-----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, HWb7ynY3vTlssQuXcqaJ2U9YNSo3dcSKl13f8wE72JyA5WPpXcOQvLYCJSgMvQqn UCET4ddUdjUtzyRbqUxbXg== 0000950123-08-005403.txt : 20080509 0000950123-08-005403.hdr.sgml : 20080509 20080509104456 ACCESSION NUMBER: 0000950123-08-005403 CONFORMED SUBMISSION TYPE: N-CSRS PUBLIC DOCUMENT COUNT: 3 CONFORMED PERIOD OF REPORT: 20080229 FILED AS OF DATE: 20080509 DATE AS OF CHANGE: 20080509 EFFECTIVENESS DATE: 20080509 FILER: COMPANY DATA: COMPANY CONFORMED NAME: MORGAN STANLEY LIQUID ASSET FUND INC CENTRAL INDEX KEY: 0000093285 IRS NUMBER: 132822397 STATE OF INCORPORATION: MD FISCAL YEAR END: 0831 FILING VALUES: FORM TYPE: N-CSRS SEC ACT: 1940 Act SEC FILE NUMBER: 811-02575 FILM NUMBER: 08816530 BUSINESS ADDRESS: STREET 1: 522 FIFTH AVENUE CITY: NEW YORK STATE: NY ZIP: 10036 BUSINESS PHONE: 800-869-6397 MAIL ADDRESS: STREET 1: 522 FIFTH AVENUE CITY: NEW YORK STATE: NY ZIP: 10036 FORMER COMPANY: FORMER CONFORMED NAME: MORGAN STANLEY DEAN WITTER LIQUID ASSET FUND INC DATE OF NAME CHANGE: 19980622 FORMER COMPANY: FORMER CONFORMED NAME: DEAN WITTER LIQUID ASSET FUND INC DATE OF NAME CHANGE: 19930715 FORMER COMPANY: FORMER CONFORMED NAME: DEAN WITTER SEARS LIQUID ASSET FUND INC DATE OF NAME CHANGE: 19930209 0000093285 S000004052 MORGAN STANLEY LIQUID ASSET FUND INC C000011338 MORGAN STANLEY LIQUID ASSET FUND INC dwlxx N-CSRS 1 y51170nvcsrs.txt FORM N-CSR UNITED STATES SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION Washington, D.C. 20549 FORM N-CSR CERTIFIED SHAREHOLDER REPORT OF REGISTERED MANAGEMENT INVESTMENT COMPANIES Investment Company Act file number: 811-02575 Morgan Stanley Liquid Asset Fund Inc. (Exact name of registrant as specified in charter) 522 Fifth Avenue, New York, New York 10036 (Address of principal executive offices) (Zip code) Ronald E. Robison 522 Fifth Avenue, New York, New York 10036 (Name and address of agent for service) Registrant's telephone number, including area code: 212-296-6990 Date of fiscal year end: August 31, 2008 Date of reporting period: February 29, 2008 Item 1 - Report to Shareholders Welcome, Shareholder: In this report, you'll learn about how your investment in Morgan Stanley Liquid Asset Fund Inc. performed during the semiannual period. We will provide an overview of the market conditions, and discuss some of the factors that affected performance during the reporting period. In addition, this report includes the Fund's financial statements and a list of Fund investments. THIS MATERIAL MUST BE PRECEDED OR ACCOMPANIED BY A PROSPECTUS FOR THE FUND BEING OFFERED. MARKET FORECASTS PROVIDED IN THIS REPORT MAY NOT NECESSARILY COME TO PASS. THERE IS NO ASSURANCE THAT A MUTUAL FUND WILL ACHIEVE ITS INVESTMENT OBJECTIVE. AN INVESTMENT IN A MONEY MARKET FUND IS NOT INSURED OR GUARANTEED BY THE FEDERAL DEPOSIT INSURANCE CORPORATION OR ANY OTHER GOVERNMENT AGENCY. ALTHOUGH THE FUND SEEKS TO PRESERVE THE VALUE OF AN INVESTMENT AT $1.00 PER SHARE, IT IS POSSIBLE TO LOSE MONEY BY INVESTING IN THE FUND. PLEASE SEE THE PROSPECTUS FOR MORE COMPLETE INFORMATION ON INVESTMENT RISKS. FUND REPORT For the six months ended February 29, 2008 MARKET CONDITIONS Throughout most of the fiscal period under review, U.S. economic growth weakened. Gross domestic product (GDP), which rose 4.9 percent in the third quarter of 2007, expanded by only 0.6 percent in the final quarter of the year. Job growth, as measured by non-farm payrolls, averaged less than 40,000 per month, and contracted in both January and February. Consumer confidence declined steadily through the period, reaching its lowest level in approximately five years in February. Financial markets grew increasingly volatile during the reporting period. The fallout from the subprime mortgage sector's troubles spread across the broader fixed income and lending markets. Citing deteriorating financial market conditions and the negative impact that tighter credit conditions could have in restraining economic growth, the Federal Open Market Committee (the "Fed") began reducing its federal funds target rate in September, cutting the rate five times during the six-month reporting period by a total of 225 basis points to 3.0 percent. On December 12, seeking to further improve credit market liquidity, the Fed announced the creation of a Term Auction Facility (TAF), whereby term funds would be auctioned to depository institutions against a wide variety of collateral. TAF auctions are likely to continue for as long as credit market conditions warrant. The Federal Reserve Chairman stated that the Fed is prepared to act in a decisive and timely manner based on a worsening economic outlook, more pronounced risks and further deepening of the housing contraction. PERFORMANCE ANALYSIS As of February 29, 2008, Morgan Stanley Liquid Asset Fund had net assets of approximately $8.3 billion and an average portfolio maturity of 71 days. For the six-month period ended February 29, 2008, the Fund provided a total return of 2.25 percent. For the seven-day period ended February 29, 2008, the Fund provided an effective annualized yield of 3.57 percent and a current yield of 3.51 percent, while its 30-day moving average yield for February was 3.73 percent. Past performance is no guarantee of future results. Our strategy in managing the portfolio remained consistent with the Fund's long- term focus on preservation of capital and liquidity. Over the six-month review period, we believed that the Fed would continue to reduce its target federal funds rate in order to improve credit market liquidity and to help insure that the housing market deterioration would not spillover into the broader economy. As such, we sought to extend the Fund's weighted average maturity. We made purchases of deposit liabilities and senior obligations of what we consider to be strong financial institutions and corporations in the three-month and longer segment of the money market curve. In an effort to help ensure sufficient liquidity, we barbelled these trades with purchases of overnight repurchase agreements and two month and shorter traditional asset-backed commercial paper. There is no guarantee that any sectors mentioned will continue to perform as discussed herein or that securities in such sectors will be held by the Fund in the future. 2
PORTFOLIO COMPOSITION Commercial Paper 44.7% Certificates of Deposit 38.8 Floating Rate Notes 9.3 U.S. Governments Agencies 3.4 Repurchase Agreements 1.9 Corporate Bond Notes 1.1 Short-Term Bank Notes 0.8
MATURITY SCHEDULE 1 - 30 Days 27.2% 31 - 60 Days 21.2 61 - 90 Days 21.7 91 - 120 Days 10.6 121 + Days 19.3
Data as of February 29, 2008. Subject to change daily. All percentages for portfolio composition and maturity schedule are as a percentage of total investments. These data are provided for informational purposes only and should not be deemed a recommendation to buy or sell the securities mentioned. Morgan Stanley is a full-service securities firm engaged in securities trading and brokerage activities, investment banking, research and analysis, financing and financial advisory services. INVESTMENT STRATEGY THE FUND INVESTS IN HIGH QUALITY, SHORT-TERM DEBT OBLIGATIONS. IN SELECTING INVESTMENTS, THE FUND'S "INVESTMENT ADVISER," MORGAN STANLEY INVESTMENT ADVISORS INC., SEEKS TO MAINTAIN THE FUND'S SHARE PRICE AT $1.00. THE SHARE PRICE REMAINING STABLE AT $1.00 MEANS THAT THE FUND WOULD PRESERVE THE PRINCIPAL VALUE OF YOUR INVESTMENT. AN INVESTMENT IN THE FUND IS NOT INSURED OR GUARANTEED BY THE FEDERAL DEPOSIT INSURANCE CORPORATION OR ANY OTHER GOVERNMENT AGENCY. ALTHOUGH THE FUND SEEKS TO PRESERVE THE VALUE OF YOUR INVESTMENT AT $1.00 PER SHARE, IT IS POSSIBLE TO LOSE MONEY BY INVESTING IN THE FUND. FOR MORE INFORMATION ABOUT PORTFOLIO HOLDINGS EACH MORGAN STANLEY FUND PROVIDES A COMPLETE SCHEDULE OF PORTFOLIO HOLDINGS IN ITS SEMIANNUAL AND ANNUAL REPORTS WITHIN 60 DAYS OF THE END OF THE FUND'S SECOND AND FOURTH FISCAL QUARTERS. THE SEMIANNUAL REPORTS AND THE ANNUAL REPORTS ARE FILED ELECTRONICALLY WITH THE SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION (SEC) ON FORM N-CSRS AND FORM N-CSR, RESPECTIVELY. MORGAN STANLEY ALSO DELIVERS THE SEMIANNUAL AND ANNUAL REPORTS TO FUND SHAREHOLDERS AND MAKES THESE REPORTS AVAILABLE ON ITS PUBLIC WEB SITE, WWW.MORGANSTANLEY.COM. EACH MORGAN STANLEY FUND ALSO FILES A COMPLETE SCHEDULE OF PORTFOLIO HOLDINGS WITH THE SEC FOR THE FUND'S FIRST AND THIRD FISCAL QUARTERS ON FORM N-Q. MORGAN STANLEY DOES NOT DELIVER THE REPORTS FOR THE FIRST AND THIRD FISCAL QUARTERS TO SHAREHOLDERS, NOR ARE THE REPORTS POSTED TO 3 THE MORGAN STANLEY PUBLIC WEB SITE. YOU MAY, HOWEVER, OBTAIN THE FORM N-Q FILINGS (AS WELL AS THE FORM N-CSR AND N-CSRS FILINGS) BY ACCESSING THE SEC'S WEB SITE, HTTP://WWW.SEC.GOV. YOU MAY ALSO REVIEW AND COPY THEM AT THE SEC'S PUBLIC REFERENCE ROOM IN WASHINGTON, DC. INFORMATION ON THE OPERATION OF THE SEC'S PUBLIC REFERENCE ROOM MAY BE OBTAINED BY CALLING THE SEC AT (800) SEC- 0330. YOU CAN ALSO REQUEST COPIES OF THESE MATERIALS, UPON PAYMENT OF A DUPLICATING FEE, BY ELECTRONIC REQUEST AT THE SEC'S E-MAIL ADDRESS (PUBLICINFO@SEC.GOV) OR BY WRITING THE PUBLIC REFERENCE SECTION OF THE SEC, WASHINGTON, DC 20549-0102. HOUSEHOLDING NOTICE TO REDUCE PRINTING AND MAILING COSTS, THE FUND ATTEMPTS TO ELIMINATE DUPLICATE MAILINGS TO THE SAME ADDRESS. THE FUND DELIVERS A SINGLE COPY OF CERTAIN SHAREHOLDER DOCUMENTS, INCLUDING SHAREHOLDER REPORTS, PROSPECTUSES AND PROXY MATERIALS, TO INVESTORS WITH THE SAME LAST NAME WHO RESIDE AT THE SAME ADDRESS. YOUR PARTICIPATION IN THIS PROGRAM WILL CONTINUE FOR AN UNLIMITED PERIOD OF TIME UNLESS YOU INSTRUCT US OTHERWISE. YOU CAN REQUEST MULTIPLE COPIES OF THESE DOCUMENTS BY CALLING (800) 869-NEWS, 8:00 A.M. TO 8:00 P.M., ET. ONCE OUR CUSTOMER SERVICE CENTER HAS RECEIVED YOUR INSTRUCTIONS, WE WILL BEGIN SENDING INDIVIDUAL COPIES FOR EACH ACCOUNT WITHIN 30 DAYS. 4 EXPENSE EXAMPLE As a shareholder of the Fund, you incur ongoing costs, including advisory fees; distribution and shareholder servicing 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 09/01/07 - 02/29/08. ACTUAL EXPENSES The first line of the table below provides information about actual account values and actual expenses. You may use the information in this line, together with the amount you invested, to estimate the expenses that you paid over the period. Simply divide your account value by $1,000 (for example, an $8,600 account value divided by $1,000 = 8.6), then multiply the result by the number in the first line under the heading entitled "Expenses Paid During Period" to estimate the expenses you paid on your account during this period. HYPOTHETICAL EXAMPLE FOR COMPARISON PURPOSES The second line of the table below provides information about hypothetical expenses based on the Fund's actual expense ratio and an assumed rate of return of 5% per year before expenses, which is not the Fund's actual return. The hypothetical account values and expenses may not be used to estimate the actual ending account balance or expenses you paid for the period. You may use this information to compare the ongoing cost of investing in the Fund and other funds. To do so, compare this 5% hypothetical example with the 5% hypothetical examples that appear in the shareholder reports of the other funds. Please note that the expenses shown in the table are meant to highlight your ongoing costs only. Therefore, the second line of the table is useful in comparing ongoing costs, and will not help you determine the relative total cost of owning different funds that have transactional costs, such as sales charges (loads), and redemption fees, or exchange fees.
BEGINNING ENDING EXPENSES PAID ACCOUNT VALUE ACCOUNT VALUE DURING PERIOD* ------------- ------------- -------------- 09/01/07 - 09/01/07 02/29/08 02/29/08 ------------- ------------- -------------- Actual (2.25% return)................... $1,000.00 $1,022.50 $3.32 Hypothetical (5% annual return before expenses)............................. $1,000.00 $1,021.58 $3.32
- --------- * Expenses are equal to the Fund's annualized expense ratio of 0.66% multiplied by the average account value over the period, multiplied by 182**/366 (to reflect the one-half year period). ** Adjusted to reflect non-business days accruals. 5 Morgan Stanley Liquid Asset Fund Inc. PORTFOLIO OF INVESTMENTS - FEBRUARY 29, 2008 (UNAUDITED)
ANNUALIZED PRINCIPAL YIELD AMOUNT IN ON DATE OF MATURITY THOUSANDS PURCHASE DATE VALUE - ---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Commercial Paper (45.0%) Asset-Backed - Auto (0.6%) $ 30,000 DaimlerChrysler Revolving Auto Conduit LLC Series II.......... 3.21 % 05/08/08 $ 29,819,800 16,000 New Center Asset Trust Series II............................. 3.76 03/03/08 15,996,666 -------------- 45,816,466 -------------- Asset-Backed - Consumer (6.3%) 15,000 CAFCO LLC*....................... 3.35 04/18/08 14,933,600 189,000 CRC Funding LLC*................. 3.13 - 3.30 04/25/08 - 05/28/08 187,795,285 83,000 Gemini Securitization Corp., LLC*........................... 3.12 05/08/08 82,513,989 70,937 Old Line Funding, LLC*........... 3.21 04/25/08 - 05/02/08 70,578,875 20,000 Palisades CP*.................... 3.51 03/07/08 19,988,333 124,391 Ranger Funding Co LLC*........... 3.24 - 4.17 04/11/08 - 04/23/08 123,805,026 30,000 Thunder Bay Funding LLC*......... 3.30 - 3.38 03/14/08 - 04/18/08 29,931,928 -------------- 529,547,036 -------------- Asset-Backed - Corporate (3.2%) 109,000 Atlantis One Funding*............ 3.12 05/09/08 108,352,358 151,000 CIESCO LLC*...................... 3.12 - 4.94 03/26/08 - 05/07/08 150,405,343 10,000 Nieuw Amsterdam Receivables Corp*.......................... 3.27 05/16/08 9,931,389 -------------- 268,689,090 -------------- Asset-Backed - Diversified (1.8%) 75,000 Falcon Asset Sec Co LLC*......... 3.31 03/20/08 74,869,375 73,000 Liberty Street Funding LLC*...... 3.40 - 4.03 03/20/08 - 03/28/08 72,822,575 -------------- 147,691,950 -------------- Asset-Backed - Mortgage (0.9%) 73,000 Cancara Asset Sec LLC*........... 3.18 - 3.95 04/21/08 - 05/23/08 72,521,538 -------------- Asset-Backed - Securities (4.9%) 25,000 Amstel Funding Corp.*............ 4.79 03/10/08 24,970,313 257,000 Scaldis Capital LLC*............. 4.19 - 5.50 03/03/08 - 04/15/08 256,338,839 130,000 Solitaire Funding LLC*........... 3.27 06/05/08 128,885,800 -------------- 410,194,952 -------------- Banking (5.9%) 33,000 Bank of America Corp. ........... 4.99 03/25/08 32,892,640 412,500 Citigroup Funding Inc. .......... 3.19 - 5.50 03/18/08 - 05/22/08 409,980,908 50,000 JPMorgan Chase & Co. ............ 5.15 03/07/08 49,958,000 -------------- 492,831,548 --------------
See Notes to Financial Statements 6 Morgan Stanley Liquid Asset Fund Inc. PORTFOLIO OF INVESTMENTS - FEBRUARY 29, 2008 (UNAUDITED) continued
ANNUALIZED PRINCIPAL YIELD AMOUNT IN ON DATE OF MATURITY THOUSANDS PURCHASE DATE VALUE - ---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Financial Conglomerates (2.7%) $230,500 General Electric Capital Corp. .. 2.80 - 4.08% 07/07/08 - 09/22/08 $ 227,080,311 -------------- Insurance (0.3%) 25,000 ING America Insurance-Holding Inc. .......................... 5.02 03/28/08 24,907,188 -------------- International Banks (17.5%) 105,000 Bank of Ireland*................. 3.20 04/25/08 104,489,875 95,000 Barclays U.S. Funding LLC........ 3.05 - 3.12 05/09/08 - 08/27/08 93,850,838 208,000 DnB Nor Bank ASA*................ 3.15 - 4.80 03/31/08 - 05/30/08 206,873,567 39,000 KBC Financial Products International*................. 3.02 - 4.90 05/23/08 - 07/03/08 38,585,321 317,000 Royal Bank of Scotland*.......... 2.92 - 4.92 04/28/08 - 08/14/08 312,901,859 166,000 Santander Central Hispano Finance (Del) Inc. .................... 4.73 - 5.14 03/28/08 - 06/02/08 164,412,010 266,190 Societe Generale N.A., Inc. ..... 3.74 - 4.91 04/21/08 - 07/21/08 263,366,119 107,000 Swedbank......................... 3.07 - 4.32 04/14/08 - 05/02/08 106,442,240 173,000 UBS Finance (Delaware) LLC....... 3.23 - 5.16 03/14/08 - 07/18/08 171,973,953 -------------- 1,462,895,782 -------------- Investment Banks/Brokers (0.9%) 75,000 Goldman Sachs Group, Inc. (The).. 4.01 05/23/08 74,316,979 -------------- Total Commercial Paper (Cost $3,756,492,840)........................... 3,756,492,840 -------------- Certificates of Deposit (39.0%) Domestic Banks (1.0%) 50,000 Union Bank of California, NA..... 4.70 03/31/08 50,000,000 35,000 Wachovia Bank, NA................ 3.03 07/11/08 35,147,348 -------------- 85,147,348 -------------- International Banks (38.0%) 150,000 Bank of Montreal-Chicago......... 2.91 - 5.09 04/18/08 - 08/07/08 150,045,093 366,000 Bank of Scotland................. 3.10 - 5.04 03/13/08 - 06/11/08 365,991,886 317,000 Barclays Bank plc................ 2.95 - 5.37 03/17/08 - 11/24/08 317,162,172 373,000 BNP Paribas...................... 2.96 - 4.88 04/24/08 - 07/09/08 373,595,968 353,000 Calyon........................... 3.03 - 4.92 03/24/08 - 07/25/08 353,027,498 91,000 Canadian Imperial Bank........... 4.70 - 4.78 03/12/08 - 04/30/08 90,998,427 137,000 Credit Suisse - NY............... 4.87 - 5.46 03/12/08 - 06/06/08 137,000,000 95,000 Deutsche Bank AG................. 3.02 05/02/08 95,000,000 58,000 Fortis Bank - NY................. 3.15 05/28/08 58,000,000 215,000 NATIXIS.......................... 3.00 - 4.73 03/31/08 - 08/04/08 214,946,117 100,000 Royal Bank of Scotland plc....... 4.80 - 4.96 04/14/08 - 04/30/08 100,000,000 211,000 Banco Santander Central Hispano SA............................. 3.00 - 3.05 07/31/08 - 08/22/08 211,007,129
See Notes to Financial Statements 7 Morgan Stanley Liquid Asset Fund Inc. PORTFOLIO OF INVESTMENTS - FEBRUARY 29, 2008 (UNAUDITED) continued
ANNUALIZED PRINCIPAL YIELD AMOUNT IN ON DATE OF MATURITY THOUSANDS PURCHASE DATE VALUE - ---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- $148,000 Societe Generale................. 3.13 - 5.08% 03/20/08 - 05/13/08 $ 148,008,165 90,000 Svenska Handelsbanken............ 5.13 04/07/08 90,000,000 231,000 Toronto Dominion Bank............ 2.92 - 5.02 03/17/08 - 08/29/08 231,000,000 237,000 UBS AG........................... 4.00 - 5.46 03/03/08 - 06/16/08 237,002,260 -------------- 3,172,784,715 -------------- Total Certificates of Deposit (Cost $3,257,932,063).................... 3,257,932,063 -------------- Floating Rate Notes (9.4%) Asset-Backed - Structured Investment Vehicles (2.0%) 92,000 Asscher Finance Corp.*........... 4.83+ 03/25/08++ 91,997,052 73,000 Cullinan Finance Corp.*.......... 3.07+ 03/03/08++ 72,997,516 -------------- 164,994,568 -------------- Finance - Auto (1.1%) 50,000 American Honda Finance Corp.*.... 3.15+ 05/06/08++ 50,000,000 43,000 Toyota Motor Credit Corp. ....... 3.09+ 03/03/08++ 43,002,242 -------------- 93,002,242 -------------- Domestic Banks (0.5%) 41,000 Wachovia Bank NA................. 4.75+ 04/04/08++ 41,000,000 -------------- International Banks (3.5%) 150,000 Banco Bilbao Vizcaya Argentaria - NY................ 4.65+ 04/03/08++ 149,995,232 50,000 BNP Paribas*..................... 3.13+ 05/07/08++ 50,000,000 90,000 NATIXIS.......................... 4.77+ 03/31/08++ 89,997,488 -------------- 289,992,720 -------------- Investment Banks/Brokers (2.3%) 43,000 Deutsche Bank AG................. 4.75+ 03/21/08++ 43,000,000 150,000 Merrill Lynch & Co. Inc.*........ 3.26+ 03/18/08++ 150,000,000 -------------- 193,000,000 -------------- Total Floating Rate Notes (Cost $781,989,530).......................... 781,989,530 -------------- U.S. Government Agencies - Discount Notes (3.1%) 163,714 Federal Home Loan Banks.......... 2.55 - 4.34 03/19/08 - 08/06/08 162,543,752 97,685 Federal National Mortgage Assoc.. 4.23 - 4.40 03/26/08 - 06/11/08 97,044,184 -------------- Total U.S. Government Agencies - Discount Notes (Cost $259,587,936).... 259,587,936 --------------
See Notes to Financial Statements 8 Morgan Stanley Liquid Asset Fund Inc. PORTFOLIO OF INVESTMENTS - FEBRUARY 29, 2008 (UNAUDITED) continued
ANNUALIZED PRINCIPAL YIELD AMOUNT IN ON DATE OF MATURITY THOUSANDS PURCHASE DATE VALUE - ---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Repurchase Agreements (1.9%) $155,000 Barclays Capital Inc. (dated 02/29/08; proceeds $155,041,075) (a).............. 3.18 % 03/03/08 $ 155,000,000 2,256 The Bank of New York (dated 02/29/08; proceeds $2,256,679) (b)............................ 3.00 03/03/08 2,256,115 -------------- Total Repurchase Agreement (Cost $157,256,115)......................... 157,256,115 -------------- Corporate Bond Notes (1.1%) Asset-Backed - Structured Investment Vehicles 70,000 Asscher Finance Corp.*........... 5.45 06/25/08 70,000,000 25,000 Cullinan Finance Corp.*.......... 5.40 04/25/08 25,000,000 -------------- Total Corporate Bond Notes (Cost $95,000,000).......................... 95,000,000 -------------- Short-Term Bank Note (0.8%) 65,000 Bank of America Corp. (Cost $65,000,000)................... 4.75 04/07/08 65,000,000 -------------- U.S. Government Agencies - Debenture Bonds (0.3%) 25,000 Federal Home Loan Banks (Cost $25,000,000)................... 4.45 11/05/08 25,000,000 --------------
Total Investments (Cost $8,398,258,484) (c)..... 100.6% 8,398,258,484 Liabilities in Excess of Other Assets ........... (0.6) (49,797,115) ----- -------------- Net Assets ...................................... 100.0% $8,348,461,369 ===== ==============
- ---------- * Resale is restricted to qualified institutional investors. + Rate shown is the rate in effect at February 29, 2008. ++ Date of next interest rate reset. (a) Collateralized by Federal National Mortgage Assoc. 4.50% - 6.00% due 03/01/23 - 09/01/37 valued at $157,410,731 and Freddie Mac 6.00% due 12/01/37 valued at $689,270. (b) Collateralized by Federal National Mortgage Assoc. 6.03% due 04/01/36 valued at $2,301,237. (c) Cost is the same for federal income tax purposes.
See Notes to Financial Statements 9 Morgan Stanley Liquid Asset Fund Inc. FINANCIAL STATEMENTS Statement of Assets and Liabilities February 29, 2008 (unaudited) Assets: Investments in securities, at value (cost $8,398,258,484)....................................... $8,398,258,484 Cash.......................................................... 90,056 Receivable for: Interest................................................... 42,917,606 Capital stock sold......................................... 502,756 Prepaid expenses and other assets............................. 172,094 -------------- Total Assets............................................... 8,441,940,996 -------------- Liabilities: Payable for: Investments purchased...................................... 49,577,000 Capital stock redeemed..................................... 38,767,190 Investment advisory fee.................................... 1,564,880 Transfer agent fee......................................... 1,161,845 Distribution fee........................................... 666,064 Administration fee......................................... 333,032 Dividends and distributions to shareholders................ 154,567 Accrued expenses and other payables........................... 1,255,049 -------------- Total Liabilities.......................................... 93,479,627 -------------- Net Assets................................................. $8,348,461,369 ============== Composition of Net Assets: Paid-in-capital............................................... $8,347,848,104 Accumulated undistributed net investment income............... 680,363 Net realized loss............................................. (67,098) -------------- Net Assets................................................. $8,348,461,369 ============== Net Asset Value Per Share 8,348,514,866 shares outstanding (50,000,000,000 shares authorized of $.01 par value)............................... $1.00 =====
See Notes to Financial Statements 10 Morgan Stanley Liquid Asset Fund Inc. FINANCIAL STATEMENTS continued Statement of Operations For the six months ended February 29, 2008 (unaudited) Net Investment Income: Interest Income................................................ $232,670,210 ------------ Expenses Transfer agent fees and expenses............................... 11,121,620 Investment advisory fee........................................ 10,514,911 Distribution fee............................................... 4,527,093 Administration fee............................................. 2,263,547 Shareholder reports and notices................................ 591,009 Custodian fees................................................. 159,475 Registration fees.............................................. 101,540 Directors' fees and expenses................................... 81,335 Professional fees.............................................. 33,290 Other.......................................................... 341,747 ------------ Total Expenses.............................................. 29,735,567 Less: expense offset........................................... (49,836) ------------ Net Expenses................................................ 29,685,731 ------------ Net Investment Income....................................... 202,984,479 Net Realized Loss on investments............................ (9,063,901) Net increase from payments by affiliate (Note 4)............ 8,996,803 ------------ Net Increase................................................... $202,917,381 ============
See Notes to Financial Statements 11 Morgan Stanley Liquid Asset Fund Inc. FINANCIAL STATEMENTS continued Statements of Changes in Net Assets
FOR THE SIX FOR THE YEAR MONTHS ENDED ENDED FEBRUARY 29, 2008 AUGUST 31, 2007 ----------------- --------------- (unaudited) Increase (Decrease) in Net Assets: Operations: Net investment income............................. $ 202,984,479 $ 598,842,169 Net realized gain (loss).......................... (9,063,901) 1,500 Net increase from payments by affiliate........... 8,996,803 -- --------------- --------------- Net Increase................................... 202,917,381 598,843,669 --------------- --------------- Dividends and Distributions to Shareholders from: Net investment income............................. (202,986,347) (598,839,959) Net realized gain................................. -- (1,500) --------------- --------------- Total Dividends and Distributions.............. (202,986,347) (598,841,459) --------------- --------------- Net decrease from capital stock transactions...... (2,102,886,858) (6,434,503,553) --------------- --------------- Net Decrease................................... (2,102,955,824) (6,434,501,343) Net Assets: Beginning of period............................... 10,451,417,193 16,885,918,536 --------------- --------------- End of Period (Including accumulated undistributed net investment income of $680,363 and $682,231, respectively)..................................... $ 8,348,461,369 $10,451,417,193 =============== ===============
See Notes to Financial Statements 12 Morgan Stanley Liquid Asset Fund Inc. NOTES TO FINANCIAL STATEMENTS - FEBRUARY 29, 2008 (UNAUDITED) 1. Organization and Accounting Policies Morgan Stanley Liquid Asset Fund Inc. (the "Fund") is registered under the Investment Company Act of 1940, as amended (the "Act"), as a diversified, open- end management investment company. The Fund's investment objectives are high current income, preservation of capital and liquidity. The Fund was incorporated in Maryland on September 3, 1974 and commenced operations on September 22, 1975. The following is a summary of significant accounting policies: A. Valuation of Investments -- Portfolio securities are valued at amortized cost, which approximates market value, in accordance with Rule 2a-7 under the Act. B. Accounting for Investments -- Security transactions are accounted for on the trade date (date the order to buy or sell is executed). Realized gains and losses on security transactions are determined by the identified cost method. Discounts are accreted and premiums are amortized over the life of the respective securities and are included in interest income. Interest income is accrued daily. C. Repurchase Agreements -- The Fund may invest directly with institutions in repurchase agreements. The Fund's custodian receives the collateral, which is marked-to-market daily to determine that the value of the collateral does not decrease below the repurchase price plus accrued interest. D. Federal Income Tax Policy -- It is the Fund's policy to comply with the requirements of Subchapter M of the Internal Revenue Code applicable to regulated investment companies and to distribute substantially all of its taxable income to its shareholders. Therefore, no provision for federal income taxes is required. The Fund files tax returns with the U.S. Internal Revenue Service, New York State and New York City. The Fund adopted the provisions of the Financial Accounting Standards Board ("FASB") Interpretation No. 48 ("FIN 48") Accounting for Uncertainty in Income Taxes on June 29, 2007. FIN 48 sets forth a minimum threshold for financial statement recognition of the benefit of a tax position taken or expected to be taken in a tax return. The implementation of FIN 48 did not result in any unrecognized tax benefits in the accompanying financial statements. If applicable, the Fund recognizes interest accrued related to unrecognized tax benefits in interest expense and penalties in other expenses in the Statement of Operations. Each of the tax years in the four year period ended February 29, 2008, remains subject to examination by taxing authorities. E. Dividends and Distributions to Shareholders -- The Fund records dividends and distributions to shareholders as of the close of each business day. 13 Morgan Stanley Liquid Asset Fund Inc. NOTES TO FINANCIAL STATEMENTS - FEBRUARY 29, 2008 (UNAUDITED) continued F. Use of Estimates -- The preparation of financial statements in accordance with generally accepted accounting principles requires management to make estimates and assumptions that affect the reported amounts and disclosures. Actual results could differ from those estimates. 2. Investment Advisory/Administration Agreements Pursuant to an Investment Advisory Agreement with Morgan Stanley Investment Advisors Inc. (the "Investment Adviser"), the Fund pays the Investment Adviser an advisory fee, accrued daily and payable monthly, by applying the following annual rates to the net assets of the Fund determined as of the close of each business day: 0.45% to the portion of the daily net assets not exceeding $250 million; 0.375% to the portion of the daily net assets exceeding $250 million but not exceeding $750 million; 0.325% to the portion of the daily net assets exceeding $750 million but not exceeding $1.25 billion; 0.30% to the portion of the daily net assets exceeding $1.25 billion but not exceeding $1.5 billion; 0.275% to the portion of the daily net assets exceeding $1.5 billion but not exceeding $1.75 billion; 0.25% to the portion of the daily net assets exceeding $1.75 billion but not exceeding $2.25 billion; 0.225% to the portion of the daily net assets exceeding $2.25 billion but not exceeding $2.75 billion; 0.20% to the portion of the daily net assets exceeding $2.75 billion but not exceeding $15 billion; 0.199% to the portion of the daily net assets exceeding $15 billion but not exceeding $17.5 billion; 0.198% to the portion of the daily net assets exceeding $17.5 billion but not exceeding $25 billion; 0.197% to the portion of the daily net assets exceeding $25 billion but not exceeding $30 billion; and 0.196% to the portion of the daily net assets in excess of $30 billion. Pursuant to an Administration Agreement with Morgan Stanley Services Company Inc. (the "Administrator"), an affiliate of the Investment Adviser, the Fund pays an administration fee, accrued daily and payable monthly, by applying the annual rate of 0.05% to the Fund's daily net assets. Under an agreement between the Administrator and State Street Bank and Trust Company ("State Street"), State Street provides certain administrative services to the Fund. For such services, the Administrator pays State Street a portion of the fee the Administrator receives from the Fund. 3. Shareholder Services Plan Morgan Stanley Distributors Inc. (the "Distributor"), an affiliate of the Investment Adviser and Administrator, is the distributor of the Fund's shares. Pursuant to a Shareholder Services Plan (the "Plan") with the Distributor, the Fund pays the Distributor as compensation for the provision of services to shareholders a service fee, accrued daily and payable monthly, up to 0.15% on an annualized basis of the Fund's average daily net assets. For the six months ended February 29, 2008, the service fee was accrued at the annual rate of 0.10%. 14 Morgan Stanley Liquid Asset Fund Inc. NOTES TO FINANCIAL STATEMENTS - FEBRUARY 29, 2008 (UNAUDITED) continued 4. Security Transactions and Transactions with Affiliates The cost of purchases and proceeds from sales/maturities of portfolio securities for the six months ended February 29, 2008, aggregated $49,651,955,506 and $51,951,959,060, respectively. On October 23, 2007, a security owned by the Fund was subject to a credit downgrade by a rating agency. As a result of this downgrade, the Adviser determined that the security was no longer an eligible security for the Fund to own. As a result, the Adviser purchased this security from the Fund at amortized cost plus accrued interest. Prior to the purchase, the Fund owned $90,000,000 par value of this security. Had this security been sold to a third party, the Fund would have realized a loss of approximately $8,996,803. As a result, this estimated loss along with an offsetting payment from the Adviser has been reflected in the Statement of Operations and Statement of Changes in Net Assets. The net result of this transaction, including the purchase of the security at amortized cost by the Adviser, had no impact on the Fund's net assets, net asset value per share or net investment income. Morgan Stanley Trust, an affiliate of the Investment Adviser, Administrator and Distributor, is the Fund's transfer agent. The Fund has an unfunded noncontributory defined benefit pension plan covering certain independent Directors of the Fund who will have served as independent Directors for at least five years at the time of retirement. Benefits under this plan are based on factors which include years of service and compensation. The Directors voted to close the plan to new participants and eliminate the future benefits growth due to increases to compensation after July 31, 2003. Aggregate pension costs for the six months ended February 29, 2008, included in Directors' fees and expenses in the Statement of Operations amounted to $3,005. At February 29, 2008, the Fund had an accrued pension liability of $61,266 which is included in accrued expenses in the Statement of Assets and Liabilities. The Fund has an unfunded Deferred Compensation Plan (the "Compensation Plan") which allows each independent Director to defer payment of all, or a portion, of the fees he or she receives for serving on the Board of Directors. Each eligible Director generally may elect to have the deferred amounts credited with a return equal to the total return on one or more of the Morgan Stanley funds that are offered as investment options under the Compensation Plan. Appreciation/depreciation and distributions received from these investments are recorded with an offsetting increase/decrease in the deferred compensation obligation and do not affect the net asset value of the Fund. 15 Morgan Stanley Liquid Asset Fund Inc. NOTES TO FINANCIAL STATEMENTS - FEBRUARY 29, 2008 (UNAUDITED) continued 5. Capital Stock Transactions in capital stock, at $1.00 per share, were as follows:
FOR THE SIX FOR THE YEAR MONTHS ENDED ENDED FEBRUARY 29, 2008 AUGUST 31, 2007 ----------------- --------------- (unaudited) Shares sold....................................... 6,238,159,528 24,966,716,052 Shares issued in reinvestment of dividends and distributions................................... 202,076,166 597,670,096 -------------- --------------- 6,440,235,694 25,564,386,148 Shares redeemed................................... (8,543,122,552) (31,998,894,113) -------------- --------------- Net decrease...................................... (2,102,886,858) (6,434,507,965) ============== ===============
6. Expense Offset The expense offset represents a reduction of the fees and expenses for interest earned on cash balances maintained by the Fund with the transfer agent. 7. Accounting Pronouncement In September 2006, Statement of Financial Accounting Standards No. 157, Fair Value Measurements (SFAS 157), was issued and is effective for fiscal years beginning after November 15, 2007. SFAS 157 defines fair value, establishes a framework for measuring fair value and expands disclosures about fair value measurements. Management is currently evaluating the impact the adoption of SFAS 157 will have on the Fund's financial statement disclosures. 16 Morgan Stanley Liquid Asset Fund Inc. FINANCIAL HIGHLIGHTS Selected ratios and per share data for a share of capital stock outstanding throughout each period:
FOR THE SIX FOR THE YEAR ENDED AUGUST 31, MONTHS ENDED ----------------------------------------------- FEBRUARY 29, 2008 2007 2006 2005 2004 2003 ----------------- ------- ------- ------- ------- ------- (unaudited) Selected Per Share Data: Net asset value, beginning of period......... $ 1.00 $ 1.00 $ 1.00 $ 1.00 $ 1.00 $ 1.00 ------ ------ ------ ------ ------ ------ Net income from investment operations........ 0.022 0.047 0.040 0.020 0.006 0.009 Less dividends from net investment income.... (0.022) (0.047)+ (0.040) (0.020)+ (0.006)+ (0.009) ------- --------- -------- --------- --------- -------- Net asset value, end of period............... $1.00 $1.00 $1.00 $1.00 $1.00 $1.00 ===== ===== ===== ===== ===== ===== Total Return................................. 2.25%(1)(3) 4.86% 4.10% 2.03% 0.58% 0.86% Ratios to Average Net Assets: Total expenses (before expense offset)....... 0.66%(2) 0.67% 0.60% 0.59% 0.58% 0.56% Net investment income........................ 4.47%(2) 4.73% 3.99% 1.98% 0.57% 0.85% Supplemental Data: Net assets, end of period, in millions....... $8,348 $10,451 $16,886 $18,072 $20,475 $23,081
- ---------- + Includes capital gain distribution of less than $0.001. (1) Not annualized. (2) Annualized. (3) The Investment Adviser fully reimbursed the Fund for losses incurred resulting from the disposal of investments. Without this reimbursement, the total return was 2.15%. (See Note 4.)
See Notes to Financial Statements 17 (This Page Intentionally Left Blank) (This Page Intentionally Left Blank) DIRECTORS Frank L. Bowman Michael Bozic Kathleen A. Dennis James F. Higgins Dr. Manuel H. Johnson Joseph J. Kearns Michael F. Klein Michael E. Nugent W. Allen Reed Fergus Reid OFFICERS Michael E. Nugent Chairperson of the Board Ronald E. Robison President and Principal Executive Officer J. David Germany Vice President Dennis F. Shea Vice President Amy R. Doberman Vice President Carsten Otto Chief Compliance Officer Stefanie V. Chang Yu Vice President Francis J. Smith Treasurer and Chief Financial Officer Mary E. Mullin Secretary TRANSFER AGENT Morgan Stanley Trust Harborside Financial Center, Plaza Two Jersey City, New Jersey 07311 INDEPENDENT REGISTERED PUBLIC ACCOUNTING FIRM Deloitte & Touche LLP Two World Financial Center New York, New York 10281 LEGAL COUNSEL Clifford Chance US LLP 31 West 52nd Street New York, New York 10019 COUNSEL TO THE INDEPENDENT DIRECTORS Kramer Levin Naftalis & Frankel LLP 1177 Avenue of the Americas New York, New York 10036 INVESTMENT ADVISER Morgan Stanley Investment Advisors Inc. 522 Fifth Avenue New York, New York 10036 The financial statements included herein have been taken from the records of the Fund without examination by the independent auditors and accordingly they do not express an opinion thereon. This report is submitted for the general information of the shareholders of the Fund. For more detailed information about the Fund, its fees and expenses and other pertinent information, please read its Prospectus. The Fund's Statement of Additional Information contains additional information about the Fund, including its directors. It is available, without charge, by calling (800) 869-NEWS. This report is not authorized for distribution to prospective investors in the Fund unless preceded or accompanied by an effective Prospectus. Read the Prospectus carefully before investing. Morgan Stanley Distributors Inc., member FINRA. (c) 2008 Morgan Stanley [MORGAN STANLEY LOGO] MORGAN STANLEY FUNDS Morgan Stanley Liquid Asset Fund Inc. Semiannual Report February 29, 2008 ILASAN IU08-02227P-T02/08 Item 2. Code of Ethics. Not applicable for semiannual reports. Item 3. Audit Committee Financial Expert. Not applicable for semiannual reports. Item 4. Principal Accountant Fees and Services Not applicable for semiannual reports. Item 5. Audit Committee of Listed Registrants. Not applicable for semiannual reports. Item 6. Refer to Item 1. Item 7. Disclosure of Proxy Voting Policies and Procedures for Closed-End Management Investment Companies. Not applicable for semiannual reports. Item 8. Portfolio Managers of Closed-End Management Investment Companies Applicable only to reports filed by closed-end funds. Item 9. Closed-End Fund Repurchases Applicable to reports filed by closed-end funds. Item 10. Submission of Matters to a Vote of Security Holders Not applicable. Item 11. Controls and Procedures (a) The Fund's principal executive officer and principal financial officer have concluded that the Fund's disclosure controls and procedures are sufficient to ensure that information required to be disclosed by the Fund in this Form N-CSR was recorded, processed, summarized and reported within the time periods specified in the Securities and Exchange Commission's rules and forms, based upon such officers' evaluation of these controls and procedures as of a date within 90 days of the filing date of the report. (b) There were no changes in the registrant's internal control over financial reporting that occurred during the second fiscal quarter of the period covered by this report that has materially affected, or is reasonably likely to materially affect, the registrant's internal control over financial reporting. Item 12. Exhibits (a) Code of Ethics - Not applicable for semiannual reports. (b) A separate certification for each principal executive officer and principal financial officer of the registrant are attached hereto as part of EX-99.CERT. 2 SIGNATURES Pursuant to the requirements of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 and the Investment Company Act of 1940, the registrant has duly caused this report to be signed on its behalf by the undersigned, thereunto duly authorized. Morgan Stanley Liquid Asset Fund Inc. /s/ Ronald E. Robison Ronald E. Robison Principal Executive Officer April 17, 2008 Pursuant to the requirements of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 and the Investment Company Act of 1940, this report has been signed by the following persons on behalf of the registrant and in the capacities and on the dates indicated. /s/ Ronald E. Robison Ronald E. Robison Principal Executive Officer April 17, 2008 /s/ Francis Smith Francis Smith Principal Financial Officer April 17, 2008 3 EX-99.CERT 2 y51170exv99wcert.txt CERTIFICATIONS EXHIBIT 12 B1 CERTIFICATION OF PRINCIPAL EXECUTIVE OFFICER CERTIFICATIONS I, Ronald E. Robison, certify that: 1. I have reviewed this report on Form N-CSR of Morgan Stanley Liquid Asset Fund Inc; 2. Based on my knowledge, this report does not contain any untrue statement of a material fact or omit to state a material fact necessary to make the statements made, in light of the circumstances under which such statements were made, not misleading with respect to the period covered by this report; 3. Based on my knowledge, the financial statements and other financial information included in this report, fairly present in all material respects the financial condition, results of operations, changes in net assets, and cash flows (if the financial statements are required to include a statement of cash flows) of the registrant as of, and for, the periods presented in this report; 4. The registrant's other certifying officers and I are responsible for establishing and maintaining disclosure controls and procedures (as defined in Rule 30a-3(c) under the Investment Company Act of 1940) and internal control over financial reporting (as defined in Rule 30a-3(d) under the Investment Company Act of 1940) for the registrant and have: a) designed such disclosure controls and procedures, or caused such disclosure controls and procedures to be designed under our supervision, to ensure that material information relating to the registrant, including its consolidated subsidiaries, is made known to us by others within those entities, particularly during the period in which this report is being prepared; b) designed such internal control over financial reporting, or caused such internal control over financial reporting to be designed under our supervision, to provide reasonable assurance regarding the reliability of financial reporting and the preparation of financial statements for external purposes in accordance with generally accepted accounting principles; c) evaluated the effectiveness of the registrant's disclosure controls and procedures and presented in this report our conclusions about the effectiveness of the disclosure controls and procedures, as of a date within 90 days prior to the filing date of this report based on such evaluation; and d) disclosed in this report any change in the registrant's internal control over financial reporting that occurred during the second fiscal quarter of the period covered by this report that has materially affected, or is reasonably likely to materially affect, the registrant's internal control over financial reporting; and 5. The registrant's other certifying officer(s) and I have disclosed to the registrant's auditors and the audit committee of the registrant's board of directors (or persons performing the equivalent functions): 4 a) all significant deficiencies and material weaknesses in the design or operation of internal control over financial reporting which are reasonably likely to adversely affect the registrant's ability to record, process, summarize, and report financial information; and b) any fraud, whether or not material, that involves management or other employees who have a significant role in the registrant's internal controls over financial reporting. Date: April 17, 2008 /s/ Ronald E. Robison Ronald E. Robison Principal Executive Officer 5 EXHIBIT 12 B2 CERTIFICATION OF PRINCIPAL FINANCIAL OFFICER CERTIFICATIONS I, Francis Smith, certify that: 1. I have reviewed this report on Form N-CSR of Morgan Stanley Liquid Asset Fund Inc.; 2. Based on my knowledge, this report does not contain any untrue statement of a material fact or omit to state a material fact necessary to make the statements made, in light of the circumstances under which such statements were made, not misleading with respect to the period covered by this report; 3. Based on my knowledge, the financial statements and other financial information included in this report, fairly present in all material respects the financial condition, results of operations, changes in net assets, and cash flows (if the financial statements are required to include a statement of cash flows) of the registrant as of, and for, the periods presented in this report; 4. The registrant's other certifying officers and I are responsible for establishing and maintaining disclosure controls and procedures (as defined in Rule 30a-3(c) under the Investment Company Act of 1940) and internal control over financial reporting (as defined in Rule 30a-3(d) under the Investment Company Act of 1940) for the registrant and have: a) designed such disclosure controls and procedures, or caused such disclosure controls and procedures to be designed under our supervision, to ensure that material information relating to the registrant, including its consolidated subsidiaries, is made known to us by others within those entities, particularly during the period in which this report is being prepared; b) designed such internal control over financial reporting, or caused such internal control over financial reporting to be designed under our supervision, to provide reasonable assurance regarding the reliability of financial reporting and the preparation of financial statements for external purposes in accordance with generally accepted accounting principles; c) evaluated the effectiveness of the registrant's disclosure controls and procedures and presented in this report our conclusions about the effectiveness of the disclosure controls and procedures, as of a date within 90 days prior to the filing date of this report based on such evaluation; and d) disclosed in this report any change in the registrant's internal control over financial reporting that occurred during the second fiscal quarter of the period covered by this report that has materially affected, or is reasonably likely to materially affect, the registrant's internal control over financial reporting; and 5. The registrant's other certifying officer(s) and I have disclosed to the registrant's auditors and the audit committee of the registrant's board of directors (or persons performing the equivalent functions): 6 a) all significant deficiencies and material weaknesses in the design or operation of internal control over financial reporting which are reasonably likely to adversely affect the registrant's ability to record, process, summarize, and report financial information; and b) any fraud, whether or not material, that involves management or other employees who have a significant role in the registrant's internal controls over financial reporting. Date: April 17, 2008 /s/ Francis Smith Francis Smith Principal Financial Officer 7 EX-99.906CERT 3 y51170exv99w906cert.txt CERTIFICATIONS SECTION 906 CERTIFICATION Certification Pursuant to 18 U.S.C. Section 1350, As Adopted Pursuant to Section 906 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002 Morgan Stanley Liquid Asset Fund Inc. In connection with the Report on Form N-CSR (the "Report") of the above-named issuer for the period ended February 29, 2008 that is accompanied by this certification, the undersigned hereby certifies that: 1. The Report fully complies with the requirements of Section 13(a) or 15(d) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934; and 2. The information contained in the Report fairly presents, in all material respects, the financial condition and results of operations of the Issuer. Date: April 17, 2008 /s/ Ronald E. Robison ----------------------------- Ronald E. Robison Principal Executive Officer A signed original of this written statement required by Section 906 has been provided to Morgan Stanley Liquid Asset Fund Inc. and will be retained by Morgan Stanley Liquid Asset Fund Inc. and furnished to the Securities and Exchange Commission or its staff upon request. 8 SECTION 906 CERTIFICATION Certification Pursuant to 18 U.S.C. Section 1350, As Adopted Pursuant to Section 906 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002 Morgan Stanley Liquid Asset Fund Inc. In connection with the Report on Form N-CSR (the "Report") of the above-named issuer for the period ended February 29, 2008 that is accompanied by this certification, the undersigned hereby certifies that: 1. The Report fully complies with the requirements of Section 13(a) or 15(d) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934; and 2. The information contained in the Report fairly presents, in all material respects, the financial condition and results of operations of the Issuer. Date: April 17, 2008 /s/ Francis Smith --------------------------- Francis Smith Principal Financial Officer A signed original of this written statement required by Section 906 has been provided to Morgan Stanley Liquid Asset Fund Inc. and will be retained by Morgan Stanley Liquid Asset Fund Inc. and furnished to the Securities and Exchange Commission or its staff upon request. 9 -----END PRIVACY-ENHANCED MESSAGE-----