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Filed Pursuant to Rule 497(c)
Registration File No.: 33-43135
MORGAN STANLEY DEAN WITTER
MID-CAP DIVIDEND GROWTH SECURITIES
PROSPECTUS --MARCH 23, 1998
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MORGAN STANLEY DEAN WITTER MID-CAP DIVIDEND GROWTH SECURITIES (THE "FUND") IS
AN OPEN-END, DIVERSIFIED MANAGEMENT INVESTMENT COMPANY WHOSE INVESTMENT
OBJECTIVE IS TO SEEK TOTAL RETURN. THE FUND SEEKS TO MEET ITS INVESTMENT
OBJECTIVE BY INVESTING PRIMARILY IN DOMESTIC AND FOREIGN EQUITY SECURITIES OF
COMPANIES WHOSE MARKET CAPITALIZATION FALLS WITHIN THE CAPITALIZATION RANGE
OF THE COMPANIES COMPRISING THE STANDARD AND POOR'S MIDCAP 400 INDEX, WHICH
CAPITALIZATION RANGE IS APPROXIMATELY BETWEEN $220 MILLION AND $13 BILLION AS
OF FEBRUARY 24, 1998, AND THAT CURRENTLY PAY DIVIDENDS AND THAT HAVE THE
POTENTIAL FOR INCREASING DIVIDENDS.
INITIAL OFFERING--Shares of the Fund are being offered in an underwriting by
Dean Witter Distributors Inc. at $10.00 per share for Class B, Class C and
Class D shares with all proceeds going to the Fund and at $10.00 per share
plus a sales charge for Class A shares with the sales charge paid to the
Underwriter and the net asset value of $10.00 per share going to the Fund.
All expenses in connection with the organization of the Fund and this
offering will be paid by the Investment Manager and Underwriter except for a
maximum of $250,000 of organizational expenses to be reimbursed by the Fund.
The initial offering will run from approximately April 24, 1998 through May
21, 1998.
CONTINUOUS OFFERING--A continuous offering of the shares of the Fund will
commence approximately two weeks after the closing date of the initial
offering which is anticipated for June 8, 1998. Class B, Class C and Class D
shares will be priced at the net asset value per share and Class A shares
will be priced at the net asset value per share plus a sales charge, in each
case as next determined following receipt of an order.
TABLE OF CONTENTS
Prospectus Summary .................................................... 2
Summary of Fund Expenses .............................................. 4
The Fund and its Management ........................................... 5
Investment Objective and Policies ..................................... 5
Risk Considerations ................................................... 9
Investment Restrictions ............................................... 10
Underwriting .......................................................... 11
Purchase of Fund Shares--Continuous Offering .......................... 11
Shareholder Services .................................................. 20
Redemptions and Repurchases ........................................... 22
Dividends, Distributions and Taxes .................................... 23
Performance Information ............................................... 23
Additional Information ................................................ 24
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 March 23, 1998, 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.
MORGAN STANLEY DEAN WITTER
MID-CAP DIVIDEND GROWTH SECURITIES
TWO WORLD TRADE CENTER
NEW YORK, NEW YORK 10048
(212) 392-2550 OR
(800) 869-NEWS (TOLL-FREE)
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 NOR ANY STATE SECURITIES COMMISSION
PASSED UPON THE ACCURACY OR ADEQUACY OF THIS PROSPECTUS. ANY REPRESENTATION
TO THE CONTRARY IS A CRIMINAL OFFENSE.
Dean Witter Distributors Inc., Distributor
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PROSPECTUS SUMMARY
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THE FUND The Fund is organized as a Trust, commonly known as a
Massachusetts business trust, and is an open-end, diversified
management investment company. The Fund invests primarily in
domestic and foreign equity securities of companies whose market
capitalization falls within the capitalization range of the
companies comprising the Standard and Poor's MidCap 400 Index,
which capitalization range is approximately between $220 million
and $13 billion as of February 24, 1998, and that currently pay
dividends and that have the potential for increasing dividends.
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SHARES Shares of beneficial interest with $.01 par value (see page 24).
OFFERED The Fund offers four Classes of shares, each with a different
combination of sales charges, ongoing fees and other features (see
pages 11-19).
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INITIAL Shares are being offered in an underwriting by Dean Witter
OFFERING Distributors Inc. at $10.00 per share for each of Class B, Class C
and Class D and $10.00 per share plus a sales charge for Class A.
The minimum purchase for each Class is 100 shares; however, Class
D shares are only available for persons who are otherwise
qualified to purchase such shares. The initial offering will run
approximately from April 24, 1998 through May 21, 1998. The
closing will take place on May 27, 1998 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. Any purchase order may
be cancelled at any time prior to the Closing Date.
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CONTINUOUS A continuous offering will commence within approximately two weeks
OFFERING after the Closing Date. During the continuous offering, the
minimum initial investment for each Class is $1,000 ($100 if the
account is opened through EasyInvest (Service Mark) ). Class D
shares are only available to persons investing $5 million ($25
million for certain qualified plans) or more and to certain other
limited categories of investors. For the purpose of meeting the
minimum $5 million (or $25 million) investment for Class D shares,
and subject to the $1,000 minimum initial investment for each
Class of the Fund, an investor's existing holdings of Class A
shares and shares of funds for which Dean Witter InterCapital Inc.
serves as investment manager ("Dean Witter Funds") that are sold
with a front-end sales charge, and concurrent investments in Class
D shares of the Fund and other Dean Witter Funds that are multiple
class funds, will be aggregated. The minimum subsequent investment
is $100 (see page 11).
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INVESTMENT The investment objective of the Fund is to seek total return (see
OBJECTIVE page 5).
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INVESTMENT Dean Witter InterCapital Inc. ("InterCapital"), the Investment
MANAGER Manager of the Fund, and its wholly-owned subsidiary, Dean Witter
Services Company Inc., serve in various investment management,
advisory, management and administrative capacities to 101
investment companies and other portfolios with net assets under
management of approximately $110 billion at February 28, 1998 (see
page 5).
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MANAGEMENT The Investment Manager receives a monthly fee at the annual rate
FEE of 0.75% of the Fund's average daily net assets. The fee should
not be compared with fees paid by other investment companies
without also considering applicable sales loads and distribution
fees, including those noted below (see page 5).
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UNDERWRITER AND Dean Witter Distributors Inc. (the "Distributor") is the Fund's
DISTRIBUTOR AND Underwriter and Distributor. The Fund has adopted a distribution
DISTRIBUTION FEE plan pursuant to Rule 12b-1 under the Investment Company Act (the
"12b-1 Plan") with respect to the distribution fees paid by the
Class A, Class B and Class C shares of the Fund to the
Distributor. The entire 12b-1 fee payable by Class A and a portion
of the 12b-1 fee payable by each of Class B and Class C equal to
0.25% of the average daily net assets of the Class are currently
each characterized as a service fee within the meaning of the
National Association of Securities Dealers, Inc. guidelines. The
remaining portion of the 12b-1 fee, if any, is characterized as an
asset-based sales charge (see pages 11 and 18).
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ALTERNATIVE Four classes of shares are offered:
PURCHASE
ARRANGEMENTS o Class A shares are offered with a front-end sales charge,
starting at 5.25% and reduced for larger purchases. Investments of
$1 million or more (and investments by certain other limited
categories of investors) are not subject to any sales charge at
the time of purchase but a contingent deferred sales charge
("CDSC") of 1.0% may be imposed on redemptions within one year of
purchase. The Fund is authorized to reimburse the Distributor for
specific expenses incurred in promoting the distribution of the
Fund's Class A shares and servicing shareholder accounts pursuant
to the Fund's 12b-1 Plan. Reimbursement may in no event exceed an
amount equal to payments at an annual rate of 0.25% of the average
daily net assets of the Class (see pages 12, 14 and 18).
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o Class B shares are offered without a front-end sales charge, but
will in most cases be subject to a CDSC (scaled down from 5.0% to
1.0%) if redeemed within six years after purchase. The CDSC will
be imposed on any redemption of shares if after such redemption
the aggregate current value of a Class B account with the Fund
falls below the aggregate amount of the investor's purchase
payments made during the six years preceding the redemption. A
different CDSC schedule applies to investments by certain
qualified plans. Class B shares are also subject to a 12b-1 fee
assessed at the annual rate of 1.0% of the average daily net
assets of Class B. Class B shares convert to Class A shares
approximately ten years after the date of the original purchase
(see pages 12, 16 and 18).
o Class C shares are offered without a front-end sales charge,
but will in most cases be subject to a CDSC of 1.0% if redeemed
within one year after purchase. The Fund is authorized to
reimburse the Distributor for specific expenses incurred in
promoting the distribution of the Fund's Class C shares and
servicing shareholder accounts pursuant to the Fund's 12b-1 Plan.
Reimbursement may in no event exceed an amount equal to payments
at an annual rate of 1.0% of the average daily net assets of the
Class (see pages 13, 17 and 18).
o Class D shares are offered only to investors meeting an initial
investment minimum of $5 million ($25 million for certain
qualified plans) and to certain other limited categories of
investors. Class D shares are offered without a front-end sales
charge or CDSC and are not subject to any 12b-1 fee (see pages 13
and 18).
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DIVIDENDS AND Dividends from net investment income and distributions from net
CAPITAL GAINS capital gains, if any, are paid at least annually. The Fund may,
DISTRIBUTIONS however, determine to retain all or part of any net long-term
capital gains in any year for reinvestment. Dividends and capital
gains distributions paid on shares of a Class are automatically
reinvested in additional shares of the same Class at net asset
value unless the shareholder elects to receive cash. Shares
acquired by dividend and distribution reinvestment will not be
subject to any sales charge or CDSC (see page 23).
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REDEMPTION Shares are redeemable by the shareholder at net asset value less
any applicable CDSC on Class A, Class B or Class C shares. An
account may be involuntarily redeemed if the total value of the
account is less than $100 or, if the account was opened through
EasyInvest (Service Mark), if after twelve months the shareholder
has invested less than $1,000 in the account (see page 22).
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RISK The net asset value of the Fund's shares will fluctuate with
CONSIDERATIONS changes in the market value of portfolio securities. Investing in
medium-sized market capitalization companies may involve greater
risk of volatility in the Fund's net asset value than is
customarily associated with investing in larger, more established
companies. The Fund may invest up to 35% of its net assets in
lower rated convertible securities, which entails additional
risks. In addition, it should be recognized that the foreign
securities and markets in which the Fund may invest up to 25% of
its total assets pose different and greater risks than those
customarily associated with domestic securities and their markets
(see pages 5-10).
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The above is qualified in its entirety by the detailed information appearing
elsewhere in this Prospectus and in the Statement of Additional Information.
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SUMMARY OF FUND EXPENSES
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The following table illustrates all expenses and fees that a shareholder of
the Fund will incur. The expenses and fees set forth in the table below are
based on the fees and estimated other expenses for the first fiscal year of
the Fund.
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CLASS A CLASS B CLASS C CLASS D
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SHAREHOLDER TRANSACTION EXPENSES
Maximum Sales Charge Imposed on Purchases (as a percentage of
offering price) ................................................ 5.25%(1) None None None
Sales Charge Imposed on Dividend Reinvestments .................. None None None None
Maximum Contingent Deferred Sales Charge (as a percentage of
original purchase price or redemption proceeds)................. None(2) 5.00%(3) 1.00%(4) None
Redemption Fees.................................................. None None None None
Exchange Fee..................................................... None None None None
ANNUAL FUND OPERATING EXPENSES (AS A PERCENTAGE OF AVERAGE NET ASSETS)
Management Fees+ ................................................ 0.75% 0.75% 0.75% 0.75%
12b-1 Fees (5)(6)................................................ 0.25% 1.00% 1.00% None
Other Expenses+ ................................................. 0.30% 0.30% 0.30% 0.30%
Total Fund Operating Expenses+(7) ............................... 1.30% 2.05% 2.05% 1.05%
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+ The Investment Manager has undertaken to assume all operating expenses
(except for brokerage and 12b-1 fees) and to waive the compensation
provided for in its Investment Management Agreement until such time as
the Fund has $50 million of net assets or until six months from
commencement of the Fund's operations, whichever occurs first. The
expenses and fees disclosed above do not reflect the assumption of any
expenses or the waiver of any compensation by the Investment Manager.
(1) Reduced for purchases of $25,000 and over (see "Purchase of Fund
Shares--Initial Sales Charge Alternative--Class A Shares").
(2) Investments that are not subject to any sales charge at the time of
purchase are subject to a CDSC of 1.00% that will be imposed on
redemptions made within one year after purchase, except for certain
specific circumstances (see "Purchase of Fund Shares--Initial Sales
Charge Alternative--Class A Shares").
(3) The CDSC is scaled down to 1.00% during the sixth year, reaching zero
thereafter.
(4) Only applicable to redemptions made within one year after purchase (see
"Purchase of Fund Shares--Level Load Alternative--Class C Shares").
(5) The 12b-1 fee is accrued daily and payable monthly. The entire 12b-1
fee payable by Class A and a portion of the 12b-1 fee payable by each
of Class B and Class C equal to 0.25% of the average daily net assets
of the Class are currently each characterized as a service fee within
the meaning of National Association of Securities Dealers, Inc.
("NASD") guidelines and are payments made for personal service and/or
maintenance of shareholder accounts. The remainder of the 12b-1 fee, if
any, 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--Plan of Distribution").
(6) Upon conversion of Class B shares to Class A shares, such shares will
be subject to the lower 12b-1 fee applicable to Class A shares. No
sales charge is imposed at the time of conversion of Class B shares to
Class A shares. Class C shares do not have a conversion feature and,
therefore, are subject to an ongoing 1.00% distribution fee (see
"Purchase of Fund Shares--Alternative Purchase Arrangements").
(7) "Total Fund Operating Expenses," as shown above with respect to each
Class, are based upon the sum of Management and 12b-1 Fees, and
estimated "Other Expenses."
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EXAMPLES 1 YEAR 3 YEARS
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You would pay the following expenses on a $1,000 investment assuming (1) a
5% annual return and (2) redemption at the end of each time period:
Class A ................................................................... $65 $92
Class B ................................................................... $71 $94
Class C.................................................................... $31 $64
Class D ................................................................... $11 $33
You would pay the following expenses on the same $1,000 investment assuming
no redemption at the end of the period:
Class A ................................................................... $65 $92
Class B ................................................................... $21 $64
Class C ................................................................... $21 $64
Class D ................................................................... $11 $33
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THE ABOVE EXAMPLES SHOULD NOT BE CONSIDERED A REPRESENTATION OF PAST OR
FUTURE EXPENSES OR PERFORMANCE. ACTUAL EXPENSES OF EACH CLASS 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," "Purchase of Fund Shares--Plan of
Distribution" and "Redemption and Repurchases."
Long-term shareholders of Class B and Class C may pay more in sales charges,
including distribution fees, than the economic equivalent of the maximum
front-end sales charges permitted by the NASD.
4
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THE FUND AND ITS MANAGEMENT
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Morgan Stanley Dean Witter Mid-Cap Dividend Growth Securities (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 The Commonwealth of Massachusetts on December 23,
1997.
Dean Witter InterCapital Inc. ("InterCapital" or the "Investment
Manager"), whose address is Two World Trade Center, New York, New York 10048,
is the Fund's Investment Manager. The Investment Manager, which was
incorporated in July, 1992, is a wholly-owned subsidiary of Morgan Stanley
Dean Witter & Co., a preeminent global financial services firm that maintains
leading market positions in each of its three primary businesses--securities,
asset management and credit services.
InterCapital and its wholly-owned subsidiary, Dean Witter Services Company
Inc., serve in various investment management, advisory, management and
administrative capacities to 101 investment companies, twenty-eight of which
are listed on the New York Stock Exchange, with combined assets of
approximately $106 billion at February 28, 1998. The Investment Manager also
manages portfolios of pension plans, other institutions and individuals which
aggregated approximately $4.1 billion at such date.
The Fund has retained the Investment Manager to provide administrative
services, manage its business affairs and manage the investment of the Fund's
assets, including the placing of orders for the purchase and sale of
portfolio securities. InterCapital has retained Dean Witter Services Company
Inc. to perform the aforementioned administrative services for the Fund.
The Fund's Trustees review the various services provided by the Investment
Manager 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 Investment Manager, the Fund pays
the Investment Manager monthly compensation calculated daily by applying the
following annual rates to the Fund's net assets: 0.75% of the daily net
assets. The Investment Manager has agreed to assume all operating expenses
(except for brokerage and 12b-1 fees) and to waive the compensation provided
for in its Management Agreement until 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 expenses of the Fund include: the fee
of the Investment Manager; the fee pursuant to the Plan of Distribution (see
"Purchase of Fund Shares"); taxes; transfer agent, custodian and auditing
fees; certain legal fees; and printing and other expenses relating to the
Fund's operations which are not expressly assumed by the Investment Manager
under its Investment Management Agreement with the Fund.
INVESTMENT OBJECTIVE AND POLICIES
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The investment objective of the Fund is to seek total return. The
objective is a fundamental policy of the Fund and may not be changed without
a vote of a majority of the outstanding voting securities of the Fund. Total
return consists of capital appreciation (including realized and unrealized
capital gains and losses) and current income (including dividends, interest
and, in the case of discounted instruments, discount accruals). There is no
assurance that the objective will be achieved. The following policies may be
changed by the Board of Trustees without shareholder approval.
The Fund seeks to achieve its investment objective by investing, under
normal circumstances, at least 65% of its total assets in a diversified
portfolio of domestic and foreign equity securities of companies whose
capitalization falls within the range of companies comprising the Standard &
Poor's MidCap 400 Index ("S&P 400"), which capitalization range is
approximately between $220 million and $13 billion as of February 24, 1998,
and that currently pay dividends and that have the potential for increasing
dividends. The Fund may invest up to 35% of its total assets in common stocks
of U.S. companies that fall outside the range of mid-cap securities or in
non-dividend paying mid-cap securities and in U.S. Government securities
(securities issued or guaranteed as to principal and interest by the United
States or its agencies and instrumentalities), investment grade corporate
debt securities and/or money market instruments when, in the opinion of the
Investment Manager, the projected total return on such securities is equal to
or greater than the expected total return on equity securities or when such
holdings might be expected to reduce the volatility of the portfolio (for
purposes of this provision, the term "total return" means the difference
between the cost of a security and the aggregate of its market value and
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dividends received); or in money market instruments under any one or more of
the following circumstances: (i) pending investment of proceeds of sale of
the Fund's shares or of portfolio securities; (ii) pending settlement of
purchases of portfolio securities; or (iii) to maintain liquidity for the
purpose of meeting anticipated redemptions. The Fund may also invest up to
35% of its net assets in convertible bonds or preferred stocks that are
convertible into common stock, or in rights and warrants, so long as each
such investment is consistent with the Fund's investment objective. There are
no minimum rating or quality requirements with respect to convertible
securities in which the Fund may invest and, thus, all or some of such
securities may be below investment grade. The Fund will not invest in
convertible securities that are in default in payment of principal or
interest
In the opinion of the Investment Manager, mid-cap companies typically have
a better growth potential than their large-cap counterparts because they are
still in the early and more dynamic period of their corporate existences.
Often mid-size companies and the industries in which they are focused are
still evolving as opposed to the more mature industries served by large-cap
companies. Moreover, mid-cap companies are not considered "emerging" stocks,
nor are they as volatile as small-cap firms. This is because mid-cap
companies have increased liquidity, attributable to their larger market
capitalization as well as longer and more established track records, and a
stronger market presence and dominance than small-cap firms. Consequently,
because of the better growth inherent in these companies and their
industries, mid-cap companies offer superior return potential to large-cap
companies, albeit with greater risk, yet owing to their relatively larger
size and better recognition in the investment community, they have a reduced
risk profile compared to smaller, emerging or micro-cap companies, but offer
less opportunity for capital appreciation.
Notwithstanding the Fund's investment objective of seeking total return,
the Fund may, for defensive purposes, without limitation, invest in:
obligations of the United States Government, its agencies or
instrumentalities; cash and cash equivalents in major currencies; repurchase
agreements; zero coupon securities; money market instruments; and commercial
paper.
PORTFOLIO CHARACTERISTICS
FIXED-INCOME SECURITIES. All fixed-income securities are subject to two types
of risks: the credit risk and the interest rate risk. The credit risk relates
to the ability of the issuer to meet interest or principal payments or both
as they come due. The interest rate risk refers to the fluctuations in the
net asset value of any portfolio of fixed-income securities resulting from
the inverse relationship between price and yield of fixed-income securities;
that is, when the general level of interest rates rises, the prices of
outstanding fixed-income securities decline, and when interest rates fall,
prices rise.
The term investment grade consists of debt instruments rated Baa or higher
by Moody's Investors Service, Inc. ("Moody's") or BBB or higher by Standard &
Poor's Corporation ("S&P") or, if not rated, determined to be of comparable
quality by the Investment Manager. Investments in securities rated either Baa
by Moody's or BBB by S&P 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 debt
instrument, except a convertible security, held by the Fund is subsequently
downgraded below investment grade by a rating agency, the Fund will retain
such security in its portfolio until the Investment Manager determines that
it is practicable to sell the security without undue market or tax
consequences to the Fund. In the event that such downgraded securities
constitute 5% or more of the Fund's net assets, the Investment Manager will
sell immediately sufficient securities to reduce the total to below 5%.
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, will 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
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privilege.) At such times the price of the convertible security will tend to
fluctuate directly with the price of the underlying equity security.
LOWER-RATED CONVERTIBLE SECURITIES. A portion of the convertible securities
in which the Fund may invest will generally be below investment grade (see
above). 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 S&P or Baa
or higher by Moody's. Convertible securities rated Baa by Moody's or BBB by
S&P have speculative characteristics greater than those of more highly rated
securities, while convertible securities rated Ba or BB or lower by Moody's
or S&P, respectively, are considered to be speculative investments. The Fund
will not invest in convertible securities that are in default in payment of
principal or interest.
Because of the special nature of the Fund's permitted investments in lower
rated convertible securities, it 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 lower-rated 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.
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.
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.
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 Investment Manager to be creditworthy and when the income
which can be earned from such loans justifies the attendant risks.
PRIVATE PLACEMENTS AND RESTRICTED SECURITIES. The Fund may invest up to 5% of
its total 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 restricted.
(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 Investment Manager,
pursuant to procedures adopted by the Board of Trustees of the Fund, will
make a determination as to the liquidity of each restricted security
purchased by the Fund. If a restricted security is determined to be "liquid,"
such security will not be included within the category
7
<PAGE>
"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.
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, including the risks of default or bankruptcy of the selling
financial institution, the Fund follows procedures designed to minimize those
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 Investment Manager
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.
FOREIGN SECURITIES. The Fund may invest up to 25% of the value of its total
assets, at the time of purchase, in equity securities, rights and warrants
issued by foreign issuers. The Fund will invest in foreign securities whose
market capitalization is within the range of the companies comprising the S&P
400. Although certain of these securities may not be mid-cap companies in the
foreign markets in which they trade, they will be included in the mid-cap
securities in which the Fund may invest. Such investments may also be in the
form of American Depository Receipts (ADRs), European Depository Receipts
(EDRs) or other similar 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. 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. For a discussion of
the risks of foreign securities, see "Risk Considerations" below.
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.
INVESTMENT IN REAL ESTATE INVESTMENT TRUSTS. The Fund may invest in real
estate investment trusts, which pool investors' funds for investments
primarily in commercial real estate properties. Investment in real estate
investment trusts may be the most practical available means for the Fund to
invest in the real estate industry (the Fund is prohibited from investing in
real estate directly). As a shareholder in a real estate investment trust,
the Fund would bear its ratable share of the real estate investment trust's
expenses, including its advisory and administra-
8
<PAGE>
tion fees. At the same time the Fund would continue to pay its own investment
management fees and other expenses, as a result of which the Fund and its
shareholders in effect will be absorbing duplicate levels of fees with
respect to investments in real estate investment trusts. Real estate
investment trusts are not diversified and are subject to the risk of
financing projects. They are also subject to heavy cash flow dependency,
defaults by borrowers or tenants, self-liquidation, and the possibility of
failing to qualify for tax-free status under the Internal Revenue Code and
failing to maintain exemption from the Investment Company Act of 1940, as
amended.
PORTFOLIO MANAGEMENT
The Fund's portfolio is actively managed by its Investment Manager with a
view to achieving the Fund's investment objective. In determining which
securities to purchase for the Fund or hold in the Fund's portfolio, the
Investment Manager will rely on information from various sources, including
research, analysis and appraisals of brokers and dealers, including Dean
Witter Reynolds Inc. ("DWR"), Morgan Stanley and Co. Incorporated and other
broker-dealer affiliates of InterCapital, the views of others regarding
economic developments and interest rate trends, and the Investment Manager's
own analysis of factors it deems relevant. No particular emphasis is given to
investments in securities for the purpose of earning current income. The
Fund's portfolio is managed within InterCapital's Growth and Income Group,
which manages 26 equity funds and fund portfolios with approximately $33.3
billion in assets as of February 27, 1998. Paul D. Vance, Senior Vice
President of InterCapital and Steven M. MacNamara, Assistant Vice President
of InterCapital, each a member of InterCapital's Growth and Income Group, are
the primary portfolio managers of the Fund. Mr. Vance has been a portfolio
manager at InterCapital for over five years. Mr. MacNamara has been a
portfolio manager at InterCapital since April, 1996 and prior thereto was a
Senior Portfolio Manager with Investment Advisors International.
Although the Fund does not intend to engage in substantial short-term
trading as a means of achieving its investment objective, it may sell
portfolio securities without regard to the length of time they have been
held, in accordance with the investment policies described earlier. Portfolio
changes will be effected whenever the Fund's Investment Manager believes they
will benefit the performance of the portfolio. As a result the Fund does
expect to engage in a substantial number of portfolio transactions. It is
anticipated that, under normal market conditions, the Fund's portfolio
turnover rate will not exceed 100% in any one year. The Fund will incur
brokerage costs commensurate with its portfolio turnover rate; 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 trading policy. A more
extensive discussion of the Fund's portfolio brokerage policies is set forth
in the Statement of Additional Information.
Pursuant to an order of the Securities and Exchange Commission the Fund
may effect principal transactions in certain money market instruments with
DWR. In addition, the Fund may incur brokerage commissions on transactions
conducted through DWR, Morgan Stanley and Co. Incorporated and other brokers
and dealers that are affiliates of InterCapital.
RISK CONSIDERATIONS
- -----------------------------------------------------------------------------
The net asset value of the Fund's shares will fluctuate with changes in
the market value of its 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. The Fund is intended
for long-term investors who can accept the risks involved in seeking total
return through investment primarily in the securities of medium-sized
companies. It should be recognized that investing in such companies involves
greater risk than is customarily associated with investing in more
established companies.
MID-CAP STOCKS. Investing in medium-sized market capitalization companies may
involve greater risk of volatility of the Fund's net asset value than is
customarily associated with investing in larger, more established companies.
Often mid-size companies and the industries in which they are focused are
still evolving and while this may offer better growth potential than larger,
established companies, it also may make them more sensitive to changing
market conditions. Because prices of stocks, including mid-cap stocks,
fluctuate from day to day, the value of an investment in the Fund will vary
based upon the Fund's investment performance.
FOREIGN SECURITIES. The Fund may invest up to 25% of its total assets in
equity securities of non-U.S. companies, including American or other
Depository Receipts, rights, warrants and the direct purchase of foreign
securities. Investments in foreign securities involve risks relating to local
foreign political or economic developments, potential nationalization,
withholding taxes on dividend or interest payments, and limitations on the
use or transfer of Fund assets and any effects of foreign social, economic
9
<PAGE>
or political instability. 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.
Costs may be incurred in connection with conversions between various
currencies held by the Fund. Foreign companies may have less public or less
reliable information available about them and may be subject to less
governmental regulation than U.S. companies. Securities of foreign companies
may be less liquid and more volatile than securities of 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.
YEAR 2000. The investment management services provided to the Fund by the
Investment Manager, and the services provided by the Distributor and the
Transfer Agent to shareholders, depend on the smooth functioning of their
computer systems. Many computer software systems in use today cannot
recognize the year 2000, but revert to 1900 or 1980, due to the manner in
which dates were encoded and calculated. That failure could have a negative
impact on the handling of securities trades, pricing and account services.
The Investment Manager, the Distributor and the Transfer Agent have been
actively working on necessary changes to their own computer systems to deal
with the year 2000 and expect that their systems will be adapted before that
date, but there can be no assurance that they will be successful or that
interaction with other noncomplying computer systems will not impair their
services at that time.
In addition, it is possible that the markets for securities in which the
Fund invests may be detrimentally affected by computer failures throughout
the financial services industry beginning January 1, 2000. Improperly
functioning trading systems may result in settlement problems and liquidity
issues. In addition, corporate and governmental data processing errors may
result in production problems for individual companies and overall economic
uncertainties. Earnings of individual issuers will be affected by remediation
costs, which may be substantial and may be reported inconsistently in U.S.
and foreign financial statements. Accordingly, the Fund's investments may be
adversely affected.
For additional risk disclosure, please refer to the "Portfolio
Characteristics" section of the Prospectus and to the "Investment Practices
and Policies" section of the Statement of Additional Information.
INVESTMENT RESTRICTIONS
- -----------------------------------------------------------------------------
The investment restrictions listed below are among the restrictions which
have been adopted by the Fund as fundamental policies. Under the Investment
Company Act of 1940, as amended (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. With respect 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), except that the Fund may invest all or substantially all
of its assets in another registered investment company having the same
investment objective and policies and substantially the same investment
restrictions as the Fund (a "Qualifying Portfolio").
2. With respect to 75% of its assets, purchase more than 10% of all
outstanding voting securities or any class
10
<PAGE>
of securities of any one issuer, except that the Fund may invest all or
substantially all of its assets in a Qualifying Portfolio.
3. Invest 25% or more of the value of its total assets in securities of
issuers in any one industry. This restriction does not apply to obligations
issued or guaranteed by the United States Government or its agencies or
instrumentalities.
See the Statement of Additional Information for additional investment
restrictions.
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 initial offering
will run approximately from April 24, 1998 through May 21, 1998. 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 May 27, 1998, 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. Prospective investors in money
market funds should request and read the money market fund prospectus prior
to investing. 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. An investor may cancel his or her
purchase of Fund shares without penalty at any time prior to the Closing
Date.
The Underwriter will purchase Class B, Class C and Class D shares from the
Fund at $10.00 per share with all proceeds going to the Fund and will
purchase Class A shares at $10.00 per shares plus a sales charge as set forth
under "Purchase of Fund Shares--Continuous Offering--Initial Sales Charge
Alternative--Class A Shares" with the sales charge paid to the Underwriter
and the net asset value of $10.00 per share going to the Fund. The
Underwriter may, however, receive contingent deferred sales charges from
future redemptions of Class A, Class B and Class C shares (see "Purchase of
Fund Shares--Continuous Offering").
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
- -----------------------------------------------------------------------------
GENERAL
The Fund offers each class of its shares for sale to the public on a
continuous basis. Dean Witter Distributors Inc. (the "Distributor") will act
as the Distributor of each Class of the Fund's shares during the continuous
offering. Pursuant to a Distribution Agreement between the Fund and the
Distributor, an affiliate of the Investment Manager, shares of the Fund are
distributed by the Distributor and offered by DWR and other dealers which
have entered into selected 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 Fund offers four classes of shares (each, a "Class"). Class A shares
are sold to investors with an initial sales charge that declines to zero for
larger purchases; however, Class A shares sold without an initial sales
charge are subject to a contingent deferred sales charge ("CDSC") of 1.0% if
redeemed within one year of purchase, except for certain specific
circumstances. Class B shares are sold without an initial sales charge but
are subject to a CDSC (scaled down from 5.0% to 1.0%) payable upon most
redemptions within six years after purchase. (Class B shares purchased by
certain qualified plans are subject to a CDSC scaled down from 2.0% to
11
<PAGE>
1.0% if redeemed within three years after purchase.) Class C shares are sold
without an initial sales charge but are subject to a CDSC of 1.0% on most
redemptions made within one year after purchase. Class D shares are sold
without an initial sales charge or CDSC and are available only to investors
meeting an initial investment minimum of $5 million ($25 million for certain
qualified plans), and to certain other limited categories of investors. At
the discretion of the Board of Trustees of the Fund, Class A shares may be
sold to categories of investors in addition to those set forth in this
prospectus at net asset value without a front-end sales charge, and Class D
shares may be sold to certain other categories of investors, in each case as
may be described in the then current prospectus of the Fund. See "Alternative
Purchase Arrangements--Selecting a Particular Class" for a discussion of
factors to consider in selecting which Class of shares to purchase.
The minimum initial purchase is $1,000 for each Class of shares, although
Class D shares are only available to persons investing $5 million ($25
million for certain qualified plans) or more and to certain other limited
categories of investors. For the purpose of meeting the minimum $5 million or
$25 million initial investment for Class D shares, and subject to the $1,000
minimum initial investment for each Class of the Fund, an investor's existing
holdings of Class A shares of the Fund and other Dean Witter Funds that are
multiple class funds ("Dean Witter Multi-Class Funds") and shares of Dean
Witter Funds sold with a front-end sales charge ("FSC Funds") and concurrent
investments in Class D shares of the Fund and other Dean Witter Multi-Class
Funds will be aggregated. Subsequent purchases of $100 or more may be made by
sending a check, payable to Morgan Stanley Dean Witter Mid-Cap Dividend
Growth Securities, directly to Morgan Stanley Dean Witter Trust FSB (the
"Transfer Agent" or "MSDW Trust") at P.O. Box 1040, Jersey City, NJ 07303 or
by contacting an account executive of DWR or other Selected Broker-Dealer.
When purchasing shares of the Fund, investors must specify whether the
purchase is for Class A, Class B, Class C or Class D shares. If no Class is
specified, the Transfer Agent will not process the transaction until the
proper Class is identified. The minimum initial purchase in the case of
investments through EasyInvest (Service Mark), 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. The minimum initial purchase in the case of
an "Education IRA" is $500, if the Distributor has reason to believe that
additional investments will increase the investment in the account to $1,000
within three years. In the case of investments pursuant to (i) Systematic
Payroll Deduction Plans (including Individual Retirement Plans), (ii) the
InterCapital mutual fund asset allocation program and (iii) fee-based
programs approved by the Distributor, pursuant to which participants pay an
asset based fee for services in the nature of investment advisory,
administrative services and/or brokerage, the Fund, in its discretion, may
accept investments without regard to any minimum amounts which would
otherwise be required, provided, in the case of Systematic Payroll Deduction
Plans, that the Distributor 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. Sales personnel of a Selected Broker-Dealer are
compensated for selling shares of the Fund by the Distributor and/or the
Selected Broker-Dealer. In addition, some sales personnel of the Selected
Broker-Dealer will receive various types of non-cash compensation as 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.
ALTERNATIVE PURCHASE ARRANGEMENTS
The Fund offers several Classes of shares to investors designed to provide
them with the flexibility of selecting an investment best suited to their
needs. The general public is offered three Classes of shares: Class A shares,
Class B shares and Class C shares, which differ principally in terms of sales
charges and rate of expenses to which they are subject. A fourth Class of
shares, Class D shares, is offered only to limited categories of investors
(see "No Load Alternative--Class D Shares" below).
Each Class A, Class B, Class C or Class D share of the Fund represents an
identical interest in the investment portfolio of the Fund except that Class
A, Class B and Class C shares bear the expenses of the ongoing shareholder
service fees, Class B and Class C shares bear the expenses of the ongoing
distribution fees and
12
<PAGE>
Class A, Class B and Class C shares which are redeemed subject to a CDSC bear
the expense of the additional incremental distribution costs resulting from
the CDSC applicable to shares of those Classes. The ongoing distribution fees
that are imposed on Class A, Class B and Class C shares will be imposed
directly against those Classes and not against all assets of the Fund and,
accordingly, such charges against one Class will not affect the net asset
value of any other Class or have any impact on investors choosing another
sales charge option. See "Plan of Distribution" and "Redemptions and
Repurchases."
Set forth below is a summary of the differences between the Classes and
the factors an investor should consider when selecting a particular Class.
This summary is qualified in its entirety by detailed discussion of each
Class that follows this summary.
CLASS A SHARES. Class A shares are sold at net asset value plus an initial
sales charge of up to 5.25%. The initial sales charge is reduced for certain
purchases. Investments of $1 million or more (and investments by certain
other limited categories of investors) are not subject to any sales charges
at the time of purchase but are subject to a CDSC of 1.0% on redemptions made
within one year after purchase, except for certain specific circumstances.
Class A shares are also subject to a 12b-1 fee of up to 0.25% of the average
daily net assets of the Class. See "Initial Sales Charge Alternative--Class A
Shares."
CLASS B SHARES. Class B shares are offered at net asset value with no initial
sales charge but are subject to a CDSC (scaled down from 5.0% to 1.0%) if
redeemed within six years of purchase. (Class B shares purchased by certain
qualified plans are subject to a CDSC scaled down from 2.0% to 1.0% if
redeemed within three years after purchase.) This CDSC may be waived for
certain redemptions. Class B shares are also subject to an annual 12b-1 fee
of 1.0% of the average daily net assets of Class B. The Class B shares'
distribution fee will cause that Class to have higher expenses and pay lower
dividends than Class A or Class D shares.
After approximately ten (10) years, Class B shares will convert
automatically to Class A shares of the Fund, based on the relative net asset
values of the shares of the two Classes on the conversion date. In addition,
a certain portion of Class B shares that have been acquired through the
reinvestment of dividends and distributions will be converted at that time.
See "Contingent Deferred Sales Charge Alternative--Class B Shares."
CLASS C SHARES. Class C shares are sold at net asset value with no initial
sales charge but are subject to a CDSC of 1.0% on redemptions made within one
year after purchase. This CDSC may be waived for certain redemptions. They
are subject to an annual 12b-1 fee of up to 1.0% of the average daily net
assets of the Class C shares. The Class C shares' distribution fee may cause
that Class to have higher expenses and pay lower dividends than Class A or
Class D shares. See "Level Load Alternative--Class C Shares."
CLASS D SHARES. Class D shares are available only to limited categories of
investors (see "No Load Alternative--Class D Shares" below). Class D shares
are sold at net asset value with no initial sales charge or CDSC. They are
not subject to any 12b-1 fees. See "No Load Alternative--Class D Shares."
SELECTING A PARTICULAR CLASS. In deciding which Class of Fund shares to
purchase, investors should consider the following factors, as well as any
other relevant facts and circumstances:
The decision as to which Class of shares is more beneficial to an investor
depends on the amount and intended length of his or her investment. Investors
who prefer an initial sales charge alternative may elect to purchase Class A
shares. Investors qualifying for significantly reduced or, in the case of
purchases of $1 million or more, no initial sales charges may find Class A
shares particularly attractive because similar sales charge reductions are
not available with respect to Class B or Class C shares. Moreover, Class A
shares are subject to lower ongoing expenses than are Class B or Class C
shares over the term of the investment. As an alternative, Class B and Class
C shares are sold without any initial sales charge so the entire purchase
price is immediately invested in the Fund. Any investment return on these
additional investment amounts may partially or wholly offset the higher
annual expenses of these Classes. Because the Fund's future return cannot be
predicted, however, there can be no assurance that this would be the case.
Finally, investors should consider the effect of the CDSC period and any
conversion rights of the Classes in the context of their own investment time
frame. For example, although Class C shares are subject to a significantly
lower CDSC upon redemptions, they do not, unlike Class B shares, convert into
Class A shares after approximately ten years, and, therefore, are subject to
an ongoing 12b-1 fee of 1.0% (rather than the 0.25% fee applicable to Class A
shares) for an indefinite period of time. Thus, Class B shares may be more
attractive than Class C shares to investors with longer term investment
outlooks. Other investors, however, may elect to purchase Class C shares if,
for example, they determine that they do not wish to be subject to a
front-end sales charge and they are uncertain as to the length of time they
intend to hold their shares.
13
<PAGE>
For the purpose of meeting the $5 million (or $25 million) minimum
investment amount for Class D shares, holdings of Class A shares in all Dean
Witter Multi-Class Funds, shares of FSC Funds and shares of Dean Witter Funds
for which such shares have been exchanged will be included together with the
current investment amount.
Sales personnel may receive different compensation for selling each Class
of shares. Investors should understand that the purpose of a CDSC is the same
as that of the initial sales charge in that the sales charges applicable to
each Class provide for the financing of the distribution of shares of that
Class.
Set forth below is a chart comparing the sales charge, 12b-1 fees and
conversion options applicable to each Class of shares:
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
Conversion
Class Sales Charge 12b-1 Fee Feature
- --------- ------------------------- ------------- ---------------------
<S> <C> <C> <C>
A Maximum 5.25% 0.25% no
initial sales charge
reduced for
purchases of
$25,000 and over;
shares sold without
an initial sales
charge generally
subject to a 1.0%
CDSC during first
year.
- --------- ------------------------- ------------- ---------------------
B Maximum 5.0% 1.0% B shares convert
CDSC during the first to A shares
year decreasing automatically
to 0 after six years after
approximately
ten years
- --------- ------------------------- ------------- ---------------------
C 1.0% CDSC during 1.0% No
first year
- --------- ------------------------- ------------- ---------------------
D None None No
- --------- ------------------------- ------------- ---------------------
</TABLE>
See "Purchase of Fund Shares" and "The Fund and its Management" for a
complete description of the sales charges and service and distribution fees
for each Class of shares and "Determination of Net Asset Value," "Dividends,
Distributions and Taxes" and "Shareholder Services--Exchange Privilege" for
other differences between the Classes of shares.
INITIAL SALES CHARGE ALTERNATIVE--
CLASS A SHARES
Class A shares are sold at net asset value plus an initial sales charge. In
some cases, reduced sales charges may be available, as described below.
Investments of $1 million or more (and investments by certain other limited
categories of investors) are not subject to any sales charges at the time of
purchase but are subject to a CDSC of 1.0% on redemptions made within one
year after purchase (calculated from the last day of the month in which the
shares were purchased), except for certain specific circumstances. The CDSC
will be assessed on an amount equal to the lesser of the current market value
or the cost of the shares being redeemed. The CDSC will not be imposed (i) in
the circumstances set forth below in the section "Contingent Deferred Sales
Charge Alternative--Class B Shares--CDSC Waivers," except that the references
to six years in the first paragraph of that section shall mean one year in
the case of Class A shares, and (ii) in the circumstances identified in the
section "Additional Net Asset Value Purchase Options" below. Class A shares
are also subject to an annual 12b-1 fee of up to 0.25% of the average daily
net assets of the Class.
The offering price of Class A shares will be the net asset value per share
next determined following receipt of an order (see "Determination of Net
Asset Value" below), plus a sales charge (expressed as a percentage of the
offering price) on a single transaction as shown in the following table:
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
Sales Charge
--------------------------------
Percentage of Approximate
Amount of Single Public Offering Percentage of
Transaction Price Amount Invested
- -------------------- --------------- ---------------
<S> <C> <C>
Less than $25,000 .. 5.25% 5.54%
$25,000 but less
than $50,000 ...... 4.75% 4.99%
$50,000 but less
than $100,000 ..... 4.00% 4.17%
$100,000 but less
than $250,000 ..... 3.00% 3.09%
$250,000 but less
than $1 million .. 2.00% 2.04%
$1 million and over . 0 0
</TABLE>
Upon notice to all Selected Broker-Dealers, the Distributor may reallow up
to the full applicable sales charge as shown in the above schedule during
periods specified in such notice. During periods when 90% or more of the
sales charge is reallowed, such Selected Broker-Dealers may be deemed to be
underwriters as that term is defined in the Securities Act of 1933.
The above schedule of sales charges is applicable to purchases in a single
transaction by, among others: (a) an individual; (b) an individual, his or
her spouse and their children under the age of 21 purchasing shares for his,
her or their own accounts; (c) a trustee or other fiduciary purchasing shares
for a single trust estate or a single fiduciary account; (d) a pension,
profit-sharing or other employee benefit plan qualified or non-qualified
under Section 401 of the Internal Revenue Code; (e) tax-exempt organizations
enumerated in Section 501(c)(3) or (13) of the Internal Revenue Code; (f)
employee benefit plans
14
<PAGE>
qualified under Section 401 of the Internal Revenue Code of a single employer
or of employers who are "affiliated persons" of each other within the meaning
of Section 2(a)(3)(c) of the Act; and for investments in Individual
Retirement Accounts of employees of a single employer through Systematic
Payroll Deduction plans; or (g) any other organized group of persons, whether
incorporated or not, provided the organization has been in existence for at
least six months and has some purpose other than the purchase of redeemable
securities of a registered investment company at a discount.
COMBINED PURCHASE PRIVILEGE. Investors may have the benefit of reduced sales
charges in accordance with the above schedule by combining purchases of Class
A shares of the Fund in single transactions with the purchase of Class A
shares of other Dean Witter Multi-Class Funds and shares of FSC Funds. The
sales charge payable on the purchase of the Class A shares of the Fund, the
Class A shares of the other Dean Witter Multi-Class Funds and the shares of
the FSC Funds will be at their respective rates applicable to the total
amount of the combined concurrent purchases of such shares.
RIGHT OF ACCUMULATION. The above persons and entities may benefit from a
reduction of the sales charges in accordance with the above schedule if the
cumulative net asset value of Class A shares purchased in a single
transaction, together with shares of the Fund and other Dean Witter Funds
previously purchased at a price including a front-end sales charge (including
shares of the Fund and other Dean Witter Funds acquired in exchange for those
shares, and including in each case shares acquired through reinvestment of
dividends and distributions), which are held at the time of such transaction,
amounts to $25,000 or more. If such investor has a cumulative net asset value
of shares of FSC Funds and Class A and Class D shares that, together with the
current investment amount, is equal to at least $5 million ($25 million for
certain qualified plans), such investor is eligible to purchase Class D
shares subject to the $1,000 minimum initial investment requirement of that
Class of the Fund. See "No Load Alternative--Class D Shares" below.
The Distributor must be notified by DWR or a Selected Broker-Dealer or the
shareholder at the time a purchase order is placed that the purchase
qualifies for the reduced charge under the Right of Accumulation. Similar
notification must be made in writing by the dealer or shareholder when such
an order is placed by mail. The reduced sales charge will not be granted if:
(a) such notification is not furnished at the time of the order; or (b) a
review of the records of the Selected Broker-Dealer or the Transfer Agent
fails to confirm the investor's represented holdings.
LETTER OF INTENT. The foregoing schedule of reduced sales charges will also
be available to investors who enter into a written Letter of Intent providing
for the purchase, within a thirteen-month period, of Class A shares of the
Fund from DWR or other Selected Broker-Dealers. The cost of Class A shares of
the Fund or shares of other Dean Witter Funds which were previously purchased
at a price including a front-end sales charge during the 90-day period prior
to the date of receipt by the Distributor of the Letter of Intent, or of
Class A shares of the Fund or shares of other Dean Witter Funds acquired in
exchange for shares of such funds purchased during such period at a price
including a front-end sales charge, which are still owned by the shareholder,
may also be included in determining the applicable reduction.
ADDITIONAL NET ASSET VALUE PURCHASE OPTIONS. In addition to investments of $1
million or more, Class A shares also may be purchased at net asset value by
the following:
(1) trusts for which MSDW Trust (an affiliate of the Investment Manager)
provides discretionary trustee services;
(2) persons participating in a fee-based program approved by the
Distributor, pursuant to which such persons pay an asset based fee for
services in the nature of investment advisory, administrative and/or
brokerage services (such investments are subject to all of the terms and
conditions of such programs, which may include termination fees, mandatory
redemption upon termination and such other circumstances as specified in the
program's agreements and restrictions on transferability of Fund shares);
(3) employer-sponsored 401(k) and other plans qualified under Section
401(a) of the Internal Revenue Code ("Qualified Retirement Plans") with at
least 200 eligible employees and for which MSDW Trust serves as Trustee or
DWR's Retirement Plan Services serves as recordkeeper pursuant to a written
Recordkeeping Services Agreement;
(4) Qualified Retirement Plans for which MSDW Trust serves as Trustee or
DWR's Retirement Plan Services serves as recordkeeper pursuant to a written
Recordkeeping Services Agreement;
(5) investors who are clients of a Dean Witter account executive who
joined Dean Witter from another investment firm within six months prior to
the date of purchase of Fund shares by such investors, if the shares are
being purchased with the proceeds from a redemption of shares of an open-end
proprietary mutual fund of the account executive's previous firm which
imposed either a front-end or deferred sales charge, provided such purchase
was made within sixty days after the redemp-
15
<PAGE>
tion and the proceeds of the redemption had been maintained in the interim in
cash or a money market fund; and
(6) other categories of investors, at the discretion of the Board, as
disclosed in the then current prospectus of the Fund.
No CDSC will be imposed on redemptions of shares purchased pursuant to
paragraphs (1), (2) or (5), above.
For further information concerning purchases of the Fund's shares, contact
DWR or another Selected Broker-Dealer or consult the Statement of Additional
Information.
CONTINGENT DEFERRED SALES CHARGE
ALTERNATIVE--CLASS B SHARES
Class B shares are sold at net asset value next determined without an initial
sales charge so that the full amount of an investor's purchase payment may be
immediately invested in the Fund. A CDSC, however, will be imposed on most
Class B shares redeemed within six years after purchase. The CDSC will be
imposed on any redemption of shares if after such redemption the aggregate
current value of a Class B account with the Fund falls below the aggregate
amount of the investor's purchase payments for Class B shares made during the
six years (or, in the case of shares held by certain Qualified Retirement
Plans, three years) preceding the redemption. In addition, Class B shares are
subject to an annual 12b-1 fee of 1.0% of the average daily net assets of
Class B.
Except as noted below, Class B 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 CDSC upon
redemption. Shares redeemed earlier than six years after purchase may,
however, be subject to a 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 following table:
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
Year Since
Purchase CDSC as a Percentage
Payment Made of Amount 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 the case of Class B shares of the Fund purchased by Qualified
Retirement Plans for which MSDW Trust serves as Trustee or DWR's Retirement
Plan Services serves as recordkeeper pursuant to a written Recordkeeping
Services Agreement, shares held for three years or more after purchase
(calculated as described in the paragraph above) will not be subject to any
CDSC upon redemption. However, shares redeemed earlier than three years after
purchase may be subject to a CDSC (calculated as described in the paragraph
above), the percentage of which will depend on how long the shares have been
held, as set forth in the following table:
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
Year Since
Purchase CDSC as a Percentage
Payment Made of Amount Redeemed
- -------------------------- ------------------------
<S> <C>
First ..................... 2.0%
Second .................... 2.0%
Third ..................... 1.0%
Fourth and thereafter .... None
</TABLE>
CDSC WAIVERS. A CDSC will not be imposed on: (i) any amount which represents
an increase in value of shares purchased within the six years (or, in the
case of shares held by certain Qualified Retirement Plans, three years)
preceding the redemption; (ii) the current net asset value of shares
purchased more than six years (or, in the case of shares held by certain
Qualified Retirement Plans, three years) prior to the redemption; and (iii)
the current net asset value of shares purchased through reinvestment of
dividends or distributions and/or shares acquired in exchange for shares of
FSC Funds or of other Dean Witter Funds acquired in exchange for such shares.
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
16
<PAGE>
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
Qualified Retirement Plan which offers investment companies managed by the
Investment Manager or its subsidiary, Dean Witter Services Company Inc., as
self-directed investment alternatives and for which MSDW Trust serves as
Trustee or DWR's Retirement Plan Services serves as recordkeeper pursuant to
a written Recordkeeping Services Agreement ("Eligible Plan"), provided that
either: (A) the plan continues to be an Eligible 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.
CONVERSION TO CLASS A SHARES. Class B shares will convert automatically to
Class A shares, based on the relative net asset values of the shares of the
two Classes on the conversion date, which will be approximately ten (10)
years after the date of the original purchase. The ten year period is
calculated from the last day of the month in which the shares were purchased
or, in the case of Class B shares acquired through an exchange or a series of
exchanges, from the last day of the month in which the original Class B
shares were purchased, provided that shares acquired in exchange for shares
of another fund originally purchased before May 1, 1997 will convert to Class
A in May 2007. The conversion of shares purchased on or after May 1, 1997
will take place in the month following the tenth anniversary of the purchase.
There will also be converted at that time such proportion of Class B shares
acquired through automatic reinvestment of dividends and distributions owned
by the shareholder as the total number of his or her Class B shares
converting at the time bears to the total number of outstanding Class B
shares purchased and owned by the shareholder. In the case of Class B shares
held by a Qualified Retirement Plan for which MSDW Trust serves as Trustee or
DWR's Retirement Plan Services serves as recordkeeper pursuant to a written
Recordkeeping Services Agreement, the plan is treated as a single investor
and all Class B shares will convert to Class A shares on the conversion date
of the first shares of a Dean Witter Multi-Class Fund purchased by that plan.
In the case of Class B shares previously exchanged for shares of an "Exchange
Fund" (see "Shareholder Services--Exchange Privilege"), the period of time
the shares were held in the Exchange Fund (calculated from the last day of
the month in which the Exchange Fund shares were acquired) is excluded from
the holding period for conversion. If those shares are subsequently
re-exchanged for Class B shares of a Dean Witter Multi-Class Fund, the
holding period resumes on the last day of the month in which Class B shares
are reacquired.
If a shareholder has received share certificates for Class B shares, such
certificates must be delivered to the Transfer Agent at least one week prior
to the date for conversion. Class B shares evidenced by share certificates
that are not received by the Transfer Agent at least one week prior to any
conversion date will be converted into Class A shares on the next scheduled
conversion date after such certificates are received.
Effectiveness of the conversion feature is subject to the continuing
availability of a ruling of the Internal Revenue Service or an opinion of
counsel that (i) the conversion of shares does not constitute a taxable event
under the Internal Revenue Code, (ii) Class A shares received on conversion
will have a basis equal to the shareholder's basis in the converted Class B
shares immediately prior to the conversion, and (iii) Class A shares received
on conversion will have a holding period that includes the holding period of
the converted Class B shares. The conversion feature may be suspended if the
ruling or opinion is no longer available. In such event, Class B shares would
continue to be subject to Class B 12b-1 fees.
LEVEL LOAD ALTERNATIVE--CLASS C SHARES
Class C shares are sold at net asset value next determined without an initial
sales charge but are subject to a CDSC of 1.0% on most redemptions made
within one year after purchase (calculated from the last day of the month in
which the shares were purchased). The CDSC will be assessed on an amount
equal to the lesser of the current market value or the cost of the shares
being redeemed. The CDSC will not be imposed in the circumstances set forth
above in the section "Contingent Deferred Sales Charge Alternative--Class B
Shares--CDSC Waivers," except that the references to six years in the first
paragraph of that section shall mean one year in
17
<PAGE>
the case of Class C shares. Class C shares are subject to an annual 12b-1 fee
of up to 1.0% of the average daily net assets of the Class. Unlike Class B
shares, Class C shares have no conversion feature and, accordingly, an
investor that purchases Class C shares will be subject to 12b-1 fees
applicable to Class C shares for an indefinite period subject to annual
approval by the Fund's Board of Trustees and regulatory limitations.
NO LOAD ALTERNATIVE--CLASS D SHARES
Class D shares are offered without any sales charge on purchase or redemption
and without any 12b-1 fee. Class D shares are offered only to investors
meeting an initial investment minimum of $5 million ($25 million for
Qualified Retirement Plans for which MSDW Trust serves as Trustee or DWR's
Retirement Plan Services serves as recordkeeper pursuant to a written
Recordkeeping Services Agreement) and the following categories of investors:
(i) investors participating in the InterCapital mutual fund asset allocation
program pursuant to which such persons pay an asset based fee; (ii) persons
participating in a fee-based program approved by the Distributor, pursuant to
which such persons pay an asset based fee for services in the nature of
investment advisory, administrative and/or brokerage services (subject to all
of the terms and conditions of such programs, referred to in (i) and (ii)
above which may include termination fees, mandatory redemption upon
termination and such other circumstances as specified in the programs'
agreements, and restrictions on transferability of Fund shares); (iii) 401(k)
plans established by DWR and SPS Transaction Services, Inc. (an affiliate of
DWR) for their employees; (iv) certain Unit Investment Trusts sponsored by
DWR; (v) certain other open-end investment companies whose shares are
distributed by the Distributor; and (vi) other categories of investors, at
the discretion of the Board, as disclosed in the then current prospectus of
the Fund. Investors who require a $5 million (or $25 million) minimum initial
investment to qualify to purchase Class D shares may satisfy that requirement
by investing that amount in a single transaction in Class D shares of the
Fund and other Dean Witter Multi-Class Funds, subject to the $1,000 minimum
initial investment required for that Class of the Fund. In addition, for the
purpose of meeting the $5 million (or $25 million) minimum investment amount,
holdings of Class A shares in all Dean Witter Multi-Class Funds, shares of
FSC Funds and shares of Dean Witter Funds for which such shares have been
exchanged will be included together with the current investment amount. If a
shareholder redeems Class A shares and purchases Class D shares, such
redemption may be a taxable event.
PLAN OF DISTRIBUTION
The Fund has adopted a Plan of Distribution pursuant to Rule 12b-1 under the
Act with respect to the distribution of Class A, Class B and Class C shares
of the Fund. In the case of Class A and Class C shares, the Plan provides
that the Fund will reimburse the Distributor and others for the expenses of
certain activities and services incurred by them specifically on behalf of
those shares. Reimbursements for these expenses will be made in monthly
payments by the Fund to the Distributor, which will in no event exceed
amounts equal to payments at the annual rates of 0.25% and 1.0% of the
average daily net assets of Class A and Class C, respectively. In the case of
Class B shares, the Plan provides that the Fund will pay the Distributor a
fee, which is accrued daily and paid monthly, at the annual rate of 1.0% of
the average daily net assets of Class B. The fee is treated by the Fund as an
expense in the year it is accrued. In the case of Class A shares, the entire
amount of the fee currently represents a service fee within the meaning of
the NASD guidelines. In the case of Class B and Class C shares, a portion of
the fee payable pursuant to the Plan, equal to 0.25% of the average daily net
assets of each of these Classes, is currently characterized as a service fee.
A service fee is a payment made for personal service and/or the maintenance
of shareholder accounts.
Additional amounts paid under the Plan in the case of Class B and Class C
shares are paid to the Distributor for services provided and the expenses
borne by the Distributor and others in the distribution of the shares of
those Classes, including the payment of commissions for sales of the shares
of those Classes and incentive compensation to and expenses of DWR's 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 in the case of Class B shares 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
expenses.
In the case of Class B shares, at any given time, the expenses in
distributing Class B 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
CDSCs paid by investors upon the redemption of Class B shares. For example,
if $1 million in expenses in distrib-
18
<PAGE>
uting Class B 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 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 CDSCs 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 CDSCs, may or may not be recovered through future distribution fees or
CDSCs.
In the case of Class A and Class C shares, expenses incurred pursuant to
the Plan in any calendar year in excess of 0.25% or 1.0% of the average daily
net assets of Class A or Class C, respectively, will not be reimbursed by the
Fund through payments in any subsequent year, except that expenses
representing a gross sales commission credited to account executives at the
time of sale may be reimbursed in the subsequent calendar year. No interest
or other financing charges will be incurred on any Class A or Class C
distribution expenses incurred by the Distributor under the Plan or on any
unreimbursed expenses due to the Distributor pursuant to the Plan.
DETERMINATION OF NET ASSET VALUE
The net asset value per share 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 net assets of the Fund, dividing by the number of shares
outstanding and adjusting to the nearest cent. The assets belonging to the
Class A, Class B, Class C and Class D shares will be invested together in a
single portfolio. The net asset value of each Class, however, will be
determined separately by subtracting each Class's accrued expenses and
liabilities. 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 for eign stock exchange is valued at its latest sale price on
that exchange; if there were no sales that day, the security is valued at the
latest bid price (in cases where a security is traded on more than one
exchange, the security is valued on the exchange designated as the primary
market pursuant to procedures adopted by the Trustees); and (2) all 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
Investment Manager that sale and 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.
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 it believes is the fair valuation of the portfolio securities valued by
such pricing service.
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.
Generally, trading in foreign securities, as well as corporate bonds,
United States government securities and money market instruments, is
substantially completed each day at various times prior to the close of the
New York Stock Exchange. The values of such securities used in computing the
net asset value of the Fund's shares are determined as of such times. Foreign
currency exchange rates are also generally determined prior to the close of
the New York Stock Exchange. Occasionally, events which affect the values of
such securities and such exchange rates may occur between the times at which
they are determined and the close of the New York Stock Exchange and will
therefore not be reflected in the computation of the Fund's net asset value.
If events that may affect the value of such securities occur during such
period, then these securities may be valued at their fair value as determined
in good faith under procedures established by and under the supervision of
the Trustees.
19
<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 applicable Class of the Fund (or, if specified by the
shareholder, in shares of any other open-end Dean Witter Fund), unless the
shareholder requests that they be paid in cash. Shares so acquired are
acquired at net asset value and are not subject to the imposition of a
front-end sales charge or a CDSC (see "Redemptions and Repurchases").
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 in shares of the
applicable Class at the net asset value next determined after receipt by the
Transfer Agent, by returning the check or the proceeds to the Transfer Agent
within thirty days after the payment date. Shares so acquired are acquired at
net asset value and are not subject to the imposition of a front-end sales
charge or a CDSC (see "Redemptions and Repurchases").
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 or following
redemption of shares of a Dean Witter money market fund, on a semi-monthly,
monthly or quarterly basis, to the Transfer Agent for investment in shares of
the Fund (see "Purchase of Fund Shares" and "Redemptions and
Repurchases--Involuntary Redemption").
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 amount, not less than $25, or in any
whole percentage of the account balance, on an annualized basis. Any
applicable CDSC will be imposed on shares redeemed under the Withdrawal Plan
(see "Purchase of Fund Shares"). 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 CDSC) to the shareholder
will be the designated monthly or quarterly amount. 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.
Shareholders should contact their DWR or other Selected Broker-Dealer
account executive or the Transfer Agent for further 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 DWR or other Selected
Broker-Dealer account executive or the Transfer Agent.
EXCHANGE PRIVILEGE
Shares of each Class may be exchanged for shares of the same Class of any
other Dean Witter Multi-Class Fund without the imposition of any exchange
fee. Shares may also be exchanged for shares of the following funds: Dean
Witter Short-Term U.S. Treasury Trust, Dean Witter Limited Term Municipal
Trust, Dean Witter Short-Term Bond Fund, Dean Witter Intermediate Term U.S.
Treasury Trust and five Dean Witter funds which are money market funds (the
"Exchange Funds"). Class A shares may also be exchanged for shares of Dean
Witter Multi-State Municipal Series Trust and Dean Witter Hawaii Municipal
Trust, which are Dean Witter Funds sold with a front-end sales charge ("FSC
Funds"). Class B shares may also be exchanged for shares of Dean Witter
Global Short-Term Income Fund Inc. ("Global Short-Term"), which is a Dean
Witter Fund offered with a CDSC. 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 to another Dean Witter Multi-Class Fund, any FSC Fund, Global
Short-Term or 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, 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
20
<PAGE>
market fund at their net asset value determined the following day. Subsequent
exchanges between any of the money market funds and any of the Dean Witter
Multi-Class Funds, FSC Funds or Global Short-Term or any Exchange Fund that
is not a money market fund can be effected on the same basis.
No CDSC is imposed at the time of any exchange of shares, although any
applicable CDSC will be imposed upon ultimate redemption. During the period
of time the shareholder remains in an 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 re-exchanged for shares of a Dean Witter
Multi-Class Fund or shares of Global Short-Term, the holding period
previously frozen when the first exchange was made resumes on the last day of
the month in which shares of a Dean Witter Multi-Class Fund or shares of
Global Short-Term are reacquired. Thus, the CDSC is based upon the time
(calculated as described above) the shareholder was invested in shares of a
Dean Witter Multi-Class Fund or in shares of Global Short-Term (see "Purchase
of Fund Shares"). In the case of exchanges of Class A shares which are
subject to a CDSC, the holding period also includes the time (calculated as
described above) the shareholder was invested in shares of a FSC Fund. In the
case of shares exchanged into an Exchange Fund on or after April 23, 1990,
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, if any, incurred on or after that
date which are attributable to those shares. (Exchange Fund 12b-1
distribution fees are described in the prospectuses for those funds.) Class B
shares of the Fund acquired in exchange for shares of Global Short-Term Class
B shares of another Dean Witter Multi-Class Fund having a different CDSC
schedule than that of this Fund will be subject to the higher CDSC schedule,
even if such shares are subsequently re-exchanged for shares of the fund with
the lower CDSC schedule.
ADDITIONAL INFORMATION REGARDING EXCHANGES. Purchases and exchanges should be
made for investment purposes only. A pattern of frequent exchanges may be
deemed by the Investment Manager to be abusive and contrary to the best
interests of the Fund's other shareholders and, at the Investment 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 and each of the
other Dean Witter Funds may in their 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 Dean Witter
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
of each Class of shares and any other conditions imposed by each fund. In the
case of any shareholder holding a share certificate or certificates, no
exchanges may be made until all applicable share certificates have been
received by the Transfer Agent and deposited in the shareholder's account. 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 Dean
Witter Funds (for which the Exchange Privilege is available) pursuant to this
Exchange Privilege by contacting their 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 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).
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<PAGE>
The Fund will employ reasonable procedures to confirm that exchange
instructions communicated over the telephone are genuine. Such procedures may
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 may 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
with the Dean Witter Funds in the past.
For further information regarding the Exchange Privilege, shareholders
should contact their account executive or the Transfer Agent.
REDEMPTIONS AND REPURCHASES
- -----------------------------------------------------------------------------
REDEMPTION. Shares of each Class of the Fund can be redeemed for cash at
any time at the net asset value per share next determined less the amount of
any applicable CDSC in the case of Class A, Class B or Class C shares (see
"Purchase of Fund Shares"). If shares are held in a shareholder's account
without a share certificate, a written request for redemption sent 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, along
with any additional documentation required by the Transfer Agent.
REPURCHASE. DWR and other Selected Broker-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 request of the shareholder. The repurchase price is the
net asset value per share next determined (see "Purchase of Fund Shares")
after such purchase order is received by DWR or other Selected Broker-Dealer,
reduced by any applicable CDSC.
The CDSC, if any, will be the only fee imposed upon repurchase by the Fund
or the Distributor. The offer 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 above under "Redemption."
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 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 redeemed
or repurchased and has not previously exercised this reinstatement privilege
may, within 35 days after the date of the redemption or repurchase, reinstate
any portion or all of the proceeds of such redemption or repurchase in shares
of the Fund in the same Class from which such shares were redeemed or
repurchased, at their 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
redemption or repurchase.
INVOLUNTARY REDEMPTION. The Fund reserves the right, upon 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 Board of Trustees, or, in the case of an
account opened through EasyInvest(ServiceMark), if
22
<PAGE>
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 the shareholder sixty
days to make an additional investment in an amount which will increase the
value of the 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 declares dividends separately for
each Class of shares and intends to pay income dividends and to distribute
net realized short-term and long-term capital gains, if any, at least once
each year. The Fund may, however, determine either to distribute or 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 shares of the same Class and automatically credited to the
shareholder's account without issuance of a share certificate unless the
shareholder requests in writing that all dividends be paid in cash. Shares
acquired by dividend and distribution reinvestments will not be subject to
any front-end sales charge or CDSC. Class B shares acquired through dividend
and distribution reinvestments will become eligible for conversion to Class A
shares on a pro rata basis. Distributions paid on Class A and Class D shares
will be higher than for Class B and Class C shares because distribution fees
paid by Class B and Class C shares are higher. (See "Shareholder
Services--Automatic Investment of Dividends and Distributions".)
TAXES. Because the Fund intends to distribute all of its net investment
income and net short-term capital gains to shareholders and otherwise remain
qualified 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 short-term capital gains, are taxable to the
shareholder as ordinary dividend income regardless of whether the shareholder
receives such distributions in additional shares or in cash. Any dividends
declared in the last quarter of any calendar year which are paid in the
following year prior to February 1 will be deemed, for tax purposes, to have
been received by the shareholder in the prior year.
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. Capital gains distributions are not
eligible for the dividends received deduction.
The Fund may at times make payments from sources other than income or net
capital gains. Payments from such sources would, in effect, represent a
return of a portion of each shareholder's investment. All, or a portion, of
such payments would not be taxable 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, including information as to the portion taxable as ordinary income,
the portion taxable as long-term capital gains, and the amount of dividends
eligible for the Federal dividends received deduction available to
corporations. Shareholders will also be notified of their proportionate share
of long-term capital gains distributions that are eligible for a reduced rate
of tax under the Taxpayer Relief Act of 1997. 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. These figures are computed separately for Class A,
Class B, Class C and Class D shares. 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
23
<PAGE>
initial investment in a Class of the Fund of $1,000 over periods of one, five
and ten years, or over 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 applicable Class and all sales charges which would be
incurred by shareholders, for the stated periods. 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 for
each Class 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 any 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 each Class of
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., the S&P 400, NASDAQ Composite, Russell Mid Cap
Index, S&P 500 Index and the Wilshire Mid Cap Index.
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 except
that each Class will have exclusive voting privileges with respect to matters
relating to distribution expenses borne solely by such Class or any other
matter in which the interests of one Class differ from the interests of any
other Class. In addition, Class B shareholders will have the right to vote on
any proposed material increase in Class A's expenses, if such proposal is
submitted separately to Class A shareholders. Also, as discussed herein,
Class A, Class B and Class C bear the expenses related to the distribution of
their respective shares.
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 limited circumstances, be held personally liable as partners for the
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 notice of such Fund obligations include such disclaimer,
and provides for indemnification 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 limitations 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. Directors, officers and employees of InterCapital, Dean
Witter Services Company Inc. and the Distributor are subject to a strict Code
of Ethics adopted by those companies. The Code of Ethics is intended to
ensure that the interests of shareholders and other clients are placed ahead
of any personal interest, that no undue personal benefit is obtained from a
person's employment activities and that actual and potential conflicts of
interest are avoided. To achieve these goals and comply with regulatory
requirements, the Code of Ethics requires, among other things, that personal
securities transactions by employees of the companies be subject to an
advance clearance process to monitor that no Dean Witter Fund is engaged at
the same time in a purchase or sale of the same security. The Code of Ethics
bans the purchase of securities in an initial public offering, and also
prohibits engaging in futures and options transactions and profiting on
short-term trading (that is, a purchase within sixty days of a sale or a sale
within sixty days of a purchase) of a security. In addition, investment
personnel may not purchase or sell a security for their personal account
within thirty days before or after any transaction in any Dean Witter Fund
managed by them. Any violations of the Code of Ethics are subject to
sanctions, including reprimand, demotion or suspension or termination of
employment. The Code of Ethics comports with regulatory requirements and the
recommendations in the 1994 report by the Investment Company Institute
Advisory Group on Personal Investing.
MASTER/FEEDER CONVERSION. The Fund reserves the right to seek to achieve its
investment objective by investing all of its investable assets in a
diversified, open-end management investment company having the same
investment objective and policies and substantially the same investment
restrictions as those applicable to the Fund.
24
<PAGE>
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.
The Investment Manager provided the initial capital for the Portfolio by
purchasing 1,250 shares each of Class A, Class B, Class C and Class D of each
Portfolio for $12,500, respectively, on February 6, 1998. As of the date of
this Prospectus, the Investment Manager owned 100% of the outstanding shares
of the Fund. The Investment Manager may be deemed to control the Fund until
such time as it owns less than 25% of the outstanding shares of the Fund.
25
<PAGE>
MORGAN STANLEY DEAN WITTER
MID-CAP DIVIDEND GROWTH SECURITIES
TWO WORLD TRADE CENTER
NEW YORK, NEW YORK 10048
TRUSTEES
Michael Bozic
Charles A. Fiumefreddo
Edwin J. Garn
John R. Haire
Wayne E. Hedien
Dr. Manuel H. Johnson
Michael E. Nugent
Philip J. Purcell
John L. Schroeder
OFFICERS
Charles A. Fiumefreddo
Chairman and Chief Executive Officer
Barry Fink
Vice President, Secretary and
General Counsel
Paul D. Vance
Vice President
Steven M. MacNamara
Assistant Vice President
Thomas F. Caloia
Treasurer
CUSTODIAN
The Bank of New York
90 Washington Street
New York, New York 10286
TRANSFER AGENT AND
DIVIDEND DISBURSING AGENT
Morgan Stanley Dean Witter Trust FSB
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
INVESTMENT MANAGER
Dean Witter InterCapital Inc.
<PAGE>
STATEMENT OF ADDITIONAL INFORMATION
MARCH 23, 1998
MORGAN STANLEY DEAN WITTER
MID-CAP DIVIDEND
GROWTH SECURITIES
- -----------------------------------------------------------------------------
Morgan Stanley Dean Witter Mid-Cap Dividend Growth Securities (the "Fund")
is an open-end, diversified management investment company whose investment
objective is to seek total return. The Fund invests principally in equity
securities of companies whose market capitalization falls within the range of
companies comprising the Standard & Poor's MidCap 400 Index, which
capitalization range is between $220 million and $13 billion as of February
24, 1998, and that have a record of paying dividends and the potential for
increasing dividends. (See "Investment Practices and Policies.")
A Prospectus for the Fund dated March 23, 1998, which provides the basic
information you should know before investing in the Fund, may be obtained
without charge from the Fund at its 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.
Morgan Stanley Dean Witter
Mid-Cap Dividend Growth Securities
Two World Trade Center
New York, New York 10048
(212) 392-2550 or
(800) 869-NEWS (toll-free)
<PAGE>
TABLE OF CONTENTS
- -----------------------------------------------------------------------------
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
<S> <C>
The Fund and its Management................................ 3
Trustees and Officers...................................... 6
Investment Practices and Policies.......................... 12
Investment Restrictions.................................... 15
Portfolio Transactions and Brokerage....................... 16
Underwriting............................................... 18
The Distributor............................................ 18
Determination of Net Asset Value........................... 21
Purchase of Fund Shares.................................... 22
Shareholder Services....................................... 25
Redemptions and Repurchases................................ 29
Dividends, Distributions and Taxes......................... 30
Performance Information.................................... 31
Description of Shares of the Fund.......................... 32
Custodian and Transfer Agent .............................. 33
Independent Accountants.................................... 33
Reports to Shareholders.................................... 33
Legal Counsel.............................................. 33
Experts ................................................... 33
Registration Statement..................................... 33
Statement of Assets and Liabilities as of February 26,
1998...................................................... 34
Report of Independent Accountants.......................... 36
Appendix................................................... 37
</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 December 23, 1997.
THE INVESTMENT MANAGER
Dean Witter InterCapital Inc. (the "Investment Manager" or
"InterCapital"), a Delaware corporation, whose address is Two World Trade
Center, New York, New York 10048, is the Fund's Investment Manager.
InterCapital is a wholly-owned subsidiary of Morgan Stanley Dean Witter & Co.
("MSDW"), a Delaware corporation. In an internal reorganization which took
place in January, 1993, InterCapital assumed the investment advisory,
administrative and management activities previously performed by the
InterCapital Division of Dean Witter Reynolds Inc. ("DWR"), a broker-dealer
affiliate of InterCapital. (As hereinafter used in this Statement of
Additional Information, the terms "InterCapital" and "Investment Manager"
refer to DWR's InterCapital Division prior to the internal reorganization and
to Dean Witter InterCapital Inc. thereafter). The daily management of the
Fund and research relating to the Fund's portfolio are conducted by or under
the direction of officers of the Fund and of the Investment Manager, subject
to review of investments by the Fund's Board of Trustees. Information as to
these Trustees and officers is contained under the caption "Trustees and
Officers."
InterCapital is also the investment manager or investment adviser of the
following investment companies: Dean Witter Liquid Asset Fund Inc.,
InterCapital Income Securities Inc., Dean Witter High Yield Securities Inc.,
Dean Witter Tax-Free Daily Income Trust, Dean Witter Value-Added Market
Series, Dean Witter Tax-Exempt Securities Trust, Dean Witter Natural Resource
Development Securities Inc., Dean Witter Dividend Growth Securities Inc.,
Dean Witter American Value Fund, Dean Witter Developing Growth Securities
Trust, Dean Witter U.S. Government Money Market Trust, Dean Witter Variable
Investment Series, Dean Witter World Wide Investment Trust, Dean Witter
Select Municipal Reinvestment Fund, Dean Witter U.S. Government Securities
Trust, Dean Witter California Tax-Free Income Fund, Dean Witter New York
Tax-Free Income Fund, Dean Witter Convertible Securities Trust, Dean Witter
Federal Securities Trust, High Income Advantage Trust, High Income Advantage
Trust II, High Income Advantage Trust III, Dean Witter Government Income
Trust, Dean Witter Utilities Fund, Dean Witter California Tax-Free Daily
Income Trust, Dean Witter Strategist Fund, Dean Witter World Wide Income
Trust, Dean Witter Intermediate Income Securities, Dean Witter New York
Municipal Money Market Trust, Dean Witter Capital Growth Securities, Dean
Witter European Growth Fund Inc., Dean Witter Precious Metals and Minerals
Trust, Dean Witter Global Short-Term Income Fund Inc., Dean Witter Pacific
Growth Fund Inc., Dean Witter Multi-State Municipal Series Trust, Dean Witter
Short-Term U.S. Treasury Trust, InterCapital Insured Municipal Bond Trust,
InterCapital Insured Municipal Trust, InterCapital Insured Municipal Income
Trust, InterCapital California Insured Municipal Income Trust, InterCapital
Quality Municipal Investment Trust, InterCapital Quality Municipal Income
Trust, InterCapital Quality Municipal Securities, InterCapital California
Quality Municipal Securities, InterCapital New York Quality Municipal
Securities, Dean Witter Diversified Income Trust, Dean Witter Health Sciences
Trust, Dean Witter Retirement Series, Dean Witter Global Dividend Growth
Securities, Dean Witter Limited Term Municipal Trust, InterCapital Insured
Municipal Securities, InterCapital Insured California Municipal Securities,
Dean Witter Short-Term Bond Fund, Dean Witter Global Utilities Fund, Dean
Witter International SmallCap Fund, Dean Witter Select Dimensions Investment
Series, Dean Witter Balanced Income Fund, Dean Witter Balanced Growth Fund,
Dean Witter Hawaii Municipal Trust, Dean Witter Intermediate Term U.S.
Treasury Trust, Dean Witter Capital Appreciation Fund, Dean Witter
Information Fund, Dean Witter Japan Fund, Dean Witter Income Builder Fund,
Dean Witter Special Value Fund, Dean Witter Financial Services Trust, Dean
Witter Market Leader Trust, Active Assets Money Trust, Active Assets Tax-Free
Trust, Active Assets California Tax-Free Trust, Active Assets Government
Securities Trust, Municipal Income Trust, Municipal Income Trust II,
Municipal Income Trust III, Municipal Income Opportunities Trust, Municipal
Income Opportunities Trust II, Municipal Income Opportunities
3
<PAGE>
Trust III, Municipal Premium Income Trust, Dean Witter S&P 500 Fund, Dean
Witter Fund of Funds, Morgan Stanley Dean Witter Competitive Edge Fund, "Best
Ideas" Portfolio, Morgan Stanley Dean Witter Growth Fund and Prime Income
Trust. The foregoing investment companies are collectively referred to as the
Dean Witter Funds.
In addition, Dean Witter Services Company Inc. ("DWSC"), a wholly-owned
subsidiary of InterCapital, serves as manager for the following investment
companies for which TCW Funds Management, Inc. is the investment adviser:
TCW/DW North American Government Income Trust, TCW/DW Latin American Growth
Fund, TCW/DW Income and Growth Fund, TCW/DW SmallCap Growth Fund, TCW/DW
Total Return Trust, TCW/DW Mid-Cap Equity Trust, TCW/DW Global Telecom Trust,
TCW/DW Emerging Markets Opportunities Trust, TCW/DW Term Trust 2000, TCW/DW
Term Trust 2002 and TCW/DW Term Trust 2003 (the "TCW/DW Funds"). InterCapital
also serves as: (i) administrator of The BlackRock Strategic Term Trust Inc.,
a closed-end investment company; (ii) sub-administrator of Templeton Global
Governments Income Trust, a closed-end investment company; and (iii)
investment adviser of Offshore Dividend Growth Fund and Offshore Money Market
Fund, mutual funds established under the laws of the Cayman Islands and
available only to investors who are participants in DWR's International
Active Assets Account program and are neither citizens nor residents of the
United States.
Pursuant to an Investment Management Agreement (the "Agreement") with the
Investment Manager, the Fund has retained the Investment Manager to manage
the investment of the Fund's assets, including the placing of orders for the
purchase and sale of portfolio securities. The Investment Manager 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.
Under the terms of the Agreement, in addition to managing the Fund's
investments, the Investment Manager maintains certain of the Fund's books and
records and furnishes, at its own expense, such office space, facilities,
equipment, clerical help and bookkeeping and 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 Investment Manager, necessary or
desirable). In addition, the Investment Manager pays the salaries of all
personnel, including officers of the Fund, who are employees of the
Investment Manager. The Investment Manager also bears the cost of telephone
service, heat, light, power and other utilities provided to the Fund. The
Investment Manager has retained DWSC to provide its administrative services
under the Agreement.
Expenses not expressly assumed by the Investment Manager under the
Agreement or by Dean Witter Distributiors Inc., the Distributor of the Fund's
shares ("Distributors" or "the Distributor") (see "The Distributor"), will be
paid by the Fund. These expenses will be allocated among the four classes of
shares of the Fund (each, a "Class") pro rata based on the net assets of the
Fund attributable to each Class, except as described below. Such expenses
borne by the Fund include, but are not limited to: expenses of the Plan of
Distribution pursuant to Rule 12b-1 (the "12b-1 fee") (see "The
Distributor"); charges and expenses of any registrar; custodian, stock
transfer and dividend disbursing agent; brokerage commissions; 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 Investment Manager or any
corporate affiliate of the Investment Manager; 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 Investment Manager (not including compensation
or expenses of attorneys who are employees of the Investment Manager) and
independent accountants; membership dues of industry associations; interest
on Fund borrowings; postage; insurance premiums
4
<PAGE>
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. The 12b-1
fees relating to a particular Class will be allocated directly to that Class.
In addition, other expenses associated with a particular Class (except
advisory or custodial fees) may be allocated directly to that Class, provided
that such expenses are reasonably identified as specifically attributable to
that Class and the direct allocation to that Class is approved by the
Trustees.
As full compensation for the services and facilities furnished to the Fund
and expenses of the Fund assumed by the Investment Manager, the Fund pays the
Investment Manager monthly compensation calculated daily by applying the
following annual rates to the Fund's daily net assets: 0.75% of the daily net
assets. The Investment Manager has agreed to assume all expenses (except for
brokerage and 12b-1 fees) and to waive the compensation provided for in its
Management Agreement until such time as the Fund has $50 million of net
assets or six months from the commencement of the Fund's operations,
whichever comes first.
The Agreement provides that in the absence of willful misfeasance, bad
faith, gross negligence or reckless disregard of its obligations thereunder,
the Investment Manager is not liable to the Fund or any of its investors for
any act or omission by the Investment Manager or for any losses sustained by
the Fund or its investors. The Agreement in no way restricts the Investment
Manager from acting as investment manager or adviser to others.
The Investment Manager paid the organizational expenses of the Fund,
approximately $156,920, incurred prior to the offering of the Fund's shares.
The Fund has agreed to bear and reimburse the Investment Manager for such
expenses. The organizational expenses are being deferred and are being
amortized by the straight line method over a period not to exceed five years
from the date of commencement of the Fund's operations.
The Agreement was initially approved by the Trustees of the Fund on
January 29, 1998 and by InterCapital as the sole shareholder on February 6,
1998. The Agreement may be terminated at any time, without penalty, on thirty
days' notice by the Board of Trustees of the Fund, by the holders of a
majority of the outstanding shares of the Fund, as defined in the Investment
Company Act of 1940, as amended (the "Act"), or by the Investment Manager.
The Agreement will automatically terminate in the event of its assignment (as
defined in the Act).
Under its terms, the Agreement has an initial term ending April 30, 1999
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
holders of a majority of the outstanding shares of the Fund, as defined in
the Act, 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 Trustees of
the Fund who are not parties to the Agreement or "interested persons" (as
defined in the Act) of any such party (the "Independent Trustees"), which
vote must be cast in person at a meeting called for the purpose of voting on
such approval.
The Fund has acknowledged that the name "Dean Witter" is a property right
of DWR. The Fund has agreed that DWR or its parent company may use, or at any
time permit others to use, the name "Dean Witter." The Fund has also agreed
that in the event the Agreement is terminated, or if the affiliation between
InterCapital and its parent company is terminated, the Fund will eliminate
the name "Dean Witter" from its name if DWR or its parent company shall so
request.
The Fund has acknowledged that the name "Morgan Stanley" is a property
right of MSDW. The Fund has agreed that MSDW may use, or at any time permit
others to use, the name "Morgan Stanley." The Fund has also agreed that in
the event the Agreement is terminated, or if the affiliation between
InterCapital and its parent company is terminated, the Fund will eliminate
the name "Morgan Stanley" from its name if MSDW shall so request.
5
<PAGE>
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
InterCapital, and with 85 Dean Witter Funds and 11 TCW/DW Funds, are shown
below:
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
NAME, AGE, POSITION WITH FUND AND ADDRESS PRINCIPAL OCCUPATIONS DURING LAST FIVE YEARS
- -------------------------------------------- ---------------------------------------------------------
<S> <C>
Michael Bozic (57).......................... Chairman and Chief Executive Officer of Levitz Furniture
Trustee Corporation (since November, 1995); Director or Trustee of
c/o Levitz Furniture Corporation the Dean Witter Funds; formerly President and Chief Executive
7887 N. Federal Hwy. Officer of Hills Department Stores (May, 1991-July, 1995);
Boca Raton, Florida formerly variously Chairman, Chief Executive Officer, President
and Chief Operating Officer (1987-1991) of the Sears Merchandise
Group of Sears, Roebuck and Co.; Director of Eaglemark Financial
Services, Inc., the United Negro College Fund and Weirton Steel
Corporation.
Charles A. Fiumefreddo* (64)................ Chairman, Chief Executive Officer and Director of InterCapital,
Chairman of the Board, DWSC and Distributors; Executive Vice President and Director
President, Chief Executive Officer of DWR; Chairman, Director or Trustee, President and Chief
and Trustee Executive Officer of the Dean Witter Funds; Chairman, Chief
Two World Trade Center Executive Officer and Trustee of the TCW/DW Funds; Chairman
New York, New York and Director of Morgan Stanley Dean Witter Trust FSB ("MSDW
Trust"); Director and/or officer of various MSDW subsidiaries.
Edwin J. Garn (65).......................... Director or Trustee of the Dean Witter Funds; formerly United
Trustee States Senator (R-Utah)(1974-1992) and Chairman, Senate Banking
c/o Huntsman Corporation Committee (1980-1986); formerly Mayor of Salt Lake City, Utah
500 Huntsman Way (1971-1974); formerly Astronaut, Space Shuttle Discovery (April
Salt Lake City, Utah 12-19, 1985); Vice Chairman, Huntsman Corporation; Director
of Franklin Covey (time management systems); John Alden Financial
Corp. (health insurance), United Space Alliance (joint venture
between Lockheed Martin and the Boeing Company) and Nuskin
Asia Pacific (multilevel marketing); member of the board of
various civic and charitable organizations.
John R. Haire (73).......................... Chairman of the Audit Committee and Chairman of the Committee
Trustee of the Independent Directors or Trustees and Director or Trustee
Two World Trade Center of the Dean Witter Funds; Chairman of the Audit Committee and
New York, New York Chairman of the Committee of the Independent Trustees and Trustee
of the TCW/DW Funds; formerly President, Council for Aid to
Education (1978-1989) and Chairman and Chief Executive Officer
of Anchor Corporation, an Investment Advisor (1964-1978).
6
<PAGE>
NAME, AGE, POSITION WITH FUND AND ADDRESS PRINCIPAL OCCUPATIONS DURING LAST FIVE YEARS
- -------------------------------------------- ---------------------------------------------------------
Wayne E. Hedien (64)........................ Retired; Director or Trustee of the Dean Witter Funds; Director
Trustee of The PMI Group, Inc. (private mortgage insurance); Trustee
c/o Gordon Altman Butowsky and Vice Chairman of The Field Museum of Natural History; formerly
Weitzen Shalov & Wein associated with the Allstate Companies (1966-1994), most
Counsel to the Independent Trustees recently as Chairman of The Allstate Corporation (March,
114 West 47th Street 1993-December, 1994) and Chairman and Chief Executive Officer
New York, New York of its wholly-owned subsidiary, Allstate Insurance Company
(July, 1989-December, 1994); director of various other business
and charitable organizations.
Dr. Manuel H. Johnson (49).................. Senior Partner, Johnson Smick International, Inc., a consulting
Trustee firm; Co-Chairman and a founder of the Group of Seven Council
c/o Johnson Smick International, Inc. (G7C), an international economic commission; Director or Trustee
1133 Connecticut Avenue, N.W. of the Dean Witter Funds; Trustee of the TCW/DW Funds; Director
Washington, DC of NASDAQ (since June, 1995); Director of Greenwich Capital
Markets Inc. (broker-dealer); Chairman and Trustee of the
Financial Accounting Foundation (oversight organization for
the Financial Accounting Standards Board); formerly Vice
Chairman of the Board of Governors of the Federal Reserve System
(1986-1990) and Assistant Secretary of the U.S. Treasury.
Michael E. Nugent (61)...................... General Partner, Triumph Capital, L.P., a private investment
Trustee partnership; Director or Trustee of the Dean Witter Funds;
c/o Triumph Capital, L.P. Trustee of the TCW/DW Funds; formerly Vice President, Bankers
237 Park Avenue Trust Company and BT Capital Corporation (1984-1988); Director
New York, New York of various business organizations.
Philip J. Purcell* (54)..................... Chairman of the Board of Directors and Chief Executive Officer
Trustee of MSDW, DWR and Novus Credit Services Inc.; Director of
1585 Broadway InterCapital, DWSC and Distributors; Director or Trustee of
New York, New York the Dean Witter Funds; Director and/or officer of various MSDW
subsidiaries.
John L. Schroeder (67)...................... Retired; Director or Trustee of the Dean Witter Funds; Trustee
Trustee of the TCW/DW Funds; Director of Citizens Utilities Company;
c/o Gordon Altman Butowsky Formerly Executive Vice President and Chief Investment Officer
Weitzen Shalov & Wein of the Home Insurance Company (August, 1991-September, 1995).
Counsel to the Independent Trustees
114 West 47th Street
New York, New York
7
<PAGE>
NAME, AGE, POSITION WITH FUND AND ADDRESS PRINCIPAL OCCUPATIONS DURING LAST FIVE YEARS
- -------------------------------------------- ---------------------------------------------------------
Barry Fink (43)............................. Senior Vice President (since March, 1997) and Secretary and
Vice President, Secretary General Counsel (since February, 1997) of InterCapital and
and General Counsel DWSC; Senior Vice President (since March, 1997) and Assistant
Two World Trade Center Secretary and Assistant General Counsel (since February, 1997)
New York, New York of Distributors; Assistant Secretary of DWR (since August,
1996); Vice President, Secretary and General Counsel of the
Dean Witter Funds and the TCW/DW Funds (since February, 1997);
previously First Vice President (June, 1993-February, 1997),
Vice President (until June, 1993) and Assistant Secretary and
Assistant General Counsel of InterCapital and DWSC and Assistant
Secretary of the Dean Witter Funds and the TCW/DW Funds.
Paul D. Vance (62).......................... Senior Vice President of InterCapital; Vice President of various
Vice President Dean Witter Funds.
Two World Trade Center
New York, New York
Steven M. MacNamara (35) ................... Assistant Vice President of InterCapital (since April, 1996);
Assistant Vice President Assistant Vice President of various Dean Witter Funds (since
Two World Trade Center April, 1996); previously Senior Portfolio Manager with
New York, New York Investment Advisors International (February, 1991-December,
1995).
Thomas F. Caloia (51) ..................... First Vice President and Assistant Treasurer of InterCapital
Treasurer and DWSC; Treasurer of the Dean Witter Funds and the TCW/DW
Two World Trade Center Funds.
New York, New York
</TABLE>
- ------------
* Denotes Trustees who are "interested persons" of the Fund, as defined in
the Act.
In addition, Mitchell M. Merin, President and Chief Strategic Officer of
InterCapital and DWSC, Executive Vice President of Distributors and MSDW
Trust and Director of MSDW Trust, Executive Vice President and Director of
DWR, and Director of SPS Transaction Services, Inc. and various other MSDWD
subsidiaries, Robert M. Scanlan, President and Chief Operating Officer of
InterCapital and DWSC, Executive Vice President of Distributors and MSDW
Trust and Director of MSDW Trust, Robert S. Giambrone, Senior Vice President
of InterCapital, DWSC, Distributors and MSDW Trust and Director of MSDW
Trust, Joseph J. McAlinden, Executive Vice President and Chief Investment
Officer of InterCapital and Director of MSDW Trust, Mark Bavoso, Kenton J.
Hinchliffe and Ira N. Ross, Senior Vice Presidents of InterCapital, and
Matthew Haynes, Vice President of InterCapital, are Vice Presidents of the
Fund, and Marilyn K. Cranney, First Vice President and Assistant General
Counsel of InterCapital and DWSC, LouAnne D. McInnis, Carsten Otto and Ruth
Rossi, Vice Presidents and Assistant General Counsels of InterCapital and
DWSC, Frank Bruttomesso and Todd Lebo, staff attorneys with InterCapital, are
Assistant Secretaries of the Fund.
THE BOARD OF TRUSTEES, THE INDEPENDENT TRUSTEES, AND THE COMMITTEES
The Board of Trustees consists of nine (9) trustees. These same
individuals also serve as directors or trustees for all of the Dean Witter
Funds, and are referred to in this section as Trustees. As of the date of
this Statement of Additional Information, there are a total of 86 Dean Witter
Funds, comprised of 130 portfolios. As of February 28, 1998, the Dean Witter
Funds had total net assets of approximately $100.6 billion and more than six
million shareholders.
8
<PAGE>
Seven Trustees (77% of the total number) have no affiliation or business
connection with InterCapital or any of its affiliated persons and do not own
any stock or other securities issued by InterCapital's parent company, MSDW.
These are the "disinterested" or "independent" Trustees. The other two
Trustees (the "management Trustees") are affiliated with InterCapital. Four
of the seven independent Trustees are also Independent Trustees of the TCW/DW
Funds.
Law and regulation establish both general guidelines and specific duties
for the Independent Trustees. The Dean Witter 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, 1997, the three Committees held a combined total of seventeen meetings.
The Committees hold some meetings at InterCapital's offices and some outside
InterCapital. 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. Most of the Dean Witter Funds
have 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 COMMITTEE OF THE INDEPENDENT TRUSTEES AND AUDIT
COMMITTEE
The Chairman of the Committee of the Independent Trustees and the Audit
Committee maintains an office at 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
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 both 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,
9
<PAGE>
management and other operating contracts of the Funds and, on behalf of the
Committees, conducts negotiations with the Investment 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 Committee of the Independent Trustees and the Audit
Committee 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 Dean Witter Funds and as an Independent Trustee and as
Chairman of the Committee of the Independent Trustees and the Audit Committee
of the TCW/DW 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 DEAN
WITTER FUNDS
The Independent Trustees and the Funds' management believe that having the
same Independent Trustees for each of the Dean Witter 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
Dean Witter Funds.
COMPENSATION OF INDEPENDENT TRUSTEES
The Fund intends to pay each Independent Trustee an annual fee of $800
plus a per meeting fee of $50 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). If a Board meeting and a Committee meeting, or more than one
Committee meeting, take place on a single day, the Trustees will be paid a
single meeting fee by the Fund. 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 Investment Manager or an affiliated company will
receive no compensation or expense reimbursement from the Fund. Payments will
commence as of the time the Fund begins paying management fees, which,
pursuant to an undertaking by the Investment Manager, 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.
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 Dean Witter Funds during the calendar year ended
December 31, 1997, it is estimated that the compensation paid to each
Independent Trustee during such fiscal year will be the amount shown in the
following table:
FUND COMPENSATION (ESTIMATED)
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
AGGREGATE
COMPENSATION
NAME OF INDEPENDENT TRUSTEE FROM THE FUND
- --------------------------- ---------------
<S> <C>
Michael Bozic .............. $1,600
Edwin J. Garn .............. 1,600
John R. Haire .............. 3,550
Wayne E. Hedien............. 1,600
Dr. Manuel H. Johnson ..... 1,600
Michael E. Nugent........... 1,600
John L. Schroeder........... 1,600
</TABLE>
10
<PAGE>
The following table illustrates the compensation paid to the Fund's
Independent Trustees for the calendar year ended December 31, 1997 for
services to the 84 Dean Witter Funds and, in the case of Messrs. Haire,
Johnson, Nugent and Schroeder, the 14 TCW/DW Funds that were in operation at
December 31, 1997. With respect to Messrs. Haire, Johnson, Nugent and
Schroeder, the TCW/DW Funds are included solely because of a limited exchange
privilege between those Funds and five Dean Witter Money Market Funds. Mr.
Hedien's term as Director or Trustee of each Dean Witter Fund commenced on
September 1, 1997.
CASH COMPENSATION FROM DEAN WITTER FUNDS AND TCW/DW FUNDS
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
FOR SERVICE AS
CHAIRMAN OF
COMMITTEES OF FOR SERVICE AS
INDEPENDENT CHAIRMAN OF
FOR SERVICE DIRECTORS/ COMMITTEES OF TOTAL CASH
AS DIRECTOR OR FOR SERVICE AS TRUSTEES AND INDEPENDENT COMPENSATION
TRUSTEE AND TRUSTEE AND AUDIT TRUSTEES FOR SERVICES TO
COMMITTEE MEMBER COMMITTEE MEMBER COMMITTEES OF 84 AND AUDIT 84 DEAN WITTER
NAME OF OF 84 DEAN WITTER OF 14 TCW/DW DEAN WITTER COMMITTEES OF 14 FUNDS AND 14
INDEPENDENT TRUSTEE FUNDS FUNDS FUNDS TCW/DW FUNDS TCW/DW FUNDS
- --------------------- ----------------- ---------------- ---------------- ---------------- ---------------
<S> <C> <C> <C> <C> <C>
Michael Bozic ........ $133,602 -- -- -- $133,602
Edwin J. Garn ........ 149,702 -- -- -- 149,702
John R. Haire ........ 149,702 $73,725 $157,463 $25,350 406,240
Wayne E. Hedien....... 39,010 -- -- -- 39,010
Dr. Manuel H. Johnson. 145,702 71,125 -- -- 216,827
Michael E. Nugent ... 149,702 73,725 -- -- 223,427
John L. Schroeder .... 149,702 73,725 -- -- 223,427
</TABLE>
As of the date of this Statement of Additional Information, 57 of the Dean
Witter Funds, not including the Fund, 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.(1) "Eligible 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.
- ------------
(1) 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>
The following table illustrates the retirement benefits accrued to the
Fund's Independent Trustees by the 57 Dean Witter Funds (not including the
Fund) for the year ended December 31, 1997, and the estimated retirement
benefits for the Fund's Independent Trustees, to commence upon their
retirement, from the 57 Dean Witter Funds as of December 31, 1997.
RETIREMENT BENEFITS FROM ALL DEAN WITTER FUNDS
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
ESTIMATED
RETIREMENT ANNUAL
ESTIMATED BENEFITS BENEFITS
CREDITED ACCRUED AS UPON
YEARS ESTIMATED EXPENSES RETIREMENT
OF SERVICE AT PERCENTAGE OF BY ALL FROM ALL
RETIREMENT ELIGIBLE ADOPTING ADOPTING
NAME OF INDEPENDENT TRUSTEE (MAXIMUM 10) COMPENSATION FUNDS FUNDS(2)
- --------------------------- --------------- --------------- ------------- ------------
<S> <C> <C> <C> <C>
Michael Bozic .............. 10 50.0% $ 20,499 $ 47,025
Edwin J. Garn .............. 10 50.0 30,878 47,025
John R. Haire .............. 10 50.0 (19,823)(3) 127,897
Wayne E. Hedien............. 9 42.5 0 39,971
Dr. Manuel H. Johnson ..... 10 50.0 12,832 47,025
Michael E. Nugent .......... 10 50.0 22,546 47,025
John L. Schroeder........... 8 41.7 39,350 39,504
</TABLE>
- ------------
(2) Based on current levels of compensation. Amount of annual benefits also
varies depending on the Trustee's elections described in Footnote (1)
above.
(3) This number reflects the effect of the extension of Mr. Haire's term as
Director or Trustee until June 1, 1998.
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
- -----------------------------------------------------------------------------
STOCK SELECTION APPROACH
The Investment Manager will invest principally in mid-cap companies that
currently pay dividends and that have the potential for increasing dividends.
Mid-cap companies are those whose market capitalization falls within the
capitalization range of the companies comprising the Standard & Poor's MidCap
400 Index, which capitalization range is between $220 million and $13 billion
as of February 24, 1998. Mid-cap companies typically are still in the early
and more dynamic period of their corporate existences. Often mid-size
companies and the industries in which they are focused are still evolving as
opposed to the more mature industries served by large-cap companies.
Moreover, mid-cap companies are not considered "emerging" stocks, nor are
they as volatile as small-cap firms. This is because mid-cap companies have
increased liquidity, attributable to their larger market capitalization as
well as longer and more established track records, and a stronger market
presence and dominance than small-cap firms. Many mid-sized companies are in
a more "flexible" position compared to small or large cap companies with
regard to being able to be more responsive and more adaptable to the changing
needs of their markets and customers. Because of this flexibility, the
Investment Manager believes mid-sized companies can offer greater potential
for total return than other stocks of different market sizes, while at times
representing less risk.
SECURITY LOANS
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
12
<PAGE>
market instruments, which are maintained in a segregated account pursuant to
applicable regulations and that are equal to at least 100% of 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 Fund's management 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 market price
during the loan period would inure to 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. The creditworthiness of firms to which the Fund lends
its portfolio securities will be monitored on an ongoing basis.
FOREIGN SECURITIES
As stated in the Prospectus, the Fund may invest in securities issued by
foreign issuers. Investors should carefully consider the risks of investing
in securities of foreign issuers and securities denominated in non-U.S.
currencies. Fluctuations in the relative rates of exchange between the
currencies of different nations will affect the value of the Fund's
investments. 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.
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 Fund trades effected in such
markets. 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.
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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
Investment Manager 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.
WHEN-ISSUED AND DELAYED DELIVERY SECURITIES AND FORWARD COMMITMENTS
From time to time 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 commitment. 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. 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.
At the time the Fund makes the commitment to purchase or sell securities on a
when-issued, delayed delivery or forward commitment basis, it 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, their value may be
more or less than the purchase or sale price. The Fund will also establish a
segregated account with its custodian bank in which it will continually
maintain cash or cash equivalents or other liquid portfolio securities equal
in value to commitments to purchase securities on a when-issued, delayed
delivery or forward commitment basis. Subject to the foregoing restrictions,
the Fund may purchase securities on such basis without limit. For the coming
year, the Fund anticipates that up to 5% of its net assets may be invested in
securities issued on a when-issued or delayed delivery basis or in forward
commitments.
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 or
debt restructuring. The commitment for the purchase of any such security will
14
<PAGE>
not be recognized in the portfolio of the Fund until the Investment Manager
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
maintain cash or cash equivalents or other liquid portfolio securities equal
in value to recognized commitments for such securities. The value of the
Fund's commitments to purchase the securities of any one issuer, together
with the value of all securities of such issuer owned by the Fund, may not
exceed 5% of the value of the Fund's total assets at the time the initial
commitment to purchase such securities is made (see "Investment
Restrictions"). 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 Investment Manager and
the Trustees do 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 sale.
PRIVATE PLACEMENTS AND RESTRICTED SECURITIES
The Fund may invest up to 5% of its total 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 restricted. (Securities eligible for resale pursuant to Rule 144A
of 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 Investment Manager,
pursuant to procedures adopted by the Trustees of the Fund, will make a
determination as to the liquidity of each restricted security purchased by
the Fund. The procedures require that the following factors be taken into
account in making a liquidity determination: (1) the frequency of trades and
price quotes for the security; (2) the number of dealers and other potential
purchasers who have issued quotes on the security; (3) any dealer
undertakings to make a market in the security; and (4) the nature of the
security and the nature of the marketplace trades (the time needed to dispose
of the security, the method of soliciting offers, and the mechanics of
transfer). If a restricted 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.
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. For purposes of the following restrictions:
(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. 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.
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<PAGE>
2. Purchase or sell commodities.
3. Purchase securities of other investment companies, except in
connection with a merger, consolidation, reorganization or acquisition of
assets or as otherwise permitted by Section 12(d) of the Act or the Rules
promulgated thereunder. This restriction does not apply to an investment
by the Fund of all or substantially all of its assets in another
registered investment company having the same investment objective and
policies and substantially the same investment restrictions as the Fund.
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
(6). For the purpose of this restriction, collateral arrangements with
respect to the writing of options and 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) borrowing money in accordance
with restrictions described above; or (c) lending portfolio securities.
7. Make loans of money or securities, except: (a) by the purchase of debt
obligations 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. Make short sales of securities.
9. 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 or related options thereon is not considered the
purchase of a security on margin.
10. 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.
11. Invest for the purpose of exercising control or management of any
other issuer, except that the Fund may invest all or substantially all of
its assets in another registered investment company having the same
investment objective and policies and substantially the same investment
restrictions as the Fund.
PORTFOLIO TRANSACTIONS AND BROKERAGE
- -----------------------------------------------------------------------------
Subject to the general supervision of the Board of Trustees, the
Investment Manager 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 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. The Fund also
expects that securities will 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. Options and 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 Investment Manager currently serves as investment manager or adviser
to a number of clients, including other investment companies, and may in the
future act as investment manager or adviser to others. It is the practice of
the Investment Manager 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.
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In making such allocations among the Fund and other client accounts, various
factors may be considered, including 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 investment commitments
generally held and the opinions of the persons responsible for managing the
portfolios of the Fund and other client accounts. In the case of certain
initial and secondary public offerings, the Investment Manager may utilize a
pro rata allocation process based on the size of the Dean Witter Funds
involved and the number of shares available from the public offering.
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 Investment
Manager from obtaining a high quality of brokerage and research services. In
seeking to determine the reasonableness of brokerage commissions paid in any
transaction, the Investment Manager 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.
The Fund anticipates that certain of its transactions involving foreign
securities will be effected on foreign securities exchanges. Fixed
commissions on such transactions are generally higher than negotiated
commissions on domestic transactions. There is also generally less government
supervision and regulation of foreign securities exchanges and brokers than
in the United States.
In seeking to implement the Fund's policies, the Investment Manager
effects transactions with those brokers and dealers who the Investment
Manager believes provide the most favorable prices and are capable of
providing efficient executions. If the Investment Manager 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
Investment Manager. Such services may include, but are not limited to, any
one or more of the following: information as to the availability of
securities for purchase or sale; statistical or factual information or
opinions pertaining to investment; wire services; and appraisals or
evaluations of portfolio securities.
The information and services received by the Investment Manager from
brokers and dealers may be of benefit to the Investment Manager 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 Investment Manager and
thereby reduce its expenses, it is of indeterminable value and the management
fee paid to the Investment Manager is not reduced by any amount that may be
attributable to the value of such services.
Pursuant to an order of the Securities and Exchange Commission, the Fund
may effect principal transactions in certain money market instruments with
DWR. The Fund will limit its transactions with DWR to U.S. Government and
Government Agency Securities, Bank Money Instruments (i.e., Certificates of
Deposit and Bankers' Acceptances) and Commercial Paper. Such transactions
will be effected with DWR only when the price available from DWR is better
than that available from other dealers.
Consistent with the policy described above, brokerage transactions in
securities listed on exchanges or admitted to unlisted trading privileges may
be effected through DWR Morgan Stanley and Co. Incorporated and other
affiliated brokers and dealers. In order for an affiliated broker or dealer
to effect any portfolio transactions for the Fund, the commissions, fees or
other remuneration received by the affiliated broker or dealer 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
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<PAGE>
would allow the affiliated broker or dealer 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 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 an affiliated broker or dealer are
consistent with the foregoing standard. The Fund does not reduce the
management fee it pays to the Investment Manager by any amount of the
brokerage commissions it may pay to an affiliated broker or dealer.
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 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 May 27, 1998, or such 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 Class B, Class C and Class D shares from the
Fund at $10.00 per share with all proceeds going to the Fund and will
purchase Class A shares at $10.00 per share plus a sales charge with the
sales charge paid to the Underwriter and the $10.00 per share going to the
Fund. The Underwriter may, however, receive contingent deferred sales charges
for future redemptions of Class A, Class B and Class C shares (see "Purchase
of Fund Shares--Continuous Offering" in the Prospectus).
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 pay certain compensation to the Underwriter pursuant to a Plan of
Distribution pursuant to Rule 12b-1 under the Act, to compensate the
Underwriter for services it renders and the expenses it bears under the
Underwriting Agreement (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
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As discussed in the Prospectus, 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 MSDW.
The Trustees of the Fund, including a majority of the Trustees who are not,
and were not at the time they voted, interested persons of the Fund, as
defined in the Act (the "Independent Trustees"), approved, at their meeting
held on January 29, 1998, the current Distribution Agreement appointing the
Distributor as exclusive distributor of the Fund's shares and
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<PAGE>
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, 1998 and 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 securities laws and pays
filing fees in accordance with 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 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
The Fund has adopted a Plan of Distribution pursuant to Rule 12b-1 under
the Act (the "Plan") pursuant to which each Class, other than Class D, pays
the Distributor compensation accrued daily and payable monthly at the annual
rate of 0.25% of the average daily net assets of Class A and 1.0% of the
average daily net assets of Class B and C. The Distributor receives the
proceeds of front-end sales charges and of contingent deferred sales charges
imposed on certain redemptions of shares, which are separate and apart from
payments made pursuant to the Plan (see "Purchase of Fund Shares" in the
Prospectus).
The Distributor has informed the Fund that the entire fee payable by Class
A and a portion of the fees payable by each of Class B and Class C each year
pursuant to the Plan of Distribution equal to 0.25% of such Class's average
daily net assets are currently each characterized as a "service fee" under
the Rules of the Association of the National Association of Securities
Dealers, Inc. (of which the Distributor is a member). The "service fee" is a
payment made for personal service and/or the maintenance of shareholder
accounts. The remaining portion of the Plan fees payable by a Class, if any,
is characterized as an "asset-based sales charge" as such is defined by the
aforementioned Rules of the Association.
The Plan was adopted by a vote of the Trustees of the Fund on January 29,
1998 at a meeting of the Trustees called for the purpose of voting on such
Plan. The vote included the vote of a majority of the Trustees of the Fund
who are not "interested persons" of the Fund (as defined in the Act) and who
have no direct or indirect financial interest in the operation of the Plan
(the "Independent 12b-1 Trustees"). In making their decision to adopt the
Plan, the Trustees requested from the Distributor and received such
information as they deemed necessary to make an informed determination as to
whether or not adoption of the Plan was in the best interests of the
shareholders of the Fund. After due consideration of the information
received, the Trustees, including the Independent 12b-1 Trustees, determined
that adoption of the Plan would benefit the shareholders of the Fund.
InterCapital, as then sole shareholder of the Fund, approved the Plan on
February 6, 1998, whereupon the Plan went into effect.
Under its terms, the Plan will continue in effect until April 30, 1998 and
will remain in effect from year to year thereafter, provided such continuance
is approved annually by a vote of the Trustees in the manner described above.
Under the Plan and as required by Rule 12b-1, the Trustees will receive and
review promptly after the end of each fiscal quarter a written report
provided by the Distributor of the amounts expended by the Distributor under
the Plan and the purposes for which such expenditures were made.
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<PAGE>
The Plan was adopted in order to permit the implementation of the Fund's
method of distribution. Under this distribution method the Fund offers four
Classes of shares, each with a different distribution arrangement as set
forth in the Prospectus.
With respect to Class A shares, DWR compensates its account executives by
paying them, from proceeds of the front-end sales charge, commissions for the
sale of Class A shares, currently a gross sales credit of up to 5.0% of the
amount sold (except as provided in the following sentence) and an annual
residual commission, currently a residual of up to 0.25% of the current value
of the respective accounts for which they are the account executives or
dealers of record in all cases. On orders of $1 million or more (for which no
sales charge was paid) or net asset value purchases by employer-sponsored
401(k) and other plans qualified under Section 401(a) of the Internal Revenue
Code ("Qualified Retirement Plans") for which Morgan Stanley Dean Witter
Trust FSB ("MSDW Trust") serves as Trustee or DWR's Retirement Plan Services
serves as recordkeeper pursuant to a written Recordkeeping Services
Agreement, the Investment Manager compensates DWR's account executives by
paying them, from its own funds, a gross sales credit of 1.0% of the amount
sold.
With respect to Class B shares, DWR compensates its account executives by
paying them, from its own funds, commissions for the sale of Class B shares,
currently a gross sales credit of up to 5.0% of the amount sold (except as
provided in the following sentence) and an annual residual commission,
currently a residual of up to 0.25% of the current value (not including
reinvested dividends or distributions) of the amount sold in all cases. In
the case of Class B shares purchased by Qualified Retirement Plans for which
MSDW Trust serves as Trustee or DWR's Retirement Plan Services serves as
recordkeeper pursuant to a written Recordkeeping Services Agreement, DWR
compensates its account executives by paying them, from its own funds, a
gross sales credit of 3.0% of the amount sold.
With respect to Class C shares, DWR compensates its account executives by
paying them, from its own funds, commissions for the sale of Class C shares,
currently a gross sales credit of up to 1.0% of the amount sold and an annual
residual commission, currently a residual of up to 1.0% of the current value
of the respective accounts for which they are the account executives of
record.
With respect to Class D shares other than shares held by participants in
the InterCapital mutual fund asset allocation program, the Investment Manager
compensates DWR's account executives by paying them, from its own funds,
commissions for the sale of Class D shares, currently a gross sales credit of
up to 1.0% of the amount sold. There is a chargeback of 100% of the amount
paid if the Class D shares are redeemed in the first year and a chargeback of
50% of the amount paid if the Class D shares are redeemed in the second year
after purchase. The Investment Manager also compensates DWR's account
executives by paying them, from its own funds, an annual residual commission,
currently a residual of up to 0.10% of the current value of the respective
accounts for which they are the account executives of record (not including
accounts of participants in the InterCapital mutual fund asset allocation
program).
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 sales. The distribution
fee that the Distributor receives from the Fund under the Plan, in effect,
offsets distribution expenses incurred on behalf of the Fund and, in the case
of Class B shares, opportunity costs, such as the gross sales credit and an
assumed interest charge thereon ("carrying charge"). In the Distributor's
reporting of the distribution expenses to the Fund, in the case of Class B
shares, 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 its 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.
20
<PAGE>
The Fund is authorized to reimburse expenses incurred or to be incurred in
promoting the distribution of the Fund's Class A and Class C shares and in
servicing shareholder accounts. Reimbursement will be made through payments
at the end of each month. The amount of each monthly payment may in no event
exceed an amount equal to a payment at the annual rate of 0.25%, in the case
of Class A, and 1.0%, in the case of Class C, of the average net assets of
the respective Class during the month. No interest or other financing
charges, if any, incurred on any distribution expenses on behalf of Class A
and Class C will be reimbursable under the Plan. With respect to Class A, in
the case of all expenses other than expenses representing the service fee,
and, with respect to Class C, in the case of all expenses other than expenses
representing a gross sales credit or a residual to account executives, such
amounts shall be determined at the beginning of each calendar quarter by the
Trustees, including, a majority of the Independent 12b-1 Trustees. Expenses
representing the service fee (for Class A) or a gross sales credit or a
residual to account executives (for Class C) may be reimbursed without prior
determination. In the event that the Distributor proposes that monies shall
be reimbursed for other than such expenses, then in making quarterly
determinations of the amounts that may be reimbursed by the Fund, the
Distributor will provide and the Trustees will review a quarterly budget of
projected distribution expenses to be incurred on behalf of the Fund,
together with a report explaining the purposes and anticipated benefits of
incurring such expenses. The Trustees will determine which particular
expenses, and the portions thereof, that may be borne by the Fund, and in
making such a determination shall consider the scope of the Distributor's
commitment to promoting the distribution of the Fund's Class A and Class C
shares.
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 distribution expenses
with respect to Class B shares 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.
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 the Distributor, InterCapital, DWSC, DWR 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.
Under its terms, the Plan has an initial term ending April 30, 1998 and
will continue from year to year thereafter, provided such continuance is
approved annually by a vote of the trustees in the manner described above.
The Plan may not be amended to increase materially the amount to be spent
for the services described therein without approval of the shareholders of
the affected Class or Classes of the Fund, and all material amendments of the
Plan must also 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 a majority of
the outstanding voting securities of the Fund (as defined in the Act) on not
more than thirty days' written notice to any other party to the Plan. So long
as the Plan is in effect, the election and nomination of Independent 12b-1
Trustees shall be committed to the discretion of the Independent 12b-1
Trustees.
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
21
<PAGE>
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. Listed options on debt
securities are valued at the latest sale price on the exchange on which they
are listed unless no sales of such options have taken place that day, in
which case they will be valued at the mean between their latest bid and asked
prices. Unlisted options on debt securities and all options on equity
securities are valued at the mean between their latest bid and asked prices.
Futures are valued at the latest sale price on the commodities exchange on
which they trade unless the Trustees determine such price does not reflect
their market value, in which case they 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.
Generally, trading in foreign securities, as well as corporate bonds,
United States government securities and money market instruments, is
substantially completed each day at various times prior to the close of the
New York Stock Exchange. The values of such securities used in computing the
net asset value of the Fund's shares are determined as of such times. Foreign
currency exchange rates are also generally determined prior to the close of
the New York Stock Exchange. Occasionally, events which may affect the values
of such securities and such exchange rates may occur between the times at
which they are determined and the close of the New York Stock Exchange and
will therefore not be reflected in the computation of the Fund's net asset
value. If events that may materially affecting the value of such securities
occur during such period, then these securities may be 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 for each Class of shares 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. The New York Stock Exchange
currently observes the following holidays: New Year's Day, Reverend Dr.
Martin Luther King, Jr. Day, Presidents Day, Good Friday, Memorial Day,
Independence Day, Labor Day, Thanksgiving Day, and Christmas Day.
PURCHASE OF FUND SHARES
- -----------------------------------------------------------------------------
As discussed in the Prospectus, the Fund offers four Classes of shares as
follows:
INITIAL SALES CHARGE ALTERNATIVE--CLASS A SHARES
Class A shares are sold to investors with an initial sales charge that
declines to zero for larger purchases; however, Class A shares sold without
an initial sales charge are subject to a contingent deferred sales charge
("CDSC") of 1.0% if redeemed within one year of purchase, except in the
circumstances discussed in the Prospectus.
Right of Accumulation. As discussed in the Prospectus, investors may
combine the current value of shares purchased in separate transactions for
purposes of benefitting from the reduced sales charges available for
purchases of shares of the Fund totalling at least $25,000 in net asset
value. For example, if any person or entity who qualifies for this privilege
holds Class A shares of the Fund and/or other Dean Witter Funds that are
multiple class funds ("Dean Witter Multi-Class Funds") or shares of other
Dean Witter Funds sold with a front-end sales charge purchased at a price
including a front-end sales charge having a current value of $5,000, and
purchases $20,000 of additional shares of the Fund, the sales charge
applicable to the $20,000 purchase would be 4.75% of the offering price.
The Distributor must be notified by the selected broker-dealer or the
shareholder at the time a purchase order is placed that the purchase
qualifies for the reduced charge under the Right of Accumulation. Similar
notification must be made in writing by the selected broker-dealer or
shareholder when such an order is placed by mail. The reduced sales charge
will not be granted if: (a) such notification is not furnished at the time of
the order; or (b) a review of the records of the Distributor or Morgan
Stanley Dean Witter Trust FSB (the "Transfer Agent") fails to confirm the
investor's represented holdings.
22
<PAGE>
Letter of Intent. As discussed in the Prospectus, reduced sales charges
are available to investors who enter into a written Letter of Intent
providing for the purchase, within a thirteen-month period, of Class A shares
of the Fund from the Distributor or from a single Selected Broker-Dealer.
A Letter of Intent permits an investor to establish a total investment
goal to be achieved by any number of purchases over a thirteen-month period.
Each purchase of Class A shares made during the period will receive the
reduced sales commission applicable to the amount represented by the goal, as
if it were a single purchase. A number of shares equal in value to 5% of the
dollar amount of the Letter of Intent will be held in escrow by the Transfer
Agent, in the name of the shareholder. The initial purchase under a Letter of
Intent must be equal to at least 5% of the stated investment goal.
The Letter of Intent does not obligate the investor to purchase, nor the
Fund to sell, the indicated amount. In the event the Letter of Intent goal is
not achieved within the thirteen-month period, the investor is required to
pay the difference between the sales charge otherwise applicable to the
purchases made during this period and sales charges actually paid. Such
payment may be made directly to the Distributor or, if not paid, the
Distributor is authorized by the shareholder to liquidate a sufficient number
of his or her escrowed shares to obtain such difference.
If the goal is exceeded and purchases pass the next sales charge level,
the sales charge on the entire amount of the purchase that results in passing
that level and on subsequent purchases will be subject to further reduced
sales charges in the same manner as set forth above under "Right of
Accumulation," but there will be no retroactive reduction of sales charges on
previous purchases. For the purpose of determining whether the investor is
entitled to a further reduced sales charge applicable to purchases at or
above a sales charge level which exceeds the stated goal of a Letter of
Intent, the cumulative current net asset value of any shares owned by the
investor in any other Dean Witter Funds held by the shareholder which were
previously purchased at a price including a front-end sales charge (including
shares of the Fund and other Dean Witter Funds acquired in exchange for those
shares, and including in each case shares acquired through reinvestment of
dividends and distributions) will be added to the cost or net asset value of
shares of the Fund owned by the investor. However, shares of "Exchange Funds"
(see "Shareholder Services--Exchange Privilege") and the purchase of shares
of other Dean Witter Funds will not be included in determining whether the
stated goal of a Letter of Intent has been reached.
At any time while a Letter of Intent is in effect, a shareholder may, by
written notice to the Distributor, increase the amount of the stated goal. In
that event, only shares purchased during the previous 90-day period and still
owned by the shareholder will be included in the new sales charge reduction.
The 5% escrow and minimum purchase requirements will be applicable to the new
stated goal. Investors electing to purchase shares of the Fund pursuant to a
Letter of Intent should carefully read such Letter of Intent.
CONTINGENT DEFERRED SALES CHARGE ALTERNATIVE--CLASS B SHARES
Class B shares are sold without an initial sales charge but are subject to
a CDSC payable upon most redemptions within six years after purchase. As
stated in the Prospectus, a CDSC will be imposed on any redemption by an
investor if after such redemption the current value of the investor's Class B
shares of the Fund is less than the dollar amount of all payments by the
shareholder for the purchase of Class B shares during the preceding six years
(or, in the case of shares held by certain Qualified Retirement Plans, three
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 (or, in the case of shares held by
certain Qualified Retirement Plans, three 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 Dean Witter Fund (see
"Shareholder Services--Targeted Dividends"), plus (c) the current net asset
value of shares acquired in exchange for (i) shares of Dean Witter front-end
sales charge funds, or (ii) shares of other Dean Witter Funds for which
shares of front-end sales charge funds have been exchanged (see "Shareholder
Services--Exchange Privilege"), plus (d) 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 (three) years. The CDSC will be
paid to the Distributor.
23
<PAGE>
In determining the applicability of the 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 (or, in the case of shares held by certain
Qualified Retirement Plans, three 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 (three) years prior to the
redemption and/or shares purchased through reinvestment of dividends or
distributions and/or shares acquired in exchange for shares of Dean Witter
front-end sales charge funds, or for shares of other Dean Witter funds for
which shares of front-end sales charge funds have been exchanged. 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 (or,
in the case of shares held by certain Qualified Retirement Plans, three
years) prior to the redemption and/or shares purchased through reinvestment
of dividends or distributions and/or shares acquired in the above-described
exchanges 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 Class B shares of the Fund 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 applicable to most Class B shares of the Fund:
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
YEAR SINCE
PURCHASE CDSC AS A PERCENTAGE
PAYMENT MADE OF AMOUNT 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>
The following table sets forth the rates of the CDSC applicable to Class B
shares of the Fund purchased by Qualified Retirement Plans for which MSDW
Trust serves as Trustee or DWR's Retirement Plan Services serves as
recordkeeper pursuant to a written Recordkeeping Services Agreement:
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
YEAR SINCE
PURCHASE CDSC AS A PERCENTAGE
PAYMENT MADE OF AMOUNT REDEEMED
- ------------------------- ------------------------
<S> <C>
First .................... 2.0%
Second ................... 2.0%
Third .................... 1.0%
Fourth 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 or three-year period (or in the case of shares held
by certain Qualified Retirement Plans, three years). This will result in any
such CDSC being imposed at the lowest possible rate. The CDSC will be
imposed, in accordance with the table shown above, on any redemptions within
six years (or, in the case of shares held by certain Qualified Retirement
Plans, three years) of purchase which are in excess of these amounts and
which redemptions do not qualify for waiver of the CDSC, as described in the
Prospectus.
LEVEL LOAD ALTERNATIVE--CLASS C SHARES
Class C shares are sold without a sales charge but are subject to a CDSC
of 1.0% on most redemptions made within one year after purchase, except in
the circumstances discussed in the Prospectus.
24
<PAGE>
NO LOAD ALTERNATIVE--CLASS D SHARES
Class D shares are offered without any sales charge on purchase or
redemption. Class D shares are offered only to those persons meeting the
qualifications set forth in the Prospectus.
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 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
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 applicable Class 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 applicable Class 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 other
selected broker-dealer, and will be forwarded to the shareholder, upon the
receipt of proper instructions. It has been and remains the Fund's policy and
practice that, if checks for dividends or distributions paid in cash remain
uncashed, no interest will accrue on amounts represented by such uncashed
checks.
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 any Class of an
open-end Dean Witter Fund other than Morgan Stanley Dean Witter Mid-Cap
Dividend Growth Securities or in another Class of Morgan Stanley Dean Witter
Mid-Cap Dividend Growth Securities. Such investment will be made as described
above for automatic investment in shares of the applicable Class of the Fund,
at the net asset value per share of the selected Dean Witter 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 Dean Witter 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 selected Class of the Dean Witter Fund targeted to
receive investments from dividends at the time they enter the Targeted
Dividends program. Investors should review the prospectus of the targeted
Dean Witter 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 or the
following redemption of shares of a Dean Witter money market fund, 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 (subject to any
applicable sales charges). Shares of the Dean Witter money market funds
redeemed in connection with EasyInvest are redeemed on the business day
preceding the transfer of funds. For further information or to subscribe to
EasyInvest, shareholders should contact their DWR or other selected
broker-dealer account executive or the Transfer Agent.
25
<PAGE>
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 in shares
of the applicable Class at net asset value, without the imposition of a CDSC
upon redemption, by returning the check or the proceeds to the Transfer Agent
within thirty 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 then $25, or in any whole percentage of the account balance, on an
annualized basis. Any applicable CDSC will be imposed on shares redeemed
under the Withdrawal Plan (see "Purchase of Fund Shares" 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 CDSC) 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
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 share holder'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 sales charges which may be applicable to
purchases or redemptions of shares (see "Purchase of Fund Shares").
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 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 "Redemptions and Repurchases" in the Prospectus) at any
time.
Direct Investments through Transfer Agent. As discussed in the Prospectus,
shareholders may make additional investments in any Class of shares of the
Fund for which they qualify at any time by sending a check in any amount, not
less than $100, payable to Morgan Stanley Dean Witter Mid-Cap Dividend Growth
Securities, and indicating the selected Class, directly to the Fund's
Transfer Agent. In the case of Class A shares, after deduction of any
applicable sales charge, the balance will be applied to the purchase of Fund
shares, and, in the case of shares of the other Classes, the entire amount
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.
26
<PAGE>
EXCHANGE PRIVILEGE
As discussed in the Prospectus, the Fund makes available to its
shareholders an Exchange Privilege whereby shareholders of each Class of
shares of the Fund may exchange their shares for shares of the same Class of
shares of any other Dean Witter Multi-Class Fund without the imposition of
any exchange fee. Shares may also be exchanged for shares of any of the
following funds: Dean Witter Short-Term U.S. Treasury Trust, Dean Witter
Limited Term Municipal Trust, Dean Witter Short-Term Bond Fund, Dean Witter
Intermediate Term U.S. Treasury Trust and five Dean Witter Funds which are
money market funds (the foregoing nine funds are hereinafter referred to as
the "Exchange Funds"). Class A shares may also be exchanged for shares of
Dean Witter Multi-State Municipal Series Trust and Dean Witter Hawaii
Municipal Trust, which are Dean Witter Funds sold with a front-end sales
charge ("FSC Funds"). Class B shares may also be exchanged for shares of Dean
Witter Global Short-Term Income Fund Inc. ("Global Short-Term"), which is a
Dean Witter Fund offered with a CDSC. 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.
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.
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 caption "Purchase of
Fund Shares," a 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 a Dean
Witter Multi-Class Fund or Global Short-Term 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 investment 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 a
Dean Witter Multi-Class Fund or in Global Short-Term. However, in the case of
shares of the Fund exchanged into the Exchange Fund on or after April 23,
1990, 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, if any, incurred on or
after that date which are attributable to those shares. Shareholders
acquiring shares of an Exchange Fund pursuant to this exchange privilege may
exchange those shares back into a Dean Witter Multi-Class Fund or Global
Short-Term from the Exchange Fund, with no CDSC being imposed on such
exchange. The investment period previously frozen when shares were first
exchanged for shares of the Exchange Fund resumes on the last day of the
month in which shares of a Dean Witter Multi-Class Fund or Global Short-Term
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 Dean Witter Multi-Class Fund or in Global Short-Term. In the case of
exchanges of Class A shares which are subject to a CDSC, the holding period
also includes the time (calculated as described above) the shareholder was
invested in a FSC Fund.
When shares initially purchased in a Dean Witter Multi-Class Fund or in
Global Short-Term are exchanged for shares of a Dean Witter Multi-Class Fund,
shares of Global Short-Term, shares of a FSC Fund or 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 CSDC, the amount which
represents the current net asset value of shares at the time of the exchange
which were (i) purchased more than one, three or six years (depending on the
CDSC schedule applicable to the shares) prior to the exchange, (ii)
originally acquired through reinvestment of dividends
27
<PAGE>
or distributions and (iii) acquired in exchange for shares of FSC Funds, or
for shares of other Dean Witter Funds for which shares of FSC Funds have been
exchanged (all such shares called "Free Shares"), will be exchanged first.
After an exchange, all dividends earned on shares in an 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 (except that, with respect to
Class B, if shares held for identical periods of time but subject to
different CDSC schedules are held in the same Exchange Privilege account, the
shares of that block that are subject to a lower CDSC rate will be exchanged
prior to the shares of that block that are subject to a higher CDSC rate).
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 purchaser
payment for, or (b) the current net asset value of, those exchanged in
non-Free Shares. Based upon the procedures described in the Prospectus under
the caption "Purchase of Fund Shares," 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.
Exchanges are subject to the minimum investment requirement and any other
conditions imposed by each fund. (The minimum initial investment for the
Exchange Privilege account of each Class is $5,000 for Dean Witter Liquid
Asset Fund Inc., Dean Witter Tax-Free Daily Income Trust, Dean Witter
California Tax-Free Daily Income Trust and Dean Witter New York Municipal
Money Market Trust although those funds may, at their discretion, accept
initial investments of as low as $1,000. The minimum initial investment for
the Exchange Privilege account of each Class is $10,000 for Dean Witter
Short-Term U.S. Treasury Trust, although that fund, in its discretion, may
accept initial purchases of as low as $5,000. The minimum initial investment
for the Exchange Privilege account of each Class is $5,000 for Dean Witter
Special Value Fund. The minimum initial investment for the Exchange Privilege
account of each Class of all other Dean Witter Funds for which the Exchange
Privilege is available 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 those funds, including the check writing feature, will not be
available for funds held in that account.
The Fund and each of the other Dean Witter 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 Dean Witter funds for which
shares of the Fund have been exchanged, upon such notice as may be required
by applicable regulatory agencies (presently sixty days' prior written notice
for termination or material revision), provided that six
28
<PAGE>
months' prior written notice of termination will be given to the shareholders
who hold shares of Exchange Funds, pursuant to the 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.
For further information regarding the Exchange Privilege, shareholders
should contact their DWR or other selected broker-dealer account executive or
the Transfer Agent.
REDEMPTIONS AND REPURCHASES
- -----------------------------------------------------------------------------
Redemption. As stated in the Prospectus, shares of each Class 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 CDSC. 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" in the
Prospectus) 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 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, 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 new prospectus.
Repurchase. As stated in the Prospectus, DWR and other selected
broker-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 request of the
shareholder. The repurchase price is the net asset value next computed after
such purchase order is received by DWR or other selected broker-dealer
reduced by any applicable CDSC.
Payment for Shares Redeemed or Repurchased. As discussed in the
Prospectus, payment for shares of any Class 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 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
29
<PAGE>
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). It has been and remains
the Fund's policy and practice that, if checks for redemption proceeds remain
uncashed, no interest will accrue on amounts represented by such uncashed
checks. 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 CDSC 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 CDSC 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 35 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 in the same Class at the
net asset value next determined after a reinstatement request, together with
the 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 under "Dividends, Distributions and Taxes,"
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
at year-end will be able to claim their share of the tax paid by the Fund as
a credit against their individual federal income tax.
The Fund, however, 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 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
the net investment income or 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 in the
last quarter of any calendar year which are paid in the following calendar
year prior to February 1 will be deemed received by the shareholder in the
prior 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 within a 90-day period
beginning 45 days before the ex-dividend date of each qualifying dividend
generally must be met by both the Fund and the shareholder. Shareholders must
meet a similar holding period requirement with respect to their shares to
claim the dividends received deduction with respect to any distribution of
qualifying dividends.
30
<PAGE>
Gains or losses on sales of securities by the Fund will be long-term
capital gains or losses if the securities have a tax holding period of more
than twelve months. Gains or losses on the sale of securities with a tax
holding period of twelve months or less will be short-term gains or losses.
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. Capital gains distributions are not
eligible for the dividends received deduction. It is expected that the
Treasury will issue regulations or other guidance to permit shareholders to
take into account their proportionate share of the Fund's capital gains
distributions that will be subject to a reduced rate under the Taxpayer
Relief Act of 1997. The Taxpayer Relief Act reduces the maximum tax on
long-term capital gains from 28% to 20%; however, it also lengthens the
required holding period to obtain the lower rate from more than 12 months to
more than 18 months. The lower rates do not apply to collectibles and certain
other assets. Additionally, the maximum capital gain rate for assets that are
held more than five years and that are acquired after December 31, 2000 is
18%.
After the end of the calendar year, shareholders will be sent full
information on their dividends and capital gains distributions for tax
purposes, including information as to the portion taxable as ordinary income,
the portion taxable as long-term capital gains, and the amount of dividends
eligible for the Federal dividends received deduction available to
corporations. 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.
As stated under "Investment Objectives and Policies" in the Prospectus,
the Fund may invest up to 35% of its portfolio in securities other than
common stocks, including U.S. Government securities. Under current federal
tax law, the Fund will receive net investment income in the form of interest
by virtue of holding Treasury bills, notes and bonds, and will recognize
income attributable to it from holding zero coupon Treasury securities.
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
payment in cash on the security during the year. As an investment company,
the Fund must pay out substantially all of its net investment income each
year. Accordingly, the Fund, to the extent it invests in zero coupon Treasury
securities, may be required to pay out as an income distribution each year an
amount which is greater than the total amount of cash receipts of interest
the Fund actually received. Such distributions will be made from the
available cash of the Fund or by liquidation of portfolio securities if
necessary. If a distribution of cash necessitates the liquidation of
portfolio securities, the Investment Manager will select which securities to
sell. The Fund may realize a gain or loss from such sales. In the event the
Fund realizes net capital gains from such transactions, its shareholders may
receive a larger capital gain distribution, if any, than they would in the
absence of such transactions.
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 some portion of the 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 long-term capital gains, such payment or
distribution would be in part a return of capital but nonetheless would be
taxable to the shareholder. Therefore, an investor should consider the tax
implications of purchasing Fund shares immediately prior to a distribution
record date.
Shareholders are urged to consult their attorneys or tax advisers
regarding specific questions as to federal, state or local taxes.
PERFORMANCE INFORMATION
- -----------------------------------------------------------------------------
As discussed in the Prospectus, from time to time the Fund may quote its
"total return" in advertisements and sales literature. These figures are
computed separately for Class A, Class B, Class C and Class D shares. The
Fund's "average annual total return" represents an annualization of the
31
<PAGE>
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. The ending redeemable value
is reduced by any CDSC at the end of the one, five or ten year or other
period. For the purpose of this calculation, it is assumed that all dividends
and distributions are reinvested. The formula for computing the average
annual total return involves a percentage obtained by dividing the ending
redeemable value by the amount of the initial investment, taking a root of
the quotient (where the root is equivalent to the number of years in the
period) and subtracting 1 from the result. 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 each Class 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 sales charge at the end
of the period.
In addition to the foregoing, the Fund may advertise its total return for
each Class 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 imposition of the maximum front-end sales charge for
Class A or the deduction of the CDSC for each of Class B and Class C 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 sales charge.
The Fund may also advertise the growth of hypothetical investments of
$10,000, $50,000 and $100,000 in each Class of 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 $9,475, $48,000 and $97,000 in the case of Class A
(investments of $10,000, $50,000 and $100,000 adjusted for the initial sales
charge) or by $10,000, $50,000 and $100,000 in the case of each of Class B,
Class C and Class D, 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 OF THE FUND
- -----------------------------------------------------------------------------
The shareholders of the Fund are entitled to a full vote for each full
share of beneficial interest held. The Trustees themselves have the power to
alter the number and the terms of office of the Trustees (as provided for in
the Declaration of Trust), and they may at any time lengthen or shorten 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 under certain circumstances to remove the Trustees. 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). The Trustees have not
authorized any such additional series or classes of shares other than as set
forth in the Prospectus.
The Declaration of Trust further 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/her or its own bad faith, willful misfeasance, gross negligence or
reckless disregard of his/her or its duties. It also
32
<PAGE>
provides that all third persons shall look solely to the Fund 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
liability in connection with the affairs of the Fund.
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 in the Declaration of Trust concerning termination by action of
the shareholders or the Trustees.
CUSTODIAN AND TRANSFER AGENT
- -----------------------------------------------------------------------------
The Bank of New York, 90 Washington Street, New York, New York 10286 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.
Morgan Stanley Dean Witter Trust FSB ("MSDW Trust"), 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. MSDW Trust is an affiliate of Dean Witter
InterCapital Inc., the Fund's Investment Manager, and Dean Witter
Distributors Inc., the Fund's Distributor. As Transfer Agent and Dividend
Disbursing Agent, MSDW Trust's responsibilities include maintaining
shareholder 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 MSDW Trust receives a per
shareholder account fee from the Fund.
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 account-ants, will be
sent to shareholders each year.
The Fund's fiscal year is the last day of February. 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
- -----------------------------------------------------------------------------
Barry Fink, Esq., who is an officer and the General Counsel of the
Investment 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.
33
<PAGE>
MORGAN STANLEY DEAN WITTER MID-CAP DIVIDEND GROWTH SECURITIES
STATEMENT OF ASSETS AND LIABILITIES AT FEBRUARY 26, 1998
- -----------------------------------------------------------------------------
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
<S> <C>
ASSETS:
Cash .................................................... $100,000
Deferred organization expenses (Note 1) ................. 156,920
----------
Total Assets .......................................... 256,920
----------
LIABILITIES:
Organizational expenses payable (Note 1) ................ 156,920
Commitments (Notes 1 and 2) .............................
----------
Net Assets ............................................ $100,000
==========
CLASS A SHARES:
Net Assets ............................................... $ 25,000
Shares Outstanding (unlimited authorized, $.01 par value). 2,500
NET ASSET VALUE PER SHARE ............................. $ 10.00
==========
MAXIMUM OFFERING PRICE
(net asset value plus 5.5% of net asset value) ...... $ 10.55
==========
CLASS B SHARES:
Net Assets ............................................... $ 25,000
Shares Outstanding (unlimited authorized, $.01 par value). 2,500
NET ASSET VALUE PER SHARE ............................. $ 10.00
==========
CLASS C SHARES:
Net Assets ............................................... $ 25,000
Shares Outstanding (unlimited authorized, $.01 par value). 2,500
NET ASSET VALUE PER SHARE ............................. $ 10.00
==========
CLASS D SHARES:
Net Assets ............................................... $ 25,000
Shares Outstanding (unlimited authorized, $.01 par value). 2,500
NET ASSET VALUE PER SHARE ............................. $ 10.00
==========
</TABLE>
- ------------
NOTE 1--Morgan Stanley Dean Witter Mid-Cap Dividend Growth Securities (the
"Fund") was organized as a Massachusetts business trust on December 23, 1997.
To date the Fund has had no transactions other than those relating to
organizational matters and the sale of 2,500 shares of beneficial interest
for $25,000 of each class to Dean Witter InterCapital Inc. (the "Investment
Manager"). The Fund is registered under the Investment Company Act of 1940,
as amended (the "Act"), as a diversified, open-end management investment
company. The investment objective of the Fund is to seek total return.
Organizational expenses of the Fund incurred prior to the offering of the
Fund's shares will be paid by the Investment Manager. It is currently
estimated that the Investment Manager will incur, and be reimbursed,
approximately $156,920 by the Fund in organizational expenses. Actual
expenses could differ from these estimates. 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 commencement of operations, the initial shares acquired by the
Investment 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 Investment Manager
shall bear such unamortized deferred organizational expenses.
34
<PAGE>
NOTE 2--The Fund has entered into an investment management agreement with the
Investment Manager. Certain officers and/or trustees of the Fund are officers
and/or directors of the Investment Manager. The Fund has retained the
Investment Manager to manage the investment of the Fund's assets, including
the placing of orders for the purchase and sale of portfolio securities.
Under the terms of the Investment Management Agreement, the Investment
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. In addition, the Investment Manager
pays the salaries of all personnel, including officers of the Fund, who are
employees of the Investment Manager. The Investment 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 incurred by the Investment Manager, the Fund will
pay the Investment Manager monthly compensation calculated daily by applying
the annual rate of 0.75% to the Fund's daily net assets.
Shares of the Fund will be distributed by Dean Witter Distributors Inc.
(the "Distributor"), an affiliate of the Investment Manager. The Fund has
adopted a Plan of Distribution pursuant to Rule 12b-1 under the Act (the
"Plan") with respect to the distribution of Class A, Class B and Class C
shares of the Fund. The Plan provides that the Distributor will bear the
expense of all promotional and distribution related activities on behalf of
those shares of the Fund, including the payment of commissions for sales of
such shares and incentive compensation to and expenses of Dean Witter
Reynolds Inc. ("DWR"), an affiliate of the Investment Manager and the
Distributor, account executives and other 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, with respect to
Class B, the Distributor may utilize fees paid pursuant to the Plan to
compensate DWR and others for their opportunity costs in advancing such
amounts, which compensation would be in the form of a carrying charge on any
unreimbursed distribution expenses incurred.
To compensate the Distributor for the services provided and for the
expenses borne by the Distributor and others under the Plan, Class A, Class B
and Class C will pay the Distributor compensation accrued daily and payable
monthly up to the annual rate of 0.25% of the average daily net assets of
Class A and 1.0% of the average daily net assets of each of Class B and Class
C. In the case of Class B shares, provided that the Plan continues in effect,
any cumulative expenses incurred by the Distributor but not yet recovered may
be recovered through the payment of future distribution fees from the Fund
pursuant to the Plan and contingent deferred sales charges paid by investors
upon redemption of Class B shares. With respect to Class B, 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. In the case of Class
A shares and Class C shares, expenses incurred pursuant to the Plan in any
calendar year in excess of 0.25% or 1.00% of the average daily net assets of
Class A or Class C, respectively, will not be reimbursed by the Fund through
payments in any subsequent year, except that expenses representing a gross
sales credit to account executives may be reimbursed in the subsequent
calendar year.
Dean Witter Trust FSB, an affiliate of the Investment 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 Investment Manager has undertaken to assume all operating expenses
(except for the Plan fee and brokerage fees) and to waive its compensation
provided for in its Management 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.
35
<PAGE>
REPORT OF INDEPENDENT ACCOUNTANTS
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To the Shareholder and Trustees of
Morgan Stanley Dean Witter Mid-Cap Dividend Growth Securities
In our opinion, the accompanying statement of assets and liabilities presents
fairly, in all material respects, the financial position of Morgan Stanley
Dean Witter Mid-Cap Dividend Growth Securities (the "Fund") at February 26,
1998, 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
February 27, 1998
36
<PAGE>
APPENDIX
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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 a 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
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 of
its generic rating category.
37
<PAGE>
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.
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.
38
<PAGE>
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-" debt rating.
CI The rating "CI" is reserved for income bonds on which no interest is being paid.
D Debt rated "D" is in payment default. The 'D' rating category is used when interest payments or principal
payments are not made on the date due even if the applicable grace period has not expired, unless Standard &
Poor's believes that such payments will be made during such grace period. The 'D' rating also will be used
upon the filing of a bankruptcy petition if debt service payments are jeopardized.
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.
Bonds 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 within 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 Standard & Poor's 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>
39
