N-CSR 1 a13-4057_1ncsr.htm N-CSR

 

UNITED STATES

SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION

Washington, D.C. 20549

 

FORM N-CSR

 

CERTIFIED SHAREHOLDER REPORT OF REGISTERED
MANAGEMENT INVESTMENT COMPANIES

 

Investment Company Act file number

811-03870

 

Morgan Stanley U.S. Government Securities Trust

(Exact name of registrant as specified in charter)

 

522 Fifth Avenue, New York, New York

 

10036

(Address of principal executive offices)

 

(Zip code)

 

Arthur Lev

522 Fifth Avenue, New York, New York 10036

(Name and address of agent for service)

 

Registrant’s telephone number, including area code:

201-830-8894

 

 

Date of fiscal year end:

December 31, 2012

 

 

Date of reporting period:

December 31, 2012

 

 



 

Item 1 - Report to Shareholders

 



Trustees

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

Officers

Michael E. Nugent
Chairperson of the Board

Arthur Lev
President and Principal Executive Officer

Mary Ann Picciotto
Chief Compliance Officer

Stefanie V. Chang Yu
Vice President

Francis J. Smith
Treasurer and Principal Financial Officer

Mary E. Mullin
Secretary

Transfer Agent

Morgan Stanley Services Company Inc.
P.O. Box 219886
Kansas City, Missouri 64121

Custodian

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

Independent Registered Public Accounting Firm

Ernst & Young LLP
200 Clarendon Street
Boston, Massachusetts 02116

Legal Counsel

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

Counsel to the Independent Trustees

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

Adviser

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

This report is submitted for the general information of the shareholders of the Fund. For more detailed information about the Fund, its fees and expenses and other pertinent information, please read its Prospectus. The Fund's Statement of Additional Information contains additional information about the Fund, including its trustees. It is available, without charge, by calling (800) 869-NEWS.

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

Morgan Stanley Distribution, Inc., member FINRA.

© 2013 Morgan Stanley

INVESTMENT MANAGEMENT

Morgan Stanley
U.S. Government
Securities Trust

Annual Report

December 31, 2012

USGANN
IU13-00390P-Y12/12



Morgan Stanley U.S. Government Securities Trust

Table of Contents

Welcome Shareholder

   

3

   

Fund Report

   

4

   

Performance Summary

   

8

   

Expense Example

   

10

   

Portfolio of Investments

   

12

   

Statement of Assets and Liabilities

   

19

   

Statement of Operations

   

20

   

Statements of Changes in Net Assets

   

21

   

Notes to Financial Statements

   

22

   

Financial Highlights

   

36

   

Report of Independent Registered Public Accounting Firm

   

40

   

U.S. Privacy Policy

   

41

   

Trustee and Officer Information

   

46

   


2




Welcome Shareholder,

We are pleased to provide this annual report, in which you will learn how your investment in Morgan Stanley U.S. Government Securities Trust performed during the latest twelve-month period. It includes an overview of the market conditions and discusses some of the factors that affected performance during the reporting period. In addition, the report contains financial statements and a list of portfolio holdings.

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

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

This material must be preceded or accompanied by a prospectus for the fund being offered.

Market forecasts provided in this report may not necessarily come to pass. There is no assurance that the Fund will achieve its investment objective. The Fund is subject to market risk, which is the possibility that market values of securities owned by the Fund will decline and, therefore, the value of the Fund's shares may be less than what you paid for them. Accordingly, you can lose money investing in this Fund. Please see the prospectus for more complete information on investment risks.


3



Fund Report (unaudited)

For the year ended December 31, 2012

Total Return for the 12 Months Ended December 31, 2012

 
Class A  

Class B

 

Class C

 

Class I

  Barclays
Capital U.S.
Government/
Mortgage
Index1 
 
Lipper
General U.S.
Government
Funds Index2
 
  3.86

%

   

3.96

%

   

3.39

%

   

4.21

%

   

2.27

%

   

3.13

%

 

The performance of the Fund's four share classes varies because each has different expenses. The Fund's total returns assume the reinvestment of all distributions but do not reflect the deduction of any applicable sales charges. Such costs would lower performance. See Performance Summary for standardized performance and benchmark information.

Because Class B shares incurred lower expenses under the 12b-1 fee Plan than did Class A shares for the fiscal period ended December 31, 2012, the total operating expense ratio for Class B shares was lower and, as a result, the performance of Class B shares was higher than that of the Class A shares. There can be no assurance that this will continue to occur in the future as the maximum fees payable by Class B shares under the 12b-1 Plan are higher than those payable by Class A shares.

The Fund's Distributor has agreed to reduce the 12b-1 fee on Class B shares of the Fund to the extent it exceeds 0.24% of the average daily net assets of such shares on an annualized basis. This waiver will continue for at least one year or until such time that the Fund's Board of Trustees acts to discontinue all or a portion of such waiver when it deems that such action is appropriate.

Market Conditions

Aggressive central bank policy actions to support economic growth and provide stability led to a huge rally in risky assets in 2012. Given the weaker-than-expected economic conditions in the U.S., the Federal Reserve Bank enacted various easing policies during the course of the year. This included extending the timeline to keep the target federal funds rate on hold and another round of quantitative easing focused on mortgage purchases, until the unemployment rate falls to an acceptable level. In addition, at its last meeting of the year, the Federal Reserve announced that they expect to keep interest rates low until the unemployment rate reaches 6.5% so long as their forward inflation measures do not exceed 2.5 percent.

The labor market in the U.S. showed improvement but unemployment remained high. The unemployment rate fell to 7.7 percent from 8.3 percent at the beginning of the year partly due to a drop in the labor participation rate. Economic growth in the U.S. remained sluggish as gross domestic product (GDP) growth over the first three quarters of the year was about 2 percent.

For the year, the intermediate part of the U.S. Treasury yield curve performed the best as 10-year yields declined by 14 basis points. Two-year yields were unchanged whereas 30-year yields rose by 11 basis points.

Mortgage-backed securities also performed well during the year. The Fed's quantitative easing announcement in September, focused on mortgages, led to a substantial tightening in lower coupon fixed rate mortgage spreads.


4



Despite historically low mortgage rates, refinancing activity had been slower than it has been in the past under similar rate incentives, as many borrowers were unable to refinance due to tighter underwriting standards. However, with further quantitative easing, there has been an increase in mortgage refinancing. The U.S. housing market has started showing signs of stabilization. After many months of continuous declines, the headline home price index turned positive on a year-over-year basis in June.

Performance Analysis

All share classes of Morgan Stanley U.S. Government Securities Trust outperformed the Barclays Capital U.S. Government/Mortgage Index (the "Index") and the Lipper General U.S. Government Funds Index for the 12 months ended December 31, 2012, assuming no deduction of applicable sales charges.

The Fund's positioning in the mortgage sector was the primary driver of outperformance for the period. This was primarily from an allocation to agency interest only (IO) and inverse interest only (IIO) securities. The Fund held a position in taxable municipal securities, a sector not represented in the Index. This was also beneficial to performance as spreads in the sector tightened over the period. An overweight to agency debt also contributed to performance.

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

PORTFOLIO COMPOSITION+ as of 12/31/12

 

Agency Fixed Rate Mortgages

   

37.7

%

 

U.S. Treasury Securities

   

24.2

   
Collateralized Mortgage Obligations — Agency
Collateral Series
   

10.7

   

Municipal Bonds

   

5.9

   

Asset-Backed Securities

   

5.2

   

Sovereign

   

5.1

   

Investment Company

   

5.0

   

U.S. Agency Securities

   

3.0

   

Commercial Mortgage-Backed Securities

   

1.3

   

Agency Adjustable Rate Mortgages

   

0.9

   
Agency Bond — Consumer Discretionary
(U.S. Government Guaranteed)
   

0.5

   

Mortgages — Other

   

0.3

   

Agency Bond — Banking (FDIC Guaranteed)

   

0.2

   

+  Does not include open long/short futures contracts with an underlying face amount of $278,265,727 with net unrealized appreciation of $465,623. Also does not include open swap agreements with total unrealized depreciation of $619,200.

Subject to change daily. Provided for informational purposes only and should not be deemed as a recommendation to buy or sell the securities mentioned above. Portfolio composition data is as a percentage of total investments.

Morgan Stanley is a full-service securities firm engaged in securities trading and brokerage activities, investment banking, research and analysis, financing and financial advisory services.


5



Investment Strategy

The Fund normally invests at least 80 percent of its net assets in a portfolio of U.S. government securities. In making investment decisions, the Fund's "Adviser," Morgan Stanley Investment Management Inc., considers economic developments, interest rate trends and other factors. The U.S. government securities (including zero coupon securities) that the Fund may purchase include: U.S. Treasury bills, notes and bonds, all of which are direct obligations of the U.S. Government; securities (including mortgage-backed securities) issued by agencies and instrumentalities of the U.S. Government which are backed by the full faith and credit of the United States; securities (including mortgage-backed securities) issued by agencies and instrumentalities which are not backed by the full faith and credit of the United States, but whose issuing agency or instrumentality has the right to borrow, to meet its obligations, from the U.S. Treasury; securities issued by agencies and instrumentalities which are backed solely by the credit of the issuing agency or instrumentality; securities supported by the U.S. Government in some other way, such as the discretionary authority of the U.S. Government to purchase certain obligations of the agency or instrumentality; securities guaranteed under the Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation ("FDIC") Temporary Liquidity Guarantee Program or other similar FDIC programs. The Fund's investments may include zero coupon securities, which are purchased at a discount and generally accrue interest, but make no payment until maturity.

For More Information About Portfolio Holdings

Each Morgan Stanley fund provides a complete schedule of portfolio holdings in its semiannual and annual reports within 60 days of the end of the fund's second and fourth

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

Householding Notice

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


6



(This page has been left blank intentionally.)



Performance Summary (unaudited)

Performance of $10,000 Investment—Class B
Over 10 Years


8



Average Annual Total Returns—Period Ended December 31, 2012 (unaudited)

 

Symbol

  Class A Shares*
(since 07/28/97)
USGAX
  Class B Shares**
(since 06/29/84)
USGBX
  Class C Shares
(since 07/28/97)
USGCX
  Class I Shares††
(since 07/28/97)
USGDX
 
1 Year
 
  3.86
–0.61 4

%3

  3.96
–1.04 4

%3

  3.39
2.39 4

%3

  4.21

%3

 
5 Years
 
  3.08 3
2.20 4
  3.09 3
2.74 4
  2.56 3
2.56 4
  3.36 3
 
10 Years
 
  3.27 3
2.82 4
  3.32 3
3.32 4
  2.75 3
2.75 4
  3.53 3
 
Since Inception
 
  4.60 3
4.31 4
  6.22 3
6.22 4
  4.11 3
4.11 4
  4.86 3
 

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 visit www.morganstanley.com/im or speak with your Financial Advisor. Investment returns and principal value will fluctuate and fund shares, when redeemed, may be worth more or less than their original cost. The graph and table do not reflect the deduction of taxes that a shareholder would pay on fund distributions or the redemption of fund shares. Performance for Class A, Class B, Class C, and Class I shares will vary due to differences in sales charges and expenses. See the Fund's current prospectus for complete details on fees and sale charges.

*  The maximum front-end sales charge for Class A is 4.25%.

**  The maximum contingent deferred sales charge (CDSC) for Class B is 5.0%. The CDSC declines to 0% after six years. For periods greater than eight years, returns do not reflect conversion to Class A shares eight years after the end of the calendar month in which shares were purchased. The conversion feature is currently suspended because the total annual operating expense ratio of Class B is currently lower than that of Class A. See "Conversion Feature" for Class B shares in "Share Class Arrangements" of the Prospectus for more information.

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

††  Class I has no sales charge.

(1)  The Barclays Capital U.S. Government/Mortgage Index includes Treasuries, government-related issues, and agency mortgage-backed pass-through securities issued by Ginnie Mae (GNMA), Fannie Mae (FNMA), and Freddie Mac (FHLMC). The Index is unmanged and its returns do not include any sales charges or fees. Such costs would lower performance. It is not possible to invest directly in an index.

(2)  The Lipper General U.S. Government Funds Index is an equally weighted performance index of the largest qualifying funds (based on net assets) in the Lipper General U.S. Government Funds classification. The Index, which is adjusted for capital gains distributions and income dividends, is unmanaged and should not be considered an investment. There are currently 30 funds represented in this Index. The Fund was in the Lipper General U.S. Government Funds classification as of the date of this report.

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

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

‡  Ending value assuming a complete redemption on December 31, 2012.


9



Expense Example (unaudited)

As a shareholder of the Fund, you incur two types of costs: (1) transaction costs, including sales charges (loads) on purchase payments and (2) ongoing costs, including advisory fees; administration fees; distribution and service (12b-1) fees; and other Fund expenses. This example is intended to help you understand your ongoing costs (in dollars) of investing in the Fund and to compare these costs with the ongoing costs of investing in other mutual funds.

This example is based on an investment of $1,000 invested at the beginning of the period and held for the entire period 07/01/12 – 12/31/12.

Actual Expenses

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

Please note that "Expenses Paid During Period" are grossed up to reflect Fund expenses prior to the effect of Expense Offset (See Note 10 in the Notes to Financial Statements). Therefore, the annualized net expense ratios may differ from the ratio of expenses to average net assets shown in the Financial Highlights.

Hypothetical Example for Comparison Purposes

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

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


10



    Beginning
Account Value
  Ending
Account Value
  Expenses Paid
During Period@
 
   

07/01/12

 

12/31/12

  07/01/12 –
12/31/12
 

Class A

 

Actual (1.44% return)

 

$

1,000.00

   

$

1,014.40

   

$

4.66

   

Hypothetical (5% annual return before expenses)

 

$

1,000.00

   

$

1,020.51

   

$

4.67

   

Class B

 

Actual (1.46% return)

 

$

1,000.00

   

$

1,014.60

   

$

4.61

   

Hypothetical (5% annual return before expenses)

 

$

1,000.00

   

$

1,020.56

   

$

4.62

   

Class C

 

Actual (1.08% return)

 

$

1,000.00

   

$

1,010.80

   

$

7.18

   

Hypothetical (5% annual return before expenses)

 

$

1,000.00

   

$

1,018.00

   

$

7.20

   

Class I

 

Actual (1.59% return)

 

$

1,000.00

   

$

1,015.90

   

$

3.40

   

Hypothetical (5% annual return before expenses)

 

$

1,000.00

   

$

1,021.77

   

$

3.40

   

  @  Expenses are equal to the Fund's annualized expense ratios of 0.92%, 0.91%, 1.42% and 0.67% for Class A, Class B, Class C and Class I shares, respectively, multiplied by the average account value over the period, multiplied by 184/366 (to reflect the one-half year period).

    Because Class B shares incurred lower expenses under the 12b-1 Plan than did Class A shares for the six months ended December 31, 2012, the total operating expense ratio for Class B shares was lower and, as a result, the performance of Class B shares was higher than that of the Class A shares. There can be no assurance that this will continue to occur in the future as the maximum fees payable by Class B shares under the 12b-1 Plan are higher than those payable by Class A shares.

    The Fund's Distributor has agreed to reduce the 12b-1 fee on Class B shares of the Fund to the extent it exceeds 0.24% of the average daily net assets of such shares on an annualized basis. This waiver will continue for at least one year or until such time that the Fund's Board of Trustees acts to discontinue all or a portion of such waiver when it deems that such action is appropriate.


11




Morgan Stanley U.S. Government Securities Trust

Portfolio of Investments  n  December 31, 2012

PRINCIPAL
AMOUNT
(000)
 

  COUPON
RATE
  MATURITY
DATE
 

VALUE

 
   

Agency Adjustable Rate Mortgages (0.9%)

     
    Federal Home Loan Mortgage Corporation,
Conventional Pools:
     

$

1,455

             

2.839

%

 

11/01/36

 

$

1,559,847

   
 

1,986

             

2.942

   

10/01/36

   

2,132,516

   
 

953

             

5.322

   

01/01/38

   

1,008,585

   
 

3,963

    Federal National Mortgage Association,
Conventional Pool
   

2.332

   

05/01/35

   

4,218,676

   
        Total Agency Adjustable Rate Mortgages (Cost $8,819,808)            

8,919,624

   
   

Agency Bond - Banking (FDIC Guaranteed) (0.2%)

     
 

2,080

    NCUA Guaranteed Notes
(Cost $2,077,109)
   

1.40

   

06/12/15

   

2,127,778

   
   

Agency Bond - Consumer Discretionary (U.S. Government Guaranteed) (0.5%)

     
 

4,448

    Safina Ltd. (Cost $4,447,746)    

2.00

   

12/30/23

   

4,565,492

   
   

Agency Fixed Rate Mortgages (39.9%)

     
  Federal Home Loan Mortgage Corporation,
Gold Pools:
       
 

5,638

             

3.50

   

08/01/42

   

6,014,607

   
 

17,492

             

4.00

   

12/01/41 - 11/01/42

   

19,237,600

   
 

11,037

             

4.50

   

06/01/39

   

11,846,861

   
 

12,679

             

5.00

   

10/01/35 - 01/01/40

   

13,768,945

   
 

3,675

             

5.50

   

11/01/39

   

4,045,409

   
 

2,490

             

6.00

   

07/01/38

   

2,709,847

   
 

2,427

             

6.50

   

03/01/29 - 09/01/36

   

2,732,912

   
 

907

             

7.50

   

05/01/35

   

1,110,746

   
 

513

             

8.00

   

08/01/32

   

634,661

   
 

553

             

8.50

   

08/01/31

   

692,669

   
       

January TBA:

                         
 

12,240

   

(a)

   

3.50

   

01/01/43

   

13,019,344

   
    Federal National Mortgage Association,
Conventional Pools:
     
 

21,075

             

3.50

   

11/01/42 - 12/01/42

   

22,803,240

   
 

29,431

             

4.00

   

11/01/41 - 01/01/42

   

31,598,526

   
 

30,603

             

4.50

   

01/01/25 - 08/01/41

   

33,567,850

   
 

27,704

             

5.00

   

05/01/35 - 02/01/41

   

30,835,420

   
 

34,185

             

5.50

   

03/01/35 - 08/01/38

   

37,332,498

   
 

257

             

6.50

   

06/01/29 - 02/01/33

   

300,822

   
 

3

             

7.00

   

05/01/31

   

3,033

   

See Notes to Financial Statements
12



Morgan Stanley U.S. Government Securities Trust

Portfolio of Investments  n  December 31, 2012 continued

PRINCIPAL
AMOUNT
(000)
 

  COUPON
RATE
  MATURITY
DATE
 

VALUE

 

$

1,438

             

7.50

%

 

08/01/37

 

$

1,760,429

   
 

1,143

             

8.00

   

04/01/33

   

1,413,272

   
 

1,022

             

8.50

   

10/01/32

   

1,278,110

   
       

January TBA:

                     
 

9,745

   

(a)

   

2.50

   

01/01/28

   

10,192,661

   
    Government National Mortgage Association,
January TBA:
     
 

1,710

   

(a)

   

3.50

   

01/20/43

   

1,858,423

   
 

32,060

   

(a)

   

4.00

   

01/20/43

   

35,020,042

   
       

Various Pools:

                     
 

26,322

             

3.50

   

07/20/42 - 11/20/42

   

28,017,043

   
 

1,361

             

4.00

   

10/20/41 - 01/20/42

   

1,481,833

   
 

13,660

             

4.50

   

04/15/39 - 06/15/40

   

15,047,443

   
 

5,926

             

6.00

   

03/15/26 - 09/20/34

   

6,677,750

   
 

9,502

             

6.50

   

03/15/14 - 07/15/31

   

10,872,314

   
 

334

             

7.00

   

03/20/26 - 07/20/29

   

407,438

   
 

10,888

             

7.50

   

11/15/32

   

12,905,831

   
 

2,806

             

8.00

   

06/15/16 - 08/15/31

   

3,085,034

   
 

4,820

             

8.50

   

07/15/30

   

5,634,372

   
 

2,736

             

9.00

   

11/15/15 - 02/15/25

   

2,841,076

   
 

1,942

             

9.50

   

02/15/16 - 12/15/20

   

2,020,175

   
 

2,372

             

10.00

   

06/15/13 - 11/15/20

   

2,448,401

   
 

35

             

12.25

   

09/15/13 - 06/15/15

   

32,735

   
        Total Agency Fixed Rate Mortgages
(Cost $360,779,824)
           

375,249,372

   
   

Asset-Backed Securities (5.5%)

     
 

1,475

   

Ally Master Owner Trust (c)

   

1.959

(b)

 

01/15/15

   

1,476,023

   
 

8,282

   

Amal Ltd. (Cayman Islands)

   

3.465

   

08/21/21

   

8,993,427

   
 

1,562

   

Enterprise Fleet Financing LLC (c)

   

1.62

   

05/20/17

   

1,573,506

   
 

3,366

   

Hyundai Auto Lease Securitization Trust (c)

   

1.02

   

08/15/14

   

3,374,078

   
 

1,869

   

Mercedes-Benz Auto Receivables Trust

   

0.85

   

03/16/15

   

1,874,006

   
    North Carolina State Education Assistance
Authority
     
 

2,275

             

1.115

(b)

 

07/25/25

   

2,284,487

   
 

3,400

             

1.215

(b)

 

01/26/26

   

3,433,082

   
 

4,697

   

North Texas Higher Education Authority

   

1.46

(b)

 

04/01/40

   

4,804,529

   

See Notes to Financial Statements
13



Morgan Stanley U.S. Government Securities Trust

Portfolio of Investments  n  December 31, 2012 continued

PRINCIPAL
AMOUNT
(000)
 

  COUPON
RATE
  MATURITY
DATE
 

VALUE

 

$

825

    Panhandle-Plains Higher Education
Authority, Inc.
   

1.31

(b)  %

 

07/01/24

 

$

834,262

   
 

5,395

   

PFS Financing Corp., Class A (c)

   

1.709

(b)

 

10/17/16

   

5,428,808

   
    Small Business Administration Participation
Certificates
     
 

4,159

             

2.42

   

06/01/32

   

4,318,462

   
 

9,490

             

2.67

   

04/01/32

   

9,964,452

   
 

3,370

   

United States Small Business Administration

   

2.245

   

09/10/22

   

3,432,395

   
        Total Asset-Backed Securities (Cost $50,094,795)            

51,791,517

   
   

Collateralized Mortgage Obligations - Agency Collateral Series (11.3%)

     
   

Federal Home Loan Mortgage Corporation

     
 

4,019

             

1.883

   

05/25/19

   

4,141,796

   
 

2,665

             

2.086

   

03/25/19

   

2,780,153

   
 

3,265

             

2.355

   

07/25/22

   

3,320,812

   
 

9,875

             

2.373

   

05/25/22

   

10,085,036

   
 

5,560

             

2.699

   

05/25/18

   

5,991,370

   
 

5,025

             

2.789

   

01/25/22

   

5,331,734

   
 

3,700

             

3.154

   

02/25/18

   

4,061,547

   
 

5,125

             

3.871

   

04/25/21

   

5,853,260

   
 

35,657

   

IO

   

0.677

(b)

 

01/25/21

   

1,416,456

   
 

28,340

   

IO PAC REMIC

   

6.261

(b)

 

06/15/40

   

4,956,543

   
 

12,913

   

IO REMIC

   

5.841

(b)

 

04/15/39

   

2,800,596

   
 

7,423

   

REMIC

   

3.50

   

12/15/42

   

7,444,854

   
   

Federal National Mortgage Association

     
 

1,720

             

3.763

   

06/25/21

   

1,915,621

   
 

28,190

   

IO

   

6.18

(b)

 

09/25/20

   

8,010,710

   
 

35,678

   

IO REMIC

   

3.50

   

02/25/39

   

5,997,670

   
 

46,951

             

6.34

(b)

 

02/25/41 - 08/25/41

   

9,084,951

   
 

9,953

             

6.39

(b)

 

09/25/38

   

1,907,908

   
 

2,786

   

REMIC

   

9.173

(b)(d)

 

10/25/41

   

2,898,253

   
    Government National Mortgage Association,
IO
         
 

2,352

             

5.00

   

02/16/41

   

469,097

   
 

26,083

             

5.791

(b)

 

02/16/41

   

5,976,457

   
 

16,874

             

5.841

(b)

 

11/16/40

   

3,340,756

   
 

14,970

             

6.039

(b)

 

02/20/40

   

2,700,525

   

See Notes to Financial Statements
14



Morgan Stanley U.S. Government Securities Trust

Portfolio of Investments  n  December 31, 2012 continued

PRINCIPAL
AMOUNT
(000)
 

  COUPON
RATE
  MATURITY
DATE
 

VALUE

 

$

12,297

             

6.369

(b)%

 

06/20/40

 

$

2,044,530

   
 

16,536

             

6.391

(b)

 

04/16/41

   

3,745,468

   
        Total Collateralized Mortgage Obligations - Agency Collateral Series
(Cost $93,214,499)
           

106,276,103

   
   

Commercial Mortgage-Backed Securities (1.4%)

     
    JP Morgan Chase Commercial Mortgage
Securities Corp.
     
 

2,095

             

4.171

   

08/15/46

   

2,400,102

   
 

3,400

   

(c)

   

4.388

   

07/15/46

   

3,934,662

   
 

5,645

   

WF-RBS Commercial Mortgage Trust (c)

   

4.869

(b)

 

02/15/44

   

6,722,603

   
        Total Commercial Mortgage-Backed Securities (Cost $11,329,630)            

13,057,367

   
   

Mortgages - Other (0.4%)

     
 

2,803

   

FDIC Structured Sale Guaranteed Notes (c)

   

0.759

(b)

 

02/25/48

   

2,809,869

   
 

522

    Wells Fargo Mortgage Backed
Securities Trust
   

4.422

(b)

 

10/25/33

   

529,194

   
        Total Mortgages - Other (Cost $3,329,640)            

3,339,063

   
   

Municipal Bonds (6.2%)

     
 

3,615

   

Bay Area Toll Authority

   

6.263

   

04/01/49

   

4,977,963

   
 

3,875

   

City of New York, NY, Series G-1

   

5.968

   

03/01/36

   

4,939,850

   
 

3,060

    City of San Francisco, CA, Public Utilities
Commission Water Revenue
   

6.00

   

11/01/40

   

3,793,237

   
 

5,980

   

Los Angeles Unified School District

   

5.75

   

07/01/34

   

7,161,289

   
 

1,450

   

Metropolitan Transportation Authority

   

6.668

   

11/15/39

   

1,896,470

   
 

6,245

    Missouri Highway & Transportation
Commission
   

5.445

   

05/01/33

   

7,680,538

   
   

Municipal Electric Authority of Georgia

     
 

1,760

             

6.637

   

04/01/57

   

2,096,406

   
 

3,085

             

6.655

   

04/01/57

   

3,656,095

   
 

4,000

    New Jersey Economic Development
Authority
   

1.308

(b)

 

06/15/13

   

4,008,560

   
 

1,360

    New Jersey Transportation Trust Fund
Authority
   

6.561

   

12/15/40

   

1,811,275

   
 

3,625

    New York City, NY, Transitional Finance
Authority Future Tax Secured Revenue
   

5.267

   

05/01/27

   

4,429,279

   
 

3,000

   

New York State Dormitory Authority

   

5.628

   

03/15/39

   

3,662,400

   
 

2,575

   

Oregon Department of Transportation

   

5.834

   

11/15/34

   

3,352,702

   

See Notes to Financial Statements
15



Morgan Stanley U.S. Government Securities Trust

Portfolio of Investments  n  December 31, 2012 continued

PRINCIPAL
AMOUNT
(000)
 

  COUPON
RATE
  MATURITY
DATE
 

VALUE

 
   

State of Washington

     

$

2,440

             

5.09

%

 

08/01/33

 

$

2,933,466

   
  1,580              

5.481

   

08/01/39

   

1,984,938

   
        Total Municipal Bonds (Cost $48,501,359)            

58,384,468

   
   

Sovereign (5.4%)

     
 

29,130

   

Egypt Government AID Bonds

   

4.45

   

09/15/15

   

32,274,088

   
 

14,175

   

Israel Government AID Bond

   

5.50

   

09/18/23

   

18,725,260

   
        Total Sovereign (Cost $44,158,564)            

50,999,348

   
   

U.S. Agency Securities (3.2%)

     
 

6,960

   

Private Export Funding Corp.

   

4.30

   

12/15/21

   

8,422,268

   
   

Tennessee Valley Authority

     
 

6,935

             

5.25

   

09/15/39

   

9,160,989

   
 

8,085

             

7.125

   

05/01/30

   

12,434,706

   
        Total U.S. Agency Securities (Cost $24,321,477)            

30,017,963

   
   

U.S. Treasury Securities (24.0%)

     
   

U.S. Treasury Bonds

     
 

1,500

             

3.00

   

05/15/42

   

1,528,359

   
 

17,250

             

3.875

   

08/15/40

   

20,735,035

   
 

12,976

   

U.S. Treasury Inflation Indexed Bond

   

0.125

   

07/15/22

   

14,092,263

   
   

U.S. Treasury Notes

     
 

34,285

             

0.75

   

06/15/14

   

34,556,880

   
 

25,600

             

0.875

   

12/31/16

   

25,955,994

   
 

30,000

             

1.25

   

10/31/15

   

30,766,410

   
 

47,350

   

(e)(f)

   

1.875

   

09/30/17

   

50,006,051

   
 

25,400

             

2.25

   

01/31/15

   

26,443,787

   
 

19,500

             

2.75

   

02/15/19

   

21,594,729

   
        Total U.S. Treasury Securities (Cost $224,255,267)            

225,679,508

   
   

Short-Term Investments (7.3%)

     
   

U.S. Treasury Securities (2.0%)

     
   

U.S. Treasury Bills

     
  260    

(f)(g)

   

0.066

    02/21/13    

259,976

   
 

18,330

   

(f)(g)

   

0.117

   

02/14/13

   

18,327,424

   
        Total U.S. Treasury Securities (Cost $18,587,400)            

18,587,400

   

See Notes to Financial Statements
16



Morgan Stanley U.S. Government Securities Trust

Portfolio of Investments  n  December 31, 2012 continued

NUMBER OF
SHARES (000)
 

 

 
 

VALUE

 
   

Investment Company (5.3%)

 

$

49,863

    Morgan Stanley Institutional Liquidity Funds -
Government Portfolio - Institutional Class
(See Note 6) (Cost $49,862,648)
                 

$

49,862,648

   
    Total Short-Term Investments (Cost $68,450,048)            

68,450,048

   
    Total Investments (Cost $943,779,766) (h)        

106.2

%

   

998,857,651

   
   

Liabilities in Excess of Other Assets

       

(6.2

)

   

(58,004,041

)

 
   

Net Assets

       

100.0

%

 

$

940,853,610

   

  FDIC  Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation.

  IO  Interest Only.

  PAC  Planned Amortization Class.

  REMIC  Real Estate Mortgage Investment Conduit.

  TBA  To Be Announced.

  (a)  Security is subject to delayed delivery.

  (b)  Variable/Floating Rate Security - Interest rate changes on these instruments are based on changes in a designated base rate. The rates shown are those in effect on December 31, 2012.

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

  (d)  Inverse Floating Rate Security - Interest rate fluctuates with an inverse relationship to an associated interest rate. Indicated rate is the effective rate at December 31, 2012.

  (e)  All or a portion of this security has been physically segregated in connection with open futures contracts.

  (f)  All or a portion of this security has been physically segregated in connection with open swap agreements.

  (g)  Rate shown is the yield to maturity at December 31, 2012.

  (h)  Securities are available for collateral in connection with securities purchased on a forward commitment basis, open futures contracts and swap agreements.

See Notes to Financial Statements
17



Morgan Stanley U.S. Government Securities Trust

Portfolio of Investments  n  December 31, 2012 continued

Futures Contracts Open at December 31, 2012:

NUMBER OF
CONTRACTS
 

LONG/SHORT

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

1,113

    Long
  U.S. Treasury 5 yr. Note,
Mar-13
 

$

138,472,852

   

$

(193,084

)

 
 

326

    Long
  U.S. Treasury 2 yr. Note,
Mar-13
   

71,872,812

     

7,094

   
 

14

    Long
  U.S. Treasury Ultra Long Bond,
Mar-13
   

2,276,313

     

(5,688

)

 
 

200

    Short
  U.S. Treasury 10 yr. Note,
Mar-13
   

(26,556,250

)

   

143,481

   
 

265

    Short
  U.S. Treasury 30 yr. Bond,
Mar-13
   

(39,087,500

)

   

513,820

   
           

Net Unrealized Appreciation

     

$

465,623

   

Interest Rate Swap Agreements Open at December 31, 2012:

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

FIXED RATE

  TERMINATION
DATE
  UNREALIZED
DEPRECIATION
 

Barclays Capital

 

$

20,000

    3-Month LIBOR  

Receive

   

0.81

%

 

09/24/17

 

$

(70,285

)

 

Credit Suisse

   

62,940

    3-Month LIBOR  

Receive

   

0.39

   

09/25/14

   

(100,188

)

 

Credit Suisse

   

30,130

    3-Month LIBOR  

Receive

   

0.82

   

09/13/17

   

(127,045

)

 

Deutsche Bank

   

51,059

    3-Month LIBOR  

Receive

   

0.82

   

07/24/17

   

(321,682

)

 

Total Unrealized Depreciation

 

$

(619,200

)

 

  LIBOR  London Interbank Offered Rate.

See Notes to Financial Statements
18




Morgan Stanley U.S. Government Securities Trust

Financial Statements

Statement of Assets and Liabilities

December 31, 2012

Assets:

 

Investments in securities, at value (cost $893,917,118)

 

$

948,995,003

   

Investment in affiliate, at value (cost $49,862,648)

   

49,862,648

   

Total investments in securities, at value (cost $943,779,766)

   

998,857,651

   

Receivable from Distributor

   

1,091,665

   

Receivable for:

 

Interest and paydown

   

4,803,861

   

Variation margin

   

277,921

   

Shares of beneficial interest sold

   

171,402

   

Investments sold

   

67,039

   

Dividends from affiliate

   

1,727

   

Prepaid expenses and other assets

   

27,073

   

Total Assets

   

1,005,298,339

   

Liabilities:

 

Unrealized depreciation on open swap agreements

   

619,200

   

Payable for:

 

Investments purchased

   

59,981,052

   

Shares of beneficial interest redeemed

   

2,077,372

   

Distribution fee

   

495,718

   

Transfer agent fee

   

473,817

   

Advisory fee

   

332,575

   

Dividends to shareholders

   

119,175

   

Administration fee

   

64,235

   

Accrued expenses and other payables

   

281,585

   

Total Liabilities

   

64,444,729

   

Net Assets

 

$

940,853,610

   

Composition of Net Assets:

 

Paid-in-capital

 

$

1,084,779,500

   

Net unrealized appreciation

   

54,924,308

   
Accumulated undistributed net investment income    

929,540

   
Accumulated net realized loss    

(199,779,738

)

 

Net Assets

 

$

940,853,610

   

Class A Shares:

 

Net Assets

 

$

77,789,214

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

8,612,105

   

Net Asset Value Per Share

 

$

9.03

   
Maximum Offering Price Per Share,
(net asset value plus 4.44% of net asset value)
 

$

9.43

   

Class B Shares:

 

Net Assets

 

$

721,596,108

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

79,916,463

   

Net Asset Value Per Share

 

$

9.03

   

Class C Shares:

 

Net Assets

 

$

26,837,907

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

2,948,060

   

Net Asset Value Per Share

 

$

9.10

   

Class I Shares:

 

Net Assets

 

$

114,630,381

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

12,686,258

   

Net Asset Value Per Share

 

$

9.04

   

See Notes to Financial Statements
19



Morgan Stanley U.S. Government Securities Trust

Financial Statements continued

Statement of Operations

For the year ended December 31, 2012

Net Investment Income:
Income
 

Interest

 

$

25,145,702

   

Interest and dividends from affiliates (Note 6)

   

148,740

   

Total Income

   

25,294,442

   

Expenses

 

Advisory fee (Note 4)

   

4,175,625

   

Distribution fee (Class A shares) (Note 5)

   

205,718

   
Distribution fee (Class B shares) (Note 5)    

2,414,141

   

Distribution fee (Class C shares) (Note 5)

   

207,316

   

Transfer agent fees and expenses

   

920,711

   

Administration fee (Note 4)

   

795,626

   

Custodian fees

   

240,575

   

Shareholder reports and notices

   

125,731

   

Professional fees

   

124,414

   

Registration fees

   

54,983

   

Trustees' fees and expenses

   

34,103

   

Other

   

122,502

   
Total Expenses    

9,421,445

   

Less: plan of distribution fee rebate (Class B shares) (Note 5)

   

(584,918

)

 

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

   

(62,763

)

 

Less: expense offset (Note 10)

   

(105

)

 

Net Expenses

   

8,773,659

   

Net Investment Income

   

16,520,783

   
Realized and Unrealized Gain (Loss):
Realized Gain (Loss) on:
 

Investments

   

19,223,752

   

Investments in affiliates (Note 6)

   

(91,745

)

 

Futures contracts

   

1,069,704

   

Swap agreements

   

(9,135,545

)

 

Net Realized Gain

   

11,066,166

   

Change in Unrealized Appreciation (Depreciation) on:

 

Investments

   

3,862,991

   

Investments in affiliates (Note 6)

   

(22,985

)

 

Futures contracts

   

483,916

   

Swap agreements

   

6,936,189

   

Net Change in Unrealized Appreciation (Depreciation)

   

11,260,111

   

Net Gain

   

22,326,277

   

Net Increase

 

$

38,847,060

   

See Notes to Financial Statements
20



Morgan Stanley U.S. Government Securities Trust

Financial Statements continued

Statements of Changes in Net Assets

    FOR THE YEAR
ENDED
DECEMBER 31, 2012
  FOR THE YEAR
ENDED
DECEMBER 31, 2011
 
Increase (Decrease) in Net Assets:
Operations:
 

Net investment income

 

$

16,520,783

   

$

27,010,036

   

Net realized gain

   

11,066,166

     

19,053,160

   

Net change in unrealized appreciation (depreciation)

   

11,260,111

     

32,711,432

   

Net Increase

   

38,847,060

     

78,774,628

   

Dividends to Shareholders From Net Investment Income:

 

Class A shares

   

(2,019,478

)

   

(3,037,052

)

 

Class B shares

   

(19,473,254

)

   

(28,151,448

)

 

Class C shares

   

(557,458

)

   

(870,608

)

 

Class I shares

   

(3,410,382

)

   

(5,026,326

)

 

Total Dividends

   

(25,460,572

)

   

(37,085,434

)

 

Net decrease from transactions in shares of beneficial interest

   

(108,473,533

)

   

(175,054,388

)

 

Net Decrease

   

(95,087,045

)

   

(133,365,194

)

 

Net Assets:

 

Beginning of period

   

1,035,940,655

     

1,169,305,849

   
End of Period
(Including accumulated undistributed net investment income of $929,540 and
$271,103, respectively)
 

$

940,853,610

   

$

1,035,940,655

   

See Notes to Financial Statements
21




Morgan Stanley U.S. Government Securities Trust

Notes to Financial Statements  n  December 31, 2012

1. Organization and Accounting Policies

Morgan Stanley U.S. Government Securities Trust (the "Fund") is registered under the Investment Company Act of 1940, as amended (the "Act"), as a diversified, open-end management investment company. The Fund's investment objective is to seek a high level of current income consistent with safety of principal. The Fund was organized as a Massachusetts business trust on September 29, 1983 and commenced operations on June 29, 1984. On July 28, 1997, the Fund converted to a multiple class share structure.

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

The following is a summary of significant accounting policies:

A. Valuation of Investments — (1) Certain portfolio securities may be valued by an outside pricing service approved by the Fund's Board of Trustees (the "Trustees"). The prices provided by a pricing service take into account broker-dealer market price quotations for trading in similar groups of securities, security quality, maturity, coupon and other security characteristics as well as any developments related to the specific securities; (2) portfolio securities for which over-the-counter market quotations are readily available are valued at the mean between the last reported bid and asked price; (3) futures are valued at the latest price published by the commodities exchange on which they trade; (4) when market quotations are not readily available, including circumstances under which Morgan Stanley Investment Management Inc. (the "Adviser"), a wholly owned subsidiary of Morgan Stanley, determines that the market quotations are not reflective of a security's fair 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; (5) swaps are marked-to-market daily based upon quotations from market makers; (6) investments in mutual funds, including the Morgan Stanley Institutional Liquidity Funds, are valued at the net asset value as of the close of each business day; and (7) short-term debt securities having a maturity date of more than sixty days at time of purchase are valued on a mark-to-market basis until sixty days prior to maturity and thereafter at amortized cost based on their value on the 61st day. Short-term debt securities having a maturity date of sixty days or less at the time of purchase are valued at amortized cost, which approximates fair value.

Under procedures approved by the Trustees, the Fund's Adviser has formed a Valuation Committee. The Valuation Committee provides administration and oversight of the Fund's valuation policies and procedures, which are reviewed at least annually by the Trustees. Among other things, these


22



Morgan Stanley U.S. Government Securities Trust

Notes to Financial Statements  n  December 31, 2012 continued

procedures allow the Fund to utilize independent pricing services, quotations from securities and financial instrument dealers, and other market sources to determine fair value.

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

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

C. 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.

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

E. 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 yield, 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 up to 120 days 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


23



Morgan Stanley U.S. Government Securities Trust

Notes to Financial Statements  n  December 31, 2012 continued

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.

F. 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.

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

2. Fair Valuation Measurements

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

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

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

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


24



Morgan Stanley U.S. Government Securities Trust

Notes to Financial Statements  n  December 31, 2012 continued

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

The following is a summary of the inputs used to value the Fund's investments as of December 31, 2012.

INVESTMENT TYPE

  LEVEL 1
UNADJUSTED
QUOTED
PRICES
  LEVEL 2
OTHER
SIGNIFICANT
OBSERVABLE
INPUTS
  LEVEL 3
SIGNIFICANT
UNOBSERVABLE
INPUTS
 

TOTAL

 

Assets:

 

Fixed Income Securities

 

Agency Adjustable Rate Mortgages

 

$

   

$

8,919,624

   

$

   

$

8,919,624

   
Agency Bond — Banking
(FDIC Guaranteed)
   

     

2,127,778

     

     

2,127,778

   
Agency Bond — Consumer Discretionary
(U.S. Government Guaranteed)
   

     

4,565,492

     

     

4,565,492

   

Agency Fixed Rate Mortgages

   

     

375,249,372

     

     

375,249,372

   

Asset-Backed Securities

   

     

51,791,517

     

     

51,791,517

   
Collateralized Mortgage Obligations —
Agency Collateral Series
   

     

106,276,103

     

     

106,276,103

   

Commercial Mortgage-Backed Securities

   

     

13,057,367

     

     

13,057,367

   

Mortgages — Other

   

     

3,339,063

     

     

3,339,063

   

Municipal Bonds

   

     

58,384,468

     

     

58,384,468

   

Sovereign

   

     

50,999,348

     

     

50,999,348

   

U.S. Agency Securities

   

     

30,017,963

     

     

30,017,963

   

U.S. Treasury Securities

   

     

225,679,508

     

     

225,679,508

   

Total Fixed Income Securities

   

     

930,407,603

     

     

930,407,603

   

Short-Term Investments

 

U.S. Treasury Securities

   

     

18,587,400

     

     

18,587,400

   

Investment Company

   

49,862,648

     

     

     

49,862,648

   

Total Short-Term Investments

   

49,862,648

     

18,587,400

     

     

68,450,048

   

Futures Contracts

   

664,395

     

     

     

664,395

   

Total Assets

   

50,527,043

     

948,995,003

     

     

999,522,046

   

Liabilities:

 

Futures Contracts

   

(198,772

)

   

     

     

(198,772

)

 

Interest Rate Swap Agreements

   

     

(619,200

)

   

     

(619,200

)

 

Total Liabilities

   

(198,772

)

   

(619,200

)

   

     

(817,972

)

 

Total

 

$

50,328,271

   

$

948,375,803

   

$

   

$

998,704,074

   


25



Morgan Stanley U.S. Government Securities Trust

Notes to Financial Statements  n  December 31, 2012 continued

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, 2012, the Fund did not have any investments transfer between investment levels.

3. Derivatives

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

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

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

Futures A futures contract is a standardized agreement between two parties to buy or sell a specific quantity of an underlying instrument 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


26



Morgan Stanley U.S. Government Securities Trust

Notes to Financial Statements  n  December 31, 2012 continued

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 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 can be highly volatile, using futures can lower total return, and the potential loss from futures can exceed the Fund's initial investment in such contracts.

Swaps An over-the-counter ("OTC") swap agreement is an agreement between two parties pursuant to which the parties exchange payments at specified dates on the basis of a specified notional amount, with the payments calculated by reference to specified securities, indexes, reference rates, currencies or other instruments. A small percentage of swap agreements are cleared through a central clearing house. Most 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). The Fund's obligations or rights under a swap agreement 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 counterparty. Most swap agreements are not entered into or traded on exchanges and there is no central clearing or guaranty function for swaps. These OTC swaps are often subject to credit risk or the risk of default or non-performance by the counterparty. Swaps could result in losses if interest rate or foreign currency exchange rates or credit quality changes are not correctly anticipated by the Fund or if the reference index, security or investments do not perform as expected.

When the Fund has an unrealized loss on a swap agreement, the Fund 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 Statement of Assets and Liabilities.

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

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


27



Morgan Stanley U.S. Government Securities Trust

Notes to Financial Statements  n  December 31, 2012 continued

The following table sets forth the fair value of the Fund's derivative contracts by primary risk exposure as of December 31, 2012.

PRIMARY RISK EXPOSURE

  ASSET DERIVATIVES
STATEMENT OF ASSETS
AND LIABILITIES LOCATION
 

FAIR VALUE

  LIABILITY DERIVATIVES
STATEMENT OF ASSETS
AND LIABILITIES LOCATION
 

FAIR VALUE

 

Interest Rate Risk

 

Variation margin

 

$

664,395

 

Variation margin

 

$

(198,772

)†

 
Interest Rate Risk
  
  Unrealized appreciation
on open swap agreements
   

    Unrealized depreciation
on open swap agreements
   

(619,200

)

 
       

$

664,395

       

$

(817,972

)

 

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

The following tables set forth by primary risk exposure the Fund's realized gains (losses) and change in unrealized appreciation (depreciation) by type of derivative contract for the year ended December 31, 2012 in accordance with ASC 815.

AMOUNT OF REALIZED GAIN (LOSS) ON DERIVATIVE CONTRACTS

PRIMARY RISK EXPOSURE

 

FUTURES

 

SWAPS

 

Interest Rate Risk

 

$

1,069,704

   

$

(9,135,545

)

 

CHANGE IN UNREALIZED APPRECIATION (DEPRECIATION) ON DERIVATIVE CONTRACTS

PRIMARY RISK EXPOSURE

 

FUTURES

 

SWAPS

 

Interest Rate Risk

 

$

483,916

   

$

6,936,189

   

For the year ended December 31, 2012, the average monthly original value of futures contracts was $157,879,592 and the average monthly notional value of swap agreements was $109,177,479.

4. Advisory/Administration Agreements

Pursuant to an Investment Advisory Agreement with the Adviser, the Fund pays an advisory fee, accrued daily and payable monthly, by applying the following annual rates to the net assets of the Fund determined as of the close of each business day: 0.42% 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 $1.5 billion; 0.37% to the portion of the daily net assets exceeding $1.5 billion but not exceeding $2 billion; 0.345% to the portion of the daily net assets exceeding $2 billion but not exceeding $2.5 billion; 0.32% to the portion of the daily net assets exceeding $2.5 billion but not exceeding $5 billion; 0.295% to the portion of the daily net assets exceeding $5 billion but not exceeding $7.5 billion; 0.27% to the portion of the daily net assets exceeding $7.5 billion but not exceeding $10 billion; 0.245% to the portion of the daily net assets exceeding $10 billion but not exceeding $12.5 billion; and 0.22% to the portion of the daily net assets


28



Morgan Stanley U.S. Government Securities Trust

Notes to Financial Statements  n  December 31, 2012 continued

exceeding $12.5 billion. For the year ended December 31, 2012, the advisory fee rate (net of rebate) was equivalent to an annual effective rate of 0.41% of the Fund's daily net assets.

Pursuant to an Administration Agreement with Morgan Stanley Services Company Inc. (the "Administrator"), an affiliate of the Adviser, the Fund pays an administration fee, accrued daily and payable monthly, by applying the annual rate of 0.08% to the Fund's daily net assets.

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

5. Plan of Distribution

Shares of the Fund are distributed by Morgan Stanley Distribution, Inc. (the "Distributor"), an affiliate of the Adviser and Administrator. The Fund has adopted a Plan of Distribution (the "Plan") pursuant to Rule 12b-1 under the Act. The Plan provides that the Fund will pay the Distributor a fee which is accrued daily and paid monthly at the following annual rates: (i) Class A — up to 0.25% of the average daily net assets of Class A shares; (ii) Class B — up to 0.75% (0.65% on amounts over $10 billion) of the average daily net assets of Class B shares; and (iii) Class C — up to 0.75% of the average daily net assets of Class C shares.

In the case of Class B shares, provided that the Plan continues in effect, any cumulative expenses incurred by the Distributor but not yet recovered may be recovered through the payment of future distribution fees from the Fund pursuant to the Plan and contingent deferred sales charges paid by investors upon redemption of Class B shares. Although there is no legal obligation for the Fund to pay expenses incurred in excess of payments made to the Distributor under the Plan and the proceeds of contingent deferred sales charges paid by investors upon redemption of shares, if for any reason the Plan is terminated, the Trustees will consider at that time the manner in which to treat such expenses. The Distributor has advised the Fund that there were no excess expenses at December 31, 2012.

The Fund's Distributor has agreed to reduce the 12b-1 fee on Class B shares of the Fund to the extent it exceeds 0.24% of the average daily net assets of such shares on an annualized basis. This waiver will continue for at least one year or until such time that the Fund's Board of Trustees acts to discontinue all or a portion of such waiver when it deems that such action is appropriate. For the year ended December 31, 2012, the distribution fee was accrued for Class B at an annual rate of 0.24%.

At December 31, 2012, included in the Statement of Assets and Liabilities, is a receivable from the Fund's Distributor which represents payments due to be reimbursed to the Fund under the Plan. Because the Plan is what is referred to as a "reimbursement plan", the Distributor reimburses to the


29



Morgan Stanley U.S. Government Securities Trust

Notes to Financial Statements  n  December 31, 2012 continued

Fund any 12b-1 fees collected in excess of the actual distribution expenses incurred. This receivable represents this excess amount as of December 31, 2012.

In the case of Class A shares and Class C shares, expenses incurred pursuant to the Plan in any calendar year in excess of 0.25% or 0.75% of the average daily net assets of Class A or Class C, respectively, will not be reimbursed by the Fund through payments in any subsequent year, except that expenses representing a gross sales credit to Morgan Stanley Financial Advisors and other authorized financial representatives at the time of sale may be reimbursed in the subsequent calendar year. For the year ended December 31, 2012, the distribution fee was accrued for Class A shares and Class C shares at the annual rate of 0.25% and 0.75%, respectively.

The Distributor has informed the Fund that for the year ended December 31, 2012, it received contingent deferred sales charges from certain redemptions of the Fund's Class B shares and Class C shares of $133,698 and $2,072, respectively, and received $5,573 in front-end sales charges from sales of the Fund's Class A shares. The respective shareholders pay such charges which are not an expense of the Fund.

6. Security Transactions and Transactions with Affiliates

The cost of purchases and proceeds from sales of investment securities, excluding short-term investments, for the year ended December 31, 2012, aggregated $2,551,407,628 and $2,671,879,654, respectively. Included in the aforementioned are purchases and sales of U.S. Government securities of $2,548,488,694 and $2,640,316,951, respectively.

The Fund invests in the Institutional Class of the Morgan Stanley Institutional Liquidity Funds – Government Portfolio (the "Liquidity Funds"), an open-end management investment company managed by the Adviser. Advisory fees paid by the Fund are reduced by an amount equal to its pro-rata share of the advisory and administration fees paid by the Fund due to its investment in the Liquidity Funds. For the year ended December 31, 2012, advisory fees paid were reduced by $62,763 relating to the Fund's investment in the Liquidity Funds.

A summary of the Fund's transactions in shares of the Liquidity Funds during the year ended December 31, 2012 is as follows:

VALUE
DECEMBER 31, 2011
  PURCHASES
AT COST
 

SALES

  DIVIDEND
INCOME
  VALUE
DECEMBER 31, 2012
 
$

20,467,514

   

$

555,122,595

   

$

525,727,461

   

$

19,497

   

$

49,862,648

   


30



Morgan Stanley U.S. Government Securities Trust

Notes to Financial Statements  n  December 31, 2012 continued

The Fund had the following transactions with Citigroup, Inc., and its affiliated broker-dealers, which may be deemed to be affiliates of the Adviser, Administrator and Distributor for the year ended December 31, 2012:

VALUE
DECEMBER 31, 2011
  PURCHASES
AT COST
 

SALES

  REALIZED
GAIN
  INTEREST
INCOME
  VALUE
DECEMBER 31, 2012
 
$

6,214,729

     

   

$

6,100,000

   

$

(91,745

)

 

$

129,243

     

   

Morgan Stanley Services Company Inc., an affiliate of the Adviser and Distributor, is the Fund's transfer agent.

The Fund has an unfunded noncontributory defined benefit pension plan covering certain independent Trustees of the Fund who will have served as independent Trustees for at least five years at the time of retirement. Benefits under this plan are based on factors which include years of service and compensation. The Trustees voted to close the plan to new participants and eliminate the future benefits growth due to increases to compensation after July 31, 2003. Aggregate pension costs for the year ended December 31, 2012, included in "Trustees' fees and expenses" in the Statement of Operations amounted to $6,921. At December 31, 2012, the Fund had an accrued pension liability of $94,348, which is included in "Accrued expenses and other payables" in the Statement of Assets and Liabilities.

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

7. Purposes of and Risks Relating to Certain Financial Instruments

The Fund may invest in mortgage securities, including securities issued by 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 Fund. 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


31



Morgan Stanley U.S. Government Securities Trust

Notes to Financial Statements  n  December 31, 2012 continued

with a lower capacity to make timely payments on their mortgages. The securities held by the Fund 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.

8. Shares of Beneficial Interest

Transactions in shares of beneficial interest were as follows:

    FOR THE YEAR
ENDED
DECEMBER 31, 2012
  FOR THE YEAR
ENDED
DECEMBER 31, 2011
 
   

SHARES

 

AMOUNT

 

SHARES

 

AMOUNT

 

CLASS A SHARES

 

Sold

   

1,080,316

   

$

9,712,688

     

1,135,223

   

$

10,004,643

   

Reinvestment of dividends

   

219,953

     

1,981,449

     

342,303

     

2,988,780

   

Redeemed

   

(2,432,174

)

   

(21,902,601

)

   

(3,765,652

)

   

(32,676,478

)

 

Net decrease — Class A

   

(1,131,905

)

   

(10,208,464

)

   

(2,288,126

)

   

(19,683,055

)

 

CLASS B SHARES

 

Sold

   

2,024,866

     

18,242,061

     

1,726,422

     

15,189,981

   

Reinvestment of dividends

   

2,038,486

     

18,370,080

     

3,040,524

     

26,569,623

   

Redeemed

   

(13,055,013

)

   

(117,595,722

)

   

(18,680,441

)

   

(162,777,907

)

 

Net decrease — Class B

   

(8,991,661

)

   

(80,983,581

)

   

(13,913,495

)

   

(121,018,303

)

 

CLASS C SHARES

 

Sold

   

241,128

     

2,187,806

     

221,858

     

1,959,216

   

Reinvestment of dividends

   

60,078

     

545,641

     

96,907

     

853,405

   

Redeemed

   

(519,622

)

   

(4,716,427

)

   

(960,238

)

   

(8,425,298

)

 

Net decrease — Class C

   

(218,416

)

   

(1,982,980

)

   

(641,473

)

   

(5,612,677

)

 

CLASS I SHARES

 

Sold

   

238,639

     

2,151,199

     

310,912

     

2,690,784

   

Reinvestment of dividends

   

350,142

     

3,157,221

     

531,940

     

4,651,177

   

Redeemed

   

(2,286,549

)

   

(20,606,928

)

   

(4,138,331

)

   

(36,082,314

)

 

Net decrease — Class I

   

(1,697,768

)

   

(15,298,508

)

   

(3,295,479

)

   

(28,740,353

)

 

Net decrease in Fund

   

(12,039,750

)

 

$

(108,473,533

)

   

(20,138,573

)

 

$

(175,054,388

)

 


32



Morgan Stanley U.S. Government Securities Trust

Notes to Financial Statements  n  December 31, 2012 continued

9. Federal Income Tax Status

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

Dividend income and distributions to shareholders are recorded on the ex-dividend date. Interest income is recognized on an accrual basis. Dividends from net investment income, if any, are declared daily and paid monthly. Net realized capital gains, if any, are distributed at least annually.

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

FASB ASC 740-10, Income Taxes — Overall, sets forth a minimum threshold for financial statement recognition of the benefit of a tax position taken or expected to be taken in a tax return. Management has concluded there are no significant uncertain tax positions that would require recognition in the financial statements. If applicable, the Fund recognizes interest accrued related to unrecognized tax benefits in "Interest Expense" and penalties in "Other Expenses" in the Statement of Operations. The Fund files tax returns with the U.S. Internal Revenue Service, New York and various states. Generally, each of the tax years in the four-year period ended December 31, 2012, 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 2012 and 2011 was as follows:

2012 DISTRIBUTIONS PAID FROM:  

2011 DISTRIBUTIONS PAID FROM:

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

25,460,572

     

   

$

37,085,434

     

   

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

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


33



Morgan Stanley U.S. Government Securities Trust

Notes to Financial Statements  n  December 31, 2012 continued

Permanent differences, primarily attributable to losses on paydowns and tax adjustments on swaps and debt securities sold by the Fund, resulted in the following reclassifications among the Fund's components of net assets at December 31, 2012:

ACCUMULATED
UNDISTRIBUTED
NET INVESTMENT
INCOME
  ACCUMULATED
NET REALIZED
LOSS
 

PAID-IN-CAPITAL

 
$

9,598,226

   

$

(9,598,226

)

   

   

At December 31, 2012, the components of distributable earnings for the Fund on a tax basis were as follows:

UNDISTRIBUTED
ORDINARY
INCOME
  UNDISTRIBUTED
LONG-TERM
CAPITAL GAIN
 
$

1,046,564

     

   

At December 31, 2012, the aggregate cost for federal income tax purposes is $945,865,273. The aggregate gross unrealized appreciation is $53,737,546 and the aggregate gross unrealized depreciation is $745,168 resulting in net unrealized appreciation of $52,992,378.

On December 22, 2010, the Regulated Investment Company Modernization Act of 2010 (the "Modernization Act") was signed into law. The Modernization Act modernizes several tax provisions related to Regulated Investment Companies ("RICs") and their shareholders. One key change made by the Modernization Act is that capital losses will generally retain their character as short-term or long-term and may be carried forward indefinitely to offset future gains. These losses are utilized before other capital loss carryforwards that expire. Generally, the Modernization Act is effective for taxable years beginning after December 22, 2010.

At December 31, 2012, the Fund had available for Federal income tax purposes unused long term capital losses of $1,731,971 that do not have an expiration date.

In addition, at December 31, 2012, the Fund had available for Federal income tax purposes capital loss carryforwards which will expire on the indicated dates:

AMOUNT  

EXPIRATION

 
$

26,841,777

   

December 31, 2013

 
  19,174,691    

December 31, 2014

 
  1,846,147    

December 31, 2015

 
  126,653,201    

December 31, 2016

 
  19,682,287    

December 31, 2017

 


34



Morgan Stanley U.S. Government Securities Trust

Notes to Financial Statements  n  December 31, 2012 continued

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

10. Expense Offset

The Fund has entered into an arrangement with State Street (the "Custodian"), whereby credits realized on uninvested cash balances may by used to offset a portion of the Fund's expenses. If applicable, these custodian credits are shown as "Expense offset" in the Statement of Operations.

11. Accounting Pronouncement

In December 2011, FASB issued Accounting Standards Update ("ASU") 2011-11, Balance Sheet: Disclosures about Offsetting Assets and Liabilities. The pronouncement improves disclosures for recognized financial and derivative instruments that are either offset on the balance sheet in accordance with the offsetting guidance in ASC 210-20-45, Balance Sheet: Offsetting — Other Presentation Matters or ASC 815-10-45, Derivatives: Overall — Other Presentation Matters or are subject to enforceable master netting agreements or similar agreements. The Fund will be required to disclose information about rights to offset and related arrangements (such as collateral agreements) in order to enable financial statement users to understand the effect of those rights and arrangements on its financial position as well as disclose the following (1) gross amounts; (2) amounts offset in the statement of financial position; (3) any other amounts that can be offset in the event of bankruptcy, insolvency or default of any of the parties (including cash and noncash financial collateral); and (4) the Fund's net exposure. The requirements are effective for annual reporting periods beginning on or after January 1, 2013, and must be applied retrospectively. At this time, the Fund's management is evaluating the implications of ASU 2011-11 and its impact, if any, on the financial statements.


35




Morgan Stanley U.S. Government Securities Trust

Financial Highlights

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

   

FOR THE YEAR ENDED DECEMBER 31,

 
   

2012

 

2011

 

2010^

 

2009^

 

2008^

 

Class A Shares

 

Selected Per Share Data:

 

Net asset value, beginning of period

 

$

8.91

   

$

8.57

   

$

8.41

   

$

8.53

   

$

9.09

   

Income (loss) from investment operations:

 

Net investment income

   

0.13

     

0.21

     

0.21

     

0.21

     

0.28

   

Net realized and unrealized gain (loss)

   

0.21

     

0.43

     

0.21

     

(0.08

)

   

(0.49

)

 

Total income (loss) from investment operations

   

0.34

     

0.64

     

0.42

     

0.13

     

(0.21

)

 

Less dividends from net investment income

   

(0.22

)

   

(0.30

)

   

(0.26

)

   

(0.25

)

   

(0.35

)

 

Net asset value, end of period

 

$

9.03

   

$

8.91

   

$

8.57

   

$

8.41

   

$

8.53

   
Total Return(1)     

3.86

%

   

7.54

%

   

5.03

%

   

1.42

%

   

(2.17

)%

 
Ratios to Average Net Assets(2):  

Total expenses

   

0.90

%(3)     

0.91

%(3)     

0.88

%(3)     

0.91

%(3)     

0.88

%(3)   

Net investment income

   

1.64

%(3)     

2.45

%(3)     

2.49

%(3)     

2.63

%(3)     

3.53

%(3)   

Rebate from Morgan Stanley affiliate

   

0.01

%

   

0.00

%(4)     

0.00

%(4)     

0.01

%

   

0.01

%

 

Supplemental Data:

 

Net assets, end of period, in thousands

 

$

77,789

   

$

86,792

   

$

103,103

   

$

132,472

   

$

163,006

   

Portfolio turnover rate

   

257

%

   

161

%

   

228

%

   

375

%

   

313

%

 

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

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

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

(3)  The ratios reflect the rebate of certain Fund 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."

(4)  Amount is less than 0.005%.

See Notes to Financial Statements
36



Morgan Stanley U.S. Government Securities Trust

Financial Highlights continued

   

FOR THE YEAR ENDED DECEMBER 31,

 
   

2012

 

2011

 

2010^

 

2009^

 

2008^

 

Class B Shares

 

Selected Per Share Data:

 

Net asset value, beginning of period

 

$

8.91

   

$

8.57

   

$

8.41

   

$

8.54

   

$

9.10

   

Income (loss) from investment operations:

 

Net investment income

   

0.14

     

0.21

     

0.21

     

0.21

     

0.29

   

Net realized and unrealized gain (loss)

   

0.21

     

0.43

     

0.21

     

(0.09

)

   

(0.50

)

 

Total income (loss) from investment operations

   

0.35

     

0.64

     

0.42

     

0.12

     

(0.21

)

 

Less dividends from net investment income

   

(0.23

)

   

(0.30

)

   

(0.26

)

   

(0.25

)

   

(0.35

)

 

Net asset value, end of period

 

$

9.03

   

$

8.91

   

$

8.57

   

$

8.41

   

$

8.54

   
Total Return(1)     

3.96

%

   

7.55

%

   

5.05

%

   

1.43

%

   

(2.24

)%

 
Ratios to Average Net Assets(2):  

Total expenses

   

0.89

%(3)(4)     

0.90

%(3)(4)     

0.87

%(3)(4)     

0.90

%(3)(4)     

0.86

%(3)   

Net investment income

   

1.65

%(3)(4)     

2.46

%(3)(4)     

2.50

%(3)(4)     

2.64

%(3)(4)     

3.55

%(3)   

Rebate from Morgan Stanley affiliate

   

0.01

%

   

0.00

%(5)     

0.00

%(5)     

0.01

%

   

0.01

%

 

Supplemental Data:

 

Net assets, end of period, in thousands

 

$

721,596

   

$

792,405

   

$

881,596

   

$

1,012,509

   

$

1,202,969

   

Portfolio turnover rate

   

257

%

   

161

%

   

228

%

   

375

%

   

313

%

 

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

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

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

(3)  The ratios reflect the rebate of certain Fund 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."

(4)  If the Distributor had not rebated a portion of its fee to the Fund, the expense and net investment income ratios would have been as follows:

PERIOD ENDED   EXPENSE
RATIO
  NET INVESTMENT
INCOME RATIO
 

December 31, 2012

   

0.97

%

   

1.57

%

 

December 31, 2011

   

0.94

     

2.42

   

December 31, 2010

   

0.92

     

2.45

   

December 31, 2009

   

0.94

     

2.60

   

(5)  Amount is less than 0.005%.

See Notes to Financial Statements
37



Morgan Stanley U.S. Government Securities Trust

Financial Highlights continued

   

FOR THE YEAR ENDED DECEMBER 31,

 
   

2012

 

2011

 

2010^

 

2009^

 

2008^

 

Class C Shares

 

Selected Per Share Data:

 

Net asset value, beginning of period

 

$

8.98

   

$

8.64

   

$

8.48

   

$

8.61

   

$

9.17

   

Income (loss) from investment operations:

 

Net investment income

   

0.09

     

0.16

     

0.17

     

0.17

     

0.24

   

Net realized and unrealized gain (loss)

   

0.21

     

0.43

     

0.21

     

(0.09

)

   

(0.49

)

 

Total income (loss) from investment operations

   

0.30

     

0.59

     

0.38

     

0.08

     

(0.25

)

 

Less dividends from net investment income

   

(0.18

)

   

(0.25

)

   

(0.22

)

   

(0.21

)

   

(0.31

)

 

Net asset value, end of period

 

$

9.10

   

$

8.98

   

$

8.64

   

$

8.48

   

$

8.61

   
Total Return(1)     

3.39

%

   

6.98

%

   

4.50

%

   

0.93

%

   

(2.72

)%

 
Ratios to Average Net Assets(2):  

Total expenses

   

1.40

%(3)     

1.41

%(3)     

1.38

%(3)     

1.41

%(3)     

1.38

%(3)   

Net investment income

   

1.14

%(3)     

1.95

%(3)     

1.99

%(3)     

2.13

%(3)     

3.03

%(3)   

Rebate from Morgan Stanley affiliate

   

0.01

%

   

0.00

%(4)     

0.00

%(4)     

0.01

%

   

0.01

%

 

Supplemental Data:

 

Net assets, end of period, in thousands

 

$

26,838

   

$

28,448

   

$

32,913

   

$

37,048

   

$

40,707

   

Portfolio turnover rate

   

257

%

   

161

%

   

228

%

   

375

%

   

313

%

 

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

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

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

(3)  The ratios reflect the rebate of certain Fund 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."

(4)  Amount is less than 0.005%.

See Notes to Financial Statements
38



Morgan Stanley U.S. Government Securities Trust

Financial Highlights continued

   

FOR THE YEAR ENDED DECEMBER 31,

 
   

2012

 

2011

 

2010^

 

2009^

 

2008^

 

Class I Shares

 

Selected Per Share Data:

 

Net asset value, beginning of period

 

$

8.92

   

$

8.58

   

$

8.42

   

$

8.54

   

$

9.10

   

Income (loss) from investment operations:

 

Net investment income

   

0.16

     

0.23

     

0.23

     

0.23

     

0.31

   

Net realized and unrealized gain (loss)

   

0.21

     

0.43

     

0.21

     

(0.08

)

   

(0.50

)

 

Total income (loss) from investment operations

   

0.37

     

0.66

     

0.44

     

0.15

     

(0.19

)

 

Less dividends from net investment income

   

(0.25

)

   

(0.32

)

   

(0.28

)

   

(0.27

)

   

(0.37

)

 

Net asset value, end of period

 

$

9.04

   

$

8.92

   

$

8.58

   

$

8.42

   

$

8.54

   
Total Return(1)     

4.21

%

   

7.80

%

   

5.30

%

   

1.67

%

   

(1.92

)%

 
Ratios to Average Net Assets(2):  

Total expenses

   

0.65

%(3)     

0.66

%(3)     

0.63

%(3)     

0.66

%(3)     

0.63

%(3)   

Net investment income

   

1.89

%(3)     

2.70

%(3)     

2.74

%(3)     

2.88

%(3)     

3.78

%(3)   

Rebate from Morgan Stanley affiliate

   

0.01

%

   

0.00

%(4)     

0.00

%(4)     

0.01

%

   

0.01

%

 

Supplemental Data:

 

Net assets, end of period, in thousands

 

$

114,630

   

$

128,294

   

$

151,694

   

$

177,120

   

$

239,673

   

Portfolio turnover rate

   

257

%

   

161

%

   

228

%

   

375

%

   

313

%

 

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

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

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

(3)  The ratios reflect the rebate of certain Fund 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."

(4)  Amount is less than 0.005%.

See Notes to Financial Statements
39




Morgan Stanley U.S. Government Securities Trust

Report of Independent Registered Public Accounting Firm

To the Shareholders and Board of Trustees of
Morgan Stanley U.S. Government Securities Trust

We have audited the accompanying statement of assets and liabilities of Morgan Stanley U.S. Government Securities Trust (the "Fund"), including the portfolio of investments, as of December 31, 2012, and the related statement of operations for the year then ended, and the statements of changes in net assets and the financial highlights for each of the two years in the period then ended. These financial statements and financial highlights are the responsibility of the Fund's management. Our responsibility is to express an opinion on these financial statements and financial highlights based on our audits. The financial highlights for the three years ended December 31, 2010 were audited by another independent registered public accounting firm whose report, dated February 25, 2011, expressed an unqualified opinion on those financial highlights.

We conducted our audits in accordance with the standards of the Public Company Accounting Oversight Board (United States). Those standards require that we plan and perform the audit to obtain reasonable assurance about whether the financial statements and financial highlights are free of material misstatement. We were not engaged to perform an audit of the Fund's internal control over financial reporting. Our audits included consideration of internal control over financial reporting as a basis for designing audit procedures that are appropriate in the circumstances, but not for the purpose of expressing an opinion on the effectiveness of the Fund's internal control over financial reporting. Accordingly, we express no such opinion. An audit also includes examining, on a test basis, evidence supporting the amounts and disclosures in the financial statements and financial highlights, assessing the accounting principles used and significant estimates made by management, and evaluating the overall financial statement presentation. Our procedures included confirmation of securities owned as of December 31, 2012, by correspondence with the custodian and others or by other appropriate auditing procedures where replies from others were not received. We believe that our audits provide a reasonable basis for our opinion.

In our opinion, the financial statements and financial highlights referred to above present fairly, in all material respects, the financial position of Morgan Stanley U.S. Government Securities Trust at December 31, 2012, the results of its operations for the year then ended, and the changes in its net assets and the financial highlights for each of the two years in the period then ended, in conformity with U.S. generally accepted accounting principles.

  

Boston, Massachusetts
February 22, 2013


40



Morgan Stanley U.S. Government Securities Trust

U.S. Privacy Policy (unaudited)

An Important Notice Concerning Our U.S. Privacy Policy

This privacy notice describes the U.S. privacy policy of Morgan Stanley Distribution, Inc., and the Morgan Stanley family of mutual funds ("us", "our", "we").

We are required by federal law to provide you with notice of our U.S. privacy policy ("Policy"). This Policy applies to both our current and former clients unless we state otherwise and is intended for individual clients who purchase products or receive services from us for personal, family or household purposes. This Policy is not applicable to partnerships, corporations, trusts or other non-individual clients or account holders, nor is this Policy applicable to individuals who are either beneficiaries of a trust for which we serve as trustee or participants in an employee benefit plan administered or advised by us. This Policy is, however, applicable to individuals who select us to be a custodian of securities or assets in individual retirement accounts, 401(k) accounts, or accounts subject to the Uniform Gifts to Minors Act.

This notice sets out our business practices to protect your privacy; how we collect and share personal information about you; and how you can limit our sharing or certain uses by others of this information. We may amend this Policy at any time, and will inform you of any changes to our Policy as required by law.

We Respect Your Privacy

We appreciate that you have provided us with your personal financial information and understand your concerns about your information. We strive to safeguard the information our clients entrust to us. Protecting the confidentiality and security of client information is an important part of how we conduct our business.

This notice describes what personal information we collect about you, how we collect it, when we may share it with others, and how certain others may use it. It discusses the steps you may take to limit our sharing of certain information about you with our affiliated companies, including, but not limited to our affiliated banking businesses, brokerage firms and credit service affiliates. It also discloses how you may limit our affiliates' use of shared information for marketing purposes.

Throughout this Policy, we refer to the nonpublic information that personally identifies you as "personal information." We also use the term "affiliated company" in this notice. An affiliated company is a company in our family of companies and includes companies with the Morgan Stanley name. These affiliated companies are financial institutions such as broker-dealers, banks, investment advisers and credit card issuers. We refer to any company that is not an affiliated company as a nonaffiliated third party. For purposes of Section 5 of this notice, and your ability to limit certain uses of personal information by our affiliates, this notice applies to the use of personal information by our affiliated companies.


41



Morgan Stanley U.S. Government Securities Trust

U.S. Privacy Policy (unaudited) continued

1. What Personal Information Do We Collect From You?

We may collect the following types of information about you: (i) information provided by you, including information from applications and other forms we receive from you, (ii) information about your transactions with us or our affiliates, (iii) information about your transactions with nonaffiliated third parties, (iv) information from consumer reporting agencies, (v) information obtained from our websites, and (vi) information obtained from other sources. For example:

•  We collect information such as your name, address, e-mail address, telephone/fax numbers, assets, income and investment objectives through applications and other forms you submit to us.

•  We may obtain information about account balances, your use of account(s) and the types of products and services you prefer to receive from us through your dealings and transactions with us and other sources.

•  We may obtain information about your creditworthiness and credit history from consumer reporting agencies.

•  We may collect background information from and through third-party vendors to verify representations you have made and to comply with various regulatory requirements.

2. When Do We Disclose Personal Information We Collect About You?

We may disclose personal information we collect about you in each of the categories listed above to affiliated and nonaffiliated third parties.

a. Information We Disclose to Affiliated Companies. We may disclose personal information that we collect about you to our affiliated companies to manage your account(s) effectively, to service and process your transactions, and to let you know about products and services offered by us and affiliated companies, to manage our business, and as otherwise required or permitted by law. Offers for products and services from affiliated companies are developed under conditions designed to safeguard your personal information.

b. Information We Disclose to Third Parties. We may disclose personal information that we collect about you to nonaffiliated third parties to provide marketing services on our behalf or to other financial institutions with whom we have joint marketing agreements. We may also disclose all of the information we collect to other nonaffiliated third parties for our everyday business purposes, such as to process transactions, maintain account(s), respond to court orders and legal investigations, report to credit bureaus, offer our own products and services, protect against fraud, for institutional risk control, to perform services on our behalf, and as otherwise required or permitted by law.


42



Morgan Stanley U.S. Government Securities Trust

U.S. Privacy Policy (unaudited) continued

When we share personal information about you with a nonaffiliated third party, they are required to limit their use of personal information about you to the particular purpose for which it was shared and they are not allowed to share personal information about you with others except to fulfill that limited purpose or as may be permitted or required by law.

3. How Do We Protect The Security and Confidentiality Of Personal Information We Collect About You?

We maintain physical, electronic and procedural security measures that comply with applicable law and regulations to help safeguard the personal information we collect about you. We have internal policies governing the proper handling of client information by employees. Third parties that provide support or marketing services on our behalf may also receive personal information about you, and we require them to adhere to appropriate security standards with respect to such information.

4. How Can You Limit Our Sharing Certain Personal Information About You With Our Affiliated Companies For Eligibility Determination?

By following the opt-out procedures in Section 6 below, you may limit the extent to which we share with our affiliated companies, personal information that was collected to determine your eligibility for products and services such as your credit reports and other information that you have provided to us or that we may obtain from third parties ("eligibility information"). Eligibility information does not include your identification information or personal information pertaining to our transactions or experiences with you. Please note that, even if you direct us not to share eligibility information with our affiliated companies, we may still share your personal information, including eligibility information, with our affiliated companies under circumstances that are permitted under applicable law, such as to process transactions or to service your account.

5. How Can You Limit the Use of Certain Personal Information About You by Our Affiliated Companies for Marketing?

By following the opt-out instructions in Section 6 below, you may limit our affiliated companies from marketing their products or services to you based on personal information we disclose to them. This information may include, for example, your income and account history with us. Please note that, even if you choose to limit our affiliated companies from using personal information about you that we may share with them for marketing their products and services to you, our affiliated companies may use your personal information that they obtain from us to market to you in circumstances permitted by law, such as if the affiliated party has its own relationship with you.


43



Morgan Stanley U.S. Government Securities Trust

U.S. Privacy Policy (unaudited) continued

6. How Can You Send Us an Opt-Out Instruction?

If you wish to limit our sharing of eligibility information about you with our affiliated companies, or our affiliated companies' use of personal information for marketing purposes, as described in this notice, you may do so by:

•  Calling us at (800) 548-7786
Monday–Friday between 8a.m. and 5p.m. (EST)

•  Writing to us at the following address:
Morgan Stanley Services Company Inc.
c/o Privacy Coordinator
201 Plaza Two, 3rd Floor
Jersey City, New Jersey 07311

If you choose to write to us, your request should include: your name, address, telephone number and account number(s) to which the opt-out applies and whether you are opting out with respect to sharing of eligibility information (Section 4 above), or information used for marketing (Section 5 above), or both. Written opt-out requests should not be sent with any other correspondence. In order to process your request, we require that the request be provided by you directly and not through a third party. Once you have informed us about your privacy preferences, your opt-out preference will remain in effect with respect to this Policy (as it may be amended) until you notify us otherwise. If you are a joint account owner, we will accept instructions from any one of you and apply those instructions to the entire account.

Please understand that if you limit our sharing or our affiliated companies' use of personal information, you and any joint account holder(s) may not receive information about our affiliated companies' products and services, including products or services that could help you manage your financial resources and achieve your investment objectives.

If you have more than one account or relationship with us, please specify the accounts to which you would like us to apply your privacy choices. If you have accounts or relationships with our affiliates, you may receive multiple privacy policies from them, and will need to separately notify those companies of your privacy choices for those accounts or relationships.

7. What if an affiliated company becomes a nonaffiliated third party?

If, at any time in the future, an affiliated company becomes a nonaffiliated third party, further disclosures of personal information made to the former affiliated company will be limited to those described in Section 2(b) above relating to nonaffiliated third parties. If you elected under Section 6 to limit disclosures we make to affiliated companies, or use of personal information by affiliated companies, your election will not apply to use by any former affiliated company of your personal information in their possession once it becomes a nonaffiliated third party.


44



Morgan Stanley U.S. Government Securities Trust

U.S. Privacy Policy (unaudited) continued

SPECIAL NOTICE TO RESIDENTS OF VERMONT
The following section supplements our Policy with respect to our individual clients who have a Vermont address and supersedes anything to the contrary in the above Policy with respect to those clients only.

The State of Vermont requires financial institutions to obtain your consent prior to sharing personal information that they collect about you with nonaffiliated third parties, or eligibility information with affiliated companies, other than in certain limited circumstances. Except as permitted by law, we will not share personal information we collect about you with nonaffiliated third parties or eligibility information with affiliated companies, unless you provide us with your written consent to share such information.

SPECIAL NOTICE TO RESIDENTS OF CALIFORNIA
The following section supplements our Policy with respect to our individual clients who have a California address and supersedes anything to the contrary in the above Policy with respect to those clients only.

In response to a California law, if your account has a California home address, your personal information will not be disclosed to nonaffiliated third parties except as permitted by applicable California law, and we will limit sharing such personal information with our affiliates to comply with California privacy laws that apply to us.


45




Morgan Stanley U.S. Government Securities Trust

Trustee and Officer Information (unaudited)

Independent Trustees:

Name, Age and Address of
Independent Trustee
  Position(s)
Held with
Registrant
  Length of
Time Served*
  Principal Occupation(s)
During Past 5 Years
  Number of
Portfolios
in Fund
Complex
Overseen by
Independent
Trustee**
  Other Directorships
Held by Independent Trustee***
 
Frank L. Bowman (68)
c/o Kramer Levin Naftalis & Frankel LLP
Counsel to the Independent Trustees
1177 Avenue of the Americas
New York, NY 10036
 

Trustee

  Since
August 2006
 

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

 

101

 

Director of BP p.l.c.; Director of Naval and Nuclear Technologies LLP; Director of the Armed Services YMCA of the USA and the U.S. Naval Submarine League; Director of the American Shipbuilding Suppliers Association; Member of the National Security Advisory Council of the Center for U.S. Global Engagement and a member of the CNA Military Advisory Board.

 
Michael Bozic (72)
c/o Kramer Levin Naftalis & Frankel LLP
Counsel to the Independent Trustees
1177 Avenue of the Americas
New York, NY 10036
 

Trustee

  Since
April 1994
 

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

 

103

 

Trustee and member of the Hillsdale College Board of Trustees.

 


46



Morgan Stanley U.S. Government Securities Trust

Trustee and Officer Information (unaudited) continued

Name, Age and Address of
Independent Trustee
  Position(s)
Held with
Registrant
  Length of
Time Served*
  Principal Occupation(s)
During Past 5 Years
  Number of
Portfolios
in Fund
Complex
Overseen by
Independent
Trustee**
  Other Directorships
Held by Independent Trustee***
 
Kathleen A. Dennis (59)
c/o Kramer Levin Naftalis & Frankel LLP
Counsel to the Independent Trustees
1177 Avenue of the Americas
New York, NY 10036
 

Trustee

  Since
August 2006
 

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

 

101

 

Director of various non-profit organizations.

 
Dr. Manuel H. Johnson (64)
c/o Johnson Smick Group, Inc.
888 16th Street, N.W.
Suite 740
Washington, D.C. 20006
 

Trustee

  Since
July 1991
 

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

 

103

 

Director of NVR, Inc. (home construction).

 
Joseph J. Kearns (70)
c/o Kearns & Associates LLC
PMB754
22631 Pacific Coast Highway
Malibu, CA 90265
 

Trustee

  Since
August 1994
 

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

 

104

 

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

 


47



Morgan Stanley U.S. Government Securities Trust

Trustee and Officer Information (unaudited) continued

Name, Age and Address of
Independent Trustee
  Position(s)
Held with
Registrant
  Length of
Time Served*
  Principal Occupation(s)
During Past 5 Years
  Number of
Portfolios
in Fund
Complex
Overseen by
Independent
Trustee**
  Other Directorships
Held by Independent Trustee***
 
Michael F. Klein (54)
c/o Kramer Levin Naftalis & Frankel LLP
Counsel to the Independent Trustees
1177 Avenue of the Americas
New York, NY 10036
 

Trustee

  Since
August 2006
 

Managing Director, Aetos Capital, LLC (since March 2000) and Co-President, Aetos Alternatives Management, LLC (since January 2004); Chairperson of the Fixed Income Sub-Committee of the Investment Committee (since October 2006) and Director or Trustee of various Morgan Stanley Funds (since August 2006); formerly, Managing Director, Morgan Stanley & Co. Inc. and Morgan Stanley Dean Witter Investment Management, President, various Morgan Stanley Funds (June 1998-March 2000) and Principal, Morgan Stanley & Co. Inc. and Morgan Stanley Dean Witter Investment Management (August 1997-December 1999).

 

101

 

Director of certain investment funds managed or sponsored by Aetos Capital, LLC. Director of Sanitized AG and Sanitized Marketing AG (specialty chemicals).

 
Michael E. Nugent (76)
522 Fifth Avenue
New York, NY 10036
 

Chairperson of the Board and Trustee

 

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

 

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

 

103

 

None.

 


48



Morgan Stanley U.S. Government Securities Trust

Trustee and Officer Information (unaudited) continued

Name, Age and Address of
Independent Trustee
  Position(s)
Held with
Registrant
  Length of
Time Served*
  Principal Occupation(s)
During Past 5 Years
  Number of
Portfolios
in Fund
Complex
Overseen by
Independent
Trustee**
  Other Directorships
Held by Independent Trustee***
 
W. Allen Reed (65)
c/o Kramer Levin Naftalis & Frankel LLP
Counsel to the Independent Trustees
1177 Avenue of the Americas
New York, NY 10036
 

Trustee

  Since
August 2006
 

Chairperson of the Equity Sub-Committee of the Investment Committee (since October 2006) and Director or Trustee of various Morgan Stanley Funds (since August 2006); formerly, President and CEO of General Motors Asset Management; Chairman and Chief Executive Officer of the GM Trust Bank and Corporate Vice President of General Motors Corporation (August 1994-December 2005).

 

101

 

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

 
Fergus Reid (80)
c/o Joe Pietryka, Inc.
85 Charles Colman Blvd.
Pawling, NY 12564
 

Trustee

  Since
June 1992
 

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

 

104

 

None.

 

Interested Trustee:

Name, Age and Address of
Interested Trustee
  Position(s)
Held with
Registrant
  Length of
Time Served*
  Principal Occupation(s)
During Past 5 Years
  Number of
Portfolios
in Fund
Complex
Overseen by
Interested
Trustee**
  Other Directorships
Held by Interested Trustee***
 
James F. Higgins (65)
c/o Morgan Stanley Services Company Inc.
Harborside Financial Center
201 Plaza Two
Jersey City, NJ 07311
 

Trustee

  Since
June 2000
 

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

 

102

 

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

 

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

  **  The Fund Complex includes (as of December 31, 2012) all open-end and closed-end funds (including all of their portfolios) advised by Morgan Stanley Investment Management Inc. (the "Adviser") and any funds that have an adviser that is an affiliated person of the Adviser (including, but not limited to, Morgan Stanley AIP GP LP).

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


49



Morgan Stanley U.S. Government Securities Trust

Trustee and Officer Information (unaudited) continued

Executive Officers:

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

Principal Occupation(s) During Past 5 Years

 
Arthur Lev (51)
522 Fifth Avenue
New York, NY 10036
 

President and Principal Executive Officer – Equity and Fixed Income Funds

 

Since June 2011

 

President and Principal Executive Officer (since June 2011) of the Equity and Fixed Income Funds in the Fund Complex; Head of the Long Only Business of Morgan Stanley Investment Management (since February 2011); Managing Director of the Adviser and various entities affiliated with the Adviser (since December 2006). Formerly, Chief Strategy Officer of Morgan Stanley Investment Management's Traditional Asset Management business (November 2010-February 2011); General Counsel of Morgan Stanley Investment Management (December 2006-October 2010); Partner and General Counsel of FrontPoint Partners LLC (July 2002-December 2006); Managing Director and General Counsel of Morgan Stanley Investment Management (May 2000-June 2002).

 
Mary Ann Picciotto (39)
522 Fifth Avenue
New York, NY 10036
 

Chief Compliance Officer

 

Since May 2010

 

Managing Director of the Adviser and various entities affiliated with the Adviser; Chief Compliance Officer of various Morgan Stanley Funds (since May 2010); Chief Compliance Officer of the Adviser (since April 2007).

 
Stefanie V. Chang Yu (46)
522 Fifth Avenue
New York, NY 10036
 

Vice President

 

Since December 1997

 

Managing Director of the Adviser and various entities affiliated with the Adviser; Vice President of various Morgan Stanley Funds (since December 1997).

 
Francis J. Smith (47)
c/o Morgan Stanley Services Company Inc.
Harborside Financial Center
201 Plaza Two
Jersey City, NJ 07311
  Treasurer and Principal Financial
Officer
 

Treasurer since July 2003 and Principal Financial Officer since September 2002

 

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

 
Mary E. Mullin (45)
522 Fifth Avenue
New York, NY 10036
 

Secretary

 

Since June 1999

 

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

 

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


50



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Item 2.  Code of Ethics.

 

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

 

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

 

(c)                                  Not applicable.

 

(d)                                 Not applicable.

 

(e)                                  Not applicable.

 

(f)

 

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

 

(2)                                 Not applicable.

 

(3)                                 Not applicable.

 

Item 3.  Audit Committee Financial Expert.

 

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

 



 

Item 4.  Principal Accountant Fees and Services.

 

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

 

2012

 

 

 

Registrant

 

Covered Entities(1)

 

Audit Fees

 

$

48,555

 

N/A

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Non-Audit Fees

 

 

 

 

 

Audit-Related Fees

 

$

(2)

$

 

(2)

Tax Fees

 

$

4,749

(3)

$

3,789,467

(4)

All Other Fees

 

$

 

 

$

723,998

 

Total Non-Audit Fees

 

$

4,749

 

$

4,513,465

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Total

 

$

53,304

 

$

4,513,465

 

 

2011

 

 

 

Registrant

 

Covered Entities(1)

 

Audit Fees

 

$

48,555

 

N/A

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Non-Audit Fees

 

 

 

 

 

Audit-Related Fees

 

$

(2)

$

 

(2)

Tax Fees

 

$

4,749

(3)

$

89,626

(4)

All Other Fees

 

$

 

 

$

1,133,094

(5)

Total Non-Audit Fees

 

$

4,749

 

$

1,222,720

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Total

 

$

53,304

 

$

1,222,720

 

 


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

 

 

(1)

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

(2)

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

(3)

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

(4)

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

(5)

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

 



 

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

 

APPENDIX A

 

AUDIT COMMITTEE

AUDIT AND NON-AUDIT SERVICES

PRE-APPROVAL POLICY AND PROCEDURES

OF THE

MORGAN STANLEY RETAIL AND INSTITUTIONAL FUNDS

 

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

 

1.              Statement of Principles

 

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

 

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

 

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

 


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

 



 

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

 

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

 

2.              Delegation

 

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

 

3.              Audit Services

 

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

 

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

 

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

 

4.              Audit-related Services

 

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

 



 

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

 

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

 

5.              Tax Services

 

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

 

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

 

6.              All Other Services

 

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

 

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

 

7.              Pre-Approval Fee Levels or Budgeted Amounts

 

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

 

8.              Procedures

 

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

 



 

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

 

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

 

9.              Additional Requirements

 

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

 

10.       Covered Entities

 

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

 

Morgan Stanley Retail Funds

Morgan Stanley Investment Advisors Inc.

Morgan Stanley & Co. Incorporated

Morgan Stanley DW Inc.

Morgan Stanley Investment Management Inc.

Morgan Stanley Investment Management Limited

Morgan Stanley Investment Management Private Limited

Morgan Stanley Asset & Investment Trust Management Co., Limited

Morgan Stanley Investment Management Company

Morgan Stanley Services Company, Inc.

Morgan Stanley Distributors Inc.

Morgan Stanley Trust FSB

 



 

Morgan Stanley Institutional Funds

Morgan Stanley Investment Management Inc.

Morgan Stanley Investment Advisors Inc.

Morgan Stanley Investment Management Limited

Morgan Stanley Investment Management Private Limited

Morgan Stanley Asset & Investment Trust Management Co., Limited

Morgan Stanley Investment Management Company

Morgan Stanley & Co. Incorporated

Morgan Stanley Distribution, Inc.

Morgan Stanley AIP GP LP

Morgan Stanley Alternative Investment Partners LP

 

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

 

(f)     Not applicable.

 

(g)    See table above.

 

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

 

Item 5. Audit Committee of Listed Registrants.

 

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

 

(b) Not applicable.

 

Item 6. Schedule of Investments

 

(a) Refer to Item 1.

 

(b) Not applicable.

 



 

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

 

Applicable only to reports filed by closed-end funds.

 

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

 

Applicable only to reports filed by closed-end funds.

 

Item 9. Closed-End Fund Repurchases

 

Applicable only to reports filed by closed-end funds.

 

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

 

Not applicable.

 

Item 11. Controls and Procedures

 

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

 

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

 

Item 12. Exhibits

 

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

 

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

 



 

SIGNATURES

 

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

 

Morgan Stanley U.S. Government Securities Trust

 

 

 

/s/ Arthur Lev

 

Arthur Lev

 

Principal Executive Officer

 

February 19, 2013

 

 

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/ Arthur Lev

 

Arthur Lev

 

Principal Executive Officer

 

February 19, 2013

 

 

 

/s/ Francis Smith

 

Francis Smith

 

Principal Financial Officer

 

February 19, 2013