N-CSR 1 file001.htm ANNUAL REPORT



                                  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: 811-07915

Morgan Stanley Market Leader Trust
               (Exact name of registrant as specified in charter)

1221 Avenue of the Americas, New York, New York 10020
         (Address of principal executive offices)                     (Zip code)

Ronald E. Robison
1221 Avenue of the Americas, New York, New York 10020
                     (Name and address of agent for service)

Registrant's telephone number, including area code: 212-762-4000

Date of fiscal year end: August 31, 2003

Date of reporting period: August 31, 2003

Item 1 - Report to Shareholders

Welcome, Shareholder:

In this report, you'll learn about how your investment in Morgan Stanley Market Leader Trust performed during the annual period. We will provide an overview of the market conditions, and discuss some of the factors that affected performance during the reporting period. In addition, this report includes the Fund's financial statements and a list of Fund investments.

This material must be preceded or accompanied by a prospectus for the fund being offered. Market forecasts provided in this report may not necessarily come to pass. There is no assurance that the Fund will achieve its investment objective. The Fund is subject to market risk, which is the possibility that the market values of securities owned by the Fund will decline and, therefore, the value of the Fund shares may be less than what you paid for them. Accordingly you can lose money investing in this Fund.



	Fund Report
	For the year ended August 31, 2003

Total Return for the 12-month period ended August 31, 2003


Class A	Class B			Class C			Class D			S&P 500 Index¹			Lipper Large-Cap Core Funds Index²
7.64%		6.81	%		6.89	%		7.90	%		12.06	%		9.83	%

The performance of the Fund's four share classes varies because each has different expenses. The Fund's total return figures assume the reinvestment of all distributions, but do not reflect the deduction of any applicable sales charges. Such costs would lower performance. Past performance is no guarantee of future results. See Performance Summary for standardized performance information.

Market Conditions

In the early stages of the 12-month period ended August 31, 2003, the long-anticipated economic recovery appeared reluctant to surface. Despite interest rates at historically low levels, corporate earnings failed to rebound as quickly as had been expected. Throughout the fiscal year, economic data transmitted mixed signals regarding the economy's underlying strength. Investor confidence continued to waiver during the early part of the period, aggravated by concerns about corporate governance and the perceived lack of balance sheet integrity. Although the weakness in equities was fairly broad-based, technology companies were hit especially hard as corporations trimmed their capital spending on equipment. In addition, downward earnings revisions continued to afflict the telecommunications sector. Investor sentiment was further dampened by geopolitical tensions leading up to the war in Iraq.

While these negative forces held investors' attention during most of the first three months of 2003, financial conditions under the surface were improving. Accommodative fiscal and monetary policy signaled to many that the economy might potentially recover in the near future. Recognizing strong values among equities, investors began to return to the market by the end of March. The surprisingly quick resolution to the Iraq conflict triggered a strong market rally that by the end of the period saw the S&P 500 Index appreciate more than 25 percent from its mid-March lows. The defensive sectors and securities that led during the bear market period fell behind more cyclical sectors as investors' expectations for the economy improved. The best performing groups as the market rallied were technology, financials, consumer cyclicals and basic materials.

Performance Analysis

The Fund's underperformance relative to the S&P 500 can be partially attributed to its commitment to investing in market-leading companies for the long term. The recent market upturn was dominated by speculative, high-growth companies, which the Fund does not typically hold in its portfolio. On a positive note, however, the momentum in the markets appeared to be shifting toward stable growth and stable value companies toward the end of the period.

The Fund's below-market weighting in financials detracted from its performance, as did select holdings in that area. Performance was also hurt by an underweighting in telecommunications and the fact that the Fund's exposure in that sector was in high quality names rather than the riskier stocks that performed the best during the period.

Anticipating a recovery, we found opportunities in the basic materials and consumer discretionary areas that turned out to be beneficial to performance. The Fund also gained from its overweighting in energy and from the outstanding performance of several holdings in that sector.


TOP 10 HOLDINGS
Microsoft Corp.	4.2	%
General Electric Co.	3.7
Pfizer, Inc.	3.7
Aetna Inc.	3.6
Citigroup, Inc.	3.5
Fannie Mae	3.5
Lehman Brothers Holdings Inc.	3.1
Wal-Mart Stores Inc.	3.1
American International Group, Inc.	3.0
Johnson & Johnson	2.9


TOP FIVE INDUSTRIES
Pharmaceuticals: Major	10.2	%
Discount Stores	5.3
Industrial Conglomerates	5.2
Packaged Software	4.8
Financial Conglomerates	4.6

Subject to change daily. All percentages are as a percentage of net assets. Provided for informational purposes only and should not be deemed as a recommendation to buy the securities mentioned. Morgan Stanley is a full-service securities firm engaged in securities trading and brokerage activities, investment banking, research and analysis, financing and financial advisory services.

Investment Strategy


	1.	The Fund's two-pronged investment process uses both "top down" and "bottom up" strategies to identify leading companies.


	2.	The manager begins by analyzing secular trends and themes seeking to detect domestic and foreign industries with the greatest potential to perform well.


	3.	Securities are then chosen based on such factors as recognized leadership within their respective industry, a strong financial position and earnings growth potential.

Annual Householding Notice

To reduce printing and mailing costs, the Fund attempts to eliminate duplicate mailings to the same address. The Fund delivers a single copy of certain shareholder documents including shareholder reports, prospectuses and proxy materials to investors with the same last name and who reside at the same address. Your participation in this program will continue for an unlimited period of time, unless you instruct us otherwise. You can request multiple copies of these documents by calling (800) 350-6414, 8:00 am to 8:00 pm, ET. Once our Customer Service Center has received your instructions, we will begin sending individual copies for each account within 30 days.

Proxy Voting Policies and Procedures

A description of the Fund's policies and procedures with respect to the voting of proxies relating to the Fund's portfolio securities is available without charge, upon request, by calling (800) 869-NEWS. This information is also available on the Securities and Exchange Commission's website at http://www.sec.gov.



	Performance Summary

Performance of $10,000 Investment — Class B

Past performance is not predictive of future returns. Investment return and principal value will fluctuate. When you sell fund shares, they may be worth less than their original cost. The graph and table do not reflect the deduction of taxes that a shareholder would pay on fund distributions or the redemption of fund shares. Performance for Class A, Class B, Class C, and Class D shares will vary due to differences in sales charges and expenses.

Average Annual Total Returns — Period Ended August 31, 2003

Class A Shares*
(since 07/28/97)

Class B Shares**
(since 04/28/97)

Class C Shares^†
(since 07/28/97)

Class D Shares^††
(since 07/28/97)

Symbol

MLDAX

MLDBX

MLDCX

MLDDX

1 Year

7.64%

^³

6.81%

^³

6.89%

^³

7.90%

^³

1.99

^⁴

1.81

^⁴

5.89

^⁴

5 Years

5.62

^³

4.80

^³

4.88

^³

5.91

^³

4.49

^⁴

4.47

^⁴

4.88

^⁴

Since Inception

2.86

^³

3.38

^³

2.13

^³

3.12

^³

1.96

^⁴

3.38

^⁴

2.13

^⁴

Notes on Performance

(1)

The Standard and Poor's 500 Index (S&P 500^®) is a broad-based index, the performance of which is based on the performance of 500 widely-held common stocks chosen for market size, liquidity and industry group representation. 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.

(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.

(3)

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

(4)

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

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

The maximum contingent deferred sales charge (CDSC) for Class B is 5.0%. The CDSC declines to 0% after six years.

†

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

††

Class D has no sales charge.

‡

Closing value assuming a complete redemption on August 31, 2003.

Morgan Stanley Market Leader Trust

Portfolio of Investments August 31, 2003


NUMBER OF SHARES			VALUE
		Common Stocks (98.0%)
		Basic Materials
		Aluminum (0.5%)
	66,110	Alcoa, Inc.	$	1,888,102
		Other Metals/Minerals (1.3%)
	99,300	Phelps Dodge Corp.*		4,765,407
		Precious Metals (0.8%)
	70,920	Newmont Mining Corp.		2,784,319
		Total Basic Materials		9,437,828
		Capital Goods
		Chemicals: Major Diversified (0.1%)
	5,060	Dow Chemical Co. (The)		174,722
		Chemicals: Specialty (0.8%)
	61,000	Air Products & Chemicals, Inc.		2,886,520
		Home Building (0.5%)
	27,900	Lennar Corp.		1,876,275
		Home Improvement Chains (0.1%)
	6,900	Home Depot, Inc. (The)		221,904
		Industrial Conglomerates (5.2%)
	444,730	General Electric Co.		13,150,666
	33,650	Ingersoll-Rand Co., Ltd. (Bermuda)		2,002,848
	68,810	Tyco International Ltd. (Bermuda)		1,416,110
	26,400	United Technologies Corp.		2,118,600
				18,688,224
		Industrial Machinery (2.0%)
	169,800	Roper Industries, Inc.		7,247,064
		Total Capital Goods		31,094,709
		Consumer Non-Durables
		Food: Major Diversified (1.9%)
	151,020	PepsiCo, Inc.		6,726,431
		Household/Personal Care (3.4%)
	110,000	Estee Lauder Companies, Inc. (The) (Class A)		3,793,900
	56,400	Kimberly-Clark Corp.		2,882,604
	61,400	Procter & Gamble Co. (The)		5,359,606
				12,036,110
		Tobacco (0.4%)
	36,010	Altria Group, Inc.	$	1,484,332
		Total Consumer Non-Durables		20,246,873
		Energy
		Contract Drilling (1.2%)
	115,000	Noble Corp. (Cayman Islands)*		4,160,700
		Electric Utilities (0.7%)
	93,430	American Electric Power Co., Inc.		2,645,003
		Integrated Oil (2.2%)
	105,000	BP PLC (ADR) (United Kingdom)		4,380,600
	80,500	Royal Dutch Petroleum Co. (NY Registered Shares) (Netherlands)		3,612,035
				7,992,635
		Oil & Gas Production (2.7%)
	60,900	Apache Corp.		4,200,882
	143,810	EnCana Corp. (Canada)		5,385,685
				9,586,567
		Oilfield Services/Equipment (2.7%)
	118,030	Baker Hughes Inc.		3,949,284
	233,340	Halliburton Co.		5,642,161
				9,591,445
		Total Energy		33,976,350
		Entertainment & Leisure
		Cable/Satellite TV (3.1%)
	203,393	Comcast Corp. (Class A Special)*		6,050,942
	407,470	Liberty Media Corp. (Class A)*		4,930,387
				10,981,329
		Media Conglomerates (1.9%)
	10,800	AOL Time Warner Inc.*		176,688
	145,000	Viacom, Inc. (Class B) (Non-Voting)		6,525,000
				6,701,688

See Notes to Financial Statements

Morgan Stanley Market Leader Trust

Portfolio of Investments August 31, 2003 continued


NUMBER OF SHARES			VALUE
		Restaurants (1.8%)
	206,000	Wendy's International, Inc.	$	6,499,300
		Total Entertainment & Leisure		24,182,317
		Financial Services
		Advertising/Marketing Services (1.5%)
	66,490	Omnicom Group, Inc.		5,192,869
		Finance/Rental/Leasing (3.5%)
	191,000	Fannie Mae		12,374,890
	3,980	SLM Corp.		159,916
				12,534,806
		Financial Conglomerates (4.6%)
	6,250	American Express Co.		281,563
	288,776	Citigroup, Inc.		12,518,440
	100,600	Prudential Financial, Inc.		3,662,846
				16,462,849
		Investment Banks/Brokers (3.2%)
	171,000	Lehman Brothers Holdings, Inc.		11,239,830
		Investment Trusts/Mutual Funds (2.7%)
	21,500	iShares Lehman 20+ Year Treasury Bond Fund		1,798,475
	62,000	iShares Nasdaq Biotechnology Index Fund*		4,576,840
	96,250	Nasdaq-100 Index Tracking Stock*		3,213,788
				9,589,103
		Major Banks (1.9%)
	2,170	Bank of America Corp.		171,973
	222,040	Bank of New York Co., Inc. (The)		6,532,417
				6,704,390
		Multi-Line Insurance (3.0%)
	178,900	American International Group, Inc.		10,657,073
		Property – Casualty Insurers (1.3%)
	60,000	XL Capital Ltd. (Class A) (Cayman Islands)		4,545,000
		Specialty Insurance (1.7%)
	169,600	PMI Group, Inc.	$	6,000,448
		Total Financial Services		82,926,365
		Healthcare
		Hospital/Nursing Management (0.5%)
	51,330	HCA Inc.		1,950,027
		Managed Health Care (3.6%)
	222,800	Aetna Inc.		12,699,600
		Pharmaceuticals: Major (10.2%)
	211,970	Johnson & Johnson		10,509,473
	208,500	Merck & Co., Inc.		10,491,720
	435,920	Pfizer, Inc.		13,042,726
	52,500	Wyeth		2,249,625
				36,293,544
		Total Healthcare		50,943,174
		Retail
		Department Stores (1.1%)
	62,770	Kohl's Corp.*		3,970,202
		Discount Stores (5.3%)
	190,000	Target Corp.		7,714,000
	186,780	Wal-Mart Stores, Inc.		11,051,773
				18,765,773
		Total Retail		22,735,975
		Technology
		Aerospace & Defense (0.6%)
	42,220	Lockheed Martin Corp.		2,162,931
		Computer Communications (2.3%)
	427,900	Cisco Systems, Inc.*		8,194,285
		Computer Peripherals (0.9%)
	47,380	Lexmark International, Inc.*		3,176,355
		Computer Processing Hardware (2.2%)
	4,980	Dell Inc.*		162,497
	394,540	Hewlett-Packard Co.		7,859,237
				8,021,734

See Notes to Financial Statements

Morgan Stanley Market Leader Trust

Portfolio of Investments August 31, 2003 continued


NUMBER OF SHARES			VALUE
		Data Processing Services (2.0%)
	310,000	Concord EFS, Inc.*	$	4,293,500
	101,960	SunGard Data Systems Inc.*		2,875,272
				7,168,772
		Packaged Software (4.8%)
	562,120	Microsoft Corp.		14,907,422
	186,130	Oracle Corp.*		2,378,741
				17,286,163
		Semiconductors (1.8%)
	191,590	Intel Corp.		5,483,306
	139,700	Vitesse Semiconductor Corp.*		954,151
				6,437,457
		Total Technology		52,447,697
		Telecommunications
		Broadcasting (0.9%)
	72,130	Clear Channel Communications, Inc.*		3,254,506
		Major Telecommunications (0.7%)
	52,320	SBC Communications, Inc.		1,176,677
	38,700	Verizon Communications Inc.		1,366,884
				2,543,561
		Telecommunication Equipment (2.0%)
	435,000	Nokia Corp. (ADR) (Finland)		7,086,150
	4,090	QUALCOMM Inc.		168,835
				7,254,985
		Wireless Telecommunications (1.5%)
	291,520	Vodafone Group PLC (United Kingdom)		5,334,816
		Total Telecommunications		18,387,868
		Transportation
		Air Freight/Couriers (0.0%)
	2,220	United Parcel Service, Inc. (Class B)		139,327
		Railroads (0.9%)
	97,250	CSX Corp.		3,139,230
		Total Transportation		3,278,557
		Total Common Stocks (Cost $352,902,464)		349,657,713


PRINCIPAL AMOUNT IN THOUSANDS			VALUE
		Convertible Bond (0.2%)
		Wireless Telecommunications
$	850	Nextel Communications, Inc. 5.25% due 01/15/10 (Cost $953,025)	$	770,313
		Short-Term Investment (1.4%)
		Repurchase Agreement
	5,096	Joint repurchase agreement account 1.05% due 09/02/03 (dated 08/29/03; proceeds $5,096,595) (a) (Cost $5,096,000)		5,096,000


Total Investments (Cost $358,951,489) (b)	99.6	%		355,524,026
Other Assets in Excess of Liabilities	0.4			1,404,489
Net Assets	100.0	%	$	356,928,515

ADR

American Depository Receipt.

Non-income producing security.

(a)

Collateralized by federal agency and U.S. Treasury obligations.

(b)

The aggregate cost for federal income tax purposes is $360,387,590. The aggregate gross unrealized appreciation is $32,167,887 and the aggregate gross unrealized depreciation is $37,031,451, resulting in net unrealized depreciation of $4,863,564.

See Notes to Financial Statements

Morgan Stanley Market Leader Trust

Financial Statements

Statement of Assets and Liabilities

August 31, 2003


Assets:
Investments in securities, at value (cost $358,951,489)	$	355,524,026
Receivable for:
Investments sold		2,022,870
Dividends		364,222
Shares of beneficial interest sold		235,598
Prepaid expenses and other assets		48,821
Total Assets		358,195,537
Liabilities:
Payable for:
Investments purchased		503,839
Shares of beneficial interest redeemed		241,284
Distribution fee		229,888
Investment management fee		229,415
Accrued expenses and other payables		62,596
Total Liabilities		1,267,022
Net Assets	$	356,928,515
Composition of Net Assets:
Paid-in-capital	$	550,267,975
Net unrealized depreciation		(3,427,463	)
Accumulated net investment loss		(43,600	)
Accumulated net realized loss		(189,868,397	)
Net Assets	$	356,928,515
Class A Shares:
Net Assets	$	12,226,027
Shares Outstanding (unlimited authorized, $.01 par value)		1,020,543
Net Asset Value Per Share	$	11.98
Maximum Offering Price Per Share, (net asset value plus 5.54% of net asset value)	$	12.64
Class B Shares:
Net Assets	$	249,417,614
Shares Outstanding (unlimited authorized, $.01 par value)		21,782,462
Net Asset Value Per Share	$	11.45
Class C Shares:
Net Assets	$	14,669,338
Shares Outstanding (unlimited authorized, $.01 par value)		1,278,411
Net Asset Value Per Share	$	11.47
Class D Shares:
Net Assets	$	80,615,536
Shares Outstanding (unlimited authorized, $.01 par value)		6,629,409
Net Asset Value Per Share	$	12.16

See Notes to Financial Statements

Morgan Stanley Market Leader Trust

Financial Statements continued

Statement of Operations

For the year ended August 31, 2003


Net Investment Loss:
Income
Dividends (net of $75,350 foreign withholding tax)	$	4,775,143
Interest		370,423
Total Income		5,145,566
Expenses
Investment management fee		2,797,932
Distribution fee (Class A shares)		23,644
Distribution fee (Class B shares)		2,701,874
Distribution fee (Class C shares)		142,362
Transfer agent fees and expenses		830,740
Shareholder reports and notices		76,689
Registration fees		68,492
Professional fees		56,446
Trustees' fees and expenses		13,086
Other		14,377
Total Expenses		6,725,642
Net Investment Loss		(1,580,076	)
Net Realized and Unrealized Gain (Loss):
Net Realized Loss on:
Investments		(37,397,888	)
Futures contracts		(3,209,903	)
Net Realized Loss		(40,607,791	)
Net Change in Unrealized Depreciation on:
Investments		61,549,859
Futures contracts		2,013,157
Net Appreciation		63,563,016
Net Gain		22,955,225
Net Increase	$	21,375,149

See Notes to Financial Statements

Morgan Stanley Market Leader Trust

Financial Statements continued

Statement of Changes in Net Assets


	FOR THE YEAR ENDED AUGUST 31, 2003			FOR THE YEAR ENDED AUGUST 31, 2002
Increase (Decrease) in Net Assets:
Operations:
Net investment loss	$	(1,580,076	)	$	(2,771,288	)
Net realized loss		(40,607,791	)		(135,149,305	)
Net change in unrealized depreciation		63,563,016			(7,980,859	)
Net Increase (Decrease)		21,375,149			(145,901,452	)
Net increase (decrease) from transactions in shares of beneficial interest		(88,880,624	)		3,413,521
Net Decrease		(67,505,475	)		(142,487,931	)
Net Assets:
Beginning of period		424,433,990			566,921,921
End of Period (Including accumulated net investment losses of $43,600 and $29,208, respectively)	$	356,928,515		$	424,433,990

See Notes to Financial Statements

Morgan Stanley Market Leader Trust

Notes to Financial Statements August 31, 2003

1. Organization and Accounting Policies

Morgan Stanley Market Leader Trust (the "Fund") is registered under the Investment Company Act of 1940, as amended (the "Act"), as a diversified, open-end management investment company. The Fund's investment objective is long-term growth of capital. The Fund seeks to achieve its investment objective by investing at least 65% of its assets in equity securities issued by companies that are established leaders in their respective fields in growing industries in domestic and foreign markets. The Fund was organized as a Massachusetts business trust on November 4, 1996 and commenced operations on April 28, 1997. On July 28, 1997, the Fund converted to a multiple class share structure.

The Fund offers Class A shares, Class B shares, Class C shares and Class D shares. The four classes are substantially the same except that most Class A shares are subject to a sales charge imposed at the time of purchase and some Class A shares, and most Class B shares and Class C shares are subject to a contingent deferred sales charge imposed on shares redeemed within one year, six years and one year, respectively. Class D shares are not subject to a sales charge. Additionally, Class A shares, Class B shares and Class C shares incur distribution expenses.

The following is a summary of significant accounting policies:

A. Valuation of Investments — (1) an equity portfolio security listed or traded on the New York or American Stock Exchange or other exchange is valued at its latest sale price prior to the time when assets are valued; if there were no sales that day, the security is valued at the mean between the last reported bid and asked price; (2) an equity portfolio security listed or traded on the Nasdaq is valued at the Nasdaq Official Closing Price; if there were no sales that day, the security is valued at the mean between the last reported bid and asked price; (3) all other equity portfolio securities for which over-the-counter market quotations are readily available are valued at the mean between the last reported bid and asked price. In cases where a security is traded on more than one exchange, the security is valued on the exchange designated as the primary market; (4) for equity securities traded on foreign exchanges, the last reported sale price or the latest bid price may be used if there were no sales on a particular day; (5) futures are valued at the latest price published by the commodities exchange on which they trade; (6) when market quotations are not readily available or Morgan Stanley Investment Advisors Inc. (the "Investment Manager") determines that the latest sale price, the bid price or the mean between the last reported bid and asked price do not reflect a security's market value, portfolio securities are valued at their fair value as determined in good faith under procedures established by and under the general supervision of the Fund's Trustees; (7) certain portfolio securities may be valued by an outside pricing service approved by the Fund's Trustees; and (8) short-term debt securities having a maturity date of more than sixty days at time of purchase are valued on a mark-to-market basis until sixty days prior to maturity and thereafter at amortized cost based on their value on the 61st day. Short-term debt securities having a maturity date of sixty days or less at the time of purchase are valued at amortized cost.

Morgan Stanley Market Leader Trust

Notes to Financial Statements August 31, 2003 continued

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

C. Repurchase Agreements — Pursuant to an Exemptive Order issued by the Securities and Exchange Commission, the Fund, along with other affiliated entities managed by the Investment Manager, may transfer uninvested cash balances into one or more joint repurchase agreement accounts. These balances are invested in one or more repurchase agreements and are collateralized by cash, U.S. Treasury or federal agency obligations. The Fund may also invest directly with institutions in repurchase agreements. The Fund's custodian receives the collateral, which is marked-to-market daily to determine that the value of the collateral does not decrease below the repurchase price plus accrued interest.

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

E. Futures Contracts — A futures contract is an agreement between two parties to buy and sell financial instruments or contracts based on financial indices at a set price on a future date. Upon entering into such a contract, the Fund is required to pledge to the broker cash, U.S. Government securities or other liquid portfolio securities equal to the minimum initial margin requirements of the applicable futures exchange. Pursuant to the contract, the Fund agrees to receive from or pay to the broker an amount of cash equal to the daily fluctuation in the value of the contract. Such receipts or payments known as variation margin are recorded by the Fund as unrealized gains and losses. Upon closing of the contract, the Fund realizes a gain or loss equal to the difference between the value of the contract at the time it was opened and the value at the time it was closed.

F. Foreign Currency Translation and Forward Foreign Currency Contracts — The books and records of the Fund are maintained in U.S. dollars as follows: (1) the foreign currency market value of investment securities, other assets and liabilities and forward foreign currency contracts ("forward contracts") are translated at the exchange rates prevailing at the end of the period; and (2) purchases, sales, income and expenses are translated at the exchange rates prevailing on the respective dates of such transactions. The resultant exchange gains and losses are recorded as realized and unrealized gain/loss on foreign exchange transactions. Pursuant to U.S. Federal income tax regulations, certain foreign exchange gains/losses included in realized and unrealized gain/loss are included in or are a reduction of ordinary income for federal income tax purposes. 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 changes in the market prices of the securities. Forward contracts are valued daily at the appropriate exchange rates. The resultant unrealized exchange gains and

Morgan Stanley Market Leader Trust

Notes to Financial Statements August 31, 2003 continued

losses are recorded as unrealized foreign currency gain or loss. The Fund records realized gains or losses on delivery of the currency or at the time the forward contract is extinguished (compensated) by entering into a closing transaction prior to delivery.

G. Federal Income Tax Policy — It is the Fund's policy to comply with the requirements of the Internal Revenue Code applicable to regulated investment companies and to distribute substantially all of its taxable income to its shareholders. Accordingly, no federal income tax provision is required.

H. Dividends and Distributions to Shareholders — Dividends and distributions to shareholders are recorded on the ex-dividend date.

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

2. Investment Management Agreement

Pursuant to an Investment Management Agreement, the Fund pays the Investment Manager a management fee, accrued daily and payable monthly, by applying the annual rates to the net assets of the Fund determined as of the close of each business day: 0.75% to the portion of daily net assets not exceeding $1 billion and 0.725% to the portion of daily net assets in excess of $1 billion.

3. Plan of Distribution

Shares of the Fund are distributed by Morgan Stanley Distributors Inc. (the "Distributor"), an affiliate of the Investment Manager. The Fund has adopted a Plan of Distribution (the "Plan") pursuant to Rule 12b-1 under the Act. The Plan provides that the Fund will pay the Distributor a fee which is accrued daily and paid monthly at the following annual rates: (i) Class A – up to 0.25% of the average daily net assets of Class A; (ii) Class B – 1.0% of the average daily net assets of Class B; and (iii) Class C – up to 1.0% of the average daily net assets of Class C.

In the case of Class B shares, provided that the Plan continues in effect, any cumulative expenses incurred by the Distributor but not yet recovered may be recovered through the payment of future distribution fees from the Fund pursuant to the Plan and contingent deferred sales charges paid by investors upon redemption of Class B shares. Although there is no legal obligation for the Fund to pay expenses incurred in excess of payments made to the Distributor under the Plan and the proceeds of contingent deferred sales charges paid by investors upon redemption of shares, if for any reason the Plan is terminated, the Trustees will consider at that time the manner in which to treat such expenses. The Distributor has advised the Fund that such excess amounts totaled $11,032,949 at August 31, 2003.

In the case of Class A shares and Class C shares, expenses incurred pursuant to the Plan in any calendar year in excess of 0.25% or 1.0% of the average daily net assets of Class A or Class C, respectively, will not be

Morgan Stanley Market Leader Trust

Notes to Financial Statements August 31, 2003 continued

reimbursed by the Fund through payments in any subsequent year, except that expenses representing a gross sales credit to Morgan Stanley Financial Advisors or other selected broker-dealer representatives may be reimbursed in the subsequent calendar year. For the year ended August 31, 2003, the distribution fee was accrued for Class A shares and Class C shares at the annual rate of 0.21% and 0.96%, respectively.

The Distributor has informed the Fund that for the year ended August 31, 2003, it received contingent deferred sales charges from certain redemptions of the Fund's Class A shares, Class B shares and Class C shares of $51, $682,269 and $3,733, respectively and received $27,005 in front-end sales charges from sales of the Fund's Class A shares. The respective shareholders pay such charges which are not an expense of the Fund.

4. Security Transactions and Transactions with Affiliates

The cost of purchases and proceeds from sales of portfolio securities, excluding short-term investments, for the year ended August 31, 2003 aggregated $166,421,763 and $225,885,652, respectively.

For the year ended August 31, 2003, the Fund incurred brokerage commissions of $33,134 with Morgan Stanley & Co., Inc., an affiliate of the Investment Manager and Distributor, for portfolio transactions executed on behalf of the Fund.

Morgan Stanley Trust, an affiliate of the Investment Manager and Distributor, is the Fund's transfer agent. At August 31, 2003, the Fund had transfer agent fees and expenses payable of approximately $1,800.

5. Federal Income Tax Status

The amount of dividends and distributions from net investment income and net realized capital gains are determined in accordance with federal income tax regulations which may differ from generally accepted accounting principles. These "book/tax" differences are either considered temporary or permanent in nature. To the extent these differences are permanent in nature, such amounts are reclassified within the capital accounts based on their federal tax-basis treatment; temporary differences do not require reclassification. Dividends and distributions which exceed net investment income and net realized capital gains for tax purposes are reported as distributions of paid-in-capital.

Morgan Stanley Market Leader Trust

Notes to Financial Statements August 31, 2003 continued

As of August 31, 2003, the tax-basis components of accumulated losses were as follows:


Net accumulated earnings	—
Capital loss carryforward*	($167,503,738	)
Post-October losses	(20,972,158	)
Net unrealized depreciation	(4,863,564	)
Total accumulated losses	($193,339,460	)

* As of August 31, 2003, the Fund had a net capital loss carryforward of $167,503,738 of which $1,989,440 will expire on August 31, 2009, $50,201,996 will expire on August 31, 2010 and $115,312,302 will expire on August 31, 2011 to offset future capital gains to the extent provided by regulations.

As of August 31, 2003, the Fund had temporary book/tax differences primarily attributable to post-October losses (capital losses incurred after October 31 within the taxable year which are deemed to arise on the first business day of the Fund's next taxable year) and capital loss deferrals on wash sales and permanent book/tax differences primarily attributable to a net operating loss. To reflect reclassifications arising from the permanent differences, paid-in-capital was charged $1,591,960, accumulated net investment loss was credited $1,565,684 and accumulated net realized loss was credited $26,276.

Morgan Stanley Market Leader Trust

Notes to Financial Statements August 31, 2003 continued

6. Shares of Beneficial Interest

Transactions in shares of beneficial interest were as follows:


	FOR THE YEAR ENDED AUGUST 31, 2003						FOR THE YEAR ENDED AUGUST 31, 2002
	SHARES			AMOUNT			SHARES			AMOUNT
CLASS A SHARES
Sold		389,334		$	4,240,059			866,261		$	12,078,399
Redeemed		(447,235	)		(4,878,798	)		(509,679	)		(6,739,775	)
Net increase (decrease) – Class A		(57,901	)		(638,739	)		356,582			5,338,624
CLASS B SHARES
Sold		2,265,328			23,975,185			8,223,363			110,561,234
Redeemed		(9,927,972	)		(104,230,825	)		(12,086,081	)		(151,443,740	)
Net decrease – Class B		(7,662,644	)		(80,255,640	)		(3,862,718	)		(40,882,506	)
CLASS C SHARES
Sold		259,844			2,753,892			572,267			7,595,805
Redeemed		(533,831	)		(5,630,244	)		(596,346	)		(7,500,261	)
Net increase (decrease) – Class C		(273,987	)		(2,876,352	)		(24,079	)		95,544
CLASS D SHARES
Sold		1,774,719			19,766,086			5,556,719			75,881,081
Redeemed		(2,256,467	)		(24,875,979	)		(2,792,988	)		(37,019,222	)
Net increase (decrease) – Class D		(481,748	)		(5,109,893	)		2,763,731			38,861,859
Net increase (decrease) in Fund		(8,476,280	)	$	(88,880,624	)		(766,484	)	$	3,413,521

7. Purposes of and Risks Relating to Certain Financial Instruments

The Fund may enter into forward contracts to facilitate settlement of foreign currency denominated portfolio transactions or to manage foreign currency exposure associated with foreign currency denominated securities.

To hedge against adverse interest rate, foreign currency and market risks, the Fund may purchase and sell interest rate, currency and index futures contracts ("futures contracts").

Forward contracts and futures contracts involve elements of market risk in excess of the amounts reflected in the Statement of Assets and Liabilities. The Fund bears the risk of an unfavorable change in foreign exchange rates underlying the forward contracts. Risks may also arise upon entering into these contracts from the potential inability of the counterparties to meet the terms of their contracts.

At August 31, 2003, the Fund had no outstanding forward and futures contracts.

Morgan Stanley Market Leader Trust

Financial Highlights

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


	FOR THE YEAR ENDED AUGUST 31,
	2003			2002			2001			2000			1999
Class A Shares
Selected Per Share Data:
Net asset value, beginning of period	$	11.13		$	14.54		$	21.53		$	15.29		$	9.73
Income (loss) from investment operations:
Net investment income (loss)‡		0.02			0.01			0.03			0.02			(0.05	)
Net realized and unrealized gain (loss)		0.83			(3.42	)		(6.67	)		7.05			5.61
Total income (loss) from investment operations		0.85			(3.41	)		(6.64	)		7.07			5.56
Less distributions from net realized gain		—			—			(0.35	)		(0.83	)		—
Net asset value, end of period	$	11.98		$	11.13		$	14.54		$	21.53		$	15.29
Total Return†		7.64	%		(23.45	)%		(31.16	)%		47.49	%		57.14	%
Ratios to Average Net Assets⁽¹⁾:
Expenses		1.24	%		1.20	%		1.13	%		1.18	%		1.23	%
Net investment income (loss)		0.14	%		0.09	%		0.17	%		0.08	%		(0.14)	%
Supplemental Data:
Net assets, end of period, in thousands		$12,226			$11,999			$10,498			$12,677			$971
Portfolio turnover rate		48	%		75	%		60	%		86	%		83	%

‡

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

†

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

(1)

Reflects overall Fund ratios for investment income and non-class specific expenses.

See Notes to Financial Statements

Morgan Stanley Market Leader Trust

Financial Highlights continued


	FOR THE YEAR ENDED AUGUST 31,
	2003			2002			2001			2000			1999
Class B Shares
Selected Per Share Data:
Net asset value, beginning of period	$	10.72		$	14.12		$	21.07		$	15.09		$	9.68
Income (loss) from investment operations:
Net investment loss‡		(0.07	)		(0.09	)		(0.10	)		(0.13	)		(0.12	)
Net realized and unrealized gain (loss)		0.80			(3.31	)		(6.50	)		6.94			5.53
Total income (loss) from investment operations		0.73			(3.40	)		(6.60	)		6.81			5.41
Less distributions from net realized gain		—			—			(0.35	)		(0.83	)		—
Net asset value, end of period	$	11.45		$	10.72		$	14.12		$	21.07		$	15.09
Total Return†		6.81	%		(24.08)	%		(31.65)	%		46.35	%		55.89	%
Ratios to Average Net Assets⁽¹⁾:
Expenses		2.03	%		1.96	%		1.92	%		1.93	%		1.99	%
Net investment loss		(0.65)	%		(0.67)	%		(0.62)	%		(0.67)	%		(0.90)	%
Supplemental Data:
Net assets, end of period, in thousands		$249,418			$315,623			$470,236			$571,733			$189,534
Portfolio turnover rate		48	%		75	%		60	%		86	%		83	%

‡

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

†

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

(1)

Reflects overall Fund ratios for investment income and non-class specific expenses.

See Notes to Financial Statements

Morgan Stanley Market Leader Trust

Financial Highlights continued


	FOR THE YEAR ENDED AUGUST 31,
	2003			2002			2001			2000			1999
Class C Shares
Selected Per Share Data:
Net asset value, beginning of period	$	10.74		$	14.15		$	21.11		$	15.12		$	9.67
Income (loss) from investment operations:
Net investment loss‡		(0.06	)		(0.09	)		(0.10	)		(0.12	)		(0.09	)
Net realized and unrealized gain (loss)		0.79			(3.32	)		(6.51	)		6.94			5.54
Total income (loss) from investment operations		0.73			(3.41	)		(6.61	)		6.82			5.45
Less distributions from net realized gain		—			—			(0.35	)		(0.83	)		—
Net asset value, end of period	$	11.47		$	10.74		$	14.15		$	21.11		$	15.12
Total Return†		6.89	%		(24.10)	%		(31.64)	%		46.33	%		56.36	%
Ratios to Average Net Assets⁽¹⁾:
Expenses		1.99	%		1.96	%		1.92	%		1.93	%		1.75	%
Net investment loss		(0.61)	%		(0.67)	%		(0.62)	%		(0.67)	%		(0.66)	%
Supplemental Data:
Net assets, end of period, in thousands		$14,669			$16,668			$22,299			$22,736			$2,723
Portfolio turnover rate		48	%		75	%		60	%		86	%		83	%

‡

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

†

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

(1)

Reflects overall Fund ratios for investment income and non-class specific expenses.

See Notes to Financial Statements

Morgan Stanley Market Leader Trust

Financial Highlights continued


	FOR THE YEAR ENDED AUGUST 31,
	2003			2002			2001			2000			1999
Class D Shares:
Selected Per Share Data:
Net asset value, beginning of period	$	11.27		$	14.70		$	21.70		$	15.37		$	9.74
Income (loss) from investment operations:
Net investment income‡		0.04			0.04			0.07			0.08			—
Net realized and unrealized gain (loss)		0.85			(3.47	)		(6.72	)		7.08			5.63
Total income (loss) from investment operations		0.89			(3.43	)		(6.65	)		7.16			5.63
Less distributions from net realized gain		—			—			(0.35	)		(0.83	)		—
Net asset value, end of period	$	12.16		$	11.27		$	14.70		$	21.70		$	15.37
Total Return†		7.90	%		(23.33)	%		(30.96)	%		47.84	%		57.80	%
Ratio to Average Net Assets⁽¹⁾:
Expenses		1.03	%		0.96	%		0.92	%		0.93	%		0.99	%
Net investment income		0.35	%		0.33	%		0.38	%		0.33	%		0.10	%
Supplemental Data:
Net assets, end of period, in thousands		$80,616			$80,145			$63,888			$47,819			$554
Portfolio turnover rate		48	%		75	%		60	%		86	%		83	%

‡

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

†

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

(1)

Reflects overall Fund ratios for investment income and non-class specific expenses.

See Notes to Financial Statements

Morgan Stanley Market Leader Trust

Independent Auditors' Report

To the Shareholders and Board of Trustees of
Morgan Stanley Market Leader Trust:

We have audited the accompanying statement of assets and liabilities of Morgan Stanley Market Leader Trust (the "Fund"), including the portfolio of investments, as of August 31, 2003, and the related statements of operations for the year then ended and changes in net assets for each of the two years in the period then ended, and the financial highlights for each of the five years in the period then ended. These financial statements and financial highlights are the responsibility of the Fund's management. Our responsibility is to express an opinion on these financial statements and financial highlights based on our audits.

We conducted our audits in accordance with auditing standards generally accepted in the United States of America. Those standards require that we plan and perform the audit to obtain reasonable assurance about whether the financial statements and financial highlights are free of material misstatement. An audit includes examining, on a test basis, evidence supporting the amounts and disclosures in the financial statements. Our procedures included confirmation of securities owned as of August 31, 2003, by correspondence with the custodian and brokers. An audit also includes assessing the accounting principles used and significant estimates made by management, as well as evaluating the overall financial statement presentation. We believe that our audits provide a reasonable basis for our opinion.

In our opinion, the financial statements and financial highlights referred to above present fairly, in all material respects, the financial position of Morgan Stanley Market Leader Trust as of August 31, 2003, 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 the financial highlights for each of the five years in the period then ended, in conformity with accounting principles generally accepted in the United States of America.

Deloitte & Touche LLP
New York, New York
October 15, 2003

Morgan Stanley Market Leader Trust

Trustee and Officer Information

Independent Trustees:

Name, Age and Address of
Independent Trustee

Position(s) Held with Registrant

Term of
Office and
Length of
Time
Served*

Principal Occupation(s)
During Past 5 Years**

Number of Portfolios
in Fund Complex Overseen by Trustee***

Other Directorships Held by Trustee

Michael Bozic (62)
c/o Mayer, Brown, Rowe & Maw LLP Counsel to the Independent Directors
1675 Broadway
New York, NY

Trustee

Since
April 1994

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

216

Director of Weirton Steel Corporation.

Edwin J. Garn (70)
c/o Summit Ventures LLC
1 Utah Center
201 S. Main Street
Salt Lake City, UT

Trustee

Since January 1993

Director or Trustee of the Retail Funds and TCW/DW Term Trust 2003 (since January 1993) and the Institutional Funds (since July 2003); member of the Utah Regional Advisory Board of Pacific Corp.; formerly United States Senator (R-Utah) (1974-1992) and Chairman, Senate Banking Committee (1980-1986), Mayor of Salt Lake City, Utah (1971-1974), Astronaut, Space Shuttle Discovery (April 12-19, 1985), and Vice Chairman, Huntsman Corporation (chemical company).

216

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

Wayne E. Hedien (69)
c/o Mayer, Brown, Rowe & Maw LLP
Counsel to the Independent Directors
1675 Broadway
New York, NY

Trustee

Since September 1997

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

216

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

Morgan Stanley Market Leader Trust

Trustee and Officer Information continued

Name, Age and Address of
Independent Trustee

Position(s) Held with Registrant

Term of
Office and
Length of
Time
Served*

Principal Occupation(s)
During Past 5 Years**

Number of Portfolios
in Fund Complex Overseen by Trustee***

Other Directorships Held by Trustee

Dr. Manuel H. Johnson (54)
c/o Johnson Smick International, Inc.
2099 Pennsylvania
Avenue, N.W.
Suite 950
Washington, D.C.

Trustee

Since
July 1991

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

216

Director of NVR, Inc. (home construction); Chairman and Trustee of the Financial Accounting Foundation (oversight organization of the Financial Accounting Standards Board); Director of RBS Greenwich Capital Holdings (financial holding company).

Joseph J. Kearns (61)
PMB754
23852 Pacific Coast Highway
Malibu, CA

Trustee

Since
July 2003

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

217

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

Michael E. Nugent (67)
c/o Triumph Capital, L.P.
445 Park Avenue
New York, NY

Trustee

Since
July 1991

Chairman of the Insurance Committee and Director or Trustee of the Retail Funds and TCW/DW Term Trust 2003 (since July 1991) and the Institutional Funds (since July 2001); General Partner of Triumph Capital, L.P., a private investment partnership; formerly Vice President, Bankers Trust Company and BT Capital Corporation (1984-1988).

216

Director of various business organizations.

Fergus Reid (71)
85 Charles Colman Blvd.
Pawling, NY

Trustee

Since
July 2003

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

217

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

Morgan Stanley Market Leader Trust

Trustee and Officer Information continued

Interested Trustees:

Name, Age and Address of
Independent Trustee

Position(s) Held with Registrant

Term of
Office and
Length of
Time
Served*

Principal Occupation(s)
During Past 5 Years**

Number of Portfolios
in Fund Complex Overseen by Trustee***

Other Directorships Held by Trustee

Charles A. Fiumefreddo (70)
c/o Morgan Stanley Trust
Harborside Financial Center,
Plaza Two,
Jersey City, NJ

Chairman of the Board and Trustee

Since
July 1991

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

216

None

James F. Higgins (55)
c/o Morgan Stanley Trust
Harborside Financial Center,
Plaza Two,
Jersey City, NJ

Trustee

Since
June 2000

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

216

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

Philip J. Purcell (59)
1585 Broadway
New York, NY

Trustee

Since
April 1994

Director or Trustee of the Retail Funds and TCW/DW Term Trust 2003 (since April 1994) and the Institutional Funds (since July 2003); Chairman of the Board of Directors and Chief Executive Officer of Morgan Stanley and Morgan Stanley DW Inc.; Director of the Distributor; Chairman of the Board of Directors and Chief Executive Officer of Novus Credit Services Inc.; Director and/or officer of various Morgan Stanley subsidiaries.

216

Director of American Airlines, Inc. and its parent company, AMR Corporation.

This is the earliest date the Trustee began serving the funds advised by Morgan Stanley Investment Advisors Inc. (the "Investment Manager") (the "Retail Funds").

The dates referenced below indicating commencement of services as Director/Trustee for the Retail Funds and the funds advised by Morgan Stanley Investment Management Inc., Morgan Stanley Investments LP and Morgan Stanley AIP GP LP (the "Institutional Funds") reflect the earliest date the Director/Trustee began serving the Retail or Institutional Funds as applicable.

***

The Fund Complex includes all open-end and closed-end funds (including all of their portfolios) advised by the Investment Manager and any funds that have an investment advisor that is an affiliated person of the Investment Manager (including but not limited to Morgan Stanley Investment Management Inc. and Morgan Stanley Investments LP).

Morgan Stanley Market Leader Trust

Trustee and Officer Information continued

Officers:

Name, Age and Address of
Executive Officer

Position(s)
Held with
Registrant

Term of
Office and
Length of
Time
Served*

Principal Occupation(s) During Past 5 Years**

Mitchell M. Merin (50)
1221 Avenue of the Americas
New York, NY

President

Since May 1999

President and Chief Operating Officer of Morgan Stanley Investment Management Inc.; President, Director and Chief Executive Officer of the Investment Manager and Morgan Stanley Services; Chairman, Chief Executive Officer and Director of the Distributor; Chairman and Director of the Transfer Agent; Director of various Morgan Stanley subsidiaries; President Morgan Stanley Investments LP (since February 2003); President of the Institutional Funds (since July 2003) and President of the Retail Funds and TCW/DW Term Trust 2003 (since May 1999); Trustee (since July 2003) and President (since December 2002) of the Van Kampen Closed-End Funds; Trustee (since May 1999) and President (since October 2002) of the Van Kampen Open-End Funds.

Ronald E. Robison (64)
1221 Avenue of the Americas
New York, NY

Executive Vice President and Principal Executive Officer

Since April 2003

Chief Global Operations Officer and Managing Director of Morgan Stanley Investment Management Inc.; Managing Director of Morgan Stanley & Co. Incorporated; Managing Director of Morgan Stanley; Managing Director, Chief Administrative Officer and Director of the Investment Manager and Morgan Stanley Services; Chief Executive Officer and Director of the Transfer Agent; Executive Vice President and Principal Executive Officer of the Institutional Funds (since July 2003); and the TCW/DW Term Trust 2003 (since April 2003); previously President of the Institutional Funds (March 2001-July 2003) and Director of the Institutional Funds (March 2001-July 2003).

Barry Fink (48)
1221 Avenue of the Americas
New York, NY

Vice President and General Counsel

Since
February 1997

General Counsel (since May 2000) and Managing Director (since December 2000) of Morgan Stanley Investment Management; Managing Director (since December 2000), Secretary (since February 1997) and Director (since July 1998) of the Investment Manager and Morgan Stanley Services; Assistant Secretary of Morgan Stanley DW; Chief Legal Officer of Morgan Stanley Investments LP (since July 2002); Vice President of the Institutional Funds (since July 2003); Vice President and Secretary of the Distributor; previously Secretary of the Retail Funds (February 1997-July 2003); previously Vice President and Assistant General Counsel of the Investment Manager and Morgan Stanley Services (February 1997-December 2001).

Joseph J. McAlinden (60)
1221 Avenue of the Americas
New York, NY

Vice President

Since July 1995

Managing Director and Chief Investment Officer of the Investment Manager, Morgan Stanley Investment Management Inc. and Morgan Stanley Investments LP; Director of the Transfer Agent, Chief Investment Officer of the Van Kampen Funds; Vice President of the Institutional Funds (since July 2003) and the Retail Funds (since July 1995).

Stefanie V. Chang (36)
1221 Avenue of the Americas
New York, NY

Vice President

Since July 2003

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

Morgan Stanley Market Leader Trust

Trustee and Officer Information continued

Name, Age and Address of
Executive Officer

Position(s)
Held with
Registrant

Term of
Office and
Length of
Time
Served*

Principal Occupation(s) During Past 5 Years**

Francis Smith (38)
c/o Morgan Stanley Trust
Harborside Financial Center,
Plaza Two,
Jersey City, NJ

Treasurer and Chief Financial Officer

Treasurer since July 2003 and Chief Financial Officer since September 2002

Executive Director of the Investment Manager and Morgan Stanley Services (since December 2001); previously Vice President of the Retail Funds (September 2002-July 2003); previously Vice President of the Investment Manager and Morgan Stanley Services (August 2000-November 2001) and Senior Manager at PricewaterhouseCoopers LLP (January 1998-August 2000).

Thomas F. Caloia (57)
c/o Morgan Stanley Trust
Harborside Financial Center,
Plaza Two,
Jersey City, NJ

Vice President

Since July 2003

Executive Director (since December 2002) and Assistant Treasurer of the Investment Manager, the Distributor and Morgan Stanley Services; previously Treasurer of the Retail Funds (April 1989-July 2003); formerly First Vice President of the Investment Manager, the Distributor and Morgan Stanley Services.

Mary E. Mullin (36)
1221 Avenue of the Americas
New York, NY

Secretary

Since July 2003

Vice President of Morgan Stanley & Co. Incorporated and Morgan Stanley Investment Management Inc.; Secretary of the Institutional Funds (since June 1999) and the Retail Funds (since July 2003); formerly practiced law with the New York law firms of McDermott, Will & Emery and Skadden, Arps, Slate, Meagher & Flom LLP.

This is the earliest date the Officer began serving the Retail Funds. Each Officer serves an indefinite term, until his or her successor is elected.

The dates referenced below indicating commencement of service as an Officer for the Retail and Institutional Funds reflect the earliest date the Officer began serving the Retail or Institutional Funds as applicable.


Trustees Michael Bozic Charles A. Fiumefreddo Edwin J. Garn Wayne E. Hedien James F. Higgins Dr. Manuel H. Johnson Joseph J. Kearns Michael E. Nugent Philip J. Purcell Fergus Reid Officers Charles A. Fiumefreddo Chairman of the Board Mitchell M. Merin President Ronald E. Robison Executive Vice President and Principal Executive Officer Barry Fink Vice President and General Counsel Joseph J. McAlinden Vice President Stefanie V. Chang Vice President Francis Smith Treasurer and Chief Financial Officer Thomas F. Caloia Vice President Mary E. Mullin Secretary Transfer Agent Morgan Stanley Trust Harborside Financial Center, Plaza Two Jersey City, New Jersey 07311 Independent Auditors Deloitte & Touche LLP Two World Financial Center New York, New York 10281 Investment Manager Morgan Stanley Investment Advisors Inc. 1221 Avenue of the Americas New York, New York 10020 This report is submitted for the general information of the shareholders of the Fund. For more detailed information about the Fund, its fees and expenses and other pertinent information, please read its Prospectus. The Fund's Statement of Additional Information contains additional information about the Fund, including its trustees. It is available, without charge, by calling (800) 869-NEWS. This report is not authorized for distribution to prospective investors in the Fund unless preceded or accompanied by an effective Prospectus. Read the Prospectus carefully before investing. Investments and services offered through Morgan Stanley DW Inc., member SIPC. Morgan Stanley Distributors Inc., member NASD. © 2003 Morgan Stanley 36004RPT-12326I03-AP-9/03		MORGAN STANLEY FUNDS
		Morgan Stanley Market Leader Trust Annual Report August 31, 2003





Item 2.  Code of Ethics.

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

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

(c) The Fund has amended its Code of Ethics during the period covered by the
shareholder report presented in Item 1 hereto

(d) The Fund has granted a waiver or an implicit waiver from a provision of its
Code of Ethics.

(e) Not applicable.

(f)

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

         (2)      Not applicable.

         (3)      Not applicable.



Item 3.  Audit Committee Financial Expert.

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







Item 9 - Controls and Procedures

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

    There were no significant changes or corrective actions with regard to
significant deficiencies or material weaknesses in the Fund's internal controls
or in other factors that could significantly affect the Fund's internal controls
subsequent to the date of their evaluation.


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
































                                       2



Item 10 Exhibits

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

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

Items 4 - 8  are not applicable


                                   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 Market Leader Trust
Ronald E. Robison
Principal Executive Officer
October 20, 2003

         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.

Ronald E. Robison
Principal Executive Officer
October 20, 2003

Francis Smith
Principal Financial Officer
October 20, 2003





























                                       3




                                                                    EXHIBIT 10 A

      CODE OF ETHICS FOR PRINCIPAL EXECUTIVE AND SENIOR FINANCIAL OFFICERS
                              ADOPTED JULY 31, 2003



I.       This Code of Ethics (the "Code") for the investment companies within
         the Morgan Stanley complex identified in Exhibit A (collectively,
         "Funds" and each, a "Fund") applies to each Fund's Principal Executive
         Officer, President, Principal Financial Officer and Treasurer (or
         persons performing similar functions) ("Covered Officers" each of whom
         are set forth in Exhibit B) for the purpose of promoting:

         o        honest and ethical conduct, including the ethical handling of
                  actual or apparent conflicts of interest between personal and
                  professional relationships.

         o        full, fair, accurate, timely and understandable disclosure in
                  reports and documents that a company files with, or submits
                  to, the Securities and Exchange Commission ("SEC") and in
                  other public communications made by the Fund;

         o        compliance with applicable laws and governmental rules and
                  regulations;

         o        prompt internal reporting of violations of the Code to an
                  appropriate person or persons identified in the Code; and

         o        accountability for adherence to the Code.

                  Each Covered Officer should adhere to a high standard of
business ethics and should be sensitive to situations that may give rise to
actual as well as apparent conflicts of interest. Any question about the
application of the Code should be referred to the General Counsel or his/her
designee (who is set forth in Exhibit C).










                                       4


II.      COVERED OFFICERS SHOULD HANDLE ETHICALLY ACTUAL AND APPARENT CONFLICTS
         OF INTEREST

         OVERVIEW. A "conflict of interest" occurs when a Covered Officer's
private interest interferes, or appears to interfere, with the interests of, or
his service to, the Fund. For example, a conflict of interest would arise if a
Covered Officer, or a member of his family, receives improper personal benefits
as a result of his position with the Fund.

         Certain conflicts of interest arise out of the relationships between
Covered Officers and the Fund and already are subject to conflict of interest
provisions in the Investment Company Act of 1940 ("Investment Company Act") and
the Investment Advisers Act of 1940 ("Investment Advisers Act"). For example,
Covered Officers may not individually engage in certain transactions (such as
the purchase or sale of securities or other property) with the Fund because of
their status as "affiliated persons" (as defined in the Investment Company Act)
of the Fund. The Fund's and its investment adviser's compliance programs and
procedures are designed to prevent, or identify and correct, violations of these
provisions. This Code does not, and is not intended to, repeat or replace these
programs and procedures, and such conflicts fall outside the parameters of this
Code, unless or until the General Counsel determines that any violation of such
programs and procedures is also a violation of this Code.

         Although typically not presenting an opportunity for improper personal
benefit, conflicts may arise from, or as a result of, the contractual
relationship between the Fund and its investment adviser of which the Covered
Officers are also officers or employees. As a result, this Code recognizes that
the Covered Officers will, in the normal course of their duties (whether
formally for the Fund or for the investment adviser, or for both), be involved
in establishing policies and implementing decisions that will have different
effects on the Fund and its investment adviser. The participation of the Covered
Officers in such activities is inherent in the contractual relationship between
the Fund and the investment adviser and is consistent with the performance by
the Covered Officers of their duties as officers of the Fund. Thus, if performed
in conformity with the provisions of the Investment Company Act and the
Investment Advisers Act, such activities will be deemed to have been handled
ethically. In addition, it is recognized by the Funds' Boards of
Directors/Trustees ("Boards") that the Covered Officers may also be officers or
employees of one or more other investment companies covered by this or other
codes.

         Other conflicts of interest are covered by the Code, even if such
conflicts of interest are not subject to provisions in the Investment Company
Act and the Investment Advisers Act. The following list provides examples of
conflicts of interest under the Code, but Covered Officers should keep in mind
that these examples are not exhaustive. The overarching principle is that the
personal interest of a Covered Officer should not be placed improperly before
the interest of the Fund.

         Each Covered Officer must not:

         o        use his personal influence or personal relationships
                  improperly to influence investment decisions or financial
                  reporting by the Fund whereby the Covered Officer would
                  benefit personally (directly or indirectly) to the detriment
                  of the Fund;

                                       5


         o        cause the Fund to take action, or fail to take action, for the
                  individual personal benefit of the Covered Officer rather than
                  the benefit of the Fund; or

         o        use material non-public knowledge of portfolio transactions
                  made or contemplated for, or actions proposed to be taken by,
                  the Fund to trade personally or cause others to trade
                  personally in contemplation of the market effect of such
                  transactions.

         Each Covered Officer must, at the time of signing this Code, report to
the General Counsel all affiliations or significant business relationships
outside the Morgan Stanley complex and must update the report annually.

         Conflict of interest situations should always be approved by the
General Counsel and communicated to the relevant Fund or Fund's Board. Any
activity or relationship that would present such a conflict for a Covered
Officer would likely also present a conflict for the Covered Officer if an
immediate member of the Covered Officer's family living in the same household
engages in such an activity or has such a relationship. Examples of these
include:

         o        service or significant business relationships as a director on
                  the board of any public or private company;

         o        accepting directly or indirectly, anything of value, including
                  gifts and gratuities in excess of $100 per year from any
                  person or entity with which the Fund has current or
                  prospective business dealings, not including occasional meals
                  or tickets for theatre or sporting events or other similar
                  entertainment; provided it is business-related, reasonable in
                  cost, appropriate as to time and place, and not so frequent as
                  to raise any question of impropriety;

         o        any ownership interest in, or any consulting or employment
                  relationship with, any of the Fund's service providers, other
                  than its investment adviser, principal underwriter, or any
                  affiliated person thereof; and

         o        a direct or indirect financial interest in commissions,
                  transaction charges or spreads paid by the Fund for effecting
                  portfolio transactions or for selling or redeeming shares
                  other than an interest arising from the Covered Officer's
                  employment, such as compensation or equity ownership.

III.     DISCLOSURE AND COMPLIANCE

         o        Each Covered Officer should familiarize himself/herself with
                  the disclosure and compliance requirements generally
                  applicable to the Funds;

         o        each Covered Officer must not knowingly misrepresent, or cause
                  others to misrepresent, facts about the Fund to others,
                  whether within or outside the


                                       6


                  Fund, including to the Fund's Directors/Trustees and auditors,
                  or to governmental regulators and self-regulatory
                  organizations;

         o        each Covered Officer should, to the extent appropriate within
                  his area of responsibility, consult with other officers and
                  employees of the Funds and their investment advisers with the
                  goal of promoting full, fair, accurate, timely and
                  understandable disclosure in the reports and documents the
                  Funds file with, or submit to, the SEC and in other public
                  communications made by the Funds; and

         o        it is the responsibility of each Covered Officer to promote
                  compliance with the standards and restrictions imposed by
                  applicable laws, rules and regulations.

IV.      REPORTING AND ACCOUNTABILITY

         Each Covered Officer must:

         o        upon adoption of the Code (thereafter as applicable, upon
                  becoming a Covered Officer), affirm in writing to the Boards
                  that he has received, read and understands the Code;

         o        annually thereafter affirm to the Boards that he has complied
                  with the requirements of the Code;

         o        not retaliate against any other Covered Officer, other officer
                  or any employee of the Funds or their affiliated persons for
                  reports of potential violations that are made in good faith;
                  and

         o        notify the General Counsel promptly if he/she knows or
                  suspects of any violation of this Code. Failure to do so is
                  itself a violation of this Code.

         The General Counsel is responsible for applying this Code to specific
situations in which questions are presented under it and has the authority to
interpret this Code in any particular situation. However, any waivers(1) sought
by a Covered Officer must be considered by the Board of the relevant Fund or
Funds.

         The Funds will follow these procedures in investigating and enforcing
this Code:

         o        the General Counsel will take all appropriate action to
                  investigate any potential violations reported to
                  him;

-----------------
(1)      Item 2 of Form N-CSR defines "waiver" as "the approval by the
         registrant of a material departure from a provision of the code of
         ethics."


                                       7


         o        if, after such investigation, the General Counsel believes
                  that no violation has occurred, the General Counsel is not
                  required to take any further action;

         o        any matter that the General Counsel believes is a violation
                  will be reported to the relevant Fund's Audit Committee;

         o        if the directors/trustees/managing general partners who are
                  not "interested persons" as defined by the Investment Company
                  Act (the "Independent Directors/Trustees/Managing General
                  Partners") of the relevant Fund concur that a violation has
                  occurred, they will consider appropriate action, which may
                  include review of, and appropriate modifications to,
                  applicable policies and procedures; notification to
                  appropriate personnel of the investment adviser or its board;
                  or a recommendation to dismiss the Covered Officer or other
                  appropriate disciplinary actions;

         o        the Independent Directors/Trustees/Managing General Partners
                  of the relevant Fund will be responsible for granting waivers
                  of this Code, as appropriate; and

         o        any changes to or waivers of this Code will, to the extent
                  required, be disclosed as provided by SEC rules.

V.       OTHER POLICIES AND PROCEDURES

         This Code shall be the sole code of ethics adopted by the Funds for
purposes of Section 406 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002 and the rules and
forms applicable to registered investment companies thereunder. Insofar as other
policies or procedures of the Funds, the Funds' investment advisers, principal
underwriters, or other service providers govern or purport to govern the
behavior or activities of the Covered Officers who are subject to this Code,
they are superseded by this Code to the extent that they overlap or conflict
with the provisions of this Code unless any provision of this Code conflicts
with any applicable federal or state law, in which case the requirements of such
law will govern. The Funds' and their investment advisers' and principal
underwriters' codes of ethics under Rule 17j-1 under the Investment Company Act
and Morgan Stanley's Code of Ethics are separate requirements applying to the
Covered Officers and others, and are not part of this Code.

VI.      AMENDMENTS

         Any amendments to this Code, other than amendments to Exhibits A, B

 or C, must be approved or ratified by a majority vote of the Board of each
Fund, including a majority of Independent Directors/Trustees/Managing General
Partners.


                                       8


VII.     CONFIDENTIALITY

         All reports and records prepared or maintained pursuant to this Code
will be considered confidential and shall be maintained and protected
accordingly. Except as otherwise required by law or this Code, such matters
shall not be disclosed to anyone other than the Independent
Directors/Trustees/Managing General Partners of the relevant Fund or Funds and
their counsel, the relevant Fund or Funds and their counsel and the relevant
investment adviser and its counsel.
































                                       9





VIII.    INTERNAL USE

         The Code is intended solely for the internal use by the Funds and does
not constitute an admission, by or on behalf of any Fund, as to any fact,
circumstance, or legal conclusion



I have read and understand the terms of the above Code. I recognize the
responsibilities and obligations incurred by me as a result of my being subject
to the Code. I hereby agree to abide by the above Code.


__________________________

Date:_____________________



























                                       10





                                    EXHIBIT B

                               INSTITUTIONAL FUNDS
                                COVERED OFFICERS

                          Mitchell M. Merin - President
  Ronald E. Robison - Executive Vice President and Principal Executive Officer
            James W. Garrett - Chief Financial Officer and Treasurer

                                  RETAIL FUNDS
                                COVERED OFFICERS

                          Mitchell M. Merin - President
  Ronald E. Robison - Executive Vice President and Principal Executive Officer
               Frank Smith - Chief Financial Officer and Treasurer






























                                       11





                                    EXHIBIT C

                                 GENERAL COUNSEL

                                   Barry Fink








































                                       12




                                                                   EXHIBIT 10 B1

                  CERTIFICATION OF PRINCIPAL EXECUTIVE OFFICER

                                 CERTIFICATIONS

I, Ronald E. Robison, certify that:

         1.       I have reviewed this report on Form N-CSR of Morgan Stanley
                  Market Leader Trust,

         2.       Based on my knowledge, this report does not contain any untrue
                  statement of a material fact or omit to state a material fact
                  necessary to make the statements made, in light of the
                  circumstances under which such statements were made, not
                  misleading with respect to the period covered by this report;

         3.       Based on my knowledge, the financial statements, and other
                  financial information included in this report, fairly present
                  in all material respects the financial condition, results of
                  operations, changes in net assets, and cash flows (if the
                  financial statements are required to include a statement of
                  cash flows) of the registrant as of, and for, the periods
                  presented in this report;

         4.       The registrant's other certifying officers and I are
                  responsible for establishing and maintaining disclosure
                  controls and procedures (as defined in Rule 30a-2(c) under the
                  Investment Company Act of 1940) for the registrant and have:

         a)       designed such disclosure controls and procedures to ensure
                  that material information relating to the registrant,
                  including its consolidated subsidiaries, is made known to us
                  by others within those entities, particularly during the
                  period in which this report is being prepared;

         b)       evaluated the effectiveness of the registrant's disclosure
                  controls and procedures as of a date within 90 days prior to
                  the filing date of this report (the "Evaluation Date"); and

         c)       presented in this report our conclusions about the
                  effectiveness of the disclosure controls and procedures based
                  on our evaluation as of the Evaluation Date;

         5.       The registrant's other certifying officers and I have
                  disclosed, based on our most recent evaluation, to the
                  registrant's auditors and the audit committee of the
                  registrant's board of directors (or persons performing the
                  equivalent functions):

                                       13


         a)       all significant deficiencies in the design or operation of
                  internal controls which could adversely affect the
                  registrant's ability to record, process, summarize, and report
                  financial data and have identified for the registrant's
                  auditors any material weaknesses in internal controls; and

         b)       any fraud, whether or not material, that involves management
                  or other employees who have a significant role in the
                  registrant's internal controls; and

         6.       The registrant's other certifying officers and I have
                  indicated in this report whether or not there were significant
                  changes in internal controls or in other factors that could
                  significantly affect internal controls subsequent to the date
                  of our most recent evaluation, including any corrective
                  actions with regard to significant deficiencies and material
                  weaknesses.

         Date: October 20, 2003



                                                    Ronald E. Robison

                                                    Principal Executive Officer






















                                       14



                                                                   EXHIBIT 10 B2

                  CERTIFICATION OF PRINCIPAL FINANCIAL OFFICER

                                 CERTIFICATIONS

I, Francis Smith, certify that:

         1.       I have reviewed this report on Form N-CSR of Morgan Stanley
                  Market Leader Trust;

         2.       Based on my knowledge, this report does not contain any untrue
                  statement of a material fact or omit to state a material fact
                  necessary to make the statements made, in light of the
                  circumstances under which such statements were made, not
                  misleading with respect to the period covered by this report;

         3.       Based on my knowledge, the financial statements, and other
                  financial information included in this report, fairly present
                  in all material respects the financial condition, results of
                  operations, changes in net assets, and cash flows (if the
                  financial statements are required to include a statement of
                  cash flows) of the registrant as of, and for, the periods
                  presented in this report;

         4.       The registrant's other certifying officers and I are
                  responsible for establishing and maintaining disclosure
                  controls and procedures (as defined in Rule 30a-2(c) under the
                  Investment Company Act of 1940) for the registrant and have:

         (i)      designed such disclosure controls and procedures to ensure
                  that material information relating to the registrant,
                  including its consolidated subsidiaries, is made known to us
                  by others within those entities, particularly during the
                  period in which this report is being prepared;

         (ii)     evaluated the effectiveness of the registrant's disclosure
                  controls and procedures as of a date within 90 days prior to
                  the filing date of this report (the "Evaluation Date"); and

         (iii)    presented in this report our conclusions about the
                  effectiveness of the disclosure controls and procedures based
                  on our evaluation as of the Evaluation Date;

         5.       The registrant's other certifying officers and I have
                  disclosed, based on our most recent evaluation, to the
                  registrant's auditors and the audit committee of the
                  registrant's board of directors (or persons performing the
                  equivalent functions):

                                       15


         a)       all significant deficiencies in the design or operation of
                  internal controls which could adversely affect the
                  registrant's ability to record, process, summarize, and report
                  financial data and have identified for the registrant's
                  auditors any material weaknesses in internal controls; and

         b)       any fraud, whether or not material, that involves management
                  or other employees who have a significant role in the
                  registrant's internal controls; and

         6.       The registrant's other certifying officers and I have
                  indicated in this report whether or not there were significant
                  changes in internal controls or in other factors that could
                  significantly affect internal controls subsequent to the date
                  of our most recent evaluation, including any corrective
                  actions with regard to significant deficiencies and material
                  weaknesses.

         Date: October 20, 2003



                                                     Francis Smith

                                                     Principal Financial Officer















                                       16




                            SECTION 906 CERTIFICATION

                Certification Pursuant to 18 U.S.C. Section 1350,
                             As Adopted Pursuant to
                  Section 906 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002

Morgan Stanley Market Leader Trust

         In connection with the Report on Form N-CSR (the "Report") of the
above-named issuer for the period ended August 31, 2003 that is accompanied by
this certification, the undersigned hereby certifies that:

1.       The Report fully complies with the requirements of Section 13(a) or
         15(d) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934; and

2.       The information contained in the Report fairly presents, in all
         material respects, the financial condition and results of operations of
         the Issuer.



Date: October 20, 2003                               Ronald E. Robison
                                                     Principal Executive Officer


A signed original of this written statement required by Section 906 has been
provided to Morgan Stanley Market Leader Trust and will be retained by Morgan
Stanley Market Leader Trust and furnished to the Securities and Exchange
Commission or its staff upon request.












                                       17


                            SECTION 906 CERTIFICATION

                Certification Pursuant to 18 U.S.C. Section 1350,
                             As Adopted Pursuant to
                  Section 906 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002

Morgan Stanley Market Leader Trust

         In connection with the Report on Form N-CSR (the "Report") of the
above-named issuer for the period ended August 31, 2003 that is accompanied by
this certification, the undersigned hereby certifies that:

1.       The Report fully complies with the requirements of Section 13(a) or
         15(d) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934; and

2.       The information contained in the Report fairly presents, in all
         material respects, the financial condition and results of operations of
         the Issuer.



Date: October 20, 2003                               Francis Smith
                                                     Principal Financial Officer


A signed original of this written statement required by Section 906 has been
provided to Morgan Stanley Market Leader Trust and will be retained by Morgan
Stanley Market Leader Trust and furnished to the Securities and Exchange
Commission or its staff upon request.





                                       18