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: 811-5833 |
T. Rowe Price Institutional International Funds, Inc. |
(Exact name of registrant as specified in charter) |
100 East Pratt Street, Baltimore, MD 21202 |
(Address of principal executive offices) |
David Oestreicher |
100 East Pratt Street, Baltimore, MD 21202 |
(Name and address of agent for service) |
Registrant’s telephone number, including area code: (410) 345-2000 |
Date of fiscal year end: October 31 |
Date of reporting period: October 31, 2008 |
Item 1: Report to Shareholders
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Institutional Emerging Markets Equity Fund | October 31, 2008 |
The views and opinions in this report were current as of October 31, 2008. They are not guarantees of performance or investment results and should not be taken as investment advice. Investment decisions reflect a variety of factors, and the managers reserve the right to change their views about individual stocks, sectors, and the markets at any time. As a result, the views expressed should not be relied upon as a forecast of the fund’s future investment intent. The report is certified under the Sarbanes-Oxley Act, which requires mutual funds and other public companies to affirm that, to the best of their knowledge, the information in their financial reports is fairly and accurately stated in all material respects.
Managers’ Letter
T. Rowe Price Institutional Emerging Markets Equity Fund
Dear Investor
As you are well aware, stock markets across the globe witnessed a once-in-a-generation nosedive that was breathtaking in scale and pace. No region was spared. And while we have positioned your fund for long-term growth among the best companies we could identify, emerging markets stocks suffered a similar fate. We are very disappointed by our results this year. We have cautioned for some time that double-digit gains in the fund could not be sustained. However, we know that does little to soften the blow. Your fund fell sharply in the 6- and 12-month periods ended October 31, 2008. The largest decline occurred in the last two months of the reporting period as the U.S. credit crisis fanned the flames of an old-fashioned run on just about every investment class. Over the past five years, the fund has returned 8.21% on an annualized basis.
In a period marked by wild swings in stock prices from cascading bad news, investors became risk averse. Inflationary pressures, which had been part of the economic story just months ago, vanished due to plummeting commodity prices. Asia was the worst-performing region, with China turning in the steepest decline. Latin America, which has enjoyed breathtaking growth in recent years, pulled back sharply due to weaker demand in energy and commodities. Emerging Europe suffered in particular from our exposure to Russia, the fund’s largest absolute detractor, which was squeezed by a military conflict with neighboring Georgia, falling oil prices, and a liquidity crisis in its banking sector.
Highlights |
• Amid one of the worst periods we have seen in many years of investing, emerging markets stock prices fell sharply over the past six months.
• Asia was the worst-performing region, with China turning in the steepest decline, while Latin America was the fund’s second-worst performer.
• We increased our allocation in Latin America, as the region boasts strong economic growth. Our positions are largely focused on retail, banks, and telecommunications.
• The brutal sell-off has created some bargains, and we are selectively buying shares of well-positioned, fundamentally strong companies.
Performance Review
In contrast to the steady gains of last year, your fund reversed course, and the decline accelerated toward the end of the 12-month period. The fund dropped 56.28% in the last six months, trailing the MSCI Emerging Markets Index and the Lipper Emerging Markets Fund Average. For the year, the fund fell 61.18%, lagging the benchmarks. That contrasts with last year’s return of 71.59%. Our slight underperformance of the benchmark was due to a larger exposure to Russia.
Over the past six months, materials and energy were the worst performers as commodity and oil prices plunged from record levels, while industrials were also weak from falling demand. Financials, which we reduced substantially, were marked down heavily from the tight liquidity and loss of confidence in the asset class. Health care, utilities, and consumer staples, while down, proved to be the most resistant to the market slide.
A Word From Our Chairman |
Dear Shareholder,
The past year has seen a substantial and painful decline in the broad stock and bond markets, both domestically and internationally, and our funds have not been immune to the turmoil. Being an investor in these times can be unsettling because there seem to be few safe havens. Prudent risk-management strategies, such as diversification, may have helped to reduce losses, but they did not avoid them.
At times like these, taking a step back to gain perspective can help. Since Thomas Rowe Price, Jr., founded our company in 1937—in the heart of the Great Depression—the firm has witnessed many market downturns, including the long, slow 1973–1974 bear market, the October 1987 crash, and the bursting of the technology bubble in the early 2000s and the subsequent broad market decline. Although the magnitude and duration of the declines have varied, one thing has held true: The markets have always bounced back.
We also know from experience that emotional responses to financial downturns do not produce good results. Now is the time for investors to remain focused on the fundamentals and to maintain a long-term perspective. That’s what we are doing at T. Rowe Price. Our experienced team of analysts and portfolio managers continually examines our portfolios to make sure each fund’s holdings still make sense in the ever-changing environment. And as painful as market downturns are, the indiscriminate selling that accompanies a panic creates opportunities for investors who can see beyond the fear. We are using our rigorous in-house research to position our portfolios for the next upturn.
As always, we remain focused on serving our shareholders Managing our clients’ assets is our only business, and our long-term success is tied to our clients’ success. We know this period has been difficult for investors, and we thank you for your confidence in T. Rowe Price.
Sincerely,
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Edward C. Bernard
Chairman, T. Rowe Price Mutual Funds
Market and Portfolio Review
No region was spared from the fallout from the U.S. economic crisis. Emerging Europe was a big loser, with Russia turning in the worst performance in the last six months. Brazil, which experienced triple-digit gains last year, saw a huge sell-off. Falling commodity and energy prices led the way. Egypt suffered from soaring inflation and a slowing economy, while export-led South Korea suffered from slowing global demand. China witnessed falling demand, and India experienced a softening economy amid shaky financing issues. South Africa declined, as did Turkey, although the latter’s political climate has improved and its economic picture remains intact. Among the strongest performers during the last half of the year was Israel, where defensive positions in health care helped returns.
Pacific ex Japan
Emerging Asian markets tumbled about 51% and 54% in dollar terms in the 6- and 12-month periods ended October 31, 2008, respectively. Waning global demand and risk aversion contributed to China’s steep decline. China is our largest country allocation in the portfolio at about 16%. It was our third-largest absolute detractor in the last six months, but it was the biggest relative contributor due to positive stock selection. Although it has weakened in recent months, the growth story in China is still intact thanks to the government’s willingness to spend its vast reserves and desire to keep growth over the 8% level. Our largest positions in China include Beijing Enterprises, a gas utility company that is operated in a country where gas demand is set to grow by 43% annually over the next five years and by 20% over the next 10 years. The company is well positioned to capitalize on opportunities emerging from rising gas supply and higher demand in and around the Beijing-Tianjin area. China Insurance International fell on weakness in the financials sector. But the state-owned insurance company has solid fundamentals and the potential to become strong in mergers and acquisitions as insurance companies and banks look to form alliances. With advertising in China expected to increase by 20% a year over the next three years, we also have confidence in Sina, a market leader in online advertising. (Please refer to the fund’s portfolio of investments for a complete listing of holdings and the amount each represents in the portfolio.)
Our weighting in India fell due primarily to underperformance, although we retain an overweight in the burgeoning economy. Our holdings in particular suffered in the sell-off, as we have a large exposure to companies tied to India’s infrastructure growth. Infrastructure firms have fallen out of favor with investors for a number of reasons, including a perceived lack of clarity about future earnings streams and a reliance on debt financing. Large positions in India include Housing Development Finance, a mortgage lender that is better positioned than its peers. The company’s loan growth has been strong but will slow as borrowing costs rise and property prices fall. Container Corporation of India is a subsidiary of Indian Railways. It offers integrated logistics services for container movement through the country’s rail system and has a track record of strong growth and investments in ports companies.
South Korea may be among the least “decoupled” countries in the region. It relies heavily on exports to fuel its economy. With weaker domestic growth as well, the country is our largest underweight in the fund. Taiwan, too, is a large underweight due to softening global demand.
Europe, the Middle East, and Africa (EMEA)
The EMEA region declined nearly 50% in the past six months and about 54% for the full year in dollar terms. At the end of last year we began moving money into the region, notably into the Middle East and Russia, and the region became the fund’s largest overweight. However, we have trimmed some holdings in the region, including positions in South Africa, Turkey, and Egypt.
But the biggest story was Russia, where the stock market fell more than 60% in U.S. dollar terms in the 12-month period ended October 31. Most of the decline occurred since the end of April. Russia faced problems on multiple fronts, from its conflict with neighboring Georgia to plunging oil prices and a banking liquidity squeeze. Further contributing to the market’s weakness was substantial deleveraging by billionaire investors (often called the oligarchs) who had used their equity investments as collateral so that they could borrow and invest more in the market. As the value of their holdings declined and market liquidity disappeared, they were forced to sell in order to meet margin calls. Government efforts to stop stock price declines—including occasional trading suspensions, cash injections into the financial system, a tax cut on oil exports, and lower reserve requirements for banks—were largely ineffective. Shares in real estate company Pik declined as a result of its difficulty in refinancing its short-term debt. The Bank of St. Petersburg suffered from tighter liquidity in the banking sector.
While we are very mindful of the problems in Russia, we remain positive on the long-term economic prospects for Russia and believe that the sell-off in recent months was overdone, as many stock valuations are now very attractive. We favor the strongest players in their respective industries, with strong balance sheets and little debt. Uralkali, a low-cost potash producer, is one such company. Increasing food demand from emerging market countries has spurred demand for fertilizer. Other stocks that we currently favor include Novatek, a gas company that is enjoying good production growth; X5 Retail, the largest food retailer in Russia, which should strengthen as its competitors diminish in a weaker environment; and Mobile Telesystems, which should benefit from increased market penetration.
Latin America
The region plunged about 53% in the last six months and was down 52% for the 12-month period in dollar terms. During the first few months of the year, we took money off the table in Latin America, as markets had held up well relative to other emerging markets regions. We used the proceeds to fund moves primarily into Russia and Middle East countries. However, as markets fell in the sell-off from the end of the second quarter, we moved money back into the region, and Latin America is currently the fund’s largest overweight region. Positions are concentrated in the two major markets—Brazil and Mexico. Both countries share solid economic fundamentals and pro-reformist governments.
Despite our repositioning in the fund, we could not avoid the profound sell-off in commodity prices and renewed investor risk aversion. Brazil was the fund’s second-largest absolute detractor, as the market was pulled down 56% on weakness in commodities. Oil exploration and production company Petroleo Brasileiro posted large losses for the period. However, we believe the company is trading at attractive valuations and have added positions in the oil giant on weakness. It is the fund’s largest holding. We also have a significant position in Banco Itau, a play on Brazil’s strong consumer sector, solid macroeconomic environment, and nascent financial services industry.
In Mexico—the fund’s third-largest country overweight—our largest position is in America Movil, the region’s largest telecom company. The company has 165 million subscribers, and penetration levels have increased. But there is still strong growth in subscribers and upside to revenues. We also have a large position in Wal-Mart de Mexico, the retail discounter that is a strong play on the Mexican consumer. The company’s expansion plans remain intact, even though the consumer environment is softening.
Outlook
We face one of the most challenging investment periods in a generation. The immediate future is uncertain, with the currents of economic dislocation landing in every region. While we believe that emerging markets present long-term investment opportunities, it is clear that many emerging market economies continue to face short-term challenges due primarily to external factors. Faltering developed economies are beginning to affect strong economic growth in emerging economies, although the pace of deceleration across the emerging world has been less profound. Inflation concerns in the beginning of the reporting year, and as recently as last summer, have receded due to lower commodity prices. Valuations in many emerging markets are now extremely attractive.
In fact, emerging markets are more resilient to the current financial crisis than they would have been several years ago. These countries have far more fiscal and monetary flexibility than in years past, with many countries having amassed significant financial reserves. Consumption remains relatively strong, and while earnings growth will likely decline, an earnings recession is not necessarily in the offing.
Emerging economies are increasingly being divided between the strong and the weak. We look for companies with strong market share, good growth prospects, and solid balance sheets. We continue to favor strong economies, such as Russia, and prefer companies in strong economies of the Middle East and Latin America. And we remain underweight in the weaker countries, such as South Africa, that are characterized by faltering growth and high current account deficits.
While emerging market economies are clearly slowing as the fallout from the credit crisis continues, we believe that emerging markets are better positioned to withstand the slowdown than at any time in the past. We recognize the faith that you have put in us to manage your hard-earned money. Despite the market’s current volatility, we will adhere to our disciplined method of investing. At the same time, we remain steadfast in our long-term investment horizon, which has served our clients well over time. As we see opportunities, we will seize them. That is critically important as we chart a course that seeks the best possible returns for our shareholders.
Respectfully submitted,
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Christopher D. Alderson
Co-chairman of the fund’s Investment Advisory Committee
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Gonzalo Pangaro
Co-chairman of the fund’s Investment Advisory Committee
November 12, 2008
The co-chairmen of the fund’s Investment Advisory Committee have day-to-day responsibility for managing the portfolio and work with committee members in developing and executing the fund’s investment program.
Portfolio Manager Change |
Effective September 11, 2008, Gonzalo Pangaro joined Christopher D. Alderson as co-chairman of the fund’s Investment Advisory Committee. Mr. Pangaro joined T. Rowe Price in 1998 and has 16 years of experience investing in emerging markets. He has been a member of the fund’s Investment Advisory Committee since 2004, and he has worked closely with Mr. Alderson since he joined the firm. Mr. Pangaro and Mr. Alderson will jointly lead the fund’s investment committee during a transition period. On March 31, 2009, Mr. Pangaro will become sole chairman of the fund, with Mr. Alderson remaining as a member of the Investment Advisory Committee.
Risks of International Investing |
Funds that invest overseas generally carry more risk than funds that invest strictly in U.S. assets. Funds investing in a single country or in a limited geographic region tend to be riskier than more diversified funds. Risks can result from varying stages of economic and political development; differing regulatory environments, trading days, and accounting standards; and higher transaction costs of non-U.S. markets. Non-U.S. investments are also subject to currency risk, or a decline in the value of a foreign currency versus the U.S. dollar, which reduces the dollar value of securities denominated in that currency.
Glossary |
Lipper averages: The averages of available mutual fund performance returns for specified time periods in defined categories as tracked by Lipper Inc.
MSCI Emerging Markets Index: A capitalization-weighted index of stocks from 26 emerging market countries that only includes securities that may be traded by foreign investors.
Portfolio Highlights
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Performance and Expenses
T. Rowe Price Institutional Emerging Markets Equity Fund
Performance Comparison |
This chart shows the value of a hypothetical $1 million investment in the fund over the past 10 fiscal year periods or since inception (for funds lacking 10-year records). The result is compared with benchmarks, which may include a broad-based market index and a peer group average or index. Market indexes do not include expenses, which are deducted from fund returns as well as mutual fund averages and indexes.
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This table shows how the fund would have performed each year if its actual (or cumulative) returns for the periods shown had been earned at a constant rate.
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Fund Expense Example
As a mutual fund shareholder, you may incur two types of costs: (1) transaction costs, such as redemption fees or sales loads, and (2) ongoing costs, including management fees, distribution and service (12b-1) fees, and other fund expenses. The following example is intended to help you understand your ongoing costs (in dollars) of investing in the fund and to compare these costs with the ongoing costs of investing in other mutual funds. The example is based on an investment of $1,000 invested at the beginning of the most recent six-month period and held for the entire period.
Actual Expenses
The first line of the following table (“Actual”) provides information about actual account values and actual expenses. You may use the information in this line, together with your account balance, to estimate the expenses that you paid over the period. Simply divide your account value by $1,000 (for example, an $8,600 account value divided by $1,000 = 8.6), then multiply the result by the number in the first line under the heading “Expenses Paid During Period” to estimate the expenses you paid on your account during this period.
Hypothetical Example for Comparison Purposes
The information on the second line of the table (“Hypothetical”) is based on hypothetical account values and expenses derived from the fund’s actual expense ratio and an assumed 5% per year rate of return before expenses (not the fund’s actual return). You may compare the ongoing costs of investing in the fund with other funds by contrasting this 5% hypothetical example and the 5% hypothetical examples that appear in the shareholder reports of the other funds. The hypothetical account values and expenses may not be used to estimate the actual ending account balance or expenses you paid for the period.
You should also be aware that the expenses shown in the table highlight only your ongoing costs and do not reflect any transaction costs, such as redemption fees or sales loads. Therefore, the second line of the table is useful in comparing ongoing costs only and will not help you determine the relative total costs of owning different funds. To the extent a fund charges transaction costs, however, the total cost of owning that fund is higher.
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Financial Highlights
T. Rowe Price Institutional Emerging Markets Equity Fund
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The accompanying notes are an integral part of these financial statements.
Portfolio of Investments ‡
T. Rowe Price Institutional Emerging Markets Equity Fund
October 31, 2008
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The accompanying notes are an integral part of these financial statements.
Statement of Assets and Liabilities
T. Rowe Price Institutional Emerging Markets Equity Fund
October 31, 2008
($000s, except shares and per share amounts)
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The accompanying notes are an integral part of these financial statements.
Statement of Operations
T. Rowe Price Institutional Emerging Markets Equity Fund
($000s)
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The accompanying notes are an integral part of these financial statements.
Statement of Changes in Net Assets
T. Rowe Price Institutional Emerging Markets Equity Fund
($000s)
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The accompanying notes are an integral part of these financial statements.
Notes to Financial Statements
T. Rowe Price Institutional Emerging Markets Equity Fund
October 31, 2008
T. Rowe Price Institutional International Funds, Inc. (the corporation), is registered under the Investment Company Act of 1940 (the 1940 Act). The Institutional Emerging Markets Equity Fund (the fund), a diversified, open-end management investment company, is one portfolio established by the corporation. The fund commenced operations on October 31, 2002. The fund seeks long-term growth of capital through investments primarily in the common stocks of companies located (or with primary operations) in emerging markets.
NOTE 1 - SIGNIFICANT ACCOUNTING POLICIES
Basis of Preparation The accompanying financial statements were prepared in accordance with accounting principles generally accepted in the United States of America, which require the use of estimates made by fund management. Fund management believes that estimates and security valuations are appropriate; however, actual results may differ from those estimates, and the security valuations reflected in the financial statements may differ from the value the fund ultimately realizes upon sale of the securities.
Investment Transactions, Investment Income, and Distributions Income and expenses are recorded on the accrual basis. Dividends received from mutual fund investments are reflected as dividend income; capital gain distributions are reflected as realized gain/loss. Dividend income and capital gain distributions are recorded on the ex-dividend date. Income tax-related interest and penalties, if incurred, would be recorded as income tax expense. Investment transactions are accounted for on the trade date. Realized gains and losses are reported on the identified cost basis. Distributions to shareholders are recorded on the ex-dividend date. Income distributions are declared and paid on an annual basis. Capital gain distributions, if any, are declared and paid by the fund, typically on an annual basis.
Currency Translation Assets, including investments, and liabilities denominated in foreign currencies are translated into U.S. dollar values each day at the prevailing exchange rate, using the mean of the bid and asked prices of such currencies against U.S. dollars as quoted by a major bank. Purchases and sales of securities, income, and expenses are translated into U.S. dollars at the prevailing exchange rate on the date of the transaction. The effect of changes in foreign currency exchange rates on realized and unrealized security gains and losses is reflected as a component of security gains and losses.
Redemption Fees A 2% fee is assessed on redemptions of fund shares held for 90 days or less to deter short-term trading and to protect the interests of long-term shareholders. Redemption fees are withheld from proceeds that shareholders receive from the sale or exchange of fund shares. The fees are paid to the fund, and are recorded as an increase to paid-in capital. The fees may cause the redemption price per share to differ from the net asset value per share.
New Accounting Pronouncements Effective November 1, 2007, the fund adopted Financial Accounting Standards Board (FASB) Interpretation No. 48 (FIN 48), Accounting for Uncertainty in Income Taxes, a clarification of FASB Statement No. 109, Accounting for Income Taxes. FIN 48 establishes financial accounting and disclosure requirements for recognition and measurement of tax positions taken or expected to be taken on an income tax return. The adoption of FIN 48 had no impact on the fund’s net assets or results of operations.
In September 2006, the Financial Accounting Standards Board (FASB) released Statement of Financial Accounting Standards No. 157 (FAS 157), Fair Value Measurements. FAS 157 defines fair value, establishes the framework for measuring fair value, and expands the disclosure of fair value measurements in the financial statements. It is effective for the fund’s fiscal year beginning November 1, 2008. Management expects adoption of FAS 157 will have no material impact on the fund’s net assets or results of operations.
In March 2008, the Financial Accounting Standards Board issued Statement of Financial Accounting Standards No. 161 (FAS 161), Disclosures about Derivative Instruments and Hedging Activities, which is effective for fiscal years and interim periods beginning after November 15, 2008. FAS 161 requires enhanced disclosures about derivative and hedging activities, including how such activities are accounted for and their effect on financial position, performance and cash flows. Management is currently evaluating the impact the adoption of FAS 161 will have on the fund’s financial statements and related disclosures.
NOTE 2 - VALUATION
The fund values its investments and computes its net asset value per share at the close of the New York Stock Exchange (NYSE), normally 4 p.m. ET, each day that the NYSE is open for business.
Equity securities listed or regularly traded on a securities exchange or in the over-the-counter (OTC) market are valued at the last quoted sale price or, for certain markets, the official closing price at the time the valuations are made, except for OTC Bulletin Board securities, which are valued at the mean of the latest bid and asked prices. A security that is listed or traded on more than one exchange is valued at the quotation on the exchange determined to be the primary market for such security. Listed securities not traded on a particular day are valued at the mean of the latest bid and asked prices for domestic securities and the last quoted sale price for international securities.
Investments in mutual funds are valued at the mutual fund’s closing net asset value per share on the day of valuation.
Other investments, including restricted securities, and those for which the above valuation procedures are inappropriate or are deemed not to reflect fair value are stated at fair value as determined in good faith by the T. Rowe Price Valuation Committee, established by the fund’s Board of Directors.
For valuation purposes, the last quoted prices of non-U.S. equity securities may be adjusted under the circumstances described below. If the fund determines that developments between the close of a foreign market and the close of the NYSE will, in its judgment, materially affect the value of some or all of its portfolio securities, the fund will adjust the previous closing prices to reflect what it believes to be the fair value of the securities as of the close of the NYSE. In deciding whether it is necessary to adjust closing prices to reflect fair value, the fund reviews a variety of factors, including developments in foreign markets, the performance of U.S. securities markets, and the performance of instruments trading in U.S. markets that represent foreign securities and baskets of foreign securities. A fund may also fair value securities in other situations, such as when a particular foreign market is closed but the fund is open. The fund uses outside pricing services to provide it with closing prices and information to evaluate and/or adjust those prices. The fund cannot predict how often it will use closing prices and how often it will determine it necessary to adjust those prices to reflect fair value. As a means of evaluating its security valuation process, the fund routinely compares closing prices, the next day’s opening prices in the same markets, and adjusted prices.
NOTE 3 - INVESTMENT TRANSACTIONS
Consistent with its investment objective, the fund engages in the following practices to manage exposure to certain risks or to enhance performance. The investment objective, policies, program, and risk factors of the fund are described more fully in the fund’s prospectus and Statement of Additional Information.
Emerging Markets At October 31, 2008, approximately 92% of the fund’s net assets were invested, directly or through its investments in T. Rowe Price institutional funds, in securities of companies located in emerging markets or denominated in or linked to the currencies of emerging market countries. Future economic or political developments could adversely affect the liquidity or value, or both, of such securities.
Restricted Securities The fund may invest in securities that are subject to legal or contractual restrictions on resale. Prompt sale of such securities at an acceptable price may be difficult and may involve substantial delays and additional costs.
Other Purchases and sales of portfolio securities, other than short-term securities, aggregated $440,773,000 and $142,572,000, respectively, for the year ended October 31, 2008.
NOTE 4 - FEDERAL INCOME TAXES
No provision for federal income taxes is required since the fund intends to continue to qualify as a regulated investment company under Subchapter M of the Internal Revenue Code and distribute to shareholders all of its taxable income and gains. Distributions are determined in accordance with Federal income tax regulations, which differ from generally accepted accounting principles, and, therefore, may differ significantly in amount or character from net investment income and realized gains for financial reporting purposes. Financial reporting records are adjusted for permanent book/tax differences to reflect tax character but are not adjusted for temporary differences.
Reclassifications to paid-in capital relate primarily to undistributed income on which the fund paid tax. Reclassifications between income and gain relate primarily to the character of currency gains and losses. For the year ended October 31, 2008, the following reclassifications, which had no impact on results of operations or net assets, were recorded to reflect tax character:
Distributions during the years ended October 31, 2008, and October 31, 2007, were characterized for tax purposes as follows:
At October 31, 2008, the tax-basis cost of investments and components of net assets were as follows:
The difference between book-basis and tax-basis net unrealized appreciation (depreciation) is attributable to the deferral of losses from wash sales for tax purposes.
The fund intends to retain realized gains to the extent of available capital loss carryforwards. As of October 31, 2008, all unused capital loss carryforwards expire in fiscal 2016.
NOTE 5 - FOREIGN TAXES
The fund is subject to foreign income taxes imposed by certain countries in which it invests. Additionally, capital gains realized by the fund upon disposition of securities issued in or by certain foreign countries are subject to capital gains tax imposed by those countries. All taxes are computed in accordance with the applicable foreign tax law, and, to the extent permitted, capital losses are used to offset capital gains. Tax expense attributable to income is accrued by the fund as a reduction of income. Current and deferred tax expense attributable to net capital gains is reflected as a component of realized and/or change in unrealized gain/loss on securities in the accompanying financial statements. At October 31, 2008, the fund had no deferred tax liability attributable to foreign securities, and $842,000 of foreign capital loss carryforwards, including $326,000 that expire in 2016 and $516,000 that expire in 2017.
NOTE 6 - RELATED PARTY TRANSACTIONS
The fund is managed by T. Rowe Price International, Inc. (the manager), a wholly owned subsidiary of T. Rowe Price Associates, Inc. (Price Associates), which is wholly owned by T. Rowe Price Group, Inc. The investment management and administrative agreement between the fund and the manager provides for an all-inclusive annual fee equal to 1.10% of the fund’s average daily net assets. The fee is computed daily and paid monthly. The agreement provides that investment management, shareholder servicing, transfer agency, accounting, custody services, and directors’ fees and expenses are provided to the fund, and interest, taxes, brokerage commissions, and extraordinary expenses are paid directly by the fund.
The fund may invest in the T. Rowe Price Reserve Investment Fund and the T. Rowe Price Government Reserve Investment Fund (collectively, the T. Rowe Price Reserve Investment Funds), open-end management investment companies managed by Price Associates and considered affiliates of the fund. The T. Rowe Price Reserve Investment Funds are offered as cash management options to mutual funds, trusts, and other accounts managed by Price Associates and/or its affiliates and are not available for direct purchase by members of the public. The T. Rowe Price Reserve Investment Funds pay no investment management fees.
As of October 31, 2008, T. Rowe Price Group, Inc., and/or its wholly owned subsidiaries owned 261,926 shares of the fund, representing 2% of the fund’s net assets.
Report of Independent Registered Public Accounting Firm
To the Board of Directors of T. Rowe Price Institutional International Funds, Inc. and
Shareholders of T. Rowe Price Institutional Emerging Markets Equity Fund
In our opinion, the accompanying statement of assets and liabilities, including the schedule of investments, and the related statements of operations and of changes in net assets and the financial highlights present fairly, in all material respects, the financial position of T. Rowe Price Institutional Emerging Markets Equity Fund (one of the portfolios comprising T. Rowe Price Institutional International Funds, Inc., hereafter referred to as the “Fund”) at October 31, 2008, the results of its operations for the year then ended, the changes in its net assets for each of the two years in the period then ended and the financial highlights for each of the five years in the period then ended, in conformity with accounting principles generally accepted in the United States of America. These financial statements and financial highlights (hereafter referred to as “financial statements”) are the responsibility of the Fund’s management; our responsibility is to express an opinion on these financial statements based on our audits. We conducted our audits of these financial statements in accordance with the standards of the Public Company Accounting Oversight Board (United States). Those standards require that we plan and perform the audit to obtain reasonable assurance about whether the financial statements are free of material misstatement. An audit includes examining, on a test basis, evidence supporting the amounts and disclosures in the financial statements, assessing the accounting principles used and significant estimates made by management, and evaluating the overall financial statement presentation. We believe that our audits, which included confirmation of securities at October 31, 2008, by correspondence with the custodian, and confirmation of the underlying fund by correspondence with the transfer agent, provide a reasonable basis for our opinion.
PricewaterhouseCoopers LLP
Baltimore, Maryland
December 12, 2008
Tax Information (Unaudited) for the Tax Year Ended 10/31/08 |
We are providing this information as required by the Internal Revenue Code. The amounts shown may differ from those elsewhere in this report because of differences between tax and financial reporting requirements.
The fund’s distributions to shareholders included:
• $4,958,000 from short-term capital gains,
• $24,855,000 from long-term capital gains, subject to the 15% rate gains category.
For taxable non-corporate shareholders, $8,129,000 of the fund’s income represents qualified dividend income subject to the 15% rate category.
For corporate shareholders, $124,000 of the fund’s income qualifies for the dividends-received deduction.
The fund will pass through foreign source income of $8,129,000 and foreign taxes paid of $728,000.
Information on Proxy Voting Policies, Procedures, and Records |
A description of the policies and procedures used by T. Rowe Price funds and portfolios to determine how to vote proxies relating to portfolio securities is available in each fund’s Statement of Additional Information, which you may request by calling 1-800-225-5132 or by accessing the SEC’s Web site, www.sec.gov. The description of our proxy voting policies and procedures is also available on our Web site, www.troweprice.com. To access it, click on the words “Our Company” at the top of our corporate homepage. Then, when the next page appears, click on the words “Proxy Voting Policies” on the left side of the page.
Each fund’s most recent annual proxy voting record is available on our Web site and through the SEC’s Web site. To access it through our Web site, follow the directions above, then click on the words “Proxy Voting Records” on the right side of the Proxy Voting Policies page.
How to Obtain Quarterly Portfolio Holdings |
The fund files a complete schedule of portfolio holdings with the Securities and Exchange Commission for the first and third quarters of each fiscal year on Form N-Q. The fund’s Form N-Q is available electronically on the SEC’s Web site (www.sec.gov); hard copies may be reviewed and copied at the SEC’s Public Reference Room, 450 Fifth St. N.W., Washington, DC 20549. For more information on the Public Reference Room, call 1-800-SEC-0330.
About the Fund’s Directors and Officers |
Your fund is governed by a Board of Directors (Board) that meets regularly to review a wide variety of matters affecting the fund, including performance, investment programs, compliance matters, advisory fees and expenses, service providers, and other business affairs. The Board elects the fund’s officers, who are listed in the final table. At least 75% of Board members are independent of T. Rowe Price Associates, Inc. (T. Rowe Price), and T. Rowe Price International, Inc. (T. Rowe Price International); “inside” or “interested” directors are employees or officers of T. Rowe Price. The business address of each director and officer is 100 East Pratt Street, Baltimore, Maryland 21202. The Statement of Additional Information includes additional information about the fund directors and is available without charge by calling a T. Rowe Price representative at 1-800-225-5132.
Independent Directors | |
Name (Year of Birth) | |
Year Elected* | Principal Occupation(s) During Past Five Years and Directorships of Other Public Companies |
Jeremiah E. Casey (1940) | Director, National Life Insurance (2001 to 2005); Director, The Rouse Company, real estate developers |
2006 | (1990 to 2004) |
Anthony W. Deering (1945) | Chairman, Exeter Capital, LLC, a private investment firm (2004 to present); Director, Under Armour (8/08 to present); |
1991 | Director, Vornado Real Estate Investment Trust (3/04 to present); Director, Mercantile Bankshares (2002 to 2007); |
Member, Advisory Board, Deutsche Bank North America (2004 to present); Director, Chairman of the Board, and Chief | |
Executive Officer, The Rouse Company, real estate developers (1997 to 2004) | |
Donald W. Dick, Jr. (1943) | Principal, EuroCapital Advisors, LLC, an acquisition and management advisory firm (10/95 to present); Chairman, The |
1989 | Haven Group, a custom manufacturer of modular homes (1/04 to present) |
David K. Fagin (1938) | Chairman and President, Nye Corporation (6/88 to present); Director, Golden Star Resources Ltd. (5/92 to present); |
2001 | Director, Pacific Rim Mining Corp. (2/02 to present); Director, B.C. Corporation (3/08 to present); Chairman, Canyon |
Resources Corp. (8/07 to 3/08); Director, Atna Resources Ltd. (3/08 to present) | |
Karen N. Horn (1943) | Director, Eli Lilly and Company (1987 to present); Director, Simon Property Group (2004 to present); Director, Federal |
2003 | National Mortgage Association (9/06 to present); Director, Norfolk Southern (2/08 to present); Director, Georgia |
Pacific (5/04 to 12/05); Managing Director and President, Global Private Client Services, Marsh Inc. (1999 to 2003) | |
Theo C. Rodgers (1941) | President, A&R Development Corporation (1977 to present) |
2006 | |
John G. Schreiber (1946) | Owner/President, Centaur Capital Partners, Inc., a real estate investment company (1991 to present); Partner, |
2001 | Blackstone Real Estate Advisors, L.P. (10/92 to present) |
*Each independent director oversees 126 T. Rowe Price portfolios and serves until retirement, resignation, or election of a successor. | |
Inside Directors | |
Name (Year of Birth) | |
Year Elected* [Number of | |
T. Rowe Price Portfolios | |
Overseen] | Principal Occupation(s) During Past Five Years and Other Directorships of Public Companies |
Edward C. Bernard (1956) | Director and Vice President, T. Rowe Price; Vice Chairman of the Board, Director, and Vice President, T. Rowe Price |
2006 [126] | Group, Inc.; Chairman of the Board, Director, and President, T. Rowe Price Investment Services, Inc.; Chairman of |
the Board and Director, T. Rowe Price Global Asset Management Limited, T. Rowe Price Global Investment Services | |
Limited, T. Rowe Price Retirement Plan Services, Inc., T. Rowe Price Savings Bank, and T. Rowe Price Services, Inc.; | |
Director, T. Rowe Price International, Inc.; Chief Executive Officer, Chairman of the Board, Director, and President, | |
T. Rowe Price Trust Company; Chairman of the Board, all funds | |
Brian C. Rogers, CFA, CIC (1955) | Chief Investment Officer, Director, and Vice President, T. Rowe Price; Chairman of the Board, Chief Investment Officer, |
2006 [72] | Director, and Vice President, T. Rowe Price Group, Inc.; Vice President, T. Rowe Price Trust Company |
*Each inside director serves until retirement, resignation, or election of a successor. |
Officers | |
Name (Year of Birth) | |
Title and Fund(s) Served | Principal Occupation(s) |
Christopher D. Alderson (1962) | Vice President, T. Rowe Price Group, Inc., and T. Rowe Price |
Executive Vice President, Institutional International | International, Inc. |
Funds | |
Jeffrey W. Arricale, CPA (1971) | Vice President, T. Rowe Price and T. Rowe Price Group, Inc. |
Vice President, Institutional International Funds | |
R. Scott Berg, CFA (1972) | Vice President, T. Rowe Price and T. Rowe Price Group, Inc. |
Executive Vice President, Institutional International Funds | |
Mark C.J. Bickford-Smith (1962) | Vice President, T. Rowe Price Group, Inc., and T. Rowe Price International, |
Vice President, Institutional International Funds | Inc. |
Richard N. Clattenburg, CFA (1979) | Vice President, T. Rowe Price; formerly Financial Analyst, Goldman Sachs |
Vice President, Institutional International Funds | (to 2005) |
Michael J. Conelius, CFA (1964) | Vice President, T. Rowe Price, T. Rowe Price Group, Inc., T. Rowe Price |
Executive Vice President, Institutional International | International, Inc., and T. Rowe Price Trust Company |
Funds | |
Frances Dydasco (1966) | Vice President, T. Rowe Price Group, Inc., and T. Rowe Price |
Vice President, Institutional International Funds | International, Inc. |
Mark J.T. Edwards (1957) | Vice President, T. Rowe Price Group, Inc., and T. Rowe Price |
Vice President, Institutional International Funds | International, Inc. |
Henry M. Ellenbogen (1973) | Vice President, T. Rowe Price and T. Rowe Price Group, Inc. |
Vice President, Institutional International Funds | |
Roger L. Fiery III, CPA (1959) | Vice President, T. Rowe Price, T. Rowe Price Group, Inc., T. Rowe Price |
Vice President, Institutional International Funds | International, Inc., and T. Rowe Price Trust Company |
Niall P. Gallagher, CFA (1972) | Vice President, T. Rowe Price Group, Inc., and T. Rowe Price International, |
Vice President, Institutional International Funds | Inc.; formerly European Analyst and Portfolio Manager, Merrill Lynch |
(London) (to 2006) | |
Robert N. Gensler (1957) | Vice President, T. Rowe Price, T. Rowe Price Group, Inc., and T. Rowe Price |
Executive Vice President, Institutional International | International, Inc. |
Funds | |
John R. Gilner (1961) | Chief Compliance Officer and Vice President, T. Rowe Price; Vice President, |
Chief Compliance Officer, Institutional International | T. Rowe Price Group, Inc., and T. Rowe Price Investment Services, Inc. |
Funds | |
Gregory S. Golczewski (1966) | Vice President, T. Rowe Price and T. Rowe Price Trust Company |
Vice President, Institutional International Funds | |
M. Campbell Gunn (1956) | Vice President, T. Rowe Price Global Investment Services Limited, |
Vice President, Institutional International Funds | T. Rowe Price Group, Inc., and T. Rowe Price International, Inc. |
Gregory K. Hinkle, CPA (1958) | Vice President, T. Rowe Price, T. Rowe Price Group, Inc., T. Rowe Price |
Treasurer, Institutional International Funds | Investment Services, Inc., and T. Rowe Price Trust Company; formerly |
Partner, PricewaterhouseCoopers LLP (to 2007) | |
Kris H. Jenner, M.D., D. Phil. (1962) | Vice President, T. Rowe Price and T. Rowe Price Group, Inc. |
Vice President, Institutional International Funds | |
Ian D. Kelson (1956) | Vice President, T. Rowe Price, T. Rowe Price Group, Inc., and T. Rowe Price |
Executive Vice President, Institutional International | International, Inc. |
Funds | |
Patricia B. Lippert (1953) | Assistant Vice President, T. Rowe Price and T. Rowe Price Investment |
Secretary, Institutional International Funds | Services, Inc. |
Charles M. Ober, CFA (1950) | Vice President, T. Rowe Price and T. Rowe Price Group, Inc. |
Vice President, Institutional International Funds | |
David Oestreicher (1967) | Director and Vice President, T. Rowe Price Investment Services, Inc., |
Vice President, Institutional International Funds | T. Rowe Price Trust Company, and T. Rowe Price Services, Inc.; Vice |
President, T. Rowe Price, T. Rowe Price Global Asset Management Limited, | |
T. Rowe Price Global Investment Services Limited, T. Rowe Price Group, | |
Inc., T. Rowe Price International, Inc., and T. Rowe Price Retirement Plan | |
Services, Inc. | |
Gonzalo Pángaro, CFA (1968) | Vice President, T. Rowe Price Group, Inc., and T. Rowe Price |
Vice President, Institutional International Funds | International, Inc. |
Jeffrey Rottinghaus, CPA (1970) | Vice President, T. Rowe Price and T. Rowe Price Group, Inc. |
Vice President, Institutional International Funds | |
Robert W. Sharps, CFA, CPA (1971) | Vice President, T. Rowe Price, T. Rowe Price Group, Inc., and T. Rowe Price |
Vice President, Institutional International Funds | Trust Company |
Robert W. Smith (1961) | Vice President, T. Rowe Price, T. Rowe Price Group, Inc., and T. Rowe Price |
Executive Vice President, Institutional International | Trust Company |
Funds | |
Dean Tenerelli (1964) | Vice President, T. Rowe Price Group, Inc., and T. Rowe Price |
Vice President, Institutional International Funds | International, Inc. |
Julie L. Waples (1970) | Vice President, T. Rowe Price |
Vice President, Institutional International Funds | |
David J.L. Warren (1957) | Director, T. Rowe Price, T. Rowe Price Global Asset Management Limited, |
President, Institutional International Funds | and T. Rowe Price Global Investment Services Limited; Vice President, |
T. Rowe Price Group, Inc.; Chief Executive Officer, Director, and President, | |
T. Rowe Price International, Inc. | |
Unless otherwise noted, officers have been employees of T. Rowe Price or T. Rowe Price International for at least five years. |
Item 2. Code of Ethics.
The registrant has adopted a code of ethics, as defined in Item 2 of Form N-CSR, applicable to its principal executive officer, principal financial officer, principal accounting officer or controller, or persons performing similar functions. A copy of this code of ethics is filed as an exhibit to this Form N-CSR. No substantive amendments were approved or waivers were granted to this code of ethics during the period covered by this report.
Item 3. Audit Committee Financial Expert.
The registrant’s Board of Directors/Trustees has determined that Ms. Karen N. Horn qualifies as an audit committee financial expert, as defined in Item 3 of Form N-CSR. Ms. Horn is considered independent for purposes of Item 3 of Form N-CSR.
Item 4. Principal Accountant Fees and Services.
(a) – (d) Aggregate fees billed to the registrant for the last two fiscal years for professional services rendered by the registrant’s principal accountant were as follows:
![](https://capedge.com/proxy/N-CSR/0000852254-08-000047/iemitems2-12x1x1.jpg)
Audit fees include amounts related to the audit of the registrant’s annual financial statements and services normally provided by the accountant in connection with statutory and regulatory filings. Audit-related fees include amounts reasonably related to the performance of the audit of the registrant’s financial statements and specifically include the issuance of a report on internal controls and, if applicable, agreed-upon procedures related to fund acquisitions. Tax fees include amounts related to services for tax compliance, tax planning, and tax advice. The nature of these services specifically includes the review of distribution calculations and the preparation of Federal, state, and excise tax returns. All other fees include the registrant’s pro-rata share of amounts for agreed-upon procedures in conjunction with service contract approvals by the registrant’s Board of Directors/Trustees.
(e)(1) The registrant’s audit committee has adopted a policy whereby audit and non-audit services performed by the registrant’s principal accountant for the registrant, its investment adviser, and any entity controlling, controlled by, or under common control with the investment adviser that provides ongoing services to the registrant require pre-approval in advance at regularly scheduled audit committee meetings. If such a service is required between regularly scheduled audit committee meetings, pre-approval may be authorized by one audit committee member with ratification at the next scheduled audit committee meeting. Waiver of pre-approval for audit or non-audit services requiring fees of a de minimis amount is not permitted.
(2) No services included in (b) – (d) above were approved pursuant to paragraph (c)(7)(i)(C) of Rule 2-01 of Regulation S-X.
(f) Less than 50 percent of the hours expended on the principal accountant’s engagement to audit the registrant’s financial statements for the most recent fiscal year were attributed to work performed by persons other than the principal accountant’s full-time, permanent employees.
(g) The aggregate fees billed for the most recent fiscal year and the preceding fiscal year by the registrant’s principal accountant for non-audit services rendered to the registrant, its investment adviser, and any entity controlling, controlled by, or under common control with the investment adviser that provides ongoing services to the registrant were $2,174,000 and $1,531,000, respectively.
(h) All non-audit services rendered in (g) above were pre-approved by the registrant’s audit committee. Accordingly, these services were considered by the registrant’s audit committee in maintaining the principal accountant’s independence.
Item 5. Audit Committee of Listed Registrants.
Not applicable.
Item 6. Investments.
(a) Not applicable. The complete schedule of investments is included in Item 1 of this Form N-CSR.
(b) Not applicable.
Item 7. Disclosure of Proxy Voting Policies and Procedures for Closed-End Management Investment Companies.
Not applicable.
Item 8. Portfolio Managers of Closed-End Management Investment Companies.
Not applicable.
Item 9. Purchases of Equity Securities by Closed-End Management Investment Company and Affiliated Purchasers.
Not applicable.
Item 10. Submission of Matters to a Vote of Security Holders.
Not applicable.
Item 11. Controls and Procedures.
(a) The registrant’s principal executive officer and principal financial officer have evaluated the registrant’s disclosure controls and procedures within 90 days of this filing and have concluded that the registrant’s disclosure controls and procedures were effective, as of that date, in ensuring that information required to be disclosed by the registrant in this Form N-CSR was recorded, processed, summarized, and reported timely.
(b) The registrant’s principal executive officer and principal financial officer are aware of no change in the registrant’s internal control over financial reporting that occurred during the registrant’s second fiscal quarter covered by this report that has materially affected, or is reasonably likely to materially affect, the registrant’s internal control over financial reporting.
Item 12. Exhibits.
(a)(1) The registrant’s code of ethics pursuant to Item 2 of Form N-CSR is attached.
(2) Separate certifications by the registrant's principal executive officer and principal financial officer, pursuant to Section 302 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002 and required by Rule 30a-2(a) under the Investment Company Act of 1940, are attached.
(3) Written solicitation to repurchase securities issued by closed-end companies: not applicable.
(b) A certification by the registrant's principal executive officer and principal financial officer, pursuant to Section 906 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002 and required by Rule 30a-2(b) under the Investment Company Act of 1940, is attached.
SIGNATURES | |
Pursuant to the requirements of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 and the Investment | |
Company Act of 1940, the registrant has duly caused this report to be signed on its behalf by the | |
undersigned, thereunto duly authorized. | |
T. Rowe Price Institutional International Funds, Inc. | |
By | /s/ Edward C. Bernard |
Edward C. Bernard | |
Principal Executive Officer | |
Date | December 19, 2008 |
Pursuant to the requirements of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 and the Investment | |
Company Act of 1940, this report has been signed below by the following persons on behalf of | |
the registrant and in the capacities and on the dates indicated. | |
By | /s/ Edward C. Bernard |
Edward C. Bernard | |
Principal Executive Officer | |
Date | December 19, 2008 |
By | /s/ Gregory K. Hinkle |
Gregory K. Hinkle | |
Principal Financial Officer | |
Date | December 19, 2008 |