N-CSRS 1 a15-15926_1ncsrs.htm N-CSRS

 

UNITED STATES

SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION

Washington, D.C. 20549

 

FORM N-CSR

 

CERTIFIED SHAREHOLDER REPORT OF REGISTERED
MANAGEMENT INVESTMENT COMPANIES

 

Investment Company Act file number

811-03692

 

Morgan Stanley Variable Investment Series

(Exact name of registrant as specified in charter)

 

522 Fifth Avenue, New York, New York

 

10036

(Address of principal executive offices)

 

(Zip code)

 

John H. Gernon

522 Fifth Avenue, New York, New York 10036

(Name and address of agent for service)

 

Registrant’s telephone number, including area code:

212-296-0289

 

 

Date of fiscal year end:

December 31,

 

 

Date of reporting period:

June 30, 2015

 

 



 

Item 1 - Report to Shareholders

 



MORGAN STANLEY
VARIABLE INVESTMENT SERIES

Semi-Annual Report

JUNE 30, 2015

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



Morgan Stanley Variable Investment Series

Table of Contents

Letter to the Shareholders

   

1

   

Fund Performance

   

10

   

Expense Examples

   

11

   

Investment Advisory Agreement Approval

   

14

   

Portfolio of Investments:

 

Money Market

   

18

   

Limited Duration

   

22

   

Income Plus

   

31

   

European Equity

   

42

   

Multi Cap Growth

   

45

   

Financial Statements:

 

Statements of Assets and Liabilities

   

50

   

Statements of Operations

   

52

   

Statements of Changes in Net Assets

   

54

   

Notes to Financial Statements

   

58

   

Financial Highlights

   

90

   



Morgan Stanley Variable Investment Series

Letter to the Shareholders n June 30, 2015 (unaudited)

Dear Shareholder:

Asset class performance was mixed in the six-month period ended June 30, 2015, with U.S. stock and bond markets struggling, while international equities staged a rebound. Investors continued to keep a watchful eye on central bank policies as global economies remained on diverging paths and inflation remained subdued. The U.S. Federal Reserve (Fed) was expected to begin raising interest rates for the first time in nearly a decade, and the European Central Bank (ECB) announced a long-awaited quantitative easing (QE) stimulus plan. Financial markets also continued to adjust to significantly lower oil prices and a stronger U.S. dollar relative to major currencies.

Domestic and International Equity Overview

A soft patch in the U.S. economy, uncertainty about monetary policy changes, lower oil prices and a stronger U.S. dollar kept a lid on U.S. stock market gains during the six-month period ended June 30, 2015. Economic growth contracted in the first quarter of 2015, which analysts attributed to cold winter weather and a port strike in the western U.S. Although these influences were considered to be temporary and growth was expected to rebound in the second quarter (second quarter gross domestic product data were not yet released at the time of this writing), the economy's overall weakness caused the Fed to reassess its outlook and delay the "normalization" of interest rates. Investors also worried about U.S. corporate earnings growth, as lower oil prices continued to weigh on energy companies' share prices and appreciation in the dollar diminished multinationals' earnings. In this environment, the utilities sector, which investors consider to be sensitive to interest rates, and the energy sector were among the weakest performing groups for the period. Conversely, the health care sector posted a robust gain, bolstered by an increase in merger and acquisition activity across the sector.

International equities generally fared better than their U.S. counterparts, with both the MSCI EAFE Index and MSCI Emerging Markets Index outperforming the S&P 500 Index for the period. European equities posted a strong return (as measured by the MSCI Europe Index), fueled by the ECB's policy intervention (QE plan announced in January) and an improving economic outlook for the region. Toward the end of the period, however, the market lost a bit of its positive momentum, as a worsening of the Greek debt crisis increased the risk of Greece possibly exiting the euro. In general, cyclical sectors outperformed more defensive ones, with autos, diversified financials and media outperforming the Index, while technology, utilities and energy underperformed during the reporting period.



Morgan Stanley Variable Investment Series

Letter to the Shareholders n June 30, 2015 (unaudited) continued

Fixed Income Overview

Concerns about the Fed's policy shift kept bond markets turbulent during the period. Although the Fed continued to imply that rate increases would be implemented slowly and over time, bond markets remained jittery about the transition, particularly as jobs market data continued to show improvement.

The Treasury market was up in the first quarter of 2015 but gave back some of its gains in the second quarter. Greece's debt woes intensified, which led Treasury bonds to rally at several points during the period as investors sought the perceived safe haven of U.S. government bonds. However, these rallies were outweighed by concerns about the Fed's imminent rate hike, pushing Treasury yields higher for the six-month period overall (bond prices and yields move in opposite directions).

In the corporate credit markets, the investment grade segment performed poorly for the period overall. The investment grade market has been flooded with new issuance in recent months as corporations seek to refinance debt in the still-low interest rate environment, putting downward pressure on prices. However, high yield bonds were one of the few fixed income sectors with positive performance over the period. Investors' preference for bonds with less perceived interest rate sensitivity benefited the high yield market.

Money market yields continued to be constrained by the Fed's near-zero interest rate policy. The actions of the Federal Open Market Committee (FOMC) — including the testing of the tool designed to help control short-term interest rates, the tapering of its QE program, and the forthcoming rate increase — continued to be a major focus in the money markets.

Money Market Portfolio

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

As of June 30, 2015, Variable Investment Series – Money Market Portfolio had net assets of approximately $56.3 million with an average portfolio maturity of 16 days. For the seven-day period ended June 30, 2015, the Portfolio's Class X shares provided an effective annualized yield of 0.01% (subsidized) and -0.56% (non-subsidized) and a current yield of 0.01% (subsidized) and -0.56% (non-subsidized), while its 30-day moving average yield for June 30, 2015 was 0.01% (subsidized) and -0.59% (non-subsidized). Yield quotations more closely reflect the current earnings of the Portfolio. The non-subsidized yield reflects what the yield would have been had a fee and/or expense waiver not been in place during the period shown. For the six-month period ended June 30, 2015, the Portfolio's Class X shares returned 0.00%. Past performance is no guarantee of future results.


2



Morgan Stanley Variable Investment Series

Letter to the Shareholders n June 30, 2015 (unaudited) continued

For the seven-day period ended June 30, 2015, the Portfolio's Class Y shares provided an effective annualized yield of 0.01% (subsidized) and -0.81% (non-subsidized) and a current yield of 0.01% (subsidized) and -0.81% (non-subsidized), while its 30-day moving average yield for June 30, 2015 was 0.01% (subsidized) and -0.84% (non-subsidized). Yield quotations more closely reflect the current earnings of the Portfolio. The non-subsidized yield reflects what the yield would have been had a fee and/or expense waiver not been in place during the period shown. For the six-month period ended June 30, 2015, the Portfolio's Class Y shares returned 0.00%. Past performance is no guarantee of future results.

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

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

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

Limited Duration Portfolio

For the six-month period ended June 30, 2015, Variable Investment Series – Limited Duration Portfolio Class X shares produced a total return of 0.38%, underperforming the Barclays U.S. Government/Credit Index (1-5 Year) (the "Index"),1 which returned 0.94%. For the same period, the Portfolio's Class Y shares returned 0.36%. Past performance is no guarantee of future results.

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

The Portfolio was underweight in the U.S. Treasury sector and maintained a slightly lower duration than the Index using U.S. Treasury futures, which detracted from relative performance.

1  The Barclays U.S. Government/Credit Index (1-5 Year) tracks the performance of U.S. government and corporate obligations, including U.S. government agency and Treasury securities, and corporate and Yankee bonds with maturities of one to five years. The Index is unmanaged and its returns do not include any sales charges or fees. Such costs would lower performance. It is not possible to invest directly in an index.


3



Morgan Stanley Variable Investment Series

Letter to the Shareholders n June 30, 2015 (unaudited) continued

However, the Portfolio's overweight position in the investment-grade credit sector contributed positively, with its focus on the banking sector was especially beneficial.

Small overweight positions in agency mortgage-backed securities, non-agency mortgage-backed securities, commercial mortgage-backed securities and high yield credit also added to returns, with much of the relative outperformance coming from the attractive yield offered by these sectors.

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

Income Plus Portfolio

For the six-month period ended June 30, 2015, Variable Investment Series – Income Plus Portfolio Class X shares produced a total return of -0.60%, outperforming the Barclays U.S. Corporate Index (the "Index"),2 which returned -0.92%. For the same period, the Portfolio's Class Y shares returned -0.73%. Past performance is no guarantee of future results.

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

The first six months of 2015 were a tough environment for the corporate credit market. Early in the year, market participants were focused on the potential for volatility associated with the Federal Reserve's (Fed) tightening policy. Inflection points in monetary policy have often been accompanied by a period of market volatility, which may help to explain recent price movements. Another more recent focus of the market has been the broader impact of a failure of the Greek government to come to an agreement with its creditors, the potential for an uncontrolled exit from the euro currency and possibly the European Union, and the implications of a potential broader market contagion if this came to pass. While the latest headlines at the time of this writing suggest an agreement between Greece and its creditors appears within reach, and policymakers now have many tools in place to react quickly if that is not the case, the market nevertheless remains fixated on the situation and the potential for contagion. Finally, amidst these and other economic and geopolitical worries, the U.S. credit markets have also endured record amounts of new issuance, which have pressured yield spreads wider.

2  The Barclays U.S. Corporate Index is a broad-based benchmark that measures the investment-grade, U.S. dollar-denominated, fixed rate, taxable corporate bond market. It includes USD-denominated securities publicly issued by U.S. and non-U.S. industrial, utility and financial issuers that meet specified maturity, liquidity and quality requirements. The Index is unmanaged and its returns do not include any sales charges or fees. Such costs would lower performance. It is not possible to invest directly in an index.


4



Morgan Stanley Variable Investment Series

Letter to the Shareholders n June 30, 2015 (unaudited) continued

Despite these macro headwinds, the Portfolio weathered this volatility relatively well and outperformed the Index in the reporting period. The primary contributor to relative returns was the Portfolio's positioning within the investment grade segment of the market. Underweight on a spread duration weighted basis, the Portfolio outperformed as investment grade spreads widened. Holdings of select BB-rated high yield corporate bonds also benefited performance during the period as BB-rated corporates generated positive excess returns (as opposed to negative excess returns for investment grade corporates).

The primary detractor from performance was the Portfolio's duration positioning. The Portfolio has been positioned defensively from a duration perspective (i.e. positioned to benefit from a rise in interest rates). Specifically, the Portfolio was positioned underweight in interest rates on the front end of the yield curve, where rates were relatively unchanged over the period. Another modest detractor was holdings of credit default swaps (both single-name and index swaps), which were held as partial hedges against the Portfolio's long credit exposures. Over the course of the period, these spreads were roughly unchanged, generating some modest underperformance for the Portfolio.

We currently see value within several segments of the corporate market, especially after the spread widening that has taken place during the past six months. Spreads are now as wide as they were during the "taper tantrum" of 2013, making them quite attractive in our view. Within investment grade bonds, we remain positive on the financial sector where we believe fundamentals are strong and valuations remain attractive relative to non-financial credits. We remain defensively positioned within non-financial sectors, as many of these companies have become increasingly shareholder-friendly by sacrificing their balance sheet to fund acquisitions, increase stock buybacks or raise dividends. However, given the recent underperformance of this space, we believe some segments of the non-financial market have become relatively more interesting and may offer attractive investment opportunities for the remainder of 2015.

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

European Equity Portfolio

For the six-month period ended June 30, 2015, Variable Investment Series – European Equity Portfolio Class X shares produced a total return of 5.30%, outperforming the MSCI Europe Index (the "Index"),3 which returned 3.82%. For the same period, the Portfolio's Class Y shares returned 5.20%. Past performance is no guarantee of future results.

3  The MSCI Europe Index is a free float-adjusted market capitalization index that is designed to measure developed market equity performance in Europe. The term "free float" represents the portion of shares outstanding that are deemed to be available for purchase in the public equity markets by investors. The performance of the Index is listed in U.S. dollars and assumes reinvestment of net dividends. The Index is unmanaged and its returns do not include any sales charges or fees. Such costs would lower performance. It is not possible to invest directly in an index.


5



Morgan Stanley Variable Investment Series

Letter to the Shareholders n June 30, 2015 (unaudited) continued

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

The primary country-level contributors to relative performance included our stock selection in France and Germany, along with both our stock selection in and overweight allocations to Switzerland and Ireland. However, our stock selection in the U.K. and an underweight allocation to Denmark somewhat dampened relative returns.

On an industry level, key positive contributors were stock selection in materials, health care equipment, insurance and consumer services. In addition, both stock selection in and an underweight allocation to utilities added to overall performance. Detractors from performance included stock selection in media and an underweight allocation to diversified financials, a group that strongly outperformed within the Index during the period.

Individual holdings that helped relative performance included a Swiss chemical company that saw its share price rise on news of a takeover bid from a competitor, a French industrial company that benefited from its exposure to the economic recovery and the stronger U.S. dollar, a German health care company that reported better-than-expected results and also benefited from the rising U.S. dollar, and an Irish building materials firm with strong exposure to the rebound in U.S. residential construction and to the U.S. dollar. The Portfolio had no exposure to an underperforming Spanish bank, which was advantageous to relative performance as well. However, other holdings detracted from relative performance. The Portfolio did not own a Danish pharmaceutical company that performed particularly well in the Index during the period. The Portfolio's positions in a U.K. mining company hurt by languishing demand from China, a U.K. oil and gas company that received a takeover bid from a competitor, and a German industrial company that reported disappointing results were also unfavorable to relative performance during the period.

Our outlook remains positive for European equities, due to improving economic conditions (as leading indicators have been pointing to a substantial positive growth for Europe for 2015), falling commodity prices (as the region has a substantial energy deficit), a weakening euro (which could benefit export-led companies), and positive earnings revisions (for the first time in four years, estimates point to positive earnings per share growth for Europe for 2015). In addition, we see a bolder stance by both the European Central Bank, with the announcement of its quantitative easing program that is intended to run through September 2016, and governments, which appear more inclined to support their underlying economies. Finally, we consider European equities attractively valued compared to other regional equities and fixed


6



Morgan Stanley Variable Investment Series

Letter to the Shareholders n June 30, 2015 (unaudited) continued

income securities. Not only is the European market currently cheaper than the U.S. market, but European equities are also discounting a higher level of earnings growth.

We believe that exposure to the economic recovery and cheap valuations provide strong support to our favorable thesis on European equities. Our investment approach remains the same. We continue to seek high-quality companies with high earnings visibility and predictability, stable and strong cash flow, and low levels of debt, trading at attractive valuations.

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

Multi Cap Growth Portfolio

For the six-month period ended June 30, 2015, Variable Investment Series – Multi Cap Growth Portfolio Class X shares produced a total return of 7.50%, outperforming the Russell 3000® Growth Index (the "Index"),4 which returned 4.33%. For the same period, the Portfolio's Class Y shares returned 7.37%. Past performance is no guarantee of future results.

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

The Portfolio's relative outperformance was driven almost entirely by favorable stock selection in the consumer discretionary sector. A holding in a leading Internet retailer was the top contributor to the sector as well as the overall Portfolio. The financials sector also provided a modest relative gain. The Portfolio's exposure to a provider of exchange-traded funds (ETFs), which performed well during the period, and its overall underweight in the financials sector, which had a negative return in the Index, were beneficial to relative returns.

Conversely, the consumer staples sector somewhat dampened relative gains. A holding in a leading single-serve coffee provider was the largest detractor in the sector and the overall Portfolio. Stock selection in the information technology (IT) sector also hurt relative performance. A Chinese e-commerce company, which is not represented in the Index, and a maker of consumer electronics and computers were the main laggards in the IT sector.

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


7



Morgan Stanley Variable Investment Series

Letter to the Shareholders n June 30, 2015 (unaudited) continued

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

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

Very truly yours,

John H. Gernon
President and Principal Executive Officer


8



Morgan Stanley Variable Investment Series

Letter to the Shareholders n June 30, 2015 (unaudited) continued

For More Information About Portfolio Holdings

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

Proxy Voting Policy and Procedures and Proxy Voting Record

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

You may obtain information regarding how the Portfolios voted proxies relating to portfolio securities during the most recent twelve-month period ended June 30 without charge by visiting the Mutual Fund Center on our web site at www.morganstanley.com/im. This information is also available on the SEC's web site at http://www.sec.gov.


9




Morgan Stanley Variable Investment Series

Fund Performance n June 30, 2015 (unaudited)

Average Annual Total Returns—Period Ended June 30, 2015(1)   

Class X

 

1 Year

 

5 Years

 

10 Years

  Since
Inception
  Gross Expense
Ratio
  Date of
Inception
 

European Equity

   

-6.23

%

   

11.08

%

   

5.59

%

   

8.54

%

   

1.26

%

 

3/1/1991

 

Income Plus

   

0.68

     

6.28

     

5.90

     

7.13

     

0.64

   

3/1/1987

 

Limited Duration

   

0.38

     

1.80

     

0.77

     

1.87

     

0.80

   

5/4/1999

 

Money Market

   

0.01

     

0.01

     

1.36

     

3.85

     

0.70

   

3/9/1984

 

Multi Cap Growth

   

11.52

     

19.92

     

11.70

     

11.78

     

0.57

   

3/9/1984

 

Class Y

                     

 

European Equity

   

-6.45

     

10.80

     

5.33

     

2.31

     

1.51

   

6/5/2000

 

Income Plus

   

0.37

     

6.00

     

5.62

     

6.33

     

0.89

   

6/5/2000

 

Limited Duration

   

0.09

     

1.54

     

0.52

     

1.53

     

1.05

   

6/5/2000

 

Money Market

   

0.01

     

0.01

     

1.27

     

1.51

     

0.95

   

6/5/2000

 

Multi Cap Growth

   

11.24

     

19.62

     

11.42

     

5.39

     

0.82

   

6/5/2000

 

Performance data quoted represents past performance, which is no guarantee of future results and current performance may be lower or higher than the figures shown. For most recent month-end performance figures, please contact the issuing insurance company or speak with your Financial Advisor. Investment return and principal value will fluctuate. When you sell Portfolio shares, they may be worth less than their original cost. Total returns do not reflect the deduction of taxes that a shareholder would pay on Portfolio distributions or the redemption of Portfolio shares. Performance for Class Y shares will vary from the performance of Class X shares due to differences in expenses. Expenses are as of each Portfolio's fiscal year end as outlined in the Portfolio's current prospectus.

(1)  Figure assumes reinvestment of all distributions for the underlying fund based on net asset value ("NAV"). It does not reflect the deduction of insurance expenses, an annual contract maintenance fee, or surrender charges. If performance information included the effect of these additional charges, the total returns would be lower.


10



Morgan Stanley Variable Investment Series

Expense Examples n June 30, 2015 (unaudited)

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

These examples are based on an investment of $1,000 invested at the beginning of the period and held for the entire period 01/01/15 – 06/30/15.

Actual Expenses

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

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


11



Morgan Stanley Variable Investment Series

Expense Examples n June 30, 2015 (unaudited) continued

Money Market

    Beginning
Account Value
  Ending
Account Value
  Expenses Paid
During Period@
 
   

01/01/15

 

06/30/15

  01/01/15 –
06/30/15
 

Class X

 
Actual (0.00% return)  

$

1,000.00

   

$

1,000.05

   

$

1.04

   
Hypothetical (5% annual return before expenses)  

$

1,000.00

   

$

1,023.75

   

$

1.05

   

Class Y

 
Actual (0.00% return)  

$

1,000.00

   

$

1,000.05

   

$

1.04

   
Hypothetical (5% annual return before expenses)  

$

1,000.00

   

$

1,023.75

   

$

1.05

   

  @  Expenses are equal to the Portfolio's annualized expense ratios of 0.21% and 0.21% for Class X and Class Y shares, respectively, multiplied by the average account value over the period, multiplied by 181/365 (to reflect the one-half year period). If the Portfolio had borne all of its expenses, the annualized expense ratios would have been 0.76% and 1.01% for Class X and Class Y shares, respectively.

Limited Duration

    Beginning
Account Value
  Ending
Account Value
  Expenses Paid
During Period@
 
   

01/01/15

 

06/30/15

  01/01/15 –
06/30/15
 

Class X

 
Actual (0.38% return)  

$

1,000.00

   

$

1,003.80

   

$

4.37

   
Hypothetical (5% annual return before expenses)  

$

1,000.00

   

$

1,020.43

   

$

4.41

   

Class Y

 
Actual (0.36% return)  

$

1,000.00

   

$

1,003.60

   

$

5.61

   
Hypothetical (5% annual return before expenses)  

$

1,000.00

   

$

1,019.19

   

$

5.66

   

  @  Expenses are equal to the Portfolio's annualized expense ratios of 0.88% and 1.13% for Class X and Class Y shares, respectively, multiplied by the average account value over the period, multiplied by 181/365 (to reflect the one-half year period).

Income Plus

    Beginning
Account Value
  Ending
Account Value
  Expenses Paid
During Period@
 
   

01/01/15

 

06/30/15

  01/01/15 –
06/30/15
 

Class X

 
Actual (-0.60% return)  

$

1,000.00

   

$

994.00

   

$

3.26

   
Hypothetical (5% annual return before expenses)  

$

1,000.00

   

$

1,021.52

   

$

3.31

   

Class Y

 
Actual (-0.73% return)  

$

1,000.00

   

$

992.70

   

$

4.50

   
Hypothetical (5% annual return before expenses)  

$

1,000.00

   

$

1,020.28

   

$

4.56

   

  @  Expenses are equal to the Portfolio's annualized expense ratios of 0.66% and 0.91% for Class X and Class Y shares, respectively, multiplied by the average account value over the period, multiplied by 181/365 (to reflect the one-half year period).


12



Morgan Stanley Variable Investment Series

Expense Examples n June 30, 2015 (unaudited) continued

European Equity

    Beginning
Account Value
  Ending
Account Value
  Expenses Paid
During Period@
 
   

01/01/15

 

06/30/15

  01/01/15 –
06/30/15
 

Class X

 
Actual (5.30% return)  

$

1,000.00

   

$

1,053.00

   

$

5.09

   
Hypothetical (5% annual return before expenses)  

$

1,000.00

   

$

1,019.84

   

$

5.01

   

Class Y

 
Actual (5.20% return)  

$

1,000.00

   

$

1,052.00

   

$

6.36

   
Hypothetical (5% annual return before expenses)  

$

1,000.00

   

$

1,018.60

   

$

6.26

   

  @  Expenses are equal to the Portfolio's annualized expense ratios of 1.00% and 1.25% for Class X and Class Y shares, respectively, multiplied by the average account value over the period, multiplied by 181/365 (to reflect the one-half year period). If the Portfolio had borne all of its expenses, the annualized expense ratios would have been 1.30% and 1.55% for Class X and Class Y shares, respectively.

Multi Cap Growth

    Beginning
Account Value
  Ending
Account Value
  Expenses Paid
During Period@
 
   

01/01/15

 

06/30/15

  01/01/15 –
06/30/15
 

Class X

 
Actual (7.50% return)  

$

1,000.00

   

$

1,075.00

   

$

2.93

   
Hypothetical (5% annual return before expenses)  

$

1,000.00

   

$

1,021.97

   

$

2.86

   

Class Y

 
Actual (7.37% return)  

$

1,000.00

   

$

1,073.70

   

$

4.22

   
Hypothetical (5% annual return before expenses)  

$

1,000.00

   

$

1,020.73

   

$

4.11

   

  @  Expenses are equal to the Portfolio's annualized expense ratios of 0.57% and 0.82% for Class X and Class Y shares, respectively, multiplied by the average account value over the period, multiplied by 181/365 (to reflect the one-half year period).


13



Morgan Stanley Variable Investment Series

Investment Advisory Agreement Approval n June 30, 2015 (unaudited)

Nature, Extent and Quality of Services

The Board reviewed and considered the nature and extent of the investment advisory services provided by Morgan Stanley Investment Management Inc. (the "Adviser") under the advisory agreement, including portfolio management, investment research and equity and fixed income securities trading. The Board reviewed similar information and factors regarding Morgan Stanley Investment Management Limited (the "Sub-Adviser"), for the European Equity Portfolio. The Board also reviewed and considered the nature and extent of the non-advisory, administrative services provided by the Adviser under the administration agreement, including accounting, operations, clerical, bookkeeping, compliance, business management and planning, legal services and the provision of supplies, office space and utilities at the Adviser's expense. The Board also considered the Adviser's investment in personnel and infrastructure that benefits the Portfolios. (The Adviser and Sub-Adviser together are referred to as the "Adviser" and the advisory, sub-advisory and administration agreements together are referred to as the "Management Agreement.") The Board also considered that the Adviser serves a variety of other investment advisory clients and has experience overseeing service providers. The Board also compared the nature of the services provided by the Adviser with similar services provided by non-affiliated advisers as reported to the Board by Lipper, Inc. ("Lipper").

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

Performance, Fees and Expenses of the Portfolios

The Board reviewed the performance, fees and expenses of the Portfolios compared to their peers, as determined by Lipper, and to appropriate benchmarks where applicable. The Board discussed with the Adviser the performance goals and the actual results achieved in managing the Portfolios. When considering a fund's performance, the Board and the Adviser place emphasis on trends and longer-term returns (focusing on one-year, three-year and five-year performance, as of December 31, 2014, or since inception, as applicable). When a fund underperforms its benchmark and/or its peer group average, they discuss the causes of such underperformance and, where necessary, they discuss specific changes to investment strategy or investment personnel.

Performance

The Board noted that the performance of each of the Income Plus and Money Market Portfolios was better than that of its respective peer group averages for the one-, three- and five-year periods.


14



Morgan Stanley Variable Investment Series

Investment Advisory Agreement Approval n June 30, 2015 (unaudited) continued

The Board noted that the performance of each of the European Equity and Multi Cap Growth Portfolios was better than that of its respective peer group average for the three- and five-year periods but below its peer group average for the one-year period.

The Board noted that the performance of the Limited Duration Portfolio was below its peer group average for the one-, three- and five-year periods.

Performance Conclusions

With respect to the European Equity, Income Plus, Money Market and Multi Cap Growth Portfolios, after discussion, the Board concluded that performance was competitive with the peer group averages.

With respect to the Limited Duration Portfolio, after discussion, the Board concluded that performance was acceptable.

Fees and Expenses

The Board members discussed with the Adviser the level of the advisory and administration fees (together, the "management fee") for the Portfolios relative to comparable funds and/or other accounts advised by the Adviser and/or compared to their respective peers as determined by Lipper. In addition to the management fee, the Board also reviewed the Portfolios' total expense ratios. When a fund's management fee and/or its total expense ratio are higher than its peers, the Board and the Adviser discuss the reasons for this and, where appropriate, they discuss possible waivers and/or caps.

The Board noted that the contractual management fee for the European Equity Portfolio was higher but close to its peer group average, the actual management fee was lower than its peer group average and the total expense ratio was higher but close to its peer group average.

The Board noted that management fees and total expense ratios for the Income Plus and Multi Cap Growth Portfolios were lower than their respective peer group averages.

The Board noted that while the Limited Duration Portfolio's management fee was lower than its peer group average, the total expense ratio was higher than its peer group average.

The Board noted that the contractual management fee for the Money Market Portfolio was higher than its peer group average and the actual management fee and total expense ratio were lower than its peer group averages.

Fee and Expense Conclusions

With respect to the European Equity, Income Plus, Money Market and Multi Cap Growth Portfolios, after discussion, the Board concluded that the management fees and total expense ratios were competitive with those of their peer group averages.


15



Morgan Stanley Variable Investment Series

Investment Advisory Agreement Approval n June 30, 2015 (unaudited) continued

With respect to the Limited Duration Portfolio, after discussion, the Board concluded that (i) the management fee was competitive with its peer group average and (ii) the total expense ratio was acceptable.

Economies of Scale

The Board considered the size and growth prospects of the Portfolios and how that relates to the Portfolios' total expense ratios and particularly the Portfolios' management fee rates (which, for all the Portfolios except Limited Duration, include one or more breakpoints). In conjunction with its review of the Adviser's profitability, the Board discussed with the Adviser how a change in assets can affect the efficiency or effectiveness of managing the Portfolios and whether the management fee level is appropriate relative to current and projected asset levels and/or whether the management fee structure reflects economies of scale as asset levels change. The Board has determined that its review of the actual and/or potential economies of scale of each Portfolio supports its decision to approve the Management Agreement.

Profitability of the Adviser and Affiliates

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

Other Benefits of the Relationship

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

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

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


16



Morgan Stanley Variable Investment Series

Investment Advisory Agreement Approval n June 30, 2015 (unaudited) continued

the Adviser has the financial resources necessary to fulfill its obligations under the Management Agreement and that it is beneficial for the Portfolios to continue their relationship with the Adviser.

Other Factors and Current Trends

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

General Conclusion

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


17




Morgan Stanley Variable Investment Series - Money Market

Portfolio of Investments n June 30, 2015 (unaudited)

PRINCIPAL
AMOUNT
(000)
 


  ANNUALIZED
YIELD
ON DATE OF
PURCHASE
  MATURITY
DATE
 

VALUE

 
   

Repurchase Agreements (52.6%)

 

$

10,000

    ABN Amro Securities LLC, (dated 06/30/15;
proceeds $10,000,039; fully collateralized by
various U.S. Government agency securities,
0.75% - 10.50% due 01/12/18 - 10/20/64
and U.S. Government obligations,
0.88% - 3.75% due 01/15/18 - 08/15/41;
valued at $10,231,586)
   

0.14

%

 

07/01/15

 

$

10,000,000

   
 

1,000

    ABN Amro Securities LLC, (dated 04/23/15;
proceeds $1,000,708; fully collateralized by
Cash; valued at $1,000,000)
(Demand 07/07/15)
   

0.28

(a)

 

07/23/15

   

1,000,000

   
 

9,840

    BNP Paribas Securities Corp., (dated 06/30/15;
proceeds $9,840,027; fully collateralized by
various U.S. Government agency securities,
1.00% - 6.50% due 09/27/17 - 10/20/64 and
U.S. Government obligations, Zero Coupon
due 08/15/15 - 08/15/40;
valued at $10,111,557)
   

0.10

   

07/01/15

   

9,840,000

   
 

5,000

    Credit Agricole Corp., (dated 06/30/15;
proceeds $5,000,019; fully collateralized by
various U.S. Government obligations,
Zero Coupon - 6.25% due 07/23/15 - 05/15/44;
valued at $5,100,030)
   

0.14

   

07/01/15

   

5,000,000

   
 

1,000

    Credit Suisse Securities USA, (dated 05/04/15;
proceeds $1,001,716; fully collateralized by a
Corporate Bond, 5.40% due 01/14/20;
valued at $1,051,644)
   

0.68

   

08/03/15

   

1,000,000

   
 

500

    ING Financial Markets LLC, (dated 06/30/15;
proceeds $500,004; fully collateralized by
various Corporate Bonds, 7.00% - 10.50%
due 02/28/18 - 02/15/21;
valued at $531,617)
   

0.28

   

07/01/15

   

500,000

   
 

500

    Merrill Lynch Pierce Fenner & Smith, (dated
01/29/15; proceeds $501,480; fully
collateralized by various Common Stocks;
valued at $525,015)
(Demand 07/01/15)
   

0.57

(a)

 

08/04/15

   

500,000

   

See Notes to Financial Statements
18



Morgan Stanley Variable Investment Series - Money Market

Portfolio of Investments n June 30, 2015 (unaudited) continued

PRINCIPAL
AMOUNT
(000)
 


  ANNUALIZED
YIELD
ON DATE OF
PURCHASE
  MATURITY
DATE
 

VALUE

 

$

750

    RBC Capital Markets LLC, (dated 05/06/15;
proceeds $750,656; fully collateralized by
various Corporate Bonds, 5.38% - 10.00%
due 03/15/16 - 07/15/22;
valued at $795,000)
(Demand 07/07/15)
   

0.35

(a)%

 

08/04/15

 

$

750,000

   
 

250

    RBC Capital Markets LLC, (dated 06/15/15;
proceeds $250,221; fully collateralized by
various Corporate Bonds, 6.75% - 9.50%
due 03/15/16 - 07/15/22; valued at $265,000)
(Demand 07/07/15)
   

0.35

(a)

 

09/14/15

   

250,000

   
 

750

    Wells Fargo Securities LLC, (dated 04/27/15;
proceeds $751,287; fully collateralized by
various Convertible Bonds, 0.25% - 5.00%
due 09/15/18 - 02/15/44 and Convertible
Preferred Stocks; valued at $847,500)
   

0.68

   

07/27/15

   

750,000

   
    Total Repurchase Agreements
(Cost $29,590,000)
   

29,590,000

   

 

   
  COUPON
RATE(a)
  DEMAND
DATE(b)
 

 
 
   

Floating Rate Notes (16.9%)

 
   

Domestic Banks (9.8%)

 
 

1,000

   

HSBC Bank USA NA

   

0.28  

%

 

08/04/15

 

08/04/15

   

1,000,000

   
 

2,000

   

JP Morgan Chase Bank NA

   

0.44

   

09/08/15

 

06/07/16

   

2,000,000

   
 

500

   

U.S. Bank NA

   

0.25

   

07/27/15

 

07/27/15

   

500,000

   
 

1,000

   

Wells Fargo Bank NA (c)

   

0.39

   

07/20/15

 

06/17/16

   

1,000,000

   
 

1,000

   

Wells Fargo Bank NA

   

0.41

   

09/15/15

 

06/14/16

   

1,000,000

   
     

5,500,000

   
   

International Banks (7.1%)

 
 

2,000

   

Bank of Nova Scotia

   

0.28 - 0.41

   

07/30/15 - 09/03/15

 

08/04/15 - 01/29/16

   

2,000,000

   
 

500

   

BNP Paribas SA

   

0.44

   

07/23/15

 

12/23/15

   

500,000

   
 

300

   

Rabobank Nederland NY

   

0.32

   

07/06/15

 

07/06/15

   

300,000

   
 

500

   

Sumitomo Mitsui Banking Corp.

   

0.33

   

07/27/15

 

08/27/15

   

500,000

   
 

700

   

Toronto Dominion Bank

   

0.28

   

07/22/15

 

07/22/15

   

700,000

   
     

4,000,000

   
        Total Floating Rate Notes
(Cost $9,500,000)
               

9,500,000

   

See Notes to Financial Statements
19



Morgan Stanley Variable Investment Series - Money Market

Portfolio of Investments n June 30, 2015 (unaudited) continued

PRINCIPAL
AMOUNT
(000)
 


  ANNUALIZED
YIELD
ON DATE OF
PURCHASE
  MATURITY
DATE
 

VALUE

 
   

Certificates of Deposit (14.2%)

 
   

International Banks

 

$

2,000

   

Bank of Montreal

   

0.13

%

 

07/06/15

 

$

2,000,000

   
 

1,000

   

Landesbank Hessen Thuringen Girozentrale

   

0.14

   

07/02/15

   

1,000,000

   
 

1,000

   

Mizuho Bank Ltd.

   

0.28

   

09/16/15

   

1,000,000

   
 

1,000

   

Oversea Chinese Banking Corp.

   

0.19

   

07/06/15 - 07/07/15

   

999,998

   
 

1,000

   

Sumitomo Mitsui Banking Corp.

   

0.28

   

09/17/15

   

1,000,000

   
 

2,000

   

Swedbank AB

   

0.10

   

07/07/15

   

2,000,000

   
    Total Certificates of Deposit
(Cost $7,999,998)
   

7,999,998

   
   

Time Deposits (7.1%)

 
   

International Banks

 
 

2,000

   

Canadian Imperial Bank of Commerce

   

0.03

   

07/01/15

   

2,000,000

   
 

2,000

   

Skandinaviska Enskilda Banken AB

   

0.04

   

07/01/15

   

2,000,000

   
    Total Time Deposits
(Cost $4,000,000)
   

4,000,000

   
   

Commercial Paper (5.3%)

 
   

International Banks

 
 

2,000

   

Macquarie Bank Ltd.

   

0.32

   

09/17/15

   

1,998,613

   
 

1,000

   

Sumitomo Mitsui Trust Bank Ltd.

   

0.17

   

07/02/15

   

999,996

   
    Total Commercial Paper
(Cost $2,998,609)
   

2,998,609

   

 

 

 
  COUPON
RATE(a)
  DEMAND
DATE(b)
 

 
 
   

Extendible Floating Rate Notes (4.1%)

 
   

International Banks

 
 

1,000

    Royal Bank of Canada
(Extendible Maturity Date
06/30/16)
   

0.39

%

 

07/01/15

 

04/01/19

   

999,970

   

See Notes to Financial Statements
20



Morgan Stanley Variable Investment Series - Money Market

Portfolio of Investments n June 30, 2015 (unaudited) continued

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

VALUE

 

$

1,300

    Svenska Handelsbanken AB (c)
(Extendible Maturity Date
12/15/15)
   

0.36

%

 

07/15/15

 

05/13/16

 

$

1,300,000

   
        Total Extendible Floating Rate Notes
(Cost $2,299,970)
               

2,299,970

   

 

Total Investments
(Cost $56,388,577)
   

100.2

%

   

56,388,577

   

Liabilities in Excess of Other Assets

   

(0.2

)

   

(128,304

)

 

Net Assets

   

100.0

%

 

$

56,260,273

   

  (a)  Rate shown is the rate in effect at June 30, 2015.

  (b)  Date of next interest rate reset.

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

MATURITY SCHEDULE†

30 Days    

82.3

%

 
31 60 Days    

4.4

   
61  90 Days    

13.3

   
     

100.0

%

 

†  As a percentage of total investments

See Notes to Financial Statements
21



Morgan Stanley Variable Investment Series - Limited Duration

Portfolio of Investments n June 30, 2015 (unaudited)

PRINCIPAL
AMOUNT
(000)
 

  COUPON
RATE
  MATURITY
DATE
 

VALUE

 
   

Corporate Bonds (72.1%)

 
   

Basic Materials (1.7%)

 

$

115

   

Ecolab, Inc.

   

3.00

%

 

12/08/16

 

$

117,730

   
 

175

   

Glencore Funding LLC (Switzerland) (a)

   

2.875

   

04/16/20

   

171,720

   
 

175

   

Goldcorp, Inc. (Canada)

   

2.125

   

03/15/18

   

175,518

   
 

125

   

Rio Tinto Finance USA PLC (United Kingdom)

   

1.375

   

06/17/16

   

125,443

   
         

590,411

   
   

Communications (7.1%)

 
 

150

   

Amazon.com, Inc.

   

2.60

   

12/05/19

   

151,094

   
 

400

   

AT&T, Inc.

   

2.45

   

06/30/20

   

392,564

   
 

225

   

Baidu, Inc. (China)

   

3.25

   

08/06/18

   

231,905

   
 

200

   

CBS Corp.

   

2.30

   

08/15/19

   

197,854

   
 

180

   

Comcast Corp.

   

5.70

   

05/15/18

   

200,316

   
 

225

   

Orange SA (France)

   

2.75

   

02/06/19

   

228,528

   
 

175

   

Scripps Networks Interactive, Inc.

   

2.75

   

11/15/19

   

175,549

   
 

125

   

Thomson Reuters Corp. (Canada)

   

1.30

   

02/23/17

   

124,759

   
 

50

   

Thomson Reuters Corp. (Canada)

   

1.65

   

09/29/17

   

50,011

   
 

175

   

Time Warner Cable, Inc.

   

6.75

   

07/01/18

   

195,250

   
 

225

   

Verizon Communications, Inc.

   

2.55

   

06/17/19

   

228,289

   
 

225

   

Viacom, Inc.

   

2.50

   

09/01/18

   

227,516

   
         

2,403,635

   
   

Consumer, Cyclical (4.9%)

 
 

250

   

Daimler Finance North America LLC (Germany) (a)

   

2.375

   

08/01/18

   

253,591

   
 

83

   

Harley-Davidson Financial Services, Inc. (a)

   

1.55

   

11/17/17

   

83,106

   
 

100

   

Harley-Davidson Financial Services, Inc. (a)

   

2.15

   

02/26/20

   

99,248

   
 

100

   

Hyundai Capital America (Korea, Republic of) (a)

   

2.60

   

03/19/20

   

100,144

   
 

175

   

McDonald's Corp., MTN

   

2.20

   

05/26/20

   

173,300

   
 

240

   

Nissan Motor Acceptance Corp. (Japan) (a)

   

2.65

   

09/26/18

   

246,348

   
 

175

   

Southwest Airlines Co.

   

2.75

   

11/06/19

   

177,732

   
 

200

    Volkswagen Group of America Finance LLC
(Germany) (a)
   

2.40

   

05/22/20

   

199,115

   
 

135

   

Wesfarmers Ltd. (Australia) (a)

   

2.983

   

05/18/16

   

137,464

   
 

175

   

Yum! Brands, Inc.

   

3.875

   

11/01/20

   

182,020

   
         

1,652,068

   
   

Consumer, Non-Cyclical (11.1%)

 
 

175

   

AbbVie, Inc.

   

2.50

   

05/14/20

   

173,401

   
 

280

   

Actavis Funding SCS

   

3.00

   

03/12/20

   

281,335

   
 

150

   

Amgen, Inc.

   

2.50

   

11/15/16

   

152,854

   
 

150

    BAT International Finance PLC
(United Kingdom) (a)
   

2.75

   

06/15/20

   

151,024

   

See Notes to Financial Statements
22



Morgan Stanley Variable Investment Series - Limited Duration

Portfolio of Investments n June 30, 2015 (unaudited) continued

PRINCIPAL
AMOUNT
(000)
 

  COUPON
RATE
  MATURITY
DATE
 

VALUE

 

$

175

   

Baxalta, Inc. (a)

   

2.875

%

 

06/23/20

 

$

174,945

   
 

200

   

Bayer US Finance LLC (Germany) (a)

   

2.375

   

10/08/19

   

200,831

   
 

100

   

Becton Dickinson and Co.

   

2.675

   

12/15/19

   

100,180

   
 

175

   

EMD Finance LLC (Germany) (a)

   

2.40

   

03/19/20

   

174,212

   
 

210

   

Experian Finance PLC (United Kingdom) (a)

   

2.375

   

06/15/17

   

211,153

   
 

75

   

JM Smucker Co. (The) (a)

   

2.50

   

03/15/20

   

74,647

   
 

75

   

Kraft Foods Group, Inc.

   

2.25

   

06/05/17

   

76,059

   
 

150

   

Kroger Co. (The)

   

2.30

   

01/15/19

   

150,686

   
 

370

   

McKesson Corp.

   

3.25

   

03/01/16

   

375,643

   
 

175

   

Medtronic, Inc. (a)

   

2.50

   

03/15/20

   

175,408

   
 

250

   

Quest Diagnostics, Inc.

   

2.70

   

04/01/19

   

252,288

   
 

175

   

Reynolds American, Inc.

   

2.30

   

06/12/18

   

176,433

   
 

300

   

Synchrony Financial

   

3.00

   

08/15/19

   

302,420

   
 

250

   

Tyson Foods, Inc.

   

2.65

   

08/15/19

   

251,889

   
 

100

   

Ventas Realty LP

   

1.55

   

09/26/16

   

100,399

   
 

200

   

Wm Wrigley Jr. Co. (a)

   

1.40

   

10/21/16

   

200,576

   
         

3,756,383

   
   

Diversified (1.2%)

 
 

200

    Hutchison Whampoa International 14 Ltd.
(Hong Kong) (a)
   

1.625

   

10/31/17

   

199,626

   
 

200

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

1.625

   

06/29/17

   

201,344

   
         

400,970

   
   

Energy (4.4%)

 
 

200

   

Anadarko Petroleum Corp.

   

5.95

   

09/15/16

   

211,044

   
 

225

   

DCP Midstream Operating LP

   

2.70

   

04/01/19

   

212,527

   
 

50

   

Enbridge, Inc. (Canada)

   

0.734

(b)

 

06/02/17

   

49,425

   
 

175

   

Energy Transfer Partners LP

   

2.50

   

06/15/18

   

175,390

   
 

175

   

EnLink Midstream Partners LP

   

2.70

   

04/01/19

   

172,928

   
 

125

   

Enterprise Products Operating LLC

   

2.55

   

10/15/19

   

125,090

   
 

200

   

Kinder Morgan, Inc.

   

3.05

   

12/01/19

   

199,983

   
 

175

   

Marathon Oil Corp.

   

2.70

   

06/01/20

   

173,793

   
 

180

   

Marathon Petroleum Corp.

   

3.50

   

03/01/16

   

183,069

   
         

1,503,249

   
   

Finance (31.1%)

 
 

265

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

2.50

   

06/15/16

   

268,555

   
 

120

    Abbey National Treasury Services PLC
(United Kingdom)
   

3.05

   

08/23/18

   

124,244

   
 

230

   

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

   

2.50

   

10/30/18

   

233,788

   

See Notes to Financial Statements
23



Morgan Stanley Variable Investment Series - Limited Duration

Portfolio of Investments n June 30, 2015 (unaudited) continued

PRINCIPAL
AMOUNT
(000)
 

  COUPON
RATE
  MATURITY
DATE
 

VALUE

 

$

225

   

American Express Credit Corp.

   

2.25

%

 

08/15/19

 

$

225,511

   
 

400

   

Bank of America Corp.

   

2.60

   

01/15/19

   

404,695

   
 

250

   

Bank of Nova Scotia (The) (Canada)

   

1.70

   

06/11/18

   

250,271

   
 

210

   

BB&T Corp., MTN

   

2.25

   

02/01/19

   

211,078

   
 

100

   

BioMed Realty LP

   

2.625

   

05/01/19

   

99,667

   
 

210

   

BNP Paribas SA, MTN (France)

   

2.70

   

08/20/18

   

215,061

   
 

260

    BNZ International Funding Ltd.
(New Zealand) (a)
   

2.35

   

03/04/19

   

260,580

   
 

275

   

BPCE SA, MTN (France)

   

2.25

   

01/27/20

   

272,833

   
 

110

    Canadian Imperial Bank of Commerce
(Canada)
   

1.55

   

01/23/18

   

110,023

   
 

175

   

Capital One Financial Corp.

   

2.45

   

04/24/19

   

175,176

   
 

150

   

Citigroup, Inc.

   

8.50

   

05/22/19

   

183,110

   
 

250

   

Commonwealth Bank of Australia (Australia)

   

2.50

   

09/20/18

   

256,203

   
 

250

   

Compass Bank

   

1.85

   

09/29/17

   

249,836

   
 

115

    Cooperatieve Centrale
Raiffeisen-Boerenleenbank BA (Netherlands)
   

3.375

   

01/19/17

   

118,832

   
 

250

   

Credit Agricole SA (France) (a)

   

2.125

   

04/17/18

   

251,710

   
 

250

   

Credit Suisse (Switzerland)

   

2.30

   

05/28/19

   

249,704

   
 

225

   

DBS Group Holdings Ltd. (Singapore) (a)

   

2.246

   

07/16/19

   

225,492

   
 

250

   

Discover Bank

   

2.00

   

02/21/18

   

249,547

   
 

205

   

DNB Bank ASA (Norway) (a)

   

3.20

   

04/03/17

   

211,533

   
 

175

   

ERP Operating LP

   

2.375

   

07/01/19

   

175,901

   
 

275

   

Ford Motor Credit Co., LLC

   

5.00

   

05/15/18

   

295,847

   
 

325

   

Goldman Sachs Group, Inc. (The)

   

2.375

   

01/22/18

   

330,065

   
 

220

   

HSBC USA, Inc.

   

2.25

   

06/23/19

   

218,415

   
 

200

   

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

   

3.75

   

03/07/17

   

207,891

   
 

200

   

Intesa Sanpaolo SpA (Italy)

   

3.875

   

01/16/18

   

206,591

   
 

100

   

JPMorgan Chase & Co.

   

2.20

   

10/22/19

   

99,180

   
 

100

   

Lloyds Bank PLC (United Kingdom) (a)

   

6.50

   

09/14/20

   

115,389

   
 

201

   

Macquarie Bank Ltd. (Australia) (a)

   

2.60

   

06/24/19

   

202,310

   
 

175

   

Metropolitan Life Global Funding I (See Note 7) (a)

   

2.00

   

04/14/20

   

172,662

   
 

230

   

Mizuho Bank Ltd. (Japan) (a)

   

1.85

   

03/21/18

   

230,484

   
 

150

   

New York Life Global Funding (a)

   

1.30

   

10/30/17

   

149,642

   
 

250

   

Principal Financial Group, Inc.

   

1.85

   

11/15/17

   

251,935

   
 

320

   

Prudential Financial, Inc., MTN

   

4.75

   

09/17/15

   

322,492

   
 

200

   

QBE Insurance Group Ltd. (Australia) (a)

   

2.40

   

05/01/18

   

201,243

   
 

250

   

Santander Bank NA

   

2.00

   

01/12/18

   

250,116

   
 

200

   

Skandinaviska Enskilda Banken AB (Sweden) (a)

   

1.75

   

03/19/18

   

200,115

   
 

300

   

Standard Chartered PLC (United Kingdom) (a)

   

1.50

   

09/08/17

   

299,730

   
 

260

   

Sumitomo Mitsui Banking Corp. (Japan)

   

2.45

   

01/10/19

   

263,050

   
 

200

   

Swedbank AB (Sweden) (a)

   

1.75

   

03/12/18

   

200,412

   

See Notes to Financial Statements
24



Morgan Stanley Variable Investment Series - Limited Duration

Portfolio of Investments n June 30, 2015 (unaudited) continued

PRINCIPAL
AMOUNT
(000)
 

  COUPON
RATE
  MATURITY
DATE
 

VALUE

 

$

225

   

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

   

2.625

%

 

09/10/18

 

$

232,038

   
 

300

   

UBS AG, MTN (Switzerland)

   

2.375

   

08/14/19

   

300,151

   
 

200

    WEA Finance LLC/Westfield UK & Europe
Finance PLC (Australia) (a)
   

2.70

   

09/17/19

   

200,489

   
 

120

   

Wells Fargo & Co.

   

2.15

   

01/15/19

   

120,807

   
 

100

   

Wells Fargo & Co., MTN

   

1.40

   

09/08/17

   

100,288

   
 

350

   

Westpac Banking Corp. (Australia) (a)

   

1.375

   

05/30/18

   

348,851

   
         

10,543,543

   
   

Industrials (3.5%)

 
 

215

   

Eaton Corp.

   

1.50

   

11/02/17

   

214,975

   
 

115

   

Ingersoll-Rand Global Holding Co., Ltd.

   

2.875

   

01/15/19

   

117,025

   
 

75

   

L-3 Communications Corp.

   

1.50

   

05/28/17

   

74,520

   
 

50

   

Precision Castparts Corp.

   

0.70

   

12/20/15

   

49,981

   
 

50

   

Ryder System, Inc., MTN

   

2.65

   

03/02/20

   

49,974

   
 

250

    Siemens Financieringsmaatschappij N.V.
(Germany) (a)
   

2.15

   

05/27/20

   

247,167

   
 

175

   

Union Pacific Corp.

   

2.25

   

06/19/20

   

175,712

   
 

250

   

Waste Management, Inc.

   

2.60

   

09/01/16

   

254,456

   
         

1,183,810

   
   

Technology (2.3%)

 
 

100

   

Altera Corp.

   

2.50

   

11/15/18

   

102,234

   
 

160

   

Applied Materials, Inc.

   

2.65

   

06/15/16

   

162,560

   
 

200

   

Oracle Corp.

   

2.25

   

10/08/19

   

201,280

   
 

300

   

TSMC Global Ltd. (Taiwan) (a)

   

1.625

   

04/03/18

   

296,765

   
         

762,839

   
   

Utilities (4.8%)

 
 

275

   

Dominion Gas Holdings LLC

   

2.50

   

12/15/19

   

278,165

   
 

175

   

Eversource Energy

   

1.45

   

05/01/18

   

174,090

   
 

225

   

GDF Suez (France) (a)

   

1.625

   

10/10/17

   

226,378

   
 

200

   

Origin Energy Finance Ltd. (Australia) (a)

   

3.50

   

10/09/18

   

205,325

   
 

200

   

PSEG Power LLC

   

5.50

   

12/01/15

   

203,798

   
 

175

   

Sempra Energy

   

2.40

   

03/15/20

   

173,830

   
 

250

   

Southern Co. (The)

   

2.15

   

09/01/19

   

247,669

   
 

100

   

Xcel Energy, Inc.

   

1.20

   

06/01/17

   

100,066

   
         

1,609,321

   
        Total Corporate Bonds
(Cost $24,284,289)
           

24,406,229

   

See Notes to Financial Statements
25



Morgan Stanley Variable Investment Series - Limited Duration

Portfolio of Investments n June 30, 2015 (unaudited) continued

PRINCIPAL
AMOUNT
(000)
 

  COUPON
RATE
  MATURITY
DATE
 

VALUE

 
   

Asset-Backed Securities (10.9%)

     

$

145

   

CAM Mortgage LLC (a)

   

3.50  

%

 

07/15/64

 

$

145,000

   
 

180

   

Chrysler Capital Auto Receivables Trust (a)

   

1.22

   

07/15/19

   

180,029

   
 

150

   

Citibank Credit Card Issuance Trust

   

2.88

   

01/23/23

   

154,673

   
 

132

   

Colony American Homes (a)

   

1.40

(b)

 

05/17/31

   

131,519

   
   

Discover Card Execution Note Trust

     
 

230

             

0.616

(b)

 

07/15/21

   

230,768

   
 

200

             

1.22

   

10/15/19

   

200,405

   
 

381

   

Ford Credit Auto Owner Trust (a)

   

2.26

   

11/15/25

   

386,076

   
 

152

   

GM Financial Automobile Leasing Trust (a)

   

0.73

   

02/20/17

   

152,325

   
 

106

   

Invitation Homes Trust (a)

   

2.933

(b)

 

08/17/32

   

106,284

   
 

98

   

Nationstar HECM Loan Trust (a)

   

3.844

   

05/25/18

   

97,735

   
 

425

   

Nissan Auto Receivables Owner Trust

   

1.05

   

10/15/19

   

423,255

   
 

225

    North Carolina State Education Assistance
Authority
   

1.056

(b)

 

07/25/25

   

226,382

   
 

75

   

Panhandle-Plains Higher Education Authority, Inc.

   

1.234

(b)

 

07/01/24

   

75,082

   
 

152

   

Rmat Depositor LLC

   

4.826

   

06/25/35

   

152,143

   
 

91

   

Skopos Auto Receivables Trust (a)

   

3.10

   

12/15/23

   

91,160

   
 

88

   

VOLT NPL X LLC (a)

   

4.75

   

10/26/54

   

86,824

   
 

100

   

VOLT XIX LLC (a)

   

5.00

   

04/25/55

   

100,441

   
 

100

   

VOLT XXII LLC (a)

   

4.25

   

02/25/55

   

98,975

   
 

100

   

VOLT XXX LLC (a)

   

4.75

   

10/25/57

   

99,873

   
 

100

   

VOLT XXXI LLC (a)

   

4.50

   

02/25/55

   

98,612

   
 

200

   

VOLT XXXIII LLC (a)

   

4.25

   

03/25/55

   

196,989

   
 

137

   

Volvo Financial Equipment LLC (a)

   

0.74

   

03/15/17

   

136,878

   
 

113

   

World Omni Automobile Lease Securitization Trust

   

1.10

   

12/15/16

   

113,167

   
        Total Asset-Backed Securities
(Cost $3,658,878)
           

3,684,595

   
   

Agency Adjustable Rate Mortgages (5.2%)

     
    Federal Home Loan Mortgage Corporation,
Conventional Pools:
     
 

131

             

2.304

   

07/01/36

   

139,021

   
 

147

             

2.336

   

06/01/36

   

156,653

   
 

133

             

2.338

   

07/01/38

   

141,450

   
 

307

             

2.463

   

07/01/38

   

328,700

   
 

34

             

2.662

   

01/01/38

   

36,473

   

See Notes to Financial Statements
26



Morgan Stanley Variable Investment Series - Limited Duration

Portfolio of Investments n June 30, 2015 (unaudited) continued

PRINCIPAL
AMOUNT
(000)
 

  COUPON
RATE
  MATURITY
DATE
 

VALUE

 
    Federal National Mortgage Association,
Conventional Pools:
     

$

193

             

2.266

%

 

10/01/39

 

$

204,962

   
 

177

             

2.293

   

09/01/38

   

188,854

   
 

285

             

2.314

   

04/01/38

   

305,822

   
 

143

             

2.384

   

05/01/35

   

152,559

   
    Government National Mortgage Association,
Various Pools:
     
 

45

             

1.625

   

11/20/39

   

46,701

   
 

54

             

1.75

   

02/20/40

   

55,893

   
        Total Agency Adjustable Rate Mortgages
(Cost $1,757,235)
           

1,757,088

   
   

Mortgages - Other (4.1%)

     
 

115

   

CHL Mortgage Pass-Through Trust

   

5.50

   

05/25/34

   

118,696

   
 

119

   

Fannie Mae Connecticut Avenue Securities

   

1.335

(b)

 

05/25/25

   

118,762

   
    Freddie Mac Structured Agency Credit Risk
Debt Notes
     
 

246

             

1.082

   

10/25/27

   

245,775

   
 

221

             

1.187

(b)

 

02/25/24

   

221,300

   
 

136

   

JP Morgan Mortgage Trust

   

2.703

(b)

 

07/25/35

   

136,466

   
 

176

   

Merrill Lynch Mortgage Investors Trust

   

2.165

(b)

 

12/25/34

   

176,643

   
 

195

   

New Residential Mortgage Loan Trust (a)

   

3.75

(b)

 

04/25/52 - 05/25/54

   

200,677

   
 

175

   

Sequoia Mortgage Trust

   

0.807

(b)

 

08/20/34

   

166,120

   
        Total Mortgages - Other
(Cost $1,386,969)
           

1,384,439

   
   

Commercial Mortgage-Backed Securities (2.0%)

     
 

195

   

BLCP Hotel Trust (a)

   

1.136

(b)

 

08/15/29

   

195,010

   
 

185

   

CDGJ Commercial Mortgage Trust (a)

   

1.586

(b)

 

12/15/27

   

185,534

   
 

93

   

Citigroup Commercial Mortgage Trust (a)

   

2.11

   

01/12/30

   

94,003

   
 

99

   

Hilton USA Trust (a)

   

1.185

(b)

 

11/05/30

   

98,564

   
 

100

    JP Morgan Chase Commercial
Mortgage Securities Trust (a)
   

1.166

(b)

 

07/15/31

   

99,977

   
        Total Commercial Mortgage-Backed Securities
(Cost $673,922)
           

673,088

   
   

Collateralized Mortgage Obligations - Agency Collateral Series (1.7%)

     
 

150

    Federal Home Loan Mortgage Corporation,
REMIC
   

7.50

   

09/15/29

   

174,311

   
 

111

   

Federal National Mortgage Association

   

1.083

   

02/25/16

   

111,233

   

See Notes to Financial Statements
27



Morgan Stanley Variable Investment Series - Limited Duration

Portfolio of Investments n June 30, 2015 (unaudited) continued

PRINCIPAL
AMOUNT
(000)
 

  COUPON
RATE
  MATURITY
DATE
 

VALUE

 
   

Government National Mortgage Association,

     
       

IO

                         

$

366

             

6.043

(b)%

 

03/20/43

 

$

66,621

   
 

451

             

6.313

(b)

 

05/20/40

   

87,816

   
       

IO PAC

                         
 

634

             

5.963

(b)

 

10/20/41

   

89,389

   
 

599

             

6.315

(b)

 

08/16/39

   

65,502

   
        Total Collateralized Mortgage Obligations - Agency Collateral Series
(Cost $534,573)
           

594,872

   
   

Sovereign (0.7%)

     
 

245

    Korea Development Bank (The) (Korea, Republic of)
(Cost $242,428)
   

1.50

   

01/22/18

   

243,617

   
   

Agency Fixed Rate Mortgages (0.5%)

     
    Federal National Mortgage Association,
Conventional Pools:
     
 

85

             

6.50

   

01/01/32 - 11/01/33

   

97,779

   
 

53

             

7.00

   

12/01/31 - 06/01/32

   

58,502

   
        Total Agency Fixed Rate Mortgages
(Cost $144,451)
           

156,281

   
   

Short-Term Investments (1.6%)

     
   

U.S. Treasury Security (0.6%)

     
 

201

    U.S. Treasury Bill (c)(d)
(Cost $200,920)
   

0.089

   

12/10/15

   

200,966

   
NUMBER OF
SHARES (000)
 
 
 
 
 
   

Investment Company (1.0%)

     
 

346

    Morgan Stanley Institutional Liquidity Funds - Money
Market Portfolio - Institutional Class (See Note 7)
(Cost $346,020)
   

346,020

   
        Total Short-Term Investments
(Cost $546,940)
           

546,986

   
        Total Investments
(Cost $33,229,685) (e)
       

98.8

%

   

33,447,195

   
       

Other Assets in Excess of Liabilities

       

1.2

     

407,624

   
       

Net Assets

       

100.0

%

 

$

33,854,819

   

  IO  Interest Only.

  MTN  Medium Term Note.

  PAC  Planned Amortization Class.

See Notes to Financial Statements
28



Morgan Stanley Variable Investment Series - Limited Duration

Portfolio of Investments n June 30, 2015 (unaudited) continued

  REMIC  Real Estate Mortgage Investment Conduit.

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

  (b)  Variable/Floating Rate Security — Interest rate changes on these instruments are based on changes in a designated base rate. The rates shown are those in effect on June 30, 2015.

  (c)  Rate shown is the yield to maturity at June 30, 2015.

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

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

FUTURES CONTRACTS OPEN AT JUNE 30, 2015:

NUMBER OF
CONTRACTS
 

LONG/SHORT

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

11

   

Long

  U.S. Treasury 2 yr. Note,
Sep-15
 

$

2,408,313

   

$

4,313

   
 

12

   

Long

  U.S. Treasury 5 yr. Note,
Sep-15
   

1,431,094

     

70

   
 

2

   

Long

  U.S. Treasury Ultra Bond,
Sep-15
   

308,125

     

812

   
 

1

   

Short

  U.S. Treasury 10 yr. Note,
Sep-15
   

(126,172

)

   

(828

)

 
 

1

   

Short

  U.S. Treasury Long Bond,
Sep-15
   

(150,843

)

   

(31

)

 

Net Unrealized Appreciation

 

$

4,336

   

CREDIT DEFAULT SWAP AGREEMENTS OPEN AT JUNE 30, 2015:

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

VALUE

  CREDIT
RATING OF
REFERENCE
OBLIGATION†
 
Barclays Bank PLC
Yum! Brands, Inc.
 

Buy

 

$

225

     

1.00

%

 

12/20/18

 

$

26

   

$

(3,905

)

 

$

(3,879

)

 

BBB

 
Barclays Bank PLC
Quest  
Diagnostics, Inc.
 

Buy

   

250

     

1.00

   

03/20/19

   

(8,815

)

   

4,798

     

(4,017

)

 

BBB+

 
Morgan Stanley &
Co., LLC
CDX.NA.IG.24
 

Buy

   

400

     

1.00

   

06/20/20

   

1,778

     

(7,585

)

   

(5,807

)

 

NR

 
Total Credit
Default Swaps
     

$

875

           

$

(7,011

)

 

$

(6,692

)

 

$

(13,703

)

     

See Notes to Financial Statements
29



Morgan Stanley Variable Investment Series - Limited Duration

Portfolio of Investments n June 30, 2015 (unaudited) continued

INTEREST RATE SWAP AGREEMENT OPEN AT JUNE 30, 2015:

SWAP COUNTERPARTY

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

FIXED RATE

  TERMINATION
DATE
  UNREALIZED
APPRECIATION
 
Morgan Stanley & Co., LLC*  

$

2,700

      3 Month LIBOR    

Receive

   

1.58

%

 

03/24/20

 

$

5,068

   

  LIBOR  London Interbank Offered Rate.

  NR  Not Rated.

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

  *  Cleared swap agreement, the broker is Morgan Stanley & Co., LLC.

LONG TERM CREDIT ANALYSIS+

AAA

   

12.1

%

 

AA

   

19.8

   

A

   

38.4

   

BBB

   

25.2

   

Not Rated

   

4.5

   
     

100.0

%++

 

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

++  Does not include open long/short futures contracts with an underlying face amount of $4,424,547 with net unrealized appreciation of $4,336. Also does not include open swap agreements with net unrealized depreciation of $1,943.

See Notes to Financial Statements
30




Morgan Stanley Variable Investment Series - Income Plus

Portfolio of Investments n June 30, 2015 (unaudited)

PRINCIPAL
AMOUNT
(000)
 

  COUPON
RATE
  MATURITY
DATE
 

VALUE

 
   

Corporate Bonds (95.5%)

 
   

Basic Materials (4.0%)

 

$

600

   

Anglo American Capital PLC (United Kingdom) (a)

   

3.625

%

 

05/14/20

 

$

600,733

   
 

225

   

Ashland, Inc.

   

6.875

   

05/15/43

   

229,500

   
 

240

   

BHP Billiton Finance USA Ltd. (Australia)

   

3.85

   

09/30/23

   

246,881

   
 

225

   

BHP Billiton Finance USA Ltd. (Australia)

   

5.00

   

09/30/43

   

234,453

   
 

390

   

Eldorado Gold Corp. (Canada) (a)

   

6.125

   

12/15/20

   

388,050

   
 

440

   

Freeport-McMoRan, Inc.

   

3.875

   

03/15/23

   

400,357

   
 

690

   

Glencore Funding LLC (Switzerland) (a)

   

4.125

   

05/30/23

   

668,627

   
 

175

   

Goldcorp, Inc. (Canada)

   

5.45

   

06/09/44

   

167,196

   
 

545

   

Lubrizol Corp.

   

8.875

   

02/01/19

   

670,008

   
 

246

   

Lundin Mining Corp. (Canada) (a)

   

7.50

   

11/01/20

   

265,680

   
 

300

   

LyondellBasell Industries N.V.

   

4.625

   

02/26/55

   

265,307

   
 

470

   

NOVA Chemicals Corp. (Canada) (a)

   

5.25

   

08/01/23

   

478,812

   
 

115

   

Southern Copper Corp. (Mexico)

   

7.50

   

07/27/35

   

129,368

   
 

295

   

Vale Overseas Ltd. (Brazil)

   

6.875

   

11/21/36

   

286,684

   
         

5,031,656

   
   

Communications (12.1%)

 
 

725

   

21st Century Fox America, Inc.

   

4.75

   

09/15/44

   

711,648

   
 

700

   

Alibaba Group Holding Ltd. (China) (a)

   

2.50

   

11/28/19

   

693,074

   
 

250

   

Amazon.com, Inc.

   

3.80

   

12/05/24

   

251,418

   
 

175

   

Amazon.com, Inc.

   

4.95

   

12/05/44

   

171,187

   
 

80

   

AT&T, Inc.

   

4.75

   

05/15/46

   

73,079

   
 

200

   

AT&T, Inc.

   

5.55

   

08/15/41

   

205,626

   
 

875

   

AT&T, Inc.

   

6.30

   

01/15/38

   

974,651

   
 

525

   

Baidu, Inc. (China)

   

2.75

   

06/09/19

   

526,234

   
 

200

   

Baidu, Inc. (China)

   

3.25

   

08/06/18

   

206,138

   
 

310

   

Cablevision Systems Corp.

   

7.75

   

04/15/18

   

335,575

   
 

100

   

CBS Corp.

   

4.60

   

01/15/45

   

89,632

   
 

150

   

CBS Corp.

   

4.90

   

08/15/44

   

139,081

   
 

670

   

Comcast Corp.

   

6.40

   

05/15/38

   

816,867

   
 

195

   

CSC Holdings LLC

   

6.75

   

11/15/21

   

206,212

   
 

251

   

Ctrip.com International Ltd.

   

1.25

   

10/15/18

   

287,081

   
 

50

   

Deutsche Telekom International Finance BV (Germany)

   

8.75

   

06/15/30

   

70,512

   
 

300

   

DirecTV Holdings LLC/DIRECTV Financing Co., Inc.

   

5.15

   

03/15/42

   

283,233

   
 

340

   

Empresa Nacional de Telecomunicaciones SA (Chile) (a)

   

4.75

   

08/01/26

   

335,183

   
 

329

   

Liberty Media Corp.

   

1.375

   

10/15/23

   

314,195

   
 

725

   

Motorola Solutions, Inc.

   

4.00

   

09/01/24

   

704,564

   
 

425

   

NBC Universal Media LLC

   

5.95

   

04/01/41

   

498,960

   
 

310

   

Netflix, Inc. (a)

   

5.50

   

02/15/22

   

321,625

   
 

350

   

Omnicom Group, Inc.

   

3.625

   

05/01/22

   

352,560

   
 

93

   

Omnicom Group, Inc.

   

3.65

   

11/01/24

   

91,505

   

See Notes to Financial Statements
31



Morgan Stanley Variable Investment Series - Income Plus

Portfolio of Investments n June 30, 2015 (unaudited) (continued)

PRINCIPAL
AMOUNT
(000)
 

  COUPON
RATE
  MATURITY
DATE
 

VALUE

 

$

900

   

Ooredoo International Finance Ltd. (Qatar) (a)

   

3.25

%

 

02/21/23

 

$

870,079

   
 

250

   

Priceline Group, Inc. (The)

   

0.35

   

06/15/20

   

278,437

   
 

330

   

Telefonica Europe BV (Spain)

   

8.25

   

09/15/30

   

443,738

   
 

255

   

Telstra Corp., Ltd. (Australia) (a)

   

3.125

   

04/07/25

   

249,597

   
 

350

   

Time Warner Cable, Inc.

   

4.50

   

09/15/42

   

286,518

   
 

1,025

   

Time Warner Cable, Inc.

   

6.75

   

07/01/18

   

1,143,608

   
 

175

   

Time Warner, Inc.

   

4.65

   

06/01/44

   

167,008

   
 

410

   

Time Warner, Inc.

   

7.70

   

05/01/32

   

539,984

   
 

425

   

Twitter, Inc. (a)

   

0.25

   

09/15/19

   

381,969

   
 

1,190

   

Verizon Communications, Inc. (a)

   

4.672

   

03/15/55

   

1,039,547

   
 

909

   

Verizon Communications, Inc.

   

5.012

   

08/21/54

   

837,479

   
 

200

   

Vodafone Group PLC (United Kingdom)

   

4.375

   

02/19/43

   

172,837

   
 

226

   

Yahoo!, Inc.

   

0.00

   

12/01/18

   

232,921

   
         

15,303,562

   
   

Consumer, Cyclical (5.7%)

 
 

393

   

American Airlines Pass-Through Trust

   

4.00

   

07/15/25

   

397,506

   
 

622

   

British Airways Pass-Through Trust (United Kingdom) (a)

   

4.625

   

06/20/24

   

656,506

   
 

395

   

Daimler Finance North America LLC (Germany)

   

8.50

   

01/18/31

   

581,369

   
 

350

   

Family Tree Escrow LLC (a)

   

5.75

   

03/01/23

   

367,500

   
 

325

   

Home Depot, Inc.

   

5.875

   

12/16/36

   

391,941

   
 

141

   

Iconix Brand Group, Inc.

   

2.50

   

06/01/16

   

145,142

   
 

350

   

Jarden Corp.

   

1.125

   

03/15/34

   

409,281

   

KRW

200,000

   

Lotte Shopping Co., Ltd., Series LOTT (Korea, Republic of)

   

0.00

   

01/24/18

   

187,279

   

$

300

   

McDonald's Corp., MTN

   

4.60

   

05/26/45

   

293,855

   
 

575

   

QVC, Inc.

   

4.375

   

03/15/23

   

566,062

   
 

125

   

Target Corp.

   

4.00

   

07/01/42

   

118,406

   
 

336

   

Tesla Motors, Inc.

   

1.25

   

03/01/21

   

330,330

   
 

150

   

Tiffany & Co.

   

4.90

   

10/01/44

   

143,733

   
 

220

   

Toll Brothers Finance Corp.

   

0.50

   

09/15/32

   

229,350

   
 

855

   

United Airlines Pass-Through Trust, Class A

   

4.30

   

08/15/25

   

880,432

   
 

65

   

United Airlines Pass-Through Trust, Series A

   

3.75

   

09/03/26

   

64,350

   
 

150

   

Walgreens Boots Alliance, Inc.

   

3.80

   

11/18/24

   

147,193

   
 

360

   

Wynn Las Vegas LLC/Wynn Las Vegas Capital Corp. (a)

   

5.50

   

03/01/25

   

344,700

   
 

600

   

Yum! Brands, Inc.

   

3.875

   

11/01/20

   

624,068

   
 

350

   

ZF North America Capital, Inc. (Germany) (a)

   

4.50

   

04/29/22

   

344,155

   
         

7,223,158

   
   

Consumer, Non-Cyclical (11.9%)

 
 

225

   

AbbVie, Inc.

   

3.60

   

05/14/25

   

222,846

   
 

50

   

AbbVie, Inc.

   

4.40

   

11/06/42

   

47,493

   
 

40

   

Actavis Funding SCS

   

3.80

   

03/15/25

   

39,372

   
 

525

   

Actavis Funding SCS

   

4.75

   

03/15/45

   

501,768

   

See Notes to Financial Statements
32



Morgan Stanley Variable Investment Series - Income Plus

Portfolio of Investments n June 30, 2015 (unaudited) (continued)

PRINCIPAL
AMOUNT
(000)
 

  COUPON
RATE
  MATURITY
DATE
 

VALUE

 

$

150

   

Actavis Funding SCS

   

4.85

%

 

06/15/44

 

$

145,271

   
 

500

   

ADT Corp. (The)

   

3.50

   

07/15/22

   

455,000

   
 

400

   

Albea Beauty Holdings SA (a)

   

8.375

   

11/01/19

   

430,000

   
 

365

   

Altria Group, Inc.

   

5.375

   

01/31/44

   

387,505

   
 

469

   

Amgen, Inc.

   

5.15

   

11/15/41

   

483,374

   
 

775

   

Anheuser-Busch InBev Finance, Inc. (Belgium)

   

3.70

   

02/01/24

   

794,090

   
 

340

   

Aramark Services, Inc.

   

5.75

   

03/15/20

   

355,598

   
 

325

   

AstraZeneca PLC (United Kingdom)

   

6.45

   

09/15/37

   

415,045

   
 

275

   

BAT International Finance PLC (United Kingdom) (a)

   

3.50

   

06/15/22

   

277,932

   
 

350

   

Baxalta, Inc. (a)

   

5.25

   

06/23/45

   

352,700

   
 

200

   

Bayer US Finance LLC (a)

   

3.375

   

10/08/24

   

199,182

   
 

260

    BRF SA (Brazil) (a)    

3.95

   

05/22/23

   

247,325

   
 

450

   

Cardinal Health, Inc.

   

3.75

   

09/15/25

   

448,637

   
 

250

   

Cencosud SA (Chile) (a)

   

6.625

   

02/12/45

   

236,301

   
 

712

   

EMD Finance LLC (Germany) (a)

   

3.25

   

03/19/25

   

691,920

   
 

75

   

Gilead Sciences, Inc.

   

4.50

   

02/01/45

   

74,893

   
 

225

   

Gilead Sciences, Inc.

   

4.80

   

04/01/44

   

232,116

   
 

250

   

GlaxoSmithKline Capital, Inc. (United Kingdom)

   

6.375

   

05/15/38

   

315,297

   

HKD

2,000

   

Hengan International Group Co., Ltd. (China)

   

0.00

   

06/27/18

   

275,751

   

$

316

   

Illumina, Inc.

   

0.00

   

06/15/19

   

371,498

   
 

100

   

Mallinckrodt International Finance SA/Mallinckrodt CB LLC (a)

   

5.50

   

04/15/25

   

97,375

   
 

525

   

Medtronic, Inc. (a)

   

4.625

   

03/15/45

   

532,773

   
 

325

   

Novartis Capital Corp. (Switzerland)

   

4.40

   

05/06/44

   

336,433

   
 

775

   

PepsiCo, Inc.

   

3.60

   

03/01/24

   

798,173

   
 

600

   

Philip Morris International, Inc.

   

4.50

   

03/20/42

   

585,973

   
 

875

   

Quest Diagnostics, Inc.

   

2.70

   

04/01/19

   

883,008

   
 

800

   

Sigma Alimentos SA de CV (Mexico) (a)

   

5.625

   

04/14/18

   

869,240

   
 

100

   

Spectrum Brands, Inc. (a)

   

5.75

   

07/15/25

   

102,000

   
 

98

   

Teva Pharmaceutical Finance IV BV (Israel)

   

3.65

   

11/10/21

   

100,022

   
 

130

   

Tyson Foods, Inc.

   

3.95

   

08/15/24

   

131,197

   
 

370

   

United Rentals North America, Inc.

   

5.75

   

11/15/24

   

366,300

   
 

350

   

UnitedHealth Group, Inc.

   

2.875

   

12/15/21

   

350,269

   
 

750

   

UnitedHealth Group, Inc.

   

2.875

   

03/15/23

   

722,713

   
 

930

   

WM Wrigley Jr. Co. (a)

   

2.90

   

10/21/19

   

947,883

   
 

190

   

Zimmer Biomet Holdings, Inc.

   

5.75

   

11/30/39

   

212,008

   
         

15,036,281

   
   

Diversified (0.2%)

 
 

200

   

Alfa SAB de CV (Mexico) (a)

   

5.25

   

03/25/24

   

206,000

   
   

Energy (9.7%)

 
 

400

   

Anadarko Petroleum Corp.

   

6.45

   

09/15/36

   

462,960

   
 

675

   

APT Pipelines Ltd. (Australia) (a)

   

4.20

   

03/23/25

   

661,432

   

See Notes to Financial Statements
33



Morgan Stanley Variable Investment Series - Income Plus

Portfolio of Investments n June 30, 2015 (unaudited) (continued)

PRINCIPAL
AMOUNT
(000)
 

  COUPON
RATE
  MATURITY
DATE
 

VALUE

 

$

200

   

BG Energy Capital PLC (United Kingdom) (a)

   

5.125

%

 

10/15/41

 

$

209,681

   
 

500

   

BP Capital Markets PLC (United Kingdom)

   

3.506

   

03/17/25

   

493,684

   
 

675

   

Buckeye Partners LP

   

4.15

   

07/01/23

   

659,007

   
 

275

   

Carrizo Oil & Gas, Inc.

   

6.25

   

04/15/23

   

277,063

   
 

400

   

Cimarex Energy Co.

   

5.875

   

05/01/22

   

430,000

   
 

125

   

Continental Resources, Inc.

   

3.80

   

06/01/24

   

114,311

   
 

200

   

DCP Midstream LLC (a)

   

5.35

   

03/15/20

   

206,234

   
 

600

   

DCP Midstream Operating LP

   

3.875

   

03/15/23

   

556,159

   
 

120

   

Denbury Resources, Inc.

   

5.50

   

05/01/22

   

107,700

   
 

425

   

Devon Energy Corp.

   

4.75

   

05/15/42

   

407,040

   
 

475

   

Energy Transfer Partners LP

   

6.50

   

02/01/42

   

490,874

   
 

150

   

EnLink Midstream Partners LP

   

5.60

   

04/01/44

   

146,255

   
 

250

   

Ensco PLC

   

5.75

   

10/01/44

   

223,530

   
 

600

   

Enterprise Products Operating LLC

   

5.95

   

02/01/41

   

655,274

   
 

220

   

Hilcorp Energy I LP/Hilcorp Finance Co. (a)

   

5.75

   

10/01/25

   

212,300

   
 

75

   

Kinder Morgan, Inc.

   

4.30

   

06/01/25

   

72,548

   
 

625

   

Kinder Morgan, Inc.

   

5.55

   

06/01/45

   

579,694

   
 

300

   

Kinder Morgan, Inc. (a)

   

5.625

   

11/15/23

   

319,643

   
 

225

   

Marathon Oil Corp.

   

6.60

   

10/01/37

   

254,523

   
 

325

    MPLX LP    

4.00

   

02/15/25

   

317,718

   
 

500

   

Nexen Energy ULC (China)

   

6.40

   

05/15/37

   

600,978

   
 

225

   

Noble Energy, Inc.

   

3.90

   

11/15/24

   

222,272

   
 

200

   

Noble Energy, Inc.

   

5.05

   

11/15/44

   

192,342

   
 

100

   

Phillips 66 Partners LP

   

4.68

   

02/15/45

   

88,363

   
 

245

   

Plains All American Pipeline LP/PAA Finance Corp.

   

6.70

   

05/15/36

   

288,015

   
 

300

   

Rowan Cos., Inc.

   

5.85

   

01/15/44

   

254,767

   
 

575

   

Shell International Finance BV (Netherlands)

   

2.125

   

05/11/20

   

574,423

   
 

325

   

SM Energy Co. (a)

   

6.125

   

11/15/22

   

335,628

   
 

325

   

Spectra Energy Capital LLC

   

7.50

   

09/15/38

   

370,073

   
 

275

   

TransCanada PipeLines Ltd. (Canada)

   

7.625

   

01/15/39

   

362,710

   
 

175

   

Transocean, Inc.

   

4.30

   

10/15/22

   

132,563

   
 

450

   

Transocean, Inc.

   

6.875

   

12/15/21

   

406,125

   
 

475

   

Williams Partners LP/ACMP Finance Corp.

   

4.875

   

05/15/23

   

469,301

   
         

12,155,190

   
   

Finance (35.7%)

 
 

390

   

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

   

4.00

   

06/15/21

   

415,192

   
 

800

   

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

   

2.50

   

10/30/18

   

813,174

   
 

475

   

ACE INA Holdings, Inc.

   

3.35

   

05/15/24

   

476,201

   
 

420

    AerCap Ireland Capital Ltd./AerCap Global Aviation Trust
(Netherlands) (a)
   

3.75

   

05/15/19

   

416,325

   
 

375

   

Alexandria Real Estate Equities, Inc.

   

3.90

   

06/15/23

   

374,068

   
 

350

   

Ally Financial, Inc.

   

4.125

   

03/30/20

   

350,217

   

See Notes to Financial Statements
34



Morgan Stanley Variable Investment Series - Income Plus

Portfolio of Investments n June 30, 2015 (unaudited) (continued)

PRINCIPAL
AMOUNT
(000)
 

  COUPON
RATE
  MATURITY
DATE
 

VALUE

 

$

325

   

American Campus Communities Operating Partnership LP

   

3.75

%

 

04/15/23

 

$

319,677

   
 

300

   

American Express Co.

   

3.625

   

12/05/24

   

292,471

   
 

350

   

American Express Credit Corp., MTN

   

2.375

   

05/26/20

   

347,729

   
 

125

   

American International Group, Inc.

   

4.50

   

07/16/44

   

119,376

   
 

375

   

American International Group, Inc.

   

4.875

   

06/01/22

   

411,951

   
 

280

   

American International Group, Inc.

   

6.40

   

12/15/20

   

333,267

   
 

825

   

Banco de Credito del Peru (Peru) (a)

   

6.125

(b)

 

04/24/27

   

883,781

   
 

555

   

Bank of America Corp.

   

7.75

   

05/14/38

   

741,240

   
 

620

   

Bank of America Corp., MTN

   

4.00

   

04/01/24

   

632,055

   
 

440

   

Bank of America Corp., MTN

   

4.00

   

01/22/25

   

429,530

   
 

136

   

Bank of America Corp., MTN

   

4.25

   

10/22/26

   

133,522

   
 

175

   

Bank of America Corp., MTN

   

4.75

   

04/21/45

   

162,914

   
 

375

   

Bank of America Corp., MTN

   

5.00

   

01/21/44

   

390,857

   
 

800

   

BBVA Bancomer SA (Mexico) (a)

   

6.50

   

03/10/21

   

870,000

   
 

610

   

Bear Stearns Cos., LLC (The)

   

5.55

   

01/22/17

   

647,302

   
 

300

   

Billion Express Investments Ltd. (China)

   

0.75

   

10/18/15

   

302,625

   
 

200

   

BNP Paribas SA (France)

   

4.25

   

10/15/24

   

197,533

   
 

365

   

BNP Paribas SA (France)

   

5.00

   

01/15/21

   

403,738

   
 

75

   

Boston Properties LP

   

3.80

   

02/01/24

   

76,036

   
 

425

    BPCE SA (France) (a)    

5.15

   

07/21/24

   

432,560

   
 

936

   

Capital One Bank, USA NA

   

3.375

   

02/15/23

   

910,721

   
 

250

   

Capital One Financial Corp.

   

2.45

   

04/24/19

   

250,252

   
 

170

   

Citigroup, Inc.

   

5.50

   

09/13/25

   

184,097

   
 

170

   

Citigroup, Inc.

   

6.675

   

09/13/43

   

206,615

   
 

650

   

Citigroup, Inc.

   

8.125

   

07/15/39

   

935,938

   
 

375

   

CNA Financial Corp.

   

7.35

   

11/15/19

   

444,099

   
 

1,175

    Cooperatieve Centrale Raiffeisen-Boerenleenbank BA
(Netherlands)
   

3.95

   

11/09/22

   

1,176,700

   
 

260

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

11.00

(b)

 

06/30/19(c)

   

330,525

   
 

270

   

Credit Agricole SA (France) (a)

   

7.875

(b)

 

01/23/24(c)

   

278,409

   
 

825

   

Credit Suisse AG (Switzerland) (a)

   

6.50

   

08/08/23

   

904,292

   
 

825

   

DBS Group Holdings Ltd. (Singapore) (a)

   

2.246

   

07/16/19

   

826,803

   
 

425

   

Discover Bank

   

7.00

   

04/15/20

   

495,143

   
 

715

   

Discover Financial Services

   

3.85

   

11/21/22

   

711,051

   
 

300

   

Discover Financial Services

   

3.95

   

11/06/24

   

292,063

   
 

325

   

Embraer Netherlands Finance BV (Brazil)

   

5.05

   

06/15/25

   

325,000

   
 

450

   

Five Corners Funding Trust (a)

   

4.419

   

11/15/23

   

465,643

   
 

600

   

Ford Motor Credit Co., LLC

   

5.00

   

05/15/18

   

645,484

   
 

400

   

Ford Motor Credit Co., LLC

   

5.875

   

08/02/21

   

455,972

   
 

545

   

General Electric Capital Corp.

   

5.30

   

02/11/21

   

613,266

   
 

1,170

   

General Electric Capital Corp., MTN

   

5.875

   

01/14/38

   

1,402,157

   

See Notes to Financial Statements
35



Morgan Stanley Variable Investment Series - Income Plus

Portfolio of Investments n June 30, 2015 (unaudited) (continued)

PRINCIPAL
AMOUNT
(000)
 

  COUPON
RATE
  MATURITY
DATE
 

VALUE

 

$

275

   

General Motors Financial Co., Inc.

   

4.00

%

 

01/15/25

 

$

270,367

   
 

500

   

General Motors Financial Co., Inc.

   

4.375

   

09/25/21

   

520,361

   
 

295

   

Genworth Holdings, Inc.

   

7.70

   

06/15/20

   

320,069

   
 

375

   

Goldman Sachs Group, Inc. (The)

   

6.25

   

02/01/41

   

444,745

   
 

900

   

Goldman Sachs Group, Inc. (The)

   

6.75

   

10/01/37

   

1,058,901

   
 

400

   

Goldman Sachs Group, Inc. (The), MTN

   

4.80

   

07/08/44

   

395,771

   
 

950

   

Goodman Funding Pty Ltd. (Australia) (a)

   

6.375

   

04/15/21

   

1,092,883

   
 

600

   

Hartford Financial Services Group, Inc. (The)

   

5.50

   

03/30/20

   

673,539

   
 

1,675

   

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

   

6.75

   

05/21/18

   

1,861,349

   
 

400

   

Healthcare Trust of America Holdings LP

   

3.70

   

04/15/23

   

386,922

   
 

410

   

HSBC Finance Corp.

   

6.676

   

01/15/21

   

474,888

   
 

200

   

HSBC Holdings PLC (United Kingdom)

   

6.375

(b)

 

09/17/24(c)

   

200,750

   
 

705

   

HSBC Holdings PLC (United Kingdom)

   

6.50

   

05/02/36

   

840,964

   
 

300

   

Industrial & Commercial Bank of China Ltd., MTN (China)

   

3.231

   

11/13/19

   

305,904

   
 

400

   

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

   

5.80

   

09/25/23

   

437,481

   
 

200

   

ING Groep N.V. (Netherlands)

   

6.00

(b)

 

04/16/20(c)

   

198,375

   
 

420

   

Intesa Sanpaolo SpA (Italy)

   

5.25

   

01/12/24

   

447,076

   
 

500

   

JPMorgan Chase & Co.

   

3.125

   

01/23/25

   

477,962

   
 

480

   

JPMorgan Chase & Co.

   

4.95

   

06/01/45

   

468,383

   
 

650

   

JPMorgan Chase & Co.

   

5.50

   

10/15/40

   

730,711

   
 

650

   

KeyBank NA

   

1.70

   

06/01/18

   

649,430

   
 

200

   

Liberty Mutual Group, Inc. (a)

   

4.85

   

08/01/44

   

193,978

   
 

275

   

Lincoln National Corp.

   

7.00

   

06/15/40

   

346,055

   
 

1,170

   

Lloyds Bank PLC (United Kingdom) (a)

   

6.50

   

09/14/20

   

1,350,056

   
 

125

   

Massachusetts Mutual Life Insurance Co. (a)

   

4.50

   

04/15/65

   

111,313

   
 

1,000

   

MetLife, Inc. (See Note 7)

   

3.00

   

03/01/25

   

958,010

   
 

1,315

   

Nationwide Building Society (United Kingdom) (a)

   

6.25

   

02/25/20

   

1,534,901

   
 

425

   

Principal Financial Group, Inc.

   

8.875

   

05/15/19

   

523,637

   
 

675

   

Prudential Financial, Inc.

   

5.625

(b)

 

06/15/43

   

701,325

   
 

135

   

Prudential Financial, Inc., MTN

   

6.625

   

12/01/37

   

163,353

   
 

775

   

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

   

7.25

(b)

 

05/24/41

   

860,067

   
 

575

   

Realty Income Corp.

   

3.25

   

10/15/22

   

559,092

   
 

325

   

Santander UK PLC (United Kingdom) (a)

   

5.00

   

11/07/23

   

333,132

   
 

675

   

SpareBank 1 Boligkreditt (Norway) (a)

   

2.30

   

06/30/17

   

690,652

   
 

350

   

TD Ameritrade Holding Corp.

   

3.625

   

04/01/25

   

355,868

   
 

575

   

Weingarten Realty Investors

   

3.375

   

10/15/22

   

559,891

   
 

284

   

Wells Fargo & Co.

   

5.606

   

01/15/44

   

312,608

   
 

450

   

Wells Fargo & Co., MTN

   

4.10

   

06/03/26

   

452,489

   
         

45,090,829

   

See Notes to Financial Statements
36



Morgan Stanley Variable Investment Series - Income Plus

Portfolio of Investments n June 30, 2015 (unaudited) (continued)

PRINCIPAL
AMOUNT
(000)
 

  COUPON
RATE
  MATURITY
DATE
 

VALUE

 
   

Industrials (5.4%)

 

$

325

   

BAE Systems Holdings, Inc. (United Kingdom) (a)

   

3.80

%

 

10/07/24

 

$

326,969

   
 

377

   

Bombardier, Inc. (Canada) (a)

   

6.125

   

01/15/23

   

336,473

   
 

375

   

Burlington Northern Santa Fe LLC

   

4.55

   

09/01/44

   

370,596

   
 

300

   

Caterpillar Financial Services Corp., MTN

   

3.25

   

12/01/24

   

297,437

   
 

425

   

Caterpillar, Inc.

   

3.803

   

08/15/42

   

392,108

   
 

330

   

CEVA Group PLC (United Kingdom) (a)

   

7.00

   

03/01/21

   

320,100

   
 

480

   

CRH America, Inc. (Ireland)

   

8.125

   

07/15/18

   

563,340

   
 

200

   

FedEx Corp.

   

4.10

   

02/01/45

   

180,381

   
 

248

   

General Cable Corp.

   

4.50

(d)

 

11/15/29

   

206,770

   
 

220

   

General Electric Co.

   

4.50

   

03/11/44

   

223,971

   
 

1,060

   

Heathrow Funding Ltd. (United Kingdom) (a)

   

4.875

   

07/15/21

   

1,162,799

   
 

510

   

MasTec, Inc.

   

4.875

   

03/15/23

   

467,925

   
 

575

   

Siemens Financieringsmaatschappij N.V. (Germany) (a)

   

3.25

   

05/27/25

   

565,349

   
 

700

   

Trinity Industries, Inc.

   

4.55

   

10/01/24

   

676,551

   
 

748

   

Union Pacific Railroad Co., Pass-Through Trust

   

3.227

   

05/14/26

   

745,558

   
         

6,836,327

   
   

Technology (2.4%)

 
 

475

   

Apple, Inc.

   

4.45

   

05/06/44

   

475,481

   
 

375

   

Citrix Systems, Inc.

   

0.50

   

04/15/19

   

397,969

   
 

264

   

Nuance Communications, Inc.

   

2.75

   

11/01/31

   

268,455

   
 

227

   

NVIDIA Corp.

   

1.00

   

12/01/18

   

261,192

   
 

395

   

QUALCOMM, Inc.

   

4.80

   

05/20/45

   

379,925

   
 

300

   

Red Hat, Inc. (a)

   

0.25

   

10/01/19

   

368,625

   
 

438

   

Salesforce.com, Inc.

   

0.25

   

04/01/18

   

533,539

   
 

375

   

SanDisk Corp.

   

0.50

   

10/15/20

   

365,390

   
         

3,050,576

   
   

Utilities (8.4%)

 
 

400

   

Alabama Power Co.

   

3.75

   

03/01/45

   

360,312

   
 

475

   

Appalachian Power Co.

   

3.40

   

06/01/25

   

469,213

   
 

525

   

Boston Gas Co. (a)

   

4.487

   

02/15/42

   

528,120

   
 

530

   

CEZ AS (Czech Republic) (a)

   

4.25

   

04/03/22

   

556,379

   
 

495

   

CMS Energy Corp.

   

5.05

   

03/15/22

   

545,484

   
 

280

   

CMS Energy Corp.

   

6.25

   

02/01/20

   

324,612

   
 

275

   

Duke Energy Carolinas LLC

   

3.75

   

06/01/45

   

251,434

   
 

330

   

EDP Finance BV (Portugal) (a)

   

5.25

   

01/14/21

   

346,424

   
 

225

   

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

   

6.00

   

10/07/39

   

250,679

   
 

210

   

Enel SpA (Italy) (a)

   

8.75

(b)

 

09/24/73

   

241,762

   
 

225

   

Entergy Corp. (e)

   

4.00

   

07/15/22

   

227,068

   
 

1,400

   

Exelon Generation Co., LLC

   

4.00

   

10/01/20

   

1,462,293

   
 

199

   

Fermaca Enterprises S de RL de CV (Mexico) (a)

   

6.375

   

03/30/38

   

202,518

   

See Notes to Financial Statements
37



Morgan Stanley Variable Investment Series - Income Plus

Portfolio of Investments n June 30, 2015 (unaudited) (continued)

PRINCIPAL
AMOUNT
(000)
 

  COUPON
RATE
  MATURITY
DATE
 

VALUE

 

$

200

   

GNL Quintero SA (Chile) (a)

   

4.634

%

 

07/31/29

 

$

201,075

   
 

850

   

Jersey Central Power & Light Co. (a)

   

4.70

   

04/01/24

   

893,044

   
 

275

   

Oncor Electric Delivery Co., LLC (a)

   

2.95

   

04/01/25

   

264,221

   
 

325

   

Origin Energy Finance Ltd. (Australia) (a)

   

3.50

   

10/09/18

   

333,653

   
 

590

   

Puget Energy, Inc.

   

6.50

   

12/15/20

   

691,492

   
 

675

   

Sempra Energy

   

2.40

   

03/15/20

   

670,489

   
 

250

   

South Carolina Electric & Gas Co.

   

4.50

   

06/01/64

   

228,134

   
 

870

   

TransAlta Corp. (Canada)

   

4.50

   

11/15/22

   

864,765

   
 

475

   

Virginia Electric & Power Co.

   

4.20

   

05/15/45

   

460,163

   
 

250

   

WEC Energy Group, Inc.

   

3.55

   

06/15/25

   

249,860

   
         

10,623,194

   
    Total Corporate Bonds
(Cost $118,717,731)
   

120,556,773

   
   

Asset-Backed Securities (0.9%)

 
   

CVS Pass-Through Trust

 
 

892

             

6.036

   

12/10/28

   

1,017,506

   
 

104

   

(a)

   

8.353

   

07/10/31

   

138,880

   
    Total Asset-Backed Securities
(Cost $996,800)
   

1,156,386

   
   

Sovereign (0.6%)

 
 

240

   

Pertamina Persero PT (Indonesia) (a)

   

6.45

   

05/30/44

   

237,600

   
 

550

   

Sinopec Group Overseas Development 2015 Ltd. (China) (a)

   

2.50

   

04/28/20

   

542,327

   
    Total Sovereign
(Cost $788,460)
   

779,927

   
   

Variable Rate Senior Loan Interests (0.8%)

 
   

Consumer, Cyclical (0.2%)

 
 

278

   

Diamond Resorts Corp., Term Loan

   

5.50

   

07/31/15

   

278,962

   
   

Energy (0.3%)

 
 

372

   

Drillships Ocean Ventures, Inc., Term B (Cyprus)

   

5.50

   

07/27/15

   

318,220

   
   

Technology (0.3%)

 
 

353

   

Aspect Software, Inc., Term B

   

7.25

   

08/11/15

   

350,715

   
    Total Variable Rate Senior Loan Interests
(Cost $1,009,489)
   

947,897

   
   

Short-Term Investments (1.9%)

 
   

U.S. Treasury Security (1.1%)

 
 

1,389

    U.S. Treasury Bill (f)(g)
(Cost $1,388,450)
   

0.089

   

12/10/15

   

1,388,765

   

See Notes to Financial Statements
38



Morgan Stanley Variable Investment Series - Income Plus

Portfolio of Investments n June 30, 2015 (unaudited) (continued)

NUMBER OF
SHARES (000)
 


 

VALUE

 
   

Investment Company (0.8%)

 
 

1,052

    Morgan Stanley Institutional Liquidity Funds - Money Market
Portfolio - Institutional Class (See Note 7)
(Cost $1,051,830)
 

$

1,051,830

   
    Total Short-Term Investments
(Cost $2,440,280)
   

2,440,595

   
    Total Investments
(Cost $123,952,760) (h)
       

99.7

%

   

125,881,578

   
   

Other Assets in Excess of Liabilities

       

0.3

     

377,164

   
   

Net Assets

       

100.0

%

 

$

126,258,742

   

  MTN  Medium Term Note.

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

  (b)  Variable/Floating Rate Security — Interest rate changes on these instruments are based on changes in a designated base rate. The rates shown are those in effect on June 30, 2015.

  (c)  Perpetual — One or more securities do not have a predetermined maturity date. Rates for these securities are fixed for a period of time, after which they revert to a floating rate. Interest rates in effect are as of June 30, 2015.

  (d)  Multi-step — Coupon rate changes in predetermined increments to maturity. Rate disclosed is as of June 30, 2015. Maturity date disclosed is the ultimate maturity date.

  (e)  When-issued security.

  (f)  Rate shown is the yield to maturity at June 30, 2015.

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

  (h)  Securities are available for collateral in connection with purchase of when-issued security, open foreign currency forward exchange contracts, futures contracts and swap agreements.

FOREIGN CURRENCY FORWARD EXCHANGE CONTRACTS OPEN AT JUNE 30, 2015:

COUNTERPARTY

  CONTRACTS
TO DELIVER
  IN EXCHANGE
FOR
  DELIVERY
DATE
  UNREALIZED
APPRECIATION
(DEPRECIATION)
 

Citibank NA

 

EUR

114,252

   

$

124,910

   

07/03/15

 

$

(2,466

)

 

HSBC Bank PLC

 

HKD

2,082,500

   

$

268,587

   

07/03/15

   

(69

)

 

HSBC Bank PLC

 

$

127,222

   

EUR

114,252

   

07/03/15

   

154

   

HSBC Bank PLC

 

EUR

114,252

   

$

127,274

   

08/05/15

   

(156

)

 

Net Unrealized Depreciation

 

$

(2,537

)

 

See Notes to Financial Statements
39



Morgan Stanley Variable Investment Series - Income Plus

Portfolio of Investments n June 30, 2015 (unaudited) (continued)

FUTURES CONTRACTS OPEN AT JUNE 30, 2015:

NUMBER OF
CONTRACTS
 

LONG/SHORT

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

64

   

Long

  U.S. Treasury 2 yr. Note,
Sep-15
 

$

14,012,000

   

$

23,344

   
 

51

   

Long

  U.S. Treasury 5 yr. Note,
Sep-15
   

6,082,148

     

(5,977

)

 
 

25

   

Long

  U.S. Treasury Long Bond,
Sep-15
   

3,771,094

     

(17,217

)

 
 

27

   

Short

  U.S. Treasury Ultra Long Bond,
Sep-15
   

(4,159,688

)

   

76,750

   
 

78

   

Short

  U.S. Treasury 10 yr. Note,
Sep-15
   

(9,841,406

)

   

67,140

   

Net Unrealized Appreciation

 

$

144,040

   

CREDIT DEFAULT SWAP AGREEMENTS OPEN AT JUNE 30, 2015:

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

VALUE

  CREDIT
RATING OF
REFERENCE
OBLIGATION†
 
Barclays Bank PLC
Yum! Brands, Inc.
 

Buy

 

$

825

     

1.00

%

 

12/20/18

 

$

95

   

$

(14,319

)

 

$

(14,224

)

 

BBB

 
Barclays Bank PLC
Quest  
Diagnostics, Inc.
 

Buy

   

845

     

1.00

   

03/20/19

   

(29,793

)

   

16,217

     

(13,576

)

 

BBB+

 
Morgan Stanley &
Co., LLC
CDX.NA.HY.24
 

Buy

   

3,267

     

5.00

   

06/20/20

   

44,573

     

(253,096

)

   

(208,523

)

 

NR

 
Morgan Stanley &
Co., LLC
CDX.NA.IG.24
 

Buy

   

11,650

     

1.00

   

06/20/20

   

51,776

     

(220,903

)

   

(169,127

)

 

NR

 
Total Credit
Default Swaps
     

$

16,587

           

$

66,651

   

$

(472,101

)

 

$

(405,450

)

     

See Notes to Financial Statements
40



Morgan Stanley Variable Investment Series - Income Plus

Portfolio of Investments n June 30, 2015 (unaudited) (continued)

INTEREST RATE SWAP AGREEMENTS OPEN AT JUNE 30, 2015:

SWAP COUNTERPARTY

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

FIXED RATE

  TERMINATION
DATE
  UNREALIZED
APPRECIATION
(DEPRECIATION)
 
Morgan Stanley & Co., LLC*  

$

9,700

    3 Month LIBOR  

Receive

   

1.59

%

 

05/05/20

 

$

49,328

   
Morgan Stanley & Co., LLC*    

4,500

    3 Month LIBOR  

Receive

   

2.49

   

06/09/25

   

(22,528

)

 

Net Unrealized Appreciation

                     

$

26,800

   

  LIBOR  London Interbank Offered Rate.

  NR  Not Rated.

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

  *  Cleared swap agreement, the broker is Morgan Stanley & Co., LLC.

Currency Abbreviations:

EUR  Euro.

HKD  Hong Kong Dollar.

KRW  South Korean Won.

LONG TERM CREDIT ANALYSIS+

AA

   

7.0

%

 

A

   

31.8

   

BBB

   

47.7

   

BB

   

7.9

   

B or Below

   

2.9

   

Not Rated

   

2.7

   
     

100.0

%++

 

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

  ++  Does not include open long/short futures contracts with an underlying face amount of $37,866,336 with net unrealized appreciation of $144,040. Does not include open foreign currency forward exchange contracts with net unrealized depreciation of $2,537. Also does not include open swap agreements with net unrealized appreciation of $93,451.

See Notes to Financial Statements
41




Morgan Stanley Variable Investment Series - European Equity

Portfolio of Investments n June 30, 2015 (unaudited)

NUMBER OF
SHARES
 

 

VALUE

 
   

Common Stocks (98.9%)

 
   

France (21.7%)

 
   

Aerospace & Defense

 
 

14,528

   

Airbus Group SE

 

$

942,638

   
   

Banks

 
 

16,978

   

BNP Paribas SA

   

1,024,947

   
 

57,338

   

Credit Agricole SA

   

852,736

   
     

1,877,683

   
   

Communications Equipment

 
 

172,632

   

Alcatel-Lucent (a)

   

628,955

   
   

Electrical Equipment

 
 

14,241

   

Schneider Electric SE

   

983,236

   
   

Hotels, Restaurants & Leisure

 
 

19,283

   

Accor SA

   

973,199

   
   

Insurance

 
 

39,434

   

AXA SA

   

994,882

   
   

Media

 
 

12,611

   

Publicis Groupe SA

   

932,417

   
 

25,402

   

SES SA

   

853,406

   
     

1,785,823

   
   

Multi-Utilities

 
 

45,564

   

Suez Environnement Co.

   

847,548

   
       

Total France

   

9,033,964

   
   

Germany (13.1%)

 
   

Automobiles

 
 

13,485

   

Daimler AG (Registered)

   

1,227,355

   
 

3,726

   

Volkswagen AG (Preference)

   

864,018

   
     

2,091,373

   
    Health Care Providers &
Services
 
 

16,926

   

Fresenius SE & Co., KGaA

   

1,085,965

   
   

Industrial Conglomerates

 
 

9,070

   

Siemens AG (Registered)

   

913,591

   
   

Pharmaceuticals

 
 

9,729

   

Bayer AG (Registered)

   

1,361,762

   
       

Total Germany

   

5,452,691

   
NUMBER OF
SHARES
 

 

VALUE

 
   

Ireland (2.2%)

 
   

Construction Materials

 
 

32,836

   

CRH PLC

 

$

926,894

   
   

Italy (2.2%)

 
   

Banks

 
 

136,193

   

UniCredit SpA

   

914,804

   
   

Netherlands (4.2%)

 
    Diversified Telecommunication
Services
 
 

223,046

   

Koninklijke KPN N.V.

   

852,913

   
   

Media

 
 

37,531

   

Reed Elsevier N.V.

   

890,177

   
       

Total Netherlands

   

1,743,090

   
   

Spain (4.1%)

 
   

Banks

 
 

89,938

    Banco Bilbao Vizcaya
Argentaria SA
   

881,550

   
    Information Technology
Services
 
 

20,766

    Amadeus IT Holding SA,
Class A
   

827,763

   
       

Total Spain

   

1,709,313

   
   

Sweden (1.8%)

 
   

Machinery

 
 

60,705

   

Volvo AB, Class B

   

753,517

   
   

Switzerland (17.6%)

 
   

Chemicals

 
 

1,964

   

Syngenta AG (Registered)

   

798,246

   
   

Food Products

 
 

26,342

   

Nestle SA (Registered)

   

1,901,797

   
   

Insurance

 
 

3,298

    Zurich Insurance
Group AG (a)
   

1,003,915

   

See Notes to Financial Statements
42



Morgan Stanley Variable Investment Series - European Equity

Portfolio of Investments n June 30, 2015 (unaudited) continued

NUMBER OF
SHARES
 

 

VALUE

 
   

Pharmaceuticals

 
 

19,463

   

Novartis AG (Registered)

 

$

1,918,301

   
 

6,139

    Roche Holding AG
(Genusschein)
   

1,720,325

   
     

3,638,626

   
       

Total Switzerland

   

7,342,584

   
   

United Kingdom (32.0%)

 
   

Aerospace & Defense

 
 

46,946

   

Rolls-Royce Holdings PLC (a)

   

641,746

   
   

Banks

 
 

283,952

   

Barclays PLC

   

1,162,246

   
   

Household Products

 
 

14,031

    Reckitt Benckiser
Group PLC
   

1,209,896

   
   

Insurance

 
 

47,961

   

Prudential PLC

   

1,154,872

   
   

Media

 
 

40,306

   

Pearson PLC

   

763,136

   
   

Metals & Mining

 
 

31,822

   

BHP Billiton PLC

   

624,504

   
 

195,648

   

Glencore PLC (a)

   

784,822

   
     

1,409,326

   
   

Oil, Gas & Consumable Fuels

 
 

176,161

    BP PLC    

1,162,946

   
 

37,444

    Royal Dutch Shell PLC,
Class A
   

1,051,067

   
     

2,214,013

   
   

Pharmaceuticals

 
 

46,406

   

GlaxoSmithKline PLC

   

964,306

   
   

Tobacco

 
 

24,730

    British American
Tobacco PLC
   

1,326,967

   
 

22,733

   

Imperial Tobacco Group PLC

   

1,095,509

   
     

2,422,476

   
    Wireless Telecommunication
Services
 
 

376,649

   

Vodafone Group PLC

   

1,360,275

   
       

Total United Kingdom

   

13,302,292

   
        Total Common Stocks
(Cost $31,053,566)
   

41,179,149

   
NUMBER OF
SHARES (000)
 

 

VALUE

 
   

Short-Term Investment (0.6%)

     
   

Investment Company

     
 

261

    Morgan Stanley Institutional
Liquidity Funds - Money
Market Portfolio -
Institutional Class
(See Note 7)
(Cost $261,367)
 

$

261,367

   
Total Investments
(Cost $31,314,933)
   

99.5

%

   

41,440,516

   
Other Assets in Excess of
Liabilities
   

0.5

     

196,595

   

Net Assets

   

100.0

%

 

$

41,637,111

   

  (a)  Non-income producing security.

See Notes to Financial Statements
43



Morgan Stanley Variable Investment Series - European Equity

Summary of Investments n June 30, 2015 (unaudited)

INDUSTRY

 

VALUE

  PERCENT OF
TOTAL
INVESTMENTS
 

Pharmaceuticals

 

$

5,964,694

     

14.4

%

 

Banks

   

4,836,283

     

11.7

   

Media

   

3,439,136

     

8.3

   

Insurance

   

3,153,669

     

7.6

   

Tobacco

   

2,422,476

     

5.9

   

Oil, Gas & Consumable Fuels

   

2,214,013

     

5.3

   

Automobiles

   

2,091,373

     

5.1

   

Food Products

   

1,901,797

     

4.6

   

Aerospace & Defense

   

1,584,384

     

3.8

   

Metals & Mining

   

1,409,326

     

3.4

   

Wireless Telecommunication Services

   

1,360,275

     

3.3

   

Household Products

   

1,209,896

     

2.9

   

Health Care Providers & Services

   

1,085,965

     

2.6

   

Electrical Equipment

   

983,236

     

2.4

   

Hotels, Restaurants & Leisure

   

973,199

     

2.4

   

Construction Materials

   

926,894

     

2.2

   

Industrial Conglomerates

   

913,591

     

2.2

   

Diversified Telecommunication Services

   

852,913

     

2.1

   

Multi-Utilities

   

847,548

     

2.0

   

Information Technology Services

   

827,763

     

2.0

   

Chemicals

   

798,246

     

1.9

   

Machinery

   

753,517

     

1.8

   

Communications Equipment

   

628,955

     

1.5

   

Investment Company

   

261,367

     

0.6

   
   

$

41,440,516

     

100.0

%

 

See Notes to Financial Statements
44



Morgan Stanley Variable Investment Series - Multi Cap Growth

Portfolio of Investments n June 30, 2015 (unaudited)

NUMBER OF
SHARES
 

 

VALUE

 
   

Common Stocks (92.6%)

 
   

Air Freight & Logistics (0.9%)

 
 

51,560

   

XPO Logistics, Inc. (a)

 

$

2,329,481

   
   

Automobiles (4.5%)

 
 

42,252

   

Tesla Motors, Inc. (a)

   

11,334,522

   
   

Biotechnology (0.5%)

 
 

11,012

    Alnylam Pharmaceuticals,
Inc. (a)
   

1,320,008

   
   

Capital Markets (1.1%)

 
 

132,379

    WisdomTree
Investments, Inc.
   

2,907,705

   
   

Electrical Equipment (1.5%)

 
 

76,971

   

Babcock & Wilcox Co. (The)

   

2,524,649

   
 

21,724

   

SolarCity Corp. (a)(b)

   

1,163,320

   
     

3,687,969

   
   

Food Products (4.4%)

 
 

53,552

   

Keurig Green Mountain, Inc.

   

4,103,690

   
 

79,143

   

Mead Johnson Nutrition Co.

   

7,140,281

   
     

11,243,971

   
    Health Care Equipment &
Supplies (3.8%)
 
 

19,710

   

Intuitive Surgical, Inc. (a)

   

9,549,495

   
   

Health Care Technology (3.7%)

 
 

59,995

   

athenahealth, Inc. (a)

   

6,874,227

   
 

45,843

   

Medidata Solutions, Inc. (a)

   

2,490,192

   
     

9,364,419

   
    Hotels, Restaurants &
Leisure (3.4%)
 
 

53,197

    Fiesta Restaurant
Group, Inc. (a)
   

2,659,850

   
 

110,443

   

Starbucks Corp.

   

5,921,401

   
     

8,581,251

   
    Information Technology
Services (4.4%)
 
 

69,517

   

Mastercard, Inc., Class A

   

6,498,449

   
 

70,062

   

Visa, Inc., Class A

   

4,704,664

   
     

11,203,113

   
NUMBER OF
SHARES
 

 

VALUE

 
    Internet & Catalog
Retail (12.5%)
 
 

48,239

   

Amazon.com, Inc. (a)

 

$

20,940,068

   
 

93,580

   

JD.com, Inc. ADR (China) (a)

   

3,191,078

   
 

6,644

    Priceline Group, Inc.
(The) (a)
   

7,649,702

   
     

31,780,848

   
    Internet Software &
Services (20.2%)
 
 

38,997

    Alibaba Group Holding Ltd.
ADR (China) (a)
   

3,208,283

   
 

235,409

   

Facebook, Inc., Class A (a)

   

20,189,853

   
 

21,812

   

Google, Inc., Class C (a)

   

11,353,364

   
 

36,924

   

LinkedIn Corp., Class A (a)

   

7,629,606

   
 

243,294

   

Twitter, Inc. (a)

   

8,812,109

   
     

51,193,215

   
    Life Sciences Tools &
Services (5.5%)
 
 

64,547

   

Illumina, Inc. (a)

   

14,094,483

   
   

Machinery (1.0%)

 
 

130,348

   

Manitowoc Co., Inc. (The)

   

2,554,821

   
   

Media (1.8%)

 
 

29,405

    Naspers Ltd., Class N
(South Africa)
   

4,580,180

   
   

Pharmaceuticals (7.1%)

 
 

46,804

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

10,397,508

   
 

156,780

   

Zoetis, Inc.

   

7,559,932

   
     

17,957,440

   
   

Professional Services (1.0%)

 
 

29,802

   

CEB, Inc.

   

2,594,562

   
   

Software (9.6%)

 
 

44,303

   

FireEye, Inc. (a)

   

2,166,860

   
 

115,320

   

Salesforce.com, Inc. (a)

   

8,029,731

   
 

114,711

   

Splunk, Inc. (a)

   

7,986,180

   
 

80,456

   

Workday, Inc., Class A (a)

   

6,146,034

   
     

24,328,805

   

See Notes to Financial Statements
45



Morgan Stanley Variable Investment Series - Multi Cap Growth

Portfolio of Investments n June 30, 2015 (unaudited) continued

NUMBER OF
SHARES
 

 

VALUE

 
   

Specialty Retail (2.2%)

 
 

74,182

   

Five Below, Inc. (a)

 

$

2,932,414

   
 

28,452

    Restoration Hardware
Holdings, Inc. (a)
   

2,777,769

   
     

5,710,183

   
    Tech Hardware, Storage &
Peripherals (3.5%)
 
 

32,369

   

3D Systems Corp. (a)(b)

   

631,843

   
 

62,670

   

Apple, Inc.

   

7,860,385

   
 

10,924

   

Stratasys Ltd. (a)

   

381,575

   
     

8,873,803

   
        Total Common Stocks
(Cost $129,230,278)
   

235,190,274

   
   

Preferred Stocks (4.2%)

 
    Hotels, Restaurants &
Leisure (1.5%)
 
 

114,561

    Blue Bottle Coffee, Inc.,
Series B (a)(c)(d)(e)
(acquisition
cost - $1,657,606;
acquired 01/24/14)
   

3,817,172

   
    Internet & Catalog
Retail (1.4%)
 
 

42,717

    Airbnb, Inc.,
Series D (a)(c)(d)(e)
(acquisition
cost - $1,739,139;
acquired 04/16/14)
   

3,617,276

   
    Life Sciences Tools &
Services (0.8%)
 
 

627,809

    10X Technologies, Inc.,
Series B (a)(d)(e)
   

2,059,213

   
   

Software (0.5%)

 
 

141,612

    Lookout, Inc.,
Series F (a)(c)(d)(e)
(acquisition
cost - $1,617,648;
acquired 06/17/14)
   

1,139,977

   
        Total Preferred Stocks
(Cost $7,067,328)
   

10,633,638

   
NOTIONAL
AMOUNT
 
 

VALUE

 
   

Call Options Purchased (0.0%)

 
   

Foreign Currency Options

 
 

33,880,017

    USD/CNY June 2016
@ CNY 6.70
 

$

73,825

   
 

41,582,002

    USD/CNY November 2015
@ CNY 6.65
   

16,466

   
        Total Call Options
Purchased
(Cost $268,121)
   

90,291

   
NUMBER OF
SHARES (000)
         
    Short-Term Investments (3.6%)
Securities held as Collateral
on Loaned Securities (0.3%)
 
   

Investment Company (0.2%)

 
 

521

    Morgan Stanley Institutional
Liquidity Funds - Treasury
Securities Portfolio -
Institutional Class
(See Note 7)
   

521,378

   
PRINCIPAL
AMOUNT
(000)
 

 

 
   

Repurchase Agreements (0.1%)

 

$

171

    Barclays Capital, Inc.
(0.10%, dated 06/30/15,
due 07/01/15; proceeds
$171,189; fully
collateralized by various
U.S. Government obligations;
0.88% - 2.00% due
02/28/17 - 10/31/21;
valued at $174,613)
   

171,189

   

See Notes to Financial Statements
46



Morgan Stanley Variable Investment Series - Multi Cap Growth

Portfolio of Investments n June 30, 2015 (unaudited) continued

PRINCIPAL
AMOUNT
(000)
 
 

VALUE
 

$

19

    BNP Paribas Securities Corp.
(0.10%, dated 06/30/15,
due 07/01/15; proceeds
$19,021; fully collateralized
by various U.S. Government
agency securities; 2.35% -
5.50% due 12/22/15 -
06/15/43 and a
U.S. Government obligation;
0.63% due 07/15/16;
valued at $19,402)
 

$

19,021

   
 

26

    Merrill Lynch & Co., Inc.
(0.11%, dated 06/30/15,
due 07/01/15; proceeds
$25,666; fully collateralized
by various U.S. Government
obligations; Zero Coupon -
0.25% due 05/15/16 -
02/15/24; valued
at $26,179)
   

25,666

   
     

215,876

   
    Total Securities held as
Collateral on Loaned
Securities
(Cost $737,254)
   

737,254

   
NUMBER OF
SHARES
(000)
 
 

VALUE
 
   

Investment Company (3.3%)

     
 

8,346

    Morgan Stanley Institutional
Liquidity Funds - Money
Market Portfolio -
Institutional Class
(See Note 7)
(Cost $8,345,927)
 

$

8,345,927

   
    Total Short-Term
Investments
(Cost $9,083,181)
   

9,083,181

   
Total Investments
(Cost $145,648,908)
   

100.4

%

   

254,997,384

   
Liabilities in Excess of
Other Assets
   

(0.4

)

   

(1,139,005

)

 

Net Assets

   

100.0

%

 

$

253,858,379

   

  ADR  American Depositary Receipt.

  (a)  Non-income producing security.

  (b)  All or a portion of this security was on loan at June 30, 2015.

  (c)  Security cannot be offered for public resale without first being registered under the Securities Act of 1933 and related rules ("restricted security"). Acquisition date represents the day on which an enforceable right to acquire such security is obtained and is presented along with related cost in the security description. The Portfolio has registration rights for certain restricted securities. Any costs related to such registration are borne by the issuer. The aggregate value of restricted securities (excluding 144A holdings) at June 30, 2015 amounts to $8,574,425 and represents 3.4% of net assets.

See Notes to Financial Statements
47



Morgan Stanley Variable Investment Series - Multi Cap Growth

Portfolio of Investments n June 30, 2015 (unaudited) continued

  (d)  Illiquid security.

  (e)  At June 30, 2015, the Portfolio held fair valued securities valued at $10,633,638, representing 4.2% of net assets. These securities have been fair valued as determined in good faith under procedures established by and under the general supervision of the Fund's Trustees.

Currency Abbreviation:

CNY  Chinese Yuan Renminbi.

USD  United States Dollar.

SUMMARY OF INVESTMENTS
INDUSTRY
 

VALUE

  PERCENT OF
TOTAL
INVESTMENTS
 
Internet Software &
Services
 

$

51,193,215

     

20.1

%

 
Internet & Catalog
Retail
   

35,398,124

     

13.9

   

Software

   

25,468,782

     

10.0

   

Pharmaceuticals

   

17,957,440

     

7.1

   
Life Sciences Tools &
Services
   

16,153,696

     

6.4

   
Hotels, Restaurants &
Leisure
   

12,398,423

     

4.9

   

Automobiles

   

11,334,522

     

4.5

   

Food Products

   

11,243,971

     

4.4

   
Information Technology
Services
   

11,203,113

     

4.4

   
Health Care Equipment &
Supplies
   

9,549,495

     

3.8

   

Health Care Technology

   

9,364,419

     

3.7

   
Tech Hardware, Storage &
Peripherals
   

8,873,803

     

3.5

   

Investment Company

   

8,345,927

     

3.3

   

Specialty Retail

   

5,710,183

     

2.2

   

Media

   

4,580,180

     

1.8

   

Electrical Equipment

   

3,687,969

     

1.5

   

Capital Markets

   

2,907,705

     

1.1

   

Professional Services

   

2,594,562

     

1.0

   

Machinery

   

2,554,821

     

1.0

   

Air Freight & Logistics

   

2,329,481

     

0.9

   

Biotechnology

   

1,320,008

     

0.5

   

Other

   

90,291

     

0.0

+

 
   

$

254,260,130

++

   

100.0

%

 

+  Amounts less than 0.05%.

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

See Notes to Financial Statements
48




(This page has been intentionally left blank.)



Morgan Stanley Variable Investment Series

Financial Statements

Statements of Assets and Liabilities
June 30, 2015 (unaudited)

    Money
Market
  Limited
Duration
  Income
Plus
 

Assets:

 

Investments in securities, at value*

 

$

56,388,577

(1)

 

$

32,928,513

   

$

123,871,738

   

Investment in affiliates, at value**

   

     

518,682

     

2,009,840

   

Total investments in securities, at value

   

56,388,577

     

33,447,195

     

125,881,578

   

Unrealized appreciation on open swap agreements

   

     

26

     

95

   

Unrealized appreciation on open foreign currency forward exchange contracts

   

     

     

154

   

Cash

   

18,849

     

     

   

Receivable for:

 

Interest

   

8,752

     

182,821

     

1,388,773

   

Shares of beneficial interest sold

   

6,454

     

559

     

319,420

   

Investments sold

   

     

306,579

     

1,202

   

Foreign withholding taxes reclaimed

   

     

     

   

Dividends

   

     

     

   

Premium paid on open swap agreements

   

     

4,798

     

16,217

   

Interest and Dividends from affiliates

   

     

888

     

9,941

   

Variation margin on open swap agreements

   

     

251

     

   

Due from Adviser

   

5,149

     

     

   

Prepaid expenses and other assets

   

12,989

     

6,367

     

13,684

   

Total Assets

   

56,440,770

     

33,949,484

     

127,631,064

   

Liabilities:

 

Collateral on securities loaned, at value

   

     

     

   

Unrealized depreciation on open swap agreements

   

     

8,815

     

29,793

   

Unrealized depreciation on open foreign currency forward exchange contracts

   

     

     

2,691

   

Payable to bank

   

     

28

     

1,201

   

Due to broker

   

     

     

   

Payable for:

 

Investments purchased

   

     

     

1,152,840

   

Shares of beneficial interest redeemed

   

135,399

     

18,839

     

42

   

Advisory fee

   

     

8,875

     

46,760

   

Distribution fee (Class Y)

   

     

5,814

     

14,063

   

Administration fee

   

     

2,389

     

8,938

   

Variation margin on open swap agreements

   

     

     

24,144

   

Premium received on open swap agreements

   

     

3,905

     

14,319

   

Variation margin on open futures contracts

   

     

1,869

     

5,044

   

Transfer and sub transfer agent fee

   

350

     

384

     

345

   

Accrued expenses and other payables

   

44,748

     

43,747

     

72,142

   

Total Liabilities

   

180,497

     

94,665

     

1,372,322

   

Net Assets

 

$

56,260,273

   

$

33,854,819

   

$

126,258,742

   

Composition of Net Assets:

 

Paid-in-capital

 

$

56,265,271

   

$

61,092,519

   

$

120,425,124

   

Net unrealized appreciation (depreciation)

   

     

219,903

     

2,163,772

   

Accumulated undistributed net investment income (net investment loss)

   

(3,604

)

   

159,806

     

2,165,110

   

Accumulated net realized gain (loss)

   

(1,394

)

   

(27,617,409

)

   

1,504,736

   

Net Assets

 

$

56,260,273

   

$

33,854,819

   

$

126,258,742

   
* Cost  

$

56,388,577

   

$

32,709,433

   

$

121,913,680

   
** Affiliated Cost  

$

   

$

520,252

   

$

2,039,080

   

Class X Shares:

 

Net Assets

 

$

27,380,311

   

$

7,489,299

   

$

62,614,817

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

27,381,989

     

1,009,590

     

5,538,258

   

Net Asset Value Per Share

 

$

1.00

   

$

7.42

   

$

11.31

   

Class Y Shares:

 

Net Assets

 

$

28,879,962

   

$

26,365,520

   

$

63,643,925

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

28,882,365

     

3,555,620

     

5,636,099

   

Net Asset Value Per Share

 

$

1.00

   

$

7.42

   

$

11.29

   

(1)  Including repurchase agreement of $29,590,000.

(2)  Including security loaned at value of $733,267.

(3)  Including foreign currency valued at $43,452 with a cost of $43,644.

See Notes to Financial Statements
50



    European
Equity
  Multi Cap
Growth
 

Assets:

 

Investments in securities, at value*

 

$

41,179,149

   

$

246,130,079

(2)

 

Investment in affiliates, at value**

   

261,367

     

8,867,305

   

Total investments in securities, at value

   

41,440,516

     

254,997,384

   

Unrealized appreciation on open swap agreements

   

     

   

Unrealized appreciation on open foreign currency forward exchange contracts

   

     

   

Cash

   

43,452

(3)

   

13,349

   

Receivable for:

 

Interest

   

     

   

Shares of beneficial interest sold

   

2,632

     

10,057

   

Investments sold

   

10,591

     

   

Foreign withholding taxes reclaimed

   

133,070

     

   

Dividends

   

82,956

     

48,043

   

Premium paid on open swap agreements

   

     

   

Interest and Dividends from affiliates

   

52

     

1,599

   

Variation margin on open swap agreements

   

     

   

Due from Adviser

   

     

   

Prepaid expenses and other assets

   

12,995

     

21,632

   

Total Assets

   

41,726,264

     

255,092,064

   

Liabilities:

 

Collateral on securities loaned, at value

   

     

750,603

   

Unrealized depreciation on open swap agreements

   

     

   

Unrealized depreciation on open foreign currency forward exchange contracts

   

     

   

Payable to bank

   

     

   

Due to broker

   

     

60,000

   

Payable for:

 

Investments purchased

   

     

   

Shares of beneficial interest redeemed

   

17,205

     

229,722

   

Advisory fee

   

20,167

     

94,874

   

Distribution fee (Class Y)

   

1,838

     

12,376

   

Administration fee

   

3,056

     

18,077

   

Variation margin on open swap agreements

   

     

   

Premium received on open swap agreements

   

     

   

Variation margin on open futures contracts

   

     

   

Transfer and sub transfer agent fee

   

462

     

336

   

Accrued expenses and other payables

   

46,425

     

67,697

   

Total Liabilities

   

89,153

     

1,233,685

   

Net Assets

 

$

41,637,111

   

$

253,858,379

   

Composition of Net Assets:

 

Paid-in-capital

 

$

37,690,710

   

$

126,894,523

   

Net unrealized appreciation (depreciation)

   

10,125,314

     

109,348,476

   

Accumulated undistributed net investment income (net investment loss)

   

845,214

     

(386,885

)

 

Accumulated net realized gain (loss)

   

(7,024,127

)

   

18,002,265

   

Net Assets

 

$

41,637,111

   

$

253,858,379

   
* Cost  

$

31,053,566

   

$

136,781,603

   
** Affiliated Cost  

$

261,367

   

$

8,867,305

   

Class X Shares:

 

Net Assets

 

$

33,698,210

   

$

198,445,331

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

1,882,672

     

3,978,386

   

Net Asset Value Per Share

 

$

17.90

   

$

49.88

   

Class Y Shares:

 

Net Assets

 

$

7,938,901

   

$

55,413,048

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

444,100

     

1,134,552

   

Net Asset Value Per Share

 

$

17.88

   

$

48.84

   


51



Morgan Stanley Variable Investment Series

Financial Statements continued

Statements of Operations
For the six months ended June 30, 2015 (unaudited)

    Money
Market
  Limited
Duration
  Income
Plus
 

Net Investment Income:

 

Income

 

Interest

 

$

61,961

   

$

341,041

   

$

2,760,106

   

Dividends†

   

     

     

   

Income from securities loaned - net

   

     

     

   

Interest and dividends from affiliates (Note 7)

   

     

2,389

     

23,610

   

Total Income

   

61,961

     

343,430

     

2,783,716

   

†Net of foreign withholding taxes

   

     

     

   

Expenses

 

Advisory fee (Note 4)

   

129,455

     

52,400

     

278,872

   

Distribution fee (Class Y shares) (Note 5)

   

37,879

     

34,034

     

83,645

   

Professional fees

   

36,643

     

47,184

     

48,600

   

Administration fee (Note 4)

   

14,384

     

13,973

     

53,118

   

Custodian fees

   

13,289

     

14,050

     

20,024

   

Shareholder reports and notices

   

6,039

     

6,186

     

9,144

   

Trustees' fees and expenses

   

679

     

1,531

     

3,356

   

Transfer agent fees and expenses (Note 6)

   

1,528

     

1,488

     

1,514

   

Other

   

15,343

     

17,963

     

24,291

   

Total Expenses

   

255,239

     

188,809

     

522,564

   

Less: amounts waived

   

(196,154

)(4)

   

     

   

Less: rebate from Morgan Stanley affiliated cash sweep (Note 7)

   

     

(315

)

   

(1,269

)

 

Net Expenses

   

59,085

     

188,494

     

521,295

   

Net Investment Income (Loss)

   

2,876

     

154,936

     

2,262,421

   

Realized and Unrealized Gain (Loss):

 

Realized Gain on:

 

Investments

   

92

     

56,376

     

2,042,065

   

Investments in affiliates (Note 7)

   

     

3,317

     

147,000

   

Futures contracts

   

     

(37,891

)

   

630,827

   

Swap agreements

   

     

(189,568

)

   

(1,201,372

)

 

Foreign currency forward exchange contracts

   

     

     

53,717

   

Foreign currency translation

   

     

     

(6,970

)

 

Net Realized Gain (Loss)

   

92

     

(167,766

)

   

1,665,267

   

Change in Unrealized Appreciation (Depreciation) on:

 

Investments

   

     

24,045

     

(4,936,518

)

 

Investments in affiliates (Note 7)

   

     

(1,493

)

   

(165,740

)

 

Futures contracts

   

     

29,742

     

29,304

   

Swap agreements

   

     

79,867

     

476,279

   

Foreign currency forward exchange contracts

   

     

     

(24,514

)

 

Foreign currency translation

   

     

     

7,592

   

Net Change in Unrealized Appreciation (Depreciation)

   

     

132,161

     

(4,613,597

)

 

Net Gain (Loss)

   

92

     

(35,605

)

   

(2,948,330

)

 

Net Increase (Decrease)

 

$

2,968

   

$

119,331

   

$

(685,909

)

 

(4)  See Note 5.

(5)  See Note 4.

See Notes to Financial Statements
52



    European
Equity
  Multi Cap
Growth
 

Net Investment Income:

 

Income

 

Interest

 

$

   

$

   

Dividends†

   

1,060,985

     

343,992

   

Income from securities loaned - net

   

15,219

     

83,520

   

Interest and dividends from affiliates (Note 7)

   

401

     

7,348

   

Total Income

   

1,076,605

     

434,860

   

†Net of foreign withholding taxes

   

95,490

     

   

Expenses

 

Advisory fee (Note 4)

   

188,413

     

540,252

   

Distribution fee (Class Y shares) (Note 5)

   

10,605

     

70,013

   

Professional fees

   

43,009

     

48,349

   

Administration fee (Note 4)

   

17,325

     

102,905

   

Custodian fees

   

9,816

     

9,855

   

Shareholder reports and notices

   

12,892

     

15,382

   

Trustees' fees and expenses

   

318

     

4,201

   

Transfer agent fees and expenses (Note 6)

   

1,631

     

1,562

   

Other

   

7,302

     

11,097

   

Total Expenses

   

291,311

     

803,616

   

Less: amounts waived

   

(64,140

)(5)

   

(404

)(5)

 

Less: rebate from Morgan Stanley affiliated cash sweep (Note 7)

   

(256

)

   

(4,637

)

 

Net Expenses

   

226,915

     

798,575

   

Net Investment Income (Loss)

   

849,690

     

(363,715

)

 

Realized and Unrealized Gain (Loss):

 

Realized Gain on:

 

Investments

   

997,301

     

18,128,409

   

Investments in affiliates (Note 7)

   

     

   

Futures contracts

   

     

   

Swap agreements

   

     

   

Foreign currency forward exchange contracts

   

     

   

Foreign currency translation

   

(11,569

)

   

(2,974

)

 

Net Realized Gain (Loss)

   

985,732

     

18,125,435

   

Change in Unrealized Appreciation (Depreciation) on:

 

Investments

   

425,185

     

1,021,388

   

Investments in affiliates (Note 7)

   

     

   

Futures contracts

   

     

   

Swap agreements

   

     

   

Foreign currency forward exchange contracts

   

     

   

Foreign currency translation

   

8,183

     

   

Net Change in Unrealized Appreciation (Depreciation)

   

433,368

     

1,021,388

   

Net Gain (Loss)

   

1,419,100

     

19,146,823

   

Net Increase (Decrease)

 

$

2,268,790

   

$

18,783,108

   


53



Morgan Stanley Variable Investment Series

Financial Statements continued

Statements of Changes in Net Assets

   

Money Market

 

Limited Duration

 

Income Plus

 
    For The Six
Months Ended
June 30, 2015
  For The Year
Ended
December 31, 2014
  For The Six
Months Ended
June 30, 2015
  For The Year
Ended
December 31, 2014
  For The Six
Months Ended
June 30, 2015
  For The Year
Ended
December 31, 2014
 
   

(unaudited)

     

(unaudited)

     

(unaudited)

     

Increase (Decrease) in Net Assets:

 

Operations:

 

Net investment income (loss)

 

$

2,876

   

$

6,785

   

$

154,936

   

$

352,903

   

$

2,262,421

   

$

5,034,886

   

Net realized gain (loss)

   

92

     

61

     

(167,766

)

   

302,812

     

1,665,267

     

6,974,571

   

Net change in unrealized appreciation (depreciation)

   

     

     

132,161

     

(264,862

)

   

(4,613,597

)

   

(956,670

)

 

Net Increase (Decrease)

   

2,968

     

6,846

     

119,331

     

390,853

     

(685,909

)

   

11,052,787

   

Dividends and Distributions to Shareholders from:

 

Net investment income

 

Class X shares

   

(1,361

)

   

(3,152

)

   

(98,343

)

   

(155,915

)

   

(2,505,911

)

   

(3,018,703

)

 

Class Y shares

   

(1,515

)

   

(3,633

)

   

(270,785

)

   

(458,467

)

   

(2,354,828

)

   

(2,962,049

)

 

Net realized gain

 

Class X shares

   

     

     

     

     

(39,367

)

   

   

Class Y shares

   

     

     

     

     

(39,986

)

   

   

Total Dividends and Distributions

   

(2,876

)

   

(6,785

)

   

(369,128

)

   

(614,382

)

   

(4,940,092

)

   

(5,980,752

)

 
Net decrease from transactions in shares of
beneficial interest
   

(3,567,766

)

   

(13,474,244

)

   

(2,125,310

)

   

(5,866,557

)

   

(5,735,656

)

   

(23,878,164

)

 

Net Decrease

   

(3,567,674

)

   

(13,474,183

)

   

(2,375,107

)

   

(6,090,086

)

   

(11,361,657

)

   

(18,806,129

)

 

Net Assets:

 

Beginning of period

   

59,827,947

     

73,302,130

     

36,229,926

     

42,320,012

     

137,620,399

     

156,426,528

   

End of Period

 

$

56,260,273

   

$

59,827,947

   

$

33,854,819

   

$

36,229,926

   

$

126,258,742

   

$

137,620,399

   
Accumulated Undistributed Net Investment
Income (Loss)
 

$

(3,604

)

 

$

(3,604

)

 

$

159,806

   

$

373,998

   

$

2,165,110

   

$

4,763,428

   

See Notes to Financial Statements
54



   

European Equity

 

Multi Cap Growth

 
    For The Six
Months Ended
June 30, 2015
  For The Year
Ended
December 31, 2014
  For The Six
Months Ended
June 30, 2015
  For The Year
Ended
December 31, 2014
 
   

(unaudited)

     

(unaudited)

     

Increase (Decrease) in Net Assets:

 

Operations:

 

Net investment income (loss)

 

$

849,690

   

$

2,065,456

   

$

(363,715

)

 

$

(436,456

)

 

Net realized gain (loss)

   

985,732

     

4,257,032

     

18,125,435

     

44,256,463

   

Net change in unrealized appreciation (depreciation)

   

433,368

     

(10,780,202

)

   

1,021,388

     

(29,486,704

)

 

Net Increase (Decrease)

   

2,268,790

     

(4,457,714

)

   

18,783,108

     

14,333,303

   

Dividends and Distributions to Shareholders from:

 

Net investment income

 

Class X shares

   

(1,678,581

)

   

(966,435

)

   

     

   

Class Y shares

   

(371,093

)

   

(223,195

)

   

     

   

Net realized gain

 

Class X shares

   

     

     

(34,189,702

)

   

(26,529,060

)

 

Class Y shares

   

     

     

(9,724,711

)

   

(7,687,678

)

 

Total Dividends and Distributions

   

(2,049,674

)

   

(1,189,630

)

   

(43,914,413

)

   

(34,216,738

)

 
Net decrease from transactions in shares of
beneficial interest
   

(983,285

)

   

(7,172,394

)

   

22,052,179

     

(19,003,025

)

 

Net Decrease

   

(764,169

)

   

(12,819,738

)

   

(3,079,126

)

   

(38,886,460

)

 

Net Assets:

 

Beginning of period

   

42,401,280

     

55,221,018

     

256,937,505

     

295,823,965

   

End of Period

 

$

41,637,111

   

$

42,401,280

   

$

253,858,379

   

$

256,937,505

   
Accumulated Undistributed Net Investment
Income (Loss)
 

$

845,214

   

$

2,045,198

   

$

(386,885

)

 

$

(23,170

)

 


55



Morgan Stanley Variable Investment Series

Financial Statements continued

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

   

Money Market

 

Limited Duration

 

Income Plus

 
    For The Six
Months Ended
June 30, 2015
  For The Year
Ended
December 31, 2014
  For The Six
Months Ended
June 30, 2015
  For The Year
Ended
December 31, 2014
  For The Six
Months Ended
June 30, 2015
  For The Year
Ended
December 31, 2014
 
   

(unaudited)

     

(unaudited)

     

(unaudited)

     

Class X Shares

 

Shares

 

Sold

   

4,108,725

     

7,901,527

     

7,134

     

25,009

     

15,072

     

89,199

   

Reinvestment of dividends and distributions

   

1,361

     

3,152

     

13,254

     

20,817

     

225,047

     

257,788

   

Redeemed

   

(5,174,356

)

   

(13,410,900

)

   

(77,619

)

   

(219,174

)

   

(448,695

)

   

(1,043,394

)

 

Net Increase (Decrease) - Class X

   

(1,064,270

)

   

(5,506,221

)

   

(57,231

)

   

(173,348

)

   

(208,576

)

   

(696,407

)

 

Amount

 

Sold

 

$

4,108,725

   

$

7,901,527

   

$

53,575

   

$

188,893

   

$

180,929

   

$

1,058,089

   

Reinvestment of dividends and distributions

   

1,361

     

3,152

     

98,343

     

155,915

     

2,545,278

     

3,018,703

   

Redeemed

   

(5,174,356

)

   

(13,410,900

)

   

(583,827

)

   

(1,652,333

)

   

(5,399,419

)

   

(12,342,942

)

 

Net Increase (Decrease) - Class X

 

$

(1,064,270

)

 

$

(5,506,221

)

 

$

(431,909

)

 

$

(1,307,525

)

 

$

(2,673,212

)

 

$

(8,266,150

)

 

Class Y Shares

 

Shares

 

Sold

   

1,878,374

     

10,258,750

     

10,861

     

176,604

     

39,844

     

74,014

   

Reinvestment of dividends and distributions

   

1,515

     

3,633

     

36,494

     

61,211

     

212,118

     

253,383

   

Redeemed

   

(4,383,385

)

   

(18,230,406

)

   

(272,645

)

   

(843,432

)

   

(494,550

)

   

(1,649,311

)

 

Net Increase (Decrease) - Class Y

   

(2,503,496

)

   

(7,968,023

)

   

(225,290

)

   

(605,617

)

   

(242,588

)

   

(1,321,914

)

 

Amount

 

Sold

 

$

1,878,374

   

$

10,258,750

   

$

81,446

   

$

1,329,503

   

$

458,409

   

$

874,502

   

Reinvestment of dividends and distributions

   

1,515

     

3,633

     

270,785

     

458,467

     

2,394,814

     

2,962,049

   

Redeemed

   

(4,383,385

)

   

(18,230,406

)

   

(2,045,632

)

   

(6,347,002

)

   

(5,915,667

)

   

(19,448,565

)

 

Net Increase (Decrease) - Class Y

 

$

(2,503,496

)

 

$

(7,968,023

)

 

$

(1,693,401

)

 

$

(4,559,032

)

 

$

(3,062,444

)

 

$

(15,612,014

)

 

See Notes to Financial Statements
56



   

European Equity

 

Multi Cap Growth

 
    For The Six
Months Ended
June 30, 2015
  For The Year
Ended
December 31, 2014
  For The Six
Months Ended
June 30, 2015
  For The Year
Ended
December 31, 2014
 
   

(unaudited)

     

(unaudited)

     

Class X Shares

 

Shares

 

Sold

   

15,664

     

36,123

     

11,521

     

22,492

   

Reinvestment of dividends and distributions

   

93,775

     

48,105

     

685,439

     

491,006

   

Redeemed

   

(120,958

)

   

(343,945

)

   

(303,249

)

   

(615,764

)

 

Net Increase (Decrease) - Class X

   

(11,519

)

   

(259,717

)

   

393,711

     

(102,266

)

 

Amount

 

Sold

 

$

302,474

   

$

706,890

   

$

677,126

   

$

1,295,711

   

Reinvestment of dividends and distributions

   

1,678,581

     

966,435

     

34,189,702

     

26,529,060

   

Redeemed

   

(2,304,987

)

   

(6,713,399

)

   

(17,912,803

)

   

(35,562,273

)

 

Net Increase (Decrease) - Class X

 

$

(323,932

)

 

$

(5,040,074

)

 

$

16,954,025

   

$

(7,737,502

)

 

Class Y Shares

 

Shares

 

Sold

   

2,499

     

6,485

     

5,452

     

8,326

   

Reinvestment of dividends and distributions

   

20,755

     

11,132

     

199,114

     

144,424

   

Redeemed

   

(56,846

)

   

(127,690

)

   

(85,948

)

   

(339,838

)

 

Net Increase (Decrease) - Class Y

   

(33,592

)

   

(110,073

)

   

118,618

     

(187,088

)

 

Amount

 

Sold

 

$

49,222

   

$

126,463

   

$

322,772

   

$

463,171

   

Reinvestment of dividends and distributions

   

371,093

     

223,195

     

9,724,711

     

7,687,678

   

Redeemed

   

(1,079,668

)

   

(2,481,978

)

   

(4,949,329

)

   

(19,416,372

)

 

Net Increase (Decrease) - Class Y

 

$

(659,353

)

 

$

(2,132,320

)

 

$

5,098,154

   

$

(11,265,523

)

 


57




Morgan Stanley Variable Investment Series

Notes to Financial Statements n June 30, 2015 (unaudited)

1. Organization and Accounting Policies

Morgan Stanley Variable Investment Series (the "Fund") is registered under the Investment Company Act of 1940, as amended (the "Act"), as an open-end management investment company. The Fund is offered exclusively to life insurance companies in connection with particular life insurance and/or annuity contracts they offer. The Fund applies investment company accounting and reporting guidance.

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

PORTFOLIO

  COMMENCEMENT OF
OPERATIONS
 

PORTFOLIO

  COMMENCEMENT OF
OPERATIONS
 

Money Market

 

March 9, 1984

 

European Equity

 

March 1, 1991

 

Limited Duration

 

May 4, 1999

 

Multi Cap Growth

 

March 9, 1984

 

Income Plus

 

March 1, 1987

         

Each Portfolio is classified as diversified. On June 5, 2000, the Fund commenced offering one additional class of shares (Class Y shares). Each Portfolio currently offers two share classes — Class X shares and Class Y shares. The two classes are identical except that Class Y shares incur distribution expenses. Class X shares are generally available to holders of contracts offered before May 1, 2000. Class Y shares are available to holders of contracts offered on or after June 5, 2000.

The investment objectives of each Portfolio are as follows:

PORTFOLIO  

INVESTMENT OBJECTIVE

 
Money Market  

Seeks high current income, preservation of capital and liquidity.

 
Limited Duration  

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

 
Income Plus  

Seeks, as its primary objective, to provide a high level of current income by investing primarily in U.S. government securities and other fixed-income securities. As a secondary objective, the Portfolio seeks capital appreciation but only when consistent with its primary objective.

 
European Equity  

Seeks to maximize the capital appreciation of its investments.

 
Multi Cap Growth  

Seeks, as its primary objective, growth of capital through investments in common stocks of companies believed by the "Adviser" Morgan Stanley Investment Management Inc. to have potential for superior growth. As a secondary objective, the Portfolio seeks income but only when consistent with its primary objective.

 


58



Morgan Stanley Variable Investment Series

Notes to Financial Statements n June 30, 2015 (unaudited) continued

The following is a summary of significant accounting policies:

A. Valuation of Investments — Money Market: Portfolio securities are valued at amortized cost, which approximates fair value, in accordance with Rule 2a-7 under the Act. The amortized cost of an instrument is determined by valuing it at its original cost and thereafter amortizing any discount or premium from its face value at a constant rate until maturity. All remaining Portfolios: (1) an equity portfolio security listed or traded on an exchange is valued at its latest reported sales price (or at the exchange official closing price if such exchange reports an official closing price), if there were no sales on a given day, the security is valued at the mean between the last reported bid and asked prices; (2) all other equity portfolio securities for which over-the-counter ("OTC") market quotations are readily available are valued at its latest reported sales price. In cases where a security is traded on more than one exchange, the security is valued on the exchange designated as the primary market; (3) quotations of foreign portfolio securities, other assets and liabilities and forward contracts stated in foreign currency are translated into U.S. dollar equivalents at the prevailing market rates prior to the close of the New York Stock Exchange ("NYSE"); (4) futures are valued at the latest price published by the commodities exchange on which they trade; (5) swaps are marked-to-market daily based upon quotations from market makers; (6) listed options are valued at the last reported sales price on the exchange on which they are listed (or at the exchange official closing price if such exchange reports an official closing price). If an official closing price or last reported sales price is unavailable, the listed option should be fair valued at the mean between their latest bid and asked price. Unlisted options are valued by an outside pricing service approved by the Fund's Board of Trustees (the "Trustees") or quotes from a broker or dealer; (7) certain senior collateralized loans ("Senior Loans") are valued based on quotations received from an independent pricing service; (8) when market quotations are not readily available, including circumstances under which the Adviser or Morgan Stanley Investment Management Limited (the "Sub-Adviser"), each a wholly owned subsidiary of Morgan Stanley, determines that the closing price, last sale price or the mean between the last reported bid and asked prices are not reflective of a security's market value, portfolio securities are valued at their fair value as determined in good faith under procedures established by and under the general supervision of the Trustees. Occasionally, developments affecting the closing prices of securities and other assets may occur between the times at which valuations of such securities are determined (that is, close of the foreign market on which the securities trade) and the close of business on the NYSE. If developments occur during such periods that are expected to materially affect the value of such securities, such valuations may be adjusted to reflect the estimated fair value of such securities as of the close of the NYSE, as determined in good faith by the Trustees or by the Adviser using a pricing service and/or procedures approved by the Trustees; (9) certain portfolio securities may be valued by an outside pricing


59



Morgan Stanley Variable Investment Series

Notes to Financial Statements n June 30, 2015 (unaudited) continued

service approved by the Trustees. The pricing service may utilize a matrix system or other model incorporating attributes such as security quality, maturity and coupon as the evaluation model parameters, and/or research evaluations by its staff, including review of broker-dealer market price quotations in determining what it believes is the fair valuation of the portfolio securities valued by such pricing service; (10) investments in mutual funds, including the Morgan Stanley Institutional Liquidity Funds, are valued at the NAV as of the close of each business day; and (11) short-term taxable debt securities with remaining maturities of 60 days or less at the time of purchase may be valued at amortized cost, unless the Adviser determines such price does not reflect the securities' market value, in which case these securities will be valued at their fair market value determined by the Adviser. Other taxable short-term debt securities with maturities of more than 60 days will be valued on a mark-to-market basis until such time as they reach a maturity of 60 days, whereupon they will be valued at amortized cost using their value on the 61st day unless the Adviser determines such price does not reflect the securities' fair value, in which case these securities will be valued at their fair market value as determined by the Adviser.

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

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


60



Morgan Stanley Variable Investment Series

Notes to Financial Statements n June 30, 2015 (unaudited) continued

values that would have been used had an active market existed. The Valuation Committee employs various methods for calibrating these valuation approaches including a regular review of valuation methodologies, key inputs and assumptions, transactional back-testing or disposition analysis, and reviews of any related market activity.

B. Accounting for Investments — Security transactions are accounted for on the trade date (date the order to buy or sell is executed). Realized gains and losses on security transactions are determined by the identified cost method. Dividend income and other distributions are recorded on the ex-dividend date, except for certain dividends on foreign securities which are recorded as soon as the Fund is informed after the ex-dividend date. Interest income is accrued daily as earned except where collection is not expected. Discounts are accreted and premiums are amortized over the life of the respective securities and are included in interest income.

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

Repurchase agreements are subject to Master Repurchase Agreements, which are agreements between the Fund and its counterparties that typically include provisions which provide for the net settlement of all transactions and collateral with the Fund, through a single payment, in the event of default or termination. Amounts presented on the Portfolio of Investments and Statements of Assets and Liabilities are not net settlement amounts but gross. As indicated on the Portfolio of Investments, the cash or securities to be repurchased exceeds the repurchase price to be paid under the agreement reducing the net settlement amount to zero.

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

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

—  investments, other assets and liabilities at the prevailing rate of exchange on the valuation date;

—  investment transactions and investment income at the prevailing rates of exchange on the dates of such transactions.


61



Morgan Stanley Variable Investment Series

Notes to Financial Statements n June 30, 2015 (unaudited) continued

Although the net assets of the Portfolios are presented at the foreign exchange rates and market values at the close of the period, the Portfolios do not isolate that portion of the results of operations arising as a result of changes in the foreign exchange rates from the fluctuations arising from changes in the market prices of securities held at period end. Similarly, the Portfolios do not isolate the effect of changes in foreign exchange rates from the fluctuations arising from changes in the market prices of securities sold during the period. Accordingly, realized and unrealized foreign currency gains (losses) on investments in securities are included in the reported net realized and unrealized gains (losses) on investment transactions and balances. However, pursuant to U.S. Federal income tax regulations, gains and losses from certain foreign currency transactions and the foreign currency portion of gains and losses realized on sales and maturities of foreign denominated debt securities are treated as ordinary income for U.S. Federal income tax purposes.

Net realized gains (losses) on foreign currency transactions represent net foreign exchange gains (losses) from foreign currency forward exchange contracts, disposition of foreign currencies, currency gains (losses) realized between the trade and settlement dates on securities transactions, and the difference between the amount of investment income and foreign withholding taxes recorded on the Portfolios' books and the U.S. dollar equivalent amounts actually received or paid. Net unrealized currency gains (losses) from valuing foreign currency denominated assets and liabilities at period end exchange rates are reflected as a component of unrealized appreciation (depreciation) in the Statements of Assets and Liabilities. The change in unrealized currency gains (losses) on foreign currency translations for the period is reflected in the Statements of Operations.

F. Restricted Securities — Certain Portfolios may invest in unregistered or otherwise restricted securities. The term "restricted securities" refers to securities that are unregistered or are held by control persons of the issuer and securities that are subject to contractual restrictions on their resale. As a result, restricted securities may be more difficult to value and the Portfolio may have difficulty disposing of such assets either in a timely manner or for a reasonable price. In order to dispose of an unregistered security, the Portfolio, where it has contractual rights to do so, may have to cause such security to be registered. A considerable period may elapse between the time the decision is made to sell the security and the time the security is registered so that the Portfolio could sell it. Contractual restrictions on the resale of securities vary in length and scope and are generally the result of a negotiation between the issuer and acquirer of the securities. The Portfolio would, in either case, bear market risks during that period. Restricted securities, if any, are identified in the Portfolio of Investments.


62



Morgan Stanley Variable Investment Series

Notes to Financial Statements n June 30, 2015 (unaudited) continued

G. Senior Loans — Senior Loans are typically structured by a syndicate of lenders ("Lenders"), one or more of which administers the Senior Loan on behalf of the Lenders ("Agent"). Lenders may sell interests in Senior Loans to third parties ("Participations") or may assign all or a portion of their interest in a Senior Loan to third parties ("Assignments"). Senior Loans are exempt from registration under the Securities Act of 1933. Presently, Senior Loans are not readily marketable and are often subject to restrictions on resale.

H. When-Issued/Delayed Delivery Securities — The Fund may purchase or sell when-issued and delayed delivery securities. Securities purchased on a when-issued or delayed delivery basis are purchased for delivery beyond the normal settlement date at a stated price, and no income accrues to the Fund on such securities prior to delivery date. Payment and delivery for when-issued and delayed delivery securities can take place a month or more after the date of the transaction. When the Fund enters into a purchase transaction on a when-issued or delayed delivery basis, securities are available for collateral in an amount at least equal in value to the Fund's commitments to purchase such securities. Purchasing securities on a when-issued or delayed delivery basis may involve a risk that the market price at the time of delivery may be lower than the agreed upon purchase price, in which case there could be an unrealized loss at the time of delivery. Purchasing investments on a when-issued or delayed delivery basis may be considered a form of leverage which may increase the impact that gains (losses) may have on the Fund.

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

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

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


63



Morgan Stanley Variable Investment Series

Notes to Financial Statements n June 30, 2015 (unaudited) continued

The following table presents financial instruments that are subject to enforceable netting arrangements as of June 30, 2015.

   

GROSS AMOUNTS NOT OFFSET IN THE STATEMENTS OF ASSETS AND LIABILITIES

 

PORTFOLIO

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

Multi Cap Growth

 

$

733,267

(a)

   

   

$

(733,267

)(b)(c)

 

$

0

   

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

(b)  The Portfolio received cash collateral of $750,603, of which $737,254 was subsequently invested in Repurchase Agreements and Morgan Stanley Institutional Liquidity Funds as reported in the Portfolio of Investments. As of June 30, 2015 there was uninvested cash of $13,349, which is not reflected in the Portfolio of Investments.

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

J. Dividends and Distributions to Shareholders — Dividends and distributions to shareholders are recorded on the ex-dividend date. Dividends from net investment income, if any, are declared and paid annually (except for Money Market, which declares and pays daily). Net realized capital gains, if any, are distributed at least annually.

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

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

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

2. Fair Valuation Measurements

Financial Accounting Standards Board ("FASB") Accounting Standards CodificationTM ("ASC") 820, "Fair Value Measurement" ("ASC 820"), defines fair value as the value that the Fund would receive to sell an investment or pay to transfer a liability in a timely transaction with an independent buyer in the principal market, or in the absence of a principal market the most advantageous market for the investment or liability. ASC 820 establishes a three-tier hierarchy to distinguish between (1) inputs that reflect the assumptions


64



Morgan Stanley Variable Investment Series

Notes to Financial Statements n June 30, 2015 (unaudited) continued

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

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

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

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

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

The following is a summary of the inputs used to value each Portfolio's investments as of June 30, 2015.

Investment Type

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

Total

 

Money Market

 

Assets:

 

Repurchase Agreements

 

$

   

$

29,590,000

   

$

   

$

29,590,000

   

Floating Rate Notes

   

     

9,500,000

     

     

9,500,000

   

Certificates of Deposit

   

     

7,999,998

     

     

7,999,998

   

Time Deposits

   

     

4,000,000

     

     

4,000,000

   

Commercial Paper

   

     

2,998,609

     

     

2,998,609

   

Extendible Floating Rate Notes

   

     

2,299,970

     

     

2,299,970

   

Total Assets

 

$

   

$

56,388,577

   

$

   

$

56,388,577

   


65



Morgan Stanley Variable Investment Series

Notes to Financial Statements n June 30, 2015 (unaudited) continued

Investment Type

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

Total

 

Limited Duration

 

Assets:

 

Fixed Income Securities

 

Corporate Bonds

 

$

   

$

24,406,229

   

$

   

$

24,406,229

   

Asset-Backed Securities

   

     

3,684,595

     

     

3,684,595

   

Agency Adjustable Rate Mortgages

   

     

1,757,088

     

     

1,757,088

   

Mortgages — Other

   

     

1,384,439

     

     

1,384,439

   

Commercial Mortgage-Backed Securities

   

     

673,088

     

     

673,088

   
Collateralized Mortgage Obligations — Agency
Collateral Series
   

     

594,872

     

     

594,872

   

Sovereign

   

     

243,617

     

     

243,617

   

Agency Fixed Rate Mortgages

   

     

156,281

     

     

156,281

   

Total Fixed Income Securities

   

     

32,900,209

     

     

32,900,209

   

Short-Term Investments

 

U.S. Treasury Security

   

     

200,966

     

     

200,966

   

Investment Company

   

346,020

     

     

     

346,020

   

Total Short-Term Investments

   

346,020

     

200,966

     

     

546,986

   

Futures Contracts

   

5,195

     

     

     

5,195

   

Credit Default Swap Agreements

   

     

1,804

     

     

1,804

   

Interest Rate Swap Agreement

   

     

5,068

     

     

5,068

   

Total Assets

   

351,215

     

33,108,047

     

     

33,459,262

   

Liabilities:

 

Futures Contracts

   

(859

)

   

     

     

(859

)

 

Credit Default Swap Agreement

   

     

(8,815

)

   

     

(8,815

)

 

Total Liabilities

   

(859

)

   

(8,815

)

   

     

(9,674

)

 

Total

 

$

350,356

   

$

33,099,232

   

$

   

$

33,449,588

   

Income Plus

 

Assets:

 

Fixed Income Securities

 

Corporate Bonds

 

$

   

$

120,556,773

   

$

   

$

120,556,773

   

Asset-Backed Securities

   

     

1,156,386

     

     

1,156,386

   

Sovereign

   

     

779,927

     

     

779,927

   

Variable Rate Senior Loan Interests

   

     

947,897

     

     

947,897

   

Total Fixed Income Securities

   

     

123,440,983

     

     

123,440,983

   


66



Morgan Stanley Variable Investment Series

Notes to Financial Statements n June 30, 2015 (unaudited) continued

Investment Type

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

Total

 
Income Plus (continued)  

Short-Term Investments

 

U.S. Treasury Security

 

$

   

$

1,388,765

   

$

   

$

1,388,765

   

Investment Company

   

1,051,830

     

     

     

1,051,830

   

Total Short-Term Investments

   

1,051,830

     

1,388,765

     

     

2,440,595

   

Foreign Currency Forward Exchange Contract

   

     

154

     

     

154

   

Futures Contracts

   

167,234

     

     

     

167,234

   

Credit Default Swap Agreements

   

     

96,444

     

     

96,444

   

Interest Rate Swap Agreement

   

     

49,328

     

     

49,328

   

Total Assets

   

1,219,064

     

124,975,674

     

     

126,194,738

   

Liabilities:

 

Foreign Currency Forward Exchange Contracts

   

     

(2,691

)

   

     

(2,691

)

 

Futures Contracts

   

(23,194

)

   

     

     

(23,194

)

 

Credit Default Swap Agreement

   

     

(29,793

)

   

     

(29,793

)

 

Interest Rate Swap Agreement

   

     

(22,528

)

   

     

(22,528

)

 

Total Liabilities

   

(23,194

)

   

(55,012

)

   

     

(78,206

)

 

Total

 

$

1,195,870

   

$

124,920,662

   

$

   

$

126,116,532

   

European Equity

 

Assets:

 

Common Stocks

 
Aerospace & Defense  

$

1,584,384

   

$

   

$

   

$

1,584,384

   

Automobiles

   

2,091,373

     

     

     

2,091,373

   

Banks

   

4,836,283

     

     

     

4,836,283

   

Chemicals

   

798,246

     

     

     

798,246

   

Communications Equipment

   

628,955

     

     

     

628,955

   

Construction Materials

   

926,894

     

     

     

926,894

   

Diversified Telecommunication Services

   

852,913

     

     

     

852,913

   

Electrical Equipment

   

983,236

     

     

     

983,236

   

Food Products

   

1,901,797

     

     

     

1,901,797

   
Health Care Providers & Services    

1,085,965

     

     

     

1,085,965

   
Hotels, Restaurants & Leisure    

973,199

     

     

     

973,199

   

Household Products

   

1,209,896

     

     

     

1,209,896

   

Industrial Conglomerates

   

913,591

     

     

     

913,591

   

Information Technology Services

   

827,763

     

     

     

827,763

   

Insurance

   

3,153,669

     

     

     

3,153,669

   

Machinery

   

753,517

     

     

     

753,517

   


67



Morgan Stanley Variable Investment Series

Notes to Financial Statements n June 30, 2015 (unaudited) continued

Investment Type

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

Total

 
European Equity (continued)  

Media

 

$

3,439,136

   

$

   

$

   

$

3,439,136

   
Metals & Mining    

1,409,326

     

     

     

1,409,326

   

Multi-Utilities

   

847,548

     

     

     

847,548

   
Oil, Gas & Consumable Fuels    

2,214,013

     

     

     

2,214,013

   

Pharmaceuticals

   

5,964,694

     

     

     

5,964,694

   

Tobacco

   

2,422,476

     

     

     

2,422,476

   

Wireless Telecommunication Services

   

1,360,275

     

     

     

1,360,275

   

Total Common Stocks

   

41,179,149

     

     

     

41,179,149

   

Short-Term Investment

 

Investment Company

   

261,367

     

     

     

261,367

   

Total Assets

 

$

41,440,516

   

$

   

$

   

$

41,440,516

   

Multi Cap Growth

 

Assets:

 

Common Stocks

 
Air Freight & Logistics  

$

2,329,481

   

$

   

$

   

$

2,329,481

   

Automobiles

   

11,334,522

     

     

     

11,334,522

   

Biotechnology

   

1,320,008

     

     

     

1,320,008

   

Capital Markets

   

2,907,705

     

     

     

2,907,705

   

Electrical Equipment

   

3,687,969

     

     

     

3,687,969

   

Food Products

   

11,243,971

     

     

     

11,243,971

   
Health Care Equipment & Supplies    

9,549,495

     

     

     

9,549,495

   

Health Care Technology

   

9,364,419

     

     

     

9,364,419

   
Hotels, Restaurants & Leisure    

8,581,251

     

     

     

8,581,251

   

Information Technology Services

   

11,203,113

     

     

     

11,203,113

   
Internet & Catalog Retail    

31,780,848

     

     

     

31,780,848

   
Internet Software & Services    

51,193,215

     

     

     

51,193,215

   
Life Sciences Tools & Services    

14,094,483

     

     

     

14,094,483

   

Machinery

   

2,554,821

     

     

     

2,554,821

   

Media

   

4,580,180

     

     

     

4,580,180

   

Pharmaceuticals

   

17,957,440

     

     

     

17,957,440

   

Professional Services

   

2,594,562

     

     

     

2,594,562

   

Software

   

24,328,805

     

     

     

24,328,805

   

Specialty Retail

   

5,710,183

     

     

     

5,710,183

   
Tech Hardware, Storage & Peripherals    

8,873,803

     

     

     

8,873,803

   

Total Common Stocks

   

235,190,274

     

     

     

235,190,274

   


68



Morgan Stanley Variable Investment Series

Notes to Financial Statements n June 30, 2015 (unaudited) continued

Investment Type

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

Total

 
Multi Cap Growth (continued)  

Preferred Stocks

 

$

   

$

   

$

10,633,638

   

$

10,633,638

   

Call Options Purchased

   

     

90,291

     

     

90,291

   

Short-Term Investments

 

Investment Company

   

8,867,305

     

     

     

8,867,305

   

Repurchase Agreements

   

     

215,876

     

     

215,876

   

Total Short-Term Investments

   

8,867,305

     

215,876

     

     

9,083,181

   

Total Assets

 

$

244,057,579

   

$

306,167

   

$

10,633,638

   

$

254,997,384

   

Transfers between investment levels may occur as the markets fluctuate and/or the availability of data used in an investment's valuation changes. The Fund recognizes transfers between the levels as of the end of the period. As of December 31, 2014, the fair value of certain securities were adjusted due to developments which occurred between the time of the close of the foreign markets on which they trade and the close of business on the NYSE which resulted in their Level 2 classification. As of June 30, 2015, securities transferred from Level 2 to Level 1. The values of the transfers were as follows:

EUROPEAN
EQUITY
  MULTI CAP
GROWTH
 
$

38,180,627

   

$

4,580,180

   

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

   

Multi Cap Growth

 
   

Preferred Stocks

 

Beginning Balance

 

$

7,369,698

   

Purchases

   

   

Sales

   

   

Amortization of discount

   

   

Transfers in

   

   

Transfers out

   

   

Corporate actions

   

   

Change in unrealized appreciation (depreciation)

   

3,263,940

   

Realized gains (losses)

   

   

Ending Balance

 

$

10,633,638

   
Net change in unrealized appreciation
(depreciation) from investments still held
as of June 30, 2015
 

$

3,263,940

   


69



Morgan Stanley Variable Investment Series

Notes to Financial Statements n June 30, 2015 (unaudited) continued

The following table presents additional information about valuation techniques and inputs used for investments that are measured at fair value and categorized within Level 3 as of June 30, 2015. Various valuation techniques were used in the valuation of certain investments and weighted based on the level of significance.

Multi Cap Growth

    Fair Value at
June 30,
2015
 

Valuation Technique

 

Unobservable Input

 

Range

  Selected
Value
  Impact to
Valuation
from an
Increase
in Input
 
Hotels, Restaurants &
Leisure
               
Preferred Stock
 
 

$

3,817,172
 
  Market Transaction
Method
  Issuance Price of
Financing
 

$

33.32

   

$

33.32

   

$

33.32

   
Increase
 
Internet & Catalog
Retail
               
Preferred Stock
 
 

$

3,617,276
 
  Market Transaction
Method
  Pending Precedent
Transaction
 

$

93.38

   

$

93.38

   

$

93.38

   
Increase
 
        Discounted Cash
Flow
  Weighted Average
Cost of Capital
   

15.0

%

   

17.0

%

   

16.0

%

 
Decrease
 
            Perpetual Growth
Rate
   

3.0

%

   

4.0

%

   

3.5

%

 
Increase
 
        Market Comparable
Companies
  Enterprise
Value/Revenue
   

10.2

x

   

15.5

x

   

15.5

x

 
Increase
 
            Discount for Lack
of Marketability
   

15.0

%

   

15.0

%

   

15.0

%

 
Decrease
 
Life Sciences Tools &
Services
               

Preferred Stock

 

$

2,059,213

    Market Transaction
Method
  Precedent
Transaction
 

$

3.27

   

$

3.27

   

$

3.27

   
Increase
 
        Discounted Cash
Flow
  Weighted Average
Cost of Capital
   

32.0

%

   

34.0

%

   

33.0

%

 
Decrease
 
            Perpetual Growth
Rate
   

3.0

%

   

4.0

%

   

3.5

%

 
Increase
 
 
 
   
 
  Market Comparable
Companies
  Enterprise
Value/Revenue
   

2.4

x

   

5.0

x

   

5.0

x

 
Increase
 
 
 
   
 
   
 
  Discount for Lack
of Marketability
   

15.0

%

   

15.0

%

   

15.0

%

 
Decrease
 


70



Morgan Stanley Variable Investment Series

Notes to Financial Statements n June 30, 2015 (unaudited) continued

    Fair Value at
June 30,
2015
 

Valuation Technique

 

Unobservable Input

 

Range

  Selected
Value
  Impact to
Valuation
from an
Increase
in Input
 

Software

                             
Preferred Stock
 
 
 

$

1,139,977
 
 
  Market Transaction
Method
 
  Precedent
Transaction of
Preferred Stock
 

$

11.42

   

$

11.42

   

$

11.42

   
Increase
 
 
 
   
 
  Discounted Cash
Flow
  Weighted Average
Cost of Capital
   

18.5

%

   

20.5

%

   

19.5

%

 
Decrease
 
 
 
   
 
   
 
  Perpetual Growth
Rate
   

3.0

%

   

4.0

%

   

3.5

%

 
Increase
 
 
 
   
 
  Market Comparable
Companies
  Enterprise
Value/Revenue
   

16.2

x

   

28.7

x

   

23.0

x

 
Increase
 
 
 
   
 
   
 
  Discount for Lack
of Marketability
   

15.0

%

   

15.0

%

   

15.0

%

 
Decrease
 

3. Derivatives

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

Certain derivative transactions may give rise to a form of leverage. Leverage magnifies the potential for gain and risk of loss. Leverage associated with derivative transactions may cause a Portfolio to liquidate portfolio


71



Morgan Stanley Variable Investment Series

Notes to Financial Statements n June 30, 2015 (unaudited) continued

positions when it may not be advantageous to do so to satisfy its obligations or to meet earmarking or segregation requirements, pursuant to applicable Securities and Exchange Commission ("SEC") rules and regulations, or may cause a Portfolio to be more volatile than if the Portfolio had not been leveraged. Although the Adviser and/or Sub-Adviser seek to use derivatives to further the Portfolio's investment objectives, there is no assurance that the use of derivatives will achieve this result.

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

Options With respect to options, certain Portfolios are subject to equity risk, interest rate risk and foreign currency exchange risk in the normal course of pursuing its investment objectives. If a Portfolio buys an option, it buys a legal contract giving it the right to buy or sell a specific amount of the underlying instrument or futures contract on the underlying instrument at an agreed-upon price typically in exchange for a premium paid by a Portfolio. A Portfolio may purchase and/or sell put and call options. Purchasing call options tends to increase a Portfolio's exposure to the underlying (or similar) instrument. Purchasing put options tends to decrease a Portfolio's exposure to the underlying (or similar) instrument. When entering into purchased option contracts, a Portfolio bears the risk of interest or exchange rates or securities prices moving unexpectedly, in which case, a Portfolio may not achieve the anticipated benefits of the purchased option contracts; however the risk of loss is limited to the premium paid. Purchased options are reported as part of "Total Investments in Securities" in the Statements of Assets and Liabilities. Premium paid for purchasing options which expired are treated as realized losses. If a Portfolio sells an option, it sells to another party the right to buy from or sell to a Portfolio a specific amount of the underlying instrument or futures contract on the underlying instrument at an agreed upon price typically in exchange for a premium received by a Portfolio. When options are purchased OTC, a Portfolio bears the risk that the counterparty that wrote the option will be unable or unwilling to perform its obligations under the option contract. Options may also be illiquid and a Portfolio may have difficulty closing out its position. A decision as to whether, when and how to use options involves the exercise of skill and judgment and even a well-conceived option transaction may be unsuccessful because of market behavior or unexpected events. The prices of options can be highly volatile and the use of options can lower total returns.

Foreign Currency Forward Exchange Contracts In connection with their investments in foreign securities, certain Portfolios entered into contracts with banks, brokers or dealers to purchase or sell securities or foreign currencies at a future date. A foreign currency forward exchange contract ("currency contract") is a negotiated agreement between the contracting parties to exchange a specified amount of currency at a specified future time at a specified rate. The rate can be higher or lower than the spot rate


72



Morgan Stanley Variable Investment Series

Notes to Financial Statements n June 30, 2015 (unaudited) continued

between the currencies that are the subject of the contract. Currency contracts may be used to protect against uncertainty in the level of future foreign currency exchange rates or to gain or modify exposure to a particular currency. To the extent hedged by the use of currency contracts, the precise matching of the currency contract amounts and the value of the securities involved will not generally be possible because the future value of such securities in foreign currencies will change as a consequence of market movements in the value of those securities between the date on which the contract is entered into and the date it matures. Furthermore, such transactions may reduce or preclude the opportunity for gain if the value of the currency should move in the direction opposite to the position taken. There is additional risk to the extent that currency contracts create exposure to currencies in which a Portfolio's securities are not denominated. Unanticipated changes in currency prices may result in poorer overall performance for a Portfolio than if it had not entered into such currency contracts. The use of currency contracts involves the risk of loss from the insolvency or bankruptcy of the counterparty to the contract or the failure of the counterparty to make payments or otherwise comply with the term of the contract. A currency contract is marked-to-market daily and the change in market value is recorded by a Portfolio as unrealized gain or loss. A Portfolio records realized gains (losses) when the currency contract is closed equal to the difference between the value of the currency contract at the time it was opened and the value at the time it was closed.

Futures A futures contract is a standardized, exchange-traded agreement to buy or sell a specific quantity of an underlying asset, reference rate or index at a specific price at a specific future time. The value of a futures contract tends to increase and decrease in tandem with the value of the underlying instrument. Depending on the terms of the particular contract, futures contracts are settled through either physical delivery of the underlying instrument on the settlement date or by payment of a cash settlement amount on the settlement date. During the period the futures contract is open, payments are received from or made to the broker based upon changes in the value of the contract (the variation margin). A decision as to whether, when and how to use futures contracts involves the exercise of skill and judgment and even a well-conceived futures transaction may be unsuccessful because of market behavior or unexpected events. In addition to the derivatives risks discussed above, the prices of futures contracts can be highly volatile, using futures contracts can lower total return, and the potential loss from futures contracts can exceed a Portfolio's initial investment in such contracts. No assurance can be given that a liquid market will exist for any particular futures contract at any particular time. There is also the risk of loss by a Portfolio of margin deposits in the event of bankruptcy of a broker with which a Portfolio has open positions in the futures contract.

Swaps A Portfolio may enter into OTC swap contracts or cleared swap transactions. A swap contract is an agreement between two parties pursuant to which the parties exchange payments at specified dates on the


73



Morgan Stanley Variable Investment Series

Notes to Financial Statements n June 30, 2015 (unaudited) continued

basis of a specified notional amount, with the payments calculated by reference to specified securities, indices, reference rates, currencies or other instruments. Typically swap agreements provide that when the period payment dates for both parties are the same, the payments are made on a net basis (i.e., the two payment streams are netted out, with only the net amount paid by one party to the other). A Portfolio's obligations or rights under a swap contract entered into on a net basis will generally be equal only to the net amount to be paid or received under the agreement, based on the relative values of the positions held by each party. Cleared swap transactions help reduce counterparty credit risk. In a cleared swap, a Portfolio's ultimate counterparty is a clearinghouse rather than a swap dealer, bank or other financial institution. OTC swap agreements are not entered into or traded on exchanges and often there is no central clearing or guaranty function for OTC swaps. These OTC swaps are often subject to credit risk or the risk of default or non-performance by the counterparty. Both OTC and cleared swaps could result in losses if interest rates, foreign currency exchange rates or other factors are not correctly anticipated by a Portfolio or if the reference index, security or investments do not perform as expected. During the period swap agreements are open, payments are received from or made to the clearinghouse or counterparty based upon changes in the value of the contract (variation margin). The Dodd-Frank Wall Street Reform and Consumer Protection Act and related regulatory developments require the clearing and exchange-trading of certain standardized swap transactions. Mandatory exchange-trading and clearing is occurring on a phased-in basis.

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

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


74



Morgan Stanley Variable Investment Series

Notes to Financial Statements n June 30, 2015 (unaudited) continued

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

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

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

The following table sets forth the fair value of each Portfolio's derivative contracts by primary risk exposure as of June 30, 2015.

PORTFOLIO

  PRIMARY RISK
EXPOSURE
  ASSET DERIVATIVES
STATEMENTS OF
ASSETS AND
LIABILITIES LOCATION
 

FAIR VALUE

  LIABILITY DERIVATIVES
STATEMENTS OF
ASSETS AND
LIABILITIES LOCATION
 

FAIR VALUE

 
Limited Duration   Interest Rate
Risk
  Variation margin on
open futures contracts
 

$

5,195

(d)

  Variation margin on
open futures contracts
 

$

(859

)(d)

 
        Variation margin on
open swap agreement
   

5,068

(d)

  Variation margin on
open swap agreements
   

   
   

Credit Risk

  Variation margin on
open swap agreement
   

1,778

(d)

  Variation margin on
open swap agreements
   

   
        Unrealized appreciation
on open swap agreement
   

26

    Unrealized depreciation
on open swap agreement
   

(8,815

)

 
           

$

12,067

       

$

(9,674

)

 

Income Plus

  Interest Rate
Risk
  Variation margin on
open futures contracts
 

$

167,234

(d)

  Variation margin on
open futures contracts
 

$

(23,194

)(d)

 
        Variation margin on
open swap agreement
   

49,328

(d)

  Variation margin on
open swap agreement
   

(22,528

)(d)

 
   

Credit Risk

  Variation margin on
open swap agreements
   

96,349

(d)

  Variation margin on
open swap agreement
   

   
        Unrealized appreciation
on open swap agreement
   

95

    Unrealized depreciation
on open swap agreements
   

(29,793

)

 


75



Morgan Stanley Variable Investment Series

Notes to Financial Statements n June 30, 2015 (unaudited) continued

PORTFOLIO

  PRIMARY RISK
EXPOSURE
  ASSET DERIVATIVES
STATEMENTS OF
ASSETS AND
LIABILITIES LOCATION
 

FAIR VALUE

  LIABILITY DERIVATIVES
STATEMENTS OF
ASSETS AND
LIABILITIES LOCATION
 

FAIR VALUE

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

$

154

    Unrealized depreciation
on open foreign currency
forward exchange
contracts
 

$

(2,691

)

 
           

$

313,160

       

$

(78,206

)

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

$

90,291

(e)

  Investments, at Value
(Call Options Purchased)
 

$

   

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

(e)  Amounts are included in Investments in securities in the Statements of Assets and Liabilities.

The following tables set forth by primary risk exposure of each Portfolio's realized gains (losses) and change in unrealized appreciation (depreciation) by type of derivative contract for the six months ended June 30, 2015 in accordance with ASC 815.

AMOUNT OF REALIZED GAIN (LOSS) ON DERIVATIVE CONTRACTS

PORTFOLIO

  PRIMARY RISK
EXPOSURE
 

FUTURES

  CALL OPTIONS
PURCHASED(g)
  FOREIGN
CURRENCY
FORWARD
EXCHANGE
  SWAP
AGREEMENTS
 

Limited Duration

 

Interest Rate Risk

 

$

(37,891

)

 

$

   

$

   

$

(184,543

)

 
   

Credit Risk

   

     

     

     

(5,025

)

 
   

Total

 

$

(37,891

)

 

$

   

$

   

$

(189,568

)

 

Income Plus

 

Interest Rate Risk

 

$

630,827

   

$

   

$

   

$

(1,072,643

)

 
   

Credit Risk

   

     

     

     

(128,729

)

 
   

Foreign Currency Risk

   

     

     

53,717

     

   
   

Total

 

$

630,827

   

$

   

$

53,717

   

$

(1,201,372

)

 

Multi Cap Growth

 

Foreign Currency Risk

 

$

   

$

(136,508

)

 

$

   

$

   


76



Morgan Stanley Variable Investment Series

Notes to Financial Statements n June 30, 2015 (unaudited) continued

CHANGE IN UNREALIZED APPRECIATION (DEPRECIATION) ON DERIVATIVE CONTRACTS

PORTFOLIO

  PRIMARY RISK
EXPOSURE
 

FUTURES

  CALL OPTIONS
PURCHASED(f)
  FOREIGN
CURRENCY
FORWARD
EXCHANGE
  SWAP
AGREEMENTS
 

Limited Duration

 

Interest Rate Risk

 

$

29,742

   

$

   

$

   

$

13,935

   
   

Credit Risk

   

     

     

     

65,932

   
   

Total

 

$

29,742

   

$

   

$

   

$

79,867

   

Income Plus

 

Interest Rate Risk

 

$

29,304

   

$

   

$

   

$

41,794

   
   

Credit Risk

   

     

     

     

434,485

   
   

Foreign Currency Risk

   

     

     

(24,514

)

   

   
   

Total

 

$

29,304

   

$

   

$

(24,514

)

 

$

476,279

   

Multi Cap Growth

 

Foreign Currency Risk

 

$

   

$

(199,645

)

 

$

   

$

   

(f)  Amounts are included in Investments in the Statements of Operations.

At June 30, 2015, each Portfolio's derivative assets and liabilities are as follows:

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

PORTFOLIO

 

DERIVATIVES(g)

 

ASSETS(h)

 

LIABILITIES(h)

 

Limited Duration

 

Swap Agreements

 

$

26

   

$

(8,815

)

 

Income Plus

  Foreign Currency
Forward Exchange Contracts
 

$

154

   

$

(2,691

)

 
   

Swap Agreements

   

95

     

(29,793

)

 
   

Total

 

$

249

   

$

(32,484

)

 

Multi Cap Growth

 

Call Options Purchased

 

$

90,291

(e)

 

$

   

(e)  Amounts are included in Investments in securities in the Statements of Assets and Liabilities.

(g)  Excludes exchange traded derivatives.

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

Certain Portfolios typically enter into International Swaps and Derivatives Association, Inc. Master Agreements ("ISDA Master Agreements") or similar master agreements (collectively, "Master Agreements") with their respective contract counterparties for certain OTC derivatives in order to, among other things,


77



Morgan Stanley Variable Investment Series

Notes to Financial Statements n June 30, 2015 (unaudited) continued

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

The following tables present derivative financial instruments that are subject to enforceable netting arrangements as of June 30, 2015.

  GROSS AMOUNTS NOT OFFSET IN THE STATEMENTS OF ASSETS AND LIABILITIES

PORTFOLIO

 

COUNTERPARTY

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

Limited Duration

 

Barclays Bank PLC

 

$

26

   

$

(26

)

 

$

   

$

0

   

Income Plus

 

Barclays Bank PLC

 

$

95

   

$

(95

)

 

$

   

$

0

   
   

HSBC Bank PLC

   

154

     

(154

)

   

     

0

   
   

Total

 

$

249

   

$

(249

)

 

$

   

$

0

   

Multi Cap Growth

 

Royal Bank of Scotland

 

$

90,291

   

$

   

$

(60,000

)

 

$

30,291

   

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


78



Morgan Stanley Variable Investment Series

Notes to Financial Statements n June 30, 2015 (unaudited) continued

  GROSS AMOUNTS NOT OFFSET IN THE STATEMENTS OF ASSETS AND LIABILITIES

PORTFOLIO

 

COUNTERPARTY

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

Limited Duration

 

Barclays Bank PLC

 

$

8,815

   

$

(26

)

 

$

   

$

8,789

   

Income Plus

 

Barclays Bank PLC

 

$

29,793

   

$

(95

)

 

$

   

$

29,698

   
   

Citibank NA

   

2,466

     

     

     

2,466

   
   

HSBC Bank PLC

   

225

     

(154

)

   

     

71

   
   

Total

 

$

32,484

   

$

(249

)

 

$

   

$

32,235

   

For the six months ended June 30, 2015, the average monthly amount outstanding for each derivative type is as follows:

Limited Duration:

 

Futures Contracts:

 

Average monthly original value

 

$

17,795,562

   

Swap Agreements:

 

Average monthly notional amount

 

$

9,768,368

   

Income Plus:

 

Foreign Currency Forward Exchange Contracts:

 

Average monthly principal amount

 

$

1,047,260

   

Futures Contracts:

 

Average monthly original value

 

$

133,564,785

   

Swap Agreements:

 

Average monthly notional amount

 

$

66,276,476

   

Multi Cap Growth:

 

Call Options Purchased:

 

Average monthly notional amount

   

88,054,390

   

4. Advisory/Administration and Sub-Advisory Agreements

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

Money Market — 0.45% to the portion of the daily net assets not exceeding $250 million; 0.375% to the portion of the daily net assets exceeding $250 million but not exceeding $750 million; 0.325% to the portion


79



Morgan Stanley Variable Investment Series

Notes to Financial Statements n June 30, 2015 (unaudited) continued

of the daily net assets exceeding $750 million but not exceeding $1.25 billion; 0.30% to the portion of the daily net assets exceeding $1.25 billion but not exceeding $1.5 billion; and 0.275% to the portion of the daily net assets in excess of $1.5 billion. For the six months ended June 30, 2015, the advisory fee rate (net of waivers) was equivalent to an annual effective rate of 0.00% of the Portfolio's average daily net assets.

Limited Duration — 0.30%.

Income Plus — 0.42% to the portion of the daily net assets not exceeding $500 million; 0.35% to the portion of the daily net assets exceeding $500 million but not exceeding $1.25 billion; and 0.22% to the portion of the daily net assets in excess of $1.25 billion. For the six months ended June 30, 2015, the advisory fee rate (net of rebate) was equivalent to an annual effective rate of 0.42% of the Portfolio's average daily net assets.

European Equity — 0.87% to the portion of the daily net assets not exceeding $500 million; 0.82% to the portion of the daily net assets exceeding $500 million but not exceeding $2 billion; 0.77% to the portion of the daily net assets exceeding $2 billion but not exceeding $3 billion; and 0.745% to the portion of the daily net assets in excess of $3 billion. For the six months ended June 30, 2015, the advisory fee rate (net of waivers/rebate) was equivalent to an annual effective rate of 0.57% of the Portfolio's average daily net assets.

Multi Cap Growth — 0.42% to the portion of the daily net assets not exceeding $1 billion; 0.395% to the portion of the daily net assets exceeding $1 billion but not exceeding $2 billion; and 0.37% to the portion of the daily net assets in excess of $2 billion. For the six months ended June 30, 2015, the advisory fee rate (net of waivers/rebate) was equivalent to an annual effective rate of 0.42% of the Portfolio's average daily net assets.

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

The Adviser also serves as the Administrator to the Fund and provides administrative services pursuant to an Administration Agreement for an annual fee, accrued daily and paid monthly, of 0.08% (Money Market Portfolio's rate is 0.05%) of each Portfolio's average daily net assets.

The Adviser/Administrator has agreed to reduce its advisory fee, its administration fee and/or reimburse European Equity Portfolio so that total annual Portfolio operating expenses, excluding certain investment related expenses, 12b-1 fees, taxes, interest and other extraordinary expenses (including litigation), will not exceed 1.00%. The fee waivers and/or expense reimbursements will continue for at least one year from the


80



Morgan Stanley Variable Investment Series

Notes to Financial Statements n June 30, 2015 (unaudited) continued

date of the Portfolio's prospectus(es) or until such time that the Trustees act to discontinue all or a portion of such waivers and/or reimbursements when they deem such action is appropriate. For the six months ended June 30, 2015, $64,140 of advisory fees were waived pursuant to this arrangement.

The Adviser/Administrator has agreed to reduce its advisory fee, its administration fee and/or reimburse Multi Cap Growth Portfolio so that total Portfolio operating expenses, excluding certain investment related expenses, 12b-1 fees, taxes, interest and other extraordinary expenses (including litigation), will not exceed 0.57%. The fee waivers and/or expense reimbursements will continue for at least one year from the date of the Portfolio's prospectus(es) or until such time that the Trustees act to discontinue all or a portion of such waivers and/or reimbursements when they deem such action is appropriate. For the six months ended June 30, 2015, $404 of advisory fees were waived pursuant to this agreement.

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

5. Plan of Distribution

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

The Distributor and Adviser/Administrator have agreed to waive/reimburse all or a portion of the Money Market Portfolio's distribution fee, advisory fee and administration fee, respectively, to the extent that total expenses exceed total income of the Money Market Portfolio on a daily basis. For the six months ended June 30, 2015, the Distributor waived $37,879, the Adviser waived $129,455 and the Administrator waived $14,384. For the same period, the Adviser reimbursed additional expenses to the extent the Portfolio's total expenses exceeded total income on a daily basis in the amount of $14,436. The fee waivers and/or expense reimbursements will continue for at least one year from the date of the Portfolio's prospectus(es) or until such time that the Trustees act to discontinue all or a portion of such waivers and/or expense reimbursements when they deem such action is appropriate.

6. Dividend Disbursing and Transfer Agent

The Fund's dividend disbursing and transfer agent is Boston Financial Data Services, Inc. ("BFDS"). Pursuant to a Transfer Agency Agreement, the Fund pays BFDS a fee based on the number of classes, accounts and transactions relating to the Portfolios of the Fund.


81



Morgan Stanley Variable Investment Series

Notes to Financial Statements n June 30, 2015 (unaudited) continued

7. Security Transactions and Transactions with Affiliates

For the six months ended June 30, 2015, purchases and sales of investment securities, excluding short-term investments, were as follows:

   

U.S. GOVERNMENT SECURITIES

 

OTHER

 

PORTFOLIO

 

PURCHASES

 

SALES

 

PURCHASES

 

SALES

 

Limited Duration

 

$

317,023

   

$

930,657

   

$

7,890,522

   

$

10,222,790

   

Income Plus

   

     

     

36,944,355

     

42,557,882

   

European Equity

   

     

     

3,973,696

     

6,185,560

   

Multi Cap Growth

   

     

     

23,593,268

     

44,719,821

   

Each Portfolio (except Money Market) invests in the Institutional Class of the Morgan Stanley Institutional Liquidity Funds (the "Liquidity Funds"), an open-end management investment company managed by the Adviser, both directly and as a portion of the securities held as collateral on loaned securities. Advisory fees paid by each Portfolio are reduced by an amount equal to its pro-rata share of advisory and administrative fees paid by each Portfolio due to its investment in the Liquidity Funds.

A summary of each Portfolio's transactions in shares of the Liquidity Funds during the six months ended June 30, 2015 is as follows:

PORTFOLIO

  VALUE
DECEMBER 31, 2014
  PURCHASES
AT COST
 

SALES

  DIVIDEND
INCOME
  VALUE
JUNE 30, 2015
 

Limited Duration

 

$

101,467

   

$

6,338,775

   

$

6,094,222

   

$

506

   

$

346,020

   

Income Plus

   

2,651,873

     

17,137,243

     

18,737,286

     

2,023

     

1,051,830

   

European Equity

   

369,100

     

3,933,385

     

4,041,118

     

401

     

261,367

   

Multi Cap Growth

   

11,810,239

     

35,412,620

     

38,355,554

     

7,348

     

8,867,305

   

For the six months ended June 30, 2015, advisory fees paid were reduced by the following relating to each Portfolio's investment in the Liquidity Funds:

PORTFOLIO

  ADVISORY FEE
REDUCTION
 

Limited Duration

 

$

315

   

Income Plus

   

1,269

   

European Equity

   

256

   

Multi Cap Growth

   

4,637

   


82



Morgan Stanley Variable Investment Series

Notes to Financial Statements n June 30, 2015 (unaudited) continued

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

PORTFOLIO

 

ISSUER

  VALUE
DECEMBER 31,
2014
  PURCHASES
AT COST
 

SALES

  NET
REALIZED
GAIN
  INTEREST
INCOME
  VALUE
JUNE 30,
2015
 
Limited
Duration
  Metropolitan Life
Global Funding I
 

$

273,487

   

$

174,232

   

$

(276,881

)

 

$

3,317

   

$

1,883

   

$

172,662

   
Income
Plus
  MetLife Capital
Trust IV
   

769,500

     

     

(780,000

)

   

147,000

     

17,587

     

   
   

MetLife, Inc.

   

     

987,250

     

     

     

4,000

     

958,010

   

For the six months ended June 30, 2015, the Fund did not incur brokerage commissions with Morgan Stanley & Co., LLC, an affiliate of the Adviser/Administrator, Sub-Adviser and Distributor, for portfolio transactions executed on behalf of the Fund.

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 six months ended June 30, 2015, included in "Trustees' fees and expenses" in the Statements of Operations and the accrued pension liability included in "Accrued expenses and other payables" in the Statements of Assets and Liabilities are as follows:

  AGGREGATE PENSION COSTS

LIMITED
DURATION
  INCOME
PLUS
  EUROPEAN
EQUITY
  MULTI CAP
GROWTH
 
$

113

   

$

455

   

$

72

   

$

681

   

  AGGREGATE PENSION LIABILITY

MONEY
MARKET
  LIMITED
DURATION
  INCOME
PLUS
  EUROPEAN
EQUITY
  MULTI CAP
GROWTH
 
$

3,414

   

$

2,098

   

$

7,908

   

$

2,717

   

$

15,550

   

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


83



Morgan Stanley Variable Investment Series

Notes to Financial Statements n June 30, 2015 (unaudited) continued

options under the Compensation Plan. Appreciation/depreciation and distributions received from these investments are recorded with an offsetting increase/decrease in the deferred compensation obligation and do not affect the NAV of the Fund.

8. Federal Income Tax Status

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

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

FASB ASC 740-10, Income Taxes — Overall, sets forth a minimum threshold for financial statement recognition of the benefit of a tax position taken or expected to be taken in a tax return. Management has concluded there are no significant uncertain tax positions that would require recognition in the financial statements. If applicable, the Portfolios recognize interest accrued related to unrecognized tax benefits in "Interest Expense" and penalties in "Other Expenses" in the Statements of Operations. The Portfolios file tax returns with the U.S. Internal Revenue Service, New York and various states. Each of the tax years in the four-year period ended December 31, 2014, remains subject to examination by taxing authorities.

The tax character of distributions paid may differ from the character of distributions shown in the Statements of Changes in Net Assets due to short-term capital gains being treated as ordinary income for tax purposes. The tax character of distributions paid during fiscal years 2014 and 2013 was as follows:

   

2014 DISTRIBUTIONS PAID FROM:

 

2013 DISTRIBUTIONS PAID FROM:

 

PORTFOLIO

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

Money Market

 

$

6,785

   

$

   

$

8,318

   

$

   

Limited Duration

   

614,382

     

     

1,067,043

     

   

Income Plus

   

5,980,752

     

     

8,060,938

     

   

European Equity

   

1,189,630

     

     

1,517,812

     

   

Multi Cap Growth

   

4,912,286

     

29,304,452

     

951,967

     

3,478,094

   


84



Morgan Stanley Variable Investment Series

Notes to Financial Statements n June 30, 2015 (unaudited) continued

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

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

Permanent differences, primarily due to differing treatments of gains (losses) related to foreign currency transactions, swap transactions, paydown adjustments, expiring capital losses, net operating losses, book amortization of premium on debt securities and nondeductible expenses, resulted in the following reclassifications among the Portfolio's components of net assets at December 31, 2014:

PORTFOLIO

  ACCUMULATED UNDISTRIBUTED
NET INVESTMENT INCOME
  (DISTRIBUTIONS IN EXCESS OF)
NET REALIZED GAIN (LOSS)
  ACCUMULATED
PAID-IN-CAPITAL
 

Money Market

 

$

(1,023

)

 

$

100

   

$

923

   

Limited Duration

   

10,739

     

2,221,789

     

(2,232,528

)

 

Income Plus

   

(271,522

)

   

271,522

     

   

European Equity

   

(16,147

)

   

16,147

     

   

Multi Cap Growth

   

431,733

     

(431,733

)

   

   

At December 31, 2014, the components of distributable earnings on a tax basis were as follows:

PORTFOLIO

  UNDISTRIBUTED
ORDINARY
INCOME
  UNDISTRIBUTED
LONG-TERM
CAPITAL GAIN
 

Money Market

 

$

3,166

   

$

   

Limited Duration

   

369,126

     

   

Income Plus

   

4,860,732

     

79,278

   

European Equity

   

2,049,673

     

   

Multi Cap Growth

   

1,218,034

     

42,696,360

   

At June 30, 2015, cost, unrealized appreciation, unrealized depreciation, and net unrealized appreciation (depreciation) for U.S. Federal income tax purposes of the investments of each of the Portfolios were:

PORTFOLIO

 

COST

 

APPRECIATION

 

DEPRECIATION

  NET APPRECIATION
(DEPRECIATION)
 

Money Market

 

$

56,388,577

   

$

   

$

   

$

   

Limited Duration

   

33,229,685

     

392,324

     

(174,814

)

   

217,510

   

Income Plus

   

123,952,760

     

4,870,562

     

(2,941,744

)

   

1,928,818

   

European Equity

   

31,314,933

     

11,969,378

     

(1,843,795

)

   

10,125,583

   

Multi Cap Growth

   

145,648,908

     

115,394,349

     

(6,045,873

)

   

109,348,476

   


85



Morgan Stanley Variable Investment Series

Notes to Financial Statements n June 30, 2015 (unaudited) continued

At December 31, 2014, the following Portfolios had available for Federal income tax purposes unused short term and/or long term capital losses that will not expire:

PORTFOLIO

  SHORT TERM LOSSES
(NO EXPIRATION)
  LONG TERM LOSSES
(NO EXPIRATION)
 

Money Market

 

$

1,486

   

$

   

Limited Duration

   

     

286,694

   

In addition, At December 31, 2014, the following Portfolios had available capital loss carryforwards to offset future net capital gains, to the extent provided by regulations, through the indicated expiration dates:

   

AMOUNTS IN THOUSANDS AVAILABLE THROUGH DECEMBER 31,

 

PORTFOLIO

 

2015

 

2016

 

2017

 

2018

 

TOTAL

 

Limited Duration

 

$

1,063

   

$

17,119

   

$

8,980

   

$

   

$

27,162

   

European Equity

   

     

     

4,122

     

3,315

     

7,437

   

During the year ended December 31, 2014, the following Portfolio expired capital loss carryforwards for U.S. Federal income tax purposes of:

PORTFOLIO

  EXPIRED CAPITAL
LOSS CARRYFORWARDS
 

Limited Duration

 

$

2,232,528

   

To the extent that capital loss carryforwards are used to offset any future capital gains realized during the carryover period as provided by U.S. Federal income tax regulations, no capital gains tax liability will be incurred by a Portfolio for gains realized and not distributed. To the extent that capital gains are offset, such gains will not be distributed to the shareholders.

During the year ended December 31, 2014, the following Portfolios utilized capital loss carryforwards for U.S. Federal income tax purposes of:

PORTFOLIO

  UTILIZED CAPITAL
LOSS CARRYFORWARDS
 

Money Market

 

$

160

   

Limited Duration

   

52,673

   

Income Plus

   

7,195,869

   

European Equity

   

4,159,451

   


86



Morgan Stanley Variable Investment Series

Notes to Financial Statements n June 30, 2015 (unaudited) continued

9. Purposes of and Risks Relating to Certain Financial Instruments

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

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

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

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

The Money Market Portfolio may enter into repurchase agreements under which the Portfolio sends cash and takes possession of securities with an agreement that the counterparty will repurchase such securities. In the event of default on the obligation to repurchase, the Portfolio has the right to liquidate the collateral and apply the proceeds in satisfaction of the obligation. In the event of default or bankruptcy by the counterparty to the agreement, realization of the collateral proceeds may be subject to certain costs and delays.

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


87



Morgan Stanley Variable Investment Series

Notes to Financial Statements n June 30, 2015 (unaudited) continued

At June 30, 2015, European Equity Portfolio's investments in securities of issuers in the United Kingdom, France and Switzerland represented 32.0%, 21.7% and 17.6%, respectively of the Portfolio's net assets. These investments, as well as other non-U.S. investments, which involve risks and considerations not present with respect to U.S. securities, may be affected by economic or political developments in these countries.

10. Money Market Fund Regulation

The SEC recently adopted changes to the rules that govern money market funds. These changes have a phase-in period ranging from mid-2015 (primarily for certain new disclosure-related requirements) to the latter half of 2016 (for the most significant changes, such as the possible imposition of redemption fees and/or the temporary suspension of redemption privileges if a fund's portfolio liquidity falls below certain required minimum levels because of market conditions or other factors). At this time, management is evaluating the implications of these amendments and their impact to the Money Market Portfolio's operations, financial statements and accompanying notes.


88




(This page has been intentionally left blank.)



Morgan Stanley Variable Investment Series

Financial Highlights

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

2010

^

 

$

1.00

   

$

0.000

(c)

   

   

$

0.000

(c)

 

$

(0.000

)(c)

   

   

$

(0.000

)(c)

 
 

2011

     

1.00

     

0.000

(c)

 

$

(0.000

)(c)

   

0.000

(c)

   

(0.000

)(c)

   

     

(0.000

)(c)

 
 

2012

     

1.00

     

0.000

(c)

   

0.000

(c)

   

0.000

(c)

   

(0.000

)(c)

   

     

(0.000

)(c)

 
 

2013

     

1.00

     

0.000

(c)

   

0.000

(c)

   

0.000

(c)

   

(0.000

)(c)

   

     

(0.000

)(c)

 
 

2014

     

1.00

     

0.000

(c)

   

0.000

(c)

   

0.000

(c)

   

(0.000

)(c)

   

     

(0.000

)(c)

 
 

2015

^^

   

1.00

     

0.000

(c)

   

0.000

(c)

   

0.000

(c)

   

(0.000

)(c)

   

     

(0.000

)(c)

 

CLASS Y SHARES

     
 

2010

^

   

1.00

     

0.000

(c)

   

     

0.000

(c)

   

(0.000

)(c)

   

     

(0.000

)(c)

 
 

2011

     

1.00

     

0.000

(c)

   

(0.000

)(c)

   

0.000

(c)

   

(0.000

)(c)

   

     

(0.000

)(c)

 
 

2012

     

1.00

     

0.000

(c)

   

0.000

(c)

   

0.000

(c)

   

(0.000

)(c)

   

     

(0.000

)(c)

 
 

2013

     

1.00

     

0.000

(c)

   

0.000

(c)

   

0.000

(c)

   

(0.000

)(c)

   

     

(0.000

)(c)

 
 

2014

     

1.00

     

0.000

(c)

   

0.000

(c)

   

0.000

(c)

   

(0.000

)(c)

   

     

(0.000

)(c)

 
 

2015

^^

   

1.00

     

0.000

(c)

   

0.000

(c)

   

0.000

(c)

   

(0.000

)(c)

   

     

(0.000

)(c)

 
LIMITED DURATION
CLASS X SHARES
     
 

2010

^

   

7.84

     

0.18

     

0.00

     

0.18

     

(0.28

)

   

     

(0.28

)

 
 

2011

     

7.74

     

0.17

     

0.04

     

0.21

     

(0.26

)

   

     

(0.26

)

 
 

2012

     

7.69

     

0.12

     

0.13

     

0.25

     

(0.23

)

   

     

(0.23

)

 
 

2013

     

7.71

     

0.10

     

(0.07

)

   

0.03

     

(0.20

)

   

     

(0.20

)

 
 

2014

     

7.54

     

0.08

     

0.01

     

0.09

     

(0.14

)

   

     

(0.14

)

 
 

2015

^^

   

7.49

     

0.04

     

(0.01

)

   

0.03

     

(0.10

)

   

     

(0.10

)

 

CLASS Y SHARES

     
 

2010

^

   

7.81

     

0.16

     

0.01

     

0.17

     

(0.26

)

   

     

(0.26

)

 
 

2011

     

7.72

     

0.15

     

0.04

     

0.19

     

(0.24

)

   

     

(0.24

)

 
 

2012

     

7.67

     

0.10

     

0.13

     

0.23

     

(0.21

)

   

     

(0.21

)

 
 

2013

     

7.69

     

0.08

     

(0.07

)

   

0.01

     

(0.18

)

   

     

(0.18

)

 
 

2014

     

7.52

     

0.06

     

     

0.06

     

(0.11

)

   

     

(0.11

)

 
 

2015

^^

   

7.47

     

0.03

     

     

0.03

     

(0.08

)

   

     

(0.08

)

 

See Notes to Financial Statements
90



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

EXPENSES

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

2010

^

 

$

1.00

     

0.01

%

 

$

59,932

     

0.29

%(d)

   

0.00

%(d)(e)

   

     

N/A

   
 

2011

     

1.00

     

0.01

     

51,431

     

0.22

(d)

   

0.01

(d)

   

     

N/A

   
 

2012

     

1.00

     

0.01

     

42,267

     

0.27

(d)

   

0.01

(d)

   

     

N/A

   
 

2013

     

1.00

     

0.01

     

33,951

     

0.19

(d)

   

0.01

(d)

   

     

N/A

   
 

2014

     

1.00

     

0.01

     

28,445

     

0.19

(d)

   

0.01

(d)

   

     

N/A

   
 

2015

^^

   

1.00

     

0.00

(e)(i)

   

27,380

     

0.21

(d)(j)

   

0.01

(d)(j)

   

     

N/A

   

CLASS Y SHARES

 
 

2010

^

   

1.00

     

0.01

     

67,139

     

0.29

(d)

   

0.00

(d)(e)

   

     

N/A

   
 

2011

     

1.00

     

0.01

     

55,849

     

0.22

(d)

   

0.01

(d)

   

     

N/A

   
 

2012

     

1.00

     

0.01

     

48,565

     

0.27

(d)

   

0.01

(d)

   

     

N/A

   
 

2013

     

1.00

     

0.01

     

39,351

     

0.19

(d)

   

0.01

(d)

   

     

N/A

   
 

2014

     

1.00

     

0.01

     

31,383

     

0.19

(d)

   

0.01

(d)

   

     

N/A

   
 

2015

^^

   

1.00

     

0.00

(e)(i)

   

28,880

     

0.21

(d)(j)

   

0.01

(d)(j)

   

     

N/A

   
LIMITED DURATION
CLASS X SHARES
 
 

2010

^

   

7.74

     

2.35

     

14,921

     

0.55

(f)

   

2.25

(f)

   

0.00

%(e)

   

88

%

 
 

2011

     

7.69

     

2.75

     

12,693

     

0.60

(f)

   

2.15

(f)

   

0.00

(e)

   

45

   
 

2012

     

7.71

     

3.34

     

10,628

     

0.63

(f)

   

1.52

(f)

   

0.00

(e)

   

58

   
 

2013

     

7.54

     

0.39

     

9,346

     

0.75

(f)

   

1.27

(f)

   

0.00

(e)

   

53

   
 

2014

     

7.49

     

1.13

     

7,986

     

0.80

(f)

   

1.09

(f)

   

0.00

(e)

   

51

   
 

2015

^^

   

7.42

     

0.38

(i)

   

7,489

     

0.88

(f)(j)

   

1.08

(f)(j)

   

0.00

(e)(j)

   

24

(i)

 

CLASS Y SHARES

 
 

2010

^

   

7.72

     

2.22

     

53,760

     

0.80

(f)

   

2.00

(f)

   

0.00

(e)

   

88

   
 

2011

     

7.67

     

2.45

     

44,085

     

0.85

(f)

   

1.90

(f)

   

0.00

(e)

   

45

   
 

2012

     

7.69

     

3.05

     

38,736

     

0.88

(f)

   

1.27

(f)

   

0.00

(e)

   

58

   
 

2013

     

7.52

     

0.09

     

32,974

     

1.00

(f)

   

1.02

(f)

   

0.00

(e)

   

53

   
 

2014

     

7.47

     

0.84

     

28,244

     

1.05

(f)

   

0.84

(f)

   

0.00

(e)

   

51

   
 

2015

^^

   

7.42

     

0.36

(i)

   

26,366

     

1.13

(f)(j)

   

0.83

(f)(j)

   

0.00

(e)(j)

   

24

(i)

 


91



Morgan Stanley Variable Investment Series

Financial Highlights continued

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

2010

^

 

$

10.99

   

$

0.58

   

$

0.39

   

$

0.97

   

$

(0.70

)

   

   

$

(0.70

)

 
 

2011

     

11.26

     

0.57

     

(0.02

)

   

0.55

     

(0.68

)

   

     

(0.68

)

 
 

2012

     

11.13

     

0.48

     

1.04

     

1.52

     

(0.68

)

   

     

(0.68

)

 
 

2013

     

11.97

     

0.45

     

(0.35

)

   

0.10

     

(0.59

)

   

     

(0.59

)

 
 

2014

     

11.48

     

0.42

     

0.47

     

0.89

     

(0.51

)

   

     

(0.51

)

 
 

2015

^^

   

11.86

     

0.21

     

(0.28

)

   

(0.07

)

   

(0.47

)

 

$

(0.01

)

   

(0.48

)

 

CLASS Y SHARES

     
 

2010

^

   

10.95

     

0.55

     

0.39

     

0.94

     

(0.67

)

   

     

(0.67

)

 
 

2011

     

11.22

     

0.54

     

(0.02

)

   

0.52

     

(0.65

)

   

     

(0.65

)

 
 

2012

     

11.09

     

0.45

     

1.04

     

1.49

     

(0.65

)

   

     

(0.65

)

 
 

2013

     

11.93

     

0.41

     

(0.33

)

   

0.08

     

(0.56

)

   

     

(0.56

)

 
 

2014

     

11.45

     

0.39

     

0.45

     

0.84

     

(0.47

)

   

     

(0.47

)

 
 

2015

^^

   

11.82

     

0.19

     

(0.27

)

   

(0.08

)

   

(0.44

)

   

(0.01

)

   

(0.45

)

 
EUROPEAN EQUITY
CLASS X SHARES
     
 

2010

^

   

15.42

     

0.26

     

0.76

     

1.02

     

(0.39

)

   

     

(0.39

)

 
 

2011

     

16.05

     

0.41

     

(1.90

)

   

(1.49

)

   

(0.37

)

   

     

(0.37

)

 
 

2012

     

14.19

     

0.53

     

2.03

     

2.56

     

(0.43

)

   

     

(0.43

)

 
 

2013

     

16.32

     

0.42

     

3.95

     

4.37

     

(0.53

)

   

     

(0.53

)

 
 

2014

     

20.16

     

0.82

     

(2.61

)

   

(1.79

)

   

(0.48

)

   

     

(0.48

)

 
 

2015

^^

   

17.89

     

0.38

     

0.57

     

0.95

     

(0.94

)

   

     

(0.94

)

 

CLASS Y SHARES

     
 

2010

^

   

15.35

     

0.22

     

0.76

     

0.98

     

(0.35

)

   

     

(0.35

)

 
 

2011

     

15.98

     

0.37

     

(1.90

)

   

(1.53

)

   

(0.33

)

   

     

(0.33

)

 
 

2012

     

14.12

     

0.49

     

2.03

     

2.52

     

(0.38

)

   

     

(0.38

)

 
 

2013

     

16.26

     

0.33

     

3.98

     

4.31

     

(0.48

)

   

     

(0.48

)

 
 

2014

     

20.09

     

0.77

     

(2.60

)

   

(1.83

)

   

(0.43

)

   

     

(0.43

)

 
 

2015

^^

   

17.83

     

0.35

     

0.58

     

0.93

     

(0.88

)

   

     

(0.88

)

 
MULTI CAP GROWTH
CLASS X SHARES
     
 

2010

^

   

31.42

     

0.06

     

8.65

     

8.71

     

(0.06

)

   

     

(0.06

)

 
 

2011

     

40.07

     

0.01

     

(2.70

)

   

(2.69

)

   

(0.07

)

   

     

(0.07

)

 
 

2012

     

37.31

     

0.20

     

4.40

     

4.60

     

     

(0.90

)

   

(0.90

)

 
 

2013

     

41.01

     

(0.03

)

   

20.55

     

20.52

     

(0.20

)

   

(0.66

)

   

(0.86

)

 
 

2014

     

60.67

     

(0.06

)

   

3.23

     

3.17

     

     

(7.79

)

   

(7.79

)

 
 

2015

^^

   

56.05

     

(0.07

)

   

4.27

     

4.20

     

     

(10.37

)

   

(10.37

)

 

See Notes to Financial Statements
92



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

EXPENSES

  NET
INVESTMENT
INCOME (LOSS)
  REBATE FROM
MORGAN STANLEY
AFFILIATE
  PORTFOLIO
TURNOVER
RATE
 
INCOME PLUS
CLASS X SHARES
 
 

2010

^

 

$

11.26

     

9.28

%

 

$

106,363

     

0.59

%(f)

   

5.23

%(f)

   

0.00

%(e)

   

53

%

 
 

2011

     

11.13

     

5.01

     

90,876

     

0.59

(f)

   

5.01

(f)

   

0.00

(e)

   

43

   
 

2012

     

11.97

     

14.09

     

86,765

     

0.61

(f)

   

4.14

(f)

   

0.00

(e)

   

68

   
 

2013

     

11.48

     

1.03

     

73,998

     

0.62

(f)

   

3.82

(f)

   

0.00

(e)

   

55

   
 

2014

     

11.86

     

7.79

     

68,129

     

0.64

(f)

   

3.52

(f)

   

0.00

(e)

   

43

   
 

2015

^^

   

11.31

     

(0.60

)(i)

   

62,615

     

0.66

(f)(j)

   

3.53

(f)(j)

   

0.00

(e)(j)

   

29

(i)

 

CLASS Y SHARES

 
 

2010

^

   

11.22

     

9.01

     

124,322

     

0.84

(f)

   

4.98

(f)

   

0.00

(e)

   

53

   
 

2011

     

11.09

     

4.71

     

102,948

     

0.84

(f)

   

4.76

(f)

   

0.00

(e)

   

43

   
 

2012

     

11.93

     

13.82

     

97,579

     

0.86

(f)

   

3.89

(f)

   

0.00

(e)

   

68

   
 

2013

     

11.45

     

0.81

     

82,429

     

0.87

(f)

   

3.57

(f)

   

0.00

(e)

   

55

   
 

2014

     

11.82

     

7.40

     

69,491

     

0.89

(f)

   

3.27

(f)

   

0.00

(e)

   

43

   
 

2015

^^

   

11.29

     

(0.73

)(i)

   

63,644

     

0.91

(f)(j)

   

3.28

(f)(j)

   

0.00

(e)(j)

   

29

(i)

 
EUROPEAN EQUITY
CLASS X SHARES
 
 

2010

^

   

16.05

     

7.23

(h)

   

54,824

     

1.00

(f)(g)

   

1.81

(f)(g)

   

0.00

(e)

   

22

   
 

2011

     

14.19

     

(9.64

)

   

41,181

     

1.00

(f)(g)

   

2.56

(f)(g)

   

0.00

(e)

   

11

   
 

2012

     

16.32

     

18.51

     

40,141

     

1.00

(f)(g)

   

3.50

(f)(g)

   

0.00

(e)

   

11

   
 

2013

     

20.16

     

27.50

     

43,414

     

1.00

(f)(g)

   

2.32

(f)(g)

   

0.00

(e)

   

10

   
 

2014

     

17.89

     

(9.14

)

   

33,884

     

1.00

(f)(g)

   

4.17

(f)(g)

   

0.00

(e)

   

21

   
 

2015

^^

   

17.90

     

5.30

(i)

   

33,698

     

1.00

(f)(g)(j)

   

3.98

(f)(g)(j)

   

0.00

(e)(j)

   

9

(i)

 

CLASS Y SHARES

 
 

2010

^

   

15.98

     

6.96

(h)

   

17,821

     

1.25

(f)(g)

   

1.56

(f)(g)

   

0.00

(e)

   

22

   
 

2011

     

14.12

     

(9.85

)

   

11,668

     

1.25

(f)(g)

   

2.31

(f)(g)

   

0.00

(e)

   

11

   
 

2012

     

16.26

     

18.16

     

11,773

     

1.25

(f)(g)

   

3.25

(f)(g)

   

0.00

(e)

   

11

   
 

2013

     

20.09

     

27.20

     

11,807

     

1.25

(f)(g)

   

2.07

(f)(g)

   

0.00

(e)

   

10

   
 

2014

     

17.83

     

(9.37

)

   

8,518

     

1.25

(f)(g)

   

3.92

(f)(g)

   

0.00

(e)

   

21

   
 

2015

^^

   

17.88

     

5.20

(i)

   

7,939

     

1.25

(f)(g)(j)

   

3.71

(f)(g)(j)

   

0.00

(e)(j)

   

9

(i)

 
MULTI CAP GROWTH
CLASS X SHARES
 
 

2010

^

   

40.07

     

27.76

     

220,553

     

0.58

(f)

   

0.19

(f)

   

0.00

(e)

   

29

   
 

2011

     

37.31

     

(6.74

)

   

173,284

     

0.56

(f)

   

0.03

(f)

   

0.00

(e)

   

24

   
 

2012

     

41.01

     

12.37

     

164,917

     

0.58

(f)

   

0.48

(f)

   

0.00

(e)

   

44

   
 

2013

     

60.67

     

50.76

     

223,689

     

0.57

(f)

   

(0.06

)(f)

   

0.00

(e)

   

34

   
 

2014

     

56.05

     

5.71

     

200,910

     

0.54

(f)

   

(0.11

)(f)

   

0.00

(e)

   

29

   
 

2015

^^

   

49.88

     

7.50

(i)

   

198,445

     

0.57

(f)(j)

   

(0.23

)(f)(j)

   

0.00

(e)(j)

   

10

(i)

 


93



Morgan Stanley Variable Investment Series

Financial Highlights continued

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

2010

^

 

$

31.21

   

$

(0.02

)

 

$

8.58

   

$

8.56

     

     

     

   
 

2011

     

39.77

     

(0.09

)

   

(2.68

)

   

(2.77

)

   

     

     

   
 

2012

     

37.00

     

0.09

     

4.37

     

4.46

     

   

$

(0.90

)

 

$

(0.90

)

 
 

2013

     

40.56

     

(0.15

)

   

20.32

     

20.17

   

$

(0.11

)

   

(0.66

)

   

(0.77

)

 
 

2014

     

59.96

     

(0.20

)

   

3.18

     

2.98

     

     

(7.79

)

   

(7.79

)

 
 

2015

^^

   

55.15

     

(0.14

)

   

4.20

     

4.06

     

     

(10.37

)

   

(10.37

)

 

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

  ^^  For the six months ended June 30, 2015 (unaudited).

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

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

(c)  Amount is less than $0.001.

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

PERIOD ENDED

  EXPENSE
RATIO
  NET INVESTMENT LOSS
RATIO
 

June 30, 2015

                 

Class X

   

0.76

%

   

(0.54

)%

 

Class Y

   

1.01

     

(0.79

)

 

December 31, 2014

                 

Class X

   

0.70

     

(0.50

)

 

Class Y

   

0.95

     

(0.75

)

 

December 31, 2013

                 

Class X

   

0.66

     

(0.46

)

 

Class Y

   

0.91

     

(0.71

)

 

December 31, 2012

                 

Class X

   

0.63

     

(0.35

)

 

Class Y

   

0.88

     

(0.60

)

 

December 31, 2011

                 

Class X

   

0.60

     

(0.37

)

 

Class Y

   

0.85

     

(0.62

)

 

December 31, 2010

                 

Class X

   

0.62

     

(0.33

)

 

Class Y

   

0.87

     

(0.58

)

 

See Notes to Financial Statements
94



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

EXPENSES

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

2010

^

 

$

39.77

     

27.43

%

 

$

67,303

     

0.83

%(f)

   

(0.06

)%(f)

   

0.00

%(e)

   

29

%

 
 

2011

     

37.00

     

(6.97

)

   

49,678

     

0.81

(f)

   

(0.22

)(f)

   

0.00

(e)

   

24

   
 

2012

     

40.56

     

12.09

     

45,556

     

0.83

(f)

   

0.23

(f)

   

0.00

(e)

   

44

   
 

2013

     

59.96

     

50.37

     

72,135

     

0.82

(f)

   

(0.31

)(f)

   

0.00

(e)

   

34

   
 

2014

     

55.15

     

5.44

     

56,027

     

0.79

(f)

   

(0.36

)(f)

   

0.00

(e)

   

29

   
 

2015

^^

   

48.84

     

7.37

(i)

   

55,413

     

0.82

(f)(j)

   

(0.48

)(f)(j)

   

0.00

(e)(j)

   

10

(i)

 

(e)  Amount is less than 0.005%.

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

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

PERIOD ENDED

  EXPENSE
RATIO
  NET INVESTMENT INCOME
RATIO
 

June 30, 2015

                 

Class X

   

1.30

%

   

3.68

%

 

Class Y

   

1.55

     

3.41

   

December 31, 2014

                 

Class X

   

1.26

     

3.91

   

Class Y

   

1.51

     

3.66

   

December 31, 2013

                 

Class X

   

1.22

     

2.10

   

Class Y

   

1.47

     

1.85

   

December 31, 2012

                 

Class X

   

1.22

     

3.28

   

Class Y

   

1.47

     

3.03

   

December 31, 2011

                 

Class X

   

1.17

     

2.39

   

Class Y

   

1.42

     

2.14

   

December 31, 2010

                 

Class X

   

1.16

     

1.65

   

Class Y

   

1.41

     

1.40

   

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

(i)  Not annualized.

(j)  Annualized.


95



(This page has been intentionally left blank.)




Trustees

 
Frank L. Bowman  

Dr. Manuel H. Johnson

 
Michael Bozic  

Joseph J. Kearns

 
Kathleen A. Dennis  

Michael F. Klein

 
Nancy C. Everett  

Michael E. Nugent

 
Jakki L. Haussler  

W. Allen Reed

 
James F. Higgins  

Fergus Reid

 

Officers

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

Custodian

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

Legal Counsel

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

Adviser and Administrator

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

Sub-Adviser (solely with respect to European Equity Portfolio)

 
Morgan Stanley Investment Management Limited
25 Cabot Square, Canary Wharf
London, E14 4QA, England
 

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

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

Morgan Stanley Distribution, Inc., member FINRA.



#40113A

VARINSAN
1260626 EXP 8.31.16




 

Item 2.  Code of Ethics.

 

Not applicable for semiannual reports.

 

Item 3.  Audit Committee Financial Expert.

 

Not applicable for semiannual reports.

 

Item 4. Principal Accountant Fees and Services

 

Not applicable for semiannual reports.

 

Item 5. Audit Committee of Listed Registrants.

 

Not applicable for semiannual reports.

 

Item 6.

 

(a) Refer to Item 1.

 

(b) Not applicable.

 

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

 

Not applicable for semiannual reports.

 

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

 

Applicable only to annual reports filed by closed-end funds.

 

Item 9. Closed-End Fund Repurchases

 

Applicable 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) Code of Ethics — Not applicable for semiannual reports.

 

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

 



 

SIGNATURES

 

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

 

Morgan Stanley Variable Investment Series

 

/s/ John H. Gernon

 

John H. Gernon

 

Principal Executive Officer

 

August 19, 2015

 

 

Pursuant to the requirements of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 and the Investment Company Act of 1940, this report has been signed by the following persons on behalf of the registrant and in the capacities and on the dates indicated.

 

/s/ John H. Gernon

 

John H. Gernon

 

Principal Executive Officer

 

August 19, 2015

 

 

 

/s/ Francis Smith

 

Francis Smith

 

Principal Financial Officer

 

August 19, 2015