T. Rowe Price Global Value Equity Fund (TRGVX) N-CSR Certified annual shareholder report (management investment company)

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: 811-05833

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: December 31
 
 
Date of reporting period: December 31, 2018

Item 1. Report to Shareholders

Institutional Emerging Markets Bond Fund December 31, 2018

Beginning on January 1, 2021, as permitted by SEC regulations, paper copies of the T. Rowe Price funds’ annual and semiannual shareholder reports will no longer be mailed, unless you specifically request them. Instead, shareholder reports will be made available on the funds’ website (troweprice.com/prospectus), and you will be notified by mail with a website link to access the reports each time a report is posted to the site.

If you already elected to receive reports electronically, you will not be affected by this change and need not take any action. At any time, shareholders who invest directly in T. Rowe Price funds may generally elect to receive reports or other communications electronically by enrolling attroweprice.com/paperlessor, if you are a retirement plan sponsor or invest in the funds through a financial intermediary (such as an investment advisor, broker-dealer, insurance company, or bank), by contacting your representative or your financial intermediary.

You may elect to continue receiving paper copies of future shareholder reports free of charge. To do so, if you invest directly with T. Rowe Price, please call T. Rowe Price as follows: IRA, nonretirement account holders, and institutional investors,1-800-225-5132; small business retirement accounts,1-800-492-7670. If you are a retirement plan sponsor or invest in the T. Rowe Price funds through a financial intermediary, please contact your representative or financial intermediary or follow additional instructions if included with this document. Your election to receive paper copies of reports will apply to all funds held in your account with your financial intermediary or, if you invest directly in the T. Rowe Price funds, with T. Rowe Price. Your election can be changed at any time in the future.

HIGHLIGHTS

■ The Institutional Emerging Markets Bond Fund underperformed its benchmark but performed approximately in line with the Lipper peer group for the 12 months ended December 31, 2018.

■ The fund’s country allocation and security selection detracted from relative returns.

■ The portfolio remains underweight lower-yielding markets that provide limited relative value, such as China and the Philippines, in favor of higher-yielding countries that offer better opportunities for risk-adjusted return, including South Africa and Brazil.

■ Emerging markets fundamentals remain broadly supportive, including stable underlying economic growth, more disciplined government spending, largely balanced current accounts, and rational economic policy in most major countries.

 

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CIO Market Commentary

Dear Investor

The year 2018 was not one that investors will remember fondly. The major stock indexes recorded their worst declines in a decade, with most falling over 20% from recent peaks and bringing a technical end to the bull market that began in 2009. In direct contrast to 2017, financial assets performed poorly across asset classes and geographies. The broadest measure of domestic bond returns, the Bloomberg Barclays U.S. Aggregate Bond Index, returned exactly nothing (0.0%) for the year, and nearly all overseas bond and equity markets also performed poorly. “Cash was king,” in Wall Street parlance, which never makes for a happy reign.

Many issues were behind the market weakness, but we can point to four primary factors that weighed on sentiment:

Rising interest rates.Wage pressures appeared to be accelerating early in the year, sending longer-term bond yields to multiyear highs and sparking a sell-off in equities in early February. Wage gains soon moderated, but a continued decline in the unemployment rate—which reached a five-decade low of 3.7% in September—kept investors on the lookout for higher inflation ahead. In October, yields returned to their peaks on the back of good economic data and suggestions from Federal Reserve officials that they might keep hiking interest rates more quickly than expected. This was subsequently followed by a decline in long-term rates as investors sought safety late in the year and questioned the pace of future interest rate hikes.

Trade tensions.On March 1, President Donald Trump took markets by surprise in announcing a new series of metal tariffs. His administration quickly adopted a decidedly protectionist stance, with pro-trade advocates leaving and the announcement of plans for a range of new trade restrictions. Many threats never materialized, and the White House announced a renegotiated trade deal with Canada and Mexico. Trade tensions with China only appeared to deepen as the year progressed, however.

Slowing global growth. A global slowdown became apparent in the second half of 2018. Environmental and financial reforms put the brakes on the Chinese economy, as planned, but trade frictions caused growth to slow below official targets. Other emerging markets suffered from a stronger U.S. dollar and higher U.S. interest rates. In Europe, trade worries also hampered business spending, while unresolved Brexit fears and further threats to the eurozone from Italy and elsewhere also took a toll. Plummeting oil prices late in the year seemed to confirm a general weakening in global economic conditions.

Peaking fundamentals.The U.S. economy stood apart by accelerating in 2018, but a moderation in 2019 appears all but inevitable as the effects of fiscal stimulus moderate. Of specific concern to investors is the almost certain slowdown incorporate profits in the coming year. Overall profits for the S&P 500 grew by 25% versus the year before in the first three quarters of 2018—a pace sure to slow as the year-over-year impact of the tax cut fades, wage gains pressure margins, and the global economy cools.

The market’s dramatic pullback in the final weeks of 2018—stocks suffered their worst December since the Great Depression—seemed to reflect fears that a recession might even be imminent. I think such concerns are overblown. The Fed has already completed most of its planned rate hikes, promising less of a headwind for the economy and markets. China and Europe are likely to respond to slowing growth with stimulus, and both will benefit from lower oil prices. As I write, some encouraging signs have also emerged on the trade front, although whether the U.S. and China can resolve their differences remains perhaps the largest uncertainty facing markets.

In terms of stock performance, the painful end to 2018 served to improve valuations, making gains in the coming year less of a hurdle. I would also note that a further stock market “bust” in 2019 seems unlikely given that we never experienced the concentrated “boom” that has preceded past bad bear markets. In the final stages of the dot-com boom of the late 1990s, for example, investors flooded in to telecom shares, and huge amounts of capital and risk flowed in to housing in the mid-2000s. Currently, I simply do not see those sorts of distortions in the financial system.

Of course, opinions about what 2019 holds vary among our investment professionals at T. Rowe Price, and we sharpen each other’s thinking by constantly sharing opinions and insights. Please rest assured that your fund’s manager is drawing on the insights and perspectives across our global organization as he or she charts the course ahead.

Thank you for your continued confidence in T. Rowe Price.

Sincerely,

Robert Sharps
Group Chief Investment Officer

Management’s Discussion of Fund Performance

INVESTMENT OBJECTIVE

The fund seeks to provide high income and capital appreciation.

FUND COMMENTARY

How did the fund perform in the past 12 months?

The T. Rowe Price Institutional Emerging Markets Bond Fund returned -5.61% for the 12 months ended December 31, 2018, underperforming the benchmark J.P. Morgan Emerging Markets Bond Index Global Diversified but performing approximately in line with the Lipper peer group average.

 

What factors influenced the fund’s performance?

The fund’s country allocation detracted from relative returns. An overweight to Argentina weighed on performance as the country’s sovereign bonds declined. Excess supply exacerbated poor communication from the Argentine central bank and a loss of investor confidence amid a spike in inflation and a widening current account deficit. However, Argentina reached an agreement with the International Monetary Fund (IMF) for a credit line that helped mitigate the country’s near-term external funding pressure. We still think that Argentina offers attractive risk-adjusted yields. An underweight to lower-yielding, high-quality sovereign bonds from countries including China and Poland also hurt relative returns as they held up better in the declining market. On the positive side, an overweight to Brazil contributed to relative performance. Brazilian debt gained following the election of market-friendly presidential candidate Jair Bolsonaro.

Security selection also detracted from relative returns, largely because of positions in Venezuela’s state-owned oil company,Petroleos de Venezuela (PDVSA). Venezuelan debt declined amid investor risk aversion and declining oil prices. The country’s oil output continued to fall as its infrastructure deteriorated, further pressuring the PDVSA bonds. We believe that these factors will ultimately result in regime change in Venezuela, with the potential for outsized returns in an eventual debt restructuring. However, we anticipate ongoing volatility in the bonds and a potentially protracted restructuring process. Our security selection in Turkey contributed to relative performance as the portfolio’s Turkish corporate bonds and shorter-maturity sovereign debt outperformed the longer-maturity sovereigns that we did not hold. (Please refer to the fund’s portfolio of investments for a complete list of holdings and the amount each represents in the portfolio.)

The fund’s small exposure to emerging markets currencies at times during the year, including the South African rand and the Brazilian real, modestly weighed on performance as the U.S. dollar strengthened against most other currencies in 2018. The portfolio’s duration was shorter than the duration of the benchmark, which made a small contribution to relative returns as yields generally increased. (Duration measures a bond’s sensitivity to changes in interest rates.)

How is the fund positioned?

The portfolio remains underweight lower-yielding markets that provide limited relative value, such as China and the Philippines, in favor of higher-yielding countries that offer better opportunities for risk-adjusted return, including South Africa, Brazil, and Venezuela. This represents a philosophical style bias in how we manage the portfolio rather than a tactical positioning decision.

In terms of tactical risk exposure in the portfolio, we have begun to modestly add riskier positions as 2018’s selling pressure on the asset class has created more attractive valuations. Latin American countries such as Mexico and Argentina appear to offer some of the best relative valuation opportunities. The portfolio had overweight allocations to both countries at the end of 2018. We also maintained an overweight to Turkey, where recent underperformance has created attractive valuations. The fund is also overweight Brazil, but we moderated the size of the position following the strong 2018 performance of the country’s bonds. We are underweight Russia due to the increased risk of the U.S. imposing additional sanctions on the country.

We maintain a meaningful allocation to emerging markets corporate bonds. While we think that corporate debt is well positioned to benefit from accelerating growth, we are also mindful that emerging markets corporate bonds are also generally less liquid than government debt. Within the emerging markets corporate segment, we tend to favor quasi-sovereign issuers—such as Brazil’sPetrobrasand Mexico’sPemex, which are both state-controlled oil companies—because they are generally more liquid than traditional corporates and provide similar links to underlying growth trends.

The fund holds select locally denominated sovereign bonds where the relative value appears compelling versus debt denominated in U.S. dollars. At the end of the period, local currency debt accounted for about 1% of the portfolio. Depending on our outlook for a particular currency and the costs involved, we may fully or partially hedge the currency exposure to reduce risk or opt not to hedge if a currency appears to be poised to gain against the dollar. We had fully hedged almost all of the emerging markets currency exposure at the end of the reporting period as we remained cautious on the risk of declines in the underlying currencies.

Market liquidity is a key variable that we are closely monitoring as the Federal Reserve slowly raises interest rates and shrinks its balance sheet. Reduced liquidity can limit our ability to buy and sell emerging markets bonds at efficient prices. Emerging markets debt, as one of the riskier and less traded fixed income asset classes, tends to have lower liquidity than high-quality government debt such as U.S. Treasuries. As markets adapt to the Fed’s first tightening cycle since 2006, temporary dislocations may result in limited liquidity for some bonds from developing countries. As a result, we actively consider market depth and liquidity when evaluating bonds for purchase or sale, and we have been deliberately improving the aggregate liquidity of our portfolio. The fund had exposure to currency forward contracts, which slightly enhanced absolute returns.

What is portfolio management’s outlook?

While emerging markets are not insulated from the environment of slowing global growth, tighter financial conditions, and geopolitical uncertainty, we are cautiously optimistic on the asset class as it offers one of the highest yields in fixed income. Following the sell-off in 2018, dollar-denominated emerging markets sovereign debt now yields above 7% at the index level. This yield is meaningfully higher than that offered by comparable developed market bonds and provides a substantial buffer against exogenous volatility. Also, there is a silver lining to the uncertain global environment—the Fed has turned more dovish and the U.S. dollar has lost its upward momentum.

Emerging markets fundamentals remain broadly supportive, including stable underlying economic growth, more disciplined government spending, largely balanced current accounts, and rational economic policy in most major countries. We think that exogenous macro risks and several idiosyncratic factors within emerging markets will likely be the key drivers in 2019. These country-specific factors include the effects of the trade war and domestic fiscal stimulus on China; President Andres Manuel Lopez Obrador’s policy direction, especially on energy reforms, in Mexico; Argentina’s adjustments under its IMF program as well as its upcoming election; and the election and state-owned enterprise reforms in South Africa.

The diverse background of country-specific developments in emerging markets drives the importance of country selection and maintenance of a long-term investment view. We believe that the extended reach of T. Rowe Price’s global credit, sovereign, and equity research platforms, combined with our emphasis on collaboration across those platforms, gives us a critical edge in the analysis of individual countries and bonds in emerging fixed income markets.

The views expressed reflect the opinions of T. Rowe Price as of the date of this report and are subject to change based on changes in market, economic, or other conditions. These views are not intended to be a forecast of future events and are no guarantee of future results.

RISK OF INTERNATIONAL BOND INVESTING

Funds that invest overseas generally carry more risk than funds that invest strictly in U.S. assets, including unpredictable changes in currency values. Investments in emerging markets are subject to abrupt and severe price declines and should be regarded as speculative. The economic and political structures of developing nations, in most cases, do not compare favorably with the U.S. or other developed countries in terms of wealth and stability, and their financial markets often lack liquidity. Some countries also have legacies of hyperinflation, currency devaluations, and governmental interference in markets.

International investments are subject to currency risk, 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. The overall impact on a fund’s holdings can be significant and long-lasting depending on the currencies represented in the portfolio, how each one appreciates or depreciates in relation to the U.S. dollar, and whether currency positions are hedged. Further, exchange rate movements are unpredictable, and it is not possible to effectively hedge the currency risks of many developing countries.

Bonds are also subject to interest rate risk, the decline in bond prices that usually accompanies a rise in interest rates, andcredit risk, the chance that any fund holding could have its credit rating downgraded or that a bond issuer will default (fail to make timely payments of interest or principal), potentially reducing the fund’s income level and share price.

BENCHMARK INFORMATION

Note: Information has been obtained from sources believed to be reliable, but J.P. Morgan does not warrant its completeness or accuracy. The index is used with permission. The index may not be copied, used, or distributed without J.P. Morgan’s prior written approval. Copyright 2018, J.P. Morgan Chase & Co. All rights reserved.

GROWTH OF $1 MILLION

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 include a broad-based market index and may also include 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.

AVERAGE ANNUAL COMPOUND TOTAL RETURN

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 on 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 on 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.

The accompanying notes are an integral part of these financial statements.

The accompanying notes are an integral part of these financial statements.

The accompanying notes are an integral part of these financial statements.

The accompanying notes are an integral part of these financial statements.

The accompanying notes are an integral part of these financial statements.

NOTES TO FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

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 Bond Fund (the fund) is a nondiversified, open-end management investment company established by the corporation. The fund seeks to provide high income and capital appreciation.

NOTE 1 - SIGNIFICANT ACCOUNTING POLICIES

Basis of PreparationThe fund is an investment company and follows accounting and reporting guidance in the Financial Accounting Standards Board (FASB)Accounting Standards CodificationTopic 946 (ASC 946). The accompanying financial statements were prepared in accordance with accounting principles generally accepted in the United States of America (GAAP), including, but not limited to, ASC 946. GAAP requires the use of estimates made by management. Management believes that estimates and valuations are appropriate; however, actual results may differ from those estimates, and the valuations reflected in the accompanying financial statements may differ from the value ultimately realized upon sale or maturity. Certain ratios in the accompanying Financial Highlights have been included to conform to the current year presentation.

Investment Transactions, Investment Income, and Distributions Investment transactions are accounted for on the trade date basis. Income and expenses are recorded on the accrual basis. Realized gains and losses are reported on the identified cost basis. Premiums and discounts on debt securities are amortized for financial reporting purposes. Income tax-related interest and penalties, if incurred, are recorded as income tax expense. 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. Distributions to shareholders are recorded on the ex-dividend date. Income distributions are declared daily and paid monthly. A capital gain distribution may also be declared and paid by the fund annually.

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 respective date of such transaction. The effect of changes in foreign currency exchange rates on realized and unrealized security gains and losses is not bifurcated from the portion attributable to changes in market prices.

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 Guidance In March 2017, the FASB issued amended guidance to shorten the amortization period for certain callable debt securities held at a premium. The guidance is effective for fiscal years and interim periods beginning after December 15, 2018. Adoption will have no effect on the fund’s net assets or results of operations.

Indemnification In the normal course of business, the fund may provide indemnification in connection with its officers and directors, service providers, and/or private company investments. The fund’s maximum exposure under these arrangements is unknown; however, the risk of material loss is currently considered to be remote.

NOTE 2 - VALUATION

The fund’s financial instruments are valued and its net asset value (NAV) per share is computed at the close of the New York Stock Exchange (NYSE), normally 4 p.m. ET, each day the NYSE is open for business. However, the NAV per share may be calculated at a time other than the normal close of the NYSE if trading on the NYSE is restricted, if the NYSE closes earlier, or as may be permitted by the SEC.

Fair Value The fund’s financial instruments are reported at fair value, which GAAP defines as the price that would be received to sell an asset or paid to transfer a liability in an orderly transaction between market participants at the measurement date. The T. Rowe Price Valuation Committee (the Valuation Committee) is an internal committee that has been delegated certain responsibilities by the fund’s Board of Directors (the Board) to ensure that financial instruments are appropriately priced at fair value in accordance with GAAP and the 1940 Act. Subject to oversight by the Board, the Valuation Committee develops and oversees pricing-related policies and procedures and approves all fair value determinations. Specifically, the Valuation Committee establishes procedures to value securities; determines pricing techniques, sources, and persons eligible to effect fair value pricing actions; oversees the selection, services, and performance of pricing vendors; oversees valuation-related business continuity practices; and provides guidance on internal controls and valuation-related matters. The Valuation Committee reports to the Board and has representation from legal, portfolio management and trading, operations, risk management, and the fund’s treasurer.

Various valuation techniques and inputs are used to determine the fair value of financial instruments. GAAP establishes the following fair value hierarchy that categorizes the inputs used to measure fair value:

Level 1 – quoted prices (unadjusted) in active markets for identical financial instruments that the fund can access at the reporting date

Level 2 – inputs other than Level 1 quoted prices that are observable, either directly or indirectly (including, but not limited to, quoted prices for similar financial instruments in active markets, quoted prices for identical or similar financial instruments in inactive markets, interest rates and yield curves, implied volatilities, and credit spreads)

Level 3 – unobservable inputs

Observable inputs are developed using market data, such as publicly available information about actual events or transactions, and reflect the assumptions that market participants would use to price the financial instrument. Unobservable inputs are those for which market data are not available and are developed using the best information available about the assumptions that market participants would use to price the financial instrument. GAAP requires valuation techniques to maximize the use of relevant observable inputs and minimize the use of unobservable inputs. When multiple inputs are used to derive fair value, the financial instrument is assigned to the level within the fair value hierarchy based on the lowest-level input that is significant to the fair value of the financial instrument. Input levels are not necessarily an indication of the risk or liquidity associated with financial instruments at that level but rather the degree of judgment used in determining those values.

Valuation Techniques Debt securities generally are traded in the over-the-counter (OTC) market and are valued at prices furnished by dealers who make markets in such securities or by an independent pricing service, which considers the yield or price of bonds of comparable quality, coupon, maturity, and type, as well as prices quoted by dealers who make markets in such securities. Generally, debt securities are categorized in Level 2 of the fair value hierarchy; however, to the extent the valuations include significant unobservable inputs, the securities would be categorized in Level 3.

Equity securities listed or regularly traded on a securities exchange or in the 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. OTC Bulletin Board securities are valued at the mean of the closing 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 closing bid and asked prices for domestic securities and the last quoted sale or closing price for international securities.

For valuation purposes, the last quoted prices of non-U.S. equity securities may be adjusted to reflect the fair value of such securities at the close of the NYSE. If the fund determines that developments between the close of a foreign market and the close of the NYSE will affect the value of some or all of its portfolio securities, the fund will adjust the previous quoted 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 quoted 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 theperformance of instruments trading in U.S. markets that represent foreign securities and baskets of foreign securities. The 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 quoted prices and information to evaluate or adjust those prices. The fund cannot predict how often it will use quoted 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 quoted prices, the next day’s opening prices in the same markets, and adjusted prices.

Actively traded equity securities listed on a domestic exchange generally are categorized in Level 1 of the fair value hierarchy. Non-U.S. equity securities generally are categorized in Level 2 of the fair value hierarchy despite the availability of quoted prices because, as described above, the fund evaluates and determines whether those quoted prices reflect fair value at the close of the NYSE or require adjustment. OTC Bulletin Board securities, certain preferred securities, and equity securities traded in inactive markets generally are categorized in Level 2 of the fair value hierarchy.

Investments in mutual funds are valued at the mutual fund’s closing NAV per share on the day of valuation and are categorized in Level 1 of the fair value hierarchy. Listed options, and OTC options with a listed equivalent, are valued at the mean of the closing bid and asked prices and generally are categorized in Level 2 of the fair value hierarchy. Financial futures contracts are valued at closing settlement prices and are categorized in Level 1 of the fair value hierarchy. Forward currency exchange contracts are valued using the prevailing forward exchange rate and are categorized in Level 2 of the fair value hierarchy. Swaps are valued at prices furnished by an independent pricing service or independent swap dealers and generally are categorized in Level 2 of the fair value hierarchy; however, if unobservable inputs are significant to the valuation, the swap would be categorized in Level 3. Assets and liabilities other than financial instruments, including short-term receivables and payables, are carried at cost, or estimated realizable value, if less, which approximates fair value.

Thinly traded financial instruments 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 Valuation Committee. The objective of any fair value pricing determination is to arrive at a price that could reasonably be expected from a current sale. Financial instruments fair valued by the Valuation Committee are primarily private placements, restricted securities, warrants, rights, and other securities that are not publicly traded.

Subject to oversight by the Board, the Valuation Committee regularly makes good faith judgments to establish and adjust the fair valuations of certain securities as events occur and circumstances warrant. For instance, in determining the fair value of troubled or thinly traded debt instruments, the Valuation Committee considers a variety of factors, which may include, but are not limited to, the issuer’s business prospects, its financial standing and performance, recent investment transactions in the issuer, strategic events affecting the company, market liquidity for the issuer, and general economic conditions and events. In consultation with the investment and pricing teams, the Valuation Committee will determine an appropriate valuation technique based on available information, which may include both observable and unobservable inputs. The Valuation Committee typically will afford greatest weight to actual prices in arm’s length transactions, to the extent they represent orderly transactions between market participants, transaction information can be reliably obtained, and prices are deemed representative of fair value. However, the Valuation Committee may also consider other valuation methods such as a discount or premium from market value of a similar, freely traded security of the same issuer; discounted cash flows; yield to maturity; or some combination. Fair value determinations are reviewed on a regular basis and updated as information becomes available, including actual purchase and sale transactions of the issue. Because any fair value determination involves a significant amount of judgment, there is a degree of subjectivity inherent in such pricing decisions, and fair value prices determined by the Valuation Committee could differ from those of other market participants. Depending on the relative significance of unobservable inputs, including the valuation technique(s) used, fair valued securities may be categorized in Level 2 or 3 of the fair value hierarchy.

Valuation Inputs The following table summarizes the fund’s financial instruments, based on the inputs used to determine their fair values on December 31, 2018 (for further detail by category, please refer to the accompanying Portfolio of Investments):

There were no material transfers between Levels 1 and 2 during the year ended December 31, 2018.

Following is a reconciliation of the fund’s Level 3 holdings for the year ended December 31, 2018. Gain (loss) reflects both realized and change in unrealized gain/loss on Level 3 holdings during the period, if any, and is included on the accompanying Statement of Operations. The change in unrealized gain/loss on Level 3 instruments held at December 31, 2018, totaled $78,000 for the year ended December 31, 2018. Transfers into and out of Level 3 are reflected at the value of the financial instrument at the beginning of the period. During the year, transfers out of Level 3 were because observable market data became available for the security.

NOTE 3 - DERIVATIVE INSTRUMENTS

During the year ended December 31, 2018, the fund invested in derivative instruments. As defined by GAAP, a derivative is a financial instrument whose value is derived from an underlying security price, foreign exchange rate, interest rate, index of prices or rates, or other variable; it requires little or no initial investment and permits or requires net settlement. The fund invests in derivatives only if the expected risks and rewards are consistent with its investment objectives, policies, and overall risk profile, as described in its prospectus and Statement of Additional Information. The fund may use derivatives for a variety of purposes, such as seeking to hedge against declines in principal value, increase yield, invest in an asset with greater efficiency and at a lower cost than is possible through direct investment, to enhance return, or to adjust portfolio duration and credit exposure. The risks associated with the use of derivatives are different from, and potentially much greater than, the risks associated with investing directly in the instruments on which the derivatives are based. The fund at all times maintains sufficient cash reserves, liquid assets, or other SEC-permitted asset types to cover its settlement obligations under open derivative contracts.

The fund values its derivatives at fair value and recognizes changes in fair value currently in its results of operations. Accordingly, the fund does not follow hedge accounting, even for derivatives employed as economic hedges. Generally, the fund accounts for its derivatives on a gross basis. It does not offset the fair value of derivative liabilities against the fair value of derivative assets on its financial statements, nor does it offset the fair value of derivative instruments against the right to reclaim or obligation to return collateral. The following table summarizes the fair value of the fund’s derivative instruments held as of December 31, 2018, and the related location on the accompanying Statement of Assets and Liabilities, presented by primary underlying risk exposure:

 

Additionally, the amount of gains and losses on derivative instruments recognized in fund earnings during the year ended December 31, 2018, and the related location on the accompanying Statement of Operations is summarized in the following table by primary underlying risk exposure:

Counterparty Risk and Collateral The fund invests in derivatives in various markets, which expose it to differing levels of counterparty risk. Counterparty risk on exchange-traded and centrally cleared derivative contracts, such as futures, exchange-traded options, and centrally cleared swaps, is minimal because the clearinghouse provides protection against counterparty defaults. For futures and centrally cleared swaps, the fund is required to deposit collateral in an amount specified by the clearinghouse and the clearing firm (margin requirement), and the margin requirement must be maintained over the life of the contract. Each clearinghouse and clearing firm, in its sole discretion, may adjust the margin requirements applicable to the fund.

Derivatives, such as bilateral swaps, forward currency exchange contracts, and OTC options, that are transacted and settle directly with a counterparty (bilateral derivatives) may expose the fund to greater counterparty risk. To mitigate this risk, the fund has entered into master netting arrangements (MNAs) with certain counterparties that permit net settlement under specified conditions and, for certain counterparties, also require the exchange of collateral to cover mark-to-market exposure. MNAs may be in the form of International Swaps and Derivatives Association master agreements (ISDAs) or foreign exchange letter agreements (FX letters).

MNAs provide the ability to offset amounts the fund owes a counterparty against amounts the counterparty owes the fund (net settlement). Both ISDAs and FX letters generally allow termination of transactions and net settlement upon the occurrence of contractually specified events, such as failure to pay or bankruptcy. In addition, ISDAs specify other events, the occurrence of which would allow one of the parties to terminate. For example, a downgrade in credit rating of a counterparty below a specified rating would allow the fund to terminate, while a decline in the fund’s net assets of more than a specified percentage would allow the counterparty to terminate. Upon termination, all transactions with that counterparty would be liquidated and a net termination amount settled. ISDAs include collateral agreements whereas FX letters do not. Collateral requirements are determined daily based on the net aggregate unrealized gain or loss on all bilateral derivatives with a counterparty, subject to minimum transfer amounts that typically range from $100,000 to $250,000. Any additional collateral required due to changes in security values is typically transferred the same business day.

Collateral may be in the form of cash or debt securities issued by the U.S. government or related agencies. Cash posted by the fund is reflected as cash deposits in the accompanying financial statements and generally is restricted from withdrawal by the fund; securities posted by the fund are so noted in the accompanying Portfolio of Investments; both remain in the fund’s assets. Collateral pledged by counterparties is not included in the fund’s assets because the fund does not obtain effective control over those assets. For bilateral derivatives, collateral posted or received by the fund is held in a segregated account at the fund’s custodian. While typically not sold in the same manner as equity or fixed income securities, exchange-traded or centrally cleared derivatives may be closed out only on the exchange or clearinghouse where the contracts were traded, and OTC and bilateral derivatives may be unwound with counterparties or transactions assigned to other counterparties to allow the fund to exit the transaction. This ability is subject to the liquidity of underlying positions. As of December 31, 2018, securities valued at $488,000 had been posted by the fund to counterparties for bilateral derivatives. As of December 31, 2018, collateral pledged by counterparties to the fund for bilateral derivatives consisted of $189,000 cash. As of December 31, 2018, cash of $287,000 and securities valued at $187,000 had been posted by the fund for exchange-traded and/or centrally cleared derivatives.

Forward Currency Exchange Contracts The fund is subject to foreign currency exchange rate risk in the normal course of pursuing its investment objectives. It uses forward currency exchange contracts (forwards) primarily to protect its non-U.S. dollar-denominated securities from adverse currency movements and to increase exposure to a particular foreign currency or to shift the fund’s foreign currency exposure from one country to another, or to enhance the fund’s return. A forward involves an obligation to purchase or sell a fixed amount of a specific currency on a future date at a price set at the time of the contract. Although certain forwards may be settled by exchanging only the net gain or loss on the contract, most forwards are settled with the exchange of the underlying currencies in accordance with the specified terms. Forwards are valued at the unrealized gain or loss on the contract, which reflects the net amount the fund either is entitled to receive or obligated to deliver, as measured by the difference between the forward exchange rates at the date of entry into the contract and the forward rates at the reporting date. Appreciated forwards are reflected as assets and depreciated forwards are reflected as liabilities on the accompanying Statement of Assets and Liabilities. Risks related to the use of forwards include the possible failure of counterparties to meet the terms of the agreements; that anticipated currency movements will not occur, thereby reducing the fund’s total return; and the potential for losses in excess of the fund’s initial investment. During the year ended December 31, 2018, the volume of the fund’s activity in forwards, based on underlying notional amounts, was generally between 1% and 7% of net assets.

Futures Contracts The fund is subject to interest rate risk in the normal course of pursuing its investment objectives and uses futures contracts to help manage such risk. The fund may enter into futures contracts to manage exposure to interest rate and yield curve movements, security prices, foreign currencies, credit quality, and mortgage prepayments; as an efficient means of adjusting exposure to all or part of a target market; to enhance income; as a cash management tool; or to adjust portfolio duration and credit exposure.A futures contract provides for the future sale by one party and purchase by another of a specified amount of a specific underlying financial instrument at an agreed upon price, date, time, and place. The fund currently invests only in exchange-traded futures, which generally are standardized as to maturity date, underlying financial instrument, and other contract terms. Payments are made or received by the fund each day to settle daily fluctuations in the value of the contract (variation margin), which reflect changes in the value of the underlying financial instrument. Variation margin is recorded as unrealized gain or loss until the contract is closed. The value of a futures contract included in net assets is the amount of unsettled variation margin; net variation margin receivable is reflected as an asset and net variation margin payable is reflected as a liability on the accompanying Statement of Assets and Liabilities. Risks related to the use of futures contracts include possible illiquidity of the futures markets, contract prices that can be highly volatile and imperfectly correlated to movements in hedged security values and/or interest rate, and potential losses in excess of the fund’s initial investment. During the year ended December 31, 2018, the volume of the fund’s activity in futures, based on underlying notional amounts, was generally between 0% and 3% of net assets.

Options The fund is subject to foreign currency exchange rate risk and credit risk in the normal course of pursuing its investment objectives and uses options to help manage such risks. The fund may use options to manage exposure to security prices, interest rates, foreign currencies, and credit quality; as an efficient means of adjusting exposure to all or a part of a target market; to enhance income; as a cash management tool; or to adjust credit exposure. Options are included in net assets at fair value, options purchased are included in Investments in Securities, and Options written are separately reflected as a liability on the accompanying Statement of Assets and Liabilities. Premiums on unexercised, expired options are recorded as realized gains or losses; premiums on exercised options are recorded as an adjustment to the proceeds from the sale or cost of the purchase. The difference between the premium and the amount received or paid in a closing transaction is also treated as realized gain or loss. In return for a premium paid, currency options give the holder the right, but not the obligation, to buy and sell currency at a specified exchange rate. In return for a premium paid, options on swaps give the holder the right, but not the obligation, to enter a specified swap contract on predefined terms. The exercise price of an option on a credit default swap is stated in terms of a specified spread that represents the cost of credit protection on the reference asset,including both the upfront premium to open the position and future periodic payments. The exercise price of an interest rate swap is stated in terms of a fixed interest rate; generally, there is no upfront payment to open the position. Risks related to the use of options include possible illiquidity of the options markets; trading restrictions imposed by an exchange or counterparty; movements in the underlying asset values and currency value and credit ratings; and, for Options written, potential losses in excess of the fund’s initial investment. During the year ended December 31, 2018, the volume of the fund’s activity in options, based on underlying notional amounts, was generally between 0% and 3% of net assets.

Swaps The fund is subject to interest rate risk and credit risk in the normal course of pursuing its investment objectives and uses swap contracts to help manage such risks. The fund may use swaps in an effort to manage both long and short exposure to changes in interest rates, inflation rates, and credit quality; to adjust overall exposure to certain markets; to enhance total return or protect the value of portfolio securities; to serve as a cash management tool; or to adjust portfolio duration and credit exposure. Swap agreements can be settled either directly with the counterparty (bilateral swap) or through a central clearinghouse (centrally cleared swap). Fluctuations in the fair value of a contract are reflected in unrealized gain or loss and are reclassified to realized gain or loss upon contract termination or cash settlement. Net periodic receipts or payments required by a contract increase or decrease, respectively, the value of the contract until the contractual payment date, at which time such amounts are reclassified from unrealized to realized gain or loss. For bilateral swaps, cash payments are made or received by the fund on a periodic basis in accordance with contract terms; unrealized gain on contracts and premiums paid are reflected as assets and unrealized loss on contracts and premiums received are reflected as liabilities on the accompanying Statement of Assets and Liabilities. For bilateral swaps, premiums paid or received are amortized over the life of the swap and are recognized as realized gain or loss in the Statement of Operations. For centrally cleared swaps, payments are made or received by the fund each day to settle the daily fluctuation in the value of the contract (variation margin). Accordingly, the value of a centrally cleared swap included in net assets is the unsettled variation margin; net variation margin receivable is reflected as an asset and net variation margin payable is reflected as a liability on the accompanying Statement of Assets and Liabilities.

Interest rate swaps are agreements to exchange cash flows based on the difference between specified interest rates applied to a notional principal amount for a specified period of time. Risks related to the use of interest rate swaps include the potential for unanticipated movements in interest or currency rates, the possible failure of a counterparty to perform in accordance with the terms of the swap agreements, potential government regulation that could adversely affect the fund’s swap investments, and potential losses in excess of the fund’s initial investment.

Credit default swaps are agreements where one party (the protection buyer) agrees to make periodic payments to another party (the protection seller) in exchange for protection against specified credit events, such as certain defaults and bankruptcies related to an underlying credit instrument, or issuer or index of such instruments. Upon occurrence of a specified credit event, the protection seller is required to pay the buyer the difference between the notional amount of the swap and the value of the underlying credit, either in the form of a net cash settlement or by paying the gross notional amount and accepting delivery of the relevant underlying credit. For credit default swaps where the underlying credit is an index, a specified credit event may affect all or individual underlying securities included in the index and will be settled based upon the relative weighting of the affected underlying security(ies) within the index. Generally, the payment risk for the seller of protection is inversely related to the current market price or credit rating of the underlying credit or the market value of the contract relative to the notional amount, which are indicators of the markets’ valuation of credit quality. As of December 31, 2018, the notional amount of protection sold by the fund totaled $10,785,000 (2.5% of net assets), which reflects the maximum potential amount the fund could be required to pay under such contracts. Risks related to the use of credit default swaps include the possible inability of the fund to accurately assess the current and future creditworthiness of underlying issuers, the possible failure of a counterparty to perform in accordance with the terms of the swap agreements, potential government regulation that could adversely affect the fund’s swap investments, and potential losses in excess of the fund’s initial investment. During the year ended December 31, 2018, the volume of the fund’s activity in swaps, based on underlying notional amounts, was generally between 2% and 9% of net assets.

NOTE 4 - OTHER INVESTMENT TRANSACTIONS

Consistent with its investment objective, the fund engages in the following practices to manage exposure to certain risks and/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 and Frontier Markets The fund may invest, either directly or through investments in T. Rowe Price institutional funds, in securities of companies located in, issued by governments of, or denominated in or linked to the currencies of emerging and frontier market countries; at period-end, approximately 62% of the fund’s net assets were invested in emerging markets and 31% in frontiermarkets. Emerging markets, and to a greater extent frontier markets, generally have economic structures that are less diverse and mature, and political systems that are less stable, than developed countries. These markets may be subject to greater political, economic, and social uncertainty and differing regulatory environments that may potentially impact the fund’s ability to buy or sell certain securities or repatriate proceeds to U.S. dollars. Such securities are often subject to greater price volatility, less liquidity, and higher rates of inflation than U.S. securities. Investing in frontier markets is significantly riskier than investing in other countries, including emerging markets.

Noninvestment-Grade Debt At December 31, 2018, approximately 68% of the fund’s net assets were invested, either directly or through its investment in T. Rowe Price institutional funds, in noninvestment-grade debt including “high yield” or “junk” bonds or leveraged loans. Noninvestment-grade debt issuers are more likely to suffer an adverse change in financial condition that would result in the inability to meet a financial obligation. The noninvestment-grade debt market may experience sudden and sharp price swings due to a variety of factors, including changes in economic forecasts, stock market activity, large sustained sales by major investors, a high-profile default, or a change in market sentiment. These events may decrease the ability of issuers to make principal and interest payments and adversely affect the liquidity or value, or both, of such securities. Accordingly, securities issued by such companies carry a higher risk of default and should be considered speculative.

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 $246,757,000 and $148,981,000, respectively, for the year ended December 31, 2018.

NOTE 5 - 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 determined in accordance with federal income tax regulations may differ 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.

The fund files U.S. federal, state, and local tax returns as required. The fund’s tax returns are subject to examination by the relevant tax authorities until expiration of the applicable statute of limitations, which is generally three years after the filing of the tax return but which can be extended to six years in certain circumstances. Tax returns for open years have incorporated no uncertain tax positions that require a provision for income taxes.

Reclassifications between income and gain relate primarily to the recharacterization of distributions or the character of foreign capital gains taxes. For the year ended December 31, 2018, the following reclassifications were recorded to reflect tax character (there was no impact on results of operations or net assets):

 

Distributions during the years ended December 31, 2018 and December 31, 2017, were characterized for tax purposes as follows:

 

At December 31, 2018, the tax-basis cost of investments, including derivatives, 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 certain derivative contracts for tax purposes. Tax-basis undistributed ordinary income includes interest income on troubled debt issues that has not been recognized for financial reporting purposes. The fund intends to retain realized gains to the extent of available capital loss carryforwards. Net realized capital losses may be carried forward indefinitely to offset future realized capital gains. In accordance with federal tax laws applicable to investment companies, net specified losses realized between November 1 and December 31 are not recognized for tax purposes until the subsequent year (late-year ordinary loss deferrals); however, such losses are recognized for financial reporting purposes in the year realized.

NOTE 6 - RELATED PARTY TRANSACTIONS

The fund is managed by T. Rowe Price Associates, Inc. (Price Associates), a wholly owned subsidiary of T. Rowe Price Group, Inc. (Price Group). The investment management and administrative agreement between the fund and Price Associates provides for an all-inclusive annual fee equal to 0.70% of the fund’s average daily net assets. The fee is computed daily and paid monthly. The all-inclusive fee covers investment management, shareholder servicing, transfer agency, accounting, and custody services provided to the fund, as well as fund directors’ fees and expenses. Interest, taxes, brokerage commissions, and other non-recurring expenses permitted by the investment management agreement are paid directly by the fund.

In addition, other mutual, and other accounts managed by Price Associates or its affiliates (collectively, Price Funds and accounts) may invest in the fund. No Price fund or account may invest for the purpose of exercising management or control over the fund. AtDecember 31, 2018, approximately 64% of the fund’s outstanding shares were held by Price Funds and accounts.

The fund may invest its cash reserves in certain open-end management investment companies managed by Price Associates and considered affiliates of the fund: the T. Rowe Price Government Reserve Fund or the T. Rowe Price Treasury Reserve Fund, organized as money market funds, or the T. Rowe Price Short-Term Fund, a short-term bond fund (collectively, the Price Reserve Funds). The Price Reserve Funds are offered as short-term investment options to mutual funds, trusts, and other accounts managed by Price Associates or its affiliates and are not available for direct purchase by members of the public. Cash collateral from securities lending is invested in the T. Rowe Price Short-Term Fund. The Price Reserve Funds pay no investment management fees.

The fund may participate in securities purchase and sale transactions with other funds or accounts advised by Price Associates (cross trades), in accordance with procedures adopted by the fund’s Board and Securities and Exchange Commission rules, which require, among other things, that such purchase and sale cross trades be effected at the independent current market price of the security. During the year ended December 31, 2018, the fund had no purchases or sales cross trades with other funds or accounts advised by Price Associates.

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 Bond Fund

Opinion on the Financial Statements
We have audited the accompanying statement of assets and liabilities, including the portfolio of investments, of T. Rowe Price Institutional Emerging Markets Bond Fund (one of the funds constituting T. Rowe Price Institutional International Funds, Inc., hereafter referred to as the “Fund”) as of December 31, 2018, the related statement of operations for the year ended December 31, 2018, the statement of changes in net assets for each of the two years in the period ended December 31, 2018, including the related notes, and the financial highlights for each of the five years in the period ended December 31, 2018 (collectively referred to as the “financial statements”). In our opinion, the financial statements present fairly, in all material respects, the financial position of the Fund as of December 31, 2018, 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 ended December 31, 2018 and the financial highlights for each of the five years in the period ended December 31, 2018 in conformity with accounting principles generally accepted in the United States of America.

Basis for Opinion
These financial statements are the responsibility of the Fund’s management. Our responsibility is to express an opinion on the Fund’s financial statements based on our audits. We are a public accounting firm registered with the Public Company Accounting Oversight Board (United States) (PCAOB) and are required to be independent with respect to the Fund in accordance with the U.S. federal securities laws and the applicable rules and regulations of the Securities and Exchange Commission and the PCAOB.

We conducted our audits of these financial statements in accordance with the standards of the PCAOB. Those standards require that we plan and perform the audit to obtain reasonable assurance about whether the financial statements are free of material misstatement, whether due to error or fraud.

Our audits included performing procedures to assess the risks of material misstatement of the financial statements, whether due to error or fraud, and performing procedures that respond to those risks. Such procedures included examining, on a test basis, evidence regarding the amounts and disclosures in the financial statements. Our audits also included evaluating the accounting principles used and significant estimates made by management, as well as evaluating the overall presentation of the financial statements. Our procedures included confirmation of securities owned as of December 31, 2018 by correspondence with the custodians, transfer agent and brokers; when replies were not received from brokers, we performed other auditing procedures. We believe that our audits provide a reasonable basis for our opinion.

PricewaterhouseCoopers LLP
Baltimore, Maryland
February 15, 2019

We have served as the auditor of one or more investment companies in the T. Rowe Price group of investment companies since 1973.

TAX INFORMATION (UNAUDITED) FOR THE TAX YEAR ENDED 12/31/18

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:

■ $374,000 from short-term capital gains.

■ $2,762,000 from long-term capital gains, subject to a long-term capital gains tax rate of not greater than 20%.

The fund will pass through foreign source income of $19,297,000 and foreign taxes paid of $116,000.

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. You may request this document by calling 1-800-225-5132 or by accessing the SEC’s website, sec.gov.

The description of our proxy voting policies and procedures is also available on our corporate website. To access it, please visit the following Web page:

https://www3.troweprice.com/usis/corporate/en/utility/policies.html

Scroll down to the section near the bottom of the page that says, “Proxy Voting Policies.” Click on the Proxy Voting Policies link in the shaded box.

Each fund’s most recent annual proxy voting record is available on our website and through the SEC’s website. To access it through T. Rowe Price, visit the website location shown above, and scroll down to the section near the bottom of the page that says, “Proxy Voting Records.” Click on the Proxy Voting Records link in the shaded box.

HOW TO OBTAIN QUARTERLY PORTFOLIO HOLDINGS

Effective for reporting periods on or after March 1, 2019, the fund files a complete schedule of portfolio holdings with the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) for the first and third quarters of each fiscal year as an exhibit to its reports on Form N-PORT. Prior to March 1, 2019, the fund filed a complete schedule of portfolio holdings with the SEC for the first and third quarters of each fiscal year on Form N-Q. The fund’s Forms N-PORT and N-Q are available electronically on the SEC’s website (sec.gov).

ABOUT THE FUND’S DIRECTORS AND OFFICERS

Your fund is overseen by a Board of Directors (Board) that meets regularly to review a wide variety of matters affecting or potentially affecting the fund, including performance, investment programs, compliance matters, advisory fees and expenses, service providers, and business and regulatory affairs. The Board elects the fund’s officers, who are listed in the final table. At least 75% of the Board’s members are independent of the Boards of T. Rowe Price Associates, Inc. (T. Rowe Price), and its affiliates; “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 1-800-638-5660.

INDEPENDENT DIRECTORS(a)
Name (Year of Birth) Year Elected [Number of T. Rowe Price Portfolios Overseen]	Principal Occupation(s) and Directorships of Public Companies and Other Investment Companies During the Past Five Years
Teresa Bryce Bazemore(b)(1959) 2018 [189]	President, Radian Guaranty (2008 to 2017); Member, Bazemore Consulting LLC (2018 to present); Member, Chimera Investment Corporation (2017 to present); Member, Federal Home Loan Bank of Pittsburgh (2017 to present)
Ronald J. Daniels(b)(1959) 2018 [189]	President, The Johns Hopkins University(c)and Professor, Political Science Department, The Johns Hopkins University (2009 to present); Director, Lyndhurst Holdings (2015 to present)
Bruce W. Duncan (1951) 2013 [189]	Chief Executive Officer and Director (January 2009 to December 2016), Chairman of the Board (January 2016 to present), and President (January 2009 to September 2016), First Industrial Realty Trust, an owner and operator of industrial properties; Chairman of the Board (2005 to September 2016) and Director (1999 to September 2016), Starwood Hotels & Resorts, a hotel and leisure company; Director, Boston Properties (May 2016 to present); Director, Marriott International, Inc. (September 2016 to present)
Robert J. Gerrard, Jr. (1952) 2012 [189]	Advisory Board Member, Pipeline Crisis/Winning Strategies, a collaborative working to improve opportunities for young African Americans (1997 to present); Chairman of the Board, all funds (since July 2018)
Paul F. McBride (1956) 2013 [189]	Advisory Board Member, Vizzia Technologies (2015 to present); Board Member, Dunbar Armored (2012 to present)
Cecilia E. Rouse, Ph.D. (1963) 2012 [189]	Dean, Woodrow Wilson School (2012 to present); Professor and Researcher, Princeton University (1992 to present); Member of National Academy of Education (2010 to present); Director, MDRC, a nonprofit education and social policy research organization (2011 to present); Research Associate of Labor Studies Program at the National Bureau of Economic Research (2011 to 2015); Board Member of the National Bureau of Economic Research (2011 to present); Chair of Committee on the Status of Minority Groups in the Economic Profession of the American Economic Association (2012 to 2017); Vice President (2015 to 2016), American Economic Association
John G. Schreiber (1946) 2001 [189]	Owner/President, Centaur Capital Partners, Inc., a real estate investment company (1991 to present); Cofounder, Partner, and Cochairman of the Investment Committee, Blackstone Real Estate Advisors, L.P. (1992 to 2015); Director, General Growth Properties, Inc. (2010 to 2013); Director, Blackstone Mortgage Trust, a real estate finance company (2012 to 2016); Director and Chairman of the Board, Brixmor Property Group, Inc. (2013 to present); Director, Hilton Worldwide (2013 to present); Director, Hudson Pacific Properties (2014 to 2016); Director, Invitation Homes (2014 to present)
Mark R. Tercek (1957) 2009 [189]	President and Chief Executive Officer, The Nature Conservancy (2008 to present)
(a)All information about the independent directors was current as of December 31, 2017, except for the information provided for Ms. Bazemore and Mr. Daniels, which is current as of January 1, 2018.
(b)Effective January 1, 2018, Ms. Bazemore and Mr. Daniels were elected as independent directors of the Price Funds.
(c)William J. Stromberg, president and chief executive officer of T. Rowe Price Group, Inc., the parent company of the Price Funds’ investment advisor, has served on the Board of Trustees of Johns Hopkins University since 2014 and is a member of the Johns Hopkins University Board’s Compensation Committee.

INSIDE DIRECTORS
Name (Year of Birth) Year Elected* [Number of T. Rowe Price Portfolios Overseen]	Principal Occupation(s) and Directorships of Public Companies and Other Investment Companies During the Past Five Years
Edward C. Bernard** (1956) 2006 [0]	Director and Vice President, T. Rowe Price; Vice Chairman of the Board, Director, and Vice President, T. Rowe Price Group, Inc.; Chairman of the Board, Director, and Vice President, T. Rowe Price Investment Services, Inc., and T. Rowe Price Services, Inc.; Chairman of the Board and Director, T. Rowe Price Retirement Plan Services, Inc.; Chairman of the Board, Chief Executive Officer, Director, and President, T. Rowe Price International and T. Rowe Price Trust Company; Chairman of the Board, all funds (2006 to July 2018)
David Oestreicher (1967) 2018 [189]	Chief Legal Officer, Vice President, and Secretary, T. Rowe Price Group, Inc.; Director, Vice President, and Secretary, T. Rowe Price Investment Services, Inc., T. Rowe Price Retirement Plan Services, Inc., T. Rowe Price Services, Inc., and T. Rowe Price Trust Company; Vice President and Secretary, T. Rowe Price, T. Rowe Price Hong Kong, and T. Rowe Price International; Vice President, T. Rowe Price Japan and T. Rowe Price Singapore; Principal Executive Officer and Executive Vice President, all funds
Robert W. Sharps, CFA, CPA (1971) 2017 [135]	Vice President, T. Rowe Price, T. Rowe Price Group, Inc., and T. Rowe Price Trust Company; Vice President Institutional International Funds
*Each inside director serves until retirement, resignation, or election of a successor.
**Effective at the conclusion of a meeting of the Boards of the Price Funds held on July 25, 2018, Mr. Bernard resigned from his role as a director and chairman of the Boards of all the Price Funds.

OFFICERS
Name (Year of Birth) Position Held With Institutional International Funds	Principal Occupation(s)
Ulle Adamson, CFA (1979) Vice President	Vice President, T. Rowe Price Group, Inc., and T. Rowe Price International
Roy H. Adkins (1970) Vice President	Vice President, T. Rowe Price Group, Inc., and T. Rowe Price International
Christopher D. Alderson (1962) President	Director and Vice President, T. Rowe Price International; Vice President, Price Hong Kong, Price Singapore, and T. Rowe Price Group, Inc.
Kennard W. Allen (1977) Vice President	Vice President, T. Rowe Price and T. Rowe Price Group, Inc.
Paulina Amieva (1981) Vice President	Vice President, T. Rowe Price and T. Rowe Price Group, Inc.
Malik S. Asif (1981) Vice President	Vice President, T. Rowe Price Group, Inc., and T. Rowe Price International
Ziad Bakri, M.D., CFA (1980) Vice President	Vice President, T. Rowe Price and T. Rowe Price Group, Inc.
Harishankar Balkrishna (1983) Vice President	Vice President, T. Rowe Price Group, Inc., and T. Rowe Price International
Sheena L. Barbosa (1983) Vice President	Vice President, Price Hong Kong and T. Rowe Price Group, Inc.
Peter J. Bates, CFA (1974) Vice President	Vice President, T. Rowe Price and T. Rowe Price Group, Inc.
Oliver D.M. Bell (1969) Executive Vice President	Vice President, T. Rowe Price Group, Inc., and T. Rowe Price International
R. Scott Berg, CFA (1972) Executive Vice President	Vice President, T. Rowe Price and T. Rowe Price Group, Inc.
Steven E. Boothe, CFA (1977) Vice President	Vice President, T. Rowe Price and T. Rowe Price Group, Inc.
Peter I. Botoucharov (1965) Vice President	Vice President, T. Rowe Price Group, Inc., and T. Rowe Price International
Tala Boulos (1984) Vice President	Vice President, T. Rowe Price Group, Inc., and T. Rowe Price International
Darrell N. Braman (1963) Vice President and Secretary	Vice President, Price Hong Kong, Price Singapore, T. Rowe Price, T. Rowe Price Group, Inc., T. Rowe Price International, T. Rowe Price Investment Services, Inc., and T. Rowe Price Services, Inc.
Carolyn Hoi Che Chu (1974) Vice President	Vice President, Price Hong Kong and T. Rowe Price Group, Inc.
Archibald Ciganer Albeniz, CFA (1976) Vice President	Vice President, T. Rowe Price Group, Inc., and T. Rowe Price International
Richard N. Clattenburg, CFA (1979) Executive Vice President	Vice President, Price Singapore, T. Rowe Price, T. Rowe Price Group, Inc., and T. Rowe Price International
Michael J. Conelius, CFA (1964) Executive Vice President	Vice President, T. Rowe Price, T. Rowe Price Group, Inc., T. Rowe Price International, and T. Rowe Price Trust Company
Michael Della Vedova (1969) Vice President	Vice President, T. Rowe Price Group, Inc., and T. Rowe Price International
Richard de los Reyes (1975) Vice President	Vice President, T. Rowe Price, T. Rowe Price Group, Inc., and T. Rowe Price Trust Company
Shawn T. Driscoll (1975) Vice President	Vice President, T. Rowe Price, T. Rowe Price Group, Inc., and T. Rowe Price Trust Company
Bridget A. Ebner (1970) Vice President	Vice President, T. Rowe Price and T. Rowe Price Group, Inc.
David J. Eiswert, CFA (1972) Executive Vice President	Vice President, T. Rowe Price, T. Rowe Price Group, Inc., and T. Rowe Price International
Mark S. Finn, CFA, CPA (1963) Vice President	Vice President, T. Rowe Price, T. Rowe Price Group, Inc., and T. Rowe Price Trust Company
Quentin S. Fitzsimmons (1968) Vice President	Vice President, T. Rowe Price Group, Inc., and T. Rowe Price International; formerly, Portfolio Manager, Royal Bank of Scotland Group (to 2015)
Aaron Gifford, CFA (1987) Vice President	Vice President, T. Rowe Price; formerly, Strategist, Morgan Stanley & Co. LLC (to 2017); Strategist, HSBC Securities (to 2013)
John R. Gilner (1961) Chief Compliance Officer	Chief Compliance Officer and Vice President, T. Rowe Price; Vice President, T. Rowe Price Group, Inc., and T. Rowe Price Investment Services, Inc.
Gary J. Greb (1961) Vice President	Vice President, T. Rowe Price, T. Rowe Price International, and T. Rowe Price Trust Company
Paul D. Greene II (1978) Vice President	Vice President, T. Rowe Price and T. Rowe Price Group, Inc.
Benjamin Griffiths, CFA (1977) Vice President	Vice President, T. Rowe Price Group, Inc., and T. Rowe Price International
Amanda B. Hall, CFA (1985) Vice President	Vice President, T. Rowe Price Group, Inc., and T. Rowe Price International; formerly, student, Stanford Graduate School of Business (to 2014)
Richard L. Hall (1979) Vice President	Vice President, T. Rowe Price and T. Rowe Price Group, Inc.
Nabil Hanano, CFA (1984) Vice President	Vice President, T. Rowe Price Group, Inc., and T. Rowe Price International
Steven C. Huber, CFA, FSA (1958) Vice President	Vice President, T. Rowe Price, T. Rowe Price Group, Inc., and T. Rowe Price International
Stefan Hubrich, Ph.D., CFA (1974) Vice President	Vice President, T. Rowe Price and T. Rowe Price Group, Inc.
Arif Husain, CFA (1972) Executive Vice President	Vice President, T. Rowe Price Group, Inc., and T. Rowe Price International
Tetsuji Inoue (1971) Vice President	Vice President, T. Rowe Price Group, Inc., and T. Rowe Price International
Randal S. Jenneke (1971) Vice President	Vice President, T. Rowe Price Group, Inc., and T. Rowe Price International
Nina P. Jones, CPA (1980) Vice President	Vice President, T. Rowe Price and T. Rowe Price Group, Inc.
Yoichiro Kai (1973) Vice President	Vice President, T. Rowe Price Group, Inc., and T. Rowe Price International
Jai Kapadia (1982) Vice President	Vice President, Price Hong Kong and T. Rowe Price Group, Inc.
Andrew J. Keirle (1974) Executive Vice President	Vice President, T. Rowe Price Group, Inc., and T. Rowe Price International
Paul J. Krug, CPA (1964) Vice President	Vice President, T. Rowe Price, T. Rowe Price Group, Inc., and T. Rowe Price Trust Company
Christopher J. Kushlis, CFA (1976) Vice President	Vice President, T. Rowe Price Group, Inc., and T. Rowe Price International
Mark J. Lawrence (1970) Vice President	Vice President, T. Rowe Price Group, Inc., and T. Rowe Price International
Johannes Loefstrand (1988) Vice President	Employee, T. Rowe Price; formerly, Investment Analyst, Arisaig Partners (to 2013)
Anh Lu (1968) Vice President	Vice President, Price Hong Kong and T. Rowe Price Group, Inc.
Sebastien Mallet (1974) Executive Vice President	Vice President, T. Rowe Price Group, Inc., and T. Rowe Price International
Daniel Martino, CFA (1974) Vice President	Vice President, T. Rowe Price and T. Rowe Price Group, Inc.
Catherine D. Mathews (1963) Treasurer and Vice President	Vice President, T. Rowe Price, T. Rowe Price Group, Inc., and T. Rowe Price Trust Company
Raymond A. Mills, Ph.D., CFA (1960) Executive Vice President	Vice President, T. Rowe Price, T. Rowe Price Group, Inc., T. Rowe Price International, and T. Rowe Price Trust Company
Eric C. Moffett (1974) Vice President	Vice President, Price Hong Kong and T. Rowe Price Group, Inc.
Tobias F. Mueller (1980) Vice President	Vice President, T. Rowe Price Group, Inc., and T. Rowe Price International
Sudhir Nanda, Ph.D., CFA (1959) Vice President	Vice President, T. Rowe Price and T. Rowe Price Group, Inc.
Thibault Nardin (1983) Vice President	Vice President, T. Rowe Price Group, Inc., and T. Rowe Price International
Joshua Nelson (1977) Executive Vice President	Vice President, T. Rowe Price, T. Rowe Price Group, Inc., and T. Rowe Price International
Jason Nogueira, CFA (1974) Executive Vice President	Vice President, T. Rowe Price and T. Rowe Price Group, Inc.
Kenneth A. Orchard (1975) Executive Vice President	Vice President, T. Rowe Price Group, Inc., and T. Rowe Price International
Oluwaseun A. Oyegunle, CFA (1984) Vice President	Vice President, T. Rowe Price Group, Inc., and T. Rowe Price International
Gonzalo Pángaro, CFA (1968) Executive Vice President	Vice President, T. Rowe Price Group, Inc., and T. Rowe Price International
John W. Ratzesberger (1975) Vice President	Vice President, T. Rowe Price, T. Rowe Price Group, Inc., and T. Rowe Price Trust Company; formerly, North American Head of Listed Derivatives Operation, Morgan Stanley (to 2013)
Shannon H. Rauser (1987) Assistant Secretary	Employee, T. Rowe Price
Federico Santilli, CFA (1974) Executive Vice President	Vice President, T. Rowe Price Group, Inc., and T. Rowe Price International
Sebastian Schrott (1977) Vice President	Vice President, T. Rowe Price Group, Inc., and T. Rowe Price International
John C.A. Sherman (1969) Vice President	Vice President, T. Rowe Price Group, Inc., and T. Rowe Price International
Gabriel Solomon (1977) Vice President	Vice President, T. Rowe Price and T. Rowe Price Group, Inc.
Joshua K. Spencer, CFA (1973) Vice President	Vice President, T. Rowe Price and T. Rowe Price Group, Inc.
David A. Stanley (1963) Vice President	Vice President, T. Rowe Price Group, Inc., and T. Rowe Price International
Taymour R. Tamaddon, CFA (1976) Vice President	Vice President, T. Rowe Price and T. Rowe Price Group, Inc.
Ju Yen Tan (1972) Vice President	Vice President, T. Rowe Price Group, Inc., and T. Rowe Price International
Dean Tenerelli (1964) Vice President	Vice President, T. Rowe Price Group, Inc., and T. Rowe Price International
Eric L. Veiel, CFA (1972) Vice President	Vice President, T. Rowe Price, T. Rowe Price Group, Inc., and T. Rowe Price Trust Company
Rupinder Vig (1979) Vice President	Vice President, T. Rowe Price Group, Inc., and T. Rowe Price International; formerly, Partner, Egerton Capital (to 2016); formerly, Executive Director, Morgan Stanley (to 2014)
Zenon Voyiatzis (1971) Vice President	Vice President, T. Rowe Price Group, Inc., and T. Rowe Price International; formerly, Managing Director, UBS Global Asset Management (to 2015)
Verena Wachnitz, CFA (1978) Vice President	Vice President, T. Rowe Price Group, Inc., and T. Rowe Price International
Dai Wang (1989) Vice President	Vice President, Price Hong Kong and T. Rowe Price Group, Inc.; formerly, student Harvard Business School (to 2014)
Megan Warren (1968) Vice President	Vice President, T. Rowe Price, T. Rowe Price Group, Inc., T. Rowe Price Retirement Plan Services, Inc., T. Rowe Price Services, Inc., and T. Rowe Price Trust Company; formerly, Executive Director, JP Morgan Chase (to 2017)
Christopher S. Whitehouse (1972) Vice President	Vice President, T. Rowe Price Group, Inc., and T. Rowe Price International
J. Howard Woodward, CFA (1974) Vice President	Vice President, T. Rowe Price Group, Inc., and T. Rowe Price International
Ernest C. Yeung, CFA (1979) Vice President	Director, Responsible Officer, and Vice President, Price Hong Kong; Vice President, T. Rowe Price Group, Inc.
Unless otherwise noted, officers have been employees of T. Rowe Price or T. Rowe Price International for at least 5 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 Mr. Bruce W. Duncan qualifies as an audit committee financial expert, as defined in Item 3 of Form N-CSR. Mr. Duncan is considered independent for purposes of Item 3 of Form N-CSR.

Item 4. Principal Accountant Fees and Services.

(a) – (d) Aggregate fees billed for the last two fiscal years for professional services rendered to, or on behalf of, the registrant by the registrant’s principal accountant were as follows:

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 $2,544,000 and $2,169,000, 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) During the period, the Price Funds’ accounting agent, The Bank of New York Mellon (BNYM), converted the fund’s books and records from a legacy fund accounting system / operating model to a BNYM fund accounting system / operating model.

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/ David Oestreicher
			David Oestreicher
			Principal Executive Officer
Date	February 15, 2019

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/ David Oestreicher
			David Oestreicher
			Principal Executive Officer
Date	February 15, 2019
		By	/s/ Catherine D. Mathews
			Catherine D. Mathews
			Principal Financial Officer
Date	February 15, 2019