and Insurance Committee (2007-2015); served as President and Chief Executive Officer of the Nuclear Energy Institute (policy organization) (February 2005-November 2008); retired as Admiral, U.S. Navy after serving over 38 years on active duty including 8 years as Director of the Naval Nuclear Propulsion Program in the Department of the Navy and the U.S. Department of Energy (1996-2004); served as Chief of Naval Personnel (July 1994-September 1996) and on the Joint Staff as Director of Political Military Affairs (June 1992-July 1994); knighted as Honorary Knight Commander of the Most Excellent Order of the British Empire; awarded the Officier de l'Orde National du Mérite by the French Government; elected to the National Academy of Engineering (2009).

 

79

 

Director of Naval and Nuclear Technologies LLP; Director Emeritus of the Armed Services YMCA; Member of the National Security Advisory Council of the Center for U.S. Global Engagement and a member of the CNA Military Advisory Board; Trustee of Fairhaven United Methodist Church; Member of the Board of Advisors of the Dolphin Scholarship Foundation; Director of other various non-profit organizations; formerly, Director of BP plc (November 2010-May 2019).

 
Kathleen A. Dennis
c/o Perkins Coie LLP
Counsel to the Independent Directors
1155 Avenue of the Americas,
22nd Floor
New York, NY 10036
Birth Year: 1953
 

Director

 

Since August 2006

 

Chairperson of the Governance Committee (January 2021), Chairperson of the Liquidity and Alternatives Sub-Committee of the Investment Committee (2006-2020); and Director or Trustee of various Morgan Stanley Funds (since August 2006); President, Cedarwood Associates (mutual fund and investment management consulting) (since July 2006); formerly, Senior Managing Director of Victory Capital Management (1993-2006).

 

79

 

Board Member, University of Albany Foundation (2012-present); Board Member, Mutual Funds Directors Forum (2014-present); Director of various non-profit organizations.

 
Nancy C. Everett
c/o Perkins Coie LLP
Counsel to the Independent Directors
1155 Avenue of the Americas,
22nd Floor
New York, NY 10036
Birth Year: 1955
 

Director

 

Since January 2015

 

Chairperson of the Equity Investment Committee (since January 2021); Director or Trustee of various Morgan Stanley Funds (since January 2015); Chief Executive Officer, Virginia Commonwealth University Investment Company (since November 2015); Owner, OBIR, LLC (institutional investment management consulting) (since June 2014); formerly, Managing Director, BlackRock, Inc. (February 2011-December 2013); and Chief Executive Officer, General Motors Asset Management (a/k/a Promark Global Advisors, Inc.) (June 2005-May 2010).

 

80

 

Formerly, Member of Virginia Commonwealth University School of Business Foundation (2005-2016); Member of Virginia Commonwealth University Board of Visitors (2013-2015); Member of Committee on Directors for Emerging Markets Growth Fund, Inc. (2007-2010); Chairperson of Performance Equity Management, LLC (2006-2010); and Chairperson, GMAM Absolute Return Strategies Fund, LLC (2006-2010).

 


31



Morgan Stanley Institutional Fund, Inc.

Annual Report — December 31, 2020

Director and Officer Information (unaudited) (cont'd)

Independent Directors (cont'd):

Name, Address and Birth
Year of Independent Director
  Position(s)
Held with
Registrant
  Length of Time
Served*
  Principal Occupation(s) During Past 5 Years and Other
Relevant Professional Experience
  Number of
Funds
in Fund Complex
Overseen by
Independent
Director**
  Other Directorships
Held by Independent
Director***
 
Jakki L. Haussler
c/o Perkins Coie LLP
Counsel to the Independent Directors
1155 Avenue of the Americas,
22nd Floor
New York, NY 10036
Birth Year: 1957
 

Director

 

Since January 2015

 

Director or Trustee of various Morgan Stanley Funds (since January 2015) Chairman, Opus Capital Group (1996); formerly, Chief Executive Officer, Opus Capital Group (1996-2019); Director, Capvest Venture Fund, LP (May 2000-December 2011); Partner, Adena Ventures, LP (July 1999-December 2010); Director, The Victory Funds (February 2005-July 2008).

 

80

 

Director of Cincinnati Bell Inc. and Member, Audit Committee and Chairman, Governance and Nominating Committee; Director of Service Corporation International and Member, Audit Committee and Investment Committee; Director of Northern Kentucky University Foundation and Member, Investment Committee; Member of Chase College of Law Transactional Law Practice Center Board of Advisors; Director of Best Transport; Director of Chase College of Law Board of Visitors; formerly, Member, University of Cincinnati Foundation Investment Committee; Member, Miami University Board of Visitors (2008-2011); Trustee of Victory Funds (2005-2008) and Chairman, Investment Committee (2007-2008); and Member, Service Provider Committee (2005-2008).

 
Dr. Manuel H. Johnson
c/o Johnson Smick International, Inc.
220 I Street, NE — Suite 200
Washington, D.C. 20002
Birth Year: 1949
 

Director

 

Since July 1991

 

Senior Partner, Johnson Smick International, Inc. (consulting firm); Chairperson of the Fixed Income, Liquidity and Alternatives Investment Committee (January 2021), Chairperson of the Investment Committee (2006-2020) and Director or Trustee of various Morgan Stanley Funds (since July 1991); Co-Chairman and a founder of the Group of Seven Council (G7C) (international economic commission); formerly, Chairperson of the Audit Committee (July 1991-September 2006), Vice Chairman of the Board of Governors of the Federal Reserve System and Assistant Secretary of the U.S. Treasury.

 

79

 

Director of NVR, Inc. (home construction).

 


32



Morgan Stanley Institutional Fund, Inc.

Annual Report — December 31, 2020

Director and Officer Information (unaudited) (cont'd)

Independent Directors (cont'd):

Name, Address and Birth
Year of Independent Director
  Position(s)
Held with
Registrant
  Length of Time
Served*
  Principal Occupation(s) During Past 5 Years and Other
Relevant Professional Experience
  Number of
Funds
in Fund Complex
Overseen by
Independent
Director**
  Other Directorships
Held by Independent
Director***
 
Joseph J. Kearns
c/o Perkins Coie LLP
Counsel to the Independent Directors
1155 Avenue of the Americas,
22nd Floor
New York, NY 10036
Birth Year: 1942
 

Director

 

Since August 1994

 

Senior Adviser, Kearns & Associates LLC (investment consulting); Chairperson of the Audit Committee (since October 2006) and Director or Trustee of various Morgan Stanley Funds (since August 1994); formerly, Deputy Chairperson of the Audit Committee (July 2003-September 2006) and Chairperson of the Audit Committee of various Morgan Stanley Funds (since August 1994); CFO of the J. Paul Getty Trust (1982-1999).

 

80

 

Director, Rubicon Investment (since February 2019); Prior to August 2016, Director of Electro Rent Corporation (equipment leasing); Prior to December 31, 2013, Director of The Ford Family Foundation.

 
Michael F. Klein
c/o Perkins Coie LLP
Counsel to the Independent Directors
1155 Avenue of the Americas,
22nd Floor
New York, NY 10036
Birth Year: 1958
 

Director

 

Since August 2006

 

Chairperson of the Risk Committee (since January 2021); Managing Director, Aetos Alternatives Management, LP (since March 2000); Co-President, Aetos Alternatives Management, LP (since January 2004) and Co-Chief Executive Officer of Aetos Alternatives Management, LP (since August 2013); Chairperson of the fixed Income Sub-Committee of the Investment committee (2006-2020) and Director or Trustee of various Morgan Stanley Funds (since August 2006); formerly, Managing Director, Morgan Stanley & Co. Inc. and Morgan Stanley Dean Witter Investment Management and President, various Morgan Stanley Funds (June 1998-March 2000); Principal, Morgan Stanley & Co. Inc. and Morgan Stanley Dean Witter Investment Management (August 1997-December 1999).

 

79

 

Director of certain investment funds managed or sponsored by Aetos Alternatives Management, LP; Director of Sanitized AG and Sanitized Marketing AG (specialty chemicals).

 
Patricia Maleski
c/o Perkins Coie LLP
Counsel to the Independent Directors
1155 Avenue of the Americas,
22nd Floor
New York, NY 10036
Birth Year: 1960
 

Director

 

Since January 2017

 

Director or Trustee of various Morgan Stanley Funds (since January 2017); Managing Director, JPMorgan Asset Management (2004-2016); Oversight and Control Head of Fiduciary and Conflicts of Interest Program (2015-2016); Chief Control Officer-Global Asset Management (2013-2015); President, JPMorgan Funds (2010-2013); Chief Administrative Officer (2004-2013); various other positions including Treasurer and Board Liaison (since 2001).

 

80

 

None.

 
W. Allen Reed
c/o Perkins Coie LLP
Counsel to the Independent Directors
1155 Avenue of the Americas,
22nd Floor
New York, NY 10036
Birth Year: 1947
 

Chair of the Board and Director

 

Chair of the Boards since August 2020 and Director since August 2006

 

Chair of the Boards of various Morgan Stanley Funds (since August 2020); Director or Trustee of various Morgan Stanley Funds (since August 2006); formerly, Vice Chair of the Boards of various Morgan Stanley Funds (January 2020-August 2020); President and Chief Executive Officer of General Motors Asset Management; Chairman and Chief Executive Officer of the GM Trust Bank and Corporate Vice President of General Motors Corporation (August 1994-December 2005).

 

79

 

Formerly, Director of Legg Mason, Inc. (2006-2019); and Director of the Auburn University Foundation (2010-2015).

 

*  This is the earliest date the Director began serving the Morgan Stanley Funds. Each Director serves an indefinite term, until his or her successor is elected.

**  The Fund Complex includes (as of December 31, 2020) all open-end and closed-end funds (including all of their portfolios) advised by Morgan Stanley Investment Management Inc. (the "Adviser") and any funds that have an adviser that is an affiliated person of the Adviser (including, but not limited to, Morgan Stanley AIP GP LP).

***  This includes any directorships at public companies and registered investment companies held by the Director at any time during the past five years.


33



Morgan Stanley Institutional Fund, Inc.

Annual Report — December 31, 2020

Director and Officer Information (unaudited) (cont'd)

Executive Officers:

Name, Address and
Birth Year of Executive Officer
  Position(s) Held
with
Registrant
  Length of
Time Served*
 

Principal Occupation(s) During Past 5 Years

 
John H. Gernon
522 Fifth Avenue
New York, NY 10036
Birth Year: 1963
 

President and Principal Executive Officer

 

Since September 2013

 

President and Principal Executive Officer of the Equity and Fixed Income Funds and the Morgan Stanley AIP Funds (since September 2013) and the Liquidity Funds and various money market funds (since May 2014) in the Fund Complex; Managing Director of the Adviser; Head of Public Markets Product Development (since 2006).

 
Timothy J. Knierim
1633 Broadway
New York, NY 10019
Birth Year: 1959
 

Chief Compliance Officer

 

Since December 2016

 

Managing Director of the Adviser and various entities affiliated with the Adviser; Chief Compliance Officer of various Morgan Stanley Funds and the Adviser (since December 2016) and Chief Compliance Officer of Morgan Stanley AIP GP LP (since 2014). Formerly, Managing Director and Deputy Chief Compliance Officer of the Adviser (2014-2016).

 
Francis J. Smith
522 Fifth Avenue
New York, NY 10036
Birth Year: 1965
 

Treasurer and Principal Financial Officer

 

Treasurer since July 2003 and Principal Financial Officer since September 2002

 

Managing Director of the Adviser and various entities affiliated with the Adviser; Treasurer (since July 2003) and Principal Financial Officer of various Morgan Stanley Funds (since September 2002).

 
Mary E. Mullin
1633 Broadway
New York, NY 10019
Birth Year: 1967
 

Secretary

 

Since June 1999

 

Managing Director of the Adviser; Secretary of various Morgan Stanley Funds (since June 1999).

 
Michael J. Key
522 Fifth Avenue
New York, NY 10036
Birth Year: 1979
 

Vice President

 

Since June 2017

 

Vice President of the Equity and Fixed Income Funds, Liquidity Funds, various money market funds and the Morgan Stanley AIP Funds in the Fund Complex (since June 2017); Executive Director of the Adviser; Head of Product Development for Equity and Fixed Income Funds (since August 2013).

 

*  This is the earliest date the officer began serving the Morgan Stanley Funds. Each officer serves a one-year term, until his or her successor is elected and qualifies.


34



Morgan Stanley Institutional Fund, Inc.

Annual Report — December 31, 2020

Adviser and Administrator

Morgan Stanley Investment Management Inc.
522 Fifth Avenue
New York, New York 10036

Sub-Adviser

Morgan Stanley Investment Management Limited
25 Cabot Square, Canary Wharf
London, E14 4QA, England

Distributor

Morgan Stanley Distribution, Inc.
522 Fifth Avenue
New York, New York 10036

Dividend Disbursing and Transfer Agent

DST Asset Manager Solutions, Inc.
2000 Crown Colony Drive
Quincy, Massachusetts 02169

Custodian

State Street Bank and Trust Company
One Lincoln Street
Boston, Massachusetts 02111

Legal Counsel

Dechert LLP
1095 Avenue of the Americas
New York, New York 10036

Counsel to the Independent Directors

Perkins Coie LLP
1155 Avenue of the Americas,
22nd Floor
New York, New York 10036

Independent Registered Public Accounting Firm

Ernst & Young LLP
200 Clarendon Street
Boston, Massachusetts 02116

Reporting to Shareholders

Each Morgan Stanley fund provides a complete schedule of portfolio holdings in its Semi-Annual and the Annual Reports within 60 days of the end of the fund's second and fourth fiscal quarters. The Semi-Annual and Annual Reports are filed electronically with the Securities and Exchange Commission ("SEC") on Form N-CSRS and Form N-CSR, respectively. Morgan Stanley also delivers the Semi-Annual and Annual Reports to fund shareholders and makes these reports available on its public website, www.morganstanley.com/im/shareholderreports. Each Morgan Stanley non-money market fund also files a complete schedule of portfolio holdings with the SEC for the fund's first and third fiscal quarters as an attachment to Form N-PORT. Morgan Stanley does not deliver the reports for the first and third fiscal quarters to shareholders, but makes the complete schedule of portfolio holdings for the fund's first and third fiscal quarters available on its public website. The holdings for each money market fund are also posted to the Morgan Stanley public website. You may obtain the Form N-PORT filings (as well as the Form N-CSR and N-CSRS filings) by accessing the SEC's website, www.sec.gov. You can also request copies of these materials, upon payment of a duplicating fee, by electronic request at the SEC's email address (publicinfo@sec.gov).

Proxy Voting Policies and Procedures and Proxy Voting Record

You may obtain a copy of the Company's Proxy Voting Policy and Procedures and information regarding how the Company voted proxies relating to portfolio securities during the most recent twelve-month period ended June 30, without charge, upon request, by calling toll free 1 (800) 548-7786 or by visiting our website at www.morganstanley.com/im/shareholderreports. This information is also available on the SEC's website at www.sec.gov.

This report is authorized for distribution only when preceded or accompanied by a prospectus or summary prospectus of the applicable fund of Morgan Stanley Institutional Fund, Inc., which describes in detail the fund's investment policies, risks, fees and expenses. Please read the prospectus carefully before you invest or send money. For additional information, including information regarding the investments comprising the Fund, please visit our website at www.morganstanley.com/im/shareholderreports or call toll free 1 (800) 548-7786.


35



Printed in U.S.A.
This Report has been prepared for shareholders and may be distributed to others only if preceded or accompanied by a current prospectus.

Morgan Stanley Investment Management Inc.
522 Fifth Avenue
New York, New York 10036

© 2021 Morgan Stanley. Morgan Stanley Distribution, Inc.

IFIGFANN
3386880 EXP 02.28.22



INVESTMENT MANAGEMENT

Morgan Stanley Institutional Fund, Inc.

Global
Infrastructure Portfolio

Annual Report

December 31, 2020



Morgan Stanley Institutional Fund, Inc.

Annual Report — December 31, 2020

Table of Contents

Shareholders' Letter

   

2

   

Expense Example

   

3

   

Investment Overview

   

4

   

Portfolio of Investments

   

7

   

Statement of Assets and Liabilities

   

9

   

Statement of Operations

   

11

   

Statements of Changes in Net Assets

   

12

   

Financial Highlights

   

14

   

Notes to Financial Statements

   

20

   

Report of Independent Registered Public Accounting Firm

   

27

   

Liquidity Risk Management Program

   

28

   

Federal Tax Notice

   

29

   

Privacy Notice

   

30

   

Director and Officer Information

   

33

   

This report is authorized for distribution only when preceded or accompanied by a prospectus or summary prospectus of the applicable Fund of Morgan Stanley Institutional Fund, Inc. To receive a prospectus and/or statement of additional information ("SAI"), which contains more complete information such as investment objectives, charges, expenses, policies for voting proxies, risk considerations and describes in detail each of the Fund's investment policies to the prospective investor, please call toll free 1 (800) 548-7786. Please read the prospectuses carefully before you invest or send money.

Additionally, you can access information about the Fund, including performance, characteristics and investment team commentary, through Morgan Stanley Investment Management's website: www.morganstanley.com/im/shareholderreports.

Market forecasts provided in this report may not necessarily come to pass. There is no guarantee that any sectors mentioned will continue to perform as discussed herein or that securities in such sectors will be held by the Fund in the future. There is no assurance that a fund will achieve its investment objective. Funds are subject to market risk, which is the possibility that market values of securities owned by the Fund will decline and, therefore, the value of the Fund's shares may be less than what you paid for them. Accordingly, you can lose money investing in this Fund. Please see the prospectus for more complete information on investment risks.


1



Morgan Stanley Institutional Fund, Inc.

Annual Report — December 31, 2020

Shareholders' Letter (unaudited)

Dear Shareholders,

We are pleased to provide this Annual Report, in which you will learn how your investment in Global Infrastructure Portfolio (the "Fund") performed during the latest twelve-month period.

Morgan Stanley Investment Management is a client-centric, investor-led organization. Our global presence, intellectual capital, and breadth of products and services enable us to partner with investors to meet the evolving challenges of today's financial markets. We aim to deliver superior investment service and to empower our clients to make the informed decisions that help them reach their investment goals.

As always, we thank you for selecting Morgan Stanley Investment Management, and look forward to working with you in the months and years ahead.

Sincerely,

John H. Gernon
President and Principal Executive Officer

January 2021


2



Morgan Stanley Institutional Fund, Inc.

Annual Report — December 31, 2020

Expense Example (unaudited)

Global Infrastructure Portfolio

As a shareholder of the Fund, you incur two types of costs: (1) transactional costs; and (2) ongoing costs, which may include advisory fees, administration fees, distribution and shareholder services fees and other Fund expenses. This example is intended to help you understand your ongoing costs (in dollars) of investing in the Fund and to compare these costs with the ongoing costs of investing in other mutual funds.

This example is based on an investment of $1,000 invested at the beginning of the six-month period ended December 31, 2020 and held for the entire six-month period.

Actual Expenses

The table below provides information about actual account values and actual expenses. You may use the information in this table, 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 table under the heading entitled "Actual Expenses Paid During Period" to estimate the expenses you paid on your account during this period.

Hypothetical Example for Comparison Purposes

The table below provides information about hypothetical account values and hypothetical expenses based on the Fund's actual expense ratio and an assumed rate of return of 5% per year before expenses, which is not the Fund's actual return. The hypothetical account values and expenses may not be used to estimate the actual ending account balance or expenses you paid for the period. You may use this information to compare the ongoing costs of investing in the Fund and other funds. To do so, compare this 5% hypothetical example with the 5% hypothetical examples that appear in the shareholder reports of the other funds.

Please note that the expenses shown in the table are meant to highlight your ongoing costs only and do not reflect any transactional costs, such as sales charges (loads). Therefore, the information for each class in the table is useful in comparing ongoing costs only, and will not help you determine the relative total costs of owning different funds. In addition, if these transactional costs were included, your costs would have been higher.

    Beginning
Account
Value
7/1/20
  Actual Ending
Account
Value
12/31/20
  Hypothetical
Ending Account
Value
  Actual
Expenses
Paid
During
Period*
  Hypothetical
Expenses Paid
During Period*
  Net
Expense
Ratio
During
Period**
 

Global Infrastructure Portfolio Class I

 

$

1,000.00

   

$

1,100.00

   

$

1,020.26

   

$

5.12

   

$

4.93

     

0.97

%

 

Global Infrastructure Portfolio Class A

   

1,000.00

     

1,098.40

     

1,019.05

     

6.38

     

6.14

     

1.21

   

Global Infrastructure Portfolio Class L

   

1,000.00

     

1,095.50

     

1,016.19

     

9.38

     

9.02

     

1.78

   

Global Infrastructure Portfolio Class C

   

1,000.00

     

1,093.70

     

1,014.73

     

10.89

     

10.48

     

2.07

   

Global Infrastructure Portfolio Class IS

   

1,000.00

     

1,100.00

     

1,020.41

     

4.96

     

4.77

     

0.94

   

Global Infrastructure Portfolio Class IR

   

1,000.00

     

1,100.30

     

1,020.41

     

4.96

     

4.77

     

0.94

   

*  Expenses are calculated using each Fund Class' annualized net expense ratio (as disclosed), multiplied by the average account value over the period and multiplied by 184/366 (to reflect the most recent one-half year period).

**  Annualized.


3



Morgan Stanley Institutional Fund, Inc.

Annual Report — December 31, 2020

Investment Overview (unaudited)

Global Infrastructure Portfolio

The Fund seeks to provide both capital appreciation and income.

Performance

For the fiscal year ended December 31, 2020, the Fund's Class I shares had a total return based on net asset value and reinvestment of distributions per share of –1.45%, net of fees. The Fund's Class I shares outperformed the Fund's benchmark, the Dow Jones Brookfield Global Infrastructure IndexSM (the "Index"), which returned –6.97%, but underperformed the S&P Global BMI Index, a proxy for global equities, which returned 16.78%.

Factors Affecting Performance

•  Infrastructure shares declined 6.97% in the year ending December 31, 2020, as measured by the Index. From a sector perspective, water & waste, communications, European regulated utilities, electricity transmission & distribution, and toll roads outperformed the Index, while gas midstream, pipeline companies, ports, airports, diversified, and gas distribution utilities underperformed.

•  Overall for 2020, global listed infrastructure securities performed poorly relative to the broader equity markets due to exposure to industries directly impacted by COVID-19, exposure to sectors anticipated to be adversely impacted by the "green" energy transition, as well as infrastructure's perceived defensiveness in a largely pro-cyclical market following the first quarter 2020 equity market lows. In fact, on a full-year basis, infrastructure securities trailed global equities by a wider margin than in any calendar year period post-Global Financial Crisis, with global equities finishing solidly in positive territory for the year while infrastructure securities remained in the red. 2020 was a broadly thematic market, where asset classes fitting into "en vogue" themes (e.g., work-from-home, energy transition) performed well, largely untethered to fundamental trends. After the depths of the pandemic in March 2020, investors also used the comfort of central bank and government "backstops" to broadly bid up equity share prices, as long as the companies being bid were not perceived to have risks associated with future impairment brought on by disruption. In this market, that meant companies with resilient operating fundamentals but little operating leverage

were not rewarded. As a result, infrastructure was negatively impacted in 2020 both in sectors with direct, fundamental challenges brought on by the pandemic, as well as those sectors traditionally known for their resilience. In some ways, it was a perfect storm impacting an asset class where utilities, transportation and energy infrastructure combined represent roughly 80% of the Index. However, the difficult year experienced in 2020 may also present an opportunity moving forward.

•  For the full-year 2020, the Fund outperformed the Index. From a bottom-up perspective, the Fund benefited from favorable stock selection in the gas distribution utilities, communications and pipeline companies sectors, which was offset by adverse stock selection in the airports, water & waste, and diversified sectors. From a top-down perspective, the Fund benefited from out-of-benchmark positions in renewables and railroads, underweights to gas midstream and pipeline companies, and an overweight to water & waste, which was only modestly offset by underweights to communications and diversified and an overweight to toll roads.

Management Strategies

•  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 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.


4



Morgan Stanley Institutional Fund, Inc.

Annual Report — December 31, 2020

Investment Overview (unaudited) (cont'd)

Global Infrastructure Portfolio

•  Our research currently leads us to an overweighting in the Fund to a group of companies in the toll roads, water & waste, airports and gas midstream sectors, and an underweighting to companies in the electricity transmission & distribution, pipeline companies, communications, European regulated utilities, gas distribution utilities and diversified sectors. Our weighting to ports is roughly in line with the Index. Finally, we continue to retain out-of-benchmark positions in renewables, railroads and certain other utilities that are not contained in the Index.

•  Looking forward into 2021, we are highly constructive on infrastructure securities. The relative underperformance of infrastructure versus the broader equity markets has been extreme, and we look for some of that gap to converge, in particular given the fact that fundamental deterioration for infrastructure was much more modest than that for the broader market outside of airports and toll roads, two areas directly impacted by work-from-home policies and the pandemic. Indeed, even in the area of energy infrastructure, where overall demand for natural gas, crude oil and natural gas liquids was reduced as a result of the pandemic, actual cash flow per share revisions were quite modest overall, and in select cases cash flows continued to grow.

•  As a general comment, we view valuations in infrastructure securities as attractive, particularly in a relative sense, and believe there are fundamental tailwinds across all sectors, with recovery anticipated in transportation and energy. We acknowledge that rising interest rates may be a short-term headwind for select areas of infrastructure and the equity markets more broadly, but we do not anticipate that headwind to be material or long lasting. Core to this belief is that while we do believe risk-free sovereign rates have scope to rise, we do not believe they will rise to extreme levels, and indeed are likely to remain lower than base rates prior to the pandemic (recall, the U.S. 10-year Treasury yield was roughly 1.90% entering 2020).(i) Furthermore, we believe the velocity of change matters more than the absolute levels, and there is no indication central banks will materially alter their messaging in 2021, prompting a "taper tantrum." Finally, we believe this rise in

rates is likely the result of increased expectations with regard to growth and inflation, both positive inputs to infrastructure cash flows through demand and pricing increases.

*  Minimum Investment for Class I shares

In accordance with SEC regulations, the Fund's performance shown assumes that all recurring fees (including management fees) were deducted and all dividends and distributions were reinvested. The performance of Class A, L, C, IS and IR shares will vary from the performance of Class I shares based upon their different inception dates and will be negatively impacted by additional fees assessed to those classes (if applicable).

(i)  Source: Bloomberg L.P.


5



Morgan Stanley Institutional Fund, Inc.

Annual Report — December 31, 2020

Investment Overview (unaudited) (cont'd)

Global Infrastructure Portfolio

Performance Compared to the Dow Jones Brookfield Global Infrastructure IndexSM(1), the S&P Global BMI Index(2), and the Lipper Global Infrastructure Funds Index(3)

    Period Ended December 31, 2020
Total Returns(4)
 
       

Average Annual

 
    One
Year
  Five
Years
  Ten
Years
  Since
Inception(9)
 
Fund — Class I Shares
w/o sales charges(5)
   

–1.45

%

   

8.59

%

   

9.26

%

   

9.51

%

 
Fund — Class A Shares
w/o sales charges(5)
   

–1.69

     

8.33

     

8.98

     

9.23

   
Fund — Class A Shares with
maximum 5.25% sales charges(5)
   

–6.86

     

7.16

     

8.39

     

8.66

   
Fund — Class L Shares
w/o sales charges(5)
   

–2.27

     

7.71

     

8.38

     

8.62

   
Fund — Class C Shares
w/o sales charges(7)
   

–2.53

     

7.41

     

     

2.93

   
Fund — Class C Shares with
maximum 1.00% deferred
sales charges(7)
   

–3.47

     

7.41

     

     

2.93

   
Fund — Class IS Shares
w/o sales charges(6)
   

–1.37

     

8.54

     

     

7.01

   
Fund — Class IR Shares
w/o sales charges(8)
   

–1.43

     

     

     

7.58

   
Dow Jones Brookfield Global
Infrastructure IndexSM
   

–6.97

     

7.52

     

8.15

     

8.54

   

S&P Global BMI Index

   

16.78

     

12.66

     

9.60

     

10.43

   
Lipper Global Infrastructure
Funds Index
   

–1.22

     

8.50

     

N/A

     

N/A

   

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. Performance assumes that all dividends and distributions, if any, were reinvested. For the most recent month-end performance figures, please visit www.morganstanley.com/im/shareholderreports. Investment return and principal value will fluctuate so that Fund shares, when redeemed, may be worth more or less than their original cost. Total returns do not reflect the deduction of taxes that a shareholder would pay on Fund distributions or the redemption of Fund shares. Performance of share classes will vary due to difference in sales charges and expenses.

(1)  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 is unmanaged and its returns do not include any sales charges or fees. Such costs would lower performance. It is not possible to invest directly in an index.

(2)  The 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. The index members represents developed and 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.

(3)  The Lipper Global Infrastructure Funds Index is an equally weighted performance index of the largest qualifying funds (based on net assets) in the Lipper Global Infrastructure Funds classification. The Index, which is adjusted for capital gains distributions and income dividends, is unmanaged and should not be considered an investment. There are currently 10 funds represented in this Index. As of the date of this report, the Fund was in the Lipper Global Infrastructure Funds classification. The history of this Index began in October 2011. Therefore, there are no 10 Years and Since Inception return data available and the Index is not shown on the graph.

(4)  Total returns for the Fund reflect fees waived and expenses reimbursed, if applicable, by the Adviser (as defined herein). Without such waivers and reimbursements, total returns would have been lower.

(5)  Commenced operations on September 20, 2010.

(6)  Commenced offering on September 13, 2013.

(7)  Commenced offering on April 30, 2015.

(8)  Commenced offering on June 15. 2018.

(9)  For comparative purposes, average annual since inception returns listed for the Indexes refer to the inception date of Class I of the Fund, not the inception of the Index.


6



Morgan Stanley Institutional Fund, Inc.

Annual Report — December 31, 2020

Portfolio of Investments

Global Infrastructure Portfolio

   

Shares

  Value
(000)
 

Common Stocks (97.3%)

 

Australia (4.8%)

 

Atlas Arteria Ltd. (Units) (a)

   

670,672

   

$

3,373

   

Sydney Airport (Units) (a)(b)

   

546,658

     

2,706

   

Transurban Group (Units) (a)

   

725,802

     

7,648

   
     

13,727

   

Brazil (0.3%)

 

Energisa SA (Units) (a)

   

102,700

     

1,041

   

Canada (10.5%)

 

Canadian National Railway Co.

   

31,559

     

3,469

   

Enbridge, Inc.

   

227,508

     

7,276

   

Gibson Energy, Inc. (c)

   

576,020

     

9,304

   

Keyera Corp. (c)

   

81,191

     

1,443

   

Pembina Pipeline Corp. (c)

   

96,908

     

2,292

   

TC Energy Corp.

   

159,384

     

6,480

   
     

30,264

   

China (7.6%)

 

China Everbright Environment Group Ltd. (d)

   

12,491,000

     

7,056

   

China Gas Holdings Ltd. (d)

   

2,202,800

     

8,729

   

China Merchants Port Holdings Co., Ltd. (d)

   

1,315,921

     

1,611

   

China Tower Corp. Ltd. H Shares (d)

   

8,210,000

     

1,208

   

Jiangsu Expressway Co., Ltd. H Shares (d)

   

2,104,000

     

2,353

   

Zhejiang Expressway Co., Ltd., Class H (d)

   

1,000,000

     

846

   
     

21,803

   

Denmark (0.1%)

 

Orsted A/S

   

1,716

     

351

   

France (6.2%)

 

Aeroports de Paris (b)

   

8,382

     

1,085

   

Getlink SE (b)

   

176,170

     

3,048

   

Vinci SA

   

137,069

     

13,653

   
     

17,786

   

Hong Kong (1.0%)

 

Power Assets Holdings Ltd.

   

522,000

     

2,827

   

India (2.2%)

 

Azure Power Global Ltd. (b)

   

153,843

     

6,272

   

Italy (3.3%)

 

Atlantia SpA (b)

   

89,364

     

1,614

   

Infrastrutture Wireless Italiane SpA

   

276,000

     

3,346

   

Snam SpA

   

293,940

     

1,660

   

Terna Rete Elettrica Nazionale SpA

   

361,687

     

2,779

   
     

9,399

   

Japan (2.3%)

 

Central Japan Railway Co.

   

12,900

     

1,824

   

East Japan Railway Co.

   

70,600

     

4,710

   
     

6,534

   

Mexico (4.5%)

 

Grupo Aeroportuario del Pacifico SAB de CV (b)

   

208,933

     

2,331

   
Grupo Aeroportuario del Sureste SAB de CV,
Class B (b)
   

149,567

     

2,478

   
Promotora y Operadora de Infraestructura
SAB de CV
   

922,895

     

8,183

   
     

12,992

   
   

Shares

  Value
(000)
 

New Zealand (0.9%)

 

Auckland International Airport Ltd. (b)

   

492,829

   

$

2,695

   

Spain (4.1%)

 

Aena SME SA (b)

   

21,427

     

3,725

   

Cellnex Telecom SA

   

65,911

     

3,958

   

Ferrovial SA

   

144,910

     

4,007

   
     

11,690

   

Switzerland (1.0%)

 

Flughafen Zurich AG (Registered) (b)

   

15,998

     

2,823

   

United Kingdom (5.4%)

 

National Grid PLC

   

925,006

     

10,931

   

Pennon Group PLC

   

182,040

     

2,356

   

Severn Trent PLC

   

69,294

     

2,163

   
     

15,450

   

United States (43.1%)

 

Ameren Corp.

   

39,370

     

3,073

   

American Electric Power Co., Inc.

   

49,140

     

4,092

   

American Tower Corp. REIT

   

92,071

     

20,666

   

American Water Works Co., Inc.

   

35,924

     

5,513

   

Atmos Energy Corp.

   

58,416

     

5,575

   

Avangrid, Inc.

   

58,638

     

2,665

   

Cheniere Energy, Inc. (b)

   

95,582

     

5,738

   

CMS Energy Corp.

   

35,967

     

2,194

   

Crown Castle International Corp. REIT

   

91,540

     

14,572

   

Edison International

   

89,235

     

5,606

   

Essential Utilities, Inc.

   

138,891

     

6,568

   

Eversource Energy

   

61,223

     

5,296

   

NiSource, Inc.

   

197,202

     

4,524

   

ONEOK, Inc.

   

185,333

     

7,113

   

Republic Services, Inc.

   

20,342

     

1,959

   

SBA Communications Corp. REIT

   

24,727

     

6,976

   

Sempra Energy

   

62,191

     

7,924

   

Targa Resources Corp.

   

150,670

     

3,975

   

Waste Management, Inc.

   

27,971

     

3,299

   

Williams Cos., Inc. (The)

   

204,730

     

4,105

   

Xcel Energy, Inc.

   

37,781

     

2,519

   
     

123,952

   

Total Common Stocks (Cost $219,501)

   

279,606

   

Short-Term Investments (1.2%)

 

Securities held as Collateral on Loaned Securities (0.4%)

 

Investment Company (0.3%)

 
Morgan Stanley Institutional Liquidity
Funds — Treasury Securities Portfolio —
Institutional Class (See Note G)
   

1,020,135

     

1,020

   
    Face
Amount
(000)
     

Repurchase Agreements (0.1%)

 
Barclays Capital, Inc., (0.05%,
dated 12/31/20, due 1/4/21;
proceeds $31; fully collateralized
by a U.S. Government obligation;
1.63% due 11/15/22; valued at $32)
 

$

31

     

31

   

The accompanying notes are an integral part of the financial statements.
7



Morgan Stanley Institutional Fund, Inc.

Annual Report — December 31, 2020

Portfolio of Investments (cont'd)

Global Infrastructure Portfolio

    Face
Amount
(000)
  Value
(000)
 

Repurchase Agreements (cont'd)

 
HSBC Securities USA, Inc., (0.05%,
dated 12/31/20, due 1/4/21;
proceeds $121; fully collateralized
by a U.S. Government obligation;
0.15% due 10/31/22;
valued at $124)
 

$

121

   

$

121

   
Merrill Lynch & Co., Inc., (0.06%, 12/31/20,
due 1/4/21; proceeds $13; fully
collateralized by a U.S. Government
obligation; 2.50% due 5/15/46;
valued at $13)
   

13

     

13

   
     

165

   
Total Securities held as Collateral on Loaned
Securities (Cost $1,185)
   

1,185

   
   

Shares

     

Investment Company (0.8%)

 
Morgan Stanley Institutional Liquidity
Funds — Treasury Portfolio —
Institutional Class (See Note G)
(Cost $2,329)
   

2,329,299

     

2,329

   

Total Short-Term Investments (Cost $3,514)

   

3,514

   
Total Investments (98.5%) (Cost $223,015)
Including $4,509 of Securities Loaned (e)(f)
   

283,120

   

Other Assets in Excess of Liabilities (1.5%)

   

4,235

   

Net Assets (100.0%)

 

$

287,355

   

Country assignments and aggregations are based generally on third party vendor classifications and information, and may be different from the assignments and aggregations under the policies set forth in the Fund's prospectus and/or statement of additional information relating to geographic classifications.

(a)  Consists of one or more classes of securities traded together as a unit; stocks with attached warrants.

(b)  Non-income producing security.

(c)  All or a portion of this security was on loan at December 31, 2020.

(d)  Security trades on the Hong Kong exchange.

(e)  The approximate fair value and percentage of net assets, $106,126,000 and 36.9%, respectively, represent the securities that have been fair valued under the fair valuation policy for international investments as described in Note A-1 within the Notes to the Financial Statements.

(f)  At December 31, 2020, the aggregate cost for federal income tax purposes is approximately $231,539,000. The aggregate gross unrealized appreciation is approximately $55,276,000 and the aggregate gross unrealized depreciation is approximately $3,695,000, resulting in net unrealized appreciation of approximately $51,581,000.

REIT  Real Estate Investment Trust.

Portfolio Composition*

Classification

  Percentage of
Total Investments
 

Oil & Gas Storage & Transportation

   

27.0

%

 

Communications

   

18.0

   

Electricity Transmission & Distribution

   

13.4

   

Other**

   

11.0

   

Toll Roads

   

9.6

   

Water

   

8.4

   

Airports

   

6.3

   

Diversified

   

6.3

   

Total Investments

   

100.0

%

 

*  Percentages indicated are based upon total investments (excluding Securities held as Collateral on Loaned Securities) as of December 31, 2020.

**  Industries and/or investment types representing less than 5% of total investments.

The accompanying notes are an integral part of the financial statements.
8



Morgan Stanley Institutional Fund, Inc.

Annual Report — December 31, 2020

Global Infrastructure Portfolio

Statement of Assets and Liabilities

  December 31, 2020
(000)
 

Assets:

 

Investments in Securities of Unaffiliated Issuers, at Value(1) (Cost $219,666)

 

$

279,771

   

Investment in Security of Affiliated Issuer, at Value (Cost $3,349)

   

3,349

   

Total Investments in Securities, at Value (Cost $223,015)

   

283,120

   

Foreign Currency, at Value (Cost $189)

   

190

   

Receivable for Investments Sold

   

8,283

   

Dividends Receivable

   

777

   

Receivable for Fund Shares Sold

   

51

   

Tax Reclaim Receivable

   

14

   

Receivable from Securities Lending Income

   

1

   

Receivable from Affiliate

   

@

 

Other Assets

   

70

   

Total Assets

   

292,506

   

Liabilities:

 

Payable for Investments Purchased

   

2,844

   

Collateral on Securities Loaned, at Value

   

1,185

   

Payable for Advisory Fees

   

479

   

Payable for Fund Shares Redeemed

   

407

   

Payable for Sub Transfer Agency Fees — Class I

   

13

   

Payable for Sub Transfer Agency Fees — Class A

   

27

   

Payable for Sub Transfer Agency Fees — Class L

   

@

 

Payable for Sub Transfer Agency Fees — Class C

   

@

 

Payable for Shareholder Services Fees — Class A

   

45

   

Payable for Distribution and Shareholder Services Fees — Class L

   

2

   

Payable for Distribution and Shareholder Services Fees — Class C

   

2

   

Payable for Directors' Fees and Expenses

   

41

   

Payable for Administration Fees

   

20

   

Payable for Custodian Fees

   

19

   

Payable for Professional Fees

   

16

   

Payable for Transfer Agency Fees — Class I

   

1

   

Payable for Transfer Agency Fees — Class A

   

10

   

Payable for Transfer Agency Fees — Class L

   

1

   

Payable for Transfer Agency Fees — Class C

   

1

   

Payable for Transfer Agency Fees — Class IS

   

@

 

Payable for Transfer Agency Fees — Class IR

   

@

 

Other Liabilities

   

38

   

Total Liabilities

   

5,151

   

Net Assets

 

$

287,355

   

Net Assets Consist of:

 

Paid-in-Capital

 

$

228,707

   

Total Distributable Earnings

   

58,648

   

Net Assets

 

$

287,355

   

The accompanying notes are an integral part of the financial statements.
9



Morgan Stanley Institutional Fund, Inc.

Annual Report — December 31, 2020

Global Infrastructure Portfolio

Statement of Assets and Liabilities (cont'd)

  December 31, 2020
(000)
 

CLASS I:

 

Net Assets

 

$

68,255

   
Shares Outstanding $0.001 par value shares of beneficial interest (unlimited shares authorized) (not in 000's)    

4,715,365

   

Net Asset Value, Offering and Redemption Price Per Share

 

$

14.47

   

CLASS A:

 

Net Assets

 

$

213,128

   
Shares Outstanding $0.001 par value shares of beneficial interest (unlimited shares authorized) (not in 000's)    

14,761,597

   

Net Asset Value, Redemption Price Per Share

 

$

14.44

   

Maximum Sales Load

   

5.25

%

 

Maximum Sales Charge

 

$

0.80

   

Maximum Offering Price Per Share

 

$

15.24

   

CLASS L:

 

Net Assets

 

$

3,163

   
Shares Outstanding $0.001 par value shares of beneficial interest (unlimited shares authorized) (not in 000's)    

219,666

   

Net Asset Value, Offering and Redemption Price Per Share

 

$

14.40

   

CLASS C:

 

Net Assets

 

$

2,787

   
Shares Outstanding $0.001 par value shares of beneficial interest (unlimited shares authorized) (not in 000's)    

196,571

   

Net Asset Value, Offering and Redemption Price Per Share

 

$

14.18

   

CLASS IS:

 

Net Assets

 

$

11

   
Shares Outstanding $0.001 par value shares of beneficial interest (unlimited shares authorized) (not in 000's)    

786

   

Net Asset Value, Offering and Redemption Price Per Share

 

$

14.40

   

CLASS IR:

 

Net Assets

 

$

11

   
Shares Outstanding $0.001 par value shares of beneficial interest (unlimited shares authorized) (not in 000's)    

766

   

Net Asset Value, Offering and Redemption Price Per Share

 

$

14.47

   
(1) Including:
Securities on Loan, at Value:
 

$

4,509

   

@  Amount is less than $500.

The accompanying notes are an integral part of the financial statements.
10



Morgan Stanley Institutional Fund, Inc.

Annual Report — December 31, 2020

Global Infrastructure Portfolio

Statement of Operations

  Year Ended
December 31, 2020
(000)
 

Investment Income:

 

Dividends from Securities of Unaffiliated Issuers (Net of $344 of Foreign Taxes Withheld)

 

$

5,500

   

Dividends from Security of Affiliated Issuer (Note G)

   

21

   

Income from Securities Loaned — Net

   

12

   

Total Investment Income

   

5,533

   

Expenses:

 

Advisory Fees (Note B)

   

2,423

   

Shareholder Services Fees — Class A (Note D)

   

528

   

Distribution and Shareholder Services Fees — Class L (Note D)

   

24

   

Distribution and Shareholder Services Fees — Class C (Note D)

   

26

   

Administration Fees (Note C)

   

228

   

Sub Transfer Agency Fees — Class I

   

90

   

Sub Transfer Agency Fees — Class A

   

141

   

Sub Transfer Agency Fees — Class L

   

2

   

Sub Transfer Agency Fees — Class C

   

2

   

Professional Fees

   

103

   

Registration Fees

   

82

   

Custodian Fees (Note F)

   

56

   

Transfer Agency Fees — Class I (Note E)

   

4

   

Transfer Agency Fees — Class A (Note E)

   

39

   

Transfer Agency Fees — Class L (Note E)

   

3

   

Transfer Agency Fees — Class C (Note E)

   

3

   

Transfer Agency Fees — Class IS (Note E)

   

2

   

Transfer Agency Fees — Class IR (Note E)

   

2

   

Shareholder Reporting Fees

   

50

   

Directors' Fees and Expenses

   

6

   

Pricing Fees

   

4

   

Interest Expenses

   

1

   

Other Expenses

   

21

   

Total Expenses

   

3,840

   

Waiver of Advisory Fees (Note B)

   

(294

)

 

Reimbursement of Class Specific Expenses — Class I (Note B)

   

(74

)

 

Reimbursement of Class Specific Expenses — Class A (Note B)

   

(137

)

 

Reimbursement of Class Specific Expenses — Class L (Note B)

   

(2

)

 

Reimbursement of Class Specific Expenses — Class C (Note B)

   

(1

)

 

Reimbursement of Class Specific Expenses — Class IS (Note B)

   

(2

)

 

Reimbursement of Class Specific Expenses — Class IR (Note B)

   

(2

)

 

Rebate from Morgan Stanley Affiliate (Note G)

   

(8

)

 

Net Expenses

   

3,320

   

Net Investment Income

   

2,213

   

Realized Gain:

 

Investments Sold

   

11,287

   

Foreign Currency Translation

   

22

   

Net Realized Gain

   

11,309

   

Change in Unrealized Appreciation (Depreciation):

 

Investments

   

(20,248

)

 

Foreign Currency Translation

   

(3

)

 

Net Change in Unrealized Appreciation (Depreciation)

   

(20,251

)

 

Net Realized Gain and Change in Unrealized Appreciation (Depreciation)

   

(8,942

)

 

Net Decrease in Net Assets Resulting from Operations

 

$

(6,729

)

 

The accompanying notes are an integral part of the financial statements.
11



Morgan Stanley Institutional Fund, Inc.

Annual Report — December 31, 2020

Global Infrastructure Portfolio

Statements of Changes in Net Assets

  Year Ended
December 31, 2020
(000)
  Year Ended
December 31, 2019
(000)
 

Increase (Decrease) in Net Assets:

 

Operations:

 

Net Investment Income

 

$

2,213

   

$

7,490

   

Net Realized Gain

   

11,309

     

8,302

   

Net Change in Unrealized Appreciation (Depreciation)

   

(20,251

)

   

65,191

   

Net Increase (Decrease) in Net Assets Resulting from Operations

   

(6,729

)

   

80,983

   

Dividends and Distributions to Shareholders:

 

Class I

   

(3,110

)

   

(2,674

)

 

Class A

   

(9,011

)

   

(6,686

)

 

Class L

   

(116

)

   

(83

)

 

Class C

   

(101

)

   

(60

)

 

Class IS

   

(1

)

   

(—

@)

 

Class IR

   

(—

@)

   

(—

@)

 

Total Dividends and Distributions to Shareholders

   

(12,339

)

   

(9,503

)

 

Capital Share Transactions:(1)

 

Class I:

 

Subscribed

   

13,904

     

16,736

   

Distributions Reinvested

   

3,105

     

2,669

   

Redeemed

   

(33,838

)

   

(11,724

)

 

Class A:

 

Subscribed

   

4,503

     

4,129

   

Distributions Reinvested

   

8,847

     

6,562

   

Redeemed

   

(26,201

)

   

(32,462

)

 

Class L:

 

Exchanged

   

39

     

2

   

Distributions Reinvested

   

113

     

81

   

Redeemed

   

(491

)

   

(985

)

 

Class C:

 

Subscribed

   

417

     

146

   

Distributions Reinvested

   

100

     

60

   

Redeemed

   

(438

)

   

(465

)

 

Class IS:

 

Subscribed

   

     

3,143

   

Distributions Reinvested

   

1

     

@

 

Redeemed

   

     

(32,096

)

 

Class IR:

 

Distributions Reinvested

   

@

   

@

 

Net Decrease in Net Assets Resulting from Capital Share Transactions

   

(29,939

)

   

(44,204

)

 

Total Increase (Decrease) in Net Assets

   

(49,007

)

   

27,276

   

Net Assets:

 

Beginning of Period

   

336,362

     

309,086

   

End of Period

 

$

287,355

   

$

336,362

   

The accompanying notes are an integral part of the financial statements.
12



Morgan Stanley Institutional Fund, Inc.

Annual Report — December 31, 2020

Global Infrastructure Portfolio

Statements of Changes in Net Assets (cont'd)

  Year Ended
December 31, 2020
(000)
  Year Ended
December 31, 2019
(000)
 

(1)   Capital Share Transactions:

 

Class I:

 

Shares Subscribed

   

963

     

1,194

   

Shares Issued on Distributions Reinvested

   

215

     

177

   

Shares Redeemed

   

(2,279

)

   

(826

)

 

Net Increase (Decrease) in Class I Shares Outstanding

   

(1,101

)

   

545

   

Class A:

 

Shares Subscribed

   

317

     

280

   

Shares Issued on Distributions Reinvested

   

614

     

435

   

Shares Redeemed

   

(1,850

)

   

(2,261

)

 

Net Decrease in Class A Shares Outstanding

   

(919

)

   

(1,546

)

 

Class L:

 

Shares Exchanged

   

2

     

@@

 

Shares Issued on Distributions Reinvested

   

8

     

5

   

Shares Redeemed

   

(34

)

   

(70

)

 

Net Decrease in Class L Shares Outstanding

   

(24

)

   

(65

)

 

Class C:

 

Shares Subscribed

   

30

     

10

   

Shares Issued on Distributions Reinvested

   

7

     

4

   

Shares Redeemed

   

(33

)

   

(34

)

 

Net Increase (Decrease) in Class C Shares Outstanding

   

4

     

(20

)

 

Class IS:

 

Shares Subscribed

   

     

224

   

Shares Issued on Distributions Reinvested

   

@@

   

@@

 

Shares Redeemed

   

     

(2,198

)

 

Net Increase (Decrease) in Class IS Shares Outstanding

   

@@

   

(1,974

)

 

Class IR:

 

Shares Issued on Distributions Reinvested

   

@@

   

@@

 

@  Amount is less than $500.

@@  Amount is less than 500 shares.

The accompanying notes are an integral part of the financial statements.
13



Morgan Stanley Institutional Fund, Inc.

Annual Report — December 31, 2020

Financial Highlights

Global Infrastructure Portfolio

   

Class I

 
   

Year Ended December 31,

 

Selected Per Share Data and Ratios

 

2020

 

2019

 

2018

 

2017

 

2016(1)

 

Net Asset Value, Beginning of Period

 

$

15.37

   

$

12.39

   

$

14.64

   

$

14.02

   

$

12.59

   

Income (Loss) from Investment Operations:

 

Net Investment Income(2)

   

0.13

     

0.35

     

0.31

     

0.44

     

0.40

   

Net Realized and Unrealized Gain (Loss)

   

(0.36

)

   

3.11

     

(1.45

)

   

1.33

     

1.55

   

Total from Investment Operations

   

(0.23

)

   

3.46

     

(1.14

)

   

1.77

     

1.95

   

Distributions from and/or in Excess of:

 

Net Investment Income

   

(0.40

)

   

(0.36

)

   

(0.37

)

   

(0.42

)

   

(0.37

)

 

Net Realized Gain

   

(0.27

)

   

(0.12

)

   

(0.74

)

   

(0.73

)

   

(0.15

)

 

Total Distributions

   

(0.67

)

   

(0.48

)

   

(1.11

)

   

(1.15

)

   

(0.52

)

 

Net Asset Value, End of Period

 

$

14.47

   

$

15.37

   

$

12.39

   

$

14.64

   

$

14.02

   

Total Return(3)

   

(1.45

)%

   

27.94

%

   

(8.02

)%

   

12.70

%

   

15.55

%

 

Ratios to Average Net Assets and Supplemental Data:

 

Net Assets, End of Period (Thousands)

 

$

68,255

   

$

89,371

   

$

65,311

   

$

95,219

   

$

58,794

   

Ratio of Expenses Before Expense Limitation

   

1.18

%

   

1.16

%

   

1.16

%

   

1.08

%

   

1.04

%

 

Ratio of Expenses After Expense Limitation

   

0.97

%(4)

   

0.97

%(4)

   

0.97

%(4)

   

0.91

%(4)(5)

   

0.85

%(4)

 

Ratio of Expenses After Expense Limitation Excluding Interest Expenses

   

0.97

%(4)

   

0.97

%(4)

   

N/A

     

N/A

     

N/A

   

Ratio of Net Investment Income

   

0.94

%(4)

   

2.40

%(4)

   

2.21

%(4)

   

2.93

%(4)

   

2.85

%(4)

 

Ratio of Rebate from Morgan Stanley Affiliates

   

0.00

%(6)

   

0.00

%(6)

   

0.00

%(6)

   

0.01

%

   

0.01

%

 

Portfolio Turnover Rate

   

62

%

   

30

%

   

43

%

   

45

%

   

48

%

 

(1)  Reflects prior period custodian out-of-pocket expenses that were reimbursed in September 2016. The amount of the reimbursement was immaterial on a per share basis and did not impact the total return of Class I shares. The Ratio of Expenses After Expense Limitation and the Ratio of Net Investment Income would be unchanged as the reimbursement of custodian fees was offset against expense waivers/reimbursements with no impact to net expenses or net investment income.

(2)  Per share amount is based on average shares outstanding.

(3)  Calculated based on the net asset value as of the last business day of the period.

(4)  The Ratio of Expenses After Expense Limitation and Ratio of Net Investment Income reflect the rebate of certain Fund expenses in connection with the investments in Morgan Stanley affiliates during the period. The effect of the rebate on the ratios is disclosed in the above table as "Ratio of Rebate from Morgan Stanley Affiliates."

(5)  Effective July 1, 2017, the Adviser has agreed to limit the ratio of expenses to average net assets to the maximum ratio of 0.97% for Class I shares. Prior to July 1, 2017, the maximum ratio was 0.87% for Class I shares.

(6)  Amount is less than 0.005%.

The accompanying notes are an integral part of the financial statements.
14



Morgan Stanley Institutional Fund, Inc.

Annual Report — December 31, 2020

Financial Highlights

Global Infrastructure Portfolio

   

Class A

 
   

Year Ended December 31,

 

Selected Per Share Data and Ratios

 

2020

 

2019

 

2018

 

2017

 

2016(1)

 

Net Asset Value, Beginning of Period

 

$

15.33

   

$

12.36

   

$

14.60

   

$

13.99

   

$

12.56

   

Income (Loss) from Investment Operations:

 

Net Investment Income(2)

   

0.11

     

0.31

     

0.28

     

0.39

     

0.36

   

Net Realized and Unrealized Gain (Loss)

   

(0.37

)

   

3.10

     

(1.45

)

   

1.33

     

1.55

   

Total from Investment Operations

   

(0.26

)

   

3.41

     

(1.17

)

   

1.72

     

1.91

   

Distributions from and/or in Excess of:

 

Net Investment Income

   

(0.36

)

   

(0.32

)

   

(0.33

)

   

(0.38

)

   

(0.33

)

 

Net Realized Gain

   

(0.27

)

   

(0.12

)

   

(0.74

)

   

(0.73

)

   

(0.15

)

 

Total Distributions

   

(0.63

)

   

(0.44

)

   

(1.07

)

   

(1.11

)

   

(0.48

)

 

Net Asset Value, End of Period

 

$

14.44

   

$

15.33

   

$

12.36

   

$

14.60

   

$

13.99

   

Total Return(3)

   

(1.69

)%

   

27.62

%

   

(8.22

)%

   

12.37

%

   

15.29

%

 

Ratios to Average Net Assets and Supplemental Data:

 

Net Assets, End of Period (Thousands)

 

$

213,128

   

$

240,350

   

$

212,919

   

$

278,780

   

$

275,481

   

Ratio of Expenses Before Expense Limitation

   

1.38

%

   

1.37

%

   

1.37

%

   

1.38

%

   

1.37

%

 

Ratio of Expenses After Expense Limitation

   

1.21

%(4)

   

1.21

%(4)

   

1.21

%(4)

   

1.15

%(4)(5)

   

1.10

%(4)

 

Ratio of Expenses After Expense Limitation Excluding Interest Expenses

   

1.21

%(4)

   

1.21

%(4)

   

N/A

     

N/A

     

N/A

   

Ratio of Net Investment Income

   

0.74

%(4)

   

2.16

%(4)

   

2.00

%(4)

   

2.63

%(4)

   

2.60

%(4)

 

Ratio of Rebate from Morgan Stanley Affiliates

   

0.00

%(6)

   

0.00

%(6)

   

0.00

%(6)

   

0.01

%

   

0.01

%

 

Portfolio Turnover Rate

   

62

%

   

30

%

   

43

%

   

45

%

   

48

%

 

(1)  Reflects prior period custodian out-of-pocket expenses that were reimbursed in September 2016. The amount of the reimbursement was immaterial on a per share basis and did not impact the total return of Class A shares. The Ratio of Expenses After Expense Limitation and the Ratio of Net Investment Income would be unchanged as the reimbursement of custodian fees was offset against expense waivers/reimbursements with no impact to net expenses or net investment income.

(2)  Per share amount is based on average shares outstanding.

(3)  Calculated based on the net asset value which does not reflect sales charges, if applicable, as of the last business day of the period.

(4)  The Ratio of Expenses After Expense Limitation and Ratio of Net Investment Income reflect the rebate of certain Fund expenses in connection with the investments in Morgan Stanley affiliates during the period. The effect of the rebate on the ratios is disclosed in the above table as "Ratio of Rebate from Morgan Stanley Affiliates."

(5)  Effective July 1, 2017, the Adviser has agreed to limit the ratio of expenses to average net assets to the maximum ratio of 1.21% for Class A shares. Prior to July 1, 2017, the maximum ratio was 1.11% for Class A shares.

(6)  Amount is less than 0.005%.

The accompanying notes are an integral part of the financial statements.
15



Morgan Stanley Institutional Fund, Inc.

Annual Report — December 31, 2020

Financial Highlights

Global Infrastructure Portfolio

   

Class L

 
   

Year Ended December 31,

 

Selected Per Share Data and Ratios

 

2020

 

2019

 

2018

 

2017

 

2016(1)

 

Net Asset Value, Beginning of Period

 

$

15.29

   

$

12.33

   

$

14.55

   

$

13.94

   

$

12.52

   

Income (Loss) from Investment Operations:

 

Net Investment Income(2)

   

0.02

     

0.23

     

0.20

     

0.31

     

0.28

   

Net Realized and Unrealized Gain (Loss)

   

(0.36

)

   

3.08

     

(1.44

)

   

1.33

     

1.54

   

Total from Investment Operations

   

(0.34

)

   

3.31

     

(1.24

)

   

1.64

     

1.82

   

Distributions from and/or in Excess of:

 

Net Investment Income

   

(0.28

)

   

(0.23

)

   

(0.24

)

   

(0.30

)

   

(0.25

)

 

Net Realized Gain

   

(0.27

)

   

(0.12

)

   

(0.74

)

   

(0.73

)

   

(0.15

)

 

Total Distributions

   

(0.55

)

   

(0.35

)

   

(0.98

)

   

(1.03

)

   

(0.40

)

 

Net Asset Value, End of Period

 

$

14.40

   

$

15.29

   

$

12.33

   

$

14.55

   

$

13.94

   

Total Return(3)

   

(2.27

)%

   

26.87

%

   

(8.73

)%

   

11.80

%

   

14.57

%

 

Ratios to Average Net Assets and Supplemental Data:

 

Net Assets, End of Period (Thousands)

 

$

3,163

   

$

3,718

   

$

3,805

   

$

5,634

   

$

5,534

   

Ratio of Expenses Before Expense Limitation

   

1.94

%

   

1.93

%

   

1.87

%

   

1.95

%

   

1.95

%

 

Ratio of Expenses After Expense Limitation

   

1.78

%(4)

   

1.78

%(4)

   

1.78

%(4)

   

1.72

%(4)(5)

   

1.67

%(4)

 

Ratio of Expenses After Expense Limitation Excluding Interest Expenses

   

1.78

%(4)

   

1.78

%(4)

   

N/A

     

N/A

     

N/A

   

Ratio of Net Investment Income

   

0.17

%(4)

   

1.58

%(4)

   

1.41

%(4)

   

2.06

%(4)

   

2.03

%(4)

 

Ratio of Rebate from Morgan Stanley Affiliates

   

0.00

%(6)

   

0.00

%(6)

   

0.00

%(6)

   

0.01

%

   

0.01

%

 

Portfolio Turnover Rate

   

62

%

   

30

%

   

43

%

   

45

%

   

48

%

 

(1)  Reflects prior period custodian out-of-pocket expenses that were reimbursed in September 2016. The amount of the reimbursement was immaterial on a per share basis and did not impact the total return of Class L shares. The Ratio of Expenses After Expense Limitation and the Ratio of Net Investment Income would be unchanged as the reimbursement of custodian fees was offset against expense waivers/reimbursements with no impact to net expenses or net investment income.

(2)  Per share amount is based on average shares outstanding.

(3)  Calculated based on the net asset value as of the last business day of the period.

(4)  The Ratio of Expenses After Expense Limitation and Ratio of Net Investment Income reflect the rebate of certain Fund expenses in connection with the investments in Morgan Stanley affiliates during the period. The effect of the rebate on the ratios is disclosed in the above table as "Ratio of Rebate from Morgan Stanley Affiliates."

(5)  Effective July 1, 2017, the Adviser has agreed to limit the ratio of expenses to average net assets to the maximum ratio of 1.78% for Class L shares. Prior to July 1, 2017, the maximum ratio was 1.68% for Class L shares.

(6)  Amount is less than 0.005%.

The accompanying notes are an integral part of the financial statements.
16



Morgan Stanley Institutional Fund, Inc.

Annual Report — December 31, 2020

Financial Highlights

Global Infrastructure Portfolio

   

Class C

 
   

Year Ended December 31,

 

Selected Per Share Data and Ratios

 

2020

 

2019

 

2018

 

2017

 

2016(1)

 

Net Asset Value, Beginning of Period

 

$

15.08

   

$

12.17

   

$

14.36

   

$

13.81

   

$

12.47

   

Income (Loss) from Investment Operations:

 

Net Investment Income (Loss)(2)

   

(0.02

)

   

0.18

     

0.16

     

0.29

     

0.26

   

Net Realized and Unrealized Gain (Loss)

   

(0.36

)

   

3.05

     

(1.42

)

   

1.28

     

1.52

   

Total from Investment Operations

   

(0.38

)

   

3.23

     

(1.26

)

   

1.57

     

1.78

   

Distributions from and/or in Excess of:

 

Net Investment Income

   

(0.25

)

   

(0.20

)

   

(0.19

)

   

(0.29

)

   

(0.29

)

 

Net Realized Gain

   

(0.27

)

   

(0.12

)

   

(0.74

)

   

(0.73

)

   

(0.15

)

 

Total Distributions

   

(0.52

)

   

(0.32

)

   

(0.93

)

   

(1.02

)

   

(0.44

)

 

Net Asset Value, End of Period

 

$

14.18

   

$

15.08

   

$

12.17

   

$

14.36

   

$

13.81

   

Total Return(3)

   

(2.53

)%

   

26.55

%

   

(9.02

)%

   

11.42

%

   

14.35

%

 

Ratios to Average Net Assets and Supplemental Data:

 

Net Assets, End of Period (Thousands)

 

$

2,787

   

$

2,901

   

$

2,580

   

$

3,601

   

$

784

   

Ratio of Expenses Before Expense Limitation

   

2.22

%

   

2.20

%

   

2.20

%

   

2.23

%

   

2.69

%

 

Ratio of Expenses After Expense Limitation

   

2.07

%(4)

   

2.07

%(4)

   

2.07

%(4)

   

2.02

%(4)(5)

   

1.96

%(4)

 

Ratio of Expenses After Expense Limitation Excluding Interest Expenses

   

2.07

%(4)

   

2.07

%(4)

   

N/A

     

N/A

     

N/A

   

Ratio of Net Investment Income

   

(0.12

)%(4)

   

1.30

%(4)

   

1.14

%(4)

   

1.96

%(4)

   

1.90

%(4)

 

Ratio of Rebate from Morgan Stanley Affiliates

   

0.00

%(6)

   

0.00

%(6)

   

0.00

%(6)

   

0.01

%

   

0.01

%

 

Portfolio Turnover Rate

   

62

%

   

30

%

   

43

%

   

45

%

   

48

%

 

(1)  Reflects prior period custodian out-of-pocket expenses that were reimbursed in September 2016. The amount of the reimbursement was immaterial on a per share basis and did not impact the total return of Class C shares. The Ratio of Expenses After Expense Limitation and the Ratio of Net Investment Income would be unchanged as the reimbursement of custodian fees was offset against expense waivers/reimbursements with no impact to net expenses or net investment income.

(2)  Per share amount is based on average shares outstanding.

(3)  Calculated based on the net asset value which does not reflect sales charges, if applicable, as of the last business day of the period.

(4)  The Ratio of Expenses After Expense Limitation and Ratio of Net Investment Income reflect the rebate of certain Fund expenses in connection with the investments in Morgan Stanley affiliates during the period. The effect of the rebate on the ratios is disclosed in the above table as "Ratio of Rebate from Morgan Stanley Affiliates."

(5)  Effective July 1, 2017, the Adviser has agreed to limit the ratio of expenses to average net assets to the maximum ratio of 2.07% for Class C shares. Prior to July 1, 2017, the maximum ratio was 1.97% for Class C shares.

(6)  Amount is less than 0.005%.

The accompanying notes are an integral part of the financial statements.
17



Morgan Stanley Institutional Fund, Inc.

Annual Report — December 31, 2020

Financial Highlights

Global Infrastructure Portfolio

   

Class IS

 
   

Year Ended December 31,

 

Selected Per Share Data and Ratios

 

2020

 

2019

 

2018

 

2017

 

2016(1)

 

Net Asset Value, Beginning of Period

 

$

15.29

   

$

12.38

   

$

14.63

   

$

14.02

   

$

12.58

   

Income (Loss) from Investment Operations:

 

Net Investment Income(2)

   

0.15

     

0.38

     

0.32

     

0.45

     

0.43

   

Net Realized and Unrealized Gain (Loss)

   

(0.37

)

   

3.01

     

(1.46

)

   

1.32

     

1.53

   

Total from Investment Operations

   

(0.22

)

   

3.39

     

(1.14

)

   

1.77

     

1.96

   

Distributions from and/or in Excess of:

 

Net Investment Income

   

(0.40

)

   

(0.36

)

   

(0.37

)

   

(0.43

)

   

(0.37

)

 

Net Realized Gain

   

(0.27

)

   

(0.12

)

   

(0.74

)

   

(0.73

)

   

(0.15

)

 

Total Distributions

   

(0.67

)

   

(0.48

)

   

(1.11

)

   

(1.16

)

   

(0.52

)

 

Net Asset Value, End of Period

 

$

14.40

   

$

15.29

   

$

12.38

   

$

14.63

   

$

14.02

   

Total Return(3)

   

(1.37

)%

   

27.31

%

   

(7.92

)%

   

12.65

%

   

15.66

%

 

Ratios to Average Net Assets and Supplemental Data:

 

Net Assets, End of Period (Thousands)

 

$

11

   

$

11

   

$

24,462

   

$

9,516

   

$

5,921

   

Ratio of Expenses Before Expense Limitation

   

20.65

%

   

1.05

%

   

1.05

%

   

1.06

%

   

1.08

%

 

Ratio of Expenses After Expense Limitation

   

0.94

%(4)

   

0.94

%(4)

   

0.94

%(4)

   

0.89

%(4)(5)

   

0.83

%(4)

 

Ratio of Expenses After Expense Limitation Excluding Interest Expenses

   

0.94

%(4)

   

0.94

%(4)

   

N/A

     

N/A

     

N/A

   

Ratio of Net Investment Income

   

1.03

%(4)

   

2.71

%(4)

   

2.26

%(4)

   

2.95

%(4)

   

3.02

%(4)

 

Ratio of Rebate from Morgan Stanley Affiliates

   

0.00

%(6)

   

0.00

%(6)

   

0.00

%(6)

   

0.01

%

   

0.01

%

 

Portfolio Turnover Rate

   

62

%

   

30

%

   

43

%

   

45

%

   

48

%

 

(1)  Reflects prior period custodian out-of-pocket expenses that were reimbursed in September 2016. The amount of the reimbursement was immaterial on a per share basis and did not impact the total return of Class IS shares. The Ratio of Expenses After Expense Limitation and the Ratio of Net Investment Income would be unchanged as the reimbursement of custodian fees was offset against expense waivers/reimbursements with no impact to net expenses or net investment income.

(2)  Per share amount is based on average shares outstanding.

(3)  Calculated based on the net asset value as of the last business day of the period.

(4)  The Ratio of Expenses After Expense Limitation and Ratio of Net Investment Income reflect the rebate of certain Fund expenses in connection with the investments in Morgan Stanley affiliates during the period. The effect of the rebate on the ratios is disclosed in the above table as "Ratio of Rebate from Morgan Stanley Affiliates."

(5)  Effective July 1, 2017, the Adviser has agreed to limit the ratio of expenses to average net assets to the maximum ratio of 0.94% for Class IS shares. Prior to July 1, 2017, the maximum ratio was 0.84% for Class IS shares.

(6)  Amount is less than 0.005%.

The accompanying notes are an integral part of the financial statements.
18



Morgan Stanley Institutional Fund, Inc.

Annual Report — December 31, 2020

Financial Highlights

Global Infrastructure Portfolio

   

Class IR

 
   

Year Ended December 31,

  Period from
June 15, 2018(1) to
 

Selected Per Share Data and Ratios

 

2020

 

2019

 

December 31, 2018

 

Net Asset Value, Beginning of Period

 

$

15.36

   

$

12.38

   

$

14.10

   

Income (Loss) from Investment Operations:

 

Net Investment Income(2)

   

0.15

     

0.35

     

0.20

   

Net Realized and Unrealized Gain (Loss)

   

(0.37

)

   

3.11

     

(0.81

)

 

Total from Investment Operations

   

(0.22

)

   

3.46

     

(0.61

)

 

Distributions from and/or in Excess of:

 

Net Investment Income

   

(0.40

)

   

(0.36

)

   

(0.37

)

 

Net Realized Gain

   

(0.27

)

   

(0.12

)

   

(0.74

)

 

Total Distributions

   

(0.67

)

   

(0.48

)

   

(1.11

)

 

Net Asset Value, End of Period

 

$

14.47

   

$

15.36

   

$

12.38

   

Total Return(3)

   

(1.43

)%

   

27.99

%

   

(4.54

)%(6)

 

Ratios to Average Net Assets and Supplemental Data:

 

Net Assets, End of Period, (Thousands)

 

$

11

   

$

11

   

$

9

   

Ratio of Expenses Before Expense Limitation

   

19.68

%

   

19.62

%

   

18.47

%(7)

 

Ratio of Expenses After Expense Limitation

   

0.94

%(4)

   

0.94

%(4)

   

0.94

%(4)(7)

 

Ratios of Expenses After Expense Limitation Excluding Interest Expenses

   

0.94

%(4)

   

0.94

%(4)

   

N/A

   

Ratio of Net Investment Income

   

1.03

%(4)

   

2.65

%(4)

   

2.67

%(4)(7)

 

Ratio of Rebate from Morgan Stanley Affiliates

   

0.00

%(5)

   

0.00

%(5)

   

0.00

%(5)(7)

 

Portfolio Turnover Rate

   

62

%

   

30

%

   

43

%

 

(1)  Commencement of Offering.

(2)  Per share amount is based on average shares outstanding.

(3)  Calculated based on the net asset value as of the last business day of the period.

(4)  The Ratio of Expenses After Expense Limitation and Ratio of Net Investment Income reflect the rebate of certain Fund expenses in connection with the investments in Morgan Stanley affiliates during the period. The effect of the rebate on the ratios is disclosed in the above table as "Ratio of Rebate from Morgan Stanley Affiliates."

(5)  Amount is less than 0.005%.

(6)  Not annualized.

(7)  Annualized.

The accompanying notes are an integral part of the financial statements.
19



Morgan Stanley Institutional Fund, Inc.

Annual Report — December 31, 2020

Notes to Financial Statements

Morgan Stanley Institutional Fund, Inc. (the "Company") is registered under the Investment Company Act of 1940, as amended (the "Act"), as an open-end management investment company. The Company is comprised of thirty-one separate, active, diversified and non-diversified funds (individually referred to as a "Fund," collectively as the "Funds"). The Company applies investment company accounting and reporting guidance.

The accompanying financial statements relate to the Global Infrastructure Portfolio. The Fund seeks to provide both capital appreciation and income.

The Fund offers six classes of shares — Class I, Class A, Class L, Class C, Class IS and Class IR. On April 30, 2015, the Fund suspended offering of Class L shares. Existing Class L shareholders may invest through reinvestment of dividends and distributions. In addition, Class L shares of the Fund may be exchanged for Class L shares of any Morgan Stanley Multi-Class Fund, even though Class L shares are closed to investors.

A. Significant Accounting Policies: The following significant accounting policies are in conformity with U.S. generally accepted accounting principles ("GAAP"). Such policies are consistently followed by the Company in the preparation of its financial statements. GAAP may require management to make estimates and assumptions that affect the reported amounts and disclosures in the financial statements. Actual results may differ from those estimates.

1.  Security Valuation: (1) An equity portfolio security listed or traded on an exchange is valued at its latest reported sales price (or at the exchange official closing price if such exchange reports an official closing price), and if there were no sales on a given day and if there is no official exchange closing price for that day, the security is valued at the mean between the last reported bid and asked prices if such bid and asked prices are available on the relevant exchanges. If only bid prices are available then the latest bid price may be used. Listed equity securities not traded on the valuation date with no reported bid and asked prices available on the exchange are valued at the mean between the current bid and asked prices obtained from one or more reputable brokers or dealers. In cases where a security is traded on more than one exchange, the security is valued on the exchange designated as the primary market; (2) all other equity portfolio securities for which over-the-counter ("OTC") market quotations are readily available are valued at the latest reported sales price (or at the

market official closing price if such market reports an official closing price), and if there was no trading in the security on a given day and if there is no official closing price from relevant markets for that day, the security is valued at the mean between the last reported bid and asked prices if such bid and asked prices are available on the relevant markets. An unlisted equity security that does not trade on the valuation date and for which bid and asked prices from the relevant markets are unavailable is valued at the mean between the current bid and asked prices obtained from one or more reputable brokers or dealers; (3) certain portfolio securities may be valued by an outside pricing service/vendor approved by the Company's Board of Directors (the "Directors"). The pricing service/vendor may employ a pricing model that takes into account, among other things, bids, yield spreads and/or other market data and specific security characteristics. Alternatively, if a valuation is not available from an outside pricing service/vendor, and the security trades on an exchange, the security may be valued at its latest reported sale price (or at the exchange official closing price if such exchange reports an official closing price), prior to the time when assets are valued. If there are no sales on a given day and if there is no official exchange closing price for that day, the security is valued at the mean between the last reported bid and asked prices if such bid and asked prices are available in the relevant exchanges. If only bid prices are available then the latest bid price may be used. If Morgan Stanley Investment Management Inc. (the "Adviser"), a wholly-owned subsidiary of Morgan Stanley, determines that the price provided by the outside pricing service/vendor or exchange does not reflect the security's fair value or is unable to provide a price, prices from brokers or dealers may also be utilized. In these circumstances, the value of the security will be the mean of bid and asked prices obtained from brokers or dealers; (4) when market quotations are not readily available, including circumstances under which the Adviser 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 Directors. 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


20



Morgan Stanley Institutional Fund, Inc.

Annual Report — December 31, 2020

Notes to Financial Statements (cont'd)

business of the New York Stock Exchange ("NYSE"). If developments occur during such periods that are expected to materially affect the value of such securities, such valuations may be adjusted to reflect the estimated fair value of such securities as of the close of the NYSE, as determined in good faith by the Directors or by the Adviser using a pricing service and/or procedures approved by the Directors; (5) quotations of foreign portfolio securities, other assets and liabilities and forward contracts stated in foreign currency are translated into U.S. dollar equivalents at the prevailing market rates prior to the close of the NYSE; and (6) investments in mutual funds, including the Morgan Stanley Institutional Liquidity Funds, are valued at the net asset value ("NAV") as of the close of each business day.

The Directors have responsibility for determining in good faith the fair value of the investments, and the Directors may appoint others, such as the Company's Adviser or a valuation committee, to assist the Directors in determining fair value and to make the actual calculations pursuant to the fair valuation methodologies previously approved by the Directors. Under procedures approved by the Directors, the Company's Adviser has formed a Valuation Committee whose members are approved by the Directors. The Valuation Committee provides administration and oversight of the Company's valuation policies and procedures, which are reviewed at least annually by the Directors. These procedures allow the Company to utilize independent pricing services, quotations from securities and financial instrument dealers and other market sources to determine fair value.

2.  Fair Value Measurement: Financial Accounting Standards Board ("FASB") Accounting Standards CodificationTM ("ASC") 820, "Fair Value Measurement" ("ASC 820"), defines fair value as the value that the Fund would receive to sell an investment or pay to transfer a liability in a timely transaction with an independent buyer in the principal market, or in the absence of a principal market, the most advantageous market for the investment or liability. ASC 820 establishes a three-tier hierarchy to distinguish between (1) inputs that reflect the assumptions market participants would use in valuing an asset or liability developed based on market data obtained from sources independent of the reporting entity (observable inputs) and (2) inputs that reflect the reporting entity's own assumptions about the assumptions market participants would use in valuing an asset or liability developed based on the best information available in

the circumstances (unobservable inputs) and to establish classification of fair value measurements for disclosure purposes. Various inputs are used in determining the value of the Fund's investments. The inputs are summarized in the three broad levels listed below:

•  Level 1 – unadjusted quoted prices in active markets for identical investments

•  Level 2 – other significant observable inputs (including quoted prices for similar investments, interest rates, prepayment speeds, credit risk, etc.)

•  Level 3 – significant unobservable inputs including the Fund's own assumptions in determining the fair value of investments. Factors considered in making this determination may include, but are not limited to, information obtained by contacting the issuer, analysts, or the appropriate stock exchange (for exchange-traded securities), analysis of the issuer's financial statements or other available documents and, if necessary, available information concerning other securities in similar circumstances.

The inputs or methodology used for valuing securities are not necessarily an indication of the risk associated with investing in those securities and the determination of the significance of a particular input to the fair value measurement in its entirety requires judgment and considers factors specific to each security.

The following is a summary of the inputs used to value the Fund's investments as of December 31, 2020:

Investment Type

  Level 1
Unadjusted
quoted
prices
(000)
  Level 2
Other
significant
observable
inputs
(000)
  Level 3
Significant
unobservable
inputs
(000)
  Total
(000)
 

Assets:

 

Common Stocks

 

Airports

 

$

4,809

   

$

13,034

   

$

   

$

17,843

   
Commercial Services &
Supplies
   

3,299

     

     

     

3,299

   

Communications

   

42,214

     

8,512

     

     

50,726

   

Diversified

   

     

17,660

     

     

17,660

   
Electricity Transmission &
Distribution
   

20,178

     

17,578

     

     

37,756

   
Oil & Gas Storage &
Transportation
   

65,749

     

10,389

     

     

76,138

   

Ports

   

     

1,611

     

     

1,611

   

Railroads

   

3,469

     

6,534

     

     

10,003

   

Renewables

   

6,272

     

351

     

     

6,623

   


21



Morgan Stanley Institutional Fund, Inc.

Annual Report — December 31, 2020

Notes to Financial Statements (cont'd)

Investment Type

  Level 1
Unadjusted
quoted
prices
(000)
  Level 2
Other
significant
observable
inputs
(000)
  Level 3
Significant
unobservable
inputs
(000)
  Total
(000)
 

Common Stocks (cont'd)

 

Toll Roads

 

$

8,183

   

$

18,882

   

$

   

$

27,065

   

Utilities

   

7,226

     

     

     

7,226

   

Water

   

12,081

     

11,575

     

     

23,656

   

Total Common Stocks

   

173,480

     

106,126

     

     

279,606

   

Short-Term Investments

 

Investment Company

   

3,349

     

     

     

3,349

   

Repurchase Agreements

   

     

165

     

     

165

   
Total Short-Term
Investments
   

3,349

     

165

     

     

3,514

   

Total Assets

 

$

176,829

   

$

106,291

   

$

   

$

283,120

   

Transfers between investment levels may occur as the markets fluctuate and/or the availability of data used in an investment's valuation changes.

3.  Repurchase Agreements: The Fund may enter into repurchase agreements under which the Fund lends cash and takes possession of securities with an agreement that the counterparty will repurchase such securities. In connection with transactions in repurchase agreements, a bank as custodian for the Fund takes possession of the underlying securities which are held as collateral, with a market value at least equal to the amount of the repurchase transaction, including principal and accrued interest. To the extent that any repurchase transaction exceeds one business day, the value of the collateral is marked-to-market on a daily basis to determine 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. In the event of default on the obligation to repurchase, the Fund has the right to liquidate the collateral and apply the proceeds in satisfaction of the obligation. In the event of default or bankruptcy by the counterparty to the agreement, realization of the collateral proceeds may be subject to cost and delays. The Fund, along with other affiliated investment companies, may utilize a joint trading account for the purpose of entering into repurchase agreements.

4.  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.

Net realized gains (losses) on foreign currency transactions represent net foreign exchange gains (losses) from foreign currency forward exchange contracts, disposition of foreign currencies, currency gains (losses) realized between the trade and settlement dates on securities transactions, and the difference between the amount of investment income and foreign withholding taxes recorded on the Fund's books and the U.S. dollar equivalent amounts actually received or paid. The change in unrealized currency gains (losses) on foreign currency transactions for the period is reflected in the Statement of Operations.

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.

Governmental approval for foreign investments may be required in advance of making an investment under


22



Morgan Stanley Institutional Fund, Inc.

Annual Report — December 31, 2020

Notes to Financial Statements (cont'd)

certain circumstances in some countries, and the extent of foreign investments in domestic companies may be subject to limitation in other countries. Foreign ownership limitations also may be imposed by the charters of individual companies to prevent, among other concerns, violations of foreign investment limitations. As a result, an additional class of shares (identified as "Foreign" in the Portfolio of Investments) may be created and offered for investment. The "local" and "foreign shares" market values may differ. In the absence of trading of the foreign shares in such markets, the Fund values the foreign shares at the closing exchange price of the local shares.

5.  Securities Lending: The Fund lends securities to qualified financial institutions, such as broker-dealers, to earn additional income. Any increase or decrease in the fair value of the securities loaned that might occur and any interest earned or dividends declared on those securities during the term of the loan would remain in the Fund. The Fund would receive cash or securities as collateral in an amount equal to or exceeding 100% of the current fair value of the loaned securities. The collateral is marked-to-market daily by State Street Bank and Trust Company ("State Street"), the securities lending agent, to ensure that a minimum of 100% collateral coverage is maintained.

Based on pre-established guidelines, the securities lending agent invests any cash collateral that is received in an affiliated money market portfolio and repurchase agreements. Securities lending income is generated from the earnings on the invested collateral and borrowing fees, less any rebates owed to the borrowers and compensation to the lending agent, and is recorded as "Income from Securities Loaned — Net" in the Fund's Statement of Operations. 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.

The Fund has the right under the securities 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, 2020:

Gross Amounts Not Offset in the Statement of Assets and Liabilities

 
Gross Asset
Amounts
Presented in
the Statement
of Assets and
Liabilities
(000)
  Financial
Instrument
(000)
  Collateral
Received
(000)
  Net Amount
(not less
than $0)
(000)
 
$

4,509

(a)

 

$

   

$

(4,509

)(b)(c)

 

$

0

   

(a) Represents market value of loaned securities at year end.

(b) The Fund received cash collateral of approximately $1,185,000, which was subsequently invested in Repurchase Agreements and Morgan Stanley Institutional Liquidity Funds as reported in the Portfolio of Investments. In addition, the Fund received non-cash collateral of approximately $3,553,000 in the form of U.S. Government obligations, which the Fund cannot sell or repledge, and accordingly are not reflected in the Portfolio of Investments.

(c) The actual collateral received is greater than the amount shown here due to overcollateralization.

FASB ASC 860, "Transfers & Servicing: Repurchase-to-Maturity Transactions, Repurchase Financings, and Disclosures", is intended to provide increased transparency about the types of collateral pledged in securities lending transactions and other similar transactions that are accounted for as secured borrowing.

The following table displays a breakdown of transactions accounted for as secured borrowings, the gross obligations by class of collateral pledged and the remaining contractual maturity of those transactions as of December 31, 2020:

Remaining Contractual Maturity of the Agreements

 
    Overnight and
Continuous
(000)
  <30 days
(000)
  Between
30 &
90 days
(000)
  >90 days
(000)
  Total
(000)
 
Securities Lending
Transactions
 

Common Stocks

 

$

1,185

   

$

   

$

   

$

   

$

1,185

   

Total Borrowings

 

$

1,185

   

$

   

$

   

$

   

$

1,185

   
Gross amount of
recognized liabilities
for securities lending
transactions
                 

$

1,185

   

6.  Indemnifications: The Company enters into contracts that contain a variety of indemnifications. The Company's maximum exposure under these arrangements is unknown. However, the Company has not had prior claims or losses pursuant to these contracts and expects the risk of loss to be remote.


23



Morgan Stanley Institutional Fund, Inc.

Annual Report — December 31, 2020

Notes to Financial Statements (cont'd)

7.  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. Net realized capital gains, if any, are distributed at least annually.

8.  Security Transactions, Income and Expenses: Security transactions are accounted for on the trade date (date the order to buy or sell is executed). Realized gains and losses on the sale of investment securities are determined on the specific identified cost method. Dividend income and other distributions are recorded on the ex-dividend date (except for certain foreign dividends which may be recorded as soon as the Fund is informed of such dividends) net of applicable withholding taxes. Interest income is recognized on the accrual basis except where collection is in doubt. Discounts are accreted and premiums are amortized over the life of the respective securities. Most expenses of the Company can be directly attributed to a particular Fund. Expenses which cannot be directly attributed are apportioned among the Funds based upon relative net assets or other appropriate methods. Income, expenses (other than class specific expenses — distribution and shareholder services, transfer agency and sub transfer agency fees) and realized and unrealized gains or losses are allocated to each class of shares based upon their relative net assets.

B. Advisory Fees: The Adviser, a wholly-owned subsidiary of Morgan Stanley, provides the Fund with advisory services under the terms of an Investment Advisory Agreement, paid quarterly, at an annual rate of 0.85% of the average daily net assets of the Fund.

The Adviser has agreed to reduce its advisory fee and/or reimburse the Fund so that total annual Fund operating expenses, excluding certain investment related expenses, taxes, interest and other extraordinary expenses (including litigation), will not exceed 0.97% for Class I shares, 1.21% for Class A shares, 1.78% for Class L shares, 2.07% for Class C shares, 0.94% for Class IS shares and 0.94% for Class IR shares. The fee waivers and/or expense reimbursements will continue for at least one year from the date of the Fund's prospectus or until such time as the Directors act to discontinue all or a portion of such waivers and/or reimbursements when they deem such action is appropriate. For the year ended December 31, 2020, approximately $294,000 of advisory fees were waived and approximately $218,000 of other expenses were reimbursed by the Adviser pursuant to this arrangement.

C. Administration Fees: The Adviser also serves as Administrator to the Company and provides administrative services pursuant to an Administration Agreement for an annual fee, accrued daily and paid monthly, of 0.08% of the Fund's average daily net assets.

Under a Sub-Administration Agreement between the Administrator and State Street, State Street provides certain administrative services to the Company. For such services, the Administrator pays State Street a portion of the fee the Administrator receives from the Fund.

D. Distribution and Shareholder Services Fees: Morgan Stanley Distribution, Inc. ("MSDI" or the "Distributor"), a wholly-owned subsidiary of the Adviser and an indirect subsidiary of Morgan Stanley, serves as the Company's Distributor of Fund shares pursuant to a Distribution Agreement. The Company has adopted a Shareholder Services Plan with respect to Class A shares pursuant to Rule 12b-1 under the Act. Under the Shareholder Services Plan, the Fund pays the Distributor a shareholder services fee, accrued daily and paid monthly, at an annual rate of 0.25% of the Fund's average daily net assets attributable to Class A shares.

The Company has adopted a Distribution and Shareholder Services Plan with respect to Class L shares pursuant to Rule 12b-1 under the Act. Under the Distribution and Shareholder Services Plan, the Fund pays the Distributor a distribution fee, accrued daily and paid monthly, at an annual rate of 0.50% and a shareholder services fee, accrued daily and paid monthly, at an annual rate of 0.25% of the Fund's average daily net assets attributable to Class L shares.

The Company has adopted a Distribution and Shareholder Services Plan with respect to Class C shares pursuant to Rule 12b-1 under the Act. Under the Distribution and Shareholder Services Plan, the Fund pays the Distributor a distribution fee, accrued daily and paid monthly, at an annual rate of 0.75% and a shareholder services fee, accrued daily and paid monthly, at an annual rate of 0.25% of the Fund's average daily net assets attributable to Class C shares.

The distribution and shareholder services fees are used to support the expenses associated with servicing and maintaining accounts. The Distributor may compensate other parties for providing shareholder support services to investors who purchase Class A, Class L and Class C shares.

E. Dividend Disbursing and Transfer Agent: The Company's dividend disbursing and transfer agent is DST Asset Manager Solutions, Inc. ("DST"). Pursuant to a Transfer


24



Morgan Stanley Institutional Fund, Inc.

Annual Report — December 31, 2020

Notes to Financial Statements (cont'd)

Agency Agreement, the Company pays DST a fee based on the number of classes, accounts and transactions relating to the Funds of the Company.

F. Custodian Fees: State Street (the "Custodian") also serves as Custodian for the Company in accordance with a Custodian Agreement. The Custodian holds cash, securities and other assets of the Company as required by the Act. Custody fees are payable monthly based on assets held in custody, investment purchases and sales activity and account maintenance fees, plus reimbursement for certain out-of-pocket expenses.

G. Security Transactions and Transactions with Affiliates: For the year ended December 31, 2020, purchases and sales of investment securities for the Fund, other than long-term U.S. Government securities and short-term investments were approximately $173,543,000 and $212,482,000, respectively. There were no purchases and sales of long-term U.S. Government securities for the year ended December 31, 2020.

The Fund 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 the advisory and administration fees paid by the Fund due to its investment in the Liquidity Funds. For the year ended December 31, 2020, advisory fees paid were reduced by approximately $8,000 relating to the Fund's investment in the Liquidity Funds.

A summary of the Fund's transactions in shares of affiliated investments during the year ended December 31, 2020 is as follows:

Affiliated
Investment
Company
  Value
December 31,
2019
(000)
  Purchases
at Cost
(000)
  Proceeds
from Sales
(000)
  Dividend
Income
(000)
 

Liquidity Funds

 

$

9,217

   

$

94,290

   

$

100,158

   

$

21

   
Affiliated
Investment
Company (cont'd)
  Realized
Gain (Loss)
(000)
  Change in
Unrealized
Appreciation
(Depreciation)
(000)
  Value
December 31,
2020
(000)
 

Liquidity Funds

 

$

   

$

   

$

3,349

   

The Fund is permitted to purchase and sell securities ("cross-trade") from and to other Morgan Stanley funds as well as other funds and client accounts for which the Adviser or an affiliate of the Adviser serves as investment adviser, pursuant to

procedures approved by the Directors in compliance with Rule 17a-7 under the Act (the "Rule"). Each cross-trade is executed at the current market price in compliance with provisions of the Rule. For the year ended December 31, 2020, the Fund did not engage in any cross-trade transactions.

The Fund has an unfunded Deferred Compensation Plan (the "Compensation Plan"), which allows each independent Director to defer payment of all, or a portion, of the fees he or she receives for serving on the Board of Directors. Each eligible Director generally may elect to have the deferred amounts credited with a return equal to the total return on one or more of the Morgan Stanley funds that are offered as investment options under the Compensation Plan. Appreciation/depreciation and distributions received from these investments are recorded with an offsetting increase/decrease in the deferred compensation obligation and do not affect the NAV of the Fund.

H. Federal Income Taxes: It is the Fund's intention to continue to qualify as a regulated investment company and distribute all of its taxable and tax-exempt income. Accordingly, no provision for federal income taxes is required in the financial statements.

The Fund may be subject to taxes imposed by countries in which it invests. Such taxes are generally based on income and/or capital gains earned or repatriated. Taxes are accrued based on net investment income, net realized gains and net unrealized appreciation as such income and/or gains are earned. Taxes may also be based on transactions in foreign currency and are accrued based on the value of investments denominated in such currency.

FASB ASC 740-10, "Income Taxes — Overall", sets forth a minimum threshold for financial statement recognition of the benefit of a tax position taken or expected to be taken in a tax return. Management has concluded there are no significant uncertain tax positions that would require recognition in the financial statements. If applicable, the Fund recognizes interest accrued related to unrecognized tax benefits in "Interest Expense" and penalties in "Other Expenses" in the Statement of Operations. The Fund files tax returns with the U.S. Internal Revenue Service, New York and various states. Generally, each of the tax years in the four-year period ended December 31, 2020 remains subject to examination by taxing authorities.

The tax character of distributions paid may differ from the character of distributions shown for GAAP purposes due to short-term capital gains being treated as ordinary income for


25



Morgan Stanley Institutional Fund, Inc.

Annual Report — December 31, 2020

Notes to Financial Statements (cont'd)

tax purposes. The tax character of distributions paid during fiscal years 2020 and 2019 was as follows:

2020
Distributions
Paid From:
  2019
Distributions
Paid From:
 
Ordinary
Income
(000)
  Long-Term
Capital Gain
(000)
  Ordinary
Income
(000)
  Long-Term
Capital Gain
(000)
 
$

7,160

   

$

5,179

   

$

7,000

   

$

2,503

   

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 attributable to differing book and tax treatments for the timing of the recognition of gains (losses) on certain investment transactions and the timing of the deductibility of certain expenses.

The Fund had no permanent differences causing reclassifications among the components of net assets for the year ended December 31, 2020.

At December 31, 2020, the components of distributable earnings for the Fund on a tax basis were as follows:

Undistributed
Ordinary
Income
(000)
  Undistributed
Long-Term
Capital Gain
(000)
 
$

271

   

$

6,848

   

I. Credit Facility: The Company and other Morgan Stanley funds participated in a $300,000,000 committed, unsecured revolving line of credit facility (the "Facility") with State Street. This Facility is to be used for temporary emergency purposes or funding of shareholder redemption requests. The interest rate on borrowings is based on the federal funds rate or 1 month LIBOR rate plus a spread. The Facility also has a commitment fee of 0.25% per annum based on the unused portion of the Facility. During the year ended December 31, 2020, the Fund did not have any borrowings under the Facility.

J. Other: At December 31, 2020, the Fund had record owners of 10% or greater. Investment activities of these shareholders could have a material impact on the Fund. The aggregate percentage of such owners was 51.3%.

K. Market Risk: Certain impacts to public health conditions particular to the coronavirus (COVID-19) outbreak could impact the operations and financial performance of certain of the Fund's investments. The extent of the impact to the financial

performance of the Fund's investments will depend on future developments, including (i) the duration and spread of the outbreak, (ii) the restrictions and advisories, (iii) the effects on the financial markets, and (iv) the effects on the economy overall, all of which are highly uncertain and cannot be predicted. If the financial performance of the Fund's investments is impacted because of these factors for an extended period, the Fund's investment results may be adversely affected.


26



Morgan Stanley Institutional Fund, Inc.

Annual Report — December 31, 2020

Report of Independent Registered Public Accounting Firm

To the Shareholders and Board of Directors of
Morgan Stanley Institutional Fund, Inc. —
Global Infrastructure Portfolio

Opinion on the Financial Statements

We have audited the accompanying statement of assets and liabilities of Global Infrastructure Portfolio (the "Fund") (one of the funds constituting Morgan Stanley Institutional Fund, Inc. (the "Company")), including the portfolio of investments, as of December 31, 2020, and the related statement of operations for the year then ended, the statements of changes in net assets for each of the two years in the period then ended, the financial highlights for each of the five years in the period then ended and the related notes (collectively referred to as the "financial statements"). In our opinion, the financial statements present fairly, in all material respects, the financial position of Global Infrastructure Portfolio (one of the funds constituting Morgan Stanley Institutional Fund, Inc.) at December 31, 2020, the results of its operations for the year then ended, the changes in its net assets for each of the two years in the period then ended and its financial highlights for each of the five years in the period then ended, in conformity with U.S. generally accepted accounting principles.

Basis for Opinion

These financial statements are the responsibility of the Company's management. Our responsibility is to express an opinion on the Fund's financial statements based on our audits. We are a public accounting firm registered with the Public Company Accounting Oversight Board (United States) ("PCAOB") and are required to be independent with respect to the Company in accordance with the U.S. federal securities law and the applicable rules and regulations of the Securities and Exchange Commission and the PCAOB.

We conducted our audits in accordance with the standards of the PCAOB. Those standards require that we plan and perform the audit to obtain reasonable assurance about whether the financial statements are free of material misstatement, whether due to error or fraud. The Company is not required to have, nor were we engaged to perform, an audit of the Company's internal control over financial reporting. As part of our audits, we are required to obtain an understanding of internal control over financial reporting, but not for the purpose of expressing an opinion on the effectiveness of the Company's internal control over financial reporting. Accordingly, we express no such opinion.

Our audits included performing procedures to assess the risks of material misstatement of the financial statements, whether due to error or fraud, and performing procedures that respond to those risks. Such procedures included examining, on a test basis, evidence regarding the amounts and disclosures in the financial statements. Our procedures included confirmation of securities owned as of December 31, 2020 by correspondence with the custodian and others or by other appropriate auditing procedures where replies from others were not received. Our audits also included evaluating the accounting principles used and significant estimates made by management, as well as evaluating the overall presentation of the financial statements. We believe that our audits provide a reasonable basis for our opinion.

We have served as the auditor of one or more Morgan Stanley investment companies since 2000.
Boston, Massachusetts
February 26, 2021


27



Morgan Stanley Institutional Fund, Inc.

Annual Report — December 31, 2020

Liquidity Risk Management Program (unaudited)

In compliance with Rule 22e-4 under the Investment Company Act of 1940, as amended (the "Liquidity Rule"), the Fund has adopted and implemented a liquidity risk management program (the "Program"), which is reasonably designed to assess and manage the risk that the Fund could not meet requests to redeem shares issued by the Fund without significant dilution of remaining investors' interests in the Fund (i.e., liquidity risk). The Fund's Board of Directors (the "Board") previously approved the designation of the Liquidity Risk Subcommittee (the "LRS") as Program administrator. The LRS is comprised of representatives from various divisions within Morgan Stanley Investment Management.

At a meeting held on April 22-23, 2020, the Board reviewed a written report prepared by the LRS that addressed the Program's operation and assessed its adequacy, and effectiveness of implementation for the period from December 1, 2018, through December 31, 2019, as required under the Liquidity Rule. The report concluded that the Program operated effectively and was adequately and effectively implemented in all material aspects, and that the relevant controls and safeguards were appropriately designed to enable the LRS to administer the Program in compliance with the Liquidity Rule.

In accordance with the Program, the LRS assessed each Fund's liquidity risk no less frequently than annually taking into consideration certain factors, as applicable, such as (i) investment strategy and liquidity of portfolio investments, (ii) short-term and long-term cash flow projections and (iii) holdings of cash and cash equivalents and borrowing arrangements and other funding sources. Certain factors are considered under both normal and reasonably foreseeable stressed conditions.

Each Fund portfolio investment is classified into one of four liquidity categories, which classification is assessed at least monthly by the LRS. The classification is based on a determination of the number of days it is reasonably expected to take to convert the investment into cash, or sell or dispose of the investment, in current market conditions without significantly changing the market value of the investment. Liquidity classification determinations take into account various market, trading and investment-specific considerations, as well as market depth, and in some cases utilize third-party vendor data.

The Liquidity Rule limits a fund's investments in illiquid investments to 15% of its net assets and requires funds that do not primarily hold assets that are highly liquid investments to determine and maintain a minimum percentage of the fund's net assets to be invested in highly liquid investments (highly liquid investment minimum or "HLIM"). The LRS believes that the Program includes provisions reasonably designed to review, monitor and comply with the 15% limit on illiquid investments and for determining, periodically reviewing and complying with the HLIM requirement, as applicable.

There can be no assurance that the Program will achieve its objectives under all circumstances in the future. Please refer to the Fund's prospectus for more information regarding the Fund's exposure to liquidity risk and other risks to which it may be subject.


28



Morgan Stanley Institutional Fund, Inc.

Annual Report — December 31, 2020

Federal Tax Notice (unaudited)

For federal income tax purposes, the following information is furnished with respect to the distributions paid by the Fund during its taxable year ended December 31, 2020. For corporate shareholders 24.11% of the dividends qualified for the dividends received deduction.

The Fund designated and paid approximately $5,179,000 as a long-term capital gain distribution. In addition, the Fund designated approximately $545,000 of its distributions paid as qualified business income.

For federal income tax purposes, the following information is furnished with respect to the Fund's earnings for its taxable year ended December 31, 2020. When distributed, certain earnings may be subject to a maximum tax rate of 15% as provided for by the Jobs and Growth Tax Relief Reconciliation Act of 2003. The Fund designated up to a maximum of approximately $5,976,000 as taxable at this lower rate.

The Fund intends to pass through foreign tax credits of approximately $342,000 and has derived net income from sources within foreign countries amounting to approximately $4,163,000.

In January, the Fund provides tax information to shareholders for the preceding calendar year.


29



Morgan Stanley Institutional Fund, Inc.

Annual Report — December 31, 2020

Privacy Notice (unaudited)  April 2019

FACTS

 

WHAT DOES MSIM DO WITH YOUR PERSONAL INFORMATION?

 

Why?

 

Financial companies choose how they share your personal information. Federal law gives consumers the right to limit some but not all sharing. Federal law also requires us to tell you how we collect, share, and protect your personal information. Please read this notice carefully to understand what we do.

 

What?

  The types of personal information we collect and share depend on the product or service you have with us. This information can include:
n Social Security number and income
n investment experience and risk tolerance
n checking account number and wire transfer instructions
 

How?

 

All financial companies need to share customers' personal information to run their everyday business. In the section below, we list the reasons financial companies can share their customers' personal information; the reasons MSIM chooses to share; and whether you can limit this sharing.

 

 

Reasons we can share your personal information

 

Does MSIM share?

 

Can you limit this sharing?

 
For our everyday business purposes —
such as to process your transactions, maintain your account(s), respond to court orders and legal investigations, or report to credit bureaus
 

Yes

 

No

 
For our marketing purposes —
to offer our products and services to you
 

Yes

 

No

 

For joint marketing with other financial companies

 

No

 

We don't share

 
For our affiliates' everyday business purposes —
information about your transactions and experiences
 

Yes

 

No

 
For our affiliates' everyday business purposes —
information about your creditworthiness
 

No

 

We don't share

 

For our affiliates to market to you

 

No

 

We don't share

 

For non-affiliates to market to you

 

No

 

We don't share

 

Questions?  Call toll-free (844) 312-6327 or email: imprivacyinquiries@morganstanley.com


30



Morgan Stanley Institutional Fund, Inc.

Annual Report — December 31, 2020

Privacy Notice (unaudited) (cont'd)  April 2019

Who we are

Who is providing this notice?

 

Morgan Stanley Investment Management, Inc. and its affiliated registered investment advisers, registered broker-dealers, and registered and unregistered funds ("MSIM")

 

What we do

How does MSIM protect my personal information?

 

To protect your personal information from unauthorized access and use, we use security measures that comply with federal law. These measures include computer safeguards and secured files and buildings. We have policies governing the proper handling of customer information by personnel and requiring third parties that provide support to adhere to appropriate security standards with respect to such information.

 

How does MSIM collect my personal information?

  We collect your personal information, for example, when you
n open an account or make deposits or withdrawals from your account
n buy securities from us or make a wire transfer
n give us your contact information
We also collect your personal information from others, such as credit bureaus, affiliates, or other companies.
 

Why can't I limit all sharing?

  Federal law gives you the right to limit only
n sharing for affiliates' everyday business purposes — information about your creditworthiness
n affiliates from using your information to market to you
n sharing for non-affiliates to market to you
State laws and individual companies may give you additional rights to limit sharing. See below for more on your rights under state law.
 

Definitions

Affiliates

  Companies related by common ownership or control. They can be financial and non-financial companies.
n Our affiliates include companies with a Morgan Stanley name and financial companies such as Morgan Stanley Smith Barney LLC and Morgan Stanley & Co.
 

Non-affiliates

  Companies not related by common ownership or control. They can be financial and non-financial companies.
n MSIM does not share with non-affiliates so they can market to you.
 

Joint marketing

  A formal agreement between non-affiliated financial companies that together market financial products or services to you.
n MSIM doesn't jointly market
 


31



Morgan Stanley Institutional Fund, Inc.

Annual Report — December 31, 2020

Privacy Notice (unaudited) (cont'd)  April 2019

Other Important Information

Vermont: Except as permitted by law, we will not share personal information we collect about Vermont residents with Non-affiliates unless you provide us with your written consent to share such information.

California: Except as permitted by law, we will not share personal information we collect about California residents with Non-affiliates and we will limit sharing such personal information with our Affiliates to comply with California privacy laws that apply to us.


32



Morgan Stanley Institutional Fund, Inc.

Annual Report — December 31, 2020

Director and Officer Information (unaudited)

Independent Directors:

Name, Address and Birth
Year of Independent Director
  Position(s)
Held with
Registrant
  Length of Time
Served*
  Principal Occupation(s) During Past 5 Years and Other
Relevant Professional Experience
  Number of
Funds
in Fund Complex
Overseen by
Independent
Director**
  Other Directorships
Held by Independent
Director***
 
Frank L. Bowman
c/o Perkins Coie LLP
Counsel to the Independent Directors
1155 Avenue of the Americas,
22nd Floor
New York, NY 10036
Birth Year: 1944
 

Director

 

Since August 2006

 

President, Strategic Decisions, LLC (consulting) (since February 2009); Director or Trustee of various Morgan Stanley Funds (since August 2006); Chairperson of the Compliance and Insurance Committee (since October 2015); formerly, Chairperson of the Insurance Sub-Committee of the Compliance and Insurance Committee (2007-2015); served as President and Chief Executive Officer of the Nuclear Energy Institute (policy organization) (February 2005-November 2008); retired as Admiral, U.S. Navy after serving over 38 years on active duty including 8 years as Director of the Naval Nuclear Propulsion Program in the Department of the Navy and the U.S. Department of Energy (1996-2004); served as Chief of Naval Personnel (July 1994-September 1996) and on the Joint Staff as Director of Political Military Affairs (June 1992-July 1994); knighted as Honorary Knight Commander of the Most Excellent Order of the British Empire; awarded the Officier de l'Orde National du Mérite by the French Government; elected to the National Academy of Engineering (2009).

 

79

 

Director of Naval and Nuclear Technologies LLP; Director Emeritus of the Armed Services YMCA; Member of the National Security Advisory Council of the Center for U.S. Global Engagement and a member of the CNA Military Advisory Board; Trustee of Fairhaven United Methodist Church; Member of the Board of Advisors of the Dolphin Scholarship Foundation; Director of other various non-profit organizations; formerly, Director of BP plc (November 2010May 2019).

 
Kathleen A. Dennis
c/o Perkins Coie LLP
Counsel to the Independent Directors
1155 Avenue of the Americas,
22nd Floor
New York, NY 10036
Birth Year: 1953
 

Director

 

Since August 2006

 

Chairperson of the Governance Committee (January 2021), Chairperson of the Liquidity and Alternatives Sub-Committee of the Investment Committee (2006-2020); and Director or Trustee of various Morgan Stanley Funds (since August 2006); President, Cedarwood Associates (mutual fund and investment management consulting) (since July 2006); formerly, Senior Managing Director of Victory Capital Management (1993-2006).

 

79

 

Board Member, University of Albany Foundation (2012-present); Board Member, Mutual Funds Directors Forum (2014-present); Director of various non-profit organizations.

 
Nancy C. Everett
c/o Perkins Coie LLP
Counsel to the Independent Directors
1155 Avenue of the Americas,
22nd Floor
New York, NY 10036
Birth Year: 1955
 

Director

 

Since January 2015

 

Chairperson of the Equity Investment Committee (since January 2021); Director or Trustee of various Morgan Stanley Funds (since January 2015); Chief Executive Officer, Virginia Commonwealth University Investment Company (since November 2015); Owner, OBIR, LLC (institutional investment management consulting) (since June 2014); formerly, Managing Director, BlackRock, Inc. (February 2011-December 2013); and Chief Executive Officer, General Motors Asset Management (a/k/a Promark Global Advisors, Inc.) (June 2005-May 2010).

 

80

 

Formerly, Member of Virginia Commonwealth University School of Business Foundation (2005-2016); Member of Virginia Commonwealth University Board of Visitors (2013-2015); Member of Committee on Directors for Emerging Markets Growth Fund, Inc. (2007-2010); Chairperson of Performance Equity Management, LLC (2006-2010); and Chairperson, GMAM Absolute Return Strategies Fund, LLC (2006-2010).

 


33



Morgan Stanley Institutional Fund, Inc.

Annual Report — December 31, 2020

Director and Officer Information (unaudited) (cont'd)

Independent Directors (cont'd):

Name, Address and Birth
Year of Independent Director
  Position(s)
Held with
Registrant
  Length of Time
Served*
  Principal Occupation(s) During Past 5 Years and Other
Relevant Professional Experience
  Number of
Funds
in Fund Complex
Overseen by
Independent
Director**
  Other Directorships
Held by Independent
Director***
 
Jakki L. Haussler
c/o Perkins Coie LLP
Counsel to the Independent Directors
1155 Avenue of the Americas,
22nd Floor
New York, NY 10036
Birth Year: 1957
 

Director

 

Since January 2015

 

Director or Trustee of various Morgan Stanley Funds (since January 2015) Chairman, Opus Capital Group (1996); formerly, Chief Executive Officer, Opus Capital Group (1996-2019); Director, Capvest Venture Fund, LP (May 2000-December 2011); Partner, Adena Ventures, LP (July 1999-December 2010); Director, The Victory Funds (February 2005-July 2008).

 

80

 

Director of Cincinnati Bell Inc. and Member, Audit Committee and Chairman, Governance and Nominating Committee; Director of Service Corporation International and Member, Audit Committee and Investment Committee; Director of Northern Kentucky University Foundation and Member, Investment Committee; Member of Chase College of Law Transactional Law Practice Center Board of Advisors; Director of Best Transport; Director of Chase College of Law Board of Visitors; formerly, Member, University of Cincinnati Foundation Investment Committee; Member, Miami University Board of Visitors (2008-2011); Trustee of Victory Funds (2005-2008) and Chairman, Investment Committee (2007-2008); and Member, Service Provider Committee (2005-2008).

 
Dr. Manuel H. Johnson
c/o Johnson Smick International, Inc.
220 I Street, NE — Suite 200
Washington, D.C. 20002
Birth Year: 1949
 

Director

 

Since July 1991

 

Senior Partner, Johnson Smick International, Inc. (consulting firm); Chairperson of the Fixed Income, Liquidity and Alternatives Investment Committee (January 2021), Chairperson of the Investment Committee (2006-2020) and Director or Trustee of various Morgan Stanley Funds (since July 1991); Co-Chairman and a founder of the Group of Seven Council (G7C) (international economic commission); formerly, Chairperson of the Audit Committee (July 1991-September 2006), Vice Chairman of the Board of Governors of the Federal Reserve System and Assistant Secretary of the U.S. Treasury.

 

79

 

Director of NVR, Inc. (home construction).

 


34



Morgan Stanley Institutional Fund, Inc.

Annual Report — December 31, 2020

Director and Officer Information (unaudited) (cont'd)

Independent Directors (cont'd):

Name, Address and Birth
Year of Independent Director
  Position(s)
Held with
Registrant
  Length of Time
Served*
  Principal Occupation(s) During Past 5 Years and Other
Relevant Professional Experience
  Number of
Funds
in Fund Complex
Overseen by
Independent
Director**
  Other Directorships
Held by Independent
Director***
 
Joseph J. Kearns
c/o Perkins Coie LLP
Counsel to the Independent Directors
1155 Avenue of the Americas,
22nd Floor
New York, NY 10036
Birth Year: 1942
 

Director

 

Since August 1994

 

Senior Adviser, Kearns & Associates LLC (investment consulting); Chairperson of the Audit Committee (since October 2006) and Director or Trustee of various Morgan Stanley Funds (since August 1994); formerly, Deputy Chairperson of the Audit Committee (July 2003-September 2006) and Chairperson of the Audit Committee of various Morgan Stanley Funds (since August 1994); CFO of the J. Paul Getty Trust (1982-1999).

 

80

 

Director, Rubicon Investment (since February 2019); Prior to August 2016, Director of Electro Rent Corporation (equipment leasing); Prior to December 31, 2013, Director of The Ford Family Foundation.

 
Michael F. Klein
c/o Perkins Coie LLP
Counsel to the Independent Directors
1155 Avenue of the Americas,
22nd Floor
New York, NY 10036
Birth Year: 1958
 

Director

 

Since August 2006

 

Chairperson of the Risk Committee (since January 2021); Managing Director, Aetos Alternatives Management, LP (since March 2000); Co-President, Aetos Alternatives Management, LP (since January 2004) and Co-Chief Executive Officer of Aetos Alternatives Management, LP (since August 2013); Chairperson of the fixed Income Sub-Committee of the Investment committee (2006-2020) and Director or Trustee of various Morgan Stanley Funds (since August 2006); formerly, Managing Director, Morgan Stanley & Co. Inc. and Morgan Stanley Dean Witter Investment Management and President, various Morgan Stanley Funds (June 1998-March 2000); Principal, Morgan Stanley & Co. Inc. and Morgan Stanley Dean Witter Investment Management (August 1997-December 1999).

 

79

 

Director of certain investment funds managed or sponsored by Aetos Alternatives Management, LP; Director of Sanitized AG and Sanitized Marketing AG (specialty chemicals).

 
Patricia Maleski
c/o Perkins Coie LLP
Counsel to the Independent Directors
1155 Avenue of the Americas,
22nd Floor
New York, NY 10036
Birth Year: 1960
 

Director

 

Since January 2017

 

Director or Trustee of various Morgan Stanley Funds (since January 2017); Managing Director, JPMorgan Asset Management (2004-2016); Oversight and Control Head of Fiduciary and Conflicts of Interest Program (2015-2016); Chief Control Officer-Global Asset Management (2013-2015); President, JPMorgan Funds (2010-2013); Chief Administrative Officer (2004-2013); various other positions including Treasurer and Board Liaison (since 2001).

 

80

 

None.

 
W. Allen Reed
c/o Perkins Coie LLP
Counsel to the Independent Directors
1155 Avenue of the Americas,
22nd Floor
New York, NY 10036
Birth Year: 1947
 

Chair of the Board and Director

 

Chair of the Boards since August 2020 and Director since August 2006

 

Chair of the Boards of various Morgan Stanley Funds (since August 2020); Director or Trustee of various Morgan Stanley Funds (since August 2006); formerly, Vice Chair of the Boards of various Morgan Stanley Funds (January 2020-August 2020); President and Chief Executive Officer of General Motors Asset Management; Chairman and Chief Executive Officer of the GM Trust Bank and Corporate Vice President of General Motors Corporation (August 1994-December 2005).

 

79

 

Formerly, Director of Legg Mason, Inc. (2006-2019); and Director of the Auburn University Foundation (2010-2015).

 

*  This is the earliest date the Director began serving the Morgan Stanley Funds. Each Director serves an indefinite term, until his or her successor is elected.

**  The Fund Complex includes (as of December 31, 2020) all open-end and closed-end funds (including all of their portfolios) advised by Morgan Stanley Investment Management Inc. (the "Adviser") and any funds that have an adviser that is an affiliated person of the Adviser (including, but not limited to, Morgan Stanley AIP GP LP).

***  This includes any directorships at public companies and registered investment companies held by the Director at any time during the past five years.


35



Morgan Stanley Institutional Fund, Inc.

Annual Report — December 31, 2020

Director and Officer Information (unaudited) (cont'd)

Executive Officers:

Name, Address and
Birth Year of Executive Officer
  Position(s) Held
with
Registrant
  Length of
Time Served*
 

Principal Occupation(s) During Past 5 Years

 
John H. Gernon
522 Fifth Avenue
New York, NY 10036
Birth Year: 1963
 

President and Principal Executive Officer

 

Since September 2013

 

President and Principal Executive Officer of the Equity and Fixed Income Funds and the Morgan Stanley AIP Funds (since September 2013) and the Liquidity Funds and various money market funds (since May 2014) in the Fund Complex; Managing Director of the Adviser; Head of Public Markets Product Development (since 2006).

 
Timothy J. Knierim
1633 Broadway
New York, NY 10019
Birth Year: 1959
 

Chief Compliance Officer

 

Since December 2016

 

Managing Director of the Adviser and various entities affiliated with the Adviser; Chief Compliance Officer of various Morgan Stanley Funds and the Adviser (since December 2016) and Chief Compliance Officer of Morgan Stanley AIP GP LP (since 2014). Formerly, Managing Director and Deputy Chief Compliance Officer of the Adviser (2014-2016).

 
Francis J. Smith
522 Fifth Avenue
New York, NY 10036
Birth Year: 1965
 

Treasurer and Principal Financial Officer

 

Treasurer since July 2003 and Principal Financial Officer since September 2002

 

Managing Director of the Adviser and various entities affiliated with the Adviser; Treasurer (since July 2003) and Principal Financial Officer of various Morgan Stanley Funds (since September 2002).

 
Mary E. Mullin
1633 Broadway
New York, NY 10019
Birth Year: 1967
 

Secretary

 

Since June 1999

 

Managing Director of the Adviser; Secretary of various Morgan Stanley Funds (since June 1999).

 
Michael J. Key
522 Fifth Avenue
New York, NY 10036
Birth Year: 1979
 

Vice President

 

Since June 2017

 

Vice President of the Equity and Fixed Income Funds, Liquidity Funds, various money market funds and the Morgan Stanley AIP Funds in the Fund Complex (since June 2017); Executive Director of the Adviser; Head of Product Development for Equity and Fixed Income Funds (since August 2013).

 

*  This is the earliest date the officer began serving the Morgan Stanley Funds. Each officer serves a one-year term, until his or her successor is elected and qualifies.


36



Morgan Stanley Institutional Fund, Inc.

Annual Report — December 31, 2020

Adviser and Administrator

Morgan Stanley Investment Management Inc.
522 Fifth Avenue
New York, New York 10036

Distributor

Morgan Stanley Distribution, Inc.
522 Fifth Avenue
New York, New York 10036

Dividend Disbursing and Transfer Agent

DST Asset Manager Solutions, Inc.
2000 Crown Colony Drive
Quincy, Massachusetts 02169

Custodian

State Street Bank and Trust Company
One Lincoln Street
Boston, Massachusetts 02111

Legal Counsel

Dechert LLP
1095 Avenue of the Americas
New York, New York 10036

Counsel to the Independent Directors

Perkins Coie LLP
1155 Avenue of the Americas,
22nd Floor
New York, New York 10036

Independent Registered Public Accounting Firm

Ernst & Young LLP
200 Clarendon Street
Boston, Massachusetts 02116

Reporting to Shareholders

Each Morgan Stanley fund provides a complete schedule of portfolio holdings in its Semi-Annual and the Annual Reports within 60 days of the end of the fund's second and fourth fiscal quarters. The Semi-Annual and Annual Reports are filed electronically with the Securities and Exchange Commission ("SEC") on Form N-CSRS and Form N-CSR, respectively. Morgan Stanley also delivers the Semi-Annual and Annual Reports to fund shareholders and makes these reports available on its public website, www.morganstanley.com/im/shareholderreports. Each Morgan Stanley non-money market fund also files a complete schedule of portfolio holdings with the SEC for the fund's first and third fiscal quarters as an attachment to Form N-PORT. Morgan Stanley does not deliver the reports for the first and third fiscal quarters to shareholders, but makes the complete schedule of portfolio holdings for the fund's first and third fiscal quarters available on its public website. The holdings for each money market fund are also posted to the Morgan Stanley public website. You may obtain the Form N-PORT filings (as well as the Form N-CSR and N-CSRS filings) by accessing the SEC's website, www.sec.gov. You can also request copies of these materials, upon payment of a duplicating fee, by electronic request at the SEC's email address (publicinfo@sec.gov).

Proxy Voting Policies and Procedures and Proxy Voting Record

You may obtain a copy of the Company's Proxy Voting Policy and Procedures and information regarding how the Company voted proxies relating to portfolio securities during the most recent twelve-month period ended June 30, without charge, upon request, by calling toll free 1 (800) 548-7786 or by visiting our website at www.morganstanley.com/im/shareholderreports. This information is also available on the SEC's website at www.sec.gov.

This report is authorized for distribution only when preceded or accompanied by a prospectus or summary prospectus of the applicable fund of Morgan Stanley Institutional Fund, Inc., which describes in detail the fund's investment policies, risks, fees and expenses. Please read the prospectus carefully before you invest or send money. For additional information, including information regarding the investments comprising the Fund, please visit our website at www.morganstanley.com/im/shareholderreports or call toll free 1 (800) 548-7786.


37



Printed in U.S.A.
This Report has been prepared for shareholders and may be distributed to others only if preceded or accompanied by a current prospectus.

Morgan Stanley Investment Management Inc.
522 Fifth Avenue
New York, New York 10036

© 2021 Morgan Stanley. Morgan Stanley Distribution, Inc.

IFISGIANN
3386881 EXP 02.28.22



INVESTMENT MANAGEMENT

Morgan Stanley Institutional Fund, Inc.

Global Opportunity Portfolio

Annual Report

December 31, 2020



Morgan Stanley Institutional Fund, Inc.

Annual Report — December 31, 2020

Table of Contents

Shareholders' Letter

   

2

   

Expense Example

   

3

   

Investment Overview

   

4

   

Portfolio of Investments

   

7

   

Statement of Assets and Liabilities

   

9

   

Statement of Operations

   

11

   

Statements of Changes in Net Assets

   

12

   

Financial Highlights

   

14

   

Notes to Financial Statements

   

20

   

Report of Independent Registered Public Accounting Firm

   

29

   

Liquidity Risk Management Program

   

30

   

Federal Tax Notice

   

31

   

Privacy Notice

   

32

   

Director and Officer Information

   

35

   

This report is authorized for distribution only when preceded or accompanied by a prospectus or summary prospectus of the applicable Fund of Morgan Stanley Institutional Fund, Inc. To receive a prospectus and/or statement of additional information ("SAI"), which contains more complete information such as investment objectives, charges, expenses, policies for voting proxies, risk considerations and describes in detail each of the Fund's investment policies to the prospective investor, please call toll free 1 (800) 548-7786. Please read the prospectuses carefully before you invest or send money.

Additionally, you can access information about the Fund, including performance, characteristics and investment team commentary, through Morgan Stanley Investment Management's website: www.morganstanley.com/im/shareholderreports.

Market forecasts provided in this report may not necessarily come to pass. There is no guarantee that any sectors mentioned will continue to perform as discussed herein or that securities in such sectors will be held by the Fund in the future. There is no assurance that a fund will achieve its investment objective. Funds are subject to market risk, which is the possibility that market values of securities owned by the Fund will decline and, therefore, the value of the Fund's shares may be less than what you paid for them. Accordingly, you can lose money investing in this Fund. Please see the prospectus for more complete information on investment risks.


1



Morgan Stanley Institutional Fund, Inc.

Annual Report — December 31, 2020

Shareholders' Letter (unaudited)

Dear Shareholders,

We are pleased to provide this Annual Report, in which you will learn how your investment in Global Opportunity Portfolio (the "Fund") performed during the latest twelve-month period.

Morgan Stanley Investment Management is a client-centric, investor-led organization. Our global presence, intellectual capital, and breadth of products and services enable us to partner with investors to meet the evolving challenges of today's financial markets. We aim to deliver superior investment service and to empower our clients to make the informed decisions that help them reach their investment goals.

As always, we thank you for selecting Morgan Stanley Investment Management, and look forward to working with you in the months and years ahead.

Sincerely,

John H. Gernon
President and Principal Executive Officer

January 2021


2



Morgan Stanley Institutional Fund, Inc.

Annual Report — December 31, 2020

Expense Example (unaudited)

Global Opportunity Portfolio

As a shareholder of the Fund, you incur two types of costs: (1) transactional costs; and (2) ongoing costs, which may include advisory fees, administration fees, distribution and shareholder services fees and other Fund expenses. This example is intended to help you understand your ongoing costs (in dollars) of investing in the Fund and to compare these costs with the ongoing costs of investing in other mutual funds.

This example is based on an investment of $1,000 invested at the beginning of the six-month period ended December 31, 2020 and held for the entire six-month period.

Actual Expenses

The table below provides information about actual account values and actual expenses. You may use the information in this table, 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 table under the heading entitled "Actual Expenses Paid During Period" to estimate the expenses you paid on your account during this period.

Hypothetical Example for Comparison Purposes

The table below provides information about hypothetical account values and hypothetical expenses based on the Fund's actual expense ratio and an assumed rate of return of 5% per year before expenses, which is not the Fund's actual return. The hypothetical account values and expenses may not be used to estimate the actual ending account balance or expenses you paid for the period. You may use this information to compare the ongoing costs of investing in the Fund and other funds. To do so, compare this 5% hypothetical example with the 5% hypothetical examples that appear in the shareholder reports of the other funds.

Please note that the expenses shown in the table are meant to highlight your ongoing costs only and do not reflect any transactional costs, such as sales charges (loads). Therefore, the information for each class in the table is useful in comparing ongoing costs only, and will not help you determine the relative total costs of owning different funds. In addition, if these transactional costs were included, your costs would have been higher.

    Beginning
Account
Value
7/1/20
  Actual Ending
Account
Value
12/31/20
  Hypothetical
Ending Account
Value
  Actual
Expenses
Paid
During
Period*
  Hypothetical
Expenses Paid
During Period*
  Net
Expense
Ratio
During
Period**
 

Global Opportunity Portfolio Class I

 

$

1,000.00

   

$

1,337.50

   

$

1,020.46

   

$

5.46

   

$

4.72

     

0.93

%

 

Global Opportunity Portfolio Class A

   

1,000.00

     

1,335.50

     

1,019.10

     

7.04

     

6.09

     

1.20

   

Global Opportunity Portfolio Class L

   

1,000.00

     

1,335.50

     

1,018.90

     

7.28

     

6.29

     

1.24

   

Global Opportunity Portfolio Class C

   

1,000.00

     

1,330.70

     

1,015.48

     

11.25

     

9.73

     

1.92

   

Global Opportunity Portfolio Class IS

   

1,000.00

     

1,338.00

     

1,021.96

     

4.88

     

4.22

     

0.83

   

Global Opportunity Portfolio Class IR

   

1,000.00

     

1,338.20

     

1,021.96

     

4.88

     

4.22

     

0.83

   

*  Expenses are calculated using each Fund Class' annualized net expense ratio (as disclosed), multiplied by the average account value over the period and multiplied by 184/366 (to reflect the most recent one-half year period).

**  Annualized.


3



Morgan Stanley Institutional Fund, Inc.

Annual Report — December 31, 2020

Investment Overview (unaudited)

Global Opportunity Portfolio

The Fund seeks long-term capital appreciation.

The Portfolio closed to new investors effective December 31, 2020, to preserve the ability of the investment team to manage the Portfolio effectively for current shareholders.(i)

Performance

For the fiscal year ended December 31, 2020, the Fund's Class I shares had a total return based on net asset value and reinvestment of distributions per share of 55.47%, net of fees. The Fund's Class I shares outperformed the Fund's benchmark, the MSCI All Country World Net Index (the "Index"), which returned 16.25%.

Please keep in mind that high double-digit returns are highly unusual and cannot be sustained. Investors should also be aware that these returns were primarily achieved during favorable market conditions.

Factors Affecting Performance

•  Equity markets rebounded after the volatility seen in the first quarter of 2020, which has been driven by a broad sell-off due to concerns regarding COVID-19 and its potential impacts to global economic activity. The rebound was a result of a general market recovery from the COVID-19-related decline earlier in the year, as well as optimism following successful COVID-19 vaccine trials and rollouts in various countries. Uncertainty surrounding U.S.-China tensions, U.S. elections and Brexit negotiations also affected markets during the year.

•  Global equity markets advanced by 16.25% for the 12-month period ended December 31, 2020, as measured by the Index. Our team remained focused on assessing company prospects over a longer-term period of three to five years, and owning a portfolio of high quality companies with diverse business drivers not tied to a particular market environment.

•  The team manages concentrated portfolios that are highly differentiated from the benchmark, with securities weighted on our assessment of the quality of the company and our conviction. Our longer-term focus results in lower turnover than many of our peers. The value added or detracted in any

period of time will typically result from stock selection, given our philosophy and process. For the 12-month period, the Fund outperformed the Index due to favorable stock selection and sector allocation.

•  The primary contributors to the Fund's relative performance were our stock selection in the consumer discretionary and information technology sectors, along with our sector overweight position in the information technology sector.

•  The main detractors from relative performance were our sector underweight positions in the materials and health care sectors and stock selection in the materials sector.

Management Strategies

•  There were no changes to our bottom-up investment process during the period. The Fund seeks long-term capital appreciation by investing globally in high quality established and emerging companies that the investment team believes are undervalued at the time of purchase. To help achieve its objective, the investment team typically favors companies it believes have sustainable competitive advantages that can be monetized through growth. The investment process integrates analysis of sustainability with respect to disruptive change, financial strength, environmental and social externalities and governance (also referred to as ESG).

•  At the close of the period, information technology represented the largest sector weight in the Fund, followed by consumer discretionary and communication services. Our bottom-up investment process resulted in sector overweight positions in consumer discretionary, information technology and communication services, and underweight positions in health care, financials, consumer staples, materials, energy, utilities and real estate. The Fund had no energy, real estate and utilities holdings at the end of the reporting period.

(i)  For more details, please visit: https://www.morganstanley.com/im/publication/mutualfund/material/notice_mf_globalopportunity.pdf


4



Morgan Stanley Institutional Fund, Inc.

Annual Report — December 31, 2020

Investment Overview (unaudited) (cont'd)

Global Opportunity Portfolio

*  Minimum Investment for Class I shares

In accordance with SEC regulations, the Fund's performance shown assumes that all recurring fees (including management fees) were deducted and all dividends and distributions were reinvested. The performance of Class A, L, C, IS and IR shares will vary from the performance of Class I shares based upon their different inception dates and will be negatively impacted by additional fees assessed to those classes (if applicable).

Performance Compared to the MSCI All Country World Net Index(1), the Lipper Global Large-Cap Growth Funds Index(2) and the Lipper Global Multi-Cap Growth Funds Index(3)

    Period Ended December 31, 2020
Total Returns(4)
 
       

Average Annual

 
    One
Year
  Five
Years
  Ten
Years
  Since
Inception(9)
 
Fund — Class I Shares
w/o sales charges(5)
   

55.47

%

   

24.57

%

   

18.97

%

   

16.18

%

 
Fund — Class A Shares
w/o sales charges(5)
   

55.03

     

24.17

     

18.60

     

20.72

   
Fund — Class A Shares with
maximum 5.25% sales charges(5)
   

46.88

     

22.84

     

17.96

     

20.11

   
Fund — Class L Shares
w/o sales charges(5)
   

54.99

     

24.10

     

18.53

     

15.76

   
Fund — Class C Shares
w/o sales charges(7)
   

53.99

     

23.32

     

     

21.33

   
Fund — Class C Shares with
maximum 1.00% deferred
sales charges(7)
   

52.99

     

23.32

     

     

21.33

   
Fund — Class IS Shares
w/o sales charges(6)
   

55.67

     

24.62

     

     

23.25

   
Fund — Class IR Shares
w/o sales charges(8)
   

55.66

     

     

     

23.65

   

MSCI All Country World Net Index

   

16.25

     

12.26

     

9.13

     

6.31

   
Lipper Global Large-Cap
Growth Funds Index
   

27.24

     

15.47

     

11.34

     

7.99

   
Lipper Global Multi-Cap
Growth Funds Index
   

36.37

     

16.21

     

10.95

     

8.47

   

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. Performance assumes that all dividends and distributions, if any, were reinvested. For the most recent month-end performance figures, please visit www.morganstanley.com/im/shareholderreports. Investment return and principal value will fluctuate so that Fund shares, when redeemed, may be worth more or less than their original cost. Total returns do not reflect the deduction of taxes that a shareholder would pay on Fund distributions or the redemption of Fund shares. Performance of share classes will vary due to difference in sales charges and expenses.

(1)  The MSCI All Country World Net Index is a free float-adjusted market capitalization weighted index designed to measure the equity market performance of developed and emerging markets. 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. Net total return indices reinvest dividends after the deduction of withholding taxes, using (for international indices) a tax rate applicable to non-resident institutional investors who do not benefit from double taxation treaties. 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.


5



Morgan Stanley Institutional Fund, Inc.

Annual Report — December 31, 2020

Investment Overview (unaudited) (cont'd)

Global Opportunity Portfolio

(2)  The Lipper Global Large-Cap Growth Funds Index is an equally weighted performance index of the largest qualifying funds (based on net assets) in the Lipper Global Large-Cap Growth Funds classification. The Index, which is adjusted for capital gains distributions and income dividends, is unmanaged and should not be considered an investment. There are currently 30 funds represented in this Index. As of the date of this report, the Fund was in the Lipper Global Large-Cap Growth Funds classification. The Funds' Lipper category changed from Lipper Global Multi-Cap Growth Funds to Lipper Global Large-Cap Growth Funds.

(3)  The Lipper Global Multi-Cap Growth Funds Index is an equally weighted performance index of the largest qualifying funds (based on net assets) in the Lipper Global Multi-Cap Growth Funds classification. The Index, which is adjusted for capital gains distributions and income dividends, is unmanaged and should not be considered an investment. There are currently 30 funds represented in this Index.

(4)  Total returns for the Fund reflect fees waived and expenses reimbursed, if applicable, by the Adviser (as defined herein). Without such waivers and reimbursements, total returns would have been lower.

(5)  On May 21, 2010 Class C and Class I shares of Van Kampen Global Growth Fund (""the Predecessor Fund"") were reorganized into Class L and Class I shares of Morgan Stanley Global Growth Portfolio (""the Fund""), respectively. Class L and Class I shares' returns of the Fund will differ from the Predecessor Fund as they have different expenses. Performance shown for the Fund's Class I and Class L shares reflects the performance of the shares of the Predecessor Fund for periods prior to May 21, 2010. The Class C and I shares of the Predecessor Fund commenced operations on May 30, 2008. Class P shares, which were renamed Class A shares effective September 9, 2013, commenced operations on May 21, 2010. In October 2010, the Morgan Stanley Global Growth Portfolio changed its name to the Morgan Stanley Global Opportunity Portfolio.

(6)  Commenced offering on September 13, 2013.

(7)  Commenced offering on April 30, 2015.

(8)  Commenced offering on June 15, 2018.

(9)  For comparative purposes, average annual since inception returns listed for the Indexes refer to the inception date of Class I of the Fund, not the inception of the Index.


6



Morgan Stanley Institutional Fund, Inc.

Annual Report — December 31, 2020

Portfolio of Investments

Global Opportunity Portfolio

   

Shares

  Value
(000)
 

Common Stocks (93.6%)

 

Argentina (0.4%)

 

Globant SA (a)

   

142,510

   

$

31,012

   

Canada (1.9%)

 

Shopify, Inc., Class A (a)

   

123,864

     

140,208

   

China (12.5%)

 

Alibaba Group Holding Ltd. ADR (a)

   

487,476

     

113,450

   

China Resources Beer Holdings Co., Ltd. (b)

   

3,649,333

     

33,559

   
Foshan Haitian Flavouring & Food Co., Ltd.,
Class A
   

2,496,254

     

76,648

   

Meituan Dianping, Class B (a)(b)

   

6,970,400

     

262,390

   

TAL Education Group ADR (a)

   

4,334,992

     

309,995

   

Trip.com Group Ltd. ADR (a)

   

2,940,740

     

99,191

   
     

895,233

   

Denmark (3.9%)

 

DSV Panalpina A/S

   

1,657,659

     

278,589

   

France (2.6%)

 

Hermes International

   

174,276

     

187,395

   

India (5.7%)

 

HDFC Bank Ltd. (a)

   

15,972,630

     

314,604

   

ICICI Bank Ltd. ADR (a)

   

6,299,188

     

93,606

   
     

408,210

   

Italy (2.5%)

 

Moncler SpA (a)

   

2,937,422

     

180,594

   

Japan (2.1%)

 

Keyence Corp.

   

266,900

     

150,136

   

Korea, Republic of (0.8%)

 

NAVER Corp.

   

205,780

     

55,472

   

United Kingdom (0.6%)

 

Fevertree Drinks PLC

   

1,189,944

     

41,166

   

United States (60.6%)

 

Adobe, Inc. (a)

   

428,143

     

214,123

   
Agilon Health Topco, Inc. (a)(c)(d)
(acquisition cost — $11,376;
acquired 11/7/18)
   

30,083

     

17,733

   

Alphabet, Inc., Class C (a)

   

119,844

     

209,952

   

Amazon.com, Inc. (a)

   

139,645

     

454,814

   

DoorDash, Inc., Class A (a)

   

391,158

     

55,838

   

EPAM Systems, Inc. (a)

   

542,816

     

194,518

   

Facebook, Inc., Class A (a)

   

762,177

     

208,196

   

Farfetch Ltd., Class A (a)

   

2,233,048

     

142,491

   

Intuitive Surgical, Inc. (a)

   

114,978

     

94,064

   

Martin Marietta Materials, Inc.

   

112,250

     

31,876

   

Mastercard, Inc., Class A

   

1,306,198

     

466,234

   

salesforce.com, Inc. (a)

   

757,242

     

168,509

   

ServiceNow, Inc. (a)

   

656,536

     

361,377

   

Spotify Technology SA (a)

   

619,807

     

195,028

   

Square, Inc., Class A (a)

   

890,487

     

193,806

   

Uber Technologies, Inc. (a)

   

8,219,922

     

419,216

   

Veeva Systems, Inc., Class A (a)

   

206,716

     

56,278

   

Visa, Inc., Class A

   

1,340,528

     

293,214

   

Walt Disney Co. (The) (a)

   

1,402,425

     

254,091

   
   

Shares

  Value
(000)
 

Workday, Inc., Class A (a)

   

228,353

   

$

54,716

   

Zillow Group, Inc., Class A (a)

   

584,811

     

79,499

   

Zoom Video Communications, Inc., Class A (a)

   

526,232

     

177,509

   
     

4,343,082

   

Total Common Stocks (Cost $3,226,459)

   

6,711,097

   

Preferred Stocks (0.1%)

 

United States (0.1%)

 
Airbnb, Inc. Series D (a)(c)
(acquisition cost — $1,594;
acquired 4/16/14)
   

78,306

     

10,576

   
Magic Leap Series C (a)(c)(d)
(acquisition cost — $3,175;
acquired 12/22/15)
   

137,829

     

   

Total Preferred Stocks (Cost $4,769)

   

10,576

   

Short-Term Investment (7.4%)

 

Investment Company (7.4%)

 
Morgan Stanley Institutional Liquidity
Funds — Treasury Securities Portfolio —
Institutional Class (See Note G)
(Cost $528,671)
   

528,670,724

     

528,671

   
Total Investments (101.1%)
(Cost $3,759,899) (e)(f)
   

7,250,344

   

Liabilities in Excess of Other Assets (–1.1%)

   

(81,809

)

 

Net Assets (100.0%)

 

$

7,168,535

   

Country assignments and aggregations are based generally on third party vendor classifications and information, and may be different from the assignments and aggregations under the policies set forth in the Fund's prospectus and/or statement of additional information relating to geographic classifications.

(a)  Non-income producing security.

(b)  Security trades on the Hong Kong exchange.

(c)  Security cannot be offered for public resale without first being registered under the Securities Act of 1933 and related rules ("restricted security"). Acquisition date represents the day on which an enforceable right to acquire such security is obtained and is presented along with related cost in the security description. The Fund has registration rights for certain restricted securities. Any costs related to such registration are borne by the issuer. The aggregate value of restricted securities (excluding 144A holdings) at December 31, 2020 amounts to approximately $28,309,000 and represents 0.4% of net assets.

(d)  At December 31, 2020, the Fund held fair valued securities valued at approximately $17,733,000, representing 0.3% of net assets. These securities have been fair valued as determined in good faith under procedures established by and under the general supervision of the Company's (as defined herein) Directors.

(e)  The approximate fair value and percentage of net assets, $1,580,553,000 and 22.1%, respectively, represent the securities that have been fair valued under the fair valuation policy for international investments as described in Note A-1 within the Notes to the Financial Statements.

(f)  At December 31, 2020, the aggregate cost for federal income tax purposes is approximately $3,772,915,000. The aggregate gross unrealized appreciation is approximately $3,500,594,000 and the aggregate gross unrealized depreciation is approximately $23,165,000, resulting in net unrealized appreciation of approximately $3,477,429,000.

ADR  American Depositary Receipt.

The accompanying notes are an integral part of the financial statements.
7



Morgan Stanley Institutional Fund, Inc.

Annual Report — December 31, 2020

Portfolio of Investments (cont'd)

Global Opportunity Portfolio

Portfolio Composition

Classification

  Percentage of
Total Investments
 

Information Technology Services

   

18.2

%

 

Internet & Direct Marketing Retail

   

15.7

   

Other*

   

15.0

   

Software

   

13.5

   

Interactive Media & Services

   

7.6

   

Short-Term Investments

   

7.3

   

Entertainment

   

6.2

   

Road & Rail

   

5.8

   

Banks

   

5.6

   

Textiles, Apparel & Luxury Goods

   

5.1

   

Total Investments

   

100.0

%

 

*  Industries and/or investment types representing less than 5% of total investments.

The accompanying notes are an integral part of the financial statements.
8



Morgan Stanley Institutional Fund, Inc.

Annual Report — December 31, 2020

Global Opportunity Portfolio

Statement of Assets and Liabilities

  December 31, 2020
(000)
 

Assets:

 

Investments in Securities of Unaffiliated Issuers, at Value (Cost $3,231,228)

 

$

6,721,673

   

Investment in Security of Affiliated Issuer, at Value (Cost $528,671)

   

528,671

   

Total Investments in Securities, at Value (Cost $3,759,899)

   

7,250,344

   

Receivable for Investments Sold

   

140,328

   

Receivable for Fund Shares Sold

   

11,054

   

Tax Reclaim Receivable

   

374

   

Receivable from Affiliate

   

4

   

Other Assets

   

330

   

Total Assets

   

7,402,434

   

Liabilities:

 

Payable for Investments Purchased

   

198,297

   

Payable for Advisory Fees

   

11,830

   

Deferred Capital Gain Country Tax

   

11,076

   

Bank Overdraft

   

7,455

   

Payable for Fund Shares Redeemed

   

2,997

   

Payable for Shareholder Services Fees — Class A

   

353

   

Payable for Distribution and Shareholder Services Fees — Class L

   

13

   

Payable for Distribution and Shareholder Services Fees — Class C

   

362

   

Payable for Sub Transfer Agency Fees — Class I

   

428

   

Payable for Sub Transfer Agency Fees — Class A

   

140

   

Payable for Sub Transfer Agency Fees — Class L

   

4

   

Payable for Sub Transfer Agency Fees — Class C

   

29

   

Payable for Administration Fees

   

474

   

Payable for Custodian Fees

   

121

   

Payable for Transfer Agency Fees — Class I

   

26

   

Payable for Transfer Agency Fees — Class A

   

44

   

Payable for Transfer Agency Fees — Class L

   

8

   

Payable for Transfer Agency Fees — Class C

   

6

   

Payable for Transfer Agency Fees — Class IS

   

2

   

Payable for Transfer Agency Fees — Class IR

   

@

 

Payable for Professional Fees

   

30

   

Other Liabilities

   

204

   

Total Liabilities

   

233,899

   

Net Assets

 

$

7,168,535

   

Net Assets Consist of:

 

Paid-in-Capital

 

$

3,648,813

   

Total Distributable Earnings

   

3,519,722

   

Net Assets

 

$

7,168,535

   

The accompanying notes are an integral part of the financial statements.
9



Morgan Stanley Institutional Fund, Inc.

Annual Report — December 31, 2020

Global Opportunity Portfolio

Statement of Assets and Liabilities (cont'd)

  December 31, 2020
(000)
 

CLASS I:

 

Net Assets

 

$

4,498,617

   
Shares Outstanding $0.001 par value shares of beneficial interest (unlimited shares authorized) (not in 000's)    

100,519,329

   

Net Asset Value, Offering and Redemption Price Per Share

 

$

44.75

   

CLASS A:

 

Net Assets

 

$

1,697,016

   
Shares Outstanding $0.001 par value shares of beneficial interest (unlimited shares authorized) (not in 000's)    

39,425,251

   

Net Asset Value, Redemption Price Per Share

 

$

43.04

   

Maximum Sales Load

   

5.25

%

 

Maximum Sales Charge

 

$

2.38

   

Maximum Offering Price Per Share

 

$

45.42

   

CLASS L:

 

Net Assets

 

$

53,675

   
Shares Outstanding $0.001 par value shares of beneficial interest (unlimited shares authorized) (not in 000's)    

1,264,845

   

Net Asset Value, Offering and Redemption Price Per Share

 

$

42.44

   

CLASS C:

 

Net Assets

 

$

436,790

   
Shares Outstanding $0.001 par value shares of beneficial interest (unlimited shares authorized) (not in 000's)    

10,679,226

   

Net Asset Value, Offering and Redemption Price Per Share

 

$

40.90

   

CLASS IS:

 

Net Assets

 

$

367,927

   
Shares Outstanding $0.001 par value shares of beneficial interest (unlimited shares authorized) (not in 000's)    

8,194,347

   

Net Asset Value, Offering and Redemption Price Per Share

 

$

44.90

   

CLASS IR:

 

Net Assets

 

$

114,510

   
Shares Outstanding $0.001 par value shares of beneficial interest (unlimited shares authorized) (not in 000's)    

2,547,062

   

Net Asset Value, Offering and Redemption Price Per Share

 

$

44.96

   

@  Amount is less than $500.

The accompanying notes are an integral part of the financial statements.
10



Morgan Stanley Institutional Fund, Inc.

Annual Report — December 31, 2020

Global Opportunity Portfolio

Statement of Operations

  Year Ended
December 31, 2020
(000)
 

Investment Income:

 

Dividends from Securities of Unaffiliated Issuers (Net of $351 of Foreign Taxes Withheld)

 

$

5,685

   

Dividends from Security of Affiliated Issuer (Note G)

   

976

   

Total Investment Income

   

6,661

   

Expenses:

 

Advisory Fees (Note B)

   

36,698

   

Shareholder Services Fees — Class A (Note D)

   

3,219

   

Distribution and Shareholder Services Fees — Class L (Note D)

   

340

   

Distribution and Shareholder Services Fees — Class C (Note D)

   

3,213

   

Sub Transfer Agency Fees — Class I

   

2,889

   

Sub Transfer Agency Fees — Class A

   

1,426

   

Sub Transfer Agency Fees — Class L

   

23

   

Sub Transfer Agency Fees — Class C

   

245

   

Administration Fees (Note C)

   

4,065

   

Custodian Fees (Note F)

   

490

   

Transfer Agency Fees — Class I (Note E)

   

112

   

Transfer Agency Fees — Class A (Note E)

   

188

   

Transfer Agency Fees — Class L (Note E)

   

34

   

Transfer Agency Fees — Class C (Note E)

   

30

   

Transfer Agency Fees — Class IS (Note E)

   

8

   

Transfer Agency Fees — Class IR (Note E)

   

2

   

Shareholder Reporting Fees

   

339

   

Registration Fees

   

338

   

Professional Fees

   

130

   

Directors' Fees and Expenses

   

73

   

Pricing Fees

   

3

   

Other Expenses

   

126

   

Total Expenses

   

53,991

   

Rebate from Morgan Stanley Affiliate (Note G)

   

(569

)

 

Distribution Fees — Class L Shares Waived (Note D)

   

(204

)

 

Net Expenses

   

53,218

   

Net Investment Loss

   

(46,557

)

 

Realized Gain (Loss):

 

Investments Sold

   

235,638

   

Foreign Currency Translation

   

(390

)

 

Net Realized Gain

   

235,248

   

Change in Unrealized Appreciation (Depreciation):

 

Investments (Net of Increase in Deferred Capital Gain Country Tax of $8,210)

   

2,220,462

   

Foreign Currency Translation

   

37

   

Net Change in Unrealized Appreciation (Depreciation)

   

2,220,499

   

Net Realized Gain and Change in Unrealized Appreciation (Depreciation)

   

2,455,747

   

Net Increase in Net Assets Resulting from Operations

 

$

2,409,190

   

The accompanying notes are an integral part of the financial statements.
11



Morgan Stanley Institutional Fund, Inc.

Annual Report — December 31, 2020

Global Opportunity Portfolio

Statements of Changes in Net Assets

  Year Ended
December 31, 2020
(000)
  Year Ended
December 31, 2019
(000)
 

Increase (Decrease) in Net Assets:

 

Operations:

 

Net Investment Loss

 

$

(46,557

)

 

$

(19,027

)

 

Net Realized Gain (Loss)

   

235,248

     

(32,839

)

 

Net Change in Unrealized Appreciation (Depreciation)

   

2,220,499

     

951,506

   

Net Increase in Net Assets Resulting from Operations

   

2,409,190

     

899,640

   

Dividends and Distributions to Shareholders:

 

Class I

   

(51,005

)

   

   

Class A

   

(20,135

)

   

   

Class L

   

(649

)

   

   

Class C

   

(5,418

)

   

   

Class IS

   

(3,763

)

   

   

Class IR

   

(1,303

)

   

   

Total Dividends and Distributions to Shareholders

   

(82,273

)

   

   

Capital Share Transactions:(1)

 

Class I:

 

Subscribed

   

1,813,374

     

904,534

   

Distributions Reinvested

   

47,584

     

   

Redeemed

   

(1,035,480

)

   

(546,491

)

 

Class A:

 

Subscribed

   

401,046

     

219,604

   

Distributions Reinvested

   

19,788

     

   

Redeemed

   

(362,101

)

   

(216,191

)

 

Class L:

 

Exchanged

   

58

     

46

   

Distributions Reinvested

   

592

     

   

Redeemed

   

(7,686

)

   

(4,481

)

 

Class C:

 

Subscribed

   

97,594

     

70,635

   

Distributions Reinvested

   

5,330

     

   

Redeemed

   

(58,835

)

   

(36,622

)

 

Class IS:

 

Subscribed

   

232,725

     

115,916

   

Distributions Reinvested

   

3,729

     

   

Redeemed

   

(97,484

)

   

(4,208

)

 

Class IR:

 

Distributions Reinvested

   

1,303

     

   

Net Increase in Net Assets Resulting from Capital Share Transactions

   

1,061,537

     

502,742

   

Total Increase in Net Assets

   

3,388,454

     

1,402,382

   

Net Assets:

 

Beginning of Period

   

3,780,081

     

2,377,699

   

End of Period

 

$

7,168,535

   

$

3,780,081

   

The accompanying notes are an integral part of the financial statements.
12



Morgan Stanley Institutional Fund, Inc.

Annual Report — December 31, 2020

Global Opportunity Portfolio

Statements of Changes in Net Assets (cont'd)

  Year Ended
December 31, 2020
(000)
  Year Ended
December 31, 2019
(000)
 

(1)   Capital Share Transactions:

 

Class I:

 

Shares Subscribed

   

54,601

     

34,981

   

Shares Issued on Distributions Reinvested

   

1,076

     

   

Shares Redeemed

   

(31,412

)

   

(20,909

)

 

Net Increase in Class I Shares Outstanding

   

24,265

     

14,072

   

Class A:

 

Shares Subscribed

   

12,366

     

8,760

   

Shares Issued on Distributions Reinvested

   

465

     

   

Shares Redeemed

   

(11,494

)

   

(8,663

)

 

Net Increase in Class A Shares Outstanding

   

1,337

     

97

   

Class L:

 

Shares Exchanged

   

3

     

2

   

Shares Issued on Distributions Reinvested

   

14

     

   

Shares Redeemed

   

(225

)

   

(180

)

 

Net Decrease in Class L Shares Outstanding

   

(208

)

   

(178

)

 

Class C:

 

Shares Subscribed

   

3,145

     

2,895

   

Shares Issued on Distributions Reinvested

   

132

     

   

Shares Redeemed

   

(1,933

)

   

(1,514

)

 

Net Increase in Class C Shares Outstanding

   

1,344

     

1,381

   

Class IS:

 

Shares Subscribed

   

6,357

     

4,310

   

Shares Issued on Distributions Reinvested

   

84

     

   

Shares Redeemed

   

(2,501

)

   

(155

)

 

Net Increase in Class IS Shares Outstanding

   

3,940

     

4,155

   

Class IR:

 

Shares Issued on Distributions Reinvested

   

29

     

   

The accompanying notes are an integral part of the financial statements.
13



Morgan Stanley Institutional Fund, Inc.

Annual Report — December 31, 2020

Financial Highlights

Global Opportunity Portfolio

   

Class I

 
   

Year Ended December 31,

 

Selected Per Share Data and Ratios

 

2020

 

2019

 

2018

 

2017

 

2016(1)

 

Net Asset Value, Beginning of Period

 

$

29.12

   

$

21.50

   

$

22.94

   

$

15.41

   

$

16.36

   

Income (Loss) from Investment Operations:

 

Net Investment Loss(2)

   

(0.28

)

   

(0.12

)

   

(0.07

)

   

(0.06

)

   

(0.05

)

 

Net Realized and Unrealized Gain (Loss)

   

16.43

     

7.74

     

(1.20

)

   

7.68

     

0.18

   

Total from Investment Operations

   

16.15

     

7.62

     

(1.27

)

   

7.62

     

0.13

   

Distributions from and/or in Excess of:

 

Net Realized Gain

   

(0.52

)

   

     

(0.17

)

   

(0.09

)

   

(1.08

)

 

Net Asset Value, End of Period

 

$

44.75

   

$

29.12

   

$

21.50

   

$

22.94

   

$

15.41

   

Total Return(3)

   

55.47

%

   

35.44

%

   

(5.66

)%

   

49.44

%

   

1.05

%

 

Ratios to Average Net Assets and Supplemental Data:

 

Net Assets, End of Period (Thousands)

 

$

4,498,617

   

$

2,220,219

   

$

1,337,133

   

$

898,008

   

$

255,187

   

Ratio of Expenses Before Expense Limitation

   

N/A

     

N/A

     

N/A

     

0.99

%

   

1.07

%

 

Ratio of Expenses After Expense Limitation

   

0.92

%(4)

   

0.94

%(4)

   

0.94

%(4)(5)

   

0.79

%(4)

   

0.80

%(4)

 

Ratio of Expenses After Expense Limitation Excluding Interest Expenses

   

N/A

     

0.94

%(4)

   

N/A

     

N/A

     

N/A

   

Ratio of Net Investment Loss

   

(0.79

)%(4)

   

(0.44

)%(4)

   

(0.30

)%(4)

   

(0.31

)%(4)

   

(0.34

)%(4)

 

Ratio of Rebate from Morgan Stanley Affiliates

   

0.01

%

   

0.01

%

   

0.01

%

   

0.01

%

   

0.01

%

 

Portfolio Turnover Rate

   

22

%

   

15

%

   

28

%

   

30

%

   

37

%

 

(1)  Reflects prior period custodian out-of-pocket expenses that were reimbursed in September 2016. The amount of the reimbursement was immaterial on a per share basis and did not impact the total return of Class I shares. The Ratio of Expenses After Expense Limitation and the Ratio of Net Investment Loss would be unchanged as the reimbursement of custodian fees was offset against expense waivers/reimbursements with no impact to net expenses or net investment loss.

(2)  Per share amount is based on average shares outstanding.

(3)  Calculated based on the net asset value as of the last business day of the period.

(4)  The Ratio of Expenses After Expense Limitation and Ratio of Net Investment Loss reflect the rebate of certain Fund expenses in connection with the investments in Morgan Stanley affiliates during the period. The effect of the rebate on the ratios is disclosed in the above table as "Ratio of Rebate from Morgan Stanley Affiliates."

(5)  Effective January 1, 2018, the Adviser has agreed to limit the ratio of expenses to average net assets to the maximum ratio of 1.00% for Class I shares. Prior to January 1, 2018, the maximum ratio was 0.81% for Class I shares.

The accompanying notes are an integral part of the financial statements.
14



Morgan Stanley Institutional Fund, Inc.

Annual Report — December 31, 2020

Financial Highlights

Global Opportunity Portfolio

   

Class A

 
   

Year Ended December 31,

 

Selected Per Share Data and Ratios

 

2020

 

2019

 

2018

 

2017

 

2016(1)

 

Net Asset Value, Beginning of Period

 

$

28.10

   

$

20.81

   

$

22.28

   

$

15.01

   

$

16.03

   

Income (Loss) from Investment Operations:

 

Net Investment Loss(2)

   

(0.35

)

   

(0.18

)

   

(0.14

)

   

(0.12

)

   

(0.11

)

 

Net Realized and Unrealized Gain (Loss)

   

15.81

     

7.47

     

(1.16

)

   

7.48

     

0.17

   

Total from Investment Operations

   

15.46

     

7.29

     

(1.30

)

   

7.36

     

0.06

   

Distributions from and/or in Excess of:

 

Net Realized Gain

   

(0.52

)

   

     

(0.17

)

   

(0.09

)

   

(1.08

)

 

Net Asset Value, End of Period

 

$

43.04

   

$

28.10

   

$

20.81

   

$

22.28

   

$

15.01

   

Total Return(3)

   

55.03

%

   

35.03

%

   

(5.96

)%

   

49.03

%

   

0.62

%

 

Ratios to Average Net Assets and Supplemental Data:

 

Net Assets, End of Period (Thousands)

 

$

1,697,016

   

$

1,070,124

   

$

790,571

   

$

780,705

   

$

340,092

   

Ratio of Expenses Before Expense Limitation

   

N/A

     

N/A

     

N/A

     

1.32

%

   

1.41

%

 

Ratio of Expenses After Expense Limitation

   

1.20

%(4)

   

1.22

%(4)

   

1.26

%(4)(5)

   

1.12

%(4)

   

1.17

%(4)

 

Ratio of Expenses After Expense Limitation Excluding Interest Expenses

   

N/A

     

1.22

%(4)

   

N/A

     

N/A

     

N/A

   

Ratio of Net Investment Loss

   

(1.06

)%(4)

   

(0.72

)%(4)

   

(0.59

)%(4)

   

(0.63

)%(4)

   

(0.70

)%(4)

 

Ratio of Rebate from Morgan Stanley Affiliates

   

0.01

%

   

0.01

%

   

0.01

%

   

0.01

%

   

0.01

%

 

Portfolio Turnover Rate

   

22

%

   

15

%

   

28

%

   

30

%

   

37

%

 

(1)  Reflects prior period custodian out-of-pocket expenses that were reimbursed in September 2016. The amount of the reimbursement was immaterial on a per share basis and did not impact the total return of Class A shares. The Ratio of Expenses After Expense Limitation and the Ratio of Net Investment Loss would be unchanged as the reimbursement of custodian fees was offset against expense waivers/reimbursements with no impact to net expenses or net investment loss.

(2)  Per share amount is based on average shares outstanding.

(3)  Calculated based on the net asset value which does not reflect sales charges, if applicable, as of the last business day of the period.

(4)  The Ratio of Expenses After Expense Limitation and Ratio of Net Investment Loss reflect the rebate of certain Fund expenses in connection with the investments in Morgan Stanley affiliates during the period. The effect of the rebate on the ratios is disclosed in the above table as "Ratio of Rebate from Morgan Stanley Affiliates."

(5)  Effective January 1, 2018, the Adviser has agreed to limit the ratio of expenses to average net assets to the maximum ratio of 1.35% for Class A shares. Prior to January 1, 2018, the maximum ratio was 1.23% for Class A shares.

The accompanying notes are an integral part of the financial statements.
15



Morgan Stanley Institutional Fund, Inc.

Annual Report — December 31, 2020

Financial Highlights

Global Opportunity Portfolio

   

Class L

 
   

Year Ended December 31,

 

Selected Per Share Data and Ratios

 

2020

 

2019

 

2018

 

2017

 

2016(1)

 

Net Asset Value, Beginning of Period

 

$

27.72

   

$

20.54

   

$

22.01

   

$

14.84

   

$

15.87

   

Income (Loss) from Investment Operations:

 

Net Investment Loss(2)

   

(0.36

)

   

(0.19

)

   

(0.15

)

   

(0.13

)

   

(0.12

)

 

Net Realized and Unrealized Gain (Loss)

   

15.60

     

7.37

     

(1.15

)

   

7.39

     

0.17

   

Total from Investment Operations

   

15.24

     

7.18

     

(1.30

)

   

7.26

     

0.05

   

Distributions from and/or in Excess of:

 

Net Realized Gain

   

(0.52

)

   

     

(0.17

)

   

(0.09

)

   

(1.08

)

 

Net Asset Value, End of Period

 

$

42.44

   

$

27.72

   

$

20.54

   

$

22.01

   

$

14.84

   

Total Return(3)

   

54.99

%

   

34.96

%

   

(6.04

)%

   

48.91

%

   

0.56

%

 

Ratios to Average Net Assets and Supplemental Data:

 

Net Assets, End of Period (Thousands)

 

$

53,675

   

$

40,836

   

$

33,913

   

$

39,979

   

$

30,133

   

Ratio of Expenses Before Expense Limitation

   

1.71

%

   

1.74

%

   

1.78

%

   

1.86

%

   

1.93

%

 

Ratio of Expenses After Expense Limitation

   

1.25

%(4)

   

1.28

%(4)

   

1.32

%(4)(5)

   

1.20

%(4)

   

1.25

%(4)

 

Ratio of Expenses After Expense Limitation Excluding Interest Expenses

   

N/A

     

1.28

%(4)

   

N/A

     

N/A

     

N/A

   

Ratio of Net Investment Loss

   

(1.10

)%(4)

   

(0.78

)%(4)

   

(0.65

)%(4)

   

(0.67

)%(4)

   

(0.79

)%(4)

 

Ratio of Rebate from Morgan Stanley Affiliates

   

0.01

%

   

0.01

%

   

0.01

%

   

0.01

%

   

0.01

%

 

Portfolio Turnover Rate

   

22

%

   

15

%

   

28

%

   

30

%

   

37

%

 

(1)  Reflects prior period custodian out-of-pocket expenses that were reimbursed in September 2016. The amount of the reimbursement was immaterial on a per share basis and did not impact the total return of Class L shares. The Ratio of Expenses After Expense Limitation and the Ratio of Net Investment Loss would be unchanged as the reimbursement of custodian fees was offset against expense waivers/reimbursements with no impact to net expenses or net investment loss.

(2)  Per share amount is based on average shares outstanding.

(3)  Calculated based on the net asset value as of the last business day of the period.

(4)  The Ratio of Expenses After Expense Limitation and Ratio of Net Investment Loss reflect the rebate of certain Fund expenses in connection with the investments in Morgan Stanley affiliates during the period. The effect of the rebate on the ratios is disclosed in the above table as "Ratio of Rebate from Morgan Stanley Affiliates."

(5)  Effective January 1, 2018, the Adviser has agreed to limit the ratio of expenses to average net assets to the maximum ratio of 1.40% for Class L shares. Prior to January 1, 2018, the maximum ratio was 1.50% for Class L shares.

The accompanying notes are an integral part of the financial statements.
16



Morgan Stanley Institutional Fund, Inc.

Annual Report — December 31, 2020

Financial Highlights

Global Opportunity Portfolio

   

Class C

 
   

Year Ended December 31,

 

Selected Per Share Data and Ratios

 

2020

 

2019

 

2018

 

2017

 

2016(1)

 

Net Asset Value, Beginning of Period

 

$

26.90

   

$

20.07

   

$

21.64

   

$

14.69

   

$

15.80

   

Income (Loss) from Investment Operations:

 

Net Investment Loss(2)

   

(0.57

)

   

(0.35

)

   

(0.30

)

   

(0.26

)

   

(0.21

)

 

Net Realized and Unrealized Gain (Loss)

   

15.09

     

7.18

     

(1.10

)

   

7.30

     

0.18

   

Total from Investment Operations

   

14.52

     

6.83

     

(1.40

)

   

7.04

     

(0.03

)

 

Distributions from and/or in Excess of:

 

Net Realized Gain

   

(0.52

)

   

     

(0.17

)

   

(0.09

)

   

(1.08

)

 

Net Asset Value, End of Period

 

$

40.90

   

$

26.90

   

$

20.07

   

$

21.64

   

$

14.69

   

Total Return(3)

   

53.99

%

   

34.03

%

   

(6.61

)%

   

47.92

%

   

0.05

%

 

Ratios to Average Net Assets and Supplemental Data:

 

Net Assets, End of Period (Thousands)

 

$

436,790

   

$

251,160

   

$

159,642

   

$

104,364

   

$

33,801

   

Ratio of Expenses Before Expense Limitation

   

N/A

     

N/A

     

N/A

     

2.01

%

   

2.08

%

 

Ratio of Expenses After Expense Limitation

   

1.91

%(4)

   

1.94

%(4)

   

1.95

%(4)(5)

   

1.81

%(4)

   

1.84

%(4)

 

Ratio of Expenses After Expense Limitation Excluding Interest Expenses

   

N/A

     

1.94

%(4)

   

N/A

     

N/A

     

N/A

   

Ratio of Net Investment Loss

   

(1.77

)%(4)

   

(1.45

)%(4)

   

(1.30

)%(4)

   

(1.33

)%(4)

   

(1.38

)%(4)

 

Ratio of Rebate from Morgan Stanley Affiliates

   

0.01

%

   

0.01

%

   

0.01

%

   

0.01

%

   

0.01

%

 

Portfolio Turnover Rate

   

22

%

   

15

%

   

28

%

   

30

%

   

37

%

 

(1)  Reflects prior period custodian out-of-pocket expenses that were reimbursed in September 2016. The amount of the reimbursement was immaterial on a per share basis and did not impact the total return of Class C shares. The Ratio of Expenses After Expense Limitation and the Ratio of Net Investment Loss would be unchanged as the reimbursement of custodian fees was offset against expense waivers/reimbursements with no impact to net expenses or net investment loss.

(2)  Per share amount is based on average shares outstanding.

(3)  Calculated based on the net asset value which does not reflect sales charges, if applicable, as of the last business day of the period.

(4)  The Ratio of Expenses After Expense Limitation and Ratio of Net Investment Loss reflect the rebate of certain Fund expenses in connection with the investments in Morgan Stanley affiliates during the period. The effect of the rebate on the ratios is disclosed in the above table as "Ratio of Rebate from Morgan Stanley Affiliates."

(5)  Effective January 1, 2018, the Adviser has agreed to limit the ratio of expenses to average net assets to the maximum ratio of 2.10% for Class C shares. Prior to January 1, 2018, the maximum ratio was 2.20% for Class C shares.

The accompanying notes are an integral part of the financial statements.
17



Morgan Stanley Institutional Fund, Inc.

Annual Report — December 31, 2020

Financial Highlights

Global Opportunity Portfolio

   

Class IS

 
   

Year Ended December 31,

 

Selected Per Share Data and Ratios

 

2020

 

2019

 

2018

 

2017

 

2016(1)

 

Net Asset Value, Beginning of Period

 

$

29.18

   

$

21.53

   

$

23.00

   

$

15.44

   

$

16.38

   

Income (Loss) from Investment Operations:

 

Net Investment Loss(2)

   

(0.25

)

   

(0.14

)

   

(0.00

)(3)

   

(0.05

)

   

(0.06

)

 

Net Realized and Unrealized Gain (Loss)

   

16.49

     

7.79

     

(1.30

)

   

7.70

     

0.20

   

Total from Investment Operations

   

16.24

     

7.65

     

(1.30

)

   

7.65

     

0.14

   

Distributions from and/or in Excess of:

 

Net Realized Gain

   

(0.52

)

   

     

(0.17

)

   

(0.09

)

   

(1.08

)

 

Net Asset Value, End of Period

 

$

44.90

   

$

29.18

   

$

21.53

   

$

23.00

   

$

15.44

   

Total Return(4)

   

55.67

%

   

35.53

%

   

(5.78

)%

   

49.54

%

   

1.11

%

 

Ratios to Average Net Assets and Supplemental Data:

 

Net Assets, End of Period (Thousands)

 

$

367,927

   

$

124,173

   

$

2,156

   

$

1,650

   

$

23

   

Ratio of Expenses Before Expense Limitation

   

N/A

     

0.86

%

   

N/A

     

1.24

%

   

3.82

%

 

Ratio of Expenses After Expense Limitation

   

0.82

%(5)

   

0.84

%(5)

   

0.88

%(5)(6)

   

0.71

%(5)

   

0.71

%(5)

 

Ratio of Expenses After Expense Limitation Excluding Interest Expenses

   

N/A

     

0.84

%(5)

   

N/A

     

N/A

     

N/A

   

Ratio of Net Investment Loss

   

(0.70

)%(5)

   

(0.51

)%(5)

   

(0.02

)%(5)

   

(0.23

)%(5)

   

(0.41

)%(5)

 

Ratio of Rebate from Morgan Stanley Affiliates

   

0.01

%

   

0.01

%

   

0.01

%

   

0.01

%

   

0.01

%

 

Portfolio Turnover Rate

   

22

%

   

15

%

   

28

%

   

30

%

   

37

%

 

(1)  Reflects prior period custodian out-of-pocket expenses that were reimbursed in September 2016. The amount of the reimbursement was immaterial on a per share basis and did not impact the total return of Class IS shares. The Ratio of Expenses After Expense Limitation and the Ratio of Net Investment Loss would be unchanged as the reimbursement of custodian fees was offset against expense waivers/reimbursements with no impact to net expenses or net investment loss.

(2)  Per share amount is based on average shares outstanding.

(3)  Amount is less than $0.005 per share.

(4)  Calculated based on the net asset value as of the last business day of the period.

(5)  The Ratio of Expenses After Expense Limitation and Ratio of Net Investment Loss reflect the rebate of certain Fund expenses in connection with the investments in Morgan Stanley affiliates during the period. The effect of the rebate on the ratios is disclosed in the above table as "Ratio of Rebate from Morgan Stanley Affiliates."

(6)  Effective January 1, 2018, the Adviser has agreed to limit the ratio of expenses to average net assets to the maximum ratio of 0.95% for Class IS shares. Prior to January 1, 2018, the maximum ratio was 0.72% for Class IS shares.

The accompanying notes are an integral part of the financial statements.
18



Morgan Stanley Institutional Fund, Inc.

Annual Report — December 31, 2020

Financial Highlights

Global Opportunity Portfolio

   

Class IR

 
   

Year Ended December 31,

  Period from
June 15, 2018(1) to
 

Selected Per Share Data and Ratios

 

2020

 

2019

 

December 31, 2018

 

Net Asset Value, Beginning of Period

 

$

29.22

   

$

21.56

   

$

26.67

   

Income (Loss) from Investment Operations:

 

Net Investment Loss(2)

   

(0.24

)

   

(0.09

)

   

(0.06

)

 

Net Realized and Unrealized Gain (Loss)

   

16.50

     

7.75

     

(4.88

)

 

Total from Investment Operations

   

16.26

     

7.66

     

(4.94

)

 

Distributions from and/or in Excess of:

 

Net Realized Gain

   

(0.52

)

   

     

(0.17

)

 

Net Asset Value, End of Period

 

$

44.96

   

$

29.22

   

$

21.56

   

Total Return(3)

   

55.66

%

   

35.53

%

   

(18.63

)%(5)

 

Ratios to Average Net Assets and Supplemental Data:

 

Net Assets, End of Period, (Thousands)

 

$

114,510

   

$

73,569

   

$

54,284

   

Ratio of Expenses Before Expense Limitation

   

N/A

     

N/A

     

N/A

   

Ratio of Expenses After Expense Limitation

   

0.82

%(4)

   

0.84

%(4)

   

0.88

%(4)(6)

 

Ratios of Expenses After Expense Limitation Excluding Interest Expenses

   

N/A

     

0.84

%(4)

   

N/A

   

Ratio of Net Investment Loss

   

(0.69

)%(4)

   

(0.35

)%(4)

   

(0.46

)%(4)(6)

 

Ratio of Rebate from Morgan Stanley Affiliates

   

0.01

%

   

0.01

%

   

0.01

%(6)

 

Portfolio Turnover Rate

   

22

%

   

15

%

   

28

%

 

(1)  Commencement of Offering.

(2)  Per share amount is based on average shares outstanding.

(3)  Calculated based on the net asset value as of the last business day of the period.

(4)  The Ratio of Expenses After Expense Limitation and Ratio of Net Investment Loss reflect the rebate of certain Fund expenses in connection with the investments in Morgan Stanley affiliates during the period. The effect of the rebate on the ratios is disclosed in the above table as "Ratio of Rebate from Morgan Stanley Affiliates."

(5)  Not annualized

(6)  Annualized.

The accompanying notes are an integral part of the financial statements.
19



Morgan Stanley Institutional Fund, Inc.

Annual Report — December 31, 2020

Notes to Financial Statements

Morgan Stanley Institutional Fund, Inc. (the "Company") is registered under the Investment Company Act of 1940, as amended (the "Act"), as an open-end management investment company. The Company is comprised of thirty-one separate, active, diversified and non-diversified funds (individually referred to as a "Fund," collectively as the "Funds"). The Company applies investment company accounting and reporting guidance.

The accompanying financial statements relate to the Global Opportunity Portfolio. The Fund seeks long-term capital appreciation.

The Fund offers six classes of shares — Class I, Class A, Class L, Class C, Class IS and Class IR. On April 30, 2015, the Fund suspended offering of Class L shares. Existing Class L shareholders may invest through reinvestment of dividends and distributions. Effective December 31, 2020, the Fund suspended offering of Class I, Class A, Class C, Class IR and Class IS shares to new investors. In addition, Class L shares of the Fund may be exchanged for Class L shares of any Morgan Stanley Multi-Class Fund, even though Class L shares are closed to investors.

A. Significant Accounting Policies: The following significant accounting policies are in conformity with U.S. generally accepted accounting principles ("GAAP"). Such policies are consistently followed by the Company in the preparation of its financial statements. GAAP may require management to make estimates and assumptions that affect the reported amounts and disclosures in the financial statements. Actual results may differ from those estimates.

1.  Security Valuation: (1) An equity portfolio security listed or traded on an exchange is valued at its latest reported sales price (or at the exchange official closing price if such exchange reports an official closing price), and if there were no sales on a given day and if there is no official exchange closing price for that day, the security is valued at the mean between the last reported bid and asked prices if such bid and asked prices are available on the relevant exchanges. If only bid prices are available then the latest bid price may be used. Listed equity securities not traded on the valuation date with no reported bid and asked prices available on the exchange are valued at the mean between the current bid and asked prices obtained from one or more reputable brokers or dealers. In cases where a security is traded on more than one exchange, the security is

valued on the exchange designated as the primary market; (2) all other equity portfolio securities for which over-the-counter ("OTC") market quotations are readily available are valued at the latest reported sales price (or at the market official closing price if such market reports an official closing price), and if there was no trading in the security on a given day and if there is no official closing price from relevant markets for that day, the security is valued at the mean between the last reported bid and asked prices if such bid and asked prices are available on the relevant markets. An unlisted equity security that does not trade on the valuation date and for which bid and asked prices from the relevant markets are unavailable is valued at the mean between the current bid and asked prices obtained from one or more reputable brokers or dealers; (3) certain portfolio securities may be valued by an outside pricing service/vendor approved by the Company's Board of Directors (the "Directors"). The pricing service/vendor may employ a pricing model that takes into account, among other things, bids, yield spreads and/or other market data and specific security characteristics. Alternatively, if a valuation is not available from an outside pricing service/vendor, and the security trades on an exchange, the security may be valued at its latest reported sale price (or at the exchange official closing price if such exchange reports an official closing price), prior to the time when assets are valued. If there are no sales on a given day and if there is no official exchange closing price for that day, the security is valued at the mean between the last reported bid and asked prices if such bid and asked prices are available in the relevant exchanges. If only bid prices are available then the latest bid price may be used. If Morgan Stanley Investment Management Inc. (the "Adviser"), a wholly-owned subsidiary of Morgan Stanley, determines that the price provided by the outside pricing service/vendor or exchange does not reflect the security's fair value or is unable to provide a price, prices from brokers or dealers may also be utilized. In these circumstances, the value of the security will be the mean of bid and asked prices obtained from brokers or dealers; (4) listed options are valued at the last reported sales price on the exchange on which they are listed (or at the exchange official closing price if such exchange reports an official closing price). If an official closing price or last reported sales price is unavailable, the listed option should be fair valued at the mean between its latest bid and ask


20



Morgan Stanley Institutional Fund, Inc.

Annual Report — December 31, 2020

Notes to Financial Statements (cont'd)

prices. Unlisted options are valued at the mean between their latest bid and ask prices from a broker/dealer or valued by a pricing service/vendor; (5) when market quotations are not readily available, including circumstances under which the Adviser 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 Directors. 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 of the New York Stock Exchange ("NYSE"). If developments occur during such periods that are expected to materially affect the value of such securities, such valuations may be adjusted to reflect the estimated fair value of such securities as of the close of the NYSE, as determined in good faith by the Directors or by the Adviser using a pricing service and/or procedures approved by the Directors; (6) quotations of foreign portfolio securities, other assets and liabilities and forward contracts stated in foreign currency are translated into U.S. dollar equivalents at the prevailing market rates prior to the close of the NYSE; and (7) investments in mutual funds, including the Morgan Stanley Institutional Liquidity Funds, are valued at the net asset value ("NAV") as of the close of each business day.

The Directors have responsibility for determining in good faith the fair value of the investments, and the Directors may appoint others, such as the Company's Adviser or a valuation committee, to assist the Directors in determining fair value and to make the actual calculations pursuant to the fair valuation methodologies previously approved by the Directors. Under procedures approved by the Directors, the Company's Adviser has formed a Valuation Committee whose members are approved by the Directors. The Valuation Committee provides administration and oversight of the Company's valuation policies and procedures, which are reviewed at least annually by the Directors. These procedures allow the Company to utilize independent pricing services, quotations from securities and financial instrument dealers and other market sources to determine fair value.

2.  Fair Value Measurement: Financial Accounting Standards Board ("FASB") Accounting Standards CodificationTM ("ASC") 820, "Fair Value Measurement" ("ASC 820"), defines fair value as the value that the Fund would receive to sell an investment or pay to transfer a liability in a timely transaction with an independent buyer in the principal market, or in the absence of a principal market, the most advantageous market for the investment or liability. ASC 820 establishes a three-tier hierarchy to distinguish between (1) inputs that reflect the assumptions market participants would use in valuing an asset or liability developed based on market data obtained from sources independent of the reporting entity (observable inputs) and (2) inputs that reflect the reporting entity's own assumptions about the assumptions market participants would use in valuing an asset or liability developed based on the best information available in the circumstances (unobservable inputs) and to establish classification of fair value measurements for disclosure purposes. Various inputs are used in determining the value of the Fund's investments. The inputs are summarized in the three broad levels listed below:

•  Level 1 – unadjusted quoted prices in active markets for identical investments

•  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


21



Morgan Stanley Institutional Fund, Inc.

Annual Report — December 31, 2020

Notes to Financial Statements (cont'd)

measurement in its entirety requires judgment and considers factors specific to each security.

The following is a summary of the inputs used to value the Fund's investments as of December 31, 2020:

Investment Type

  Level 1
Unadjusted
quoted
prices
(000)
  Level 2
Other
significant
observable
inputs
(000)
  Level 3
Significant
unobservable
inputs
(000)
  Total
(000)
 

Assets:

 

Common Stocks

 
Air Freight &
Logistics
 

$

   

$

278,589

   

$

   

$

278,589

   

Banks

   

93,606

     

314,604

     

     

408,210

   

Beverages

   

     

74,725

     

     

74,725

   
Construction
Materials
   

31,876

     

     

     

31,876

   
Diversified
Consumer
Services
   

309,995

     

     

     

309,995

   
Electronic
Equipment,
Instruments &
Components
   

     

150,136

     

     

150,136

   

Entertainment

   

449,119

     

     

     

449,119

   

Food Products

   

     

76,648

     

     

76,648

   
Health Care
Equipment &
Supplies
   

94,064

     

     

     

94,064

   
Health Care
Technology
   

56,278

     

     

17,733

     

74,011

   
Information
Technology
Services
   

1,318,992

     

     

     

1,318,992

   
Interactive Media &
Services
   

497,647

     

55,472

     

     

553,119

   
Internet & Direct
Marketing Retail
   

865,784

     

262,390

     

     

1,128,174

   

Road & Rail

   

419,216

     

     

     

419,216

   

Software

   

976,234

     

     

     

976,234

   
Textiles, Apparel &
Luxury Goods
   

     

367,989

     

     

367,989

   
Total Common
Stocks
   

5,112,811

     

1,580,553

     

17,733

     

6,711,097

   

Investment Type

  Level 1
Unadjusted
quoted
prices
(000)
  Level 2
Other
significant
observable
inputs
(000)
  Level 3
Significant
unobservable
inputs
(000)
  Total
(000)
 

Preferred Stocks

 
Electronic
Equipment,
Instruments &
Components
 

$

   

$

   

$

 

$

 
Internet & Direct
Marketing Retail
   

     

10,576

     

     

10,576

   
Total Preferred
Stocks
   

     

10,576

     

   

10,576

 
Short-Term
Investment
 
Investment
Company
   

528,671

     

     

     

528,671

   

Total Assets

 

$

5,641,482

   

$

1,591,129

   

$

17,733

 

$

7,250,344

 

†  Includes a security valued at zero.

Transfers between investment levels may occur as the markets fluctuate and/or the availability of data used in an investment's valuation changes.

Following is a reconciliation of investments in which significant unobservable inputs (Level 3) were used in determining fair value:

    Common
Stock
(000)
  Preferred
Stocks
(000)
 

Beginning Balance

 

$

13,521

   

$

8,503

   

Purchases

   

     

   

Sales

   

     

   

Amortization of discount

   

     

   

Transfers in

   

     

   

Transfers out

   

     

(5,144

)††

 

Corporate actions

   

     

   

Change in unrealized appreciation (depreciation)

   

4,212

     

(3,359

)

 

Realized gains (losses)

   

     

   

Ending Balance

 

$

17,733

   

$

 
Net change in unrealized appreciation (depreciation)
from investments still held as of December 31, 2020
 

$

4,212

   

$

(3,359

)

 

†  Includes a security valued at zero.

††  A security transferred out of level 3 due to an Initial Public Offering.


22



Morgan Stanley Institutional Fund, Inc.

Annual Report — December 31, 2020

Notes to Financial Statements (cont'd)

The following table presents additional information about valuation techniques and inputs used for investments that are measured at fair value and categorized within Level 3 as of December 31, 2020. Various valuation techniques were used in the valuation of certain investments and weighted based on the level of significance. The Fund calculated the weighted averages of the unobservable inputs relative to each investment's fair value as of December 31, 2020.

    Fair Value at
December 31, 2020
(000)
  Valuation
Technique
  Unobservable
Input
 

Amount*

  Impact to
Valuation from an
Increase in Input**
 

Common Stock

 

$

17,733

   

Discounted Cash Flow

  Weighted Average
Cost of Capital
   

13.0

%

 

Decrease

 
           

Perpetual Growth Rate

   

3.5

%

 

Increase

 
        Market Comparable
Companies
 

Enterprise Value/Revenue

   

1.3

x

 

Increase

 
            Discount for Lack of
Marketability
   

13.0

%

 

Decrease

 

*  Amount is indicative of the weighted average.

**  Represents the expected directional change in the fair value of the Level 3 investments that would result from an increase in the corresponding input.

  A decrease to the unobservable input would have the opposite effect. Significant changes in these inputs could result in significantly higher or lower fair value measurements.

3.  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.

Net realized gains (losses) on foreign currency transactions represent net foreign exchange gains (losses) from foreign currency forward exchange contracts, disposition of foreign currencies, currency gains (losses) realized between the trade and settlement dates on securities transactions, and the difference between the amount of investment income and foreign withholding taxes recorded on the Fund's books and the U.S. dollar equivalent amounts actually received or paid. The change in unrealized currency gains (losses) on foreign currency transactions for the period is reflected in the Statement of Operations.

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.

Governmental approval for foreign investments may be required in advance of making an investment under certain circumstances in some countries, and the extent of foreign investments in domestic companies may be subject to limitation in other countries. Foreign ownership limitations also may be imposed by the charters of individual companies to prevent, among other concerns, violations of foreign investment limitations. As a result, an additional class of shares (identified as "Foreign" in


23



Morgan Stanley Institutional Fund, Inc.

Annual Report — December 31, 2020

Notes to Financial Statements (cont'd)

the Portfolio of Investments) may be created and offered for investment. The "local" and "foreign shares" market values may differ. In the absence of trading of the foreign shares in such markets, the Fund values the foreign shares at the closing exchange price of the local shares.

4.  Derivatives: The Fund may, but is not required to, use derivative instruments for a variety of purposes, including hedging, risk management, portfolio management or to earn income. Derivatives are financial instruments whose value is based, in part, on the value of an underlying asset, interest rate, index or financial instrument. Prevailing interest rates and volatility levels, among other things, also affect the value of derivative instruments. A derivative instrument often has risks similar to its underlying asset and may have additional risks, including imperfect correlation between the value of the derivative and the underlying asset, risks of default by the counterparty to certain transactions, magnification of losses incurred due to changes in the market value of the securities, instruments, indices or interest rates to which the derivative instrument relates, risks that the transactions may not be liquid and risks arising from margin requirements. The use of derivatives involves risks that are different from, and possibly greater than, the risks associated with other portfolio investments. Derivatives may involve the use of highly specialized instruments that require investment techniques and risk analyses different from those associated with other portfolio investments. All of the Fund's holdings, including derivative instruments, are marked-to-market each day with the change in value reflected in unrealized appreciation (depreciation). Upon disposition, a realized gain or loss is recognized.

Certain derivative transactions may give rise to a form of leverage. Leverage magnifies the potential for gain and the risk of loss. Leverage associated with derivative transactions may cause the Fund to liquidate portfolio positions when it may not be advantageous to do so to satisfy its obligations or to meet earmarking or segregation requirements, pursuant to applicable Securities and Exchange Commission ("SEC") rules and regulations, or may cause the Fund to be more volatile than if the Fund had not been leveraged. Although the Adviser seeks to use derivatives to further the Fund's investment objectives, there is no assurance that the use of derivatives will achieve this result.

Following is a description of the derivative instruments and techniques that the Fund used during the period and their associated risks:

Options: With respect to options, the Fund is subject to equity risk, interest rate risk and foreign currency exchange risk in the normal course of pursuing its investment objectives. If the Fund buys an option, it buys a legal contract giving it the right to buy or sell a specific amount of the underlying instrument or foreign currency, or futures contract on the underlying instrument or foreign currency, at an agreed-upon price during a period of time or on a specified date typically in exchange for a premium paid by the Fund. The Fund may purchase and/or sell put and call options. Purchasing call options tends to increase the Fund's exposure to the underlying (or similar) instrument. Purchasing put options tends to decrease the Fund's exposure to the underlying (or similar) instrument. When entering into purchased option contracts, the Fund bears the risk of interest or exchange rates or securities prices moving unexpectedly, in which case, the Fund may not achieve the anticipated benefits of the purchased option contracts; however the risk of loss is limited to the premium paid. Purchased options are reported as part of "Total Investments in Securities" in the Statement of Assets and Liabilities. Premiums paid for purchasing options which expired are treated as realized losses. If the Fund sells an option, it sells to another party the right to buy from or sell to the Fund a specific amount of the underlying instrument or foreign currency, or futures contract on the underlying instrument or foreign currency, at an agreed-upon price during a period of time or on a specified date typically in exchange for a premium received by the Fund. When options are purchased OTC, the Fund bears the risk that the counterparty that wrote the option will be unable or unwilling to perform its obligations under the option contract. Options may also be illiquid and the Fund may have difficulty closing out its position. A decision as to whether, when and how to use options involves the exercise of skill and judgment and even a well-conceived option transaction may be unsuccessful because of market behavior or unexpected events. The prices of options can be highly volatile and the use of options can lower total returns.


24



Morgan Stanley Institutional Fund, Inc.

Annual Report — December 31, 2020

Notes to Financial Statements (cont'd)

As of December 31, 2020, the Fund did not have any outstanding purchased options.

FASB ASC 815, "Derivatives and Hedging" ("ASC 815"), is intended to improve financial reporting about derivative instruments by requiring enhanced disclosures to enable investors to better understand how and why the Fund uses derivative instruments, how these derivative instruments are accounted for and their effects on the Fund's financial position and results of operations.

The following tables set forth by primary risk exposure the Fund's realized gains (losses) and change in unrealized appreciation (depreciation) by type of derivative contract for the year ended December 31, 2020 in accordance with ASC 815:

Realized Gain (Loss)

 

Primary Risk Exposure

 

Derivative Type

  Value
(000)
 

Currency Risk

  Investments
(Purchased Options)
    $(9,109)(a)    

(a) Amounts are included in Investments Sold in the Statement of Operations.

Change in Unrealized Appreciation (Depreciation)

 

Primary Risk Exposure

 

Derivative Type

  Value
(000)
 

Currency Risk

  Investments
(Purchased Options)
    $8,009(b)    

(b) Amounts are included in Investments in the Statement of Operations.

For the year ended December 31, 2020, the approximate average monthly amount outstanding for each derivative type is as follows:

Purchased Options:

 

Average monthly notional amount

   

674,495,000

   

5.  Restricted Securities: The Fund invests in unregistered or otherwise restricted securities. The term "restricted securities" refers to securities that are unregistered or are held by control persons of the issuer and securities that are subject to contractual restrictions on their resale. As a result, restricted securities may be more difficult to value and the Fund may have difficulty disposing of such assets either in a timely manner or for a reasonable price. In order to dispose of an unregistered security, the Fund, where it has contractual rights to do so, may have to cause such security to be registered. A considerable period may elapse between the time the decision is made to sell the security and the time the security is registered so that the Fund can sell it. Contractual restrictions on the resale of securities vary in length and scope and are generally the

result of a negotiation between the issuer and the acquirer of the securities. The Fund would, in either case, bear market risks during that period. Restricted securities are identified in the Portfolio of Investments.

6.  Indemnifications: The Company enters into contracts that contain a variety of indemnifications. The Company's maximum exposure under these arrangements is unknown. However, the Company has not had prior claims or losses pursuant to these contracts and expects the risk of loss to be remote.

7.  Dividends and Distributions to Shareholders: Dividend income and distributions to shareholders are recorded on the ex-dividend date. Dividends from net investment income, if any, are declared and paid annually. Net realized capital gains, if any, are distributed at least annually.

8.  Security Transactions, Income and Expenses: Security transactions are accounted for on the trade date (date the order to buy or sell is executed). Realized gains and losses on the sale of investment securities are determined on the specific identified cost method. Dividend income and other distributions are recorded on the ex-dividend date (except for certain foreign dividends which may be recorded as soon as the Fund is informed of such dividends) net of applicable withholding taxes. Interest income is recognized on the accrual basis except where collection is in doubt. Discounts are accreted and premiums are amortized over the life of the respective securities. Most expenses of the Company can be directly attributed to a particular Fund. Expenses which cannot be directly attributed are apportioned among the Funds based upon relative net assets or other appropriate methods. Income, expenses (other than class specific expenses — distribution and shareholder services, transfer agency and sub transfer agency fees) and realized and unrealized gains or losses are allocated to each class of shares based upon their relative net assets.

B. Advisory Fees: The Adviser, a wholly-owned subsidiary of Morgan Stanley, provides the Fund with advisory services under the terms of an Investment Advisory Agreement, paid quarterly, at the annual rate based on the daily net assets as follows:

First $750
million
  Next $750
million
  Over $1.5
billion
 
  0.80

%

   

0.75

%

   

0.70

%

 


25



Morgan Stanley Institutional Fund, Inc.

Annual Report — December 31, 2020

Notes to Financial Statements (cont'd)

For the year ended December 31, 2020, the advisory fee rate (net of rebate) was equivalent to an annual effective rate of 0.71% of the Fund's average daily net assets.

The Adviser has agreed to reduce its advisory fee and/or reimburse the Fund so that total annual Fund operating expenses, excluding certain investment related expenses, taxes, interest and other extraordinary expenses (including litigation), will not exceed 1.00% for Class I shares, 1.35% for Class A shares, 1.40% for Class L shares, 2.10% for Class C shares, 0.95% for Class IS shares and 0.95% for Class IR shares. The fee waivers and/or expense reimbursements will continue for at least one year from the date of the Fund's prospectus or until such time as the Directors act to discontinue all or a portion of such waivers and/or reimbursements when they deem such action is appropriate. This arrangement had no effect for the year ended December 31, 2020.

C. Administration Fees: The Adviser also serves as Administrator to the Company and provides administrative services pursuant to an Administration Agreement for an annual fee, accrued daily and paid monthly, of 0.08% of the Fund's average daily net assets.

Under a Sub-Administration Agreement between the Administrator and State Street Bank and Trust Company ("State Street"), State Street provides certain administrative services to the Company. For such services, the Administrator pays State Street a portion of the fee the Administrator receives from the Fund.

D. Distribution and Shareholder Services Fees: Morgan Stanley Distribution, Inc. ("MSDI" or the "Distributor"), a wholly-owned subsidiary of the Adviser and an indirect subsidiary of Morgan Stanley, serves as the Company's Distributor of Fund shares pursuant to a Distribution Agreement. The Company has adopted a Shareholder Services Plan with respect to Class A shares pursuant to Rule 12b-1 under the Act. Under the Shareholder Services Plan, the Fund pays the Distributor a shareholder services fee, accrued daily and paid monthly, at an annual rate of 0.25% of the Fund's average daily net assets attributable to Class A shares.

The Company has adopted a Distribution and Shareholder Services Plan with respect to Class L shares pursuant to Rule 12b-1 under the Act. Under the Distribution and Shareholder Services Plan, the Fund pays the Distributor a distribution fee, accrued daily and paid monthly, at an annual rate of 0.50% and a shareholder services fee, accrued daily and paid

monthly, at an annual rate of 0.25% of the Fund's average daily net assets attributable to Class L shares. The Distributor has agreed to waive for at least one year from the date of the Fund's prospectus or until such time that the Directors act to discontinue all or a portion of such waivers and/or reimbursements when they deem such action is appropriate, the 12b-1 fees on Class L shares of the Fund to the extent it exceeds 0.30% of the average daily net assets of such shares on an annualized basis. For the year ended December 31, 2020, this waiver amounted to approximately $204,000.

The Company has adopted a Distribution and Shareholder Services Plan with respect to Class C shares pursuant to Rule 12b-1 under the Act. Under the Distribution and Shareholder Services Plan, the Fund pays the Distributor a distribution fee, accrued daily and paid monthly, at an annual rate of 0.75% and a shareholder services fee, accrued daily and paid monthly, at an annual rate of 0.25% of the Fund's average daily net assets attributable to Class C shares.

The distribution and shareholder services fees are used to support the expenses associated with servicing and maintaining accounts. The Distributor may compensate other parties for providing shareholder support services to investors who purchase Class A, Class L and Class C shares.

E. Dividend Disbursing and Transfer Agent: The Company's dividend disbursing and transfer agent is DST Asset Manager Solutions, Inc. ("DST"). Pursuant to a Transfer Agency Agreement, the Company pays DST a fee based on the number of classes, accounts and transactions relating to the Funds of the Company.

F. Custodian Fees: State Street (the "Custodian") also serves as Custodian for the Company in accordance with a Custodian Agreement. The Custodian holds cash, securities and other assets of the Company as required by the Act. Custody fees are payable monthly based on assets held in custody, investment purchases and sales activity and account maintenance fees, plus reimbursement for certain out-of-pocket expenses.

G. Security Transactions and Transactions with Affiliates: For the year ended December 31, 2020, purchases and sales of investment securities for the Fund, other than long-term U.S. Government securities and short-term investments were approximately $1,822,624,000 and $1,058,786,000, respectively. There were no purchases and sales of long-term U.S. Government securities for the year ended December 31, 2020.


26



Morgan Stanley Institutional Fund, Inc.

Annual Report — December 31, 2020

Notes to Financial Statements (cont'd)

The Fund invests in the Institutional Class of the Morgan Stanley Institutional Liquidity Funds — Treasury Securities Portfolio (the "Liquidity Funds"), an open-end management investment company managed by the Adviser. Advisory fees paid by the Fund are reduced by an amount equal to its pro-rata share of the advisory and administration fees paid by the Liquidity Funds. For the year ended December 31, 2020, advisory fees paid were reduced by approximately $569,000 relating to the Fund's investment in the Liquidity Funds.

A summary of the Fund's transactions in shares of affiliated investments during the year ended December 31, 2020 is as follows:

Affiliated
Investment
Company
  Value
December 31,
2019
(000)
  Purchases
at Cost
(000)
  Proceeds
from Sales
(000)
  Dividend
Income
(000)
 

Liquidity Funds

 

$

295,110

   

$

1,406,504

   

$

1,172,943

   

$

976

   
Affiliated
Investment
Company (cont'd)
  Realized
Gain (Loss)
(000)
  Change in
Unrealized
Appreciation
(Depreciation)
(000)
  Value
December 31,
2020
(000)
 

Liquidity Funds

 

$

   

$

   

$

528,671

   

The Fund is permitted to purchase and sell securities ("cross-trade") from and to other Morgan Stanley funds as well as other funds and client accounts for which the Adviser or an affiliate of the Adviser serves as investment adviser, pursuant to procedures approved by the Directors in compliance with Rule 17a-7 under the Act (the "Rule"). Each cross-trade is executed at the current market price in compliance with provisions of the Rule. For the year ended December 31, 2020, the Fund did not engage in any cross-trade transactions.

The Fund has an unfunded Deferred Compensation Plan (the "Compensation Plan"), which allows each independent Director to defer payment of all, or a portion, of the fees he or she receives for serving on the Board of Directors. Each eligible Director generally may elect to have the deferred amounts credited with a return equal to the total return on one or more of the Morgan Stanley funds that are offered as investment options under the Compensation Plan. Appreciation/depreciation and distributions received from these investments are recorded with an offsetting increase/decrease in the deferred compensation obligation and do not affect the NAV of the Fund.

H. Federal Income Taxes: It is the Fund's intention to continue to qualify as a regulated investment company and distribute all of its taxable and tax-exempt income. Accordingly,

no provision for federal income taxes is required in the financial statements.

The Fund may be subject to taxes imposed by countries in which it invests. Such taxes are generally based on income and/or capital gains earned or repatriated. Taxes are accrued based on net investment income, net realized gains and net unrealized appreciation as such income and/or gains are earned. Taxes may also be based on transactions in foreign currency and are accrued based on the value of investments denominated in such currency.

FASB ASC 740-10, "Income Taxes — Overall", sets forth a minimum threshold for financial statement recognition of the benefit of a tax position taken or expected to be taken in a tax return. Management has concluded there are no significant uncertain tax positions that would require recognition in the financial statements. If applicable, the Fund recognizes interest accrued related to unrecognized tax benefits in "Interest Expense" and penalties in "Other Expenses" in the Statement of Operations. The Fund files tax returns with the U.S. Internal Revenue Service, New York and various states. Generally, each of the tax years in the four-year period ended December 31, 2020 remains subject to examination by taxing authorities.

The tax character of distributions paid may differ from the character of distributions shown for GAAP purposes due to short-term capital gains being treated as ordinary income for tax purposes. The tax character of distributions paid during fiscal years 2020 and 2019 was as follows:

2020
Distributions
Paid From:
  2019
Distributions
Paid From:
 
Ordinary
Income
(000)
  Long-Term
Capital Gain
(000)
  Ordinary
Income
(000)
  Long-Term
Capital Gain
(000)
 
$

1,952

   

$

80,321

   

$

   

$

   

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 attributable to differing book and tax treatments for the timing of the recognition of gains (losses) on certain investment transactions and the timing of the deductibility of certain expenses.

The Fund had no permanent differences causing reclassifications among the components of net assets for the year ended December 31, 2020.


27



Morgan Stanley Institutional Fund, Inc.

Annual Report — December 31, 2020

Notes to Financial Statements (cont'd)

At December 31, 2020, the components of distributable earnings for the Fund on a tax basis were as follows:

Undistributed
Ordinary
Income
(000)
  Undistributed
Long-Term
Capital Gain
(000)
 
$

43,646

   

$

9,786

   

During the year ended December 31, 2020, the Fund utilized capital loss carryforwards for U.S. federal income tax purposes of approximately $50,341,000.

I. Credit Facility: The Company and other Morgan Stanley funds participated in a $300,000,000 committed, unsecured revolving line of credit facility (the "Facility") with State Street. This Facility is to be used for temporary emergency purposes or funding of shareholder redemption requests. The interest rate on borrowings is based on the federal funds rate or 1 month LIBOR rate plus a spread. The Facility also has a commitment fee of 0.25% per annum based on the unused portion of the Facility. During the year ended December 31, 2020, the Fund did not have any borrowings under the Facility.

J. Other: At December 31, 2020, the Fund had record owners of 10% or greater. Investment activities of these shareholders could have a material impact on the Fund. The aggregate percentage of such owners was 22.2%.

K. Market Risk: Certain impacts to public health conditions particular to the coronavirus (COVID-19) outbreak could impact the operations and financial performance of certain of the Fund's investments. The extent of the impact to the financial performance of the Fund's investments will depend on future developments, including (i) the duration and spread of the outbreak, (ii) the restrictions and advisories, (iii) the effects on the financial markets, and (iv) the effects on the economy overall, all of which are highly uncertain and cannot be predicted. If the financial performance of the Fund's investments is impacted because of these factors for an extended period, the Fund's investment results may be adversely affected.


28



Morgan Stanley Institutional Fund, Inc.

Annual Report — December 31, 2020

Report of Independent Registered Public Accounting Firm

To the Shareholders and Board of Directors of
Morgan Stanley Institutional Fund, Inc. —
Global Opportunity Portfolio

Opinion on the Financial Statements

We have audited the accompanying statement of assets and liabilities of Global Opportunity Portfolio (the "Fund") (one of the funds constituting Morgan Stanley Institutional Fund, Inc. (the "Company")), including the portfolio of investments, as of December 31, 2020, and the related statement of operations for the year then ended, the statements of changes in net assets for each of the two years in the period then ended, the financial highlights for each of the five years in the period then ended and the related notes (collectively referred to as the "financial statements"). In our opinion, the financial statements present fairly, in all material respects, the financial position of Global Opportunity Portfolio (one of the funds constituting Morgan Stanley Institutional Fund, Inc.) at December 31, 2020, the results of its operations for the year then ended, the changes in its net assets for each of the two years in the period then ended and its financial highlights for each of the five years in the period then ended, in conformity with U.S. generally accepted accounting principles.

Basis for Opinion

These financial statements are the responsibility of the Company's management. Our responsibility is to express an opinion on the Fund's financial statements based on our audits. We are a public accounting firm registered with the Public Company Accounting Oversight Board (United States) ("PCAOB") and are required to be independent with respect to the Company in accordance with the U.S. federal securities law and the applicable rules and regulations of the Securities and Exchange Commission and the PCAOB.

We conducted our audits in accordance with the standards of the PCAOB. Those standards require that we plan and perform the audit to obtain reasonable assurance about whether the financial statements are free of material misstatement, whether due to error or fraud. The Company is not required to have, nor were we engaged to perform, an audit of the Company's internal control over financial reporting. As part of our audits, we are required to obtain an understanding of internal control over financial reporting, but not for the purpose of expressing an opinion on the effectiveness of the Company's internal control over financial reporting. Accordingly, we express no such opinion.

Our audits included performing procedures to assess the risks of material misstatement of the financial statements, whether due to error or fraud, and performing procedures that respond to those risks. Such procedures included examining, on a test basis, evidence regarding the amounts and disclosures in the financial statements. Our procedures included confirmation of securities owned as of December 31, 2020 by correspondence with the custodian and others or by other appropriate auditing procedures where replies from others were not received. Our audits also included evaluating the accounting principles used and significant estimates made by management, as well as evaluating the overall presentation of the financial statements. We believe that our audits provide a reasonable basis for our opinion.

We have served as the auditor of one or more Morgan Stanley investment companies since 2000.
Boston, Massachusetts
February 26, 2021


29



Morgan Stanley Institutional Fund, Inc.

Annual Report — December 31, 2020

Liquidity Risk Management Program (unaudited)

In compliance with Rule 22e-4 under the Investment Company Act of 1940, as amended (the "Liquidity Rule"), the Fund has adopted and implemented a liquidity risk management program (the "Program"), which is reasonably designed to assess and manage the risk that the Fund could not meet requests to redeem shares issued by the Fund without significant dilution of remaining investors' interests in the Fund (i.e., liquidity risk). The Fund's Board of Directors (the "Board") previously approved the designation of the Liquidity Risk Subcommittee (the "LRS") as Program administrator. The LRS is comprised of representatives from various divisions within Morgan Stanley Investment Management.

At a meeting held on April 22-23, 2020, the Board reviewed a written report prepared by the LRS that addressed the Program's operation and assessed its adequacy, and effectiveness of implementation for the period from December 1, 2018, through December 31, 2019, as required under the Liquidity Rule. The report concluded that the Program operated effectively and was adequately and effectively implemented in all material aspects, and that the relevant controls and safeguards were appropriately designed to enable the LRS to administer the Program in compliance with the Liquidity Rule.

In accordance with the Program, the LRS assessed each Fund's liquidity risk no less frequently than annually taking into consideration certain factors, as applicable, such as (i) investment strategy and liquidity of portfolio investments, (ii) short-term and long-term cash flow projections and (iii) holdings of cash and cash equivalents and borrowing arrangements and other funding sources. Certain factors are considered under both normal and reasonably foreseeable stressed conditions.

Each Fund portfolio investment is classified into one of four liquidity categories, which classification is assessed at least monthly by the LRS. The classification is based on a determination of the number of days it is reasonably expected to take to convert the investment into cash, or sell or dispose of the investment, in current market conditions without significantly changing the market value of the investment. Liquidity classification determinations take into account various market, trading and investment-specific considerations, as well as market depth, and in some cases utilize third-party vendor data.

The Liquidity Rule limits a fund's investments in illiquid investments to 15% of its net assets and requires funds that do not primarily hold assets that are highly liquid investments to determine and maintain a minimum percentage of the fund's net assets to be invested in highly liquid investments (highly liquid investment minimum or "HLIM"). The LRS believes that the Program includes provisions reasonably designed to review, monitor and comply with the 15% limit on illiquid investments and for determining, periodically reviewing and complying with the HLIM requirement, as applicable.

There can be no assurance that the Program will achieve its objectives under all circumstances in the future. Please refer to the Fund's prospectus for more information regarding the Fund's exposure to liquidity risk and other risks to which it may be subject.


30



Morgan Stanley Institutional Fund, Inc.

Annual Report — December 31, 2020

Federal Tax Notice (unaudited)

For federal income tax purposes, the following information is furnished with respect to the distributions paid by the Fund during its taxable year ended December 31, 2020. For corporate shareholders 6.53% of the dividends qualified for the dividends received deduction.

The Fund designated and paid approximately $80,321,000 as a long-term capital gain distribution.

For federal income tax purposes, the following information is furnished with respect to the Fund's earnings for its taxable year ended December 31, 2020. When distributed, certain earnings may be subject to a maximum tax rate of 15% as provided for by the Jobs and Growth Tax Relief Reconciliation Act of 2003. The Fund designated up to a maximum of approximately $254,000 as taxable at this lower rate.

In January, the Fund provides tax information to shareholders for the preceding calendar year.


31



Morgan Stanley Institutional Fund, Inc.

Annual Report — December 31, 2020

Privacy Notice (unaudited)  April 2019

FACTS

 

WHAT DOES MSIM DO WITH YOUR PERSONAL INFORMATION?

 

Why?

 

Financial companies choose how they share your personal information. Federal law gives consumers the right to limit some but not all sharing. Federal law also requires us to tell you how we collect, share, and protect your personal information. Please read this notice carefully to understand what we do.

 

What?

  The types of personal information we collect and share depend on the product or service you have with us. This information can include:
n Social Security number and income
n investment experience and risk tolerance
n checking account number and wire transfer instructions
 

How?

 

All financial companies need to share customers' personal information to run their everyday business. In the section below, we list the reasons financial companies can share their customers' personal information; the reasons MSIM chooses to share; and whether you can limit this sharing.

 

 

Reasons we can share your personal information

 

Does MSIM share?

 

Can you limit this sharing?

 
For our everyday business purposes —
such as to process your transactions, maintain your account(s), respond to court orders and legal investigations, or report to credit bureaus
 

Yes

 

No

 
For our marketing purposes —
to offer our products and services to you
 

Yes

 

No

 

For joint marketing with other financial companies

 

No

 

We don't share

 
For our affiliates' everyday business purposes —
information about your transactions and experiences
 

Yes

 

No

 
For our affiliates' everyday business purposes —
information about your creditworthiness
 

No

 

We don't share

 

For our affiliates to market to you

 

No

 

We don't share

 

For non-affiliates to market to you

 

No

 

We don't share

 

Questions?  Call toll-free (844) 312-6327 or email: imprivacyinquiries@morganstanley.com


32



Morgan Stanley Institutional Fund, Inc.

Annual Report — December 31, 2020

Privacy Notice (unaudited) (cont'd)  April 2019

Who we are

Who is providing this notice?

 

Morgan Stanley Investment Management, Inc. and its affiliated registered investment advisers, registered broker-dealers, and registered and unregistered funds ("MSIM")

 

What we do

How does MSIM protect my personal information?

 

To protect your personal information from unauthorized access and use, we use security measures that comply with federal law. These measures include computer safeguards and secured files and buildings. We have policies governing the proper handling of customer information by personnel and requiring third parties that provide support to adhere to appropriate security standards with respect to such information.

 

How does MSIM collect my personal information?

  We collect your personal information, for example, when you
n open an account or make deposits or withdrawals from your account
n buy securities from us or make a wire transfer
n give us your contact information
We also collect your personal information from others, such as credit bureaus, affiliates, or other companies.
 

Why can't I limit all sharing?

  Federal law gives you the right to limit only
n sharing for affiliates' everyday business purposes — information about your creditworthiness
n affiliates from using your information to market to you
n sharing for non-affiliates to market to you
State laws and individual companies may give you additional rights to limit sharing. See below for more on your rights under state law.
 

Definitions

Affiliates

  Companies related by common ownership or control. They can be financial and non-financial companies.
n Our affiliates include companies with a Morgan Stanley name and financial companies such as Morgan Stanley Smith Barney LLC and Morgan Stanley & Co.
 

Non-affiliates

  Companies not related by common ownership or control. They can be financial and non-financial companies.
n MSIM does not share with non-affiliates so they can market to you.
 

Joint marketing

  A formal agreement between non-affiliated financial companies that together market financial products or services to you.
n MSIM doesn't jointly market
 


33



Morgan Stanley Institutional Fund, Inc.

Annual Report — December 31, 2020

Privacy Notice (unaudited) (cont'd)  April 2019

Other Important Information

Vermont: Except as permitted by law, we will not share personal information we collect about Vermont residents with Non-affiliates unless you provide us with your written consent to share such information.

California: Except as permitted by law, we will not share personal information we collect about California residents with Non-affiliates and we will limit sharing such personal information with our Affiliates to comply with California privacy laws that apply to us.


34



Morgan Stanley Institutional Fund, Inc.

Annual Report — December 31, 2020

Director and Officer Information (unaudited)

Independent Directors:

Name, Address and Birth
Year of Independent Director
  Position(s)
Held with
Registrant
  Length of Time
Served*
  Principal Occupation(s) During Past 5 Years and Other
Relevant Professional Experience
  Number of
Funds
in Fund Complex
Overseen by
Independent
Director**
  Other Directorships
Held by Independent
Director***
 
Frank L. Bowman
c/o Perkins Coie LLP
Counsel to the Independent Directors
1155 Avenue of the Americas,
22nd Floor
New York, NY 10036
Birth Year: 1944
 

Director

 

Since August 2006

 

President, Strategic Decisions, LLC (consulting) (since February 2009); Director or Trustee of various Morgan Stanley Funds (since August 2006); Chairperson of the Compliance and Insurance Committee (since October 2015); formerly, Chairperson of the Insurance Sub-Committee of the Compliance and Insurance Committee (2007-2015); served as President and Chief Executive Officer of the Nuclear Energy Institute (policy organization) (February 2005-November 2008); retired as Admiral, U.S. Navy after serving over 38 years on active duty including 8 years as Director of the Naval Nuclear Propulsion Program in the Department of the Navy and the U.S. Department of Energy (1996-2004); served as Chief of Naval Personnel (July 1994-September 1996) and on the Joint Staff as Director of Political Military Affairs (June 1992-July 1994); knighted as Honorary Knight Commander of the Most Excellent Order of the British Empire; awarded the Officier de l'Orde National du Mérite by the French Government; elected to the National Academy of Engineering (2009).

 

79

 

Director of Naval and Nuclear Technologies LLP; Director Emeritus of the Armed Services YMCA; Member of the National Security Advisory Council of the Center for U.S. Global Engagement and a member of the CNA Military Advisory Board; Trustee of Fairhaven United Methodist Church; Member of the Board of Advisors of the Dolphin Scholarship Foundation; Director of other various non-profit organizations; formerly, Director of BP plc (November 2010-May 2019).

 
Kathleen A. Dennis
c/o Perkins Coie LLP
Counsel to the Independent Directors
1155 Avenue of the Americas,
22nd Floor
New York, NY 10036
Birth Year: 1953
 

Director

 

Since August 2006

 

Chairperson of the Governance Committee (January 2021), Chairperson of the Liquidity and Alternatives Sub-Committee of the Investment Committee (2006-2020); and Director or Trustee of various Morgan Stanley Funds (since August 2006); President, Cedarwood Associates (mutual fund and investment management consulting) (since July 2006); formerly, Senior Managing Director of Victory Capital Management (1993-2006).

 

79

 

Board Member, University of Albany Foundation (2012-present); Board Member, Mutual Funds Directors Forum (2014-present); Director of various non-profit organizations.

 
Nancy C. Everett
c/o Perkins Coie LLP
Counsel to the Independent Directors
1155 Avenue of the Americas,
22nd Floor
New York, NY 10036
Birth Year: 1955
 

Director

 

Since January 2015

 

Chairperson of the Equity Investment Committee (since January 2021); Director or Trustee of various Morgan Stanley Funds (since January 2015); Chief Executive Officer, Virginia Commonwealth University Investment Company (since November 2015); Owner, OBIR, LLC (institutional investment management consulting) (since June 2014); formerly, Managing Director, BlackRock, Inc. (February 2011-December 2013); and Chief Executive Officer, General Motors Asset Management (a/k/a Promark Global Advisors, Inc.) (June 2005-May 2010).

 

80

 

Formerly, Member of Virginia Commonwealth University School of Business Foundation (2005-2016); Member of Virginia Commonwealth University Board of Visitors (2013-2015); Member of Committee on Directors for Emerging Markets Growth Fund, Inc. (2007-2010); Chairperson of Performance Equity Management, LLC (2006-2010); and Chairperson, GMAM Absolute Return Strategies Fund, LLC (2006-2010).

 


35



Morgan Stanley Institutional Fund, Inc.

Annual Report — December 31, 2020

Director and Officer Information (unaudited) (cont'd)

Independent Directors (cont'd):

Name, Address and Birth
Year of Independent Director
  Position(s)
Held with
Registrant
  Length of Time
Served*
  Principal Occupation(s) During Past 5 Years and Other
Relevant Professional Experience
  Number of
Funds
in Fund Complex
Overseen by
Independent
Director**
  Other Directorships
Held by Independent
Director***
 
Jakki L. Haussler
c/o Perkins Coie LLP
Counsel to the Independent Directors
1155 Avenue of the Americas,
22nd Floor
New York, NY 10036
Birth Year: 1957
 

Director

 

Since January 2015

 

Director or Trustee of various Morgan Stanley Funds (since January 2015) Chairman, Opus Capital Group (1996); formerly, Chief Executive Officer, Opus Capital Group (1996-2019); Director, Capvest Venture Fund, LP (May 2000-December 2011); Partner, Adena Ventures, LP (July 1999-December 2010); Director, The Victory Funds (February 2005-July 2008).

 

80

 

Director of Cincinnati Bell Inc. and Member, Audit Committee and Chairman, Governance and Nominating Committee; Director of Service Corporation International and Member, Audit Committee and Investment Committee; Director of Northern Kentucky University Foundation and Member, Investment Committee; Member of Chase College of Law Transactional Law Practice Center Board of Advisors; Director of Best Transport; Director of Chase College of Law Board of Visitors; formerly, Member, University of Cincinnati Foundation Investment Committee; Member, Miami University Board of Visitors (2008-2011); Trustee of Victory Funds (2005-2008) and Chairman, Investment Committee (2007-2008); and Member, Service Provider Committee (2005-2008).

 
Dr. Manuel H. Johnson
c/o Johnson Smick International, Inc.
220 I Street, NE — Suite 200
Washington, D.C. 20002
Birth Year: 1949
 

Director

 

Since July 1991

 

Senior Partner, Johnson Smick International, Inc. (consulting firm); Chairperson of the Fixed Income, Liquidity and Alternatives Investment Committee (January 2021), Chairperson of the Investment Committee (2006-2020) and Director or Trustee of various Morgan Stanley Funds (since July 1991); Co-Chairman and a founder of the Group of Seven Council (G7C) (international economic commission); formerly, Chairperson of the Audit Committee (July 1991-September 2006), Vice Chairman of the Board of Governors of the Federal Reserve System and Assistant Secretary of the U.S. Treasury.

 

79

 

Director of NVR, Inc. (home construction).

 


36



Morgan Stanley Institutional Fund, Inc.

Annual Report — December 31, 2020

Director and Officer Information (unaudited) (cont'd)

Independent Directors (cont'd):

Name, Address and Birth
Year of Independent Director
  Position(s)
Held with
Registrant
  Length of Time
Served*
  Principal Occupation(s) During Past 5 Years and Other
Relevant Professional Experience
  Number of
Funds
in Fund Complex
Overseen by
Independent
Director**
  Other Directorships
Held by Independent
Director***
 
Joseph J. Kearns
c/o Perkins Coie LLP
Counsel to the Independent Directors
1155 Avenue of the Americas,
22nd Floor
New York, NY 10036
Birth Year: 1942
 

Director

 

Since August 1994

 

Senior Adviser, Kearns & Associates LLC (investment consulting); Chairperson of the Audit Committee (since October 2006) and Director or Trustee of various Morgan Stanley Funds (since August 1994); formerly, Deputy Chairperson of the Audit Committee (July 2003-September 2006) and Chairperson of the Audit Committee of various Morgan Stanley Funds (since August 1994); CFO of the J. Paul Getty Trust (1982-1999).

 

80

 

Director, Rubicon Investment (since February 2019); Prior to August 2016, Director of Electro Rent Corporation (equipment leasing); Prior to December 31, 2013, Director of The Ford Family Foundation.

 
Michael F. Klein
c/o Perkins Coie LLP
Counsel to the Independent Directors
1155 Avenue of the Americas,
22nd Floor
New York, NY 10036
Birth Year: 1958
 

Director

 

Since August 2006

 

Chairperson of the Risk Committee (since January 2021); Managing Director, Aetos Alternatives Management, LP (since March 2000); Co-President, Aetos Alternatives Management, LP (since January 2004) and Co-Chief Executive Officer of Aetos Alternatives Management, LP (since August 2013); Chairperson of the fixed Income Sub-Committee of the Investment committee (2006-2020) and Director or Trustee of various Morgan Stanley Funds (since August 2006); formerly, Managing Director, Morgan Stanley & Co. Inc. and Morgan Stanley Dean Witter Investment Management and President, various Morgan Stanley Funds (June 1998-March 2000); Principal, Morgan Stanley & Co. Inc. and Morgan Stanley Dean Witter Investment Management (August 1997-December 1999).

 

79

 

Director of certain investment funds managed or sponsored by Aetos Alternatives Management, LP; Director of Sanitized AG and Sanitized Marketing AG (specialty chemicals).

 
Patricia Maleski
c/o Perkins Coie LLP
Counsel to the Independent Directors
1155 Avenue of the Americas,
22nd Floor
New York, NY 10036
Birth Year: 1960
 

Director

 

Since January 2017

 

Director or Trustee of various Morgan Stanley Funds (since January 2017); Managing Director, JPMorgan Asset Management (2004-2016); Oversight and Control Head of Fiduciary and Conflicts of Interest Program (2015-2016); Chief Control Officer-Global Asset Management (2013-2015); President, JPMorgan Funds (2010-2013); Chief Administrative Officer (2004-2013); various other positions including Treasurer and Board Liaison (since 2001).

 

80

 

None.

 
W. Allen Reed
c/o Perkins Coie LLP
Counsel to the Independent Directors
1155 Avenue of the Americas,
22nd Floor
New York, NY 10036
Birth Year: 1947
 

Chair of the Board and Director

 

Chair of the Boards since August 2020 and Director since August 2006

 

Chair of the Boards of various Morgan Stanley Funds (since August 2020); Director or Trustee of various Morgan Stanley Funds (since August 2006); formerly, Vice Chair of the Boards of various Morgan Stanley Funds (January 2020-August 2020); President and Chief Executive Officer of General Motors Asset Management; Chairman and Chief Executive Officer of the GM Trust Bank and Corporate Vice President of General Motors Corporation (August 1994-December 2005).

 

79

 

Formerly, Director of Legg Mason, Inc. (2006-2019); and Director of the Auburn University Foundation (2010-2015).

 

*  This is the earliest date the Director began serving the Morgan Stanley Funds. Each Director serves an indefinite term, until his or her successor is elected.

**  The Fund Complex includes (as of December 31, 2020) all open-end and closed-end funds (including all of their portfolios) advised by Morgan Stanley Investment Management Inc. (the "Adviser") and any funds that have an adviser that is an affiliated person of the Adviser (including, but not limited to, Morgan Stanley AIP GP LP).

***  This includes any directorships at public companies and registered investment companies held by the Director at any time during the past five years.


37



Morgan Stanley Institutional Fund, Inc.

Annual Report — December 31, 2020

Director and Officer Information (unaudited) (cont'd)

Executive Officers:

Name, Address and
Birth Year of Executive Officer
  Position(s) Held
with
Registrant
  Length of
Time Served*
 

Principal Occupation(s) During Past 5 Years

 
John H. Gernon
522 Fifth Avenue
New York, NY 10036
Birth Year: 1963
 

President and Principal Executive Officer

 

Since September 2013

 

President and Principal Executive Officer of the Equity and Fixed Income Funds and the Morgan Stanley AIP Funds (since September 2013) and the Liquidity Funds and various money market funds (since May 2014) in the Fund Complex; Managing Director of the Adviser; Head of Public Markets Product Development (since 2006).

 
Timothy J. Knierim
1633 Broadway
New York, NY 10019
Birth Year: 1959
 

Chief Compliance Officer

 

Since December 2016

 

Managing Director of the Adviser and various entities affiliated with the Adviser; Chief Compliance Officer of various Morgan Stanley Funds and the Adviser (since December 2016) and Chief Compliance Officer of Morgan Stanley AIP GP LP (since 2014). Formerly, Managing Director and Deputy Chief Compliance Officer of the Adviser (2014-2016).

 
Francis J. Smith
522 Fifth Avenue
New York, NY 10036
Birth Year: 1965
 

Treasurer and Principal Financial Officer

 

Treasurer since July 2003 and Principal Financial Officer since September 2002

 

Managing Director of the Adviser and various entities affiliated with the Adviser; Treasurer (since July 2003) and Principal Financial Officer of various Morgan Stanley Funds (since September 2002).

 
Mary E. Mullin
1633 Broadway
New York, NY 10019
Birth Year: 1967
 

Secretary

 

Since June 1999

 

Managing Director of the Adviser; Secretary of various Morgan Stanley Funds (since June 1999).

 
Michael J. Key
522 Fifth Avenue
New York, NY 10036
Birth Year: 1979
 

Vice President

 

Since June 2017

 

Vice President of the Equity and Fixed Income Funds, Liquidity Funds, various money market funds and the Morgan Stanley AIP Funds in the Fund Complex (since June 2017); Executive Director of the Adviser; Head of Product Development for Equity and Fixed Income Funds (since August 2013).

 

*  This is the earliest date the officer began serving the Morgan Stanley Funds. Each officer serves a one-year term, until his or her successor is elected and qualifies.


38



Morgan Stanley Institutional Fund, Inc.

Annual Report — December 31, 2020

Adviser and Administrator

Morgan Stanley Investment Management Inc.
522 Fifth Avenue
New York, New York 10036

Distributor

Morgan Stanley Distribution, Inc.
522 Fifth Avenue
New York, New York 10036

Dividend Disbursing and Transfer Agent

DST Asset Manager Solutions, Inc.
2000 Crown Colony Drive
Quincy, Massachusetts 02169

Custodian

State Street Bank and Trust Company
One Lincoln Street
Boston, Massachusetts 02111

Legal Counsel

Dechert LLP
1095 Avenue of the Americas
New York, New York 10036

Counsel to the Independent Directors

Perkins Coie LLP
1155 Avenue of the Americas,
22nd Floor
New York, New York 10036

Independent Registered Public Accounting Firm

Ernst & Young LLP
200 Clarendon Street
Boston, Massachusetts 02116

Reporting to Shareholders

Each Morgan Stanley fund provides a complete schedule of portfolio holdings in its Semi-Annual and the Annual Reports within 60 days of the end of the fund's second and fourth fiscal quarters. The Semi-Annual and Annual Reports are filed electronically with the Securities and Exchange Commission ("SEC") on Form N-CSRS and Form N-CSR, respectively. Morgan Stanley also delivers the Semi-Annual and Annual Reports to fund shareholders and makes these reports available on its public website, www.morganstanley.com/im/shareholderreports. Each Morgan Stanley non-money market fund also files a complete schedule of portfolio holdings with the SEC for the fund's first and third fiscal quarters as an attachment to Form N-PORT. Morgan Stanley does not deliver the reports for the first and third fiscal quarters to shareholders, but makes the complete schedule of portfolio holdings for the fund's first and third fiscal quarters available on its public website. The holdings for each money market fund are also posted to the Morgan Stanley public website. You may obtain the Form N-PORT filings (as well as the Form N-CSR and N-CSRS filings) by accessing the SEC's website, www.sec.gov. You can also request copies of these materials, upon payment of a duplicating fee, by electronic request at the SEC's email address (publicinfo@sec.gov).

Proxy Voting Policies and Procedures and Proxy Voting Record

You may obtain a copy of the Company's Proxy Voting Policy and Procedures and information regarding how the Company voted proxies relating to portfolio securities during the most recent twelve-month period ended June 30, without charge, upon request, by calling toll free 1 (800) 548-7786 or by visiting our website at www.morganstanley.com/im/shareholderreports. This information is also available on the SEC's website at www.sec.gov.

This report is authorized for distribution only when preceded or accompanied by a prospectus or summary prospectus of the applicable fund of Morgan Stanley Institutional Fund, Inc., which describes in detail the fund's investment policies, risks, fees and expenses. Please read the prospectus carefully before you invest or send money. For additional information, including information regarding the investments comprising the Fund, please visit our website at www.morganstanley.com/im/shareholderreports or call toll free 1 (800) 548-7786.


39



Printed in U.S.A.
This Report has been prepared for shareholders and may be distributed to others only if preceded or accompanied by a current prospectus.

Morgan Stanley Investment Management Inc.
522 Fifth Avenue
New York, New York 10036

© 2021 Morgan Stanley. Morgan Stanley Distribution, Inc.

IFIGOANN
3386883 EXP 02.28.22



INVESTMENT MANAGEMENT

Morgan Stanley Institutional Fund, Inc.

Global Permanence Portfolio

Annual Report

December 31, 2020



Morgan Stanley Institutional Fund, Inc.

Annual Report — December 31, 2020

Table of Contents

Shareholders' Letter

   

2

   

Expense Example

   

3

   

Investment Overview

   

4

   

Portfolio of Investments

   

6

   

Statement of Assets and Liabilities

   

8

   

Statement of Operations

   

9

   

Statements of Changes in Net Assets

   

10

   

Financial Highlights

   

11

   

Notes to Financial Statements

   

15

   

Report of Independent Registered Public Accounting Firm

   

23

   

Liquidity Risk Management Program

   

24

   

Privacy Notice

   

25

   

Director and Officer Information

   

28

   

This report is authorized for distribution only when preceded or accompanied by a prospectus or summary prospectus of the applicable Fund of Morgan Stanley Institutional Fund, Inc. To receive a prospectus and/or statement of additional information ("SAI"), which contains more complete information such as investment objectives, charges, expenses, policies for voting proxies, risk considerations and describes in detail each of the Fund's investment policies to the prospective investor, please call toll free 1 (800) 548-7786. Please read the prospectuses carefully before you invest or send money.

Additionally, you can access information about the Fund, including performance, characteristics and investment team commentary, through Morgan Stanley Investment Management's website: www.morganstanley.com/im/shareholderreports.

Market forecasts provided in this report may not necessarily come to pass. There is no guarantee that any sectors mentioned will continue to perform as discussed herein or that securities in such sectors will be held by the Fund in the future. There is no assurance that a fund will achieve its investment objective. Funds are subject to market risk, which is the possibility that market values of securities owned by the Fund will decline and, therefore, the value of the Fund's shares may be less than what you paid for them. Accordingly, you can lose money investing in this Fund. Please see the prospectus for more complete information on investment risks.


1



Morgan Stanley Institutional Fund, Inc.

Annual Report — December 31, 2020

Shareholders' Letter (unaudited)

Dear Shareholders,

We are pleased to provide this Annual Report, in which you will learn how your investment in Global Permanence Portfolio (the "Fund") performed during the latest twelve-month period.

Morgan Stanley Investment Management is a client-centric, investor-led organization. Our global presence, intellectual capital, and breadth of products and services enable us to partner with investors to meet the evolving challenges of today's financial markets. We aim to deliver superior investment service and to empower our clients to make the informed decisions that help them reach their investment goals.

As always, we thank you for selecting Morgan Stanley Investment Management, and look forward to working with you in the months and years ahead.

Sincerely,

John H. Gernon
President and Principal Executive Officer

January 2021


2



Morgan Stanley Institutional Fund, Inc.

Annual Report — December 31, 2020

Expense Example (unaudited)

Global Permanence Portfolio

As a shareholder of the Fund, you incur two types of costs: (1) transactional costs; and (2) ongoing costs, which may include advisory fees, administration fees, distribution and shareholder services fees and other Fund expenses. This example is intended to help you understand your ongoing costs (in dollars) of investing in the Fund and to compare these costs with the ongoing costs of investing in other mutual funds.

This example is based on an investment of $1,000 invested at the beginning of the six-month period ended December 31, 2020 and held for the entire six-month period.

Actual Expenses

The table below provides information about actual account values and actual expenses. You may use the information in this table, 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 table under the heading entitled "Actual Expenses Paid During Period" to estimate the expenses you paid on your account during this period.

Hypothetical Example for Comparison Purposes

The table below provides information about hypothetical account values and hypothetical expenses based on the Fund's actual expense ratio and an assumed rate of return of 5% per year before expenses, which is not the Fund's actual return. The hypothetical account values and expenses may not be used to estimate the actual ending account balance or expenses you paid for the period. You may use this information to compare the ongoing costs of investing in the Fund and other funds. To do so, compare this 5% hypothetical example with the 5% hypothetical examples that appear in the shareholder reports of the other funds.

Please note that the expenses shown in the table are meant to highlight your ongoing costs only and do not reflect any transactional costs, such as sales charges (loads). Therefore, the information for each class in the table is useful in comparing ongoing costs only, and will not help you determine the relative total costs of owning different funds. In addition, if these transactional costs were included, your costs would have been higher.

    Beginning
Account
Value
7/1/20
  Actual Ending
Account
Value
12/31/20
  Hypothetical
Ending Account
Value
  Actual
Expenses
Paid
During
Period*
  Hypothetical
Expenses Paid
During Period*
  Net
Expense
Ratio
During
Period**
 

Global Permanence Portfolio Class I

 

$

1,000.00

   

$

1,215.70

   

$

1,020.11

   

$

5.57

   

$

5.08

     

1.00

%

 

Global Permanence Portfolio Class A

   

1,000.00

     

1,214.20

     

1,018.35

     

7.51

     

6.85

     

1.35

   

Global Permanence Portfolio Class C

   

1,000.00

     

1,209.00

     

1,014.58

     

11.66

     

10.63

     

2.10

   

Global Permanence Portfolio Class IS

   

1,000.00

     

1,217.10

     

1,020.36

     

5.29

     

4.82

     

0.95

   

*  Expenses are calculated using each Fund Class' annualized net expense ratio (as disclosed), multiplied by the average account value over the period and multiplied by 184/366 (to reflect the most recent one-half year period).

**  Annualized.


3



Morgan Stanley Institutional Fund, Inc.

Annual Report — December 31, 2020

Investment Overview (unaudited)

Global Permanence Portfolio

The Fund seeks long-term capital appreciation.

Performance

For the fiscal year ended December 31, 2020, the Fund's Class I shares had a total return based on net asset value and reinvestment of distributions per share of 27.06%, net of fees. The Fund's Class I shares outperformed the Fund's benchmark, the MSCI All Country World Net Index (the "Index"), which returned 16.25%.

Please keep in mind that high double-digit returns are highly unusual and cannot be sustained. Investors should also be aware that these returns were primarily achieved during favorable market conditions.

Factors Affecting Performance

•  Global equities, as measured by the Index, rose 16.25% in the year, bouncing back strongly in a year of significant volatility caused by the COVID-19 pandemic. With lockdowns and disruptions to economic activity driving much of the world economy into a deep recession, governments and central banks responded with massive fiscal and monetary stimulus. These measures helped soothe the markets, kept liquidity flowing and supported a faster-than-expected rebound in economic activity. Toward year end, positive vaccine news added to the hope that economies could normalize in 2021, while the election of U.S. President Joe Biden and the Brexit trade deal reduced other sources of market uncertainty that were prevalent in 2020.

•  Index performance was led by the information technology, consumer discretionary and communication services sectors. Energy, real estate and financials, each with negative performance for the year, were the Index's weakest performing sectors.

•  Counterpoint Global seeks high quality companies, which we define primarily as those with sustainable competitive advantages. We manage concentrated portfolios that are highly differentiated from the benchmark, with securities weighted on our assessment of the quality of the company and our conviction. The value added or detracted in any period of time will result from stock selection, given our philosophy and process. For the year, the Fund outperformed the Index.

•  The long-term investment horizon and conviction-weighted investment approach embraced by the team since 1998 can result in periods of performance deviation from the benchmark and peers. The Fund outperformed the Index in this reporting period due to favorable stock selection, which more than compensated for a marginal loss from sector allocations.

•  Stock selection in health care was the largest contributor to relative performance. A provider of cloud-based software solutions to the life sciences industry was the top contributor within the sector and across the whole portfolio. Fundamentals remained strong, driven by strong performance and increasing customer adoption of its solutions across both of its platforms. However, an overweight to the health care sector overall was a small detractor from relative performance.

•  Stock selection in financials, industrials, real estate, consumer staples and energy also contributed relative gains.

•  The largest detractor from relative performance was the information technology sector. Both our stock selection and an underweight allocation in information technology were disadvantageous, as the Fund's smaller exposures to certain names within the sector and to the sector overall lagged the sector's strong performance within the Index in the period.

•  Stock selection in consumer discretionary hurt performance but some of the loss was offset by a beneficial overweight in the sector. An overweight in industrials also hampered relative returns, but the relative gains from our stock selection in the sector more than made up for it. The communication services sector was a small detractor from relative performance due to unfavorable stock selection and an underweight allocation.

Management Strategies

•  We invest primarily in equity securities of established companies located throughout the world with capitalizations within the range of companies included in the Index. We seek to invest in companies with strong name recognition, sustainable competitive advantages, rising returns on invested capital, strong free cash flow generation and attractive risk/reward. We focus on long-term


4



Morgan Stanley Institutional Fund, Inc.

Annual Report — December 31, 2020

Investment Overview (unaudited) (cont'd)

Global Permanence Portfolio

growth rather than short-term events, with our stock selection informed by rigorous fundamental analysis.

*  Minimum Investment for Class I shares

**  Commenced Operations on April 30, 2019.

In accordance with SEC regulations, the Fund's performance shown assumes that all recurring fees (including management fees) were deducted and all dividends and distributions were reinvested. The performance of Class A, C and IS shares will vary from the performance of Class I shares and will be negatively impacted by additional fees assessed to those classes (if applicable).

Performance Compared to the MSCI All Country World Net Index(1) and the Lipper Global Multi-Cap Core Funds Index(2)

    Period Ended December 31, 2020
Total Returns(3)
 
       

Average Annual

 
    One
Year
  Five
Years
  Ten
Years
  Since
Inception(5)
 
Fund — Class I Shares
w/o sales charges(4)
   

27.06

%

   

     

     

19.70

%

 
Fund — Class A Shares
w/o sales charges(4)
   

26.57

     

     

     

19.30

   
Fund — Class A Shares with
maximum 5.25% sales charges(4)
   

19.91

     

     

     

15.54

   
Fund — Class C Shares
w/o sales charges(4)
   

25.60

     

     

     

18.41

   
Fund — Class C Shares with
maximum 1.00% deferred
sales charges(4)
   

24.60

     

     

     

18.41

   
Fund — Class IS Shares w/o
sales charges(4)
   

27.09

     

     

     

19.79

   

MSCI All Country World Net Index

   

16.25

     

     

     

15.35

   
Lipper Global Multi-Cap
Core Funds Index
   

15.25

     

     

     

13.97

   

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. Performance assumes that all dividends and distributions, if any, were reinvested. For the most recent month-end performance figures, please visit www.morganstanley.com/im/shareholderreports. Investment return and principal value will fluctuate so that Fund shares, when redeemed, may be worth more or less than their original cost. Total returns do not reflect the deduction of taxes that a shareholder would pay on Fund distributions or the redemption of Fund shares. Performance of share classes will vary due to difference in sales charges and expenses.

(1)  The MSCI All Country World Net Index is a free float-adjusted market capitalization weighted index designed to measure the equity market performance of developed and emerging markets. 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. Net total return indices reinvest dividends after the deduction of withholding taxes, using (for international indices) a tax rate applicable to non-resident institutional investors who do not benefit from double taxation treaties. The Index is unmanaged and its returns do not include any sales charges or fees. Such costs would lower performance. It is not possible to invest directly in an index.

(2)  The Lipper Global Multi-Cap Core Funds Index is an equally weighted performance index of the largest qualifying funds (based on net assets) in the Lipper Global Multi-Cap Core Funds classification. The Index, which is adjusted for capital gains distributions and income dividends, is unmanaged and should not be considered an investment. There are currently 30 funds represented in this Index. As of the date of this report, the Fund was in the Lipper Global Multi-Cap Core Funds classification.

(3)  Total returns for the Fund reflect fees waived and expenses reimbursed, if applicable, by the Adviser (as defined herein). Without such waivers and reimbursements, total returns would have been lower.

(4)  Commenced operations on April 30, 2019.

(5)  For comparative purposes, average annual since inception returns listed for the Indexes refer to the inception date of the Fund, not the inception of the Index.


5



Morgan Stanley Institutional Fund, Inc.

Annual Report — December 31, 2020

Portfolio of Investments

Global Permanence Portfolio

   

Shares

  Value
(000)
 

Common Stocks (95.3%)

 

Canada (11.0%)

 

Canadian National Railway Co.

   

434

   

$

48

   

Constellation Software, Inc.

   

118

     

153

   

FirstService Corp.

   

1,147

     

157

   

Topicus.com, Inc. (a)

   

219

     

1

   
     

359

   

Denmark (1.5%)

 

Chr Hansen Holding A/S (a)

   

463

     

48

   

France (15.8%)

 

Christian Dior SE

   

239

     

133

   

EssilorLuxottica SA

   

219

     

34

   

Getlink SE (a)

   

4,512

     

78

   

Hermes International

   

142

     

153

   

L'Oreal SA (BSRM)

   

138

     

52

   

Remy Cointreau SA

   

333

     

62

   
     

512

   

India (3.5%)

 

HDFC Bank Ltd. ADR (a)

   

1,584

     

114

   

Italy (1.0%)

 

Brunello Cucinelli SpA (a)

   

714

     

31

   

Mexico (2.4%)

 
Grupo Aeroportuario del Sureste SAB de CV,
Class B (a)
   

4,815

     

80

   

Netherlands (1.6%)

 

JDE Peet's N.V. (a)

   

1,120

     

51

   

Spain (2.4%)

 

Aena SME SA (a)

   

452

     

79

   

United Kingdom (3.4%)

 

Abcam PLC

   

2,342

     

49

   

Intertek Group PLC

   

403

     

31

   

Rentokil Initial PLC (a)

   

4,106

     

29

   
     

109

   

United States (52.7%)

 

Amazon.com, Inc. (a)

   

34

     

111

   

Appfolio, Inc., Class A (a)

   

436

     

78

   
ASML Holding NV    

326

     

159

   

Ball Corp.

   

319

     

30

   

Costco Wholesale Corp.

   

302

     

114

   

Ecolab, Inc.

   

478

     

103

   

HEICO Corp., Class A

   

944

     

111

   

Intercontinental Exchange, Inc.

   

661

     

76

   

Intuitive Surgical, Inc. (a)

   

137

     

112

   

Linde PLC

   

123

     

32

   

Martin Marietta Materials, Inc.

   

264

     

75

   

Roper Technologies, Inc.

   

78

     

34

   

Royal Gold, Inc.

   

238

     

25

   

Royalty Pharma PLC, Class A

   

3,386

     

169

   

S&P Global, Inc.

   

248

     

82

   

Sherwin-Williams Co. (The)

   

43

     

32

   

Texas Pacific Land Trust

   

94

     

68

   

Tyler Technologies, Inc. (a)

   

69

     

30

   
   

Shares

  Value
(000)
 

Veeva Systems, Inc., Class A (a)

   

417

   

$

114

   

Walt Disney Co. (The) (a)

   

635

     

115

   

Waste Connections, Inc.

   

426

     

44

   
     

1,714

   

Total Common Stocks (Cost $2,384)

   

3,097

   

Short-Term Investment (1.9%)

 

Investment Company (1.9%)

 
Morgan Stanley Institutional Liquidity
Funds — Treasury Securities Portfolio —
Institutional Class (See Note G)
(Cost $62)
   

61,819

     

62

   
Total Investments Excluding Purchased
Options (97.2%) (Cost $2,446)
       

3,159

   
Total Purchased Options
Outstanding (0.1%) (Cost $13)
   

2

   
Total Investments (97.3%)
(Cost $2,459) (b)(c)
   

3,161

   

Other Assets in Excess of Liabilities (2.7%)

   

87

   

Net Assets (100.0%)

 

$

3,248

   

Country assignments and aggregations are based generally on third party vendor classifications and information, and may be different from the assignments and aggregations under the policies set forth in the Fund's prospectus and/or statement of additional information relating to geographic classifications.

(a)  Non-income producing security.

(b)  The approximate fair value and percentage of net assets, $831,000 and 25.6%, respectively, represent the securities that have been fair valued under the fair valuation policy for international investments as described in Note A-1 within the Notes to the Financial Statements.

(c)  At December 31, 2020, the aggregate cost for federal income tax purposes is approximately $2,538,000. The aggregate gross unrealized appreciation is approximately $718,000 and the aggregate gross unrealized depreciation is approximately $95,000, resulting in net unrealized appreciation of approximately $623,000.

ADR  American Depositary Receipt.

The accompanying notes are an integral part of the financial statements.
6



Morgan Stanley Institutional Fund, Inc.

Annual Report — December 31, 2020

Portfolio of Investments (cont'd)

Global Permanence Portfolio

Call Options Purchased:

The Fund had the following call options purchased open at December 31, 2020:

Counterparty

 

Description

  Strike
Price
  Expiration
Date
  Number of
Contracts
  Notional
Amount
(000)
  Value
(000)
  Premiums
Paid
(000)
  Unrealized
Depreciation
(000)
 

Royal Bank of Scotland

  CNH/USD  

$

8.48

   

May-21

   

402,840

     

403

   

$

@

 

$

2

   

$

(2

)

 

BNP Paribas

  USD/CNH  

CNH

7.99

   

Sep-21

   

472,545

     

473

     

@

   

2

     

(2

)

 

BNP Paribas

  USD/CNH  

CNH

7.64

   

Nov-21

   

556,269

     

556

     

2

     

3

     

(1

)

 

Royal Bank of Scotland

  USD/CNH  

CNH

7.75

   

Jan-21

   

584,065

     

584

     

@

   

3

     

(3

)

 

Royal Bank of Scotland

  USD/CNH  

CNH

8.06

   

Jul-21

   

534,767

     

535

     

@

   

3

     

(3

)

 
                       

$

2

   

$

13

   

$

(11

)

 

@    Value is less than $500.

CNH  —  Chinese Yuan Renminbi Offshore

USD  —  United States Dollar

Portfolio Composition

Classification

  Percentage of
Total Investments
 

Other*

   

45.9

%

 

Textiles, Apparel & Luxury Goods

   

11.1

   

Software

   

8.3

   

Transportation Infrastructure

   

7.5

   

Chemicals

   

6.8

   

Pharmaceuticals

   

5.4

   

Semiconductors & Semiconductor Equipment

   

5.0

   

Capital Markets

   

5.0

   

Real Estate Management & Development

   

5.0

   

Total Investments

   

100.0

%

 

*  Industries and/or investment types representing less than 5% of total investments.

The accompanying notes are an integral part of the financial statements.
7



Morgan Stanley Institutional Fund, Inc.

Annual Report — December 31, 2020

Global Permanence Portfolio

Statement of Assets and Liabilities

  December 31, 2020
(000)
 

Assets:

 

Investments in Securities of Unaffiliated Issuers, at Value (Cost $2,397)

 

$

3,099

   

Investment in Security of Affiliated Issuer, at Value (Cost $62)

   

62

   

Total Investments in Securities, at Value (Cost $2,459)

   

3,161

   

Foreign Currency, at Value (Cost $3)

   

3

   

Receivable for Investments Sold

   

69

   

Due from Adviser

   

58

   

Dividends Receivable

   

@

 

Tax Reclaim Receivable

   

@

 

Receivable from Affiliate

   

@

 

Other Assets

   

21

   

Total Assets

   

3,312

   

Liabilities:

 

Payable for Investments Purchased

   

36

   

Payable for Professional Fees

   

17

   

Payable for Custodian Fees

   

3

   

Payable for Transfer Agency Fees — Class I

   

1

   

Payable for Transfer Agency Fees — Class A

   

@

 

Payable for Transfer Agency Fees — Class C

   

@

 

Payable for Transfer Agency Fees — Class IS

   

@

 

Payable for Shareholder Services Fees — Class A

   

@

 

Payable for Distribution and Shareholder Services Fees — Class C

   

@

 

Payable for Administration Fees

   

@

 

Other Liabilities

   

7

   

Total Liabilities

   

64

   

Net Assets

 

$

3,248

   

Net Assets Consist of:

 

Paid-in-Capital

 

$

2,434

   

Total Distributable Earnings

   

814

   

Net Assets

 

$

3,248

   

CLASS I:

 

Net Assets

 

$

3,202

   
Shares Outstanding $0.001 par value shares of beneficial interest (unlimited shares authorized) (not in 000's)    

238,684

   

Net Asset Value, Offering and Redemption Price Per Share

 

$

13.41

   

CLASS A:

 

Net Assets

 

$

19

   
Shares Outstanding $0.001 par value shares of beneficial interest (unlimited shares authorized) (not in 000's)    

1,451

   

Net Asset Value, Redemption Price Per Share

 

$

13.37

   

Maximum Sales Load

   

5.25

%

 

Maximum Sales Charge

 

$

0.74

   

Maximum Offering Price Per Share

 

$

14.11

   

CLASS C:

 

Net Assets

 

$

13

   
Shares Outstanding $0.001 par value shares of beneficial interest (unlimited shares authorized) (not in 000's)    

1,002

   

Net Asset Value, Offering and Redemption Price Per Share

 

$

13.24

   

CLASS IS:

 

Net Assets

 

$

14

   
Shares Outstanding $0.001 par value shares of beneficial interest (unlimited shares authorized) (not in 000's)    

1,008

   

Net Asset Value, Offering and Redemption Price Per Share

 

$

13.42

   

@  Amount is less than $500.

The accompanying notes are an integral part of the financial statements.
8



Morgan Stanley Institutional Fund, Inc.

Annual Report — December 31, 2020

Global Permanence Portfolio

Statement of Operations

  Year Ended
December 31, 2020
(000)
 

Investment Income:

 

Dividends from Securities of Unaffiliated Issuers (Net of $1 of Foreign Taxes Withheld)

 

$

18

   

Dividends from Security of Affiliated Issuer (Note G)

   

@

 

Total Investment Income

   

18

   

Expenses:

 

Professional Fees

   

113

   

Registration Fees

   

40

   

Advisory Fees (Note B)

   

21

   

Shareholder Reporting Fees

   

12

   

Custodian Fees (Note F)

   

10

   

Transfer Agency Fees — Class I (Note E)

   

3

   

Transfer Agency Fees — Class A (Note E)

   

2

   

Transfer Agency Fees — Class C (Note E)

   

2

   

Transfer Agency Fees — Class IS (Note E)

   

2

   

Directors' Fees and Expenses

   

3

   

Pricing Fees

   

3

   

Administration Fees (Note C)

   

2

   

Offering Costs

   

2

   

Shareholder Services Fees — Class A (Note D)

   

@

 

Distribution and Shareholder Services Fees — Class C (Note D)

   

@

 

Sub Transfer Agency Fees — Class A

   

@

 

Other Expenses

   

20

   

Total Expenses

   

235

   

Expenses Reimbursed by Adviser (Note B)

   

(181

)

 

Waiver of Advisory Fees (Note B)

   

(21

)

 

Reimbursement of Class Specific Expenses — Class I (Note B)

   

(1

)

 

Reimbursement of Class Specific Expenses — Class A (Note B)

   

(2

)

 

Reimbursement of Class Specific Expenses — Class C (Note B)

   

(2

)

 

Reimbursement of Class Specific Expenses — Class IS (Note B)

   

(2

)

 

Rebate from Morgan Stanley Affiliate (Note G)

   

(—

@)

 

Net Expenses

   

26

   

Net Investment Loss

   

(8

)

 

Realized Gain:

 

Investments Sold

   

130

   

Foreign Currency Translation

   

@

 

Net Realized Gain

   

130

   

Change in Unrealized Appreciation (Depreciation):

 

Investments

   

576

   

Foreign Currency Translation

   

(—

@)

 

Net Change in Unrealized Appreciation (Depreciation)

   

576

   

Net Realized Gain and Change in Unrealized Appreciation (Depreciation)

   

706

   

Net Increase in Net Assets Resulting from Operations

 

$

698

   

@  Amount is less than $500.

The accompanying notes are an integral part of the financial statements.
9



Morgan Stanley Institutional Fund, Inc.

Annual Report — December 31, 2020

Global Permanence Portfolio

Statements of Changes in Net Assets

  Year Ended
December 31, 2020
(000)
  Period from
April 30, 2019^ to
December 31, 2019
(000)
 

Increase (Decrease) in Net Assets:

 

Operations:

 

Net Investment Income (Loss)

 

$

(8

)

 

$

8

   

Net Realized Gain

   

130

     

3

   

Net Change in Unrealized Appreciation (Depreciation)

   

576

     

126

   

Net Increase in Net Assets Resulting from Operations

   

698

     

137

   

Dividends and Distributions to Shareholders:

 

Class I

   

(22

)

   

   

Class A

   

(—

@)

   

   

Class C

   

(—

@)

   

   

Class IS

   

(—

@)

   

   

Total Dividends and Distributions to Shareholders

   

(22

)

   

   

Capital Share Transactions:(1)

 

Class I:

 

Subscribed

   

43

     

2,337

   

Distributions Reinvested

   

19

     

   

Class A:

 

Subscribed

   

6

     

11

   

Distributions Reinvested

   

@

   

   

Redeemed

   

(—

@)

   

(1

)

 

Class C:

 

Subscribed

   

     

10

   

Distributions Reinvested

   

@

   

   

Class IS:

 

Subscribed

   

     

10

   

Distributions Reinvested

   

@

   

   

Net Increase in Net Assets Resulting from Capital Share Transactions

   

68

     

2,367

   

Total Increase in Net Assets

   

744

     

2,504

   

Net Assets:

 

Beginning of Period

   

2,504

     

   

End of Period

 

$

3,248

   

$

2,504

   

(1)   Capital Share Transactions:

 

Class I:

 

Shares Subscribed

   

5

     

232

   

Shares Issued on Distributions Reinvested

   

1

     

   

Net Increase in Class I Shares Outstanding

   

6

     

232

   

Class A:

 

Shares Subscribed

   

@@

   

1

   

Shares Issued on Distributions Reinvested

   

@@

   

   

Shares Redeemed

   

(—

@@)

   

(—

@@)

 

Net Increase in Class A Shares Outstanding

   

@@

   

1

   

Class C:

 

Shares Subscribed

   

     

1

   

Shares Issued on Distributions Reinvested

   

@@

   

   

Net Increase in Class C Shares Outstanding

   

@@

   

1

   

Class IS:

 

Shares Subscribed

   

     

1

   

Shares Issued on Distributions Reinvested

   

@@

   

   

Net Increase in Class IS Shares Outstanding

   

@@

   

1

   

^  Commencement of Operations.

@  Amount is less than $500.

@@  Amount is less than 500 shares.

The accompanying notes are an integral part of the financial statements.
10



Morgan Stanley Institutional Fund, Inc.

Annual Report — December 31, 2020

Financial Highlights

Global Permanence Portfolio

   

Class I

 

Selected Per Share Data and Ratios

  Year Ended
December 31, 2020
  Period from
April 30, 2019(1) to
December 31, 2019
 

Net Asset Value, Beginning of Period

 

$

10.63

   

$

10.00

   

Income (Loss) from Investment Operations:

 

Net Investment Income (Loss)(2)

   

(0.03

)

   

0.04

   

Net Realized and Unrealized Gain

   

2.90

     

0.59

   

Total from Investment Operations

   

2.87

     

0.63

   

Distributions from and/or in Excess of:

 

Net Investment Income

   

(0.07

)

   

   

Net Realized Gain

   

(0.02

)

   

   

Total Distributions

   

(0.09

)

   

   

Net Asset Value, End of Period

 

$

13.41

   

$

10.63

   

Total Return(3)

   

27.06

%

   

6.30

%(6)

 

Ratios to Average Net Assets and Supplemental Data:

 

Net Assets, End of Period (Thousands)

 

$

3,202

   

$

2,471

   

Ratio of Expenses Before Expense Limitation

   

8.62

%

   

12.79

%(7)

 

Ratio of Expenses After Expense Limitation

   

1.00

%(4)

   

0.99

%(4)(7)

 

Ratio of Net Investment Income (Loss)

   

(0.30

)%(4)

   

0.53

%(4)(7)

 

Ratio of Rebate from Morgan Stanley Affiliates

   

0.00

%(5)

   

0.01

%(7)

 

Portfolio Turnover Rate

   

113

%

   

35

%(6)

 

(1)  Commencement of Operations.

(2)  Per share amount is based on average shares outstanding.

(3)  Calculated based on the net asset value as of the last business day of the period.

(4)  The Ratio of Expenses After Expense Limitation and Ratio of Net Investment Income (Loss) reflect the rebate of certain Fund expenses in connection with the investments in Morgan Stanley affiliates during the period. The effect of the rebate on the ratios is disclosed in the above table as "Ratio of Rebate from MorganStanley Affiliates."

(5)  Amount is less than 0.005%.

(6)  Not annualized.

(7)  Annualized.

The accompanying notes are an integral part of the financial statements.
11



Morgan Stanley Institutional Fund, Inc.

Annual Report — December 31, 2020

Financial Highlights

Global Permanence Portfolio

   

Class A

 

Selected Per Share Data and Ratios

  Year Ended
December 31, 2020
  Period from
April 30, 2019(1) to
December 31, 2019
 

Net Asset Value, Beginning of Period

 

$

10.61

   

$

10.00

   

Income (Loss) from Investment Operations:

 

Net Investment Income (Loss)(2)

   

(0.07

)

   

0.01

   

Net Realized and Unrealized Gain

   

2.89

     

0.60

   

Total from Investment Operations

   

2.82

     

0.61

   

Distributions from and/or in Excess of:

 

Net Investment Income

   

(0.04

)

   

   

Net Realized Gain

   

(0.02

)

   

   

Total Distributions

   

(0.06

)

   

   

Net Asset Value, End of Period

 

$

13.37

   

$

10.61

   

Total Return(3)

   

26.57

%

   

6.10

%(6)

 

Ratios to Average Net Assets and Supplemental Data:

 

Net Assets, End of Period (Thousands)

 

$

19

   

$

11

   

Ratio of Expenses Before Expense Limitation

   

26.08

%

   

30.61

%(7)

 

Ratio of Expenses After Expense Limitation

   

1.35

%(4)

   

1.34

%(4)(7)

 

Ratio of Net Investment Income (Loss)

   

(0.65

)%(4)

   

0.17

%(4)(7)

 

Ratio of Rebate from Morgan Stanley Affiliates

   

0.00

%(5)

   

0.01

%(7)

 

Portfolio Turnover Rate

   

113

%

   

35

%(6)

 

(1)  Commencement of Operations.

(2)  Per share amount is based on average shares outstanding.

(3)  Calculated based on the net asset value which does not reflect sales charges, if applicable, as of the last business day of the period.

(4)  The Ratio of Expenses After Expense Limitation and Ratio of Net Investment Income (Loss) reflect the rebate of certain Fund expenses in connection with the investments in Morgan Stanley affiliates during the period. The effect of the rebate on the ratios is disclosed in the above table as "Ratio of Rebate from Morgan Stanley Affiliates."

(5)  Amount is less than 0.005%.

(6)  Not annualized.

(7)  Annualized.

The accompanying notes are an integral part of the financial statements.
12



Morgan Stanley Institutional Fund, Inc.

Annual Report — December 31, 2020

Financial Highlights

Global Permanence Portfolio

   

Class C

 

Selected Per Share Data and Ratios

  Year Ended
December 31, 2020
  Period from
April 30, 2019(1) to
December 31, 2019
 

Net Asset Value, Beginning of Period

 

$

10.56

   

$

10.00

   

Income (Loss) from Investment Operations:

 

Net Investment Loss(2)

   

(0.15

)

   

(0.04

)

 

Net Realized and Unrealized Gain

   

2.85

     

0.60

   

Total from Investment Operations

   

2.70

     

0.56

   

Distributions from and/or in Excess of:

 

Net Realized Gain

   

(0.02

)

   

   

Net Asset Value, End of Period

 

$

13.24

   

$

10.56

   

Total Return(3)

   

25.60

%

   

5.60

%(6)

 

Ratios to Average Net Assets and Supplemental Data:

 

Net Assets, End of Period (Thousands)

 

$

13

   

$

11

   

Ratio of Expenses Before Expense Limitation

   

28.45

%

   

31.59

%(7)

 

Ratio of Expenses After Expense Limitation

   

2.10

%(4)

   

2.09

%(4)(7)

 

Ratio of Net Investment Loss

   

(1.40

)%(4)

   

(0.57

)%(4)(7)

 

Ratio of Rebate from Morgan Stanley Affiliates

   

0.00

%(5)

   

0.01

%(7)

 

Portfolio Turnover Rate

   

113

%

   

35

%(6)

 

(1)  Commencement of Operations.

(2)  Per share amount is based on average shares outstanding.

(3)  Calculated based on the net asset value which does not reflect sales charges, if applicable, as of the last business day of the period.

(4)  The Ratio of Expenses After Expense Limitation and Ratio of Net Investment Loss reflect the rebate of certain Fund expenses in connection with the investments in Morgan Stanley affiliates during the period. The effect of the rebate on the ratios is disclosed in the above table as "Ratio of Rebate from Morgan Stanley Affiliates."

(5)  Amount is less than 0.005%.

(6)  Not annualized.

(7)  Annualized.

The accompanying notes are an integral part of the financial statements.
13



Morgan Stanley Institutional Fund, Inc.

Annual Report — December 31, 2020

Financial Highlights

Global Permanence Portfolio

   

Class IS

 

Selected Per Share Data and Ratios

  Year Ended
December 31, 2020
  Period from
April 30, 2019(1) to
December 31, 2019
 

Net Asset Value, Beginning of Period

 

$

10.64

   

$

10.00

   

Income (Loss) from Investment Operations:

 

Net Investment Income (Loss)(2)

   

(0.03

)

   

0.04

   

Net Realized and Unrealized Gain

   

2.91

     

0.60

   

Total from Investment Operations

   

2.88

     

0.64

   

Distributions from and/or in Excess of:

 

Net Investment Income

   

(0.08

)

   

   

Net Realized Gain

   

(0.02

)

   

   

Total Distributions

   

(0.10

)

   

   

Net Asset Value, End of Period

 

$

13.42

   

$

10.64

   

Total Return(3)

   

27.09

%

   

6.40

%(6)

 

Ratios to Average Net Assets and Supplemental Data:

 

Net Assets, End of Period (Thousands)

 

$

14

   

$

11

   

Ratio of Expenses Before Expense Limitation

   

26.62

%

   

30.53

%(7)

 

Ratio of Expenses After Expense Limitation

   

0.95

%(4)

   

0.94

%(4)(7)

 

Ratio of Net Investment Income (Loss)

   

(0.24

)%(4)

   

0.59

%(4)(7)

 

Ratio of Rebate from Morgan Stanley Affiliates

   

0.00

%(5)

   

0.01

%(7)

 

Portfolio Turnover Rate

   

113

%

   

35

%(6)

 

(1)  Commencement of Operations.

(2)  Per share amount is based on average shares outstanding.

(3)  Calculated based on the net asset value as of the last business day of the period.

(4)  The Ratio of Expenses After Expense Limitation and Ratio of Net Investment Income (Loss) reflect the rebate of certain Fund expenses in connection with the investments in Morgan Stanley affiliates during the period. The effect of the rebate on the ratios is disclosed in the above table as "Ratio of Rebate from Morgan Stanley Affiliates."

(5)  Amount is less than 0.005%.

(6)  Not annualized.

(7)  Annualized.

The accompanying notes are an integral part of the financial statements.
14



Morgan Stanley Institutional Fund, Inc.

Annual Report — December 31, 2020

Notes to Financial Statements

Morgan Stanley Institutional Fund, Inc. (the "Company") is registered under the Investment Company Act of 1940, as amended (the "Act"), as an open-end management investment company. The Company is comprised of thirty-one separate, active, diversified and non-diversified funds (individually referred to as a "Fund," collectively as the "Funds"). The Company applies investment company accounting and reporting guidance.

The accompanying financial statements relate to the Global Permanence Portfolio. The Fund seeks long-term capital appreciation.

The Fund offers four classes of shares — Class I, Class A, Class C and Class IS.

A. Significant Accounting Policies: The following significant accounting policies are in conformity with U.S. generally accepted accounting principles ("GAAP"). Such policies are consistently followed by the Company in the preparation of its financial statements. GAAP may require management to make estimates and assumptions that affect the reported amounts and disclosures in the financial statements. Actual results may differ from those estimates.

1.  Security Valuation: (1) An equity portfolio security listed or traded on an exchange is valued at its latest reported sales price (or at the exchange official closing price if such exchange reports an official closing price), and if there were no sales on a given day and if there is no official exchange closing price for that day, the security is valued at the mean between the last reported bid and asked prices if such bid and asked prices are available on the relevant exchanges. If only bid prices are available then the latest bid price may be used. Listed equity securities not traded on the valuation date with no reported bid and asked prices available on the exchange are valued at the mean between the current bid and asked prices obtained from one or more reputable brokers or dealers. In cases where a security is traded on more than one exchange, the security is valued on the exchange designated as the primary market; (2) all other equity portfolio securities for which over-the-counter ("OTC") market quotations are readily available are valued at the latest reported sales price (or at the market official closing price if such market reports an official closing price), and if there was no trading in the security on a given day and if there is no official closing price from

relevant markets for that day, the security is valued at the mean between the last reported bid and asked prices if such bid and asked prices are available on the relevant markets. An unlisted equity security that does not trade on the valuation date and for which bid and asked prices from the relevant markets are unavailable is valued at the mean between the current bid and asked prices obtained from one or more reputable brokers or dealers; (3) listed options are valued at the last reported sales price on the exchange on which they are listed (or at the exchange official closing price if such exchange reports an official closing price). If an official closing price or last reported sales price is unavailable, the listed option should be fair valued at the mean between its latest bid and ask prices. Unlisted options are valued at the mean between their latest bid and ask prices from a broker/dealer or valued by a pricing service/vendor; (4) certain portfolio securities may be valued by an outside pricing service/vendor approved by the Company's Board of Directors (the "Directors"). The pricing service/vendor may employ a pricing model that takes into account, among other things, bids, yield spreads and/or other market data and specific security characteristics. Alternatively, if a valuation is not available from an outside pricing service/vendor, and the security trades on an exchange, the security may be valued at its latest reported sale price (or at the exchange official closing price if such exchange reports an official closing price), prior to the time when assets are valued. If there are no sales on a given day and if there is no official exchange closing price for that day, the security is valued at the mean between the last reported bid and asked prices if such bid and asked prices are available in the relevant exchanges. If only bid prices are available then the latest bid price may be used. If Morgan Stanley Investment Management Inc. (the "Adviser"), a wholly-owned subsidiary of Morgan Stanley, determines that the price provided by the outside pricing service/vendor or exchange does not reflect the security's fair value or is unable to provide a price, prices from brokers or dealers may also be utilized. In these circumstances, the value of the security will be the mean of bid and asked prices obtained from brokers or dealers; (5) when market quotations are not readily available, including circumstances under which the Adviser determines that the closing price, last sale price or the mean between the last reported bid and asked prices are not reflective of a


15



Morgan Stanley Institutional Fund, Inc.

Annual Report — December 31, 2020

Notes to Financial Statements (cont'd)

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 Directors. 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 of the New York Stock Exchange ("NYSE"). If developments occur during such periods that are expected to materially affect the value of such securities, such valuations may be adjusted to reflect the estimated fair value of such securities as of the close of the NYSE, as determined in good faith by the Directors or by the Adviser using a pricing service and/or procedures approved by the Directors; (6) quotations of foreign portfolio securities, other assets and liabilities and forward contracts stated in foreign currency are translated into U.S. dollar equivalents at the prevailing market rates prior to the close of the NYSE; and (7) investments in mutual funds, including the Morgan Stanley Institutional Liquidity Funds, are valued at the net asset value ("NAV") as of the close of each business day.

The Directors have responsibility for determining in good faith the fair value of the investments, and the Directors may appoint others, such as the Company's Adviser or a valuation committee, to assist the Directors in determining fair value and to make the actual calculations pursuant to the fair valuation methodologies previously approved by the Directors. Under procedures approved by the Directors, the Company's Adviser has formed a Valuation Committee whose members are approved by the Directors. The Valuation Committee provides administration and oversight of the Company's valuation policies and procedures, which are reviewed at least annually by the Directors. These procedures allow the Company to utilize independent pricing services, quotations from securities and financial instrument dealers and other market sources to determine fair value.

2.  Fair Value Measurement: Financial Accounting Standards Board ("FASB") Accounting Standards CodificationTM ("ASC") 820, "Fair Value Measurement" ("ASC 820"), defines fair value as the value that the Fund would receive to sell an investment or pay to transfer a liability in a timely transaction with an independent buyer in

the principal market, or in the absence of a principal market, the most advantageous market for the investment or liability. ASC 820 establishes a three-tier hierarchy to distinguish between (1) inputs that reflect the assumptions market participants would use in valuing an asset or liability developed based on market data obtained from sources independent of the reporting entity (observable inputs) and (2) inputs that reflect the reporting entity's own assumptions about the assumptions market participants would use in valuing an asset or liability developed based on the best information available in the circumstances (unobservable inputs) and to establish classification of fair value measurements for disclosure purposes. Various inputs are used in determining the value of the Fund's investments. The inputs are summarized in the three broad levels listed below:

•  Level 1 – unadjusted quoted prices in active markets for identical investments

•  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.


16



Morgan Stanley Institutional Fund, Inc.

Annual Report — December 31, 2020

Notes to Financial Statements (cont'd)

The following is a summary of the inputs used to value the Fund's investments as of December 31, 2020:

Investment Type

  Level 1
Unadjusted
quoted
prices
(000)
  Level 2
Other
significant
observable
inputs
(000)
  Level 3
Significant
unobservable
inputs
(000)
  Total
(000)
 

Assets:

 

Common Stocks

 
Aerospace &
Defense
 

$

111

   

$

   

$

   

$

111

   

Banks

   

114

     

     

     

114

   

Beverages

   

     

62

     

     

62

   

Biotechnology

   

     

49

     

     

49

   

Capital Markets

   

158

     

     

     

158

   

Chemicals

   

167

     

48

     

     

215

   
Commercial
Services & Supplies
   

44

     

29

     

     

73

   

Construction Materials

   

75

     

     

     

75

   

Containers & Packaging

   

30

     

     

     

30

   

Entertainment

   

115

     

     

     

115

   

Food & Staples Retailing

   

114

     

     

     

114

   

Food Products

   

     

51

     

     

51

   
Health Care
Equipment & Supplies
   

112

     

     

     

112

   

Health Care Technology

   

114

     

     

     

114

   

Industrial Conglomerates

   

34

     

     

     

34

   
Internet & Direct
Marketing Retail
   

111

     

     

     

111

   

Metals & Mining

   

25

     

     

     

25

   
Oil, Gas &
Consumable Fuels
   

68

     

     

     

68

   

Personal Products

   

     

52

     

     

52

   

Pharmaceuticals

   

169

     

     

     

169

   

Professional Services

   

     

31

     

     

31

   
Real Estate
Management &
Development
   

157

     

     

     

157

   

Road & Rail

   

48

     

     

     

48

   
Semiconductors &
Semiconductor
Equipment
   

159

     

     

     

159

   

Software

   

261

     

1

     

     

262

   
Textiles, Apparel &
Luxury Goods
   

     

351

     

     

351

   
Transportation
Infrastructure
   

80

     

157

     

     

237

   

Total Common Stocks

   

2,266

     

831

     

     

3,097

   

Short-Term Investment

 

Investment Company

   

62

     

     

     

62

   

Call Options Purchased

   

     

2

     

     

2

   

Total Assets

 

$

2,328

   

$

833

   

$

   

$

3,161

   

Transfers between investment levels may occur as the markets fluctuate and/or the availability of data used in an investment's valuation changes.

3.  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.

Net realized gains (losses) on foreign currency transactions represent net foreign exchange gains (losses) from foreign currency forward exchange contracts, disposition of foreign currencies, currency gains (losses) realized between the trade and settlement dates on securities transactions, and the difference between the amount of investment income and foreign withholding taxes recorded on the Fund's books and the U.S. dollar equivalent amounts actually received or paid. The change in unrealized currency gains (losses) on foreign currency transactions for the period is reflected in the Statement of Operations.

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.


17



Morgan Stanley Institutional Fund, Inc.

Annual Report — December 31, 2020

Notes to Financial Statements (cont'd)

Governmental approval for foreign investments may be required in advance of making an investment under certain circumstances in some countries, and the extent of foreign investments in domestic companies may be subject to limitation in other countries. Foreign ownership limitations also may be imposed by the charters of individual companies to prevent, among other concerns, violations of foreign investment limitations. As a result, an additional class of shares (identified as "Foreign" in the Portfolio of Investments) may be created and offered for investment. The "local" and "foreign shares" market values may differ. In the absence of trading of the foreign shares in such markets, the Fund values the foreign shares at the closing exchange price of the local shares.

4.  Derivatives: The Fund may, but is not required to, use derivative instruments for a variety of purposes, including hedging, risk management, portfolio management or to earn income. Derivatives are financial instruments whose value is based, in part, on the value of an underlying asset, interest rate, index or financial instrument. Prevailing interest rates and volatility levels, among other things, also affect the value of derivative instruments. A derivative instrument often has risks similar to its underlying asset and may have additional risks, including imperfect correlation between the value of the derivative and the underlying asset, risks of default by the counterparty to certain transactions, magnification of losses incurred due to changes in the market value of the securities, instruments, indices or interest rates to which the derivative instrument relates, risks that the transactions may not be liquid and risks arising from margin requirements. The use of derivatives involves risks that are different from, and possibly greater than, the risks associated with other portfolio investments. Derivatives may involve the use of highly specialized instruments that require investment techniques and risk analyses different from those associated with other portfolio investments. All of the Fund's holdings, including derivative instruments, are marked-to-market each day with the change in value reflected in unrealized appreciation (depreciation). Upon disposition, a realized gain or loss is recognized.

Certain derivative transactions may give rise to a form of leverage. Leverage magnifies the potential for gain and the risk of loss. Leverage associated with derivative transactions may cause the Fund to liquidate portfolio

positions when it may not be advantageous to do so to satisfy its obligations or to meet earmarking or segregation requirements, pursuant to applicable Securities and Exchange Commission ("SEC") rules and regulations, or may cause the Fund to be more volatile than if the Fund had not been leveraged. Although the Adviser seeks to use derivatives to further the Fund's investment objectives, there is no assurance that the use of derivatives will achieve this result.

Following is a description of the derivative instruments and techniques that the Fund used during the period and their associated risks:

Options: With respect to options, the Fund is subject to equity risk, interest rate risk and foreign currency exchange risk in the normal course of pursuing its investment objectives. If the Fund buys an option, it buys a legal contract giving it the right to buy or sell a specific amount of the underlying instrument or foreign currency, or futures contract on the underlying instrument or foreign currency, at an agreed-upon price during a period of time or on a specified date typically in exchange for a premium paid by the Fund. The Fund may purchase and/or sell put and call options. Purchasing call options tends to increase the Fund's exposure to the underlying (or similar) instrument. Purchasing put options tends to decrease the Fund's exposure to the underlying (or similar) instrument. When entering into purchased option contracts, the Fund bears the risk of interest or exchange rates or securities prices moving unexpectedly, in which case, the Fund may not achieve the anticipated benefits of the purchased option contracts; however the risk of loss is limited to the premium paid. Purchased options are reported as part of "Total Investments in Securities" in the Statement of Assets and Liabilities. Premiums paid for purchasing options which expired are treated as realized losses. If the Fund sells an option, it sells to another party the right to buy from or sell to the Fund a specific amount of the underlying instrument or foreign currency, or futures contract on the underlying instrument or foreign currency, at an agreed-upon price during a period of time or on a specified date typically in exchange for a premium received by the Fund. When options are purchased OTC, the Fund bears the risk that the counterparty that wrote the option will be unable or unwilling to perform its


18



Morgan Stanley Institutional Fund, Inc.

Annual Report — December 31, 2020

Notes to Financial Statements (cont'd)

obligations under the option contract. Options may also be illiquid and the Fund may have difficulty closing out its position. A decision as to whether, when and how to use options involves the exercise of skill and judgment and even a well-conceived option transaction may be unsuccessful because of market behavior or unexpected events. The prices of options can be highly volatile and the use of options can lower total returns.

FASB ASC 815, "Derivatives and Hedging" ("ASC 815"), is intended to improve financial reporting about derivative instruments by requiring enhanced disclosures to enable investors to better understand how and why the Fund uses derivative instruments, how these derivative instruments are accounted for and their effects on the Fund's financial position and results of operations.

The following table sets forth the fair value of the Fund's derivative contracts by primary risk exposure as of December 31, 2020:

    Asset Derivatives
Statement of Assets and
Liabilities Location
  Primary Risk
Exposure
  Value
(000)
 

Purchased Options

  Investments, at Value
(Purchased Options)
 

Currency Risk

 

$

2

(a)

 

(a) Amounts are included in Investments in Securities in the Statement of Assets and Liabilities.

The following tables set forth by primary risk exposure the Fund's realized gains (losses) and change in unrealized appreciation (depreciation) by type of derivative contract for the year ended December 31, 2020 in accordance with ASC 815:

   

Realized Gain (Loss)

 

Primary Risk Exposure

 

Derivative Type

  Value
(000)
 

Currency Risk

  Investments
(Purchased Options)
 

$

(5

)(b)

 

(b) Amounts are included in Investments Sold in the Statement of Operations.

Change in Unrealized Appreciation (Depreciation)

 

Primary Risk Exposure

 

Derivative Type

  Value
(000)
 

Currency Risk

  Investments
(Purchased Options)
 

$

(7

)(c)

 

(c) Amounts are included in Investments in the Statement of Operations.

At December 31, 2020, the Fund's derivative assets and liabilities are as follows:

Gross Amounts of Assets and Liabilities
Presented in the Statement of Assets and Liabilities
 

Derivatives

  Assets(d)
(000)
  Liabilities(d)
(000)
 

Purchased Options

 

$

2

(a)

 

$

   

(a) Amounts are included in Investments in Securities in the Statement of Assets and Liabilities.

(d) Absent an event of default or early termination, OTC derivative assets and liabilities are presented gross and not offset in the Statement of Assets and Liabilities.

The Fund typically enters into International Swaps and Derivatives Association, Inc. Master Agreements ("ISDA Master Agreements") or similar master agreements (collectively, "Master Agreements") with its contract counterparties for certain OTC derivatives in order to, among other things, reduce its credit risk to counterparties. ISDA Master Agreements include provisions for general obligations, representations, collateral and events of default or termination. Under an ISDA Master Agreement, the Fund typically may offset with the counterparty certain OTC derivative financial instruments' payables and/or receivables with collateral held and/or posted and create one single net payment (close-out netting) in the event of default, termination and/or potential deterioration in the credit quality of the counterparty. Various Master Agreements govern the terms of certain transactions with counterparties, including transactions such as swap, forward, repurchase and reverse repurchase agreements. These Master Agreements typically attempt to reduce the counterparty risk associated with such transactions by specifying credit protection mechanisms and providing standardization that improves legal certainty. Cross-termination provisions under Master Agreements typically provide that a default in connection with one transaction between the Fund and a counterparty gives the non-defaulting party the right to terminate any other transactions in place with the defaulting party to create one single net payment due to/due from the defaulting party and may be a feature in certain Master Agreements. In the event the Fund exercises its right to terminate a Master Agreement after a counterparty experiences a termination event as defined in the Master Agreement, the return of collateral with market value in excess of the Fund's net liability may be delayed or denied.


19



Morgan Stanley Institutional Fund, Inc.

Annual Report — December 31, 2020

Notes to Financial Statements (cont'd)

The following table presents derivative financial instruments that are subject to enforceable netting arrangements as of December 31, 2020:

Gross Amounts Not Offset in the Statement of Assets and Liabilities

 

Counterparty

  Gross Asset
Derivatives
Presented in
the Statement
of Assets and
Liabilities(a)
(000)
  Financial
Instrument
(000)
  Collateral
Received
(000)
  Net Amount
(not less
than $0)
(000)
 

BNP Paribas

 

$

2

   

$

   

$

   

$

2

   

Royal Bank of Scotland

   

@

   

     

     

@

 

Total

 

$

2

   

$

   

$

   

$

2

   

@ Value is less than $500.

(a) Amounts are included in Investments in Securities in the Statement of Assets and Liabilities.

For the year ended December 31, 2020, the approximate average monthly amount outstanding for each derivative type is as follows:

Purchased Options:

 

Average monthly notional amount

   

1,840,000

   

5.  Indemnifications: The Company enters into contracts that contain a variety of indemnifications. The Company's maximum exposure under these arrangements is unknown. However, the Company has not had prior claims or losses pursuant to these contracts and expects the risk of loss to be remote.

6.  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. Net realized capital gains, if any, are distributed at least annually.

7.  Security Transactions, Income and Expenses: Security transactions are accounted for on the trade date (date the order to buy or sell is executed). Realized gains and losses on the sale of investment securities are determined on the specific identified cost method. Dividend income and other distributions are recorded on the ex-dividend date (except for certain foreign dividends which may be recorded as soon as the Fund is informed of such dividends) net of applicable withholding taxes. Interest income is recognized on the accrual basis except where collection is in doubt. Discounts are accreted and premiums are amortized over the life of the respective securities. Most expenses of the Company can be directly attributed to a particular Fund. Expenses which cannot be directly attributed are apportioned among the Funds based upon

relative net assets or other appropriate methods. Income, expenses (other than class specific expenses — distribution and shareholder services, transfer agency and sub transfer agency fees) and realized and unrealized gains or losses are allocated to each class of shares based upon their relative net assets.

B. Advisory Fees: The Adviser, a wholly-owned subsidiary of Morgan Stanley, provides the Fund with advisory services under the terms of an Investment Advisory Agreement, paid quarterly, at the annual rate based on the daily net assets as follows:

First $1
billion
  Over $1
billion
 
  0.80

%

   

0.75

%

 

For the year ended December 31, 2020, the advisory fee rate (net of waiver/rebate) was equivalent to an annual effective rate of 0.00% of the Fund's average daily net assets.

The Adviser has agreed to reduce its advisory fee and/or reimburse the Fund so that total annual Fund operating expenses, excluding certain investment related expenses, taxes, interest and other extraordinary expenses (including litigation), will not exceed 1.00% for Class I shares, 1.35% for Class A shares, 2.10% for Class C shares and 0.95% for Class IS shares. The fee waivers and/or expense reimbursements will continue for at least one year from the date of the Fund's prospectus or until such time as the Directors act to discontinue all or a portion of such waivers and/or reimbursements when they deem such action is appropriate. For the year ended December 31, 2020, approximately $21,000 of advisory fees were waived and approximately $188,000 of other expenses were reimbursed by the Adviser pursuant to this arrangement.

C. Administration Fees: The Adviser also serves as Administrator to the Company and provides administrative services pursuant to an Administration Agreement for an annual fee, accrued daily and paid monthly, of 0.08% of the Fund's average daily net assets.

Under a Sub-Administration Agreement between the Administrator and State Street Bank and Trust Company ("State Street"), State Street provides certain administrative services to the Company. For such services, the Administrator pays State Street a portion of the fee the Administrator receives from the Fund.

D. Distribution and Shareholder Services Fees: Morgan Stanley Distribution, Inc. ("MSDI" or the "Distributor"), a wholly-owned subsidiary of the Adviser and an indirect


20



Morgan Stanley Institutional Fund, Inc.

Annual Report — December 31, 2020

Notes to Financial Statements (cont'd)

subsidiary of Morgan Stanley, serves as the Company's Distributor of Fund shares pursuant to a Distribution Agreement. The Company has adopted a Shareholder Services Plan with respect to Class A shares pursuant to Rule 12b-1 under the Act. Under the Shareholder Services Plan, the Fund pays the Distributor a shareholder services fee, accrued daily and paid monthly, at an annual rate of 0.25% of the Fund's average daily net assets attributable to Class A shares.

The Company has adopted a Distribution and Shareholder Services Plan with respect to Class C shares pursuant to Rule 12b-1 under the Act. Under the Distribution and Shareholder Services Plan, the Fund pays the Distributor a distribution fee, accrued daily and paid monthly, at an annual rate of 0.75% and a shareholder services fee, accrued daily and paid monthly, at an annual rate of 0.25% of the Fund's average daily net assets attributable to Class C shares.

The distribution and shareholder services fees are used to support the expenses associated with servicing and maintaining accounts. The Distributor may compensate other parties for providing shareholder support services to investors who purchase Class A and Class C shares.

E. Dividend Disbursing and Transfer Agent: The Company's dividend disbursing and transfer agent is DST Asset Manager Solutions, Inc. ("DST"). Pursuant to a Transfer Agency Agreement, the Company pays DST a fee based on the number of classes, accounts and transactions relating to the Funds of the Company.

F. Custodian Fees: State Street (the "Custodian") also serves as Custodian for the Company in accordance with a Custodian Agreement. The Custodian holds cash, securities and other assets of the Company as required by the Act. Custody fees are payable monthly based on assets held in custody, investment purchases and sales activity and account maintenance fees, plus reimbursement for certain out-of-pocket expenses.

G. Security Transactions and Transactions with Affiliates: For the year ended December 31, 2020, purchases and sales of investment securities for the Fund, other than long-term U.S. Government securities and short-term investments were approximately $2,978,000 and $3,091,000, respectively. There were no purchases and sales of long-term U.S. Government securities for the year ended December 31, 2020.

The Fund invests in the Institutional Class of the Morgan Stanley Institutional Liquidity Funds — Treasury Securities

Portfolio (the "Liquidity Funds"), an open-end management investment company managed by the Adviser. Advisory fees paid by the Fund are reduced by an amount equal to its pro-rata share of the advisory and administration fees paid by the Fund due to its investment in the Liquidity Funds. For the year ended December 31, 2020, advisory fees paid were reduced by less than $500 relating to the Fund's investment in the Liquidity Funds.

A summary of the Fund's transactions in shares of affiliated investments during the year ended December 31, 2020 is as follows:

Affiliated
Investment
Company
  Value
December 31,
2019
(000)
  Purchases
at Cost
(000)
  Proceeds
from Sales
(000)
  Dividend
Income
(000)
 

Liquidity Funds

 

$

51

   

$

1,300

   

$

1,289

   

$

@

 
Affiliated
Investment
Company (cont'd)
  Realized
Gain
(Loss)
(000)
  Change in
Unrealized
Appreciation
(Depreciation)
(000)
  Value
December 31,
2020
(000)
 

Liquidity Funds

 

$

   

$

   

$

62

   

@ Amount is less than $500.

The Fund is permitted to purchase and sell securities ("cross-trade") from and to other Morgan Stanley funds as well as other funds and client accounts for which the Adviser or an affiliate of the Adviser serves as investment adviser, pursuant to procedures approved by the Directors in compliance with Rule 17a-7 under the Act (the "Rule"). Each cross-trade is executed at the current market price in compliance with provisions of the Rule. For the year ended December 31, 2020, the Fund did not engage in any cross-trade transactions.

The Fund has an unfunded Deferred Compensation Plan (the "Compensation Plan"), which allows each independent Director to defer payment of all, or a portion, of the fees he or she receives for serving on the Board of Directors. Each eligible Director generally may elect to have the deferred amounts credited with a return equal to the total return on one or more of the Morgan Stanley funds that are offered as investment options under the Compensation Plan. Appreciation/depreciation and distributions received from these investments are recorded with an offsetting increase/decrease in the deferred compensation obligation and do not affect the NAV of the Fund.

H. Federal Income Taxes: It is the Fund's intention to continue to qualify as a regulated investment company and distribute all of its taxable and tax-exempt income. Accordingly, no provision for federal income taxes is required in the financial statements.


21



Morgan Stanley Institutional Fund, Inc.

Annual Report — December 31, 2020

Notes to Financial Statements (cont'd)

The Fund may be subject to taxes imposed by countries in which it invests. Such taxes are generally based on income and/or capital gains earned or repatriated. Taxes are accrued based on net investment income, net realized gains and net unrealized appreciation as such income and/or gains are earned. Taxes may also be based on transactions in foreign currency and are accrued based on the value of investments denominated in such currency.

FASB ASC 740-10, "Income Taxes — Overall", sets forth a minimum threshold for financial statement recognition of the benefit of a tax position taken or expected to be taken in a tax return. Management has concluded there are no significant uncertain tax positions that would require recognition in the financial statements. If applicable, the Fund recognizes interest accrued related to unrecognized tax benefits in "Interest Expense" and penalties in "Other Expenses" in the Statement of Operations. The Fund files tax returns with the U.S. Internal Revenue Service, New York and various states. Each of the tax years in the two-year period ended December 31, 2020 remains subject to examination by taxing authorities.

The tax character of distributions paid may differ from the character of distributions shown for GAAP purposes due to short-term capital gains being treated as ordinary income for tax purposes. The tax character of distributions paid during fiscal years 2020 and 2019 was as follows:

2020
Distributions
Paid From:
  2019
Distributions
Paid From:
 
Ordinary
Income
(000)
  Long-Term
Capital Gain
(000)
  Ordinary
Income
(000)
  Long-Term
Capital Gain
(000)
 
$

22

   

$

   

$

   

$

   

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 attributable to differing book and tax treatments for the timing of the recognition of gains (losses) on certain investment transactions and the timing of the deductibility of certain expenses.

Permanent differences, primarily due to a nondeductible expense, resulted in the following reclassifications among the components of net assets at December 31, 2020:

Total
Distributable
Earnings
(000)
  Paid-in
Capital
(000)
 
$

1

   

$

(1

)

 

At December 31, 2020, the components of distributable earnings for the Fund on a tax basis were as follows:

Undistributed
Ordinary
Income
(000)
  Undistributed
Long-Term
Capital Gain
(000)
 
$

63

   

$

137

   

I. Credit Facility: The Company and other Morgan Stanley funds participated in a $300,000,000 committed, unsecured revolving line of credit facility (the "Facility") with State Street. This Facility is to be used for temporary emergency purposes or funding of shareholder redemption requests. The interest rate on borrowings is based on the federal funds rate or 1 month LIBOR rate plus a spread. The Facility also has a commitment fee of 0.25% per annum based on the unused portion of the Facility. During the year ended December 31, 2020, the Fund did not have any borrowings under the Facility.

J. Other: At December 31, 2020, the Fund had record owners of 10% or greater. Investment activities of these shareholders could have a material impact on the Fund. The aggregate percentage of such owners was 34.7%.

K. Market Risk: Certain impacts to public health conditions particular to the coronavirus (COVID-19) outbreak could impact the operations and financial performance of certain of the Fund's investments. The extent of the impact to the financial performance of the Fund's investments will depend on future developments, including (i) the duration and spread of the outbreak, (ii) the restrictions and advisories, (iii) the effects on the financial markets, and (iv) the effects on the economy overall, all of which are highly uncertain and cannot be predicted. If the financial performance of the Fund's investments is impacted because of these factors for an extended period, the Fund's investment results may be adversely affected.


22



Morgan Stanley Institutional Fund, Inc.

Annual Report — December 31, 2020

Report of Independent Registered Public Accounting Firm

To the Shareholders and Board of Directors of
Morgan Stanley Institutional Fund, Inc. —
Global Permanence Portfolio

Opinion on the Financial Statements

We have audited the accompanying statement of assets and liabilities of Global Permanence Portfolio (the "Fund") (one of the funds constituting Morgan Stanley Institutional Fund, Inc. (the "Company")), including the portfolio of investments, as of December 31, 2020, and the related statement of operations for the year then ended and the statements of changes in net assets and the financial highlights for the year ended December 31, 2020 and the period from April 30, 2019 (commencement of operations) through December 31, 2019 and the related notes (collectively referred to as the "financial statements"). In our opinion, the financial statements present fairly, in all material respects, the financial position of Global Permanence Portfolio (one of the funds constituting Morgan Stanley Institutional Fund, Inc.) at December 31, 2020, the results of its operations for the year then ended and the changes in its net assets and its financial highlights for the year ended December 31, 2020 and the period from April 30, 2019 (commencement of operations) through December 31, 2019, in conformity with U.S. generally accepted accounting principles.

Basis for Opinion

These financial statements are the responsibility of the Company's management. Our responsibility is to express an opinion on the Fund's financial statements based on our audits. We are a public accounting firm registered with the Public Company Accounting Oversight Board (United States) ("PCAOB") and are required to be independent with respect to the Company in accordance with the U.S. federal securities law and the applicable rules and regulations of the Securities and Exchange Commission and the PCAOB.

We conducted our audits in accordance with the standards of the PCAOB. Those standards require that we plan and perform the audit to obtain reasonable assurance about whether the financial statements are free of material misstatement, whether due to error or fraud. The Company is not required to have, nor were we engaged to perform, an audit of the Company's internal control over financial reporting. As part of our audits, we are required to obtain an understanding of internal control over financial reporting, but not for the purpose of expressing an opinion on the effectiveness of the Company's internal control over financial reporting. Accordingly, we express no such opinion.

Our audits included performing procedures to assess the risks of material misstatement of the financial statements, whether due to error or fraud, and performing procedures that respond to those risks. Such procedures included examining, on a test basis, evidence regarding the amounts and disclosures in the financial statements. Our procedures included confirmation of securities owned as of December 31, 2020 by correspondence with the custodian and others or by other appropriate auditing procedures where replies from others were not received. Our audits also included evaluating the accounting principles used and significant estimates made by management, as well as evaluating the overall presentation of the financial statements. We believe that our audits provide a reasonable basis for our opinion.

We have served as the auditor of one or more Morgan Stanley investment companies since 2000.
Boston, Massachusetts
February 26, 2021


23



Morgan Stanley Institutional Fund, Inc.

Annual Report — December 31, 2020

Liquidity Risk Management Program (unaudited)

In compliance with Rule 22e-4 under the Investment Company Act of 1940, as amended (the "Liquidity Rule"), the Fund has adopted and implemented a liquidity risk management program (the "Program"), which is reasonably designed to assess and manage the risk that the Fund could not meet requests to redeem shares issued by the Fund without significant dilution of remaining investors' interests in the Fund (i.e., liquidity risk). The Fund's Board of Directors (the "Board") previously approved the designation of the Liquidity Risk Subcommittee (the "LRS") as Program administrator. The LRS is comprised of representatives from various divisions within Morgan Stanley Investment Management.

At a meeting held on April 22-23, 2020, the Board reviewed a written report prepared by the LRS that addressed the Program's operation and assessed its adequacy, and effectiveness of implementation for the period from December 1, 2018, through December 31, 2019, as required under the Liquidity Rule. The report concluded that the Program operated effectively and was adequately and effectively implemented in all material aspects, and that the relevant controls and safeguards were appropriately designed to enable the LRS to administer the Program in compliance with the Liquidity Rule.

In accordance with the Program, the LRS assessed each Fund's liquidity risk no less frequently than annually taking into consideration certain factors, as applicable, such as (i) investment strategy and liquidity of portfolio investments, (ii) short-term and long-term cash flow projections and (iii) holdings of cash and cash equivalents and borrowing arrangements and other funding sources. Certain factors are considered under both normal and reasonably foreseeable stressed conditions.

Each Fund portfolio investment is classified into one of four liquidity categories, which classification is assessed at least monthly by the LRS. The classification is based on a determination of the number of days it is reasonably expected to take to convert the investment into cash, or sell or dispose of the investment, in current market conditions without significantly changing the market value of the investment. Liquidity classification determinations take into account various market, trading and investment-specific considerations, as well as market depth, and in some cases utilize third-party vendor data.

The Liquidity Rule limits a fund's investments in illiquid investments to 15% of its net assets and requires funds that do not primarily hold assets that are highly liquid investments to determine and maintain a minimum percentage of the fund's net assets to be invested in highly liquid investments (highly liquid investment minimum or "HLIM"). The LRS believes that the Program includes provisions reasonably designed to review, monitor and comply with the 15% limit on illiquid investments and for determining, periodically reviewing and complying with the HLIM requirement, as applicable.

There can be no assurance that the Program will achieve its objectives under all circumstances in the future. Please refer to the Fund's prospectus for more information regarding the Fund's exposure to liquidity risk and other risks to which it may be subject.


24



Morgan Stanley Institutional Fund, Inc.

Annual Report — December 31, 2020

Privacy Notice (unaudited)  April 2019

FACTS

 

WHAT DOES MSIM DO WITH YOUR PERSONAL INFORMATION?

 

Why?

 

Financial companies choose how they share your personal information. Federal law gives consumers the right to limit some but not all sharing. Federal law also requires us to tell you how we collect, share, and protect your personal information. Please read this notice carefully to understand what we do.

 

What?

  The types of personal information we collect and share depend on the product or service you have with us. This information can include:
n Social Security number and income
n investment experience and risk tolerance
n checking account number and wire transfer instructions
 

How?

 

All financial companies need to share customers' personal information to run their everyday business. In the section below, we list the reasons financial companies can share their customers' personal information; the reasons MSIM chooses to share; and whether you can limit this sharing.

 

 

Reasons we can share your personal information

 

Does MSIM share?

 

Can you limit this sharing?

 
For our everyday business purposes —
such as to process your transactions, maintain your account(s), respond to court orders and legal investigations, or report to credit bureaus
 

Yes

 

No

 
For our marketing purposes —
to offer our products and services to you
 

Yes

 

No

 

For joint marketing with other financial companies

 

No

 

We don't share

 
For our affiliates' everyday business purposes —
information about your transactions and experiences
 

Yes

 

No

 
For our affiliates' everyday business purposes —
information about your creditworthiness
 

No

 

We don't share

 

For our affiliates to market to you

 

No

 

We don't share

 

For non-affiliates to market to you

 

No

 

We don't share

 

Questions?  Call toll-free (844) 312-6327 or email: imprivacyinquiries@morganstanley.com


25



Morgan Stanley Institutional Fund, Inc.

Annual Report — December 31, 2020

Privacy Notice (unaudited) (cont'd)  April 2019

Who we are

Who is providing this notice?

 

Morgan Stanley Investment Management, Inc. and its affiliated registered investment advisers, registered broker-dealers, and registered and unregistered funds ("MSIM")

 

What we do

How does MSIM protect my personal information?

 

To protect your personal information from unauthorized access and use, we use security measures that comply with federal law. These measures include computer safeguards and secured files and buildings. We have policies governing the proper handling of customer information by personnel and requiring third parties that provide support to adhere to appropriate security standards with respect to such information.

 

How does MSIM collect my personal information?

  We collect your personal information, for example, when you
n open an account or make deposits or withdrawals from your account
n buy securities from us or make a wire transfer
n give us your contact information
We also collect your personal information from others, such as credit bureaus, affiliates, or other companies.
 

Why can't I limit all sharing?

  Federal law gives you the right to limit only
n sharing for affiliates' everyday business purposes — information about your creditworthiness
n affiliates from using your information to market to you
n sharing for non-affiliates to market to you
State laws and individual companies may give you additional rights to limit sharing. See below for more on your rights under state law.
 

Definitions

Affiliates

  Companies related by common ownership or control. They can be financial and non-financial companies.
n Our affiliates include companies with a Morgan Stanley name and financial companies such as Morgan Stanley Smith Barney LLC and Morgan Stanley & Co.
 

Non-affiliates

  Companies not related by common ownership or control. They can be financial and non-financial companies.
n MSIM does not share with non-affiliates so they can market to you.
 

Joint marketing

  A formal agreement between non-affiliated financial companies that together market financial products or services to you.
n MSIM doesn't jointly market
 


26



Morgan Stanley Institutional Fund, Inc.

Annual Report — December 31, 2020

Privacy Notice (unaudited) (cont'd)  April 2019

Other Important Information

Vermont: Except as permitted by law, we will not share personal information we collect about Vermont residents with Non-affiliates unless you provide us with your written consent to share such information.

California: Except as permitted by law, we will not share personal information we collect about California residents with Non-affiliates and we will limit sharing such personal information with our Affiliates to comply with California privacy laws that apply to us.


27



Morgan Stanley Institutional Fund, Inc.

Annual Report — December 31, 2020

Director and Officer Information (unaudited)

Independent Directors:

Name, Address and Birth
Year of Independent Director
  Position(s)
Held with
Registrant
  Length of Time
Served*
  Principal Occupation(s) During Past 5 Years and Other
Relevant Professional Experience
  Number of
Funds
in Fund Complex
Overseen by
Independent
Director**
  Other Directorships
Held by Independent
Director***
 
Frank L. Bowman
c/o Perkins Coie LLP
Counsel to the Independent Directors
1155 Avenue of the Americas,
22nd Floor
New York, NY 10036
Birth Year: 1944
 

Director

 

Since August 2006

 

President, Strategic Decisions, LLC (consulting) (since February 2009); Director or Trustee of various Morgan Stanley Funds (since August 2006); Chairperson of the Compliance and Insurance Committee (since October 2015); formerly, Chairperson of the Insurance Sub-Committee of the Compliance and Insurance Committee (2007-2015); served as President and Chief Executive Officer of the Nuclear Energy Institute (policy organization) (February 2005-November 2008); retired as Admiral, U.S. Navy after serving over 38 years on active duty including 8 years as Director of the Naval Nuclear Propulsion Program in the Department of the Navy and the U.S. Department of Energy (1996-2004); served as Chief of Naval Personnel (July 1994-September 1996) and on the Joint Staff as Director of Political Military Affairs (June 1992-July 1994); knighted as Honorary Knight Commander of the Most Excellent Order of the British Empire; awarded the Officier de l'Orde National du Mérite by the French Government; elected to the National Academy of Engineering (2009).

 

79

 

Director of Naval and Nuclear Technologies LLP; Director Emeritus of the Armed Services YMCA; Member of the National Security Advisory Council of the Center for U.S. Global Engagement and a member of the CNA Military Advisory Board; Trustee of Fairhaven United Methodist Church; Member of the Board of Advisors of the Dolphin Scholarship Foundation; Director of other various non-profit organizations; formerly, Director of BP plc (November 2010-May 2019).

 
Kathleen A. Dennis
c/o Perkins Coie LLP
Counsel to the Independent Directors
1155 Avenue of the Americas,
22nd Floor
New York, NY 10036
Birth Year: 1953
 

Director

 

Since August 2006

 

Chairperson of the Governance Committee (January 2021), Chairperson of the Liquidity and Alternatives Sub-Committee of the Investment Committee (2006-2020); and Director or Trustee of various Morgan Stanley Funds (since August 2006); President, Cedarwood Associates (mutual fund and investment management consulting) (since July 2006); formerly, Senior Managing Director of Victory Capital Management (1993-2006).

 

79

 

Board Member, University of Albany Foundation (2012-present); Board Member, Mutual Funds Directors Forum (2014-present); Director of various non-profit organizations.

 
Nancy C. Everett
c/o Perkins Coie LLP
Counsel to the Independent Directors
1155 Avenue of the Americas,
22nd Floor
New York, NY 10036
Birth Year: 1955
 

Director

 

Since January 2015

 

Chairperson of the Equity Investment Committee (since January 2021); Director or Trustee of various Morgan Stanley Funds (since January 2015); Chief Executive Officer, Virginia Commonwealth University Investment Company (since November 2015); Owner, OBIR, LLC (institutional investment management consulting) (since June 2014); formerly, Managing Director, BlackRock, Inc. (February 2011-December 2013); and Chief Executive Officer, General Motors Asset Management (a/k/a Promark Global Advisors, Inc.) (June 2005-May 2010).

 

80

 

Formerly, Member of Virginia Commonwealth University School of Business Foundation (2005-2016); Member of Virginia Commonwealth University Board of Visitors (2013-2015); Member of Committee on Directors for Emerging Markets Growth Fund, Inc. (2007-2010); Chairperson of Performance Equity Management, LLC (2006-2010); and Chairperson, GMAM Absolute Return Strategies Fund, LLC (2006-2010).

 


28



Morgan Stanley Institutional Fund, Inc.

Annual Report — December 31, 2020

Director and Officer Information (unaudited) (cont'd)

Independent Directors (cont'd):

Name, Address and Birth
Year of Independent Director
  Position(s)
Held with
Registrant
  Length of Time
Served*
  Principal Occupation(s) During Past 5 Years and Other
Relevant Professional Experience
  Number of
Funds
in Fund Complex
Overseen by
Independent
Director**
  Other Directorships
Held by Independent
Director***
 
Jakki L. Haussler
c/o Perkins Coie LLP
Counsel to the Independent Directors
1155 Avenue of the Americas,
22nd Floor
New York, NY 10036
Birth Year: 1957
 

Director

 

Since January 2015

 

Director or Trustee of various Morgan Stanley Funds (since January 2015) Chairman, Opus Capital Group (1996); formerly, Chief Executive Officer, Opus Capital Group (1996-2019); Director, Capvest Venture Fund, LP (May 2000-December 2011); Partner, Adena Ventures, LP (July 1999-December 2010); Director, The Victory Funds (February 2005-July 2008).

 

80

 

Director of Cincinnati Bell Inc. and Member, Audit Committee and Chairman, Governance and Nominating Committee; Director of Service Corporation International and Member, Audit Committee and Investment Committee; Director of Northern Kentucky University Foundation and Member, Investment Committee; Member of Chase College of Law Transactional Law Practice Center Board of Advisors; Director of Best Transport; Director of Chase College of Law Board of Visitors; formerly, Member, University of Cincinnati Foundation Investment Committee; Member, Miami University Board of Visitors (2008-2011); Trustee of Victory Funds (2005-2008) and Chairman, Investment Committee (2007-2008); and Member, Service Provider Committee (2005-2008).

 
Dr. Manuel H. Johnson
c/o Johnson Smick International, Inc.
220 I Street, NE — Suite 200
Washington, D.C. 20002
Birth Year: 1949
 

Director

 

Since July 1991

 

Senior Partner, Johnson Smick International, Inc. (consulting firm); Chairperson of the Fixed Income, Liquidity and Alternatives Investment Committee (January 2021), Chairperson of the Investment Committee (2006-2020) and Director or Trustee of various Morgan Stanley Funds (since July 1991); Co-Chairman and a founder of the Group of Seven Council (G7C) (international economic commission); formerly, Chairperson of the Audit Committee (July 1991-September 2006), Vice Chairman of the Board of Governors of the Federal Reserve System and Assistant Secretary of the U.S. Treasury.

 

79

 

Director of NVR, Inc. (home construction).

 


29



Morgan Stanley Institutional Fund, Inc.

Annual Report — December 31, 2020

Director and Officer Information (unaudited) (cont'd)

Independent Directors (cont'd):

Name, Address and Birth
Year of Independent Director
  Position(s)
Held with
Registrant
  Length of Time
Served*
  Principal Occupation(s) During Past 5 Years and Other
Relevant Professional Experience
  Number of
Funds
in Fund Complex
Overseen by
Independent
Director**
  Other Directorships
Held by Independent
Director***
 
Joseph J. Kearns
c/o Perkins Coie LLP
Counsel to the Independent Directors
1155 Avenue of the Americas,
22nd Floor
New York, NY 10036
Birth Year: 1942
 

Director

 

Since August 1994

 

Senior Adviser, Kearns & Associates LLC (investment consulting); Chairperson of the Audit Committee (since October 2006) and Director or Trustee of various Morgan Stanley Funds (since August 1994); formerly, Deputy Chairperson of the Audit Committee (July 2003-September 2006) and Chairperson of the Audit Committee of various Morgan Stanley Funds (since August 1994); CFO of the J. Paul Getty Trust (1982-1999).

 

80

 

Director, Rubicon Investment (since February 2019); Prior to August 2016, Director of Electro Rent Corporation (equipment leasing); Prior to December 31, 2013, Director of The Ford Family Foundation.

 
Michael F. Klein
c/o Perkins Coie LLP
Counsel to the Independent Directors
1155 Avenue of the Americas,
22nd Floor
New York, NY 10036
Birth Year: 1958
 

Director

 

Since August 2006

 

Chairperson of the Risk Committee (since January 2021); Managing Director, Aetos Alternatives Management, LP (since March 2000); Co-President, Aetos Alternatives Management, LP (since January 2004) and Co-Chief Executive Officer of Aetos Alternatives Management, LP (since August 2013); Chairperson of the fixed Income Sub-Committee of the Investment committee (2006-2020) and Director or Trustee of various Morgan Stanley Funds (since August 2006); formerly, Managing Director, Morgan Stanley & Co. Inc. and Morgan Stanley Dean Witter Investment Management and President, various Morgan Stanley Funds (June 1998-March 2000); Principal, Morgan Stanley & Co. Inc. and Morgan Stanley Dean Witter Investment Management (August 1997-December 1999).

 

79

 

Director of certain investment funds managed or sponsored by Aetos Alternatives Management, LP; Director of Sanitized AG and Sanitized Marketing AG (specialty chemicals).

 
Patricia Maleski
c/o Perkins Coie LLP
Counsel to the Independent Directors
1155 Avenue of the Americas,
22nd Floor
New York, NY 10036
Birth Year: 1960
 

Director

 

Since January 2017

 

Director or Trustee of various Morgan Stanley Funds (since January 2017); Managing Director, JPMorgan Asset Management (2004-2016); Oversight and Control Head of Fiduciary and Conflicts of Interest Program (2015-2016); Chief Control Officer-Global Asset Management (2013-2015); President, JPMorgan Funds (2010-2013); Chief Administrative Officer (2004-2013); various other positions including Treasurer and Board Liaison (since 2001).

 

80

 

None.

 
W. Allen Reed
c/o Perkins Coie LLP
Counsel to the Independent Directors
1155 Avenue of the Americas,
22nd Floor
New York, NY 10036
Birth Year: 1947
 

Chair of the Board and Director

 

Chair of the Boards since August 2020 and Director since August 2006

 

Chair of the Boards of various Morgan Stanley Funds (since August 2020); Director or Trustee of various Morgan Stanley Funds (since August 2006); formerly, Vice Chair of the Boards of various Morgan Stanley Funds (January 2020-August 2020); President and Chief Executive Officer of General Motors Asset Management; Chairman and Chief Executive Officer of the GM Trust Bank and Corporate Vice President of General Motors Corporation (August 1994-December 2005).

 

79

 

Formerly, Director of Legg Mason, Inc. (2006-2019); and Director of the Auburn University Foundation (2010-2015).

 

*  This is the earliest date the Director began serving the Morgan Stanley Funds. Each Director serves an indefinite term, until his or her successor is elected.

**  The Fund Complex includes (as of December 31, 2020) all open-end and closed-end funds (including all of their portfolios) advised by Morgan Stanley Investment Management Inc. (the "Adviser") and any funds that have an adviser that is an affiliated person of the Adviser (including, but not limited to, Morgan Stanley AIP GP LP).

***  This includes any directorships at public companies and registered investment companies held by the Director at any time during the past five years.


30



Morgan Stanley Institutional Fund, Inc.

Annual Report — December 31, 2020

Director and Officer Information (unaudited) (cont'd)

Executive Officers:

Name, Address and
Birth Year of Executive Officer
  Position(s) Held
with
Registrant
  Length of
Time Served*
 

Principal Occupation(s) During Past 5 Years

 
John H. Gernon
522 Fifth Avenue
New York, NY 10036
Birth Year: 1963
 

President and Principal Executive Officer

 

Since September 2013

 

President and Principal Executive Officer of the Equity and Fixed Income Funds and the Morgan Stanley AIP Funds (since September 2013) and the Liquidity Funds and various money market funds (since May 2014) in the Fund Complex; Managing Director of the Adviser; Head of Public Markets Product Development (since 2006).

 
Timothy J. Knierim
1633 Broadway
New York, NY 10019
Birth Year: 1959
 

Chief Compliance Officer

 

Since December 2016

 

Managing Director of the Adviser and various entities affiliated with the Adviser; Chief Compliance Officer of various Morgan Stanley Funds and the Adviser (since December 2016) and Chief Compliance Officer of Morgan Stanley AIP GP LP (since 2014). Formerly, Managing Director and Deputy Chief Compliance Officer of the Adviser (2014-2016).

 
Francis J. Smith
522 Fifth Avenue
New York, NY 10036
Birth Year: 1965
 

Treasurer and Principal Financial Officer

 

Treasurer since July 2003 and Principal Financial Officer since September 2002

 

Managing Director of the Adviser and various entities affiliated with the Adviser; Treasurer (since July 2003) and Principal Financial Officer of various Morgan Stanley Funds (since September 2002).

 
Mary E. Mullin
1633 Broadway
New York, NY 10019
Birth Year: 1967
 

Secretary

 

Since June 1999

 

Managing Director of the Adviser; Secretary of various Morgan Stanley Funds (since June 1999).

 
Michael J. Key
522 Fifth Avenue
New York, NY 10036
Birth Year: 1979
 

Vice President

 

Since June 2017

 

Vice President of the Equity and Fixed Income Funds, Liquidity Funds, various money market funds and the Morgan Stanley AIP Funds in the Fund Complex (since June 2017); Executive Director of the Adviser; Head of Product Development for Equity and Fixed Income Funds (since August 2013).

 

*  This is the earliest date the officer began serving the Morgan Stanley Funds. Each officer serves a one-year term, until his or her successor is elected and qualifies.


31



Morgan Stanley Institutional Fund, Inc.

Annual Report — December 31, 2020

Adviser and Administrator

Morgan Stanley Investment Management Inc.
522 Fifth Avenue
New York, New York 10036

Distributor

Morgan Stanley Distribution, Inc.
522 Fifth Avenue
New York, New York 10036

Dividend Disbursing and Transfer Agent

DST Asset Manager Solutions, Inc.
2000 Crown Colony Drive
Quincy, Massachusetts 02169

Custodian

State Street Bank and Trust Company
One Lincoln Street
Boston, Massachusetts 02111

Legal Counsel

Dechert LLP
1095 Avenue of the Americas
New York, New York 10036

Counsel to the Independent Directors

Perkins Coie LLP
1155 Avenue of the Americas,
22nd Floor
New York, New York 10036

Independent Registered Public Accounting Firm

Ernst & Young LLP
200 Clarendon Street
Boston, Massachusetts 02116

Reporting to Shareholders

Each Morgan Stanley fund provides a complete schedule of portfolio holdings in its Semi-Annual and the Annual Reports within 60 days of the end of the fund's second and fourth fiscal quarters. The Semi-Annual and Annual Reports are filed electronically with the Securities and Exchange Commission ("SEC") on Form N-CSRS and Form N-CSR, respectively. Morgan Stanley also delivers the Semi-Annual and Annual Reports to fund shareholders and makes these reports available on its public website, www.morganstanley.com/im/shareholderreports. Each Morgan Stanley non-money market fund also files a complete schedule of portfolio holdings with the SEC for the fund's first and third fiscal quarters as an attachment to Form N-PORT. Morgan Stanley does not deliver the reports for the first and third fiscal quarters to shareholders, but makes the complete schedule of portfolio holdings for the fund's first and third fiscal quarters available on its public website. The holdings for each money market fund are also posted to the Morgan Stanley public website. You may obtain the Form N-PORT filings (as well as the Form N-CSR and N-CSRS filings) by accessing the SEC's website, www.sec.gov. You can also request copies of these materials, upon payment of a duplicating fee, by electronic request at the SEC's email address (publicinfo@sec.gov).

Proxy Voting Policies and Procedures and Proxy Voting Record

You may obtain a copy of the Company's Proxy Voting Policy and Procedures and information regarding how the Company voted proxies relating to portfolio securities during the most recent twelve-month period ended June 30, without charge, upon request, by calling toll free 1 (800) 548-7786 or by visiting our website at www.morganstanley.com/im/shareholderreports. This information is also available on the SEC's website at www.sec.gov.

This report is authorized for distribution only when preceded or accompanied by a prospectus or summary prospectus of the applicable fund of Morgan Stanley Institutional Fund, Inc., which describes in detail the fund's investment policies, risks, fees and expenses. Please read the prospectus carefully before you invest or send money. For additional information, including information regarding the investments comprising the Fund, please visit our website at www.morganstanley.com/im/shareholderreports or call toll free 1 (800) 548-7786.


32



Printed in U.S.A.
This Report has been prepared for shareholders and may be distributed to others only if preceded or accompanied by a current prospectus.

Morgan Stanley Investment Management Inc.
522 Fifth Avenue
New York, New York 10036

© 2021 Morgan Stanley. Morgan Stanley Distribution, Inc.

IFIGPERMANN
3386885 EXP 02.28.22



INVESTMENT MANAGEMENT

Morgan Stanley Institutional Fund, Inc.

Global Real Estate Portfolio

Annual Report

December 31, 2020



Morgan Stanley Institutional Fund, Inc.

Annual Report — December 31, 2020

Table of Contents

Shareholders' Letter

   

2

   

Expense Example

   

3

   

Investment Overview

   

4

   

Portfolio of Investments

   

8

   

Statement of Assets and Liabilities

   

11

   

Statement of Operations

   

13

   

Statements of Changes in Net Assets

   

14

   

Financial Highlights

   

16

   

Notes to Financial Statements

   

22

   

Report of Independent Registered Public Accounting Firm

   

30

   

Liquidity Risk Management Program

   

31

   

Federal Tax Notice

   

32

   

Privacy Notice

   

33

   

Director and Officer Information

   

36

   

This report is authorized for distribution only when preceded or accompanied by a prospectus or summary prospectus of the applicable Fund of Morgan Stanley Institutional Fund, Inc. To receive a prospectus and/or statement of additional information ("SAI"), which contains more complete information such as investment objectives, charges, expenses, policies for voting proxies, risk considerations and describes in detail each of the Fund's investment policies to the prospective investor, please call toll free 1 (800) 548-7786. Please read the prospectuses carefully before you invest or send money.

Additionally, you can access information about the Fund, including performance, characteristics and investment team commentary, through Morgan Stanley Investment Management's website: www.morganstanley.com/im/shareholderreports.

Market forecasts provided in this report may not necessarily come to pass. There is no guarantee that any sectors mentioned will continue to perform as discussed herein or that securities in such sectors will be held by the Fund in the future. There is no assurance that a fund will achieve its investment objective. Funds are subject to market risk, which is the possibility that market values of securities owned by the Fund will decline and, therefore, the value of the Fund's shares may be less than what you paid for them. Accordingly, you can lose money investing in this Fund. Please see the prospectus for more complete information on investment risks.


1



Morgan Stanley Institutional Fund, Inc.

Annual Report — December 31, 2020

Shareholders' Letter (unaudited)

Dear Shareholders,

We are pleased to provide this Annual Report, in which you will learn how your investment in Global Real Estate Portfolio (the "Fund") performed during the latest twelve-month period.

Morgan Stanley Investment Management is a client-centric, investor-led organization. Our global presence, intellectual capital, and breadth of products and services enable us to partner with investors to meet the evolving challenges of today's financial markets. We aim to deliver superior investment service and to empower our clients to make the informed decisions that help them reach their investment goals.

As always, we thank you for selecting Morgan Stanley Investment Management, and look forward to working with you in the months and years ahead.

Sincerely,

John H. Gernon
President and Principal Executive Officer

January 2021


2



Morgan Stanley Institutional Fund, Inc.

Annual Report — December 31, 2020

Expense Example (unaudited)

Global Real Estate Portfolio

As a shareholder of the Fund, you incur two types of costs: (1) transactional costs; and (2) ongoing costs, which may include advisory fees, administration fees, distribution and shareholder services fees and other Fund expenses. This example is intended to help you understand your ongoing costs (in dollars) of investing in the Fund and to compare these costs with the ongoing costs of investing in other mutual funds.

This example is based on an investment of $1,000 invested at the beginning of the six-month period ended December 31, 2020 and held for the entire six-month period.

Actual Expenses

The table below provides information about actual account values and actual expenses. You may use the information in this table, 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 table under the heading entitled "Actual Expenses Paid During Period" to estimate the expenses you paid on your account during this period.

Hypothetical Example for Comparison Purposes

The table below provides information about hypothetical account values and hypothetical expenses based on the Fund's actual expense ratio and an assumed rate of return of 5% per year before expenses, which is not the Fund's actual return. The hypothetical account values and expenses may not be used to estimate the actual ending account balance or expenses you paid for the period. You may use this information to compare the ongoing costs of investing in the Fund and other funds. To do so, compare this 5% hypothetical example with the 5% hypothetical examples that appear in the shareholder reports of the other funds.

Please note that the expenses shown in the table are meant to highlight your ongoing costs only and do not reflect any transactional costs, such as sales charges (loads). Therefore, the information for each class in the table is useful in comparing ongoing costs only, and will not help you determine the relative total costs of owning different funds. In addition, if these transactional costs were included, your costs would have been higher.

    Beginning
Account
Value
7/1/20
  Actual Ending
Account
Value
12/31/20
  Hypothetical
Ending Account
Value
  Actual
Expenses
Paid
During
Period*
  Hypothetical
Expenses Paid
During Period*
  Net
Expense
Ratio
During
Period**
 

Global Real Estate Portfolio Class I

 

$

1,000.00

   

$

1,167.90

   

$

1,020.11

   

$

5.45

   

$

5.08

     

1.00

%

 

Global Real Estate Portfolio Class A

   

1,000.00

     

1,166.00

     

1,018.35

     

7.35

     

6.85

     

1.35

   

Global Real Estate Portfolio Class L

   

1,000.00

     

1,161.70

     

1,015.84

     

10.05

     

9.37

     

1.85

   

Global Real Estate Portfolio Class C

   

1,000.00

     

1,162.20

     

1,014.58

     

11.41

     

10.63

     

2.10

   

Global Real Estate Portfolio Class IS

   

1,000.00

     

1,167.50

     

1,020.41

     

5.12

     

4.77

     

0.94

   

Global Real Estate Portfolio Class IR

   

1,000.00

     

1,167.50

     

1,020.41

     

5.12

     

4.77

     

0.94

   

*  Expenses are calculated using each Fund Class' annualized net expense ratio (as disclosed), multiplied by the average account value over the period and multiplied by 184/366 (to reflect the most recent one-half year period).

**  Annualized.


3



Morgan Stanley Institutional Fund, Inc.

Annual Report — December 31, 2020

Investment Overview (unaudited)

Global Real Estate Portfolio

The Fund seeks to provide current income and capital appreciation.

Performance

For the fiscal year ended December 31, 2020, the Fund's Class I shares had a total return based on net asset value and reinvestment of distributions per share of –14.33%, net of fees. The Fund's Class I shares underperformed the Fund's benchmark, the FTSE EPRA Nareit Developed Real Estate Index — Net Total Return to U.S. Investors (the "Index"), which returned –8.45%, and underperformed the MSCI World Net Index, which returned 15.90%.

Factors Affecting Performance

•  Global real estate securities declined 8.5% during the 12-month period ending December 31, 2020, as measured by the Index, as the impacts of COVID-19 and the widespread economic and social shutdowns experienced worldwide disproportionately impacted fundamentals for the property sector. After a sharp decline in the first quarter of 2020 following the initial outbreak and spread of COVID-19, the sector posted gains for the remainder of the year, as markets responded positively to fiscal and monetary stimulus policies. Importantly, real estate posted strong gains in the fourth quarter of 2020, after a strong rally in November on news that the Pfizer-BioNTech and Moderna vaccines were over 90% effective in preventing COVID-19.

•  The largest declines for the year from a sector perspective were experienced in the retail, hotel and office property sectors.

•  Retail real estate experienced a pullback for the year given the direct impact social distancing and quarantining measures have had on earnings. The retail sector underperformed as London (declined 39.2%), Continental Europe (declined 39.0%) and U.S. retail assets (–37.4% for U.S. malls and –27.8% U.S. shopping centers) posted losses for the full year.(i) The temporary closure of a significant faction of retail real estate impaired cash rent collections. Additionally, the strain that the pandemic has placed on retail tenants has called into question the solvency of such tenants going forward, leading to greater uncertainty in cash flow projections for retail landlords.

•  The Fund's security selection and overweight allocation to U.S. malls, overweight to Continental European retail and security selection in the U.K. Majors detracted from performance for the year. However, the underweight to U.S. shopping centers overall, coupled with positive security selection, contributed to performance for the Fund.

•  Global offices also underperformed for the year, as growing uncertainty regarding the potential structural impact of the work-from-home theme impacted the sector. For the full-year period, U.S. primary central business district (CBD) offices declined 22.0%, London offices declined 20.5% and U.S. secondary CBD/suburban offices declined 14.8%.(i) Despite this increased uncertainty, office companies have continued to have high rent collections and limited tenant bankruptcies. Additionally, despite low utilization of office space in much of the U.S. and Europe, it is noteworthy that in Northern Asia, where the health crisis is currently deemed to be more under control, the labor force has mostly returned to the workplace and the office market is not facing as intense scrutiny with regard to the structural impact from the work-from-home theme.

•  The Fund's overweight allocation to primary CBD office within the U.S. was the largest detractor from performance, as was stock selection in this segment.

•  Hotel stocks in the U.S. underperformed for the year (-25.9%) due to a significant decline in demand stemming from a pullback in both business and leisure travel as a result of the pandemic.(i) Despite this headwind, the Fund's positions in select hotel companies modestly contributed to performance.

•  German residential, U.S. data centers and U.S. industrial were top performers over the course of the year, returning 35.7%, 18.1% and 13.4%, respectively.(i) Within Germany, investors were drawn to the defensive characteristics displayed by the residential landlords, as the pandemic had little impact on rental levels, occupancy rates and rent collections. Within the U.S., both data centers and industrial benefited from increased demand as a result of COVID-19 stemming from the increased need for digital infrastructure and e-commerce fulfillment.

(i)  Returns provided are a sub-segment of the FTSE EPRA Nareit Developed Index. Data as of December 31, 2020.


4



Morgan Stanley Institutional Fund, Inc.

Annual Report — December 31, 2020

Investment Overview (unaudited) (cont'd)

Global Real Estate Portfolio

•  The underweight in German residential detracted from relative performance. Despite an underweight position in the U.S. industrial sector detracting from the Fund's performance, favorable security selection was additive for the year.

•  From a geographic perspective, we note the following:

o  North American property stocks declined 9.7% as measured by the FTSE EPRA Nareit North America Index.(ii)

•  Canada (–12.8%) underperformed the U.S. (–9.6%) for the year, given less sector exposure to outperforming alternative asset types, including data centers and self-storage.

o  Within Asia, property stocks declined 9.1%, as measured by the FTSE EPRA Nareit Developed Asia Index.(ii)

•  Singapore outperformed the Asian average (–0.8%), Australia (–9.0%) performed in line, while Japan (–9.8%) and Hong Kong (–12.2%) underperformed the Asian average for the year.

•  Strength in the Asian currencies relative to the U.S. dollar lifted overall returns, particularly in Australia and Japan.

o  European property stocks declined 1.9%, as measured by the FTSE EPRA Nareit Developed Europe Index.(ii)

•  Spain (–26.6%), France (–20.4%) and the U.K. (–13.2%) experienced the weakest returns for the year, whereas Germany (25.4%) and Sweden (9.0%) were notable outperformers.

•  Strength in the euro and British pound relative to the U.S. dollar were additive for index returns.

Management Strategies

•  While real estate securities posted a negative return for the year, recent market strength in the asset class is supported by a number of macro and fundamental factors, including monetary stimulus, vaccine discovery and clarity on the timeline for successful vaccine dissemination, and the reopening of economies and related positive demand impacts for sectors across real estate. Additionally, the relative valuation of real estate securities is attractive compared to investable alternatives including the broader equity market, fixed income and direct property investment.

•  For these reasons, we have a favorable outlook for real estate over the next year, however, continue to believe active management with a keen focus on relative value is important.

•  The investment philosophy of the Fund has evolved to incorporate equity multiples and cash flow growth estimates, in addition to the more traditional net asset value approach. By incorporating both an equity market valuation and more traditional real estate valuation, we believe the Fund will be better prepared to identify securities with the best expected total returns going forward.

(ii)  The FTSE EPRA Nareit North America Index is a subset of the FTSE EPRA Nareit Developed Index and is a free float-adjusted market capitalization weighted index composed of listed real estate securities in the North American (U.S. and Canada) real estate market. The FTSE EPRA Nareit Developed Asia Index is a subset of the FTSE EPRA Nareit Developed Index and is a free float-adjusted market capitalization weighted index composed of listed real estate securities in the Asian real estate markets. The FTSE EPRA Nareit Developed Europe Index is a subset of the FTSE EPRA Nareit Developed Index and is a free float-adjusted market capitalization weighted index composed of listed real estate securities in the European real estate markets. The performance of the indexes are listed in U.S. dollars and assume reinvestment of dividends. The indexes are unmanaged and their returns do not include any sales charges or fees. Such costs would lower performance. It is not possible to invest directly in an index.


5



Morgan Stanley Institutional Fund, Inc.

Annual Report — December 31, 2020

Investment Overview (unaudited) (cont'd)

Global Real Estate Portfolio

*  Minimum Investment for Class I shares

In accordance with SEC regulations, the Fund's performance shown assumes that all recurring fees (including management fees) were deducted and all dividends and distributions were reinvested. The performance of Class A, L, C, IS and IR shares will vary from the performance of Class I shares based upon their different inception dates and will be negatively impacted by additional fees assessed to those classes (if applicable).

Performance Compared to the FTSE EPRA Nareit Developed Real Estate Index — Net Total Return to U.S. Investors(1), the MSCI World Net Index(2) and the Lipper Global Real Estate Funds Index(3)

    Period Ended December 31, 2020
Total Returns(4)
 
       

Average Annual

 
    One
Year
  Five
Years
  Ten
Years
  Since
Inception(10)
 
Fund — Class I Shares
w/o sales charges(5)
   

–14.33

%

   

1.16

%

   

3.84

%

   

2.72

%

 
Fund — Class A Shares
w/o sales charges(5)
   

–14.65

     

0.84

     

3.54

     

2.42

   
Fund — Class A Shares with
maximum 5.25% sales charges(5)
   

–19.17

     

–0.25

     

2.99

     

2.04

   
Fund — Class L Shares
w/o sales charges(6)
   

–15.17

     

0.31

     

3.02

     

2.07

   
Fund — Class C Shares
w/o sales charges(8)
   

–15.26

     

0.05

     

     

–0.80

   
Fund — Class C Shares with
maximum 1.00% deferred
sales charges(8)
   

–16.10

     

0.05

     

     

–0.80

   
Fund — Class IS Shares
w/o sales charges(7)
   

–14.36

     

1.21

     

     

2.72

   
Fund — Class IR Shares
w/o sales charges(9)
   

–14.36

     

     

     

–2.47

   
FTSE EPRA Nareit Developed
Real Estate Index — Net Total
Return to U.S. Investors
   

–8.45

     

4.40

     

6.05

     

3.69

   

MSCI World Net Index

   

15.90

     

12.19

     

9.87

     

7.00

   
Lipper Global Real Estate
Funds Index
   

–5.16

     

5.16

     

6.10

     

N/A

   

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. Performance assumes that all dividends and distributions, if any, were reinvested. For the most recent month-end performance figures, please visit www.morganstanley.com/im/shareholderreports. Investment return and principal value will fluctuate so that Fund shares, when redeemed, may be worth more or less than their original cost. Total returns do not reflect the deduction of taxes that a shareholder would pay on Fund distributions or the redemption of Fund shares. Performance of share classes will vary due to difference in sales charges and expenses.

(1)  The FTSE EPRA Nareit Developed Real Estate Index — Net Total Return to U.S. Investors is a market capitalization weighted index designed to reflect the stock performance of companies engaged in the North American, European and Asian real estate markets. The performance of the Index is listed in U.S. dollars and assumes reinvestment of net dividends. "Net Total Return to U.S. investors" reflects a reduction in total returns after taking into account the withholding tax on dividends by certain foreign countries represented in the Index for periods after 1/31/05 (gross returns used prior to 1/31/05). 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.


6



Morgan Stanley Institutional Fund, Inc.

Annual Report — December 31, 2020

Investment Overview (unaudited) (cont'd)

Global Real Estate Portfolio

(2)  The MSCI World Net Index is a free float-adjusted market capitalization weighted index that is designed to measure the global equity market performance of developed markets. 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 MSCI World Net Index currently consists of 23 developed market country indices. The performance of the Index is listed in U.S. dollars and assumes reinvestment of net dividends. Net total return indices reinvest dividends after the deduction of withholding taxes, using (for international indices) a tax rate applicable to non-resident institutional investors who do not benefit from double taxation treaties. 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 Lipper Global Real Estate Funds Index is an equally weighted performance index of the largest qualifying funds (based on net assets) in the Lipper Global Real Estate Funds classification. The Index, which is adjusted for capital gains distributions and income dividends, is unmanaged and should not be considered an investment. There are currently 30 funds represented in this Index. As of the date of this report, the Fund was in the Lipper Global Real Estate Funds classification.

(4)  Total returns for the Fund reflect fees waived and expenses reimbursed, if applicable, by the Adviser (as defined herein). Without such waivers and reimbursements, total returns would have been lower.

(5)  Commenced operations on August 30, 2006.

(6)  Commenced offering on June 16, 2008.

(7)  Commenced offering September 13, 2013.

(8)  Commenced offering on April 30, 2015.

(9)  Commenced offering on June 15, 2018

(10)  For comparative purposes, average annual since inception returns listed for the Indexes refer to the inception date of Class I of the Fund, not the inception of the Index.


7



Morgan Stanley Institutional Fund, Inc.

Annual Report — December 31, 2020

Portfolio of Investments

Global Real Estate Portfolio

   

Shares

  Value
(000)
 

Common Stocks (98.5%)

 

Australia (3.1%)

 

Dexus REIT

   

332,655

   

$

2,413

   

Goodman Group REIT

   

59,111

     

864

   

GPT Group (The) REIT

   

253,502

     

882

   

Mirvac Group REIT

   

480,660

     

976

   

Scentre Group REIT

   

713,005

     

1,531

   

Stockland REIT

   

576,988

     

1,863

   

Vicinity Centres REIT

   

754,674

     

933

   
     

9,462

   

Austria (0.1%)

 

CA Immobilien Anlagen AG

   

12,214

     

465

   

Canada (1.7%)

 

First Capital Real Estate Investment Trust

   

29,280

     

312

   

Granite Real Estate Investment Trust REIT

   

48,263

     

2,954

   

RioCan Real Estate Investment Trust REIT

   

154,136

     

2,028

   
     

5,294

   

China (1.9%)

 

China Resources Land Ltd. (a)

   

278,000

     

1,146

   
China Resources Mixc Lifestyle
Services Ltd. (a)(b)
   

187,292

     

868

   

KWG Group Holdings Ltd. (a)

   

348,191

     

476

   

KWG Living Group Holdings Ltd. (a)(b)

   

83,871

     

68

   

Longfor Group Holdings Ltd. (a)

   

447,000

     

2,615

   

Shimao Group Holdings Ltd. (a)

   

208,500

     

664

   
     

5,837

   

Finland (0.4%)

 

Kojamo Oyj

   

58,540

     

1,299

   

France (3.4%)

 

Carmila SA REIT

   

14,784

     

213

   

Gecina SA REIT

   

24,262

     

3,773

   

ICADE REIT

   

5,866

     

451

   

Klepierre SA REIT (c)

   

187,739

     

4,234

   

Mercialys SA REIT

   

197,166

     

1,733

   
     

10,404

   

Germany (4.9%)

 

ADLER Group SA (b)

   

8,548

     

303

   

Alstria Office AG REIT

   

96,580

     

1,757

   

Deutsche Wohnen SE

   

76,405

     

4,077

   

LEG Immobilien AG

   

12,426

     

1,928

   

Vonovia SE

   

94,744

     

6,919

   
     

14,984

   

Hong Kong (7.3%)

 

CK Asset Holdings Ltd.

   

202,500

     

1,036

   

ESR Cayman Ltd. (b)

   

369,600

     

1,327

   

Hang Lung Properties Ltd.

   

426,000

     

1,123

   

Hongkong Land Holdings Ltd.

   

562,100

     

2,322

   

Link REIT

   

466,270

     

4,235

   

New World Development Co. Ltd.

   

373,439

     

1,737

   
   

Shares

  Value
(000)
 

Sun Hung Kai Properties Ltd.

   

431,867

   

$

5,523

   

Swire Properties Ltd.

   

1,028,500

     

2,990

   

Wharf Real Estate Investment Co., Ltd.

   

445,075

     

2,313

   
     

22,606

   

Ireland (0.7%)

 

Hibernia REIT PLC

   

1,529,464

     

2,150

   

Japan (10.0%)

 

Activia Properties, Inc. REIT

   

118

     

499

   

Advance Residence Investment Corp. REIT

   

335

     

1,005

   

Daiwa Office Investment Corp. REIT (c)

   

92

     

585

   

GLP J-REIT

   

1,129

     

1,782

   

Hulic Co., Ltd. (c)

   

29,900

     

329

   

Japan Hotel REIT Investment Corp.

   

747

     

384

   

Japan Prime Realty Investment Corp. REIT (c)

   

89

     

295

   

Japan Real Estate Investment Corp. REIT

   

391

     

2,259

   

Japan Retail Fund Investment Corp. REIT

   

520

     

946

   

Kenedix Office Investment Corp. REIT

   

50

     

339

   

LaSalle Logiport REIT

   

365

     

589

   

Mitsubishi Estate Co., Ltd.

   

279,400

     

4,491

   
Mitsubishi Estate Logistics REIT Investment
Corp. REIT
   

153

     

638

   

Mitsui Fudosan Co., Ltd.

   

218,500

     

4,575

   

Mitsui Fudosan Logistics Park, Inc. REIT

   

290

     

1,471

   

Mori Trust Sogo Reit, Inc.

   

241

     

311

   

Nippon Building Fund, Inc. REIT

   

497

     

2,882

   

Nippon Prologis, Inc. REIT

   

546

     

1,706

   

Nomura Real Estate Master Fund, Inc. REIT

   

890

     

1,274

   

Orix, Inc. J-REIT

   

199

     

329

   

Sumitomo Realty & Development Co., Ltd.

   

105,200

     

3,248

   

United Urban Investment Corp. REIT

   

592

     

733

   
     

30,670

   

Malta (0.0%)

 

BGP Holdings PLC (b)(d)

   

12,867,024

     

19

   

Netherlands (0.9%)

 

Eurocommercial Properties N.V. CVA REIT (b)

   

85,486

     

1,600

   

NSI N.V. REIT

   

28,255

     

1,128

   
     

2,728

   

Norway (0.2%)

 

Entra ASA (c)

   

15,128

     

343

   

Norwegian Property ASA

   

103,261

     

159

   
     

502

   

Singapore (1.7%)

 

Ascendas Real Estate Investment Trust REIT

   

236,946

     

535

   

CapitaLand Integrated Commercial Trust REIT

   

400,428

     

655

   

Frasers Logistics & Commercial Trust REIT

   

271,200

     

290

   

Keppel DC REIT

   

713,400

     

1,519

   

Mapletree Commercial Trust REIT

   

477,546

     

770

   

Mapletree Industrial Trust REIT

   

407,200

     

891

   

Mapletree Logistics Trust REIT

   

305,965

     

466

   
     

5,126

   

The accompanying notes are an integral part of the financial statements.
8



Morgan Stanley Institutional Fund, Inc.

Annual Report — December 31, 2020

Portfolio of Investments (cont'd)

Global Real Estate Portfolio

   

Shares

  Value
(000)
 

Spain (1.2%)

 

Inmobiliaria Colonial Socimi SA REIT

   

120,697

   

$

1,192

   

Merlin Properties Socimi SA REIT

   

255,715

     

2,438

   
     

3,630

   

Sweden (1.3%)

 

Atrium Ljungberg AB, Class B

   

26,221

     

556

   

Castellum AB

   

16,354

     

417

   

Fabege AB

   

96,888

     

1,530

   

Hufvudstaden AB, Class A

   

72,042

     

1,192

   

Kungsleden AB

   

24,363

     

267

   
     

3,962

   

Switzerland (0.4%)

 

PSP Swiss Property AG (Registered)

   

10,293

     

1,371

   

United Kingdom (5.6%)

 

British Land Co., PLC (The) REIT

   

603,557

     

4,042

   

Capital & Counties Properties PLC

   

57,142

     

114

   

Derwent London PLC REIT

   

43,674

     

1,856

   

Grainger PLC

   

115,652

     

450

   

Great Portland Estates PLC REIT

   

191,611

     

1,753

   

Hammerson PLC REIT (c)

   

3,997,628

     

1,353

   

Helical PLC

   

566

     

3

   

Land Securities Group PLC REIT

   

435,353

     

4,021

   

Segro PLC REIT

   

121,206

     

1,573

   

St. Modwen Properties PLC

   

124,954

     

686

   

Tritax Big Box PLC REIT

   

324,998

     

747

   

Urban & Civic PLC

   

117,152

     

552

   

Workspace Group PLC REIT

   

11,016

     

116

   
     

17,266

   

United States (53.7%)

 

Alexandria Real Estate Equities, Inc. REIT

   

6,288

     

1,121

   

American Campus Communities, Inc. REIT

   

44,354

     

1,897

   

AvalonBay Communities, Inc. REIT

   

53,531

     

8,588

   

Boston Properties, Inc. REIT

   

54,381

     

5,141

   

Brixmor Property Group, Inc. REIT

   

209,197

     

3,462

   

Camden Property Trust REIT

   

51,662

     

5,162

   

Cousins Properties, Inc. REIT

   

76,133

     

2,550

   

CubeSmart REIT

   

113,860

     

3,827

   

Digital Realty Trust, Inc. REIT

   

64,407

     

8,985

   

Duke Realty Corp. REIT

   

85,820

     

3,430

   

Equity Lifestyle Properties, Inc. REIT

   

55,061

     

3,489

   

Equity Residential REIT

   

115,220

     

6,830

   

Essex Property Trust, Inc. REIT

   

18,014

     

4,277

   

Exeter Industrial Value Fund, LP (b)(d)(e)

   

1,860,000

     

125

   

First Industrial Realty Trust, Inc. REIT

   

10,539

     

444

   

Gaming and Leisure Properties, Inc. REIT

   

81,232

     

3,444

   

Healthcare Realty Trust, Inc. REIT

   

133,403

     

3,949

   

Healthpeak Properties, Inc. REIT

   

229,250

     

6,930

   

Host Hotels & Resorts, Inc. REIT

   

233,668

     

3,419

   

Hudson Pacific Properties, Inc. REIT

   

61,598

     

1,480

   

Invitation Homes, Inc. REIT

   

244,884

     

7,273

   

JBG SMITH Properties REIT

   

110,971

     

3,470

   

Kilroy Realty Corp. REIT

   

57,154

     

3,281

   
   

Shares

  Value
(000)
 

Mack-Cali Realty Corp. REIT

   

58,609

   

$

730

   

Medical Properties Trust, Inc. REIT

   

156,855

     

3,418

   

NETSTREIT Corp.

   

128,115

     

2,497

   

ProLogis, Inc. REIT

   

160,424

     

15,988

   

Public Storage REIT

   

52,342

     

12,087

   

QTS Realty Trust, Inc., Class A REIT

   

27,870

     

1,725

   

Regency Centers Corp. REIT

   

56,250

     

2,564

   

RLJ Lodging Trust REIT

   

224,831

     

3,181

   

Sabra Health Care, Inc. REIT

   

72,904

     

1,266

   

Simon Property Group, Inc. REIT

   

101,706

     

8,674

   

SL Green Realty Corp. REIT

   

60,159

     

3,584

   

Sunstone Hotel Investors, Inc. REIT

   

314,050

     

3,558

   

Ventas, Inc. REIT

   

103,154

     

5,059

   

VEREIT, Inc. REIT

   

135,782

     

5,131

   

Weingarten Realty Investors REIT

   

163,483

     

3,543

   
     

165,579

   

Total Common Stocks (Cost $226,105)

   

303,354

   

Short-Term Investments (1.9%)

 

Securities held as Collateral on Loaned Securities (1.4%)

 

Investment Companies (1.2%)

 
Morgan Stanley Institutional Liquidity
Funds — Treasury Portfolio —
Institutional Class (See Note G)
   

3,900,458

     

3,900

   
    Face
Amount
(000)
     

Repurchase Agreements (0.2%)

 
Barclays Capital, Inc. (0.05%,
dated 12/31/20, due 1/4/21;
proceeds $119; fully collateralized
by a U.S. Government obligation;
1.63% due 11/15/22; valued at $121)
 

$

119

     

119

   
HSBC Securities USA, Inc. (0.05%,
dated 12/31/20, due 1/4/21;
proceeds $464; fully collateralized
by a U.S. Government obligation;
0.15% due 10/31/22; valued at $473)
   

464

     

464

   
Merrill Lynch & Co., Inc. (0.06%,
12/31/20, due 1/4/21; proceeds
$48; fully collateralized by a
U.S. Government obligation; 2.50%
due 5/15/46; valued at $49)
   

48

     

48

   
     

631

   
Total Securities held as Collateral on Loaned
Securities (Cost $4,531)
   

4,531

   

The accompanying notes are an integral part of the financial statements.
9



Morgan Stanley Institutional Fund, Inc.

Annual Report — December 31, 2020

Portfolio of Investments (cont'd)

Global Real Estate Portfolio

   

Shares

  Value
(000)
 

Investment Company (0.5%)

 
Morgan Stanley Institutional Liquidity
Funds — Treasury Portfolio —
Institutional Class (See Note G)
(Cost $1,425)
   

1,425,349

   

$

1,425

   

Total Short-Term Investments (Cost $5,956)

   

5,956

   
Total Investments (100.4%) (Cost $232,061)
Including $5,663 of Securities Loaned (f)(g)
   

309,310

   

Liabilities in Excess of Other Assets (–0.4%)

   

(1,265

)

 

Net Assets (100.0%)

 

$

308,045

   

Country assignments and aggregations are based generally on third party vendor classifications and information, and may be different from the assignments and aggregations under the policies set forth in the Fund's prospectus and/or statement of additional information relating to geographic classifications.

(a)  Security trades on the Hong Kong exchange.

(b)  Non-income producing security.

(c)  All or a portion of this security was on loan at December 31, 2020.

(d)  At December 31, 2020, the Fund held fair valued securities valued at approximately $144,000, representing 0.1% of net assets. These securities have been fair valued as determined in good faith under procedures established by and under the general supervision of the Company's (as defined herein) Directors.

(e)  Restricted security valued at fair value and not registered under the Securities Act of 1933. Exeter Industrial Value Fund, LP was acquired between 11/07 - 4/11 and has a current cost basis of $0. At December 31, 2020, this security had an aggregate market value of approximately $125,000, representing less than 0.05% of net assets.

(f)  The approximate fair value and percentage of net assets, $131,387,000 and 42.7%, respectively, represent the securities that have been fair valued under the fair valuation policy for international investments as described in Note A-1 within the Notes to the Financial Statements.

(g)  At December 31, 2020, the aggregate cost for federal income tax purposes is approximately $260,912,000. The aggregate gross unrealized appreciation is approximately $51,420,000 and the aggregate gross unrealized depreciation is approximately $3,022,000, resulting in net unrealized appreciation of approximately $48,398,000.

CVA  Certificaten Van Aandelen.

REIT  Real Estate Investment Trust.

Portfolio Composition*

Classification

  Percentage of
Total Investments
 

Diversified

   

26.1

%

 

Residential

   

17.6

   

Office

   

14.0

   

Retail

   

13.3

   

Industrial

   

11.3

   

Health Care

   

6.8

   

Other**

   

5.7

   

Self Storage

   

5.2

   

Total Investments

   

100.0

%

 

*  Percentage indicated are based upon total investment (excluding Securities held as Collateral on Loaned Securities) as of December 31, 2020.

**  Industries and/or investment types representing less than 5% of total investments.

The accompanying notes are an integral part of the financial statements.
10



Morgan Stanley Institutional Fund, Inc.

Annual Report — December 31, 2020

Global Real Estate Portfolio

Statement of Assets and Liabilities

  December 31, 2020
(000)
 

Assets:

 

Investments in Securities of Unaffiliated Issuers, at Value(1) (Cost $226,736)

 

$

303,985

   

Investment in Security of Affiliated Issuer, at Value (Cost $5,325)

   

5,325

   

Total Investments in Securities, at Value (Cost $232,061)

   

309,310

   

Foreign Currency, at Value (Cost $1,295)

   

1,296

   

Receivable for Fund Shares Sold

   

5,623

   

Receivable for Investments Sold

   

2,801

   

Dividends Receivable

   

1,532

   

Tax Reclaim Receivable

   

142

   

Receivable from Securities Lending Income

   

4

   

Receivable from Affiliate

   

@

 

Other Assets

   

116

   

Total Assets

   

320,824

   

Liabilities:

 

Payable for Investments Purchased

   

4,573

   

Collateral on Securities Loaned, at Value

   

4,531

   

Payable for Fund Shares Redeemed

   

2,621

   

Payable for Advisory Fees

   

497

   

Deferred Capital Gain Country Tax

   

234

   

Payable for Sub Transfer Agency Fees — Class I

   

104

   

Payable for Sub Transfer Agency Fees — Class A

   

3

   

Payable for Sub Transfer Agency Fees — Class L

   

@

 

Payable for Sub Transfer Agency Fees — Class C

   

@

 

Payable for Custodian Fees

   

46

   

Payable for Professional Fees

   

34

   

Payable for Administration Fees

   

21

   

Payable for Transfer Agency Fees — Class I

   

4

   

Payable for Transfer Agency Fees — Class A

   

5

   

Payable for Transfer Agency Fees — Class L

   

@

 

Payable for Transfer Agency Fees — Class C

   

1

   

Payable for Transfer Agency Fees — Class IS

   

2

   

Payable for Transfer Agency Fees — Class IR

   

@

 

Payable for Shareholder Services Fees — Class A

   

1

   

Payable for Distribution and Shareholder Services Fees — Class L

   

@

 

Payable for Distribution and Shareholder Services Fees — Class C

   

@

 

Other Liabilities

   

102

   

Total Liabilities

   

12,779

   

Net Assets

 

$

308,045

   

Net Assets Consist of:

 

Paid-in-Capital

 

$

275,222

   

Total Distributable Earnings

   

32,823

   

Net Assets

 

$

308,045

   

The accompanying notes are an integral part of the financial statements.
11



Morgan Stanley Institutional Fund, Inc.

Annual Report — December 31, 2020

Global Real Estate Portfolio

Statement of Assets and Liabilities (cont'd)

  December 31, 2020
(000)
 

CLASS I:

 

Net Assets

 

$

84,874

   
Shares Outstanding $0.001 par value shares of beneficial interest (unlimited shares authorized) (not in 000's)    

10,279,089

   

Net Asset Value, Offering and Redemption Price Per Share

 

$

8.26

   

CLASS A:

 

Net Assets

 

$

4,316

   
Shares Outstanding $0.001 par value shares of beneficial interest (unlimited shares authorized) (not in 000's)    

523,392

   

Net Asset Value, Redemption Price Per Share

 

$

8.25

   

Maximum Sales Load

   

5.25

%

 

Maximum Sales Charge

 

$

0.46

   

Maximum Offering Price Per Share

 

$

8.71

   

CLASS L:

 

Net Assets

 

$

522

   
Shares Outstanding $0.001 par value shares of beneficial interest (unlimited shares authorized) (not in 000's)    

63,770

   

Net Asset Value, Offering and Redemption Price Per Share

 

$

8.18

   

CLASS C:

 

Net Assets

 

$

225

   
Shares Outstanding $0.001 par value shares of beneficial interest (unlimited shares authorized) (not in 000's)    

28,088

   

Net Asset Value, Offering and Redemption Price Per Share

 

$

8.01

   

CLASS IS:

 

Net Assets

 

$

218,100

   
Shares Outstanding $0.001 par value shares of beneficial interest (unlimited shares authorized) (not in 000's)    

26,435,148

   

Net Asset Value, Offering and Redemption Price Per Share

 

$

8.25

   

CLASS IR:

 

Net Assets

 

$

8

   
Shares Outstanding $0.001 par value shares of beneficial interest (unlimited shares authorized) (not in 000's)    

1,019

   

Net Asset Value, Offering and Redemption Price Per Share

 

$

8.25

   

(1) Including:

 

Securities on Loan, at Value:

 

$

5,663

   

@  Amount is less than $500.

The accompanying notes are an integral part of the financial statements.
12



Morgan Stanley Institutional Fund, Inc.

Annual Report — December 31, 2020

Global Real Estate Portfolio

Statement of Operations

  Year Ended
December 31, 2020
(000)
 

Investment Income:

 

Dividends from Securities of Unaffiliated Issuers (Net of $535 of Foreign Taxes Withheld)

 

$

11,427

   

Dividends from Security of Affiliated Issuer (Note G)

   

10

   

Income from Securities Loaned — Net

   

5

   

Total Investment Income

   

11,442

   

Expenses:

 

Advisory Fees (Note B)

   

2,988

   

Administration Fees (Note C)

   

299

   

Sub Transfer Agency Fees — Class I

   

212

   

Sub Transfer Agency Fees — Class A

   

9

   

Sub Transfer Agency Fees — Class L

   

1

   

Sub Transfer Agency Fees — Class C

   

@

 

Professional Fees

   

154

   

Custodian Fees (Note F)

   

139

   

Registration Fees

   

93

   

Shareholder Reporting Fees

   

60

   

Transfer Agency Fees — Class I (Note E)

   

11

   

Transfer Agency Fees — Class A (Note E)

   

29

   

Transfer Agency Fees — Class L (Note E)

   

2

   

Transfer Agency Fees — Class C (Note E)

   

2

   

Transfer Agency Fees — Class IS (Note E)

   

4

   

Transfer Agency Fees — Class IR (Note E)

   

2

   

Shareholder Services Fees — Class A (Note D)

   

15

   

Distribution and Shareholder Services Fees — Class L (Note D)

   

7

   

Distribution and Shareholder Services Fees — Class C (Note D)

   

3

   

Pricing Fees

   

11

   

Directors' Fees and Expenses

   

10

   

Interest Expenses

   

52

   

Other Expenses

   

29

   

Total Expenses

   

4,132

   

Waiver of Advisory Fees (Note B)

   

(270

)

 

Reimbursement of Class Specific Expenses — Class I (Note B)

   

(151

)

 

Reimbursement of Class Specific Expenses — Class A (Note B)

   

(29

)

 

Reimbursement of Class Specific Expenses — Class L (Note B)

   

(1

)

 

Reimbursement of Class Specific Expenses — Class C (Note B)

   

(2

)

 

Reimbursement of Class Specific Expenses — Class IS (Note B)

   

(4

)

 

Reimbursement of Class Specific Expenses — Class IR (Note B)

   

(2

)

 

Rebate from Morgan Stanley Affiliate (Note G)

   

(4

)

 

Net Expenses

   

3,669

   

Net Investment Income

   

7,773

   

Realized Loss:

 

Investments Sold (Net of $159 of Capital Gain Country Tax)

   

(9,919

)

 

Foreign Currency Translation

   

(16

)

 

Net Realized Loss

   

(9,935

)

 

Change in Unrealized Appreciation (Depreciation):

 

Investments (Net of Decrease in Deferred Capital Gain Country Tax of $35)

   

(97,663

)

 

Foreign Currency Translation

   

(15

)

 

Net Change in Unrealized Appreciation (Depreciation)

   

(97,678

)

 

Net Realized Loss and Change in Unrealized Appreciation (Depreciation)

   

(107,613

)

 

Net Decrease in Net Assets Resulting from Operations

 

$

(99,840

)

 

@  Amount is less than $500.

The accompanying notes are an integral part of the financial statements.
13



Morgan Stanley Institutional Fund, Inc.

Annual Report — December 31, 2020

Global Real Estate Portfolio

Statements of Changes in Net Assets

  Year Ended
December 31, 2020
(000)
  Year Ended
December 31, 2019
(000)
 

Increase (Decrease) in Net Assets:

 

Operations:

 

Net Investment Income

 

$

7,773

   

$

19,731

   

Net Realized Gain (Loss)

   

(9,935

)

   

51,608

   

Net Change in Unrealized Appreciation (Depreciation)

   

(97,678

)

   

74,806

   

Net Increase (Decrease) in Net Assets Resulting from Operations

   

(99,840

)

   

146,145

   

Dividends and Distributions to Shareholders:

 

Class I

   

(2,017

)

   

(30,795

)

 

Class A

   

(84

)

   

(992

)

 

Class L

   

(7

)

   

(121

)

 

Class C

   

(2

)

   

(33

)

 

Class IS

   

(5,319

)

   

(31,992

)

 

Class IR

   

(—

@)

   

(1

)

 

Total Dividends and Distributions to Shareholders

   

(7,429

)

   

(63,934

)

 

Capital Share Transactions:(1)

 

Class I:

 

Subscribed

   

32,011

     

52,386

   

Distributions Reinvested

   

1,893

     

21,514

   

Redeemed

   

(227,702

)

   

(143,648

)

 

Class A:

 

Subscribed

   

340

     

1,398

   

Distributions Reinvested

   

84

     

985

   

Redeemed

   

(4,343

)

   

(5,586

)

 

Class L:

 

Exchanged

   

101

     

25

   

Distributions Reinvested

   

7

     

121

   

Redeemed

   

(723

)

   

(39

)

 

Class C:

 

Subscribed

   

     

110

   

Distributions Reinvested

   

2

     

33

   

Redeemed

   

(99

)

   

(208

)

 

Class IS:

 

Subscribed

   

44,467

     

44,869

   

Distributions Reinvested

   

5,311

     

30,673

   

Redeemed

   

(122,338

)

   

(292,311

)

 

Class IR:

 

Distributions Reinvested

   

@

   

1

   

Net Decrease in Net Assets Resulting from Capital Share Transactions

   

(270,989

)

   

(289,677

)

 

Total Decrease in Net Assets

   

(378,258

)

   

(207,466

)

 

Net Assets:

 

Beginning of Period

   

686,303

     

893,769

   

End of Period

 

$

308,045

   

$

686,303

   

The accompanying notes are an integral part of the financial statements.
14



Morgan Stanley Institutional Fund, Inc.

Annual Report — December 31, 2020

Global Real Estate Portfolio

Statements of Changes in Net Assets (cont'd)

  Year Ended
December 31, 2020
(000)
  Year Ended
December 31, 2019
(000)
 

(1)   Capital Share Transactions:

 

Class I:

 

Shares Subscribed

   

4,347

     

5,134

   

Shares Issued on Distributions Reinvested

   

229

     

2,227

   

Shares Redeemed

   

(27,050

)

   

(13,954

)

 

Net Decrease in Class I Shares Outstanding

   

(22,474

)

   

(6,593

)

 

Class A:

 

Shares Subscribed

   

43

     

136

   

Shares Issued on Distributions Reinvested

   

10

     

102

   

Shares Redeemed

   

(619

)

   

(543

)

 

Net Decrease in Class A Shares Outstanding

   

(566

)

   

(305

)

 

Class L:

 

Shares Exchanged

   

15

     

3

   

Shares Issued on Distributions Reinvested

   

1

     

13

   

Shares Redeemed

   

(98

)

   

(4

)

 

Net Increase (Decrease) in Class L Shares Outstanding

   

(82

)

   

12

   

Class C:

 

Shares Subscribed

   

     

11

   

Shares Issued on Distributions Reinvested

   

@@

   

4

   

Shares Redeemed

   

(13

)

   

(21

)

 

Net Decrease in Class C Shares Outstanding

   

(13

)

   

(6

)

 

Class IS:

 

Shares Subscribed

   

6,252

     

4,341

   

Shares Issued on Distributions Reinvested

   

643

     

3,175

   

Shares Redeemed

   

(15,958

)

   

(28,336

)

 

Net Decrease in Class IS Shares Outstanding

   

(9,063

)

   

(20,820

)

 

Class IR:

 

Shares Issued on Distributions Reinvested

   

@@

   

@@

 

@  Amount is less than $500.

@@  Amount is less than 500 shares.

The accompanying notes are an integral part of the financial statements.
15



Morgan Stanley Institutional Fund, Inc.

Annual Report — December 31, 2020

Financial Highlights

Global Real Estate Portfolio

   

Class I

 
   

Year Ended December 31,

 

Selected Per Share Data and Ratios

 

2020

 

2019

 

2018

 

2017

 

2016(1)

 

Net Asset Value, Beginning of Period

 

$

9.87

   

$

9.19

   

$

11.13

   

$

10.76

   

$

10.80

   

Income (Loss) from Investment Operations:

 

Net Investment Income(2)

   

0.15

     

0.24

     

0.27

     

0.25

     

0.21

   

Net Realized and Unrealized Gain (Loss)

   

(1.57

)

   

1.43

     

(1.11

)

   

0.80

     

0.15

   

Total from Investment Operations

   

(1.42

)

   

1.67

     

(0.84

)

   

1.05

     

0.36

   

Distributions from and/or in Excess of:

 

Net Investment Income

   

(0.11

)

   

(0.54

)

   

(0.51

)

   

(0.15

)

   

(0.34

)

 

Net Realized Gain

   

(0.08

)

   

(0.45

)

   

(0.59

)

   

(0.53

)

   

(0.04

)

 

Paid-in-Capital

   

     

     

     

     

(0.02

)

 

Total Distributions

   

(0.19

)

   

(0.99

)

   

(1.10

)

   

(0.68

)

   

(0.40

)

 

Net Asset Value, End of Period

 

$

8.26

   

$

9.87

   

$

9.19

   

$

11.13

   

$

10.76

   

Total Return(3)

   

(14.33

)%

   

18.35

%

   

(7.92

)%

   

9.73

%

   

3.42

%

 

Ratios to Average Net Assets and Supplemental Data:

 

Net Assets, End of Period (Thousands)

 

$

84,874

   

$

323,386

   

$

361,680

   

$

553,319

   

$

471,790

   

Ratio of Expenses Before Expense Limitation

   

1.20

%

   

1.05

%

   

1.10

%

   

1.07

%

   

1.04

%

 

Ratio of Expenses After Expense Limitation

   

1.01

%(4)(6)

   

1.00

%(4)

   

1.03

%(4)(5)

   

1.05

%(4)

   

1.04

%(4)

 
Ratio of Expenses After Expense Limitation
Excluding Interest Expenses
   

1.00

%(4)

   

1.00

%(4)

   

1.03

%(4)

   

1.05

%(4)

   

N/A

   

Ratio of Net Investment Income

   

1.86

%(4)

   

2.36

%(4)

   

2.54

%(4)

   

2.20

%(4)

   

1.88

%(4)

 

Ratio of Rebate from Morgan Stanley Affiliates

   

0.00

%(7)

   

0.00

%(7)

   

0.00

%(7)

   

0.00

%(7)

   

0.00

%(7)

 

Portfolio Turnover Rate

   

51

%

   

24

%

   

38

%

   

39

%

   

26

%

 

(1)  Reflects prior period custodian out-of-pocket expenses that were reimbursed in September 2016. The amount of the reimbursement was immaterial on a per share basis and did not impact the total return of Class I shares. The Ratio of Expenses After Expense Limitation would have been less than 0.005% higher and the Ratio of Net Investment Income would have been less than 0.005% lower had the custodian not reimbursed the Fund.

(2)  Per share amount is based on average shares outstanding.

(3)  Calculated based on the net asset value as of the last business day of the period.

(4)  The Ratio of Expenses After Expense Limitation and Ratio of Net Investment Income reflect the rebate of certain Fund expenses in connection with the investments in Morgan Stanley affiliates during the period. The effect of the rebate on the ratios is disclosed in the above table as "Ratio of Rebate from Morgan Stanley Affiliates."

(5)  Effective July 1, 2018, the Adviser has agreed to limit the ratio of expenses to average net assets to the maximum ratio of 1.00% for Class I shares. Prior to July 1, 2018, the maximum ratio was 1.05% for Class I shares.

(6)  Ratio is above the expense limitation due to interest expenses, which are not included in the determination of the expense limitation. Refer to Footnote B in the Notes to the Financial Statements.

(7)  Amount is less than 0.005%.

The accompanying notes are an integral part of the financial statements.
16



Morgan Stanley Institutional Fund, Inc.

Annual Report — December 31, 2020

Financial Highlights

Global Real Estate Portfolio

   

Class A

 
   

Year Ended December 31,

 

Selected Per Share Data and Ratios

 

2020

 

2019

 

2018

 

2017

 

2016(1)

 

Net Asset Value, Beginning of Period

 

$

9.85

   

$

9.17

   

$

11.10

   

$

10.71

   

$

10.74

   

Income (Loss) from Investment Operations:

 

Net Investment Income(2)

   

0.13

     

0.21

     

0.23

     

0.17

     

0.17

   

Net Realized and Unrealized Gain (Loss)

   

(1.58

)

   

1.41

     

(1.10

)

   

0.84

     

0.16

   

Total from Investment Operations

   

(1.45

)

   

1.62

     

(0.87

)

   

1.01

     

0.33

   

Distributions from and/or in Excess of:

 

Net Investment Income

   

(0.07

)

   

(0.49

)

   

(0.47

)

   

(0.09

)

   

(0.30

)

 

Net Realized Gain

   

(0.08

)

   

(0.45

)

   

(0.59

)

   

(0.53

)

   

(0.04

)

 

Paid-in-Capital

   

     

     

     

     

(0.02

)

 

Total Distributions

   

(0.15

)

   

(0.94

)

   

(1.06

)

   

(0.62

)

   

(0.36

)

 

Net Asset Value, End of Period

 

$

8.25

   

$

9.85

   

$

9.17

   

$

11.10

   

$

10.71

   

Total Return(3)

   

(14.65

)%

   

17.90

%

   

(8.19

)%

   

9.44

%

   

3.12

%

 

Ratios to Average Net Assets and Supplemental Data:

 

Net Assets, End of Period (Thousands)

 

$

4,316

   

$

10,728

   

$

12,775

   

$

17,701

   

$

92,730

   

Ratio of Expenses Before Expense Limitation

   

1.90

%

   

1.37

%

   

1.39

%

   

N/A

     

1.36

%

 

Ratio of Expenses After Expense Limitation

   

1.36

%(4)(6)

   

1.35

%(4)

   

1.38

%(4)(5)

   

1.35

%(4)

   

1.35

%(4)

 

Ratio of Expenses After Expense Limitation Excluding Interest Expenses

   

1.35

%(4)

   

1.35

%(4)

   

1.38

%(4)

   

1.35

%(4)

   

N/A

   

Ratio of Net Investment Income

   

1.63

%(4)

   

2.00

%(4)

   

2.18

%(4)

   

1.55

%(4)

   

1.51

%(4)

 

Ratio of Rebate from Morgan Stanley Affiliates

   

0.00

%(7)

   

0.00

%(7)

   

0.00

%(7)

   

0.00

%(7)

   

0.00

%(7)

 

Portfolio Turnover Rate

   

51

%

   

24

%

   

38

%

   

39

%

   

26

%

 

(1)  Reflects prior period custodian out-of-pocket expenses that were reimbursed in September 2016. The amount of the reimbursement was immaterial on a per share basis and did not impact the total return of Class A shares. The Ratio of Expenses After Expense Limitation would have been 0.01% higher and the Ratio of Net Investment Income would have been 0.01% lower had the custodian not reimbursed the Fund.

(2)  Per share amount is based on average shares outstanding.

(3)  Calculated based on the net asset value which does not reflect sales charges, if applicable, as of the last business day of the period.

(4)  The Ratio of Expenses After Expense Limitation and Ratio of Net Investment Income reflect the rebate of certain Fund expenses in connection with the investments in Morgan Stanley affiliates during the period. The effect of the rebate on the ratios is disclosed in the above table as "Ratio of Rebate from Morgan Stanley Affiliates."

(5)  Effective July 1, 2018, the Adviser has agreed to limit the ratio of expenses to average net assets to the maximum ratio of 1.35% for Class A shares. Prior to July 1, 2018, the maximum ratio was 1.40% for Class A shares.

(6)  Ratio is above the expense limitation due to interest expenses, which are not included in the determination of the expense limitation. Refer to Footnote B in the Notes to the Financial Statements.

(7)  Amount is less than 0.005%.

The accompanying notes are an integral part of the financial statements.
17



Morgan Stanley Institutional Fund, Inc.

Annual Report — December 31, 2020

Financial Highlights

Global Real Estate Portfolio

   

Class L

 
   

Year Ended December 31,

 

Selected Per Share Data and Ratios

 

2020

 

2019

 

2018

 

2017

 

2016(1)

 

Net Asset Value, Beginning of Period

 

$

9.75

   

$

9.09

   

$

11.01

   

$

10.64

   

$

10.61

   

Income (Loss) from Investment Operations:

 

Net Investment Income(2)

   

0.08

     

0.16

     

0.17

     

0.14

     

0.12

   

Net Realized and Unrealized Gain (Loss)

   

(1.56

)

   

1.40

     

(1.09

)

   

0.81

     

0.16

   

Total from Investment Operations

   

(1.48

)

   

1.56

     

(0.92

)

   

0.95

     

0.28

   

Distributions from and/or in Excess of:

 

Net Investment Income

   

(0.01

)

   

(0.45

)

   

(0.41

)

   

(0.05

)

   

(0.19

)

 

Net Realized Gain

   

(0.08

)

   

(0.45

)

   

(0.59

)

   

(0.53

)

   

(0.04

)

 

Paid-in-Capital

   

     

     

     

     

(0.02

)

 

Total Distributions

   

(0.09

)

   

(0.90

)

   

(1.00

)

   

(0.58

)

   

(0.25

)

 

Net Asset Value, End of Period

 

$

8.18

   

$

9.75

   

$

9.09

   

$

11.01

   

$

10.64

   

Total Return(3)

   

(15.17

)%

   

17.37

%

   

(8.74

)%

   

8.89

%

   

2.65

%

 

Ratios to Average Net Assets and Supplemental Data:

 

Net Assets, End of Period (Thousands)

 

$

522

   

$

1,419

   

$

1,220

   

$

1,344

   

$

1,483

   

Ratio of Expenses Before Expense Limitation

   

2.08

%

   

1.91

%

   

2.02

%

   

1.93

%

   

1.82

%

 

Ratio of Expenses After Expense Limitation

   

1.86

%(4)(6)

   

1.85

%(4)

   

1.88

%(4)(5)

   

1.90

%(4)

   

1.82

%(4)

 

Ratio of Expenses After Expense Limitation Excluding Interest Expenses

   

1.85

%(4)

   

1.85

%(4)

   

1.88

%(4)

   

1.90

%(4)

   

N/A

   

Ratio of Net Investment Income

   

1.07

%(4)

   

1.54

%(4)

   

1.64

%(4)

   

1.32

%(4)

   

1.07

%(4)

 

Ratio of Rebate from Morgan Stanley Affiliates

   

0.00

%(7)

   

0.00

%(7)

   

0.00

%(7)

   

0.00

%(7)

   

0.00

%(7)

 

Portfolio Turnover Rate

   

51

%

   

24

%

   

38

%

   

39

%

   

26

%

 

(1)  Reflects prior period custodian out-of-pocket expenses that were reimbursed in September 2016. The amount of the reimbursement was immaterial on a per share basis and did not impact the total return of Class L shares. The Ratio of Expenses After Expense Limitation would have been less than 0.005% higher and the Ratio of Net Investment Income would have been less than 0.005% lower had the custodian not reimbursed the Fund.

(2)  Per share amount is based on average shares outstanding.

(3)  Calculated based on the net asset value as of the last business day of the period.

(4)  The Ratio of Expenses After Expense Limitation and Ratio of Net Investment Income reflect the rebate of certain Fund expenses in connection with the investments in Morgan Stanley affiliates during the period. The effect of the rebate on the ratios is disclosed in the above table as "Ratio of Rebate from Morgan Stanley Affiliates."

(5)  Effective July 1, 2018, the Adviser has agreed to limit the ratio of expenses to average net assets to the maximum ratio of 1.85% for Class L shares. Prior to July 1, 2018, the maximum ratio was 1.90% for Class L shares.

(6)  Ratio is above the expense limitation due to interest expenses, which are not included in the determination of the expense limitation. Refer to Footnote B in the Notes to the Financial Statements.

(7)  Amount is less than 0.005%.

The accompanying notes are an integral part of the financial statements.
18



Morgan Stanley Institutional Fund, Inc.

Annual Report — December 31, 2020

Financial Highlights

Global Real Estate Portfolio

   

Class C

 
   

Year Ended December 31,

 

Selected Per Share Data and Ratios

 

2020

 

2019

 

2018

 

2017

 

2016(1)

 

Net Asset Value, Beginning of Period

 

$

9.56

   

$

8.92

   

$

10.83

   

$

10.49

   

$

10.56

   

Income (Loss) from Investment Operations:

 

Net Investment Income(2)

   

0.08

     

0.13

     

0.16

     

0.12

     

0.08

   

Net Realized and Unrealized Gain (Loss)

   

(1.54

)

   

1.37

     

(1.09

)

   

0.78

     

0.16

   

Total from Investment Operations

   

(1.46

)

   

1.50

     

(0.93

)

   

0.90

     

0.24

   

Distributions from and/or in Excess of:

 

Net Investment Income

   

(0.01

)

   

(0.41

)

   

(0.39

)

   

(0.03

)

   

(0.25

)

 

Net Realized Gain

   

(0.08

)

   

(0.45

)

   

(0.59

)

   

(0.53

)

   

(0.04

)

 

Paid-in-Capital

   

     

     

     

     

(0.02

)

 

Total Distributions

   

(0.09

)

   

(0.86

)

   

(0.98

)

   

(0.56

)

   

(0.31

)

 

Net Asset Value, End of Period

 

$

8.01

   

$

9.56

   

$

8.92

   

$

10.83

   

$

10.49

   

Total Return(3)

   

(15.26

)%

   

16.98

%

   

(8.93

)%

   

8.54

%

   

2.31

%

 

Ratios to Average Net Assets and Supplemental Data:

 

Net Assets, End of Period (Thousands)

 

$

225

   

$

397

   

$

428

   

$

327

   

$

305

   

Ratio of Expenses Before Expense Limitation

   

2.96

%

   

2.51

%

   

2.47

%

   

2.69

%

   

2.86

%

 

Ratio of Expenses After Expense Limitation

   

2.11

%(4)(6)

   

2.10

%(4)

   

2.12

%(4)(5)

   

2.15

%(4)

   

2.15

%(4)

 

Ratio of Expenses After Expense Limitation Excluding Interest Expenses

   

2.10

%(4)

   

2.10

%(4)

   

2.12

%(4)

   

2.15

%(4)

   

N/A

   

Ratio of Net Investment Income

   

1.00

%(4)

   

1.26

%(4)

   

1.53

%(4)

   

1.11

%(4)

   

0.75

%(4)

 

Ratio of Rebate from Morgan Stanley Affiliates

   

0.00

%(7)

   

0.00

%(7)

   

0.00

%(7)

   

0.00

%(7)

   

0.00

%(7)

 

Portfolio Turnover Rate

   

51

%

   

24

%

   

38

%

   

39

%

   

26

%

 

(1)  Reflects prior period custodian out-of-pocket expenses that were reimbursed in September 2016. The amount of the reimbursement was immaterial on a per share basis and did not impact the total return of Class C shares. The Ratio of Expenses After Expense Limitation and the Ratio of Net Investment Income would be unchanged as the reimbursement of custodian fees was offset against expense waivers/reimbursements with no impact to net expenses or net investment income.

(2)  Per share amount is based on average shares outstanding.

(3)  Calculated based on the net asset value which does not reflect sales charges, if applicable, as of the last business day of the period.

(4)  The Ratio of Expenses After Expense Limitation and Ratio of Net Investment Income reflect the rebate of certain Fund expenses in connection with the investments in Morgan Stanley affiliates during the period. The effect of the rebate on the ratios is disclosed in the above table as "Ratio of Rebate from Morgan Stanley Affiliates."

(5)  Effective July 1, 2018, the Adviser has agreed to limit the ratio of expenses to average net assets to the maximum ratio of 2.10% for Class C shares. Prior to July 1, 2018, the maximum ratio was 2.15% for Class C shares.

(6)  Ratio is above the expense limitation due to interest expenses, which are not included in the determination of the expense limitation. Refer to Footnote B in the Notes to the Financial Statements.

(7)  Amount is less than 0.005%.

The accompanying notes are an integral part of the financial statements.
19



Morgan Stanley Institutional Fund, Inc.

Annual Report — December 31, 2020

Financial Highlights

Global Real Estate Portfolio

   

Class IS

 
   

Year Ended December 31,

 

Selected Per Share Data and Ratios

 

2020

 

2019

 

2018

 

2017

 

2016(1)

 

Net Asset Value, Beginning of Period

 

$

9.87

   

$

9.19

   

$

11.13

   

$

10.76

   

$

10.81

   

Income (Loss) from Investment Operations:

 

Net Investment Income(2)

   

0.17

     

0.25

     

0.28

     

0.25

     

0.22

   

Net Realized and Unrealized Gain (Loss)

   

(1.59

)

   

1.43

     

(1.11

)

   

0.81

     

0.15

   

Total from Investment Operations

   

(1.42

)

   

1.68

     

(0.83

)

   

1.06

     

0.37

   

Distributions from and/or in Excess of:

 

Net Investment Income

   

(0.12

)

   

(0.55

)

   

(0.52

)

   

(0.16

)

   

(0.36

)

 

Net Realized Gain

   

(0.08

)

   

(0.45

)

   

(0.59

)

   

(0.53

)

   

(0.04

)

 

Paid-in-Capital

   

     

     

     

     

(0.02

)

 

Total Distributions

   

(0.20

)

   

(1.00

)

   

(1.11

)

   

(0.69

)

   

(0.42

)

 

Net Asset Value, End of Period

 

$

8.25

   

$

9.87

   

$

9.19

   

$

11.13

   

$

10.76

   

Total Return(3)

   

(14.36

)%

   

18.43

%

   

(7.83

)%

   

9.80

%

   

3.45

%

 

Ratios to Average Net Assets and Supplemental Data:

 

Net Assets, End of Period (Thousands)

 

$

218,100

   

$

350,363

   

$

517,658

   

$

1,049,646

   

$

1,255,498

   

Ratio of Expenses Before Expense Limitation

   

1.01

%

   

0.94

%

   

N/A

     

N/A

     

0.97

%

 

Ratio of Expenses After Expense Limitation

   

0.95

%(4)(6)

   

0.94

%(4)

   

0.95

%(4)(5)

   

0.97

%(4)

   

0.96

%(4)

 

Ratio of Expenses After Expense Limitation Excluding Interest Expenses

   

0.94

%(4)

   

0.94

%(4)

   

0.95

%(4)

   

0.97

%(4)

   

N/A

   

Ratio of Net Investment Income

   

2.21

%(4)

   

2.41

%(4)

   

2.58

%(4)

   

2.26

%(4)

   

2.01

%(4)

 

Ratio of Rebate from Morgan Stanley Affiliates

   

0.00

%(7)

   

0.00

%(7)

   

0.00

%(7)

   

0.00

%(7)

   

0.00

%(7)

 

Portfolio Turnover Rate

   

51

%

   

24

%

   

38

%

   

39

%

   

26

%

 

(1)  Reflects prior period custodian out-of-pocket expenses that were reimbursed in September 2016. The amount of the reimbursement was immaterial on a per share basis and did not impact the total return of Class IS shares. The Ratio of Expenses After Expense Limitation would have been 0.01% higher and the Ratio of Net Investment Income would have been 0.01% lower had the custodian not reimbursed the Fund.

(2)  Per share amount is based on average shares outstanding.

(3)  Calculated based on the net asset value as of the last business day of the period.

(4)  The Ratio of Expenses After Expense Limitation and Ratio of Net Investment Income reflect the rebate of certain Fund expenses in connection with the investments in Morgan Stanley affiliates during the period. The effect of the rebate on the ratios is disclosed in the above table as "Ratio of Rebate from Morgan Stanley Affiliates."

(5)  Effective July 1, 2018, the Adviser has agreed to limit the ratio of expenses to average net assets to the maximum ratio of 0.94% for Class IS shares. Prior to July 1, 2018, the maximum ratio was 0.99% for Class IS shares.

(6)  Ratio is above the expense limitation due to interest expenses, which are not included in the determination of the expense limitation. Refer to Footnote B in the Notes to the Financial Statements.

(7)  Amount is less than 0.005%.

The accompanying notes are an integral part of the financial statements.
20



Morgan Stanley Institutional Fund, Inc.

Annual Report — December 31, 2020

Financial Highlights

Global Real Estate Portfolio

   

Class IR

 
   

Year Ended December 31,

  Period from
June 15, 2018(1) to
 

Selected Per Share Data and Ratios

 

2020

 

2019

 

December 31, 2018

 

Net Asset Value, Beginning of Period

 

$

9.87

   

$

9.19

   

$

11.09

   

Income (Loss) from Investment Operations:

 

Net Investment Income(2)

   

0.18

     

0.25

     

0.23

   

Net Realized and Unrealized Gain (Loss)

   

(1.60

)

   

1.43

     

(1.02

)

 

Total from Investment Operations

   

(1.42

)

   

1.68

     

(0.79

)

 

Distributions from and/or in Excess of:

 

Net Investment Income

   

(0.12

)

   

(0.55

)

   

(0.52

)

 

Net Realized Gain

   

(0.08

)

   

(0.45

)

   

(0.59

)

 

Total Distributions

   

(0.20

)

   

(1.00

)

   

(1.11

)

 

Net Asset Value, End of Period

 

$

8.25

   

$

9.87

   

$

9.19

   

Total Return(3)

   

(14.36

)%

   

18.44

%

   

(7.49

)%(8)

 

Ratios to Average Net Assets and Supplemental Data:

 

Net Assets, End of Period, (Thousands)

 

$

8

   

$

10

   

$

8

   

Ratio of Expenses Before Expense Limitation

   

26.07

%

   

21.38

%

   

18.72

%(9)

 

Ratio of Expenses After Expense Limitation

   

0.95

%(4)(6)

   

0.94

%(4)

   

0.94

%(4)(5)(9)

 

Ratios of Expenses After Expense Limitation Excluding Interest Expenses

   

0.94

%(4)

   

0.94

%(4)

   

N/A

   

Ratio of Net Investment Income

   

2.37

%(4)

   

2.45

%(4)

   

3.94

%(4)(9)

 

Ratio of Rebate from Morgan Stanley Affiliates

   

0.00

%(7)

   

0.00

%(7)

   

0.00

%(7)(9)

 

Portfolio Turnover Rate

   

51

%

   

24

%

   

38

%

 

(1)  Commencement of Offering.

(2)  Per share amount is based on average shares outstanding.

(3)  Calculated based on the net asset value as of the last business day of the period.

(4)  The Ratio of Expenses After Expense Limitation and Ratio of Net Investment Income reflect the rebate of certain Fund expenses in connection with the investments in Morgan Stanley affiliates during the period. The effect of the rebate on the ratios is disclosed in the above table as "Ratio of Rebate from Morgan Stanley Affiliates."

(5)  Effective July 1, 2018, the Adviser has agreed to limit the ratio of expenses to average net assets to the maximum ratio of 0.94% for Class IR shares. Prior to July 1, 2018, the maximum ratio was 0.99% for Class IR shares.

(6)  Ratio is above the expense limitation due to interest expenses, which are not included in the determination of the expense limitation. Refer to Footnote B in the Notes to the Financial Statements.

(7)  Amount is less than 0.005%.

(8)  Not annualized.

(9)  Annualized.

The accompanying notes are an integral part of the financial statements.
21



Morgan Stanley Institutional Fund, Inc.

Annual Report — December 31, 2020

Notes to Financial Statements

Morgan Stanley Institutional Fund, Inc. (the "Company") is registered under the Investment Company Act of 1940, as amended (the "Act"), as an open-end management investment company. The Company is comprised of thirty-one separate, active, diversified and non-diversified funds (individually referred to as a "Fund," collectively as the "Funds"). The Company applies investment company accounting and reporting guidance.

The accompanying financial statements relate to the Global Real Estate Portfolio. The Fund seeks to provide current income and capital appreciation. The Fund has capital subscription commitments to an investee company for this same purpose, the details of which are disclosed in the Unfunded Commitments note.

The Fund offers six classes of shares — Class I, Class A, Class L, Class C, Class IS, and Class IR. On April 30, 2015, the Fund suspended offering of Class L shares. Existing Class L shareholders may invest through reinvestment of dividends and distributions. In addition, Class L shares of the Fund may be exchanged for Class L shares of any Morgan Stanley Multi-Class Fund, even though Class L shares are closed to investors.

A. Significant Accounting Policies: The following significant accounting policies are in conformity with U.S. generally accepted accounting principles ("GAAP"). Such policies are consistently followed by the Company in the preparation of its financial statements. GAAP may require management to make estimates and assumptions that affect the reported amounts and disclosures in the financial statements. Actual results may differ from those estimates.

1.  Security Valuation: (1) An equity portfolio security listed or traded on an exchange is valued at its latest reported sales price (or at the exchange official closing price if such exchange reports an official closing price), and if there were no sales on a given day and if there is no official exchange closing price for that day, the security is valued at the mean between the last reported bid and asked prices if such bid and asked prices are available on the relevant exchanges. If only bid prices are available then the latest bid price may be used. Listed equity securities not traded on the valuation date with no reported bid and asked prices available on the exchange are valued at the mean between the current bid and asked prices obtained from one or more reputable brokers or dealers. In cases where a security is traded on more than one exchange, the security is valued on the exchange designated as the primary market;

(2) all other equity portfolio securities for which over-the-counter ("OTC") market quotations are readily available are valued at the latest reported sales price (or at the market official closing price if such market reports an official closing price), and if there was no trading in the security on a given day and if there is no official closing price from relevant markets for that day, the security is valued at the mean between the last reported bid and asked prices if such bid and asked prices are available on the relevant markets. An unlisted equity security that does not trade on the valuation date and for which bid and asked prices from the relevant markets are unavailable is valued at the mean between the current bid and asked prices obtained from one or more reputable brokers or dealers; (3) certain portfolio securities may be valued by an outside pricing service/vendor approved by the Company's Board of Directors (the "Directors"). The pricing service/vendor may employ a pricing model that takes into account, among other things, bids, yield spreads and/or other market data and specific security characteristics. Alternatively, if a valuation is not available from an outside pricing service/vendor, and the security trades on an exchange, the security may be valued at its latest reported sale price (or at the exchange official closing price if such exchange reports an official closing price), prior to the time when assets are valued. If there are no sales on a given day and if there is no official exchange closing price for that day, the security is valued at the mean between the last reported bid and asked prices if such bid and asked prices are available in the relevant exchanges. If only bid prices are available then the latest bid price may be used. If Morgan Stanley Investment Management Inc. (the "Adviser") or Morgan Stanley Investment Management Limited ("MSIM Limited") and Morgan Stanley Investment Management Company ("MSIM Company") (together, the "Sub-Advisers"), each a wholly-owned subsidiary of Morgan Stanley, determines that the price provided by the outside pricing service/vendor or exchange does not reflect the security's fair value or is unable to provide a price, prices from brokers or dealers may also be utilized. In these circumstances, the value of the security will be the mean of bid and asked prices obtained from brokers or dealers; (4) when market quotations are not readily available, including circumstances under which the Adviser or Sub-Advisers determine 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


22



Morgan Stanley Institutional Fund, Inc.

Annual Report — December 31, 2020

Notes to Financial Statements (cont'd)

their fair value as determined in good faith under procedures established by and under the general supervision of the Directors. 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 of the New York Stock Exchange ("NYSE"). If developments occur during such periods that are expected to materially affect the value of such securities, such valuations may be adjusted to reflect the estimated fair value of such securities as of the close of the NYSE, as determined in good faith by the Directors or by the Adviser using a pricing service and/or procedures approved by the Directors; (5) quotations of foreign portfolio securities, other assets and liabilities and forward contracts stated in foreign currency are translated into U.S. dollar equivalents at the prevailing market rates prior to the close of the NYSE; and (6) investments in mutual funds, including the Morgan Stanley Institutional Liquidity Funds, are valued at the net asset value ("NAV") as of the close of each business day.

The Directors have responsibility for determining in good faith the fair value of the investments, and the Directors may appoint others, such as the Company's Adviser or a valuation committee, to assist the Directors in determining fair value and to make the actual calculations pursuant to the fair valuation methodologies previously approved by the Directors. Under procedures approved by the Directors, the Company's Adviser has formed a Valuation Committee whose members are approved by the Directors. The Valuation Committee provides administration and oversight of the Company's valuation policies and procedures, which are reviewed at least annually by the Directors. These procedures allow the Company to utilize independent pricing services, quotations from securities and financial instrument dealers and other market sources to determine fair value.

The Fund invests a significant portion of its assets in securities of real estate investment trusts ("REITs"). The market's perception of prospective declines in private real estate values and other financial assets may result in increased volatility of market prices that can negatively impact the valuation of certain issuers held by the Fund.

2.  Fair Value Measurement: Financial Accounting Standards Board ("FASB") Accounting Standards CodificationTM ("ASC") 820, "Fair Value Measurement"

("ASC 820"), defines fair value as the value that the Fund would receive to sell an investment or pay to transfer a liability in a timely transaction with an independent buyer in the principal market, or in the absence of a principal market, the most advantageous market for the investment or liability. ASC 820 establishes a three-tier hierarchy to distinguish between (1) inputs that reflect the assumptions market participants would use in valuing an asset or liability developed based on market data obtained from sources independent of the reporting entity (observable inputs) and (2) inputs that reflect the reporting entity's own assumptions about the assumptions market participants would use in valuing an asset or liability developed based on the best information available in the circumstances (unobservable inputs) and to establish classification of fair value measurements for disclosure purposes. Various inputs are used in determining the value of the Fund's investments. The inputs are summarized in the three broad levels listed below:

•  Level 1 – unadjusted quoted prices in active markets for identical investments

•  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.


23



Morgan Stanley Institutional Fund, Inc.

Annual Report — December 31, 2020

Notes to Financial Statements (cont'd)

The following is a summary of the inputs used to value the Fund's investments as of December 31, 2020:

Investment Type

  Level 1
Unadjusted
quoted
prices
(000)
  Level 2
Other
significant
observable
inputs
(000)
  Level 3
Significant
unobservable
inputs
(000)
  Total
(000)
 

Assets:

 

Common Stocks

 

Diversified

 

$

20,977

   

$

58,598

   

$

   

$

79,575

   

Health Care

   

20,622

     

     

     

20,622

   

Industrial

   

22,816

     

11,453

     

125

     

34,394

   

Industrial/Office Mixed

   

     

2,110

     

     

2,110

   

Lodging/Resorts

   

10,158

     

384

     

     

10,542

   

Office

   

17,157

     

25,567

     

     

42,724

   

Residential

   

37,516

     

15,981

     

19

     

53,516

   

Retail

   

23,080

     

17,433

     

     

40,513

   

Self Storage

   

15,914

     

     

     

15,914

   

Specialty

   

3,444

     

     

     

3,444

   

Total Common Stocks

   

171,684

     

131,526

     

144

     

303,354

   

Short-Term Investments

 

Investment Company

   

5,325

     

     

     

5,325

   

Repurchase Agreements

   

     

631

     

     

631

   
Total Short-Term
Investments
   

5,325

     

631

     

     

5,956

   

Total Assets

 

$

177,009

   

$

132,157

   

$

144

   

$

309,310

   

Transfers between investment levels may occur as the markets fluctuate and/or the availability of data used in an investment's valuation changes.

Following is a reconciliation of investments in which significant unobservable inputs (Level 3) were used in determining fair value:

    Common
Stocks
(000)
 

Beginning Balance

 

$

147

   

Purchases

   

   

Sales

   

   

Amortization of discount

   

   

Transfers in

   

   

Transfers out

   

   

Corporate actions

   

   

Change in unrealized appreciation (depreciation)

   

(3

)

 

Realized gains (losses)

   

   

Ending Balance

 

$

144

   
Net change in unrealized appreciation (depreciation) from investments
still held as of December 31, 2020
 

$

(3

)

 

The following table presents additional information about valuation techniques and inputs used for investments that are measured at fair value and categorized within Level 3 as of December 31, 2020. Various valuation techniques were used in the valuation of certain investments and weighted based on the level of significance.

    Fair Value at
December 31, 2020
(000)
  Valuation
Technique
  Unobservable
Input
 

Amount*

  Impact to
Valuation from an
Increase in Input**
 
Common Stocks
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 

$

144
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
  Reported Capital balance,
adjustments for NAV practical
expedient; including adjustments
for subsequent Capital Calls,
Return of Capital and Significant
Market Changes between last
Capital Statement and
Valuation Date
  Adjusted
Capital Balance
         
 
 
   
 
  Market Transaction Method
 
  Transaction
Valuation
 

$

0.001

   

Increase

 
 
 
   
 
   
 
  Discount for Lack
of Marketability
   

50.0

%

 

Decrease

 

*  Amount is indicative of the weighted average.

**  Represents the expected directional change in the fair value of the Level 3 investments that would result from an increase in the corresponding input. A decrease to the unobservable input would have the opposite effect. Significant changes in these inputs could result in significantly higher or lower fair value measurements.


24



Morgan Stanley Institutional Fund, Inc.

Annual Report — December 31, 2020

Notes to Financial Statements (cont'd)

3.  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.

Net realized gains (losses) on foreign currency transactions represent net foreign exchange gains (losses) from foreign currency forward exchange contracts, disposition of foreign currencies, currency gains (losses) realized between the trade and settlement dates on securities transactions, and the difference between the amount of investment income and foreign withholding taxes recorded on the Fund's books and the U.S. dollar equivalent amounts actually received or paid. The change in unrealized currency gains (losses) on foreign currency transactions for the period is reflected in the Statement of Operations.

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.

Governmental approval for foreign investments may be required in advance of making an investment under certain circumstances in some countries, and the extent of foreign investments in domestic companies may be subject to limitation in other countries. Foreign ownership limitations also may be imposed by the charters of individual companies to prevent, among other concerns, violations of foreign investment limitations. As a result, an additional class of shares (identified as "Foreign" in the Portfolio of Investments) may be created and offered for investment. The "local" and "foreign shares" market values may differ. In the absence of trading of the foreign shares in such markets, the Fund values the foreign shares at the closing exchange price of the local shares.

4.  Securities Lending: The Fund lends securities to qualified financial institutions, such as broker-dealers, to earn additional income. Any increase or decrease in the fair value of the securities loaned that might occur and any interest earned or dividends declared on those securities during the term of the loan would remain in the Fund. The Fund would receive cash or securities as collateral in an amount equal to or exceeding 100% of the current fair value of the loaned securities. The collateral is marked-to-market daily by State Street Bank and Trust Company ("State Street"), the securities lending agent, to ensure that a minimum of 100% collateral coverage is maintained.

Based on pre-established guidelines, the securities lending agent invests any cash collateral that is received in an affiliated money market portfolio and repurchase agreements. Securities lending income is generated from the earnings on the invested collateral and borrowing fees, less any rebates owed to the borrowers and compensation to the lending agent, and is recorded as "Income from Securities Loaned — Net" in the Fund's Statement of Operations. 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.


25



Morgan Stanley Institutional Fund, Inc.

Annual Report — December 31, 2020

Notes to Financial Statements (cont'd)

The Fund has the right under the securities 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, 2020:

Gross Amounts Not Offset in the Statement of Assets and Liabilities

 
Gross Asset
Amounts
Presented in
the Statement of
Assets and
Liabilities
(000)
  Financial
Instrument
(000)
  Collateral
Received
(000)
  Net Amount
(not less
than $0)
(000)
 
$

5,663

(a)

 

$

   

$

(5,663

)(b)(c)

 

$

0

   

(a)  Represents market value of loaned securities at year end.

(b)  The Fund received cash collateral of approximately $4,531,000, which was subsequently invested in Repurchase Agreements and Morgan Stanley Institutional Liquidity Funds as reported in the Portfolio of Investments. In addition, the Fund received non-cash collateral of approximately $1,552,000 in the form of U.S. Government obligations, which the Fund cannot sell or repledge, and accordingly are not reflected in the Portfolio of Investments.

(c)  The actual collateral received is greater than the amount shown here due to overcollateralization.

FASB ASC 860, "Transfers & Servicing: Repurchase-to-Maturity Transactions, Repurchase Financings, and Disclosures", is intended to provide increased transparency about the types of collateral pledged in securities lending transactions and other similar transactions that are accounted for as secured borrowing.

The following table displays a breakdown of transactions accounted for as secured borrowings, the gross obligations by class of collateral pledged and the remaining contractual maturity of those transactions as of December 31, 2020:

Remaining Contractual Maturity of the Agreements

 
    Overnight and
Continuous
(000)
  <30 days
(000)
  Between
30 &
90 days
(000)
  >90 days
(000)
  Total
(000)
 
Securities Lending
Transactions
 

Common Stocks

 

$

4,531

   

$

   

$

   

$

   

$

4,531

   

Total Borrowings

 

$

4,531

   

$

   

$

   

$

   

$

4,531

   
Gross amount of
recognized liabilities
for securities lending
transactions
                 

$

4,531

   

5.  Unfunded Commitments: Subject to the terms of a Subscription Agreement between the Fund and Exeter Industrial Value Fund LP, the Fund has made a subscription commitment of $2,000,000 for which it will receive

2,000,000 shares of common stock. As of December 31, 2020, Exeter Industrial Value Fund LP has drawn down approximately $1,860,000, which represents 93.0% of the commitment.

6.  Restricted Securities: The Fund invests in unregistered or otherwise restricted securities. The term "restricted securities" refers to securities that are unregistered or are held by control persons of the issuer and securities that are subject to contractual restrictions on their resale. As a result, restricted securities may be more difficult to value and the Fund may have difficulty disposing of such assets either in a timely manner or for a reasonable price. In order to dispose of an unregistered security, the Fund, where it has contractual rights to do so, may have to cause such security to be registered. A considerable period may elapse between the time the decision is made to sell the security and the time the security is registered so that the Fund can sell it. Contractual restrictions on the resale of securities vary in length and scope and are generally the result of a negotiation between the issuer and the acquirer of the securities. The Fund would, in either case, bear market risks during that period. Restricted securities are identified in the Portfolio of Investments.

7.  Indemnifications: The Company enters into contracts that contain a variety of indemnifications. The Company's maximum exposure under these arrangements is unknown. However, the Company has not had prior claims or losses pursuant to these contracts and expects the risk of loss to be remote.

8.  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. Net realized capital gains, if any, are distributed at least annually.

9.  Security Transactions, Income and Expenses: Security transactions are accounted for on the trade date (date the order to buy or sell is executed). Realized gains and losses on the sale of investment securities are determined on the specific identified cost method. Dividend income and other distributions are recorded on the ex-dividend date (except for certain foreign dividends which may be recorded as soon as the Fund is informed of such dividends) net of applicable withholding taxes. Interest income is recognized on the accrual basis except where


26



Morgan Stanley Institutional Fund, Inc.

Annual Report — December 31, 2020

Notes to Financial Statements (cont'd)

collection is in doubt. Discounts are accreted and premiums are amortized over the life of the respective securities. Most expenses of the Company can be directly attributed to a particular Fund. Expenses which cannot be directly attributed are apportioned among the Funds based upon relative net assets or other appropriate methods. Income, expenses (other than class specific expenses — distribution and shareholder services, transfer agency and sub transfer agency fees) and realized and unrealized gains or losses are allocated to each class of shares based upon their relative net assets.

The Fund owns shares of REITs which report information on the source of their distributions annually in the following calendar year. A portion of distributions received from REITs during the year is estimated to be a return of capital and is recorded as a reduction of their cost.

B. Advisory/Sub-Advisory Fees: The Adviser, a wholly-owned subsidiary of Morgan Stanley, provides the Fund with advisory services under the terms of an Investment Advisory Agreement, paid quarterly, at the annual rate based on the daily net assets as follows:

First $2
billion
  Over $2
billion
 
  0.80

%

   

0.75

%

 

For the year ended December 31, 2020, the advisory fee rate (net of waiver/rebate) was equivalent to an annual effective rate of 0.73% of the Fund's average daily net assets.

The Adviser has agreed to reduce its advisory fee and/or reimburse the Fund so that total annual Fund operating expenses, excluding certain investment related expenses, taxes, interest and other extraordinary expenses (including litigation), will not exceed 1.00% Class I shares, 1.35% for Class A shares, 1.85% for Class L shares, 2.10% for Class C shares, 0.94% for Class IS shares and 0.94% for Class IR shares. The fee waivers and/or expense reimbursements will continue for at least one year from the date of the Fund's prospectus or until such time that the Directors act to discontinue all or a portion of such waivers or reimbursements when they deem such action is appropriate. For the year ended December 31, 2020, approximately $270,000 of advisory fees were waived and approximately $189,000 of other expenses were reimbursed by the Adviser pursuant to this arrangement.

The Adviser has entered into Sub-Advisory Agreements with the Sub-Advisers, each a wholly-owned subsidiary of Morgan Stanley. The Sub-Advisers provide the Fund with advisory services subject to the overall supervision of the Adviser and

the Company's Officers and Directors. The Adviser pays the Sub-Advisers on a monthly basis a portion of the net advisory fees the Adviser receives from the Fund.

C. Administration Fees: The Adviser also serves as Administrator to the Company and provides administrative services pursuant to an Administration Agreement for an annual fee, accrued daily and paid monthly, of 0.08% of the Fund's average daily net assets.

Under a Sub-Administration Agreement between the Administrator and State Street Bank and Trust Company ("State Street"), State Street provides certain administrative services to the Company. For such services, the Administrator pays State Street a portion of the fee the Administrator receives from the Fund.

D. Distribution and Shareholder Services Fees: Morgan Stanley Distribution, Inc. ("MSDI" or the "Distributor"), a wholly-owned subsidiary of the Adviser and an indirect subsidiary of Morgan Stanley, serves as the Company's Distributor of Fund shares pursuant to a Distribution Agreement. The Company has adopted a Shareholder Services Plan with respect to Class A shares pursuant to Rule 12b-1 under the Act. Under the Shareholder Services Plan, the Fund pays the Distributor a shareholder services fee, accrued daily and paid monthly, at an annual rate of 0.25% of the Fund's average daily net assets attributable to Class A shares.

The Company has adopted a Distribution and Shareholder Services Plan with respect to Class L shares pursuant to Rule 12b-1 under the Act. Under the Distribution and Shareholder Services Plan, the Fund pays the Distributor a distribution fee, accrued daily and paid monthly, at an annual rate of 0.50% and a shareholder services fee, accrued daily and paid monthly, at an annual rate of 0.25% of the Fund's average daily net assets attributable to Class L shares.

The Company has adopted a Distribution and Shareholder Services Plan with respect to Class C shares pursuant to Rule 12b-1 under the Act. Under the Distribution and Shareholder Services Plan, the Fund pays the Distributor a distribution fee, accrued daily and paid monthly, at an annual rate of 0.75% and a shareholder services fee, accrued daily and paid monthly, at an annual rate of 0.25% of the Fund's average daily net assets attributable to Class C shares.

The distribution and shareholder services fees are used to support the expenses associated with servicing and maintaining accounts. The Distributor may compensate other parties for providing shareholder support services to investors who purchase Class A, Class L and Class C shares.


27



Morgan Stanley Institutional Fund, Inc.

Annual Report — December 31, 2020

Notes to Financial Statements (cont'd)

E. Dividend Disbursing and Transfer Agent: The Company's dividend disbursing and transfer agent is DST Asset Manager Solutions, Inc. ("DST"). Pursuant to a Transfer Agency Agreement, the Company pays DST a fee based on the number of classes, accounts and transactions relating to the Funds of the Company.

F. Custodian Fees: State Street (the "Custodian") also serves as Custodian for the Company in accordance with a Custodian Agreement. The Custodian holds cash, securities and other assets of the Company as required by the Act. Custody fees are payable monthly based on assets held in custody, investment purchases and sales activity and account maintenance fees, plus reimbursement for certain out-of-pocket expenses.

G. Security Transactions and Transactions with Affiliates: For the year ended December 31, 2020, purchases and sales of investment securities for the Fund, other than long-term U.S. Government securities and short-term investments were approximately $190,776,000 and $454,708,000, respectively. There were no purchases and sales of long-term U.S. Government securities for the year ended December 31, 2020.

The Fund invests in the Institutional Class of the Morgan Stanley Institutional Liquidity Funds — Treasury Portfolio (the "Liquidity Funds"), an open-end management investment company managed by the Adviser, both directly and as a portion of the securities held as collateral on loaned securities. Advisory fees paid by the Fund are reduced by an amount equal to its pro-rata share of the advisory and administration fees paid by the Fund due to its investment in the Liquidity Funds. For the year ended December 31, 2020, advisory fees paid were reduced by approximately $4,000 relating to the Fund's investment in the Liquidity Funds.

A summary of the Fund's transactions in shares of affiliated investments during the year ended December 31, 2020 is as follows:


Affiliated
Investment
Company
  Value
December 31,
2019
(000)
  Purchases
at Cost
(000)
  Proceeds
from Sales
(000)
  Dividend
Income
(000)
 

Liquidity Funds

 

$

287

   

$

141,200

   

$

136,162

   

$

10

   
Affiliated
Investment
Company (cont'd)
  Realized
Gain (Loss)
(000)
  Change in
Unrealized
Appreciation
(Depreciation)
(000)
  Value
December 31,
2020
(000)
 

Liquidity Funds

 

$

   

$

   

$

5,325

   

The Fund is permitted to purchase and sell securities ("cross-trade") from and to other Morgan Stanley funds as well as other funds and client accounts for which the Adviser or an affiliate of the Adviser serves as investment adviser, pursuant to procedures approved by the Directors in compliance with Rule 17a-7 under the Act (the "Rule"). Each cross-trade is executed at the current market price in compliance with provisions of the Rule. For the year ended December 31, 2020, the Fund did not engage in any cross-trade transactions.

The Fund has an unfunded Deferred Compensation Plan (the "Compensation Plan"), which allows each independent Director to defer payment of all, or a portion, of the fees he or she receives for serving on the Board of Directors. Each eligible Director generally may elect to have the deferred amounts credited with a return equal to the total return on one or more of the Morgan Stanley funds that are offered as investment options under the Compensation Plan. Appreciation/depreciation and distributions received from these investments are recorded with an offsetting increase/decrease in the deferred compensation obligation and do not affect the NAV of the Fund.

H. Federal Income Taxes: It is the Fund's intention to continue to qualify as a regulated investment company and distribute all of its taxable and tax-exempt income. Accordingly, no provision for federal income taxes is required in the financial statements.

The Fund may be subject to taxes imposed by countries in which it invests. Such taxes are generally based on income and/or capital gains earned or repatriated. Taxes are accrued based on net investment income, net realized gains and net unrealized appreciation as such income and/or gains are earned. Taxes may also be based on transactions in foreign currency and are accrued based on the value of investments denominated in such currency.

FASB ASC 740-10, "Income Taxes — Overall", sets forth a minimum threshold for financial statement recognition of the benefit of a tax position taken or expected to be taken in a tax return. Management has concluded there are no significant uncertain tax positions that would require recognition in the financial statements. If applicable, the Fund recognizes interest accrued related to unrecognized tax benefits in "Interest Expense" and penalties in "Other Expenses" in the Statement of Operations. The Fund files tax returns with the U.S. Internal Revenue Service, New York and various states. Generally, each of the tax years in the four-year period ended December 31, 2020 remains subject to examination by taxing authorities.


28



Morgan Stanley Institutional Fund, Inc.

Annual Report — December 31, 2020

Notes to Financial Statements (cont'd)

The tax character of distributions paid may differ from the character of distributions shown for GAAP purposes due to short-term capital gains being treated as ordinary income for tax purposes. The tax character of distributions paid during fiscal years 2020 and 2019 was as follows:

2020
Distributions
Paid From:
  2019
Distributions
Paid From:
 
Ordinary
Income
(000)
  Long-Term
Capital Gain
(000)
  Ordinary
Income
(000)
  Long-Term
Capital Gain
(000)
 
$

4,300

   

$

3,129

   

$

37,385

   

$

26,549

   

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 attributable to differing book and tax treatments for the timing of the recognition of gains (losses) on certain investment transactions and the timing of the deductibility of certain expenses.

Permanent differences, primarily due to an adjustment to prior period equalization debits, resulted in the following reclassifications among the components of net assets at December 31, 2020:

Total
Distributable
Earnings
(000)
  Paid-in
Capital
(000)
 
$

2

   

$

(2

)

 

At December 31, 2020, the components of distributable earnings for the Fund on a tax basis were as follows:

Undistributed
Ordinary
Income
(000)
  Undistributed
Long-Term
Capital Gain
(000)
 
$

9,196

   

$

   

At December 31, 2020, the Fund had available for federal income tax purposes unused short-term and long-term capital losses of approximately $3,772,000 and $22,797,000, respectively, that do not have an expiration date.

To the extent that capital loss carryforwards are used to offset any future capital gains realized, no capital gains tax liability will be incurred by the Fund for gains realized and not distributed. To the extent that capital gains are offset, such gains will not be distributed to the shareholders.

I. Credit Facility: The Company and other Morgan Stanley funds participated in a $300,000,000 committed, unsecured revolving line of credit facility (the "Facility") with State Street.

This Facility is to be used for temporary emergency purposes or funding of shareholder redemption requests. The interest rate on borrowings is based on the federal funds rate or 1 month LIBOR rate plus a spread. The Facility also has a commitment fee of 0.25% per annum based on the unused portion of the Facility. During the year ended December 31, 2020, the Fund did not have any borrowings under the Facility.

J. Other: At December 31, 2020, the Fund had record owners of 10% or greater. Investment activities of these shareholders could have a material impact on the Fund. The aggregate percentage of such owners was 50.7%.

K. Market Risk: Certain impacts to public health conditions particular to the coronavirus (COVID-19) outbreak could impact the operations and financial performance of certain of the Fund's investments. The extent of the impact to the financial performance of the Fund's investments will depend on future developments, including (i) the duration and spread of the outbreak, (ii) the restrictions and advisories, (iii) the effects on the financial markets, and (iv) the effects on the economy overall, all of which are highly uncertain and cannot be predicted. If the financial performance of the Fund's investments is impacted because of these factors for an extended period, the Fund's investment results may be adversely affected.


29



Morgan Stanley Institutional Fund, Inc.

Annual Report — December 31, 2020

Report of Independent Registered Public Accounting Firm

To the Shareholders and Board of Directors of
Morgan Stanley Institutional Fund, Inc. —
Global Real Estate Portfolio

Opinion on the Financial Statements

We have audited the accompanying statement of assets and liabilities of Global Real Estate Portfolio (the "Fund") (one of the funds constituting Morgan Stanley Institutional Fund, Inc. (the "Company")), including the portfolio of investments, as of December 31, 2020, and the related statement of operations for the year then ended, the statements of changes in net assets for each of the two years in the period then ended, the financial highlights for each of the five years in the period then ended and the related notes (collectively referred to as the "financial statements"). In our opinion, the financial statements present fairly, in all material respects, the financial position of Global Real Estate Portfolio (one of the funds constituting Morgan Stanley Institutional Fund, Inc.) at December 31, 2020, the results of its operations for the year then ended, the changes in its net assets for each of the two years in the period then ended and its financial highlights for each of the five years in the period then ended, in conformity with U.S. generally accepted accounting principles.

Basis for Opinion

These financial statements are the responsibility of the Company's management. Our responsibility is to express an opinion on the Fund's financial statements based on our audits. We are a public accounting firm registered with the Public Company Accounting Oversight Board (United States) ("PCAOB") and are required to be independent with respect to the Company in accordance with the U.S. federal securities law and the applicable rules and regulations of the Securities and Exchange Commission and the PCAOB.

We conducted our audits in accordance with the standards of the PCAOB. Those standards require that we plan and perform the audit to obtain reasonable assurance about whether the financial statements are free of material misstatement, whether due to error or fraud. The Company is not required to have, nor were we engaged to perform, an audit of the Company's internal control over financial reporting. As part of our audits, we are required to obtain an understanding of internal control over financial reporting, but not for the purpose of expressing an opinion on the effectiveness of the Company's internal control over financial reporting. Accordingly, we express no such opinion.

Our audits included performing procedures to assess the risks of material misstatement of the financial statements, whether due to error or fraud, and performing procedures that respond to those risks. Such procedures included examining, on a test basis, evidence regarding the amounts and disclosures in the financial statements. Our procedures included confirmation of securities owned as of December 31, 2020 by correspondence with the custodian and others or by other appropriate auditing procedures where replies from others were not received. Our audits also included evaluating the accounting principles used and significant estimates made by management, as well as evaluating the overall presentation of the financial statements. We believe that our audits provide a reasonable basis for our opinion.

We have served as the auditor of one or more Morgan Stanley investment companies since 2000.
Boston, Massachusetts
February 26, 2021


30



Morgan Stanley Institutional Fund, Inc.

Annual Report — December 31, 2020

Liquidity Risk Management Program (unaudited)

In compliance with Rule 22e-4 under the Investment Company Act of 1940, as amended (the "Liquidity Rule"), the Fund has adopted and implemented a liquidity risk management program (the "Program"), which is reasonably designed to assess and manage the risk that the Fund could not meet requests to redeem shares issued by the Fund without significant dilution of remaining investors' interests in the Fund (i.e., liquidity risk). The Fund's Board of Directors (the "Board") previously approved the designation of the Liquidity Risk Subcommittee (the "LRS") as Program administrator. The LRS is comprised of representatives from various divisions within Morgan Stanley Investment Management.

At a meeting held on April 22-23, 2020, the Board reviewed a written report prepared by the LRS that addressed the Program's operation and assessed its adequacy, and effectiveness of implementation for the period from December 1, 2018, through December 31, 2019, as required under the Liquidity Rule. The report concluded that the Program operated effectively and was adequately and effectively implemented in all material aspects, and that the relevant controls and safeguards were appropriately designed to enable the LRS to administer the Program in compliance with the Liquidity Rule.

In accordance with the Program, the LRS assessed each Fund's liquidity risk no less frequently than annually taking into consideration certain factors, as applicable, such as (i) investment strategy and liquidity of portfolio investments, (ii) short-term and long-term cash flow projections and (iii) holdings of cash and cash equivalents and borrowing arrangements and other funding sources. Certain factors are considered under both normal and reasonably foreseeable stressed conditions.

Each Fund portfolio investment is classified into one of four liquidity categories, which classification is assessed at least monthly by the LRS. The classification is based on a determination of the number of days it is reasonably expected to take to convert the investment into cash, or sell or dispose of the investment, in current market conditions without significantly changing the market value of the investment. Liquidity classification determinations take into account various market, trading and investment-specific considerations, as well as market depth, and in some cases utilize third-party vendor data.

The Liquidity Rule limits a fund's investments in illiquid investments to 15% of its net assets and requires funds that do not primarily hold assets that are highly liquid investments to determine and maintain a minimum percentage of the fund's net assets to be invested in highly liquid investments (highly liquid investment minimum or "HLIM"). The LRS believes that the Program includes provisions reasonably designed to review, monitor and comply with the 15% limit on illiquid investments and for determining, periodically reviewing and complying with the HLIM requirement, as applicable.

There can be no assurance that the Program will achieve its objectives under all circumstances in the future. Please refer to the Fund's prospectus for more information regarding the Fund's exposure to liquidity risk and other risks to which it may be subject.


31



Morgan Stanley Institutional Fund, Inc.

Annual Report — December 31, 2020

Federal Tax Notice (unaudited)

For federal income tax purposes, the following information is furnished with respect to the distributions paid by the Fund during its taxable year ended December 31, 2020.

The Fund designated and paid approximately $3,129,000 as a long-term capital gain distribution. In addition, the Fund designated approximately $1,317,000 of its distributions paid as qualified business income.

For federal income tax purposes, the following information is furnished with respect to the Fund's earnings for its taxable year ended December 31, 2020. When distributed, certain earnings may be subject to a maximum tax rate of 15% as provided for by the Jobs and Growth Tax Relief Reconciliation Act of 2003. The Fund designated up to a maximum of approximately $839,000 as taxable at this lower rate.

In January, the Fund provides tax information to shareholders for the preceding calendar year.


32



Morgan Stanley Institutional Fund, Inc.

Annual Report — December 31, 2020

Privacy Notice (unaudited)  April 2019

FACTS

 

WHAT DOES MSIM DO WITH YOUR PERSONAL INFORMATION?

 

Why?

 

Financial companies choose how they share your personal information. Federal law gives consumers the right to limit some but not all sharing. Federal law also requires us to tell you how we collect, share, and protect your personal information. Please read this notice carefully to understand what we do.

 

What?

  The types of personal information we collect and share depend on the product or service you have with us. This information can include:
n Social Security number and income
n investment experience and risk tolerance
n checking account number and wire transfer instructions
 

How?

 

All financial companies need to share customers' personal information to run their everyday business. In the section below, we list the reasons financial companies can share their customers' personal information; the reasons MSIM chooses to share; and whether you can limit this sharing.

 

 

Reasons we can share your personal information

 

Does MSIM share?

 

Can you limit this sharing?

 
For our everyday business purposes —
such as to process your transactions, maintain your account(s), respond to court orders and legal investigations, or report to credit bureaus
 

Yes

 

No

 
For our marketing purposes —
to offer our products and services to you
 

Yes

 

No

 

For joint marketing with other financial companies

 

No

 

We don't share

 
For our affiliates' everyday business purposes —
information about your transactions and experiences
 

Yes

 

No

 
For our affiliates' everyday business purposes —
information about your creditworthiness
 

No

 

We don't share

 

For our affiliates to market to you

 

No

 

We don't share

 

For non-affiliates to market to you

 

No

 

We don't share

 

Questions?  Call toll-free (844) 312-6327 or email: imprivacyinquiries@morganstanley.com


33



Morgan Stanley Institutional Fund, Inc.

Annual Report — December 31, 2020

Privacy Notice (unaudited) (cont'd)  April 2019

Who we are

Who is providing this notice?

 

Morgan Stanley Investment Management, Inc. and its affiliated registered investment advisers, registered broker-dealers, and registered and unregistered funds ("MSIM")

 

What we do

How does MSIM protect my personal information?

 

To protect your personal information from unauthorized access and use, we use security measures that comply with federal law. These measures include computer safeguards and secured files and buildings. We have policies governing the proper handling of customer information by personnel and requiring third parties that provide support to adhere to appropriate security standards with respect to such information.

 

How does MSIM collect my personal information?

  We collect your personal information, for example, when you
n open an account or make deposits or withdrawals from your account
n buy securities from us or make a wire transfer
n give us your contact information
We also collect your personal information from others, such as credit bureaus, affiliates, or other companies.
 

Why can't I limit all sharing?

  Federal law gives you the right to limit only
n sharing for affiliates' everyday business purposes — information about your creditworthiness
n affiliates from using your information to market to you
n sharing for non-affiliates to market to you
State laws and individual companies may give you additional rights to limit sharing. See below for more on your rights under state law.
 

Definitions

Affiliates

  Companies related by common ownership or control. They can be financial and non-financial companies.
n Our affiliates include companies with a Morgan Stanley name and financial companies such as Morgan Stanley Smith Barney LLC and Morgan Stanley & Co.
 

Non-affiliates

  Companies not related by common ownership or control. They can be financial and non-financial companies.
n MSIM does not share with non-affiliates so they can market to you.
 

Joint marketing

  A formal agreement between non-affiliated financial companies that together market financial products or services to you.
n MSIM doesn't jointly market
 


34



Morgan Stanley Institutional Fund, Inc.

Annual Report — December 31, 2020

Privacy Notice (unaudited) (cont'd)  April 2019

Other Important Information

Vermont: Except as permitted by law, we will not share personal information we collect about Vermont residents with Non-affiliates unless you provide us with your written consent to share such information.

California: Except as permitted by law, we will not share personal information we collect about California residents with Non-affiliates and we will limit sharing such personal information with our Affiliates to comply with California privacy laws that apply to us.


35



Morgan Stanley Institutional Fund, Inc.

Annual Report — December 31, 2020

Director and Officer Information (unaudited)

Independent Directors:

Name, Address and Birth
Year of Independent Director
  Position(s)
Held with
Registrant
  Length of Time
Served*
  Principal Occupation(s) During Past 5 Years and Other
Relevant Professional Experience
  Number of
Funds
in Fund Complex
Overseen by
Independent
Director**
  Other Directorships
Held by Independent
Director***
 
Frank L. Bowman
c/o Perkins Coie LLP
Counsel to the Independent Directors
1155 Avenue of the Americas,
22nd Floor
New York, NY 10036
Birth Year: 1944
 

Director

 

Since August 2006

 

President, Strategic Decisions, LLC (consulting) (since February 2009); Director or Trustee of various Morgan Stanley Funds (since August 2006); Chairperson of the Compliance and Insurance Committee (since October 2015); formerly, Chairperson of the Insurance Sub-Committee of the Compliance and Insurance Committee (2007-2015); served as President and Chief Executive Officer of the Nuclear Energy Institute (policy organization) (February 2005-November 2008); retired as Admiral, U.S. Navy after serving over 38 years on active duty including 8 years as Director of the Naval Nuclear Propulsion Program in the Department of the Navy and the U.S. Department of Energy (1996-2004); served as Chief of Naval Personnel (July 1994-September 1996) and on the Joint Staff as Director of Political Military Affairs (June 1992-July 1994); knighted as Honorary Knight Commander of the Most Excellent Order of the British Empire; awarded the Officier de l'Orde National du Mérite by the French Government; elected to the National Academy of Engineering (2009).

 

79

 

Director of Naval and Nuclear Technologies LLP; Director Emeritus of the Armed Services YMCA; Member of the National Security Advisory Council of the Center for U.S. Global Engagement and a member of the CNA Military Advisory Board; Trustee of Fairhaven United Methodist Church; Member of the Board of Advisors of the Dolphin Scholarship Foundation; Director of other various non-profit organizations; formerly, Director of BP plc (November 2010-May 2019).

 
Kathleen A. Dennis
c/o Perkins Coie LLP
Counsel to the Independent Directors
1155 Avenue of the Americas,
22nd Floor
New York, NY 10036
Birth Year: 1953
 

Director

 

Since August 2006

 

Chairperson of the Governance Committee (January 2021), Chairperson of the Liquidity and Alternatives Sub-Committee of the Investment Committee (2006-2020); and Director or Trustee of various Morgan Stanley Funds (since August 2006); President, Cedarwood Associates (mutual fund and investment management consulting) (since July 2006); formerly, Senior Managing Director of Victory Capital Management (1993-2006).

 

79

 

Board Member, University of Albany Foundation (2012-present); Board Member, Mutual Funds Directors Forum (2014-present); Director of various non-profit organizations.

 
Nancy C. Everett
c/o Perkins Coie LLP
Counsel to the Independent Directors
1155 Avenue of the Americas,
22nd Floor
New York, NY 10036
Birth Year: 1955
 

Director

 

Since January 2015

 

Chairperson of the Equity Investment Committee (since January 2021); Director or Trustee of various Morgan Stanley Funds (since January 2015); Chief Executive Officer, Virginia Commonwealth University Investment Company (since November 2015); Owner, OBIR, LLC (institutional investment management consulting) (since June 2014); formerly, Managing Director, BlackRock, Inc. (February 2011-December 2013); and Chief Executive Officer, General Motors Asset Management (a/k/a Promark Global Advisors, Inc.) (June 2005-May 2010).

 

80

 

Formerly, Member of Virginia Commonwealth University School of Business Foundation (2005-2016); Member of Virginia Commonwealth University Board of Visitors (2013-2015); Member of Committee on Directors for Emerging Markets Growth Fund, Inc. (2007-2010); Chairperson of Performance Equity Management, LLC (2006-2010); and Chairperson, GMAM Absolute Return Strategies Fund, LLC (2006-2010).

 


36



Morgan Stanley Institutional Fund, Inc.

Annual Report — December 31, 2020

Director and Officer Information (unaudited) (cont'd)

Independent Directors (cont'd):

Name, Address and Birth
Year of Independent Director
  Position(s)
Held with
Registrant
  Length of Time
Served*
  Principal Occupation(s) During Past 5 Years and Other
Relevant Professional Experience
  Number of
Funds
in Fund Complex
Overseen by
Independent
Director**
  Other Directorships
Held by Independent
Director***
 
Jakki L. Haussler
c/o Perkins Coie LLP
Counsel to the Independent Directors
1155 Avenue of the Americas,
22nd Floor
New York, NY 10036
Birth Year: 1957
 

Director

 

Since January 2015

 

Director or Trustee of various Morgan Stanley Funds (since January 2015) Chairman, Opus Capital Group (1996); formerly, Chief Executive Officer, Opus Capital Group (1996-2019); Director, Capvest Venture Fund, LP (May 2000-December 2011); Partner, Adena Ventures, LP (July 1999-December 2010); Director, The Victory Funds (February 2005-July 2008).

 

80

 

Director of Cincinnati Bell Inc. and Member, Audit Committee and Chairman, Governance and Nominating Committee; Director of Service Corporation International and Member, Audit Committee and Investment Committee; Director of Northern Kentucky University Foundation and Member, Investment Committee; Member of Chase College of Law Transactional Law Practice Center Board of Advisors; Director of Best Transport; Director of Chase College of Law Board of Visitors; formerly, Member, University of Cincinnati Foundation Investment Committee; Member, Miami University Board of Visitors (2008-2011); Trustee of Victory Funds (2005-2008) and Chairman, Investment Committee (2007-2008); and Member, Service Provider Committee (2005-2008).

 
Dr. Manuel H. Johnson
c/o Johnson Smick International, Inc.
220 I Street, NE — Suite 200
Washington, D.C. 20002
Birth Year: 1949
 

Director

 

Since July 1991

 

Senior Partner, Johnson Smick International, Inc. (consulting firm); Chairperson of the Fixed Income, Liquidity and Alternatives Investment Committee (January 2021), Chairperson of the Investment Committee (2006-2020) and Director or Trustee of various Morgan Stanley Funds (since July 1991); Co-Chairman and a founder of the Group of Seven Council (G7C) (international economic commission); formerly, Chairperson of the Audit Committee (July 1991-September 2006), Vice Chairman of the Board of Governors of the Federal Reserve System and Assistant Secretary of the U.S. Treasury.

 

79

 

Director of NVR, Inc. (home construction).

 


37



Morgan Stanley Institutional Fund, Inc.

Annual Report — December 31, 2020

Director and Officer Information (unaudited) (cont'd)

Independent Directors (cont'd):

Name, Address and Birth
Year of Independent Director
  Position(s)
Held with
Registrant
  Length of Time
Served*
  Principal Occupation(s) During Past 5 Years and Other
Relevant Professional Experience
  Number of
Funds
in Fund Complex
Overseen by
Independent
Director**
  Other Directorships
Held by Independent
Director***
 
Joseph J. Kearns
c/o Perkins Coie LLP
Counsel to the Independent Directors
1155 Avenue of the Americas,
22nd Floor
New York, NY 10036
Birth Year: 1942
 

Director

 

Since August 1994

 

Senior Adviser, Kearns & Associates LLC (investment consulting); Chairperson of the Audit Committee (since October 2006) and Director or Trustee of various Morgan Stanley Funds (since August 1994); formerly, Deputy Chairperson of the Audit Committee (July 2003-September 2006) and Chairperson of the Audit Committee of various Morgan Stanley Funds (since August 1994); CFO of the J. Paul Getty Trust (1982-1999).

 

80

 

Director, Rubicon Investment (since February 2019); Prior to August 2016, Director of Electro Rent Corporation (equipment leasing); Prior to December 31, 2013, Director of The Ford Family Foundation.

 
Michael F. Klein
c/o Perkins Coie LLP
Counsel to the Independent Directors
1155 Avenue of the Americas,
22nd Floor
New York, NY 10036
Birth Year: 1958
 

Director

 

Since August 2006

 

Chairperson of the Risk Committee (since January 2021); Managing Director, Aetos Alternatives Management, LP (since March 2000); Co-President, Aetos Alternatives Management, LP (since January 2004) and Co-Chief Executive Officer of Aetos Alternatives Management, LP (since August 2013); Chairperson of the fixed Income Sub-Committee of the Investment committee (2006-2020) and Director or Trustee of various Morgan Stanley Funds (since August 2006); formerly, Managing Director, Morgan Stanley & Co. Inc. and Morgan Stanley Dean Witter Investment Management and President, various Morgan Stanley Funds (June 1998-March 2000); Principal, Morgan Stanley & Co. Inc. and Morgan Stanley Dean Witter Investment Management (August 1997-December 1999).

 

79

 

Director of certain investment funds managed or sponsored by Aetos Alternatives Management, LP; Director of Sanitized AG and Sanitized Marketing AG (specialty chemicals).

 
Patricia Maleski
c/o Perkins Coie LLP
Counsel to the Independent Directors
1155 Avenue of the Americas,
22nd Floor
New York, NY 10036
Birth Year: 1960
 

Director

 

Since January 2017

 

Director or Trustee of various Morgan Stanley Funds (since January 2017); Managing Director, JPMorgan Asset Management (2004-2016); Oversight and Control Head of Fiduciary and Conflicts of Interest Program (2015-2016); Chief Control Officer-Global Asset Management (2013-2015); President, JPMorgan Funds (2010-2013); Chief Administrative Officer (2004-2013); various other positions including Treasurer and Board Liaison (since 2001).

 

80

 

None.

 
W. Allen Reed
c/o Perkins Coie LLP
Counsel to the Independent Directors
1155 Avenue of the Americas,
22nd Floor
New York, NY 10036
Birth Year: 1947
 

Chair of the Board and Director

 

Chair of the Boards since August 2020 and Director since August 2006

 

Chair of the Boards of various Morgan Stanley Funds (since August 2020); Director or Trustee of various Morgan Stanley Funds (since August 2006); formerly, Vice Chair of the Boards of various Morgan Stanley Funds (January 2020-August 2020); President and Chief Executive Officer of General Motors Asset Management; Chairman and Chief Executive Officer of the GM Trust Bank and Corporate Vice President of General Motors Corporation (August 1994-December 2005).

 

79

 

Formerly, Director of Legg Mason, Inc. (2006-2019); and Director of the Auburn University Foundation (2010-2015).

 

*  This is the earliest date the Director began serving the Morgan Stanley Funds. Each Director serves an indefinite term, until his or her successor is elected.

**  The Fund Complex includes (as of December 31, 2020) all open-end and closed-end funds (including all of their portfolios) advised by Morgan Stanley Investment Management Inc. (the "Adviser") and any funds that have an adviser that is an affiliated person of the Adviser (including, but not limited to, Morgan Stanley AIP GP LP).

***  This includes any directorships at public companies and registered investment companies held by the Director at any time during the past five years.


38



Morgan Stanley Institutional Fund, Inc.

Annual Report — December 31, 2020

Director and Officer Information (unaudited) (cont'd)

Executive Officers:

Name, Address and
Birth Year of Executive Officer
  Position(s) Held
with
Registrant
  Length of
Time Served*
 

Principal Occupation(s) During Past 5 Years

 
John H. Gernon
522 Fifth Avenue
New York, NY 10036
Birth Year: 1963
 

President and Principal Executive Officer

 

Since September 2013

 

President and Principal Executive Officer of the Equity and Fixed Income Funds and the Morgan Stanley AIP Funds (since September 2013) and the Liquidity Funds and various money market funds (since May 2014) in the Fund Complex; Managing Director of the Adviser; Head of Public Markets Product Development (since 2006).

 
Timothy J. Knierim
1633 Broadway
New York, NY 10019
Birth Year: 1959
 

Chief Compliance Officer

 

Since December 2016

 

Managing Director of the Adviser and various entities affiliated with the Adviser; Chief Compliance Officer of various Morgan Stanley Funds and the Adviser (since December 2016) and Chief Compliance Officer of Morgan Stanley AIP GP LP (since 2014). Formerly, Managing Director and Deputy Chief Compliance Officer of the Adviser (2014-2016).

 
Francis J. Smith
522 Fifth Avenue
New York, NY 10036
Birth Year: 1965
 

Treasurer and Principal Financial Officer

 

Treasurer since July 2003 and Principal Financial Officer since September 2002

 

Managing Director of the Adviser and various entities affiliated with the Adviser; Treasurer (since July 2003) and Principal Financial Officer of various Morgan Stanley Funds (since September 2002).

 
Mary E. Mullin
1633 Broadway
New York, NY 10019
Birth Year: 1967
 

Secretary

 

Since June 1999

 

Managing Director of the Adviser; Secretary of various Morgan Stanley Funds (since June 1999).

 
Michael J. Key
522 Fifth Avenue
New York, NY 10036
Birth Year: 1979
 

Vice President

 

Since June 2017

 

Vice President of the Equity and Fixed Income Funds, Liquidity Funds, various money market funds and the Morgan Stanley AIP Funds in the Fund Complex (since June 2017); Executive Director of the Adviser; Head of Product Development for Equity and Fixed Income Funds (since August 2013).

 

*  This is the earliest date the officer began serving the Morgan Stanley Funds. Each officer serves a one-year term, until his or her successor is elected and qualifies.


39



Morgan Stanley Institutional Fund, Inc.

Annual Report — December 31, 2020

Adviser and Administrator

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, Singapore 049481

Distributor

Morgan Stanley Distribution, Inc.
522 Fifth Avenue
New York, New York 10036

Dividend Disbursing and Transfer Agent

DST Asset Manager Solutions, Inc.
2000 Crown Colony Drive
Quincy, Massachusetts 02169

Custodian

State Street Bank and Trust Company
One Lincoln Street
Boston, Massachusetts 02111

Legal Counsel

Dechert LLP
1095 Avenue of the Americas
New York, New York 10036

Counsel to the Independent Directors

Perkins Coie LLP
1155 Avenue of the Americas,
22nd Floor
New York, New York 10036

Independent Registered Public Accounting Firm

Ernst & Young LLP
200 Clarendon Street
Boston, Massachusetts 02116

Reporting to Shareholders

Each Morgan Stanley fund provides a complete schedule of portfolio holdings in its Semi-Annual and the Annual Reports within 60 days of the end of the fund's second and fourth fiscal quarters. The Semi-Annual and Annual Reports are filed electronically with the Securities and Exchange Commission ("SEC") on Form N-CSRS and Form N-CSR, respectively. Morgan Stanley also delivers the Semi-Annual and Annual Reports to fund shareholders and makes these reports available on its public website, www.morganstanley.com/im/shareholderreports. Each Morgan Stanley non-money market fund also files a complete schedule of portfolio holdings with the SEC for the fund's first and third fiscal quarters as an attachment to Form N-PORT. Morgan Stanley does not deliver the reports for the first and third fiscal quarters to shareholders, but makes the complete schedule of portfolio holdings for the fund's first and third fiscal quarters available on its public website. The holdings for each money market fund are also posted to the Morgan Stanley public website. You may obtain the Form N-PORT filings (as well as the Form N-CSR and N-CSRS filings) by accessing the SEC's website, www.sec.gov. You can also request copies of these materials, upon payment of a duplicating fee, by electronic request at the SEC's email address (publicinfo@sec.gov).

Proxy Voting Policies and Procedures and Proxy Voting Record

You may obtain a copy of the Company's Proxy Voting Policy and Procedures and information regarding how the Company voted proxies relating to portfolio securities during the most recent twelve-month period ended June 30, without charge, upon request, by calling toll free 1 (800) 548-7786 or by visiting our website at www.morganstanley.com/im/shareholderreports. This information is also available on the SEC's website at www.sec.gov.

This report is authorized for distribution only when preceded or accompanied by a prospectus or summary prospectus of the applicable fund of Morgan Stanley Institutional Fund, Inc., which describes in detail the fund's investment policies, risks, fees and expenses. Please read the prospectus carefully before you invest or send money. For additional information, including information regarding the investments comprising the Fund, please visit our website at www.morganstanley.com/im/shareholderreports or call toll free 1 (800) 548-7786.


40



Printed in U.S.A.
This Report has been prepared for shareholders and may be distributed to others only if preceded or accompanied by a current prospectus.

Morgan Stanley Investment Management Inc.
522 Fifth Avenue
New York, New York 10036

© 2021 Morgan Stanley. Morgan Stanley Distribution, Inc.

IFIGREANN
3386896 EXP 02.28.22



INVESTMENT MANAGEMENT

Morgan Stanley Institutional Fund, Inc.

Global Sustain Portfolio

Annual Report

December 31, 2020



Morgan Stanley Institutional Fund, Inc.

Annual Report — December 31, 2020

Table of Contents

Shareholders' Letter

   

2

   

Expense Example

   

3

   

Investment Overview

   

4

   

Portfolio of Investments

   

7

   

Statement of Assets and Liabilities

   

8

   

Statement of Operations

   

10

   

Statements of Changes in Net Assets

   

11

   

Financial Highlights

   

13

   

Notes to Financial Statements

   

18

   

Report of Independent Registered Public Accounting Firm

   

24

   

Liquidity Risk Management Program

   

25

   

Federal Tax Notice

   

26

   

Privacy Notice

   

27

   

Director and Officer Information

   

30

   

This report is authorized for distribution only when preceded or accompanied by a prospectus or summary prospectus of the applicable Fund of Morgan Stanley Institutional Fund, Inc. To receive a prospectus and/or statement of additional information ("SAI"), which contains more complete information such as investment objectives, charges, expenses, policies for voting proxies, risk considerations and describes in detail each of the Fund's investment policies to the prospective investor, please call toll free 1 (800) 548-7786. Please read the prospectuses carefully before you invest or send money.

Additionally, you can access information about the Fund, including performance, characteristics and investment team commentary, through Morgan Stanley Investment Management's website: www.morganstanley.com/im/shareholderreports.

Market forecasts provided in this report may not necessarily come to pass. There is no guarantee that any sectors mentioned will continue to perform as discussed herein or that securities in such sectors will be held by the Fund in the future. There is no assurance that a fund will achieve its investment objective. Funds are subject to market risk, which is the possibility that market values of securities owned by the Fund will decline and, therefore, the value of the Fund's shares may be less than what you paid for them. Accordingly, you can lose money investing in this Fund. Please see the prospectus for more complete information on investment risks.


1



Morgan Stanley Institutional Fund, Inc.

Annual Report — December 31, 2020

Shareholders' Letter (unaudited)

Dear Shareholders,

We are pleased to provide this Annual Report, in which you will learn how your investment in Global Sustain Portfolio (the "Fund") performed during the latest twelve-month period.

Morgan Stanley Investment Management is a client-centric, investor-led organization. Our global presence, intellectual capital, and breadth of products and services enable us to partner with investors to meet the evolving challenges of today's financial markets. We aim to deliver superior investment service and to empower our clients to make the informed decisions that help them reach their investment goals.

As always, we thank you for selecting Morgan Stanley Investment Management, and look forward to working with you in the months and years ahead.

Sincerely,

John H. Gernon
President and Principal Executive Officer

January 2021


2



Morgan Stanley Institutional Fund, Inc.

Annual Report — December 31, 2020

Expense Example (unaudited)

Global Sustain Portfolio

As a shareholder of the Fund, you incur two types of costs: (1) transactional costs; and (2) ongoing costs, which may include advisory fees, administration fees, distribution and shareholder services fees and other Fund expenses. This example is intended to help you understand your ongoing costs (in dollars) of investing in the Fund and to compare these costs with the ongoing costs of investing in other mutual funds.

This example is based on an investment of $1,000 invested at the beginning of the six-month period ended December 31, 2020 and held for the entire six-month period.

Actual Expenses

The table below provides information about actual account values and actual expenses. You may use the information in this table, 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 table under the heading entitled "Actual Expenses Paid During Period" to estimate the expenses you paid on your account during this period.

Hypothetical Example for Comparison Purposes

The table below provides information about hypothetical account values and hypothetical expenses based on the Fund's actual expense ratio and an assumed rate of return of 5% per year before expenses, which is not the Fund's actual return. The hypothetical account values and expenses may not be used to estimate the actual ending account balance or expenses you paid for the period. You may use this information to compare the ongoing costs of investing in the Fund and other funds. To do so, compare this 5% hypothetical example with the 5% hypothetical examples that appear in the shareholder reports of the other funds.

Please note that the expenses shown in the table are meant to highlight your ongoing costs only and do not reflect any transactional costs, such as sales charges (loads). Therefore, the information for each class in the table is useful in comparing ongoing costs only, and will not help you determine the relative total costs of owning different funds. In addition, if these transactional costs were included, your costs would have been higher.

    Beginning
Account
Value
7/1/20
  Actual Ending
Account
Value
12/31/20
  Hypothetical
Ending Account
Value
  Actual
Expenses
Paid
During
Period*
  Hypothetical
Expenses Paid
During Period*
  Net
Expense
Ratio
During
Period**
 

Global Sustain Portfolio Class I

 

$

1,000.00

   

$

1,143.20

   

$

1,020.61

   

$

4.85

   

$

4.57

     

0.90

%

 

Global Sustain Portfolio Class A

   

1,000.00

     

1,141.30

     

1,018.90

     

6.67

     

6.29

     

1.24

   

Global Sustain Portfolio Class L

   

1,000.00

     

1,137.90

     

1,016.34

     

9.40

     

8.87

     

1.75

   

Global Sustain Portfolio Class C

   

1,000.00

     

1,137.20

     

1,015.13

     

10.69

     

10.08

     

1.99

   

Global Sustain Portfolio Class IS

   

1,000.00

     

1,143.60

     

1,020.86

     

4.58

     

4.32

     

0.85

   

*  Expenses are calculated using each Fund Class' annualized net expense ratio (as disclosed), multiplied by the average account value over the period and multiplied by 184/366 (to reflect the most recent one-half year period).

**  Annualized.


3



Morgan Stanley Institutional Fund, Inc.

Annual Report — December 31, 2020

Investment Overview (unaudited)

Global Sustain Portfolio

The Fund seeks long-term capital appreciation.

Performance

For the fiscal year ended December 31, 2020, the Fund's Class I shares had a total return based on net asset value and reinvestment of distributions per share of 15.96%, net of fees. The Fund's Class I shares outperformed the Fund's benchmark, the MSCI World Net Index (the "Index"), which returned 15.90%.

Factors Affecting Performance

•  The Index was up a mighty 14% in the fourth quarter of 2020 in U.S. dollars (USD), though a lower 12.4% in local currency terms given the dollar weakness. The strong fourth quarter meant that 2020 delivered double-digit returns for the Index despite the pandemic, up 15.9% in USD and 13.5% in local currency. Information technology (+44%) was the clear beneficiary of the pandemic, given the growth of remote working, e-commerce and the cloud, and was thus naturally the strongest sector, with all three sub-sectors doing well. Software & services rose 38%, semiconductors were up 47% and hardware gained 54%. Consumer discretionary (+37%) and communication services (+23%) also comfortably beat the Index, but this was far more dependent on a few winners rather than general sector strength. Two companies drove over 70% of consumer discretionary performance, while three companies did the same for communication services.(i) Materials (+20%) was also slightly ahead of the Index. At the other end of the spectrum, energy ended the year down 31%, despite the fourth quarter rally, while financials (–3%) and real estate (–5%) also posted negative returns. The risk-on fourth quarter of 2020 meant that the classic defensive sectors also lagged the Index, with utilities only up 5%, consumer staples up 8% and health care up 14%. Industrials (+12%) finished slightly behind the Index.

•  For the Fund's performance in the year, sector allocation was positive, but stock selection negative. The overweight in information technology helped a great deal with sector allocation, as did the underweight in financials and the lack of energy stocks, despite the two sectors' strong performance in

the fourth quarter of 2020. These positive effects were significantly larger than the negative impacts of the consumer discretionary underweight and the consumer staples overweight. The underperformance in information technology was the main driver of the negative stock selection, mitigated slightly by financials and consumer staples outperformance. Over the year, the largest absolute contributors were Microsoft, Danaher, Reckitt Benckiser, Accenture and Thermo Fisher. The top absolute detractors for the same period were Coca-Cola, Fox Corporation, Heineken, BAT and Becton Dickinson.

Management Strategies

•  One of the benefits of compounders is that they are robust in tough times. Their recurring revenues help preserve their sales while their pricing power protects margins. 2020 was certainly tough times, with world gross domestic product estimated to be down 4.4%, and advanced economies faring even worse, down 5.8%.(ii) The idiosyncratic nature of the crisis did affect some of the holdings in the portfolio, with beverage companies hit by the closure of bars and restaurants, a financial services company's lucrative cross-border business severely affected by the collapse in travel, and some health care players affected by the cancellation of routine operations and the logistical challenges of the pandemic. Despite this, the portfolio's earnings held up well overall given the general resilience of the companies, with the next 12 months' forward earnings up 6%, while dividends, actually up 5% for the year, provided another 2% of returns.(iii) The rest of the portfolio's total return for the year was due to a mild single-digit re-rating.

•  This is in stark contrast to the MSCI World Index as a whole. Its forward earnings fell 7%, despite all the government support for corporates. This meant that more than 100% of the overall Index return of 16% was accounted for by the major 23% re-rating. This repeated the pattern of 2019, when the Index returned 27%, despite a 1% fall in forward earnings, with re-rating driving the performance. Across the two years of 2019 and 2020, the Index has re-rated by 55%, from 13.4x to 20.7x next 12 months' forward earnings. It is also at an elevated 17.9x on a 24-month forward basis.

(i)  Source: FactSet and Morgan Stanley Investment Management

(ii)  Source: International Monetary Fund

(iii)  Source for all earnings and valuations data used in this report: FactSet and Morgan Stanley Investment Management


4



Morgan Stanley Institutional Fund, Inc.

Annual Report — December 31, 2020

Investment Overview (unaudited) (cont'd)

Global Sustain Portfolio

•  It is the relative de-rating that has driven the portfolio's performance relative to the Index, in the face of sharply better earnings growth. While the fourth quarter of 2020 saw a cyclical/value rally, this was not the driver of the portfolio's performance for the year as a whole, given that energy and financials still remained massively behind the Index for 2020. This issue was around the dominance of technology in the market's returns. The information technology sector alone delivered 60% of the Index's 16% return in 2020, and adding in certain household names in e-commerce, streaming, electric vehicles and social media — regarded by most people, if not MSCI, as technology companies — takes the share to 89%, meaning that the rest of the market only delivered 11% of the Index performance.(iv) Another way of looking at it is that over half the total Index performance was delivered by only five companies, and 78% by the top 25, of which only one company is listed outside the U.S.

•  The Fund has a strong weighting in information technology, 36% as against 20% for the Index, which secured the portfolio's positive sector allocation in 2020, given that the other two key sectors, consumer staples and health care, underperformed the Index. The issue was the portfolio's failure to keep up with the sector's hot pace, as our picks only delivered 25%, as against the Index's 44%, driving the portfolio's negative stock selection in the year. There were stock-specific factors behind this large gap: the collapse in international travel hit a financial services company's cross-border business, while store closures held back one of our holding's merchant acquirer division. In addition, a management services company was hit by concerns about U.S. employment levels and one of our software holding's strategy change and associated target re-basing were not welcomed by the market. Looking at the other side, not holding an Index-heavyweight consumer electronics company proved expensive. All that said, there were two more structural factors that drove the shortfall.

•  The first was the portfolio's focus on services & software within information technology, which was

"only" up 37%, lagging hardware (+54%) and semiconductors (+47%). Perhaps more importantly, the team's valuation discipline meant that the portfolio did not get the benefit of the year's massive growth boom (we are deliberately avoiding the term "bubble"). 2020 saw a spectacular 480 initial public offerings, amongst which there were 248 SPACs (special purpose acquisition companies, also known as "shell" or "blank check" companies.(v)

•  There are only two ways of losing money in equities: either the earnings go away or the valuation goes away. Our quality-obsessed investment philosophy looks to minimize the former, and the rise in the portfolio's 2020 earnings has provided further evidence of resilience, despite some of the idiosyncratic headwinds the pandemic has produced. We have also looked to reduce the risk of the latter, in the face of the market's 20x forward earnings multiple. Not only have we abjured the more boisterous segments of the information technology sector, but we have shown discipline within the portfolio's existing holdings. 2020 saw around 600 basis points of net shifts from the growthier end of portfolio (where we estimate top-line growth of 6% or above) to the duller end (sub-6% growth). This makes a cumulative 1,000 basis point shift over the last three years. This shift to cheaper stocks has been to the detriment of performance, given the continued progress for growthier names, but we believe should support the portfolio's resilience in the future.

•  We do not claim that the current multiple of 24x forward earnings means that the Fund is cheap in absolute terms — that would be tough to ask 11 years into a bull market. However, a relative earnings multiple of 1.17x the Index, which drops to parity on a free cash flow basis, does look far more defensible. Now more than ever, it is time to focus on keeping the lights on, rather than attempting to shoot them out, and reasonably priced compounders seem a reasonable way of avoiding a plunge into darkness.

(iv)  Source: FactSet and Morgan Stanley Investment Management

(v)  Source: PwC Global IPO Watch


5



Morgan Stanley Institutional Fund, Inc.

Annual Report — December 31, 2020

Investment Overview (unaudited) (cont'd)

Global Sustain Portfolio

*  Minimum Investment for Class I shares

**  Commenced Operations on August 30, 2013.

In accordance with SEC regulations, the Fund's performance shown assumes that all recurring fees (including management fees) were deducted and all dividends and distributions were reinvested. The performance of Class A, L, C and IS shares will vary from the performance of Class I shares based upon their different inception dates and will be negatively impacted by additional fees assessed to those classes (if applicable).

Performance Compared to the MSCI World Net Index(1) and the Lipper Global Large-Cap Growth Funds Index(2)

    Period Ended December 31, 2020
Total Returns(3)
 
       

Average Annual

 
    One
Year
  Five
Years
  Ten
Years
  Since
Inception(7)
 
Fund — Class I Shares
w/o sales charges(4)
   

15.96

%

   

14.19

%

   

     

12.46

%

 
Fund — Class A Shares
w/o sales charges(4)
   

15.53

     

13.79

     

     

12.08

   
Fund — Class A Shares with
maximum 5.25% sales charges(4)
   

9.47

     

12.57

     

     

11.26

   
Fund — Class L Shares
w/o sales charges(4)
   

14.97

     

13.21

     

     

11.51

   
Fund — Class C Shares
w/o sales charges(6)
   

14.68

     

12.94

     

     

11.30

   
Fund — Class C Shares with
maximum 1.00% deferred
sales charges(6)
   

13.68

     

12.94

     

     

11.30

   
Fund — Class IS Shares
w/o sales charges(5)
   

16.00

     

14.23

     

     

12.15

   

MSCI World Net Index

   

15.90

     

12.19

     

     

10.62

   
Lipper Global Large-Cap
Growth Funds Index
   

27.24

     

15.47

     

     

13.02

   

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. Performance assumes that all dividends and distributions, if any, were reinvested. For the most recent month-end performance figures, please visit www.morganstanley.com/im/shareholderreports. Investment return and principal value will fluctuate so that Fund shares, when redeemed, may be worth more or less than their original cost. Total returns do not reflect the deduction of taxes that a shareholder would pay on Fund distributions or the redemption of Fund shares. Performance of share classes will vary due to difference in sales charges and expenses.

(1)  The MSCI World Net Index is a free float-adjusted market capitalization weighted index designed to measure the equity market performance of developed markets. 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 MSCI World Net Index currently consists of 23 developed market country indices. The performance of the Index is listed in U.S. dollars and assumes reinvestment of net dividends. Net total return indices reinvest dividends after the deduction of withholding taxes, using (for international indices) a tax rate applicable to non-resident institutional investors who do not benefit from double taxation treaties. The Index is unmanaged and its returns do not include any sales charges or fees. Such costs would lower performance. It is not possible to invest directly in an index.

(2)  The Lipper Global Large-Cap Growth Funds Index is an equally weighted performance index of the largest qualifying funds (based on net assets) in the Lipper Global Large-Cap Growth Funds classification. The Index, which is adjusted for capital gains distributions and income dividends, is unmanaged and should not be considered an investment. There are currently 30 funds represented in this Index. As of the date of this report, the Fund was in the Lipper Global Large-Cap Growth Funds classification.

(3)  Total returns for the Fund reflect fees waived and expenses reimbursed, if applicable, by the Adviser (as defined herein). Without such waivers and reimbursements, total returns would have been lower.

(4)  Commenced operations on August 30, 2013.

(5)  Commenced offering on September 13, 2013.

(6)  Commenced offering on April 30, 2015.

(7)  For comparative purposes, average annual since inception returns listed for the Indexes refer to the inception date of Class I of the Fund, not the inception of the Index.


6



Morgan Stanley Institutional Fund, Inc.

Annual Report — December 31, 2020

Portfolio of Investments

Global Sustain Portfolio

   

Shares

  Value
(000)
 

Common Stocks (97.5%)

 

Canada (3.0%)

 

Constellation Software, Inc.

   

1,222

   

$

1,587

   

Topicus.com, Inc. (a)

   

2,260

     

8

   
     

1,595

   

France (1.9%)

 

L'Oreal SA (BSRM)

   

2,299

     

877

   

Sanofi

   

1,318

     

128

   
     

1,005

   

Germany (9.8%)

 

Henkel AG & Co., KGaA (Preference)

   

22,946

     

2,587

   

SAP SE

   

20,368

     

2,638

   
     

5,225

   

Hong Kong (1.8%)

 

AIA Group Ltd.

   

78,000

     

950

   

Taiwan (2.5%)

 

Taiwan Semiconductor Manufacturing Co., Ltd. ADR

   

12,393

     

1,351

   

United Kingdom (11.6%)

 

Experian PLC

   

3,944

     

150

   

GlaxoSmithKline PLC

   

9,630

     

176

   

Prudential PLC

   

42,318

     

778

   

Reckitt Benckiser Group PLC

   

35,800

     

3,195

   

RELX PLC (Euronext N.V.)

   

12,587

     

308

   

RELX PLC (LSE)

   

39,661

     

971

   

Unilever PLC

   

9,506

     

570

   
     

6,148

   

United States (66.9%)

 

Abbott Laboratories

   

16,635

     

1,821

   

Accenture PLC, Class A

   

9,345

     

2,441

   

Alphabet, Inc., Class A (a)

   

936

     

1,641

   

Amphenol Corp., Class A

   

8,524

     

1,115

   

Automatic Data Processing, Inc.

   

10,533

     

1,856

   

Baxter International, Inc.

   

25,801

     

2,070

   

Becton Dickinson & Co.

   

8,242

     

2,062

   

Cerner Corp.

   

12,723

     

999

   

Coca-Cola Co. (The)

   

10,115

     

555

   

Danaher Corp.

   

7,943

     

1,764

   

Factset Research Systems, Inc.

   

781

     

260

   

Fidelity National Information Services, Inc.

   

7,003

     

991

   

Fox Corp., Class A

   

6,846

     

199

   

Fox Corp., Class B (a)

   

9,512

     

275

   

Intercontinental Exchange, Inc.

   

11,279

     

1,300

   

Medtronic PLC

   

17,104

     

2,004

   

Microsoft Corp.

   

15,818

     

3,518

   

Moody's Corp.

   

978

     

284

   

NIKE, Inc., Class B

   

5,415

     

766

   

Procter & Gamble Co. (The)

   

15,831

     

2,203

   

Roper Technologies, Inc.

   

1,214

     

523

   

Stanley Black & Decker, Inc.

   

4,863

     

868

   

Texas Instruments, Inc.

   

5,273

     

865

   

Thermo Fisher Scientific, Inc.

   

3,280

     

1,528

   
   

Shares

  Value
(000)
 

Visa, Inc., Class A

   

13,470

   

$

2,946

   

Zoetis, Inc.

   

4,650

     

770

   
     

35,624

   

Total Common Stocks (Cost $40,579)

   

51,898

   

Short-Term Investment (2.7%)

 

Investment Company (2.7%)

 
Morgan Stanley Institutional Liquidity
Funds — Treasury Securities Portfolio —
Institutional Class (See Note G)
(Cost $1,423)
   

1,422,546

     

1,423

   
Total Investments (100.2%)
(Cost $42,002) (b)(c)
   

53,321

   

Liabilities in Excess of Other Assets (–0.2%)

   

(88

)

 

Net Assets (100.0%)

 

$

53,233

   

Country assignments and aggregations are based generally on third party vendor classifications and information, and may be different from the assignments and aggregations under the policies set forth in the Fund's prospectus and/or statement of additional information relating to geographic classifications.

(a)    Non-income producing security.

(b)    The approximate fair value and percentage of net assets, $13,328,000 and 25.0%, respectively, represent the securities that have been fair valued under the fair valuation policy for international investments as described in Note A-1 within the Notes to the Financial Statements.

(c)    At December 31, 2020, the aggregate cost for federal income tax purposes is approximately $42,260,000. The aggregate gross unrealized appreciation is approximately $11,411,000 and the aggregate gross unrealized depreciation is approximately $350,000, resulting in net unrealized appreciation of approximately $11,061,000.

ADR    American Depositary Receipt.

Euronext N.V.  Euronext Amsterdam Stock Market.

LSE    London Stock Exchange.

Portfolio Composition

Classification

  Percentage of
Total Investments
 

Other*

   

36.8

%

 

Health Care Equipment & Supplies

   

18.2

   

Information Technology Services

   

15.5

   

Household Products

   

15.0

   

Software

   

14.5

   

Total Investments

   

100.0

%

 

*  Industries and/or investment types representing less than 5% of total investments.

The accompanying notes are an integral part of the financial statements.
7



Morgan Stanley Institutional Fund, Inc.

Annual Report — December 31, 2020

Global Sustain Portfolio

Statement of Assets and Liabilities

  December 31, 2020
(000)
 

Assets:

 

Investments in Securities of Unaffiliated Issuers, at Value (Cost $40,579)

 

$

51,898

   

Investment in Security of Affiliated Issuer, at Value (Cost $1,423)

   

1,423

   

Total Investments in Securities, at Value (Cost $42,002)

   

53,321

   

Foreign Currency, at Value (Cost —@)

   

@

 

Receivable for Fund Shares Sold

   

426

   

Dividends Receivable

   

45

   

Tax Reclaim Receivable

   

21

   

Other Assets

   

37

   

Total Assets

   

53,850

   

Liabilities:

 

Payable for Fund Shares Redeemed

   

294

   

Payable for Investments Purchased

   

247

   

Payable for Advisory Fees

   

28

   

Payable for Professional Fees

   

24

   

Payable for Custodian Fees

   

6

   

Payable for Shareholder Services Fees — Class A

   

1

   

Payable for Distribution and Shareholder Services Fees — Class L

   

1

   

Payable for Distribution and Shareholder Services Fees — Class C

   

3

   

Payable for Transfer Agency Fees — Class I

   

1

   

Payable for Transfer Agency Fees — Class A

   

1

   

Payable for Transfer Agency Fees — Class L

   

@

 

Payable for Transfer Agency Fees — Class C

   

1

   

Payable for Transfer Agency Fees — Class IS

   

1

   

Payable for Administration Fees

   

3

   

Payable for Sub Transfer Agency Fees — Class I

   

1

   

Payable for Sub Transfer Agency Fees — Class A

   

@

 

Payable for Sub Transfer Agency Fees — Class L

   

@

 

Payable for Sub Transfer Agency Fees — Class C

   

@

 

Other Liabilities

   

5

   

Total Liabilities

   

617

   

Net Assets

 

$

53,233

   

Net Assets Consist of:

 

Paid-in-Capital

 

$

42,023

   

Total Distributable Earnings

   

11,210

   

Net Assets

 

$

53,233

   

The accompanying notes are an integral part of the financial statements.
8



Morgan Stanley Institutional Fund, Inc.

Annual Report — December 31, 2020

Global Sustain Portfolio

Statement of Assets and Liabilities (cont'd)

  December 31, 2020
(000)
 

CLASS I:

 

Net Assets

 

$

34,042

   
Shares Outstanding $0.001 par value shares of beneficial interest (unlimited shares authorized) (not in 000's)    

2,054,311

   

Net Asset Value, Offering and Redemption Price Per Share

 

$

16.57

   

CLASS A:

 

Net Assets

 

$

4,839

   
Shares Outstanding $0.001 par value shares of beneficial interest (unlimited shares authorized) (not in 000's)    

293,039

   

Net Asset Value, Redemption Price Per Share

 

$

16.51

   

Maximum Sales Load

   

5.25

%

 

Maximum Sales Charge

 

$

0.91

   

Maximum Offering Price Per Share

 

$

17.42

   

CLASS L:

 

Net Assets

 

$

1,441

   
Shares Outstanding $0.001 par value shares of beneficial interest (unlimited shares authorized) (not in 000's)    

88,510

   

Net Asset Value, Offering and Redemption Price Per Share

 

$

16.28

   

CLASS C:

 

Net Assets

 

$

3,594

   
Shares Outstanding $0.001 par value shares of beneficial interest (unlimited shares authorized) (not in 000's)    

225,443

   

Net Asset Value, Offering and Redemption Price Per Share

 

$

15.94

   

CLASS IS:

 

Net Assets

 

$

9,317

   
Shares Outstanding $0.001 par value shares of beneficial interest (unlimited shares authorized) (not in 000's)    

562,294

   

Net Asset Value, Offering and Redemption Price Per Share

 

$

16.57

   

@  Amount is less than $500.

The accompanying notes are an integral part of the financial statements.
9



Morgan Stanley Institutional Fund, Inc.

Annual Report — December 31, 2020

Global Sustain Portfolio

Statement of Operations

  Year Ended
December 31, 2020
(000)
 

Investment Income:

 

Dividends from Securities of Unaffiliated Issuers (Net of $17 of Foreign Taxes Withheld)

 

$

559

   

Dividends from Security of Affiliated Issuer (Note G)

   

3

   

Total Investment Income

   

562

   

Expenses:

 

Advisory Fees (Note B)

   

277

   

Professional Fees

   

108

   

Registration Fees

   

67

   

Shareholder Services Fees — Class A (Note D)

   

9

   

Distribution and Shareholder Services Fees — Class L (Note D)

   

10

   

Distribution and Shareholder Services Fees — Class C (Note D)

   

32

   

Administration Fees (Note C)

   

32

   

Custodian Fees (Note F)

   

24

   

Sub Transfer Agency Fees — Class I

   

17

   

Sub Transfer Agency Fees — Class A

   

2

   

Sub Transfer Agency Fees — Class L

   

1

   

Sub Transfer Agency Fees — Class C

   

2

   

Shareholder Reporting Fees

   

15

   

Transfer Agency Fees — Class I (Note E)

   

3

   

Transfer Agency Fees — Class A (Note E)

   

3

   

Transfer Agency Fees — Class L (Note E)

   

2

   

Transfer Agency Fees — Class C (Note E)

   

3

   

Transfer Agency Fees — Class IS (Note E)

   

3

   

Directors' Fees and Expenses

   

3

   

Pricing Fees

   

3

   

Other Expenses

   

12

   

Total Expenses

   

628

   

Waiver of Advisory Fees (Note B)

   

(205

)

 

Reimbursement of Class Specific Expenses — Class I (Note B)

   

(8

)

 

Reimbursement of Class Specific Expenses — Class L (Note B)

   

(1

)

 

Reimbursement of Class Specific Expenses — Class IS (Note B)

   

(3

)

 

Rebate from Morgan Stanley Affiliate (Note G)

   

(2

)

 

Net Expenses

   

409

   

Net Investment Income

   

153

   

Realized Gain (Loss):

 

Investments Sold

   

1,121

   

Foreign Currency Translation

   

(—

@)

 

Net Realized Gain

   

1,121

   

Change in Unrealized Appreciation (Depreciation):

 

Investments

   

5,684

   

Foreign Currency Translation

   

2

   

Net Change in Unrealized Appreciation (Depreciation)

   

5,686

   

Net Realized Gain and Change in Unrealized Appreciation (Depreciation)

   

6,807

   

Net Increase in Net Assets Resulting from Operations

 

$

6,960

   

@  Amount is less than $500.

The accompanying notes are an integral part of the financial statements.
10



Morgan Stanley Institutional Fund, Inc.

Annual Report — December 31, 2020

Global Sustain Portfolio

Statements of Changes in Net Assets

  Year Ended
December 31, 2020
(000)
  Year Ended
December 31, 2019
(000)
 

Increase (Decrease) in Net Assets:

 

Operations:

 

Net Investment Income

 

$

153

   

$

118

   

Net Realized Gain

   

1,121

     

553

   

Net Change in Unrealized Appreciation (Depreciation)

   

5,686

     

4,945

   

Net Increase in Net Assets Resulting from Operations

   

6,960

     

5,616

   

Dividends and Distributions to Shareholders:

 

Class I

   

(849

)

   

(382

)

 

Class A

   

(94

)

   

(66

)

 

Class L

   

(32

)

   

(31

)

 

Class C

   

(81

)

   

(62

)

 

Class IS

   

(234

)

   

(198

)

 

Total Dividends and Distributions to Shareholders

   

(1,290

)

   

(739

)

 

Capital Share Transactions:(1)

 

Class I:

 

Subscribed

   

22,492

     

7,782

   

Distributions Reinvested

   

849

     

383

   

Redeemed

   

(7,634

)

   

(1,403

)

 

Class A:

 

Subscribed

   

2,257

     

1,369

   

Distributions Reinvested

   

94

     

66

   

Redeemed

   

(857

)

   

(871

)

 

Class L:

 

Exchanged

   

34

     

   

Distributions Reinvested

   

32

     

31

   

Redeemed

   

(220

)

   

(303

)

 

Class C:

 

Subscribed

   

776

     

715

   

Distributions Reinvested

   

81

     

62

   

Redeemed

   

(540

)

   

(264

)

 

Class IS:

 

Subscribed

   

501

     

1,000

   

Distributions Reinvested

   

234

     

199

   

Redeemed

   

@

   

@

 

Net Increase in Net Assets Resulting from Capital Share Transactions

   

18,099

     

8,766

   

Total Increase in Net Assets

   

23,769

     

13,643

   

Net Assets:

 

Beginning of Period

   

29,464

     

15,821

   

End of Period

 

$

53,233

   

$

29,464

   

The accompanying notes are an integral part of the financial statements.
11



Morgan Stanley Institutional Fund, Inc.

Annual Report — December 31, 2020

Global Sustain Portfolio

Statements of Changes in Net Assets (cont'd)

  Year Ended
December 31, 2020
(000)
  Year Ended
December 31, 2019
(000)
 

(1) Capital Share Transactions:

 

Class I:

 

Shares Subscribed

   

1,528

     

573

   

Shares Issued on Distributions Reinvested

   

52

     

26

   

Shares Redeemed

   

(532

)

   

(102

)

 

Net Increase in Class I Shares Outstanding

   

1,048

     

497

   

Class A:

 

Shares Subscribed

   

148

     

101

   

Shares Issued on Distributions Reinvested

   

6

     

5

   

Shares Redeemed

   

(63

)

   

(65

)

 

Net Increase in Class A Shares Outstanding

   

91

     

41

   

Class L:

 

Shares Exchanged

   

2

     

   

Shares Issued on Distributions Reinvested

   

2

     

2

   

Shares Redeemed

   

(15

)

   

(22

)

 

Net Decrease in Class L Shares Outstanding

   

(11

)

   

(20

)

 

Class C:

 

Shares Subscribed

   

54

     

55

   

Shares Issued on Distributions Reinvested

   

5

     

4

   

Shares Redeemed

   

(36

)

   

(20

)

 

Net Increase in Class C Shares Outstanding

   

23

     

39

   

Class IS:

 

Shares Subscribed

   

40

     

75

   

Shares Issued on Distributions Reinvested

   

14

     

14

   

Shares Redeemed

   

@@

   

(—

@@)

 

Net Increase in Class IS Shares Outstanding

   

54

     

89

   

@  Amount is less than $500.

@@  Amount is less than 500 shares.

The accompanying notes are an integral part of the financial statements.
12



Morgan Stanley Institutional Fund, Inc.

Annual Report — December 31, 2020

Financial Highlights

Global Sustain Portfolio

   

Class I

 
   

Year Ended December 31,

 

Selected Per Share Data and Ratios

 

2020

 

2019

 

2018

 

2017

 

2016(1)

 

Net Asset Value, Beginning of Period

 

$

14.66

   

$

11.58

   

$

12.47

   

$

10.81

   

$

11.43

   

Income (Loss) from Investment Operations:

 

Net Investment Income(2)

   

0.08

     

0.09

     

0.12

     

0.13

     

0.17

   

Net Realized and Unrealized Gain (Loss)

   

2.25

     

3.38

     

(0.04

)

   

2.35

     

0.29

   

Total from Investment Operations

   

2.33

     

3.47

     

0.08

     

2.48

     

0.46

   

Distributions from and/or in Excess of:

 

Net Investment Income

   

(0.06

)

   

(0.08

)

   

(0.07

)

   

(0.13

)

   

(0.20

)

 

Net Realized Gain

   

(0.36

)

   

(0.31

)

   

(0.90

)

   

(0.69

)

   

(0.88

)

 

Total Distributions

   

(0.42

)

   

(0.39

)

   

(0.97

)

   

(0.82

)

   

(1.08

)

 

Net Asset Value, End of Period

 

$

16.57

   

$

14.66

   

$

11.58

   

$

12.47

   

$

10.81

   

Total Return(3)

   

15.96

%

   

30.03

%

   

0.60

%

   

22.86

%

   

4.20

%

 

Ratios to Average Net Assets and Supplemental Data:

 

Net Assets, End of Period (Thousands)

 

$

34,042

   

$

14,756

   

$

5,891

   

$

5,334

   

$

3,993

   

Ratio of Expenses Before Expense Limitation

   

1.45

%

   

1.92

%

   

2.86

%

   

3.54

%

   

2.45

%

 

Ratio of Expenses After Expense Limitation

   

0.90

%(4)

   

0.90

%(4)

   

0.93

%(4)(5)

   

1.00

%(4)

   

0.99

%(4)

 

Ratio of Net Investment Income

   

0.52

%(4)

   

0.68

%(4)

   

0.97

%(4)

   

1.10

%(4)

   

1.46

%(4)

 

Ratio of Rebate from Morgan Stanley Affiliates

   

0.00

%(6)

   

0.00

%(6)

   

0.00

%(6)

   

0.00

%(6)

   

0.00

%(6)

 

Portfolio Turnover Rate

   

20

%

   

14

%

   

76

%

   

39

%

   

35

%

 

(1)  Reflects prior period custodian out-of-pocket expenses that were reimbursed in September 2016. The amount of the reimbursement was immaterial on a per share basis and did not impact the total return of Class I shares. The Ratio of Expenses After Expense Limitation and the Ratio of Net Investment Income would be unchanged as the reimbursement of custodian fees was offset against expense waivers/reimbursements with no impact to net expenses or net investment income.

(2)  Per share amount is based on average shares outstanding.

(3)  Calculated based on the net asset value as of the last business day of the period.

(4)  The Ratio of Expenses After Expense Limitation and Ratio of Net Investment Income reflect the rebate of certain Fund expenses in connection with the investments in Morgan Stanley affiliates during the period. The effect of the rebate on the ratios is disclosed in the above table as "Ratio of Rebate from Morgan Stanley Affiliates."

(5)  Effective April 30, 2018, the Adviser has agreed to limit the ratio of expenses to average net assets to the maximum ratio of 0.90% for Class I shares. Prior to April 30, 2018, the maximum ratio was 1.00% for Class I shares.

(6)  Amount is less than 0.005%.

The accompanying notes are an integral part of the financial statements.
13



Morgan Stanley Institutional Fund, Inc.

Annual Report — December 31, 2020

Financial Highlights

Global Sustain Portfolio

   

Class A

 
   

Year Ended December 31,

 

Selected Per Share Data and Ratios

 

2020

 

2019

 

2018

 

2017

 

2016(1)

 

Net Asset Value, Beginning of Period

 

$

14.62

   

$

11.56

   

$

12.44

   

$

10.79

   

$

11.40

   

Income (Loss) from Investment Operations:

 

Net Investment Income(2)

   

0.03

     

0.05

     

0.07

     

0.08

     

0.11

   

Net Realized and Unrealized Gain (Loss)

   

2.23

     

3.36

     

(0.03

)

   

2.35

     

0.32

   

Total from Investment Operations

   

2.26

     

3.41

     

0.04

     

2.43

     

0.43

   

Distributions from and/or in Excess of:

 

Net Investment Income

   

(0.01

)

   

(0.04

)

   

(0.02

)

   

(0.09

)

   

(0.16

)

 

Net Realized Gain

   

(0.36

)

   

(0.31

)

   

(0.90

)

   

(0.69

)

   

(0.88

)

 

Total Distributions

   

(0.37

)

   

(0.35

)

   

(0.92

)

   

(0.78

)

   

(1.04

)

 

Net Asset Value, End of Period

 

$

16.51

   

$

14.62

   

$

11.56

   

$

12.44

   

$

10.79

   

Total Return(3)

   

15.53

%

   

29.53

%

   

0.26

%

   

22.45

%

   

3.83

%

 

Ratios to Average Net Assets and Supplemental Data:

 

Net Assets, End of Period (Thousands)

 

$

4,839

   

$

2,949

   

$

1,872

   

$

2,243

   

$

2,182

   

Ratio of Expenses Before Expense Limitation

   

1.76

%

   

2.25

%

   

3.21

%

   

3.90

%

   

2.85

%

 

Ratio of Expenses After Expense Limitation

   

1.24

%(4)

   

1.25

%(4)

   

1.28

%(4)(5)

   

1.35

%(4)

   

1.33

%(4)

 

Ratio of Net Investment Income

   

0.17

%(4)

   

0.35

%(4)

   

0.57

%(4)

   

0.66

%(4)

   

0.98

%(4)

 

Ratio of Rebate from Morgan Stanley Affiliates

   

0.00

%(6)

   

0.00

%(6)

   

0.00

%(6)

   

0.00

%(6)

   

0.00

%(6)

 

Portfolio Turnover Rate

   

20

%

   

14

%

   

76

%

   

39

%

   

35

%

 

(1)  Reflects prior period custodian out-of-pocket expenses that were reimbursed in September 2016. The amount of the reimbursement was immaterial on a per share basis and did not impact the total return of Class A shares. The Ratio of Expenses After Expense Limitation and the Ratio of Net Investment Income would be unchanged as the reimbursement of custodian fees was offset against expense waivers/reimbursements with no impact to net expenses or net investment income.

(2)  Per share amount is based on average shares outstanding.

(3)  Calculated based on the net asset value which does not reflect sales charges, if applicable, as of the last business day of the period.

(4)  The Ratio of Expenses After Expense Limitation and Ratio of Net Investment Income reflect the rebate of certain Fund expenses in connection with the investments in Morgan Stanley affiliates during the period. The effect of the rebate on the ratios is disclosed in the above table as "Ratio of Rebate from Morgan Stanley Affiliates."

(5)  Effective April 30, 2018, the Adviser has agreed to limit the ratio of expenses to average net assets to the maximum ratio of 1.25% for Class A shares. Prior to April 30, 2018, the maximum ratio was 1.35% for Class A shares.

(6)  Amount is less than 0.005%.

The accompanying notes are an integral part of the financial statements.
14



Morgan Stanley Institutional Fund, Inc.

Annual Report — December 31, 2020

Financial Highlights

Global Sustain Portfolio

   

Class L

 
   

Year Ended December 31,

 

Selected Per Share Data and Ratios

 

2020

 

2019

 

2018

 

2017

 

2016(1)

 

Net Asset Value, Beginning of Period

 

$

14.48

   

$

11.47

   

$

12.41

   

$

10.76

   

$

11.37

   

Income (Loss) from Investment Operations:

 

Net Investment Income (Loss)(2)

   

(0.05

)

   

(0.01

)

   

0.01

     

0.03

     

0.06

   

Net Realized and Unrealized Gain (Loss)

   

2.21

     

3.33

     

(0.04

)

   

2.32

     

0.31

   

Total from Investment Operations

   

2.16

     

3.32

     

(0.03

)

   

2.35

     

0.37

   

Distributions from and/or in Excess of:

 

Net Investment Income

   

     

     

(0.01

)

   

(0.01

)

   

(0.10

)

 

Net Realized Gain

   

(0.36

)

   

(0.31

)

   

(0.90

)

   

(0.69

)

   

(0.88

)

 

Total Distributions

   

(0.36

)

   

(0.31

)

   

(0.91

)

   

(0.70

)

   

(0.98

)

 

Net Asset Value, End of Period

 

$

16.28

   

$

14.48

   

$

11.47

   

$

12.41

   

$

10.76

   

Total Return(3)

   

14.97

%

   

28.87

%

   

(0.25

)%

   

21.80

%

   

3.31

%

 

Ratios to Average Net Assets and Supplemental Data:

 

Net Assets, End of Period (Thousands)

 

$

1,441

   

$

1,437

   

$

1,365

   

$

1,611

   

$

2,194

   

Ratio of Expenses Before Expense Limitation

   

2.32

%

   

2.77

%

   

3.73

%

   

4.39

%

   

3.35

%

 

Ratio of Expenses After Expense Limitation

   

1.75

%(4)

   

1.75

%(4)

   

1.78

%(4)(5)

   

1.85

%(4)

   

1.81

%(4)

 

Ratio of Net Investment Income (Loss)

   

(0.33

)%(4)

   

(0.09

)%(4)

   

0.04

%(4)

   

0.24

%(4)

   

0.52

%(4)

 

Ratio of Rebate from Morgan Stanley Affiliates

   

0.00

%(6)

   

0.00

%(6)

   

0.00

%(6)

   

0.00

%(6)

   

0.00

%(6)

 

Portfolio Turnover Rate

   

20

%

   

14

%

   

76

%

   

39

%

   

35

%

 

(1)  Reflects prior period custodian out-of-pocket expenses that were reimbursed in September 2016. The amount of the reimbursement was immaterial on a per share basis and did not impact the total return of Class L shares. The Ratio of Expenses After Expense Limitation and the Ratio of Net Investment Income would be unchanged as the reimbursement of custodian fees was offset against expense waivers/reimbursements with no impact to net expenses or net investment income.

(2)  Per share amount is based on average shares outstanding.

(3)  Calculated based on the net asset value as of the last business day of the period.

(4)  The Ratio of Expenses After Expense Limitation and Ratio of Net Investment Income (Loss) reflect the rebate of certain Fund expenses in connection with the investments in Morgan Stanley affiliate during the period. The effect of the rebate on the ratios is disclosed in the above table as "Ratio of Rebate from Morgan Stanley Affiliates."

(5)  Effective April 30, 2018, the Adviser has agreed to limit the ratio of expenses to average net assets to the maximum ratio of 1.75% for Class L shares. Prior to April 30, 2018, the maximum ratio was 1.85% for Class L shares.

(6)  Amount is less than 0.005%.

The accompanying notes are an integral part of the financial statements.
15



Morgan Stanley Institutional Fund, Inc.

Annual Report — December 31, 2020

Financial Highlights

Global Sustain Portfolio

   

Class C

 
   

Year Ended December 31,

 

Selected Per Share Data and Ratios

 

2020

 

2019

 

2018

 

2017

 

2016(1)

 

Net Asset Value, Beginning of Period

 

$

14.22

   

$

11.30

   

$

12.26

   

$

10.67

   

$

11.30

   

Income (Loss) from Investment Operations:

 

Net Investment Income (Loss)(2)

   

(0.08

)

   

(0.05

)

   

(0.03

)

   

(0.01

)

   

0.02

   

Net Realized and Unrealized Gain (Loss)

   

2.16

     

3.28

     

(0.02

)

   

2.30

     

0.32

   

Total from Investment Operations

   

2.08

     

3.23

     

(0.05

)

   

2.29

     

0.34

   

Distributions from and/or in Excess of:

 

Net Investment Income

   

     

     

(0.01

)

   

(0.01

)

   

(0.09

)

 

Net Realized Gain

   

(0.36

)

   

(0.31

)

   

(0.90

)

   

(0.69

)

   

(0.88

)

 

Total Distributions

   

(0.36

)

   

(0.31

)

   

(0.91

)

   

(0.70

)

   

(0.97

)

 

Net Asset Value, End of Period

 

$

15.94

   

$

14.22

   

$

11.30

   

$

12.26

   

$

10.67

   

Total Return(3)

   

14.68

%

   

28.63

%

   

(0.50

)%

   

21.46

%

   

3.06

%

 

Ratios to Average Net Assets and Supplemental Data:

 

Net Assets, End of Period (Thousands)

 

$

3,594

   

$

2,872

   

$

1,846

   

$

1,430

   

$

819

   

Ratio of Expenses Before Expense Limitation

   

2.51

%

   

2.97

%

   

4.00

%

   

4.71

%

   

3.83

%

 

Ratio of Expenses After Expense Limitation

   

1.99

%(4)

   

1.98

%(4)

   

2.02

%(4)(5)

   

2.10

%(4)

   

2.10

%(4)

 

Ratio of Net Investment Income (Loss)

   

(0.56

)%(4)

   

(0.38

)%(4)

   

(0.24

)%(4)

   

(0.06

)%(4)

   

0.17

%(4)

 

Ratio of Rebate from Morgan Stanley Affiliates

   

0.00

%(6)

   

0.00

%(6)

   

0.00

%(6)

   

0.00

%(6)

   

0.00

%(6)

 

Portfolio Turnover Rate

   

20

%

   

14

%

   

76

%

   

39

%

   

35

%

 

(1)  Reflects prior period custodian out-of-pocket expenses that were reimbursed in September 2016. The amount of the reimbursement was immaterial on a per share basis and did not impact the total return of Class C shares. The Ratio of Expenses After Expense Limitation and the Ratio of Net Investment Income would be unchanged as the reimbursement of custodian fees was offset against expense waivers/reimbursements with no impact to net expenses or net investment income.

(2)  Per share amount is based on average shares outstanding.

(3)  Calculated based on the net asset value which does not reflect sales charges, if applicable, as of the last business day of the period.

(4)  The Ratio of Expense After Expenses Limitation and Ratio of Net Investment Income (Loss) reflect the rebate of certain Fund expenses in connection with the investments in Morgan Stanley affiliates during the period. The effect of the rebate on the ratios is disclosed in the above table as "Ratio of Rebate from Morgan Stanley Affiliates."

(5)  Effective April 30, 2018, the Adviser has agreed to limit the ratio of expenses to average net assets to the maximum ratio of 2.00% for Class C shares. Prior to April 30, 2018, the maximum ratio was 2.10% for Class C shares.

(6)  Amount is less than 0.005%.

The accompanying notes are an integral part of the financial statements.
16



Morgan Stanley Institutional Fund, Inc.

Annual Report — December 31, 2020

Financial Highlights

Global Sustain Portfolio

   

Class IS

 
   

Year Ended December 31,

 

Selected Per Share Data and Ratios

 

2020

 

2019

 

2018

 

2017

 

2016(1)

 

Net Asset Value, Beginning of Period

 

$

14.66

   

$

11.58

   

$

12.47

   

$

10.81

   

$

11.43

   

Income (Loss) from Investment Operations:

 

Net Investment Income(2)

   

0.09

     

0.11

     

0.05

     

0.14

     

0.16

   

Net Realized and Unrealized Gain

   

2.25

     

3.37

     

0.04

     

2.34

     

0.31

   

Total from Investment Operations

   

2.34

     

3.48

     

0.09

     

2.48

     

0.47

   

Distributions from and/or in Excess of:

 

Net Investment Income

   

(0.07

)

   

(0.09

)

   

(0.08

)

   

(0.13

)

   

(0.21

)

 

Net Realized Gain

   

(0.36

)

   

(0.31

)

   

(0.90

)

   

(0.69

)

   

(0.88

)

 

Total Distributions

   

(0.43

)

   

(0.40

)

   

(0.98

)

   

(0.82

)

   

(1.09

)

 

Net Asset Value, End of Period

 

$

16.57

   

$

14.66

   

$

11.58

   

$

12.47

   

$

10.81

   

Total Return(3)

   

16.00

%

   

30.08

%

   

0.66

%

   

22.91

%

   

4.17

%

 

Ratios to Average Net Assets and Supplemental Data:

 

Net Assets, End of Period (Thousands)

 

$

9,317

   

$

7,450

   

$

4,847

   

$

12

   

$

11

   

Ratio of Expenses Before Expense Limitation

   

1.41

%

   

1.88

%

   

3.12

%

   

19.10

%

   

19.36

%

 

Ratio of Expenses After Expense Limitation

   

0.85

%(4)

   

0.85

%(4)

   

0.85

%(4)(5)

   

0.95

%(4)

   

0.95

%(4)

 

Ratio of Net Investment Income

   

0.58

%(4)

   

0.79

%(4)

   

0.41

%(4)

   

1.15

%(4)

   

1.35

%(4)

 

Ratio of Rebate from Morgan Stanley Affiliates

   

0.00

%(6)

   

0.00

%(6)

   

0.00

%(6)

   

0.00

%(6)

   

0.00

%(6)

 

Portfolio Turnover Rate

   

20

%

   

14

%

   

76

%

   

39

%

   

35

%

 

(1)  Reflects prior period custodian out-of-pocket expenses that were reimbursed in September 2016. The amount of the reimbursement was immaterial on a per share basis and did not impact the total return of Class IS shares. The Ratio of Expenses After Expense Limitation and the Ratio of Net Investment Income would be unchanged as the reimbursement of custodian fees was offset against expense waivers/reimbursements with no impact to net expenses or net investment income.

(2)  Per share amount is based on average shares outstanding.

(3)  Calculated based on the net asset value as of the last business day of the period.

(4)  The Ratio of Expenses After Expense Limitation and Ratio of Net Investment Income reflect the rebate of certain Fund expenses in connection with the investments in Morgan Stanley affiliates during the period. The effect of the rebate on the ratios is disclosed in the above table as "Ratio of Rebate from Morgan Stanley Affiliates."

(5)  Effective April 30, 2018, the Adviser has agreed to limit the ratio of expenses to average net assets to the maximum ratio of 0.85% for Class IS shares. Prior to April 30, 2018, the maximum ratio was 0.95% for Class IS shares.

(6)  Amount is less than 0.005%.

The accompanying notes are an integral part of the financial statements.
17



Morgan Stanley Institutional Fund, Inc.

Annual Report — December 31, 2020

Notes to Financial Statements

Morgan Stanley Institutional Fund, Inc. (the "Company") is registered under the Investment Company Act of 1940, as amended (the "Act"), as an open-end management investment company. The Company is comprised of thirty-one separate, active, diversified and non-diversified funds (individually referred to as a "Fund," collectively as the "Funds"). The Company applies investment company accounting and reporting guidance.

The accompanying financial statements relate to the Global Sustain Portfolio. The Fund seeks long-term capital appreciation.

The Fund offers five classes of shares — Class I, Class A, Class L, Class C and Class IS. On April 30, 2015, the Fund suspended offering of Class L shares. Existing Class L shareholders may invest through reinvestment of dividends and distributions. In addition, Class L shares of the Fund may be exchanged for Class L shares of any Morgan Stanley Multi-Class Fund, even though Class L shares are closed to investors.

A. Significant Accounting Policies: The following significant accounting policies are in conformity with U.S. generally accepted accounting principles ("GAAP"). Such policies are consistently followed by the Company in the preparation of its financial statements. GAAP may require management to make estimates and assumptions that affect the reported amounts and disclosures in the financial statements. Actual results may differ from those estimates.

1.  Security Valuation: (1) An equity portfolio security listed or traded on an exchange is valued at its latest reported sales price (or at the exchange official closing price if such exchange reports an official closing price), and if there were no sales on a given day and if there is no official exchange closing price for that day, the security is valued at the mean between the last reported bid and asked prices if such bid and asked prices are available on the relevant exchanges. If only bid prices are available then the latest bid price may be used. Listed equity securities not traded on the valuation date with no reported bid and asked prices available on the exchange are valued at the mean between the current bid and asked prices obtained from one or more reputable brokers or dealers. In cases where a security is traded on more than one exchange, the security is valued on the exchange designated as the primary market; (2) all other equity portfolio securities for which over-the-counter ("OTC") market quotations are readily available are valued at the latest reported sales price (or at the market official closing price if such market reports an official

closing price), and if there was no trading in the security on a given day and if there is no official closing price from relevant markets for that day, the security is valued at the mean between the last reported bid and asked prices if such bid and asked prices are available on the relevant markets. An unlisted equity security that does not trade on the valuation date and for which bid and asked prices from the relevant markets are unavailable is valued at the mean between the current bid and asked prices obtained from one or more reputable brokers or dealers; (3) certain portfolio securities may be valued by an outside pricing service/vendor approved by the Company's Board of Directors (the "Directors"). The pricing service/vendor may employ a pricing model that takes into account, among other things, bids, yield spreads and/or other market data and specific security characteristics. Alternatively, if a valuation is not available from an outside pricing service/ vendor, and the security trades on an exchange, the security may be valued at its latest reported sale price (or at the exchange official closing price if such exchange reports an official closing price), prior to the time when assets are valued. If there are no sales on a given day and if there is no official exchange closing price for that day, the security is valued at the mean between the last reported bid and asked prices if such bid and asked prices are available in the relevant exchanges. If only bid prices are available then the latest bid price may be used. If Morgan Stanley Investment Management Inc. (the "Adviser") or Morgan Stanley Investment Management Limited ("MSIM Limited") (the "Sub-Adviser"), each a wholly-owned subsidiary of Morgan Stanley, determines that the price provided by the outside pricing service/vendor or exchange does not reflect the security's fair value or is unable to provide a price, prices from brokers or dealers may also be utilized. In these circumstances, the value of the security will be the mean of bid and asked prices obtained from brokers or dealers; (4) when market quotations are not readily available, including circumstances under which the Adviser or the Sub-Adviser 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 Directors. 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


18



Morgan Stanley Institutional Fund, Inc.

Annual Report — December 31, 2020

Notes to Financial Statements (cont'd)

foreign market on which the securities trade) and the close of business of the New York Stock Exchange ("NYSE"). If developments occur during such periods that are expected to materially affect the value of such securities, such valuations may be adjusted to reflect the estimated fair value of such securities as of the close of the NYSE, as determined in good faith by the Directors or by the Adviser using a pricing service and/or procedures approved by the Directors; (5) quotations of foreign portfolio securities, other assets and liabilities and forward contracts stated in foreign currency are translated into U.S. dollar equivalents at the prevailing market rates prior to the close of the NYSE; and (6) investments in mutual funds, including the Morgan Stanley Institutional Liquidity Funds, are valued at the net asset value ("NAV") as of the close of each business day.

The Directors have responsibility for determining in good faith the fair value of the investments, and the Directors may appoint others, such as the Company's Adviser or a valuation committee, to assist the Directors in determining fair value and to make the actual calculations pursuant to the fair valuation methodologies previously approved by the Directors. Under procedures approved by the Directors, the Company's Adviser has formed a Valuation Committee whose members are approved by the Directors. The Valuation Committee provides administration and oversight of the Company's valuation policies and procedures, which are reviewed at least annually by the Directors. These procedures allow the Company to utilize independent pricing services, quotations from securities and financial instrument dealers and other market sources to determine fair value.

2.  Fair Value Measurement: Financial Accounting Standards Board ("FASB") Accounting Standards CodificationTM ("ASC") 820, "Fair Value Measurement" ("ASC 820"), defines fair value as the value that the Fund would receive to sell an investment or pay to transfer a liability in a timely transaction with an independent buyer in the principal market, or in the absence of a principal market, the most advantageous market for the investment or liability. ASC 820 establishes a three-tier hierarchy to distinguish between (1) inputs that reflect the assumptions market participants would use in valuing an asset or liability developed based on market data obtained from sources independent of the reporting entity (observable inputs) and (2) inputs that reflect the reporting entity's own assumptions about the assumptions market participants would use in valuing an asset or liability developed based

on the best information available in the circumstances (unobservable inputs) and to establish classification of fair value measurements for disclosure purposes. Various inputs are used in determining the value of the Fund's investments. The inputs are summarized in the three broad levels listed below:

•  Level 1 – unadjusted quoted prices in active markets for identical investments

•  Level 2 – other significant observable inputs (including quoted prices for similar investments, interest rates, prepayment speeds, credit risk, etc.)

•  Level 3 – significant unobservable inputs including the Fund's own assumptions in determining the fair value of investments. Factors considered in making this determination may include, but are not limited to, information obtained by contacting the issuer, analysts, or the appropriate stock exchange (for exchange-traded securities), analysis of the issuer's financial statements or other available documents and, if necessary, available information concerning other securities in similar circumstances.

The inputs or methodology used for valuing securities are not necessarily an indication of the risk associated with investing in those securities and the determination of the significance of a particular input to the fair value measurement in its entirety requires judgment and considers factors specific to each security.

The following is a summary of the inputs used to value the Fund's investments as of December 31, 2020:

Investment Type

  Level 1
Unadjusted
quoted
prices
(000)
  Level 2
Other
significant
observable
inputs
(000)
  Level 3
Significant
unobservable
inputs
(000)
  Total
(000)
 

Assets:

 

Common Stocks

 

Beverages

 

$

555

   

$

   

$

   

$

555

   

Capital Markets

   

1,844

     

     

     

1,844

   
Electronic Equipment,
Instruments &
Components
   

1,115

     

     

     

1,115

   
Health Care Equipment &
Supplies
   

9,721

     

     

     

9,721

   

Health Care Technology

   

999

     

     

     

999

   

Household Products

   

2,203

     

5,782

     

     

7,985

   

Industrial Conglomerates

   

523

     

     

     

523

   


19



Morgan Stanley Institutional Fund, Inc.

Annual Report — December 31, 2020

Notes to Financial Statements (cont'd)

Investment Type

  Level 1
Unadjusted
quoted
prices
(000)
  Level 2
Other
significant
observable
inputs
(000)
  Level 3
Significant
unobservable
inputs
(000)
  Total
(000)
 

Common Stocks (cont'd)

 
Information Technology
Services
 

$

8,234

   

$

   

$

   

$

8,234

   

Insurance

   

     

1,728

     

     

1,728

   
Interactive Media &
Services
   

1,641

     

     

     

1,641

   
Life Sciences Tools &
Services
   

1,528

     

     

     

1,528

   

Machinery

   

868

     

     

     

868

   

Media

   

474

     

     

     

474

   

Personal Products

   

     

1,447

     

     

1,447

   

Pharmaceuticals

   

770

     

304

     

     

1,074

   

Professional Services

   

     

1,429

     

     

1,429

   
Semiconductors &
Semiconductor
Equipment
   

2,216

     

     

     

2,216

   

Software

   

5,105

     

2,646

     

     

7,751

   
Textiles, Apparel & Luxury
Goods
   

766

     

     

     

766

   

Total Common Stocks

   

38,562

     

13,336

     

     

51,898

   

Short-Term Investment

 

Investment Company

   

1,423

     

     

     

1,423

   

Total Assets

 

$

39,985

   

$

13,336

   

$

   

$

53,321

   

Transfers between investment levels may occur as the markets fluctuate and/or the availability of data used in an investment's valuation changes.

3.  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.

Net realized gains (losses) on foreign currency transactions represent net foreign exchange gains (losses) from foreign currency forward exchange contracts, disposition of foreign currencies, currency gains (losses) realized between the trade and settlement dates on securities transactions, and the difference between the amount of investment income and foreign withholding taxes recorded on the Fund's books and the U.S. dollar equivalent amounts actually received or paid. The change in unrealized currency gains (losses) on foreign currency transactions for the period is reflected in the Statement of Operations.

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.

Governmental approval for foreign investments may be required in advance of making an investment under certain circumstances in some countries, and the extent of foreign investments in domestic companies may be subject to limitation in other countries. Foreign ownership limitations also may be imposed by the charters of individual companies to prevent, among other concerns, violations of foreign investment limitations. As a result, an additional class of shares (identified as "Foreign" in the Portfolio of Investments) may be created and offered for investment. The "local" and "foreign shares" market values may differ. In the absence of trading of the foreign shares in such markets, the Fund values the foreign shares at the closing exchange price of the local shares.

4.  Indemnifications: The Company enters into contracts that contain a variety of indemnifications. The Company's maximum exposure under these arrangements is


20



Morgan Stanley Institutional Fund, Inc.

Annual Report — December 31, 2020

Notes to Financial Statements (cont'd)

unknown. However, the Company has not had prior claims or losses pursuant to these contracts and expects the risk of loss to be remote.

5.  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. Net realized capital gains, if any, are distributed at least annually.

6.  Security Transactions, Income and Expenses: Security transactions are accounted for on the trade date (date the order to buy or sell is executed). Realized gains and losses on the sale of investment securities are determined on the specific identified cost method. Dividend income and other distributions are recorded on the ex-dividend date (except for certain foreign dividends which may be recorded as soon as the Fund is informed of such dividends) net of applicable withholding taxes. Interest income is recognized on the accrual basis except where collection is in doubt. Discounts are accreted and premiums are amortized over the life of the respective securities. Most expenses of the Company can be directly attributed to a particular Fund. Expenses which cannot be directly attributed are apportioned among the Funds based upon relative net assets or other appropriate methods. Income, expenses (other than class specific expenses — distribution and shareholder services, transfer agency and sub transfer agency fees) and realized and unrealized gains or losses are allocated to each class of shares based upon their relative net assets.

B. Advisory/Sub-Advisory Fees: The Adviser, a wholly-owned subsidiary of Morgan Stanley, provides the Fund with advisory services under the terms of an Investment Advisory Agreement, paid quarterly, at the annual rate based on the daily net assets as follows:

First $500
million
  Over $500
million
 
  0.70

%

   

0.65

%

 

For the year ended December 31, 2020, the advisory fee rate (net of waiver/rebate) was equivalent to an annual effective rate of 0.18% of the Fund's average daily net assets.

The Adviser has agreed to reduce its advisory fee and/or reimburse the Fund so that total annual Fund operating expenses, excluding certain investment related expenses, taxes, interest and other extraordinary expenses (including litigation), will not exceed 0.90% for Class I shares, 1.25% for Class A shares, 1.75% for Class L shares, 2.00% for Class C shares and 0.85%

for Class IS shares. The fee waivers and/or expense reimbursements will continue for at least one year from the date of the Fund's prospectus or until such time as the Directors act to discontinue all or a portion of such waivers and/or reimbursements when they deem such action is appropriate. For the year ended December 31, 2020, approximately $205,000 of advisory fees were waived and approximately $12,000 of other expenses were reimbursed by the Adviser pursuant to this arrangement.

The Adviser has entered into a Sub-Advisory Agreement with the Sub-Adviser, a wholly-owned subsidiary of Morgan Stanley. The Sub-Adviser provides the Fund with advisory services subject to the overall supervision of the Adviser and the Fund's Officers and Directors. The Adviser pays the Sub-Adviser on a monthly basis a portion of the net advisory fees the Adviser receives from the Fund.

C. Administration Fees: The Adviser also serves as Administrator to the Company and provides administrative services pursuant to an Administration Agreement for an annual fee, accrued daily and paid monthly, of 0.08% of the Fund's average daily net assets.

Under a Sub-Administration Agreement between the Administrator and State Street Bank and Trust Company ("State Street"), State Street provides certain administrative services to the Company. For such services, the Administrator pays State Street a portion of the fee the Administrator receives from the Fund.

D. Distribution and Shareholder Services Fees: Morgan Stanley Distribution, Inc. ("MSDI" or the "Distributor"), a wholly-owned subsidiary of the Adviser and an indirect subsidiary of Morgan Stanley, serves as the Company's Distributor of Fund shares pursuant to a Distribution Agreement. The Company has adopted a Shareholder Services Plan with respect to Class A shares pursuant to Rule 12b-1 under the Act. Under the Shareholder Services Plan, the Fund pays the Distributor a shareholder services fee, accrued daily and paid monthly, at an annual rate of 0.25% of the Fund's average daily net assets attributable to Class A shares.

The Company has adopted a Distribution and Shareholder Services Plan with respect to Class L shares pursuant to Rule 12b-1 under the Act. Under the Distribution and Shareholder Services Plan, the Fund pays the Distributor a distribution fee, accrued daily and paid monthly, at an annual rate of 0.50% and a shareholder services fee, accrued daily and paid monthly, at an annual rate of 0.25% of the Fund's average daily net assets attributable to Class L shares.


21



Morgan Stanley Institutional Fund, Inc.

Annual Report — December 31, 2020

Notes to Financial Statements (cont'd)

The Company has adopted a Distribution and Shareholder Services Plan with respect to Class C shares pursuant to Rule 12b-1 under the Act. Under the Distribution and Shareholder Services Plan, the Fund pays the Distributor a distribution fee, accrued daily and paid monthly, at an annual rate of 0.75% and a shareholder services fee, accrued daily and paid monthly, at an annual rate of 0.25% of the Fund's average daily net assets attributable to Class C shares.

The distribution and shareholder services fees are used to support the expenses associated with servicing and maintaining accounts. The Distributor may compensate other parties for providing shareholder support services to investors who purchase Class A, Class L and Class C shares.

E. Dividend Disbursing and Transfer Agent: The Company's dividend disbursing and transfer agent is DST Asset Manager Solutions, Inc. ("DST"). Pursuant to a Transfer Agency Agreement, the Company pays DST a fee based on the number of classes, accounts and transactions relating to the Funds of the Company.

F. Custodian Fees: State Street (the "Custodian") also serves as Custodian for the Company in accordance with a Custodian Agreement. The Custodian holds cash, securities and other assets of the Company as required by the Act. Custody fees are payable monthly based on assets held in custody, investment purchases and sales activity and account maintenance fees, plus reimbursement for certain out-of-pocket expenses.

G. Security Transactions and Transactions with Affiliates: For the year ended December 31, 2020, purchases and sales of investment securities for the Fund, other than long-term U.S. Government securities and short-term investments were approximately $24,295,000 and $7,778,000, respectively. There were no purchases and sales of long-term U.S. Government securities for the year ended December 31, 2020.

The Fund invests in the Institutional Class of the Morgan Stanley Institutional Liquidity Funds — Treasury Securities Portfolio (the "Liquidity Funds"), an open-end management investment company managed by the Adviser. Advisory fees paid by the Fund are reduced by an amount equal to its pro-rata share of the advisory and administration fees paid by the Fund due to its investment in the Liquidity Funds. For the year ended December 31, 2020, advisory fees paid were reduced by approximately $2,000 relating to the Fund's investment in the Liquidity Funds.

A summary of the Fund's transactions in shares of affiliated investments during the year ended December 31, 2020 is as follows:

Affiliated
Investment
Company
  Value
December 31,
2019
(000)
  Purchases
at Cost
(000)
  Proceeds
from Sales
(000)
  Dividend
Income
(000)
 

Liquidity Funds

 

$

848

   

$

21,364

   

$

20,789

   

$

3

   
Affiliated
Investment
Company (cont'd)
  Realized
Gain (Loss)
(000)
  Change in
Unrealized
Appreciation
(Depreciation)
(000)
  Value
December 31,
2020
(000)
 

Liquidity Funds

 

$

   

$

   

$

1,423

   

The Fund is permitted to purchase and sell securities ("cross-trade") from and to other Morgan Stanley funds as well as other funds and client accounts for which the Adviser or an affiliate of the Adviser serves as investment adviser, pursuant to procedures approved by the Directors in compliance with Rule 17a-7 under the Act (the "Rule"). Each cross-trade is executed at the current market price in compliance with provisions of the Rule. For the year ended December 31, 2020, the Fund did not engage in any cross-trade transactions.

The Fund has an unfunded Deferred Compensation Plan (the "Compensation Plan"), which allows each independent Director to defer payment of all, or a portion, of the fees he or she receives for serving on the Board of Directors. Each eligible Director generally may elect to have the deferred amounts credited with a return equal to the total return on one or more of the Morgan Stanley funds that are offered as investment options under the Compensation Plan. Appreciation/depreciation and distributions received from these investments are recorded with an offsetting increase/decrease in the deferred compensation obligation and do not affect the NAV of the Fund.

H. Federal Income Taxes: It is the Fund's intention to continue to qualify as a regulated investment company and distribute all of its taxable and tax-exempt income. Accordingly, no provision for federal income taxes is required in the financial statements.

The Fund may be subject to taxes imposed by countries in which it invests. Such taxes are generally based on income and/or capital gains earned or repatriated. Taxes are accrued based on net investment income, net realized gains and net unrealized appreciation as such income and/or gains are earned. Taxes may also be based on transactions in foreign currency and are accrued based on the value of investments denominated in such currency.


22



Morgan Stanley Institutional Fund, Inc.

Annual Report — December 31, 2020

Notes to Financial Statements (cont'd)

FASB ASC 740-10, "Income Taxes — Overall", sets forth a minimum threshold for financial statement recognition of the benefit of a tax position taken or expected to be taken in a tax return. Management has concluded there are no significant uncertain tax positions that would require recognition in the financial statements. If applicable, the Fund recognizes interest accrued related to unrecognized tax benefits in "Interest Expense" and penalties in "Other Expenses" in the Statement of Operations. The Fund files tax returns with the U.S. Internal Revenue Service, New York and various states. Generally, each of the tax years in the four-year period ended December 31, 2020 remains subject to examination by taxing authorities.

The tax character of distributions paid may differ from the character of distributions shown for GAAP purposes due to short-term capital gains being treated as ordinary income for tax purposes. The tax character of distributions paid during fiscal years 2020 and 2019 was as follows:

2020
Distributions
Paid From:
  2019
Distributions
Paid From:
 
Ordinary
Income
(000)
  Long-Term
Capital Gain
(000)
  Ordinary
Income
(000)
  Long-Term
Capital Gain
(000)
 
$

161

   

$

1,129

   

$

294

   

$

445

   

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 attributable to differing book and tax treatments for the timing of the recognition of gains (losses) on certain investment transactions and the timing of the deductibility of certain expenses.

The Fund had no permanent differences causing reclassifications among the components of net assets for the year ended December 31, 2020.

At December 31, 2020, the components of distributable earnings for the Fund on a tax basis were as follows:

Undistributed
Ordinary
Income
(000)
  Undistributed
Long-Term
Capital Gain
(000)
 
$

   

$

147

   

I. Credit Facility: The Company and other Morgan Stanley funds participated in a $300,000,000 committed, unsecured revolving line of credit facility (the "Facility") with State Street. This Facility is to be used for temporary emergency purposes or funding of shareholder redemption requests. The

interest rate on borrowings is based on the federal funds rate or 1 month LIBOR rate plus a spread. The Facility also has a commitment fee of 0.25% per annum based on the unused portion of the Facility. During the year ended December 31, 2020, the Fund did not have any borrowings under the Facility.

J. Other: At December 31, 2020, the Fund had record owners of 10% or greater. Investment activities of these shareholders could have a material impact on the Fund. The aggregate percentage of such owners was 44.0%.

K. Market Risk: Certain impacts to public health conditions particular to the coronavirus (COVID-19) outbreak could impact the operations and financial performance of certain of the Fund's investments. The extent of the impact to the financial performance of the Fund's investments will depend on future developments, including (i) the duration and spread of the outbreak, (ii) the restrictions and advisories, (iii) the effects on the financial markets, and (iv) the effects on the economy overall, all of which are highly uncertain and cannot be predicted. If the financial performance of the Fund's investments is impacted because of these factors for an extended period, the Fund's investment results may be adversely affected.


23



Morgan Stanley Institutional Fund, Inc.

Annual Report — December 31, 2020

Report of Independent Registered Public Accounting Firm

To the Shareholders and Board of Directors of
Morgan Stanley Institutional Fund, Inc. —
Global Sustain Portfolio

Opinion on the Financial Statements

We have audited the accompanying statement of assets and liabilities of Global Sustain Portfolio (the "Fund") (one of the funds constituting Morgan Stanley Institutional Fund, Inc. (the "Company")), including the portfolio of investments, as of December 31, 2020, and the related statement of operations for the year then ended, the statements of changes in net assets for each of the two years in the period then ended, the financial highlights for each of the five years in the period then ended and the related notes (collectively referred to as the "financial statements"). In our opinion, the financial statements present fairly, in all material respects, the financial position of Global Sustain Portfolio (one of the funds constituting Morgan Stanley Institutional Fund, Inc.) at December 31, 2020, the results of its operations for the year then ended, the changes in its net assets for each of the two years in the period then ended and its financial highlights for each of the five years in the period then ended, in conformity with U.S. generally accepted accounting principles.

Basis for Opinion

These financial statements are the responsibility of the Company's management. Our responsibility is to express an opinion on the Fund's financial statements based on our audits. We are a public accounting firm registered with the Public Company Accounting Oversight Board (United States) ("PCAOB") and are required to be independent with respect to the Company in accordance with the U.S. federal securities law and the applicable rules and regulations of the Securities and Exchange Commission and the PCAOB.

We conducted our audits in accordance with the standards of the PCAOB. Those standards require that we plan and perform the audit to obtain reasonable assurance about whether the financial statements are free of material misstatement, whether due to error or fraud. The Company is not required to have, nor were we engaged to perform, an audit of the Company's internal control over financial reporting. As part of our audits, we are required to obtain an understanding of internal control over financial reporting, but not for the purpose of expressing an opinion on the effectiveness of the Company's internal control over financial reporting. Accordingly, we express no such opinion.

Our audits included performing procedures to assess the risks of material misstatement of the financial statements, whether due to error or fraud, and performing procedures that respond to those risks. Such procedures included examining, on a test basis, evidence regarding the amounts and disclosures in the financial statements. Our procedures included confirmation of securities owned as of December 31, 2020 by correspondence with the custodian and others or by other appropriate auditing procedures where replies from others were not received. Our audits also included evaluating the accounting principles used and significant estimates made by management, as well as evaluating the overall presentation of the financial statements. We believe that our audits provide a reasonable basis for our opinion.

We have served as the auditor of one or more Morgan Stanley investment companies since 2000.
Boston, Massachusetts
February 26, 2021


24



Morgan Stanley Institutional Fund, Inc.

Annual Report — December 31, 2020

Liquidity Risk Management Program (unaudited)

In compliance with Rule 22e-4 under the Investment Company Act of 1940, as amended (the "Liquidity Rule"), the Fund has adopted and implemented a liquidity risk management program (the "Program"), which is reasonably designed to assess and manage the risk that the Fund could not meet requests to redeem shares issued by the Fund without significant dilution of remaining investors' interests in the Fund (i.e., liquidity risk). The Fund's Board of Directors (the "Board") previously approved the designation of the Liquidity Risk Subcommittee (the "LRS") as Program administrator. The LRS is comprised of representatives from various divisions within Morgan Stanley Investment Management.

At a meeting held on April 22-23, 2020, the Board reviewed a written report prepared by the LRS that addressed the Program's operation and assessed its adequacy, and effectiveness of implementation for the period from December 1, 2018, through December 31, 2019, as required under the Liquidity Rule. The report concluded that the Program operated effectively and was adequately and effectively implemented in all material aspects, and that the relevant controls and safeguards were appropriately designed to enable the LRS to administer the Program in compliance with the Liquidity Rule.

In accordance with the Program, the LRS assessed each Fund's liquidity risk no less frequently than annually taking into consideration certain factors, as applicable, such as (i) investment strategy and liquidity of portfolio investments, (ii) short-term and long-term cash flow projections and (iii) holdings of cash and cash equivalents and borrowing arrangements and other funding sources. Certain factors are considered under both normal and reasonably foreseeable stressed conditions.

Each Fund portfolio investment is classified into one of four liquidity categories, which classification is assessed at least monthly by the LRS. The classification is based on a determination of the number of days it is reasonably expected to take to convert the investment into cash, or sell or dispose of the investment, in current market conditions without significantly changing the market value of the investment. Liquidity classification determinations take into account various market, trading and investment-specific considerations, as well as market depth, and in some cases utilize third-party vendor data.

The Liquidity Rule limits a fund's investments in illiquid investments to 15% of its net assets and requires funds that do not primarily hold assets that are highly liquid investments to determine and maintain a minimum percentage of the fund's net assets to be invested in highly liquid investments (highly liquid investment minimum or "HLIM"). The LRS believes that the Program includes provisions reasonably designed to review, monitor and comply with the 15% limit on illiquid investments and for determining, periodically reviewing and complying with the HLIM requirement, as applicable.

There can be no assurance that the Program will achieve its objectives under all circumstances in the future. Please refer to the Fund's prospectus for more information regarding the Fund's exposure to liquidity risk and other risks to which it may be subject.


25



Morgan Stanley Institutional Fund, Inc.

Annual Report — December 31, 2020

Federal Tax Notice (unaudited)

For federal income tax purposes, the following information is furnished with respect to the distributions paid by the Fund during its taxable year ended December 31, 2020. For corporate shareholders 97.18% of the dividends qualified for the dividends received deduction.

The Fund designated and paid approximately $1,129,000 as a long-term capital gain distribution.

For federal income tax purposes, the following information is furnished with respect to the Fund's earnings for its taxable year ended December 31, 2020. When distributed, certain earnings may be subject to a maximum tax rate of 15% as provided for by the Jobs and Growth Tax Relief Reconciliation Act of 2003. The Fund designated up to a maximum of approximately $162,000 as taxable at this lower rate.

In January, the Fund provides tax information to shareholders for the preceding calendar year.


26



Morgan Stanley Institutional Fund, Inc.

Annual Report — December 31, 2020

Privacy Notice (unaudited)  April 2019

FACTS

 

WHAT DOES MSIM DO WITH YOUR PERSONAL INFORMATION?

 

Why?

 

Financial companies choose how they share your personal information. Federal law gives consumers the right to limit some but not all sharing. Federal law also requires us to tell you how we collect, share, and protect your personal information. Please read this notice carefully to understand what we do.

 

What?

  The types of personal information we collect and share depend on the product or service you have with us. This information can include:
n Social Security number and income
n investment experience and risk tolerance
n checking account number and wire transfer instructions
 

How?

 

All financial companies need to share customers' personal information to run their everyday business. In the section below, we list the reasons financial companies can share their customers' personal information; the reasons MSIM chooses to share; and whether you can limit this sharing.

 

 

Reasons we can share your personal information

 

Does MSIM share?

 

Can you limit this sharing?

 
For our everyday business purposes —
such as to process your transactions, maintain your account(s), respond to court orders and legal investigations, or report to credit bureaus
 

Yes

 

No

 
For our marketing purposes —
to offer our products and services to you
 

Yes

 

No

 

For joint marketing with other financial companies

 

No

 

We don't share

 
For our affiliates' everyday business purposes —
information about your transactions and experiences
 

Yes

 

No

 
For our affiliates' everyday business purposes —
information about your creditworthiness
 

No

 

We don't share

 

For our affiliates to market to you

 

No

 

We don't share

 

For non-affiliates to market to you

 

No

 

We don't share

 

Questions?  Call toll-free (844) 312-6327 or email: imprivacyinquiries@morganstanley.com


27



Morgan Stanley Institutional Fund, Inc.

Annual Report — December 31, 2020

Privacy Notice (unaudited) (cont'd)  April 2019

Who we are

Who is providing this notice?

 

Morgan Stanley Investment Management, Inc. and its affiliated registered investment advisers, registered broker-dealers, and registered and unregistered funds ("MSIM")

 

What we do

How does MSIM protect my personal information?

 

To protect your personal information from unauthorized access and use, we use security measures that comply with federal law. These measures include computer safeguards and secured files and buildings. We have policies governing the proper handling of customer information by personnel and requiring third parties that provide support to adhere to appropriate security standards with respect to such information.

 

How does MSIM collect my personal information?

  We collect your personal information, for example, when you
n open an account or make deposits or withdrawals from your account
n buy securities from us or make a wire transfer
n give us your contact information
We also collect your personal information from others, such as credit bureaus, affiliates, or other companies.
 

Why can't I limit all sharing?

  Federal law gives you the right to limit only
n sharing for affiliates' everyday business purposes — information about your creditworthiness
n affiliates from using your information to market to you
n sharing for non-affiliates to market to you
State laws and individual companies may give you additional rights to limit sharing. See below for more on your rights under state law.
 

Definitions

Affiliates

  Companies related by common ownership or control. They can be financial and non-financial companies.
n Our affiliates include companies with a Morgan Stanley name and financial companies such as Morgan Stanley Smith Barney LLC and Morgan Stanley & Co.
 

Non-affiliates

  Companies not related by common ownership or control. They can be financial and non-financial companies.
n MSIM does not share with non-affiliates so they can market to you.
 

Joint marketing

  A formal agreement between non-affiliated financial companies that together market financial products or services to you.
n MSIM doesn't jointly market
 


28



Morgan Stanley Institutional Fund, Inc.

Annual Report — December 31, 2020

Privacy Notice (unaudited) (cont'd)  April 2019

Other Important Information

Vermont: Except as permitted by law, we will not share personal information we collect about Vermont residents with Non-affiliates unless you provide us with your written consent to share such information.

California: Except as permitted by law, we will not share personal information we collect about California residents with Non-affiliates and we will limit sharing such personal information with our Affiliates to comply with California privacy laws that apply to us.


29



Morgan Stanley Institutional Fund, Inc.

Annual Report — December 31, 2020

Director and Officer Information (unaudited)

Independent Directors:

Name, Address and Birth
Year of Independent Director
  Position(s)
Held with
Registrant
  Length of Time
Served*
  Principal Occupation(s) During Past 5 Years and Other
Relevant Professional Experience
  Number of
Funds
in Fund Complex
Overseen by
Independent
Director**
  Other Directorships
Held by Independent
Director***
 
Frank L. Bowman
c/o Perkins Coie LLP
Counsel to the Independent Directors
1155 Avenue of the Americas,
22nd Floor
New York, NY 10036
Birth Year: 1944
 

Director

 

Since August 2006

 

President, Strategic Decisions, LLC (consulting) (since February 2009); Director or Trustee of various Morgan Stanley Funds (since August 2006); Chairperson of the Compliance and Insurance Committee (since October 2015); formerly, Chairperson of the Insurance Sub-Committee of the Compliance and Insurance Committee (2007-2015); served as President and Chief Executive Officer of the Nuclear Energy Institute (policy organization) (February 2005-November 2008); retired as Admiral, U.S. Navy after serving over 38 years on active duty including 8 years as Director of the Naval Nuclear Propulsion Program in the Department of the Navy and the U.S. Department of Energy (1996-2004); served as Chief of Naval Personnel (July 1994-September 1996) and on the Joint Staff as Director of Political Military Affairs (June 1992-July 1994); knighted as Honorary Knight Commander of the Most Excellent Order of the British Empire; awarded the Officier de l'Orde National du Mérite by the French Government; elected to the National Academy of Engineering (2009).

 

79

 

Director of Naval and Nuclear Technologies LLP; Director Emeritus of the Armed Services YMCA; Member of the National Security Advisory Council of the Center for U.S. Global Engagement and a member of the CNA Military Advisory Board; Trustee of Fairhaven United Methodist Church; Member of the Board of Advisors of the Dolphin Scholarship Foundation; Director of other various non-profit organizations; formerly, Director of BP plc (November 2010-May 2019).

 
Kathleen A. Dennis
c/o Perkins Coie LLP
Counsel to the Independent Directors
1155 Avenue of the Americas,
22nd Floor
New York, NY 10036
Birth Year: 1953
 

Director

 

Since August 2006

 

Chairperson of the Governance Committee (January 2021), Chairperson of the Liquidity and Alternatives Sub-Committee of the Investment Committee (2006-2020); and Director or Trustee of various Morgan Stanley Funds (since August 2006); President, Cedarwood Associates (mutual fund and investment management consulting) (since July 2006); formerly, Senior Managing Director of Victory Capital Management (1993-2006).

 

79

 

Board Member, University of Albany Foundation (2012-present); Board Member, Mutual Funds Directors Forum (2014-present); Director of various non-profit organizations.

 
Nancy C. Everett
c/o Perkins Coie LLP
Counsel to the Independent Directors
1155 Avenue of the Americas,
22nd Floor
New York, NY 10036
Birth Year: 1955
 

Director

 

Since January 2015

 

Chairperson of the Equity Investment Committee (since January 2021); Director or Trustee of various Morgan Stanley Funds (since January 2015); Chief Executive Officer, Virginia Commonwealth University Investment Company (since November 2015); Owner, OBIR, LLC (institutional investment management consulting) (since June 2014); formerly, Managing Director, BlackRock, Inc. (February 2011-December 2013); and Chief Executive Officer, General Motors Asset Management (a/k/a Promark Global Advisors, Inc.) (June 2005-May 2010).

 

80

 

Formerly, Member of Virginia Commonwealth University School of Business Foundation (2005-2016); Member of Virginia Commonwealth University Board of Visitors (2013-2015); Member of Committee on Directors for Emerging Markets Growth Fund, Inc. (2007-2010); Chairperson of Performance Equity Management, LLC (2006-2010); and Chairperson, GMAM Absolute Return Strategies Fund, LLC (2006-2010).

 


30



Morgan Stanley Institutional Fund, Inc.

Annual Report — December 31, 2020

Director and Officer Information (unaudited) (cont'd)

Independent Directors (cont'd):

Name, Address and Birth
Year of Independent Director
  Position(s)
Held with
Registrant
  Length of Time
Served*
  Principal Occupation(s) During Past 5 Years and Other
Relevant Professional Experience
  Number of
Funds
in Fund Complex
Overseen by
Independent
Director**
  Other Directorships
Held by Independent
Director***
 
Jakki L. Haussler
c/o Perkins Coie LLP
Counsel to the Independent Directors
1155 Avenue of the Americas,
22nd Floor
New York, NY 10036
Birth Year: 1957
 

Director

 

Since January 2015

 

Director or Trustee of various Morgan Stanley Funds (since January 2015) Chairman, Opus Capital Group (1996); formerly, Chief Executive Officer, Opus Capital Group (1996-2019); Director, Capvest Venture Fund, LP (May 2000-December 2011); Partner, Adena Ventures, LP (July 1999-December 2010); Director, The Victory Funds (February 2005-July 2008).

 

80

 

Director of Cincinnati Bell Inc. and Member, Audit Committee and Chairman, Governance and Nominating Committee; Director of Service Corporation International and Member, Audit Committee and Investment Committee; Director of Northern Kentucky University Foundation and Member, Investment Committee; Member of Chase College of Law Transactional Law Practice Center Board of Advisors; Director of Best Transport; Director of Chase College of Law Board of Visitors; formerly, Member, University of Cincinnati Foundation Investment Committee; Member, Miami University Board of Visitors (2008-2011); Trustee of Victory Funds (2005-2008) and Chairman, Investment Committee (2007-2008); and Member, Service Provider Committee (2005-2008).

 
Dr. Manuel H. Johnson
c/o Johnson Smick International, Inc.
220 I Street, NE — Suite 200
Washington, D.C. 20002
Birth Year: 1949
 

Director

 

Since July 1991

 

Senior Partner, Johnson Smick International, Inc. (consulting firm); Chairperson of the Fixed Income, Liquidity and Alternatives Investment Committee (January 2021), Chairperson of the Investment Committee (2006-2020) and Director or Trustee of various Morgan Stanley Funds (since July 1991); Co-Chairman and a founder of the Group of Seven Council (G7C) (international economic commission); formerly, Chairperson of the Audit Committee (July 1991-September 2006), Vice Chairman of the Board of Governors of the Federal Reserve System and Assistant Secretary of the U.S. Treasury.

 

79

 

Director of NVR, Inc. (home construction).

 


31



Morgan Stanley Institutional Fund, Inc.

Annual Report — December 31, 2020

Director and Officer Information (unaudited) (cont'd)

Independent Directors (cont'd):

Name, Address and Birth
Year of Independent Director
  Position(s)
Held with
Registrant
  Length of Time
Served*
  Principal Occupation(s) During Past 5 Years and Other
Relevant Professional Experience
  Number of
Funds
in Fund Complex
Overseen by
Independent
Director**
  Other Directorships
Held by Independent
Director***
 
Joseph J. Kearns
c/o Perkins Coie LLP
Counsel to the Independent Directors
1155 Avenue of the Americas,
22nd Floor
New York, NY 10036
Birth Year: 1942
 

Director

 

Since August 1994

 

Senior Adviser, Kearns & Associates LLC (investment consulting); Chairperson of the Audit Committee (since October 2006) and Director or Trustee of various Morgan Stanley Funds (since August 1994); formerly, Deputy Chairperson of the Audit Committee (July 2003-September 2006) and Chairperson of the Audit Committee of various Morgan Stanley Funds (since August 1994); CFO of the J. Paul Getty Trust (1982-1999).

 

80

 

Director, Rubicon Investment (since February 2019); Prior to August 2016, Director of Electro Rent Corporation (equipment leasing); Prior to December 31, 2013, Director of The Ford Family Foundation.

 
Michael F. Klein
c/o Perkins Coie LLP
Counsel to the Independent Directors
1155 Avenue of the Americas,
22nd Floor
New York, NY 10036
Birth Year: 1958
 

Director

 

Since August 2006

 

Chairperson of the Risk Committee (since January 2021); Managing Director, Aetos Alternatives Management, LP (since March 2000); Co-President, Aetos Alternatives Management, LP (since January 2004) and Co-Chief Executive Officer of Aetos Alternatives Management, LP (since August 2013); Chairperson of the fixed Income Sub-Committee of the Investment committee (2006-2020) and Director or Trustee of various Morgan Stanley Funds (since August 2006); formerly, Managing Director, Morgan Stanley & Co. Inc. and Morgan Stanley Dean Witter Investment Management and President, various Morgan Stanley Funds (June 1998-March 2000); Principal, Morgan Stanley & Co. Inc. and Morgan Stanley Dean Witter Investment Management (August 1997-December 1999).

 

79

 

Director of certain investment funds managed or sponsored by Aetos Alternatives Management, LP; Director of Sanitized AG and Sanitized Marketing AG (specialty chemicals).

 
Patricia Maleski
c/o Perkins Coie LLP
Counsel to the Independent Directors
1155 Avenue of the Americas,
22nd Floor
New York, NY 10036
Birth Year: 1960
 

Director

 

Since January 2017

 

Director or Trustee of various Morgan Stanley Funds (since January 2017); Managing Director, JPMorgan Asset Management (2004-2016); Oversight and Control Head of Fiduciary and Conflicts of Interest Program (2015-2016); Chief Control Officer-Global Asset Management (2013-2015); President, JPMorgan Funds (2010-2013); Chief Administrative Officer (2004-2013); various other positions including Treasurer and Board Liaison (since 2001).

 

80

 

None.

 
W. Allen Reed
c/o Perkins Coie LLP
Counsel to the Independent Directors
1155 Avenue of the Americas,
22nd Floor
New York, NY 10036
Birth Year: 1947
 

Chair of the Board and Director

 

Chair of the Boards since August 2020 and Director since August 2006

 

Chair of the Boards of various Morgan Stanley Funds (since August 2020); Director or Trustee of various Morgan Stanley Funds (since August 2006); formerly, Vice Chair of the Boards of various Morgan Stanley Funds (January 2020-August 2020); President and Chief Executive Officer of General Motors Asset Management; Chairman and Chief Executive Officer of the GM Trust Bank and Corporate Vice President of General Motors Corporation (August 1994-December 2005).

 

79

 

Formerly, Director of Legg Mason, Inc. (2006-2019); and Director of the Auburn University Foundation (2010-2015).

 

*  This is the earliest date the Director began serving the Morgan Stanley Funds. Each Director serves an indefinite term, until his or her successor is elected.

**  The Fund Complex includes (as of December 31, 2020) all open-end and closed-end funds (including all of their portfolios) advised by Morgan Stanley Investment Management Inc. (the "Adviser") and any funds that have an adviser that is an affiliated person of the Adviser (including, but not limited to, Morgan Stanley AIP GP LP).

***  This includes any directorships at public companies and registered investment companies held by the Director at any time during the past five years.


32



Morgan Stanley Institutional Fund, Inc.

Annual Report — December 31, 2020

Director and Officer Information (unaudited) (cont'd)

Executive Officers:

Name, Address and
Birth Year of Executive Officer
  Position(s) Held
with
Registrant
  Length of
Time Served*
 

Principal Occupation(s) During Past 5 Years

 
John H. Gernon
522 Fifth Avenue
New York, NY 10036
Birth Year: 1963
 

President and Principal Executive Officer

 

Since September 2013

 

President and Principal Executive Officer of the Equity and Fixed Income Funds and the Morgan Stanley AIP Funds (since September 2013) and the Liquidity Funds and various money market funds (since May 2014) in the Fund Complex; Managing Director of the Adviser; Head of Public Markets Product Development (since 2006).

 
Timothy J. Knierim
1633 Broadway
New York, NY 10019
Birth Year: 1959
 

Chief Compliance Officer

 

Since December 2016

 

Managing Director of the Adviser and various entities affiliated with the Adviser; Chief Compliance Officer of various Morgan Stanley Funds and the Adviser (since December 2016) and Chief Compliance Officer of Morgan Stanley AIP GP LP (since 2014). Formerly, Managing Director and Deputy Chief Compliance Officer of the Adviser (2014-2016).

 
Francis J. Smith
522 Fifth Avenue
New York, NY 10036
Birth Year: 1965
 

Treasurer and Principal Financial Officer

 

Treasurer since July 2003 and Principal Financial Officer since September 2002

 

Managing Director of the Adviser and various entities affiliated with the Adviser; Treasurer (since July 2003) and Principal Financial Officer of various Morgan Stanley Funds (since September 2002).

 
Mary E. Mullin
1633 Broadway
New York, NY 10019
Birth Year: 1967
 

Secretary

 

Since June 1999

 

Managing Director of the Adviser; Secretary of various Morgan Stanley Funds (since June 1999).

 
Michael J. Key
522 Fifth Avenue
New York, NY 10036
Birth Year: 1979
 

Vice President

 

Since June 2017

 

Vice President of the Equity and Fixed Income Funds, Liquidity Funds, various money market funds and the Morgan Stanley AIP Funds in the Fund Complex (since June 2017); Executive Director of the Adviser; Head of Product Development for Equity and Fixed Income Funds (since August 2013).

 

*  This is the earliest date the officer began serving the Morgan Stanley Funds. Each officer serves a one-year term, until his or her successor is elected and qualifies.


33



Morgan Stanley Institutional Fund, Inc.

Annual Report — December 31, 2020

Adviser and Administrator

Morgan Stanley Investment Management Inc.
522 Fifth Avenue
New York, New York 10036

Sub-Adviser

Morgan Stanley Investment Management Limited
25 Cabot Square, Canary Wharf
London, E14 4QA, England

Distributor

Morgan Stanley Distribution, Inc.
522 Fifth Avenue
New York, New York 10036

Dividend Disbursing and Transfer Agent

DST Asset Manager Solutions, Inc.
2000 Crown Colony Drive
Quincy, Massachusetts 02169

Custodian

State Street Bank and Trust Company
One Lincoln Street
Boston, Massachusetts 02111

Legal Counsel

Dechert LLP
1095 Avenue of the Americas
New York, New York 10036

Counsel to the Independent Directors

Perkins Coie LLP
1155 Avenue of the Americas,
22nd Floor
New York, New York 10036

Independent Registered Public Accounting Firm

Ernst & Young LLP
200 Clarendon Street
Boston, Massachusetts 02116

Reporting to Shareholders

Each Morgan Stanley fund provides a complete schedule of portfolio holdings in its Semi-Annual and the Annual Reports within 60 days of the end of the fund's second and fourth fiscal quarters. The Semi-Annual and Annual Reports are filed electronically with the Securities and Exchange Commission ("SEC") on Form N-CSRS and Form N-CSR, respectively. Morgan Stanley also delivers the Semi-Annual and Annual Reports to fund shareholders and makes these reports available on its public website, www.morganstanley.com/im/shareholderreports. Each Morgan Stanley non-money market fund also files a complete schedule of portfolio holdings with the SEC for the fund's first and third fiscal quarters as an attachment to Form N-PORT. Morgan Stanley does not deliver the reports for the first and third fiscal quarters to shareholders, but makes the complete schedule of portfolio holdings for the fund's first and third fiscal quarters available on its public website. The holdings for each money market fund are also posted to the Morgan Stanley public website. You may obtain the Form N-PORT filings (as well as the Form N-CSR and N-CSRS filings) by accessing the SEC's website, www.sec.gov. You can also request copies of these materials, upon payment of a duplicating fee, by electronic request at the SEC's email address (publicinfo@sec.gov).

Proxy Voting Policies and Procedures and Proxy Voting Record

You may obtain a copy of the Company's Proxy Voting Policy and Procedures and information regarding how the Company voted proxies relating to portfolio securities during the most recent twelve-month period ended June 30, without charge, upon request, by calling toll free 1 (800) 548-7786 or by visiting our website at www.morganstanley.com/im/shareholderreports. This information is also available on the SEC's website at www.sec.gov.

This report is authorized for distribution only when preceded or accompanied by a prospectus or summary prospectus of the applicable fund of Morgan Stanley Institutional Fund, Inc., which describes in detail the fund's investment policies, risks, fees and expenses. Please read the prospectus carefully before you invest or send money. For additional information, including information regarding the investments comprising the Fund, please visit our website at www.morganstanley.com/im/shareholderreports or call toll free 1 (800) 548-7786.


34



Printed in U.S.A.
This Report has been prepared for shareholders and may be distributed to others only if preceded or accompanied by a current prospectus.

Morgan Stanley Investment Management Inc.
522 Fifth Avenue
New York, New York 10036

© 2021 Morgan Stanley. Morgan Stanley Distribution, Inc.

IFIGQANN
3386899 EXP 02.28.22



INVESTMENT MANAGEMENT

Morgan Stanley Institutional Fund, Inc.

Growth Portfolio

Annual Report

December 31, 2020



Morgan Stanley Institutional Fund, Inc.

Annual Report — December 31, 2020

Table of Contents

Shareholders' Letter

   

2

   

Expense Example

   

3

   

Investment Overview

   

4

   

Portfolio of Investments

   

6

   

Statement of Assets and Liabilities

   

9

   

Statement of Operations

   

11

   

Statements of Changes in Net Assets

   

12

   

Financial Highlights

   

14

   

Notes to Financial Statements

   

20

   

Report of Independent Registered Public Accounting Firm

   

31

   

Liquidity Risk Management Program

   

32

   

Federal Tax Notice

   

33

   

Privacy Notice

   

34

   

Director and Officer Information

   

37

   

This report is authorized for distribution only when preceded or accompanied by a prospectus or summary prospectus of the applicable Fund of Morgan Stanley Institutional Fund, Inc. To receive a prospectus and/or statement of additional information ("SAI"), which contains more complete information such as investment objectives, charges, expenses, policies for voting proxies, risk considerations and describes in detail each of the Fund's investment policies to the prospective investor, please call toll free 1 (800) 548-7786. Please read the prospectuses carefully before you invest or send money.

Additionally, you can access information about the Fund, including performance, characteristics and investment team commentary, through Morgan Stanley Investment Management's website: www.morganstanley.com/im/shareholderreports.

Market forecasts provided in this report may not necessarily come to pass. There is no guarantee that any sectors mentioned will continue to perform as discussed herein or that securities in such sectors will be held by the Fund in the future. There is no assurance that a fund will achieve its investment objective. Funds are subject to market risk, which is the possibility that market values of securities owned by the Fund will decline and, therefore, the value of the Fund's shares may be less than what you paid for them. Accordingly, you can lose money investing in this Fund. Please see the prospectus for more complete information on investment risks.


1



Morgan Stanley Institutional Fund, Inc.

Annual Report — December 31, 2020

Shareholders' Letter (unaudited)

Dear Shareholders,

We are pleased to provide this Annual Report, in which you will learn how your investment in Growth Portfolio (the "Fund") performed during the latest twelve-month period.

Morgan Stanley Investment Management is a client-centric, investor-led organization. Our global presence, intellectual capital, and breadth of products and services enable us to partner with investors to meet the evolving challenges of today's financial markets. We aim to deliver superior investment service and to empower our clients to make the informed decisions that help them reach their investment goals.

As always, we thank you for selecting Morgan Stanley Investment Management, and look forward to working with you in the months and years ahead.

Sincerely,

John H. Gernon
President and Principal Executive Officer

January 2021


2



Morgan Stanley Institutional Fund, Inc.

Annual Report — December 31, 2020

Expense Example (unaudited)

Growth Portfolio

As a shareholder of the Fund, you incur two types of costs: (1) transactional costs; and (2) ongoing costs, which may include advisory fees, administration fees, distribution and shareholder services fees and other Fund expenses. This example is intended to help you understand your ongoing costs (in dollars) of investing in the Fund and to compare these costs with the ongoing costs of investing in other mutual funds.

This example is based on an investment of $1,000 invested at the beginning of the six-month period ended December 31, 2020 and held for the entire six-month period.

Actual Expenses

The table below provides information about actual account values and actual expenses. You may use the information in this table, 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 table under the heading entitled "Actual Expenses Paid During Period" to estimate the expenses you paid on your account during this period.

Hypothetical Example for Comparison Purposes

The table below provides information about hypothetical account values and hypothetical expenses based on the Fund's actual expense ratio and an assumed rate of return of 5% per year before expenses, which is not the Fund's actual return. The hypothetical account values and expenses may not be used to estimate the actual ending account balance or expenses you paid for the period. You may use this information to compare the ongoing costs of investing in the Fund and other funds. To do so, compare this 5% hypothetical example with the 5% hypothetical examples that appear in the shareholder reports of the other funds.

Please note that the expenses shown in the table are meant to highlight your ongoing costs only and do not reflect any transactional costs, such as sales charges (loads). Therefore, the information for each class in the table is useful in comparing ongoing costs only, and will not help you determine the relative total costs of owning different funds. In addition, if these transactional costs were included, your costs would have been higher.

    Beginning
Account
Value
7/1/20
  Actual Ending
Account
Value
12/31/20
  Hypothetical
Ending Account
Value
  Actual
Expenses
Paid
During
Period*
  Hypothetical
Expenses Paid
During Period*
  Net
Expense
Ratio
During
Period**
 

Growth Portfolio Class I

 

$

1,000.00

   

$

1,416.10

   

$

1,022.42

   

$

3.28

   

$

2.75

     

0.54

%

 

Growth Portfolio Class A

   

1,000.00

     

1,414.40

     

1,021.22

     

4.73

     

3.96

     

0.78

   

Growth Portfolio Class L

   

1,000.00

     

1,410.70

     

1,018.75

     

7.70

     

6.44

     

1.27

   

Growth Portfolio Class C

   

1,000.00

     

1,409.00

     

1,017.50

     

9.20

     

7.71

     

1.52

   

Growth Portfolio Class IS

   

1,000.00

     

1,416.50

     

1,022.82

     

2.79

     

2.34

     

0.46

   

Growth Portfolio Class IR

   

1,000.00

     

1,416.60

     

1,022.82

     

2.79

     

2.34

     

0.46

   

*  Expenses are calculated using each Fund Class' annualized net expense ratio (as disclosed), multiplied by the average account value over the period and multiplied by 184/366 (to reflect the most recent one-half year period).

**  Annualized.


3



Morgan Stanley Institutional Fund, Inc.

Annual Report — December 31, 2020

Investment Overview (unaudited)

Growth Portfolio

The Fund seeks long-term capital appreciation by investing primarily in growth-oriented equity securities of large capitalization companies.

Performance

For the fiscal year ended December 31, 2020, the Fund's Class I shares had a total return based on net asset value and reinvestment of distributions per share of 115.57%, net of fees. The Fund's Class I shares outperformed the Fund's benchmark, the Russell 1000® Growth Index (the "Index"), which returned 38.49%.

Please keep in mind that triple-digit returns are highly unusual and cannot be sustained. Investors should also be aware that these returns were primarily achieved during favorable market conditions.

Factors Affecting Performance

•  U.S. equities reversed a steep sell-off caused by the COVID-19 pandemic shock, aided by massive fiscal and monetary stimulus that kept liquidity flowing and supported a faster-than-expected rebound in economic activity. Promising vaccine news throughout the year, along with the start of vaccine distribution across the U.S. and Europe in December 2020, also helped investors look past resurgences of the virus and renewed curbs on social and business activity that have slowed the economic recovery in the short term. Political uncertainty eased after the U.S. election in November 2020, with markets taking a positive stance on a Biden administration and the prospect for additional fiscal stimulus in 2021.

•  Within the Index, consumer discretionary, information technology and communication services were the top-performing sectors for the year, while energy (the only sector with a negative return), real estate and industrials were the weakest performers.

•  Counterpoint Global seeks high quality companies, which we define primarily as those with sustainable competitive advantages. We manage concentrated portfolios that are highly differentiated from the benchmark, with securities weighted on our assessment of the quality of the company and our conviction. The value added or detracted in any period of time will result from stock selection, given

our philosophy and process. For the year, the Fund outperformed the Index.

•  The long-term investment horizon and conviction-weighted investment approach embraced by the team since 1998 can result in periods of performance deviation from the benchmark and peers. The Fund outperformed the Index in this reporting period largely due to favorable stock selection and a small contribution from sector allocations.

•  Stock selection was the strongest across the information technology sector. A proprietary cloud-based communications platform that connects users through frictionless video, voice, chat and content sharing, was the top contributor in the sector and across the portfolio. Its shares advanced on solid results which significantly surpassed expectations and were characterized by strong revenue growth, customer base expansion, speed to scale in international markets, higher profit margins and traction with new products. The company has experienced growing use of its products by both consumers and businesses as video-based communication has become mission critical during the COVID-19 pandemic.

•  Stock selection in the health care and consumer discretionary sectors also contributed to relative outperformance. In health care, the top contributor was a provider of cloud-based software solutions to the life sciences industry. Fundamentals remain strong at the company, driven by strong performance and increasing customer adoption of its solutions across both its platforms. In consumer discretionary, an online used car marketplace was the top contributor to relative outperformance in the sector. The company experienced a rebound in demand and reported better than expected unit sales and profitability, despite constrained inventory levels resulting from the company's decision to slow vehicle acquisition earlier in the pandemic. The company has benefited from the accelerating shift to buying cars online, and is working toward improving vehicle inventory levels by accelerating hiring efforts and opening additional inspection and reconditioning centers.


4



Morgan Stanley Institutional Fund, Inc.

Annual Report — December 31, 2020

Investment Overview (unaudited) (cont'd)

Growth Portfolio

•  Given the magnitude of the Fund's outperformance relative to the benchmark, there were no meaningful sector detractors from performance. An overweight to health care was detrimental on a relative basis but was more than offset by the outperformance of our stock selection in the sector.

•  Although the information technology sector was by far the largest contributor to performance, the strength in these holdings was partly offset by weakness in a provider of cloud-based financial and human resources management software, which was the largest detractor across the portfolio.

Management Strategies

•  As a team, we believe having a market outlook can be an anchor. Our focus is on assessing company prospects over a five-year horizon, and owning a portfolio of unique companies whose market value we believe can increase significantly for underlying fundamental reasons.

*  Minimum Investment for Class I shares

In accordance with SEC regulations, the Fund's performance shown assumes that all recurring fees (including management fees) were deducted and all dividends and distributions were reinvested. The performance of Class A, L, C, IS and IR shares will vary from the performance of Class I shares based upon their different inception dates and will be negatively impacted by additional fees assessed to those classes (if applicable).

Performance Compared to the Russell 1000® Growth Index(1) and the Lipper Multi-Cap Growth Funds Index(2)

    Period Ended December 31, 2020
Total Returns(3)
 
       

Average Annual

 
    One
Year
  Five
Years
  Ten
Years
  Since
Inception(10)
 
Fund — Class I Shares
w/o sales charges(4)
   

115.57

%

   

32.17

%

   

23.12

%

   

13.81

%

 
Fund — Class A Shares
w/o sales charges(5)
   

115.09

     

31.82

     

22.80

     

13.40

   
Fund — Class A Shares with
maximum 5.25% sales charges(5)
   

103.82

     

30.40

     

22.14

     

13.16

   
Fund — Class L Shares
w/o sales charges(6)
   

114.01

     

31.16

     

     

23.91

   
Fund — Class C Shares
w/o sales charges(8)
   

113.48

     

30.84

     

     

27.34

   
Fund — Class C Shares with
maximum 1.00% deferred
sales charges(8)
   

112.48

     

30.84

     

     

27.34

   
Fund — Class IS Shares
w/o sales charges(7)
   

115.76

     

32.28

     

     

26.67

   
Fund — Class IR Shares
w/o sales charges(9)
   

115.74

     

     

     

38.74

   

Russell 1000® Growth Index

   

38.49

     

21.00

     

17.21

     

10.63

   

Lipper Multi-Cap Growth Funds Index

   

43.16

     

19.56

     

15.56

     

10.55

   

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. Performance assumes that all dividends and distributions, if any, were reinvested. For the most recent month-end performance figures, please visit www.morganstanley.com/im/shareholderreports. Investment return and principal value will fluctuate so that Fund shares, when redeemed, may be worth more or less than their original cost. Total returns do not reflect the deduction of taxes that a shareholder would pay on Fund distributions or the redemption of Fund shares. Performance of share classes will vary due to difference in sales charges and expenses.

(1)  The Russell 1000® Growth Index measures the performance of the large-cap growth segment of the U.S. equity universe. It includes those Russell 1000® Index companies with higher price-to-book ratios and higher forecasted growth values. The Russell 1000® Index is an index of approximately 1,000 of the largest U.S. companies based on a combination of market capitalization and current index membership. The Index is unmanaged and its returns do not include any sales charges or fees. Such costs would lower performance. It is not possible to invest directly in an index.

(2)  The Lipper Multi-Cap Growth Funds Index is an equally weighted performance index of the largest qualifying funds (based on net assets) in the Lipper Multi-Cap Growth Funds classification. The Index, which is adjusted for capital gains distributions and income dividends, is unmanaged and should not be considered an investment. There are currently 30 funds represented in this Index. As of the date of this report, the Fund was in the Lipper Multi-Cap Growth Funds classification.

(3)  Total returns for the Fund reflect fees waived and expenses reimbursed, if applicable, by the Adviser (as defined herein). Without such waivers and reimbursements, total returns would have been lower.

(4)  Commenced operations on April 2, 1991.

(5)  Commenced offering on January 2, 1996.

(6)  Commenced offering on April 27, 2012.

(7)  Commenced offering on September 13, 2013.

(8)  Commenced offering on April 30, 2015.

(9)  Commenced offering on June 15, 2018.

(10)  For comparative purposes, average annual since inception returns listed for the Indexes refer to the inception date of Class I of the Fund, not the inception of the Index.


5



Morgan Stanley Institutional Fund, Inc.

Annual Report — December 31, 2020

Portfolio of Investments

Growth Portfolio

   

Shares

  Value
(000)
 

Common Stocks (90.9%)

 

Biotechnology (0.8%)

 

Alnylam Pharmaceuticals, Inc. (a)

   

417,835

   

$

54,306

   

Moderna, Inc. (a)

   

789,321

     

82,460

   
     

136,766

   

Entertainment (5.9%)

 

Netflix, Inc. (a)

   

338,247

     

182,900

   

Spotify Technology SA (a)

   

2,606,380

     

820,124

   
     

1,003,024

   

Food & Staples Retailing (1.0%)

 

Costco Wholesale Corp.

   

468,129

     

176,382

   

Health Care Equipment & Supplies (5.4%)

 

DexCom, Inc. (a)

   

734,192

     

271,445

   

Intuitive Surgical, Inc. (a)

   

797,331

     

652,297

   
     

923,742

   

Health Care Providers & Services (1.0%)

 

Guardant Health, Inc. (a)

   

1,356,837

     

174,869

   

Health Care Technology (4.0%)

 
Agilon Health Topco, Inc. (a)(b)(c)
(acquisition cost — $25,030;
acquired 11/7/18)
   

66,188

     

39,017

   

Veeva Systems, Inc., Class A (a)

   

2,331,726

     

634,812

   
     

673,829

   

Hotels, Restaurants & Leisure (0.6%)

 

Airbnb, Inc., Class A (a)

   

668,925

     

98,198

   

Information Technology Services (22.2%)

 

Adyen N.V. (Netherlands) (a)

   

107,749

     

250,359

   

Fastly, Inc., Class A (a)

   

1,776,664

     

155,227

   

MongoDB, Inc. (a)

   

464,650

     

166,828

   

Okta, Inc. (a)

   

1,610,656

     

409,526

   

Shopify, Inc., Class A (Canada) (a)

   

743,921

     

842,081

   

Snowflake, Inc., Class A (a)

   

1,830,709

     

515,162

   

Square, Inc., Class A (a)

   

3,975,042

     

865,128

   

Twilio, Inc., Class A (a)

   

1,740,213

     

589,062

   
     

3,793,373

   

Interactive Media & Services (15.0%)

 

Facebook, Inc., Class A (a)

   

2,193,688

     

599,228

   

Pinterest, Inc., Class A (a)

   

3,874,637

     

255,338

   

Snap, Inc., Class A (a)

   

12,866,390

     

644,220

   

Twitter, Inc. (a)

   

12,043,526

     

652,157

   

Zillow Group, Inc., Class C (a)

   

3,185,498

     

413,478

   
     

2,564,421

   

Internet & Direct Marketing Retail (10.7%)

 

Amazon.com, Inc. (a)

   

391,539

     

1,275,215

   

Chewy, Inc., Class A (a)

   

1,874,687

     

168,516

   

DoorDash, Inc., Class A (a)

   

1,045,221

     

149,205

   

Wayfair, Inc., Class A (a)

   

1,072,360

     

242,150

   
     

1,835,086

   
   

Shares

  Value
(000)
 

Life Sciences Tools & Services (2.8%)

 

10X Genomics, Inc., Class A (a)

   

1,430,420

   

$

202,547

   

Illumina, Inc. (a)

   

756,073

     

279,747

   
     

482,294

   

Metals & Mining (0.1%)

 

Royal Gold, Inc.

   

163,583

     

17,399

   

Oil, Gas & Consumable Fuels (0.2%)

 

Texas Pacific Land Trust (d)

   

42,484

     

30,886

   

Pharmaceuticals (0.9%)

 

Royalty Pharma PLC, Class A

   

2,983,504

     

149,324

   

Road & Rail (4.8%)

 

Uber Technologies, Inc. (a)

   

16,036,353

     

817,854

   

Semiconductors & Semiconductor Equipment (1.5%)

 

NVIDIA Corp.

   

505,659

     

264,055

   

Software (11.2%)

 

Cloudflare, Inc., Class A (a)

   

2,236,690

     

169,966

   

Coupa Software, Inc. (a)

   

1,262,290

     

427,802

   

Trade Desk, Inc. (The), Class A (a)

   

584,181

     

467,929

   

Unity Software, Inc. (a)(d)

   

1,020,571

     

156,627

   

Zoom Video Communications, Inc., Class A (a)

   

2,066,755

     

697,158

   
     

1,919,482

   

Specialty Retail (2.8%)

 

Carvana Co. (a)

   

2,007,037

     

480,766

   

Total Common Stocks (Cost $7,592,896)

   

15,541,750

   

Preferred Stocks (0.8%)

 

Electronic Equipment, Instruments & Components (0.0%)

 
Magic Leap Series C (a)(b)(c)
(acquisition cost — $18,812;
acquired 12/22/15)
   

816,725

     

   

Internet & Direct Marketing Retail (0.8%)

 
Airbnb, Inc. Series D (a)(b)
(acquisition cost — $20,638;
acquired 4/16/14)
   

1,013,856

     

136,927

   

Total Preferred Stocks (Cost $39,450)

   

136,927

   

Short-Term Investments (8.1%)

 

Securities held as Collateral on Loaned Securities (0.3%)

 

Investment Company (0.3%)

 
Morgan Stanley Institutional Liquidity
Funds — Treasury Securities Portfolio —
Institutional Class (See Note G)
   

43,631,380

     

43,631

   
    Face
Amount
(000)
     

Repurchase Agreements (0.0%)

 
Barclays Capital, Inc., (0.05%,
dated 12/31/20, due 1/4/21;
proceeds $1,331;
fully collateralized by a U.S. Government
Obligation; 1.63% due 11/15/22;
valued at $1,357)
 

$

1,331

     

1,331

   

The accompanying notes are an integral part of the financial statements.
6



Morgan Stanley Institutional Fund, Inc.

Annual Report — December 31, 2020

Portfolio of Investments (cont'd)

Growth Portfolio

    Face
Amount
(000)
  Value
(000)
 

Repurchase Agreements (cont'd)

 
HSBC Securities USA, Inc., (0.05%,
dated 12/31/20, due 1/4/21;
proceeds $5,188;
fully collateralized by a U.S. Government
Obligation; 0.15% due 10/31/22;
valued at $5,292)
 

$

5,188

   

$

5,188

   
Merrill Lynch & Co., Inc., (0.06%,
12/31/20, due 1/4/21; proceeds $532;
fully collateralized by a U.S. Government
Obligation; 2.50% due 5/15/46;
valued at $543)
   

532

     

532

   
     

7,051

   
Total Securities held as Collateral on Loaned
Securities (Cost $50,682)
   

50,682

   
   

Shares

     

Investment Company (7.8%)

 
Morgan Stanley Institutional Liquidity
Funds — Treasury Securities Portfolio —
Institutional Class (See Note G)
(Cost $1,331,818)
   

1,331,818,318

     

1,331,818

   

Total Short-Term Investments (Cost $1,382,500)

   

1,382,500

   
Total Investments Excluding Purchased Options (99.7%)
(Cost $9,014,846)
       

17,061,177

   
Total Purchased Options Outstanding (0.1%)
(Cost $57,401)
   

10,921

   
Total Investments (99.8%) (Cost $9,072,247)
Including $49,234 of Securities Loaned (e)(f)
   

17,072,098

   

Other Assets in Excess of Liabilities (0.2%)

   

31,575

   

Net Assets (100.0%)

 

$

17,103,673

   

(a)  Non-income producing security.

(b)  Security cannot be offered for public resale without first being registered under the Securities Act of 1933 and related rules ("restricted security"). Acquisition date represents the day on which an enforceable right to acquire such security is obtained and is presented along with related cost in the security description. The Fund has registration rights for certain restricted securities. Any costs related to such registration are borne by the issuer. The aggregate value of restricted securities (excluding 144A holdings) at December 31, 2020 amounts to approximately $175,944,000 and represents 1.0% of net assets.

(c)  At December 31, 2020, the Fund held fair valued securities valued at approximately $39,017,000, representing 0.2% of net assets. These securities have been fair valued as determined in good faith under procedures established by and under the general supervision of the Company's (as defined herein) Directors.

(d)  All or a portion of this security was on loan at December 31, 2020.

(e)  The approximate fair value and percentage of net assets, $250,359,000 and 1.5%, respectively, represent the securities that have been fair valued under the fair valuation policy for international investments as described in Note A-1 within the Notes to the Financial Statements.

(f)  At December 31, 2020, the aggregate cost for federal income tax purposes is approximately $9,111,242,000. The aggregate gross unrealized appreciation is approximately $8,094,092,000 and the aggregate gross unrealized depreciation is approximately $133,236,000, resulting in net unrealized appreciation of approximately $7,960,856,000.

Call Options Purchased:

The Fund had the following call options purchased open at December 31, 2020:

Counterparty

 

Description

  Strike
Price
  Expiration
Date
  Number of
Contracts
  Notional
Amount
(000)
  Value
(000)
  Premiums
Paid
(000)
  Unrealized
Depreciation
(000)
 

BNP Paribas

  USD/CNH  

CNH

7.99

   

Sep-21

   

2,209,996,914

     

2,209,997

   

$

2,102

   

$

13,383

   

$

(11,281

)

 

BNP Paribas

  USD/CNH  

CNH

7.64

   

Nov-21

   

2,625,404,928

     

2,625,405

     

7,170

     

14,258

     

(7,088

)

 

Royal Bank of Scotland

  USD/CNH  

CNH

7.75

   

Jan-21

   

1,640,578,609

     

1,640,579

     

2

     

7,164

     

(7,162

)

 

Royal Bank of Scotland

  USD/CNH  

CNH

8.06

   

Jul-21

   

2,411,798,894

     

2,411,799

     

1,440

     

12,792

     

(11,352

)

 

Royal Bank of Scotland

  USD/CNH  

CNH

8.48

   

May-21

   

1,570,361,464

     

1,570,361

     

207

     

9,804

     

(9,597

)

 
                       

$

10,921

   

$

57,401

   

$

(46,480

)

 

CNH  —  Chinese Yuan Renminbi Offshore

USD  —  United States Dollar

The accompanying notes are an integral part of the financial statements.
7



Morgan Stanley Institutional Fund, Inc.

Annual Report — December 31, 2020

Portfolio of Investments (cont'd)

Growth Portfolio

Portfolio Composition*

Classification

  Percentage of
Total Investments
 

Information Technology Services

   

22.3

%

 

Other**

   

20.6

   

Interactive Media & Services

   

15.1

   

Internet & Direct Marketing Retail

   

11.6

   

Software

   

11.3

   

Short-Term Investments

   

7.8

   

Entertainment

   

5.9

   

Health Care Equipment & Supplies

   

5.4

   

Total Investments

   

100.0

%

 

*  Percentages indicated are based upon total investments (excluding Securities held as Collateral on Loaned Securities) as of December 31, 2020.

**  Industries and/or investment types representing less than 5% of total investments.

The accompanying notes are an integral part of the financial statements.
8



Morgan Stanley Institutional Fund, Inc.

Annual Report — December 31, 2020

Growth Portfolio

Statement of Assets and Liabilities

  December 31, 2020
(000)
 

Assets:

 

Investments in Securities of Unaffiliated Issuers, at Value(1) (Cost $7,696,798)

 

$

15,696,649

   

Investment in Security of Affiliated Issuer, at Value (Cost $1,375,449)

   

1,375,449

   

Total Investments in Securities, at Value (Cost $9,072,247)

   

17,072,098

   

Foreign Currency, at Value (Cost —@)

   

@

 

Receivable for Investments Sold

   

179,734

   

Receivable for Fund Shares Sold

   

26,851

   

Dividends Receivable

   

85

   

Receivable from Securities Lending Income

   

21

   

Receivable from Affiliate

   

13

   

Other Assets

   

738

   

Total Assets

   

17,279,540

   

Liabilities:

 

Payable for Investments Purchased

   

79,275

   

Collateral on Securities Loaned, at Value

   

50,682

   

Payable for Fund Shares Redeemed

   

15,924

   

Payable for Advisory Fees

   

14,369

   

Due to Broker

   

11,792

   

Payable for Shareholder Services Fees — Class A

   

1,164

   

Payable for Distribution and Shareholder Services Fees — Class L

   

114

   

Payable for Distribution and Shareholder Services Fees — Class C

   

438

   

Payable for Administration Fees

   

1,176

   

Payable for Sub Transfer Agency Fees — Class I

   

184

   

Payable for Sub Transfer Agency Fees — Class A

   

64

   

Payable for Sub Transfer Agency Fees — Class L

   

13

   

Payable for Custodian Fees

   

91

   

Payable for Professional Fees

   

72

   

Payable for Transfer Agency Fees — Class I

   

19

   

Payable for Transfer Agency Fees — Class A

   

36

   

Payable for Transfer Agency Fees — Class L

   

3

   

Payable for Transfer Agency Fees — Class C

   

3

   

Payable for Transfer Agency Fees — Class IS

   

2

   

Payable for Transfer Agency Fees — Class IR

   

1

   

Payable for Directors' Fees and Expenses

   

41

   

Bank Overdraft

   

@

 

Other Liabilities

   

404

   

Total Liabilities

   

175,867

   

Net Assets

 

$

17,103,673

   

Net Assets Consist of:

 

Paid-in-Capital

 

$

8,095,581

   

Total Distributable Earnings

   

9,008,092

   

Net Assets

 

$

17,103,673

   

The accompanying notes are an integral part of the financial statements.
9



Morgan Stanley Institutional Fund, Inc.

Annual Report — December 31, 2020

Growth Portfolio

Statement of Assets and Liabilities (cont'd)

  December 31, 2020
(000)
 

CLASS I:

 

Net Assets

 

$

6,816,690

   
Shares Outstanding $0.001 par value shares of beneficial interest (unlimited shares authorized) (not in 000's)    

74,520,261

   

Net Asset Value, Offering and Redemption Price Per Share

 

$

91.47

   

CLASS A:

 

Net Assets

 

$

5,465,808

   
Shares Outstanding $0.001 par value shares of beneficial interest (unlimited shares authorized) (not in 000's)    

64,069,689

   

Net Asset Value, Redemption Price Per Share

 

$

85.31

   

Maximum Sales Load

   

5.25

%

 

Maximum Sales Charge

 

$

4.73

   

Maximum Offering Price Per Share

 

$

90.04

   

CLASS L:

 

Net Assets

 

$

173,317

   
Shares Outstanding $0.001 par value shares of beneficial interest (unlimited shares authorized) (not in 000's)    

2,197,930

   

Net Asset Value, Offering and Redemption Price Per Share

 

$

78.85

   

CLASS C:

 

Net Assets

 

$

514,190

   
Shares Outstanding $0.001 par value shares of beneficial interest (unlimited shares authorized) (not in 000's)    

6,635,719

   

Net Asset Value, Offering and Redemption Price Per Share

 

$

77.49

   

CLASS IS:

 

Net Assets

 

$

3,743,697

   
Shares Outstanding $0.001 par value shares of beneficial interest (unlimited shares authorized) (not in 000's)    

40,507,828

   

Net Asset Value, Offering and Redemption Price Per Share

 

$

92.42

   

CLASS IR:

 

Net Assets

 

$

389,971

   
Shares Outstanding $0.001 par value shares of beneficial interest (unlimited shares authorized) (not in 000's)    

4,219,939

   

Net Asset Value, Offering and Redemption Price Per Share

 

$

92.41

   
(1) Including:
Securities on Loan, at Value:
 

$

49,234

   

@  Amount is less than $500.

The accompanying notes are an integral part of the financial statements.
10



Morgan Stanley Institutional Fund, Inc.

Annual Report — December 31, 2020

Growth Portfolio

Statement of Operations

  Year Ended
December 31, 2020
(000)
 

Investment Income:

 

Dividends from Securities of Unaffiliated Issuers

 

$

836

   

Dividends from Security of Affiliated Issuer (Note G)

   

799

   

Income from Securities Loaned — Net

   

233

   

Total Investment Income

   

1,868

   

Expenses:

 

Advisory Fees (Note B)

   

42,776

   

Shareholder Services Fees — Class A (Note D)

   

9,051

   

Distribution and Shareholder Services Fees — Class L (Note D)

   

976

   

Distribution and Shareholder Services Fees — Class C (Note D)

   

3,104

   

Administration Fees (Note C)

   

9,092

   

Sub Transfer Agency Fees — Class I

   

3,435

   

Sub Transfer Agency Fees — Class A

   

2,486

   

Sub Transfer Agency Fees — Class L

   

74

   

Sub Transfer Agency Fees — Class C

   

167

   

Shareholder Reporting Fees

   

521

   

Registration Fees

   

485

   

Transfer Agency Fees — Class I (Note E)

   

104

   

Transfer Agency Fees — Class A (Note E)

   

194

   

Transfer Agency Fees — Class L (Note E)

   

16

   

Transfer Agency Fees — Class C (Note E)

   

26

   

Transfer Agency Fees — Class IS (Note E)

   

9

   

Transfer Agency Fees — Class IR (Note E)

   

3

   

Professional Fees

   

279

   

Custodian Fees (Note F)

   

226

   

Directors' Fees and Expenses

   

149

   

Pricing Fees

   

3

   

Other Expenses

   

234

   

Total Expenses

   

73,410

   

Rebate from Morgan Stanley Affiliate (Note G)

   

(840

)

 

Net Expenses

   

72,570

   

Net Investment Loss

   

(70,702

)

 

Realized Gain:

 

Investments Sold

   

2,508,125

   

Foreign Currency Translation

   

16

   

Net Realized Gain

   

2,508,141

   

Change in Unrealized Appreciation (Depreciation):

 

Investments

   

6,284,984

   

Foreign Currency Translation

   

1

   

Net Change in Unrealized Appreciation (Depreciation)

   

6,284,985

   

Net Realized Gain and Change in Unrealized Appreciation (Depreciation)

   

8,793,126

   

Net Increase in Net Assets Resulting from Operations

 

$

8,722,424

   

The accompanying notes are an integral part of the financial statements.
11



Morgan Stanley Institutional Fund, Inc.

Annual Report — December 31, 2020

Growth Portfolio

Statements of Changes in Net Assets

  Year Ended
December 31, 2020
(000)
  Year Ended
December 31, 2019
(000)
 

Increase (Decrease) in Net Assets:

 

Operations:

 

Net Investment Loss

 

$

(70,702

)

 

$

(33,430

)

 

Net Realized Gain

   

2,508,141

     

905,247

   

Net Change in Unrealized Appreciation (Depreciation)

   

6,284,985

     

374,645

   

Net Increase in Net Assets Resulting from Operations

   

8,722,424

     

1,246,462

   

Dividends and Distributions to Shareholders:

 

Class I

   

(587,891

)

   

(250,375

)

 

Class A

   

(492,476

)

   

(249,460

)

 

Class L

   

(17,295

)

   

(10,223

)

 

Class C

   

(50,352

)

   

(18,689

)

 

Class IS

   

(318,382

)

   

(141,597

)

 

Class IR

   

(33,066

)

   

(25,723

)

 

Total Dividends and Distributions to Shareholders

   

(1,499,462

)

   

(696,067

)

 

Capital Share Transactions:(1)

 

Class I:

 

Subscribed

   

3,068,441

     

1,270,157

   

Distributions Reinvested

   

494,117

     

224,217

   

Redeemed

   

(2,048,941

)

   

(1,016,032

)

 

Class A:

 

Subscribed

   

1,320,428

     

531,381

   

Distributions Reinvested

   

474,626

     

241,503

   

Redeemed

   

(987,191

)

   

(629,164

)

 

Class L:

 

Exchanged

   

149

     

74

   

Distributions Reinvested

   

16,955

     

10,041

   

Redeemed

   

(18,219

)

   

(9,094

)

 

Class C:

 

Subscribed

   

192,797

     

91,888

   

Distributions Reinvested

   

44,778

     

16,680

   

Redeemed

   

(71,959

)

   

(36,785

)

 

Class IS:

 

Subscribed

   

701,960

     

304,283

   

Distributions Reinvested

   

315,802

     

140,426

   

Redeemed

   

(456,386

)

   

(226,568

)

 

Class IR:

 

Subscribed

   

27,158

     

93,649

   

Distributions Reinvested

   

33,066

     

25,723

   

Redeemed

   

(155,705

)

   

(12,024

)

 

Net Increase in Net Assets Resulting from Capital Share Transactions

   

2,951,876

     

1,020,355

   

Total Increase in Net Assets

   

10,174,838

     

1,570,750

   

Net Assets:

 

Beginning of Period

   

6,928,835

     

5,358,085

   

End of Period

 

$

17,103,673

   

$

6,928,835

   

The accompanying notes are an integral part of the financial statements.
12



Morgan Stanley Institutional Fund, Inc.

Annual Report — December 31, 2020

Growth Portfolio

Statements of Changes in Net Assets (cont'd)

  Year Ended
December 31, 2020
(000)
  Year Ended
December 31, 2019
(000)
 

(1)   Capital Share Transactions:

 

Class I:

 

Shares Subscribed

   

45,741

     

25,589

   

Shares Issued on Distributions Reinvested

   

5,306

     

4,970

   

Shares Redeemed

   

(29,210

)

   

(20,652

)

 

Net Increase in Class I Shares Outstanding

   

21,837

     

9,907

   

Class A:

 

Shares Subscribed

   

18,846

     

11,250

   

Shares Issued on Distributions Reinvested

   

5,465

     

5,690

   

Shares Redeemed

   

(15,307

)

   

(13,463

)

 

Net Increase in Class A Shares Outstanding

   

9,004

     

3,477

   

Class L:

 

Shares Exchanged

   

2

     

2

   

Shares Issued on Distributions Reinvested

   

211

     

253

   

Shares Redeemed

   

(297

)

   

(207

)

 

Net Increase (Decrease) in Class L Shares Outstanding

   

(84

)

   

48

   

Class C:

 

Shares Subscribed

   

3,122

     

2,072

   

Shares Issued on Distributions Reinvested

   

567

     

426

   

Shares Redeemed

   

(1,187

)

   

(851

)

 

Net Increase in Class C Shares Outstanding

   

2,502

     

1,647

   

Class IS:

 

Shares Subscribed

   

10,266

     

6,239

   

Shares Issued on Distributions Reinvested

   

3,357

     

3,086

   

Shares Redeemed

   

(6,504

)

   

(4,547

)

 

Net Increase in Class IS Shares Outstanding

   

7,119

     

4,778

   

Class IR:

 

Shares Subscribed

   

502

     

1,883

   

Shares Issued on Distributions Reinvested

   

352

     

565

   

Shares Redeemed

   

(2,396

)

   

(244

)

 

Net Increase (Decrease) in Class IR Shares Outstanding

   

(1,542

)

   

2,204

   

The accompanying notes are an integral part of the financial statements.
13



Morgan Stanley Institutional Fund, Inc.

Annual Report — December 31, 2020

Financial Highlights

Growth Portfolio

   

Class I

 
   

Year Ended December 31,

 

Selected Per Share Data and Ratios

 

2020

 

2019

 

2018

 

2017

 

2016(1)

 

Net Asset Value, Beginning of Period

 

$

46.33

   

$

41.75

   

$

41.65

   

$

35.19

   

$

40.44

   

Income (Loss) from Investment Operations:

 

Net Investment Income (Loss)(2)

   

(0.38

)

   

(0.19

)

   

(0.08

)

   

(0.11

)

   

0.01

   

Net Realized and Unrealized Gain (Loss)

   

54.08

     

9.73

     

3.50

     

15.39

     

(0.79

)

 

Total from Investment Operations

   

53.70

     

9.54

     

3.42

     

15.28

     

(0.78

)

 

Distributions from and/or in Excess of:

 

Net Realized Gain

   

(8.56

)

   

(4.96

)

   

(3.32

)

   

(8.82

)

   

(4.47

)

 

Net Asset Value, End of Period

 

$

91.47

   

$

46.33

   

$

41.75

   

$

41.65

   

$

35.19

   

Total Return(3)

   

115.57

%

   

23.16

%

   

7.66

%

   

43.83

%

   

(1.91

)%

 

Ratios to Average Net Assets and Supplemental Data:

 

Net Assets, End of Period (Thousands)

 

$

6,816,690

   

$

2,440,640

   

$

1,785,893

   

$

991,362

   

$

726,787

   

Ratio of Expenses Before Expense Limitation

   

N/A

     

0.59

%

   

N/A

     

N/A

     

0.63

%

 

Ratio of Expenses After Expense Limitation

   

0.54

%(4)

   

0.58

%(4)

   

0.58

%(4)

   

0.61

%(4)

   

0.63

%(4)(5)

 

Ratio of Expenses After Expense Limitation Excluding Interest Expenses

   

N/A

     

0.58

%(4)

   

N/A

     

0.61

%(4)

   

N/A

   

Ratio of Net Investment Income (Loss)

   

(0.53

)%(4)

   

(0.38

)%(4)

   

(0.17

)%(4)

   

(0.25

)%(4)

   

0.02

%(4)

 

Ratio of Rebate from Morgan Stanley Affiliates

   

0.01

%

   

0.01

%

   

0.01

%

   

0.01

%

   

0.00

%(6)

 

Portfolio Turnover Rate

   

60

%

   

87

%

   

41

%

   

55

%

   

39

%

 

(1)  Reflects prior period custodian out-of-pocket expenses that were reimbursed in September 2016. The amount of the reimbursement was immaterial on a per share basis and did not impact the total return of Class I shares. The Ratio of Expenses After Expense Limitation would have been less than 0.005% higher and the Ratio of Net Investment Income would have been less than 0.005% lower had the custodian not reimbursed the Fund.

(2)  Per share amount is based on average shares outstanding.

(3)  Calculated based on the net asset value as of the last business day of the period.

(4)  The Ratio of Expenses After Expense Limitation and Ratio of Net Investment Income (Loss) reflect the rebate of certain Fund expenses in connection with the investments in Morgan Stanley affiliates during the period. The effect of the rebate on the ratios is disclosed in the above table as "Ratio of Rebate from Morgan Stanley Affiliates."

(5)  Effective April 7, 2016, the Adviser has agreed to limit the ratio of expenses to average net assets to the maximum ratio of 0.80% for Class I shares. Prior to April 7, 2016, the maximum ratio was 0.70% for Class I shares.

(6)  Amount is less than 0.005%.

The accompanying notes are an integral part of the financial statements.
14



Morgan Stanley Institutional Fund, Inc.

Annual Report — December 31, 2020

Financial Highlights

Growth Portfolio

   

Class A

 
   

Year Ended December 31,

 

Selected Per Share Data and Ratios

 

2020

 

2019

 

2018

 

2017

 

2016(1)

 

Net Asset Value, Beginning of Period

 

$

43.57

   

$

39.61

   

$

39.77

   

$

33.97

   

$

39.31

   

Income (Loss) from Investment Operations:

 

Net Investment Loss(2)

   

(0.51

)

   

(0.30

)

   

(0.19

)

   

(0.22

)

   

(0.10

)

 

Net Realized and Unrealized Gain (Loss)

   

50.81

     

9.22

     

3.35

     

14.84

     

(0.77

)

 

Total from Investment Operations

   

50.30

     

8.92

     

3.16

     

14.62

     

(0.87

)

 

Distributions from and/or in Excess of:

 

Net Realized Gain

   

(8.56

)

   

(4.96

)

   

(3.32

)

   

(8.82

)

   

(4.47

)

 

Net Asset Value, End of Period

 

$

85.31

   

$

43.57

   

$

39.61

   

$

39.77

   

$

33.97

   

Total Return(3)

   

115.09

%

   

22.81

%

   

7.39

%

   

43.45

%

   

(2.21

)%

 

Ratios to Average Net Assets and Supplemental Data:

 

Net Assets, End of Period (Thousands)

 

$

5,465,808

   

$

2,399,450

   

$

2,043,706

   

$

1,827,833

   

$

1,376,836

   

Ratio of Expenses Before Expense Limitation

   

N/A

     

0.84

%

   

N/A

     

N/A

     

0.92

%

 

Ratio of Expenses After Expense Limitation

   

0.79

%(4)

   

0.83

%(4)

   

0.84

%(4)

   

0.88

%(4)

   

0.92

%(4)(5)

 

Ratio of Expenses After Expense Limitation Excluding Interest Expenses

   

N/A

     

0.83

%(4)

   

N/A

     

0.88

%(4)

   

N/A

   

Ratio of Net Investment Loss

   

(0.77

)%(4)

   

(0.64

)%(4)

   

(0.43

)%(4)

   

(0.52

)%(4)

   

(0.26

)%(4)

 

Ratio of Rebate from Morgan Stanley Affiliates

   

0.01

%

   

0.01

%

   

0.01

%

   

0.01

%

   

0.00

%(6)

 

Portfolio Turnover Rate

   

60

%

   

87

%

   

41

%

   

55

%

   

39

%

 

(1)  Reflects prior period custodian out-of-pocket expenses that were reimbursed in September 2016. The amount of the reimbursement was immaterial on a per share basis and did not impact the total return of Class A shares. The Ratio of Expenses After Expense Limitation would have been 0.005% higher and the Ratio of Net Investment Loss would have been 0.005% lower had the custodian not reimbursed the Fund.

(2)  Per share amount is based on average shares outstanding.

(3)  Calculated based on the net asset value which does not reflect sales charges, if applicable, as of the last business day of the period.

(4)  The Ratio of Expenses After Expense Limitation and Ratio of Net Investment Loss reflect the rebate of certain Fund expenses in connection with the investments in Morgan Stanley affiliates during the period. The effect of the rebate on the ratios is disclosed in the above table as "Ratio of Rebate from Morgan Stanley Affiliates."

(5)  Effective April 7, 2016, the Adviser has agreed to limit the ratio of expenses to average net assets to the maximum ratio of 1.15% for Class A shares. Prior to April 7, 2016, the maximum ratio was 1.05% for Class A shares.

(6)  Amount is less than 0.005%.

The accompanying notes are an integral part of the financial statements.
15



Morgan Stanley Institutional Fund, Inc.

Annual Report — December 31, 2020

Financial Highlights

Growth Portfolio

   

Class L

 
   

Year Ended December 31,

 

Selected Per Share Data and Ratios

 

2020

 

2019

 

2018

 

2017

 

2016(1)

 

Net Asset Value, Beginning of Period

 

$

40.77

   

$

37.51

   

$

37.99

   

$

32.90

   

$

38.41

   

Income (Loss) from Investment Operations:

 

Net Investment Loss(2)

   

(0.76

)

   

(0.50

)

   

(0.39

)

   

(0.43

)

   

(0.29

)

 

Net Realized and Unrealized Gain (Loss)

   

47.40

     

8.72

     

3.23

     

14.34

     

(0.75

)

 

Total from Investment Operations

   

46.64

     

8.22

     

2.84

     

13.91

     

(1.04

)

 

Distributions from and/or in Excess of:

 

Net Realized Gain

   

(8.56

)

   

(4.96

)

   

(3.32

)

   

(8.82

)

   

(4.47

)

 

Net Asset Value, End of Period

 

$

78.85

   

$

40.77

   

$

37.51

   

$

37.99

   

$

32.90

   

Total Return(3)

   

114.01

%

   

22.22

%

   

6.89

%

   

42.69

%

   

(2.72

)%

 

Ratios to Average Net Assets and Supplemental Data:

 

Net Assets, End of Period (Thousands)

 

$

173,317

   

$

93,053

   

$

83,818

   

$

90,177

   

$

74,324

   

Ratio of Expenses Before Expense Limitation

   

N/A

     

1.33

%

   

N/A

     

N/A

     

1.45

%

 

Ratio of Expenses After Expense Limitation

   

1.29

%(4)

   

1.32

%(4)

   

1.31

%(4)

   

1.42

%(4)

   

1.45

%(4)(5)

 

Ratio of Expenses After Expense Limitation Excluding Interest Expenses

   

N/A

     

1.32

%(4)

   

N/A

     

1.42

%(4)

   

N/A

   

Ratio of Net Investment Loss

   

(1.27

)%(4)

   

(1.12

)%(4)

   

(0.90

)%(4)

   

(1.05

)%(4)

   

(0.79

)%(4)

 

Ratio of Rebate from Morgan Stanley Affiliates

   

0.01

%

   

0.01

%

   

0.01

%

   

0.01

%

   

0.00

%(6)

 

Portfolio Turnover Rate

   

60

%

   

87

%

   

41

%

   

55

%

   

39

%

 

(1)  Reflects prior period custodian out-of-pocket expenses that were reimbursed in September 2016. The amount of the reimbursement was immaterial on a per share basis and did not impact the total return of Class L shares. The Ratio of Expenses After Expense Limitation would have been less than 0.005% higher and the Ratio of Net Investment Loss would have been less than 0.005% lower had the custodian not reimbursed the Fund.

(2)  Per share amount is based on average shares outstanding.

(3)  Calculated based on the net asset value as of the last business day of the period.

(4)  The Ratio of Expenses After Expense Limitation and Ratio of Net Investment Loss reflect the rebate of certain Fund expenses in connection with the investments in Morgan Stanley affiliates during the period. The effect of the rebate on the ratios is disclosed in the above table as "Ratio of Rebate from Morgan Stanley Affiliates."

(5)  Effective April 7, 2016, the Adviser has agreed to limit the ratio of expenses to average net assets to the maximum ratio of 1.65% for Class L shares. Prior to April 7, 2016, the maximum ratio was 1.55% for Class L shares.

(6)  Amount is less than 0.005%.

The accompanying notes are an integral part of the financial statements.
16



Morgan Stanley Institutional Fund, Inc.

Annual Report — December 31, 2020

Financial Highlights

Growth Portfolio

   

Class C

 
   

Year Ended December 31,

 

Selected Per Share Data and Ratios

 

2020

 

2019

 

2018

 

2017

 

2016(1)

 

Net Asset Value, Beginning of Period

 

$

40.23

   

$

37.17

   

$

37.76

   

$

32.81

   

$

38.40

   

Income (Loss) from Investment Operations:

 

Net Investment Loss(2)

   

(0.93

)

   

(0.61

)

   

(0.51

)

   

(0.51

)

   

(0.38

)

 

Net Realized and Unrealized Gain (Loss)

   

46.75

     

8.63

     

3.24

     

14.28

     

(0.74

)

 

Total from Investment Operations

   

45.82

     

8.02

     

2.73

     

13.77

     

(1.12

)

 

Distributions from and/or in Excess of:

 

Net Realized Gain

   

(8.56

)

   

(4.96

)

   

(3.32

)

   

(8.82

)

   

(4.47

)

 

Net Asset Value, End of Period

 

$

77.49

   

$

40.23

   

$

37.17

   

$

37.76

   

$

32.81

   

Total Return(3)

   

113.48

%

   

21.91

%

   

6.61

%

   

42.37

%

   

(2.93

)%

 

Ratios to Average Net Assets and Supplemental Data:

 

Net Assets, End of Period (Thousands)

 

$

514,190

   

$

166,303

   

$

92,431

   

$

37,524

   

$

16,613

   

Ratio of Expenses Before Expense Limitation

   

N/A

     

1.59

%

   

N/A

     

N/A

     

1.70

%

 

Ratio of Expenses After Expense Limitation

   

1.53

%(4)

   

1.58

%(4)

   

1.57

%(4)

   

1.63

%(4)

   

1.70

%(4)(5)

 

Ratio of Expenses After Expense Limitation Excluding Interest Expenses

   

N/A

     

1.58

%(4)

   

N/A

     

1.63

%

   

N/A

   

Ratio of Net Investment Loss

   

(1.51

)%(4)

   

(1.38

)%(4)

   

(1.17

)%(4)

   

(1.26

)%(4)

   

(1.04

)%(4)

 

Ratio of Rebate from Morgan Stanley Affiliates

   

0.01

%

   

0.01

%

   

0.01

%

   

0.01

%

   

0.00

%(6)

 

Portfolio Turnover Rate

   

60

%

   

87

%

   

41

%

   

55

%

   

39

%

 

(1)  Reflects prior period custodian out-of-pocket expenses that were reimbursed in September 2016. The amount of the reimbursement was immaterial on a per share basis and did not impact the total return of Class C shares. The Ratio of Expenses After Expense Limitation would have been less than 0.005% higher and the Ratio of Net Investment Loss would have been less than 0.005% lower had the custodian not reimbursed the Fund.

(2)  Per share amount is based on average shares outstanding.

(3)  Calculated based on the net asset value which does not reflect sales charges, if applicable, as of the last business day of the period.

(4)  The Ratio of Expenses After Expense Limitation and Ratio of Net Investment Loss reflect the rebate of certain Fund expenses in connection with the investments in Morgan Stanley affiliates during the period. The effect of the rebate on the ratios is disclosed in the above table as "Ratio of Rebate from Morgan Stanley Affiliates."

(5)  Effective April 7, 2016, the Adviser has agreed to limit the ratio of expenses to average net assets to the maximum ratio of 1.90% for Class C shares. Prior to April 7, 2016, the maximum ratio was 1.80% for Class C shares.

(6)  Amount is less than 0.005%.

The accompanying notes are an integral part of the financial statements.
17



Morgan Stanley Institutional Fund, Inc.

Annual Report — December 31, 2020

Financial Highlights

Growth Portfolio

   

Class IS

 
   

Year Ended December 31,

 

Selected Per Share Data and Ratios

 

2020

 

2019

 

2018

 

2017

 

2016(1)

 

Net Asset Value, Beginning of Period

 

$

46.73

   

$

42.04

   

$

41.89

   

$

35.32

   

$

40.54

   

Income (Loss) from Investment Operations:

 

Net Investment Income (Loss)(2)

   

(0.32

)

   

(0.15

)

   

(0.04

)

   

(0.07

)

   

0.05

   

Net Realized and Unrealized Gain (Loss)

   

54.57

     

9.80

     

3.51

     

15.46

     

(0.80

)

 

Total from Investment Operations

   

54.25

     

9.65

     

3.47

     

15.39

     

(0.75

)

 

Distributions from and/or in Excess of:

 

Net Realized Gain

   

(8.56

)

   

(4.96

)

   

(3.32

)

   

(8.82

)

   

(4.47

)

 

Net Asset Value, End of Period

 

$

92.42

   

$

46.73

   

$

42.04

   

$

41.89

   

$

35.32

   

Total Return(3)

   

115.76

%

   

23.26

%

   

7.74

%

   

43.98

%

   

(1.83

)%

 

Ratios to Average Net Assets and Supplemental Data:

 

Net Assets, End of Period (Thousands)

 

$

3,743,697

   

$

1,560,148

   

$

1,202,659

   

$

1,131,543

   

$

875,021

   

Ratio of Expenses Before Expense Limitation

   

N/A

     

0.50

%

   

N/A

     

N/A

     

0.54

%

 

Ratio of Expenses After Expense Limitation

   

0.47

%(4)

   

0.49

%(4)

   

0.50

%(4)

   

0.53

%(4)

   

0.54

%(4)(5)

 

Ratio of Expenses After Expense Limitation Excluding Interest Expenses

   

N/A

     

0.49

%(4)

   

N/A

     

0.53

%(4)

   

N/A

   

Ratio of Net Investment Income (Loss)

   

(0.45

)%(4)

   

(0.29

)%(4)

   

(0.09

)%(4)

   

(0.16

)%(4)

   

0.12

%(4)

 

Ratio of Rebate from Morgan Stanley Affiliates

   

0.01

%

   

0.01

%

   

0.01

%

   

0.01

%

   

0.00

%(6)

 

Portfolio Turnover Rate

   

60

%

   

87

%

   

41

%

   

55

%

   

39

%

 

(1)  Reflects prior period custodian out-of-pocket expenses that were reimbursed in September 2016. The amount of the reimbursement was immaterial on a per share basis and did not impact the total return of Class IS shares. The Ratio of Expenses After Expense Limitation would have been less than 0.005% higher and the Ratio of Net Investment Income would have been less than 0.005% lower had the custodian not reimbursed the Fund.

(2)  Per share amount is based on average shares outstanding.

(3)  Calculated based on the net asset value as of the last business day of the period.

(4)  The Ratio of Expenses After Expense Limitation and Ratio of Net Investment Income (Loss) reflect the rebate of certain Fund expenses in connection with the investments in Morgan Stanley affiliates during the period. The effect of the rebate on the ratios is disclosed in the above table as "Ratio of Rebate from Morgan Stanley Affiliates."

(5)  Effective April 7, 2016, the Adviser has agreed to limit the ratio of expenses to average net assets to the maximum ratio of 0.73% for Class IS shares. Prior to April 7, 2016, the maximum ratio was 0.67% for Class IS shares.

(6)  Amount is less than 0.005%.

The accompanying notes are an integral part of the financial statements.
18



Morgan Stanley Institutional Fund, Inc.

Annual Report — December 31, 2020

Financial Highlights

Growth Portfolio

   

Class IR

 
   

Year Ended December 31,

  Period from
June 15, 2018(1) to
 

Selected Per Share Data and Ratios

 

2020

 

2019

 

December 31, 2018

 

Net Asset Value, Beginning of Period

 

$

46.73

   

$

42.04

   

$

52.16

   

Income (Loss) from Investment Operations:

 

Net Investment Loss(2)

   

(0.31

)

   

(0.15

)

   

(0.04

)

 

Net Realized and Unrealized Gain (Loss)

   

54.55

     

9.80

     

(6.76

)

 

Total from Investment Operations

   

54.24

     

9.65

     

(6.80

)

 

Distributions from and/or in Excess of:

 

Net Realized Gain

   

(8.56

)

   

(4.96

)

   

(3.32

)

 

Net Asset Value, End of Period

 

$

92.41

   

$

46.73

   

$

42.04

   

Total Return(3)

   

115.74

%

   

23.26

%

   

(13.48

)%(5)

 

Ratios to Average Net Assets and Supplemental Data:

 

Net Assets, End of Period, (Thousands)

 

$

389,971

   

$

269,241

   

$

149,578

   

Ratio of Expenses Before Expense Limitation

   

N/A

     

0.50

%

   

N/A

   

Ratio of Expenses After Expense Limitation

   

0.47

%(4)

   

0.49

%(4)

   

0.49

%(4)(6)

 

Ratios of Expenses After Expense Limitation Excluding Interest Expenses

   

N/A

     

0.49

%(4)

   

N/A

   

Ratio of Net Investment Loss

   

(0.45

)%(4)

   

(0.30

)%(4)

   

(0.14

)%(4)(6)

 

Ratio of Rebate from Morgan Stanley Affiliates

   

0.01

%

   

0.01

%

   

0.01

%(6)

 

Portfolio Turnover Rate

   

60

%

   

87

%

   

41

%

 

(1)  Commencement of Offering.

(2)  Per share amount is based on average shares outstanding.

(3)  Calculated based on the net asset value as of the last business day of the period.

(4)  The Ratio of Expenses After Expense Limitation and Ratio of Net Investment Loss reflect the rebate of certain Fund expenses in connection with the investments in Morgan Stanley affiliates during the period. The effect of the rebate on the ratios is disclosed in the above table as "Ratio of Rebate from Morgan Stanley Affiliates."

(5)  Not annualized.

(6)  Annualized.

The accompanying notes are an integral part of the financial statements.
19



Morgan Stanley Institutional Fund, Inc.

Annual Report — December 31, 2020

Notes to Financial Statements

Morgan Stanley Institutional Fund, Inc. (the "Company") is registered under the Investment Company Act of 1940, as amended (the "Act"), as an open-end management investment company. The Company is comprised of thirty-one separate, active, diversified and non-diversified funds (individually referred to as a "Fund," collectively as the "Funds"). The Company applies investment company accounting and reporting guidance.

The accompanying financial statements relate to the Growth Portfolio. The Fund seeks long-term capital appreciation by investing primarily in growth-oriented equity securities of large capitalization companies.

The Fund offers six classes of shares — Class I, Class A, Class L, Class C, Class IS and Class IR. On April 30, 2015, the Fund suspended offering of Class L shares. Existing Class L shareholders may invest through reinvestment of dividends and distributions. In addition, Class L shares of the Fund may be exchanged for class L Shares of any Morgan Stanley Multi-Class Fund, even though Class L shares are closed to investors.

A. Significant Accounting Policies: The following significant accounting policies are in conformity with U.S. generally accepted accounting principles ("GAAP"). Such policies are consistently followed by the Company in the preparation of its financial statements. GAAP may require management to make estimates and assumptions that affect the reported amounts and disclosures in the financial statements. Actual results may differ from those estimates.

1.  Security Valuation: (1) An equity portfolio security listed or traded on an exchange is valued at its latest reported sales price (or at the exchange official closing price if such exchange reports an official closing price), and if there were no sales on a given day and if there is no official exchange closing price for that day, the security is valued at the mean between the last reported bid and asked prices if such bid and asked prices are available on the relevant exchanges. If only bid prices are available then the latest bid price may be used. Listed equity securities not traded on the valuation date with no reported bid and asked prices available on the exchange are valued at the mean between the current bid and asked prices obtained from one or more reputable brokers or dealers. In cases where a security is traded on more than one exchange, the security is valued on the exchange designated as the primary market; (2) all other equity portfolio securities for which over-the-counter ("OTC") market quotations are readily available

are valued at the latest reported sales price (or at the market official closing price if such market reports an official closing price), and if there was no trading in the security on a given day and if there is no official closing price from relevant markets for that day, the security is valued at the mean between the last reported bid and asked prices if such bid and asked prices are available on the relevant markets. An unlisted equity security that does not trade on the valuation date and for which bid and asked prices from the relevant markets are unavailable is valued at the mean between the current bid and asked prices obtained from one or more reputable brokers or dealers; (3) certain portfolio securities may be valued by an outside pricing service/vendor approved by the Company's Board of Directors (the "Directors"). The pricing service/vendor may employ a pricing model that takes into account, among other things, bids, yield spreads and/or other market data and specific security characteristics. Alternatively, if a valuation is not available from an outside pricing service/vendor, and the security trades on an exchange, the security may be valued at its latest reported sale price (or at the exchange official closing price if such exchange reports an official closing price), prior to the time when assets are valued. If there are no sales on a given day and if there is no official exchange closing price for that day, the security is valued at the mean between the last reported bid and asked prices if such bid and asked prices are available in the relevant exchanges. If only bid prices are available then the latest bid price may be used. If Morgan Stanley Investment Management Inc. (the "Adviser"), a wholly-owned subsidiary of Morgan Stanley, determines that the price provided by the outside pricing service/vendor or exchange does not reflect the security's fair value or is unable to provide a price, prices from brokers or dealers may also be utilized. In these circumstances, the value of the security will be the mean of bid and asked prices obtained from brokers or dealers; (4) listed options are valued at the last reported sales price on the exchange on which they are listed (or at the exchange official closing price if such exchange reports an official closing price). If an official closing price or last reported sales price is unavailable, the listed option should be fair valued at the mean between its latest bid and ask prices. Unlisted options are valued at the mean between their latest bid and ask prices from a broker/dealer or valued by a pricing service/vendor; (5) when market quotations are not readily available, including circumstances under which the Adviser determines


20



Morgan Stanley Institutional Fund, Inc.

Annual Report — December 31, 2020

Notes to Financial Statements (cont'd)

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 Directors. 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 of the New York Stock Exchange ("NYSE"). If developments occur during such periods that are expected to materially affect the value of such securities, such valuations may be adjusted to reflect the estimated fair value of such securities as of the close of the NYSE, as determined in good faith by the Directors or by the Adviser using a pricing service and/or procedures approved by the Directors; (6) quotations of foreign portfolio securities, other assets and liabilities and forward contracts stated in foreign currency are translated into U.S. dollar equivalents at the prevailing market rates prior to the close of the NYSE; and (7) investments in mutual funds, including the Morgan Stanley Institutional Liquidity Funds, are valued at the net asset value ("NAV") as of the close of each business day.

The Directors have responsibility for determining in good faith the fair value of the investments, and the Directors may appoint others, such as the Company's Adviser or a valuation committee, to assist the Directors in determining fair value and to make the actual calculations pursuant to the fair valuation methodologies previously approved by the Directors. Under procedures approved by the Directors, the Company's Adviser has formed a Valuation Committee whose members are approved by the Directors. The Valuation Committee provides administration and oversight of the Company's valuation policies and procedures, which are reviewed at least annually by the Directors. These procedures allow the Company to utilize independent pricing services, quotations from securities and financial instrument dealers and other market sources to determine fair value.

2.  Fair Value Measurement: Financial Accounting Standards Board ("FASB") Accounting Standards CodificationTM ("ASC") 820, "Fair Value Measurement" ("ASC 820"), defines fair value as the value that the Fund

would receive to sell an investment or pay to transfer a liability in a timely transaction with an independent buyer in the principal market, or in the absence of a principal market, the most advantageous market for the investment or liability. ASC 820 establishes a three-tier hierarchy to distinguish between (1) inputs that reflect the assumptions market participants would use in valuing an asset or liability developed based on market data obtained from sources independent of the reporting entity (observable inputs) and (2) inputs that reflect the reporting entity's own assumptions about the assumptions market participants would use in valuing an asset or liability developed based on the best information available in the circumstances (unobservable inputs) and to establish classification of fair value measurements for disclosure purposes. Various inputs are used in determining the value of the Fund's investments. The inputs are summarized in the three broad levels listed below:

•  Level 1 – unadjusted quoted prices in active markets for identical investments

•  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.


21



Morgan Stanley Institutional Fund, Inc.

Annual Report — December 31, 2020

Notes to Financial Statements (cont'd)

The following is a summary of the inputs used to value the Fund's investments as of December 31, 2020:

Investment Type

  Level 1
Unadjusted
quoted
prices
(000)
  Level 2
Other
significant
observable
inputs
(000)
  Level 3
Significant
unobservable
inputs
(000)
  Total
(000)
 

Assets:

 

Common Stocks

 

Biotechnology

 

$

136,766

   

$

   

$

   

$

136,766

   

Entertainment

   

1,003,024

     

     

     

1,003,024

   
Food & Staples
Retailing
   

176,382

     

     

     

176,382

   
Health Care
Equipment &
Supplies
   

923,742

     

     

     

923,742

   
Health Care
Providers &
Services
   

174,869

     

     

     

174,869

   
Health Care
Technology
   

634,812

     

     

39,017

     

673,829

   
Hotels,
Restaurants &
Leisure
   

98,198

     

     

     

98,198

   
Information
Technology
Services
   

3,543,014

     

250,359

     

     

3,793,373

   
Interactive
Media &
Services
   

2,564,421

     

     

     

2,564,421

   
Internet & Direct
Marketing Retail
   

1,835,086

     

     

     

1,835,086

   
Life Sciences
Tools &
Services
   

482,294

     

     

     

482,294

   

Metals & Mining

   

17,399

     

     

     

17,399

   
Oil, Gas &
Consumable
Fuels
   

30,886

     

     

     

30,886

   

Pharmaceuticals

   

149,324

     

     

     

149,324

   

Road & Rail

   

817,854

     

     

     

817,854

   
Semiconductors &
Semiconductor
Equipment
   

264,055

     

     

     

264,055

   

Software

   

1,919,482

     

     

     

1,919,482

   

Specialty Retail

   

480,766

     

     

     

480,766

   
Total Common
Stocks
   

15,252,374

     

250,359

     

39,017

     

15,541,750

   

Preferred Stocks

 
Electronic
Equipment,
Instruments &
Components
   

     

     

   

 
Internet & Direct
Marketing Retail
   

     

136,927

     

     

136,927

   
Total Preferred
Stocks
   

     

136,927

     

   

136,927

 

Investment Type

  Level 1
Unadjusted
quoted
prices
(000)
  Level 2
Other
significant
observable
inputs
(000)
  Level 3
Significant
unobservable
inputs
(000)
  Total
(000)
 
Call Options
Purchased
 

$

   

$

10,921

   

$

   

$

10,921

   
Short-Term
Investments
 
Investment
Company
   

1,375,449

     

     

     

1,375,449

   
Repurchase
Agreements
   

     

7,051

     

     

7,051

   
Total Short-Term
Investments
   

1,375,449

     

7,051

     

     

1,382,500

   

Total Assets

 

$

16,627,823

   

$

405,258

   

$

39,017

 

$

17,072,098

 

†  Includes a security valued at zero.

Transfers between investment levels may occur as the markets fluctuate and/or the availability of data used in an investment's valuation changes.

Following is a reconciliation of investments in which significant unobservable inputs (Level 3) were used in determining fair value:

    Common
Stock
(000)
  Preferred
Stocks
(000)
 

Beginning Balance

 

$

29,749

   

$

86,499

   

Purchases

   

     

   

Sales

   

     

   

Amortization of discount

   

     

   

Transfers in

   

     

   

Transfers out

   

     

(66,595

)††

 

Corporate actions

   

     

   

Change in unrealized appreciation (depreciation)

   

9,268

     

(19,904

)†

 

Realized gains (losses)

   

     

   

Ending Balance

 

$

39,017

   

$

 
Net change in unrealized appreciation
(depreciation) from investments still
held as of December 31, 2020
 

$

9,268

   

$

(19,904

)†

 

†  Includes a security valued at zero.

††  A security transferred out of level 3 due to an Initial Public Offering.


22



Morgan Stanley Institutional Fund, Inc.

Annual Report — December 31, 2020

Notes to Financial Statements (cont'd)

The following table presents additional information about valuation techniques and inputs used for investments that are measured at fair value and categorized within Level 3 as of December 31, 2020. Various valuation techniques were used in the valuation of certain investments and weighted based on the level of significance. The Fund calculated the weighted averages of the unobservable inputs relative to each investment's fair value as of December 31, 2020.

    Fair Value at
December 31, 2020
(000)
  Valuation
Technique
  Unobservable
Input
 

Amount*

  Impact to
Valuation from an
Increase in Input**
 

Common Stock

 

$

39,017

   

Discounted Cash Flow

  Weighted Average
Cost of Capital
   

13.0

%

 

Decrease

 
           

Perpetual Growth Rate

   

3.5

%

 

Increase

 
        Market Comparable
Companies
  Enterprise Value/
Revenue
   

1.3

x

 

Increase

 
            Discount for Lack
of Marketability
   

13.0

%

 

Decrease

 

*  Amount is indicative of the weighted average.

**  Represents the expected directional change in the fair value of the Level 3 investments that would result from an increase in the corresponding input. A decrease to the unobservable input would have the opposite effect. Significant changes in these inputs could result in significantly higher or lower fair value measurements.

3.  Repurchase Agreements: The Fund may enter into repurchase agreements under which the Fund lends cash and takes possession of securities with an agreement that the counterparty will repurchase such securities. In connection with transactions in repurchase agreements, a bank as custodian for the Fund takes possession of the underlying securities which are held as collateral, with a market value at least equal to the amount of the repurchase transaction, including principal and accrued interest. To the extent that any repurchase transaction exceeds one business day, the value of the collateral is marked-to-market on a daily basis to determine 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. In the event of default on the obligation to repurchase, the Fund has the right to liquidate the collateral and apply the proceeds in satisfaction of the obligation. In the event of default or bankruptcy by the counterparty to the agreement, realization of the collateral proceeds may be subject to cost and delays. The Fund, along with other affiliated investment companies, may utilize a joint trading account for the purpose of entering into repurchase agreements.

4.  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.


23



Morgan Stanley Institutional Fund, Inc.

Annual Report — December 31, 2020

Notes to Financial Statements (cont'd)

Net realized gains (losses) on foreign currency transactions represent net foreign exchange gains (losses) from foreign currency forward exchange contracts, disposition of foreign currencies, currency gains (losses) realized between the trade and settlement dates on securities transactions, and the difference between the amount of investment income and foreign withholding taxes recorded on the Fund's books and the U.S. dollar equivalent amounts actually received or paid. The change in unrealized currency gains (losses) on foreign currency transactions for the period is reflected in the Statement of Operations.

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.

Governmental approval for foreign investments may be required in advance of making an investment under certain circumstances in some countries, and the extent of foreign investments in domestic companies may be subject to limitation in other countries. Foreign ownership limitations also may be imposed by the charters of individual companies to prevent, among other concerns, violations of foreign investment limitations. As a result, an additional class of shares (identified as "Foreign" in the Portfolio of Investments) may be created and offered for investment. The "local" and "foreign shares" market values may differ. In the absence of trading of the foreign shares in such markets, the Fund values the foreign shares at the closing exchange price of the local shares.

5.  Derivatives: The Fund may, but is not required to, use derivative instruments for a variety of purposes, including hedging, risk management, portfolio management or to earn income. Derivatives are financial instruments whose value is based, in part, on the value of an underlying asset, interest rate, index or financial instrument. Prevailing interest rates and volatility levels, among other things, also affect the value of derivative instruments. A derivative instrument often has risks similar to its underlying asset and may have additional risks, including imperfect correlation between the value of the derivative and the underlying asset, risks of default by the counterparty to certain

transactions, magnification of losses incurred due to changes in the market value of the securities, instruments, indices or interest rates to which the derivative instrument relates, risks that the transactions may not be liquid and risks arising from margin requirements. The use of derivatives involves risks that are different from, and possibly greater than, the risks associated with other portfolio investments. Derivatives may involve the use of highly specialized instruments that require investment techniques and risk analyses different from those associated with other portfolio investments. All of the Fund's holdings, including derivative instruments, are marked-to-market each day with the change in value reflected in unrealized appreciation (depreciation). Upon disposition, a realized gain or loss is recognized.

Certain derivative transactions may give rise to a form of leverage. Leverage magnifies the potential for gain and the risk of loss. Leverage associated with derivative transactions may cause the Fund to liquidate portfolio positions when it may not be advantageous to do so to satisfy its obligations or to meet earmarking or segregation requirements, pursuant to applicable Securities and Exchange Commission ("SEC") rules and regulations, or may cause the Fund to be more volatile than if the Fund had not been leveraged. Although the Adviser seeks to use derivatives to further the Fund's investment objectives, there is no assurance that the use of derivatives will achieve this result.

Following is a description of the derivative instruments and techniques that the Fund used during the period and their associated risks:

Options: With respect to options, the Fund is subject to equity risk, interest rate risk and foreign currency exchange risk in the normal course of pursuing its investment objectives. If the Fund buys an option, it buys a legal contract giving it the right to buy or sell a specific amount of the underlying instrument or foreign currency, or futures contract on the underlying instrument or foreign currency, at an agreed-upon price during a period of time or on a specified date typically in exchange for a premium paid by the Fund. The Fund may purchase and/or sell put and call options. Purchasing call options tends to increase the Fund's exposure to the underlying (or similar) instrument. Purchasing put options tends to decrease the Fund's exposure to the underlying (or similar) instrument. When entering into


24



Morgan Stanley Institutional Fund, Inc.

Annual Report — December 31, 2020

Notes to Financial Statements (cont'd)

purchased option contracts, the Fund bears the risk of interest or exchange rates or securities prices moving unexpectedly, in which case, the Fund may not achieve the anticipated benefits of the purchased option contracts; however the risk of loss is limited to the premium paid. Purchased options are reported as part of "Total Investments in Securities" in the Statement of Assets and Liabilities. Premiums paid for purchasing options which expired are treated as realized losses. If the Fund sells an option, it sells to another party the right to buy from or sell to the Fund a specific amount of the underlying instrument or foreign currency, or futures contract on the underlying instrument or foreign currency, at an agreed-upon price during a period of time or on a specified date typically in exchange for a premium received by the Fund. When options are purchased OTC, the Fund bears the risk that the counterparty that wrote the option will be unable or unwilling to perform its obligations under the option contract. Options may also be illiquid and the Fund may have difficulty closing out its position. A decision as to whether, when and how to use options involves the exercise of skill and judgment and even a well-conceived option transaction may be unsuccessful because of market behavior or unexpected events. The prices of options can be highly volatile and the use of options can lower total returns.

FASB ASC 815, "Derivatives and Hedging" ("ASC 815"), is intended to improve financial reporting about derivative instruments by requiring enhanced disclosures to enable investors to better understand how and why the Fund uses derivative instruments, how these derivative instruments are accounted for and their effects on the Fund's financial position and results of operations.

The following table sets forth the fair value of the Fund's derivative contracts by primary risk exposure as of December 31, 2020:

    Asset Derivatives
Statement of Assets and
Liabilities Location
  Primary Risk
Exposure
  Value
(000)
 
Purchased Options
 
  Investments, at Value
(Purchased Options)
 

Currency Risk

 

$

10,921

(a)

 

(a) Amounts are included in Investments in Securities in the Statement of Assets and Liabilities.

The following tables set forth by primary risk exposure the Fund's realized gains (losses) and change in unrealized appreciation (depreciation) by type of derivative contract for the year ended December 31, 2020 in accordance with ASC 815:

Realized Gain (Loss)

 

Primary Risk Exposure

 

Derivative Type

  Value
(000)
 
Currency Risk
 
  Investments
(Purchased Options)
 

$

(20,463

)(b)

 

(b)  Amounts are included in Investments Sold in the Statement of Operations.

Change in Unrealized Appreciation (Depreciation)

 

Primary Risk Exposure

 

Derivative Type

  Value
(000)
 
Currency Risk
 
  Investments
(Purchased Options)
 

$

(28,452

)(c)

 

(c)  Amounts are included in Investments in the Statement of Operations.

At December 31, 2020, the Fund's derivative assets and liabilities are as follows:

Gross Amounts of Assets and Liabilities
Presented in the Statement of Assets and Liabilities
 

Derivatives

  Assets(d)
(000)
  Liabilities(d)
(000)
 

Purchased Options

 

$

10,921

(a)

 

$

   

(a)  Amounts are included in Investments in Securities in the Statement of Assets and Liabilities.

(d)  Absent an event of default or early termination, OTC derivative assets and liabilities are presented gross and not offset in the Statement of Assets and Liabilities.

The Fund typically enters into International Swaps and Derivatives Association, Inc. Master Agreements ("ISDA Master Agreements") or similar master agreements (collectively, "Master Agreements") with its contract counterparties for certain OTC derivatives in order to, among other things, reduce its credit risk to counterparties. ISDA Master Agreements include provisions for general obligations, representations, collateral and events of default or termination. Under an ISDA Master Agreement, the Fund typically may offset with the counterparty certain OTC derivative financial instruments' payables and/or receivables with collateral held and/or posted and create one single net payment (close-out netting) in the event of default, termination and/or potential deterioration in the credit quality of the counterparty. Various Master Agreements govern the terms of certain transactions with counterparties, including transactions such as swap, forward, repurchase and reverse repurchase agreements. These Master


25



Morgan Stanley Institutional Fund, Inc.

Annual Report — December 31, 2020

Notes to Financial Statements (cont'd)

Agreements typically attempt to reduce the counterparty risk associated with such transactions by specifying credit protection mechanisms and providing standardization that improves legal certainty. Cross-termination provisions under Master Agreements typically provide that a default in connection with one transaction between the Fund and a counterparty gives the non-defaulting party the right to terminate any other transactions in place with the defaulting party to create one single net payment due to/due from the defaulting party and may be a feature in certain Master Agreements. In the event the Fund exercises its right to terminate a Master Agreement after a counterparty experiences a termination event as defined in the Master Agreement, the return of collateral with market value in excess of the Fund's net liability may be delayed or denied.

The following table presents derivative financial instruments that are subject to enforceable netting arrangements as of December 31, 2020:

Gross Amounts Not Offset in the Statement of Assets and Liabilities

 

Counterparty

  Gross Asset
Derivatives
Presented in
the Statement of
Assets and
Liabilities(a)
(000)
  Financial
Instrument
(000)
  Collateral
Received(e)
(000)
  Net Amount
(not less
than $0)
(000)
 

BNP Paribas

 

$

9,272

   

$

   

$

(9,272

)

 

$

0

   

Royal Bank of Scotland

   

1,649

     

     

(1,649

)

   

0

   

Total

 

$

10,921

   

$

   

$

(10,921

)

 

$

0

   

(a)  Amounts are included in Investments in Securities in the Statement of Assets and Liabilities.

(e)  In some instances, the actual collateral received may be more than the amount shown here due to overcollateralization.

For the year ended December 31, 2020, the approximate average monthly amount outstanding for each derivative type is as follows:

Purchased Options:

 

Average monthly notional amount

   

6,561,135,000

   

6.  Securities Lending: The Fund lends securities to qualified financial institutions, such as broker-dealers, to earn additional income. Any increase or decrease in the fair value of the securities loaned that might occur and any interest earned or dividends declared on those securities during the term of the loan would remain in the Fund. The Fund would receive cash or securities as collateral in an amount equal to or exceeding 100% of the current fair

value of the loaned securities. The collateral is marked-to-market daily by State Street Bank and Trust Company ("State Street"), the securities lending agent, to ensure that a minimum of 100% collateral coverage is maintained.

Based on pre-established guidelines, the securities lending agent invests any cash collateral that is received in an affiliated money market portfolio and repurchase agreements. Securities lending income is generated from the earnings on the invested collateral and borrowing fees, less any rebates owed to the borrowers and compensation to the lending agent, and is recorded as "Income from Securities Loaned — Net" in the Fund's Statement of Operations. 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.

The Fund has the right under the securities 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, 2020:

Gross Amounts Not Offset in the Statement of Assets and Liabilities

 
Gross Asset
Amounts
Presented in
the Statement of
Assets and
Liabilities
(000)
  Financial
Instrument
(000)
  Collateral
Received
(000)
  Net Amount
(not less
than $0)
(000)
 
$

49,234

(f)

 

$

   

$

(49,234

)(g)(h)

 

$

0

   

(f)  Represents market value of loaned securities at year end.

(g)  The Fund received cash collateral of approximately $50,682,000, which was subsequently invested in Repurchase Agreements and Morgan Stanley Institutional Liquidity Funds as reported in the Portfolio of Investments.

(h)  The actual collateral received is greater than the amount shown here due to overcollateralization.

FASB ASC 860, "Transfers & Servicing: Repurchase-to-Maturity Transactions, Repurchase Financings, and Disclosures", is intended to provide increased transparency about the types of collateral pledged in securities lending transactions and other similar transactions that are accounted for as secured borrowing.


26



Morgan Stanley Institutional Fund, Inc.

Annual Report — December 31, 2020

Notes to Financial Statements (cont'd)

The following table displays a breakdown of transactions accounted for as secured borrowings, the gross obligations by class of collateral pledged and the remaining contractual maturity of those transactions as of December 31, 2020:

Remaining Contractual Maturity of the Agreements

 
    Overnight and
Continuous
(000)
  <30 days
(000)
  Between
30 &
90 days
(000)
  >90 days
(000)
  Total
(000)
 
Securities Lending
Transactions
 

Common Stocks

 

$

50,682

   

$

   

$

   

$

   

$

50,682

   

Total Borrowings

 

$

50,682

   

$

   

$

   

$

   

$

50,682

   
Gross amount of
recognized liabilities
for securities lending
transactions
                 

$

50,682

   

7.  Restricted Securities: The Fund invests in unregistered or otherwise restricted securities. The term "restricted securities" refers to securities that are unregistered or are held by control persons of the issuer and securities that are subject to contractual restrictions on their resale. As a result, restricted securities may be more difficult to value and the Fund may have difficulty disposing of such assets either in a timely manner or for a reasonable price. In order to dispose of an unregistered security, the Fund, where it has contractual rights to do so, may have to cause such security to be registered. A considerable period may elapse between the time the decision is made to sell the security and the time the security is registered so that the Fund can sell it. Contractual restrictions on the resale of securities vary in length and scope and are generally the result of a negotiation between the issuer and the acquirer of the securities. The Fund would, in either case, bear market risks during that period. Restricted securities are identified in the Portfolio of Investments.

8.  Indemnifications: The Company enters into contracts that contain a variety of indemnifications. The Company's maximum exposure under these arrangements is unknown. However, the Company has not had prior claims or losses pursuant to these contracts and expects the risk of loss to be remote.

9.  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. Net realized capital gains, if any, are distributed at least annually.

10.  Security Transactions, Income and Expenses: Security transactions are accounted for on the trade date (date the order to buy or sell is executed). Realized gains and losses on the sale of investment securities are determined on the specific identified cost method. Dividend income and other distributions are recorded on the ex-dividend date (except for certain foreign dividends which may be recorded as soon as the Fund is informed of such dividends) net of applicable withholding taxes. Interest income is recognized on the accrual basis except where collection is in doubt. Discounts are accreted and premiums are amortized over the life of the respective securities. Most expenses of the Company can be directly attributed to a particular Fund. Expenses which cannot be directly attributed are apportioned among the Funds based upon relative net assets or other appropriate methods. Income, expenses (other than class specific expenses — distribution and shareholder services, transfer agency and sub transfer agency fees) and realized and unrealized gains or losses are allocated to each class of shares based upon their relative net assets.

B. Advisory Fees: The Adviser, a wholly-owned subsidiary of Morgan Stanley, provides the Fund with advisory services under the terms of an Investment Advisory Agreement, paid quarterly, at the annual rate based on the daily net assets as follows:

First $1
billion
  Next $1
billion
  Next $1
billion
  Over $3
billion
 
  0.50

%

   

0.45

%

   

0.40

%

   

0.35

%

 

For the year ended December 31, 2020, the advisory fee rate (net of rebate) was equivalent to an annual effective rate of 0.37% of the Fund's average daily net assets.

The Adviser has agreed to reduce its advisory fee and/or reimburse the Fund so that total annual Fund operating expenses, excluding certain investment related expenses, taxes, interest and other extraordinary expenses (including litigation), will not exceed 0.80% for Class I shares, 1.15% for Class A shares, 1.65% for Class L shares, 1.90% for Class C shares, 0.73% for Class IS shares and 0.73% for Class IR shares. The fee waivers and/or expense reimbursements will continue for at least one year from the date of the Fund's prospectus or until such time as the Directors act to discontinue all or a portion of such waivers and/or reimbursements when they deem such action is appropriate. This arrangement had no effect for the year ended December 31, 2020.


27



Morgan Stanley Institutional Fund, Inc.

Annual Report — December 31, 2020

Notes to Financial Statements (cont'd)

C. Administration Fees: The Adviser also serves as Administrator to the Company and provides administrative services pursuant to an Administration Agreement for an annual fee, accrued daily and paid monthly, of 0.08% of the Fund's average daily net assets.

Under a Sub-Administration Agreement between the Administrator and State Street, State Street provides certain administrative services to the Company. For such services, the Administrator pays State Street a portion of the fee the Administrator receives from the Fund.

D. Distribution and Shareholder Services Fees: Morgan Stanley Distribution, Inc. ("MSDI" or the "Distributor"), a wholly-owned subsidiary of the Adviser and an indirect subsidiary of Morgan Stanley, serves as the Company's Distributor of Fund shares pursuant to a Distribution Agreement. The Company has adopted a Shareholder Services Plan with respect to Class A shares pursuant to Rule 12b-1 under the Act. Under the Shareholder Services Plan, the Fund pays the Distributor a shareholder services fee, accrued daily and paid monthly, at an annual rate of 0.25% of the Fund's average daily net assets attributable to Class A shares.

The Company has adopted a Distribution and Shareholder Services Plan with respect to Class L shares pursuant to Rule 12b-1 under the Act. Under the Distribution and Shareholder Services Plan, the Fund pays the Distributor a distribution fee, accrued daily and paid monthly, at an annual rate of 0.50% and a shareholder services fee, accrued daily and paid monthly, at an annual rate of 0.25% of the Fund's average daily net assets attributable to Class L shares.

The Company has adopted a Distribution and Shareholder Services Plan with respect to Class C shares pursuant to Rule 12b-1 under the Act. Under the Distribution and Shareholder Services Plan, the Fund pays the Distributor a distribution fee, accrued daily and paid monthly, at an annual rate of 0.75% and a shareholder services fee, accrued daily and paid monthly, at an annual rate of 0.25% of the Fund's average daily net assets attributable to Class C shares.

The distribution and shareholder services fees are used to support the expenses associated with servicing and maintaining accounts. The Distributor may compensate other parties for providing shareholder support services to investors who purchase Class A, Class L and Class C shares.

E. Dividend Disbursing and Transfer Agent: The Company's dividend disbursing and transfer agent is DST Asset

Manager Solutions, Inc. ("DST"). Pursuant to a Transfer Agency Agreement, the Company pays DST a fee based on the number of classes, accounts and transactions relating to the Funds of the Company.

F. Custodian Fees: State Street (the "Custodian") also serves as Custodian for the Company in accordance with a Custodian Agreement. The Custodian holds cash, securities and other assets of the Company as required by the Act. Custody fees are payable monthly based on assets held in custody, investment purchases and sales activity and account maintenance fees, plus reimbursement for certain out-of-pocket expenses.

G. Security Transactions and Transactions with Affiliates: For the year ended December 31, 2020, purchases and sales of investment securities for the Fund, other than long-term U.S. Government securities and short-term investments were approximately $6,569,260,000 and $6,508,463,000, respectively. There were no purchases and sales of long-term U.S. Government securities for the year ended December 31, 2020.

The Fund invests in the Institutional Class of the Morgan Stanley Institutional Liquidity Funds — Treasury Securities Portfolio (the "Liquidity Funds"), an open-end management investment company managed by the Adviser, both directly and as a portion of the securities held as collateral on loaned securities. Advisory fees paid by the Fund are reduced by an amount equal to its pro-rata share of the advisory and administration fees paid by the Fund due to its investment in the Liquidity Funds. For the year ended December 31, 2020, advisory fees paid were reduced by approximately $840,000 relating to the Fund's investment in the Liquidity Funds.

A summary of the Fund's transactions in shares of affiliated investments during the year ended December 31, 2020 is as follows:

Affiliated
Investment
Company
  Value
December 31,
2019
(000)
  Purchases
at Cost
(000)
  Proceeds
from Sales
(000)
  Dividend
Income
(000)
 

Liquidity Funds

 

$

81,979

   

$

4,579,796

   

$

3,286,326

   

$

799

   
Affiliated
Investment
Company (cont'd)
  Realized
Gain (Loss)
(000)
  Change in
Unrealized
Appreciation
(Depreciation)
(000)
  Value
December 31,
2020
(000)
 

Liquidity Funds

 

$

   

$

   

$

1,375,449

   

The Fund is permitted to purchase and sell securities ("cross-trade") from and to other Morgan Stanley funds as well as other funds and client accounts for which the Adviser or an


28



Morgan Stanley Institutional Fund, Inc.

Annual Report — December 31, 2020

Notes to Financial Statements (cont'd)

affiliate of the Adviser serves as investment adviser, pursuant to procedures approved by the Directors in compliance with Rule 17a-7 under the Act (the "Rule"). Each cross-trade is executed at the current market price in compliance with provisions of the Rule. For the year ended December 31, 2020, the Fund engaged in cross-trade purchases of approximately $9,714,000.

The Fund has an unfunded Deferred Compensation Plan (the "Compensation Plan"), which allows each independent Director to defer payment of all, or a portion, of the fees he or she receives for serving on the Board of Directors. Each eligible Director generally may elect to have the deferred amounts credited with a return equal to the total return on one or more of the Morgan Stanley funds that are offered as investment options under the Compensation Plan. Appreciation/depreciation and distributions received from these investments are recorded with an offsetting increase/decrease in the deferred compensation obligation and do not affect the NAV of the Fund.

H. Federal Income Taxes: It is the Fund's intention to continue to qualify as a regulated investment company and distribute all of its taxable and tax-exempt income. Accordingly, no provision for federal income taxes is required in the financial statements.

The Fund may be subject to taxes imposed by countries in which it invests. Such taxes are generally based on income and/or capital gains earned or repatriated. Taxes are accrued based on net investment income, net realized gains and net unrealized appreciation as such income and/or gains are earned. Taxes may also be based on transactions in foreign currency and are accrued based on the value of investments denominated in such currency.

FASB ASC 740-10, "Income Taxes — Overall", sets forth a minimum threshold for financial statement recognition of the benefit of a tax position taken or expected to be taken in a tax return. Management has concluded there are no significant uncertain tax positions that would require recognition in the financial statements. If applicable, the Fund recognizes interest accrued related to unrecognized tax benefits in "Interest Expense" and penalties in "Other Expenses" in the Statement of Operations. The Fund files tax returns with the U.S. Internal Revenue Service, New York and various states. Generally, each of the tax years in the four-year period ended December 31, 2020 remains subject to examination by taxing authorities.

The tax character of distributions paid may differ from the character of distributions shown for GAAP purposes due to short-term capital gains being treated as ordinary income for tax purposes. The tax character of distributions paid during fiscal years 2020 and 2019 was as follows:

2020
Distributions
Paid From:
  2019
Distributions
Paid From:
 
Ordinary
Income
(000)
  Long-Term
Capital Gain
(000)
  Ordinary
Income
(000)
  Long-Term
Capital Gain
(000)
 
$

345,276

   

$

1,154,186

   

$

32,348

   

$

663,719

   

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 attributable to differing book and tax treatments for the timing of the recognition of gains (losses) on certain investment transactions and the timing of the deductibility of certain expenses.

The Fund had no permanent differences causing reclassifications among the components of net assets for the year ended December 31, 2020.

At December 31, 2020, the components of distributable earnings for the Fund on a tax basis were as follows:

Undistributed
Ordinary
Income
(000)
  Undistributed
Long-Term
Capital Gain
(000)
 
$

524,779

   

$

522,718

   

I. Credit Facility: The Company and other Morgan Stanley funds participated in a $300,000,000 committed, unsecured revolving line of credit facility (the "Facility") with State Street. This Facility is to be used for temporary emergency purposes or funding of shareholder redemption requests. The interest rate on borrowings is based on the federal funds rate or 1 month LIBOR rate plus a spread. The Facility also has a commitment fee of 0.25% per annum based on the unused portion of the Facility. During the year ended December 31, 2020, the Fund did not have any borrowings under the Facility.

J. Other: At December 31, 2020, the Fund had record owners of 10% or greater. Investment activities of these shareholders could have a material impact on the Fund. The aggregate percentage of such owners was 28.2%.


29



Morgan Stanley Institutional Fund, Inc.

Annual Report — December 31, 2020

Notes to Financial Statements (cont'd)

K. Market Risk: Certain impacts to public health conditions particular to the coronavirus (COVID-19) outbreak could impact the operations and financial performance of certain of the Fund's investments. The extent of the impact to the financial performance of the Fund's investments will depend on future developments, including (i) the duration and spread of the outbreak, (ii) the restrictions and advisories, (iii) the effects on the financial markets, and (iv) the effects on the economy overall, all of which are highly uncertain and cannot be predicted. If the financial performance of the Fund's investments is impacted because of these factors for an extended period, the Fund's investment results may be adversely affected.


30



Morgan Stanley Institutional Fund, Inc.

Annual Report — December 31, 2020

Report of Independent Registered Public Accounting Firm

To the Shareholders and Board of Directors of
Morgan Stanley Institutional Fund, Inc. — Growth Portfolio

Opinion on the Financial Statements

We have audited the accompanying statement of assets and liabilities of Growth Portfolio (the "Fund") (one of the funds constituting Morgan Stanley Institutional Fund, Inc. (the "Company")), including the portfolio of investments, as of December 31, 2020, and the related statement of operations for the year then ended, the statements of changes in net assets for each of the two years in the period then ended, the financial highlights for each of the five years in the period then ended and the related notes (collectively referred to as the "financial statements"). In our opinion, the financial statements present fairly, in all material respects, the financial position of Growth Portfolio (one of the funds constituting Morgan Stanley Institutional Fund, Inc.) at December 31, 2020, the results of its operations for the year then ended, the changes in its net assets for each of the two years in the period then ended and its financial highlights for each of the five years in the period then ended, in conformity with U.S. generally accepted accounting principles.

Basis for Opinion

These financial statements are the responsibility of the Company's management. Our responsibility is to express an opinion on the Fund's financial statements based on our audits. We are a public accounting firm registered with the Public Company Accounting Oversight Board (United States) ("PCAOB") and are required to be independent with respect to the Company in accordance with the U.S. federal securities law and the applicable rules and regulations of the Securities and Exchange Commission and the PCAOB.

We conducted our audits in accordance with the standards of the PCAOB. Those standards require that we plan and perform the audit to obtain reasonable assurance about whether the financial statements are free of material misstatement, whether due to error or fraud. The Company is not required to have, nor were we engaged to perform, an audit of the Company's internal control over financial reporting. As part of our audits, we are required to obtain an understanding of internal control over financial reporting, but not for the purpose of expressing an opinion on the effectiveness of the Company's internal control over financial reporting. Accordingly, we express no such opinion.

Our audits included performing procedures to assess the risks of material misstatement of the financial statements, whether due to error or fraud, and performing procedures that respond to those risks. Such procedures included examining, on a test basis, evidence regarding the amounts and disclosures in the financial statements. Our procedures included confirmation of securities owned as of December 31, 2020 by correspondence with the custodian and others or by other appropriate auditing procedures where replies from others were not received. Our audits also included evaluating the accounting principles used and significant estimates made by management, as well as evaluating the overall presentation of the financial statements. We believe that our audits provide a reasonable basis for our opinion.

We have served as the auditor of one or more Morgan Stanley investment companies since 2000.
Boston, Massachusetts
February 26, 2021


31



Morgan Stanley Institutional Fund, Inc.

Annual Report — December 31, 2020

Liquidity Risk Management Program (unaudited)

In compliance with Rule 22e-4 under the Investment Company Act of 1940, as amended (the "Liquidity Rule"), the Fund has adopted and implemented a liquidity risk management program (the "Program"), which is reasonably designed to assess and manage the risk that the Fund could not meet requests to redeem shares issued by the Fund without significant dilution of remaining investors' interests in the Fund (i.e., liquidity risk). The Fund's Board of Directors (the "Board") previously approved the designation of the Liquidity Risk Subcommittee (the "LRS") as Program administrator. The LRS is comprised of representatives from various divisions within Morgan Stanley Investment Management.

At a meeting held on April 22-23, 2020, the Board reviewed a written report prepared by the LRS that addressed the Program's operation and assessed its adequacy, and effectiveness of implementation for the period from December 1, 2018, through December 31, 2019, as required under the Liquidity Rule. The report concluded that the Program operated effectively and was adequately and effectively implemented in all material aspects, and that the relevant controls and safeguards were appropriately designed to enable the LRS to administer the Program in compliance with the Liquidity Rule.

In accordance with the Program, the LRS assessed each Fund's liquidity risk no less frequently than annually taking into consideration certain factors, as applicable, such as (i) investment strategy and liquidity of portfolio investments, (ii) short-term and long-term cash flow projections and (iii) holdings of cash and cash equivalents and borrowing arrangements and other funding sources. Certain factors are considered under both normal and reasonably foreseeable stressed conditions.

Each Fund portfolio investment is classified into one of four liquidity categories, which classification is assessed at least monthly by the LRS. The classification is based on a determination of the number of days it is reasonably expected to take to convert the investment into cash, or sell or dispose of the investment, in current market conditions without significantly changing the market value of the investment. Liquidity classification determinations take into account various market, trading and investment-specific considerations, as well as market depth, and in some cases utilize third-party vendor data.

The Liquidity Rule limits a fund's investments in illiquid investments to 15% of its net assets and requires funds that do not primarily hold assets that are highly liquid investments to determine and maintain a minimum percentage of the fund's net assets to be invested in highly liquid investments (highly liquid investment minimum or "HLIM"). The LRS believes that the Program includes provisions reasonably designed to review, monitor and comply with the 15% limit on illiquid investments and for determining, periodically reviewing and complying with the HLIM requirement, as applicable.

There can be no assurance that the Program will achieve its objectives under all circumstances in the future. Please refer to the Fund's prospectus for more information regarding the Fund's exposure to liquidity risk and other risks to which it may be subject.


32



Morgan Stanley Institutional Fund, Inc.

Annual Report — December 31, 2020

Federal Tax Notice (unaudited)

For federal income tax purposes, the following information is furnished with respect to the distributions paid by the Fund during its taxable year ended December 31, 2020. For corporate shareholders 0.07% of the dividends qualified for the dividends received deduction.

The Fund designated and paid approximately $1,154,186,000 as a long-term capital gain distribution.

For federal income tax purposes, the following information is furnished with respect to the Fund's earnings for its taxable year ended December 31, 2020. When distributed, certain earnings may be subject to a maximum tax rate of 15% as provided for by the Jobs and Growth Tax Relief Reconciliation Act of 2003. The Fund designated up to a maximum of approximately $248,000 as taxable at this lower rate.

In January, the Fund provides tax information to shareholders for the preceding calendar year.


33



Morgan Stanley Institutional Fund, Inc.

Annual Report — December 31, 2020

Privacy Notice (unaudited)  April 2019

FACTS

 

WHAT DOES MSIM DO WITH YOUR PERSONAL INFORMATION?

 

Why?

 

Financial companies choose how they share your personal information. Federal law gives consumers the right to limit some but not all sharing. Federal law also requires us to tell you how we collect, share, and protect your personal information. Please read this notice carefully to understand what we do.

 

What?

  The types of personal information we collect and share depend on the product or service you have with us. This information can include:
n Social Security number and income
n investment experience and risk tolerance
n checking account number and wire transfer instructions
 

How?

 

All financial companies need to share customers' personal information to run their everyday business. In the section below, we list the reasons financial companies can share their customers' personal information; the reasons MSIM chooses to share; and whether you can limit this sharing.

 

 

Reasons we can share your personal information

 

Does MSIM share?

 

Can you limit this sharing?

 
For our everyday business purposes —
such as to process your transactions, maintain your account(s), respond to court orders and legal investigations, or report to credit bureaus
 

Yes

 

No

 
For our marketing purposes —
to offer our products and services to you
 

Yes

 

No

 

For joint marketing with other financial companies

 

No

 

We don't share

 
For our affiliates' everyday business purposes —
information about your transactions and experiences
 

Yes

 

No

 
For our affiliates' everyday business purposes —
information about your creditworthiness
 

No

 

We don't share

 

For our affiliates to market to you

 

No

 

We don't share

 

For non-affiliates to market to you

 

No

 

We don't share

 

Questions?  Call toll-free (844) 312-6327 or email: imprivacyinquiries@morganstanley.com


34



Morgan Stanley Institutional Fund, Inc.

Annual Report — December 31, 2020

Privacy Notice (unaudited) (cont'd)  April 2019

Who we are

Who is providing this notice?

 

Morgan Stanley Investment Management, Inc. and its affiliated registered investment advisers, registered broker-dealers, and registered and unregistered funds ("MSIM")

 

What we do

How does MSIM protect my personal information?

 

To protect your personal information from unauthorized access and use, we use security measures that comply with federal law. These measures include computer safeguards and secured files and buildings. We have policies governing the proper handling of customer information by personnel and requiring third parties that provide support to adhere to appropriate security standards with respect to such information.

 

How does MSIM collect my personal information?

  We collect your personal information, for example, when you
n open an account or make deposits or withdrawals from your account
n buy securities from us or make a wire transfer
n give us your contact information
We also collect your personal information from others, such as credit bureaus, affiliates, or other companies.
 

Why can't I limit all sharing?

  Federal law gives you the right to limit only
n sharing for affiliates' everyday business purposes — information about your creditworthiness
n affiliates from using your information to market to you
n sharing for non-affiliates to market to you
State laws and individual companies may give you additional rights to limit sharing. See below for more on your rights under state law.
 

Definitions

Affiliates

  Companies related by common ownership or control. They can be financial and non-financial companies.
n Our affiliates include companies with a Morgan Stanley name and financial companies such as Morgan Stanley Smith Barney LLC and Morgan Stanley & Co.
 

Non-affiliates

  Companies not related by common ownership or control. They can be financial and non-financial companies.
n MSIM does not share with non-affiliates so they can market to you.
 

Joint marketing

  A formal agreement between non-affiliated financial companies that together market financial products or services to you.
n MSIM doesn't jointly market
 


35



Morgan Stanley Institutional Fund, Inc.

Annual Report — December 31, 2020

Privacy Notice (unaudited) (cont'd)  April 2019

Other Important Information

Vermont: Except as permitted by law, we will not share personal information we collect about Vermont residents with Non-affiliates unless you provide us with your written consent to share such information.

California: Except as permitted by law, we will not share personal information we collect about California residents with Non-affiliates and we will limit sharing such personal information with our Affiliates to comply with California privacy laws that apply to us.


36



Morgan Stanley Institutional Fund, Inc.

Annual Report — December 31, 2020

Director and Officer Information (unaudited)

Independent Directors:

Name, Address and Birth
Year of Independent Director
  Position(s)
Held with
Registrant
  Length of Time
Served*
  Principal Occupation(s) During Past 5 Years and Other
Relevant Professional Experience
  Number of
Funds
in Fund Complex
Overseen by
Independent
Director**
  Other Directorships
Held by Independent
Director***
 
Frank L. Bowman
c/o Perkins Coie LLP
Counsel to the Independent Directors
1155 Avenue of the Americas,
22nd Floor
New York, NY 10036
Birth Year: 1944
 

Director

 

Since August 2006

 

President, Strategic Decisions, LLC (consulting) (since February 2009); Director or Trustee of various Morgan Stanley Funds (since August 2006); Chairperson of the Compliance and Insurance Committee (since October 2015); formerly, Chairperson of the Insurance Sub-Committee of the Compliance and Insurance Committee (2007-2015); served as President and Chief Executive Officer of the Nuclear Energy Institute (policy organization) (February 2005-November 2008); retired as Admiral, U.S. Navy after serving over 38 years on active duty including 8 years as Director of the Naval Nuclear Propulsion Program in the Department of the Navy and the U.S. Department of Energy (1996-2004); served as Chief of Naval Personnel (July 1994-September 1996) and on the Joint Staff as Director of Political Military Affairs (June 1992-July 1994); knighted as Honorary Knight Commander of the Most Excellent Order of the British Empire; awarded the Officier de l'Orde National du Mérite by the French Government; elected to the National Academy of Engineering (2009).

 

79

 

Director of Naval and Nuclear Technologies LLP; Director Emeritus of the Armed Services YMCA; Member of the National Security Advisory Council of the Center for U.S. Global Engagement and a member of the CNA Military Advisory Board; Trustee of Fairhaven United Methodist Church; Member of the Board of Advisors of the Dolphin Scholarship Foundation; Director of other various non-profit organizations; formerly, Director of BP plc (November 2010May 2019).

 
Kathleen A. Dennis
c/o Perkins Coie LLP
Counsel to the Independent Directors
1155 Avenue of the Americas,
22nd Floor
New York, NY 10036
Birth Year: 1953
 

Director

 

Since August 2006

 

Chairperson of the Governance Committee (January 2021), Chairperson of the Liquidity and Alternatives Sub-Committee of the Investment Committee (2006-2020); and Director or Trustee of various Morgan Stanley Funds (since August 2006); President, Cedarwood Associates (mutual fund and investment management consulting) (since July 2006); formerly, Senior Managing Director of Victory Capital Management (1993-2006).

 

79

 

Board Member, University of Albany Foundation (2012-present); Board Member, Mutual Funds Directors Forum (2014-present); Director of various non-profit organizations.

 
Nancy C. Everett
c/o Perkins Coie LLP
Counsel to the Independent Directors
1155 Avenue of the Americas,
22nd Floor
New York, NY 10036
Birth Year: 1955
 

Director

 

Since January 2015

 

Chairperson of the Equity Investment Committee (since January 2021); Director or Trustee of various Morgan Stanley Funds (since January 2015); Chief Executive Officer, Virginia Commonwealth University Investment Company (since November 2015); Owner, OBIR, LLC (institutional investment management consulting) (since June 2014); formerly, Managing Director, BlackRock, Inc. (February 2011-December 2013); and Chief Executive Officer, General Motors Asset Management (a/k/a Promark Global Advisors, Inc.) (June 2005-May 2010).

 

80

 

Formerly, Member of Virginia Commonwealth University School of Business Foundation (2005-2016); Member of Virginia Commonwealth University Board of Visitors (2013-2015); Member of Committee on Directors for Emerging Markets Growth Fund, Inc. (2007-2010); Chairperson of Performance Equity Management, LLC (2006-2010); and Chairperson, GMAM Absolute Return Strategies Fund, LLC (2006-2010).

 


37



Morgan Stanley Institutional Fund, Inc.

Annual Report — December 31, 2020

Director and Officer Information (unaudited) (cont'd)

Independent Directors (cont'd):

Name, Address and Birth
Year of Independent Director
  Position(s)
Held with
Registrant
  Length of Time
Served*
  Principal Occupation(s) During Past 5 Years and Other
Relevant Professional Experience
  Number of
Funds
in Fund Complex
Overseen by
Independent
Director**
  Other Directorships
Held by Independent
Director***
 
Jakki L. Haussler
c/o Perkins Coie LLP
Counsel to the Independent Directors
1155 Avenue of the Americas,
22nd Floor
New York, NY 10036
Birth Year: 1957
 

Director

 

Since January 2015

 

Director or Trustee of various Morgan Stanley Funds (since January 2015) Chairman, Opus Capital Group (1996); formerly, Chief Executive Officer, Opus Capital Group (1996-2019); Director, Capvest Venture Fund, LP (May 2000-December 2011); Partner, Adena Ventures, LP (July 1999-December 2010); Director, The Victory Funds (February 2005-July 2008).

 

80

 

Director of Cincinnati Bell Inc. and Member, Audit Committee and Chairman, Governance and Nominating Committee; Director of Service Corporation International and Member, Audit Committee and Investment Committee; Director of Northern Kentucky University Foundation and Member, Investment Committee; Member of Chase College of Law Transactional Law Practice Center Board of Advisors; Director of Best Transport; Director of Chase College of Law Board of Visitors; formerly, Member, University of Cincinnati Foundation Investment Committee; Member, Miami University Board of Visitors (2008-2011); Trustee of Victory Funds (2005-2008) and Chairman, Investment Committee (2007-2008); and Member, Service Provider Committee (2005-2008).

 
Dr. Manuel H. Johnson
c/o Johnson Smick International, Inc.
220 I Street, NE — Suite 200
Washington, D.C. 20002
Birth Year: 1949
 

Director

 

Since July 1991

 

Senior Partner, Johnson Smick International, Inc. (consulting firm); Chairperson of the Fixed Income, Liquidity and Alternatives Investment Committee (January 2021), Chairperson of the Investment Committee (2006-2020) and Director or Trustee of various Morgan Stanley Funds (since July 1991); Co-Chairman and a founder of the Group of Seven Council (G7C) (international economic commission); formerly, Chairperson of the Audit Committee (July 1991-September 2006), Vice Chairman of the Board of Governors of the Federal Reserve System and Assistant Secretary of the U.S. Treasury.

 

79

 

Director of NVR, Inc. (home construction).

 


38



Morgan Stanley Institutional Fund, Inc.

Annual Report — December 31, 2020

Director and Officer Information (unaudited) (cont'd)

Independent Directors (cont'd):

Name, Address and Birth
Year of Independent Director
  Position(s)
Held with
Registrant
  Length of Time
Served*
  Principal Occupation(s) During Past 5 Years and Other
Relevant Professional Experience
  Number of
Funds
in Fund Complex
Overseen by
Independent
Director**
  Other Directorships
Held by Independent
Director***
 
Joseph J. Kearns
c/o Perkins Coie LLP
Counsel to the Independent Directors
1155 Avenue of the Americas,
22nd Floor
New York, NY 10036
Birth Year: 1942
 

Director

 

Since August 1994

 

Senior Adviser, Kearns & Associates LLC (investment consulting); Chairperson of the Audit Committee (since October 2006) and Director or Trustee of various Morgan Stanley Funds (since August 1994); formerly, Deputy Chairperson of the Audit Committee (July 2003-September 2006) and Chairperson of the Audit Committee of various Morgan Stanley Funds (since August 1994); CFO of the J. Paul Getty Trust (1982-1999).

 

80

 

Director, Rubicon Investment (since February 2019); Prior to August 2016, Director of Electro Rent Corporation (equipment leasing); Prior to December 31, 2013, Director of The Ford Family Foundation.

 
Michael F. Klein
c/o Perkins Coie LLP
Counsel to the Independent Directors
1155 Avenue of the Americas,
22nd Floor
New York, NY 10036
Birth Year: 1958
 

Director

 

Since August 2006

 

Chairperson of the Risk Committee (since January 2021); Managing Director, Aetos Alternatives Management, LP (since March 2000); Co-President, Aetos Alternatives Management, LP (since January 2004) and Co-Chief Executive Officer of Aetos Alternatives Management, LP (since August 2013); Chairperson of the fixed Income Sub-Committee of the Investment committee (2006-2020) and Director or Trustee of various Morgan Stanley Funds (since August 2006); formerly, Managing Director, Morgan Stanley & Co. Inc. and Morgan Stanley Dean Witter Investment Management and President, various Morgan Stanley Funds (June 1998-March 2000); Principal, Morgan Stanley & Co. Inc. and Morgan Stanley Dean Witter Investment Management (August 1997-December 1999).

 

79

 

Director of certain investment funds managed or sponsored by Aetos Alternatives Management, LP; Director of Sanitized AG and Sanitized Marketing AG (specialty chemicals).

 
Patricia Maleski
c/o Perkins Coie LLP
Counsel to the Independent Directors
1155 Avenue of the Americas,
22nd Floor
New York, NY 10036
Birth Year: 1960
 

Director

 

Since January 2017

 

Director or Trustee of various Morgan Stanley Funds (since January 2017); Managing Director, JPMorgan Asset Management (2004-2016); Oversight and Control Head of Fiduciary and Conflicts of Interest Program (2015-2016); Chief Control Officer-Global Asset Management (2013-2015); President, JPMorgan Funds (2010-2013); Chief Administrative Officer (2004-2013); various other positions including Treasurer and Board Liaison (since 2001).

 

80

 

None.

 
W. Allen Reed
c/o Perkins Coie LLP
Counsel to the Independent Directors
1155 Avenue of the Americas,
22nd Floor
New York, NY 10036
Birth Year: 1947
 

Chair of the Board and Director

 

Chair of the Boards since August 2020 and Director since August 2006

 

Chair of the Boards of various Morgan Stanley Funds (since August 2020); Director or Trustee of various Morgan Stanley Funds (since August 2006); formerly, Vice Chair of the Boards of various Morgan Stanley Funds (January 2020-August 2020); President and Chief Executive Officer of General Motors Asset Management; Chairman and Chief Executive Officer of the GM Trust Bank and Corporate Vice President of General Motors Corporation (August 1994-December 2005).

 

79

 

Formerly, Director of Legg Mason, Inc. (2006-2019); and Director of the Auburn University Foundation (2010-2015).

 

*  This is the earliest date the Director began serving the Morgan Stanley Funds. Each Director serves an indefinite term, until his or her successor is elected.

**  The Fund Complex includes (as of December 31, 2020) all open-end and closed-end funds (including all of their portfolios) advised by Morgan Stanley Investment Management Inc. (the "Adviser") and any funds that have an adviser that is an affiliated person of the Adviser (including, but not limited to, Morgan Stanley AIP GP LP).

***  This includes any directorships at public companies and registered investment companies held by the Director at any time during the past five years.


39



Morgan Stanley Institutional Fund, Inc.

Annual Report — December 31, 2020

Director and Officer Information (unaudited) (cont'd)

Executive Officers:

Name, Address and
Birth Year of Executive Officer
  Position(s) Held
with
Registrant
  Length of
Time Served*
 

Principal Occupation(s) During Past 5 Years

 
John H. Gernon
522 Fifth Avenue
New York, NY 10036
Birth Year: 1963
 

President and Principal Executive Officer

 

Since September 2013

 

President and Principal Executive Officer of the Equity and Fixed Income Funds and the Morgan Stanley AIP Funds (since September 2013) and the Liquidity Funds and various money market funds (since May 2014) in the Fund Complex; Managing Director of the Adviser; Head of Public Markets Product Development (since 2006).

 
Timothy J. Knierim
1633 Broadway
New York, NY 10019
Birth Year: 1959
 

Chief Compliance Officer

 

Since December 2016

 

Managing Director of the Adviser and various entities affiliated with the Adviser; Chief Compliance Officer of various Morgan Stanley Funds and the Adviser (since December 2016) and Chief Compliance Officer of Morgan Stanley AIP GP LP (since 2014). Formerly, Managing Director and Deputy Chief Compliance Officer of the Adviser (2014-2016).

 
Francis J. Smith
522 Fifth Avenue
New York, NY 10036
Birth Year: 1965
 

Treasurer and Principal Financial Officer

 

Treasurer since July 2003 and Principal Financial Officer since September 2002

 

Managing Director of the Adviser and various entities affiliated with the Adviser; Treasurer (since July 2003) and Principal Financial Officer of various Morgan Stanley Funds (since September 2002).

 
Mary E. Mullin
1633 Broadway
New York, NY 10019
Birth Year: 1967
 

Secretary

 

Since June 1999

 

Managing Director of the Adviser; Secretary of various Morgan Stanley Funds (since June 1999).

 
Michael J. Key
522 Fifth Avenue
New York, NY 10036
Birth Year: 1979
 

Vice President

 

Since June 2017

 

Vice President of the Equity and Fixed Income Funds, Liquidity Funds, various money market funds and the Morgan Stanley AIP Funds in the Fund Complex (since June 2017); Executive Director of the Adviser; Head of Product Development for Equity and Fixed Income Funds (since August 2013).

 

*  This is the earliest date the officer began serving the Morgan Stanley Funds. Each officer serves a one-year term, until his or her successor is elected and qualifies.


40



Morgan Stanley Institutional Fund, Inc.

Annual Report — December 31, 2020

Adviser and Administrator

Morgan Stanley Investment Management Inc.
522 Fifth Avenue
New York, New York 10036

Distributor

Morgan Stanley Distribution, Inc.
522 Fifth Avenue
New York, New York 10036

Dividend Disbursing and Transfer Agent

DST Asset Manager Solutions, Inc.
2000 Crown Colony Drive
Quincy, Massachusetts 02169

Custodian

State Street Bank and Trust Company
One Lincoln Street
Boston, Massachusetts 02111

Legal Counsel

Dechert LLP
1095 Avenue of the Americas
New York, New York 10036

Counsel to the Independent Directors

Perkins Coie LLP
1155 Avenue of the Americas,
22nd Floor
New York, New York 10036

Independent Registered Public Accounting Firm

Ernst & Young LLP
200 Clarendon Street
Boston, Massachusetts 02116

Reporting to Shareholders

Each Morgan Stanley fund provides a complete schedule of portfolio holdings in its Semi-Annual and the Annual Reports within 60 days of the end of the fund's second and fourth fiscal quarters. The Semi-Annual and Annual Reports are filed electronically with the Securities and Exchange Commission ("SEC") on Form N-CSRS and Form N-CSR, respectively. Morgan Stanley also delivers the Semi-Annual and Annual Reports to fund shareholders and makes these reports available on its public website, www.morganstanley.com/im/shareholderreports. Each Morgan Stanley non-money market fund also files a complete schedule of portfolio holdings with the SEC for the fund's first and third fiscal quarters as an attachment to Form N-PORT. Morgan Stanley does not deliver the reports for the first and third fiscal quarters to shareholders, but makes the complete schedule of portfolio holdings for the fund's first and third fiscal quarters available on its public website. The holdings for each money market fund are also posted to the Morgan Stanley public website. You may obtain the Form N-PORT filings (as well as the Form N-CSR and N-CSRS filings) by accessing the SEC's website, www.sec.gov. You can also request copies of these materials, upon payment of a duplicating fee, by electronic request at the SEC's email address (publicinfo@sec.gov).

Proxy Voting Policies and Procedures and Proxy Voting Record

You may obtain a copy of the Company's Proxy Voting Policy and Procedures and information regarding how the Company voted proxies relating to portfolio securities during the most recent twelve-month period ended June 30, without charge, upon request, by calling toll free 1 (800) 548-7786 or by visiting our website at www.morganstanley.com/im/shareholderreports. This information is also available on the SEC's website at www.sec.gov.

This report is authorized for distribution only when preceded or accompanied by a prospectus or summary prospectus of the applicable fund of Morgan Stanley Institutional Fund, Inc., which describes in detail the fund's investment policies, risks, fees and expenses. Please read the prospectus carefully before you invest or send money. For additional information, including information regarding the investments comprising the Fund, please visit our website at www.morganstanley.com/im/shareholderreports or call toll free 1 (800) 548-7786.


41



Printed in U.S.A.
This Report has been prepared for shareholders and may be distributed to others only if preceded or accompanied by a current prospectus.

Morgan Stanley Investment Management Inc.
522 Fifth Avenue
New York, New York 10036

© 2021 Morgan Stanley. Morgan Stanley Distribution, Inc.

IFIGRWANN
3386901 EXP 02.28.22



INVESTMENT MANAGEMENT

Morgan Stanley Institutional Fund, Inc.

Inception Portfolio

Annual Report

December 31, 2020



Morgan Stanley Institutional Fund, Inc.

Annual Report — December 31, 2020

Table of Contents

Shareholders' Letter

   

2

   

Expense Example

   

3

   

Investment Overview

   

4

   

Portfolio of Investments

   

6

   

Statement of Assets and Liabilities

   

9

   

Statement of Operations

   

11

   

Statements of Changes in Net Assets

   

12

   

Financial Highlights

   

14

   

Notes to Financial Statements

   

19

   

Report of Independent Registered Public Accounting Firm

   

30

   

Liquidity Risk Management Program

   

31

   

Federal Tax Notice

   

32

   

Privacy Notice

   

33

   

Director and Officer Information

   

36

   

This report is authorized for distribution only when preceded or accompanied by a prospectus or summary prospectus of the applicable Fund of Morgan Stanley Institutional Fund, Inc. To receive a prospectus and/or statement of additional information ("SAI"), which contains more complete information such as investment objectives, charges, expenses, policies for voting proxies, risk considerations and describes in detail each of the Fund's investment policies to the prospective investor, please call toll free 1 (800) 548-7786. Please read the prospectuses carefully before you invest or send money.

Additionally, you can access information about the Fund, including performance, characteristics and investment team commentary, through Morgan Stanley Investment Management's website: www.morganstanley.com/im/shareholderreports.

Market forecasts provided in this report may not necessarily come to pass. There is no guarantee that any sectors mentioned will continue to perform as discussed herein or that securities in such sectors will be held by the Fund in the future. There is no assurance that a fund will achieve its investment objective. Funds are subject to market risk, which is the possibility that market values of securities owned by the Fund will decline and, therefore, the value of the Fund's shares may be less than what you paid for them. Accordingly, you can lose money investing in this Fund. Please see the prospectus for more complete information on investment risks.


1



Morgan Stanley Institutional Fund, Inc.

Annual Report — December 31, 2020

Shareholders' Letter (unaudited)

Dear Shareholders,

We are pleased to provide this Annual Report, in which you will learn how your investment in Inception Portfolio (the "Fund") performed during the latest twelve-month period.

Morgan Stanley Investment Management is a client-centric, investor-led organization. Our global presence, intellectual capital, and breadth of products and services enable us to partner with investors to meet the evolving challenges of today's financial markets. We aim to deliver superior investment service and to empower our clients to make the informed decisions that help them reach their investment goals.

As always, we thank you for selecting Morgan Stanley Investment Management, and look forward to working with you in the months and years ahead.

Sincerely,

John H. Gernon
President and Principal Executive Officer

January 2021


2



Morgan Stanley Institutional Fund, Inc.

Annual Report — December 31, 2020

Expense Example (unaudited)

Inception Portfolio

As a shareholder of the Fund, you incur two types of costs: (1) transactional costs, including redemption fees; and (2) ongoing costs, which may include advisory fees, administration fees, distribution and shareholder services fees and other Fund expenses. This example is intended to help you understand your ongoing costs (in dollars) of investing in the Fund and to compare these costs with the ongoing costs of investing in other mutual funds.

This example is based on an investment of $1,000 invested at the beginning of the six-month period ended December 31, 2020 and held for the entire six-month period.

Actual Expenses

The table below provides information about actual account values and actual expenses. You may use the information in this table, 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 table under the heading entitled "Actual Expenses Paid During Period" to estimate the expenses you paid on your account during this period.

Hypothetical Example for Comparison Purposes

The table below provides information about hypothetical account values and hypothetical expenses based on the Fund's actual expense ratio and an assumed rate of return of 5% per year before expenses, which is not the Fund's actual return. The hypothetical account values and expenses may not be used to estimate the actual ending account balance or expenses you paid for the period. You may use this information to compare the ongoing costs of investing in the Fund and other funds. To do so, compare this 5% hypothetical example with the 5% hypothetical examples that appear in the shareholder reports of the other funds.

Please note that the expenses shown in the table are meant to highlight your ongoing costs only and do not reflect any transactional costs, such as sales charges (loads) and redemption fees. Therefore, the information for each class in the table is useful in comparing ongoing costs only, and will not help you determine the relative total costs of owning different funds. In addition, if these transactional costs were included, your costs would have been higher.

    Beginning
Account
Value
7/1/20
  Actual Ending
Account
Value
12/31/20
  Hypothetical
Ending Account
Value
  Actual
Expenses
Paid
During
Period*
  Hypothetical
Expenses Paid
During Period*
  Net
Expense
Ratio
During
Period**
 

Inception Portfolio Class I

 

$

1,000.00

   

$

1,744.20

   

$

1,020.16

   

$

6.83

   

$

5.03

     

0.99

%

 

Inception Portfolio Class A

   

1,000.00

     

1,741.50

     

1,018.85

     

8.61

     

6.34

     

1.25

   

Inception Portfolio Class L

   

1,000.00

     

1,736.70

     

1,015.89

     

12.66

     

9.32

     

1.84

   

Inception Portfolio Class C

   

1,000.00

     

1,734.50

     

1,014.73

     

14.23

     

10.48

     

2.07

   

Inception Portfolio Class IS

   

1,000.00

     

1,744.60

     

1,020.51

     

6.35

     

4.67

     

0.92

   

*  Expenses are calculated using each Fund Class' annualized net expense ratio (as disclosed), multiplied by the average account value over the period and multiplied by 184/366 (to reflect the most recent one-half year period).

**  Annualized.


3



Morgan Stanley Institutional Fund, Inc.

Annual Report — December 31, 2020

Investment Overview (unaudited)

Inception Portfolio

The Fund seeks long-term capital appreciation by investing primarily in growth-oriented equity securities of small capitalization companies.

Performance

For the fiscal year ended December 31, 2020, the Fund's Class I shares had a total return based on net asset value and reinvestment of distributions per share of 150.57%, net of fees. The Fund's Class I shares outperformed the Fund's benchmark, the Russell 2000® Growth Index (the "Index"), which returned 34.63%.

Please keep in mind that high triple-digit returns are highly unusual and cannot be sustained. Investors should also be aware that these returns were primarily achieved during favorable market conditions.

Factors Affecting Performance

•  U.S. equities reversed a steep sell-off caused by the COVID-19 pandemic shock, aided by massive fiscal and monetary stimulus that kept liquidity flowing and supported a faster-than-expected rebound in economic activity. Promising vaccine news throughout the year, along with the start of vaccine distribution across the U.S. and Europe in December 2020, also helped investors look past resurgences of the virus and renewed curbs on social and business activity that have slowed the economic recovery in the short term. Political uncertainty eased after the U.S. election in November 2020, with markets taking a positive stance on a Biden administration and the prospect for additional fiscal stimulus in 2021.

•  Within the Index of small-cap growth stocks, health care, information technology and industrials were the best performing sectors, while energy (the only sector with a negative return), materials and real estate were the weakest performers.

•  Counterpoint Global seeks high quality companies, which we define primarily as those with sustainable competitive advantages. We manage concentrated portfolios that are highly differentiated from the benchmark, with securities weighted on our assessment of the quality of the company and our conviction. The value added or detracted in any period of time will result from stock selection, given our philosophy and process. For the year, the Fund outperformed the Index.

•  The long-term investment horizon and conviction-weighted investment approach embraced by the team since 1998 can result in periods of performance deviation from the benchmark and peers. The Fund outperformed the Index in this reporting period primarily due to favorable stock selection and a smaller contribution from sector allocations.

•  Stock selection in information technology and consumer discretionary sectors delivered most of the Fund's relative outperformance, with eight of the 10 largest contributing holdings from these two sectors. To a lesser extent, stock selection was positive for relative performance in real estate, communication services, industrials and consumer staples.

•  Given the magnitude of the Fund's outperformance relative to the benchmark, there were few meaningful detractors from performance in the year. An overweight to communication services was detrimental on a relative basis but was more than offset by the outperformance of our stock selection in the sector. Stock selection in financials marginally detracted as well but was countered by a small relative gain from an average sector underweight there, resulting in a nearly neutral impact on relative performance. (As of the end of the period, the Fund had no exposure to the financials sector.)

Management Strategies

•  As a team, we believe having a market outlook can be an anchor. Our focus is on assessing company prospects over a five-year horizon, and owning a portfolio of unique companies whose market value we believe can increase significantly for underlying fundamental reasons.


4



Morgan Stanley Institutional Fund, Inc.

Annual Report — December 31, 2020

Investment Overview (unaudited) (cont'd)

Inception Portfolio

*  Minimum Investment for Class I shares

In accordance with SEC regulations, the Fund's performance shown assumes that all recurring fees (including management fees) were deducted and all dividends and distributions were reinvested. The performance of Class A, L, C and IS shares will vary from the performance of Class I shares based upon their different inception dates and will be negatively impacted by additional fees assessed to those classes (if application).

Performance Compared to the Russell 2000® Growth Index(1) and the Lipper Small-Cap Growth Funds Index(2)

    Period Ended December 31, 2020
Total Returns(3)
 
       

Average Annual

 
    One
Year
  Five
Years
  Ten
Years
  Since
Inception(9)
 
Fund — Class I Shares
w/o sales charges(4)
   

150.57

%

   

33.14

%

   

19.42

%

   

13.92

%

 
Fund — Class A Shares
w/o sales charges(5)
   

149.86

     

32.76

     

19.08

     

13.75

   
Fund — Class A Shares with
maximum 5.25% sales charges(5)
   

136.79

     

31.33

     

18.44

     

13.51

   
Fund — Class L Shares
w/o sales charges(6)
   

148.49

     

32.04

     

     

21.25

   
Fund — Class C Shares
w/o sales charges(8)
   

147.97

     

     

     

41.57

   
Fund — Class C Shares with
maximum 1.00% deferred
sales charges(8)
   

146.97

     

     

     

41.57

   
Fund — Class IS Shares
w/o sales charges(7)
   

150.79

     

33.25

     

     

20.92

   

Russell 2000® Growth Index

   

34.63

     

16.36

     

13.48

     

8.94

   
Lipper Small-Cap Growth
Funds Index
   

37.36

     

18.41

     

13.89

     

10.48

   

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. Performance assumes that all dividends and distributions, if any, were reinvested. For the most recent month-end performance figures, please visit www.morganstanley.com/im/shareholderreports. Investment return and principal value will fluctuate so that Fund shares, when redeemed, may be worth more or less than their original cost. Total returns do not reflect the deduction of taxes that a shareholder would pay on Fund distributions or the redemption of Fund shares. Performance of share classes will vary due to difference in sales charges and expenses.

(1)  The Russell 2000® Growth Index measures the performance of the small-cap growth segment of the U.S. equity universe. It includes those Russell 2000® Index companies with higher price-to-book ratios and higher forecasted growth values. The Russell 2000® Index is a subset of the Russell 3000® Index representing approximately 10% of the total market capitalization of that index. It includes approximately 2,000 of the smallest securities based on a combination of their market capitalization and current index membership. The Index is unmanaged and its returns do not include any sales charges or fees. Such costs would lower performance. It is not possible to invest directly in an index.

(2)  The Lipper Small-Cap Growth Funds Index is an equally weighted performance index of the largest qualifying funds (based on net assets) in the Lipper Small-Cap Growth Funds classification. The Index, which is adjusted for capital gains distributions and income dividends, is unmanaged and should not be considered an investment. There are currently 30 funds represented in this Index. As of the date of this report, the Fund was in the Lipper Small-Cap Growth Funds classification.

(3)  Total returns for the Fund reflect fees waived and expenses reimbursed, if applicable, by the Adviser (as defined herein). Without such waivers and reimbursements, total returns would have been lower.

(4)  Commenced operations on November 1, 1989.

(5)  Commenced offering on January 2, 1996.

(6)  Commenced offering on November 11, 2011.

(7)  Commenced offering on September 13, 2013.

(8)  Commenced offering on May 31, 2017.

(9)  For comparative purposes, average annual since inception returns listed for the Indexes refer to the inception date of Class I of the Fund, not the inception of the Index.


5



Morgan Stanley Institutional Fund, Inc.

Annual Report — December 31, 2020

Portfolio of Investments

Inception Portfolio

   

Shares

  Value
(000)
 

Common Stocks (84.2%)

 

Biotechnology (3.5%)

 

4D Molecular Therapeutics, Inc. (a)

   

112,271

   

$

4,654

   

Abcam PLC ADR (United Kingdom) (a)

   

595,130

     

12,825

   

Editas Medicine, Inc. (a)

   

45,507

     

3,190

   

Intellia Therapeutics, Inc. (a)

   

60,041

     

3,266

   

Passage Bio, Inc. (a)

   

172,359

     

4,407

   

Relay Therapeutics, Inc. (a)

   

45,854

     

1,906

   
     

30,248

   

Diversified Holding Companies (2.4%)

 

Dragoneer Growth Opportunities Corp. (a)

   

464,554

     

6,499

   

Northern Star Acquisition Corp. (a)

   

464,757

     

7,297

   

Ribbit LEAP Ltd. (a)

   

457,477

     

6,848

   
     

20,644

   

Diversified Telecommunication Services (2.4%)

 

Anterix, Inc. (a)

   

560,111

     

21,060

   

Food Products (4.9%)

 

UTZ Brands, Inc.

   

1,927,572

     

42,522

   

Health Care Equipment & Supplies (1.3%)

 

Angle PLC (United Kingdom) (a)

   

4,673,674

     

3,060

   

Outset Medical, Inc. (a)

   

81,595

     

4,638

   

Quotient Ltd. (a)

   

738,863

     

3,850

   
     

11,548

   

Health Care Providers & Services (5.2%)

 

Covetrus, Inc. (a)

   

1,401,508

     

40,279

   

HealthEquity, Inc. (a)

   

65,952

     

4,598

   
     

44,877

   

Health Care Technology (2.5%)

 

Inspire Medical Systems, Inc. (a)

   

69,752

     

13,119

   

Schrodinger, Inc. (a)

   

108,131

     

8,562

   
     

21,681

   

Household Durables (3.0%)

 

Victoria PLC (United Kingdom) (a)

   

2,945,363

     

26,333

   

Information Technology Services (5.0%)

 

BigCommerce Holdings, Inc. (a)(b)

   

122,223

     

7,841

   

Fastly, Inc., Class A (a)

   

400,499

     

34,991

   
     

42,832

   

Internet & Direct Marketing Retail (7.2%)

 

Overstock.com, Inc. (a)

   

516,800

     

24,791

   

Stitch Fix, Inc., Class A (a)(b)

   

632,355

     

37,132

   
     

61,923

   

Life Sciences Tools & Services (7.4%)

 

Adaptive Biotechnologies Corp. (a)

   

52,254

     

3,090

   

Berkeley Lights, Inc. (a)

   

37,516

     

3,354

   

NanoString Technologies, Inc. (a)

   

566,504

     

37,888

   

Seer, Inc. (a)

   

347,226

     

19,493

   
     

63,825

   

Media (4.8%)

 

Cardlytics, Inc. (a)

   

291,282

     

41,586

   
   

Shares

  Value
(000)
 

Metals & Mining (0.1%)

 

Royal Gold, Inc.

   

9,680

   

$

1,030

   

Oil, Gas & Consumable Fuels (0.2%)

 

Texas Pacific Land Trust (b)

   

1,862

     

1,354

   

Real Estate Management & Development (5.8%)

 

FirstService Corp. (Canada)

   

91,001

     

12,455

   

Redfin Corp. (a)

   

547,436

     

37,571

   
     

50,026

   

Software (20.4%)

 

Appfolio, Inc., Class A (a)

   

241,170

     

43,421

   

Appian Corp. (a)

   

254,928

     

41,321

   

Bill.Com Holdings, Inc. (a)

   

29,938

     

4,087

   

C3.ai, Inc., Class A (a)(b)

   

23,246

     

3,226

   

MicroStrategy, Inc., Class A (a)

   

100,351

     

38,991

   

Skillz, Inc. (a)(b)

   

2,267,993

     

45,360

   
     

176,406

   

Specialty Retail (7.5%)

 

GameStop Corp., Class A (a)(b)

   

1,415,967

     

26,677

   

Party City Holdco, Inc. (a)

   

4,031,568

     

24,794

   

Vroom, Inc. (a)

   

315,439

     

12,924

   
     

64,395

   

Trading Companies & Distributors (0.6%)

 

EVI Industries, Inc. (a)(b)

   

161,294

     

4,826

   

Total Common Stocks (Cost $490,868)

   

727,116

   

Preferred Stocks (1.6%)

 

Health Care Technology (1.1%)

 
Grand Rounds, Inc. Series B (a)(c)(d)
(acquisition cost — $3,362;
acquired 7/3/14)
   

3,269,139

     

8,990

   

Internet & Direct Marketing Retail (0.1%)

 

Overstock.com, Inc. Series A-1

   

14,625

     

647

   

Software (0.4%)

 
Lookout, Inc. Series F (a)(c)(d)
(acquisition cost — $13,476;
acquired 6/17/14)
   

1,179,743

     

3,657

   

Total Preferred Stocks (Cost $16,933)

   

13,294

   

Short-Term Investments (19.9%)

 

Securities held as Collateral on Loaned Securities (5.0%)

 

Investment Company (4.3%)

 
Morgan Stanley Institutional Liquidity
Funds — Treasury Securities Portfolio —
Institutional Class (See Note G)
   

36,894,249

     

36,894

   

The accompanying notes are an integral part of the financial statements.
6



Morgan Stanley Institutional Fund, Inc.

Annual Report — December 31, 2020

Portfolio of Investments (cont'd)

Inception Portfolio

    Face
Amount
(000)
  Value
(000)
 

Repurchase Agreements (0.7%)

 
Barclays Capital, Inc., (0.05%,
dated 12/31/20, due 1/4/21;
proceeds $1,125; fully collateralized by a
U.S. Government obligation; 1.63%
due 11/15/22; valued at $1,147)
 

$

1,125

   

$

1,125

   
HSBC Securities USA, Inc., (0.05%,
dated 12/31/20, due 1/4/21;
proceeds $4,387; fully collateralized by a
U.S. Government obligation; 0.15%
due 10/31/22; valued at $4,475)
   

4,387

     

4,387

   
Merrill Lynch & Co., Inc., (0.06%, 12/31/20,
due 1/4/21; proceeds $450; fully
collateralized by a U.S. Government
obligation; 2.50% due 5/15/46;
valued at $459)
   

450

     

450

   
     

5,962

   
Total Securities held as Collateral on Loaned
Securities (Cost $42,856)
   

42,856

   
   

Shares

     

Investment Company (14.9%)

 
Morgan Stanley Institutional Liquidity
Funds — Treasury Securities Portfolio —
Institutional Class (See Note G)
(Cost $128,800)
   

128,800,004

     

128,800

   

Total Short-Term Investments (Cost $171,656)

   

171,656

   
Total Investments Excluding Purchased
Options (105.7%) (Cost $679,457)
       

912,066

   
Total Purchased Options Outstanding (0.0%)
(Cost $1,515)
   

335

   
Total Investments (105.7%) (Cost $680,972)
Including $43,648 of Securities Loaned (e)(f)
   

912,401

   

Liabilities in Excess of Other Assets (–5.7%)

   

(49,061

)

 

Net Assets (100.0%)

 

$

863,340

   

(a)  Non-income producing security.

(b)  All or a portion of this security was on loan at December 31, 2020.

(c)  Security cannot be offered for public resale without first being registered under the Securities Act of 1933 and related rules ("restricted security"). Acquisition date represents the day on which an enforceable right to acquire such security is obtained and is presented along with related cost in the security description. The Fund has registration rights for certain restricted securities. Any costs related to such registration are borne by the issuer. The aggregate value of restricted securities (excluding 144A holdings) at December 31, 2020 amounts to approximately $12,647,000 and represents 1.5% of net assets.

(d)  At December 31, 2020, the Fund held fair valued securities valued at approximately $12,647,000, representing 1.5% of net assets. These securities have been fair valued as determined in good faith under procedures established by and under the general supervision of the Company's (as defined herein) Directors.

(e)  The approximate fair value and percentage of net assets, $29,393,000 and 3.4%, respectively, represent the securities that have been fair valued under the fair valuation policy for international investments as described in Note A-1 within the Notes to the Financial Statements.

(f)  At December 31, 2020, the aggregate cost for federal income tax purposes is approximately $684,567,000. The aggregate gross unrealized appreciation is approximately $242,575,000 and the aggregate gross unrealized depreciation is approximately $14,741,000, resulting in net unrealized appreciation of approximately $227,834,000.

ADR  American Depositary Receipt.

Call Options Purchased:

The Fund had the following call options purchased open at December 31, 2020:

Counterparty

 

Description

  Strike
Price
  Expiration
Date
  Number of
Contracts
  Notional
Amount
(000)
  Value
(000)
  Premiums
Paid
(000)
  Unrealized
Depreciation
(000)
 

BNP Paribas

  USD/CNH  

CNH

7.99

   

Sep-21

   

60,263,882

     

60,264

   

$

57

   

$

364

   

$

(307

)

 

BNP Paribas

  USD/CNH  

CNH

7.64

   

Nov-21

   

88,360,621

     

88,361

     

241

     

480

     

(239

)

 

Royal Bank of Scotland

  USD/CNH  

CNH

7.75

   

Jan-21

   

39,285,388

     

39,285

     

@

   

172

     

(172

)

 

Royal Bank of Scotland

  USD/CNH  

CNH

8.06

   

Jul-21

   

53,965,809

     

53,966

     

32

     

286

     

(254

)

 

Royal Bank of Scotland

  USD/CNH  

CNH

8.48

   

May-21

   

34,162,018

     

34,162

     

5

     

213

     

(208

)

 
                       

$

335

   

$

1,515

   

$

(1,180

)

 

@  —  Value is less than $500.

CNH  —  Chinese Yuan Renminbi Offshore

USD  —  United States Dollar

The accompanying notes are an integral part of the financial statements.
7



Morgan Stanley Institutional Fund, Inc.

Annual Report — December 31, 2020

Portfolio of Investments (cont'd)

Inception Portfolio

Portfolio Composition*

Classification

  Percentage of
Total Investments
 

Other**

   

31.6

%

 

Software

   

20.7

   

Short-Term Investments

   

14.8

   

Specialty Retail

   

7.4

   

Life Sciences Tools & Services

   

7.3

   

Internet & Direct Marketing Retail

   

7.2

   

Real Estate Management & Development

   

5.8

   

Health Care Providers & Services

   

5.2

   

Total Investments

   

100.0

%

 

*  Percentages indicated are based upon total investments (excluding Securities held as Collateral on Loaned Securities) as of December 31, 2020.

**  Industries and/or investment types representing less than 5% of total investments.

The accompanying notes are an integral part of the financial statements.
8



Morgan Stanley Institutional Fund, Inc.

Annual Report — December 31, 2020

Inception Portfolio

Statement of Assets and Liabilities

  December 31, 2020
(000)
 

Assets:

 

Investments in Securities of Unaffiliated Issuers, at Value(1) (Cost $515,278)

 

$

746,707

   

Investment in Security of Affiliated Issuer, at Value (Cost $165,694)

   

165,694

   

Total Investments in Securities, at Value (Cost $680,972)

   

912,401

   

Foreign Currency, at Value (Cost $1)

   

1

   

Receivable for Fund Shares Sold

   

7,840

   

Receivable from Securities Lending Income

   

211

   

Registration Fees

   

104

   

Dividends Receivable

   

99

   

Receivable for Investments Sold

   

31

   

Receivable from Affiliate

   

1

   

Other Assets

   

38

   

Total Assets

   

920,726

   

Liabilities:

 

Collateral on Securities Loaned, at Value

   

42,856

   

Payable for Investments Purchased

   

11,588

   

Payable for Advisory Fees

   

1,087

   

Payable for Fund Shares Redeemed

   

1,045

   

Due to Broker

   

610

   

Payable for Administration Fees

   

51

   

Payable for Shareholder Services Fees — Class A

   

40

   

Payable for Distribution and Shareholder Services Fees — Class L

   

2

   

Payable for Distribution and Shareholder Services Fees — Class C

   

8

   

Payable for Professional Fees

   

39

   

Payable for Custodian Fees

   

8

   

Payable for Transfer Agency Fees — Class I

   

2

   

Payable for Transfer Agency Fees — Class A

   

2

   

Payable for Transfer Agency Fees — Class L

   

1

   

Payable for Transfer Agency Fees — Class C

   

1

   

Payable for Transfer Agency Fees — Class IS

   

1

   

Payable for Sub Transfer Agency Fees — Class I

   

@

 

Payable for Sub Transfer Agency Fees — Class L

   

@

 

Other Liabilities

   

45

   

Total Liabilities

   

57,386

   

Net Assets

 

$

863,340

   

Net Assets Consist of:

 

Paid-in-Capital

 

$

565,276

   

Total Distributable Earnings

   

298,064

   

Net Assets

 

$

863,340

   

The accompanying notes are an integral part of the financial statements.
9



Morgan Stanley Institutional Fund, Inc.

Annual Report — December 31, 2020

Inception Portfolio

Statement of Assets and Liabilities (cont'd)

  December 31, 2020
(000)
 

CLASS I:

 

Net Assets

 

$

464,639

   
Shares Outstanding $0.001 par value shares of beneficial interest (unlimited shares authorized) (not in 000's)    

18,232,061

   

Net Asset Value, Offering and Redemption Price Per Share

 

$

25.48

   

CLASS A:

 

Net Assets

 

$

229,641

   
Shares Outstanding $0.001 par value shares of beneficial interest (unlimited shares authorized) (not in 000's)    

12,290,227

   

Net Asset Value, Redemption Price Per Share

 

$

18.68

   

Maximum Sales Load

   

5.25

%

 

Maximum Sales Charge

 

$

1.04

   

Maximum Offering Price Per Share

 

$

19.72

   

CLASS L:

 

Net Assets

 

$

2,543

   
Shares Outstanding $0.001 par value shares of beneficial interest (unlimited shares authorized) (not in 000's)    

154,612

   

Net Asset Value, Offering and Redemption Price Per Share

 

$

16.45

   

CLASS C:

 

Net Assets

 

$

12,494

   
Shares Outstanding $0.001 par value shares of beneficial interest (unlimited shares authorized) (not in 000's)    

699,848

   

Net Asset Value, Offering and Redemption Price Per Share

 

$

17.85

   

CLASS IS:

 

Net Assets

 

$

154,023

   
Shares Outstanding $0.001 par value shares of beneficial interest (unlimited shares authorized) (not in 000's)    

5,985,483

   

Net Asset Value, Offering and Redemption Price Per Share

 

$

25.73

   
(1) Including:
Securities on Loan, at Value:
 

$

43,648

   

@  Amount is less than $500.

The accompanying notes are an integral part of the financial statements.
10



Morgan Stanley Institutional Fund, Inc.

Annual Report — December 31, 2020

Inception Portfolio

Statement of Operations

  Year Ended
December 31, 2020
(000)
 

Investment Income:

 

Income from Securities Loaned — Net

 

$

1,191

   

Dividends from Securities of Unaffiliated Issuers (Net of $5 of Foreign Taxes Withheld)

   

195

   

Dividends from Security of Affiliated Issuer (Note G)

   

33

   

Total Investment Income

   

1,419

   

Expenses:

 

Advisory Fees (Note B)

   

2,937

   

Administration Fees (Note C)

   

255

   

Shareholder Services Fees — Class A (Note D)

   

197

   

Distribution and Shareholder Services Fees — Class L (Note D)

   

12

   

Distribution and Shareholder Services Fees — Class C (Note D)

   

28

   

Professional Fees

   

152

   

Sub Transfer Agency Fees — Class I

   

91

   

Sub Transfer Agency Fees — Class A

   

54

   

Sub Transfer Agency Fees — Class L

   

1

   

Sub Transfer Agency Fees — Class C

   

2

   

Registration Fees

   

85

   

Shareholder Reporting Fees

   

46

   

Transfer Agency Fees — Class I (Note E)

   

8

   

Transfer Agency Fees — Class A (Note E)

   

7

   

Transfer Agency Fees — Class L (Note E)

   

3

   

Transfer Agency Fees — Class C (Note E)

   

3

   

Transfer Agency Fees — Class IS (Note E)

   

3

   

Custodian Fees (Note F)

   

23

   

Directors' Fees and Expenses

   

6

   

Pricing Fees

   

4

   

Interest Expenses

   

1

   

Other Expenses

   

33

   

Total Expenses

   

3,951

   

Waiver of Advisory Fees (Note B)

   

(570

)

 

Rebate from Morgan Stanley Affiliate (Note G)

   

(38

)

 

Reimbursement of Class Specific Expenses — Class L (Note B)

   

(1

)

 

Reimbursement of Class Specific Expenses — Class IS (Note B)

   

(3

)

 

Net Expenses

   

3,339

   

Net Investment Loss

   

(1,920

)

 

Realized Gain (Loss):

 

Investments Sold

   

143,315

   

Foreign Currency Translation

   

(27

)

 

Net Realized Gain

   

143,288

   

Change in Unrealized Appreciation (Depreciation):

 

Investments

   

211,935

   

Foreign Currency Translation

   

(1

)

 

Net Change in Unrealized Appreciation (Depreciation)

   

211,934

   

Net Realized Gain and Change in Unrealized Appreciation (Depreciation)

   

355,222

   

Net Increase in Net Assets Resulting from Operations

 

$

353,302

   

The accompanying notes are an integral part of the financial statements.
11



Morgan Stanley Institutional Fund, Inc.

Annual Report — December 31, 2020

Inception Portfolio

Statements of Changes in Net Assets

  Year Ended
December 31, 2020
(000)
  Year Ended
December 31, 2019
(000)
 

Increase (Decrease) in Net Assets:

 

Operations:

 

Net Investment Income (Loss)

 

$

(1,920

)

 

$

67

   

Net Realized Gain

   

143,288

     

39,847

   

Net Change in Unrealized Appreciation (Depreciation)

   

211,934

     

33,285

   

Net Increase in Net Assets Resulting from Operations

   

353,302

     

73,199

   

Dividends and Distributions to Shareholders:

 

Class I

   

(35,772

)

   

(11,439

)

 

Class A

   

(21,928

)

   

(8,493

)

 

Class L

   

(330

)

   

(248

)

 

Class C

   

(1,096

)

   

(123

)

 

Class IS

   

(13,192

)

   

(10,309

)

 

Total Dividends and Distributions to Shareholders

   

(72,318

)

   

(30,612

)

 

Capital Share Transactions:(1)

 

Class I:

 

Subscribed

   

305,320

     

32,246

   

Distributions Reinvested

   

35,721

     

11,410

   

Redeemed

   

(67,974

)

   

(55,438

)

 

Class A:

 

Subscribed

   

132,778

     

16,436

   

Distributions Reinvested

   

21,743

     

8,337

   

Redeemed

   

(32,925

)

   

(17,154

)

 

Class L:

 

Distributions Reinvested

   

329

     

248

   

Redeemed

   

(250

)

   

(355

)

 

Class C:

 

Subscribed

   

8,725

     

528

   

Distributions Reinvested

   

1,085

     

123

   

Redeemed

   

(330

)

   

(6

)

 

Class IS:

 

Subscribed

   

23,748

     

27,521

   

Distributions Reinvested

   

13,192

     

10,309

   

Redeemed

   

(29,678

)

   

(113,142

)

 

Net Increase (Decrease) in Net Assets Resulting from Capital Share Transactions

   

411,484

     

(78,937

)

 

Redemption Fees

   

65

     

22

   

Total Increase (Decrease) in Net Assets

   

692,533

     

(36,328

)

 

Net Assets:

 

Beginning of Period

   

170,807

     

207,135

   

End of Period

 

$

863,340

   

$

170,807

   

The accompanying notes are an integral part of the financial statements.
12



Morgan Stanley Institutional Fund, Inc.

Annual Report — December 31, 2020

Inception Portfolio

Statements of Changes in Net Assets (cont'd)

  Year Ended
December 31, 2020
(000)
  Year Ended
December 31, 2019
(000)
 

(1)   Capital Share Transactions:

 

Class I:

 

Shares Subscribed

   

15,383

     

2,532

   

Shares Issued on Distributions Reinvested

   

1,480

     

1,045

   

Shares Redeemed

   

(3,910

)

   

(4,613

)

 

Net Increase (Decrease) in Class I Shares Outstanding

   

12,953

     

(1,036

)

 

Class A:

 

Shares Subscribed

   

8,307

     

1,626

   

Shares Issued on Distributions Reinvested

   

1,228

     

1,005

   

Shares Redeemed

   

(2,547

)

   

(1,777

)

 

Net Increase in Class A Shares Outstanding

   

6,988

     

854

   

Class L:

 

Shares Issued on Distributions Reinvested

   

21

     

33

   

Shares Redeemed

   

(26

)

   

(37

)

 

Net Decrease in Class L Shares Outstanding

   

(5

)

   

(4

)

 

Class C:

 

Shares Subscribed

   

578

     

54

   

Shares Issued on Distributions Reinvested

   

64

     

15

   

Shares Redeemed

   

(26

)

   

(1

)

 

Net Increase in Class C Shares Outstanding

   

616

     

68

   

Class IS:

 

Shares Subscribed

   

1,580

     

2,199

   

Shares Issued on Distributions Reinvested

   

541

     

936

   

Shares Redeemed

   

(1,869

)

   

(8,850

)

 

Net Increase (Decrease) in Class IS Shares Outstanding

   

252

     

(5,715

)

 

The accompanying notes are an integral part of the financial statements.
13



Morgan Stanley Institutional Fund, Inc.

Annual Report — December 31, 2020

Financial Highlights

Inception Portfolio

   

Class I

 
   

Year Ended December 31,

 

Selected Per Share Data and Ratios

 

2020

 

2019

 

2018

 

2017

 

2016(1)

 

Net Asset Value, Beginning of Period

 

$

11.19

   

$

9.62

   

$

10.90

   

$

13.26

   

$

13.75

   

Income (Loss) from Investment Operations:

 

Net Investment Income (Loss)(2)

   

(0.10

)

   

0.01

     

(0.05

)

   

(0.11

)

   

0.00

(3)

 

Net Realized and Unrealized Gain (Loss)

   

16.84

     

3.50

     

0.16

     

2.91

     

(0.05

)

 

Total from Investment Operations

   

16.74

     

3.51

     

0.11

     

2.80

     

(0.05

)

 

Distributions from and/or in Excess of:

 

Net Realized Gain

   

(2.45

)

   

(1.94

)

   

(1.39

)

   

(5.16

)

   

(0.44

)

 

Redemption Fees

   

0.00

(3)

   

0.00

(3)

   

0.00

(3)

   

0.00

(3)

   

0.00

(3)

 

Net Asset Value, End of Period

 

$

25.48

   

$

11.19

   

$

9.62

   

$

10.90

   

$

13.26

   

Total Return(4)

   

150.57

%

   

37.11

%

   

0.29

%

   

21.87

%

   

(0.35

)%

 

Ratios to Average Net Assets and Supplemental Data:

 

Net Assets, End of Period (Thousands)

 

$

464,639

   

$

59,092

   

$

60,777

   

$

141,954

   

$

305,945

   

Ratio of Expenses Before Expense Limitation

   

1.18

%

   

1.21

%

   

1.17

%

   

1.20

%

   

1.17

%

 

Ratio of Expenses After Expense Limitation

   

0.99

%(5)

   

0.99

%(5)

   

0.98

%(5)

   

0.99

%(5)

   

1.02

%(5)(6)

 

Ratio of Expenses After Expense Limitation Excluding Interest Expenses

   

0.99

%(5)

   

N/A

     

0.98

%(5)

   

0.99

%(5)

   

N/A

   

Ratio of Net Investment Income (Loss)

   

(0.54

)%(5)

   

0.09

%(5)

   

(0.41

)%(5)

   

(0.77

)%(5)

   

0.02

%(5)

 

Ratio of Rebate from Morgan Stanley Affiliates

   

0.01

%

   

0.01

%

   

0.01

%

   

0.01

%

   

0.00

%(7)

 

Portfolio Turnover Rate

   

132

%

   

99

%

   

79

%

   

97

%

   

51

%

 

(1)  Reflects prior period custodian out-of-pocket expenses that were reimbursed in September 2016. The amount of the reimbursement was immaterial on a per share basis and did not impact the total return of Class I shares. The Ratio of Expenses After Expense Limitation and the Ratio of Net Investment Income would be unchanged as the reimbursement of custodian fees was offset against expense waivers/reimbursements with no impact to net expenses or net investment income.

(2)  Per share amount is based on average shares outstanding.

(3)  Amount is less than $0.005 per share.

(4)  Calculated based on the net asset value as of the last business day of the period.

(5)  The Ratio of Expenses After Expense Limitation and Ratio of Net Investment Income (Loss) reflect the rebate of certain Fund expenses in connection with the investments in Morgan Stanley affiliates during the period. The effect of the rebate on the ratios is disclosed in the above table as "Ratio of Rebate from Morgan Stanley Affiliates."

(6)  Effective July 1, 2016, the Adviser has agreed to limit the ratio of expenses to average net assets to the maximum ratio of 1.00% for Class I shares. Prior to July 1, 2016, the maximum ratio was 1.05% for Class I shares.

(7)  Amount is less than 0.005%.

The accompanying notes are an integral part of the financial statements.
14



Morgan Stanley Institutional Fund, Inc.

Annual Report — December 31, 2020

Financial Highlights

Inception Portfolio

   

Class A

 
   

Year Ended December 31,

 

Selected Per Share Data and Ratios

 

2020

 

2019

 

2018

 

2017

 

2016(1)

 

Net Asset Value, Beginning of Period

 

$

8.51

   

$

7.68

   

$

8.99

   

$

11.72

   

$

12.25

   

Income (Loss) from Investment Operations:

 

Net Investment Loss(2)

   

(0.10

)

   

(0.02

)

   

(0.07

)

   

(0.14

)

   

(0.04

)

 

Net Realized and Unrealized Gain (Loss)

   

12.72

     

2.79

     

0.15

     

2.57

     

(0.05

)

 

Total from Investment Operations

   

12.62

     

2.77

     

0.08

     

2.43

     

(0.09

)

 

Distributions from and/or in Excess of:

 

Net Realized Gain

   

(2.45

)

   

(1.94

)

   

(1.39

)

   

(5.16

)

   

(0.44

)

 

Redemption Fees

   

0.00

(3)

   

0.00

(3)

   

0.00

(3)

   

0.00

(3)

   

0.00

(3)

 

Net Asset Value, End of Period

 

$

18.68

   

$

8.51

   

$

7.68

   

$

8.99

   

$

11.72

   

Total Return(4)

   

149.86

%

   

36.71

%

   

0.02

%

   

21.57

%

   

(0.73

)%

 

Ratios to Average Net Assets and Supplemental Data:

 

Net Assets, End of Period (Thousands)

 

$

229,641

   

$

45,097

   

$

34,166

   

$

40,531

   

$

87,864

   

Ratio of Expenses Before Expense Limitation

   

1.44

%

   

1.52

%

   

1.44

%

   

1.51

%

   

1.45

%

 

Ratio of Expenses After Expense Limitation

   

1.25

%(5)

   

1.29

%(5)

   

1.25

%(5)

   

1.34

%(5)

   

1.37

%(5)(6)

 

Ratio of Expenses After Expense Limitation Excluding Interest Expenses

   

1.25

%(5)

   

N/A

     

1.25

%(5)

   

1.34

%(5)

   

N/A

   

Ratio of Net Investment Loss

   

(0.80

)%(5)

   

(0.23

)%(5)

   

(0.69

)%(5)

   

(1.12

)%(5)

   

(0.35

)%(5)

 

Ratio of Rebate from Morgan Stanley Affiliates

   

0.01

%

   

0.01

%

   

0.01

%

   

0.01

%

   

0.00

%(7)

 

Portfolio Turnover Rate

   

132

%

   

99

%

   

79

%

   

97

%

   

51

%

 

(1)  Reflects prior period custodian out-of-pocket expenses that were reimbursed in September 2016. The amount of the reimbursement was immaterial on a per share basis and did not impact the total return of Class A shares. The Ratio of Expenses After Expense Limitation and the Ratio of Net Investment Loss would be unchanged as the reimbursement of custodian fees was offset against expense waivers/reimbursements with no impact to net expenses or net investment loss.

(2)  Per share amount is based on average shares outstanding.

(3)  Amount is less than $0.005 per share.

(4)  Calculated based on the net asset value which does not reflect sales charges, if applicable, as of the last business day of the period.

(5)  The Ratio of Expenses After Expense Limitation and Ratio of Net Investment Loss reflect the rebate of certain Fund expenses in connection with the investments in Morgan Stanley affiliates during the period. The effect of the rebate on the ratios is disclosed in the above table as "Ratio of Rebate from Morgan Stanley Affiliates."

(6)  Effective July 1, 2016, the Adviser has agreed to limit the ratio of expenses to average net assets to the maximum ratio of 1.35% for Class A shares. Prior to July 1, 2016, the maximum ratio was 1.40% for Class A shares.

(7)  Amount is less than 0.005%.

The accompanying notes are an integral part of the financial statements.
15



Morgan Stanley Institutional Fund, Inc.

Annual Report — December 31, 2020

Financial Highlights

Inception Portfolio

   

Class L

 
   

Year Ended December 31,

 

Selected Per Share Data and Ratios

 

2020

 

2019

 

2018

 

2017

 

2016(1)

 

Net Asset Value, Beginning of Period

 

$

7.65

   

$

7.10

   

$

8.46

   

$

11.34

   

$

11.92

   

Income (Loss) from Investment Operations:

 

Net Investment Loss(2)

   

(0.16

)

   

(0.07

)

   

(0.11

)

   

(0.19

)

   

(0.10

)

 

Net Realized and Unrealized Gain (Loss)

   

11.41

     

2.56

     

0.14

     

2.47

     

(0.04

)

 

Total from Investment Operations

   

11.25

     

2.49

     

0.03

     

2.28

     

(0.14

)

 

Distributions from and/or in Excess of:

 

Net Realized Gain

   

(2.45

)

   

(1.94

)

   

(1.39

)

   

(5.16

)

   

(0.44

)

 

Redemption Fees

   

0.00

(3)

   

0.00

(3)

   

0.00

(3)

   

0.00

(3)

   

0.00

(3)

 

Net Asset Value, End of Period

 

$

16.45

   

$

7.65

   

$

7.10

   

$

8.46

   

$

11.34

   

Total Return

   

148.82

%(8)

   

35.91

%(4)

   

(0.58

)%(4)

   

20.95

%(4)

   

(1.17

)%(4)

 

Ratios to Average Net Assets and Supplemental Data:

 

Net Assets, End of Period (Thousands)

 

$

2,543

   

$

1,218

   

$

1,157

   

$

1,310

   

$

1,524

   

Ratio of Expenses Before Expense Limitation

   

2.10

%

   

2.15

%

   

2.07

%

   

2.27

%

   

2.21

%

 

Ratio of Expenses After Expense Limitation

   

1.84

%(5)

   

1.84

%(5)

   

1.84

%(5)

   

1.84

%(5)

   

1.87

%(5)(6)

 

Ratio of Expenses After Expense Limitation Excluding Interest Expenses

   

1.84

%(5)

   

N/A

     

1.84

%(5)

   

1.84

%(5)

   

N/A

   

Ratio of Net Investment Loss

   

(1.43

)%(5)

   

(0.78

)%(5)

   

(1.28

)%(5)

   

(1.61

)%(5)

   

(0.88

)%(5)

 

Ratio of Rebate from Morgan Stanley Affiliates

   

0.01

%

   

0.01

%

   

0.01

%

   

0.01

%

   

0.00

%(7)

 

Portfolio Turnover Rate

   

132

%

   

99

%

   

79

%

   

97

%

   

51

%

 

(1)  Reflects prior period custodian out-of-pocket expenses that were reimbursed in September 2016. The amount of the reimbursement was immaterial on a per share basis and did not impact the total return of Class L shares. The Ratio of Expenses After Expense Limitation and the Ratio of Net Investment Loss would be unchanged as the reimbursement of custodian fees was offset against expense waivers/reimbursements with no impact to net expenses or net investment loss.

(2)  Per share amount is based on average shares outstanding.

(3)  Amount is less than $0.005 per share.

(4)  Calculated based on the net asset value as of the last business day of the period.

(5)  The Ratio of Expenses After Expense Limitation and Ratio of Net Investment Loss reflect the rebate of certain Fund expenses in connection with the investments in Morgan Stanley affiliates during the period. The effect of the rebate on the ratios is disclosed in the above table as "Ratio of Rebate from Morgan Stanley Affiliates."

(6)  Effective July 1, 2016, the Adviser has agreed to limit the ratio of expenses to average net assets to the maximum ratio of 1.85% for Class L shares. Prior to July 1, 2016, the maximum ratio was 1.90% for Class L shares.

(7)  Amount is less than 0.005%.

(8)  Calculated using the NAV for US GAAP financial reporting purposes and as such differs from the total return presented in the Investment Overview.

The accompanying notes are an integral part of the financial statements.
16



Morgan Stanley Institutional Fund, Inc.

Annual Report — December 31, 2020

Financial Highlights

Inception Portfolio

   

Class C

 
   

Year Ended December 31,

  Period from
May 31, 2017(1) to
 

Selected Per Share Data and Ratios

 

2020

 

2019

 

2018

 

December 31, 2017

 

Net Asset Value, Beginning of Period

 

$

8.24

   

$

7.55

   

$

8.93

   

$

13.59

   

Income (Loss) from Investment Operations:

 

Net Investment Loss(2)

   

(0.22

)

   

(0.10

)

   

(0.03

)

   

(0.13

)

 

Net Realized and Unrealized Gain

   

12.28

     

2.73

     

0.04

     

0.63

   

Total from Investment Operations

   

12.06

     

2.63

     

0.01

     

0.50

   

Distributions from and/or in Excess of:

 

Net Realized Gain

   

(2.45

)

   

(1.94

)

   

(1.39

)

   

(5.16

)

 

Redemption Fees

   

0.00

(3)

   

0.00

(3)

   

0.00

(3)

   

0.00

(3)

 

Net Asset Value, End of Period

 

$

17.85

   

$

8.24

   

$

7.55

   

$

8.93

   

Total Return(4)

   

147.97

%

   

35.48

%

   

(0.78

)%

   

4.36

%(7)

 

Ratios to Average Net Assets and Supplemental Data:

 

Net Assets, End of Period (Thousands)

 

$

12,494

   

$

688

   

$

116

   

$

30

   

Ratio of Expenses Before Expense Limitation

   

2.26

%

   

2.75

%

   

4.73

%

   

21.29

%(8)

 

Ratio of Expenses After Expense Limitation

   

2.07

%(5)

   

2.09

%(5)

   

2.09

%(5)

   

2.10

%(5)(8)

 

Ratio of Expenses After Expense Limitation Excluding Interest Expenses

   

2.07

%(5)

   

N/A

     

2.09

%(5)

   

2.10

%(5)(8)

 

Ratio of Net Investment Loss

   

(1.61

)%(5)

   

(0.99

)%(5)

   

(1.50

)%(5)

   

(1.82

)%(5)(8)

 

Ratio of Rebate from Morgan Stanley Affiliates

   

0.01

%

   

0.01

%

   

0.01

%

   

0.00

%(6)(8)

 

Portfolio Turnover Rate

   

132

%

   

99

%

   

79

%

   

97

%

 

(1)  Commencement of Offering.

(2)  Per share amount is based on average shares outstanding.

(3)  Amount is less than $0.005 per share.

(4)  Calculated based on the net asset value which does not reflect sales charges, if applicable, as of the last business day of the period.

(5)  The Ratio of Expenses After Expense Limitation and Ratio of Net Investment Loss reflect the rebate of certain Fund expenses in connection with the investments in Morgan Stanley affiliates during the period. The effect of the rebate on the ratios is disclosed in the above table as "Ratio of Rebate from Morgan Stanley Affiliates."

(6)  Amount is less than 0.005%.

(7)  Not annualized.

(8)  Annualized.

The accompanying notes are an integral part of the financial statements.
17



Morgan Stanley Institutional Fund, Inc.

Annual Report — December 31, 2020

Financial Highlights

Inception Portfolio

   

Class IS

 
   

Year Ended December 31,

 

Selected Per Share Data and Ratios

 

2020

 

2019

 

2018

 

2017

 

2016(1)

 

Net Asset Value, Beginning of Period

 

$

11.29

   

$

9.69

   

$

10.96

   

$

13.29

   

$

13.77

   

Income (Loss) from Investment Operations:

 

Net Investment Income (Loss)(2)

   

(0.08

)

   

0.01

     

(0.04

)

   

(0.10

)

   

0.01

   

Net Realized and Unrealized Gain (Loss)

   

16.97

     

3.53

     

0.16

     

2.93

     

(0.05

)

 

Total from Investment Operations

   

16.89

     

3.54

     

0.12

     

2.83

     

(0.04

)

 

Distributions from and/or in Excess of:

 

Net Realized Gain

   

(2.45

)

   

(1.94

)

   

(1.39

)

   

(5.16

)

   

(0.44

)

 

Redemption Fees

   

0.00

(3)

   

0.00

(3)

   

0.00

(3)

   

0.00

(3)

   

0.00

(3)

 

Net Asset Value, End of Period

 

$

25.73

   

$

11.29

   

$

9.69

   

$

10.96

   

$

13.29

   

Total Return(4)

   

150.79

%

   

37.04

%

   

0.38

%

   

22.08

%

   

(0.28

)%

 

Ratios to Average Net Assets and Supplemental Data:

 

Net Assets, End of Period (Thousands)

 

$

154,023

   

$

64,712

   

$

110,919

   

$

129,126

   

$

361,586

   

Ratio of Expenses Before Expense Limitation

   

1.11

%

   

1.15

%

   

1.11

%

   

1.09

%

   

1.03

%

 

Ratio of Expenses After Expense Limitation

   

0.92

%(5)

   

0.92

%(5)

   

0.92

%(5)

   

0.92

%(5)

   

0.95

%(5)(6)

 

Ratio of Expenses After Expense Limitation Excluding Interest Expenses

   

0.92

%(5)

   

N/A

     

0.92

%(5)

   

0.92

%(5)

   

N/A

   

Ratio of Net Investment Income (Loss)

   

(0.49

)%(5)

   

0.12

%(5)

   

(0.36

)%(5)

   

(0.71

)%(5)

   

0.08

%(5)

 

Ratio of Rebate from Morgan Stanley Affiliates

   

0.01

%

   

0.01

%

   

0.01

%

   

0.01

%

   

0.00

%(7)

 

Portfolio Turnover Rate

   

132

%

   

99

%

   

79

%

   

97

%

   

51

%

 

(1)  Reflects prior period custodian out-of-pocket expenses that were reimbursed in September 2016. The amount of the reimbursement was immaterial on a per share basis and did not impact the total return of Class IS shares. The Ratio of Expenses After Expense Limitation and the Ratio of Net Investment Income would be unchanged as the reimbursement of custodian fees was offset against expense waivers/reimbursements with no impact to net expenses or net investment income.

(2)  Per share amount is based on average shares outstanding.

(3)  Amount is less than $0.005 per share.

(4)  Calculated based on the net asset value as of the last business day of the period.

(5)  The Ratio of Expenses After Expense Limitation and Ratio of Net Investment Income (Loss) reflect the rebate of certain Fund expenses in connection with the investments in Morgan Stanley affiliates during the period. The effect of the rebate on the ratios is disclosed in the above table as "Ratio of Rebate from Morgan Stanley Affiliates."

(6)  Effective July 1, 2016, the Adviser has agreed to limit the ratio of expenses to average net assets to the maximum ratio of 0.93% for Class IS shares. Prior to July 1, 2016, the maximum ratio was 0.98% for Class IS shares.

(7)  Amount is less than 0.005%.

The accompanying notes are an integral part of the financial statements.
18



Morgan Stanley Institutional Fund, Inc.

Annual Report — December 31, 2020

Notes to Financial Statements

Morgan Stanley Institutional Fund, Inc. (the "Company") is registered under the Investment Company Act of 1940, as amended (the "Act"), as an open-end management investment company. The Company is comprised of thirty-one separate, active, diversified and non-diversified funds (individually referred to as a "Fund," collectively as the "Funds"). The Company applies investment company accounting and reporting guidance.

The accompanying financial statements relate to the Inception Portfolio. The Fund seeks long-term capital appreciation by investing primarily in growth-oriented equity securities of small capitalization companies.

The Fund offers five classes of shares — Class I, Class A, Class L, Class C and Class IS. On April 30, 2015, the Fund suspended offering of Class L shares. Existing Class L shareholders may invest through reinvestment of dividends and distributions. In addition, Class L shares of the Fund may be exchanged for Class L shares of any Morgan Stanley Multi-Class Fund, even though Class L shares are closed to investors.

A. Significant Accounting Policies: The following significant accounting policies are in conformity with U.S. generally accepted accounting principles ("GAAP"). Such policies are consistently followed by the Company in the preparation of its financial statements. GAAP may require management to make estimates and assumptions that affect the reported amounts and disclosures in the financial statements. Actual results may differ from those estimates.

1.  Security Valuation: (1) An equity portfolio security listed or traded on an exchange is valued at its latest reported sales price (or at the exchange official closing price if such exchange reports an official closing price), and if there were no sales on a given day and if there is no official exchange closing price for that day, the security is valued at the mean between the last reported bid and asked prices if such bid and asked prices are available on the relevant exchanges. If only bid prices are available then the latest bid price may be used. Listed equity securities not traded on the valuation date with no reported bid and asked prices available on the exchange are valued at the mean between the current bid and asked prices obtained from one or more reputable brokers or dealers. In cases where a security is traded on more than one exchange, the security is valued on the exchange designated as the primary market; (2) all other equity portfolio securities for which over-the-counter ("OTC") market quotations are readily available are valued at the latest reported sales price (or at the

market official closing price if such market reports an official closing price), and if there was no trading in the security on a given day and if there is no official closing price from relevant markets for that day, the security is valued at the mean between the last reported bid and asked prices if such bid and asked prices are available on the relevant markets. An unlisted equity security that does not trade on the valuation date and for which bid and asked prices from the relevant markets are unavailable is valued at the mean between the current bid and asked prices obtained from one or more reputable brokers or dealers; (3) certain portfolio securities may be valued by an outside pricing service/vendor approved by the Company's Board of Directors (the "Directors"). The pricing service/vendor may employ a pricing model that takes into account, among other things, bids, yield spreads and/or other market data and specific security characteristics. Alternatively, if a valuation is not available from an outside pricing service/vendor, and the security trades on an exchange, the security may be valued at its latest reported sale price (or at the exchange official closing price if such exchange reports an official closing price), prior to the time when assets are valued. If there are no sales on a given day and if there is no official exchange closing price for that day, the security is valued at the mean between the last reported bid and asked prices if such bid and asked prices are available in the relevant exchanges. If only bid prices are available then the latest bid price may be used. If Morgan Stanley Investment Management Inc. (the "Adviser"), a wholly-owned subsidiary of Morgan Stanley, determines that the price provided by the outside pricing service/vendor or exchange does not reflect the security's fair value or is unable to provide a price, prices from brokers or dealers may also be utilized. In these circumstances, the value of the security will be the mean of bid and asked prices obtained from brokers or dealers; (4) listed options are valued at the last reported sales price on the exchange on which they are listed (or at the exchange official closing price if such exchange reports an official closing price). If an official closing price or last reported sales price is unavailable, the listed option should be fair valued at the mean between its latest bid and ask prices. Unlisted options are valued at the mean between their latest bid and ask prices from a broker/dealer or valued by a pricing service/vendor; (5) when market quotations are not readily available, including circumstances under which the Adviser determines that the closing price, last sale price or the mean between the last


19



Morgan Stanley Institutional Fund, Inc.

Annual Report — December 31, 2020

Notes to Financial Statements (cont'd)

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 Directors. 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 of the New York Stock Exchange ("NYSE"). If developments occur during such periods that are expected to materially affect the value of such securities, such valuations may be adjusted to reflect the estimated fair value of such securities as of the close of the NYSE, as determined in good faith by the Directors or by the Adviser using a pricing service and/or procedures approved by the Directors; (6) quotations of foreign portfolio securities, other assets and liabilities and forward contracts stated in foreign currency are translated into U.S. dollar equivalents at the prevailing market rates prior to the close of the NYSE; and (7) investments in mutual funds, including the Morgan Stanley Institutional Liquidity Funds, are valued at the net asset value ("NAV") as of the close of each business day.

The Directors have responsibility for determining in good faith the fair value of the investments, and the Directors may appoint others, such as the Company's Adviser or a valuation committee, to assist the Directors in determining fair value and to make the actual calculations pursuant to the fair valuation methodologies previously approved by the Directors. Under procedures approved by the Directors, the Company's Adviser has formed a Valuation Committee whose members are approved by the Directors. The Valuation Committee provides administration and oversight of the Company's valuation policies and procedures, which are reviewed at least annually by the Directors. These procedures allow the Company to utilize independent pricing services, quotations from securities and financial instrument dealers and other market sources to determine fair value.

2.  Fair Value Measurement: Financial Accounting Standards Board ("FASB") Accounting Standards CodificationTM ("ASC") 820, "Fair Value Measurement" ("ASC 820"), defines fair value as the value that the Fund

would receive to sell an investment or pay to transfer a liability in a timely transaction with an independent buyer in the principal market, or in the absence of a principal market, the most advantageous market for the investment or liability. ASC 820 establishes a three-tier hierarchy to distinguish between (1) inputs that reflect the assumptions market participants would use in valuing an asset or liability developed based on market data obtained from sources independent of the reporting entity (observable inputs) and (2) inputs that reflect the reporting entity's own assumptions about the assumptions market participants would use in valuing an asset or liability developed based on the best information available in the circumstances (unobservable inputs) and to establish classification of fair value measurements for disclosure purposes. Various inputs are used in determining the value of the Fund's investments. The inputs are summarized in the three broad levels listed below:

•  Level 1 – unadjusted quoted prices in active markets for identical investments

•  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.


20



Morgan Stanley Institutional Fund, Inc.

Annual Report — December 31, 2020

Notes to Financial Statements (cont'd)

The following is a summary of the inputs used to value the Fund's investments as of December 31, 2020:

Investment Type

  Level 1
Unadjusted
quoted
prices
(000)
  Level 2
Other
significant
observable
inputs
(000)
  Level 3
Significant
unobservable
inputs
(000)
  Total
(000)
 

Assets:

 

Common Stocks

 

Biotechnology

 

$

30,248

   

$

   

$

   

$

30,248

   
Diversified Holding
Companies
   

20,644

     

     

     

20,644

   
Diversified
Telecommunication
Services
   

21,060

     

     

     

21,060

   

Food Products

   

42,522

     

     

     

42,522

   
Health Care Equipment &
Supplies
   

8,488

     

3,060

     

     

11,548

   
Health Care Providers &
Services
   

44,877

     

     

     

44,877

   

Health Care Technology

   

21,681

     

     

     

21,681

   

Household Durables

   

     

26,333

     

     

26,333

   
Information Technology
Services
   

42,832

     

     

     

42,832

   
Internet & Direct
Marketing Retail
   

61,923

     

     

     

61,923

   
Life Sciences Tools &
Services
   

63,825

     

     

     

63,825

   

Media

   

41,586

     

     

     

41,586

   

Metals & Mining

   

1,030

     

     

     

1,030

   
Oil, Gas & Consumable
Fuels
   

1,354

     

     

     

1,354

   
Real Estate
Management &
Development
   

50,026

     

     

     

50,026

   

Software

   

176,406

     

     

     

176,406

   

Specialty Retail

   

64,395

     

     

     

64,395

   
Trading Companies &
Distributors
   

4,826

     

     

     

4,826

   

Total Common Stocks

   

697,723

     

29,393

     

     

727,116

   

Preferred Stocks

 

Health Care Technology

   

     

     

8,990

     

8,990

   
Internet & Direct
Marketing Retail
   

647

     

     

     

647

   

Software

   

     

     

3,657

     

3,657

   

Total Preferred Stocks

   

647

     

     

12,647

     

13,294

   

Investment Type

  Level 1
Unadjusted
quoted
prices
(000)
  Level 2
Other
significant
observable
inputs
(000)
  Level 3
Significant
unobservable
inputs
(000)
  Total
(000)
 

Call Options Purchased

 

$

   

$

335

   

$

   

$

335

   

Short-Term Investments

 

Investment Company

   

165,694

     

     

     

165,694

   

Repurchase Agreements

   

     

5,962

     

     

5,962

   
Total Short-Term
Investments
   

165,694

     

5,962

     

     

171,656

   

Total Assets

 

$

864,064

   

$

35,690

   

$

12,647

   

$

912,401

   

Transfers between investment levels may occur as the markets fluctuate and/or the availability of data used in an investment's valuation changes.

Following is a reconciliation of investments in which significant unobservable inputs (Level 3) were used in determining fair value:

    Preferred
Stocks
(000)
 

Beginning Balance

 

$

9,440

   

Purchases

   

   

Sales

   

   

Amortization of discount

   

   

Transfers in

   

   

Transfers out

   

   

Corporate actions

   

   

Change in unrealized appreciation (depreciation)

   

3,207

   

Realized gains (losses)

   

   

Ending Balance

 

$

12,647

   
Net change in unrealized appreciation (depreciation) from investments
still held as of December 31, 2020
 

$

3,207

   


21



Morgan Stanley Institutional Fund, Inc.

Annual Report — December 31, 2020

Notes to Financial Statements (cont'd)

The following table presents additional information about valuation techniques and inputs used for investments that are measured at fair value and categorized within Level 3 as of December 31, 2020. Various valuation techniques were used in the valuation of certain investments and weighted based on the level of significance. The Fund calculated the weighted averages of the unobservable inputs relative to each investment's fair value as of December 31, 2020.

    Fair Value at
December 31, 2020
(000)
  Valuation
Technique
  Unobservable
Input
  Amount or Range/
Weighted Average*
  Impact to
Valuation from an
Increase in Input**
 

Preferred Stocks

  $12,647   Market Transaction
Method
  Precedent
Transaction
 

$

3.12

   

Increase

 
        Discounted Cash Flow
  Weighted Average
Cost of Capital
 
13.0%–15.5%/14.1%
 
Decrease
 
           

Perpetual Growth Rate

   

3.0%–4.0%/3.5%

   

Increase

 
     
 
  Market Comparable
Companies
  Enterprise Value/
Revenue
 
1.3x–28.6x/7.5x
 
Increase
 
   

 

   
 
  Discount for Lack
of Marketability
 
15.0%–20.0%/18.6%
 
Decrease
 
        Comparable
Transactions
  Enterprise
Value/Revenue
   

2.3x–7.9x/3.9x

   
Increase
 

*  Amount is indicative of the weighted average.

**  Represents the expected directional change in the fair value of the Level 3 investments that would result from an increase in the corresponding input. A decrease to the unobservable input would have the opposite effect. Significant changes in these inputs could result in significantly higher or lower fair value measurements.

3.  Repurchase Agreements: The Fund may enter into repurchase agreements under which the Fund lends cash and takes possession of securities with an agreement that the counterparty will repurchase such securities. In connection with transactions in repurchase agreements, a bank as custodian for the Fund takes possession of the underlying securities which are held as collateral, with a market value at least equal to the amount of the repurchase transaction, including principal and accrued interest. To the extent that any repurchase transaction exceeds one business day, the value of the collateral is marked-to-market on a daily basis to determine 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. In the event of default on the obligation to repurchase, the Fund has the right to liquidate the collateral and apply the proceeds in satisfaction of the obligation. In the event of default or bankruptcy by the counterparty to the agreement, realization of the collateral proceeds may be subject to cost and delays. The Fund, along with other affiliated investment companies, may utilize a joint trading account for the purpose of entering into repurchase agreements.

4.  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


22



Morgan Stanley Institutional Fund, Inc.

Annual Report — December 31, 2020

Notes to Financial Statements (cont'd)

certain foreign currency transactions and the foreign currency portion of gains and losses realized on sales and maturities of foreign denominated debt securities are treated as ordinary income for U.S. federal income tax purposes.

Net realized gains (losses) on foreign currency transactions represent net foreign exchange gains (losses) from foreign currency forward exchange contracts, disposition of foreign currencies, currency gains (losses) realized between the trade and settlement dates on securities transactions, and the difference between the amount of investment income and foreign withholding taxes recorded on the Fund's books and the U.S. dollar equivalent amounts actually received or paid. The change in unrealized currency gains (losses) on foreign currency transactions for the period is reflected in the Statement of Operations.

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.

Governmental approval for foreign investments may be required in advance of making an investment under certain circumstances in some countries, and the extent of foreign investments in domestic companies may be subject to limitation in other countries. Foreign ownership limitations also may be imposed by the charters of individual companies to prevent, among other concerns, violations of foreign investment limitations. As a result, an additional class of shares (identified as "Foreign" in the Portfolio of Investments) may be created and offered for investment. The "local" and "foreign shares" market values may differ. In the absence of trading of the foreign shares in such markets, the Fund values the foreign shares at the closing exchange price of the local shares.

5.  Derivatives: The Fund may, but is not required to, use derivative instruments for a variety of purposes, including hedging, risk management, portfolio management or to earn income. Derivatives are financial instruments whose

value is based, in part, on the value of an underlying asset, interest rate, index or financial instrument. Prevailing interest rates and volatility levels, among other things, also affect the value of derivative instruments. A derivative instrument often has risks similar to its underlying asset and may have additional risks, including imperfect correlation between the value of the derivative and the underlying asset, risks of default by the counterparty to certain transactions, magnification of losses incurred due to changes in the market value of the securities, instruments, indices or interest rates to which the derivative instrument relates, risks that the transactions may not be liquid and risks arising from margin requirements. The use of derivatives involves risks that are different from, and possibly greater than, the risks associated with other portfolio investments. Derivatives may involve the use of highly specialized instruments that require investment techniques and risk analyses different from those associated with other portfolio investments. All of the Fund's holdings, including derivative instruments, are marked-to-market each day with the change in value reflected in unrealized appreciation (depreciation). Upon disposition, a realized gain or loss is recognized.

Certain derivative transactions may give rise to a form of leverage. Leverage magnifies the potential for gain and the risk of loss. Leverage associated with derivative transactions may cause the Fund to liquidate portfolio positions when it may not be advantageous to do so to satisfy its obligations or to meet earmarking or segregation requirements, pursuant to applicable Securities and Exchange Commission ("SEC") rules and regulations, or may cause the Fund to be more volatile than if the Fund had not been leveraged. Although the Adviser seeks to use derivatives to further the Fund's investment objectives, there is no assurance that the use of derivatives will achieve this result.

Following is a description of the derivative instruments and techniques that the Fund used during the period and their associated risks:

Options: With respect to options, the Fund is subject to equity risk, interest rate risk and foreign currency exchange risk in the normal course of pursuing its investment objectives. If the Fund buys an option, it buys a legal contract giving it the right to buy or sell a specific


23



Morgan Stanley Institutional Fund, Inc.

Annual Report — December 31, 2020

Notes to Financial Statements (cont'd)

amount of the underlying instrument or foreign currency, or futures contract on the underlying instrument or foreign currency, at an agreed-upon price during a period of time or on a specified date typically in exchange for a premium paid by the Fund. The Fund may purchase and/or sell put and call options. Purchasing call options tends to increase the Fund's exposure to the underlying (or similar) instrument. Purchasing put options tends to decrease the Fund's exposure to the underlying (or similar) instrument. When entering into purchased option contracts, the Fund bears the risk of interest or exchange rates or securities prices moving unexpectedly, in which case, the Fund may not achieve the anticipated benefits of the purchased option contracts; however the risk of loss is limited to the premium paid. Purchased options are reported as part of "Total Investments in Securities" in the Statement of Assets and Liabilities. Premiums paid for purchasing options which expired are treated as realized losses. If the Fund sells an option, it sells to another party the right to buy from or sell to the Fund a specific amount of the underlying instrument or foreign currency, or futures contract on the underlying instrument or foreign currency, at an agreed-upon price during a period of time or on a specified date typically in exchange for a premium received by the Fund. When options are purchased OTC, the Fund bears the risk that the counterparty that wrote the option will be unable or unwilling to perform its obligations under the option contract. Options may also be illiquid and the Fund may have difficulty closing out its position. A decision as to whether, when and how to use options involves the exercise of skill and judgment and even a well-conceived option transaction may be unsuccessful because of market behavior or unexpected events. The prices of options can be highly volatile and the use of options can lower total returns.

FASB ASC 815, "Derivatives and Hedging" ("ASC 815"), is intended to improve financial reporting about derivative instruments by requiring enhanced disclosures to enable investors to better understand how and why the Fund uses derivative instruments, how these derivative instruments are accounted for and their effects on the Fund's financial position and results of operations.

The following table sets forth the fair value of the Fund's derivative contracts by primary risk exposure as of December 31, 2020:

    Asset Derivatives
Statement of Assets and
Liabilities Location
  Primary Risk
Exposure
  Value
(000)
 
Purchased Options
 
  Investments, at Value
(Purchased Options)
 
Currency Risk
 

$

335

(a)

 

(a) Amounts are included in Investments in Securities in the Statement of Assets and Liabilities.

The following tables set forth by primary risk exposure the Fund's realized gains (losses) and change in unrealized appreciation (depreciation) by type of derivative contract for the year ended December 31, 2020 in accordance with ASC 815:

Realized Gain (Loss)

 

Primary Risk Exposure

 

Derivative Type

  Value
(000)
 
Currency Risk
 
  Investments
(Purchased Options)
 

$

(664

)(b)

 

(b) Amounts are included in Investments Sold in the Statement of Operations.

Change in Unrealized Appreciation (Depreciation)

 

Primary Risk Exposure

 

Derivative Type

  Value
(000)
 
Currency Risk
 
  Investments
(Purchased Options)
 

$

(589

)(c)

 

(c) Amounts are included in Investments in the Statement of Operations.

At December 31, 2020, the Fund's derivative assets and liabilities are as follows:

Gross Amounts of Assets and Liabilities
Presented in the Statement of Assets and Liabilities
 

Derivatives

  Assets(d)
(000)
  Liabilities(d)
(000)
 

Purchased Options

 

$

335

(a)

 

$

   

(a) Amounts are included in Investments in Securities in the Statement of Assets and Liabilities.

(d) Absent an event of default or early termination, OTC derivative assets and liabilities are presented gross and not offset in the Statement of Assets and Liabilities.

The Fund typically enters into International Swaps and Derivatives Association, Inc. Master Agreements ("ISDA Master Agreements") or similar master agreements (collectively, "Master Agreements") with its contract counterparties for certain OTC derivatives in order to, among other things, reduce its credit risk to counterparties. ISDA Master Agreements include provisions for general obligations, representations, collateral and events of default or termination. Under an ISDA Master Agreement, the Fund typically may offset with the counterparty certain OTC derivative financial instruments' payables and/or receivables with collateral held


24



Morgan Stanley Institutional Fund, Inc.

Annual Report — December 31, 2020

Notes to Financial Statements (cont'd)

and/or posted and create one single net payment (close-out netting) in the event of default, termination and/or potential deterioration in the credit quality of the counterparty. Various Master Agreements govern the terms of certain transactions with counterparties, including transactions such as swap, forward, repurchase and reverse repurchase agreements. These Master Agreements typically attempt to reduce the counterparty risk associated with such transactions by specifying credit protection mechanisms and providing standardization that improves legal certainty. Cross-termination provisions under Master Agreements typically provide that a default in connection with one transaction between the Fund and a counterparty gives the non-defaulting party the right to terminate any other transactions in place with the defaulting party to create one single net payment due to/due from the defaulting party and may be a feature in certain Master Agreements. In the event the Fund exercises its right to terminate a Master Agreement after a counterparty experiences a termination event as defined in the Master Agreement, the return of collateral with market value in excess of the Fund's net liability may be delayed or denied.

The following table presents derivative financial instruments that are subject to enforceable netting arrangements as of December 31, 2020:

Gross Amounts Not Offset in the Statement of Assets and Liabilities

 

Counterparty

  Gross Asset
Derivatives
Presented in
the Statement of
Assets and
Liabilities(a)
(000)
  Financial
Instrument
(000)
  Collateral
Received(e)
(000)
  Net Amount
(not less
than $0)
(000)
 

BNP Paribas

 

$

298

   

$

   

$

(298

)

 

$

0

   

Royal Bank of Scotland

   

37

     

     

(37

)

   

0

   

Total

 

$

335

   

$

   

$

(335

)

 

$

0

   

(a) Amounts are included in Investments in Securities in the Statement of Assets and Liabilities.

(e) In some instances, the actual collateral received may be more than the amount shown here due to overcollateralization.

For the year ended December 31, 2020, the approximate average monthly amount outstanding for each derivative type is as follows:

Purchased Options:

 

Average monthly notional amount

   

168,754,000

   

6.  Securities Lending: The Fund lends securities to qualified financial institutions, such as broker-dealers, to earn additional income. Any increase or decrease in the fair value of the securities loaned that might occur and any interest earned or dividends declared on those securities during the term of the loan would remain in the Fund. The Fund would receive cash or securities as collateral in an amount equal to or exceeding 100% of the current fair value of the loaned securities. The collateral is marked-to-market daily by State Street Bank and Trust Company ("State Street"), the securities lending agent, to ensure that a minimum of 100% collateral coverage is maintained.

Based on pre-established guidelines, the securities lending agent invests any cash collateral that is received in an affiliated money market portfolio and repurchase agreements. Securities lending income is generated from the earnings on the invested collateral and borrowing fees, less any rebates owed to the borrowers and compensation to the lending agent, and is recorded as "Income from Securities Loaned — Net" in the Fund's Statement of Operations. 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.

The Fund has the right under the securities 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, 2020:

Gross Amounts Not Offset in the Statement of Assets and Liabilities

 
Gross Asset
Amounts
Presented in
the Statement of
Assets and
Liabilities
(000)
  Financial
Instrument
(000)
  Collateral
Received
(000)
  Net Amount
(not less
than $0)
(000)
 
$

43,648

(f)

 

$

   

$

(43,648

)(g)(h)

 

$

0

   

(f)  Represents market value of loaned securities at year end.

(g)  The Fund received cash collateral of approximately $42,856,000, which was subsequently invested in Repurchase Agreements and Morgan Stanley Institutional Liquidity Funds as reported in the Portfolio of Investments. In addition, the Fund received non-cash collateral of approximately $2,209,000 in the form of U.S. Government obligations, which the Fund cannot sell or repledge, and accordingly are not reflected in the Portfolio of Investments.

(h)  The actual collateral received is greater than the amount shown here due to overcollateralization.


25



Morgan Stanley Institutional Fund, Inc.

Annual Report — December 31, 2020

Notes to Financial Statements (cont'd)

FASB ASC 860, "Transfers & Servicing: Repurchase-to-Maturity Transactions, Repurchase Financings, and Disclosures", is intended to provide increased transparency about the types of collateral pledged in securities lending transactions and other similar transactions that are accounted for as secured borrowing.

The following table displays a breakdown of transactions accounted for as secured borrowings, the gross obligations by class of collateral pledged and the remaining contractual maturity of those transactions as of December 31, 2020:

Remaining Contractual Maturity of the Agreements

 
    Overnight and
Continuous
(000)
  <30 days
(000)
  Between
30 &
90 days
(000)
  >90 days
(000)
  Total
(000)
 
Securities Lending
Transactions
 

Common Stocks

 

$

42,856

   

$

   

$

   

$

   

$

42,856

   

Total Borrowings

 

$

42,856

   

$

   

$

   

$

   

$

42,856

   
Gross amount of
recognized liabilities
for securities lending
transactions
                 

$

42,856

   

7.  Restricted Securities: The Fund invests in unregistered or otherwise restricted securities. The term "restricted securities" refers to securities that are unregistered or are held by control persons of the issuer and securities that are subject to contractual restrictions on their resale. As a result, restricted securities may be more difficult to value and the Fund may have difficulty disposing of such assets either in a timely manner or for a reasonable price. In order to dispose of an unregistered security, the Fund, where it has contractual rights to do so, may have to cause such security to be registered. A considerable period may elapse between the time the decision is made to sell the security and the time the security is registered so that the Fund can sell it. Contractual restrictions on the resale of securities vary in length and scope and are generally the result of a negotiation between the issuer and the acquirer of the securities. The Fund would, in either case, bear market risks during that period. Restricted securities are identified in the Portfolio of Investments.

8.  Redemption Fees: The Fund will assess a 2% redemption fee on Class I shares, Class A shares, Class L shares, Class C shares and Class IS shares, which is paid directly to the Fund, for shares redeemed or exchanged within thirty days of purchase, subject to certain exceptions. The redemption fee is designed to protect the Fund and its

remaining shareholders from the effects of short-term trading. These fees, if any, are included in the Statements of Changes in Net Assets.

9.  Indemnifications: The Company enters into contracts that contain a variety of indemnifications. The Company's maximum exposure under these arrangements is unknown. However, the Company has not had prior claims or losses pursuant to these contracts and expects the risk of loss to be remote.

10.  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. Net realized capital gains, if any, are distributed at least annually.

11.  Security Transactions, Income and Expenses: Security transactions are accounted for on the trade date (date the order to buy or sell is executed). Realized gains and losses on the sale of investment securities are determined on the specific identified cost method. Dividend income and other distributions are recorded on the ex-dividend date (except for certain foreign dividends which may be recorded as soon as the Fund is informed of such dividends) net of applicable withholding taxes. Interest income is recognized on the accrual basis except where collection is in doubt. Discounts are accreted and premiums are amortized over the life of the respective securities. Most expenses of the Company can be directly attributed to a particular Fund. Expenses which cannot be directly attributed are apportioned among the Funds based upon relative net assets or other appropriate methods. Income, expenses (other than class specific expenses — distribution and shareholder services, transfer agency and sub transfer agency fees) and realized and unrealized gains or losses are allocated to each class of shares based upon their relative net assets.

B. Advisory Fees: The Adviser, a wholly-owned subsidiary of Morgan Stanley, provides the Fund with advisory services under the terms of an Investment Advisory Agreement, paid quarterly, at the annual rate based on the daily net assets as follows:

First $1
billion
  Next $500
million
  Next $500
million
  Over $2
billion
 
  0.92

%

   

0.85

%

   

0.80

%

   

0.75

%

 


26



Morgan Stanley Institutional Fund, Inc.

Annual Report — December 31, 2020

Notes to Financial Statements (cont'd)

For the year ended December 31, 2020, the advisory fee rate (net of waiver/rebate) was equivalent to an annual effective rate of 0.73% of the Fund's average daily net assets.

The Adviser has agreed to reduce its advisory fee and/or reimburse the Fund so that total annual Fund operating expenses, excluding certain investment related expenses, taxes, interest and other extraordinary expenses (including litigation), will not exceed 1.00% for Class I shares, 1.35% for Class A shares, 1.85% for Class L shares, 2.10% for Class C shares and 0.93% for Class IS shares. The fee waivers and/or expense reimbursements will continue for at least one year from the date of the Fund's prospectus or until such time as the Directors act to discontinue all or a portion of such waivers and/or reimbursements when they deem such action is appropriate. For the year ended December 31, 2020, approximately $570,000 of advisory fees were waived and approximately $4,000 of other expenses were reimbursed by the Adviser pursuant to this arrangement.

C. Administration Fees: The Adviser also serves as Administrator to the Company and provides administrative services pursuant to an Administration Agreement for an annual fee, accrued daily and paid monthly, of 0.08% of the Fund's average daily net assets.

Under a Sub-Administration Agreement between the Administrator and State Street, State Street provides certain administrative services to the Company. For such services, the Administrator pays State Street a portion of the fee the Administrator receives from the Fund.

D. Distribution and Shareholder Services Fees: Morgan Stanley Distribution, Inc. ("MSDI" or the "Distributor"), a wholly-owned subsidiary of the Adviser and an indirect subsidiary of Morgan Stanley, serves as the Company's Distributor of Fund shares pursuant to a Distribution Agreement. The Company has adopted a Shareholder Services Plan with respect to Class A shares pursuant to Rule 12b-1 under the Act. Under the Shareholder Services Plan, the Fund pays the Distributor a shareholder services fee, accrued daily and paid monthly, at an annual rate of 0.25% of the Fund's average daily net assets attributable to Class A shares.

The Company has adopted a Distribution and Shareholder Services Plan with respect to Class L shares pursuant to Rule 12b-1 under the Act. Under the Distribution and Shareholder Services Plan, the Fund pays the Distributor a distribution fee, accrued daily and paid monthly, at an annual rate of 0.50% and a shareholder services fee, accrued daily and paid

monthly, at an annual rate of 0.25% of the Fund's average daily net assets attributable to Class L shares.

The Company has adopted a Distribution and Shareholder Services Plan with respect to Class C shares pursuant to Rule 12b-1 under the Act. Under the Distribution and Shareholder Services Plan, the Fund pays the Distributor a distribution fee, accrued daily and paid monthly, at an annual rate of 0.75% and a shareholder services fee, accrued daily and paid monthly, at an annual rate of 0.25% of the Fund's average daily net assets attributable to Class C shares.

The distribution and shareholder services fees are used to support the expenses associated with servicing and maintaining accounts. The Distributor may compensate other parties for providing shareholder support services to investors who purchase Class A, Class L and Class C shares.

E. Dividend Disbursing and Transfer Agent: The Company's dividend disbursing and transfer agent is DST Asset Manager Solutions, Inc. ("DST"). Pursuant to a Transfer Agency Agreement, the Company pays DST a fee based on the number of classes, accounts and transactions relating to the Funds of the Company.

F. Custodian Fees: State Street (the "Custodian") also serves as Custodian for the Company in accordance with a Custodian Agreement. The Custodian holds cash, securities and other assets of the Company as required by the Act. Custody fees are payable monthly based on assets held in custody, investment purchases and sales activity and account maintenance fees, plus reimbursement for certain out-of-pocket expenses.

G. Security Transactions and Transactions with Affiliates: For the year ended December 31, 2020, purchases and sales of investment securities for the Fund, other than long-term U.S. Government securities and short-term investments were approximately $615,386,000 and $398,454,000, respectively. There were no purchases and sales of long-term U.S. Government securities for the year ended December 31, 2020.

The Fund invests in the Institutional Class of the Morgan Stanley Institutional Liquidity Funds — Treasury Securities Portfolio (the "Liquidity Funds"), an open-end management investment company managed by the Adviser, both directly and as a portion of the securities held as collateral on loaned securities. Advisory fees paid by the Fund are reduced by an amount equal to its pro-rata share of the advisory and administration fees paid by the Fund due to its investment in the Liquidity Funds. For the year ended December 31, 2020, advisory


27



Morgan Stanley Institutional Fund, Inc.

Annual Report — December 31, 2020

Notes to Financial Statements (cont'd)

fees paid were reduced by approximately $38,000 relating to the Fund's investment in the Liquidity Funds.

A summary of the Fund's transactions in shares of affiliated investments during the year ended December 31, 2020 is as follows:

Affiliated
Investment
Company
  Value
December 31,
2019
(000)
  Purchases
at Cost
(000)
  Proceeds
from Sales
(000)
  Dividend
Income
(000)
 

Liquidity Funds

 

$

12,044

   

$

473,241

   

$

319,591

   

$

33

   
Affiliated
Investment
Company (cont'd)
  Realized
Gain
Loss
(Loss)
(000)
  Change in
Unrealized
Appreciation
(Depreciation)
(000)
  Value
December 31,
2020
(000)
 

Liquidity Funds

 

$

   

$

   

$

165,694

   

The Fund is permitted to purchase and sell securities ("cross-trade") from and to other Morgan Stanley funds as well as other funds and client accounts for which the Adviser or an affiliate of the Adviser serves as investment adviser, pursuant to procedures approved by the Directors in compliance with Rule 17a-7 under the Act (the "Rule"). Each cross-trade is executed at the current market price in compliance with provisions of the Rule. For the year ended December 31, 2020, the Fund engaged in cross-trade purchases of approximately $185,000.

The Fund has an unfunded Deferred Compensation Plan (the "Compensation Plan"), which allows each independent Director to defer payment of all, or a portion, of the fees he or she receives for serving on the Board of Directors. Each eligible Director generally may elect to have the deferred amounts credited with a return equal to the total return on one or more of the Morgan Stanley funds that are offered as investment options under the Compensation Plan. Appreciation/depreciation and distributions received from these investments are recorded with an offsetting increase/decrease in the deferred compensation obligation and do not affect the NAV of the Fund.

H. Federal Income Taxes: It is the Fund's intention to continue to qualify as a regulated investment company and distribute all of its taxable and tax-exempt income. Accordingly, no provision for federal income taxes is required in the financial statements.

The Fund may be subject to taxes imposed by countries in which it invests. Such taxes are generally based on income and/or capital gains earned or repatriated. Taxes are accrued based on net investment income, net realized gains and net unrealized appreciation as such income and/or gains are

earned. Taxes may also be based on transactions in foreign currency and are accrued based on the value of investments denominated in such currency.

FASB ASC 740-10, "Income Taxes — Overall", sets forth a minimum threshold for financial statement recognition of the benefit of a tax position taken or expected to be taken in a tax return. Management has concluded there are no significant uncertain tax positions that would require recognition in the financial statements. If applicable, the Fund recognizes interest accrued related to unrecognized tax benefits in "Interest Expense" and penalties in "Other Expenses" in the Statement of Operations. The Fund files tax returns with the U.S. Internal Revenue Service, New York and various states. Generally, each of the tax years in the four-year period ended December 31, 2020 remains subject to examination by taxing authorities.

The tax character of distributions paid may differ from the character of distributions shown for GAAP purposes due to short-term capital gains being treated as ordinary income for tax purposes. The tax character of distributions paid during fiscal years 2020 and 2019 was as follows:

2020
Distributions
Paid From:
  2019
Distributions
Paid From:
 
Ordinary
Income
(000)
  Long-Term
Capital Gain
(000)
  Ordinary
Income
(000)
  Long-Term
Capital Gain
(000)
 
$

40,292

   

$

32,026

   

$

4,250

   

$

26,362

   

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 attributable to differing book and tax treatments for the timing of the recognition of gains (losses) on certain investment transactions and the timing of the deductibility of certain expenses.

The Fund had no permanent differences causing reclassifications among the components of net assets for the year ended December 31, 2020.

At December 31, 2020, the components of distributable earnings for the Fund on a tax basis were as follows:

Undistributed
Ordinary
Income
(000)
  Undistributed
Long-Term
Capital Gain
(000)
 
$

36,022

   

$

34,239

   


28



Morgan Stanley Institutional Fund, Inc.

Annual Report — December 31, 2020

Notes to Financial Statements (cont'd)

I. Credit Facility: The Company and other Morgan Stanley funds participated in a $300,000,000 committed, unsecured revolving line of credit facility (the "Facility") with State Street. This Facility is to be used for temporary emergency purposes or funding of shareholder redemption requests. The interest rate on borrowings is based on the federal funds rate or 1 month LIBOR rate plus a spread. The Facility also has a commitment fee of 0.25% per annum based on the unused portion of the Facility. During the year ended December 31, 2020, the Fund did not have any borrowings under the Facility.

J. Other: At December 31, 2020, the Fund had record owners of 10% or greater. Investment activities of these shareholders could have a material impact on the Fund. The aggregate percentage of such owners was 37.0%.

K. Market Risk: Certain impacts to public health conditions particular to the coronavirus (COVID-19) outbreak could impact the operations and financial performance of certain of the Fund's investments. The extent of the impact to the financial performance of the Fund's investments will depend on future developments, including (i) the duration and spread of the outbreak, (ii) the restrictions and advisories, (iii) the effects on the financial markets, and (iv) the effects on the economy overall, all of which are highly uncertain and cannot be predicted. If the financial performance of the Fund's investments is impacted because of these factors for an extended period, the Fund's investment results may be adversely affected.


29



Morgan Stanley Institutional Fund, Inc.

Annual Report — December 31, 2020

Report of Independent Registered Public Accounting Firm

To the Shareholders and Board of Directors of
Morgan Stanley Institutional Fund, Inc. —
Inception Portfolio

Opinion on the Financial Statements

We have audited the accompanying statement of assets and liabilities of Inception Portfolio (the "Fund") (one of the funds constituting Morgan Stanley Institutional Fund, Inc. (the "Company")), including the portfolio of investments, as of December 31, 2020, and the related statement of operations for the year then ended, the statements of changes in net assets for each of the two years in the period then ended, the financial highlights for each of the five years in the period then ended and the related notes (collectively referred to as the "financial statements"). In our opinion, the financial statements present fairly, in all material respects, the financial position of Inception Portfolio (one of the funds constituting Morgan Stanley Institutional Fund, Inc.) at December 31, 2020, the results of its operations for the year then ended, the changes in its net assets for each of the two years in the period then ended and its financial highlights for each of the five years in the period then ended, in conformity with U.S. generally accepted accounting principles.

Basis for Opinion

These financial statements are the responsibility of the Company's management. Our responsibility is to express an opinion on the Fund's financial statements based on our audits. We are a public accounting firm registered with the Public Company Accounting Oversight Board (United States) ("PCAOB") and are required to be independent with respect to the Company in accordance with the U.S. federal securities law and the applicable rules and regulations of the Securities and Exchange Commission and the PCAOB.

We conducted our audits in accordance with the standards of the PCAOB. Those standards require that we plan and perform the audit to obtain reasonable assurance about whether the financial statements are free of material misstatement, whether due to error or fraud. The Company is not required to have, nor were we engaged to perform, an audit of the Company's internal control over financial reporting. As part of our audits, we are required to obtain an understanding of internal control over financial reporting, but not for the purpose of expressing an opinion on the effectiveness of the Company's internal control over financial reporting. Accordingly, we express no such opinion.

Our audits included performing procedures to assess the risks of material misstatement of the financial statements, whether due to error or fraud, and performing procedures that respond to those risks. Such procedures included examining, on a test basis, evidence regarding the amounts and disclosures in the financial statements. Our procedures included confirmation of securities owned as of December 31, 2020 by correspondence with the custodian and others or by other appropriate auditing procedures where replies from others were not received. Our audits also included evaluating the accounting principles used and significant estimates made by management, as well as evaluating the overall presentation of the financial statements. We believe that our audits provide a reasonable basis for our opinion.

We have served as the auditor of one or more Morgan Stanley investment companies since 2000.
Boston, Massachusetts
February 26, 2021


30



Morgan Stanley Institutional Fund, Inc.

Annual Report — December 31, 2020

Liquidity Risk Management Program (unaudited)

In compliance with Rule 22e-4 under the Investment Company Act of 1940, as amended (the "Liquidity Rule"), the Fund has adopted and implemented a liquidity risk management program (the "Program"), which is reasonably designed to assess and manage the risk that the Fund could not meet requests to redeem shares issued by the Fund without significant dilution of remaining investors' interests in the Fund (i.e., liquidity risk). The Fund's Board of Directors (the "Board") previously approved the designation of the Liquidity Risk Subcommittee (the "LRS") as Program administrator. The LRS is comprised of representatives from various divisions within Morgan Stanley Investment Management.

At a meeting held on April 22-23, 2020, the Board reviewed a written report prepared by the LRS that addressed the Program's operation and assessed its adequacy, and effectiveness of implementation for the period from December 1, 2018, through December 31, 2019, as required under the Liquidity Rule. The report concluded that the Program operated effectively and was adequately and effectively implemented in all material aspects, and that the relevant controls and safeguards were appropriately designed to enable the LRS to administer the Program in compliance with the Liquidity Rule.

In accordance with the Program, the LRS assessed each Fund's liquidity risk no less frequently than annually taking into consideration certain factors, as applicable, such as (i) investment strategy and liquidity of portfolio investments, (ii) short-term and long-term cash flow projections and (iii) holdings of cash and cash equivalents and borrowing arrangements and other funding sources. Certain factors are considered under both normal and reasonably foreseeable stressed conditions.

Each Fund portfolio investment is classified into one of four liquidity categories, which classification is assessed at least monthly by the LRS. The classification is based on a determination of the number of days it is reasonably expected to take to convert the investment into cash, or sell or dispose of the investment, in current market conditions without significantly changing the market value of the investment. Liquidity classification determinations take into account various market, trading and investment-specific considerations, as well as market depth, and in some cases utilize third-party vendor data.

The Liquidity Rule limits a fund's investments in illiquid investments to 15% of its net assets and requires funds that do not primarily hold assets that are highly liquid investments to determine and maintain a minimum percentage of the fund's net assets to be invested in highly liquid investments (highly liquid investment minimum or "HLIM"). The LRS believes that the Program includes provisions reasonably designed to review, monitor and comply with the 15% limit on illiquid investments and for determining, periodically reviewing and complying with the HLIM requirement, as applicable.

There can be no assurance that the Program will achieve its objectives under all circumstances in the future. Please refer to the Fund's prospectus for more information regarding the Fund's exposure to liquidity risk and other risks to which it may be subject.


31



Morgan Stanley Institutional Fund, Inc.

Annual Report — December 31, 2020

Federal Tax Notice (unaudited)

For federal income tax purposes, the following information is furnished with respect to the distributions paid by the Fund during its taxable year ended December 31, 2020. For corporate shareholders 0.25% of the dividends qualified for the dividends received deduction.

The Fund designated and paid approximately $32,026,000 as a long-term capital gain distribution.

For federal income tax purposes, the following information is furnished with respect to the Fund's earnings for its taxable year ended December 31, 2020. When distributed, certain earnings may be subject to a maximum tax rate of 15% as provided for by the Jobs and Growth Tax Relief Reconciliation Act of 2003. The Fund designated up to a maximum of approximately $122,000 as taxable at this lower rate.

In January, the Fund provides tax information to shareholders for the preceding calendar year.


32



Morgan Stanley Institutional Fund, Inc.

Annual Report — December 31, 2020

Privacy Notice (unaudited)  April 2019

FACTS

 

WHAT DOES MSIM DO WITH YOUR PERSONAL INFORMATION?

 

Why?

 

Financial companies choose how they share your personal information. Federal law gives consumers the right to limit some but not all sharing. Federal law also requires us to tell you how we collect, share, and protect your personal information. Please read this notice carefully to understand what we do.

 

What?

  The types of personal information we collect and share depend on the product or service you have with us. This information can include:
n Social Security number and income
n investment experience and risk tolerance
n checking account number and wire transfer instructions
 

How?

 

All financial companies need to share customers' personal information to run their everyday business. In the section below, we list the reasons financial companies can share their customers' personal information; the reasons MSIM chooses to share; and whether you can limit this sharing.

 

 

Reasons we can share your personal information

 

Does MSIM share?

 

Can you limit this sharing?

 
For our everyday business purposes —
such as to process your transactions, maintain your account(s), respond to court orders and legal investigations, or report to credit bureaus
 

Yes

 

No

 
For our marketing purposes —
to offer our products and services to you
 

Yes

 

No

 

For joint marketing with other financial companies

 

No

 

We don't share

 
For our affiliates' everyday business purposes —
information about your transactions and experiences
 

Yes

 

No

 
For our affiliates' everyday business purposes —
information about your creditworthiness
 

No

 

We don't share

 

For our affiliates to market to you

 

No

 

We don't share

 

For non-affiliates to market to you

 

No

 

We don't share

 

Questions?  Call toll-free (844) 312-6327 or email: imprivacyinquiries@morganstanley.com


33



Morgan Stanley Institutional Fund, Inc.

Annual Report — December 31, 2020

Privacy Notice (unaudited) (cont'd)  April 2019

Who we are

Who is providing this notice?

 

Morgan Stanley Investment Management, Inc. and its affiliated registered investment advisers, registered broker-dealers, and registered and unregistered funds ("MSIM")

 

What we do

How does MSIM protect my personal information?

 

To protect your personal information from unauthorized access and use, we use security measures that comply with federal law. These measures include computer safeguards and secured files and buildings. We have policies governing the proper handling of customer information by personnel and requiring third parties that provide support to adhere to appropriate security standards with respect to such information.

 

How does MSIM collect my personal information?

  We collect your personal information, for example, when you
n open an account or make deposits or withdrawals from your account
n buy securities from us or make a wire transfer
n give us your contact information
We also collect your personal information from others, such as credit bureaus, affiliates, or other companies.
 

Why can't I limit all sharing?

  Federal law gives you the right to limit only
n sharing for affiliates' everyday business purposes — information about your creditworthiness
n affiliates from using your information to market to you
n sharing for non-affiliates to market to you
State laws and individual companies may give you additional rights to limit sharing. See below for more on your rights under state law.
 

Definitions

Affiliates

  Companies related by common ownership or control. They can be financial and non-financial companies.
n Our affiliates include companies with a Morgan Stanley name and financial companies such as Morgan Stanley Smith Barney LLC and Morgan Stanley & Co.
 

Non-affiliates

  Companies not related by common ownership or control. They can be financial and non-financial companies.
n MSIM does not share with non-affiliates so they can market to you.
 

Joint marketing

  A formal agreement between non-affiliated financial companies that together market financial products or services to you.
n MSIM doesn't jointly market
 


34



Morgan Stanley Institutional Fund, Inc.

Annual Report — December 31, 2020

Privacy Notice (unaudited) (cont'd)  April 2019

Other Important Information

Vermont: Except as permitted by law, we will not share personal information we collect about Vermont residents with Non-affiliates unless you provide us with your written consent to share such information.

California: Except as permitted by law, we will not share personal information we collect about California residents with Non-affiliates and we will limit sharing such personal information with our Affiliates to comply with California privacy laws that apply to us.


35



Morgan Stanley Institutional Fund, Inc.

Annual Report — December 31, 2020

Director and Officer Information (unaudited)

Independent Directors:

Name, Address and Birth
Year of Independent Director
  Position(s)
Held with
Registrant
  Length of Time
Served*
  Principal Occupation(s) During Past 5 Years and Other
Relevant Professional Experience
  Number of
Funds
in Fund Complex
Overseen by
Independent
Director**
  Other Directorships
Held by Independent
Director***
 
Frank L. Bowman
c/o Perkins Coie LLP
Counsel to the Independent Directors
1155 Avenue of the Americas,
22nd Floor
New York, NY 10036
Birth Year: 1944
 

Director

 

Since August 2006

 

President, Strategic Decisions, LLC (consulting) (since February 2009); Director or Trustee of various Morgan Stanley Funds (since August 2006); Chairperson of the Compliance and Insurance Committee (since October 2015); formerly, Chairperson of the Insurance Sub-Committee of the Compliance and Insurance Committee (2007-2015); served as President and Chief Executive Officer of the Nuclear Energy Institute (policy organization) (February 2005-November 2008); retired as Admiral, U.S. Navy after serving over 38 years on active duty including 8 years as Director of the Naval Nuclear Propulsion Program in the Department of the Navy and the U.S. Department of Energy (1996-2004); served as Chief of Naval Personnel (July 1994-September 1996) and on the Joint Staff as Director of Political Military Affairs (June 1992-July 1994); knighted as Honorary Knight Commander of the Most Excellent Order of the British Empire; awarded the Officier de l'Orde National du Mérite by the French Government; elected to the National Academy of Engineering (2009).

 

79

 

Director of Naval and Nuclear Technologies LLP; Director Emeritus of the Armed Services YMCA; Member of the National Security Advisory Council of the Center for U.S. Global Engagement and a member of the CNA Military Advisory Board; Trustee of Fairhaven United Methodist Church; Member of the Board of Advisors of the Dolphin Scholarship Foundation; Director of other various non-profit organizations; formerly, Director of BP plc (November 2010-May 2019).

 
Kathleen A. Dennis
c/o Perkins Coie LLP
Counsel to the Independent Directors
1155 Avenue of the Americas,
22nd Floor
New York, NY 10036
Birth Year: 1953
 

Director

 

Since August 2006

 

Chairperson of the Governance Committee (January 2021), Chairperson of the Liquidity and Alternatives Sub-Committee of the Investment Committee (2006-2020); and Director or Trustee of various Morgan Stanley Funds (since August 2006); President, Cedarwood Associates (mutual fund and investment management consulting) (since July 2006); formerly, Senior Managing Director of Victory Capital Management (1993-2006).

 

79

 

Board Member, University of Albany Foundation (2012-present); Board Member, Mutual Funds Directors Forum (2014-present); Director of various non-profit organizations.

 
Nancy C. Everett
c/o Perkins Coie LLP
Counsel to the Independent Directors
1155 Avenue of the Americas,
22nd Floor
New York, NY 10036
Birth Year: 1955
 

Director

 

Since January 2015

 

Chairperson of the Equity Investment Committee (since January 2021); Director or Trustee of various Morgan Stanley Funds (since January 2015); Chief Executive Officer, Virginia Commonwealth University Investment Company (since November 2015); Owner, OBIR, LLC (institutional investment management consulting) (since June 2014); formerly, Managing Director, BlackRock, Inc. (February 2011-December 2013); and Chief Executive Officer, General Motors Asset Management (a/k/a Promark Global Advisors, Inc.) (June 2005-May 2010).

 

80

 

Formerly, Member of Virginia Commonwealth University School of Business Foundation (2005-2016); Member of Virginia Commonwealth University Board of Visitors (2013-2015); Member of Committee on Directors for Emerging Markets Growth Fund, Inc. (2007-2010); Chairperson of Performance Equity Management, LLC (2006-2010); and Chairperson, GMAM Absolute Return Strategies Fund, LLC (2006-2010).

 


36



Morgan Stanley Institutional Fund, Inc.

Annual Report — December 31, 2020

Director and Officer Information (unaudited) (cont'd)

Independent Directors (cont'd):

Name, Address and Birth
Year of Independent Director
  Position(s)
Held with
Registrant
  Length of Time
Served*
  Principal Occupation(s) During Past 5 Years and Other
Relevant Professional Experience
  Number of
Funds
in Fund Complex
Overseen by
Independent
Director**
  Other Directorships
Held by Independent
Director***
 
Jakki L. Haussler
c/o Perkins Coie LLP
Counsel to the Independent Directors
1155 Avenue of the Americas,
22nd Floor
New York, NY 10036
Birth Year: 1957
 

Director

 

Since January 2015

 

Director or Trustee of various Morgan Stanley Funds (since January 2015) Chairman, Opus Capital Group (1996); formerly, Chief Executive Officer, Opus Capital Group (1996-2019); Director, Capvest Venture Fund, LP (May 2000-December 2011); Partner, Adena Ventures, LP (July 1999-December 2010); Director, The Victory Funds (February 2005-July 2008).

 

80

 

Director of Cincinnati Bell Inc. and Member, Audit Committee and Chairman, Governance and Nominating Committee; Director of Service Corporation International and Member, Audit Committee and Investment Committee; Director of Northern Kentucky University Foundation and Member, Investment Committee; Member of Chase College of Law Transactional Law Practice Center Board of Advisors; Director of Best Transport; Director of Chase College of Law Board of Visitors; formerly, Member, University of Cincinnati Foundation Investment Committee; Member, Miami University Board of Visitors (2008-2011); Trustee of Victory Funds (2005-2008) and Chairman, Investment Committee (2007-2008); and Member, Service Provider Committee (2005-2008).

 
Dr. Manuel H. Johnson
c/o Johnson Smick International, Inc.
220 I Street, NE — Suite 200
Washington, D.C. 20002
Birth Year: 1949
 

Director

 

Since July 1991

 

Senior Partner, Johnson Smick International, Inc. (consulting firm); Chairperson of the Fixed Income, Liquidity and Alternatives Investment Committee (January 2021), Chairperson of the Investment Committee (2006-2020) and Director or Trustee of various Morgan Stanley Funds (since July 1991); Co-Chairman and a founder of the Group of Seven Council (G7C) (international economic commission); formerly, Chairperson of the Audit Committee (July 1991-September 2006), Vice Chairman of the Board of Governors of the Federal Reserve System and Assistant Secretary of the U.S. Treasury.

 

79

 

Director of NVR, Inc. (home construction).

 


37



Morgan Stanley Institutional Fund, Inc.

Annual Report — December 31, 2020

Director and Officer Information (unaudited) (cont'd)

Independent Directors (cont'd):

Name, Address and Birth
Year of Independent Director
  Position(s)
Held with
Registrant
  Length of Time
Served*
  Principal Occupation(s) During Past 5 Years and Other
Relevant Professional Experience
  Number of
Funds
in Fund Complex
Overseen by
Independent
Director**
  Other Directorships
Held by Independent
Director***
 
Joseph J. Kearns
c/o Perkins Coie LLP
Counsel to the Independent Directors
1155 Avenue of the Americas,
22nd Floor
New York, NY 10036
Birth Year: 1942
 

Director

 

Since August 1994

 

Senior Adviser, Kearns & Associates LLC (investment consulting); Chairperson of the Audit Committee (since October 2006) and Director or Trustee of various Morgan Stanley Funds (since August 1994); formerly, Deputy Chairperson of the Audit Committee (July 2003-September 2006) and Chairperson of the Audit Committee of various Morgan Stanley Funds (since August 1994); CFO of the J. Paul Getty Trust (1982-1999).

 

80

 

Director, Rubicon Investment (since February 2019); Prior to August 2016, Director of Electro Rent Corporation (equipment leasing); Prior to December 31, 2013, Director of The Ford Family Foundation.

 
Michael F. Klein
c/o Perkins Coie LLP
Counsel to the Independent Directors
1155 Avenue of the Americas,
22nd Floor
New York, NY 10036
Birth Year: 1958
 

Director

 

Since August 2006

 

Chairperson of the Risk Committee (since January 2021); Managing Director, Aetos Alternatives Management, LP (since March 2000); Co-President, Aetos Alternatives Management, LP (since January 2004) and Co-Chief Executive Officer of Aetos Alternatives Management, LP (since August 2013); Chairperson of the fixed Income Sub-Committee of the Investment committee (2006-2020) and Director or Trustee of various Morgan Stanley Funds (since August 2006); formerly, Managing Director, Morgan Stanley & Co. Inc. and Morgan Stanley Dean Witter Investment Management and President, various Morgan Stanley Funds (June 1998-March 2000); Principal, Morgan Stanley & Co. Inc. and Morgan Stanley Dean Witter Investment Management (August 1997-December 1999).

 

79

 

Director of certain investment funds managed or sponsored by Aetos Alternatives Management, LP; Director of Sanitized AG and Sanitized Marketing AG (specialty chemicals).

 
Patricia Maleski
c/o Perkins Coie LLP
Counsel to the Independent Directors
1155 Avenue of the Americas,
22nd Floor
New York, NY 10036
Birth Year: 1960
 

Director

 

Since January 2017

 

Director or Trustee of various Morgan Stanley Funds (since January 2017); Managing Director, JPMorgan Asset Management (2004-2016); Oversight and Control Head of Fiduciary and Conflicts of Interest Program (2015-2016); Chief Control Officer-Global Asset Management (2013-2015); President, JPMorgan Funds (2010-2013); Chief Administrative Officer (2004-2013); various other positions including Treasurer and Board Liaison (since 2001).

 

80

 

None.

 
W. Allen Reed
c/o Perkins Coie LLP
Counsel to the Independent Directors
1155 Avenue of the Americas,
22nd Floor
New York, NY 10036
Birth Year: 1947
 

Chair of the Board and Director

 

Chair of the Boards since August 2020 and Director since August 2006

 

Chair of the Boards of various Morgan Stanley Funds (since August 2020); Director or Trustee of various Morgan Stanley Funds (since August 2006); formerly, Vice Chair of the Boards of various Morgan Stanley Funds (January 2020-August 2020); President and Chief Executive Officer of General Motors Asset Management; Chairman and Chief Executive Officer of the GM Trust Bank and Corporate Vice President of General Motors Corporation (August 1994-December 2005).

 

79

 

Formerly, Director of Legg Mason, Inc. (2006-2019); and Director of the Auburn University Foundation (2010-2015).

 

*  This is the earliest date the Director began serving the Morgan Stanley Funds. Each Director serves an indefinite term, until his or her successor is elected.

**  The Fund Complex includes (as of December 31, 2020) all open-end and closed-end funds (including all of their portfolios) advised by Morgan Stanley Investment Management Inc. (the "Adviser") and any funds that have an adviser that is an affiliated person of the Adviser (including, but not limited to, Morgan Stanley AIP GP LP).

***  This includes any directorships at public companies and registered investment companies held by the Director at any time during the past five years.


38



Morgan Stanley Institutional Fund, Inc.

Annual Report — December 31, 2020

Director and Officer Information (unaudited) (cont'd)

Executive Officers:

Name, Address and
Birth Year of Executive Officer
  Position(s) Held
with
Registrant
  Length of
Time Served*
 

Principal Occupation(s) During Past 5 Years

 
John H. Gernon
522 Fifth Avenue
New York, NY 10036
Birth Year: 1963
 

President and Principal Executive Officer

 

Since September 2013

 

President and Principal Executive Officer of the Equity and Fixed Income Funds and the Morgan Stanley AIP Funds (since September 2013) and the Liquidity Funds and various money market funds (since May 2014) in the Fund Complex; Managing Director of the Adviser; Head of Public Markets Product Development (since 2006).

 
Timothy J. Knierim
1633 Broadway
New York, NY 10019
Birth Year: 1959
 

Chief Compliance Officer

 

Since December 2016

 

Managing Director of the Adviser and various entities affiliated with the Adviser; Chief Compliance Officer of various Morgan Stanley Funds and the Adviser (since December 2016) and Chief Compliance Officer of Morgan Stanley AIP GP LP (since 2014). Formerly, Managing Director and Deputy Chief Compliance Officer of the Adviser (2014-2016).

 
Francis J. Smith
522 Fifth Avenue
New York, NY 10036
Birth Year: 1965
 

Treasurer and Principal Financial Officer

 

Treasurer since July 2003 and Principal Financial Officer since September 2002

 

Managing Director of the Adviser and various entities affiliated with the Adviser; Treasurer (since July 2003) and Principal Financial Officer of various Morgan Stanley Funds (since September 2002).

 
Mary E. Mullin
1633 Broadway
New York, NY 10019
Birth Year: 1967
 

Secretary

 

Since June 1999

 

Managing Director of the Adviser; Secretary of various Morgan Stanley Funds (since June 1999).

 
Michael J. Key
522 Fifth Avenue
New York, NY 10036
Birth Year: 1979
 

Vice President

 

Since June 2017

 

Vice President of the Equity and Fixed Income Funds, Liquidity Funds, various money market funds and the Morgan Stanley AIP Funds in the Fund Complex (since June 2017); Executive Director of the Adviser; Head of Product Development for Equity and Fixed Income Funds (since August 2013).

 

*  This is the earliest date the officer began serving the Morgan Stanley Funds. Each officer serves a one-year term, until his or her successor is elected and qualifies.


39



Morgan Stanley Institutional Fund, Inc.

Annual Report — December 31, 2020

Adviser and Administrator

Morgan Stanley Investment Management Inc.
522 Fifth Avenue
New York, New York 10036

Distributor

Morgan Stanley Distribution, Inc.
522 Fifth Avenue
New York, New York 10036

Dividend Disbursing and Transfer Agent

DST Asset Manager Solutions, Inc.
2000 Crown Colony Drive
Quincy, Massachusetts 02169

Custodian

State Street Bank and Trust Company
One Lincoln Street
Boston, Massachusetts 02111

Legal Counsel

Dechert LLP
1095 Avenue of the Americas
New York, New York 10036

Counsel to the Independent Directors

Perkins Coie LLP
1155 Avenue of the Americas,
22nd Floor
New York, New York 10036

Independent Registered Public Accounting Firm

Ernst & Young LLP
200 Clarendon Street
Boston, Massachusetts 02116

Reporting to Shareholders

Each Morgan Stanley fund provides a complete schedule of portfolio holdings in its Semi-Annual and the Annual Reports within 60 days of the end of the fund's second and fourth fiscal quarters. The Semi-Annual and Annual Reports are filed electronically with the Securities and Exchange Commission ("SEC") on Form N-CSRS and Form N-CSR, respectively. Morgan Stanley also delivers the Semi-Annual and Annual Reports to fund shareholders and makes these reports available on its public website, www.morganstanley.com/im/shareholderreports. Each Morgan Stanley non-money market fund also files a complete schedule of portfolio holdings with the SEC for the fund's first and third fiscal quarters as an attachment to Form N-PORT. Morgan Stanley does not deliver the reports for the first and third fiscal quarters to shareholders, but makes the complete schedule of portfolio holdings for the fund's first and third fiscal quarters available on its public website. The holdings for each money market fund are also posted to the Morgan Stanley public website. You may obtain the Form N-PORT filings (as well as the Form N-CSR and N-CSRS filings) by accessing the SEC's website, www.sec.gov. You can also request copies of these materials, upon payment of a duplicating fee, by electronic request at the SEC's email address (publicinfo@sec.gov).

Proxy Voting Policies and Procedures and Proxy Voting Record

You may obtain a copy of the Company's Proxy Voting Policy and Procedures and information regarding how the Company voted proxies relating to portfolio securities during the most recent twelve-month period ended June 30, without charge, upon request, by calling toll free 1 (800) 548-7786 or by visiting our website at www.morganstanley.com/im/shareholderreports. This information is also available on the SEC's website at www.sec.gov.

This report is authorized for distribution only when preceded or accompanied by a prospectus or summary prospectus of the applicable fund of Morgan Stanley Institutional Fund, Inc., which describes in detail the fund's investment policies, risks, fees and expenses. Please read the prospectus carefully before you invest or send money. For additional information, including information regarding the investments comprising the Fund, please visit our website at www.morganstanley.com/im/shareholderreports or call toll free 1 (800) 548-7786.


40



Printed in U.S.A.
This Report has been prepared for shareholders and may be distributed to others only if preceded or accompanied by a current prospectus.

Morgan Stanley Investment Management Inc.
522 Fifth Avenue
New York, New York 10036

© 2021 Morgan Stanley. Morgan Stanley Distribution, Inc.

IFISCGANN
3386904 EXP 02.28.22



INVESTMENT MANAGEMENT

Morgan Stanley Institutional Fund, Inc.

International Advantage Portfolio

Annual Report

December 31, 2020



Morgan Stanley Institutional Fund, Inc.

Annual Report — December 31, 2020

Table of Contents

Shareholders' Letter

   

2

   

Expense Example

   

3

   

Investment Overview

   

4

   

Portfolio of Investments

   

6

   

Statement of Assets and Liabilities

   

7

   

Statement of Operations

   

9

   

Statements of Changes in Net Assets

   

10

   

Financial Highlights

   

12

   

Notes to Financial Statements

   

17

   

Report of Independent Registered Public Accounting Firm

   

25

   

Liquidity Risk Management Program

   

26

   

Federal Tax Notice

   

27

   

Privacy Notice

   

28

   

Director and Officer Information

   

31

   

This report is authorized for distribution only when preceded or accompanied by a prospectus or summary prospectus of the applicable Fund of Morgan Stanley Institutional Fund, Inc. To receive a prospectus and/or statement of additional information ("SAI"), which contains more complete information such as investment objectives, charges, expenses, policies for voting proxies, risk considerations and describes in detail each of the Fund's investment policies to the prospective investor, please call toll free 1 (800) 548-7786. Please read the prospectuses carefully before you invest or send money.

Additionally, you can access information about the Fund, including performance, characteristics and investment team commentary, through Morgan Stanley Investment Management's website: www.morganstanley.com/im/shareholderreports.

Market forecasts provided in this report may not necessarily come to pass. There is no guarantee that any sectors mentioned will continue to perform as discussed herein or that securities in such sectors will be held by the Fund in the future. There is no assurance that a fund will achieve its investment objective. Funds are subject to market risk, which is the possibility that market values of securities owned by the Fund will decline and, therefore, the value of the Fund's shares may be less than what you paid for them. Accordingly, you can lose money investing in this Fund. Please see the prospectus for more complete information on investment risks.


1



Morgan Stanley Institutional Fund, Inc.

Annual Report — December 31, 2020

Shareholders' Letter (unaudited)

Dear Shareholders,

We are pleased to provide this Annual Report, in which you will learn how your investment in International Advantage Portfolio (the "Fund") performed during the latest twelve-month period.

Morgan Stanley Investment Management is a client-centric, investor-led organization. Our global presence, intellectual capital, and breadth of products and services enable us to partner with investors to meet the evolving challenges of today's financial markets. We aim to deliver superior investment service and to empower our clients to make the informed decisions that help them reach their investment goals.

As always, we thank you for selecting Morgan Stanley Investment Management, and look forward to working with you in the months and years ahead.

Sincerely,

John H. Gernon
President and Principal Executive Officer

January 2021


2



Morgan Stanley Institutional Fund, Inc.

Annual Report — December 31, 2020

Expense Example (unaudited)

International Advantage Portfolio

As a shareholder of the Fund, you incur two types of costs: (1) transactional costs, including redemption fees; and (2) ongoing costs, which may include advisory fees, administration fees, distribution and shareholder services fees and other Fund expenses. This example is intended to help you understand your ongoing costs (in dollars) of investing in the Fund and to compare these costs with the ongoing costs of investing in other mutual funds.

This example is based on an investment of $1,000 invested at the beginning of the six-month period ended December 31, 2020 and held for the entire six-month period.

Actual Expenses

The table below provides information about actual account values and actual expenses. You may use the information in this table, 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 table under the heading entitled "Actual Expenses Paid During Period" to estimate the expenses you paid on your account during this period.

Hypothetical Example for Comparison Purposes

The table below provides information about hypothetical account values and hypothetical expenses based on the Fund's actual expense ratio and an assumed rate of return of 5% per year before expenses, which is not the Fund's actual return. The hypothetical account values and expenses may not be used to estimate the actual ending account balance or expenses you paid for the period. You may use this information to compare the ongoing costs of investing in the Fund and other funds. To do so, compare this 5% hypothetical example with the 5% hypothetical examples that appear in the shareholder reports of the other funds.

Please note that the expenses shown in the table are meant to highlight your ongoing costs only and do not reflect any transactional costs, such as sales charges (loads) and redemption fees. Therefore, the information for each class in the table is useful in comparing ongoing costs only, and will not help you determine the relative total costs of owning different funds. In addition, if these transactional costs were included, your costs would have been higher.

    Beginning
Account
Value
7/1/20
  Actual Ending
Account
Value
12/31/20
  Hypothetical
Ending Account
Value
  Actual
Expenses
Paid
During
Period*
  Hypothetical
Expenses Paid
During Period*
  Net
Expense
Ratio
During
Period**
 

International Advantage Portfolio Class I

 

$

1,000.00

   

$

1,289.30

   

$

1,020.21

   

$

5.64

   

$

4.98

     

0.98

%

 

International Advantage Portfolio Class A

   

1,000.00

     

1,287.70

     

1,018.75

     

7.30

     

6.44

     

1.27

   

International Advantage Portfolio Class L

   

1,000.00

     

1,283.90

     

1,015.89

     

10.56

     

9.32

     

1.84

   

International Advantage Portfolio Class C

   

1,000.00

     

1,283.00

     

1,015.28

     

11.25

     

9.93

     

1.96

   

International Advantage Portfolio Class IS

   

1,000.00

     

1,289.90

     

1,020.71

     

5.07

     

4.47

     

0.88

   

*  Expenses are calculated using each Fund Class' annualized net expense ratio (as disclosed), multiplied by the average account value over the period and multiplied by 184/366 (to reflect the most recent one-half year period).

**  Annualized.

  Effective April 30, 2020, the Board of Directors of the Fund approved the elimination of redemption fees charged by the Fund.


3



Morgan Stanley Institutional Fund, Inc.

Annual Report — December 31, 2020

Investment Overview (unaudited)

International Advantage Portfolio

The Fund seeks long-term capital appreciation.

Performance

For the fiscal year ended December 31, 2020, the Fund's Class I shares had a total return based on net asset value and reinvestment of distributions per share of 32.33%, net of fees. The Fund's Class I shares outperformed the Fund's benchmark, the MSCI All Country World ex USA Net Index (the "Index"), which returned 10.65%.

Please keep in mind that high double-digit returns are highly unusual and cannot be sustained. Investors should also be aware that these returns were primarily achieved during favorable market conditions.

Factors Affecting Performance

•  Equity markets rebounded after the volatility seen in the first quarter of 2020, which had been driven by a broad sell-off due to concerns regarding COVID-19 and its potential impacts to global economic activity. The rebound was a result of a general market recovery from the COVID-19-related decline earlier in the year, as well as optimism following successful COVID-19 vaccine trials and rollouts in various countries. Uncertainty surrounding U.S.-China tensions, U.S. elections and Brexit negotiations also affected markets during the year.

•  International equity markets advanced by 10.65% for the 12-month period ended December 31, 2020, as measured by the Index. Our team remained focused on assessing company prospects over a longer-term period of three to five years, and owning a portfolio of high quality companies with diverse business drivers not tied to a particular market environment.

•  The team manages concentrated portfolios that are highly differentiated from the benchmark, with securities weighted on our assessment of the quality of the company and our conviction. Our longer-term focus results in lower turnover than many of our peers. The value added or detracted in any period of time will typically result from stock selection, given our philosophy and process. For the 12-month period, the Fund outperformed the Index due to favorable stock selection and sector allocation.

•  The Fund's relative performance was primarily driven by our strong stock selection in the information technology, consumer staples and industrials sectors.

•  Detracting from relative gains were our sector underweight positions in health care and materials,

along with stock selection in the communication services sector.

Management Strategies

•  There were no changes to our bottom-up investment process during the period. The Fund seeks long-term capital appreciation by investing internationally in high quality established companies that the investment team believes are undervalued at the time of purchase. To help achieve its objective, the investment team typically favors companies it believes have sustainable competitive advantages that can be monetized through growth. The investment process integrates analysis of sustainability with respect to disruptive change, financial strength, environmental and social externalities and governance (also referred to as ESG).

•  At the close of the period ended December 31, 2020, information technology represented the largest sector weight in the Fund, followed by consumer discretionary and consumer staples. Our bottom-up investment process resulted in sector overweight positions in information technology, consumer staples and consumer discretionary, and underweight positions in financials, industrials, health care, utilities, communication services, materials, real estate and energy. The Fund had no energy and real estate holdings at the end of the reporting period.

*  Minimum Investment for Class I shares

In accordance with SEC regulations, the Fund's performance shown assumes that all recurring fees (including management fees) were deducted and all dividends and distributions were reinvested. The performance of Class A, L, C and IS shares will vary from the performance of Class I shares based upon their different inception dates and will be negatively impacted by additional fees assessed to those classes (if applicable).


4



Morgan Stanley Institutional Fund, Inc.

Annual Report — December 31, 2020

Investment Overview (unaudited) (cont'd)

International Advantage Portfolio

Performance Compared to the MSCI All Country World ex USA Net Index(1) and the Lipper International Multi-Cap Growth Funds Index(2)

    Period Ended December 31, 2020
Total Returns(3)
 
       

Average Annual

 
    One
Year
  Five
Years
  Ten
Years
  Since
Inception(7)
 
Fund — Class I Shares
w/o sales charges(4)
   

32.33

%

   

19.34

%

   

13.96

%

   

13.93

%

 
Fund — Class A Shares
w/o sales charges(4)
   

31.90

     

18.95

     

13.61

     

13.59

   
Fund — Class A Shares
with maximum 5.25%
sales charges(4)
   

24.96

     

17.68

     

13.00

     

12.98

   
Fund — Class L Shares
w/o sales charges(4)
   

31.14

     

18.32

     

13.02

     

13.00

   
Fund — Class C Shares
w/o sales charges(5)
   

31.03

     

18.09

     

     

15.25

   
Fund — Class C Shares
with maximum 1.00%
deferred sales charges(5)
   

30.03

     

18.09

     

     

15.25

   
Fund — Class IS Shares
w/o sales charges(6)
   

32.46

     

     

     

16.08

   
MSCI All Country World
ex USA Net Index
   

10.65

     

8.93

     

4.92

     

5.03

   
Lipper International Multi-Cap
Growth Funds Index
   

15.49

     

9.70

     

6.14

     

6.25

   

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. Performance assumes that all dividends and distributions, if any, were reinvested. For the most recent month-end performance figures, please visit www.morganstanley.com/im/shareholderreports. Investment return and principal value will fluctuate so that Fund shares, when redeemed, may be worth more or less than their original cost. Total returns do not reflect the deduction of taxes that a shareholder would pay on Fund distributions or the redemption of Fund shares. Performance of share classes will vary due to difference in sales charges and expenses.

(1)  The MSCI All Country World ex USA Net Index is a free float-adjusted market capitalization weighted index designed to measure the equity market performance of developed and emerging markets, excluding the United States. 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. Net total return indices reinvest dividends after the deduction of withholding taxes, using (for international indices) a tax rate applicable to non-resident institutional investors who do not benefit from double taxation treaties. The Index is unmanaged and its returns do not include any sales charges or fees. Such costs would lower performance. It is not possible to invest directly in an index.

(2)  The Lipper International Multi-Cap Growth Funds Index is an equally weighted performance index of the largest qualifying funds (based on net assets) in the Lipper International Multi-Cap Growth Funds classification. The Index, which is adjusted for capital gains distributions and income dividends, is unmanaged and should not be considered an investment. There are currently 30 funds represented in this Index. As of the date of this report, the Fund was in the Lipper International Multi-Cap Growth Funds classification.

(3)  Total returns for the Fund reflect fees waived and expenses reimbursed, if applicable, by the Adviser (as defined herein). Without such waivers and reimbursements, total returns would have been lower.

(4)  Commenced operations on December 28, 2010.

(5)  Commenced offering on April 30, 2015.

(6)  Commenced offering on June 15, 2018.

(7)  For comparative purposes, average annual since inception returns listed for the Indexes refer to the inception date of Class I of the Fund, not the inception of the Index.


5



Morgan Stanley Institutional Fund, Inc.

Annual Report — December 31, 2020

Portfolio of Investments

International Advantage Portfolio

   

Shares

  Value
(000)
 

Common Stocks (92.3%)

 

Australia (2.9%)

 

Brookfield Infrastructure Partners LP

   

2,671,232

   

$

131,959

   

Canada (6.0%)

 

Brookfield Asset Management, Inc., Class A

   

3,127,578

     

129,075

   

Canada Goose Holdings, Inc. (See Note G) (a)

   

4,799,021

     

142,867

   
     

271,942

   

China (9.6%)

 

Alibaba Group Holding Ltd. ADR (a)

   

350,407

     

81,550

   
Foshan Haitian Flavouring &
Food Co., Ltd., Class A
   

5,676,787

     

174,307

   

TAL Education Group ADR (a)

   

2,504,007

     

179,062

   
     

434,919

   

Denmark (10.2%)

 

Chr Hansen Holding A/S (a)

   

1,008,681

     

104,219

   

DSV Panalpina A/S

   

2,156,256

     

362,384

   
     

466,603

   

France (9.5%)

 

Dassault Systemes SE

   

370,289

     

75,102

   

Hermes International

   

261,206

     

280,869

   

Pernod Ricard SA

   

390,765

     

75,045

   
     

431,016

   

Germany (1.7%)

 

Adidas AG (a)

   

210,769

     

76,679

   

Hong Kong (3.2%)

 

AIA Group Ltd.

   

12,001,300

     

146,249

   

India (7.2%)

 

HDFC Bank Ltd. (a)

   

12,203,926

     

240,374

   

Kotak Mahindra Bank Ltd. (a)

   

3,132,546

     

85,615

   
     

325,989

   

Italy (6.9%)

 

Davide Campari-Milano N.V.

   

7,135,756

     

81,792

   

Moncler SpA (a)

   

3,789,346

     

232,971

   
     

314,763

   

Japan (8.4%)

 

Keyence Corp.

   

404,100

     

227,313

   

Pigeon Corp.

   

3,740,900

     

154,397

   
     

381,710

   

Netherlands (8.4%)

 

Adyen N.V. (a)

   

65,581

     

152,380

   

ASML Holding N.V.

   

472,556

     

228,801

   
     

381,181

   

Sweden (1.3%)

 

Vitrolife AB (a)

   

2,338,681

     

61,232

   

Switzerland (5.3%)

 
Chocoladefabriken Lindt & Spruengli
AG (Registered)
   

774

     

77,741

   

Kuehne & Nagel International AG (Registered)

   

325,132

     

73,779

   

Straumann Holding AG (Registered)

   

77,390

     

90,656

   
     

242,176

   
   

Shares

  Value
(000)
 

Taiwan (4.0%)

 
Taiwan Semiconductor Manufacturing
Co., Ltd. ADR
   

1,671,648

   

$

182,276

   

United Kingdom (4.0%)

 

Diageo PLC

   

1,381,319

     

54,657

   

Rightmove PLC (a)

   

14,380,393

     

127,767

   
     

182,424

   

United States (3.7%)

 

EPAM Systems, Inc. (a)

   

475,348

     

170,341

   

Total Common Stocks (Cost $2,834,204)

   

4,201,459

   

Short-Term Investment (8.2%)

 

Investment Company (8.2%)

 
Morgan Stanley Institutional Liquidity
Funds — Treasury Securities Portfolio —
Institutional Class (See Note G)
(Cost $374,199)
   

374,198,908

     

374,199

   
Total Investments (100.5%)
(Cost $3,208,403) (b)(c)
   

4,575,658

   

Liabilities in Excess of Other Assets (–0.5%)

   

(21,761

)

 

Net Assets (100.0%)

 

$

4,553,897

   

Country assignments and aggregations are based generally on third party vendor classifications and information, and may be different from the assignments and aggregations under the policies set forth in the Fund's prospectus and/or statement of additional information relating to geographic classifications.

(a)  Non-income producing security.

(b)  The approximate fair value and percentage of net assets, $3,184,329,000 and 69.9%, respectively, represent the securities that have been fair valued under the fair valuation policy for international investments as described in Note A-1 within the Notes to the Financial Statements.

(c)  At December 31, 2020, the aggregate cost for federal income tax purposes is approximately $3,212,409,000. The aggregate gross unrealized appreciation is approximately $1,365,042,000 and the aggregate gross unrealized depreciation is approximately $1,793,000, resulting in net unrealized appreciation of approximately $1,363,249,000.

ADR  American Depositary Receipt.

Portfolio Composition

Classification

  Percentage of
Total Investments
 

Other*

   

34.2

%

 

Textiles, Apparel & Luxury Goods

   

16.0

   

Semiconductors & Semiconductor Equipment

   

9.0

   

Short-Term Investments

   

8.2

   

Air Freight & Logistics

   

7.9

   

Banks

   

7.1

   

Information Technology Services

   

7.1

   

Food Products

   

5.5

   

Electronic Equipment, Instruments & Components

   

5.0

   

Total Investments

   

100.0

%

 

*  Industries and/or investment types representing less than 5% of total investments.

The accompanying notes are an integral part of the financial statements.
6



Morgan Stanley Institutional Fund, Inc.

Annual Report — December 31, 2020

International Advantage Portfolio

Statement of Assets and Liabilities

  December 31, 2020
(000)
 

Assets:

 

Investments in Securities of Unaffiliated Issuers, at Value (Cost $2,704,564)

 

$

4,058,592

   

Investment in Security of Affiliated Issuer, at Value (Cost $503,839)

   

517,066

   

Total Investments in Securities, at Value (Cost $3,208,403)

   

4,575,658

   

Foreign Currency, at Value (Cost $1,560)

   

1,567

   

Cash

   

1,516

   

Receivable for Investments Sold

   

14,351

   

Receivable for Fund Shares Sold

   

7,287

   

Dividends Receivable

   

1,739

   

Tax Reclaim Receivable

   

1,442

   

Receivable from Affiliate

   

3

   

Receivable from Securities Lending Income

   

1

   

Other Assets

   

199

   

Total Assets

   

4,603,763

   

Liabilities:

 

Payable for Investments Purchased

   

25,709

   

Deferred Capital Gain Country Tax

   

11,255

   

Payable for Advisory Fees

   

7,749

   

Payable for Fund Shares Redeemed

   

4,032

   

Payable for Sub Transfer Agency Fees — Class I

   

341

   

Payable for Sub Transfer Agency Fees — Class A

   

44

   

Payable for Sub Transfer Agency Fees — Class L

   

@

 

Payable for Sub Transfer Agency Fees — Class C

   

1

   

Payable for Administration Fees

   

296

   

Payable for Custodian Fees

   

149

   

Payable for Shareholder Services Fees — Class A

   

120

   

Payable for Distribution and Shareholder Services Fees — Class L

   

@

 

Payable for Distribution and Shareholder Services Fees — Class C

   

20

   

Payable for Transfer Agency Fees

   

@

 

Payable for Transfer Agency Fees — Class I

   

32

   

Payable for Transfer Agency Fees — Class A

   

4

   

Payable for Transfer Agency Fees — Class L

   

@

 

Payable for Transfer Agency Fees — Class C

   

1

   

Payable for Transfer Agency Fees — Class IS

   

1

   

Payable for Professional Fees

   

30

   

Other Liabilities

   

82

   

Total Liabilities

   

49,866

   

Net Assets

 

$

4,553,897

   

Net Assets Consist of:

 

Paid-in-Capital

 

$

3,195,347

   

Total Distributable Earnings

   

1,358,550

   

Net Assets

 

$

4,553,897

   

The accompanying notes are an integral part of the financial statements.
7



Morgan Stanley Institutional Fund, Inc.

Annual Report — December 31, 2020

International Advantage Portfolio

Statement of Assets and Liabilities (cont'd)

  December 31, 2020
(000)
 

CLASS I:

 

Net Assets

 

$

3,841,122

   
Shares Outstanding $0.001 par value shares of beneficial interest (unlimited shares authorized) (not in 000's)    

142,022,427

   

Net Asset Value, Offering and Redemption Price Per Share

 

$

27.05

   

CLASS A:

 

Net Assets

 

$

589,317

   
Shares Outstanding $0.001 par value shares of beneficial interest (unlimited shares authorized) (not in 000's)    

22,171,988

   

Net Asset Value, Redemption Price Per Share

 

$

26.58

   

Maximum Sales Load

   

5.25

%

 

Maximum Sales Charge

 

$

1.47

   

Maximum Offering Price Per Share

 

$

28.05

   

CLASS L:

 

Net Assets

 

$

350

   
Shares Outstanding $0.001 par value shares of beneficial interest (unlimited shares authorized) (not in 000's)    

13,669

   

Net Asset Value, Offering and Redemption Price Per Share

 

$

25.64

   

CLASS C:

 

Net Assets

 

$

24,926

   
Shares Outstanding $0.001 par value shares of beneficial interest (unlimited shares authorized) (not in 000's)    

985,789

   

Net Asset Value, Offering and Redemption Price Per Share

 

$

25.29

   

CLASS IS:

 

Net Assets

 

$

98,182

   
Shares Outstanding $0.001 par value shares of beneficial interest (unlimited shares authorized) (not in 000's)    

3,624,620

   

Net Asset Value, Offering and Redemption Price Per Share

 

$

27.09

   

@  Amount is less than $500.

The accompanying notes are an integral part of the financial statements.
8



Morgan Stanley Institutional Fund, Inc.

Annual Report — December 31, 2020

International Advantage Portfolio

Statement of Operations

  Year Ended
December 31, 2020
(000)
 

Investment Income:

 

Dividends from Securities of Unaffiliated Issuers (Net of $2,117 of Foreign Taxes Withheld)

 

$

19,627

   

Dividends from Security of Affiliated Issuer (Note G)

   

787

   

Income from Securities Loaned — Net

   

217

   

Total Investment Income

   

20,631

   

Expenses:

 

Advisory Fees (Note B)

   

23,654

   

Sub Transfer Agency Fees — Class I

   

2,514

   

Sub Transfer Agency Fees — Class A

   

595

   

Sub Transfer Agency Fees — Class L

   

@

 

Sub Transfer Agency Fees — Class C

   

13

   

Administration Fees (Note C)

   

2,470

   

Shareholder Services Fees — Class A (Note D)

   

1,096

   

Distribution and Shareholder Services Fees — Class L (Note D)

   

2

   

Distribution and Shareholder Services Fees — Class C (Note D)

   

190

   

Custodian Fees (Note F)

   

460

   

Registration Fees

   

282

   

Shareholder Reporting Fees

   

221

   

Transfer Agency Fees — Class I (Note E)

   

162

   

Transfer Agency Fees — Class A (Note E)

   

17

   

Transfer Agency Fees — Class L (Note E)

   

2

   

Transfer Agency Fees — Class C (Note E)

   

4

   

Transfer Agency Fees — Class IS (Note E)

   

3

   

Professional Fees

   

131

   

Directors' Fees and Expenses

   

44

   

Pricing Fees

   

2

   

Interest Expenses

   

1

   

Other Expenses

   

160

   

Total Expenses

   

32,023

   

Rebate from Morgan Stanley Affiliate (Note G)

   

(427

)

 

Reimbursement of Class Specific Expenses — Class L (Note B)

   

(2

)

 

Net Expenses

   

31,594

   

Net Investment Loss

   

(10,963

)

 

Realized Gain (Loss):

 

Investments Sold

   

8,665

   

Foreign Currency Translation

   

(147

)

 

Net Realized Gain

   

8,518

   

Change in Unrealized Appreciation (Depreciation):

 

Investments (Net of Increase in Deferred Capital Gain Country Tax of $8,929)

   

1,009,813

   

Investments in Affiliates

   

13,227

   

Foreign Currency Translation

   

159

   

Net Change in Unrealized Appreciation (Depreciation)

   

1,023,199

   

Net Realized Gain and Change in Unrealized Appreciation (Depreciation)

   

1,031,717

   

Net Increase in Net Assets Resulting from Operations

 

$

1,020,754

   

@  Amount is less than $500.

The accompanying notes are an integral part of the financial statements.
9



Morgan Stanley Institutional Fund, Inc.

Annual Report — December 31, 2020

International Advantage Portfolio

Statements of Changes in Net Assets

  Year Ended
December 31, 2020
(000)
  Year Ended
December 31, 2019
(000)
 

Increase (Decrease) in Net Assets:

 

Operations:

 

Net Investment Income (Loss)

 

$

(10,963

)

 

$

3,976

   

Net Realized Gain (Loss)

   

8,518

     

(6,448

)

 

Net Change in Unrealized Appreciation (Depreciation)

   

1,023,199

     

360,936

   

Net Increase in Net Assets Resulting from Operations

   

1,020,754

     

358,464

   

Dividends and Distributions to Shareholders:

 

Class I

   

(1,584

)

   

(2,413

)

 

Class A

   

(247

)

   

(439

)

 

Class L

   

(—

@)

   

(—

@)

 

Class C

   

(11

)

   

(23

)

 

Class IS

   

(36

)

   

(2

)

 

Total Dividends and Distributions to Shareholders

   

(1,878

)

   

(2,877

)

 

Capital Share Transactions:(1)

 

Class I:

 

Subscribed

   

1,715,375

     

1,253,603

   

Distributions Reinvested

   

1,565

     

2,396

   

Redeemed

   

(634,403

)

   

(210,412

)

 

Class A:

 

Subscribed

   

230,781

     

233,415

   

Distributions Reinvested

   

247

     

439

   

Redeemed

   

(154,359

)

   

(124,341

)

 

Class L:

 

Exchanged

   

50

     

53

   

Distributions Reinvested

   

@

   

@

 

Redeemed

   

(5

)

   

(42

)

 

Class C:

 

Subscribed

   

6,350

     

9,422

   

Distributions Reinvested

   

11

     

23

   

Redeemed

   

(4,795

)

   

(5,722

)

 

Class IS:

 

Subscribed

   

98,784

     

750

   

Distributions Reinvested

   

9

     

1

   

Redeemed

   

(23,225

)

   

(—

@)

 

Net Increase in Net Assets Resulting from Capital Share Transactions

   

1,236,385

     

1,159,585

   

Redemption Fees

   

     

68

   

Total Increase in Net Assets

   

2,255,261

     

1,515,240

   

Net Assets:

 

Beginning of Period

   

2,298,636

     

783,396

   

End of Period

 

$

4,553,897

   

$

2,298,636

   

The accompanying notes are an integral part of the financial statements.
10



Morgan Stanley Institutional Fund, Inc.

Annual Report — December 31, 2020

International Advantage Portfolio

Statements of Changes in Net Assets (cont'd)

  Year Ended
December 31, 2020
(000)
  Year Ended
December 31, 2019
(000)
 

(1)   Capital Share Transactions:

 

Class I:

 

Shares Subscribed

   

79,907

     

67,897

   

Shares Issued on Distributions Reinvested

   

59

     

117

   

Shares Redeemed

   

(30,862

)

   

(11,270

)

 

Net Increase in Class I Shares Outstanding

   

49,104

     

56,744

   

Class A:

 

Shares Subscribed

   

10,972

     

12,831

   

Shares Issued on Distributions Reinvested

   

9

     

22

   

Shares Redeemed

   

(7,624

)

   

(7,067

)

 

Net Increase in Class A Shares Outstanding

   

3,357

     

5,786

   

Class L:

 

Shares Exchanged

   

2

     

3

   

Shares Issued on Distributions Reinvested

   

@@

   

@@

 

Shares Redeemed

   

(—

@@)

   

(2

)

 

Net Increase in Class L Shares Outstanding

   

2

     

1

   

Class C:

 

Shares Subscribed

   

300

     

530

   

Shares Issued on Distributions Reinvested

   

@@

   

1

   

Shares Redeemed

   

(256

)

   

(328

)

 

Net Increase in Class C Shares Outstanding

   

44

     

203

   

Class IS:

 

Shares Subscribed

   

4,622

     

37

   

Shares Issued on Distributions Reinvested

   

@@

   

@@

 

Shares Redeemed

   

(1,035

)

   

(—

@@)

 

Net Increase in Class IS Shares Outstanding

   

3,587

     

37

   

@  Amount is less than $500.

@@  Amount is less than 500 shares.

The accompanying notes are an integral part of the financial statements.
11



Morgan Stanley Institutional Fund, Inc.

Annual Report — December 31, 2020

Financial Highlights

International Advantage Portfolio

   

Class I

 
   

Year Ended December 31,

 

Selected Per Share Data and Ratios

 

2020

 

2019

 

2018

 

2017

 

2016(1)

 

Net Asset Value, Beginning of Period

 

$

20.45

   

$

15.74

   

$

16.89

   

$

11.91

   

$

11.80

   

Income (Loss) from Investment Operations:

 

Net Investment Income (Loss)(2)

   

(0.07

)

   

0.06

     

0.04

     

0.00

(3)

   

0.02

   

Net Realized and Unrealized Gain (Loss)

   

6.68

     

4.67

     

(0.91

)

   

5.32

     

0.29

   

Total from Investment Operations

   

6.61

     

4.73

     

(0.87

)

   

5.32

     

0.31

   

Distributions from and/or in Excess of:

 

Net Investment Income

   

(0.01

)

   

(0.00

)(3)

   

     

     

   

Net Realized Gain

   

     

(0.02

)

   

(0.28

)

   

(0.34

)

   

(0.20

)

 

Total Distributions

   

(0.01

)

   

(0.02

)

   

(0.28

)

   

(0.34

)

   

(0.20

)

 

Redemption Fees

   

     

0.00

(3)

   

0.00

(3)

   

0.00

(3)

   

0.00

(3)

 

Net Asset Value, End of Period

 

$

27.05

   

$

20.45

   

$

15.74

   

$

16.89

   

$

11.91

   

Total Return(4)

   

32.33

%

   

30.09

%

   

(5.19

)%

   

44.75

%

   

2.47

%

 

Ratios to Average Net Assets and Supplemental Data:

 

Net Assets, End of Period (Thousands)

 

$

3,841,122

   

$

1,900,219

   

$

569,408

   

$

166,189

   

$

29,781

   

Ratio of Expenses Before Expense Limitation

   

N/A

     

1.03

%

   

1.11

%

   

1.21

%

   

2.26

%

 

Ratio of Expenses After Expense Limitation

   

0.98

%(5)

   

0.98

%(5)

   

0.98

%(5)

   

0.98

%(5)

   

0.99

%(5)

 

Ratio of Expenses After Expense Limitation Excluding Interest Expenses

   

0.98

%(5)

   

N/A

     

N/A

     

N/A

     

N/A

   

Ratio of Net Investment Income (Loss)

   

(0.31

)%(5)

   

0.32

%(5)

   

0.21

%(5)

   

0.02

%(5)

   

0.20

%(5)

 

Ratio of Rebate from Morgan Stanley Affiliates

   

0.01

%

   

0.02

%

   

0.02

%

   

0.02

%

   

0.01

%

 

Portfolio Turnover Rate

   

18

%

   

15

%

   

29

%

   

30

%

   

23

%

 

(1)  Reflects prior period custodian out-of-pocket expenses that were reimbursed in September 2016. The amount of the reimbursement was immaterial on a per share basis and did not impact the total return of Class I shares. The Ratio of Expenses After Expense Limitation and the Ratio of Net Investment Income would be unchanged as the reimbursement of custodian fees was offset against expense waivers/reimbursements with no impact to net expenses or net investment income.

(2)  Per share amount is based on average shares outstanding.

(3)  Amount is less than $0.005 per share.

(4)  Calculated based on the net asset value as of the last business day of the period.

(5)  The Ratio of Expenses After Expense Limitation and Ratio of Net Investment Income (Loss) reflect the rebate of certain Fund expenses in connection with the investments in Morgan Stanley affiliates during the period. The effect of the rebate on the ratios is disclosed in the above table as "Ratio of Rebate from Morgan Stanley Affiliates."

The accompanying notes are an integral part of the financial statements.
12



Morgan Stanley Institutional Fund, Inc.

Annual Report — December 31, 2020

Financial Highlights

International Advantage Portfolio

   

Class A

 
   

Year Ended December 31,

 

Selected Per Share Data and Ratios

 

2020

 

2019

 

2018

 

2017

 

2016(1)

 

Net Asset Value, Beginning of Period

 

$

20.16

   

$

15.56

   

$

16.75

   

$

11.86

   

$

11.79

   

Income (Loss) from Investment Operations:

 

Net Investment Income (Loss)(2)

   

(0.13

)

   

0.01

     

(0.02

)

   

(0.07

)

   

(0.00

)(3)

 

Net Realized and Unrealized Gain (Loss)

   

6.56

     

4.61

     

(0.89

)

   

5.30

     

0.27

   

Total from Investment Operations

   

6.43

     

4.62

     

(0.91

)

   

5.23

     

0.27

   

Distributions from and/or in Excess of:

 

Net Investment Income

   

(0.01

)

   

     

     

     

   

Net Realized Gain

   

     

(0.02

)

   

(0.28

)

   

(0.34

)

   

(0.20

)

 

Total Distributions

   

(0.01

)

   

(0.02

)

   

(0.28

)

   

(0.34

)

   

(0.20

)

 

Redemption Fees

   

     

0.00

(3)

   

0.00

(3)

   

0.00

(3)

   

0.00

(3)

 

Net Asset Value, End of Period

 

$

26.58

   

$

20.16

   

$

15.56

   

$

16.75

   

$

11.86

   

Total Return(4)

   

31.90

%

   

29.72

%

   

(5.48

)%

   

44.18

%

   

2.13

%

 

Ratios to Average Net Assets and Supplemental Data:

 

Net Assets, End of Period (Thousands)

 

$

589,317

   

$

379,237

   

$

202,732

   

$

144,112

   

$

10,822

   

Ratio of Expenses Before Expense Limitation

   

N/A

     

1.30

%

   

1.37

%

   

1.42

%

   

2.55

%

 

Ratio of Expenses After Expense Limitation

   

1.27

%(5)

   

1.28

%(5)

   

1.33

%(5)

   

1.31

%(5)

   

1.34

%(5)

 

Ratio of Expenses After Expense Limitation Excluding Interest Expenses

   

1.27

%(5)

   

N/A

     

N/A

     

N/A

     

N/A

   

Ratio of Net Investment Income (Loss)

   

(0.60

)%(5)

   

0.04

%(5)

   

(0.10

)%(5)

   

(0.46

)%(5)

   

(0.04

)%(5)

 

Ratio of Rebate from Morgan Stanley Affiliates

   

0.01

%

   

0.02

%

   

0.02

%

   

0.02

%

   

0.01

%

 

Portfolio Turnover Rate

   

18

%

   

15

%

   

29

%

   

30

%

   

23

%

 

(1)  Reflects prior period custodian out-of-pocket expenses that were reimbursed in September 2016. The amount of the reimbursement was immaterial on a per share basis and did not impact the total return of Class A shares. The Ratio of Expenses After Expense Limitation and the Ratio of Net Investment Loss would be unchanged as the reimbursement of custodian fees was offset against expense waivers/reimbursements with no impact to net expenses or net investment loss.

(2)  Per share amount is based on average shares outstanding.

(3)  Amount is less than $0.005 per share.

(4)  Calculated based on the net asset value which does not reflect sales charges, if applicable, as of the last business day of the period.

(5)  The Ratio of Expenses After Expense Limitation and Ratio of Net Investment Income (Loss) reflect the rebate of certain Fund expenses in connection with the investments in Morgan Stanley affiliates during the period. The effect of the rebate on the ratios is disclosed in the above table as "Ratio of Rebate from Morgan Stanley Affiliates."

The accompanying notes are an integral part of the financial statements.
13



Morgan Stanley Institutional Fund, Inc.

Annual Report — December 31, 2020

Financial Highlights

International Advantage Portfolio

   

Class L

 
   

Year Ended December 31,

 

Selected Per Share Data and Ratios

 

2020

 

2019

 

2018

 

2017

 

2016(1)

 

Net Asset Value, Beginning of Period

 

$

19.56

   

$

15.18

   

$

16.43

   

$

11.70

   

$

11.69

   

Income (Loss) from Investment Operations:

 

Net Investment Loss(2)

   

(0.24

)

   

(0.09

)

   

(0.09

)

   

(0.11

)

   

(0.06

)

 

Net Realized and Unrealized Gain (Loss)

   

6.33

     

4.49

     

(0.88

)

   

5.18

     

0.27

   

Total from Investment Operations

   

6.09

     

4.40

     

(0.97

)

   

5.07

     

0.21

   

Distributions from and/or in Excess of:

 

Net Investment Income

   

(0.01

)

   

     

     

     

   

Net Realized Gain

   

     

(0.02

)

   

(0.28

)

   

(0.34

)

   

(0.20

)

 

Total Distributions

   

(0.01

)

   

(0.02

)

   

(0.28

)

   

(0.34

)

   

(0.20

)

 

Redemption Fees

   

     

0.00

(3)

   

0.00

(3)

   

0.00

(3)

   

0.00

(3)

 

Net Asset Value, End of Period

 

$

25.64

   

$

19.56

   

$

15.18

   

$

16.43

   

$

11.70

   

Total Return(4)

   

31.14

%

   

29.01

%

   

(5.95

)%

   

43.41

%

   

1.64

%

 

Ratios to Average Net Assets and Supplemental Data:

 

Net Assets, End of Period (Thousands)

 

$

350

   

$

226

   

$

161

   

$

135

   

$

75

   

Ratio of Expenses Before Expense Limitation

   

2.48

%

   

2.59

%

   

2.82

%

   

3.82

%

   

3.96

%

 

Ratio of Expenses After Expense Limitation

   

1.84

%(5)

   

1.83

%(5)

   

1.83

%(5)

   

1.84

%(5)

   

1.84

%(5)

 

Ratio of Expenses After Expense Limitation Excluding Interest Expenses

   

1.84

%(5)

   

N/A

     

N/A

     

N/A

     

N/A

   

Ratio of Net Investment Loss

   

(1.17

)%(5)

   

(0.48

)%(5)

   

(0.55

)%(5)

   

(0.77

)%(5)

   

(0.52

)%(5)

 

Ratio of Rebate from Morgan Stanley Affiliates

   

0.01

%

   

0.02

%

   

0.02

%

   

0.01

%

   

0.01

%

 

Portfolio Turnover Rate

   

18

%

   

15

%

   

29

%

   

30

%

   

23

%

 

(1)  Reflects prior period custodian out-of-pocket expenses that were reimbursed in September 2016. The amount of the reimbursement was immaterial on a per share basis and did not impact the total return of Class L shares. The Ratio of Expenses After Expense Limitation and the Ratio of Net Investment Loss would be unchanged as the reimbursement of custodian fees was offset against expense waivers/reimbursements with no impact to net expenses or net investment loss.

(2)  Per share amount is based on average shares outstanding.

(3)  Amount is less than $0.005 per share.

(4)  Calculated based on the net asset value as of the last business day of the period.

(5)  The Ratio of Expenses After Expense Limitation and Ratio of Net Investment Loss reflect the rebate of certain Fund expenses in connection with the investments in Morgan Stanley affiliates during the period. The effect of the rebate on the ratios is disclosed in the above table as "Ratio of Rebate from Morgan Stanley Affiliates."

The accompanying notes are an integral part of the financial statements.
14



Morgan Stanley Institutional Fund, Inc.

Annual Report — December 31, 2020

Financial Highlights

International Advantage Portfolio

   

Class C

 
   

Year Ended December 31,

 

Selected Per Share Data and Ratios

 

2020

 

2019

 

2018

 

2017

 

2016(1)

 

Net Asset Value, Beginning of Period

 

$

19.31

   

$

15.02

   

$

16.30

   

$

11.63

   

$

11.66

   

Income (Loss) from Investment Operations:

 

Net Investment Loss(2)

   

(0.26

)

   

(0.12

)

   

(0.15

)

   

(0.17

)

   

(0.11

)

 

Net Realized and Unrealized Gain (Loss)

   

6.25

     

4.43

     

(0.85

)

   

5.18

     

0.28

   

Total from Investment Operations

   

5.99

     

4.31

     

(1.00

)

   

5.01

     

0.17

   

Distributions from and/or in Excess of:

 

Net Investment Income

   

(0.01

)

   

     

     

     

   

Net Realized Gain

   

     

(0.02

)

   

(0.28

)

   

(0.34

)

   

(0.20

)

 

Total Distributions

   

(0.01

)

   

(0.02

)

   

(0.28

)

   

(0.34

)

   

(0.20

)

 

Redemption Fees

   

     

0.00

(3)

   

0.00

(3)

   

0.00

(3)

   

0.00

(3)

 

Net Asset Value, End of Period

 

$

25.29

   

$

19.31

   

$

15.02

   

$

16.30

   

$

11.63

   

Total Return(4)

   

31.03

%

   

28.72

%

   

(6.18

)%

   

43.16

%

   

1.38

%

 

Ratios to Average Net Assets and Supplemental Data:

 

Net Assets, End of Period (Thousands)

 

$

24,926

   

$

18,180

   

$

11,087

   

$

6,760

   

$

1,067

   

Ratio of Expenses Before Expense Limitation

   

N/A

     

2.03

%

   

2.10

%

   

2.25

%

   

3.60

%

 

Ratio of Expenses After Expense Limitation

   

1.97

%(5)

   

2.01

%(5)

   

2.07

%(5)

   

2.08

%(5)

   

2.09

%(5)

 

Ratio of Expenses After Expense Limitation Excluding Interest Expenses

   

1.97

%(5)

   

N/A

     

N/A

     

N/A

     

N/A

   

Ratio of Net Investment Loss

   

(1.29

)%(5)

   

(0.69

)%(5)

   

(0.88

)%(5)

   

(1.12

)%(5)

   

(0.91

)%(5)

 

Ratio of Rebate from Morgan Stanley Affiliates

   

0.01

%

   

0.02

%

   

0.02

%

   

0.02

%

   

0.01

%

 

Portfolio Turnover Rate

   

18

%

   

15

%

   

29

%

   

30

%

   

23

%

 

(1)  Reflects prior period custodian out-of-pocket expenses that were reimbursed in September 2016. The amount of the reimbursement was immaterial on a per share basis and did not impact the total return of Class C shares. The Ratio of Expenses After Expense Limitation and the Ratio of Net Investment Loss would be unchanged as the reimbursement of custodian fees was offset against expense waivers/reimbursements with no impact to net expenses or net investment loss.

(2)  Per share amount is based on average shares outstanding.

(3)  Amount is less than $0.005 per share.

(4)  Calculated based on the net asset value which does not reflect sales charges, if applicable, as of the last business day of the period.

(5)  The Ratio of Expenses After Expense Limitation and Ratio of Net Investment Loss reflect the rebate of certain Fund expenses in connection with the investments in Morgan Stanley affiliates during the period. The effect of the rebate on the ratios is disclosed in the above table as "Ratio of Rebate from Morgan Stanley Affiliates."

The accompanying notes are an integral part of the financial statements.
15



Morgan Stanley Institutional Fund, Inc.

Annual Report — December 31, 2020

Financial Highlights

International Advantage Portfolio

   

Class IS

 
   

Year Ended December 31,

  Period from
June 15, 2018(1) to
 

Selected Per Share Data and Ratios

 

2020

 

2019

 

December 31, 2018

 

Net Asset Value, Beginning of Period

 

$

20.46

   

$

15.75

   

$

18.90

   

Income (Loss) from Investment Operations:

 

Net Investment Income (Loss)(2)

   

(0.06

)

   

0.05

     

(0.00

)(3)

 

Net Realized and Unrealized Gain (Loss)

   

6.70

     

4.69

     

(2.87

)

 

Total from Investment Operations

   

6.64

     

4.74

     

(2.87

)

 

Distributions from and/or in Excess of:

 

Net Investment Income

   

(0.01

)

   

(0.01

)

   

   

Net Realized Gain

   

     

(0.02

)

   

(0.28

)

 

Total Distributions

   

(0.01

)

   

(0.03

)

   

(0.28

)

 

Redemption Fees

   

     

0.00

(3)

   

0.00

(3)

 

Net Asset Value, End of Period

 

$

27.09

   

$

20.46

   

$

15.75

   

Total Return(4)

   

32.46

%

   

30.14

%

   

(15.22

)%(6)

 

Ratios to Average Net Assets and Supplemental Data:

 

Net Assets, End of Period (Thousands)

 

$

98,182

   

$

774

   

$

8

   

Ratio of Expenses Before Expense Limitation

   

N/A

     

3.28

%

   

19.51

%(7)

 

Ratio of Expenses After Expense Limitation

   

0.89

%(5)

   

0.93

%(5)

   

0.93

%(5)(7)

 

Ratio of Expenses After Expense Limitation Excluding Interest Expenses

   

0.89

%(5)

   

N/A

     

N/A

   

Ratio of Net Investment Income (Loss)

   

(0.26

)%(5)

   

0.24

%(5)

   

(0.04

)%(5)(7)

 

Ratio of Rebate from Morgan Stanley Affiliates

   

0.01

%

   

0.02

%

   

0.02

%(7)

 

Portfolio Turnover Rate

   

18

%

   

15

%

   

29

%

 

(1)  Commencement of Offering.

(2)  Per share amount is based on average shares outstanding.

(3)  Amount is less than $0.005 per share.

(4)  Calculated based on the net asset value as of the last business day of the period.

(5)  The Ratio of Expenses After Expense Limitation and Ratio of Net Investment Income (Loss) reflect the rebate of certain Fund expenses in connection with the investments in Morgan Stanley affiliates during the period. The effect of the rebate on the ratios is disclosed in the above table as "Ratio of Rebate from Morgan Stanley Affiliates."

(6)  Not annualized.

(7)  Annualized.

The accompanying notes are an integral part of the financial statements.
16



Morgan Stanley Institutional Fund, Inc.

Annual Report — December 31, 2020

Notes to Financial Statements

Morgan Stanley Institutional Fund, Inc. (the "Company") is registered under the Investment Company Act of 1940, as amended (the "Act"), as an open-end management investment company. The Company is comprised of thirty-one separate, active, diversified and non-diversified funds (individually referred to as a "Fund," collectively as the "Funds"). The Company applies investment company accounting and reporting guidance.

The accompanying financial statements relate to the International Advantage Portfolio. The Fund seeks long-term capital appreciation.

The Fund offers five classes of shares — Class I, Class A, Class L, Class C and Class IS. On April 30, 2015, the Fund suspended offering of Class L shares. Existing Class L shareholders may invest through reinvestment of dividends and distributions. In addition, Class L shares of the Fund may be exchanged for Class L shares of any Morgan Stanley Multi-Class Fund, even though Class L shares are closed to investors.

A. Significant Accounting Policies: The following significant accounting policies are in conformity with U.S. generally accepted accounting principles ("GAAP"). Such policies are consistently followed by the Company in the preparation of its financial statements. GAAP may require management to make estimates and assumptions that affect the reported amounts and disclosures in the financial statements. Actual results may differ from those estimates.

1.  Security Valuation: (1) An equity portfolio security listed or traded on an exchange is valued at its latest reported sales price (or at the exchange official closing price if such exchange reports an official closing price), and if there were no sales on a given day and if there is no official exchange closing price for that day, the security is valued at the mean between the last reported bid and asked prices if such bid and asked prices are available on the relevant exchanges. If only bid prices are available then the latest bid price may be used. Listed equity securities not traded on the valuation date with no reported bid and asked prices available on the exchange are valued at the mean between the current bid and asked prices obtained from one or more reputable brokers or dealers. In cases where a security is traded on more than one exchange, the security is valued on the exchange designated as the primary market; (2) all other equity portfolio securities for which over-the-counter ("OTC") market quotations are readily available

are valued at the latest reported sales price (or at the market official closing price if such market reports an official closing price), and if there was no trading in the security on a given day and if there is no official closing price from relevant markets for that day, the security is valued at the mean between the last reported bid and asked prices if such bid and asked prices are available on the relevant markets. An unlisted equity security that does not trade on the valuation date and for which bid and asked prices from the relevant markets are unavailable is valued at the mean between the current bid and asked prices obtained from one or more reputable brokers or dealers; (3) certain portfolio securities may be valued by an outside pricing service/vendor approved by the Company's Board of Directors (the "Directors"). The pricing service/vendor may employ a pricing model that takes into account, among other things, bids, yield spreads and/or other market data and specific security characteristics. Alternatively, if a valuation is not available from an outside pricing service/vendor, and the security trades on an exchange, the security may be valued at its latest reported sale price (or at the exchange official closing price if such exchange reports an official closing price), prior to the time when assets are valued. If there are no sales on a given day and if there is no official exchange closing price for that day, the security is valued at the mean between the last reported bid and asked prices if such bid and asked prices are available in the relevant exchanges. If only bid prices are available then the latest bid price may be used. If Morgan Stanley Investment Management Inc. (the "Adviser"), a wholly-owned subsidiary of Morgan Stanley, determines that the price provided by the outside pricing service/vendor or exchange does not reflect the security's fair value or is unable to provide a price, prices from brokers or dealers may also be utilized. In these circumstances, the value of the security will be the mean of bid and asked prices obtained from brokers or dealers; (4) listed options are valued at the last reported sales price on the exchange on which they are listed (or at the exchange official closing price if such exchange reports an official closing price). If an official closing price or last reported sales price is unavailable, the listed option should be fair valued at the mean between its latest bid and ask prices. Unlisted options are valued at the mean between their latest bid and ask prices from a broker/dealer or valued by a pricing service/vendor; (5) when


17



Morgan Stanley Institutional Fund, Inc.

Annual Report — December 31, 2020

Notes to Financial Statements (cont'd)

market quotations are not readily available, including circumstances under which the Adviser 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 Directors. 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 of the New York Stock Exchange ("NYSE"). If developments occur during such periods that are expected to materially affect the value of such securities, such valuations may be adjusted to reflect the estimated fair value of such securities as of the close of the NYSE, as determined in good faith by the Directors or by the Adviser using a pricing service and/or procedures approved by the Directors; (6) quotations of foreign portfolio securities, other assets and liabilities and forward contracts stated in foreign currency are translated into U.S. dollar equivalents at the prevailing market rates prior to the close of the NYSE; and (7) investments in mutual funds, including the Morgan Stanley Institutional Liquidity Funds, are valued at the net asset value ("NAV") as of the close of each business day.

The Directors have responsibility for determining in good faith the fair value of the investments, and the Directors may appoint others, such as the Company's Adviser or a valuation committee, to assist the Directors in determining fair value and to make the actual calculations pursuant to the fair valuation methodologies previously approved by the Directors. Under procedures approved by the Directors, the Company's Adviser has formed a Valuation Committee whose members are approved by the Directors. The Valuation Committee provides administration and oversight of the Company's valuation policies and procedures, which are reviewed at least annually by the Directors. These procedures allow the Company to utilize independent pricing services, quotations from securities and financial instrument dealers and other market sources to determine fair value.

2.  Fair Value Measurement: Financial Accounting Standards Board ("FASB") Accounting Standards CodificationTM ("ASC") 820, "Fair Value Measurement" ("ASC

820"), defines fair value as the value that the Fund would receive to sell an investment or pay to transfer a liability in a timely transaction with an independent buyer in the principal market, or in the absence of a principal market, the most advantageous market for the investment or liability. ASC 820 establishes a three-tier hierarchy to distinguish between (1) inputs that reflect the assumptions market participants would use in valuing an asset or liability developed based on market data obtained from sources independent of the reporting entity (observable inputs) and (2) inputs that reflect the reporting entity's own assumptions about the assumptions market participants would use in valuing an asset or liability developed based on the best information available in the circumstances (unobservable inputs) and to establish classification of fair value measurements for disclosure purposes. Various inputs are used in determining the value of the Fund's investments. The inputs are summarized in the three broad levels listed below:

•  Level 1 – unadjusted quoted prices in active markets for identical investments

•  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.


18



Morgan Stanley Institutional Fund, Inc.

Annual Report — December 31, 2020

Notes to Financial Statements (cont'd)

The following is a summary of the inputs used to value the Fund's investments as of December 31, 2020:

Investment Type

  Level 1
Unadjusted
quoted
prices
(000)
  Level 2
Other
significant
observable
inputs
(000)
  Level 3
Significant
unobservable
inputs
(000)
  Total
(000)
 

Assets:

 

Common Stocks

 
Air Freight &
Logistics
 

$

   

$

362,384

   

$

   

$

362,384

   

Banks

   

     

325,989

     

     

325,989

   

Beverages

   

     

211,494

     

     

211,494

   

Biotechnology

   

     

61,232

     

     

61,232

   

Capital Markets

   

129,075

     

     

     

129,075

   

Chemicals

   

     

104,219

     

     

104,219

   
Diversified
Consumer
Services
   

179,062

     

     

     

179,062

   
Electronic
Equipment,
Instruments &
Components
   

     

227,313

     

     

227,313

   

Food Products

   

     

252,048

     

     

252,048

   
Health Care
Equipment &
Supplies
   

     

90,656

     

     

90,656

   

Household Products

   

     

154,397

     

     

154,397

   
Information
Technology
Services
   

170,341

     

152,380

     

     

322,721

   

Insurance

   

     

146,249

     

     

146,249

   
Interactive Media &
Services
   

     

127,767

     

     

127,767

   
Internet & Direct
Marketing
Retail
   

81,550

     

     

     

81,550

   

Marine

   

     

73,779

     

     

73,779

   

Multi-Utilities

   

131,959

     

     

     

131,959

   
Semiconductors &
Semiconductor
Equipment
   

182,276

     

228,801

     

     

411,077

   

Software

   

     

75,102

     

     

75,102

   
Textiles, Apparel &
Luxury Goods
   

142,867

     

590,519

     

     

733,386

   

Total Common Stocks

   

1,017,130

     

3,184,329

     

     

4,201,459

   

Short-Term Investment

 

Investment Company

   

374,199

     

     

     

374,199

   

Total Assets

 

$

1,391,329

   

$

3,184,329

   

$

   

$

4,575,658

   

Transfers between investment levels may occur as the markets fluctuate and/or the availability of data used in an investment's valuation changes.

3.  Repurchase Agreements: The Fund may enter into repurchase agreements under which the Fund lends cash and takes possession of securities with an agreement that the counterparty will repurchase such securities. In connection with transactions in repurchase agreements, a

bank as custodian for the Fund takes possession of the underlying securities which are held as collateral, with a market value at least equal to the amount of the repurchase transaction, including principal and accrued interest. To the extent that any repurchase transaction exceeds one business day, the value of the collateral is marked-to-market on a daily basis to determine 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. In the event of default on the obligation to repurchase, the Fund has the right to liquidate the collateral and apply the proceeds in satisfaction of the obligation. In the event of default or bankruptcy by the counterparty to the agreement, realization of the collateral proceeds may be subject to cost and delays. The Fund, along with other affiliated investment companies, may utilize a joint trading account for the purpose of entering into repurchase agreements.

4.  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


19



Morgan Stanley Institutional Fund, Inc.

Annual Report — December 31, 2020

Notes to Financial Statements (cont'd)

certain foreign currency transactions and the foreign currency portion of gains and losses realized on sales and maturities of foreign denominated debt securities are treated as ordinary income for U.S. federal income tax purposes.

Net realized gains (losses) on foreign currency transactions represent net foreign exchange gains (losses) from foreign currency forward exchange contracts, disposition of foreign currencies, currency gains (losses) realized between the trade and settlement dates on securities transactions, and the difference between the amount of investment income and foreign withholding taxes recorded on the Fund's books and the U.S. dollar equivalent amounts actually received or paid. The change in unrealized currency gains (losses) on foreign currency transactions for the period is reflected in the Statement of Operations.

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.

Governmental approval for foreign investments may be required in advance of making an investment under certain circumstances in some countries, and the extent of foreign investments in domestic companies may be subject to limitation in other countries. Foreign ownership limitations also may be imposed by the charters of individual companies to prevent, among other concerns, violations of foreign investment limitations. As a result, an additional class of shares (identified as "Foreign" in the Portfolio of Investments) may be created and offered for investment. The "local" and "foreign shares" market values may differ. In the absence of trading of the foreign shares in such markets, the Fund values the foreign shares at the closing exchange price of the local shares.

5.  Derivatives: The Fund may, but is not required to, use derivative instruments for a variety of purposes, including hedging, risk management, portfolio management or to earn income. Derivatives are financial instruments whose value is based, in part, on the value of an underlying asset, interest rate, index or financial instrument. Prevailing interest rates and volatility levels, among other things, also

affect the value of derivative instruments. A derivative instrument often has risks similar to its underlying asset and may have additional risks, including imperfect correlation between the value of the derivative and the underlying asset, risks of default by the counterparty to certain transactions, magnification of losses incurred due to changes in the market value of the securities, instruments, indices or interest rates to which the derivative instrument relates, risks that the transactions may not be liquid and risks arising from margin requirements. The use of derivatives involves risks that are different from, and possibly greater than, the risks associated with other portfolio investments. Derivatives may involve the use of highly specialized instruments that require investment techniques and risk analyses different from those associated with other portfolio investments. All of the Fund's holdings, including derivative instruments, are marked-to-market each day with the change in value reflected in unrealized appreciation (depreciation). Upon disposition, a realized gain or loss is recognized.

Certain derivative transactions may give rise to a form of leverage. Leverage magnifies the potential for gain and the risk of loss. Leverage associated with derivative transactions may cause the Fund to liquidate portfolio positions when it may not be advantageous to do so to satisfy its obligations or to meet earmarking or segregation requirements, pursuant to applicable Securities and Exchange Commission ("SEC") rules and regulations, or may cause the Fund to be more volatile than if the Fund had not been leveraged. Although the Adviser seeks to use derivatives to further the Fund's investment objectives, there is no assurance that the use of derivatives will achieve this result.

Following is a description of the derivative instruments and techniques that the Fund used during the period and their associated risks:

Options: With respect to options, the Fund is subject to equity risk, interest rate risk and foreign currency exchange risk in the normal course of pursuing its investment objectives. If the Fund buys an option, it buys a legal contract giving it the right to buy or sell a specific amount of the underlying instrument or foreign currency, or futures contract on the underlying instrument or foreign currency, at an agreed-upon price during a period of time or on a specified date typically in exchange for a premium paid by the Fund. The Fund may


20



Morgan Stanley Institutional Fund, Inc.

Annual Report — December 31, 2020

Notes to Financial Statements (cont'd)

purchase and/or sell put and call options. Purchasing call options tends to increase the Fund's exposure to the underlying (or similar) instrument. Purchasing put options tends to decrease the Fund's exposure to the underlying (or similar) instrument. When entering into purchased option contracts, the Fund bears the risk of interest or exchange rates or securities prices moving unexpectedly, in which case, the Fund may not achieve the anticipated benefits of the purchased option contracts; however the risk of loss is limited to the premium paid. Purchased options are reported as part of "Total Investments in Securities" in the Statement of Assets and Liabilities. Premiums paid for purchasing options which expired are treated as realized losses. If the Fund sells an option, it sells to another party the right to buy from or sell to the Fund a specific amount of the underlying instrument or foreign currency, or futures contract on the underlying instrument or foreign currency, at an agreed-upon price during a period of time or on a specified date typically in exchange for a premium received by the Fund. When options are purchased OTC, the Fund bears the risk that the counterparty that wrote the option will be unable or unwilling to perform its obligations under the option contract. Options may also be illiquid and the Fund may have difficulty closing out its position. A decision as to whether, when and how to use options involves the exercise of skill and judgment and even a well-conceived option transaction may be unsuccessful because of market behavior or unexpected events. The prices of options can be highly volatile and the use of options can lower total returns.

As of December 31, 2020, the Fund did not have any outstanding purchased options.

FASB ASC 815, "Derivatives and Hedging" ("ASC 815"), is intended to improve financial reporting about derivative instruments by requiring enhanced disclosures to enable investors to better understand how and why the Fund uses derivative instruments, how these derivative instruments are accounted for and their effects on the Fund's financial position and results of operations.

The following tables set forth by primary risk exposure the Fund's realized gains (losses) and change in unrealized appreciation (depreciation) by type of derivative

contract for the year ended December 31, 2020 in accordance with ASC 815:

Realized Gain (Loss)

 

Primary Risk Exposure

 

Derivative Type

  Value
(000)
 
Currency Risk
 
  Investments
(Purchased Options)
    $(4,209)(a)    

(a) Amounts are included in Investments Sold in the Statement of Operations.

Change in Unrealized Appreciation (Depreciation)

 

Primary Risk Exposure

 

Derivative Type

  Value
(000)
 
Currency Risk
 
  Investments
(Purchased Options)
    $3,633(b)    

(b) Amounts are included in Investments in the Statement of Operations.

For the year ended December 31, 2020, the approximate average monthly amount outstanding for each derivative type is as follows:

Purchased Options:

 

Average monthly notional amount

   

352,602,000

   

6.  Securities Lending: The Fund lends securities to qualified financial institutions, such as broker-dealers, to earn additional income. Any increase or decrease in the fair value of the securities loaned that might occur and any interest earned or dividends declared on those securities during the term of the loan would remain in the Fund. The Fund would receive cash or securities as collateral in an amount equal to or exceeding 100% of the current fair value of the loaned securities. The collateral is marked-to-market daily by State Street Bank and Trust Company ("State Street"), the securities lending agent, to ensure that a minimum of 100% collateral coverage is maintained.

Based on pre-established guidelines, the securities lending agent invests any cash collateral that is received in an affiliated money market portfolio and repurchase agreements. Securities lending income is generated from the earnings on the invested collateral and borrowing fees, less any rebates owed to the borrowers and compensation to the lending agent, and is recorded as "Income from Securities Loaned — Net" in the Fund's Statement of Operations. 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.


21



Morgan Stanley Institutional Fund, Inc.

Annual Report — December 31, 2020

Notes to Financial Statements (cont'd)

The Fund has the right under the securities lending agreement to recover the securities from the borrower on demand.

At December 31, 2020, the Fund did not have any outstanding securities on loan.

7.  Redemption Fees: The Fund will assess a 2% redemption fee, on Class I shares, Class A shares, Class L shares, Class C shares and Class IS shares, which is paid directly to the Fund, for shares redeemed or exchanged within thirty days of purchase, subject to certain exceptions. The redemption fee is designed to protect the Fund and its remaining shareholders from the effects of short-term trading. These fees, if any, are included in the Statements of Changes in Net Assets. Effective April 30, 2020, the Board of Directors of the Fund approved the elimination of redemption fees charged by the Fund.

8.  Indemnifications: The Company enters into contracts that contain a variety of indemnifications. The Company's maximum exposure under these arrangements is unknown. However, the Company has not had prior claims or losses pursuant to these contracts and expects the risk of loss to be remote.

9.  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. Net realized capital gains, if any, are distributed at least annually.

10.  Security Transactions, Income and Expenses: Security transactions are accounted for on the trade date (date the order to buy or sell is executed). Realized gains and losses on the sale of investment securities are determined on the specific identified cost method. Dividend income and other distributions are recorded on the ex-dividend date (except for certain foreign dividends which may be recorded as soon as the Fund is informed of such dividends) net of applicable withholding taxes. Interest income is recognized on the accrual basis except where collection is in doubt. Discounts are accreted and premiums are amortized over the life of the respective securities. Most expenses of the Company can be directly attributed to a particular Fund. Expenses which cannot be directly attributed are apportioned among the Funds based upon relative net assets or other appropriate methods. Income, expenses (other than class specific expenses — distribution and shareholder services, transfer agency and sub transfer

agency fees) and realized and unrealized gains or losses are allocated to each class of shares based upon their relative net assets.

B. Advisory Fees: The Adviser, a wholly-owned subsidiary of Morgan Stanley, provides the Fund with advisory services under the terms of an Investment Advisory Agreement, paid quarterly, at the annual rate based on the daily net assets as follows:

First $1
billion
  Over $1
billion
 
  0.80

%

   

0.75

%

 

For the year ended December 31, 2020, the advisory fee rate (net of rebate) was equivalent to an annual effective rate of 0.75% of the Fund's average daily net assets.

The Adviser has agreed to reduce its advisory fee and/or reimburse the Fund so that total annual Fund operating expenses, excluding certain investment related expenses, taxes, interest and other extraordinary expenses (including litigation), will not exceed 1.00% for Class I shares, 1.35% for Class A shares, 1.85% for Class L shares, 2.10% for Class C shares and 0.95% for Class IS shares. The fee waivers and/or expense reimbursements will continue for at least one year from the date of the Fund's prospectus or until such time as the Directors act to discontinue all or a portion of such waivers and/or reimbursements when they deem such action is appropriate. For the year ended December 31, 2020, approximately $2,000 of other expenses were reimbursed by the Adviser pursuant to this arrangement.

C. Administration Fees: The Adviser also serves as Administrator to the Company and provides administrative services pursuant to an Administration Agreement for an annual fee, accrued daily and paid monthly, of 0.08% of the Fund's average daily net assets.

Under a Sub-Administration Agreement between the Administrator and State Street, State Street provides certain administrative services to the Company. For such services, the Administrator pays State Street a portion of the fee the Administrator receives from the Fund.

D. Distribution and Shareholder Services Fees: Morgan Stanley Distribution, Inc. ("MSDI" or the "Distributor"), a wholly-owned subsidiary of the Adviser and an indirect subsidiary of Morgan Stanley, serves as the Company's Distributor of Fund shares pursuant to a Distribution Agreement. The Company has adopted a Shareholder Services Plan with respect to Class A shares pursuant to Rule 12b-1 under the


22



Morgan Stanley Institutional Fund, Inc.

Annual Report — December 31, 2020

Notes to Financial Statements (cont'd)

Act. Under the Shareholder Services Plan, the Fund pays the Distributor a shareholder services fee, accrued daily and paid monthly, at an annual rate of 0.25% of the Fund's average daily net assets attributable to Class A shares.

The Company has adopted a Distribution and Shareholder Services Plan with respect to Class L shares pursuant to Rule 12b-1 under the Act. Under the Distribution and Shareholder Services Plan, the Fund pays the Distributor a distribution fee, accrued daily and paid monthly, at an annual rate of 0.50% and a shareholder services fee, accrued daily and paid monthly, at an annual rate of 0.25% of the Fund's average daily net assets attributable to Class L shares.

The Company has adopted a Distribution and Shareholder Services Plan with respect to Class C shares pursuant to Rule 12b-1 under the Act. Under the Distribution and Shareholder Services Plan, the Fund pays the Distributor a distribution fee, accrued daily and paid monthly, at an annual rate of 0.75% and a shareholder services fee, accrued daily and paid monthly, at an annual rate of 0.25% of the Fund's average daily net assets attributable to Class C shares.

The distribution and shareholder services fees are used to support the expenses associated with servicing and maintaining accounts. The Distributor may compensate other parties for providing shareholder support services to investors who purchase Class A, Class L and Class C shares.

E. Dividend Disbursing and Transfer Agent: The Company's dividend disbursing and transfer agent is DST Asset Manager Solutions, Inc. ("DST"). Pursuant to a Transfer Agency Agreement, the Company pays DST a fee based on the number of classes, accounts and transactions relating to the Funds of the Company.

F. Custodian Fees: State Street (the "Custodian") also serves as Custodian for the Company in accordance with a Custodian Agreement. The Custodian holds cash, securities and other assets of the Company as required by the Act. Custody fees are payable monthly based on assets held in custody, investment purchases and sales activity and account maintenance fees, plus reimbursement for certain out-of-pocket expenses.

G. Security Transactions and Transactions with Affiliates: For the year ended December 31, 2020, purchases and sales of investment securities for the Fund, other than long-term U.S. Government securities and short-term investments were approximately $1,542,793,000 and $498,277,000,

respectively. There were no purchases and sales of long-term U.S. Government securities for the year ended December 31, 2020.

The Fund invests in the Institutional Class of the Morgan Stanley Institutional Liquidity Funds — Treasury Securities Portfolio (the "Liquidity Funds"), an open-end management investment company managed by the Adviser, both directly and as a portion of the securities held as collateral on loaned securities. Advisory fees paid by the Fund are reduced by an amount equal to its pro-rata share of the advisory and administration fees paid by the Fund due to its investment in the Liquidity Funds. For the year ended December 31, 2020, advisory fees paid were reduced by approximately $427,000 relating to the Fund's investment in the Liquidity Funds.

A summary of the Fund's transactions in shares of affiliated investments during the year ended December 31, 2020 is as follows:

Affiliated
Investment
Company/Issuer
  Value
December 31,
2019
(000)
  Purchases
at Cost
(000)
  Proceeds
from Sales
(000)
  Dividend
Income
(000)
 

Liquidity Funds

 

$

215,987

   

$

1,109,474

   

$

951,262

   

$

787

   
Canada Goose
Holdings, Inc.
 

 

129,640

 

 

 
   

$

215,987

   

$

1,239,114

   

$

951,262

   

$

787

   
Affiliated
Investment
Company/Issuer
  Realized
Gain (Loss)
(000)
  Change in
Unrealized
Appreciation
(Depreciation)
(000)
  Value
December 31,
2020
(000)
 

Liquidity Funds

 

$

   

$

   

$

374,199

   
Canada Goose
Holdings, Inc.
   

     

13,227

     

142,867

   
   

$

   

$

13,227

   

$

517,066

   

The Fund is permitted to purchase and sell securities ("cross-trade") from and to other Morgan Stanley funds as well as other funds and client accounts for which the Adviser or an affiliate of the Adviser serves as investment adviser, pursuant to procedures approved by the Directors in compliance with Rule 17a-7 under the Act (the "Rule"). Each cross-trade is executed at the current market price in compliance with provisions of the Rule. For the year ended December 31, 2020, the Fund did not engage in any cross-trade transactions.

The Fund has an unfunded Deferred Compensation Plan (the "Compensation Plan"), which allows each independent Director to defer payment of all, or a portion, of the fees he or she receives for serving on the Board of Directors. Each eligible Director generally may elect to have the deferred amounts credited with a return equal to the total return on one or more


23



Morgan Stanley Institutional Fund, Inc.

Annual Report — December 31, 2020

Notes to Financial Statements (cont'd)

of the Morgan Stanley funds that are offered as investment options under the Compensation Plan. Appreciation/depreciation and distributions received from these investments are recorded with an offsetting increase/decrease in the deferred compensation obligation and do not affect the NAV of the Fund.

H. Federal Income Taxes: It is the Fund's intention to continue to qualify as a regulated investment company and distribute all of its taxable and tax-exempt income. Accordingly, no provision for federal income taxes is required in the financial statements.

The Fund may be subject to taxes imposed by countries in which it invests. Such taxes are generally based on income and/or capital gains earned or repatriated. Taxes are accrued based on net investment income, net realized gains and net unrealized appreciation as such income and/or gains are earned. Taxes may also be based on transactions in foreign currency and are accrued based on the value of investments denominated in such currency.

FASB ASC 740-10, "Income Taxes — Overall", sets forth a minimum threshold for financial statement recognition of the benefit of a tax position taken or expected to be taken in a tax return. Management has concluded there are no significant uncertain tax positions that would require recognition in the financial statements. If applicable, the Fund recognizes interest accrued related to unrecognized tax benefits in "Interest Expense" and penalties in "Other Expenses" in the Statement of Operations. The Fund files tax returns with the U.S. Internal Revenue Service, New York and various states. Generally, each of the tax years in the four-year period ended December 31, 2020 remains subject to examination by taxing authorities.

The tax character of distributions paid may differ from the character of distributions shown for GAAP purposes due to short-term capital gains being treated as ordinary income for tax purposes. The tax character of distributions paid during fiscal years 2020 and 2019 was as follows:

2020
Distributions
Paid From:
  2019
Distributions
Paid From:
 
Ordinary
Income
(000)
  Long-Term
Capital Gain
(000)
  Ordinary
Income
(000)
  Long-Term
Capital Gain
(000)
 
$

1,866

   

$

12

   

$

701

   

$

2,176

   

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 attributable to differing book and tax treatments for the timing of the recognition of gains (losses) on certain investment transactions and the timing of the deductibility of certain expenses.

Permanent differences, primarily due to a net operating loss, resulted in the following reclassifications among the components of net assets at December 31, 2020:

Total
Distributable
Earnings
(000)
  Paid-in
Capital
(000)
 
$

14,881

   

$

(14,881

)

 

At December 31, 2020, the components of distributable earnings for the Fund on a tax basis were as follows:

Undistributed
Ordinary
Income
(000)
  Undistributed
Long-Term
Capital Gain
(000)
 
$

   

$

6,448

   

I. Credit Facility: The Company and other Morgan Stanley funds participated in a $300,000,000 committed, unsecured revolving line of credit facility (the "Facility") with State Street. This Facility is to be used for temporary emergency purposes or funding of shareholder redemption requests. The interest rate on borrowings is based on the federal funds rate or 1 month LIBOR rate plus a spread. The Facility also has a commitment fee of 0.25% per annum based on the unused portion of the Facility. During the year ended December 31, 2020, the Fund did not have any borrowings under the Facility.

J. Other: At December 31, 2020, the Fund had record owners of 10% or greater. Investment activities of these shareholders could have a material impact on the Fund. The aggregate percentage of such owners was 50.4%.

K. Market Risk: Certain impacts to public health conditions particular to the coronavirus (COVID-19) outbreak could impact the operations and financial performance of certain of the Fund's investments. The extent of the impact to the financial performance of the Fund's investments will depend on future developments, including (i) the duration and spread of the outbreak, (ii) the restrictions and advisories, (iii) the effects on the financial markets, and (iv) the effects on the economy overall, all of which are highly uncertain and cannot be predicted. If the financial performance of the Fund's investments is impacted because of these factors for an extended period, the Fund's investment results may be adversely affected.


24



Morgan Stanley Institutional Fund, Inc.

Annual Report — December 31, 2020

Report of Independent Registered Public Accounting Firm

To the Shareholders and Board of Directors of
Morgan Stanley Institutional Fund, Inc. —
International Advantage Portfolio

Opinion on the Financial Statements

We have audited the accompanying statement of assets and liabilities of International Advantage Portfolio (the "Fund") (one of the funds constituting Morgan Stanley Institutional Fund, Inc. (the "Company")), including the portfolio of investments, as of December 31, 2020, and the related statement of operations for the year then ended, the statements of changes in net assets for each of the two years in the period then ended, the financial highlights for each of the five years in the period then ended and the related notes (collectively referred to as the "financial statements"). In our opinion, the financial statements present fairly, in all material respects, the financial position of International Advantage Portfolio (one of the funds constituting Morgan Stanley Institutional Fund, Inc.) at December 31, 2020, the results of its operations for the year then ended, the changes in its net assets for each of the two years in the period then ended and its financial highlights for each of the five years in the period then ended, in conformity with U.S. generally accepted accounting principles.

Basis for Opinion

These financial statements are the responsibility of the Company's management. Our responsibility is to express an opinion on the Fund's financial statements based on our audits. We are a public accounting firm registered with the Public Company Accounting Oversight Board (United States) ("PCAOB") and are required to be independent with respect to the Company in accordance with the U.S. federal securities law and the applicable rules and regulations of the Securities and Exchange Commission and the PCAOB.

We conducted our audits in accordance with the standards of the PCAOB. Those standards require that we plan and perform the audit to obtain reasonable assurance about whether the financial statements are free of material misstatement, whether due to error or fraud. The Company is not required to have, nor were we engaged to perform, an audit of the Company's internal control over financial reporting. As part of our audits, we are required to obtain an understanding of internal control over financial reporting, but not for the purpose of expressing an opinion on the effectiveness of the Company's internal control over financial reporting. Accordingly, we express no such opinion.

Our audits included performing procedures to assess the risks of material misstatement of the financial statements, whether due to error or fraud, and performing procedures that respond to those risks. Such procedures included examining, on a test basis, evidence regarding the amounts and disclosures in the financial statements. Our procedures included confirmation of securities owned as of December 31, 2020 by correspondence with the custodian and others or by other appropriate auditing procedures where replies from others were not received. Our audits also included evaluating the accounting principles used and significant estimates made by management, as well as evaluating the overall presentation of the financial statements. We believe that our audits provide a reasonable basis for our opinion.

We have served as the auditor of one or more Morgan Stanley investment companies since 2000.
Boston, Massachusetts
February 26, 2021


25



Morgan Stanley Institutional Fund, Inc.

Annual Report — December 31, 2020

Liquidity Risk Management Program (unaudited)

In compliance with Rule 22e-4 under the Investment Company Act of 1940, as amended (the "Liquidity Rule"), the Fund has adopted and implemented a liquidity risk management program (the "Program"), which is reasonably designed to assess and manage the risk that the Fund could not meet requests to redeem shares issued by the Fund without significant dilution of remaining investors' interests in the Fund (i.e., liquidity risk). The Fund's Board of Directors (the "Board") previously approved the designation of the Liquidity Risk Subcommittee (the "LRS") as Program administrator. The LRS is comprised of representatives from various divisions within Morgan Stanley Investment Management.

At a meeting held on April 22-23, 2020, the Board reviewed a written report prepared by the LRS that addressed the Program's operation and assessed its adequacy, and effectiveness of implementation for the period from December 1, 2018, through December 31, 2019, as required under the Liquidity Rule. The report concluded that the Program operated effectively and was adequately and effectively implemented in all material aspects, and that the relevant controls and safeguards were appropriately designed to enable the LRS to administer the Program in compliance with the Liquidity Rule.

In accordance with the Program, the LRS assessed each Fund's liquidity risk no less frequently than annually taking into consideration certain factors, as applicable, such as (i) investment strategy and liquidity of portfolio investments, (ii) short-term and long-term cash flow projections and (iii) holdings of cash and cash equivalents and borrowing arrangements and other funding sources. Certain factors are considered under both normal and reasonably foreseeable stressed conditions.

Each Fund portfolio investment is classified into one of four liquidity categories, which classification is assessed at least monthly by the LRS. The classification is based on a determination of the number of days it is reasonably expected to take to convert the investment into cash, or sell or dispose of the investment, in current market conditions without significantly changing the market value of the investment. Liquidity classification determinations take into account various market, trading and investment-specific considerations, as well as market depth, and in some cases utilize third-party vendor data.

The Liquidity Rule limits a fund's investments in illiquid investments to 15% of its net assets and requires funds that do not primarily hold assets that are highly liquid investments to determine and maintain a minimum percentage of the fund's net assets to be invested in highly liquid investments (highly liquid investment minimum or "HLIM"). The LRS believes that the Program includes provisions reasonably designed to review, monitor and comply with the 15% limit on illiquid investments and for determining, periodically reviewing and complying with the HLIM requirement, as applicable.

There can be no assurance that the Program will achieve its objectives under all circumstances in the future. Please refer to the Fund's prospectus for more information regarding the Fund's exposure to liquidity risk and other risks to which it may be subject.


26



Morgan Stanley Institutional Fund, Inc.

Annual Report — December 31, 2020

Federal Tax Notice (unaudited)

For federal income tax purposes, the following information is furnished with respect to the distributions paid by the Fund during its taxable year ended December 31, 2020.

The Fund designated and paid approximately $12,000 as a long-term capital gain distribution.

For federal income tax purposes, the following information is furnished with respect to the Fund's earnings for its taxable year ended December 31, 2020. When distributed, certain earnings may be subject to a maximum tax rate of 15% as provided for by the Jobs and Growth Tax Relief Reconciliation Act of 2003. The Fund designated up to a maximum of approximately $3,983,000 as taxable at this lower rate.

The Fund intends to pass through foreign tax credits of approximately $2,117,000 and has derived net income from sources within foreign countries amounting to approximately $21,761,000.

In January, the Fund provides tax information to shareholders for the preceding calendar year.


27



Morgan Stanley Institutional Fund, Inc.

Annual Report — December 31, 2020

Privacy Notice (unaudited)  April 2019

FACTS

 

WHAT DOES MSIM DO WITH YOUR PERSONAL INFORMATION?

 

Why?

 

Financial companies choose how they share your personal information. Federal law gives consumers the right to limit some but not all sharing. Federal law also requires us to tell you how we collect, share, and protect your personal information. Please read this notice carefully to understand what we do.

 

What?

  The types of personal information we collect and share depend on the product or service you have with us. This information can include:
n Social Security number and income
n investment experience and risk tolerance
n checking account number and wire transfer instructions
 

How?

 

All financial companies need to share customers' personal information to run their everyday business. In the section below, we list the reasons financial companies can share their customers' personal information; the reasons MSIM chooses to share; and whether you can limit this sharing.

 

 

Reasons we can share your personal information

 

Does MSIM share?

 

Can you limit this sharing?

 
For our everyday business purposes —
such as to process your transactions, maintain your account(s), respond to court orders and legal investigations, or report to credit bureaus
 

Yes

 

No

 
For our marketing purposes —
to offer our products and services to you
 

Yes

 

No

 

For joint marketing with other financial companies

 

No

 

We don't share

 
For our affiliates' everyday business purposes —
information about your transactions and experiences
 

Yes

 

No

 
For our affiliates' everyday business purposes —
information about your creditworthiness
 

No

 

We don't share

 

For our affiliates to market to you

 

No

 

We don't share

 

For non-affiliates to market to you

 

No

 

We don't share

 

Questions?  Call toll-free (844) 312-6327 or email: imprivacyinquiries@morganstanley.com


28



Morgan Stanley Institutional Fund, Inc.

Annual Report — December 31, 2020

Privacy Notice (unaudited) (cont'd)  April 2019

Who we are

Who is providing this notice?

 

Morgan Stanley Investment Management, Inc. and its affiliated registered investment advisers, registered broker-dealers, and registered and unregistered funds ("MSIM")

 

What we do

How does MSIM protect my personal information?

 

To protect your personal information from unauthorized access and use, we use security measures that comply with federal law. These measures include computer safeguards and secured files and buildings. We have policies governing the proper handling of customer information by personnel and requiring third parties that provide support to adhere to appropriate security standards with respect to such information.

 

How does MSIM collect my personal information?

  We collect your personal information, for example, when you
n open an account or make deposits or withdrawals from your account
n buy securities from us or make a wire transfer
n give us your contact information
We also collect your personal information from others, such as credit bureaus, affiliates, or other companies.
 

Why can't I limit all sharing?

  Federal law gives you the right to limit only
n sharing for affiliates' everyday business purposes — information about your creditworthiness
n affiliates from using your information to market to you
n sharing for non-affiliates to market to you
State laws and individual companies may give you additional rights to limit sharing. See below for more on your rights under state law.
 

Definitions

Affiliates

  Companies related by common ownership or control. They can be financial and non-financial companies.
n Our affiliates include companies with a Morgan Stanley name and financial companies such as Morgan Stanley Smith Barney LLC and Morgan Stanley & Co.
 

Non-affiliates

  Companies not related by common ownership or control. They can be financial and non-financial companies.
n MSIM does not share with non-affiliates so they can market to you.
 

Joint marketing

  A formal agreement between non-affiliated financial companies that together market financial products or services to you.
n MSIM doesn't jointly market
 


29



Morgan Stanley Institutional Fund, Inc.

Annual Report — December 31, 2020

Privacy Notice (unaudited) (cont'd)  April 2019

Other important information

Vermont: Except as permitted by law, we will not share personal information we collect about Vermont residents with Non-affiliates unless you provide us with your written consent to share such information.

California: Except as permitted by law, we will not share personal information we collect about California residents with Non-affiliates and we will limit sharing such personal information with our Affiliates to comply with California privacy laws that apply to us.


30



Morgan Stanley Institutional Fund, Inc.

Annual Report — December 31, 2020

Director and Officer Information (unaudited)

Independent Directors:

Name, Address and Birth
Year of Independent Director
  Position(s)
Held with
Registrant
  Length of Time
Served*
  Principal Occupation(s) During Past 5 Years and Other
Relevant Professional Experience
  Number of
Funds
in Fund Complex
Overseen by
Independent
Director**
  Other Directorships
Held by Independent
Director***
 
Frank L. Bowman
c/o Perkins Coie LLP
Counsel to the Independent Directors
1155 Avenue of the Americas,
22nd Floor
New York, NY 10036
Birth Year: 1944
 

Director

 

Since August 2006

 

President, Strategic Decisions, LLC (consulting) (since February 2009); Director or Trustee of various Morgan Stanley Funds (since August 2006); Chairperson of the Compliance and Insurance Committee (since October 2015); formerly, Chairperson of the Insurance Sub-Committee of the Compliance and Insurance Committee (2007-2015); served as President and Chief Executive Officer of the Nuclear Energy Institute (policy organization) (February 2005-November 2008); retired as Admiral, U.S. Navy after serving over 38 years on active duty including 8 years as Director of the Naval Nuclear Propulsion Program in the Department of the Navy and the U.S. Department of Energy (1996-2004); served as Chief of Naval Personnel (July 1994-September 1996) and on the Joint Staff as Director of Political Military Affairs (June 1992-July 1994); knighted as Honorary Knight Commander of the Most Excellent Order of the British Empire; awarded the Officier de l'Orde National du Mérite by the French Government; elected to the National Academy of Engineering (2009).

 

79

 

Director of Naval and Nuclear Technologies LLP; Director Emeritus of the Armed Services YMCA; Member of the National Security Advisory Council of the Center for U.S. Global Engagement and a member of the CNA Military Advisory Board; Trustee of Fairhaven United Methodist Church; Member of the Board of Advisors of the Dolphin Scholarship Foundation; Director of other various non-profit organizations; formerly, Director of BP plc (November 2010-May 2019).

 
Kathleen A. Dennis
c/o Perkins Coie LLP
Counsel to the Independent Directors
1155 Avenue of the Americas,
22nd Floor
New York, NY 10036
Birth Year: 1953
 

Director

 

Since August 2006

 

Chairperson of the Governance Committee (January 2021), Chairperson of the Liquidity and Alternatives Sub-Committee of the Investment Committee (2006-2020); and Director or Trustee of various Morgan Stanley Funds (since August 2006); President, Cedarwood Associates (mutual fund and investment management consulting) (since July 2006); formerly, Senior Managing Director of Victory Capital Management (1993-2006).

 

79

 

Board Member, University of Albany Foundation (2012-present); Board Member, Mutual Funds Directors Forum (2014-present); Director of various non-profit organizations.

 
Nancy C. Everett
c/o Perkins Coie LLP
Counsel to the Independent Directors
1155 Avenue of the Americas,
22nd Floor
New York, NY 10036
Birth Year: 1955
 

Director

 

Since January 2015

 

Chairperson of the Equity Investment Committee (since January 2021); Director or Trustee of various Morgan Stanley Funds (since January 2015); Chief Executive Officer, Virginia Commonwealth University Investment Company (since November 2015); Owner, OBIR, LLC (institutional investment management consulting) (since June 2014); formerly, Managing Director, BlackRock, Inc. (February 2011-December 2013); and Chief Executive Officer, General Motors Asset Management (a/k/a Promark Global Advisors, Inc.) (June 2005-May 2010).

 

80

 

Formerly, Member of Virginia Commonwealth University School of Business Foundation (2005-2016); Member of Virginia Commonwealth University Board of Visitors (2013-2015); Member of Committee on Directors for Emerging Markets Growth Fund, Inc. (2007-2010); Chairperson of Performance Equity Management, LLC (2006-2010); and Chairperson, GMAM Absolute Return Strategies Fund, LLC (2006-2010).

 


31



Morgan Stanley Institutional Fund, Inc.

Annual Report — December 31, 2020

Director and Officer Information (unaudited) (cont'd)

Independent Directors (cont'd):

Name, Address and Birth
Year of Independent Director
  Position(s)
Held with
Registrant
  Length of Time
Served*
  Principal Occupation(s) During Past 5 Years and Other
Relevant Professional Experience
  Number of
Funds
in Fund Complex
Overseen by
Independent
Director**
  Other Directorships
Held by Independent
Director***
 
Jakki L. Haussler
c/o Perkins Coie LLP
Counsel to the Independent Directors
1155 Avenue of the Americas,
22nd Floor
New York, NY 10036
Birth Year: 1957
 

Director

 

Since January 2015

 

Director or Trustee of various Morgan Stanley Funds (since January 2015) Chairman, Opus Capital Group (1996); formerly, Chief Executive Officer, Opus Capital Group (1996-2019); Director, Capvest Venture Fund, LP (May 2000-December 2011); Partner, Adena Ventures, LP (July 1999-December 2010); Director, The Victory Funds (February 2005-July 2008).

 

80

 

Director of Cincinnati Bell Inc. and Member, Audit Committee and Chairman, Governance and Nominating Committee; Director of Service Corporation International and Member, Audit Committee and Investment Committee; Director of Northern Kentucky University Foundation and Member, Investment Committee; Member of Chase College of Law Transactional Law Practice Center Board of Advisors; Director of Best Transport; Director of Chase College of Law Board of Visitors; formerly, Member, University of Cincinnati Foundation Investment Committee; Member, Miami University Board of Visitors (2008-2011); Trustee of Victory Funds (2005-2008) and Chairman, Investment Committee (2007-2008); and Member, Service Provider Committee (2005-2008).

 
Dr. Manuel H. Johnson
c/o Johnson Smick International, Inc.
220 I Street, NE — Suite 200
Washington, D.C. 20002
Birth Year: 1949
 

Director

 

Since July 1991

 

Senior Partner, Johnson Smick International, Inc. (consulting firm); Chairperson of the Fixed Income, Liquidity and Alternatives Investment Committee (January 2021), Chairperson of the Investment Committee (2006-2020) and Director or Trustee of various Morgan Stanley Funds (since July 1991); Co-Chairman and a founder of the Group of Seven Council (G7C) (international economic commission); formerly, Chairperson of the Audit Committee (July 1991-September 2006), Vice Chairman of the Board of Governors of the Federal Reserve System and Assistant Secretary of the U.S. Treasury.

 

79

 

Director of NVR, Inc. (home construction).

 


32



Morgan Stanley Institutional Fund, Inc.

Annual Report — December 31, 2020

Director and Officer Information (unaudited) (cont'd)

Independent Directors (cont'd):

Name, Address and Birth
Year of Independent Director
  Position(s)
Held with
Registrant
  Length of Time
Served*
  Principal Occupation(s) During Past 5 Years and Other
Relevant Professional Experience
  Number of
Funds
in Fund Complex
Overseen by
Independent
Director**
  Other Directorships
Held by Independent
Director***
 
Joseph J. Kearns
c/o Perkins Coie LLP
Counsel to the Independent Directors
1155 Avenue of the Americas,
22nd Floor
New York, NY 10036
Birth Year: 1942
 

Director

 

Since August 1994

 

Senior Adviser, Kearns & Associates LLC (investment consulting); Chairperson of the Audit Committee (since October 2006) and Director or Trustee of various Morgan Stanley Funds (since August 1994); formerly, Deputy Chairperson of the Audit Committee (July 2003-September 2006) and Chairperson of the Audit Committee of various Morgan Stanley Funds (since August 1994); CFO of the J. Paul Getty Trust (1982-1999).

 

80

 

Director, Rubicon Investment (since February 2019); Prior to August 2016, Director of Electro Rent Corporation (equipment leasing); Prior to December 31, 2013, Director of The Ford Family Foundation.

 
Michael F. Klein
c/o Perkins Coie LLP
Counsel to the Independent Directors
1155 Avenue of the Americas,
22nd Floor
New York, NY 10036
Birth Year: 1958
 

Director

 

Since August 2006

 

Chairperson of the Risk Committee (since January 2021); Managing Director, Aetos Alternatives Management, LP (since March 2000); Co-President, Aetos Alternatives Management, LP (since January 2004) and Co-Chief Executive Officer of Aetos Alternatives Management, LP (since August 2013); Chairperson of the fixed Income Sub-Committee of the Investment committee (2006-2020) and Director or Trustee of various Morgan Stanley Funds (since August 2006); formerly, Managing Director, Morgan Stanley & Co. Inc. and Morgan Stanley Dean Witter Investment Management and President, various Morgan Stanley Funds (June 1998-March 2000); Principal, Morgan Stanley & Co. Inc. and Morgan Stanley Dean Witter Investment Management (August 1997-December 1999).

 

79

 

Director of certain investment funds managed or sponsored by Aetos Alternatives Management, LP; Director of Sanitized AG and Sanitized Marketing AG (specialty chemicals).

 
Patricia Maleski
c/o Perkins Coie LLP
Counsel to the Independent Directors
1155 Avenue of the Americas,
22nd Floor
New York, NY 10036
Birth Year: 1960
 

Director

 

Since January 2017

 

Director or Trustee of various Morgan Stanley Funds (since January 2017); Managing Director, JPMorgan Asset Management (2004-2016); Oversight and Control Head of Fiduciary and Conflicts of Interest Program (2015-2016); Chief Control Officer-Global Asset Management (2013-2015); President, JPMorgan Funds (2010-2013); Chief Administrative Officer (2004-2013); various other positions including Treasurer and Board Liaison (since 2001).

 

80

 

None.

 
W. Allen Reed
c/o Perkins Coie LLP
Counsel to the Independent Directors
1155 Avenue of the Americas,
22nd Floor
New York, NY 10036
Birth Year: 1947
 

Chair of the Board and Director

 

Chair of the Boards since August 2020 and Director since August 2006

 

Chair of the Boards of various Morgan Stanley Funds (since August 2020); Director or Trustee of various Morgan Stanley Funds (since August 2006); formerly, Vice Chair of the Boards of various Morgan Stanley Funds (January 2020-August 2020); President and Chief Executive Officer of General Motors Asset Management; Chairman and Chief Executive Officer of the GM Trust Bank and Corporate Vice President of General Motors Corporation (August 1994-December 2005).

 

79

 

Formerly, Director of Legg Mason, Inc. (2006-2019); and Director of the Auburn University Foundation (2010-2015).

 

*  This is the earliest date the Director began serving the Morgan Stanley Funds. Each Director serves an indefinite term, until his or her successor is elected.

**  The Fund Complex includes (as of December 31, 2020) all open-end and closed-end funds (including all of their portfolios) advised by Morgan Stanley Investment Management Inc. (the "Adviser") and any funds that have an adviser that is an affiliated person of the Adviser (including, but not limited to, Morgan Stanley AIP GP LP).

***  This includes any directorships at public companies and registered investment companies held by the Director at any time during the past five years.


33



Morgan Stanley Institutional Fund, Inc.

Annual Report — December 31, 2020

Director and Officer Information (unaudited) (cont'd)

Executive Officers:

Name, Address and
Birth Year of Executive Officer
  Position(s) Held
with
Registrant
  Length of
Time Served*
 

Principal Occupation(s) During Past 5 Years

 
John H. Gernon
522 Fifth Avenue
New York, NY 10036
Birth Year: 1963
 

President and Principal Executive Officer

 

Since September 2013

 

President and Principal Executive Officer of the Equity and Fixed Income Funds and the Morgan Stanley AIP Funds (since September 2013) and the Liquidity Funds and various money market funds (since May 2014) in the Fund Complex; Managing Director of the Adviser; Head of Public Markets Product Development (since 2006).

 
Timothy J. Knierim
1633 Broadway
New York, NY 10019
Birth Year: 1959
 

Chief Compliance Officer

 

Since December 2016

 

Managing Director of the Adviser and various entities affiliated with the Adviser; Chief Compliance Officer of various Morgan Stanley Funds and the Adviser (since December 2016) and Chief Compliance Officer of Morgan Stanley AIP GP LP (since 2014). Formerly, Managing Director and Deputy Chief Compliance Officer of the Adviser (2014-2016).

 
Francis J. Smith
522 Fifth Avenue
New York, NY 10036
Birth Year: 1965
 

Treasurer and Principal Financial Officer

 

Treasurer since July 2003 and Principal Financial Officer since September 2002

 

Managing Director of the Adviser and various entities affiliated with the Adviser; Treasurer (since July 2003) and Principal Financial Officer of various Morgan Stanley Funds (since September 2002).

 
Mary E. Mullin
1633 Broadway
New York, NY 10019
Birth Year: 1967
 

Secretary

 

Since June 1999

 

Managing Director of the Adviser; Secretary of various Morgan Stanley Funds (since June 1999).

 
Michael J. Key
522 Fifth Avenue
New York, NY 10036
Birth Year: 1979
 

Vice President

 

Since June 2017

 

Vice President of the Equity and Fixed Income Funds, Liquidity Funds, various money market funds and the Morgan Stanley AIP Funds in the Fund Complex (since June 2017); Executive Director of the Adviser; Head of Product Development for Equity and Fixed Income Funds (since August 2013).

 

*  This is the earliest date the officer began serving the Morgan Stanley Funds. Each officer serves a one-year term, until his or her successor is elected and qualifies.


34



Morgan Stanley Institutional Fund, Inc.

Annual Report — December 31, 2020

Adviser and Administrator

Morgan Stanley Investment Management Inc.
522 Fifth Avenue
New York, New York 10036

Distributor

Morgan Stanley Distribution, Inc.
522 Fifth Avenue
New York, New York 10036

Dividend Disbursing and Transfer Agent

DST Asset Manager Solutions, Inc.
2000 Crown Colony Drive
Quincy, Massachusetts 02169

Custodian
State Street Bank and Trust Company

One Lincoln Street
Boston, Massachusetts 02111

Legal Counsel

Dechert LLP
1095 Avenue of the Americas
New York, New York 10036

Counsel to the Independent Directors

Perkins Coie LLP
1155 Avenue of the Americas,
22nd Floor
New York, New York 10036

Independent Registered Public Accounting Firm

Ernst & Young LLP
200 Clarendon Street
Boston, Massachusetts 02116

Reporting to Shareholders

Each Morgan Stanley fund provides a complete schedule of portfolio holdings in its Semi-Annual and the Annual Reports within 60 days of the end of the fund's second and fourth fiscal quarters. The Semi-Annual and Annual Reports are filed electronically with the Securities and Exchange Commission ("SEC") on Form N-CSRS and Form N-CSR, respectively. Morgan Stanley also delivers the Semi-Annual and Annual Reports to fund shareholders and makes these reports available on its public website, www.morganstanley.com/im/shareholderreports. Each Morgan Stanley non-money market fund also files a complete schedule of portfolio holdings with the SEC for the fund's first and third fiscal quarters as an attachment to Form N-PORT. Morgan Stanley does not deliver the reports for the first and third fiscal quarters to shareholders, but makes the complete schedule of portfolio holdings for the fund's first and third fiscal quarters available on its public website. The holdings for each money market fund are also posted to the Morgan Stanley public website. You may obtain the Form N-PORT filings (as well as the Form N-CSR and N-CSRS filings) by accessing the SEC's website, www.sec.gov. You can also request copies of these materials, upon payment of a duplicating fee, by electronic request at the SEC's email address (publicinfo@sec.gov).

Proxy Voting Policies and Procedures and Proxy Voting Record

You may obtain a copy of the Company's Proxy Voting Policy and Procedures and information regarding how the Company voted proxies relating to portfolio securities during the most recent twelve-month period ended June 30, without charge, upon request, by calling toll free 1 (800) 548-7786 or by visiting our website at www.morganstanley.com/im/shareholderreports. This information is also available on the SEC's website at www.sec.gov.

This report is authorized for distribution only when preceded or accompanied by a prospectus or summary prospectus of the applicable fund of Morgan Stanley Institutional Fund, Inc., which describes in detail the fund's investment policies, risks, fees and expenses. Please read the prospectus carefully before you invest or send money. For additional information, including information regarding the investments comprising the Fund, please visit our website at www.morganstanley.com/im/shareholderreports or call toll free 1 (800) 548-7786.


35



Printed in U.S.A.
This Report has been prepared for shareholders and may be distributed to others only if preceded or accompanied by a current prospectus.

Morgan Stanley Investment Management Inc.
522 Fifth Avenue
New York, New York 10036

© 2021 Morgan Stanley. Morgan Stanley Distribution, Inc.

IFIIAANN
3386905 EXP 02.28.22



INVESTMENT MANAGEMENT

Morgan Stanley Institutional Fund, Inc.

International Equity Portfolio

Annual Report

December 31, 2020



Morgan Stanley Institutional Fund, Inc.

Annual Report — December 31, 2020

Table of Contents

Shareholders' Letter

   

2

   

Expense Example

   

3

   

Investment Overview

   

4

   

Portfolio of Investments

   

8

   

Statement of Assets and Liabilities

   

10

   

Statement of Operations

   

12

   

Statements of Changes in Net Assets

   

13

   

Financial Highlights

   

15

   

Notes to Financial Statements

   

20

   

Report of Independent Registered Public Accounting Firm

   

27

   

Liquidity Risk Management Program

   

28

   

Federal Tax Notice

   

29

   

Privacy Notice

   

30

   

Director and Officer Information

   

33

   

This report is authorized for distribution only when preceded or accompanied by a prospectus or summary prospectus of the applicable Fund of Morgan Stanley Institutional Fund, Inc. To receive a prospectus and/or statement of additional information ("SAI"), which contains more complete information such as investment objectives, charges, expenses, policies for voting proxies, risk considerations and describes in detail each of the Fund's investment policies to the prospective investor, please call toll free 1 (800) 548-7786. Please read the prospectuses carefully before you invest or send money.

Additionally, you can access information about the Fund, including performance, characteristics and investment team commentary, through Morgan Stanley Investment Management's website: www.morganstanley.com/im/shareholderreports.

Market forecasts provided in this report may not necessarily come to pass. There is no guarantee that any sectors mentioned will continue to perform as discussed herein or that securities in such sectors will be held by the Fund in the future. There is no assurance that a fund will achieve its investment objective. Funds are subject to market risk, which is the possibility that market values of securities owned by the Fund will decline and, therefore, the value of the Fund's shares may be less than what you paid for them. Accordingly, you can lose money investing in this Fund. Please see the prospectus for more complete information on investment risks.


1



Morgan Stanley Institutional Fund, Inc.

Annual Report — December 31, 2020

Shareholders' Letter (unaudited)

Dear Shareholders,

We are pleased to provide this Annual Report, in which you will learn how your investment in International Equity Portfolio (the "Fund") performed during the latest twelve-month period.

Morgan Stanley Investment Management is a client-centric, investor-led organization. Our global presence, intellectual capital, and breadth of products and services enable us to partner with investors to meet the evolving challenges of today's financial markets. We aim to deliver superior investment service and to empower our clients to make the informed decisions that help them reach their investment goals.

As always, we thank you for selecting Morgan Stanley Investment Management, and look forward to working with you in the months and years ahead.

Sincerely,

John H. Gernon

President and Principal Executive Officer

January 2021


2



Morgan Stanley Institutional Fund, Inc.

Annual Report — December 31, 2020

Expense Example (unaudited)

International Equity Portfolio

As a shareholder of the Fund, you incur two types of costs: (1) transactional costs, including redemption fees; and (2) ongoing costs, which may include advisory fees, administration fees, distribution and shareholder services fees and other Fund expenses. This example is intended to help you understand your ongoing costs (in dollars) of investing in the Fund and to compare these costs with the ongoing costs of investing in other mutual funds.

This example is based on an investment of $1,000 invested at the beginning of the six-month period ended December 31, 2020 and held for the entire six-month period.

Actual Expenses

The table below provides information about actual account values and actual expenses. You may use the information in this table, 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 table under the heading entitled "Actual Expenses Paid During Period" to estimate the expenses you paid on your account during this period.

Hypothetical Example for Comparison Purposes

The table below provides information about hypothetical account values and hypothetical expenses based on the Fund's actual expense ratio and an assumed rate of return of 5% per year before expenses, which is not the Fund's actual return. The hypothetical account values and expenses may not be used to estimate the actual ending account balance or expenses you paid for the period. You may use this information to compare the ongoing costs of investing in the Fund and other funds. To do so, compare this 5% hypothetical example with the 5% hypothetical examples that appear in the shareholder reports of the other funds.

Please note that the expenses shown in the table are meant to highlight your ongoing costs only and do not reflect any transactional costs, such as sales charges (loads) and redemption fees. Therefore, the information for each class in the table is useful in comparing ongoing costs only, and will not help you determine the relative total costs of owning different funds. In addition, if these transactional costs were included, your costs would have been higher.

    Beginning
Account
Value
7/1/20
  Actual Ending
Account
Value
12/31/20
  Hypothetical
Ending Account
Value
  Actual
Expenses
Paid
During
Period*
  Hypothetical
Expenses Paid
During Period*
  Net
Expense
Ratio
During
Period**
 

International Equity Portfolio Class I

 

$

1,000.00

   

$

1,183.20

   

$

1,020.36

   

$

5.21

   

$

4.82

     

0.95

%

 

International Equity Portfolio Class A

   

1,000.00

     

1,180.80

     

1,018.60

     

7.13

     

6.60

     

1.30

   

International Equity Portfolio Class L

   

1,000.00

     

1,177.90

     

1,016.09

     

9.85

     

9.12

     

1.80

   

International Equity Portfolio Class C

   

1,000.00

     

1,176.80

     

1,014.83

     

11.22

     

10.38

     

2.05

   

International Equity Portfolio Class IS

   

1,000.00

     

1,182.90

     

1,020.56

     

4.99

     

4.62

     

0.91

   

*  Expenses are calculated using each Fund Class' annualized net expense ratio (as disclosed), multiplied by the average account value over the period and multiplied by 184/366 (to reflect the most recent one-half year period).

**  Annualized.

  Effective April 30, 2020, the Board of Directors of the Fund approved the elimination of redemption fees charged by the Fund.


3



Morgan Stanley Institutional Fund, Inc.

Annual Report — December 31, 2020

Investment Overview (unaudited)

International Equity Portfolio

The Fund seeks long-term capital appreciation by investing primarily in equity securities of non-U.S. issuers.

Performance

For the fiscal year ended December 31, 2020, the Fund's Class I shares had a total return based on net asset value and reinvestment of distributions per share of 11.42%, net of fees. The Fund's Class I shares outperformed the Fund's benchmark, the MSCI EAFE Index (the "Index"), which returned 7.82%.

Factors Affecting Performance

•  The Index was up a very strong 16.0% in the fourth quarter of 2020 in U.S. dollars (USD), if a rather lower 11.4% in local currency terms as the dollar weakened. The strong fourth quarter meant that the Index finished 2020 up 7.8% in USD, if roughly flat (+0.8%) in local currencies. The combination of the defensive outperformance in the first quarter of 2020 and the fourth quarter cyclical rally meant that the sector rankings for the year were somewhat messy. Information technology (+28%) was a major beneficiary of the crisis and thus the strongest sector, while energy (–28%) was clearly the weakest. Financials (–4%) and real estate (–7%) also saw negative returns, but other cyclical sectors did well, for instance materials (+21%) and consumer discretionary (+16%). Industrials (+11%) was also ahead of the market. Equally, among the more defensive sectors, utilities (+14%) and health care (+11%) held up fairly well, while consumer staples (+6%) lagged the market.

•  For the Fund, while sector allocation was positive for 2020 as a whole, the main driver of outperformance was stock selection. The overweights in information technology and health care helped sector allocation, as did the lack of real estate stocks and the underweight in financials. The strong stock selection was driven by significant outperformance in energy, information technology, communication services, materials and consumer discretionary. Stock selection in health care underperformed.

Management Strategies

•  The U.S. market crushed the Europe, Australasia, Far East (EAFE) region again in 2020, gaining 21% (MSCI USA Index*) as against the MSCI EAFE Index's +8%, even if the fourth quarter saw a rare marginal win for EAFE, which rose 16% as against the U.S. gain of 13%. This extended the last decade's rampant outperformance by the U.S., which has cumulatively delivered 252% since 2010 (13.4% per year), while EAFE only managed 71% cumulatively, or 5.5% per year. Valuation has contributed to the U.S. outperformance, as the multiple of next 12 months' earnings has expanded from 13.3x to 23.5x, while EAFE trails on a "mere" 17.5x.(i) That said, the main driver has been sharply better earnings performance, with forward earnings up 73% for the U.S., but actually down 13% for EAFE over the 10-year period.

•  The stretched U.S. valuation might give EAFE a chance to outperform, but what is really required is for EAFE to "out-earn" the U.S., in contrast to the experience of the 2010s. While we would not be nearly brave enough to make this a definitive forecast, there are some reasons to believe it may be possible. Until the middle of last year, the strengthening dollar had been a relative tailwind for U.S. earnings, as revenues earned outside the U.S. were worth a falling amount of dollars. But if the second-half 2020 dollar weakness continues, this process will go into reverse.

•  More broadly, the U.S. may not sustain the faster economic growth it managed over the last decade. The International Monetary Fund forecasts average annual gross domestic product growth of 2.8% for Europe over the next five years, versus 2.4% for the U.S., helped by a steeper recovery in 2021 given the deeper European trough in 2020. If accurate, this would contrast with the 2010-19 period, where the U.S. outgrew Europe by 2.3% to 1.7%. In addition, EAFE's sector mix may benefit more from the post-COVID-19 recovery. Using hard cyclicals (industrials, materials and energy) plus financials as a proxy for cyclicality, EAFE is far more exposed to

*  The MSCI USA Index measures the performance of the large- and mid-cap segments of the U.S. stock 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.

(i)  Source for earnings and valuation data used in this report: FactSet and Morgan Stanley Investment Management


4



Morgan Stanley Institutional Fund, Inc.

Annual Report — December 31, 2020

Investment Overview (unaudited) (cont'd)

International Equity Portfolio

the macro cycle, with 43% of the index in these sectors, as against only 24% in the U.S.

•  U.S. profits were helped over the last few years by the Trump tax cuts, as well as broader business-friendly policies, not least around anti-trust, in contrast to the more environment, consumer and labor-focussed policies in Europe. It is not yet clear how much of a challenge the Biden administration will offer to corporate profits, but it is likely to cleave closer to the European model. More broadly, U.S. governance has been seen as vastly superior to that of the European Union (EU). Given the successful passing of the EU's €750 billion recovery plan supported by jointly issued debt, and the less-than-optimal current functioning of the U.S. polity, it is rather less clear that this advantage remains.

•  One extra U.S. edge since the Global Financial Crisis has been the far higher technology weight, with information technology now 28% of the MSCI USA Index, versus only 9% in the MSCI EAFE Index, even before counting "pseudo-tech" companies in e-commerce, streaming, electric vehicles and social media, which add another 11% to the U.S. exposure. This has been a major engine of performance, cumulatively returning 533% over the decade. Indeed, the information technology sector alone delivered 62% of the MSCI USA Index's 21% return in 2020, while adding in five pseudo-tech companies (regarded by most people, if not MSCI, as technology companies) takes this share to 96%, meaning that the rest of the U.S. market only delivered 4% of the index performance.(ii) Another way of looking at it is that over half of the total MSCI World Index performance in 2020 was delivered by five U.S. companies, and 78% by the top 25 companies in the index, of which only one is listed outside the U.S.(ii) This dependence on a few large companies, mainly in the tech area, is a potential source of continued growth for the U.S. market, but also a potential source of vulnerability. Unlike in the 1999 tech bubble, these are real companies generating massive earnings with significant runways for growth, but there are significant regulatory threats across the globe, around anti-trust, publishing rules and privacy. Any

significant threat to their earnings power could have a severe effect on overall U.S. market returns.

•  The other technology issue is at the more speculative end of the market. 2020 saw a spectacular 480 initial public offerings, among which there were 248 SPACs (special purpose acquisition companies), also known as "shell" or "blank check" companies.(iii)

•  There are only two ways of losing money in equities, either earnings have to go away or the multiples have to go away. We would argue that the U.S. is at higher risk of both as compared to EAFE, given fairly elevated earnings and multiples, even outside technology. The dowdy EAFE markets look less glamorous but less risky, particularly given the potential revival of Europe. A 17.5x multiple certainly looks less frightening than a 24x valuation, but it is possible to go one better, or at least one turn of the multiple lower. The International Equity Portfolio is trading at 16.5x, 6% cheaper than the EAFE Index on price-to-earnings, and a higher discount still on free cash flow. This is despite its clearly superior quality, with a return on capital over twice that of the Index (23% versus 10%), a gross margin over 50% higher (38% versus 23%), and significantly lower leverage (net debt/EBITDA 1.8x versus 2.6x).(iv) It has also shown itself to be far more robust than the market as a whole, with forward earnings only down 1% in 2020 as against –11% for EAFE, having already outpaced it in 2019 (+4% versus –5%). Now more than ever, it is time to focus on keeping the lights on, rather than attempting to shoot them out, and a quality-biased portfolio in less fashionable markets does seem a reasonable way of limiting the risk of a plunge into darkness.

(ii)  Source: FactSet and Morgan Stanley Investment Management.

(iii)  Source: PwC Global IPO Watch

(iv)  EBITDA = earnings before interest, taxes, depreciation and amortisation


5



Morgan Stanley Institutional Fund, Inc.

Annual Report — December 31, 2020

Investment Overview (unaudited) (cont'd)

International Equity Portfolio

*  Minimum Investment for Class I shares

In accordance with SEC regulations, the Fund's performance shown assumes that all recurring fees (including management fees) were deducted and all dividends and distributions were reinvested. The performance of Class A, L, C and IS shares will vary from the performance of Class I shares based upon their different inception dates and will be negatively impacted by additional fees assessed to those classes (if applicable).

Performance Compared to the MSCI EAFE Index(1) and the Lipper International Large-Cap Growth Funds Index(2)

    Period Ended December 31, 2020
Total Returns(3)
 
       

Average Annual

 
    One
Year
  Five
Years
  Ten
Years
  Since
Inception(9)
 
Fund — Class I Shares
w/o sales charges(4)
   

11.42

%

   

7.24

%

   

5.92

%

   

8.25

%

 
Fund — Class A Shares
w/o sales charges(5)
   

11.00

     

6.89

     

5.60

     

7.29

   
Fund — Class A Shares
with maximum 5.25%
sales charges(5)
   

5.19

     

5.74

     

5.03

     

7.06

   
Fund — Class L Shares
w/o sales charges(6)
   

10.40

     

6.34

     

     

6.79

   
Fund — Class C Shares
w/o sales charges(8)
   

10.17

     

6.07

     

     

3.51

   
Fund — Class C Shares
with maximum 1.00%
deferred sales charges(8)
   

9.17

     

6.07

     

     

3.51

   
Fund — Class IS Shares
w/o sales charges(7)
   

11.39

     

7.27

     

     

5.11

   

MSCI EAFE Index

   

7.82

     

7.45

     

5.51

     

4.78

   
Lipper International Large-Cap
Growth Funds Index
   

19.39

     

10.90

     

7.11

     

N/A

   

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. Performance assumes that all dividends and distributions, if any, were reinvested. For the most recent month-end performance figures, please visit www.morganstanley.com/im/shareholderreports. Investment return and principal value will fluctuate so that Fund shares, when redeemed, may be worth more or less than their original cost. Total returns do not reflect the deduction of taxes that a shareholder would pay on Fund distributions or the redemption of Fund shares. Performance of share classes will vary due to difference in sales charges and expenses.

(1)  The MSCI EAFE Index (Europe, Australasia, Far East) is a free float-adjusted market capitalization index that is designed to measure the international equity market performance of developed markets, excluding the U.S. & Canada. 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 MSCI EAFE Index currently consists of 21 developed market country indices. The performance of the Index is listed in U.S. dollars and assumes reinvestment of net dividends. Net total return indices reinvest dividends after the deduction of withholding taxes, using (for international indices) a tax rate applicable to non-resident institutional investors who do not benefit from double taxation treaties. 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.


6



Morgan Stanley Institutional Fund, Inc.

Annual Report — December 31, 2020

Investment Overview (unaudited) (cont'd)

International Equity Portfolio

(2)  The Lipper International Large-Cap Growth Funds Index is an equally weighted performance index of the largest qualifying funds (based on net assets) in the Lipper International Large-Cap Growth Funds classification. The Index, which is adjusted for capital gains distributions and income dividends, is unmanaged and should not be considered an investment. There are currently 30 funds represented in this Index. As of the date of this report, the Fund was in the Lipper International Large-Cap Growth Funds classification.

(3)  Total returns for the Fund reflect fees waived and expenses reimbursed, if applicable, by the Adviser (as defined herein). Without such waivers and reimbursements, total returns would have been lower.

(4)  Commenced operations on August 4, 1989.

(5)  Commenced offering on January 2, 1996.

(6)  Commenced offering on June 14, 2012.

(7)  Commenced offering on September 13, 2013.

(8)  Commenced offering on April 30, 2015.

(9)  For comparative purposes, average annual since inception returns listed for the Indexes refer to the inception date of Class I of the Fund, not the inception of the Index.


7



Morgan Stanley Institutional Fund, Inc.

Annual Report — December 31, 2020

Portfolio of Investments

International Equity Portfolio

   

Shares

  Value
(000)
 

Common Stocks (97.9%)

 

Australia (0.6%)

 

Aristocrat Leisure Ltd.

   

529,471

   

$

12,713

   

Canada (6.3%)

 

Barrick Gold Corp.

   

2,334,753

     

53,192

   

Cameco Corp. (a)

   

1,802,923

     

24,150

   

Constellation Software, Inc.

   

46,878

     

60,873

   

Topicus.com, Inc. (b)

   

87,185

     

329

   
     

138,544

   

China (3.3%)

 

Minth Group Ltd. (c)

   

3,864,000

     

20,443

   

Tencent Holdings Ltd. (c)

   

736,600

     

53,001

   
     

73,444

   

Finland (1.6%)

 

Neste Oyj

   

495,314

     

35,962

   

France (13.2%)

 

AXA SA

   

1,929,527

     

46,275

   

L'Oreal SA

   

41,227

     

15,730

   

LVMH Moet Hennessy Louis Vuitton SE

   

70,146

     

43,911

   

Pernod Ricard SA

   

199,057

     

38,228

   

Safran SA (b)

   

348,649

     

49,415

   

Sanofi

   

640,412

     

62,071

   

Thales SA

   

361,283

     

33,055

   
     

288,685

   

Germany (15.3%)

 

Adidas AG (b)

   

39,008

     

14,191

   

Bayer AG (Registered)

   

584,255

     

34,419

   

Deutsche Post AG (Registered)

   

1,112,496

     

55,108

   

Fresenius SE & Co., KGaA

   

1,294,356

     

59,854

   

Henkel AG & Co., KGaA (Preference)

   

755,745

     

85,214

   

Infineon Technologies AG

   

401,644

     

15,338

   

SAP SE

   

544,683

     

70,547

   
     

334,671

   

Hong Kong (2.7%)

 

AIA Group Ltd.

   

4,792,000

     

58,396

   

Italy (2.3%)

 

Moncler SpA (b)

   

819,652

     

50,393

   

Japan (10.4%)

 

FANUC Corp.

   

165,100

     

40,755

   

Hoya Corp.

   

219,400

     

30,386

   

Keyence Corp.

   

61,300

     

34,482

   

Kirin Holdings Co., Ltd. (a)

   

1,578,700

     

37,278

   

Lion Corp.

   

1,530,800

     

37,083

   

Shiseido Co., Ltd.

   

222,800

     

15,423

   

Sumitomo Mitsui Financial Group, Inc.

   

1,023,851

     

31,738

   
     

227,145

   

Korea, Republic of (3.6%)

 

LG Household & Health Care Ltd.

   

22,655

     

33,813

   

Samsung Electronics Co., Ltd.

   

591,517

     

44,172

   
     

77,985

   
   

Shares

  Value
(000)
 

Netherlands (1.4%)

 

Heineken N.V.

   

285,567

   

$

31,786

   

Norway (1.0%)

 

Mowi ASA

   

995,009

     

22,216

   

Singapore (1.3%)

 

United Overseas Bank Ltd.

   

1,689,300

     

28,793

   

Spain (0.9%)

 

Bankinter SA

   

826,309

     

4,482

   

Grifols SA (a)

   

549,020

     

16,029

   
     

20,511

   

Sweden (2.8%)

 

Boliden AB

   

137,915

     

4,893

   

Epiroc AB, Class A

   

929,607

     

16,895

   

Hexagon AB, Class B

   

431,849

     

39,593

   
     

61,381

   

Switzerland (5.3%)

 

Alcon, Inc. (b)

   

137,325

     

9,118

   

Novartis AG (Registered)

   

644,754

     

60,708

   

Roche Holding AG (Genusschein)

   

131,418

     

45,773

   
     

115,599

   

Taiwan (2.1%)

 
Taiwan Semiconductor Manufacturing
Co., Ltd. ADR
   

419,501

     

45,742

   

United Kingdom (23.8%)

 

Anglo American PLC

   

588,947

     

19,448

   

Associated British Foods PLC (b)

   

1,393,929

     

43,037

   

BHP Group PLC (a)

   

990,413

     

26,151

   

British American Tobacco PLC

   

1,478,886

     

54,921

   

Experian PLC

   

242,011

     

9,194

   

GlaxoSmithKline PLC

   

2,699,688

     

49,399

   

Imperial Brands PLC

   

1,778,663

     

37,307

   

Legal & General Group PLC

   

7,382,108

     

26,903

   

M&G PLC

   

4,491,592

     

12,124

   

Man Group PLC

   

7,160,869

     

13,521

   

Prudential PLC

   

3,046,904

     

56,026

   

Reckitt Benckiser Group PLC

   

916,410

     

81,794

   

RELX PLC (Euronext N.V.)

   

1,354,190

     

33,092

   

RELX PLC (LSE)

   

1,130,882

     

27,670

   

Unilever PLC

   

524,405

     

31,753

   
     

522,340

   

Total Common Stocks (Cost $1,408,080)

   

2,146,306

   

Short-Term Investment (1.8%)

 

Investment Company (1.8%)

 
Morgan Stanley Institutional Liquidity
Funds — Treasury Securities Portfolio —
Institutional Class (See Note G)
(Cost $39,382)
   

39,381,891

     

39,382

   
Total Investments (99.7%) (Cost $1,447,462)
Including $77,330 of Securities Loaned (d)(e)
   

2,185,688

   

Other Assets in Excess of Liabilities (0.3%)

   

7,563

   

Net Assets (100.0%)

 

$

2,193,251

   

The accompanying notes are an integral part of the financial statements.
8



Morgan Stanley Institutional Fund, Inc.

Annual Report — December 31, 2020

Portfolio of Investments (cont'd)

International Equity Portfolio

Country assignments and aggregations are based generally on third party vendor classifications and information, and may be different from the assignments and aggregations under the policies set forth in the Fund's prospectus and/or statement of additional information relating to geographic classifications.

(a)  All or a portion of this security was on loan at December 31, 2020.

(b)  Non-income producing security.

(c)  Security trades on the Hong Kong exchange.

(d)  The approximate fair value and percentage of net assets, $1,930,267,000 and 88.0%, respectively, represent the securities that have been fair valued under the fair valuation policy for international investments as described in Note A-1 within the Notes to the Financial Statements.

(e)  At December 31, 2020, the aggregate cost for federal income tax purposes is approximately $1,486,486,000. The aggregate gross unrealized appreciation is approximately $780,895,000 and the aggregate gross unrealized depreciation is approximately $81,693,000, resulting in net unrealized appreciation of approximately $699,202,000.

ADR  American Depositary Receipt.

Euronext N.V.  Euronext Amsterdam Stock Market.

LSE  London Stock Exchange.

Portfolio Composition*

Classification

  Percentage of
Total Investments
 

Other**

   

59.5

%

 

Pharmaceuticals

   

11.6

   

Household Products

   

9.3

   

Insurance

   

8.6

   

Software

   

6.0

   

Textiles, Apparel & Luxury Goods

   

5.0

   

Total Investments

   

100.0

%

 

*  Percentages indicated are based upon total investments (excluding Securities held as Collateral on Loaned Securities) as of December 31, 2020.

**  Industries and/or investment types representing less than 5% of total investments.

The accompanying notes are an integral part of the financial statements.
9



Morgan Stanley Institutional Fund, Inc.

Annual Report — December 31, 2020

International Equity Portfolio

Statement of Assets and Liabilities

  December 31, 2020
(000)
 

Assets:

 

Investments in Securities of Unaffiliated Issuers, at Value(1) (Cost $1,408,080)

 

$

2,146,306

   

Investment in Security of Affiliated Issuer, at Value (Cost $39,382)

   

39,382

   

Total Investments in Securities, at Value (Cost $1,447,462)

   

2,185,688

   

Foreign Currency, at Value (Cost $1,339)

   

1,345

   

Tax Reclaim Receivable

   

7,699

   

Dividends Receivable

   

2,622

   

Receivable for Fund Shares Sold

   

778

   

Receivable from Securities Lending Income

   

11

   

Receivable from Affiliate

   

@

 

Other Assets

   

257

   

Total Assets

   

2,198,400

   

Liabilities:

 

Payable for Advisory Fees

   

3,925

   

Payable for Fund Shares Redeemed

   

471

   

Payable for Sub Transfer Agency Fees — Class I

   

125

   

Payable for Sub Transfer Agency Fees — Class A

   

131

   

Payable for Sub Transfer Agency Fees — Class L

   

1

   

Payable for Sub Transfer Agency Fees — Class C

   

@

 

Payable for Administration Fees

   

146

   

Payable for Custodian Fees

   

77

   

Payable for Professional Fees

   

22

   

Payable for Shareholder Services Fees — Class A

   

13

   

Payable for Distribution and Shareholder Services Fees — Class H

   

3

   

Payable for Distribution and Shareholder Services Fees — Class L

   

3

   

Payable for Distribution and Shareholder Services Fees — Class C

   

1

   

Payable for Transfer Agency Fees — Class I

   

4

   

Payable for Transfer Agency Fees — Class A

   

3

   

Payable for Transfer Agency Fees — Class L

   

1

   

Payable for Transfer Agency Fees — Class C

   

1

   

Payable for Transfer Agency Fees — Class IS

   

1

   

Other Liabilities

   

221

   

Total Liabilities

   

5,149

   

Net Assets

 

$

2,193,251

   

Net Assets Consist of:

 

Paid-in-Capital

 

$

1,464,909

   

Total Distributable Earnings

   

728,342

   

Net Assets

 

$

2,193,251

   

The accompanying notes are an integral part of the financial statements.
10



Morgan Stanley Institutional Fund, Inc.

Annual Report — December 31, 2020

International Equity Portfolio

Statement of Assets and Liabilities (cont'd)

  December 31, 2020
(000)
 

CLASS I:

 

Net Assets

 

$

1,658,464

   
Shares Outstanding $0.001 par value shares of beneficial interest (unlimited shares authorized) (not in 000's)    

102,352,535

   

Net Asset Value, Offering and Redemption Price Per Share

 

$

16.20

   

CLASS A:

 

Net Assets

 

$

60,346

   
Shares Outstanding $0.001 par value shares of beneficial interest (unlimited shares authorized) (not in 000's)    

3,735,880

   

Net Asset Value, Redemption Price Per Share

 

$

16.15

   

Maximum Sales Load

   

5.25

%

 

Maximum Sales Charge

 

$

0.89

   

Maximum Offering Price Per Share

 

$

17.04

   

CLASS L:

 

Net Assets

 

$

5,513

   
Shares Outstanding $0.001 par value shares of beneficial interest (unlimited shares authorized) (not in 000's)    

346,416

   

Net Asset Value, Offering and Redemption Price Per Share

 

$

15.91

   

CLASS C:

 

Net Assets

 

$

776

   
Shares Outstanding $0.001 par value shares of beneficial interest (unlimited shares authorized) (not in 000's)    

49,654

   

Net Asset Value, Offering and Redemption Price Per Share

 

$

15.64

   

CLASS IS:

 

Net Assets

 

$

468,152

   
Shares Outstanding $0.001 par value shares of beneficial interest (unlimited shares authorized) (not in 000's)    

28,909,203

   

Net Asset Value, Offering and Redemption Price Per Share

 

$

16.19

   
(1) Including:
Securities on Loan, at Value:
 

$

77,330

   

@  Amount is less than $500.

The accompanying notes are an integral part of the financial statements.
11



Morgan Stanley Institutional Fund, Inc.

Annual Report — December 31, 2020

International Equity Portfolio

Statement of Operations

  Year Ended
December 31, 2020
(000)
 

Investment Income:

 

Dividends from Securities of Unaffiliated Issuers (Net of $3,850 of Foreign Taxes Withheld)

 

$

44,074

   

Dividends from Security of Affiliated Issuer (Note G)

   

121

   

Income from Securities Loaned — Net

   

100

   

Total Investment Income

   

44,295

   

Expenses:

 

Advisory Fees (Note B)

   

15,950

   

Administration Fees (Note C)

   

1,595

   

Sub Transfer Agency Fees — Class I

   

1,273

   

Sub Transfer Agency Fees — Class A

   

228

   

Sub Transfer Agency Fees — Class L

   

5

   

Sub Transfer Agency Fees — Class C

   

1

   

Shareholder Services Fees — Class A (Note D)

   

224

   

Distribution and Shareholder Services Fees — Class L (Note D)

   

38

   

Distribution and Shareholder Services Fees — Class C (Note D)

   

7

   

Custodian Fees (Note F)

   

234

   

Professional Fees

   

136

   

Registration Fees

   

109

   

Shareholder Reporting Fees

   

71

   

Transfer Agency Fees — Class I (Note E)

   

17

   

Transfer Agency Fees — Class A (Note E)

   

10

   

Transfer Agency Fees — Class L (Note E)

   

4

   

Transfer Agency Fees — Class C (Note E)

   

3

   

Transfer Agency Fees — Class IS (Note E)

   

3

   

Directors' Fees and Expenses

   

35

   

Pricing Fees

   

4

   

Other Expenses

   

66

   

Total Expenses

   

20,013

   

Reimbursement of Class Specific Expenses — Class I (Note B)

   

(698

)

 

Reimbursement of Class Specific Expenses — Class A (Note B)

   

(113

)

 

Reimbursement of Class Specific Expenses — Class L (Note B)

   

(1

)

 

Reimbursement of Class Specific Expenses — Class C (Note B)

   

(2

)

 

Reimbursement of Class Specific Expenses — Class IS (Note B)

   

(3

)

 

Waiver of Advisory Fees (Note B)

   

(58

)

 

Rebate from Morgan Stanley Affiliate (Note G)

   

(53

)

 

Net Expenses

   

19,085

   

Net Investment Income

   

25,210

   

Realized Gain (Loss):

 

Investments Sold

   

29,799

   

Foreign Currency Translation

   

(13

)

 

Net Realized Gain

   

29,786

   

Change in Unrealized Appreciation (Depreciation):

 

Investments

   

161,675

   

Foreign Currency Translation

   

623

   

Net Change in Unrealized Appreciation (Depreciation)

   

162,298

   

Net Realized Gain and Change in Unrealized Appreciation (Depreciation)

   

192,084

   

Net Increase in Net Assets Resulting from Operations

 

$

217,294

   

The accompanying notes are an integral part of the financial statements.
12



Morgan Stanley Institutional Fund, Inc.

Annual Report — December 31, 2020

International Equity Portfolio

Statements of Changes in Net Assets

  Year Ended
December 31, 2020
(000)
  Year Ended
December 31, 2019
(000)
 

Increase (Decrease) in Net Assets:

 

Operations:

 

Net Investment Income

 

$

25,210

   

$

43,378

   

Net Realized Gain

   

29,786

     

158,994

   

Net Change in Unrealized Appreciation (Depreciation)

   

162,298

     

245,605

   

Net Increase in Net Assets Resulting from Operations

   

217,294

     

447,977

   

Dividends and Distributions to Shareholders:

 

Class I

   

(22,399

)

   

(143,434

)

 

Class A

   

(490

)

   

(20,667

)

 

Class L

   

(34

)

   

(514

)

 

Class C

   

(3

)

   

(58

)

 

Class IS

   

(6,466

)

   

(43,082

)

 

Total Dividends and Distributions to Shareholders

   

(29,392

)

   

(207,755

)

 

Capital Share Transactions:(1)

 

Class I:

 

Subscribed

   

237,301

     

107,722

   

Distributions Reinvested

   

21,904

     

138,564

   

Redeemed

   

(308,283

)

   

(600,557

)

 

Class A:

 

Subscribed

   

39,120

     

15,796

   

Distributions Reinvested

   

476

     

20,480

   

Redeemed

   

(171,574

)

   

(92,281

)

 

Class L:

 

Exchanged

   

241

     

24

   

Distributions Reinvested

   

33

     

509

   

Redeemed

   

(1,044

)

   

(1,210

)

 

Class C:

 

Subscribed

   

294

     

41

   

Distributions Reinvested

   

3

     

58

   

Redeemed

   

(261

)

   

(280

)

 

Class IS:

 

Subscribed

   

25,414

     

15,435

   

Distributions Reinvested

   

5,225

     

37,186

   

Redeemed

   

(58,967

)

   

(105,825

)

 

Net Decrease in Net Assets Resulting from Capital Share Transactions

   

(210,118

)

   

(464,338

)

 

Redemption Fees

   

     

8

   

Total Decrease in Net Assets

   

(22,216

)

   

(224,108

)

 

Net Assets:

 

Beginning of Period

   

2,215,467

     

2,439,575

   

End of Period

 

$

2,193,251

   

$

2,215,467

   

The accompanying notes are an integral part of the financial statements.
13



Morgan Stanley Institutional Fund, Inc.

Annual Report — December 31, 2020

International Equity Portfolio

Statements of Changes in Net Assets (cont'd)

  Year Ended
December 31, 2020
(000)
  Year Ended
December 31, 2019
(000)
 

(1)   Capital Share Transactions:

 

Class I:

 

Shares Subscribed

   

18,766

     

7,357

   

Shares Issued on Distributions Reinvested

   

1,370

     

9,420

   

Shares Redeemed

   

(22,218

)

   

(40,279

)

 

Net Decrease in Class I Shares Outstanding

   

(2,082

)

   

(23,502

)

 

Class A:

 

Shares Subscribed

   

3,333

     

1,090

   

Shares Issued on Distributions Reinvested

   

30

     

1,400

   

Shares Redeemed

   

(14,121

)

   

(6,224

)

 

Net Decrease in Class A Shares Outstanding

   

(10,758

)

   

(3,734

)

 

Class L:

 

Shares Exchanged

   

20

     

2

   

Shares Issued on Distributions Reinvested

   

2

     

35

   

Shares Redeemed

   

(82

)

   

(84

)

 

Net Decrease in Class L Shares Outstanding

   

(60

)

   

(47

)

 

Class C:

 

Shares Subscribed

   

21

     

3

   

Shares Issued on Distributions Reinvested

   

@@

   

4

   

Shares Redeemed

   

(19

)

   

(20

)

 

Net Increase (Decrease) in Class C Shares Outstanding

   

2

     

(13

)

 

Class IS:

 

Shares Subscribed

   

1,798

     

1,046

   

Shares Issued on Distributions Reinvested

   

327

     

2,528

   

Shares Redeemed

   

(4,190

)

   

(6,916

)

 

Net Decrease in Class IS Shares Outstanding

   

(2,065

)

   

(3,342

)

 

@@  Amount is less than 500 shares.

The accompanying notes are an integral part of the financial statements.
14



Morgan Stanley Institutional Fund, Inc.

Annual Report — December 31, 2020

Financial Highlights

International Equity Portfolio

   

Class I

 
   

Year Ended December 31,

 

Selected Per Share Data and Ratios

 

2020

 

2019

 

2018

 

2017

 

2016(1)

 

Net Asset Value, Beginning of Period

 

$

14.74

   

$

13.49

   

$

17.97

   

$

14.64

   

$

15.10

   

Income (Loss) from Investment Operations:

 

Net Investment Income(2)

   

0.18

     

0.28

     

0.31

     

0.26

     

0.27

   

Net Realized and Unrealized Gain (Loss)

   

1.50

     

2.47

     

(2.78

)

   

3.41

     

(0.57

)

 

Total from Investment Operations

   

1.68

     

2.75

     

(2.47

)

   

3.67

     

(0.30

)

 

Distributions from and/or in Excess of:

 

Net Investment Income

   

(0.22

)

   

(0.32

)

   

(0.39

)

   

(0.34

)

   

(0.16

)

 

Net Realized Gain

   

     

(1.18

)

   

(1.62

)

   

     

   

Total Distributions

   

(0.22

)

   

(1.50

)

   

(2.01

)

   

(0.34

)

   

(0.16

)

 

Redemption Fees

   

     

0.00

(3)

   

0.00

(3)

   

0.00

(3)

   

0.00

(3)

 

Net Asset Value, End of Period

 

$

16.20

   

$

14.74

   

$

13.49

   

$

17.97

   

$

14.64

   

Total Return(4)

   

11.42

%

   

20.37

%

   

(13.80

)%

   

25.17

%

   

(2.00

)%

 

Ratios to Average Net Assets and Supplemental Data:

 

Net Assets, End of Period (Thousands)

 

$

1,658,464

   

$

1,539,709

   

$

1,725,392

   

$

1,691,807

   

$

1,719,699

   

Ratio of Expenses Before Expense Limitation

   

1.00

%

   

1.00

%

   

0.99

%

   

0.99

%

   

0.98

%

 

Ratio of Expenses After Expense Limitation

   

0.95

%(5)

   

0.95

%(5)

   

0.95

%(5)

   

0.95

%(5)

   

0.95

%(5)

 

Ratio of Expenses After Expense Limitation Excluding Interest Expenses

   

N/A

     

0.95

%(5)

   

N/A

     

N/A

     

0.95

%(5)

 

Ratio of Net Investment Income

   

1.28

%(5)

   

1.86

%(5)

   

1.82

%(5)

   

1.54

%(5)

   

1.86

%(5)

 

Ratio of Rebate from Morgan Stanley Affiliates

   

0.00

%(6)

   

0.00

%(6)

   

0.00

%(6)

   

0.00

%(6)

   

0.00

%(6)

 

Portfolio Turnover Rate

   

20

%

   

20

%

   

34

%

   

18

%

   

33

%

 

(1)  Reflects prior period custodian out-of-pocket expenses that were reimbursed in September 2016. The amount of the reimbursement was immaterial on a per share basis and did not impact the total return of Class I shares. The Ratio of Expenses After Expense Limitation and the Ratio of Net Investment Income would be unchanged as the reimbursement of custodian fees was offset against expense waivers/reimbursements with no impact to net expenses or net investment income.

(2)  Per share amount is based on average shares outstanding.

(3)  Amount is less than $0.005 per share.

(4)  Calculated based on the net asset value as of the last business day of the period.

(5)  The Ratio of Expenses After Expense Limitation and Ratio of Net Investment Income reflect the rebate of certain Fund expenses in connection with the investments in Morgan Stanley affiliates during the period. The effect of the rebate on the ratios is disclosed in the above table as "Ratio of Rebate from Morgan Stanley Affiliates."

(6)  Amount is less than 0.005%.

The accompanying notes are an integral part of the financial statements.
15



Morgan Stanley Institutional Fund, Inc.

Annual Report — December 31, 2020

Financial Highlights

International Equity Portfolio

   

Class A

 
   

Year Ended December 31,

 

Selected Per Share Data and Ratios

 

2020

 

2019

 

2018

 

2017

 

2016(1)

 

Net Asset Value, Beginning of Period

 

$

14.67

   

$

13.42

   

$

17.75

   

$

14.46

   

$

14.91

   

Income (Loss) from Investment Operations:

 

Net Investment Income(2)

   

0.11

     

0.24

     

0.32

     

0.19

     

0.23

   

Net Realized and Unrealized Gain (Loss)

   

1.50

     

2.46

     

(2.82

)

   

3.38

     

(0.58

)

 

Total from Investment Operations

   

1.61

     

2.70

     

(2.50

)

   

3.57

     

(0.35

)

 

Distributions from and/or in Excess of:

 

Net Investment Income

   

(0.13

)

   

(0.27

)

   

(0.21

)

   

(0.28

)

   

(0.10

)

 

Net Realized Gain

   

     

(1.18

)

   

(1.62

)

   

     

   

Total Distributions

   

(0.13

)

   

(1.45

)

   

(1.83

)

   

(0.28

)

   

(0.10

)

 

Redemption Fees

   

     

0.00

(3)

   

0.00

(3)

   

0.00

(3)

   

0.00

(3)

 

Net Asset Value, End of Period

 

$

16.15

   

$

14.67

   

$

13.42

   

$

17.75

   

$

14.46

   

Total Return(4)

   

11.00

%

   

20.11

%

   

(14.13

)%

   

24.77

%

   

(2.33

)%

 

Ratios to Average Net Assets and Supplemental Data:

 

Net Assets, End of Period (Thousands)

 

$

60,346

   

$

212,578

   

$

244,622

   

$

1,231,279

   

$

1,176,835

   

Ratio of Expenses Before Expense Limitation

   

1.43

%

   

1.25

%

   

1.31

%

   

1.31

%

   

1.30

%

 

Ratio of Expenses After Expense Limitation

   

1.30

%(5)

   

1.25

%(5)

   

1.30

%(5)

   

1.30

%(5)

   

1.29

%(5)

 

Ratio of Expenses After Expense Limitation Excluding Interest Expenses

   

N/A

     

1.25

%(5)

   

N/A

     

N/A

     

1.29

%(5)

 

Ratio of Net Investment Income

   

0.80

%(5)

   

1.62

%(5)

   

1.83

%

   

1.16

%

   

1.60

%

 

Ratio of Rebate from Morgan Stanley Affiliates

   

0.00

%(6)

   

0.00

%(6)

   

0.00

%(6)

   

0.00

%(6)

   

0.01

%

 

Portfolio Turnover Rate

   

20

%

   

20

%

   

34

%

   

18

%

   

33

%

 

(1)  Reflects prior period custodian out-of-pocket expenses that were reimbursed in September 2016. The amount of the reimbursement was immaterial on a per share basis and did not impact the total return of Class A shares. The Ratio of Expenses After Expense Limitation would have been less than 0.005% higher and the Ratio of Net Investment Income would have been less than 0.005% lower had the custodian not reimbursed the Fund.

(2)  Per share amount is based on average shares outstanding.

(3)  Amount is less than $0.005 per share.

(4)  Calculated based on the net asset value which does not reflect sales charges, if applicable, as of the last business day of the period.

(5)  The Ratio of Expenses After Expense Limitation and Ratio of Net Investment Income reflect the rebate of certain Fund expenses in connection with the investments in Morgan Stanley affiliates during the period. The effect of the rebate on the ratios is disclosed in the above table as "Ratio of Rebate from Morgan Stanley Affiliates."

(6)  Amount is less than 0.005%.

The accompanying notes are an integral part of the financial statements.
16



Morgan Stanley Institutional Fund, Inc.

Annual Report — December 31, 2020

Financial Highlights

International Equity Portfolio

   

Class L

 
   

Year Ended December 31,

 

Selected Per Share Data and Ratios

 

2020

 

2019

 

2018

 

2017

 

2016(1)

 

Net Asset Value, Beginning of Period

 

$

14.50

   

$

13.28

   

$

17.70

   

$

14.43

   

$

14.87

   

Income (Loss) from Investment Operations:

 

Net Investment Income(2)

   

0.06

     

0.15

     

0.10

     

0.11

     

0.16

   

Net Realized and Unrealized Gain (Loss)

   

1.45

     

2.44

     

(2.66

)

   

3.35

     

(0.58

)

 

Total from Investment Operations

   

1.51

     

2.59

     

(2.56

)

   

3.46

     

(0.42

)

 

Distributions from and/or in Excess of:

 

Net Investment Income

   

(0.10

)

   

(0.19

)

   

(0.24

)

   

(0.19

)

   

(0.02

)

 

Net Realized Gain

   

     

(1.18

)

   

(1.62

)

   

     

   

Total Distributions

   

(0.10

)

   

(1.37

)

   

(1.86

)

   

(0.19

)

   

(0.02

)

 

Redemption Fees

   

     

0.00

(3)

   

0.00

(3)

   

0.00

(3)

   

0.00

(3)

 

Net Asset Value, End of Period

 

$

15.91

   

$

14.50

   

$

13.28

   

$

17.70

   

$

14.43

   

Total Return(4)

   

10.40

%

   

19.48

%

   

(14.49

)%

   

24.06

%

   

(2.82

)%

 

Ratios to Average Net Assets and Supplemental Data:

 

Net Assets, End of Period (Thousands)

 

$

5,513

   

$

5,888

   

$

6,022

   

$

7,099

   

$

7,008

   

Ratio of Expenses Before Expense Limitation

   

1.83

%

   

1.79

%

   

N/A

     

1.90

%

   

1.93

%

 

Ratio of Expenses After Expense Limitation

   

1.80

%(5)

   

1.78

%(5)

   

1.72

%(5)

   

1.80

%(5)

   

1.80

%(5)

 

Ratio of Expenses After Expense Limitation Excluding Interest Expenses

   

N/A

     

1.78

%(5)

   

N/A

     

N/A

     

1.80

%(5)

 

Ratio of Net Investment Income

   

0.41

%(5)

   

1.06

%(5)

   

1.17

%(5)

   

0.69

%(5)

   

1.09

%(5)

 

Ratio of Rebate from Morgan Stanley Affiliates

   

0.00

%(6)

   

0.00

%(6)

   

0.00

%(6)

   

0.00

%(6)

   

0.00

%(6)

 

Portfolio Turnover Rate

   

20

%

   

20

%

   

34

%

   

18

%

   

33

%

 

(1)  Reflects prior period custodian out-of-pocket expenses that were reimbursed in September 2016. The amount of the reimbursement was immaterial on a per share basis and did not impact the total return of Class L shares. The Ratio of Expenses After Expense Limitation and the Ratio of Net Investment Income would be unchanged as the reimbursement of custodian fees was offset against expense waivers/reimbursements with no impact to net expenses or net investment income.

(2)  Per share amount is based on average shares outstanding.

(3)  Amount is less than $0.005 per share.

(4)  Calculated based on the net asset value as of the last business day of the period.

(5)  The Ratio of Expenses After Expense Limitation and Ratio of Net Investment Income reflect the rebate of certain Fund expenses in connection with the investments in Morgan Stanley affiliates during the period. The effect of the rebate on the ratios is disclosed in the above table as "Ratio of Rebate from Morgan Stanley Affiliates."

(6)  Amount is less than 0.005%.

The accompanying notes are an integral part of the financial statements.
17



Morgan Stanley Institutional Fund, Inc.

Annual Report — December 31, 2020

Financial Highlights

International Equity Portfolio

   

Class C

 
   

Year Ended December 31,

 

Selected Per Share Data and Ratios

 

2020

 

2019

 

2018

 

2017

 

2016(1)

 

Net Asset Value, Beginning of Period

 

$

14.26

   

$

13.08

   

$

17.51

   

$

14.31

   

$

14.77

   

Income (Loss) from Investment Operations:

 

Net Investment Income(2)

   

0.02

     

0.10

     

0.05

     

0.04

     

0.14

   

Net Realized and Unrealized Gain (Loss)

   

1.43

     

2.41

     

(2.64

)

   

3.35

     

(0.58

)

 

Total from Investment Operations

   

1.45

     

2.51

     

(2.59

)

   

3.39

     

(0.44

)

 

Distributions from and/or in Excess of:

 

Net Investment Income

   

(0.07

)

   

(0.15

)

   

(0.22

)

   

(0.19

)

   

(0.02

)

 

Net Realized Gain

   

     

(1.18

)

   

(1.62

)

   

     

   

Total Distributions

   

(0.07

)

   

(1.33

)

   

(1.84

)

   

(0.19

)

   

(0.02

)

 

Redemption Fees

   

     

0.00

(3)

   

0.00

(3)

   

0.00

(3)

   

0.00

(3)

 

Net Asset Value, End of Period

 

$

15.64

   

$

14.26

   

$

13.08

   

$

17.51

   

$

14.31

   

Total Return(4)

   

10.17

%

   

19.18

%

   

(14.82

)%

   

23.78

%

   

(3.01

)%

 

Ratios to Average Net Assets and Supplemental Data:

 

Net Assets, End of Period (Thousands)

 

$

776

   

$

674

   

$

787

   

$

677

   

$

476

   

Ratio of Expenses Before Expense Limitation

   

2.41

%

   

2.35

%

   

2.27

%

   

2.41

%

   

2.40

%

 

Ratio of Expenses After Expense Limitation

   

2.05

%(5)

   

2.05

%(5)

   

2.05

%(5)

   

2.05

%(5)

   

2.05

%(5)

 

Ratio of Expenses After Expense Limitation Excluding Interest Expenses

   

N/A

     

2.05

%(5)

   

N/A

     

N/A

     

2.05

%(5)

 

Ratio of Net Investment Income

   

0.15

%(5)

   

0.73

%(5)

   

0.83

%(5)

   

0.22

%(5)

   

0.95

%(5)

 

Ratio of Rebate from Morgan Stanley Affiliates

   

0.00

%(6)

   

0.00

%(6)

   

0.00

%(6)

   

0.00

%(6)

   

0.00

%(6)

 

Portfolio Turnover Rate

   

20

%

   

20

%

   

34

%

   

18

%

   

33

%

 

(1)  Reflects prior period custodian out-of-pocket expenses that were reimbursed in September 2016. The amount of the reimbursement was immaterial on a per share basis and did not impact the total return of Class C shares. The Ratio of Expenses After Expense Limitation and the Ratio of Net Investment Income would be unchanged as the reimbursement of custodian fees was offset against expense waivers/reimbursements with no impact to net expenses or net investment income.

(2)  Per share amount is based on average shares outstanding.

(3)  Amount is less than $0.005 per share.

(4)  Calculated based on the net asset value which does not reflect sales charges, if applicable, as of the last business day of the period.

(5)  The Ratio of Expenses After Expense Limitation and Ratio of Net Investment Income reflect the rebate of certain Fund expenses in connection with the investments in Morgan Stanley affiliates during the period. The effect of the rebate on the ratios is disclosed in the above table as "Ratio of Rebate from Morgan Stanley Affiliates."

(6)  Amount is less than 0.005%.

The accompanying notes are an integral part of the financial statements.
18



Morgan Stanley Institutional Fund, Inc.

Annual Report — December 31, 2020

Financial Highlights

International Equity Portfolio

   

Class IS

 
   

Year Ended December 31,

 

Selected Per Share Data and Ratios

 

2020

 

2019

 

2018

 

2017

 

2016(1)

 

Net Asset Value, Beginning of Period

 

$

14.74

   

$

13.48

   

$

17.97

   

$

14.64

   

$

15.10

   

Income (Loss) from Investment Operations:

 

Net Investment Income(2)

   

0.18

     

0.29

     

0.38

     

0.26

     

0.29

   

Net Realized and Unrealized Gain (Loss)

   

1.50

     

2.48

     

(2.86

)

   

3.42

     

(0.59

)

 

Total from Investment Operations

   

1.68

     

2.77

     

(2.48

)

   

3.68

     

(0.30

)

 

Distributions from and/or in Excess of:

 

Net Investment Income

   

(0.23

)

   

(0.33

)

   

(0.39

)

   

(0.35

)

   

(0.16

)

 

Net Realized Gain

   

     

(1.18

)

   

(1.62

)

   

     

   

Total Distributions

   

(0.23

)

   

(1.51

)

   

(2.01

)

   

(0.35

)

   

(0.16

)

 

Redemption Fees

   

     

0.00

(3)

   

0.00

(3)

   

0.00

(3)

   

0.00

(3)

 

Net Asset Value, End of Period

 

$

16.19

   

$

14.74

   

$

13.48

   

$

17.97

   

$

14.64

   

Total Return(4)

   

11.39

%

   

20.42

%

   

(13.76

)%

   

25.22

%

   

(1.95

)%

 

Ratios to Average Net Assets and Supplemental Data:

 

Net Assets, End of Period (Thousands)

 

$

468,152

   

$

456,618

   

$

462,752

   

$

1,230,104

   

$

1,058,165

   

Ratio of Expenses Before Expense Limitation

   

0.91

%

   

0.91

%

   

N/A

     

0.91

%

   

0.91

%

 

Ratio of Expenses After Expense Limitation

   

0.91

%(5)

   

0.91

%(5)

   

0.90

%(5)

   

0.91

%(5)

   

0.91

%(5)

 

Ratio of Expenses After Expense Limitation Excluding Interest Expenses

   

N/A

     

0.91

%(5)

   

N/A

     

N/A

     

0.91

%(5)

 

Ratio of Net Investment Income

   

1.31

%(5)

   

1.94

%(5)

   

2.19

%(5)

   

1.52

%(5)

   

1.96

%(5)

 

Ratio of Rebate from Morgan Stanley Affiliates

   

0.00

%(6)

   

0.00

%(6)

   

0.00

%(6)

   

0.00

%(6)

   

0.00

%(6)

 

Portfolio Turnover Rate

   

20

%

   

20

%

   

34

%

   

18

%

   

33

%

 

(1)  Reflects prior period custodian out-of-pocket expenses that were reimbursed in September 2016. The amount of the reimbursement was immaterial on a per share basis and did not impact the total return of Class IS shares. The Ratio of Expenses After Expense Limitation would have been less than 0.005% higher and the Ratio of Net Investment Income would have been less than 0.005% lower had the custodian not reimbursed the Fund.

(2)  Per share amount is based on average shares outstanding.

(3)  Amount is less than $0.005 per share.

(4)  Calculated based on the net asset value as of the last business day of the period.

(5)  The Ratio of Expenses After Expense Limitation and Ratio of Net Investment Income reflect the rebate of certain Fund expenses in connection with the investments in Morgan Stanley affiliates during the period. The effect of the rebate on the ratios is disclosed in the above table as "Ratio of Rebate from Morgan Stanley Affiliates."

(6)  Amount is less than 0.005%.

The accompanying notes are an integral part of the financial statements.
19



Morgan Stanley Institutional Fund, Inc.

Annual Report — December 31, 2020

Notes to Financial Statements

Morgan Stanley Institutional Fund, Inc. (the "Company") is registered under the Investment Company Act of 1940, as amended (the "Act"), as an open-end management investment company. The Company is comprised of thirty-one separate, active, diversified and non-diversified funds (individually referred to as a "Fund," collectively as the "Funds"). The Company applies investment company accounting and reporting guidance.

The accompanying financial statements relate to the International Equity Portfolio. The Fund seeks long-term capital appreciation by investing primarily in equity securities of non-U.S. issuers.

The Fund offers five classes of shares — Class I, Class A, Class L, Class C and Class IS. On April 30, 2015, the Fund suspended offering of Class L shares. Existing Class L shareholders may invest through reinvestment of dividends and distributions. In addition, Class L shares of the Fund may be exchanged for Class L shares of any Morgan Stanley Multi-Class Fund, even though Class L shares are closed to investors.

A. Significant Accounting Policies: The following significant accounting policies are in conformity with U.S. generally accepted accounting principles ("GAAP"). Such policies are consistently followed by the Company in the preparation of its financial statements. GAAP may require management to make estimates and assumptions that affect the reported amounts and disclosures in the financial statements. Actual results may differ from those estimates.

1.  Security Valuation: (1) An equity portfolio security listed or traded on an exchange is valued at its latest reported sales price (or at the exchange official closing price if such exchange reports an official closing price), and if there were no sales on a given day and if there is no official exchange closing price for that day, the security is valued at the mean between the last reported bid and asked prices if such bid and asked prices are available on the relevant exchanges. If only bid prices are available then the latest bid price may be used. Listed equity securities not traded on the valuation date with no reported bid and asked prices available on the exchange are valued at the mean between the current bid and asked prices obtained from one or more reputable brokers or dealers. In cases where a security is traded on more than one exchange, the security is valued on the exchange designated as the primary market; (2) all other equity portfolio securities for which over-the-counter ("OTC") market quotations are readily available

are valued at the latest reported sales price (or at the market official closing price if such market reports an official closing price), and if there was no trading in the security on a given day and if there is no official closing price from relevant markets for that day, the security is valued at the mean between the last reported bid and asked prices if such bid and asked prices are available on the relevant markets. An unlisted equity security that does not trade on the valuation date and for which bid and asked prices from the relevant markets are unavailable is valued at the mean between the current bid and asked prices obtained from one or more reputable brokers or dealers; (3) certain portfolio securities may be valued by an outside pricing service/vendor approved by the Company's Board of Directors (the "Directors"). The pricing service/vendor may employ a pricing model that takes into account, among other things, bids, yield spreads and/or other market data and specific security characteristics. Alternatively, if a valuation is not available from an outside pricing service/vendor, and the security trades on an exchange, the security may be valued at its latest reported sale price (or at the exchange official closing price if such exchange reports an official closing price), prior to the time when assets are valued. If there are no sales on a given day and if there is no official exchange closing price for that day, the security is valued at the mean between the last reported bid and asked prices if such bid and asked prices are available in the relevant exchanges. If only bid prices are available then the latest bid price may be used. If Morgan Stanley Investment Management Inc. (the "Adviser") or Morgan Stanley Investment Management Limited ("MSIM Limited") (the "Sub-Adviser"), each a wholly-owned subsidiary of Morgan Stanley, determines that the price provided by the outside pricing service/vendor or exchange does not reflect the security's fair value or is unable to provide a price, prices from brokers or dealers may also be utilized. In these circumstances, the value of the security will be the mean of bid and asked prices obtained from brokers or dealers; (4) when market quotations are not readily available, including circumstances under which the Adviser or the Sub-Adviser 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 Directors. Occasionally, developments affecting the closing prices of securities and


20



Morgan Stanley Institutional Fund, Inc.

Annual Report — December 31, 2020

Notes to Financial Statements (cont'd)

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 of the New York Stock Exchange ("NYSE"). If developments occur during such periods that are expected to materially affect the value of such securities, such valuations may be adjusted to reflect the estimated fair value of such securities as of the close of the NYSE, as determined in good faith by the Directors or by the Adviser using a pricing service and/or procedures approved by the Directors; (5) quotations of foreign portfolio securities, other assets and liabilities and forward contracts stated in foreign currency are translated into U.S. dollar equivalents at the prevailing market rates prior to the close of the NYSE; and (6) investments in mutual funds, including the Morgan Stanley Institutional Liquidity Funds, are valued at the net asset value ("NAV") as of the close of each business day.

The Directors have responsibility for determining in good faith the fair value of the investments, and the Directors may appoint others, such as the Company's Adviser or a valuation committee, to assist the Directors in determining fair value and to make the actual calculations pursuant to the fair valuation methodologies previously approved by the Directors. Under procedures approved by the Directors, the Company's Adviser has formed a Valuation Committee whose members are approved by the Directors. The Valuation Committee provides administration and oversight of the Company's valuation policies and procedures, which are reviewed at least annually by the Directors. These procedures allow the Company to utilize independent pricing services, quotations from securities and financial instrument dealers and other market sources to determine fair value.

2.  Fair Value Measurement: Financial Accounting Standards Board ("FASB") Accounting Standards CodificationTM ("ASC") 820, "Fair Value Measurement" ("ASC 820"), defines fair value as the value that the Fund would receive to sell an investment or pay to transfer a liability in a timely transaction with an independent buyer in the principal market, or in the absence of a principal market, the most advantageous market for the investment or liability. ASC 820 establishes a three-tier hierarchy to distinguish between (1) inputs that reflect the assumptions market participants would use in valuing an asset or liability developed based on market data obtained from sources

independent of the reporting entity (observable inputs) and (2) inputs that reflect the reporting entity's own assumptions about the assumptions market participants would use in valuing an asset or liability developed based on the best information available in the circumstances (unobservable inputs) and to establish classification of fair value measurements for disclosure purposes. Various inputs are used in determining the value of the Fund's investments. The inputs are summarized in the three broad levels listed below:

•  Level 1 – unadjusted quoted prices in active markets for identical investments

•  Level 2 – other significant observable inputs (including quoted prices for similar investments, interest rates, prepayment speeds, credit risk, etc.)

•  Level 3 – significant unobservable inputs including the Fund's own assumptions in determining the fair value of investments. Factors considered in making this determination may include, but are not limited to, information obtained by contacting the issuer, analysts, or the appropriate stock exchange (for exchange-traded securities), analysis of the issuer's financial statements or other available documents and, if necessary, available information concerning other securities in similar circumstances.

The inputs or methodology used for valuing securities are not necessarily an indication of the risk associated with investing in those securities and the determination of the significance of a particular input to the fair value measurement in its entirety requires judgment and considers factors specific to each security.

The following is a summary of the inputs used to value the Fund's investments as of December 31, 2020:

Investment Type

  Level 1
Unadjusted
quoted
prices
(000)
  Level 2
Other
significant
observable
inputs
(000)
  Level 3
Significant
unobservable
inputs
(000)
  Total
(000)
 

Assets:

 

Common Stocks

 

Aerospace & Defense

 

$

   

$

82,470

   

$

   

$

82,470

   

Air Freight & Logistics

   

     

55,108

     

     

55,108

   

Auto Components

   

     

20,443

     

     

20,443

   


21



Morgan Stanley Institutional Fund, Inc.

Annual Report — December 31, 2020

Notes to Financial Statements (cont'd)

Investment Type

  Level 1
Unadjusted
quoted
prices
(000)
  Level 2
Other
significant
observable
inputs
(000)
  Level 3
Significant
unobservable
inputs
(000)
  Total
(000)
 

Common Stocks (cont'd)

 

Banks

 

$

   

$

65,013

   

$

   

$

65,013

   

Beverages

   

     

107,292

     

     

107,292

   

Biotechnology

   

     

16,029

     

     

16,029

   

Capital Markets

   

     

13,521

     

     

13,521

   
Diversified Financial
Services
   

     

12,124

     

     

12,124

   
Electronic Equipment,
Instruments &
Components
   

     

74,075

     

     

74,075

   

Food Products

   

     

65,253

     

     

65,253

   
Health Care
Equipment & Supplies
   

     

39,504

     

     

39,504

   
Health Care Providers &
Services
   

     

59,854

     

     

59,854

   
Hotels, Restaurants &
Leisure
   

     

12,713

     

     

12,713

   

Household Products

   

     

204,091

     

     

204,091

   

Insurance

   

     

187,600

     

     

187,600

   
Interactive Media &
Services
   

     

53,001

     

     

53,001

   

Machinery

   

     

57,650

     

     

57,650

   

Metals & Mining

   

53,192

     

50,492

     

     

103,684

   
Oil, Gas & Consumable
Fuels
   

24,150

     

35,962

     

     

60,112

   

Personal Products

   

31,753

     

64,966

     

     

96,719

   

Pharmaceuticals

   

     

252,370

     

     

252,370

   

Professional Services

   

     

69,956

     

     

69,956

   
Semiconductors &
Semiconductor
Equipment
   

45,742

     

15,338

     

     

61,080

   

Software

   

60,873

     

70,876

     

     

131,749

   
Tech Hardware,
Storage & Peripherals
   

     

44,172

     

     

44,172

   
Textiles, Apparel &
Luxury Goods
   

     

108,495

     

     

108,495

   

Tobacco

   

     

92,228

     

     

92,228

   

Total Common Stocks

   

215,710

     

1,930,596

     

     

2,146,306

   

Short-Term Investment

 

Investment Company

   

39,382

     

     

     

39,382

   

Total Assets

 

$

255,092

   

$

1,930,596

   

$

   

$

2,185,688

   

Transfers between investment levels may occur as the markets fluctuate and/or the availability of data used in an investment's valuation changes.

3.  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.

Net realized gains (losses) on foreign currency transactions represent net foreign exchange gains (losses) from foreign currency forward exchange contracts, disposition of foreign currencies, currency gains (losses) realized between the trade and settlement dates on securities transactions, and the difference between the amount of investment income and foreign withholding taxes recorded on the Fund's books and the U.S. dollar equivalent amounts actually received or paid. The change in unrealized currency gains (losses) on foreign currency transactions for the period is reflected in the Statement of Operations.

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.


22



Morgan Stanley Institutional Fund, Inc.

Annual Report — December 31, 2020

Notes to Financial Statements (cont'd)

Governmental approval for foreign investments may be required in advance of making an investment under certain circumstances in some countries, and the extent of foreign investments in domestic companies may be subject to limitation in other countries. Foreign ownership limitations also may be imposed by the charters of individual companies to prevent, among other concerns, violations of foreign investment limitations. As a result, an additional class of shares (identified as "Foreign" in the Portfolio of Investments) may be created and offered for investment. The "local" and "foreign shares" market values may differ. In the absence of trading of the foreign shares in such markets, the Fund values the foreign shares at the closing exchange price of the local shares.

4.  Securities Lending: The Fund lends securities to qualified financial institutions, such as broker-dealers, to earn additional income. Any increase or decrease in the fair value of the securities loaned that might occur and any interest earned or dividends declared on those securities during the term of the loan would remain in the Fund. The Fund would receive cash or securities as collateral in an amount equal to or exceeding 100% of the current fair value of the loaned securities. The collateral is marked-to-market daily by State Street Bank and Trust Company ("State Street"), the securities lending agent, to ensure that a minimum of 100% collateral coverage is maintained.

Based on pre-established guidelines, the securities lending agent invests any cash collateral that is received in an affiliated money market portfolio and repurchase agreements. Securities lending income is generated from the earnings on the invested collateral and borrowing fees, less any rebates owed to the borrowers and compensation to the lending agent, and is recorded as "Income from Securities Loaned — Net" in the Fund's Statement of Operations. 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.

The Fund has the right under the securities 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, 2020:

Gross Amounts Not Offset in the Statement of Assets and Liabilities

 
Gross Asset
Amounts
Presented in the
Statement
of Assets and
Liabilities
(000)
  Financial
Instrument
(000)
  Collateral
Received
(000)
  Net Amount
(not less
than $0)
(000)
 
$

77,330

(a)

 

$

   

$

(77,330

)(b)(c)

 

$

0

   

(a) Represents market value of loaned securities at year end.

(b) The Fund received non-cash collateral of approximately $81,761,000 in the form of U.S. Government obligations, which the Fund cannot sell or repledge, and accordingly are not reflected in the Portfolio of Investments.

(c) The actual collateral received is greater than the amount shown here due to overcollateralization.

5.  Redemption Fees: The Fund will assess a 2% redemption fee on Class I shares, Class A shares, Class L shares, Class C shares and Class IS shares, which is paid directly to the Fund, for shares redeemed or exchanged within thirty days of purchase, subject to certain exceptions. The redemption fee is designed to protect the Fund and its remaining shareholders from the effects of short-term trading. These fees, if any, are included in the Statements of Changes in Net Assets. Effective April 30, 2020, the Board of Directors of the Fund approved the elimination of redemption fees charged by the Fund.

6.  Indemnifications: The Company enters into contracts that contain a variety of indemnifications. The Company's maximum exposure under these arrangements is unknown. However, the Company has not had prior claims or losses pursuant to these contracts and expects the risk of loss to be remote.

7.  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. Net realized capital gains, if any, are distributed at least annually.

8.  Security Transactions, Income and Expenses: Security transactions are accounted for on the trade date (date the order to buy or sell is executed). Realized gains and losses on the sale of investment securities are determined on the specific identified cost method. Dividend income and other distributions are recorded on the ex-dividend date (except for certain foreign dividends which may be recorded as soon as the Fund is informed of such


23



Morgan Stanley Institutional Fund, Inc.

Annual Report — December 31, 2020

Notes to Financial Statements (cont'd)

dividends) net of applicable withholding taxes. Interest income is recognized on the accrual basis except where collection is in doubt. Discounts are accreted and premiums are amortized over the life of the respective securities. Most expenses of the Company can be directly attributed to a particular Fund. Expenses which cannot be directly attributed are apportioned among the Funds based upon relative net assets or other appropriate methods. Income, expenses (other than class specific expenses — distribution and shareholder services, transfer agency and sub transfer agency fees) and realized and unrealized gains or losses are allocated to each class of shares based upon their relative net assets.

B. Advisory/Sub-Advisory Fees: The Adviser, a wholly-owned subsidiary of Morgan Stanley, provides the Fund with advisory services under the terms of an Investment Advisory Agreement, paid quarterly, at the annual rate based on the daily net assets as follows:

First $3
billion
  Over $3
billion
 
  0.80

%

   

0.75

%

 

For the year ended December 31, 2020, the advisory fee rate (net of waiver/rebate) was equivalent to an annual effective rate of 0.79% of the Fund's average daily net assets.

The Adviser has agreed to reduce its advisory fee and/or reimburse the Fund so that total annual Fund operating expenses, excluding certain investment related expenses, taxes, interest and other extraordinary expenses (including litigation), will not exceed 0.95% for Class I shares, 1.30% for Class A shares, 1.80% for Class L shares, 2.05% for Class C shares and 0.91% for Class IS shares. The fee waivers and/or expense reimbursements will continue for at least one year from the date of the Fund's prospectus or until such time as the Directors act to discontinue all or a portion of such waivers and/or reimbursements when they deem such action is appropriate. For the year ended December 31, 2020, approximately $58,000 of advisory fees were waived and approximately $817,000 of other expenses were reimbursed by the Adviser pursuant to this arrangement.

The Adviser has entered into a Sub-Advisory Agreement with the Sub-Adviser, a wholly-owned subsidiary of Morgan Stanley. The Sub-Adviser provides the Fund with advisory services subject to the overall supervision of the Adviser and the Fund's Officers and Directors. The Adviser pays the Sub-Adviser on a monthly basis a portion of the net advisory fees the Adviser receives from the Fund.

C. Administration Fees: The Adviser also serves as Administrator to the Company and provides administrative services pursuant to an Administration Agreement for an annual fee, accrued daily and paid monthly, of 0.08% of the Fund's average daily net assets.

Under a Sub-Administration Agreement between the Administrator and State Street, State Street provides certain administrative services to the Company. For such services, the Administrator pays State Street a portion of the fee the Administrator receives from the Fund.

D. Distribution and Shareholder Services Fees: Morgan Stanley Distribution, Inc. ("MSDI" or the "Distributor"), a wholly-owned subsidiary of the Adviser and an indirect subsidiary of Morgan Stanley, serves as the Company's Distributor of Fund shares pursuant to a Distribution Agreement. The Company has adopted a Shareholder Services Plan with respect to Class A shares pursuant to Rule 12b-1 under the Act. Under the Shareholder Services Plan, the Fund pays the Distributor a shareholder services fee, accrued daily and paid monthly, at an annual rate of 0.25% of the Fund's average daily net assets attributable to Class A shares.

The Company has adopted a Distribution and Shareholder Services Plan with respect to Class L shares pursuant to Rule 12b-1 under the Act. Under the Distribution and Shareholder Services Plan, the Fund pays the Distributor a distribution fee, accrued daily and paid monthly, at an annual rate of 0.50% and a shareholder services fee, accrued daily and paid monthly, at an annual rate of 0.25% of the Fund's average daily net assets attributable to Class L shares.

The Company has adopted a Distribution and Shareholder Services Plan with respect to Class C shares pursuant to Rule 12b-1 under the Act. Under the Distribution and Shareholder Services Plan, the Fund pays the Distributor a distribution fee, accrued daily and paid monthly, at an annual rate of 0.75% and a shareholder services fee, accrued daily and paid monthly, at an annual rate of 0.25% of the Fund's average daily net assets attributable to Class C shares.

The distribution and shareholder services fees are used to support the expenses associated with servicing and maintaining accounts. The Distributor may compensate other parties for providing shareholder support services to investors who purchase Class A, Class L and Class C shares.

E. Dividend Disbursing and Transfer Agent: The Company's dividend disbursing and transfer agent is DST


24



Morgan Stanley Institutional Fund, Inc.

Annual Report — December 31, 2020

Notes to Financial Statements (cont'd)

Asset Manager Solutions, Inc. ("DST"). Pursuant to a Transfer Agency Agreement, the Company pays DST a fee based on the number of classes, accounts and transactions relating to the Funds of the Company.

F. Custodian Fees: State Street (the "Custodian") also serves as Custodian for the Company in accordance with a Custodian Agreement. The Custodian holds cash, securities and other assets of the Company as required by the Act. Custody fees are payable monthly based on assets held in custody, investment purchases and sales activity and account maintenance fees, plus reimbursement for certain out-of-pocket expenses.

G. Security Transactions and Transactions with Affiliates: For the year ended December 31, 2020, purchases and sales of investment securities for the Fund, other than long-term U.S. Government securities and short-term investments were approximately $393,905,000 and $612,792,000, respectively. There were no purchases and sales of long-term U.S. Government securities for the year ended December 31, 2020.

The Fund invests in the Institutional Class of the Morgan Stanley Institutional Liquidity Funds — Treasury Securities Portfolio (the "Liquidity Funds"), an open-end management investment company managed by the Adviser, both directly and as a portion of the securities held as collateral on loaned securities. Advisory fees paid by the Fund are reduced by an amount equal to its pro-rata share of the advisory and administration fees paid by the Fund due to its investment in the Liquidity Funds. For the year ended December 31, 2020, advisory fees paid were reduced by approximately $53,000 relating to the Fund's investment in the Liquidity Funds.

A summary of the Fund's transactions in shares of affiliated investments during the year ended December 31, 2020 is as follows:

Affiliated
Investment
Company
  Value
December 31,
2019
(000)
  Purchases
at Cost
(000)
  Proceeds
from Sales
(000)
  Dividend
Income
(000)
 

Liquidity Funds

 

$

33,370

   

$

346,347

   

$

340,335

   

$

121

   
Affiliated
Investment
Company (cont'd)
  Realized
Gain (Loss)
(000)
  Change in
Unrealized
Appreciation
(Depreciation)
(000)
  Value
December 31,
2020
(000)
 

Liquidity Funds

 

$

   

$

   

$

39,382

   

The Fund is permitted to purchase and sell securities ("cross-trade") from and to other Morgan Stanley funds as well as other funds and client accounts for which the Adviser or an

affiliate of the Adviser serves as investment adviser, pursuant to procedures approved by the Directors in compliance with Rule 17a-7 under the Act (the "Rule"). Each cross-trade is executed at the current market price in compliance with provisions of the Rule. For the year ended December 31, 2020, the Fund did not engage in any cross-trade transactions.

The Fund has an unfunded Deferred Compensation Plan (the "Compensation Plan"), which allows each independent Director to defer payment of all, or a portion, of the fees he or she receives for serving on the Board of Directors. Each eligible Director generally may elect to have the deferred amounts credited with a return equal to the total return on one or more of the Morgan Stanley funds that are offered as investment options under the Compensation Plan. Appreciation/depreciation and distributions received from these investments are recorded with an offsetting increase/decrease in the deferred compensation obligation and do not affect the NAV of the Fund.

H. Federal Income Taxes: It is the Fund's intention to continue to qualify as a regulated investment company and distribute all of its taxable and tax-exempt income. Accordingly, no provision for federal income taxes is required in the financial statements.

The Fund may be subject to taxes imposed by countries in which it invests. Such taxes are generally based on income and/or capital gains earned or repatriated. Taxes are accrued based on net investment income, net realized gains and net unrealized appreciation as such income and/or gains are earned. Taxes may also be based on transactions in foreign currency and are accrued based on the value of investments denominated in such currency.

FASB ASC 740-10, "Income Taxes — Overall", sets forth a minimum threshold for financial statement recognition of the benefit of a tax position taken or expected to be taken in a tax return. Management has concluded there are no significant uncertain tax positions that would require recognition in the financial statements. If applicable, the Fund recognizes interest accrued related to unrecognized tax benefits in "Interest Expense" and penalties in "Other Expenses" in the Statement of Operations. The Fund files tax returns with the U.S. Internal Revenue Service, New York and various states. Generally, each of the tax years in the four-year period ended December 31, 2020 remains subject to examination by taxing authorities.

The tax character of distributions paid may differ from the character of distributions shown for GAAP purposes due to short-term capital gains being treated as ordinary income for


25



Morgan Stanley Institutional Fund, Inc.

Annual Report — December 31, 2020

Notes to Financial Statements (cont'd)

tax purposes. The tax character of distributions paid during fiscal years 2020 and 2019 was as follows:

2020
Distributions
Paid From:
  2019
Distributions
Paid From:
 
Ordinary
Income
(000)
  Long-Term
Capital Gain
(000)
  Ordinary
Income
(000)
  Long-Term
Capital Gain
(000)
 
$

29,392

   

$

   

$

43,718

   

$

164,037

   

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 attributable to differing book and tax treatments for the timing of the recognition of gains (losses) on certain investment transactions and the timing of the deductibility of certain expenses.

The Fund had no permanent differences causing reclassifications among the components of net assets for the year ended December 31, 2020.

At December 31, 2020, the components of distributable earnings for the Fund on a tax basis were as follows:

Undistributed
Ordinary
Income
(000)
  Undistributed
Long-Term
Capital Gain
(000)
 
$

1,945

   

$

26,648

   

I. Credit Facility: The Company and other Morgan Stanley funds participated in a $300,000,000 committed, unsecured revolving line of credit facility (the "Facility") with State Street. This Facility is to be used for temporary emergency purposes or funding of shareholder redemption requests. The interest rate on borrowings is based on the federal funds rate or 1 month LIBOR rate plus a spread. The Facility also has a commitment fee of 0.25% per annum based on the unused portion of the Facility. During the year ended December 31, 2020, the Fund did not have any borrowings under the Facility.

J. Other: At December 31, 2020, the Fund had record owners of 10% or greater. Investment activities of these shareholders could have a material impact on the Fund. The aggregate percentage of such owners was 54.7%.

K. Market Risk: Certain impacts to public health conditions particular to the coronavirus (COVID-19) outbreak could impact the operations and financial performance of certain of the Fund's investments. The extent of the impact to the financial performance of the Fund's investments will depend on future developments, including (i) the duration and spread of the outbreak, (ii) the restrictions and advisories, (iii) the effects on the financial markets, and (iv) the effects on the economy overall, all of which are highly uncertain and cannot be predicted. If the financial performance of the Fund's investments is impacted because of these factors for an extended period, the Fund's investment results may be adversely affected.


26



Morgan Stanley Institutional Fund, Inc.

Annual Report — December 31, 2020

Report of Independent Registered Public Accounting Firm

To the Shareholders and Board of Directors of
Morgan Stanley Institutional Fund, Inc. —
International Equity Portfolio

Opinion on the Financial Statements

We have audited the accompanying statement of assets and liabilities of International Equity Portfolio (the "Fund") (one of the funds constituting Morgan Stanley Institutional Fund, Inc. (the "Company")), including the portfolio of investments, as of December 31, 2020, and the related statement of operations for the year then ended, the statements of changes in net assets for each of the two years in the period then ended, the financial highlights for each of the five years in the period then ended and the related notes (collectively referred to as the "financial statements"). In our opinion, the financial statements present fairly, in all material respects, the financial position of International Equity Portfolio (one of the funds constituting Morgan Stanley Institutional Fund, Inc.) at December 31, 2020, the results of its operations for the year then ended, the changes in its net assets for each of the two years in the period then ended and its financial highlights for each of the five years in the period then ended, in conformity with U.S. generally accepted accounting principles.

Basis for Opinion

These financial statements are the responsibility of the Company's management. Our responsibility is to express an opinion on the Fund's financial statements based on our audits. We are a public accounting firm registered with the Public Company Accounting Oversight Board (United States) ("PCAOB") and are required to be independent with respect to the Company in accordance with the U.S. federal securities law and the applicable rules and regulations of the Securities and Exchange Commission and the PCAOB.

We conducted our audits in accordance with the standards of the PCAOB. Those standards require that we plan and perform the audit to obtain reasonable assurance about whether the financial statements are free of material misstatement, whether due to error or fraud. The Company is not required to have, nor were we engaged to perform, an audit of the Company's internal control over financial reporting. As part of our audits, we are required to obtain an understanding of internal control over financial reporting, but not for the purpose of expressing an opinion on the effectiveness of the Company's internal control over financial reporting. Accordingly, we express no such opinion.

Our audits included performing procedures to assess the risks of material misstatement of the financial statements, whether due to error or fraud, and performing procedures that respond to those risks. Such procedures included examining, on a test basis, evidence regarding the amounts and disclosures in the financial statements. Our procedures included confirmation of securities owned as of December 31, 2020 by correspondence with the custodian. Our audits also included evaluating the accounting principles used and significant estimates made by management, as well as evaluating the overall presentation of the financial statements. We believe that our audits provide a reasonable basis for our opinion.

We have served as the auditor of one or more Morgan Stanley investment companies since 2000.
Boston, Massachusetts
February 26, 2021


27



Morgan Stanley Institutional Fund, Inc.

Annual Report — December 31, 2020

Liquidity Risk Management Program (unaudited)

In compliance with Rule 22e-4 under the Investment Company Act of 1940, as amended (the "Liquidity Rule"), the Fund has adopted and implemented a liquidity risk management program (the "Program"), which is reasonably designed to assess and manage the risk that the Fund could not meet requests to redeem shares issued by the Fund without significant dilution of remaining investors' interests in the Fund (i.e., liquidity risk). The Fund's Board of Directors (the "Board") previously approved the designation of the Liquidity Risk Subcommittee (the "LRS") as Program administrator. The LRS is comprised of representatives from various divisions within Morgan Stanley Investment Management.

At a meeting held on April 22-23, 2020, the Board reviewed a written report prepared by the LRS that addressed the Program's operation and assessed its adequacy, and effectiveness of implementation for the period from December 1, 2018, through December 31, 2019, as required under the Liquidity Rule. The report concluded that the Program operated effectively and was adequately and effectively implemented in all material aspects, and that the relevant controls and safeguards were appropriately designed to enable the LRS to administer the Program in compliance with the Liquidity Rule.

In accordance with the Program, the LRS assessed each Fund's liquidity risk no less frequently than annually taking into consideration certain factors, as applicable, such as (i) investment strategy and liquidity of portfolio investments, (ii) short-term and long-term cash flow projections and (iii) holdings of cash and cash equivalents and borrowing arrangements and other funding sources. Certain factors are considered under both normal and reasonably foreseeable stressed conditions.

Each Fund portfolio investment is classified into one of four liquidity categories, which classification is assessed at least monthly by the LRS. The classification is based on a determination of the number of days it is reasonably expected to take to convert the investment into cash, or sell or dispose of the investment, in current market conditions without significantly changing the market value of the investment. Liquidity classification determinations take into account various market, trading and investment-specific considerations, as well as market depth, and in some cases utilize third-party vendor data.

The Liquidity Rule limits a fund's investments in illiquid investments to 15% of its net assets and requires funds that do not primarily hold assets that are highly liquid investments to determine and maintain a minimum percentage of the fund's net assets to be invested in highly liquid investments (highly liquid investment minimum or "HLIM"). The LRS believes that the Program includes provisions reasonably designed to review, monitor and comply with the 15% limit on illiquid investments and for determining, periodically reviewing and complying with the HLIM requirement, as applicable.

There can be no assurance that the Program will achieve its objectives under all circumstances in the future. Please refer to the Fund's prospectus for more information regarding the Fund's exposure to liquidity risk and other risks to which it may be subject.


28



Morgan Stanley Institutional Fund, Inc.

Annual Report — December 31, 2020

Federal Tax Notice (unaudited)

For federal income tax purposes, the following information is furnished with respect to the Fund's earnings for its taxable year ended December 31, 2020. When distributed, certain earnings may be subject to a maximum tax rate of 15% as provided for by the Jobs and Growth Tax Relief Reconciliation Act of 2003. The Fund designated up to a maximum of approximately $33,215,000 as taxable at this lower rate.

The Fund intends to pass through foreign tax credits of approximately $3,822,000 and has derived net income from sources within foreign countries amounting to approximately $47,929,000.

In January, the Fund provides tax information to shareholders for the preceding calendar year.


29



Morgan Stanley Institutional Fund, Inc.

Annual Report — December 31, 2020

Privacy Notice (unaudited)  April 2019

FACTS

 

WHAT DOES MSIM DO WITH YOUR PERSONAL INFORMATION?

 

Why?

 

Financial companies choose how they share your personal information. Federal law gives consumers the right to limit some but not all sharing. Federal law also requires us to tell you how we collect, share, and protect your personal information. Please read this notice carefully to understand what we do.

 

What?

  The types of personal information we collect and share depend on the product or service you have with us. This information can include:
n Social Security number and income
n investment experience and risk tolerance
n checking account number and wire transfer instructions
 

How?

 

All financial companies need to share customers' personal information to run their everyday business. In the section below, we list the reasons financial companies can share their customers' personal information; the reasons MSIM chooses to share; and whether you can limit this sharing.

 

 

Reasons we can share your personal information

 

Does MSIM share?

 

Can you limit this sharing?

 
For our everyday business purposes —
such as to process your transactions, maintain your account(s), respond to court orders and legal investigations, or report to credit bureaus
 

Yes

 

No

 
For our marketing purposes —
to offer our products and services to you
 

Yes

 

No

 

For joint marketing with other financial companies

 

No

 

We don't share

 
For our affiliates' everyday business purposes —
information about your transactions and experiences
 

Yes

 

No

 
For our affiliates' everyday business purposes —
information about your creditworthiness
 

No

 

We don't share

 

For our affiliates to market to you

 

No

 

We don't share

 

For non-affiliates to market to you

 

No

 

We don't share

 

Questions?  Call toll-free (844) 312-6327 or email: imprivacyinquiries@morganstanley.com


30



Morgan Stanley Institutional Fund, Inc.

Annual Report — December 31, 2020

Privacy Notice (unaudited) (cont'd)  April 2019

Who we are

Who is providing this notice?

 

Morgan Stanley Investment Management, Inc. and its affiliated registered investment advisers, registered broker-dealers, and registered and unregistered funds ("MSIM")

 

What we do

How does MSIM protect my personal information?

 

To protect your personal information from unauthorized access and use, we use security measures that comply with federal law. These measures include computer safeguards and secured files and buildings. We have policies governing the proper handling of customer information by personnel and requiring third parties that provide support to adhere to appropriate security standards with respect to such information.

 

How does MSIM collect my personal information?

  We collect your personal information, for example, when you
n open an account or make deposits or withdrawals from your account
n buy securities from us or make a wire transfer
n give us your contact information
We also collect your personal information from others, such as credit bureaus, affiliates, or other companies.
 

Why can't I limit all sharing?

  Federal law gives you the right to limit only
n sharing for affiliates' everyday business purposes — information about your creditworthiness
n affiliates from using your information to market to you
n sharing for non-affiliates to market to you
State laws and individual companies may give you additional rights to limit sharing. See below for more on your rights under state law.
 

Definitions

Affiliates

  Companies related by common ownership or control. They can be financial and non-financial companies.
n Our affiliates include companies with a Morgan Stanley name and financial companies such as Morgan Stanley Smith Barney LLC and Morgan Stanley & Co.
 

Non-affiliates

  Companies not related by common ownership or control. They can be financial and non-financial companies.
n MSIM does not share with non-affiliates so they can market to you.
 

Joint marketing

  A formal agreement between non-affiliated financial companies that together market financial products or services to you.
n MSIM doesn't jointly market
 


31



Morgan Stanley Institutional Fund, Inc.

Annual Report — December 31, 2020

Privacy Notice (unaudited) (cont'd)  April 2019

Other important information

Vermont: Except as permitted by law, we will not share personal information we collect about Vermont residents with Non-affiliates unless you provide us with your written consent to share such information.

California: Except as permitted by law, we will not share personal information we collect about California residents with Non-affiliates and we will limit sharing such personal information with our Affiliates to comply with California privacy laws that apply to us.


32



Morgan Stanley Institutional Fund, Inc.

Annual Report — December 31, 2020

Director and Officer Information (unaudited)

Independent Directors:

Name, Address and Birth
Year of Independent Director
  Position(s)
Held with
Registrant
  Length of Time
Served*
  Principal Occupation(s) During Past 5 Years and Other
Relevant Professional Experience
  Number of
Funds
in Fund Complex
Overseen by
Independent
Director**
  Other Directorships
Held by Independent
Director***
 
Frank L. Bowman
c/o Perkins Coie LLP
Counsel to the Independent Directors
1155 Avenue of the Americas,
22nd Floor
New York, NY 10036
Birth Year: 1944
 

Director

 

Since August 2006

 

President, Strategic Decisions, LLC (consulting) (since February 2009); Director or Trustee of various Morgan Stanley Funds (since August 2006); Chairperson of the Compliance and Insurance Committee (since October 2015); formerly, Chairperson of the Insurance Sub-Committee of the Compliance and Insurance Committee (2007-2015); served as President and Chief Executive Officer of the Nuclear Energy Institute (policy organization) (February 2005-November 2008); retired as Admiral, U.S. Navy after serving over 38 years on active duty including 8 years as Director of the Naval Nuclear Propulsion Program in the Department of the Navy and the U.S. Department of Energy (1996-2004); served as Chief of Naval Personnel (July 1994-September 1996) and on the Joint Staff as Director of Political Military Affairs (June 1992-July 1994); knighted as Honorary Knight Commander of the Most Excellent Order of the British Empire; awarded the Officier de l'Orde National du Mérite by the French Government; elected to the National Academy of Engineering (2009).

 

79

 

Director of Naval and Nuclear Technologies LLP; Director Emeritus of the Armed Services YMCA; Member of the National Security Advisory Council of the Center for U.S. Global Engagement and a member of the CNA Military Advisory Board; Trustee of Fairhaven United Methodist Church; Member of the Board of Advisors of the Dolphin Scholarship Foundation; Director of other various non-profit organizations; formerly, Director of BP plc (November 2010May 2019).

 
Kathleen A. Dennis
c/o Perkins Coie LLP
Counsel to the Independent Directors
1155 Avenue of the Americas,
22nd Floor
New York, NY 10036
Birth Year: 1953
 

Director

 

Since August 2006

 

Chairperson of the Governance Committee (January 2021), Chairperson of the Liquidity and Alternatives Sub-Committee of the Investment Committee (2006-2020); and Director or Trustee of various Morgan Stanley Funds (since August 2006); President, Cedarwood Associates (mutual fund and investment management consulting) (since July 2006); formerly, Senior Managing Director of Victory Capital Management (1993-2006).

 

79

 

Board Member, University of Albany Foundation (2012-present); Board Member, Mutual Funds Directors Forum (2014-present); Director of various non-profit organizations.

 
Nancy C. Everett
c/o Perkins Coie LLP
Counsel to the Independent Directors
1155 Avenue of the Americas,
22nd Floor
New York, NY 10036
Birth Year: 1955
 

Director

 

Since January 2015

 

Chairperson of the Equity Investment Committee (since January 2021); Director or Trustee of various Morgan Stanley Funds (since January 2015); Chief Executive Officer, Virginia Commonwealth University Investment Company (since November 2015); Owner, OBIR, LLC (institutional investment management consulting) (since June 2014); formerly, Managing Director, BlackRock, Inc. (February 2011-December 2013); and Chief Executive Officer, General Motors Asset Management (a/k/a Promark Global Advisors, Inc.) (June 2005-May 2010).

 

80

 

Formerly, Member of Virginia Commonwealth University School of Business Foundation (2005-2016); Member of Virginia Commonwealth University Board of Visitors (2013-2015); Member of Committee on Directors for Emerging Markets Growth Fund, Inc. (2007-2010); Chairperson of Performance Equity Management, LLC (2006-2010); and Chairperson, GMAM Absolute Return Strategies Fund, LLC (2006-2010).

 


33



Morgan Stanley Institutional Fund, Inc.

Annual Report — December 31, 2020

Director and Officer Information (unaudited) (cont'd)

Independent Directors (cont'd):

Name, Address and Birth
Year of Independent Director
  Position(s)
Held with
Registrant
  Length of Time
Served*
  Principal Occupation(s) During Past 5 Years and Other
Relevant Professional Experience
  Number of
Funds
in Fund Complex
Overseen by
Independent
Director**
  Other Directorships
Held by Independent
Director***
 
Jakki L. Haussler
c/o Perkins Coie LLP
Counsel to the Independent Directors
1155 Avenue of the Americas,
22nd Floor
New York, NY 10036
Birth Year: 1957
 

Director

 

Since January 2015

 

Director or Trustee of various Morgan Stanley Funds (since January 2015) Chairman, Opus Capital Group (1996); formerly, Chief Executive Officer, Opus Capital Group (1996-2019); Director, Capvest Venture Fund, LP (May 2000-December 2011); Partner, Adena Ventures, LP (July 1999-December 2010); Director, The Victory Funds (February 2005-July 2008).

 

80

 

Director of Cincinnati Bell Inc. and Member, Audit Committee and Chairman, Governance and Nominating Committee; Director of Service Corporation International and Member, Audit Committee and Investment Committee; Director of Northern Kentucky University Foundation and Member, Investment Committee; Member of Chase College of Law Transactional Law Practice Center Board of Advisors; Director of Best Transport; Director of Chase College of Law Board of Visitors; formerly, Member, University of Cincinnati Foundation Investment Committee; Member, Miami University Board of Visitors (2008-2011); Trustee of Victory Funds (2005-2008) and Chairman, Investment Committee (2007-2008); and Member, Service Provider Committee (2005-2008).

 
Dr. Manuel H. Johnson
c/o Johnson Smick International, Inc.
220 I Street, NE — Suite 200
Washington, D.C. 20002
Birth Year: 1949
 

Director

 

Since July 1991

 

Senior Partner, Johnson Smick International, Inc. (consulting firm); Chairperson of the Fixed Income, Liquidity and Alternatives Investment Committee (January 2021), Chairperson of the Investment Committee (2006-2020) and Director or Trustee of various Morgan Stanley Funds (since July 1991); Co-Chairman and a founder of the Group of Seven Council (G7C) (international economic commission); formerly, Chairperson of the Audit Committee (July 1991-September 2006), Vice Chairman of the Board of Governors of the Federal Reserve System and Assistant Secretary of the U.S. Treasury.

 

79

 

Director of NVR, Inc. (home construction).

 


34



Morgan Stanley Institutional Fund, Inc.

Annual Report — December 31, 2020

Director and Officer Information (unaudited) (cont'd)

Independent Directors (cont'd):

Name, Address and Birth
Year of Independent Director
  Position(s)
Held with
Registrant
  Length of Time
Served*
  Principal Occupation(s) During Past 5 Years and Other
Relevant Professional Experience
  Number of
Funds
in Fund Complex
Overseen by
Independent
Director**
  Other Directorships
Held by Independent
Director***
 
Joseph J. Kearns
c/o Perkins Coie LLP
Counsel to the Independent Directors
1155 Avenue of the Americas,
22nd Floor
New York, NY 10036
Birth Year: 1942
 

Director

 

Since August 1994

 

Senior Adviser, Kearns & Associates LLC (investment consulting); Chairperson of the Audit Committee (since October 2006) and Director or Trustee of various Morgan Stanley Funds (since August 1994); formerly, Deputy Chairperson of the Audit Committee (July 2003-September 2006) and Chairperson of the Audit Committee of various Morgan Stanley Funds (since August 1994); CFO of the J. Paul Getty Trust (1982-1999).

 

80

 

Director, Rubicon Investment (since February 2019); Prior to August 2016, Director of Electro Rent Corporation (equipment leasing); Prior to December 31, 2013, Director of The Ford Family Foundation.

 
Michael F. Klein
c/o Perkins Coie LLP
Counsel to the Independent Directors
1155 Avenue of the Americas,
22nd Floor
New York, NY 10036
Birth Year: 1958
 

Director

 

Since August 2006

 

Chairperson of the Risk Committee (since January 2021); Managing Director, Aetos Alternatives Management, LP (since March 2000); Co-President, Aetos Alternatives Management, LP (since January 2004) and Co-Chief Executive Officer of Aetos Alternatives Management, LP (since August 2013); Chairperson of the fixed Income Sub-Committee of the Investment committee (2006-2020) and Director or Trustee of various Morgan Stanley Funds (since August 2006); formerly, Managing Director, Morgan Stanley & Co. Inc. and Morgan Stanley Dean Witter Investment Management and President, various Morgan Stanley Funds (June 1998-March 2000); Principal, Morgan Stanley & Co. Inc. and Morgan Stanley Dean Witter Investment Management (August 1997-December 1999).

 

79

 

Director of certain investment funds managed or sponsored by Aetos Alternatives Management, LP; Director of Sanitized AG and Sanitized Marketing AG (specialty chemicals).

 
Patricia Maleski
c/o Perkins Coie LLP
Counsel to the Independent Directors
1155 Avenue of the Americas,
22nd Floor
New York, NY 10036
Birth Year: 1960
 

Director

 

Since January 2017

 

Director or Trustee of various Morgan Stanley Funds (since January 2017); Managing Director, JPMorgan Asset Management (2004-2016); Oversight and Control Head of Fiduciary and Conflicts of Interest Program (2015-2016); Chief Control Officer-Global Asset Management (2013-2015); President, JPMorgan Funds (2010-2013); Chief Administrative Officer (2004-2013); various other positions including Treasurer and Board Liaison (since 2001).

 

80

 

None.

 
W. Allen Reed
c/o Perkins Coie LLP
Counsel to the Independent Directors
1155 Avenue of the Americas,
22nd Floor
New York, NY 10036
Birth Year: 1947
 

Chair of the Board and Director

 

Chair of the Boards since August 2020 and Director since August 2006

 

Chair of the Boards of various Morgan Stanley Funds (since August 2020); Director or Trustee of various Morgan Stanley Funds (since August 2006); formerly, Vice Chair of the Boards of various Morgan Stanley Funds (January 2020-August 2020); President and Chief Executive Officer of General Motors Asset Management; Chairman and Chief Executive Officer of the GM Trust Bank and Corporate Vice President of General Motors Corporation (August 1994-December 2005).

 

79

 

Formerly, Director of Legg Mason, Inc. (2006-2019); and Director of the Auburn University Foundation (2010-2015).

 

*  This is the earliest date the Director began serving the Morgan Stanley Funds. Each Director serves an indefinite term, until his or her successor is elected.

**  The Fund Complex includes (as of December 31, 2020) all open-end and closed-end funds (including all of their portfolios) advised by Morgan Stanley Investment Management Inc. (the "Adviser") and any funds that have an adviser that is an affiliated person of the Adviser (including, but not limited to, Morgan Stanley AIP GP LP).

***  This includes any directorships at public companies and registered investment companies held by the Director at any time during the past five years.


35



Morgan Stanley Institutional Fund, Inc.

Annual Report — December 31, 2020

Director and Officer Information (unaudited) (cont'd)

Executive Officers:

Name, Address and
Birth Year of Executive Officer
  Position(s) Held
with
Registrant
  Length of
Time Served*
 

Principal Occupation(s) During Past 5 Years

 
John H. Gernon
522 Fifth Avenue
New York, NY 10036
Birth Year: 1963
 

President and Principal Executive Officer

 

Since September 2013

 

President and Principal Executive Officer of the Equity and Fixed Income Funds and the Morgan Stanley AIP Funds (since September 2013) and the Liquidity Funds and various money market funds (since May 2014) in the Fund Complex; Managing Director of the Adviser; Head of Public Markets Product Development (since 2006).

 
Timothy J. Knierim
1633 Broadway
New York, NY 10019
Birth Year: 1959
 

Chief Compliance Officer

 

Since December 2016

 

Managing Director of the Adviser and various entities affiliated with the Adviser; Chief Compliance Officer of various Morgan Stanley Funds and the Adviser (since December 2016) and Chief Compliance Officer of Morgan Stanley AIP GP LP (since 2014). Formerly, Managing Director and Deputy Chief Compliance Officer of the Adviser (2014-2016).

 
Francis J. Smith
522 Fifth Avenue
New York, NY 10036
Birth Year: 1965
 

Treasurer and Principal Financial Officer

 

Treasurer since July 2003 and Principal Financial Officer since September 2002

 

Managing Director of the Adviser and various entities affiliated with the Adviser; Treasurer (since July 2003) and Principal Financial Officer of various Morgan Stanley Funds (since September 2002).

 
Mary E. Mullin
1633 Broadway
New York, NY 10019
Birth Year: 1967
 

Secretary

 

Since June 1999

 

Managing Director of the Adviser; Secretary of various Morgan Stanley Funds (since June 1999).

 
Michael J. Key
522 Fifth Avenue
New York, NY 10036
Birth Year: 1979
 

Vice President

 

Since June 2017

 

Vice President of the Equity and Fixed Income Funds, Liquidity Funds, various money market funds and the Morgan Stanley AIP Funds in the Fund Complex (since June 2017); Executive Director of the Adviser; Head of Product Development for Equity and Fixed Income Funds (since August 2013).

 

*  This is the earliest date the officer began serving the Morgan Stanley Funds. Each officer serves a one-year term, until his or her successor is elected and qualifies.


36



Morgan Stanley Institutional Fund, Inc.

Annual Report — December 31, 2020

Adviser and Administrator

Morgan Stanley Investment Management Inc.
522 Fifth Avenue
New York, New York 10036

Sub-Adviser

Morgan Stanley Investment Management Limited
25 Cabot Square, Canary Wharf
London, E14 4QA, England

Distributor

Morgan Stanley Distribution, Inc.
522 Fifth Avenue
New York, New York 10036

Dividend Disbursing and Transfer Agent

DST Asset Manager Solutions, Inc.
2000 Crown Colony Drive
Quincy, Massachusetts 02169

Custodian

State Street Bank and Trust Company
One Lincoln Street
Boston, Massachusetts 02111

Legal Counsel

Dechert LLP
1095 Avenue of the Americas
New York, New York 10036

Counsel to the Independent Directors

Perkins Coie LLP
1155 Avenue of the Americas,
22nd Floor
New York, New York 10036

Independent Registered Public Accounting Firm

Ernst & Young LLP
200 Clarendon Street
Boston, Massachusetts 02116

Reporting to Shareholders

Each Morgan Stanley fund provides a complete schedule of portfolio holdings in its Semi-Annual and the Annual Reports within 60 days of the end of the fund's second and fourth fiscal quarters. The Semi-Annual and Annual Reports are filed electronically with the Securities and Exchange Commission ("SEC") on Form N-CSRS and Form N-CSR, respectively. Morgan Stanley also delivers the Semi-Annual and Annual Reports to fund shareholders and makes these reports available on its public website, www.morganstanley.com/im/shareholderreports. Each Morgan Stanley non-money market fund also files a complete schedule of portfolio holdings with the SEC for the fund's first and third fiscal quarters as an attachment to Form N-PORT. Morgan Stanley does not deliver the reports for the first and third fiscal quarters to shareholders, but makes the complete schedule of portfolio holdings for the fund's first and third fiscal quarters available on its public website. The holdings for each money market fund are also posted to the Morgan Stanley public website. You may obtain the Form N-PORT filings (as well as the Form N-CSR and N-CSRS filings) by accessing the SEC's website, www.sec.gov. You can also request copies of these materials, upon payment of a duplicating fee, by electronic request at the SEC's email address (publicinfo@sec.gov).

Proxy Voting Policies and Procedures and Proxy Voting Record

You may obtain a copy of the Company's Proxy Voting Policy and Procedures and information regarding how the Company voted proxies relating to portfolio securities during the most recent twelve-month period ended June 30, without charge, upon request, by calling toll free 1 (800) 548-7786 or by visiting our website at www.morganstanley.com/im/shareholderreports. This information is also available on the SEC's website at www.sec.gov.

This report is authorized for distribution only when preceded or accompanied by a prospectus or summary prospectus of the applicable fund of Morgan Stanley Institutional Fund, Inc., which describes in detail the fund's investment policies, risks, fees and expenses. Please read the prospectus carefully before you invest or send money. For additional information, including information regarding the investments comprising the Fund, please visit our website at www.morganstanley.com/im/shareholderreports or call toll free 1 (800) 548-7786.


37



Printed in U.S.A.
This Report has been prepared for shareholders and may be distributed to others only if preceded or accompanied by a current prospectus.

Morgan Stanley Investment Management Inc.
522 Fifth Avenue
New York, New York 10036

© 2021 Morgan Stanley. Morgan Stanley Distribution, Inc.

IFIIEANN
3386906 EXP 02.28.22



INVESTMENT MANAGEMENT

Morgan Stanley Institutional Fund, Inc.

International
Opportunity
Portfolio

Annual Report

December 31, 2020



Morgan Stanley Institutional Fund, Inc.

Annual Report — December 31, 2020

Table of Contents

Shareholders' Letter

   

2

   

Expense Example

   

3

   

Investment Overview

   

4

   

Portfolio of Investments

   

7

   

Statement of Assets and Liabilities

   

9

   

Statement of Operations

   

11

   

Statements of Changes in Net Assets

   

12

   

Financial Highlights

   

14

   

Notes to Financial Statements

   

20

   

Report of Independent Registered Public Accounting Firm

   

29

   

Liquidity Risk Management Program

   

30

   

Federal Tax Notice

   

31

   

Privacy Notice

   

32

   

Director and Officer Information

   

35

   

This report is authorized for distribution only when preceded or accompanied by a prospectus or summary prospectus of the applicable Fund of Morgan Stanley Institutional Fund, Inc. To receive a prospectus and/or statement of additional information ("SAI"), which contains more complete information such as investment objectives, charges, expenses, policies for voting proxies, risk considerations and describes in detail each of the Fund's investment policies to the prospective investor, please call toll free 1 (800) 548-7786. Please read the prospectuses carefully before you invest or send money.

Additionally, you can access information about the Fund, including performance, characteristics and investment team commentary, through Morgan Stanley Investment Management's website: www.morganstanley.com/im/shareholderreports.

Market forecasts provided in this report may not necessarily come to pass. There is no guarantee that any sectors mentioned will continue to perform as discussed herein or that securities in such sectors will be held by the Fund in the future. There is no assurance that a fund will achieve its investment objective. Funds are subject to market risk, which is the possibility that market values of securities owned by the Fund will decline and, therefore, the value of the Fund's shares may be less than what you paid for them. Accordingly, you can lose money investing in this Fund. Please see the prospectus for more complete information on investment risks.


1



Morgan Stanley Institutional Fund, Inc.

Annual Report — December 31, 2020

Shareholders' Letter (unaudited)

Dear Shareholders,

We are pleased to provide this Annual Report, in which you will learn how your investment in International Opportunity Portfolio (the "Fund") performed during the latest twelve-month period.

Morgan Stanley Investment Management is a client-centric, investor-led organization. Our global presence, intellectual capital, and breadth of products and services enable us to partner with investors to meet the evolving challenges of today's financial markets. We aim to deliver superior investment service and to empower our clients to make the informed decisions that help them reach their investment goals.

As always, we thank you for selecting Morgan Stanley Investment Management, and look forward to working with you in the months and years ahead.

Sincerely,

John H. Gernon
President and Principal Executive Officer

January 2021


2



Morgan Stanley Institutional Fund, Inc.

Annual Report — December 31, 2020

Expense Example (unaudited)

International Opportunity Portfolio

As a shareholder of the Fund, you incur two types of costs: (1) transactional costs, including redemption fees; and (2) ongoing costs, which may include advisory fees, administration fees, distribution and shareholder services fees and other Fund expenses. This example is intended to help you understand your ongoing costs (in dollars) of investing in the Fund and to compare these costs with the ongoing costs of investing in other mutual funds.

This example is based on an investment of $1,000 invested at the beginning of the six-month period ended December 31, 2020 and held for the entire six-month period.

Actual Expenses

The table below provides information about actual account values and actual expenses. You may use the information in this table, 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 table under the heading entitled "Actual Expenses Paid During Period" to estimate the expenses you paid on your account during this period.

Hypothetical Example for Comparison Purposes

The table below provides information about hypothetical account values and hypothetical expenses based on the Fund's actual expense ratio and an assumed rate of return of 5% per year before expenses, which is not the Fund's actual return. The hypothetical account values and expenses may not be used to estimate the actual ending account balance or expenses you paid for the period. You may use this information to compare the ongoing costs of investing in the Fund and other funds. To do so, compare this 5% hypothetical example with the 5% hypothetical examples that appear in the shareholder reports of the other funds.

Please note that the expenses shown in the table are meant to highlight your ongoing costs only and do not reflect any transactional costs, such as sales charges (loads) and redemption fees. Therefore, the information for each class in the table is useful in comparing ongoing costs only, and will not help you determine the relative total costs of owning different funds. In addition, if these transactional costs were included, your costs would have been higher.

    Beginning
Account
Value
7/1/20
  Actual Ending
Account
Value
12/31/20
  Hypothetical
Ending Account
Value
  Actual
Expenses
Paid
During
Period*
  Hypothetical
Expenses Paid
During Period*
  Net
Expense
Ratio
During
Period**
 

International Opportunity Portfolio Class I

 

$

1,000.00

   

$

1,364.90

   

$

1,020.26

   

$

5.77

   

$

4.93

     

0.97

%

 

International Opportunity Portfolio Class A

   

1,000.00

     

1,363.00

     

1,018.95

     

7.31

     

6.24

     

1.23

   

International Opportunity Portfolio Class L

   

1,000.00

     

1,358.90

     

1,015.89

     

10.91

     

9.32

     

1.84

   

International Opportunity Portfolio Class C

   

1,000.00

     

1,358.50

     

1,015.33

     

11.56

     

9.88

     

1.95

   

International Opportunity Portfolio Class IS

   

1,000.00

     

1,365.50

     

1,020.71

     

5.23

     

4.47

     

0.88

   

International Opportunity Portfolio Class IR

   

1,000.00

     

1,365.70

     

1,020.71

     

5.23

     

4.47

     

0.88

   

*  Expenses are calculated using each Fund Class' annualized net expense ratio (as disclosed), multiplied by the average account value over the period and multiplied by 184/366 (to reflect the most recent one-half year period).

**  Annualized.


3



Morgan Stanley Institutional Fund, Inc.

Annual Report — December 31, 2020

Investment Overview (unaudited)

International Opportunity Portfolio

The Fund seeks long-term capital appreciation.

Performance

For the fiscal year ended December 31, 2020, the Fund's Class I shares had a total return based on net asset value and reinvestment of distributions per share of 55.49%, net of fees. The Fund's Class I shares outperformed the Fund's benchmark, the MSCI All Country World ex USA Net Index (the "Index"), which returned 10.65%.

Please keep in mind that high double-digit returns are highly unusual and cannot be sustained. Investors should also be aware that these returns were primarily achieved during favorable market conditions.

Factors Affecting Performance

•  Equity markets rebounded after the volatility seen in the first quarter of 2020, which had been driven by a broad sell-off due to concerns regarding COVID-19 and its potential impacts to global economic activity. The rebound was a result of a general market recovery from the COVID-19-related decline earlier in the year, as well as optimism following successful COVID-19 vaccine trials and rollouts in various countries. Uncertainty surrounding U.S.-China tensions, U.S. elections and Brexit negotiations also affected markets during the year.

•  International equity markets advanced by 10.65% for the 12-month period ended December 31, 2020, as measured by the Index. Our team remained focused on assessing company prospects over a longer-term period of three to five years, and owning a portfolio of high quality companies with diverse business drivers not tied to a particular market environment.

•  The team manages concentrated portfolios that are highly differentiated from the benchmark, with securities weighted on our assessment of the quality of the company and our conviction. Our longer-term focus results in lower turnover than many of our peers. The value added or detracted in any period of time will typically result from stock selection, given our philosophy and process. For the 12-month period, the Fund outperformed the Index due to favorable stock selection and sector allocation.

•  The Fund's relative performance was primarily driven by strong stock selection in the consumer discretionary, information technology and communication services sectors.

•  Detracting from relative gains were sector underweight positions in materials, health care and industrials.

Management Strategies

•  There were no changes to our bottom-up investment process during the period. The Fund seeks long-term capital appreciation by investing primarily in international high-quality established and emerging companies that the investment team believes are undervalued at the time of purchase. To help achieve its objective, the investment team typically favors companies it believes have sustainable competitive advantages that can be monetized through growth. The investment process integrates analysis of sustainability with respect to disruptive change, financial strength, environmental and social externalities and governance (also referred to as ESG).

•  At the close of the period ended December 31, 2020, consumer discretionary represented the largest sector weight in the Fund, followed by information technology and communication services. Our bottom-up investment process resulted in sector overweight positions in consumer discretionary, information technology and communication services, and underweight positions in financials, materials, industrials, health care, energy, real estate, utilities, and consumer staples. The Fund had no energy, materials, real estate and utilities holdings at the end of the reporting period.


4



Morgan Stanley Institutional Fund, Inc.

Annual Report — December 31, 2020

Investment Overview (unaudited) (cont'd)

International Opportunity Portfolio

*  Minimum Investment for Class I shares

In accordance with SEC regulations, the Fund's performance shown assumes that all recurring fees (including management fees) were deducted and all dividends and distributions were reinvested. The performance of Class A, L, C, IS and IR shares will vary from the performance of Class I shares based upon their different inception dates and will be negatively impacted by additional fees assessed to those classes (if applicable).

Performance Compared to the MSCI All Country World ex USA Net Index(1) and the Lipper International Multi-Cap Growth Funds Index(2)

    Period Ended December 31, 2020
Total Returns(3)
 
       

Average Annual

 
    One
Year
  Five
Years
  Ten
Years
  Since
Inception(8)
 
Fund — Class I Shares
w/o sales charges(4)
   

55.49

%

   

23.02

%

   

14.98

%

   

15.87

%

 
Fund — Class A Shares
w/o sales charges(4)
   

55.06

     

22.64

     

14.63

     

15.51

   
Fund — Class A Shares with
maximum 5.25% sales charges(4)
   

46.94

     

21.32

     

14.01

     

14.94

   
Fund — Class L Shares
w/o sales charges(4)
   

54.15

     

21.97

     

14.02

     

14.91

   
Fund — Class C Shares
w/o sales charges(6)
   

53.94

     

21.74

     

     

18.55

   
Fund — Class C Shares with
maximum 1.00% deferred
sales charges(6)
   

52.94

     

21.74

     

     

18.55

   
Fund — Class IS Shares
w/o sales charges(5)
   

55.63

     

23.07

     

     

19.19

   
Fund — Class IR Shares
w/o sales charges(7)
   

55.64

     

     

     

21.63

   
MSCI All Country World ex USA
Net Index
   

10.65

     

8.93

     

4.92

     

5.45

   
Lipper International Multi-Cap
Growth Funds Index
   

15.49

     

9.70

     

6.14

     

6.81

   

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. Performance assumes that all dividends and distributions, if any, were reinvested. For the most recent month-end performance figures, please visit www.morganstanley.com/im/shareholderreports. Investment return and principal value will fluctuate so that Fund shares, when redeemed, may be worth more or less than their original cost. Total returns do not reflect the deduction of taxes that a shareholder would pay on Fund distributions or the redemption of Fund shares. Performance of share classes will vary due to difference in sales charges and expenses.

(1)  The MSCI All Country World ex USA Net Index is a free float-adjusted market capitalization weighted index designed to measure the equity market performance of developed and emerging markets, excluding the United States. 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. Net total return indices reinvest dividends after the deduction of withholding taxes, using (for international indices) a tax rate applicable to nonresident institutional investors who do not benefit from double taxation treaties. 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.


5



Morgan Stanley Institutional Fund, Inc.

Annual Report — December 31, 2020

Investment Overview (unaudited) (cont'd)

International Opportunity Portfolio

(2)  The Lipper International Multi-Cap Growth Funds Index is an equally weighted performance index of the largest qualifying funds (based on net assets) in the Lipper International Multi-Cap Growth Funds classification. The Index, which is adjusted for capital gains distributions and income dividends, is unmanaged and should not be considered an investment. There are currently 30 funds represented in this Index. As of the date of this report, the Fund was in the Lipper International Multi-Cap Growth Funds classification.

(3)  Total returns for the Fund reflect fees waived and expenses reimbursed, if applicable, by the Adviser (as defined herein). Without such waivers and reimbursements, total returns would have been lower.

(4)  Commenced operations on March 31, 2010.

(5)  Commenced offering on September 13, 2013.

(6)  Commenced offering on April 30, 2015.

(7)  Commenced offering on June 15, 2018.

(8)  For comparative purposes, average annual since inception returns listed for the Indexes refer to the inception date of Class I of the Fund, not the inception of the Index.


6



Morgan Stanley Institutional Fund, Inc.

Annual Report — December 31, 2020

Portfolio of Investments

International Opportunity Portfolio

   

Shares

  Value
(000)
 

Common Stocks (92.4%)

 

Argentina (1.0%)

 

Globant SA (a)

   

193,942

   

$

42,204

   

Canada (7.1%)

 
Canada Goose Holdings, Inc.
(See Note G) (a)(b)
   

4,889,363

     

145,556

   

Shopify, Inc., Class A (a)

   

132,527

     

150,014

   
     

295,570

   

China (24.2%)

 

Alibaba Group Holding Ltd. ADR (a)

   

381,545

     

88,797

   

China Resources Beer Holdings Co., Ltd. (c)

   

8,118,666

     

74,658

   
Foshan Haitian Flavouring &
Food Co., Ltd., Class A
   

4,341,347

     

133,302

   

HUYA, Inc. ADR (a)(b)

   

3,512,678

     

70,008

   

Meituan Dianping, Class B (a)(c)

   

5,992,500

     

225,578

   

New Frontier Health Corp. (a)

   

1,583,308

     

13,616

   

Shenzhou International Group Holdings Ltd. (c)

   

1,849,900

     

36,255

   

TAL Education Group ADR (a)

   

3,236,986

     

231,477

   

Tencent Holdings Ltd. (c)

   

616,900

     

44,388

   

Trip.com Group Ltd. ADR (a)

   

2,744,107

     

92,559

   
     

1,010,638

   

Denmark (4.5%)

 

DSV Panalpina A/S

   

1,111,323

     

186,771

   

France (3.4%)

 

Hermes International

   

132,364

     

142,328

   

Germany (3.7%)

 

Adidas AG (a)

   

169,343

     

61,608

   

HelloFresh SE (a)

   

1,203,894

     

93,123

   
     

154,731

   

India (7.2%)

 

HDFC Bank Ltd. (a)

   

10,199,551

     

200,895

   

ICICI Bank Ltd. ADR (a)

   

3,274,157

     

48,654

   

Kotak Mahindra Bank Ltd. (a)

   

1,911,016

     

52,229

   
     

301,778

   

Italy (4.4%)

 

Moncler SpA (a)

   

3,011,383

     

185,142

   

Japan (4.6%)

 

Keyence Corp.

   

274,300

     

154,298

   

Pigeon Corp.

   

938,600

     

38,739

   
     

193,037

   

Korea, Republic of (2.3%)

 

NAVER Corp.

   

352,476

     

95,017

   

Netherlands (5.5%)

 

Adyen N.V. (a)

   

45,014

     

104,592

   

ASML Holding N.V.

   

170,501

     

82,552

   

Just Eat Takeaway.com N.V (a)

   

370,216

     

41,743

   
     

228,887

   
   

Shares

  Value
(000)
 

Sweden (1.1%)

 

Vitrolife AB (a)

   

1,677,497

   

$

43,921

   

Switzerland (1.5%)

 

Straumann Holding AG (Registered)

   

53,470

     

62,636

   

Taiwan (3.8%)

 

Taiwan Semiconductor Manufacturing Co., Ltd.

   

8,272,000

     

156,485

   

United Kingdom (2.2%)

 

Fevertree Drinks PLC

   

1,274,493

     

44,091

   

Rightmove PLC (a)

   

5,569,211

     

49,481

   
     

93,572

   

United States (15.9%)

 

EPAM Systems, Inc. (a)

   

352,745

     

126,406

   

Farfetch Ltd., Class A (a)

   

2,938,763

     

187,523

   

MercadoLibre, Inc. (a)

   

64,042

     

107,284

   

Spotify Technology SA (a)

   

777,741

     

244,724

   
     

665,937

   

Total Common Stocks (Cost $2,293,360)

   

3,858,654

   

Short-Term Investments (9.1%)

 

Securities held as Collateral on Loaned Securities (1.6%)

 

Investment Company (1.4%)

 
Morgan Stanley Institutional Liquidity
Funds — Treasury Securities Portfolio —
Institutional Class (See Note G)
   

58,777,325

     

58,777

   
    Face
Amount
(000)
     

Repurchase Agreements (0.2%)

 
Barclays Capital, Inc., (0.05%,
dated 12/31/20, due 1/4/21;
proceeds $1,792; fully collateralized
by a U.S. Government obligation; 1.63%
due 11/15/22; valued at $1,828)
 

$

1,792

     

1,792

   
HSBC Securities USA, Inc., (0.05%,
dated 12/31/20, due 1/4/21;
proceeds $6,989; fully collateralized
by a U.S. Government obligation; 0.15%
due 10/31/22; valued at $7,129)
   

6,989

     

6,989

   
Merrill Lynch & Co., Inc., (0.06%,
12/31/20, due 1/4/21; proceeds $717;
fully collateralized by a U.S. Government
obligation; 2.50% due 5/15/46;
valued at $731)
   

717

     

717

   
     

9,498

   
Total Securities held as Collateral on
Loaned Securities (Cost $68,275)
   

68,275

   

The accompanying notes are an integral part of the financial statements.
7



Morgan Stanley Institutional Fund, Inc.

Annual Report — December 31, 2020

Portfolio of Investments (cont'd)

International Opportunity Portfolio

   

Shares

  Value
(000)
 

Investment Company (7.5%)

 
Morgan Stanley Institutional Liquidity
Funds — Treasury Securities Portfolio —
Institutional Class (See Note G)
(Cost $313,356)
   

313,355,507

   

$

313,356

   

Total Short-Term Investments (Cost $381,631)

   

381,631

   
Total Investments (101.5%) (Cost $2,674,991)
Including $67,239 of Securities Loaned (d)(e)
   

4,240,285

   

Liabilities in Excess of Other Assets (–1.5%)

   

(62,401

)

 

Net Assets (100.0%)

 

$

4,177,884

   

Country assignments and aggregations are based generally on third party vendor classifications and information, and may be different from the assignments and aggregations under the policies set forth in the Fund's prospectus and/or statement of additional information relating to geographic classifications.

(a)  Non-income producing security.

(b)  All or a portion of this security was on loan at December 31, 2020.

(c)  Security trades on the Hong Kong exchange.

(d)  The approximate fair value and percentage of net assets, $2,309,832,000 and 55.3%, respectively, represent the securities that have been fair valued under the fair valuation policy for international investments as described in Note A-1 within the Notes to the Financial Statements.

(e)  At December 31, 2020, the aggregate cost for federal income tax purposes is approximately $2,679,578,000. The aggregate gross unrealized appreciation is approximately $1,575,696,000 and the aggregate gross unrealized depreciation is approximately $14,989,000, resulting in net unrealized appreciation of approximately $1,560,707,000.

ADR  American Depositary Receipt.

Portfolio Composition*

Classification

  Percentage of
Total Investments
 

Other**

   

22.8

%

 

Internet & Direct Marketing Retail

   

20.1

   

Textiles, Apparel & Luxury Goods

   

13.7

   

Information Technology Services

   

10.1

   

Entertainment

   

7.5

   

Short-Term Investments

   

7.3

   

Banks

   

7.2

   

Semiconductors & Semiconductor Equipment

   

5.7

   

Diversified Consumer Services

   

5.6

   

Total Investments

   

100.0

%

 

*  Percentages indicated are based upon total investments (excluding Securities held as Collateral on Loaned Securities) as of December 31, 2020.

**  Industries and/or investment types representing less than 5% of total investments.

The accompanying notes are an integral part of the financial statements.
8



Morgan Stanley Institutional Fund, Inc.

Annual Report — December 31, 2020

International Opportunity Portfolio

Statement of Assets and Liabilities

  December 31, 2020
(000)
 

Assets:

 

Investments in Securities of Unaffiliated Issuers, at Value(1) (Cost $2,176,290)

 

$

3,722,596

   

Investment in Security of Affiliated Issuer, at Value (Cost $498,701)

   

517,689

   

Total Investments in Securities, at Value (Cost $2,674,991)

   

4,240,285

   

Foreign Currency, at Value (Cost $419)

   

420

   

Receivable for Investments Sold

   

15,631

   

Receivable for Fund Shares Sold

   

11,866

   

Dividends Receivable

   

868

   

Tax Reclaim Receivable

   

282

   

Receivable from Securities Lending Income

   

272

   

Receivable from Affiliate

   

3

   

Other Assets

   

236

   

Total Assets

   

4,269,863

   

Liabilities:

 

Collateral on Securities Loaned, at Value

   

68,275

   

Deferred Capital Gain Country Tax

   

8,382

   

Payable for Advisory Fees

   

6,893

   

Payable for Investments Purchased

   

4,108

   

Payable for Fund Shares Redeemed

   

3,406

   

Payable for Sub Transfer Agency Fees — Class I

   

129

   

Payable for Sub Transfer Agency Fees — Class A

   

6

   

Payable for Sub Transfer Agency Fees — Class L

   

@

 

Payable for Sub Transfer Agency Fees — Class C

   

2

   

Payable for Administration Fees

   

271

   

Payable for Shareholder Services Fees — Class A

   

140

   

Payable for Distribution and Shareholder Services Fees — Class L

   

@

 

Payable for Distribution and Shareholder Services Fees — Class C

   

74

   

Payable for Custodian Fees

   

143

   

Payable for Professional Fees

   

37

   

Payable for Transfer Agency Fees — Class I

   

27

   

Payable for Transfer Agency Fees — Class A

   

2

   

Payable for Transfer Agency Fees — Class L

   

@

 

Payable for Transfer Agency Fees — Class C

   

3

   

Payable for Transfer Agency Fees — Class IS

   

2

   

Payable for Transfer Agency Fees — Class IR

   

@

 

Other Liabilities

   

79

   

Total Liabilities

   

91,979

   

Net Assets

 

$

4,177,884

   

Net Assets Consist of:

 

Paid-in-Capital

 

$

2,637,038

   

Total Distributable Earnings

   

1,540,846

   

Net Assets

 

$

4,177,884

   

The accompanying notes are an integral part of the financial statements.
9



Morgan Stanley Institutional Fund, Inc.

Annual Report — December 31, 2020

International Opportunity Portfolio

Statement of Assets and Liabilities (cont'd)

  December 31, 2020
(000)
 

CLASS I:

 

Net Assets

 

$

3,152,320

   
Shares Outstanding $0.001 par value shares of beneficial interest (unlimited shares authorized) (not in 000's)    

76,041,479

   

Net Asset Value, Offering and Redemption Price Per Share

 

$

41.46

   

CLASS A:

 

Net Assets

 

$

683,897

   
Shares Outstanding $0.001 par value shares of beneficial interest (unlimited shares authorized) (not in 000's)    

16,856,815

   

Net Asset Value, Redemption Price Per Share

 

$

40.57

   

Maximum Sales Load

   

5.25

%

 

Maximum Sales Charge

 

$

2.25

   

Maximum Offering Price Per Share

 

$

42.82

   

CLASS L:

 

Net Assets

 

$

533

   
Shares Outstanding $0.001 par value shares of beneficial interest (unlimited shares authorized) (not in 000's)    

13,751

   

Net Asset Value, Offering and Redemption Price Per Share

 

$

38.79

   

CLASS C:

 

Net Assets

 

$

90,845

   
Shares Outstanding $0.001 par value shares of beneficial interest (unlimited shares authorized) (not in 000's)    

2,372,786

   

Net Asset Value, Offering and Redemption Price Per Share

 

$

38.29

   

CLASS IS:

 

Net Assets

 

$

101,008

   
Shares Outstanding $0.001 par value shares of beneficial interest (unlimited shares authorized) (not in 000's)    

2,430,162

   

Net Asset Value, Offering and Redemption Price Per Share

 

$

41.56

   

CLASS IR:

 

Net Assets

 

$

149,281

   
Shares Outstanding $0.001 par value shares of beneficial interest (unlimited shares authorized) (not in 000's)    

3,590,229

   

Net Asset Value, Offering and Redemption Price Per Share

 

$

41.58

   
(1) Including:
Securities on Loan, at Value:
 

$

67,239

   

@  Amount is less than $500.

The accompanying notes are an integral part of the financial statements.
10



Morgan Stanley Institutional Fund, Inc.

Annual Report — December 31, 2020

International Opportunity Portfolio

Statement of Operations

  Year Ended
December 31, 2020
(000)
 

Investment Income:

 

Dividends from Securities of Unaffiliated Issuers (Net of $895 of Foreign Taxes Withheld)

 

$

5,889

   

Income from Securities Loaned — Net

   

739

   

Dividends from Security of Affiliated Issuer (Note G)

   

489

   

Total Investment Income

   

7,117

   

Expenses:

 

Advisory Fees (Note B)

   

19,559

   

Sub Transfer Agency Fees — Class I

   

1,636

   

Sub Transfer Agency Fees — Class A

   

495

   

Sub Transfer Agency Fees — Class L

   

@

 

Sub Transfer Agency Fees — Class C

   

39

   

Shareholder Services Fees — Class A (Note D)

   

1,077

   

Distribution and Shareholder Services Fees — Class L (Note D)

   

4

   

Distribution and Shareholder Services Fees — Class C (Note D)

   

613

   

Administration Fees (Note C)

   

2,033

   

Custodian Fees (Note F)

   

487

   

Registration Fees

   

216

   

Shareholder Reporting Fees

   

150

   

Professional Fees

   

112

   

Transfer Agency Fees — Class I (Note E)

   

126

   

Transfer Agency Fees — Class A (Note E)

   

11

   

Transfer Agency Fees — Class L (Note E)

   

2

   

Transfer Agency Fees — Class C (Note E)

   

16

   

Transfer Agency Fees — Class IS (Note E)

   

8

   

Transfer Agency Fees — Class IR (Note E)

   

2

   

Pricing Fees

   

3

   

Other Expenses

   

69

   

Total Expenses

   

26,658

   

Reimbursement of Class Specific Expenses — Class L (Note B)

   

(1

)

 

Reimbursement of Class Specific Expenses — Class IS (Note B)

   

(7

)

 

Rebate from Morgan Stanley Affiliate (Note G)

   

(327

)

 

Net Expenses

   

26,323

   

Net Investment Loss

   

(19,206

)

 

Realized Gain (Loss):

 

Investments Sold

   

48,181

   

Investments in Affiliates

   

(71

)

 

Foreign Currency Translation

   

(310

)

 

Net Realized Gain

   

47,800

   

Change in Unrealized Appreciation (Depreciation):

 

Investments (Net of Increase in Deferred Capital Gain Country Tax of $6,951)

   

1,209,777

   

Investments in Affiliates

   

18,988

   

Foreign Currency Translation

   

42

   

Net Change in Unrealized Appreciation (Depreciation)

   

1,228,807

   

Net Realized Gain and Change in Unrealized Appreciation (Depreciation)

   

1,276,607

   

Net Increase in Net Assets Resulting from Operations

 

$

1,257,401

   

@  Amount is less than $500.

The accompanying notes are an integral part of the financial statements.
11



Morgan Stanley Institutional Fund, Inc.

Annual Report — December 31, 2020

International Opportunity Portfolio

Statements of Changes in Net Assets

  Year Ended
December 31, 2020
(000)
  Year Ended
December 31, 2019
(000)
 

Increase (Decrease) in Net Assets:

 

Operations:

 

Net Investment Loss

 

$

(19,206

)

 

$

(3,384

)

 

Net Realized Gain (Loss)

   

47,800

     

(17,368

)

 

Net Change in Unrealized Appreciation (Depreciation)

   

1,228,807

     

417,116

   

Net Increase in Net Assets Resulting from Operations

   

1,257,401

     

396,364

   

Dividends and Distributions to Shareholders:

 

Class I

   

(7,420

)

   

   

Class A

   

(1,688

)

   

   

Class L

   

(1

)

   

   

Class C

   

(232

)

   

   

Class IS

   

(237

)

   

   

Class IR

   

(357

)

   

   

Total Dividends and Distributions to Shareholders

   

(9,935

)

   

   

Capital Share Transactions:(1)

 

Class I:

 

Subscribed

   

1,419,406

     

585,257

   

Distributions Reinvested

   

7,256

     

   

Redeemed

   

(489,145

)

   

(219,531

)

 

Class A:

 

Subscribed

   

273,991

     

121,390

   

Distributions Reinvested

   

1,687

     

   

Redeemed

   

(133,945

)

   

(88,729

)

 

Class L:

 

Exchanged

   

11

     

   

Distributions Reinvested

   

1

     

   

Redeemed

   

(197

)

   

   

Class C:

 

Subscribed

   

22,956

     

15,512

   

Distributions Reinvested

   

230

     

   

Redeemed

   

(13,042

)

   

(9,844

)

 

Class IS:

 

Subscribed

   

39,019

     

43,659

   

Distributions Reinvested

   

237

     

   

Redeemed

   

(23,518

)

   

(13,026

)

 

Class IR:

 

Subscribed

   

20,000

     

   

Distributions Reinvested

   

357

     

   

Redeemed

   

(30,000

)

   

   

Net Increase in Net Assets Resulting from Capital Share Transactions

   

1,095,304

     

434,688

   

Redemption Fees

   

74

     

23

   

Total Increase in Net Assets

   

2,342,844

     

831,075

   

Net Assets:

 

Beginning of Period

   

1,835,040

     

1,003,965

   

End of Period

 

$

4,177,884

   

$

1,835,040

   

The accompanying notes are an integral part of the financial statements.
12



Morgan Stanley Institutional Fund, Inc.

Annual Report — December 31, 2020

International Opportunity Portfolio

Statements of Changes in Net Assets (cont'd)

  Year Ended
December 31, 2020
(000)
  Year Ended
December 31, 2019
(000)
 

(1)   Capital Share Transactions:

 

Class I:

 

Shares Subscribed

   

44,755

     

24,447

   

Shares Issued on Distributions Reinvested

   

178

     

   

Shares Redeemed

   

(16,959

)

   

(9,242

)

 

Net Increase in Class I Shares Outstanding

   

27,974

     

15,205

   

Class A:

 

Shares Subscribed

   

8,600

     

5,170

   

Shares Issued on Distributions Reinvested

   

42

     

   

Shares Redeemed

   

(4,599

)

   

(3,822

)

 

Net Increase in Class A Shares Outstanding

   

4,043

     

1,348

   

Class L:

 

Shares Exchanged

   

@@

   

   

Shares Issued on Distributions Reinvested

   

@@

   

   

Shares Redeemed

   

(7

)

   

   

Net Decrease in Class L Shares Outstanding

   

(7

)

   

   

Class C:

 

Shares Subscribed

   

740

     

682

   

Shares Issued on Distributions Reinvested

   

6

     

   

Shares Redeemed

   

(509

)

   

(440

)

 

Net Increase in Class C Shares Outstanding

   

237

     

242

   

Class IS:

 

Shares Subscribed

   

1,305

     

1,703

   

Shares Issued on Distributions Reinvested

   

6

     

   

Shares Redeemed

   

(751

)

   

(540

)

 

Net Increase in Class IS Shares Outstanding

   

560

     

1,163

   

Class IR:

 

Shares Subscribed

   

583

     

   

Shares Issued on Distributions Reinvested

   

9

     

   

Shares Redeemed

   

(1,124

)

   

   

Net Decrease in Class IR Shares Outstanding

   

(532

)

   

   

@@  Amount is less than 500 shares.

The accompanying notes are an integral part of the financial statements.
13



Morgan Stanley Institutional Fund, Inc.

Annual Report — December 31, 2020

Financial Highlights

International Opportunity Portfolio

   

Class I

 
   

Year Ended December 31,

 

Selected Per Share Data and Ratios

 

2020

 

2019

 

2018

 

2017

 

2016(1)

 

Net Asset Value, Beginning of Period

 

$

26.73

   

$

19.77

   

$

22.52

   

$

14.93

   

$

15.03

   

Income (Loss) from Investment Operations:

 

Net Investment Loss(2)

   

(0.22

)

   

(0.04

)

   

(0.04

)

   

(0.08

)

   

(0.03

)

 

Net Realized and Unrealized Gain (Loss)

   

15.05

     

7.00

     

(2.66

)

   

8.04

     

(0.07

)

 

Total from Investment Operations

   

14.83

     

6.96

     

(2.70

)

   

7.96

     

(0.10

)

 

Distributions from and/or in Excess of:

 

Net Investment Income

   

     

     

     

     

(0.00

)(3)

 

Net Realized Gain

   

(0.10

)

   

     

(0.05

)

   

(0.37

)

   

   

Total Distributions

   

(0.10

)

   

     

(0.05

)

   

(0.37

)

   

(0.00

)(3)

 

Redemption Fees

   

0.00

(3)

   

0.00

(3)

   

0.00

(3)

   

0.00

(3)

   

0.00

(3)

 

Net Asset Value, End of Period

 

$

41.46

   

$

26.73

   

$

19.77

   

$

22.52

   

$

14.93

   

Total Return(4)

   

55.49

%

   

35.20

%

   

(12.04

)%

   

53.38

%

   

(0.65

)%

 

Ratios to Average Net Assets and Supplemental Data:

 

Net Assets, End of Period (Thousands)

 

$

3,152,320

   

$

1,284,678

   

$

649,580

   

$

358,141

   

$

62,440

   

Ratio of Expenses Before Expense Limitation

   

0.98

%

   

1.03

%

   

1.04

%

   

1.10

%

   

1.34

%

 

Ratio of Expenses After Expense Limitation

   

0.97

%(5)

   

0.99

%(5)

   

0.99

%(5)

   

0.98

%(5)

   

1.00

%(5)

 

Ratio of Net Investment Loss

   

(0.70

)%(5)

   

(0.15

)%(5)

   

(0.19

)%(5)

   

(0.42

)%(5)

   

(0.22

)%(5)

 

Ratio of Rebate from Morgan Stanley Affiliates

   

0.01

%

   

0.01

%

   

0.01

%

   

0.02

%

   

0.00

%(6)

 

Portfolio Turnover Rate

   

25

%

   

20

%

   

36

%

   

30

%

   

42

%

 

(1)  Reflects prior period custodian out-of-pocket expenses that were reimbursed in September 2016. The amount of the reimbursement was immaterial on a per share basis and did not impact the total return of Class I shares. The Ratio of Expenses After Expense Limitation and the Ratio of Net Investment Loss would be unchanged as the reimbursement of custodian fees was offset against expense waivers/reimbursements with no impact to net expenses or net investment loss.

(2)  Per share amount is based on average shares outstanding.

(3)  Amount is less than $0.005 per share.

(4)  Calculated based on the net asset value as of the last business day of the period.

(5)  The Ratio of Expenses After Expense Limitation and Ratio of Net Investment Loss reflect the rebate of certain Fund expenses in connection with the investments in Morgan Stanley affiliates during the period. The effect of the rebate on the ratios is disclosed in the above table as "Ratio of Rebate from Morgan Stanley Affiliates."

(6)  Amount is less than 0.005%.

The accompanying notes are an integral part of the financial statements.
14



Morgan Stanley Institutional Fund, Inc.

Annual Report — December 31, 2020

Financial Highlights

International Opportunity Portfolio

   

Class A

 
   

Year Ended December 31,

 

Selected Per Share Data and Ratios

 

2020

 

2019

 

2018

 

2017

 

2016(1)

 

Net Asset Value, Beginning of Period

 

$

26.23

   

$

19.46

   

$

22.25

   

$

14.79

   

$

14.93

   

Income (Loss) from Investment Operations:

 

Net Investment Loss(2)

   

(0.30

)

   

(0.10

)

   

(0.11

)

   

(0.15

)

   

(0.08

)

 

Net Realized and Unrealized Gain (Loss)

   

14.74

     

6.87

     

(2.63

)

   

7.98

     

(0.06

)

 

Total from Investment Operations

   

14.44

     

6.77

     

(2.74

)

   

7.83

     

(0.14

)

 

Distributions from and/or in Excess of:

 

Net Realized Gain

   

(0.10

)

   

     

(0.05

)

   

(0.37

)

   

   

Redemption Fees

   

0.00

(3)

   

0.00

(3)

   

0.00

(3)

   

0.00

(3)

   

0.00

(3)

 

Net Asset Value, End of Period

 

$

40.57

   

$

26.23

   

$

19.46

   

$

22.25

   

$

14.79

   

Total Return(4)

   

55.06

%

   

34.79

%

   

(12.36

)%

   

53.01

%

   

(1.00

)%

 

Ratios to Average Net Assets and Supplemental Data:

 

Net Assets, End of Period (Thousands)

 

$

683,897

   

$

336,109

   

$

223,098

   

$

186,988

   

$

11,727

   

Ratio of Expenses Before Expense Limitation

   

1.26

%

   

1.30

%

   

1.34

%

   

1.36

%

   

1.66

%

 

Ratio of Expenses After Expense Limitation

   

1.25

%(5)

   

1.29

%(5)

   

1.33

%(5)

   

1.27

%(5)

   

1.35

%(5)

 

Ratio of Net Investment Loss

   

(0.96

)%(5)

   

(0.44

)%(5)

   

(0.51

)%(5)

   

(0.74

)%(5)

   

(0.55

)%(5)

 

Ratio of Rebate from Morgan Stanley Affiliates

   

0.01

%

   

0.01

%

   

0.01

%

   

0.02

%

   

0.00

%(6)

 

Portfolio Turnover Rate

   

25

%

   

20

%

   

36

%

   

30

%

   

42

%

 

(1)  Reflects prior period custodian out-of-pocket expenses that were reimbursed in September 2016. The amount of the reimbursement was immaterial on a per share basis and did not impact the total return of Class A shares. The Ratio of Expenses After Expense Limitation and the Ratio of Net Investment Loss would be unchanged as the reimbursement of custodian fees was offset against expense waivers/reimbursements with no impact to net expenses or net investment loss.

(2)  Per share amount is based on average shares outstanding.

(3)  Amount is less than $0.005 per share.

(4)  Calculated based on the net asset value which does not reflect sales charges, if applicable, as of the last business day of the period.

(5)  The Ratio of Expenses After Expense Limitation and Ratio of Net Investment Loss reflect the rebate of certain Fund expenses in connection with the investments in Morgan Stanley affiliates during the period. The effect of the rebate on the ratios is disclosed in the above table as "Ratio of Rebate from Morgan Stanley Affiliates."

(6)  Amount is less than 0.005%.

The accompanying notes are an integral part of the financial statements.
15



Morgan Stanley Institutional Fund, Inc.

Annual Report — December 31, 2020

Financial Highlights

International Opportunity Portfolio

   

Class L

 
   

Year Ended December 31,

 

Selected Per Share Data and Ratios

 

2020

 

2019

 

2018

 

2017

 

2016(1)

 

Net Asset Value, Beginning of Period

 

$

25.23

   

$

18.82

   

$

21.63

   

$

14.47

   

$

14.69

   

Income (Loss) from Investment Operations:

 

Net Investment Loss(2)

   

(0.44

)

   

(0.23

)

   

(0.22

)

   

(0.22

)

   

(0.14

)

 

Net Realized and Unrealized Gain (Loss)

   

14.10

     

6.64

     

(2.54

)

   

7.75

     

(0.08

)

 

Total from Investment Operations

   

13.66

     

6.41

     

(2.76

)

   

7.53

     

(0.22

)

 

Distributions from and/or in Excess of:

 

Net Realized Gain

   

(0.10

)

   

     

(0.05

)

   

(0.37

)

   

   

Redemption Fees

   

0.00

(3)

   

0.00

(3)

   

0.00

(3)

   

0.00

(3)

   

0.00

(3)

 

Net Asset Value, End of Period

 

$

38.79

   

$

25.23

   

$

18.82

   

$

21.63

   

$

14.47

   

Total Return(4)

   

54.15

%

   

34.06

%

   

(12.81

)%

   

52.11

%

   

(1.50

)%

 

Ratios to Average Net Assets and Supplemental Data:

 

Net Assets, End of Period (Thousands)

 

$

533

   

$

512

   

$

382

   

$

364

   

$

221

   

Ratio of Expenses Before Expense Limitation

   

2.14

%

   

2.19

%

   

2.28

%

   

2.51

%

   

3.16

%

 

Ratio of Expenses After Expense Limitation

   

1.84

%(5)

   

1.84

%(5)

   

1.84

%(5)

   

1.84

%(5)

   

1.85

%(5)

 

Ratio of Net Investment Loss

   

(1.54

)%(5)

   

(0.99

)%(5)

   

(1.02

)%(5)

   

(1.16

)%(5)

   

(1.00

)%(5)

 

Ratio of Rebate from Morgan Stanley Affiliates

   

0.01

%

   

0.01

%

   

0.01

%

   

0.01

%

   

0.00

%(6)

 

Portfolio Turnover Rate

   

25

%

   

20

%

   

36

%

   

30

%

   

42

%

 

(1)  Reflects prior period custodian out-of-pocket expenses that were reimbursed in September 2016. The amount of the reimbursement was immaterial on a per share basis and did not impact the total return of Class L shares. The Ratio of Expenses After Expense Limitation and the Ratio of Net Investment Loss would be unchanged as the reimbursement of custodian fees was offset against expense waivers/reimbursements with no impact to net expenses or net investment loss.

(2)  Per share amount is based on average shares outstanding.

(3)  Amount is less than $0.005 per share.

(4)  Calculated based on the net asset value as of the last business day of the period.

(5)  The Ratio of Expenses After Expense Limitation and Ratio of Net Investment Loss reflect the rebate of certain Fund expenses in connection with the investments in Morgan Stanley affiliates during the period. The effect of the rebate on the ratios is disclosed in the above table as "Ratio of Rebate from Morgan Stanley Affiliates."

(6)  Amount is less than 0.005%.

The accompanying notes are an integral part of the financial statements.
16



Morgan Stanley Institutional Fund, Inc.

Annual Report — December 31, 2020

Financial Highlights

International Opportunity Portfolio

   

Class C

 
   

Year Ended December 31,

 

Selected Per Share Data and Ratios

 

2020

 

2019

 

2018

 

2017

 

2016(1)

 

Net Asset Value, Beginning of Period

 

$

24.94

   

$

18.63

   

$

21.46

   

$

14.39

   

$

14.63

   

Income (Loss) from Investment Operations:

 

Net Investment Loss(2)

   

(0.48

)

   

(0.26

)

   

(0.27

)

   

(0.29

)

   

(0.19

)

 

Net Realized and Unrealized Gain (Loss)

   

13.93

     

6.57

     

(2.51

)

   

7.73

     

(0.05

)

 

Total from Investment Operations

   

13.45

     

6.31

     

(2.78

)

   

7.44

     

(0.24

)

 

Distributions from and/or in Excess of:

 

Net Realized Gain

   

(0.10

)

   

     

(0.05

)

   

(0.37

)

   

   

Redemption Fees

   

0.00

(3)

   

0.00

(3)

   

0.00

(3)

   

0.00

(3)

   

0.00

(3)

 

Net Asset Value, End of Period

 

$

38.29

   

$

24.94

   

$

18.63

   

$

21.46

   

$

14.39

   

Total Return(4)

   

53.94

%

   

33.87

%

   

(13.00

)%

   

51.77

%

   

(1.71

)%

 

Ratios to Average Net Assets and Supplemental Data:

 

Net Assets, End of Period (Thousands)

 

$

90,845

   

$

53,257

   

$

35,297

   

$

23,334

   

$

1,862

   

Ratio of Expenses Before Expense Limitation

   

1.98

%

   

2.03

%

   

2.06

%

   

2.10

%

   

2.43

%

 

Ratio of Expenses After Expense Limitation

   

1.97

%(5)

   

2.02

%(5)

   

2.04

%(5)

   

2.01

%(5)

   

2.10

%(5)

 

Ratio of Net Investment Loss

   

(1.68

)%(5)

   

(1.17

)%(5)

   

(1.24

)%(5)

   

(1.45

)%(5)

   

(1.32

)%(5)

 

Ratio of Rebate from Morgan Stanley Affiliates

   

0.01

%

   

0.01

%

   

0.01

%

   

0.02

%

   

0.00

%(6)

 

Portfolio Turnover Rate

   

25

%

   

20

%

   

36

%

   

30

%

   

42

%

 

(1)  Reflects prior period custodian out-of-pocket expenses that were reimbursed in September 2016. The amount of the reimbursement was immaterial on a per share basis and did not impact the total return of Class C shares. The Ratio of Expenses After Expense Limitation and the Ratio of Net Investment Loss would be unchanged as the reimbursement of custodian fees was offset against expense waivers/reimbursements with no impact to net expenses or net investment loss.

(2)  Per share amount is based on average shares outstanding.

(3)  Amount is less than $0.005 per share.

(4)  Calculated based on the net asset value which does not reflect sales charges, if applicable, as of the last business day of the period.

(5)  The Ratio of Expenses After Expense Limitation and Ratio of Net Investment Loss reflect the rebate of certain Fund expenses in connection with the investments in Morgan Stanley affiliates during the period. The effect of the rebate on the ratios is disclosed in the above table as "Ratio of Rebate from Morgan Stanley Affiliates."

(6)  Amount is less than 0.005%.

The accompanying notes are an integral part of the financial statements.
17



Morgan Stanley Institutional Fund, Inc.

Annual Report — December 31, 2020

Financial Highlights

International Opportunity Portfolio

   

Class IS

 
   

Year Ended December 31,

 

Selected Per Share Data and Ratios

 

2020

 

2019

 

2018

 

2017

 

2016(1)

 

Net Asset Value, Beginning of Period

 

$

26.77

   

$

19.79

   

$

22.54

   

$

14.94

   

$

15.03

   

Income (Loss) from Investment Operations:

 

Net Investment Income (Loss)(2)

   

(0.18

)

   

(0.02

)

   

0.02

     

(0.12

)

   

(0.03

)

 

Net Realized and Unrealized Gain (Loss)

   

15.07

     

7.00

     

(2.72

)

   

8.09

     

(0.06

)

 

Total from Investment Operations

   

14.89

     

6.98

     

(2.70

)

   

7.97

     

(0.09

)

 

Distributions from and/or in Excess of:

 

Net Investment Income

   

     

     

     

     

(0.00

)(3)

 

Net Realized Gain

   

(0.10

)

   

     

(0.05

)

   

(0.37

)

   

   

Total Distributions

   

(0.10

)

   

     

(0.05

)

   

(0.37

)

   

(0.00

)(3)

 

Redemption Fees

   

0.00

(3)

   

0.00

(3)

   

0.00

(3)

   

0.00

(3)

   

0.00

(3)

 

Net Asset Value, End of Period

 

$

41.56

   

$

26.77

   

$

19.79

   

$

22.54

   

$

14.94

   

Total Return(4)

   

55.63

%

   

35.27

%

   

(12.03

)%

   

53.41

%

   

(0.64

)%

 

Ratios to Average Net Assets and Supplemental Data:

 

Net Assets, End of Period (Thousands)

 

$

101,008

   

$

50,083

   

$

14,016

   

$

57,629

   

$

1,030

   

Ratio of Expenses Before Expense Limitation

   

0.90

%

   

0.98

%

   

0.95

%

   

1.03

%

   

5.64

%

 

Ratio of Expenses After Expense Limitation

   

0.88

%(5)

   

0.91

%(5)

   

0.92

%(5)

   

0.92

%(5)

   

0.93

%(5)

 

Ratio of Net Investment Income (Loss)

   

(0.59

)%(5)

   

(0.07

)%(5)

   

0.09

%(5)

   

(0.56

)%(5)

   

(0.20

)%(5)

 

Ratio of Rebate from Morgan Stanley Affiliates

   

0.01

%

   

0.01

%

   

0.02

%

   

0.02

%

   

0.01

%

 

Portfolio Turnover Rate

   

25

%

   

20

%

   

36

%

   

30

%

   

42

%

 

(1)  Reflects prior period custodian out-of-pocket expenses that were reimbursed in September 2016. The amount of the reimbursement was immaterial on a per share basis and did not impact the total return of Class IS shares. The Ratio of Expenses After Expense Limitation and the Ratio of Net Investment Loss would be unchanged as the reimbursement of custodian fees was offset against expense waivers/reimbursements with no impact to net expenses or net investment loss.

(2)  Per share amount is based on average shares outstanding.

(3)  Amount is less than $0.005 per share.

(4)  Calculated based on the net asset value as of the last business day of the period.

(5)  The Ratio of Expenses After Expense Limitation and Net Investment Income (Loss) reflect the rebate of certain Fund expenses in connection with the investments Morgan Stanley affiliates during the period. The effect of the rebate on the ratios is disclosed in the above table as "Ratio of Rebate from Morgan Stanley Affiliates."

The accompanying notes are an integral part of the financial statements.
18



Morgan Stanley Institutional Fund, Inc.

Annual Report — December 31, 2020

Financial Highlights

International Opportunity Portfolio

   

Class IR

 
   

Year Ended December 31,

  Period from
June 15, 2018(1) to
 

Selected Per Share Data and Ratios

 

2020

 

2019

 

December 31, 2018

 

Net Asset Value, Beginning of Period

 

$

26.78

   

$

19.79

   

$

25.37

   

Income (Loss) from Investment Operations:

 

Net Investment Loss(2)

   

(0.19

)

   

(0.02

)

   

(0.06

)

 

Net Realized and Unrealized Gain (Loss)

   

15.09

     

7.01

     

(5.47

)

 

Total from Investment Operations

   

14.90

     

6.99

     

(5.53

)

 

Distributions from and/or in Excess of:

 

Net Realized Gain

   

(0.10

)

   

     

(0.05

)

 

Redemption Fees

   

0.00

(3)

   

0.00

(3)

   

0.00

(3)

 

Net Asset Value, End of Period

 

$

41.58

   

$

26.78

   

$

19.79

   

Total Return(4)

   

55.64

%

   

35.32

%

   

(21.84

)%(6)

 

Ratios to Average Net Assets and Supplemental Data:

 

Net Assets, End of Period, (Thousands)

 

$

149,281

   

$

110,401

   

$

81,592

   

Ratio of Expenses Before Expense Limitation

   

0.89

%

   

0.93

%

   

0.95

%(7)

 

Ratio of Expenses After Expense Limitation

   

0.88

%(5)

   

0.91

%(5)

   

0.93

%(5)(7)

 

Ratio of Net Investment Loss

   

(0.60

)%(5)

   

(0.07

)%(5)

   

(0.46

)%(5)(7)

 

Ratio of Rebate from Morgan Stanley Affiliates

   

0.01

%

   

0.01

%

   

0.01

%(7)

 

Portfolio Turnover Rate

   

25

%

   

20

%

   

36

%

 

(1)  Commencement of Offering.

(2)  Per share amount is based on average shares outstanding.

(3)  Amount is less than $0.005 per share.

(4)  Calculated based on the net asset value as of the last business day of the period.

(5)  The Ratio of Expenses After Expense Limitation and Ratio of Net Investment Loss reflect the rebate of certain Fund expenses in connection with the investments in Morgan Stanley affiliates during the period. The effect of the rebate on the ratios is disclosed in the above table as "Ratio of Rebate from Morgan Stanley Affiliates."

(6)  Not annualized.

(7)  Annualized.

The accompanying notes are an integral part of the financial statements.
19



Morgan Stanley Institutional Fund, Inc.

Annual Report — December 31, 2020

Notes to Financial Statements

Morgan Stanley Institutional Fund, Inc. (the "Company") is registered under the Investment Company Act of 1940, as amended (the "Act"), as an open-end management investment company. The Company is comprised of thirty-one separate, active, diversified and non-diversified funds (individually referred to as a "Fund," collectively as the "Funds"). The Company applies investment company accounting and reporting guidance.

The accompanying financial statements relate to the International Opportunity Portfolio. The Fund seeks long-term capital appreciation.

The Fund offers six classes of shares — Class I, Class A, Class L, Class C, Class IS and Class IR. On April 30, 2015 the Fund suspended offering of Class L shares. Existing Class L shareholders may invest through reinvestment of dividends and distributions. In addition, Class L shares of the Fund may be exchanged for Class L shares of any Morgan Stanley Multi-Class Fund, even though Class L shares are closed to investors.

A. Significant Accounting Policies: The following significant accounting policies are in conformity with U.S. generally accepted accounting principles ("GAAP"). Such policies are consistently followed by the Company in the preparation of its financial statements. GAAP may require management to make estimates and assumptions that affect the reported amounts and disclosures in the financial statements. Actual results may differ from those estimates.

1.  Security Valuation: (1) An equity portfolio security listed or traded on an exchange is valued at its latest reported sales price (or at the exchange official closing price if such exchange reports an official closing price), and if there were no sales on a given day and if there is no official exchange closing price for that day, the security is valued at the mean between the last reported bid and asked prices if such bid and asked prices are available on the relevant exchanges. If only bid prices are available then the latest bid price may be used. Listed equity securities not traded on the valuation date with no reported bid and asked prices available on the exchange are valued at the mean between the current bid and asked prices obtained from one or more reputable brokers or dealers. In cases where a security is traded on more than one exchange, the security is valued on the exchange designated as the primary market; (2) all other equity portfolio securities for which over-the-counter ("OTC") market quotations are readily available are valued at the latest reported sales price (or at

the market official closing price if such market reports an official closing price), and if there was no trading in the security on a given day and if there is no official closing price from relevant markets for that day, the security is valued at the mean between the last reported bid and asked prices if such bid and asked prices are available on the relevant markets. An unlisted equity security that does not trade on the valuation date and for which bid and asked prices from the relevant markets are unavailable is valued at the mean between the current bid and asked prices obtained from one or more reputable brokers or dealers; (3) certain portfolio securities may be valued by an outside pricing service/vendor approved by the Company's Board of Directors (the "Directors"). The pricing service/vendor may employ a pricing model that takes into account, among other things, bids, yield spreads and/or other market data and specific security characteristics. Alternatively, if a valuation is not available from an outside pricing service/vendor, and the security trades on an exchange, the security may be valued at its latest reported sale price (or at the exchange official closing price if such exchange reports an official closing price), prior to the time when assets are valued. If there are no sales on a given day and if there is no official exchange closing price for that day, the security is valued at the mean between the last reported bid and asked prices if such bid and asked prices are available in the relevant exchanges. If only bid prices are available then the latest bid price may be used. If Morgan Stanley Investment Management Inc. (the "Adviser"), a wholly-owned subsidiary of Morgan Stanley, determines that the price provided by the outside pricing service/vendor or exchange does not reflect the security's fair value or is unable to provide a price, prices from brokers or dealers may also be utilized. In these circumstances, the value of the security will be the mean of bid and asked prices obtained from brokers or dealers; (4) listed options are valued at the last reported sales price on the exchange on which they are listed (or at the exchange official closing price if such exchange reports an official closing price). If an official closing price or last reported sales price is unavailable, the listed option should be fair valued at the mean between its latest bid and ask prices. Unlisted options are valued at the mean between their latest bid and ask prices from a broker/dealer or valued by a pricing service/vendor; (5) when market quotations are not readily available, including circumstances


20



Morgan Stanley Institutional Fund, Inc.

Annual Report — December 31, 2020

Notes to Financial Statements (cont'd)

under which the Adviser 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 Directors. 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 of the New York Stock Exchange ("NYSE"). If developments occur during such periods that are expected to materially affect the value of such securities, such valuations may be adjusted to reflect the estimated fair value of such securities as of the close of the NYSE, as determined in good faith by the Directors or by the Adviser using a pricing service and/or procedures approved by the Directors; (6) quotations of foreign portfolio securities, other assets and liabilities and forward contracts stated in foreign currency are translated into U.S. dollar equivalents at the prevailing market rates prior to the close of the NYSE; and (7) investments in mutual funds, including the Morgan Stanley Institutional Liquidity Funds, are valued at the net asset value ("NAV") as of the close of each business day.

The Directors have responsibility for determining in good faith the fair value of the investments, and the Directors may appoint others, such as the Company's Adviser or a valuation committee, to assist the Directors in determining fair value and to make the actual calculations pursuant to the fair valuation methodologies previously approved by the Directors. Under procedures approved by the Directors, the Company's Adviser has formed a Valuation Committee whose members are approved by the Directors. The Valuation Committee provides administration and oversight of the Company's valuation policies and procedures, which are reviewed at least annually by the Directors. These procedures allow the Company to utilize independent pricing services, quotations from securities and financial instrument dealers and other market sources to determine fair value.

2.  Fair Value Measurement: Financial Accounting Standards Board ("FASB") Accounting Standards CodificationTM ("ASC") 820, "Fair Value Measurement" ("ASC 820"), defines fair value as the value that the Fund

would receive to sell an investment or pay to transfer a liability in a timely transaction with an independent buyer in the principal market, or in the absence of a principal market, the most advantageous market for the investment or liability. ASC 820 establishes a three-tier hierarchy to distinguish between (1) inputs that reflect the assumptions market participants would use in valuing an asset or liability developed based on market data obtained from sources independent of the reporting entity (observable inputs) and (2) inputs that reflect the reporting entity's own assumptions about the assumptions market participants would use in valuing an asset or liability developed based on the best information available in the circumstances (unobservable inputs) and to establish classification of fair value measurements for disclosure purposes. Various inputs are used in determining the value of the Fund's investments. The inputs are summarized in the three broad levels listed below:

•  Level 1 – unadjusted quoted prices in active markets for identical investments

•  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.


21



Morgan Stanley Institutional Fund, Inc.

Annual Report — December 31, 2020

Notes to Financial Statements (cont'd)

The following is a summary of the inputs used to value the Fund's investments as of December 31, 2020:

Investment Type

  Level 1
Unadjusted
quoted
prices
(000)
  Level 2
Other
significant
observable
inputs
(000)
  Level 3
Significant
unobservable
inputs
(000)
  Total
(000)
 

Assets:

 

Common Stocks

 
Air Freight &
Logistics
 

$

   

$

186,771

   

$

   

$

186,771

   

Banks

   

48,654

     

253,124

     

     

301,778

   

Beverages

   

     

118,749

     

     

118,749

   

Biotechnology

   

     

43,921

     

     

43,921

   
Diversified
Consumer
Services
   

231,477

     

     

     

231,477

   
Electronic
Equipment,
Instruments &
Components
   

     

154,298

     

     

154,298

   

Entertainment

   

314,732

     

     

     

314,732

   

Food Products

   

     

133,302

     

     

133,302

   
Health Care
Equipment &
Supplies
   

     

62,636

     

     

62,636

   
Health Care
Providers &
Services
   

13,616

     

     

     

13,616

   

Household Products

   

     

38,739

     

     

38,739

   
Information
Technology
Services
   

318,624

     

104,592

     

     

423,216

   
Interactive Media &
Services
   

     

188,886

     

     

188,886

   
Internet & Direct
Marketing Retail
   

476,163

     

360,444

     

     

836,607

   
Semiconductors &
Semiconductor
Equipment
   

     

239,037

     

     

239,037

   
Textiles, Apparel &
Luxury Goods
   

145,556

     

425,333

     

     

570,889

   
Total Common
Stocks
   

1,548,822

     

2,309,832

     

     

3,858,654

   
Short-Term
Investments
 

Investment Company

   

372,133

     

     

     

372,133

   
Repurchase
Agreements
   

     

9,498

     

     

9,498

   
Total Short-Term
Investments
   

372,133

     

9,498

     

     

381,631

   

Total Assets

 

$

1,920,955

   

$

2,319,330

   

$

   

$

4,240,285

   

Transfers between investment levels may occur as the markets fluctuate and/or the availability of data used in an investment's valuation changes.

3.  Repurchase Agreements: The Fund may enter into repurchase agreements under which the Fund lends cash and takes possession of securities with an agreement that the counterparty will repurchase such securities. In

connection with transactions in repurchase agreements, a bank as custodian for the Fund takes possession of the underlying securities which are held as collateral, with a market value at least equal to the amount of the repurchase transaction, including principal and accrued interest. To the extent that any repurchase transaction exceeds one business day, the value of the collateral is marked-to-market on a daily basis to determine 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. In the event of default on the obligation to repurchase, the Fund has the right to liquidate the collateral and apply the proceeds in satisfaction of the obligation. In the event of default or bankruptcy by the counterparty to the agreement, realization of the collateral proceeds may be subject to cost and delays. The Fund, along with other affiliated investment companies, may utilize a joint trading account for the purpose of entering into repurchase agreements.

4.  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


22



Morgan Stanley Institutional Fund, Inc.

Annual Report — December 31, 2020

Notes to Financial Statements (cont'd)

certain foreign currency transactions and the foreign currency portion of gains and losses realized on sales and maturities of foreign denominated debt securities are treated as ordinary income for U.S. federal income tax purposes.

Net realized gains (losses) on foreign currency transactions represent net foreign exchange gains (losses) from foreign currency forward exchange contracts, disposition of foreign currencies, currency gains (losses) realized between the trade and settlement dates on securities transactions, and the difference between the amount of investment income and foreign withholding taxes recorded on the Fund's books and the U.S. dollar equivalent amounts actually received or paid. The change in unrealized currency gains (losses) on foreign currency transactions for the period is reflected in the Statement of Operations.

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.

Governmental approval for foreign investments may be required in advance of making an investment under certain circumstances in some countries, and the extent of foreign investments in domestic companies may be subject to limitation in other countries. Foreign ownership limitations also may be imposed by the charters of individual companies to prevent, among other concerns, violations of foreign investment limitations. As a result, an additional class of shares (identified as "Foreign" in the Portfolio of Investments) may be created and offered for investment. The "local" and "foreign shares" market values may differ. In the absence of trading of the foreign shares in such markets, the Fund values the foreign shares at the closing exchange price of the local shares.

5.  Derivatives: The Fund may, but is not required to, use derivative instruments for a variety of purposes, including hedging, risk management, portfolio management or to earn income. Derivatives are financial instruments whose value is based, in part, on the value of an underlying asset,

interest rate, index or financial instrument. Prevailing interest rates and volatility levels, among other things, also affect the value of derivative instruments. A derivative instrument often has risks similar to its underlying asset and may have additional risks, including imperfect correlation between the value of the derivative and the underlying asset, risks of default by the counterparty to certain transactions, magnification of losses incurred due to changes in the market value of the securities, instruments, indices or interest rates to which the derivative instrument relates, risks that the transactions may not be liquid and risks arising from margin requirements. The use of derivatives involves risks that are different from, and possibly greater than, the risks associated with other portfolio investments. Derivatives may involve the use of highly specialized instruments that require investment techniques and risk analyses different from those associated with other portfolio investments. All of the Fund's holdings, including derivative instruments, are marked-to-market each day with the change in value reflected in unrealized appreciation (depreciation). Upon disposition, a realized gain or loss is recognized.

Certain derivative transactions may give rise to a form of leverage. Leverage magnifies the potential for gain and the risk of loss. Leverage associated with derivative transactions may cause the Fund to liquidate portfolio positions when it may not be advantageous to do so to satisfy its obligations or to meet earmarking or segregation requirements, pursuant to applicable Securities and Exchange Commission ("SEC") rules and regulations, or may cause the Fund to be more volatile than if the Fund had not been leveraged. Although the Adviser seeks to use derivatives to further the Fund's investment objectives, there is no assurance that the use of derivatives will achieve this result.

Following is a description of the derivative instruments and techniques that the Fund used during the period and their associated risks:

Options: With respect to options, the Fund is subject to equity risk, interest rate risk and foreign currency exchange risk in the normal course of pursuing its investment objectives. If the Fund buys an option, it buys a legal contract giving it the right to buy or sell a specific amount of the underlying instrument or foreign


23



Morgan Stanley Institutional Fund, Inc.

Annual Report — December 31, 2020

Notes to Financial Statements (cont'd)

currency, or futures contract on the underlying instrument or foreign currency, at an agreed-upon price during a period of time or on a specified date typically in exchange for a premium paid by the Fund. The Fund may purchase and/or sell put and call options. Purchasing call options tends to increase the Fund's exposure to the underlying (or similar) instrument. Purchasing put options tends to decrease the Fund's exposure to the underlying (or similar) instrument. When entering into purchased option contracts, the Fund bears the risk of interest or exchange rates or securities prices moving unexpectedly, in which case, the Fund may not achieve the anticipated benefits of the purchased option contracts; however the risk of loss is limited to the premium paid. Purchased options are reported as part of "Total Investments in Securities" in the Statement of Assets and Liabilities. Premiums paid for purchasing options which expired are treated as realized losses. If the Fund sells an option, it sells to another party the right to buy from or sell to the Fund a specific amount of the underlying instrument or foreign currency, or futures contract on the underlying instrument or foreign currency, at an agreed-upon price during a period of time or on a specified date typically in exchange for a premium received by the Fund. When options are purchased OTC, the Fund bears the risk that the counterparty that wrote the option will be unable or unwilling to perform its obligations under the option contract. Options may also be illiquid and the Fund may have difficulty closing out its position. A decision as to whether, when and how to use options involves the exercise of skill and judgment and even a well-conceived option transaction may be unsuccessful because of market behavior or unexpected events. The prices of options can be highly volatile and the use of options can lower total returns.

As of December 31, 2020, the Fund did not have any outstanding purchased options.

FASB ASC 815, "Derivatives and Hedging" ("ASC 815"), is intended to improve financial reporting about derivative instruments by requiring enhanced disclosures to enable investors to better understand how and why the Fund uses derivative instruments, how these derivative instruments are accounted for and their effects on the Fund's financial position and results of operations.

The following tables set forth by primary risk exposure the Fund's realized gains (losses) and change in unrealized appreciation (depreciation) by type of derivative contract for the year ended December 31, 2020 in accordance with ASC 815:

Realized Gain (Loss)

 

Primary Risk Exposure

 

Derivative Type

  Value
(000)
 

Currency Risk

  Investments
(Purchased Options)
 

$

(4,002

)(a)

 

(a) Amounts are included in Investments Sold in the Statement of Operations.

Change in Unrealized Appreciation (Depreciation)

 

Primary Risk Exposure

 

Derivative Type

  Value
(000)
 

Currency Risk

  Investments
(Purchased Options)
 

$

3,507

(b)

 

(b) Amounts are included in Investments in the Statement of Operations.

For the year ended December 31, 2020, the approximate average monthly amount outstanding for each derivative type is as follows:

Purchased Options:

 

Average monthly notional amount

   

303,190,000

   

6. Securities Lending: The Fund lends securities to qualified financial institutions, such as broker-dealers, to earn additional income. Any increase or decrease in the fair value of the securities loaned that might occur and any interest earned or dividends declared on those securities during the term of the loan would remain in the Fund. The Fund would receive cash or securities as collateral in an amount equal to or exceeding 100% of the current fair value of the loaned securities. The collateral is marked-to-market daily by State Street Bank and Trust Company ("State Street"), the securities lending agent, to ensure that a minimum of 100% collateral coverage is maintained.

Based on pre-established guidelines, the securities lending agent invests any cash collateral that is received in an affiliated money market portfolio and repurchase agreements. Securities lending income is generated from the earnings on the invested collateral and borrowing fees, less any rebates owed to the borrowers and compensation to the lending agent, and is recorded as "Income from Securities Loaned — Net" in the Fund's Statement of Operations. 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


24



Morgan Stanley Institutional Fund, Inc.

Annual Report — December 31, 2020

Notes to Financial Statements (cont'd)

than the amount of cash collateral plus any rebate that is required to be returned to the borrower.

The Fund has the right under the securities 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, 2020:

Gross Amounts Not Offset in the Statement of Assets and Liabilities

 
Gross Asset
Amounts
Presented in
the Statement
of Assets and
Liabilities
(000)
  Financial
Instrument
(000)
  Collateral
Received
(000)
  Net Amount
(not less
than $0)
(000)
 
$

67,239

(c)

 

$

   

$

(67,239

)(d)(e)

 

$

0

   

(c) Represents market value of loaned securities at year end.

(d) The Fund received cash collateral of approximately $68,275,000, which was subsequently invested in Repurchase Agreements and Morgan Stanley Institutional Liquidity Funds as reported in the Portfolio of Investments. In addition, the Fund received non-cash collateral of approximately $888,000 in the form of U.S. Government obligations, which the Fund cannot sell or repledge, and accordingly are not reflected in the Portfolio of Investments.

(e) The actual collateral received is greater than the amount shown here due to overcollateralization.

FASB ASC 860, "Transfers & Servicing: Repurchase-to-Maturity Transactions, Repurchase Financings, and Disclosures", is intended to provide increased transparency about the types of collateral pledged in securities lending transactions and other similar transactions that are accounted for as secured borrowing.

The following table displays a breakdown of transactions accounted for as secured borrowings, the gross obligations by class of collateral pledged and the remaining contractual maturity of those transactions as of December 31, 2020:

Remaining Contractual Maturity of the Agreements

 
    Overnight and
Continuous
(000)
  <30 days
(000)
  Between
30 &
90 days
(000)
  >90 days
(000)
  Total
(000)
 
Securities Lending
Transactions
 

Common Stocks

 

$

68,275

   

$

   

$

   

$

   

$

68,275

   

Total Borrowings

 

$

68,275

   

$

   

$

   

$

   

$

68,275

   
Gross amount of
recognized liabilities
securities lending
transactions
                 

$

68,275

   

7.  Redemption Fees: The Fund will assess a 2% redemption fee, on Class I shares, Class A shares, Class L shares, Class C shares, Class IS shares and Class IR shares which is paid directly to the Fund, for shares redeemed or exchanged within thirty days of purchase, subject to certain exceptions. The redemption fee is designed to protect the Fund and its remaining shareholders from the effects of short-term trading. These fees, if any, are included in the Statements of Changes in Net Assets.

8.  Indemnifications: The Company enters into contracts that contain a variety of indemnifications. The Company's maximum exposure under these arrangements is unknown. However, the Company has not had prior claims or losses pursuant to these contracts and expects the risk of loss to be remote.

9.  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. Net realized capital gains, if any, are distributed at least annually.

10.  Security Transactions, Income and Expenses: Security transactions are accounted for on the trade date (date the order to buy or sell is executed). Realized gains and losses on the sale of investment securities are determined on the specific identified cost method. Dividend income and other distributions are recorded on the ex-dividend date (except for certain foreign dividends which may be recorded as soon as the Fund is informed of such dividends) net of applicable withholding taxes. Interest income is recognized on the accrual basis except where collection is in doubt. Discounts are accreted and premiums are amortized over the life of the respective securities. Most expenses of the Company can be directly attributed to a particular Fund. Expenses which cannot be directly attributed are apportioned among the Funds based upon relative net assets or other appropriate methods. Income, expenses (other than class specific expenses — distribution and shareholder services, transfer agency and sub transfer agency fees) and realized and unrealized gains or losses are allocated to each class of shares based upon their relative net assets.


25



Morgan Stanley Institutional Fund, Inc.

Annual Report — December 31, 2020

Notes to Financial Statements (cont'd)

B. Advisory Fees: The Adviser, a wholly-owned subsidiary of Morgan Stanley, provides the Fund with advisory services under the terms of an Investment Advisory Agreement, paid quarterly, at the annual rate based on the daily net assets as follows:

First $1
billion
  Over $1
billion
 
  0.80

%

   

0.75

%

 

For the year ended December 31, 2020, the advisory fee rate (net of rebate) was equivalent to an annual effective rate of 0.76% of the Fund's average daily net assets.

The Adviser has agreed to reduce its advisory fee and/or reimburse the Fund so that total annual Fund operating expenses, excluding certain investment related expenses, taxes, interest and other extraordinary expenses (including litigation), will not exceed 1.00% for Class I shares, 1.35% for Class A shares, 1.85% for Class L shares, 2.10% for Class C shares, 0.94% for Class IS shares and 0.94% for Class IR shares. The fee waivers and/or expense reimbursements will continue for at least one year from the date of the Fund's prospectus or until such time as the Directors act to discontinue all or a portion of such waivers and/or reimbursements when they deem such action is appropriate. For the year ended December 31, 2020, approximately $8,000 of other expenses were reimbursed by the Adviser pursuant to this arrangement.

C. Administration Fees: The Adviser also serves as Administrator to the Company and provides administrative services pursuant to an Administration Agreement for an annual fee, accrued daily and paid monthly, of 0.08% of the Fund's average daily net assets.

Under a Sub-Administration Agreement between the Administrator and State Street, State Street provides certain administrative services to the Company. For such services, the Administrator pays State Street a portion of the fee the Administrator receives from the Fund.

D. Distribution and Shareholder Services Fees: Morgan Stanley Distribution, Inc. ("MSDI" or the "Distributor"), a wholly-owned subsidiary of the Adviser and an indirect subsidiary of Morgan Stanley, serves as the Company's Distributor of Fund shares pursuant to a Distribution Agreement. The Company has adopted a Shareholder Services Plan with respect to Class A shares pursuant to Rule 12b-1 under the Act. Under the Shareholder Services Plan, the Fund pays the Distributor a shareholder services fee, accrued daily and paid monthly, at an annual rate of 0.25% of the Fund's average daily net assets attributable to Class A shares.

The Company has adopted a Distribution and Shareholder Services Plan with respect to Class L shares pursuant to Rule 12b-1 under the Act. Under the Distribution and Shareholder Services Plan, the Fund pays the Distributor a distribution fee, accrued daily and paid monthly, at an annual rate of 0.50% and a shareholder services fee, accrued daily and paid monthly, at an annual rate of 0.25% of the Fund's average daily net assets attributable to Class L shares.

The Company has adopted a Distribution and Shareholder Services Plan with respect to Class C shares pursuant to Rule 12b-1 under the Act. Under the Distribution and Shareholder Services Plan, the Fund pays the Distributor a distribution fee, accrued daily and paid monthly, at an annual rate of 0.75% and a shareholder services fee, accrued daily and paid monthly, at an annual rate of 0.25% of the Fund's average daily net assets attributable to Class C shares.

The distribution and shareholder services fees are used to support the expenses associated with servicing and maintaining accounts. The Distributor may compensate other parties for providing shareholder support services to investors who purchase Class A, Class L and Class C shares.

E. Dividend Disbursing and Transfer Agent: The Company's dividend disbursing and transfer agent is DST Asset Manager Solutions, Inc. ("DST"). Pursuant to a Transfer Agency Agreement, the Company pays DST a fee based on the number of classes, accounts and transactions relating to the Funds of the Company.

F. Custodian Fees: State Street (the "Custodian") also serves as Custodian for the Company in accordance with a Custodian Agreement. The Custodian holds cash, securities and other assets of the Company as required by the Act. Custody fees are payable monthly based on assets held in custody, investment purchases and sales activity and account maintenance fees, plus reimbursement for certain out-of-pocket expenses.

G. Security Transactions and Transactions with Affiliates: For the year ended December 31, 2020, purchases and sales of investment securities for the Fund, other than long-term U.S. Government securities and short-term investments were approximately $1,467,725,000 and $581,621,000, respectively. There were no purchases and sales of long-term U.S. Government securities for the year ended December 31, 2020.

The Fund invests in the Institutional Class of the Morgan Stanley Institutional Liquidity Funds (the "Liquidity Funds"),


26



Morgan Stanley Institutional Fund, Inc.

Annual Report — December 31, 2020

Notes to Financial Statements (cont'd)

an open-end management investment company managed by the Adviser, both directly and as a portion of the securities held as collateral on loaned securities. Advisory fees paid by the Fund are reduced by an amount equal to its pro-rata share of the advisory and administration fees paid by the Fund due to its investment in the Liquidity Funds. For the year ended December 31, 2020, advisory fees paid were reduced by approximately $327,000 relating to the Fund's investment in the Liquidity Funds.

A summary of the Fund's transactions in shares of affiliated investments during the year ended December 31, 2020 is as follows:

Affiliated
Investment
Company/Issuer
  Value
December 31,
2019
(000)
  Purchases
at Cost
(000)
  Proceeds
from Sales
(000)
  Dividend
Income
(000)
 

Liquidity Funds

 

$

161,533

   

$

1,034,024

   

$

823,424

   

$

489

   
Canada Goose
Holdings, Inc.
   

     

127,447

     

808

     

   
   

$

161,533

   

$

1,161,471

   

$

824,232

   

$

489

   
Affiliated
Investment
Company/Issuer (cont'd)
  Realized
Gain (Loss)
(000)
  Change in
Unrealized
Appreciation
(Depreciation)
(000)
  Value
December 31,
2020
(000)
 

Liquidity Funds

 

$

   

$

   

$

372,133

   
Canada Goose
Holdings, Inc.
   

(71

)

   

18,988

     

145,556

   
   

$

(71

)

 

$

18,988

   

$

517,689

   

The Fund is permitted to purchase and sell securities ("cross-trade") from and to other Morgan Stanley funds as well as other funds and client accounts for which the Adviser or an affiliate of the Adviser serves as investment adviser, pursuant to procedures approved by the Directors in compliance with Rule 17a-7 under the Act (the "Rule"). Each cross-trade is executed at the current market price in compliance with provisions of the Rule. For the year ended December 31, 2020, the Fund did not engage in any cross-trade transactions.

The Fund has an unfunded Deferred Compensation Plan (the "Compensation Plan"), which allows each independent Director to defer payment of all, or a portion, of the fees he or she receives for serving on the Board of Directors. Each eligible Director generally may elect to have the deferred amounts credited with a return equal to the total return on one or more of the Morgan Stanley funds that are offered as investment options under the Compensation Plan. Appreciation/depreciation and distributions received from these investments are recorded with an offsetting increase/decrease in the deferred compensation obligation and do not affect the NAV of the Fund.

H. Federal Income Taxes: It is the Fund's intention to continue to qualify as a regulated investment company and distribute all of its taxable and tax-exempt income. Accordingly, no provision for federal income taxes is required in the financial statements.

The Fund may be subject to taxes imposed by countries in which it invests. Such taxes are generally based on income and/or capital gains earned or repatriated. Taxes are accrued based on net investment income, net realized gains and net unrealized appreciation as such income and/or gains are earned. Taxes may also be based on transactions in foreign currency and are accrued based on the value of investments denominated in such currency.

FASB ASC 740-10, "Income Taxes — Overall", sets forth a minimum threshold for financial statement recognition of the benefit of a tax position taken or expected to be taken in a tax return. Management has concluded there are no significant uncertain tax positions that would require recognition in the financial statements. If applicable, the Fund recognizes interest accrued related to unrecognized tax benefits in "Interest Expense" and penalties in "Other Expenses" in the Statement of Operations. The Fund files tax returns with the U.S. Internal Revenue Service, New York and various states. Generally, each of the tax years in the four-year period ended December 31, 2020 remains subject to examination by taxing authorities.

The tax character of distributions paid may differ from the character of distributions shown for GAAP purposes due to short-term capital gains being treated as ordinary income for tax purposes. The tax character of distributions paid during fiscal years 2020 and 2019 was as follows:

2020
Distributions
Paid From:
  2019
Distributions
Paid From:
 
Ordinary
Income
(000)
  Long-Term
Capital Gain
(000)
  Ordinary
Income
(000)
  Long-Term
Capital Gain
(000)
 
$

   

$

9,935

   

$

   

$

   

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 attributable to differing book and tax treatments for the timing of the recognition of gains (losses) on certain investment transactions and the timing of the deductibility of certain expenses.


27



Morgan Stanley Institutional Fund, Inc.

Annual Report — December 31, 2020

Notes to Financial Statements (cont'd)

Permanent differences, primarily due to a net operating loss, resulted in the following reclassifications among the components of net assets at December 31, 2020:

Total
Distributable
Earnings
(000)
  Paid-in
Capital
(000)
 
$

8,033

   

$

(8,033

)

 

At December 31, 2020, the Fund had no distributable earnings on a tax basis.

During the year ended December 31, 2020, the Fund utilized capital loss carryforwards for U. S. federal income tax purposes of approximately $40,030,000.

Qualified late year losses are capital losses and specified ordinary losses, including currency losses, incurred after October 31 but within the taxable year that, if elected, are deemed to arise on the first day of the Fund's next taxable year. For the year ended December 31, 2020, the Fund intends to defer to January 1, 2021 for U.S. federal income tax purposes the following losses:

Qualified
Late Year
Ordinary Losses
(000)
  Post-October
Capital Losses
(000)
 
$

   

$

11,470

   

I. Credit Facility: The Company and other Morgan Stanley funds participated in a $300,000,000 committed, unsecured revolving line of credit facility (the "Facility") with State Street. This Facility is to be used for temporary emergency purposes or funding of shareholder redemption requests. The interest rate on borrowings is based on the federal funds rate or 1 month LIBOR rate plus a spread. The Facility also has a commitment fee of 0.25% per annum based on the unused portion of the Facility. During the year ended December 31, 2020, the Fund did not have any borrowings under the Facility.

J. Other: At December 31, 2020, the Fund had record owners of 10% or greater. Investment activities of these shareholders could have a material impact on the Fund. The aggregate percentage of such owners was 26.4%.

K. Market Risk: Certain impacts to public health conditions particular to the coronavirus (COVID-19) outbreak could impact the operations and financial performance of certain of the Fund's investments. The extent of the impact to the financial performance of the Fund's investments will depend on future developments, including (i) the duration and spread of the outbreak, (ii) the restrictions and advisories, (iii) the effects on

the financial markets, and (iv) the effects on the economy overall, all of which are highly uncertain and cannot be predicted. If the financial performance of the Fund's investments is impacted because of these factors for an extended period, the Fund's investment results may be adversely affected.


28



Morgan Stanley Institutional Fund, Inc.

Annual Report — December 31, 2020

Report of Independent Registered Public Accounting Firm

To the Shareholders and Board of Directors of
Morgan Stanley Institutional Fund, Inc. —
International Opportunity Portfolio

Opinion on the Financial Statements

We have audited the accompanying statement of assets and liabilities of International Opportunity Portfolio (the "Fund") (one of the funds constituting Morgan Stanley Institutional Fund, Inc. (the "Company")), including the portfolio of investments, as of December 31, 2020, and the related statement of operations for the year then ended, the statements of changes in net assets for each of the two years in the period then ended, the financial highlights for each of the five years in the period then ended and the related notes (collectively referred to as the "financial statements"). In our opinion, the financial statements present fairly, in all material respects, the financial position of International Opportunity Portfolio (one of the funds constituting Morgan Stanley Institutional Fund, Inc.) at December 31, 2020, the results of its operations for the year then ended, the changes in its net assets for each of the two years in the period then ended and its financial highlights for each of the five years in the period then ended, in conformity with U.S. generally accepted accounting principles.

Basis for Opinion

These financial statements are the responsibility of the Company's management. Our responsibility is to express an opinion on the Fund's financial statements based on our audits. We are a public accounting firm registered with the Public Company Accounting Oversight Board (United States) ("PCAOB") and are required to be independent with respect to the Company in accordance with the U.S. federal securities law and the applicable rules and regulations of the Securities and Exchange Commission and the PCAOB.

We conducted our audits in accordance with the standards of the PCAOB. Those standards require that we plan and perform the audit to obtain reasonable assurance about whether the financial statements are free of material misstatement, whether due to error or fraud. The Company is not required to have, nor were we engaged to perform, an audit of the Company's internal control over financial reporting. As part of our audits, we are required to obtain an understanding of internal control over financial reporting, but not for the purpose of expressing an opinion on the effectiveness of the Company's internal control over financial reporting. Accordingly, we express no such opinion.

Our audits included performing procedures to assess the risks of material misstatement of the financial statements, whether due to error or fraud, and performing procedures that respond to those risks. Such procedures included examining, on a test basis, evidence regarding the amounts and disclosures in the financial statements. Our procedures included confirmation of securities owned as of December 31, 2020 by correspondence with the custodian and others or by other appropriate auditing procedures where replies from others were not received. Our audits also included evaluating the accounting principles used and significant estimates made by management, as well as evaluating the overall presentation of the financial statements. We believe that our audits provide a reasonable basis for our opinion.

We have served as the auditor of one or more Morgan Stanley investment companies since 2000.
Boston, Massachusetts
February 26, 2021


29



Morgan Stanley Institutional Fund, Inc.

Annual Report — December 31, 2020

Liquidity Risk Management Program (unaudited)

In compliance with Rule 22e-4 under the Investment Company Act of 1940, as amended (the "Liquidity Rule"), the Fund has adopted and implemented a liquidity risk management program (the "Program"), which is reasonably designed to assess and manage the risk that the Fund could not meet requests to redeem shares issued by the Fund without significant dilution of remaining investors' interests in the Fund (i.e., liquidity risk). The Fund's Board of Directors (the "Board") previously approved the designation of the Liquidity Risk Subcommittee (the "LRS") as Program administrator. The LRS is comprised of representatives from various divisions within Morgan Stanley Investment Management.

At a meeting held on April 22-23, 2020, the Board reviewed a written report prepared by the LRS that addressed the Program's operation and assessed its adequacy, and effectiveness of implementation for the period from December 1, 2018, through December 31, 2019, as required under the Liquidity Rule. The report concluded that the Program operated effectively and was adequately and effectively implemented in all material aspects, and that the relevant controls and safeguards were appropriately designed to enable the LRS to administer the Program in compliance with the Liquidity Rule.

In accordance with the Program, the LRS assessed each Fund's liquidity risk no less frequently than annually taking into consideration certain factors, as applicable, such as (i) investment strategy and liquidity of portfolio investments, (ii) short-term and long-term cash flow projections and (iii) holdings of cash and cash equivalents and borrowing arrangements and other funding sources. Certain factors are considered under both normal and reasonably foreseeable stressed conditions.

Each Fund portfolio investment is classified into one of four liquidity categories, which classification is assessed at least monthly by the LRS. The classification is based on a determination of the number of days it is reasonably expected to take to convert the investment into cash, or sell or dispose of the investment, in current market conditions without significantly changing the market value of the investment. Liquidity classification determinations take into account various market, trading and investment-specific considerations, as well as market depth, and in some cases utilize third-party vendor data.

The Liquidity Rule limits a fund's investments in illiquid investments to 15% of its net assets and requires funds that do not primarily hold assets that are highly liquid investments to determine and maintain a minimum percentage of the fund's net assets to be invested in highly liquid investments (highly liquid investment minimum or "HLIM"). The LRS believes that the Program includes provisions reasonably designed to review, monitor and comply with the 15% limit on illiquid investments and for determining, periodically reviewing and complying with the HLIM requirement, as applicable.

There can be no assurance that the Program will achieve its objectives under all circumstances in the future. Please refer to the Fund's prospectus for more information regarding the Fund's exposure to liquidity risk and other risks to which it may be subject.


30



Morgan Stanley Institutional Fund, Inc.

Annual Report — December 31, 2020

Federal Tax Notice (unaudited)

For federal income tax purposes, the following information is furnished with respect to the distributions paid by the Fund during its taxable year ended December 31, 2020.

The Fund designated and paid approximately $9,935,000 as a long-term capital gain distribution.

In January, the Fund provides tax information to shareholders for the preceding calendar year.


31



Morgan Stanley Institutional Fund, Inc.

Annual Report — December 31, 2020

Privacy Notice (unaudited)  April 2019

FACTS

 

WHAT DOES MSIM DO WITH YOUR PERSONAL INFORMATION?

 

Why?

 

Financial companies choose how they share your personal information. Federal law gives consumers the right to limit some but not all sharing. Federal law also requires us to tell you how we collect, share, and protect your personal information. Please read this notice carefully to understand what we do.

 

What?

  The types of personal information we collect and share depend on the product or service you have with us. This information can include:
n Social Security number and income
n investment experience and risk tolerance
n checking account number and wire transfer instructions
 

How?

 

All financial companies need to share customers' personal information to run their everyday business. In the section below, we list the reasons financial companies can share their customers' personal information; the reasons MSIM chooses to share; and whether you can limit this sharing.

 

 

Reasons we can share your personal information

 

Does MSIM share?

 

Can you limit this sharing?

 
For our everyday business purposes —
such as to process your transactions, maintain your account(s), respond to court orders and legal investigations, or report to credit bureaus
 

Yes

 

No

 
For our marketing purposes —
to offer our products and services to you
 

Yes

 

No

 

For joint marketing with other financial companies

 

No

 

We don't share

 
For our affiliates' everyday business purposes —
information about your transactions and experiences
 

Yes

 

No

 
For our affiliates' everyday business purposes —
information about your creditworthiness
 

No

 

We don't share

 

For our affiliates to market to you

 

No

 

We don't share

 

For non-affiliates to market to you

 

No

 

We don't share

 

Questions?  Call toll-free (844) 312-6327 or email: imprivacyinquiries@morganstanley.com


32



Morgan Stanley Institutional Fund, Inc.

Annual Report — December 31, 2020

Privacy Notice (unaudited) (cont'd)  April 2019

Who we are

Who is providing this notice?

 

Morgan Stanley Investment Management, Inc. and its affiliated registered investment advisers, registered broker-dealers, and registered and unregistered funds ("MSIM")

 

What we do

How does MSIM protect my personal information?

 

To protect your personal information from unauthorized access and use, we use security measures that comply with federal law. These measures include computer safeguards and secured files and buildings. We have policies governing the proper handling of customer information by personnel and requiring third parties that provide support to adhere to appropriate security standards with respect to such information.

 

How does MSIM collect my personal information?

  We collect your personal information, for example, when you
n open an account or make deposits or withdrawals from your account
n buy securities from us or make a wire transfer
n give us your contact information
We also collect your personal information from others, such as credit bureaus, affiliates, or other companies.
 

Why can't I limit all sharing?

  Federal law gives you the right to limit only
n sharing for affiliates' everyday business purposes — information about your creditworthiness
n affiliates from using your information to market to you
n sharing for non-affiliates to market to you
State laws and individual companies may give you additional rights to limit sharing. See below for more on your rights under state law.
 

Definitions

Affiliates

  Companies related by common ownership or control. They can be financial and non-financial companies.
n Our affiliates include companies with a Morgan Stanley name and financial companies such as Morgan Stanley Smith Barney LLC and Morgan Stanley & Co.
 

Non-affiliates

  Companies not related by common ownership or control. They can be financial and non-financial companies.
n MSIM does not share with non-affiliates so they can market to you.
 

Joint marketing

  A formal agreement between non-affiliated financial companies that together market financial products or services to you.
n MSIM doesn't jointly market
 


33



Morgan Stanley Institutional Fund, Inc.

Annual Report — December 31, 2020

Privacy Notice (unaudited) (cont'd)  April 2019

Other Important Information

Vermont: Except as permitted by law, we will not share personal information we collect about Vermont residents with Non-affiliates unless you provide us with your written consent to share such information.

California: Except as permitted by law, we will not share personal information we collect about California residents with Non-affiliates and we will limit sharing such personal information with our Affiliates to comply with California privacy laws that apply to us.


34



Morgan Stanley Institutional Fund, Inc.

Annual Report — December 31, 2020

Director and Officer Information (unaudited)

Independent Directors:

Name, Address and Birth
Year of Independent Director
  Position(s)
Held with
Registrant
  Length of Time
Served*
  Principal Occupation(s) During Past 5 Years and Other
Relevant Professional Experience
  Number of
Funds
in Fund Complex
Overseen by
Independent
Director**
  Other Directorships
Held by Independent
Director***
 
Frank L. Bowman
c/o Perkins Coie LLP
Counsel to the Independent Directors
1155 Avenue of the Americas,
22nd Floor
New York, NY 10036
Birth Year: 1944
 

Director

 

Since August 2006

 

President, Strategic Decisions, LLC (consulting) (since February 2009); Director or Trustee of various Morgan Stanley Funds (since August 2006); Chairperson of the Compliance and Insurance Committee (since October 2015); formerly, Chairperson of the Insurance Sub-Committee of the Compliance and Insurance Committee (2007-2015); served as President and Chief Executive Officer of the Nuclear Energy Institute (policy organization) (February 2005-November 2008); retired as Admiral, U.S. Navy after serving over 38 years on active duty including 8 years as Director of the Naval Nuclear Propulsion Program in the Department of the Navy and the U.S. Department of Energy (1996-2004); served as Chief of Naval Personnel (July 1994-September 1996) and on the Joint Staff as Director of Political Military Affairs (June 1992-July 1994); knighted as Honorary Knight Commander of the Most Excellent Order of the British Empire; awarded the Officier de l'Orde National du Mérite by the French Government; elected to the National Academy of Engineering (2009).

 

79

 

Director of Naval and Nuclear Technologies LLP; Director Emeritus of the Armed Services YMCA; Member of the National Security Advisory Council of the Center for U.S. Global Engagement and a member of the CNA Military Advisory Board; Trustee of Fairhaven United Methodist Church; Member of the Board of Advisors of the Dolphin Scholarship Foundation; Director of other various non-profit organizations; formerly, Director of BP plc (November 2010-May 2019).

 
Kathleen A. Dennis
c/o Perkins Coie LLP
Counsel to the Independent Directors
1155 Avenue of the Americas,
22nd Floor
New York, NY 10036
Birth Year: 1953
 

Director

 

Since August 2006

 

Chairperson of the Governance Committee (January 2021), Chairperson of the Liquidity and Alternatives Sub-Committee of the Investment Committee (2006-2020); and Director or Trustee of various Morgan Stanley Funds (since August 2006); President, Cedarwood Associates (mutual fund and investment management consulting) (since July 2006); formerly, Senior Managing Director of Victory Capital Management (1993-2006).

 

79

 

Board Member, University of Albany Foundation (2012-present); Board Member, Mutual Funds Directors Forum (2014-present); Director of various non-profit organizations.

 
Nancy C. Everett
c/o Perkins Coie LLP
Counsel to the Independent Directors
1155 Avenue of the Americas,
22nd Floor
New York, NY 10036
Birth Year: 1955
 

Director

 

Since January 2015

 

Chairperson of the Equity Investment Committee (since January 2021); Director or Trustee of various Morgan Stanley Funds (since January 2015); Chief Executive Officer, Virginia Commonwealth University Investment Company (since November 2015); Owner, OBIR, LLC (institutional investment management consulting) (since June 2014); formerly, Managing Director, BlackRock, Inc. (February 2011-December 2013); and Chief Executive Officer, General Motors Asset Management (a/k/a Promark Global Advisors, Inc.) (June 2005-May 2010).

 

80

 

Formerly, Member of Virginia Commonwealth University School of Business Foundation (2005-2016); Member of Virginia Commonwealth University Board of Visitors (2013-2015); Member of Committee on Directors for Emerging Markets Growth Fund, Inc. (2007-2010); Chairperson of Performance Equity Management, LLC (2006-2010); and Chairperson, GMAM Absolute Return Strategies Fund, LLC (2006-2010).

 


35



Morgan Stanley Institutional Fund, Inc.

Annual Report — December 31, 2020

Director and Officer Information (unaudited) (cont'd)

Independent Directors (cont'd):

Name, Address and Birth
Year of Independent Director
  Position(s)
Held with
Registrant
  Length of Time
Served*
  Principal Occupation(s) During Past 5 Years and Other
Relevant Professional Experience
  Number of
Funds
in Fund Complex
Overseen by
Independent
Director**
  Other Directorships
Held by Independent
Director***
 
Jakki L. Haussler
c/o Perkins Coie LLP
Counsel to the Independent Directors
1155 Avenue of the Americas,
22nd Floor
New York, NY 10036
Birth Year: 1957
 

Director

 

Since January 2015

 

Director or Trustee of various Morgan Stanley Funds (since January 2015) Chairman, Opus Capital Group (1996); formerly, Chief Executive Officer, Opus Capital Group (1996-2019); Director, Capvest Venture Fund, LP (May 2000-December 2011); Partner, Adena Ventures, LP (July 1999-December 2010); Director, The Victory Funds (February 2005-July 2008).

 

80

 

Director of Cincinnati Bell Inc. and Member, Audit Committee and Chairman, Governance and Nominating Committee; Director of Service Corporation International and Member, Audit Committee and Investment Committee; Director of Northern Kentucky University Foundation and Member, Investment Committee; Member of Chase College of Law Transactional Law Practice Center Board of Advisors; Director of Best Transport; Director of Chase College of Law Board of Visitors; formerly, Member, University of Cincinnati Foundation Investment Committee; Member, Miami University Board of Visitors (2008-2011); Trustee of Victory Funds (2005-2008) and Chairman, Investment Committee (2007-2008); and Member, Service Provider Committee (2005-2008).

 
Dr. Manuel H. Johnson
c/o Johnson Smick International, Inc.
220 I Street, NE — Suite 200
Washington, D.C. 20002
Birth Year: 1949
 

Director

 

Since July 1991

 

Senior Partner, Johnson Smick International, Inc. (consulting firm); Chairperson of the Fixed Income, Liquidity and Alternatives Investment Committee (January 2021), Chairperson of the Investment Committee (2006-2020) and Director or Trustee of various Morgan Stanley Funds (since July 1991); Co-Chairman and a founder of the Group of Seven Council (G7C) (international economic commission); formerly, Chairperson of the Audit Committee (July 1991-September 2006), Vice Chairman of the Board of Governors of the Federal Reserve System and Assistant Secretary of the U.S. Treasury.

 

79

 

Director of NVR, Inc. (home construction).

 


36



Morgan Stanley Institutional Fund, Inc.

Annual Report — December 31, 2020

Director and Officer Information (unaudited) (cont'd)

Independent Directors (cont'd):

Name, Address and Birth
Year of Independent Director
  Position(s)
Held with
Registrant
  Length of Time
Served*
  Principal Occupation(s) During Past 5 Years and Other
Relevant Professional Experience
  Number of
Funds
in Fund Complex
Overseen by
Independent
Director**
  Other Directorships
Held by Independent
Director***
 
Joseph J. Kearns
c/o Perkins Coie LLP
Counsel to the Independent Directors
1155 Avenue of the Americas,
22nd Floor
New York, NY 10036
Birth Year: 1942
 

Director

 

Since August 1994

 

Senior Adviser, Kearns & Associates LLC (investment consulting); Chairperson of the Audit Committee (since October 2006) and Director or Trustee of various Morgan Stanley Funds (since August 1994); formerly, Deputy Chairperson of the Audit Committee (July 2003-September 2006) and Chairperson of the Audit Committee of various Morgan Stanley Funds (since August 1994); CFO of the J. Paul Getty Trust (1982-1999).

 

80

 

Director, Rubicon Investment (since February 2019); Prior to August 2016, Director of Electro Rent Corporation (equipment leasing); Prior to December 31, 2013, Director of The Ford Family Foundation.

 
Michael F. Klein
c/o Perkins Coie LLP
Counsel to the Independent Directors
1155 Avenue of the Americas,
22nd Floor
New York, NY 10036
Birth Year: 1958
 

Director

 

Since August 2006

 

Chairperson of the Risk Committee (since January 2021); Managing Director, Aetos Alternatives Management, LP (since March 2000); Co-President, Aetos Alternatives Management, LP (since January 2004) and Co-Chief Executive Officer of Aetos Alternatives Management, LP (since August 2013); Chairperson of the fixed Income Sub-Committee of the Investment committee (2006-2020) and Director or Trustee of various Morgan Stanley Funds (since August 2006); formerly, Managing Director, Morgan Stanley & Co. Inc. and Morgan Stanley Dean Witter Investment Management and President, various Morgan Stanley Funds (June 1998-March 2000); Principal, Morgan Stanley & Co. Inc. and Morgan Stanley Dean Witter Investment Management (August 1997-December 1999).

 

79

 

Director of certain investment funds managed or sponsored by Aetos Alternatives Management, LP; Director of Sanitized AG and Sanitized Marketing AG (specialty chemicals).

 
Patricia Maleski
c/o Perkins Coie LLP
Counsel to the Independent Directors
1155 Avenue of the Americas,
22nd Floor
New York, NY 10036
Birth Year: 1960
 

Director

 

Since January 2017

 

Director or Trustee of various Morgan Stanley Funds (since January 2017); Managing Director, JPMorgan Asset Management (2004-2016); Oversight and Control Head of Fiduciary and Conflicts of Interest Program (2015-2016); Chief Control Officer-Global Asset Management (2013-2015); President, JPMorgan Funds (2010-2013); Chief Administrative Officer (2004-2013); various other positions including Treasurer and Board Liaison (since 2001).

 

80

 

None.

 
W. Allen Reed
c/o Perkins Coie LLP
Counsel to the Independent Directors
1155 Avenue of the Americas,
22nd Floor
New York, NY 10036
Birth Year: 1947
 

Chair of the Board and Director

 

Chair of the Boards since August 2020 and Director since August 2006

 

Chair of the Boards of various Morgan Stanley Funds (since August 2020); Director or Trustee of various Morgan Stanley Funds (since August 2006); formerly, Vice Chair of the Boards of various Morgan Stanley Funds (January 2020-August 2020); President and Chief Executive Officer of General Motors Asset Management; Chairman and Chief Executive Officer of the GM Trust Bank and Corporate Vice President of General Motors Corporation (August 1994-December 2005).

 

79

 

Formerly, Director of Legg Mason, Inc. (2006-2019); and Director of the Auburn University Foundation (2010-2015).

 

*  This is the earliest date the Director began serving the Morgan Stanley Funds. Each Director serves an indefinite term, until his or her successor is elected.

**  The Fund Complex includes (as of December 31, 2020) all open-end and closed-end funds (including all of their portfolios) advised by Morgan Stanley Investment Management Inc. (the "Adviser") and any funds that have an adviser that is an affiliated person of the Adviser (including, but not limited to, Morgan Stanley AIP GP LP).

***  This includes any directorships at public companies and registered investment companies held by the Director at any time during the past five years.


37



Morgan Stanley Institutional Fund, Inc.

Annual Report — December 31, 2020

Director and Officer Information (unaudited) (cont'd)

Executive Officers:

Name, Address and
Birth Year of Executive Officer
  Position(s) Held
with
Registrant
  Length of
Time Served*
 

Principal Occupation(s) During Past 5 Years

 
John H. Gernon
522 Fifth Avenue
New York, NY 10036
Birth Year: 1963
 

President and Principal Executive Officer

 

Since September 2013

 

President and Principal Executive Officer of the Equity and Fixed Income Funds and the Morgan Stanley AIP Funds (since September 2013) and the Liquidity Funds and various money market funds (since May 2014) in the Fund Complex; Managing Director of the Adviser; Head of Public Markets Product Development (since 2006).

 
Timothy J. Knierim
1633 Broadway
New York, NY 10019
Birth Year: 1959
 

Chief Compliance Officer

 

Since December 2016

 

Managing Director of the Adviser and various entities affiliated with the Adviser; Chief Compliance Officer of various Morgan Stanley Funds and the Adviser (since December 2016) and Chief Compliance Officer of Morgan Stanley AIP GP LP (since 2014). Formerly, Managing Director and Deputy Chief Compliance Officer of the Adviser (2014-2016).

 
Francis J. Smith
522 Fifth Avenue
New York, NY 10036
Birth Year: 1965
 

Treasurer and Principal Financial Officer

 

Treasurer since July 2003 and Principal Financial Officer since September 2002

 

Managing Director of the Adviser and various entities affiliated with the Adviser; Treasurer (since July 2003) and Principal Financial Officer of various Morgan Stanley Funds (since September 2002).

 
Mary E. Mullin
1633 Broadway
New York, NY 10019
Birth Year: 1967
 

Secretary

 

Since June 1999

 

Managing Director of the Adviser; Secretary of various Morgan Stanley Funds (since June 1999).

 
Michael J. Key
522 Fifth Avenue
New York, NY 10036
Birth Year: 1979
 

Vice President

 

Since June 2017

 

Vice President of the Equity and Fixed Income Funds, Liquidity Funds, various money market funds and the Morgan Stanley AIP Funds in the Fund Complex (since June 2017); Executive Director of the Adviser; Head of Product Development for Equity and Fixed Income Funds (since August 2013).

 

*  This is the earliest date the officer began serving the Morgan Stanley Funds. Each officer serves a one-year term, until his or her successor is elected and qualifies.


38



Morgan Stanley Institutional Fund, Inc.

Annual Report — December 31, 2020

Adviser and Administrator

Morgan Stanley Investment Management Inc.
522 Fifth Avenue
New York, New York 10036

Distributor

Morgan Stanley Distribution, Inc.
522 Fifth Avenue
New York, New York 10036

Dividend Disbursing and Transfer Agent

DST Asset Manager Solutions, Inc.
2000 Crown Colony Drive
Quincy, Massachusetts 02169

Custodian

State Street Bank and Trust Company
One Lincoln Street
Boston, Massachusetts 02111

Legal Counsel

Dechert LLP
1095 Avenue of the Americas
New York, New York 10036

Counsel to the Independent Directors

Perkins Coie LLP
1155 Avenue of the Americas,
22nd Floor
New York, New York 10036

Independent Registered Public Accounting Firm

Ernst & Young LLP
200 Clarendon Street
Boston, Massachusetts 02116

Reporting to Shareholders

Each Morgan Stanley fund provides a complete schedule of portfolio holdings in its Semi-Annual and the Annual Reports within 60 days of the end of the fund's second and fourth fiscal quarters. The Semi-Annual and Annual Reports are filed electronically with the Securities and Exchange Commission ("SEC") on Form N-CSRS and Form N-CSR, respectively. Morgan Stanley also delivers the Semi-Annual and Annual Reports to fund shareholders and makes these reports available on its public website, www.morganstanley.com/im/shareholderreports. Each Morgan Stanley non-money market fund also files a complete schedule of portfolio holdings with the SEC for the fund's first and third fiscal quarters as an attachment to Form N-PORT. Morgan Stanley does not deliver the reports for the first and third fiscal quarters to shareholders, but makes the complete schedule of portfolio holdings for the fund's first and third fiscal quarters available on its public website. The holdings for each money market fund are also posted to the Morgan Stanley public website. You may obtain the Form N-PORT filings (as well as the Form N-CSR and N-CSRS filings) by accessing the SEC's website, www.sec.gov. You can also request copies of these materials, upon payment of a duplicating fee, by electronic request at the SEC's email address (publicinfo@sec.gov).

Proxy Voting Policies and Procedures and Proxy Voting Record

You may obtain a copy of the Company's Proxy Voting Policy and Procedures and information regarding how the Company voted proxies relating to portfolio securities during the most recent twelve-month period ended June 30, without charge, upon request, by calling toll free 1 (800) 548-7786 or by visiting our website at www.morganstanley.com/im/shareholderreports. This information is also available on the SEC's website at www.sec.gov.

This report is authorized for distribution only when preceded or accompanied by a prospectus or summary prospectus of the applicable fund of Morgan Stanley Institutional Fund, Inc., which describes in detail the fund's investment policies, risks, fees and expenses. Please read the prospectus carefully before you invest or send money. For additional information, including information regarding the investments comprising the Fund, please visit our website at www.morganstanley.com/im/shareholderreports or call toll free 1 (800) 548-7786.


39



Printed in U.S.A.
This Report has been prepared for shareholders and may be distributed to others only if preceded or accompanied by a current prospectus.

Morgan Stanley Investment Management Inc.
522 Fifth Avenue
New York, New York 10036

© 2021 Morgan Stanley. Morgan Stanley Distribution, Inc.

IFIIIOANN
3386907 EXP 02.28.22



INVESTMENT MANAGEMENT

Morgan Stanley Institutional Fund, Inc.

Permanence Portfolio

Annual Report

December 31, 2020



Morgan Stanley Institutional Fund, Inc.

Annual Report — December 31, 2020

Table of Contents

Shareholders' Letter

   

2

   

Expense Example

   

3

   

Investment Overview

   

4

   

Portfolio of Investments

   

6

   

Statement of Assets and Liabilities

   

8

   

Statement of Operations

   

9

   

Statement of Changes in Net Assets

   

10

   

Financial Highlights

   

11

   

Notes to Financial Statements

   

15

   

Report of Independent Registered Public Accounting Firm

   

23

   

Liquidity Risk Management Program

   

24

   

Federal Tax Notice

   

25

   

Privacy Notice

   

26

   

Director and Officer Information

   

29

   

This report is authorized for distribution only when preceded or accompanied by a prospectus or summary prospectus of the applicable Fund of Morgan Stanley Institutional Fund, Inc. To receive a prospectus and/or statement of additional information ("SAI"), which contains more complete information such as investment objectives, charges, expenses, policies for voting proxies, risk considerations and describes in detail each of the Fund's investment policies to the prospective investor, please call toll free 1 (800) 548-7786. Please read the prospectuses carefully before you invest or send money.

Additionally, you can access information about the Fund, including performance, characteristics and investment team commentary, through Morgan Stanley Investment Management's website: www.morganstanley.com/im/shareholderreports.

Market forecasts provided in this report may not necessarily come to pass. There is no guarantee that any sectors mentioned will continue to perform as discussed herein or that securities in such sectors will be held by the Fund in the future. There is no assurance that a fund will achieve its investment objective. Funds are subject to market risk, which is the possibility that market values of securities owned by the Fund will decline and, therefore, the value of the Fund's shares may be less than what you paid for them. Accordingly, you can lose money investing in this Fund. Please see the prospectus for more complete information on investment risks.


1



Morgan Stanley Institutional Fund, Inc.

Annual Report — December 31, 2020

Shareholders' Letter (unaudited)

Dear Shareholders,

We are pleased to provide this Annual Report, in which you will learn how your investment in Permanence Portfolio (the "Fund") performed during the period beginning March 31, 2020 (when the Fund commenced operations) and ended December 31, 2020.

Morgan Stanley Investment Management is a client-centric, investor-led organization. Our global presence, intellectual capital, and breadth of products and services enable us to partner with investors to meet the evolving challenges of today's financial markets. We aim to deliver superior investment service and to empower our clients to make the informed decisions that help them reach their investment goals.

As always, we thank you for selecting Morgan Stanley Investment Management, and look forward to working with you in the months and years ahead.

Sincerely,

John H. Gernon
President and Principal Executive Officer

January 2021


2



Morgan Stanley Institutional Fund, Inc.

Annual Report — December 31, 2020

Expense Example (unaudited)

Permanence Portfolio

As a shareholder of the Fund, you incur two types of costs: (1) transactional costs; and (2) ongoing costs, which may include advisory fees, administration fees, distribution and shareholder services fees and other Fund expenses. This example is intended to help you understand your ongoing costs (in dollars) of investing in the Fund and to compare these costs with the ongoing costs of investing in other mutual funds.

This example is based on an investment of $1,000 invested at the beginning of the six-month period ended December 31, 2020 and held for the entire six-month period.

Actual Expenses

The table below provides information about actual account values and actual expenses. You may use the information in this table, 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 table under the heading entitled "Actual Expenses Paid During Period" to estimate the expenses you paid on your account during this period.

Hypothetical Example for Comparison Purposes

The table below provides information about hypothetical account values and hypothetical expenses based on the Fund's actual expense ratio and an assumed rate of return of 5% per year before expenses, which is not the Fund's actual return. The hypothetical account values and expenses may not be used to estimate the actual ending account balance or expenses you paid for the period. You may use this information to compare the ongoing costs of investing in the Fund and other funds. To do so, compare this 5% hypothetical example with the 5% hypothetical examples that appear in the shareholder reports of the other funds.

Please note that the expenses shown in the table are meant to highlight your ongoing costs only and do not reflect any transactional costs, such as sales charges (loads). Therefore, the information for each class in the table is useful in comparing ongoing costs only, and will not help you determine the relative total costs of owning different funds. In addition, if these transactional costs were included, your costs would have been higher.

    Beginning
Account
Value
7/1/20
  Actual Ending
Account
Value
12/31/20
  Hypothetical
Ending Account
Value
  Actual
Expenses
Paid
During
Period*
  Hypothetical
Expenses Paid
During Period*
  Net
Expense
Ratio
During
Period**
 

Permanence Portfolio Class I

 

$

1,000.00

   

$

1,236.70

   

$

1,020.86

   

$

4.78

   

$

4.32

     

0.85

%

 

Permanence Portfolio Class A

   

1,000.00

     

1,234.50

     

1,019.10

     

6.74

     

6.09

     

1.20

   

Permanence Portfolio Class C

   

1,000.00

     

1,229.30

     

1,015.33

     

10.93

     

9.88

     

1.95

   

Permanence Portfolio Class IS

   

1,000.00

     

1,235.70

     

1,021.11

     

4.50

     

4.06

     

0.80

   

*  Expenses are calculated using each Fund Class' annualized net expense ratio (as disclosed), multiplied by the average account value over the period and multiplied by 184/366 (to reflect the most recent one-half year period).

**  Annualized.


3



Morgan Stanley Institutional Fund, Inc.

Annual Report — December 31, 2020

Investment Overview (unaudited)

Permanence Portfolio

The Fund seeks long-term capital appreciation.

Performance

For period from Fund inception on March 31, 2020 through December 31, 2020, the Fund's Class I shares had a total return based on net asset value and reinvestment of distributions per share of 55.46%, net of fees. The Fund's Class I shares outperformed the Fund's benchmark, the S&P 500® Index (the "Index"), which returned 47.26%.

Please keep in mind that high double-digit returns are highly unusual and cannot be sustained. Investors should also be aware that these returns were primarily achieved during favorable market conditions.

Factors Affecting Performance

•  U.S. equities reversed a steep sell-off caused by the COVID-19 pandemic shock, aided by massive fiscal and monetary stimulus that kept liquidity flowing and supported a faster-than-expected rebound in economic activity. Given the Fund's inception date at the end of March 2020, this reporting period did not include the steep sell-off in equity markets earlier in March that was triggered by the initial global spread of the virus and lockdowns across much of the world. Promising vaccine news throughout the year, along with the start of vaccine distribution across the U.S. and Europe in December 2020, also helped investors look past resurgences of the virus and renewed curbs on social and business activity that have slowed the economic recovery in the short term. Political uncertainty eased after the U.S. election in November 2020, with markets taking a positive stance on a Biden administration and the prospect for additional fiscal stimulus in 2021.

•  All sectors in the Index produced double-digit gains in this nine-month reporting period, led by consumer discretionary. Utilities posted the smallest gain in the Index.

•  Counterpoint Global seeks high quality companies, which we define primarily as those with sustainable competitive advantages. We manage concentrated portfolios that are highly differentiated from the benchmark, with securities weighted on our assessment of the quality of the company and our conviction. The value added or detracted in any period of time will result from stock selection, given our philosophy and process. For the since inception reporting period, the Fund outperformed the Index.

•  The long-term investment horizon and conviction-weighted investment approach embraced by the team since 1998 can result in periods of performance deviation from the benchmark and peers. The Fund outperformed the Index in this reporting period due to favorable stock selection and a smaller contribution from sector allocations.

•  For the Fund, the top contributors to relative performance in the since inception period were stock selection in health care and industrials, and a sector overweight in consumer discretionary.

•  The main detractors from relative performance in the period were a sector underweight in information technology and stock selection in materials and consumer discretionary.

Management Strategies

•  In the Permanence Portfolio, we invest primarily in equity securities of established companies located in the United States that benefit from efficient scale. Due to the durability of this long-term competitive advantage, we believe these companies are relatively insulated from disruptive change.


4



Morgan Stanley Institutional Fund, Inc.

Annual Report — December 31, 2020

Investment Overview (unaudited) (cont'd)

Permanence Portfolio

*  Minimum Investment for Class I shares

**  Commenced Operations on March 31, 2020.

In accordance with SEC regulations, the Fund's performance shown assumes that all recurring fees (including management fees) were deducted and all dividends and distributions were reinvested. The performance of Class A, C and IS shares will vary from the performance of Class I shares and will be negatively impacted by additional fees assessed to those classes (if applicable).

Performance Compared to the the S&P 500® Index(1) and the Lipper Large-Cap Core Funds Index(2)

    Period Ended December 31, 2020
Total Returns(3)
 
    One
Year
  Five
Years
  Ten
Years
  Since
Inception(5)
 
Fund — Class I Shares
w/o sales charges(4)
   

     

     

     

55.46

%

 
Fund — Class A Shares
w/o sales charges(4)
   

     

     

     

55.05

   
Fund — Class A Shares
with maximum 5.25%
sales charges(4)
   

     

     

     

46.97

   
Fund — Class C Shares
w/o sales charges(4)
   

     

     

     

54.15

   
Fund — Class C Shares
with maximum 1.00%
deferred sales charges(4)
   

     

     

     

53.15

   
Fund — Class IS Shares
w/o sales charges(4)
   

     

     

     

55.45

   

S&P 500® Index

   

     

     

     

47.26

   
Lipper Large-Cap Core
Funds Index
   

     

     

     

46.16

   

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. Performance assumes that all dividends and distributions, if any, were reinvested. For the most recent month-end performance figures, please visit www.morganstanley.com/im/shareholderreports. Investment return and principal value will fluctuate so that Fund shares, when redeemed, may be worth more or less than their original cost. Returns for periods less than one year are not annualized. Total returns do not reflect the deduction of taxes that a shareholder would pay on Fund distributions or the redemption of Fund shares. Performance of share classes will vary due to difference in sales charges and expenses.

(1)  The Standard & Poor's 500® Index (S&P 500® Index) measures the performance of the large cap segment of the U.S. equities market, covering approximately 80% of the U.S. equities market. The Index includes 500 leading companies in leading industries of the U.S. economy. The Index is unmanaged and its returns do not include any sales charges or fees. Such costs would lower performance. It is not possible to invest directly in an index.

(2)  The Lipper Large-Cap Core Funds Index is an equally weighted performance index of the largest qualifying funds (based on net assets) in the Lipper Large-Cap Core Funds classification. The Index, which is adjusted for capital gains distributions and income dividends, is unmanaged and should not be considered an investment. There are currently 30 funds represented in this Index. As of the date of this report, the Fund was in the Lipper Large-Cap Core Funds classification.

(3)  Total returns for the Fund reflect fees waived and expenses reimbursed, if applicable, by the Adviser (as defined herein). Without such waivers and reimbursements, total returns would have been lower.

(4)  Commenced operations on March 31, 2020.

(5)  For comparative purposes, average annual since inception returns listed for the Indexes refer to the inception date of the Fund, not the inception of the Index.


5



Morgan Stanley Institutional Fund, Inc.

Annual Report — December 31, 2020

Portfolio of Investments

Permanence Portfolio

   

Shares

  Value
(000)
 

Common Stocks (97.5%)

 

Aerospace & Defense (4.5%)

 

HEICO Corp., Class A

   

1,329

   

$

156

   

Capital Markets (4.7%)

 

Intercontinental Exchange, Inc.

   

644

     

74

   

S&P Global, Inc.

   

264

     

87

   
     

161

   

Chemicals (6.4%)

 

Ecolab, Inc.

   

672

     

146

   

Sherwin-Williams Co. (The)

   

101

     

74

   
     

220

   

Commercial Services & Supplies (2.9%)

 

Cintas Corp.

   

97

     

34

   

Copart, Inc. (a)

   

268

     

34

   

Rollins, Inc.

   

795

     

31

   
     

99

   

Construction Materials (3.1%)

 

Martin Marietta Materials, Inc.

   

372

     

106

   

Containers & Packaging (2.2%)

 

Ball Corp.

   

802

     

75

   

Distributors (1.0%)

 

Pool Corp.

   

89

     

33

   

Diversified Consumer Services (1.9%)

 

Chegg, Inc. (a)

   

376

     

34

   

Service Corp. International

   

678

     

33

   
     

67

   

Diversified Holding Companies (1.0%)

 

RedBall Acquisition Corp., Class A (a)

   

3,064

     

33

   

Entertainment (4.6%)

 

Madison Square Garden Sports Corp., Class A (a)

   

187

     

35

   

Walt Disney Co. (The) (a)

   

680

     

123

   
     

158

   

Equity Real Estate Investment Trusts (REITs) (1.9%)

 

American Tower Corp. REIT

   

149

     

33

   

Equinix, Inc. REIT

   

47

     

34

   
     

67

   

Food & Staples Retailing (4.7%)

 

Costco Wholesale Corp.

   

434

     

163

   

Food Products (0.9%)

 

UTZ Brands, Inc.

   

1,456

     

32

   

Health Care Equipment & Supplies (5.9%)

 

IDEXX Laboratories, Inc. (a)

   

68

     

34

   

Intuitive Surgical, Inc. (a)

   

205

     

168

   
     

202

   

Health Care Technology (4.6%)

 

Veeva Systems, Inc., Class A (a)

   

583

     

159

   

Hotels, Restaurants & Leisure (2.5%)

 

Starbucks Corp.

   

491

     

52

   

Vail Resorts, Inc.

   

118

     

33

   
     

85

   
   

Shares

  Value
(000)
 

Household Products (1.4%)

 

Colgate-Palmolive Co.

   

578

   

$

49

   

Industrial Conglomerates (2.5%)

 

Roper Technologies, Inc.

   

199

     

86

   

Insurance (1.0%)

 

Progressive Corp. (The)

   

342

     

34

   

Internet & Direct Marketing Retail (5.8%)

 

Amazon.com, Inc. (a)

   

61

     

199

   

Metals & Mining (0.7%)

 

Royal Gold, Inc.

   

237

     

25

   

Oil, Gas & Consumable Fuels (1.6%)

 

Texas Pacific Land Trust

   

74

     

54

   

Pharmaceuticals (3.6%)

 

Royalty Pharma PLC, Class A (United Kingdom)

   

2,496

     

125

   

Professional Services (2.0%)

 

CoStar Group, Inc. (a)

   

37

     

34

   

Verisk Analytics, Inc.

   

165

     

34

   
     

68

   

Real Estate Management & Development (3.5%)

 

FirstService Corp.

   

871

     

119

   

Semiconductors & Semiconductor Equipment (3.5%)

 

ASML Holding N.V.

   

245

     

119

   

Software (14.3%)

 

ANSYS, Inc. (a)

   

91

     

33

   

Appfolio, Inc., Class A (a)

   

498

     

90

   

Autodesk, Inc. (a)

   

111

     

34

   

Cadence Design Systems, Inc. (a)

   

375

     

51

   

Constellation Software, Inc.

   

89

     

115

   

Guidewire Software, Inc. (a)

   

261

     

34

   

Synopsys, Inc. (a)

   

194

     

50

   

Topicus.com, Inc. (a)

   

166

     

1

   

Tyler Technologies, Inc. (a)

   

190

     

83

   
     

491

   

Specialty Retail (1.4%)

 

Home Depot, Inc. (The)

   

187

     

50

   

Textiles, Apparel & Luxury Goods (1.5%)

 

NIKE, Inc., Class B

   

364

     

51

   

Trading Companies & Distributors (1.9%)

 

Fastenal Co.

   

681

     

33

   

Watsco, Inc.

   

143

     

33

   
     

66

   

Total Common Stocks (Cost $2,542)

   

3,352

   

The accompanying notes are an integral part of the financial statements.
6



Morgan Stanley Institutional Fund, Inc.

Annual Report — December 31, 2020

Portfolio of Investments (cont'd)

Permanence Portfolio

   

Shares

  Value
(000)
 

Short-Term Investment (2.8%)

 

Investment Company (2.8%)

 
Morgan Stanley Institutional Liquidity
Funds — Treasury Securities Portfolio —
Institutional Class (See Note G)
(Cost $98)
   

98,132

   

$

98

   
Total Investments Excluding Purchased
Options (100.3%) (Cost $2,640)
       

3,450

   

Total Purchased Options Outstanding (0.1%) (Cost $11)

   

3

   

Total Investments (100.4%) (Cost $2,651) (b)

   

3,453

   

Liabilities in Excess of Other Assets (–0.4%)

   

(13

)

 

Net Assets (100.0%)

 

$

3,440

   

(a)  Non-income producing security.

(b)  At December 31, 2020, the aggregate cost for federal income tax purposes is approximately $2,677,000. The aggregate gross unrealized appreciation is approximately $790,000 and the aggregate gross unrealized depreciation is approximately $14,000, resulting in net unrealized appreciation of approximately $776,000.

REIT  Real Estate Investment Trust.

Call Options Purchased:

The Fund had the following call options purchased open at December 31, 2020:

Counterparty

 

Description

  Strike
Price
  Expiration
Date
  Number of
Contracts
  Notional
Amount
(000)
  Value
(000)
  Premiums
Paid
(000)
  Unrealized
Depreciation
(000)
 

JP Morgan Chase Bank NA

  USD/CNH  

CNH

7.70

   

Nov-21

   

700,000

     

700

   

$

2

   

$

3

   

$

(1

)

 

JP Morgan Chase Bank NA

  USD/CNH  

CNH

7.98

   

Sep-21

   

561,500

     

562

     

1

     

3

     

(2

)

 

JP Morgan Chase Bank NA

  USD/CNH  

CNH

8.10

   

Jul-21

   

591,131

     

591

     

@

   

3

     

(3

)

 

JP Morgan Chase Bank NA

  USD/CNH  

CNH

8.49

   

May-21

   

425,580

     

426

     

@

   

2

     

(2

)

 
                       

$

3

   

$

11

   

$

(8

)

 

@    Value is less than $500.

CNH  —  Chinese Yuan Renminbi Offshore

USD  —  United States Dollar

Portfolio Composition

Classification

  Percentage of
Total Investments
 

Other*

   

67.8

%

 

Software

   

14.2

   

Chemicals

   

6.4

   

Health Care Equipment & Supplies

   

5.8

   

Internet & Direct Marketing Retail

   

5.8

   

Total Investments

   

100.0

%

 

*  Industries and/or investment types representing less than 5% of total investments.

The accompanying notes are an integral part of the financial statements.
7



Morgan Stanley Institutional Fund, Inc.

Annual Report — December 31, 2020

Permanence Portfolio

Statement of Assets and Liabilities

  December 31, 2020
(000)
 

Assets:

 

Investments in Securities of Unaffiliated Issuers, at Value (Cost $2,553)

 

$

3,355

   

Investment in Security of Affiliated Issuer, at Value (Cost $98)

   

98

   

Total Investments in Securities, at Value (Cost $2,651)

   

3,453

   

Due from Adviser

   

70

   

Prepaid Offering Costs

   

32

   

Receivable for Investments Sold

   

20

   

Receivable for Fund Shares Sold

   

2

   

Dividends Receivable

   

1

   

Receivable from Affiliate

   

@

 

Other Assets

   

5

   

Total Assets

   

3,583

   

Liabilities:

 

Payable for Offering Costs

   

81

   

Payable for Investments Purchased

   

31

   

Payable for Professional Fees

   

21

   

Payable for Transfer Agency Fees — Class I

   

1

   

Payable for Transfer Agency Fees — Class A

   

@

 

Payable for Transfer Agency Fees — Class C

   

@

 

Payable for Custodian Fees

   

1

   

Payable for Shareholder Services Fees — Class A

   

@

 

Payable for Distribution and Shareholder Services Fees — Class C

   

@

 

Payable for Administration Fees

   

@

 

Other Liabilities

   

8

   

Total Liabilities

   

143

   

Net Assets

 

$

3,440

   

Net Assets Consist of:

 

Paid-in-Capital

 

$

2,478

   

Total Distributable Earnings

   

962

   

Net Assets

 

$

3,440

   

CLASS I:

 

Net Assets

 

$

3,147

   
Shares Outstanding $0.001 par value shares of beneficial interest (unlimited shares authorized) (not in 000's)    

214,883

   

Net Asset Value, Offering and Redemption Price Per Share

 

$

14.65

   

CLASS A:

 

Net Assets

 

$

256

   
Shares Outstanding $0.001 par value shares of beneficial interest (unlimited shares authorized) (not in 000's)    

17,508

   

Net Asset Value, Redemption Price Per Share

 

$

14.61

   

Maximum Sales Load

   

5.25

%

 

Maximum Sales Charge

 

$

0.81

   

Maximum Offering Price Per Share

 

$

15.42

   

CLASS C:

 

Net Assets

 

$

21

   
Shares Outstanding $0.001 par value shares of beneficial interest (unlimited shares authorized) (not in 000's)    

1,444

   

Net Asset Value, Offering and Redemption Price Per Share

 

$

14.52

   

CLASS IS:

 

Net Assets

 

$

16

   
Shares Outstanding $0.001 par value shares of beneficial interest (unlimited shares authorized) (not in 000's)    

1,061

   

Net Asset Value, Offering and Redemption Price Per Share

 

$

14.65

   

@  Amount is less than $500.

The accompanying notes are an integral part of the financial statements.
8



Morgan Stanley Institutional Fund, Inc.

Annual Report — December 31, 2020

Permanence Portfolio

Statement of Operations

  Period from
March 31, 2020^ to
December 31, 2020
(000)
 

Investment Income:

 

Dividends from Securities of Unaffiliated Issuers (Net of $—@ of foreign Taxes Withheld)

 

$

17

   

Dividends from Security of Affiliated Issuer (Note G)

   

@

 

Total Investment Income

   

17

   

Expenses:

 

Offering Costs

   

99

   

Professional Fees

   

77

   

Shareholder Reporting Fees

   

14

   

Advisory Fees (Note B)

   

13

   

Transfer Agency Fees — Class I (Note E)

   

2

   

Transfer Agency Fees — Class A (Note E)

   

1

   

Transfer Agency Fees — Class C (Note E)

   

1

   

Transfer Agency Fees — Class IS (Note E)

   

1

   

Custodian Fees (Note F)

   

3

   

Registration Fees

   

3

   

Administration Fees (Note C)

   

2

   

Pricing Fees

   

1

   

Shareholder Services Fees — Class A (Note D)

   

@

 

Distribution and Shareholder Services Fees — Class C (Note D)

   

@

 

Directors' Fees and Expenses

   

@

 

Other Expenses

   

8

   

Total Expenses

   

225

   

Expenses Reimbursed by Adviser (Note B)

   

(191

)

 

Waiver of Advisory Fees (Note B)

   

(13

)

 

Reimbursement of Class Specific Expenses — Class I (Note B)

   

(1

)

 

Reimbursement of Class Specific Expenses — Class A (Note B)

   

(1

)

 

Reimbursement of Class Specific Expenses — Class C (Note B)

   

(1

)

 

Reimbursement of Class Specific Expenses — Class IS (Note B)

   

(1

)

 

Rebate from Morgan Stanley Affiliate (Note G)

   

(—

@)

 

Net Expenses

   

17

   

Net Investment Loss

   

(—

@)

 

Realized Gain:

 

Investments Sold

   

343

   

Foreign Currency Translation

   

1

   

Net Realized Gain

   

344

   

Change in Unrealized Appreciation (Depreciation):

 

Investments

   

802

   

Foreign Currency Translation

   

(—

@)

 

Net Change in Unrealized Appreciation (Depreciation)

   

802

   

Net Realized Gain and Change in Unrealized Appreciation (Depreciation)

   

1,146

   

Net Increase in Net Assets Resulting from Operations

 

$

1,146

   

^  Commencement of Operations.

@  Amount is less than $500.

The accompanying notes are an integral part of the financial statements.
9



Morgan Stanley Institutional Fund, Inc.

Annual Report — December 31, 2020

Permanence Portfolio

Statement of Changes in Net Assets

  Period from
March 31, 2020^ to
December 31, 2020
(000)
 

Increase (Decrease) in Net Assets:

 

Operations:

 

Net Investment Loss

 

$

(—

@)

 

Net Realized Gain

   

344

   

Net Change in Unrealized Appreciation (Depreciation)

   

802

   

Net Increase in Net Assets Resulting from Operations

   

1,146

   

Dividends and Distributions to Shareholders:

 

Class I

   

(174

)

 

Class A

   

(8

)

 

Class C

   

(1

)

 

Class IS

   

(1

)

 

Total Dividends and Distributions to Shareholders

   

(184

)

 

Capital Share Transactions:(1)

 

Class I:

 

Subscribed

   

2,025

   

Distributions Reinvested

   

174

   

Class A:

 

Subscribed

   

248

   

Distributions Reinvested

   

8

   

Redeemed

   

(4

)

 

Class C:

 

Subscribed

   

15

   

Distributions Reinvested

   

1

   

Class IS:

 

Subscribed

   

10

   

Distributions Reinvested

   

1

   

Net Increase in Net Assets Resulting from Capital Share Transactions

   

2,478

   

Total Increase in Net Assets

   

3,440

   

Net Assets:

 

Beginning of Period

   

   

End of Period

 

$

3,440

   

(1)   Capital Share Transactions:

 

Class I:

 

Shares Subscribed

   

203

   

Shares Issued on Distributions Reinvested

   

12

   

Net Increase in Class I Shares Outstanding

   

215

   

Class A:

 

Shares Subscribed

   

17

   

Shares Issued on Distributions Reinvested

   

1

   

Shares Redeemed

   

(—

@@)

 

Net Increase in Class A Shares Outstanding

   

18

   

Class C:

 

Shares Subscribed

   

1

   

Shares Issued on Distributions Reinvested

   

@@

 

Net Increase in Class C Shares Outstanding

   

1

   

Class IS:

 

Shares Subscribed

   

1

   

Shares Issued on Distributions Reinvested

   

@@

 

Net Increase in Class IS Shares Outstanding

   

1

   

^  Commencement of Operations.

@  Amount is less than $500.

@@  Amount is less than 500 shares.

The accompanying notes are an integral part of the financial statements.
10



Morgan Stanley Institutional Fund, Inc.

Annual Report — December 31, 2020

Financial Highlights

Permanence Portfolio

   

Class I

 

Selected Per Share Data and Ratios

  Period from March 31, 2020(1)
to December 31, 2020
 

Net Asset Value, Beginning of Period

 

$

10.00

   

Income (Loss) from Investment Operations:

 

Net Investment Loss(2)

   

(0.00

)(3)

 

Net Realized and Unrealized Gain

   

5.51

   

Total from Investment Operations

   

5.51

   

Distributions from and/or in Excess of:

 

Net Realized Gain

   

(0.86

)

 

Net Asset Value, End of Period

 

$

14.65

   

Total Return(4)

   

55.46

%(7)

 

Ratios to Average Net Assets and Supplemental Data:

 

Net Assets, End of Period (Thousands)

 

$

3,147

   

Ratio of Expenses Before Expense Limitation

   

10.85

%(8)

 

Ratio of Expenses After Expense Limitation

   

0.85

%(5)(8)

 

Ratio of Net Investment Loss

   

(0.02

)%(5)(8)

 

Ratio of Rebate from Morgan Stanley Affiliates

   

0.00

%(6)(8)

 

Portfolio Turnover Rate

   

68

%(7)

 

(1)  Commencement of Operations.

(2)  Per share amount is based on average shares outstanding.

(3)  Amount is less than $0.005 per share.

(4)  Calculated based on the net asset value as of the last business day of the period.

(5)  The Ratio of Expenses After Expense Limitation and Ratio of Net Investment Loss reflect the rebate of certain Fund expenses in connection with the investments in Morgan Stanley affiliates during the period. The effect of the rebate on the ratios is disclosed in the above table as "Ratio of Rebate from Morgan Stanley Affiliates."

(6)  Amount is less than 0.005%.

(7)  Not annualized.

(8)  Annualized.

The accompanying notes are an integral part of the financial statements.
11



Morgan Stanley Institutional Fund, Inc.

Annual Report — December 31, 2020

Financial Highlights

Permanence Portfolio

   

Class A

 

Selected Per Share Data and Ratios

  Period from March 31, 2020(1)
to December 31, 2020
 

Net Asset Value, Beginning of Period

 

$

10.00

   

Income (Loss) from Investment Operations:

 

Net Investment Loss(2)

   

(0.01

)

 

Net Realized and Unrealized Gain

   

5.48

   

Total from Investment Operations

   

5.47

   

Distributions from and/or in Excess of:

 

Net Realized Gain

   

(0.86

)

 

Net Asset Value, End of Period

 

$

14.61

   

Total Return(3)

   

55.05

%(6)

 

Ratios to Average Net Assets and Supplemental Data:

 

Net Assets, End of Period (Thousands)

 

$

256

   

Ratio of Expenses Before Expense Limitation

   

17.41

%(7)

 

Ratio of Expenses After Expense Limitation

   

1.20

%(4)(7)

 

Ratio of Net Investment Loss

   

(0.06

)%(4)(7)

 

Ratio of Rebate from Morgan Stanley Affiliates

   

0.00

%(5)(7)

 

Portfolio Turnover Rate

   

68

%(6)

 

(1)  Commencement of Operations.

(2)  Per share amount is based on average shares outstanding.

(3)  Calculated based on the net asset value which does not reflect sales charges, if applicable, as of the last business day of the period.

(4)  The Ratio of Expenses After Expense Limitation and Ratio of Net Investment Loss reflect the rebate of certain Fund expenses in connection with the investments in Morgan Stanley affiliates during the period. The effect of the rebate on the ratios is disclosed in the above table as "Ratio of Rebate from Morgan Stanley Affiliates."

(5)  Amount is less than 0.005%.

(6)  Not annualized.

(7)  Annualized.

The accompanying notes are an integral part of the financial statements.
12



Morgan Stanley Institutional Fund, Inc.

Annual Report — December 31, 2020

Financial Highlights

Permanence Portfolio

   

Class C

 

Selected Per Share Data and Ratios

  Period from March 31, 2020(1)
to December 31, 2020
 

Net Asset Value, Beginning of Period

 

$

10.00

   

Income (Loss) from Investment Operations:

 

Net Investment Loss(2)

   

(0.11

)

 

Net Realized and Unrealized Gain

   

5.49

   

Total from Investment Operations

   

5.38

   

Distributions from and/or in Excess of:

 

Net Realized Gain

   

(0.86

)

 

Net Asset Value, End of Period

 

$

14.52

   

Total Return(3)

   

54.15

%(6)

 

Ratios to Average Net Assets and Supplemental Data:

 

Net Assets, End of Period (Thousands)

 

$

21

   

Ratio of Expenses Before Expense Limitation

   

24.15

%(7)

 

Ratio of Expenses After Expense Limitation

   

1.95

%(4)(7)

 

Ratio of Net Investment Loss

   

(1.08

)%(4)(7)

 

Ratio of Rebate from Morgan Stanley Affiliates

   

0.00

%(5)(7)

 

Portfolio Turnover Rate

   

68

%(6)

 

(1)  Commencement of Operations.

(2)  Per share amount is based on average shares outstanding.

(3)  Calculated based on the net asset value which does not reflect sales charges, if applicable, as of the last business day of the period.

(4)  The Ratio of Expenses After Expense Limitation and Ratio of Net Investment Loss reflect the rebate of certain Fund expenses in connection with the investments in Morgan Stanley affiliates during the period. The effect of the rebate on the ratios is disclosed in the above table as "Ratio of Rebate from Morgan Stanley Affiliates."

(5)  Amount is less than 0.005%.

(6)  Not annualized.

(7)  Annualized.

The accompanying notes are an integral part of the financial statements.
13



Morgan Stanley Institutional Fund, Inc.

Annual Report — December 31, 2020

Financial Highlights

Permanence Portfolio

   

Class IS

 

Selected Per Share Data and Ratios

  Period from March 31, 2020(1)
to December 31, 2020
 

Net Asset Value, Beginning of Period

 

$

10.00

   

Income (Loss) from Investment Operations:

 

Net Investment Loss(2)

   

(0.00

)(3)

 

Net Realized and Unrealized Gain

   

5.51

   

Total from Investment Operations

   

5.51

   

Distributions from and/or in Excess of:

 

Net Realized Gain

   

(0.86

)

 

Net Asset Value, End of Period

 

$

14.65

   

Total Return(4)

   

55.45

%(7)

 

Ratios to Average Net Assets and Supplemental Data:

 

Net Assets, End of Period (Thousands)

 

$

16

   

Ratio of Expenses Before Expense Limitation

   

25.34

%(8)

 

Ratio of Expenses After Expense Limitation

   

0.80

%(5)(8)

 

Ratio of Net Investment Income

   

0.03

%(5)(8)

 

Ratio of Rebate from Morgan Stanley Affiliates

   

0.00

%(6)(8)

 

Portfolio Turnover Rate

   

68

%(7)

 

(1)  Commencement of Operations.

(2)  Per share amount is based on average shares outstanding.

(3)  Amount is less than $0.005 per share.

(4)  Calculated based on the net asset value as of the last business day of the period.

(5)  The Ratio of Expenses After Expense Limitation and Ratio of Net Investment Income reflect the rebate of certain Fund expenses in connection with the investments in Morgan Stanley affiliates during the period. The effect of the rebate on the ratios is disclosed in the above table as "Ratio of Rebate from Morgan Stanley Affiliates."

(6)  Amount is less than 0.005%.

(7)  Not annualized.

(8)  Annualized.

The accompanying notes are an integral part of the financial statements.
14



Morgan Stanley Institutional Fund, Inc.

Annual Report — December 31, 2020

Notes to Financial Statements

Morgan Stanley Institutional Fund, Inc. (the "Company") is registered under the Investment Company Act of 1940, as amended (the "Act"), as an open-end management investment company. The Company is comprised of thirty-one separate, active, diversified and non-diversified funds (individually referred to as a "Fund," collectively as the "Funds"). The Company applies investment company accounting and reporting guidance.

The accompanying financial statements relate to the Permanence Portfolio. The Fund seeks long-term capital appreciation.

The Fund commenced operations on March 31, 2020 and offers four classes of shares — Class I, Class A, Class C and Class IS.

A. Significant Accounting Policies: The following significant accounting policies are in conformity with U.S. generally accepted accounting principles ("GAAP"). Such policies are consistently followed by the Company in the preparation of its financial statements. GAAP may require management to make estimates and assumptions that affect the reported amounts and disclosures in the financial statements. Actual results may differ from those estimates.

1.  Security Valuation: (1) An equity portfolio security listed or traded on an exchange is valued at its latest reported sales price (or at the exchange official closing price if such exchange reports an official closing price), and if there were no sales on a given day and if there is no official exchange closing price for that day, the security is valued at the mean between the last reported bid and asked prices if such bid and asked prices are available on the relevant exchanges. If only bid prices are available then the latest bid price may be used. Listed equity securities not traded on the valuation date with no reported bid and asked prices available on the exchange are valued at the mean between the current bid and asked prices obtained from one or more reputable brokers or dealers. In cases where a security is traded on more than one exchange, the security is valued on the exchange designated as the primary market; (2) all other equity portfolio securities for which over-the-counter ("OTC") market quotations are readily available are valued at the latest reported sales price (or at the market official closing price if such market reports an official closing price), and if there was no trading in the security on a given day and if there is no official closing price from relevant markets for that day, the security is valued at the

mean between the last reported bid and asked prices if such bid and asked prices are available on the relevant markets. An unlisted equity security that does not trade on the valuation date and for which bid and asked prices from the relevant markets are unavailable is valued at the mean between the current bid and asked prices obtained from one or more reputable brokers or dealers; (3) certain portfolio securities may be valued by an outside pricing service/vendor approved by the Company's Board of Directors (the "Directors"). The pricing service/vendor may employ a pricing model that takes into account, among other things, bids, yield spreads and/or other market data and specific security characteristics. Alternatively, if a valuation is not available from an outside pricing service/vendor, and the security trades on an exchange, the security may be valued at its latest reported sale price (or at the exchange official closing price if such exchange reports an official closing price), prior to the time when assets are valued. If there are no sales on a given day and if there is no official exchange closing price for that day, the security is valued at the mean between the last reported bid and asked prices if such bid and asked prices are available in the relevant exchanges. If only bid prices are available then the latest bid price may be used. If Morgan Stanley Investment Management Inc. (the "Adviser"), a wholly-owned subsidiary of Morgan Stanley, determines that the price provided by the outside pricing service/vendor or exchange does not reflect the security's fair value or is unable to provide a price, prices from brokers or dealers may also be utilized. In these circumstances, the value of the security will be the mean of bid and asked prices obtained from brokers or dealers; (4) listed options are valued at the last reported sales price on the exchange on which they are listed (or at the exchange official closing price if such exchange reports an official closing price). If an official closing price or last reported sales price is unavailable, the listed option should be fair valued at the mean between its latest bid and ask prices. Unlisted options are valued at the mean between their latest bid and ask prices from a broker/dealer or valued by a pricing service/vendor; (5) when market quotations are not readily available, including circumstances under which the Adviser 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


15



Morgan Stanley Institutional Fund, Inc.

Annual Report — December 31, 2020

Notes to Financial Statements (cont'd)

their fair value as determined in good faith under procedures established by and under the general supervision of the Directors. 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 of the New York Stock Exchange ("NYSE"). If developments occur during such periods that are expected to materially affect the value of such securities, such valuations may be adjusted to reflect the estimated fair value of such securities as of the close of the NYSE, as determined in good faith by the Directors or by the Adviser using a pricing service and/or procedures approved by the Directors; (6) quotations of foreign portfolio securities, other assets and liabilities and forward contracts stated in foreign currency are translated into U.S. dollar equivalents at the prevailing market rates prior to the close of the NYSE; and (7) investments in mutual funds, including the Morgan Stanley Institutional Liquidity Funds, are valued at the net asset value ("NAV") as of the close of each business day.

The Directors have responsibility for determining in good faith the fair value of the investments, and the Directors may appoint others, such as the Company's Adviser or a valuation committee, to assist the Directors in determining fair value and to make the actual calculations pursuant to the fair valuation methodologies previously approved by the Directors. Under procedures approved by the Directors, the Company's Adviser has formed a Valuation Committee whose members are approved by the Directors. The Valuation Committee provides administration and oversight of the Company's valuation policies and procedures, which are reviewed at least annually by the Directors. These procedures allow the Company to utilize independent pricing services, quotations from securities and financial instrument dealers and other market sources to determine fair value.

2.  Fair Value Measurement: Financial Accounting Standards Board ("FASB") Accounting Standards CodificationTM ("ASC") 820, "Fair Value Measurement" ("ASC 820"), defines fair value as the value that the Fund would receive to sell an investment or pay to transfer a liability in a timely transaction with an independent buyer in the

principal market, or in the absence of a principal market, the most advantageous market for the investment or liability. ASC 820 establishes a three-tier hierarchy to distinguish between (1) inputs that reflect the assumptions market participants would use in valuing an asset or liability developed based on market data obtained from sources independent of the reporting entity (observable inputs) and (2) inputs that reflect the reporting entity's own assumptions about the assumptions market participants would use in valuing an asset or liability developed based on the best information available in the circumstances (unobservable inputs) and to establish classification of fair value measurements for disclosure purposes. Various inputs are used in determining the value of the Fund's investments. The inputs are summarized in the three broad levels listed below:

•  Level 1 – unadjusted quoted prices in active markets for identical investments

•  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.


16



Morgan Stanley Institutional Fund, Inc.

Annual Report — December 31, 2020

Notes to Financial Statements (cont'd)

The following is a summary of the inputs used to value the Fund's investments as of December 31, 2020:

Investment Type

  Level 1
Unadjusted
quoted
prices
(000)
  Level 2
Other
significant
observable
inputs
(000)
  Level 3
Significant
unobservable
inputs
(000)
  Total
(000)
 

Assets:

 

Common Stocks

 

Aerospace & Defense

 

$

156

   

$

   

$

   

$

156

   

Capital Markets

   

161

     

     

     

161

   

Chemicals

   

220

     

     

     

220

   
Commercial Services &
Supplies
   

99

     

     

     

99

   

Construction Materials

   

106

     

     

     

106

   

Containers & Packaging

   

75

     

     

     

75

   

Distributors

   

33

     

     

     

33

   
Diversified Consumer
Services
   

67

     

     

     

67

   
Diversified Holding
Companies
   

33

     

     

     

33

   

Entertainment

   

158

     

     

     

158

   
Equity Real Estate
Investment Trusts
(REITs)
   

67

     

     

     

67

   

Food & Staples Retailing

   

163

     

     

     

163

   

Food Products

   

32

     

     

     

32

   
Health Care Equipment &
Supplies
   

202

     

     

     

202

   

Health Care Technology

   

159

     

     

     

159

   
Hotels, Restaurants &
Leisure
   

85

     

     

     

85

   

Household Products

   

49

     

     

     

49

   

Industrial Conglomerates

   

86

     

     

     

86

   

Insurance

   

34

     

     

     

34

   
Internet & Direct
Marketing Retail
   

199

     

     

     

199

   

Metals & Mining

   

25

     

     

     

25

   
Oil, Gas & Consumable
Fuels
   

54

     

     

     

54

   

Pharmaceuticals

   

125

     

     

     

125

   

Professional Services

   

68

     

     

     

68

   
Real Estate
Management &
Development
   

119

     

     

     

119

   
Semiconductors &
Semiconductor
Equipment
   

119

     

     

     

119

   

Software

   

490

     

1

     

     

491

   

Specialty Retail

   

50

     

     

     

50

   
Textiles, Apparel &
Luxury Goods
   

51

     

     

     

51

   
Trading Companies &
Distributors
   

66

     

     

     

66

   

Total Common Stocks

   

3,351

     

1

     

     

3,352

   

Call Options Purchased

   

     

3

     

     

3

   

Short-Term Investment

 

Investment Company

   

98

     

     

     

98

   

Total Assets

 

$

3,449

   

$

4

   

$

   

$

3,453

   

Transfers between investment levels may occur as the markets fluctuate and/or the availability of data used in an investment's valuation changes.

3.  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.

Net realized gains (losses) on foreign currency transactions represent net foreign exchange gains (losses) from foreign currency forward exchange contracts, disposition of foreign currencies, currency gains (losses) realized between the trade and settlement dates on securities transactions, and the difference between the amount of investment income and foreign withholding taxes recorded on the Fund's books and the U.S. dollar equivalent amounts actually received or paid. The change in unrealized currency gains (losses) on foreign currency transactions for the period is reflected in the Statement of Operations.


17



Morgan Stanley Institutional Fund, Inc.

Annual Report — December 31, 2020

Notes to Financial Statements (cont'd)

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.

Governmental approval for foreign investments may be required in advance of making an investment under certain circumstances in some countries, and the extent of foreign investments in domestic companies may be subject to limitation in other countries. Foreign ownership limitations also may be imposed by the charters of individual companies to prevent, among other concerns, violations of foreign investment limitations. As a result, an additional class of shares (identified as "Foreign" in the Portfolio of Investments) may be created and offered for investment. The "local" and "foreign shares" market values may differ. In the absence of trading of the foreign shares in such markets, the Fund values the foreign shares at the closing exchange price of the local shares.

4.  Derivatives: The Fund may, but is not required to, use derivative instruments for a variety of purposes, including hedging, risk management, portfolio management or to earn income. Derivatives are financial instruments whose value is based, in part, on the value of an underlying asset, interest rate, index or financial instrument. Prevailing interest rates and volatility levels, among other things, also affect the value of derivative instruments. A derivative instrument often has risks similar to its underlying asset and may have additional risks, including imperfect correlation between the value of the derivative and the underlying asset, risks of default by the counterparty to certain transactions, magnification of losses incurred due to changes in the market value of the securities, instruments, indices or interest rates to which the derivative instrument relates, risks that the transactions may not be liquid and risks arising from margin requirements. The use of derivatives involves risks that are different from, and possibly greater than, the risks associated with other portfolio investments. Derivatives may involve the use of highly specialized instruments that require investment techniques and risk analyses different from those associated with other portfolio investments. All of the Fund's holdings, including

derivative instruments, are marked-to-market each day with the change in value reflected in unrealized appreciation (depreciation). Upon disposition, a realized gain or loss is recognized.

Certain derivative transactions may give rise to a form of leverage. Leverage magnifies the potential for gain and the risk of loss. Leverage associated with derivative transactions may cause the Fund to liquidate portfolio positions when it may not be advantageous to do so to satisfy its obligations or to meet earmarking or segregation requirements, pursuant to applicable Securities and Exchange Commission ("SEC") rules and regulations, or may cause the Fund to be more volatile than if the Fund had not been leveraged. Although the Adviser seeks to use derivatives to further the Fund's investment objectives, there is no assurance that the use of derivatives will achieve this result.

Following is a description of the derivative instruments and techniques that the Fund used during the period and their associated risks:

Options: With respect to options, the Fund is subject to equity risk, interest rate risk and foreign currency exchange risk in the normal course of pursuing its investment objectives. If the Fund buys an option, it buys a legal contract giving it the right to buy or sell a specific amount of the underlying instrument or foreign currency, or futures contract on the underlying instrument or foreign currency, at an agreed-upon price during a period of time or on a specified date typically in exchange for a premium paid by the Fund. The Fund may purchase and/or sell put and call options. Purchasing call options tends to increase the Fund's exposure to the underlying (or similar) instrument. Purchasing put options tends to decrease the Fund's exposure to the underlying (or similar) instrument. When entering into purchased option contracts, the Fund bears the risk of interest or exchange rates or securities prices moving unexpectedly, in which case, the Fund may not achieve the anticipated benefits of the purchased option contracts; however the risk of loss is limited to the premium paid. Purchased options are reported as part of "Total Investments in Securities" in the Statement of Assets and Liabilities. Premiums paid for purchasing options which expired are treated as realized losses. If the Fund sells an option, it sells to another party the right to buy from or


18



Morgan Stanley Institutional Fund, Inc.

Annual Report — December 31, 2020

Notes to Financial Statements (cont'd)

sell to the Fund a specific amount of the underlying instrument or foreign currency, or futures contract on the underlying instrument or foreign currency, at an agreed-upon price during a period of time or on a specified date typically in exchange for a premium received by the Fund. When options are purchased OTC, the Fund bears the risk that the counterparty that wrote the option will be unable or unwilling to perform its obligations under the option contract. Options may also be illiquid and the Fund may have difficulty closing out its position. A decision as to whether, when and how to use options involves the exercise of skill and judgment and even a well-conceived option transaction may be unsuccessful because of market behavior or unexpected events. The prices of options can be highly volatile and the use of options can lower total returns.

FASB ASC 815, "Derivatives and Hedging" ("ASC 815"), is intended to improve financial reporting about derivative instruments by requiring enhanced disclosures to enable investors to better understand how and why the Fund uses derivative instruments, how these derivative instruments are accounted for and their effects on the Fund's financial position and results of operations.

The following table sets forth the fair value of the Fund's derivative contracts by primary risk exposure as of December 31, 2020:

    Asset Derivatives
Statement of Assets and
Liabilities Location
  Primary Risk
Exposure
  Value
(000)
 
Purchased Options
 
  Investments, at Value
(Purchased Options)
 
Currency Risk
 

$

3

(a)

 

(a) Amounts are included in Investments in Securities in the Statement of Assets and Liabilities.

The following table sets forth by primary risk exposure the Fund's change in unrealized appreciation (depreciation) by type of derivative contract for the period ended December 31, 2020 in accordance with ASC 815:

Change in Unrealized Appreciation (Depreciation)

 

Primary Risk Exposure

 

Derivative Type

  Value
(000)
 

Currency Risk

  Investments
(Purchased Options)
 

$

(8

)(b)

 

(b) Amounts are included in Investments in the Statement of Operations.

At December 31, 2020, the Fund's derivative assets and liabilities are as follows:

Gross Amounts of Assets and Liabilities
Presented in the Statement of Assets and Liabilities
 

Derivatives

  Assets(c)
(000)
  Liabilities(c)
(000)
 

Purchased Options

 

$

3

(a)

 

$

   

(a) Amounts are included in Investments in Securities in the Statement of Assets and Liabilities.

(c) Absent an event of default or early termination, OTC derivative assets and liabilities are presented gross and not offset in the Statement of Assets and Liabilities.

The Fund typically enters into International Swaps and Derivatives Association, Inc. Master Agreements ("ISDA Master Agreements") or similar master agreements (collectively, "Master Agreements") with its contract counterparties for certain OTC derivatives in order to, among other things, reduce its credit risk to counterparties. ISDA Master Agreements include provisions for general obligations, representations, collateral and events of default or termination. Under an ISDA Master Agreement, the Fund typically may offset with the counterparty certain OTC derivative financial instruments' payables and/or receivables with collateral held and/or posted and create one single net payment (close-out netting) in the event of default, termination and/or potential deterioration in the credit quality of the counterparty. Various Master Agreements govern the terms of certain transactions with counterparties, including transactions such as swap, forward, repurchase and reverse repurchase agreements. These Master Agreements typically attempt to reduce the counterparty risk associated with such transactions by specifying credit protection mechanisms and providing standardization that improves legal certainty. Cross-termination provisions under Master Agreements typically provide that a default in connection with one transaction between the Fund and a counterparty gives the non-defaulting party the right to terminate any other transactions in place with the defaulting party to create one single net payment due to/due from the defaulting party and may be a feature in certain Master Agreements. In the event the Fund exercises its right to terminate a Master Agreement after a counterparty experiences a termination event as defined in the Master Agreement, the return of collateral with market value in excess of the Fund's net liability may be delayed or denied.


19



Morgan Stanley Institutional Fund, Inc.

Annual Report — December 31, 2020

Notes to Financial Statements (cont'd)

The following table presents derivative financial instruments that are subject to enforceable netting arrangements as of December 31, 2020:

Gross Amounts Not Offset in the Statement of Assets and Liabilities

 

Counterparty

  Gross Asset
Derivatives
Presented in the
Statement of
Assets and
Liabilities
(000)
  Financial
Instrument
(000)
  Collateral
Received
(000)
  Net Amount
(not less
than $0)
(000)
 

JP Morgan Chase Bank NA

 

$

3

(a)

 

$

   

$

   

$

3

   

(a) Amounts are included in Investments in Securities in the Statement of Assets and Liabilities.

For the period ended December 31, 2020, the approximate average monthly amount outstanding for each derivative type is as follows:

Purchased Options:

 

Average monthly notional amount

   

1,017,000

   

5.  Indemnifications: The Company enters into contracts that contain a variety of indemnifications. The Company's maximum exposure under these arrangements is unknown. However, the Company has not had prior claims or losses pursuant to these contracts and expects the risk of loss to be remote.

6.  Dividends and Distributions to Shareholders: Dividend income and distributions to shareholders are recorded on the ex-dividend date. Dividends from net investment income, if any, are declared and paid annually. Net realized capital gains, if any, are distributed at least annually.

7.  Security Transactions, Income and Expenses: Security transactions are accounted for on the trade date (date the order to buy or sell is executed). Realized gains and losses on the sale of investment securities are determined on the specific identified cost method. Dividend income and other distributions are recorded on the ex-dividend date (except for certain foreign dividends which may be recorded as soon as the Fund is informed of such dividends) net of applicable withholding taxes. Interest income is recognized on the accrual basis except where collection is in doubt. Discounts are accreted and premiums are amortized over the life of the respective securities. Most expenses of the Company can be directly attributed to a particular Fund. Expenses which cannot be directly attributed are apportioned among the Funds based upon relative net assets or other appropriate methods. Income,

expenses (other than class specific expenses — distribution and shareholder services, transfer agency and sub transfer agency fees) and realized and unrealized gains or losses are allocated to each class of shares based upon their relative net assets.

B. Advisory Fees: The Adviser, a wholly-owned subsidiary of Morgan Stanley, provides the Fund with advisory services under the terms of an Investment Advisory Agreement, paid quarterly, at the annual rate based on the daily net assets as follows:

First $1
billion
  Over $1
billion
 
  0.65

%

   

0.60

%

 

For the period ended December 31, 2020, the advisory fee rate (net of waiver/rebate) was equivalent to an annual effective rate of 0.00% of the Fund's average daily net assets.

The Adviser has agreed to reduce its advisory fee and/or reimburse the Fund so that total annual Fund operating expenses, excluding certain investment related expenses, taxes, interest and other extraordinary expenses (including litigation), will not exceed 0.85% for Class I shares, 1.20% for Class A shares, 1.95% for Class C shares and 0.80% for Class IS shares. The fee waivers and/or expense reimbursements will continue for at least one year from the date of the Fund's prospectus or until such time as the Directors act to discontinue all or a portion of such waivers and/or reimbursements when they deem such action is appropriate. For the period ended December 31, 2020, approximately $13,000 of advisory fees were waived and approximately $195,000 of other expenses were reimbursed by the Adviser pursuant to this arrangement.

C. Administration Fees: The Adviser also serves as Administrator to the Company and provides administrative services pursuant to an Administration Agreement for an annual fee, accrued daily and paid monthly, of 0.08% of the Fund's average daily net assets.

Under a Sub-Administration Agreement between the Administrator and State Street Bank and Trust Company ("State Street"), State Street provides certain administrative services to the Company. For such services, the Administrator pays State Street a portion of the fee the Administrator receives from the Fund.

D. Distribution and Shareholder Services Fees: Morgan Stanley Distribution, Inc. ("MSDI" or the "Distributor"), a wholly-owned subsidiary of the Adviser and an indirect subsidiary of Morgan Stanley, serves as the Company's


20



Morgan Stanley Institutional Fund, Inc.

Annual Report — December 31, 2020

Notes to Financial Statements (cont'd)

Distributor of Fund shares pursuant to a Distribution Agreement. The Company has adopted a Shareholder Services Plan with respect to Class A shares pursuant to Rule 12b-1 under the Act. Under the Shareholder Services Plan, the Fund pays the Distributor a shareholder services fee, accrued daily and paid monthly, at an annual rate of 0.25% of the Fund's average daily net assets attributable to Class A shares.

The Company has adopted a Distribution and Shareholder Services Plan with respect to Class C shares pursuant to Rule 12b-1 under the Act. Under the Distribution and Shareholder Services Plan, the Fund pays the Distributor a distribution fee, accrued daily and paid monthly, at an annual rate of 0.75% and a shareholder services fee, accrued daily and paid monthly, at an annual rate of 0.25% of the Fund's average daily net assets attributable to Class C shares.

The distribution and shareholder services fees are used to support the expenses associated with servicing and maintaining accounts. The Distributor may compensate other parties for providing shareholder support services to investors who purchase Class A and Class C shares.

E. Dividend Disbursing and Transfer Agent: The Company's dividend disbursing and transfer agent is DST Asset Manager Solutions, Inc. ("DST"). Pursuant to a Transfer Agency Agreement, the Company pays DST a fee based on the number of classes, accounts and transactions relating to the Funds of the Company.

F. Custodian Fees: State Street (the "Custodian") also serves as Custodian for the Company in accordance with a Custodian Agreement. The Custodian holds cash, securities and other assets of the Company as required by the Act. Custody fees are payable monthly based on assets held in custody, investment purchases and sales activity and account maintenance fees, plus reimbursement for certain out-of-pocket expenses.

G. Security Transactions and Transactions with Affiliates: For the period ended December 31, 2020, purchases and sales of investment securities for the Fund, other than long-term U.S. Government securities and short-term investments were approximately $4,032,000 and $1,834,000, respectively. There were no purchases and sales of long-term U.S. Government securities for the period ended December 31, 2020.

The Fund invests in the Institutional Class of the Morgan Stanley Institutional Liquidity Funds — Treasury Securities Portfolio (the "Liquidity Funds"), an open-end management

investment company managed by the Adviser. Advisory fees paid by the Fund are reduced by an amount equal to its pro-rata share of the advisory and administration fees paid by the Liquidity Funds. For the period ended December 31, 2020, advisory fees paid were reduced by less than $500 relating to the Fund's investment in the Liquidity Funds.

A summary of the Fund's transactions in shares of affiliated investments during the period ended December 31, 2020 is as follows:

Affiliated
Investment
Company
  Value
March 31,
2020
(000)
  Purchases
at Cost
(000)
  Proceeds
from Sales
(000)
  Dividend
Income
(000)
 

Liquidity Funds

 

$

   

$

3,013

   

$

2,915

   

$

@

 
Affiliated
Investment
Company (cont'd)
  Realized
Gain
(Loss)
(000)
  Change in
Unrealized
Appreciation
(Depreciation)
(000)
  Value
December 31,
2020
(000)
 

Liquidity Funds

 

$

   

$

   

$

98

   

@ Amount is less than $500.

The Fund is permitted to purchase and sell securities ("cross-trade") from and to other Morgan Stanley funds as well as other funds and client accounts for which the Adviser or an affiliate of the Adviser serves as investment adviser, pursuant to procedures approved by the Directors in compliance with Rule 17a-7 under the Act (the "Rule"). Each cross-trade is executed at the current market price in compliance with provisions of the Rule. For the period ended December 31, 2020, the Fund did not engage in any cross-trade transactions.

The Fund has an unfunded Deferred Compensation Plan (the "Compensation Plan"), which allows each independent Director to defer payment of all, or a portion, of the fees he or she receives for serving on the Board of Directors. Each eligible Director generally may elect to have the deferred amounts credited with a return equal to the total return on one or more of the Morgan Stanley funds that are offered as investment options under the Compensation Plan. Appreciation/depreciation and distributions received from these investments are recorded with an offsetting increase/decrease in the deferred compensation obligation and do not affect the NAV of the Fund.

H. Federal Income Taxes: It is the Fund's intention to continue to qualify as a regulated investment company and distribute all of its taxable and tax-exempt income. Accordingly, no provision for federal income taxes is required in the financial statements.


21



Morgan Stanley Institutional Fund, Inc.

Annual Report — December 31, 2020

Notes to Financial Statements (cont'd)

The Fund may be subject to taxes imposed by countries in which it invests. Such taxes are generally based on income and/or capital gains earned or repatriated. Taxes are accrued based on net investment income, net realized gains and net unrealized appreciation as such income and/or gains are earned. Taxes may also be based on transactions in foreign currency and are accrued based on the value of investments denominated in such currency.

FASB ASC 740-10, "Income Taxes — Overall", sets forth a minimum threshold for financial statement recognition of the benefit of a tax position taken or expected to be taken in a tax return. Management has concluded there are no significant uncertain tax positions that would require recognition in the financial statements. If applicable, the Fund recognizes interest accrued related to unrecognized tax benefits in "Interest Expense" and penalties in "Other Expenses" in the Statement of Operations. The Fund files tax returns with the U.S. Internal Revenue Service, New York and various states. The tax year ended December 31, 2020 remains subject to examination by taxing authorities.

The tax character of distributions paid may differ from the character of distributions shown for GAAP purposes due to short-term capital gains being treated as ordinary income for tax purposes. The tax character of distributions paid during fiscal year 2020 was as follows:

  2020
Distributions
Paid From:
 

  Ordinary
Income
(000)
 
       

$

184

   

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 attributable to differing book and tax treatments for the timing of the recognition of gains (losses) on certain investment transactions and the timing of the deductibility of certain expenses.

Permanent differences, primarily due to a nondeductible expense, resulted in the following reclassifications among the components of net assets at December 31, 2020:

Total
Distributable
Earnings
(000)
  Paid-in
Capital
(000)
 
$

@

 

$

(—

@)

 

@ Amount is less than $500

At December 31, 2020, the components of distributable earnings for the Fund on a tax basis were as follows:

Undistributed
Ordinary
Income
(000)
  Undistributed
Long-Term
Capital Gain
(000)
 
$

188

   

$

   

I. Credit Facility: The Company and other Morgan Stanley funds participated in a $300,000,000 committed, unsecured revolving line of credit facility (the "Facility") with State Street. This Facility is to be used for temporary emergency purposes or funding of shareholder redemption requests. The interest rate on borrowings is based on the federal funds rate or 1 month LIBOR rate plus a spread. The Facility also has a commitment fee of 0.25% per annum based on the unused portion of the Facility. During the period ended December 31, 2020, the Fund did not have any borrowings under the Facility.

J. Other: At December 31, 2020, the Fund had record owners of 10% or greater. Investment activities of these shareholders could have a material impact on the Fund. The aggregate percentage of such owners was 45.2%.

K. Market Risk: Certain impacts to public health conditions particular to the coronavirus (COVID-19) outbreak could impact the operations and financial performance of certain of the Fund's investments. The extent of the impact to the financial performance of the Fund's investments will depend on future developments, including (i) the duration and spread of the outbreak, (ii) the restrictions and advisories, (iii) the effects on the financial markets, and (iv) the effects on the economy overall, all of which are highly uncertain and cannot be predicted. If the financial performance of the Fund's investments is impacted because of these factors for an extended period, the Fund's investment results may be adversely affected.


22



Morgan Stanley Institutional Fund, Inc.

Annual Report — December 31, 2020

Report of Independent Registered Public Accounting Firm

To the Shareholders and Board of Directors of
Morgan Stanley Institutional Fund, Inc. — Permanence Portfolio

Opinion on the Financial Statements

We have audited the accompanying statement of assets and liabilities of the Permanence Portfolio (the "Fund") (one of the funds constituting Morgan Stanley Institutional Fund, Inc. (the "Company")), including the portfolio of investments, as of December 31, 2020, and the related statements of operations and changes in net assets and the financial highlights for the period from March 31, 2020 (commencement of operations) through December 31, 2020 and the related notes (collectively referred to as the "financial statements"). In our opinion, the financial statements present fairly, in all material respects, the financial position of the Permanence Portfolio (one of the funds constituting Morgan Stanley Institutional Fund, Inc.) at December 31, 2020, and the results of its operations, the changes in its net assets and its financial highlights for the period from March 31, 2020 (commencement of operations) through December 31, 2020, in conformity with U.S. generally accepted accounting principles.

Basis for Opinion

These financial statements are the responsibility of the Company's management. Our responsibility is to express an opinion on the Fund's financial statements based on our audits. We are a public accounting firm registered with the Public Company Accounting Oversight Board (United States) ("PCAOB") and are required to be independent with respect to the Company in accordance with the U.S. federal securities law and the applicable rules and regulations of the Securities and Exchange Commission and the PCAOB.

We conducted our audits in accordance with the standards of the PCAOB. Those standards require that we plan and perform the audit to obtain reasonable assurance about whether the financial statements are free of material misstatement, whether due to error or fraud. The Company is not required to have, nor were we engaged to perform, an audit of the Company's internal control over financial reporting. As part of our audits, we are required to obtain an understanding of internal control over financial reporting, but not for the purpose of expressing an opinion on the effectiveness of the Company's internal control over financial reporting. Accordingly, we express no such opinion.

Our audits included performing procedures to assess the risks of material misstatement of the financial statements, whether due to error or fraud, and performing procedures that respond to those risks. Such procedures included examining, on a test basis, evidence regarding the amounts and disclosures in the financial statements. Our procedures included confirmation of securities owned as of December 31, 2020 by correspondence with the custodian and others. Our audits also included evaluating the accounting principles used and significant estimates made by management, as well as evaluating the overall presentation of the financial statements. We believe that our audits provide a reasonable basis for our opinion.

We have served as the auditor of one or more Morgan Stanley investment companies since 2000.
Boston, Massachusetts
February 26, 2021


23



Morgan Stanley Institutional Fund, Inc.

Annual Report — December 31, 2020

Liquidity Risk Management Program (unaudited)

In compliance with Rule 22e-4 under the Investment Company Act of 1940, as amended (the "Liquidity Rule"), the Fund has adopted and implemented a liquidity risk management program (the "Program"), which is reasonably designed to assess and manage the risk that the Fund could not meet requests to redeem shares issued by the Fund without significant dilution of remaining investors' interests in the Fund (i.e., liquidity risk). The Fund's Board of Directors (the "Board") previously approved the designation of the Liquidity Risk Subcommittee (the "LRS") as Program administrator. The LRS is comprised of representatives from various divisions within Morgan Stanley Investment Management.

At a meeting held on April 22-23, 2020, the Board reviewed a written report prepared by the LRS that addressed the Program's operation and assessed its adequacy, and effectiveness of implementation for the period from December 1, 2018, through December 31, 2019, as required under the Liquidity Rule. The report concluded that the Program operated effectively and was adequately and effectively implemented in all material aspects, and that the relevant controls and safeguards were appropriately designed to enable the LRS to administer the Program in compliance with the Liquidity Rule.

In accordance with the Program, the LRS assessed each Fund's liquidity risk no less frequently than annually taking into consideration certain factors, as applicable, such as (i) investment strategy and liquidity of portfolio investments, (ii) short-term and long-term cash flow projections and (iii) holdings of cash and cash equivalents and borrowing arrangements and other funding sources. Certain factors are considered under both normal and reasonably foreseeable stressed conditions.

Each Fund portfolio investment is classified into one of four liquidity categories, which classification is assessed at least monthly by the LRS. The classification is based on a determination of the number of days it is reasonably expected to take to convert the investment into cash, or sell or dispose of the investment, in current market conditions without significantly changing the market value of the investment. Liquidity classification determinations take into account various market, trading and investment-specific considerations, as well as market depth, and in some cases utilize third-party vendor data.

The Liquidity Rule limits a fund's investments in illiquid investments to 15% of its net assets and requires funds that do not primarily hold assets that are highly liquid investments to determine and maintain a minimum percentage of the fund's net assets to be invested in highly liquid investments (highly liquid investment minimum or "HLIM"). The LRS believes that the Program includes provisions reasonably designed to review, monitor and comply with the 15% limit on illiquid investments and for determining, periodically reviewing and complying with the HLIM requirement, as applicable.

There can be no assurance that the Program will achieve its objectives under all circumstances in the future. Please refer to the Fund's prospectus for more information regarding the Fund's exposure to liquidity risk and other risks to which it may be subject.


24



Morgan Stanley Institutional Fund, Inc.

Annual Report — December 31, 2020

Federal Tax Notice (unaudited)

For federal income tax purposes, the following information is furnished with respect to the distributions paid by the Fund during its taxable year ended December 31, 2020. For corporate shareholders, 3.94% of the dividends qualified for the dividends received deduction.

For federal income tax purposes, the following information is furnished with respect to the Fund's earnings for its taxable year ended December 31, 2020. When distributed, certain earnings may be subject to a maximum tax rate of 15% as provided for by the Jobs and Growth Tax Relief Reconciliation Act of 2003. The Fund designated up to a maximum of approximately $8,000 as taxable at this lower rate.

In January, the Fund provides tax information to shareholders for the preceding calendar year.


25



Morgan Stanley Institutional Fund, Inc.

Annual Report — December 31, 2020

Privacy Notice (unaudited)  April 2019

FACTS

 

WHAT DOES MSIM DO WITH YOUR PERSONAL INFORMATION?

 

Why?

 

Financial companies choose how they share your personal information. Federal law gives consumers the right to limit some but not all sharing. Federal law also requires us to tell you how we collect, share, and protect your personal information. Please read this notice carefully to understand what we do.

 

What?

  The types of personal information we collect and share depend on the product or service you have with us. This information can include:
n Social Security number and income
n investment experience and risk tolerance
n checking account number and wire transfer instructions
 

How?

 

All financial companies need to share customers' personal information to run their everyday business. In the section below, we list the reasons financial companies can share their customers' personal information; the reasons MSIM chooses to share; and whether you can limit this sharing.

 

 

Reasons we can share your personal information

 

Does MSIM share?

 

Can you limit this sharing?

 
For our everyday business purposes —
such as to process your transactions, maintain your account(s), respond to court orders and legal investigations, or report to credit bureaus
 

Yes

 

No

 
For our marketing purposes —
to offer our products and services to you
 

Yes

 

No

 

For joint marketing with other financial companies

 

No

 

We don't share

 
For our affiliates' everyday business purposes —
information about your transactions and experiences
 

Yes

 

No

 
For our affiliates' everyday business purposes —
information about your creditworthiness
 

No

 

We don't share

 

For our affiliates to market to you

 

No

 

We don't share

 

For non-affiliates to market to you

 

No

 

We don't share

 

Questions?  Call toll-free (844) 312-6327 or email: imprivacyinquiries@morganstanley.com


26



Morgan Stanley Institutional Fund, Inc.

Annual Report — December 31, 2020

Privacy Notice (unaudited) (cont'd)  April 2019

Who we are

Who is providing this notice?

 

Morgan Stanley Investment Management, Inc. and its affiliated registered investment advisers, registered broker-dealers, and registered and unregistered funds ("MSIM")

 

What we do

How does MSIM protect my personal information?

 

To protect your personal information from unauthorized access and use, we use security measures that comply with federal law. These measures include computer safeguards and secured files and buildings. We have policies governing the proper handling of customer information by personnel and requiring third parties that provide support to adhere to appropriate security standards with respect to such information.

 

How does MSIM collect my personal information?

  We collect your personal information, for example, when you
n open an account or make deposits or withdrawals from your account
n buy securities from us or make a wire transfer
n give us your contact information
We also collect your personal information from others, such as credit bureaus, affiliates, or other companies.
 

Why can't I limit all sharing?

  Federal law gives you the right to limit only
n sharing for affiliates' everyday business purposes — information about your creditworthiness
n affiliates from using your information to market to you
n sharing for non-affiliates to market to you
State laws and individual companies may give you additional rights to limit sharing. See below for more on your rights under state law.
 

Definitions

Affiliates

  Companies related by common ownership or control. They can be financial and non-financial companies.
n Our affiliates include companies with a Morgan Stanley name and financial companies such as Morgan Stanley Smith Barney LLC and Morgan Stanley & Co.
 

Non-affiliates

  Companies not related by common ownership or control. They can be financial and non-financial companies.
n MSIM does not share with non-affiliates so they can market to you.
 

Joint marketing

  A formal agreement between non-affiliated financial companies that together market financial products or services to you.
n MSIM doesn't jointly market
 


27



Morgan Stanley Institutional Fund, Inc.

Annual Report — December 31, 2020

Privacy Notice (unaudited) (cont'd)  April 2019

Other important information

Vermont: Except as permitted by law, we will not share personal information we collect about Vermont residents with Non-affiliates unless you provide us with your written consent to share such information.

California: Except as permitted by law, we will not share personal information we collect about California residents with Non-affiliates and we will limit sharing such personal information with our Affiliates to comply with California privacy laws that apply to us.


28



Morgan Stanley Institutional Fund, Inc.

Annual Report — December 31, 2020

Director and Officer Information (unaudited)

Independent Directors:

Name, Address and Birth
Year of Independent Director
  Position(s)
Held with
Registrant
  Length of Time
Served*
  Principal Occupation(s) During Past 5 Years and Other
Relevant Professional Experience
  Number of
Funds
in Fund Complex
Overseen by
Independent
Director**
  Other Directorships
Held by Independent
Director***
 
Frank L. Bowman
c/o Perkins Coie LLP
Counsel to the Independent Directors
1155 Avenue of the Americas,
22nd Floor
New York, NY 10036
Birth Year: 1944
 

Director

 

Since August 2006

 

President, Strategic Decisions, LLC (consulting) (since February 2009); Director or Trustee of various Morgan Stanley Funds (since August 2006); Chairperson of the Compliance and Insurance Committee (since October 2015); formerly, Chairperson of the Insurance Sub-Committee of the Compliance and Insurance Committee (2007-2015); served as President and Chief Executive Officer of the Nuclear Energy Institute (policy organization) (February 2005-November 2008); retired as Admiral, U.S. Navy after serving over 38 years on active duty including 8 years as Director of the Naval Nuclear Propulsion Program in the Department of the Navy and the U.S. Department of Energy (1996-2004); served as Chief of Naval Personnel (July 1994-September 1996) and on the Joint Staff as Director of Political Military Affairs (June 1992-July 1994); knighted as Honorary Knight Commander of the Most Excellent Order of the British Empire; awarded the Officier de l'Orde National du Mérite by the French Government; elected to the National Academy of Engineering (2009).

 

79

 

Director of Naval and Nuclear Technologies LLP; Director Emeritus of the Armed Services YMCA; Member of the National Security Advisory Council of the Center for U.S. Global Engagement and a member of the CNA Military Advisory Board; Trustee of Fairhaven United Methodist Church; Member of the Board of Advisors of the Dolphin Scholarship Foundation; Director of other various non-profit organizations; formerly, Director of BP plc (November 2010-May 2019).

 
Kathleen A. Dennis
c/o Perkins Coie LLP
Counsel to the Independent Directors
1155 Avenue of the Americas,
22nd Floor
New York, NY 10036
Birth Year: 1953
 

Director

 

Since August 2006

 

Chairperson of the Governance Committee (January 2021), Chairperson of the Liquidity and Alternatives Sub-Committee of the Investment Committee (2006-2020); and Director or Trustee of various Morgan Stanley Funds (since August 2006); President, Cedarwood Associates (mutual fund and investment management consulting) (since July 2006); formerly, Senior Managing Director of Victory Capital Management (1993-2006).

 

79

 

Board Member, University of Albany Foundation (2012-present); Board Member, Mutual Funds Directors Forum (2014-present); Director of various non-profit organizations.

 
Nancy C. Everett
c/o Perkins Coie LLP
Counsel to the Independent Directors
1155 Avenue of the Americas,
22nd Floor
New York, NY 10036
Birth Year: 1955
 

Director

 

Since January 2015

 

Chairperson of the Equity Investment Committee (since January 2021); Director or Trustee of various Morgan Stanley Funds (since January 2015); Chief Executive Officer, Virginia Commonwealth University Investment Company (since November 2015); Owner, OBIR, LLC (institutional investment management consulting) (since June 2014); formerly, Managing Director, BlackRock, Inc. (February 2011-December 2013); and Chief Executive Officer, General Motors Asset Management (a/k/a Promark Global Advisors, Inc.) (June 2005-May 2010).

 

80

 

Formerly, Member of Virginia Commonwealth University School of Business Foundation (2005-2016); Member of Virginia Commonwealth University Board of Visitors (2013-2015); Member of Committee on Directors for Emerging Markets Growth Fund, Inc. (2007-2010); Chairperson of Performance Equity Management, LLC (2006-2010); and Chairperson, GMAM Absolute Return Strategies Fund, LLC (2006-2010).

 


29



Morgan Stanley Institutional Fund, Inc.

Annual Report — December 31, 2020

Director and Officer Information (unaudited) (cont'd)

Independent Directors (cont'd):

Name, Address and Birth
Year of Independent Director
  Position(s)
Held with
Registrant
  Length of Time
Served*
  Principal Occupation(s) During Past 5 Years and Other
Relevant Professional Experience
  Number of
Funds
in Fund Complex
Overseen by
Independent
Director**
  Other Directorships
Held by Independent
Director***
 
Jakki L. Haussler
c/o Perkins Coie LLP
Counsel to the Independent Directors
1155 Avenue of the Americas,
22nd Floor
New York, NY 10036
Birth Year: 1957
 

Director

 

Since January 2015

 

Director or Trustee of various Morgan Stanley Funds (since January 2015) Chairman, Opus Capital Group (1996); formerly, Chief Executive Officer, Opus Capital Group (1996-2019); Director, Capvest Venture Fund, LP (May 2000-December 2011); Partner, Adena Ventures, LP (July 1999-December 2010); Director, The Victory Funds (February 2005-July 2008).

 

80

 

Director of Cincinnati Bell Inc. and Member, Audit Committee and Chairman, Governance and Nominating Committee; Director of Service Corporation International and Member, Audit Committee and Investment Committee; Director of Northern Kentucky University Foundation and Member, Investment Committee; Member of Chase College of Law Transactional Law Practice Center Board of Advisors; Director of Best Transport; Director of Chase College of Law Board of Visitors; formerly, Member, University of Cincinnati Foundation Investment Committee; Member, Miami University Board of Visitors (2008-2011); Trustee of Victory Funds (2005-2008) and Chairman, Investment Committee (2007-2008); and Member, Service Provider Committee (2005-2008).

 
Dr. Manuel H. Johnson
c/o Johnson Smick International, Inc.
220 I Street, NE — Suite 200
Washington, D.C. 20002
Birth Year: 1949
 

Director

 

Since July 1991

 

Senior Partner, Johnson Smick International, Inc. (consulting firm); Chairperson of the Fixed Income, Liquidity and Alternatives Investment Committee (January 2021), Chairperson of the Investment Committee (2006-2020) and Director or Trustee of various Morgan Stanley Funds (since July 1991); Co-Chairman and a founder of the Group of Seven Council (G7C) (international economic commission); formerly, Chairperson of the Audit Committee (July 1991-September 2006), Vice Chairman of the Board of Governors of the Federal Reserve System and Assistant Secretary of the U.S. Treasury.

 

79

 

Director of NVR, Inc. (home construction).

 


30



Morgan Stanley Institutional Fund, Inc.

Annual Report — December 31, 2020

Director and Officer Information (unaudited) (cont'd)

Independent Directors (cont'd):

Name, Address and Birth
Year of Independent Director
  Position(s)
Held with
Registrant
  Length of Time
Served*
  Principal Occupation(s) During Past 5 Years and Other
Relevant Professional Experience
  Number of
Funds
in Fund Complex
Overseen by
Independent
Director**
  Other Directorships
Held by Independent
Director***
 
Joseph J. Kearns
c/o Perkins Coie LLP
Counsel to the Independent Directors
1155 Avenue of the Americas,
22nd Floor
New York, NY 10036
Birth Year: 1942
 

Director

 

Since August 1994

 

Senior Adviser, Kearns & Associates LLC (investment consulting); Chairperson of the Audit Committee (since October 2006) and Director or Trustee of various Morgan Stanley Funds (since August 1994); formerly, Deputy Chairperson of the Audit Committee (July 2003-September 2006) and Chairperson of the Audit Committee of various Morgan Stanley Funds (since August 1994); CFO of the J. Paul Getty Trust (1982-1999).

 

80

 

Director, Rubicon Investment (since February 2019); Prior to August 2016, Director of Electro Rent Corporation (equipment leasing); Prior to December 31, 2013, Director of The Ford Family Foundation.

 
Michael F. Klein
c/o Perkins Coie LLP
Counsel to the Independent Directors
1155 Avenue of the Americas,
22nd Floor
New York, NY 10036
Birth Year: 1958
 

Director

 

Since August 2006

 

Chairperson of the Risk Committee (since January 2021); Managing Director, Aetos Alternatives Management, LP (since March 2000); Co-President, Aetos Alternatives Management, LP (since January 2004) and Co-Chief Executive Officer of Aetos Alternatives Management, LP (since August 2013); Chairperson of the fixed Income Sub-Committee of the Investment committee (2006-2020) and Director or Trustee of various Morgan Stanley Funds (since August 2006); formerly, Managing Director, Morgan Stanley & Co. Inc. and Morgan Stanley Dean Witter Investment Management and President, various Morgan Stanley Funds (June 1998-March 2000); Principal, Morgan Stanley & Co. Inc. and Morgan Stanley Dean Witter Investment Management (August 1997-December 1999).

 

79

 

Director of certain investment funds managed or sponsored by Aetos Alternatives Management, LP; Director of Sanitized AG and Sanitized Marketing AG (specialty chemicals).

 
Patricia Maleski
c/o Perkins Coie LLP
Counsel to the Independent Directors
1155 Avenue of the Americas,
22nd Floor
New York, NY 10036
Birth Year: 1960
 

Director

 

Since January 2017

 

Director or Trustee of various Morgan Stanley Funds (since January 2017); Managing Director, JPMorgan Asset Management (2004-2016); Oversight and Control Head of Fiduciary and Conflicts of Interest Program (2015-2016); Chief Control Officer-Global Asset Management (2013-2015); President, JPMorgan Funds (2010-2013); Chief Administrative Officer (2004-2013); various other positions including Treasurer and Board Liaison (since 2001).

 

80

 

None.

 
W. Allen Reed
c/o Perkins Coie LLP
Counsel to the Independent Directors
1155 Avenue of the Americas,
22nd Floor
New York, NY 10036
Birth Year: 1947
 

Chair of the Board and Director

 

Chair of the Boards since August 2020 and Director since August 2006

 

Chair of the Boards of various Morgan Stanley Funds (since August 2020); Director or Trustee of various Morgan Stanley Funds (since August 2006); formerly, Vice Chair of the Boards of various Morgan Stanley Funds (January 2020-August 2020); President and Chief Executive Officer of General Motors Asset Management; Chairman and Chief Executive Officer of the GM Trust Bank and Corporate Vice President of General Motors Corporation (August 1994-December 2005).

 

79

 

Formerly, Director of Legg Mason, Inc. (2006-2019); and Director of the Auburn University Foundation (2010-2015).

 

*  This is the earliest date the Director began serving the Morgan Stanley Funds. Each Director serves an indefinite term, until his or her successor is elected.

**  The Fund Complex includes (as of December 31, 2020) all open-end and closed-end funds (including all of their portfolios) advised by Morgan Stanley Investment Management Inc. (the "Adviser") and any funds that have an adviser that is an affiliated person of the Adviser (including, but not limited to, Morgan Stanley AIP GP LP).

***  This includes any directorships at public companies and registered investment companies held by the Director at any time during the past five years.


31



Morgan Stanley Institutional Fund, Inc.

Annual Report — December 31, 2020

Director and Officer Information (unaudited) (cont'd)

Executive Officers:

Name, Address and
Birth Year of Executive Officer
  Position(s) Held
with
Registrant
  Length of
Time Served*
 

Principal Occupation(s) During Past 5 Years

 
John H. Gernon
522 Fifth Avenue
New York, NY 10036
Birth Year: 1963
 

President and Principal Executive Officer

 

Since September 2013

 

President and Principal Executive Officer of the Equity and Fixed Income Funds and the Morgan Stanley AIP Funds (since September 2013) and the Liquidity Funds and various money market funds (since May 2014) in the Fund Complex; Managing Director of the Adviser; Head of Public Markets Product Development (since 2006).

 
Timothy J. Knierim
1633 Broadway
New York, NY 10019
Birth Year: 1959
 

Chief Compliance Officer

 

Since December 2016

 

Managing Director of the Adviser and various entities affiliated with the Adviser; Chief Compliance Officer of various Morgan Stanley Funds and the Adviser (since December 2016) and Chief Compliance Officer of Morgan Stanley AIP GP LP (since 2014). Formerly, Managing Director and Deputy Chief Compliance Officer of the Adviser (2014-2016).

 
Francis J. Smith
522 Fifth Avenue
New York, NY 10036
Birth Year: 1965
 

Treasurer and Principal Financial Officer

 

Treasurer since July 2003 and Principal Financial Officer since September 2002

 

Managing Director of the Adviser and various entities affiliated with the Adviser; Treasurer (since July 2003) and Principal Financial Officer of various Morgan Stanley Funds (since September 2002).

 
Mary E. Mullin
1633 Broadway
New York, NY 10019
Birth Year: 1967
 

Secretary

 

Since June 1999

 

Managing Director of the Adviser; Secretary of various Morgan Stanley Funds (since June 1999).

 
Michael J. Key
522 Fifth Avenue
New York, NY 10036
Birth Year: 1979
 

Vice President

 

Since June 2017

 

Vice President of the Equity and Fixed Income Funds, Liquidity Funds, various money market funds and the Morgan Stanley AIP Funds in the Fund Complex (since June 2017); Executive Director of the Adviser; Head of Product Development for Equity and Fixed Income Funds (since August 2013).

 

*  This is the earliest date the officer began serving the Morgan Stanley Funds. Each officer serves a one-year term, until his or her successor is elected and qualifies.


32



Morgan Stanley Institutional Fund, Inc.

Annual Report — December 31, 2020

Adviser and Administrator

Morgan Stanley Investment Management Inc.
522 Fifth Avenue
New York, New York 10036

Distributor

Morgan Stanley Distribution, Inc.
522 Fifth Avenue
New York, New York 10036

Dividend Disbursing and Transfer Agent

DST Asset Manager Solutions, Inc.
2000 Crown Colony Drive
Quincy, Massachusetts 02169

Custodian

State Street Bank and Trust Company
One Lincoln Street
Boston, Massachusetts 02111

Legal Counsel

Dechert LLP
1095 Avenue of the Americas
New York, New York 10036

Counsel to the Independent Directors

Perkins Coie LLP
1155 Avenue of the Americas,
22nd Floor
New York, New York 10036

Independent Registered Public Accounting Firm

Ernst & Young LLP
200 Clarendon Street
Boston, Massachusetts 02116

Reporting to Shareholders

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This report is authorized for distribution only when preceded or accompanied by a prospectus or summary prospectus of the applicable fund of Morgan Stanley Institutional Fund, Inc., which describes in detail the fund's investment policies, risks, fees and expenses. Please read the prospectus carefully before you invest or send money. For additional information, including information regarding the investments comprising the Fund, please visit our website at www.morganstanley.com/im/shareholderreports or call toll free 1 (800) 548-7786.


33



Printed in U.S.A.
This Report has been prepared for shareholders and may be distributed to others only if preceded or accompanied by a current prospectus.

Morgan Stanley Investment Management Inc.
522 Fifth Avenue
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© 2021 Morgan Stanley. Morgan Stanley Distribution, Inc.

IFIPERMANN
3390161 EXP 02.28.22



INVESTMENT MANAGEMENT

Morgan Stanley Institutional Fund, Inc.

Real Assets Portfolio

Annual Report

December 31, 2020



Morgan Stanley Institutional Fund, Inc.

Annual Report — December 31, 2020

Table of Contents

Shareholders' Letter

   

2

   

Expense Example

   

3

   

Investment Overview

   

4

   

Portfolio of Investments

   

8

   

Statement of Assets and Liabilities

   

12

   

Statement of Operations

   

14

   

Statements of Changes in Net Assets

   

15

   

Financial Highlights

   

16

   

Notes to Financial Statements

   

20

   

Report of Independent Registered Public Accounting Firm

   

29

   

Liquidity Risk Management Program

   

30

   

Federal Tax Notice

   

31

   

Privacy Notice

   

32

   

Director and Officer Information

   

35

   

This report is authorized for distribution only when preceded or accompanied by a prospectus or summary prospectus of the applicable Fund of Morgan Stanley Institutional Fund, Inc. To receive a prospectus and/or statement of additional information ("SAI"), which contains more complete information such as investment objectives, charges, expenses, policies for voting proxies, risk considerations and describes in detail each of the Fund's investment policies to the prospective investor, please call toll free 1 (800) 548-7786. Please read the prospectuses carefully before you invest or send money.

Additionally, you can access information about the Fund, including performance, characteristics and investment team commentary, through Morgan Stanley Investment Management's website: www.morganstanley.com/im/shareholderreports.

Market forecasts provided in this report may not necessarily come to pass. There is no guarantee that any sectors mentioned will continue to perform as discussed herein or that securities in such sectors will be held by the Fund in the future. There is no assurance that a fund will achieve its investment objective. Funds are subject to market risk, which is the possibility that market values of securities owned by the Fund will decline and, therefore, the value of the Fund's shares may be less than what you paid for them. Accordingly, you can lose money investing in this Fund. Please see the prospectus for more complete information on investment risks.


1



Morgan Stanley Institutional Fund, Inc.

Annual Report — December 31, 2020

Shareholders' Letter (unaudited)

Dear Shareholders,

We are pleased to provide this Annual Report, in which you will learn how your investment in Real Assets Portfolio (the "Fund") performed during the latest twelve-month period.

Morgan Stanley Investment Management is a client-centric, investor-led organization. Our global presence, intellectual capital, and breadth of products and services enable us to partner with investors to meet the evolving challenges of today's financial markets. We aim to deliver superior investment service and to empower our clients to make the informed decisions that help them reach their investment goals.

As always, we thank you for selecting Morgan Stanley Investment Management, and look forward to working with you in the months and years ahead.

Sincerely,

John H. Gernon
President and Principal Executive Officer

January 2021


2



Morgan Stanley Institutional Fund, Inc.

Annual Report — December 31, 2020

Expense Example (unaudited)

Real Assets Portfolio

As a shareholder of the Fund, you incur two types of costs: (1) transactional costs; and (2) ongoing costs, which may include advisory fees, administration fees, distribution and shareholder services fees and other Fund expenses. This example is intended to help you understand your ongoing costs (in dollars) of investing in the Fund and to compare these costs with the ongoing costs of investing in other mutual funds.

This example is based on an investment of $1,000 invested at the beginning of the six-month period ended December 31, 2020 and held for the entire six-month period.

Actual Expenses

The table below provides information about actual account values and actual expenses. You may use the information in this table, 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 table under the heading entitled "Actual Expenses Paid During Period" to estimate the expenses you paid on your account during this period.

Hypothetical Example for Comparison Purposes

The table below provides information about hypothetical account values and hypothetical expenses based on the Fund's actual expense ratio and an assumed rate of return of 5% per year before expenses, which is not the Fund's actual return. The hypothetical account values and expenses may not be used to estimate the actual ending account balance or expenses you paid for the period. You may use this information to compare the ongoing costs of investing in the Fund and other funds. To do so, compare this 5% hypothetical example with the 5% hypothetical examples that appear in the shareholder reports of the other funds.

Please note that the expenses shown in the table are meant to highlight your ongoing costs only and do not reflect any transactional costs, such as sales charges (loads). Therefore, the information for each class in the table is useful in comparing ongoing costs only, and will not help you determine the relative total costs of owning different funds. In addition, if these transactional costs were included, your costs would have been higher.

    Beginning
Account
Value
7/1/20
  Actual Ending
Account
Value
12/31/20
  Hypothetical
Ending Account
Value
  Actual
Expenses
Paid
During
Period*
  Hypothetical
Expenses Paid
During Period*
  Net
Expense
Ratio
During
Period**
 

Real Assets Portfolio Class I

 

$

1,000.00

   

$

1,126.40

   

$

1,021.32

   

$

4.06

   

$

3.86

     

0.76

%

 

Real Assets Portfolio Class A

   

1,000.00

     

1,125.40

     

1,019.46

     

6.04

     

5.74

     

1.13

   

Real Assets Portfolio Class C

   

1,000.00

     

1,120.40

     

1,015.74

     

9.97

     

9.48

     

1.87

   

Real Assets Portfolio Class IS

   

1,000.00

     

1,126.70

     

1,021.52

     

3.85

     

3.66

     

0.72

   

*  Expenses are calculated using each Fund Class' annualized net expense ratio (as disclosed), multiplied by the average account value over the period and multiplied by 184/366 (to reflect the most recent one-half year period).

**  Annualized.


3



Morgan Stanley Institutional Fund, Inc.

Annual Report — December 31, 2020

Investment Overview (unaudited)

Real Assets Portfolio

The Fund seeks total return, targeted to be in excess of inflation, through capital appreciation and current income.

Performance

For the fiscal year ended December 31, 2020, the Fund's Class I shares had a total return based on net asset value and reinvestment of distributions per share of 0.39%, net of fees. The Fund's Class I shares underperformed the Fund's benchmark, the MSCI World Net Index (the "Index"), which returned 15.90%, and underperformed the MSIF Real Assets Benchmark Blend Index, which returned 2.88%.

Factors Affecting Performance

•  Global asset markets had a roller coaster ride in 2020. Earlier in the year, equities dropped dramatically as the pandemic significantly disrupted the economy. Thanks to a combination of unprecedented monetary and fiscal policies, the market began to rally since March 2020. The leadership within the market for most of the year carried defensive undertones across style, sector and regional performance. The easy financial conditions also led to a very strong fixed income market, with interest rates falling and credit spreads largely falling back to pre-pandemic levels. Within commodities, precious metals outperformed due to demand for relative safe-haven assets and lower real yields. Energy prices suffered from the lockdown and restrictions in travels.

•  Global real estate securities declined 9.0% (as represented by the FTSE EPRA Nareit Developed Real Estate Net Total Return Index) for the full year as the impacts of COVID-19 and the widespread economic and social shutdowns experienced worldwide disproportionately impacted fundamentals for the property sector. After a sharp decline in the first quarter of 2020 following the initial outbreak and spread of COVID-19, the sector posted gains for the remainder of the year, as markets responded positively to fiscal and monetary stimulus policies. Importantly, real estate posted strong gains in the fourth quarter of 2020, after a strong rally in November on news that the Pfizer-BioNTech and Moderna vaccines were over 90% effective in preventing COVID-19. The largest declines for the year from a sector perspective were experienced in the retail, hotel and office property sectors. Retail real estate experienced a pullback for

the year given the direct impact social distancing and quarantining measures have had on earnings. The temporary closure of a significant faction of retail real estate impaired cash rent collections. Additionally, the strain that the pandemic has placed on retail tenants has called into question the solvency of such tenants going forward, leading to greater uncertainty in cash flow projections for retail landlords. Global offices also underperformed, as growing uncertainty regarding the potential structural impact of the work-from-home theme impacted the sector. Additionally, despite low utilization of office space in much of the U.S. and Europe, it is noteworthy that in Northern Asia, where the health crisis is currently deemed to be more under control, the labor force has mostly returned to the workplace and the office market is not facing as intense scrutiny with regard to the structural impact from the work-from-home theme. U.S. hotel stocks underperformed due to a significant decline in demand stemming from a pullback in both business and leisure travel as a result of the pandemic.

•  Overall for 2020, global listed infrastructure performed poorly relative to the broader equity markets due to exposure to industries directly impacted by COVID-19, exposure to sectors anticipated to be adversely impacted by the "green" energy transition, as well as due to its perceived defensiveness in a largely pro-cyclical market following the first quarter 2020 equity market lows. In fact, on a full-year basis, infrastructure securities trailed global equities by a wider margin than in any calendar year period post-Global Financial Crisis, with global equities finishing solidly in positive territory for the year while infrastructure securities remained in the red. 2020 was a broadly thematic market, where asset classes fitting into "en vogue" themes (e.g., work-from-home, energy transition) performed well, largely untethered to fundamental trends. After the depths of the pandemic in March 2020, investors also used the comfort of central bank and government "backstops" to broadly bid up equity share prices, as long as the companies being bid were not perceived to have risks associated with future impairment brought on by disruption. In this market, that meant companies with resilient operating fundamentals but little operating leverage were not rewarded. As a


4



Morgan Stanley Institutional Fund, Inc.

Annual Report — December 31, 2020

Investment Overview (unaudited) (cont'd)

Real Assets Portfolio

result, infrastructure was negatively impacted in 2020 both in sectors with direct, fundamental challenges brought on by the pandemic, as well as those sectors traditionally known for their resilience. In some ways, it was a perfect storm impacting an asset class where utilities, transportation and energy infrastructure combined represent roughly 80% of the Index. However, the difficult year experienced in 2020 may also present an opportunity moving forward.

•  In light of the COVID-19 crisis, the U.S. Federal Reserve (Fed) cut interest rates to the zero lower bound to ease financial conditions and support growth. This led to real interest rates in the U.S. falling by more than 100 basis points to less than –1% by year-end.(i) In the month of March 2020, the significant illiquidity caused real rates to rise above 50 basis points, but the multiple facilities announced by the Fed provided much need liquidity, causing real rates to continue their decline.(i) The fall in real rates led to strong returns from the U.S. Treasury inflation-protected securities (TIPS) index, with the fixed income portfolio performing in line with that.

Management Strategies

•  The Fund is comprised of independently managed sub-portfolios for each real asset class with an asset allocation that aims to optimize the balance between return potential and risk across the publicly traded real asset categories. Across the underlying real asset categories, the investment approach combines a top-down process with bottom-up stock selection, with each team providing bottom-up insight into their specialist areas, determining sub-sector and regional preferences within listed real assets.

•  Going into the new year, we have a constructive view in real assets. A sharp economic recovery on the back of vaccine development set a positive backdrop for inflation. In the short term, we are overweight global real estate and inflation sensitive equities to participate in the anticipated rotation to value and cyclicals respectively, with global

infrastructure more neutral and fixed income representing the funding source for the overweights in this near term environment that we view as being conducive for risk assets.

•  Within fixed income, we expect the Fed to keep monetary policy easy to close the large output gap created from the growth slowdown in 2020. Without core inflation staying above 2% for longer or materially drifting away from the 2% target, it's unlikely the Fed will move rates up from the lower bound. We believe this should keep real interest rates in negative territory for longer, helping stimulate growth and inflation in 2021. With 10-year real rates close to –1%, we have kept the portfolio duration above 7 years, in line with the U.S. TIPS index. We might look to opportunistically reduce duration if core inflation drifts higher and expectations of rate hikes increase, but we don't expect this to be a likely scenario in 2021.

•  Within infrastructure, our research currently leads us to an overweighting in the Fund to a group of companies in the water & waste, toll roads, airports, gas midstream, and ports sectors, and an underweighting to companies in the electricity transmission & distribution, pipeline companies, communications, European regulated utilities, gas distribution utilities, and diversified sectors. Finally, we continue to retain out-of-benchmark positions in renewables, railroads and certain other utilities that are not contained in the Index. Looking forward into 2021, we are highly constructive on infrastructure securities. The relative underperformance of infrastructure versus the broader equity markets has been extreme, and we look for some of that gap to converge, in particular given the fact that fundamental deterioration for infrastructure was much more modest than that for the broader market outside of airports and toll roads, two areas directly impacted by work-from-home policies and the pandemic. Indeed, even in the area of energy infrastructure, where overall demand for natural gas, crude oil and natural gas liquids was reduced as a result of the pandemic,

(i)  Source: Bloomberg L.P.


5



Morgan Stanley Institutional Fund, Inc.

Annual Report — December 31, 2020

Investment Overview (unaudited) (cont'd)

Real Assets Portfolio

actual cash flow per share revisions were quite modest overall, and in select cases cash flows continued to grow. As a general comment, we view valuations in infrastructure securities as attractive, particularly in a relative sense, and believe there are fundamental tailwinds across all sectors, with recovery anticipated in transportation and energy. We acknowledge that rising interest rates may be a short-term headwind for select areas of infrastructure and the equity markets more broadly, but we do not anticipate that headwind to be material or long lasting. Core to this belief is that while we do believe risk-free sovereign rates have scope to rise, we do not believe they will rise to extreme levels and indeed are likely to remain lower than base rates prior to the pandemic (recall, the U.S. 10-year Treasury yield was roughly 1.90% entering 2020).(ii) Furthermore, we believe the velocity of change matters more than the absolute levels, and there is no indication central banks will materially alter their messaging in 2021, prompting a "taper tantrum." Finally, we believe this rise in rates is likely the result of increased expectations with regard to growth and inflation, both positive inputs to infrastructure cash flows through demand and pricing increases.

•  While real estate securities posted a negative return for the year, recent market strength in the asset class is supported by a number of macro and fundamental factors, including monetary stimulus, vaccine discovery and clarity on the timeline for successful vaccine dissemination, and the reopening of economies and related positive demand impacts for sectors across real estate. Additionally, we believe the relative valuation of real estate securities is attractive compared to investable alternatives including the broader equity market, fixed income and direct property investment. For these reasons, we have a favorable outlook for real estate over the next year, however, continue to believe active management with a keen focus on relative value is important.

*  Minimum Investment for Class I shares

**  Commenced Operations on June 18, 2018.

In accordance with SEC regulations, the Fund's performance shown assumes that all recurring fees (including management fees) were deducted and all dividends and distributions were reinvested. The performance of Class A, C and IS shares will vary from the performance of Class I shares and will be negatively impacted by additional fees assessed to those classes (if applicable).

(ii)  Source: Bloomberg L.P.


6



Morgan Stanley Institutional Fund, Inc.

Annual Report — December 31, 2020

Investment Overview (unaudited) (cont'd)

Real Assets Portfolio

Performance Compared to the MSCI World Net Index(1), MSIF Real Assets Benchmark Blend Index(2) and the Lipper Real Return Funds Index(3)

    Period Ended December 31, 2020
Total Returns(4)
 
       

Average Annual

 
    One
Year
  Five
Years
  Ten
Years
  Since
Inception(6)
 
Fund — Class I Shares
w/o sales charges(5)
   

0.39

%

   

     

     

4.14

%

 
Fund — Class A Shares
w/o sales charges(5)
   

0.07

     

     

     

3.78

   
Fund — Class A Shares with
maximum 5.25% sales charges(5)
   

–5.16

     

     

     

1.61

   
Fund — Class C Shares
w/o sales charges(5)
   

–0.81

     

     

     

2.97

   
Fund — Class C Shares with
maximum 1.00% deferred
sales charges(5)
   

–1.80

     

     

     

2.97

   
Fund — Class IS Shares
w/o sales charges(5)
   

0.42

     

     

     

4.17

   

MSCI World Net Index

   

15.90

     

     

     

11.65

   
MSIF Real Assets Benchmark
Blend Index
   

2.88

     

     

     

7.03

   

Lipper Real Return Funds Index

   

4.77

     

     

     

2.80

   

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. Performance assumes that all dividends and distributions, if any, were reinvested. For the most recent month-end performance figures, please visit www.morganstanley.com/im/shareholderreports. Investment return and principal value will fluctuate so that Fund shares, when redeemed, may be worth more or less than their original cost. Total returns do not reflect the deduction of taxes that a shareholder would pay on Fund distributions or the redemption of Fund shares. Performance of share classes will vary due to difference in sales charges and expenses.

(1)  The MSCI World Net Index is a free float-adjusted market capitalization weighted index designed to measure the equity market performance of developed markets. 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 MSCI World Net Index currently consists of 23 developed market country indices. The performance of the Index is listed in US dollars and assumes reinvestment of net dividends. Net total return indices reinvest dividends after the deduction of withholding taxes, using (for international indices) a tax rate applicable to non-resident institutional investors who do not benefit from double taxation treaties. The Index is unmanaged and its returns do not include any sales charges or fees. Such costs would lower performance. It is not possible to invest directly in an index.

(2)  The MSIF Real Assets Benchmark Blend Index is comprised of 25% MSCI World Net Index (benchmark that measures the equity market performance of developed markets), 25% Dow Jones Brookfield Global Infrastructure IndexSM (benchmark that measures the stock performance of companies that exhibit strong infrastructure characteristics), 25% FTSE EPRA Nareit Developed Real Estate Net Total Return Index (a global market capitalization weighted index composed of listed real estate securities in the North American, European and Asian real estate markets) and 25% Bloomberg Barclays U.S. Treasury Inflation-Protected Securities Index (TIPS) (benchmark that measures the performance of the TIPS market. TIPS are bonds issued by the US Treasury that pay a coupon on the adjusted principal of the bond). 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 Lipper Real Return Funds Index is an equally weighted performance index of the largest qualifying funds (based on net assets) in the Lipper Real Return Funds classification. The Index, which is adjusted for capital gains distributions and income dividends, is unmanaged and should not be considered an investment. There are currently 10 funds represented in this Index. As of the date of this report, the Fund was in the Lipper Real Return Funds classification.

(4)  Total returns for the Fund reflect fees waived and expenses reimbursed, if applicable, by the Adviser (as defined herein). Without such waivers and reimbursements, total returns would have been lower.

(5)  Commenced operations on June 18, 2018.

(6)  For comparative purposes, average annual since inception returns listed for the Indexes refer to the inception date of the Fund, not the inception of the Index.


7



Morgan Stanley Institutional Fund, Inc.

Annual Report — December 31, 2020

Portfolio of Investments

Real Assets Portfolio

   

Shares

  Value
(000)
 

Common Stocks (69.1%)

 

Australia (2.0%)

 

Atlas Arteria Ltd.

   

7,392

   

$

37

   

CSL Ltd.

   

153

     

33

   

Dexus REIT

   

7,847

     

57

   

GPT Group (The) REIT

   

4,732

     

16

   

Scentre Group REIT

   

6,762

     

15

   

Sydney Airport (a)

   

7,475

     

37

   

Transurban Group

   

9,732

     

103

   

Wesfarmers Ltd.

   

1,171

     

46

   

Woolworths Group Ltd.

   

961

     

29

   
     

373

   

Canada (3.4%)

 

Bank of Montreal

   

460

     

35

   

Canadian National Railway Co.

   

460

     

51

   

Enbridge, Inc.

   

2,940

     

94

   

Gibson Energy, Inc. (b)

   

7,520

     

121

   

Keyera Corp. (b)

   

1,171

     

21

   

Manulife Financial Corp.

   

2,222

     

40

   

National Bank of Canada

   

6

     

@

 

Pembina Pipeline Corp. (b)

   

1,458

     

35

   

RioCan Real Estate Investment Trust REIT

   

4,283

     

56

   

Royal Bank of Canada

   

469

     

39

   

Sun Life Financial, Inc.

   

727

     

32

   

TC Energy Corp. (b)

   

2,283

     

93

   

TELUS Corp.

   

20

     

@

 
     

617

   

China (1.7%)

 

China Everbright International Ltd. (c)

   

164,780

     

93

   

China Gas Holdings Ltd. (c)

   

26,118

     

104

   

China Merchants Port Holdings Co., Ltd. (c)

   

24,129

     

30

   

China Overseas Land & Investment Ltd. (c)

   

1,896

     

4

   

China Resources Land Ltd. (c)

   

3,264

     

13

   
China Resources Mixc Lifestyle
Services Ltd. (a)(c)
   

25

     

@

 

China Tower Corp. Ltd. H Shares (c)

   

129,919

     

19

   

Jiangsu Expressway Co., Ltd. H Shares (c)

   

41,138

     

46

   

Zhejiang Expressway Co., Ltd., Class H (c)

   

12,000

     

10

   
     

319

   

Denmark (0.3%)

 

Novo Nordisk A/S Series B

   

429

     

30

   

Orsted A/S

   

94

     

19

   
     

49

   

Finland (0.1%)

 

Citycon Oyj (b)

   

1,403

     

14

   

France (3.9%)

 

Aeroports de Paris (ADP) (a)

   

116

     

15

   

Air Liquide SA

   

234

     

39

   

Edenred

   

637

     

36

   

Gecina SA REIT

   

793

     

123

   

Getlink SE (a)

   

2,296

     

40

   
   

Shares

  Value
(000)
 

ICADE REIT

   

60

   

$

5

   

Klepierre SA REIT (b)

   

5,314

     

120

   

Legrand SA

   

471

     

42

   

LVMH Moet Hennessy Louis Vuitton SE

   

74

     

46

   

Mercialys SA REIT

   

4,558

     

40

   

Vinci SA

   

2,059

     

205

   
     

711

   

Germany (1.5%)

 

BASF SE

   

615

     

49

   

Deutsche Wohnen SE

   

2,211

     

118

   

E.ON SE

   

2,696

     

30

   

SAP SE

   

187

     

24

   

Siemens AG (Registered)

   

278

     

40

   

Siemens Energy AG (a)

   

149

     

5

   
     

266

   

Hong Kong (3.2%)

 

AIA Group Ltd.

   

2,565

     

31

   

CK Asset Holdings Ltd.

   

1,848

     

10

   

Hong Kong & China Gas Co., Ltd.

   

18,191

     

27

   

Hongkong Land Holdings Ltd.

   

40,991

     

169

   

Link REIT

   

4,737

     

43

   

New World Development Co. Ltd.

   

2,631

     

12

   

Power Assets Holdings Ltd.

   

8,500

     

46

   

Sun Hung Kai Properties Ltd.

   

7,773

     

100

   

Swire Properties Ltd.

   

36,391

     

106

   

Wharf Real Estate Investment Co., Ltd.

   

8,694

     

45

   
     

589

   

India (0.6%)

 

Azure Power Global Ltd. (a)

   

2,491

     

101

   

Ireland (0.2%)

 

Hibernia REIT PLC

   

29,659

     

42

   

Italy (0.7%)

 

Atlantia SpA (a)

   

1,377

     

25

   

Infrastrutture Wireless Italiane SpA

   

3,681

     

44

   

Snam SpA

   

3,682

     

21

   

Terna Rete Elettrica Nazionale SpA

   

5,681

     

44

   
     

134

   

Japan (4.5%)

 

Central Japan Railway Co.

   

200

     

28

   

East Japan Railway Co.

   

1,100

     

73

   

GLP J-REIT

   

7

     

11

   

ITOCHU Corp.

   

1,535

     

44

   

Japan Hotel REIT Investment Corp.

   

63

     

32

   

Marubeni Corp.

   

5,540

     

37

   

Mitsubishi Corp.

   

1,459

     

36

   

Mitsubishi Estate Co., Ltd.

   

7,498

     

121

   

Mitsui & Co., Ltd.

   

2,069

     

38

   

Mitsui Fudosan Co., Ltd.

   

5,290

     

111

   

Nippon Building Fund, Inc. REIT

   

13

     

75

   

Sumitomo Chemical Co., Ltd.

   

10,445

     

42

   

Sumitomo Corp.

   

2,548

     

34

   

The accompanying notes are an integral part of the financial statements.
8



Morgan Stanley Institutional Fund, Inc.

Annual Report — December 31, 2020

Portfolio of Investments (cont'd)

Real Assets Portfolio

   

Shares

  Value
(000)
 

Japan (cont'd)

 

Sumitomo Mitsui Financial Group, Inc.

   

1,464

   

$

45

   

Sumitomo Realty & Development Co., Ltd.

   

1,510

     

47

   

Toyota Motor Corp.

   

476

     

37

   
     

811

   

Mexico (0.9%)

 
Grupo Aeroportuario del Pacifico
SAB de CV, Class B (a)
   

2,969

     

33

   
Grupo Aeroportuario del Sureste
SAB de CV, Class B (a)
   

2,162

     

36

   
Promotora y Operadora de
Infraestructura SAB de CV
   

9,911

     

88

   
     

157

   

Netherlands (0.8%)

 

ASML Holding N.V.

   

89

     

43

   

Eurocommercial Properties N.V. CVA REIT (a)

   

3,050

     

57

   

Randstad N.V. (a)

   

656

     

43

   
     

143

   

New Zealand (0.2%)

 

Auckland International Airport Ltd. (a)

   

7,396

     

40

   

Singapore (0.2%)

 

DBS Group Holdings Ltd.

   

2,117

     

40

   

UOL Group Ltd.

   

960

     

6

   
     

46

   

Spain (1.4%)

 

Aena SME SA (a)

   

339

     

59

   

Cellnex Telecom SA

   

951

     

57

   

Ferrovial SA

   

2,129

     

59

   

Inmobiliaria Colonial Socimi SA REIT

   

1,785

     

17

   

Merlin Properties Socimi SA REIT

   

7,002

     

67

   
     

259

   

Sweden (0.3%)

 

Hufvudstaden AB, Class A

   

1,466

     

24

   

Telia Co., AB

   

8,225

     

34

   
     

58

   

Switzerland (1.3%)

 

Barry Callebaut AG (Registered)

   

14

     

33

   

Cie Financiere Richemont SA (Registered)

   

447

     

40

   

Flughafen Zurich AG (Registered) (a)

   

238

     

42

   

Nestle SA (Registered)

   

292

     

35

   

Novartis AG (Registered)

   

437

     

41

   

Roche Holding AG (Genusschein)

   

122

     

43

   
     

234

   

United Kingdom (4.9%)

 

Anglo American PLC

   

1,435

     

47

   

British Land Co., PLC (The) REIT

   

17,314

     

116

   

Derwent London PLC REIT

   

1,529

     

65

   

GlaxoSmithKline PLC

   

1,827

     

33

   

Great Portland Estates PLC REIT

   

10,458

     

96

   

Hammerson PLC REIT

   

207,540

     

70

   
   

Shares

  Value
(000)
 

Land Securities Group PLC REIT

   

14,891

   

$

138

   

National Grid PLC

   

14,007

     

166

   

Pennon Group PLC

   

2,511

     

32

   

Royal Dutch Shell PLC, Class B

   

2,817

     

48

   

Segro PLC REIT

   

3,832

     

50

   

Severn Trent PLC

   

1,032

     

32

   
     

893

   

United States (37.0%)

 

Abbott Laboratories

   

300

     

33

   

Accenture PLC, Class A

   

131

     

34

   

Adobe, Inc. (a)

   

111

     

55

   

Advanced Micro Devices, Inc. (a)

   

260

     

24

   

AES Corp. (The)

   

1,435

     

34

   

Alexandria Real Estate Equities, Inc. REIT

   

194

     

35

   

Alphabet, Inc., Class A (a)

   

64

     

112

   

Amazon.com, Inc. (a)

   

38

     

124

   

Ameren Corp.

   

611

     

48

   

American Campus Communities, Inc. REIT

   

279

     

12

   

American Electric Power Co., Inc.

   

710

     

59

   

American Express Co.

   

367

     

44

   

American Tower Corp. REIT

   

1,331

     

299

   

American Water Works Co., Inc.

   

548

     

84

   

Amgen, Inc.

   

112

     

26

   

Apartment Income Corp. REIT (a)

   

142

     

5

   

Apple, Inc.

   

1,617

     

215

   

AT&T, Inc.

   

938

     

27

   

Atmos Energy Corp.

   

857

     

82

   

AvalonBay Communities, Inc. REIT

   

832

     

133

   

Avangrid, Inc.

   

798

     

36

   

Bank of America Corp.

   

1,781

     

54

   

Berkshire Hathaway, Inc., Class B (a)

   

203

     

47

   

Boston Properties, Inc. REIT

   

1,946

     

184

   

Brixmor Property Group, Inc. REIT

   

1,215

     

20

   

Camden Property Trust REIT

   

593

     

59

   

Celanese Corp.

   

258

     

33

   

Cheniere Energy, Inc. (a)

   

1,341

     

80

   

CMS Energy Corp.

   

519

     

32

   

Coca-Cola Co. (The)

   

525

     

29

   

Comcast Corp., Class A

   

668

     

35

   

Copart, Inc. (a)

   

290

     

37

   

Costco Wholesale Corp.

   

74

     

28

   

Crown Castle International Corp. REIT

   

1,322

     

210

   

CSX Corp.

   

371

     

34

   

CubeSmart REIT

   

688

     

23

   

Danaher Corp.

   

134

     

30

   

DiamondRock Hospitality Co. REIT

   

143

     

1

   

Digital Realty Trust, Inc. REIT

   

191

     

27

   

Dover Corp.

   

264

     

33

   

Edison International

   

1,136

     

71

   

Equity Residential REIT

   

2,053

     

122

   

Essential Utilities, Inc.

   

2,051

     

97

   

The accompanying notes are an integral part of the financial statements.
9



Morgan Stanley Institutional Fund, Inc.

Annual Report — December 31, 2020

Portfolio of Investments (cont'd)

Real Assets Portfolio

   

Shares

  Value
(000)
 

United States (cont'd)

 

Essex Property Trust, Inc. REIT

   

176

   

$

42

   

Eversource Energy

   

891

     

77

   

Facebook, Inc., Class A (a)

   

262

     

72

   

Federal Realty Investment Trust REIT

   

130

     

11

   

Fidelity National Information Services, Inc.

   

204

     

29

   

Garmin Ltd.

   

325

     

39

   

Globe Life, Inc.

   

362

     

34

   

Goldman Sachs Group, Inc. (The)

   

139

     

37

   

Healthcare Realty Trust, Inc. REIT

   

598

     

18

   

Healthpeak Properties, Inc. REIT

   

1,213

     

37

   

Hilton Worldwide Holdings, Inc.

   

330

     

37

   

Home Depot, Inc. (The)

   

130

     

35

   

Honeywell International, Inc.

   

166

     

35

   

Host Hotels & Resorts, Inc. REIT

   

5,660

     

83

   

Hudson Pacific Properties, Inc. REIT

   

2,570

     

62

   

Intuitive Surgical, Inc. (a)

   

49

     

40

   

Invitation Homes, Inc. REIT

   

2,122

     

63

   

JBG SMITH Properties REIT

   

679

     

21

   

Johnson & Johnson

   

284

     

45

   

JPMorgan Chase & Co.

   

618

     

78

   

Kimco Realty Corp. REIT

   

1,491

     

22

   

Linde PLC

   

125

     

33

   

Mack-Cali Realty Corp. REIT

   

3,159

     

39

   

Marathon Oil Corp.

   

7,713

     

51

   

Marriott International, Inc., Class A

   

284

     

37

   

Mastercard, Inc., Class A

   

139

     

50

   

Medtronic PLC

   

262

     

31

   

Merck & Co., Inc.

   

419

     

34

   

Microsoft Corp.

   

701

     

156

   

Mid-America Apartment Communities, Inc. REIT

   

95

     

12

   

Netflix, Inc. (a)

   

56

     

30

   

NextEra Energy, Inc.

   

440

     

34

   

NiSource, Inc.

   

3,039

     

70

   

Norfolk Southern Corp.

   

144

     

34

   

NVIDIA Corp.

   

73

     

38

   

ONEOK, Inc.

   

2,356

     

90

   

Paramount Group, Inc. REIT

   

721

     

6

   

PayPal Holdings, Inc. (a)

   

184

     

43

   

PepsiCo, Inc.

   

220

     

33

   

PNC Financial Services Group, Inc. (The)

   

234

     

35

   

Procter & Gamble Co. (The)

   

340

     

47

   

ProLogis, Inc. REIT

   

2,730

     

272

   

Public Storage REIT

   

159

     

37

   

QTS Realty Trust, Inc., Class A REIT

   

219

     

14

   

QUALCOMM, Inc.

   

229

     

35

   

Regency Centers Corp. REIT

   

1,454

     

66

   

Republic Services, Inc.

   

293

     

28

   

RLJ Lodging Trust REIT

   

2,890

     

41

   

salesforce.com, Inc. (a)

   

188

     

42

   

SBA Communications Corp. REIT

   

428

     

121

   
   

Shares

  Value
(000)
 

Sempra Energy

   

908

   

$

116

   

Simon Property Group, Inc. REIT

   

2,375

     

203

   

SL Green Realty Corp. REIT

   

3,576

     

213

   

Sunstone Hotel Investors, Inc. REIT

   

5,106

     

58

   

Targa Resources Corp.

   

2,143

     

57

   

Tesla, Inc. (a)

   

80

     

56

   

Texas Instruments, Inc.

   

224

     

37

   

Thermo Fisher Scientific, Inc.

   

68

     

32

   

Union Pacific Corp.

   

133

     

28

   

UnitedHealth Group, Inc.

   

135

     

47

   

Ventas, Inc. REIT

   

1,387

     

68

   

Visa, Inc., Class A

   

209

     

46

   

Vornado Realty Trust REIT

   

3,142

     

117

   

Voya Financial, Inc.

   

617

     

36

   

Walt Disney Co. (The) (a)

   

310

     

56

   

Waste Management, Inc.

   

423

     

50

   

Weingarten Realty Investors REIT

   

3,477

     

75

   

Weyerhaeuser Co. REIT

   

940

     

31

   

Williams Cos., Inc. (The)

   

2,805

     

56

   

Xcel Energy, Inc.

   

669

     

45

   

Zoetis, Inc.

   

156

     

26

   
     

6,736

   

Total Common Stocks (Cost $10,975)

   

12,592

   
    No. of
Warrants
     

Warrant (0.0%) (d)

 

Switzerland (0.0%) (d)

 
Cie Financiere Richemont SA,
expires 11/22/23 (a) (Cost $—)
   

894

     

@

 
    Face
Amount
(000)
     

U.S. Treasury Securities (22.9%)

 

United States (22.9%)

 

U.S. Treasury Inflation Index Notes (TIPS),

 

0.13%, 7/15/22 - 7/15/24

 

$

816

     

854

   

0.38%, 7/15/23 - 1/15/27

   

433

     

469

   

0.50%, 1/15/28

   

327

     

371

   

0.75%, 2/15/42

   

149

     

189

   

0.88%, 1/15/29

   

241

     

284

   

1.00%, 2/15/46

   

173

     

236

   

2.00%, 1/15/26

   

24

     

28

   

2.13%, 2/15/40

   

65

     

101

   

3.88%, 4/15/29

   

90

     

130

   

U.S. Treasury Inflation Indexed Bonds,

 

0.13%, 1/15/30

   

305

     

340

   

0.25%, 1/15/25 - 2/15/50

   

589

     

644

   

0.38%, 7/15/25

   

396

     

436

   

1.00%, 2/15/48

   

58

     

81

   

Total U.S. Treasury Securities (Cost $3,835)

   

4,163

   

The accompanying notes are an integral part of the financial statements.
10



Morgan Stanley Institutional Fund, Inc.

Annual Report — December 31, 2020

Portfolio of Investments (cont'd)

Real Assets Portfolio

   

Shares

  Value
(000)
 

Short-Term Investments (9.8%)

 

Securities held as Collateral on Loaned Securities (1.9%)

 

Investment Company (1.7%)

 
Morgan Stanley Institutional Liquidity
Funds — Treasury Portfolio —
Institutional Class (See Note G)
   

305,000

   

$

305

   
    Face
Amount
(000)
     

Repurchase Agreements (0.2%)

 
HSBC Securities USA, Inc. (0.05%,
dated 12/31/20, due 1/4/21;
proceeds $36; fully collateralized
by a U.S. Government obligation;
0.15% due 10/31/22; valued at $37)
 

$

36

     

36

   
Merrill Lynch & Co., Inc. (0.06%,
12/31/20, due 1/4/21; proceeds $4;
fully collateralized by a U.S. Government
obligation; 2.50% due 5/15/46;
valued at $4)
   

4

     

4

   
Barclays Capital, Inc. (0.05%,
dated 12/31/20, due 1/4/21;
proceeds $9; fully collateralized
by a U.S. Government obligation;
1.63% due 11/15/22; valued at $9)
   

9

     

9

   
     

49

   
Total Securities held as Collateral on Loaned
Securities (Cost $354)
   

354

   
   

Shares

     

Investment Company (7.9%)

 
Morgan Stanley Institutional Liquidity
Funds — Treasury Portfolio —
Institutional Class (See Note G)
(Cost $1,433)
   

1,433,191

     

1,433

   

Total Short-Term Investments (Cost $1,787)

   

1,787

   
Total Investments (101.8%) (Cost $16,597)
Including $395 of Securities Loaned (e)(f)
   

18,542

   

Liabilities in Excess of Other Assets (–1.8%)

   

(328

)

 

Net Assets (100.0%)

 

$

18,214

   

Country assignments and aggregations are based generally on third party vendor classifications and information, and may be different from the assignments and aggregations under the policies set forth in the Fund's prospectus and/or statement of additional information relating to geographic classifications.

(a)  Non-income producing security.

(b)  All or a portion of this security was on loan at December 31, 2020.

(c)  Security trades on the Hong Kong exchange.

(d)  Amount is less than 0.05%.

(e)  The approximate fair value and percentage of net assets, $4,981,000 and 27.3%, respectively, represent the securities that have been fair valued under the fair valuation policy for international investments as described in Note A-1 within the Notes to the Financial Statements.

(f)  At December 31, 2020, the aggregate cost for federal income tax purposes is approximately $17,010,000. The aggregate gross unrealized appreciation is approximately $2,287,000 and the aggregate gross unrealized depreciation is approximately $755,000, resulting in net unrealized appreciation of approximately $1,532,000.

@  Value is less than $500.

CVA  Certificaten Van Aandelen.

REIT  Real Estate Investment Trust.

TIPS  Treasury Inflation Protected Security.

Portfolio Composition*

Classification

  Percentage of
Total Investments
 

Other**

   

41.3

%

 

Equity Real Estate Investment Trusts (REITs)

   

22.9

   

U.S. Treasury Securities

   

22.9

   

Short-Term Investments

   

7.9

   

Real Estate Management & Development

   

5.0

   

Total Investments

   

100.0

%

 

*  Percentages indicated are based upon total investments (excluding Securities held as Collateral on Loaned Securities) as of December 31, 2020.

**  Industries and/or investment types representing less than 5% of total investments.

The accompanying notes are an integral part of the financial statements.
11



Morgan Stanley Institutional Fund, Inc.

Annual Report — December 31, 2020

Real Assets Portfolio

Statement of Assets and Liabilities

  December 31, 2020
(000)
 

Assets:

 

Investments in Securities of Unaffiliated Issuers, at Value(1) (Cost $14,859)

 

$

16,804

   

Investment in Security of Affiliated Issuer, at Value (Cost $1,738)

   

1,738

   

Total Investments in Securities, at Value (Cost $16,597)

   

18,542

   

Foreign Currency, at Value (Cost $47)

   

48

   

Receivable for Investments Sold

   

131

   

Due from Adviser

   

76

   

Dividends Receivable

   

36

   

Interest Receivable

   

7

   

Tax Reclaim Receivable

   

5

   

Receivable from Affiliate

   

@

 

Due from Broker

   

@

 

Receivable from Securities Lending Income

   

@

 

Other Assets

   

24

   

Total Assets

   

18,869

   

Liabilities:

 

Collateral on Securities Loaned, at Value

   

354

   

Payable for Investments Purchased

   

230

   

Payable for Professional Fees

   

31

   

Payable for Custodian Fees

   

25

   

Payable for Transfer Agency Fees — Class I

   

@

 

Payable for Transfer Agency Fees — Class A

   

@

 

Payable for Transfer Agency Fees — Class C

   

@

 

Payable for Transfer Agency Fees — Class IS

   

@

 

Payable for Administration Fees

   

1

   

Payable for Sub Transfer Agency Fees — Class I

   

@

 

Payable for Sub Transfer Agency Fees — Class A

   

@

 

Payable for Sub Transfer Agency Fees — Class C

   

@

 

Payable for Shareholder Services Fees — Class A

   

@

 

Payable for Distribution and Shareholder Services Fees — Class C

   

@

 

Other Liabilities

   

14

   

Total Liabilities

   

655

   

Net Assets

 

$

18,214

   

Net Assets Consist of:

 

Paid-in-Capital

 

$

17,309

   

Total Distributable Earnings

   

905

   

Net Assets

 

$

18,214

   

The accompanying notes are an integral part of the financial statements.
12



Morgan Stanley Institutional Fund, Inc.

Annual Report — December 31, 2020

Real Assets Portfolio

Statement of Assets and Liabilities (cont'd)

  December 31, 2020
(000)
 

CLASS I:

 

Net Assets

 

$

17,942

   
Shares Outstanding $0.001 par value shares of beneficial interest (unlimited shares authorized) (not in 000's)    

1,728,378

   

Net Asset Value, Offering and Redemption Price Per Share

 

$

10.38

   

CLASS A:

 

Net Assets

 

$

43

   
Shares Outstanding $0.001 par value shares of beneficial interest (unlimited shares authorized) (not in 000's)    

4,174

   

Net Asset Value, Redemption Price Per Share

 

$

10.41

   

Maximum Sales Load

   

5.25

%

 

Maximum Sales Charge

 

$

0.58

   

Maximum Offering Price Per Share

 

$

10.99

   

CLASS C:

 

Net Assets

 

$

218

   
Shares Outstanding $0.001 par value shares of beneficial interest (unlimited shares authorized) (not in 000's)    

21,015

   

Net Asset Value, Offering and Redemption Price Per Share

 

$

10.36

   

CLASS IS:

 

Net Assets

 

$

11

   
Shares Outstanding $0.001 par value shares of beneficial interest (unlimited shares authorized) (not in 000's)    

1,037

   

Net Asset Value, Offering and Redemption Price Per Share

 

$

10.38

   
(1) Including:
Securities on Loan, at Value:
 

$

395

   

@  Amount is less than $500.

The accompanying notes are an integral part of the financial statements.
13



Morgan Stanley Institutional Fund, Inc.

Annual Report — December 31, 2020

Real Assets Portfolio

Statement of Operations

  Year Ended
December 31, 2020
(000)
 

Investment Income:

 

Dividends from Securities of Unaffiliated Issuers (Net of $16 of Foreign Taxes Withheld)

 

$

285

   

Interest from Securities of Unaffiliated Issuers

   

61

   

Dividends from Security of Affiliated Issuer (Note G)

   

2

   

Income from Securities Loaned — Net

   

@

 

Total Investment Income

   

348

   

Expenses:

 

Professional Fees

   

130

   

Advisory Fees (Note B)

   

85

   

Custodian Fees (Note F)

   

75

   

Registration Fees

   

51

   

Pricing Fees

   

18

   

Shareholder Reporting Fees

   

15

   

Administration Fees (Note C)

   

11

   

Transfer Agency Fees — Class I (Note E)

   

2

   

Transfer Agency Fees — Class A (Note E)

   

2

   

Transfer Agency Fees — Class C (Note E)

   

2

   

Transfer Agency Fees — Class IS (Note E)

   

2

   

Directors' Fees and Expenses

   

4

   

Sub Transfer Agency Fees — Class I

   

2

   

Sub Transfer Agency Fees — Class A

   

@

 

Sub Transfer Agency Fees — Class C

   

@

 

Shareholder Services Fees — Class A (Note D)

   

@

 

Distribution and Shareholder Services Fees — Class C (Note D)

   

2

   

Other Expenses

   

22

   

Total Expenses

   

423

   

Expenses Reimbursed by Adviser (Note B)

   

(219

)

 

Waiver of Advisory Fees (Note B)

   

(85

)

 

Reimbursement of Class Specific Expenses — Class A (Note B)

   

(2

)

 

Reimbursement of Class Specific Expenses — Class C (Note B)

   

(2

)

 

Reimbursement of Class Specific Expenses — Class IS (Note B)

   

(2

)

 

Rebate from Morgan Stanley Affiliate (Note G)

   

(1

)

 

Net Expenses

   

112

   

Net Investment Income

   

236

   

Realized Gain (Loss):

 

Investments Sold

   

(913

)

 

Foreign Currency Translation

   

4

   

Futures Contracts

   

(15

)

 

Net Realized Loss

   

(924

)

 

Change in Unrealized Appreciation (Depreciation):

 

Investments

   

1,200

   

Foreign Currency Translation

   

1

   

Futures Contracts

   

(2

)

 

Net Change in Unrealized Appreciation (Depreciation)

   

1,199

   

Net Realized Loss and Change in Unrealized Appreciation (Depreciation)

   

275

   

Net Increase in Net Assets Resulting from Operations

 

$

511

   

@  Amount is less than $500.

The accompanying notes are an integral part of the financial statements.
14



Morgan Stanley Institutional Fund, Inc.

Annual Report — December 31, 2020

Real Assets Portfolio

Statements of Changes in Net Assets

  Year Ended
December 31, 2020
(000)
  Year Ended
December 31, 2019
(000)
 

Increase (Decrease) in Net Assets:

 

Operations:

 

Net Investment Income

 

$

236

   

$

191

   

Net Realized Gain (Loss)

   

(924

)

   

5

   

Net Change in Unrealized Appreciation (Depreciation)

   

1,199

     

1,488

   

Net Increase in Net Assets Resulting from Operations

   

511

     

1,684

   

Dividends and Distributions to Shareholders:

 

Class I

   

(235

)

   

(201

)

 

Class A

   

(—

@)

   

(1

)

 

Class C

   

(1

)

   

(1

)

 

Class IS

   

(—

@)

   

(—

@)

 

Paid-in-Capital:

 

Class I

   

     

(3

)

 

Class A

   

     

(—

@)

 

Class C

   

     

(—

@)

 

Class IS

   

     

(—

@)

 

Total Dividends and Distributions to Shareholders

   

(236

)

   

(206

)

 

Capital Share Transactions:(1)

 

Class I:

 

Subscribed

   

6,900

     

37

   

Distributions Reinvested

   

235

     

204

   

Redeemed

   

(194

)

   

(6

)

 

Class A:

 

Subscribed

   

24

     

130

   

Distributions Reinvested

   

@

   

1

   

Redeemed

   

(23

)

   

(105

)

 

Class C:

 

Subscribed

   

50

     

153

   

Distributions Reinvested

   

1

     

1

   

Redeemed

   

(7

)

   

   

Class IS:

 

Distributions Reinvested

   

@

   

@

 

Net Increase in Net Assets Resulting from Capital Share Transactions

   

6,986

     

415

   

Total Increase in Net Assets

   

7,261

     

1,893

   

Net Assets:

 

Beginning of Period

   

10,953

     

9,060

   

End of Period

 

$

18,214

   

$

10,953

   

(1)   Capital Share Transactions:

 

Class I:

 

Shares Subscribed

   

703

     

4

   

Shares Issued on Distributions Reinvested

   

25

     

20

   

Shares Redeemed

   

(20

)

   

(1

)

 

Net Increase in Class I Shares Outstanding

   

708

     

23

   

Class A:

 

Shares Subscribed

   

2

     

13

   

Shares Issued on Distributions Reinvested

   

@@

   

@@

 

Shares Redeemed

   

(2

)

   

(10

)

 

Net Increase in Class A Shares Outstanding

   

@@

   

3

   

Class C:

 

Shares Subscribed

   

6

     

15

   

Shares Issued on Distributions Reinvested

   

@@

   

@@

 

Shares Redeemed

   

(1

)

   

   

Net Increase in Class C Shares Outstanding

   

5

     

15

   

Class IS:

 

Shares Issued on Distributions Reinvested

   

@@

   

@@

 

@  Amount is less than $500.

@@  Amount is less than 500 shares.

The accompanying notes are an integral part of the financial statements.
15



Morgan Stanley Institutional Fund, Inc.

Annual Report — December 31, 2020

Financial Highlights

Real Assets Portfolio

   

Class I

 
   

Year Ended December 31,

  Period from
June 18, 2018(1) to
 

Selected Per Share Data and Ratios

 

2020

 

2019

 

December 31, 2018

 

Net Asset Value, Beginning of Period

 

$

10.51

   

$

9.06

   

$

10.00

   

Income (Loss) from Investment Operations:

 

Net Investment Income(2)

   

0.16

     

0.19

     

0.13

   

Net Realized and Unrealized Gain (Loss)

   

(0.14

)

   

1.46

     

(0.79

)

 

Total from Investment Operations

   

0.02

     

1.65

     

(0.66

)

 

Distributions from and/or in Excess of:

 

Net Investment Income

   

(0.15

)

   

(0.20

)

   

(0.22

)

 

Paid-in-Capital

   

     

(0.00

)(3)

   

(0.06

)

 

Total Distributions

   

(0.15

)

   

(0.20

)

   

(0.28

)

 

Net Asset Value, End of Period

 

$

10.38

   

$

10.51

   

$

9.06

   

Total Return(4)

   

0.39

%

   

18.35

%

   

(6.70

)%(6)

 

Ratios to Average Net Assets and Supplemental Data:

 

Net Assets, End of Period (Thousands)

 

$

17,942

   

$

10,728

   

$

9,033

   

Ratio of Expenses Before Expense Limitation

   

2.93

%

   

3.82

%

   

4.76

%(7)

 

Ratio of Expenses After Expense Limitation

   

0.77

%(5)

   

0.76

%(5)

   

0.76

%(5)(7)

 

Ratio of Net Investment Income

   

1.68

%(5)

   

1.88

%(5)

   

2.52

%(5)(7)

 

Ratio of Rebate from Morgan Stanley Affiliates

   

0.01

%

   

0.01

%

   

0.01

%(7)

 

Portfolio Turnover Rate

   

68

%

   

65

%

   

26

%(6)

 

(1)  Commencement of Operations.

(2)  Per share amount is based on average shares outstanding.

(3)  Amount is less than $0.005 per share.

(4)  Calculated based on the net asset value as of the last business day of the period.

(5)  The Ratio of Expenses After Expense Limitation and Ratio of Net Investment Income reflect the rebate of certain Fund expenses in connection with the investments in Morgan Stanley affiliates during the period. The effect of the rebate on the ratios is disclosed in the above table as "Ratio of Rebate from Morgan Stanley Affiliates."

(6)  Not annualized.

(7)  Annualized.

The accompanying notes are an integral part of the financial statements.
16



Morgan Stanley Institutional Fund, Inc.

Annual Report — December 31, 2020

Financial Highlights

Real Assets Portfolio

   

Class A

 
   

Year Ended December 31,

  Period from
June 18, 2018(1) to
 

Selected Per Share Data and Ratios

 

2020

 

2019

 

December 31, 2018

 

Net Asset Value, Beginning of Period

 

$

10.53

   

$

9.06

   

$

10.00

   

Income (Loss) from Investment Operations:

 

Net Investment Income(2)

   

0.11

     

0.15

     

0.11

   

Net Realized and Unrealized Gain (Loss)

   

(0.12

)

   

1.47

     

(0.79

)

 

Total from Investment Operations

   

(0.01

)

   

1.62

     

(0.68

)

 

Distributions from and/or in Excess of:

 

Net Investment Income

   

(0.11

)

   

(0.15

)

   

(0.20

)

 

Paid-in-Capital

   

     

(0.00

)(3)

   

(0.06

)

 

Total Distributions

   

(0.11

)

   

(0.15

)

   

(0.26

)

 

Net Asset Value, End of Period

 

$

10.41

   

$

10.53

   

$

9.06

   

Total Return(4)

   

0.07

%

   

17.93

%

   

(6.90

)%(6)

 

Ratios to Average Net Assets and Supplemental Data:

 

Net Assets, End of Period (Thousands)

 

$

43

   

$

42

   

$

9

   

Ratio of Expenses Before Expense Limitation

   

10.61

%

   

7.63

%

   

22.79

%(7)

 

Ratio of Expenses After Expense Limitation

   

1.14

%(5)

   

1.14

%(5)

   

1.14

%(5)(7)

 

Ratio of Net Investment Income

   

1.18

%(5)

   

1.46

%(5)

   

2.18

%(5)(7)

 

Ratio of Rebate from Morgan Stanley Affiliates

   

0.01

%

   

0.01

%

   

0.01

%(7)

 

Portfolio Turnover Rate

   

68

%

   

65

%

   

26

%(6)

 

(1)  Commencement of Operations.

(2)  Per share amount is based on average shares outstanding.

(3)  Amount is less than $0.005 per share.

(4)  Calculated based on the net asset value which does not reflect sales charges, if applicable, as of the last business day of the period.

(5)  The Ratio of Expenses After Expense Limitation and Ratio of Net Investment Income reflect the rebate of certain Fund expenses in connection with the investments in Morgan Stanley affiliates during the period. The effect of the rebate on the ratios is disclosed in the above table as "Ratio of Rebate from Morgan Stanley Affiliates."

(6)  Not annualized.

(7)  Annualized.

The accompanying notes are an integral part of the financial statements.
17



Morgan Stanley Institutional Fund, Inc.

Annual Report — December 31, 2020

Financial Highlights

Real Assets Portfolio

   

Class C

 
   

Year Ended December 31,

  Period from
June 18, 2018(1) to
 

Selected Per Share Data and Ratios

 

2020

 

2019

 

December 31, 2018

 

Net Asset Value, Beginning of Period

 

$

10.50

   

$

9.06

   

$

10.00

   

Income (Loss) from Investment Operations:

 

Net Investment Income(2)

   

0.05

     

0.07

     

0.07

   

Net Realized and Unrealized Gain (Loss)

   

(0.14

)

   

1.48

     

(0.79

)

 

Total from Investment Operations

   

(0.09

)

   

1.55

     

(0.72

)

 

Distributions from and/or in Excess of:

 

Net Investment Income

   

(0.05

)

   

(0.11

)

   

(0.16

)

 

Paid-in-Capital

   

     

(0.00

)(3)

   

(0.06

)

 

Total Distributions

   

(0.05

)

   

(0.11

)

   

(0.22

)

 

Net Asset Value, End of Period

 

$

10.36

   

$

10.50

   

$

9.06

   

Total Return(4)

   

(0.81

)%

   

17.12

%

   

(7.27

)%(6)

 

Ratios to Average Net Assets and Supplemental Data:

 

Net Assets, End of Period (Thousands)

 

$

218

   

$

172

   

$

9

   

Ratio of Expenses Before Expense Limitation

   

5.10

%

   

8.50

%

   

23.55

%(7)

 

Ratio of Expenses After Expense Limitation

   

1.89

%(5)

   

1.89

%(5)

   

1.89

%(5)(7)

 

Ratio of Net Investment Income

   

0.54

%(5)

   

0.68

%(5)

   

1.37

%(5)(7)

 

Ratio of Rebate from Morgan Stanley Affiliates

   

0.01

%

   

0.01

%

   

0.01

%(7)

 

Portfolio Turnover Rate

   

68

%

   

65

%

   

26

%(6)

 

(1)  Commencement of Operations.

(2)  Per share amount is based on average shares outstanding.

(3)  Amount is less than $0.005 per share.

(4)  Calculated based on the net asset value which does not reflect sales charges, if applicable, as of the last business day of the period.

(5)  The Ratio of Expenses After Expense Limitation and Ratio of Net Investment Income reflect the rebate of certain Fund expenses in connection with the investments in Morgan Stanley affiliates during the period. The effect of the rebate on the ratios is disclosed in the above table as "Ratio of Rebate from Morgan Stanley Affiliates."

(6)  Not annualized.

(7)  Annualized.

The accompanying notes are an integral part of the financial statements.
18



Morgan Stanley Institutional Fund, Inc.

Annual Report — December 31, 2020

Financial Highlights

Real Assets Portfolio

   

Class IS

 
   

Year Ended December 31,

  Period from
June 18, 2018(1) to
 

Selected Per Share Data and Ratios

 

2020

 

2019

 

December 31, 2018

 

Net Asset Value, Beginning of Period

 

$

10.51

   

$

9.06

   

$

10.00

   

Income (Loss) from Investment Operations:

 

Net Investment Income(2)

   

0.16

     

0.19

     

0.13

   

Net Realized and Unrealized Gain (Loss)

   

(0.13

)

   

1.47

     

(0.79

)

 

Total from Investment Operations

   

0.03

     

1.66

     

(0.66

)

 

Distributions from and/or in Excess of:

 

Net Investment Income

   

(0.16

)

   

(0.21

)

   

(0.22

)

 

Paid-in-Capital

   

     

(0.00

)(3)

   

(0.06

)

 

Total Distributions

   

(0.16

)

   

(0.21

)

   

(0.28

)

 

Net Asset Value, End of Period

 

$

10.38

   

$

10.51

   

$

9.06

   

Total Return(4)

   

0.42

%

   

18.37

%

   

(6.69

)%(6)

 

Ratios to Average Net Assets and Supplemental Data:

 

Net Assets, End of Period (Thousands)

 

$

11

   

$

11

   

$

9

   

Ratio of Expenses Before Expense Limitation

   

22.80

%

   

22.24

%

   

22.53

%(7)

 

Ratio of Expenses After Expense Limitation

   

0.74

%(5)

   

0.74

%(5)

   

0.74

%(5)(7)

 

Ratio of Net Investment Income

   

1.62

%(5)

   

1.90

%(5)

   

2.53

%(5)(7)

 

Ratio of Rebate from Morgan Stanley Affiliates

   

0.01

%

   

0.01

%

   

0.01

%(7)

 

Portfolio Turnover Rate

   

68

%

   

65

%

   

26

%(6)

 

(1)  Commencement of Operations.

(2)  Per share amount is based on average shares outstanding.

(3)  Amount is less than $0.005 per share.

(4)  Calculated based on the net asset value as of the last business day of the period.

(5)  The Ratio of Expenses After Expense Limitation and Ratio of Net Investment Income reflect the rebate of certain Fund expenses in connection with the investments in Morgan Stanley affiliates during the period. The effect of the rebate on the ratios is disclosed in the above table as "Ratio of Rebate from Morgan Stanley Affiliates."

(6)  Not annualized.

(7)  Annualized.

The accompanying notes are an integral part of the financial statements.
19



Morgan Stanley Institutional Fund, Inc.

Annual Report — December 31, 2020

Notes to Financial Statements

Morgan Stanley Institutional Fund, Inc. (the "Company") is registered under the Investment Company Act of 1940, as amended (the "Act"), as an open-end management investment company. The Company is comprised of thirty-one separate, active, diversified and non-diversified funds (individually referred to as a "Fund," collectively as the "Funds"). The Company applies investment company accounting and reporting guidance.

The accompanying financial statements relate to the Real Assets Portfolio. The Fund seeks total return, targeted to be in excess of inflation, through capital appreciation and current income.

The Fund offers four classes of shares — Class I, Class A, Class C and Class IS.

A. Significant Accounting Policies: The following significant accounting policies are in conformity with U.S. generally accepted accounting principles ("GAAP"). Such policies are consistently followed by the Company in the preparation of its financial statements. GAAP may require management to make estimates and assumptions that affect the reported amounts and disclosures in the financial statements. Actual results may differ from those estimates.

1.  Security Valuation: (1) An equity portfolio security listed or traded on an exchange is valued at its latest reported sales price (or at the exchange official closing price if such exchange reports an official closing price), and if there were no sales on a given day and if there is no official exchange closing price for that day, the security is valued at the mean between the last reported bid and asked prices if such bid and asked prices are available on the relevant exchanges. If only bid prices are available then the latest bid price may be used. Listed equity securities not traded on the valuation date with no reported bid and asked prices available on the exchange are valued at the mean between the current bid and asked prices obtained from one or more reputable brokers or dealers. In cases where a security is traded on more than one exchange, the security is valued on the exchange designated as the primary market; (2) all other equity portfolio securities for which over-the-counter ("OTC") market quotations are readily available are valued at the latest reported sales price (or at the market official closing price if such market reports an official closing price), and if there was no trading in the security on a given day and if there is no official closing price from

relevant markets for that day, the security is valued at the mean between the last reported bid and asked prices if such bid and asked prices are available on the relevant markets. An unlisted equity security that does not trade on the valuation date and for which bid and asked prices from the relevant markets are unavailable is valued at the mean between the current bid and asked prices obtained from one or more reputable brokers or dealers; (3) futures are valued at the settlement price on the exchange on which they trade or, if a settlement price is unavailable, at the last sale price on the exchange; (4) certain portfolio securities may be valued by an outside pricing service/vendor approved by the Company's Board of Directors (the "Directors"). The pricing service/vendor may employ a pricing model that takes into account, among other things, bids, yield spreads and/or other market data and specific security characteristics. Alternatively, if a valuation is not available from an outside pricing service/vendor, and the security trades on an exchange, the security may be valued at its latest reported sale price (or at the exchange official closing price if such exchange reports an official closing price), prior to the time when assets are valued. If there are no sales on a given day and if there is no official exchange closing price for that day, the security is valued at the mean between the last reported bid and asked prices if such bid and asked prices are available in the relevant exchanges. If only bid prices are available then the latest bid price may be used. If Morgan Stanley Investment Management Inc. (the "Adviser") or Morgan Stanley Investment Management Limited ("MSIM Limited") (the "Sub-Adviser"), each a wholly-owned subsidiary of Morgan Stanley, determines that the price provided by the outside pricing service/vendor or exchange does not reflect the security's fair value or is unable to provide a price, prices from brokers or dealers may also be utilized. In these circumstances, the value of the security will be the mean of bid and asked prices obtained from brokers or dealers; (5) when market quotations are not readily available, including circumstances under which the Adviser or Sub-Adviser 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 Directors. Occasionally, developments affecting the closing prices of securities and


20



Morgan Stanley Institutional Fund, Inc.

Annual Report — December 31, 2020

Notes to Financial Statements (cont'd)

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 of the New York Stock Exchange ("NYSE"). If developments occur during such periods that are expected to materially affect the value of such securities, such valuations may be adjusted to reflect the estimated fair value of such securities as of the close of the NYSE, as determined in good faith by the Directors or by the Adviser using a pricing service and/or procedures approved by the Directors; (6) quotations of foreign portfolio securities, other assets and liabilities and forward contracts stated in foreign currency are translated into U.S. dollar equivalents at the prevailing market rates prior to the close of the NYSE; and (7) investments in mutual funds, including the Morgan Stanley Institutional Liquidity Funds, are valued at the net asset value ("NAV") as of the close of each business day.

The Directors have responsibility for determining in good faith the fair value of the investments, and the Directors may appoint others, such as the Company's Adviser or a valuation committee, to assist the Directors in determining fair value and to make the actual calculations pursuant to the fair valuation methodologies previously approved by the Directors. Under procedures approved by the Directors, the Company's Adviser has formed a Valuation Committee whose members are approved by the Directors. The Valuation Committee provides administration and oversight of the Company's valuation policies and procedures, which are reviewed at least annually by the Directors. These procedures allow the Company to utilize independent pricing services, quotations from securities and financial instrument dealers and other market sources to determine fair value.

The Fund invests a significant portion of its assets in securities of real estate investment trusts ("REITs"). The market's perception of prospective declines in private real estate values and other financial assets may result in increased volatility of market prices that can negatively impact the valuation of certain issuers held by the Fund.

2.  Fair Value Measurement: Financial Accounting Standards Board ("FASB") Accounting Standards CodificationTM ("ASC") 820, "Fair Value Measurement" ("ASC 820"), defines fair value as the value that the Fund would receive to sell an investment or pay to transfer a

liability in a timely transaction with an independent buyer in the principal market, or in the absence of a principal market, the most advantageous market for the investment or liability. ASC 820 establishes a three-tier hierarchy to distinguish between (1) inputs that reflect the assumptions market participants would use in valuing an asset or liability developed based on market data obtained from sources independent of the reporting entity (observable inputs) and (2) inputs that reflect the reporting entity's own assumptions about the assumptions market participants would use in valuing an asset or liability developed based on the best information available in the circumstances (unobservable inputs) and to establish classification of fair value measurements for disclosure purposes. Various inputs are used in determining the value of the Fund's investments. The inputs are summarized in the three broad levels listed below:

•  Level 1 – unadjusted quoted prices in active markets for identical investments

•  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.


21



Morgan Stanley Institutional Fund, Inc.

Annual Report — December 31, 2020

Notes to Financial Statements (cont'd)

The following is a summary of the inputs used to value the Fund's investments as of December 31, 2020:

Investment Type

  Level 1
Unadjusted
quoted
prices
(000)
  Level 2
Other
significant
observable
inputs
(000)
  Level 3
Significant
unobservable
inputs
(000)
  Total
(000)
 

Assets:

 

Common Stocks

 

Automobiles

 

$

56

   

$

37

   

$

   

$

93

   

Banks

   

241

     

85

     

     

326

   

Beverages

   

62

     

     

     

62

   

Biotechnology

   

26

     

33

     

     

59

   

Capital Markets

   

37

     

     

     

37

   

Chemicals

   

66

     

130

     

     

196

   
Commercial Services &
Supplies
   

115

     

93

     

     

208

   
Construction &
Engineering
   

     

264

     

     

264

   

Consumer Finance

   

44

     

     

     

44

   
Diversified Financial
Services
   

83

     

     

     

83

   
Diversified
Telecommunication
Services
   

27

     

154

     

     

181

   

Electric Utilities

   

322

     

109

     

     

431

   

Electrical Equipment

   

     

47

     

     

47

   

Entertainment

   

86

     

     

     

86

   
Equity Real Estate
Investment Trusts
(REITs)
   

2,918

     

1,255

     

     

4,173

   

Food & Staples Retailing

   

28

     

29

     

     

57

   

Food Products

   

     

68

     

     

68

   

Gas Utilities

   

82

     

152

     

     

234

   
Health Care Equipment &
Supplies
   

134

     

     

     

134

   
Health Care Providers &
Services
   

47

     

     

     

47

   
Hotels, Restaurants &
Leisure
   

74

     

     

     

74

   

Household Durables

   

39

     

     

     

39

   

Household Products

   

47

     

     

     

47

   
Independent Power &
Renewable Electricity
Producers
   

135

     

     

     

135

   

Industrial Conglomerates

   

35

     

40

     

     

75

   
Information Technology
Services
   

202

     

36

     

     

238

   

Insurance

   

106

     

31

     

     

137

   
Interactive Media &
Services
   

184

     

     

     

184

   
Internet & Direct
Marketing Retail
   

124

     

     

     

124

   
Life Sciences Tools &
Services
   

32

     

     

     

32

   

Machinery

   

33

     

     

     

33

   

Media

   

35

     

     

     

35

   

Metals & Mining

   

     

47

     

     

47

   

Multi-Line Retail

   

     

46

     

     

46

   

Multi-Utilities

   

266

     

196

     

     

462

   
Oil, Gas & Consumable
Fuels
   

698

     

48

     

     

746

   

Pharmaceuticals

   

105

     

147

     

     

252

   

Professional Services

   

     

43

     

     

43

   

Investment Type

  Level 1
Unadjusted
quoted
prices
(000)
  Level 2
Other
significant
observable
inputs
(000)
  Level 3
Significant
unobservable
inputs
(000)
  Total
(000)
 

Common Stocks (cont'd)

 
Real Estate
Management &
Development
 

$

@

 

$

900

   

$

   

$

900

   

Road & Rail

   

147

     

101

     

     

248

   
Semiconductors &
Semiconductor
Equipment
   

134

     

43

     

     

177

   

Software

   

253

     

24

     

     

277

   

Specialty Retail

   

35

     

     

     

35

   
Tech Hardware,
Storage & Peripherals
   

215

     

     

     

215

   
Textiles, Apparel &
Luxury Goods
   

     

86

     

     

86

   
Trading Companies &
Distributors
   

     

189

     

     

189

   
Transportation
Infrastructure
   

157

     

484

     

     

641

   

Water Utilities

   

181

     

64

     

     

245

   

Total Common Stocks

   

7,611

     

4,981

     

     

12,592

   

Warrant

   

@

   

     

     

@

 

U.S. Treasury Securities

   

     

4,163

     

     

4,163

   

Short-Term Investments

 

Investment Company

   

1,738

     

     

     

1,738

   

Repurchase Agreements

   

     

49

     

     

49

   
Total Short-Term
Investments
   

1,738

     

49

     

     

1,787

   

Total Assets

 

$

9,349

   

$

9,193

   

$

   

$

18,542

   

@ Value is less than $500.

Transfers between investment levels may occur as the markets fluctuate and/or the availability of data used in an investment's valuation changes.

3.  Repurchase Agreements: The Fund may enter into repurchase agreements under which the Fund lends cash and takes possession of securities with an agreement that the counterparty will repurchase such securities. In connection with transactions in repurchase agreements, a bank as custodian for the Fund takes possession of the underlying securities which are held as collateral, with a market value at least equal to the amount of the repurchase transaction, including principal and accrued interest. To the extent that any repurchase transaction exceeds one business day, the value of the collateral is marked-to-market on a daily basis to determine 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. In the event of default on the obligation to


22



Morgan Stanley Institutional Fund, Inc.

Annual Report — December 31, 2020

Notes to Financial Statements (cont'd)

repurchase, the Fund has the right to liquidate the collateral and apply the proceeds in satisfaction of the obligation. In the event of default or bankruptcy by the counterparty to the agreement, realization of the collateral proceeds may be subject to cost and delays. The Fund, along with other affiliated investment companies, may utilize a joint trading account for the purpose of entering into repurchase agreements.

4.  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.

Net realized gains (losses) on foreign currency transactions represent net foreign exchange gains (losses) from foreign currency forward exchange contracts, disposition of foreign currencies, currency gains (losses) realized between the trade and settlement dates on securities transactions, and the difference between the amount of investment income and foreign withholding taxes recorded on the Fund's books and the U.S. dollar

equivalent amounts actually received or paid. The change in unrealized currency gains (losses) on foreign currency transactions for the period is reflected in the Statement of Operations.

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.

Governmental approval for foreign investments may be required in advance of making an investment under certain circumstances in some countries, and the extent of foreign investments in domestic companies may be subject to limitation in other countries. Foreign ownership limitations also may be imposed by the charters of individual companies to prevent, among other concerns, violations of foreign investment limitations. As a result, an additional class of shares (identified as "Foreign" in the Portfolio of Investments) may be created and offered for investment. The "local" and "foreign shares" market values may differ. In the absence of trading of the foreign shares in such markets, the Fund values the foreign shares at the closing exchange price of the local shares.

5.  Treasury Inflation-Protected Securities: The Fund may invest in Treasury Inflation-Protected Securities ("TIPS"), including structured bonds in which the principal amount is adjusted daily to keep pace with inflation, as measured by the U.S. Consumer Pricing Index for Urban Consumers. The adjustments to principal due to inflation/deflation are reflected as increases/decreases to interest income with a corresponding adjustment to cost. Such adjustments may have a significant impact on the Fund's distributions and may result in a return of capital to shareholders. The repayment of the original bond principal upon maturity is guaranteed by the full faith and credit of the U.S. Government.

6.  Derivatives: The Fund may, but is not required to, use derivative instruments for a variety of purposes, including hedging, risk management, portfolio management or to earn income. Derivatives are financial instruments whose value is based, in part, on the value of an underlying asset, interest rate, index or financial instrument. Prevailing


23



Morgan Stanley Institutional Fund, Inc.

Annual Report — December 31, 2020

Notes to Financial Statements (cont'd)

interest rates and volatility levels, among other things, also affect the value of derivative instruments. A derivative instrument often has risks similar to its underlying asset and may have additional risks, including imperfect correlation between the value of the derivative and the underlying asset, risks of default by the counterparty to certain transactions, magnification of losses incurred due to changes in the market value of the securities, instruments, indices or interest rates to which the derivative instrument relates, risks that the transactions may not be liquid and risks arising from margin requirements. The use of derivatives involves risks that are different from, and possibly greater than, the risks associated with other portfolio investments. Derivatives may involve the use of highly specialized instruments that require investment techniques and risk analyses different from those associated with other portfolio investments. All of the Fund's holdings, including derivative instruments, are marked-to-market each day with the change in value reflected in unrealized appreciation (depreciation). Upon disposition, a realized gain or loss is recognized.

Certain derivative transactions may give rise to a form of leverage. Leverage magnifies the potential for gain and the risk of loss. Leverage associated with derivative transactions may cause the Fund to liquidate portfolio positions when it may not be advantageous to do so to satisfy its obligations or to meet earmarking or segregation requirements, pursuant to applicable Securities and Exchange Commission rules and regulations, or may cause the Fund to be more volatile than if the Fund had not been leveraged. Although the Adviser and/or Sub-Adviser seeks to use derivatives to further the Fund's investment objectives, there is no assurance that the use of derivatives will achieve this result.

Following is a description of the derivative instruments and techniques that the Fund used during the period and their associated risks:

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 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 the Fund'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 the Fund of margin deposits in the event of bankruptcy of a broker with which the Fund has open positions in the futures contract.

As of December 31, 2020, the Fund did not have any open futures contracts.

FASB ASC 815, "Derivatives and Hedging" ("ASC 815") is intended to improve financial reporting about derivative instruments by requiring enhanced disclosures to enable investors to better understand how and why the Funds use derivative instruments, how these derivative instruments are accounted for and their effects on a Fund's financial position and results of operations.

The following tables set forth by primary risk exposure the Fund's realized gain(loss) and change in unrealized appreciation (depreciation) by type of derivative contract for the period ended December 31, 2020 in accordance with ASC 815:

Realized Gain (Loss)

 

Primary Risk Exposure

 

Derivative Type

  Value
(000)
 

Interest Rate Risk

 

Futures Contracts

 

$

(15

)

 

Change in Unrealized Appreciation (Depreciation)

 

Primary Risk Exposure

 

Derivative Type

  Value
(000)
 

Interest Rate Risk

 

Futures Contracts

 

$

(2

)

 

For the period ended December 31, 2020, the approximate average monthly amount outstanding for each derivative type is as follows:

Futures Contracts:

 

Average monthly notional value

 

$

36,000

   


24



Morgan Stanley Institutional Fund, Inc.

Annual Report — December 31, 2020

Notes to Financial Statements (cont'd)

7.  Securities Lending: The Fund lends securities to qualified financial institutions, such as broker-dealers, to earn additional income. Any increase or decrease in the fair value of the securities loaned that might occur and any interest earned or dividends declared on those securities during the term of the loan would remain in the Fund.

The Fund would receive cash or securities as collateral in an amount equal to or exceeding 100% of the current fair value of the loaned securities. The collateral is marked-to-market daily by State Street Bank and Trust Company ("State Street"), the securities lending agent, to ensure that a minimum of 100% collateral coverage is maintained.

Based on pre-established guidelines, the securities lending agent invests any cash collateral that is received in an affiliated money market portfolio and repurchase agreements. Securities lending income is generated from the earnings on the invested collateral and borrowing fees, less any rebates owed to the borrowers and compensation to the lending agent, and is recorded as "Income from Securities Loaned — Net" in the Fund's Statement of Operations. 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.

The Fund has the right under the securities 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, 2020:

Gross Amounts Not Offset in the Statement of Assets and Liabilities

 
Gross Asset
Amounts
Presented in
the Statement
of Assets and
Liabilities
(000)
  Financial
Instrument
(000)
  Collateral
Received
(000)
  Net Amount
(not less
than $0)
(000)
 
$

395

(a)

 

$

   

$

(395

)(b)(c)

 

$

0

   

(a) Represents market value of loaned securities at year end.

(b) The Fund received cash collateral of approximately $354,000, which was subsequently invested in Repurchase Agreements and Morgan Stanley Institutional Liquidity Funds as reported in the Portfolio of Investments. In addition, the Fund received non-cash collateral of approximately $63,000 in the form of U.S. Government obligations, which the Fund cannot sell or repledge, and accordingly are not reflected in the Portfolio of Investments.

(c) The actual collateral received is greater than the amount shown here due to overcollateralization.

FASB ASC 860, "Transfers & Servicing: Repurchase-to-Maturity Transactions, Repurchase Financings, and Disclosures", is intended to provide increased transparency about the types of collateral pledged in securities lending transactions and other similar transactions that are accounted for as secured borrowing.

The following table displays a breakdown of transactions accounted for as secured borrowings, the gross obligations by class of collateral pledged and the remaining contractual maturity of those transactions as of December 31, 2020:

Remaining Contractual Maturity of the Agreements

 
    Overnight and
Continuous
(000)
  <30 days
(000)
  Between
30 &
90 days
(000)
  >90 days
(000)
  Total
(000)
 
Securities Lending
Transactions
 

Common Stocks

 

$

354

   

$

   

$

   

$

   

$

354

   

Total Borrowings

 

$

354

   

$

   

$

   

$

   

$

354

   
Gross amount of
recognized liabilities
for securities lending
transactions
                 

$

354

   

8.  Indemnifications: The Company enters into contracts that contain a variety of indemnifications. The Company's maximum exposure under these arrangements is unknown. However, the Company has not had prior claims or losses pursuant to these contracts and expects the risk of loss to be remote.

9.  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 quarterly. Net realized capital gains, if any, are distributed at least annually.

10.  Security Transactions, Income and Expenses: Security transactions are accounted for on the trade date (date the order to buy or sell is executed). Realized gains and losses on the sale of investment securities are determined on the specific identified cost method. Dividend income and other distributions are recorded on the ex-dividend date (except for certain foreign dividends which may be recorded as soon as the Fund is informed of such dividends) net of applicable withholding taxes. Noncash dividends received in the form of stock, if any, are recognized on the ex-dividend date and recorded as noncash dividend income at fair value. Interest income is recognized on the accrual basis except where collection is in


25



Morgan Stanley Institutional Fund, Inc.

Annual Report — December 31, 2020

Notes to Financial Statements (cont'd)

doubt. Discounts are accreted and premiums are amortized over the life of the respective securities. Most expenses of the Company can be directly attributed to a particular Fund. Expenses which cannot be directly attributed are apportioned among the Funds based upon relative net assets or other appropriate methods. Income, expenses (other than class specific expenses — distribution and shareholder services, transfer agency and sub transfer agency fees) and realized and unrealized gains or losses are allocated to each class of shares based upon their relative net assets.

The Fund owns shares of REITs which report information on the source of their distributions annually in the following calendar year. A portion of distributions received from REITs during the year is estimated to be a return of capital and is recorded as a reduction of their cost.

B. Advisory/Sub-Advisory Fees: The Adviser, a wholly-owned subsidiary of Morgan Stanley, provides the Fund with advisory services under the terms of an Investment Advisory Agreement, paid quarterly, at the annual rate based on the daily net assets as follows:

First $1
billion
  Over $1
billion
 
  0.60

%

   

0.55

%

 

For the year ended December 31, 2020, the advisory fee rate (net of waiver/rebate) was equivalent to an annual effective rate of 0.00% of the Fund's average daily net assets.

The Adviser has agreed to reduce its advisory fee and/or reimburse the Fund so that total annual Fund operating expenses, excluding certain investment related expenses, taxes, interest and other extraordinary expenses (including litigation), will not exceed 0.80% for Class I shares, 1.15% for Class A shares, 1.90% for Class C shares and 0.75% for Class IS shares. The fee waivers and/or expense reimbursements will continue for at least one year from the date of the Fund's prospectus or until such time that the Directors act to discontinue all or a portion of such waivers or reimbursements when they deem such action is appropriate. For the year ended December 31, 2020, approximately $85,000 of advisory fees were waived and approximately $225,000 of other expenses were reimbursed by the Adviser pursuant to this arrangement.

The Adviser has entered into a Sub-Advisory Agreement with the Sub-Adviser, a wholly-owned subsidiary of Morgan Stanley. The Sub-Adviser provides the Fund with advisory services subject to the overall supervision of the Adviser and the Fund's

Officers and Directors. The Adviser pays the Sub-Adviser on a monthly basis a portion of the net advisory fees the Adviser receives from the Fund.

C. Administration Fees: The Adviser also serves as Administrator to the Company and provides administrative services pursuant to an Administration Agreement for an annual fee, accrued daily and paid monthly, of 0.08% of the Fund's average daily net assets.

Under a Sub-Administration Agreement between the Administrator and State Street Bank and Trust Company ("State Street"), State Street provides certain administrative services to the Company. For such services, the Administrator pays State Street a portion of the fee the Administrator receives from the Fund.

D. Distribution and Shareholder Services Fees: Morgan Stanley Distribution, Inc. ("MSDI" or the "Distributor"), a wholly-owned subsidiary of the Adviser and an indirect subsidiary of Morgan Stanley, serves as the Company's Distributor of Fund shares pursuant to a Distribution Agreement. The Company has adopted a Shareholder Services Plan with respect to Class A shares pursuant to Rule 12b-1 under the Act. Under the Shareholder Services Plan, the Fund pays the Distributor a shareholder services fee, accrued daily and paid monthly, at an annual rate of 0.25% of the Fund's average daily net assets attributable to Class A shares.

The Company has adopted a Distribution and Shareholder Services Plan with respect to Class C shares pursuant to Rule 12b-1 under the Act. Under the Distribution and Shareholder Services Plan, the Fund pays the Distributor a distribution fee, accrued daily and paid monthly, at an annual rate of 0.75% and a shareholder services fee, accrued daily and paid monthly, at an annual rate of 0.25% of the Fund's average daily net assets attributable to Class C shares.

The distribution and shareholder services fees are used to support the expenses associated with servicing and maintaining accounts. The Distributor may compensate other parties for providing shareholder support services to investors who purchase Class A and Class C shares.

E. Dividend Disbursing and Transfer Agent: The Company's dividend disbursing and transfer agent is DST Asset Manager Solutions, Inc. ("DST"). Pursuant to a Transfer Agency Agreement, the Company pays DST a fee based on the number of classes, accounts and transactions relating to the Funds of the Company.


26



Morgan Stanley Institutional Fund, Inc.

Annual Report — December 31, 2020

Notes to Financial Statements (cont'd)

F. Custodian Fees: State Street (the "Custodian") also serves as Custodian for the Company in accordance with a Custodian Agreement. The Custodian holds cash, securities and other assets of the Company as required by the Act. Custody fees are payable monthly based on assets held in custody, investment purchases and sales activity and account maintenance fees, plus reimbursement for certain out-of-pocket expenses.

G. Security Transactions and Transactions with Affiliates: For the year ended December 31, 2020, purchases and sales of investment securities for the Fund, other than long-term U.S. Government securities and short-term investments were approximately $12,074,000 and $7,265,000, respectively. For the year ended December 31, 2020, purchases and sales of long-term U.S. Government securities were approximately $2,824,000 and $1,796,000, respectively.

The Fund invests in the Institutional Class of the Morgan Stanley Institutional Liquidity Funds — Treasury Portfolio (the "Liquidity Funds"), an open-end management investment company managed by the Adviser, both directly and as a portion of the securities held as collateral on loaned securities. Advisory fees paid by the Fund are reduced by an amount equal to its pro-rata share of the advisory and administration fees paid by the Fund due to its investment in the Liquidity Funds. For the year ended December 31, 2020, advisory fees paid were reduced by approximately $1,000 relating to the Fund's investment in the Liquidity Funds.

A summary of the Fund's transactions in shares of affiliated investments during the year ended December 31, 2020 is as follows:

Affiliated
Investment
Company
  Value
December 31,
2019
(000)
  Purchases
at Cost
(000)
  Proceeds
from Sales
(000)
  Dividend
Income
(000)
 

Liquidity Funds

 

$

442

   

$

7,871

   

$

6,575

   

$

2

   
Affiliated
Investment
Company (cont'd)
  Realized
Gain (Loss)
(000)
  Change in
Unrealized
Appreciation
(Depreciation)
(000)
  Value
December 31,
2020
(000)
 

Liquidity Funds

 

$

   

$

   

$

1,738

   

The Fund is permitted to purchase and sell securities ("cross-trade") from and to other Morgan Stanley funds as well as other funds and client accounts for which the Adviser or an affiliate of the Adviser serves as investment adviser, pursuant to procedures approved by the Directors in compliance with Rule 17a-7 under the Act (the "Rule"). Each cross-trade is

executed at the current market price in compliance with provisions of the Rule. For the year ended December 31, 2020, the Fund did not engage in any cross-trade transactions.

The Fund has an unfunded Deferred Compensation Plan (the "Compensation Plan"), which allows each independent Director to defer payment of all, or a portion, of the fees he or she receives for serving on the Board of Directors. Each eligible Director generally may elect to have the deferred amounts credited with a return equal to the total return on one or more of the Morgan Stanley funds that are offered as investment options under the Compensation Plan. Appreciation/depreciation and distributions received from these investments are recorded with an offsetting increase/decrease in the deferred compensation obligation and do not affect the NAV of the Fund.

H. Federal Income Taxes: It is the Fund's intention to continue to qualify as a regulated investment company and distribute all of its taxable and tax-exempt income. Accordingly, no provision for federal income taxes is required in the financial statements.

The Fund may be subject to taxes imposed by countries in which it invests. Such taxes are generally based on income and/or capital gains earned or repatriated. Taxes are accrued based on net investment income, net realized gains and net unrealized appreciation as such income and/or gains are earned. Taxes may also be based on transactions in foreign currency and are accrued based on the value of investments denominated in such currency.

FASB ASC 740-10, "Income Taxes — Overall", sets forth a minimum threshold for financial statement recognition of the benefit of a tax position taken or expected to be taken in a tax return. Management has concluded there are no significant uncertain tax positions that would require recognition in the financial statements. If applicable, the Fund recognizes interest accrued related to unrecognized tax benefits in "Interest Expense" and penalties in "Other Expenses" in the Statement of Operations. The Fund files tax returns with the U.S. Internal Revenue Service, New York and various states. Each of the tax years in the three-year period ended December 31, 2020 remains subject to examination by taxing authorities.

The tax character of distributions paid may differ from the character of distributions shown for GAAP purposes due to short-term capital gains being treated as ordinary income for


27



Morgan Stanley Institutional Fund, Inc.

Annual Report — December 31, 2020

Notes to Financial Statements (cont'd)

tax purposes. The tax character of distributions paid during fiscal years 2020 and 2019 was as follows:

2020
Distributions
Paid From:
  2019
Distributions
Paid From:
 
Ordinary
Income
(000)
  Long-Term
Capital Gain
(000)
  Ordinary
Income
(000)
  Paid-in-
Capital
(000)
 
$

236

   

$

   

$

203

   

$

3

   

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 attributable to differing book and tax treatments for the timing of the recognition of gains (losses) on certain investment transactions and the timing of the deductibility of certain expenses.

Permanent differences, primarily due to a prior year distribution in excess of current earnings, resulted in the following reclassifications among the components of net assets at December 31, 2020:

Total
Distributable
Earnings
(000)
  Paid-in
Capital
(000)
 
$

12

   

$

(12

)

 

At December 31, 2020, the components of distributable earnings for the Fund on a tax basis were as follows:

Undistributed
Ordinary
Income
(000)
  Undistributed
Long-Term
Capital Gain
(000)
 
$

53

   

$

   

At December 31, 2020, the Fund had available for federal income tax purposes unused short-term and long-term capital losses of approximately $361,000 and $288,000, respectively, that do not have an expiration date.

To the extent that capital loss carryforwards are used to offset any future capital gains realized, no capital gains tax liability will be incurred by the Fund for gains realized and not distributed. To the extent that capital gains are offset, such gains will not be distributed to the shareholders.

I. Credit Facility: The Company and other Morgan Stanley funds participated in a $300,000,000 committed, unsecured revolving line of credit facility (the "Facility") with State Street. This Facility is to be used for temporary emergency purposes or funding of shareholder redemption requests. The interest rate on borrowings is based on the federal funds rate or

1 month LIBOR rate plus a spread. The Facility also has a commitment fee of 0.25% per annum based on the unused portion of the Facility. During the year ended December 31, 2020, the Fund did not have any borrowings under the Facility.

J. Other: At December 31, 2020, the Fund had record owners of 10% or greater. Investment activities of these shareholders could have a material impact on the Fund. The aggregate percentage of such owners was 39.6%.

K. Market Risk: Certain impacts to public health conditions particular to the coronavirus (COVID-19) outbreak could impact the operations and financial performance of certain of the Fund's investments. The extent of the impact to the financial performance of the Fund's investments will depend on future developments, including (i) the duration and spread of the outbreak, (ii) the restrictions and advisories, (iii) the effects on the financial markets, and (iv) the effects on the economy overall, all of which are highly uncertain and cannot be predicted. If the financial performance of the Fund's investments is impacted because of these factors for an extended period, the Fund's investment results may be adversely affected.


28



Morgan Stanley Institutional Fund, Inc.

Annual Report — December 31, 2020

Report of Independent Registered Public Accounting Firm

To the Shareholders and Board of Directors of
Morgan Stanley Institutional Fund, Inc. —
Real Assets Portfolio

Opinion on the Financial Statements

We have audited the accompanying statement of assets and liabilities of Real Assets Portfolio (the "Fund") (one of the funds constituting Morgan Stanley Institutional Fund, Inc. (the "Company")), including the portfolio of investments, as of December 31, 2020, and the related statement of operations for the year then ended, the statements of changes in net assets for each of the two years in the period then ended and the financial highlights for each of the two years in the period then ended and the period from June 18, 2018 (commencement of operations) through December 31, 2018 and the related notes (collectively referred to as the "financial statements"). In our opinion, the financial statements present fairly, in all material respects, the financial position of Real Assets Portfolio (one of the funds constituting Morgan Stanley Institutional Fund, Inc.) at December 31, 2020, the results of its operations for the year then ended, the changes in its net assets for each of the two years in the period then ended, and its financial highlights for each of the two years in the period then ended and the period from June 18, 2018 (commencement of operations) through December 31, 2018, in conformity with U.S. generally accepted accounting principles.

Basis for Opinion

These financial statements are the responsibility of the Company's management. Our responsibility is to express an opinion on the Fund's financial statements based on our audits. We are a public accounting firm registered with the Public Company Accounting Oversight Board (United States) ("PCAOB") and are required to be independent with respect to the Company in accordance with the U.S. federal securities law and the applicable rules and regulations of the Securities and Exchange Commission and the PCAOB.

We conducted our audits in accordance with the standards of the PCAOB. Those standards require that we plan and perform the audit to obtain reasonable assurance about whether the financial statements are free of material misstatement, whether due to error or fraud. The Company is not required to have, nor were we engaged to perform, an audit of the Company's internal control over financial reporting. As part of our audits, we are required to obtain an understanding of internal control over financial reporting, but not for the purpose of expressing an opinion on the effectiveness of the Company's internal control over financial reporting. Accordingly, we express no such opinion.

Our audits included performing procedures to assess the risks of material misstatement of the financial statements, whether due to error or fraud, and performing procedures that respond to those risks. Such procedures included examining, on a test basis, evidence regarding the amounts and disclosures in the financial statements. Our procedures included confirmation of securities owned as of December 31, 2020 by correspondence with the custodian and others or by other appropriate auditing procedures where replies from others were not received. Our audits also included evaluating the accounting principles used and significant estimates made by management, as well as evaluating the overall presentation of the financial statements. We believe that our audits provide a reasonable basis for our opinion.

We have served as the auditor of one or more Morgan Stanley investment companies since 2000.
Boston, Massachusetts
February 26, 2021


29



Morgan Stanley Institutional Fund, Inc.

Annual Report — December 31, 2020

Liquidity Risk Management Program (unaudited)

In compliance with Rule 22e-4 under the Investment Company Act of 1940, as amended (the "Liquidity Rule"), the Fund has adopted and implemented a liquidity risk management program (the "Program"), which is reasonably designed to assess and manage the risk that the Fund could not meet requests to redeem shares issued by the Fund without significant dilution of remaining investors' interests in the Fund (i.e., liquidity risk). The Fund's Board of Directors (the "Board") previously approved the designation of the Liquidity Risk Subcommittee (the "LRS") as Program administrator. The LRS is comprised of representatives from various divisions within Morgan Stanley Investment Management.

At a meeting held on April 22-23, 2020, the Board reviewed a written report prepared by the LRS that addressed the Program's operation and assessed its adequacy, and effectiveness of implementation for the period from December 1, 2018, through December 31, 2019, as required under the Liquidity Rule. The report concluded that the Program operated effectively and was adequately and effectively implemented in all material aspects, and that the relevant controls and safeguards were appropriately designed to enable the LRS to administer the Program in compliance with the Liquidity Rule.

In accordance with the Program, the LRS assessed each Fund's liquidity risk no less frequently than annually taking into consideration certain factors, as applicable, such as (i) investment strategy and liquidity of portfolio investments, (ii) short-term and long-term cash flow projections and (iii) holdings of cash and cash equivalents and borrowing arrangements and other funding sources. Certain factors are considered under both normal and reasonably foreseeable stressed conditions.

Each Fund portfolio investment is classified into one of four liquidity categories, which classification is assessed at least monthly by the LRS. The classification is based on a determination of the number of days it is reasonably expected to take to convert the investment into cash, or sell or dispose of the investment, in current market conditions without significantly changing the market value of the investment. Liquidity classification determinations take into account various market, trading and investment-specific considerations, as well as market depth, and in some cases utilize third-party vendor data.

The Liquidity Rule limits a fund's investments in illiquid investments to 15% of its net assets and requires funds that do not primarily hold assets that are highly liquid investments to determine and maintain a minimum percentage of the fund's net assets to be invested in highly liquid investments (highly liquid investment minimum or "HLIM"). The LRS believes that the Program includes provisions reasonably designed to review, monitor and comply with the 15% limit on illiquid investments and for determining, periodically reviewing and complying with the HLIM requirement, as applicable.

There can be no assurance that the Program will achieve its objectives under all circumstances in the future. Please refer to the Fund's prospectus for more information regarding the Fund's exposure to liquidity risk and other risks to which it may be subject.


30



Morgan Stanley Institutional Fund, Inc.

Annual Report — December 31, 2020

Federal Tax Notice (unaudited)

For federal income tax purposes, the following information is furnished with respect to the distributions paid by the Fund during its taxable year ended December 31, 2020. For corporate shareholders, 18.25% of the dividends qualified for the dividends received deduction. In addition, the Fund designated approximately $37,000 of its distributions paid as qualified business income.

For federal income tax purposes, the following information is furnished with respect to the Fund's earnings for its taxable year ended December 31, 2020. When distributed, certain earnings may be subject to a maximum tax rate of 15% as provided for by the Jobs and Growth Tax Relief Reconciliation Act of 2003. The Fund designated up to a maximum of approximately $142,000 as taxable at this lower rate.

In January, the Fund provides tax information to shareholders for the preceding calendar year.


31



Morgan Stanley Institutional Fund, Inc.

Annual Report — December 31, 2020

Privacy Notice (unaudited)  April 2019

FACTS

 

WHAT DOES MSIM DO WITH YOUR PERSONAL INFORMATION?

 

Why?

 

Financial companies choose how they share your personal information. Federal law gives consumers the right to limit some but not all sharing. Federal law also requires us to tell you how we collect, share, and protect your personal information. Please read this notice carefully to understand what we do.

 

What?

  The types of personal information we collect and share depend on the product or service you have with us. This information can include:
n Social Security number and income
n investment experience and risk tolerance
n checking account number and wire transfer instructions
 

How?

 

All financial companies need to share customers' personal information to run their everyday business. In the section below, we list the reasons financial companies can share their customers' personal information; the reasons MSIM chooses to share; and whether you can limit this sharing.

 

 

Reasons we can share your personal information

 

Does MSIM share?

 

Can you limit this sharing?

 
For our everyday business purposes —
such as to process your transactions, maintain your account(s), respond to court orders and legal investigations, or report to credit bureaus
 

Yes

 

No

 
For our marketing purposes —
to offer our products and services to you
 

Yes

 

No

 

For joint marketing with other financial companies

 

No

 

We don't share

 
For our affiliates' everyday business purposes —
information about your transactions and experiences
 

Yes

 

No

 
For our affiliates' everyday business purposes —
information about your creditworthiness
 

No

 

We don't share

 

For our affiliates to market to you

 

No

 

We don't share

 

For non-affiliates to market to you

 

No

 

We don't share

 

Questions?  Call toll-free (844) 312-6327 or email: imprivacyinquiries@morganstanley.com


32



Morgan Stanley Institutional Fund, Inc.

Annual Report — December 31, 2020

Privacy Notice (unaudited) (cont'd)  April 2019

Who we are

Who is providing this notice?

 

Morgan Stanley Investment Management, Inc. and its affiliated registered investment advisers, registered broker-dealers, and registered and unregistered funds ("MSIM")

 

What we do

How does MSIM protect my personal information?

 

To protect your personal information from unauthorized access and use, we use security measures that comply with federal law. These measures include computer safeguards and secured files and buildings. We have policies governing the proper handling of customer information by personnel and requiring third parties that provide support to adhere to appropriate security standards with respect to such information.

 

How does MSIM collect my personal information?

  We collect your personal information, for example, when you
n open an account or make deposits or withdrawals from your account
n buy securities from us or make a wire transfer
n give us your contact information
We also collect your personal information from others, such as credit bureaus, affiliates, or other companies.
 

Why can't I limit all sharing?

  Federal law gives you the right to limit only
n sharing for affiliates' everyday business purposes — information about your creditworthiness
n affiliates from using your information to market to you
n sharing for non-affiliates to market to you
State laws and individual companies may give you additional rights to limit sharing. See below for more on your rights under state law.
 

Definitions

Affiliates

  Companies related by common ownership or control. They can be financial and non-financial companies.
n Our affiliates include companies with a Morgan Stanley name and financial companies such as Morgan Stanley Smith Barney LLC and Morgan Stanley & Co.
 

Non-affiliates

  Companies not related by common ownership or control. They can be financial and non-financial companies.
n MSIM does not share with non-affiliates so they can market to you.
 

Joint marketing

  A formal agreement between non-affiliated financial companies that together market financial products or services to you.
n MSIM doesn't jointly market
 


33



Morgan Stanley Institutional Fund, Inc.

Annual Report — December 31, 2020

Privacy Notice (unaudited) (cont'd)  April 2019

Other Important Information

Vermont: Except as permitted by law, we will not share personal information we collect about Vermont residents with Non-affiliates unless you provide us with your written consent to share such information.

California: Except as permitted by law, we will not share personal information we collect about California residents with Non-affiliates and we will limit sharing such personal information with our Affiliates to comply with California privacy laws that apply to us.


34



Morgan Stanley Institutional Fund, Inc.

Annual Report — December 31, 2020

Director and Officer Information (unaudited)

Independent Directors:

Name, Address and Birth
Year of Independent Director
  Position(s)
Held with
Registrant
  Length of Time
Served*
  Principal Occupation(s) During Past 5 Years and Other
Relevant Professional Experience
  Number of
Funds
in Fund Complex
Overseen by
Independent
Director**
  Other Directorships
Held by Independent
Director***
 
Frank L. Bowman
c/o Perkins Coie LLP
Counsel to the Independent Directors
1155 Avenue of the Americas,
22nd Floor
New York, NY 10036
Birth Year: 1944
 

Director

 

Since August 2006

 

President, Strategic Decisions, LLC (consulting) (since February 2009); Director or Trustee of various Morgan Stanley Funds (since August 2006); Chairperson of the Compliance and Insurance Committee (since October 2015); formerly, Chairperson of the Insurance Sub-Committee of the Compliance and Insurance Committee (2007-2015); served as President and Chief Executive Officer of the Nuclear Energy Institute (policy organization) (February 2005-November 2008); retired as Admiral, U.S. Navy after serving over 38 years on active duty including 8 years as Director of the Naval Nuclear Propulsion Program in the Department of the Navy and the U.S. Department of Energy (1996-2004); served as Chief of Naval Personnel (July 1994-September 1996) and on the Joint Staff as Director of Political Military Affairs (June 1992-July 1994); knighted as Honorary Knight Commander of the Most Excellent Order of the British Empire; awarded the Officier de l'Orde National du Mérite by the French Government; elected to the National Academy of Engineering (2009).

 

79

 

Director of Naval and Nuclear Technologies LLP; Director Emeritus of the Armed Services YMCA; Member of the National Security Advisory Council of the Center for U.S. Global Engagement and a member of the CNA Military Advisory Board; Trustee of Fairhaven United Methodist Church; Member of the Board of Advisors of the Dolphin Scholarship Foundation; Director of other various non-profit organizations; formerly, Director of BP plc (November 2010-May 2019).

 
Kathleen A. Dennis
c/o Perkins Coie LLP
Counsel to the Independent Directors
1155 Avenue of the Americas,
22nd Floor
New York, NY 10036
Birth Year: 1953
 

Director

 

Since August 2006

 

Chairperson of the Governance Committee (January 2021), Chairperson of the Liquidity and Alternatives Sub-Committee of the Investment Committee (2006-2020); and Director or Trustee of various Morgan Stanley Funds (since August 2006); President, Cedarwood Associates (mutual fund and investment management consulting) (since July 2006); formerly, Senior Managing Director of Victory Capital Management (1993-2006).

 

79

 

Board Member, University of Albany Foundation (2012-present); Board Member, Mutual Funds Directors Forum (2014-present); Director of various non-profit organizations.

 
Nancy C. Everett
c/o Perkins Coie LLP
Counsel to the Independent Directors
1155 Avenue of the Americas,
22nd Floor
New York, NY 10036
Birth Year: 1955
 

Director

 

Since January 2015

 

Chairperson of the Equity Investment Committee (since January 2021); Director or Trustee of various Morgan Stanley Funds (since January 2015); Chief Executive Officer, Virginia Commonwealth University Investment Company (since November 2015); Owner, OBIR, LLC (institutional investment management consulting) (since June 2014); formerly, Managing Director, BlackRock, Inc. (February 2011-December 2013); and Chief Executive Officer, General Motors Asset Management (a/k/a Promark Global Advisors, Inc.) (June 2005-May 2010).

 

80

 

Formerly, Member of Virginia Commonwealth University School of Business Foundation (2005-2016); Member of Virginia Commonwealth University Board of Visitors (2013-2015); Member of Committee on Directors for Emerging Markets Growth Fund, Inc. (2007-2010); Chairperson of Performance Equity Management, LLC (2006-2010); and Chairperson, GMAM Absolute Return Strategies Fund, LLC (2006-2010).

 


35



Morgan Stanley Institutional Fund, Inc.

Annual Report — December 31, 2020

Director and Officer Information (unaudited) (cont'd)

Independent Directors (cont'd):

Name, Address and Birth
Year of Independent Director
  Position(s)
Held with
Registrant
  Length of Time
Served*
  Principal Occupation(s) During Past 5 Years and Other
Relevant Professional Experience
  Number of
Funds
in Fund Complex
Overseen by
Independent
Director**
  Other Directorships
Held by Independent
Director***
 
Jakki L. Haussler
c/o Perkins Coie LLP
Counsel to the Independent Directors
1155 Avenue of the Americas,
22nd Floor
New York, NY 10036
Birth Year: 1957
 

Director

 

Since January 2015

 

Director or Trustee of various Morgan Stanley Funds (since January 2015) Chairman, Opus Capital Group (1996); formerly, Chief Executive Officer, Opus Capital Group (1996-2019); Director, Capvest Venture Fund, LP (May 2000-December 2011); Partner, Adena Ventures, LP (July 1999-December 2010); Director, The Victory Funds (February 2005-July 2008).

 

80

 

Director of Cincinnati Bell Inc. and Member, Audit Committee and Chairman, Governance and Nominating Committee; Director of Service Corporation International and Member, Audit Committee and Investment Committee; Director of Northern Kentucky University Foundation and Member, Investment Committee; Member of Chase College of Law Transactional Law Practice Center Board of Advisors; Director of Best Transport; Director of Chase College of Law Board of Visitors; formerly, Member, University of Cincinnati Foundation Investment Committee; Member, Miami University Board of Visitors (2008-2011); Trustee of Victory Funds (2005-2008) and Chairman, Investment Committee (2007-2008); and Member, Service Provider Committee (2005-2008).

 
Dr. Manuel H. Johnson
c/o Johnson Smick International, Inc.
220 I Street, NE — Suite 200
Washington, D.C. 20002
Birth Year: 1949
 

Director

 

Since July 1991

 

Senior Partner, Johnson Smick International, Inc. (consulting firm); Chairperson of the Fixed Income, Liquidity and Alternatives Investment Committee (January 2021), Chairperson of the Investment Committee (2006-2020) and Director or Trustee of various Morgan Stanley Funds (since July 1991); Co-Chairman and a founder of the Group of Seven Council (G7C) (international economic commission); formerly, Chairperson of the Audit Committee (July 1991-September 2006), Vice Chairman of the Board of Governors of the Federal Reserve System and Assistant Secretary of the U.S. Treasury.

 

79

 

Director of NVR, Inc. (home construction).

 


36



Morgan Stanley Institutional Fund, Inc.

Annual Report — December 31, 2020

Director and Officer Information (unaudited) (cont'd)

Independent Directors (cont'd):

Name, Address and Birth
Year of Independent Director
  Position(s)
Held with
Registrant
  Length of Time
Served*
  Principal Occupation(s) During Past 5 Years and Other
Relevant Professional Experience
  Number of
Funds
in Fund Complex
Overseen by
Independent
Director**
  Other Directorships
Held by Independent
Director***
 
Joseph J. Kearns
c/o Perkins Coie LLP
Counsel to the Independent Directors
1155 Avenue of the Americas,
22nd Floor
New York, NY 10036
Birth Year: 1942
 

Director

 

Since August 1994

 

Senior Adviser, Kearns & Associates LLC (investment consulting); Chairperson of the Audit Committee (since October 2006) and Director or Trustee of various Morgan Stanley Funds (since August 1994); formerly, Deputy Chairperson of the Audit Committee (July 2003-September 2006) and Chairperson of the Audit Committee of various Morgan Stanley Funds (since August 1994); CFO of the J. Paul Getty Trust (1982-1999).

 

80

 

Director, Rubicon Investment (since February 2019); Prior to August 2016, Director of Electro Rent Corporation (equipment leasing); Prior to December 31, 2013, Director of The Ford Family Foundation.

 
Michael F. Klein
c/o Perkins Coie LLP
Counsel to the Independent Directors
1155 Avenue of the Americas,
22nd Floor
New York, NY 10036
Birth Year: 1958
 

Director

 

Since August 2006

 

Chairperson of the Risk Committee (since January 2021); Managing Director, Aetos Alternatives Management, LP (since March 2000); Co-President, Aetos Alternatives Management, LP (since January 2004) and Co-Chief Executive Officer of Aetos Alternatives Management, LP (since August 2013); Chairperson of the fixed Income Sub-Committee of the Investment committee (2006-2020) and Director or Trustee of various Morgan Stanley Funds (since August 2006); formerly, Managing Director, Morgan Stanley & Co. Inc. and Morgan Stanley Dean Witter Investment Management and President, various Morgan Stanley Funds (June 1998-March 2000); Principal, Morgan Stanley & Co. Inc. and Morgan Stanley Dean Witter Investment Management (August 1997-December 1999).

 

79

 

Director of certain investment funds managed or sponsored by Aetos Alternatives Management, LP; Director of Sanitized AG and Sanitized Marketing AG (specialty chemicals).

 
Patricia Maleski
c/o Perkins Coie LLP
Counsel to the Independent Directors
1155 Avenue of the Americas,
22nd Floor
New York, NY 10036
Birth Year: 1960
 

Director

 

Since January 2017

 

Director or Trustee of various Morgan Stanley Funds (since January 2017); Managing Director, JPMorgan Asset Management (2004-2016); Oversight and Control Head of Fiduciary and Conflicts of Interest Program (2015-2016); Chief Control Officer-Global Asset Management (2013-2015); President, JPMorgan Funds (2010-2013); Chief Administrative Officer (2004-2013); various other positions including Treasurer and Board Liaison (since 2001).

 

80

 

None.

 
W. Allen Reed
c/o Perkins Coie LLP
Counsel to the Independent Directors
1155 Avenue of the Americas,
22nd Floor
New York, NY 10036
Birth Year: 1947
 

Chair of the Board and Director

 

Chair of the Boards since August 2020 and Director since August 2006

 

Chair of the Boards of various Morgan Stanley Funds (since August 2020); Director or Trustee of various Morgan Stanley Funds (since August 2006); formerly, Vice Chair of the Boards of various Morgan Stanley Funds (January 2020-August 2020); President and Chief Executive Officer of General Motors Asset Management; Chairman and Chief Executive Officer of the GM Trust Bank and Corporate Vice President of General Motors Corporation (August 1994-December 2005).

 

79

 

Formerly, Director of Legg Mason, Inc. (2006-2019); and Director of the Auburn University Foundation (2010-2015).

 

*  This is the earliest date the Director began serving the Morgan Stanley Funds. Each Director serves an indefinite term, until his or her successor is elected.

**  The Fund Complex includes (as of December 31, 2020) all open-end and closed-end funds (including all of their portfolios) advised by Morgan Stanley Investment Management Inc. (the "Adviser") and any funds that have an adviser that is an affiliated person of the Adviser (including, but not limited to, Morgan Stanley AIP GP LP).

***  This includes any directorships at public companies and registered investment companies held by the Director at any time during the past five years.


37



Morgan Stanley Institutional Fund, Inc.

Annual Report — December 31, 2020

Director and Officer Information (unaudited) (cont'd)

Executive Officers:

Name, Address and
Birth Year of Executive Officer
  Position(s) Held
with
Registrant
  Length of
Time Served*
 

Principal Occupation(s) During Past 5 Years

 
John H. Gernon
522 Fifth Avenue
New York, NY 10036
Birth Year: 1963
 

President and Principal Executive Officer

 

Since September 2013

 

President and Principal Executive Officer of the Equity and Fixed Income Funds and the Morgan Stanley AIP Funds (since September 2013) and the Liquidity Funds and various money market funds (since May 2014) in the Fund Complex; Managing Director of the Adviser; Head of Public Markets Product Development (since 2006).

 
Timothy J. Knierim
1633 Broadway
New York, NY 10019
Birth Year: 1959
 

Chief Compliance Officer

 

Since December 2016

 

Managing Director of the Adviser and various entities affiliated with the Adviser; Chief Compliance Officer of various Morgan Stanley Funds and the Adviser (since December 2016) and Chief Compliance Officer of Morgan Stanley AIP GP LP (since 2014). Formerly, Managing Director and Deputy Chief Compliance Officer of the Adviser (2014-2016).

 
Francis J. Smith
522 Fifth Avenue
New York, NY 10036
Birth Year: 1965
 

Treasurer and Principal Financial Officer

 

Treasurer since July 2003 and Principal Financial Officer since September 2002

 

Managing Director of the Adviser and various entities affiliated with the Adviser; Treasurer (since July 2003) and Principal Financial Officer of various Morgan Stanley Funds (since September 2002).

 
Mary E. Mullin
1633 Broadway
New York, NY 10019
Birth Year: 1967
 

Secretary

 

Since June 1999

 

Managing Director of the Adviser; Secretary of various Morgan Stanley Funds (since June 1999).

 
Michael J. Key
522 Fifth Avenue
New York, NY 10036
Birth Year: 1979
 

Vice President

 

Since June 2017

 

Vice President of the Equity and Fixed Income Funds, Liquidity Funds, various money market funds and the Morgan Stanley AIP Funds in the Fund Complex (since June 2017); Executive Director of the Adviser; Head of Product Development for Equity and Fixed Income Funds (since August 2013).

 

*  This is the earliest date the officer began serving the Morgan Stanley Funds. Each officer serves a one-year term, until his or her successor is elected and qualifies.


38



Morgan Stanley Institutional Fund, Inc.

Annual Report — December 31, 2020 (unaudited)

Adviser and Administrator

Morgan Stanley Investment Management Inc.
522 Fifth Avenue
New York, New York 10036

Sub-Adviser

Morgan Stanley Investment Management Limited
25 Cabot Square, Canary Wharf
London, E14 4QA, England

Distributor

Morgan Stanley Distribution, Inc.
522 Fifth Avenue
New York, New York 10036

Dividend Disbursing and Transfer Agent

DST Asset Manager Solutions, Inc.
2000 Crown Colony Drive
Quincy, Massachusetts 02169

Custodian

State Street Bank and Trust Company
One Lincoln Street
Boston, Massachusetts 02111

Legal Counsel

Dechert LLP
1095 Avenue of the Americas
New York, New York 10036

Counsel to the Independent Directors

Perkins Coie LLP
1155 Avenue of the Americas,
22nd Floor
New York, New York 10036

Independent Registered Public Accounting Firm

Ernst & Young LLP
200 Clarendon Street
Boston, Massachusetts 02116

Reporting to Shareholders

Each Morgan Stanley fund provides a complete schedule of portfolio holdings in its Semi-Annual and the Annual Reports within 60 days of the end of the fund's second and fourth fiscal quarters. The Semi-Annual and Annual Reports are filed electronically with the Securities and Exchange Commission ("SEC") on Form N-CSRS and Form N-CSR, respectively. Morgan Stanley also delivers the Semi-Annual and Annual Reports to fund shareholders and makes these reports available on its public website, www.morganstanley.com/im/shareholderreports. Each Morgan Stanley non-money market fund also files a complete schedule of portfolio holdings with the SEC for the fund's first and third fiscal quarters as an attachment to Form N-PORT. Morgan Stanley does not deliver the reports for the first and third fiscal quarters to shareholders, but makes the complete schedule of portfolio holdings for the fund's first and third fiscal quarters available on its public website. The holdings for each money market fund are also posted to the Morgan Stanley public website. You may obtain the Form N-PORT filings (as well as the Form N-CSR and N-CSRS filings) by accessing the SEC's website, www.sec.gov. You can also request copies of these materials, upon payment of a duplicating fee, by electronic request at the SEC's email address (publicinfo@sec.gov).

Proxy Voting Policies and Procedures and Proxy Voting Record

You may obtain a copy of the Company's Proxy Voting Policy and Procedures and information regarding how the Company voted proxies relating to portfolio securities during the most recent twelve-month period ended June 30, without charge, upon request, by calling toll free 1 (800) 548-7786 or by visiting our website at www.morganstanley.com/im/shareholderreports. This information is also available on the SEC's website at www.sec.gov.

This report is authorized for distribution only when preceded or accompanied by a prospectus or summary prospectus of the applicable fund of Morgan Stanley Institutional Fund, Inc., which describes in detail the fund's investment policies, risks, fees and expenses. Please read the prospectus carefully before you invest or send money. For additional information, including information regarding the investments comprising the Fund, please visit our website at www.morganstanley.com/im/shareholderreports or call toll free 1 (800) 548-7786.


39



Printed in U.S.A.
This Report has been prepared for shareholders and may be distributed to others only if preceded or accompanied by a current prospectus.

Morgan Stanley Investment Management Inc.
522 Fifth Avenue
New York, New York 10036

© 2021 Morgan Stanley. Morgan Stanley Distribution, Inc.

IFIRAANN
3386911 EXP 02.28.22



INVESTMENT MANAGEMENT

Morgan Stanley Institutional Fund, Inc.

US Core Portfolio

Annual Report

December 31, 2020



Morgan Stanley Institutional Fund, Inc.

Annual Report — December 31, 2020

Table of Contents

Shareholders' Letter

   

2

   

Expense Example

   

3

   

Investment Overview

   

4

   

Portfolio of Investments

   

6

   

Statement of Assets and Liabilities

   

7

   

Statement of Operations

   

8

   

Statements of Changes in Net Assets

   

9

   

Financial Highlights

   

10

   

Notes to Financial Statements

   

14

   

Report of Independent Registered Public Accounting Firm

   

19

   

Liquidity Risk Management Program

   

20

   

Federal Tax Notice

   

21

   

Privacy Notice

   

22

   

Director and Officer Information

   

25

   

This report is authorized for distribution only when preceded or accompanied by a prospectus or summary prospectus of the applicable Fund of Morgan Stanley Institutional Fund, Inc. To receive a prospectus and/or statement of additional information ("SAI"), which contains more complete information such as investment objectives, charges, expenses, policies for voting proxies, risk considerations and describes in detail each of the Fund's investment policies to the prospective investor, please call toll free 1 (800) 548-7786. Please read the prospectuses carefully before you invest or send money.

Additionally, you can access information about the Fund, including performance, characteristics and investment team commentary, through Morgan Stanley Investment Management's website: www.morganstanley.com/im/shareholderreports.

Market forecasts provided in this report may not necessarily come to pass. There is no guarantee that any sectors mentioned will continue to perform as discussed herein or that securities in such sectors will be held by the Fund in the future. There is no assurance that a fund will achieve its investment objective. Funds are subject to market risk, which is the possibility that market values of securities owned by the Fund will decline and, therefore, the value of the Fund's shares may be less than what you paid for them. Accordingly, you can lose money investing in this Fund. Please see the prospectus for more complete information on investment risks.


1



Morgan Stanley Institutional Fund, Inc.

Annual Report — December 31, 2020

Shareholders' Letter (unaudited)

Dear Shareholders,

We are pleased to provide this Annual Report, in which you will learn how your investment in US Core Portfolio (the "Fund") performed during the latest twelve-month period.

Morgan Stanley Investment Management is a client-centric, investor-led organization. Our global presence, intellectual capital, and breadth of products and services enable us to partner with investors to meet the evolving challenges of today's financial markets. We aim to deliver superior investment service and to empower our clients to make the informed decisions that help them reach their investment goals.

As always, we thank you for selecting Morgan Stanley Investment Management, and look forward to working with you in the months and years ahead.

Sincerely,

John H. Gernon
President and Principal Executive Officer

January 2021


2



Morgan Stanley Institutional Fund, Inc.

Annual Report — December 31, 2020

Expense Example (unaudited)

US Core Portfolio

As a shareholder of the Fund, you incur two types of costs: (1) transactional costs; and (2) ongoing costs, which may include advisory fees, administration fees, distribution and shareholder services fees and other Fund expenses. This example is intended to help you understand your ongoing costs (in dollars) of investing in the Fund and to compare these costs with the ongoing costs of investing in other mutual funds.

This example is based on an investment of $1,000 invested at the beginning of the six-month period ended December 31, 2020 and held for the entire six-month period.

Actual Expenses

The table below provides information about actual account values and actual expenses. You may use the information in this table, 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 table under the heading entitled "Actual Expenses Paid During Period" to estimate the expenses you paid on your account during this period.

Hypothetical Example for Comparison Purposes

The table below provides information about hypothetical account values and hypothetical expenses based on the Fund's actual expense ratio and an assumed rate of return of 5% per year before expenses, which is not the Fund's actual return. The hypothetical account values and expenses may not be used to estimate the actual ending account balance or expenses you paid for the period. You may use this information to compare the ongoing costs of investing in the Fund and other funds. To do so, compare this 5% hypothetical example with the 5% hypothetical examples that appear in the shareholder reports of the other funds.

Please note that the expenses shown in the table are meant to highlight your ongoing costs only and do not reflect any transactional costs, such as sales charges (loads). Therefore, the information for each class in the table is useful in comparing ongoing costs only, and will not help you determine the relative total costs of owning different funds. In addition, if these transactional costs were included, your costs would have been higher.

    Beginning
Account
Value
7/1/20
  Actual Ending
Account
Value
12/31/20
  Hypothetical
Ending Account
Value
  Actual
Expenses
Paid
During
Period*
  Hypothetical
Expenses Paid
During Period*
  Net
Expense
Ratio
During
Period**
 

US Core Portfolio Class I

 

$

1,000.00

   

$

1,265.40

   

$

1,021.11

   

$

4.56

   

$

4.06

     

0.80

%

 

US Core Portfolio Class A

   

1,000.00

     

1,263.70

     

1,019.56

     

6.32

     

5.63

     

1.11

   

US Core Portfolio Class C

   

1,000.00

     

1,259.20

     

1,015.58

     

10.79

     

9.63

     

1.90

   

US Core Portfolio Class IS

   

1,000.00

     

1,266.10

     

1,021.37

     

4.27

     

3.81

     

0.75

   

*  Expenses are calculated using each Fund Class' annualized net expense ratio (as disclosed), multiplied by the average account value over the period and multiplied by 184/366 (to reflect the most recent one-half year period).

**  Annualized.


3



Morgan Stanley Institutional Fund, Inc.

Annual Report — December 31, 2020

Investment Overview (unaudited)

US Core Portfolio

The Fund seeks long-term capital appreciation.

Performance

For the fiscal year ended December 31, 2020, the Fund's Class I shares had a total return based on net asset value and reinvestment of distributions per share of 24.20%, net of fees. The Fund's Class I shares outperformed the Fund's benchmark, the S&P 500® Index (the "Index"), which returned 18.40%.

Please keep in mind that double-digit returns are highly unusual and cannot be sustained. Investors should also be aware that these returns were primarily achieved during favorable market conditions.

Factors Affecting Performance

•  The Fund returned strong performance on both an absolute and relative basis in 2020.

•  For the duration of 2020, the Fund held both growth and value stocks, with some exposure to more defensive bond proxy stocks in terms of utilities and real estate investment trusts (REITs) to help mitigate market volatility. This positioning contributed to performance.

•  Early year expectations were for a market that would respond positively to easy earnings comparisons, a strengthening U.S. housing market, accommodative U.S. Federal Reserve stimulus policy, historically low unemployment, overly negative investor sentiment and potential resolution to the U.S. versus China trade dispute. However, a global government-induced economic shutdown to mitigate the spread of COVID-19 quickly tipped the economy into recession and pushed equities into bear market territory. As the markets dropped in the last days of the first quarter of 2020 prior to beginning their remarkable recovery, the more volatile, cyclical value stocks in the portfolio were even more greatly impacted than the growth stocks in the portfolio. These value stocks were historically inexpensive with strong balance sheets, providing potential for strong upside in a market recovery, hence the decision to maintain weighting in these names.

•  As the recovery progressed, growth stocks, and secular growth stocks in particular, appreciated to become extraordinarily expensive relative to their

history, approaching valuation levels they last achieved prior to the 2000 dot-com bust, implying unreasonably high expectations. To mitigate the associated risk, the allocation increased to cyclical value stocks, which were more greatly impacted in the first quarter drawdown and priced at similarly low historic valuation levels, a magnitude last seen in 2008. The resultant positioning served us well. Value cyclical stocks performed strongly, especially in the fourth quarter of 2020, with both growth and value stocks contributing positively to performance for the full year.

•  Entering 2021, the portfolio holds about 40% growth and 60% value/core stocks, including some exposure to more defensive bond proxy stocks in terms of utilities and REITs to help mitigate market volatility.

•  Within stock selection, the largest detractors were a global bank weighed down by concerns regarding slower loan growth and macro headwinds, and two REIT stocks, including one with exposure to retail, restaurants and movie theaters, all businesses overly impacted during the recession.

•  The Fund benefited the most from stock positions in technology, specifically a communication and mobile device manufacturer and a software and services company. Other top contributors include a designer athletic apparel manufacturer and retailer, a maker of science and medical diagnostics products, and an entertainment and resort company.

Management Strategies

•  There have been no changes to our investment process during the period. Applied Equity Advisors' investment process is comprised of two parts: a Factor Timing Engine and a Stock Selection Engine. The first step, the Factor Timing Engine, takes into account not only what market factors or areas of the market are in leadership, but also how much momentum a particular factor has, whether that factor is cheap or expensive, and whether the timing is right to be tilted toward that factor. The timing decision comes down to the team's judgment and our combined decades of experience in factor investing. With regard to the Factor Timing Engine, investing in a particular area of the


4



Morgan Stanley Institutional Fund, Inc.

Annual Report — December 31, 2020

Investment Overview (unaudited) (cont'd)

US Core Portfolio

market that shows cheap historical valuation levels may not appear to be advantageous at first, but if chosen correctly, sticking with that investment often proves to be successful over the longer term. The Stock Selection Engine begins its work once the desired factor positioning is understood. There are three steps to the Stock Selection Engine: 1. regression analysis to determine the drivers of a particular stock's price performance; 2. Sustainability Analysis; and 3. further evaluation of the company fundamentals. The result is a highly active portfolio of fundamentally attractive stocks which the team believes could benefit from what we have identified to be quantitative investment styles likely to outperform.

*  Minimum Investment for Class I shares

**  Commenced Operations on May 27, 2016.

In accordance with SEC regulations, the Fund's performance shown assumes that all recurring fees (including management fees) were deducted and all dividends and distributions were reinvested. The performance of Class A, C and IS shares will vary from the performance of Class I shares and will be negatively impacted by additional fees assessed to those classes (if applicable).

Performance Compared to the S&P 500® Index(1), the Lipper Multi-Cap Growth Funds Index(2) and the Lipper Large-Cap Core Funds Index(3)

    Period Ended December 31, 2020
Total Returns(4)
 
       

Average Annual

 
    One
Year
  Five
Years
  Ten
Years
  Since
Inception(6)
 
Fund — Class I Shares
w/o sales charges(5)
   

24.20

%

   

     

     

14.89

%

 
Fund — Class A Shares
w/o sales charges(5)
   

23.77

     

     

     

14.48

   
Fund — Class A Shares
with maximum 5.25%
sales charges(5)
   

17.26

     

     

     

13.16

   
Fund — Class C Shares
w/o sales charges(5)
   

22.84

     

     

     

13.62

   
Fund — Class C Shares
with maximum 1.00%
deferred sales charges(5)
   

21.84

     

     

     

13.62

   
Fund — Class IS Shares
w/o sales charges(5)
   

24.27

     

     

     

14.93

   

S&P 500® Index

   

18.40

     

     

     

15.77

   
Lipper Multi-Cap Growth
Funds Index
   

43.16

     

     

     

21.82

   
Lipper Large-Cap Core Funds
Index
   

16.10

     

     

     

14.49

   

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. Performance assumes that all dividends and distributions, if any, were reinvested. For the most recent month-end performance figures, please visit www.morganstanley.com/im/shareholderreports. Investment return and principal value will fluctuate so that Fund shares, when redeemed, may be worth more or less than their original cost. Total returns do not reflect the deduction of taxes that a shareholder would pay on Fund distributions or the redemption of Fund shares. Performance of share classes will vary due to difference in sales charges and expenses.

(1)  The Standard & Poor's 500® Index (S&P 500® Index) measures the performance of the large cap segment of the U.S. equities market, covering approximately 80% of the U.S. equities market. The Index includes 500 leading companies in leading industries of the U.S. economy. The Index is unmanaged and its returns do not include any sales charges or fees. Such costs would lower performance. It is not possible to invest directly in an index.

(2)  The Lipper Multi-Cap Growth Funds Index is an equally weighted performance index of the largest qualifying funds (based on net assets) in the Lipper Multi-Cap Growth Funds classification. The Index, which is adjusted for capital gains distributions and income dividends, is unmanaged and should not be considered an investment. There are currently 30 funds represented in this Index. As of the date of this report, the Fund was in the Lipper Multi-Cap Growth Funds classification. The Funds' Lipper category changed from Lipper Large-Cap Core Funds to Lipper Multi-Cap Growth Funds.

(3)  The Lipper Large-Cap Core Funds Index is an equally weighted performance index of the largest qualifying funds (based on net assets) in the Lipper Large-Cap Core Funds classification. The Index, which is adjusted for capital gains distributions and income dividends, is unmanaged and should not be considered an investment. There are currently 30 funds represented in this Index.

(4)  Total returns for the Fund reflect fees waived and expenses reimbursed, if applicable, by the Adviser (as defined herein). Without such waivers and reimbursements, total returns would have been lower.

(5)  Commenced operations on May 27, 2016.

(6)  For comparative purposes, average annual since inception returns listed for the Indexes refer to the inception date of the Fund, not the inception of the Index.


5



Morgan Stanley Institutional Fund, Inc.

Annual Report — December 31, 2020

Portfolio of Investments

US Core Portfolio

   

Shares

  Value
(000)
 

Common Stocks (98.4%)

 

Banks (12.0%)

 

First Republic Bank

   

10,512

   

$

1,545

   

JPMorgan Chase & Co.

   

6,479

     

823

   

SVB Financial Group (a)

   

3,012

     

1,168

   
     

3,536

   

Building Products (1.7%)

 

Fortune Brands Home & Security, Inc.

   

5,820

     

499

   

Capital Markets (3.9%)

 

Ameriprise Financial, Inc.

   

5,999

     

1,166

   

Commercial Services & Supplies (1.5%)

 

Waste Management, Inc.

   

3,728

     

440

   

Electric Utilities (2.8%)

 

NextEra Energy, Inc.

   

10,611

     

819

   

Entertainment (2.0%)

 

Cinemark Holdings, Inc.

   

13,756

     

240

   

Live Nation Entertainment, Inc. (a)

   

5,013

     

368

   
     

608

   

Equity Real Estate Investment Trusts (REITs) (4.8%)

 

STORE Capital Corp. REIT

   

41,564

     

1,412

   

Health Care Equipment & Supplies (6.6%)

 

Danaher Corp.

   

5,680

     

1,262

   

Edwards Lifesciences Corp. (a)

   

1,166

     

106

   

West Pharmaceutical Services, Inc.

   

2,101

     

595

   
     

1,963

   

Health Care Providers & Services (2.3%)

 

Cigna Corp.

   

3,261

     

679

   

Health Care Technology (2.2%)

 

Veeva Systems, Inc., Class A (a)

   

2,428

     

661

   

Hotels, Restaurants & Leisure (10.6%)

 

Carnival Corp.

   

13,292

     

288

   

Domino's Pizza, Inc.

   

3,047

     

1,168

   

MGM Resorts International

   

36,112

     

1,138

   

Planet Fitness, Inc., Class A (a)

   

6,913

     

537

   
     

3,131

   

Household Durables (1.7%)

 

Lennar Corp., Class A

   

6,510

     

496

   

Information Technology Services (6.3%)

 

Mastercard, Inc., Class A

   

5,223

     

1,864

   

Interactive Media & Services (3.5%)

 

Alphabet, Inc., Class A (a)

   

586

     

1,027

   

Oil, Gas & Consumable Fuels (1.8%)

 

Chevron Corp.

   

6,390

     

539

   

Personal Products (3.6%)

 

Estee Lauder Cos., Inc. (The), Class A

   

3,996

     

1,064

   

Software (12.0%)

 

Adobe, Inc. (a)

   

1,407

     

704

   

Microsoft Corp.

   

10,932

     

2,431

   

ServiceNow, Inc. (a)

   

763

     

420

   
     

3,555

   
   

Shares

  Value
(000)
 

Specialty Retail (3.7%)

 

Home Depot, Inc. (The)

   

4,112

   

$

1,092

   

Tech Hardware, Storage & Peripherals (9.0%)

 

Apple, Inc.

   

20,008

     

2,655

   

Textiles, Apparel & Luxury Goods (2.9%)

 

Lululemon Athletica, Inc. (a)

   

2,457

     

855

   

Trading Companies & Distributors (3.5%)

 

United Rentals, Inc. (a)

   

4,481

     

1,039

   

Total Common Stocks (Cost $20,332)

   

29,100

   

Short-Term Investment (1.6%)

 

Investment Company (1.6%)

 
Morgan Stanley Institutional Liquidity
Funds — Treasury Securities Portfolio —
Institutional Class (See Note G)
(Cost $459)
   

458,811

     

459

   

Total Investments (100.0%) (Cost $20,791) (b)

   

29,559

   

Liabilities in Excess of Other Assets (0.0%) (c)

   

(4

)

 

Net Assets (100.0%)

 

$

29,555

   

(a)  Non-income producing security.

(b)  At December 31, 2020, the aggregate cost for federal income tax purposes is approximately $20,830,000. The aggregate gross unrealized appreciation is approximately $8,734,000 and the aggregate gross unrealized depreciation is approximately $5,000, resulting in net unrealized appreciation of approximately $8,729,000.

(c)  Amount is less than 0.05%.

REIT  Real Estate Investment Trust.

Portfolio Composition

Classification

  Percentage of
Total Investments
 

Other*

   

43.5

%

 

Software

   

12.0

   

Banks

   

12.0

   

Hotels, Restaurants & Leisure

   

10.6

   

Tech Hardware, Storage & Peripherals

   

9.0

   

Health Care Equipment & Supplies

   

6.6

   

Information Technology Services

   

6.3

   

Total Investments

   

100.0

%

 

*  Industries and/or investment types representing less than 5% of total investments.

The accompanying notes are an integral part of the financial statements.
6



Morgan Stanley Institutional Fund, Inc.

Annual Report — December 31, 2020

US Core Portfolio

Statement of Assets and Liabilities

  December 31, 2020
(000)
 

Assets:

 

Investments in Securities of Unaffiliated Issuers, at Value (Cost $20,332)

 

$

29,100

   

Investment in Security of Affiliated Issuer, at Value (Cost $459)

   

459

   

Total Investments in Securities, at Value (Cost $20,791)

   

29,559

   

Receivable for Fund Shares Sold

   

191

   

Due from Adviser

   

24

   

Dividends Receivable

   

16

   

Receivable from Affiliate

   

@

 

Other Assets

   

26

   

Total Assets

   

29,816

   

Liabilities:

 

Payable for Investments Purchased

   

175

   

Payable for Fund Shares Redeemed

   

54

   

Payable for Professional Fees

   

18

   

Payable for Shareholder Services Fees — Class A

   

1

   

Payable for Distribution and Shareholder Services Fees — Class C

   

3

   

Payable for Transfer Agency Fees — Class I

   

@

 

Payable for Transfer Agency Fees — Class A

   

1

   

Payable for Transfer Agency Fees — Class C

   

@

 

Payable for Custodian Fees

   

2

   

Payable for Administration Fees

   

2

   

Payable for Sub Transfer Agency Fees — Class I

   

1

   

Payable for Sub Transfer Agency Fees — Class A

   

@

 

Payable for Sub Transfer Agency Fees — Class C

   

@

 

Other Liabilities

   

4

   

Total Liabilities

   

261

   

Net Assets

 

$

29,555

   

Net Assets Consist of:

 

Paid-in-Capital

 

$

21,273

   

Total Distributable Earnings

   

8,282

   

Net Assets

 

$

29,555

   

CLASS I:

 

Net Assets

 

$

20,377

   
Shares Outstanding $0.001 par value shares of beneficial interest (unlimited shares authorized) (not in 000's)    

1,126,427

   

Net Asset Value, Offering and Redemption Price Per Share

 

$

18.09

   

CLASS A:

 

Net Assets

 

$

5,807

   
Shares Outstanding $0.001 par value shares of beneficial interest (unlimited shares authorized) (not in 000's)    

322,857

   

Net Asset Value, Redemption Price Per Share

 

$

17.99

   

Maximum Sales Load

   

5.25

%

 

Maximum Sales Charge

 

$

1.00

   

Maximum Offering Price Per Share

 

$

18.99

   

CLASS C:

 

Net Assets

 

$

3,353

   
Shares Outstanding $0.001 par value shares of beneficial interest (unlimited shares authorized) (not in 000's)    

191,525

   

Net Asset Value, Offering and Redemption Price Per Share

 

$

17.51

   

CLASS IS:

 

Net Assets

 

$

18

   
Shares Outstanding $0.001 par value shares of beneficial interest (unlimited shares authorized) (not in 000's)    

1,017

   

Net Asset Value, Offering and Redemption Price Per Share

 

$

18.10

   

@  Amount is less than $500.

The accompanying notes are an integral part of the financial statements.
7



Morgan Stanley Institutional Fund, Inc.

Annual Report — December 31, 2020

US Core Portfolio

Statement of Operations

  Year Ended
December 31, 2020
(000)
 

Investment Income:

 

Dividends from Securities of Unaffiliated Issuers

 

$

220

   

Dividends from Security of Affiliated Issuer (Note G)

   

1

   

Total Investment Income

   

221

   

Expenses:

 

Advisory Fees (Note B)

   

109

   

Professional Fees

   

108

   

Registration Fees

   

56

   

Shareholder Reporting Fees

   

36

   

Shareholder Services Fees — Class A (Note D)

   

9

   

Distribution and Shareholder Services Fees — Class C (Note D)

   

24

   

Administration Fees (Note C)

   

15

   

Transfer Agency Fees — Class I (Note E)

   

2

   

Transfer Agency Fees — Class A (Note E)

   

2

   

Transfer Agency Fees — Class C (Note E)

   

2

   

Transfer Agency Fees — Class IS (Note E)

   

2

   

Custodian Fees (Note F)

   

7

   

Directors' Fees and Expenses

   

5

   

Sub Transfer Agency Fees — Class I

   

3

   

Sub Transfer Agency Fees — Class A

   

2

   

Sub Transfer Agency Fees — Class C

   

1

   

Pricing Fees

   

2

   

Interest Expenses

   

1

   

Other Expenses

   

13

   

Total Expenses

   

399

   

Waiver of Advisory Fees (Note B)

   

(109

)

 

Expenses Reimbursed by Adviser (Note B)

   

(104

)

 

Reimbursement of Class Specific Expenses — Class IS (Note B)

   

(2

)

 

Rebate from Morgan Stanley Affiliate (Note G)

   

(—

@)

 

Net Expenses

   

184

   

Net Investment Income

   

37

   

Realized Loss:

 

Investments Sold

   

(496

)

 

Change in Unrealized Appreciation (Depreciation):

 

Investments

   

4,188

   

Net Realized Loss and Change in Unrealized Appreciation (Depreciation)

   

3,692

   

Net Increase in Net Assets Resulting from Operations

 

$

3,729

   

@  Amount is less than $500.

The accompanying notes are an integral part of the financial statements.
8



Morgan Stanley Institutional Fund, Inc.

Annual Report — December 31, 2020

US Core Portfolio

Statements of Changes in Net Assets

  Year Ended
December 31, 2020
(000)
  Year Ended
December 31, 2019
(000)
 

Increase (Decrease) in Net Assets:

 

Operations:

 

Net Investment Income

 

$

37

   

$

69

   

Net Realized Gain (Loss)

   

(496

)

   

263

   

Net Change in Unrealized Appreciation (Depreciation)

   

4,188

     

3,862

   

Net Increase in Net Assets Resulting from Operations

   

3,729

     

4,194

   

Dividends and Distributions to Shareholders:

 

Class I

   

(58

)

   

(171

)

 

Class A

   

(16

)

   

(30

)

 

Class C

   

(9

)

   

(16

)

 

Class IS

   

(—

@)

   

(—

@)

 

Total Dividends and Distributions to Shareholders

   

(83

)

   

(217

)

 

Capital Share Transactions:(1)

 

Class I:

 

Subscribed

   

9,406

     

2,907

   

Distributions Reinvested

   

58

     

171

   

Redeemed

   

(4,434

)

   

(280

)

 

Class A:

 

Subscribed

   

2,711

     

1,732

   

Distributions Reinvested

   

16

     

30

   

Redeemed

   

(1,283

)

   

(872

)

 

Class C:

 

Subscribed

   

1,177

     

1,100

   

Distributions Reinvested

   

9

     

16

   

Redeemed

   

(735

)

   

(736

)

 

Class IS:

 

Subscribed

   

     

10

   

Distributions Reinvested

   

@

   

@

 

Redeemed

   

(10

)

   

   

Net Increase in Net Assets Resulting from Capital Share Transactions

   

6,915

     

4,078

   

Total Increase in Net Assets

   

10,561

     

8,055

   

Net Assets:

 

Beginning of Period

   

18,994

     

10,939

   

End of Period

 

$

29,555

   

$

18,994

   

(1)   Capital Share Transactions:

 

Class I:

 

Shares Subscribed

   

570

     

214

   

Shares Issued on Distributions Reinvested

   

3

     

12

   

Shares Redeemed

   

(342

)

   

(23

)

 

Net Increase in Class I Shares Outstanding

   

231

     

203

   

Class A:

 

Shares Subscribed

   

176

     

132

   

Shares Issued on Distributions Reinvested

   

1

     

2

   

Shares Redeemed

   

(87

)

   

(70

)

 

Net Increase in Class A Shares Outstanding

   

90

     

64

   

Class C:

 

Shares Subscribed

   

75

     

84

   

Shares Issued on Distributions Reinvested

   

1

     

1

   

Shares Redeemed

   

(59

)

   

(57

)

 

Net Increase in Class C Shares Outstanding

   

17

     

28

   

Class IS:

 

Shares Subscribed

   

     

1

   

Shares Issued on Distributions Reinvested

   

@@

   

@@

 

Shares Redeemed

   

(1

)

   

   

Net Increase (Decrease) in Class IS Shares Outstanding

   

(1

)

   

1

   

@  Amount is less than $500.

@@  Amount is less than 500 shares.

The accompanying notes are an integral part of the financial statements.
9



Morgan Stanley Institutional Fund, Inc.

Annual Report — December 31, 2020

Financial Highlights

US Core Portfolio

   

Class I

 
   

Year Ended December 31,

  Period from
May 27, 2016(1) to
 

Selected Per Share Data and Ratios

 

2020

 

2019

 

2018

 

2017

 

December 31, 2016

 

Net Asset Value, Beginning of Period

 

$

14.61

   

$

10.89

   

$

12.41

   

$

10.45

   

$

10.00

   

Income (Loss) from Investment Operations:

 

Net Investment Income(2)

   

0.06

     

0.09

     

0.11

     

0.08

     

0.07

   

Net Realized and Unrealized Gain (Loss)

   

3.47

     

3.82

     

(1.47

)

   

1.94

     

0.48

   

Total from Investment Operations

   

3.53

     

3.91

     

(1.36

)

   

2.02

     

0.55

   

Distributions from and/or in Excess of:

 

Net Investment Income

   

     

(0.09

)

   

(0.05

)

   

(0.05

)

   

(0.10

)

 

Net Realized Gain

   

(0.05

)

   

(0.10

)

   

(0.11

)

   

     

   

Paid-in-Capital

   

     

     

     

(0.01

)

   

   

Total Distributions

   

(0.05

)

   

(0.19

)

   

(0.16

)

   

(0.06

)

   

(0.10

)

 

Net Asset Value, End of Period

 

$

18.09

   

$

14.61

   

$

10.89

   

$

12.41

   

$

10.45

   

Total Return(3)

   

24.20

%

   

36.01

%

   

(11.00

)%

   

19.33

%

   

5.50

%(6)

 

Ratios to Average Net Assets and Supplemental Data:

 

Net Assets, End of Period (Thousands)

 

$

20,377

   

$

13,086

   

$

7,532

   

$

8,965

   

$

7,314

   

Ratio of Expenses Before Expense Limitation

   

1.97

%

   

2.09

%

   

2.31

%

   

2.78

%

   

3.62

%(7)

 

Ratio of Expenses After Expense Limitation

   

0.80

%(4)

   

0.78

%(4)

   

0.80

%(4)

   

0.78

%(4)

   

0.77

%(4)(7)

 

Ratio of Expenses After Expense Limitation Excluding Interest Expenses

   

0.79

%(4)

   

N/A

     

N/A

     

N/A

     

N/A

   

Ratio of Net Investment Income

   

0.42

%(4)

   

0.71

%(4)

   

0.86

%(4)

   

0.68

%(4)

   

1.12

%(4)(7)

 

Ratio of Rebate from Morgan Stanley Affiliates

   

0.00

%(5)

   

0.00

%(5)

   

0.00

%(5)

   

0.00

%(5)

   

0.00

%(5)(7)

 

Portfolio Turnover Rate

   

54

%

   

69

%

   

60

%

   

57

%

   

28

%(6)

 

(1)  Commencement of Operations.

(2)  Per share amount is based on average shares outstanding.

(3)  Calculated based on the net asset value as of the last business day of the period.

(4)  The Ratio of Expenses After Expense Limitation and Ratio of Net Investment Income reflect the rebate of certain Fund expenses in connection with the investments in Morgan Stanley affiliates during the period. The effect of the rebate on the ratios is disclosed in the above table as "Ratio of Rebate from Morgan Stanley Affiliates."

(5)  Amount is less than 0.005%.

(6)  Not annualized.

(7)  Annualized.

The accompanying notes are an integral part of the financial statements.
10



Morgan Stanley Institutional Fund, Inc.

Annual Report — December 31, 2020

Financial Highlights

US Core Portfolio

   

Class A

 
   

Year Ended December 31,

  Period from
May 27, 2016(1) to
 

Selected Per Share Data and Ratios

 

2020

 

2019

 

2018

 

2017

 

December 31, 2016

 

Net Asset Value, Beginning of Period

 

$

14.58

   

$

10.86

   

$

12.38

   

$

10.44

   

$

10.00

   

Income (Loss) from Investment Operations:

 

Net Investment Income(2)

   

0.01

     

0.05

     

0.07

     

0.04

     

0.04

   

Net Realized and Unrealized Gain (Loss)

   

3.45

     

3.82

     

(1.47

)

   

1.92

     

0.49

   

Total from Investment Operations

   

3.46

     

3.87

     

(1.40

)

   

1.96

     

0.53

   

Distributions from and/or in Excess of:

 

Net Investment Income

   

     

(0.05

)

   

(0.01

)

   

(0.01

)

   

(0.09

)

 

Net Realized Gain

   

(0.05

)

   

(0.10

)

   

(0.11

)

   

     

   

Paid-in-Capital

   

     

     

     

(0.01

)

   

   

Total Distributions

   

(0.05

)

   

(0.15

)

   

(0.12

)

   

(0.02

)

   

(0.09

)

 

Net Asset Value, End of Period

 

$

17.99

   

$

14.58

   

$

10.86

   

$

12.38

   

$

10.44

   

Total Return(3)

   

23.77

%

   

35.68

%

   

(11.35

)%

   

18.80

%

   

5.30

%(6)

 

Ratios to Average Net Assets and Supplemental Data:

 

Net Assets, End of Period (Thousands)

 

$

5,807

   

$

3,393

   

$

1,833

   

$

1,874

   

$

1,406

   

Ratio of Expenses Before Expense Limitation

   

2.29

%

   

2.46

%

   

2.68

%

   

3.23

%

   

4.12

%(7)

 

Ratio of Expenses After Expense Limitation

   

1.12

%(4)

   

1.15

%(4)

   

1.15

%(4)

   

1.15

%(4)

   

1.15

%(4)(7)

 

Ratio of Expenses After Expense Limitation Excluding Interest Expenses

   

1.11

%(4)

   

N/A

     

N/A

     

N/A

     

N/A

   

Ratio of Net Investment Income

   

0.07

%(4)

   

0.34

%(4)

   

0.55

%(4)

   

0.31

%(4)

   

0.66

%(4)(7)

 

Ratio of Rebate from Morgan Stanley Affiliates

   

0.00

%(5)

   

0.00

%(5)

   

0.00

%(5)

   

0.00

%(5)

   

0.00

%(5)(7)

 

Portfolio Turnover Rate

   

54

%

   

69

%

   

60

%

   

57

%

   

28

%(6)

 

(1)  Commencement of Operations.

(2)  Per share amount is based on average shares outstanding.

(3)  Calculated based on the net asset value which does not reflect sales charges, if applicable, as of the last business day of the period.

(4)  The Ratio of Expenses After Expense Limitation and Ratio of Net Investment Income reflect the rebate of certain Fund expenses in connection with the investments in Morgan Stanley affiliates during the period. The effect of the rebate on the ratios is disclosed in the above table as "Ratio of Rebate from Morgan Stanley Affiliates."

(5)  Amount is less than 0.005%.

(6)  Not annualized.

(7)  Annualized.

The accompanying notes are an integral part of the financial statements.
11



Morgan Stanley Institutional Fund, Inc.

Annual Report — December 31, 2020

Financial Highlights

US Core Portfolio

   

Class C

 
   

Year Ended December 31,

  Period from
May 27, 2016(1) to
 

Selected Per Share Data and Ratios

 

2020

 

2019

 

2018

 

2017

 

December 31, 2016

 

Net Asset Value, Beginning of Period

 

$

14.30

   

$

10.70

   

$

12.28

   

$

10.41

   

$

10.00

   

Income (Loss) from Investment Operations:

 

Net Investment Loss(2)

   

(0.10

)

   

(0.05

)

   

(0.03

)

   

(0.05

)

   

(0.00

)(3)

 

Net Realized and Unrealized Gain (Loss)

   

3.36

     

3.75

     

(1.44

)

   

1.92

     

0.48

   

Total from Investment Operations

   

3.26

     

3.70

     

(1.47

)

   

1.87

     

0.48

   

Distributions from and/or in Excess of:

 

Net Investment Income

   

     

     

     

     

(0.07

)

 

Net Realized Gain

   

(0.05

)

   

(0.10

)

   

(0.11

)

   

     

   

Total Distributions

   

(0.05

)

   

(0.10

)

   

(0.11

)

   

     

(0.07

)

 

Net Asset Value, End of Period

 

$

17.51

   

$

14.30

   

$

10.70

   

$

12.28

   

$

10.41

   

Total Return(4)

   

22.84

%

   

34.50

%

   

(11.94

)%

   

17.96

%

   

4.79

%(7)

 

Ratios to Average Net Assets and Supplemental Data:

 

Net Assets, End of Period (Thousands)

 

$

3,353

   

$

2,489

   

$

1,563

   

$

1,831

   

$

1,377

   

Ratio of Expenses Before Expense Limitation

   

3.07

%

   

3.23

%

   

3.44

%

   

3.94

%

   

4.99

%(8)

 

Ratio of Expenses After Expense Limitation

   

1.90

%(5)

   

1.90

%(5)

   

1.90

%(5)

   

1.90

%(5)

   

1.90

%(5)(8)

 

Ratio of Expenses After Expense Limitation Excluding Interest Expenses

   

1.90

%(5)

   

N/A

     

N/A

     

N/A

     

N/A

   

Ratio of Net Investment Loss

   

(0.68

)%(5)

   

(0.39

)%(5)

   

(0.22

)%(5)

   

(0.43

)%(5)

   

(0.05

)%(5)(8)

 

Ratio of Rebate from Morgan Stanley Affiliates

   

0.00

%(6)

   

0.00

%(6)

   

0.00

%(6)

   

0.00

%(6)

   

0.00

%(6)(8)

 

Portfolio Turnover Rate

   

54

%

   

69

%

   

60

%

   

57

%

   

28

%(7)

 

(1)  Commencement of Operations.

(2)  Per share amount is based on average shares outstanding.

(3)  Amount is less than $0.005 per share.

(4)  Calculated based on the net asset value which does not reflect sales charges, if applicable, as of the last business day of the period.

(5)  The Ratio of Expenses After Expense Limitation and Ratio of Net Investment Loss reflect the rebate of certain Fund expenses in connection with the investments in Morgan Stanley affiliates during the period. The effect of the rebate on the ratios is disclosed in the above table as "Ratio of Rebate from Morgan Stanley Affiliates."

(6)  Amount is less than 0.005%.

(7)  Not annualized.

(8)  Annualized.

The accompanying notes are an integral part of the financial statements.
12



Morgan Stanley Institutional Fund, Inc.

Annual Report — December 31, 2020

Financial Highlights

US Core Portfolio

   

Class IS

 
   

Year Ended December 31,

  Period from
May 27, 2016(1) to
 

Selected Per Share Data and Ratios

 

2020

 

2019

 

2018

 

2017

 

December 31, 2016

 

Net Asset Value, Beginning of Period

 

$

14.61

   

$

10.88

   

$

12.41

   

$

10.45

   

$

10.00

   

Income (Loss) from Investment Operations:

 

Net Investment Income(2)

   

0.07

     

0.10

     

0.12

     

0.08

     

0.07

   

Net Realized and Unrealized Gain (Loss)

   

3.47

     

3.83

     

(1.48

)

   

1.94

     

0.48

   

Total from Investment Operations

   

3.54

     

3.93

     

(1.36

)

   

2.02

     

0.55

   

Distributions from and/or in Excess of:

 

Net Investment Income

   

     

(0.10

)

   

(0.06

)

   

(0.01

)

   

(0.10

)

 

Net Realized Gain

   

(0.05

)

   

(0.10

)

   

(0.11

)

   

     

   

Paid-in-Capital

   

     

     

     

(0.05

)

   

   

Total Distributions

   

(0.05

)

   

(0.20

)

   

(0.17

)

   

(0.06

)

   

(0.10

)

 

Net Asset Value, End of Period

 

$

18.10

   

$

14.61

   

$

10.88

   

$

12.41

   

$

10.45

   

Total Return(3)

   

24.27

%

   

36.17

%

   

(11.04

)%

   

19.37

%

   

5.52

%(6)

 

Ratios to Average Net Assets and Supplemental Data:

 

Net Assets, End of Period (Thousands)

 

$

18

   

$

26

   

$

11

   

$

12

   

$

10

   

Ratio of Expenses Before Expense Limitation

   

13.73

%

   

16.90

%

   

16.44

%

   

19.96

%

   

19.22

%(7)

 

Ratio of Expenses After Expense Limitation

   

0.75

%(4)

   

0.75

%(4)

   

0.75

%(4)

   

0.75

%(4)

   

0.75

%(4)(7)

 

Ratio of Expenses After Expense Limitation Excluding Interest Expenses

   

0.75

%(4)

   

N/A

     

N/A

     

N/A

     

N/A

   

Ratio of Net Investment Income

   

0.50

%(4)

   

0.74

%(4)

   

0.92

%(4)

   

0.71

%(4)

   

1.17

%(4)(7)

 

Ratio of Rebate from Morgan Stanley Affiliates

   

0.00

%(5)

   

0.00

%(5)

   

0.00

%(5)

   

0.00

%(5)

   

0.00

%(5)(7)

 

Portfolio Turnover Rate

   

54

%

   

69

%

   

60

%

   

57

%

   

28

%(6)

 

(1)  Commencement of Operations.

(2)  Per share amount is based on average shares outstanding.

(3)  Calculated based on the net asset value as of the last business day of the period.

(4)  The Ratio of Expenses After Expense Limitation and Ratio of Net Investment Income reflect the rebate of certain Fund expenses in connection with the investments in Morgan Stanley affiliates during the period. The effect of the rebate on the ratios is disclosed in the above table as "Ratio of Rebate from Morgan Stanley Affiliates."

(5)  Amount is less than 0.005%.

(6)  Not annualized.

(7)  Annualized.

The accompanying notes are an integral part of the financial statements.
13



Morgan Stanley Institutional Fund, Inc.

Annual Report — December 31, 2020

Notes to Financial Statements

Morgan Stanley Institutional Fund, Inc. (the "Company") is registered under the Investment Company Act of 1940, as amended (the "Act"), as an open-end management investment company. The Company is comprised of thirty-one separate, active, diversified and non-diversified funds (individually referred to as a "Fund," collectively as the "Funds"). The Company applies investment company accounting and reporting guidance.

The accompanying financial statements relate to the US Core Portfolio. The Fund seeks long-term capital appreciation.

The Fund offers four classes of shares — Class I, Class A, Class C and Class IS.

A. Significant Accounting Policies: The following significant accounting policies are in conformity with U.S. generally accepted accounting principles ("GAAP"). Such policies are consistently followed by the Company in the preparation of its financial statements. GAAP may require management to make estimates and assumptions that affect the reported amounts and disclosures in the financial statements. Actual results may differ from those estimates.

1.  Security Valuation: (1) An equity portfolio security listed or traded on an exchange is valued at its latest reported sales price (or at the exchange official closing price if such exchange reports an official closing price), and if there were no sales on a given day and if there is no official exchange closing price for that day, the security is valued at the mean between the last reported bid and asked prices if such bid and asked prices are available on the relevant exchanges. If only bid prices are available then the latest bid price may be used. Listed equity securities not traded on the valuation date with no reported bid and asked prices available on the exchange are valued at the mean between the current bid and asked prices obtained from one or more reputable brokers or dealers. In cases where a security is traded on more than one exchange, the security is valued on the exchange designated as the primary market; (2) all other equity portfolio securities for which over-the-counter ("OTC") market quotations are readily available are valued at the latest reported sales price (or at the market official closing price if such market reports an official closing price), and if there was no trading in the security on a given day and if there is no official closing price from relevant markets for that day, the security is valued at the mean between the last reported bid and asked prices if such bid and asked prices are available on the relevant

markets. An unlisted equity security that does not trade on the valuation date and for which bid and asked prices from the relevant markets are unavailable is valued at the mean between the current bid and asked prices obtained from one or more reputable brokers or dealers; (3) certain portfolio securities may be valued by an outside pricing service/vendor approved by the Company's Board of Directors (the "Directors"). The pricing service/vendor may employ a pricing model that takes into account, among other things, bids, yield spreads and/or other market data and specific security characteristics. Alternatively, if a valuation is not available from an outside pricing service/vendor, and the security trades on an exchange, the security may be valued at its latest reported sale price (or at the exchange official closing price if such exchange reports an official closing price), prior to the time when assets are valued. If there are no sales on a given day and if there is no official exchange closing price for that day, the security is valued at the mean between the last reported bid and asked prices if such bid and asked prices are available in the relevant exchanges. If only bid prices are available then the latest bid price may be used. If Morgan Stanley Investment Management Inc. (the "Adviser"), a wholly-owned subsidiary of Morgan Stanley, determines that the price provided by the outside pricing service/vendor or exchange does not reflect the security's fair value or is unable to provide a price, prices from brokers or dealers may also be utilized. In these circumstances, the value of the security will be the mean of bid and asked prices obtained from brokers or dealers; (4) when market quotations are not readily available, including circumstances under which the Adviser 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 Directors. 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 of the New York Stock Exchange ("NYSE"). If developments occur during such periods that are expected to materially affect the value of such securities, such valuations may be adjusted to reflect the estimated fair value of such securities as of the close of the NYSE, as determined in good faith by the Directors or by the Adviser using a


14



Morgan Stanley Institutional Fund, Inc.

Annual Report — December 31, 2020

Notes to Financial Statements (cont'd)

pricing service and/or procedures approved by the Directors; and (5) investments in mutual funds, including the Morgan Stanley Institutional Liquidity Funds, are valued at the net asset value ("NAV") as of the close of each business day.

The Directors have responsibility for determining in good faith the fair value of the investments, and the Directors may appoint others, such as the Company's Adviser or a valuation committee, to assist the Directors in determining fair value and to make the actual calculations pursuant to the fair valuation methodologies previously approved by the Directors. Under procedures approved by the Directors, the Company's Adviser has formed a Valuation Committee whose members are approved by the Directors. The Valuation Committee provides administration and oversight of the Company's valuation policies and procedures, which are reviewed at least annually by the Directors. These procedures allow the Company to utilize independent pricing services, quotations from securities and financial instrument dealers and other market sources to determine fair value.

2.  Fair Value Measurement: Financial Accounting Standards Board ("FASB") Accounting Standards CodificationTM ("ASC") 820, "Fair Value Measurement" ("ASC 820"), defines fair value as the value that the Fund would receive to sell an investment or pay to transfer a liability in a timely transaction with an independent buyer in the principal market, or in the absence of a principal market, the most advantageous market for the investment or liability. ASC 820 establishes a three-tier hierarchy to distinguish between (1) inputs that reflect the assumptions market participants would use in valuing an asset or liability developed based on market data obtained from sources independent of the reporting entity (observable inputs) and (2) inputs that reflect the reporting entity's own assumptions about the assumptions market participants would use in valuing an asset or liability developed based on the best information available in the circumstances (unobservable inputs) and to establish classification of fair value measurements for disclosure purposes. Various inputs are used in determining the value of the Fund's investments. The inputs are summarized in the three broad levels listed below:

•  Level 1 – unadjusted quoted prices in active markets for identical investments

•  Level 2 – other significant observable inputs (including quoted prices for similar investments, interest rates, prepayment speeds, credit risk, etc.)

•  Level 3 – significant unobservable inputs including the Fund's own assumptions in determining the fair value of investments. Factors considered in making this determination may include, but are not limited to, information obtained by contacting the issuer, analysts, or the appropriate stock exchange (for exchange-traded securities), analysis of the issuer's financial statements or other available documents and, if necessary, available information concerning other securities in similar circumstances.

The inputs or methodology used for valuing securities are not necessarily an indication of the risk associated with investing in those securities and the determination of the significance of a particular input to the fair value measurement in its entirety requires judgment and considers factors specific to each security.

The following is a summary of the inputs used to value the Fund's investments as of December 31, 2020:

Investment Type

  Level 1
Unadjusted
quoted
prices
(000)
  Level 2
Other
significant
observable
inputs
(000)
  Level 3
Significant
unobservable
inputs
(000)
  Total
(000)
 

Assets:

 

Common Stocks

 

Banks

 

$

3,536

   

$

   

$

   

$

3,536

   

Building Products

   

499

     

     

     

499

   

Capital Markets

   

1,166

     

     

     

1,166

   
Commercial
Services & Supplies
   

440

     

     

     

440

   

Electric Utilities

   

819

     

     

     

819

   

Entertainment

   

608

     

     

     

608

   
Equity Real Estate
Investment
Trusts (REITs)
   

1,412

     

     

     

1,412

   
Health Care Equipment &
Supplies
   

1,963

     

     

     

1,963

   
Health Care Providers &
Services
   

679

     

     

     

679

   

Health Care Technology

   

661

     

     

     

661

   
Hotels, Restaurants &
Leisure
   

3,131

     

     

     

3,131

   

Household Durables

   

496

     

     

     

496

   
Information Technology
Services
   

1,864

     

     

     

1,864

   
Interactive Media &
Services
   

1,027

     

     

     

1,027

   


15



Morgan Stanley Institutional Fund, Inc.

Annual Report — December 31, 2020

Notes to Financial Statements (cont'd)

Investment Type

  Level 1
Unadjusted
quoted
prices
(000)
  Level 2
Other
significant
observable
inputs
(000)
  Level 3
Significant
unobservable
inputs
(000)
  Total
(000)
 

Common Stocks (cont'd)

 
Oil, Gas & Consumable
Fuels
 

$

539

   

$

   

$

   

$

539

   

Personal Products

   

1,064

     

     

     

1,064

   

Software

   

3,555

     

     

     

3,555

   

Specialty Retail

   

1,092

     

     

     

1,092

   
Tech Hardware, Storage &
Peripherals
   

2,655

     

     

     

2,655

   
Textiles, Apparel & Luxury
Goods
   

855

     

     

     

855

   
Trading Companies &
Distributors
   

1,039

     

     

     

1,039

   

Total Common Stocks

   

29,100

     

     

     

29,100

   

Short-Term Investment

 

Investment Company

   

459

     

     

     

459

   

Total Assets

 

$

29,559

   

$

   

$

   

$

29,559

   

Transfers between investment levels may occur as the markets fluctuate and/or the availability of data used in an investment's valuation changes.

3.  Indemnifications: The Company enters into contracts that contain a variety of indemnifications. The Company's maximum exposure under these arrangements is unknown. However, the Company has not had prior claims or losses pursuant to these contracts and expects the risk of loss to be remote.

4.  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. Net realized capital gains, if any, are distributed at least annually.

5.  Security Transactions, Income and Expenses: Security transactions are accounted for on the trade date (date the order to buy or sell is executed). Realized gains and losses on the sale of investment securities are determined on the specific identified cost method. Dividend income and other distributions are recorded on the ex-dividend date (except for certain foreign dividends which may be recorded as soon as the Fund is informed of such dividends) net of applicable withholding taxes. Interest income is recognized on the accrual basis except where collection is in doubt. Discounts are accreted and premiums are amortized over the life of the respective securities. Most expenses of the Company can be directly attributed to a particular Fund. Expenses which cannot be directly attributed are apportioned among the Funds based upon

relative net assets or other appropriate methods. Income, expenses (other than class specific expenses — distribution and shareholder services, transfer agency and sub transfer agency fees) and realized and unrealized gains or losses are allocated to each class of shares based upon their relative net assets.

B. Advisory Fees: The Adviser, a wholly-owned subsidiary of Morgan Stanley, provides the Fund with advisory services under the terms of an Investment Advisory Agreement, paid quarterly, at the annual rate based on the daily net assets as follows:

First $750
million
  Next $750
million
  Over $1.5
billion
 
  0.60

%

   

0.55

%

   

0.50

%

 

For the year ended December 31, 2020, the advisory fee rate (net of waiver/rebate) was equivalent to an annual effective rate of 0.00% of the Fund's average daily net assets.

The Adviser has agreed to reduce its advisory fee and/or reimburse the Fund so that total annual Fund operating expenses, excluding certain investment related expenses, taxes, interest and other extraordinary expenses (including litigation), will not exceed 0.80% for Class I shares, 1.15% for Class A shares, 1.90% for Class C shares and 0.75% for Class IS shares. The fee waivers and/or expense reimbursements will continue for at least one year from the date of the Fund's prospectus or until such time as the Directors act to discontinue all or a portion of such waivers and/or reimbursements when they deem such action is appropriate. For the year ended December 31, 2020, approximately $109,000 of advisory fees were waived and approximately $106,000 of other expenses were reimbursed by the Adviser pursuant to this arrangement.

C. Administration Fees: The Adviser also serves as Administrator to the Company and provides administrative services pursuant to an Administration Agreement for an annual fee, accrued daily and paid monthly, of 0.08% of the Fund's average daily net assets.

Under a Sub-Administration Agreement between the Administrator and State Street Bank and Trust Company ("State Street"), State Street provides certain administrative services to the Company. For such services, the Administrator pays State Street a portion of the fee the Administrator receives from the Fund.

D. Distribution and Shareholder Services Fees: Morgan Stanley Distribution, Inc. ("MSDI" or the "Distributor"), a wholly-owned subsidiary of the Adviser and an indirect


16



Morgan Stanley Institutional Fund, Inc.

Annual Report — December 31, 2020

Notes to Financial Statements (cont'd)

subsidiary of Morgan Stanley, serves as the Company's Distributor of Fund shares pursuant to a Distribution Agreement. The Company has adopted a Shareholder Services Plan with respect to Class A shares pursuant to Rule 12b-1 under the Act. Under the Shareholder Services Plan, the Fund pays the Distributor a shareholder services fee, accrued daily and paid monthly, at an annual rate of 0.25% of the Fund's average daily net assets attributable to Class A shares.

The Company has adopted a Distribution and Shareholder Services Plan with respect to Class C shares pursuant to Rule 12b-1 under the Act. Under the Distribution and Shareholder Services Plan, the Fund pays the Distributor a distribution fee, accrued daily and paid monthly, at an annual rate of 0.75% and a shareholder services fee, accrued daily and paid monthly, at an annual rate of 0.25% of the Fund's average daily net assets attributable to Class C shares.

The distribution and shareholder services fees are used to support the expenses associated with servicing and maintaining accounts. The Distributor may compensate other parties for providing shareholder support services to investors who purchase Class A and Class C shares.

E. Dividend Disbursing and Transfer Agent: The Company's dividend disbursing and transfer agent is DST Asset Manager Solutions, Inc. ("DST"). Pursuant to a Transfer Agency Agreement, the Company pays DST a fee based on the number of classes, accounts and transactions relating to the Funds of the Company.

F. Custodian Fees: State Street (the "Custodian") also serves as Custodian for the Company in accordance with a Custodian Agreement. The Custodian holds cash, securities and other assets of the Company as required by the Act. Custody fees are payable monthly based on assets held in custody, investment purchases and sales activity and account maintenance fees, plus reimbursement for certain out-of-pocket expenses.

G. Security Transactions and Transactions with Affiliates: For the year ended December 31, 2020, purchases and sales of investment securities for the Fund, other than long-term U.S. Government securities and short-term investments were approximately $16,644,000 and $9,882,000, respectively. There were no purchases and sales of long-term U.S. Government securities for the year ended December 31, 2020.

The Fund invests in the Institutional Class of the Morgan Stanley Institutional Liquidity Funds — Treasury Securities

Portfolio (the "Liquidity Funds"), an open-end management investment company managed by the Adviser. Advisory fees paid by the Fund are reduced by an amount equal to its pro-rata share of the advisory and administration fees paid by the Fund due to its investment in the Liquidity Funds. For the year ended December 31, 2020, advisory fees paid were reduced by less than $500 relating to the Fund's investment in the Liquidity Funds.

A summary of the Fund's transactions in shares of affiliated investments during the year ended December 31, 2020 is as follows:

Affiliated
Investment
Company
  Value
December 31,
2019
(000)
  Purchases
at Cost
(000)
  Proceeds
from Sales
(000)
  Dividend
Income
(000)
 

Liquidity Funds

 

$

83

   

$

10,169

   

$

9,793

   

$

1

   
Affiliated
Investment
Company (cont'd)
  Realized
Gain (Loss)
(000)
  Change in
Unrealized
Appreciation
(Depreciation)
(000)
  Value
December 31,
2020
(000)
 

Liquidity Funds

 

$

   

$

   

$

459

   

The Fund is permitted to purchase and sell securities ("cross-trade") from and to other Morgan Stanley funds as well as other funds and client accounts for which the Adviser or an affiliate of the Adviser serves as investment adviser, pursuant to procedures approved by the Directors in compliance with Rule 17a-7 under the Act (the "Rule"). Each cross-trade is executed at the current market price in compliance with provisions of the Rule. For the year ended December 31, 2020, the Fund did not engage in any cross-trade transactions.

The Fund has an unfunded Deferred Compensation Plan (the "Compensation Plan"), which allows each independent Director to defer payment of all, or a portion, of the fees he or she receives for serving on the Board of Directors. Each eligible Director generally may elect to have the deferred amounts credited with a return equal to the total return on one or more of the Morgan Stanley funds that are offered as investment options under the Compensation Plan. Appreciation/depreciation and distributions received from these investments are recorded with an offsetting increase/decrease in the deferred compensation obligation and do not affect the NAV of the Fund.

H. Federal Income Taxes: It is the Fund's intention to continue to qualify as a regulated investment company and distribute all of its taxable and tax-exempt income. Accordingly, no provision for federal income taxes is required in the financial statements.


17



Morgan Stanley Institutional Fund, Inc.

Annual Report — December 31, 2020

Notes to Financial Statements (cont'd)

The Fund may be subject to taxes imposed by countries in which it invests. Such taxes are generally based on income and/or capital gains earned or repatriated. Taxes are accrued based on net investment income, net realized gains and net unrealized appreciation as such income and/or gains are earned. Taxes may also be based on transactions in foreign currency and are accrued based on the value of investments denominated in such currency.

FASB ASC 740-10, "Income Taxes — Overall", sets forth a minimum threshold for financial statement recognition of the benefit of a tax position taken or expected to be taken in a tax return. Management has concluded there are no significant uncertain tax positions that would require recognition in the financial statements. If applicable, the Fund recognizes interest accrued related to unrecognized tax benefits in "Interest Expense" and penalties in "Other Expenses" in the Statement of Operations. The Fund files tax returns with the U.S. Internal Revenue Service, New York and various states. Generally, each of the tax years in the four-year period ended December 31, 2020 remains subject to examination by taxing authorities.

The tax character of distributions paid may differ from the character of distributions shown for GAAP purposes due to short-term capital gains being treated as ordinary income for tax purposes. The tax character of distributions paid during fiscal years 2020 and 2019 was as follows:

2020
Distributions
Paid From:
  2019
Distributions
Paid From:
 
Ordinary
Income
(000)
  Long-Term
Capital Gain
(000)
  Ordinary
Income
(000)
  Long-Term
Capital Gain
(000)
 
$

   

$

83

   

$

92

   

$

125

   

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 attributable to differing book and tax treatments for the timing of the recognition of gains (losses) on certain investment transactions and the timing of the deductibility of certain expenses.

The Fund had no permanent differences causing reclassifications among the components of net assets for the year ended December 31, 2020.

At December 31, 2020, the components of distributable earnings for the Fund on a tax basis were as follows:

Undistributed
Ordinary
Income
(000)
  Undistributed
Long-Term
Capital Gain
(000)
 
$

34

   

$

   

At December 31, 2020, the Fund had available for federal income tax purposes unused short-term capital losses of approximately $456,000 that do not have an expiration date.

To the extent that capital loss carryforwards are used to offset any future capital gains realized, no capital gains tax liability will be incurred by the Fund for gains realized and not distributed. To the extent that capital gains are offset, such gains will not be distributed to the shareholders.

I. Credit Facility: The Company and other Morgan Stanley funds participated in a $300,000,000 committed, unsecured revolving line of credit facility (the "Facility") with State Street. This Facility is to be used for temporary emergency purposes or funding of shareholder redemption requests. The interest rate on borrowings is based on the federal funds rate or 1 month LIBOR rate plus a spread. The Facility also has a commitment fee of 0.25% per annum based on the unused portion of the Facility. During the year ended December 31, 2020, the Fund did not have any borrowings under the Facility.

J. Other: At December 31, 2020, the Fund had record owners of 10% or greater. Investment activities of these shareholders could have a material impact on the Fund. The aggregate percentage of such owners was 64.9%.

K. Market Risk: Certain impacts to public health conditions particular to the coronavirus (COVID-19) outbreak could impact the operations and financial performance of certain of the Fund's investments. The extent of the impact to the financial performance of the Fund's investments will depend on future developments, including (i) the duration and spread of the outbreak, (ii) the restrictions and advisories, (iii) the effects on the financial markets, and (iv) the effects on the economy overall, all of which are highly uncertain and cannot be predicted. If the financial performance of the Fund's investments is impacted because of these factors for an extended period, the Fund's investment results may be adversely affected.


18



Morgan Stanley Institutional Fund, Inc.

Annual Report — December 31, 2020

Report of Independent Registered Public Accounting Firm

To the Shareholders and Board of Directors of
Morgan Stanley Institutional Fund, Inc. —
US Core Portfolio

Opinion on the Financial Statements

We have audited the accompanying statement of assets and liabilities of US Core Portfolio (the "Fund") (one of the funds constituting Morgan Stanley Institutional Fund, Inc. (the "Company")), including the portfolio of investments, as of December 31, 2020, and the related statement of operations for the year then ended, the statements of changes in net assets for each of the two years in the period then ended and the financial highlights for each of the four years in the period then ended and the period from May 27, 2016 (commencement of operations) through December 31, 2016 and the related notes (collectively referred to as the "financial statements"). In our opinion, the financial statements present fairly, in all material respects, the financial position of US Core Portfolio (one of the funds constituting Morgan Stanley Institutional Fund, Inc.) at December 31, 2020, the results of its operations for the year then ended, the changes in its net assets for each of the two years in the period then ended and its financial highlights for each of the four years in the period then ended and the period from May 27, 2016 (commencement of operations) through December 31, 2016, in conformity with U.S. generally accepted accounting principles.

Basis for Opinion

These financial statements are the responsibility of the Company's management. Our responsibility is to express an opinion on the Fund's financial statements based on our audits. We are a public accounting firm registered with the Public Company Accounting Oversight Board (United States) ("PCAOB") and are required to be independent with respect to the Company in accordance with the U.S. federal securities law and the applicable rules and regulations of the Securities and Exchange Commission and the PCAOB.

We conducted our audits in accordance with the standards of the PCAOB. Those standards require that we plan and perform the audit to obtain reasonable assurance about whether the financial statements are free of material misstatement, whether due to error or fraud. The Company is not required to have, nor were we engaged to perform, an audit of the Company's internal control over financial reporting. As part of our audits, we are required to obtain an understanding of internal control over financial reporting, but not for the purpose of expressing an opinion on the effectiveness of the Company's internal control over financial reporting. Accordingly, we express no such opinion.

Our audits included performing procedures to assess the risks of material misstatement of the financial statements, whether due to error or fraud, and performing procedures that respond to those risks. Such procedures included examining, on a test basis, evidence regarding the amounts and disclosures in the financial statements. Our procedures included confirmation of securities owned as of December 31, 2020 by correspondence with the custodian and others or by other appropriate auditing procedures where replies from others were not received. Our audits also included evaluating the accounting principles used and significant estimates made by management, as well as evaluating the overall presentation of the financial statements. We believe that our audits provide a reasonable basis for our opinion.

We have served as the auditor of one or more Morgan Stanley investment companies since 2000.
Boston, Massachusetts
February 26, 2021


19



Morgan Stanley Institutional Fund, Inc.

Annual Report — December 31, 2020

Liquidity Risk Management Program (unaudited)

In compliance with Rule 22e-4 under the Investment Company Act of 1940, as amended (the "Liquidity Rule"), the Fund has adopted and implemented a liquidity risk management program (the "Program"), which is reasonably designed to assess and manage the risk that the Fund could not meet requests to redeem shares issued by the Fund without significant dilution of remaining investors' interests in the Fund (i.e., liquidity risk). The Fund's Board of Directors (the "Board") previously approved the designation of the Liquidity Risk Subcommittee (the "LRS") as Program administrator. The LRS is comprised of representatives from various divisions within Morgan Stanley Investment Management.

At a meeting held on April 22-23, 2020, the Board reviewed a written report prepared by the LRS that addressed the Program's operation and assessed its adequacy, and effectiveness of implementation for the period from December 1, 2018, through December 31, 2019, as required under the Liquidity Rule. The report concluded that the Program operated effectively and was adequately and effectively implemented in all material aspects, and that the relevant controls and safeguards were appropriately designed to enable the LRS to administer the Program in compliance with the Liquidity Rule.

In accordance with the Program, the LRS assessed each Fund's liquidity risk no less frequently than annually taking into consideration certain factors, as applicable, such as (i) investment strategy and liquidity of portfolio investments, (ii) short-term and long-term cash flow projections and (iii) holdings of cash and cash equivalents and borrowing arrangements and other funding sources. Certain factors are considered under both normal and reasonably foreseeable stressed conditions.

Each Fund portfolio investment is classified into one of four liquidity categories, which classification is assessed at least monthly by the LRS. The classification is based on a determination of the number of days it is reasonably expected to take to convert the investment into cash, or sell or dispose of the investment, in current market conditions without significantly changing the market value of the investment. Liquidity classification determinations take into account various market, trading and investment-specific considerations, as well as market depth, and in some cases utilize third-party vendor data.

The Liquidity Rule limits a fund's investments in illiquid investments to 15% of its net assets and requires funds that do not primarily hold assets that are highly liquid investments to determine and maintain a minimum percentage of the fund's net assets to be invested in highly liquid investments (highly liquid investment minimum or "HLIM"). The LRS believes that the Program includes provisions reasonably designed to review, monitor and comply with the 15% limit on illiquid investments and for determining, periodically reviewing and complying with the HLIM requirement, as applicable.

There can be no assurance that the Program will achieve its objectives under all circumstances in the future. Please refer to the Fund's prospectus for more information regarding the Fund's exposure to liquidity risk and other risks to which it may be subject.


20



Morgan Stanley Institutional Fund, Inc.

Annual Report — December 31, 2020

Federal Tax Notice (unaudited)

For federal income tax purposes, the following information is furnished with respect to the distributions paid by the Fund during its taxable year ended December 31, 2020.

The Fund designated and paid approximately $83,000 as a long-term capital gain distribution.

In January, the Fund provides tax information to shareholders for the preceding calendar year.


21



Morgan Stanley Institutional Fund, Inc.

Annual Report — December 31, 2020

Privacy Notice (unaudited)  April 2019

FACTS

 

WHAT DOES MSIM DO WITH YOUR PERSONAL INFORMATION?

 

Why?

 

Financial companies choose how they share your personal information. Federal law gives consumers the right to limit some but not all sharing. Federal law also requires us to tell you how we collect, share, and protect your personal information. Please read this notice carefully to understand what we do.

 

What?

  The types of personal information we collect and share depend on the product or service you have with us. This information can include:
n Social Security number and income
n investment experience and risk tolerance
n checking account number and wire transfer instructions
 

How?

 

All financial companies need to share customers' personal information to run their everyday business. In the section below, we list the reasons financial companies can share their customers' personal information; the reasons MSIM chooses to share; and whether you can limit this sharing.

 

 

Reasons we can share your personal information

 

Does MSIM share?

 

Can you limit this sharing?

 
For our everyday business purposes —
such as to process your transactions, maintain your account(s), respond to court orders and legal investigations, or report to credit bureaus
 

Yes

 

No

 
For our marketing purposes —
to offer our products and services to you
 

Yes

 

No

 

For joint marketing with other financial companies

 

No

 

We don't share

 
For our affiliates' everyday business purposes —
information about your transactions and experiences
 

Yes

 

No

 
For our affiliates' everyday business purposes —
information about your creditworthiness
 

No

 

We don't share

 

For our affiliates to market to you

 

No

 

We don't share

 

For non-affiliates to market to you

 

No

 

We don't share

 

Questions?  Call toll-free (844) 312-6327 or email: imprivacyinquiries@morganstanley.com


22



Morgan Stanley Institutional Fund, Inc.

Annual Report — December 31, 2020

Privacy Notice (unaudited) (cont'd)  April 2019

Who we are

Who is providing this notice?

 

Morgan Stanley Investment Management, Inc. and its affiliated registered investment advisers, registered broker-dealers, and registered and unregistered funds ("MSIM")

 

What we do

How does MSIM protect my personal information?

 

To protect your personal information from unauthorized access and use, we use security measures that comply with federal law. These measures include computer safeguards and secured files and buildings. We have policies governing the proper handling of customer information by personnel and requiring third parties that provide support to adhere to appropriate security standards with respect to such information.

 

How does MSIM collect my personal information?

  We collect your personal information, for example, when you
n open an account or make deposits or withdrawals from your account
n buy securities from us or make a wire transfer
n give us your contact information
We also collect your personal information from others, such as credit bureaus, affiliates, or other companies.
 

Why can't I limit all sharing?

  Federal law gives you the right to limit only
n sharing for affiliates' everyday business purposes — information about your creditworthiness
n affiliates from using your information to market to you
n sharing for non-affiliates to market to you
State laws and individual companies may give you additional rights to limit sharing. See below for more on your rights under state law.
 

Definitions

Affiliates

  Companies related by common ownership or control. They can be financial and non-financial companies.
n Our affiliates include companies with a Morgan Stanley name and financial companies such as Morgan Stanley Smith Barney LLC and Morgan Stanley & Co.
 

Non-affiliates

  Companies not related by common ownership or control. They can be financial and non-financial companies.
n MSIM does not share with non-affiliates so they can market to you.
 

Joint marketing

  A formal agreement between non-affiliated financial companies that together market financial products or services to you.
n MSIM doesn't jointly market
 


23



Morgan Stanley Institutional Fund, Inc.

Annual Report — December 31, 2020

Privacy Notice (unaudited) (cont'd)  April 2019

Other important information

Vermont: Except as permitted by law, we will not share personal information we collect about Vermont residents with Non-affiliates unless you provide us with your written consent to share such information.

California: Except as permitted by law, we will not share personal information we collect about California residents with Non-affiliates and we will limit sharing such personal information with our Affiliates to comply with California privacy laws that apply to us.


24



Morgan Stanley Institutional Fund, Inc.

Annual Report — December 31, 2020

Director and Officer Information (unaudited)

Independent Directors:

Name, Address and Birth
Year of Independent Director
  Position(s)
Held with
Registrant
  Length of Time
Served*
  Principal Occupation(s) During Past 5 Years and Other
Relevant Professional Experience
  Number of
Funds
in Fund Complex
Overseen by
Independent
Director**
  Other Directorships
Held by Independent
Director***
 
Frank L. Bowman
c/o Perkins Coie LLP
Counsel to the Independent Directors
1155 Avenue of the Americas,
22nd Floor
New York, NY 10036
Birth Year: 1944
 

Director

 

Since August 2006

 

President, Strategic Decisions, LLC (consulting) (since February 2009); Director or Trustee of various Morgan Stanley Funds (since August 2006); Chairperson of the Compliance and Insurance Committee (since October 2015); formerly, Chairperson of the Insurance Sub-Committee of the Compliance and Insurance Committee (2007-2015); served as President and Chief Executive Officer of the Nuclear Energy Institute (policy organization) (February 2005-November 2008); retired as Admiral, U.S. Navy after serving over 38 years on active duty including 8 years as Director of the Naval Nuclear Propulsion Program in the Department of the Navy and the U.S. Department of Energy (1996-2004); served as Chief of Naval Personnel (July 1994-September 1996) and on the Joint Staff as Director of Political Military Affairs (June 1992-July 1994); knighted as Honorary Knight Commander of the Most Excellent Order of the British Empire; awarded the Officier de l'Orde National du Mérite by the French Government; elected to the National Academy of Engineering (2009).

 

79

 

Director of Naval and Nuclear Technologies LLP; Director Emeritus of the Armed Services YMCA; Member of the National Security Advisory Council of the Center for U.S. Global Engagement and a member of the CNA Military Advisory Board; Trustee of Fairhaven United Methodist Church; Member of the Board of Advisors of the Dolphin Scholarship Foundation; Director of other various non-profit organizations; formerly, Director of BP plc (November 2010-May 2019).

 
Kathleen A. Dennis
c/o Perkins Coie LLP
Counsel to the Independent Directors
1155 Avenue of the Americas,
22nd Floor
New York, NY 10036
Birth Year: 1953
 

Director

 

Since August 2006

 

Chairperson of the Governance Committee (January 2021), Chairperson of the Liquidity and Alternatives Sub-Committee of the Investment Committee (2006-2020); and Director or Trustee of various Morgan Stanley Funds (since August 2006); President, Cedarwood Associates (mutual fund and investment management consulting) (since July 2006); formerly, Senior Managing Director of Victory Capital Management (1993-2006).

 

79

 

Board Member, University of Albany Foundation (2012-present); Board Member, Mutual Funds Directors Forum (2014-present); Director of various non-profit organizations.

 
Nancy C. Everett
c/o Perkins Coie LLP
Counsel to the Independent Directors
1155 Avenue of the Americas,
22nd Floor
New York, NY 10036
Birth Year: 1955
 

Director

 

Since January 2015

 

Chairperson of the Equity Investment Committee (since January 2021); Director or Trustee of various Morgan Stanley Funds (since January 2015); Chief Executive Officer, Virginia Commonwealth University Investment Company (since November 2015); Owner, OBIR, LLC (institutional investment management consulting) (since June 2014); formerly, Managing Director, BlackRock, Inc. (February 2011-December 2013); and Chief Executive Officer, General Motors Asset Management (a/k/a Promark Global Advisors, Inc.) (June 2005-May 2010).

 

80

 

Formerly, Member of Virginia Commonwealth University School of Business Foundation (2005-2016); Member of Virginia Commonwealth University Board of Visitors (2013-2015); Member of Committee on Directors for Emerging Markets Growth Fund, Inc. (2007-2010); Chairperson of Performance Equity Management, LLC (2006-2010); and Chairperson, GMAM Absolute Return Strategies Fund, LLC (2006-2010).

 


25



Morgan Stanley Institutional Fund, Inc.

Annual Report — December 31, 2020

Director and Officer Information (unaudited) (cont'd)

Independent Directors (cont'd):

Name, Address and Birth
Year of Independent Director
  Position(s)
Held with
Registrant
  Length of Time
Served*
  Principal Occupation(s) During Past 5 Years and Other
Relevant Professional Experience
  Number of
Funds
in Fund Complex
Overseen by
Independent
Director**
  Other Directorships
Held by Independent
Director***
 
Jakki L. Haussler
c/o Perkins Coie LLP
Counsel to the Independent Directors
1155 Avenue of the Americas,
22nd Floor
New York, NY 10036
Birth Year: 1957
 

Director

 

Since January 2015

 

Director or Trustee of various Morgan Stanley Funds (since January 2015) Chairman, Opus Capital Group (1996); formerly, Chief Executive Officer, Opus Capital Group (1996-2019); Director, Capvest Venture Fund, LP (May 2000-December 2011); Partner, Adena Ventures, LP (July 1999-December 2010); Director, The Victory Funds (February 2005-July 2008).

 

80

 

Director of Cincinnati Bell Inc. and Member, Audit Committee and Chairman, Governance and Nominating Committee; Director of Service Corporation International and Member, Audit Committee and Investment Committee; Director of Northern Kentucky University Foundation and Member, Investment Committee; Member of Chase College of Law Transactional Law Practice Center Board of Advisors; Director of Best Transport; Director of Chase College of Law Board of Visitors; formerly, Member, University of Cincinnati Foundation Investment Committee; Member, Miami University Board of Visitors (2008-2011); Trustee of Victory Funds (2005-2008) and Chairman, Investment Committee (2007-2008); and Member, Service Provider Committee (2005-2008).

 
Dr. Manuel H. Johnson
c/o Johnson Smick International, Inc.
220 I Street, NE — Suite 200
Washington, D.C. 20002
Birth Year: 1949
 

Director

 

Since July 1991

 

Senior Partner, Johnson Smick International, Inc. (consulting firm); Chairperson of the Fixed Income, Liquidity and Alternatives Investment Committee (January 2021), Chairperson of the Investment Committee (2006-2020) and Director or Trustee of various Morgan Stanley Funds (since July 1991); Co-Chairman and a founder of the Group of Seven Council (G7C) (international economic commission); formerly, Chairperson of the Audit Committee (July 1991-September 2006), Vice Chairman of the Board of Governors of the Federal Reserve System and Assistant Secretary of the U.S. Treasury.

 

79

 

Director of NVR, Inc. (home construction).

 


26



Morgan Stanley Institutional Fund, Inc.

Annual Report — December 31, 2020

Director and Officer Information (unaudited) (cont'd)

Independent Directors (cont'd):

Name, Address and Birth
Year of Independent Director
  Position(s)
Held with
Registrant
  Length of Time
Served*
  Principal Occupation(s) During Past 5 Years and Other
Relevant Professional Experience
  Number of
Funds
in Fund Complex
Overseen by
Independent
Director**
  Other Directorships
Held by Independent
Director***
 
Joseph J. Kearns
c/o Perkins Coie LLP
Counsel to the Independent Directors
1155 Avenue of the Americas,
22nd Floor
New York, NY 10036
Birth Year: 1942
 

Director

 

Since August 1994

 

Senior Adviser, Kearns & Associates LLC (investment consulting); Chairperson of the Audit Committee (since October 2006) and Director or Trustee of various Morgan Stanley Funds (since August 1994); formerly, Deputy Chairperson of the Audit Committee (July 2003-September 2006) and Chairperson of the Audit Committee of various Morgan Stanley Funds (since August 1994); CFO of the J. Paul Getty Trust (1982-1999).

 

80

 

Director, Rubicon Investment (since February 2019); Prior to August 2016, Director of Electro Rent Corporation (equipment leasing); Prior to December 31, 2013, Director of The Ford Family Foundation.

 
Michael F. Klein
c/o Perkins Coie LLP
Counsel to the Independent Directors
1155 Avenue of the Americas,
22nd Floor
New York, NY 10036
Birth Year: 1958
 

Director

 

Since August 2006

 

Chairperson of the Risk Committee (since January 2021); Managing Director, Aetos Alternatives Management, LP (since March 2000); Co-President, Aetos Alternatives Management, LP (since January 2004) and Co-Chief Executive Officer of Aetos Alternatives Management, LP (since August 2013); Chairperson of the fixed Income Sub-Committee of the Investment committee (2006-2020) and Director or Trustee of various Morgan Stanley Funds (since August 2006); formerly, Managing Director, Morgan Stanley & Co. Inc. and Morgan Stanley Dean Witter Investment Management and President, various Morgan Stanley Funds (June 1998-March 2000); Principal, Morgan Stanley & Co. Inc. and Morgan Stanley Dean Witter Investment Management (August 1997-December 1999).

 

79

 

Director of certain investment funds managed or sponsored by Aetos Alternatives Management, LP; Director of Sanitized AG and Sanitized Marketing AG (specialty chemicals).

 
Patricia Maleski
c/o Perkins Coie LLP
Counsel to the Independent Directors
1155 Avenue of the Americas,
22nd Floor
New York, NY 10036
Birth Year: 1960
 

Director

 

Since January 2017

 

Director or Trustee of various Morgan Stanley Funds (since January 2017); Managing Director, JPMorgan Asset Management (2004-2016); Oversight and Control Head of Fiduciary and Conflicts of Interest Program (2015-2016); Chief Control Officer-Global Asset Management (2013-2015); President, JPMorgan Funds (2010-2013); Chief Administrative Officer (2004-2013); various other positions including Treasurer and Board Liaison (since 2001).

 

80

 

None.

 
W. Allen Reed
c/o Perkins Coie LLP
Counsel to the Independent Directors
1155 Avenue of the Americas,
22nd Floor
New York, NY 10036
Birth Year: 1947
 

Chair of the Board and Director

 

Chair of the Boards since August 2020 and Director since August 2006

 

Chair of the Boards of various Morgan Stanley Funds (since August 2020); Director or Trustee of various Morgan Stanley Funds (since August 2006); formerly, Vice Chair of the Boards of various Morgan Stanley Funds (January 2020-August 2020); President and Chief Executive Officer of General Motors Asset Management; Chairman and Chief Executive Officer of the GM Trust Bank and Corporate Vice President of General Motors Corporation (August 1994-December 2005).

 

79

 

Formerly, Director of Legg Mason, Inc. (2006-2019); and Director of the Auburn University Foundation (2010-2015).

 

*  This is the earliest date the Director began serving the Morgan Stanley Funds. Each Director serves an indefinite term, until his or her successor is elected.

**  The Fund Complex includes (as of December 31, 2020) all open-end and closed-end funds (including all of their portfolios) advised by Morgan Stanley Investment Management Inc. (the "Adviser") and any funds that have an adviser that is an affiliated person of the Adviser (including, but not limited to, Morgan Stanley AIP GP LP).

***  This includes any directorships at public companies and registered investment companies held by the Director at any time during the past five years.


27



Morgan Stanley Institutional Fund, Inc.

Annual Report — December 31, 2020

Director and Officer Information (unaudited) (cont'd)

Executive Officers:

Name, Address and
Birth Year of Executive Officer
  Position(s) Held
with
Registrant
  Length of
Time Served*
 

Principal Occupation(s) During Past 5 Years

 
John H. Gernon
522 Fifth Avenue
New York, NY 10036
Birth Year: 1963
 

President and Principal Executive Officer

 

Since September 2013

 

President and Principal Executive Officer of the Equity and Fixed Income Funds and the Morgan Stanley AIP Funds (since September 2013) and the Liquidity Funds and various money market funds (since May 2014) in the Fund Complex; Managing Director of the Adviser; Head of Public Markets Product Development (since 2006).

 
Timothy J. Knierim
1633 Broadway
New York, NY 10019
Birth Year: 1959
 

Chief Compliance Officer

 

Since December 2016

 

Managing Director of the Adviser and various entities affiliated with the Adviser; Chief Compliance Officer of various Morgan Stanley Funds and the Adviser (since December 2016) and Chief Compliance Officer of Morgan Stanley AIP GP LP (since 2014). Formerly, Managing Director and Deputy Chief Compliance Officer of the Adviser (2014-2016).

 
Francis J. Smith
522 Fifth Avenue
New York, NY 10036
Birth Year: 1965
 

Treasurer and Principal Financial Officer

 

Treasurer since July 2003 and Principal Financial Officer since September 2002

 

Managing Director of the Adviser and various entities affiliated with the Adviser; Treasurer (since July 2003) and Principal Financial Officer of various Morgan Stanley Funds (since September 2002).

 
Mary E. Mullin
1633 Broadway
New York, NY 10019
Birth Year: 1967
 

Secretary

 

Since June 1999

 

Managing Director of the Adviser; Secretary of various Morgan Stanley Funds (since June 1999).

 
Michael J. Key
522 Fifth Avenue
New York, NY 10036
Birth Year: 1979
 

Vice President

 

Since June 2017

 

Vice President of the Equity and Fixed Income Funds, Liquidity Funds, various money market funds and the Morgan Stanley AIP Funds in the Fund Complex (since June 2017); Executive Director of the Adviser; Head of Product Development for Equity and Fixed Income Funds (since August 2013).

 

*  This is the earliest date the officer began serving the Morgan Stanley Funds. Each officer serves a one-year term, until his or her successor is elected and qualifies.


28



Morgan Stanley Institutional Fund, Inc.

Annual Report — December 31, 2020

Adviser and Administrator

Morgan Stanley Investment Management Inc.
522 Fifth Avenue
New York, New York 10036

Distributor

Morgan Stanley Distribution, Inc.
522 Fifth Avenue
New York, New York 10036

Dividend Disbursing and Transfer Agent

DST Asset Manager Solutions, Inc.
2000 Crown Colony Drive
Quincy, Massachusetts 02169

Custodian

State Street Bank and Trust Company
One Lincoln Street
Boston, Massachusetts 02111

Legal Counsel

Dechert LLP
1095 Avenue of the Americas
New York, New York 10036

Counsel to the Independent Directors

Perkins Coie LLP
1155 Avenue of the Americas,
22nd Floor
New York, New York 10036

Independent Registered Public Accounting Firm

Ernst & Young LLP
200 Clarendon Street
Boston, Massachusetts 02116

Reporting to Shareholders

Each Morgan Stanley fund provides a complete schedule of portfolio holdings in its Semi-Annual and the Annual Reports within 60 days of the end of the fund's second and fourth fiscal quarters. The Semi-Annual and Annual Reports are filed electronically with the Securities and Exchange Commission ("SEC") on Form N-CSRS and Form N-CSR, respectively. Morgan Stanley also delivers the Semi-Annual and Annual Reports to fund shareholders and makes these reports available on its public website, www.morganstanley.com/im/shareholderreports. Each Morgan Stanley non-money market fund also files a complete schedule of portfolio holdings with the SEC for the fund's first and third fiscal quarters as an attachment to Form N-PORT. Morgan Stanley does not deliver the reports for the first and third fiscal quarters to shareholders, but makes the complete schedule of portfolio holdings for the fund's first and third fiscal quarters available on its public website. The holdings for each money market fund are also posted to the Morgan Stanley public website. You may obtain the Form N-PORT filings (as well as the Form N-CSR and N-CSRS filings) by accessing the SEC's website, www.sec.gov. You can also request copies of these materials, upon payment of a duplicating fee, by electronic request at the SEC's email address (publicinfo@sec.gov).

Proxy Voting Policies and Procedures and Proxy Voting Record

You may obtain a copy of the Company's Proxy Voting Policy and Procedures and information regarding how the Company voted proxies relating to portfolio securities during the most recent twelve-month period ended June 30, without charge, upon request, by calling toll free 1 (800) 548-7786 or by visiting our website at www.morganstanley.com/im/shareholderreports. This information is also available on the SEC's website at www.sec.gov.

This report is authorized for distribution only when preceded or accompanied by a prospectus or summary prospectus of the applicable fund of Morgan Stanley Institutional Fund, Inc., which describes in detail the fund's investment policies, risks, fees and expenses. Please read the prospectus carefully before you invest or send money. For additional information, including information regarding the investments comprising the Fund, please visit our website at www.morganstanley.com/im/shareholderreports or call toll free 1 (800) 548-7786.


29



Printed in U.S.A.
This Report has been prepared for shareholders and may be distributed to others only if preceded or accompanied by a current prospectus.

Morgan Stanley Investment Management Inc.
522 Fifth Avenue
New York, New York 10036

© 2021 Morgan Stanley. Morgan Stanley Distribution, Inc.

IFIUSCPANN
3386912 EXP 02.28.22



INVESTMENT MANAGEMENT

Morgan Stanley Institutional Fund, Inc.

U.S. Real Estate Portfolio

Annual Report

December 31, 2020



Morgan Stanley Institutional Fund, Inc.

Annual Report — December 31, 2020

Table of Contents

Shareholders' Letter

   

2

   

Expense Example

   

3

   

Investment Overview

   

4

   

Portfolio of Investments

   

7

   

Statement of Assets and Liabilities

   

9

   

Statement of Operations

   

11

   

Statements of Changes in Net Assets

   

12

   

Financial Highlights

   

14

   

Notes to Financial Statements

   

20

   

Report of Independent Registered Public Accounting Firm

   

27

   

Liquidity Risk Management Program

   

28

   

Federal Tax Notice

   

29

   

Privacy Notice

   

30

   

Director and Officer Information

   

33

   

This report is authorized for distribution only when preceded or accompanied by a prospectus or summary prospectus of the applicable Fund of Morgan Stanley Institutional Fund, Inc. To receive a prospectus and/or statement of additional information ("SAI"), which contains more complete information such as investment objectives, charges, expenses, policies for voting proxies, risk considerations and describes in detail each of the Fund's investment policies to the prospective investor, please call toll free 1 (800) 548-7786. Please read the prospectuses carefully before you invest or send money.

Additionally, you can access information about the Fund, including performance, characteristics and investment team commentary, through Morgan Stanley Investment Management's website: www.morganstanley.com/im/shareholderreports.

Market forecasts provided in this report may not necessarily come to pass. There is no guarantee that any sectors mentioned will continue to perform as discussed herein or that securities in such sectors will be held by the Fund in the future. There is no assurance that a fund will achieve its investment objective. Funds are subject to market risk, which is the possibility that market values of securities owned by the Fund will decline and, therefore, the value of the Fund's shares may be less than what you paid for them. Accordingly, you can lose money investing in this Fund. Please see the prospectus for more complete information on investment risks.


1



Morgan Stanley Institutional Fund, Inc.

Annual Report — December 31, 2020

Shareholders' Letter (unaudited)

Dear Shareholders,

We are pleased to provide this Annual Report, in which you will learn how your investment in U.S. Real Estate Portfolio (the "Fund") performed during the latest twelve-month period.

Morgan Stanley Investment Management is a client-centric, investor-led organization. Our global presence, intellectual capital, and breadth of products and services enable us to partner with investors to meet the evolving challenges of today's financial markets. We aim to deliver superior investment service and to empower our clients to make the informed decisions that help them reach their investment goals.

As always, we thank you for selecting Morgan Stanley Investment Management, and look forward to working with you in the months and years ahead.

Sincerely,

John H. Gernon
President and Principal Executive Officer

January 2021


2



Morgan Stanley Institutional Fund, Inc.

Annual Report — December 31, 2020

Expense Example (unaudited)

U.S. Real Estate Portfolio

As a shareholder of the Fund, you incur two types of costs: (1) transactional costs; and (2) ongoing costs, which may include advisory fees, administration fees, distribution and shareholder services fees and other Fund expenses. This example is intended to help you understand your ongoing costs (in dollars) of investing in the Fund and to compare these costs with the ongoing costs of investing in other mutual funds.

This example is based on an investment of $1,000 invested at the beginning of the six-month period ended December 31, 2020 and held for the entire six-month period.

Actual Expenses

The table below provides information about actual account values and actual expenses. You may use the information in this table, 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 table under the heading entitled "Actual Expenses Paid During Period" to estimate the expenses you paid on your account during this period.

Hypothetical Example for Comparison Purposes

The table below provides information about hypothetical account values and hypothetical expenses based on the Fund's actual expense ratio and an assumed rate of return of 5% per year before expenses, which is not the Fund's actual return. The hypothetical account values and expenses may not be used to estimate the actual ending account balance or expenses you paid for the period. You may use this information to compare the ongoing costs of investing in the Fund and other funds. To do so, compare this 5% hypothetical example with the 5% hypothetical examples that appear in the shareholder reports of the other funds.

Please note that the expenses shown in the table are meant to highlight your ongoing costs only and do not reflect any transactional costs, such as sales charges (loads). Therefore, the information for each class in the table is useful in comparing ongoing costs only, and will not help you determine the relative total costs of owning different funds. In addition, if these transactional costs were included, your costs would have been higher.

    Beginning
Account
Value
7/1/20
  Actual Ending
Account
Value
12/31/20
  Hypothetical
Ending Account
Value
  Actual
Expenses
Paid
During
Period*
  Hypothetical
Expenses Paid
During Period*
  Net
Expense
Ratio
During
Period**
 

U.S. Real Estate Portfolio Class I

 

$

1,000.00

   

$

1,153.80

   

$

1,020.61

   

$

4.87

   

$

4.57

     

0.90

%

 

U.S. Real Estate Portfolio Class A

   

1,000.00

     

1,152.10

     

1,018.85

     

6.76

     

6.34

     

1.25

   

U.S. Real Estate Portfolio Class L

   

1,000.00

     

1,149.60

     

1,016.34

     

9.46

     

8.87

     

1.75

   

U.S. Real Estate Portfolio Class C

   

1,000.00

     

1,146.90

     

1,015.08

     

10.79

     

10.13

     

2.00

   

U.S. Real Estate Portfolio Class IS

   

1,000.00

     

1,154.40

     

1,020.96

     

4.49

     

4.22

     

0.83

   

U.S. Real Estate Portfolio Class IR

   

1,000.00

     

1,154.40

     

1,020.96

     

4.49

     

4.22

     

0.83

   

*  Expenses are calculated using each Fund Class' annualized net expense ratio (as disclosed), multiplied by the average account value over the period and multiplied by 184/366 (to reflect the most recent one-half year period).

**  Annualized.


3



Morgan Stanley Institutional Fund, Inc.

Annual Report — December 31, 2020

Investment Overview (unaudited)

U.S. Real Estate Portfolio

The Fund seeks to provide above average current income and long-term capital appreciation by investing primarily in equity securities of companies in the U.S. real estate industry, including real estate investment trusts ("REITs").

Performance

For the fiscal year ended December 31, 2020, the Fund's Class I shares had a total return based on net asset value and reinvestment of distributions per share of –18.05%, net of fees. The Fund's Class I shares underperformed the Fund's benchmark, the FTSE Nareit Equity REITs Index (the "Index"), which returned –8.00%, and underperformed the S&P 500® Index, which returned 18.40%.

Factors Affecting Performance

•  U.S. real estate securities declined during 2020 as the impacts of COVID-19 and the widespread economic and social shutdowns experienced in the country disproportionately impacted fundamentals for the property sector. Real estate securities did recover throughout the year, as markets responded positively to fiscal and monetary stimulus policies. Additionally, the sector was supported by relatively stable earnings and dividends and improving rent collection data. Importantly, real estate posted strong gains in the fourth quarter of 2020, after a strong rally in November on news that the Pfizer-BioNTech and Moderna vaccines were over 90% effective in preventing COVID-19.

•  The largest declines for the year were experienced in the retail, hotel and office property sectors.

•  Retail real estate experienced a pullback for the year given the direct impact social distancing and quarantining measures have had on earnings. The retail sector underperformed as malls declined 37.5% and shopping centers declined 27.7% for the full year.(i) The temporary closure of a significant faction of retail real estate impaired cash rent collections. Additionally, the strain that the pandemic has placed on retail tenants has called into question the solvency of such tenants going forward, leading to greater uncertainty in cash flow projections for retail landlords.

•  The Fund's security selection and overweight allocation to regional malls detracted from

performance for the year. However, the underweight to shopping centers overall, coupled with positive security selection contributed to performance for the Fund.

•  Office real estate also underperformed for the year, as growing uncertainty regarding the potential structural impact of the work-from-home theme impacted the sector. Despite this increased uncertainty, office companies have continued to have high rent collections and limited tenant bankruptcies.

•  Within office, primary central business district (CBD) offices declined 22.0%, and secondary CBD/suburban offices declined 15.6%.(i) The Fund's overweight allocation to offices detracted from performance. Stock selection in the office sector also detracted from performance.

•  Hotel stocks underperformed for the year (–25.8%) due to a significant decline in demand stemming from a pullback in both business and leisure travel as a result of the pandemic.(i) Despite this headwind, the Fund's positions in select hotel companies favorably contributed to performance.

•  Data centers and industrial were top performers over the course of the year, returning 21% and 13%, respectively.(i) Both of these sectors benefited from increased demand as a result of the COVID-19 pandemic stemming from the increased need for digital infrastructure and e-commerce fulfillment. An underweight in data centers detracted from performance.

•  Despite an underweight position in the industrial sector detracting from the Fund's performance, favorable security selection was additive for the year.

Management Strategies

•  While real estate securities posted a negative return for the year, recent market strength in the asset class is supported by a number of macro and fundamental factors, including continued monetary stimulus, vaccine discovery and clarity on the timeline for successful vaccine dissemination, and the reopening of economies. Additionally, we believe the relative valuation of real estate securities

(i)  Returns provided are a sub-segment of the FTSE Nareit Equity REITs Index. Data as of December 31, 2020.


4



Morgan Stanley Institutional Fund, Inc.

Annual Report — December 31, 2020

Investment Overview (unaudited) (cont'd)

U.S. Real Estate Portfolio

is attractive compared to investable alternatives including the broader equity market, fixed income and direct property investment.

•  For these reasons, we have a favorable outlook for real estate over the next year, however, continue to believe active management with a keen focus on relative value is important.

•  The investment philosophy of the Fund has evolved to incorporate equity multiples and cash flow growth estimates, in addition to the more traditional net asset value approach. By incorporating both an equity market valuation and more traditional real estate valuation, we believe the Fund will be better prepared to identify securities with the best expected total returns.

*  Minimum Investment for Class I shares

In accordance with SEC regulations, the Fund's performance shown assumes that all recurring fees (including management fees) were deducted and all dividends and distributions were reinvested. The performance of Class A, L, C, IS and IR shares will vary from the performance of Class I shares based upon their different inception dates and will be negatively impacted by additional fees assessed to those classes (if applicable).


5



Morgan Stanley Institutional Fund, Inc.

Annual Report — December 31, 2020

Investment Overview (unaudited) (cont'd)

U.S. Real Estate Portfolio

Performance Compared to the FTSE Nareit Equity REITs Index(1), the S&P 500® Index(2) and the Lipper Real Estate Funds Index(3)

    Period Ended December 31, 2020
Total Returns(4)
 
       

Average Annual

 
    One
Year
  Five
Years
  Ten
Years
  Since
Inception(11)
 
Fund — Class I Shares
w/o sales charges(5)
   

–18.05

%

   

–0.40

%

   

5.12

%

   

9.98

%

 
Fund — Class A Shares
w/o sales charges(6)
   

–18.28

     

–0.70

     

4.81

     

9.16

   
Fund — Class A Shares
with maximum 5.25%
sales charges(6)
   

–22.61

     

–1.77

     

4.25

     

8.92

   
Fund — Class L Shares
w/o sales charges(7)
   

–18.77

     

–1.24

     

     

4.28

   
Fund — Class C Shares
w/o sales charges(9)
   

–18.91

     

–1.48

     

     

–0.85

   
Fund — Class C Shares
with maximum 1.00% deferred
sales charges(9)
   

–19.71

     

–1.48

     

     

–0.85

   
Fund — Class IS Shares
w/o sales charges(8)
   

–17.98

     

–0.32

     

     

3.90

   
Fund — Class IR Shares
w/o sales charges(10)
   

–17.98

     

     

     

–3.38

   

FTSE Nareit Equity REITs Index

   

–8.00

     

4.77

     

8.31

     

9.90

   

S&P 500® Index

   

18.40

     

15.22

     

13.88

     

10.31

   

Lipper Real Estate Funds Index

   

–2.91

     

5.75

     

8.42

     

N/A

   

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. Performance assumes that all dividends and distributions, if any, were reinvested. For the most recent month-end performance figures, please visit www.morganstanley.com/im/shareholderreports. Investment return and principal value will fluctuate so that Fund shares, when redeemed, may be worth more or less than their original cost. Total returns do not reflect the deduction of taxes that a shareholder would pay on Fund distributions or the redemption of Fund shares. Performance of share classes will vary due to difference in sales charges and expenses.

(1)  The FTSE Nareit (National Association of Real Estate Investment Trusts) Equity REITs Index is free float-adjusted market capitalization weighted index of tax-qualified REITs listed on the New York Stock Exchange, NYSE Amex and the NASDAQ National Market Systems. Effective December 20, 2010, the FTSE Nareit Equity REITs Index will not include "Timber REITs" The Index is unmanaged and its returns do not include any sales charges or fees. Such costs would lower performance. It is not possible to invest directly in an index.

(2)  The Standard & Poor's 500® Index (S&P 500® Index) measures the performance of the large cap segment of the U.S. equities market, covering approximately 80% of the U.S. equities market. The Index includes 500 leading companies in leading industries of the U.S. economy. 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 Lipper Real Estate Funds Index is an equally weighted performance index of the largest qualifying funds (based on net assets) in the Lipper Real Estate Funds classification. The Index, which is adjusted for capital gains distributions and income dividends, is unmanaged and should not be considered an investment. There are currently 30 funds represented in this Index. As of the date of this report, the Fund was in the Lipper Real Estate Funds classification.

(4)  Total returns for the Fund reflect fees waived and expenses reimbursed, if applicable, by the Adviser (as defined herein). Without such waivers and reimbursements, total returns would have been lower.

(5)  Commenced operations on February 24, 1995.

(6)  Commenced offering on January 2, 1996.

(7)  Commenced offering on November 11, 2011.

(8)  Commenced offering on September 13, 2013.

(9)  Commenced offering on April 30, 2015.

(10)  Commenced offering on June 15, 2018.

(11)  For comparative purposes, average annual since inception returns listed for the Indexes refer to the inception date of Class I of the Fund, not the inception of the Index.


6



Morgan Stanley Institutional Fund, Inc.

Annual Report — December 31, 2020

Portfolio of Investments

U.S. Real Estate Portfolio

   

Shares

  Value
(000)
 

Common Stocks (96.8%)

 

Apartments (15.3%)

 

American Campus Communities, Inc. REIT

   

9,641

   

$

413

   

Apartment Income Corp. REIT (a)

   

12,733

     

489

   

AvalonBay Communities, Inc. REIT

   

14,449

     

2,318

   

Camden Property Trust REIT

   

9,206

     

920

   

Equity Residential REIT

   

32,307

     

1,915

   

Essex Property Trust, Inc. REIT

   

3,416

     

811

   

UDR, Inc. REIT

   

6,716

     

258

   
     

7,124

   

Data Centers (9.9%)

 

Digital Realty Trust, Inc. REIT

   

17,467

     

2,437

   

Equinix, Inc. REIT

   

2,639

     

1,885

   

QTS Realty Trust, Inc., Class A REIT

   

4,870

     

301

   
     

4,623

   

Diversified (4.5%)

 

JBG SMITH Properties REIT

   

26,991

     

844

   

Mack-Cali Realty Corp. REIT

   

27,199

     

339

   

VEREIT, Inc. REIT

   

24,732

     

934

   
     

2,117

   

Free Standing (1.4%)

 

NETSTREIT Corp. REIT

   

34,337

     

669

   

Health Care (11.8%)

 

Healthcare Realty Trust, Inc. REIT

   

34,810

     

1,030

   

Healthcare Trust of America, Inc., Class A REIT

   

14,323

     

394

   

Healthpeak Properties, Inc. REIT

   

43,946

     

1,329

   

Medical Properties Trust, Inc. REIT

   

38,867

     

847

   

Sabra Health Care, Inc. REIT

   

19,095

     

332

   

Ventas, Inc. REIT

   

23,027

     

1,129

   

Welltower, Inc. REIT

   

7,199

     

465

   
     

5,526

   

Industrial (10.7%)

 

Duke Realty Corp. REIT

   

7,956

     

318

   

Exeter Industrial Value Fund, LP (a)(b)(c)

   

7,905,000

     

530

   

First Industrial Realty Trust, Inc. REIT

   

3,949

     

166

   

Granite REIT (Canada)

   

4,207

     

258

   

Prologis, Inc. REIT

   

37,229

     

3,710

   
     

4,982

   

Lodging/Resorts (6.0%)

 

Host Hotels & Resorts, Inc. REIT

   

80,517

     

1,178

   

RLJ Lodging Trust REIT

   

37,454

     

530

   

Sunstone Hotel Investors, Inc. REIT

   

96,876

     

1,098

   
     

2,806

   

Manufactured Homes (1.6%)

 

Equity Lifestyle Properties, Inc. REIT

   

11,499

     

729

   

Office (12.5%)

 

Alexandria Real Estate Equities, Inc. REIT

   

3,742

     

667

   

Boston Properties, Inc. REIT

   

14,614

     

1,381

   

Cousins Properties, Inc. REIT

   

21,187

     

710

   

Douglas Emmett, Inc. REIT

   

7,843

     

229

   

Highwoods Properties, Inc. REIT

   

4,366

     

173

   
   

Shares

  Value
(000)
 

Hudson Pacific Properties, Inc. REIT

   

48,144

   

$

1,156

   

Kilroy Realty Corp. REIT

   

9,751

     

560

   

Paramount Group, Inc. REIT

   

1,452

     

13

   

SL Green Realty Corp. REIT

   

16,113

     

960

   
     

5,849

   

Regional Malls (5.0%)

 

Simon Property Group, Inc. REIT

   

27,401

     

2,337

   

Self Storage (7.1%)

 

CubeSmart REIT

   

28,922

     

972

   

Public Storage REIT

   

10,225

     

2,361

   
     

3,333

   

Shopping Centers (5.2%)

 

Brixmor Property Group, Inc. REIT

   

50,889

     

842

   

Regency Centers Corp. REIT

   

19,054

     

869

   

Weingarten Realty Investors REIT

   

32,506

     

704

   
     

2,415

   

Single Family Homes (4.2%)

 

Invitation Homes, Inc. REIT

   

65,987

     

1,960

   

Specialty (1.6%)

 

Gaming and Leisure Properties, Inc. REIT

   

16,995

     

721

   

Total Common Stocks (Cost $34,097)

   

45,191

   

Short-Term Investment (2.3%)

 

Investment Company (2.3%)

 
Morgan Stanley Institutional Liquidity
Funds — Treasury Portfolio —
Institutional Class (See Note G)
(Cost $1,051)
   

1,051,214

     

1,051

   

Total Investments (99.1%) (Cost $35,148) (d)

   

46,242

   

Other Assets in Excess of Liabilities (0.9%)

   

429

   

Net Assets (100.0%)

 

$

46,671

   

(a)  Non-income producing security.

(b)  Restricted security valued at fair value and not registered under the Securities Act of 1933. Exeter Industrial Value Fund, LP was acquired between 11/07 — 4/11 and has a current cost basis of approximately $0. At December 31, 2020, this security had an aggregate market value of approximately $530,000, representing 1.1% of net assets.

(c)  At December 31, 2020, the Fund held a fair valued security valued at approximately $530,000, representing 1.1% of net assets. This security has been fair valued as determined in good faith under procedures established by and under the general supervision of the Company's (as defined herein) Directors.

(d)  At December 31, 2020, the aggregate cost for federal income tax purposes is approximately $38,712,000. The aggregate gross unrealized appreciation is approximately $8,207,000 and the aggregate gross unrealized depreciation is approximately $677,000, resulting in net unrealized appreciation of approximately $7,530,000.

REIT  Real Estate Investment Trust.

The accompanying notes are an integral part of the financial statements.
7



Morgan Stanley Institutional Fund, Inc.

Annual Report — December 31, 2020

Portfolio of Investments (cont'd)

U.S. Real Estate Portfolio

Portfolio Composition

Classification

  Percentage of
Total Investments
 

Other*

   

15.7

%

 

Apartments

   

15.4

   

Office

   

12.6

   

Health Care

   

11.9

   

Industrial

   

10.8

   

Data Centers

   

10.0

   

Self Storage

   

7.2

   

Lodging/Resorts

   

6.1

   

Shopping Centers

   

5.2

   

Regional Malls

   

5.1

   

Total Investments

   

100.0

%

 

*  Industries and/or investment types representing less than 5% of total investments.

The accompanying notes are an integral part of the financial statements.
8



Morgan Stanley Institutional Fund, Inc.

Annual Report — December 31, 2020

U.S. Real Estate Portfolio

Statement of Assets and Liabilities

  December 31, 2020
(000)
 

Assets:

 

Investments in Securities of Unaffiliated Issuers, at Value (Cost $34,097)

 

$

45,191

   

Investment in Security of Affiliated Issuer, at Value (Cost $1,051)

   

1,051

   

Total Investments in Securities, at Value (Cost $35,148)

   

46,242

   

Foreign Currency, at Value (Cost $1)

   

1

   

Dividends Receivable

   

321

   

Receivable for Investments Sold

   

267

   

Receivable for Fund Shares Sold

   

18

   

Receivable from Affiliate

   

@

 

Other Assets

   

78

   

Total Assets

   

46,927

   

Liabilities:

 

Payable for Fund Shares Redeemed

   

72

   

Payable for Advisory Fees

   

65

   

Payable for Professional Fees

   

19

   

Payable for Sub Transfer Agency Fees — Class I

   

19

   

Payable for Sub Transfer Agency Fees — Class A

   

7

   

Payable for Sub Transfer Agency Fees — Class L

   

@

 

Payable for Sub Transfer Agency Fees — Class C

   

@

 

Payable for Transfer Agency Fees — Class I

   

3

   

Payable for Transfer Agency Fees — Class A

   

2

   

Payable for Transfer Agency Fees — Class L

   

1

   

Payable for Transfer Agency Fees — Class C

   

1

   

Payable for Transfer Agency Fees — Class IS

   

2

   

Payable for Transfer Agency Fees — Class IR

   

@

 

Payable for Custodian Fees

   

6

   

Payable for Shareholder Services Fees — Class A

   

2

   

Payable for Distribution and Shareholder Services Fees — Class L

   

1

   

Payable for Distribution and Shareholder Services Fees — Class C

   

@

 

Payable for Administration Fees

   

3

   

Other Liabilities

   

53

   

Total Liabilities

   

256

   

Net Assets

 

$

46,671

   

Net Assets Consist of:

 

Paid-in-Capital

 

$

48,572

   

Total Accumulated Loss

   

(1,901

)

 

Net Assets

 

$

46,671

   

The accompanying notes are an integral part of the financial statements.
9



Morgan Stanley Institutional Fund, Inc.

Annual Report — December 31, 2020

U.S. Real Estate Portfolio

Statement of Assets and Liabilities (cont'd)

  December 31, 2020
(000)
 

CLASS I:

 

Net Assets

 

$

33,708

   
Shares Outstanding $0.001 par value shares of beneficial interest (unlimited shares authorized) (not in 000's)    

3,834,193

   

Net Asset Value, Offering and Redemption Price Per Share

 

$

8.79

   

CLASS A:

 

Net Assets

 

$

11,043

   
Shares Outstanding $0.001 par value shares of beneficial interest (unlimited shares authorized) (not in 000's)    

1,318,203

   

Net Asset Value, Redemption Price Per Share

 

$

8.38

   

Maximum Sales Load

   

5.25

%

 

Maximum Sales Charge

 

$

0.46

   

Maximum Offering Price Per Share

 

$

8.84

   

CLASS L:

 

Net Assets

 

$

1,586

   
Shares Outstanding $0.001 par value shares of beneficial interest (unlimited shares authorized) (not in 000's)    

189,688

   

Net Asset Value, Offering and Redemption Price Per Share

 

$

8.36

   

CLASS C:

 

Net Assets

 

$

206

   
Shares Outstanding $0.001 par value shares of beneficial interest (unlimited shares authorized) (not in 000's)    

24,725

   

Net Asset Value, Offering and Redemption Price Per Share

 

$

8.31

   

CLASS IS:

 

Net Assets

 

$

121

   
Shares Outstanding $0.001 par value shares of beneficial interest (unlimited shares authorized) (not in 000's)    

13,786

   

Net Asset Value, Offering and Redemption Price Per Share

 

$

8.79

   

CLASS IR:

 

Net Assets

 

$

7

   
Shares Outstanding $0.001 par value shares of beneficial interest (unlimited shares authorized) (not in 000's)    

812

   

Net Asset Value, Offering and Redemption Price Per Share

 

$

8.79

   

@  Amount is less than $500.

The accompanying notes are an integral part of the financial statements.
10



Morgan Stanley Institutional Fund, Inc.

Annual Report — December 31, 2020

U.S. Real Estate Portfolio

Statement of Operations

  Year Ended
December 31, 2020
(000)
 

Investment Income:

 

Dividends from Securities of Unaffiliated Issuers (Net of $ — @ of foreign Taxes Withheld)

 

$

2,131

   

Dividends from Security of Affiliated Issuer (Note G)

   

3

   

Total Investment Income

   

2,134

   

Expenses:

 

Advisory Fees (Note B)

   

626

   

Sub Transfer Agency Fees — Class I

   

56

   

Sub Transfer Agency Fees — Class A

   

23

   

Sub Transfer Agency Fees — Class L

   

1

   

Sub Transfer Agency Fees — Class C

   

@

 

Professional Fees

   

100

   

Administration Fees (Note C)

   

72

   

Shareholder Services Fees — Class A (Note D)

   

43

   

Distribution and Shareholder Services Fees — Class L (Note D)

   

12

   

Distribution and Shareholder Services Fees — Class C (Note D)

   

2

   

Registration Fees

   

85

   

Shareholder Reporting Fees

   

54

   

Transfer Agency Fees — Class I (Note E)

   

11

   

Transfer Agency Fees — Class A (Note E)

   

7

   

Transfer Agency Fees — Class L (Note E)

   

3

   

Transfer Agency Fees — Class C (Note E)

   

2

   

Transfer Agency Fees — Class IS (Note E)

   

5

   

Transfer Agency Fees — Class IR (Note E)

   

2

   

Custodian Fees (Note F)

   

19

   

Directors' Fees and Expenses

   

3

   

Pricing Fees

   

3

   

Interest Expenses

   

1

   

Other Expenses

   

15

   

Total Expenses

   

1,145

   

Waiver of Advisory Fees (Note B)

   

(235

)

 

Reimbursement of Class Specific Expenses — Class I (Note B)

   

(20

)

 

Reimbursement of Class Specific Expenses — Class A (Note B)

   

(1

)

 

Reimbursement of Class Specific Expenses — Class L (Note B)

   

(2

)

 

Reimbursement of Class Specific Expenses — Class C (Note B)

   

(2

)

 

Reimbursement of Class Specific Expenses — Class IS (Note B)

   

(5

)

 

Reimbursement of Class Specific Expenses — Class IR (Note B)

   

(2

)

 

Rebate from Morgan Stanley Affiliate (Note G)

   

(1

)

 

Net Expenses

   

877

   

Net Investment Income

   

1,257

   

Realized Loss:

 

Investments Sold

   

(7,920

)

 

Foreign Currency Translation

   

(—

@)

 

Net Realized Loss

   

(7,920

)

 

Change in Unrealized Appreciation (Depreciation):

 

Investments

   

(36,112

)

 

Foreign Currency Translation

   

@

 

Net Change in Unrealized Appreciation (Depreciation)

   

(36,112

)

 

Net Realized Loss and Change in Unrealized Appreciation (Depreciation)

   

(44,032

)

 

Net Decrease in Net Assets Resulting from Operations

 

$

(42,775

)

 

@  Amount is less than $500.

The accompanying notes are an integral part of the financial statements.
11



Morgan Stanley Institutional Fund, Inc.

Annual Report — December 31, 2020

U.S. Real Estate Portfolio

Statements of Changes in Net Assets

  Year Ended
December 31, 2020
(000)
  Year Ended
December 31, 2019
(000)
 

Increase (Decrease) in Net Assets:

 

Operations:

 

Net Investment Income

 

$

1,257

   

$

4,955

   

Net Realized Gain (Loss)

   

(7,920

)

   

19,067

   

Net Change in Unrealized Appreciation (Depreciation)

   

(36,112

)

   

17,154

   

Net Increase (Decrease) in Net Assets Resulting from Operations

   

(42,775

)

   

41,176

   

Dividends and Distributions to Shareholders:

 

Class I

   

(1,465

)

   

(21,074

)

 

Class A

   

(330

)

   

(4,680

)

 

Class L

   

(30

)

   

(293

)

 

Class C

   

(3

)

   

(31

)

 

Class IS

   

(94

)

   

(1,835

)

 

Class IR

   

(—

@)

   

(1

)

 

Paid-in-Capital:

 

Class I

   

(273

)

   

   

Class A

   

(62

)

   

   

Class L

   

(5

)

   

   

Class C

   

(1

)

   

   

Class IS

   

(17

)

   

   

Class IR

   

(—

@)

   

   

Total Dividends and Distributions to Shareholders

   

(2,280

)

   

(27,914

)

 

Capital Share Transactions:(1)

 

Class I:

 

Subscribed

   

10,619

     

19,431

   

Distributions Reinvested

   

1,717

     

20,897

   

Redeemed

   

(81,226

)

   

(92,286

)

 

Class A:

 

Subscribed

   

2,945

     

5,250

   

Distributions Reinvested

   

388

     

4,645

   

Redeemed

   

(16,948

)

   

(13,017

)

 

Class L:

 

Exchanged

   

209

     

   

Distributions Reinvested

   

35

     

290

   

Redeemed

   

(394

)

   

(239

)

 

Class C:

 

Subscribed

   

62

     

56

   

Distributions Reinvested

   

4

     

31

   

Redeemed

   

(41

)

   

(205

)

 

Class IS:

 

Subscribed

   

484

     

1,331

   

Distributions Reinvested

   

111

     

1,835

   

Redeemed

   

(8,403

)

   

(23,192

)

 

Class IR:

 

Distributions Reinvested

   

@

   

1

   

Net Decrease in Net Assets Resulting from Capital Share Transactions

   

(90,438

)

   

(75,172

)

 

Total Decrease in Net Assets

   

(135,493

)

   

(61,910

)

 

Net Assets:

 

Beginning of Period

   

182,164

     

244,074

   

End of Period

 

$

46,671

   

$

182,164

   

The accompanying notes are an integral part of the financial statements.
12



Morgan Stanley Institutional Fund, Inc.

Annual Report — December 31, 2020

U.S. Real Estate Portfolio

Statements of Changes in Net Assets (cont'd)

  Year Ended
December 31, 2020
(000)
  Year Ended
December 31, 2019
(000)
 

(1)   Capital Share Transactions:

 

Class I:

 

Shares Subscribed

   

1,302

     

1,610

   

Shares Issued on Distributions Reinvested

   

240

     

1,882

   

Shares Redeemed

   

(9,879

)

   

(7,745

)

 

Net Decrease in Class I Shares Outstanding

   

(8,337

)

   

(4,253

)

 

Class A:

 

Shares Subscribed

   

365

     

454

   

Shares Issued on Distributions Reinvested

   

58

     

440

   

Shares Redeemed

   

(2,193

)

   

(1,127

)

 

Net Decrease in Class A Shares Outstanding

   

(1,770

)

   

(233

)

 

Class L:

 

Shares Exchanged

   

28

     

   

Shares Issued on Distributions Reinvested

   

5

     

28

   

Shares Redeemed

   

(48

)

   

(21

)

 

Net Increase (Decrease) in Class L Shares Outstanding

   

(15

)

   

7

   

Class C:

 

Shares Subscribed

   

8

     

4

   

Shares Issued on Distributions Reinvested

   

1

     

3

   

Shares Redeemed

   

(6

)

   

(18

)

 

Net Increase (Decrease) in Class C Shares Outstanding

   

3

     

(11

)

 

Class IS:

 

Shares Subscribed

   

53

     

110

   

Shares Issued on Distributions Reinvested

   

17

     

164

   

Shares Redeemed

   

(1,167

)

   

(1,893

)

 

Net Decrease in Class IS Shares Outstanding

   

(1,097

)

   

(1,619

)

 

Class IR:

 

Shares Issued on Distributions Reinvested

   

@@

   

@@

 

@  Amount is less than $500.

@@  Amount is less than 500 shares.

The accompanying notes are an integral part of the financial statements.
13



Morgan Stanley Institutional Fund, Inc.

Annual Report — December 31, 2020

Financial Highlights

U.S. Real Estate Portfolio

   

Class I

 
   

Year Ended December 31,

 

Selected Per Share Data and Ratios

 

2020

 

2019

 

2018

 

2017

 

2016(1)

 

Net Asset Value, Beginning of Period

 

$

11.08

   

$

10.82

   

$

15.24

   

$

17.21

   

$

17.86

   

Income (Loss) from Investment Operations:

 

Net Investment Income(2)

   

0.13

     

0.26

     

0.34

     

0.37

     

0.31

   

Net Realized and Unrealized Gain (Loss)

   

(2.18

)

   

1.69

     

(1.33

)

   

0.16

     

0.91

   

Total from Investment Operations

   

(2.05

)

   

1.95

     

(0.99

)

   

0.53

     

1.22

   

Distributions from and/or in Excess of:

 

Net Investment Income

   

(0.20

)

   

(0.40

)

   

(0.34

)

   

(0.26

)

   

(0.38

)

 

Net Realized Gain

   

     

(1.29

)

   

(3.09

)

   

(2.24

)

   

(1.49

)

 

Paid-in-Capital

   

(0.04

)

   

     

     

     

   

Total Distributions

   

(0.24

)

   

(1.69

)

   

(3.43

)

   

(2.50

)

   

(1.87

)

 

Net Asset Value, End of Period

 

$

8.79

   

$

11.08

   

$

10.82

   

$

15.24

   

$

17.21

   

Total Return(3)

   

(18.05

)%

   

18.40

%

   

(8.44

)%

   

3.31

%

   

6.79

%

 

Ratios to Average Net Assets and Supplemental Data:

 

Net Assets, End of Period (Thousands)

 

$

33,708

   

$

134,856

   

$

177,690

   

$

331,637

   

$

494,967

   

Ratio of Expenses Before Expense Limitation

   

1.19

%

   

1.02

%

   

1.02

%

   

1.02

%

   

1.02

%

 

Ratio of Expenses After Expense Limitation

   

0.90

%(4)

   

0.90

%(4)

   

0.95

%(4)(5)

   

1.00

%(4)

   

1.00

%(4)

 

Ratio of Expenses After Expense Limitation Excluding Interest Expenses

   

0.90

%(4)

   

N/A

     

0.95

%(4)

   

1.00

%(4)

   

N/A

   

Ratio of Net Investment Income

   

1.52

%(4)

   

2.18

%(4)

   

2.44

%(4)

   

2.19

%(4)

   

1.73

%(4)

 

Ratio of Rebate from Morgan Stanley Affiliates

   

0.00

%(6)

   

0.00

%(6)

   

0.00

%(6)

   

0.00

%(6)

   

0.00

%(6)

 

Portfolio Turnover Rate

   

39

%

   

21

%

   

39

%

   

43

%

   

24

%

 

(1)  Reflects prior period custodian out-of-pocket expenses that were reimbursed in September 2016. The amount of the reimbursement was immaterial on a per share basis and did not impact the total return of Class I shares. The Ratio of Expenses After Expense Limitation and the Ratio of Net Investment Income would be unchanged as the reimbursement of custodian fees was offset against expense waivers/reimbursements with no impact to net expenses or net investment income.

(2)  Per share amount is based on average shares outstanding.

(3)  Calculated based on the net asset value as of the last business day of the period.

(4)  The Ratio of Expenses After Expense Limitation and Ratio of Net Investment Income reflect the rebate of certain Fund expenses in connection with the investments in Morgan Stanley affiliates during the period. The effect of the rebate on the ratios is disclosed in the above table as "Ratio of Rebate from Morgan Stanley Affiliates."

(5)  Effective July 1, 2018, the Adviser has agreed to limit the ratio of expenses to average net assets to the maximum ratio of 0.90% for Class I shares. Prior to July 1, 2018, the maximum ratio was 1.00% for Class I shares.

(6)  Amount is less than 0.005%.

The accompanying notes are an integral part of the financial statements.
14



Morgan Stanley Institutional Fund, Inc.

Annual Report — December 31, 2020

Financial Highlights

U.S. Real Estate Portfolio

   

Class A

 
   

Year Ended December 31,

 

Selected Per Share Data and Ratios

 

2020

 

2019

 

2018

 

2017

 

2016(1)

 

Net Asset Value, Beginning of Period

 

$

10.56

   

$

10.38

   

$

14.76

   

$

16.74

   

$

17.42

   

Income (Loss) from Investment Operations:

 

Net Investment Income(2)

   

0.09

     

0.22

     

0.29

     

0.31

     

0.24

   

Net Realized and Unrealized Gain (Loss)

   

(2.06

)

   

1.61

     

(1.28

)

   

0.15

     

0.89

   

Total from Investment Operations

   

(1.97

)

   

1.83

     

(0.99

)

   

0.46

     

1.13

   

Distributions from and/or in Excess of:

 

Net Investment Income

   

(0.17

)

   

(0.36

)

   

(0.30

)

   

(0.20

)

   

(0.32

)

 

Net Realized Gain

   

     

(1.29

)

   

(3.09

)

   

(2.24

)

   

(1.49

)

 

Paid-in-Capital

   

(0.04

)

   

     

     

     

   

Total Distributions

   

(0.21

)

   

(1.65

)

   

(3.39

)

   

(2.44

)

   

(1.81

)

 

Net Asset Value, End of Period

 

$

8.38

   

$

10.56

   

$

10.38

   

$

14.76

   

$

16.74

   

Total Return(3)

   

(18.28

)%

   

18.02

%

   

(8.71

)%

   

2.98

%

   

6.47

%

 

Ratios to Average Net Assets and Supplemental Data:

 

Net Assets, End of Period (Thousands)

 

$

11,043

   

$

32,596

   

$

34,459

   

$

55,640

   

$

76,082

   

Ratio of Expenses Before Expense Limitation

   

1.52

%

   

1.31

%

   

1.30

%

   

N/A

     

1.30

%

 

Ratio of Expenses After Expense Limitation

   

1.25

%(4)

   

1.22

%(4)

   

1.26

%(4)(5)

   

1.34

%(4)

   

1.29

%(4)

 

Ratio of Expenses After Expense Limitation Excluding Interest Expenses

   

1.25

%(4)

   

N/A

     

1.26

%(4)

   

1.34

%(4)

   

N/A

   

Ratio of Net Investment Income

   

1.09

%(4)

   

1.91

%(4)

   

2.14

%(4)

   

1.87

%(4)

   

1.37

%(4)

 

Ratio of Rebate from Morgan Stanley Affiliates

   

0.00

%(6)

   

0.00

%(6)

   

0.00

%(6)

   

0.00

%(6)

   

0.00

%(6)

 

Portfolio Turnover Rate

   

39

%

   

21

%

   

39

%

   

43

%

   

24

%

 

(1)  Reflects prior period custodian out-of-pocket expenses that were reimbursed in September 2016. The amount of the reimbursement was immaterial on a per share basis and did not impact the total return of Class A shares. The Ratio of Expenses After Expense Limitation would have been less than 0.005% higher and the Ratio of Net Investment Income would have been less than 0.005% lower had the custodian not reimbursed the Fund.

(2)  Per share amount is based on average shares outstanding.

(3)  Calculated based on the net asset value which does not reflect sales charges, if applicable, as of the last business day of the period.

(4)  The Ratio of Expenses After Expense Limitation and Ratio of Net Investment Income reflect the rebate of certain Fund expenses in connection with the investments in Morgan Stanley affiliates during the period. The effect of the rebate on the ratios is disclosed in the above table as "Ratio of Rebate from Morgan Stanley Affiliates."

(5)  Effective July 1, 2018, the Adviser has agreed to limit the ratio of expenses to average net assets to the maximum ratio of 1.25% for Class A shares. Prior to July 1, 2018, the maximum ratio was 1.35% for Class A shares.

(6)  Amount is less than 0.005%.

The accompanying notes are an integral part of the financial statements.
15



Morgan Stanley Institutional Fund, Inc.

Annual Report — December 31, 2020

Financial Highlights

U.S. Real Estate Portfolio

   

Class L

 
   

Year Ended December 31,

 

Selected Per Share Data and Ratios

 

2020

 

2019

 

2018

 

2017

 

2016(1)

 

Net Asset Value, Beginning of Period

 

$

10.55

   

$

10.37

   

$

14.74

   

$

16.73

   

$

17.41

   

Income (Loss) from Investment Operations:

 

Net Investment Income(2)

   

0.09

     

0.16

     

0.23

     

0.22

     

0.15

   

Net Realized and Unrealized Gain (Loss)

   

(2.11

)

   

1.61

     

(1.28

)

   

0.15

     

0.89

   

Total from Investment Operations

   

(2.02

)

   

1.77

     

(1.05

)

   

0.37

     

1.04

   

Distributions from and/or in Excess of:

 

Net Investment Income

   

(0.13

)

   

(0.30

)

   

(0.23

)

   

(0.12

)

   

(0.23

)

 

Net Realized Gain

   

     

(1.29

)

   

(3.09

)

   

(2.24

)

   

(1.49

)

 

Paid-in-Capital

   

(0.04

)

   

     

     

     

   

Total Distributions

   

(0.17

)

   

(1.59

)

   

(3.32

)

   

(2.36

)

   

(1.72

)

 

Net Asset Value, End of Period

 

$

8.36

   

$

10.55

   

$

10.37

   

$

14.74

   

$

16.73

   

Total Return(3)

   

(18.77

)%

   

17.43

%

   

(9.16

)%

   

2.37

%

   

5.91

%

 

Ratios to Average Net Assets and Supplemental Data:

 

Net Assets, End of Period (Thousands)

 

$

1,586

   

$

2,164

   

$

2,057

   

$

2,787

   

$

3,471

   

Ratio of Expenses Before Expense Limitation

   

2.11

%

   

1.88

%

   

1.84

%

   

1.89

%

   

1.84

%

 

Ratio of Expenses After Expense Limitation

   

1.75

%(4)

   

1.75

%(4)

   

1.79

%(4)(5)

   

1.85

%(4)

   

1.84

%(4)

 

Ratio of Expenses After Expense Limitation Excluding Interest Expenses

   

1.75

%(4)

   

N/A

     

1.79

%(4)

   

1.85

%(4)

   

N/A

   

Ratio of Net Investment Income

   

1.41

%(4)

   

1.42

%(4)

   

1.71

%(4)

   

1.37

%(4)

   

0.84

%(4)

 

Ratio of Rebate from Morgan Stanley Affiliates

   

0.00

%(6)

   

0.00

%(6)

   

0.00

%(6)

   

0.00

%(6)

   

0.00

%(6)

 

Portfolio Turnover Rate

   

39

%

   

21

%

   

39

%

   

43

%

   

24

%

 

(1)  Reflects prior period custodian out-of-pocket expenses that were reimbursed in September 2016. The amount of the reimbursement was immaterial on a per share basis and did not impact the total return of Class L shares. The Ratio of Expenses After Expense Limitation would have been less than 0.005% higher and the Ratio of Net Investment Income would have been less than 0.005% lower had the custodian not reimbursed the Fund.

(2)  Per share amount is based on average shares outstanding.

(3)  Calculated based on the net asset value as of the last business day of the period.

(4)  The Ratio of Expenses After Expense Limitation and Ratio of Net Investment Income reflect the rebate of certain Fund expenses in connection with the investments in Morgan Stanley affiliates during the period. The effect of the rebate on the ratios is disclosed in the above table as "Ratio of Rebate from Morgan Stanley Affiliates."

(5)  Effective July 1, 2018, the Adviser has agreed to limit the ratio of expenses to average net assets to the maximum ratio of 1.75% for Class L shares. Prior to July 1, 2018, the maximum ratio was 1.85% for Class L shares.

(6)  Amount is less than 0.005%.

The accompanying notes are an integral part of the financial statements.
16



Morgan Stanley Institutional Fund, Inc.

Annual Report — December 31, 2020

Financial Highlights

U.S. Real Estate Portfolio

   

Class C

 
   

Year Ended December 31,

 

Selected Per Share Data and Ratios

 

2020

 

2019

 

2018

 

2017

 

2016(1)

 

Net Asset Value, Beginning of Period

 

$

10.48

   

$

10.31

   

$

14.68

   

$

16.67

   

$

17.36

   

Income (Loss) from Investment Operations:

 

Net Investment Income(2)

   

0.09

     

0.14

     

0.19

     

0.20

     

0.13

   

Net Realized and Unrealized Gain (Loss)

   

(2.10

)

   

1.59

     

(1.29

)

   

0.13

     

0.87

   

Total from Investment Operations

   

(2.01

)

   

1.73

     

(1.10

)

   

0.33

     

1.00

   

Distributions from and/or in Excess of:

 

Net Investment Income

   

(0.12

)

   

(0.27

)

   

(0.18

)

   

(0.08

)

   

(0.20

)

 

Net Realized Gain

   

     

(1.29

)

   

(3.09

)

   

(2.24

)

   

(1.49

)

 

Paid-in-Capital

   

(0.04

)

   

     

     

     

   

Total Distributions

   

(0.16

)

   

(1.56

)

   

(3.27

)

   

(2.32

)

   

(1.69

)

 

Net Asset Value, End of Period

 

$

8.31

   

$

10.48

   

$

10.31

   

$

14.68

   

$

16.67

   

Total Return(3)

   

(18.91

)%

   

17.07

%

   

(9.47

)%

   

2.14

%

   

5.72

%

 

Ratios to Average Net Assets and Supplemental Data:

 

Net Assets, End of Period (Thousands)

 

$

206

   

$

232

   

$

338

   

$

486

   

$

427

   

Ratio of Expenses Before Expense Limitation

   

3.39

%

   

2.92

%

   

2.75

%

   

2.46

%

   

3.13

%

 

Ratio of Expenses After Expense Limitation

   

2.00

%(4)

   

2.00

%(4)

   

2.05

%(4)(5)

   

2.10

%(4)

   

2.10

%(4)

 

Ratio of Expenses After Expense Limitation Excluding Interest Expenses

   

2.00

%(4)

   

N/A

     

2.05

%(4)

   

2.10

%(4)

   

N/A

   

Ratio of Net Investment Income

   

1.20

%(4)

   

1.18

%(4)

   

1.39

%(4)

   

1.21

%(4)

   

0.73

%(4)

 

Ratio of Rebate from Morgan Stanley Affiliates

   

0.00

%(6)

   

0.00

%(6)

   

0.00

%(6)

   

0.00

%(6)

   

0.00

%(6)

 

Portfolio Turnover Rate

   

39

%

   

21

%

   

39

%

   

43

%

   

24

%

 

(1)  Reflects prior period custodian out-of-pocket expenses that were reimbursed in September 2016. The amount of the reimbursement was immaterial on a per share basis and did not impact the total return of Class C shares. The Ratio of Expenses After Expense Limitation and the Ratio of Net Investment Income would be unchanged as the reimbursement of custodian fees was offset against expense waivers/reimbursements with no impact to net expenses or net investment income.

(2)  Per share amount is based on average shares outstanding.

(3)  Calculated based on the net asset value which does not reflect sales charges, if applicable, as of the last business day of the period.

(4)  The Ratio of Expenses After Expense Limitation and Ratio of Net Investment Income reflect the rebate of certain Fund expenses in connection with the investments in Morgan Stanley affiliates during the period. The effect of the rebate on the ratios is disclosed in the above table as "Ratio of Rebate from Morgan Stanley Affiliates."

(5)  Effective July 1, 2018, the Adviser has agreed to limit the ratio of expenses to average net assets to the maximum ratio of 2.00% for Class C shares. Prior to July 1, 2018, the maximum ratio was 2.10% for Class C shares.

(6)  Amount is less than 0.005%.

The accompanying notes are an integral part of the financial statements.
17



Morgan Stanley Institutional Fund, Inc.

Annual Report — December 31, 2020

Financial Highlights

U.S. Real Estate Portfolio

   

Class IS

 
   

Year Ended December 31,

 

Selected Per Share Data and Ratios

 

2020

 

2019

 

2018

 

2017

 

2016(1)

 

Net Asset Value, Beginning of Period

 

$

11.08

   

$

10.82

   

$

15.24

   

$

17.22

   

$

17.86

   

Income (Loss) from Investment Operations:

 

Net Investment Income(2)

   

0.09

     

0.25

     

0.28

     

0.39

     

0.33

   

Net Realized and Unrealized Gain (Loss)

   

(2.13

)

   

1.71

     

(1.26

)

   

0.14

     

0.92

   

Total from Investment Operations

   

(2.04

)

   

1.96

     

(0.98

)

   

0.53

     

1.25

   

Distributions from and/or in Excess of:

 

Net Investment Income

   

(0.21

)

   

(0.41

)

   

(0.35

)

   

(0.27

)

   

(0.40

)

 

Net Realized Gain

   

     

(1.29

)

   

(3.09

)

   

(2.24

)

   

(1.49

)

 

Paid-in-Capital

   

(0.04

)

   

     

     

     

   

Total Distributions

   

(0.25

)

   

(1.70

)

   

(3.44

)

   

(2.51

)

   

(1.89

)

 

Net Asset Value, End of Period

 

$

8.79

   

$

11.08

   

$

10.82

   

$

15.24

   

$

17.22

   

Total Return(3)

   

(17.98

)%

   

18.48

%

   

(8.36

)%

   

3.32

%

   

6.96

%

 

Ratios to Average Net Assets and Supplemental Data:

 

Net Assets, End of Period (Thousands)

 

$

121

   

$

12,307

   

$

29,523

   

$

196,536

   

$

195,490

   

Ratio of Expenses Before Expense Limitation

   

1.20

%

   

1.04

%

   

0.97

%

   

N/A

     

0.90

%

 

Ratio of Expenses After Expense Limitation

   

0.83

%(4)

   

0.83

%(4)

   

0.91

%(4)(5)

   

0.93

%(4)

   

0.89

%(4)

 

Ratio of Expenses After Expense Limitation Excluding Interest Expenses

   

0.83

%(4)

   

N/A

     

0.91

%(4)

   

0.93

%(4)

   

N/A

   

Ratio of Net Investment Income

   

1.00

%(4)

   

2.09

%(4)

   

1.98

%(4)

   

2.33

%(4)

   

1.79

%(4)

 

Ratio of Rebate from Morgan Stanley Affiliates

   

0.00

%(6)

   

0.00

%(6)

   

0.00

%(6)

   

0.00

%(6)

   

0.00

%(6)

 

Portfolio Turnover Rate

   

39

%

   

21

%

   

39

%

   

43

%

   

24

%

 

(1)  Reflects prior period custodian out-of-pocket expenses that were reimbursed in September 2016. The amount of the reimbursement was immaterial on a per share basis and did not impact the total return of Class IS shares. The Ratio of Expenses After Expense Limitation would have been less than 0.005% higher and the Ratio of Net Investment would have been less than 0.005% lower had the custodian not reimbursed the Fund.

(2)  Per share amount is based on average shares outstanding.

(3)  Calculated based on the net asset value as of the last business day of the period.

(4)  The Ratio of Expenses After Expense Limitation and Ratio of Net Investment Income reflect the rebate of certain Fund expenses in connection with the investments in Morgan Stanley affiliates during the period. The effect of the rebate on the ratios is disclosed in the above table as "Ratio of Rebate from Morgan Stanley Affiliates."

(5)  Effective July 1, 2018, the Adviser has agreed to limit the ratio of expenses to average net assets to the maximum ratio of 0.83% for Class IS shares. Prior to July 1, 2018, the maximum ratio was 0.93% for Class IS shares.

(6)  Amount is less than 0.005%.

The accompanying notes are an integral part of the financial statements.
18



Morgan Stanley Institutional Fund, Inc.

Annual Report — December 31, 2020

Financial Highlights

U.S. Real Estate Portfolio

   

Class IR

 
   

Year Ended December 31,

     

Selected Per Share Data and Ratios

 

2020

 

2019

  Period from
June 15, 2018(1) to
December 31, 2018
 

Net Asset Value, Beginning of Period

 

$

11.08

   

$

10.82

   

$

14.74

   

Income (Loss) from Investment Operations:

 

Net Investment Income(2)

   

0.20

     

0.33

     

0.43

   

Net Realized and Unrealized Gain (Loss)

   

(2.24

)

   

1.63

     

(0.98

)

 

Total from Investment Operations

   

(2.04

)

   

1.96

     

(0.55

)

 

Distributions from and/or in Excess of:

 

Net Investment Income

   

(0.21

)

   

(0.41

)

   

(0.28

)

 

Net Realized Gain

   

     

(1.29

)

   

(3.09

)

 

Paid-in-Capital

   

(0.04

)

   

     

   

Total Distributions

   

(0.25

)

   

(1.70

)

   

(3.37

)

 

Net Asset Value, End of Period

 

$

8.79

   

$

11.08

   

$

10.82

   

Total Return(3)

   

(17.98

)%

   

18.48

%

   

(5.73

)%(7)

 

Ratios to Average Net Assets and Supplemental Data:

 

Net Assets, End of Period, (Thousands)

 

$

7

   

$

9

   

$

7

   

Ratio of Expenses Before Expense Limitation

   

30.10

%

   

23.80

%

   

19.12

%(8)

 

Ratio of Expenses After Expense Limitation

   

0.83

%(4)

   

0.83

%(4)

   

0.84

%(4)(5)(8)

 

Ratios of Expenses After Expense Limitation Excluding Interest Expenses

   

0.83

%(4)

   

N/A

     

0.84

%(4)(8)

 

Ratio of Net Investment Income

   

2.40

%(5)

   

2.70

%(4)

   

4.23

%(4)(8)

 

Ratio of Rebate from Morgan Stanley Affiliates

   

0.00

%(6)

   

0.00

%(6)

   

0.00

%(6)(8)

 

Portfolio Turnover Rate

   

39

%

   

21

%

   

39

%

 

(1)  Commencement of Offering.

(2)  Per share amount is based on average shares outstanding.

(3)  Calculated based on the net asset value as of the last business day of the period.

(4)  The Ratio of Expenses After Expense Limitation and Ratio of Net Investment Income reflect the rebate of certain Fund expenses in connection with the investments in Morgan Stanley affiliates during the period. The effect of the rebate on the ratios is disclosed in the above table as "Ratio of Rebate from Morgan Stanley Affiliates."

(5)  Effective July 1, 2018, the Adviser has agreed to limit the ratio of expenses to average net assets to the maximum ratio of 0.83% for Class IR shares. Prior to July 1, 2018, the maximum ratio was 0.93% for Class IR shares.

(6)  Amount is less than 0.005%.

(7)  Not annualized.

(8)  Annualized.

The accompanying notes are an integral part of the financial statements.
19



Morgan Stanley Institutional Fund, Inc.

Annual Report — December 31, 2020

Notes to Financial Statements

Morgan Stanley Institutional Fund, Inc. (the "Company") is registered under the Investment Company Act of 1940, as amended (the "Act"), as an open-end management investment company. The Company is comprised of thirty-one separate, active, diversified and non-diversified funds (individually referred to as a "Fund," collectively as the "Funds"). The Company applies investment company accounting and reporting guidance.

The accompanying financial statements relate to the U.S. Real Estate Portfolio. The Fund seeks to provide above average current income and long-term capital appreciation by investing primarily in equity securities of companies in the U.S. real estate industry, including real estate investment trusts ("REITs"). The Fund has a capital subscription commitment to an investee company for this same purpose, the details of which are disclosed in the Unfunded Commitments note.

The Fund offers six classes of shares — Class I, Class A, Class L, Class C, Class IS and Class IR. On April 30, 2015, the Fund suspended offering of Class L shares. Existing Class L shareholders may invest through reinvestment of dividends and distributions. in addition, Class L shares of the Fund may be exchanged for Class L shares of any Morgan Stanley Multi-Class Fund, even though Class L shares are closed to investors.

A. Significant Accounting Policies: The following significant accounting policies are in conformity with U.S. generally accepted accounting principles ("GAAP"). Such policies are consistently followed by the Company in the preparation of its financial statements. GAAP may require management to make estimates and assumptions that affect the reported amounts and disclosures in the financial statements. Actual results may differ from those estimates.

1.  Security Valuation: (1) An equity portfolio security listed or traded on an exchange is valued at its latest reported sales price (or at the exchange official closing price if such exchange reports an official closing price), and if there were no sales on a given day and if there is no official exchange closing price for that day, the security is valued at the mean between the last reported bid and asked prices if such bid and asked prices are available on the relevant exchanges. If only bid prices are available then the latest bid price may be used. Listed equity securities not traded on the valuation date with no reported bid and asked prices available on the exchange are valued at the mean between the current bid and asked prices obtained from one or more reputable brokers or dealers. In cases where a se-

curity is traded on more than one exchange, the security is valued on the exchange designated as the primary market; (2) all other equity portfolio securities for which over-the-counter ("OTC") market quotations are readily available are valued at the latest reported sales price (or at the market official closing price if such market reports an official closing price), and if there was no trading in the security on a given day and if there is no official closing price from relevant markets for that day, the security is valued at the mean between the last reported bid and asked prices if such bid and asked prices are available on the relevant markets. An unlisted equity security that does not trade on the valuation date and for which bid and asked prices from the relevant markets are unavailable is valued at the mean between the current bid and asked prices obtained from one or more reputable brokers or dealers; (3) certain portfolio securities may be valued by an outside pricing service/vendor approved by the Company's Board of Directors (the "Directors"). The pricing service/vendor may employ a pricing model that takes into account, among other things, bids, yield spreads and/or other market data and specific security characteristics. Alternatively, if a valuation is not available from an outside pricing service/vendor, and the security trades on an exchange, the security may be valued at its latest reported sale price (or at the exchange official closing price if such exchange reports an official closing price), prior to the time when assets are valued. If there are no sales on a given day and if there is no official exchange closing price for that day, the security is valued at the mean between the last reported bid and asked prices if such bid and asked prices are available in the relevant exchanges. If only bid prices are available then the latest bid price may be used. If Morgan Stanley Investment Management Inc. (the "Adviser"), a wholly-owned subsidiary of Morgan Stanley, determines that the price provided by the outside pricing service/vendor or exchange does not reflect the security's fair value or is unable to provide a price, prices from brokers or dealers may also be utilized. In these circumstances, the value of the security will be the mean of bid and asked prices obtained from brokers or dealers; (4) when market quotations are not readily available, including circumstances under which the Adviser 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


20



Morgan Stanley Institutional Fund, Inc.

Annual Report — December 31, 2020

Notes to Financial Statements (cont'd)

their fair value as determined in good faith under procedures established by and under the general supervision of the Directors. 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 of the New York Stock Exchange ("NYSE"). If developments occur during such periods that are expected to materially affect the value of such securities, such valuations may be adjusted to reflect the estimated fair value of such securities as of the close of the NYSE, as determined in good faith by the Directors or by the Adviser using a pricing service and/or procedures approved by the Directors; (5) quotations of foreign portfolio securities, other assets and liabilities and forward contracts stated in foreign currency are translated into U.S. dollar equivalents at the prevailing market rates prior to the close of the NYSE; and (6) investments in mutual funds, including the Morgan Stanley Institutional Liquidity Funds, are valued at the net asset value ("NAV") as of the close of each business day.

The Directors have responsibility for determining in good faith the fair value of the investments, and the Directors may appoint others, such as the Company's Adviser or a valuation committee, to assist the Directors in determining fair value and to make the actual calculations pursuant to the fair valuation methodologies previously approved by the Directors. Under procedures approved by the Directors, the Company's Adviser has formed a Valuation Committee whose members are approved by the Directors. The Valuation Committee provides administration and oversight of the Company's valuation policies and procedures, which are reviewed at least annually by the Directors. These procedures allow the Company to utilize independent pricing services, quotations from securities and financial instrument dealers and other market sources to determine fair value.

The Fund invests a significant portion of its assets in securities of REITs. The market's perception of prospective declines in private real estate values and other financial assets may result in increased volatility of market prices that can negatively impact the valuation of certain issuers held by the Fund.

2.  Fair Value Measurement: Financial Accounting Standards Board ("FASB") Accounting Standards Codifi-

cationTM ("ASC") 820, "Fair Value Measurement" ("ASC 820"), defines fair value as the value that the Fund would receive to sell an investment or pay to transfer a liability in a timely transaction with an independent buyer in the principal market, or in the absence of a principal market, the most advantageous market for the investment or liability. ASC 820 establishes a three-tier hierarchy to distinguish between (1) inputs that reflect the assumptions market participants would use in valuing an asset or liability developed based on market data obtained from sources independent of the reporting entity (observable inputs) and (2) inputs that reflect the reporting entity's own assumptions about the assumptions market participants would use in valuing an asset or liability developed based on the best information available in the circumstances (unobservable inputs) and to establish classification of fair value measurements for disclosure purposes. Various inputs are used in determining the value of the Fund's investments. The inputs are summarized in the three broad levels listed below:

•  Level 1 – unadjusted quoted prices in active markets for identical investments

•  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.


21



Morgan Stanley Institutional Fund, Inc.

Annual Report — December 31, 2020

Notes to Financial Statements (cont'd)

The following is a summary of the inputs used to value the Fund's investments as of December 31, 2020:

Investment Type

  Level 1
Unadjusted
quoted
prices
(000)
  Level 2
Other
significant
observable
inputs
(000)
  Level 3
Significant
unobservable
inputs
(000)
  Total
(000)
 

Assets:

 

Common Stocks

 

Apartments

 

$

7,124

   

$

   

$

   

$

7,124

   

Data Centers

   

4,623

     

     

     

4,623

   

Diversified

   

2,117

     

     

     

2,117

   

Free Standing

   

669

     

     

     

669

   

Health Care

   

5,526

     

     

     

5,526

   

Industrial

   

4,452

     

     

530

     

4,982

   

Lodging/Resorts

   

2,806

     

     

     

2,806

   

Manufactured Homes

   

729

     

     

     

729

   

Office

   

5,849

     

     

     

5,849

   

Regional Malls

   

2,337

     

     

     

2,337

   

Self Storage

   

3,333

     

     

     

3,333

   

Shopping Centers

   

2,415

     

     

     

2,415

   

Single Family Homes

   

1,960

     

     

     

1,960

   

Specialty

   

721

     

     

     

721

   

Total Common Stocks

   

44,661

     

     

530

     

45,191

   

Short-Term Investment

 

Investment Company

   

1,051

     

     

     

1,051

   

Total Assets

 

$

45,712

   

$

   

$

530

   

$

46,242

   

Transfers between investment levels may occur as the markets fluctuate and/or the availability of data used in an investment's valuation changes.

Following is a reconciliation of investments in which significant unobservable inputs (Level 3) were used in determining fair value:

    Common
Stock
(000)
 

Beginning Balance

 

$

546

   

Purchases

   

   

Sales

   

   

Amortization of discount

   

   

Transfers in

   

   

Transfers out

   

   

Corporate actions

   

   

Change in unrealized appreciation (depreciation)

   

(16

)

 

Realized gains (losses)

   

   

Ending Balance

 

$

530

   
Net change in unrealized depreciation from investments
still held as of December 31, 2020
 

$

(16

)

 

The following table presents additional information about valuation techniques and inputs used for investments that are measured at fair value and categorized within Level 3 as of December 31, 2020:

    Fair Value at
December 31,
2020
(000)
 

Valuation
Technique
 

Unobservable
Input
 
Common
Stock
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 

$

530
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
  Reported Capital balance,
adjustments for NAV
practical expedient;
including adjustments
for subsequent
Capital Calls, Return
of Capital and Significant
Market Changes between
last Capital Statement and
Valuation Date
  Adjusted Capital
Balance
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 

3.  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.


22



Morgan Stanley Institutional Fund, Inc.

Annual Report — December 31, 2020

Notes to Financial Statements (cont'd)

Net realized gains (losses) on foreign currency transactions represent net foreign exchange gains (losses) from foreign currency forward exchange contracts, disposition of foreign currencies, currency gains (losses) realized between the trade and settlement dates on securities transactions, and the difference between the amount of investment income and foreign withholding taxes recorded on the Fund's books and the U.S. dollar equivalent amounts actually received or paid. The change in unrealized currency gains (losses) on foreign currency transactions for the period is reflected in the Statement of Operations.

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.

Governmental approval for foreign investments may be required in advance of making an investment under certain circumstances in some countries, and the extent of foreign investments in domestic companies may be subject to limitation in other countries. Foreign ownership limitations also may be imposed by the charters of individual companies to prevent, among other concerns, violations of foreign investment limitations. As a result, an additional class of shares (identified as "Foreign" in the Portfolio of Investments) may be created and offered for investment. The "local" and "foreign shares" market values may differ. In the absence of trading of the foreign shares in such markets, the Fund values the foreign shares at the closing exchange price of the local shares.

4.  Unfunded Commitments: Subject to the terms of a Subscription Agreement between the Fund and Exeter Industrial Value Fund LP, the Fund has made a subscription commitment of $8,500,000 for which it will receive 8,500,000 shares of common stock. As of December 31, 2020, Exeter Industrial Value Fund LP has drawn down approximately $7,905,000, which represents 93.0% of the commitment.

5.  Restricted Securities: The Fund invests in unregistered or otherwise restricted securities. The term "restricted securities" refers to securities that are unregistered

or are held by control persons of the issuer and securities that are subject to contractual restrictions on their resale. As a result, restricted securities may be more difficult to value and the Fund may have difficulty disposing of such assets either in a timely manner or for a reasonable price. In order to dispose of an unregistered security, the Fund, where it has contractual rights to do so, may have to cause such security to be registered. A considerable period may elapse between the time the decision is made to sell the security and the time the security is registered so that the Fund can sell it. Contractual restrictions on the resale of securities vary in length and scope and are generally the result of a negotiation between the issuer and the acquirer of the securities. The Fund would, in either case, bear market risks during that period. Restricted securities are identified in the Portfolio of Investments.

6.  Indemnifications: The Company enters into contracts that contain a variety of indemnifications. The Company's maximum exposure under these arrangements is unknown. However, the Company has not had prior claims or losses pursuant to these contracts and expects the risk of loss to be remote.

7.  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 quarterly. Net realized capital gains, if any, are distributed at least annually.

8.  Security Transactions, Income and Expenses: Security transactions are accounted for on the trade date (date the order to buy or sell is executed). Realized gains and losses on the sale of investment securities are determined on the specific identified cost method. Dividend income and other distributions are recorded on the ex-dividend date (except for certain foreign dividends which may be recorded as soon as the Fund is informed of such dividends) net of applicable withholding taxes. Interest income is recognized on the accrual basis except where collection is in doubt. Discounts are accreted and premiums are amortized over the life of the respective securities. Most expenses of the Company can be directly attributed to a particular Fund. Expenses which cannot be directly attributed are apportioned among the Funds based upon relative net assets or other appropriate methods. Income, expenses (other than class specific expenses — distribution and shareholder services, transfer agency and sub transfer agency fees) and realized and unrealized gains or losses are


23



Morgan Stanley Institutional Fund, Inc.

Annual Report — December 31, 2020

Notes to Financial Statements (cont'd)

allocated to each class of shares based upon their relative net assets.

The Fund owns shares of REITs which report information on the source of their distributions annually in the following calendar year. A portion of distributions received from REITs during the year is estimated to be a return of capital and is recorded as a reduction of their cost.

B. Advisory Fees: The Adviser, a wholly-owned subsidiary of Morgan Stanley, provides the Fund with advisory services under the terms of an Investment Advisory Agreement, paid quarterly, at the annual rate based on the daily net assets as follows:

First $500
million
  Next $500
million
  Over $1
billion
 
  0.70

%

   

0.65

%

   

0.60

%

 

For the year ended December 31, 2020, the advisory fee rate (net of waiver/rebate) was equivalent to an annual effective rate of 0.44% of the Fund's average daily net assets.

The Adviser has agreed to reduce its advisory fee and/or reimburse the Fund so that total annual Fund operating expenses, excluding certain investment related expenses, taxes, interest and other extraordinary expenses (including litigation), will not exceed 0.90% for Class I shares, 1.25% for Class A shares, 1.75% for Class L shares, 2.00% for Class C shares, 0.83% for Class IS shares and 0.83% for Class IR shares. The fee waivers and/or expense reimbursements will continue for at least one year from the date of the Fund's prospectus or until such time as the Directors act to discontinue all or a portion of such waivers and/or reimbursements when they deem such action is appropriate. For the year ended December 31, 2020, approximately $235,000 of advisory fees were waived and approximately $32,000 of other expenses were reimbursed by the Adviser pursuant to this arrangement.

C. Administration Fees: The Adviser also serves as Administrator to the Company and provides administrative services pursuant to an Administration Agreement for an annual fee, accrued daily and paid monthly, of 0.08% of the Fund's average daily net assets.

Under a Sub-Administration Agreement between the Administrator and State Street Bank and Trust Company ("State Street"), State Street provides certain administrative services to the Company. For such services, the Administrator pays State Street a portion of the fee the Administrator receives from the Fund.

D. Distribution and Shareholder Services Fees: Morgan Stanley Distribution, Inc. ("MSDI" or the "Distributor"), a wholly-owned subsidiary of the Adviser and an indirect subsidiary of Morgan Stanley, serves as the Company's Distributor of Fund shares pursuant to a Distribution Agreement. The Company has adopted a Shareholder Services Plan with respect to Class A shares pursuant to Rule 12b-1 under the Act. Under the Shareholder Services Plan, the Fund pays the Distributor a shareholder services fee, accrued daily and paid monthly, at an annual rate of 0.25% of the Fund's average daily net assets attributable to Class A shares.

The Company has adopted a Distribution and Shareholder Services Plan with respect to Class L shares pursuant to Rule 12b-1 under the Act. Under the Distribution and Shareholder Services Plan, the Fund pays the Distributor a distribution fee, accrued daily and paid monthly, at an annual rate of 0.50% and a shareholder services fee, accrued daily and paid monthly, at an annual rate of 0.25% of the Fund's average daily net assets attributable to Class L shares.

The Company has adopted a Distribution and Shareholder Services Plan with respect to Class C shares pursuant to Rule 12b-1 under the Act. Under the Distribution and Shareholder Services Plan, the Fund pays the Distributor a distribution fee, accrued daily and paid monthly, at an annual rate of 0.75% and a shareholder services fee, accrued daily and paid monthly, at an annual rate of 0.25% of the Fund's average daily net assets attributable to Class C shares.

The distribution and shareholder services fees are used to support the expenses associated with servicing and maintaining accounts. The Distributor may compensate other parties for providing shareholder support services to investors who purchase Class A, Class L and Class C shares.

E. Dividend Disbursing and Transfer Agent: The Company's dividend disbursing and transfer agent is DST Asset Manager Solutions, Inc. ("DST"). Pursuant to a Transfer Agency Agreement, the Company pays DST a fee based on the number of classes, accounts and transactions relating to the Funds of the Company.

F. Custodian Fees: State Street (the "Custodian") also serves as Custodian for the Company in accordance with a Custodian Agreement. The Custodian holds cash, securities and other assets of the Company as required by the Act. Custody fees are payable monthly based on assets held in custody, investment purchases and sales activity and account


24



Morgan Stanley Institutional Fund, Inc.

Annual Report — December 31, 2020

Notes to Financial Statements (cont'd)

maintenance fees, plus reimbursement for certain out-of-pocket expenses.

G. Security Transactions and Transactions with Affiliates: For the year ended December 31, 2020, purchases and sales of investment securities for the Fund, other than long-term U.S. Government securities and short-term investments were approximately $34,734,000 and $124,004,000, respectively. There were no purchases and sales of long-term U.S. Government securities for the year ended December 31, 2020.

The Fund invests in the Institutional Class of the Morgan Stanley Institutional Liquidity Funds — Treasury Portfolio (the "Liquidity Funds"), an open-end management investment company managed by the Adviser. Advisory fees paid by the Fund are reduced by an amount equal to its pro-rata share of the advisory and administration fees paid by the Fund due to its investment in the Liquidity Funds. For the year ended December 31, 2020, advisory fees paid were reduced by approximately $1,000 relating to the Fund's investment in the Liquidity Funds.

A summary of the Fund's transactions in shares of affiliated investments during the year ended December 31, 2020 is as follows:

Affiliated
Investment
Company
  Value
December 31,
2019
(000)
  Purchases
at Cost
(000)
  Proceeds
from Sales
(000)
  Dividend
Income
(000)
 

Liquidity Funds

 

$

1,251

   

$

23,259

   

$

23,459

   

$

3

   
Affiliated
Investment
Company (cont'd)
  Realized
Gain (Loss)
(000)
  Change in
Unrealized
Appreciation
(Depreciation)
(000)
  Value
December 31,
2020
(000)
 

Liquidity Funds

 

$

   

$

   

$

1,051

   

The Fund is permitted to purchase and sell securities ("cross-trade") from and to other Morgan Stanley funds as well as other funds and client accounts for which the Adviser or an affiliate of the Adviser serves as investment adviser, pursuant to procedures approved by the Directors in compliance with Rule 17a-7 under the Act (the "Rule"). Each cross-trade is executed at the current market price in compliance with provisions of the Rule. For the year ended December 31, 2020, the Fund did not engage in any cross-trade transactions.

The Fund has an unfunded Deferred Compensation Plan (the "Compensation Plan"), which allows each independent Director to defer payment of all, or a portion, of the fees he or she receives for serving on the Board of Directors. Each eligible

Director generally may elect to have the deferred amounts credited with a return equal to the total return on one or more of the Morgan Stanley funds that are offered as investment options under the Compensation Plan. Appreciation/depreciation and distributions received from these investments are recorded with an offsetting increase/decrease in the deferred compensation obligation and do not affect the NAV of the Fund.

H. Federal Income Taxes: It is the Fund's intention to continue to qualify as a regulated investment company and distribute all of its taxable and tax-exempt income. Accordingly, no provision for federal income taxes is required in the financial statements.

The Fund may be subject to taxes imposed by countries in which it invests. Such taxes are generally based on income and/or capital gains earned or repatriated. Taxes are accrued based on net investment income, net realized gains and net unrealized appreciation as such income and/or gains are earned. Taxes may also be based on transactions in foreign currency and are accrued based on the value of investments denominated in such currency.

FASB ASC 740-10, "Income Taxes — Overall", sets forth a minimum threshold for financial statement recognition of the benefit of a tax position taken or expected to be taken in a tax return. Management has concluded there are no significant uncertain tax positions that would require recognition in the financial statements. If applicable, the Fund recognizes interest accrued related to unrecognized tax benefits in "Interest Expense" and penalties in "Other Expenses" in the Statement of Operations. The Fund files tax returns with the U.S. Internal Revenue Service, New York and various states. Generally, each of the tax years in the four-year period ended December 31, 2020 remains subject to examination by taxing authorities.

The tax character of distributions paid may differ from the character of distributions shown for GAAP purposes due to short-term capital gains being treated as ordinary income for tax purposes. The tax character of distributions paid during fiscal years 2020 and 2019 was as follows:

2020
Distributions
Paid From:
  2019
Distributions
Paid From:
 
Ordinary
Income
(000)
  Paid-in-
Capital
(000)
  Long-Term
Capital Gain
(000)
  Ordinary
Income
(000)
  Long-Term
Capital Gain
(000)
 
$

1,906

   

$

358

   

$

16

   

$

6,211

   

$

21,703

   

The amount and character of income and gains to be distributed are determined in accordance with income tax regulations


25



Morgan Stanley Institutional Fund, Inc.

Annual Report — December 31, 2020

Notes to Financial Statements (cont'd)

which may differ from GAAP. These book/tax differences are either considered temporary or permanent in nature.

Temporary differences are attributable to differing book and tax treatments for the timing of the recognition of gains (losses) on certain investment transactions and the timing of the deductibility of certain expenses.

The Fund had no permanent differences causing reclassifications among the components of net assets for the year ended December 31, 2020.

At December 31, 2020, the Fund had no distributable earnings on a tax basis.

At December 31, 2020, the Fund had available for federal income tax purposes unused short-term and long-term capital losses of approximately $898,000 and $8,502,000, respectively, that do not have an expiration date.

To the extent that capital loss carryforwards are used to offset any future capital gains realized, no capital gains tax liability will be incurred by the Fund for gains realized and not distributed. To the extent that capital gains are offset, such gains will not be distributed to the shareholders.

I. Credit Facility: The Company and other Morgan Stanley funds participated in a $300,000,000 committed, unsecured revolving line of credit facility (the "Facility") with State Street. This Facility is to be used for temporary emergency purposes or funding of shareholder redemption requests. The interest rate on borrowings is based on the federal funds rate or 1 month LIBOR rate plus a spread. The Facility also has a commitment fee of 0.25% per annum based on the unused portion of the Facility. During the year ended December 31, 2020, the Fund did not have any borrowings under the Facility.

J. Other: At December 31, 2020, the Fund had record owners of 10% or greater. Investment activities of these shareholders could have a material impact on the Fund. The aggregate percentage of such owners was 46.7%.

K. Market Risk: Certain impacts to public health conditions particular to the coronavirus (COVID-19) outbreak could impact the operations and financial performance of certain of the Fund's investments. The extent of the impact to the financial performance of the Fund's investments will depend on future developments, including (i) the duration and spread of the outbreak, (ii) the restrictions and advisories, (iii) the effects on the financial markets, and (iv) the effects on the economy overall, all of which are highly uncertain and cannot be predicted.

If the financial performance of the Fund's investments is impacted because of these factors for an extended period, the Fund's investment results may be adversely affected.


26



Morgan Stanley Institutional Fund, Inc.

Annual Report — December 31, 2020

Report of Independent Registered Public Accounting Firm

To the Shareholders and Board of Directors of
Morgan Stanley Institutional Fund, Inc. —
U.S. Real Estate Portfolio

Opinion on the Financial Statements

We have audited the accompanying statement of assets and liabilities of U.S. Real Estate Portfolio (the "Fund") (one of the funds constituting Morgan Stanley Institutional Fund, Inc. (the "Company")), including the portfolio of investments, as of December 31, 2020, and the related statement of operations for the year then ended, the statements of changes in net assets for each of the two years in the period then ended, the financial highlights for each of the five years in the period then ended and the related notes (collectively referred to as the "financial statements"). In our opinion, the financial statements present fairly, in all material respects, the financial position of U.S. Real Estate Portfolio (one of the funds constituting Morgan Stanley Institutional Fund, Inc.) at December 31, 2020, the results of its operations for the year then ended, the changes in its net assets for each of the two years in the period then ended and its financial highlights for each of the five years in the period then ended, in conformity with U.S. generally accepted accounting principles.

Basis for Opinion

These financial statements are the responsibility of the Company's management. Our responsibility is to express an opinion on the Fund's financial statements based on our audits. We are a public accounting firm registered with the Public Company Accounting Oversight Board (United States) ("PCAOB") and are required to be independent with respect to the Company in accordance with the U.S. federal securities law and the applicable rules and regulations of the Securities and Exchange Commission and the PCAOB.

We conducted our audits in accordance with the standards of the PCAOB. Those standards require that we plan and perform the audit to obtain reasonable assurance about whether the financial statements are free of material misstatement, whether due to error or fraud. The Company is not required to have, nor were we engaged to perform, an audit of the Company's internal control over financial reporting. As part of our audits, we are required to obtain an understanding of internal control over financial reporting, but not for the purpose of expressing an opinion on the effectiveness of the Company's internal control over financial reporting. Accordingly, we express no such opinion.

Our audits included performing procedures to assess the risks of material misstatement of the financial statements, whether due to error or fraud, and performing procedures that respond to those risks. Such procedures included examining, on a test basis, evidence regarding the amounts and disclosures in the financial statements. Our procedures included confirmation of securities owned as of December 31, 2020 by correspondence with the custodian and others or by other appropriate auditing procedures where replies from others were not received. Our audits also included evaluating the accounting principles used and significant estimates made by management, as well as evaluating the overall presentation of the financial statements. We believe that our audits provide a reasonable basis for our opinion.

We have served as the auditor of one or more Morgan Stanley investment companies since 2000.
Boston, Massachusetts
February 26, 2021


27



Morgan Stanley Institutional Fund, Inc.

Annual Report — December 31, 2020

Liquidity Risk Management Program (unaudited)

In compliance with Rule 22e-4 under the Investment Company Act of 1940, as amended (the "Liquidity Rule"), the Fund has adopted and implemented a liquidity risk management program (the "Program"), which is reasonably designed to assess and manage the risk that the Fund could not meet requests to redeem shares issued by the Fund without significant dilution of remaining investors' interests in the Fund (i.e., liquidity risk). The Fund's Board of Directors (the "Board") previously approved the designation of the Liquidity Risk Subcommittee (the "LRS") as Program administrator. The LRS is comprised of representatives from various divisions within Morgan Stanley Investment Management.

At a meeting held on April 22-23, 2020, the Board reviewed a written report prepared by the LRS that addressed the Program's operation and assessed its adequacy, and effectiveness of implementation for the period from December 1, 2018, through December 31, 2019, as required under the Liquidity Rule. The report concluded that the Program operated effectively and was adequately and effectively implemented in all material aspects, and that the relevant controls and safeguards were appropriately designed to enable the LRS to administer the Program in compliance with the Liquidity Rule.

In accordance with the Program, the LRS assessed each Fund's liquidity risk no less frequently than annually taking into consideration certain factors, as applicable, such as (i) investment strategy and liquidity of portfolio investments, (ii) short-term and long-term cash flow projections and (iii) holdings of cash and cash equivalents and borrowing arrangements and other funding sources. Certain factors are considered under both normal and reasonably foreseeable stressed conditions.

Each Fund portfolio investment is classified into one of four liquidity categories, which classification is assessed at least monthly by the LRS. The classification is based on a determination of the number of days it is reasonably expected to take to convert the investment into cash, or sell or dispose of the investment, in current market conditions without significantly changing the market value of the investment. Liquidity classification determinations take into account various market, trading and investment-specific considerations, as well as market depth, and in some cases utilize third-party vendor data.

The Liquidity Rule limits a fund's investments in illiquid investments to 15% of its net assets and requires funds that do not primarily hold assets that are highly liquid investments to determine and maintain a minimum percentage of the fund's net assets to be invested in highly liquid investments (highly liquid investment minimum or "HLIM"). The LRS believes that the Program includes provisions reasonably designed to review, monitor and comply with the 15% limit on illiquid investments and for determining, periodically reviewing and complying with the HLIM requirement, as applicable.

There can be no assurance that the Program will achieve its objectives under all circumstances in the future. Please refer to the Fund's prospectus for more information regarding the Fund's exposure to liquidity risk and other risks to which it may be subject.


28



Morgan Stanley Institutional Fund, Inc.

Annual Report — December 31, 2020

Federal Tax Notice (unaudited)

For federal income tax purposes, the following information is furnished with respect to the distributions paid by the Fund during its taxable year ended December 31, 2020.

The Fund designated and paid approximately $16,000 as a long-term capital gain distribution. In addition, the Fund designated approximately $1,565,000 of its distributions paid as qualified business income.

For federal income tax purposes, the following information is furnished with respect to the Fund's earnings for its taxable year ended December 31, 2020. When distributed, certain earnings may be subject to a maximum tax rate of 15% as provided for by the Jobs and Growth Tax Relief Reconciliation Act of 2003. The Fund designated up to a maximum of approximately $2,000 as taxable at this lower rate.

In January, the Fund provides tax information to shareholders for the preceding calendar year.


29



Morgan Stanley Institutional Fund, Inc.

Annual Report — December 31, 2020

Privacy Notice (unaudited)  April 2019

FACTS

 

WHAT DOES MSIM DO WITH YOUR PERSONAL INFORMATION?

 

Why?

 

Financial companies choose how they share your personal information. Federal law gives consumers the right to limit some but not all sharing. Federal law also requires us to tell you how we collect, share, and protect your personal information. Please read this notice carefully to understand what we do.

 

What?

  The types of personal information we collect and share depend on the product or service you have with us. This information can include:
n Social Security number and income
n investment experience and risk tolerance
n checking account number and wire transfer instructions
 

How?

 

All financial companies need to share customers' personal information to run their everyday business. In the section below, we list the reasons financial companies can share their customers' personal information; the reasons MSIM chooses to share; and whether you can limit this sharing.

 

 

Reasons we can share your personal information

 

Does MSIM share?

 

Can you limit this sharing?

 
For our everyday business purposes —
such as to process your transactions, maintain your account(s), respond to court orders and legal investigations, or report to credit bureaus
 

Yes

 

No

 
For our marketing purposes —
to offer our products and services to you
 

Yes

 

No

 

For joint marketing with other financial companies

 

No

 

We don't share

 
For our affiliates' everyday business purposes —
information about your transactions and experiences
 

Yes

 

No

 
For our affiliates' everyday business purposes —
information about your creditworthiness
 

No

 

We don't share

 

For our affiliates to market to you

 

No

 

We don't share

 

For non-affiliates to market to you

 

No

 

We don't share

 

Questions?  Call toll-free (844) 312-6327 or email: imprivacyinquiries@morganstanley.com


30



Morgan Stanley Institutional Fund, Inc.

Annual Report — December 31, 2020

Privacy Notice (unaudited) (cont'd)  April 2019

Who we are

Who is providing this notice?

 

Morgan Stanley Investment Management, Inc. and its affiliated registered investment advisers, registered broker-dealers, and registered and unregistered funds ("MSIM")

 

What we do

How does MSIM protect my personal information?

 

To protect your personal information from unauthorized access and use, we use security measures that comply with federal law. These measures include computer safeguards and secured files and buildings. We have policies governing the proper handling of customer information by personnel and requiring third parties that provide support to adhere to appropriate security standards with respect to such information.

 

How does MSIM collect my personal information?

  We collect your personal information, for example, when you
n open an account or make deposits or withdrawals from your account
n buy securities from us or make a wire transfer
n give us your contact information
We also collect your personal information from others, such as credit bureaus, affiliates, or other companies.
 

Why can't I limit all sharing?

  Federal law gives you the right to limit only
n sharing for affiliates' everyday business purposes — information about your creditworthiness
n affiliates from using your information to market to you
n sharing for non-affiliates to market to you
State laws and individual companies may give you additional rights to limit sharing. See below for more on your rights under state law.
 

Definitions

Affiliates

  Companies related by common ownership or control. They can be financial and non-financial companies.
n Our affiliates include companies with a Morgan Stanley name and financial companies such as Morgan Stanley Smith Barney LLC and Morgan Stanley & Co.
 

Non-affiliates

  Companies not related by common ownership or control. They can be financial and non-financial companies.
n MSIM does not share with non-affiliates so they can market to you.
 

Joint marketing

  A formal agreement between non-affiliated financial companies that together market financial products or services to you.
n MSIM doesn't jointly market
 


31



Morgan Stanley Institutional Fund, Inc.

Annual Report — December 31, 2020

Privacy Notice (unaudited) (cont'd)  April 2019

Other Important Information

Vermont: Except as permitted by law, we will not share personal information we collect about Vermont residents with Non-affiliates unless you provide us with your written consent to share such information.

California: Except as permitted by law, we will not share personal information we collect about California residents with Non-affiliates and we will limit sharing such personal information with our Affiliates to comply with California privacy laws that apply to us.


32



Morgan Stanley Institutional Fund, Inc.

Annual Report — December 31, 2020

Director and Officer Information (unaudited)

Independent Directors:

Name, Address and Birth
Year of Independent Director
  Position(s)
Held with
Registrant
  Length of Time
Served*
  Principal Occupation(s) During Past 5 Years and Other
Relevant Professional Experience
  Number of
Funds
in Fund Complex
Overseen by
Independent
Director**
  Other Directorships
Held by Independent
Director***
 
Frank L. Bowman
c/o Perkins Coie LLP
Counsel to the Independent Directors
1155 Avenue of the Americas,
22nd Floor
New York, NY 10036
Birth Year: 1944
 

Director

 

Since August 2006

 

President, Strategic Decisions, LLC (consulting) (since February 2009); Director or Trustee of various Morgan Stanley Funds (since August 2006); Chairperson of the Compliance and Insurance Committee (since October 2015); formerly, Chairperson of the Insurance Sub-Committee of the Compliance and Insurance Committee (2007-2015); served as President and Chief Executive Officer of the Nuclear Energy Institute (policy organization) (February 2005-November 2008); retired as Admiral, U.S. Navy after serving over 38 years on active duty including 8 years as Director of the Naval Nuclear Propulsion Program in the Department of the Navy and the U.S. Department of Energy (1996-2004); served as Chief of Naval Personnel (July 1994-September 1996) and on the Joint Staff as Director of Political Military Affairs (June 1992-July 1994); knighted as Honorary Knight Commander of the Most Excellent Order of the British Empire; awarded the Officier de l'Orde National du Mérite by the French Government; elected to the National Academy of Engineering (2009).

 

79

 

Director of Naval and Nuclear Technologies LLP; Director Emeritus of the Armed Services YMCA; Member of the National Security Advisory Council of the Center for U.S. Global Engagement and a member of the CNA Military Advisory Board; Trustee of Fairhaven United Methodist Church; Member of the Board of Advisors of the Dolphin Scholarship Foundation; Director of other various non-profit organizations; formerly, Director of BP plc (November 2010-May 2019).

 
Kathleen A. Dennis
c/o Perkins Coie LLP
Counsel to the Independent Directors
1155 Avenue of the Americas,
22nd Floor
New York, NY 10036
Birth Year: 1953
 

Director

 

Since August 2006

 

Chairperson of the Governance Committee (January 2021), Chairperson of the Liquidity and Alternatives Sub-Committee of the Investment Committee (2006-2020); and Director or Trustee of various Morgan Stanley Funds (since August 2006); President, Cedarwood Associates (mutual fund and investment management consulting) (since July 2006); formerly, Senior Managing Director of Victory Capital Management (1993-2006).

 

79

 

Board Member, University of Albany Foundation (2012-present); Board Member, Mutual Funds Directors Forum (2014-present); Director of various non-profit organizations.

 
Nancy C. Everett
c/o Perkins Coie LLP
Counsel to the Independent Directors
1155 Avenue of the Americas,
22nd Floor
New York, NY 10036
Birth Year: 1955
 

Director

 

Since January 2015

 

Chairperson of the Equity Investment Committee (since January 2021); Director or Trustee of various Morgan Stanley Funds (since January 2015); Chief Executive Officer, Virginia Commonwealth University Investment Company (since November 2015); Owner, OBIR, LLC (institutional investment management consulting) (since June 2014); formerly, Managing Director, BlackRock, Inc. (February 2011-December 2013); and Chief Executive Officer, General Motors Asset Management (a/k/a Promark Global Advisors, Inc.) (June 2005-May 2010).

 

80

 

Formerly, Member of Virginia Commonwealth University School of Business Foundation (2005-2016); Member of Virginia Commonwealth University Board of Visitors (2013-2015); Member of Committee on Directors for Emerging Markets Growth Fund, Inc. (2007-2010); Chairperson of Performance Equity Management, LLC (2006-2010); and Chairperson, GMAM Absolute Return Strategies Fund, LLC (2006-2010).

 


33



Morgan Stanley Institutional Fund, Inc.

Annual Report — December 31, 2020

Director and Officer Information (unaudited) (cont'd)

Independent Directors (cont'd):

Name, Address and Birth
Year of Independent Director
  Position(s)
Held with
Registrant
  Length of Time
Served*
  Principal Occupation(s) During Past 5 Years and Other
Relevant Professional Experience
  Number of
Funds
in Fund Complex
Overseen by
Independent
Director**
  Other Directorships
Held by Independent
Director***
 
Jakki L. Haussler
c/o Perkins Coie LLP
Counsel to the Independent Directors
1155 Avenue of the Americas,
22nd Floor
New York, NY 10036
Birth Year: 1957
 

Director

 

Since January 2015

 

Director or Trustee of various Morgan Stanley Funds (since January 2015) Chairman, Opus Capital Group (1996); formerly, Chief Executive Officer, Opus Capital Group (1996-2019); Director, Capvest Venture Fund, LP (May 2000-December 2011); Partner, Adena Ventures, LP (July 1999-December 2010); Director, The Victory Funds (February 2005-July 2008).

 

80

 

Director of Cincinnati Bell Inc. and Member, Audit Committee and Chairman, Governance and Nominating Committee; Director of Service Corporation International and Member, Audit Committee and Investment Committee; Director of Northern Kentucky University Foundation and Member, Investment Committee; Member of Chase College of Law Transactional Law Practice Center Board of Advisors; Director of Best Transport; Director of Chase College of Law Board of Visitors; formerly, Member, University of Cincinnati Foundation Investment Committee; Member, Miami University Board of Visitors (2008-2011); Trustee of Victory Funds (2005-2008) and Chairman, Investment Committee (2007-2008); and Member, Service Provider Committee (2005-2008).

 
Dr. Manuel H. Johnson
c/o Johnson Smick International, Inc.
220 I Street, NE — Suite 200
Washington, D.C. 20002
Birth Year: 1949
 

Director

 

Since July 1991

 

Senior Partner, Johnson Smick International, Inc. (consulting firm); Chairperson of the Fixed Income, Liquidity and Alternatives Investment Committee (January 2021), Chairperson of the Investment Committee (2006-2020) and Director or Trustee of various Morgan Stanley Funds (since July 1991); Co-Chairman and a founder of the Group of Seven Council (G7C) (international economic commission); formerly, Chairperson of the Audit Committee (July 1991-September 2006), Vice Chairman of the Board of Governors of the Federal Reserve System and Assistant Secretary of the U.S. Treasury.

 

79

 

Director of NVR, Inc. (home construction).

 


34



Morgan Stanley Institutional Fund, Inc.

Annual Report — December 31, 2020

Director and Officer Information (unaudited) (cont'd)

Independent Directors (cont'd):

Name, Address and Birth
Year of Independent Director
  Position(s)
Held with
Registrant
  Length of Time
Served*
  Principal Occupation(s) During Past 5 Years and Other
Relevant Professional Experience
  Number of
Funds
in Fund Complex
Overseen by
Independent
Director**
  Other Directorships
Held by Independent
Director***
 
Joseph J. Kearns
c/o Perkins Coie LLP
Counsel to the Independent Directors
1155 Avenue of the Americas,
22nd Floor
New York, NY 10036
Birth Year: 1942
 

Director

 

Since August 1994

 

Senior Adviser, Kearns & Associates LLC (investment consulting); Chairperson of the Audit Committee (since October 2006) and Director or Trustee of various Morgan Stanley Funds (since August 1994); formerly, Deputy Chairperson of the Audit Committee (July 2003-September 2006) and Chairperson of the Audit Committee of various Morgan Stanley Funds (since August 1994); CFO of the J. Paul Getty Trust (1982-1999).

 

80

 

Director, Rubicon Investment (since February 2019); Prior to August 2016, Director of Electro Rent Corporation (equipment leasing); Prior to December 31, 2013, Director of The Ford Family Foundation.

 
Michael F. Klein
c/o Perkins Coie LLP
Counsel to the Independent Directors
1155 Avenue of the Americas,
22nd Floor
New York, NY 10036
Birth Year: 1958
 

Director

 

Since August 2006

 

Chairperson of the Risk Committee (since January 2021); Managing Director, Aetos Alternatives Management, LP (since March 2000); Co-President, Aetos Alternatives Management, LP (since January 2004) and Co-Chief Executive Officer of Aetos Alternatives Management, LP (since August 2013); Chairperson of the fixed Income Sub-Committee of the Investment committee (2006-2020) and Director or Trustee of various Morgan Stanley Funds (since August 2006); formerly, Managing Director, Morgan Stanley & Co. Inc. and Morgan Stanley Dean Witter Investment Management and President, various Morgan Stanley Funds (June 1998-March 2000); Principal, Morgan Stanley & Co. Inc. and Morgan Stanley Dean Witter Investment Management (August 1997-December 1999).

 

79

 

Director of certain investment funds managed or sponsored by Aetos Alternatives Management, LP; Director of Sanitized AG and Sanitized Marketing AG (specialty chemicals).

 
Patricia Maleski
c/o Perkins Coie LLP
Counsel to the Independent Directors
1155 Avenue of the Americas,
22nd Floor
New York, NY 10036
Birth Year: 1960
 

Director

 

Since January 2017

 

Director or Trustee of various Morgan Stanley Funds (since January 2017); Managing Director, JPMorgan Asset Management (2004-2016); Oversight and Control Head of Fiduciary and Conflicts of Interest Program (2015-2016); Chief Control Officer-Global Asset Management (2013-2015); President, JPMorgan Funds (2010-2013); Chief Administrative Officer (2004-2013); various other positions including Treasurer and Board Liaison (since 2001).

 

80

 

None.

 
W. Allen Reed
c/o Perkins Coie LLP
Counsel to the Independent Directors
1155 Avenue of the Americas,
22nd Floor
New York, NY 10036
Birth Year: 1947
 

Chair of the Board and Director

 

Chair of the Boards since August 2020 and Director since August 2006

 

Chair of the Boards of various Morgan Stanley Funds (since August 2020); Director or Trustee of various Morgan Stanley Funds (since August 2006); formerly, Vice Chair of the Boards of various Morgan Stanley Funds (January 2020-August 2020); President and Chief Executive Officer of General Motors Asset Management; Chairman and Chief Executive Officer of the GM Trust Bank and Corporate Vice President of General Motors Corporation (August 1994-December 2005).

 

79

 

Formerly, Director of Legg Mason, Inc. (2006-2019); and Director of the Auburn University Foundation (2010-2015).

 

*  This is the earliest date the Director began serving the Morgan Stanley Funds. Each Director serves an indefinite term, until his or her successor is elected.

**  The Fund Complex includes (as of December 31, 2020) all open-end and closed-end funds (including all of their portfolios) advised by Morgan Stanley Investment Management Inc. (the "Adviser") and any funds that have an adviser that is an affiliated person of the Adviser (including, but not limited to, Morgan Stanley AIP GP LP).

***  This includes any directorships at public companies and registered investment companies held by the Director at any time during the past five years.


35



Morgan Stanley Institutional Fund, Inc.

Annual Report — December 31, 2020

Director and Officer Information (unaudited) (cont'd)

Executive Officers:

Name, Address and
Birth Year of Executive Officer
  Position(s) Held
with
Registrant
  Length of
Time Served*
 

Principal Occupation(s) During Past 5 Years

 
John H. Gernon
522 Fifth Avenue
New York, NY 10036
Birth Year: 1963
 

President and Principal Executive Officer

 

Since September 2013

 

President and Principal Executive Officer of the Equity and Fixed Income Funds and the Morgan Stanley AIP Funds (since September 2013) and the Liquidity Funds and various money market funds (since May 2014) in the Fund Complex; Managing Director of the Adviser; Head of Public Markets Product Development (since 2006).

 
Timothy J. Knierim
1633 Broadway
New York, NY 10019
Birth Year: 1959
 

Chief Compliance Officer

 

Since December 2016

 

Managing Director of the Adviser and various entities affiliated with the Adviser; Chief Compliance Officer of various Morgan Stanley Funds and the Adviser (since December 2016) and Chief Compliance Officer of Morgan Stanley AIP GP LP (since 2014). Formerly, Managing Director and Deputy Chief Compliance Officer of the Adviser (2014-2016).

 
Francis J. Smith
522 Fifth Avenue
New York, NY 10036
Birth Year: 1965
 

Treasurer and Principal Financial Officer

 

Treasurer since July 2003 and Principal Financial Officer since September 2002

 

Managing Director of the Adviser and various entities affiliated with the Adviser; Treasurer (since July 2003) and Principal Financial Officer of various Morgan Stanley Funds (since September 2002).

 
Mary E. Mullin
1633 Broadway
New York, NY 10019
Birth Year: 1967
 

Secretary

 

Since June 1999

 

Managing Director of the Adviser; Secretary of various Morgan Stanley Funds (since June 1999).

 
Michael J. Key
522 Fifth Avenue
New York, NY 10036
Birth Year: 1979
 

Vice President

 

Since June 2017

 

Vice President of the Equity and Fixed Income Funds, Liquidity Funds, various money market funds and the Morgan Stanley AIP Funds in the Fund Complex (since June 2017); Executive Director of the Adviser; Head of Product Development for Equity and Fixed Income Funds (since August 2013).

 

*  This is the earliest date the officer began serving the Morgan Stanley Funds. Each officer serves a one-year term, until his or her successor is elected and qualifies.


36



Morgan Stanley Institutional Fund, Inc.

Annual Report — December 31, 2020

Adviser and Administrator

Morgan Stanley Investment Management Inc.
522 Fifth Avenue
New York, New York 10036

Distributor

Morgan Stanley Distribution, Inc.
522 Fifth Avenue
New York, New York 10036

Dividend Disbursing and Transfer Agent

DST Asset Manager Solutions, Inc.
2000 Crown Colony Drive
Quincy, Massachusetts 02169

Custodian

State Street Bank and Trust Company
One Lincoln Street
Boston, Massachusetts 02111

Legal Counsel

Dechert LLP
1095 Avenue of the Americas
New York, New York 10036

Counsel to the Independent Directors

Perkins Coie LLP
1155 Avenue of the Americas,
22nd Floor
New York, New York 10036

Independent Registered Public Accounting Firm

Ernst & Young LLP
200 Clarendon Street
Boston, Massachusetts 02116

Reporting to Shareholders

Each Morgan Stanley fund provides a complete schedule of portfolio holdings in its Semi-Annual and the Annual Reports within 60 days of the end of the fund's second and fourth fiscal quarters. The Semi-Annual and Annual Reports are filed electronically with the Securities and Exchange Commission ("SEC") on Form N-CSRS and Form N-CSR, respectively. Morgan Stanley also delivers the Semi-Annual and Annual Reports to fund shareholders and makes these reports available on its public website, www.morganstanley.com/im/shareholderreports. Each Morgan Stanley non-money market fund also files a complete schedule of portfolio holdings with the SEC for the fund's first and third fiscal quarters as an attachment to Form N-PORT. Morgan Stanley does not deliver the reports for the first and third fiscal quarters to shareholders, but makes the complete schedule of portfolio holdings for the fund's first and third fiscal quarters available on its public website. The holdings for each money market fund are also posted to the Morgan Stanley public website. You may obtain the Form N-PORT filings (as well as the Form N-CSR and N-CSRS filings) by accessing the SEC's website, www.sec.gov. You can also request copies of these materials, upon payment of a duplicating fee, by electronic request at the SEC's email address (publicinfo@sec.gov).

Proxy Voting Policies and Procedures and Proxy Voting Record

You may obtain a copy of the Company's Proxy Voting Policy and Procedures and information regarding how the Company voted proxies relating to portfolio securities during the most recent twelve-month period ended June 30, without charge, upon request, by calling toll free 1 (800) 548-7786 or by visiting our website at www.morganstanley.com/im/shareholderreports. This information is also available on the SEC's website at www.sec.gov.

This report is authorized for distribution only when preceded or accompanied by a prospectus or summary prospectus of the applicable fund of Morgan Stanley Institutional Fund, Inc., which describes in detail the fund's investment policies, risks, fees and expenses. Please read the prospectus carefully before you invest or send money. For additional information, including information regarding the investments comprising the Fund, please visit our website at www.morganstanley.com/im/shareholderreports or call toll free 1 (800) 548-7786.


37



Printed in U.S.A.
This Report has been prepared for shareholders and may be distributed to others only if preceded or accompanied by a current prospectus.

Morgan Stanley Investment Management Inc.
522 Fifth Avenue
New York, New York 10036

© 2021 Morgan Stanley. Morgan Stanley Distribution, Inc.

IFIUSREAANN
3430479 EXP 02.28.22



 

Item 2.  Code of Ethics.

 

(a)        The registrant has adopted a code of ethics (the "Code of Ethics") that applies to its principal executive officer, principal financial officer, principal accounting officer or controller, or persons performing similar functions, regardless of whether these individuals are employed by the registrant or a third party.

 

(b)No information need be disclosed pursuant to this paragraph.

 

(c)Not applicable.

 

(d)Not applicable.

 

(e)Not applicable.

 

(f)

 

(1)The registrant’s Code of Ethics is attached hereto as Exhibit 13 A.

 

(2)Not applicable.

 

(3)Not applicable.

 

Item 3. Audit Committee Financial Expert.

 

The registrant's Board of Directors 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 Directors in the absence of such designation or identification.

 

 

Item 4. Principal Accountant Fees and Services.

 

(a)(b)(c)(d) and (g). Based on fees billed for the periods shown:

 

2020        
   Registrant  Covered Entities(1)
Audit Fees  $1,458,418    N/A  
           
Non-Audit Fees          
Audit-Related Fees  $(2)  $(2)
Tax Fees  $(3)  $231,320(4)
All Other Fees  $   $(5)
Total Non-Audit Fees  $   $231,320 
           
Total  $1,458,418   $231,320 

 

2019        
   Registrant  Covered Entities(1)
Audit Fees  $1,501,837    N/A 
           
Non-Audit Fees          
Audit-Related Fees  $(2)  $(2)
Tax Fees  $163,394(3)  $535,939(4)
All Other Fees  $   $30,000(5)
Total Non-Audit Fees  $163,394   $565,939 
           
Total  $1,665,231   $565,939 

 

 

 

N/A- Not applicable, as not required by Item 4.

 

(1)Covered Entities include the Adviser (excluding sub-advisors) and any entity controlling, controlled by or under common control with the Adviser that provides ongoing services to the Registrant.
(2)Audit-Related Fees represent assurance and related services provided that are reasonably related to the performance of the audit of the financial statements of the Covered Entities' and funds advised by the Adviser or its affiliates, specifically data verification and agreed-upon procedures related to asset securitizations and agreed-upon procedures engagements.
(3)Tax Fees represent tax compliance, tax planning and tax advice services provided in connection with the preparation and review of the Registrant’s tax returns.
(4)Tax Fees represent tax compliance, tax planning and tax advice services provided in connection with the review of Covered Entities' tax returns.
(5)All other fees represent project management for future business applications and improving business and operational processes.

 

 

 

(e)(1) The audit committee’s pre-approval policies and procedures are as follows:

 

AUDIT COMMITTEE

AUDIT AND NON-AUDIT SERVICES

PRE-APPROVAL POLICY AND PROCEDURES

OF THE

MORGAN STANLEY FUNDS

 

AS ADOPTED AND AMENDED JULY 23, 2004 AND JUNE 12 AND 13, 20193

 

1.Statement of Principles

 

The Audit Committee of the Board is required to review and, in its sole discretion, pre-approve all Covered Services to be provided by the Independent Auditors to the Fund and Covered Entities in order to assure that services performed by the Independent Auditors do not impair the auditor’s independence from the Fund.

 

The SEC has issued rules specifying the types of services that an independent auditor may not provide to its audit client, as well as the audit committee’s administration of the engagement of the independent auditor. The SEC’s rules establish two different approaches to pre-approving services, which the SEC considers to be equally valid. Proposed services either: may be pre-approved without consideration of specific case-by-case services by the Audit Committee (“general pre-approval”); or require the specific pre-approval of the Audit Committee or its delegate (“specific pre-approval”). The Audit Committee believes that the combination of these two approaches in this Policy will result in an effective and efficient procedure to pre-approve services performed by the Independent Auditors. As set forth in this Policy, unless a type of service has received general pre-approval, it will require specific pre-approval by the Audit Committee (or by any member of the Audit Committee to which pre-approval authority has been delegated) if it is to be provided by the Independent Auditors. Any proposed services exceeding pre-approved cost levels or budgeted amounts will also require specific pre-approval by the Audit Committee.

 

The appendices to this Policy describe the Audit, Audit-related, Tax and All Other services that have the general pre-approval of the Audit Committee. The term of any general pre-approval is 12 months from the date of pre-approval, unless the Audit Committee considers and provides a different period and states otherwise. The Audit Committee will annually review and pre-approve the services that may be provided by the Independent Auditors without obtaining specific pre-approval from the Audit Committee. The Audit Committee will add to or subtract from the list of general pre-approved services from time to time, based on subsequent determinations.

 

The purpose of this Policy is to set forth the policy and procedures by which the Audit Committee intends to fulfill its responsibilities. It does not delegate the Audit Committee’s responsibilities to pre-approve services performed by the Independent Auditors to management.

 

The Fund’s Independent Auditors have reviewed this Policy and believes that implementation of the Policy will not adversely affect the Independent Auditors’ independence.

 

_____________________

3 This Audit Committee Audit and Non-Audit Services Pre-Approval Policy and Procedures (the “Policy”), adopted as of the date above, supersedes and replaces all prior versions that may have been adopted from time to time.

 

 

 

2.Delegation

 

As provided in the Act and the SEC’s rules, the Audit Committee may delegate either type of pre-approval authority to one or more of its members. The member to whom such authority is delegated must report, for informational purposes only, any pre-approval decisions to the Audit Committee at its next scheduled meeting.

 

3.Audit Services

 

The annual Audit services engagement terms and fees are subject to the specific pre-approval of the Audit Committee. Audit services include the annual financial statement audit and other procedures required to be performed by the Independent Auditors to be able to form an opinion on the Fund’s financial statements. These other procedures include information systems and procedural reviews and testing performed in order to understand and place reliance on the systems of internal control, and consultations relating to the audit. The Audit Committee will approve, if necessary, any changes in terms, conditions and fees resulting from changes in audit scope, Fund structure or other items.

 

In addition to the annual Audit services engagement approved by the Audit Committee, the Audit Committee may grant general pre-approval to other Audit services, which are those services that only the Independent Auditors reasonably can provide. Other Audit services may include statutory audits and services associated with SEC registration statements (on Forms N-1A, N-2, N-3, N-4, etc.), periodic reports and other documents filed with the SEC or other documents issued in connection with securities offerings.

 

The Audit Committee has pre-approved the Audit services in Appendix A. All other Audit services not listed in Appendix A must be specifically pre-approved by the Audit Committee (or by any member of the Audit Committee to which pre-approval has been delegated).

 

4.Audit-related Services

 

Audit-related services are assurance and related services that are reasonably related to the performance of the audit or review of the Fund’s financial statements and, to the extent they are Covered Services, the Covered Entities or that are traditionally performed by the Independent Auditors. Because the Audit Committee believes that the provision of Audit-related services does not impair the independence of the auditor and is consistent with the SEC’s rules on auditor independence, the Audit Committee may grant general pre-approval to Audit-related services. Audit-related services include, among others, accounting consultations related to accounting, financial reporting or disclosure matters not classified as “Audit services”; assistance with understanding and implementing new accounting and financial reporting guidance from rulemaking authorities; agreed-upon or expanded audit procedures related to accounting and/or billing records required to respond to or comply with financial, accounting or regulatory reporting matters; and assistance with internal control reporting requirements under Forms N-CEN and/or N-CSR.

 

 

 

The Audit Committee has pre-approved the Audit-related services in Appendix A. All other Audit-related services not listed in Appendix A must be specifically pre-approved by the Audit Committee (or by any member of the Audit Committee to which pre-approval has been delegated).

 

5.Tax Services

 

The Audit Committee believes that the Independent Auditors can provide Tax services to the Fund and, to the extent they are Covered Services, the Covered Entities, such as tax compliance, tax planning and tax advice without impairing the auditor’s independence, and the SEC has stated that the Independent Auditors may provide such services.

 

Pursuant to the preceding paragraph, the Audit Committee has pre-approved the Tax Services in Appendix A. All Tax services in Appendix A must be specifically pre-approved by the Audit Committee (or by any member of the Audit Committee to which pre-approval has been delegated).

 

6.All Other Services

 

The Audit Committee believes, based on the SEC’s rules prohibiting the Independent Auditors from providing specific non-audit services, that other types of non-audit services are permitted. Accordingly, the Audit Committee believes it may grant general pre-approval to those permissible non-audit services classified as All Other services that it believes are routine and recurring services, would not impair the independence of the auditor and are consistent with the SEC’s rules on auditor independence.

 

The Audit Committee has pre-approved the All Other services in Appendix A. Permissible All Other services not listed in Appendix A must be specifically pre-approved by the Audit Committee (or by any member of the Audit Committee to which pre-approval has been delegated).

 

7.Pre-Approval Fee Levels or Budgeted Amounts

 

Pre-approval fee levels or budgeted amounts for all services to be provided by the Independent Auditors will be established annually by the Audit Committee. Any proposed services exceeding these levels or amounts will require specific pre-approval by the Audit Committee. The Audit Committee is mindful of the overall relationship of fees for audit and non-audit services in determining whether to pre-approve any such services.

 

8.Procedures

 

All requests or applications for services to be provided by the Independent Auditors that do not require specific approval by the Audit Committee will be submitted to the Fund’s Principal Financial and Accounting Officer and must include a detailed description of the services to be rendered. The Fund’s Principal Financial and Accounting Officer will determine whether such services are included within the list of services that have received the general pre-approval of the Audit Committee. The Audit Committee will be informed on a timely basis of any such services rendered by the Independent Auditors. Requests or applications to provide services that require specific approval by the Audit Committee or Chairperson of the Audit Committee will be submitted to the Audit Committee by the Fund's Principal Financial and Accounting Officer, who, after consultation with the Independent Auditors, will discuss whether, the request or application is consistent with the SEC’s rules on auditor independence.

 

 

 

The Audit Committee has designated the Fund’s Principal Financial and Accounting Officer to monitor the performance of all services provided by the Independent Auditors and to determine whether such services are in compliance with this Policy. The Fund’s Principal Financial and Accounting Officer will report to the Audit Committee on a periodic basis on the results of its monitoring. Both the Fund’s Principal Financial and Accounting Officer and management will immediately report to the Chairperson of the Audit Committee any breach of this Policy that comes to the attention of the Fund’s Principal Financial and Accounting Officer or any member of management.

 

9.Additional Requirements

 

The Audit Committee has determined to take additional measures on an annual basis to meet its responsibility to oversee the work of the Independent Auditors and to assure the auditor’s independence from the Fund, such as reviewing a formal written statement from the Independent Auditors delineating all relationships between the Independent Auditors and the Fund, consistent with the PCAOB’s Ethics and Independence Rule 3526, and discussing with the Independent Auditors its methods and procedures for ensuring independence.

 

10.Covered Entities

 

Covered Entities include the Fund’s investment adviser(s) and any entity controlling, controlled by or under common control with the Fund’s investment adviser(s) that provides ongoing services to the Fund(s). Beginning with non-audit service contracts entered into on or after May 6, 2003, the Fund’s audit committee must pre-approve non-audit services provided not only to the Fund but also to the Covered Entities if the engagements relate directly to the operations and financial reporting of the Fund. This list of Covered Entities would include:

 

Morgan Stanley Funds

Morgan Stanley & Co. LLC

Morgan Stanley Investment Management Inc.

Morgan Stanley Investment Management Limited

Morgan Stanley Investment Management Private Limited

Morgan Stanley Asset & Investment Trust Management Co., Limited

Morgan Stanley Investment Management Company

Morgan Stanley Services Company, Inc.

Morgan Stanley Distribution, Inc.

Morgan Stanley AIP GP LP

Morgan Stanley Alternative Investment Partners LP

Morgan Stanley Smith Barney LLC

Morgan Stanley Capital Management LLC

Morgan Stanley Asia Limited

Morgan Stanley Services Group

 

 

 

(e)(2)  Beginning with non-audit service contracts entered into on or after May 6, 2003, the audit committee also is required to pre-approve services to Covered Entities to the extent that the services are determined to have a direct impact on the operations or financial reporting of the Registrant. 100% of such services were pre-approved by the audit committee pursuant to the Audit Committee’s pre-approval policies and procedures (attached hereto).

 

(f)  Not applicable.

 

(g)  See table above.

 

(h)  The audit committee of the Board of Directors has considered whether the provision of services other than audit services performed by the auditors to the Registrant and Covered Entities is compatible with maintaining the auditors' independence in performing audit services.

 

APPENDIX A

 

Pre-Approved Audit Services

 

Service
Range of Fees
   The
Fund(s)
  Covered
Entities
Statutory audits or financial audits for the Funds   For a
complete
list of fees,
please
contact the
legal
department
       **  
  N/A
Services associated with SEC registration statements (including new fund filings/seed audits), periodic reports and other documents filed with the SEC or other documents issued in connection with securities offerings (e.g., comfort letters for closed-end fund offerings, consents), and assistance in responding to SEC comment letters   *   *
Consultations by the Fund’s management as to the accounting or disclosure treatment of transactions or events and/or the actual or potential impact of final or proposed rules, standards or interpretations by the SEC, FASB, or other regulatory or standard setting bodies (Note: Under SEC rules, some consultations may be “audit related” services rather than “audit” services)   *   *

 

 

 

Pre-Approved Audit-Related Services

 

Service
Range of Fees
   The
Fund(s)
  Covered
Entities
Attest procedures not required by statute or regulation  *  *
Due diligence services pertaining to potential fund mergers  *  *
Consultations by the Fund’s management as to the accounting or disclosure treatment of transactions or events and/or the actual or potential impact of final or proposed rules, standards or interpretations by the SEC, FASB, or other regulatory or standard-setting bodies (Note: Under SEC rules, some consultations may be “audit” services rather than “audit-related” services)  *  *
General assistance with implementation of the requirements of SEC rules or listing standards promulgated pursuant to the Sarbanes-Oxley Act  *  *

 

Pre-Approved Tax Services

 

Service
Range of Fees
   The
Fund(s)
  Covered
Entities
U.S. federal, state and local tax planning and advice   *  *
U.S. federal, state and local tax compliance  *  *
International tax planning and advice  *  *
International tax compliance   *  *
Review/preparation of federal, state, local and international income, franchise, and other tax returns   $400,000 PwC  N/A

 

 

 

Identification of Passive Foreign Investment Companies  $150,000 PwC  *
PwC ITV Tool – assist in determining which Fund holdings have foreign capital gains tax exposure  $125,000 PwC  *
Foreign Tax Services - Preparation of local foreign tax returns and assistance with local tax compliance issues (including maintenance of transaction schedules, assistance in periodic tax remittances, tax registration, representing funds before foreign revenue authorities and assistance with assessment orders)  $500,000 PwC/EY  *
Assistance with tax audits and appeals before the IRS and similar state, local and foreign agencies  *  *
Tax advice and assistance regarding statutory, regulatory or administrative developments (e.g., excise tax reviews, evaluation of Fund’s tax compliance function)  *  *

 

Pre-Approved All Other Services

 

Service
Range of Fees
   The
Fund(s)
  Covered
Entities
Risk management advisory services, e.g., assessment and testing of security infrastructure controls   *   *

 

*Aggregate fees related to the pre-approved services will be limited to 10% of the 2020/2021 annual fees for audit and tax services (see fee schedule distributed by the Auditors).

** Audit and tax services for new funds/portfolios will be subject to the maximum audit and tax fee for a fund/portfolio on fee schedule distributed by the Auditors.

 

Prohibited Non-Audit Services

 

Bookkeeping or other services related to the accounting records or financial statements of the audit client

Financial information systems design and implementation

Appraisal or valuation services, fairness opinions or contribution-in-kind reports

 

 

 

Actuarial services

Internal audit outsourcing services

Management functions

Human resources

Broker-dealer, investment adviser or investment banking services

Legal services

Expert services unrelated to the audit

 

Item 5. Audit Committee of Listed Registrants.

 

(a) The registrant has a separately-designated standing audit committee established in accordance with Section 3(a)(58)(A) of the Exchange Act whose members are:

Joseph J. Kearns, Jakki L. Haussler, Michael F. Klein and W. Allen Reed.

 

(b) Not applicable.

 

Item 6. Schedule of Investments

 

(a) Refer to Item 1.

 

(b) Not applicable.

 

Item 7. Disclosure of Proxy Voting Policies and Procedures for Closed-End Management Investment Companies.

 

Applicable only to reports filed by closed-end funds.

 

Item 8. Portfolio Managers of Closed-End Management Investment Companies

 

Applicable only to reports filed by closed-end funds.

 

Item 9. Closed-End Fund Repurchases

 

Applicable only to reports filed by closed-end funds.

 

Item 10. Submission of Matters to a Vote of Security Holders

 

 

 

There have been no material changes to the procedures by which shareholders may recommend nominee to the Fund’s Board of Directors since the Fund last provided disclosure in response to this item.

 

Item 11. Controls and Procedures

 

(a)  The registrant’s principal executive officer and principal financial officer have concluded that the registrant’s disclosure controls and procedures are sufficient to ensure that information required to be disclosed by the registrant in this Form N-CSR was recorded, processed, summarized and reported within the time periods specified in the Securities and Exchange Commission's rules and forms, based upon such officers' evaluation of these controls and procedures as of a date within 90 days of the filing date of the report.

 

(b)  There were no changes in the registrant's internal control over financial reporting that occurred during the second fiscal quarter of the period covered by this report that has materially affected, or is reasonably likely to materially affect, the registrant's internal control over financial reporting.

 

Item 12. Disclosure of Securities Lending Activities for Closed End Management Investment Companies.

 

Not Applicable

 

Item 13. Exhibits

 

(a) The Code of Ethics for Principal Executive and Senior Financial Officers.

 

(b) A separate certification for each principal executive officer and principal financial officer of the registrant as part of EX-99.CERT.

 

(c) Section 906 Certification

 

 

 

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 Institutional Fund, Inc.

 

/s/ John H. Gernon

John H. Gernon

Principal Executive Officer

February 16, 2021

 

Pursuant to the requirements of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 and the Investment Company Act of 1940, this report has been signed by the following persons on behalf of the registrant and in the capacities and on the dates indicated.

 

/s/ John H. Gernon

John H. Gernon

Principal Executive Officer

February 16, 2021

 

/s/ Francis Smith

Francis Smith

Principal Financial Officer

February 16, 2021