N-CSR 1 a08-6368_1ncsr.htm N-CSR

 

UNITED STATES

SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION

Washington, D.C. 20549

 

FORM N-CSR

 

CERTIFIED SHAREHOLDER REPORT OF REGISTERED
MANAGEMENT INVESTMENT COMPANIES

 

Investment Company Act file number

811-03326

 

Morgan Stanley U.S. Government Money Market Trust

(Exact name of registrant as specified in charter)

 

522 Fifth Avenue, New York, New York

 

10036

(Address of principal executive offices)

 

(Zip code)

 

Ronald E. Robison

522 Fifth Avenue, New York, New York 10036

(Name and address of agent for service)

 

Registrant’s telephone number, including area code:

212-296-6990

 

 

Date of fiscal year end:

January 31, 2008

 

 

Date of reporting period:

January 31, 2008

 

 



 

Item 1 - Report to Shareholders

 



Welcome, Shareholder:

In this report, you'll learn about how your investment in Morgan Stanley U.S. Government Money Market 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 a mutual fund will achieve its investment objective. An investment in a money market fund is not insured or guaranteed by the Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation or any other government agency. Although the fund seeks to preserve the value of an investment at $1.00 per share, it is possible to lose money by investing in the fund. Please see the prospectus for more complete information on investment risks.



Fund Report

For the year ended January 31, 2008

Market Conditions

Throughout most of the fiscal period under review, the majority of home sales and housing-related statistics were consistently lower than expected. New home sales for the month of November reached the lowest level since April 1995. U.S. economic growth, as measured by gross domestic product (GDP), rose 4.9 percent in the third quarter of 2007, well above the 3.8 percent and 0.7 percent posted during the second and first quarter of 2007, respectively. However, for the fourth quarter GDP expanded just 0.6 percent. Consumer confidence fell in January, and was only slightly above the November reading, its lowest level in two years. High energy costs, volatile financial markets and weak housing conditions all contributed to the decline in consumer confidence.

Financial markets grew increasingly volatile during the second half of 2007 as the fallout from the troubles in the subprime mortgage sector spread across the broader fixed income and lending markets. Citing deteriorating financial market conditions and the negative impact that tighter credit conditions could have in restraining economic growth, the Federal Open Market Committee (the "Fed") reduced its federal funds target rate 50 basis points in September, with additional reductions of 25 basis points in both October and December. At its December meeting, the Fed noted that strains in financial markets had increased in recent weeks and that incoming data suggested economic growth was slowing. On December 12, seeking to further improve credit market liquidity, the Fed announced the creation of a Term Auction Facility (TAF) whereby term funds would be auctioned to depository institutions against a wide variety of collateral. TAF auctions are likely to continue for as long as credit market conditions warrant.

In January, the Fed further reduced the federal funds target rate by 75 basis points on January 22 in a rare inter-meeting rate cut and another 50 basis points eight days later at the scheduled January 30 meeting, bringing the rate to 3.00 percent. The Fed noted that "financial markets remain under considerable stress, and credit has tightened further for some businesses and households". They also noted that concern remained about the impact on the U.S. economy from the contraction in housing and some softening in the labor markets.

Performance Analysis

As of January 31, 2008, Morgan Stanley U.S. Government Money Market Trust had net assets of approximately $920 million and an average portfolio maturity of 63 days. For the 12-month period ended January 31, 2008, the Fund provided a total return of 4.50 percent. For the seven-day period ended January 31, 2008, the Fund provided an effective annualized yield of 3.56 percent and a current yield of 3.50 percent, while its 30-day moving average yield for January was 3.77 percent. Past performance is no guarantee of future results.

Our strategy in managing the Fund remained consistent with its long-term focus on preservation of capital and liquidity. We attempt to conservatively manage the portfolio by purchasing high-quality Federal Agency obligations and overnight repurchase agreements. Over the past several months, we sought to maintain the


2



Fund's weighted average maturity primarily in the high-50 to low-60 day range given our expectation that the Fed will continue to reduce its target federal funds rate in order to improve credit market liquidity and to help insure that housing market deterioration will not spillover into the broader economy.

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.

PORTFOLIO COMPOSITION  
US Government Agencies — Floating Rate Notes     33.9 %  
US Government Agencies — Discount Notes     23.8    
US Government Agencies — Debenture Bonds     23.1    
Repurchase Agreements     19.2    
MATURITY SCHEDULE  
30 Days     62.8 %  
31 60 Days     13.4    
61 90 Days     5.8    
91 120 Days     0.8    
121 Days     17.2    

 

Data as of January 31, 2008. Subject to change daily. All percentages for portfolio composition and maturity schedule are as a percentage of total investments. These data are provided for informational purposes only and should not be deemed a recommendation to buy or sell 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

The Fund will invest in high quality, short-term U.S. government securities. The Fund's "Investment Adviser," Morgan Stanley Investment Advisors Inc., seeks to maintain the Fund's share price at $1.00. The share price remaining stable at $1.00 means that the Fund would preserve the principal value of your investment.

An investment in the Fund is not insured or guaranteed by the Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation or any other government agency. Although the Fund seeks to preserve the value of your investment at $1.00 per share, it is possible to lose money by investing in the Fund.

For More Information About Portfolio Holdings

Each Morgan Stanley fund provides a complete schedule of portfolio holdings in its semiannual and annual reports within 60 days of the end of the fund's second and fourth fiscal quarters. The semiannual reports and the annual reports are filed electronically with the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) on Form N-CSRS and Form N-CSR, respectively. Morgan Stanley also delivers the semiannual and annual reports to fund shareholders and makes these reports available on its public web site, www.morganstanley.com. Each Morgan Stanley fund also files a complete schedule of portfolio holdings with the SEC for the fund's first and third fiscal quarters on Form N-Q. Morgan Stanley does not deliver the reports for the first and third fiscal quarters to shareholders, nor are the reports posted to the Morgan Stanley public web site. You may, however, obtain the Form N-Q filings (as well as the Form N-CSR and N-CSRS filings) by accessing the SEC's web site, http://www.sec.gov. You may also


3



review and copy them at the SEC's public reference room in Washington, DC. Information on the operation of the SEC's public reference room may be obtained by calling the SEC at (800) SEC-0330. You can also request copies of these materials, upon payment of a duplicating fee, by electronic request at the SEC's e-mail address (publicinfo@sec.gov) or by writing the public reference section of the SEC, Washington, DC 20549-0102.

Householding Notice

To reduce printing and mailing costs, the Fund attempts to eliminate duplicate mailings to the same address. The Fund delivers a single copy of certain shareholder documents, including shareholder reports, prospectuses and proxy materials, to investors with the same last name who reside at the same address. Your participation in this program will continue for an unlimited period of time unless you instruct us otherwise. You can request multiple copies of these documents by calling (800) 869-NEWS, 8:00 a.m. to 8:00 p.m., ET. Once our Customer Service Center has received your instructions, we will begin sending individual copies for each account within 30 days.


4




Expense Example

As a shareholder of the Fund, you incur ongoing costs, including advisory fees; distribution and shareholder servicing 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.

The example is based on an investment of $1,000 invested at the beginning of the period and held for the entire period 08/01/07 – 01/31/08.

Actual Expenses

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

Hypothetical Example for Comparison Purposes

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

Please note that the expenses shown in the table are meant to highlight your ongoing costs only. Therefore, the second line of the table is useful in comparing ongoing costs, and will not help you determine the relative total cost of owning different funds that have transactional costs, such as sales charges (loads), and redemption fees, or exchange fees.

    Beginning
Account Value
  Ending
Account Value
  Expenses Paid
During Period *
 
    08/01/07   01/31/08   08/01/07 –
01/31/08
 
Actual (2.15% return)   $ 1,000.00     $ 1,021.50     $ 3.82    
Hypothetical (5% annual return before expenses)   $ 1,000.00     $ 1,021.42     $ 3.82    

 

*  Expenses are equal to the Fund's annualized expense ratio of 0.75% multiplied by the average account value over the period, multiplied by 184**/365 (to reflect the one-half year period).

**  Adjusted to reflect non-business days accruals.


5




Morgan Stanley U.S. Government Money Market Trust

Portfolio of Investments  n  January 31, 2008


PRINCIPAL
AMOUNT IN
THOUSANDS
 


DESCRIPTION
  ANNUALIZED
YIELD
ON DATE OF
PURCHASE
  MATURITY
DATE
  VALUE  
    U.S. Government Agencies - Floating Rate Notes (34.8%)  
$ 63,000     Federal Farm Credit Banks     3.06 - 3.91 †%   02/01/08 - 02/27/08*   $ 63,000,715    
  216,600     Federal Home Loan Banks     2.97 - 5.12   02/01/08 - 04/24/08*     216,595,165    
  30,000     Federal Home Loan Mortgage Corp.     4.67   03/30/08*     29,988,283    
  10,000     Federal National Mortgage Assoc.     3.10   04/09/08*     10,000,000    
        Total U.S. Government Agencies - Floating Rate Notes
(Cost $319,584,163)
                319,584,163    
    U.S. Government Agencies - Discount Notes (24.4%)  
  214,700     Federal Home Loan Banks     2.00 - 5.09     02/01/08 - 03/19/08     214,546,230    
  10,000     Federal National Mortgage Assoc.     4.29     03/12/08     9,952,834    
        Total U.S. Government Agencies - Discount Notes
(Cost $224,499,064)
                224,499,064    
    U.S. Government Agencies - Debenture Bonds (23.6%)  
  183,570     Federal Home Loan Banks     2.75 - 5.24     02/08/08 - 01/29/09     183,520,474    
  17,662     Federal Home Loan Mortgage Corp.     4.09 - 5.24     02/25/08 - 01/09/09     17,615,792    
  16,284     Federal National Mortgage Assoc.     3.11 - 5.23     02/01/08 - 06/09/08     16,212,380    
        Total U.S. Government Agencies - Debenture Bonds
(Cost $217,348,646)
                217,348,646    
    Repurchase Agreements (19.6%)  
  10,000     Bank of America Securities Inc. (dated
02/01/08; proceeds $10,050,833)
    3.00     04/02/08     10,000,000    
  93,560     Barclays Capital Inc. (dated 01/31/08;
proceeds $93,567,797) (a)
    3.00     02/01/08     93,560,000    
  10,000     Barclays Capital Inc. (dated 11/21/07;
proceeds $10,117,500) (b)
    4.70     02/19/08     10,000,000    
  10,000     Barclays Capital Inc. (dated 01/23/08;
proceeds $10,025,417) (b)
    3.05     02/22/08     10,000,000    
  10,000     Barclays Capital Inc. (dated 01/03/08;
proceeds $10,071,667) (b)
    4.30     03/03/08     10,000,000    
  5,000     BNP Paribas Securities Corp. (dated
01/10/08; proceeds $5,017,078) (c)
    4.24     02/08/08     5,000,000    
  7,000     Deutsche Bank Securities, Inc. (dated
01/03/08; proceeds $7,027,067) (d)
    4.35     02/04/08     7,000,000    
  10,000     Deutsche Bank Securities, Inc. (dated
01/08/08; proceeds $10,071,989) (d)
    4.18     03/10/08     10,000,000    
  5,000     Deutsche Bank Securities, Inc. (dated
01/10/08; proceeds $5,034,333) (d)
    4.12     03/10/08     5,000,000    

 

See Notes to Financial Statements
6



Morgan Stanley U.S. Government Money Market Trust

Portfolio of Investments  n  January 31, 2008 continued

PRINCIPAL
AMOUNT IN
THOUSANDS
  DESCRIPTION   ANNUALIZED
YIELD
ON DATE OF
PURCHASE
  MATURITY
DATE
  VALUE  
$ 5,000     Deutsche Bank Securities, Inc. (dated
01/15/08; proceeds $5,033,842) (d)
    3.93 %   03/17/08   $ 5,000,000    
  5,000     Deutsche Bank Securities, Inc. (dated
01/18/08; proceeds $5,032,167) (d)
    3.86     03/18/08     5,000,000    
  10,000     Deutsche Bank Securities, Inc. (dated
01/29/08; proceeds $10,049,986) (d)
    3.05     03/28/08     10,000,000    
        Total Repurchase Agreements
(Cost $180,560,000)
                180,560,000    
        Total Investments (Cost $941,991,873) (e)             102.4 %     941,991,873    
        Liabilities in Excess of Other Assets             (2.4 )     (22,154,974 )  
    Net Assets             100.0 %   $ 919,836,899    

 

  †  Rates shown are rates in effect at January 31, 2008.

  *  Date of next interest rate reset.

  (a)  Collateralized by Federal Home Loan Mortgage Corp. 6.00% due 11/01/36 valued at $95,431,200.

  (b)  Collateralized by Federal National Mortgage Assoc. 5.00% due 12/01/18 valued at $30,600,000.

  (c)  Collateralized by Federal National Mortgage Assoc. 5.50% due 11/01/37 valued at $5,100,000.

  (d)  Collateralized by Government National Mortgage Assoc. 6.00% - 7.00% due 12/15/33 - 10/15/37 and Federal Home Loan Mortgage Corp. 5.00% - 6.50% due 09/01/22 - 01/01/38 valued at $42,840,000.

  (e)  Cost is the same for federal income tax purposes.

See Notes to Financial Statements
7




Morgan Stanley U.S. Government Money Market Trust

Financial Statements

Statement of Assets and Liabilities

January 31, 2008

Assets:  
Investments in securities, at value (cost $941,991,873)
(including repurchase agreements of $180,560,000)
  $ 941,991,873    
Cash     31,726    
Receivable for:  
Interest     4,163,371    
Shares of beneficial interest sold     58,924    
Prepaid expenses and other assets     53,211    
Receivable from Distributor     27,046    
Total Assets     946,326,151    
Liabilities:  
Payable for:  
Investments purchased     15,002,230    
Shares of beneficial interest redeemed     10,830,279    
Investment advisory fee     334,663    
Distribution fee     75,384    
Administration fee     37,692    
Transfer agent fee     24,617    
Accrued expenses and other payables     184,387    
Total Liabilities     26,489,252    
Net Assets   $ 919,836,899    
Composition of Net Assets:  
Paid-in-capital   $ 919,771,987    
Accumulated undistributed net investment income     64,912    
Net Assets   $ 919,836,899    
Net Asset Value Per Share
919,836,899 shares outstanding (unlimited shares authorized of $.01 par value)
  $ 1.00    

 

See Notes to Financial Statements
8



Morgan Stanley U.S. Government Money Market Trust

Financial Statements continued

Statement of Operations

For the year ended January 31, 2008

Net Investment Income:  
Interest Income   $ 39,676,432    
Expenses  
Investment advisory fee     3,264,787    
Transfer agent fees and expenses     949,374    
Distribution fee     749,101    
Administration fee     388,074    
Shareholder reports and notices     190,224    
Registration fees     86,864    
Professional fees     67,895    
Custodian fees     58,405    
Trustees' fees and expenses     17,300    
Other     55,178    
Total Expenses     5,827,202    
Less: expense offset     (12,996 )  
Net Expenses     5,814,206    
Net Investment Income     33,862,226    
Net Realized Gain     11,894    
Net Increase   $ 33,874,120    

 

See Notes to Financial Statements
9



Morgan Stanley U.S. Government Money Market Trust

Financial Statements continued

Statements of Changes in Net Assets

    FOR THE YEAR
ENDED
JANUARY 31, 2008
  FOR THE YEAR
ENDED
JANUARY 31, 2007
 
Increase (Decrease) in Net Assets:  
Operations:  
Net investment income   $ 33,862,226     $ 38,515,160    
Net realized gain     11,894       1,052    
Net Increase     33,874,120       38,516,212    
Dividends and Distributions to Shareholders from:  
Net investment income     (33,880,542 )     (38,518,339 )  
Net realized gain     (11,894 )     (1,052 )  
Total Dividends and Distributions     (33,892,436 )     (38,519,391 )  
Net increase (decrease) from transactions in shares of beneficial interest     140,567,525       (158,534,389 )  
Net Increase (Decrease)     140,549,209       (158,537,568 )  
Net Assets:  
Beginning of period     779,287,690       937,825,258    
End of Period
(Including accumulated undistributed net investment income of
$64,912 and $83,228, respectively)
  $ 919,836,899     $ 779,287,690    

 

See Notes to Financial Statements
10




Morgan Stanley U.S. Government Money Market Trust

Notes to Financial Statements  n  January 31, 2008

1. Organization and Accounting Policies

Morgan Stanley U.S. Government Money Market 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 objectives are security of principal, high current income and liquidity. The Fund was organized as a Massachusetts business trust on November 18, 1981 and commenced operations on February 17, 1982.

The following is a summary of significant accounting policies:

A. Valuation of Investments — Portfolio securities are valued at amortized cost, which approximates market value, in accordance with Rule 2a-7 under the Act .

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. Discounts are accreted and premiums are amortized over the life of the respective securities and are included in interest income. Interest income is accrued daily.

C. Repurchase Agreements — The Fund may 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. Federal Income Tax Policy — It is the Fund's policy to comply with the requirements of Subchapter M of the Internal Revenue Code applicable to regulated investment companies and to distribute substantially all of its taxable income to its shareholders. Therefore, no provision for federal income taxes is required. The Fund files tax returns with the U.S. Internal Revenue Service, New York State and New York City. The Fund adopted the provisions of the Financial Accounting Standards Board ("FASB") Interpretation No. 48 ("FIN 48") Accounting for Uncertainty in Income Taxes on June 29, 2007. FIN 48 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. The implementation of FIN 48 did not result in any unrecognized tax benefits in the accompanying 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. Each of the tax years in the four year period ended January 31, 2008, remains subject to examination by taxing authorities.

E. Dividends and Distributions to Shareholders — The Fund records dividends and distributions to shareholders as of the close of each business day.

F. 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.


11



Morgan Stanley U.S. Government Money Market Trust

Notes to Financial Statements  n  January 31, 2008 continued

2. Investment Advisory/Administration Agreements

Pursuant to an Investment Advisory Agreement with Morgan Stanley Investment Advisors Inc. (the "Investment Adviser"), the Fund pays the Investment Adviser an advisory fee, accrued daily and payable monthly, by applying the following annual rates to the net assets of the Fund determined as of the close of each business day: 0.45% to the portion of the daily net assets not exceeding $500 million; 0.375% to the portion of the daily net assets exceeding $500 million but not exceeding $750 million; 0.325% to the portion of the daily net assets exceeding $750 million but not exceeding $1 billion; 0.30% to the portion of the daily net assets exceeding $1 billion but not exceeding $1.5 billion; 0.275% to the portion of the daily net assets exceeding $1.5 billion but not exceeding $2 billion; 0.25% to the portion of the daily net assets exceeding $2 billion but not exceeding $2.5 billion; 0.225% to the portion of the daily net assets exceeding $2.5 billion but not exceeding $3 billion; and 0.20% to the portion of the daily net assets exceeding $3 billion.

Pursuant to an Administration Agreement with Morgan Stanley Services Company Inc. (the "Administrator"), an affiliate of the Investment Adviser, the Fund pays an administration fee, accrued daily and payable monthly, by applying the annual rate of 0.05% to the Fund's daily net assets.

Under an agreement between the Administrator and State Street Bank and Trust Company ("State Street"), State Street provides certain administrative services to the Fund. For such services, the Administrator pays State Street a portion of the fee the Administrator receives from the Fund.

The Investment Adviser has voluntarily agreed to cap the Fund's operating expenses through June 30, 2008, by assuming the Fund's "other expenses" and/or waiving the Fund's investment advisory fees, and the Fund's Administrator has agreed to waive the administrative fees, to the extent such operating expenses exceed 0.75% of the average net assets of the Fund on an annualized basis.

3. Plan of Distribution

Morgan Stanley Distributors Inc. (the "Distributor"), an affiliate of the Investment Adviser and Administrator, is the distributor of the Fund's shares and prior to August 1, 2007, in accordance with a Plan of Distribution (the "Plan") pursuant to Rule 12b-1 under the Act, financed certain expenses in connection with the promotion of sales of Fund shares.

Reimbursements for these expenses were made in monthly payments by the Fund to the Distributor, which in no event exceeded an amount equal to a payment at the annual rate of 0.15% of the Fund's average daily net assets during the month. Expenses incurred by the Distributor pursuant to the Plan in any fiscal year were not reimbursable by the Fund through payments accrued in any subsequent fiscal year. For the year ended January 31, 2008, the distribution fee was accrued at the annual rate of 0.10%.


12



Morgan Stanley U.S. Government Money Market Trust

Notes to Financial Statements  n  January 31, 2008 continued

Effective August 1, 2007, the Plan of Distribution was terminated and the Fund adopted a Shareholder Services Plan (the "Plan"). Pursuant to the Plan, the Fund may pay the Distributor as compensation for the provision of services to shareholders a service fee up to the rate 0.15% on an annualized basis of the average daily net assets of the Fund.

At January 31, 2008, included in the Statement of Assets and Liabilities, is a receivable from the Fund's Distributor, an affiliate, which represents payments due to be reimbursed to the Fund under the Plan. Because the Plan is what is referred to as a "reimbursement plan," the Distributor reimburses to the Fund any 12b-1 fees collected in excess of the actual distribution expenses incurred. This receivable represents this excess amount as of January 31, 2008.

4. Security Transactions and Transactions with Affiliates

The cost of purchases and proceeds from sales/maturities of portfolio securities for the year ended January 31, 2008 aggregated $92,755,803,622 and $92,600,694,829, respectively.

Morgan Stanley Trust, an affiliate of the Investment Adviser, Administrator and Distributor, is the Fund's transfer agent.

The Fund has an unfunded noncontributory defined benefit pension plan covering certain independent Trustees of the Fund who will have served as independent Trustees for at least five years at the time of retirement. Benefits under this plan are based on factors which include years of service and compensation. The Trustees voted to close the plan to new participants and eliminate the future benefits growth due to increases to compensation after July 31, 2003. Aggregate pension costs for the year ended January 31, 2008 included in Trustees' fees and expenses in the Statement of Operations amounted to $5,917. At January 31, 2008, the Fund had an accrued pension liability of $60,185 which is included in accrued expenses in the Statement of Assets and Liabilities.

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


13



Morgan Stanley U.S. Government Money Market Trust

Notes to Financial Statements  n  January 31, 2008 continued

5. Shares of Beneficial Interest

Transactions in shares of beneficial interest, at $1.00 per share, were as follows:

    FOR THE YEAR
ENDED
JANUARY 31, 2008
  FOR THE YEAR
ENDED
JANUARY 31, 2007
 
Shares sold     1,602,357,214       1,726,336,012    
Shares issued in reinvestment of dividends and distributions     33,757,219       38,353,781    
      1,636,114,433       1,764,689,793    
Shares redeemed     (1,495,546,908 )     (1,923,224,182 )  
Net increase (decrease)     140,567,525       (158,534,389 )  

 

6. Expense Offset

The expense offset represents a reduction of the fees and expenses for interest earned on cash balances maintained by the Fund with the transfer agent and custodian.

7. Accounting Pronouncement

In September 2006, Statement of Financial Accounting Standards No. 157, Fair Value Measurements (SFAS 157), was issued and is effective for fiscal years beginning after November 15, 2007. SFAS 157 defines fair value, establishes a framework for measuring fair value and expands disclosures about fair value measurements. Management is currently evaluating the impact the adoption of SFAS 157 will have on the Fund's financial statement disclosures.


14




Morgan Stanley U.S. Government Money Market Trust

Financial Highlights

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

    FOR THE YEAR ENDED JANUARY 31,  
    2008   2007   2006   2005   2004  
Selected Per Share Data:  
Net asset value, beginning of period   $ 1.00     $ 1.00     $ 1.00     $ 1.00     $ 1.00    
Net investment income from investment operations     0.044       0.044       0.027       0.008       0.004    
Less dividends from net investment income     (0.044 )†     (0.044 )†     (0.027 )     (0.008 )     (0.004 )  
Net asset value, end of period   $ 1.00     $ 1.00     $ 1.00     $ 1.00     $ 1.00    
Total Return     4.50 %     4.49 %     2.71 %     0.78 %     0.45 %  
Ratios To Average Net Assets:  
Total expenses (before expense offset)     0.75 %     0.74 %(1)      0.75 %(1)      0.73 %     0.71 %(1)   
Net investment income     4.36 %     4.36 %(1)      2.62 %(1)      0.74 %     0.43 %(1)   
Supplemental Data:  
Net assets, end of period, in millions   $ 920     $ 779     $ 938     $ 1,123     $ 1,269    

 

  †  Includes capital gain distributions of less than $0.001.

(1)  If the Fund had borne all its expenses that were reimbursed or waived by the Investment Adviser and Administrator, the annualized expense and net investment income ratios, before expense offset, would have been as follows:

PERIOD ENDED   EXPENSE
RATIO
  NET INVESTMENT
INCOME RATIO
 
January 31, 2007     0.80 %     4.30 %  
January 31, 2006     0.76       2.60    
January 31, 2004     0.71       0.43    

 

See Notes to Financial Statements
15




Morgan Stanley U.S. Government Money Market Trust

Report of Independent Registered Public Accounting Firm

To the Shareholders and Board of Trustees of
Morgan Stanley U.S. Government Money Market Trust:

We have audited the accompanying statement of assets and liabilities of Morgan Stanley U.S. Government Money Market Trust (the "Fund"), including the portfolio of investments, as of January 31, 2008, 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 the standards of the Public Company Accounting Oversight Board (United States). Those standards require that we plan and perform the audit to obtain reasonable assurance about whether the financial statements and financial highlights are free of material misstatement. The Fund is not required to have, nor were we engaged to perform, an audit of its internal control over financial reporting. Our audits included consideration of internal control over financial reporting as a basis for designing audit procedures that are appropriate in the circumstances, but not for the purpose of expressing an opinion on the effectiveness of the Fund's internal control over financial reporting. Accordingly, we express no such opinion. An audit also includes examining, on a test basis, evidence supporting the amounts and disclosures in the financial statements, assessing the accounting principles used and significant estimates made by management, as well as evaluating the overall financial statement presentation. Our procedures included confirmation of securities owned as of January 31, 2008, by correspondence with the custodian and brokers; where replies were not received from brokers, we performed other auditing procedures. 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 U.S. Government Money Market Trust as of January 31, 2008, 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
March 20, 2008


16




Morgan Stanley U.S. Government Money Market Trust

Trustee and Officer Information (unaudited)

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
Independent
Trustee**
  Other Directorships
Held by Independent Trustee
 
Frank L. Bowman (63)
c/o Kramer Levin Naftalis & Frankel LLP
Counsel to the Independent Trustees
1177 Avenue of the Americas
New York, NY 10036
  Trustee   Since
August 2006
  President and Chief Executive Officer, Nuclear Energy Institute (policy organization) (since February 2005); Director or Trustee of various Retail Funds and Institutional Funds (since August 2006); Chairperson of the Insurance Sub-Committee of the Insurance, Valuation and Compliance Committee (since February 2007); formerly, variously, Admiral in the U.S. Navy, Director of Naval Nuclear Propulsion Program and Deputy Administrator – Naval Reactors in the National Nuclear Security Administration at the U.S. Department of Energy (1996-2004). Honorary Knight Commander of the Most Excellent Order of the British Empire.     180     Director of the National Energy Foundation, the U.S. Energy Association, the American Council for Capital Formation and the Armed Services YMCA of the USA.  
Michael Bozic (67)
c/o Kramer Levin Naftalis & Frankel LLP
Counsel to the Independent Trustees
1177 Avenue of the Americas
New York, NY 10036
  Trustee   Since
April 1994
  Private investor; Chairperson of the Insurance, Valuation and Compliance Committee (since October 2006); Director or Trustee of the Retail Funds (since April 1994) and the Institutional Funds (since July 2003); formerly, Chairperson of the Insurance Committee (July 2006-September 2006); Vice Chairman of Kmart Corporation (December 1998-October 2000), Chairman and Chief Executive Officer of Levitz Furniture Corporation (November 1995-November 1998) and President and Chief Executive Officer of Hills Department Stores (May 1991-July 1995); variously Chairman, Chief Executive Officer, President and Chief Operating Officer (1987-1991) of the Sears Merchandise Group of Sears, Roebuck & Co.     182     Director of various business
organizations.
 

 


17



Morgan Stanley U.S. Government Money Market Trust

Trustee and Officer Information (unaudited) 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
Independent
Trustee**
  Other Directorships
Held by Independent Trustee
 

 

Kathleen A. Dennis (54)
c/o Kramer Levin Naftalis & Frankel LLP
Counsel to the Independent Trustees
1177 Avenue of the Americas
New York, NY 10036
  Trustee   Since
August 2006
  President, Cedarwood Associates (mutual fund and investment management) (since July 2006); Chairperson of the Money Market and Alternatives Sub-Committee of the Investment Committee (since October 2006) and Director or Trustee of various Retail Funds and Institutional Funds (since August 2006); formerly, Senior Managing Director of Victory Capital Management (1993-2006).     180     Director of various non-profit organizations.  
Dr. Manuel H. Johnson (59)
c/o Johnson Smick Group, Inc.
888 16th Street, N.W.
Suite 740
Washington, D.C. 20006
  Trustee   Since
July 1991
  Senior Partner, Johnson Smick International, Inc. (consulting firm); Chairperson of the Investment Committee (since October 2006) and Director or Trustee of the Retail Funds (since July 1991) and the Institutional Funds (since July 2003); Co-Chairman and a founder of the Group of Seven Council (G7C) (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.     182     Director of NVR, Inc. (home construction); Director of Evergreen Energy.  
Joseph J. Kearns (65)
c/o Kearns & Associates LLC
PMB754
23852 Pacific Coast Highway
Malibu, CA 90265
  Trustee   Since
August 1994
  President, Kearns & Associates LLC (investment consulting); Chairperson of the Audit Committee (since October 2006) and Director or Trustee of the Retail Funds (since July 2003) and the Institutional Funds (since August 1994); formerly, Deputy Chairperson of the Audit Committee (July 2003-September 2006) and Chairperson of the Audit Committee of the Institutional Funds (October 2001-July 2003); CFO of the J. Paul Getty Trust.     183     Director of Electro Rent Corporation (equipment leasing) and The Ford Family Foundation.  

 


18



Morgan Stanley U.S. Government Money Market Trust

Trustee and Officer Information (unaudited) 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
Independent
Trustee**
  Other Directorships
Held by Independent Trustee
 

 

Michael F. Klein (49)
c/o Kramer Levin Naftalis & Frankel LLP
Counsel to the Independent Trustees
1177 Avenue of the Americas
New York, NY 10036
  Trustee   Since
August 2006
  Managing Director, Aetos Capital, LLC (since March 2000) and Co-President, Aetos Alternatives Management, LLC (since January 2004); Chairperson of the Fixed-Income Sub-Committee of the Investment Committee (since October 2006) and Director or Trustee of various Retail Funds and Institutional Funds (since August 2006); formerly, Managing Director, Morgan Stanley & Co. Inc. and Morgan Stanley Dean Witter Investment Management, President, Morgan Stanley Institutional Funds (June 1998-March 2000) and Principal, Morgan Stanley & Co. Inc. and Morgan Stanley Dean Witter Investment Management (August 1997-December 1999).     180     Director of certain investment funds managed or sponsored by Aetos Capital, LLC. Director of Sanitized AG and Sanitized Marketing AG (specialty chemicals).  
Michael E. Nugent (71)
c/o Triumph Capital, L.P.
445 Park Avenue
New York, NY 10022
  Chairperson of the Board and Trustee   Chairperson of the Boards since July 2006 and Trustee since July 1991   General Partner, Triumph Capital, L.P. (private investment partnership); Chairperson of the Boards of the Retail Funds and Institutional Funds (since July 2006); Director or Trustee of the Retail Funds (since July 1991) and the Institutional Funds (since July 2001); formerly, Chairperson of the Insurance Committee (until July 2006).     182     None.  

 


19



Morgan Stanley U.S. Government Money Market Trust

Trustee and Officer Information (unaudited) 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
Independent
Trustee**
  Other Directorships
Held by Independent Trustee
 
W. Allen Reed (60)
c/o Kramer Levin Naftalis & Frankel LLP
Counsel to the Independent Trustees
1177 Avenue of the Americas
New York, NY 10036
  Trustee   Since
August 2006
  Chairperson of the Equity Sub-Committee of the Investment Committee (since October 2006) and Director or Trustee of various Retail Funds and Institutional Funds (since August 2006); formerly, President and CEO of General Motors Asset Management; Chairman and Chief Executive Officer of the GM Trust Bank and Corporate Vice President of General Motors Corporation (August 1994-December 2005).     180     Director of Temple-Inland Industries (packaging and forest products); Director of Legg Mason, Inc. and Director of the Auburn University Foundation.  
Fergus Reid (75)
c/o Lumelite Plastics Corporation
85 Charles Colman Blvd.
Pawling, NY 12564
  Trustee   Since
June 1992
  Chairman of Lumelite Plastics Corporation; Chairperson of the Governance Committee and Director or Trustee of the Retail Funds (since July 2003) and the Institutional Funds (since June 1992).     183     Trustee and Director of certain investment companies in the JPMorgan Funds complex managed by J.P. Morgan Investment Management Inc.  

 


20



Morgan Stanley U.S. Government Money Market Trust

Trustee and Officer Information (unaudited) continued

Interested Trustee:

Name, Age and Address of
Interested 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
Interested
Trustee**
  Other Directorships Held by
Interested Trustee
 
James F. Higgins (60)
c/o Morgan Stanley Trust
Harborside Financial Center
Plaza Two
Jersey City, NJ 07311
  Trustee   Since
June 2000
  Director or Trustee of the Retail Funds (since June 2000) and the Institutional Funds (since July 2003); Senior
Advisor of Morgan Stanley (since August 2000).
    181     Director of AXA Financial, Inc. and The Equitable Life Assurance Society of the United States (financial services).  

 

  *  This is the earliest date the Trustee began serving the funds advised by Morgan Stanley Investment Advisors Inc. (the "Investment Adviser") (the "Retail Funds") or the funds advised by Morgan Stanley Investment Management Inc. and Morgan Stanley AIP GP LP (the "Institutional Funds").

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


21



Morgan Stanley U.S. Government Money Market Trust

Trustee and Officer Information (unaudited) continued

Executive Officers:

Name, Age and Address of
Executive Officer
  Position(s)
Held with
Registrant
  Term of
Office and
Length of
Time Served*
  Principal Occupation(s) During Past 5 Years  
Ronald E. Robison (69)
522 Fifth Avenue
New York, NY 10036
  President and Principal Executive Officer   President since September 2005 and Principal Executive Officer since May 2003   President (since September 2005) and Principal Executive Officer (since May 2003) of funds in the Fund Complex; President (since September 2005) and Principal Executive Officer (since May 2003) of the Van Kampen Funds; Managing Director, Director and/or Officer of the Investment Adviser and various entities affiliated with the Investment Adviser; Director of Morgan Stanley SICAV (since May 2004). Formerly, Executive Vice President (July 2003-September 2005) of funds in the Fund Complex and the Van Kampen Funds; President and Director of the Institutional Funds (March 2001-July 2003); Chief Administrative Officer of the Investment Adviser; Chief Administrative Officer of Morgan Stanley Services Company Inc.  
J. David Germany (53)
Morgan Stanley Investment
Management Limited
20 Bank Street
Canary Wharf,
London, England E14 4AD
  Vice President   Since February 2006   Managing Director and (since December 2005) Chief Investment Officer – Global Fixed Income of Morgan Stanley Investment Management; Managing Director and Director of Morgan Stanley Investment Management Limited; Vice President of the Retail Funds and Institutional Funds (since February 2006).  
Dennis F. Shea (54)
522 Fifth Avenue
New York, NY 10036
  Vice President   Since February 2006   Managing Director and (since February 2006) Chief Investment Officer – Global Equity of Morgan Stanley Investment Management; Vice President of the Retail Funds and Institutional Funds (since February 2006). Formerly, Managing Director and Director of Global Equity Research at Morgan Stanley.  
Amy R. Doberman (45)
522 Fifth Avenue
New York, NY 10036
  Vice President   Since July 2004   Managing Director and General Counsel, U.S. Investment Management of Morgan Stanley Investment Management (since July 2004); Vice President of the Retail Funds and Institutional Funds (since July 2004); Vice President of the Van Kampen Funds (since August 2004); Secretary (since February 2006) and Managing Director (since July 2004) of the Investment Adviser and various entities affiliated with the Investment Adviser. Formerly, Managing Director and General Counsel – Americas, UBS Global Asset Management (July 2000-July 2004).  
Carsten Otto (44)
522 Fifth Avenue
New York, NY 10036
  Chief Compliance Officer   Since October 2004   Managing Director and Global Head of Compliance for Morgan Stanley Investment Management (since April 2007); and Chief Compliance Officer of Morgan Stanley Retail Funds and Institutional Funds (since October 2004). Formerly, U.S. Director of Compliance (October 2004-April 2007) and Assistant Secretary and Assistant General Counsel of the Retail Funds.  
Stefanie V. Chang Yu (41)
522 Fifth Avenue
New York, NY 10036
  Vice President   Since December 1997   Managing Director of the Investment Adviser and various entities affiliated with the Investment Adviser; Vice President of the Retail Funds (since July 2002) and the Institutional Funds (since December 1997). Formerly, Secretary of various entities affiliated with the Investment Adviser.  

 


22



Morgan Stanley U.S. Government Money Market Trust

Trustee and Officer Information (unaudited) 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 J. Smith (42)
c/o Morgan Stanley Trust Harborside Financial Center Plaza Two
Jersey City, NJ 07311
  Treasurer and Chief Financial Officer   Treasurer since July 2003 and Chief Financial Officer since September 2002   Executive Director of the Investment Adviser and various entities affiliated with the Investment Adviser; Treasurer and Chief Financial Officer of the Retail Funds (since July 2003). Formerly, Vice President of the Retail Funds (September 2002-July 2003).  
Mary E. Mullin (40)
522 Fifth Avenue
New York, NY 10036
  Secretary   Since June 1999   Executive Director of the Investment Adviser and various entities affiliated with the Investment Adviser; Secretary of the Retail Funds (since July 2003) and the Institutional Funds (since June 1999).  

 

  *   This is the earliest date the Officer began serving the Retail Funds or Institutional Funds.

2008 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 January 31, 2008. 36.50% of the Fund's dividends was attributable to qualifying U.S. Government obligations. (Please consult your tax advisor to determine if any portion of the dividends you received is exempt from state income tax.)
In January, the Fund provides tax information to shareholders for the preceding calendar year.


23




Trustees

Frank L. Bowman
Michael Bozic
Kathleen A. Dennis
James F. Higgins
Dr. Manuel H. Johnson
Joseph J. Kearns
Michael F. Klein
Michael E. Nugent
W. Allen Reed
Fergus Reid

Officers

Michael E. Nugent
Chairperson of the Board

Ronald E. Robison
President and Principal Executive Officer

J. David Germany
Vice President

Dennis F. Shea
Vice President

Amy R. Doberman
Vice President

Carsten Otto
Chief Compliance Officer

Stefanie V. Chang Yu
Vice President

Francis J. Smith
Treasurer and Chief Financial Officer

Mary E. Mullin
Secretary

Transfer Agent

Morgan Stanley Trust
Harborside Financial Center, Plaza Two
Jersey City, New Jersey 07311

Independent Registered Public Accounting Firm

Deloitte & Touche LLP
Two World Financial Center
New York, New York 10281

Legal Counsel

Clifford Chance US LLP
31 West 52nd Street
New York, NY 10019

Counsel to the Independent Trustees

Kramer Levin Naftalis & Frankel LLP
1177 Avenue of the Americas
New York, NY 10036

Investment Adviser

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

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

Morgan Stanley Distributors Inc., member FINRA.

© 2008 Morgan Stanley

DWGANN
IU08-01442P-Y01/08

MORGAN STANLEY FUNDS

Morgan Stanley
U.S. Government Money Market Trust

Annual Report

January 31, 2008




 

Item 2.  Code of Ethics.

 

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

 

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

 

(c)           Not applicable.

 

(d)           Not applicable.

 

(e)           Not applicable.

 

(f)

 

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

 

                (2)           Not applicable.

 

                (3)           Not applicable.

 

Item 3.  Audit Committee Financial Expert.

 

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

 



 

Item 4.  Principal Accountant Fees and Services.

 

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

 

2008

 

 

 

Registrant

 

Covered Entities(1)

 

Audit Fees

 

$

26,950

 

N/A

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Non-Audit Fees

 

 

 

 

 

Audit-Related Fees

 

$

(2)

$

6,164,000

(2)

Tax Fees

 

$

4,532

(3)

$

1,002,000

(4)

All Other Fees

 

$

 

$

(5)

Total Non-Audit Fees

 

$

4,532

 

$

7,166,000

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Total

 

$

31,482

 

$

7,166,000

 

 

2007

 

 

 

Registrant

 

Covered Entities(1)

 

Audit Fees

 

$

26,500

 

N/A

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Non-Audit Fees

 

 

 

 

 

Audit-Related Fees

 

$

531

(2)

$

5,200,002

(2)

Tax Fees

 

$

4,900

(3)

$

809,670

(4)

All Other Fees

 

$

 

$

(5)

Total Non-Audit Fees

 

$

5,431

 

$

6,009,672

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Total

 

$

31,931

 

$

6,009,672

 

 


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

 

(1)

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

(2)

Audit-Related Fees represent assurance and related services provided that are reasonably related to the performance of the audit of the financial statements of the Covered Entities’ and funds advised by the Adviser or its affiliates, specifically data verification and agreed-upon procedures related to asset securitizations and agreed-upon procedures engagements.

(3)

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

(4)

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

(5)

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

 



 

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

 

APPENDIX A

 

AUDIT COMMITTEE

AUDIT AND NON-AUDIT SERVICES

PRE-APPROVAL POLICY AND PROCEDURES

OF THE

MORGAN STANLEY RETAIL AND INSTITUTIONAL FUNDS

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

 

1.              Statement of Principles

 

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

 

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

 

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

 


(1)

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

 



 

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

 

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

 

2.              Delegation

 

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

 

3.              Audit Services

 

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

 

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

 

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

 

4.              Audit-related Services

 

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

 



 

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

 

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

 

5.              Tax Services

 

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

 

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

 

6.              All Other Services

 

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

 

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

 

7.              Pre-Approval Fee Levels or Budgeted Amounts

 

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

 

8.              Procedures

 

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

 



 

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

 

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

 

9.              Additional Requirements

 

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

 

10.       Covered Entities

 

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

 

Morgan Stanley Retail Funds

Morgan Stanley Investment Advisors Inc.

Morgan Stanley & Co. Incorporated

Morgan Stanley DW Inc.

Morgan Stanley Investment Management Inc.

Morgan Stanley Investment Management Limited

Morgan Stanley Investment Management Private Limited

Morgan Stanley Asset & Investment Trust Management Co., Limited

Morgan Stanley Investment Management Company

Van Kampen Asset Management

Morgan Stanley Services Company, Inc.

Morgan Stanley Distributors Inc.

Morgan Stanley Trust FSB

 



 

Morgan Stanley Institutional Funds

Morgan Stanley Investment Management Inc.

Morgan Stanley Investment Advisors Inc.

Morgan Stanley Investment Management Limited

Morgan Stanley Investment Management Private Limited

Morgan Stanley Asset & Investment Trust Management Co., Limited

Morgan Stanley Investment Management Company

Morgan Stanley & Co. Incorporated

Morgan Stanley Distribution, Inc.

Morgan Stanley AIP GP LP

Morgan Stanley Alternative Investment Partners LP

 

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

 

(f)     Not applicable.

 

(g)    See table above.

 

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

 

Item 5. Audit Committee of Listed Registrants.

 

(a)

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

 

(b) Not applicable.

 

Item 6. Schedule of Investments

 

Refer to Item 1.

 



 

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

 

Applicable only to reports filed by closed-end funds.

 

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

 

Applicable only to reports filed by closed-end funds.

 

Item 9. Closed-End Fund Repurchases

 

Applicable only to reports filed by closed-end funds.

 

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

 

Not applicable.

 

Item 11. Controls and Procedures

 

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

 

(b)  There were no changes in the registrant’s internal control over financial reporting that occurred during the second fiscal quarter of the period covered by this report that has materially affected, or is reasonably likely to materially affect, the registrant’s internal control over financial reporting.

 

Item 12. Exhibits

 

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

 

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

 



 

SIGNATURES

 

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

 

Morgan Stanley U.S. Government Money Market Trust

 

/s/ Ronald E. Robison

 

Ronald E. Robison

Principal Executive Officer

March 20, 2008

 

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/ Ronald E. Robison

 

Ronald E. Robison

Principal Executive Officer

March 20, 2008

 

/s/ Francis Smith

 

Francis Smith

Principal Financial Officer

March 20, 2008