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: 811-07243 Morgan Stanley Balanced Income Fund (Exact name of registrant as specified in charter) 1221 Avenue of the Americas, New York, New York 10020 (Address of principal executive offices) (Zip code) Ronald E. Robison 1221 Avenue of the Americas, New York, New York 10020 (Name and address of agent for service) Registrant's telephone number, including area code: 212-762-4000 Date of fiscal year end: January 31, 2006 Date of reporting period: July 31, 2005 Item 1 - Report to Shareholders Welcome, Shareholder: In this report, you'll learn about how your investment in Morgan Stanley Balanced Income Fund performed during the semiannual period. We will provide an overview of the market conditions, and discuss some of the factors that affected performance during the reporting period. In addition, this report includes the Fund's financial statements and a list of Fund investments. THIS MATERIAL MUST BE PRECEDED OR ACCOMPANIED BY A PROSPECTUS FOR THE FUND BEING OFFERED. MARKET FORECASTS PROVIDED IN THIS REPORT MAY NOT NECESSARILY COME TO PASS. THERE IS NO ASSURANCE THAT THE FUND WILL ACHIEVE ITS INVESTMENT OBJECTIVE. THE FUND IS SUBJECT TO MARKET RISK, WHICH IS THE POSSIBILITY THAT MARKET VALUES OF SECURITIES OWNED BY THE FUND WILL DECLINE AND, THEREFORE, THE VALUE OF THE FUND'S SHARES MAY BE LESS THAN WHAT YOU PAID FOR THEM. ACCORDINGLY, YOU CAN LOSE MONEY INVESTING IN THIS FUND. PLEASE SEE THE PROSPECTUS FOR MORE COMPLETE INFORMATION ON INVESTMENT RISKS. FUND REPORT For the six months ended July 31, 2005 TOTAL RETURN FOR THE 6 MONTHS ENDED JULY 31, 2005 <Table> <Caption> LEHMAN BROTHERS RUSSELL LIPPER U.S. GOV'T./ 1000(R) INCOME CREDIT VALUE FUNDS CLASS A CLASS B CLASS C CLASS D INDEX(1) INDEX(2) INDEX(3) 3.53% 3.05% 3.13% 3.57% 0.89% 6.60% 2.88% </Table> The performance of the Fund's four share classes varies because each has different expenses. The Fund's total returns assume the reinvestment of all distributions but do not reflect the deduction of any applicable sales charges. Such costs would lower performance. See Performance Summary for standardized performance and benchmark information. MARKET CONDITIONS During the six months ended July 31, 2005, renewed optimism about economic growth helped fuel a rebound in the equity markets. As the period opened, investors were anxious about oil prices, the geopolitical landscape, economic growth, inflation and the prospect of interest rate increases. Sentiment improved as the period progressed. Data continued to show that the economy was growing at a moderate pace, consumer spending was still holding up, and job growth was reasonable. Inflation concerns waned. As second-quarter corporate earnings reporting generally exceeded expectations, stocks ended the period on a particularly bright note -- despite sustained soaring oil prices and the prospect of continued short-term interest rate increases. Overall, energy and oil stocks were particularly well-rewarded by the market, while technology lagged as a long-awaited burst in corporate spending did not materialize. Continuing the cycle of measured increases that it began in June of 2004, the Federal Open Market Committee (the "Fed") raised the federal funds target rate four times during the period, to close at 3.25%, a three-year high. Although yields of short- and intermediate-term bonds rose in response to these increases, the yields of longer-term bonds did not follow suit. Apparently undeterred by the prospect for inflation, buyers bid up the prices of long-term U.S. Treasuries, driving long-term yields down (bond prices and yields in opposition). As investors sought out income opportunities, bonds with lower credit qualities and greater yields outperformed higher quality, lower yielding credits. PERFORMANCE ANALYSIS Morgan Stanley Balanced Income Fund outperformed the Lehman Brothers U.S. Government/Credit Index and the Lipper Income Funds Index and underperformed the Russell 1000(R) Value Index for the six months ended July 31, 2005, assuming no deduction of applicable sales charges. Within the stock portion of the portfolio, energy holdings added the most to overall returns. Refining companies led the group, driven by the wider profit margins gained from the high price of crude oil. These companies' budgets were structured based on oil prices estimated in the $25 to $30 per barrel range. As crude prices soared, the refiners were able to capture significantly higher than expected operating margins. Healthcare was also a source of strong performance, led by notable contributions from pharmaceutical companies. Drug stocks had been deeply discounted in the market due to legal and product pipeline concerns. In 2005, however, the group began to benefit from improving sentiment on 2 the legal front, stronger earnings and the anticipation of certain new drugs. Our stock selection in the financials sector also served the Fund well. Our investment process steered the Fund away from stocks with interest rate exposure, such as banks. (As the difference between long-term and short-term rates narrows, banks' profit margins shrink.) Instead, the Fund favored insurance stocks, which continued to perform well, and brokerage stocks. Consumer discretionary was a negative sector for the fund during the period. Weakness came primarily from media-related holdings, which were unable to demonstrate new growth amid flagging advertising revenues. Negative market sentiment contributed to the industry's woes. Within its fixed-income allocation, the Fund's emphasis on higher coupon, slow prepaying mortgage issues benefited performance as rates rose during the bulk of the period. The Fund's overall interest-rate exposure was well below that of its fixed-income benchmark during the period. Against the backdrop of rising short- and intermediate-term interest rates, this positioning proved advantageous during the period. An underweighting versus the Lehman index in the energy and banking and finance sectors benefited relative performance. However, a focus on medium- and higher-quality corporate issues detracted modestly from relative performance, as investors sought out higher yielding bonds. During the six-month period, the Fund's stock and bond proportions remained fairly constant. As of the end of the reporting period, the Fund held 33 percent in stocks and 64 percent in bonds. There is no guarantee that any sectors mentioned will continue to perform well or that securities in such sectors will be held by the Fund in the future. 3 <Table> <Caption> TOP 10 HOLDINGS U.S. Treasury Securities 32.2% Federal National Mortgage Assoc. 3.3 JP Morgan Chase & Co. 1.0 Bayer AG (ADR) (Germany) 1.0 Bristol-Myers Squibb Co. 0.9 Merrill Lynch & Co., Inc. 0.8 Roche Holdings Ltd. (ADR) (Switzerland) 0.8 Schering-Plough Corp. 0.8 Time Warner Inc. 0.8 Unilever N.V. (NY Registered Shares) (Netherlands) 0.8 </Table> <Table> <Caption> PORTFOLIO COMPOSITION* U.S. Government Agencies & Obligations 34.2% Common Stocks 32.9 Corporate Bonds 18.0 Asset-Backed Securities 9.1 Short-Term Investments 3.4 Mortgage-Backed Securities 1.9 Foreign Government Obligations 0.3 Collateralized Mortgage Obligation 0.2 </Table> * Does not include outstanding long futures contracts with an underlying face amount of $2,885,594 with unrealized depreciation of $53,509 and short futures contracts with an underlying face amount of $32,972,298 with unrealized appreciation of $452,634. Data as of July 31, 2005. Subject to change daily. All percentages for top 10 holdings are as a percentage of net assets and all percentages for portfolio composition are as a percentage of total investments. These data are provided for informational purposes only and should not be deemed a recommendation to buy or sell the securities mentioned. Morgan Stanley is a full-service securities firm engaged in securities trading and brokerage activities, investment banking, research and analysis, financing and financial advisory services. INVESTMENT STRATEGY THE FUND WILL NORMALLY INVEST AT LEAST 80 PERCENT OF ITS ASSETS IN INCOME-PRODUCING SECURITIES, CONSISTING OF (1) FIXED-INCOME SECURITIES AND (2) DIVIDEND PAYING COMMON STOCKS AND SECURITIES CONVERTIBLE INTO COMMON STOCKS. WITHIN THE LIMITATIONS DETAILED BELOW, THE FUND'S "INVESTMENT ADVISER," MORGAN STANLEY INVESTMENT ADVISORS INC., MAY PURCHASE OR SELL SECURITIES IN ANY PROPORTION IT BELIEVES DESIRABLE BASED ON ITS ASSESSMENT OF BUSINESS, ECONOMIC AND INVESTMENT CONDITIONS. FOR MORE INFORMATION ABOUT PORTFOLIO HOLDINGS EACH MORGAN STANLEY FUND PROVIDES A COMPLETE SCHEDULE OF PORTFOLIO HOLDINGS IN ITS SEMIANNUAL AND ANNUAL REPORTS WITHIN 60 DAYS OF THE END OF THE FUND'S SECOND AND FOURTH FISCAL QUARTERS BY FILING THE SCHEDULE ELECTRONICALLY WITH THE SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION (SEC). THE SEMIANNUAL REPORTS ARE FILED ON FORM N-CSRS AND THE ANNUAL REPORTS ARE FILED ON FORM N-CSR. MORGAN STANLEY ALSO DELIVERS THE SEMIANNUAL AND ANNUAL REPORTS TO FUND SHAREHOLDERS AND MAKES THESE REPORTS AVAILABLE ON ITS PUBLIC WEB SITE, WWW.MORGANSTANLEY.COM. EACH MORGAN STANLEY FUND ALSO FILES A COMPLETE SCHEDULE OF PORTFOLIO HOLDINGS WITH THE SEC FOR THE FUND'S FIRST AND THIRD FISCAL QUARTERS ON FORM N-Q. MORGAN STANLEY DOES NOT DELIVER THE REPORTS FOR THE FIRST AND THIRD FISCAL QUARTERS TO SHAREHOLDERS, NOR ARE THE REPORTS POSTED TO THE MORGAN STANLEY PUBLIC WEB SITE. YOU MAY, HOWEVER, OBTAIN THE FORM N-Q FILINGS (AS WELL AS THE FORM N-CSR AND N-CSRS FILINGS) BY ACCESSING THE SEC'S WEB SITE, HTTP://WWW.SEC.GOV. YOU MAY ALSO REVIEW AND COPY THEM AT THE SEC'S PUBLIC REFERENCE ROOM IN WASHINGTON, DC. INFORMATION ON THE OPERATION OF THE SEC'S PUBLIC REFERENCE ROOM MAY BE OBTAINED BY CALLING THE SEC AT (800) SEC-0330. YOU CAN ALSO REQUEST COPIES OF THESE MATERIALS, UPON PAYMENT OF 4 A DUPLICATING FEE, BY ELECTRONIC REQUEST AT THE SEC'S E-MAIL ADDRESS (PUBLICINFO@SEC.GOV) OR BY WRITING THE PUBLIC REFERENCE SECTION OF THE SEC, WASHINGTON, DC 20549-0102. PROXY VOTING POLICY AND PROCEDURES AND PROXY VOTING RECORD YOU MAY OBTAIN A COPY OF THE FUND'S PROXY VOTING POLICY AND PROCEDURES WITHOUT CHARGE, UPON REQUEST, BY CALLING TOLL FREE 800-869-NEWS OR BY VISITING THE MUTUAL FUND CENTER ON OUR WEB SITE AT WWW.MORGANSTANLEY.COM. IT IS ALSO AVAILABLE ON THE SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION'S WEB SITE AT HTTP://WWW.SEC.GOV. YOU MAY OBTAIN INFORMATION REGARDING HOW THE FUND VOTED PROXIES RELATING TO PORTFOLIO SECURITIES DURING THE MOST RECENT TWELVE-MONTH PERIOD ENDED JUNE 30 BY VISITING THE MUTUAL FUND CENTER ON OUR WEB SITE AT WWW.MORGANSTANLEY.COM. THIS INFORMATION IS ALSO AVAILABLE ON THE SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION'S WEB SITE AT HTTP://WWW.SEC.GOV. HOUSEHOLDING NOTICE TO REDUCE PRINTING AND MAILING COSTS, THE FUND ATTEMPTS TO ELIMINATE DUPLICATE MAILINGS TO THE SAME ADDRESS. THE FUND DELIVERS A SINGLE COPY OF CERTAIN SHAREHOLDER DOCUMENTS, INCLUDING SHAREHOLDER REPORTS, PROSPECTUSES AND PROXY MATERIALS, TO INVESTORS WITH THE SAME LAST NAME WHO RESIDE AT THE SAME ADDRESS. YOUR PARTICIPATION IN THIS PROGRAM WILL CONTINUE FOR AN UNLIMITED PERIOD OF TIME UNLESS YOU INSTRUCT US OTHERWISE. YOU CAN REQUEST MULTIPLE COPIES OF THESE DOCUMENTS BY CALLING (800) 350-6414, 8:00 A.M. TO 8:00 P.M., ET. ONCE OUR CUSTOMER SERVICE CENTER HAS RECEIVED YOUR INSTRUCTIONS, WE WILL BEGIN SENDING INDIVIDUAL COPIES FOR EACH ACCOUNT WITHIN 30 DAYS. 5 PERFORMANCE SUMMARY AVERAGE ANNUAL TOTAL RETURNS -- PERIOD ENDED JULY 31, 2005 <Table> <Caption> CLASS A SHARES* CLASS B SHARES** CLASS C SHARES(+) CLASS D SHARES(++) (since 07/28/97) (since 07/28/97) (since 03/28/95) (since 07/28/97) SYMBOL BINAX BINBX BINCX BINDX 1 YEAR 9.54%(4) 8.64%(4) 8.82%(4) 9.74%(4) 3.79(5) 3.64(5) 7.82(5) -- 5 YEARS 6.51(4) 5.67(4) 5.69(4) 6.72(4) 5.37(5) 5.34(5) 5.69(5) -- 10 YEARS -- -- 6.73(4) -- -- -- 6.73(5) -- SINCE INCEPTION 5.85(4) 5.03(4) 7.21(4) 6.07(4) 5.14(5) 5.03(5) 7.21(5) -- </Table> Performance data quoted represents past performance, which is no guarantee of future results and current performance may be lower or higher than the figures shown. For the most recent month-end performance figures, please visit www.morganstanley.com or speak with your Financial Advisor. Investment returns and principal value will fluctuate and fund shares, when redeemed, may be worth more or less than their original cost. The table does not reflect the deduction of taxes that a shareholder would pay on fund distributions or the redemption of fund shares. Performance for Class A, Class B, Class C, and Class D shares will vary due to differences in sales charges and expenses. * The maximum front-end sales charge for Class A is 5.25%. ** The maximum contingent deferred sales charge (CDSC) for Class B is 5.0%. The CDSC declines to 0% after six years. + The maximum contingent deferred sales charge for Class C is 1% for shares redeemed within one year of purchase. ++ Class D has no sales charge. (1) The Lehman Brothers U.S. Government/Credit Index tracks the performance of government and corporate obligations, including U.S. government agency and Treasury securities and corporate and Yankee bonds. Indexes are unmanaged and their returns do not include any sales charges or fees. Such costs would lower performance. It is not possible to invest directly in an index. (2) The Russell 1000(R) Value Index measures the performance of those companies in the Russell 1000(R) Index with lower price-to-book ratios and lower forecasted growth values. Indexes are unmanaged and their returns do not include any sales charges or fees. Such costs would lower performance. It is not possible to invest directly in an index. (3) The Lipper Income Funds Index is an equally weighted performance index of the largest qualifying funds (based on net assets) in the Lipper Income Funds classification. The Index, which is adjusted for capital gains distributions and income dividends, is unmanaged and should not be considered an investment. There are currently 30 funds represented in this Index. (4) Figure shown assumes reinvestment of all distributions and does not reflect the deduction of any sales charges. (5) Figure shown assumes reinvestment of all distributions and the deduction of the maximum applicable sales charge. See the Fund's current prospectus for complete details on fees and sales charges. 6 EXPENSE EXAMPLE As a shareholder of the Fund, you incur two types of costs: (1) transaction costs, including sales charges (loads) on purchase payments and redemption fees; and (2) ongoing costs, including advisory fees; distribution and service (12b-1) fees; and other Fund expenses. This example is intended to help you understand your ongoing costs (in dollars) of investing in the Fund and to compare these costs with the ongoing costs of investing in other mutual funds. The example is based on an investment of $1,000 invested at the beginning of the period and held for the entire period 02/01/05 - 07/31/05. ACTUAL EXPENSES The first line of the table below provides information about actual account values and actual expenses. You may use the information in this line, together with the amount you invested, to estimate the expenses that you paid over the period. Simply divide your account value by $1,000 (for example, an $8,600 account value divided by $1,000 = 8.6), then multiply the result by the number in the first line under the heading entitled "Expenses Paid During Period" to estimate the expenses you paid on your account during this period. HYPOTHETICAL EXAMPLE FOR COMPARISON PURPOSES The second line of the table below provides information about hypothetical expenses based on the Fund's actual expense ratio and an assumed rate of return of 5% per year before expenses, which is not the Fund's actual return. The hypothetical account values and expenses may not be used to estimate the actual ending account balance or expenses you paid for the period. You may use this information to compare the ongoing cost of investing in the Fund and other funds. To do so, compare this 5% hypothetical example with the 5% hypothetical examples that appear in the shareholder reports of the other funds. Please note that the expenses shown in the table are meant to highlight your ongoing costs only and do not reflect any transactional costs, such as sales charges (loads) and redemption fees. Therefore, the second line of the table is useful in comparing ongoing costs, and will not help you determine the relative total cost of owning different funds. In addition, if these transactional costs were included, your costs would have been higher. <Table> <Caption> BEGINNING ENDING EXPENSES PAID ACCOUNT VALUE ACCOUNT VALUE DURING PERIOD * ------------- ------------- --------------- 02/01/05 - 02/01/05 07/31/05 07/31/05 ------------- ------------- --------------- CLASS A Actual (3.53% return)....................................... $1,000.00 $1,035.30 $5.75 Hypothetical (5% annual return before expenses)............. $1,000.00 $1,019.14 $5.71 CLASS B Actual (3.05% return)....................................... $1,000.00 $1,030.50 $9.52 Hypothetical (5% annual return before expenses)............. $1,000.00 $1,015.42 $9.44 CLASS C Actual (3.13% return)....................................... $1,000.00 $1,031.30 $9.52 Hypothetical (5% annual return before expenses)............. $1,000.00 $1,015.42 $9.44 CLASS D Actual (3.57% return)....................................... $1,000.00 $1,035.70 $4.49 Hypothetical (5% annual return before expenses)............. $1,000.00 $1,020.38 $4.46 </Table> - ------------------ * Expenses are equal to the Fund's annualized expense ratio of 1.14%, 1.89%, 1.89% and 0.89% respectively, multiplied by the average account value over the period, multiplied by 181/365 (to reflect the one-half year period). 7 INVESTMENT ADVISORY AGREEMENT APPROVAL NATURE, EXTENT AND QUALITY OF SERVICES The Board reviewed and considered the nature and extent of the investment advisory services provided by the Investment Adviser under the Advisory Agreement, including portfolio management, investment research and equity and fixed income securities trading. The Board also reviewed and considered the nature and extent of the non-advisory, administrative services provided by the Fund's Administrator under the Administration Agreement, including accounting, clerical, bookkeeping, compliance, business management and planning, and the provision of supplies, office space and utilities. (The Investment Adviser and the Administrator together are referred to as the "Adviser" and the Advisory and Administration Agreements together are referred to as the "Management Agreement.") The Board also compared the nature of the services provided by the Adviser with similar services provided by non-affiliated advisers as reported to the Board by Lipper Inc. ("Lipper"). The Board reviewed and considered the qualifications of the portfolio managers, the senior administrative managers and other key personnel of the Adviser who provide the administrative and investment advisory services to the Fund. The Board determined that the Adviser's portfolio managers and key personnel are well qualified by education and/or training and experience to perform the services in an efficient and professional manner. The Board concluded that the nature and extent of the advisory and administrative services provided were necessary and appropriate for the conduct of the business and investment activities of the Fund. The Board also concluded that the overall quality of the advisory and administrative services was satisfactory. PERFORMANCE RELATIVE TO COMPARABLE FUNDS MANAGED BY OTHER ADVISERS The Board reviewed the Fund's performance for the one-, three- and five-year periods ended November 30, 2004, as shown in reports provided by Lipper (the "Lipper Reports"), compared to the performance of comparable funds selected by Lipper (the "performance peer group"), and noted that the Fund's performance was lower than its performance peer group average for the one- and three-year periods but better for the five-year period. The Board also noted that the Fund's relative performance had improved from the three- to the one-year period. The Board discussed with the Adviser the reasons for the improvement. The Board concluded that it could reasonably be expected that the Fund's performance would continue to improve. FEES RELATIVE TO OTHER FUNDS MANAGED BY THE ADVISER WITH COMPARABLE INVESTMENT STRATEGIES The Board reviewed the advisory and administrative fees (together, the "management fee") paid by the Fund under the Management Agreement. The Board noted that the rate was comparable to the management fee rates charged by the Adviser to any other funds it manages with investment strategies comparable to those of the Fund. 8 FEES AND EXPENSES RELATIVE TO COMPARABLE FUNDS MANAGED BY OTHER ADVISERS The Board reviewed the management fee rate and the total expense ratio of the Fund. The Board noted that: (i) the Fund's management fee rate was lower than the average management fee rate for funds, selected by Lipper (the "expense peer group"), managed by other advisers with investment strategies comparable to those of the Fund, as shown in the Lipper Report for the Fund; and (ii) the Fund's total expense ratio was also lower than the average total expense ratio of the funds included in the Fund's expense peer group. The Board concluded that the Fund's management fee and total expense ratio were competitive with those of its expense peer group. BREAKPOINTS AND ECONOMIES OF SCALE The Board reviewed the structure of the Fund's management fee schedule under the Management Agreement and noted that it includes a breakpoint. The Board also reviewed the level of the Fund's management fee and noted that the fee, as a percentage of the Fund's net assets, would decrease as net assets increase because the management fee includes a breakpoint. The Board concluded that the Fund's management fee would reflect economies of scale as assets increase. PROFITABILITY OF ADVISER AND AFFILIATES The Board considered and reviewed information concerning the costs incurred and profits realized by the Adviser and its affiliates during the last two years from their relationship with the Fund and the Morgan Stanley Fund Complex and reviewed with the Controller of the Adviser the cost allocation methodology used to determine the Adviser's profitability. Based on their review of the information they received, the Board concluded that the profits earned by the Adviser and its affiliates were not excessive in light of the advisory, administrative and other services provided to the Fund. FALL-OUT BENEFITS The Board considered so-called "fall-out benefits" derived by the Adviser and its affiliates from their relationship with the Fund and the Morgan Stanley Fund Complex, such as "float" benefits derived from handling of checks for purchases and redemptions of Fund shares through a broker-dealer affiliate of the Adviser and "soft dollar" benefits (discussed in the next section). The Board also considered that a broker-dealer affiliate of the Adviser receives from the Fund 12b-1 fees for distribution and shareholder services. The Board also considered that an affiliate of the Adviser, through a joint venture, receives revenue in connection with trading done on behalf of the Fund through an electronic trading system network ("ECN"). The Board concluded that the float benefits and the above-referenced ECN-related revenue were relatively small and that the 12b-1 fees were competitive with those of other broker-dealer affiliates of investment advisers of mutual funds. 9 SOFT DOLLAR BENEFITS The Board considered whether the Adviser realizes any benefits as a result of brokerage transactions executed through "soft dollar" arrangements. Under such arrangements, brokerage commissions paid by the Fund and/or other funds managed by the Adviser would be used to pay for research that a securities broker obtains from third parties, or to pay for both research and execution services from securities brokers who effect transactions for the Fund. The Adviser informed the Board that it does not use Fund commissions to pay for third party research. It does use commissions to pay for research which is bundled with execution services. The Board recognized that the receipt of such research from brokers may reduce the Adviser's costs but concluded that the receipt of such research strengthens the investment management resources of the Adviser, which may ultimately benefit the Fund and other funds in the Morgan Stanley Fund Complex. ADVISER FINANCIALLY SOUND AND FINANCIALLY CAPABLE OF MEETING THE FUND'S NEEDS The Board considered whether the Adviser is financially sound and has the resources necessary to perform its obligations under the Management Agreement. The Board noted that the Adviser's operations remain profitable, although increased expenses in recent years have reduced the Adviser's profitability. The Board concluded that the Adviser has the financial resources necessary to fulfill its obligations under the Management Agreement. HISTORICAL RELATIONSHIP BETWEEN THE FUND AND THE ADVISER The Board also reviewed and considered the historical relationship between the Fund and the Adviser, including the organizational structure of the Adviser, the policies and procedures formulated and adopted by the Adviser for managing the Fund's operations and the Board's confidence in the competence and integrity of the senior managers and key personnel of the Adviser. The Board concluded that it is beneficial for the Fund to continue its relationship with the Adviser. OTHER FACTORS AND CURRENT TRENDS The Board considered the controls and procedures adopted and implemented by the Adviser and monitored by the Fund's Chief Compliance Officer and concluded that the conduct of business by the Adviser indicates a good faith effort on its part to adhere to high ethical standards in the conduct of the Fund's business. GENERAL CONCLUSION After considering and weighing all of the above factors, the Board concluded it would be in the best interest of the Fund and its shareholders to approve renewal of the Management Agreement for another year. 10 Morgan Stanley Balanced Income Fund PORTFOLIO OF INVESTMENTS - JULY 31, 2005 (UNAUDITED) <Table> <Caption> NUMBER OF SHARES VALUE - -------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Common Stocks (33.2%) Aerospace & Defense (0.7%) 12,340 Northrop Grumman Corp. ....................................................... $ 684,253 16,140 Raytheon Co. ................................................................. 634,786 ----------- 1,319,039 ----------- Beverages: Non-Alcoholic (0.5%) 22,830 Coca-Cola Co. (The)........................................................... 999,041 ----------- Biotechnology (0.3%) 17,350 Chiron Corp.*................................................................. 628,591 ----------- Broadcasting (0.7%) 38,180 Clear Channel Communications, Inc. ........................................... 1,246,195 ----------- Chemicals: Major Diversified (1.3%) 49,630 Bayer AG (ADR) (Germany)...................................................... 1,770,798 13,300 Dow Chemical Co. (The)........................................................ 637,735 ----------- 2,408,533 ----------- Computer Processing Hardware (0.5%) 39,670 Hewlett-Packard Co. .......................................................... 976,675 ----------- Department Stores (0.3%) 10,900 Kohl's Corp.*................................................................. 614,215 ----------- Discount Stores (0.8%) 5,520 Target Corp. ................................................................. 324,300 21,570 Wal-Mart Stores, Inc. ........................................................ 1,064,479 ----------- 1,388,779 ----------- Electric Utilities (1.4%) 15,170 American Electric Power Co., Inc. ............................................ 587,079 9,170 Entergy Corp. ................................................................ 714,710 10,050 Exelon Corp. ................................................................. 537,876 14,900 FirstEnergy Corp. ............................................................ 741,722 ----------- 2,581,387 ----------- </Table> 11 See Notes to Financial Statements Morgan Stanley Balanced Income Fund PORTFOLIO OF INVESTMENTS - JULY 31, 2005 (UNAUDITED) continued <Table> <Caption> NUMBER OF SHARES VALUE - -------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Finance/Rental/Leasing (0.7%) 17,270 Freddie Mac................................................................... $ 1,092,846 7,910 MBNA Corp. ................................................................... 199,016 ----------- 1,291,862 ----------- Financial Conglomerates (2.5%) 31,920 Citigroup, Inc. .............................................................. 1,388,520 51,246 JPMorgan Chase & Co. ......................................................... 1,800,784 11,190 Prudential Financial, Inc..................................................... 748,611 11,570 State Street Corp. ........................................................... 575,492 ----------- 4,513,407 ----------- Financial Publishing/Services (0.1%) 5,320 Equifax, Inc. ................................................................ 193,648 ----------- Food: Major Diversified (1.0%) 13,880 Kraft Foods Inc. (Class A).................................................... 424,034 21,170 Unilever N.V. (NY Registered Shares) (Netherlands)............................ 1,416,485 ----------- 1,840,519 ----------- Food: Specialty/Candy (0.3%) 15,480 Cadbury Schweppes PLC (ADR) (United Kingdom).................................. 598,147 ----------- Hotels/Resorts/Cruiselines (0.2%) 4,880 Marriott International, Inc. (Class A)........................................ 334,134 ----------- Household/Personal Care (0.3%) 9,140 Kimberly-Clark Corp. ......................................................... 582,766 ----------- Industrial Conglomerates (1.5%) 38,500 General Electric Co. ......................................................... 1,328,250 6,460 Ingersoll-Rand Co. Ltd. (Class A) (Bermuda)................................... 504,978 11,830 Siemens AG (ADR) (Germany).................................................... 910,555 ----------- 2,743,783 ----------- Industrial Machinery (0.1%) 2,510 Parker Hannifin Corp. ........................................................ 164,957 ----------- Integrated Oil (2.4%) 18,170 BP PLC (ADR) (United Kingdom)................................................. 1,197,040 19,070 ConocoPhillips................................................................ 1,193,591 </Table> 12 See Notes to Financial Statements Morgan Stanley Balanced Income Fund PORTFOLIO OF INVESTMENTS - JULY 31, 2005 (UNAUDITED) continued <Table> <Caption> NUMBER OF SHARES VALUE - -------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- 13,810 Exxon Mobil Corp. ............................................................ $ 811,338 18,300 Royal Dutch Shell PLC (ADR) (Class A) (United Kingdom)........................ 1,121,424 ----------- 4,323,393 ----------- Investment Banks/Brokers (2.0%) 3,200 Goldman Sachs Group Inc. (The)................................................ 343,936 9,950 Lehman Brothers Holdings Inc. ................................................ 1,046,043 23,890 Merrill Lynch & Co., Inc. .................................................... 1,404,254 60,460 Schwab (Charles) Corp. (The).................................................. 828,302 ----------- 3,622,535 ----------- Life/Health Insurance (0.1%) 16,050 Aegon N.V. (NY Registered Shares) (Netherlands)............................... 229,676 ----------- Major Banks (0.7%) 19,760 Bank of America Corp. ........................................................ 861,536 7,700 PNC Financial Services Group.................................................. 422,114 ----------- 1,283,650 ----------- Major Telecommunications (1.2%) 20,370 France Telecom S.A. (ADR) (France)............................................ 629,433 22,050 Sprint Corp. ................................................................. 593,145 28,280 Verizon Communications Inc. .................................................. 968,024 ----------- 2,190,602 ----------- Managed Health Care (0.6%) 10,210 CIGNA Corp. .................................................................. 1,089,918 ----------- Media Conglomerates (1.7%) 37,450 Disney (Walt) Co. (The)....................................................... 960,218 84,160 Time Warner, Inc. ............................................................ 1,432,403 21,040 Viacom Inc. (Class B) (Non-Voting)............................................ 704,630 ----------- 3,097,251 ----------- Medical Specialties (0.5%) 9,600 Applera Corp. - Applied Biosystems Group...................................... 199,872 9,260 Bausch & Lomb, Inc. .......................................................... 783,859 ----------- 983,731 ----------- Motor Vehicles (0.4%) 28,020 Honda Motor Co., Ltd. (ADR) (Japan)........................................... 722,075 ----------- </Table> 13 See Notes to Financial Statements Morgan Stanley Balanced Income Fund PORTFOLIO OF INVESTMENTS - JULY 31, 2005 (UNAUDITED) continued <Table> <Caption> NUMBER OF SHARES VALUE - -------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Multi-Line Insurance (0.3%) 6,700 Hartford Financial Services Group, Inc. (The)................................. $ 539,819 ----------- Oil Refining/Marketing (0.5%) 10,250 Valero Energy Corp. .......................................................... 848,495 ----------- Oilfield Services/Equipment (0.7%) 15,770 Schlumberger Ltd. (Netherlands Antilles)...................................... 1,320,580 ----------- Packaged Software (0.5%) 42,250 Symantec Corp.*............................................................... 928,233 ----------- Pharmaceuticals: Major (4.3%) 69,570 Bristol-Myers Squibb Co. ..................................................... 1,737,859 11,230 GlaxoSmithKline PLC (ADR) (United Kingdom).................................... 532,751 15,720 Lilly (Eli) & Co. ............................................................ 885,350 21,140 Roche Holdings Ltd. (ADR) (Switzerland)....................................... 1,449,147 19,300 Sanofi-Aventis (ADR) (France)................................................. 835,690 67,990 Schering-Plough Corp. ........................................................ 1,415,552 21,170 Wyeth......................................................................... 968,528 ----------- 7,824,877 ----------- Precious Metals (0.4%) 19,730 Newmont Mining Corp. ......................................................... 740,861 ----------- Property - Casualty Insurers (1.2%) 13,580 Chubb Corp. (The)............................................................. 1,206,176 24,344 St. Paul Travelers Companies, Inc. (The)...................................... 1,071,623 ----------- 2,277,799 ----------- Railroads (0.2%) 7,200 Norfolk Southern Corp. ....................................................... 267,912 ----------- Restaurants (0.2%) 11,100 McDonald's Corp. ............................................................. 345,987 ----------- </Table> 14 See Notes to Financial Statements Morgan Stanley Balanced Income Fund PORTFOLIO OF INVESTMENTS - JULY 31, 2005 (UNAUDITED) continued <Table> <Caption> NUMBER OF SHARES VALUE - -------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Semiconductors (0.8%) 31,290 Intel Corp. .................................................................. $ 849,211 52,490 Micron Technology, Inc.*...................................................... 623,581 ----------- 1,472,792 ----------- Telecommunication Equipment (0.6%) 51,840 Motorola, Inc. ............................................................... 1,097,971 ----------- Tobacco (0.3%) 9,330 Altria Group, Inc. ........................................................... 624,737 ----------- Wireless Telecommunications (0.4%) 19,860 Nextel Communications, Inc. (Class A)*........................................ 691,127 ----------- Total Common Stocks (Cost $47,366,706)........................................ 60,949,699 ----------- </Table> <Table> <Caption> PRINCIPAL AMOUNT IN COUPON MATURITY THOUSANDS RATE DATE - --------- ------ -------- Corporate Bonds (18.0%) Advertising/Marketing Services (0.1%) $ 230 WPP Finance Corp. (United Kingdom)........................ 5.875% 06/15/14 237,846 ------------ Aerospace & Defense (0.6%) 235 Northrop Grumman Corp. ................................... 4.079 11/16/06 233,347 235 Raytheon Co. ............................................. 8.30 03/01/10 267,824 509 Systems 2001 Asset Trust - 144A** (Cayman Islands)........ 6.664 09/15/13 544,912 ------------ 1,046,083 ------------ Air Freight/Couriers (0.1%) 225 Fedex Corp. .............................................. 2.65 04/01/07 218,523 ------------ Airlines (0.3%) 334 America West Airlines, Inc. (Series 01-1)................. 7.10 04/02/21 346,394 195 Southwest Airlines Co. (Series 01-1)...................... 5.496 11/01/06 197,438 ------------ 543,832 ------------ Beverages: Alcoholic (0.3%) 305 FBG Finance Ltd. - 144A** (Australia)..................... 5.125 06/15/15 300,253 320 Miller Brewing Co. - 144A**............................... 4.25 08/15/08 316,115 ------------ 616,368 ------------ </Table> 15 See Notes to Financial Statements Morgan Stanley Balanced Income Fund PORTFOLIO OF INVESTMENTS - JULY 31, 2005 (UNAUDITED) continued <Table> <Caption> PRINCIPAL AMOUNT IN COUPON MATURITY THOUSANDS RATE DATE VALUE - --------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Cable/Satellite TV (0.5%) $ 35 Comcast Cable Communications Inc. ........................ 6.75 % 01/30/11 $ 38,104 350 Comcast Corp. ............................................ 6.50 01/15/15 384,195 40 Comcast Corp. ............................................ 7.625 02/15/08 42,641 270 Cox Communications, Inc. ................................. 4.625 01/15/10 265,628 105 TCI Communications, Inc. ................................. 7.875 02/15/26 128,561 ------------ 859,129 ------------ Chemicals: Major Diversified (0.1%) 170 ICI Wilmington Inc. ...................................... 4.375 12/01/08 167,143 ------------ Containers/Packaging (0.2%) 355 Sealed Air Corp. - 144A**................................. 5.625 07/15/13 359,401 ------------ Department Stores (0.1%) 50 Federated Department Stores, Inc. ........................ 6.625 09/01/08 52,870 80 May Department Stores Co., Inc. .......................... 5.95 11/01/08 82,753 ------------ 135,623 ------------ Drugstore Chains (0.2%) 290 CVS Corp. ................................................ 5.625 03/15/06 292,359 62 CVS Corp. - 144A**........................................ 6.204 10/10/25 67,015 ------------ 359,374 ------------ Electric Utilities (2.0%) 305 Arizona Public Service Co. ............................... 5.80 06/30/14 321,031 75 Arizona Public Service Co. ............................... 6.75 11/15/06 77,084 265 Carolina Power & Light Co. ............................... 5.125 09/15/13 269,134 185 CC Funding Trust I........................................ 6.90 02/16/07 191,287 145 Cincinnati Gas & Electric Co. ............................ 5.70 09/15/12 151,988 155 Consolidated Natural Gas Co. ............................. 5.00 12/01/14 154,202 100 Consolidated Natural Gas Co. (Series A)................... 5.00 03/01/14 99,521 230 Consolidated Natural Gas Co. (Series C)................... 6.25 11/01/11 246,905 180 Consumers Energy Co. ..................................... 4.80 02/17/09 180,107 225 Detroit Edison Co. (The) - 144A**......................... 4.80 02/15/15 220,964 85 Detroit Edison Co. (The).................................. 6.125 10/01/10 90,403 130 Entergy Gulf States, Inc. ................................ 3.60 06/01/08 126,167 195 Entergy Gulf States, Inc. ................................ 3.73 ++ 12/01/09 195,661 165 Exelon Corp. ............................................. 6.75 05/01/11 180,288 385 FPL Group Capital Inc. ................................... 3.25 04/11/06 382,668 140 Pacific Gas & Electric Co. ............................... 6.05 03/01/34 150,620 70 Panhandle Eastern Pipe Line Co. (Series B)................ 2.75 03/15/07 68,008 220 Public Service Electric & Gas Co. (Series MTNB)........... 5.00 01/01/13 222,584 </Table> 16 See Notes to Financial Statements Morgan Stanley Balanced Income Fund PORTFOLIO OF INVESTMENTS - JULY 31, 2005 (UNAUDITED) continued <Table> <Caption> PRINCIPAL AMOUNT IN COUPON MATURITY THOUSANDS RATE DATE VALUE - --------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- $ 115 South Carolina Electric & Gas Co. ........................ 5.30 % 05/15/33 $ 115,507 155 Texas Eastern Transmission, LP............................ 7.00 07/15/32 184,386 120 Wisconsin Electric Power Co. ............................. 3.50 12/01/07 117,435 ------------ 3,745,950 ------------ Electrical Products (0.1%) 240 Cooper Industries Inc. ................................... 5.25 07/01/07 242,767 ------------ Electronics/Appliances (0.1%) 160 LG Electronics Inc. - 144A** (South Korea)................ 5.00 06/17/10 157,441 ------------ Finance/Rental/Leasing (1.6%) 240 CIT Group, Inc. .......................................... 2.875 09/29/06 236,100 105 CIT Group, Inc. .......................................... 7.375 04/02/07 109,905 425 Countrywide Home Loans, Inc. (Series MTN)................. 3.25 05/21/08 409,652 170 Ford Motor Credit Co. .................................... 7.375 10/28/09 169,774 375 MBNA Corp. ............................................... 3.64 ++ 05/05/08 378,394 305 MBNA Corp. ............................................... 6.125 03/01/13 326,891 405 Nationwide Building Society - 144A** (United Kingdom)..... 4.25 02/01/10 397,772 280 Residential Capital Corp. - 144A**........................ 6.375 06/30/10 284,797 225 SLM Corp. ................................................ 4.00 01/15/10 218,846 350 SLM Corp. (Series MTNA)................................... 5.00 10/01/13 352,261 ------------ 2,884,392 ------------ Financial Conglomerates (1.5%) 500 Associates Corp. of North America......................... 6.25 11/01/08 525,827 230 Bank One Corp. (Series MTNA).............................. 6.00 02/17/09 239,163 370 Chase Manhattan Corp. .................................... 6.00 02/15/09 386,610 80 Chase Manhattan Corp. .................................... 7.00 11/15/09 86,814 160 Citicorp.................................................. 6.75 08/15/05 160,166 185 Citigroup Inc. ........................................... 5.625 08/27/12 193,861 255 Citigroup Inc. ........................................... 5.75 05/10/06 258,080 125 Citigroup Inc. ........................................... 6.00 02/21/12 133,686 165 General Electric Capital Corp. ........................... 4.25 12/01/10 162,344 470 General Electric Capital Corp. (Series MTNA).............. 6.75 03/15/32 565,447 70 General Motors Acceptance Corp. .......................... 4.50 07/15/06 69,439 ------------ 2,781,437 ------------ </Table> 17 See Notes to Financial Statements Morgan Stanley Balanced Income Fund PORTFOLIO OF INVESTMENTS - JULY 31, 2005 (UNAUDITED) continued <Table> <Caption> PRINCIPAL AMOUNT IN COUPON MATURITY THOUSANDS RATE DATE VALUE - --------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Food: Major Diversified (0.2%) $ 80 General Mills Inc. ....................................... 3.875% 11/30/07 $ 78,820 115 Kraft Foods Inc. ......................................... 5.25 06/01/07 116,620 80 Kraft Foods Inc. ......................................... 5.625 11/01/11 83,649 ------------ 279,089 ------------ Forest Products (0.1%) 160 Weyerhaeuser Co. ......................................... 6.00 08/01/06 162,366 48 Weyerhaeuser Co. ......................................... 6.125 03/15/07 49,040 ------------ 211,406 ------------ Gas Distributors (0.4%) 195 NiSource Finance Corp. ................................... 3.854++ 11/23/09 195,981 295 Ras Laffan Liquid Natural Gas Co. Ltd. - 144A** (Qatar)... 8.294 03/15/14 346,630 180 Sempra Energy............................................. 4.621 05/17/07 180,017 ------------ 722,628 ------------ Home Furnishings (0.1%) 135 Mohawk Industries, Inc. (Series D)........................ 7.20 04/15/12 151,317 ------------ Hotels/Resorts/Cruiselines (0.5%) 305 Hyatt Equities LLC - 144A**............................... 6.875 06/15/07 312,547 505 Marriott International, Inc. (Series E)................... 7.00 01/15/08 531,730 ------------ 844,277 ------------ Household/Personal Care (0.2%) 350 Clorox Co. (The).......................................... 3.525++ 12/14/07 350,701 ------------ Industrial Conglomerates (0.3%) 155 Hutchison Whampoa International Ltd. - 144A** (Cayman Islands)................................................ 5.45 11/24/10 158,451 230 Hutchison Whampoa International Ltd. - 144A** (Cayman Islands)................................................ 6.50 02/13/13 245,857 200 Textron Financial Corp. .................................. 4.125 03/03/08 198,061 ------------ 602,369 ------------ Insurance Brokers/Services (0.6%) 670 Farmers Exchange Capital - 144A**......................... 7.05 07/15/28 705,753 480 Marsh & McLennan Companies, Inc. ......................... 5.375 07/15/14 464,758 ------------ 1,170,511 ------------ Investment Banks/Brokers (0.3%) 195 Goldman Sachs Group Inc. (The)............................ 5.25 10/15/13 198,129 345 Goldman Sachs Group Inc. (The)............................ 6.60 01/15/12 376,925 ------------ 575,054 ------------ </Table> 18 See Notes to Financial Statements Morgan Stanley Balanced Income Fund PORTFOLIO OF INVESTMENTS - JULY 31, 2005 (UNAUDITED) continued <Table> <Caption> PRINCIPAL AMOUNT IN COUPON MATURITY THOUSANDS RATE DATE VALUE - --------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Life/Health Insurance (0.1%) $ 135 John Hancock Financial Services, Inc. .................... 5.625% 12/01/08 $ 139,397 ------------ Major Banks (0.6%) 120 Bank of New York Co., Inc. (The).......................... 5.20 07/01/07 121,503 250 Bank of New York Co., Inc. (The) (Series BKNT)............ 3.80 02/01/08 246,181 290 FleetBoston Financial Corp. .............................. 7.25 09/15/05 291,122 225 HSBC Finance Corp. ....................................... 6.75 05/15/11 246,013 250 Huntington National Bank (Series BKNT).................... 4.375 01/15/10 246,798 ------------ 1,151,617 ------------ Major Telecommunications (0.9%) 320 Deutsche Telekom International Finance BV (Netherlands)... 8.75 06/15/30 429,370 315 France Telecom S.A. (France).............................. 8.75 03/01/31 435,154 95 Sprint Capital Corp. ..................................... 8.75 03/15/32 131,133 210 Telecom Italia Capital SpA (Luxembourg)................... 4.00 11/15/08 206,039 225 Telecom Italia Capital SpA - 144A** (Luxembourg).......... 4.00 01/15/10 217,326 300 Verizon New England Inc. ................................. 6.50 09/15/11 322,153 ------------ 1,741,175 ------------ Managed Health Care (0.5%) 515 Aetna, Inc. .............................................. 7.875 03/01/11 590,477 30 Anthem, Inc. ............................................. 6.80 08/01/12 33,166 345 WellPoint Health Networks Inc. ........................... 6.375 06/15/06 351,161 ------------ 974,804 ------------ Media Conglomerates (0.3%) 125 Historic TW Inc. ......................................... 6.625 05/15/29 137,531 115 News America Inc. ........................................ 7.28 06/30/28 132,139 90 News America Holdings, Inc. .............................. 7.75 02/01/24 106,337 40 Time Warner, Inc. ........................................ 7.625 04/15/31 49,442 90 Time Warner, Inc. ........................................ 7.70 05/01/32 112,806 ------------ 538,255 ------------ Motor Vehicles (0.1%) 190 DaimlerChrysler North American Holdings Co. .............. 8.50 01/18/31 244,261 ------------ Multi-Line Insurance (0.9%) 780 AIG Sun America Global Finance VI - 144A**................ 6.30 05/10/11 837,159 265 American General Finance Corp. (Series MTNF).............. 5.875 07/14/06 268,809 130 American General Finance Corp. (Series MTNH).............. 4.625 09/01/10 128,266 85 AXA Financial Inc. ....................................... 6.50 04/01/08 89,186 </Table> 19 See Notes to Financial Statements Morgan Stanley Balanced Income Fund PORTFOLIO OF INVESTMENTS - JULY 31, 2005 (UNAUDITED) continued <Table> <Caption> PRINCIPAL AMOUNT IN COUPON MATURITY THOUSANDS RATE DATE VALUE - --------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- $ 120 Hartford Financial Services Group, Inc. (The)............. 2.375% 06/01/06 $ 118,186 135 International Lease Finance Corp. ........................ 3.75 08/01/07 133,119 ------------ 1,574,725 ------------ Oil & Gas Production (0.8%) 125 Pemex Project Funding Master Trust........................ 7.375 12/15/14 138,438 390 Pemex Project Funding Master Trust........................ 8.00 11/15/11 440,895 515 Pemex Project Funding Master Trust........................ 8.625 02/01/22 626,498 220 Pemex Project Funding Master Trust........................ 9.125 10/13/10 257,290 ------------ 1,463,121 ------------ Other Metals/Minerals (0.1%) 235 Brascan Corp. (Canada).................................... 7.125 06/15/12 260,266 ------------ Property - Casualty Insurers (0.4%) 460 Mantis Reef Ltd. - 144A** (Australia)..................... 4.692 11/14/08 454,349 315 St. Paul Travelers........................................ 5.01 08/16/07 316,960 ------------ 771,309 ------------ Pulp & Paper (0.1%) 195 Sappi Papier Holding AG - 144A** (Austria)................ 6.75 06/15/12 202,459 ------------ Railroads (0.4%) 162 Burlington North Santa Fe Railway Co. .................... 4.575 01/15/21 159,048 175 Norfolk Southern Corp. ................................... 7.35 05/15/07 183,400 105 Union Pacific Corp. ...................................... 3.625 06/01/10 99,258 35 Union Pacific Corp. ...................................... 6.625 02/01/08 36,707 100 Union Pacific Corp. - 144A**.............................. 5.214 09/30/14 100,710 110 Union Pacific Corp. (Series MTNE)......................... 6.79 11/09/07 115,388 ------------ 694,511 ------------ Real Estate Development (0.5%) 414 World Financial Properties - 144A**....................... 6.91 09/01/13 442,151 408 World Financial Properties - 144A**....................... 6.95 09/01/13 435,328 ------------ 877,479 ------------ Real Estate Investment Trusts (0.2%) 30 EOP Operating L.P. ....................................... 4.75 03/15/14 29,128 245 EOP Operating L.P. ....................................... 6.763 06/15/07 253,968 ------------ 283,096 ------------ Regional Banks (0.3%) 510 Marshall & Ilsley Bank (Series BKNT)...................... 3.80 02/08/08 501,835 ------------ </Table> 20 See Notes to Financial Statements Morgan Stanley Balanced Income Fund PORTFOLIO OF INVESTMENTS - JULY 31, 2005 (UNAUDITED) continued <Table> <Caption> PRINCIPAL AMOUNT IN COUPON MATURITY THOUSANDS RATE DATE VALUE - --------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Savings Banks (0.7%) $ 195 Household Finance Corp. .................................. 4.125% 12/15/08 $ 191,870 220 Household Finance Corp. .................................. 5.875 02/01/09 228,146 105 Household Finance Corp. .................................. 6.375 10/15/11 112,680 230 Household Finance Corp. .................................. 6.40 06/17/08 241,300 100 Sovereign Bank (Series CD)................................ 4.00 02/01/08 98,885 195 Washington Mutual Bank.................................... 5.50 01/15/13 200,497 230 Washington Mutual Inc. ................................... 8.25 04/01/10 259,948 ------------ 1,333,326 ------------ Tobacco (0.2%) 265 Altria Group, Inc. ....................................... 7.00 11/04/13 290,865 125 Altria Group, Inc. ....................................... 7.75 01/15/27 146,175 ------------ 437,040 ------------ Trucks/Construction/Farm Machinery (0.3%) 425 Caterpillar Financial Services Corp. (Series MTNF)........ 3.35 ++ 08/20/07 425,795 70 Caterpillar Financial Services Corp. (Series MTNF)........ 3.625 11/15/07 68,641 ------------ 494,436 ------------ Wireless Telecommunications (0.1%) 135 AT&T Wireless Services, Inc. ............................. 8.75 03/01/31 187,079 ------------ Total Corporate Bonds (Cost $32,294,138)..................................... 33,132,852 ------------ Foreign Government Obligations (0.3%) 160 United Mexican States (Mexico)............................ 8.375 01/14/11 183,920 350 United Mexican States (Mexico) (Series MTN)............... 8.30 08/15/31 433,475 ------------ Total Foreign Government Obligations (Cost $587,300)......................... 617,395 ------------ U.S. Government Agencies & Obligations (34.4%) 1,300 Federal Home Loan Mortgage Corp. ......................... 5.125 11/07/13 1,302,739 3,135 Federal National Mortgage Assoc. +........................ 4.25 08/15/10 3,110,911 U.S. Treasury Bonds 510 .......................................................... 6.125 08/15/29 628,576 7,700 .......................................................... 7.625 02/15/25 10,736,687 7,100 .......................................................... 8.125 08/15/19 - 9,976,790 08/15/21 U.S. Treasury Notes 1,750 .......................................................... 1.875 01/31/06 1,735,235 3,940 .......................................................... 3.875 02/15/13 3,855,814 25,500 .......................................................... 4.250 08/15/13 25,539,856 </Table> 21 See Notes to Financial Statements Morgan Stanley Balanced Income Fund PORTFOLIO OF INVESTMENTS - JULY 31, 2005 (UNAUDITED) continued <Table> <Caption> PRINCIPAL AMOUNT IN COUPON MATURITY THOUSANDS RATE DATE VALUE - --------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- U.S. Treasury Strips $ 4,190 .......................................................... 0.00 % 08/15/20 $ 2,114,349 10,605 .......................................................... 0.00 02/15/25 - 4,263,509 02/15/27 Total U.S. Government Agencies & Obligations (Cost $60,636,552).............. 63,264,466 ------------ Mortgage-Backed Securities (1.9%) Federal Home Loan Mortgage Corp. Gold 192 .......................................................... 6.50 01/01/31 198,841 474 .......................................................... 7.50 10/01/29 - 506,119 08/01/32 Federal National Mortgage Assoc. 1,038 .......................................................... 6.50 03/01/32 - 1,074,630 06/01/33 267 .......................................................... 7.00 07/01/11 - 280,511 05/01/32 609 .......................................................... 7.50 08/01/23 - 649,338 07/01/32 637 .......................................................... 8.00 05/01/24 - 684,180 08/01/31 Government National Mortgage Assoc. 114 .......................................................... 7.50 08/15/25 - 122,296 10/15/26 69 .......................................................... 8.00 07/15/26 74,624 ------------ Total Mortgage-Backed Securities (Cost $3,541,326)........................... 3,590,539 ------------ Asset-Backed Securities (9.2%) Finance/Rental/Leasing 700 American Express Credit Account Master Trust 2002-3 A..... 3.498++ 12/15/09 701,643 1,275 American Express Credit Account Master Trust 2003-3 A..... 3.498++ 11/15/10 1,278,682 59 Asset Backed Funding Certificates 2004-HE1 A1............. 3.59 ++ 06/25/22 58,974 725 Banc of America Securities Auto Trust 2005-WF1 A3......... 3.99 08/18/09 720,517 425 Capital Auto Receivables Asset Trust 2004-2 A............. 3.35 02/15/08 419,644 725 Capital Auto Receivables Asset Trust 2005-1 A4............ 4.05 07/15/09 721,548 650 Caterpillar Financial Asset Trust 2005-A A3............... 3.90 02/25/09 645,400 315 Chase Credit Card Master Trust 2001-4 A................... 5.50 11/17/08 319,148 300 CIT Equipment Collateral 2004-EF1 A3...................... 3.50 09/20/08 295,605 300 Citibank Credit Card Issuance Trust 2000-A1 A1............ 6.90 10/15/07 302,082 475 CNH Equipment Trust 2005-A A3............................. 4.02 04/15/09 472,382 575 Daimler Chrysler Auto Trust 2005-B A3..................... 4.04 09/08/09 572,326 475 Ford Credit Auto Owner Trust 2005-B A3.................... 4.17 01/15/09 473,866 550 GE Dealer Floorplan Master Note Trust 2004-1 A............ 3.48 ++ 07/20/08 550,287 </Table> 22 See Notes to Financial Statements Morgan Stanley Balanced Income Fund PORTFOLIO OF INVESTMENTS - JULY 31, 2005 (UNAUDITED) continued <Table> <Caption> PRINCIPAL AMOUNT IN COUPON MATURITY THOUSANDS RATE DATE VALUE - --------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- $ 900 Harley-Davidson Motorcycle Trust 2005-1 A2................ 3.76 % 12/17/12 $ 887,407 525 Harley-Davidson Motorcycle Trust 2005-2 A2................ 4.07 02/15/12 520,652 400 Honda Auto Receivables Owner Trust 2005-2 A3.............. 3.93 01/15/09 397,455 650 Honda Auto Receivables Owner Trust 2005-3 A3.............. 3.87 04/20/09 644,386 450 Hyundai Auto Receivables Trust 2005-A A3.................. 3.98 11/16/09 446,621 140 MBNA Master Credit Card Trust 1999-B A.................... 5.90 08/15/11 146,866 800 Merrill Auto Trust Securitization 2005-1 A3............... 4.10 08/25/09 796,010 575 National City Auto Receivables Trust 2004-A A4............ 2.88 05/15/11 558,000 825 Nissan Auto Receivables Owner Trust 2005-B A3............. 3.99 07/15/09 820,404 175 TXU Electric Delivery Transition Bond Co. LLC 2004-1A2.... 4.81 11/17/14 175,821 950 USAA Auto Owner Trust 2004-2 A-4.......................... 3.58 02/15/11 935,531 900 USAA Auto Owner Trust 2004-3 A3........................... 3.16 02/17/09 887,863 575 USAA Auto Owner Trust 2005-1 A3........................... 3.90 07/15/09 571,224 500 Volkswagen Auto Lease Trust 2005-A A3..................... 3.82 05/20/08 497,129 325 Wachovia Auto Owner Trust 2004-B A3....................... 2.91 04/20/09 320,071 400 Wachovia Auto Owner Trust 2005-A A3....................... 4.06 09/21/09 398,101 300 World Omni Auto Receivables Trust 2004-A A3............... 3.29 11/12/08 296,770 ------------ Total Asset-Backed Securities (Cost $16,926,527)............................. 16,832,415 ------------ Collateralized Mortgage Obligation (0.2%) 2000 Federal National Mortgage Assoc. 2005 - 68 XI (IO) (Cost $300,000)............................................... 6.00 08/25/35 345,000 ------------ Short-Term Investments (3.4%) U.S. Government Obligation (a) (0.2%) 400 U.S. Treasury Bill*** (Cost $393,896)..................... 3.35 07/14/05 393,896 ------------ Repurchase Agreement (3.2%) 5,822 Joint repurchase agreement account (dated 07/29/05; proceeds $5,823,596) (b) (Cost $5,822,000).............. 3.29 08/01/05 5,822,000 ------------ Total Short-Term Investments (Cost $6,215,896)....................... 6,215,896 ------------ Total Investments (Cost $167,868,445) (c)(d)......................... 100.6% 184,948,262 Liabilities in Excess of Other Assets................................ (0.6) (1,130,075) ----- ------------ Net Assets........................................................... 100.0% $183,818,187 ===== ============ </Table> 23 See Notes to Financial Statements Morgan Stanley Balanced Income Fund PORTFOLIO OF INVESTMENTS - JULY 31, 2005 (UNAUDITED) continued - --------------------- <Table> ADR American Depositary Receipt. IO Interest-Only security. * Non-income producing security. ** Resale is restricted to qualified institutional investors. *** All or a portion of this security has been physically segregated in connection with open futures contracts in an amount equal to $199,750. + Security purchased on a forward commitment basis. ++ Floating rate security, rate shown is the rate in effect at July 31, 2005. (a) Purchased on a discount basis. The interest rates shown have been adjusted to reflect a money market equivalent yield. (b) Collateralized by federal agency and U.S. Treasury obligations. (c) Securities have been designated as collateral in an amount equal to $39,290,516, in connection with securities purchased on a forward commitment basis and open futures contracts. (d) The aggregate cost for federal income tax purposes approximates the aggregate cost for book purposes. The aggregate gross unrealized appreciation is $18,308,143 and the aggregate gross unrealized depreciation is $1,228,326, resulting in net unrealized appreciation of $17,079,817. </Table> FUTURES CONTRACTS OPEN AT JULY 31, 2005: <Table> <Caption> UNREALIZED NUMBER OF DESCRIPTION, DELIVERY UNDERLYING FACE APPRECIATION CONTRACTS LONG/SHORT MONTH AND YEAR AMOUNT AT VALUE (DEPRECIATION) - --------- ---------- ---------------------- ------------------------ -------------- 26 Long U.S. Treasury Notes $ 2,885,594 $(53,509) 10 Year September 2005 36 Short U.S. Treasury Notes (7,433,438) 64,932 2 Year September 2005 107 Short U.S. Treasury Notes (11,470,735) 179,640 5 Year September 2005 122 Short U.S. Treasury Bonds (14,068,125) 208,062 20 Year September 2005 -------- Net unrealized appreciation..................... $399,125 ======== </Table> 24 See Notes to Financial Statements Morgan Stanley Balanced Income Fund FINANCIAL STATEMENTS Statement of Assets and Liabilities July 31, 2005 (unaudited) <Table> Assets: Investments in securities, at value (cost $167,868,445)..... $184,948,262 Receivable for: Interest................................................ 1,700,129 Investments sold........................................ 652,310 Variation margin........................................ 158,619 Dividends............................................... 74,025 Shares of beneficial interest sold...................... 66,854 Prepaid expenses and other assets........................... 90,781 ------------ Total Assets............................................ 187,690,980 ------------ Liabilities: Payable for: Investments purchased................................... 3,302,244 Shares of beneficial interest redeemed.................. 282,222 Distribution fee........................................ 142,711 Investment advisory fee................................. 81,648 Administration fee...................................... 12,561 Accrued expenses and other payables......................... 51,407 ------------ Total Liabilities....................................... 3,872,793 ------------ Net Assets.............................................. $183,818,187 ============ Composition of Net Assets: Paid-in-capital............................................. $162,982,066 Net unrealized appreciation................................. 17,478,942 Accumulated undistributed net investment income............. 626,757 Accumulated undistributed net realized gain................. 2,730,422 ------------ Net Assets.............................................. $183,818,187 ============ Class A Shares: Net Assets.................................................. $21,431,308 Shares Outstanding (unlimited authorized, $.01 par value)... 1,617,845 Net Asset Value Per Share............................... $13.25 ============ Maximum Offering Price Per Share, (net asset value plus 5.54% of net asset value)......... $13.98 ============ Class B Shares: Net Assets.................................................. $118,388,056 Shares Outstanding (unlimited authorized, $.01 par value)... 8,973,710 Net Asset Value Per Share............................... $13.19 ============ Class C Shares: Net Assets.................................................. $42,689,234 Shares Outstanding (unlimited authorized, $.01 par value)... 3,231,664 Net Asset Value Per Share............................... $13.21 ============ Class D Shares: Net Assets.................................................. $1,309,589 Shares Outstanding (unlimited authorized, $.01 par value)... 99,116 Net Asset Value Per Share............................... $13.21 ============ </Table> 25 See Notes to Financial Statements Morgan Stanley Balanced Income Fund FINANCIAL STATEMENTS continued Statement of Operations For the six months ended July 31, 2005 (unaudited) <Table> Net Investment Income: Income Interest.................................................... $ 2,757,579 Dividends (net of $28,889 foreign withholding tax).......... 699,917 ----------- Total Income............................................ 3,457,496 ----------- Expenses Distribution fee (Class A shares)........................... 18,415 Distribution fee (Class B shares)........................... 647,531 Distribution fee (Class C shares)........................... 212,874 Investment advisory fee..................................... 489,933 Transfer agent fees and expenses............................ 127,861 Administration fee.......................................... 75,374 Registration fees........................................... 38,100 Professional fees........................................... 35,244 Shareholder reports and notices............................. 34,382 Custodian fees.............................................. 23,125 Trustees' fees and expenses................................. 1,132 Other....................................................... 14,795 ----------- Total Expenses.......................................... 1,718,766 ----------- Net Investment Income................................... 1,738,730 ----------- Net Realized and Unrealized Gain (Loss): Net Realized Gain (Loss) on: Investments................................................. 6,379,628 Futures contracts........................................... (1,443,217) ----------- Net Realized Gain....................................... 4,936,411 ----------- Net Change in Unrealized Appreciation/Depreciation on: Investments................................................. (1,907,124) Futures contracts........................................... 1,057,440 ----------- Net Depreciation........................................ (849,684) ----------- Net Gain................................................ 4,086,727 ----------- Net Increase................................................ $ 5,825,457 =========== </Table> 26 See Notes to Financial Statements Morgan Stanley Balanced Income Fund FINANCIAL STATEMENTS continued Statement of Changes in Net Assets <Table> <Caption> FOR THE SIX FOR THE YEAR MONTHS ENDED ENDED JULY 31, 2005 JANUARY 31, 2005 ------------- ---------------- (unaudited) Increase (Decrease) in Net Assets: Operations: Net investment income....................................... $ 1,738,730 $ 3,543,356 Net realized gain........................................... 4,936,411 8,383,257 Net change in unrealized appreciation/depreciation.......... (849,684) (2,483,279) ------------ ------------ Net Increase............................................ 5,825,457 9,443,334 ------------ ------------ Dividends and Distributions to Shareholders from: Net investment income Class A shares.......................................... (84,010) (238,355) Class B shares.......................................... (544,067) (3,326,493) Class C shares.......................................... (203,250) (935,448) Class D shares.......................................... (14,947) (66,324) Net realized gain Class A shares.......................................... (126,897) -- Class B shares.......................................... (749,156) -- Class C shares.......................................... (264,158) -- Class D shares.......................................... (7,680) -- ------------ ------------ Total Dividends and Distributions....................... (1,994,165) (4,566,620) ------------ ------------ Net decrease from transactions in shares of beneficial interest.................................................. (18,722,360) (28,746,960) ------------ ------------ Net Decrease............................................ (14,891,068) (23,870,246) Net Assets: Beginning of period......................................... 198,709,255 222,579,501 ------------ ------------ End of Period (Including accumulated undistributed net investment income of $626,757 and dividends in excess of net investment income of $265,699, respectively).................................. $183,818,187 $198,709,255 ============ ============ </Table> 27 See Notes to Financial Statements Morgan Stanley Balanced Income Fund NOTES TO FINANCIAL STATEMENTS - JULY 31, 2005 (UNAUDITED) 1. Organization and Accounting Policies Morgan Stanley Balanced Income Fund (the "Fund") is registered under the Investment Company Act of 1940, as amended (the "Act"), as a diversified, open-end management investment company. The Fund's investment objective is to provide current income and moderate capital growth. The Fund was organized as a Massachusetts business trust on November 23, 1994 and commenced operations on March 28, 1995. On July 28, 1997, the Fund converted to a multiple class share structure. The Fund offers Class A shares, Class B shares, Class C shares and Class D shares. The four classes are substantially the same except that most Class A shares are subject to a sales charge imposed at the time of purchase and some Class A shares, and most Class B shares and Class C shares are subject to a contingent deferred sales charge imposed on shares redeemed within eighteen months, six years and one year, respectively. Class D shares are not subject to a sales charge. Additionally, Class A shares, Class B shares and Class C shares incur distribution expenses. Effective August 29, 2005, the Board of Trustees of the Fund approved the implementation of a 2% redemption fee on Class A shares, Class B shares, Class C shares, and Class D shares, which is paid directly to the Fund, for shares redeemed within seven days of purchase. The redemption fee is designed to protect the Fund and its remaining shareholders from the effects of short-term trading. The following is a summary of significant accounting policies: A. Valuation of Investments -- (1) an equity portfolio security listed or traded on the New York Stock Exchange ("NYSE") or American Stock Exchange or other exchange is valued at its latest sale price prior to the time when assets are valued; if there were no sales that day, the security is valued at the mean between the last reported bid and asked price; (2) an equity portfolio security listed or traded on the Nasdaq is valued at the Nasdaq Official Closing Price; if there were no sales that day, the security is valued at the mean between the last reported bid and asked price; (3) all other portfolio securities for which over-the-counter market quotations are readily available are valued at the mean between the last reported bid and asked price. In cases where a security is traded on more than one exchange, the security is valued on the exchange designated as the primary market; (4) for equity securities traded on foreign exchanges, the last reported sale price or the latest bid price may be used if there were no sales on a particular day; (5) futures are valued at the latest price published by the commodities exchange on which they trade; (6) when market quotations are not readily available or Morgan Stanley Investment Advisors Inc. (the "Investment Adviser") determines that the latest sale price, the bid price or the mean between the last reported bid and asked price do not reflect a security's market value, portfolio securities are valued at their fair value as determined in good faith under procedures established by and under the general supervision of 28 Morgan Stanley Balanced Income Fund NOTES TO FINANCIAL STATEMENTS - JULY 31, 2005 (UNAUDITED) continued the Fund's Trustees. Occasionally, developments affecting the closing prices of securities and other assets may occur between the times at which valuations of such securities are determined (that is, close of the foreign market on which the securities trade) and the close of business on the NYSE. If developments occur during such periods that are expected to materially affect the value of such securities, such valuations may be adjusted to reflect the estimated fair value of such securities as of the close of the NYSE, as determined in good faith by the Fund's Trustees or by the Investment Adviser using a pricing service and/or procedures approved by the Trustees of the Fund; (7) certain portfolio securities may be valued by an outside pricing service approved by the Fund's Trustees; and (8) short-term debt securities having a maturity date of more than sixty days at time of purchase are valued on a mark-to-market basis until sixty days prior to maturity and thereafter at amortized cost based on their value on the 61st day. Short-term debt securities having a maturity date of sixty days or less at the time of purchase are valued at amortized cost. B. Accounting for Investments -- Security transactions are accounted for on the trade date (date the order to buy or sell is executed). Realized gains and losses on security transactions are determined by the identified cost method. Dividend income and other distributions are recorded on the ex-dividend date. Discounts are accreted and premiums are amortized over the life of the respective securities. Interest income is accrued daily. C. Repurchase Agreements -- Pursuant to an Exemptive Order issued by the Securities and Exchange Commission, the Fund, along with other affiliated entities managed by the Investment Adviser, may transfer uninvested cash balances into one or more joint repurchase agreement accounts. These balances are invested in one or more repurchase agreements and are collateralized by cash, U.S. Treasury or federal agency obligations. The Fund may also invest directly with institutions in repurchase agreements. The Fund's custodian receives the collateral, which is marked-to-market daily to determine that the value of the collateral does not decrease below the repurchase price plus accrued interest. D. Multiple Class Allocations -- Investment income, expenses (other than distribution fees), and realized and unrealized gains and losses are allocated to each class of shares based upon the relative net asset value on the date such items are recognized. Distribution fees are charged directly to the respective class. E. Futures Contracts -- A futures contract is an agreement between two parties to buy and sell financial instruments or contracts based on financial indices at a set price on a future date. Upon entering into such a contract, the Fund is required to pledge to the broker cash, U.S. Government securities or other liquid portfolio securities equal to the minimum initial margin requirements of the applicable futures exchange. Pursuant to the contract, the Fund agrees to receive from or pay to the 29 Morgan Stanley Balanced Income Fund NOTES TO FINANCIAL STATEMENTS - JULY 31, 2005 (UNAUDITED) continued broker an amount of cash equal to the daily fluctuation in the value of the contract. Such receipts or payments known as variation margin are recorded by the Fund as unrealized gains and losses. Upon closing of the contract, the Fund realizes a gain or loss equal to the difference between the value of the contract at the time it was opened and the value at the time it was closed. F. Federal Income Tax Policy -- It is the Fund's policy to comply with the requirements of the Internal Revenue Code applicable to regulated investment companies and to distribute substantially all of its taxable income to its shareholders. Accordingly, no federal income tax provision is required. G. Dividends and Distributions to Shareholders -- Dividends and distributions to shareholders are recorded on the ex-dividend date. H. Use of Estimates -- The preparation of financial statements in accordance with generally accepted accounting principles requires management to make estimates and assumptions that affect the reported amounts and disclosures. Actual results could differ from those estimates. 2. Investment Advisory/Administration Agreements Pursuant to an Investment Advisory Agreement with the Investment Adviser, the Fund pays the Investment Adviser an advisory fee, accrued daily and payable monthly, by applying the annual rate of 0.52% to the portion of the daily net assets not exceeding $500 million and 0.495% to the portion of the daily net assets in excess of $500 million. Pursuant to an Administration Agreement with Morgan Stanley Services Company Inc. (the "Administrator"), an affiliate of the Investment Adviser, the Fund pays an administration fee, accrued daily and payable monthly, by applying the annual rate of 0.08% to the Fund's daily net assets. 3. Plan of Distribution Shares of the Fund are distributed by Morgan Stanley Distributors Inc. (the "Distributor"), an affiliate of the Investment Adviser and Administrator. The Fund has adopted a Plan of Distribution (the "Plan") pursuant to Rule 12b-1 under the Act. The Plan provides that the Fund will pay the Distributor a fee which is accrued daily and paid monthly at the following annual rates: (i) Class A -- up to 0.25% of the average daily net assets of Class A; (ii) Class B -- up to 1.0% of the average daily net assets of Class B; and (iii) Class C -- up to 1.0% of the average daily net assets of Class C. In the case of Class B shares, provided that the Plan continues in effect, any cumulative expenses incurred by the Distributor but not yet recovered may be recovered through the payment of future distribution fees from the Fund pursuant to the Plan and contingent deferred sales charges paid by investors upon redemption of Class B shares. Although there is no legal obligation for the Fund to 30 Morgan Stanley Balanced Income Fund NOTES TO FINANCIAL STATEMENTS - JULY 31, 2005 (UNAUDITED) continued pay expenses incurred in excess of payments made to the Distributor under the Plan and the proceeds of contingent deferred sales charges paid by investors upon redemption of shares, if for any reason the Plan is terminated, the Trustees will consider at that time the manner in which to treat such expenses. The Distributor has advised the Fund that such excess amounts totaled $6,642,327 at July 31, 2005. In the case of Class A shares and Class C shares, expenses incurred pursuant to the Plan in any calendar year in excess of 0.25% or 1.0% of the average daily net assets of Class A or Class C, respectively, will not be reimbursed by the Fund through payments in any subsequent year, except that expenses representing a gross sales credit to Morgan Stanley Financial Advisors or other selected broker-dealer representatives may be reimbursed in the subsequent calendar year. For the six months ended July 31, 2005, the distribution fee was accrued for Class A shares and Class C shares at the annual rate of 0.25% and 1.0%, respectively. The Distributor has informed the Fund that for the six months ended July 31, 2005, it received contingent deferred sales charges from certain redemptions of the Fund's Class B shares and Class C shares of $100,311 and $2,561, respectively and received $34,539 in front-end sales charges from sales of the Fund's Class A shares. The respective shareholders pay such charges which are not an expense of the Fund. 4. Security Transactions and Transactions with Affiliates The cost of purchases and proceeds from sales/prepayments of portfolio securities, excluding short-term investments, for the six months ended July 31, 2005, aggregated $81,076,073 and $97,079,006, respectively. Included in the aforementioned are purchases and sales/prepayments of U.S. Government securities of $54,117,784 and $65,293,871 respectively. Morgan Stanley Trust, an affiliate of the Investment Adviser, Administrator and Distributor, is the Fund's transfer agent. At July 31, 2005, the Fund had transfer agent fees and expenses payable of approximately $3,200. The Fund has an unfunded Deferred Compensation Plan (the "Compensation Plan") which allows each independent Trustee to defer payment of all, or a portion, of the fees he receives for serving on the Board of Trustees. Each eligible Trustee generally may elect to have the deferred amounts credited with a return equal to the total return on one or more of the Morgan Stanley funds that are offered as investment options under the Compensation Plan. Appreciation/depreciation and distributions received from these investments are recorded with an offsetting increase/decrease in the deferred compensation obligation and do not affect the net asset value of the Fund. 31 Morgan Stanley Balanced Income Fund NOTES TO FINANCIAL STATEMENTS - JULY 31, 2005 (UNAUDITED) continued 5. Shares of Beneficial Interest Transactions in shares of beneficial interest were as follows: <Table> <Caption> FOR THE SIX FOR THE YEAR MONTHS ENDED ENDED JULY 31, 2005 JANUARY 31, 2005 ------------------------- ------------------------- (unaudited) SHARES AMOUNT SHARES AMOUNT ---------- ------------ ---------- ------------ CLASS A SHARES Sold.............................................. 109,795 $ 1,438,529 317,691 $ 3,989,301 Conversion from Class B........................... 1,134,150 14,717,231 -- -- Reinvestment of dividends and distributions....... 11,858 155,484 13,948 177,229 Redeemed.......................................... (287,681) (3,775,079) (259,961) (3,278,960) ---------- ------------ ---------- ------------ Net increase - Class A............................ 968,122 12,536,165 71,678 887,570 ---------- ------------ ---------- ------------ CLASS B SHARES Sold.............................................. 549,509 7,151,944 2,120,892 26,772,710 Conversion to Class A............................. (1,138,594) (14,717,231) -- -- Reinvestment of dividends and distributions....... 71,039 922,613 185,091 2,343,526 Redeemed.......................................... (1,730,989 (22,543,214) (4,500,852) (56,690,252) ---------- ------------ ---------- ------------ Net decrease - Class B............................ (2,249,035) (29,185,888) (2,194,869) (27,574,016) ---------- ------------ ---------- ------------ CLASS C SHARES Sold.............................................. 188,797 2,462,832 491,664 6,201,714 Reinvestment of dividends and distributions....... 27,498 357,577 55,409 702,690 Redeemed.......................................... (327,788) (4,273,047) (617,049) (7,782,752) ---------- ------------ ---------- ------------ Net decrease - Class C............................ (111,493) (1,452,638) (69,976) (878,348) ---------- ------------ ---------- ------------ CLASS D SHARES Sold.............................................. 15,403 201,773 24,387 310,527 Reinvestment of dividends and distributions....... 1,192 15,441 3,852 48,712 Redeemed.......................................... (63,853) (837,213) (122,109) (1,541,405) ---------- ------------ ---------- ------------ Net decrease - Class D............................ (47,258) (619,999) (93,870) (1,182,166) ---------- ------------ ---------- ------------ Net decrease in Fund.............................. (1,439,664) $(18,722,360) (2,287,037) $(28,746,960) ========== ============ ========== ============ </Table> 6. Federal Income Tax Status The amount of dividends and distributions from net investment income and net realized capital gains are determined in accordance with federal income tax regulations which may differ from generally accepted accounting principles. These "book/tax" differences are either considered temporary or permanent in nature. To the extent these differences are permanent in nature, such amounts are reclassified within the capital accounts based on their federal tax-basis treatment; temporary differences do not require reclassification. Dividends and distributions which exceed net investment income and net realized capital gains for tax purposes are reported as distributions of paid-in-capital. 32 Morgan Stanley Balanced Income Fund NOTES TO FINANCIAL STATEMENTS - JULY 31, 2005 (UNAUDITED) continued The Investment Adviser has determined that a portion of the ordinary income dividends paid in June will be recharacterized as additional long-term capital gain distributions. This change is reflected throughout these financial statements. As of January 31, 2005, the Fund had temporary book/tax differences primarily attributable to capital loss deferrals on wash sales, mark-to-market of open futures contracts, capital loss deferrals on straddles and book amortization of premiums on debt securities. 7. Purposes of and Risks Relating to Certain Financial Instruments The Fund may invest in futures with respect to financial instruments and interest rate indexes ("futures contracts"). These future contracts involve elements of market risk in excess of the amount reflected in the Statement of Assets and Liabilities. The Fund bears the risk of an unfavorable change in the value of the underlying securities. Risk may also rise from the potential inability of counterparties to meet the terms of their contracts. 8. Legal Matters The Investment Adviser, certain affiliates of the Investment Adviser, certain officers of such affiliates and certain investment companies advised by the Investment Adviser or its affiliates, including the Fund, are named as defendants in a consolidated class action. This consolidated action also names as defendants certain individual Trustees and Directors of the Morgan Stanley funds. The consolidated amended complaint, filed in the United States District Court Southern District of New York on April 16, 2004, generally alleges that defendants, including the Fund, violated their statutory disclosure obligations and fiduciary duties by failing properly to disclose (i) that the Investment Adviser and certain affiliates of the Investment Adviser allegedly offered economic incentives to brokers and others to recommend the funds advised by the Investment Adviser or its affiliates to investors rather than funds managed by other companies, and (ii) that the funds advised by the Investment Adviser or its affiliates, including the Fund, allegedly paid excessive commissions to brokers in return for their efforts to recommend these funds to investors. The complaint seeks, among other things, unspecified compensatory damages, rescissionary damages, fees and costs. The defendants have moved to dismiss the action and intend to otherwise vigorously defend it. On March 10, 2005, Plaintiffs sought leave to supplement their complaint to assert claims on behalf of other investors. While the Fund and Adviser believe that each has meritorious defenses, the ultimate outcome of this matter is not presently determinable at this early stage of the litigation, and no provision has been made in the Fund's financial statements for the effect, if any, of this matter. 33 Morgan Stanley Balanced Income Fund FINANCIAL HIGHLIGHTS Selected ratios and per share data for a share of beneficial interest outstanding throughout each period: <Table> <Caption> FOR THE SIX FOR THE YEAR ENDED JANUARY 31, MONTHS ENDED ------------------------------------------------------------------ JULY 31, 2005 2005 2004 2003 2002 2001 ------------- ------ ------ ------ ------ ------ (unaudited) Class A Shares: Selected Per Share Data: Net asset value, beginning of period............................... $12.98 $12.66 $11.45 $12.35 $12.42 $11.80 ------ ------ ------ ------ ------ ------ Income (loss) from investment operations: Net investment income++........... 0.17 0.30 0.26 0.33 0.43 0.47 Net realized and unrealized gain (loss)............................ 0.28 0.39 1.28 (0.84) (0.06) 0.94 ------ ------ ------ ------ ------ ------ Total income (loss) from investment operations........................... 0.45 0.69 1.54 (0.51) 0.37 1.41 ------ ------ ------ ------ ------ ------ Less dividends and distributions from: Net investment income............. (0.10) (0.37) (0.33) (0.39) (0.44) (0.47) Net realized gain................. (0.08) -- -- -- -- (0.32) ------ ------ ------ ------ ------ ------ Total dividends and distributions..... (0.18) (0.37) (0.33) (0.39) (0.44) (0.79) ------ ------ ------ ------ ------ ------ Net asset value, end of period........ $13.25 $12.98 $12.66 $11.45 $12.35 $12.42 ====== ====== ====== ====== ====== ====== Total Return+......................... 3.53%(1) 5.55% 13.65% (4.19)% 3.13% 12.66% Ratios to Average Net Assets(3): Expenses.............................. 1.14%(2) 1.08% 1.09% 1.08% 1.16% 1.20% Net investment income................. 2.53%(2) 2.39% 2.15% 2.79% 3.44% 3.97% Supplemental Data: Net assets, end of period, in thousands............................ $21,431 $8,434 $7,318 $3,125 $2,216 $2,043 Portfolio turnover rate............... 43%(1) 89% 174% 173% 99% 21% </Table> - --------------------- <Table> ++ The per share amounts were computed using an average number of shares outstanding during the period. + Does not reflect the deduction of sales charge. Calculated based on the net asset value as of the last business day of the period. (1) Not annualized. (2) Annualized. (3) Reflects overall Fund ratios for investment income and non-class specific expenses. </Table> 34 See Notes to Financial Statements Morgan Stanley Balanced Income Fund FINANCIAL HIGHLIGHTS continued <Table> <Caption> FOR THE SIX FOR THE YEAR ENDED JANUARY 31, MONTHS ENDED --------------------------------------------------- JULY 31, 2005 2005 2004 2003 2002 2001 ------------- -------- -------- -------- -------- ------- (unaudited) Class B Shares: Selected Per Share Data: Net asset value, beginning of period........ $12.93 $12.61 $11.40 $12.31 $12.39 $11.77 ------ ------ ------ ------ ------ ------ Income (loss) from investment operations: Net investment income++................. 0.12 0.20 0.17 0.24 0.34 0.37 Net realized and unrealized gain (loss).................................. 0.27 0.39 1.28 (0.85) (0.07) 0.95 ------ ------ ------ ------ ------ ------ Total income (loss) from investment operations................................. 0.39 0.59 1.45 (0.61) 0.27 1.32 ------ ------ ------ ------ ------ ------ Less dividends and distributions from: Net investment income................... (0.05) (0.27) (0.24) (0.30) (0.35) (0.38) Net realized gain....................... (0.08) -- -- -- -- (0.32) ------ ------ ------ ------ ------ ------ Total dividends and distributions........... (0.13) (0.27) (0.24) (0.30) (0.35) (0.70) ------ ------ ------ ------ ------ ------ Net asset value, end of period.............. $13.19 $12.93 $12.61 $11.40 $12.31 $12.39 ====== ====== ====== ====== ====== ====== Total Return+............................... 3.05%(1) 4.83% 12.77% (4.98)% 2.32% 11.82% Ratios to Average Net Assets(3): Expenses.................................... 1.89%(2) 1.84% 1.86% 1.84% 1.91% 2.00% Net investment income....................... 1.78%(2) 1.63% 1.38% 2.03% 2.68% 3.17% Supplemental Data: Net assets, end of period, in thousands..... $118,388 $145,072 $169,135 $135,146 $101,957 $45,803 Portfolio turnover rate..................... 43%(1) 89% 174% 173% 99% 21% </Table> - --------------------- <Table> ++ The per share amounts were computed using an average number of shares outstanding during the period. + Does not reflect the deduction of sales charge. Calculated based on the net asset value as of the last business day of the period. (1) Not annualized. (2) Annualized. (3) Reflects overall Fund ratios for investment income and non-class specific expenses. </Table> 35 See Notes to Financial Statements Morgan Stanley Balanced Income Fund FINANCIAL HIGHLIGHTS continued <Table> <Caption> FOR THE SIX FOR THE YEAR ENDED JANUARY 31, MONTHS ENDED ----------------------------------------------- JULY 31, 2005 2005 2004 2003 2002 2001 ------------- ------- ------- ------- ------- ------- (unaudited) Class C Shares: Selected Per Share Data: Net asset value, beginning of period............ $12.95 $12.63 $11.42 $12.33 $12.41 $11.78 ------ ------ ------ ------ ------ ------ Income (loss) from investment operations: Net investment income++..................... 0.12 0.21 0.17 0.24 0.33 0.38 Net realized and unrealized gain (loss)..... 0.28 0.38 1.28 (0.85) (0.05) 0.95 ------ ------ ------ ------ ------ ------ Total income (loss) from investment operations..................................... 0.40 0.59 1.45 (0.61) 0.28 1.33 ------ ------ ------ ------ ------ ------ Less dividends and distributions from: Net investment income....................... (0.06) (0.27) (0.24) (0.30) (0.36) (0.38) Net realized gain........................... (0.08) -- -- -- -- (0.32) ------ ------ ------ ------ ------ ------ Total dividends and distributions............... (0.14) (0.27) (0.24) (0.30) (0.36) (0.70) ------ ------ ------ ------ ------ ------ Net asset value, end of period.................. $13.21 $12.95 $12.63 $11.42 $12.33 $12.41 ====== ====== ====== ====== ====== ====== Total Return+................................... 3.13%(1) 4.84% 12.74% (5.00)% 2.32% 11.89% Ratios to Average Net Assets(3): Expenses........................................ 1.89%(2) 1.77% 1.85% 1.84% 1.91% 1.94% Net investment income........................... 1.78%(2) 1.70% 1.39% 2.03% 2.68% 3.23% Supplemental Data: Net assets, end of period, in thousands......... $42,689 $43,308 $43,092 $32,439 $33,321 $24,205 Portfolio turnover rate......................... 43%(1) 89% 174% 173% 99% 21% </Table> - --------------------- <Table> ++ The per share amounts were computed using an average number of shares outstanding during the period. + Does not reflect the deduction of sales charge. Calculated based on the net asset value as of the last business day of the period. (1) Not annualized. (2) Annualized. (3) Reflects overall Fund ratios for investment income and non-class specific expenses. </Table> 36 See Notes to Financial Statements Morgan Stanley Balanced Income Fund FINANCIAL HIGHLIGHTS continued <Table> <Caption> FOR THE SIX FOR THE YEAR ENDED JANUARY 31 MONTHS ENDED ------------------------------------------------------------------ JULY 31, 2005 2005 2004 2003 2002 2001 ------------- ------ ------ ------ ------ ------ (unaudited) Class D Shares: Selected Per Share Data: Net asset value, beginning of period............................... $12.95 $12.63 $11.42 $12.33 $12.40 $11.79 ------ ------ ------ ------ ------ ------ Income (loss) from investment operations: Net investment income++........... 0.18 0.33 0.29 0.34 0.45 0.50 Net realized and unrealized gain (loss)............................ 0.28 0.39 1.28 (0.83) (0.05) 0.93 ------ ------ ------ ------ ------ ------ Total income (loss) from investment operations........................... 0.46 0.72 1.57 (0.49) 0.40 1.43 ------ ------ ------ ------ ------ ------ Less dividends and distributions from: Net investment income............. (0.12) (0.40) (0.36) (0.42) (0.47) (0.50) Net realized gain................. (0.08) -- -- -- -- (0.32) ------ ------ ------ ------ ------ ------ Total dividends and distributions..... (0.20) (0.40) (0.36) (0.42) (0.47) (0.82) ------ ------ ------ ------ ------ ------ Net asset value, end of period........ $13.21 $12.95 $12.63 $11.42 $12.33 $12.40 ====== ====== ====== ====== ====== ====== Total Return+......................... 3.57%(1) 5.80% 13.94% (4.04)% 3.37% 12.88% Ratios to Average Net Assets(3): Expenses.............................. 0.89%(2) 0.84% 0.86% 0.84% 0.91% 1.00% Net investment income................. 2.78%(2) 2.63% 2.38% 3.03% 3.68% 4.17% Supplemental Data: Net assets, end of period, in thousands............................ $1,310 $1,895 $3,034 $1,476 $ 496 $ 107 Portfolio turnover rate............... 43%(1) 89% 174% 173% 99% 21% </Table> - --------------------- <Table> ++ The per share amounts were computed using an average number of shares outstanding during the period. + Calculated based on the net asset value as of the last business day of the period. (1) Not annualized. (2) Annualized. (3) Reflects overall Fund ratios for investment income and non-class specific expenses. </Table> 37 See Notes to Financial Statements (This Page Intentionally Left Blank) (This Page Intentionally Left Blank) TRUSTEES Michael Bozic Charles A. Fiumefreddo Edwin J. Garn Wayne E. Hedien James F. Higgins Dr. Manuel H. Johnson Joseph J. Kearns Michael E. Nugent Fergus Reid OFFICERS Charles A. Fiumefreddo Chairman of the Board Mitchell M. Merin President Ronald E. Robison Executive Vice President and Principal Executive Officer Joseph J. McAlinden Vice President Barry Fink Vice President Amy R. Doberman Vice President Carsten Otto Chief Compliance Officer Stefanie V. Chang Vice President Francis J. Smith Treasurer and Chief Financial Officer Thomas F. Caloia Vice President Mary E. Mullin Secretary TRANSFER AGENT Morgan Stanley Trust Harborside Financial Center, Plaza Two Jersey City, New Jersey 07311 INDEPENDENT REGISTERED PUBLIC ACCOUNTING FIRM Deloitte & Touche LLP Two World Financial Center New York, New York 10281 INVESTMENT ADVISER Morgan Stanley Investment Advisors Inc. 1221 Avenue of the Americas New York, New York 10020 The financial statements included herein have been taken from the records of the Fund without examination by the independent auditors and accordingly they do not express an opinion thereon. This report is submitted for the general information of the shareholders of the Fund. For more detailed information about the Fund, its fees and expenses and other pertinent information, please read its Prospectus. The Fund's Statement of Additional Information contains additional information about the Fund, including its trustees. It is available, without charge, by calling (800) 869-NEWS. This report is not authorized for distribution to prospective investors in the Fund unless preceded or accompanied by an effective Prospectus. Read the Prospectus carefully before investing. Investments and services offered through Morgan Stanley DW Inc., member SIPC. Morgan Stanley Distributors Inc., member NASD. (c) 2005 Morgan Stanley [MORGAN STANLEY LOGO] MORGAN STANLEY FUNDS Morgan Stanley Balanced Income Fund Semiannual Report July 31, 2005 [MORGAN STANLEY LOGO] 38400RPT-RA05-00746P-Y07/05 Item 2. Code of Ethics. Not applicable for semiannual reports. Item 3. Audit Committee Financial Expert. Not applicable for semiannual reports. Item 4. Principal Accountant Fees and Services Not applicable for semiannual reports. Item 5. Audit Committee of Listed Registrants. Not applicable for semiannual reports. Item 6. Refer to Item 1. Item 7. Disclosure of Proxy Voting Policies and Procedures for Closed-End Management Investment Companies. Not applicable for semiannual reports. Item 8. Portfolio Managers of Closed-End Management Investment Companies Applicable only to reports filed by closed-end funds. Item 9. Closed-End Fund Repurchases Applicable to reports filed by closed-end funds. Item 10. Submission of Matters to a Vote of Security Holders Not applicable. Item 11. Controls and Procedures (a) The Fund's principal executive officer and principal financial officer have concluded that the Fund's disclosure controls and procedures are sufficient to ensure that information required to be disclosed by the Fund in this Form N-CSR was recorded, processed, summarized and reported within the time periods specified in the Securities and Exchange Commission's rules and forms, based upon such officers' evaluation of these controls and procedures as of a date within 90 days of the filing date of the report. (b) There were no changes in the registrant's internal control over financial reporting that occurred during the registrant's most recent fiscal half-year (the registrant's second fiscal half-year in the case of an annual report) that has materially affected, or is reasonably likely to materially affect, the registrant's internal control over financial reporting. Item 12. Exhibits (a) Code of Ethics - Not applicable for semiannual reports. (b) A separate certification for each principal executive officer and principal financial officer of the registrant are attached hereto as part of EX-99.CERT. 2 SIGNATURES Pursuant to the requirements of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 and the Investment Company Act of 1940, the registrant has duly caused this report to be signed on its behalf by the undersigned, thereunto duly authorized. Morgan Stanley Balanced Income Fund /s/ Ronald E. Robison Ronald E. Robison Principal Executive Officer September 20, 2005 Pursuant to the requirements of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 and the Investment Company Act of 1940, this report has been signed by the following persons on behalf of the registrant and in the capacities and on the dates indicated. /s/ Ronald E. Robison Ronald E. Robison Principal Executive Officer September 20, 2005 /s/ Francis Smith Francis Smith Principal Financial Officer September 20, 2005 3