<PAGE>
Filed Pursuant to Rule 497(c)
Registration File No.: 333-82729
PROSPECTUS - SEPTEMBER 30, 1999
Morgan Stanley Dean Witter
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NEXT GENERATION TRUST
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A MUTUAL FUND THAT SEEKS LONG-TERM GROWTH OF CAPITAL
The Securities and Exchange Commission has not approved or disapproved these
securities or passed pon the adequacy of this Prospectus. Any representation
to the contrary is a criminal offense.
<PAGE>
CONTENTS
<TABLE>
<S> <C>
The Fund Investment Objective ........................... 1
Principal Investment Strategies ................ 1
Principal Risks ................................ 1
Fees and Expenses .............................. 3
Additional Investment Strategy Information ..... 4
Additional Risk Information .................... 5
Fund Management ................................ 6
Shareholder Information Pricing Fund Shares ............................ 7
Underwriting ................................... 7
How to Buy Shares .............................. 8
How to Exchange Shares ......................... 9
How to Sell Shares .............................11
Distributions ..................................12
Tax Consequences ...............................13
Share Class Arrangements .......................13
Our Family of Funds ............................... Inside Back Cover
This Prospectus contains important information about the Fund.
Please read it carefully and keep it for future reference.
</TABLE>
<PAGE>
THE FUND
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INVESTMENT OBJECTIVE
- --------------------------------------------------
Morgan Stanley Dean Witter Next Generation Trust ("the Fund") seeks long-term
growth of capital.
[GRAPHIC OMITTED]
PRINCIPAL INVESTMENT STRATEGIES
- ----------------------------------------------------------------
The Fund will normally invest at least 65% of its total assets in common stocks
of companies of any asset size which manufacture products or provide services,
or which develop or assist in the development of products and services, which,
in the opinion of the Investment Manager, may be used by, or appeal to,
children, teenagers and/or young adults. These products and services may include
such areas as clothing, toys, computer technology and software, consumer
electronics, Internet, telecommunications, entertainment, personal care, sports,
publishing and education. The Fund's "Investment Manager," Morgan Stanley Dean
Witter Advisors Inc., invests in companies which it believes have growth
potential. The Fund's portfolio will be diversified among many different
companies in a variety of industry groups. In deciding which securities to buy,
hold or sell, the Fund's portfolio managers utilize, among other factors, a
"top-down" approach by examining trends in the economy and historical valuation
levels within industries that meet the Fund's general criteria.
[sidebar]
GROWTH
An investment objective having the goal of selecting securities with the
potential to rise in price rather than pay out income.
[end sidebar]
Up to 35% of the Fund's assets may be invested in foreign securities. This
percentage limitation, however, does not apply to securities of foreign
companies including depository receipts, that are listed in the U.S. on a
national securities exchange.
Common stock is a share ownership or equity interest in a corporation. It may
or may not pay dividends, as some companies reinvest all of their profits back
into their businesses, while others pay out some of their profits to
shareholders as dividends. A depository receipt is generally issued by a bank
or financial institution and represents an ownership interest in the common
stock or other equity securities of a foreign company.
In addition, the Fund may invest in fixed-income securities.
In pursuing the Fund's investment objective, the Investment Manager has
considerable leeway in deciding which investments it buys, holds or sells on a
day-to-day basis -- and which trading or investment strategies it uses. For
example, the Investment Manager in its discretion may determine to use some
permitted trading or investment strategies while not using others.
The Fund will attempt to foster an understanding among young people of basic
investment principles and personal finance by providing an array of educational
and informational materials.
[GRAPHIC OMITTED]
PRINCIPAL RISKS
- -------------------------------------------
There is no assurance that the Fund will achieve its investment objective. The
Fund's share price will fluctuate with changes in the market value of the
Fund's portfolio securities. When you sell Fund shares, they may be worth less
than what you paid for them and, accordingly, you can lose money investing in
this Fund.
COMMON STOCKS. A principal risk of investing in the Fund is associated with its
common stock investments. In general, stock values fluctuate in response to
activities
1
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specific to the company as well as general market, economic and political
conditions. Stock prices can fluctuate widely in response to these factors.
FOREIGN SECURITIES. The Fund's investments in foreign securities (including
depository receipts) may involve risks in addition to the risks associated with
domestic securities. One additional risk is currency risk. While the price of
Fund shares is quoted in U.S. dollars, the Fund generally converts U.S. dollars
to a foreign market's local currency to purchase a security in that market. If
the value of that local currency falls relative to the U.S. dollar, the U.S.
dollar value of the foreign security will decrease. This is true even if the
foreign security's local price remains unchanged.
Foreign securities also have risks related to economic and political
developments abroad, including expropriations, confiscatory taxation, exchange
control regulation, limitations on the use or transfer of Fund assets and any
effects of foreign social, economic or political instability. Foreign
companies, in general, are not subject to the regulatory requirements of U.S.
companies and, as such, there may be less publicly available information about
these companies. Moreover, foreign accounting, auditing and financial reporting
standards generally are different from those applicable to U.S. companies.
Finally, in the event of a default of any foreign debt obligations, it may be
more difficult for the Fund to obtain or enforce a judgment against the issuers
of the securities.
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 U.S. counterparts.
In addition, differences in clearance and settlement procedures in foreign
markets may occasion delays in settlements of the Fund's trades effected in
those markets.
Many European countries have adopted or are in the process of adopting a single
European currency, referred to as the "euro." The long-term consequences of the
euro conversion for foreign exchange rates, interest rates and the value of
European securities the Fund may purchase are presently unclear. The
consequences may adversely affect the value and/or increase the volatility of
securities held by the Fund.
Certain foreign securities in which the Fund may invest may be issued by
companies located in developing or emerging countries. Compared to the United
States and other developed countries, developing or emerging countries may have
unstable governments, economies based on only a few industries and securities
markets that trade a small number of securities. Securities issued by companies
located in these countries tend to be especially volatile and may be less
liquid than securities traded in developed countries. In the past, securities
in these countries have offered greater potential loss (as well as gain) than
securities of companies located in developed countries.
OTHER RISKS. The performance of the Fund also will depend on whether the
Investment Manager is successful in pursuing the Fund's investment strategy.
The Fund is subject to other risks from its permissible investments including
the risks associated with fixed-income securities. For more information about
these risks, see the "Additional Risk Information" section.
2
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Shares of the Fund are not bank deposits and are not guaranteed or insured by
the FDIC or any other government agency.
[GRAPHIC OMITTED]
FEES AND EXPENSES
- -----------------------------------------------
The table below briefly describes the fees and expenses that you may pay if you
buy and hold shares of the Fund. The Fund offers four classes of shares:
Classes A, B, C and D. Each Class has a different combination of fees, expenses
and other features. The Fund does not charge account or exchange fees. See the
"Share Class Arrangements" section for further fee and expense information.
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
CLASS A CLASS B CLASS C CLASS D
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<S> <C> <C> <C> <C>
SHAREHOLDER FEES
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Maximum sales charge (load) imposed on
purchases (as a percentage of offering price) 5.25%(1) None None None
- ---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Maximum deferred sales charge (load) (as a
percentage based on the lesser of the offering None(2) 5.00%(3) 1.00%(4) None
price or net asset value at redemption)
- ---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
ANNUAL FUND OPERATING EXPENSES
- ---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Management fee(5) 0.75% 0.75% 0.75% 0.75%
- ---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Distribution and service (12b-1) fees 0.25% 1.00% 1.00% None
- ---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Other expenses(5), (6) 0.38% 0.38% 0.38% 0.38%
- ---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Total annual Fund operating expenses 1.38% 2.13% 2.13% 1.13%
- ---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
</TABLE>
(1) Reduced for purchases of $25,000 and over.
(2) Investments that are not subject to any sales charge at the time of purchase
are subject to a contingent deferred sales charge ("CDSC") of 1.00% that
will be imposed if you sell your shares within one year after purchase,
except for certain specific circumstances.
(3) The CDSC is scaled down to 1.00% during the sixth year, reaching zero
thereafter. See "Share Class Arrangements" for a complete discussion of the
CDSC.
(4) Only applicable if you sell your shares within one year after purchase.
(5) The Investment Manager has agreed to assume all operating expenses (except
for brokerage and 12b-1 fees) and waive the compensation provided in its
investment 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. Other expenses are estimated.
The expenses and fees disclosed above do not reflect the assumption of any
expenses or the waiver of any compensation by the Investment Manager.
(6) "Other Expenses" are estimated based on expenses anticipated for the first
complete fiscal year of the Fund.
[sidebar]
SHAREHOLDER FEES
These fees are paid directly from your investment.
[end sidebar]
[sidebar]
ANNUAL FUND
OPERATING EXPENSES
These expenses are deducted from the Fund's assets.
[end sidebar]
3
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EXAMPLE
This example is intended to help you compare the cost of investing in the Fund
with the cost of investing in other mutual funds.
The example assumes that you invest $10,000 in the Fund, your investment has a
5% return each year, and the Fund's operating expenses remain the same.
Although your actual costs may be higher or lower, the tables below show your
costs at the end of each period based on these assumptions depending upon
whether or not you sell your shares at the end of each period.
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
IF YOU SOLD YOUR IF YOU HELD YOUR
SHARES: SHARES:
<S> <C> <C> <C> <C>
1 Year 3 Years 1 Year 3 Years
- ----------------------------- -------------------
CLASS A $658 $939 $658 $939
- ----------------------------- -------------------
CLASS B $716 $967 $216 $667
- ----------------------------- -------------------
CLASS C $316 $667 $216 $667
- ----------------------------- -------------------
CLASS D $115 $359 $115 $359
- ----------------------------- -------------------
</TABLE>
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 National Association of Securities
Dealers.
[GRAPHIC OMITTED]
ADDITIONAL INVESTMENT STRATEGY INFORMATION
- -------------------------------------------------------------------------------
This section provides additional information relating to the Fund's principal
strategies.
FIXED INCOME SECURITIES. The Fund may invest up to 35% of its assets in
investment grade corporate debt securities (including zero coupon securities)
or comparable non-rated securities, as well as in U.S government securities
(including zero coupon securities). No more than 5% of such securities may be
rated, or deemed to be rated, below investment grade (securities rated below
investment grade are considered junk bonds).
DEFENSIVE INVESTING. The Fund may take temporary "defensive" positions that are
inconsistent with the Fund's principal investment strategies in attempting to
respond to adverse market conditions. The Fund may invest any amount of its
total assets in cash or money market instruments in a defensive posture when
the Investment Manager believes it is advisable to do so. Although taking a
defensive posture is designed to protect the Fund from an anticipated market
downturn, it could have the effect of reducing the benefit from any upswing in
the market. When the Fund takes a defensive position, it may not achieve its
investment objective.
The percentage limitations relating to the composition of the Fund's portfolio
apply at the time the Fund acquires an investment and refer to the Fund's net
assets, unless otherwise noted. Other than percentage limits relating to
illiquid securities, subsequent percentage changes that result from market
fluctuations will not require the Fund to sell any portfolio security. The Fund
may change its principal investment strategies without shareholder approval;
however, you would be notified of any changes.
4
<PAGE>
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ADDITIONAL RISK INFORMATION
- -----------------------------------------------------------
This section provides additional information relating to the principal risks of
investing in the Fund.
FIXED-INCOME SECURITIES. Principal risks of investing in the Fund are
associated with its fixed-income investments. All fixed-income securities, such
as corporate debt, are subject to two types of risk: credit risk and interest
rate risk. Credit risk refers to the possibility that the issuer of a security
will be unable to make interest payments and/or repay the principal on its
debt. A portion of the Fund's fixed-income securities have speculative
characteristics.
Interest rate risk refers to fluctuations in the value of a fixed-income
security resulting from changes in the general level of interest rates. When
the general level of interest rates goes up, the prices of most fixed-income
securities go down. When the general level of interest rates goes down, the
prices of most fixed-income securities go up. (Zero coupon securities are
typically subject to greater price fluctuations than comparable securities that
pay interest.)
YEAR 2000. The Fund could be adversely affected if the computer systems
necessary for the efficient operation of the Fund's Investment Manager, the
Fund's other service providers and the markets and corporate and governmental
issuers in which the Fund invests do not properly process and calculate
date-related information from and after January 1, 2000. While year
2000-related computer problems could have a negative effect on the Fund, the
Investment Manager and its affiliates are working hard to avoid any problems
and to obtain assurances from their service providers that they are taking
similar steps.
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.
5
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FUND MANAGEMENT
- ---------------------------------------------
The Fund has retained the Investment Manager -- Morgan Stanley Dean Witter
Advisors Inc. -- to provide administrative services and manage its business
affairs and to invest the Fund's assets, including the placing of orders for the
purchase and sale of portfolio securities. The Investment Manager 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. Its
main business office is located at Two World Trade Center, New York, New York
10048.
The Fund's portfolio is managed within the Investment Manager's Growth Group.
Mark Bavoso, a Senior Vice President of the Investment Manager, is the primary
portfolio manager of the Fund, and co-management is provided by David Dineen, a
Vice President of the Investment Manager and a member of the Growth Group. Both
Mr. Bavoso and Mr. Dineen have been portfolio managers with the Investment
Manager for over five years.
The Fund pays the Investment Manager a monthly management fee as full
compensation for the services and facilities furnished to the Fund, and for
Fund expenses assumed by the Investment Manager. The fee is calculated at the
annual rate of 0.75% of the Fund's average daily net assets.
[sidebar]
MORGAN STANLEY DEAN WITTER ADVISORS INC.
The Investment Manager is widely recognized as a leader in the mutual fund
industry and together with Morgan Stanley Dean Witter Services Company Inc.,
its wholly-owned subsidiary, had more than $136 billion in assets under
management or administration as of August 31, 1999.
[end sidebar]
6
<PAGE>
SHAREHOLDER INFORMATION
[GRAPHIC OMITTED]
PRICING FUND SHARES
- -------------------------------------------------
The price of Fund shares (excluding sales charges), called "net asset value,"
is based on the value of the Fund's portfolio securities. While the assets of
each Class are invested in a single portfolio of securities, the net asset
value of each Class will differ because the Classes have different ongoing
distribution fees.
The net asset value per share of the Fund is determined once daily at 4:00 p.m.
Eastern time, on each day that the New York Stock Exchange is open (or, on days
when the New York Stock Exchange closes prior to 4:00 p.m., at such earlier
time). Shares will not be priced on days that the New York Stock Exchange is
closed.
The value of the Fund's portfolio securities is based on the securities' market
price when available. When a market price is not readily available, including
circumstances under which the Investment Manager determines that a security's
market price is not accurate, a portfolio security is valued at its fair value,
as determined under procedures established by the Fund's Board of Trustees. In
these cases, the Fund's net asset value will reflect certain portfolio
securities' fair value rather than their market price. In addition, if the Fund
holds securities primarily listed on foreign exchanges, the value of the Fund's
portfolio securities may change on days when you will not be able to purchase
or sell your shares.
An exception to the Fund's general policy of using market prices concerns its
short-term debt portfolio securities. Debt securities with remaining maturities
of sixty days or less at the time of purchase are valued at amortized cost.
However, if the cost does not reflect the securities' market value, these
securities will be valued at their fair value.
[GRAPHIC OMITTED]
UNDERWRITING
- -----------------------------------------
The Fund will initially offer its shares from approximately October 25, 1999
through November 22, 1999 in an underwriting by the Fund's Distributor, Morgan
Stanley Dean Witter Distributors Inc., as the Fund's principal underwriter.
During this period, you may place orders to buy shares through the Distributor,
however, shares will not be issued until the Closing Date, which will take
place on November 26, 1999 or on such later date as agreed upon by the Fund and
the Distributor. You are not obligated to pay for the shares prior to the
Closing Date. If any orders are accompanied by payment, the payment will be
returned to you, unless you request that such payment be invested in a Morgan
Stanley Dean Witter Money Market Fund. In such case the funds will be
automatically transferred from the Money Market Fund to the Fund on the Closing
Date. You may cancel your order to purchase shares without penalty at any time
prior to the Closing Date. A continuous offering of the Fund's shares will
begin approximately two weeks after the Closing Date.
The Distributor 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 Distributor and the net asset value of $10.00 per share going to the Fund.
The Distributor may also receive contingent deferred sales charges from future
redemptions of Class A, Class B and Class C shares.
7
<PAGE>
The minimum number of Fund shares which may be purchased by any shareholder
during the initial offering period is 100 shares. Certificates for shares
purchased will not be issued unless requested by the shareholder in writing.
[GRAPHIC OMITTED]
HOW TO BUY SHARES
- -----------------------------------------------
You may open a new account to buy Fund shares or buy additional Fund shares for
an existing account by contacting your Morgan Stanley Dean Witter Financial
Advisor or other authorized financial representative. Your Financial Advisor
will assist you, step-by-step, with the procedures to invest in the Fund. You
may also purchase shares directly by calling the Fund's transfer agent and
requesting an application.
[sidebar]
CONTACTING A FINANCIAL ADVISOR
If you are new to the Morgan Stanley Dean Witter Family of Funds and would like
to contact a Financial Advisor, call (800) THE-DEAN for the telephone number of
the Morgan Stanley Dean Witter office nearest you. You may also access our
office locator on our Internet site at: www.msdw.com/ individual/funds
[end sidebar]
Because every investor has different immediate financial needs and long-term
investment goals, the Fund offers investors four Classes of shares: Classes A,
B, C and D. Class D shares are only offered to a limited group of investors.
Each Class of shares offers a distinct structure of sales charges, distribution
and service fees, and other features that are designed to address a variety of
needs. Your Financial Advisor or other authorized financial representative can
help you decide which Class may be most appropriate for you. When purchasing
Fund shares, you must specify which Class of shares you wish to purchase.
When you buy Fund shares, the shares are purchased at the next share price
calculated (less any applicable front-end sales charge for Class A shares)
after we receive your purchase order. Your payment is due on the third business
day after you place your purchase order. We reserve the right to reject any
order for the purchase of Fund shares.
MINIMUM INVESTMENT AMOUNTS
- ------------------------------------------------------------------------------
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
MINIMUM INVESTMENT
--------------------------
INVESTMENT OPTIONS INITIAL ADDITIONAL
- -------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
<S> <C> <C> <C>
Regular Accounts $1,000 $50
- -------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Individual Retirement Accounts: Regular IRAs $1,000 $50
Education IRAs $500 $50
- -------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
EasyInvest(Service Mark) (Automatically from your
checking or savings account or
Money Market Fund) $ 50* $ 50*
- -------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
</TABLE>
* Provided your schedule of investments totals $1,000 in twenty-four
months.
[sidebar]
EASYINVEST(SERVICE MARK)
A purchase plan that allows you to transfer money automatically from your
checking or savings account or from a Money Market Fund on a semi-monthly,
monthly or quarterly basis. Contact your Morgan Stanley Dean Witter Financial
Advisor for further information about this service.
[end sidebar]
There is no minimum investment amount if you purchase Fund shares through: (1)
the Investment Manager's mutual fund asset allocation plan, (2) a program,
approved by the Fund's distributor, in which you pay an asset-based fee for
advisory, administrative and/or brokerage services, or (3) employer-sponsored
employee benefit plan accounts.
INVESTMENT OPTIONS FOR CERTAIN INSTITUTIONAL AND OTHER INVESTORS/CLASS D
SHARES. To be eligible to purchase Class D shares, you must qualify under one
of the investor categories specified in the "Share Class Arrangements" section
of this Prospectus.
8
<PAGE>
SUBSEQUENT INVESTMENTS SENT DIRECTLY TO THE FUND. In addition to buying
additional Fund shares for an existing account by contacting your Morgan
Stanley Dean Witter Financial Advisor, you may send a check directly to the
Fund. To buy additional shares in this manner:
o Write a "letter of instruction" to the Fund specifying the name(s) on the
account, the account number, the social security or tax identification
number, the Class of shares you wish to purchase, and the investment amount
(which would include any applicable front-end sales charge). The letter must
be signed by the account owner(s).
o Make out a check for the total amount payable to: Morgan Stanley Dean Witter
Next Generation Trust.
o Mail the letter and check to Morgan Stanley Dean Witter Trust FSB at P.O. Box
1040, Jersey City, NJ 07303.
[GRAPHIC OMITTED]
HOW TO EXCHANGE SHARES
- ------------------------------------------------------
PERMISSIBLE FUND EXCHANGES. You may exchange shares of any Class of the Fund
for the same Class of any other continuously offered Multi-Class Fund, or for
shares of a No-Load Fund, a Money Market Fund, North American Government Income
Trust, or Short-Term U.S. Treasury Trust, without the imposition of an exchange
fee. See the inside back cover of this Prospectus for each Morgan Stanley Dean
Witter Fund's designation as a Multi-Class Fund, No-Load Fund or Money Market
Fund. If a Morgan Stanley Dean Witter Fund is not listed, consult the inside
back cover of that Fund's Prospectus for its designation. For purposes of
exchanges, shares of FSC Funds (subject to a front-end sales charge) are
treated as Class A shares of a Multi-Class Fund.
Exchanges may be made after shares of the Fund acquired by purchase have been
held for thirty days. There is no waiting period for exchanges of shares
acquired by exchange or dividend reinvestment. The current Prospectus for each
fund describes its investment objective(s), policies and investment minimum,
and should be read before investment. Since exchanges are available only into
continuously offered Morgan Stanley Dean Witter Funds, exchanges are not
available into any new Morgan Stanley Dean Witter Fund during its initial
offering period, or when shares of a particular Morgan Stanley Dean Witter Fund
are not being offered for purchase.
EXCHANGE PROCEDURES. You can process an exchange by contacting your Morgan
Stanley Dean Witter Financial Advisor or other authorized financial
representative. Otherwise, you must forward an exchange privilege authorization
form to the Fund's transfer agent -- Morgan Stanley Dean Witter Trust FSB --
and then write the transfer agent or call (800) 869-NEWS to place an exchange
order. You can obtain an exchange privilege authorization form by contacting
your Financial Advisor or other authorized financial representative or by
calling (800) 869-NEWS. If you hold share certificates, no exchanges may be
processed until we have received all applicable share certificates.
An exchange to any Morgan Stanley Dean Witter Fund (except a Money Market Fund)
is made on the basis of the next calculated net asset values of the Funds
involved after the exchange instructions are accepted. When exchanging into a
Money Market Fund,
9
<PAGE>
the Fund's shares are sold at their next calculated net asset value and the
Money Market Fund's shares are purchased at their net asset value on the
following business day.
The Fund may terminate or revise the exchange privilege upon required notice.
The check writing privilege is not available for Money Market Fund shares you
acquire in an exchange.
TELEPHONE EXCHANGES. For your protection when calling Morgan Stanley Dean
Witter Trust FSB, we will employ reasonable procedures to confirm that exchange
instructions communicated over the telephone are genuine. These procedures may
include requiring various forms of personal identification such as name,
mailing address, social security or other tax identification number. Telephone
instructions also may be recorded.
Telephone instructions will be accepted if received by the Fund's transfer
agent between 9:00 a.m. and 4:00 p.m. Eastern time, on any day the New York
Stock Exchange is open for business. 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 Fund in
the past.
MARGIN ACCOUNTS. If you have pledged your Fund shares in a margin account,
contact your Morgan Stanley Dean Witter Financial Advisor or other authorized
financial representative regarding restrictions on the exchange of such shares.
TAX CONSIDERATIONS OF EXCHANGES. If you exchange shares of the Fund for shares
of another Morgan Stanley Dean Witter Fund, there are important tax
considerations. For tax purposes, the exchange out of the Fund is considered a
sale of the Fund's shares -- and the exchange into the other Fund is considered
a purchase. As a result, you may realize a capital gain or loss.
You should review the "Tax Consequences" section and consult your own tax
professional about the tax consequences of an exchange.
FREQUENT EXCHANGES. A pattern of frequent exchanges may result in the Fund
limiting or prohibiting, at its discretion, additional purchases and/or
exchanges. The Fund will notify you in advance of limiting your exchange
privileges.
CDSC CALCULATIONS ON EXCHANGES. See the "Share Class Arrangements" section of
this Prospectus for a discussion of how applicable contingent deferred sales
charges (CDSCs) are calculated for shares of one Morgan Stanley Dean Witter
Fund that are exchanged for shares of another.
For further information regarding exchange privileges, you should contact your
Morgan Stanley Dean Witter Financial Advisor or call (800) 869-NEWS.
10
<PAGE>
[GRAPHIC OMITTED]
HOW TO SELL SHARES
- ------------------------------------------------
You can sell some or all of your Fund shares at any time. If you sell Class A,
Class B or Class C shares, your net sale proceeds are reduced by the amount of
any applicable CDSC. Your shares will be sold at the next price calculated
after we receive your order to sell as described below.
<TABLE>
<S> <C>
OPTIONS PROCEDURES
- -------------------- -----------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Contact Your To sell your shares, simply call your Morgan Stanley Dean Witter Financial
Financial Advisor Advisor or other authorized financial representative.
-----------------------------------------------------------------------------------
[GRAPHIC OMITTED] Payment will be sent to the address to which the account is registered or
deposited in your brokerage account.
- -------------------- -----------------------------------------------------------------------------------
By Letter You can also sell your shares by writing a "letter of instruction" that includes:
o your account number;
[GRAPHIC OMITTED] o the dollar amount or the number of shares you wish to sell;
o the Class of shares you wish to sell; and
o the signature of each owner as it appears on the account.
-----------------------------------------------------------------------------------
If you are requesting payment to anyone other than the registered owner(s) or
that payment be sent to any address other than the address of the registered
owner(s) or pre-designated bank account, you will need a signature guarantee.
You can obtain a signature guarantee from an eligible guarantor acceptable to
Morgan Stanley Dean Witter Trust FSB. (You should contact Morgan Stanley
Dean Witter Trust FSB at (800) 869-NEWS for a determination as to whether a
particular institution is an eligible guarantor.) A notary public cannot provide a
signature guarantee. Additional documentation may be required for shares held
by a corporation, partnership, trustee or executor.
-----------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Mail the letter to Morgan Stanley Dean Witter Trust FSB at P.O. Box 983, Jersey
City, NJ 07303. If you hold share certificates, you must return the certificates,
along with the letter and any required additional documentation.
-----------------------------------------------------------------------------------
A check will be mailed to the name(s) and address in which the account is
registered, or otherwise according to your instructions.
-----------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Systematic If your investment in all of the Morgan Stanley Dean Witter Family of Funds has
Withdrawal Plan a total market value of at least $10,000, you may elect to withdraw amounts of
$25 or more, or in any whole percentage of a Fund's balance (provided the
[GRAPHIC OMITTED] amount is at least $25), on a monthly, quarterly, semi-annual or annual basis,
from any Fund with a balance of at least $1,000. Each time you add a Fund to the
plan, you must meet the plan requirements.
-----------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Amounts withdrawn are subject to any applicable CDSC. A CDSC may be
waived under certain circumstances. See the Class B waiver categories listed in
the "Share Class Arrangements" section of this Prospectus.
-----------------------------------------------------------------------------------
To sign up for the Systematic Withdrawal Plan, contact your Morgan Stanley
Dean Witter Financial Advisor or call (800) 869-NEWS. You may terminate or
suspend your plan at any time. Please remember that withdrawals from the plan
are sales of shares, not Fund "distributions," and ultimately may exhaust your
account balance. The Fund may terminate or revise the plan at any time.
-----------------------------------------------------------------------------------
</TABLE>
PAYMENT FOR SOLD SHARES. After we receive your complete instructions to sell as
described above, a check will be mailed to you within seven days, although we
will attempt to make payment within one business day. Payment may also be sent
to your brokerage account.
Payment may be postponed or the right to sell your shares suspended under
unusual circumstances. If you request to sell shares that were recently
purchased by check, payment of the sale proceeds may be delayed for the minimum
time needed to verify that the check has been honored (not more than fifteen
days from the time we receive the check).
11
<PAGE>
TAX CONSIDERATIONS. Normally, your sale of Fund shares is subject to federal
and state income tax. You should review the "Tax Consequences" section of this
Prospectus and consult your own tax professional about the tax consequences of
a sale.
REINSTATEMENT PRIVILEGE. If you sell Fund shares and have not previously
exercised the reinstatement privilege, you may, within 35 days after the date
of sale, invest any portion of the proceeds in the same Class of Fund shares at
their net asset value and receive a pro rata credit for any CDSC paid in
connection with the sale.
INVOLUNTARY SALES. The Fund reserves the right, on sixty days' notice, to sell
the shares of any shareholder (other than shares held in an IRA or 403(b)
Custodial Account) whose shares, due to sales by the shareholder, have a value
below $100, or in the case of an account opened through
EasyInvest(Service Mark), if after 24 months the shareholder has invested less
than $1,000 in the account.
However, before the Fund sells your shares in this manner, we will notify you
and allow you sixty days to make an additional investment in an amount that
will increase the value of your account to at least the required amount before
the sale is processed. No CDSC will be imposed on any involuntary sale.
MARGIN ACCOUNTS. If you have pledged your Fund shares in a margin account,
contact your Morgan Stanley Dean Witter Financial Advisor or other authorized
financial representative regarding restrictions on the sale of such shares.
[GRAPHIC OMITTED]
DISTRIBUTIONS
- ----------------------------------------
The Fund passes substantially all of its earnings from income and capital gains
along to its investors as "distributions." The Fund earns income from stocks and
interest from fixed-income investments. These amounts are passed along to Fund
shareholders as "income dividend distributions." The Fund realizes capital gains
whenever it sells securities for a higher price than it paid for them. These
amounts may be passed along as "capital gain distributions."
[sidebar]
TARGETED DIVIDENDS(Service Mark)
You may select to have your Fund distributions automatically invested in other
Classes of Fund shares or Classes of another Morgan Stanley Dean Witter Fund
that you own. Contact your Morgan Stanley Dean Witter Financial Advisor for
further information about this service.
[end sidebar]
The Fund declares income dividends separately for each Class. Distributions
paid on Class A and Class D shares usually will be higher than for Class B and
Class C because distribution fees that Class B and Class C pay are higher.
Normally, income dividends are distributed to shareholders annually. Capital
gains, if any, are distributed in December. The Fund, however, may retain and
reinvest any long-term capital gains. The Fund may at times make payments from
sources other than income or capital gains that represent a return of a portion
of your investment.
Distributions are reinvested automatically in additional shares of the same
Class and automatically credited to your account, unless you request in writing
that all distributions be paid in cash. If you elect the cash option, the Fund
will mail a check to you no later than seven business days after the
distribution is declared. No interest will accrue on uncashed checks. If you
wish to change how your distributions are paid, your request should be received
by the Fund's transfer agent, Morgan Stanley Dean Witter Trust FSB, at least
five business days prior to the record date of the distributions.
12
<PAGE>
[GRAPHIC OMITTED]
TAX CONSEQUENCES
- ----------------------------------------------
As with any investment, you should consider how your Fund investment will be
taxed. The tax information in this Prospectus is provided as general
information. You should consult your own tax professional about the tax
consequences of an investment in the Fund.
Unless your investment in the Fund is through a tax-deferred retirement
account, such as a 401(k) plan or IRA, you need to be aware of the possible tax
consequences when:
o The Fund makes distributions; and
o You sell Fund shares, including an exchange to another Morgan Stanley Dean
Witter Fund.
TAXES ON DISTRIBUTIONS. Your distributions are normally subject to federal and
state income tax when they are paid, whether you take them in cash or reinvest
them in Fund shares. A distribution also may be subject to local income tax.
Any income dividend distributions and any short-term capital gain distributions
are taxable to you as ordinary income. Any long-term capital gain distributions
are taxable as long-term capital gains, no matter how long you have owned
shares in the Fund.
Every January, you will be sent a statement (IRS Form 1099-DIV) showing the
taxable distributions paid to you in the previous year. The statement provides
full information on your dividends and capital gains for tax purposes.
TAXES ON SALES. Your sale of Fund shares normally is subject to federal and
state income tax and may result in a taxable gain or loss to you. A sale also
may be subject to local income tax. Your exchange of Fund shares for shares of
another Morgan Stanley Dean Witter Fund is treated for tax purposes like a sale
of your original shares and a purchase of your new shares. Thus, the exchange
may, like a sale, result in a taxable gain or loss to you and will give you a
new tax basis for your new shares.
When you open your Fund account, you should provide your Social Security or tax
identification number on your investment application. By providing this
information, you will avoid being subject to a federal backup withholding tax
of 31% on taxable distributions and redemption proceeds. Any withheld amount
would be sent to the IRS as an advance tax payment.
[GRAPHIC OMITTED]
SHARE CLASS ARRANGEMENTS
- --------------------------------------------------------
The Fund offers several Classes of shares having different distribution
arrangements designed to provide you with different purchase options according
to your investment needs. Your Morgan Stanley Dean Witter Financial Advisor or
other authorized financial representative can help you decide which Class may
be appropriate for you.
The general public is offered three Classes: Class A shares, Class B shares and
Class C shares, which differ principally in terms of sales charges and ongoing
expenses. A fourth Class, Class D shares, is offered only to a limited category
of investors. Shares that you acquire through reinvested distributions will not
be subject to any front-end sales charge or CDSC -- contingent deferred sales
charge. Sales personnel may receive different compensation for selling each
Class of shares. The sales charges applicable to each Class provide for the
distribution financing of shares of that Class.
13
<PAGE>
The chart below compares the sales charge and the maximum annual 12b-1 fees
applicable to each Class:
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
MAXIMUM
CLASS SALES CHARGE ANNUAL 12B-1 FEE
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
<S> <C> <C>
A Maximum 5.25% initial sales charge reduced for purchase of
$25,000 or more; shares sold without an initial sales charge are
generally subject to a 1.0% CDSC during first year. 0.25%
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
B Maximum 5.0% CDSC during the first year decreasing to 0%
after six years. 1.0%
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
C 1.0% CDSC during first year 1.0%
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
D None None
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
</TABLE>
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 purchases of
$25,000 or more according to the schedule below. Investments of $1 million or
more are not subject to an initial sales charge, but are generally subject to a
contingent deferred sales charge, or CDSC, of 1.0% on sales made within one year
after the last day of the month of purchase. The CDSC will be assessed in the
same manner and with the same CDSC waivers as with Class B shares. Class A
shares are also subject to a distribution (12b-1) fee of up to 0.25% of the
average daily net assets of the Class.
The offering price of Class A shares includes a sales charge (expressed as a
percentage of the offering price) on a single transaction as shown in the
following table:
[sidebar]
FRONT-END SALES
CHARGE OR FSC
An initial sales charge you pay when purchasing Class A shares that is based on
a percentage of the offering price. The percentage declines based upon the
dollar value of Class A shares you purchase. We offer three ways to reduce your
Class A sales charges -- the Combined Purchase Privilege, Right of Accumulation
and Letter of Intent.
[end sidebar]
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
FRONT-END SALES CHARGE
---------------------------------------------------
PERCENTAGE OF APPROXIMATE PERCENTAGE
AMOUNT OF SINGLE TRANSACTION PUBLIC OFFERING PRICE OF NET 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>
The reduced sales charge schedule is applicable to purchases of Class A shares
in a single transaction by:
o A single account (including an individual, trust or fiduciary account).
o Family member accounts (limited to husband, wife and children under the age
of 21).
o Pension, profit sharing or other employee benefit plans of companies and
their affiliates.
o Tax-exempt organizations.
o Groups organized for a purpose other than to buy mutual fund shares.
14
<PAGE>
COMBINED PURCHASE PRIVILEGE. You also will have the benefit of reduced sales
charges by combining purchases of Class A shares of the Fund in a single
transaction with purchases of Class A shares of other Multi-Class Funds and
shares of FSC Funds.
RIGHT OF ACCUMULATION. You also may benefit from a reduction of sales charges,
if the cumulative net asset value of Class A shares of the Fund purchased in a
single transaction, together with shares of other Funds you currently own which
were previously purchased at a price including a front-end sales charge
(including shares acquired through reinvestment of distributions), amounts to
$25,000 or more. Also, if you have a cumulative net asset value of all your
Class A and Class D shares equal to at least $5 million (or $25 million for
certain employee benefit plans), you are eligible to purchase Class D shares of
any Fund subject to the Fund's minimum initial investment requirement.
You must notify your Morgan Stanley Dean Witter Financial Advisor or other
authorized financial representative, (or Morgan Stanley Dean Witter Trust FSB
if you purchase directly through the Fund) 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 when an order is
placed by mail. The reduced sales charge will not be granted if: (i)
notification is not furnished at the time of the order; or (ii) a review of the
records of Dean Witter Reynolds or other authorized dealer of Fund shares or
the Fund's transfer agent does not confirm your represented holdings.
LETTER OF INTENT. The schedule of reduced sales charges for larger purchases
also will be available to you if you enter into a written "letter of intent." A
letter of intent provides for the purchase of Class A shares of the Fund or
other Multi-Class Funds or shares of FSC Funds within a thirteen-month period.
The initial purchase under a letter of intent must be at least 5% of the stated
investment goal. To determine the applicable sales charge reduction, you may
also include: (1) the cost of shares of other Morgan Stanley Dean Witter Funds
which were previously purchased at a price including a front-end sales charge
during the 90-day period prior to the distributor receiving the letter of
intent, and (2) the cost of shares of other Funds you currently own acquired in
exchange for shares of Funds purchased during that period at a price including
a front-end sales charge. You can obtain a letter of intent by contacting your
Morgan Stanley Dean Witter Financial Advisor or other authorized financial
representative, or by calling (800) 869-NEWS. If you do not achieve the stated
investment goal within the thirteen-month period, you are required to pay the
difference between the sales charges otherwise applicable and sales charges
actually paid, which may be deducted from your investment.
OTHER SALES CHARGE WAIVERS. In addition to investments of $1 million or more,
your purchase of Class A shares is not subject to a front-end sales charge (or
a CDSC upon sale) if your account qualifies under one of the following
categories:
o A trust for which Morgan Stanley Dean Witter Trust FSB provides discretionary
trustee services.
o Persons participating in a fee-based investment program (subject to all of
its terms and conditions, including mandatory sale or transfer restrictions
on termination)
15
<PAGE>
approved by the Fund's distributor pursuant to which they pay an asset based
fee for investment advisory, administrative and/or brokerage services.
o Employer-sponsored employee benefit plans, whether or not qualified under the
Internal Revenue Code, for which Morgan Stanley Dean Witter Trust FSB serves
as trustee or Dean Witter Reynolds' Retirement Plan Services serves as
recordkeeper under a written Recordkeeping Services Agreement ("MSDW
Eligible Plans") which have at least 200 eligible employees.
o A MSDW Eligible Plan whose Class B shares have converted to Class A shares,
regardless of the plan's asset size or number of eligible employees.
o A client of a Morgan Stanley Dean Witter Financial Advisor who joined us from
another investment firm within six months prior to the date of purchase of
Fund shares, and you used the proceeds from the sale of shares of a
proprietary mutual fund of that Financial Advisor's previous firm that
imposed either a front-end or deferred sales charge to purchase Class A
shares, provided that: (1) you sold the shares not more than 60 days prior
to the purchase of Fund shares, and (2) the sale proceeds were maintained in
the interim in cash or a money market fund.
o Current or retired Directors/Trustees of the Morgan Stanley Dean Witter
Funds, such persons' spouses and children under the age of 21, and trust
accounts for which any of such persons is a beneficiary.
o Current or retired directors, officers and employees of Morgan Stanley Dean
Witter & Co. and any of its subsidiaries, such persons' spouses and children
under the age of 21, and trust accounts for which any of such persons is a
beneficiary.
CLASS B SHARES Class B shares are offered at net asset value with no initial
sales charge but are subject to a contingent deferred sales charge, or CDSC, as
set forth in the table below. For the purpose of calculating the CDSC, shares
are deemed to have been purchased on the last day of the month during which they
were purchased.
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
YEAR SINCE PURCHASE PAYMENT MADE CDSC AS A PERCENTAGE 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>
[sidebar]
CONTINGENT DEFERRED
SALES CHARGE OR CDSC
A fee you pay when you sell shares of certain Morgan Stanley Dean Witter Funds
purchased without an initial sales charge. This fee declines the longer you hold
your shares as set forth in the table.
[end sidebar]
Each time you place an order to sell or exchange shares, shares with no CDSC
will be sold or exchanged first, then shares with the lowest CDSC will be sold
or exchanged next. For any shares subject to a CDSC, the CDSC will be assessed
on an amount equal to the lesser of the current market value or the cost of the
shares being sold.
CDSC WAIVERS. A CDSC, if otherwise applicable, will be waived in the case of:
o Sales of shares held at the time you die or become disabled (within the
definition in Section 72(m)(7) of the Internal Revenue Code which relates to
the ability to engage
16
<PAGE>
in gainful employment), if the shares are: (i) registered either in your name
(not a trust) or in the names of you and your spouse as joint tenants with
right of survivorship; or (ii) held in a qualified corporate or self-employed
retirement plan, IRA or 403(b) Custodial Account, provided in either case that
the sale is requested within one year of your death or initial determination
of disability.
o Sales in connection with the following retirement plan "distributions": (i)
lump-sum or other distributions from a qualified corporate or self-employed
retirement plan following retirement (or, in the case of a "key employee" of
a "top heavy" plan, following attainment of age 59 1/2); (ii) distributions
from an IRA or 403(b) Custodial Account following attainment of age 59 1/2;
or (iii) a tax-free return of an excess IRA contribution (a "distribution"
does not include a direct transfer of IRA, 403(b) Custodial Account or
retirement plan assets to a successor custodian or trustee).
o Sales of shares held for you as a participant in a MSDW Eligible Plan.
o Sales of shares in connection with the Systematic Withdrawal Plan of up to
12% annually of the value of each Fund from which plan sales are made. The
percentage is determined on the date you establish the Systematic Withdrawal
Plan and based on the next calculated share price. You may have this CDSC
waiver applied in amounts up to 1% per month, 3% per quarter, 6%
semi-annually or 12% annually. Shares with no CDSC will be sold first,
followed by those with the lowest CDSC. As such, the waiver benefit will be
reduced by the amount of your shares that are not subject to a CDSC. If you
suspend your participation in the plan, you may later resume plan payments
without requiring a new determination of the account value for the 12% CDSC
waiver.
All waivers will be granted only following the Fund's distributor receiving
confirmation of your entitlement. If you believe you are eligible for a CDSC
waiver, please contact your Financial Advisor or call (800) 869-NEWS.
DISTRIBUTION FEE. Class B shares are subject to an annual 12b-1 fee of 1.0% of
the average daily net assets of Class B.
CONVERSION FEATURE. After ten (10) years, Class B shares will convert
automatically to Class A shares of the Fund with no initial sales charge. The
ten year period runs 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, from
the last day of the month in which the original Class B shares were purchased;
the shares will convert to Class A shares based on their relative net asset
values in the month following the ten year period. At the same time, an equal
proportion of Class B shares acquired through automatically reinvested
distributions will convert to Class A shares on the same basis. (Class B shares
acquired in exchange for shares of another Morgan Stanley Dean Witter Fund
originally purchased before May 1, 1997, however, will convert to Class A
shares in May, 2007).
In the case of Class B shares held in a MSDW Eligible Plan, 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 Class B shares of a Morgan Stanley Dean Witter Fund
purchased by that plan.
17
<PAGE>
Currently, the Class B share conversion is not a taxable event; the conversion
feature may be cancelled if it is deemed a taxable event in the future by the
Internal Revenue Service.
If you exchange your Class B shares for shares of a Money Market Fund, a
No-Load Fund, North American Government Income Trust or Short-Term U.S.
Treasury Trust, the holding period for conversion is frozen as of the last day
of the month of the exchange and resumes on the last day of the month you
exchange back into Class B shares.
EXCHANGING SHARES SUBJECT TO A CDSC. There are special considerations when you
exchange Fund shares that are subject to a CDSC. When determining the length of
time you held the shares and the corresponding CDSC rate, any period (starting
at the end of the month) during which you held shares of a fund that does not
charge a CDSC will not be counted. Thus, in effect the "holding period" for
purposes of calculating the CDSC is frozen upon exchanging into a fund that
does not charge a CDSC.
For example, if you held Class B shares of the Fund for one year, exchanged to
Class B of another Morgan Stanley Dean Witter Multi-Class Fund for another
year, then sold your shares, a CDSC rate of 4% would be imposed on the shares
based on a two year holding period -- one year for each Fund. However, if you
had exchanged the shares of the Fund for a Money Market Fund (which does not
charge a CDSC) instead of the Multi-Class Fund, then sold your shares, a CDSC
rate of 5% would be imposed on the shares based on a one year holding period.
The one year in the Money Market Fund would not be counted. Nevertheless, if
shares subject to a CDSC are exchanged for a fund that does not charge a CDSC,
you will receive a credit when you sell the shares equal to the distribution
(12b-1) fees you paid on those shares while in that Fund up to the amount of
any applicable CDSC.
In addition, shares that are exchanged into or from a Morgan Stanley Dean
Witter Fund subject to a higher CDSC rate will be subject to the higher rate,
even if the shares are re-exchanged into a Fund with a lower CDSC rate.
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 sales made within one year after the
last day of the month of purchase. The CDSC will be assessed in the same manner
and with the same CDSC waivers as with Class B shares.
DISTRIBUTION FEE. Class C shares are subject to an annual distribution (12b-1)
fee of up to 1.0% of the average daily net assets of that Class. 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. Unlike Class B shares, Class C
shares have no conversion feature and, accordingly, an investor that purchases
Class C shares may be subject to distribution (12b-1) fees applicable to Class
C shares for an indefinite period.
18
<PAGE>
CLASS D SHARES Class D shares are offered without any sales charge on purchases
or sales and without any distribution (12b-1) fee. Class D shares are offered
only to investors meeting an initial investment minimum of $5 million ($25
million for MSDW Eligible Plans) and the following categories of investors:
o Investors participating in the Investment Manager's mutual fund asset
allocation program (subject to all of its terms and conditions, including
mandatory sale or transfer restrictions on termination) pursuant to which
they pay an asset-based fee.
o Persons participating in a fee-based investment program (subject to all of
its terms and conditions, including mandatory sale or transfer restrictions
on termination) approved by the Fund's distributor pursuant to which they
pay an asset based fee for investment advisory, administrative and/or
brokerage services.
o Employee benefit plans maintained by Morgan Stanley Dean Witter & Co. or any
of its subsidiaries for the benefit of certain employees of Morgan Stanley
Dean Witter & Co. and its subsidiaries.
o Certain unit investment trusts sponsored by Dean Witter Reynolds.
o Certain other open-end investment companies whose shares are distributed by
the Fund's distributor.
o Investors who were shareholders of the Dean Witter Retirement Series on
September 11, 1998 for additional purchases for their former Dean Witter
Retirement Series accounts.
MEETING CLASS D ELIGIBILITY MINIMUMS. To meet the $5 million ($25 million for
MSDW Eligible Plans) initial investment to qualify to purchase Class D shares
you may combine: (1) purchases in a single transaction of Class D shares of the
Fund and other Morgan Stanley Dean Witter Multi-Class Funds and/or (2) previous
purchases of Class A and Class D shares of Multi-Class Funds and shares of FSC
Funds you currently own, along with shares of Morgan Stanley Dean Witter Funds
you currently own that you acquired in exchange for those shares.
NO SALES CHARGES FOR REINVESTED CASH DISTRIBUTIONS If you receive a cash payment
representing an income dividend or capital gain and you reinvest that amount in
the applicable Class of shares by returning the check within 30 days of the
payment date, the purchased shares would not be subject to an initial sales
charge or CDSC.
PLAN OF DISTRIBUTION (RULE 12B-1 FEES) The Fund has adopted a Plan of
Distribution in accordance with Rule 12b-1 under the Investment Company Act of
1940 with respect to the distribution of Class A, Class B and Class C shares.
The Plan allows the Fund to pay distribution fees for the sale and distribution
of these shares. It also allows the Fund to pay for services to shareholders of
Class A, Class B and Class C shares. Because these fees are paid out of the
Fund's assets on an ongoing basis, over time these fees will increase the cost
of your investment in these Classes and may cost you more than paying other
types of sales charges.
19
<PAGE>
NOTES
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20
<PAGE>
MORGAN STANLEY DEAN WITTER
FAMILY OF FUNDS
The Morgan Stanley Dean Witter Family of Funds
offers investors a wide range of investment choices.
Come on in and meet the family!
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
GROWTH FUNDS
GROWTH FUNDS
Aggressive Equity Fund
American Opportunities Fund
Capital Growth Securities
Developing Growth Securities
Growth Fund
Market Leader Trust
Mid-Cap Equity Trust
Next Generation Trust
Small Cap Growth Fund
Special Value Fund
THEME FUNDS
Financial Services Trust
Health Sciences Trust
Information Fund
Natural Resource Development Securities
Precious Metals and Minerals Trust
GLOBAL/INTERNATIONAL FUNDS
Competitive Edge Fund - "Best Ideas" Portfolio
European Growth Fund
Fund of Funds - International Portfolio
International Fund
International SmallCap Fund
Japan Fund
Latin American Growth Fund
Pacific Growth Fund
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
GROWTH & INCOME FUNDS
Balanced Growth Fund
Balanced Income Fund
Convertible Securities Trust
Dividend Growth Securities
Equity Fund
Fund of Funds - Domestic Portfolio
Income Builder Fund
Mid-Cap Dividend Growth Securities
S&P 500 Index Fund
S&P 500 Select Fund
Strategist Fund
Total Market Index Fund
Total Return Trust
Value Fund
Value-Added Market Series/Equity Portfolio
THEME FUNDS
Global Utilities Fund
Real Estate Fund
Utilities Fund
GLOBAL FUNDS
Global Dividend Growth Securities
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
INCOME FUNDS
GOVERNMENT INCOME FUNDS
Federal Securities Trust
Short-Term U.S. Treasury Trust
U.S. Government Securities Trust
DIVERSIFIED INCOME FUNDS
Diversified Income Trust
CORPORATE INCOME FUNDS
High Yield Securities
Intermediate Income Securities
Short-Term Bond Fund(NL)
GLOBAL INCOME FUNDS
North American Government Income Trust
World Wide Income Trust
TAX-FREE INCOME FUNDS
California Tax-Free Income Fund
Hawaii Municipal Trust(FSC)
Limited Term Municipal Trust(NL)
Multi-State Municipal Series Trust(FSC)
New York Tax-Free Income Fund
Tax-Exempt Securities Trust
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
MONEY MARKET FUNDS
TAXABLE MONEY MARKET FUNDS
Liquid Asset Fund(MM)
U.S. Government Money Market Trust(MM)
TAX-FREE MONEY MARKET FUNDS
California Tax-Free Daily Income Trust(MM)
New York Municipal Money Market Trust(MM)
Tax-Free Daily Income Trust(MM)
There may be Funds created after this Prospectus was published. Please consult
the inside back cover of a new Fund's prospectus for its designations, e.g.,
Multi-Class Fund or Money Market Fund.
Unless otherwise noted, each listed Morgan Stanley Dean Witter Fund, except for
North American Government Income Trust and Short-Term U.S. Treasury Trust, is a
Multi-Class Fund. A Multi-Class Fund is a mutual fund offering multiple Classes
of shares. The other types of Funds are: NL -- No-Load (Mutual) Fund; MM --
Money Market Fund; FSC -- A mutual fund sold with a front-end sales charge and
a distribution (12b-1) fee.
<PAGE>
MORGAN STANLEY DEAN WITTER
NEXT GENERATION TRUST
The Fund's Statement of Additional Information also provides additional
information about the Fund. The Statement of Additional Information is
incorporated herein by reference (legally is part of this Prospectus). For a
free copy of this document, to request other information about the Fund, or to
make shareholder inquiries, please call:
(800) 869-NEWS
You also may obtain information about the Fund by calling your Morgan Stanley
Dean Witter Financial Advisor or by visiting our Internet site at:
WWW.MSDW.COM/INDIVIDUAL/FUNDS
Information about the Fund (including the Statement of Additional Information)
can be viewed and copied at the Securities and Exchange Commission's Public
Reference Room in Washington, DC. Information about the Reference Room's
operations may be obtained by calling the SEC at (800) SEC-0330. Reports and
other information about the Fund are available on the SEC's Internet site
(www.sec.gov), and copies of this information may be obtained, upon payment of
a duplicating fee, by writing the Public Reference Section of the SEC,
Washington, DC 20549-6009.
(THE FUND'S INVESTMENT COMPANY ACT FILE NO. 811-9441)
<PAGE>
STATEMENT OF ADDITIONAL INFORMATION MORGAN STANLEY DEAN WITTER
NEXT GENERATION TRUST
SEPTEMBER 30, 1999
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
This Statement of Additional Information is not a Prospectus. The
Prospectus (dated September 30, 1999) for the Morgan Stanley Dean Witter Next
Generation Trust may be obtained without charge from the Fund at its address or
telephone number listed below or from Dean Witter Reynolds at any of its branch
offices.
Morgan Stanley Dean Witter Next Generation Trust
Two World Trade Center
New York, New York 10048
(800) 869-NEWS
<PAGE>
TABLE OF CONTENTS
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
<TABLE>
<S> <C>
I. Fund History ............................................................ 4
II. Description of the Fund and Its Investments and Risks .................. 4
A. Classification ...................................................... 4
B. Investment Strategies and Risks ..................................... 4
C. Fund Policies/Investment Restrictions ............................... 12
III. Management of the Fund .................................................. 13
A. Board of Trustees ................................................... 13
B. Management Information .............................................. 14
C. Compensation ........................................................ 18
IV. Control Persons and Principal Holders of Securities ..................... 20
V. Investment Management and Other Services ................................ 20
A. Investment Manager .................................................. 20
B. Principal Underwriter ............................................... 20
C. Services Provided by the Investment Manager and Fund
Expenses Paid by Third Parties ...................................... 21
D. Dealer Reallowances ................................................. 22
E. Rule 12b-1 Plan ..................................................... 22
F. Other Service Providers ............................................. 25
VI. Brokerage Allocation and Other Practices ................................ 25
A. Brokerage Transactions .............................................. 25
B. Commissions ......................................................... 25
C. Brokerage Selection ................................................. 26
D. Directed Brokerage .................................................. 27
E. Regular Broker-Dealers .............................................. 27
VII. Capital Stock and Other Securities ...................................... 27
VIII. Purchase, Redemption and Pricing of Shares .......................... 28
A. Purchase/Redemption of Shares ....................................... 28
B. Offering Price ...................................................... 28
IX. Taxation of the Fund and Shareholders ................................... 29
X. Underwriters ............................................................ 31
XI. Calculation of Performance Data ......................................... 32
XII. Financial Statements .................................................... 32
</TABLE>
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GLOSSARY OF SELECTED DEFINED TERMS
The terms defined in this glossary are frequently used in this Statement of
Additional Information (other terms used occasionally are defined in the text of
the document).
"Custodian" -- The Bank of New York.
"Dean Witter Reynolds" -- Dean Witter Reynolds Inc., a wholly-owned
broker-dealer subsidiary of MSDW.
"Distributor" -- Morgan Stanley Dean Witter Distributors Inc., a
wholly-owned broker-dealer subsidiary of MSDW.
"Financial Advisors" -- Morgan Stanley Dean Witter authorized financial
services representatives.
"Fund" -- Morgan Stanley Dean Witter Next Generation Trust, a registered
open-end investment company.
"Investment Manager" -- Morgan Stanley Dean Witter Advisors Inc., a
wholly-owned investment advisor subsidiary of MSDW.
"Independent Trustees" -- Trustees who are not "interested persons" (as
defined by the Investment Company Act) of the Fund.
"Morgan Stanley & Co." -- Morgan Stanley & Co. Incorporated, a
wholly-owned broker-dealer subsidiary of MSDW.
"Morgan Stanley Dean Witter Funds" -- Registered investment companies (i)
for which the Investment Manager serves as the investment advisor; and (ii) that
hold themselves out to investors as related companies for investment and
investor services.
"MSDW" -- Morgan Stanley Dean Witter & Co., a preeminent global financial
services firm.
"MSDW Services Company" -- Morgan Stanley Dean Witter Services Company Inc.,
a wholly-owned fund services subsidiary of the Investment Manager.
"Transfer Agent" -- Morgan Stanley Dean Witter Trust FSB, a wholly-owned
transfer agent subsidiary of MSDW.
"Trustees" -- The Board of Trustees of the Fund.
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I. FUND HISTORY
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
The Fund was organized as a Massachusetts business trust, under a
Declaration of Trust, on July 8, 1999.
II. DESCRIPTION OF THE FUND AND ITS INVESTMENTS AND RISKS
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
A. CLASSIFICATION
The Fund is an open-end management investment company whose investment
objective is to seek long-term growth of capital.
B. INVESTMENT STRATEGIES AND RISKS
The following discussion of the Fund's investment strategies and risks
should be read with the sections of the Fund's Prospectus titled "Principal
Investment Strategies," "Principal Risks," "Additional Investment Strategy
Information" and "Additional Risk Information."
FORWARD FOREIGN CURRENCY EXCHANGE CONTRACTS. The Fund may enter into
forward foreign currency exchange contracts ("forward contracts") to facilitate
settlement or in an attempt to limit the effect of changes in the relationship
between the U.S. dollar and the foreign currency during the period between the
date on which the security is purchased or sold and the date on which payment is
made or received. The Fund may conduct its foreign currency exchange
transactions either on a spot (i.e., cash) basis at the spot rate prevailing in
the foreign currency exchange market, or through entering into forward contracts
to purchase or sell foreign currencies. A forward contract involves an
obligation to purchase or sell a specific currency at a future date, which may
be any fixed number of days from the date of the contract agreed upon by the
parties, at a price set at the time of the contract. These contracts are traded
in the interbank market conducted directly between currency traders (usually
large commercial and investment banks) and their customers. Forward contracts
will only be entered into with United States banks and their foreign branches,
insurance companies or other dealers or foreign banks whose assets total $1
billion or more. A forward contract generally has no deposit requirement, and no
commissions are charged at any stage for trades.
The Investment Manager also may from time to time utilize forward contracts
to hedge a foreign security held in the portfolio or a security which pays out
principal tied to an exchange rate between the U.S. dollar and a foreign
currency, against a decline in value of the applicable foreign currency. They
also may be used to lock in the current exchange rate of the currency in which
those securities anticipated to be purchased are denominated. At times, the Fund
may enter into "cross-currency" hedging transactions involving currencies other
than those in which securities are held or proposed to be purchased are
denominated.
The Fund will not enter into forward currency contracts or maintain a net
exposure to these contracts where the consummation of the contracts would
obligate the Fund to deliver an amount of foreign currency in excess of the
value of the Fund's portfolio securities.
Although the Fund values its assets daily in terms of U.S. dollars, it does
not intend to convert its holdings of foreign currencies into U.S. dollars on a
daily basis. It will, however, do so from time to time, and investors should be
aware of the costs of currency conversion. Although foreign exchange dealers do
not charge a fee for conversion, they do realize a profit based on the spread
between the prices at which they are buying and selling various currencies.
Thus, a dealer may offer to sell a foreign currency to the Fund at one rate,
while offering a lesser rate of exchange should the Fund desire to resell that
currency to the dealer.
The Fund may be limited in its ability to enter into hedging transactions
involving forward contracts by the Internal Revenue Code requirements relating
to qualification as a regulated investment company.
Forward contracts may limit gains on portfolio securities that could
otherwise be realized had they not been utilized and could result in losses. The
contracts also may increase the Fund's volatility and may involve a significant
amount of risk relative to the investment of cash.
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<PAGE>
OPTION AND FUTURES TRANSACTIONS. The Fund may engage in transactions in
listed and OTC options on eligible portfolio securities and stock indexes.
Listed options are issued or guaranteed by the exchange on which they are traded
or by a clearing corporation such as the Options Clearing Corporation ("OCC").
Ownership of a listed call option gives the Fund the right to buy from the OCC
(in the U.S.) or other clearing corporation or exchange, the underlying security
covered by the option at the stated exercise price (the price per unit of the
underlying security) by filing an exercise notice prior to the expiration date
of the option. The writer (seller) of the option would then have the obligation
to sell to the OCC (in the U.S.) or other clearing corporation or exchange, the
underlying security at that exercise price prior to the expiration date of the
option, regardless of its then current market price. Ownership of a listed put
option would give the Fund the right to sell the underlying security to the OCC
(in the U.S.) or other clearing corporation or exchange, at the stated exercise
price. Upon notice of exercise of the put option, the writer of the put would
have the obligation to purchase the underlying security from the OCC (in the
U.S.) or other clearing corporation or exchange, at the exercise price.
Covered Call Writing. The Fund is permitted to write covered call options
on portfolio securities, without limit.
The Fund will receive from the purchaser, in return for a call it has
written, a "premium;" i.e., the price of the option. Receipt of these premiums
may better enable the Fund to earn a higher level of current income than it
would earn from holding the underlying securities alone. Moreover, the premium
received will offset a portion of the potential loss incurred by the Fund if the
securities underlying the option decline in value.
The Fund may be required, at any time during the option period, to deliver
the underlying security against payment of the exercise price on any calls it
has written. This obligation is terminated upon the expiration of the option
period or at such earlier time when the writer effects a closing purchase
transaction. A closing purchase transaction is accomplished by purchasing an
option of the same series as the option previously written. However, once the
Fund has been assigned an exercise notice, the Fund will be unable to effect a
closing purchase transaction.
A call option is "covered" if the Fund owns the underlying security subject
to the option or has an absolute and immediate right to acquire that security
without additional cash consideration (or for additional consideration (in cash,
Treasury bills or other liquid portfolio securities) held in a segregated
account on the Fund's books) upon conversion or exchange of other securities
held in its portfolio. A call option is also covered if the Fund holds a call on
the same security as the call written where the exercise price of the call held
is (i) equal to or less than the exercise price of the call written or (ii)
greater than the exercise price of the call written if the difference is
maintained by the Fund in cash, Treasury bills or other liquid portfolio
securities in a segregated account on the Fund's books.
Options written by the Fund normally have expiration dates of up to
eighteen months from the date written. The exercise price of a call option may
be below, equal to or above the current market value of the underlying security
at the time the option is written.
Covered Put Writing. As a writer of a covered put option, the Fund incurs
an obligation to buy the security underlying the option from the purchaser of
the put, at the option's exercise price at any time during the option period, at
the purchaser's election. Through the writing of a put option, the Fund would
receive income from the premium paid by purchasers. The potential gain on a
covered put option is limited to the premium received on the option (less the
commissions paid on the transaction). At any time during the option period, the
Fund may be required to make payment of the exercise price against delivery of
the underlying security. The aggregate value of the obligations underlying puts
may not exceed 50% of the Fund's net assets. The operation of and limitations on
covered put options in other respects are substantially identical to those of
call options.
Purchasing Call and Put Options. The Fund may purchase listed and OTC call
and put options in amounts equaling up to 5% of its total assets. The purchase
of a call option would enable the Fund, in return for the premium paid, to lock
in a purchase price for a security during the term of the option. The purchase
of a put option would enable the Fund, in return for a premium paid, to lock in
a price at which it may sell a security during the term of the option.
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<PAGE>
Options on Foreign Currencies. The Fund may purchase and write options on
foreign currencies for purposes similar to those involved with investing in
forward foreign currency exchange contracts.
OTC Options. OTC options are purchased from or sold (written) to dealers or
financial institutions which have entered into direct agreements with the Fund.
With OTC options, such variables as expiration date, exercise price and premium
will be agreed upon between the Fund and the transacting dealer, without the
intermediation of a third party such as the OCC. The Fund may engage in OTC
option transactions only with member banks of the Federal Reserve Bank System or
primary dealers in U.S. Government securities or with affiliates of such banks
or dealers.
Risks of Options Transactions. The successful use of options depends on the
ability of the Investment Manager, to forecast correctly interest rates and/or
market movements. If the market value of the portfolio securities upon which
call options have been written increases, the Fund may receive a lower total
return from the portion of its portfolio upon which calls have been written than
it would have had such calls not been written. During the option period, the
covered call writer has, in return for the premium on the option, given up the
opportunity for capital appreciation above the exercise price should the market
price of the underlying security increase, but has retained the risk of loss
should the price of the underlying security decline. The covered put writer also
retains the risk of loss should the market value of the underlying security
decline below the exercise price of the option less the premium received on the
sale of the option. In both cases, the writer has no control over the time when
it may be required to fulfill its obligation as a writer of the option. Prior to
exercise or expiration, an option position can only be terminated by entering
into a closing purchase or sale transaction. Once an option writer has received
an exercise notice, it cannot effect a closing purchase transaction in order to
terminate its obligation under the option and must deliver or receive the
underlying securities at the exercise price.
The Fund's ability to close out its position as a writer of an option is
dependent upon the existence of a liquid secondary market on option exchanges.
There is no assurance that such a market will exist, particularly in the case of
OTC options.
In the event of the bankruptcy of a broker through which the Fund engages
in transactions in options, the Fund could experience delays and/or losses in
liquidating open positions purchased or sold through the broker and/or incur a
loss of all or part of its margin deposits with the broker. In the case of OTC
options, if the transacting dealer fails to make or take delivery of the
securities underlying an option it has written, in accordance with the terms of
that option, due to insolvency or otherwise, the Fund would lose the premium
paid for the option as well as any anticipated benefit of the transaction.
Each of the exchanges has established limitations governing the maximum
number of call or put options on the same underlying security which may be
written by a single investor, whether acting alone or in concert with others
(regardless of whether such options are written on the same or different
exchanges or are held or written on one or more accounts or through one or more
brokers). An exchange may order the liquidation of positions found to be in
violation of these limits and it may impose other sanctions or restrictions.
These position limits may restrict the number of listed options which the Fund
may write.
The hours of trading for options may not conform to the hours during which
the underlying securities are traded. To the extent that the option markets
close before the markets for the underlying securities, significant price and
rate movements can take place in the underlying markets that cannot be reflected
in the option markets.
The markets in foreign currency options are relatively new and the Fund's
ability to establish and close out positions on such options is subject to the
maintenance of a liquid secondary market. There can be no assurance that a
liquid secondary market will exist for a particular option at any specific time.
The value of a foreign currency option depends upon the value of the
underlying currency relative to the U.S. dollar. As a result, the price of the
option position may vary with changes in the value of either or both currencies
and have no relationship to the investment merits of a foreign security. Because
foreign currency transactions occurring in the interbank market involve
substantially larger amounts than
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<PAGE>
those that may be involved in the use of foreign currency options, investors may
be disadvantaged by having to deal in an odd lot market (generally consisting of
transactions of less than $1 million) for the underlying foreign currencies at
prices that are less favorable than for round lots.
There is no systematic reporting of last sale information for foreign
currencies or any regulatory requirement that quotations available through
dealers or other market sources be firm or revised on a timely basis. Quotation
information available is generally representative of very large transactions in
the interbank market and thus may not reflect relatively smaller transactions
(i.e., less than $1 million) where rates may be less favorable. The interbank
market in foreign currencies is a global, around-the-clock market. To the extent
that the U.S. options markets are closed while the markets for the underlying
currencies remain open, significant price and rate movements may take place in
the underlying markets that are not reflected in the options market.
Futures Contracts. The Fund may purchase and sell interest rate and index
futures contracts that are traded on U.S. commodity exchanges on such underlying
securities as U.S. Treasury bonds, notes, bills, GNMA Certificates and on any
foreign government fixed-income security, and on such indexes of U.S. securities
(and, if applicable, foreign securities) as may exist or come into existence.
A futures contract purchaser incurs an obligation to take delivery of a
specified amount of the obligation underlying the contract at a specified time
in the future for a specified price. A seller of a futures contract incurs an
obligation to deliver the specified amount of the underlying obligation at a
specified time in return for an agreed upon price. The purchase of a futures
contract enables the Fund, during the term of the contract, to lock in a price
at which it may purchase a security and protect against a rise in prices pending
purchase of portfolio securities. The sale of a futures contract enables the
Fund to lock in a price at which it may sell a security and protect against
declines in the value of portfolio securities.
Although most futures contracts call for actual delivery or acceptance of
securities, the contracts usually are closed out before the settlement date
without the making or taking of delivery. Index futures contracts provide for
the delivery of an amount of cash equal to a specified dollar amount times the
difference between the index value at the open or close of the last trading day
of the contract and the futures contract price. A futures contract sale is
closed out by effecting a futures contract purchase for the same aggregate
amount of the specific type of security and the same delivery date. If the sale
price exceeds the offsetting purchase price, the seller would be paid the
difference and would realize a gain. If the offsetting purchase price exceeds
the sale price, the seller would pay the difference and would realize a loss.
Similarly, a futures contract purchase is closed out by effecting a futures
contract sale for the same aggregate amount of the specific type of security and
the same delivery date. If the offsetting sale price exceeds the purchase price,
the purchaser would realize a gain, whereas if the purchase price exceeds the
offsetting sale price, the purchaser would realize a loss. There is no assurance
that the Fund will be able to enter into a closing transaction.
Margin. If the Fund enters into a futures contract, it is initially
required to deposit an "initial margin" of cash or U.S. Government securities or
other liquid portfolio securities ranging from approximately 2% to 5% of the
contract amount. Initial margin requirements are established by the exchanges on
which futures contracts trade and may, from time to time, change. In addition,
brokers may establish margin deposit requirements in excess of those required by
the exchanges.
Initial margin in futures transactions is different from margin in
securities transactions in that initial margin does not involve the borrowing of
funds by a broker's client but is, rather, a good faith deposit on the futures
contract which will be returned to the Fund upon the proper termination of the
futures contract. The margin deposits made are marked to market daily and the
Fund may be required to make subsequent deposits of cash or U.S. Government
securities, called "variation margin," which are reflective of price
fluctuations in the futures contract.
Options on Futures Contracts. The Fund may purchase and write call and put
options on futures contracts and enter into closing transactions with respect to
such options to terminate an existing position. An option on a futures contract
gives the purchaser the right (in return for the premium paid), and the writer
the obligation, to assume a position in a futures contract (a long position if
the option is
7
<PAGE>
a call and a short position if the option is a put) at a specified exercise
price at any time during the term of the option. Upon exercise of the option,
the delivery of the futures position by the writer of the option to the holder
of the option is accompanied by delivery of the accumulated balance in the
writer's futures margin account, which represents the amount by which the market
price of the futures contract at the time of exercise exceeds, in the case of a
call, or is less than, in the case of a put, the exercise price of the option on
the futures contract.
The writer of an option on a futures contract is required to deposit
initial and variation margin pursuant to requirements similar to those
applicable to futures contracts. Premiums received from the writing of an option
on a futures contract are included in initial margin deposits.
Limitations on Futures Contracts and Options on Futures. The Fund may not
enter into futures contracts or purchase related options thereon if, immediately
thereafter, the amount committed to margin plus the amount paid for premiums for
unexpired options on futures contracts exceeds 5% of the value of the Fund's
total assets, after taking into account unrealized gains and unrealized losses
on such contracts into which it has entered; provided, however, that in the case
of an option that is in-the-money (the exercise price of the call (put) option
is less (more) than the market price of the underlying security) at the time of
purchase, the in-the-money amount may be excluded in calculating the 5%.
However, there is no overall limitation on the percentage of the Fund's net
assets which may be subject to a hedge position.
Risks of Transactions in Futures Contracts and Related Options. The prices
of securities and indexes subject to futures contracts (and thereby the futures
contract prices) may correlate imperfectly with the behavior of the cash prices
of the Fund's securities (and the currencies in which they are denominated).
Also, prices of futures contracts may not move in tandem with the changes in
prevailing interest rates, market movements and/or currency exchange rates
against which the Fund seeks a hedge. A correlation may also be distorted (a)
temporarily, by short-term traders seeking to profit from the difference between
a contract or security price objective and their cost of borrowed funds; (b) by
investors in futures contracts electing to close out their contracts through
offsetting transactions rather than meet margin deposit requirements; (c) by
investors in futures contracts opting to make or take delivery of underlying
securities rather than engage in closing transactions, thereby reducing
liquidity of the futures market; and (d) temporarily, by speculators who view
the deposit requirements in the futures markets as less onerous than margin
requirements in the cash market. Due to the possibility of price distortion in
the futures market and because of the possible imperfect correlation between
movements in the prices of securities and movements in the prices of futures
contracts, a correct forecast of interest rate, currency exchange rate and/or
market movement trends by the Investment Manager may still not result in a
successful hedging transaction.
There is no assurance that a liquid secondary market will exist for futures
contracts and related options in which the Fund may invest. In the event a
liquid market does not exist, it may not be possible to close out a futures
position and, in the event of adverse price movements, the Fund would continue
to be required to make daily cash payments of variation margin. The absence of a
liquid market in futures contracts might cause the Fund to make or take delivery
of the underlying securities (currencies) at a time when it may be
disadvantageous to do so.
Exchanges also limit the amount by which the price of a futures contract
may move on any day. If the price moves equal the daily limit on successive
days, then it may prove impossible to liquidate a futures position until the
daily limit moves have ceased. In the event of adverse price movements, the Fund
would continue to be required to make daily cash payments of variation margin on
open futures positions. In these situations, if the Fund has insufficient cash,
it may have to sell portfolio securities to meet daily variation margin
requirements at a time when it may be disadvantageous to do so. In addition, the
Fund may be required to take or make delivery of the instruments underlying
interest rate futures contracts it holds at a time when it is disadvantageous to
do so. The inability to close out options and futures positions could also have
an adverse impact on the Fund's ability to effectively hedge its portfolio.
Futures contracts and options thereon which are purchased or sold on
foreign commodities exchanges may have greater price volatility than their U.S.
counterparts. Furthermore, foreign
8
<PAGE>
commodities exchanges may be less regulated and under less governmental scrutiny
than U.S. exchanges. Brokerage commissions, clearing costs and other transaction
costs may be higher on foreign exchanges. Greater margin requirements may limit
the Fund's ability to enter into certain commodity transactions on foreign
exchanges. Moreover, differences in clearance and delivery requirements on
foreign exchanges may occasion delays in the settlement of the Fund's
transactions effected on foreign exchanges.
In the event of the bankruptcy of a broker through which the Fund engages
in transactions in futures or options thereon, the Fund could experience delays
and/or losses in liquidating open positions purchased or sold through the broker
and/or incur a loss of all or part of its margin deposits with the broker.
If the Fund maintains a short position in a futures contract or has sold a
call option in a futures contract, it will cover this position by holding, in a
segregated account maintained on the books of the Fund, cash, U.S. government
securities or other liquid portfolio securities equal in value (when added to
any initial or variation margin on deposit) to the market value of the
securities underlying the futures contract or the exercise price of the option.
Such a position may also be covered by owning the securities underlying the
futures contract (in the case of a stock index futures contract a portfolio of
securities substantially replicating the relevant index), or by holding a call
option permitting the Fund to purchase the same contract at a price no higher
than the price at which the short position was established.
In addition, if the Fund holds a long position in a futures contract or has
sold a put option on a futures contract, it will hold cash, U.S. government
securities or other liquid portfolio securities equal to the purchase price of
the contract or the exercise price of the put option (less the amount of initial
or variation margin on deposit) in a segregated account maintained on the books
of the Fund. Alternatively, the Fund could cover its long position by purchasing
a put option on the same futures contract with an exercise price as high or
higher than the price of the contract held by the Fund.
MONEY MARKET SECURITIES. In addition to the money market securities in
which the Fund may otherwise invest, the Fund may invest in various money market
securities for cash management purposes or when assuming a temporary defensive
position, which among others may include commercial paper, bank acceptances,
bank obligations, corporate debt securities, certificates of deposit, U.S.
Government securities, obligations of savings institutions and repurchase
agreements. Such securities are limited to:
U.S. Government Securities. Obligations issued or guaranteed as to
principal and interest by the United States or its agencies (such as the
Export-Import Bank of the United States, Federal Housing Administration and
Government National Mortgage Association) or its instrumentalities (such as the
Federal Home Loan Bank), including Treasury bills, notes and bonds;
Bank Obligations. Obligations (including certificates of deposit, time
deposits and bankers' acceptances) of banks subject to regulation by the U.S.
Government and having total assets of $1 billion or more, and instruments
secured by such obligations, not including obligations of foreign branches of
domestic banks except to the extent below;
Eurodollar Certificates of Deposit. Eurodollar certificates of deposit
issued by foreign branches of domestic banks having total assets of $1 billion
or more;
Obligations of Savings Institutions. Certificates of deposit of savings
banks and savings and loan associations, having total assets of $1 billion or
more;
Fully Insured Certificates of Deposit. Certificates of deposit of banks and
savings institutions, having total assets of less than $1 billion, if the
principal amount of the obligation is federally insured by the Bank Insurance
Fund or the Savings Association Insurance Fund (each of which is administered by
the FDIC), limited to $100,000 principal amount per certificate and to 15% or
less of the Fund's total assets in all such obligations and in all illiquid
assets, in the aggregate;
Commercial Paper. Commercial paper rated within the two highest grades by
Standard & Poor's Corporation ("S&P") or the highest grade by Moody's Investors
Service, Inc. ("Moody's") or, if not rated, issued by a company having an
outstanding debt issue rated at least AAA by S&P or Aaa by Moody's; and
9
<PAGE>
Repurchase Agreements. The Fund may invest in 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 serving as 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 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 this
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 Trustees. 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.
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.
CONVERTIBLE SECURITIES. The Fund may invest in fixed-income securities
which are convertible into common stock. 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
10
<PAGE>
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
privilege.) At such times the price of the convertible security will tend to
fluctuate directly with the price of the underlying equity security. Convertible
securities may be purchased by the Fund at varying price levels above their
investment values and/or their conversion values in keeping with the Fund's
objective.
LENDING PORTFOLIO SECURITIES. The Fund may lend its portfolio securities to
brokers, dealers and other financial institutions, provided that the loans are
callable at any time by the Fund, and are at all times secured by cash or cash
equivalents, 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 these 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 more than 25% of the
value of its total assets.
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 the rights
if the matters involved would have a material effect on the Fund's investment in
the loaned securities. The Fund will pay reasonable finder's, administrative and
custodial fees in connection with a loan of its securities.
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 these 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. 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 its net
asset value. The Fund will also establish a segregated account on the Fund's
books 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.
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 not be recognized in the portfolio of the Fund until
the Investment Manager determines that issuance of the security is probable. At
that time, the Fund will record the transaction and, in determining its net
asset value, will reflect the value of the security daily. At that time, the
Fund will also establish a segregated account on the Fund's books in which it
will maintain cash or cash equivalents, U.S. Government securities or other
liquid portfolio securities equal in value to recognized commitments for such
securities.
11
<PAGE>
An increase in the percentage of the Fund's total 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 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. The Fund may invest up to 15% of its net assets in
securities which are subject to restrictions on resale because they have not
been registered under the Securities Act of 1933 (the "Securities Act"), or
which are otherwise not readily marketable. (Securities eligible for resale
pursuant to Rule 144A under the Securities Act, and determined to be liquid
pursuant to the procedures discussed in the following paragraph, are not subject
to the foregoing restriction.) These securities are generally referred to as
private placements or restricted securities. Limitations on the resale of these
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 the securities for resale and the risk of
substantial delays in effecting the registration.
Rule 144A permits the Fund to sell restricted securities to qualified
institutional buyers without limitation. The Investment Manager, pursuant to
procedures adopted by the Trustees, 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," the security will not be included within
the category "illiquid securities," which 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.
WARRANTS AND SUBSCRIPTION RIGHTS. The Fund may acquire warrants and/or
rights which are attached to other securities. A warrant is, in effect, an
option to purchase equity securities at a specific price, generally valid for a
specific period of time, and has no voting rights, pays no dividends and has no
rights with respect to the corporations issuing them.
A subscription right is a privilege granted to existing shareholders of a
corporation to subscribe to shares of a new issue of common stock before it is
offered to the public. A subscription right normally has a life of two to four
weeks and a subscription price lower than the current market value of the common
stock.
YEAR 2000. The investment management services provided to the Fund by the
Investment Manager and the services provided to shareholders by the Distributor
and the Transfer Agent 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 some other date, 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 prepare for 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
non-complying 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.
C. FUND POLICIES/INVESTMENT RESTRICTIONS
The investment objective, policies and restrictions listed below have been
adopted by the Fund as fundamental policies. Under the Investment Company Act of
1940 (the "Investment Company Act"), a fundamental policy may not be changed
without the vote of a majority of the outstanding voting securities of the Fund.
The Investment Company Act defines a majority as the lesser of (a) 67% or more
of the
12
<PAGE>
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 will:
1. Seek long-term growth of capital.
The Fund may not:
1. As to 75% of its total assets, invest more than 5% of the value of its
total assets in the securities of any one issuer (other than obligations
issued, or guaranteed by, the United States Government, its agencies or
instrumentalities).
2. As to 75% of its total assets, purchase more than 10% of the
outstanding voting securities or any class of securities of any one
issuer.
3. Invest 25% or more of the value of its total assets in securities of
issuers in any one industry. This restriction does not apply to
obligations issued or guaranteed by the United States government, its
agencies or instrumentalities.
4. 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.
5. 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).
6. Issue senior securities as defined in the Investment Company Act except
insofar as the Fund may be deemed to have issued a senior security by
reason of (a) entering into any repurchase agreement; (b) purchasing any
securities on a when-issued or delayed delivery basis; (c) purchasing or
selling any futures contracts; (d) borrowing money; or (e) lending
portfolio securities.
7. Make loans of money or securities, except: (a) by the purchase of
portfolio securities; (b) by investment in repurchase agreements; or (c)
by lending its portfolio securities.
8. Purchase or sell commodities or commodities contracts except that the
Fund may purchase or sell futures contracts or options thereon.
9. Engage in the underwriting of securities, except insofar as the Fund
may be deemed an underwriter under the Securities Act in disposing of a
portfolio security.
In addition, as a non-fundamental policy, the Fund may not invest in other
investment companies in reliance on Section 12(d)(1)(F), 12(d)(1)(G) or
12(d)(1)(J) of the Investment Company Act.
Notwithstanding any other investment policy or restriction, the Fund may
seek to achieve its investment objective by investing all or substantially all
of its assets in another investment company having substantially the same
investment objective and policies as the Fund.
III. MANAGEMENT OF THE FUND
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
A. BOARD OF TRUSTEES
The Board of Trustees of the Fund oversees the management of the Fund but
does not itself manage the Fund. The Trustees review various services provided
by or under the direction of the Investment Manager to ensure that the Fund's
general investment policies and programs are properly carried out. The Trustees
also conduct their review to ensure that administrative services are provided to
the Fund in a satisfactory manner.
13
<PAGE>
Under state law, the duties of the Trustees are generally characterized as
a duty of loyalty and a duty of care. The duty of loyalty requires a Trustee to
exercise his or her powers in the interest of the Fund and not the Trustee's own
interest or the interest of another person or organization. A Trustee satisfies
his or her duty of care by acting in good faith with the care of an ordinarily
prudent person and in a manner the Trustee reasonably believes to be in the best
interest of the Fund and its shareholders.
B. MANAGEMENT INFORMATION
TRUSTEES AND OFFICERS. The Board of the Fund consists of eight (8)
Trustees. These same individuals also serve as directors or trustees for all of
the Morgan Stanley Dean Witter Funds. Six Trustees (75% of the total number)
have no affiliation or business connection with the Investment Manager or any of
its affiliated persons and do not own any stock or other securities issued by
the Investment Manager's parent company, MSDW. These are the "non-interested" or
"independent" Trustees. The other two Trustees (the "management Trustees") are
affiliated with the Investment Manager. All of the Trustees also serve as
Trustees of "Discover Brokerage Index Series," a mutual fund for which the
Investment Manager is the investment advisor.
The Trustees and executive officers of the Fund, their principal business
occupations during the last five years and their affiliations, if any, with the
Investment Manager, and with the 92 Morgan Stanley Dean Witter Funds and
Discover Brokerage Index Series are shown below.
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
NAME, AGE, POSITION WITH FUND AND ADDRESS PRINCIPAL OCCUPATIONS DURING LAST FIVE YEARS
- ------------------------------------------- ---------------------------------------------------
<S> <C>
Michael Bozic (58) ........................ Vice Chairman of Kmart Corporation (since
Trustee December, 1998); Director or Trustee of the Morgan
c/o Kmart Corporation Stanley Dean Witter Funds and Discover Brokerage
3100 West Big Beaver Road Index Series; formerly Chairman and Chief
Troy, Michigan Executive Officer of Levitz Furniture Corporation
(November, 1995-November, 1998)
and President and Chief Executive
Officer of Hills Department Stores
(May, 1991-July, 1995); 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.
and Weirton Steel Corporation.
Charles A. Fiumefreddo* (66) .............. Chairman, Director or Trustee and Chief Executive
Chairman of the Board, Chief Officer of the Morgan Stanley Dean Witter Funds
Executive Officer and Trustee and Discover Brokerage Index Series; formerly
Two World Trade Center Chairman, Chief Executive Officer and Director of
New York, New York the Investment Manager, the Distributor and MSDW
Services Company; Executive Vice
President and Director of Dean
Witter Reynolds; Chairman and
Director of the Transfer Agent;
formerly Director and/or officer
of various MSDW subsidiaries
(until June, 1998).
</TABLE>
14
<PAGE>
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
NAME, AGE, POSITION WITH FUND AND ADDRESS PRINCIPAL OCCUPATIONS DURING LAST FIVE YEARS
- ------------------------------------------- -----------------------------------------------------
<S> <C>
Edwin J. Garn (67) ........................ Director or Trustee of the Morgan Stanley Dean
Trustee Witter Funds and Discover Brokerage Index Series;
c/o Huntsman Corporation formerly United States Senator (R-Utah)
500 Huntsman Way (1974-1992) and Chairman, Senate Banking
Salt Lake City, Utah Committee (1980-1986); formerly Mayor of Salt
Lake City, Utah (1971-1974);
formerly Astronaut, Space Shuttle
Discovery (April 12-19, 1985);
Vice Chairman, Huntsman
Corporation (chemical company);
Director of Franklin Covey (time
management systems), BMW Bank of
North America, Inc. (industrial
loan corporation), 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.
Wayne E. Hedien (65) ...................... Retired; Director or Trustee of the Morgan Stanley
Trustee Dean Witter Funds and Discover Brokerage Index
c/o Mayer, Brown & Platt Series; Director of The PMI Group, Inc. (private
Counsel to the Independent Trustees mortgage insurance); Trustee and Vice Chairman
1675 Broadway of The Field Museum of Natural History; formerly
New York, New York associated with the Allstate Companies
(1966-1994), most recently as
Chairman of The Allstate
Corporation (March, 1993-December,
1994) and Chairman and Chief
Executive Officer of its
wholly-owned subsidiary, Allstate
Insurance Company (July,
1989-December, 1994); director of
various other business and
charitable organizations.
Dr. Manuel H. Johnson (50) ................ Senior Partner, Johnson Smick International, Inc.,
Trustee a consulting firm; Co-Chairman and a founder of
c/o Johnson Smick International, Inc. the Group of Seven Council (G7C), an international
1133 Connecticut Avenue, N.W. economic commission; Chairman of the Audit
Washington, D.C. Committee and Director or Trustee of the Morgan
Stanley Dean Witter Funds and
Discover Brokerage Index Series;
Director of Greenwich Capital
Markets, Inc. (broker-dealer) and
NVR, Inc. (home construction);
Chairman and Trustee of the
Financial Accounting Foundation
(oversight organization of 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 (63) .................... General Partner, Triumph Capital, L.P., a private
Trustee investment partnership; Chairman of the Insurance
c/o Triumph Capital, L.P. Committee and Director or Trustee of the Morgan
237 Park Avenue Stanley Dean Witter Funds and Discover Brokerage
New York, New York Index Series; formerly Vice President, Bankers
Trust Company and BT Capital
Corporation (1984-1988); director
of various business organizations.
</TABLE>
15
<PAGE>
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
NAME, AGE, POSITION WITH FUND AND ADDRESS PRINCIPAL OCCUPATIONS DURING LAST FIVE YEARS
- ------------------------------------------- ------------------------------------------------------
<S> <C>
Philip J. Purcell* (56) ................... Chairman of the Board of Directors and Chief
Trustee Executive Officer of MSDW, Dean Witter Reynolds
1585 Broadway and Novus Credit Services Inc.; Director of the
New York, New York Distributor; Director or Trustee of the Morgan
Stanley Dean Witter Funds and Discover Brokerage
Index Series; Director and/or officer of various
MSDW subsidiaries.
John L. Schroeder (69) .................... Retired; Chairman of the Derivatives Committee
Trustee and Director or Trustee of the Morgan Stanley
c/o Mayer, Brown & Platt Dean Witter Funds and Discover Brokerage Index
Counsel to the Independent Trustees Series; Director of Citizens Utilities Company
1675 Broadway (telecommunications, gas, electric and water
New York, New York utilities company); formerly Executive Vice
President and Chief Investment Officer of the
Home Insurance Company (August,1991-September, 1995).
Mitchell M. Merin (46) .................... President and Chief Operating Officer of Asset
President Management of MSDW (since December, 1998);
Two World Trade Center President and Director (since April, 1997) and
New York, New York Chief Executive Officer (since June, 1998) of the
Investment Manager and MSDW Services Company; Chairman,
Chief Executive Officer and Director of the Distributor
(since June, 1998); Chairman and Chief Executive Officer
(since June, 1998) and Director (since January, 1998) of the
Transfer Agent; Director of various MSDW subsidiaries;
President of the Morgan Stanley Dean Witter Funds and
Discover Brokerage Index Series (since May, 1999);
previously Chief Strategic Officer of the Investment Manager
and MSDW Services Company and Executive Vice President of
the Distributor (April, 1997-June, 1998), Vice President of
the Morgan Stanley Dean Witter Funds and Discover Brokerage
Index Series (May, 1997-April, 1999), and Executive Vice
President of Dean Witter, Discover & Co.
Barry Fink (44) ........................... Senior Vice President (since March, 1997) and
Vice President, Secretary and General Counsel (since February,
Secretary and General Counsel 1997) and Director (since July, 1998) of the
Two World Trade Center Investment Manager and MSDW Services
New York, New York Company; Senior Vice President (since March,
1997) and Assistant Secretary and Assistant General Counsel
(since February, 1997) of the Distributor; Assistant
Secretary of Dean Witter Reynolds (since August, 1996); Vice
President, Secretary and General Counsel of the Morgan
Stanley Dean Witter Funds (since February, 1997); Vice
President, Secretary and General Counsel of Discover
Brokerage Index Series; previously First Vice President
(June, 1993-February, 1997), Vice President and Assistant
Secretary and Assistant General Counsel of the Investment
Manager and MSDW Services Company and Assistant Secretary of
the Morgan Stanley Dean Witter Funds.
Mark Bavoso (38) .......................... Senior Vice President of MSDW Advisors.
Vice President
Two World Trade Center
New York, New York
</TABLE>
16
<PAGE>
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
NAME, AGE, POSITION WITH FUND AND ADDRESS PRINCIPAL OCCUPATIONS DURING LAST FIVE YEARS
- ------------------------------------------- ----------------------------------------------------
<S> <C>
David Dineen (31) ......................... Vice President of MSDW Advisors.
Vice President
Two World Trade Center
New York, New York
Thomas F. Caloia (53) ..................... First Vice President and Assistant Treasurer of the
Treasurer Investment Manager, the Distributor and MSDW
Two World Trade Center Services Company; Treasurer of the Morgan
New York, New York Stanley Dean Witter Funds and Discover Brokerage
Index Series.
</TABLE>
- ----------
* A Trustee who is an "interested person" of the Fund, as defined in the
Investment Company Act.
In addition, Ronald E. Robison, Executive Vice President, Chief
Administrative Officer and Director of the Investment Manager and MSDW Services
Company, Robert S. Giambrone, Senior Vice President of the Investment Manager,
MSDW Services Company, the Distributor and the Transfer Agent and Director of
the Transfer Agent and Joseph J. McAlinden, Executive Vice President and Chief
Investment Officer of the Investment Manager and Director of the Transfer Agent,
are Vice Presidents of the Fund.
In addition, Marilyn K. Cranney, Lou Anne D. McInnis, Carsten Otto and Ruth
Rossi, First Vice Presidents and Assistant General Counsels of the Investment
Manager and MSDW Services Company, Todd Lebo, Vice President and Assistant
General Counsel of the InvestmentManager and MSDW Services Company, and Natasha
Kassian, a Staff Attorney with the Investment Manager, are Assistant Secretaries
of the Fund.
INDEPENDENT DIRECTORS/TRUSTEES AND THE COMMITTEES. Law and regulation
establish both general guidelines and specific duties for the independent
directors/trustees. The Morgan Stanley Dean Witter Funds seek as independent
directors/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.
All of the independent directors/trustees serve as members of the Audit
Committee. In addition, three of the Trustees, including two independent
directors/trustees, serve as members of the Derivatives Committee and the
Insurance Committee.
The independent directors/trustees are 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 directors/trustees are required to select and nominate individuals
to fill any independent director/trustee vacancy on the Board of any Fund that
has a Rule 12b-1 plan of distribution. Most of the Morgan Stanley Dean Witter
Funds have a Rule 12b-1 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 the 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.
The Board of each Fund has a Derivatives Committee to approve parameters
for and monitor the activities of the Fund with respect to derivative
investments, if any, made by the Fund.
Finally, the Board of each Fund has formed an Insurance Committee to review
and monitor the insurance coverage maintained by the Fund.
17
<PAGE>
ADVANTAGES OF HAVING SAME INDIVIDUALS AS INDEPENDENT DIRECTORS/TRUSTEES FOR
ALL MORGAN STANLEY DEAN WITTER FUNDS. The independent directors/trustees and the
Funds' management believe that having the same independent directors/trustees
for each of the Morgan Stanley Dean Witter Funds avoids the duplication of
effort that would arise from having different groups of individuals serving as
independent directors/trustees for each of the Funds or even of sub-groups of
Funds. They believe that having the same individuals serve as independent
directors/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 directors/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 directors/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 directors/trustees, of
the caliber, experience and business acumen of the individuals who serve as
independent directors/trustees of the Morgan Stanley Dean Witter Funds.
C. COMPENSATION
The Fund pays each Independent Trustee an annual fee of $800 plus a per
meeting fee of $50 for meetings of the Board of Trustees, the Independent
Trustees or Committees of the Board of Trustees attended by the Trustee (the
Fund pays the Chairman of the Audit Committee an additional annual fee of $750,
and the Chairmen of the Derivatives and Insurance Committees additional annual
fees of $500). If a Board meeting and a meeting of the Independent Trustees or a
Committee meeting, or a meeting of the Independent Trustees and/or more than one
Committee meeting, take place on a single day, the Trustees are paid a single
meeting fee by the Fund. The Fund also reimburses 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 receive no compensation or expense
reimbursement from the Fund for their services as Trustee.
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 meetings of the Board, the
Independent Trustees and the Committees as were held by the other Morgan Stanley
Dean Witter Funds during the calendar year ended December 31, 1998, 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)
AGGREGATE
COMPENSATION
NAME OF INDEPENDENT TRUSTEE FROM THE FUND
- ------------------------------- --------------
Michael Bozic ..................................................... $1,650
Edwin J. Garn ..................................................... 1,650
Wayne E. Hedien ................................................... 1,650
Dr. Manuel H. Johnson ............................................. 2,400
Michael E. Nugent ................................................. 2,150
John L. Schroeder ................................................. 2,150
The following table illustrates the compensation paid to the Fund's
Independent Trustees for the calendar year ended December 31, 1998 for services
to the 90 Morgan Stanley Dean Witter Funds that were in operation at December
31, 1998. No compensation was paid to the Fund's Independent Trustees by
Discover Brokerage Index Series for the calendar year ended December 31, 1998.
18
<PAGE>
CASH COMPENSATION FROM MORGAN STANLEY DEAN WITTER FUNDS
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
TOTAL CASH
COMPENSATION
FOR SERVICES
TO 90
MORGAN STANLEY
DEAN WITTER
NAME OF INDEPENDENT TRUSTEE FUNDS
- ------------------------------- ---------------
<S> <C>
Michael Bozic .................................................. $120,150
Edwin J. Garn .................................................. 132,450
Wayne E. Hedien ................................................ 132,350
Dr. Manuel H. Johnson .......................................... 155,681
Michael E. Nugent .............................................. 159,731
John L. Schroeder .............................................. 160,731
</TABLE>
As of the date of this Statement of Additional Information, 55 of the
Morgan Stanley Dean Witter Funds, not including the Fund, have adopted a
retirement program under which an independent director/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/trustee of any Morgan Stanley 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 30.22% of his or her Eligible Compensation plus
0.5036667% 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 60.44% 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 accrued as expenses by the adopting
Funds. Such benefits are not secured or funded by the Adopting Funds.
The following table illustrates the retirement benefits accrued to the
Fund's Independent Trustees by the 55 Morgan Stanley Dean Witter Funds (not
including the Fund) for the calendar year ended December 31, 1998, and the
estimated retirement benefits for the Independent Trustees, to commence upon
their retirement, from the 55 Morgan Stanley Dean Witter Funds as of the
calendar year ended December 31, 1998.
- ----------
(1) An Eligible Trustee may elect alternative payments of his or her
retirement benefits based upon the combined life expectancy of the
Eligible Trustee and his or her spouse on the date of such Eligible
Trustee's retirement. In addition, the Eligible Trustee may elect that the
surviving spouse's periodic payment of benefits will be equal to a lower
percentage of the periodic amount when both spouses were alive. The amount
estimated to be payable under this method, through the remainder of the
later of the lives of the Eligible Trustee and spouse, will be the
actuarial equivalent of the Regular Benefit.
19
<PAGE>
RETIREMENT BENEFITS FROM ALL MORGAN STANLEY DEAN WITTER FUNDS
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
RETIREMENT ESTIMATED
BENEFITS ANNUAL
ESTIMATED ACCRUED AS BENEFITS UPON
CREDITED YEARS ESTIMATED EXPENSES RETIREMENT
OF SERVICE AT PERCENTAGE OF BY ALL FROM ALL
NAME OF RETIREMENT ELIGIBLE ADOPTING ADOPTING
INDEPENDENT TRUSTEE (MAXIMUM 10) COMPENSATION FUNDS FUNDS(2)
- ------------------------------- ---------------- --------------- ------------ --------------
<S> <C> <C> <C> <C>
Michael Bozic ................. 10 60.44% $22,377 $52,250
Edwin J. Garn ................. 10 60.44 35,225 52,250
Wayne E. Hedien ............... 9 51.37 41,979 44,413
Dr. Manuel H. Johnson ......... 10 60.44 14,047 52,250
Michael E. Nugent ............. 10 60.44 25,336 52,250
John L. Schroeder ............. 8 50.37 45,117 44,343
</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 of this Statement of Additional Information.
IV. CONTROL PERSONS AND PRINCIPAL HOLDERS OF SECURITIES
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
The Investment Manager provided the initial capital for the Fund by
purchasing 2,500 shares each of Class A, Class B, Class C and Class D of the
Fund for $25,000, respectively, on September 9, 1999. 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.
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% of the Fund's shares of beneficial
interest outstanding.
V. INVESTMENT MANAGEMENT AND OTHER SERVICES
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
A. INVESTMENT MANAGER
The Investment Manager to the Fund is Morgan Stanley Dean Witter Advisors
Inc., a Delaware corporation, whose address is Two World Trade Center, New York,
New York 10048. The Investment Manager is a wholly-owned subsidiary of MSDW, a
Delaware corporation. MSDW is a preeminent global financial services firm that
maintains leading market positions in each of its three primary businesses:
securities, asset management and credit services.
Pursuant to an Investment Management Agreement (the "Management Agreement")
with the Investment Manager, the Fund has retained the Investment Manager to
provide administrative services and manage the investment of the Fund's assets,
including the placing of orders for the purchase and sale of portfolio
securities. The Fund pays the Investment Manager monthly compensation calculated
daily by applying the annual rate of 0.75% to the net assets of the Fund
determined as of the close of each business day. The management fee is allocated
among the Classes pro rata based on the net assets of the Fund attributable to
each Class.
The Investment Manager has retained its wholly-owned subsidiary, MSDW
Services Company, to perform administrative services for the Fund.
B. PRINCIPAL UNDERWRITER
The Fund's principal underwriter is the Distributor (which has the same
address as the Investment Manager). In this capacity, the Fund's shares are
distributed by the Distributor. The Distributor has entered into a selected
dealer agreement with Dean Witter Reynolds, which through its own sales
organization sells shares of the Fund. In addition, the Distributor may enter
into similar agreements with other selected broker-dealers. The Distributor, a
Delaware corporation, is a wholly-owned subsidiary of MSDW.
20
<PAGE>
The Distributor bears all expenses it may incur in providing services under
the Distribution Agreement. These expenses include the payment of commissions
for sales of the Fund's shares and incentive compensation to Financial Advisors.
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, [educational and
informational materials provided to shareholders] and the costs of printing and
distributing prospectuses and supplements thereto used in connection with the
offering and sale of the Fund's shares. The Fund bears the costs of initial
typesetting, printing and distribution of prospectuses and supplements thereto
to shareholders. The Fund also bears the costs of registering the Fund and its
shares under federal and state securities laws 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. 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.
C. SERVICES PROVIDED BY THE INVESTMENT MANAGER AND FUND EXPENSES PAID BY THIRD
PARTIES
The Investment Manager manages 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 the 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 Management 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, the office space, facilities,
equipment, clerical help, bookkeeping and certain legal services as the Fund may
reasonably require in the conduct of its business, including the preparation of
prospectuses, 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.
Expenses not expressly assumed by the Investment Manager under the
Management Agreement, or by the Distributor, will be paid by the Fund. These
expenses will be allocated among the four Classes of shares pro rata based on
the net assets of the Fund attributable to each Class, except as described
below. Such expenses include, but are not limited to: expenses of the Plan of
Distribution pursuant to Rule 12b-1; charges and expenses of any registrar,
custodian, stock transfer and dividend disbursing agent; brokerage commissions;
taxes; engraving and printing 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 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); fees and expenses of the Fund's independent accountants; membership
dues of industry associations; interest on Fund borrowings; postage; insurance
premiums on property or personnel (including officers and Trustees) of the Fund
which inure to its benefit; extraordinary expenses (including, but not limited
to, legal claims and liabilities and litigation costs and
21
<PAGE>
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.
The Management 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 Management Agreement will remain in effect from year to year, provided
continuance of the Management Agreement is approved at least annually by the
vote of the holders of a majority, as defined in the Investment Company Act, of
the outstanding shares of the Fund, or by the Trustees; provided that in either
event such continuance is approved annually by the vote of a majority of the
Trustees.
D. DEALER REALLOWANCES
Upon notice to selected broker-dealers, the Distributor may reallow up to
the full applicable front-end sales charge 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.
E. RULE 12B-1 PLAN
The Fund has adopted a Plan of Distribution pursuant to Rule 12b-1 under
the Investment Company Act (the "Plan") pursuant to which each Class, other than
Class D, pays the Distributor compensation accrued daily and payable monthly at
the following annual rates: 0.25%, 1.0% and 1.0% of the average daily net assets
of Class A, Class B and Class C, respectively.
The Distributor also receives the proceeds of front-end sales charges
("FSCs") and of contingent deferred sales charges ("CDSCs") imposed on certain
redemptions of shares, which are separate and apart from payments made pursuant
to the Plan.
The Distributor has informed the Fund that 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 equal to 0.25% of such Class' average daily net assets are
currently each characterized as a "service fee" under the Rules 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 Rules of the Association.
Under the Plan and as required by Rule 12b-1, the Trustees receive and
review promptly after the end of each calendar quarter a written report provided
by the Distributor of the amounts expended under the Plan and the purpose for
which such expenditures were made.
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, each with a different distribution arrangement.
With respect to Class A shares, Dean Witter Reynolds compensates its
Financial Advisors by paying them, from proceeds of the FSC, 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 Financial Advisors 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 employee benefit
plans, whether or not qualified under the Internal Revenue Code, for which the
Transfer Agent serves as Trustee or Dean Witter Reynolds Retirement Plan
Services serves as recordkeeper pursuant
22
<PAGE>
to a written Recordkeeping Services Agreement ("MSDW Eligible Plans"), the
Investment Manager compensates Financial Advisors by paying them, from its own
funds, a gross sales credit of 1.0% of the amount sold.
With respect to Class B shares, Dean Witter Reynolds compensates its
Financial Advisors 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 MSDW Eligible Plans, Dean
Witter Reynolds compensates its Financial Advisors by paying them, from its own
funds, a gross sales credit of 3.0% of the amount sold.
With respect to Class C shares, Dean Witter Reynolds compensates its
Financial Advisors 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 up to 1.0% of the current
value of the respective accounts for which they are the Financial Advisors of
record.
With respect to Class D shares other than shares held by participants in
the Investment Manager's mutual fund asset allocation program, the Investment
Manager compensates Dean Witter Reynolds' Financial Advisors 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 Dean Witter
Reynolds's Financial Advisors by paying them, from its own funds, an annual
residual commission, currently up to 0.10% of the current value of the
respective accounts for which they are the Financial Advisors of record (not
including accounts of participants in the Investment Manager's mutual fund asset
allocation program).
The gross sales credit is a charge which reflects commissions paid by Dean
Witter Reynolds to its Financial Advisors and Dean Witter Reynolds's
Fund-associated distribution-related expenses, including sales compensation, and
overhead and other branch office distribution-related expenses including (a) the
expenses of operating Dean Witter Reynolds'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 under the Plan 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 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.
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 Financial Advisors and other authorized financial
representatives, such amounts shall be determined at the beginning of
23
<PAGE>
each calendar quarter by the Trustees, including, a majority of the Independent
Trustees. Expenses representing the service fee (for Class A) or a gross sales
credit or a residual to Financial Advisors and other authorized financial
representatives (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.
In the case of Class B shares, at any given time, the expenses of
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 CDSCs
paid by investors upon redemption of shares. For example, if $1 million in
expenses in distributing 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. 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 Morgan Stanley Dean Witter Financial
Advisors and other authorized financial representatives 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.
No interested person of the Fund nor any Independent Trustee has any direct
financial interest in the operation of the Plan except to the extent that the
Distributor, the Investment Manager, Dean Witter Reynolds, MSDW Services Company
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.
On an annual basis, the Trustees, including a majority of the Independent
Trustees, consider whether the Plan should be continued. Prior to approving the
last continuation of the Plan, the Trustees requested and received from the
Distributor and reviewed all the information which they deemed necessary to
arrive at an informed determination. In making their determination to continue
the Plan, the Trustees considered: (1) the Fund's experience under the Plan and
whether such experience indicates that the Plan is operating as anticipated; (2)
the benefits the Fund had obtained, was obtaining and would be likely to obtain
under the Plan, including that: (a) the Plan is essential in order to give Fund
investors a choice of alternatives for payment of distribution and service
charges and to enable the Fund to continue to grow and avoid a pattern of net
redemptions which, in turn, are essential for effective investment management;
and (b) without the compensation to individual brokers and the reimbursement of
distribution and account maintenance expenses of Dean Witter Reynolds' branch
offices made possible by the 12b-1 fees, Dean Witter Reynolds could not
establish and maintain an effective system for distribution, servicing of Fund
shareholders and maintenance of shareholder accounts; and (3) what services had
been provided and were continuing to be provided under the Plan to the Fund and
its shareholders. Based upon their review, the Trustees, including each of the
Independent Trustees, determined that continuation of the Plan would be in the
best interest of the Fund and would have a reasonable likelihood of continuing
to benefit the Fund and its shareholders. In the Trustees' quarterly review of
the Plan, they will consider its continued appropriateness and the level of
compensation provided therein.
24
<PAGE>
The Plan may not be amended to increase materially the amount to be spent
for the services described therein without approval by the shareholders of the
affected Class or Classes of the Fund, and all material amendments to 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 Trustees or by a vote of a majority of the
outstanding voting securities of the Fund (as defined in the Investment Company
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 Trustees shall be committed to the discretion of the Independent
Trustees.
F. OTHER SERVICE PROVIDERS
(1) TRANSFER AGENT/DIVIDEND-PAYING AGENT
Morgan Stanley Dean Witter Trust FSB is the Transfer Agent for the Fund's
shares and the Dividend Disbursing Agent for payment of dividends and
distributions on Fund shares and Agent for shareholders under various investment
plans. The principal business address of the Transfer Agent is Harborside
Financial Center, Plaza Two, Jersey City, New Jersey 07311.
(2) CUSTODIAN AND INDEPENDENT ACCOUNTANTS
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.
These balances may, at times, be substantial.
PricewaterhouseCoopers LLP, 1177 Avenue of the Americas, New York, New York
10036 serves as the independent accountants of the Fund. The independent
accountants are responsible for auditing the annual financial statements of the
Fund.
(3) AFFILIATED PERSONS
The Transfer Agent is an affiliate of the Investment Manager, and the
Distributor. As Transfer Agent and Dividend Disbursing Agent, the Transfer
Agent'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,
the Transfer Agent receives a per shareholder account fee from the Fund and is
reimbursed for its out-of-pocket expenses in connection with such services.
VI. BROKERAGE ALLOCATION AND OTHER PRACTICES
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
A. BROKERAGE TRANSACTIONS
Subject to the general supervision of the 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.
B. COMMISSIONS
Pursuant to an order of the SEC, the Fund may effect principal transactions
in certain money market instruments with Dean Witter Reynolds. The Fund will
limit its transactions with Dean Witter Reynolds to
25
<PAGE>
U.S. Government and government agency securities, bank money instruments (i.e.,
certificates of deposit and bankers' acceptances) and commercial paper. The
transactions will be effected with Dean Witter Reynolds only when the price
available from Dean Witter Reynolds is better than that available from other
dealers.
Brokerage transactions in securities listed on exchanges or admitted to
unlisted trading privileges may be effected through Dean Witter Reynolds, Morgan
Stanley & Co. and other affiliated brokers and dealers. In order for an
affiliated broker or dealer to effect any portfolio transactions on an exchange
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 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 Trustees, including the Independent
Trustees, 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.
C. BROKERAGE SELECTION
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. These
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 the 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. The 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 them in the management of accounts of some of their other clients
and may not in all cases benefit the Fund directly.
The Investment Manager currently serves as investment manager to a number
of clients, including other investment companies, and may in the future act as
investment manager or advisor 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. In
making such allocations among the Fund and other client accounts, various
factors may be considered, including the
26
<PAGE>
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 utilizes a pro rata allocation process based on the size of the client
funds involved and the number of shares available from the public offering.
D. DIRECTED BROKERAGE
Not Applicable
E. REGULAR BROKER-DEALERS
Not Applicable
VII. CAPITAL STOCK AND OTHER SECURITIES
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
The shareholders of the Fund are entitled to a full vote for each full
share of beneficial interest held. The Fund is authorized to issue an unlimited
number of shares of beneficial interest. 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, Class A, Class B
and Class C bear expenses related to the distribution of their respective
shares.
The Fund's 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. The Trustees have not presently authorized any such
additional series or Classes of shares other than as set forth in the
Prospectus.
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 Investment Company Act or the Declaration of
Trust. Under certain circumstances the Trustees may be removed by action of the
Trustees. In addition, under certain circumstances the shareholders may call a
meeting to remove Trustees and the Fund is required to provide assistance in
communicating with shareholders about such a meeting. 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.
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.
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.
27
<PAGE>
VIII. PURCHASE, REDEMPTION AND PRICING OF SHARES
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
A. PURCHASE/REDEMPTION OF SHARES
Information concerning how Fund shares are offered to the public (and how
they are redeemed and exchanged) is provided in the Fund's Prospectus.
TRANSFER AGENT AS AGENT. With respect to the redemption or repurchase of
Fund shares, the application of proceeds to the purchase of new shares in the
Fund or any other Morgan Stanley Dean Witter Funds and the general
administration of the exchange privilege, the Transfer Agent acts as agent for
the Distributor and for the shareholder's authorized 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 authorized broker-dealer.
The Distributor and any authorized broker-dealer have 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
Morgan Stanley Dean Witter Fund and the general administration of the exchange
privilege. No commission or discounts will be paid to the Distributor or any
authorized broker-dealer for any transactions pursuant to the exchange
privilege.
TRANSFERS OF SHARES. In the event a shareholder requests a transfer of Fund
shares to a new registration, the shares will be transferred without sales
charge at the time of transfer. With regard to the status of shares which are
either subject to a 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.
B. OFFERING PRICE
The Fund's Class B, Class C and Class D shares are offered at net asset
value per share and the Class A shares are offered at net asset value per share
plus any applicable FSC which is distributed among the Fund's Distributor, Dean
Witter Reynolds and other authorized dealers as described in Section "V.
Investment Management and Other Services--E. Rule 12b-1 Plan."
The price of Fund shares, called "net asset value," is based on the value
of the Fund's portfolio securities. Net asset value per share of each Class is
calculated by dividing the value of the portion of the Fund's securities and
other assets attributable to that Class, less the liabilities attributable to
that Class, by the number of shares of that Class outstanding. The assets of
each Class of shares are invested in a single portfolio. The net asset value of
each Class, however, will differ because the Classes have different ongoing
fees.
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
stock exchange is valued at its latest sale price on that exchange, prior to the
time when assets are valued; 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 other
portfolio securities for which over-the-counter market quotations are readily
available are valued at the latest bid price. When market quotations are not
readily available, including circumstances under which it is determined by the
Investment Manager that sale or bid prices are not reflective of a security's
market value, portfolio securities are valued at their fair value as determined
in good faith under procedures established by and under the general supervision
of the Fund's Trustees. For valuation purposes, quotations of foreign portfolio
securities, other assets and liabilities and forward contracts stated in foreign
currency are translated into U.S. dollar equivalents at the prevailing market
rates prior to the close of the New York Stock Exchange.
28
<PAGE>
Short-term debt securities with remaining maturities of sixty days or less
at the time of purchase are valued at amortized cost, unless the Trustees
determine such does not reflect the securities' market value, in which case
these securities will be valued at their fair value as determined by the
Trustees.
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 in good faith under procedures established by and under the
supervision of the Trustees.
Generally, trading in foreign securities, as well as corporate bonds, U.S.
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 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.
IX. TAXATION OF THE FUND AND SHAREHOLDERS
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
The Fund generally will make two basic types of distributions: ordinary
dividends and long-term capital gain distributions. These two types of
distributions are reported differently on a shareholder's income tax return and
they are also subject to different rates of tax. The tax treatment of the
investment activities of the Fund will affect the amount and timing and
character of the distributions made by the Fund. Tax issues relating to the Fund
are not generally a consideration for shareholders such as tax exempt entities
and tax-advantaged retirement vehicles such as an IRA or 401(k) plan.
Shareholders are urged to consult their own tax professionals regarding specific
questions as to federal, state or local taxes.
INVESTMENT COMPANY TAXATION. The Fund intends to remain qualified as a
regulated investment company under Subchapter M of the Internal Revenue Code of
1986. As such, the Fund will not be subject to federal income tax on its net
investment income and capital gains, if any, to the extent that it distributes
such income and capital gains to its shareholders.
The Fund generally intends to distribute sufficient income and gains so
that the Fund will not pay corporate income tax on its earnings. The Fund also
generally intends to distribute to its shareholders in each calendar year a
sufficient amount of ordinary income and capital gains to avoid the imposition
of a 4% excise tax. However, the Fund may instead determine to retain all or
part of any net long-term capital gains in any year for reinvestment. In such
event, the Fund will pay federal income tax (and possibly excise tax) on such
retained gains.
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
one year. Gains or losses on the sale of securities with a tax holding period of
one year or less will be short-term gains or losses.
Gains or losses on the Fund's transactions in listed non-equity options,
futures and options on futures generally are treated as 60% long-term and 40%
short-term. When the Fund engages in options and futures transactions, various
tax rules may accelerate or defer recognition of certain gains and losses,
change the character of certain gains or losses, or alter the holding period of
other investments held by the Fund. The application of these rules would
therefore also affect the amount, timing and character of distributions made by
the Fund.
29
<PAGE>
Under certain tax rules, the Fund may be required to accrue a portion of
any discount at which certain securities are purchased as income each year even
though the Fund receives no payments in cash on the security during the year. To
the extent that the Fund invests in such securities, it would be required to pay
out such accrued discount as an income distribution in each year in order to
avoid taxation at the Fund level. 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.
TAXATION OF DIVIDENDS AND DISTRIBUTIONS. Shareholders normally will have to
pay federal income taxes, and any state and/or local income taxes, on the
dividends and other 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 income
regardless of whether the shareholder receives such payments in additional
shares or in cash.
Distributions of net long-term capital gains, if any, are taxable to
shareholders as long-term capital gains regardless of how long a shareholder has
held the Fund's shares and regardless of whether the distribution is received in
additional shares or in cash. The maximum tax on long-term capital gains
applicable to individuals is 20%.
Shareholders are generally taxed on any ordinary dividend or capital gain
distributions from the Fund in the year they are actually distributed. However,
if any such dividends or distributions are declared in October, November or
December and paid in January then such amounts will be treated for tax purposes
as received by the shareholders on December 31, to shareholders of record of
such month.
Subject to certain exceptions, a corporate shareholder may be eligible for
a 70% dividends received deduction to the extent that the Fund earns and
distributes qualifying dividends from its investments. Distributions of net
capital gains by the Fund will not be eligible for the dividends received
deduction.
Shareholders who are not citizens or residents of the United States and
certain foreign entities may be subject to withholding of United States tax on
distributions made by the Fund of investment income and short term capital
gains.
After the end of each calendar year, shareholders will be sent full
information on their dividends and capital gain distributions for tax purposes,
including the portion taxable as ordinary income, the portion taxable as
long-term capital gains.
PURCHASES AND REDEMPTIONS AND EXCHANGES OF FUND SHARES. 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, such dividends and capital gains distributions 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 the shareholder's investment 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.
In general, a sale of shares results in capital gain or loss, and for
individual shareholders, is taxable at a federal rate dependent upon the length
of time the shares were held. A redemption of a shareholder's Fund shares is
normally treated as a sale for tax purposes. Fund shares held for a period of
one year or less will, for tax purposes, generally result in short-term gains or
losses and those held for more than one year generally result in long-term gain
or loss. Under current law, the maximum tax on long-term capital gains is 20%.
Any loss realized by shareholders upon a sale or redemption of shares within six
months of the date of their purchase will be treated as a long-term capital loss
to the extent of any distributions of net long-term capital gains with respect
to such shares during the six-month period.
30
<PAGE>
Gain or loss on the sale or redemption of shares in the Fund is measured by
the difference between the amount received and the tax basis of the shares.
Shareholders should keep records of investments made (including shares acquired
through reinvestment of dividends and distributions) so they can compute the tax
basis of their shares. Under certain circumstances a shareholder may compute and
use an average cost basis in determining the gain or loss on the sale or
redemption of shares.
Exchanges of Fund shares for shares of another fund, including shares of
other Morgan Stanley Dean Witter Funds, are also subject to similar tax
treatment. Such an exchange is treated for tax purposes as a sale of the
original shares in the first fund, followed by the purchase of shares in the
second fund.
If a shareholder realizes a loss on the redemption or exchange of a fund's
shares and reinvests in that fund's shares within 30 days before or after the
redemption or exchange, the transactions may be subject to the "wash sale"
rules, resulting in a postponement of the recognition of such loss for tax
purposes.
X. UNDERWRITERS
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
The Fund's Distributor, Morgan Stanley Dean Witter Distributors Inc. (which
has the same address as the Investment Manager), is the principal underwriter of
the Fund's shares and 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 Distributor is subject to certain conditions precedent (such as the
filling of certain forms and documents required by various federal and state
agencies and the rendering of certain opinions of counsel) and that the
Distributor will be obligated to purchase the shares of the Fund on November 26,
1999, or such other date as may be agreed upon between the Distributor and the
Fund and to purchase shares of the Fund at a later date to be agreed upon
between the Distributor 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 Distributor 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 Distributor and the $10.00 per share going to the Fund.
The Distributor 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 Distributor 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 Distributor 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 Distributor has agreed to pay certain expenses of the initial offering
and the subsequent Continuous Offering of the Portfolio's shares. The Fund has
agreed to pay certain compensation to the Distributor pursuant to a Plan of
Distribution pursuant to Rule 12b-1 under the Act to compensate the Distributor
for services it renders and the expenses it bears under the Underwriting
Agreement. 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
Distributor against certain liabilities, including liabilities under the
Securities Act of 1933, as amended.
A continuous offering of the Fund's shares will commence approximately two
weeks after the Closing Date. The Distributor, as the principal underwriter of
the shares, has certain obligations under the Distribution Agreement concerning
the distribution of the shares. These obligations and the compensation the
Distributor receives are described above in the sections titled "Principal
Underwriter" and "Rule 12b-1 Plan."
31
<PAGE>
XI. CALCULATION OF PERFORMANCE DATA
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
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 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 operations, if shorter than any of the foregoing. The ending
redeemable value is reduced by any contingent deferred sales charge ("CDSC") at
the end of the one, five, 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 involved a percentage
obtained by dividing the ending redeemable value by the amount of the initial
investment (which in the case of Class A shares is reduced by the Class A
initial sales charge), taking a root of the quotient (which the root is
equivalent to the number of years in the period) and subtracting 1 from the
result.
In addition, 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. These 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 quoted. For example, the average annual total return of the Fund may
be calculated in the manner described above, but without deduction for any
applicable sales charge.
For periods of less than one year, the Fund quotes its total return on a
non-annualized basis. Accordingly, 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 distribution are reinvested.
The formula for computing aggregate total return involves a percentage obtained
by dividing the ending value (without reduction for any sale charge) by the
initial $1,000 investment and subtracting 1 from the result.
The Fund may also advertise the growth of hypothetical investment 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 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 recognized organizations.
XII. FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
EXPERTS. The Statement of Assets and Liabilities of the Fund at September
9, 1999 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 PricewaterhouseCoopers LLP, independent accountants, given on the
authority of said firm as experts in auditing and accounting.
* * * * *
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 SEC. The complete Registration Statement may be obtained from the
SEC.
32
<PAGE>
MORGAN STANLEY DEAN WITTER NEXT GENERATION TRUST
STATEMENT OF ASSETS AND LIABILITIES AT SEPTEMBER 9, 1999
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
<TABLE>
<S> <C>
ASSETS:
Cash ............................................................ $ 100,000
Deferred offering costs (Note 1) ................................ 150,000
---------
Total Assets .................................................. 250,000
---------
LIABILITIES:
Offering costs payable (Note 1) ................................. 150,000
Commitments (Notes 1 and 2) ..................................... --
Total Liabilities .............................................
---------
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 5.54% 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 Next Generation Trust (the "Fund") was
organized as a Massachusetts business trust on July 8, 1999. 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 of the
Fund to Morgan Stanley Dean Witter Advisors Inc. (the "Investment Manager"), a
wholly-owned subsidiary of Morgan Stanley Dean Witter & Co. ("MSDW"). 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 long-term capital growth. The Fund seeks to achieve its
investment objective by investing primarily in a diversified portfolio of stocks
of companies of any asset size which manufacture products or provide services,
or which are involved in the development of products and services, which may be
used by, or appeal to, children, teenagers or young adults. Estimated
organizational expenses of the Fund in the amount of approximately $17,000
incurred prior to the offering of the Fund's shares will be absorbed by the
Investment Manager. It is currently estimated that the Investment Manager will
incur, and be reimbursed, approximately $150,000 by the Fund in offering costs.
Actual costs could differ from these estimates. Offering costs will be deferred
and amortized by the Fund on the straight-line method over the period of benefit
of approximately one year or less from the date of commencement of operations.
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
33
<PAGE>
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.
The Investment Manager has undertaken to assume all operating expenses
(except for the Plan of Distribution fees and brokerage 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 the date of
commencement of the Fund's operations, whichever occurs first.
Shares of the Fund are distributed by Morgan Stanley Dean Witter
Distributors Inc. (the "Distributor"), an affiliate of the Investment Manager.
The Fund has adopted a Plan of Distribution (the "Plan") pursuant to Rule 12b-1
under the Act. The Plan provides that the Fund will pay the Distributor a fee
which is accrued daily and paid monthly at the following annual rates; (i) Class
A -- up to 0.25% of the average daily net assets of Class A; (ii) Class B --
1.0% of the average daily net assets of Class B; and (iii) Class C -- up to 1.0%
of the average daily net assets of Class C. In the case of Class A shares,
amounts paid under the Plan are paid to the Distributor for services provided.
In the case of Class B and Class C shares, amounts paid under the Plan are paid
to the Distributor for services provided and the expenses borne by it and others
in the distribution of the shares of these Classes, including the payment of
commissions for sales of these Classes and incentive compensation to, and
expenses of, Morgan Stanley Dean Witter Financial Advisors and others who engage
in or support distribution of the 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 these 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 Dean Witter Reynolds Inc. ("DWR"), an affiliate of the Investment
Manager and Distributor 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, provided that the Plan continues in effect,
any cumulative expenses incurred by the Distributor but not yet recovered may be
recovered through the payment of future distribution fees from the Fund pursuant
to the Plan and contingent deferred sales charges paid by investors upon
redemption of Class B shares. Although there is no legal obligation for the Fund
to 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% of 1.0% of the
average daily net assets of Class A or Class C, respectively, will not be
reimbursed by the Fund through payments in any subsequent year, except that
expenses representing a gross sales credit to Morgan Stanley Dean Witter
Financial Advisors or other selected broker-dealer representatives may be
reimbursed in the subsequent calendar year.
Morgan Stanley 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.
34
<PAGE>
REPORT OF INDEPENDENT ACCOUNTANTS
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
To the Shareholder and Trustees of
Morgan Stanley Dean Witter Next Generation Trust
In our opinion, the accompanying statement of assets and liabilities presents
fairly, in all material respects, the financial position of Morgan Stanley Dean
Witter Next Generation Trust (hereafter referred to as the "Fund") at September
9, 1999, 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.
PricewaterhouseCoopers LLP
1177 Avenue of the Americas
New York, New York 10036
September 10, 1999
35