<PAGE>
AS FILED WITH THE SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION ON JUNE 21, 1996
REGISTRATION NO.: 333-2419
SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION
WASHINGTON, D.C. 20549
-----------------------------
FORM N-1A
REGISTRATION STATEMENT
UNDER THE SECURITIES ACT OF 1933 [X]
PRE-EFFECTIVE AMENDMENT NO. 1 [X]
POST-EFFECTIVE AMENDMENT NO. [ ]
AND/OR
REGISTRATION STATEMENT UNDER THE INVESTMENT COMPANY
ACT OF 1940 [X]
AMENDMENT NO. 1 [X]
------------------------------
TCW/DW GLOBAL TELECOM TRUST
(A MASSACHUSETTS BUSINESS TRUST)
(EXACT NAME OF REGISTRANT AS SPECIFIED IN CHARTER)
TWO WORLD TRADE CENTER
NEW YORK, NEW YORK 10048
(ADDRESS OF PRINCIPAL EXECUTIVE OFFICE)
REGISTRANT'S TELEPHONE NUMBER, INCLUDING AREA CODE: (212) 392-1600
SHELDON CURTIS, ESQ.
TWO WORLD TRADE CENTER
NEW YORK, NEW YORK 10048
(NAME AND ADDRESS OF AGENT FOR SERVICE)
Copy to:
CHRISTINE A. EDWARDS, ESQ.
TWO WORLD TRADE CENTER
NEW YORK, NEW YORK 10048
DAVID M. BUTOWSKY, ESQ.
GORDON ALTMAN BUTOWSKY
WEITZEN SHALOV & WEIN
114 WEST 47TH STREET
NEW YORK, NEW YORK 10036
----------------------------------
APPROXIMATE DATE OF PROPOSED PUBLIC OFFERING: As soon as practicable after
the effective date of this amendment.
----------------------------------
THE REGISTRANT HEREBY AMENDS THIS REGISTRATION STATEMENT ON SUCH DATE OR
DATES AS MAY BE NECESSARY TO DELAY ITS EFFECTIVE DATE UNTIL THE REGISTRANT
SHALL FILE A FURTHER AMENDMENT WHICH SPECIFICALLY STATES THAT THIS
REGISTRATION STATEMENT SHALL THEREAFTER BECOME EFFECTIVE IN ACCORDANCE WITH
SECTION 8(a) OF THE SECURITIES ACT OF 1933 OR UNTIL THE REGISTRATION
STATEMENT SHALL BECOME EFFECTIVE ON SUCH DATE AS THE COMMISSION, ACTING
PURSUANT TO SAID SECTION 8(a), MAY DETERMINE.
<PAGE>
TCW/DW GLOBAL TELECOM TRUST
CROSS-REFERENCE SHEET
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
FORM N-1A PART
A
ITEM CAPTION PROSPECTUS
- -------------- -------------------------------------------------------
<S> <C>
1. Cover Page
2. Summary of Fund Expenses; Prospectus Summary
3. Performance Information
4. Investment Objective and Policies; The Fund and its
Management; Cover Page; Investment Restrictions;
Prospectus Summary
5. The Fund and its Management; Back Cover; Investment
Objective and Policies
6. Dividends, Distributions and Taxes; Additional
Information
7. Underwriting; Purchase of Fund Shares; Shareholder
Services; Repurchases and Redemptions
8. Repurchases and Redemptions; Shareholder Services
9. Not Applicable
</TABLE>
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
PART B
ITEM STATEMENT OF ADDITIONAL INFORMATION
- -------------- ------------------------------------------------------
<S> <C>
10. Cover Page
11. Table of Contents
12. The Fund and its Management
13. Investment Practices and Policies; Investment
Restrictions; Portfolio Transactions and Brokerage
14. The Fund and its Management; Trustees and Officers
15. Trustees and Officers
16. The Fund and its Management; Custodian and Transfer
Agent; Independent Accountants
17. Portfolio Transactions and Brokerage
18. Description of Shares
19. Repurchases and Redemptions; Shareholder Services
20. Dividends, Distributions and Taxes
21. The Distributor
22. Performance Information
23. Experts; Statement of Assets and Liabilities
</TABLE>
PART C
Information required to be included in Part C is set forth under the
appropriate item, so numbered, in Part C of this Registration Statement.
<PAGE>
TCW/DW GLOBAL TELECOM TRUST
PROSPECTUS--JULY , 1996
TCW/DW Global Telecom Trust (the "Fund") is an open- end, diversified
management investment company, whose investment objective is long-term
capital appreciation. The Fund seeks to achieve its investment objective by
investing primarily in a portfolio consisting of securities of domestic and
foreign companies operating in all aspects of the telecommunications,
information and related technology industries. Such issuers are
information transporters (such as local/regional telephone companies,
long-distance carriers and cable television), content providers (such as
movie studios, transaction services, publishers and advertisers) and
providers of enabling technologies (such as manufacturers of
information-processing servers, software and communications products). See
"Investment Objective and Policies."
Initial Offering--Shares are being offered in an underwriting by Dean Witter
Distributors Inc. at $10.00 per share with all proceeds going to the Fund.
All expenses in connection with the organization of the Fund and this
offering will be paid by Dean Witter InterCapital Inc. and the Underwriter
except for a maximum of $250,000 of organizational expenses to be reimbursed
by the Fund. The initial offering will run from approximately July 25, 1996
through August 23, 1996.
Continuous Offering--A continuous offering will commence approximately two
weeks after the closing date (anticipated for August 28, 1996) of the initial
offering. Shares of the Fund will be priced at the net asset value per share
next determined following receipt of an order without imposition of a sales
charge.
Repurchases and/or redemptions of shares are subject in most cases to a
contingent deferred sales charge, scaled down from 5% to 1% of the amount
redeemed, if made within six years of purchase, which charge will be paid to
the Fund's Distributor, Dean Witter Distributors Inc. See "Repurchases and
Redemptions--Contingent Deferred Sales Charge." In addition, the Fund pays
the Distributor a Rule 12b-1 distribution fee pursuant to a Plan of
Distribution at the annual rate of 1% of the lesser of the (i) average daily
aggregate net sales or (ii) average daily net assets of the Fund. See
"Purchase of Fund Shares--Plan of Distribution."
TABLE OF CONTENTS
Prospectus Summary .................................................... 2
Summary of Fund Expenses .............................................. 3
The Fund and its Management ........................................... 4
Investment Objective and Policies ..................................... 4
Risk Considerations and Investment Practices .......................... 5
Investment Restrictions ............................................... 10
Underwriting .......................................................... 11
Purchase of Fund Shares--Continuous Offering .......................... 11
Shareholder Services .................................................. 13
Repurchases and Redemptions ........................................... 14
Dividends, Distributions and Taxes .................................... 16
Performance Information ............................................... 16
Additional Information ................................................ 17
This Prospectus sets forth concisely the information you should know before
investing in the Fund. It should be read and retained for future reference.
Additional information about the Fund is contained in the Statement of
Additional Information, dated July , 1996, which has been filed with the
Securities and Exchange Commission, and which is available at no charge upon
request of the Fund at the address or telephone numbers listed on this page.
The Statement of Additional Information is incorporated herein by reference.
Shares of the Fund are not deposits or obligations of, or guaranteed or
endorsed by, any bank, and the shares are not federally insured by the
Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation, the Federal Reserve Board, or any
other agency.
TCW/DW GLOBAL TELECOM TRUST
Two World Trade Center
New York, New York 10048
(212) 392-2550 or
(800) 869-NEWS (toll-free)
Dean Witter Distributors Inc.
Distributor
THESE SECURITIES HAVE NOT BEEN APPROVED OR DISAPPROVED BY THE SECURITIES AND
EXCHANGE COMMISSION OR ANY STATE SECURITIES COMMISSION NOR HAS THE SECURITIES
AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION OR ANY STATE SECURITIES COMMISSION PASSED UPON THE
ACCURACY OR ADEQUACY OF THIS PROSPECTUS. ANY REPRESENTATION TO THE CONTRARY IS A
CRIMINAL OFFENSE.
<PAGE>
PROSPECTUS SUMMARY
- -------------------------------------------------------------------
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
<S> <C>
The The Fund is organized as a Trust, commonly known as a Massachusetts business trust, and is an open-end,
Fund diversified management investment company investing primarily in a portfolio consisting of securities
of domestic and foreign companies operating in all aspects of the telecommunications, information and
related technology industries.
- ------------------ -------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Initial Shares of beneficial interest with $0.01 par value are being offered in an underwriting by Dean Witter
Offering Distributors Inc. at $10.00 per share. The minimum purchase is 100 shares ($1,000). The initial offering will
run approximately from July 25, 1996 through August 23, 1996. The closing will take place on August 28, 1996
or such other date as may be agreed upon by Dean Witter Distributors Inc. and the Fund (the "Closing Date").
Shares will not be issued and dividends will not be declared by the Fund until after the Closing Date. If any
orders received during the initial offering period are accompanied by payment, such payment will be returned
unless an accompanying request for investment in a Dean Witter money market fund is received at the
time the payment is made. Investors should request and read the money market fund prospectus prior to investing
in the money market fund. Any purchase order may be cancelled at any time prior to the Closing Date (see
page 11).
- ------------------ -------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Continuous A continuous offering will commence within approximately two weeks after completion of the initial offering.
Offering During the continuous offering, the minimum initial investment will be $1,000 ($100 if the account is opened
through EasyInvest(Service Mark)); and the minimum subsequent investment will be $100 (see page 11).
- ------------------ -------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Investment The investment objective of the Fund is long-term capital appreciation.
Objective
- ------------------ -------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Manager Dean Witter Services Company Inc. (the "Manager"), a wholly-owned subsidiary of Dean Witter InterCapital Inc.
("InterCapital"), is the Fund's manager. The Manager also serves as manager to twelve other investment
companies advised by TCW Funds Management, Inc. (the "TCW/DW Funds"). The Manager and InterCapital serve in
various investment management, advisory, management and administrative capacities to a total of ninety-seven
investment companies and other portfolios with assets of approximately $84.6 billion at May 31, 1996 (see
page 4).
- ------------------ -------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Adviser TCW Funds Management, Inc. (the "Adviser") is the Fund's investment adviser. In addition to the Fund, the
Adviser serves as investment adviser to twelve other TCW/DW Funds. As of March 31, 1996, the Adviser and its
affiliates had approximately $53 billion under management or committed to management in various fiduciary
or advisory capacities, primarily to institutional investors (see page 4).
- ------------------ -------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Management The Manager receives a monthly fee at the annual rate of 0.60% of daily net assets. The Adviser receives a
and Advisory monthly fee at an annual rate of 0.40% of daily net assets (see page 4).
Fees
- ------------------ -------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Dividends Income dividends and capital gains, if any, will be distributed no less than annually. Dividends and capital
gains distributions are automatically reinvested in additional shares at net asset value unless the shareholder
elects to receive cash (see page 16).
- ------------------ -------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Distributor Dean Witter Distributors Inc. (the "Distributor"). The Distributor receives from the Fund a distribution fee
accrued daily and payable monthly at the rate of 1.0% per annum of the lesser of (i) the average daily
aggregate net sales or (ii) the Fund's average daily net assets. This fee compensates the Distributor for
services provided in distributing shares of the Fund and for sales-related expenses. The Distributor also
receives the proceeds of any contingent deferred sales charges (see page 11).
- ------------------ -------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Redemption-- Shares are redeemable by the shareholder at net asset value. An account may be involuntarily redeemed if the
Contingent total value of the account is less than $100 or, if the account was opened through EasyInvest (Service Mark),
Deferred if after twelve months the shareholder has invested less than $1,000 in the account. Although no commission
Sales or sales load is imposed upon the purchase of shares, a contingent deferred sales charge (scaled down from
Charge 5% to 1%) is imposed on any redemption of shares if after such redemption the aggregate current value of
an account with the Fund falls below the aggregate amount of the investor's purchase payments made during
the six years preceding the redemption. However, there is no charge imposed on redemption of shares purchased
through reinvestment of dividends or distributions (see page 14).
- ------------------ -------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Risk The net asset value of the Fund's shares will fluctuate with changes in the market value of the Fund's
Considerations portfolio securities. The market value of the Fund's portfolio securities will increase or decrease due to a
variety of economic, market or political factors affecting companies and/or industries in which the Fund
invests. In addition, the value of the Fund's fixed-income and convertible securities generally increases or
decreases due to economic and market factors, as well as changes in prevailing interest rates. Generally, a
rise in interest rates will result in a decrease in value while a drop in interest rates will result in an
increase in value. The Fund may invest in lower rated or unrated convertible securities (see page 6). There
are also certain risks associated with the Fund's investments in the telecommunications, information and
related technology industries (see page 6). The Fund will invest in the securities of foreign issuers which
entails certain additional risks. The Fund may also invest in options and futures transactions in order to
hedge its portfolio securities and may enter into forward foreign currency exchange contracts in connection
with its foreign securities investments and may purchase securities on a when-issued, delayed delivery or
"when, as and if issued" basis, which involve certain special risks (see pages 6-9). An investment in shares
of the Fund should not be considered a complete investment program and is not appropriate for all investors.
Investors should carefully consider their ability to assume these risks and the risks outlined under the
heading "Risk Considerations and Investment Practices," (see page 5) before making an investment in the Fund.
- ------------------ -------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
</TABLE>
The above is qualified in its entirety by the detailed information appearing
elsewhere in this Prospectus and in the Statement of Additional Information.
2
<PAGE>
SUMMARY OF FUND EXPENSES
- ----------------------------------------------------------------------
The following table illustrates all expenses and fees that a shareholder
of the Fund will incur.
SHAREHOLDER TRANSACTION EXPENSES
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
<S> <C>
Maximum Sales Charge Imposed on Purchases ............................................. None
Maximum Sales Charge Imposed on Reinvested Dividends .................................. None
Contingent Deferred Sales Charge
(as a percentage of the lesser of original purchase price or redemption proceeds) .. 5.0%
</TABLE>
A contingent deferred sales charge is imposed at the following declining
rates:
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
YEAR SINCE PURCHASE PAYMENT MADE PERCENTAGE
--------------
<S> <C>
First ............................... 5.0%
Second .............................. 4.0%
Third ............................... 3.0%
Fourth .............................. 2.0%
Fifth ............................... 2.0%
Sixth ............................... 1.0%
Seventh and thereafter .............. None
</TABLE>
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
<S> <C>
Redemption Fees .......................................................... None
Exchange Fee ............................................................. None
ANNUAL FUND OPERATING EXPENSES (AS A PERCENTAGE OF AVERAGE NET ASSETS)
Management and Advisory Fees+ ............................................ 1.00%
12b-1 Fees*+ ............................................................. 1.00%
Other Expenses+ .......................................................... 0.36%
Total Fund Operating Expenses**+ ......................................... 2.36%
</TABLE>
- ------------
* The 12b-1 fee is accrued daily and payable monthly, at an annual rate
of 1.0% of the lesser of: (a) the average daily aggregate gross sales
of the Fund's shares since inception (not including reinvestment of
dividends or distributions), less the average daily aggregate net asset
value of the Fund's shares redeemed since the Fund's inception upon
which a contingent deferred sales charge has been imposed or waived, or
(b) the Fund's daily net assets. A portion of the 12b-1 fee equal to
0.25% of the Fund's average daily net assets is characterized as a
service fee within the meaning of National Association of Securities
Dealers, Inc. ("NASD") guidelines and is a payment made to the selling
broker for personal service and/or maintenance of shareholder accounts.
The remainder of the 12b-1 fee is an asset based sales charge, and is a
distribution fee paid to the Distributor to compensate it for the
services provided and the expenses borne by the Distributor and others
in the distribution of the Fund's shares (see "Purchase of Fund
Shares").
** "Total Fund Operating Expenses," as shown above, is based upon the sum
of the 12b-1 Fees, Management and Advisory Fees and estimated "Other
Expenses," which may be incurred by the Fund in its initial full year
of operations.
+ InterCapital has undertaken to assume all operating expenses (except
for any 12b-1 fee, foreign taxes withheld and/or brokerage fees) and
the Manager has agreed to waive the compensation provided for in its
Management Agreement and the Adviser has undertaken to waive the
compensation provided for in its Advisory Agreement, until such time as
the Fund has $50 million of net assets or until six months from the
date of commencement of the Fund's operations, whichever occurs first.
The fees and expenses disclosed above do not reflect the assumption of
any expenses or the waiver of any compensation by InterCapital.
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
<S> <C> <C>
EXAMPLE 1 YEAR 3 YEARS
- ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------ ---------- -----------
You would pay the following expenses on a $1,000 investment, assuming (1) 5% annual return and (2)
redemption at the end of each time period: ..................................................... $74 $104
You would pay the following expenses on the same investment, assuming no redemption: ........... $24 $74
</TABLE>
The above example should not be considered a representation of past or
future expenses or performance. Actual expenses of the Fund may be greater or
less than those shown.
The purpose of this table is to assist the investor in understanding the
various costs and expenses that an investor in the Fund will bear directly or
indirectly. For a more complete description of these costs and expenses, see
"The Fund and its Management," "Plan of Distribution" and "Repurchases and
Redemptions" in this Prospectus.
Long-term shareholders of the Fund may pay more in sales charges including
distribution fees than the economic equivalent of the maximum front-end sales
charges permitted by the NASD.
3
<PAGE>
THE FUND AND ITS MANAGEMENT
- ----------------------------------------------------------------------
TCW/DW Global Telecom Trust (the "Fund") is an open-end, diversified
management investment company. The Fund is a trust of the type commonly known
as a "Massachusetts business trust" and was organized under the laws of
Massachusetts on March 28, 1996.
Dean Witter Services Company Inc. (the "Manager"), whose address is Two
World Trade Center, New York, New York 10048, is the Fund's Manager. The
Manager is a wholly-owned subsidiary of Dean Witter InterCapital Inc.
("InterCapital"). InterCapital is a wholly-owned subsidiary of Dean Witter,
Discover & Co. ("DWDC"), a balanced financial services organization providing
a broad range of nationally marketed credit and investment products.
The Manager acts as manager to twelve other TCW/DW Funds. The Manager and
InterCapital serve in various investment management, advisory, management and
administrative capacities to a total of ninety-seven investment companies,
thirty of which are listed on the New York Stock Exchange, with combined
assets of approximately $81.8 billion as of May 31, 1996. InterCapital also
manages and advises portfolios of pension plans, other institutions and
individuals which aggregated approximately $2.8 billion at such date.
The Fund has retained the Manager to manage its business affairs,
supervise its overall day-to-day operations (other than providing investment
advice) and provide all administrative services.
TCW Funds Management, Inc. (the "Adviser"), whose address is 865 South
Figueroa Street, Suite 1800, Los Angeles, California 90017, is the Fund's
investment adviser. The Adviser was organized in 1987 as a wholly-owned
subsidiary of The TCW Group, Inc. ("TCW"), whose subsidiaries, including
Trust Company of the West and TCW Asset Management Company, provide a variety
of trust, investment management and investment advisory services. Robert A.
Day, who is Chairman of the Board of Directors of TCW, may be deemed to be a
control person of the Adviser by virtue of the aggregate ownership by Mr. Day
and his family of more than 25% of the outstanding voting stock of TCW. The
Adviser serves as investment adviser to twelve other TCW/DW Funds in addition
to the Fund. As of March 31, 1996, the Adviser and its affiliated companies
had approximately $53 billion under management or committed to management,
primarily from institutional investors.
The Fund has retained the Adviser to invest the Fund's assets.
The Fund's Trustees review the various services provided by the Manager
and the Adviser to ensure that the Fund's general investment policies and
programs are being properly carried out and that administrative services are
being provided to the Fund in a satisfactory manner.
As full compensation for the services and facilities furnished to the Fund
and for expenses of the Fund assumed by the Manager, the Fund pays the
Manager monthly compensation calculated daily by applying the annual rate of
0.60% to the Fund's net assets. As compensation for its investment advisory
services, the Fund pays the Adviser monthly compensation calculated daily by
applying an annual rate of 0.40% to the Fund's net assets. The total fees
paid by the Fund to the Manager and the Adviser are higher than the fees paid
by most other investment companies for similar services.
The Fund's expenses include: the fees of the Manager and the Adviser; the
fee pursuant to the Plan of Distribution (see "Purchase of Fund Shares");
taxes; legal, transfer agent, custodian and auditing fees; federal and state
registration fees; and printing and other expenses relating to the Fund's
operations which are not expressly assumed by the Manager or Adviser under
their respective Agreements with the Fund. InterCapital has undertaken to
assume all expenses (except for the Plan of Distribution fee, foreign taxes
withheld and/or brokerage fees) and the Manager has undertaken to waive the
compensation provided for in its Management Agreement, and the Adviser has
undertaken to waive the compensation provided for in its Advisory Agreement,
until such time as the Fund has $50 million of net assets or until six months
from the date of commencement of operations, whichever occurs first.
INVESTMENT OBJECTIVE AND POLICIES
- ------------------------------------------------------------------------
The investment objective of the Fund is long-term capital appreciation.
This objective is fundamental and may not be changed without shareholder
approval. There is no assurance that the objective will be achieved.
The Fund seeks to achieve its investment objective by investing under
normal circumstances at least 65% of its total assets, measured at the time
of purchase, in common stocks and securities convertible into common stocks
of domestic and foreign companies operating in all aspects of the
telecommunications, information and related technology industries (the
"Target Industries"). The Fund will not have more than 25% of its total
assets invested in convertible securities. All or some of the convertible
securities in which the Fund may invest may be below investment grade. See
the Appendix to the Statement of Additional Information for a discussion of
ratings of fixed-income securities.
The Target Industries are information transporters, content providers and
providers of enabling technologies. Information transporters are companies
involved in developing and manufacturing any portion of the so-called
information superhighway, such as local/regional telephone companies,
long-distance carriers, cable television, personal
4
<PAGE>
communications systems, wireless, cellular, paging, direct broadcast
satellite and the Internet. Content providers are companies providing some of
the information content that is transmitted via the information superhighway
such as movie studios, providers of transaction services, manufacturers of
games and educational programming, publishers and advertisers. Finally,
providers of enabling technologies are manufacturers of products such as
information-processing servers, consumer electronics, data and video
compression, software, storage and semiconductor products.
Companies considered to be in the Target Industries will be those which
derive at least 35% of their revenues or earnings from the Target Industries,
or devote at least 35% of their assets to activities in the Target
Industries. Investments in securities of issuers in any one country, other
than the United States, will represent no more than 25% of the Fund's total
assets. The Fund will have at least 65% of its total assets invested in
securities of issuers located in at least three different countries.
Under normal market conditions, the Fund will maintain at least 25% of its
portfolio in securities issued by issuers located in the United States. As
such, the Fund will have a greater exposure than other "global" mutual funds
to economic and political events occurring in the U.S. Changes in prevailing
U.S. interest rates, federal tax rate increases, or adverse changes in
federal or state regulations or exchange rules may all have a
disproportionate impact upon the Fund as a result of its concentration
policy. Moreover, the Fund's concentration in securities of U.S. issuers will
mean that the Fund's investments are more likely to be responsive, both
positively and negatively, to declines or advances in the U.S. dollar with
respect to foreign currencies.
The communication and use of information using existing and developing
technologies is becoming increasingly important to the global economy. There
are opportunities for continued growth in demand for components, products,
media and systems to collect, store, retrieve, transmit, process, distribute,
record, reproduce and put information to use. The telecommunications,
broadcasting, cable television, media, entertainment and computer industries
are involved in creating new ways of exchanging information and distributing
content as consumers and businesses seek to buy packages of services
including combinations of local and long distance telephone, wireless, cable
television and Internet services. While governmental regulation may impact
the Target Industries both positively and negatively (see "Risk
Considerations and Investment Practices" below), the Adviser believes that
the enactment by the U.S. Congress of the Telecommunications Reform Act of
1996 may add to these growth opportunities through increasing competition,
mergers and other transactions that could fundamentally change the way
consumers and businesses obtain communication services. All such factors are
part of the Adviser's overall investment selection process.
Up to 75% of the Fund's total assets may be invested in equity securities
of foreign issuers. Such foreign investments may be in the form of direct
investments in securities of foreign issuers or in the form of American
Depository Receipts (ADRs), European Depository Receipts (EDRs), Global
Depository Receipts (GDRs) or other similar securities convertible into
securities of foreign issuers. These securities may not necessarily be
denominated in the same currency as the securities into which they may be
converted. ADRs are receipts typically issued by a United States bank or
trust company evidencing ownership of the underlying securities. EDRs are
European receipts evidencing a similar arrangement. Generally, ADRs, in
registered form, are designed for use in the United States securities markets
and EDRs, in bearer form, are designed for use in European securities
markets. GDRs are issued by a foreign bank or trust company and evidence
ownership of the underlying foreign securities. Generally, GDRs are in bearer
form and are designed for use in European and other foreign securities
markets. The Fund's investments in unlisted foreign securities are subject to
the Fund's overall policy limiting its investment in illiquid securities to
15% or less of its net assets.
Up to 35% of the Fund's total assets may be invested in investment grade
fixed-income securities consisting of securities issued or guaranteed by the
U.S. Government, its agencies or instrumentalities, corporate debt securities
and money market instruments. With respect to corporate debt securities, the
term "investment grade" means securities which are rated Baa or higher by
Moody's Investors Services, Inc. ("Moody's") or BBB or higher by Standard &
Poor's Corporation ("S&P") or, if not rated, are deemed by the Adviser to be
of comparable quality. See the Appendix to the Statement of Additional
Information for a discussion of ratings of fixed-income securities.
Investments in fixed-income securities rated either BBB by S&P or Baa by
Moody's (the lowest credit ratings designated "investment grade") have
speculative characteristics and, therefore, changes in economic conditions or
other circumstances are more likely to weaken their capacity to make
principal and interest payments than would be the case with investments in
securities with higher credit ratings. If a fixed-income or convertible
security held by the Fund is rated BBB or Baa and is subsequently downgraded
by a rating agency, or otherwise falls below investment grade the Fund will
sell such securities as soon as is practicable without undue market or tax
consequences to the Fund.
Money market instruments in which the Fund may invest are securities
issued or guaranteed by the U.S. Government or its agencies (Treasury Bills,
Notes and Bonds); obligations of banks subject to regulation by the U.S.
Government and having total assets of $1 billion or more; Eurodollar
certificates of deposit; obligations of savings banks and savings and loan
associations having total assets of $1 billion or more; fully insured
certificates of deposit; and commercial paper rated within the two highest
grades by Moody's or S&P or, if not rated, issued by a company having an
outstanding debt issue rated AAA by S&P or Aaa by Moody's.
There may be periods during which, in the opinion of the Adviser, market
conditions warrant reduction of some or all of the Fund's securities
holdings. During such periods, the Fund may adopt a temporary "defensive"
posture in which up to 100% of its total assets may be invested in money
market instruments or cash.
RISK CONSIDERATIONS AND INVESTMENT PRACTICES
Given the investment risks described below, an investment in shares of the
Fund should not be considered a
5
<PAGE>
complete investment program and is not appropriate for all investors.
Investors should carefully consider their ability to assume these risks
before making an investment in the Fund.
The net asset value of the Fund's shares will fluctuate with changes in
the market value of the Fund's portfolio securities. The market value of the
Fund's portfolio securities will increase or decrease due to a variety of
economic, market or political factors which cannot be predicted.
Additionally, the net asset value of the Fund's shares may increase or
decrease due to changes in prevailing interest rates. Generally, a rise in
interest rates will result in a decrease in the value of the Fund's
fixed-income securities, while a drop in interest rates will result in an
increase in the value of those securities.
Telecommunications, Information and Related Technology Industries. The
Fund concentrates its investments in the telecommunications, information and
related technology industries. Certain economic factors or specific events
may exert a disproportionate impact upon the prices of equity securities of
companies within a particular industry relative to their impact on the prices
of securities of companies engaged in other industries. Because of this
concentration, the value of the Fund's shares may be more volatile than that
of investment companies that do not similarly concentrate their investments.
The communications and information industry may be subject to greater changes
in governmental policies and governmental regulation than many other
industries in the United States and worldwide. Regulatory approval
requirements, ownership restrictions and restrictions on rates of return and
types of services that may be offered may materially affect the products and
services of this and related industries. Additionally, the products and
services of companies in these industries may be subject to faster
obsolescence as a result of greater competition, advancing technological
developments, and changing market and consumer preferences. As a result, the
stocks of companies in this industry may exhibit greater price volatility
than those of companies in other industries.
Lower Rated or Unrated Convertible Securities. The Fund may acquire,
through purchase or a distribution by the issuer of a security held in its
portfolio, a fixed-income security which is convertible into common stock of
the issuer. Convertible securities rank senior to common stocks in a
corporation's capital structure and, therefore, entail less risk than the
corporation's common stock. The value of a convertible security is a function
of its "investment value" (its value as if it did not have a conversion
privilege), and its "conversion value" (the security's worth if it were to be
exchanged for the underlying security, at market value, pursuant to its
conversion privilege).
To the extent that a convertible security's investment value is greater
than its conversion value, its price will be primarily a reflection of such
investment value and its price will be likely to increase when interest rates
fall and decrease when interest rates rise, as with a fixed-income security
(the credit standing of the issuer and other factors may also have an effect
on the convertible security's value). If the conversion value exceeds the
investment value, the price of the convertible security will rise above its
investment value and, in addition, may sell at some premium over its
conversion value. (This premium represents the price investors are willing to
pay for the privilege of purchasing a fixed-income security with a
possibility of capital appreciation due to the conversion privilege.) At such
times the price of the convertible security will tend to fluctuate directly
with the price of the underlying equity security.
A portion of the convertible securities in which the Fund may invest will
generally be rated below investment grade. Securities below investment grade
are the equivalent of high yield, high risk bonds, commonly known as "junk
bonds." Investment grade is generally considered to be debt securities rated
BBB or higher by Standard & Poor's Corporation ("S&P") or Baa or higher by
Moody's Investors Service, Inc. ("Moody's"). Fixed-income securities rated
Baa by Moody's or BBB by Standard & Poor's have speculative characteristics
greater than those of more highly rated securities, while fixed-income
securities rated Ba or BB or lower by Moody's and Standard & Poor's,
respectively, are considered to be speculative investments. The Fund will not
invest in convertible securities that are rated lower than B by S&P or
Moody's or, if not rated, determined to be of comparable quality by the
Adviser. The Fund will not invest in debt securities that are in default in
payment of principal or interest. The ratings of fixed-income securities by
Moody's and Standard & Poor's are a generally accepted barometer of credit
risk. However, as the creditworthiness of issuers of lower-rated fixed-income
securities is more problematic than that of issuers of higher-rated
fixed-income securities, the achievement of the Fund's investment objective
will be more dependent upon the Investment Manager's own credit analysis than
would be the case with a mutual fund investing primarily in higher quality
bonds. The Adviser will utilize a security's credit rating as simply one
indication of an issuer's creditworthiness and will principally rely upon its
own analysis of any security currently held by the Fund or potentially
purchasable by the Fund for its portfolio. See the Appendix to the Statement
of Additional Information for a discussion of ratings of fixed-income
securities.
Because of the special nature of the Fund's permitted investments in lower
rated convertible securities, the Adviser must take account of certain
special considerations in assessing the risks associated with such
investments. The prices of lower rated securities have been found to be less
sensitive to changes in prevailing interest rates than higher rated
investments, but are likely to be more sensitive to adverse economic changes
or individual corporate developments. During an economic downturn or
substantial period of rising interest rates, highly leveraged issuers may
experience financial stress which would adversely affect their ability to
service their principal and interest payment obligations, to meet their
projected business goals or to obtain additional financing. If the issuer of
a fixed-income security owned by the Fund defaults, the Fund may incur
additional expenses to seek recovery. In addition, periods of economic
uncertainty and change can be expected to result in an increased volatility
of market prices of lower rated securities and a corresponding volatility in
the net asset value of a share of the Fund.
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Foreign securities. Foreign securities investments may be affected by
changes in currency rates or exchange control regulations, changes in
governmental administration or economic or monetary policy (in the United
States and abroad) or changed circumstances in dealings between nations.
Fluctuations in the relative rates of exchange between the currencies of
different nations will affect the value of the Fund's investments denominated
in foreign currency. Changes in foreign currency exchange rates relative to
the U.S. dollar will affect the U.S. dollar value of the Fund's assets
denominated in that currency and thereby impact upon the Fund's total return
on such assets.
Foreign currency exchange rates are determined by forces of supply and
demand on the foreign exchange markets. These forces are themselves affected
by the international balance of payments and other economic and financial
conditions, government intervention, speculation and other factors. Moreover,
foreign currency exchange rates may be affected by the regulatory control of
the exchanges on which the currencies trade. The foreign currency
transactions of the Fund will be conducted on a spot basis or through forward
foreign currency exchange contracts (described below). The Fund will incur
certain costs in connection with these currency transactions.
Investments in foreign securities will also occasion risks relating to
political and economic developments abroad, including the possibility of
expropriations or confiscatory taxation, limitations on the use or transfer
of Fund assets and any effects of foreign social, economic or political
instability. Foreign companies are not subject to the regulatory requirements
of U.S. companies and, as such, there may be less publicly available
information about such companies. Moreover, foreign companies are not subject
to uniform accounting, auditing and financial reporting standards and
requirements comparable to those applicable to U.S. companies.
Securities of foreign issuers may be less liquid than comparable
securities of U.S. issuers and, as such, their price changes may be more
volatile. Furthermore, foreign exchanges and broker-dealers are generally
subject to less government and exchange scrutiny and regulation than their
American counterparts. Brokerage commissions, dealer concessions and other
transaction costs may be higher on foreign markets than in the U.S. In
addition, differences in clearance and settlement procedures on foreign
markets may occasion delays in settlements of the Fund's trades effected in
such markets. As such, the inability to dispose of portfolio securities due
to settlement delays could result in losses to the Fund due to subsequent
declines in value of such securities and the inability of the Fund to make
intended security purchases due to settlement problems could result in a
failure of the Fund to make potentially advantageous investments. To the
extent the Fund purchases Eurodollar certificates of deposit issued by
foreign branches of domestic United States banks, consideration will be given
to their domestic marketability, the lower reserve requirements normally
mandated for overseas banking operations, the possible impact of
interruptions in the flow of international currency transactions and future
international political and economic developments which might adversely
affect the payment of principal or interest.
Warrants and Stock Rights. The Fund may invest up to 5% of the value of
its net assets in warrants, including not more than 2% in warrants not listed
on either the New York or American Stock Exchange. The Fund may also invest
in stock rights. Warrants are, in effect, an option to purchase equity
securities at a specific price, generally valid for a specific period of
time, and have no voting rights, pay no dividends and have no rights with
respect to the corporations issuing them. The Fund may acquire warrants and
stock rights attached to other securities without reference to the foregoing
limitations.
Repurchase Agreements. The Fund may enter into repurchase agreements,
which may be viewed as a type of secured lending by the Fund, and which
typically involve the acquisition by the Fund of debt securities from a
selling financial institution such as a bank, savings and loan association or
broker-dealer. The agreement provides that the Fund will sell back to the
institution, and that the institution will repurchase, the underlying
security at a specified price and at a fixed time in the future, usually not
more than seven days from the date of purchase. While repurchase agreements
involve certain risks not associated with direct investments in debt
securities, the Fund follows procedures designed to minimize those risks. See
the Statement of Additional Information for a further discussion of such
investments.
Private Placements. The Fund may invest up to 10% of its net assets in
securities which are subject to restrictions on resale because they have not
been registered under the Securities Act of 1933, as amended (the "Securities
Act"), or which are otherwise not readily marketable. (Securities eligible
for resale pursuant to Rule 144A under the Securities Act, and determined to
be liquid pursuant to the procedures discussed in the following paragraph,
are not subject to the foregoing restriction.) These securities are generally
referred to as private placements or restricted securities. Limitations on
the resale of such securities may have an adverse effect on their
marketability, and may prevent the Fund from disposing of them promptly at
reasonable prices. The Fund may have to bear the expense of registering such
securities for resale and the risk of substantial delays in effecting such
registration.
The Securities and Exchange Commission has adopted Rule 144A under the
Securities Act, which permits the Fund to sell restricted securities to
qualified institutional buyers without limitation. The Adviser, pursuant to
procedures adopted by the Trustees of the Fund, will make a determination as
to the liquidity of each such restricted security purchased by the Fund. If
such Rule 144A security is determined to be "liquid," such security will not
be included within the category "illiquid securities," which under current
policy may not exceed 15% of the Fund's net assets. However, investing in
Rule 144A securities could have the effect of increasing the level of Fund
illiquidity to the extent the Fund, at a particular point in time, may be
unable to find qualified institutional buyers interested in purchasing such
securities.
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When-Issued and Delayed Delivery Securities and Forward Commitments. From
time to time, in the ordinary course of business, the Fund may purchase
securities on a when-issued or delayed delivery basis or may purchase or sell
securities on a forward commitment basis. When such transactions are
negotiated, the price is fixed at the time of the commitment, but delivery
and payment can take place a month or more after the date of the commitment.
An increase in the percentage of the Fund's assets committed to the purchase
of securities on a when-issued, delayed delivery or forward commitment basis
may increase the volatility of the Fund's net asset value. See the Statement
of Additional Information for a further discussion of such investments.
When, As and If Issued Securities. The Fund may purchase securities on a
"when, as and if issued" basis under which the issuance of the security
depends upon the occurrence of a subsequent event, such as approval of a
merger, corporate reorganization, leveraged buyout or debt restructuring. If
the anticipated event does not occur and the securities are not issued, the
Fund will have lost an investment opportunity. An increase in the percentage
of the Fund's assets committed to the purchase of securities on a "when, as
and if issued" basis may increase the volatility of its net asset value. See
the Statement of Additional Information for a further discussion of such
investments.
Zero Coupon Securities. A portion of the fixed-income securities purchased
by the Fund may be zero coupon securities. Such securities are purchased at a
discount from their face amount, giving the purchaser the right to receive
their full value at maturity. The interest earned on such securities is,
implicitly, automatically compounded and paid out at maturity. While such
compounding at a constant rate eliminates the risk of receiving lower yields
upon reinvestment of interest if prevailing interest rates decline, the owner
of a zero coupon security will be unable to participate in higher yields upon
reinvestment of interest received on interest-paying securities if prevailing
interest rates rise.
A zero coupon security pays no interest to its holder during its life.
Therefore, to the extent the fund invests in Zero coupon securities, it will
not receive current cash available for distribution to shareholders. In
addition, zero coupon securities are subject to substantially greater price
fluctuations during periods of changing prevailing interest rates than are
comparable securities which pay interest on a current basis. Current federal
tax law requires that a holder (such as the Fund) of a zero coupon security
accrue a portion of the discount at which the security was purchased as
income each year even though the Fund receives no interest payments in cash
on the security during the year.
Lending of Portfolio Securities. Consistent with applicable regulatory
requirements, the Fund may lend its portfolio securities to brokers, dealers
and other financial institutions, provided that such loans are callable at
any time by the Fund (subject to certain notice provisions described in the
Statement of Additional Information), and are at all times secured by cash or
money market instruments, which are maintained in a segregated account
pursuant to applicable regulations and that are equal to at least the market
value, determined daily, of the loaned securities. As with any extensions of
credit, there are risks of delay in recovery and in some cases even loss of
rights in the collateral should the borrower of the securities fail
financially. However, loans of portfolio securities will only be made to
firms deemed by the Adviser to be creditworthy and when the income which can
be earned from such loans justifies the attendant risks. The Fund will not
under any circumstances lend more than 25% of the value of its total assets.
Options and Futures Transactions. The Fund may purchase and sell (write)
call and put options on (i) portfolio securities which are denominated in
either U.S. dollars or foreign currencies; (ii) stock indexes; and (iii) the
U.S. dollar and foreign currencies. Such options are or may in the future be
listed on several U.S. and foreign securities exchanges or may be traded in
over-the-counter transactions ("OTC options"). OTC options are purchased from
or sold (written) to dealers or financial institutions which have entered
into direct agreements with the Fund.
The Fund is permitted to write covered call options on portfolio
securities and the U.S. dollar and foreign currencies, without limit, in
order to hedge against the decline in the value of a security or currency in
which such security is denominated (although such hedge is limited to the
value of the premium received) and to close out long call option positions.
The Fund may write covered put options, under which the Fund incurs an
obligation to buy the security (or currency) underlying the option from the
purchaser of the put at the option's exercise price at any time during the
option period, at the purchaser's election.
The Fund may purchase listed and OTC call and put options in amounts
equalling up to 5% of its total assets. The Fund may purchase call options to
close out a covered call position or to protect against an increase in the
price of a security it anticipates purchasing or, in the case of call options
on a foreign currency, to hedge against an adverse exchange rate change of
the currency in which the security it anticipates purchasing is denominated
vis-a-vis the currency in which the exercise price is denominated. The Fund
may purchase put options on securities which it holds in its portfolio to
protect itself against a decline in the value of the security and to close
out written put positions in a manner similar to call option closing purchase
transactions. There are no other limits on the Fund's ability to purchase
call and put options other than compliance with the foregoing policies.
The Fund may purchase and sell futures contracts that are currently
traded, or may in the future be traded, on U.S. and foreign commodity
exchanges on underlying portfolio securities, on any currency ("currency"
futures), on U.S. and foreign fixed-income securities ("interest rate"
futures) and on such indexes of U.S. or foreign equity or fixed-income
securities as may exist or come into being ("index" futures). The Fund may
purchase or sell interest rate futures contracts for the purpose of hedging
some or all of the value of its portfolio securities (or anticipated
portfolio securities) against changes in prevailing interest rates. The Fund
may purchase or sell index futures contracts for the purpose of hedging
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<PAGE>
some or all of its portfolio (or anticipated portfolio) securities against
changes in their prices. The Fund may purchase or sell currency futures
contracts to hedge against an anticipated rise or decline in the value of the
currency in which a portfolio security is denominated vis-a-vis another
currency. As a futures contract purchaser, the Fund incurs an obligation to
take delivery of a specified amount of the obligation underlying the contract
at a specified time in the future for a specified price. As a seller of a
futures contract, the Fund incurs an obligation to deliver the specified
amount of the underlying obligation at a specified time in return for an
agreed upon price.
The Fund also may purchase and write call and put options on futures
contracts which are traded on an exchange and enter into closing transactions
with respect to such options to terminate an existing position.
New futures contracts, options and other financial products and various
combinations thereof continue to be developed. The Fund may invest in any
such futures, options or products as may be developed, to the extent
consistent with its investment objective and applicable regulatory
requirements.
Risks of Options and Futures Transactions. The Fund may close out its
position as writer of an option, or as a buyer or seller of a futures
contract, only if a liquid secondary market exists for options or futures
contracts of that series. There is no assurance that such a market will
exist, particularly in the case of OTC options, as such options may generally
only be closed out by entering into a closing purchase transaction with the
purchasing dealer. Also, exchanges may limit the amount by which the price of
many futures contracts may move on any day. If the price moves equal the
daily limit on successive days, then it may prove impossible to liquidate a
futures position until the daily limit moves have ceased.
Futures contracts and options transactions may be considered speculative
in nature and may involve greater risks than those customarily assumed by
other investment companies which do not invest in such instruments. One such
risk is that the Adviser could be incorrect in its expectations as to the
direction or extent of various interest rate or price movements or the time
span within which the movements take place. For example, if the Fund sold
futures contracts for the sale of securities in anticipation of an increase
in interest rates, and then interest rates went down instead, causing bond
prices to rise, the Fund would lose money on the sale. Another risk which
will arise in employing futures contracts to protect against the price
volatility of portfolio securities is that the prices of securities,
currencies and indexes subject to futures contracts (and thereby the futures
contract prices) may correlate imperfectly with the behavior of the U.S.
dollar cash prices of the Fund's portfolio securities and their denominated
currencies. See the Statement of Additional Information for a further
discussion of risks.
Forward Foreign Currency Exchange Contracts. The Fund may enter into
forward foreign currency exchange contracts ("forward contracts") in
connection with its foreign securities investments.
A forward contract involves an obligation to purchase or sell a currency
at a future date, which may be any fixed number of days from the date of the
contract agreed upon by the parties, at a price set at the time of the
contract. The Fund may enter into forward contracts as a hedge against
fluctuations in future foreign exchange rates.
The Fund will enter into forward contracts under various circumstances.
When the Fund enters into a contract for the purchase or sale of a security
denominated in a foreign currency, it may, for example, desire to "lock in"
the price of the security in U.S. dollars or some other foreign currency
which the Fund is temporarily holding in its portfolio. By entering into a
forward contract for the purchase or sale, for a fixed amount of dollars or
other currency, of the amount of foreign currency involved in the underlying
security transactions, the Fund will be able to protect itself against a
possible loss resulting from an adverse change in the relationship between
the U.S. dollar or other currency which is being used for the security
purchase (by the Fund or the counterparty) and the foreign currency in which
the security is denominated during the period between the date on which the
security is purchased or sold and the date on which payment is made or
received.
At other times, when, for example, the Fund's Adviser believes that the
currency of a particular foreign country may suffer a substantial decline
against the U.S. dollar or some other foreign currency, the Fund may enter
into a forward contract to sell, for a fixed amount of dollars or other
currency, the amount of foreign currency approximating the value of some or
all of the Fund's securities holdings (or securities which the Fund has
purchased for its portfolio) denominated in such foreign currency. Under
identical circumstances, the Fund may enter into a forward contract to sell,
for a fixed amount of U.S. dollars or other currency, an amount of foreign
currency other than the currency in which the securities to be hedged are
denominated approximating the value of some or all of the portfolio
securities to be hedged. This method of hedging, called "cross-hedging," will
be selected by the Adviser when it is determined that the foreign currency in
which the portfolio securities are denominated has insufficient liquidity or
is trading at a discount as compared with some other foreign currency with
which it tends to move in tandem.
In addition, when the Fund's Adviser anticipates purchasing securities at
some time in the future, and wishes to lock in the current exchange rate of
the currency in which those securities are denominated against the U.S.
dollar or some other foreign currency, the Fund may enter into a forward
contract to purchase an amount of currency equal to some or all of the value
of the anticipated purchase, for a fixed amount of U.S. dollars or other
currency. The Fund may, however, close out the forward contract without
purchasing the security which was the subject of the "anticipatory" hedge.
In all of the above circumstances, if the currency in which the Fund's
securities holdings (or anticipated portfolio securities) are denominated
rises in value with respect to the currency which is being purchased (or
sold), then the Fund
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<PAGE>
will have realized fewer gains than had the Fund not entered into the forward
contracts. Moreover, the precise matching of the forward contract amounts and
the value of the securities involved will not generally be possible, since
the future value of such securities in foreign currencies will change as a
consequence of market movements in the value of those securities between the
date the forward contract is entered into and the date it matures. The Fund
is not required to enter into such transactions with regard to its foreign
currency-denominated securities and will not do so unless deemed appropriate
by the Adviser. The Fund generally will not enter into a forward contract
with a term of greater than one year, although it may enter into forward
contracts for periods of up to five years. The Fund may be limited in its
ability to enter into hedging transactions involving forward contracts by the
Internal Revenue Code requirements relating to qualification as a regulated
investment company (see "Dividends, Distributions and Taxes").
PORTFOLIO MANAGEMENT
The Fund's portfolio is actively managed by the Adviser with a view to
achieving the Fund's investment objective. Robert M. Hanisee and John A.
Healey, each a Managing Director of the Adviser, are the primary portfolio
managers of the Fund. Messrs. Hanisee and Healey have been portfolio managers
with affiliates of The TCW Group, Inc. since 1990 and 1995, respectively.
In determining which securities to purchase for the Fund or hold in the
Fund's portfolio, the Adviser will rely on information from various sources,
including research, analysis and appraisals of brokers and dealers, including
Dean Witter Reynolds Inc. ("DWR"), a broker-dealer affiliate of the Manager,
and others regarding economic developments and interest rate trends, and the
Adviser's own analysis of factors it deems relevant.
Orders for transactions in portfolio securities and commodities are placed
for the Fund with a number of brokers and dealers, including DWR. The Fund
may incur brokerage commissions on transactions conducted through DWR. The
Fund intends to buy and hold securities for capital appreciation. Although
the Fund does not intend to engage in substantial short-term trading as a
means of achieving its investment objective, the Fund may sell portfolio
securities without regard to the length of time that they have been held, in
order to take advantage of new investment opportunities or yield
differentials, or because the Fund desires to preserve gains or limit losses
due to changing economic conditions, interest rate trends, or the financial
condition of the issuer. It is not anticipated that the Fund's portfolio
turnover rate will exceed 150% in any one year. The Fund will incur
underwriting discount costs (on underwritten securities) and brokerage costs
commensurate with its portfolio turnover rate, and thus a higher level (over
100%) of portfolio transactions will increase the Fund's overall brokerage
expenses. Short term gains and losses may result from such portfolio
transactions. See "Dividends, Distributions and Taxes" for a discussion of
the tax implications of the Fund's transactions.
The expenses of the Fund relating to its portfolio management are likely
to be greater than those incurred by other investment companies investing
only in securities issued by domestic issuers, as custodial costs, brokerage
commissions and other transaction charges related to investing on foreign
markets are generally higher than in the United States.
Except as specifically noted, all investment policies and practices
discussed above are not fundamental policies of the Fund and thus may be
changed without shareholder approval.
INVESTMENT RESTRICTIONS
- ----------------------------------------------------------------------
The investment restrictions listed below are among the restrictions which
have been adopted by the Fund as fundamental policies. Under the Act, a
fundamental policy may not be changed without the vote of a majority of the
outstanding voting securities of the Fund, as defined in the Act. For
purposes of the following limitations: (i) all percentage limitations apply
immediately after a purchase or initial investment, and (ii) any subsequent
change in any applicable percentage resulting from market fluctuations or
other changes in total or net assets does not require elimination of any
security from the portfolio.
The Fund may not:
1. As to 75% of its assets, invest more than 5% of the value of its
total assets in the securities of any one issuer (other than obligations
issued, or guaranteed by, the United States Government, its agencies or
instrumentalities).
2. As to 75% of its assets, purchase more than 10% of all outstanding
voting securities or more than 10% of any class of securities of any one
issuer.
3. Invest 25% or more of the value of its total assets in securities
of issuers in any one industry except that the Fund will invest at least
25% of its total assets in the securities of issuers in the domestic and
foreign telecommunications, information and related technology industries
(see "Investment Objective and Policies"). This restriction does not apply
to obligations issued or guaranteed by the United States Government, its
agencies or instrumentalities.
4. Invest more than 5% of the value of its total assets in securities
of issuers having a record, together with predecessors, of less than three
years of continuous operation. This restriction does not apply to
obligations issued or guaranteed by the United States Government, its
agencies or instrumentalities.
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UNDERWRITING
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Dean Witter Distributors Inc. (the "Underwriter") has agreed to purchase
up to 10,000,000 shares from the Fund, which number may be increased or
decreased in accordance with the Underwriting Agreement. The initial offering
will run approximately from July 25, 1996 through August 23, 1996. The
Underwriting Agreement provides that the obligation of the Underwriter is
subject to certain conditions precedent and that the Underwriter will be
obligated to purchase the shares on August 28, 1996, or such other date as
may be agreed upon by the Underwriter and the Fund (the "Closing Date").
Shares will not be issued and dividends will not be declared by the Fund
until after the Closing Date. For this reason, payment is not required to be
made prior to the Closing Date. If any orders received during the initial
offering period are accompanied by payment, such payment will be returned
unless an accompanying request for investment in a Dean Witter money market
fund is received at the time the payment is made. All such funds received and
invested in a Dean Witter money market fund will be automatically invested in
the Fund on the Closing Date without any further action by the investor. Any
investor may cancel his or her purchase of Fund shares without penalty at any
time prior to the Closing Date.
The Underwriter will purchase shares from the Fund at $10.00 per share
with all proceeds going to the Fund.
The Underwriter shall, regardless of its expected underwriting commitment,
be entitled and obligated to purchase only the number of shares for which
purchase orders have been received by the Underwriter prior to 2:00 p.m., New
York time, on the third business day preceding the Closing Date, or such
other date as may be agreed to between the parties.
The minimum number of Fund shares which may be purchased by any
shareholder pursuant to this offering is 100 shares. Certificates for shares
purchased will not be issued unless requested by the shareholder in writing.
PURCHASE OF FUND SHARES--CONTINUOUS OFFERING
- ----------------------------------------------------------------------
Dean Witter Distributors Inc. (the "Distributor"), an affiliate of the
Manager, will act as the Distributor of the Fund's shares during the
Continuous Offering. Pursuant to a Distribution Agreement between the Fund
and Dean Witter Distributors Inc. (the "Distributor"), an affiliate of the
Manager, shares of the Fund are distributed by the Distributor and offered by
DWR and other dealers (which may include TCW Brokerage Services, an affiliate
of the Adviser) who have entered into selected broker-dealer agreements with
the Distributor ("Selected Broker-Dealers"). The principal executive office
of the Distributor is located at Two World Trade Center, New York, New York
10048.
The minimum initial purchase is $1,000 and subsequent purchases of $100 or
more may be made by sending a check, payable to TCW/DW Global Telecom Trust,
directly to Dean Witter Trust Company (the "Transfer Agent") at P.O. Box
1040, Jersey City, NJ 07303, or by contacting an account executive of DWR or
other Selected Broker-Dealer. The minimum initial purchase in the case of
investments through EasyInvest, an automatic purchase plan (see "Shareholder
Services"), is $100, provided that the schedule of automatic investments will
result in investments totalling at least $1,000 within the first twelve
months. In the case of investments pursuant to Systematic Payroll Deduction
Plans (including Individual Retirement Plans), the Fund, in its discretion,
may accept investments without regard to any minimum amounts which would
otherwise be required if the Fund has reason to believe that additional
investments will increase the investment in all accounts under such Plans to
at least $1,000. Certificates for shares purchased will not be issued unless
a request is made by the shareholder in writing to the Transfer Agent.
Shares of the Fund are sold through the Distributor on a normal three
business day settlement basis; that is, payment is due on the third business
day (settlement date) after the order is placed with the Distributor. Since
DWR and other Selected Broker-Dealers forward investors' funds on settlement
date, they will benefit from the temporary use of the funds if payment is
made prior thereto. As noted above, orders placed directly with the Transfer
Agent must be accompanied by payment. Investors will be entitled to receive
income dividends and capital gains distributions if their order is received
by the close of business on the day prior to the record date for such
dividends and distributions.
The offering price will be the net asset value per share next determined
following receipt of an order by the Transfer Agent (see "Determination of
Net Asset Value"). While no sales charge is imposed at the time shares are
purchased, a contingent deferred sales charge may be imposed at the time of
redemption (see "Repurchases and Redemptions"). Sales personnel of a Selected
Broker-Dealer are compensated for selling shares of the Fund at the time of
their sale by the Distributor and/or Selected Broker-Dealer. In addition,
some sales personnel of the Selected Broker-Dealer will receive various types
of non-cash compensation or special sales incentives, including trips,
educational and/or business seminars and merchandise. The Fund and the
Distributor reserve the right to reject any purchase orders.
PLAN OF DISTRIBUTION
The Fund has adopted a Plan of Distribution pursuant to Rule 12b-1 under
the Act (the "Plan"), under which the Fund pays the Distributor a fee, which
is accrued daily and payable monthly, at an annual rate of 1% of the lesser
of: (a) the average daily aggregate gross sales of the Fund's shares since
the inception of the Fund (not including reinvestments of dividends or
capital gains distributions), less the average daily aggregate net asset
value of the Fund's shares redeemed
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since the Fund's inception upon which a contingent deferred sales charge has
been imposed or waived; or (b) the Fund's average daily net assets. This fee
is treated by the Fund as an expense in the year it is accrued. A portion of
the fee payable pursuant to the Plan, equal to 0.25% of the Fund's average
daily net assets, is characterized as a service fee within the meaning of
NASD guidelines. The service fee is a payment made for personal service
and/or the maintenance of shareholder accounts.
Amounts paid under the Plan are paid to the Distributor to compensate it
for the services provided and the expenses borne by the Distributor and
others in the distribution of the Fund's shares, including the payment of
commissions for sales of the Fund's shares and compensation to and expenses
of DWR account executives and others who engage in or support distribution of
shares or who service shareholder accounts, including overhead and telephone
expenses; printing and distribution of prospectuses and reports used in
connection with the offering of the Fund's shares to other than current
shareholders; and preparation, printing and distribution of sales literature
and advertising materials. In addition, the Distributor may utilize fees paid
pursuant to the Plan to compensate DWR and other Selected Broker- Dealers for
their opportunity costs in advancing such amounts, which compensation would
be in the form of a carrying charge on any unreimbursed distribution
expenses.
At any given time, the expenses in distributing shares of the Fund may be
in excess of the total of (i) the payments made by the Fund pursuant to the
Plan, and (ii) the proceeds of contingent deferred sales charges paid by
investors upon the redemption of shares (see "Repurchases and
Redemptions--Contingent Deferred Sales Charge"). For example, if $1 million
in expenses in distributing shares of the Fund had been incurred and $750,000
had been received as described in (i) and (ii) above, the excess expense
would amount to $250,000.
Because there is no requirement under the Plan that the Distributor be
reimbursed for all distribution expenses or any requirement that the Plan be
continued from year to year, such excess amount, if any, does not constitute
a liability of the Fund. Although there is no legal obligation for the Fund
to 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. Any cumulative expenses incurred but not yet recovered
through distribution fees of contingent deferred sales charges, may or may
not be recovered through future distribution fees or contingent deferred
sales charges.
DETERMINATION OF NET ASSET VALUE
The net asset value per share of the Fund is determined once daily at 4:00
p.m., New York time (or, on days when the New York Stock Exchange closes
prior to 4:00 p.m., at such earlier time), on each day that the New York
Stock Exchange is open by taking the value of all assets of the Fund,
subtracting all its liabilities, dividing by the number of shares outstanding
and adjusting to the nearest cent. The net asset value per share will not be
determined on Good Friday and on such other federal and non-federal holidays
as are observed by the New York Stock Exchange.
In the calculation of the Fund's net asset value: (1) an equity portfolio
security listed or traded on the New York or American Stock Exchange or other
domestic or foreign stock exchange or quoted by NASDAQ is valued at its
latest sale price on that exchange or quotation service (if there were no
sales that day, the security is valued at the latest bid price); and (2) all
other portfolio securities for which over-the-counter market quotations are
readily available are valued at the latest bid price. When market quotations
are not readily available, including circumstances under which it is
determined by the Adviser that sale or bid prices are not reflective of 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 the Board of Trustees. For valuation purposes,
quotations of foreign portfolio securities, other assets and liabilities and
forward contracts stated in foreign currency are translated into U.S. dollar
equivalents at the prevailing market rates prior to the close of the New York
Stock Exchange as of the morning of valuation. Dividends receivable are
accrued as of the ex-dividend date or as of the time that the relevant
ex-dividend date and amounts become known.
Short-term debt securities with remaining maturities of 60 days or less at
the time of purchase are valued at amortized cost, unless the Trustees
determine such does not reflect the securities' market value, in which case
these securities will be valued at their fair value as determined by the
Trustees. Other short-term debt securities will be valued on a mark-to-market
basis until such time as they reach a remaining maturity of 60 days,
whereupon they will be valued at amortized cost using their value on the 61st
day unless the Trustees determine such does not reflect the securities'
market value, in which case these securities will be valued at their fair
value as determined by the Trustees. All other securities and other assets
are valued at their fair value as determined in good faith under procedures
established by and under the supervision of the Trustees.
Certain of the Fund's portfolio securities may be valued by an outside
pricing service approved by the Fund's Trustees. The pricing service may
utilize a matrix system incorporating security quality, maturity and coupon
as the evaluation model parameters, and/or research evaluations by its staff,
including review of broker-dealer market price quotations, in determining
what the pricing service believes is the fair valuation of such portfolio
securities.
12
<PAGE>
SHAREHOLDER SERVICES
- -----------------------------------------------------------------------------
Automatic Investment of Dividends and Distributions. All income dividends
and capital gains distributions are automatically paid in full and fractional
shares of the Fund (or, if specified by the shareholder, any other TCW/DW
Fund), unless the shareholder requests that they be paid in cash.
Investment of Dividends or Distributions Received in Cash. Any shareholder
who receives a cash payment representing a dividend or capital gains
distribution may invest such dividend or distribution at the net asset value
per share next determined after receipt by the Transfer Agent, by returning
the check or the proceeds to the Transfer Agent within 30 days after the
payment date. Shares so acquired are not subject to the imposition of a
contingent deferred sales charge upon their redemption (see "Repurchases and
Redemptions").
EasyInvest (Service Mark) . Shareholders may subscribe to EasyInvest, an
automatic purchase plan which provides for any amount from $100 to $5,000 to
be transferred automatically from a checking or savings account, on a
semi-monthly, monthly or quarterly basis, to the Fund's Transfer Agent for
investment in shares of the Fund. Shares purchased through EasyInvest will be
added to the shareholder's existing account at the net asset value calculated
the same business day the transfer of funds is effected. For further
information or to subscribe to EasyInvest, shareholders should contact their
DWR or other Selected Broker-Dealer account executive or the Transfer Agent.
Systematic Withdrawal Plan. A systematic withdrawal plan (the "Withdrawal
Plan") is available for shareholders who own or purchase shares of the Fund
having a minimum value of $10,000 based upon the then current net asset
value. The Withdrawal Plan provides for monthly or quarterly (March, June,
September and December) checks in any dollar amount, not less than $25, or in
any whole percentage of the account balance, on an annualized basis. Any
applicable contingent deferred sales charge will be imposed on shares
redeemed under the Withdrawal Plan (See "Repurchases and
Redemptions--Contingent Deferred Sales Charge"). Therefore, any shareholder
participating in the Withdrawal Plan will have sufficient shares redeemed
from his or her account so that the proceeds (net of any applicable
contingent deferred sales charge) to the shareholder will be the designated
monthly or quarterly amount.
Shareholders should contact their DWR or other Selected Broker-Dealer
account executive or the Transfer Agent for information about any of the
above services.
Tax Sheltered Retirement Plans. Retirement plans are available for use by
corporations, the self-employed, Individual Retirement Accounts and Custodial
Accounts under Section 403(b)(7) of the Internal Revenue Code. Adoption of
such plans should be on advice of legal counsel or tax adviser.
For further information regarding plan administration, custodial fees and
other details, investors should contact their account executive or the
Transfer Agent.
EXCHANGE PRIVILEGE
The Fund makes available to its shareholders an "Exchange Privilege"
allowing the exchange of shares of the Fund for shares of any other TCW/DW
Fund sold with a contingent deferred sales charge ("CDSC Funds"), for shares
of TCW/DW North American Government Income Trust, TCW/DW Income and Growth
Fund, TCW/DW Balanced Fund and for shares of five money market funds for
which InterCapital serves as investment manager: Dean Witter Liquid Asset
Fund Inc., Dean Witter U.S. Government Money Market Trust, Dean Witter
Tax-Free Daily Income Trust, Dean Witter California Tax-Free Daily Income
Trust and Dean Witter New York Municipal Money Market Trust (the foregoing
eight funds are hereinafter collectively referred to as the "Exchange
Funds"). Exchanges may be made after the shares of the Fund acquired by
purchase (not by exchange or dividend reinvestment) have been held for thirty
days. There is no waiting period for exchanges of shares acquired by exchange
or dividend reinvestment.
Shareholders utilizing the Fund's Exchange Privilege may subsequently
re-exchange such shares back to the Fund. However, no exchange privilege is
available between the Fund and any other fund managed by the Manager or
InterCapital, other than other TCW/DW Funds and the five money market funds
listed above.
An exchange to another CDSC Fund or to any Exchange Fund that is not a
money market fund is on the basis of the next calculated net asset value per
share of each fund after the exchange order is received. When exchanging into
a money market fund from the Fund or any other TCW/DW Fund, shares of the
Fund are redeemed out of the Fund at their next calculated net asset value
and the proceeds of the redemption are used to purchase shares of the money
market fund at their net asset value determined the following day. Subsequent
exchanges between any of the money market funds and any TCW/DW Fund can be
effected on the same basis. No contingent deferred sales charge ("CDSC") is
imposed at the time of any exchange, although any applicable CDSC will be
imposed upon ultimate redemption. During the period of time the shareholder
remains in the Exchange Fund (calculated from the last day of the month in
which the Exchange Fund shares were acquired), the holding period (for the
purpose of determining the rate of the CDSC) is frozen. If those shares are
subsequently reexchanged for shares of a CDSC Fund, the holding period
previously frozen when the first exchange was made resumes on the last day of
the month in which shares of a CDSC Fund are reacquired. Thus, the CDSC is
based upon the time (calculated as described above) the shareholder was
invested in a CDSC Fund (see "Repurchases and Redemptions--Contingent
Deferred Sales Charge"). However, in the case of shares of the Fund exchanged
into an Exchange Fund, upon a redemption of shares which results in a CDSC
being imposed, a credit (not to exceed the amount of the CDSC) will be given
in an amount equal to the Exchange Fund 12b-1 distribution fees which are
attrib-
13
<PAGE>
utable to those shares. (Exchange Fund 12b-1 distribution fees are described
in the prospectuses for those funds.)
Purchases and exchanges should be made for investment purposes only. A
pattern of frequent exchanges may be deemed by the Manager to be abusive and
contrary to the best interests of the Fund's other shareholders and, at the
Manager's discretion, may be limited by the Fund's refusal to accept
additional purchases and/or exchanges from the investor. Although the Fund
does not have any specific definition of what constitutes a pattern of
frequent exchanges, and will consider all relevant factors in determining
whether a particular situation is abusive and contrary to the best interests
of the Fund and its other shareholders, investors should be aware that the
Fund, each of the other TCW/DW Funds and each of the money market funds may
in its discretion limit or otherwise restrict the number of times this
Exchange Privilege may be exercised by any investor. Any such restriction
will be made by the Fund on a prospective basis only, upon notice to the
shareholder not later than ten days following such shareholder's most recent
exchange. Also, the Exchange Privilege may be terminated or revised at any
time by the Fund and/or any of such other TCW/DW Funds or money market funds
for which shares of the Fund have been exchanged, upon such notice as may be
required by applicable regulatory agencies. Shareholders maintaining margin
accounts with DWR or another Selected Broker-Dealer are referred to their
account executive regarding restrictions on exchange of shares of the Fund
pledged in the margin account.
The current prospectus for each fund describes its investment objective(s)
and policies, and shareholders should obtain a copy and examine it carefully
before investing. Exchanges are subject to the minimum investment requirement
and any other conditions imposed by each fund. An exchange will be treated
for federal income tax purposes the same as a repurchase or redemption of
shares, on which the shareholder may realize a capital gain or loss. However,
the ability to deduct capital losses on an exchange may be limited in
situations where there is an exchange of shares within ninety days after the
shares are purchased. The Exchange Privilege is only available in states
where an exchange may legally be made.
If DWR or another Selected Broker-Dealer is the current dealer of record
and its account numbers are part of the account information, shareholders may
initiate an exchange of shares of the Fund for shares of any of the money
market funds for which the Exchange Privilege is available pursuant to this
Exchange Privilege by contacting their DWR or other Selected Broker-Dealer
account executive (no Exchange Privilege Authorization Form is required).
Other shareholders (and those shareholders who are clients of DWR or another
Selected Broker-Dealer but who wish to make exchanges directly by writing or
telephoning the Transfer Agent) must complete and forward to the Transfer
Agent an Exchange Privilege Authorization Form, copies of which may be
obtained from the Transfer Agent, to initiate an exchange. If the
Authorization Form is used, exchanges may be made in writing or by contacting
the Transfer Agent at (800) 869-NEWS (toll-free). The Fund will employ
reasonable procedures to confirm that exchange instructions communicated over
the telephone are genuine. Such procedures include requiring various forms of
personal identification such as name, mailing address, social security or
other tax identification number and DWR or other Selected Broker-Dealer
account number (if any). Telephone instructions will also be recorded. If
such procedures are not employed, the Fund may be liable for any losses due
to unauthorized or fraudulent instructions.
Telephone exchange instructions will be accepted if received by the
Transfer Agent between 9:00 a.m. and 4:00 p.m. New York time, on any day the
New York Stock Exchange is open. Any shareholder wishing to make an exchange
who has previously filed an Exchange Privilege Authorization Form and who is
unable to reach the Fund by telephone should contact his or her DWR or other
Selected Broker-Dealer account executive, if appropriate, or make a written
exchange request. Shareholders are advised that during periods of drastic
economic or market changes, it is possible that the telephone exchange
procedures may be difficult to implement, although this has not been the case
in the past with other funds managed by the Manager.
Shareholders should contact their DWR or other Selected Broker-Dealer
account executive or the Transfer Agent for further information about the
Exchange Privilege.
REPURCHASES AND REDEMPTIONS
- ----------------------------------------------------------------------
Repurchase. DWR and other Selected Dealers are authorized to repurchase
shares represented by a share certificate which is delivered to any of their
offices. Shares held in a shareholder's account without a share certificate
may also be repurchased by DWR and other Selected Broker-Dealers upon the
telephonic or telegraphic request of the shareholder. The repurchase price is
the net asset value per share next computed (see "Purchase of Fund Shares")
after such repurchase order is received by DWR or other Selected
Broker-Dealer, reduced by any applicable CDSC (see below).
The CDSC, if any, will be the only fee imposed by the Fund, the
Distributor, DWR or other Selected Broker-Dealer. The offers by DWR and
other Selected Broker- Dealers to repurchase shares may be suspended without
notice by them at any time. In that event, shareholders may redeem their
shares through the Fund's Transfer Agent as set forth below under
"Redemption."
Redemption. Shares of the Fund can be redeemed for cash at any time at the
net asset value per share next determined; however, such redemption proceeds
will be reduced by the amount of any applicable contingent deferred sales
charge (see below). If shares are held in a shareholder's account without a
share certificate, a written request for redemption to the Fund's Transfer
Agent at P.O. Box 983, Jersey City, NJ 07303 is required. If certificates are
held by
14
<PAGE>
the shareholder, the shares may be redeemed by surrendering the certificates
with a written request for redemption along with any additional documentation
required by the Transfer Agent.
Contingent Deferred Sales Charge. Shares of the Fund which are held for
six years or more after purchase (calculated from the last day of the month
in which the shares were purchased) will not be subject to any charge upon
redemption. Shares redeemed sooner than six years after purchase may,
however, be subject to a charge upon redemption. This charge is called a
"contingent deferred sales charge" ("CDSC"), which will be a percentage of
the dollar amount of shares redeemed and will be assessed on an amount equal
to the lesser of the current market value or the cost of the shares being
redeemed. The size of this percentage will depend upon how long the shares
have been held, as set forth in the table below:
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
CONTINGENT DEFERRED
YEAR SINCE SALES CHARGE AS A
PURCHASE PERCENTAGE OF AMOUNT
PAYMENT MADE REDEEMED
- --------------------------- -----------------------
<S> <C>
First ...................... 5.0%
Second ..................... 4.0%
Third ...................... 3.0%
Fourth ..................... 2.0%
Fifth ...................... 2.0%
Sixth ...................... 1.0%
Seventh and thereafter .... None
</TABLE>
A CDSC will not be imposed on: (i) any amount which represents an increase
in value of shares purchased within the six years preceding the redemption;
(ii) the current net asset value of shares purchased more than six years
prior to the redemption; and (iii) the current net asset value of shares
purchased through reinvestment of dividends or distributions. Moreover, in
determining whether a CDSC is applicable it will be assumed that amounts
described in (i), (ii) and (iii) above (in that order) are redeemed first.
In addition, the CDSC, if otherwise applicable, will be waived in the case
of:
(1) redemptions of shares held at the time a shareholder dies or becomes
disabled, only if the shares are: (a) registered either in the name of an
individual shareholder (not a trust), or in the names of such shareholder and
his or her spouse as joint tenants with right of survivorship; or (b) held in
a qualified corporate or self-employed retirement plan, Individual Retirement
Account ("IRA") or Custodial Account under Section 403(b)(7) of the Internal
Revenue Code ("403(b) Custodial Account"), provided in either case that the
redemption is requested within one year of the death or initial determination
of disability;
(2) redemptions in connection with the following retirement plan
distributions: (a) lump-sum or other distributions from a qualified corporate
or self-employed retirement plan following retirement (or, in the case of a
"key employee" of a "top heavy" plan, following attainment of age 59 1/2);
(b) distributions from an IRA or 403(b) Custodial Account following
attainment of age 59 1/2; or (c) a tax-free return of an excess contribution
to an IRA; and
(3) all redemptions of shares held for the benefit of a participant in a
corporate or self-employed retirement plan qualified under Section 401(k) of
the Internal Revenue Code which offers investment companies managed by the
Manager or its parent, Dean Witter InterCapital Inc., as self-directed
investment alternatives and for which Dean Witter Trust Company, an affiliate
of the Manager, serves as recordkeeper or Trustee ("Eligible 401(k) Plan"),
provided that either: (a) the plan continues to be an Eligible 401(k) Plan
after the redemption; or (b) the redemption is in connection with the
complete termination of the plan involving the distribution of all plan
assets to participants.
With reference to (1) above, for the purpose of determining disability,
the Distributor utilizes the definition of disability contained in Section
72(m)(7) of the Internal Revenue Code, which relates to the inability to
engage in gainful employment. With reference to (2) above, the term
"distribution" does not encompass a direct transfer of IRA, 403(b) Custodial
Account or retirement plan assets to a successor custodian or trustee. All
waivers will be granted only following receipt by the Distributor of
confirmation of the shareholder's entitlement.
Payment for Shares Redeemed or Repurchased. Payment for shares presented
for repurchase or redemption will be made by check within seven days after
receipt by the Transfer Agent of the certificate and/or written request in
good order. Such payment may be postponed or the right of redemption
suspended under unusual circumstances, e.g., when normal trading is not
taking place on the New York Stock Exchange. If the shares to be redeemed
have recently been purchased by check, payment of the redemption proceeds may
be delayed for the minimum time needed to verify that the check used for
investment has been honored (not more than fifteen days from the time of
receipt of the check by the Transfer Agent). Shareholders maintaining margin
accounts with DWR or another Selected Broker-Dealer are referred to their
account executive regarding restrictions on redemption of shares of the Fund
pledged in the margin account.
Reinstatement Privilege. A shareholder who has had his or her shares
repurchased or redeemed and has not previously exercised this reinstatement
privilege may, within thirty days after the date of the repurchase or
redemption, reinstate any portion or all of the proceeds of such repurchase
or redemption in shares of the Fund at net asset value next determined after
a reinstatement request, together with the proceeds, is received by the
Transfer Agent and receive a pro-rata credit for any CDSC paid in connection
with such repurchase or redemption.
Involuntary Redemption. The Fund reserves the right, on sixty days'
notice, to redeem, at their net asset value, the shares of any shareholder
(other than shares held in an Individual Retirement Account or Custodial
Account under Section 403(b)(7) of the Internal Revenue Code) whose shares
due to redemptions by the shareholder have a value of less than $100 or such
lesser amount as may be fixed by the Trustees or, in the case of an account
opened through
15
<PAGE>
EasyInvest, if after twelve months the shareholder has invested less than
$1,000 in the account. However, before the Fund redeems such shares and sends
the proceeds to the shareholder, it will notify the shareholder that the
value of the shares is less than the applicable amount and allow him or her
sixty days to make an additional investment in an amount which will increase
the value of his or her account to at least the applicable amount before the
redemption is processed. No CDSC will be imposed on any involuntary
redemption.
DIVIDENDS, DISTRIBUTIONS AND TAXES
- ----------------------------------------------------------------------
Dividends and Distributions. The Fund intends to pay dividends and to
distribute substantially all of the Fund's net investment income and net
short-term and net long-term capital gains, if any, at least once each year.
The Fund may, however, determine to retain all or part of any net long-term
capital gains in any year for reinvestment.
All dividends and any capital gains distributions will be paid in
additional Fund shares and automatically credited to the shareholder's
account without issuance of a share certificate unless the shareholder
requests in writing that all dividends and/or distributions be paid in cash.
(See "Shareholder Services--Automatic Investment of Dividends and
Distributions.")
Taxes. Because the Fund intends to distribute all of its net investment
income and capital gains to shareholders and otherwise qualify as a regulated
investment company under Subchapter M of the Internal Revenue Code, it is not
expected that the Fund will be required to pay any federal income tax.
Shareholders who are required to pay taxes on their income will normally have
to pay federal income taxes, and any state income taxes, on the dividends and
distributions they receive from the Fund. Such dividends and distributions,
to the extent that they are derived from net investment income or net
short-term capital gains, are taxable to the shareholder as ordinary income
regardless of whether the shareholder receives such payments in additional
shares or in cash. Any dividends declared with a record date in the last
quarter of any calendar year which are paid in the following year prior to
February 1 will be deemed received by the shareholder in the prior calendar
year. Dividend payments will be eligible for the federal dividends received
deduction available to the Fund's corporate shareholders only to the extent
the aggregate dividends received by the Fund would be eligible for the
deduction if the Fund were the shareholder claiming the dividends received
deduction. In this regard, a 46-day holding period generally must be met by
the Fund and the shareholder.
Distributions of net long-term capital gains, if any, are taxable to
shareholders as long-term capital gains regardless of how long a shareholder
has held the Fund's shares and regardless of whether the distribution is
received in additional shares or in cash. The Fund is subject to foreign
withholding taxes and the pass through of such taxes may not be available to
shareholders.
After the end of the calendar year, shareholders will be sent full
information on their dividends and capital gains distributions for tax
purposes. To avoid being subject to a 31% federal backup withholding tax on
taxable dividends, capital gains distributions and the proceeds of
redemptions and repurchases, shareholders' taxpayer identification numbers
must be furnished and certified as to their accuracy.
Shareholders should consult their tax advisers as to the applicability of
the foregoing to their current situation.
PERFORMANCE INFORMATION
- ----------------------------------------------------------------------
From time to time the Fund may quote its "total return" in advertisements
and sales literature. The total return of the Fund is based on historical
earnings and is not intended to indicate future performance. The "average
annual total return" of the Fund refers to a figure reflecting the average
annualized percentage increase (or decrease) in the value of an initial
investment in the Fund of $1,000 over one, five and ten years or the life of
the Fund, if less than any of the foregoing. Average annual total return
reflects all income earned by the Fund, any appreciation or depreciation of
the Fund's assets, all expenses incurred by the Fund and all sales charges
which would be incurred by redeeming shareholders, for the period. It also
assumes reinvestment of all dividends and distributions paid by the Fund.
In addition to the foregoing, the Fund may advertise its total return over
different periods of time by means of aggregate, average, and year-by-year or
other types of total return figures. Such calculations may or may not reflect
the deduction of the contingent deferred sales charge which, if reflected,
would reduce the performance quoted. The Fund may also advertise the growth
of hypothetical investments of $10,000, $50,000 and $100,000 in shares of the
Fund. The Fund from time to time may also advertise its performance relative
to certain performance rankings and indexes compiled by independent
organizations (such as mutual fund performance rankings of Lipper Analytical
Services, Inc.).
16
<PAGE>
ADDITIONAL INFORMATION
- ----------------------------------------------------------------------
Voting Rights. All shares of beneficial interest of the Fund are of $0.01
par value and are equal as to earnings, assets and voting privileges.
The Fund is not required to hold Annual Meetings of Shareholders and, in
ordinary circumstances, the Fund does not intend to hold such meetings. The
Trustees may call Special Meetings of Shareholders for action by shareholder
vote as may be required by the Act or the Declaration of Trust. Under certain
circumstances, the Trustees may be removed by action of the Trustees or by
the shareholders.
Under Massachusetts law, shareholders of a business trust may, under
certain circumstances, be held personally liable as partners for obligations
of the Fund. However, the Declaration of Trust contains an express disclaimer
of shareholder liability for acts or obligations of the Fund, requires that
Fund obligations include such disclaimer, and provides for indemnification
and reimbursement of expenses out of the Fund's property for any shareholder
held personally liable for the obligations of the Fund. Thus, the risk of a
shareholder incurring financial loss on account of shareholder liability is
limited to circumstances in which the Fund itself would be unable to meet its
obligations. Given the above limitation on shareholder personal liability,
and the nature of the Fund's assets and operations, the possibility of the
Fund being unable to meet its obligations is remote and thus, in the opinion
of Massachusetts counsel to the Fund, the risk to Fund shareholders of
personal liability is remote.
Code of Ethics. The Adviser is subject to a Code of Ethics with respect to
investment transactions in which the Adviser's officers, directors and
certain other persons have a beneficial interest to avoid any actual or
potential conflict or abuse of their fiduciary position. The Code of Ethics,
as it pertains to the TCW/DW Funds, contains several restrictions and
procedures designed to eliminate conflicts of interest including: (a)
pre-clearance of personal investment transactions to ensure that personal
transactions by employees are not being conducted at the same time as the
Adviser's clients; (b) quarterly reporting of personal securities
transactions; (c) a prohibition against personally acquiring securities in an
initial public offering, entering into uncovered short sales and writing
uncovered options; (d) a seven day "blackout period" prior or subsequent to a
TCW/DW Fund transaction during which portfolio managers are prohibited from
making certain transactions in securities which are being purchased or sold
by a TCW/DW Fund; (e) a prohibition, with respect to certain investment
personnel, from profiting in the purchase and sale, or sale and purchase, of
the same (or equivalent) securities within 60 calendar days; and (f) a
prohibition against acquiring any security which is subject to firm wide or,
if applicable, a department restriction of the Adviser. The Code of Ethics
provides that exemptive relief may be given from certain of its requirements,
upon application. The Adviser's Code of Ethics complies with regulatory
requirements and, insofar as it relates to persons associated with registered
investment companies, the 1994 Report of the Advisory Group on Personal
Investing of the Investment Company Institute.
Shareholder Inquiries. All inquiries regarding the Fund should be directed
to the Fund at the telephone numbers or address set forth on the front cover
of this Prospectus.
17
<PAGE>
TCW/DW GLOBAL TELECOM TRUST
Two World Trade Center
New York, New York 10048
TRUSTEES
John C. Argue
Richard M. DeMartini
Charles A. Fiumefreddo
John R. Haire
Dr. Manuel H. Johnson
Thomas E. Larkin, Jr.
Michael E. Nugent
John L. Schroeder
Marc I. Stern
OFFICERS
Charles A. Fiumefreddo
Chairman and Chief Executive Officer
Thomas E. Larkin, Jr.
President
Sheldon Curtis
Senior Vice President, Secretary and
General Counsel
Robert M. Hanisee
Vice President
John A. Healey
Vice President
Thomas F. Caloia
Treasurer
CUSTODIAN
The Chase Manhattan Bank N.A.
One Chase Plaza
New York, NY 10005
TRANSFER AGENT AND
DIVIDEND DISBURSING AGENT
Dean Witter Trust Company
Harborside Financial Center
Plaza Two
Jersey City, New Jersey 07311
INDEPENDENT ACCOUNTANTS
Price Waterhouse LLP
1177 Avenue of the Americas
New York, New York 10036
MANAGER
Dean Witter Services Company Inc.
ADVISER
TCW Funds Management, Inc.
<PAGE>
TCW/DW
GLOBAL TELECOM
TRUST
STATEMENT OF ADDITIONAL INFORMATION
July , 1996
- -----------------------------------------------------------------------------
TCW/DW Global Telecom Trust (the "Fund") is an open-end, diversified
management investment company, whose investment objective is long-term
capital appreciation. The Fund seeks to achieve its investment objective by
investing primarily in a portfolio consisting of securities of domestic and
foreign companies operating in all aspects of the telecommunications,
information and related technology industries (the "Target Industries"). See
"Investment Objective and Policies" in the Prospectus.
A Prospectus for the Fund dated July , 1996, which provides basic
information you should know before investing in the Fund, may be obtained
without charge from the Fund at the address or telephone numbers listed below
or from the Fund's Distributor, Dean Witter Distributors Inc., or from Dean
Witter Reynolds Inc. at any of its branch offices. This Statement of
Additional Information is not a Prospectus. It contains information in
addition to and more detailed than that set forth in the Prospectus. It is
intended to provide additional information regarding the activities and
operations of the Fund, and should be read in conjunction with the
Prospectus.
TCW/DW Global Telecom Trust
Two World Trade Center
New York, New York 10048
(212) 392-2550 or
(800) 869-NEWS (toll-free)
<PAGE>
TABLE OF CONTENTS
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<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
<S> <C>
The Fund and its Management ....................... 3
Trustees and Officers ............................. 6
Investment Practices and Policies ................. 12
Investment Restrictions ........................... 25
Portfolio Transactions and Brokerage .............. 26
Underwriting ...................................... 28
The Distributor ................................... 28
Shareholder Services .............................. 30
Repurchases and Redemptions ....................... 34
Dividends, Distributions and Taxes ................ 36
Performance Information ........................... 37
Description of Shares ............................. 37
Custodian and Transfer Agent ...................... 38
Independent Accountants ........................... 38
Reports to Shareholders ........................... 38
Legal Counsel ..................................... 38
Experts ........................................... 38
Registration Statement ............................ 38
Report of Independent Accountants ................. 39
Statement of Assets and Liabilities at June ,
1996 ............................................. 40
Appendix .......................................... 42
</TABLE>
2
<PAGE>
THE FUND AND ITS MANAGEMENT
- -----------------------------------------------------------------------------
THE FUND
The Fund is a trust of the type commonly known as a "Massachusetts
business trust" and was organized under the laws of the Commonwealth of
Massachusetts on March 28, 1996. The Fund is one of the TCW/DW Funds, which
currently consist, in addition to the Fund, of TCW/DW Core Equity Trust,
TCW/DW Small Cap Growth Fund, TCW/DW North American Government Income Trust,
TCW/DW Latin American Growth Fund, TCW/DW Term Trust 2002, TCW/DW Income and
Growth Fund, TCW/DW Term Trust 2003, TCW/DW Balanced Fund, TCW/DW Term Trust
2000, TCW/DW Emerging Markets Opportunities Trust, TCW/DW Total Return Trust
and TCW/DW Mid-Cap Equity Trust.
THE MANAGER
Dean Witter Services Company Inc. (the "Manager"), a Delaware corporation,
whose address is Two World Trade Center, New York, New York 10048, is the
Fund's Manager. The Manager is a wholly-owned subsidiary of Dean Witter
InterCapital Inc. ("InterCapital"), a Delaware corporation. InterCapital is a
wholly-owned subsidiary of Dean Witter, Discover & Co. ("DWDC"), a Delaware
corporation. In an internal reorganization which took place in January, 1993,
InterCapital assumed the management, administrative and investment advisory
activities previously performed by the InterCapital Division of Dean Witter
Reynolds Inc. ("DWR"), a broker-dealer affiliate of the Manager. (As
hereinafter used in this Statement of Additional Information, the term
"InterCapital" refers to DWR's InterCapital Division prior to the internal
reorganization and to Dean Witter InterCapital Inc. thereafter). The daily
management of the Fund is conducted by or under the direction of officers of
the Fund and of the Manager and Adviser (see below), subject to review by the
Fund's Board of Trustees. In addition, Trustees of the Fund may provide
guidance on economic factors and interest rate trends. Information as to
these Trustees and officers is contained under the caption "Trustees and
Officers."
Pursuant to a management agreement (the "Management Agreement") with the
Manager, the Fund has retained the Manager to manage the Fund's business
affairs, supervise the overall day-to-day operations of the Fund (other than
rendering investment advice) and provide all administrative services to the
Fund. Under the terms of the Management Agreement, the Manager also maintains
certain of the Fund's books and records and furnishes, at its own expense,
such office space, facilities, equipment, supplies, clerical help and
bookkeeping and certain legal services as the Fund may reasonably require in
the conduct of its business, including the preparation of prospectuses,
statements of additional information, proxy statements and reports required
to be filed with federal and state securities commissions (except insofar as
the participation or assistance of independent accountants and attorneys is,
in the opinion of the Manager, necessary or desirable). In addition, the
Manager pays the salaries of all personnel, including officers of the Fund,
who are employees of the Manager. The Manager also bears the cost of the
Fund's telephone service, heat, light, power and other utilities.
As full compensation for the services and facilities furnished to the Fund
and expenses of the Fund assumed by the Manager, the Fund pays the Manager
monthly compensation calculated daily by applying the annual rate of 0.60% to
the daily net assets of the Fund determined as of the close of each business
day. While the total fees payable under the Management Agreement and the
Advisory Agreement (described below) are higher than that paid by most other
investment companies for similar services, the Board of Trustees determined
that the total fees payable under the Management Agreement and the Advisory
Agreement (described below) are reasonable in relation to the scope and
quality of services to be provided thereunder. In this regard, in evaluating
the Management Agreement and the Advisory Agreement, the Board of Trustees
recognized that the Manager and the Adviser had, pursuant to an agreement
described under the section entitled "The Adviser," agreed to a division as
between themselves of the total fees necessary for the management of the
business affairs of and the furnishing of investment advice to the Fund.
Accordingly, in reviewing the Management Agreement and Advisory Agreement,
the Board viewed as most significant the question as to whether the total
fees payable under the Management and Advisory Agreements were in the
aggregate reasonable in relation to the services to be provided thereunder.
The Management Agreement provides that in the absence of willful
misfeasance, bad faith, gross negligence or reckless disregard of its
obligations thereunder, the Manager is not liable to the Fund or any of its
investors for
3
<PAGE>
any act or omission by the Manager or for any losses sustained by the Fund or
its investors. The Management Agreement in no way restricts the Manager from
acting as manager to others.
InterCapital has undertaken to assume all Fund expenses (except for the
Plan of Distribution fee, foreign taxes withheld and brokerage fees) and the
Manager has undertaken to waive the compensation provided for in the
Management Agreement for services rendered, and the Adviser has undertaken to
waive the compensation provided for in its Advisory Agreement, until such
time as the Fund has $50 million of net assets or until six months from the
date of commencement of operations, whichever occurs first.
InterCapital has paid the organizational expenses of the Fund
(approximately $158,225) incurred prior to the offering of the Fund's shares.
The Fund has agreed to reimburse InterCapital for such expenses. These
expenses will be deferred by the Fund and amortized on the straight line
method over a period not to exceed five years from the date of commencement
of the Fund's operations.
The Management Agreement was approved by the Trustees on April 17, 1996
and became effective on that date. It was approved by InterCapital as the
then sole shareholder on April 18, 1996. The Management Agreement may be
terminated at any time, without penalty, on thirty days' notice by the
Trustees of the Fund, or by the Manager.
Under its terms, the Management Agreement will continue in effect until
April 30, 1997, and will continue in effect from year to year thereafter,
provided continuance of the Agreement is approved at least annually by the
vote of the Trustees of the Fund, including the vote of a majority of the
Trustees of the Fund who are not parties to the Management or Advisory
Agreement or "interested persons" (as defined in the Investment Company Act
of 1940, as amended (the "Act")) of any such party (the "Independent
Trustees").
THE ADVISER
TCW Funds Management, Inc. (the "Adviser") is a wholly-owned subsidiary of
The TCW Group, Inc. ("TCW"), whose direct and indirect subsidiaries,
including Trust Company of the West and TCW Asset Management Company, provide
a variety of trust, investment management and investment advisory services.
As of March 31, 1996, the Adviser and its affiliates had approximately $53
billion under management or committed to management. Trust Company of the
West and its affiliates have managed equity securities portfolios for
institutional investors since 1971. The Adviser is headquartered at 865 South
Figueroa Street, Suite 1800, Los Angeles, California 90017 and is registered
as an investment adviser under the Investment Advisers Act of 1940. In
addition to the Fund, the Adviser serves as investment adviser to twelve
other TCW/DW Funds: TCW/DW Small Cap Growth Fund, TCW/DW Core Equity Trust,
TCW/DW North American Government Income Trust, TCW/DW Latin American Growth
Fund, TCW/DW Term Trust 2002, TCW/DW Income and Growth Fund, TCW/DW Term
Trust 2003, TCW/DW Balanced Fund, TCW/DW Term Trust 2000, TCW/DW Emerging
Markets Opportunities Trust, TCW/DW Total Return Trust and TCW/DW Mid-Cap
Equity Trust. The Adviser also serves as investment adviser to TCW
Convertible Securities Fund, Inc., a closed-end investment company listed on
the New York Stock Exchange, and to TCW Galileo Funds, Inc., an open-end
management investment company, and acts as adviser or sub-adviser to other
investment companies.
Robert A. Day, who is Chairman of the Board of Directors of TCW, may be
deemed to be a control person of the Adviser by virtue of the aggregate
ownership of Mr. Day and his family of more than 25% of the outstanding
voting stock of TCW.
Pursuant to an investment advisory agreement (the "Advisory Agreement")
with the Adviser, the Fund has retained the Adviser to invest the Fund's
assets, including the placing of orders for the purchase and sale of
portfolio securities. The Adviser obtains and evaluates such information and
advice relating to the economy, securities markets, and specific securities
as it considers necessary or useful to continuously manage the assets of the
Fund in a manner consistent with its investment objective. In addition, the
Adviser pays the salaries of all personnel, including officers of the Fund,
who are employees of the Adviser.
As full compensation for the services and facilities furnished to the Fund
and expenses of the Fund assumed by the Adviser, the Fund pays the Adviser
monthly compensation calculated daily by applying the annual rate of 0.40% to
the daily net assets of the Fund determined as of the close of each business
day.
4
<PAGE>
The Advisory Agreement provides that in the absence of willful
misfeasance, bad faith, gross negligence or reckless disregard of its
obligations thereunder, the Adviser is not liable to the Fund or any of its
investors for any act or omission by the Adviser or for any losses sustained
by the Fund or its investors. The Advisory Agreement in no way restricts the
Adviser from acting as investment adviser to others.
The Advisory Agreement was approved by the Trustees on April 17, 1996 and
by InterCapital as the then sole shareholder on April 18, 1996. The Advisory
Agreement may be terminated at any time, without penalty, on thirty days'
notice by the Trustees of the Fund, by the holders of a majority, as defined
in the Act, of the outstanding shares of the Fund, or by the Adviser. The
Agreement will automatically terminate in the event of its assignment (as
defined in the Act).
Under its terms, the Advisory Agreement will continue in effect until
April 30, 1997, and provides that it will continue from year to year
thereafter, provided continuance of the Agreement is approved at least
annually by the vote of the holders of a majority, as defined in the Act, of
the outstanding shares of the Fund, or by the Trustees of the Fund; provided
that in either event such continuance is approved annually by the vote of a
majority of the Independent Trustees of the Fund, which vote must be cast in
person at a meeting called for the purpose of voting on such approval.
Expenses not expressly assumed by the Manager under the Management
Agreement, by the Adviser under the Advisory Agreement or by the Distributor
of the Fund's shares, Dean Witter Distributors Inc. ("Distributors" or the
"Distributor") (see "The Distributor"), will be paid by the Fund. The
expenses borne by the Fund include, but are not limited to: expenses of the
Plan of Distribution pursuant to Rule 12b-1 (see "The Distributor"); charges
and expenses of any registrar; custodian, stock transfer and dividend
disbursing agent; brokerage commissions and securities transaction costs;
taxes; engraving and printing of share certificates; registration costs of
the Fund and its shares under federal and state securities laws; the cost and
expense of printing, including typesetting, and distributing Prospectuses and
Statements of Additional Information of the Fund and supplements thereto to
the Fund's shareholders; all expenses of shareholders' and trustees' meetings
and of preparing, printing and mailing of proxy statements and reports to
shareholders; fees and travel expenses of trustees or members of any advisory
board or committee who are not employees of the Manager or Adviser or any
corporate affiliate of either; all expenses incident to any dividend,
withdrawal or redemption options; charges and expenses of any outside service
used for pricing of the Fund's shares; fees and expenses of legal counsel,
including counsel to the Trustees who are not interested persons of the Fund
or of the Manager or the Adviser (not including compensation or expenses of
attorneys who are employees of the Manager or the Adviser) and independent
accountants; membership dues of industry associations; interest on Fund
borrowings; postage; insurance premiums on property or personnel (including
officers and trustees) of the Fund which inure to its benefit; extraordinary
expenses (including, but not limited to, legal claims and liabilities and
litigation costs and any indemnification relating thereto); and all other
costs of the Fund's operation.
Pursuant to the Management and Advisory Agreements, total operating
expenses of the Fund are subject to applicable limitations under rules and
regulations of states where the Fund is authorized to sell its shares.
Therefore, operating expenses are effectively subject to the most restrictive
of such limitations as the same may be amended from time to time. Presently,
the most restrictive limitation is as follows. If, in any fiscal year, the
Fund's total operating expenses, exclusive of taxes, interest, brokerage
fees, certain custody fees, distribution fees and extraordinary expenses (to
the extent permitted by applicable state securities laws and regulations),
exceed 2 1/2% of the first $30,000,000 of average daily net assets, 2% of
the next $70,000,000 and 1 1/2% of any excess over $100,000,000, the Manager
and the Adviser will reimburse the Fund, on a pro-rata basis, for the amount
of such excess. Such amount, if any, will be calculated daily and credited on
a monthly basis.
DWR and TCW have entered into an Agreement for the purpose of creating,
managing, administering and distributing a family of investment companies and
other managed pooled investment vehicles offered on a retail basis within the
United States. The Agreement contemplates that, subject to approval of the
board of trustees or directors of a particular investment entity, DWR or its
affiliates will provide management and distribution services and TCW or its
affiliates will provide investment advisory services for each such investment
entity. The Agreement sets forth the terms and conditions of the
relationship between TCW and its affiliates and DWR and its affiliates and
the manner in which the parties will implement the creation and maintenance
of the investment entities, including the parties' expectations as to
respective allocation of fees to be paid by an investment entity to each
party for the services to be provided to it by such party.
5
<PAGE>
The Fund has acknowledged that each of DWR and TCW owns its own name,
initials and logo. The Fund has agreed to change its name at the request of
either the Manager or the Adviser, if the Management Agreement between the
Manager and the Fund or the Advisory Agreement between the Adviser and the
Fund is terminated.
TRUSTEES AND OFFICERS
- -----------------------------------------------------------------------------
The Trustees and Executive Officers of the Fund, their principal business
occupations during the last five years and their affiliations, if any, with
the Manager or the Adviser, and the affiliated companies of either, and the
13 TCW/DW Funds and with the 81 investment companies of which InterCapital
serves as investment manager or investment adviser (the "Dean Witter Funds"),
are shown below.
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
NAME, AGE, POSITION WITH FUND AND ADDRESS PRINCIPAL OCCUPATION DURING LAST FIVE YEARS
- --------------------------------------------- ------------------------------------------------
<S> <C>
John C. Argue (64) Of Counsel, Argue Pearson Harbison & Myers (law firm);
Trustee Director, Avery Dennison Corporation (manufacturer
c/o Argue Pearson Harbison & Myers of self-adhesive products and office supplies) and
801 South Flower Street CalMat Company (producer of aggregates, asphalt and
Los Angeles, California ready mixed concrete); Chairman, Rose Hills Memorial
Park (cemetery); advisory director, LAACO Ltd. (owner
and operator of private clubs and real estate); director
or trustee of various business and not-for-profit
corporations; Director, Coast Savings Financial Inc.
and Coast Federal Bank (a subsidiary of Coast Savings
Financial Inc.); Director, TCW Galileo Funds, Inc.;
Trustee, University of Southern California,
Occidental College and Pomona College; Trustee of
the TCW/DW Funds.
Richard M. DeMartini* (43) President and Chief Operating Officer of Dean Witter
Trustee Capital, a division of DWR; Director of DWR, the Manager,
Two World Trade Center InterCapital, Distributors and Dean Witter Trust
New York, New York Company ("DWTC"); Executive Vice President of Dean
Witter, Discover & Co. ("DWDC"); Member of the DWDC
Management Committee; Trustee of the TCW/DW Funds;
member (since January, 1993) and Chairman (since
January, 1995) of the Board of Directors of NASDAQ.
Charles A. Fiumefreddo* (63) Chairman, Chief Executive Officer and Director of
Chairman of the Board, Chief the Manager, InterCapital and Distributors; Executive
Executive Officer and Trustee Vice President and Director of DWR; Chairman of the
Two World Trade Center Board, Chief Executive Officer and Trustee of the
New York, New York TCW/DW Funds; Chairman of the Board, Director or
Trustee, President and Chief Executive Officer of
the Dean Witter Funds; Chairman and Director of DWTC;
Director and/or officer of various DWDC subsidiaries;
formerly Executive Vice President and Director of
DWDC (until February, 1993).
6
<PAGE>
NAME, AGE, POSITION WITH FUND AND ADDRESS PRINCIPAL OCCUPATION DURING LAST FIVE YEARS
- --------------------------------------------- ------------------------------------------------
John R. Haire (72) Chairman of the Audit Committee and Chairman of the
Trustee Committee of Independent Trustees and Trustee of the
Two World Trade Center TCW/DW Funds; Chairman of the Audit Committee and
New York, New York Chairman of the Committee of Independent Directors
or Trustees and Director or Trustee of the Dean Witter
Funds; formerly President, Council for Aid to Education
(1978-1989) and Chairman and Chief Executive Officer
of Anchor Corporation, an Investment Adviser
(1964-1978); Director of Washington National
Corporation (insurance).
Dr. Manuel H. Johnson (47) Senior Partner, Johnson Smick International, Inc.,
Trustee a consulting firm; Koch Professor of International
c/o Johnson Smick International, Inc. Economics and Director of the Center for Global Market
1133 Connecticut Avenue, N.W. Studies at George Mason University; Co-Chairman and
Washington D.C. a founder of the Group of Seven Council (G7C), an
international economic commission; Director of NASDAQ
(since June, 1995); Director of Greenwich Capital
Markets, Inc. (broker-dealer); formerly Vice Chairman
of the Board of Governors of the Federal Reserve System
(1986-1990) and Assistant Secretary of the U.S.
Treasury (1982-1986); Director or Trustee of the Dean
Witter Funds; Trustee of the TCW/DW Funds.
Thomas E. Larkin, Jr.* (56) Executive Vice President and Director, The TCW Group,
President and Trustee Inc.; President and Director of Trust Company of the
865 South Figueroa Street West; Vice Chairman and Director of TCW Asset Management
Los Angeles, California Company; Chairman of the Adviser; President and
Director of TCW Galileo Funds, Inc.; Senior Vice
President of TCW Convertible Securities Fund, Inc.;
Member of the Board of Trustees of the University
of Notre Dame; Director of Orthopaedic Hospital of
Los Angeles; President and Trustee of the TCW/DW Funds.
Michael E. Nugent (59) General Partner, Triumph Capital, L.P., a private
Trustee investment partnership; formerly Vice President,
c/o Triumph Capital, L.P. Bankers Trust Company and BT Capital Corporation
237 Park Avenue (1984-1988); Director of various business
New York, New York organizations; Director or Trustee of the Dean Witter
Funds; Trustee of the TCW/DW Funds.
John L. Schroeder (65) Retired; Director or Trustee of the Dean Witter Funds;
Trustee Trustee of the TCW/DW Funds; Director of Citizens
c/o Gordon Altman Butowsky Utilities Company; formerly Executive Vice President
Weitzen Shalov & Wein and Chief Investment Officer of the Home Insurance
Counsel to the Independent Trustees Company (August, 1991-September, 1995); formerly
114 West 47th Street Chairman and Chief Investment Officer of Axe-Houghton
New York, New York Management and the Axe-Houghton Funds (1983-1991)
and President of USF&G Financial Services, Inc.
(1990-1991).
7
<PAGE>
NAME, AGE, POSITION WITH FUND AND ADDRESS PRINCIPAL OCCUPATION DURING LAST FIVE YEARS
- --------------------------------------------- ------------------------------------------------
Marc I. Stern* (52) President, The TCW Group, Inc. (since May, 1992);
Trustee President and Director of the Adviser (since May,
865 South Figueroa Street 1992); Vice Chairman and Director of TCW Asset
Los Angeles, California Management Company (since May, 1992); Executive Vice
President and Director of Trust Company of the West;
Chairman and Director of TCW Galileo Funds, Inc.;
Trustee of the TCW/DW Funds; Chairman of TCW Americas
Development, Inc. (since November, 1990); Chairman
of TCW Asia, Limited (since January, 1993); Chairman
of TCW London International, Limited (since March,
1993); formerly President of SunAmerica, Inc.
(financial services company); Director of Qualcomm,
Incorporated (wireless communications); Director or
Trustee of various not-for-profit organizations.
Sheldon Curtis (64) Senior Vice President, Secretary and General Counsel
Vice President, Secretary and General Counsel of the Manager and InterCapital; Senior Vice President
Two World Trade Center and Secretary of DWTC; Senior Vice President, Assistant
New York, New York Secretary and Assistant General Counsel of
Distributors; Assistant Secretary of DWR and Vice
President, Secretary and General Counsel of the TCW/DW
Funds and of the Dean Witter Funds.
Robert M. Hanisee (57) Managing Director of the Adviser (since April, 1990);
Vice President Managing Director, Director of Research and Chairman
865 South Figueroa Street of the Equity Policy Committee of Trust Company of
Los Angeles, California the West and TCW Asset Management Company; Vice
President of TCW/DW Income and Growth Fund and TCW/DW
Core Equity Trust.
John A. Healey (60) Managing Director of the Adviser (since , 1995);
Vice President formerly, independent consultant with Healey Partners
865 South Figueroa Street (financial services firm) ( , 19- , 1995);
Los Angeles, California director of Emerging Markets Country Investment Trust Plc.
Thomas F. Caloia (50) First Vice President and Assistant Treasurer of the
Treasurer Manager and InterCapital and Treasurer of the TCW/DW
Two World Trade Center Funds and the Dean Witter Funds.
New York, New York
</TABLE>
- ------------
* Denotes Trustees who are "interested persons" of the Fund, as defined
in the Act.
In addition, Robert M. Scanlan, President and Chief Operating Officer of
the Manager and InterCapital, Executive Vice President of Distributors and
DWTC and Director of DWTC, and David A. Hughey, Executive Vice President and
Chief Administrative Officer of the Manager, InterCapital, Distributors and
DWTC and Director of DWTC, and Robert S. Giambrone, Senior Vice President of
InterCapital, DWSC, Distributors and DWTC and Director of DWTC, are Vice
Presidents of the Fund, and Marilyn K. Cranney and Barry Fink, First Vice
Presidents and Assistant General Counsels of the Manager and InterCapital,
and Lou Anne D. McInnis and Ruth Rossi, Vice Presidents and Assistant General
Counsels of the Manager and InterCapital, and Carsten Otto, a Staff Attorney
with InterCapital, are Assistant Secretaries of the Fund.
8
<PAGE>
THE BOARD OF TRUSTEES, THE INDEPENDENT TRUSTEES, AND THE COMMITTEES
The Board of Trustees currently consists of nine (9) trustees. These same
individuals also serve as trustees for all of the TCW/DW Funds. As of the
date of this Statement of Additional Information, there are a total of 13
TCW/DW Funds. As of March 31, 1996, the TCW/DW Funds had total net assets of
approximately $4.2 billion and approximately a quarter of a million
shareholders.
Five Trustees (56% of the total number) have no affiliation or business
connection with TCW Funds Management, Inc. or Dean Witter Services Company
Inc. or any of their affiliated persons and do not own any stock or other
securities issued by DWDC or TCW, the parent companies of Dean Witter
Services Company Inc. and TCW Funds Management, Inc., respectively. These are
the "disinterested" or "independent" Trustees. The other four Trustees (the
"management Trustees") are affiliated with either Dean Witter Services
Company Inc. or TCW. Four of the five independent Trustees are also
Independent Trustees of the Dean Witter Funds.
Law and regulation establish both general guidelines and specific duties
for the Independent Trustees. The TCW/DW Funds seek as Independent Trustees
individuals of distinction and experience in business and finance, government
service or academia; these are people whose advice and counsel are in demand
by others and for whom there is often competition. To accept a position on
the Funds' Boards, such individuals may reject other attractive assignments
because the Funds make substantial demands on their time. Indeed, by serving
on the Funds' Boards, certain Trustees who would otherwise be qualified and
in demand to serve on bank boards would be prohibited by law from doing so.
All of the Independent Trustees serve as members of the Audit Committee
and the Committee of the Independent Trustees. Three of them also serve as
members of the Derivatives Committee. During the calendar year ended December
31, 1995, the three Committees held a combined total of nineteen meetings.
The Committees hold some meetings at the offices of the Manager or Adviser
and some outside those offices. Management Trustees or officers do not attend
these meetings unless they are invited for purposes of furnishing information
or making a report.
The Committee of the Independent Trustees is charged with recommending to
the full Board approval of management, advisory and administration contracts,
Rule 12b-1 plans and distribution and underwriting agreements; continually
reviewing Fund performance; checking on the pricing of portfolio securities,
brokerage commissions, transfer agent costs and performance, and trading
among Funds in the same complex; and approving fidelity bond and related
insurance coverage and allocations, as well as other matters that arise from
time to time. The Independent Trustees are required to select and nominate
individuals to fill any Independent Trustee vacancy on the Board of any Fund
that has a Rule 12b-1 plan of distribution. Each of the open-end TCW/DW Funds
has such a plan.
The Audit Committee is charged with recommending to the full Board the
engagement or discharge of the Fund's independent accountants; directing
investigations into matters within the scope of the independent accountants'
duties, including the power to retain outside specialists; reviewing with the
independent accountants the audit plan and results of the auditing
engagement; approving professional services provided by the independent
accountants and other accounting firms prior to the performance of such
services; reviewing the independence of the independent accountants;
considering the range of audit and non-audit fees; reviewing the adequacy of
the Fund's system of internal controls; and preparing and submitting
Committee meeting minutes to the full Board.
Finally, the Board of each Fund has formed a Derivatives Committee to
establish parameters for and oversee the activities of the Fund with respect
to derivative investments, if any, made by the Fund.
DUTIES OF CHAIRMAN OF COMMITTEES
On July 1, 1996, Mr. Haire became Chairman of the Committee of the
Independent Trustees and the Audit Committee of the TCW/DW Funds. The
Chairman of the Committees maintains an office in the Funds' headquarters in
New York. He is responsible for keeping abreast of regulatory and industry
developments and the Funds' operations and management. He screens and/or
prepares written materials and identifies critical issues for the Independent
Trustees to consider, develops agendas for Committee meetings, determines the
type and amount of information that the Committees will need to form a
judgment on various issues, and arranges to have that information furnished
to Committee members. He also arranges for the services of independent
experts and
9
<PAGE>
consults with them in advance of meetings to help refine reports and to focus
on critical issues. Members of the Committees believe that the person who
serves as Chairman of all three Committees and guides their efforts is
pivotal to the effective functioning of the Committees.
The Chairman of the Committees also maintains continuous contact with the
Funds' management, with independent counsel to the Independent Trustees and
with the Funds' independent auditors. He arranges for a series of special
meetings involving the annual review of investment advisory, management and
other operating contracts of the Funds and, on behalf of the Committees,
conducts negotiations with the Investment Adviser and the Manager and other
service providers. In effect, the Chairman of the Committees serves as a
combination of chief executive and support staff of the Independent Trustees.
The Chairman of the Committees is not employed by any other organization
and devotes his time primarily to the services he performs as Committee
Chairman and Independent Trustee of the TCW/DW Funds and as Committee
Chairman and Independent Director or Trustee of the Dean Witter Funds. The
current Committee Chairman has had more than 35 years experience as a senior
executive in the investment company industry.
ADVANTAGES OF HAVING SAME INDIVIDUALS AS INDEPENDENT TRUSTEES FOR ALL TCW/DW
FUNDS
The Independent Trustees and the Funds' management believe that having the
same Independent Trustees for each of the TCW/DW Funds avoids the duplication
of effort that would arise from having different groups of individuals
serving as Independent Trustees for each of the Funds or even of sub-groups
of Funds. They believe that having the same individuals serve as Independent
Trustees of all the Funds tends to increase their knowledge and expertise
regarding matters which affect the Fund complex generally and enhances their
ability to negotiate on behalf of each Fund with the Fund's service
providers. This arrangement also precludes the possibility of separate groups
of Independent Trustees arriving at conflicting decisions regarding
operations and management of the Funds and avoids the cost and confusion that
would likely ensue. Finally, having the same Independent Trustees serve on
all Fund Boards enhances the ability of each Fund to obtain, at modest cost
to each separate Fund, the services of Independent Trustees, and a Chairman
of their Committees, of the caliber, experience and business acumen of the
individuals who serve as Independent Trustees of the TCW/DW Funds.
COMPENSATION OF INDEPENDENT TRUSTEES
The Fund intends to pay each Independent Trustee an annual fee of $2,225
plus a per meeting fee of $200 for meetings of the Board of Trustees or
committees of the Board of Trustees attended by the Trustee (the Fund intends
to pay the Chairman of the Audit Committee an annual fee of $750 and the
Chairman of the Committee of the Independent Trustees an additional annual
fee of $1,200). The Fund will also reimburse such Trustees for travel and
other out-of-pocket expenses incurred by them in connection with attending
such meetings. Trustees and officers of the Fund who are or have been
employed by the Manager or the Adviser or an affiliated company of either
will receive no compensation or expense reimbursement from the Fund. Payments
will commence as of the time the Fund begins paying management and advisory
fees, which, pursuant to undertakings by the Manager and the Adviser, will be
at such time as the Fund has $50 million of net assets or six months from the
date of commencement of the Fund's operations, whichever occurs first. The
Trustees of the TCW/DW Funds do not have retirement or deferred compensation
plans.
At such time as the Fund has been in operation, and has paid fees to the
Independent Trustees, for a full fiscal year, and assuming that during such
fiscal year the Fund holds the same number of Board and committee meetings as
were held by the other TCW/DW Funds during the calendar year ended December
31, 1995, it is estimated that compensation paid to each Independent Trustee
during such fiscal year will be the amount shown in the following table.
10
<PAGE>
FUND COMPENSATION (ESTIMATED)
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
AGGREGATE
NAME OF INDEPENDENT COMPENSATION
TRUSTEE FROM THE FUND
- -------------------------- ---------------
<S> <C>
John C. Argue ............. $5,225
John R. Haire ............. 7,175(1)
Dr. Manuel H. Johnson .... 5,225
Michael E. Nugent ......... 5,225
John L. Schroeder ......... 5,225
</TABLE>
- ------------
(1) Of Mr. Haire's compensation from the Fund, it is estimated that $1,950
will be paid to him as Chairman of the Committee of the Independent
Trustees ($1,200) and as Chairman of the Audit Committee ($750).
The following table illustrates the compensation paid to the Fund's
Independent Trustees for the calendar year ended December 31, 1995 for
services to the eleven TCW/DW Funds and, in the case of Messrs. Haire,
Johnson, Nugent and Schroeder, the seventy-nine Dean Witter Funds that were
in operation at December 31, 1995, and, in the case of Mr. Argue, TCW Galileo
Funds, Inc. With respect to Messrs. Haire, Johnson, Nugent and Schroeder, the
Dean Witter Funds are included solely because of a limited exchange privilege
between various TCW/DW Funds and five Dean Witter Money Market Funds. With
respect to Mr. Argue, TCW Galileo Funds, Inc. is included solely because the
Fund's Adviser, TCW Funds Management, Inc., also serves as Adviser to that
investment company. Mr. Schroeder was elected as a Trustee of each TCW/DW
Fund then in existence on April 20, 1995.
COMPENSATION FROM FUND GROUPS
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
FOR SERVICE AS
FOR SERVICE AS CHAIRMAN OF TOTAL COMPENSATION
FOR SERVICE AS DIRECTOR OR COMMITTEES OF PAID FOR SERVICES TO
TRUSTEE AND TRUSTEE AND FOR SERVICE AS INDEPENDENT 79 DEAN WITTER
COMMITTEE MEMBER COMMITTEE MEMBER DIRECTOR OF DIRECTORS/ FUNDS, 11 TCW/DW
OF 11 TCW/DW OF 79 DEAN WITTER TCW GALILEO TRUSTEES AND FUNDS AND TCW
NAME OF INDEPENDENT TRUSTEE FUNDS FUNDS FUNDS, INC. AUDIT COMMITTEES GALILEO FUNDS, INC.
- --------------------------- ---------------- ----------------- -------------- ---------------- --------------------
<S> <C> <C> <C> <C> <C>
John C. Argue ............. $68,038 -- $37,500 -- $105,538
John R. Haire ............. 82,038 $ 98,450 -- $217,350(2) 397,838
Dr. Manuel H. Johnson .... 82,038 136,450 -- -- 218,488
Michael E. Nugent ......... 75,038 124,200 -- -- 199,238
John L. Schroeder ......... 46,964 136,450 -- -- 183,414
</TABLE>
- ------------
(2) For the 79 Dean Witter Funds in operation at December 31, 1995. As
noted above, on July 1, 1996, Mr. Haire became Chairman of the Committee
of the Independent Trustees and the Audit Committee of the TCW/DW Funds in
addition to continuing to serve in such capacities for the Dean Witter
Funds.
As of the date of this Statement of Additional Information, 57 of the Dean
Witter Funds have adopted a retirement program under which an Independent
Trustee who retires after serving for at least five years (or such lesser
period as may be determined by the Board) as an Independent Director or
Trustee of any Dean Witter Fund that has adopted the retirement program (each
such Fund referred to as an "Adopting Fund" and each such Trustee referred to
as an "Eligible Trustee") is entitled to retirement payments upon reaching
the eligible retirement age (normally, after attaining age 72). Annual
payments are based upon length of service. Currently, upon retirement, each
Eligible Trustee is entitled to receive from the Adopting Fund, commencing as
of his or her retirement date and continuing for the remainder of his or her
life, an annual retirement benefit (the "Regular Benefit") equal to 25.0% of
his or her Eligible Compensation plus 0.4166666% of such Eligible
Compensation for each full month of service as an Independent Director or
Trustee of any Adopting Fund in excess of five years up to a maximum of 50.0%
after ten years of service. The foregoing percentages may be changed by the
Board.(3) "Eligible
- ------------
(3) An Eligible Trustee may elect alternate payments of his or her retirement
benefits based upon the combined life expectancy of such Eligible Trustee
and his or her spouse on the date of such Eligible Trustee's retirement.
The amount estimated to be payable under this method, through the
remainder of the later of the lives of such Eligible Trustee and spouse,
will be the actuarial equivalent of the Regular Benefit. In addition, the
Eligible Trustee may elect that the surviving spouse's periodic payment of
benefits will be equal to either 50% or 100% of the previous periodic
amount, an election that, respectively, increases or decreases the
previous periodic amount so that the resulting payments will be the
actuarial equivalent of the Regular Benefit.
11
<PAGE>
Compensation" is one-fifth of the total compensation earned by such Eligible
Trustee for service to the Adopting Fund in the five year period prior to the
date of the Eligible Trustee's retirement. Benefits under the retirement
program are not secured or funded by the Adopting Funds.
The following table illustrates the retirement benefits accrued to Messrs.
Haire, Johnson, Nugent and Schroeder by the 57 Dean Witter Funds as of
December 31, 1995, and the estimated retirement benefits for Messrs. Haire,
Johnson, Nugent and Schroeder from the 57 Dean Witter Funds as of December
31, 1995.
RETIREMENT BENEFITS FROM ALL DEAN WITTER FUNDS
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
ESTIMATED
CREDITED YEARS ESTIMATED ESTIMATED ANNUAL BENEFITS
OF SERVICE AT PERCENTAGE OF RETIREMENT BENEFITS UPON RETIREMENT
RETIREMENT ELIGIBLE ACCRUED AS EXPENSES FROM ALL ADOPTING
NAME OF INDEPENDENT TRUSTEE (MAXIMUM 10) COMPENSATION BY ALL ADOPTING FUNDS FUNDS(4)
- --------------------------- -------------- --------------- --------------------- -------------------------
<S> <C> <C> <C> <C>
John R. Haire ............. 10 50.0% $261,763 $130,404
Dr. Manuel H. Johnson .... 10 50.0 16,748 51,550
Michael E. Nugent ......... 10 50.0 30,370 51,550
John L. Schroeder ......... 8 41.7 51,812 42,958
</TABLE>
- ------------
(4) Based on current levels of compensation. Amount of annual benefits also
varies depending on the Trustee's elections described in Footnote (3)
above.
As of the date of this Statement of Additional Information, the aggregate
number of shares of beneficial interest of the Fund owned by the Fund's
officers and Trustees as a group was less than 1 percent of the Fund's shares
of beneficial interest outstanding.
INVESTMENT PRACTICES AND POLICIES
- -----------------------------------------------------------------------------
U.S. GOVERNMENT SECURITIES
As discussed in the Prospectus, the Fund may invest in, among other
securities, securities issued by the U.S. Government, its agencies or
instrumentalities. Such securities include:
(1) U.S. Treasury bills (maturities of one year or less), U.S.
Treasury notes (maturities of one to ten years) and U.S. Treasury bonds
(generally maturities of greater than ten years), all of which are direct
obligations of the U.S. Government and, as such, are backed by the "full
faith and credit" of the United States.
(2) Securities issued by agencies and instrumentalities of the U.S.
Government which are backed by the full faith and credit of the United
States. Among the agencies and instrumentalities issuing such obligations
are the Federal Housing Administration, the Government National Mortgage
Association ("GNMA"), the Department of Housing and Urban Development, the
Export-Import Bank, the Farmers Home Administration, the General Services
Administration, the Maritime Administration and the Small Business
Administration. The maturities of such obligations range from three months
to 30 years.
(3) Securities issued by agencies and instrumentalities which are not
backed by the full faith and credit of the United States, but whose
issuing agency or instrumentality has the right to borrow, to meet its
obligations, from an existing line of credit with the U.S. Treasury. Among
the agencies and instrumentalities issuing such obligations are the
Tennessee Valley Authority, the Federal National Mortgage Association
("FNMA"), the Federal Home Loan Mortgage Corporation ("FHLMC") and the
U.S. Postal Service. The U.S. Treasury has no legal obligation to provide
such line of credit and may choose not to do so.
(4) Securities issued by agencies and instrumentalities which are not
backed by the full faith and credit of the United States, but which are
backed by the credit of the issuing agency or instrumentality. Among the
agencies and instrumentalities issuing such obligations are the Federal
Farm Credit System and the Federal Home Loan Banks.
Neither the value nor the yield of the U.S. Government securities which
may be invested in by the Fund are guaranteed by the U.S. Government. Such
values and yield will fluctuate with changes in prevailing interest rates
12
<PAGE>
and other factors. Generally, as prevailing interest rates rise, the value of
any U.S. Government securities held by the Fund will fall. Such securities
with longer maturities generally tend to produce higher yields and are
subject to greater market fluctuation as a result of changes in interest
rates than debt securities with shorter maturities. The Fund is not limited
as to the maturities of the U.S. Government securities in which it may
invest.
MONEY MARKET SECURITIES
As stated in the Prospectus, the money market instruments which the Fund
may purchase include U.S. Government securities, bank obligations, Eurodollar
certificates of deposit, obligations of savings institutions, fully insured
certificates of deposit and commercial paper. Such securities are limited to:
U.S. Government Securities. Obligations issued or guaranteed as to
principal and interest by the United States or its agencies (such as the
Export-Import Bank of the United States, Federal Housing Administration and
Government National Mortgage Association) or its instrumentalities (such as
the Federal Home Loan Bank), including Treasury bills, notes and bonds;
Bank Obligations. Obligations (including certificates of deposit, bankers'
acceptances, commercial paper (see below) and other debt obligations) of
banks subject to regulation by the U.S. Government and having total assets of
$1 billion or more, and instruments secured by such obligations, not
including obligations of foreign branches of domestic banks except as
permitted below;
Eurodollar Certificates of Deposit. Eurodollar certificates of deposit
issued by foreign branches of domestic banks having total assets of $1
billion or more (investments in Eurodollar certificates may be affected by
changes in currency rates or exchange control regulations, or changes in
governmental administration or economic or monetary policy in the United
States and abroad);
Obligations of Savings Institutions. Certificates of deposit of savings
banks and savings and loan associations, having total assets of $1 billion or
more (investments in savings institutions above $100,000 in principal amount
are not protected by Federal deposit insurance);
Fully Insured Certificates of Deposit. Certificates of deposit of banks
and savings institutions, having total assets of less than $1 billion, if the
principal amount of the obligation is insured by the Bank Insurance Fund or
the Savings Association Insurance Fund (each of which is administered by the
Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation), limited to $100,000 principal amount
per certificate and to 15% or less of the Fund's total assets in all such
obligations and in all illiquid assets, in the aggregate; and
Commercial Paper. Commercial paper rated within the two highest grades by
Standard & Poor's Corporation or the highest grade by Moody's Investors
Service, Inc. or, if not rated, issued by a company having an outstanding
debt issue rated at least AAA by Standard & Poor's or Aaa by Moody's.
LENDING OF PORTFOLIO SECURITIES
Consistent with applicable regulatory requirements, the Fund may lend its
portfolio securities to brokers, dealers and other financial institutions,
provided that such loans are callable at any time by the Fund (subject to
notice provisions described below), and are at all times secured by cash or
money market instruments, which are maintained in a segregated account
pursuant to applicable regulations and that are equal to at least the market
value, determined daily, of the loaned securities. The advantage of such
loans is that the Fund continues to receive the income on the loaned
securities while at the same time earning interest on the cash amounts
deposited as collateral, which will be invested in short-term obligations.
The Fund will not lend its portfolio securities if such loans are not
permitted by the laws or regulations of any state in which its shares are
qualified for sale and will not lend more than 25% of the value of its total
assets. A loan may be terminated by the borrower on one business day's
notice, or by the Fund on two business days' notice. If the borrower fails to
deliver the loaned securities within two days after receipt of notice, the
Fund could use the collateral to replace the securities while holding the
borrower liable for any excess of replacement cost over collateral. As with
any extensions of credit, there are risks of delay in recovery and in some
cases even loss of rights in the collateral should the borrower of the
securities fail financially. However, these loans of portfolio securities
will only be made to firms deemed by the Adviser to be creditworthy and when
the income which can be earned from such loans justifies the attendant risks.
Upon termination of the loan, the borrower is required to return the
securities to the Fund. Any gain or loss in the
13
<PAGE>
market price during the loan period would inure to the Fund. The
creditworthiness of firms to which the Fund lends its portfolio securities
will be monitored on an ongoing basis by the Adviser pursuant to procedures
adopted and reviewed, on an ongoing basis, by the Board of Trustees of the
Fund.
When voting or consent rights which accompany loaned securities pass to
the borrower, the Fund will follow the policy of calling the loaned
securities, to be delivered within one day after notice, to permit the
exercise of such rights if the matters involved would have a material effect
on the Fund's investment in such loaned securities. The Fund will pay
reasonable finder's, administrative and custodial fees in connection with a
loan of its securities.
REPURCHASE AGREEMENTS
When cash may be available for only a few days, it may be invested by the
Fund in repurchase agreements until such time as it may otherwise be invested
or used for payments of obligations of the Fund. These agreements, which may
be viewed as a type of secured lending by the Fund, typically involve the
acquisition by the Fund of debt securities from a selling financial
institution such as a bank, savings and loan association or broker-dealer.
The agreement provides that the Fund will sell back to the institution, and
that the institution will repurchase, the underlying security ("collateral")
at a specified price and at a fixed time in the future, usually not more than
seven days from the date of purchase. The collateral will be maintained in a
segregated account and will be marked to market daily to determine that the
value of the collateral, as specified in the agreement, does not decrease
below the purchase price plus accrued interest. If such decrease occurs,
additional collateral will be requested and, when received, added to the
account to maintain full collateralization. The Fund will accrue interest
from the institution until the time when the repurchase is to occur. Although
such date is deemed by the Fund to be the maturity date of a repurchase
agreement, the maturities of securities subject to repurchase agreements are
not subject to any limits.
While repurchase agreements involve certain risks not associated with
direct investments in debt securities, the Fund follows procedures designed
to minimize such risks. These procedures include effecting repurchase
transactions only with large, well-capitalized and well-established financial
institutions whose financial condition will be continually monitored by the
Adviser subject to procedures established by the Board of Trustees of the
Fund. In addition, as described above, the value of the collateral underlying
the repurchase agreement will be at least equal to the repurchase price,
including any accrued interest earned on the repurchase agreement. In the
event of a default or bankruptcy by a selling financial institution, the Fund
will seek to liquidate such collateral. However, the exercising of the Fund's
right to liquidate such collateral could involve certain costs or delays and,
to the extent that proceeds from any sale upon a default of the obligation to
repurchase were less than the repurchase price, the Fund could suffer a loss.
It is the current policy of the Fund not to invest in repurchase agreements
that do not mature within seven days if any such investment, together with
any other illiquid assets held by the Fund, amounts to more than 15% of its
net assets.
WARRANTS
The Fund may invest up to 5% of the value of its net assets in warrants,
including not more than 2% in warrants not listed on either the New York or
American Stock Exchange. Warrants are, in effect, an option to purchase
equity securities at a specific price, generally valid for a specific period
of time, and have no voting rights, pay no dividends and have no rights with
respect to the corporations issuing them. The Fund may acquire warrants
attached to other securities without reference to the foregoing limitations.
WHEN-ISSUED AND DELAYED DELIVERY SECURITIES AND FORWARD COMMITMENTS
From time to time, in the ordinary course of business, the Fund may
purchase securities on a when-issued or delayed delivery basis and may
purchase or sell securities on a forward commitment basis. When such
transactions are negotiated, the price is fixed at the time of the
commitment, but delivery and payment can take place a month or more after the
date of the commitment. The securities so purchased or sold are subject to
market fluctuation and no interest or dividends accrue to the purchaser prior
to the settlement date. While the Fund will only purchase securities on a
when-issued, delayed delivery or forward commitment basis with the intention
of acquiring the securities, the Fund may sell the securities before the
settlement date, if it is deemed advisable. At the time the Fund makes the
commitment to purchase or sell securities on a when-issued, delayed delivery
or
14
<PAGE>
forward commitment basis, the Fund will record the transaction and thereafter
reflect the value, each day, of such security purchased or, if a sale, the
proceeds to be received, in determining its net asset value. At the time of
delivery of the securities, the value may be more or less than the purchase
or sale price. The Fund will also establish a segregated account with the
Fund's custodian bank in which it will continuously maintain cash or U.S.
Government securities or other high grade liquid debt portfolio securities
equal in value to commitments to purchase securities on a when-issued,
delayed delivery or forward commitment basis; subject to this requirement,
the Fund may purchase securities on such basis without limit. An increase in
the percentage of the Fund's assets committed to the purchase of securities
on a when-issued or delayed delivery basis may increase the volatility of the
Fund's net asset value.
WHEN, AS AND IF ISSUED SECURITIES
The Fund may purchase securities on a "when, as and if issued" basis under
which the issuance of the security depends upon the occurrence of a
subsequent event, such as approval of a merger, corporate reorganization,
leveraged buyout or debt restructuring. The commitment for the purchase of
any such security will not be recognized in the portfolio of the Fund until
the Adviser determines that issuance of the security is probable. At such
time, the Fund will record the transaction and, in determining its net asset
value, will reflect the value of the security daily. At such time, the Fund
will also establish a segregated account with its custodian bank in which it
will continuously maintain cash or U.S. Government securities or other high
grade liquid debt portfolio securities equal in value to recognized
commitments for such securities. Settlement of the trade will occur within
five business days of the occurrence of the subsequent event. Once a
segregated account has been established, if the anticipated event does not
occur and the securities are not issued the Fund will have lost an investment
opportunity. The Fund may purchase securities on such basis without limit. An
increase in the percentage of the Fund's assets committed to the purchase of
securities on a "when, as and if issued" basis may increase the volatility of
its net asset value. The Adviser does not believe that the net asset value of
the Fund will be adversely affected by its purchase of securities on such
basis. The Fund may also sell securities on a "when, as and if issued" basis
provided that the issuance of the security will result automatically from the
exchange or conversion of a security owned by the Fund at the time of the
sale.
OPTIONS AND FUTURES TRANSACTIONS
The Fund may write covered call options against securities held in its
portfolio and covered put options on eligible portfolio securities and stock
indexes and purchase options of the same series to effect closing
transactions, and may hedge against potential changes in the market value of
investments (or anticipated investments) and facilitate the reallocation of
the Fund's assets into and out of equities and fixed-income securities by
purchasing put and call options on portfolio (or eligible portfolio)
securities and engaging in transactions involving futures contracts and
options on such contracts. The Fund may also hedge against potential changes
in the market value of the currencies in which its investments (or
anticipated investments) are denominated by purchasing put and call options
on currencies and engage in transactions involving currency futures contracts
and options on such contracts.
Call and put options on U.S. Treasury notes, bonds and bills and equity
securities are listed on Exchanges and are written in over-the-counter
transactions ("OTC options"). Listed options are issued by the Options
Clearing Corporation ("OCC") and other clearing utilities including foreign
exchanges. Ownership of a listed call option gives the Fund the right to buy
from the OCC the underlying security covered by the option at the stated
exercise price (the price per unit of the underlying security) by filing an
exercise notice prior to the expiration date of the option. The writer
(seller) of the option would then have the obligation to sell to the OCC the
underlying security at that exercise price prior to the expiration date of
the option, regardless of its then current market price. Ownership of a
listed put option would give the Fund the right to sell the underlying
security to the OCC at the stated exercise price. Upon notice of exercise of
the put option, the writer of the put would have the obligation to purchase
the underlying security from the OCC at the exercise price.
Options on Treasury Bonds and Notes. Because trading in options written on
Treasury bonds and notes tends to center on the most recently auctioned
issues, the exchanges on which such securities trade will not continue
indefinitely to introduce options with new expirations to replace expiring
options on particular issues. Instead, the expirations introduced at the
commencement of options trading on a particular issue will be allowed to run
their course, with the possible addition of a limited number of new
expirations as the original ones expire. Options
15
<PAGE>
trading on each issue of bonds or notes will thus be phased out as new
options are listed on more recent issues, and options representing a full
range of expirations will not ordinarily be available for every issue on
which options are traded.
Options on Treasury Bills. Because a deliverable Treasury bill changes
from week to week, writers of Treasury bill calls cannot provide in advance
for their potential exercise settlement obligations by acquiring and holding
the underlying security. However, if the Fund holds a long position in
Treasury bills with a principal amount of the securities deliverable upon
exercise of the option, the position may be hedged from a risk standpoint by
the writing of a call option. For so long as the call option is outstanding,
the Fund will hold the Treasury bills in a segregated account with its
Custodian, so that they will be treated as being covered.
Options on Foreign Currencies. The Fund may purchase and write options on
foreign currencies for purposes similar to those involved with investing in
forward foreign currency exchange contracts. For example, in order to protect
against declines in the dollar value of portfolio securities which are
denominated in a foreign currency, the Fund may purchase put options on an
amount of such foreign currency equivalent to the current value of the
portfolio securities involved. As a result, the Fund would be enabled to sell
the foreign currency for a fixed amount of U.S. dollars, thereby "locking in"
the dollar value of the portfolio securities (less the amount of the premiums
paid for the options). Conversely, the Fund may purchase call options on
foreign currencies in which securities it anticipates purchasing are
denominated to secure a set U.S. dollar price for such securities and protect
against a decline in the value of the U.S. dollar against such foreign
currency. The Fund may also purchase call and put options to close out
written option positions.
The Fund may also write call options on foreign currency to protect
against potential declines in its portfolio securities which are denominated
in foreign currencies. If the U.S. dollar value of the portfolio securities
falls as a result of a decline in the exchange rate between the foreign
currency in which a security is denominated and the U.S. dollar, then a loss
to the Fund occasioned by such value decline would be ameliorated by receipt
of the premium on the option sold. At the same time, however, the Fund gives
up the benefit of any rise in value of the relevant portfolio securities
above the exercise price of the option and, in fact, only receives a benefit
from the writing of the option to the extent that the value of the portfolio
securities falls below the price of the premium received. The Fund may also
write options to close out long call option positions.
The markets in foreign currency options are relatively new and the Fund's
ability to establish and close out positions on such options is subject to
the maintenance of a liquid secondary market. Although the Fund will not
purchase or write such options unless and until, in the opinion of the
management of the Fund, the market for them has developed sufficiently to
ensure that the risks in connection with such options are not greater than
the risks in connection with the underlying currency, there can be no
assurance that a liquid secondary market will exist for a particular option
at any specific time. In addition, options on foreign currencies are affected
by all of those factors which influence foreign exchange rates and
investments generally.
The value of a foreign currency option depends upon the value of the
underlying currency relative to the U.S. dollar. As a result, the price of
the option position may vary with changes in the value of either or both
currencies and have no relationship to the investment merits of a foreign
security, including foreign securities held in a "hedged" investment
portfolio. Because foreign currency transactions occurring in the interbank
market involve substantially larger amounts than those that may be involved
in the use of foreign currency options, investors may be disadvantaged by
having to deal in an odd lot market (generally consisting of transactions of
less than $1 million) for the underlying foreign currencies at prices that
are less favorable than for round lots.
There is no systematic reporting of last sale information for foreign
currencies or any regulatory requirement that quotations available through
dealers or other market sources be firm or revised on a timely basis.
Quotation information available is generally representative of very large
transactions in the interbank market and thus may not reflect relatively
smaller transactions (i.e., less than $1 million) where rates may be less
favorable. The interbank market in foreign currencies is a global,
around-the-clock market. To the extent that the U.S. options markets are
closed while the markets for the underlying currencies remain open,
significant price and rate movements may take place in the underlying markets
that are not reflected in the options market.
OTC Options. Exchange-listed options are issued by the OCC which assures
that all transactions in such options are properly executed. OTC options are
purchased from or sold (written) to dealers or financial institutions which
have entered into direct agreements with the Fund. With OTC options, such
variables as
16
<PAGE>
expiration date, exercise price and premium will be agreed upon between the
Fund and the transacting dealer, without the intermediation of a third party
such as the OCC. If the transacting dealer fails to make or take delivery of
the securities underlying an option it has written, in accordance with the
terms of that option, the Fund would lose the premium paid for the option as
well as any anticipated benefit of the transaction. The Fund will engage in
OTC option transactions only with primary U.S. Government securities dealers
recognized by the Federal Reserve Bank of New York.
Covered Call Writing. The Fund is permitted to write covered call options
on portfolio securities and the U.S. dollar and foreign currencies, without
limit, in order to aid in achieving its investment objective. Generally, a
call option is "covered" if the Fund owns, or has the right to acquire,
without additional cash consideration (or for additional cash consideration
held for the Fund by its Custodian in a segregated account) the underlying
security subject to the option except that in the case of call options on
U.S. Treasury Bills, the Fund might own U.S. Treasury Bills of a different
series from those underlying the call option, but with a principal amount and
value corresponding to the exercise price and a maturity date not later than
that of the securities deliverable under the call option. A call option is
also covered if the Fund holds a call on the same security as the underlying
security of the written option, where the exercise price of the call used for
coverage is equal to or less than the exercise price of the call written or
greater than the exercise price of the call written if the mark to market
difference is maintained by the Fund in cash, U.S. Government securities or
other high grade debt obligations which the Fund holds in a segregated
account maintained with its Custodian.
The Fund will receive from the purchaser, in return for a call it has
written, a "premium"; i.e., the price of the option. Receipt of these
premiums may better enable the Fund to achieve a greater total return than
would be realized from holding the underlying securities alone. Moreover, the
premium received will offset a portion of the potential loss incurred by the
Fund if the securities underlying the option are ultimately sold by the Fund
at a loss. The premium received will fluctuate with varying economic market
conditions. If the market value of the portfolio securities upon which call
options have been written increases, the Fund may receive less total return
from the portion of its portfolio upon which calls have been written than it
would have had such call not been written.
As regards listed options and certain OTC options, during the option
period, the Fund may be required, at any time, to deliver the underlying
security against payment of the exercise price on any calls it has written
(exercise of certain listed options may be limited to specific expiration
dates). This obligation is terminated upon the expiration of the option
period or at such earlier time when the writer effects a closing purchase
transaction. A closing purchase transaction is accomplished by purchasing an
option of the same series as the option previously written. However, once the
Fund has been assigned an exercise notice, the Fund will be unable to effect
a closing purchase transaction.
Closing purchase transactions are ordinarily effected to realize a profit
on an outstanding call option to prevent an underlying security from being
called, to permit the sale of an underlying security or to enable the Fund to
write another call option on the underlying security with either a different
exercise price or expiration date or both. Also, effecting a closing purchase
transaction will permit the cash or proceeds from the concurrent sale of any
securities subject to the option to be used for other investments by the
Fund. The Fund may realize a net gain or loss from a closing purchase
transaction depending upon whether the amount of the premium received on the
call option is more or less than the cost of effecting the closing purchase
transaction. Any loss incurred in a closing purchase transaction may be
wholly or partially offset by unrealized appreciation in the market value of
the underlying security. Conversely, a gain resulting from a closing purchase
transaction could be offset in whole or in part or exceeded by a decline in
the market value of the underlying security.
If a call option expires unexercised, the Fund realizes a gain in the
amount of the premium on the option less the commission paid. Such a gain,
however, may be offset by depreciation in the market value of the underlying
security during the option period. If a call option is exercised, the Fund
realizes a gain or loss from the sale of the underlying security equal to the
difference between the purchase price of the underlying security and the
proceeds of the sale of the security plus the premium received on the option
less the commission paid.
Options written by the Fund normally have expiration dates of from up to
nine months (equity securities) to eighteen months (fixed-income securities)
from the date written. The exercise price of a call option may be below,
equal to or above the current market value of the underlying security at the
time the option is written. See "Risks of Options and Futures Transactions,"
below.
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<PAGE>
Covered Put Writing. As a writer of a covered put option, the Fund incurs
an obligation to buy the security underlying the option from the purchaser of
the put, at the option's exercise price at any time during the option period,
at the purchaser's election (certain listed put options written by the Fund
will be exercisable by the purchaser only on a specific date). A put is
"covered" if, at all times, the Fund maintains, in a segregated account
maintained on its behalf at the Fund's Custodian, cash, U.S. Government
securities or other high grade debt obligations in an amount equal to at
least the exercise price of the option, at all times, during the option
period. Similary, a short put position could be covered by the Fund by its
purchase of a put option on the same security as the underlying security of
the written option, where the exercise price of the purchased option is equal
to or more than the exercise price of the put written or less than the
exercise price of the put written if the mark to market difference is
maintained by the Fund in cash, U.S. Government securities or other high
grade debt obligations which the Fund holds in a segregated account
maintained at its Custodian. In writing puts, the Fund assumes the risk of
loss should the market value of the underlying security decline below the
exercise price of the option (any loss being decreased by the receipt of the
premium on the option written). During the option period, the Fund may be
required, at any time, to make payment of the exercise price against delivery
of the underlying security. The operation of and limitations on covered put
options in other respects are substantially identical to those of call
options.
The Fund will write put options for two purposes: (1) to receive the
income derived from the premiums paid by purchasers; and (2) when the Adviser
wishes to purchase the security underlying the option at a price lower than
its current market price, in which case it will write the covered put at an
exercise price reflecting the lower purchase price sought. The potential gain
on a covered put option is limited to the premium received on the option
(less the commissions paid on the transaction) while the potential loss
equals the difference between the exercise price of the option and the
current market price of the underlying securities when the put is exercised,
offset by the premium received (less the commissions paid on the
transaction).
The Fund may also purchase put options to close out written put positions
in a manner similar to call options closing purchase transactions. In
addition, the Fund may sell a put option which it has previously purchased
prior to the sale of the securities (currency) underlying such option. Such a
sale would result in a net gain or loss depending on whether the amount
received on the sale is more or less than the premium and other transaction
costs paid on the put option sold. Any such gain or loss could be offset in
whole or in part by a change in the market value of the underlying security
(currency). If a put option purchased by the Fund expired without being sold
or exercised the premium would be lost.
Purchasing Call and Put Options. As stated in the Prospectus, the Fund may
purchase listed and OTC call and put options on securities and stock indexes
in amounts equalling up to 10% of its total assets, with a maximum of 5% of
the Fund's assets invested in stock index options. The Fund may purchase call
options only in order to close out a covered call position (see "Covered Call
Writing" above) to protect against an increase in price of a security it
anticipates purchasing or, in the case of a call option on foreign currency
to hedge against an adverse exchange rate move of the currency in which the
security it anticipates purchasing is denominated vis-a-vis the currency in
which the exercise price is denominated. The purchase of a call option to
effect a closing transaction on a call written over-the-counter may be a
listed or OTC option. In either case, the call purchased is likely to be on
the same securities and have the same terms as the written option. If
purchased over-the-counter, the option would generally be acquired from the
dealer or financial institution which purchased the call written by the Fund.
The Fund may purchase put options on securities which it holds (or has the
right to acquire) in its portfolio only to protect itself against a decline
in the value of the security. If the value of the underlying security were to
fall below the exercise price of the put purchased in an amount greater than
the premium paid for the option, the Fund would incur no additional loss. The
Fund may also purchase put options to close out written put positions in a
manner similar to call options closing purchase transactions. In addition,
the Fund may sell a put option which it has previously purchased prior to the
sale of the securities underlying such option. Such a sale would result in a
net gain or loss depending on whether the amount received on the sale is more
or less than the premium and other transaction costs paid on the put option
which is sold. And such gain or loss could be offset in whole or in part by a
change in the market value of the underlying security. If a put option
purchased by the Fund expired without being sold or exercised, the premium
would be lost.
Risks of Options Transactions. The successful use of options depends on
the ability of the Adviser to forecast correctly interest rates and market
movements. If the market value of the portfolio securities (or the currencies
in
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<PAGE>
which they are denominated) upon which call options have been written
increases, the Fund may receive a lower total return from the portion of its
portfolio upon which calls have been written than it would have had such
calls not been written. During the option period, the covered call writer
has, in return for the premium on the option, given up the opportunity for
capital appreciation above the exercise price should the market price of the
underlying security increase, but has retained the risk of loss should the
price of the underlying security decline. The secured put writer also retains
the risk of loss should the market value of the underlying security decline
below the exercise price of the option less the premium received on the sale
of the option. In both cases, the writer has no control over the time when it
may be required to fulfill its obligation as a writer of the option. Once an
option writer has received an exercise notice, it cannot effect a closing
purchase transaction in order to terminate its obligation under the option
and must deliver or receive the underlying securities at the exercise price.
Prior to exercise or expiration, an option position can only be terminated
by entering into a closing purchase or sale transaction. If a covered call
option writer is unable to effect a closing purchase transaction, it cannot
sell the underlying security until the option expires or the option is
exercised. Accordingly, a covered call option writer may not be able to sell
an underlying security at a time when it might otherwise be advantageous to
do so. A secured put option writer who is unable to effect a closing purchase
transaction would continue to bear the risk of decline in the market price of
the underlying security until the option expires or is exercised. In
addition, a secured put writer would be unable to utilize the amount held in
cash or U.S. government or other high grade debt obligations as security for
the put option for other investment purposes until the exercise or expiration
of the option.
The Fund's ability to close out its position as a writer of an option is
dependent upon the existence of a liquid secondary market on Option
Exchanges. There is no assurance that such a market will exist, particularly
in the case of OTC options. However, the Fund may be able to purchase an
offsetting option which does not close out its position as a writer but
constitutes an asset of equal value to the obligation under the option
written. If the Fund is not able to either enter into a closing purchase
transaction or purchase an offsetting position, it will be required to
maintain the securities subject to the call, or the collateral underlying the
put, even though it might not be advantageous to do so, until a closing
transaction can be entered into (or the option is exercised or expires).
Among the possible reasons for the absence of a liquid secondary market on
an Exchange are: (i) insufficient trading interest in certain options; (ii)
restrictions on transactions imposed by an Exchange; (iii) trading halts,
suspensions or other restrictions imposed with respect to particular classes
or series of options or underlying securities; (iv) interruption of the
normal operations on an Exchange; (v) inadequacy of the facilities of an
Exchange or the OCC to handle current trading volume; or (vi) a decision by
one or more Exchanges to discontinue the trading of options (or a particular
class or series of options), in which event the secondary market on that
Exchange (or in that class or series of options) would cease to exist,
although outstanding options on that Exchange that had been issued by the OCC
as a result of trades on that Exchange would generally continue to be
exercisable in accordance with their terms.
Exchanges limit the amount by which the price of a futures contract may
move on any day. If the price moves equal to the daily limit on successive
days, then it may prove impossible to liquidate a futures position until the
daily limit moves have ceased. In the event of adverse price movements, the
Fund would continue to be required to make daily cash payments of variation
margin on open futures positions. In such situations, if the Fund has
insufficient cash, it may have to sell portfolio securities to meet daily
variation margin requirements at a time when it may be disadvantageous to do
so. In addition, the Fund may be required to take or make delivery of the
instruments underlying interest rate futures contracts it holds at a time
when it is disadvantageous to do so. The inability to close out options and
futures positions could also have an adverse impact on the Fund's ability to
effectively hedge its portfolio.
In the event of the bankruptcy of a broker through which the Fund engages
in transactions in options, the Fund could experience delays and/or losses in
liquidating open positions purchased or sold through the broker and/or incur
a loss of all or part of its margin deposits with the broker. Similarly, in
the event of the bankruptcy of the writer of an OTC option purchased by the
Fund, the Fund could experience a loss of all or part of the value of the
option. Transactions are entered into by the Fund only with brokers or
financial institutions deemed creditworthy by the Adviser.
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<PAGE>
Each of the Exchanges has established limitations governing the maximum
number of call or put options on the same underlying security or futures
contract (whether or not covered) which may be written by a single investor,
whether acting alone or in concert with others (regardless of whether such
options are written on the same or different Exchanges or are held or written
on one or more accounts or through one or more brokers). An Exchange may
order the liquidation of positions found to be in violation of these limits
and it may impose other sanctions or restrictions. These position limits may
restrict the number of listed options which the Fund may write.
While the futures contracts and options transactions to be engaged in by
the Fund for the purpose of hedging the Fund's portfolio securities are not
speculative in nature, there are risks inherent in the use of such
instruments. One such risk which may arise in employing futures contracts to
protect against the price volatility of portfolio securities is that the
prices of securities and indexes subject to futures contracts (and thereby
the futures contract prices) may correlate imperfectly with the behavior of
the cash prices of the Fund's portfolio securities. Another such risk is that
prices of interest rate futures contracts may not move in tandem with the
changes in prevailing interest rates against which the Fund seeks a hedge. A
correlation may also be distorted by the fact that the futures market is
dominated by short-term traders seeking to profit from the difference between
a contract or security price objective and their cost of borrowed funds. Such
distortions are generally minor and would diminish as the contract approached
maturity.
The hours of trading for options may not conform to the hours during which
the underlying securities are traded. To the extent that the option markets
close before the markets for the underlying securities, significant price and
rate movements can take place in the underlying markets that cannot be
reflected in the option markets.
Stock Index Options. Options on stock indexes are similar to options on
stock except that, rather than the right to take or make delivery of stock at
a specified price, an option on a stock index gives the holder the right to
receive, upon exercise of the option, an amount of cash if the closing level
of the stock index upon which the option is based is greater than, in the
case of a call, or less than, in the case of a put, the exercise price of the
option. This amount of cash is equal to such difference between the closing
price of the index and the exercise price of the option expressed in dollars
times a specified multiple (the "multiplier"). The multiplier for an index
option performs a function similar to the unit of trading for a stock option.
It determines the total dollar value per contract of each point in the
difference between the exercise price of an option and the current level of
the underlying index. A multiplier of 100 means that a one-point difference
will yield $100. Options on different indexes may have different multipliers.
The writer of the option is obligated, in return for the premium received, to
make delivery of this amount. Unlike stock options, all settlements are in
cash and a gain or loss depends on price movements in the stock market
generally (or in a particular segment of the market) rather than the price
movements in individual stocks. Currently, options are traded on the S&P 100
Index and the S&P 500 Index on the Chicago Board Options Exchange, the Major
Market Index and the Computer Technology Index, Oil Index and Institutional
Index on the American Stock Exchange and the NYSE Index and NYSE Beta Index
on the New York Stock Exchange, The Financial News Composite Index on the
Pacific Stock Exchange and the Value Line Index, National O-T-C Index and
Utilities Index on the Philadelphia Stock Exchange, each of which and any
similar index on which options are traded in the future which include stocks
that are not limited to any particular industry or segment of the market is
referred to as a "broadly based stock market index." The Fund will invest
only in broadly based indexes. Options on broad-based stock indexes provide
the Fund with a means of protecting the Fund against the risk of market wide
price movements. If the Investment Manager anticipates a market decline, the
Fund could purchase a stock index put option. If the expected market decline
materialized, the resulting decrease in the value of the Fund's portfolio
would be offset to the extent of the increase in the value of the put option.
If the Investment Manager anticipates a market rise, the Fund may purchase a
stock index call option to enable the Fund to participate in such rise until
completion of anticipated common stock purchases by the Fund. Purchases and
sales of stock index options also enable the Investment Manager to more
speedily achieve changes in the Fund's equity positions.
The Fund will be able to write put options on stock indexes only if such
positions are covered by cash, U.S. government securities or other high grade
debt obligations equal to the aggregate exercise price of the puts, or by a
put option on the same stock index with a strike price no lower than the
strike price of the put option sold by the Fund, which cover is held for the
Fund in a segregated account maintained for it by the Fund's Custodian. All
call options on stock indexes written by the Fund will be covered either by a
portfolio of stocks substantially replicating the movement of the index
underlying the call option or by holding a separate call option on the same
stock index with a strike price no higher than the strike price of the call
option sold by the Fund.
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<PAGE>
Risks of Options on Indexes. Because exercises of stock index options are
settled in cash, call writers such as the Fund cannot provide in advance for
their potential settlement obligations by acquiring and holding the
underlying securities. A call writer can offset some of the risk of its
writing position by holding a diversified portfolio of stocks similar to
those on which the underlying index is based. However, most investors cannot,
as a practical matter, acquire and hold a portfolio containing exactly the
same stocks as the underlying index, and, as a result, bear a risk that the
value of the securities held will vary from the value of the index. Even if
an index call writer could assemble a stock portfolio that exactly reproduced
the composition of the underlying index, the writer still would not be fully
covered from a risk standpoint because of the "timing risk" inherent in
writing index options. When an index option is exercised, the amount of cash
that the holder is entitled to receive is determined by the difference
between the exercise price and the closing index level on the date when the
option is exercised. As with other kinds of options, the writer will not
learn that it had been assigned until the next business day, at the earliest.
The time lag between exercise and notice of assignment poses no risk for the
writer of a covered call on a specific underlying security, such as a common
stock, because there the writer's obligation is to deliver the underlying
security, not to pay its value as of a fixed time in the past. So long as the
writer already owns the underlying security, it can satisfy its settlement
obligations by simply delivering it, and the risk that its value may have
declined since the exercise date is borne by the exercising holder. In
contrast, even if the writer of an index call holds stocks that exactly match
the composition of the underlying index, it will not be able to satisfy its
assignment obligations by delivering those stocks against payment of the
exercise price. Instead, it will be required to pay cash in an amount based
on the closing index value on the exercise date; and by the time it learns
that it has been assigned, the index may have declined, with a corresponding
decrease in the value of its stock portfolio. This "timing risk" is an
inherent limitation on the ability of index call writers to cover their risk
exposure by holding stock positions.
A holder of an index option who exercises it before the closing index
value for that day is available runs the risk that the level of the
underlying index may subsequently change. If such a change causes the
exercised option to fall out-of-the-money, the exercising holder will be
required to pay the difference between the closing index value and the
exercise price of the option (times the applicable multiplier) to the
assigned writer.
If dissemination of the current level of an underlying index is
interrupted, or if trading is interrupted in stocks accounting for a
substantial portion of the value of an index, the trading of options on that
index will ordinarily be halted. If the trading of options on an underlying
index is halted, an exchange may impose restrictions prohibiting the exercise
of such options.
Futures Contracts. As stated in the Prospectus, the Fund may purchase and
sell interest rate and stock index futures contracts ("futures contracts")
that are traded on U.S. and foreign commodity exchanges on such underlying
securities as U.S. Treasury bonds, notes, bills and GNMA Certificates
("interest rate" futures) and such indexes as the S&P 500 Index, the Moody's
Investment-Grade Corporate Bond Index and the New York Stock Exchange
Composite Index ("index" futures).
As a futures contract purchaser, the Fund incurs an obligation to take
delivery of a specified amount of the obligation underlying the contract at a
specified time in the future for a specified price. As a seller of a futures
contract, the Fund incurs an obligation to deliver the specified amount of
the underlying obligation at a specified time in return for an agreed upon
price.
The Fund will purchase or sell interest rate futures contracts and bond
index futures contracts for the purpose of hedging its fixed-income portfolio
(or anticipated portfolio) securities against changes in prevailing interest
rates. If the Investment Manager anticipates that interest rates may rise
and, concomitantly, the price of fixed-income securities falls, the Fund may
sell an interest rate futures contract or a bond index futures contract. If
declining interest rates are anticipated, the Fund may purchase an interest
rate futures contract to protect against a potential increase in the price of
U.S. Government securities the Fund intends to purchase. Subsequently,
appropriate fixed-income securities may be purchased by the Fund in an
orderly fashion; as securities are purchased, corresponding futures positions
would be terminated by offsetting sales of contracts.
The Fund will purchase or sell futures contracts on the U.S. dollar and on
foreign currencies to hedge against an anticipated rise or decline in the
value of the U.S. dollar or foreign currency in which a portfolio security of
the Fund is denominated vis-a-vis another currency.
The Fund will purchase or sell stock index futures contracts for the
purpose of hedging its equity portfolio (or anticipated portfolio) securities
against changes in their prices. If the Investment Manager anticipates that
the
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<PAGE>
prices of stock held by the Fund may fall, the Fund may sell a stock index
futures contract. Conversely, if the Investment Manager wishes to hedge
against anticipated price rises in those stocks which the Fund intends to
purchase, the Fund may purchase stock index and currency futures contracts.
In addition, interest rate and stock index futures contracts will be bought
or sold in order to close out a short or long position in a corresponding
futures contract.
Although most interest rate futures contracts call for actual delivery or
acceptance of securities, the contracts usually are closed out before the
settlement date without the making or taking of delivery. Stock index futures
contracts provide for the delivery of an amount of cash equal to a specified
dollar amount times the difference between the stock index value at the open
or close of the last trading day of the contract and the futures contract
price. A futures contract sale is closed out by effecting a futures contract
purchase for the same aggregate amount of the specific type of equity
security and the same delivery date. If the sales price exceeds the
offsetting purchase price, the seller would be paid the difference and would
realize a gain. If the offsetting purchase price exceeds the sale price, the
seller would pay the difference and would realize a loss. Similarly, a
futures contract purchase is closed out by effecting a futures contract sale
for the same aggregate amount of the specific type of security and the same
delivery date. If the offsetting sale price exceeds the purchase price, the
purchaser would realize a gain, whereas if the purchase price exceeds the
offsetting sale price, the purchaser would realize a loss. There is no
assurance that the Fund will be able to enter into a closing transaction.
Interest Rate Futures Contracts. When the Fund enters into an interest
rate futures contract, it is initially required to deposit with the Fund's
Custodian, in a segregated account in the name of the broker performing the
transaction, an "initial margin" of cash or U.S. Government securities or
other high grade short-term obligations equal to approximately 2% of the
contract amount. Initial margin requirements are established by the Exchanges
on which futures contracts trade and may, from time to time, change. In
addition, brokers may establish margin deposit requirements in excess of
those required by the Exchanges.
Initial margin in futures transactions is different from margin in
securities transactions in that initial margin does not involve the borrowing
of funds by a broker's client but is, rather, a good faith deposit on the
futures contract which will be returned to the Fund upon the proper
termination of the futures contract. The margin deposits made are
marked-to-market daily and the Fund may be required to make subsequent
deposits of cash or U.S. Government securities called "variation margin",
with the Fund's futures contract clearing broker, which are reflective of
price fluctuations in the futures contract. Currently, interest rate futures
contracts can be purchased on debt securities such as U.S. Treasury Bills and
Bonds, U.S. Treasury Notes with Maturities between 6 1/2 and 10 years, GNMA
Certificates and Bank Certificates of Deposit.
Currency Futures. Generally, foreign currency futures provide for the
delivery of a specified amount of a given currency, on the exercise date, for
a set exercise price denominated in U.S. dollars or other currency. Foreign
currency futures contracts would be entered into for the same reason and
under the same circumstances as forward foreign currency exchange contracts.
The Adviser will assess such factors as cost spreads, liquidity and
transaction costs in determining whether to utilize futures contracts or
forward contracts in its foreign currency transactions and hedging strategy.
Currently, currency futures exist for, among other foreign currencies, the
Japanese yen, German mark, Canadian dollar, British pound, Swiss franc and
European currency unit.
Purchasers and sellers of foreign currency futures contracts are subject
to the same risks that apply to the buying and selling of futures generally.
In addition, there are risks associated with foreign currency futures
contracts and their use as a hedging device similar to those associated with
options on foreign currencies described above. Further, settlement of a
foreign currency futures contract must occur within the country issuing the
underlying currency. Thus, the Fund must accept or make delivery of the
underlying currency in accordance with any U.S. or foreign restrictions or
regulations regarding the maintenance of foreign banking arrangements by U.S.
residents and may be required to pay any fees, taxes or charges associated
with such delivery which are assessed in the issuing country.
Options on foreign currency futures contracts may involve certain
additional risks. Trading options on foreign currency futures contracts is
relatively new. The ability to establish and close out positions on such
options is subject to the maintenance of a liquid secondary market. To reduce
this risk, the Fund will not purchase or write options on foreign currency
futures contracts unless and until, in the Adviser's opinion, the market for
such options has developed sufficiently that the risks on connection with
such options are not greater than the risks in connection with transactions
in the underlying foreign currency.
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<PAGE>
Index Futures Contracts. As discussed in the Prospectus, the Fund may
invest in index futures contracts. An index futures contract sale creates an
obligation by the Fund, as seller, to deliver cash at a specified future
time. An index futures contract purchase would create an obligation by the
Fund, as purchaser, to take delivery of cash at a specified future time.
Futures contracts on indexes do not require the physical delivery of
securities, but provide for a final cash settlement on the expiration date
which reflects accumulated profits and losses credited or debited to each
party's account.
The Fund is required to maintain margin deposits with brokerage firms
through which it effects index futures contracts in a manner similar to that
described above for interest rate futures contracts. Currently, the initial
margin requirements range from 3% to 10% of the contract amount for index
futures. In addition, due to current industry practice, daily variations in
gains and losses on open contracts are required to be reflected in cash in
the form of variation margin payments. The Fund may be required to make
additional margin payments during the term of the contract.
At any time prior to expiration of the futures contract, the Fund may
elect to close the position by taking an opposite position which will operate
to terminate the Fund's position in the futures contract. A final
determination of variation margin is then made, additional cash is required
to be paid by or released to the Fund and the Fund realizes a loss or a gain.
Currently, index futures contracts can be purchased or sold with respect
to, among others, the Standard & Poor's 500 Stock Price Index and the
Standard & Poor's 100 Stock Price Index on the Chicago Mercantile Exchange,
the New York Stock Exchange Composite Index on the New York Futures Exchange,
the Major Market Index on the American Stock Exchange, the Value Line Stock
Index on the Kansas City Board of Trade and the Moody's Investment-Grade
Corporate Bond Index on the Chicago Board of Trade.
Options on Futures Contracts. The Fund may purchase and write call and put
options on futures contracts and enter into closing transactions with respect
to such options to terminate an existing position. An option on a futures
contract gives the purchaser the right (in return for the premium paid), and
the writer the obligation, to assume a position in a futures contract (a long
position if the option is a call and a short position if the option is a put)
at a specified exercise price at any time during the term of the option. Upon
exercise of the option, the delivery of the futures position by the writer of
the option to the holder of the option is accompanied by delivery of the
accumulated balance in the writer's futures margin account, which represents
the amount by which the market price of the futures contract at the time of
exercise exceeds, in the case of a call, or is less than, in the case of a
put, the exercise price of the option on the futures contract.
The Fund will purchase and write options on futures contracts for
identical purposes to those set forth above for the purchase of a futures
contract (purchase of a call option or sale of a put option) and the sale of
a futures contract (purchase of a put option or sale of a call option), or to
close out a long or short position in futures contracts. If, for example, the
Investment Manager wished to protect against an increase in interest rates
and the resulting negative impact on the value of a portion of its
fixed-income portfolio, it might write a call option on an interest rate
futures contract, the underlying security of which correlates with the
portion of the portfolio the Investment Manager seeks to hedge. Any premiums
received in the writing of options on futures contracts may, of course,
augment the total return of the Fund and thereby provide a further hedge
against losses resulting from price declines in portions of the Fund's
portfolio.
The writer of an option on a futures contract is required to deposit
initial and variation margin pursuant to requirements similar to those
applicable to futures contracts. Premiums received from the writing of an
option on a futures contract are included in initial margin deposits.
Limitations on Futures Contracts and Options on Futures. The Fund may not
enter into futures contracts or purchase related options thereon if,
immediately thereafter, the amount committed to margin plus the amount paid
for premiums for unexpired options on futures contracts exceeds 5% of the
value of the Fund's total assets, after taking into account unrealized gains
and unrealized losses on such contracts it has entered into, provided,
however, that in the case of an option that is in-the-money (the exercise
price of the call (put) option is less (more) than the market price of the
underlying security) at the time of purchase, the in-the-money amount may be
excluded in calculating the 5%. However, there is no overall limitation on
the percentage of the Fund's assets which may be subject to a hedge position.
In addition, in accordance with the regulations of the Commodity Futures
Trading
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<PAGE>
Commission ("CFTC") under which the Fund is exempted from registration as
a commodity pool operator, the Fund may only enter into futures contracts and
options on futures contracts transactions in accordance with the limitation
described above. If the CFTC changes its regulations so that the Fund would
be permitted more latitude to write options on futures contracts for purposes
other than hedging the Fund's investments without CFTC registration, the Fund
may engage in such transactions for those purposes. Except as described
above, there are no other limitations on the use of futures and options
thereon by the Fund.
Risks of Transactions in Futures Contracts and Related Options. The
successful use of futures and related options depends on the ability of the
Adviser to accurately predict market, interest rate and currency movements.
As stated in the Prospectus, the Fund may sell a futures contract to protect
against the decline in the value of securities (or the currency in which they
are denominated) held by the Fund. However, it is possible that the futures
market may advance and the value of securities (or the currency in which they
are denominated) held in the portfolio of the Fund may decline. If this
occurred, the Fund would lose money on the futures contract and also
experience a decline in value of its portfolio securities. However, while
this could occur for a very brief period or to a very small degree, over time
the value of a diversified portfolio will tend to move in the same direction
as the futures contracts.
If the Fund purchases a futures contract to hedge against the increase in
value of securities it intends to buy, and the value of such securities
decreases, then the Adviser may determine not to invest in the securities as
planned and the Fund will realize a loss on the futures contract that is not
offset by a reduction in the price of the securities.
In addition, if the Fund holds a long position in a futures contract or
has sold a put option on a futures contract, it will hold cash, U.S.
Government securities or other high grade debt obligations equal to the
purchase price of the contract or the exercise price of the put option (less
the amount of initial or variation margin on deposit) in a segregated account
maintained for the Fund by its Custodian. Alternatively, the Fund could cover
its long position by purchasing a put option on the same futures contract
with an exercise price as high or higher than the price of the contract held
by the Fund.
If the Fund maintains a short position in a futures contract or has sold a
call option in a futures contract, it will cover this position by holding, in
a segregated account maintained at its Custodian, cash, U.S. Government
securities or other high grade debt obligations equal in value (when added to
any initial or variation margin on deposit) to the market value of the
securities underlying the futures contract or the exercise price of the
option. Such a position may also be covered by owning the securities
underlying the futures contract (in the case of a stock index futures
contract a portfolio of securities substantially replicating the relevant
index), or by holding a call option permitting the Fund to purchase the same
contract at a price no higher than the price at which the short position was
established.
Exchanges limit the amount by which the price of a futures contract may
move on any day. If the price moves equal the daily limit on successive days,
then it may prove impossible to liquidate a futures position until the daily
limit moves have ceased. In the event of adverse price movements, the Fund
would continue to be required to make daily cash payments of variation margin
on open futures positions. In such situations, if the Fund has insufficient
cash, it may have to sell portfolio securities to meet daily variation margin
requirements at a time when it may be disadvantageous to do so. In addition,
the Fund may be required to take or make delivery of the instruments
underlying interest rate futures contracts it holds at a time when it is
disadvantageous to do so. The inability to close out options and futures
positions could also have an adverse impact on the Fund's ability to
effectively hedge its portfolio.
Futures contracts and options thereon which are purchased or sold on
foreign commodities exchanges may have greater price volatility than their
U.S. counterparts. Furthermore, foreign commodities exchanges may be less
regulated and under less governmental scrutiny than U.S. exchanges. Brokerage
commissions, clearing costs and other transaction costs may be higher on
foreign exchanges. Greater margin requirements may limit the Fund's ability
to enter into certain commodity transactions on foreign exchanges. Moreover,
differences in clearance and delivery requirements on foreign exchanges may
occasion delays in the settlement of the Fund's transactions affected on
foreign exchanges.
The extent to which the Fund may enter into transactions involving options
and futures contracts may be limited by the Internal Revenue Code's
requirements for qualification as a regulated investment company and the
Fund's intention to qualify as such. See "Dividends, Distributions and Taxes"
in the Prospectus and this Statement of Additional Information.
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<PAGE>
While the futures contracts and options transactions to be engaged in by
the Fund for the purpose of hedging the Fund's portfolio securities are not
speculative in nature, there are risks inherent in the use of such
instruments. One such risk which may arise in employing futures conracts to
protect against the price volitility of portfolio securities (and the
currencies in which they are denominated) is that the prices of securities
and indexes subject to futures contracts (and thereby the futures contract
prices) may correlate imperfectly with the behavior of the cash prices of the
Fund's portfolio securities (and the currencies in which they are
denominated). Another such risk is that prices of interest rate futures
contracts may not move in tandem with the changes in prevailing interest
rates against which the Fund seeks a hedge. A correlation may also be
distorted (a) temporarily, by short-term traders seeking to profit from the
difference between a contract or security price objective and their cost of
borrowed funds; (b) by investors in futures contracts electing to close out
their contracts through offsetting transactions rather than meet margin
deposit requirements; (c) by investors in futures contracts opting to make or
take delivery of underlying securities rather than engage in closing
transactions, thereby reducing liquidity of the futures market; and (d)
temporarily, by speculators who view the deposit requirements in the futures
markets as less onerous than margin requirements in the cash market. Due to
the possibility of price distortion in the futures market and because of the
imperfect correlation between movements in the prices of securities and
movements in the prices of futures contracts, a correct forecast of interest
rate trends may still not result in a successful hedging transaction.
As stated in the Prospectus, there is no assurance that a liquid secondary
market will exist for futures contracts and related options in which the Fund
may invest. In the event a liquid market does not exist, it may not be
possible to close out a futures position and, in the event of adverse price
movements, the Fund would continue to be required to make daily cash payments
of variation margin. In addition, limitations imposed by an exchange or board
of trade on which futures contracts are traded may compel or prevent the Fund
from closing out a contract which may result in reduced gain or increased
loss to the Fund. The absence of a liquid market in futures contracts might
cause the Fund to make or take delivery of the underlying securities at a
time when it may be disadvantageous to do so.
Compared to the purchase or sale of futures contracts, the purchase of
call or put options on futures contracts involves less potential risk to the
Fund because the maximum amount at risk is the premium paid for the options
(plus transaction costs). However, there may be circumstances when the
purchase of a call or put option on a futures contract would result in a loss
to the Fund notwithstanding that the purchase or sale of a futures contract
would not result in a loss, as in the instance where there is no movement in
the prices of the futures contract or underlying securities.
The Adviser has substantial experience in the use of the investment
techniques described above under the heading "Options and Futures
Transactions," which techniques require skills different from those needed to
select the portfolio securities underlying various options and futures
contracts.
New Instruments. New futures contracts, options and other financial
products and various combinations thereof continue to be developed. The Fund
may invest in any such futures, options or products as may be developed, to
the extent consistent with its investment objective and applicable regulatory
requirements.
PORTFOLIO TURNOVER
It is anticipated that the Fund's portfolio turnover rate generally will
not exceed 150%. A 100% turnover rate would occur, for example, if 100% of
the securities held in the Fund's portfolio (excluding all securities whose
maturities at acquisition were one year or less) were sold and replaced
within one year.
INVESTMENT RESTRICTIONS
- -----------------------------------------------------------------------------
In addition to the investment restrictions enumerated in the Prospectus,
the investment restrictions listed below have been adopted by the Fund as
fundamental policies, except as otherwise indicated. Under the Act, a
fundamental policy may not be changed without the vote of a majority of the
outstanding voting securities of the Fund, as defined in the Act. Such a
majority is defined as the lesser of (a) 67% or more of the shares present at
a meeting of shareholders, if the holders of 50% of the outstanding shares of
the Fund are present or represented by proxy or (b) more than 50% of the
outstanding shares of the Fund.
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<PAGE>
The Fund may not:
1. Purchase or sell real estate or interests therein (including
limited partnership interests), although the Fund may purchase securities
of issuers which engage in real estate operations and securities secured
by real estate or interests therein.
2. Purchase oil, gas or other mineral leases, rights or royalty
contracts or exploration or development programs, except that the Fund
may invest in the securities of companies which operate, invest in, or
sponsor such programs.
3. Purchase securities of other investment companies, except in
connection with a merger, consolidation, reorganization or acquisition of
assets.
4. Borrow money, except that the Fund may borrow from a bank for
temporary or emergency purposes in amounts not exceeding 5% (taken at the
lower of cost or current value) of its total assets (not including the
amount borrowed).
5. Pledge its assets or assign or otherwise encumber them except to
secure borrowings effected within the limitations set forth in
restriction (4). For the purpose of this restriction, collateral
arrangements with respect to initial or variation margin for futures are
not deemed to be pledges of assets.
6. Issue senior securities as defined in the Act except insofar as
the Fund may be deemed to have issued a senior security by reason of (a)
entering into any repurchase agreement; (b) purchasing any securities on
a when-issued or delayed delivery basis; (c) purchasing or selling any
financial futures contracts; (d) borrowing money in accordance with
restrictions described above; or (e) lending portfolio securities.
7. Make loans of money or securities, except: (a) by the purchase of
portfolio securities in which the Fund may invest consistent with its
investment objective and policies; (b) by investment in repurchase
agreements; or (c) by lending its portfolio securities.
8. Purchase or sell commodities or commodities contracts except that
the Fund may purchase or sell financial or stock index futures contracts
or options thereon.
9. Make short sales of securities.
10. Purchase securities on margin, except for such short-term loans
as are necessary for the clearance of portfolio securities. The deposit
or payment by the Fund of initial or variation margin in connection with
futures contracts is not considered the purchase of a security on margin.
11. Engage in the underwriting of securities, except insofar as the
Fund may be deemed an underwriter under the Securities Act of 1933 in
disposing of a portfolio security.
12. Invest for the purpose of exercising control or management of any
other issuer.
13. Purchase warrants if as a result the Fund would then have either
more than 5% of its net assets invested in warrants or more than 2% of
its net assets invested in warrants not listed on the New York or
American Stock Exchange.
In addition, as a nonfundamental policy, the Fund may not invest in
securities of any issuer if, to the knowledge of the Fund, any officer or
trustee of the Fund or any officer or director of the Adviser or the Manager
owns more than 1/2 of 1% of the outstanding securities of such issuer, and
such officers, trustees and directors who own more than 1/2 of 1% own in the
aggregate more than 5% of the outstanding securities of such issuers.
If a percentage restriction is adhered to at the time of investment, a
later increase or decrease in percentage resulting from a change in values of
portfolio securities or amount of total or net assets will not be considered
a violation of any of the foregoing restrictions.
PORTFOLIO TRANSACTIONS AND BROKERAGE
- -----------------------------------------------------------------------------
Subject to the general supervision of the Trustees, the Adviser is
responsible for decisions to buy and sell securities for the Fund, the
selection of brokers and dealers to effect the transactions, and the
negotiation of brokerage commissions, if any. Purchases and sales of
securities on a stock exchange are effected through brokers
26
<PAGE>
who charge a commission for their services. In the over-the-counter market,
securities are generally traded on a "net" basis with dealers acting as
principal for their own accounts without a stated commission, although the
price of the security usually includes a profit to the dealer. In addition,
securities may be purchased at times in underwritten offerings where the
price includes a fixed amount of compensation, generally referred to as the
underwriter's concession or discount. Futures transactions will usually be
effected through a broker and a commission will be charged. On occasion, the
Fund may also purchase certain money market instruments directly from an
issuer, in which case no commissions or discounts are paid.
The Adviser currently serves as investment adviser to a number of clients,
including other investment companies, and may in the future act as investment
adviser to others. It is the practice of the Adviser to cause purchase and
sale transactions to be allocated among the Fund and others whose assets it
manages in such manner as it deems equitable. In making such allocations
among the Fund and other client accounts, the main factors considered are the
respective investment objectives, the relative size of portfolio holdings of
the same or comparable securities, the availability of cash for investment,
the size of investments generally held and the opinions of the persons
responsible for managing the portfolios of the Fund and other client
accounts.
The policy of the Fund regarding purchases and sales of securities for its
portfolio is that primary consideration will be given to obtaining the most
favorable prices and efficient executions of transactions. Consistent with
this policy, when securities transactions are effected on a stock exchange,
the Fund's policy is to pay commissions which are considered fair and
reasonable without necessarily determining that the lowest possible
commissions are paid in all circumstances. The Fund believes that a
requirement always to seek the lowest possible commission cost could impede
effective portfolio management and preclude the Fund and the Adviser from
obtaining a high quality of brokerage and research services. In seeking to
determine the reasonableness of brokerage commissions paid in any
transaction, the Adviser relies upon its experience and knowledge regarding
commissions generally charged by various brokers and on its judgment in
evaluating the brokerage and research services received from the broker
effecting the transaction. Such determinations are necessarily subjective and
imprecise, as in most cases an exact dollar value for those services is not
ascertainable.
In seeking to implement the Fund's policies, the Adviser effects
transactions with those brokers and dealers who the Adviser believes provide
the most favorable prices and are capable of providing efficient executions.
If the Adviser believes such prices and executions are obtainable from more
than one broker or dealer, it may give consideration to placing portfolio
transactions with those brokers and dealers who also furnish research and
other services to the Fund or the Adviser. Such services may include, but are
not limited to, any one or more of the following: reports on industries and
companies, economic analyses and review of business conditions, portfolio
strategy, analytic computer software, account performance services, computer
terminals and various trading and/or quotation equipment. They also include
advice from broker-dealers as to the value of securities, availability of
securities, availability of buyers, and availability of sellers. In addition,
they include recommendations as to purchase and sale of individual securities
and timing of such transactions. The Fund will not purchase at a higher price
or sell at a lower price in connection with transactions effected with a
dealer, acting as principal, who furnishes research services to the Fund than
would be the case if no weight were given by the Fund to the dealer's
furnishing of such services.
The information and services received by the Adviser from brokers and
dealers may be of benefit to the Adviser in the management of accounts of
some of its other clients and may not in all cases benefit the Fund directly.
While the receipt of such information and services is useful in varying
degrees and would generally reduce the amount of research or services
otherwise performed by the Adviser and thereby reduce its expenses, it is of
indeterminable value and the advisory fee paid to the Adviser is not reduced
by any amount that may be attributable to the value of such services.
Consistent with the policy described above, brokerage transactions in
securities listed on exchanges or admitted to unlisted trading privileges may
be effected through DWR. In order for DWR to effect any portfolio
transactions for the Fund, the commissions, fees or other remuneration
received by DWR must be reasonable and fair compared to the commissions, fees
or other remuneration paid to other brokers in connection with comparable
transactions involving similar securities being purchased or sold on an
exchange during a comparable period of time. This standard would allow DWR to
receive no more than the remuneration which would be expected to be received
by an unaffiliated broker in a commensurate arm's-length transaction.
Furthermore, the
27
<PAGE>
Board of Trustees of the Fund, including a majority of the Trustees who are
not "interested" persons of the Fund, as defined in the Act, have adopted
procedures which are reasonably designed to provide that any commissions,
fees or other remuneration paid to DWR are consistent with the foregoing
standard.
UNDERWRITING
- -----------------------------------------------------------------------------
Dean Witter Distributors Inc. (the "Underwriter") has agreed to purchase
up to 10,000,000 shares from the Fund, which number may be increased or
decreased in accordance with the Underwriting Agreement. The Underwriting
Agreement provides that the obligation of the Underwriter is subject to
certain conditions precedent (such as the filing of certain forms and
documents required by various federal and state agencies and the rendering of
certain opinions of counsel) and that the Underwriter will be obligated to
purchase the shares on August 28, 1996, or other date as may be agreed upon
between the Underwriter and the Fund (the "Closing Date"). Shares will not be
issued and dividends will not be declared by the Fund until after the Closing
Date.
The Underwriter will purchase shares from the Fund at $10.00 per share. No
underwriting discounts or selling commissions will be deducted from the
initial public offering price.
The Underwriter shall, regardless of its expected underwriting commitment,
be entitled and obligated to purchase only the number of shares for which
purchase orders have been received by the Underwriter prior to 2:00 p.m., New
York time, on the third business day preceding the Closing Date, or such
other date as may be agreed to between the parties.
The minimum number of Fund shares which may be purchased pursuant to this
offering is 100 shares. Certificates for shares purchased will not be issued
unless requested by the shareholder in writing.
The Underwriter has agreed to pay certain expenses of the initial offering
and the subsequent Continuous Offering of the Fund's shares. The Fund has
agreed to reimburse certain expenses pursuant to a Plan of Distribution
pursuant to Rule 12b-1 under the Act (see "The Distributor"). The Fund will
bear the cost of initial typesetting, printing and distribution of
Prospectuses and Statements of Additional Information and supplements thereto
to shareholders. The Fund has agreed to indemnify the Underwriter against
certain liabilities, including liabilities under the Securities Act of 1933,
as amended.
THE DISTRIBUTOR
- -----------------------------------------------------------------------------
As discussed in the Prospectus, during the continuous offering, shares of
the Fund are distributed by Dean Witter Distributors Inc. (the
"Distributor"). The Distributor has entered into a selected dealer agreement
with DWR, which through its own sales organization sells shares of the Fund.
In addition, the Distributor may enter into selected dealer agreements with
other selected broker-dealers. The Distributor, a Delaware corporation, is a
wholly-owned subsidiary of DWDC. As part of an internal reorganization that
took place in January, 1993, the Distributor assumed the investment company
share distribution activities previously performed by DWR. The Trustees of
the Fund, including a majority of the Independent Trustees, approved, at
their meeting held on April 17, 1996, a Distribution Agreement appointing the
Distributor as exclusive distributor of the Fund's shares and providing for
the Distributor to bear distribution expenses not borne by the Fund. By its
terms, the Distribution Agreement has an initial term ending April 30, 1997,
and provides that it will remain in effect from year to year thereafter if
approved by the Board.
The Distributor bears all expenses it may incur in providing services
under the Distribution Agreement. Such expenses include the payment of
commissions for sales of the Fund's shares and incentive compensation to
account executives. The Distributor also pays certain expenses in connection
with the distribution of the Fund's shares, including the costs of preparing,
printing and distributing advertising or promotional materials, and the costs
of printing and distributing prospectuses and supplements thereto used in
connection with the offering and sale of the Fund's shares. The Fund bears
the costs of initial typesetting, printing and distribution of prospectuses
and supplements thereto to shareholders. The Fund also bears the costs of
registering the Fund and its shares under federal and state securities laws.
The Fund and the Distributor have agreed to indemnify each other against
certain liabilities, including liabilities under the Securities Act of 1933,
as amended. Under the Distribution Agreement, the Distributor uses its best
efforts in rendering services to the Fund, but in the absence of willful
misfeasance, bad
28
<PAGE>
faith, gross negligence or reckless disregard of its obligations, the
Distributor is not liable to the Fund or any of its shareholders for any
error of judgment or mistake of law or for any act or omission or for any
losses sustained by the Fund or its shareholders.
PLAN OF DISTRIBUTION
To compensate the Distributor for the services it or any selected dealer
provides and for the expenses it bears under the Distribution Agreement, the
Fund has adopted a Plan of Distribution pursuant to Rule 12b-1 under the Act
(the "Plan") pursuant to which the Fund pays the Distributor compensation
accrued daily and payable monthly at the annual rate of 1.0% of the lesser
of: (a) the average daily aggregate gross sales of the Fund's shares since
the inception of the Fund (not including reinvestments of dividends or
capital gains distributions), less the average daily aggregate net asset
value of the Fund's shares redeemed since the Fund's inception upon which a
contingent deferred sales charge has been imposed or upon which such charge
has been waived; or (b) the Fund's average daily net assets. The Distributor
receives the proceeds of contingent deferred sales charges imposed on certain
redemptions of shares, which are separate and apart from payments made
pursuant to the Plan.
The Distributor has informed the Fund that a portion of the fees payable
by the Fund each year under the Plan of Distribution, equal to 0.25% of the
Fund's average daily net assets, is characterized as a "service fee" under
the Rules of Fair Practice of the National Association of Securities Dealers
(of which the Distributor is a member). Such fee is payments made for
personal service and/or the maintenance of shareholder accounts. The
remaining portions of the Plan of Distribution fee payments made by the Fund
are characterized as "asset-based sales charges" pursuant to the
aforementioned Rules of Fair Practice.
Under the Plan and as required by Rule 12b-1, the Trustees receive and
review promptly after the end of each fiscal quarter a written report
provided by the Distributor of the amounts expended under the Plan and the
purpose for which such expenditures were made. In the Trustees' quarterly
reviews of the Plan, they will consider its continued appropriateness and the
level of compensation provided therein. The 12b-1 fee is treated by the Fund
as an expense in the year it is accrued.
The Plan was adopted in order to permit the implementation of the Fund's
method of distribution. Under this distribution method shares of the Fund are
sold without a sales load being deducted at the time of purchase, so that the
full amount of an investor's purchase payment will be invested in shares
without any deduction for sales charges. Shares of the Fund may be subject to
a contingent deferred sales charge, payable to the Distributor, if redeemed
during the six years after their purchase. DWR compensates its account
executives by paying them, from its own funds, commissions for the sale of
the Fund's shares, currently a gross sales credit of up to 5% of the amount
sold and an annual residual commission of up to 0.25 of 1% of the current
value of the amount sold. The gross sales credit is a charge which reflects
commissions paid by DWR to its account executives and DWR's Fund associated
distribution-related expenses, including sales compensation, and overhead and
other branch office distribution-related expenses including: (a) the expenses
of operating DWR's branch offices in connection with the sale of Fund shares,
including lease costs, the salaries and employee benefits of operations and
sales support personnel, utility costs, communications costs and the costs of
stationery and supplies; (b) the costs of client sales seminars; (c) travel
expenses of mutual fund sales coordinators to promote the sale of Fund
shares; and (d) other expenses relating to branch promotion of Fund share
sales. Payments may also be made with respect to distribution expenses
incurred in connection with the distribution of shares, including personal
services to shareholders with respect to holdings of such shares, of an
investment company whose assets are acquired by the Fund in a tax-free
reorganization.
The distribution fee that the Distributor receives from the Fund under the
Plan, in effect, offsets distribution expenses incurred under the Plan on
behalf of the Fund and opportunity costs, such as the gross sales credit and
an assumed interest charge thereon ("carrying charge"). In the Distributor's
reporting of distribution expenses to the Fund, such assumed interest
(computed at the "broker's call rate") has been calculated on the gross sales
credit as it is reduced by amounts received by the Distributor under the Plan
and any contingent deferred sales charges received by the Distributor upon
redemption of shares of the Fund. No other interest charge is included as a
distribution expense in the Distributor's calculation of distribution costs
for this purpose. The broker's call rate is the interest rate charged to
securities brokers on loans secured by exchange-listed securities.
29
<PAGE>
At any given time, the expenses in distributing shares of the Fund may be
more or less than the total of (i) the payments made by the Fund pursuant to
the Plan and (ii) the proceeds of contingent deferred sales charges paid by
investors upon redemption of shares. Because there is no requirement under
the Plan that the Distributor be reimbursed for all expenses or any
requirement that the Plan be continued from year to year, this excess amount
does not constitute a liability of the Fund. Although there is no legal
obligation for the Fund to pay distribution expenses in excess of payments
made 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. Any cumulative expenses incurred, but not yet recovered
through distribution fees or contingent deferred sales charges, may or may
not be recovered through future distribution fees or contingent deferred
sales charges.
Under the Plan, the Distributor uses its best efforts in rendering
services to the Fund, but in the absence of willful misfeasance, bad faith,
gross negligence or reckless disregard of its obligations, the Distributor is
not liable to the Fund or any of its shareholders for any error of judgment
or mistake of law or for any act or omission or for any losses sustained by
the Fund or its shareholders.
The Plan will remain in effect until April 30, 1997, and will continue
from year to year thereafter, provided such continuance is approved annually
by a vote of the Trustees, including a majority of the Independent 12b-1
Trustees.
Any amendment to increase materially the maximum amount authorized to be
spent under the Plan must be approved by the shareholders of the Fund, and
all material amendments to the Plan must be approved by the Trustees in the
manner described above. The Plan may be terminated at any time, without
payment of any penalty, by vote of a majority of the Independent 12b-1
Trustees or by a vote of the holders of a majority of the outstanding voting
securities of the Fund (as defined in the Act) on not more than 30 days
written notice to any other party to the Plan. So long as the Plan is in
effect, the selection or nomination of the Independent Trustees is committed
to the discretion of the Independent Trustees.
No interested person of the Fund, nor any Trustee of the Fund who is not
an interested person of the Fund, as defined in the Act, has any direct or
indirect financial interest in the operation of the Plan except to the extent
that DWR, InterCapital, the Distributor or the Manager or certain of their
employees, may be deemed to have such an interest as a result of benefits
derived from the successful operation of the Plan or as a result of receiving
a portion of the amounts expended thereunder by the Fund.
DETERMINATION OF NET ASSET VALUE
As stated in the Prospectus, short-term securities with remaining
maturities of sixty days or less at the time of purchase are valued at
amortized cost, unless the Trustees determine such does not reflect the
securities' market value, in which case these securities will be valued at
their fair value as determined by the Trustees. Other short-term debt
securities will be valued on a mark-to-market basis until such time as they
reach a remaining maturity of sixty days, whereupon they will be valued at
amortized cost using their value on the 61st day unless the Trustees
determine such does not reflect the securities' market value, in which case
these securities will be valued at their fair value as determined by the
Trustees. All other securities and other assets are valued at their fair
value as determined in good faith under procedures established by and under
the supervision of the Trustees.
The net asset value per share of the Fund is determined once daily at 4:00
p.m., New York time (or, on days when the New York Stock Exchange closes
prior to 4:00 p.m., at such earlier time), on each day that the New York
Stock Exchange is open by taking the value of all assets of the Fund,
subtracting its liabilities, dividing by the number of shares outstanding and
adjusting to the nearest cent. The New York Stock Exchange currently observes
the following holidays: New Year's Day, Presidents' Day, Good Friday,
Memorial Day, Independence Day, Labor Day, Thanksgiving Day and Christmas
Day.
SHAREHOLDER SERVICES
- -----------------------------------------------------------------------------
Upon the purchase of shares of the Fund, a Shareholder Investment Account
is opened for the investor on the books of the Fund and maintained by Dean
Witter Trust Company (the "Transfer Agent"). This is an open account in which
shares owned by the investor are credited by the Transfer Agent in lieu of
issuance of a share
30
<PAGE>
certificate. If a share certificate is desired, it must be requested in
writing for each transaction. Certificates are issued only for full shares
and may be redeposited in the account at any time. There is no charge to the
investor for issuance of a certificate. Whenever a shareholder-instituted
transaction takes place in the Shareholder Investment Account, the
shareholder will be mailed a confirmation of the transaction from the Fund or
from DWR or other selected broker-dealer.
Automatic Investment of Dividends and Distributions. As stated in the
Prospectus, all income dividends and capital gains distributions are
automatically paid in full and fractional shares of the Fund, unless the
shareholder requests that they be paid in cash. Each purchase of shares of
the Fund is made upon the condition that the Transfer Agent is thereby
automatically appointed as agent of the investor to receive all dividends and
capital gains distributions on shares owned by the investor. Such dividends
and distributions will be paid, at the net asset value per share, in shares
of the Fund (or in cash if the shareholder so requests) as of the close of
business on the record date. At any time an investor may request the Transfer
Agent, in writing, to have subsequent dividends and/or capital gains
distributions paid to him or her in cash rather than shares. To assure
sufficient time to process the change, such request should be received by the
Transfer Agent at least five business days prior to the record date of the
dividend or distribution. In the case of recently purchased shares for which
registration instructions have not been received on the record date, cash
payments will be made to DWR or the other selected broker-dealer, and which
will be forwarded to the shareholder, upon the receipt of proper
instructions.
Targeted Dividends (Service Mark). In states where it is legally
permissible, shareholders may also have all income dividends and capital
gains distributions automatically invested in shares of a TCW/DW Fund other
than TCW/DW Global Telecom Trust. Such investment will be made as described
above for automatic investment in shares of the Fund, at the net asset value
per share of the selected TCW/DW Fund as of the close of business on the
payment date of the dividend or distribution and will begin to earn
dividends, if any, in the selected TCW/DW Fund the next business day. To
participate in the Targeted Dividends program, shareholders should contact
their DWR or other selected broker-dealer account executive or the Transfer
Agent. Shareholders of the Fund must be shareholders of the TCW/DW Fund
targeted to receive investments from dividends at the time they enter the
Targeted Dividends program. Investors should review the prospectus of the
targeted TCW/DW Fund before entering the program.
EasyInvest (Service Mark). Shareholders may subscribe to EasyInvest, an
automatic purchase plan which provides for any amount from $100 to $5,000 to
be transferred automatically from a checking or savings account, on a
semi-monthly, monthly or quarterly basis, to the Transfer Agent for
investment in shares of the Fund. Shares purchased through EasyInvest will be
added to the shareholder's existing account at the net asset value calculated
the same business day the transfer of funds is effected. For further
information or to subscribe to EasyInvest, shareholders should contact their
DWR or other selected broker-dealer account executive or the Transfer Agent.
Investment of Dividends or Distributions Received in Cash. As discussed in
the Prospectus, any shareholder who receives a cash payment representing a
dividend or distribution may invest such dividend or distribution at the net
asset value per share, without the imposition of a contingent deferred sales
charge upon redemption, by returning the check or the proceeds to the
Transfer Agent within 30 days after the payment date. If the shareholder
returns the proceeds of a dividend or distribution, such funds must be
accompanied by a signed statement indicating that the proceeds constitute a
dividend or distribution to be invested. Such investment will be made at the
net asset value per share next determined after receipt of the check or
proceeds by the Transfer Agent.
Systematic Withdrawal Plan. As discussed in the Prospectus, a systematic
withdrawal plan (the "Withdrawal Plan") is available for shareholders who own
or purchase shares of the Fund having a minimum value of $10,000 based upon
the then current net asset value. The Withdrawal Plan provides for monthly or
quarterly (March, June, September and December) checks in any dollar amount,
not less than $25, or in any whole percentage of the account balance, on an
annualized basis. Any applicable contingent deferred sales charge will be
imposed on shares redeemed under the Withdrawal Plan (see "Repurchases and
Redemptions--Contingent Deferred Sales Charge" in the Prospectus). Therefore,
any shareholder participating in the Withdrawal Plan will have sufficient
shares redeemed from his or her account so that the proceeds (net of any
applicable contingent deferred sales charge) to the shareholder will be the
designated monthly or quarterly amount.
The Transfer Agent acts as agent for the shareholder in tendering to the
Fund for redemption sufficient full and fractional shares to provide the
amount of the periodic withdrawal payment designated in the application. The
31
<PAGE>
shares will be redeemed at their net asset value determined, at the
shareholder's option, on the tenth or twenty-fifth day (or next following
business day) of the relevant month or quarter and normally a check for the
proceeds will be mailed by the Transfer Agent, or amounts credited to a
shareholder's DWR or other selected broker-dealer brokerage account, within
five business days after the date of redemption. The Withdrawal Plan may be
terminated at any time by the Fund.
Withdrawal Plan payments should not be considered as dividends, yields or
income. If periodic withdrawal plan payments continuously exceed net
investment income and net capital gains, the shareholder's original
investment will be correspondingly reduced and ultimately exhausted.
Each withdrawal constitutes a redemption of shares and any gain or loss
realized must be recognized for federal income tax purposes. Although the
shareholder may make additional investments of $2,500 or more under the
Withdrawal Plan, withdrawals made concurrently with purchases of additional
shares may be inadvisable because of the contingent deferred sales charge
applicable to the redemption of shares purchased during the preceding six
years (see "Repurchases and Redemptions--Contingent Deferred Sales Charge").
Any shareholder who wishes to have payments under the Withdrawal Plan made
to a third party or sent to an address other than the one listed on the
account must send complete written instructions to the Transfer Agent to
enroll in the Withdrawal Plan. The shareholder's signature on such
instructions must be guaranteed by an eligible guarantor acceptable to the
Transfer Agent (shareholders should contact the Transfer Agent for a
determination as to whether a particular institution is such an eligible
guarantor). A shareholder may, at any time, change the amount and interval of
withdrawal payments through his or her DWR or other selected broker-dealer
account executive or by written notification to the Transfer Agent. In
addition, the party and/or the address to which checks are mailed may be
changed by written notification to the Transfer Agent, with signature
guarantees required in the manner described above. The shareholder may also
terminate the Withdrawal Plan at any time by written notice to the Transfer
Agent. In the event of such termination, the account will be continued as a
regular shareholder investment account. The shareholder may also redeem all
or part of the shares held in the Withdrawal Plan account (see "Repurchases
and Redemptions" in the Prospectus) at any time. Shareholders wishing to
enroll in the Withdrawal Plan should contact their account executive or the
Transfer Agent.
Direct Investments through Transfer Agent. As discussed in the Prospectus,
a shareholder may make additional investments in Fund shares at any time by
sending a check in any amount, not less than $100, payable to TCW/DW Global
Telecom Trust, directly to the Fund's Transfer Agent. Such amounts will be
applied to the purchase of Fund shares at the net asset value per share next
computed after receipt of the check or purchase payment by the Transfer
Agent. The shares so purchased will be credited to the investor's account.
EXCHANGE PRIVILEGE
As discussed in the Prospectus, the Fund makes available to its
shareholders an Exchange Privilege whereby shareholders of the Fund may
exchange their shares for shares of other TCW/DW Funds sold with a contingent
deferred sales charge ("CDSC Funds"), for shares of TCW/DW North American
Government Income Trust, TCW/DW Income and Growth Fund and TCW/DW Balanced
Fund, and for shares of five money market funds for which InterCapital serves
as investment manager (the foregoing eight non-CDSC funds are hereinafter
collectively referred to as the "Exchange Funds"). Exchanges may be made
after the shares of the fund acquired by purchase (not by exchange or
dividend reinvestment) have been held for thirty days. There is no waiting
period for exchanges of shares acquired by exchange or dividend reinvestment.
An exchange will be treated for federal income tax purposes the same as a
repurchase or redemption of shares, on which the shareholder may realize a
capital gain or loss.
Shareholders utilizing the Fund's Exchange Privilege may subsequently
re-exchange such shares back to the Fund. However, no exchange privilege is
available between the Fund and any other fund managed by the Manager or
InterCapital, except for other TCW/DW Funds and the five money market funds
listed in the Prospectus.
Any new account established through the Exchange Privilege will have the
same registration and cash dividend or dividend reinvestment plan as the
present account, unless the Transfer Agent receives written notification to
the contrary. For telephone exchanges, the exact registration of the existing
account and the account number must be provided.
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<PAGE>
Any shares held in certificate form cannot be exchanged but must be
forwarded to the Transfer Agent and deposited into the shareholder's account
before being eligible for exchange. (Certificates mailed in for deposit
should not be endorsed.)
As described below, and in the Prospectus under the captions "Exchange
Privilege" and "Contingent Deferred Sales Charge," a contingent deferred
sales charge ("CDSC") may be imposed upon a redemption, depending on a number
of factors, including the number of years from the time of purchase until the
time of redemption or exchange ("holding period"). When shares of the Fund or
any other CDSC Fund are exchanged for shares of an Exchange Fund, the
exchange is executed at no charge to the shareholder, without the imposition
of the CDSC at the time of the exchange. During the period of time the
shareholder remains in the Exchange Fund (calculated from the last day of the
month in which the Exchange Fund shares were acquired), the holding period or
"year since purchase payment made" is frozen. When shares are redeemed out of
the Exchange Fund, they will be subject to a CDSC which would be based upon
the period of time the shareholder held shares in the Fund. However, in the
case of shares exchanged into an Exchange Fund, upon a redemption of shares
which results in a CDSC being imposed, a credit (not to exceed the amount of
the CDSC) will be given in an amount equal to the Exchange Fund 12b-1
distribution fees which are attributable to those shares. Shareholders
acquiring shares of an Exchange Fund pursuant to this exchange privilege may
exchange those shares back into the Fund from the Exchange Fund, with no
charge being imposed on such exchange. The holding period previously frozen
when shares were first exchanged for shares of an Exchange Fund resumes on
the last day of the month in which shares of a CDSC Fund are reacquired. A
CDSC is imposed only upon an ultimate redemption, based upon the time
(calculated as described above) the shareholder was invested in a CDSC Fund.
When shares initially purchased in a CDSC Fund are exchanged for shares of
an Exchange Fund, the date of purchase of the shares of the fund exchanged
into, for purposes of the CDSC upon redemption, will be the last day of the
month in which the shares being exchanged were originally purchased. In
allocating the purchase payments between funds for purposes of the CDSC the
amount which represents the current net asset value of shares at the time of
the exchange which were (i) purchased more than six years prior to the
exchange and (ii) originally acquired through reinvestment of dividends or
distributions (all such shares called "Free Shares") will be exchanged first.
After an exchange, all dividends earned on shares in the Exchange Fund will
be considered Free Shares. If the exchanged amount exceeds the value of such
Free Shares, an exchange is made, on a block-by-block basis, of non-Free
Shares held for the longest period of time. Shares equal to any appreciation
in the value of non-Free Shares exchanged will be treated as Free Shares, and
the amount of the purchase payments for the non-Free Shares of the fund
exchanged into will be equal to the lesser of (a) the purchase payments for,
or (b) the current net asset value of, the exchanged non-Free Shares. If an
exchange between funds would result in exchange of only part of a particular
block of non-Free Shares, then shares equal to any appreciation in the value
of the block (up to the amount of the exchange) will be treated as Free
Shares and exchanged first, and the purchase payment for that block will be
allocated on a pro rata basis between the non-Free Shares of that block to be
retained and the non-Free Shares to be exchanged. The prorated amount of such
purchase payment attributable to the retained non-Free Shares will remain as
the purchase payment for such shares, and the amount of purchase payment for
the exchanged non-Free Shares will be equal to the lesser of (a) the prorated
amount of the purchase payment for, or (b) the current net asset value of,
those exchanged non-Free Shares. Based upon the procedures described in the
Prospectus under the caption "Contingent Deferred Sales Charge," any
applicable CDSC will be imposed upon the ultimate redemption of shares of any
fund, regardless of the number of exchanges since those shares were
originally purchased.
With respect to the redemption or repurchase of shares of the Fund, the
application of proceeds to the purchase of new shares in the Fund or any
other of the funds and the general administration of the Exchange Privilege,
the Transfer Agent acts as agent for the Distributor and for the
shareholder's selected broker-dealer, if any, in the performance of such
functions.
With respect to exchanges, redemptions or repurchases, the Transfer Agent
shall be liable for its own negligence and not for the default or negligence
of its correspondents or for losses in transit. The Fund shall not be liable
for any default or negligence of the Transfer Agent, the Distributor or any
selected broker-dealer.
The Distributor and any selected broker-dealer have authorized and
appointed the Transfer Agent to act as their agent in connection with the
application of proceeds of any redemption of Fund shares to the purchase of
shares of any other fund and the general administration of the Exchange
Privilege. No commission or discounts will be paid to the Distributor or any
selected broker-dealer for any transactions pursuant to this Exchange
Privilege.
33
<PAGE>
Exchanges are subject to the minimum investment requirement and any other
conditions imposed by each fund. (The minimum initial investment is $5,000
for Dean Witter Liquid Asset Fund Inc., Dean Witter Tax-Free Daily Income
Trust, Dean Witter New York Municipal Money Market Trust and Dean Witter
California Tax-Free Daily Income Trust, although those funds may, at their
discretion, accept initial investments of as low as $1,000. The minimum
initial investment for Dean Witter U.S. Government Money Market Trust and for
all TCW/DW Funds is $1,000.) Upon exchange into an Exchange Fund, the shares
of that fund will be held in a special Exchange Privilege Account separately
from accounts of those shareholders who have acquired their shares directly
from that fund. As a result, certain services normally available to
shareholders of money market funds, including the check writing feature, will
not be available for funds held in that account.
The Fund, each of the other TCW/DW Funds and each of the money market
funds may limit the number of times this Exchange Privilege may be exercised
by any investor within a specified period of time. Also, the Exchange
Privilege may be terminated or revised at any time by the Fund and/or any of
the funds for which shares of the Fund have been exchanged, upon such notice
as may be required by applicable regulatory agencies (presently sixty days
for termination or material revision), provided that six months prior written
notice of termination will be given to the shareholders who hold shares of
Exchange Funds pursuant to this Exchange Privilege, and provided further that
the Exchange Privilege may be terminated or materially revised without notice
at times (a) when the New York Stock Exchange is closed for other than
customary weekends and holidays, (b) when trading on that Exchange is
restricted, (c) when an emergency exists as a result of which disposal by the
Fund of securities owned by it is not reasonably practicable or it is not
reasonably practicable for the Fund fairly to determine the value of its net
assets, (d) during any other period when the Securities and Exchange
Commission by order so permits (provided that applicable rules and
regulations of the Securities and Exchange Commission shall govern as to
whether the conditions prescribed in (b) or (c) exist) or (e) if the Fund
would be unable to invest amounts effectively in accordance with its
investment objective, policies and restrictions.
The current prospectus for each fund describes its investment objective(s)
and policies, and shareholders should obtain a copy and examine it carefully
before investing. An exchange will be treated for federal income tax purposes
the same as a repurchase or redemption of shares, on which the shareholder
may realize a capital gain or loss. However, the ability to deduct capital
losses on an exchange may be limited in situations where there is an exchange
of shares within ninety days after the shares are purchased. The Exchange
Privilege is only available in states where an exchange may legally be made.
For further information regarding the Exchange Privilege, shareholders
should contact their DWR or other selected broker-dealer account executive or
the Transfer Agent.
REPURCHASES AND REDEMPTIONS
- -----------------------------------------------------------------------------
Redemption. As stated in the Prospectus, shares of the Fund can be
redeemed for cash at any time at the net asset value per share next
determined; however, such redemption proceeds may be reduced by the amount of
any applicable contingent deferred sales charges (see below). If shares are
held in a shareholder's account without a share certificate, a written
request for redemption to the Fund's Transfer Agent at P.O. Box 983, Jersey
City, NJ 07303 is required. If certificates are held by the shareholder, the
shares may be redeemed by surrendering the certificates with a written
request for redemption. The share certificate, or an accompanying stock
power, and the request for redemption, must be signed by the shareholder or
shareholders exactly as the shares are registered. Each request for
redemption, whether or not accompanied by a share certificate, must be sent
to the Fund's Transfer Agent, which will redeem the shares at their net asset
value next computed (see "Purchase of Fund Shares") after it receives the
request, and certificate, if any, in good order. Any redemption request
received after such computation will be redeemed at the next determined net
asset value. The term "good order" means that the share certificate, if any,
and request for redemption are properly signed, accompanied by any
documentation required by the Transfer Agent, and bear signature guarantees
when required by the Fund or the Transfer Agent. If redemption is requested
by a corporation, partnership, trust or fiduciary, the Transfer Agent may
require that written evidence of authority acceptable to the Transfer Agent
be submitted before such request is accepted.
Whether certificates are held by the shareholder or shares are held in a
shareholder's account, if the proceeds are to be paid to any person other
than the record owner, or if the proceeds are to be paid to a corporation
(other than the Distributor or a selected broker-dealer for the account of
the shareholder), partnership, trust or fiduciary,
34
<PAGE>
or sent to the shareholder at an address other than the registered address,
signatures must be guaranteed by an eligible guarantor acceptable to the
Transfer Agent (shareholders should contact the Transfer Agent for a
determination as to whether a particular institution is such an eligible
guarantor). A stock power may be obtained from any dealer or commercial bank.
The Fund may change the signature guarantee requirements from time to time
upon notice to shareholders, which may be by means of a revised prospectus.
Contingent Deferred Sales Charge. As stated in the Prospectus, a
contingent deferred sales charge ("CDSC") will be imposed on any redemption
by an investor if after such redemption the current value of the investor's
shares of the Fund is less than the dollar amount of all payments by the
shareholder for the purchase of Fund shares during the preceding six years.
However, no CDSC will be imposed to the extent that the net asset value of
the shares redeemed does not exceed: (a) the current net asset value of
shares purchased more than six years prior to the redemption, plus (b) the
current net asset value of shares purchased through reinvestment of dividends
or distributions of the Fund or another TCW/DW Fund (see "Shareholder
Services--Targeted Dividends"), plus (c) increases in the net asset value of
the investor's shares above the total amount of payments for the purchase of
Fund shares made during the preceding six years. The CDSC will be paid to the
Distributor.
In determining the applicability of a CDSC to each redemption, the amount
which represents an increase in the net asset value of the investor's shares
above the amount of the total payments for the purchase of shares within the
last six years will be redeemed first. In the event the redemption amount
exceeds such increase in value, the next portion of the amount redeemed will
be the amount which represents the net asset value of the investor's shares
purchased more than six years prior to the redemption and/or shares purchased
through reinvestment of dividends or distributions. A portion of the amount
redeemed which exceeds an amount which represents both such increase in value
and the value of shares purchased more than six years prior to the redemption
and/or shares purchased through reinvestment of dividends or distributions
will be subject to a CDSC.
The amount of the CDSC, if any, will vary depending on the number of years
from the time of payment for the purchase of Fund shares until the time of
redemption of such shares. For purposes of determining the number of years
from the time of any payment for the purchase of shares, all payments made
during a month will be aggregated and deemed to have been made on the last
day of the month. The following table sets forth the rates of the CDSC:
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
CONTINGENT DEFERRED
YEAR SINCE SALES CHARGE AS A
PURCHASE PERCENTAGE OF AMOUNT
PAYMENT MADE REDEEMED
- -------------------------- -----------------------
<S> <C>
First ..................... 5.0%
Second .................... 4.0%
Third ..................... 3.0%
Fourth .................... 2.0%
Fifth ..................... 2.0%
Sixth ..................... 1.0%
Seventh and thereafter ... None
</TABLE>
In determining the rate of the CDSC, it will be assumed that a redemption
is made of shares held by the investor for the longest period of time within
the applicable six-year period. This will result in any such CDSC being
imposed at the lowest possible rate. Accordingly, shareholders may redeem,
without incurring any CDSC, amounts equal to any net increase in the value of
their shares above the amount of their purchase payments made within the past
six years and amounts equal to the current value of shares purchased more
than six years prior to the redemption and shares purchased through
reinvestment of dividends or distributions. The CDSC will be imposed, in
accordance with the table shown above, on any redemptions within six years of
purchase which are in excess of these amounts and which redemptions are not
(a) requested within one year of death or initial determination of disability
of a shareholder, or (b) made pursuant to certain taxable distributions from
retirement plans or retirement accounts, as described in the Prospectus.
Payment for Shares Repurchased or Redeemed. As discussed in the
Prospectus, payment for shares presented for repurchase or redemption will be
made by check within seven days after receipt by the Transfer Agent of the
certificate and/or written request in good order. The term good order means
that the share certificate, if any, and request for redemption are properly
signed, accompanied by any documentation required by the Transfer Agent, and
bear signature guarantees when required by the Fund or the Transfer Agent.
Such payment may be postponed
35
<PAGE>
or the right of redemption suspended at times (a) when the New York Stock
Exchange is closed for other than customary weekends and holidays, (b) when
trading on that Exchange is restricted, (c) when an emergency exists as a
result of which disposal by the Fund of securities owned by it is not
reasonably practicable or it is not reasonably practicable for the Fund
fairly to determine the value of its net assets, or (d) during any other
period when the Securities and Exchange Commission by order so permits;
provided that applicable rules and regulations of the Securities and Exchange
Commission shall govern as to whether the conditions prescribed in (b) or (c)
exist. If the shares to be redeemed have recently been purchased by check,
payment of the redemption proceeds may be delayed for the minimum time needed
to verify that the check used for investment has been honored (not more than
fifteen days from the time of receipt of the check by the Transfer Agent).
Shareholders maintaining margin accounts with DWR or another selected
broker-dealer are referred to their account executive regarding restrictions
on redemption of shares of the Fund pledged in the margin account.
Transfers of Shares. In the event a shareholder requests a transfer of any
shares to a new registration, such shares will be transferred without sales
charge at the time of transfer. With regard to the status of shares which are
either subject to the contingent deferred sales charge or free of such charge
(and with regard to the length of time shares subject to the charge have been
held), any transfer involving less than all of the shares in an account will
be made on a pro-rata basis (that is, by transferring shares in the same
proportion that the transferred shares bear to the total shares in the
account immediately prior to the transfer). The transferred shares will
continue to be subject to any applicable contingent deferred sales charge as
if they had not been so transferred.
Reinstatement Privilege. As discussed in the Prospectus, a shareholder who
has had his or her shares redeemed or repurchased and has not previously
exercised this reinstatement privilege may within thirty days after the date
of redemption or repurchase reinstate any portion or all of the proceeds of
such redemption or repurchase in shares of the Fund at the net asset value
next determined after a reinstatement request, together with such proceeds,
is received by the Transfer Agent.
Exercise of the reinstatement privilege will not affect the federal income
tax treatment of any gain or loss realized upon the redemption or repurchase,
except that if the redemption or repurchase resulted in a loss and
reinstatement is made in shares of the Fund, some or all of the loss,
depending on the amount reinstated, will not be allowed as a deduction for
federal income tax purposes, but will be applied to adjust the cost basis of
the shares acquired upon reinstatement.
DIVIDENDS, DISTRIBUTIONS AND TAXES
- -----------------------------------------------------------------------------
As discussed in the Prospectus, the Fund will determine either to
distribute or to retain all or part of any net long-term capital gains in any
year for reinvestment. If any such gains are retained, the Fund will pay
federal income tax thereon, and shareholders will be required to include such
undistributed gains in their taxable income and will be able to claim their
share of the tax paid by the Fund as a credit against their individual
federal income tax. In addition, shareholders are entitled to increase their
tax basis of their investment by their pro rata share of the undistributed
gain net of the tax paid by the Fund on such gain.
Gains or losses on sales of securities by the Fund will be long-term
capital gains or losses if the securities have been held by the Fund for more
than twelve months. Gains or losses on the sale of securities held for twelve
months or less will be short-term gains or losses.
Any dividend or capital gains distribution received by a shareholder from
any investment company will have the effect of reducing the net asset value
of the shareholder's stock in that company by the exact amount of the
dividend or capital gains distribution. Furthermore, capital gains
distributions and dividends are subject to federal income taxes. If the net
asset value of the shares should be reduced below a shareholder's cost as a
result of the payment of dividends or the distribution of realized net
long-term capital gains, such payment or distribution would be in part a
return of the shareholder's investment to the extent of such reduction below
the shareholder's cost, but nonetheless would be fully taxable at either
ordinary or capital gain rates. Therefore, an investor should consider the
tax implications of purchasing Fund shares immediately prior to a dividend or
distribution record date.
Shareholders are urged to consult their attorneys or tax advisers
regarding specific questions as to federal, state or local taxes.
36
<PAGE>
PERFORMANCE INFORMATION
- -----------------------------------------------------------------------------
As discussed in the Prospectus, from time to time the Fund may quote its
"total return" in advertisements and sales literature. The Fund's "average
annual total return" represents an annualization of the Fund's total return
over a particular period and is computed by finding the annual percentage
rate which will result in the ending redeemable value of a hypothetical
$1,000 investment made at the beginning of a one, five or ten year period, or
for the period from the date of commencement of the Fund's operations, if
shorter than any of the foregoing. For periods of less than one year, the
Fund quotes its total return on a non-annualized basis.
The Fund may compute its aggregate total return for specified periods by
determining the aggregate percentage rate which will result in the ending
value of a hypothetical $1,000 investment made at the beginning of the
period. For the purpose of this calculation, it is assumed that all dividends
and distributions are reinvested. The formula for computing aggregate total
return involves a percentage obtained by dividing the ending value by the
initial $1,000 investment and subtracting 1 from the result. The ending
redeemable value is reduced by any contingent deferred sales charge at the
end of the period.
In addition to the foregoing, the Fund may advertise its total return over
different periods of time by means of aggregate, average, year-by-year or
other types of total return figures. Such calculations may or may not reflect
the deduction of the contingent deferred charge which, if reflected, would
reduce the performance quotes. For example, the total return of the Fund may
be calculated in the manner described above, but without deduction of any
applicable contingent deferred sales charge.
The Fund may also advertise the growth of hypothetical investments of
$10,000, $50,000 and $100,000 in shares of the Fund by adding 1 to the Fund's
aggregate total return to date (expressed as a decimal and without taking
into account the effect of any applicable CDSC) and multiplying by $10,000,
$50,000 or $100,000, as the case may be.
The Fund from time to time may also advertise its performance relative to
certain performance rankings and indexes compiled by independent
organizations.
DESCRIPTION OF SHARES
- -----------------------------------------------------------------------------
The shareholders of the Fund are entitled to a full vote for each full
share held. The Trustees were elected by InterCapital as the then sole
shareholder of the Fund prior to the public offering of the Fund's shares.
The Trustees themselves have the power to alter the number and the terms of
office of the Trustees, and they may at any time lengthen their own terms or
make their terms of unlimited duration and appoint their own successors,
provided that always at least a majority of the Trustees has been elected by
the shareholders of the Fund. Under certain circumstances the Trustees may be
removed by action of the Trustees. The shareholders also have the right to
remove the Trustees following a meeting called for that purpose requested in
writing by the record holders of not less than ten percent of the Fund's
outstanding shares. The voting rights of shareholders are not cumulative, so
that holders of more than 50 percent of the shares voting can, if they
choose, elect all Trustees being selected, while the holders of the remaining
shares would be unable to elect any Trustees.
The Declaration of Trust permits the Trustees to authorize the creation of
additional series of shares (the proceeds of which would be invested in
separate, independently managed portfolios) and additional classes of shares
within any series (which would be used to distinguish among the rights of
different categories of shareholders, as might be required by future
regulations or other unforeseen circumstances). However, the Trustees have
not authorized any such additional series or classes of shares.
The Declaration of Trust provides that no Trustee, officer, employee or
agent of the Fund is liable to the Fund or to a shareholder, nor is any
Trustee, officer, employee or agent liable to any third persons in connection
with the affairs of the Fund, except as such liability may arise from his own
bad faith, willful misfeasance, gross negligence, or reckless disregard of
his duties. It also provides that all third persons shall look solely to the
Fund's property for satisfaction of claims arising in connection with the
affairs of the Fund. With the exceptions stated, the Declaration of Trust
provides that a Trustee, officer, employee or agent is entitled to be
indemnified against all liabilities in connection with the affairs of the
Fund.
37
<PAGE>
The Fund is authorized to issue an unlimited number of shares of
beneficial interest. The Fund shall be of unlimited duration subject to the
provisions of the Declaration of Trust concerning termination by action of
the shareholders.
CUSTODIAN AND TRANSFER AGENT
- -----------------------------------------------------------------------------
The Chase Manhattan Bank N.A., One Chase Plaza, New York, New York 10005
is the Custodian of the Fund's assets. Any of the Fund's cash balances with
the Custodian in excess of $100,000 are unprotected by federal deposit
insurance. Such balances may, at times, be substantial.
Dean Witter Trust Company, Harborside Financial Center, Plaza Two, Jersey
City, New Jersey 07311 is the Transfer Agent of the Fund's shares and
Dividend Disbursing Agent for payment of dividends and distributions on Fund
shares and Agent for shareholders under various investment plans described
herein. Dean Witter Trust Company is an affiliate of Dean Witter Services
Company Inc., the Fund's Manager, and of Dean Witter Distributors Inc., the
Fund's Distributor. As Transfer Agent and Dividend Disbursing Agent, Dean
Witter Trust Company's responsibilities include maintaining shareholder
accounts including providing subaccounting and recordkeeping services for
certain retirement accounts; disbursing cash dividends and reinvesting
dividends; processing account registration changes; handling purchase and
redemption transactions; mailing prospectuses and reports; mailing and
tabulating proxies; processing share certificate transactions; and
maintaining shareholder records and lists. For these services Dean Witter
Trust Company receives a per shareholder account fee.
INDEPENDENT ACCOUNTANTS
- -----------------------------------------------------------------------------
Price Waterhouse LLP serves as the independent accountants of the Fund.
The independent accountants are responsible for auditing the annual financial
statements of the Fund.
REPORTS TO SHAREHOLDERS
- -----------------------------------------------------------------------------
The Fund will send to shareholders, at least semi-annually, reports
showing the Fund's portfolio and other information. An annual report
containing financial statements audited by independent accountants will be
sent to shareholders each year.
The Fund's fiscal year ends on May 31, 1997. The financial statements of
the Fund must be audited at least once a year by independent accountants
whose selection is made annually by the Fund's Board of Trustees.
LEGAL COUNSEL
- -----------------------------------------------------------------------------
Sheldon Curtis, Esq., who is an officer and the General Counsel of the
Manager, is an officer and the General Counsel of the Fund.
EXPERTS
- -----------------------------------------------------------------------------
The Statement of Assets and Liabilities of the Fund included in this
Statement of Additional Information and incorporated by reference in the
Prospectus has been so included and incorporated in reliance on the report of
Price Waterhouse LLP, independent accountants, given on the authority of said
firm as experts in auditing and accounting.
REGISTRATION STATEMENT
- -----------------------------------------------------------------------------
This Statement of Additional Information and the Prospectus do not contain
all of the information set forth in the Registration Statement the Fund has
filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission. The complete Registration
Statement may be obtained from the Securities and Exchange Commission upon
payment of the fee prescribed by the rules and regulations of the Commission.
38
<PAGE>
TCW/DW GLOBAL TELECOM TRUST
REPORT OF INDEPENDENT ACCOUNTANTS
- -----------------------------------------------------------------------------
To the Shareholder and Trustees of TCW/DW Global Telecom Trust
In our opinion, the accompanying statement of assets and liabilities presents
fairly, in all material respects, the financial position of TCW/DW Global
Telecom Trust (the "Fund") at June 19, 1996, in conformity with generally
accepted accounting principles. This financial statement is the
responsibility of the Fund's management; our responsibility is to express an
opinion on this financial statement based on our audit. We conducted our
audit of this financial statement in accordance with generally accepted
auditing standards which require that we plan and perform the audit to obtain
reasonable assurance about whether the financial statement is free of
material misstatement. An audit includes examining, on a test basis, evidence
supporting the amounts and disclosures in the financial statement, assessing
the accounting principles used and significant estimates made by management,
and evaluating the overall financial statement presentation. We believe that
our audit provides a reasonable basis for the opinion expressed above.
PRICE WATERHOUSE LLP
1177 Avenue of the Americas
New York, New York 10036
June 20, 1996
39
<PAGE>
TCW/DW GLOBAL TELECOM TRUST
STATEMENT OF ASSETS AND LIABILITIES AT JUNE 19, 1996
- -----------------------------------------------------------------------------
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
<S> <C>
ASSETS:
Cash ................................................................................ $100,000
Deferred organizational expenses (Note 1) ........................................... 158,225
----------
Total Assets ...................................................................... 258,225
LIABILITIES:
Organizational expenses payable (Note 1) ............................................ 158,225
Commitments (Notes 1 and 2) .........................................................
----------
Net Assets ........................................................................ $100,000
==========
Net Asset Value Per Share (10,000 shares of beneficial interest outstanding;
unlimited authorized shares of beneficial interest of $.01 par value) ............... $ 10.00
----------
</TABLE>
- ---------------------------
NOTE 1--TCW/DW Global Telecom Trust (the "Fund") was organized as a
Massachusetts business trust on March 28, 1996. To date the Fund has had no
transactions other than those relating to organizational matters and the sale
of 10,000 shares of beneficial interest for $100,000 to Dean Witter
InterCapital Inc. (the "Manager"). The Fund is registered under the
Investment Company Act of 1940, as amended (the "Act"), as a open-end,
diversified management investment company. Organizational expenses of the
Fund incurred prior to the offering of the Fund's shares will be paid by the
Manager. It is currently estimated that the Manager will incur and be
reimbursed by the Fund for approximately $158,225 in organizational expenses.
These expenses will be deferred and amortized by the Fund on the
straight-line method over a period not to exceed five years from the date of
commencement of the Fund's operations. In the event that at any time during
the five year period beginning with the date of the commencement of
operations the initial shares acquired by the Manager prior to such date are
redeemed, by any holder thereof, the redemption proceeds payable in respect
of such shares will be reduced by the pro rata share (based on the
proportionate share of the initial shares redeemed to the total number of
original shares outstanding at the time of redemption) of the then
unamortized deferred organizational expenses as of the date of such
redemption. In the event that the Fund liquidates before the deferred
organizational expenses are fully amortized, the Manager shall bear such
unamortized deferred organizational expenses.
NOTE 2--The Fund has entered into a management agreement with the Manager.
Certain officers and/or trustees of the Fund are officers and/or directors of
the Manager. The Fund has retained the Manager to manage the Fund's business
affairs, supervise the overall day-to-day operations of the Fund (other than
rendering investment advice) and provide all administrative services to the
Fund. Under the terms of the Management Agreement, the Manager maintains
certain of the Fund's books and records and furnishes, at its own expense,
such office space, facilities, equipment, supplies, clerical help and
bookkeeping and certain legal services as the Fund may reasonably require in
the conduct of its business, including the preparation of prospectuses,
statements of additional information, proxy statements and reports required
to be filed with federal and state securities commissions (except insofar as
the participation or assistance of independent accountants and attorneys is,
in the opinion of the Manager, necessary or desirable). In addition, the
Manager pays the salaries of all personnel, including officers of the Fund,
who are employees of the Manager. The Manager also bears the cost of the
Fund's telephone service, heat, light, power and other utilities.
As full compensation for the services and facilities furnished to the Fund
and expenses of the Fund assumed by the Manager, the Fund will pay the
Manager monthly compensation calculated daily by applying the annual rate of
0.60% to the daily net assets of the Fund determined as of the close of each
business day.
Pursuant to an investment advisory agreement (the "Advisory Agreement")
with TCW Funds Management, Inc. (the "Adviser") the Fund has retained the
Adviser to invest the Fund's assets, including the placing of orders for the
purchase and sale of portfolio securities. The Adviser obtains and evaluates
such information and advice relating to the economy, securities markets, and
specific securities as it considers necessary or useful to continuously
manage the assets of the Fund in a manner consistent with its investment
objective. In addition, the Adviser pays the salaries of all personnel,
including officers of the Fund, who are employees of the Adviser.
40
<PAGE>
As full compensation for the services and facilities furnished to the Fund
and expenses of the Fund assumed by the Adviser, the Fund pays the Adviser
monthly compensation calculated daily by applying the annual rate of 0.40% to
the daily net assets of the Fund determined as of the close of each business
day.
Shares of the Fund will be distributed by Dean Witter Distributors Inc.
(the "Distributor"), an affiliate of the Manager, during the initial and
continuous offering of the Fund's shares. The Fund has adopted a Plan of
Distribution pursuant to Rule 12b-1 under the Act (the "Plan"). The Plan
provides that the Distributor will bear the expense of all promotional and
distribution related activities on behalf of the Fund, including the payment
of commissions for sales of the Fund's shares and incentive compensation to
and expenses of Dean Witter Reynolds Inc. ("DWR"), an affiliate of the
Manager, account executives and others who engage in or support distribution
of shares or who service shareholder accounts, including overhead and
telephone expenses; printing and distribution of prospectuses and reports
used in connection with the offering of the Fund's shares to other than
current shareholders; and preparation, printing and distribution of sales
literature and advertising materials. In addition, the Distributor may
utilize fees paid pursuant to the Plan to compensate DWR and other selected
broker-dealers for their opportunity costs in advancing such amounts, which
compensation would be in the form of a carrying charge on any unreimbursed
distribution expenses.
To compensate the Distributor for the services it or any selected dealer
provides and for the expenses it bears under the Plan, the Fund will pay the
Distributor compensation accrued daily and payable monthly at the annual rate
of 1.00% of the lesser of; (a) the average daily aggregate gross sales of the
Fund's shares since the inception of the Fund (not including reinvestments of
dividends or capital gains distributions), less the average daily aggregate
net asset value of the Fund's shares redeemed since the Fund's inception upon
which a contingent deferred sales charge has been imposed or waived; or (b)
the Fund's average daily net assets.
Dean Witter Trust Company (the "Transfer Agent"), an affiliate of the
Manager and the Distributor, is the transfer agent of the Fund's shares,
dividend disbursing agent for payment of dividends and distributions on Fund
shares and agent for shareholders under various investment plans.
The Manager has undertaken to assume all Fund expenses (except for the
Plan of Distribution fee, foreign taxes withheld and/or brokerage fees) and
to waive the compensation provided for in its Management Agreement and the
Adviser has undertaken to waive the compensation provided for in its Advisory
Agreement, until such time as the Fund had $50 million of net assets or until
six months from the date of commencement of the Fund's operations, whichever
occurs first.
41
<PAGE>
APPENDIX
- -----------------------------------------------------------------------------
RATINGS OF CORPORATE DEBT INSTRUMENTS
MOODY'S INVESTORS SERVICE, INC. ("MOODY'S")
BOND RATINGS
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
<S> <C>
Aaa Bonds which are rated Aaa are judged to be of the best quality. They carry the smallest degree of investment risk and
are generally referred to as "gilt edge." Interest payments are protected by a large or by an exceptionally stable
margin and principal is secure. While the various protective elements are likely to change, such changes as can be
visualized are most unlikely to impair the fundamentally strong position of such issues.
Aa Bonds which are rated Aa are judged to be of high quality by all standards. Together with the Aaa group they comprise
what are generally known as high grade bonds. They are rated lower than the best bonds because margins of protection
may not be as large as in Aaa securities or fluctuation of protective elements may be of greater amplitude or there
may be other elements present which make the long-term risks appear somewhat larger than in Aaa securities.
A Bonds which are rated A possess many favorable investment attributes and are to be considered as upper medium grade
obligations. Factors giving security to principal and interest are considered adequate, but elements may be present
which suggest a susceptibility to impairment sometime in the future.
Baa Bonds which are rated Baa are considered as medium grade obligations; i.e., they are neither highly protected nor poorly
secured. Interest payments and principal security appear adequate for the present but certain protective elements may
be lacking or may be characteristically unreliable over any great length of time. Such bonds lack outstanding investment
characteristics and in fact have speculative characteristics as well.
Bonds rated Aaa, Aa, A and Baa are considered investment grade bonds.
Ba Bonds which are rated Ba are judged to have speculative elements; their future cannot be considered as well assured.
Often the protection of interest and principal payments may be very moderate, and therefore not well safeguarded during
both good and bad times in the future. Uncertainty of position characterizes bonds in this class.
B Bonds which are rated B generally lack characteristics of the desirable investment. Assurance of interest and principal
payments or of maintenance of other terms of the contract over any long period of time may be small.
Caa Bonds which are rated Caa are of poor standing. Such issues may be in default or there may be present elements of danger
with respect to principal or interest.
Ca Bonds which are rated Ca present obligations which are speculative in a high degree. Such issues are often in default
or have other marked shortcomings.
C Bonds which are rated C are the lowest rated class of bonds, and issues so rated can be regarded as having extremely
poor prospects of ever attaining any real investment standing.
</TABLE>
Rating Refinements: Moody's may apply numerical modifiers, 1, 2, and 3 in
each generic rating classification from Aa through B in its municipal bond
security rating system. The modifier 1 indicates that the security ranks in
the higher end of its generic rating category; the modifier 2 indicates a
mid-range ranking; and a modifier 3 indicates that the issue ranks in the
lower end if its generic rating category.
COMMERCIAL PAPER RATINGS
Moody's Commercial Paper ratings are opinions of the ability to repay
punctually promissory obligations not having an original maturity in excess
of nine months. The ratings apply to Municipal Commercial Paper as well as
taxable Commercial Paper. Moody's employs the following three designations,
all judged to be investment grade, to indicate the relative repayment
capacity of rated issuers: Prime-1, Prime-2, Prime-3.
42
<PAGE>
Issuers rated Prime-1 have a superior capacity for repayment of short-term
promissory obligations. Issuers rated Prime-2 have a strong capacity for
repayment of short-term promissory obligations; and Issuers rated Prime-3
have an acceptable capacity for repayment of short-term promissory
obligations. Issuers rated Not Prime do not fall within any of the Prime
rating categories.
STANDARD & POOR'S CORPORATION ("STANDARD & POOR'S")
BOND RATINGS
A Standard & Poor's bond rating is a current assessment of the
creditworthiness of an obligor with respect to a specific obligation. This
assessment may take into consideration obligors such as guarantors, insurers,
or lessees.
The ratings are based on current information furnished by the issuer or
obtained by Standard & Poor's from other sources it considers reliable. The
ratings are based, in varying degrees, on the following considerations:
(1) likelihood of default-capacity and willingness of the obligor as to the
timely payment of interest and repayment of principal in accordance with the
terms of the obligation; (2) nature of and provisions of the obligation; and
(3) protection afforded by, and relative position of, the obligation in the
event of bankruptcy, reorganization or other arrangement under the laws of
bankruptcy and other laws affecting creditors' rights.
Standard & Poor's does not perform an audit in connection with any rating
and may, on occasion, rely on unaudited financial information. The ratings
may be changed, suspended or withdrawn as a result of changes in, or
unavailability of, such information, or for other reasons.
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
<S> <C>
AAA Debt rated "AAA" has the highest rating assigned by Standard & Poor's. Capacity to pay interest and repay principal
is extremely strong.
AA Debt rated "AA" has a very strong capacity to pay interest and repay principal and differs from the highest-rated
issues only in small degree.
A Debt rated "A" has a strong capacity to pay interest and repay principal although they are somewhat more susceptible
to the adverse effects of changes in circumstances and economic conditions than debt in higher-rated categories.
BBB Debt rated "BBB" is regarded as having an adequate capacity to pay interest and repay principal. Whereas it normally
exhibits adequate protection parameters, adverse economic conditions or changing circumstances are more likely to lead
to a weakened capacity to pay interest and repay principal for debt in this category than for debt in higher-rated
categories.
Bonds rated AAA, AA, A and BBB are considered investment grade bonds.
BB Debt rated "BB" has less near-term vulnerability to default than other speculative grade debt. However, it faces major
ongoing uncertainties or exposure to adverse business, financial or economic conditions which could lead to inadequate
capacity or willingness to pay interest and repay principal.
B Debt rated "B" has a greater vulnerability to default but presently has the capacity to meet interest payments and
principal repayments. Adverse business, financial or economic conditions would likely impair capacity or willingness
to pay interest and repay principal.
CCC Debt rated "CCC" has a current identifiable vulnerability to default, and is dependent upon favorable business,
financial and economic conditions to meet timely payments of interest and repayments of principal. In the event of
adverse business, financial or economic conditions, it is not likely to have the capacity to pay interest and repay
principal.
CC The rating "CC" is typically applied to debt subordinated to senior debt which is assigned an actual or implied "CCC"
rating.
C The rating "C" is typically applied to debt subordinated to senior debt which is assigned an actual or implied "CCC"
rating.
43
<PAGE>
Cl The rating "Cl" is reserved for income bonds on which no interest is being paid.
NR Indicates that no rating has been requested, that there is insufficient information on which to base a rating or that
Standard & Poor's does not rate a particular type of obligation as a matter of policy.
Debt rated "BB", "B", "CCC", "CC" and "C" are regarded as having predominantly speculative characteristics with
respect to capacity to pay interest and repay principal. "BB" indicates the least degree of speculation and "C" the
highest degree of speculation. While such debt will likely have some quality and protective characteristics, these are
outweighed by large uncertainties or major risk exposures to adverse conditions.
Plus (+) or minus (-): The rating from "AA" to "CCC" may be modified by the addition of a plus or minus sign to show
relative standing with the major ratings categories.
</TABLE>
COMMERCIAL PAPER RATINGS
Standard and Poor's commercial paper rating is a current assessment of the
likelihood of timely payment of debt having an original maturity of no more
than 365 days. The commercial paper rating is not a recommendation to
purchase or sell a security. The ratings are based upon current information
furnished by the issuer or obtained by S&P from other sources it considers
reliable. The ratings may be changed, suspended, or withdrawn as a result of
changes in or unavailability of such information. Ratings are graded into
group categories, ranging from "A" for the highest quality obligations to "D"
for the lowest. Ratings are applicable to both taxable and tax-exempt
commercial paper. The categories are as follows:
Issues assigned A ratings are regarded as having the greatest capacity for
timely payment. Issues in this category are further refined with the
designation 1, 2, and 3 to indicate the relative degree of safety.
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
<S> <C>
A-1 indicates that the degree of safety regarding timely payment is very strong.
A-2 indicates capacity for timely payment on issues with this designation is strong. However, the relative degree of safety
is not as overwhelming as for issues designated "A-1".
A-3 indicates a satisfactory capacity for timely payment. Obligations carrying this designation are, however, somewhat
more vulnerable to the adverse effects of changes in circumstances than obligations carrying the higher designations.
</TABLE>
44
TCW/DW GLOBAL TELECOM TRUST
PART C OTHER INFORMATION
Item 24. Financial Statements and Exhibits
(a) Financial Statements
Statements of Assets and Liabilities at June 19, 1996.
(b) Exhibits
Exhibit
Number Description
- ------ -----------
1. -- Declaration of Trust of Registrant*
2. -- By-Laws of Registrant*
3. -- None
5. -- Form of Investment Advisory Agreement between
Registrant and TCW Funds Management Inc.
6.(a) -- Form of Underwriting Agreement between
Registrant and Dean Witter Distributors Inc.
(b) -- Form of Distribution Agreement between Registrant
and Dean Witter Distributors Inc.
(c) -- Forms of Selected Dealer Agreements
7. -- None
8.(a) -- Form of Custodian Agreement between Registrant
and The Chase Manhattan Bank, N. A.
(b) -- Form of Transfer Agency and Services Agreement
between Registrant and Dean Witter Trust Company
9. -- Form of Management Agreement between Registrant
and Dean Witter Services Company Inc.
10.(a) -- Opinion of Sheldon Curtis, Esq.
(b) -- Opinion of Lane Altman & Owens, Massachusetts
Counsel
11. -- Consent of Independent Accountants
12. -- None
13. -- Investment Letter of Dean Witter InterCapital
Inc.
1
<PAGE>
14. -- None
15. -- Form of Plan of Distribution between Registrant
and Dean Witter Distributors Inc.
16. -- Schedule for Computation of Performance
Quotations to be filed with first Post-Effective
Amendment
27. -- Financial Data Schedule
Other -- Powers of Attorney
- ------------------
* Previously filed in Form N-1A via EDGAR on April 11, 1996.
Item 25. Persons Controlled by or Under Common Control With Registrant.
Prior to the offering of its shares, the Registrant sold
10,000 of its shares of beneficial interest to Dean Witter InterCapital Inc.,
a Delaware corporation. Dean Witter InterCapital Inc. is a wholly-owned
subsidiary of Dean Witter, Discover & Co. ("DWDC"), a publicly held Delaware
corporation.
Item 26. Number of Holders of Securities.
(1) (2)
Number of Record Holders
Title of Class at June 21, 1996
-------------- ---------------------
1
Item 27. Indemnification.
Pursuant to Section 5.3 of the Registrant's Declaration of Trust and
under Section 4.8 of the Registrant's By-Laws, the indemnification of the
Registrant's trustees, officers, employees and agents is permitted if it is
determined that they acted under the belief that their actions were in or not
opposed to the best interest of the Registrant, and, with respect to any
criminal proceeding, they had reasonable cause to believe their conduct was
not unlawful. In addition, indemnification is permitted only if it is
determined that the actions in question did not render them liable by reason
of willful misfeasance, bad faith or gross negligence in the performance of
their duties or by reason of reckless disregard of their obligations and
duties to the Registrant. Trustees, officers, employees and agents will be
indemnified for the expense of litigation if it is determined that they are
entitled to indemnification against any liability established in such
litigation. The Registrant may also advance money for these expenses provided
that they give their undertakings to repay the Registrant unless their conduct
is later determined to permit indemnification.
Pursuant to Section 5.2 of the Registrant's Declaration of
Trust and paragraph 8 of the Registrant's Management and Advisory
2
<PAGE>
Agreements, none of the Manager, the Adviser or any trustee, officer, employee
or agent of the Registrant shall be liable for any action or failure to act,
except in the case of bad faith, willful misfeasance, gross negligence or
reckless disregard of duties to the Registrant.
Insofar as indemnification for liabilities arising under the
Securities Act of 1933 (the "Act") may be permitted to trustees, officers and
controlling persons of the Registrant pursuant to the foregoing provisions or
otherwise, the Registrant has been advised that in the opinion of the
Securities and Exchange Commission such indemnification is against public
policy as expressed in the Act and is, therefore, unenforceable. In the event
that a claim for indemnification against such liabilities (other than the
payment by the Registrant of expenses incurred or paid by a trustee, officer,
or controlling person of the Registrant in connection with the successful
defense of any action, suit or proceeding) is asserted against the Registrant
by such trustee, officer or controlling person in connection with the shares
being registered, the Registrant will, unless in the opinion of its counsel
the matter has been settled by controlling precedent, submit to a court of
appropriate jurisdiction the question whether such indemnification by it is
against public policy as expressed in the Act, and will be governed by the
final adjudication of such issue.
The Registrant hereby undertakes that it will apply the
indemnification provision of its by-laws in a manner consistent with Release
11330 of the Securities and Exchange Commission under the Investment Company
Act of 1940, so long as the interpretation of Sections 17(h) and 17(i) of such
Act remains in effect.
Registrant, in conjunction with the Manager, Registrant's Trustees,
and other registered investment management companies managed by the Manager,
maintains insurance on behalf of any person who is or was a Trustee, officer,
employee, or agent of Registrant, or who is or was serving at the request of
Registrant as a trustee, director, officer, employee or agent of another trust
or corporation, against any liability asserted against him and incurred by him
or arising out of his position. However, in no event will Registrant maintain
insurance to indemnify any such person for any act for which Registrant itself
is not permitted to indemnify him.
Item 28. Business and Other Connections of Investment Adviser.
The TCW Funds Management, Inc. (the "Adviser") is a 100% owned
subsidiary of The TCW Group, Inc., a Nevada corporation. The Adviser presently
serves as investment adviser to: (1) TCW Funds, Inc., a diversified open-end
management investment company, (2) TCW Convertible Securities Fund, Inc., a
diversified closed-end management investment company; (3) TCW/DW Core Equity
Trust, an open-end, non-diversified management company, (4) TCW/DW North
3
<PAGE>
American Government Income Trust, an open-end, non-diversified management
company, (5) TCW/DW Income and Growth Fund, an open-end, non-diversified
management company, (6) TCW/DW Latin American Growth Fund, an open-end
non-diversified management company, (7) TCW/DW Small Cap Growth Fund, an
open-end non-diversified management company, (8) TCW/DW Term Trust 2000, a
closed-end, diversified management company, (9) TCW/DW Term Trust 2002, a
closed-end diversified management company, (10) TCW/DW Term Trust 2003, a
closed-end diversified management company, (11) TCW/DW Balanced Fund, an
open-end, diversified management company, (12) TCW/DW Emerging Markets
Opportunities Trust, a closed-end, non-diversified management company,
(13) TCW/DW Total Return Trust, an open-end non-diversified management
investment company, and (14) TCW/DW Global Telecom Trust, an open-end,
diversified management company. The Adviser also serves as investment adviser or
sub-adviser to other investment companies, including foreign investment
companies. The list required by this Item 28 of the officers and directors of
the Adviser together with information as to any other business, profession,
vocation or employment of a substantive nature engaged in by the Adviser and
such officers and directors during the past two years, is incorporated by
reference to Form ADV (File No. 801- 29075) filed by the Adviser pursuant to
the Investment Advisers Act.
Item 29. Principal Underwriters.
(a) Dean Witter Distributors Inc. ("Distributors"), a Delaware
corporation, is the principal underwriter of the Registrant.
Distributors is also the principal underwriter of the following
investment companies:
(1) Dean Witter Liquid Asset Fund Inc.
(2) Dean Witter Tax-Free Daily Income Trust
(3) Dean Witter California Tax-Free Daily Income Trust
(4) Dean Witter Retirement Series
(5) Dean Witter Dividend Growth Securities Inc.
(6) Dean Witter Natural Resource Development Securities Inc.
(7) Dean Witter World Wide Investment Trust
(8) Dean Witter Capital Growth Securities
(9) Dean Witter Convertible Securities Trust
(10) Active Assets Tax-Free Trust
(11) Active Assets Money Trust
(12) Active Assets California Tax-Free Trust
(13) Active Assets Government Securities Trust
(14) Dean Witter Global Utilities Fund
(15) Dean Witter Federal Securities Trust
(16) Dean Witter U.S. Government Securities Trust
(17) Dean Witter High Yield Securities Inc.
(18) Dean Witter New York Tax-Free Income Fund
(19) Dean Witter Tax-Exempt Securities Trust
(20) Dean Witter California Tax-Free Income Fund
(21) Dean Witter Limited Term Municipal Trust
4
<PAGE>
(22) Dean Witter World Wide Income Trust
(23) Dean Witter Utilities Fund
(24) Dean Witter Strategist Fund
(25) Dean Witter New York Municipal Money Market Trust
(26) Dean Witter Intermediate Income Securities
(27) Prime Income Trust
(28) Dean Witter European Growth Fund Inc.
(29) Dean Witter Developing Growth Securities Trust
(30) Dean Witter Precious Metals and Minerals Trust
(31) Dean Witter Pacific Growth Fund Inc.
(32) Dean Witter Multi-State Municipal Series Trust
(33) Dean Witter Premier Income Trust
(34) Dean Witter Short-Term U.S. Treasury Trust
(35) Dean Witter Diversified Income Trust
(36) Dean Witter Health Sciences Trust
(37) Dean Witter Global Dividend Growth Securities
(38) Dean Witter American Value Fund
(39) Dean Witter U.S. Government Money Market Trust
(40) Dean Witter Global Short-Term Income Fund Inc.
(41) Dean Witter Variable Investment Series
(42) Dean Witter Value-Added Market Series
(43) Dean Witter Short-Term Bond Fund
(44) Dean Witter National Municipal Trust
(45) Dean Witter High Income Securities
(46) Dean Witter International SmallCap Fund
(47) Dean Witter Hawaii Municipal Trust
(48) Dean Witter Balanced Growth Fund
(49) Dean Witter Balanced Income Fund
(50) Dean Witter Intermediate Term U.S. Treasury Trust
(51) Dean Witter Global Asset Allocation Fund
(52) Dean Witter Mid-Cap Growth Fund
(53) Dean Witter Capital Appreciation Fund
(54) Dean Witter Japan Fund
(55) Dean Witter Income Builder Fund
(56) Dean Witter Information Fund
(1) TCW/DW Core Equity Trust
(2) TCW/DW North American Government Income Trust
(3) TCW/DW Latin American Growth Fund
(4) TCW/DW Income and Growth Fund
(5) TCW/DW Small Cap Growth Fund
(6) TCW/DW Balanced Fund
(7) TCW/DW Total Return Trust
(8) TCW/DW Mid-Cap Equity Trust
(9) TCW/DW Global Telecom Trust
(b) The following information is given regarding directors and officers
of Dean Witter Distributors Inc. ("Distributors"). The principal
address of Distributors is Two World Trade Center, New York, New York
10048.
5
<PAGE>
Positions and
Office with Distributors
Name and the Registrant
- ---- ------------------
Charles A. Fiumefreddo Chairman, Chief Executive
Officer and Director of
Distributors and Chairman,
Chief Executive Officer
and Trustee of the
Registrant.
Philip J. Purcell Director of Distributors.
Richard M. DeMartini Director of Distributors.
James F. Higgins Director of Distributors.
Thomas C. Schneider Executive Vice President, Chief
Financial Officer and Director
of Distributors.
Christine A. Edwards Executive Vice President,
Secretary, Chief Legal Officer
and Director of Distributors.
Robert Scanlan Executive Vice President of
Distributors and Vice President
of the Registrant.
David A. Hughey Executive Vice President and
Chief Administrative Officer
of Distributors and Vice
President of the Registrant.
Robert S. Giambrone Senior Vice President of
Distributors and Vice President
of the Registrant.
Sheldon Curtis Senior Vice President,
Assistant General Counsel and
Assistant Secretary of
Distributors and Vice President,
Secretary and General Counsel of
the Registrant.
6
<PAGE>
Positions and Office
with Distributors
Name and the Registrant
- ---- ------------------
Frederick K. Kubler Senior Vice President,
Assistant Secretary and Chief
Compliance Officer of
Distributors.
Michael T. Gregg Vice President and Assistant
Secretary of Distributors.
Edward C. Oelsner III Vice President of Distributors.
Samuel Wolcott III Vice President of Distributors.
Thomas F. Caloia Assistant Treasurer of
Distributors and Treasurer of
the Registrant.
Michael Interrante Assistant Treasurer of
Distributors.
Item 30. Location of Accounts and Records
All accounts, books and other documents required to be maintained by
Section 31(a) of the Investment Company Act of 1940 and the Rules thereunder
are maintained by the Manager at its offices, except records relating to
holders of shares issued by the Registrant, which are maintained by the
Registrant's Transfer Agent, at its place of business as shown in the
prospectus.
Item 31. Management Services
Registrant is not a party to any such management-related service
contract.
Item 32. Undertakings
The undersigned Registrant hereby undertakes to file a post-effective
amendment, using financial statements which need not be audited, within four
to six months from the effective date of the Registrant's Registration
Statement under the Securities Act of 1933.
The undersigned Registrant hereby undertakes to comply with the
provisions of Section 16(c) of the Investment Company Act of 1940 with regard
to facilitating shareholder communications in the event the requisite
percentage of shareholders so requests, to the same extent as if Registrant
were subject to the provisions of that section.
7
<PAGE>
SIGNATURES
Pursant to the requirements of the Securities Act of 1933 and the
Investment Company Act of 1940, the Registrant has duly caused this Amendment to
the Registration Statement to be signed on its behalf by the undersigned,
thereunto duly authorized, in the City of New York and the State of New York on
the 21st day of June, 1996.
TCW/DW GLOBAL TELECOM TRUST
By: /s/ Sheldon Curtis
---------------------------
Sheldon Curtis
Vice President and Secretary
Pursuant to the requirements of the Securities Act of 1933, this Pre-
Effective Amendment No. 1 to the Registration Statement has been signed below by
the following persons in the capacities and on the date indicated.
Signatures Title Date
------------ ----- ------
(1) Principal Executive Officer Chairman, President,
Chief Executive
Officer and Trustee
By: /s/ Charles A. Fiumefreddo 06/21/96
-------------------------
Charles A. Fiumefreddo
(2) Principal Financial Officer Treasurer and Principal
Accounting Officer
By: /s/ Thomas F. Caloia 06/21/96
--------------------------
Thomas F. Caloia
(3) Majority of the Trustees Trustees
Charles A. Fiumefreddo (Chairman)
Richard M. DeMartini
Marc I. Stern
Thomas E. Larkin, Jr.
By: /s/ Sheldon Curtis 06/21/96
--------------------------
Sheldon Curtis
Attorney-in-Fact
John C. Argue
John R. Haire
Paul Kolton
Manuel H. Johnson
Michael E. Nugent
John L. Schroeder
By: /s/ David M. Butowsky 06/21/96
-----------------------------
David M. Butowsky
Attorney-in-Fact
<PAGE>
EXHIBIT INDEX
1. -- Declaration of Trust of Registrant*
2. -- By-Laws of Registrant*
3. -- None
5. -- Form of Investment Advisory Agreement between Registrant and TCW
Funds Management Inc.
6.(a) -- Form of Underwriting Agreement between Registrant and Dean
Witter Distributors Inc.
(b) -- Form of Distribution Agreement between Registrant and Dean Witter
Distributors Inc.
(c) -- Forms of Selected Dealer Agreements
7. -- None
8.(a) -- Form of Custodian Agreement between Registrant and The Chase
Manhattan Bank, N.A.
(b) -- Form of Transfer Agency and Services Agreement between
Registrant and Dean Witter Trust Company
9. -- Form of Management Agreement between Registrant and Dean Witter
Services Company Inc.
10.(a) -- Opinion of Sheldon Curtis, Esq.
(b) -- Opinion of Lane Altman & Owens, Massachusetts Counsel
11. -- Consent of Independent Accountants
12. -- None
13. -- Investment Letter of Dean Witter InterCapital Inc.
14. -- None
15. -- Form of Plan of Distribution between Registrant and Dean Witter
Distributors Inc.
16. -- Schedule for Computation of Performance Quotations-to be filed
with first Post-Effective Amendment
27. -- Financial Data Schedule
Other -- Powers of Attorney
- ---------------------------
* Previously filed in Form N-1A via EDGAR on April 11, 1996.
TCW/DW GLOBAL TELECOM TRUST
INVESTMENT ADVISORY AGREEMENT
AGREEMENT made as of the day of , 1996 by and between TCW/DW Global
Telecom Trust, an unincorporated business trust organized under the laws of the
Commonwealth of Massachusetts (hereinafter called the "Fund"), and TCW Funds
Management, Inc., a California corporation (hereinafter called the "Investment
Adviser"):
WHEREAS, The Fund intends to engage in business as an open-end management
investment company and is registered as such under the Investment Company Act
of 1940, as amended (the "Act"); and
WHEREAS, The Investment Adviser is registered as an investment adviser
under the Investment Advisers Act of 1940 (the "Advisers Act"), and engages in
the business of acting as investment adviser; and
WHEREAS, The Fund desires to retain the Investment Adviser to render
investment advisory services in the manner and on the terms and conditions
hereinafter set forth; and
WHEREAS, The Investment Adviser desires to be retained to perform services
on said terms and conditions;
Now, Therefore, this Agreement
W I T N E S S E T H:
that in consideration of the premises and the mutual covenants hereinafter
contained, the Fund and the Investment Adviser agree as follows:
1. The Fund hereby retains the Investment Adviser to act as investment
adviser of the Fund and, subject to the supervision of the Trustees of the
Fund (the "Trustees"), to invest the Fund's assets as hereinafter set forth.
Without limiting the generality of the foregoing, the Investment Adviser shall
obtain and evaluate such information and advice relating to the economy,
securities and commodities markets and securities and commodities as it deems
necessary or useful to discharge its duties hereunder; shall continuously
invest the assets of the Fund in a manner consistent with the investment
objectives and policies of the Fund; shall determine the securities and
commodities to be purchased, sold or otherwise disposed of by the Fund and the
timing of such purchases, sales and dispositions; and shall take such further
action, including the placing of purchase and sale orders on behalf of the
Fund, as the Investment Adviser shall deem necessary or appropriate. The
Investment Adviser shall also furnish to or place at the disposal of the Fund
such of the information, evaluations, analyses and opinions formulated or
obtained by the Investment Adviser in the discharge of its duties as the Fund
may, from time to time, reasonably request.
2. The Investment Adviser shall, at its own expense, maintain such staff
and employ or retain such personnel and consult with such other persons as it
shall from time to time determine to be necessary or useful to the performance
of its obligations under this Agreement. Without limiting the generality of
the foregoing, the staff and personnel of the Investment Adviser shall be
deemed to include persons employed or otherwise retained by the Investment
Adviser to furnish statistical and other factual data, advice regarding
economic factors and trends, information with respect to technical and
scientific developments, and such other information, advice and assistance as
the Investment Adviser may desire. The Investment Adviser shall provide the
Fund's manager with such records and information as may reasonably be required
by the Fund's manager pursuant to its obligations under its management
agreement with the Fund to maintain the Fund's books and records.
3. The Fund will, from time to time, furnish or otherwise make available to
the Investment Adviser such financial reports, proxy statements and other
information relating to the business and affairs of the Fund as the Investment
Adviser may reasonably require in order to discharge its duties and
obligations hereunder.
1
<PAGE>
4. The Investment Adviser shall bear the cost of rendering the investment
advisory services to be performed by it under this Agreement, and shall, at
its own expense, pay the compensation of its directors, officers and
employees, if any, who are also Trustees or officers of the Fund.
5. The Fund assumes and shall pay or cause to be paid all other expenses of
the Fund (except expenses borne by the Fund's manager pursuant to a management
agreement with the Fund), including without limitation: fees pursuant to any
management agreement into which the Fund may enter; fees pursuant to any plan
of distribution that the Fund may adopt; the charges and expenses of any
registrar, any custodian or depository appointed by the Fund for the
safekeeping of its cash, portfolio securities or commodities and other
property, and any stock transfer or dividend agent or agents appointed by the
Fund; brokers' commissions chargeable to the Fund in connection with portfolio
transactions to which the Fund is a party; all taxes, including securities or
commodities issuance and transfer taxes, and fees payable by the Fund to
federal, state or other governmental agencies; the cost and expense of
engraving or printing of certificates representing shares of the Fund; all
costs and expenses in connection with the registration and maintenance of
registration of the Fund and its shares with the Securities and Exchange
Commission and various states and other jurisdictions (including filing fees
and legal fees and disbursements of counsel and the costs and expenses of
preparation, printing (including typesetting) and distributing prospectuses
and statements of additional information for such purposes); all expenses of
shareholders' and Trustees' meetings and of preparing, printing and mailing
proxy statements and reports to shareholders; fees and travel expenses of
Trustees or members of any advisory board or committee who are not employees
of the Investment Adviser or the Fund's manager or any corporate affiliate of
either of them; all expenses incident to the payment of any dividend or
distribution program; charges and expenses of any outside service used for
pricing of the Fund's shares; charges and expenses of legal counsel, including
counsel to the Trustees of the Fund who are not interested persons (as defined
in the Act) of the Fund or the Investment Adviser or the Fund's manager, and
of independent accountants, in connection with any matter relating to the
Fund; membership dues of industry associations; interest payable on Fund
borrowings; postage; insurance premiums on property or personnel (including
officers and Trustees) of the Fund which inure to its benefit; extraordinary
expenses (including, but not limited to, legal claims and liabilities and
litigation costs and any indemnification related thereto); and all other
charges and costs of the Fund's operation unless otherwise explicitly provided
herein.
6. For the services to be rendered by the Investment Adviser, the Fund
shall pay to the Investment Adviser monthly compensation determined by
applying the annual rate of % to the Fund's average daily net assets. Such
calculation shall be made by applying 1/365th of the annual rate to the Fund's
net assets each day determined as of the close of business on that day or the
last previous business day. If this Agreement becomes effective subsequent to
the first day of a month or shall terminate before the last day of a month,
compensation for that part of the month this Agreement is in effect shall be
prorated in a manner consistent with the calculation of the fees as set forth
above.
7. In the event the operating expenses of the Fund, including amounts
payable to the Investment Adviser pursuant to paragraph 6 hereof, for any
fiscal year ending on a date on which this Agreement is in effect, exceed the
expense limitations applicable to the Fund imposed by state securities laws or
regulations thereunder, as such limitations may be raised or lowered from time
to time, the Investment Adviser shall reduce its advisory fee to the extent of
% of such excess and, if and to the extent required by law, pursuant to any
such laws or regulations, will reimburse the Fund for % of annual operating
expenses in excess of any expense limitation that may be applicable; provided,
however, there shall be excluded from such expenses the amount of any
interest, taxes, distribution fees, brokerage commissions and extraordinary
expenses (including but not limited to legal claims and liabilities and
litigation costs and any indemnification related thereto) paid or payable by
the Fund. Such reduction, if any, shall be computed and accrued weekly, shall
be settled on a monthly basis, and shall be based upon the expense limitation
applicable to the Fund as at the end of the last business day of the month.
Should two or more such expense limitations be applicable as at the end of the
last full week of the month, that expense limitation which results in the
largest reduction in the Investment Adviser's fee shall be applicable.
For purposes of this provision, should any applicable expense limitation be
based upon the gross income of the Fund, such gross income shall include, but
not be limited to, interest on debt securities in
2
<PAGE>
the Fund's portfolio accrued to and including the last day of the Fund's
fiscal year, and dividends declared on equity securities in the Fund's
portfolio, the record dates for which fall on or prior to the last day of such
fiscal year, but shall not include gains from the sale of securities.
8. The Investment Adviser will use its best efforts in its investment of
the Fund's assets, but in the absence of willful misfeasance, bad faith, gross
negligence or reckless disregard of its obligations hereunder, the Investment
Adviser shall not be liable to the Fund or any of its investors for any error
of judgment or mistake of law or for any act or omission by the Investment
Adviser or for any losses sustained by the Fund or its investors. The Adviser
shall be indemnified by the Fund as an agent of the Fund in accordance with
the terms of Section 4.8 of the Fund's By-Laws.
9. Nothing contained in this Agreement shall prevent the Investment Adviser
or any affiliated person of the Investment Adviser from acting as investment
adviser or manager for any other person, firm or corporation (including any
other investment company), whether or not the investment objectives or
policies of any such other person, firm or corporation are similar to those of
the Fund, and shall not in any way bind or restrict the Investment Adviser or
any such affiliated person from buying, selling or trading any securities or
commodities for their own accounts or for the account of others for whom the
Investment Adviser or any such affiliated person may be acting. Nothing in
this Agreement shall limit or restrict the right of any Trustee, officer or
employee of the Investment Adviser to engage in any other business or to
devote his time and attention in part to the management or other aspects of
any other business whether of a similar or dissimilar nature.
10. This Agreement shall remain in effect until April 30, 1997 and from
year to year thereafter provided such continuance is approved at least
annually by the vote of holders of a majority, as defined in the Act, of the
outstanding voting securities of the Fund or by the Board of Trustees of the
Fund; provided that in either event such continuance is also approved annually
by the vote of a majority of the Trustees of the Fund who are not parties to
this Agreement or "interested persons" (as defined in the Act) of any such
party, which vote must be cast in person at a meeting called for the purpose
of voting on such approval; provided, however, that (a) the Fund may, at any
time and without the payment of any penalty, terminate this Agreement upon
thirty days' written notice to the Investment Adviser, either by majority vote
of the Trustees of the Fund or by the vote of a majority of the outstanding
voting securities of the Fund; (b) this Agreement shall immediately terminate
in the event of its assignment (to the extent required by the Act and the
rules thereunder) unless such automatic terminations shall be prevented by an
exemptive order of the Securities and Exchange Commission; and (c) the
Investment Adviser may terminate this Agreement without payment of penalty on
thirty days' written notice to the Fund. Any notice under this Agreement shall
be given in writing, addressed and delivered, or mailed post-paid, to the
other party at the principal office of such party.
11. This Agreement may be amended by the parties without the vote or
consent of the shareholders of the Fund to supply any omission, to cure,
correct or supplement any ambiguous, defective or inconsistent provision
hereof, or if they deem it necessary to conform this Agreement to the
requirements of applicable federal laws or regulations, but neither the Fund
nor the Investment Adviser shall be liable for failing to do so.
12. This Agreement shall be construed in accordance with the laws of the
State of New York and the applicable provisions of the Act. To the extent the
applicable law of the State of New York, or any of the provisions herein,
conflict with the applicable provisions of the Act, the Advisers Act or any
rules, regulations or orders of the Securities and Exchange Commission, the
latter shall control.
13. The Fund acknowledges that Trust Company of the West, an affiliate of
the Investment Adviser, owns its own name, initials and logo. The Fund agrees
to change its name at the request of the Investment Adviser if this Agreement
is terminated for any reason.
14. The Declaration of Trust establishing TCW/DW Global Telecom Trust,
dated March 28, 1996, a copy of which, together with all amendments thereto
(the "Declaration"), is on file in the office of the Secretary of the
Commonwealth of Massachusetts, provides that the name TCW/DW Global Telecom
Trust refers to the Trustees under the Declaration collectively as Trustees,
but not as individuals or
3
<PAGE>
personally; and no Trustee, shareholder, officer, employee or agent of TCW/DW
Global Telecom Trust shall be held to any personal liability, nor shall resort
be had to their private property for the satisfaction of any obligation or
claim or otherwise, in connection with the affairs of said TCW/DW Global
Telecom Trust, but the Trust Estate only shall be liable.
IN WITNESS WHEREOF, the parties hereto have executed and delivered this
Agreement on the day and year first above written in New York, New York.
TCW/DW GLOBAL TELECOM TRUST
By ..............................
Attest:
..................................
TCW FUNDS MANAGEMENT, INC.
By ..............................
Attest:
..................................
By ..............................
Attest:
..................................
4
TCW/DW GLOBAL TELECOM TRUST
SHARES OF BENEFICIAL INTEREST
$0.01 PAR VALUE
UNDERWRITING AGREEMENT
, 1996
DEAN WITTER DISTRIBUTORS INC.
2 World Trade Center
New York, New York 10048
Dear Sirs:
1. Introductory. TCW/DW Global Telecom Trust, an unincorporated business
trust organized under the laws of The Commonwealth of Massachusetts (the
"Fund"), proposes to sell, pursuant to the terms of this Agreement, to you
(the "Underwriter") up to 10,000,000 shares of its shares of beneficial
interest, $0.01 par value, subject to increase or decrease as provided in
this Agreement. Such shares are hereinafter referred to as the "Shares."
The Underwriter may sell such of the Shares purchased by it, as it may
elect, to dealers chosen by it (the "Selected Dealers"), at their net asset
value, reoffering by the Selected Dealers to the public at net asset value.
It is proposed that Dean Witter Services Company Inc. (the "Manager") will
act as manager for the Fund and that TCW Funds Management, Inc. (the
"Adviser") will act as adviser for the Fund.
2. Representation and Warranties of the Fund, the Manager and the
Adviser. (a) The Fund represents and warrants to, and agrees with, the
Underwriter that:
(i) A registration statement on Form N-1A, including a preliminary
prospectus, copies of which have heretofore been delivered to you, has
been carefully prepared by the Fund in conformity with the requirements of
the Securities Act of 1933, as amended (the "1933 Act"), and the
Investment Company Act of 1940, as amended (the "1940 Act"), and the
published rules and regulations (the "Rules and Regulations") of the
Securities and Exchange Commission (the "Commission") under such Acts, and
has been filed with the Commission under both such Acts; and the Fund has
so prepared and proposed so to file prior to the effective date under the
1933 Act of such registration statement an amendment to such registration
statement including the final form of prospectus and the statement of
additional information. Such registration statement, (including all
exhibits), as finally amended and supplemented at the time such
registration statement becomes effective under the 1933 Act, and the
prospectus and statement of additional information forming part of such
registration statement, or, if different in any respect, the prospectus in
the form first filed with the Commission pursuant to Rule 497(c) under the
1933 Act, are herein respectively referred to as the "Registration
Statement" and the "Prospectus," and each preliminary prospectus is herein
referred to as a "Preliminary Prospectus." Reference to the Prospectus and
Preliminary Prospectus herein shall encompass both the prospectus and
statement of additional information.
(ii) The Commission has not issued any order preventing or suspending
the use of any Preliminary Prospectus, and, at its date of issue, each
Preliminary Prospectus conformed in all material respects with the
requirements of the 1933 Act and the Rules and Regulations thereunder and
did not include any untrue statement of a material fact or omit to state a
material fact required to be stated therein or necessary to make the
statements therein in light of the circumstances under which they were
made not misleading; and, when the Registration Statement becomes
effective under the 1933 Act and at all times subsequent thereto up to and
including the Closing Date (as herein defined). The Registration Statement
and the Prospectus and any amendments or supplements thereto, and the
Notification of Registration on Form N-8A will contain all material
statements and information required to be included therein by the 1933
Act, the 1940 Act and the Rules and Regulations thereunder and will
conform in all material respects to the requirements of the 1933 Act, the
1940 Act and the Rules and Regulations and will not include any
1
<PAGE>
untrue statement of a material fact or omit to state any material fact
required to be stated therein or necessary to make the statements therein
not misleading; provided, however, that the foregoing representations,
warranties and agreements shall not apply to information contained in or
omitted from any Preliminary Prospectus or the Registration Statement or
the Prospectus or any such amendment or supplement in reliance upon, and
in conformity with, written information furnished to the Fund by or on
behalf of the Underwriter, or by or on behalf of the Manager or the
Adviser specifically for use in the preparation thereof.
(iii) The Statement of Assets and Liabilities of the Fund set forth in
the Statement of Additional Information fairly presents the financial
position of the Fund as of the date indicated and has been prepared in
accordance with generally accepted accounting principles. Price Waterhouse
LLP, who have expressed their opinion on said Statement, are independent
accountants as required by the 1933 Act and Rules and Regulations
thereunder.
(iv) Subsequent to the dates as of which information is given in the
Registration Statement and Prospectus, and except as set forth or
contemplated in the Prospectus, the Fund has not incurred any material
liabilities or obligations, direct or contingent, or entered into any
material transactions not in the ordinary course of business, and there
has not been any material adverse change in the financial position of the
Fund, or any change in the authorized or outstanding shares of common
stock of the Fund or any issuance of options to purchase shares of common
stock of the Fund.
(v) Except as set forth in the Prospectus, there is no action, suit or
proceeding before or by any court or governmental agency or body pending,
or to the knowledge of the Fund threatened, which might result in any
material adverse change in the condition (financial or otherwise),
business or prospects of the Fund, or which would materially and adversely
affect its properties or assets.
(vi) The Fund has been duly established and is validly existing as an
unincorporated business trust under the laws of The Commonwealth of
Massachusetts, with power and authority to own its property and conduct
its business as described in the Prospectus; the Fund is duly qualified to
do business in all jurisdictions in which the conduct of its business
requires such qualification; and the Fund has no subsidiaries.
(vii) The Fund is registered with the Commission under the 1940 Act as
an open-end diversified management investment company.
(viii) The Fund has an authorized capitalization as set forth in the
Registration Statement, and all outstanding shares of beneficial interest
of the Fund conform to the description thereof in the Prospectus and are
duly and validly authorized and issued, fully paid and nonassessable; and
the Shares, upon the issuance thereof in accordance with this Agreement,
will conform to the description thereof contained in the Prospectus, and
will be duly and validly authorized and issued, fully paid and
nonassessable (although shareholders of the Fund may be liable for certain
obligations of the Fund as set forth under the caption "Additional
Information" in the Prospectus).
(ix) The Fund has full legal right, power and authority to enter into
this Agreement, and the execution and delivery of this Agreement by the
Fund, the consummation of the transactions herein contemplated and
fulfillment of the terms hereof by the Fund will be in compliance with all
applicable legal requirements to which the Fund is subject and will not
conflict with the terms or provisions of any order of the Commission, the
Declaration of Trust or By-Laws of the Fund, or any agreement or
instrument to which the Fund is a party or by which it is bound.
(x) The Fund has adopted a Plan of Distribution (the "Plan") pursuant
to Rule 12b-1 under the 1940 Act. Pursuant to Rule 12b-1, the Plan has
been approved by the Fund's sole shareholder and by the Trustees of the
Fund, including a majority of the Trustees who are not interested persons
of the Fund and who have no direct or indirect financial interest in the
operation of the Plan, cast in person at a meeting called for the purpose
of voting on such Plan.
(xi) The Fund has full legal right, power and authority to enter into
the Distribution Agreement, the Custodian Agreement, the Transfer Agency
and Service Agreement, the Management Agreement and the
2
<PAGE>
Advisory Agreement referred to in the Registration Statement and the
execution and delivery of the Distribution Agreement, Custodian Agreement,
the Transfer Agency and Service Agreement, Management Agreement and the
Advisory Agreement, the consummation of the transactions therein
contemplated and fulfillment of the terms thereof, will be in compliance
with all applicable legal requirements to which the Fund is subject and
will not conflict with the terms or provisions of any order of the
Commission, the Declaration of Trust or By-Laws of the Fund, or any
agreement or instrument to which the Fund is a party or by which it is
bound.
(b)The Manager represents and warrants to, and agrees with, the Fund that:
(i) The Manager has full legal right, power and authority to enter
into this Agreement and the Management Agreement, and the execution and
delivery of this Agreement and the Management Agreement, the consummation
of the transactions herein and therein contemplated and the fulfillment of
the terms hereof and thereof, will be in compliance with all applicable
legal requirements to which it is subject and will not conflict with the
terms or provisions of, or constitute a default under, its articles of
incorporation or by-laws or any agreement or instrument to which it is a
party or by which it is bound.
(ii) The description of the Manager in the Registration Statement is
true and correct and does not contain any untrue statement of a material
fact or omit to state any material fact required to be stated therein or
necessary to make the statements therein not misleading; and is hereby
deemed to be furnished in writing to the Fund for the purposes of Section
2(a)(ii) hereof.
(c) The Adviser represents and warrants to, and agrees with, the Fund that:
(i) The Adviser is an investment adviser registered under the
Investment Advisers Act of 1940 and is registered as an investment adviser
in such states as may be required for the operation of the Fund.
(ii) The Adviser has full legal right, power and authority to enter
into this Agreement and the Advisory Agreement, and the execution and
delivery of this Agreement and the Advisory Agreement, the consummation of
the transaction herein and therein contemplated and the fulfillment of the
terms hereof and thereof, will be in compliance with all applicable legal
requirements to which it is subject and will not conflict with the terms
or provisions of, or constitute a default under, its articles of
incorporation or by-laws or any agreement or instrument to which it is a
party or by which it is bound.
(iii) The description of the Adviser in the Registration Statement is
true and correct and does not contain any untrue statement of a material
fact or omit to state any material fact required to be stated therein or
necessary to make the statements therein not misleading; and is hereby
deemed to be furnished in writing to the Fund for the purposes of Section
2(a)(ii) hereof.
3. Purchase by, and Sale to, the Underwriter. The Fund agrees to sell to
the Underwriter, and upon the basis of the representations, warranties and
agreements herein contained, but subject to the terms and conditions of this
Agreement, the Underwriter agrees to purchase from the Fund, up to 10,000,000
Shares (which number of Shares may be increased or decreased as provided
below), at a price of $10.00 per Share. It is understood and agreed that the
Underwriter may be compensated by the Fund for its services under this
Agreement in accordance with the provisions of the Plan.
The number of Shares which the Underwriter may purchase pursuant hereto
shall, upon written agreement between the Underwriter and the Fund not later
than 10:00 A.M., New York time, on the third business day preceding the
Closing Date (the "Notification Time"), be increased or decreased to such
greater or lesser number of Shares as the Fund and the Underwriter may agree
upon, in which case the number of Shares set forth in the preceding paragraph
shall for all purposes hereof be increased or decreased to such greater or
lesser number of Shares. The Underwriter shall, in any event, be entitled and
obligated to purchase only the number of Shares for which purchase orders have
been received by the Underwriter prior to the Notification Time.
The Fund is advised that the Underwriter proposes to make a public offering
of the Shares as soon after the Registration Statement shall have become
effective under the 1933 Act as it deems advisable, at the public offering
price and upon the terms and conditions set forth in the Prospectus.
4. Delivery and Payment. Delivery of the Shares or, at the election of the
Underwriter, non-negotiable share deposits receipts issued by the Dean Witter
Trust Company as transfer and dividend disbursing agent,
3
<PAGE>
acknowledging the deposit of the Shares ("deposit receipts") and payment
therefor, shall be made at 10:00 A.M., New York time, at the office of Dean
Witter Distributors Inc., Two World Trade Center, New York, New York 10048, on
such time and date as may be agreed upon between the Underwriter and the Fund
(such date and time being herein referred to as the "Closing Date"). The place
of delivery of the payment for the Shares may be varied by agreement between
the Underwriter and the Fund.
On the Closing Date, the certificates or deposit receipts for the Shares
which are subject to purchase orders received by the Underwriter prior to the
Notification Time (registered in such names and for such denominations as you
shall have requested in writing prior to the Closing Date), shall be delivered
by the Fund to the Underwriter for the account of the Underwriter, against
payment of the purchase price therefor by a certified or official bank check
or checks payable to the order of the Fund in New York Federal funds. Such
certificates or deposit receipts shall be made available for checking and
packaging at the New York office of Dean Witter Distributors Inc. on or prior
to the Closing Date.
On the Closing Date, the Underwriter agrees to purchase and pay for the
Shares for which it received purchase orders prior to the Notification Time as
specified above, provided that the Underwriter shall not have any obligation
to purchase and pay for any Shares as to which purchase orders are not in
effect on the Closing Date.
The Fund agrees to calculate and report to the Underwriter daily, upon
request, the net asset value of the Fund during the first 60 days after the
Closing Date.
5. Covenants and Agreements of the Fund. The Fund agrees with the
Underwriter that:
(i) The Fund will use its best efforts to cause the Registration
Statement to become effective under the 1933 Act, will advise the
Underwriter promptly as to the time at which the Registration Statement
becomes so effective, will advise the Underwriter promptly of the issuance
by the Commission of any stop order suspending such effectiveness of the
Registration Statement or of the institution of any proceedings for that
purpose, and will use its best efforts to prevent the issuance of any such
stop order and to obtain as soon as possible the lifting thereof, if
issued. The Fund will advise the Underwriter promptly of any request by
the Commission for any amendment of or supplement to the Registration
Statement or the Prospectus or for additional information, and will not at
any time file any amendment to the Registration Statement or supplement to
the Prospectus which shall not have been submitted to the Underwriter a
reasonable time prior to the proposed filing thereof and to which the
Underwriter shall reasonably object in writing promptly following receipt
of such amendment or supplement or which is not in compliance with the
1933 Act, the 1940 Act or the Rules and Regulations thereto.
(ii) The Fund will prepare and file with the Commission, promptly upon
the request of the Underwriter, any amendments or supplements to the
Registration Statement which in the opinion of the Underwriter may be
necessary to enable the Underwriter to continue the distribution of the
Shares and will use its best efforts to cause the same to become effective
as promptly as possible.
(iii) If at any time after the effective date under the 1933 Act of the
Registration Statement when a prospectus relating to the Shares is
required to be delivered under the 1933 Act, any event relating to or
affecting the Fund occurs as a result of which the Prospectus or any other
prospectus as then in effect would include an untrue statement of a
material fact, or omit to state any material fact necessary to make the
statements therein in light of the circumstances under which they were
made not misleading, or if it is necessary at any time to amend the
Prospectus to comply with the 1933 Act, the Fund will promptly notify the
Underwriter thereof and will prepare an amended or supplemented prospectus
which will correct such statement or omission; and, in case the
Underwriter is required to deliver a prospectus relating to the Shares
nine months or more after such effective date of the Registration
Statement, the Fund upon the request of the Underwriter will prepare
promptly such prospectus or prospectuses as may be necessary to permit
compliance with the requirements of Section 10(a)(3) of the 1933 Act.
(iv) The Fund will deliver to the Underwriter, at or before the Closing
Date, two signed copies of the Registration Statement and all amendments
thereto including all financial statements and exhibits thereto, and the
Notification of Registration on Form N-8A filed by the Fund pursuant to
the 1940 Act and will deliver to the Underwriter such number of copies of
the Registration Statement, including such financial
4
<PAGE>
statements but without exhibits, and of all amendments thereto, as the
Underwriter may reasonably request. The Fund will deliver or mail to or
upon the order of the Underwriter, from time to time until the effective
date under the 1933 Act of the Registration Statement, as many copies of
any Preliminary Prospectus as the Underwriter may reasonably request. The
Fund will deliver or mail to or upon the order of the Underwriter on the
date of the initial public offering, and thereafter from time to time
during the period when delivery of a prospectus relating to the Shares is
required under the 1933 Act, as many copies of the Prospectus, in final
form or as thereafter amended or supplemented as the Underwriter may
reasonably request.
(v) As soon as is practicable after the effective date under the 1933
Act of the Registration Statement, the Fund will make generally available
to its security holders an earnings statement which will be in reasonable
detail (but which need not be audited) and will comply with Section 11(a)
of the 1933 Act, covering a period of at least twelve months beginning
after such effective date of the Registration Statement.
(vi) The Fund will cooperate with the Underwriter to enable the Shares
to be qualified for sale under the securities laws of such jurisdictions
as the Underwriter may designate and at the request of the Underwriter
will make such applications and furnish such information as may be
required of it as the issuer of the Shares for that purpose; provided,
however, that the Fund shall not be required to qualify to do business or
to file a general consent to service of process in any such jurisdiction.
The Fund will, from time to time, prepare and file such statements and
reports as are or may be required of it as the issuer of the Shares to
continue such qualifications in effect for so long a period as the
Underwriter may reasonably request for the distribution of the Shares.
(vii) The Fund will furnish to its shareholders annual reports
containing financial statements examined by independent accountants and
with semi-annual summary financial information which may be unaudited.
During the period of one year from the date hereof, the Fund will deliver
to the Underwriter, at Dean Witter Distributors Inc., Two World Trade
Center, New York, New York 10048, Attention: Law Department, (a) copies of
each annual report of the Fund to its shareholders, (b) as soon as they
are available, copies of any other reports (financial or other) which the
Fund shall publish or otherwise make available to any of its security
holders as such, and (c) as soon as they are available, copies of any
reports and financial statements furnished to or filed with the
Commission.
6. Payment of Expenses.
(a) The Fund will pay its organization expenses, which, for purposes of
this Agreement shall include: all costs and expenses in connection with the
establishment of the Fund and its qualification to do business in any state,
the qualification of Shares for sale under the Blue Sky or securities laws of
the several jurisdictions (including, without limitation, filing fees); the
preparation, printing and reproduction of the Declaration of Trust and By-Laws
of the Fund, this Agreement, the Distribution Agreement, the Management
Agreement, the Advisory Agreement, the Custodian Agreement, the Transfer
Agency and Service Agreement, the Plan and other documents in quantities
sufficient for filing under the 1933 Act, the 1940 Act and the Blue Sky or
securities laws of any jurisdiction; and filing fees and fees and
disbursements of counsel related to Blue Sky matters; all costs and expenses
in connection with printing any certificates representing the Shares; fees and
disbursements of counsel and independent accountants for the Fund and of
counsel for Trustees or Directors who are not interested persons of the Fund
or the Manager or Adviser; registration fees under the 1933 Act and the 1940
Act; any taxes on the issue and delivery of the Shares on the Closing Date to
the Underwriter and the fees of the Fund's transfer agent. Dean Witter
InterCapital Inc. ("InterCapital"), the corporate parent of the Manager, will
pay the organization expenses of the Fund incurred prior to the closing date
of the initial offering of the Fund's shares whether or not the amount of any
such expense is then ascertainable. The Fund will reimburse InterCapital for
such expenses not to exceed $250,000. Any balance of organization expenses not
paid by the Fund shall be paid by the Underwriter. In the event the
transactions contemplated hereunder are not consummated, the Underwriter will
pay all the organization expenses which the Fund would have paid if such
transactions were consummated. Whether or not the transactions contemplated
hereunder are consummated, the Underwriter will pay all expenses in connection
with the activity and travel of officers, Trustees and counsel for the Fund
and the cost of preparing and making sales presentations to the personnel of
the Underwriter, including costs of travel of officers and Trustees of the
Fund to locations where such presentations are made.
5
<PAGE>
(b) Subject to the provisions of the Plan, the Underwriter will pay: its
internal expenses in connection with marketing and meetings, including
expenses of its own personnel and costs of travel of its personnel to the
locations where sales presentations to its personnel and to Selected Dealers
are made; all costs and expenses in connection with printing and distributing
the Registration Statement, the Prospectus and the Blue Sky Surveys in
quantities sufficient for offering and sale of the Shares by the Underwriter;
all costs in connection with the sale of Shares, including costs of preparing,
printing and distributing sales literature relating to the Shares, all
advertising and fees and expenses of public relations counsel; and fees and
expenses of legal counsel for the Underwriter (except in respect of
qualification of the Shares for sale under the Blue Sky or securities laws of
any jurisdiction).
7. Indemnification and Contribution.
(a) The Fund shall indemnify and hold harmless the Underwriter and each
person, if any, who controls the Underwriter against any loss, liability,
claim, damage or expense (including the reasonable cost of investigating or
defending any alleged loss, liability, claim, damage or expense and reasonable
counsel fees incurred in connection therewith) arising by reason of any person
acquiring any Shares, which may be based upon the 1933 Act, or on any other
statute or at common law, on the ground that the Registration Statement or
related Prospectus and Statement of Additional Information, as from time to
time amended and supplemented, or the annual or interim reports to
shareholders of the Fund, includes an untrue statement of a material fact or
omits to state a material fact required to be stated therein or necessary in
order to make the statements therein not misleading, unless such statement or
omission was made in reliance upon, and in conformity with, information
furnished to the Fund in connection therewith by or on behalf of the
Underwriter; provided, however, that in no case (i) is the indemnity of the
Fund in favor of the Underwriter and any such controlling persons to be deemed
to protect the Underwriter or any such controlling persons thereof against any
liability to the Fund or its security holders to which the Underwriter or any
such controlling persons would otherwise be subject by reason of willful
misfeasance, bad faith or gross negligence in the performance of its duties or
by reason of reckless disregard of its obligations and duties under this
Agreement; or (ii) is the Fund to be liable under its indemnity agreement
contained in this paragraph with respect to any claim made against the
Underwriter or any such controlling persons, unless the Underwriter or any
such controlling persons, as the case may be, shall have notified the Fund in
writing within a reasonable time after the summons or other first legal
process giving information of the nature of the claim shall have been served
upon the Underwriter or such controlling persons (or after the Underwriter or
such controlling persons shall have received notice of such service on any
designated agent), but failure to notify the Fund of any such claim shall not
relieve it from any liability which it may have to the person against whom
such action is brought otherwise than on account of its indemnity agreement
contained in this paragraph. The Fund will be entitled to participate at its
own expense in the defense, or, if it so elects, to assume the defense, of any
suit brought to enforce any such liability, but if the Fund elects to assume
the defense, such defense shall be conducted by counsel chosen by it and
satisfactory to the Underwriter or such controlling person or persons,
defendant or defendants in the suit. In the event the Fund elects to assume
the defense of any such suit and retain such counsel, the Underwriter or such
controlling person or persons, defendant or defendants in the suit, shall bear
the fees and expenses of any additional counsel retained by them, but, in case
the Fund does not elect to assume the defense of any such suit, it will
reimburse the Underwriter or such controlling person or persons, defendant or
defendants in the suit, for the reasonable fees and expenses of any counsel
retained by them. The Fund shall promptly notify the Underwriter of the
commencement of any litigation or proceedings against it or any of its
officers or trustees in connection with the issuance or sale of the Shares.
(b)(i) The Underwriter shall indemnify and hold harmless the Fund and each
of its Trustees and officers and each person, if any, who controls the
Fund against any loss, liability, claim, damage, or expense described in
the foregoing indemnity contained in subsection (a) of this Section, but
only with respect to statements or omissions made in reliance upon, and in
conformity with, information furnished to the Fund in writing by or on
behalf of the Underwriter for use in connection with the Registration
Statement or related Prospectus and Statement of Additional Information,
as from time to time amended, or the annual or interim reports to
shareholders.
(ii) In case any action shall be brought against the Fund or any person
to be indemnified by this subsection 7(b) in respect of which indemnity
may be sought against the Underwriter, the Underwriter shall have the
rights and duties given to the Fund, and the Fund and each person so
indemnified shall have the rights and duties given to the Underwriter by
the provisions of subsection (a) of this Section 7.
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<PAGE>
(c) If the indemnification provided for in this Section 7 is unavailable or
insufficient to hold harmless an indemnified party under subsection (a) or (b)
above in respect of any losses, claims, damages, liabilities or expenses (or
actions in respect thereof) referred to herein, then each indemnifying party
shall contribute to the amount paid or payable by such indemnified party as a
result of such losses, claims, damages, liabilities or expenses (or actions in
respect thereof) in such proportion as is appropriate to reflect the relative
benefits received by the Fund on the one hand and the Underwriter on the other
from the offering of the Shares. If, however, the allocation provided by the
immediately preceding sentence is not permitted by applicable law, then each
indemnifying party shall contribute to such amount paid or payable by such
indemnified party in such proportion as is appropriate to reflect not only
such relative benefits but also the relative fault of the Fund on the one hand
and the Underwriter on the other in connection with the statements or
omissions which resulted in such losses, claims, damages, liabilities or
expenses (or actions in respect thereof), as well as any other relevant
equitable considerations. The relative benefits received by the Fund on the
one hand and the Underwriter on the other shall be deemed to be in the same
proportion as the total net proceeds from the offering (before deducting
expenses) received by the Fund bear to the total compensation received by the
Underwriter, in each case as set forth in the Prospectus. The relative fault
shall be determined by reference to, among other things, whether the untrue or
alleged untrue statement of a material fact or the omission or alleged
omission to state a material fact relates to information supplied by the Fund
or the Underwriter and the parties' relative intent, knowledge, access to
information and opportunity to correct or prevent such statement or omission.
The Fund and the Underwriter agree that it would not be just and equitable if
contribution were determined by pro rata allocation or by any other method of
allocation which does not take into account the equitable considerations
referred to above. The amount paid or payable by an indemnified party as a
result of the losses, claims, damages, liabilities or expenses (or actions in
respect thereof) referred to above shall be deemed to include any legal or
other expenses reasonably incurred by such indemnified party in connection
with investigating or defending any such claim. Notwithstanding the provisions
of this subsection (c), the Underwriter shall not be required to contribute
any amount in excess of the amount by which the total price at which the
Shares distributed by it to the public were offered to the public exceeds the
amount of any damages which it has otherwise been required to pay by reason of
such untrue or alleged untrue statement or omission or alleged omission. No
person guilty of fraudulent misrepresentation (within the meaning of Section
11(f) of the 1933 Act) shall be entitled to contribution from any person who
was not guilty of such fraudulent misrepresentation.
(d) Nothing contained in this Section 7 shall be construed to provide for
indemnification or contribution in violation of Section 17(i) of the 1940 Act.
8. Survival of Indemnities, Warranties, etc. The respective indemnities,
covenants, agreements, representations, warranties, certificates and other
statements of the Fund, the Manager, the Adviser and the Underwriter, as set
forth in this Agreement or made by them, pursuant to this Agreement, shall
remain in full force and effect, regardless of any investigation made by or on
behalf of the Underwriter, the Fund, the Manager, the Adviser, or any of their
officers or trustees or directors, or any controlling person, and shall
survive delivery of and payment for the Shares.
9. Conditions of Underwriter's Obligations. The obligations of the
Underwriter hereunder shall be subject to the accuracy of (except as otherwise
stated herein), as of the date hereof and on and as of the Closing Date
(except with respect to representations and warranties in respect of each
Preliminary Prospectus which are in each case as of its date of issuance), the
representations and warranties of the Manager and the Adviser and the Fund and
the compliance on and as of the Closing Date by the Fund and the Manager and
the Adviser with their respective covenants and agreements herein contained
and other provisions hereof to be satisfied at or prior to the Closing Date
and to the following additional conditions:
(i) The Registration Statement shall become effective under the 1933
Act not later than 5:00 P.M., New York time, on the day of this Agreement,
and no stop order suspending the effectiveness thereof shall have been
issued and no proceedings for that purpose shall have been initiated or,
to the knowledge of the Fund or the Underwriter, threatened by the
Commission, and any request for additional information on the part of the
Commission (to be included in the Registration Statement or the Prospectus
or otherwise) shall have been complied with to the reasonable satisfaction
of the Underwriter.
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<PAGE>
(ii) Prior to the Closing Date no event shall have occurred to cause
the Registration Statement or the Prospectus, or any amendment or
supplement thereto, to contain an untrue statement of fact which, in the
opinion of the Underwriter, is material, or omit to state a fact which, in
the opinion of the Underwriter, is material and is required to be stated
therein or is necessary to make the statements therein not misleading.
(iii) Unless waived by the parties, the Underwriter shall have received
from Price Waterhouse LLP a letter, dated the Closing Date, confirming
that they are independent accountants within the meaning of the 1933 Act,
the 1940 Act and the Rules and Regulations, and stating in effect that:
(a) In their opinion, the Statement of Assets and Liabilities
reported on by them and included in the Registration Statement complies
as to form in all material respects with the applicable accounting
requirements of the 1933 Act, the 1940 Act and the Rules and
Regulations; and
(b) On the basis of the procedures specified in their letter,
nothing has come to their attention which caused them to believe that,
except as set forth in or contemplated by the Prospectus, during the
period from the date on which the Fund's Registration Statement is
declared effective by the Commission under the 1933 Act to a specified
date not more than three business days prior to the delivery of such
letter, there was any change in the authorized or outstanding shares of
beneficial interest of the Fund or any creation of long-term debt or
short-term notes of the Fund or any decrease in the net asset value per
share of beneficial interest from that set forth in the Prospectus or
that the Fund did not have a net worth of at least $100,000.
(iv) The Underwriter shall have received from Lane Altman & Owens,
Massachusetts counsel for the Fund, an opinion or opinions, dated the
Closing Day, to the following effect:
(a) The Fund has been duly established and is validly existing in
conformity with the laws of The Commonwealth of Massachusetts as an
unincorporated business trust, has made all filings required to be made
by a business trust under the Massachusetts General Laws, and has the
power and authority to own its properties and conduct its business as
described in the Prospectus;
(b) The Fund has authorized shares of beneficial interest as set
forth in the Registration Statement, and all of the issued shares of
beneficial interest of the Fund, including the Shares, have been duly
paid and non-assessable; and the Shares conform to the description of
the shares of beneficial interest contained in the Prospectus; and
(c) As to all matters of Massachusetts law and the documents
described therein, the information set forth under the caption
"Additional Information" in the Prospectus and under the caption
"Description of Shares" in all material respects and fairly presents
the information required to be shown.
(v) Unless waived by the parties, the Underwriter shall have received
from the General Counsel of the Fund an opinion or opinions, dated the
Closing Date, to the following effect:
(a) This Agreement has been duly authorized, executed and delivered
by the Fund;
(b) The Registration Statement has become effective under the 1933
Act; to the best knowledge of such counsel, no stop order suspending
the effectiveness thereof has been issued and no proceedings for that
or a similar purpose have been instituted or are pending or
contemplated by the Commission;
(c) The notification of registration under the 1940 Act and any
amendments or supplements thereto comply as to form in all material
respects with the requirements of the 1940 Act and the rules and
regulations thereunder;
(d) The Fund is registered with the Commission under the 1940 Act
as an open-end diversified management investment company;
(e) Such counsel is familiar with all contracts filed or
incorporated by reference as exhibits to the Registration Statement and
does not know of any contracts required to be so filed or incorporated
which are not so filed or incorporated;
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<PAGE>
(f) The issuance of the Shares and the sale of the Shares in
accordance with this Agreement do not result in a breach or violation
of any of the terms or provisions of, or constitute a default under any
indenture, mortgage, deed of trust, note agreement or other agreement
or instrument known to such counsel to which the Fund is a party or by
which the Fund is bound, or the Fund's Declaration of Trust or By-Laws;
(g) The Distribution Agreement, the Custodian Agreement, the
Transfer Agency and Service Agreement, the Plan, the Management
Agreement and the Advisory Agreement referred to in the Registration
Statement have been duly authorized, pursuant to the requirements of
the laws of The Commonwealth of Massachusetts and the 1940 Act and
executed and delivered by the Fund and each constitutes the valid and
binding obligation of the Fund in accordance with its terms;
(h) There are pending no legal or governmental proceedings known to
such counsel to which the Fund is a party or to which property of the
Fund may be subject other than as set forth in the Prospectus and, to
the best of the knowledge of such counsel, no such proceedings are
contemplated;
(i) No authorization, consent, approval, permit or license of, or
filing with, any governmental or public body is required to authorize,
or is required in connection with, the execution, delivery and
performance of this Agreement or the issuance or sale of the Shares
hereunder, except as has been obtained under the 1933 Act and the 1940
Act or as may be required under the securities or Blue Sky laws of the
several states and;
(j) The Registration Statement and the Prospectus, as of the
effective date of the Registration Statement, appeared on their face to
be appropriately responsive in all material respects to the
requirements of the 1933 Act, the 1940 Act and the applicable Rules and
Regulations; such counsel does not believe that the Registration
Statement or the Prospectus, on such effective date, contained any
untrue statement of material fact or omitted to state any material fact
required to be stated therein or necessary to make the statements
therein not misleading (except that such counsel shall express no
opinion as to the financial statements); the description in the
Registration Statement and Prospectus of contracts, other documents,
statutes, regulations and governmental proceeding is accurate in all
material respects and fairly present the information required to be
shown.
As to all matters of Massachusetts law, the General Counsel of the Fund may
rely upon the opinion or opinions delivered pursuant to paragraph (iv) of this
Section 9.
(vi) Unless waived by the parties, the Underwriter shall have received
from counsel to the Underwriter an opinion, dated the Closing Date, to the
following effect:
(a) The Underwriter has been duly organized and is a validly
existing corporation under the laws of the State of Delaware; and
(b) The Underwriting Agreement has been duly authorized, executed
and delivered by the Underwriter and is a valid and legally binding
obligation of the Underwriter.
(vii) Unless waived by the parties, the Underwriter shall have received
from Counsel of the Adviser, an opinion, dated the Closing Date, to the
following effect:
(a) The Adviser has been duly organized and is a validly existing
corporation under the laws of the State of California with full power
and authority to transact business as the Adviser of the Fund as
contemplated by the Prospectus;
(b) The Advisory Agreement has been duly authorized, executed and
delivered by the Adviser and is a valid and legally binding obligation
of the Adviser;
(c) The Adviser is registered as an investment adviser under the
Investment Advisers Act of 1940, as amended, and is registered as an
investment adviser in such states as may be required for operation of
the Fund;
(d) The Adviser has full legal right, power and authority to enter
into the Advisory Agreement, and the execution and delivery of the
Advisory Agreement, the consummation of the transactions
9
<PAGE>
therein contemplated and fulfillment of the terms thereof will not
conflict with any applicable legal requirement by which the Adviser is
bound, nor will they conflict with the terms or provisions of, or
constitute a default under, its Certificate of Incorporation or By-Laws
or any agreement or instrument to which it is a party or by which it is
bound; and
(e) The description of the Adviser under the caption "The Fund and
its Management" in the Prospectus is true and correct and does not
contain any untrue statement of a material fact or omit to state any
material fact required to be stated therein or necessary in order to
make the statement therein not misleading.
(viii) Unless waived by the parties, the Underwriter shall have
received from the General Counsel of the Manager an opinion, dated the
Closing Date, to the following effect:
(a) The Manager has been duly organized and is a validly existing
corporation under the laws of the State of Delaware with full power and
authority to transact business as the Manager of the Fund as
contemplated by the Prospectus;
(b) The Management Agreement has been duly authorized, executed and
delivered by the Manager and is a valid and legally binding obligation
of the Manager;
(c) The Manager has full legal right, power and authority to enter
into the Management Agreement, and the execution and delivery of the
Management Agreement, the consummation of the transactions therein
contemplated and fulfillment of the terms thereof will not conflict
with any applicable legal requirement by which the Manager is bound,
nor will they conflict with the terms or provisions of, or constitute a
default under, its Certificate of Incorporation or By-Laws or any
agreement or instrument to which it is a party or by which it is bound;
and
(d) The description of the Manager under the caption "The Fund and
its Management" in the Prospectus is true and correct and does not
contain any untrue statement of a material fact or omit to state any
material fact required to be stated therein or necessary in order to
make the statement therein not misleading.
(ix) Unless waived by the parties, the Underwriter shall have received
certificates, dated the Closing Date, of the President or other Executive
Officer competent to act on behalf of the Underwriter and the chief
financial or accounting officer of the Fund to the effect that:
(a) No stop order suspending the effectiveness of the Registration
Statement has been issued, and, to the best of the knowledge of the
signers after reasonable investigation, no proceedings for that purpose
have been instituted or are pending or contemplated under the 1933 Act;
(b) Neither any Preliminary Prospectus, as of its date, nor the
Registration Statement nor the Prospectus, nor any amendment or
supplement thereto, as of the time when the Registration Statement
became effective under the 1933 Act and at all time subsequent thereto
up to the delivery of such certificate, included any untrue statement
of a material fact or omitted to state any material fact required to be
stated therein or necessary to make the statements therein not
misleading;
(c) Subsequent to the respective dates as of which information is
given in the Registration Statement and the Prospectus, the Fund has
not incurred any material liabilities or obligations, direct or
contingent, nor entered into any material transaction, not in the
ordinary course of business, and there has not been any material
adverse change in the condition (financial or otherwise), business,
prospects or results of operations of the Fund, or any change in the
capitalization of the Fund; and
(d) to the best of the knowledge of the signers after reasonable
investigation, the representations and warranties of the Fund, the
Manager and the Adviser, as the case may be, in this Agreement are true
and correct at and as of the Closing Date (except with respect to
representations and warranties in respect of each Preliminary
Prospectus which are in each case as of its date of issuance) and the
Fund, the Manager and the Adviser, as the case may be, have each
complied with all the agreements and satisfied all the conditions on
their respective parts to be performed or satisfied at or prior to the
Closing Date.
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<PAGE>
(x) The Fund, the Manager and the Adviser shall have furnished to the
Underwriter such additional certificates as the Underwriter may have
reasonably requested as to the accuracy, at and as of the Closing Date, of
the representations and warranties herein, as to the performance of their
obligations hereunder and as to other conditions concurrent and precedent
to the obligations of the Underwriter hereunder.
If any of the conditions hereinabove provided for in this Section shall not
have been fulfilled when and as required by this Agreement, this Agreement may
be terminated by the Underwriter by notifying the Fund of such termination in
writing or by telegram at or prior to the Closing Date, but the Underwriter
shall be entitled to waive any of such conditions.
10. Effective Date. This Agreement shall become effective at 11:00 A.M.,
New York time, on the first full business day following the effective date
under the 1933 Act of the Registration Statement, or at such earlier time
after such effective date of the Registration Statement as the Underwriter in
its discretion shall first release the Shares for offering to the public;
provided, however, that the provisions of Section 6 and 7 shall at all time be
effective. For the purpose of this Section 10, the Shares shall be deemed to
have been released to the public upon release by the Underwriter of the
publication of a newspaper advertisement relating to the Shares or upon
release of telegrams or letters offering the Shares for sale to securities
dealers, whichever shall first occur.
11. Termination. This Agreement may be terminated by the Fund at any time
before it becomes effective in accordance with Section 10 by notice from the
Fund to the Underwriter and may be terminated by the Underwriter at any time
before it becomes effective in accordance with Section 10 by notice from the
Underwriter to the Fund. In the event of any termination of this Agreement
under this or any other provision of this Agreement, there shall be no
liability of any party to this Agreement to any other party, other than as
provided in Sections 6 and 7.
This Agreement may be terminated after it becomes effective by the
Underwriter by notice to the Fund (i) if at or prior to the Closing Date
trading in securities on the New York or American Stock Exchanges shall have
been suspended or minimum or maximum price shall have been established on
either exchange, or a banking moratorium shall have been declared by State of
New York or United States authorities; (ii) if at or prior to the Closing Date
there shall have been an outbreak of hostilities between the United States and
any foreign power, or of any other insurrection or armed conflict involving
the United States which, in the judgment of the Underwriter, makes it
impracticable or inadvisable to offer or sell the Shares; (iii) if there shall
have been any material adverse development or prospective development
involving particularly the business of the Fund or the transactions
contemplated by this Agreement, which in the judgment of the Underwriter,
makes it impracticable or inadvisable to offer or deliver the Shares on the
terms contemplated by the Prospectus; (iv) if there shall be any litigation,
pending or threatened, which in the judgment of the Underwriter makes it
impracticable or inadvisable to offer or deliver the Shares on the terms
contemplated by the Prospectus; or (v) if at or prior to the Closing Date
there has been a material adverse change in the levels of equity securities
prices as reflected by the recognized indices of such prices, as compared with
such levels available as of the date of this Agreement. Any such termination
shall be without liability of any party to any party except as provided in
Sections 6 and 7 hereof.
12. Notices. All communications hereunder shall be in writing and, if sent
to the Underwriter shall be mailed, delivered or telegraphed and confirmed to
you, at Dean Witter Distributors Inc., Two World Trade Center, New York, New
York 10048, or, if sent to the Fund, shall be mailed, delivered or telegraphed
and confirmed to TCW/DW Global Telecom Trust, Two World Trade Center, New
York, New York 10048, Attention: General Counsel, or, if sent to the Manager
shall be mailed, delivered or telegraphed and confirmed to Dean Witter
Services Company Inc., Two World Trade Center, New York, New York 10048,
Attention: General Counsel, or if sent to the Adviser, shall be mailed to 865
South Figueroa Street, Los Angeles, California 90017, Attention:
General Counsel.
13. Successors. This Agreement shall inure to the benefit of and be binding
upon the Underwriter, the Fund, the Manager and the Adviser and their
respective successors and legal representatives. Nothing expressed or
mentioned in this Agreement is intended or shall be construed to give any
person other than the persons mentioned in the preceding sentence any legal or
equitable right, remedy or claim under or in respect of this Agreement, or any
provisions herein contained, this Agreement and all conditions and provisions
hereof being intended to be and being for the sole and exclusive benefit of
such persons and for the benefit of no other
11
<PAGE>
person; except that the representations, warranties and indemnities of the
Fund, the Manager and the Adviser contained in this Agreement shall also be
for the benefit of the person or persons, if any, who control the Underwriter
within the meaning of Section 15 of the 1933 Act, their respective successors
and legal representatives, and the indemnities of the Underwriter shall also
be for the benefit of each Trustee of the Fund, each of the officers of the
Fund who has signed the Registration Statement and the Manager and the Adviser
and the person or persons, if any, who control the Fund, the Manager and the
Adviser within the meaning of Section 15 of the 1933 Act.
14. Applicable Law. This Agreement shall be governed by and construed in
accordance with the laws of the State of New York.
15. Personal Liability. The Declaration of Trust establishing TCW/DW
Global Telecom Trust, dated March 28, 1996 a copy of which, together with
all other amendments thereto ("Declaration"), is on file in the office of The
Commonwealth of Massachusetts, provides that the name TCW/DW Global Telecom
Trust refers to the Trustees under the Declaration collectively as Trustees,
but not as individuals or personally, and no Trustees, shareholder, officer,
employee or agent of TCW/DW Global Telecom Trust shall be held to any
personal liability, nor shall resort be had to their private property for the
satisfaction of any obligation or claim or otherwise, in connection with the
affairs of said TCW/DW Global Telecom Trust, but the Trust Estate only shall
be liable.
If the foregoing correctly sets forth our understanding, please indicate
your acceptance thereof in the space provided below for that purpose in a
counterpart of this letter, whereupon this letter and your acceptance in such
counterpart shall constitute a binding agreement between us.
Very truly yours,
TCW/DW GLOBAL TELECOM TRUST
By: ............................................
DEAN WITTER SERVICES COMPANY INC.,
as Manager
By: ............................................
TCW FUNDS MANAGEMENT, INC.,
as Adviser
By: ............................................
By: ............................................
Accepted and delivered in
New York, New York as of
the date first above written.
DEAN WITTER DISTRIBUTORS INC.
By: ....................................
12
TCW/DW GLOBAL TELECOM TRUST
DISTRIBUTION AGREEMENT
AGREEMENT made as of this of , 1996, between TCW/DW Global Telecom
Trust, an unincorporated business trust organized under the laws of The
Commonwealth of Massachusetts (the "Fund" or "Trust"), and Dean Witter
Distributors Inc., a Delaware corporation (the "Distributor");
W I T N E S S E T H:
WHEREAS, the Fund is registered under the Investment Company Act of 1940,
as amended (the "1940 Act"), as a non-diversified open-end investment company
and it is in the interest of the Fund to offer its shares for sale
continuously, and
WHEREAS, the Fund and the Distributor wish to enter into an agreement with
each other with respect to the continuous offering of the Fund's transferable
shares of beneficial interest, of $.01 par value ("Shares"), in order to
promote the growth of the Fund and facilitate the distribution of its shares.
NOW, THEREFORE, the parties agree as follows:
SECTION
1. Appointment of the Distributor. (a) The Fund hereby appoints the
Distributor as the principal underwriter of the Fund to sell Shares to the
public on the terms set forth in this Agreement and the Fund's Prospectus and
the Distributor hereby accepts such appointment and agrees to act hereunder.
The Fund, during the term of this Agreement, shall sell Shares to the
Distributor upon the terms and conditions set forth herein.
(b) The Distributor agrees to purchase Shares, as principal for its own
account, from the Fund and to sell Shares as principal to investors, and
securities dealers, including Dean Witter Reynolds Inc. ("DWR"), an affiliate
of the Distributor, upon the terms described herein and in the Fund's
prospectus (the "Prospectus") and statement of additional information included
in the Fund's registration statement (the "Registration Statement") most
recently filed from time to time with the Securities and Exchange Commission
(the "SEC") and effective under the Securities Act of 1933, as amended (the
"1933 Act"), and 1940 Act or as said Prospectus may be otherwise amended or
supplemented and filed with the SEC pursuant to Rule 497 under the 1933 Act.
SECTION 2. Exclusive Nature of Duties. The Distributor shall be the
exclusive principal underwriter and distributor of the Trust, except that the
exclusive rights granted to the Distributor to sell the Shares shall not apply
to Shares issued by the Fund: (i) in connection with the merger or
consolidation of any other investment company or personal holding company with
the Fund or the acquisition by purchase or otherwise of all (or substantially
all) the assets or the outstanding shares of any such company by the Fund; or
(ii) pursuant to reinvestment of dividends or capital gains distributions; or
(iii) pursuant to the reinstatement privilege afforded redeeming shareholders.
SECTION 3. Purchase of Shares from the Trust. (a) The Distributor shall
have the right to buy from the Trust the Shares needed, but not more than the
Shares needed (except for clerical errors in transmission), to fill
unconditional orders for Shares placed with the Distributor by investors and
securities dealers. The price which the Distributor shall pay for the Shares
so purchased from the Fund shall be the net asset value, determined as set
forth in the Prospectus.
(b) The shares are to be resold by the Distributor at the net asset value
per share, as set forth in the Prospectus to investors, or to securities
dealers of its choice, including DWR, who have entered into selected dealer
agreements with the Distributor pursuant to Section 7 ("Selected Dealers").
(c) The Fund shall have the right to suspend the sale of the Shares at
times when redemption is suspended pursuant to the conditions set forth in
Section 4(d) hereof. The Fund shall also have the right to suspend the sale of
the Shares if trading on the New York Stock Exchange shall have been
suspended, if a banking moratorium shall have been declared by federal or New
York authorities, or if there shall have been some other extraordinary event
which, in the judgment of the Fund, makes it impracticable to sell the Shares.
<PAGE>
(d) The Fund, or any agent of the Fund designated in writing by the Fund,
shall be promptly advised of all purchase orders for Shares received by the
Distributor. Any order may be rejected by the Fund; provided, however, that
the Fund will not arbitrarily or without reasonable cause refuse to accept
orders for the purchase of Shares. The Distributor will confirm orders upon
their receipt, and the Fund (or its agent) upon receipt of payment therefor
and instructions will deliver share certificates for such Shares or a
statement confirming the issuance of Shares. Payment shall be made to the Fund
in New York Clearing House funds. The Distributor agrees to cause such payment
and such instructions to be delivered promptly to the Fund (or its agent).
With respect to Shares sold by any Selected Dealer, the Distributor is
authorized to direct the Trust's transfer agent to receive instructions
directly from the Selected Dealer on behalf of the Distributor as to
registration of Shares in the names of investors and to confirm issuance of
the Shares to such investors. The Distributor is also authorized to instruct
the transfer agent to receive payment directly from the Selected Dealer on
behalf of the Distributor, for prompt transmittal to the Trust's custodian, of
the purchase price of the Shares. In such event the Distributor shall obtain
from the Selected Dealer and maintain a record of such registration
instructions and payments.
SECTION 4. Repurchase or Redemption of Shares. (a) Any of the outstanding
Shares may be tendered for redemption at any time, and the Fund agrees to
redeem the Shares so tendered in accordance with the applicable provisions set
forth in the Prospectus. The price to be paid to redeem the Shares shall be
equal to the net asset value determined as set forth in the Prospectus. All
payments by the Fund hereunder shall be made in the manner set forth below.
The proceeds of any redemption of shares shall be paid by the Fund as
follows: (i) any applicable contingent deferred sales charge shall be paid to
the Distributor or to the Selected Dealer, or, when applicable, pursuant to
the Rules of Fair Practice of the National Association of Securities Dealers,
Inc. ("NASD"), retained by the Fund and (ii) the balance shall be paid to the
redeeming shareholders, in each case in accordance with applicable provisions
of the Prospectus in New York Clearing House funds. The Distributor is
authorized to direct the Fund to pay directly to the Selected Dealer any
contingent deferred sales charges payable by the Fund to the Distributor in
respect of Shares sold by the Selected Dealer to the redeeming shareholders.
(b) The Distributor is authorized, as agent for the Fund, to repurchase
Shares, represented by a share certificate which is delivered to any office of
the Distributor in accordance with applicable provisions set forth in the
Prospectus. The Distributor shall promptly transmit to the transfer agent of
the Fund for redemption all Shares so delivered. The Distributor shall be
responsible for the accuracy of instructions transmitted to the Fund's
transfer agent in connection with all such repurchases.
(c) The Distributor is authorized, as agent for the Fund, to repurchase
Shares held in a shareholder's account with the Fund for which no share
certificate has been issued, upon the telephonic or telegraphic request of the
shareholder, or at the discretion of the Distributor. The Distributor shall
promptly transmit to the transfer agent of the Fund, for redemption, all such
orders for repurchase of shares. Payment for shares repurchased may be made by
the Fund to the Distributor for the account of the shareholder. The
Distributor shall be responsible for the accuracy of instructions transmitted
to the Fund's transfer agent in connection with all such repurchases.
(d) Redemption of Shares or payment by the Fund may be suspended at times
when the New York Stock Exchange is closed, when trading on said Exchange is
restricted, when an emergency exists as a result of which disposal by the Fund
of securities owned by it is not reasonably practicable or it is not
reasonably practicable for the Fund fairly to determine the value of its net
assets, or during any other period when the Securities and Exchange
Commission, by order, so permits.
With respect to Shares tendered for redemption or repuchase by any Selected
Dealer on behalf of its customers, the Distributor is authorized to instruct
the transfer agent of the Trust to accept orders for redemption or repurchase
directly from the Selected Dealer on behalf of the Distributor and to instruct
the Trust to transmit payments for such redemptions and repurchases directly
to the Selected Dealer on
2
<PAGE>
behalf of the Distributor for the account of the shareholder. The Distributor
shall obtain from the Selected Dealer and maintain a record of such orders.
The Distributor is further authorized to obtain from the Trust; and shall
maintain, a record of payments made directly to the Selected Dealer on behalf
of the Distributor.
SECTION 5. Duties of the Fund. (a) The Fund shall furnish to the
Distributor copies of all information, financial statements and other papers
which the Distributor may reasonably request for use in connection with the
distribution of the Shares, including one certified copy, upon request by the
Distributor, of all financial statements prepared by the Fund and examined by
independent accountants. The Fund shall, at the expense of the Distributor,
make available to the Distributor such number of copies of the Prospectus as
the Distributor shall reasonably request.
(b) The Fund shall take, from time to time, but subject to the necessary
approval of its shareholders, all necessary action to fix the number of its
authorized Shares and to register Shares under the 1933 Act, to the end that
there will be available for sale such number of Shares as investors may
reasonably be expected to purchase.
(c) The Fund shall use its best efforts to qualify and maintain the
qualification of an appropriate number of the Shares for sale under the
securities laws of such states as the Distributor and the Fund may approve.
Any such qualification may be withheld, terminated or withdrawn by the Fund at
any time in its discretion. As provided in Section 8(c) hereof, the expense of
qualification and maintenance of qualification shall be borne by the Fund. The
Distributor shall furnish such information and other material relating to its
affairs and activities as may be required by the Fund in connection with such
qualification.
(d) The Fund shall, at the expense of the Distributor, furnish, in
reasonable quantities upon request by the Distributor, copies of annual and
interim reports of the Fund.
SECTION 6. Duties of the Distributor. (a) The Distributor shall sell shares
of the Trust through DWR and may sell shares through other securities dealers
and its own Account Executives, if any, and shall devote reasonable time and
effort to promote sales of the Shares, but shall not be obligated to sell any
specific number of Shares. The services of the Distributor hereunder are not
exclusive and it is understood that the Distributor may act as principal
underwriter for other registered investment companies. It is also understood
that Selected Dealers, including DWR, may also sell shares for other
registered investment companies.
(b) Neither the Distributor nor any Selected Dealer shall give any
information or make any representations, other than those contained in the
Registration Statement or related Prospectus and any sales literature
specifically approved by the Fund.
(c) The Distributor agrees that it will comply with the terms and
limitations of the Rules of Fair Practice of the NASD.
SECTION 7. Selected Dealers Agreements. (a) The Distributor shall have the
right to enter into selected dealers agreements with Selected Dealers for the
sale of Shares. In making agreements with Selected Dealers, the Distributor
shall act only as principal and not as agent for the Fund. Shares sold to
Selected Dealers shall be for resale by such dealers only at the public
offering price set forth in the Prospectus.
(b) Within the United States, the Distributor shall offer and sell Shares
only to such Selected Dealers as are members in good standing of the NASD.
(c) The Distributor shall adopt and follow procedures, as approved by the
Fund, for the confirmation of sales of Shares to investors and Selected
Dealers, the collection of amounts payable by investors and Selected Dealers
on such sales, and the cancellation of unsettled transactions, as may be
necessary to comply with the requirements of the NASD, as such requirements
may from time to time exist.
SECTION 8. Payment of Expenses. (a) The Distributor shall bear all expenses
incurred by it in connection with its duties and activities under this
Agreement including the payment to Selected Dealers of any sales commissions
service fees, and other expenses for sales of the Trust's shares (except such
3
<PAGE>
expenses as are specifically undertaken herein by the Trust) incurred or paid
by Selected Dealers, including DWR. It is understood and agreed that, so long
as the Fund's Plan of Distribution pursuant to Rule 12b-1 under the 1940 Act
continues in effect, any expenses incurred by the Distributor hereunder may be
paid from amounts the Distributor and any Selected Dealer are entitled to
receive from the Fund under such Plan. It is further understood and agreed
that expenses for which the Distributor and any Selected Dealer may be paid
under said Plan include opportunity costs, which may be calculated as a
carrying charge on the excess of distribution expenses, incurred by the
Distributor and/or the Selected Dealer over distribution revenues received by
each of them, respectively, under this Agreement.
(b) The Fund shall bear all costs and expenses of the Fund, including fees
and disbursements of legal counsel including counsel to the Trustees of the
Fund who are not interested persons (as defined in the 1940 Act) of the Fund
or the Distributor, and independent accountants, in connection with the
preparation and filing of any required Registration Statements and
Prospectuses and all amendments and supplements thereto, and the expense of
preparing, printing, mailing and otherwise distributing prospectuses and
statements of additional information, annual or interim reports or proxy
materials to shareholders.
(c) The Fund shall bear the cost and expenses of qualification of the
Shares for sale, and, if necessary or advisable in connection therewith, of
qualifying the Fund as a broker or dealer, in such states of the United States
or other jurisdictions as shall be selected by the Fund and the Distributor
pursuant to Section 5(c) hereof and the cost and expenses payable to each such
state for continuing qualification therein until the Fund decides to
discontinue such qualification pursuant to Section 5(c) hereof.
SECTION 9. Indemnification. (a) The Fund shall indemnify and hold harmless
the Distributor and each person, if any, who controls the Distributor against
any loss, liability, claim, damage or expense (including the reasonable cost
of investigating or defending any alleged loss, liability, claim, damage or
expense and reasonable counsel fees incurred in connection therewith) arising
by reason of any person acquiring any Shares, which may be based upon the 1933
Act, or on any other statute or at common law, on the ground that the
Registration Statement or related Prospectus and Statements of Additional
Information, as from time to time amended and supplemented, or the annual or
interim reports to shareholders of the Fund, includes an untrue statement of a
material fact or omits to state a material fact required to be stated therein
or necessary in order to make the statements therein not misleading, unless
such statement or omission was made in reliance upon, and in conformity with,
information furnished to the Fund in connection therewith by or on behalf of
the Distributor; provided, however, that in no case (i) is the indemnity of
the Fund in favor of the Distributor and any such controlling persons to be
deemed to protect the Distributor or any such controlling persons thereof
against any liability to the Fund or its security holders to which the
Distributor or any such controlling persons would otherwise be subject by
reason of willful misfeasance, bad faith or gross negligence in the
performance of its duties or by reason of reckless disregard of its
obligations and duties under this Agreement; or (ii) is the Fund to be liable
under its indemnity agreement contained in this paragraph with respect to any
claim made against the Distributor or any such controlling persons, unless the
Distributor or any such controlling persons, as the case may be, shall have
notified the Fund in writing within a reasonable time after the summons or
other first legal process giving information of the nature of the claim shall
have been served upon the Distributor or such controlling persons (or after
the Distributor or such controlling persons shall have received notice of such
service on any designated agent), but failure to notify the Fund of any such
claim shall not relieve it from any liability which it may have to the person
against whom such action is brought otherwise than on account of its indemnity
agreement contained in this paragraph. The Fund will be entitled to
participate at its own expense in the defense, or, if it so elects, to assume
the defense, of any suit brought to enforce any such liability, but if the
Fund elects to assume the defense, such defense shall be conducted by counsel
chosen by it and satisfactory to the Distributor or such controlling person or
persons, defendant or defendants in the suit. In the event the Fund elects to
assume the defense of any such suit and retain such counsel, the Distributor
or such controlling person or persons, defendant or defendants in the suit,
shall bear the fees and expenses of any additional counsel retained by them,
but, in case the Fund does not elect to assume the defense of any such suit,
it will reimburse the Distributor
4
<PAGE>
or such controlling person or persons, defendant or defendants in the suit,
for the reasonable fees and expenses of any counsel retained by them. The Fund
shall promptly notify the Distributor of the commencement of any litigation or
proceedings against it or any of its officers or trustees in connection with
the issuance or sale of the Shares.
(b) (i) The Distributor shall indemnify and hold harmless the Fund and each
of its Trustees and officers and each person, if any, who controls the Fund
against any loss, liability, claim, damage, or expense described in the
foregoing indemnity contained in subsection (a) of this Section, but only with
respect to statements or omissions made in reliance upon, and in conformity
with, information furnished to the Fund in writing by or on behalf of the
Distributor for use in connection with the Registration Statement or related
Prospectus and Statement of Additional Information, as from time to time
amended, or the annual or interim reports to shareholders.
(ii) The Distributor shall indemnify and hold harmless the Trust and the
Trust's transfer agent, individually and in its capacity as the Trust's
transfer agent, from and against any claims, damages and liabilities which
arise as a result of actions taken pursuant to instructions from, or on behalf
of, the Distributor to: (1) redeem all or a part of shareholder accounts in
the Trust pursuant to subsection 4(c) hereof and pay the proceeds to, or as
directed by, the Distributor for the account of each shareholder whose Shares
are so redeemed; and (2) register Shares in the names of investors, confirm
the issuance thereof and receive payment therefor pursuant to subsection 3(d).
(iii) In case any action shall be brought against the Fund or any person so
indemnified by this subsection 9(b) in respect of which indemnity may be
sought against the Distributor, the Distributor shall have the rights and
duties given to the Fund, and the Fund and each person so indemnified shall
have the rights and duties given to the Distributor by the provisions of
subsection (a) of this Section 9.
(c) If the indemnification provided for in this Section 9 is unavailable or
insufficient to hold harmless an indemnified party under subsection (a) or (b)
above in respect of any losses, claims, damages, liabilities or expenses (or
actions in respect thereof) referred to herein, then each indemnifiying party
shall contribute to the amount paid or payable by such indemnified party as a
result of such losses, claims, damages, liabilities or expenses (or actions in
respect thereof) in such proportion as is appropriate to reflect the relative
benefits received by the Fund on the one hand and the Distributor on the other
from the offering of the Shares. If, however, the allocation provided by the
immediately preceding sentence is not permitted by applicable law, then each
indemnifying party shall contribute to such amount paid or payable by such
indemnified party in such proportion as is appropriate to reflect not only
such relative benefits but also the relative fault of the Fund on the one hand
and the Distributor on the other in connection with the statements or
omissions which resulted in such losses, claims, damages, liabilities or
expenses (or actions in respect thereof), as well as any other relevant
equitable considerations. The relative benefits received by the Fund on the
one hand and the Distributor on the other shall be deemed to be in the same
proportion as the total net proceeds from the offering (before deducting
expenses) received by the Fund bear to the total compensation received by the
Distributor, in each case as set forth in the Prospectus. The relative fault
shall be determined by reference to, among other things, whether the untrue or
alleged untrue statement of a material fact or the omission or alleged
omission to state a material fact relates to information supplied by the Fund
or the Distributor and the parties' relative intent, knowledge, access to
information and opportunity to correct or prevent such statement or omission.
The Fund and the Distributor agree that it would not be just and equitable if
contribution were determined by pro rata allocation or by any other method of
allocation which does not take into account the equitable considerations
referred to above. The amount paid or payable by an indemnified party as a
result of the losses, claims, damages, liabilities or expenses (or actions in
respect thereof) referred to above shall be deemed to include any legal or
other expenses reasonably incurred by such indemnified party in connection
with investigating or defending any such claim. Notwithstanding the provisions
of this subsection (c), the Distributor shall not be required to contribute
any amount in excess of the amount by which the total price at which the
Shares distributed by it to the public were offered to the public exceeds the
amount of any damages which it has otherwise been required to pay by reason of
such untrue or alleged untrue statement or omission or alleged omission. No
person guilty of fraudulent misrepresentation (within the meaning of Section
11(f) of the 1933 Act) shall be entitled to contribution from any person who
was not guilty of such fraudulent misrepresentation.
5
<PAGE>
SECTION 10. Duration and Termination of this Agreement. This Agreement
shall become effective as of the date first above written and shall remain in
force until April 30, 1997, and thereafter, but only so long as such
continuance is specifically approved at least annually by (i) the Board of
Trustees of the Fund, or by the vote of a majority of the outstanding voting
securities of the Fund, cast in person or by proxy, and (ii) a majority of
those Trustees who are not parties to this Agreement or interested persons of
any such party and who have no direct or indirect financial interest in this
Agreement or in the operation of the Fund's Rule 12b-1 Plan or in any
agreement related thereto, cast in person at a meeting called for the purpose
of voting upon such approval.
This Agreement may be terminated at any time without the payment of any
penalty, by the Trustees of the Fund, by a majority of the Trustees of the
Fund who are not interested persons of the Fund and who have no direct or
indirect financial interest in this Agreement, or by vote of a majority of the
outstanding voting securities of the Fund, or by the Distributor, on sixty
days' written notice to the other party. This Agreement shall automatically
terminate in the event of its assignment.
The terms "vote of a majority of the outstanding voting securities,"
"assignment" and "interested person," when used in this Agreement, shall have
the respective meanings specified in the 1940 Act.
SECTION 11. Amendments of this Agreement. This Agreement may be amended by
the parties only if such amendment is specifically approved by (i) the
Trustees of the Fund, or by the vote of a majority of outstanding voting
securities of the Fund, and (ii) a majority of those Trustees of the Fund who
are not parties to this Agreement or interested persons of any such party and
who have no direct or indirect financial interest in this Agreement or in any
Agreement related to the Fund's Plan of Distribution pursuant to Rule 12b-1
under the 1940 Act, cast in person at a meeting called for the purpose of
voting on such approval.
SECTION 12. Governing Law. This Agreement shall be construed in accordance
with the law of the State of New York and the applicable provisions of the
1940 Act. To the extent the applicable law of the State of New York, or any of
the provisions herein, conflict with the applicable provisions of the 1940
Act, the latter shall control.
SECTION 13. Personal Liability. The Declaration of the Trust establishing
TCW/DW Global Telecom Trust, dated March 28, 1996, a copy of which, together
with all amendments thereto (the "Declaration"), is on file in the office of
the Secretary of the Commonwealth of Massachusetts, provides that the name
TCW/DW Global Telecom Trust refers to the Trustees under the Declaration
collectively as Trustees, but not as individuals or personally; and no
Trustee, shareholder, officer, employee or agent of TCW/DW Global Telecom
Trust shall be held to any personal liability, nor shall resort be had to
their private property for the satisfaction of any obligation or claim or
otherwise, in connection with the affairs of said TCW/DW Global Telecom
Trust, but the Trust Estate only shall be liable.
IN WITNESS WHEREOF, the parties hereto have executed and delivered this
Agreement as of the day and year first written in New York, New York.
TCW/DW GLOBAL TELECOM TRUST
By: ..........................................
DEAN WITTER DISTRIBUTORS INC.
By: ..........................................
6
DEAN WITTER DISTRIBUTORS INC.
Gentlemen:
Dean Witter Distributors Inc. (the "Distributor") has a distribution
agreement (the "Distribution Agreement") with TCW/DW Global Telecom Trust, a
Massachusetts business trust (the "Fund"), pursuant to which it acts as the
Distributor for the sale of the Fund's shares of beneficial interest, par
value $0.01 per share (the "Shares"). Under the Distribution Agreement, the
Distributor has the right to distribute Shares for resale.
The Fund is an open-end management investment company registered under the
Investment Company Act of 1940, as amended, and the Shares being offered to
the public are registered under the Securities Act of 1933, as amended. You
have received a copy of the Distribution Agreement between us and the Fund and
reference is made herein to certain provisions of such Distribution Agreement.
The terms used herein, including "Prospectus" and "Registration Statement" of
the Fund and "Selected Dealer" shall have the same meaning in this Agreement
as in the Distribution Agreement. As principal, we offer to sell shares to
your customers, upon the following terms and conditions:
1. In all sales of Shares to the public you shall act on behalf of your
customers, and in no transaction shall you have any authority to act as agent
for the Fund, for us or for any Selected Dealer.
2. Orders received from you will be accepted through us or on our behalf
only at the net asset value applicable to each order, as set forth in the
current Prospectus. The procedure relating to the handling of orders shall be
subject to instructions which we or the Fund shall forward from time to time
to you. All orders are subject to acceptance or rejection by the Distributor
or the Fund in the sole discretion of either.
3. You shall not place orders for any Shares unless you have already
received purchase orders for such Shares at the applicable net asset values
and subject to the terms hereof and of the Distribution Agreement and the
Prospectus. You agree that you will not offer or sell any of the Shares except
under circumstances that will result in compliance with the applicable Federal
and state securities laws and that in connection with sales and offers to sell
Shares you will furnish to each person to whom any such sale or offer is made
a copy of the Prospectus (as then amended or supplemented) and will not
furnish to any person any information relating to the Shares, which is
inconsistent in any respect with the information contained in the Prospectus
(as then amended or supplemented) or cause any advertisement to be published
by radio or television or in any newspaper or posted in any public place or
use any sales promotional material without our consent and the consent of the
Fund.
4. The Distributor will compensate you for sales of shares of the Fund and
personal services to Fund shareholders by paying you a sales charge and/or
other commission (which may be in the form of a gross sales credit and/or an
annual residual commission) and/or a service fee, under the terms as are set
forth in the Fund's Prospectus.
5. If any Shares sold to your customers under the terms of this Agreement
are repurchased by us for the account of the Fund or are tendered for
redemption within seven business days after the date of the confirmation of
the original purchase by you, it is agreed that you shall forfeit your right
to, and refund to us, any commission received by you with respect to such
Shares.
6. No person is authorized to make any representations concerning the
Shares or the Fund except those contained in the current Prospectus and in
such printed information subsequently issued by us or the Fund as information
supplemental to such Prospectus. In selling Shares, you shall rely solely on
the representations contained in the Prospectus and supplemental information
mentioned above. Any printed information which we furnish you other than the
Prospectus and the Fund's periodic reports and proxy solicitation material are
our sole responsibility and not the responsibility of the Fund, and you agree
that the Fund shall have no liability or responsibility to you in these
respects unless expressly assumed in connection therewith.
7. You agree to deliver to each of the purchasers making purchases a copy
of the then current Prospectus at or prior to the time of offering or sale,
and you agree thereafter to deliver to such purchasers
<PAGE>
copies of the annual and interim reports and proxy solicitation materials of
the Fund. You further agree to endeavor to obtain proxies from such
purchasers. Additional copies of the Prospectus, annual or interim reports and
proxy solicitation materials of the Fund will be supplied to you in reasonable
quantities upon request.
8. You are hereby authorized (i) to place orders directly with the Fund or
its agent for shares of the Fund to be sold by us subject to the applicable
terms and conditions governing the placement of orders for the purchase of
Fund shares, as set forth in the Distribution Agreement, and (ii) to tender
shares directly to the Fund or its agent for redemption subject to the
applicable terms and conditions set forth in the Distribution Agreement.
9. We reserve the right in our discretion, without notice, to suspend sales
or withdraw the offering of Shares entirely. Each party hereto has the right
to cancel this agreement upon notice to the other party.
10. I. You shall indemnify and hold harmless the Distributor, from and
against any claims, damages and liabilities which arise as a result of action
taken pursuant to instructions from you, or on your behalf to: a)(i) place
orders for Shares of the Fund with the Fund's transfer agent or direct the
transfer agent to receive instructions for the order of Shares, and (ii)
accept monies or direct that the transfer agent accept monies as payment for
the order of such Shares, all as contemplated by and in accordance with
Section 3 of the Distribution Agreement; b)(i) place orders for the redemption
of Shares of the Fund with the Fund's transfer agent or direct the transfer
agent to receive instruction for the redemption of Shares and (ii) to pay
redemption proceeds or to direct that the transfer agent pay redemption
proceeds in connection with orders for the redemption of Shares, all as
contemplated by and in accordance with Section 4 of the Distribution
Agreement; provided, however, that in no case, (i) is this indemnity in favor
of the Distributor and any such controlling persons to be deemed to protect
the Distributor or any such controlling persons thereof against any liability
to which the Distributor or any such controlling persons would otherwise be
subject by reason of willful misfeasance, bad faith or gross negligence in the
performance of its duties or by reason of reckless disregard of its
obligations and duties under this Agreement or the Distribution Agreement; or
(ii) are you to be liable under the indemnity agreement contained in this
paragraph with respect to any claim made against the Distributor or any such
controlling persons, unless the Distributor or any such controlling persons,
as the case may be, shall have notified you in writing within a reasonable
time after the summons or other first legal process giving information of the
nature of the claim shall have been served upon the Distributor or such
controlling persons (or after the Distributor or such controlling persons
shall have received notice of such service on any designated agent), but
failure to notify you of any such claim shall not relieve you from any
liability which you may have to the person against whom such action is brought
otherwise than on account of the indemnity agreement contained in this
paragraph. You will be entitled to participate at your own expense in the
defense, or, if you so elect, to assume the defense, of any suit brought to
enforce any such liability, but if you elect to assume the defense, such
defense shall be conducted by counsel chosen by you and satisfactory to the
Distributor or such controlling person or persons, defendant or defendants in
the suit. In the event you elect to assume the defense of any such suit and
retain such counsel, the Distributor or such controlling person or persons,
defendant or defendants in the suit, shall bear the fees and expenses of any
additional counsel retained by them, but, in case you do not elect to assume
the defense of any such suit, you will reimburse the Distributor or such
controlling person or persons, defendant or defendants in the suit, for the
reasonable fees and expenses of any counsel retained by them. You shall
promptly notify the Distributor of the commencement of any litigation or
proceedings against it or any of its officers or directors in connection with
the issuance or sale of the Shares.
II. If the indemnification provided for in this Section 10 is unavailable
or insufficient to hold harmless the Distributor, as provided above in respect
of any losses, claims, damages, liabilities or expenses (or actions in respect
thereof) referred to herein, then you shall contribute to the amount paid or
payable by the Distributor as a result of such losses, claims, damages,
liabilities or expenses (or actions in respect thereof) in such proportion as
is appropriate to reflect the relative benefits received by you on the one
hand and the Distributor on the other from the offering of the Shares. If,
however, the allocation provided by the immediately preceding sentence is not
permitted by applicable law, then you shall contribute to such amount paid or
payable by such indemnified party in such proportion as is appropriate to
reflect not
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only such relative benefits but also your relative fault on the one hand and
the relative fault of the Distributor on the other, in connection with the
statements or omissions which resulted in such losses, claims, damages,
liabilities or expenses (or actions in respect thereof), as well as any other
relevant equitable considerations. You and the Distributor agree that it would
not be just and equitable if contribution were determined by pro rata
allocation or by any other method of allocation which does not take into
account the equitable considerations referred to above. The amount paid or
payable by the Distributor as a result of the losses, claims, damages,
liabilities or expenses (or actions in respect thereof) referred to above
shall be deemed to include any legal or other expenses reasonably incurred by
the Distributor in connection with investigating or defending any such claim.
Notwithstanding the provisions of this subsection (II), you shall not be
required to contribute any amount in excess of the amount by which the total
price at which the Shares distributed by it to the public were offered to the
public exceeds the amount of any damages which it has otherwise been required
to pay by reason of such untrue or alleged untrue statement or omission or
alleged omission. No person guilty of fraudulent misrepresentation (within the
meaning of Section 11(f) of the Securities Act of 1933 Act) shall be entitled
to contribution from any person who was not guilty of such fraudulent
misrepresentation.
11. We shall have full authority to take such action as we may deem
advisable in respect of all matters pertaining to the distribution and
redemption of Fund shares. We shall be under no liability to you except for
lack of good faith and for obligations expressly assumed by us herein. Nothing
contained in this paragraph is intended to operate as, and the provisions of
this paragraph shall not in any way whatsoever constitute, a waiver by you of
compliance with any provision of the Securities Act of 1933, as amended, or of
the rules and regulations of the Securities and Exchange Commission issued
thereunder.
12. You represent that you are a member of the National Association of
Securities Dealers, Inc. and, with respect to any sales in the United States,
we both hereby agree to abide by the Rules of Fair Practice of such
Association.
13. Upon application to us, we will inform you as to the states in which we
believe the Shares have been qualified for sale under, or are exempt from the
requirements of, the respective securities laws of such states, but we assume
no responsibility or obligation as to your right to sell Shares in any
jurisdiction.
14. All communications to us should be sent to the address shown below. Any
notice to you shall be duly given if mailed or telegraphed to you at the
address specified by you below.
15. This Agreement shall become effective as of the date of your acceptance
hereof, provided that you return to us promptly a signed and dated copy.
DEAN WITTER DISTRIBUTORS INC.
By .........................................
(Authorized Signature)
Please return one signed copy
of this agreement to:
Dean Witter Distributors Inc.
Two World Trade Center
New York, New York 10048
Accepted:
Firm Name: ...................................................................
By: .........................................................................
Address: .....................................................................
.............................................................................
Date: ........................................................................
3
<PAGE>
TCW/DW GLOBAL TELECOM TRUST
SELECTED DEALERS AGREEMENT
Gentlemen:
Dean Witter Distributors Inc. (the "Distributor") has a distribution
agreement (the "Distribution Agreement") with TCW/DW Global Telecom Trust, a
Massachusetts business trust (the "Fund"), pursuant to which it acts as the
Distributor for the sale of the Fund's shares of beneficial interest, par
value $0.01 per share (the "Shares"). Under the Distribution Agreement, the
Distributor has the right to distribute Shares for resale.
The Fund is an open-end management investment company registered under the
Investment Company Act of 1940, as amended, and the Shares being offered to
the public are registered under the Securities Act of 1933, as amended. You
have received a copy of the Distribution Agreement between us and the Fund
and reference is made herein to certain provisions of such Distribution
Agreement. The terms used herein, including "Prospectus" and "Registration
Statement" of the Fund and "Selected Dealer" shall have the same meaning in
this Agreement as in the Distribution Agreement. As principal, we offer to
sell shares to you, as a Selected Dealer, upon the following terms and
conditions:
1. In all sales of Shares to the public you shall act as dealer for your
own account, and in no transaction shall you have any authority to act as
agent for the Fund, for us or for any other Selected Dealer.
2. Orders received from you will be accepted through us or on our behalf
only at the net asset value applicable to each order, as set forth in the
current Prospectus. The procedure relating to the handling of orders shall be
subject to instructions which we or the Fund shall forward from time to time
to you. All orders are subject to acceptance or rejection by the Distributor
or the Fund in the sole discretion of either.
3. You shall not place orders for any Shares unless you have already
received purchase orders for such Shares at the applicable net asset values
and subject to the terms hereof and of the Distribution Agreement and the
Prospectus. You agree that you will not offer or sell any of the Shares
except under circumstances that will result in compliance with the applicable
Federal and state securities laws and that in connection with sales and
offers to sell Shares you will furnish to each person to whom any such sale
or offer is made a copy of the Prospectus (as then amended or supplemented)
and will not furnish to any person any information relating to the Shares,
which is inconsistent in any respect with the information contained in the
Prospectus (as then amended or supplemented) or cause any advertisement to be
published by radio or television or in any newspaper or posted in any public
place or use any sales promotional material without our consent and the
consent of the Fund.
4. The Distributor will compensate you for sales of shares of the Fund and
personal services to Fund shareholders by paying you a sales charge and/or
other commissions, which may be in the form of a gross sales credit and/or an
annual residual commission and/or service fee, under the terms and in the
percentage amounts as may be in effect from time to time by the Distributor.
5. You shall not withhold placing orders received from your customers so
as to profit yourself as a result of such withholding; e.g., by a change in
the "net asset value" from that used in determining the offering price to
your customers.
6. If any Shares sold to you under the terms of this Agreement are
repurchased by us for the account of the Fund or are tendered for redemption
within seven business days after the date of the confirmation of the original
purchase by you, it is agreed that you shall forfeit your right to, and
refund to us, any commission received by you with respect to such Shares.
7. No person is authorized to make any representations concerning the
Shares or the Fund except those contained in the current Prospectus and in
such printed information subsequently issued by us or the Fund as information
supplemental to such Prospectus. In purchasing Shares through us you shall
rely solely on the representations contained in the Prospectus and
supplemental information above mentioned. Any printed information which we
furnish you other than the Prospectus and the Fund's periodic
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<PAGE>
reports and proxy solicitation material are our sole responsibility and not
the responsibility of the Fund, and you agree that the Fund shall have no
liability or responsibility to you in these respects unless expressly assumed
in connection therewith.
8. You agree to deliver to each of the purchasers making purchases from
you a copy of the then current Prospectus at or prior to the time of offering
or sale and you agree thereafter to deliver to such purchasers copies of the
annual and interim reports and proxy solicitation materials of the Fund. You
further agree to endeavor to obtain proxies from such purchasers. Additional
copies of the Prospectus, annual or interim reports and proxy solicitation
materials of the Fund will be supplied to you in reasonable quantities upon
request.
9. You are hereby authorized (i) to place orders directly with the Fund or
its agent for shares of the Fund to be sold by us to you subject to the
applicable terms and conditions governing the placement of orders for the
purchase of Fund shares, as set forth in the Distribution Agreement, and (ii)
to tender shares directly to the Fund or its agent for redemption subject to
the applicable terms and conditions set forth in the Distribution Agreement.
10. We reserve the right in our discretion, without notice, to suspend
sales or withdraw the offering of Shares entirely. Each party hereto has the
right to cancel this agreement upon notice to the other party.
11. We shall have full authority to take such action as we may deem
advisable in respect of all matters pertaining to the distribution and
redemption of Fund shares. We shall be under no liability to you except for
lack of good faith and for obligations expressly assumed by us herein.
Nothing contained in this paragraph is intended to operate as, and the
provisions of this paragraph shall not in any way whatsoever constitute, a
waiver by you of compliance with any provision of the Securities Act of 1933,
as amended, or of the rules and regulations of the Securities and Exchange
Commission issued thereunder.
12. You represent that you are a member of the National Association of
Securities Dealers, Inc. and, with respect to any sales in the United States,
we both hereby agree to abide by the Rules of Fair Practice of such
Association.
13. Upon application to us, we will inform you as to the states in which
we believe the Shares have been qualified for sale under, or are exempt from
the requirements of, the respective securities laws of such states, but we
assume no responsibility or obligation as to your right to sell Shares in any
jurisdiction.
14. All communications to us should be sent to the address shown below.
Any notice to you shall be duly given if mailed or telegraphed to you at the
address specified by you below.
15. This Agreement shall become effective as of the date of your
acceptance hereof, provided that you return to us promptly a signed and dated
copy.
DEAN WITTER DISTRIBUTORS INC.
By ................................
(Authorized Signature)
Please return one signed copy
of this agreement to:
Dean Witter Distributors Inc.
Two World Trade Center
New York, New York 10048
Accepted:
Firm Name:
....................................................................
By:
...........................................................................
Address:
......................................................................
.............................................................................
Date:
.........................................................................
2
GLOBAL CUSTODY AGREEMENT
This AGREEMENT is effective ___________________, 199_, and is between
THE CHASE MANHATTAN BANK, N.A. (the "Bank") and TCW/DW Global TeleCom Trust
(the "Customer").
1. CUSTOMER ACCOUNTS.
The Bank agrees to establish and maintain the following accounts
("Accounts"):
(a) A custody account in the name of the Customer ("Custody Account")
for any and all stocks, shares, bonds, debentures, notes, mortgages or other
obligations for the payment of money, bullion, coin and any certificates,
receipts, warrants or other instruments representing rights to receive,
purchase or subscribe for the same or evidencing or representing any other
rights or interests therein and other similar property whether certificated or
uncertificated as may be received by the Bank or its Subcustodian (as defined
in Section 3) for the account of the Customer ("Securities"); and
(b) A deposit account in the name of the Customer ("Deposit Account")
for any and all cash in any currency received by the Bank or its Subcustodian
for the account of the Customer, which cash shall not be subject to withdrawal
by draft or check.
The Customer warrants its authority to: 1) deposit the cash and
Securities ("Assets") received in the Accounts and 2) give Instructions (as
defined in Section 11) concerning the Accounts. The Bank may deliver
securities of the same class in place of those deposited in the Custody
Account.
Upon written agreement between the Bank and the Customer, additional
Accounts may be established and separately accounted for as additional
Accounts under the terms of this Agreement.
2. MAINTENANCE OF SECURITIES AND CASH AT BANK AND SUBCUSTODIAN LOCATIONS.
Unless Instructions specifically require another location acceptable
to the Bank:
(a) Securities will be held in the country or other jurisdiction in
which the principal trading market for such Securities is located, where such
Securities are to be presented for payment or where such Securities are
acquired; and
(b) Cash will be credited to an account in a country or other
jurisdiction in which such cash may be legally deposited or is the legal
currency for the payment of public or private debts.
Cash may be held pursuant to Instructions in either interest or
non-interest bearing accounts as may be available for the particular currency.
To the extent Instructions are issued and the Bank can comply with such
Instructions, the Bank is authorized to maintain cash balances on deposit for
the Customer with itself or one of its affiliates at such reasonable rates of
interest as may from time to time be paid on such accounts, or in non-interest
bearing accounts as the Customer may direct, if acceptable to the Bank.
<PAGE>
If the Customer wishes to have any of its Assets held in the custody
of an institution other than the established Subcustodians as defined in
Section 3 (or their securities depositories), such arrangement must be
authorized by a written agreement, signed by the Bank and the Customer.
3. SUBCUSTODIANS AND SECURITIES DEPOSITORIES.
The Bank may act under this Agreement through the subcustodians
listed in Schedule A of this Agreement with which the Bank has entered into
subcustodial agreements ("Subcustodians"). The Customer authorizes the Bank to
hold Assets in the Accounts in accounts which the Bank has established with
one or more of its branches or Subcustodians. The Bank and Subcustodians are
authorized to hold any of the Securities in their account with any securities
depository in which they participate.
The Bank reserves the right to add new, replace or remove
Subcustodians. The Customer will be given reasonable notice by the Bank of any
amendment to Schedule A. Upon request by the Customer, the Bank will identify
the name, address and principal place of business of any Subcustodian of the
Customer's Assets and the name and address of the governmental agency or other
regulatory authority that supervises or regulates such Subcustodian.
4. USE OF SUBCUSTODIAN.
(a) The Bank will identify the Assets on its books as belonging to
the Customer.
(b) A Subcustodian will hold such Assets together with assets
belonging to other customers of the Bank in accounts identified on such
Subcustodian's books as special custody accounts for the exclusive benefit of
customers of the Bank.
(c) Any Assets in the Accounts held by a Subcustodian will be subject
only to the instructions of the Bank or its agent. Any Securities held in a
securities depository for the account of a Subcustodian will be subject only
to the instructions of such Subcustodian.
(d) Any agreement the Bank enters into with a Subcustodian for
holding its customer's assets shall provide that such assets will not be
subject to any right, charge, security interest, lien or claim of any kind in
favor of such Subcustodian except for safe custody or administration, and that
the beneficial ownership of such assets will be freely transferable without
the payment of money or value other than for safe custody or administration.
The foregoing shall not apply to the extent of any special agreement or
arrangement made by the Customer with any particular Subcustodian.
5. DEPOSIT ACCOUNT TRANSACTIONS.
(a) The Bank or its Subcustodians will make payments from the Deposit
Account upon receipt of Instructions which include all information required by
the Bank.
(b) In the event that any payment to be made under this Section 5
exceeds the funds available in the Deposit Account, the Bank, in its
discretion, may advance the Customer such excess amount which shall be deemed
a loan payable on demand, bearing interest at the rate customarily charged by
the Bank on similar loans.
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<PAGE>
(c) If the Bank credits the Deposit Account on a payable date, or at
any time prior to actual collection and reconciliation to the Deposit Account,
with interest, dividends, redemptions or any other amount due, the Customer
will promptly return any such amount upon oral or written notification: (i)
that such amount has not been received in the ordinary course of business or
(ii) that such amount was incorrectly credited. If the Customer does not
promptly return any amount upon such notification, the Bank shall be entitled,
upon oral or written notification to the Customer, to reverse such credit by
debiting the Deposit Account for the amount previously credited. The Bank or
its Subcustodian shall have no duty or obligation to institute legal
proceedings, file a claim or a proof of claim in any insolvency proceeding or
take any other action with respect to the collection of such amount, but may
act for the Customer upon Instructions after consultation with the Customer.
6. CUSTODY ACCOUNT TRANSACTIONS.
(a) Securities will be transferred, exchanged or delivered by the
Bank or its Subcustodian upon receipt by the Bank of Instructions which
include all information required by the Bank. Settlement and payment for
Securities received for, and delivery of Securities out of, the Custody
Account may be made in accordance with the customary or established securities
trading or securities processing practices and procedures in the jurisdiction
or market in which the transaction occurs, including, without limitation,
delivery of Securities to a purchaser, dealer or their agents against a
receipt with the expectation of receiving later payment and free delivery.
Delivery of Securities out of the Custody Account may also be made in any
manner specifically required by Instructions acceptable to the Bank.
(b) The Bank, in its discretion, may credit or debit the Accounts on
a contractual settlement date with cash or Securities with respect to any
sale, exchange or purchase of Securities. Otherwise, such transactions will be
credited or debited to the Accounts on the date cash or Securities are
actually received by the Bank and reconciled to the Account.
(i) The Bank may reverse credits or debits made to the Accounts in
its discretion if the related transaction fails to settle within a
reasonable period, determined by the Bank in its discretion, after
the contractual settlement date for the related transaction.
(ii) If any Securities delivered pursuant to this Section 6 are
returned by the recipient thereof, the Bank may reverse the credits
and debits of the particular transaction at any time.
7. ACTIONS OF THE BANK.
The Bank shall follow Instructions received regarding assets held in
the Accounts. However, until it receives Instructions to the contrary, the
Bank will:
(a) Present for payment any Securities which are called, redeemed or
retired or otherwise become payable and all coupons and other income items
which call for payment upon presentation, to the extent that the Bank or
Subcustodian is actually aware of such opportunities.
(b) Execute in the name of the Customer such ownership and other
certificates as may be required to obtain payments in respect of Securities.
(c) Exchange interim receipts or temporary Securities for definitive
Securities.
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<PAGE>
(d) Appoint brokers and agents for any transaction involving the
Securities, including, without limitation, affiliates of the Bank or any
Subcustodian.
(e) Issue statements to the Customer, at times mutually agreed upon,
identifying the Assets in the Accounts.
The Bank will send the Customer an advice or notification of any
transfers of Assets to or from the Accounts. Such statements, advices or
notifications shall indicate the identity of the entity having custody of the
Assets. Unless the Customer sends the Bank a written exception or objection to
any Bank statement within sixty (60) days of receipt, the Customer shall be
deemed to have approved such statement. In such event, or where the Customer
has otherwise approved any such statement, the Bank shall, to the extent
permitted by law, be released, relieved and discharged with respect to all
matters set forth in such statement or reasonably implied therefrom as though
it had been settled by the decree of a court of competent jurisdiction in an
action where the Customer and all persons having or claiming an interest in
the Customer or the Customer's Accounts were parties.
All collections of funds or other property paid or distributed in
respect of Securities in the Custody Account shall be made at the risk of the
Customer. The Bank shall have no liability for any loss occasioned by delay in
the actual receipt of notice by the Bank or by its Subcustodians of any
payment, redemption or other transaction regarding Securities in the Custody
Account in respect of which the Bank has agreed to take any action under this
Agreement.
8. CORPORATE ACTIONS; PROXIES; TAX RECLAIMS.
a. Corporate Actions. Whenever the Bank receives information
concerning the Securities which requires discretionary action by the
beneficial owner of the Securities (other than a proxy), such as subscription
rights, bonus issues, stock repurchase plans and rights offerings, or legal
notices or other material intended to be transmitted to securities holders
("Corporate Actions"), the Bank will give the Customer notice of such
Corporate Actions to the extent that the Bank's central corporate actions
department has actual knowledge of a Corporate Action in time to notify its
customers.
When a rights entitlement or a fractional interest resulting from a
rights issue, stock dividend, stock split or similar Corporate Action is
received which bears an expiration date, the Bank will endeavor to obtain
Instructions from the Customer or its Authorized Person, but if Instructions
are not received in time for the Bank to take timely action, or actual notice
of such Corporate Action was received too late to seek Instructions, the Bank
is authorized to sell such rights entitlement or fractional interest and to
credit the Deposit Account with the proceeds or take any other action it
deems, in good faith, to be appropriate in which case it shall be held
harmless for any such action.
b. Proxy Voting. The Bank will deliver proxies to the Customer or its
designated agent pursuant to special arrangements which may have been agreed
to in writing. Such proxies shall be executed in the appropriate nominee name
relating to Securities in the Custody Account registered in the name of such
nominee but without indicating the manner in which such proxies are to be
voted; and where bearer Securities are involved, proxies will be delivered in
accordance with Instructions. Proxy voting services may be provided by the
Bank or, in whole or in part, by one or more third parties appointed by the
Bank (which may be affiliates of the Bank); provided that the Bank shall be
liable for the performance of any such third party to the same extent as the
Bank would have been if it performed such services itself.
c. Tax Reclaims. (i) Subject to the provisions hereof, the Bank will
apply for a reduction of withholding tax and any refund of any tax paid or tax
credits which apply in each applicable market in respect of income
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<PAGE>
payments on Securities for the benefit of the Customer which the Bank believes
may be available to such Customer.
(ii) The provision of tax reclaim services by the Bank is conditional
upon the Bank receiving from the beneficial owner of Securities (A) a
declaration of its identity and place of residence and (B) certain other
documentation (pro forma copies of which are available from the Bank). The
Customer acknowledges that, if the Bank does not receive such declarations,
documentation and information, additional United Kingdom taxation will be
deducted from all income received in respect of Securities issued outside the
United Kingdom and that U.S. non-resident alien tax or U.S. backup withholding
tax will be deducted from U.S. source income. The Customer shall provide to
the Bank such documentation and information as it may require in connection
with taxation, and warrants that, when given, this information shall be true
and correct in every respect, not misleading in any way, and contain all
material information. The Customer undertakes to notify the Bank immediately
if any such information requires updating or amendment.
(iii) The Bank shall not be liable to the Customer or any third party
for any tax, fines or penalties payable by the Bank or the Customer, and shall
be indemnified accordingly, whether these result from the inaccurate
completion of documents by the Customer or any third party, or as a result of
the provision to the Bank or any third party of inaccurate or misleading
information or the withholding of material information by the Customer or any
other third party, or as a result of any delay of any revenue authority or any
other matter beyond the control of the Bank.
(iv) The Customer confirms that the Bank is authorized to deduct from
any cash received or credited to the Cash Account any taxes or levies required
by any revenue or governmental authority for whatever reason in respect of the
Securities or Cash Accounts.
(v) The Bank shall perform tax reclaim services only with respect to
taxation levied by the revenue authorities of the countries notified to the
Customer from time to time and the Bank may, by notification in writing, at
its absolute discretion, supplement or amend the markets in which the tax
reclaim services are offered. Other than as expressly provided in this
sub-clause, the Bank shall have no responsibility with regard to the
Customer's tax position or status in any jurisdiction.
(vi) The Customer confirms that the Bank is authorised to disclose
any information requested by any revenue authority or any governmental body in
relation to the Customer or the Securities and/or Cash held for the Customer.
(vii) Tax reclaim services may be provided by the Bank or, in whole
or in part, by one or more third parties appointed by the Bank (which may be
affiliates of the Bank); provided that the Bank shall be liable for the
performance of any such third party to the same extent as the Bank would have
been if it performed such services itself.
9. NOMINEES.
Securities which are ordinarily held in registered form may be
registered in a nominee name of the Bank, Subcustodian or securities
depository, as the case may be. The Bank may without notice to the Customer
cause any such Securities to cease to be registered in the name of any such
nominee and to be registered in the name of the Customer. In the event that
any Securities registered in a nominee name are called for partial redemption
by the issuer, the Bank may allot the called portion to the respective
beneficial holders of such class of security in any manner the Bank deems to
be fair and equitable. The Customer agrees to hold the Bank, Subcustodians,
and their respective nominees harmless from any liability arising directly or
indirectly from their status as a mere record holder of Securities in the
Custody Account.
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<PAGE>
10. AUTHORIZED PERSONS.
As used in this Agreement, the term "Authorized Person" means
employees or agents including investment managers as have been designated by
written notice from the Customer or its designated agent to act on behalf of
the Customer under this Agreement. Such persons shall continue to be
Authorized Persons until such time as the Bank receives Instructions from the
Customer or its designated agent that any such employee or agent is no longer
an Authorized Person.
11. INSTRUCTIONS.
The term "Instructions" means instructions of any Authorized Person
received by the Bank, via telephone, telex, TWX, facsimile transmission, bank
wire or other teleprocess or electronic instruction or trade information
system acceptable to the Bank which the Bank believes in good faith to have
been given by Authorized Persons or which are transmitted with proper testing
or authentication pursuant to terms and conditions which the Bank may specify.
Unless otherwise expressly provided, all Instructions shall continue in full
force and effect until canceled or superseded.
Any Instructions delivered to the Bank by telephone shall promptly
thereafter be confirmed in writing by an Authorized Person (which confirmation
may bear the facsimile signature of such Person), but the Customer will hold
the Bank harmless for the failure of an Authorized Person to send such
confirmation in writing, the failure of such confirmation to conform to the
telephone instructions received or the Bank's failure to produce such
confirmation at any subsequent time. The Bank may electronically record any
Instructions given by telephone, and any other telephone discussions with
respect to the Custody Account. The Customer shall be responsible for
safeguarding any testkeys, identification codes or other security devices
which the Bank shall make available to the Customer or its Authorized Persons.
12. STANDARD OF CARE; LIABILITIES.
(a) The Bank shall be responsible for the performance of only such
duties as are set forth in this Agreement or expressly contained in
Instructions which are consistent with the provisions of this Agreement as
follows:
(i) The Bank will use reasonable care with respect to its obligations
under this Agreement and the safekeeping of Assets. The Bank shall be
liable to the Customer for any loss which shall occur as the result
of the failure of a Subcustodian to exercise reasonable care with
respect to the safekeeping of such Assets to the same extent that the
Bank would be liable to the Customer if the Bank were holding such
Assets in New York. In the event of any loss to the Customer by
reason of the failure of the Bank or its Subcustodian to utilize
reasonable care, the Bank shall be liable to the Customer only to the
extent of the Customer's direct damages, to be determined based on
the market value of the property which is the subject of the loss at
the date of discovery of such loss and without reference to any
special conditions or circumstances. The Bank will not be responsible
for the insolvency of any Subcustodian which is not a branch or
affiliate of Bank.
(ii) The Bank will not be responsible for any act, omission, default
or the solvency of any broker or agent which it or a Subcustodian
appoints unless such appointment was made negligently or in bad
faith.
6
<PAGE>
(iii) The Bank shall be indemnified by, and without liability to the
Customer for any action taken or omitted by the Bank whether pursuant
to Instructions or otherwise within the scope of this Agreement if
such act or omission was in good faith, without negligence. In
performing its obligations under this Agreement, the Bank may rely on
the genuineness of any document which it believes in good faith to
have been validly executed.
(iv) The Customer agrees to pay for and hold the Bank harmless from
any liability or loss resulting from the imposition or assessment of
any taxes or other governmental charges, and any related expenses
with respect to income from or Assets in the Accounts.
(v) The Bank shall be entitled to rely, and may act, upon the advice
of counsel (who may be counsel for the Customer) on all matters and
shall be without liability for any action reasonably taken or omitted
pursuant to such advice.
(vi) The Bank need not maintain any insurance for the benefit of the
Customer.
(vii) Without limiting the foregoing, the Bank shall not be liable
for any loss which results from: 1) the general risk of investing, or
2) investing or holding Assets in a particular country including, but
not limited to, losses resulting from nationalization, expropriation
or other governmental actions; regulation of the banking or
securities industry; currency restrictions, devaluations or
fluctuations; and market conditions which prevent the orderly
execution of securities transactions or affect the value of Assets.
(viii) Neither party shall be liable to the other for any loss due to
forces beyond their control including, but not limited to strikes or
work stoppages, acts of war or terrorism, insurrection, revolution,
nuclear fusion, fission or radiation, or acts of God.
(b) Consistent with and without limiting the first paragraph of this
Section 12, it is specifically acknowledged that the Bank shall have no duty
or responsibility to:
(i) question Instructions or make any suggestions to the
Customer or an Authorized Person regarding such Instructions;
(ii) supervise or make recommendations with respect to investments
or the retention of Securities;
(iii) advise the Customer or an Authorized Person regarding any
default in the payment of principal or income of any security other
than as provided in Section 5(c) of this Agreement;
(iv) evaluate or report to the Customer or an Authorized Person
regarding the financial condition of any broker, agent or other party
to which Securities are delivered or payments are made pursuant to
this Agreement;
(v) review or reconcile trade confirmations received from brokers.
The Customer or its Authorized Persons (as defined in Section 10)
issuing Instructions shall bear any responsibility to review such
confirmations against Instructions issued to and statements issued by
the Bank.
(c) The Customer authorizes the Bank to act under this Agreement
notwithstanding that the Bank or any of its divisions or affiliates may have a
material interest in a transaction, or circumstances are such that the Bank
may
7
<PAGE>
have a potential conflict of duty or interest including the fact that the
Bank or any of its affiliates may provide brokerage services to other
customers, act as financial advisor to the issuer of Securities, act as a
lender to the issuer of Securities, act in the same transaction as agent for
more than one customer, have a material interest in the issue of Securities,
or earn profits from any of the activities listed herein.
13. FEES AND EXPENSES.
The Customer agrees to pay the Bank for its services under this
Agreement such amount as may be agreed upon in writing, together with the
Bank's reasonable out-of-pocket or incidental expenses, including, but not
limited to, legal fees. The Bank shall have a lien on and is authorized to
charge any Accounts of the Customer for any amount owing to the Bank under any
provision of this Agreement.
14. MISCELLANEOUS.
(a) Foreign Exchange Transactions. To facilitate the administration
of the Customer's trading and investment activity, the Bank is authorized to
enter into spot or forward foreign exchange contracts with the Customer or an
Authorized Person for the Customer and may also provide foreign exchange
through its subsidiaries, affiliates or Subcustodians. Instructions, including
standing instructions, may be issued with respect to such contracts but the
Bank may establish rules or limitations concerning any foreign exchange
facility made available. In all cases where the Bank, its subsidiaries,
affiliates or Subcustodians enter into a foreign exchange contract related to
Accounts, the terms and conditions of the then current foreign exchange
contract of the Bank, its subsidiary, affiliate or Subcustodian and, to the
extent not inconsistent, this Agreement shall apply to such transaction.
(b) Certification of Residency, etc. The Customer certifies that it
is a resident of the United States and agrees to notify the Bank of any
changes in residency. The Bank may rely upon this certification or the
certification of such other facts as may be required to administer the Bank's
obligations under this Agreement. The Customer will indemnify the Bank against
all losses, liability, claims or demands arising directly or indirectly from
any such certifications.
(c) Access to Records. The Bank shall allow the Customer's
independent public accountant reasonable access to the records of the Bank
relating to the Assets as is required in connection with their examination of
books and records pertaining to the Customer's affairs. Subject to
restrictions under applicable law, the Bank shall also obtain an undertaking
to permit the Customer's independent public accountants reasonable access to
the records of any Subcustodian which has physical possession of any Assets as
may be required in connection with the examination of the Customer's books and
records.
(d) Governing Law; Successors and Assigns. This Agreement shall be
governed by the laws of the State of New York and shall not be assignable by
either party, but shall bind the successors in interest of the Customer and
the Bank.
(e) Entire Agreement; Applicable Riders. Customer represents
that the Assets deposited in the Accounts are (Check one):
Employee Benefit Plan or other assets subject to the Employee Retirement
Income Security Act of 1974, as amended ("ERISA");
8
<PAGE>
[X] Mutual Fund assets subject to certain Securities and Exchange
Commission ("SEC") rules and regulations;
[ ] Neither of the above.
This Agreement consists exclusively of this document together with
Schedule A, and the following Rider:
[ ] ERISA
[X] MUTUAL FUND
[ ] SPECIAL TERMS AND CONDITIONS
There are no other provisions of this Agreement and this Agreement
supersedes any other agreements, whether written or oral, between the parties.
Any amendment to this Agreement must be in writing, executed by both parties.
(f) Severability. In the event that one or more provisions of this
Agreement are held invalid, illegal or enforceable in any respect on the basis
of any particular circumstances or in any jurisdiction, the validity, legality
and enforceability of such provision or provisions under other circumstances
or in other jurisdictions and of the remaining provisions will not in any way
be affected or impaired.
(g) Waiver. Except as otherwise provided in this Agreement, no
failure or delay on the part of either party in exercising any power or right
under this Agreement operates as a waiver, nor does any single or partial
exercise of any power or right preclude any other or further exercise, or the
exercise of any other power or right. No waiver by a party of any provision of
this Agreement, or waiver of any breach or default, is effective unless in
writing and signed by the party against whom the waiver is to be enforced.
(h) Notices. All notices under this Agreement shall be effective when
actually received. Any notices or other communications which may be required
under this Agreement are to be sent to the parties at the following addresses
or such other addresses as may subsequently be given to the other party in
writing:
Bank: The Chase Manhattan Bank, N.A.
4 Chase MetroTech Center
Brooklyn, NY 11245
Attention: Global Custody Division
or telex:
---------------------------------
Customer: Dean Witter Services
------------------------------------------
2World Trade Center, 72nd Floor
------------------------------------------
New York, NY 10048
------------------------------------------
9
<PAGE>
or telex:
---------------------------------
(i) Termination. This Agreement may be terminated by the Customer or
the Bank by giving sixty (60) days written notice to the other, provided that
such notice to the Bank shall specify the names of the persons to whom the
Bank shall deliver the Assets in the Accounts. If notice of termination is
given by the Bank, the Customer shall, within sixty (60) days following
receipt of the notice, deliver to the Bank Instructions specifying the names
of the persons to whom the Bank shall deliver the Assets. In either case the
Bank will deliver the Assets to the persons so specified, after deducting any
amounts which the Bank determines in good faith to be owed to it under Section
13. If within sixty (60) days following receipt of a notice of termination by
the Bank, the Bank does not receive Instructions from the Customer specifying
the names of the persons to whom the Bank shall deliver the Assets, the Bank,
at its election, may deliver the Assets to a bank or trust company doing
business in the State of New York to be held and disposed of pursuant to the
provisions of this Agreement, or to Authorized Persons, or may continue to
hold the Assets until Instructions are provided to the Bank.
CUSTOMER: TCW/DW Global TeleCom Trust
By:
---------------------------------------------
Title
THE CHASE MANHATTAN BANK, N.A.
By:
---------------------------------------------
Title
20576
10
<PAGE>
Mutual Fund Rider to Global Custody Agreement
Between The Chase Manhattan Bank, N.A. and
TCW/DW Global TeleCom Trust
, effective
Customer represents that the Assets being placed in the Bank's
custody are subject to the Investment Company Act of 1940 (the Act), as the
same may be amended from time to time.
Except to the extent that the Bank has specifically agreed to comply
with a condition of a rule, regulation, interpretation promulgated by or under
the authority of the SEC or the Exemptive Order applicable to accounts of this
nature issued to the Bank (Investment Company Act of 1940, Release No. 12053,
November 20, 1981), as amended, or unless the Bank has otherwise specifically
agreed, the Customer shall be solely responsible to assure that the
maintenance of Assets under this Agreement complies with such rules,
regulations, interpretations or exemptive order promulgated by or under the
authority of the Securities Exchange Commission.
The following modifications are made to the Agreement:
Section 3. Subcustodians and Securities Depositories.
Add the following language to the end of Section 3:
The terms Subcustodian and securities depositories as used in this
Agreement shall mean a branch of a qualified U.S. bank, an eligible
foreign custodian or an eligible foreign securities depository, which
are further defined as follows:
(a) "qualified U.S. Bank" shall mean a qualified U.S. bank as defined
in Rule 17f-5 under the Investment Company Act of 1940;
(b) "eligible foreign custodian" shall mean (i) a banking institution
or trust company incorporated or organized under the laws of a
country other than the United States that is regulated as such by
that country's government or an agency thereof and that has
shareholders' equity in excess of $200 million in U.S. currency (or a
foreign currency equivalent thereof), (ii) a majority owned direct or
indirect subsidiary of a
<PAGE>
qualified U.S. bank or bank holding company that is incorporated or
organized under the laws of a country other than the United States
and that has shareholders' equity in excess of $100 million in U.S.
currency (or a foreign currency equivalent thereof) (iii) a banking
institution or trust company incorporated or organized under the laws
of a country other than the United States or a majority owned direct
or indirect subsidiary of a qualified U.S. bank or bank holding
company that is incorporated or organized under the laws of a country
other than the United States which has such other qualifications as
shall be specified in Instructions and approved by the Bank; or (iv)
any other entity that shall have been so qualified by exemptive
order, rule or other appropriate action of the SEC; and
(c) "eligible foreign securities depository" shall mean a securities
depository or clearing agency, incorporated or organized under the
laws of a country other than the United States, which operates (i)
the central system for handling securities or equivalent book-entries
in that country, or (ii) a transnational system for the central
handling of securities or equivalent book-entries.
The Customer represents that its Board of Directors has approved each
of the Subcustodians listed in Schedule A to this Agreement and the terms of
the subcustody agreements between the Bank and each Subcustodian, which are
attached as chedule A, and further represents that its Board has determined
that the use of each Subcustodian and the terms of each subcustody agreement
are consistent with the best interests of the Fund(s) and its (their)
shareholders. The Bank will supply the Customer with any amendment to Schedule
A for approval. The Customer has supplied or will supply the Bank with
certified copies of its Board of Directors resolution(s) with respect to the
foregoing prior to placing Assets with any Subcustodian so approved.
Section 11. Instructions.
Add the following language to the end of Section 11:
Deposit Account Payments and Custody Account Transactions made
pursuant to Section 5 and 6 of this Agreement may be made only for
the purposes listed below. Instructions must specify the purpose for
which any transaction is to be made and Customer shall be solely
responsible to assure that Instructions are in accord with any
limitations or restrictions applicable to the Customer by law or as
may be set forth in its prospectus.
(a) In connection with the purchase or sale of Securities at prices
as confirmed by Instructions;
2
<PAGE>
(b) When Securities are called, redeemed or retired, or otherwise
become payable;
(c) In exchange for or upon conversion into other securities alone or
other securities and cash pursuant to any plan or merger,
consolidation, reorganization, recapitalization or readjustment;
(d) Upon conversion of Securities pursuant to their terms into other
securities;
(e) Upon exercise of subscription, purchase or other similar rights
represented by Securities;
(f) For the payment of interest, taxes, management or supervisory
fees, distributions or operating expenses;
(g) In connection with any borrowings by the Customer requiring a
pledge of Securities, but only against receipt of amounts borrowed;
(h) In connection with any loans, but only against receipt of
adequate collateral as specified in Instructions which shall reflect
any restrictions applicable to the Customer;
(i) For the purpose of redeeming shares of the capital stock of the
Customer and the delivery to, or the crediting to the account of, the
Bank, its Subcustodian or the Customer's transfer agent, such shares
to be purchased or redeemed;
(j) For the purpose of redeeming in kind shares of the Customer
against delivery to the Bank, its Subcustodian or the Customer's
transfer agent of such shares to be so redeemed;
(k) For delivery in accordance with the provisions of any agreement
among the Customer, the Bank and a broker-dealer registered under the
Securities Exchange Act of 1934 (the "Exchange Act") and a member of
The National Association of Securities Dealers, Inc. ("NASD"),
relating to compliance with the rules of The Options Clearing
Corporation and of any registered national securities exchange, or of
any similar organization or organizations, regarding escrow or other
arrangements in connection with transactions by the Customer;
(l) For release of Securities to designated brokers under covered
call options, provided, however, that such Securities shall be
released only upon payment to the Bank of monies for the premium due
and a receipt for the Securities which are to be held in escrow. Upon
exercise of the option, or at expiration, the Bank will
3
<PAGE>
receive from brokers the Securities previously deposited. The Bank
will act strictly in accordance with Instructions in the delivery of
Securities to be held in escrow and will have no responsibility or
liability for any such Securities which are not returned promptly
when due other than to make proper request for such return;
(m) For spot or forward foreign exchange transactions to facilitate
security trading, receipt of income from Securities or related
transactions;
(n) For other proper purposes as may be specified in Instructions
issued by an officer of the Customer which shall include a statement
of the purpose for which the delivery or payment is to be made, the
amount of the payment or specific Securities to be delivered, the
name of the person or persons to whom delivery or payment is to be
made, and a certification that the purpose is a proper purpose under
the instruments governing the Customer; and
(o) Upon the termination of this Agreement as set forth in Section
14(i).
Section 12. Standard of Care; Liabilities.
Add the following subsection (c) to Section 12:
(c) The Bank hereby warrants to the Customer that in its opinion,
after due inquiry, the established procedures to be followed by each of its
branches, each branch of a qualified U.S. bank, each eligible foreign
custodian and each eligible foreign securities depository holding the
Customer's Securities pursuant to this Agreement afford protection for such
Securities at least equal to that afforded by the Bank's established
procedures with respect to similar securities held by the Bank and its
securities depositories in New York.
Section 14. Access to Records.
Add the following language to the end of Section 14(c):
Upon reasonable request from the Customer, the Bank shall furnish the
Customer such reports (or portions thereof) of the Bank's system of
internal accounting controls applicable to the Bank's duties under
this Agreement. The Bank shall endeavor to obtain and furnish the
Customer with such similar reports as it may
4
<PAGE>
reasonably request with respect to each Subcustodian and securities
depository holding the Customer's assets.
5
AMENDED AND RESTATED
TRANSFER AGENCY AND SERVICE AGREEMENT
with
DEAN WITTER TRUST COMPANY
TCW/DW
[open-end]
<PAGE>
TABLE OF CONTENTS
Page
----
Article 1 Terms of Appointment; Duties of DWTC................... 2
Article 2 Fees and Expenses...................................... 6
Article 3 Representations and Warranties of DWTC................. 7
Article 4 Representations and Warranties of the
Fund................................................... 8
Article 5 Duty of Care and Indemnification....................... 9
Article 6 Documents and Covenants of the Fund and
DWTC................................................... 12
Article 7 Duration and Termination of Agreement.................. 16
Article 8 Assignment............................................. 16
Article 9 Affiliations........................................... 17
Article 10 Amendment.............................................. 18
Article 11 Applicable Law......................................... 18
Article 12 Miscellaneous.......................................... 18
Article 13 Merger of Agreement.................................... 20
Article 14 Personal Liability..................................... 21
-i-
<PAGE>
AMENDED AND RESTATED TRANSFER AGENCY AND SERVICE AGREEMENT
AMENDED AND RESTATED AGREEMENT made as of the 1st day of
August, 1993 by and between each of the TCW/DW Funds listed on the signature
pages hereof, each of such Funds acting severally on its own behalf and not
jointly with any of such other Funds (each such Fund hereinafter referred to
as the "Fund"), each such Fund having its principal office and place of
business at Two World Trade Center, New York, New York, 10048, and DEAN WITTER
TRUST COMPANY, a trust company organized under the laws of New Jersey, having
its principal office and place of business at Harborside Financial Center,
Plaza Two, Jersey City, New Jersey 07311 ("DWTC").
WHEREAS, the Fund desires to appoint DWTC as its transfer
agent, dividend disbursing agent and shareholder servicing agent and DWTC
desires to accept such appointment;
NOW THEREFORE, in consideration of the mutual covenants
herein contained, the parties hereto agree as follows:
-1-
<PAGE>
Article 1 Terms of Appointment; Duties of DWTC
1.1 Subject to the terms and conditions set forth in this
Agreement, the Fund hereby employs and appoints DWTC to act as, and DWTC
agrees to act as, the transfer agent for each series and class of shares of
the Fund, whether now or hereafter authorized or issued ("Shares"), dividend
disbursing agent and shareholder servicing agent in connection with any
accumulation, open-account or similar plans provided to the holders of such
Shares ("Shareholders") and set out in the currently effective prospectus and
statement of additional information ("prospectus") of the Fund, including
without limitation any periodic investment plan or periodic withdrawal
program.
1.2 DWTC agrees that it will perform the following services:
(a) In accordance with procedures established from time to
time by agreement between the Fund and DWTC, DWTC shall:
(i) Receive for acceptance, orders for the purchase of
Shares, and promptly deliver payment and appropriate documentation therefor
to the custodian of the assets of the Fund (the "Custodian");
-2-
<PAGE>
(ii) Pursuant to purchase orders, issue the appropriate
number of Shares and issue certificates therefor or hold such Shares in book
form in the appropriate Shareholder account;
(iii) Receive for acceptance redemption requests and
redemption directions and deliver the appropriate documentation therefor to
the Custodian;
(iv) At the appropriate time as and when it receives monies
paid to it by the Custodian with respect to any redemption, pay over or cause
to be paid over in the appropriate manner such monies as instructed by the
redeeming Shareholders;
(v) Effect transfers of Shares by the registered owners
thereof upon receipt of appropriate instructions;
(vi) Prepare and transmit payments for divi- dends and
distributions declared by the Fund;
(vii) Calculate any sales charges payable by a Shareholder
on purchases and/or redemptions of Shares of the Fund as such charges may be
reflected in the prospectus;
(viii) Maintain records of account for and advise the Fund
and its Shareholders as to the foregoing; and
-3-
<PAGE>
(ix) Record the issuance of Shares of the Fund and maintain
pursuant to Rule 17Ad-10(e) under the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 ("1934
Act") a record of the total number of Shares of the Fund which are authorized,
based upon data provided to it by the Fund, and issued and outstanding. DWTC
shall also provide to the Fund on a regular basis the total number of Shares
which are authorized, issued and outstanding and shall notify the Fund in case
any proposed issue of Shares by the Fund would result in an overissue. In case
any issue of Shares would result in an overissue, DWTC shall refuse to issue
such Shares and shall not countersign and issue any certificates requested for
such Shares. When recording the issuance of Shares, DWTC shall have no
obligation to take cognizance of any Blue Sky laws relating to the issue of
sale of such Shares, which functions shall be the sole responsibility of the
Fund.
(b) In addition to and not in lieu of the services set forth
in the above paragraph (a), DWTC shall: (i) perform all of the customary
services of a transfer agent, dividend disbursing agent and, as relevant,
shareholder servicing agent in connection with dividend reinvestment,
accumulation, open-account or similar plans (including without limitation any
periodic investment plan or periodic withdrawal program), including but not
limited to, maintaining all Shareholder accounts, preparing Shareholder
meeting lists,
-4-
<PAGE>
mailing proxies, receiving and tabulating proxies, mailing shareholder reports
and prospectuses to current Shareholders, withholding taxes on U.S. resident
and non-resident alien accounts, preparing and filing appropriate forms
required with respect to dividends and distributions by federal tax
authorities for all Shareholders, preparing and mailing confirmation forms and
statements of account to Shareholders for all purchases and redemptions of
Shares and other confirmable transactions in Shareholder accounts, preparing
and mailing activity statements for Shareholders and providing Shareholder
account information; (ii) open any and all bank accounts which may be
necessary or appropriate in order to provide the foregoing services; and (iii)
provide a system which will enable the Fund to monitor the total number of
Shares sold in each State or other jurisdiction.
(c) In addition, the Fund shall (i) identify to DWTC in
writing those transactions and assets to be treated as exempt from Blue Sky
reporting for each State and (ii) verify the establishment of transactions for
each State on the system prior to activation and thereafter monitor the daily
activity for each State. The responsibility of DWTC for the Fund's
registration status under the Blue Sky or securities laws of any State or
other jurisdiction is solely limited to the initial establishment of
transactions subject to Blue Sky compliance by the Fund and the reporting of
such transactions
-5-
<PAGE>
to the Fund as provided above and as agreed from time to time by the Fund and
DWTC.
(d) DWTC shall provide such additional services and
functions not specifically described herein as may be mutually agreed between
DWTC and the Fund. Procedures applicable to such services may be established
from time to time by agreement between the Fund and DWTC.
Article 2 Fees and Expenses
2.1 For performance by DWTC pursuant to this Agreement, each
Fund agrees to pay DWTC an annual maintenance fee for each Shareholder account
and certain transactional fees, if applicable, as set out in the respective
fee schedule attached hereto as Schedule A. Such fees and out-of-pocket
expenses and advances identified under Section 2.2 below may be changed from
time to time subject to mutual written agreement between the Fund and DWTC.
2.2 In addition to the fees paid under Section 2.1 above,
the Fund agrees to reimburse DWTC in connection with the services rendered by
DWTC hereunder. In addition, any other expenses incurred by DWTC at the
request or with the consent of the Fund will be reimbursed by the Fund.
2.3 The Fund agrees to pay all fees and reimbursable
expenses within a reasonable period of time
-6-
<PAGE>
following the mailing of the respective billing notice. Postage for mailing of
dividends, proxies, Fund reports and other mailings to all Shareholder
accounts shall be advanced to DWTC by the Fund upon request prior to the
mailing date of such materials.
Article 3 Representations and Warranties of DWTC
DWTC represents and warrants to the Fund that:
3.1 It is a trust company duly organized and existing and in
good standing under the laws of New Jersey and it is duly qualified to carry
on its business in New Jersey.
3.2 It is and will remain registered with the U.S.
Securities and Exchange Commission ("SEC") as a Transfer Agent pursuant to the
requirements of Section 17A of the 1934 Act.
3.3 It is empowered under applicable laws and by its charter
and By-Laws to enter into and perform this Agreement.
3.4 All requisite corporate proceedings have been taken to
authorize it to enter into and perform this Agreement.
3.5 It has and will continue to have access to the necessary
facilities, equipment and personnel to perform its duties and obligations
under this Agreement.
-7-
<PAGE>
Article 4 Representations and Warranties of the Fund
The Fund represents and warrants to DWTC that:
4.1 It is a corporation duly organized and existing and in
good standing under the laws of Delaware or Maryland or a trust duly organized
and existing and in good standing under the laws of Massachusetts, as the case
may be.
4.2 It is empowered under applicable laws and by its
Articles of Incorporation or Declaration of Trust, as the case may be, and
under its By-Laws to enter into and perform this Agreement.
4.3 All corporate proceedings necessary to authorize it to
enter into and perform this Agreement have been taken.
4.4 It is an investment company registered with the SEC
under the Investment Company Act of 1940, as amended (the "1940 Act").
4.5 A registration statement under the Securities Act of
1933 (the "1933 Act") is currently effective and will remain effective, and
appropriate state securities law filings have been made and will continue to
be made, with respect to all Shares of the Fund being offered for sale.
-8-
<PAGE>
Article 5 Duty of Care and Indemnification
5.1 DWTC shall not be responsible for, and the Fund shall
indemnify and hold DWTC harmless from and against, any and all losses,
damages, costs, charges, counsel fees, payments, expenses and liability
arising out of or attributable to:
(a) All actions of DWTC or its agents or subcontractors
required to be taken pursuant to this Agreement, provided that such actions
are taken in good faith and without negligence or willful misconduct.
(b) The Fund's refusal or failure to comply with the terms
of this Agreement, or which arise out of the Fund's lack of good faith,
negligence or willful misconduct or which arise out of breach of any
representation or warranty of the Fund hereunder.
(c) The reliance on or use by DWTC or its agents or
subcontractors of information, records and documents which (i) are received by
DWTC or its agents or subcontractors and furnished to it by or on behalf of
the Fund, and (ii) have been prepared and/or maintained by the Fund or any
other person or firm on behalf of the Fund.
(d) The reliance on, or the carrying out by DWTC or
its agents or subcontractors of, any instructions or requests
of the Fund.
-9-
<PAGE>
(e) The offer or sale of Shares in violation of any
requirement under the federal securities laws or regulations or the securities
or Blue Sky laws of any State or other jurisdiction that such Shares be
registered in such State or other jurisdiction or in violation of any stop
order or other determination or ruling by any federal agency or any State or
other jurisdiction with respect to the offer or sale of such Shares in such
State or other jurisdiction.
5.2 DWTC shall indemnify and hold the Fund harmless from or
against any and all losses, damages, costs, charges, counsel fees, payments,
expenses and liability arising out of or attributable to any action or failure
or omission to act by DWTC as a result of the lack of good faith, negligence
or willful misconduct of DWTC, its officers, employees or agents.
5.3 At any time, DWTC may apply to any officer of the Fund
for instructions, and may consult with legal counsel to the Fund, with respect
to any matter arising in connection with the services to be performed by DWTC
under this Agreement, and DWTC and its agents or subcontractors shall not be
liable and shall be indemnified by the Fund for any action taken or omitted by
it in reliance upon such instructions or upon the opinion of such counsel.
DWTC, its agents and subcontractors shall be protected and indemnified
-10-
<PAGE>
in acting upon any paper or document furnished by or on behalf of the Fund,
reasonably believed to be genuine and to have been signed by the proper person
or persons, or upon any instruction, information, data, records or documents
provided to DWTC or its agents or subcontractors by machine readable input,
telex, CRT data entry or other similar means authorized by the Fund, and shall
not be held to have notice of any change of authority of any person, until
receipt of written notice thereof from the Fund. DWTC, its agents and
subcontractors shall also be protected and indemnified in recognizing stock
certificates which are reasonably believed to bear the proper manual or
facsimile signature of the officers of the Fund, and the proper
countersignature of any former transfer agent or registrar, or of a
co-transfer agent or co-registrar.
5.4 In the event either party is unable to perform its
obligations under the terms of this Agreement because of acts of God, strikes,
equipment or transmission failure or damage reasonably beyond its control, or
other causes reasonably beyond its control, such party shall not be liable for
damages to the other for any damages resulting from such failure to perform or
otherwise from such causes.
-11-
<PAGE>
5.5 Neither party to this Agreement shall be liable to the
other party for consequential damages under any provision of this Agreement or
for any act or failure to act hereunder.
5.6 In order that the indemnification provisions contained
in this Article 5 shall apply, upon the assertion of a claim for which either
party may be required to indemnify the other, the party seeking
indemnification shall promptly notify the other party of such assertion, and
shall keep the other party advised with respect to all developments concerning
such claim. The party who may be required to indemnify shall have the option
to participate with the party seeking indemnification in the defense of such
claim. The party seeking indemnification shall in no case confess any claim or
make any compromise in any case in which the other party may be required to
indemnify it except with the other party's prior written consent.
Article 6 Documents and Covenants of the Fund and DWTC
6.1 The Fund shall promptly furnish to DWTC the following:
(a) If a corporation:
(i) A certified copy of the resolution of the Board of
Directors of the Fund authorizing the appointment of DWTC and the execution
and delivery of this Agreement;
-12-
<PAGE>
(ii) A certified copy of the Articles of Incorporation and
By-Laws of the Fund and all amendments thereto;
(iii) Certified copies of each vote of the Board of
Directors designating persons authorized to give instructions on behalf of the
Fund and signature cards bearing the signature of any officer of the Fund or
any other person authorized to sign written instructions on behalf of the
Fund;
(iv) A specimen of the certificate for Shares of the Fund in
the form approved by the Board of Directors, with a certificate of the
Secretary of the Fund as to such approval;
(b) If a business trust:
(i) A certified copy of the resolution of the Board of
Trustees of the Fund authorizing the appointment of DWTC and the execution and
delivery of this Agreement;
(ii) A certified copy of the Declaration of Trust and
By-laws of the Fund and all amendments thereto;
(iii) Certified copies of each vote of the Board of Trustees
designating persons authorized to give instructions on behalf of the Fund and
signature cards bearing the signature of any officer of the Fund or any other
person authorized to sign written instructions on behalf of the Fund;
-13-
<PAGE>
(iv) A specimen of the certificate for Shares of the Fund in
the form approved by the Board of Trustees, with a certificate of the
Secretary of the Fund as to such approval;
(c) The current registration statements and any amendments
and supplements thereto filed with the SEC pursuant to the requirements of the
1933 Act or the 1940 Act;
(d) All account application forms or other documents
relating to Shareholder accounts and/or relating to any plan, program or
service offered or to be offered by the Fund; and
(e) Such other certificates, documents or opinions as DWTC
deems to be appropriate or necessary for the proper performance of its duties.
6.2 DWTC hereby agrees to establish and maintain facilities
and procedures reasonably acceptable to the Fund for safekeeping of Share
certificates, check forms and facsimile signature imprinting devices, if any;
and for the preparation or use, and for keeping account of, such certificates,
forms and devices.
6.3 DWTC shall prepare and keep records relating to the
services to be performed hereunder, in the form and manner as it may deem
advisable and as required by applicable laws and regulations. To the extent
required by
-14-
<PAGE>
Section 31 of the 1940 Act, and the rules and regulations thereunder, DWTC
agrees that all such records prepared or maintained by DWTC relating to the
services performed by DWTC hereunder are the property of the Fund and will be
preserved, maintained and made available in accordance with such Section 31 of
the 1940 Act, and the rules and regulations thereunder, and will be
surrendered promptly to the Fund on and in accordance with its request.
6.4 DWTC and the Fund agree that all books, records,
information and data pertaining to the business of the other party which are
exchanged or received pursuant to the negotiation or the carrying out of this
Agreement shall remain confidential and shall not be voluntarily disclosed to
any other person except as may be required by law or with the prior consent of
DWTC and the Fund.
6.5 In case of any request or demands for the inspection of
the Shareholder records of the Fund, DWTC will endeavor to notify the Fund and
to secure instructions from an authorized officer of the Fund as to such
inspection. DWTC reserves the right, however, to exhibit the Shareholder
records to any person whenever it is advised by its counsel that it may be
held liable for the failure to exhibit the Shareholder records to such person.
-15-
<PAGE>
Article 7 Duration and Termination of Agreement
7.1 This Agreement shall remain in full force and effect
until July 31, 1996 and from year-to-year thereafter unless terminated by
either party as provided in Section 7.2 hereof.
7.2 This Agreement may be terminated by the Fund on 60 days
written notice, and by DWTC on 90 days written notice, to the other party
without payment of any penalty.
7.3 Should the Fund exercise its right to terminate, all
out-of-pocket expenses associated with the movement of records and other
materials will be borne by the Fund. Additionally, DWTC reserves the right to
charge for any other reasonable fees and expenses associated with such
termination.
Article 8 Assignment
8.1 Except as provided in Section 8.3 below, neither this
Agreement nor any rights or obligations hereunder may be assigned by either
party without the written consent of the other party.
8.2 This Agreement shall inure to the benefit of and be
binding upon the parties and their respective permitted successors and
assigns.
-16-
<PAGE>
8.3 DWTC may, in its sole discretion and without further
consent by the Fund, subcontract, in whole or in part, for the performance of
its obligations and duties hereunder with any person or entity including but
not limited to companies which are affiliated with DWTC; provided, however,
that such person or entity has and maintains the qualifications, if any,
required to perform such obligations and duties, and that DWTC shall be as
fully responsible to the Fund for the acts and omissions of any agent or
subcontractor as it is for its own acts or omissions under this Agreement.
Article 9 Affiliations
9.1 DWTC may now or hereafter, without the consent of or
notice to the Fund, function as transfer agent and/or shareholder servicing
agent for any other investment company registered with the SEC under the 1940
Act and for any other issuer, including without limitation any investment
company whose adviser, administrator, sponsor or principal underwriter is or
may become affiliated with Dean Witter, Discover & Co. or any of its direct or
indirect subsidiaries or affiliates.
9.2 It is understood and agreed that the Directors or
Trustees (as the case may be), officers, employees, agents and shareholders of
the Fund, and the directors, officers, employees, agents and shareholders of
the
-17-
<PAGE>
Fund's investment adviser and/or distributor, are or may be interested in DWTC
as directors, officers, employees, agents and shareholders or otherwise, and
that the directors, officers, employees, agents and shareholders of DWTC may
be interested in the Fund as Directors or Trustees (as the case may be),
officers, employees, agents and shareholders or otherwise, or in the
investment adviser and/or distributor as directors, officers, employees,
agents, shareholders or otherwise.
Article 10 Amendment
10.1 This Agreement may be amended or modified by a written
agreement executed by both parties and authorized or approved by a resolution
of the Board of Directors or the Board of Trustees (as the case may be) of the
Fund.
Article 11 Applicable Law
11.1 This Agreement shall be construed and the provisions
thereof interpreted under and in accordance with the laws of the State of New
York.
Article 12 Miscellaneous
12.1 In the event that one or more additional investment
companies managed or administered by Dean Witter InterCapital Inc. or any of
its affiliates ("Additional TCW/DW Funds") desires to retain DWTC to act as
transfer agent, dividend disbursing agent and/or shareholder servicing agent,
-18-
<PAGE>
and DWTC desires to render such services, such services shall be provided
pursuant to a letter agreement, substantially in the form of Exhibit A hereto,
between DWTC and each Additional TCW/DW Fund.
12.2 In the event of an alleged loss or destruction of any
Share certificate, no new certificate shall be issued in lieu thereof, unless
there shall first be furnished to DWTC an affidavit of loss or non-receipt by
the holder of Shares with respect to which a certificate has been lost or
destroyed, supported by an appropriate bond satisfactory to DWTC and the Fund
issued by a surety company satisfactory to DWTC, except that DWTC may accept
an affidavit of loss and indemnity agreement executed by the registered holder
(or legal representative) without surety in such form as DWTC deems
appropriate indemnifying DWTC and the Fund for the issuance of a replacement
certificate, in cases where the alleged loss is in the amount of $1000 or
less.
12.3 In the event that any check or other order for payment
of money on the account of any Shareholder or new investor is returned unpaid
for any reason, DWTC will (a) give prompt notification to the Fund's
distributor ("Distributor") (or to the Fund if the Fund acts as its own
distributor) of such non-payment; and (b) take such other action, including
imposition of a reasonable processing or handling fee, as DWTC
-19-
<PAGE>
may, in its sole discretion, deem appropriate or as the Fund and, if
applicable, the Distributor may instruct DWTC.
12.4 Any notice or other instrument authorized or required
by this Agreement to be given in writing to the Fund or to DWTC shall be
sufficiently given if addressed to that party and received by it at its office
set forth below or at such other place as it may from time to time designate
in writing.
To the Fund:
[Name of Fund]
Two World Trade Center
New York, New York 10048
Attention: General Counsel
To DWTC:
Dean Witter Trust Company
Harborside Financial Center
Plaza Two
Jersey City, New Jersey 07311
Attention: President
Article 13 Merger of Agreement
13.1 This Agreement constitutes the entire agreement between
the parties hereto and supersedes any prior agreement with respect to the
subject matter hereof whether oral or written.
-20-
<PAGE>
Article 14 Personal Liability
14.1 In the case of a Fund organized as a Massachusetts
business trust, a copy of the Declaration of Trust of the Fund is on file with
the Secretary of The Commonwealth of Massachusetts, and notice is hereby given
that this instrument is executed on behalf of the Board of Trustees of the
Fund as Trustees and not individually and that the obligations of this
instrument are not binding upon any of the Trustees or shareholders
individually but are binding only upon the assets and property of the Fund;
provided, however, that the Declaration of Trust of the Fund provides that the
assets of a particular Series of the Fund shall under no circumstances be
charged with liabilities attributable to any other Series of the Fund and that
all persons extending credit to, or contracting with or having any claim
against, a particular Series of the Fund shall look only to the assets of that
particular Series for payment of such credit, contract or claim.
-21-
<PAGE>
IN WITNESS WHEREOF, the parties hereto have caused this
Amended and Restated Agreement to be executed in their names and on their
behalf by and through their duly authorized officers, as of the day and year
first above written.
(1) TCW/DW CORE EQUITY TRUST
(2) TCW/DW NORTH AMERICAN GOVERNMENT INCOME TRUST
(3) TCW/DW LATIN AMERICAN GROWTH FUND
(4) TCW/DW INCOME AND GROWTH FUND
(5) TCW/DW SMALL CAP GROWTH FUND
(6) TCW/DW BALANCED FUND
By:/s/ Sheldon Curtis
------------------------------------
Sheldon Curtis
Vice President and General Counsel
ATTEST:
/s/ Barry Fink
- --------------------------------
Barry Fink
Assistant Secretary
DEAN WITTER TRUST COMPANY
By:/s/ Charles A. Fiumefreddo
------------------------------------
Charles A. Fiumefreddo
Chairman
ATTEST:
/s/ David A. Hughey
- --------------------------------
David A. Hughey
Executive Vice President
-22-
<PAGE>
Exhibit A
Dean Witter Trust Company
Harborside Financial Center
Plaza Two
Jersey City, NJ 07311
Gentlemen:
The undersigned, TCW/DW Global Telecom Trust, a
Massachusetts business trust (the "Fund"), desires to employ and appoint Dean
Witter Trust Company ("DWTC") to act as transfer agent for each series and
class of shares of the Fund, whether now or hereafter authorized or issued
("Shares"), dividend disbursing agent and shareholder servicing agent,
registrar and agent in connection with any accumulation, open-account or
similar plan provided to the holders of Shares, including without limitation
any periodic investment plan or periodic withdrawal plan.
The Fund hereby agrees that, in consideration for the
payment by the Fund to DWTC of fees as set out in the fee schedule attached
hereto as Schedule A, DWTC shall provide such services to the Fund pursuant to
the terms and conditions set forth in the Transfer Agency and Service
Agreement annexed hereto, as if the Fund was a signatory thereto.
-23-
<PAGE>
Please indicate DWTC's acceptance of employment and
appointment by the Fund in the capacities set forth above by so indicating in
the space provided below.
Very truly yours,
TCW/DW GLOBAL TELECOM TRUST
By:
-------------------------------------------
Sheldon Curtis
Vice President and General Counsel
ACCEPTED AND AGREED TO:
DEAN WITTER TRUST COMPANY
By:
------------------------------------
Its:
-----------------------------------
Date:
----------------------------------
-24-
<PAGE>
SCHEDULE A
Fund: TCW/DW Global Telecom Trust
Fees: (1) Annual maintenance fee of $11.00 per
shareholder account, payable monthly.
(2) A fee equal to 1/12 of the fee set forth in (1) above,
for providing Forms 1099 for accounts closed during the
year, payable following the end of the calendar year.
(3) Out-of-pocket expenses in accordance with
Section 2.2 of the Agreement.
(4) Fees for additional services not set forth in this
Agreement shall be as negotiated between the parties.
-25-
TCW/DW GLOBAL TELECOM TRUST
MANAGEMENT AGREEMENT
AGREEMENT made as of the day of , 1996 by and between TCW/DW Global
Telecom Trust, an unincorporated business trust organized under the laws of The
Commonwealth of Massachusetts (hereinafter called the "Fund"), and Dean Witter
Services Company Inc., a Delaware corporation (hereinafter called the
"Manager"):
WHEREAS, The Fund intends to engage in business as an open-end management
investment company and is registered as such under the Investment Company Act
of 1940, as amended (the "Act"); and
WHEREAS, The Fund desires to retain the Manager to render services in the
manner and on the terms and conditions hereinafter set forth; and
WHEREAS, The Manager desires to be retained to perform services on said
terms and conditions:
Now, Therefore, this Agreement
W I T N E S S E T H:
that in consideration of the premises and the mutual covenants hereinafter
contained, the Fund and the Manager agree as follows:
1. The Fund hereby retains the Manager to act as manager of the Fund and,
subject to the supervision of the Trustees, to supervise the business affairs
of the Fund as hereinafter set forth. Without limiting the generality of the
foregoing, the Manager shall (i) manage the Fund's business affairs and
supervise the overall day-to-day operations of the Fund (other than rendering
investment advice); (ii) provide the Fund with full administrative services,
including the maintenance of certain books and records, such as journals,
ledger accounts and other records required under the Act, the notification to
the Fund's investment adviser of available funds for investment, the
reconciliation of account information and balances among the Fund's custodian,
transfer agent and dividend disbursing agent and the Fund's investment
adviser, and the calculation of the net asset value of the Fund's shares;
(iii) provide the Fund with the services of persons competent to perform such
supervisory, administrative and clerical functions as are necessary to provide
effective operation of the Fund; (iv) oversee the performance of
administrative and professional services rendered to the Fund by others,
including its custodian, transfer agent and dividend disbursing agent, as well
as accounting, auditing and other services; (v) provide the Fund with adequate
general office space and facilities; and (vi) oversee the preparation and the
printing of the periodic updating of the Fund's registration statement and
prospectus and statement of additional information, tax returns, proxy
statements, and reports to its shareholders and the Securities and Exchange
Commission.
2. The Manager shall, at its own expense, maintain such staff and employ or
retain such personnel and consult with such other persons as it shall from
time to time determine to be necessary or useful to the performance of its
obligations under this Agreement. Without limiting the generality of the
foregoing, the staff and personnel of the Manager shall be deemed to include
persons employed or otherwise retained by the Manager to furnish services,
statistical and other factual data, information with respect to technical and
scientific developments, and such other information, advice and assistance as
the Manager may desire. The Manager shall, as agent for the Fund, maintain the
Fund's records and books of account (other than those maintained by the Fund's
transfer agent, registrar, custodian and other agencies). All such books and
records so maintained shall be the property of the Fund and, upon request
therefor, the Manager shall surrender to the Fund such of the books and
records so requested.
3. The Fund will, from time to time, furnish or otherwise make available to
the Manager such financial reports, proxy statements and other information
relating to the business and affairs of the Fund as the Manager may reasonably
require in order to discharge its duties and obligations hereunder.
4. The Manager shall bear the cost of rendering the administrative
services to be performed by it under this Agreement, and shall, at its own
expense, pay the compensation of the Trustees, officers and
<PAGE>
employees, if any, of the Fund who are also directors, officers or employees
of the Manager, and provide such office space, facilities and equipment and
such clerical help and bookkeeping services as the Fund shall reasonably
require in the conduct of its business. The Manager shall also bear the cost
of telephone service, heat, light, power and other utilities provided to the
Fund.
5. The Fund assumes and shall pay or cause to be paid all other expenses of
the Fund (except expenses borne by the Fund's investment adviser pursuant to
an investment advisory agreement with the Fund), including without limitation:
fees pursuant to any investment advisory agreement into which the Fund may
enter; fees pursuant to any plan of distribution that the Fund may adopt; the
charges and expenses of any registrar, any custodian or depository appointed
by the Fund for the safekeeping of its cash, portfolio securities or
commodities and other property, and any stock transfer or dividend agent or
agents appointed by the Fund; brokers' commissions chargeable to the Fund in
connection with portfolio transactions to which the Fund is a party; all
taxes, including securities or commodities issuance and transfer taxes, and
fees payable by the Fund to federal, state or other governmental agencies; the
cost and expense of engraving or printing of certificates representing shares
of the Fund; all costs and expenses in connection with the registration and
maintenance of registration of the Fund and its shares with the Securities and
Exchange Commission and various states and other jurisdictions (including
filing fees and legal fees and disbursements of counsel and the costs and
expenses of preparing, printing, including typesetting, and distributing
prospectuses and statements of additional information for such purposes); all
expenses of shareholders' and Trustees' meetings and of preparing, printing
and mailing proxy statements and reports to shareholders; fees and travel
expenses of Trustees or members of any advisory board or committee who are not
employees of the Manager or the Fund's investment adviser or any corporate
affiliate of either of them; all expenses incident to the payment of any
dividend or distribution program; charges and expenses of any outside service
used for pricing of the Fund's shares; charges and expenses of legal counsel,
including counsel to the Trustees of the Fund who are not interested persons
(as defined in the Act) of the Fund or the Manager or the Fund's investment
adviser, and of independent accountants, in connection with any matter
relating to the Fund; membership dues of industry associations; interest
payable on Fund borrowings; postage; insurance premiums on property or
personnel (including officers and Trustees) of the Fund which inure to its
benefit; extraordinary expenses (including, but not limited to, legal claims
and liabilities and litigation costs and any indemnification related thereto);
and all other charges and costs of the Fund's operation unless otherwise
explicitly provided herein.
6. For the services to be rendered, the facilities furnished, and the
expenses assumed by the Manager, the Fund shall pay to the Manager monthly
compensation determined by applying the annual rate of 1% to the Fund's
average daily net assets. Such calculation shall be made by applying 1/365th
of the annual rate to the Fund's net assets each day determined as of the
close of business on that day or the last previous business day. If this
Agreement becomes effective subsequent to the first day of a month or shall
terminate before the last day of a month, compensation for that part of the
month this Agreement is in effect shall be prorated in a manner consistent
with the calculation of the fees as set forth above.
7. In the event the operating expenses of the Fund, including amounts
payable to the Manager pursuant to paragraph 6 hereof, for any fiscal year
ending on a date on which this Agreement is in effect, exceed the expense
limitations applicable to the Fund imposed by state securities laws or
regulations thereunder, as such limitations may be raised or lowered from time
to time, the Manager shall reduce its management fee to the extent of
% of such excess and, if and to the extent required by law, pursuant to any
such laws or regulations, will reimburse the Fund for % of annual operating
expenses in excess of any expense limitation that may be applicable; provided,
however, there shall be excluded from such expenses the amount of any
interest, taxes, distribution fees, brokerage commissions and extraordinary
expenses (including but not limited to legal claims and liabilities and
litigation costs and any indemnification related thereto) paid or payable by
the Fund. Such reduction, if any, shall be computed and accrued weekly, shall
be settled on a monthly basis, and shall be based upon the expense limitation
applicable to the Fund as at the end of the last business day of the month.
Should two or more such expense limitations be applicable as at the end of the
last full week of the month, that expense limitation which results in the
largest reduction in the Manager's fee shall be applicable.
2
<PAGE>
For purposes of this provision, should any applicable expense limitation be
based upon the gross income of the Fund, such gross income shall include, but
not be limited to, interest on debt securities in the Fund's portfolio accrued
to and including the last day of the Fund's fiscal year, and dividends
declared on equity securities in the Fund's portfolio, the record dates for
which fall on or prior to the last day of such fiscal year, but shall not
include gains from the sale of securities.
8. The Manager will use its best efforts in the management of the Fund, but
in the absence of willful misfeasance, bad faith, gross negligence or reckless
disregard of its obligations hereunder, the Manager shall not be liable to the
Fund or any of its investors for any error of judgment or mistake of law or
for any act or omission by the Manager or for any losses sustained by the Fund
or its investors. The Manager shall be indemnified by the Fund as an agent of
the Fund in accordance with the terms of Section 4.8 of the Fund's By-laws.
9. Nothing contained in this Agreement shall prevent the Manager or any
affiliated person of the Manager from acting as manager for any other person,
firm or corporation. Nothing in this Agreement shall limit or restrict the
right of any Trustee, officer or employee of the Manager to engage in any
other business or to devote his or her time and attention in part to the
management or other aspects of any other business whether of a similar or
dissimilar nature.
10. This Agreement shall remain in effect until April 30, 1997 and from
year to year thereafter provided such continuance is approved at least
annually by the Board of Trustees of the Fund; provided that such continuance
is also approved annually by a vote of a majority of the Trustees of the Fund
who are not parties to this Agreement or "interested persons" (as defined in
the Act) of any such party; provided, however, that the Fund, acting by
majority vote of the Trustees, or the Manager may, at any time and without the
payment of any penalty, terminate this Agreement upon thirty days' written
notice to the other party. Any notice under this Agreement shall be given in
writing, addressed and delivered, or mailed post-paid, to the other party at
the principal office of such party.
11. This Agreement may be amended or modified by the parties by a written
agreement executed by both parties and authorized or approved by a resolution
of the Board of Trustees of the Fund.
12. This Agreement may be assigned by either party with the written
consent of the other party.
13. This Agreement shall be construed in accordance with the laws of the
State of New York and the applicable provisions of the Act. To the extent the
applicable law of the State of New York, or any of the provisions herein,
conflicts with the applicable provisions of the Act, the latter shall control.
14. The Fund acknowledges that the Manager owns its own name, initials and
logo. The Fund agrees to change its name at the request of the Manager if this
Agreement is terminated for any reason.
15. The Declaration of Trust establishing TCW/DW Global Telecom Trust,
dated March 28, 1996, a copy of which, together with all amendments thereto
(the "Declaration"), is on file in the office of the Secretary of the
Commonwealth of Massachusetts, provides that the name TCW/DW Global Telecom
Trust refers to the Trustees under the Declaration collectively as Trustees,
but not as individuals or personally; and no Trustee, shareholder, officer,
employee or agent of TCW/DW Global Telecom Trust shall be held to any personal
liability, nor shall resort be had to their private property for the
satisfaction of any obligation or claim or otherwise, in connection with the
affairs of said TCW/DW Global Telecom Trust, but the Trust Estate only shall
be liable.
3
<PAGE>
IN WITNESS WHEREOF, the parties hereto have executed and delivered this
Agreement as of the day and year first above written in New York, New York.
TCW/DW GLOBAL TELECOM TRUST
BY: .......................................
ATTEST:
...............................
DEAN WITTER SERVICES COMPANY INC.
By: .......................................
Attest:
...............................
4
TCW\DW GLOBAL TELECOM TRUST
TWO WORLD TRADE CENTER
NEW YORK, NEW YORK 10048
June 21, 1996
TCW/DW Global Telecom Trust
Two World Trade Center
New York, New York 10048
Dear Sirs:
With respect to the Registration Statement on Form N-1A (File No.
333-02419) (the "Registration Statement") filed by TCW\DW Global Telecom
Trust, a Massachusetts business trust (the "Fund"), with the Securities and
Exchange Commission for the purpose of registering under the Securities Act of
1933, as amended, an indefinite number of shares of Beneficial Interest of
$0.01 par value of the Fund (the "Shares"), I, as your counsel, have examined
such Fund records, certificates and other documents and reviewed such
questions of law as I have considered necessary or appropriate for the
purposes of this opinion, and on the basis of such examination and review, I
advise you that, in my opinion, proper trust proceedings have been taken by
the Fund so that the Shares have been validly authorized; and when the Shares
have been issued and sold in accordance with the terms of the Distribution
Agreement referred to in the Registration Statement, the Shares will be
validly issued, fully paid and non-assessable.
As to matters of Massachusetts law contained in the foregoing
opinion, I have relied upon the opinion of Lane Altman & Owens, dated June 18,
1996.
I hereby consent to the filing of this opinion as an exhibit to the
Registration Statement and to the reference to me under the caption "Legal
Counsel" in the Statement of Additional Information forming a part of the
Registration Statement. In giving this consent, I do not thereby admit that I
am within the category of persons whose consent is required under Section 7 of
the Securities Act of 1933, as amended, or the rules and regulations of the
Securities and Exchange Commission thereunder.
Very truly yours,
Sheldon Curtis
Vice President
and General Counsel
101 Federal Street Telephone
LANE ALTMAN & OWENS LLP Boston, Massachusetts 617-345-9800
Counsellors at Law 02110
Telefax
617-345-0400
Reference
June 18, 1996
Sheldon Curtis, Vice President
and General Counsel
Dean Witter InterCapital, Inc.
Two World Trade Center
New York, NY 10048
RE:TCW/DW Global Telecom Trust
Dear Sir:
We understand that the trustees (the "Trustees") of TCW/DW Global
Telecom Trust, a Massachusetts business trust (the "Trust"), intend, on or
about June 18, 1996, to cause to be filed on behalf of the Trust a
Pre-effective Amendment No. 1 to Registration Statement No. 333-02419 (as
amended, the "Registration Statement") for the purpose of registering for sale
Shares of Beneficial Interest, $.01 par value, of the Trust (the "Shares"). We
further understand that the Shares will be issued and sold pursuant to an
underwriting agreement (the "Underwriting Agreement") and a distribution
agreement (the "Distribution Agreement") to be entered into between the Trust
and Dean Witter Distributors Inc.
You have requested that we act as special counsel to the Trust
regarding certain matters of Massachusetts law respecting the organization of
the Trust, and in such capacity we are furnishing you with this opinion.
The Trust, originally created under the name TCW/DW Global
Communications Fund, is organized under a written declaration of trust finally
executed and filed in Boston, Massachusetts on March 28, 1996 (the "Trust
Agreement"). The Trustees (as defined in the Trust Agreement) have the powers
set forth in the Trust Agreement, subject to the terms, provisions and
conditions therein provided.
In connection with the opinions set forth herein, you and the Trust
have provided to us originals, copies or facsimile transmissions of, and we
have reviewed and relied upon, among other things: a copy of the Trust
Agreement; forms of the Underwriting and Distribution Agreements; and the
Registration Statement (including the exhibits thereto). We have assumed that
<PAGE>
LANE ALTMAN & OWENS LLP Sheldon Curtis, Vice President
Counsellors at Law and General Counsel
Dean Witter InterCapital, Inc.
June 18, 1996
Page 2
the by-laws filed as an exhibit to the Registration Statement have been duly
adopted by the Trustees. We have also reviewed and relied upon a certificate
of the Secretary of State of the Commonwealth of Massachusetts dated June 19,
1996 attesting to the valid existence of the Trust.
In rendering this opinion we have assumed, without independent
verification, (i) the due authority of all individuals signing in
representative capacities and the genuineness of signatures, (ii) the
authenticity, completeness and continued effectiveness of all documents or
copies furnished to us, (iii) that the resolutions provided have been duly
adopted by the Trustees, and (iv) that no amendments, agreements, resolutions
or actions have been approved, executed or adopted which would limit,
supersede or modify the items described above. We have also examined such
questions of law as we have concluded necessary or appropriate for purposes of
the opinions expressed below. Where documents are referred to in resolutions
approved by the Trustees, or in the Registration Statement, we assume such
documents are the same as in the most recent form provided to us, whether as
an exhibit to the Registration Statement, or otherwise. When any opinion set
forth below relates to the existence or standing of the Trust, such opinion is
based entirely upon and is limited by the items referred to above, and we
understand that the foregoing assumptions, limitations and qualifications are
acceptable to you.
Based upon the foregoing, and with respect to Massachusetts law only
(except that no opinion is herein expressed with respect to compliance with
the Massachusetts Uniform Securities Act), to the extent that Massachusetts
law may be applicable, and without reference to the laws of any of the other
several states or of the United States of America, including State and Federal
securities laws, we are of the opinion that:
1. The Trust is a business trust with transferable shares, organized
in compliance with the requirements of The Commonwealth of Massachusetts and
the Trust Agreement is legal and valid.
2. The Shares to which the Registration Statement relates and which
are to be registered under the Securities Act of 1933, as amended, will be
legally and validly issued upon receipt by the Trust of consideration
determined by the Trustees in compliance with Article VI, Section 6.4 of the
Trust Agreement. We are further of the opinion that such Shares, when issued,
will be fully paid and non-assessable by the Trust.
<PAGE>
LANE ALTMAN & OWENS LLP Sheldon Curtis, Vice President
Counsellors at Law and General Counsel
Dean Witter InterCapital, Inc.
June 18, 1996
Page 3
We understand that you will rely on this opinion solely in connection
with your opinion to be filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission as
an Exhibit to the Registration Statement. We hereby consent to such use of
this opinion and we also consent to the filing of said opinion with the
Securities and Exchange Commission. In so consenting, we do not thereby admit
to be within the category of persons whose consent is required under Section 7
of the Securities Act of 1933, as amended, or the rules and regulations of the
Securities and Exchange Commission thereunder.
Very truly yours,
LANE ALTMAN & OWENS LLP
CONSENT OF INDEPENDENT ACCOUNTANTS
We hereby consent to the use in the Statement of Additional Information
constituting part of this Pre-Effective Amendment No. 1 to the registration
statement on Form N-1A (the "Registration Statement") of our report dated June
20, 1996, relating to the statement of assets and liabilities of TCW/DW Global
Telecom Trust, which appears in such Statement of Additional Information, and
to the incorporation by reference of our report into the Prospectus which
constitutes part of this Registration Statement. We also consent to the
references to us under the headings "Independent Accountants" and "Experts" in
such Statement of Additional Information.
PRICE WATERHOUSE LLP
1177 Avenue of the Americas
New York, New York 10036
June 20, 1996
April 18, 1996
TCW/DW Global Telecom Trust
Two World Trade Center
New York, New York 10048
Gentlemen:
We are purchasing from you today 10,000 of your shares of
beneficial interest, with $0.01 par value, at a price of $10.00 per share, or
an aggregate price of $100,000 to provide the initial capital you require
pursuant to Section 14 of the Investment Company Act of 1940 in order to make
a public offering of your shares.
We hereby represent that we are acquiring said shares for
investment and not for distribution or resale to the public.
We hereby further represent that in the event we redeem such
shares prior to complete amortization by you of your organization expenses,
the amount we receive upon redemption may be reduced by the proportionate
amount which the total unamortized balance bears to the number of shares being
redeemed. For this purpose, the proportionate amount is based on the ratio of
the number of shares originally issued by you in connection with the
furnishing of the initial capital.
Very truly yours,
DEAN WITTER INTERCAPITAL INC.
By /s/ Charles A. Fiumefreddo
-----------------------------------
Charles A. Fiumefreddo
PLAN OF DISTRIBUTION PURSUANT TO RULE 12B-1
OF
TCW/DW GLOBAL TELECOM TRUST
WHEREAS, TCW/DW Global Telecom Trust (the "Fund") intends to engage in
business as an open-end mangement investment company and is registered as such
under the Investment Company Act of 1940, as amended (the "Act"); and
WHEREAS, the Fund desires to adopt a Plan of Distribution pursuant to Rule
12b-1 under the Act, and the Trustees have determined that there is a
reasonable likelihood that adoption of the Plan of Distribution will benefit
the Fund and its shareholders; and
WHEREAS, the Fund and Dean Witter Distributors Inc. (the "Distributor")
have entered into a separate Distribution Agreement dated as of this date,
pursuant to which the Fund has employed the Distributor in such capacity
during the continuous offering of shares of the Fund.
NOW, THEREFORE, the Fund hereby adopts, and the Distributor hereby agrees
to the terms of, this Plan of Distribution (the "Plan") in accordance with
Rule 12b-1 under the Act on the following terms and conditions:
1. The Fund shall pay to the Distributor, as the distributor of securities
of which the Fund is the issuer, compensation for distribution of its shares
at the rate of the lesser of (i) % per annum of the average daily aggregate
sales of the shares of the Fund since its inception (not including
reinvestment of dividends and capital gains distributions from the Fund) less
the average daily aggregate net asset value of the shares of the Fund redeemed
since the Fund's inception upon which a contingent deferred sales charge has
been imposed or upon which such charge has been waived, or (ii)
% per annum of the Fund's average daily net assets. Such compensation shall
be calculated and accrued daily and paid monthly or at such other intervals as
the Trustees shall determine. The distributor may direct that all or any part
of the amounts receivable by it under this Plan be paid directly to Dean
Witter Reynolds Inc. ("DWR"), its affiliates or other broker-dealers who
provide distribution and/or shareholder services. All payments made hereunder
pursuant to the Plan shall be in accordance with the terms and limitations of
the Rules of Fair Practice of the National Association of Securities Dealers,
Inc.
2. The amount set forth in paragraph 1 of this Plan shall be paid for
services of the Distributor, DWR, its affiliates and other broker-dealers it
may select in connection with the distribution of the Fund's shares, including
personal services to shareholdes with respect to their holdings of Fund
shares, and may be spent by the Distributor, DWR, its affiliates and such
broker-dealers on any activities or expenses related to the distribution of
the Fund's shares or services to shareholders, including, but not limited to:
compensation to, and expenses of, account executives or other employees of the
Distributor, DWR, its affiliates or other broker-dealers; overhead and other
branch office distribution-related expenses and telephone expenses of persons
who engage in or support distribution of shares or who provide personal
services to shareholders; printing of prospectuses and reports for other than
existing shareholders; preparation, printing and distribution of sales
literature and advertising materials and opportunity costs in incurring the
foregoing expenses (which may be calculated as a carrying charge on the excess
of the distribution expenses incurred by the Distributor, DWR, its affiliates
or other broker-dealers over distribution revenues received by them, such
excess being hereinafter referred to as "carryover expenses"). The overhead
and other branch office distribution-related expenses referred to in this
paragraph 2 may include: (a) the expenses of operating the branch offices of
the Distribbutor or other broker-dealers, including DWR, in connection with
the sale of Fund shares, including lease costs, communications costs and the
costs of stationery and supplies; (b) the costs of client sales seminars; (c)
travel expenses of mutual fund sales coordinators to promote the sale of the
Fund shares; and (d) other expenses relating to branch promotion of Fund
sales. Payments may also be made with respect to distribution expenses
incurred in connection with the distribution of shares, including personal
services to shareholders with respect to holdings of such shares, of an
investment company whose assets are acquired by the Fund in a tax-free
reorganization, provided that carryover expenses as a percentage of Fund
assets will not be materially increased thereby.
3. This Plan shall not take effect until it has been approved by a vote of
at least a majority of the outstanding voting securities of the Fund (as
defined in the Act).
4. This Plan shall not take effect until it has been approved, together
with any related agreements, by votes of a majority of the Board of Trustees
of the Fund and of the Trustees who are not "interested
<PAGE>
persons" of the Fund (as defined in the Act) and have no direct or indirect
financial interest in the operation of this Plan or any agreements related to
it (the "Rule 12b-1 Trustees"), cast in person at a meeting (or meetings )
called for the purpose of voting on this Plan and such related agreements.
5. This Plan shall continue in effect until April 30, 1997, and from year
to year thereafter, provided such continuance is specifically approved at
least annually in the manner provided for approval of this Plan in paragraph 4
hereof.
6. The Distributor shall provide to the Trustees of the Fund and the
Trustees shall review, at least quarterly, a written report of the amounts so
expended and the purposes for which such expenditures were made. In this
regard, the Trustees shall request the Distributor to specify such items of
expenses as the Trustees deem appropriate. The Trustees shall consider such
items as they deem relevant in making the determinations required by paragraph
5 hereof.
7. This Plan may be terminated at any time by vote of a majority of the
Rule 12b-1 Trustees, or by a vote of a majority of the outstanding voting
securities of the Fund. In the event of any such termination or in the event
of nonrenewal, the Fund shall have no obligation to pay expenses which have
been incurred by the Distributor, DWR, its affiliates or other broker-dealers
in excess of payments made by the Fund pursuant to this Plan. However, this
shall not preclude consideration by the Trustees of the manner in which such
excess expenses shall be treated.
8. This Plan may not be amended to increase materially the amount the Fund
may spend for distribution provided in paragraph 1 hereof unless such
amendment is approved by a vote of at least a majority (as defined in the Act)
of the outstanding voting securities of the Fund, and no material amendment to
the Plan shall be made unless approved in the manner provided for approval in
paragraph 4 hereof.
9. While this Plan is in effect, the selection and nomination of Trustees
who are not interested persons (as defined inthe Act) of the Fund shall be
committed to the discretion of the Trustees who are not interested persons.
10. The Fund shall preserve copies of this Plan and any related agreements
and all reports made pursuant to paragraph 6 hereof, for a period of not less
than six years from the date of this Plan, any such agreement or any such
report, as the case may be, the first two years in an easily accessible place.
11. The Declaration of Trust establishing TCW/DW Global Telecom Trust,
dated March 28, 1996, a copy of which, together with all amendments thereto
(the "Declaration"), is on file in the office of the Secretary of the
Commonwealth of Massachusetts, provides that the name TCW/DW Global Telecom
Trust refers to the Trustees under the Declaration collectively as Trustees
but not as individuals or personally; and no Trustee, shareholder, officer,
employee or agent of TCW/DW Global Telecom Trust shall be held to any personal
liability, nor shall resort be had to their private property for the
satisfaction of any obligation or claim or otherwise, in connection with the
affairs of said TCW/DW Global Telecom Trust, but the Trust Estate only shall
be liable.
2
<PAGE>
IN WITNESS WHEREOF, the Fund and the Distributor have executed this Plan of
Distribution as of the day and year set forth below in New York, New York.
Date: , 1996
TCW/DW GLOBAL-TELECOM TRUST
By
...........................................
Attest:
................................
DEAN WITTER DISTRIBUTORS INC.
By
...........................................
Attest:
.................................
3
<TABLE> <S> <C>
<ARTICLE> 6
<S> <C>
<PERIOD-TYPE> OTHER
<FISCAL-YEAR-END> MAY-31-1997
<PERIOD-END> JUN-19-1996
<INVESTMENTS-AT-COST> 0
<INVESTMENTS-AT-VALUE> 0
<RECEIVABLES> 0
<ASSETS-OTHER> 258,225
<OTHER-ITEMS-ASSETS> 0
<TOTAL-ASSETS> 258,225
<PAYABLE-FOR-SECURITIES> 0
<SENIOR-LONG-TERM-DEBT> 0
<OTHER-ITEMS-LIABILITIES> 158,225
<TOTAL-LIABILITIES> 158,225
<SENIOR-EQUITY> 0
<PAID-IN-CAPITAL-COMMON> 100,000
<SHARES-COMMON-STOCK> 10,000
<SHARES-COMMON-PRIOR> 0
<ACCUMULATED-NII-CURRENT> 0
<OVERDISTRIBUTION-NII> 0
<ACCUMULATED-NET-GAINS> 0
<OVERDISTRIBUTION-GAINS> 0
<ACCUM-APPREC-OR-DEPREC> 0
<NET-ASSETS> 100,000
<DIVIDEND-INCOME> 0
<INTEREST-INCOME> 0
<OTHER-INCOME> 0
<EXPENSES-NET> 0
<NET-INVESTMENT-INCOME> 0
<REALIZED-GAINS-CURRENT> 0
<APPREC-INCREASE-CURRENT> 0
<NET-CHANGE-FROM-OPS> 0
<EQUALIZATION> 0
<DISTRIBUTIONS-OF-INCOME> 0
<DISTRIBUTIONS-OF-GAINS> 0
<DISTRIBUTIONS-OTHER> 0
<NUMBER-OF-SHARES-SOLD> 10,000
<NUMBER-OF-SHARES-REDEEMED> 0
<SHARES-REINVESTED> 0
<NET-CHANGE-IN-ASSETS> 100,000
<ACCUMULATED-NII-PRIOR> 0
<ACCUMULATED-GAINS-PRIOR> 0
<OVERDISTRIB-NII-PRIOR> 0
<OVERDIST-NET-GAINS-PRIOR> 0
<GROSS-ADVISORY-FEES> 0
<INTEREST-EXPENSE> 0
<GROSS-EXPENSE> 0
<AVERAGE-NET-ASSETS> 100,000
<PER-SHARE-NAV-BEGIN> 0
<PER-SHARE-NII> 0
<PER-SHARE-GAIN-APPREC> 0
<PER-SHARE-DIVIDEND> 0
<PER-SHARE-DISTRIBUTIONS> 0
<RETURNS-OF-CAPITAL> 0
<PER-SHARE-NAV-END> 10.00
<EXPENSE-RATIO> 0
<AVG-DEBT-OUTSTANDING> 0
<AVG-DEBT-PER-SHARE> 0
</TABLE>
POWER OF ATTORNEY
KNOW ALL MEN BY THESE PRESENTS, that Charles A. Fiumefreddo, whose
signature appears below, constitutes and appoints Sheldon Curtis, Marilyn K.
Cranney and Barry Fink, or any of them, his true and lawful attorneys-in-fact
and agents, with full power of substitution among himself and each of the
persons appointed herein, for him and in his name, place and stead, in any and
all capacities, to sign any amendments to any registration statement of TCW/DW
GLOBAL TELECOM TRUST, and to file the same, with all exhibits thereto, and
other documents in connection therewith, with the Securities and Exchange
Commission, as fully to all intents and purposes as he might or could do in
person, hereby ratifying and confirming all that said attorneys-in-fact and
agents, or any of them, may lawfully do or cause to be done by virtue hereof.
Dated: April 17, 1996
/s/ Charles A. Fiumefreddo
----------------------------
Charles A. Fiumefreddo
<PAGE>
POWER OF ATTORNEY
KNOW ALL MEN BY THESE PRESENTS, that John R. Haire, whose signature
appears below, constitutes and appoints David M. Butowsky, Ronald M. Feiman
and Stuart M. Strauss, or any of them, his true and lawful attorneys-in-fact
and agents, with full power of substitution among himself and each of the
persons appointed herein, for him and in his name, place and stead, in any and
all capacities, to sign any amendments to any registration statement of TCW/DW
GLOBAL TELECOM TRUST, and to file the same, with all exhibits thereto, and
other documents in connection therewith, with the Securities and Exchange
Commission, as fully to all intents and purposes as he might or could do in
person, hereby ratifying and confirming all that said attorneys-in-fact and
agents, or any of them, may lawfully do or cause to be done by virtue hereof.
Dated: April 17, 1996
/s/ John R. Haire
----------------------------
John R. Haire
<PAGE>
POWER OF ATTORNEY
KNOW ALL MEN BY THESE PRESENTS, that Manuel H. Johnson, whose
signature appears below, constitutes and appoints David M. Butowsky, Ronald M.
Feiman and Stuart M. Strauss, or any of them, his true and lawful
attorneys-in-fact and agents, with full power of substitution among himself
and each of the persons appointed herein, for him and in his name, place and
stead, in any and all capacities, to sign any amendments to any registration
statement of TCW/DW GLOBAL TELECOM TRUST, and to file the same, with all
exhibits thereto, and other documents in connection therewith, with the
Securities and Exchange Commission, as fully to all intents and purposes as he
might or could do in person, hereby ratifying and confirming all that said
attorneys-in-fact and agents, or any of them, may lawfully do or cause to be
done by virtue hereof.
Dated: April 17, 1996
/s/ Manuel H. Johnson
----------------------------
Manuel H. Johnson
<PAGE>
POWER OF ATTORNEY
KNOW ALL MEN BY THESE PRESENTS, that Paul Kolton, whose signature
appears below, constitutes and appoints David M. Butowsky, Ronald M. Feiman
and Stuart M. Strauss, or any of them, his true and lawful attorneys-in-fact
and agents, with full power of substitution among himself and each of the
persons appointed herein, for him and in his name, place and stead, in any and
all capacities, to sign any amendments to any registration statement of TCW/DW
GLOBAL TELECOM TRUST, and to file the same, with all exhibits thereto, and
other documents in connection therewith, with the Securities and Exchange
Commission, as fully to all intents and purposes as he might or could do in
person, hereby ratifying and confirming all that said attorneys-in-fact and
agents, or any of them, may lawfully do or cause to be done by virtue hereof.
Dated: April 17, 1996
/s/ Paul Kolton
----------------------------
Paul Kolton
<PAGE>
POWER OF ATTORNEY
KNOW ALL MEN BY THESE PRESENTS, that John L. Schroeder, whose
signature appears below, constitutes and appoints David M. Butowsky, Ronald M.
Feiman and Stuart M. Strauss, or any of them, his true and lawful
attorneys-in-fact and agents, with full power of substitution among himself
and each of the persons appointed herein, for him and in his name, place and
stead, in any and all capacities, to sign any amendments to any registration
statement of TCW/DW GLOBAL TELECOM TRUST, and to file the same, with all
exhibits thereto, and other documents in connection therewith, with the
Securities and Exchange Commission, as fully to all intents and purposes as he
might or could do in person, hereby ratifying and confirming all that said
attorneys-in-fact and agents, or any of them, may lawfully do or cause to be
done by virtue hereof.
Dated: April 17, 1996
/s/ John L. Schroeder
----------------------------
John L. Schroeder
<PAGE>
POWER OF ATTORNEY
KNOW ALL MEN BY THESE PRESENTS, that Michael E. Nugent, whose
signature appears below, constitutes and appoints David M. Butowsky, Ronald M.
Feiman and Stuart M. Strauss, or any of them, his true and lawful
attorneys-in-fact and agents, with full power of substitution among himself
and each of the persons appointed herein, for him and in his name, place and
stead, in any and all capacities, to sign any amendments to any registration
statement of TCW/DW GLOBAL TELECOM TRUST, and to file the same, with all
exhibits thereto, and other documents in connection therewith, with the
Securities and Exchange Commission, as fully to all intents and purposes as he
might or could do in person, hereby ratifying and confirming all that said
attorneys-in-fact and agents, or any of them, may lawfully do or cause to be
done by virtue hereof.
Dated: April 17, 1996
/s/ Michael E. Nugent
----------------------------
Michael E. Nugent
<PAGE>
POWER OF ATTORNEY
KNOW ALL MEN BY THESE PRESENTS, that Thomas E. Larkin, Jr., whose
signature appears below, constitutes and appoints Sheldon Curtis, Marilyn K.
Cranney and Barry Fink, or any of them, his true and lawful
attorneys-in-fact and agents, with full power of substitution among himself
and each of the persons appointed herein, for him and in his name, place and
stead, in any and all capacities, to sign any amendments to any registration
statement of TCW/DW GLOBAL TELECOM TRUST, and to file the same, with all
exhibits thereto, and other documents in connection therewith, with the
Securities and Exchange Commission, as fully to all intents and purposes as he
might or could do in person, hereby ratifying and confirming all that said
attorneys-in-fact and agents, or any of them, may lawfully do or cause to be
done by virtue hereof.
Dated: April 17, 1996
/s/ Thomas E. Larkin, Jr.
----------------------------
Thomas E. Larkin, Jr.
<PAGE>
POWER OF ATTORNEY
KNOW ALL MEN BY THESE PRESENTS, that Richard M. DeMartini, whose
signature appears below, constitutes and appoints Sheldon Curtis, Marilyn K.
Cranney and Barry Fink, or any of them, his true and lawful attorneys-in-fact
and agents, with full power of substitution among himself and each of the
persons appointed herein, for him and in his name, place and stead, in any and
all capacities, to sign any amendments to any registration statement of TCW/DW
GLOBAL TELECOM TRUST, and to file the same, with all exhibits thereto, and
other documents in connection therewith, with the Securities and Exchange
Commission, as fully to all intents and purposes as he might or could do in
person, hereby ratifying and confirming all that said attorneys-in-fact and
agents, or any of them, may lawfully do or cause to be done by virtue hereof.
Dated: April 17, 1996
/s/ Richard M. DeMartini
----------------------------
Richard M. DeMartini
<PAGE>
POWER OF ATTORNEY
KNOW ALL MEN BY THESE PRESENTS, that Marc I. Stern, whose signature
appears below, constitutes and appoints Sheldon Curtis, Marilyn K. Cranney and
Barry Fink, or any of them, his true and lawful attorneys-in-fact and agents,
with full power of substitution among himself and each of the persons
appointed herein, for him and in his name, place and stead, in any and all
capacities, to sign any amendments to any registration statement of TCW/DW
GLOBAL TELECOM TRUST, and to file the same, with all exhibits thereto, and
other documents in connection therewith, with the Securities and Exchange
Commission, as fully to all intents and purposes as he might or could do in
person, hereby ratifying and confirming all that said attorneys-in-fact and
agents, or any of them, may lawfully do or cause to be done by virtue hereof.
Dated: April 17, 1996
/s/ Marc I. Stern
----------------------------
Marc I. Stern
<PAGE>
POWER OF ATTORNEY
KNOW ALL MEN BY THESE PRESENTS, that John C. Argue, whose signature
appears below, constitutes and appoints David M. Butowsky, Ronald M. Feiman
and Stuart M. Strauss, or any of them, his true and lawful attorneys-in-fact
and agents, with full power of substitution among himself and each of the
persons appointed herein, for him and in his name, place and stead, in any and
all capacities, to sign any amendments to any registration statement of TCW/DW
GLOBAL TELECOM TRUST, and to file the same, with all exhibits thereto, and
other documents in connection therewith, with the Securities and Exchange
Commission, as fully to all intents and purposes as he might or could do in
person, hereby ratifying and confirming all that said attorneys-in-fact and
agents, or any of them, may lawfully do or cause to be done by virtue hereof.
Dated: April 17, 1996
/s/ John C. Argue
----------------------------
John C. Argue
