-----BEGIN PRIVACY-ENHANCED MESSAGE----- Proc-Type: 2001,MIC-CLEAR Originator-Name: webmaster@www.sec.gov Originator-Key-Asymmetric: MFgwCgYEVQgBAQICAf8DSgAwRwJAW2sNKK9AVtBzYZmr6aGjlWyK3XmZv3dTINen TWSM7vrzLADbmYQaionwg5sDW3P6oaM5D3tdezXMm7z1T+B+twIDAQAB MIC-Info: RSA-MD5,RSA, KuE3cGRmk2JDROS9joHNfcjGed3DRm6grn/f8joPEKFq+3r0+Fi3EsEebuKYKrdG U44bYSr74B8QeFeKEDGpeQ== 0001047469-99-008668.txt : 19990308 0001047469-99-008668.hdr.sgml : 19990308 ACCESSION NUMBER: 0001047469-99-008668 CONFORMED SUBMISSION TYPE: N-30D PUBLIC DOCUMENT COUNT: 1 CONFORMED PERIOD OF REPORT: 19981231 FILED AS OF DATE: 19990305 FILER: COMPANY DATA: COMPANY CONFORMED NAME: MORGAN STANLEY EMERGING MARKETS DEBT FUND INC CENTRAL INDEX KEY: 0000904112 STANDARD INDUSTRIAL CLASSIFICATION: [] IRS NUMBER: 133713706 FISCAL YEAR END: 1231 FILING VALUES: FORM TYPE: N-30D SEC ACT: SEC FILE NUMBER: 811-07694 FILM NUMBER: 99558030 BUSINESS ADDRESS: STREET 1: 1221 AVENUE OF THE AMERICAS STREET 2: 8TH FLOOR CITY: NEW YORK STATE: NY ZIP: 10020 BUSINESS PHONE: 6175578742 MAIL ADDRESS: STREET 1: 1221 AVENUE OF THE AMERIAS STREET 2: 8TH FLOOR CITY: NEW YORK STATE: NY ZIP: 10020 N-30D 1 N-30D ---------------------------------------------------------------------- MORGAN STANLEY EMERGING MARKETS DEBT FUND, INC. ---------------------------------------------------------------------- ANNUAL REPORT DECEMBER 31, 1998 MORGAN STANLEY DEAN WITTER INVESTMENT MANAGEMENT INC. INVESTMENT ADVISER MORGAN STANLEY EMERGING MARKETS DEBT FUND, INC. - -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- - -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- DIRECTORS AND OFFICERS Barton M. Biggs CHAIRMAN OF THE BOARD OF DIRECTORS Michael F. Klein PRESIDENT AND DIRECTOR Peter J. Chase DIRECTOR John W. Croghan DIRECTOR David B. Gill DIRECTOR Graham E. Jones DIRECTOR John A. Levin DIRECTOR William G. Morton, Jr. DIRECTOR Stefanie V. Chang VICE PRESIDENT Harold J. Schaaff, Jr. VICE PRESIDENT Joseph P. Stadler VICE PRESIDENT Valerie Y. Lewis SECRETARY Joanna M. Haigney TREASURER Belinda A. Brady ASSISTANT TREASURER - -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- - -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- INVESTMENT ADVISER Morgan Stanley Dean Witter Investment Management Inc. 1221 Avenue of the Americas New York, New York 10020 - -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- ADMINISTRATOR The Chase Manhattan Bank 73 Tremont Street Boston, Massachusetts 02108 - -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- CUSTODIAN The Chase Manhattan Bank 3 Chase MetroTech Center Brooklyn, New York 11245 - -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- SHAREHOLDER SERVICING AGENT Boston Equiserve Investor Relations Department P.O. Box 644 Boston, Massachusetts 02102-0644 (800) 730-6001 - -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- LEGAL COUNSEL Rogers & Wells LLP 200 Park Avenue New York, New York 10166 - -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- INDEPENDENT ACCOUNTANTS PricewaterhouseCoopers LLP 1177 Avenue of the Americas New York, New York 10036 - -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- - -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- For additional Fund information, including the Fund's net asset value per share and information regarding the investments comprising the Fund's portfolio, please call 1-800-221-6726. LETTER TO SHAREHOLDERS - --------- For the year ended December 31, 1998, the Morgan Stanley Emerging Markets Debt Fund, Inc. (the "Fund") had a total return, based on net asset value per share, of -33.00% compared to -14.35% for the J.P. Morgan Emerging Markets Bond Plus Index (the "Index"). For the period since the Fund's commencement of operations on July 23, 1993 through December 31, 1998, the Fund's total return, based on net asset value per share, was 57.24% compared to 64.46% for the Index. On December 31, 1998, the closing price of the Fund's shares on the New York Stock Exchange was $7 3/16, representing a 2.6% premium to the Fund's net asset value per share. Throughout the first two quarters of 1998, the Asian region remained in the spotlight and often dictated the tone for emerging markets. During the first quarter, emerging market debt recovered a large portion of the losses realized in October of 1997, however the market remained volatile during this period of spread compression, with general market spreads oscillating within a 100 basis point range. In January, a market sell-off was caused by a worsening of certain countries fiscal accounts due to historically low commodity prices as well as policy inaction in Indonesia. The successful rescheduling of Korea's short-term bank debt obligations late in the month reversed this. In February, dramatic swings in the current account positions of Thailand and Korea combined with proactive responses on the part of policy makers in Brazil, Mexico and Russia to the worsening external environment helped bolster investor confidence. By the early spring, the apparent economic and political stabilization in the Asian region buoyed investor sentiment, causing spreads to rally to the mid 400's. However, this period of calm proved to be temporary. Spreads widened out to above 600 basis points, as the "Asian Contagion" hit emerging markets debt yet again during the second quarter of 1998 bringing returns for the first half of the year close to zero. During the second quarter, the medium term effects of 1997's Asian crisis were manifesting themselves in the form of lower global demand for commodities and a reduced demand for exports from other regions of the world especially Japan. The yen declined versus the U.S. dollar which put pressure on all the currencies in the Asian region. The ill health of the Japanese economy and of major Japanese banks caused investors to adjust risk premiums higher and caused liquidity for most emerging countries to evaporate. Investors feared that Japan's inability to fix its economy would continue to weaken the yen and might eventually cause a devaluation in China. This would increase the risk of another round of currency devaluation in Asia and might further depress commodity prices, a large source of earnings for many emerging countries. Furthermore, President Suharto of Indonesia was forced out of office by a series of national protests and riots, leaving a fragile political environment in his absence. As investor sentiment soured in general, Russia's fiscal management came under increased scrutiny causing a significant sell off in both the local and external Russian debt markets. Lack of progress in tax collection, poor corporate governance policies and a failed privatization led to a significant rise in domestic interest rates and in difficulties rolling over domestic debt. The Index was down -21.2% during the third quarter, which highlights the fact that the vast majority of the negative price action had occurred during this time period. During July, the Russian government successfully completed negotiations on an assistance package from the International Monetary Fund but this proved to be too little assistance too late. In August, investor sensitivity to deteriorating credit fundamentals and a worsened global environment for emerging countries reached a breakpoint and precipitated the largest and broadest sell-off in emerging market debt history. The sell-off transitioned from a focus on fundamentals to a technically driven liquidation when Russia devalued its currency and defaulted on its domestic debt (ruble denominated treasury bills) on August 17th. The Russian restructuring forced many market participants to sell non-Russian assets to meet margin calls, thereby contaminating the debt of all emerging countries. Spreads on the broad emerging market debt benchmark widened by 861 basis points during that month. The market effectively decoupled from events in Russia during September, as every country within the Index posted positive results except Russia, which was down an additional 23.81%. Emerging market debt continued to rebound during the last quarter of the year, with the Index advancing by 9.92%. The market was buoyed by interest rate cuts in the U.S., the completion of an International Monetary Fund assistance program for Brazil, and finally by the hope that emerging markets had already passed through the point of maximum pessimism. The negatives facing emerging market countries in 1999 are daunting. Emerging countries will have to confront slowing global gross domestic development growth and continued weak commodity prices, while caught in the grip of global excess capacity and deflationary forces. Additionally, 1999 will likely require precise navigation through a myriad of potential land mines ranging from equity market corrections, to Japanese bank defaults, to Bra- 2 zilian economic instability. But rather than dwelling on what has been priced into the markets, we prefer to focus on what might cause emerging market debt to rally or fall further from current levels. For starters, we have seen a good dose of monetary reflation during the final quarter of 1998. G-7 central banks have cut interest rates aggressively and we may see emerging markets rise as newfound liquidity works its way into the markets. With domestic interest rates below 5% in all major developed countries, yields in the low teens may prove too tempting to ignore. Also, the International Monetary Fund has been substantially re-capitalized and may be both more willing and better positioned to prevent a future liquidity driven crisis. Finally, it is true that in many cases crisis breeds reform and that in effect, the markets have forced an acceleration of structural adjustment agendas in most emerging countries. This last factor may lead to improvement in the longer-term credit prospects for certain sovereign issuers. Unfortunately, we do not believe that the momentum provided by the easing of monetary conditions will be powerful enough to reverse the negative fundamental forces for the most vulnerable emerging market credits and we may experience an up-tick in default levels during 1999. As shown in the chart below, the market did differentiate between stronger and weaker credits in 1998 and we expect this differentiation to continue. Despite what is generally perceived to have been a catastrophic year for emerging market debt, only four countries posted significantly negative returns. U.S. DOLLAR TOTAL RETURN %
COUNTRY 1998 PERFORMANCE - ------- ---------------- Argentina 3.57% Brazil -15.39% Bulgaria -0.01% Ecuador -25.46% Mexico 0.03% Morocco -1.36% Nigeria 2.33% Panama 3.84% Peru 2.40% Philippines 11.28% Poland 11.79% Russia -82.57% Venezuela -18.43%
During the first few months of 1999, the market will likely experience liquidity driven broad-based rallies. However, the trend toward credit polarization should take precedence and it is for this reason we remain cautious on countries such as Brazil, Ecuador and Venezuela. While each suffers from its own unique set of problems, fiscal imbalances remain high and currencies vulnerable in each of these countries. At the same time we believe that countries with sound fundamentals and fewer imbalances such as Mexico, the Philippines and Bulgaria should benefit most from the return of funds into emerging markets. We also see value in countries such as Colombia and Turkey and Korea where credible reforms initiated in 1998 look set to continue in 1999 and the large imbalances in these countries should prove manageable. Sincerely, /s/ Michael F. Klein Michael F. Klein PRESIDENT AND DIRECTOR January 1999 THE INFORMATION CONTAINED IN THIS OVERVIEW REGARDING SPECIFIC SECURITIES IS FOR INFORMATIONAL PURPOSES ONLY AND SHOULD NOT BE CONSTRUED AS A RECOMMENDATION TO PURCHASE OR SELL THE SECURITIES MENTIONED. 3 Morgan Stanley Emerging Markets Debt Fund, Inc. Investment Summary as of December 31, 1998 (Unaudited) - -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- - --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
HISTORICAL INFORMATION TOTAL RETURN (%) ------------------------------------------------------------------------------ MARKET VALUE (1) NET ASSET VALUE (2) INDEX (3) ----------------------- --------------------- ---------------------- AVERAGE AVERAGE AVERAGE CUMULATIVE ANNUAL CUMULATIVE ANNUAL CUMULATIVE ANNUAL ---------- ------- ---------- ------- ---------- ------- One Year -32.04% -32.04% -33.00% -33.00% -14.35% -14.35% Five Year 24.04 4.40 -15.65 2.95 38.59 6.74 Since Inception* 61.23+ 9.17+ 57.24+ 8.67+ 64.46 9.57
PAST PERFORMANCE IS NOT PREDICTIVE OF FUTURE PERFORMANCE. - -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- RETURNS AND PER SHARE INFORMATION [GRAPH]
YEAR ENDED DECEMBER 31, 1993* 1994 1995 1996 1997 1998 ----- ---- ---- ---- ---- ---- Net Asset Value Per Share. . . . . . $ 18.96 $ 12.23 $12.40 $ 17.31 $15.21 $ 7.01 Market Value Per Share . . . . . . . $ 18.13 $ 11.38 $12.50 $ 15.13 $15.38 $ 7.19 Premium/(Discount) . . . . . . . . . -4.4% -7.0% 0.8% -12.6% 1.1% 2.6% Income Dividends . . . . . . . . . . $ 0.16 $ 1.49 $ 1.72 $ 1.08 $ 1.27 $ 1.41 Capital Gains Distributions. . . . . -- $ 0.41 -- -- $ 3.44 $ 2.94 Fund Total Return (2). . . . . . . . 35.96% -25.95% 26.85%+ 50.98% 21.71% -33.00% Index Total Return (3) . . . . . . . 18.67% -18.93% 26.77% 39.31% 13.02% -14.35%
(1) Assumes dividends and distributions, if any, were reinvested. (2) Total investment return based on net asset value per share reflects the effects of changes in net asset value on the performance of the Fund during each period, and assumes dividends and distributions, if any, were reinvested. These percentages are not an indication of the performance of a shareholder's investment in the Fund based on market value due to differences between the market price of the stock and the net asset value per share of the Fund. (3) The J.P. Morgan Emerging Markets Bond Plus Index is a total return index tracking the traded U.S. Dollar currency denominated instruments in the emerging markets. The index is composed of Brady Bonds, benchmark Eurobonds, loans, and Argentina domestic debt. Because the J.P. Morgan Emerging Markets Bond Plus Index was not available prior to January 1, 1994, the performance of the J.P. Morgan Emerging Markets Bond Index is shown for the period July 23, 1993 to December 31, 1993, and used for purposes of computing cumulative performance of the benchmark index for that period. * The Fund commenced operations on July 23, 1993. + This return does not include the effect of the rights issued in connection with the Rights Offering. 4 Morgan Stanley Emerging Markets Debt Fund, Inc. Portfolio Summary as of December 31, 1998 - -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- - -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- DIVERSIFICATION OF TOTAL INVESTMENTS [CHART] Debt Instruments (97.6%) Short-Term Investments (2.4%)
- -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- COUNTRY WEIGHTINGS [CHART] Other (13.6%) Russia (2.4%) Ecuador (2.6%) Philippines (2.8%) Turkey (3.2%) Colombia (4.2%) Korea (4.5%) Bulgaria (5.6%) Brazil (13.4% Argentina (24.6%) Mexico (23.1%)
- -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- TEN LARGEST HOLDINGS*
PERCENT OF TOTAL INVESTMENTS ----------- 1. United Mexican States Par Bonds 6.25%, 12/31/19 (Mexico) 12.0% 2. Republic of Argentina 6.188%, 3/31/05 (Argentina) 9.4 3. United Mexican States Discount Bond 12/31/19 (Mexico) 6.4 4. Federative Republic of Brazil 'C' Bond PIK 8.00%, 4/15/14 (Brazil) 5.5 5. Federative Republic of Brazil 'EI-L' Bond 6.625%, 4/15/06 (Brazil) 5.3 6. Republic of Argentina Par Bond 'L-GP' 5.75%, 3/31/23 (Argentina) 5.1 7. Republic of Argentina Global Bond 11.375%, 1/30/17 (Argentina) 3.7 8. Republic of Bulgaria Discount Bond'Euro 6.688%, 7/28/24 (Brazil) 3.4 9. Korea Electric Power Corp. 7.00%, 10/1/02 (Brazil) 2.9 10. Nortel Inversora 'A' 6.00%, 3/31/07 (Argentina) 2.9 ---- 56.6% ---- ----
* Excludes short-term investments. 5 FINANCIAL STATEMENTS - --------- STATEMENT OF NET ASSESTS (SHOWING PERCENTAGE OF TOTAL VALUE OF INVESTMENTS) - --------- DECEMBER 31, 1998
FACE AMOUNT VALUE (000) (000) - -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- DEBT INSTRUMENTS(97.6%) - -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- ARGENTINA (24.6%) CORPORATE (5.8%) CIA International Telecom 10.375%, 8/1/04 ARP 350 U.S.$ 123.247 (b)10.375%, 8/1/04 4,200 2,964 Nortel Inversora 'A' 6.00%, 3/31/07 U.S.$ 7,434 4,469 (b)Supercanal Holdings S.A. 11.50%, 5/15/05 2,400 1,392 ---------------- 9,072 ---------------- SOVEREIGN (18.8%) Republic of Argentina (d)6.188%, 3/31/05 17,155 14,668 11.00%, 10/9/06 920 911 Republic of Argentina Global Bond 11.375%, 1/30/17 5,730 5,744 (d)Republic of Argentina Par Bond 'L-GP' 5.75%, 3/31/23 10,930 7,897 ---------------- 29,220 ---------------- 38,292 ---------------- - -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- BRAZIL (13.4%) SOVEREIGN (13.4%) (d,e)Federative Republic of Brazil 'C' Bond PIK 5.00%, 4/15/14 14,163 8,533 (d)Federative Republic of Brazil 'EI-L' Bond 6.125%, 4/15/06 12,787 8,296 (d)Federative Republic of Brazil Debt Conversion 'L' Bond 6.188%, 4/15/12 7,860 4,038 ---------------- 20,867 ---------------- - -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- BULGARIA (5.6%) SOVEREIGN (5.6%) (c)Republic of Bulgaria Discount Bond 'A' Euro 6.688%, 7/28/24 7,400 5,282 (d)Republic of Bulgaria Front Loaded Interest Reduction Bond 2.50%, 7/28/12 2,950 1,696 (d)Republic of Bulgaria Past Due Interest Bond 6.688%, 7/28/11 2,500 1,691 ---------------- 8,669 ---------------- - -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- COLOMBIA (4.2%) CORPORATE (0.9%) (c)Transtel 0.016%, 8/13/08 8,613 1,352 ---------------- - -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- SOVEREIGN (3.3%) Republic of Colombia 7.625%, 2/15/07 U.S.$ 2,020 U.S.$ 1,682 (c)Republic of Columbia 12.243%, 8/13/05 3,720 3,441 ---------------- 5,123 ---------------- 6,475 ---------------- - -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- ECUADOR (2.6%) CORPORATE (0.5%) Consorcio Ecuatorian Notes 14.00%, 5/1/02 1,520 775 (b)14.00%, 5/1/02 150 77 ---------------- 852 ---------------- SOVEREIGN (2.1%) (c)Republic of Ecuador Discount Bond 6.625%, 2/28/25 5,620 2,880 (d)Republic of Ecuador Past Due Interest Bond 3.25%, 2/27/15 871 356 ---------------- 3,236 ---------------- 4,088 ---------------- - -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- INDIA (1.6%) CORPORATE (1.6%) (b)Reliance Industries Ltd. 10.375%, 6/24/16 2,020 1,607 (g)Saurashtra Cement Ltd. 19.00%, 9/27/99 INR 40,000 897 ---------------- 2,504 ---------------- - -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- JAMAICA (2.1%) SOVEREIGN (2.1%) Government of Jamaica 12.00%, 7/19/99 U.S.$ 3,400 3,332 ---------------- - -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- JORDAN (0.9%) SOVEREIGN (0.9%) Jordan Discount Bond (b,c)6.00%, 12/23/23 1,147 708 (c)6.00%, 12/23/23 1,061 655 ---------------- 1,363 ---------------- - -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- KOREA (4.5%) QUASI-SOVEREIGN (4.5%) Export-Import Bank of Korea 6.50%, 2/10/02 340 311 Korea Development Bank 7.125%, 9/17/01 2,200 2,078 Korea Electric Power Corp. 7.00%, 10/1/02 5,000 4,519 ---------------- 6,908 ---------------- - --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
The accompanying notes are an integral part of the financial statements. 6
FACE AMOUNT VALUE (000) (000) - -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- MEXICO (23.1%) CORPORATE (1.9%) (b)Innova 12.875%, 4/1/07 U.S.$ 2,490 U.S.$ 1,718 (c)Petro Mexicanos 9.574%, 7/15/05 1,330 1,237 ---------------- 2,955 ---------------- SOVEREIGN (21.2%) (e)United Mexican States 11.50%, 5/15/26 1,880 2,003 (c)United Mexican States Discount Bond 'A' 6.116%, 12/31/19 3,820 3,118 (c)United Mexican States Discount Bond 'B' 6.039%, 12/31/19 2,750 2,245 (c)United Mexican States Discount Bond 'C' 6.201%, 12/31/19 1,300 1,061 (c)United Mexican States Discount Bond 'D' 6.098%, 12/31/19 4,250 3,469 United Mexican States Global Bond 9.875%, 1/15/07 860 853 11.375%, 9/15/16 1,490 1,550 United Mexican States Par Bond 'W-A' 6.25%, 12/31/19 1,840 1,436 United Mexican States Par Bond 'W-B' 6.25%, 12/31/19 22,053 17,215 ---------------- 32,950 ---------------- 35,905 ---------------- - -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- PANAMA (2.3%) SOVEREIGN (2.3%) Republic of Panama 8.875%, 9/30/27 1,190 1,124 Republic of Panama Global Bond 8.875%, 9/30/27 1,640 1,550 (d)Republic of Panama Interest Reduction Bond 3.75%, 7/17/14 1,120 846 ---------------- 3,520 ---------------- - -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- PERU (2.4%) SOVEREIGN (2.4%) Peru Past Due Interest Bond (d)4.00%, 3/7/17 2,320 1,467 Republic of Peru Front Loaded Interest Reduction Bond (d)3.25%, 3/7/17 3,350 1,913 (b,d)3.25%, 3/7/17 498 284 ---------------- 3,664 ---------------- - -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- PHILIPPINES (2.8%) SOVEREIGN (2.8%) (d)Republic of Philippines 'B' 5.962%, 6/1/08 5,140 U.S.$ 4,292 ---------------- - -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- RUSSIA (2.4%) SOVEREIGN (2.4%) (c)Russia Interest Arrears Notes 6.625%, 12/15/15 U.S.$ 331 37 (c,f)Russia Principal Note 3.313%, 12/15/20 15,346 997 Russian Federation (b)8.75%, 7/24/05 5,040 1,184 (b)11.00%, 7/24/18 6,420 1,573 ---------------- 3,791 ---------------- - -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- SOUTH AFRICA (1.2%) QUASI-SOVEREIGN (1.2%) Nacional Financiera 17.00%, 2/26/99 ZAR 12,000 1,925 ---------------- - -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- TURKEY (2.1%) CORPORATE (2.1%) (b)Cellco Finance NV 15.00%, 8/1/05 U.S.$ 2,210 1,912 (b)Pera Financial Services 9.375%, 10/15/02 1,630 1,271 ---------------- 3,183 ---------------- - -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- VENEZUELA (1.8%) SOVEREIGN (1.8%) (d)Republic of Venezuela Debt Conversion Bond 'DL' 5.938%, 12/18/07 4,500 2,863 ---------------- - -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- TOTAL DEBT INSTRUMENTS (Cost U.S.$161,317) 151,641 ---------------- NO. OF RIGHTS - -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- RIGHTS (0.0%) - -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- MEXICO (a)United Mexican States Value Recovery Rights, expiring 06/30/03 (Cost U.S.) 18,646,000 -- --------------- - --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
The accompanying notes are an integral part of the financial statements. 7
FACE AMOUNT VALUE (000) (000) - ------------------------------------------------------------------------------ SHORT-TERM INVESTMENTS(2.4%) - ------------------------------------------------------------------------------ TURKEY (1.1%) BILLS Bankers Trust International Plc, US Dollar Note linked to Turkish Interest and Turkish Lira Exchange Rate, 0.00%, 12/31/99 U.S.$ 1,800 U.S.$ 1,802 ----------------- - ------------------------------------------------------------------------------ UNITED STATES (1.3%) REPURCHASE AGREEMENT Chase Securities, Inc., 4.45%, dated 12/31/98, due 1/4/99, to be repurchased at U.S.$1,989, collateralized by U.S.$1,200, United States Treasury Bonds, 11.25%, due 2/15/15, valued at U.S.$2,036 1,988 1,988 ----------------- - ------------------------------------------------------------------------------ TOTAL SHORT-TERM INVESTMENTS (Cost U.S.$3,790) 3,790 ----------------- - ------------------------------------------------------------------------------ TOTAL INVESTMENTS(100.0%) (Cost U.S.$165,107) 155,431 ----------------- - ------------------------------------------------------------------------------ OTHER ASSETS Cash 4,497 Receivable for Investments Sold 5,767 Interest Receivable 4,662 Other Assets 15 14,941 ----------------- - ------------------------------------------------------------------------------ LIABILITIES Deferred Country Taxes (299) Payable For: Dividends Declared (7,040) Reverse Repurchase Agreements (6,358) Investments Purchased (3,152) Investment Advisory Fees (135) Professional Fees (70) Shareholder Reporting Expenses (60) Directors' Fees and Expenses (37) Custodian Fees (10) Administrative Fees (10) Other Liabilities (117) (17,288) ----------------- ----------------- - -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- NET ASSETS Applicable to 21,850,771, issued and outstanding U.S.$0.01 par value shares (100,000,000 shares authorized) U.S.$ 153,084 ----------------- ----------------- - -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- NET ASSETS VALUE PER SHARE U.S.$ 7.01 ----------------- ----------------- - ------------------------------------------------------------------------------ AMOUNT (000) - ------------------------------------------------------------------------------ AT DECEMBER 31, 1998, NET ASSETS CONSISTED OF: - ------------------------------------------------------------------------------ Common Stock U.S.$ 219 Capital Surplus 277,506 Distributions In Excess of Net Investment Income (560) Distributions in Excess of Net Realized Gain (114,457) Unrealized Depreciation on Investments and Foreign Currency Translation (9,624) - ------------------------------------------------------------------------------ TOTAL NET ASSETS U.S.$ 153,084 ----------------- ----------------- - ------------------------------------------------------------------------------
(a) -- Non-income producing (b) -- 144A Security - certain conditions for public sale may exist. (c) -- Variable/floating rate security -- rate disclosed is as of December 31, 1998. (d) -- Step Bond -- coupon rate increases in increments to maturity. Rate disclosed is as of December 31, 1998. Maturity date disclosed is ultimate maturity. (e) -- Denotes all or a portion of securities subject to repurchase under Reverse Repurchase Agreements as of December 31, 1998. See note A-4 to financial statements. (f) -- Security is in default. (g) -- Security valued at fair value -- See note A-1 to financial statements. @ -- Amount is less than U.S. $500. PIK -- Payment-in-Kind. Income may be paid in additional securities or cash. - ------------------------------------------------------------------------------ DECEMBER 31, 1998 EXCHANGE RATES: - ------------------------------------------------------------------------------ ARP Argentine Peso 0.999 = U.S.$1.00 INR Indian Rupee 42.470 = U.S.$1.00 ZAR South African Rand 5.890 = U.S.$1.00 - ------------------------------------------------------------------------------ The accompanying notes are an integral part of the financial statements 8
YEAR ENDED DECEMBER 31, 1998 STATEMENT OF OPERATIONS (000) - ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------ INVESTMENT INCOME Interest. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 33,964 Less: Foreign Taxes Withheld. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . (78) - ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------ Total Income. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 33,886 - ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------ EXPENSES Investment Advisory Fees. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 2,184 Interest Expense on Borrowings. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 2,849 Custodian Fees. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 195 Administrative Fees . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 234 Shareholder Reporting Expenses. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 115 Professional Fees . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 106 Directors' Fees and Expenses. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 10 Country Tax Expense . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 255 Amortization of Organization Costs. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 8 Other Expenses. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 151 - ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------ Total Expenses. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 6,107 - ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------ Net Investment Income. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 27,779 - ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------ NET REALIZED GAIN (LOSS) Investment Securities Sold. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . (111,705) Investment Securities Sold Short. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 21 Written Option Contracts. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 73 Foreign Currency Transactions . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . (1,779) - ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------ Net Realized Loss. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . (113,390) - ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------ CHANGE IN UNREALIZED APPRECIATION/DEPRECIATION Appreciation on Investments . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 1,617 Appreciation on Foreign Currency Translations . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 144 - ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------ Change in Unrealized Appreciation/Depreciation. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 1,761 - ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------ Net Realized Loss and Change in Unrealized Appreciation/Depreciation . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . (111,629) - ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------ NET DECREASE IN NET ASSETS RESULTING FROM OPERATIONS. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . U.S.$ (83,850) - ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
YEAR ENDED YEAR ENDED DECEMBER 31, 1998 DECEMBER 31, 1997 STATEMENT OF CHANGES IN NET ASSETS (000) (000) - ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------ INCREASE (DECREASE) IN NET ASSETS Operations: Net Investment Income . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . U.S.$ 27,779 U.S.$ 28,827 Net Realized Gain (Loss). . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . (113,390) 60,350 Change in Unrealized Appreciation/Depreciation. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 1,761 (32,894) - ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------ Net Increase (Decrease) in Net Assets Resulting from Operations . . . . . . . . . (83,850) 56,283 - ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------ Distributions: Net Investment Income . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . (30,153) (27,267) In Excess of Net Investment Income. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . (560) -- Net Realized Gain . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . -- (74,104) In Excess of Net Realized Gain. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . (63,390) -- - ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------ Total Distributions . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . (94,103) (101,371) - ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------ Capital Share Transactions: Reinvestment of Distributions (319,511 shares). . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 3,481 -- - ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------ Total Decrease. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . (174,472) (45,088) Net Assets: Beginning of Period . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 327,556 372,644 - ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------ End of Period (including (distributions in excess of net investment income) / undistributed net investment income of U.S.$(560) and U.S.$4,071, respectively) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . U.S.$ 153,084 U.S.$ 327,556 - ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
The accompanying notes are an integral part of the financial statements 9
YEAR ENDED DECEMBER 31, 1998 STATEMENT OF CASH FLOWS (000) - -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- CASH FLOWS FROM INVESTING AND OPERATING ACTIVITIES: Proceeds from Sales of Investments. . . . . . . . . . . U.S.$ 897,994 Purchases of Investments. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . (792,974) Net Decrease in Short-Term Investments. . . . . . . . . 8,736 Investment Income . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 30,934 Interest Expense Paid . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . (2,941) Operating Expenses Paid . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . (3,031) - -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Net Cash Provided by Investing and Operating Activities 138,718 - -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- CASH FLOWS FROM FINANCING ACTIVITIES: Cash Paid for Reverse Repurchase Agreements . . . . . . (53,281) Cash Distributions Paid (net of reinvestments of $3,481) (83,582) - -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Net Cash Used for Financing Activities. . . . . . . . . (136,863) - -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Net Increase in Cash. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 1,855 CASH AT BEGINNING OF PERIOD. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 2,642 - -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- CASH AT END OF PERIOD. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . U.S.$ 4,497 - -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- RECONCILIATION OF NET INVESTMENT INCOME TO NET CASH PROVIDED BY INVESTING AND OPERATING ACTIVITIES . . . . . . - -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Net Investment Income . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . U.S.$ 27,779 Proceeds from Sales of Investments. . . . . . . . . . . 897,994 Purchases of Investments. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . (792,974) Net Decrease in Short-Term Investments. . . . . . . . . 8,736 Net Decrease in Receivables Related to Operations . . . 4,946 Net Increase in Payables Related to Operations. . . . . 119 Amortization of Organization Costs. . . . . . . . . . . 8 Accretion/Amortization of Discounts and Premiums. . . . (7,890) - -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Net Cash Provided by Investing and Operating Activities. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . U.S.$ 138,718 - -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- - --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
The accompanying notes are an integral part of the financial statements. 10 FINANCIAL HIGHLIGHTS
YEAR ENDED DECEMBER 31, SELECTED PER SHARE DATA -------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- AND RATIOS: 1998 1997 1996 1995 1994 - ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------ NET ASSET VALUE, BEGINNING OF PERIOD . . . . U.S.$ 15.21 U.S.$ 17.31 U.S.$ 12.40 U.S.$ 12.23 U.S.$ 18.96 - ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------ Offering Costs . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . -- -- -- (0.02) -- - ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------ Net Investment Income. . . . . . . . . . . . 1.27 1.34 1.75 1.76 1.51 Net Realized and Unrealized Gain (Loss) on Investments. . . . . . . . . . . (5.12) 1.27 4.24 1.16 (6.34) - ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------ Total from Investment Operations. . . . (3.85) 2.61 5.99 2.92 (4.83) - ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------ Distributions: Net Investment Income. . . . . . . . . . . (1.39) (1.27) (1.08) (1.69) (1.49) In Excess of Net Investment Income . . . . (0.02) -- -- (0.03) -- Net Realized Gain. . . . . . . . . . . . . -- (3.44) -- -- (0.41) In Excess of Net Realized Gain . . . . . . (2.94) -- -- -- -- - ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------ Total Distributions . . . . . . . . . . (4.35) (4.71) (1.08) (1.72) (1.90) - ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------ Decrease in Net Asset Value due to Rights Offering . . . . . . . . . . . . -- -- -- (1.01) -- - ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------ NET ASSET VALUE, END OF PERIOD . . . . . . . U.S.$ 7.01 U.S.$ 15.21 U.S.$ 17.31 U.S.$ 12.40 U.S.$ 12.23 - ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------ - ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------ PER SHARE MARKET VALUE, END OF PERIOD. . . . U.S.$ 7.19 U.S.$ 15.38 U.S.$ 15.13 U.S.$ 12.50 U.S.$ 11.38 - ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------ - ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------ TOTAL INVESTMENT RETURN: Market Value . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . (32.04)% 40.81% 30.86% 37.48%+ (27.97)% Net Asset Value (1). . . . . . . . . . . . (33.00)% 21.71% 50.98% 26.85%+ (25.95)% - ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------ - ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------ RATIOS, SUPPLEMENTAL DATA: - ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------ NET ASSETS, END OF PERIOD (THOUSANDS). . . . U.S.$153,084 U.S.$327,556 U.S.$372,644 U.S.$266,295 U.S.$196,282 - ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------ Ratio of Expenses Before Interest Expense to Average Net Assets. . . . . . . 1.47% 1.51% 1.38% 1.50% 1.59% Ratio of Expenses After Interest Expense to Average Net Assets. . . . . . . 2.75% 2.27% 2.59% 1.89% 2.30% Ratio of Net Investment Income to Average Net Assets . . . . . . . . . . . . 12.50% 8.80% 12.14% 15.21% 10.79% Portfolio Turnover Rate. . . . . . . . . . . 308% 361% 373% 348% 256% - ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
+ This return does not include the effect of the rights issued in connection with the Rights Offering. (1) Total investment return based on net asset value per share reflects the effects of changes in net asset value on the performance of the Fund during each period, and assumes dividends and distributions, if any, were reinvested. This percentage is not an indication of the performance of a shareholder's investment in the Fund based on market value due to differences between the market price of the stock and the net asset value per share of the Fund. The accompanying notes are an integral part of the financial statements. 11 NOTES TO FINANCIAL STATEMENTS DECEMBER 31, 1998 - --------- The Morgan Stanley Emerging Markets Debt Fund, Inc. (the "Fund"), was incorporated in Maryland on May 6, 1993, and is registered as a non-diversified, closed-end management investment company under the Investment Company Act of 1940, as amended. The Fund's primary investment objective is to produce high current income and as a secondary objective, to seek capital appreciation, through investments primarily in debt securities. A. The following significant accounting policies are in conformity with generally accepted accounting principles for investment companies. Such policies are consistently followed by the Fund in the preparation of its financial statements. Generally accepted accounting principles may require management to make estimates and assumptions that affect the reported amounts and disclosures in the financial statements. Actual results may differ from those estimates. 1. SECURITY VALUATION: In valuing the Fund's assets, all listed securities for which market quotations are readily available are valued at the last sale price on the valuation date, or if there was no sale on such date, at the mean between the current bid and asked prices or the bid price if only bid quotations are available. Securities which are traded over-the-counter are valued at the average of the mean of the current bid and asked prices obtained from reputable brokers. Securities may be valued by independent pricing services which use prices provided by market-makers or estimates of market values obtained from yield data relating to investments or securities with similar characteristics. Short-term securities which mature in 60 days or less are valued at amortized cost. All other securities and assets for which market values are not readily available (including investments which are subject to limitations as to their sale) are valued at fair value as determined in good faith by the Board of Directors (the "Board"), although the actual calculations may be done by others. 2. TAXES: It is the Fund's intention to continue to qualify as a regulated investment company and distribute all of its taxable income. Accordingly, no provision for U.S. Federal income taxes is required in the financial statements. The Fund may be subject to taxes imposed by countries in which it invests. Such taxes are generally based on either income earned or repatriated. The Fund accrues such taxes when the related income is earned. 3. REPURCHASE AGREEMENTS: In connection with transactions in repurchase agreements, a bank as custodian for the Fund takes possession of the underlying securities, with a market value at least equal to the amount of the repurchase transaction, including principal and accrued interest. To the extent that any repurchase transaction exceeds one business day, the value of the collateral is marked-to-market on a daily basis to determine the adequacy of the collateral. In the event of default on the obligation to repurchase, the Fund has the right to liquidate the collateral and apply the proceeds in satisfaction of the obligation. In the event of default or bankruptcy by the counterparty to the agreement, realization and/or retention of the collateral or proceeds may be subject to legal proceedings. 4. REVERSE REPURCHASE AGREEMENTS: The Fund may enter into reverse repurchase agreements with institutions that the Fund's investment adviser has determined are creditworthy. Under a reverse repurchase agreement, the Fund sells securities and agrees to repurchase them at a mutually agreed upon date and price. Reverse repurchase agreements involve the risk that the market value of the securities purchased with the proceeds from the sale of securities received by the Fund may decline below the price of the securities the Fund is obligated to repurchase. Reverse repurchase agreements also involve credit risk with the counter party to the extent that the value of securities subject to repurchase exceed the Fund's liability under the reverse repurchase agreement. Securities subject to repurchase under reverse repurchase agreements, if any, are designated as such in the Statement of Net Assets. At December 31, 1998, the Fund had reverse repurchase agreements outstanding as follows:
MATURITY IN LESS THAN 365 DAYS -------------- Value of Securities Subject to Repurchase .......................................... $ 6,339,000 Liability Under Reverse Repurchase Agreement................................. $ 6,358,000 Weighted Average Interest Rate........................ 4.75%
The average weekly balance of reverse repurchase agreements outstanding during the year ended December 31, 1998 was approximately $26,316,000 at a weighted average interest rate of 4.92%. 5. FOREIGN CURRENCY TRANSLATION: The books and records of the Fund are maintained in U.S. dollars. Foreign currency amounts are translated into U.S. dollars at the mean of the bid and asked prices of such currencies against U.S. dollars last quoted by a major bank as follows: - investments, other assets and liabilities at the prevailing rates of exchange on the valuation date; 12 - investment transactions and investment income at the prevailing rates of exchange on the dates of such transactions. Although the net assets of the Fund are presented at the foreign exchange rates and market values at the close of the period, the Fund does not isolate that portion of the results of operations arising as a result of changes in the foreign exchange rates from the fluctuations arising from changes in the market prices of the securities held at period end. Similarly, the Fund does not isolate the effect of changes in foreign exchange rates from the fluctuations arising from changes in the market prices of securities sold during the period. Accordingly, realized and unrealized foreign currency gains (losses) are included in the reported net realized and unrealized gains (losses) on investment transactions and balances. Net realized gains (losses) on foreign currency transactions represent net foreign exchange gains (losses) from sales and maturities of foreign currency exchange contracts, disposition of foreign currencies, currency gains or losses realized between the trade and settlement dates on securities transactions, and the difference between the amount of investment income and foreign withholding taxes recorded on the Fund's books and the U.S. dollar equivalent amounts actually received or paid. Net unrealized currency gains (losses) from valuing foreign currency denominated assets and liabilities at period end exchange rates are reflected as a component of unrealized appreciation (depreciation) on investments and foreign currency translations in the Statement of Net Assets. The change in net unrealized currency gains (losses) for the period is reflected in the Statement of Operations. The Fund may use derivatives to achieve its investment objectives. The Fund may engage in transactions in futures contracts on foreign currencies, stock indices, as well as in options, swaps and structured notes. Consistent with the Fund's investment objectives and policies, the Fund may use derivatives for non-hedging as well as hedging purposes. Following is a description of derivative instruments and their associated risks that the Fund may utilize: 6. FOREIGN CURRENCY EXCHANGE CONTRACTS: The Fund may enter into foreign currency exchange contracts generally to attempt to protect securities and related receivables and payables against changes in future foreign exchange rates and, in certain situations, to gain exposure to a foreign currency. A foreign currency exchange contract is an agreement between two parties to buy or sell currency at a set price on a future date. The market value of the contract will fluctuate with changes in currency exchange rates. The contract is marked-to-market daily and the change in market value is recorded by the Fund as unrealized gain or loss. The Fund records realized gains or losses when the contract is closed 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. Risk may arise upon entering into these contracts from the potential inability of counterparties to meet the terms of their contracts and is generally limited to the amount of unrealized gain on the contracts, if any, at the date of default. Risks may also arise from unanticipated movements in the value of a foreign currency relative to the U.S. dollar. 7. LOAN AGREEMENTS: The Fund may invest in fixed and floating rate loans ("Loans") arranged through private negotiations between an issuer of sovereign debt obligations and one or more financial institutions ("Lenders") deemed to be creditworthy by the investment adviser. The Fund's investments in Loans may be in the form of participations in Loans ("Participations") or assignments of all or a portion of Loans ("Assignments") from third parties. The Fund's investment in Participations typically results in the Fund having a contractual relationship with only the Lender and not with the borrower. The Fund has the right to receive payments of principal, interest and any fees to which it is entitled only from the Lender selling the Participation and only upon receipt by the Lender of the payments from the borrower. The Fund generally has no right to enforce compliance by the borrower with the terms of the loan agreement. As a result, the Fund may be subject to the credit risk of both the borrower and the Lender that is selling the Participation. When the Fund purchases Assignments from Lenders it acquires direct rights against the borrower on the Loan. Because Assignments are arranged through private negotiations between potential assignees and potential assignors, the rights and obligations acquired by the Fund as the purchaser of an Assignment may differ from, and be more limited than, those held by the assigning Lender. 8. FORWARD COMMITMENTS AND WHEN-ISSUED/DELAYED DELIVERY SECURITIES: The Fund may make forward commitments to purchase or sell securities. Payment and delivery for securities which have been purchased or sold on a forward commitment basis can take place a month or more (not to exceed 120 days) after the date of the transaction. Additionally, the Fund may purchase securities on a when-issued or delayed delivery basis. Securities purchased on a when-issued or delayed delivery basis are purchased for delivery beyond the normal settlement date at a stated price and yield, and no income accrues to the Fund on such securities prior to delivery. When the Fund enters into a purchase transaction on a when-issued or delayed delivery basis, it either establishes a segregated account in which it maintains liquid assets 13 in an amount at least equal in value to the Fund's commitments to purchase such securities or denotes such securities on the custody statement for its regular custody account. Purchasing securities on a forward commitment or when-issued or delayed-delivery basis may involve a risk that the market price at the time of delivery may be lower than the agreed upon purchase price, in which case there could be an unrealized loss at the time of delivery. 9. SECURITIES SOLD SHORT: The Fund may sell securities short. A short sale is a transaction in which the Fund sells securities it may or may not own, but has borrowed, in anticipation of a decline in the market price of the securities. The Fund is obligated to replace the borrowed securities at their market price at the time of replacement. The Fund may have to pay a premium to borrow the securities as well as pay any dividends or interest payable on the securities until they are replaced. The Fund's obligation to replace the securities borrowed in connection with a short sale will generally be secured by collateral deposited with the broker that consists of cash, U.S. government securities or other liquid, high grade debt obligations. In addition, the Fund will either place in a segregated account with its custodian or denote as pledged on the custody records an amount of cash, U.S. government securities or other liquid high grade debt obligations equal to the difference, if any, between (1) the market value of the securities sold at the time they were sold short and (2) any cash, U.S. government securities or other liquid high grade debt obligations deposited as collateral with the broker in connection with the short sale (not including the proceeds of the short sale). Short sales by the Fund involve certain risks and special considerations. Possible losses from short sales differ from losses that could be incurred from a purchase of a security because losses from short sales may be unlimited, whereas losses from purchases cannot exceed the total amount invested. 10. WRITTEN OPTIONS: The Fund may write covered call options in an attempt to increase the Fund's total return. The Fund will receive premiums that are recorded as liabilities and subsequently adjusted to the current value of the options written. Premiums received from writing options which expire are treated as realized gains. Premiums received from writing options which are exercised or are closed are added to or offset against the proceeds or amount paid on the transaction to determine the net realized gain or loss. By writing a covered call option, the Fund foregoes in exchange for the premium the opportunity for capital appreciation above the exercise price should the market price of the underlying security increase. 11. SWAPS: A swap is an agreement to exchange the return generated by one instrument for the return generated by another instrument. The following summarizes the types of swaps that the Fund may enter into: INTEREST RATE SWAPS: Interest rate swaps involve the exchange of commitments to pay and receive interest based on a notional principal amount. The Fund may utilize interest rate swaps in an attempt to increase income while limiting the Fund's exposure to market fluctuations in interest rates. Net periodic interest payments to be received or paid are accrued daily and are recorded in the Statement of Operations as an adjustment to interest income. Interest rate swaps are marked-to-market daily based upon quotations from market makers and the change, if any, is recorded as an unrealized gain or loss in the Statement of Operations. TOTAL RETURN SWAPS: Total return swaps involve commitments to pay interest in exchange for a market-linked return based on a notional amount and provide the Fund with the full benefit on an investment in a security without an initial cash outlay. To the extent the total return of the security or index underlying the transaction exceeds or falls short of the offsetting interest rate obligation, the Fund will receive a payment from or make a payment to the counterparty, respectively. Total return swaps are marked-to-market daily based upon quotations from market makers and the change, if any, is recorded as an unrealized gain or loss in the Statement of Operations. Payments received or made at the end of each measurement period are recorded as realized gain or loss in the Statement of Operations. Realized gains or losses on maturity or termination of interest rate and total return swaps are presented in the Statement of Operations. Because there is no organized market for these swap agreements, the value reported in the Statement of Net Assets may differ from that which would be realized in the event the Fund terminated its position in the agreement. Risks may arise upon entering into these agreements from the potential inability of the counterparties to meet the terms of the agreements and are generally limited to the amount of net interest payments to be received and/or favorable movements in the value of the underlying security, instrument or basket of instruments, if any, at the date of default. 12. STRUCTURED SECURITIES: The Fund may invest in interests in entities organized and operated solely for the purpose of restructuring the investment characteristics of sovereign debt obligations. This type of restructuring involves the deposit with or purchase by an entity of specified instruments and the issuance by that entity of one or more classes of securities ("Structured Securities") backed by, or representing interests in, the underlying instruments. Structured Securities generally will expose the Fund to credit risks of the underlying instruments as well as of the 14 issuer of the Structured Security. Structured Securities are typically sold in private placement transactions with no active trading market. Investments in Structured Securities may be more volatile than their underlying instruments, however, any loss is limited to the amount of the original investment. 13. OVER-THE-COUNTER TRADING: Derivative instruments that may be purchased or sold by the Fund are expected to regularly consist of instruments not traded on an exchange. The risk of nonperformance by the obligor on such an instrument may be greater, and the ease with which the Fund can dispose of or enter into closing transactions with respect to such an instrument may be less, than in the case of an exchange-traded instrument. In addition, significant disparities may exist between bid and asked prices for derivative instruments that are not traded on an exchange. Derivative instruments not traded on exchanges are also not subject to the same type of government regulation as exchange traded instruments, and many of the protections afforded to participants in a regulated environment may not be available in connection with such transactions. 14. OTHER: Security transactions are accounted for on the date the securities are purchased or sold. Realized gains and losses on the sale of investment securities are determined on the specific identified cost basis. Interest income is recognized on the accrual basis and discounts and premiums on investments purchased are accreted or amortized in accordance with the effective yield method over their respective lives, except where collection is in doubt. Distributions to shareholders are recorded on the ex-dividend date. The amount and character of income and capital gain distributions to be paid are determined in accordance with Federal income tax regulations which may differ from generally accepted accounting principles. These differences are primarily due to differing book and tax treatments for foreign currency transactions and the timing of the recognition of losses on securities. Permanent book and tax basis differences relating to shareholder distributions may result in reclassifications to undistributed net investment income (loss), accumulated net realized gain (loss) and capital surplus. Adjustments for permanent book-tax differences, if any, are not reflected in ending undistributed net investment income (loss) for the purpose of calculating net investment income (loss) per share in the financial highlights. B. Morgan Stanley Dean Witter Investment Management Inc. (the "Adviser") provides investment advisory services to the Fund under the terms of an Investment Advisory and Management Agreement (the "Agreement"). Under the Agreement, the Adviser is paid a fee computed weekly and payable monthly at an annual rate of 1.00% of the Fund's average weekly net assets. C. The Chase Manhattan Bank, through its corporate affiliate Chase Global Funds Services Company (the "Administrator"), provides administrative services to the Fund under an Administration Agreement. Under the Administration Agreement, the Administrator is paid a fee computed weekly and payable monthly at an annual rate of 0.06% of the Fund's average weekly net assets, plus $100,000 per annum. In addition, the Fund is charged certain out-of-pocket expenses by the Administrator. D. The Chase Manhattan Bank and its affiliates serve as custodian for the Fund. The Fund's assets held outside the United States have been held by Morgan Stanley Trust Company ("MSTC"), which was an affiliate of the Adviser prior to October 1, 1998. On October 1, 1998, MSTC was acquired by the Chase Manhattan Bank. Custody fees are payable monthly based on assets held in custody, investment purchase and sales activity and account maintenance fees, plus reimbursement for certain out-of-pocket expenses. Through September 30,1998, the Fund paid MSTC fees of approximately $87,000. E. During the year ended December 31, 1998, the Fund made purchases and sales totaling approximately $794,850,000 and $903,740,000 respectively, of investment securities other than long-term U.S. Government securities, purchased options and short-term investments. There were no purchases and sales of long-term U.S. Government securities. At December 31, 1998, the U.S. Federal income tax cost basis of securities was approximately $176,888,000 and, accordingly, net unrealized depreciation for U.S. Federal income tax purposes was $21,457,000, of which $4,547,000 related to appreciated securities and $26,004,000 related to depreciated securities. At December 31, 1998, the Fund had a capital loss carryforward for U.S. Federal income tax purposes of approximately $93,820,000 available to offset future capital gains all of which will expire on December 31, 2006. To the extent that capital gains are offset, such gains will not be distributed to the shareholders. For the year ended December 31, 1998, the Fund intends to elect to defer to January 1, 1999 for U.S. Federal income tax purposes, post-October currency losses of $17,000 and post-October capital losses of $8,856,000. 15 F. During the year ended December 31, 1998, the Fund's written covered call option activity was as follows:
FACE PREMIUM AMOUNT (000) (000) ------------ --------- Options outstanding at January 1, 1998....................... $ -- $ -- Options written during the year.................................. 10,964 96 Options closed during the year.................................. (10,964) (96) -------- ------ Options outstanding at December 31, 1998..................... $ -- $ -- -------- ------ -------- ------
G. A portion of the Fund's net assets consist of securities of issuers located in emerging markets which are denominated in foreign currencies. Changes in currency exchange rates will affect the value of and investment income from such securities. Emerging market securities are often subject to greater price volatility, limited capitalization and liquidity, and higher rates of inflation than U.S. securities. In addition, emerging market securities may be subject to substantial governmental involvement in the economy and greater social, economic and political uncertainty. These investments are often traded by one market maker who may also be utilized by the Fund to provide pricing information used to value such securities. The amounts which will be realized upon disposition of the securities may differ from the value reflected on the statement of net assets and the differences could be material. H. Each Director of the Fund who is not an officer of the Fund or an affiliated person as defined under the Investment Company Act of 1940, as amended, may elect to participate in the Directors' Deferred Compensation Plan (the "Plan"). Under the Plan, such Directors may elect to defer payment of a percentage of their total fees earned as a Director of the Fund. These deferred portions are treated, based on an election by the Director, as if they were either invested in the Fund's shares or invested in U.S. Treasury Bills, as defined under the Plan. The deferred fees payable, under the Plan, at December 31, 1998 totaled $37,000 and are included in Payable for Directors' Fees and Expenses on the Statement of Net Assets. I. During December 1998, the Board declared a distribution of $0.3222 per share, derived from net investment income, payable on January 8, 1999, to shareholders of record on December 31, 1998. - -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- FEDERAL INCOME TAX INFORMATION (UNAUDITED): For the year ended December 31, 1998, the Fund expects to pass through to shareholders foreign tax credits of approximately $332,000. In addition, for the year ended December 31, 1998, gross income derived from sources within foreign countries amounted to $25,570,000. 16 REPORT OF INDEPENDENT ACCOUNTANTS - ---------- To the Shareholders and Board of Directors of Morgan Stanley Emerging Markets Debt Fund, Inc. In our opinion, the accompanying statement of net assets and the related statements of operations, of changes in net assets and of cash flows and the financial highlights present fairly, in all material respects, the financial position of Morgan Stanley Emerging Markets Debt Fund, Inc. (the "Fund") at December 31, 1998, the results of its operations and its cash flows for the year then ended, the changes in its net assets for each of the two years in the period then ended and the financial highlights for each of the five years in the period then ended, in conformity with generally accepted accounting principles. 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 generally accepted auditing standards which 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 December 31, 1998 by correspondence with the custodian and brokers, provide a reasonable basis for the opinion expressed above. PricewaterhouseCoopers LLP 1177 Avenue of the Americas New York, New York 10036 February 8, 1999 17 YEAR 2000 DISCLOSURE (UNAUDITED): The investment advisory services provided to the Fund by the Adviser depend on the smooth operation of its computer systems. Many computer and software systems in use today cannot recognize the year 2000, but revert to 1900 or some other date, due to the manner in which dates were encoded and calculated. That failure could have a negative impact on the handling of securities trades, pricing and account services. The Adviser has been actively working on necessary changes to its own computer systems to deal with the year 2000 problem and expects that its systems will be adapted before that date. There can be no assurance, however, that the Adviser will be successful. In addition, other unaffiliated service providers may be faced with similar problems. The Adviser is monitoring their remedial efforts, but, there can be no assurance that they and the services they provide will not be adversely affected. In addition, it is possible that the markets for securities in which the Fund invests may be detrimentally affected by computer failures throughout the financial services industry beginning January 1, 2000. Improperly functioning trading systems may result in settlement problems and liquidity issues. In addition, corporate and governmental data processing errors may result in production problems for individual companies and overall economic uncertainties. Earnings of individual issuers will be affected by remediation costs, which may be substantial and may be reported inconsistently in U.S. and foreign financial statements. Accordingly, the Fund's investments may be adversely affected. 18 DIVIDEND REINVESTMENT AND CASH PURCHASE PLAN Pursuant to the Dividend Reinvestment and Cash Purchase Plan (the "Plan"), each shareholder will be deemed to have elected, unless Boston Equiserve (the "Plan Agent") is otherwise instructed by the shareholder in writing, to have all distributions automatically reinvested in Fund shares. Participants in the Plan have the option of making additional voluntary cash payments to the Plan Agent, annually, in any amount from $100 to $3,000, for investment in Fund shares. Dividend and capital gain distributions will be reinvested on the reinvestment date in full and fractional shares. If the market price per share equals or exceeds net asset value per share on the reinvestment date, the Fund will issue shares to participants at net asset value. If net asset value is less than 95% of the market price on the reinvestment date, shares will be issued at 95% of the market price. If net asset value exceeds the market price on the reinvestment date, participants will receive shares valued at market price. The Fund may purchase shares of its Common Stock in the open market in connection with dividend reinvestment requirements at the discretion of the Board of Directors. Should the Fund declare a dividend or capital gain distribution payable only in cash, the Plan Agent will purchase Fund shares for participants in the open market as agent for the participants. The Plan Agent's fees for the reinvestment of dividends and distributions will be paid by the Fund. However, each participant's account will be charged a pro rata share of brokerage commissions incurred on any open market purchases effected on such participant's behalf. A participant will also pay brokerage commissions incurred on purchases made by voluntary cash payments. Although shareholders in the Plan may receive no cash distributions, participation in the Plan will not relieve participants of any income tax which may be payable on such dividends or distributions. In the case of shareholders, such as banks, brokers or nominees, which hold shares for others who are the beneficial owners, the Plan Agent will administer the Plan on the basis of the number of shares certified from time to time by the shareholder as representing the total amount registered in the shareholder's name and held for the account of beneficial owners who are participating in the Plan. Shareholders who do not wish to have distributions automatically reinvested should notify the Plan Agent in writing. There is no penalty for non-participation or withdrawal from the Plan, and shareholders who have previously withdrawn from the Plan may rejoin at any time. Requests for additional information or any correspondence concerning the Plan should be directed to the Plan Agent at: Morgan Stanley Emerging Markets Debt Fund, Inc. Boston Equiserve Dividend Reinvestment Unit P.O. Box 1681 Boston, MA 02105-1681 1-800-730-6001 19 -----END PRIVACY-ENHANCED MESSAGE-----