N-CSRS 1 sriib_ncsrs.htm CERTIFIED SEMI-ANNUAL SHAREHOLDER REPORT OF REGISTERED MANAGEMENT

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: 811-05833

T. Rowe Price Institutional International Funds, Inc.

(Exact name of registrant as specified in charter)
 
100 East Pratt Street, Baltimore, MD 21202

(Address of principal executive offices)
 
David Oestreicher
100 East Pratt Street, Baltimore, MD 21202

(Name and address of agent for service)
 

Registrant’s telephone number, including area code: (410) 345-2000
 
 
Date of fiscal year end: December 31
 
 
Date of reporting period: June 30, 2012





Item 1. Report to Shareholders

T. Rowe Price Semiannual Report
Institutional International Bond Fund
June 30, 2012

Highlights

  • International bond markets delivered modestly positive returns in a volatile six-month period ended June 30, 2012.
     
  • The Institutional International Bond Fund gained 2.01% during the reporting period and outpaced the Barclays Global Aggregate ex USD Bond Index.
     
  • The portfolio’s below investment-grade bonds, currency selection, sector and security selection, country selection, and duration positioning all aided performance.
     
  • Developed markets will continue to struggle with burdensome debt issues and sluggish economic growth, but healthy fiscal positions and solid growth should continue to support demand for emerging markets bonds.

The views and opinions in this report were current as of June 30, 2012. They are not guarantees of performance or investment results and should not be taken as investment advice. Investment decisions reflect a variety of factors, and the managers reserve the right to change their views about individual stocks, sectors, and the markets at any time. As a result, the views expressed should not be relied upon as a forecast of the fund’s future investment intent. The report is certified under the Sarbanes-Oxley Act, which requires mutual funds and other public companies to affirm that, to the best of their knowledge, the information in their financial reports is fairly and accurately stated in all material respects.

Manager’s Letter
T. Rowe Price Institutional International Bond Fund

Dear Investor

Investors’ appetite for risk seemed to wax and wane with each news cycle over the past six months, reflecting concerns about the European debt crisis, a slowing recovery in the U.S., and the pace of China’s economic slowdown. Government bonds in developed non-U.S. markets generated modest gains but under performed emerging markets debt as investors sought more attractive yields.

The Institutional International Bond Fund returned 2.01% for the six months ended June 30, 2012, and outpaced the Barclays Global Aggregate ex USD Bond Index. The portfolio’s below investment-grade bonds, currency selection, sector and security selection, country selection, and duration positioning all aided performance.

Market Environment

The first half of 2012 was a tale of two periods. Investor sentiment was decidedly upbeat through the first three months of the year, buoyed by positive economic and political developments. The U.S. economic recovery was progressing nicely amid unexpected strength in manufacturing and employment. The European Central Bank’s two long-term refinancing operations (LTROs) signaled that Continental policymakers were making progress in addressing the eurozone’s long-running debt crisis, while China’s economy seemed to be cooling to more sustainable growth rates in an orderly slowdown.

Risk aversion returned in the second quarter, however, amid signs of a weakening global economy. Much of Europe remained mired in recession, and election results in Greece and France revealed widespread discontent over fiscal austerity measures that further weakened many of the region’s economies. Mixed economic data in the U.S., including persistently high unemployment, indicated that the previously resilient recovery was starting to falter. China’s economy slowed more than expected, with commodity-intensive fixed-asset investment lagging last year’s growth and consumer spending starting to struggle.

Government bonds in developed non-U.S. markets generated modest gains in U.S. dollar terms in the last six months. Peripheral European markets performed exceptionally well in the first quarter, helped by bank purchases of sovereign debt using LTRO funds. Some of the gains were eroded during the second quarter amid rising government bond yields, especially in Italy and Spain. European investment-grade corporate bonds produced strong returns thanks to one of the best first quarters on record. While Germany and other highly rated bond markets produced solid returns in local currency terms, returns in dollar terms were trimmed by a stronger dollar versus the euro and other major currencies.


Bonds in emerging markets fared considerably better than government bonds in developed markets as yield-hungry investors sought opportunities. Lower global growth prospects have eased inflationary concerns in emerging markets, and the favorable fiscal positioning of many emerging markets sovereign issuers stands in contrast to the budget and funding challenges faced by a number of developed market governments. U.S. dollar-denominated bonds performed somewhat better than local currency bonds, as weakness among emerging markets currencies reduced local bond returns in dollar terms.

The U.S. dollar strengthened against most currencies over the period as investors sought higher-quality assets. The euro weakened amid the ongoing eurozone sovereign debt crisis, losing value against the dollar and the yen. A correction in commodity prices, which was driven by China’s slowing economy and reduced global demand, contributed to the depreciation of currencies like the Brazilian real and the South African rand. Within Asia, the currencies of high-quality sovereign issuers such as South Korea and Malaysia managed to stem the pressure of depreciation, while the Indian rupee declined.

Portfolio Review and Positioning

Allocations to below investment-grade bonds were the portfolio’s largest performance contributors over the period. Positions in European high yield and U.S. dollar-denominated emerging markets corporate bonds were particularly beneficial, due primarily to improved investor sentiment in the first quarter of the year. Given our expectations for continued volatility within European markets, we reduced overall portfolio risk by decreasing our allocation to European high yield bonds but maintained our exposure to U.S. dollar-denominated below investment-grade emerging markets corporate bonds.


Currency selection also boosted performance over the six-month period. A broad allocation to a basket of emerging markets currencies and an overweight allocation to the Mexican peso were the largest contributors. Underweight exposure to the euro, which depreciated significantly over the period, also helped performance. An underweight allocation to the British pound relative to the euro and overweight allocations to the Brazilian real also weighed modestly on results. In general, we have underweight or neutral allocations to most developed market currencies in favor of emerging markets, except for overweight allocations to the Canadian dollar and Norwegian krone. We decreased exposure to several developed market currencies, including the euro, the Australian dollar, the British pound, and the Japanese yen. We continue to favor southeast Asian and Latin American currencies, specifically the South Korean won, Malaysian ringgit, and Mexican peso. We reduced our allocations to the Brazilian real and Russian ruble, moving from overweight to neutral positions, and reduced an overweight allocation to the South Korean won. We increased our existing overweight exposure to the Chinese renminbi and moved to an overweight position in the Hong Kong dollar.

Sector and security selection also benefited returns. Our overweight allocation to European investment-grade corporate bonds added strongly to relative returns on the heels of exceptional first-quarter performance. Allocations to investment-grade U.S. dollar-denominated emerging markets sovereign and quasi-sovereign bonds, which are not included in the benchmark, also contributed to results. We made no significant changes to our allocation here and still believe that these bonds are supported by positive fundamentals. We reduced our overweight allocation to European investment-grade corporate bonds on strength.




Country selection and duration positioning was positive, led by overweight allocations to Mexican, Brazilian, and South African government bonds. Off-benchmark allocations to emerging markets bonds denominated in local currencies also helped. Our underweight allocations to peripheral European bonds, particularly those from Spain and Italy, detracted after strong performance in the first quarter of the year and again in June. We believe that low nominal yields and, in some regions, negative real (inflation-adjusted) yields are likely to persist for some time. As a result, we are maintaining an overall underweight duration position relative to the benchmark, which means that the portfolio is less sensitive to interest rate fluctuations versus the benchmark. We opened an overweight position in Polish and South African government bonds and trimmed our Mexican overweight exposure. We remain underweight to peripheral European countries, with no exposure to Ireland and significant underweight allocations to Italy and Spain.

Outlook

The European debt crisis should continue to dominate headlines in the near future. Plans to create greater fiscal unity and centralized banking regulation, which were unveiled at the last European Union policy summit in late June, were greeted with optimism by investors. Although these latest measures were clearly seen as significant steps toward eventual resolution of the crisis, what remains to be seen is exactly how these plans will be implemented. A full resolution of the Continent’s profound debt troubles will be a slow process accompanied by significant market volatility, and investors and markets will be monitoring the situation closely.

We expect little change in yields on European investment-grade corporate bonds, and returns are likely to be driven by attractive coupon rates. Below investment-grade debt continues to offer attractive valuations and will likely remain stable at current yield levels for some time. Yields on emerging markets sovereign bonds are somewhat lower than in previous periods due to robust foreign demand and muted inflation expectations, which have resulted in lower interest rates. Developed market currencies are likely to move closely with the U.S. dollar, perhaps with the exception of the Japanese yen. We continue to hold emerging markets local bonds and currencies as portfolio diversifiers, offering the potential for significant appreciation as investors move capital from slower-growing, lower-yielding developed market debt into markets that offer better growth prospects and higher yields.

Effective security selection is becoming increasingly important as the international bond market grows in size, complexity, and maturity. We believe that the extended reach of T. Rowe Price’s global credit and equity research platforms, combined with our emphasis on cross-functional collaboration, gives our portfolio managers a critical edge in evaluating opportunities and risks in the global bond market.

Respectfully submitted,


Ian Kelson
President of the International Fixed Income Division, portfolio manager of the Institutional International Bond Fund, and chairman of the fund’s Investment Advisory Committee

July 23, 2012

The committee chairman has day-to-day responsibility for the portfolio and works with committee members in developing and executing the fund’s investment program.

Risk of International Bond Investing

Funds that invest overseas generally carry more risk than funds that invest strictly in U.S. assets, including unpredictable changes in currency values. Investments in emerging markets are subject to abrupt and severe price declines and should be regarded as speculative. The economic and political structures of developing nations, in most cases, do not compare favorably with the U.S. or other developed countries in terms of wealth and stability, and their financial markets often lack liquidity. Some countries also have legacies of hyperinflation, currency devaluations, and governmental interference in markets.

International investments are subject to currency risk, a decline in the value of a foreign currency versus the U.S. dollar, which reduces the dollar value of securities denominated in that currency. The overall impact on a fund’s holdings can be significant and long-lasting depending on the currencies represented in the portfolio, how each one appreciates or depreciates in relation to the U.S. dollar, and whether currency positions are hedged. Further, exchange rate movements are unpredictable, and it is not possible to effectively hedge the currency risks of many developing countries.

Bonds are also subject to interest rate risk, the decline in bond prices that usually accompanies a rise in interest rates, and credit risk, the chance that any fund holding could have its credit rating downgraded or that a bond issuer will default (fail to make timely payments of interest or principal), potentially reducing the fund’s income level and share price.

Glossary

Barclays Global Aggregate ex USD Bond Index: An unmanaged index that tracks an international basket of bonds that contains government, corporate, agency, and mortgage-related bonds.

Duration: A measure of a bond fund’s sensitivity to changes in interest rates. For example, a fund with a duration of five years would fall about 5% in response to a one-percentage-point rise in rates, and vice versa.

J.P. Morgan Emerging Markets Bond Index Global: An index that tracks U.S. dollar government bonds of 31 foreign countries.

Quasi-sovereign debt: Debt issued by a corporation and backed by the respective government, typically offering the higher yields of corporate debt with the added benefit of government support.

Weighted average effective duration (years): A measure of a portfolio’s price sensitivity to changes in interest rates. Portfolios with longer weighted average effective durations are more sensitive to changes in interest rates than securities of shorter durations.

Weighted average maturity: A measure of a fund’s sensitivity to interest rates. In general, the longer the average maturity, the greater the fund’s sensitivity to interest rate changes. The weighted average maturity may take into account the interest rate readjustment dates for certain securities. Money funds must maintain a weighted average maturity of less than 60 days.

Portfolio Highlights


Performance and Expenses
T. Rowe Price Institutional International Bond Fund

Performance Comparison

This chart shows the value of a hypothetical $1 million investment in the fund over the past 10 fiscal year periods or since inception (for funds lacking 10-year records). The result is compared with benchmarks, which may include a broad-based market index and a peer group average or index. Market indexes do not include expenses, which are deducted from fund returns as well as mutual fund averages and indexes.


Fund Expense Example

As a mutual fund shareholder, you may incur two types of costs: (1) transaction costs, such as redemption fees or sales loads, and (2) ongoing costs, including management fees, distribution and service (12b-1) fees, and other fund expenses. The following example is intended to help you understand your ongoing costs (in dollars) of investing in the fund and to compare these costs with the ongoing costs of investing in other mutual funds. The example is based on an investment of $1,000 invested at the beginning of the most recent six-month period and held for the entire period.

Actual Expenses
The first line of the following table (Actual) provides information about actual account values and actual expenses. You may use the information on this line, together with your account balance, 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 on the first line under the heading “Expenses Paid During Period” to estimate the expenses you paid on your account during this period.

Hypothetical Example for Comparison Purposes
The information on the second line of the table (Hypothetical) is based on hypothetical account values and expenses derived from the fund’s actual expense ratio and an assumed 5% per year rate of return before expenses (not the fund’s actual return). You may compare the ongoing costs of investing in the fund with other funds by contrasting this 5% hypothetical example and the 5% hypothetical examples that appear in the shareholder reports of the other funds. 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 should also be aware that the expenses shown in the table highlight only your ongoing costs and do not reflect any transaction costs, such as redemption fees or sales loads. Therefore, the second line of the table is useful in comparing ongoing costs only and will not help you determine the relative total costs of owning different funds. To the extent a fund charges transaction costs, however, the total cost of owning that fund is higher.


Financial Highlights
T. Rowe Price Institutional International Bond Fund
(Unaudited)


The accompanying notes are an integral part of these financial statements.

Portfolio of Investments
T. Rowe Price Institutional International Bond Fund
June 30, 2012 (Unaudited)



















































The accompanying notes are an integral part of these financial statements.

Statement of Assets and Liabilities
T. Rowe Price Institutional International Bond Fund
June 30, 2012 (Unaudited)
($000s, except shares and per share amounts)


The accompanying notes are an integral part of these financial statements.

Statement of Operations
T. Rowe Price Institutional International Bond Fund
(Unaudited)
($000s)


The accompanying notes are an integral part of these financial statements.

Statement of Changes in Net Assets
T. Rowe Price Institutional International Bond Fund
(Unaudited)
($000s)


The accompanying notes are an integral part of these financial statements.

Notes to Financial Statements
T. Rowe Price Institutional International Bond Fund
June 30, 2012 (Unaudited)

T. Rowe Price Institutional International Funds, Inc. (the corporation), is registered under the Investment Company Act of 1940 (the 1940 Act). The Institutional International Bond Fund (the fund) is a nondiversified, open-end management investment company established by the corporation. The fund commenced operations on May 31, 2007. The fund seeks to provide high current income and capital appreciation.

NOTE 1 - SIGNIFICANT ACCOUNTING POLICIES

Basis of Preparation The accompanying financial statements were prepared in accordance with accounting principles generally accepted in the United States of America (GAAP), which require the use of estimates made by management. Management believes that estimates and valuations are appropriate; however, actual results may differ from those estimates, and the valuations reflected in the accompanying financial statements may differ from the value ultimately realized upon sale or maturity.

Investment Transactions, Investment Income, and Distributions Income and expenses are recorded on the accrual basis. Premiums and discounts on debt securities are amortized for financial reporting purposes. Paydown gains and losses are recorded as an adjustment to interest income. Inflation adjustments to the principal amount of inflation-indexed bonds are reflected as interest income. Dividends received from mutual fund investments are reflected as dividend income; capital gain distributions are reflected as realized gain/loss. Dividend income and capital gain distributions are recorded on the ex-dividend date. Income tax-related interest and penalties, if incurred, would be recorded as income tax expense. Investment transactions are accounted for on the trade date. Realized gains and losses are reported on the identified cost basis. Distributions to shareholders are recorded on the ex-dividend date. Income distributions are declared daily and paid monthly. Capital gain distributions, if any, are generally declared and paid by the fund annually.

Currency Translation Assets, including investments, and liabilities denominated in foreign currencies are translated into U.S. dollar values each day at the prevailing exchange rate, using the mean of the bid and asked prices of such currencies against U.S. dollars as quoted by a major bank. Purchases and sales of securities, income, and expenses are translated into U.S. dollars at the prevailing exchange rate on the date of the transaction. The effect of changes in foreign currency exchange rates on realized and unrealized security gains and losses is reflected as a component of security gains and losses.

Redemption Fees A 2% fee is assessed on redemptions of fund shares held for 90 days or less to deter short-term trading and to protect the interests of long-term shareholders. Redemption fees are withheld from proceeds that shareholders receive from the sale or exchange of fund shares. The fees are paid to the fund and are recorded as an increase to paid-in capital. The fees may cause the redemption price per share to differ from the net asset value per share.

New Accounting Pronouncements In May 2011, the Financial Accounting Standards Board (FASB) issued amended guidance to align fair value measurement and disclosure requirements in U.S. GAAP with International Financial Reporting Standards. The guidance is effective for fiscal years and interim periods beginning on or after December 15, 2011. Adoption had no effect on net assets or results of operations.

In December 2011, the FASB issued amended guidance to enhance disclosure for offsetting assets and liabilities. The guidance is effective for fiscal years and interim periods beginning on or after January 1, 2013. Adoption will have no effect on the fund’s net assets or results of operations.

NOTE 2 - VALUATION

The fund’s financial instruments are reported at fair value as defined by GAAP. The fund determines the values of its assets and liabilities and computes its net asset value per share at the close of the New York Stock Exchange (NYSE), normally 4 p.m. ET, each day that the NYSE is open for business.

Valuation Methods Debt securities are generally traded in the over-the-counter (OTC) market. Securities with remaining maturities of one year or more at the time of acquisition are valued at prices furnished by dealers who make markets in such securities or by an independent pricing service, which considers the yield or price of bonds of comparable quality, coupon, maturity, and type, as well as prices quoted by dealers who make markets in such securities. Securities with remaining maturities of less than one year at the time of acquisition generally use amortized cost in local currency to approximate fair value. However, if amortized cost is deemed not to reflect fair value or the fund holds a significant amount of such securities with remaining maturities of more than 60 days, the securities are valued at prices furnished by dealers who make markets in such securities or by an independent pricing service.

Investments in mutual funds are valued at the mutual fund’s closing net asset value per share on the day of valuation. Financial futures contracts are valued at closing settlement prices. Forward currency exchange contracts are valued using the prevailing forward exchange rate. Swaps are valued at prices furnished by independent swap dealers or by an independent pricing service.

Other investments, including restricted securities and private placements, and those financial instruments for which the above valuation procedures are inappropriate or are deemed not to reflect fair value, are stated at fair value as determined in good faith by the T. Rowe Price Valuation Committee, established by the fund’s Board of Directors (the Board). Subject to oversight by the Board, the Valuation Committee develops pricing-related policies and procedures and approves all fair-value determinations. The Valuation Committee regularly makes good faith judgments, using a wide variety of sources and information, to establish and adjust valuations of certain securities as events occur and circumstances warrant. For instance, in determining the fair value of private-equity instruments, the Valuation Committee considers a variety of factors, including the company’s business prospects, its financial performance, strategic events impacting the company, relevant valuations of similar companies, new rounds of financing, and any negotiated transactions of significant size between other investors in the company. Because any fair-value determination involves a significant amount of judgment, there is a degree of subjectivity inherent in such pricing decisions.

Valuation Inputs Various inputs are used to determine the value of the fund’s financial instruments. These inputs are summarized in the three broad levels listed below:

Level 1 – quoted prices in active markets for identical financial instruments

Level 2 – observable inputs other than Level 1 quoted prices (including, but not limited to, quoted prices for similar financial instruments, interest rates, prepayment speeds, and credit risk)

Level 3 – unobservable inputs

Observable inputs are those based on market data obtained from sources independent of the fund, and unobservable inputs reflect the fund’s own assumptions based on the best information available. The input levels are not necessarily an indication of the risk or liquidity associated with financial instruments at that level. The following table summarizes the fund’s financial instruments, based on the inputs used to determine their values on June 30, 2012:


NOTE 3 - DERIVATIVE INSTRUMENTS

During the six months ended June 30, 2012, the fund invested in derivative instruments. As defined by GAAP, a derivative is a financial instrument whose value is derived from an underlying security price, foreign exchange rate, interest rate, index of prices or rates, or other variable; it requires little or no initial investment and permits or requires net settlement. The fund invests in derivatives only if the expected risks and rewards are consistent with its investment objectives, policies, and overall risk profile, as described in its prospectus and Statement of Additional Information. The fund may use derivatives for a variety of purposes, such as seeking to hedge against declines in principal value, increase yield, invest in an asset with greater efficiency and at a lower cost than is possible through direct investment, or to adjust portfolio duration and credit exposure. The risks associated with the use of derivatives are different from, and potentially much greater than, the risks associated with investing directly in the instruments on which the derivatives are based. Investments in derivatives can magnify returns positively or negatively; however, the fund at all times maintains sufficient cash reserves, liquid assets, or other SEC-permitted asset types to cover the settlement obligations under its open derivative contracts.

The fund values its derivatives at fair value, as described below and in Note 2, and recognizes changes in fair value currently in its results of operations. Accordingly, the fund does not follow hedge accounting, even for derivatives employed as economic hedges. The fund does not offset the fair value of derivative instruments against the right to reclaim or obligation to return collateral.

The following table summarizes the fair value of the fund’s derivative instruments held as of June 30, 2012, and the related location on the accompanying Statement of Assets and Liabilities, presented by primary underlying risk exposure:


Additionally, the amount of gains and losses on derivative instruments recognized in fund earnings during the six months ended June 30, 2012, and the related location on the accompanying Statement of Operations is summarized in the following table by primary underlying risk exposure:


Forward Currency Exchange Contracts The fund is subject to foreign currency exchange rate risk in the normal course of pursuing its investment objectives. It uses forward currency exchange contracts (forwards) primarily to protect its non-U.S. dollar-denominated holdings from adverse currency movements and to gain exposure to currencies for the purposes of risk management or enhanced return. A forward involves an obligation to purchase or sell a fixed amount of a specific currency on a future date at a price set at the time of the contract. Although certain forwards may be settled by exchanging only the net gain or loss on the contract, most forwards are settled with the exchange of the underlying currencies in accordance with the specified terms. Forwards are valued at the unrealized gain or loss on the contract, which reflects the net amount the fund either is entitled to receive or obligated to deliver, as measured by the difference between the forward exchange rates at the date of entry into the contract and the forward rates at the reporting date. Appreciated forwards are reflected as assets, and depreciated forwards are reflected as liabilities on the accompanying Statement of Assets and Liabilities. Risks related to the use of forwards include the possible failure of counterparties to meet the terms of the agreements; that anticipated currency movements will not occur, thereby reducing the fund’s total return; and the potential for losses in excess of the fund’s initial investment. During the six months ended June 30, 2012, the fund’s exposure to forwards, based on underlying notional amounts, was generally between 27% and 30% of net assets.

Futures Contracts The fund is subject to interest rate risk in the normal course of pursuing its investment objectives and uses futures contracts to help manage such risk. The fund may enter into futures contracts to manage exposure to interest rate and yield curve movements, security prices, foreign currencies, credit quality, and mortgage prepayments; as an efficient means of adjusting exposure to all or part of a target market; to enhance income; as a cash management tool; and/or to adjust portfolio duration and credit exposure. A futures contract provides for the future sale by one party and purchase by another of a specified amount of a particular underlying financial instrument at an agreed-upon price, date, time, and place. The fund currently invests only in exchange-traded futures, which generally are standardized as to maturity date, underlying financial instrument, and other contract terms. The fund is required to deposit with the broker cash or securities in an amount sufficient to cause the value of its account to equal a specified percentage of the aggregate value of the fund’s futures contracts with that broker (margin requirement). The margin requirement must then be maintained at the established level over the life of the contract and is restricted from withdrawal by the fund; however, any amounts in excess of the margin requirement may be withdrawn at the fund’s election. Fluctuations in the value of a futures contract reflect changes in the value of the underlying financial instrument and are recorded as unrealized gain or loss until the contract is closed. The value of a futures contract included in net assets is the cumulative amount of unrealized gain or loss; appreciated contracts are reflected as assets and depreciated contracts are reflected as liabilities on the accompanying Statement of Assets and Liabilities. In addition, cash and currencies held by the broker are reflected as deposits on futures contracts. Risks related to the use of futures contracts include possible illiquidity of the futures markets, contract prices that can be highly volatile and imperfectly correlated to movements in hedged security values and/or interest rates, and potential losses in excess of the fund’s initial investment. During the six months ended June 30, 2012, the fund’s exposure to futures, based on underlying notional amounts, was generally between 8% and 12% of net assets.

Credit Default Swaps The fund is subject to credit risk in the normal course of pursuing its investment objectives and uses swap contracts to help manage such risk. The fund may use swaps in an effort to manage exposure to changes in interest rates, inflation rates, and credit quality; to adjust overall exposure to certain markets; to enhance total return or protect the value of portfolio securities; to serve as a cash management tool; and/or to adjust portfolio duration or credit exposure. Credit default swaps are agreements where one party (the protection buyer) agrees to make periodic payments to another party (the protection seller) in exchange for protection against specified credit events, such as certain defaults and bankruptcies related to an underlying credit instrument, or issuer or index of such instruments. Upon occurrence of a specified credit event, the protection seller is required to pay the buyer the difference between the notional amount of the swap and the value of the underlying credit, either in the form of a net cash settlement or by paying the gross notional amount and accepting delivery of the relevant underlying credit. For credit default swaps where the underlying credit is an index, a specified credit event may affect all or individual underlying securities included in the index and will be settled based upon the relative weighting of the affected underlying security(s) within the index. The value of a swap included in net assets is the unrealized gain or loss on the contract plus or minus any unamortized premiums paid or received, respectively. Appreciated swaps and premiums paid are reflected as assets, and depreciated swaps and premiums received are reflected as liabilities on the accompanying Statement of Assets and Liabilities. Net periodic receipts or payments required by swaps are accrued daily and are recorded as realized gain or loss for financial reporting purposes when settled; fluctuations in the fair value of swaps are reflected in the change in net unrealized gain or loss and are reclassified to realized gain or loss upon termination prior to maturity or cash settlement. Risks related to the use of credit default swaps include the possible inability of the fund to accurately assess the current and future creditworthiness of underlying issuers, the possible failure of a counterparty to perform in accordance with the terms of the swap agreements, potential government regulation that could adversely affect the fund’s swap investments, and potential losses in excess of the fund’s initial investment. During the six months ended June 30, 2012, the fund’s exposure to swaps, based on underlying notional amounts, was generally less than 1% of net assets.

NOTE 4 - OTHER INVESTMENT TRANSACTIONS

Consistent with its investment objective, the fund engages in the following practices to manage exposure to certain risks and/or to enhance performance. The investment objective, policies, program, and risk factors of the fund are described more fully in the fund’s prospectus and Statement of Additional Information.

Emerging Markets At June 30, 2012, approximately 25% of the fund’s net assets were invested, either directly or through investments in T. Rowe Price institutional funds, in securities of companies located in emerging markets, securities issued by governments of emerging market countries, and/or securities denominated in or linked to the currencies of emerging market countries. Emerging market securities are often subject to greater price volatility, less liquidity, and higher rates of inflation than U.S. securities. In addition, emerging markets may be subject to greater political, economic, and social uncertainty, and differing regulatory environments that may potentially impact the fund’s ability to buy or sell certain securities or repatriate proceeds to U.S. dollars.

Restricted Securities The fund may invest in securities that are subject to legal or contractual restrictions on resale. Prompt sale of such securities at an acceptable price may be difficult and may involve substantial delays and additional costs.

Counterparty Risk and Collateral The fund has entered into collateral agreements with certain counterparties to mitigate counterparty risk associated with certain over-the-counter (OTC) financial instruments, including swaps, forward currency exchange contracts, TBA purchase commitments, and OTC options (collectively, covered OTC instruments). Subject to certain minimum exposure requirements (which typically range from $100,000 to $500,000), collateral requirements generally are determined and transfers made based on the net aggregate unrealized gain or loss on all OTC instruments covered by a particular collateral agreement with a specified counterparty. Collateral, both pledged by the fund to a counterparty and pledged by a counterparty to the fund, is held in a segregated account by a third-party agent and can be in the form of cash or debt securities issued by the U.S. government or related agencies. Securities posted as collateral by the fund to a counterparty are so noted in the accompanying Portfolio of Investments and remain in the fund’s assets. As of June 30, 2012, securities valued at $20,000 had been posted by the fund to counterparties for covered OTC instruments. Collateral pledged by counterparties to the fund is not included in the fund’s assets because the fund does not obtain effective control over those assets. As of June 30, 2012, no collateral was pledged by counterparties to the fund for covered OTC instruments.

At any point in time, the fund’s risk of loss from counterparty credit risk on covered OTC instruments is the aggregate unrealized gain on appreciated covered OTC instruments in excess of collateral, if any, pledged by the counterparty to the fund. In accordance with the terms of the relevant derivatives agreements, counterparties to OTC derivatives may be able to terminate derivative contracts prior to maturity after the occurrence of certain stated events, such as a decline in net assets above a certain percentage or a failure by the fund to perform its obligations under the contract. Upon termination, all transactions would typically be liquidated and a net amount would be owed by or payable to the fund. Counterparty risk related to exchange-traded futures and options contracts is minimal because the exchange’s clearinghouse provides protection against counterparty defaults. Generally, for exchange-traded derivatives such as futures and options, each broker, in its sole discretion, may change margin requirements applicable to the fund. As of June 30, 2012, cash of $168,000 had been posted by the fund to the broker for exchange-traded derivatives.

Other Purchases and sales of portfolio securities other than short-term securities aggregated $40,989,000 and $48,899,000, respectively, for the six months ended June 30, 2012.

NOTE 5 - FEDERAL INCOME TAXES

No provision for federal income taxes is required since the fund intends to continue to qualify as a regulated investment company under Subchapter M of the Internal Revenue Code and distribute to shareholders all of its taxable income and gains. Distributions determined in accordance with federal income tax regulations may differ in amount or character from net investment income and realized gains for financial reporting purposes. Financial reporting records are adjusted for permanent book/tax differences to reflect tax character but are not adjusted for temporary differences. The amount and character of tax-basis distributions and composition of net assets are finalized at fiscal year-end; accordingly, tax-basis balances have not been determined as of the date of this report.

The fund intends to retain realized gains to the extent of available capital loss carryforwards. As a result of the Regulated Investment Company Modernization Act of 2010, net capital losses realized on or after January 1, 2011 (effective date) may be carried forward indefinitely to offset future realized capital gains; however, post-effective losses must be used before pre-effective capital loss carryforwards with expiration dates. Accordingly, it is possible that all or a portion of the fund’s pre-effective capital loss carryforwards could expire unused. As of December 31, 2011, the fund had $2,728,000 of available capital loss carryforwards, which expire as follows: $991,000 in fiscal 2018; $1,737,000 have no expiration.

At June 30, 2012, the cost of investments for federal income tax purposes was $143,100,000. Net unrealized gain aggregated $979,000 at period-end, of which $5,273,000 related to appreciated investments and $4,294,000 related to depreciated investments.

NOTE 6 - RELATED PARTY TRANSACTIONS

The fund is managed by T. Rowe Price Associates, Inc. (Price Associates), a wholly owned subsidiary of T. Rowe Price Group, Inc. (Price Group). Price Associates has entered into a subadvisory agreement with T. Rowe Price International Ltd, a wholly owned subsidiary of Price Associates, to provide investment advisory services to the fund; the subadvisory agreement provides that Price Associates may pay the subadvisor up to 60% of the management fee that Price Associates receives from the fund. The investment management and administrative agreement between the fund and Price Associates provides for an all-inclusive annual fee equal to 0.55% of the fund’s average daily net assets. The fee is computed daily and paid monthly. The all-inclusive fee covers investment management, shareholder servicing, transfer agency, accounting, and custody services provided to the fund, as well as fund directors’ fees and expenses; interest, taxes, brokerage commissions, and extraordinary expenses are paid directly by the fund.

The fund may invest in the T. Rowe Price Reserve Investment Fund and the T. Rowe Price Government Reserve Investment Fund (collectively, the T. Rowe Price Reserve Investment Funds), open-end management investment companies managed by Price Associates and considered affiliates of the fund. The T. Rowe Price Reserve Investment Funds are offered as cash management options to mutual funds, trusts, and other accounts managed by Price Associates and/or its affiliates and are not available for direct purchase by members of the public. The T. Rowe Price Reserve Investment Funds pay no investment management fees.

Mutual funds and other accounts managed by T. Rowe Price and its affiliates (collectively, T. Rowe Price funds) may invest in the fund; however, no T. Rowe Price fund may invest for the purpose of exercising management or control over the fund. At June 30, 2012, approximately 79% of the fund’s outstanding shares were held by T. Rowe Price funds.

Information on Proxy Voting Policies, Procedures, and Records

A description of the policies and procedures used by T. Rowe Price funds and portfolios to determine how to vote proxies relating to portfolio securities is available in each fund’s Statement of Additional Information, which you may request by calling 1-800-225-5132 or by accessing the SEC’s website, sec.gov. The description of our proxy voting policies and procedures is also available on our website, troweprice.com. To access it, click on the words “Our Company” at the top of our corporate homepage. Then, when the next page appears, click on the words “Proxy Voting Policies” on the left side of the page.

Each fund’s most recent annual proxy voting record is available on our website and through the SEC’s website. To access it through our website, follow the directions above, then click on the words “Proxy Voting Records” on the right side of the Proxy Voting Policies page.

How to Obtain Quarterly Portfolio Holdings

The fund files a complete schedule of portfolio holdings with the Securities and Exchange Commission for the first and third quarters of each fiscal year on Form N-Q. The fund’s Form N-Q is available electronically on the SEC’s website (sec.gov); hard copies may be reviewed and copied at the SEC’s Public Reference Room, 100 F St. N.E., Washington, DC 20549. For more information on the Public Reference Room, call 1-800-SEC-0330.

Approval of Investment Management Agreement and Subadvisory Agreement

On March 6, 2012, the fund’s Board of Directors (Board), including a majority of the fund’s independent directors, approved the continuation of the investment management agreement (Advisory Contract) between the fund and its investment advisor, T. Rowe Price Associates, Inc. (Advisor). The Board also unanimously approved the continuation of the investment subadvisory agreement (Subadvisory Contract) that the Advisor has entered into with T. Rowe Price International Ltd (Subadvisor) on behalf of the fund. In connection with its deliberations, the Board requested, and the Advisor provided, such information as the Board (with advice from independent legal counsel) deemed reasonably necessary. The Board considered a variety of factors in connection with its review of the Advisory Contract and Subadvisory Contract, also taking into account information provided by the Advisor during the course of the year, as discussed below:

Services Provided by the Advisor and Subadvisor
The Board considered the nature, quality, and extent of the services provided to the fund by the Advisor and Subadvisor. These services included, but were not limited to, directing the fund’s investments in accordance with its investment program and the overall management of the fund’s portfolio, as well as a variety of related activities such as financial, investment operations, and administrative services; compliance; maintaining the fund’s records and registrations; and shareholder communications. The Board also reviewed the background and experience of the Advisor’s and Subadvisor’s senior management teams and investment personnel involved in the management of the fund, as well as the Advisor’s compliance record. The Board concluded that it was satisfied with the nature, quality, and extent of the services provided by the Advisor and Subadvisor.

Investment Performance of the Fund
The Board reviewed the fund’s average annual total returns over the three-month, one- and three-year, and since-inception periods, as well as the fund’s year-by-year returns, and compared these returns with a wide variety of previously agreed upon comparable performance measures and market data, including those supplied by Lipper and Morningstar, which are independent providers of mutual fund data.

On the basis of this evaluation and the Board’s ongoing review of investment results, and factoring in the relative market conditions during certain of the performance periods, the Board concluded that the fund’s performance was satisfactory.

Costs, Benefits, Profits, and Economies of Scale
The Board reviewed detailed information regarding the revenues received by the Advisor under the Advisory Contract and other benefits that the Advisor (and its affiliates, including the Subadvisor) may have realized from its relationship with the fund, including any research received under “soft dollar” agreements and commission-sharing arrangements with broker-dealers. The Board considered that the Advisor and Subadvisor may receive some benefit from soft-dollar arrangements pursuant to which research is received from broker-dealers that execute the applicable fund’s portfolio transactions. The Board received information on the estimated costs incurred and profits realized by the Advisor from managing T. Rowe Price mutual funds. The Board also reviewed estimates of the profits realized from managing the fund in particular, and the Board concluded that the Advisor’s profits were reasonable in light of the services provided to the fund.

The Board also considered whether the fund benefits under the fee levels set forth in the Advisory Contract from any economies of scale realized by the Advisor. The Board noted that, under the Advisory Contract, the fund pays the Advisor a single fee based on the fund’s average daily net assets that includes investment management services and provides for the Advisor to pay all expenses of the fund’s operations except for interest, taxes, portfolio transaction fees, and any nonrecurring extraordinary expenses that may arise. Under the Subadvisory Contract, the Advisor may pay the Subadvisor up to 60% of the advisory fee that the Advisor receives from the fund. The Board concluded that the fund’s single-fee structure continued to be appropriate.

Fees
The Board was provided with information regarding industry trends in management fees and expenses, and the Board reviewed the fund’s single-fee structure in comparison with fees and expenses of other comparable funds based on information and data supplied by Lipper. For these purposes, the Board assumed that the fund’s management fee rate was equal to the single fee less the fund’s operating expenses. The information provided to the Board indicated that the fund’s management fee rate and total expense ratio were below the median for comparable funds.

The Board also reviewed the fee schedules for institutional accounts and private accounts with similar mandates that are advised or subadvised by the Advisor and its affiliates. Management provided the Board with information about the Advisor’s responsibilities and services provided to institutional account clients, including information about how the requirements and economics of the institutional business are fundamentally different from those of the mutual fund business. The Board considered information showing that the mutual fund business is generally more complex from a business and compliance perspective than the institutional business and that the Advisor generally performs significant additional services and assumes greater risk in managing the fund and other T. Rowe Price mutual funds than it does for institutional account clients.

On the basis of the information provided and the factors considered, the Board concluded that the fees paid by the fund under the Advisory Contract are reasonable.

Approval of the Advisory Contract and Subadvisory Contract
As noted, the Board approved the continuation of the Advisory Contract and Subadvisory Contract. No single factor was considered in isolation or to be determinative to the decision. Rather, the Board concluded, in light of a weighting and balancing of all factors considered, that it was in the best interests of the fund and its shareholders for the Board to approve the continuation of the Advisory Contract and Subadvisory Contract (including the fees to be charged for services thereunder). The independent directors were advised throughout the process by independent legal counsel.

Item 2. Code of Ethics.

A code of ethics, as defined in Item 2 of Form N-CSR, applicable to its principal executive officer, principal financial officer, principal accounting officer or controller, or persons performing similar functions is filed as an exhibit to the registrant’s annual Form N-CSR. No substantive amendments were approved or waivers were granted to this code of ethics during the registrant’s most recent fiscal half-year.

Item 3. Audit Committee Financial Expert.

Disclosure required in registrant’s annual Form N-CSR.

Item 4. Principal Accountant Fees and Services.

Disclosure required in registrant’s annual Form N-CSR.

Item 5. Audit Committee of Listed Registrants.

Not applicable.

Item 6. Investments.

(a) Not applicable. The complete schedule of investments is included in Item 1 of this Form N-CSR.

(b) Not applicable.

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

Not applicable.

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

Not applicable.

Item 9. Purchases of Equity Securities by Closed-End Management Investment Company and Affiliated Purchasers.

Not applicable.

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

Not applicable.

Item 11. Controls and Procedures.

(a) The registrant’s principal executive officer and principal financial officer have evaluated the registrant’s disclosure controls and procedures within 90 days of this filing and have concluded that the registrant’s disclosure controls and procedures were effective, as of that date, in ensuring that information required to be disclosed by the registrant in this Form N-CSR was recorded, processed, summarized, and reported timely.

(b) The registrant’s principal executive officer and principal financial officer are aware of no change in the registrant’s internal control over financial reporting that occurred during the registrant’s second fiscal quarter 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)(1) The registrant’s code of ethics pursuant to Item 2 of Form N-CSR is filed with the registrant’s annual Form N-CSR.

     (2) Separate certifications by the registrant's principal executive officer and principal financial officer, pursuant to Section 302 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002 and required by Rule 30a-2(a) under the Investment Company Act of 1940, are attached.

     (3) Written solicitation to repurchase securities issued by closed-end companies: not applicable.

(b) A certification by the registrant's principal executive officer and principal financial officer, pursuant to Section 906 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002 and required by Rule 30a-2(b) under the Investment Company Act of 1940, is attached.

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.

T. Rowe Price Institutional International Funds, Inc.
 

By      /s/ Edward C. Bernard
Edward C. Bernard
Principal Executive Officer     
   
Date     August 16, 2012
 

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

By      /s/ Edward C. Bernard
Edward C. Bernard
Principal Executive Officer     
   
Date     August 16, 2012
   
    
By /s/ Gregory K. Hinkle
Gregory K. Hinkle
Principal Financial Officer     
   
Date     August 16, 2012