N-CSR 1 v138860_ncsr.htm Unassociated Document
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: 811-07384

Nicholas-Applegate International Growth Fund
A Series of
NICHOLAS-APPLEGATE INSTITUTIONAL FUNDS
(Exact name of registrant as specified in charter)

600 WEST BROADWAY, 30TH FLOOR, SAN DIEGO, CA 92101
(Address of principal executive offices) (Zip Code)

Charles H. Field, Jr.
c/o Nicholas-Applegate Capital Management, LLC
600 West Broadway, 30th Floor
San Diego, CA 92101
(Name and address of agent for service)

Copy to:
Deborah A. Wussow
c/o Nicholas-Applegate Capital Management, LLC
600 West Broadway, 30th Floor
San Diego, CA 92101

Registrant's telephone number, including area code: (619) 687-2988

Date of fiscal year end: November 30

Date of reporting period: November 30, 2008



 
 

 

ITEM 1. REPORTS TO STOCKHOLDERS.


 
 
 
 

 
November 30, 2008
 
 

International Growth Fund

 
Class I, II & R Shares
 
 
 
 
 

 


 
 

 


 
TABLE OF CONTENTS
 
   
THE FUND'S REVIEW AND OUTLOOK, PERFORMANCE AND SCHEDULE OF INVESTMENTS
3
   
FINANCIAL HIGHLIGHTS
10
   
STATEMENT OF ASSETS AND LIABILITIES
16
   
STATEMENTS OF OPERATIONS
17
   
STATEMENTS OF CHANGES IN NET ASSETS
18
   
NOTES TO FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
19
   
REPORT OF INDEPENDENT REGISTERED PUBLIC ACCOUNTING FIRM
25
   
SHAREHOLDER EXPENSE EXAMPLE (UNAUDITED)
26
   
SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION (UNAUDITED)
27
 
 
 
 
 

 
This report is authorized for distribution to shareholders and to others only when preceded or accompanied by a currently effective prospectus for Nicholas-Applegate Institutional Funds Class I, II & R shares. Distributor: Nicholas-Applegate Securities.



 
 

 

INTERNATIONAL GROWTH FUND
 
Management Team: Horacio A. Valeiras, CFA, Portfolio Manager and Chief Investment Officer; Pedro V. Marcal, Portfolio Manager
 
Goal: The International Growth Fund seeks to maximize long-term capital appreciation through investments primarily in companies with above-average earnings growth and positioned in strong growth areas.
 
Market Overview:  Developed non-U.S. stock markets were weak from April 1 through November 30, 2008, with every country in the MSCI EAFE Index posting a steep decline in local currencies. A broad strengthening in the U.S. dollar increased the losses in dollar terms.

The period began on an upbeat note, as hopes that the worst of the U.S.-induced credit crisis had passed helped international equities advance in April and May. However, stock prices retreated over the summer - mainly due to inflation concerns - and then fell precipitously from September through November. The sell-off was driven by the collapse or near-collapse of several major U.S. and European financial institutions, which caused the global credit markets to seize up and economic activity to slow. Japan, Germany, Italy, Sweden and the overall euro zone all reported back-to-back drops in quarterly output, meeting the technical definition of a recession. The need for hedge funds to sell securities to reduce risk and meet client redemptions contributed to the sharp decline in equity prices.

Policymakers took aggressive steps to try and unfreeze the credit markets and stimulate growth. Globally, governments earmarked more than $3 trillion in emergency bailout and economic stimulus packages, and central banks slashed interest rates, including the European Central Bank and the Bank of England. Even the Bank of Japan cut its key rate from 0.5% to 0.3% - the country’s first monetary easing since March 2001. These measures helped stabilize investor confidence in the final days of November when international stock markets posted strong gains.
 
Performance: During the eight months ended November 30, 2008, the Fund’s Class I shares registered a 41.13% loss and the Fund’s Class R shares fell 41.33%. Results were in line with the 47.50% drop in the MSCI EAFE Index.
 
Portfolio Specifics: Like the market, weakness in the Fund was broad-based, with holdings in every country and sector generating a negative return. Compared to the index, major areas of relative strength included stock selection in Germany, Hong Kong and the consumer discretionary and telecommunication services sectors. Two of the portfolio’s best-performing holdings were Tognum, a German manufacturer of diesel engines that experienced resilient end-market demand, and Nitori, a Japanese furniture retailer whose low-price strategy was successful at attracting customers. Relative performance also benefited from the Fund’s sector weightings, which are the result of our stock-by-stock investment decisions. Overweight positions in the defensive consumer staples, health care and utilities sectors were particularly helpful.
 
Sources of relative weakness included stock selection in Japan, Italy and the materials and energy sectors. In addition, the Fund’s exposure to emerging markets detracted. Emerging market equities were impacted by falling commodity prices - many developing countries export oil and other raw materials - and the generally risk-averse investment environment.
 
Market Outlook: It is possible that international equities will stage brief rallies in the months ahead, as government spending initiatives and inexpensive valuations capture investor attention. However, we believe that a sustained recovery will face substantial headwinds, including more negative economic news and additional selling by hedge funds. As events unfold, we will continue to consistently apply our proven, bottom-up process for selecting individual investments. By doing so, we are confident that the Fund will produce strong, long-term performance.

 
3

 


Comparison of Change in Value of $250,000 Investment in International Growth Fund Class I and II Shares with the MSCI EAFE Index.



Annualized Total Returns As of 11/30/08
 
    1 Year
5 Years
10 Years
International Growth Fund
     
Class I
    -46.83%
4.01%
2.01%
MSCI EAFE Index
    -47.50%
2.45%
0.98%



Annualized Total Returns As of 11/30/08
 
    1 Year
5 Years
10 Years
International Growth Fund
     
Class II
    -46.65%
4.21%
2.11%
MSCI EAFE Index
    -47.50%
2.45%
0.98%
 


The graphs above show the value of hypothetical $250,000 investment in the Fund's Class I and II shares compared with the Morgan Stanley Capital International Europe, Australasia, Far East Index ("MSCI EAFE") over the periods indicated. The Fund's Class I and Class II shares calculate their performance based upon the historical performance of their corresponding series of Nicholas-Applegate Mutual Funds (renamed ING Mutual Funds), adjusted to reflect all fees and expenses applicable to the Fund's Class I and II shares. The Nicholas-Applegate Institutional Funds' Class I shares were first available on May 7, 1999 and class II shares on January 23, 2006. The historical performance of Class II shares includes the performance of Class I shares for the periods prior to the inception of Class II shares. Average annual total returns figures include changes in principal value, reinvested dividends, and capital gain distributions.
 
The total returns shown above do not show the effects of income taxes on an individual's investment. In most cases, taxes may reduce your actual investment returns on income or gains paid by the Fund or any gains you may realize if you sell your shares. Past performance cannot gurantee future results.
 
The MSCI EAFE Index is an unmanaged index of over 900 companies, and is a generally accepted benchmark for major overseas markets. Index weightings represent the relative capitalizations of ther major overseas markets included in the index on a U.S. dollar adjusted basis. The unmanaged index differs from the Fund in composition, does not pay management fees or expenses and includes reinvested dividends.
 
One cannot invest directly in an index.

Since markets can go down as well as up, investment return and principal value will fluctuate with market conditions, currency volatility and the social, economic and political climates of countries where the Fund invests. You may have a gain or loss when you sell you shares.


 
4

 


Comparison of Change in Value of $250,000 Investment in International Growth Fund Class R Shares with the MSCI EAFE Index.



Annualized Total Returns As of 11/30/08
 
    1 Year
5 Years
10 Years
International Growth Fund
     
Class R
    -47.01%
3.66%
1.71%
MSCI EAFE Index
    -47.50%
2.45%
0.98%
 


The graph above shows the value of hypothetical $250,000 investment in the Fund's Class R shares compared with the Morgan Stanley Capital International Europe, Australasia, Far East Index ("MSCI EAFE") over the periods indicated. The Fund's Class R shares  were first available on May 21, 1999. Peformance prior to the introduction of Class R shares reflects the historical performance of the Fund's Class I shares.
 
This performance has been restated to reflect shareholder services fees of 0.25% applicable to Class R shares, but not Class I shares of the Fund. The Fund's Class I shares calculate their performance based upon the historical performance of their corresponding series of Nicholas-Applegate Mutual Funds (renamed ING Mutual Funds), adjusted to reflect all fees and expenses applicable to the Fund's Class I shares. Average annual total return figures include changes in principal value, reinvested dividends, and capital gain distributions.
 
The total returns shown above do not show the effects of income taxes on an individual's investment. In most cases, taxes may reduce your actual investment returns on income or gains paid by the Fund or any gains you may realize if you sell your shares. Past performance cannot gurantee future results.
 
The MSCI EAFE Index is an unmanaged index of over 900 companies, and is a generally accepted benchmark for major overseas markets. Index weightings represent the relative capitalizations of ther major overseas markets included in the index on a U.S. dollar adjusted basis. The unmanaged index differs from the Fund in composition, does not pay management fees or expenses and includes reinvested dividends.
 
One cannot invest directly in an index.
 
Since markets can go down as well as up, investment return and principal value will fluctuate with market conditions, currency volatility and the social, economic and political climates of countries where the Fund invests. You may have a gain or loss when you sell you shares.


 
5

 


INTERNATIONAL GROWTH FUND
           
SCHEDULE OF INVESTMENTS
           
As of November 30, 2008
           
   
Number of Shares
   
Value
 
Common Stock - 91.7%
           
Australia - 4.4%
           
    AMP, Ltd.
    16,784     $ 58,693  
    CSL, Ltd.
    16,131       364,507  
    Incitec Pivot, Ltd.
    45,403       78,351  
    Woolworths, Ltd.
    3,670       64,049  
              565,600  
Brazil - 0.6%
               
    Cia Vale do Rio Doce Cl. B - ADR
    6,500       77,610  
                 
Canada - 2.1%
               
    Potash Corp. of Saskatchewan*
    1,300       80,132  
    Rogers Communications, Inc. Cl. B
    5,600       161,972  
    Teck Cominco, Ltd. Cl. B
    5,400       26,104  
              268,208  
Denmark - 1.9%
               
    Novo Nordisk AS Cl. B
    4,750       242,731  
                 
Finland - 0.3%
               
    Outotec OYJ
    2,886       40,356  
                 
France - 8.4%
               
    Alstom SA
    3,327       176,464  
    BNP Paribas
    2,221       122,100  
    Cie Generale de Geophysique-Veritas*
    4,701       76,771  
    Electricite de France
    1,244       71,893  
    France Telecom SA
    2,714       69,634  
    GDF Suez
    7,515       299,948  
    Total SA
    3,955       206,009  
    Veolia Environnement
    2,225       55,252  
              1,078,071  
Germany - 8.0%
               
    Bayer AG
    2,421       124,969  
    Deutsche Telekom AG
    9,215       127,336  
    E.ON AG
    5,903       206,208  
    Rhoen Klinikum AG
    4,076       77,063  
    RWE AG
    1,720       144,220  
    SAP AG
    4,396       149,716  
    Siemens AG
    1,438       85,888  
    Stada Arzneimittel AG
    4,143       111,765  
              1,027,165  

See Accompanying Notes to Financials Statements.


 
6

 


SCHEDULE OF INVESTMENTS - (CONTINUED)
           
As of November 30, 2008
           
   
Number of Shares
   
Value
 
Greece - 1.1%
           
    National Bank of Greece SA
    3,844     $ 72,189  
    Piraeus Bank SA
    6,760       65,877  
              138,066  
Hong Kong - 1.2%
               
    HongKong Electric Holdings
    28,000       157,158  
                 
Ireland - 0.6%
               
    Icon PLC - ADR*
    3,500       74,165  
                 
Israel - 1.7%
               
    Teva Pharmaceutical Industries, Ltd. - ADR
    5,200       224,380  
                 
Italy - 1.6%
               
    Saipem SpA
    8,395       129,533  
    Snam Rete Gas SpA
    13,893       72,499  
              202,032  
Japan - 25.6%
               
    Capcom Co., Ltd.
    3,200       65,112  
    East JapanRailway Co.
    33       254,659  
    Honda Motor Co., Ltd.
    4,800       105,076  
    Japan Tobacco, Inc.
    52       191,086  
    KDDI Corp.
    26       169,248  
    Kirin Holdings Co., Ltd.
    5,000       60,791  
    Mitsubishi Corp.
    8,200       102,021  
    Mitsubishi Electric Corp.
    14,300       76,871  
    Mitsubishi Estate Co., Ltd.
    4,300       64,108  
    Mitsubishi UFJ Financial Group, Inc.
    31,700       173,402  
    Mizuho Financial Group, Inc.
    23       59,888  
    Nintendo Co., Ltd.
    900       279,889  
    Nitori Co., Ltd.
    2,400       171,348  
    Nomura Holdings, Inc.
    15,300       110,519  
    Osaka Gas Co. Ltd.
    30,000       114,337  
    Secom Co., Ltd.
    2,200       102,326  
    Sumitomo Mitsui Financial Group, Inc.
    37       134,023  
    T&D Holdings, Inc.
    1,950       73,090  
    Takeda Pharmaceutical Co. Ltd.
    2,700       130,684  
    The Japan Steel Works, Ltd.
    17,000       174,739  
    Tokio Marine Holdings, Inc.
    1,900       46,181  
    Tokyo Electric Power Co., Inc.
    5,500       163,709  
    Toyo Tanso Co., Ltd.
    3,100       149,719  
    Toyota Motor Corp.
    3,100       97,643  

See Accompanying Notes to Financials Statements.



 
7

 


SCHEDULE OF INVESTMENTS - (CONTINUED)
           
As of November 30, 2008
           
   
Number of Shares
   
Value
 
Japan - (Continued)
           
    Unicharm Corp.
    1,500     $ 103,470  
    West Japan Railway Co.
    29       129,099  
              3,303,038  
Netherlands - 1.5%
               
    Royal KPN NV
    14,415       198,240  
                 
Republic of China - 0.5%
               
    Anhui Conch Cement Co., Ltd.*
    16,000       66,063  
                 
Spain - 1.5%
               
    Iberdrola SA
    7,889       58,260  
    Telefonica SA
    6,915       139,338  
              197,598  
Switzerland - 10.3%
               
    ACE, Ltd.
    5,400       282,150  
    Julius Baer Holding AG
    2,850       93,291  
    Nestle SA
    9,952       360,013  
    Roche Holding AG
    2,367       331,281  
    Syngenta AG
    534       95,928  
    Synthes, Inc.
    1,377       159,506  
              1,322,169  
United Kingdom - 20.4%
               
    BG Group PLC
    9,382       132,445  
    BP PLC
    20,126       162,673  
    British American Tobacco PLC
    13,693       356,770  
    Centrica PLC
    14,935       54,199  
    Diageo PLC
    14,858       206,786  
    HSBC Holdings PLC
    31,200       336,953  
    Imperial Tobacco Group PLC
    10,552       261,979  
    International Power PLC
    36,487       144,308  
    Reckitt Benckiser Group PLC
    4,098       173,617  
    Royal Dutch Shell PLC Cl. A
    5,748       153,292  
    SSL International PLC
    15,846       116,164  
    Standard Chartered PLC
    5,600       68,644  
    Unilever PLC
    10,346       237,020  
    Vodafone Group PLC
    86,287       168,417  
    Wellstream Holdings PLC*
    9,805       57,924  
              2,631,191  
Total Common Stock (Cost: $16,617,138)
          $ 11,813,841  
Preferred Stock - 4.0%
               
                 
Brazil - 0.5%
               
    Usinas Siderurgicas de Minas Gerais SA
    6,500       66,423  

See Accompanying Notes to Financials Statements.



 
8

 


SCHEDULE OF INVESTMENTS - (CONTINUED)
           
As of November 30, 2008
           
   
Number of Shares
   
Value
 
Germany - 3.5%
           
    Fresenius SE
    5,239     $ 289,908  
    Henkel KGaA
    5,883       165,722  
              455,630  
Total Preferred Stock (Cost: $868,454)
            522,053  
Rights - 0.1%
               
                 
Australia - 0.0%
               
    Incitec Pivot Ltd., expires 12/4/08*
    12,611       1,232  
                 
United Kingdom - 0.1%
               
    Centrica PLC, expires 12/08/2008*
    5,600       6,359  
    Standard Chartered, expires 12/17/08*
    1,846       11,663  
              18,022  
Total Rights (Cost: $0)
            19,254  
   
Principal Amount
         
Short Term Investment - 3.2%
               
                 
Time Deposit - 3.2%
               
    Bank of America Toronto
               
    0.250%, 12/01/08 (Cost: $406,093)
    406,093       406,093  
Total Investments -99.0% (Cost: $17,891,685)
          $ 12,761,241  
Other Assets In Excess Of Liabilities - 1.0%
            130,766  
Net Assets - 100.0%
          $ 12,892,007  

*    Non-income producing securities.

ADR - American Depository Receipt
 
   
SCHEDULE OF INVESTMENTS BY SECTOR
 
as of November 30, 2008
 
Sector
Percent of Net Assets
Consumer, Non-cyclical
   34.2 %
Financial
13.8  
Utilities
11.9  
Industrial
8.9
Communications
8.0
Energy
7.1
Consumer, Cyclical
5.9
Basic Materials
4.3
Technology
1.7
Short Term Investment
3.2
Total Investments
99.0  
Other assets in excess of liabilities
1.0
Net Assets
100.0 %

See Accompanying Notes to Financials Statements.



 
9

 


Financial Highlights
For a Class I share outstanding during the period indicated
 
   
 
                     
Distributions from:
             
   
Net Asset Value, Beginning
   
Net Investment Income (Loss) (1)
   
Net Realized and Unrealized Gains (Loss)
   
Total from Investment Operations
   
Net Investment Income
   
Net Realized Capital Gains
   
Total Distributions
   
Net Asset Value, Ending
 
   
GLOBAL EQUITY FUND
                                 
INTERNATIONAL GROWTH
                                               
For the period 4/01/08
through 11/30/08*
  $ 8.46     $ 0.10     $ (3.58 )   $ (3.48 )   $ -     $ -     $ -     $ 4.98  
For the year ended 03/31/08
    22.35       0.17       3.82       3.99       (0.29 )     (17.59 )     (17.88 )     8.46  
For the year ended 03/31/07
    22.69       0.07       2.86       2.93       (0.07 )     (3.20 )     (3.27 )     22.35  
For the year ended 03/31/06
    20.47       0.16       6.05       6.21       -       (3.99 )     (3.99 )     22.69  
For the year ended 03/31/05
    19.09       0.08       1.72       1.80       -       (0.42 )     (0.42 )     20.47  
For the year ended 03/31/04
    12.83       0.30       6.00       6.30       (0.04 )     -       (0.04 )     19.09  
 
(1)
Net investment income per share is calculated by dividing net investment income for the period by the average shares outstanding during the period.
   
(2)
Total returns are not annualized for periods less than one year.

(3)
Ratios are annualized for periods of less than one year. Expense reimbursements reflect voluntary reductions to total expenses, as discussed in the notes to financial statements. Such amounts would decrease net investment income (loss) ratios had such reductions not occurred.

(4)
Net expenses include certain items not subject to expense reimbursement for periods prior to January 23, 2006.

*
On November 14, 2008, the Board of Trustees approved a change in the Fund's fiscal year from March 31 to November 30.

See Accompanying Notes to Financials Statements.



 
10

 


Financial Highlights - (Continued)
For a Class I share outstanding during the period indicated
 
               
Ratios to Average Net Assets (3)
       
   
Total
Return (2)
   
Net Assets,
Ending
(in 000's)
   
Net
Investment
Income (Loss)
   
Total
Expenses
   
Expense
(Reimbursements)/
Recoupment
   
Expenses
Net of
Reimbursement/
Recoupment
   
Expenses Net of
Reimbursement/
Recoupment
Offset (4)
   
Fund's
Portfolio
Turnover
Rate
 
 
                                               
INTERNATIONAL GROWTH                                                
For the period 4/01/08
through 11/30/08*
    (41.13 %)   $ 5,878       1.90 %     1.42 %     -       1.42 %     1.12 %     29 %
For the year ended 03/31/08
    11.37 %     9,496       1.02 %     1.38 %     -       1.38 %     0.99 %     113 %
For the year ended 03/31/07
    13.80 %     15,000       (0.30 %)     1.41 %     -       1.41 %     1.14 %     119 %
For the year ended 03/31/06
    33.63 %     45,889       0.73 %     1.37 %     (0.00 %)     1.37 %     0.99 %     167 %
For the year ended 03/31/05
    9.49 %     41,394       0.42 %     1.39 %     (0.00 %)     1.39 %     1.08 %     203 %
For the year ended 03/31/04
    49.17 %     51,450       1.35 %     1.49 %     (0.04 %)     1.45 %     1.19 %     186 %

(1)
Net investment income per share is calculated by dividing net investment income for the period by the average shares outstanding during the period.
   
(2) Total returns are not annualized for periods less than one year.

(3)
Ratios are annualized for periods of less than one year. Expense reimbursements reflect voluntary reductions to total expenses, as discussed in the notes to financial statements. Such amounts would decrease net investment income (loss) ratios had such reductions not occurred.

(4)
Net expenses include certain items not subject to expense reimbursement for periods prior to January 23, 2006.

*
On November 14, 2008, the Board of Trustees approved a change in the Fund's fiscal year from March 31 to November 30.

See Accompanying Notes to Financials Statements.

 
11

 

Financial Highlights - (Continued)
For a Class II share outstanding during the period indicated


                           
Distributions from:
             
   
Net Asset
Value,
Beginning
   
Net
Investment
Income (Loss) (1)
   
Net Realized
and Unrealized
Gains (Loss)
   
Total from
Investment
Operations
   
Net
Investment
Income
   
Net
Realized
Capital Gains
   
Total
Distributions
   
Net Asset
Value,
Ending
 
   
GLOBAL EQUITY FUND
                                   
INTERNATIONAL GROWTH
                                               
For the period 4/01/08
through 11/30/08*
  $ 7.71     $ 0.11     $ (3.27 )   $ (3.16 )   $ -     $ -     $ -     $ 4.55  
For the year ended 03/31/08
    22.36       0.33       3.24       3.57       (0. 63 )     (17.59 )     (18.22 )     7.71  
For the year ended 03/31/07
    22.71       0.14       2.86       3.00       (0. 15 )     (3.20 )     (3.35 )     22.36  
1/23/06 (Commenced) to
03/31/06
    21. 64       1.85       (0.78 )     1.07       -       -       -       22.71  

(1)
Net investment income per share is calculated by dividing net investment income for the period by the average shares outstanding during the period.
   
(2) Total returns are not annualized for periods less than one year.

(3)
Ratios are annualized for periods of less than one year. Expense reimbursements reflect voluntary reductions to total expenses, as discussed in the notes to financial statements. Such amounts would decrease net investment income (loss) ratios had such reductions not occurred.

(4)
Net expenses include certain items not subject to expense reimbursement for periods prior to January 23, 2006.
   
(5) Inception to date Return.

*
On November 14, 2008, the Board of Trustees approved a change in the Fund's fiscal year from March 31 to November 30.

See Accompanying Notes to Financials Statements.

 
12

 


Financial Highlights - (Continued)
For a Class II share outstanding during the period indicated
 
               
Ratios to Average Net Assets (3)
     
   
Total
Return (2)
   
Net Assets,
Ending
(in 000's)
   
Net
Investment
Income (Loss)
   
Total
Expenses
   
Expense
(Reimbursements)/
Recoupment
   
Expenses
Net of
Reimbursement/
Recoupment
   
Expenses Net of
Reimbursement/
Recoupment
Offset (4)
   
Fund's
Portfolio
Turnover
Rate
 
                                                 
INTERNATIONAL GROWTH
                                               
For the period 4/01/08
through 11/30/08*
    (41.06 %)   $ 5,564       2.37 %     1.02 %     -       1.02 %     0.70 %     29 %
For the year ended 03/31/08
    9.52 %     11,518       1.56 %     0.99 %     -       0.99 %     0.72 %     113 %
For the year ended 03/31/07
    14.12 %     52,420       0.64 %     1.02 %     -       1.02 %     0.75 %     119 %
1/23/06 (Commenced) to
03/31/06
    4.94 % (5)     56,501       1.21 %     0.99 %     (0.00 %)     0.99 %     0.73 %     167 %

(1)
Net investment income per share is calculated by dividing net investment income for the period by the average shares outstanding during the period.
   
(2) Total returns are not annualized for periods less than one year.

(3)
Ratios are annualized for periods of less than one year. Expense reimbursements reflect voluntary reductions to total expenses, as discussed in the notes to financial statements. Such amounts would decrease net investment income (loss) ratios had such reductions not occurred.

(4)
Net expenses include certain items not subject to expense reimbursement for periods prior to January 23, 2006.
   
(5) Inception to date Return.

*
On November 14, 2008, the Board of Trustees approved a change in the Fund's fiscal year from March 31 to November 30.

See Accompanying Notes to Financials Statements.

 

 
13

 


Financial Highlights - (Continued)
For a Class R share outstanding during the period indicated

               
Ratios to Average Net Assets (3)
             
   
Total
Return (2)
   
Net Assets,
Ending
(in 000's)
   
Net
Investment
Income (Loss)
   
Total
Expenses
   
Expense
(Reimbursements)/
Recoupment
   
Expenses
Net of
Reimbursement/
Recoupment
   
Expenses Net of
Reimbursement/
Recoupment
Offset (4)
   
Fund's
Portfolio
Turnover
Rate
 
                                                 
INTERNATIONAL GROWTH
                                               
For the period 4/01/08
through 11/30/08*
    (41.33 %)   $ 1,450       1.67 %     1.67 %     -       1.67 %     1.37 %     29 %
For the year ended 03/31/08
    11.05 %     2,595       0.74 %     1.64 %     -       1.64 %     1.24 %     113 %
For the year ended 03/31/07
    13.36 %     2,294       (0.05 %)     1.67 %     -       1.67 %     1.41 %     119 %
For the year ended 03/31/06
    33.34 %     1,776       0.57 %     1.62 %     (0.00 %)     1.62 %     1.24 %     167 %
For the year ended 03/31/05
    8.94 %     1,749       0.80 %     1.66 %     (0.02 %)     1.64 %     1.32 %     203 %
For the year ended 03/31/04
    48.86 %     9,236       0.71 %     1.74 %     (0.04 %)     1.70 %     1.44 %     186 %

(1) Net investment income per share is calculated by dividing net investment income for the period by the average shares outstanding during the period.
 
(2) Total returns are not annualized for periods less than one year.

(3) Ratios are annualized for periods of less than one year. Expense reimbursements reflect voluntary reductions to total expenses, as discussed in the notes to financial statements. Such amounts would decrease net investment income (loss) ratios had such reductions not occurred.

(4) Net expenses include certain items not subject to expense reimbursement for periods prior to January 23, 2006.

 
* On November 14, 2008, the Board of Trustees approved a change in the Fund's fiscal year from March 31 to November 30.

See Accompanying Notes to Financials Statements.



 
14

 


Financial Highlights - (Continued)
For a Class R share outstanding during the period indicated
 
                           
Distributions from:
             
   
Net Asset
Value,
Beginning
   
Net
Investment
Income (Loss) (1)
   
Net Realized
and Unrealized
Gains (Loss)
   
Total from
Investment
Operations
   
Net
Investment
Income
   
Net
Realized
Capital Gains
   
Total
Distributions
   
Net Asset
Value,
Ending
 
   
GLOBAL EQUITY FUND
                                 
INTERNATIONAL GROWTH
                                               
For the period 4/01/08
through 11/30/08*
  $ 7. 08     $ 0.07     $ (2.99 )   $ (2.92 )   $ -     $ -     $ -     $ 4. 16  
For the year ended 03/31/08
    21.78       0.10       3.85       3.95       (1.06 )     (17.59 )     (18.65 )     7.08  
For the year ended 03/31/07
    22.26       (0.01 )     2.79       2.78       (0.06 )     (3.20 )     (3.26 )     21.78  
For the year ended 03/31/06
    20.19       0.12       5.94       6.06       -       (3.99 )     (3.99 )     22.26  
For the year ended 03/31/05
    18.93       0.15       1.53       1.68       -       (0.42 )     (0.42 )     20.19  
For the year ended 03/31/04
    12.72       0.12       6.10       6.22       (0.01 )     -       (0.01 )     18.93  

(1)
Net investment income per share is calculated by dividing net investment income for the period by the average shares outstanding during the period.
   
(2) Total returns are not annualized for periods less than one year.

(3)
Ratios are annualized for periods of less than one year. Expense reimbursements reflect voluntary reductions to total expenses, as discussed in the notes to financial statements. Such amounts would decrease net investment income (loss) ratios had such reductions not occurred.

(4)
Net expenses include certain items not subject to expense reimbursement for periods prior to January 23, 2006.

*
On November 14, 2008, the Board of Trustees approved a change in the Fund's fiscal year from March 31 to November 30.

See Accompanying Notes to Financials Statements.



 
15

 


Nicholas-Applegate Institutional Funds
International Growth
Statements of Assets and Liabilities
November 30, 2008

Assets
     
Investments, at value*
  $ 12,761,241  
Foreign currencies, at value**
    7,405  
Cash
    18  
Receivables:
       
Investment securities sold
    50,640  
Capital shares sold
    14,193  
Dividends
    62,181  
Foreign taxes receivable
    32,092  
Other
    2,674  
         
Total assets
    12,930,444  
         
Liabilities
       
Payables:
       
Capital shares redeemed
  $ 21,450  
Investment advisor
    5,245  
Accrued expenses and other liabilities
    11,742  
         
Total Liabilities
    38,437  
         
NET ASSETS
  $ 12,892,007  
         
*    Investments, at cost
    17,891,685  
** Foreign currencies, at cost
    7,908  
         
NET ASSETS CONSIST OF:
       
Paid-in capital
  $ 29,128,328  
Undistributed net investment income (loss)
    735,406  
Accumulated net realized gain (loss) on investments and foreign currencies
    (11,843,136 )
Net unrealized appreciation (depreciation) of investments and of other assets and
  liabilities denominated in foreign currencies
    (5,128,591 )
         
Net Assets applicable to all shares outstanding
  $ 12,892,007  
         
Net Assets of Class I Shares
  $ 5,878,279  
Net Assets of Class II Shares
    5,563,775  
Net Assets of Class R Shares
    1,449,953  
         
Class I Shares outstanding
    1,180,908  
Class II Shares outstanding
    1,222,297  
Class R Shares outstanding
    348,414  
         
Net Asset Value - Class I Shares
  $ 4.98  
         
Net Asset Value - Class II Shares
  $ 4.55  
         
Net Asset Value - Class R Shares
  $ 4.16  

See Accompanying Notes to Financials Statements.

 
16

 


Nicholas-Applegate Institutional Funds
International Growth
Statements of Operations

   
April 1, 2008
   
Year
 
   
through
   
ended
 
   
November 30, 2008
   
March 31, 2008
 
Investment Income
           
Dividends, net of foreign taxes*
  $ 419,598     $ 844,235  
      --       384  
 Total Income
    419,598       844,619  
Expenses
               
Advisory fee
    68,775       194,196  
Administration fees
    92,198       239,041  
Shareholder Servicing fees
    3,934       6,769  
Professional fees
    754       --  
Trustees' fees and expenses
    4,805       8,364  
Interest and credit facility fee
    182       893  
Miscellaneous
    2,004       902  
Total Expenses
    172,652       450,165  
Expense offset
    (41,886 )     (121,261 )
Net Expenses
    130,766       328,904  
Net Investment Income
    288,832       515,715  
Net Realized and Unrealized Gain (Loss) on
               
Investments
               
Realized gain from:
               
Securities
    (2,721,741 )     22,050,147  
Foreign currency transactions
    (13,982 )     (17,466 )
Net realized gain (loss)
    (2,735,723 )     22,032,681  
Change in unrealized appreciation (depreciation) of:
               
Investments
    (6,832,304 )     (11,503,281 )
Other assets and liabilities denominated in
               
foreign currencies
    (5,651 )     1,286,337  
Net unrealized appreciation (depreciation)
    (6,837,955 )     (10,216,944 )
Net Gain (Loss) on Investments
    (9,573,678 )     11,815,737  
Net increase (decrease) in net assets resulting from operations
  $ (9,284,846 )     12,331,452  
*Foreign taxes withheld
  $ 45,782       82,306  

See Accompanying Notes to Financials Statements.



 
17

 

 
Nicholas-Applegate Institutional Funds
International Growth
Statements of Changes in Net Assets


   
April 1, 2008
through
November 30, 2008
   
Year ended
March 31,
2008
   
Year ended
March 31,
2007
 
Increase (Decrease) In Net Assets From Investments Operations:
                 
Net investment income
  $ 288,832     $ 515,715     $ 461,096  
Net realized gain (loss)
    (2,735,723 )     22,032,681       19,578,811  
Net unrealized appreciation (depreciation)
    (6,837,955 )     (10,216,944 )     (7,320,021 )
Investment operations
    (9,284,846 )     12,331,452       12,719,886  
Distributions to Shareholders:
                       
From net investment income
                       
Class I
    --       (102,579 )     (129,548 )
Class II
    --       (264,648 )     (321,754 )
Class R
    --       (122,626 )     (4,547 )
From net realized gains
    --                  
Class I
    --       (6,119,767 )     (6,240,893 )
Class II
    --       (7,384,655 )     (7,047,836 )
Class R
    --       (2,036,861 )     (264,556 )
Total distributions
    --       (16,031,136 )     (14,009,134 )
From Capital Share Transactions:
                       
Proceeds from shares sold
                       
Class I
    1,781,413       4,506,739       3,016,780  
Class II
    --       12,456,347       50,000  
Class R
    412,003       952,934       995,312  
Distributions reinvested
                       
Class I
    --       6,217,911       6,370,440  
Class II
    --       7,649,303       7,369,591  
Class R
    --       2,159,486       269,106  
Cost of shares redeemed
                       
Class I
    (1,513,279 )     (11,550,042 )     (39,097,481 )
Class II
    (1,649,606 )     (63,923,305 )     (11,428,000 )
Class R
    (463,128 )     (873,729 )     (709,385 )
Net decrease in net assets from share transactions
    (1,432,597 )     (42,404,356 )     (33,163,637 )
Net Increase (Decrease) in Net Assets
    (10,717,443 )     46,104,040       (34,452,885 )
Net Assets
                       
Beginning
  $ 23,609,450     $ 69,713,490     $ 104,166,375  
    Ending
  $ 12,892,007     $ 23,609,450     $ 69,713,490  
Undistributed net investment income, ending
    749,388       460,556       3,363,093  
Class I - Capital Share Activity
                       
Shares sold
    270,863       318,579       134,231  
Distributions reinvested
    --       675,126       302,921  
Shares redeemed
    (212,702 )     (542,226 )     (1,787,977 )
Net Class I Share Activity
    58,161       451,479       (1,350,825 )
Class II - Capital Share Activity
                       
Shares sold
    --       615,162       2,199  
Distributions reinvested
    --       911,717       350,266  
Shares redeemed
    (271,053 )     (2,377,559 )     (496,447 )
Net Class II Share Activity
    (271,053 )     (850,680 )     (143,982 )
Class R - Capital Share Activity
                       
Shares sold
    61,380       48,877       45,495  
Distributions reinvested
    --       279,726       13,108  
Shares redeemed
    (79,329 )     (67,553 )     (33,088 )
Net Class R Share Activity
    (17,949 )     261,050       25,515  

See Accompanying Notes to Financials Statements.



 
18

 


Notes to Financial Statements
 
Note A — ORGANIZATION
 
The International Growth Fund (the “Fund”) is one series of shares of beneficial interest of the Nicholas-Applegate Institutional Funds (the “Trust”), an open-end investment management company. The Trust was established as a Delaware business trust on December 17, 1992 and currently consists of fourteen separate portfolios including the International Growth Fund (the “Fund”). The Fund’s investment objectives, strategies and risks are discussed in the Fund’s current prospectus. The Fund has issued Classes I shares (“Class I”), Class II shares (“Class II”) and Class R shares (“Class R”). No shares have a sales charge. Class R shares are charged a distribution fee. All share classes for the Fund are covered in this report. On November 14, 2008 the Board of Trustees approved a change in the Fund’s fiscal year end from March 31 to November 30. The Board of Trustees also approved pending the reorganization of the Fund, Class II and R are closed to new investors.
 
Note B — SIGNIFICANT ACCOUNTING POLICIES
 
Significant accounting policies consistently followed by the Fund in preparing these financial statements are described below. The policies conform with accounting principles generally accepted in the United States.
 
Security Valuations
 
Equity securities, including ADRs, SDR’s and GDRs, that are traded on a stock exchange or on the NASDAQ National Market System are valued at the last sale price as of the close of business on the New York Stock Exchange (normally 4:00 P.M. New York time) on the day the securities are being valued, or lacking any sales, at the mean between the closing bid and asked prices. Securities listed or traded on certain non-U.S. exchanges whose operations are similar to the United States over-the-counter market are valued at the price within the limits of the latest available current bid and asked prices deemed by the Adviser to best reflect fair value. A security that is listed or traded on more than one exchange is valued at the quotation on the exchange determined to be the primary market for such security by the Adviser. The Adviser has determined the Xetra is the primary market in Germany. Equity Linked Notes (“ELN’s”) are valued by using the closing local price for the underlying security and are translated into U.S. dollars at the exchange rate struck at the close of the London Stock Exchange.
 
The Fund values long-term debt obligations, including high quality and high yield corporate securities, municipal securities, asset-backed securities, collateralized mortgage obligations and U.S. Government and Agency issues, at the quoted bid price provided by an approved bond pricing service. Convertible securities are normally priced at the mean between the bid and ask prices. Short-term debt instruments (e.g., commercial paper, bankers acceptances, U.S. Treasury Bills, etc.) having a maturity of less than 60 days will be valued at amortized cost.
 
Securities or other assets for which reliable market quotations are not readily available or for which the pricing agent or principal market maker does not provide a valuation or methodology or provides a valuation or methodology that, in the judgment of the Adviser does not represent fair value ("Fair Value Securities"), are valued by the Pricing Committee overseen by the Board of Trustees in consultation as applicable, with the Adviser’s portfolio managers, traders, and research and credit analysts and legal and compliance personnel. Fair Value Securities may include, but are not limited to, the following: certain private placements and restricted securities that do not have an active trading market; securities whose trading has been suspended or for which there is no current market; securities whose prices are stale; securities denominated in currencies that are restricted, untraded, or for which exchange rates are disrupted; securities affected by significant events; and securities that the Adviser or Pricing Committee believe were priced incorrectly. A significant event (which includes, but is not limited to, an extraordinarily political or market event) is an event that the Adviser or Pricing Committee believes with a reasonably high degree of certainty has caused the closing market prices of a Fund’s portfolio securities to no longer reflect their value at the time of the Fund’s NAV calculation.
 
Security Transactions and Investment Income
 
Security transactions are accounted for as of trade date. Realized gains and losses from security transactions are determined on an identified-cost basis.
 
Dividend income is recorded on the ex-dividend date or, for certain non-U.S. securities, when the information becomes available to the Fund. Interest income is recorded on an accrual basis. Discounts and premiums on debt securities are accreted and amortized on the yield to maturity basis.
 
Non-U.S. Currency Transactions
 
At each net asset valuation date, the value of assets and liabilities denominated in non-U.S. currencies are translated into U.S. dollars using the current exchange rate at the spot rate at 11:00 a.m. Eastern Time against the U.S. dollar, as provided by an approved pricing service. Security transactions, income and expenses are converted at the prevailing exchange rate on the day of the event. The effect of


 
19

 


changes in exchange rates on securities denominated in a non-U.S. currency is included with the net realized and unrealized gain or loss of the associated security. Other Non-U.S. currency gains or losses are reported separately.
 
The Fund may use forward non-U.S. currency contracts to reduce their exposure to currency fluctuations of their non-U.S. securities. These contracts are commitments to purchase or sell a non-U.S. currency at a specified rate on a future date. When the contract is fulfilled or closed, gains or losses are realized. Until then, the gain or loss is included in unrealized appreciation or depreciation of forward currency contracts. The contract commitment is fully collateralized by cash or securities of the Fund. Non-U.S. denominated assets and forward currency contracts may involve more risks than U.S. transactions, including currency risk, political and economic risk, regulatory and market risk. Evaluating and monitoring such risk exposure is a part of the Funds’ management strategy. There were no such forward non-U.S. currency contracts at November 30, 2008.
 
Futures Contracts
 
The Fund may enter into futures contracts involving non-U.S. currency, interest rates, securities, and securities indices, for hedging purposes only. A futures contract obligates the seller of the contract to deliver and the purchaser of the contract to take delivery of the type of non-U.S. currency, financial instrument or security called for in the contract at a specified future time for a specified price. Upon entering into such a contract, the Fund is required to deposit and maintain as collateral such initial margin as required by the exchange on which the contract is traded. Pursuant to the contract, the Fund agrees to receive from or pay to the broker an amount equal to the daily fluctuations in the value of the contract. Such receipts or payments are known as variation margin and are recorded as unrealized gains or losses by the Fund. When the contract is closed, the Fund records a realized gain or loss equal to the difference between the value of the contract at the time it was opened and the value at the time it was closed. There were no such futures contracts at November 30, 2008.
 
Options Contracts
 
The Fund may: (a) buy call options on non-U.S. currency in anticipation of an increase in the value of the underlying asset; (b) buy put options on non-U.S. currency, portfolio securities, and futures in anticipation of a decrease in the value of the underlying asset; and (c) write call options on portfolio securities and futures to generate income from premiums, and in anticipation of a decrease or only limited increase in the value of the underlying asset. If a call written by the Fund is exercised, the Fund foregoes any possible gain from an increase in the market price of the underlying asset over the exercise price plus the premium received. When the Fund writes options on futures contracts, it will be subject to margin requirements similar to those applied to futures contracts. There were no such options at November 30, 2008.
 
Equity-Linked Securities
 
The Fund may purchase equity-linked securities, also known as participation notes, equity swaps, and zero strike calls and warrants. Equity-linked securities are primarily used by the Fund as an alternative means to more efficiently and effectively access the securities market of what is generally an emerging securities market. The Fund deposits an amount of cash with its custodian (or broker, if legally permitted) in an amount near or equal to the selling price of the underlying security in exchange for an equity-linked security. Upon sale, the Fund receives cash from the broker or custodian equal to the value of the underlying security. Aside from market risk of the underlying securities, there is a risk of default by the counterparty to the transaction. In the event of insolvency of the counterparty, the Fund might be unable to obtain its expected benefit. In addition, while the Fund will seek to enter into such transactions only with parties which are capable of entering into closing transactions with the Fund, there can be no assurance that the Fund will be able to close out such a transaction with the counterparty or obtain an offsetting position with any counterparty, at any time prior to the end of the term of the underlying agreement. This may impair the Fund’s ability to enter into other transactions at a time when doing so might be advantageous.
 
Securities Lending
 
In order to generate expense offset credits, the Fund may lend portfolio securities, on a short-term or a long-term basis, up to 30% of a Fund’s total assets. The loan is secured by collateral in the forms of cash, cash equivalents, or U.S. government and agency securities equal to at least 102% of the market value of the securities loaned on U.S. securities and 105% of the market value loaned on non-U.S. securities. During the term of the loan, the Fund will continue to receive any interest, dividends or amounts equivalent thereto, on the loaned securities while receiving a fee from the borrower and/or earning interest on the investment of the cash collateral. Upon termination of the loan, the borrower will return to the lender securities identical to the loaned securities and may share the interest earned on the collateral with the borrower.
 
The Fund bears the risk of delay in recovery of, or even loss of rights in, the securities loaned should the borrower of the securities fail financially. The Fund also bears the risk of loss in the event the securities purchased with cash collateral depreciate in value. Loans are subject to termination at the option of the borrower or the Fund. There were no securities on loan at November 30, 2008.

 
20

 



Credit Facility
 
The Trust has a $15 million credit facility available to the Fund for temporary or emergency borrowing expiring in March 2009. The Fund pays its pro-rata share of an annual commitment fee plus interest on its specific borrowings. For the period ended November 30, 2008, the Fund did not borrow against the line of credit.
 
Commitments and Contingencies
 
In the normal course of business, the Fund may enter into contracts and agreements that contain a variety of representations and warranties which provide general indemnifications. The maximum exposure to the Fund under these arrangements is unknown, as this would involve future claims that may be made against the Fund that have not yet occurred. However, based on experience, the Fund expects the risks of loss to be remote.
 
Fund Expenses and Multi-Class Allocations
 
The Fund bears expenses incurred specifically on its behalf plus an allocation of its share of Trust level expenses. Each share offered by the Fund has equal rights to assets but incurs certain Class specific expenses. The Fund allocates income, gains and losses, both realized and unrealized, and expenses, except for Class specific expenses, based on the relative net assets of each share class.
 
During the period ended November 30, 2008, many of the brokers with whom the Adviser places trades on behalf of the Fund provided services to the Fund in addition to trade execution. These services included payments of certain expenses on behalf of the Fund. In addition, through arrangements with the Fund’s custodian, credits realized as a result of uninvested cash balances were used to reduce the Fund’s expenses. During the period ended November 30, 2008, the credits used to reduce the Funds expenses were:

 
Credit Interest
Directed Brokerage
Securities Lending
 
Offset
Offset
Offset
November 30, 2008
$10,847
$914
$30,125

Use of Estimates
 
The preparation of financial statements in conformity with accounting principles generally accepted in the United States requires management to make estimates and assumptions that affect the amounts reported in the financial statements and accompanying notes. Actual results could differ from these estimates.
 
Note C — FEDERAL INCOME TAXES
 
The Fund intends 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 shareholders. Accordingly, no provision for federal income taxes is required. The Fund records any foreign taxes on income and gains on investments in non-U.S. securities in accordance with the applicable tax rules. The Fund’s tax accounting treatment of loss deferrals, accretion, passive foreign investment companies and expiration of capital loss carryforwards are different from the financial statement recognition of income and gains.
 
Capital loss carryforwards may be used to offset current or future capital gains until expiration.
 
Income Tax Status
 
In June 2006, the Financial Accounting Standards Board (“FASB”) issued Interpretation No. 48, Accounting for Uncertainty in Income Taxes – an Interpretation of FASB Statement No. 109 (“FIN 48”), which applies to all registered investment companies and clarifies the accounting for uncertain tax positions. FIN 48 requires the evaluation of tax positions taken, or expected to be taken, in the course of preparing the Fund’s tax returns to determine whether the tax positions are “more-likely-than-not” of being sustained by the applicable tax authority. To the extent that a tax benefit of a position is not deemed to meet the more-likely-than-not threshold, the Fund would report an income tax expense in the statement of operations. Accordingly, management has evaluated tax positions for each of the four open tax years as of November 30, 2008 and has determined that the implementation of FIN 48 does not have a material impact on the Funds’ financial statements. Also, the Fund did not have a liability for any unrecognized tax benefits. The Fund recognizes interest and penalties, if any, related to unrecognized tax benefits as income tax expense in the statement of operations. During the period, the Fund did not incur any interest or penalties. The Fund’s federal tax returns for the prior three fiscal years remains subject to examination by the Internal Revenue Service.



 
21

 


Distributions to Shareholders
 
The Fund records distributions to shareholders on the ex-dividend date. Distributions are determined in accordance with income tax regulations that may differ from generally accepted accounting principles. Accordingly, the Fund’s capital accounts are periodically reclassified to reflect income and gains available for distribution under income tax regulations. The Fund makes income and capital gain distributions at least annually.
 
There were no distributions to shareholders paid during the period ended November 30, 2008.
 
The tax characters of distributions paid during the fiscal years indicated were as follows:
 
   
Distribution paid from:
 
   
Ordinary
Income
   
Net
long term
capital gain
   
Total
taxable
distributions
   
Tax return
of capital
   
Total
distributions
paid
 
For the year ended March 31, 2008
    3,113,776       12,917,360       16,031,136       -       16,031,136  
For the year ended March 31, 2007
    6,638,836       7,370,298       14,009,134       -       14,009,134  

As of November 30, 2008 the components of accumulated earnings/ (deficit) on a tax basis were as follows:

Components of accumulated earnings/(deficit):
Undistributed
Undistributed
 
Accumulated
Unrealized
Total
ordinary
long-term
Accumulated
capital and
appreciation/
accumulated
income
capital gains
earnings
other losses
(depreciation)
earning/(deficit)
735,406
3,212,580
3,947,986
(14,046,184) (1)
     (5,286,218) (2)
(15,384,416)

 (1) The Fund had net capital loss carryforwards of approximately:

Capital Loss
 
CarryForward
Expiration
(in 000’s)
Date
10,739
November 30, 2010
1,573
November 30, 2009
1,734
November 30, 2016

To the extent future capital gains are offset by capital loss carryforwards, such gains will not be distributed. The availability of loss carryforwards to any future years may be substantially limited as a result of past or future ownership changes as determined under the Internal Revenue Code Section 382.
 
Net Capital Losses incurred after October 31st, and within the taxable year are deemed to arise on the first business day of the fund's next taxable year. For the year ended November 30, 2008, the fund deferred to November 30, 2009, Post-October Capital Losses. Post-October Loss Deferrals for Short-Term Loss and Long-Term Loss were $426,269 and $427,489, respectively.
 
 (2) The differences between book-basis and tax-basis unrealized appreciation/ (depreciation) are attributable primarily to the tax deferral of losses on wash sales.
 
Note D — TRANSACTIONS WITH AFFILIATES
 
Investment Advisory Fee
 
The Adviser receives a monthly fee at an annual rate based on the average daily net assets of the Fund. The investment Advisory Fee rate for the Fund is listed in the table on the next page.
 
Administration Fee
 
On January 24, 2006, the Fund entered into a new Administration Agreement whereby the Fund pays for the administrative services it requires under what is essentially an all-in fee structure. Class I, II, & R shareholders of the Fund pay an administrative fee to the Investment Adviser computed as a percentage of the Funds’ assets attributable in the aggregate to Class I, II & R shares, the Adviser,



 
22

 


in turn, provides or procures administrative and shareholder services for Class I, II & R shareholders and also bears the costs of most third-party administrative services required by the Fund, including audit, custodial, portfolio accounting, legal, transfer agency and printing costs. The administrative fees paid to the Adviser may exceed the related costs.
 
The Fund does bear other expenses which are not covered under the administrative fee which may vary and affect the total level of expenses paid by Class I, II, & R shareholders, such as brokerages fees, taxes, commissions and other transaction expenses, costs of borrowing money, including interest expenses, extraordinary expenses (such as litigation and indemnification expenses) and fees and expenses of one interested Trustee and Independent Trustees of the Trust and their counsel.
 
The investment advisory and administrative services fees are charged at the following annual rates:
 
 
Advisory
Administration Fee*
 
Fee
     
Fund
 
Class
Class
Class
   
I
II
R
International Growth Fund
0.50%
0.86%
0.46%
0.86%
*Excludes trustees’ fees and expenses, tax, brokerage and interest expenses, and extraordinary expenses.

Distribution Fees
 
The Fund has adopted a Plan of Distribution with respect to Class R (“Class R Plan”) in accordance with Rule 12b-1 of the Investment Company Act of 1940. Pursuant to the Class R Plan, the fund pays Nicholas-Applegate Securities, the Distributor, a service fee of 0.25% of the Fund’s average daily net assets attributable to Class R shares to pay or reimburse expenditures in connection with sales and promotional services of Class R shares.
 
Trustee Compensation
 
Certain officers of the Trust are also officers of the Investment Adviser and the Distributor. The Trustees who were not affiliated with the Investment Adviser receive annual compensation of approximately $36,000 each from the Trust, except for the chairman of the Board of Trustees of the Trust and the chairman of the Audit Committee, who will receive annual compensation of approximately $42,000 and $41,000, respectively, from the Trust.
 
Note E — INVESTMENT TRANSACTIONS
 
The following table presents purchases and sales of securities, excluding short-term investments, during the period ended November 30, 2008 to indicate the volume of transactions in the Fund. The tax cost of securities held at November 30, 2008, and the related gross and net unrealized appreciation and depreciation, provide aggregate information on a tax basis against which future gains and losses on these investments are measured for distribution purposes.

           
Net
       
Gross
Gross
Unrealized
       
Unrealized
Unrealized
Appreciation
 
Purchases
Sales
Tax Cost
Appreciation
Depreciation
(Depreciation)
Fund
(in 000’s)
(in 000’s)
(in 000’s)
(in 000’s)
(in 000’s)
(in 000’s)
International Growth
$5,765
$7,293
$18,047
$931
$(6,217)
$(5,286)

Gains and losses resulting from the redemptions-in-kind are included in the realized gain/loss from securities and non-U.S. currency transactions. During the period that ended November 30, 2008, the Fund did not have any subscription- or redemptions-in-kind.
 
Note F — FINANCIAL INSTRUMENTS
 
The Fund may be party to financial instruments with off-balance sheet risks, including forward non-U.S. currency contracts, primarily in an attempt to minimize the risk to the Fund, in respect of its portfolio transactions. These instruments involve market and/or credit risk in excess of the amount recognized in the Statement of Assets and Liabilities. Risks arise from the possible inability of counterparties to meet the terms of their contracts and from unexpected movement in currencies, securities values and interest rates. The contract amounts indicate the extent of the Fund's involvement in such contracts. For the period ended November 30, 2008 the Fund was not party to any such agreements.

 
23

 


Note G — FAIR VALUE OF FINANCIAL INSTRUMENTS
 
Effective April 1, 2008, the Fund adopted FAS 157 – Fair Value Measurements (“FAS 157” or “the Statement”). FAS 157 defines fair value, establishes a framework for measuring fair value in generally accepted accounting principles (“GAAP”), and expands disclosures about fair value measurement.  The Statement establishes a fair value hierarchy that distinguishes between (1) market participant assumptions developed based on market data obtained from sources independent of the fund’s (observable inputs) and (2) the fund’s own assumptions about market participant assumptions developed based on the best information available in the circumstances (unobservable inputs). The three levels defined by the FAS 157 hierarchy are as follows:
 
Level I – quoted prices in active markets for identical securities.
 
Level II – significant observable inputs (including quoted prices for similar securities, interest rates prepayment speeds, credit risk, etc.).
 
Level III – significant unobservable inputs (including the Fund’s own assumptions in determining the fair value of investments.
 
In some instances, the inputs used to measure fair value might fall in different levels of the fair value hierarchy. The level in the fair value hierarchy within which the fair value measurement in its entirety falls shall be determined based on the lowest input level that is significant to the fair value measurement in its entirety.
 
The following table summarizes the valuation of each fund’s securities using the fair value hierarchy:

At November 30, 2008
Total
Level I
Level II
Level III
International Growth
       
Investments
$12,761,241
$12,749,578
$11,663
$-

SFAS 157 also requires a reconciliation of assets and liabilities for which significant unobservable inputs (Level 3) were used in determining fair value. During the period April 1, 2008 through November 30, 2008, the Fund did not hold investments in which significant unobservable inputs (Level 3) were used in determining value.
 
Note H — NEW ACCOUNTING PRONOUNCEMENTS
 
In March 2008, Statement of Financial Accounting Standards No. 161, "Disclosures about Derivative Instruments and Hedging Activities" ("SFAS 161"), was issued and is effective for fiscal years and interim periods beginning after November 15, 2008. SFAS 161 requires enhanced disclosures to provide information about the reasons the Fund invests in derivative instruments, the accounting treatment and the effect derivatives have on financial performance.
 
In September 2008, "FASB Staff Position No. 133-1 and FASB Interpretation No. 45-4" (the "FSP"), "Disclosures about Credit Derivatives and Certain Guarantees: An Amendment of FASB Statement No. 133 and FASB Interpretation No. 45; and Clarification of the Effective Date of FASB Statement No. 161," was issued and is effective for fiscal years and interim periods ending after November 15, 2008. The FSP amends FASB Statement No. 133, "Accounting for Derivative Instruments and Hedging Activities," to require disclosures by sellers of credit derivatives, including credit derivatives embedded in hybrid instruments. The FSP was effective at November 30, 2008, whereby disclosures required by SFAS 161 are effective for financial statements issued for fiscal years and interim periods beginning after November 15, 2008. Management has reviewed FASB Statement 133 and FASB Interpretation 45 and has determined that these implementations do not have a material impact on the Fund's financial statements.

Note I — SUBSEQUENT EVENTS
 
The Fund is expected to reorganized into the Allianz NACM International Growth Fund, a newly created series of the Allianz Funds Multi-Strategy Trust on or about January 30, 2009.



 
24

 


Report of Independent Registered Public Accounting Firm

 
To the Board of Trustees and Shareholders of the Nicholas-Applegate International Growth Fund:
 
In our opinion, the accompanying statement of assets and liabilities, including the schedule of investments, and the related statements of operations and of changes in net assets and the financial highlights present fairly, in all material respects, the financial position of the Nicholas-Applegate International Growth Fund (the "Fund") at November 30, 2008, the results of its operations, the changes in its net assets and the financial highlights for each of the periods presented, in conformity with accounting principles generally accepted in the United States of America. These financial statements and financial highlights (hereafter referred to as "financial statements") are the responsibility of the Fund's management; our responsibility is to express an opinion on these financial statements based on our audits. We conducted our audits of these financial statements 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 are free of material misstatement. An audit 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, and evaluating the overall financial statement presentation. We believe that our audits, which included confirmation of securities at November 30, 2008 by correspondence with the custodian and brokers, provide a reasonable basis for our opinion.
 

PricewaterhouseCoopers LLP
 
Los Angeles, California
 
January 20, 2009



 
25

 


Shareholder Expense Example – (Unaudited)
 
As a shareholder of a Fund, you incur two types of costs: (1) transaction costs, including redemption fees, and (2) ongoing costs, including management 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 (April 1, 2008 to November 30, 2008).
 
Actual Expenses
 
The first line of the table below for the Fund 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 for the fund under the heading “Expenses Paid During Period” to estimate the expenses you paid on your account during this period.
 
Hypothetical Example for Comparison Purposes
 
The second line of the table below for the Fund provides information about hypothetical account values and hypothetical expenses based on the Fund’s actual expense ratio and an assumed rate of return if 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 costs 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 transaction costs. Therefore, the second line of the table is useful in comparing ongoing costs only, and will not help you determine the relative total costs of owning different funds. In addition, if these transactional costs were included, your costs would have been higher.

     
Expenses Paid During
 
 
Beginning Account
Ending Account
the Period*
Annualized
 
Value
Value
June 1, 2008 to
Expense
 
June 1, 2008
November 30, 2008
November 30, 2008
Ratio
International Growth Fund - Class I
       
Actual
$1,000.00
$544.86
$5.58
1.44%
Hypothetical (5% return before expenses)
$1,000.00
$1,017.85
$7.28
1.44%
         
International Growth Fund - Class II
       
Actual
$1,000.00
$545.60
$4.00
1.03%
Hypothetical (5% return before expenses)
$1,000.00
$1,019.90
$5.22
1.03%
         
International Growth Fund - Class R
       
Actual
$1,000.00
$543.80
$6.53
1.69%
Hypothetical (5% return before expenses)
$1,000.00
$1,016.61
$8.53
1.69%



 
26

 


Supplementary Information – (Unaudited)
 
PROXY VOTING (Unaudited)
 
The Investment Adviser votes proxies on behalf of the Fund pursuant to written policies and procedures adopted by the Fund. A description of the policies and procedures that the Fund uses to determine how to vote proxies relating to portfolio securities is available, without charge, upon request by calling 1-800-551-8043 or visit the Fund’s website at www.nacm.com. To obtain free information on how the Fund’s portfolio securities were voted, please call the Fund at 1-800-551-8043. You may also view how the Fund’s securities were voted by visiting the Securities & Exchange Commission’s website at www.sec.gov. Additionally, information regarding the Fund’s proxy voting record for the most recent twelve month period is also available, free of charge, by calling the Fund at 1-800-551-8043 and from the SEC’s website at http:///www.sec.gov.
 
ADDITIONAL FEDERAL TAX INFORMATION (Unaudited)
 
The amounts which represent income derived from sources within, and taxes paid to non-U.S. countries or possessions of the United States are as follows:

Foreign Source
 
FTC
Income
 
Total:
$465,653
 
$44,455

QUARTERLY PORTFOLIO SCHEDULE (Unaudited)
 
The Fund provides a complete list of its holdings four times in each fiscal year, at the end of each calendar quarter. For the second and fourth quarters, the lists appear in the Fund’s semiannual and annual reports to shareholders dated March 31, 2008 and June 30, 2008, respectively. For the first quarter, the Fund filed its Portfolio Schedule with the Securities and Exchange Commission on Form N-Q. On November 14, 2008 the Board of Trustees approved a change in the Fund's fiscal year end from March 31 to November 30. As a result, a complete list of the Fund's holdings for the third quarter appear in the Fund's annual report to shareholders dated November 30, 2008. Fund files its Portfolio Schedule with the Securities and Exchange Commission on Form N-Q. Shareholders can look up the Fund’s Form N-Q on the SEC's website at www.sec.gov. Form N-Q may also be reviewed and copied at the SEC's Public Reference Room in Washington, DC. To find out more about this public service, call the SEC at 1-202-942-8090.

 
27

 
 
Supplementary Information – (Unaudited) - Continued
 
TRUSTEE APPROVAL OF INVESTMENT ADVISORY AGREEMENT

Based upon the recommendation of the Contract Committee of the Board of Trustees, a Committee comprised of all of the Independent Trustees of the Trust, the Trustees unanimously approved the continuance of the Investment Advisory Agreement between the Fund and Nicholas- Applegate Capital Management (“Nicholas-Applegate”) at a meeting held November 14, 2008. In approving the Investment Advisory Agreement, the Board of Trustees, through its Contract Committee, evaluated a comprehensive package of materials, including performance and expense data for other Fund with similar asset sizes, investment objectives and policies that had been provided by Lipper Inc. (“Lipper”). Prior to making its recommendation, the Contract Committee reviewed the proposed continuance of the Investment Advisory Agreement with representatives of Nicholas-Applegate and with independent legal counsel to the independent Trustees of the Trust. Members of the Contract Committee also met privately with independent legal counsel to discuss the factors they felt were relevant. The factors included: (1) comparative performance data for the Fund and other funds with similar investment objectives/policies and to a relevant index; (2) the nature, extent and quality of investment advisory services rendered by Nicholas-Applegate; (3) marketing and sales efforts dedicated to the Fund; (4) compensation paid to Nicholas-Applegate; (5) costs borne by Nicholas-Applegate; (6) comparative fee and expense data for the Fund and other funds with similar investment objectives/policies; (7) Nicholas-Applegate’s policies and practices regarding allocation of portfolio transactions, best price and execution of portfolio transactions, and soft dollar arrangements; (8) fair valuation policy and procedures; (9) expense off-set arrangements; (10) portfolio turnover rates; (11) fall-out benefits, such as research received pursuant to Section 28(e) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934; (12) fees that Nicholas-Applegate charges its other clients with similar investment objectives/policies; (13) experience and qualifications of the members of the portfolio management team; (14) material changes in personnel of Nicholas-Applegate; (15) the time dedicated by Nicholas-Applegate’s President and its Chief Investment Officer to the Fund; and (16) Allianz’s commitment to Nicholas-Applegate.

The Contract Committee also considered their confidence in Nicholas-Applegate’s integrity and competence, and Nicholas-Applegate’s responsiveness to questions and issues raised by the Trustees, including its willingness to consider and implement changes designed to improve investment and operational results. In their deliberations, the Contract Committee did not identify any particular information that was controlling, and each member of the Contract Committee attributed different weights to the various factors. The Contract Committee determined that the fees of the Investment Advisory Agreement between Fund and Nicholas-Applegate were fair and reasonable in light of the services performed, expenses incurred and such other matters as the Contract Committee considered relevant in the exercise of their reasonable judgment. The Contract Committee also separately discussed the material factors and conclusions that formed the basis for the Contract Committee to recommend to the Board of Trustees to approve the Investment Advisory Agreement for the Fund.

SERVICES PROVIDED BY NICHOLAS-APPLEGATE

The Contract Committee noted that Nicholas-Applegate manages the Fund’s portfolio under the direction of the Board of Trustees. Nicholas-Applegate manages the Fund consistent with its investment objectives and policies. Nicholas-Applegate provides the Fund with office space and such other services and personnel as are necessary for its operations. The Contract Committee considered the scope and quality of services provided by Nicholas-Applegate under the Investment Advisory Agreement. The Contract Committee considered the quality of the investment research capabilities of Nicholas-Applegate and the other services to be provided to the Fund by Nicholas-Applegate, such as selecting broker-dealers for executing portfolio transactions, serving as the Fund’s administrator, monitoring adherence to the Fund’s investment restrictions, producing shareholder reports, providing support services for the Trustees and Board Committees and overseeing the activities of other service providers, including monitoring compliance with various Fund policies and procedures and with applicable securities laws and regulations. The Contract Committee concluded that the nature, extent and quality of the services provided by Nicholas-Applegate to the Fund were appropriate and consistent with the terms of the Investment Advisory Agreement and that the Fund will continue to benefit from services provided under the Investment Advisory Agreement with Nicholas-Applegate.

COST OF SERVICES & FUND EXPENSES

The Contract Committee examined the fee information and expenses for the Fund in comparison to information from other comparable funds as provided by Lipper. The Contract Committee agreed that overall the Fund’s management fees and expense ratios were reasonable in relation to the management fees and expense ratios of the Fund’s peer groups selected by Lipper. The Contract Committee also reviewed Nicholas-Applegate’s management fees charged to its institutional separate account clients and for sub-advised funds (funds for which the Nicholas-Applegate provides portfolio management services only). The Committee found that in almost all instances sub-advisory and institutional separate account fees are in line with the Fund’s management fee. The Contract Committee reviewed the profitability analysis for the Fund and discussed the methodology used by Nicholas-Applegate to assess profitability. They noted that the Fund was not profitable as compared to similar separate accounts and sub-advised funds managed by Nicholas-Applegate.
 
28

 
Supplementary Information – (Unaudited) - Continued
 
The Contract Committee concluded that the management fees and other compensation to be paid by the Fund to Nicholas-Applegate was reasonable in relation to the nature and quality of the services to be provided, taking into account (1) the fees charged by other advisers for managing comparable mutual Fund with similar strategies and assets; (2) the fees that Nicholas-Applegate charges to other clients; (3) the estimated overall expense ratio of the Fund, taking into account the Fund’s expense offset arrangements with brokers, custodians and third party services providers. The Committee concluded that compensation paid to Nicholas-Applegate was low as compared to the mean or median expense ratios of its Lipper peers.

INVESTMENT RESULTS

The Contract Committee considered the investment results of the Fund as compared to funds with similar investment objectives and policies as determined by Lipper and with relevant securities indices. In addition to the information received by the Contract Committee for their meeting, Nicholas-Applegate provided detailed performance information for the Fund at each regular meeting of the Board of Trustees. The Contract Committee reviewed information showing absolute and relative performance of the Fund over 1-year, 3-year, 5-year and 10-year periods as applicable. The Contract Committee reviewed information showing performance of the Fund compared to its Lipper peer group and the Lipper International Multi-Cap Growth Index, MSCI EAFE Index and MSCI EAFE Growth Index. The comparative information showed the Fund had top percentile performance in the 1, 5 and 10-year periods. The Fund outperformed the Lipper International Multi-Cap Growth Index, MSCI EAFE Growth Index and MSCI EAFE Index in all periods.  The Contract Committee considered the changes in the Fund’s portfolio management team and ongoing enhancement to its investment process. Based on their review, the Contract Committee concluded that Fund’s relative investment performance over time had been very strong.

INVESTMENT ADVISORY FEE AND OTHER EXPENSES

The Contract Committee considered the investment advisory fee paid by the Fund. The Contract Committee recognized that it is difficult to make comparisons of investment advisory fees because there are variations in the services that are included in the fees paid by other funds in the peer group. The Contract Committee also considered the fees that Nicholas-Applegate charges other clients with similar investment objectives/policies. Nicholas-Applegate acts as sub-adviser to several open-end and closed-end registered investment companies, non-U.S. investment companies, and investment adviser to separately managed institutional accounts. For funds where Nicholas-Applegate acts as sub-adviser, the Investment advisory fee is generally lower. For separately managed accounts where Nicholas-Applegate acts solely as investment adviser, the investment advisory fee is comparable and in some cases higher.  Representatives of Nicholas-Applegate reviewed with the Contract Committee the significant differences in the scope of services provided and financial commitments and risks involved in managing the various types of accounts. The Contract Committee also considered the total expense ratio for the Fund in comparison to their respective peers.

The Lipper peer group consisted of 6 funds with average net assets ranging between $39 million and $262 million compared to $39 million for the Fund. The Lipper peer group fee and expense data showed that the Fund’s total expenses were second to lowest among its peers with larger average net assets. The Contract Committee concluded that the Fund’s expense ratio was acceptable in light of the quality of services offered and other factors considered.

ECONOMIES OF SCALE

The Contract Committee noted that the investment advisory and unitary fee schedules for the Funds do not contain breakpoints that reduce the fee rate on assets above specified levels. However, the Contract Committee did note that overall fees paid to Nicholas-Applegate (investment advisory, administration, and shareholder service) contain the functional equivalent of breakpoints through the offering of four to five different share classes that reduce the fees paid to Nicholas-Applegate based on the asset level of the account. The Contract Committee recognized that the existing fee structure is consistent with the institutional nature of the Fund’s shareholder base and of Nicholas-Applegate’s business, which caters to large institutional investors (e.g., pension plans, endowments and public funds). Having taken these factors into consideration, the Contract Committee concluded that the Fund’s current multiple share class fee structure establishes a reasonable basis for realizing economies of scale for the Fund which may exist when assets increase. At current asset levels, the Contract Committee also noted that the Fund has not realized economies of scale in respect to other expenses and that many expenses continue to be paid by Nicholas-Applegate.

29

 
Supplementary Information – (Unaudited) - Continued
 
CORPORATE GOVERNANCE (Unaudited)

Name, Address (1)
Principal Occupation(s) during Past 5 Years
Age
Other Directorship Held by Trustee
Position(s) Held with Fund
Number of Portfolios in Fund complex Overseen by Trustee
Length of Time Served (2)
 
   
Disinterested Trustees:
 
   
Darlene T. DeRemer
11/27/1955
Chairperson of the Board Since August 2007 & Trustee Since
May 1999
Principal Occupations: Partner, Grail Partners LLC (since 2005); Managing Director, Putnam Lovell NBF Private Equity (Since 2004-2005); Managing Director, NewRiver E-Business Advisory Services Division (2000-2003); Prior to, President and Founder, DeRemer Associates, a strategic and marketing consulting firm for the financial services industry (1987-2003); Vice President and Director, Asset Management Division, State Street Bank and Trust Company, now referred to as State Street Global Advisers, (1982-1987); Vice President, T. Rowe Price & Associates (1979-1982); Member, Boston Club (since 1998); Member, Financial Women’s Association Advisory Board (since 1995); Founder, Mutual Fund Cafe Website.
 
Other Directorships Held: Founding Member and Director, National Defined Contribution Council (since 1997); Trustee, Boston Alzheimer’s Association (since 1998); Director, King’s Wood Montessori School (since 1995); Editorial Board, National Association of Variable Annuities (since 1997); Director, Nicholas-Applegate Strategic Opportunities, Ltd. (1994-1997); Trustee, Nicholas-Applegate Mutual Funds (1994-1999); Director, Jurika & Voyles Fund Group (since 1994-2000); Trustee, Bramwell Funds (2003-2005); Director, Independent Director Council (since 2004); Mutual Fund Directors’s Council-Advisory Board; Board Member-Chatman Partners; Board Member X-Shares LLC.
 
Number of Portfolios Overseen by Trustee: 14
   
John J. Murphy
4/8/1944
Trustee
Since September 2005
Principal Occupations: Founder and senior principal, Murphy Capital Management
 
Other Directorships Held: Director, Smith Barney Multiple Discipline Trust; Director, Barclays International Funds Group Ltd. and affiliated companies; Smith Barney Consulting Group; Legg Mason Equity Funds.
 
Number of Portfolios Overseen by Trustee: 14
   
Bradford K. Gallagher
2/24/1944
Trustee
Since August 2007
Principal Occupations: Founder, Spyglass Investments LLC (a private investment vehicle) (since 2001); Founder, President and CEO of CypressTree Investment Management Company and Annuity Company; Managing Director, Fidelity Investments.
 
Other Directorships Held: Trustee, The Common Fund (since 2005); Director, Anchor Point Inc. (since 2005); Chairman and Trustee, Atlantic Maritime Heritage Foundation (since 2007); Director, Shielding Technology Inc. (since 2006);Director, United Way of Eastern Massachusetts (1988-1990); Director, Ouimet Scholarship Fund (1993-2005); Director, Emerson Hospital (1995-2005)
 
Number of Portfolios Overseen by Trustee: 14
   
Steven Grenadier
12/14/1964
Trustee
Since August 2007
Principal Occupations: William F. Sharpe Professor of Financial Economics, Stanford University Graduate School of Business; Research Associate, National Bureau of Economic Research (since 2002); Chairman of the Finance Department, Stanford University Graduate School of Business (2004-2006)
 
Other Directorships Held: Independent Trustee, E Trade Funds.
 
Number of Portfolios Overseen by Trustee: 14
 
Interested Trustees:
 
 
Horacio A. Valeiras
1/8/1959
President & Trustee
Since August 2004
Principal Occupations: Managing Director (since 2004) and Chief Investment Officer. Nicholas-Applegate Capital Management, Nicholas-Applegate Securities (since 2002); Chief Investment Officer Oppenheimer Capital and AGI Management Partners (since 2008); Managing Director of Morgan Stanley Investment Management, London (1997-2002); Head of International Equity and Asset Allocation, Miller Anderson & Sherred; Director and Chief of Investment Strategies, Credit Suisse First Boston.
 
Other Directorships Held: Trustee, The Bishops School (since 2002); Trustee, San Diego Rowing Club (since 2002).
 
Number of Portfolios Overseen by Trustee: 14
   
Arthur B. Laffer
8/14/1940
Trustee
Since August 2007
Principal Occupations: Chairman, Laffer Associates (economic consulting) (since 1979); Chairman, Laffer Advisors Inc. (registered broker-dealer) (since 1981); Chairman, Laffer Investments (asset management) (since 2000); Member, Congressional Policy Advisory Board (since 1998); Distinguished University Professor and Director, Pepperdine University (1985-1988); Professor of Business Economics, University of Southern California (1976-1984); Associate Professor of Business Economics, University of Chicago (1967-1976).
 
Other Directorships Held: Director of MPS Group, Inc. (NYSE:MPS) (since 2003); Director, Petco Animal Supplies, Inc. (NASDAQ:PETC) (2002-2005); Director, Oxigene Inc. (NASDAQ:OXGN); biopharmaceutical company (since 1998); Director of Provide Commerce (NASDAQ: PRVD) (since 1998); Director, Veolia Environmental Corporation (successor to U.S. Filter Corporation) (water purification) (1991-2006); Director, Nicholas Applegate Fund, Inc. (1987-2007).
 
Number of Portfolios Overseen by Trustee: 14



 
30

 


Supplementary Information – (Unaudited) - Continued
 
CORPORATE GOVERNANCE (Unaudited)

Name, Address (1)
Principal Occupation(s) during Past 5 Years
Age
Other Directorship Held by Trustee
Position(s) Held with Fund
Number of Portfolios in Fund complex Overseen by Trustee
Length of Time Served (2)
 
   
Officers:
 
   
Charles H. Field, Jr.
7/24/1955
Secretary and Chief Compliance Officer
Since May 2002
Principal Occupations: Managing Director and General Counsel, Nicholas-Applegate Capital Management, Nicholas- Applegate Securities LLC, Nicholas-Applegate Holdings LLC (since February 2004), Deputy General Counsel, Nicholas- Applegate Capital Management, LLC (1996-2004).
 
Other Directorships Held: N/A
   
Deborah A. Wussow
1/31/1960
Treasurer and Assistant Secretary
Since August 2006
Principal Occupations: Senior Vice President and Chief Compliance Officer, Nicholas-Applegate Capital Management, (Since 2008), and previously Vice President and Director, Legal and Compliance, Nicholas-Applegate Capital Management (2005-2007) and Manager, Legal and Compliance, Nicholas-Applegate Capital Management (1995-2004))
 
Other Directorships Held: N/A
 

(1)
Unless otherwise noted, the address of the Trustees and Officers is c/o: Nicholas-Applegate Capital Management, 600 West Broadway, 32nd Floor, San Diego, California 92101.
 
(2)
Each Trustee serves for an indefinite term, until her or his successor is elected.


 
31

 


TRUSTEES OF NICHOLAS-APPLEGATE INSTITUTIONAL FUNDS

Darlene T. DeRemer, Chairperson

Horacio A. Valeiras

John J. Murphy

Bradford K. Gallagher

Steven Grenadier

Arthur B. Laffer
 

 
OFFICERS

Horacio A. Valeiras, President

Charles H. Field, Jr., Secretary & Chief Compliance Officer

Deborah A. Wussow, Treasurer & Assistant Secretary
 

 
INVESTMENT ADVISER

Nicholas-Applegate Capital Management
 

 
DISTRIBUTOR

Nicholas-Applegate Securities
 

 
CUSTODIAN

Brown Brothers Harriman & Co., Private Bankers
 

 
TRANSFER AGENT

UMB Fund Services Group, Inc.
 

 
INDEPENDENT REGISTERED PUBLIC ACCOUNTING FIRM

PricewaterhouseCoopers LLP

 

 
32

 


ITEM 2. CODE OF ETHICS.

(a)
The registrant has adopted a code of ethics that applies to the registrant’s principal executive officer, principal financial officer, principal accounting officer or controller or persons performing similar functions.

(b)
The registrant has adopted a code of ethics that is reasonably designed to deter wrongdoing and to promote:
 
(1)
Honest and ethical conduct, including the ethical handling of actual or apparent conflicts of interest between personal and professional relationships;
 
(2)
Full, fair, accurate, timely, and understandable disclosure in reports and documents that a registrant files with, or submits to, the Commission and in other public communications made by the registrant;
 
(3)
Compliance with applicable governmental laws, rules, and regulations;
 
(4)
The prompt internal reporting of violations of the code to an appropriate person or persons identified in the code; and
 
(5)
Accountability for adherence to the code.

(c)
During the period covered by this Form N-CSR, there have been no amendments to a provision of the code of ethics that applies to the registrant’s 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 registrant or a third party, and that relates to any element of the code of ethics description in Item 2(b) of this Form N-CSR.

(d)
During the period covered by this Form N-CSR, the registrant has not granted any waivers, including an implicit waiver, from a provision of the code of ethics that applies to the registrant’s 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 registrant or a third party that relates to one or more of the items set forth in Item 2(b) of this Form N-CSR.

(e)
Not applicable.

(f)
(1) A copy of the code of ethics referenced in Item 2(a) of this Form N-CSR is filed as Exhibit 12(a)(1) to this Form N-CSR.

ITEM 3. AUDIT COMMITTEE FINANCIAL EXPERT.

(a)
(1) The registrant’s Board of Trustees has determined that the registrant has at least one audit committee financial expert serving on its audit committee.
(2) The following Independent Trustees have been designated as audit committee financial experts by the Board of Trustees: Darlene T. DeRemer, Bradford K. Gallagher, Steven Grenadier and John J. Murphy. Each of Ms. DeRemer and Messrs. Gallagher, Grenadier and Murphy are “independent” as defined in Item 3(a)(2) of Form N-CSR.

ITEM 4. PRINCIPAL ACCOUNTANT FEES AND SERVICES.

(a)
AUDIT FEES
The aggregate fees billed for the fiscal year ended March 31, 2008 for professional services rendered by the principal accountant for the audit of the registrant’s annual financial statements or services that are normally provided by the accountant in connection with statutory and regulatory filings or engagements were $7,742.  On November 14, 2008, the registrant changed its fiscal year end to November 30, 2008.  The aggregate fees billed for the fiscal year ended November 30, 2008 for professional services rendered by the principal accountant for the audit of the registrant’s annual financial statements or services that are normally provided by the accountant in connection with statutory and regulatory filings or engagements were $0.
 


(b)
AUDIT-RELATED FEES
Not applicable.

(c)
Tax Fees
The aggregate fees billed in the fiscal year ended March 31, 2008 for professional services rendered by the principal accountant for tax compliance, tax advice and tax planning were $5,950.  On November 14, 2008, the registrant changed its fiscal year end to November 30, 2008.  The aggregate fees billed in the fiscal year ended November 30, 2008 for professional services rendered by the principal accountant for tax compliance, tax advice and tax planning were $0.  The services for each of the fiscal years ended March 31, 2008 and November 30, 2008 consisted of (i) review or preparation of U.S. federal, state, local and excise tax returns; (ii) U.S. federal, state, local and Mauritius entity tax planning, advice and assistance regarding statutory, regulatory or administrative developments, and (iii) tax advice regarding tax qualification.

(d)
All Other Fees
Not applicable.

(e)
(1) The registrant has adopted pre-approval policies and procedures consistent with Rule 2-01(c)(7) of Regulation S-X. The policies and procedures allow for the pre-approval of the following non-audit services: consultations on GAAP and/or financial statement disclosure matters not exceeding $25,000/year; consultations on tax accounting matters not exceeding $25,000/year; review of annual excise distribution provisions not exceeding $15,000/year; and various regulatory and tax filings in foreign jurisdictions (such as India, Taiwan and Venezuela) not exceeding $25,000/year.  The policies and procedures require quarterly reporting to the Audit Committee of all such services performed and related fees billed pursuant to the policies and procedures.
(2) The percentage of services described in each of paragraphs (b) through (d) of this Item that were approved by the Audit Committee pursuant to paragraph (c)(7)(i)(C) of Rule 2-01 of Regulation S-X are as follows:

(b) Not applicable.
(c) 100%
(d) Not applicable.

(f)
Not applicable.

(g)
The aggregate non-audit fees billed by the registrant’s accountant for services rendered to the registrant, and rendered to the registrant's investment adviser (not  including  any  sub-adviser whose  role  is primarily portfolio management and is subcontracted with or overseen by another investment adviser), and any entity controlling, controlled by, or under common control with the investment adviser that provides ongoing services to the registrant for the fiscal year ended March 31, 2008 and the period ended December 31, 2008 were $2,994,218 and $4,693,466, respectively.

(h)
The registrant’s Audit Committee has considered whether the provision of non-audit services that were rendered to the registrant’s investment adviser (not including any subadviser whose role is primarily portfolio management and is subcontracted with or overseen by another investment adviser), and any entity controlling, controlled by, or under common control with the investment adviser that provides ongoing services to the registrant that were not pre-approved pursuant to paragraph (c)(7)(ii) of Rule 2-01 of Regulation S-X is compatible with maintaining the principal accountant’s independence.

ITEM 5. AUDIT COMMITTEE OF LISTED REGISTRANTS.

Not applicable.

ITEM 6. INVESTMENTS.

This schedule is included as part of the report to shareholders filed under Item 1 of this Form N-CSR.
 

 
ITEM 7. DISCLOSURE OF PROXY VOTING POLICIES AND PROCEDURES FOR CLOSED-END MANAGEMENT INVESTMENT COMPANIES.

Not applicable.

ITEM 8. PORTFOLIO MANAGERS OF CLOSED-END MANAGEMENT INVESTMENT COMPANIES.

Not applicable.

ITEM 9. PURCHASES OF EQUITY SECURITIES BY CLOSED-END MANAGEMENT INVESTMENT COMPANY AND AFFILIATED PURCHASERS.

Not applicable.

ITEM 10. SUBMISSION OF MATTERS TO A VOTE OF SECURITY HOLDERS.

There have been no material changes to the procedures by which the shareholders may recommend nominees to the registrant’s board of trustees, where those changes were implemented after the registrant last provided disclosure in response to the requirements of Item 407(c)(2)(iv) of Regulation S-K (as required by Item 22(b)(15) of Schedule 14A), or this Item.

ITEM 11. CONTROLS AND PROCEDURES.
 
(a)
The registrant’s principal executive and financial officers have concluded that the registrant's disclosure controls and procedures (as defined in Rule 30a-3(c) under the Investment Company Act of 1940, as amended (the “1940 Act”)) are effective, as of a date within 90 days of the filing date of this Form N-CSR, based on their evaluation of these controls and procedures required by Rule 30a-3(b) under the 1940 Act and Rules 13a-15(b) or 15d-15(b) under the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended (the “Exchange Act”).

(b)
There were no changes in the registrant's internal control over financial reporting (as defined in Rule 30a-3(d) under the 1940 Act) that occurred during the registrant's second fiscal quarter of the period covered by this Form N-CSR, that have materially affected, or are reasonably likely to materially affect, the registrant's internal control over financial reporting.

ITEM 12. EXHIBITS.

(a)
(1)  The registrant’s code of ethics that is the subject of the disclosure required by Item 2 of this Form N-CSR is filed as Exhibit 12(a)(1) to this Form N-CSR.

(2) A separate certification for each principal executive officer and principal financial officer of the registrant as required by Rule 30a-2(a) under the 1940 Act is filed as Exhibit 12(a)(2) to this Form N-CSR.

(3)  Not applicable.

(b)
The certifications required by Rule 30a-2(b) under the 1940 Act, Rule 13a-14(b) or Rule 15d-14(b) under the Exchange Act, and Section 1350 of Chapter 63 of Title 18 of the United States Code are furnished as Exhibit 12(b) to this Form N-CSR.

 
 

 

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.

(Registrant)
Nicholas-Applegate Institutional Funds

By (Signature and Title)


/s/ Horacio A. Valeiras
Horacio A. Valeiras
Title: President (Principal Executive Officer) and Trustee
 
Date:  February 6, 2009
 
Pursuant to the requirements of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 and the Investment Company Act of 1940, this report has been signed below by the following persons on behalf of the registrant and in the capacities and on the dates indicated.
 
By (Signature and Title)


/s/ Horacio A. Valeiras
Horacio A. Valeiras
Title: President (Principal Executive Officer) and Trustee

Date:  February 6, 2009
 
By (Signature and Title)

 
/s/ Deborah A. Wussow
Deborah A. Wussow
Title: Treasurer (Principal Financial Officer and Principal Accounting Officer)

Date:  February 6, 2009