N-CSR 1 file1.htm FORM 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

811-06683

 

Morgan Stanley Health Sciences Trust

(Exact name of registrant as specified in charter)

 

522 Fifth Avenue, New York, New York

10036

(Address of principal executive offices)

(Zip code)

Ronald E. Robison

522 Fifth Avenue, New York, New York 10036

(Name and address of agent for service)

Registrant’s telephone number, including area code: 212-296-6990

Date of fiscal year end: July 31, 2007

Date of reporting period: July 31, 2007

Item 1 - Report to Shareholders

 

 


Welcome, Shareholder:

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

This material must be preceded or accompanied by a prospectus for the fund being offered.
Market forecasts provided in this report may not necessarily come to pass. There is no assurance that the Fund will achieve its investment objective. The Fund is subject to market risk, which is the possibility that 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.



Fund Report
For the year ended July 31, 2007

Total Return for the 12 Months Ended July 31, 2007


Class A Class B Class C Class D S&P
500®
Health
Care
Index1
S&P
500®
Index2
Lipper
Health/Bio-
technology
Funds
Index3
  10.81   9.98   10.03   11.16   7.51   16.13   9.93
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.

Market Conditions

For the 12-month period ended July 31, 2007, the health care sector produced positive returns but trailed the broad market as measured by the S&P 500® Index. Concerns that already existed within this sector intensified following the mid-term elections in November, when the Democratic Party won the majority in both the House of Representatives and the Senate. As health care reform was a significant feature of the new legislative agenda, the change in the political climate impacted almost every segment of the health care sector. Although there were some periods of strong performances – particularly when investors sought safety in defensive names during times of extreme market turmoil – the sector remained highly volatile throughout the reporting period as the political rhetoric surrounding the upcoming presidential election continued to focus on health care issues.

In this environment, the biotechnology sector declined as the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS) began to cut back on reimbursements for increasingly expensive brand-name treatments, particularly for cancer and anemia patients. The inexorable rise in costs for these medications has fueled a movement toward creating a regulatory pathway for the approval of generic biotechnology treatments, and that further dampened investors’ enthusiasm for the biotechnology segment. The pharmaceutical industry likewise deteriorated, as investors’ anxieties intensified over the increased likelihood of greater government involvement in pricing and reimbursement for drug treatments. Additionally, many pharmaceutical companies are scheduled to lose their drug patents in the next five years, and will likely face strong competition from generic drug manufacturers. Despite a number of promising treatments currently under development, there are concerns that these replacements are insufficient to recoup the potential loss in revenue. Regulatory risk also contributed to the decline as potential new legislation that will give the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) greater power over drug approvals is expected to result in pharmaceutical companies conducting more detailed drug testing. Although health maintenance organizations (HMOs) did reasonably well over the period, the slowdown in commercial memberships has somewhat deterred interest within this sector. Hospitals and clinics continued to underperform because of costs incurred by the uninsured population.

In contrast, continued strong demand for medical and dental equipment and unabated reimbursement by the

2




CMS, along with ongoing merger and acquisition activity, greatly benefited suppliers of medical devices. The life sciences tools and services segment also performed well, as companies continued to develop better diagnostic tools that detect diseases more quickly and efficiently. Moreover, these laboratories are currently performing extensive research into customized medical treatments based on a patient’s genetic structure, which many investors believe will be the basis of medical science in the future.

Performance Analysis

All share classes of Morgan Stanley Health Sciences Trust outperformed the S&P 500® Health Care Index and the Lipper Health/Biotechnology Funds Index, and underperformed the S&P 500® Index for the 12 months ended July 31, 2007, assuming no deduction of applicable sales charges.

The Fund’s outperformance relative to the S&P 500 Health Care Index was partially due to an overweight allocation in the medical and dental supplier category. As mentioned earlier, the demand for these products continued to be strong throughout the reporting period. The Fund’s large exposure to life science tools proved advantageous to overall performance as well. Additionally, two pharmaceutical holdings positively impacted the Fund’s returns. One firm successfully reorganized its internal management and operations structure, and the other divested itself of its diversified subsidiaries to become exclusively a pharmaceutical company.

Even with the Fund’s overall relative strength, still there were a few detractors to relative performance. For instance, security selection in the biotechnology sector hurt relative returns. Here, the Fund owned two companies that were in the early stages of clinical development; one company reported troubles in its first clinical trial, and the other firm has not yet gained the backing of investors, although early indications show a promising drug treatment. The Fund also invested in a company that experienced reimbursement issues with the CMS over its anemia drug, and this further diminished performance. Finally, a hospital holding hampered overall return; this name was subsequently eliminated from the Fund by the end of the reporting period.

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.

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TOP 10 HOLDINGS   
Celgene Corp.   3.8
Baxter International, Inc.   3.6  
Schering-Plough Corp.   3.3  
Gen-Probe Inc.   3.3  
Thermo Fisher Scientific, Inc.   3.2  
Eli Lily & Co.   2.7  
Wyeth   2.6  
Abbott Laboratories   2.5  
Pfizer, Inc.   2.5  
Vertex Pharmaceuticals Inc.   2.4  

TOP FIVE INDUSTRIES   
Biotechnology   29.0
Medical Specialties   26.4  
Pharmaceuticals: Major   24.6  
Pharmaceuticals: Other   6.4  
Services to the Health Industry   3.4  
Data as of July 31, 2007. Subject to change daily. All percentages for top 10 holdings and top five industries are as a percentage of net assets. These data are provided for informational purposes only and should not be deemed a recommendation to buy or sell the securities mentioned. Morgan Stanley is a full-service securities firm engaged in securities trading and brokerage activities, investment banking, research and analysis, financing and financial advisory services.

Investment Strategy

The Fund will normally invest at least 80 percent of its assets in common stocks (including depositary receipts) of health science companies throughout the world. A company will be considered to be a health science company if it derives at least 50 percent of its earnings or revenues, or it devotes at least 50 percent of its assets, to health science activities. Health science companies include, among others:

hospitals, clinical test laboratories, convalescent and mental health care facilities and home care businesses;
pharmaceutical companies and companies involved in biotechnology, medical diagnostics, biochemicals, and nuclear research and development;
companies that produce and manufacture medical, dental and optical supplies and equipment;
companies that provide services to health care companies; and
HMOs and other health insurance companies.

4




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 20549-0102.

Proxy Voting Policy and
Procedures and Proxy Voting Record

You may obtain a copy of the Fund’s Proxy Voting Policy and Procedures without charge, upon request, by calling toll free (800) 869-NEWS or by visiting the Mutual Fund Center on our Web site at www.morganstanley.com. It is also available on the Securities and Exchange Commission’s Web site at http://www.sec.gov.

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

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) 350-6414, 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.

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Performance Summary

Performance of $10,000 Investment — Class B

6




Average Annual Total Returns — Period Ended July 31, 2007


  Class A Shares*
(since 07/28/97)
Class B Shares**
(since 10/30/92)
Class C Shares
(since 07/28/97)
Class D Shares††
(since 07/28/97)
Symbol  HCRAX  HCRBX  HCRCX  HCRDX
1 Year   10.81% 4    9.98% 4    10.03% 4    11.16% 4 
    4.99 5    5.14 5    9.06 5    —       
5 Years   9.93 4    9.09 4    9.10 4    10.20 4 
    8.75 5    8.80 5    9.10 5    —       
10 Years   10.24 4    9.57 4    9.43 4    10.49 4 
    9.65 5    9.57 5    9.43 5    —       
Since Inception   10.28 4    10.43 4    9.47 4    10.53 4 
    9.69 5    10.43 5    9.47 5    —       

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 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 D shares will vary due to differences in sales charges and expenses.

* The maximum front-end sales charge for Class A is 5.25%.
** The maximum contingent deferred sales charge (CDSC) for Class B is 5.0%. The CDSC declines to 0% after six years. Effective April 2005, Class B shares will generally convert to Class A shares approximately eight years after the end of the calendar month in which the shares were purchased.  Performance for periods greater than eight years reflects this conversion (beginning April 2005).
The maximum contingent deferred sales charge for Class C is 1.0% for shares redeemed within one year of purchase.
†† Class D has no sales charge.
(1) The Standard & Poor’s (S&P) 500® Health Care Index is a market capitalization weighted index consisting of health care companies in the S&P 500® Index and is designed to measure the performance of the health care sector. The Index is unmanaged and its returns do not include any sales charges or fees. Such costs would lower performance. It is not possible to invest directly in an index.
(2) The Standard & Poor’s 500® Index (S&P 500®) is a broad-based index, the performance of which is based on the performance of 500 widely-held common stocks chosen for market size, liquidity and industry group representation. The Index is unmanaged and its returns do not include any sales charges or fees. Such costs would lower performance. It is not possible to invest directly in an index.
(3) The Lipper Health/Biotechnology Funds Index is an equally weighted performance index of the largest qualifying funds (based on net assets) in the Lipper Health/Biotechnology 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 is in the Lipper Health/Biotechnology Funds classification as of the date of this report.
(4) Figure shown assumes reinvestment of all distributions and does not reflect the deduction of any sales charges.
(5) 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 July 31, 2007.

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Expense Example

As a shareholder of the Fund, you incur two types of costs: (1) transaction costs, including sales charges (loads) on purchase payments and redemption fees; and (2) ongoing costs, including advisory 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.

The example is based on an investment of $1,000 invested at the beginning of the period and held for the entire period 02/01/07 – 07/31/07.

Actual Expenses

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

Hypothetical Example for Comparison Purposes

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

Please note that the expenses shown in the table are meant to highlight your ongoing costs only and do not reflect any transactional costs, such as sales charges (loads) and redemption fees. 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.


  Beginning
Account Value
Ending
Account Value
Expenses Paid
During Period*
  02/01/07 07/31/07 02/01/07 –
07/31/07
Class A            
Actual (2.39% return) $ 1,000.00   $ 1,023.90   $ 7.53  
Hypothetical (5% annual return before expenses) $ 1,000.00   $ 1,017.36   $ 7.50  
Class B            
Actual (2.00% return) $ 1,000.00   $ 1,020.00   $ 11.27  
Hypothetical (5% annual return before expenses) $ 1,000.00   $ 1,013.64   $ 11.23  
Class C            
Actual (2.06% return) $ 1,000.00   $ 1,020.60   $ 11.27  
Hypothetical (5% annual return before expenses) $ 1,000.00   $ 1,013.64   $ 11.23  
Class D            
Actual (2.55% return) $ 1,000.00   $ 1,025.50   $ 6.28  
Hypothetical (5% annual return before expenses) $ 1,000.00   $ 1,018.60   $ 6.26  
* Expenses are equal to the Fund’s annualized expense ratios of 1.50%, 2.25%, 2.25% and 1.25% for Class A, Class B, Class C and Class D shares, respectively, multiplied by the average account value over the period, multiplied by 181/365 (to reflect the one-half year period).

    

8




Investment Advisory Agreement Approval 

Nature, Extent and Quality of Services

The Board reviewed and considered the nature and extent of the investment advisory services provided by the Investment Adviser under the Advisory Agreement, including portfolio management, investment research and equity and fixed income securities trading. The Board also reviewed and considered the nature and extent of the non-advisory, administrative services provided by the Fund’s Administrator under the Administration Agreement, including accounting, clerical, bookkeeping, compliance, business management and planning, and the provision of supplies, office space and utilities at the Investment Adviser’s expense. (The Investment Adviser and the Administrator together are referred to as the ‘‘Adviser’’ and the Advisory and Administration Agreements together are referred to as the ‘‘Management Agreement.’’) The Board also compared the nature of the services provided by the Adviser with similar services provided by non-affiliated advisers as reported to the Board by Lipper Inc. (‘‘Lipper’’).

The Board reviewed and considered the qualifications of the portfolio managers, the senior administrative managers and other key personnel of the Adviser who provide advisory and administrative services to the Fund. The Board determined that the Adviser’s portfolio managers and key personnel are well qualified by education and/or training and experience to perform the services in an efficient and professional manner. The Board concluded that the nature and extent of the advisory and administrative services provided were necessary and appropriate for the conduct of the business and investment activities of the Fund. The Board also concluded that the overall quality of the advisory and administrative services was satisfactory.

Performance Relative to Comparable Funds Managed by Other Advisers

On a regular basis, the Board reviews the performance of all funds in the Morgan Stanley Fund Complex, including the Fund, compared to their peers, paying specific attention to the underperforming funds. In addition, the Board specifically reviewed the Fund’s performance for the one-, three- and five-year periods ended November 30, 2006, as shown in a report provided by Lipper (the ‘‘Lipper Report’’), compared to the performance of comparable funds selected by Lipper (the ‘‘performance peer group’’). The Board also discussed with the Adviser the performance goals and the actual results achieved in managing the Fund. The Board concluded that the Fund’s performance was competitive with that of its performance peer group.

Fees Relative to Other Proprietary Funds Managed by the Adviser with Comparable
Investment Strategies

The Board noted that the Adviser did not manage any other proprietary funds with investment strategies comparable to those of the Fund.

Fees and Expenses Relative to Comparable Funds Managed by Other Advisers

The Board reviewed the advisory and administrative fee (together, the ‘‘management fee’’) rate and total expense ratio of the Fund as compared to the average management fee rate and average total expense ratio for funds, selected by Lipper (the ‘‘expense peer group’’), managed by other advisers with investment strategies comparable to those of the Fund, as shown in the Lipper Report. The Board concluded that the Fund’s management fee was acceptable as the total expense ratio was competitive with its expense peer group.

9




 

Breakpoints and Economies of Scale

The Board reviewed the structure of the Fund’s management fee schedule under the Management Agreement and noted that it includes breakpoints. The Board also reviewed the level of the Fund’s management fee and noted that the fee, as a percentage of the Fund’s net assets, would decrease as net assets increase because the management fee includes breakpoints. The Board concluded that the Fund’s management fee would reflect economies of scale as assets increase.

Profitability of the Adviser and Affiliates

The Board considered information concerning the costs incurred and profits realized by the Adviser and affiliates during the last year from their relationship with the Fund and during the last two years from their relationship with the Morgan Stanley Fund Complex and reviewed with the Adviser the cost allocation methodology used to determine the profitability of the Adviser and affiliates. Based on its review of the information it received, the Board concluded that the profits earned by the Adviser and affiliates were not excessive in light of the advisory, administrative and other services provided to the Fund.

Fall-Out Benefits

The Board considered so-called ‘‘fall-out benefits’’ derived by the Adviser and affiliates from their relationship with the Fund and the Morgan Stanley Fund Complex, such as sales charges on sales of Class A shares and ‘‘float’’ benefits derived from handling of checks for purchases and sales of Fund shares, through a broker-dealer affiliate of the Adviser and ‘‘soft dollar’’ benefits (discussed in the next section). The Board also considered that a broker-dealer affiliate of the Adviser receives from the Fund 12b-1 fees for distribution and shareholder services. The Board concluded that the float benefits were relatively small and the sales charges and 12b-1 fees were competitive with those of other broker-dealers.

Soft Dollar Benefits

The Board considered whether the Adviser realizes any benefits as a result of brokerage transactions executed through ‘‘soft dollar’’ arrangements. Under such arrangements, brokerage commissions paid by the Fund and/or other funds managed by the Adviser would be used to pay for research that a securities broker obtains from third parties, or to pay for both research and execution services from securities brokers who effect transactions for the Fund. The Board recognized that the receipt of such research from brokers may reduce the Adviser’s costs but concluded that the receipt of such research strengthens the investment management resources of the Adviser, which may ultimately benefit the Fund and other funds in the Morgan Stanley Fund Complex.

Adviser Financially Sound and Financially Capable of Meeting the Fund’s Needs

The Board considered whether the Adviser is financially sound and has the resources necessary to perform its obligations under the Management Agreement. The Board concluded that the Adviser has the financial resources necessary to fulfill its obligations under the Management Agreement.

Historical Relationship Between the Fund and the Adviser

The Board also reviewed and considered the historical relationship between the Fund and the Adviser, including the organizational structure of the Adviser, the policies and procedures formulated and adopted by the Adviser for

10




 

managing the Fund’s operations and the Board’s confidence in the competence and integrity of the senior managers and key personnel of the Adviser. The Board concluded that it is beneficial for the Fund to continue its relationship with the Adviser.

Other Factors and Current Trends

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

General Conclusion

On April 25, 2007, after considering and weighing all of the above factors, the Board concluded that it would be in the best interest of the Fund and its shareholders to approve renewal of the Management Agreement for another year until April 30, 2008. On June 20, 2007, the Board again considered and weighed all of the above factors and concluded that it would be in the best interest of the Fund and its shareholders to approve renewal of the Management Agreement to continue until June 30, 2008.

11




Morgan Stanley Health Sciences Trust

Portfolio of Investments July 31, 2007


NUMBER OF
SHARES
  VALUE
    Common Stocks (95.1%)    
    Biotechnology   (29.0%)    
  151,700   Affymetrix, Inc. (a)* $     3,698,446  
  50,900   Amgen Inc.*   2,735,366  
  271,200   Arena Pharmaceuticals,
Inc. (a)*
  3,099,816  
  167,500   BioMarin Pharmaceutical,
Inc. (a)*
  3,025,050  
  173,200   Celgene Corp. (a)*   10,488,992  
  36,200   Cephalon, Inc.*   2,720,068  
  275,600   Exelixis, Inc.*   2,670,564  
  71,010   Genentech, Inc.*   5,281,724  
  143,900   Gen-Probe Inc. (a)*   9,067,139  
  89,700   Genzyme Corp. (a)*   5,657,379  
  147,600   Gilead Sciences, Inc.*   5,495,148  
  67,400   Illumina, Inc. (a)*   3,071,417  
  75,700   Invitrogen Corp. (a)*   5,435,260  
  338,100   Keryx Biopharmaceuticals, Inc. (a)*   2,907,660  
  242,500   Medarex, Inc. (a)*   3,433,800  
  82,300   OSI Pharmaceuticals Inc. (a)*   2,653,352  
  283,300   Seattle Genetics, Inc. (a)*   2,699,849  
  208,900   Vertex Pharmaceuticals
Inc. (a)*
  6,747,470  
        80,888,500  
    Chemicals: Major Diversified (2.3%)
  90,500   Bayer AG (ADR) (Germany)   6,404,685  
    Hospital/Nursing
    Management (1.5%)
  120,400   Psychiatric Solutions, Inc. (a)*   4,104,436  
    Medical Distributors (1.5%)    
  61,600   Cardinal Health, Inc.   4,048,968  
    Medical Specialties (26.4%)    
  29,900   Alcon, Inc. (Switzerland)   4,081,350  
  174,100   Applera Corp. – Applied Biosystems Group   5,435,402  
  71,700   Bard (C.R.), Inc.   5,626,299  
  193,100   Baxter International, Inc.   10,157,060  
  83,200   Beckman Coulter, Inc.   5,892,224  
  75,600   Dade Behring Holdings, Inc.   5,658,660  
  39,700   IDEXX Laboratories, Inc.*   3,980,322  
  119,800   Medtronic, Inc. $     6,070,266  
  115,000   ResMed, Inc. (a)*   4,942,700  
  145,400   Respironics, Inc.*   6,652,050  
  170,160   Thermo Fisher Scientific, Inc.*   8,884,054  
  147,400   Varian Medical Systems,
Inc. (a)*
  6,013,920  
        73,394,307  
    Pharmaceuticals: Major (24.6%)
  139,300   Abbott Laboratories   7,061,117  
  225,300   Bristol-Myers Squibb Co.   6,400,773  
  139,940   Eli Lilly & Co.   7,569,355  
  93,500   Johnson & Johnson   5,656,750  
  134,200   Merck & Co., Inc.   6,663,030  
  106,400   Novartis AG (ADR) (Switzerland)   5,740,280  
  294,968   Pfizer, Inc.   6,934,698  
  34,100   Roche Holding AG†* (Switzerland)   6,034,776  
  323,900   Schering-Plough Corp.   9,244,106  
  147,400   Wyeth   7,151,848  
        68,456,733  
    Pharmaceuticals: Other (6.4%)    
  105,400   Allergan, Inc. (a)   6,126,902  
  161,600   Endo Pharmaceuticals Holdings, Inc. (a)*   5,496,016  
  145,300   Teva Pharmaceutical Industries Ltd. (ADR) (Israel) (a)   6,105,506  
        17,728,424  
    Services to the Health
    Industry (3.4%)
  49,400   Covance, Inc. (a)*   3,486,158  
  201,900   HealthSouth Corp. (a)*   3,190,020  
  87,400   Pharmaceutical Product Development, Inc. (a)   2,927,900  
        9,604,078  
    Total Common Stocks
(Cost $205,542,893)
  264,630,131  

See Notes to Financial Statements

12




Morgan Stanley Health Sciences Trust

Portfolio of Investments July 31, 2007 continued

    


PRINCIPAL
AMOUNT IN
THOUSANDS
  VALUE
    Short-Term Investments (34.9%)
    Investment Company (b) (5.1%)
$ 14,315   Morgan Stanley Institutional Liquidity Money Market Portfolio – Institutional Class (Cost $14,315,036) $   14,315,036  
    Security Purchased
from Securities Lending
Collateral (29.8%)
  82,862   The Bank of New York Institutional Cash Reserve Fund (Cost $82,862,259)       82,862,259  

Total Short-Term Investments
(Cost $97,177,295)
      97,177,295  
Total Investments
(Cost $302,720,188) (c)
  130.0  %    361,807,426  
Liabilities in Excess of Other Assets   (30.0   (83,519,033
Net Assets   100.0  %  $ 278,288,393  
ADR American Depositary Receipt.
* Non-income producing security.
Securities with total market value equal to $6,034,776 have been valued at their fair value as determined in good faith under procedures established by and under the general supervision of the Fund’s Trustees.
(a) All or a portion of this security was on loan as of July 31, 2007.
(b) See Note 4 to the financial statements regarding Investments in Morgan Stanley Institutional Liquidity Money Market Portfolio – Institutional Class.
(c) The aggregate cost for federal income tax purposes is $303,287,284. The aggregate gross unrealized appreciation is $65,334,077 and the aggregate gross unrealized depreciation is $6,813,935, resulting in net unrealized appreciation of $58,520,142.

Summary of Investments


INDUSTRY VALUE PERCENT OF
TOTAL
INVESTMENTS
Short-Term Investments $ 97,177,295     26.8
Biotechnology   80,888,500     22.4  
Medical Specialties   73,394,307     20.3  
Pharmaceuticals: Major   68,456,733     18.9  
Pharmaceuticals: Other   17,728,424     4.9  
Services to the Health
    Industry
  9,604,078     2.7  
Chemicals: Major
    Diversified
  6,404,685     1.8  
Hospital/Nursing
    Management
  4,104,436     1.1  
Medical Distributors   4,048,968     1.1  
  $ 361,807,426     100.0

See Notes to Financial Statements

13




Morgan Stanley Health Sciences Trust

Financial Statements

Statement of Assets and Liabilities

July 31, 2007


Assets:
Investments in securities, at value
(cost $288,405,152) (including $79,855,561, for securities loaned)
$347,492,390
Investment in affiliate (cost $14,315,036) 14,315,036
Receivable for:  
Dividends 119,112
Foreign withholding taxes reclaimed 86,673
Dividends from affiliate 28,245
Shares of beneficial interest sold 21,962
Prepaid expenses and other assets 37,245
Total Assets  362,100,663
Liabilities:  
Collateral on securities loaned, at value 82,862,259
Payable for:  
Shares of beneficial interest redeemed 401,920
Investment advisory fee 231,848
Distribution fee 146,674
Administration fee 20,167
Transfer agent fee 15,633
Accrued expenses and other payables 133,769
Total Liabilities  83,812,270
Net Assets  $278,288,393
Composition of Net Assets:  
Paid-in-capital $179,772,159
Net unrealized appreciation 59,090,922
Accumulated net investment loss (56,082)
Accumulated undistributed net realized gain 39,481,394
Net Assets  $278,288,393
Class A Shares:  
Net Assets $147,232,402
Shares Outstanding (unlimited authorized, $.01 par value) 8,587,966
Net Asset Value Per Share  $17.14
    Maximum Offering Price Per Share,
(net asset value plus 5.54% of net asset value)
$18.09
Class B Shares:  
Net Assets $110,970,492
Shares Outstanding (unlimited authorized, $.01 par value) 7,255,672
Net Asset Value Per Share  $15.29
Class C Shares:  
Net Assets $13,241,555
Shares Outstanding (unlimited authorized, $.01 par value) 863,936
Net Asset Value Per Share  $15.33
Class D Shares:  
Net Assets $6,843,944
Shares Outstanding (unlimited authorized, $.01 par value) 386,275
Net Asset Value Per Share  $17.72

See Notes to Financial Statements

14




Morgan Stanley Health Sciences Trust

Financial Statements continued

Statement of Operations

For the year ended July 31, 2007


Net Investment Loss:
Income
Dividends (net of $88,382 foreign withholding tax) $ 2,633,529  
Interest   518,416  
Income from securities loaned – net   52,568  
Dividends from affiliate   31,997  
Total Income    3,236,510  
Expenses    
Investment advisory fee   2,892,312  
Distribution fee (Class A shares)   389,014  
Distribution fee (Class B shares)   1,360,015  
Distribution fee (Class C shares)   149,376  
Transfer agent fees and expenses   552,188  
Administration fee   251,505  
Shareholder reports and notices   165,595  
Professional fees   72,742  
Registration fees   62,419  
Custodian fees   22,454  
Trustees’ fees and expenses   6,613  
Other   26,217  
Total Expenses    5,950,450  
Less: amounts waived/reimbursed   (69
Less: expense offset   (3,292
Net Expenses    5,947,089  
Net Investment Loss    (2,710,579
Net Realized and Unrealized Gain (Loss):    
Net Realized Gain on:    
Investments   53,071,328  
Foreign exchange transactions   31,115  
Net Realized Gain    53,102,443  
Net Change in Unrealized Appreciation/Depreciation on:    
Investments   (17,813,623
Translation of other assets and liabilities denominated in foreign currencies   1,777  
Net Change in Unrealized Appereciation/Depreciation    (17,811,846
Net Gain    35,290,597  
Net Increase $ 32,580,018  

See Notes to Financial Statements

15




Morgan Stanley Health Sciences Trust

Financial Statements continued

Statements of Changes in Net Assets


  FOR THE YEAR
ENDED
JULY 31, 2007
FOR THE YEAR
ENDED
JULY 31, 2006
Increase (Decrease) in Net Assets:        
Operations:        
Net investment loss $ (2,710,579 $ (3,403,497
Net realized gain   53,102,443     59,507,226  
Net change in unrealized appreciation/depreciation   (17,811,846   (39,902,798
Net Increase    32,580,018     16,200,931  
Distributions to Shareholders from Net Realized Gain:        
Class A shares   (17,514,743   (21,544,762
Class B shares   (17,152,068   (25,307,484
Class C shares   (1,871,440   (2,405,379
Class D shares   (461,763   (1,000,632
Total Distributions    (37,000,014   (50,258,257
Net decrease from transactions in shares of beneficial interest   (63,424,589   (60,443,536
Net Decrease    (67,844,585   (94,500,862
Net Assets:        
Beginning of period   346,132,978     440,633,840  
End of Period
(Including accumulated net investment losses of $56,082 and $91,162, respectively)
$ 278,288,393   $ 346,132,978  

See Notes to Financial Statements

16




Morgan Stanley Health Sciences Trust

Notes to Financial Statements July 31, 2007

1.   Organization and Accounting Policies

Morgan Stanley Health Sciences 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 capital appreciation. The Fund was organized as a Massachusetts business trust on May 26, 1992 and commenced operations on October 30, 1992. On July 28, 1997, the Fund converted to a multiple class share structure.

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

The Fund will assess a 2% redemption fee, on Class A shares, Class B shares, Class C shares, and Class D shares, which is paid directly to the Fund, for shares redeemed or exchanged within thirty days of purchase, subject to certain exceptions. The redemption fee is designed to protect the Fund and its remaining shareholders from the effects of short-term trading.

The following is a summary of significant accounting policies:

A.   Valuation of Investments — (1) an equity portfolio security listed or traded on the New York Stock Exchange (‘‘NYSE’’) or American Stock Exchange or other exchange is valued at its latest sale price prior to the time when assets are valued; if there were no sales that day, the security is valued at the mean between the last reported bid and asked price; (2) an equity portfolio security listed or traded on the Nasdaq is valued at the Nasdaq Official Closing Price; if there were no sales that day, the security is valued at the mean between the last reported bid and asked price; (3) all other portfolio securities for which over-the-counter market quotations are readily available are valued at the mean between the last reported bid and asked price. In cases where a security is traded on more than one exchange, the security is valued on the exchange designated as the primary market; (4) for equity securities traded on foreign exchanges, the last reported sale price or the latest bid price may be used if there were no sales on a particular day; (5) when market quotations are not readily available including circumstances under which Morgan Stanley Investment Advisors Inc. (the ‘‘Investment Adviser’’), determines that the latest sale price, the bid price or the mean between the last reported bid and asked price do not reflect a security’s market value, portfolio securities are valued at their fair value as determined in good faith under procedures established by and under the general supervision of the Fund’s Trustees. Occasionally, developments affecting the closing prices of securities and other assets may occur between the times at which valuations of such securities are determined (that is, close of the foreign market on which the securities trade) and the close of business on the NYSE. If developments occur

17




Morgan Stanley Health Sciences Trust

Notes to Financial Statements July 31, 2007 continued

during such periods that are expected to materially affect the value of such securities, such valuations may be adjusted to reflect the estimated fair value of such securities as of the close of the NYSE, as determined in good faith by the Fund’s Trustees or by the Investment Adviser using a pricing service and/or procedures approved by the Trustees of the Fund; (6) certain portfolio securities may be valued by an outside pricing service approved by the Fund’s Trustees; 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.

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.

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.   Foreign Currency Translation and Forward Foreign Currency Contracts — The books and records of the Fund are maintained in U.S. dollars as follows: (1) the foreign currency market value of investment securities, other assets and liabilities and forward foreign currency contracts (‘‘forward contracts’’) are translated at the exchange rates prevailing at the end of the period; and (2) purchases, sales, income and expenses are translated at the exchange rates prevailing on the respective dates of such transactions. The resultant exchange gains and losses are recorded as realized and unrealized gain/loss on foreign exchange transactions. Pursuant to U.S. federal income tax regulations, certain foreign exchange gains/losses included in realized and unrealized gain/loss are included in or are a reduction of ordinary income for federal income tax purposes. The Fund does not isolate that portion of the results of operations arising as a result of changes in the foreign exchange rates from the changes in the market prices of the securities. Forward contracts are valued daily at the appropriate exchange rates. The resultant unrealized exchange gains and losses are recorded as unrealized foreign currency gain or loss. The Fund records realized gains or losses on delivery of the currency or at the time the forward contract is extinguished (compensated) by entering into a closing transaction prior to delivery.

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

18




Morgan Stanley Health Sciences Trust

Notes to Financial Statements July 31, 2007 continued

Based on pre-established guidelines, the securities lending agent invests any cash collateral that is received in high-quality short-term investments. Securities lending income is generated from the earnings on the invested collateral and borrowing fees, less any rebates owed to the borrowers and compensation to the lending agent.

The value of loaned securities and related collateral outstanding at July 31, 2007 were $79,855,561 and $82,862,259, respectively. The Fund received cash collateral which was subsequently invested in The Bank of New York Institutional Cash Reserve Fund as reported in the Portfolio of Investments. The Fund has the right under the lending agreement to recover the securities from the borrower on demand.

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

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

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

2.   Investment Advisory/Administration Agreements

Pursuant to an Investment Advisory Agreement with the Investment 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 at the close of each business day: 0.92% to the portion of the daily net assets not exceeding $500 million; 0.87% to the portion of the daily net assets exceeding $500 million but not exceeding $1 billion; and 0.845% to the portion of the daily net assets in excess of $1 billion.

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

3.   Plan of Distribution

Shares of the Fund are distributed by Morgan Stanley Distributors Inc. (the ‘‘Distributor’’), an affiliate of the Investment 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 1.0% of the lesser of: (a) the average daily aggregate gross sales of the Class B shares since the inception of the Fund (not including reinvestment of dividend or capital gain

19




Morgan Stanley Health Sciences Trust

Notes to Financial Statements July 31, 2007 continued

distributions) less the average daily aggregate net asset value of the Class B shares redeemed since the Fund’s inception upon which a contingent deferred sales charge has been imposed or waived; or (b) the average daily net assets of Class B shares; and (iii) Class C – up to 1.0% 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 such excess amounts totaled $3,442,158 at July 31, 2007.

In the case of Class A shares and Class C shares, expenses incurred pursuant to the Plan in any calendar year in excess of 0.25% or 1.0% of the average daily net assets of Class A or Class C, respectively, will not be 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 July 31, 2007, the distribution fee was accrued for Class A shares and Class C shares at the annual rate of 0.25% and 1.0%, respectively.

The Distributor has informed the Fund that for the year ended July 31, 2007, it received contingent deferred sales charges from certain redemptions of the Fund’s Class A shares, Class B shares and Class C shares of $279, $301,069 and $865, respectively and received $29,149 in front-end sales charges from sales of the Fund’s Class A shares. The respective shareholders pay such charges which are not an expense of the Fund.

4.   Security Transactions and Transactions with Affiliates

The Fund invests in Morgan Stanley Institutional Liquidity Money Market Portfolio – Institutional Class, an open-end management investment company managed by the Investment Adviser. Investment advisory fees paid by the Fund are reduced by an amount equal to the advisory and administrative services fees paid by Morgan Stanley Institutional Liquidity Money Market Portfolio – Institutional Class with respect to assets invested by the Fund in Morgan Stanley Institutional Liquidity Money Market Portfolio – Institutional Class. For the year ended July 31, 2007, advisory fees paid were reduced by $69 relating to the Fund’s investment in Morgan Stanley Institutional Liquidity Money Market Portfolio – Institutional Class. Income distributions earned by the Fund are recorded as dividends from affiliate in the Statement of Operations and totaled $31,997 for the year ended July 31, 2007. During the year ended July 31, 2007, cost of purchases and sales in investments in Morgan Stanley Institutional Liquidity Money Market Portfolio – Institutional Class aggregated $23,355,255 and $9,040,220, respectively.

20




Morgan Stanley Health Sciences Trust

Notes to Financial Statements July 31, 2007 continued

The cost of purchases and proceeds from sales of portfolio securities, excluding short-term investments, for the year ended July 31, 2007, aggregated $187,205,186 and $293,374,781, respectively. Included in the aforementioned transactions is a sale of $1,032,200 with another Morgan Stanley Fund, including a gain of $317,600.

For the year ended July 31, 2007, the Fund incurred brokerage commissions of $21,639 with Morgan Stanley & Co., Inc., an affiliate of the Investment Adviser, Administrator and Distributor, for portfolio transactions executed on behalf of the Fund.

At July 31, 2007, Morgan Stanley Multi-Asset Class Fund, an affiliate of the Investment Adviser, Administrator and Distributor, held 284,142 Class D shares of beneficial interest of the Fund.

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

The Fund has an unfunded noncontributory defined benefit pension plan covering certain independent Trustees of the Fund who will have served as independent Trustees for at least five years at the time of retirement. Benefits under this plan are based on factors which include years of service and compensation. The Trustees voted to close the plan to new participants and eliminate the future benefits growth due to increases to compensation after July 31, 2003. Aggregate pension costs for the year ended July 31, 2007, included in Trustees’ fees and expenses in the Statement of Operations amounted to $1,223. At July 31, 2007, the Fund had an accrued pension liability of $54,318 which is included in accrued expenses in the Statement of Assets and Liabilities.

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

5.   Purposes of and Risks Relating to Certain Financial Instruments

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

21




Morgan Stanley Health Sciences Trust

Notes to Financial Statements July 31, 2007 continued

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

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

6.   Shares of Beneficial Interest

Transactions in shares of beneficial interest were as follows:


  FOR THE YEAR
ENDED
JULY 31, 2007
FOR THE YEAR
ENDED
JULY 31, 2006
  SHARES AMOUNT SHARES AMOUNT
CLASS A SHARES                
Sold   112,333   $ 1,940,457     209,699   $ 3,777,339  
Conversion from Class B   593,439     10,259,137     695,255     12,322,542  
Reinvestment of distributions   986,924     16,225,037     1,134,595     19,775,993  
Redeemed   (2,631,517   (45,638,659   (2,654,892   (47,464,368
Net decrease – Class A   (938,821   (17,214,028   (615,343   (11,588,494
CLASS B SHARES                
Sold   177,184     2,738,571     402,993     6,709,413  
Conversion to Class A   (661,036   (10,259,137   (759,218   (12,322,542
Reinvestment of distributions   1,032,927     15,225,339     1,443,412     23,007,984  
Redeemed   (3,210,569   (50,150,446   (3,790,869   (62,540,707
Net decrease – Class B   (2,661,494   (42,445,673   (2,703,682   (45,145,852
CLASS C SHARES                
Sold   64,349     1,004,908     82,823     1,356,704  
Reinvestment of distributions   115,541     1,706,544     143,893     2,296,528  
Redeemed   (327,578   (5,096,595   (412,558   (6,837,114
Net decrease – Class C   (147,688   (2,385,143   (185,842   (3,183,882
CLASS D SHARES                
Sold   296,777     5,261,090     26,902     487,249  
Reinvestment of distributions   14,632     248,308     50,895     909,994  
Redeemed   (380,607   (6,889,143   (104,330   (1,922,551
Net decrease – Class D   (69,198   (1,379,745   (26,533   (525,308
Net decrease in Fund   (3,817,201 $ (63,424,589   (3,531,400 $ (60,443,536

22




Morgan Stanley Health Sciences Trust

Notes to Financial Statements July 31, 2007 continued

7.   Federal Income Tax Status

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

The tax character of distributions paid was as follows:


  FOR THE YEAR
ENDED
JULY 31, 2007
FOR THE YEAR
ENDED
JULY 31, 2006
Long-term capital gains $ 37,000,014   $ 50,258,257  

As of July 31, 2007, the tax-basis components of accumulated earnings were as follows:


Undistributed ordinary income $ 1,604,762    
Undistributed long-term gains   38,443,864    
Net accumulated earnings   40,048,626    
Temporary differences   (56,218  
Net unrealized appreciation   58,523,826    
Total accumulated earnings $ 98,516,234    

As of July 31, 2007, the Fund had temporary book/tax differences primarily attributable to capital loss deferrals on wash sales.

Permanent differences, due to foreign currency gains and a net operating loss, resulted in the following reclassifications among the Fund’s components of net assets at July 31, 2007:


ACCUMULATED NET
INVESTMENT LOSS
ACCUMULATED
UNDISTRIBUTED
NET REALIZED
GAIN
PAID-IN-CAPITAL
$2,745,659 $ (2,745,659           —          

23




Morgan Stanley Health Sciences Trust

Notes to Financial Statements July 31, 2007 continued

8.   Expense Offset

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

9.   Accounting Pronouncements

In July 2006, the Financial Accounting Standards Board (FASB) issued Interpretation 48, Accounting for Uncertainty in Income Taxes – an interpretation of FASB Statement 109 (FIN 48). FIN 48 clarifies the accounting for income taxes by prescribing the minimum recognition threshold a tax position must meet before being recognized in the financial statements. FIN 48 is effective for fiscal years beginning after December 15, 2006 and is to be applied to all open tax years as of the effective date. The impact to the Fund’s financial statements, if any, is currently being assessed.

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

24




Morgan Stanley Health Sciences Trust

Financial Highlights

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


  FOR THE YEAR ENDED JULY 31,
  2007 2006 2005 2004 2003
Class A Shares
Selected Per Share Data:                    
Net asset value, beginning of period $ 17.36   $ 18.79   $ 17.88   $ 17.37   $ 14.88  
Income (loss) from investment operations:                    
Net investment loss‡   (0.09   (0.08   (0.16   (0.17   (0.13
Net realized and unrealized gain   1.88     0.93     2.79     0.68     2.67  
Total income from investment operations   1.79     0.85     2.63     0.51     2.54  
Less distributions from net realized gain   (2.01   (2.28   (1.72
  (0.05
Net asset value, end of period $ 17.14   $ 17.36   $ 18.79   $ 17.88   $ 17.37  
Total Return†   10.81     4.44     15.02     2.94     17.14  
Ratios to Average Net Assets(1):                    
Total expenses (before expense offset)   1.54  %(2)    1.53     1.52     1.47     1.50  
Net investment loss   (0.51) % (2)    (0.48 )%    (0.87 )%    (0.89 )%    (0.83 )% 
Supplemental Data:                    
Net assets, end of period, in thousands $147,232  $165,347  $190,612  $15,346  $12,091 
Portfolio turnover rate   62     58     72     63     82  
The per share amounts were computed using an average number of shares outstanding during the period.
Does not reflect the deduction of sales charge. Calculated based on the net asset value as of the last business day of the period.
(1) Reflects overall Fund ratios for investment income and non-class specific expenses.
(2) Reflects waivers of certain Fund expenses in connection with the investments in Morgan Stanley Institutional Liquidity Money Market Portfolio – Institutional Class during the period. As a result of such waivers the expenses as a percentage of its net assets had an effect of less than 0.005%.

See Notes to Financial Statements

25




Morgan Stanley Health Sciences Trust

Financial Highlights continued


  FOR THE YEAR ENDED JULY 31,
  2007 2006 2005 2004 2003
Class B Shares
Selected Per Share Data:                    
Net asset value, beginning of period $ 15.80   $ 17.42   $ 16.81   $ 16.45   $ 14.21  
Income (loss) from investment operations:                    
    Net investment loss‡   (0.20   (0.20   (0.27   (0.29   (0.23
Net realized and unrealized gain   1.70     0.86     2.60     0.65     2.52  
Total income from investment operations   1.50     0.66     2.33     0.36     2.29  
Less distributions from net realized gain   (2.01   (2.28   (1.72
  (0.05
Net asset value, end of period $ 15.29   $ 15.80   $ 17.42   $ 16.81   $ 16.45  
Total Return†   9.98     3.70     14.08     2.19     16.18  
Ratios to Average Net Assets(1):                    
Total expenses (before expense offset)   2.29  %(2)    2.28     2.27     2.23     2.26  
Net investment loss   (1.26) % (2)    (1.23 )%    (1.62 )%    (1.65 )%    (1.59 )% 
Supplemental Data:                    
Net assets, end of period, in thousands $110,970  $156,656  $219,875  $454,327  $505,403 
Portfolio turnover rate   62     58     72     63     82  
The per share amounts were computed using an average number of shares outstanding during the period.
Does not reflect the deduction of sales charge. Calculated based on the net asset value as of the last business day of the period.
(1) Reflects overall Fund ratios for investment income and non-class specific expenses.
(2) Reflects waivers of certain Fund expenses in connection with the investments in Morgan Stanley Institutional Liquidity Money Market Portfolio – Institutional Class during the period. As a result of such waivers the expenses as a percentage of its net assets had an effect of less than 0.005%.

See Notes to Financial Statements

26




Morgan Stanley Health Sciences Trust

Financial Highlights continued


  FOR THE YEAR ENDED JULY 31,
  2007 2006 2005 2004 2003
Class C Shares
Selected Per Share Data:                    
Net asset value, beginning of period $ 15.83   $ 17.45   $ 16.82   $ 16.46   $ 14.21  
Income (loss) from investment operations:                    
Net investment loss‡   (0.20   (0.20   (0.26   (0.28   (0.23
Net realized and unrealized gain   1.71     0.86     2.61     0.64     2.53  
Total income from investment operations   1.51     0.66     2.35     0.36     2.30  
Less distributions from net realized gain   (2.01   (2.28   (1.72
  (0.05
Net asset value, end of period $ 15.33   $ 15.83   $ 17.45   $ 16.82   $ 16.46  
Total Return†   10.03     3.70     14.20     2.19     16.09  
Ratios to Average Net Assets(1):                    
Total expenses (before expense offset)   2.29  %(2)    2.25     2.22     2.19     2.26  
Net investment loss   (1.26) % (2)    (1.20 )%    (1.57 )%    (1.61 )%    (1.59 )% 
Supplemental Data:                    
Net assets, end of period, in thousands $13,242  $16,010  $20,891  $24,117  $23,398 
Portfolio turnover rate   62     58     72     63     82  
The per share amounts were computed using an average number of shares outstanding during the period.
Does not reflect the deduction of sales charge. Calculated based on the net asset value as of the last business day of the period.
(1) Reflects overall Fund ratios for investment income and non-class specific expenses.
(2) Reflects waivers of certain Fund expenses in connection with the investments in Morgan Stanley Institutional Liquidity Money Market Portfolio – Institutional Class during the period. As a result of such waivers the expenses as a percentage of its net assets had an effect of less than 0.005%.

See Notes to Financial Statements

27




Morgan Stanley Health Sciences Trust

Financial Highlights continued


  FOR THE YEAR ENDED JULY 31,
  2007 2006 2005 2004 2003
Class D Shares
Selected Per Share Data:                    
Net asset value, beginning of period $ 17.83   $ 19.20   $ 18.19   $ 17.63   $ 15.07  
Income (loss) from investment operations:                    
Net investment loss‡   (0.04   (0.04   (0.11   (0.12   (0.09
Net realized and unrealized gain   1.94     0.95     2.84     0.68     2.70  
Total income from investment operations   1.90     0.91     2.73     0.56     2.61  
Less distributions from net realized gain   (2.01   (2.28   (1.72
  (0.05
Net asset value, end of period $ 17.72   $ 17.83   $ 19.20   $ 18.19   $ 17.63  
Total Return†   11.16     4.73     15.28     3.18     17.38  
Ratios to Average Net Assets(1):                    
Total expenses (before expense offset)   1.29  %(2)    1.28     1.27     1.23     1.26  
Net investment loss   (0.26) % (2)    (0.23 )%    (0.62 )%    (0.65 )%    (0.59 )% 
Supplemental Data:                    
Net assets, end of period, in thousands $ 6,844   $ 8,120   $ 9,255   $ 13,804   $ 24,492  
Portfolio turnover rate   62     58     72     63     82  
The per share amounts were computed using an average number of shares outstanding during the period.
Calculated based on the net asset value as of the last business day of the period.
(1) Reflects overall Fund ratios for investment income and non-class specific expenses.
(2) Reflects waivers of certain Fund expenses in connection with the investments in Morgan Stanley Institutional Liquidity Money Market Portfolio – Institutional Class during the period. As a result of such waivers the expenses as a percentage of its net assets had an effect of less than 0.005%.

See Notes to Financial Statements

28




Morgan Stanley Health Sciences Trust

Report of Independent Registered Public Accounting Firm

To the Shareholders and Board of Trustees of
Morgan Stanley Health Sciences Trust:

We have audited the accompanying statement of assets and liabilities of Morgan Stanley Health Sciences Trust (the ‘‘Fund’’), including the portfolio of investments, as of July 31, 2007, and the related statements of operations for the year then ended and changes in net assets for each of the two years in the period then ended, and the financial highlights for each of the five years in the period then ended. These financial statements and financial highlights are the responsibility of the Fund’s management. Our responsibility is to express an opinion on these financial statements and financial highlights based on our audits.

We conducted our audits in accordance with the standards of the Public Company Accounting Oversight Board (United States). Those standards require that we plan and perform the audit to obtain reasonable assurance about whether the financial statements and financial highlights are free of material misstatement. The Fund is not required to have, nor were we engaged to perform, an audit of its internal control over financial reporting. Our audits included consideration of internal control over financial reporting as a basis for designing audit procedures that are appropriate in the circumstances, but not for the purpose of expressing an opinion on the effectiveness of the Fund’s internal control over financial reporting. Accordingly, we express no such opinion. An audit also includes examining, on a test basis, evidence supporting the amounts and disclosures in the financial statements, assessing the accounting principles used and significant estimates made by management, as well as evaluating the overall financial statement presentation. Our procedures included confirmation of securities owned as of July 31, 2007, by correspondence with the custodian. 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 Health Sciences Trust as of July 31, 2007, the results of its operations for the year then ended, the changes in its net assets for each of the two years in the period then ended, and the financial highlights for each of the five years in the period then ended, in conformity with accounting principles generally accepted in the United States of America.

Deloitte & Touche LLP
New York, New York
September 21, 2007

29




Morgan Stanley Health Sciences Trust

Trustee and Officer Information  (unaudited)

Independent Trustees:


Name, Age and Address of
Independent Trustee
Position(s) Held with Registrant Term of
Office and
Length of
Time
Served*
Principal Occupation(s)
During Past 5 Years
Number of Portfolios
in Fund Complex Overseen by Independent
Trustee**
Other Directorships
Held by Independent Trustee
Frank L. Bowman (62)
c/o Kramer Levin Naftalis & Frankel LLP
Counsel to the Independent Trustees
1177 Avenue of the Americas
New York, NY 10036
Trustee Since
August 2006
President and Chief Executive Officer, Nuclear Energy Institute (policy organization) (since February 2005); Director or Trustee of various Retail Funds and Institutional Funds (since August 2006); Chairperson of the Insurance Sub-Committee of the Valuation, Insurance and Compliance Committee (since February 2007); formerly, variously, Admiral in the U.S. Navy, Director of Naval Nuclear Propulsion Program and Deputy Administrator—Naval Reactors in the National Nuclear Security Administration at the U.S. Department of Energy (1996-2004). Honorary Knight Commander of the Most Excellent Order of the British Empire. 171 Director of the National Energy Foundation, the U.S. Energy Association, the American Council for Capital Formation and the Armed Services YMCA of the USA.
Michael Bozic (66)
c/o Kramer Levin Naftalis & Frankel LLP Counsel to the Independent Trustees
1177 Avenue of the Americas
New York, NY 10036
Trustee
Since
April 1994
Private investor; Chairperson of the Valuation, Insurance and Compliance Committee (since October 2006); Director or Trustee of the Retail Funds (since April 1994) and the Institutional Funds (since July 2003); formerly, Chairperson of the Insurance Committee (July 2006-September 2006); Vice Chairman of Kmart Corporation (December 1998-October 2000), Chairman and Chief Executive Officer of Levitz Furniture Corporation (November 1995-November 1998) and President and Chief Executive Officer of Hills Department Stores (May 1991-July 1995); variously Chairman, Chief Executive Officer, President and Chief Operating Officer (1987-1991) of the Sears Merchandise Group of Sears, Roebuck & Co. 173 Director of various business organizations.

30




Morgan Stanley Health Sciences Trust

Trustee and Officer Information  (unaudited) continued


Name, Age and Address of
Independent Trustee
Position(s) Held with Registrant Term of
Office and
Length of
Time
Served*
Principal Occupation(s)
During Past 5 Years
Number of Portfolios
in Fund Complex Overseen by Independent
Trustee**
Other Directorships
Held by Independent Trustee
Kathleen A. Dennis (53)
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 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 Retail Funds and Institutional Funds (since August 2006); formerly, Senior Managing Director of Victory Capital Management (1993-2006). 171 None.
Dr. Manuel H. Johnson (58)
c/o Johnson Smick Group, Inc.
888 16th Street, N.W.
Suite 740
Washington, D.C. 20006
Trustee
Since
July 1991
Senior Partner, Johnson Smick International, Inc. (consulting firm); Chairperson of the Investment Committee (since October 2006) and Director or Trustee of the Retail Funds (since July 1991) and the Institutional Funds (since July 2003); Co-Chairman and a founder of the Group of Seven Council (G7C) (international economic commission); formerly, Chairperson of the Audit Committee (July 1991-September 2006); Vice Chairman of the Board of Governors of the Federal Reserve System and Assistant Secretary of the U.S. Treasury. 173 Director of NVR, Inc. (home construction); Director of Evergreen Energy.
Joseph J. Kearns (64)
c/o Kearns & Associates LLC
PMB754
23852 Pacific Coast Highway
Malibu, CA 90265
Trustee
Since
August 1994
President, Kearns & Associates LLC (investment consulting); Chairperson of the Audit Committee (since October 2006) and Director or Trustee of the Retail Funds (since July 2003) and the Institutional Funds (since August 1994); formerly, Deputy Chairperson of the Audit Committee (July 2003- September 2006) and Chairperson of the Audit Committee of the Institutional Funds (October 2001-July 2003); CFO of the J. Paul Getty Trust. 174 Director of Electro Rent Corporation (equipment leasing), The Ford Family Foundation, and the UCLA Foundation.

31




Morgan Stanley Health Sciences Trust

Trustee and Officer Information  (unaudited) continued


Name, Age and Address of
Independent Trustee
Position(s) Held with Registrant Term of
Office and
Length of
Time
Served*
Principal Occupation(s)
During Past 5 Years
Number of Portfolios
in Fund Complex Overseen by Independent
Trustee**
Other Directorships
Held by Independent Trustee
Michael F. Klein (48)
c/o Kramer Levin Naftalis & Frankel LLP
Counsel to the Independent Trustees
1177 Avenue of the Americas
New York, NY 10036
Trustee Since
August 2006
Managing Director, Aetos Capital, LLC (since March 2000) and Co-President, Aetos Alternatives Management, LLC (since January 2004); Chairperson of the Fixed-Income Sub-Committee of the Investment Committee (since October 2006) and Director or Trustee of various Retail Funds and Institutional Funds (since August 2006); formerly, Managing Director, Morgan Stanley & Co. Inc. and Morgan Stanley Dean Witter Investment Management, President, Morgan Stanley Institutional Funds (June 1998-March 2000) and Principal, Morgan Stanley & Co. Inc. and Morgan Stanley Dean Witter Investment Management (August 1997-December 1999). 171 Director of certain investment funds managed or sponsored by Aetos Capital, LLC. Director of Sanitized AG and Sanitized Marketing AG (specialty chemicals).
Michael E. Nugent (71)
c/o Triumph Capital, L.P.
445 Park Avenue
New York, NY 10022
Chairperson of the Board and Trustee
Chairperson of the Boards since
July 2006
and Trustee since
July 1991
General Partner, Triumph Capital, L.P. (private investment partnership); Chairperson of the Boards of the Retail Funds and Institutional Funds (since July 2006) and Director or Trustee
of the Retail Funds (since July 1991)
and the Institutional Funds (since
July 2001); formerly, Chairperson of
the Insurance Committee (until July 2006); Vice President, Bankers Trust Company and BT Capital Corporation (1984-1988).
173 None.
W. Allen Reed (60)
c/o Kramer Levin Naftalis & Frankel LLP
Counsel to the Independent Trustees
1177 Avenue of the Americas
New York, NY 10036
Trustee Since
August 2006
Chairperson of the Equity Sub-Commitee of the Investment Committee (since October 2006) and Director or Trustee of various Retail Funds and Institutional Funds (since August 2006); formerly, President and CEO of General Motors Asset Management; Chairman and Chief Executive Officer of the GM Trust Bank and Corporate Vice President of General Motors Corporation (August 1994-December 2005). 171 Director of GMAC (financial services) and Temple-Inland Industries (packaging, banking and forest products); Director of Legg Mason, Inc. and Director of the Auburn University Foundation.
Fergus Reid (74)
c/o Lumelite Plastics Corporation
85 Charles Colman Blvd.
Pawling, NY 12564
Trustee
Since
June 1992
Chairman of Lumelite Plastics Corporation; Chairperson of the Governance Committee and Director or Trustee of the Retail Funds (since July 2003) and the Institutional Funds (since June 1992). 174 Trustee and Director of certain investment companies in the JPMorgan Funds complex managed by J.P. Morgan Investment Management Inc.

32




Morgan Stanley Health Sciences Trust

Trustee and Officer Information  (unaudited) continued

Interested Trustee:


Name, Age and Address of
Interested Trustee
Position(s) Held with Registrant Term of
Office and
Length of
Time
Served*
Principal Occupation(s)
During Past 5 Years
Number of Portfolios
in Fund Complex Overseen by Interested Trustee**
Other Directorships
Held by Interested Trustee
James F. Higgins (59)
c/o Morgan Stanley Trust
Harborside Financial Center
Plaza Two
Jersey City, NJ 07311
Trustee
Since
June 2000
Director or Trustee of the Retail Funds (since June 2000) and the Institutional Funds (since July 2003); Senior Advisor of Morgan Stanley (since August 2000). 173 Director of AXA Financial, Inc. and The Equitable Life Assurance Society of the United States (financial services).
    * This is the earliest date the Trustee began serving the funds advised by Morgan Stanley Investment Advisors Inc. (the ‘‘Investment Adviser’’) (the ‘‘Retail Funds’’) or the funds advised by Morgan Stanley Investment Management Inc. and Morgan Stanley AIP GP LP (the ‘‘Institutional Funds’’).
** The Fund Complex includes all open-end and closed-end funds (including all of their portfolios) advised by the Investment Adviser and any funds that have an investment adviser that is an affiliated person of the Investment Adviser (including, but not limited to, Morgan Stanley Investment Management Inc.).

33




Morgan Stanley Health Sciences Trust

Trustee and Officer Information  (unaudited) continued

Executive Officers:


Name, Age and Address of
Executive Officer
Position(s)
Held with
Registrant
    
Term of
Office and
Length of
Time
Served*
Principal Occupation(s) During Past 5 Years
Ronald E. Robison (68)
522 Fifth Avenue
New York, NY 10036
President and Principal Executive Officer
President since September 2005 and Principal Executive Officer since May 2003 President (since September 2005) and Principal Executive Officer (since May 2003) of funds in the Fund Complex; President (since September 2005) and Principal Executive Officer (since May 2003) of the Van Kampen Funds; Managing Director, Director and/or Officer of the Investment Adviser and various entities affiliated with the Investment Adviser; Director of Morgan Stanley SICAV (since May 2004). Formerly, Executive Vice President (July 2003-September 2005) of funds in the Fund Complex and the Van Kampen Funds; President and Director of the Institutional Funds (March 2001-July 2003); Chief Administrative Officer of the Investment Adviser; Chief Administrative Officer of Morgan Stanley Services Company Inc.
J. David Germany (52)
Morgan Stanley Investment Management Limited
20 Bank Street
Canary Wharf,
London, England E144AD
Vice President Since February 2006 Managing Director and (since December 2005) Chief Investment Officer – Global Fixed Income of Morgan Stanley Investment Management; Managing Director and Director of Morgan Stanley Investment Management Limited; Vice President of the Retail Funds and Institutional Funds (since February 2006).
Dennis F. Shea (54)
522 Fifth Avenue
New York, NY 10036
Vice President Since February 2006 Managing Director and (since February 2006) Chief Investment Officer – Global Equity of Morgan Stanley Investment Management; Vice President of the Retail Funds and Institutional Funds (since February 2006). Formerly, Managing Director and Director of Global Equity Research at Morgan Stanley.
Amy R. Doberman (45)
522 Fifth Avenue
New York, NY 10036
Vice President Since July 2004 Managing Director and General Counsel, U.S. Investment Management of Morgan Stanley Investment Management (since July 2004); Vice President of the Retail Funds and the Institutional Funds (since July 2004); Vice President of the Van Kampen Funds (since August 2004); Secretary (since February 2006) and Managing Director (since July 2004) of the Investment Adviser and various entities affiliated with the Investment Adviser. Formerly, Managing Director and General Counsel – Americas, UBS Global Asset Management (July 2000-July 2004).
Carsten Otto (43)
522 Fifth Avenue
New York, NY 10036
Chief Compliance
Officer
Since October
2004
Managing Director and Global Director of Compliance for Morgan Stanley Investment Management (since April 2001); Managing Director and Chief Compliance Officer of Morgan Stanley Investment Management. Formerly, U.S. Director of Compliance (October 2004-April 2007) and Assistant Secretary and Assistant General Counsel of the Retail Funds.
Stefanie V. Chang Yu (40)
522 Fifth Avenue
New York, NY 10036
Vice President
Since December 1997
Executive Director of the Investment Adviser and various entities affiliated with the Investment Adviser; Vice President of the Retail Funds (since July 2002) and the Institutional Funds (since December 1997). Formerly, Secretary of various entities affiliated with the Investment Adviser.
Francis J. Smith (41)
c/o Morgan Stanley Trust
Harborside Financial Center
Plaza Two
Jersey City, NJ 07311
Treasurer and Chief Financial Officer
Treasurer since July 2003 and Chief Financial Officer since September 2002 Executive Director of the Investment Adviser and various entities affiliated with the Investment Adviser; Treasurer and Chief Financial Officer of the Retail Funds (since July 2003). Formerly, Vice President of the Retail Funds (September 2002 to July 2003).

34




Morgan Stanley Health Sciences Trust

Trustee and Officer Information  (unaudited) continued


Name, Age and Address of
Executive Officer
Position(s)
Held with
Registrant
    
Term of
Office and
Length of
Time
Served*
Principal Occupation(s) During Past 5 Years
Mary E. Mullin (40)
522 Fifth Avenue
New York, NY 10036
Secretary
Since June 1999
Executive Director of the Investment Adviser and various entities affiliated with the Investment Adviser; Secretary of the Retail Funds (since July 2003) and the Institutional Funds (since June 1999).
    * This is the earliest date the Officer began serving the Retail Funds or the Institutional Funds.

    

2007 Federal Tax Notice (unaudited)

During the fiscal year ended July 31, 2007, the Fund paid to its shareholders $2.01 per share from long-term capital gains.

    

35




Trustees

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

Officers

Michael E. Nugent
Chairperson of the Board

Ronald E. Robison
President and Principal Executive Officer

J. David Germany
Vice President

Dennis F. Shea
Vice President

Amy R. Doberman
Vice President

Carsten Otto
Chief Compliance Officer

Stefanie V. Chang Yu
Vice President

Francis J. Smith
Treasurer and Chief Financial Officer

Mary E. Mullin
Secretary

Transfer Agent

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

Independent Registered Public Accounting Firm

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

Legal Counsel

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

Counsel to the Independent Trustees

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

Investment Adviser

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

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

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

Morgan Stanley Distributors Inc., member NASD.

© 2007 Morgan Stanley



HCRANN-IU07-03532P-Y07/07
MORGAN STANLEY FUNDS


Morgan Stanley
Health Sciences Trust






Annual Report
July 31, 2007














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

 

 

2

 


Item 4. Principal Accountant Fees and Services.

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

 

2007

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Registrant

 

Covered Entities(1)

 

 

Audit Fees

 

$

34,800

 

 

N/A

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Non-Audit Fees

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Audit-Related Fees

 

$

--

(2)

$

5,041,002

(2)

 

Tax Fees

 

$

4,980

(3)

$

761,000

(4)

 

All Other Fees

 

$

--

 

$

--

 

 

Total Non-Audit Fees

 

$

4,980

 

$

5,802,000

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Total

 

$

39,780

 

$

5,802,000

 

 

2006

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Registrant

 

Covered Entities(1)

 

 

Audit Fees

 

$

33,920

 

 

N/A

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Non-Audit Fees

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Audit-Related Fees

 

$

531

(2)

$

5,190,300

(2)

 

Tax Fees

 

$

4,700

(3)

$

2,044,491

(4)

 

All Other Fees

 

$

--

 

$

--

 

 

Total Non-Audit Fees

 

$

5,231

 

$

7,234,791

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Total

 

$

39,151

 

$

7,234,791

 

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.

 

 

3

 


 

(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.

 

 

 

4

 


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

 

 

5

 


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

 

 

6

 


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

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

 

9.

Additional Requirements

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

 

10.

Covered Entities

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

Morgan Stanley Retail Funds

Morgan Stanley Investment Advisors Inc.

Morgan Stanley & Co. Incorporated

Morgan Stanley DW Inc.

Morgan Stanley Investment Management Inc.

Morgan Stanley Investment Management Limited

Morgan Stanley Investment Management Private Limited

Morgan Stanley Asset & Investment Trust Management Co., Limited

Morgan Stanley Investment Management Company

Van Kampen Asset Management

Morgan Stanley Services Company, Inc.

Morgan Stanley Distributors Inc.

Morgan Stanley Trust FSB

 

 

7

 


Morgan Stanley Institutional Funds

Morgan Stanley Investment Management Inc.

Morgan Stanley Investment Advisors Inc.

Morgan Stanley Investment Management Limited

Morgan Stanley Investment Management Private Limited

Morgan Stanley Asset & Investment Trust Management Co., Limited

Morgan Stanley Investment Management Company

Morgan Stanley & Co. Incorporated

Morgan Stanley Distribution, Inc.

Morgan Stanley AIP GP LP

Morgan Stanley Alternative Investment Partners LP

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

(f)   Not applicable.

(g)   See table above.

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

Item 5. Audit Committee of Listed Registrants.

 

(a)

The Fund has a separately-designated standing audit committee established in accordance with Section 3(a)(58)(A) of the Exchange Act whose members are:

Joseph Kearns, Michael Nugent and Allen Reed.

 

(b)

Not applicable.

Item 6. Schedule of Investments

Refer to Item 1.

 

 

8

 


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.

 

 

9

 


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 Health Sciences Trust

 

 

 


/s/ Ronald E. Robison

 

 

Ronald E. Robison
Principal Executive Officer
September 20, 2007

 

 

 

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

 


/s/ Ronald E. Robison

 

 

Ronald E. Robison
Principal Executive Officer
September 20, 2007

 

 

 

 


/s/ Francis Smith

 

 

Francis Smith
Principal Financial Officer
September 20, 2007

 

 

 

 

 

10

 


 

EXHIBIT 12 A

CODE OF ETHICS FOR PRINCIPAL EXECUTIVE AND SENIOR FINANCIAL

OFFICERS

ADOPTED SEPTEMBER 28, 2004, AS AMENDED SEPTEMBER 20, 2005

 

I.

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

 

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

 

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

 

compliance with applicable laws and governmental rules and regulations;

 

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

 

accountability for adherence to the Code.

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

II.

Covered Officers Should Handle Ethically Actual and Apparent Conflicts of Interest

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

Certain conflicts of interest arise out of the relationships between Covered Officers and the Fund and already are subject to conflict of interest provisions in the

 

11

 


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

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

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

Each Covered Officer must not:

 

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

 

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

 

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

 

12

 

 


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

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

 

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

 

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

 

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

 

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

III.

Disclosure and Compliance

 

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

 

each Covered Officer must not knowingly misrepresent, or cause others to misrepresent, facts about the Fund to others, whether within or outside the Fund, including to the Fund’s Directors/Trustees and auditors, or to governmental regulators and self-regulatory organizations;

 

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

 

13

 

 


 

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

IV.

Reporting and Accountability

Each Covered Officer must:

 

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

 

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

 

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

 

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

The General Counsel is responsible for applying this Code to specific situations in which questions are presented under it and has the authority to interpret this Code in any particular situation. However, any waivers2 sought by a Covered Officer must be considered by the Board of the relevant Fund or Funds.

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

 

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

 

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

 

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

 

if the directors/trustees/managing general partners who are not “interested persons” as defined by the Investment Company Act (the “Independent Directors/Trustees/Managing General Partners”) of the relevant Fund concur that a violation has occurred, they will consider appropriate action, which may include review of, and appropriate modifications to, applicable

______________

2

Item 2 of Form N-CSR defines “waiver” as “the approval by the registrant of a material departure from a provision of the code of ethics.”

 

 

14

 

 


 

 

policies and procedures; notification to appropriate personnel of the investment adviser or its board; or a recommendation to dismiss the Covered Officer or other appropriate disciplinary actions;

 

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

 

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

V.

Other Policies and Procedures

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

VI.

Amendments

Any amendments to this Code, other than amendments to Exhibits A, B or C, must be approved or ratified by a majority vote of the Board of each Fund, including a majority of Independent Directors/Trustees/Managing General Partners.

VII.

Confidentiality

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

 

 

15

 

 


VIII.

Internal Use

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

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

 

        ____________________

 

Date:_____________________

 

 

16

 

 


 

 

 

 

Exhibit A

Fund List

at

March 31, 2007

RETAIL FUNDS

Open-End Retail Funds

Taxable Money Market Funds

1.

Active Assets Government Securities Trust (“AA Government”)

2.

Active Assets Institutional Government Securities Trust (“AA Institutional Government”)

3.

Active Assets Institutional Money Trust (“AA Institutional Money”)

4.

Active Assets Money Trust (“AA Money”)

5.

Morgan Stanley Liquid Asset Fund Inc. (“Liquid Asset”)

6.

Morgan Stanley U.S. Government Money Market Trust (“Government Money”)

Tax-Exempt Money Market Funds

7.

Active Assets California Tax-Free Trust (“AA California”)

8.

Active Assets Tax-Free Trust (“AA Tax-Free”)

9.

Morgan Stanley California Tax-Free Daily Income Trust (“California Tax-Free Daily”)

10.

Morgan Stanley New York Municipal Money Market Trust (“New York Money”)

11.

Morgan Stanley Tax-Free Daily Income Trust (“Tax-Free Daily”)

Equity Funds

12.

Morgan Stanley Allocator Fund (“Allocator Fund”)+

13.

Morgan Stanley Capital Opportunities Trust (“Capital Opportunities”)+

14.

Morgan Stanley Developing Growth Securities Trust (“Developing Growth”)+

15.

Morgan Stanley Dividend Growth Securities Inc. (“Dividend Growth”)+

16.

Morgan Stanley Equally-Weighted S&P 500 Fund (“Equally-Weighted S&P 500”)+

17.

Morgan Stanley European Equity Fund Inc. (“European Equity”)+

18.

Morgan Stanley Financial Services Trust (“Financial Services”)+

19.

Morgan Stanley Focus Growth Fund (“Focus Growth”)+

20.

Morgan Stanley Fundamental Value Fund (“Fundamental Value”)+

21.

Morgan Stanley Global Advantage Fund (“Global Advantage”)+

22.

Morgan Stanley Global Dividend Growth Securities (“Global Dividend Growth”)+

23.

Morgan Stanley Health Sciences Trust (“Health Sciences”)+

24.

Morgan Stanley Institutional Strategies Fund (“Institutional Strategies”)+

 

17

 


25.

Morgan Stanley International Fund (“International Fund”)+

26.

Morgan Stanley International SmallCap Fund (“International SmallCap”)+

27.

Morgan Stanley International Value Equity Fund (“International Value”)+

28.

Morgan Stanley Japan Fund (“Japan Fund”)+

29.

Morgan Stanley Mid-Cap Value Fund (Mid-Cap Value”)+

30.

Morgan Stanley Multi-Asset Class Fund (“Multi-Asset Class”)+

31.

Morgan Stanley Nasdaq-100 Index Fund (“Nasdaq-100”)+

32.

Morgan Stanley Natural Resource Development Securities Inc. (“Natural Resource”)+

33.

Morgan Stanley Pacific Growth Fund Inc. (“Pacific Growth”)+

34.

Morgan Stanley Real Estate Fund (“Real Estate”)+

35.

Morgan Stanley Small-Mid Special Value Fund (Small-Mid Special Value”)+

36.

Morgan Stanley S&P 500 Index Fund (“S&P500 Index”)+

37.

Morgan Stanley Special Growth Fund (“Special Growth”)+

38.

Morgan Stanley Special Value Fund (“Special Value”)+

39.

Morgan Stanley Technology Fund (“Technology”)+

40.

Morgan Stanley Total Market Index Fund (“Total Market Index”)+

41.

Morgan Stanley Utilities Fund (“Utilities Fund”)+

42.

Morgan Stanley Value Fund (“Value Fund”)+

Balanced Funds

43.

Morgan Stanley Balanced Fund (“Balanced”)+

Asset Allocation Fund

44.

Morgan Stanley Strategist Fund (“Strategist Fund”)+

Taxable Fixed-Income Funds

45.

Morgan Stanley Convertible Securities Trust (“Convertible Securities”)+

46.

Morgan Stanley Flexible Income Trust (“Flexible Income”)+

47.

Morgan Stanley Income Trust (“Income Trust”)+

48.

Morgan Stanley High Yield Securities Inc. (“High Yield Securities”)+

49.

Morgan Stanley Limited Duration Fund (“Limited Duration Fund”)

50.

Morgan Stanley Limited Duration U.S. Government Trust (“Limited Duration U.S. Government”)

51.

Morgan Stanley Mortgage Securities Trust (“Mortgage Securities”)+

52.

Morgan Stanley U.S. Government Securities Trust (“Government Securities”)+

Tax-Exempt Fixed-Income Funds

53.

Morgan Stanley California Tax-Free Income Fund (“California Tax-Free”)+

54.

Morgan Stanley Limited Term Municipal Trust (“Limited Term Municipal”)

55.

Morgan Stanley New York Tax-Free Income Fund (“New York Tax-Free”)+

56.

Morgan Stanley Tax-Exempt Securities Trust (“Tax-Exempt Securities”)+

 

18

 


Special Purpose Funds

57.

Morgan Stanley Select Dimensions Investment Series (“Select Dimensions”)

 

Balanced Growth Portfolio

 

Capital Opportunities Portfolio

 

Developing Growth Portfolio

 

Dividend Growth Portfolio

 

Equally-Weighted S&P 500 Portfolio

 

Flexible Income Portfolio

 

Focus Growth Portfolio

 

Global Equity Portfolio

 

Growth Portfolio

 

Money Market Portfolio

 

Utilities Portfolio

58.

Morgan Stanley Variable Investment Series (“Variable Investment”)

 

Aggressive Equity Portfolio

 

Dividend Growth Portfolio

 

Equity Portfolio

 

European Equity Portfolio

 

Global Advantage Portfolio

 

Global Dividend Growth Portfolio

 

High Yield Portfolio

 

Income Builder Portfolio

 

Limited Duration Portfolio

 

Money Market Portfolio

 

Income Plus Portfolio

 

S&P 500 Index Portfolio

 

Strategist Portfolio

 

Utilities Portfolio

Closed-End Retail Funds

Taxable Fixed-Income Closed-End Funds

59.

Morgan Stanley Income Securities Inc. (“Income Securities”)

60.

Morgan Stanley Prime Income Trust (“Prime Income”)

Tax-Exempt Fixed-Income Closed-End Funds

61.

Morgan Stanley California Insured Municipal Income Trust (“California Insured Municipal”)

 

19

 


62.

Morgan Stanley California Quality Municipal Securities (“California Quality Municipal”)

63.

Morgan Stanley Insured California Municipal Securities (“Insured California Securities”)

64.

Morgan Stanley Insured Municipal Bond Trust (“Insured Municipal Bond”)

65.

Morgan Stanley Insured Municipal Income Trust (“Insured Municipal Income”)

66.

Morgan Stanley Insured Municipal Securities (“Insured Municipal Securities”)

67.

Morgan Stanley Insured Municipal Trust (“Insured Municipal Trust”)

68.

Morgan Stanley Municipal Income Opportunities Trust (“Municipal Opportunities”)

69.

Morgan Stanley Municipal Income Opportunities Trust II (“Municipal Opportunities II”)

70.

Morgan Stanley Municipal Income Opportunities Trust III (“Municipal Opportunities III”)

71.

Morgan Stanley Municipal Premium Income Trust (“Municipal Premium”)

72.

Morgan Stanley New York Quality Municipal Securities (“New York Quality Municipal”)

73.

Morgan Stanley Quality Municipal Income Trust (“Quality Municipal Income”)

74.

Morgan Stanley Quality Municipal Investment Trust (“Quality Municipal Investment”)

75.

Morgan Stanley Quality Municipal Securities (“Quality Municipal Securities”)

____________

+ – Denotes Retail Multi-Class Fund

INSTITUTIONAL FUNDS

Open-End Institutional Funds

1.

Morgan Stanley Institutional Fund, Inc. (“Institutional Fund Inc.”)

Active Portfolios:

 

Active International Allocation Portfolio

 

Emerging Markets Portfolio

 

Emerging Markets Debt Portfolio

 

Focus Equity Portfolio

 

Global Franchise Portfolio

 

Global Real Estate Portfolio

 

Global Value Equity Portfolio

 

International Equity Portfolio

 

International Growth Equity Portfolio

 

International Magnum Portfolio

 

International Real Estate Portfolio

 

International Small Cap Portfolio

 

Large Cap Relative Value Portfolio

 

Money Market Portfolio

 

Municipal Money Market Portfolio

 

20

 


 

Small Company Growth Portfolio

 

Systematic Active large Cap Core Portfolio

 

Systematic Active Small Cap Core Portfolio

 

Systematic Active Small Cap Growth Portfolio

 

Systematic Active Small Cap Value Portfolio

 

U.S. Large Cap Growth Portfolio

 

U.S. Real Estate Portfolio

Inactive Portfolios*:

 

China Growth Portfolio

 

Gold Portfolio

 

Large Cap Relative Value Portfolio

 

MicroCap Portfolio

 

Mortgage-Backed Securities Portfolio

 

Municipal Bond Portfolio

 

U.S. Equity Plus Portfolio

2.

Morgan Stanley Institutional Fund Trust (“Institutional Fund Trust”)

Active Portfolios:

 

Advisory Portfolio

 

Advisory Foreign Fixed Income II Portfolio

 

Advisory Foreign Fixed Income Portfolio

 

Balanced Portfolio

 

Core Fixed Income Portfolio

 

Core Plus Fixed Income Portfolio

 

Equity Portfolio

 

Equity Plus Portfolio

 

High Yield Portfolio

 

Intermediate Duration Portfolio

 

International Fixed Income Portfolio

 

Investment Grade Fixed Income Portfolio

 

Limited Duration Portfolio

 

Long Duration Fixed Income Portfolio

 

Mid-Cap Growth Portfolio

 

Municipal Portfolio

 

U.S. Mid-Cap Value Portfolio

 

U.S. Small-Cap Value Portfolio

 

Value Portfolio

____________

*

Have not commenced or have ceased operations

 

 

21

 


Inactive Portfolios*:

 

Balanced Plus Portfolio

 

Growth Portfolio

 

Investment Grade Credit Advisory Portfolio

 

Mortgage Advisory Portfolio

 

New York Municipal Portfolio

 

Targeted Duration Portfolio

 

Value II Portfolio

3.

The Universal Institutional Funds, Inc. (“Universal Funds”)

Active Portfolios:

 

Core Plus Fixed Income Portfolio

 

Emerging Markets Debt Portfolio

 

Emerging Markets Equity Portfolio

 

Equity and Income Portfolio

 

Equity Growth Portfolio

 

Global Franchise Portfolio

 

Global Real Estate Portfolio

 

Global Value Equity Portfolio

 

High Yield Portfolio

 

International Growth Equity Portfolio

 

International Magnum Portfolio

 

Mid-Cap Growth Portfolio

 

Small Company Growth Portfolio

 

U.S. Mid-Cap Value Portfolio

 

U.S. Real Estate Portfolio

 

Value Portfolio

Inactive Portfolios*:

 

Balanced Portfolio

 

Capital Preservation Portfolio

 

Core Equity Portfolio

 

International Fixed Income Portfolio

 

Investment Grade Fixed Income Portfolio

 

Latin American Portfolio

 

Multi-Asset Class Portfolio

 

Targeted Duration Portfolio

4.

Morgan Stanley Institutional Liquidity Funds (“Liquidity Funds”)

 

22

 


Active Portfolios:

 

Government Portfolio

 

Money Market Portfolio

 

Prime Portfolio

 

Tax-Exempt Portfolio

 

Treasury Portfolio

Inactive Portfolios*:

 

Government Securities Portfolio

 

Treasury Securities Portfolio

Closed-End Institutional Funds

5.

Morgan Stanley Asia-Pacific Fund, Inc. (“Asia-Pacific Fund”)

6.

Morgan Stanley Eastern Europe Fund, Inc. (“Eastern Europe”)

7.

Morgan Stanley Emerging Markets Debt Fund, Inc. (“Emerging Markets Debt”)

8.

Morgan Stanley Emerging Markets Fund, Inc. (“Emerging Markets Fund”)

9.

Morgan Stanley Global Opportunity Bond Fund, Inc. (“Global Opportunity”)

10.

Morgan Stanley High Yield Fund, Inc. (“High Yield Fund”)

11.

The Latin American Discovery Fund, Inc. (“Latin American Discovery”)

12

The Malaysia Fund, Inc. (“Malaysia Fund”)

13.

The Thai Fund, Inc. (“Thai Fund”)

14.

The Turkish Investment Fund, Inc. (“Turkish Investment”)

15.

India Investment Fund (“India Investment”)

Closed-End Fund of Hedge Funds

16.

Morgan Stanley Institutional Fund of Hedge Funds (“Fund of Hedge Funds”)

In Registration

Morgan Stanley Retail Funds

1. Morgan Stanley American Franchise Fund

Funds of Hedge Funds

1.

Morgan Stanley Absolute Return Fund

2.

Morgan Stanley Institutional Fund of Hedge Funds II

____________

*

Have not commenced or have ceased operations

 

 

23

 


EXHIBIT B

Institutional Funds

Covered Officers

Ronald E. Robison – President and Principal Executive Officer

James W. Garrett – Chief Financial Officer and Treasurer

Retail Funds

Covered Officers

Ronald E. Robison – President and Principal Executive Officer

Francis Smith – Chief Financial Officer and Treasurer

Morgan Stanley India Investment Fund, Inc.

Covered Officers

Ronald E. Robison – President and Principal Executive Officer

James W. Garrett – Chief Financial Officer and Treasurer

 

24

 


EXHIBIT C

General Counsel

Arthur Lev

 

25

 


EXHIBIT 12 B1

CERTIFICATION OF PRINCIPAL EXECUTIVE OFFICER

CERTIFICATIONS

I, Ronald E. Robison, certify that:

1.

I have reviewed this report on Form N-CSR of Morgan Stanley Health Sciences Trust;

2.

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

3.

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

4.

The registrant’s other certifying officers and I are responsible for establishing and maintaining disclosure controls and procedures (as defined in Rule 30a-3(c) under the Investment Company Act of 1940) and internal control over financial reporting (as defined in Rule 30a-3(d) under the Investment Company Act of 1940) for the registrant and have:

a)

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

b)

designed such internal control over financial reporting, or caused such internal control over financial reporting to be designed under our supervision, to provide reasonable assurance regarding the reliability of financial reporting and the preparation of financial statements for external purposes in accordance with generally accepted accounting principles;

c)

evaluated the effectiveness of the registrant’s disclosure controls and procedures and presented in this report our conclusions about the effectiveness of the disclosure controls and procedures, as of a date within 90 days prior to the filing date of this report based on such evaluation; and

d)

disclosed in this report any change 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; and

5.

The registrant’s other certifying officer(s) and I have disclosed to the registrant’s auditors and the audit committee of the registrant’s board of directors (or persons performing the equivalent functions):

 

26

 


a)

all significant deficiencies and material weaknesses in the design or operation of internal control over financial reporting which are reasonably likely to adversely affect the registrant’s ability to record, process, summarize, and report financial information; and

b)

any fraud, whether or not material, that involves management or other employees who have a significant role in the registrant’s internal controls over financial reporting.

 

Date: September 20, 2007

 

 

 

 

 


/s/ Ronald E. Robison

 

 

 

Ronald E. Robison
Principal Executive Officer

 

 

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EXHIBIT 12 B2

CERTIFICATION OF PRINCIPAL FINANCIAL OFFICER

CERTIFICATIONS

I, Francis Smith, certify that:

1.

I have reviewed this report on Form N-CSR of Morgan Stanley Health Sciences Trust;

2.

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

3.

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

4.

The registrant’s other certifying officers and I are responsible for establishing and maintaining disclosure controls and procedures (as defined in Rule 30a-3(c) under the Investment Company Act of 1940) and internal control over financial reporting (as defined in Rule 30a-3(d) under the Investment Company Act of 1940) for the registrant and have:

a)

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

b)

designed such internal control over financial reporting, or caused such internal control over financial reporting to be designed under our supervision, to provide reasonable assurance regarding the reliability of financial reporting and the preparation of financial statements for external purposes in accordance with generally accepted accounting principles;

c)

evaluated the effectiveness of the registrant’s disclosure controls and procedures and presented in this report our conclusions about the effectiveness of the disclosure controls and procedures, as of a date within 90 days prior to the filing date of this report based on such evaluation; and

d)

disclosed in this report any change 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; and

5.

The registrant’s other certifying officer(s) and I have disclosed to the registrant’s auditors and the audit committee of the registrant’s board of directors (or persons performing the equivalent functions):

 

28

 


a)

all significant deficiencies and material weaknesses in the design or operation of internal control over financial reporting which are reasonably likely to adversely affect the registrant’s ability to record, process, summarize, and report financial information; and

b)

any fraud, whether or not material, that involves management or other employees who have a significant role in the registrant’s internal controls over financial reporting.

 

Date: September 20, 2007

 

 

 

 

 


/s/ Francis Smith

 

 

 

Francis Smith
Principal Financial Officer

 

 

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SECTION 906 CERTIFICATION

Certification Pursuant to 18 U.S.C. Section 1350,

As Adopted Pursuant to

Section 906 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002

Morgan Stanley Health Sciences Trust

In connection with the Report on Form N-CSR (the “Report”) of the above-named issuer for the period ended July 31, 2007 that is accompanied by this certification, the undersigned hereby certifies that:

1.

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

2.

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

 

 

 

 

 

Date: September 20, 2007

 

 


/s/ Ronald E. Robison

 

 

 

Ronald E. Robison
Principal Executive Officer

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

 

30

 


SECTION 906 CERTIFICATION

Certification Pursuant to 18 U.S.C. Section 1350,

As Adopted Pursuant to

Section 906 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002

Morgan Stanley Health Sciences Trust

In connection with the Report on Form N-CSR (the “Report”) of the above-named issuer for the period ended July 31, 2007 that is accompanied by this certification, the undersigned hereby certifies that:

1.

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

2.

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

 

 

 

 

 

Date: September 20, 2007

 

 


/s/ Francis Smith

 

 

 

Francis Smith
Principal Financial Officer

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

 

31