<PAGE>
AS FILED WITH THE SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION ON FEBRUARY 22, 1996
REGISTRATION NOS.: 2-66268
811-2979
SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION
WASHINGTON, D.C. 20549
FORM N-1A
REGISTRATION STATEMENT
UNDER THE SECURITIES ACT OF 1933 [X]
PRE-EFFECTIVE AMENDMENT NO. [ ]
POST-EFFECTIVE AMENDMENT NO. 18 [X]
AND/OR
REGISTRATION STATEMENT UNDER THE INVESTMENT COMPANY
ACT OF 1940 [X]
AMENDMENT NO. 19 [X]
DEAN WITTER TAX-EXEMPT SECURITIES TRUST
(A MASSACHUSETTS BUSINESS TRUST)
(EXACT NAME OF REGISTRANT AS SPECIFIED IN CHARTER)
TWO WORLD TRADE CENTER
NEW YORK, NEW YORK 10048
(ADDRESS OF PRINCIPAL EXECUTIVE OFFICE)
REGISTRANT'S TELEPHONE NUMBER, INCLUDING AREA CODE: (212) 392-1600
SHELDON CURTIS, ESQ.
TWO WORLD TRADE CENTER
NEW YORK, NEW YORK 10048
(NAME AND ADDRESS OF AGENT FOR SERVICE)
COPY TO:
DAVID M. BUTOWSKY, ESQ.
GORDON ALTMAN BUTOWSKY
WEITZEN SHALOV & WEIN
114 WEST 47TH STREET
NEW YORK, NEW YORK 10036
APPROXIMATE DATE OF PROPOSED PUBLIC OFFERING:
As soon as practicable after this Post-Effective Amendment becomes effective.
IT IS PROPOSED THAT THIS FILING WILL BECOME EFFECTIVE (CHECK APPROPRIATE BOX)
immediately upon filing pursuant to paragraph (b)
X on February 27, 1996 pursuant to paragraph (b)
60 days after filing pursuant to paragraph (a)
on (date) pursuant to paragraph (a) of rule 485.
THE REGISTRANT HAS REGISTERED AN INDEFINITE NUMBER OF ITS SHARES UNDER THE
SECURITIES ACT OF 1933 PURSUANT TO SECTION (A)(1) OF RULE 24F-2 UNDER THE
INVESTMENT COMPANY ACT OF 1940. THE REGISTRANT HAS FILED ITS RULE 24F-2
NOTICE, FOR ITS FISCAL YEAR ENDED DECEMBER 31, 1995, WITH THE SECURITIES AND
EXCHANGE COMMISSION ON JANUARY 31, 1996.
AMENDING THE PROSPECTUS AND UPDATING FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
<PAGE>
DEAN WITTER TAX-EXEMPT SECURITIES TRUST
CROSS-REFERENCE SHEET
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
FORM N-1A
ITEM CAPTION
- ------------- -----------------------------------------------------
PART A PROSPECTUS
- ------------- -----------------------------------------------------
<C> <S>
1. .... Cover Page
2. .... Prospectus Summary; Summary of Fund Expenses
3. .... Financial Highlights; Performance Information
Investment Objective and Policies; Risk
Considerations; The Fund and its Management; Cover
4. .... Page; Investment Restrictions; Prospectus Summary
The Fund and Its Management; Back Cover; Investment
5. .... Objective and Policies
Dividends, Distributions and Taxes; Additional
6. .... Information
7. .... Purchase of Fund Shares; Shareholder Services
8. .... Redemptions and Repurchases; Shareholder Services
9. .... Not Applicable
</TABLE>
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
PART B STATEMENT OF ADDITIONAL INFORMATION
- ---------- ------------------------------------------------------
<C> <S>
10. .... Cover Page
11. .... Table of Contents
12. .... The Fund and Its Management
Investment Practices and Policies; Investment
13. .... Restrictions; Portfolio Transactions and Brokerage
14. .... The Fund and Its Management; Trustees and Officers
15. .... Trustees and Officers
The Fund and Its Management; The Distributor;
Shareholder Services; Custodian and Transfer Agent;
16. .... Independent Accountants
17. .... Portfolio Transactions and Brokerage
18. .... Shares of the Fund
The Distributor; Redemptions and Repurchases;
19. .... Financial Statements; Shareholder Services
Dividends, Distributions and Taxes; Performance
20. .... Information
21. .... Purchase of Fund Shares
22. .... Not applicable
23. .... Experts; Financial Statements
</TABLE>
PART C
Information required to be included in Part C is set forth under the
appropriate item, so numbered, in Part C of this Registration Statement.
<PAGE>
PROSPECTUS
FEBRUARY 27, 1996
Dean Witter Tax-Exempt Securities Trust (the "Fund") is an open-end,
diversified management investment company, whose investment objective is to
provide a high level of current income exempt from federal income tax,
consistent with the preservation of capital. The Fund invests principally in
tax-exempt fixed-income securities which are rated in the three highest
categories by Moody's Investors Service, Inc. or Standard & Poor's
Corporation. (See "Investment Objective and Policies.")
This Prospectus sets forth concisely the information you should know before
investing in the Fund. It should be read and retained for future reference.
Additional information about the Fund is contained in the Statement of
Additional Information, dated February 27, 1996, which has been filed with
the Securities and Exchange Commission, and which is available at no charge
upon request of the Fund at the address or telephone numbers listed on this
page. The Statement of Additional Information is incorporated herein by
reference.
Dean Witter
Tax-Exempt Securities Trust
Two World Trade Center
New York, New York 10048
(212) 392-2550 or
(800) 869-NEWS (toll-free)
TABLE OF CONTENTS
Prospectus Summary/ 2
Summary of Fund Expenses/ 3
Financial Highlights/ 4
The Fund and its Management/ 4
Investment Objective and Policies/ 5
Risk Considerations and Investment Practices/ 8
Investment Restrictions/ 10
Purchase of Fund Shares/ 11
Shareholder Services/ 14
Redemptions and Repurchases/ 16
Dividends, Distributions and Taxes/ 17
Performance Information/ 19
Additional Information/ 19
Shares of the Fund are not deposits or obligations of, or guaranteed or
endorsed by, any bank, and the shares are not federally insured by the
Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation, the Federal Reserve Board, or any
other agency.
THESE SECURITIES HAVE NOT BEEN APPROVED OR DISAPPROVED BY THE SECURITIES AND
EXCHANGE COMMISSION OR ANY STATE SECURITIES COMMISSION NOR HAS THE SECURITIES
AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION OR ANY STATE SECURITIES COMMISSION PASSED UPON THE
ACCURACY OR ADEQUACY OF THIS PROSPECTUS. ANY REPRESENTATION TO THE CONTRARY
IS A CRIMINAL OFFENSE.
DEAN WITTER DISTRIBUTORS INC.
DISTRIBUTOR
<PAGE>
PROSPECTUS SUMMARY
- -----------------------------------------------------------------------------
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
<S> <C>
The The Fund is organized as a Trust, commonly known as a Massachusetts business
Fund trust, and is an open-end, diversified management investment company
investing principally in investment grade, tax-exempt fixed-income securities
(see page 4).
- ------------------ -----------------------------------------------------------------------------
Shares Offered Shares of beneficial interest with $0.01 par value (see page 19).
- ------------------ -----------------------------------------------------------------------------
Offering Price The price of the shares offered by this prospectus varies with the changes in
the value of the Fund's investments. The offering price, determined once
daily as of 4:00 p.m., New York time, on each day that the New York Stock
Exchange is open, is equal to the net asset value plus a sales charge of 4.0%
of the offering price, scaled down on purchases of $25,000 or over (see pages
11-13).
- ------------------ -----------------------------------------------------------------------------
Minimum Minimum initial purchase is $1,000; ($100 if the account is opened through
Purchase EasyInvestsm); minimum subsequent purchase is $100 (see page 11).
- ------------------ -----------------------------------------------------------------------------
Investment The investment objective of the Fund is to provide a high level of current
Objective income exempt from federal income tax, consistent with the preservation of
capital (see page 5).
- ------------------ -----------------------------------------------------------------------------
Investment Dean Witter InterCapital Inc. ("InterCapital"), the Investment Manager of the
Manager Fund, and its wholly-owned subsidiary, Dean Witter Services Company Inc.,
serve in various investment management, advisory, management and
administrative capacities to ninety-five investment companies and other
portfolios with assets of approximately $79.5 billion at December 31, 1995
(see page 4).
- ------------------ -----------------------------------------------------------------------------
Management Fee The monthly fee is at an annual rate of 1/2 of 1% of average daily net
assets, scaled down on assets over $500 million (see page 5).
- ------------------ -----------------------------------------------------------------------------
Dividends and Income dividends are declared daily and paid monthly; capital gains, if any,
Capital Gains may be distributed annually or retained for reinvestment by the Fund.
Distributions Dividends and distributions are automatically reinvested in additional shares
at net asset value (without sales charge), unless the shareholder elects to
receive cash (see page 17).
- ------------------ -----------------------------------------------------------------------------
Distributor Dean Witter Distributors Inc. (see page 11).
- ------------------ -----------------------------------------------------------------------------
Sales Charge 4.0% of offering price (4.17% of amount invested); reduced charges on
purchases of $25,000 or more (see page 11).
- ------------------ -----------------------------------------------------------------------------
Redemption Shares redeemable by the shareholder at net asset value. An account may be
involuntarily redeemed if shares owned have a net asset value of less than
$100 or, if the account was opened through EasyInvestsm, if after twelve
months the shareholder has invested less than $1,000 in the account. (see
page 16).
- ------------------ -----------------------------------------------------------------------------
Risks The value of the Fund's portfolio securities, and therefore the Fund's net
asset value per share, may increase or decrease due to various factors,
principally changes in prevailing interest rates and the ability of the
issuers of the Fund's portfolio securities to pay interest and principal on
such obligations. The Fund may purchase when-issued and delayed delivery
securities (see page 7). The Fund may also invest in futures and options,
which may be considered speculative in nature and which may involve greater
risks than those customarily assumed by certain other investment companies
which do not invest in such instruments (see pages 8-9).
- ------------------ -----------------------------------------------------------------------------
</TABLE>
The above is qualified in its entirety by the detailed information appearing
elsewhere in the Prospectus
and in the Statement of Additional Information.
2
<PAGE>
SUMMARY OF FUND EXPENSES
- -----------------------------------------------------------------------------
The following table illustrates all expenses and fees that a shareholder
of the Fund will incur. The expenses and fees set forth in the table are for
the fiscal year ended December 31, 1995.
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
<S> <C>
Shareholder Transaction Expenses
Maximum Sales Charge Imposed on Purchases ................................ 4.0%
(as a percentage of offering price)
Maximum Sales Charge Imposed on Reinvested Dividends ..................... None
Deferred Sales ........................................................... None
Redemption Fees .......................................................... None
Exchange Fee ............................................................. None
Annual Fund Operating Expenses (as a Percentage of Average Net Assets)
Management Fee ........................................................... 0.42%
Other Expenses ........................................................... 0.06%
Total Fund Operating Expenses ............................................ 0.48%
</TABLE>
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
EXAMPLE 1 YEAR 3 YEARS 5 YEARS 10 YEARS
- ----------------------------------------------------------- -------- --------- --------- ----------
<S> <C> <C> <C> <C>
You would pay the following expenses on a $1,000
investment, assuming (1) 5% annual return and (2)
redemption at the end of each time period: ................ $45 $55 $66 $98
</TABLE>
THE ABOVE EXAMPLE SHOULD NOT BE CONSIDERED A REPRESENTATION OF PAST OR
FUTURE EXPENSES OR PERFORMANCE. ACTUAL EXPENSES OF THE FUND MAY BE GREATER OR
LESS THAN THOSE SHOWN.
The purpose of this table is to assist the investor in understanding the
various costs and expenses that an investor in the Fund will bear directly or
indirectly. For a more complete description of these costs and expenses, see
"The Fund and its Management" and "Purchase of Fund Shares." There are
reduced sales charges on purchases of $25,000 or more (see "Purchase of Fund
Shares").
3
<PAGE>
FINANCIAL HIGHLIGHTS
- -----------------------------------------------------------------------------
The following ratios and per share data for a share of beneficial interest
outstanding throughout each period have been audited by Price Waterhouse LLP,
independent accountants. The financial highlights should be read in
conjunction with the financial statements, the notes thereto and the
unqualified report of independent accountants, which are contained in the
Statement of Additional Information. Further information about the
performance of the Fund is contained in the Fund's Annual Report to
Shareholders, which may be obtained without charge upon request to the Fund.
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
FOR THE YEAR ENDED DECEMBER 31,
----------------------------------------
1995 1994 1993 1992
-------- --------- -------- ---------
<S> <C> <C> <C> <C>
PER SHARE OPERATING
PERFORMANCE:
Net asset value, beginning
of period ................ $ 11.01 $ 12.41 $ 11.88 $ 11.65
-------- --------- -------- ---------
Net investment income .... 0.67 0.70 0.77 0.79
Net realized and
unrealized gain (loss) .. 1.19 (1.37) 0.54 0.23
-------- --------- -------- ---------
Total from investment
operations ............... 1.86 (0.67) 1.31 1.02
-------- --------- -------- ---------
Less dividends and
distributions from:
Net investment income .. (0.67) (0.70) (0.77) (0.79)
Net realized gain ....... (0.11) (0.03) (0.01) --
-------- --------- -------- ---------
Total dividends and
distributions ............ (0.78) (0.73) (0.78) (0.79)
-------- --------- -------- ---------
Net asset value, end of
period ................... $ 12.09 $11.01 $ 12.41 $11.88
======== ========= ======== =========
TOTAL INVESTMENT RETURN+ . 17.37 % (5.55)% 11.23 % 9.09 %
RATIOS TO AVERAGE NET
ASSETS:
Expenses .................. 0.48% 0.47 % 0.47 % 0.49 %
Net investment income .... 5.76% 6.02 % 6.23 % 6.74 %
SUPPLEMENTAL DATA:
Net assets, end of period,
in millions .............. $ 1,325 $1,295 $ 1,582 $1,323
Portfolio turnover rate .. 21 % 16 % 13 % 4 %
</TABLE>
(RESTUBBED TABLE CONTINUED FROM ABOVE)
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
1991 1990 1989 1988 1987 1986
-------- --------- -------- -------- --------- --------
<S> <C> <C> <C> <C> <C> <C>
PER SHARE OPERATING
PERFORMANCE:
Net asset value, beginning
of period ................ $ 11.09 $ 11.28 $ 10.96 $ 10.45 $ 11.50 $ 10.79
-------- --------- -------- -------- --------- --------
Net investment income .... 0.80 0.80 0.81 0.81 0.80 0.85
Net realized and
unrealized gain (loss) .. 0.56 (0.18) 0.32 0.51 (0.97) 1.21
-------- --------- -------- -------- --------- --------
Total from investment
operations ............... 1.36 0.62 1.13 1.32 (0.17) 2.06
-------- --------- -------- -------- --------- --------
Less dividends and
distributions from:
Net investment income .. (0.80) (0.81) (0.81) (0.81) (0.83) (0.87)
Net realized gain ....... -- -- -- -- (0.05) (0.48)
-------- --------- -------- -------- --------- --------
Total dividends and
distributions ............ (0.80) (0.81) (0.81) (0.81) (0.88) (1.35)
-------- --------- -------- -------- --------- --------
Net asset value, end of
period ................... $ 11.65 $11.09 $ 11.28 $ 10.96 $10.45 $ 11.50
======== ========= ======== ======== ========= ========
TOTAL INVESTMENT RETURN+ . 12.71 % 5.86 % 10.61 % 13.02 % (1.44)% 20.17 %
RATIOS TO AVERAGE NET
ASSETS:
Expenses .................. 0.51 % 0.51 % 0.51 % 0.54 % 0.52 % 0.56 %
Net investment income .... 7.05 % 7.25 % 7.31 % 7.51 % 7.42 % 7.51 %
SUPPLEMENTAL DATA:
Net assets, end of period,
in millions .............. $ 1,145 $1,010 $ 1,033 $ 908 $ 896 $ 966
Portfolio turnover rate .. 10 % 19 % 13 % 17 % 37 % 42 %
</TABLE>
- ------------
+ Does not reflect the deduction of sales load.
THE FUND AND ITS MANAGEMENT
- -----------------------------------------------------------------------------
Dean Witter Tax-Exempt Securities Trust (the "Fund") is an open-end,
diversified management investment company incorporated in Maryland on
December 13, 1979. The Fund reorganized as a trust of the type commonly known
as a "Massachusetts business trust" on April 30, 1987.
Dean Witter InterCapital Inc. ("InterCapital" or the "Investment
Manager"), whose address is Two World Trade Center, New York, New York 10048,
is the Fund's Investment Manager. The Investment Manager, which was
incorporated in July, 1992, is a wholly-owned subsidiary of Dean Witter,
Discover &
4
<PAGE>
Co. ("DWDC"), a balanced financial services organization providing a broad
range of nationally marketed credit and investment products.
InterCapital and its wholly-owned subsidiary, Dean Witter Services Company
Inc., serve in various investment management, advisory, management and
administrative capacities to a total of ninety-five investment companies,
thirty of which are listed on the New York Stock Exchange, with combined
total net assets of approximately $76.9 billion as of December 31, 1995. The
Investment Manager also manages portfolios of pension plans, other
institutions and individuals which aggregated approximately $2.6 billion at
such date.
The Fund has retained the Investment Manager to provide administrative
services, manage its business affairs and manage the investment of the Fund's
assets, including the placing of orders for the purchase and sale of
portfolio securities. InterCapital has retained Dean Witter Services Company
Inc. to perform the aforementioned administrative services for the Fund.
The Fund's Trustees review the various services provided by or under the
direction of the Investment Manager to ensure that the Fund's general
investment policies and programs are being properly carried out and that
administrative services are being provided to the Fund in a satisfactory
manner.
As full compensation for the services and facilities furnished to the Fund
and for expenses of the Fund assumed by the Investment Manager, the Fund pays
the Investment Manager monthly compensation calculated daily at an annual
rate of 0.50% of the daily net assets of the Fund up to $500 million, scaled
down at various asset levels to 0.325% on assets over $1.25 billion. For the
fiscal year ended December 31, 1995, the Fund accrued total compensation to
the Investment Manager amounting to 0.42% of the Fund's average daily net
assets and the Fund's total expenses amounted to 0.48% of the Fund's average
daily net assets.
INVESTMENT OBJECTIVE AND POLICIES
- -----------------------------------------------------------------------------
The investment objective of the Fund is to provide a high level of current
income which is exempt from federal income tax, consistent with the
preservation of capital. There is no assurance that this objective will be
achieved. This objective is fundamental and may not be changed without
shareholder approval. The Fund seeks to achieve its investment objective by
investing its assets in accordance with the following policies:
1. At least 80% of the Fund's total assets will be invested in
tax-exempt securities, except as stated in paragraph (5) below. Tax-
exempt securities consist of Municipal Bonds and Municipal Notes
("Municipal Obligations") and Municipal Commercial Paper.
2. At least 75% of the Fund's total assets will be invested in: (a)
Municipal Bonds which are rated at the time of purchase within the three
highest grades by Moody's Investors Service, Inc. ("Moody's") or Standard
& Poor's Corporation ("S&P"); (b) Municipal Notes which at the time of
purchase are rated in the two highest grades by Moody's or S&P, or, if
not rated, have outstanding one or more issues of Municipal Bonds rated
as set forth in clause (a) of this paragraph; and (c) Municipal
Commercial Paper which at the time of purchase are rated P-1 by Moody's
or A-1 by S&P.
3. Up to 25% of the Fund's total assets may be invested in tax-exempt
securities which are not rated by Moody's or S&P or, if rated, are not
within the rating categories of Moody's or S&P stated in paragraph (2)
above.
4. In accordance with the current position of the staff of the
Securities and Exchange Commission, tax-exempt securities which are
subject to the federal alternative minimum tax for individual
shareholders will not be included
5
<PAGE>
in the 80% total described in paragraph 1 above. (See "Dividends,
Distributions and Taxes," below.) As such, the remaining 20% of the
Fund's total assets may be invested in tax-exempt securities subject to
the alternative minimum tax.
5. Inclusive of paragraph 4 above, up to 20% of the Fund's total
assets may be invested in taxable money market instruments under any one
or more of the following circumstances: (a) pending investment of
proceeds of sale of Fund shares or of portfolio securities; (b) pending
settlement of purchases of portfolio securities; and (c) to maintain
liquidity for the purpose of meeting anticipated redemptions. In
addition, the Fund may temporarily invest more than 20% of its total
assets in taxable securities, or in tax-exempt securities subject to the
federal alternative minimum tax for individual shareholders, to maintain
a "defensive" posture when, in the opinion of the Investment Manager, it
is advisable to do so because of market conditions. The types of taxable
securities in which the Fund may temporarily invest are limited to the
following short- term fixed-income securities (maturing in one year or
less from the time of purchase): (i) obligations of the United States
Government, its agencies, instrumentalities or authorities; (ii)
commercial paper rated P-1 by Moody's or A-1 by S&P; (iii) certificates
of deposit of domestic banks with assets of $1 billion or more; and (iv)
repurchase agreements with respect to any of the foregoing portfolio
securities.
Municipal Obligations are debt obligations of states, cities,
municipalities and municipal agencies which generally have maturities, at the
time of their issuance, of either one year or more (Bonds) or from six months
to three years (Notes). Municipal Commercial Paper refers to short-term
obligations of municipalities. Any Municipal Obligation which depends
directly or indirectly on the credit of the Federal Government shall be
considered to have a rating of Aaa/AAA. The Fund may purchase Municipal
Obligations which had originally been issued by the same issuer as two
separate series of the same issue with different interest rates, but which
are now linked together to form one series.
While the Fund may invest up to 25% of its total assets in Municipal
Obligations which are unrated or, if rated, are not within the three highest
Bond rating categories of Moody's or S&P or the two highest Note rating
categories of Moody's or S&P, the Fund does not intend to invest in Municipal
Bonds which are rated below either Baa by Moody's or BBB by S&P (the lowest
ratings considered investment grade) or, if not rated, are deemed by the
Investment Manager to be below investment grade, in amounts exceeding 5% of
its total assets. Investments in Municipal Bonds rated either Baa by Moody's
or BBB by S&P may have speculative characteristics and, therefore, changes in
economic conditions or other circumstances are more likely to weaken their
capacity to make principal and interest payments than would be the case with
investments in securities with higher credit ratings. Municipal Bonds rated
below investment grade may not currently be paying any interest and may have
extremely poor prospects of ever attaining any real investment standing.
The two principal classifications of Municipal Obligations and Commercial
Paper are "general obligation" and "revenue" obligations or commercial paper.
General obligation bonds, notes or commercial paper are secured by the
issuer's pledge of its faith, credit and taxing power for the payment of
principal and interest. Issuers of general obligation bonds, notes or
commercial paper include a state, its counties, cities, towns and other
government units. Revenue bonds, notes or commercial paper are payable from
the revenues derived from a particular facility or class of facilities or, in
some cases, from specific revenue sources. Revenue bonds, notes or commercial
paper are issued for a wide variety of purposes, including the financing of
electric, gas, water and sewer systems and other public utilities; industrial
development and pollution control facilities; single and multi-family housing
units; public buildings and facilities; air and marine
6
<PAGE>
ports; transportation facilities such as toll roads, bridges and tunnels; and
health and educational facilities such as hospitals and dormitories. They
rely primarily on user fees to pay debt service, although the principal
revenue source is often supplemented by additional security features which
are intended to enhance the creditworthiness of the issuer's obligations. In
some cases, particularly revenue bonds issued to finance housing and public
buildings, a direct or implied "moral obligation" of a governmental unit may
be pledged to the payment of debt service. In other cases, a special tax or
other charge may augment user fees.
Included within the revenue category are participations in lease
obligations or installment purchase contracts (hereinafter collectively
called "lease obligations") of municipalities. State and local governments
issue lease obligations to acquire equipment and facilities.
Lease obligations may have risks not normally associated with general
obligation or other revenue bonds. Leases and installment purchase or
conditional sale contracts (which may provide for title to the leased asset
to pass eventually to the issuer) have developed as a means for governmental
issuers to acquire property and equipment without the necessity of complying
with the constitutional and statutory requirements generally applicable for
the issuance of debt. Certain lease obligations contain "non-appropriation"
clauses that provide that the governmental issuer has no obligation to make
future payments under the lease or contract unless money is appropriated for
such purpose by the appropriate legislative body on an annual or other
periodic basis. Consequently, continued lease payments on those lease
obligations containing "non- appropriation" clauses are dependent on future
legislative actions. If such legislative actions do not occur, the holders of
the lease obligation may experience difficulty in exercising their rights,
including disposition of the property.
Certain lease obligations have not developed the depth of marketability
associated with more conventional municipal obligations and, as a result, may
be considered illiquid securities. To determine whether or not the Fund will
consider such securities to be illiquid (the Fund may not invest more than
ten percent of its net assets in illiquid securities), the Trustees of the
Fund have established guidelines to be utilized by the Fund in determining
the liquidity of a lease obligation. The factors to be considered in making
the determination include: 1) the frequency of trades and quoted prices for
the obligation; 2) the number of dealers willing to purchase or sell the
security and the number of other potential purchasers; 3) the willingness of
dealers to undertake to make a market in the security; and 4) the nature of
the marketplace trades, including, the time needed to dispose of the
security, the method of soliciting offers, and the mechanics of the transfer.
The interest rates payable on certain Municipal Bonds and Municipal Notes
are not fixed and may fluctuate based upon changes in market rates. Municipal
obligations of this type are called "variable rate" obligations. The interest
rate payable on a variable rate obligation is adjusted either at
predesignated periodic intervals or whenever there is a change in the market
rate of interest on which the interest rate payable is based.
The foregoing percentage and rating policies apply at the time of
acquisition of a security based on the last previous determination of the
Fund's net asset value. Any subsequent change in any rating by a rating
service or change in percentages resulting from market fluctuations or other
changes in the Fund's total assets will not require elimination of any
security from the Fund's portfolio until such time as the Investment Manager
determines that it is practicable to sell the security without undue market
or tax consequences to the Fund.
The ratings assigned by Moody's and S&P represent their opinions as to the
quality of the securities which they undertake to rate (see the Appendix to
the Statement of Additional Information). It should be emphasized, however,
that the ratings are general and not absolute standards of quality.
When-Issued and Delayed Delivery Securities. The Fund may purchase
tax-exempt securi-
7
<PAGE>
ties on a when-issued or delayed delivery basis; i.e., delivery and payment
can take place a month or more after the date of the transaction. These
securities are subject to market fluctuation and no interest accrues to the
purchaser prior to settlement. At the time the Fund makes the commitment to
purchase such securities, it will record the transaction and thereafter
reflect the value, each day, of such securities in determining its net asset
value. An increase in the percentage of the Fund's assets committed to the
purchase of securities on a when- issued or delayed delivery basis may
increase the volatility of the Fund's net asset value.
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.
RISK CONSIDERATIONS AND INVESTMENT PRACTICES
The value of the Fund's portfolio securities and, therefore, the Fund's
net asset value per share, may increase or decrease due to various factors,
principally changes in prevailing interest rates and the ability of the
issuers of the Fund's portfolio securities to pay interest and principal on
such obligations on a timely basis. Generally, a rise in interest rates will
result in a decrease in the Fund's net asset value per share, while a drop in
interest rates will result in an increase in the Fund's net asset value per
share.
Futures Contracts and Options on Futures. The Fund may enter into
financial futures contracts ("futures contracts"), options on such futures
and municipal bond index futures contracts for hedging purposes. The Fund may
sell a futures contract or a call option thereon or purchase a put option on
such futures contract, if the Investment Manager anticipates interest rates
to rise, as a hedge against a decrease in the value of the Fund's portfolio
securities. If the Investment Manager anticipates that interest rates will
decline, the Fund may purchase a futures contract or a call option thereon or
sell a put option on such futures contract, to protect against an increase in
the price of the securities the Fund intends to purchase. These futures
contracts and related options thereon will be used only as a hedge against
anticipated interest rate changes. A futures contract sale creates an
obligation by the Fund, as seller, to deliver the specific type of instrument
called for in the contract at a specified future time for a specified price.
A futures contract purchase creates an obligation by the Fund, as purchaser,
to take delivery of the specific type of financial instrument at a specified
future time at a specified price. The specific securities delivered or taken,
respectively, at settlement date, would not be determined until or near that
date. The determination would be in accordance with the rules of the exchange
on which the futures contract sale or purchase was effected.
Although the terms of futures contracts specify actual delivery or receipt
of securities, in most instances the contracts are closed out before the
settlement date without the making or taking of delivery of the securities.
Closing out of a futures contract is effected by entering into an offsetting
purchase or sale transaction.
8
<PAGE>
Unlike a futures contract, which requires the parties to buy and sell a
security on a set date, an option on a futures contract entitles its holder
to decide on or before a future date whether to enter into such a contract (a
long position in the case of a call option and a short position in the case
of a put option). If the holder decides not to enter into the contract, the
premium paid for the option on the contract is lost. Since the value of the
option is fixed at the point of sale, there are not daily payments of cash to
reflect the change in the value of the underlying contract as there are by a
purchaser or seller of a futures contract. The value of the option does
change and is reflected in the net asset value of the Fund.
A risk in employing futures contracts to protect against the price
volatility of portfolio securities is that the prices of securities subject
to futures contracts may correlate imperfectly with the behavior of the cash
prices of the Fund's portfolio securities. The risk of imperfect correlation
may be increased by the fact that the Fund will invest in futures contracts
on taxable securities and there is no guarantee that the prices of taxable
securities will move in a similar manner to the prices of tax-exempt
securities. The correlation may be distorted by the fact that the futures
market is dominated by short- term traders seeking to profit from the
difference between a contract or security price objective and their cost of
borrowed funds. Such distortions are generally minor and would diminish as
the contract approached maturity.
Another risk is that the Fund's manager could be incorrect in its
expectations as to the direction or extent of various interest rate movements
or the time span within which the movements take place. For example, if the
Fund sold futures contracts for the sale of securities in anticipation of an
increase in interest rates, and then interest rates went down instead,
causing bond prices to rise, the Fund would lose money on the sale.
In addition to the risks that apply to all options transactions (see the
Statement of Additional Information for a description of the characteristics
of, and the risks of investing in, options on debt securities), there are
several special risks relating to options on futures; in particular, the
ability to establish and close out positions on options on futures will be
subject to the development and maintenance of a liquid secondary market. It
is not certain that this market will develop or be maintained.
Municipal Bond Index Futures. The Fund may utilize municipal bond index
futures contracts and options thereon for hedging purposes. The Fund's
strategies in employing such contracts will be similar to that discussed
above with respect to financial futures and options thereon. A municipal bond
index is a method of reflecting in a single number the market value of many
different municipal bonds and is designed to be representative of the
municipal bond market generally. The index fluctuates in response to changes
in the market values of the bonds included within the index. Unlike futures
contracts on particular financial instruments, transactions in futures on a
municipal bond index will be settled in cash, if held until the close of
trading in the contract. However, like any other futures contract, a position
in the contract may be closed out by purchase or sale of an offsetting
contract for the same delivery month prior to expiration of the contract.
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. The Fund may not purchase or sell
futures contracts or related options thereon if, immediately thereafter, more
than one-third of its net assets would be hedged.
For a discussion of the risks of certain types of Municipal Obligations,
such as lease obligations, see above in "Investment Objective and Policies."
PORTFOLIO MANAGEMENT
The Fund is actively managed by the Investment Manager with a view to
achieving the Fund's investment objective. In determining which securi-
9
<PAGE>
ties to purchase for the Fund or hold in the Fund's portfolio, the Investment
Manager will rely on information from various sources, including research,
analysis and appraisals of brokers and dealers, including Dean Witter
Reynolds Inc. ("DWR"), a broker-dealer affiliate of InterCapital, the views
of Trustees of the Fund and others regarding economic developments and
interest rate trends, and the Investment Manager's own analysis of factors it
deems relevant. The Fund is managed within InterCapital's Tax-Exempt Group,
which manages 40 tax-exempt municipal funds and fund portfolios, with
approximately $11 billion in assets as of December 31, 1995. James F.
Willison, Senior Vice President of InterCapital and Manager of Inter
Capital's Municipal Fixed Income Group, has been the primary portfolio
manager of the Fund since its inception and has been a portfolio manager at
InterCapital for over five years.
Securities are purchased and sold principally in response to the
Investment Manager's current evaluation of an issuer's ability to meet its
debt obligations in the future, and the Investment Manager's current
assessment of future changes in the levels of interest rates on tax-exempt
securities of varying maturities. Securities purchased by the Fund are,
generally, sold by dealers acting as principal for their own accounts.
Pursuant to an order of the Securities and Exchange Commission, the Fund may
effect principal transactions in certain money market instruments with DWR.
In addition, the Fund may incur brokerage commissions on transactions
conducted through DWR.
The portfolio trading engaged in by the Fund may result in its portfolio
turnover rate exceeding 100%. The Fund will incur underwriting discount costs
(on underwritten securities) commensurate with its portfolio turnover rate.
Additionally, see "Dividends, Distributions and Taxes" for a discussion of
the tax policy of the Fund. A more extensive discussion of the Fund's
portfolio brokerage policies is set forth in the Statement of Additional
Information.
Except as specifically noted, all investment objectives, policies and
practices discussed above are not fundamental policies of the Fund and, as
such, may be changed without shareholder approval.
INVESTMENT RESTRICTIONS
- -----------------------------------------------------------------------------
The investment restrictions listed below are among the restrictions which
have been adopted by the Fund as fundamental policies. Under the Investment
Company Act of 1940, as amended (the "Act"), a fundamental policy may not be
changed without the vote of a majority of the outstanding voting securities
of the Fund, as defined in the Act.
For purposes of the following restrictions: (a) an "issuer" of a security
is the entity whose assets and revenues are committed to the payment of
interest and principal on that particular security, provided that the
guarantee of a security will be considered a separate security, and provided
further that a guarantee of a security shall not be deemed to be a security
issued by the guarantor if the value of all securities issued or guaranteed
by the guarantor and owned by the Fund does not exceed 10% of the value of
the total assets of the Fund; (b) a "taxable security" is any security the
interest on which is subject to federal income tax; and (c) all percentage
limitations apply immediately after a purchase or initial investment, and any
subsequent change in any applicable percentage resulting from market
fluctuations or other changes in the Fund's total assets does not require
elimination of any security from the portfolio.
The Fund may not:
1. 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. Purchase more than 10% of all outstanding taxable debt securities or
any one issuer (other than
10
<PAGE>
obligations issued, or guaranteed as to principal and interest, by the United
States Government, its agencies or instrumentalities).
3. Invest more than 25% 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 or to cash equivalents (industrial development and
pollution control bonds are grouped into industries based upon the business
in which the issuers of such obligations are engaged).
4. Invest more than 5% of the value of its total assets in taxable
securities of issuers having a record, together with predecessors, of less
than three years of continuous operation. This restriction shall not apply to
any obligation of the United States Government, its agencies or
instrumentalities.
PURCHASE OF FUND SHARES
- -----------------------------------------------------------------------------
The Fund offers its shares for sale to the public on a continuous basis.
Pursuant to a Distribution Agreement between the Fund and Dean Witter
Distributors Inc. (the "Distributor"), an affiliate of the Investment
Manager, shares of the Fund are distributed by the Distributor and offered by
DWR and other dealers who have entered into agreements with the Distributor
("Selected Broker-Dealers"). The principal executive office of the
Distributor is located at Two World Trade Center, New York, New York 10048.
The minimum initial purchase is $1,000. Subsequent purchases of $100 or
more may be made by sending a check, payable to Dean Witter Tax- Exempt
Securities Trust, directly to Dean Witter Trust Company (the "Transfer
Agent") at P.O. Box 1040, Jersey City, N.J. 07303 or by contacting a DWR or
other Selected Broker-Dealer account executive. The minimum initial purchase
in the case of investments through EasyInvest (Service Mark) , an automatic
purchase plan (see "Shareholder Services"), is $100, provided that the
schedule of automatic investments will result in investments totalling at
least $1,000 within the first twelve months.
In the case of purchases made pursuant to systematic payroll deduction
plans (including individual retirement plans), the Fund, in its discretion,
may accept such purchases without regard to any minimum amounts which would
otherwise be required if the Fund has reason to believe that additional
purchases will increase the amount of the purchase of shares in all accounts
under such plans to at least $1,000. Certificates for shares purchased will
not be issued unless a request is made by the shareholder in writing to the
Transfer Agent. The offering price will be the net asset value per share next
determined following receipt of an order (see "Determination of Net Asset
Value" below), plus a sales charge (expressed as a percentage of the offering
price) on a single transaction as shown in the following table:
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
SALES CHARGE
-------------------------------
PERCENTAGE OF APPROXIMATE
AMOUNT OF PUBLIC PERCENTAGE OF
SINGLE TRANSACTION OFFERING PRICE AMOUNT INVESTED
- ------------------------------ -------------- ---------------
<S> <C> <C>
Less than $25,000 ............. 4.00% 4.17%
$25,000 but less than $50,000 3.50 3.63
$50,000 but less than $100,000 3.25 3.36
$100,000 but less than
$250,000 ..................... 2.75 2.83
$250,000 but less than
$500,000 ..................... 2.50 2.56
$500,000 but less than
$1,000,000 ................... 1.75 1.78
$1,000,000 and over ........... 0.50 0.50
</TABLE>
Upon notice to all Selected Broker-Dealers, the Distributor may reallow up
to the full applicable sales charge as shown in the above schedule during
periods specified in such notice. During periods when substantially the
entire sales charge is reallowed, such Selected Broker-Dealers may be deemed
to be underwriters as that term is defined in the Securities Act of 1933, as
amended.
The above schedule of sales charges is applicable to purchases in a single
transaction by, among
11
<PAGE>
others: (a) an individual; (b) an individual, his or her spouse and their
children under the age of 21 purchasing shares for his or her own accounts;
(c) a trustee or other fiduciary purchasing shares for a single trust estate
or a single fiduciary account; (d) a pension, profit-sharing or other
employee benefit plan qualified or non-qualified under Section 401 of the
Internal Revenue Code; (e) tax-exempt organizations enumerated in Section
501(c)(3) or (13) of the Internal Revenue Code; (f) employee benefit plans
qualified under Section 401 of the Internal Revenue Code of a single employer
or of employers who are "affiliated persons" of each other within the meaning
of Section 2(a)(3)(c) of the Act; or (g) any other organized group of
persons, whether incorporated or not, provided the organization has been in
existence for at least six months and has some purpose other than the
purchase of redeemable securities of a registered investment company at a
discount.
Sales personnel are compensated for selling shares of the Fund at the time
of their sale by the Distributor and/or Selected Broker-Dealer. In addition,
some sales personnel of the Selected Broker- Dealer will receive various
types of non-cash compensation as special sales incentives, including trips,
educational and/or business seminars and merchandise.
Shares of the Fund are sold through the Distributor on a normal three
business day settlement basis; that is, payment generally is due on or before
the third business day (settlement date) after the order is placed with the
Distributor. Shares of the Fund purchased through the Distributor are
entitled to dividends beginning on the next business day following settlement
date. Since DWR and other Selected Broker-Dealers forward investors' funds on
settlement date, they will benefit from the temporary use of the funds where
payment is made prior thereto. Shares purchased through the Transfer Agent
are entitled to dividends beginning on the next business day following
receipt of an order. As noted above, orders placed directly with the Transfer
Agent must be accompanied by payment. Investors will be entitled to receive
capital gains distributions if their order is received by the close of
business on the day prior to the record date for such distributions. The Fund
and/or the Distributor reserve the right to reject any purchase order.
Analogous Dean Witter Funds. The Distributor and the Investment Manager
serve in the same capacities for Dean Witter National Municipal Trust, an
open-end investment company with investment objectives and policies similar
to those of the Fund. Unlike the Fund, however, shares of Dean Witter
National Municipal Trust are offered to the public at net asset value, with a
contingent deferred sales charge assessed upon redemptions within three years
of purchase, as well as an annual Rule 12b-1 distribution fee, rather than a
sales charge imposed at the time of purchase. These two Dean Witter Funds
have differing fees and expenses, which will affect performance. Investors
who would like to receive a prospectus for Dean Witter National Municipal
Trust should call the telephone numbers listed on the front cover of this
Prospectus, or may call their account executive for additional information.
REDUCED SALES CHARGES
Combined Purchase Privilege. Investors may have the benefit of reduced
sales charges in accordance with the above schedule by combining purchases of
shares of the Fund in single transactions with the purchase of shares of Dean
Witter High Yield Securities Inc. and of Dean Witter Funds which are sold
with a contingent deferred sales charge ("CDSC funds"). The sales charge
payable on the purchase of shares of the Fund and Dean Witter High Yield
Securities Inc. will be at their respective rates applicable to the total
amount of the combined concurrent purchases of the Fund, Dean Witter High
Yield Securities Inc. and CDSC funds.
Right of Accumulation. The above persons and entities may also benefit
from a reduction of the sales charges in accordance with the above schedule
if the cumulative net asset value of shares purchased in a single
transaction, together with shares previously purchased (including shares of
Dean Witter High Yield Securities Inc. and CDSC
12
<PAGE>
funds, and of certain Dean Witter funds acquired in exchange for shares of
such funds) which are held at the time of such transaction, amounts to
$25,000 or more.
The Distributor must be notified by DWR or other Selected Broker-Dealer or
the shareholder at the time a purchase order is placed that the purchase
qualifies for the reduced charge under the Right of Accumulation. Similar
notification must be made in writing by the dealer or shareholder when such
an order is placed by mail. The reduced sales charge will not be granted if:
(a) such notification is not furnished at the time of the order; or (b) a
review of the records of the Selected Broker-Dealer or the Transfer Agent
fails to confirm the investor's represented holdings.
Letter of Intent. The foregoing schedule of reduced sales charges will
also be available to investors who enter into a written Letter of Intent
providing for the purchase, within a thirteen-month period, of shares of the
Fund from DWR or another Selected Broker-Dealer. The cost of shares of the
Fund or shares of Dean Witter High Yield Securities Inc. which were
previously purchased at a price including a front-end sales charge during the
90-day period prior to the date of receipt by the Distributor of the Letter
of Intent, or of shares of other Dean Witter Funds acquired in exchange for
shares of such funds acquired during such period at a price including a
front-end sales charge, which are still owned by the shareholder, may also be
included in determining the applicable reduction.
DETERMINATION OF NET ASSET VALUE
The net asset value per share of the Fund is determined once daily at 4:00
p.m., New York time, 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), by taking the value of all assets of the Fund,
subtracting its liabilities, dividing by the number of shares outstanding and
adjusting to the nearest cent. The net asset value per share will not be
determined on Good Friday and on such other federal and non-federal holidays
as are observed by the New York Stock Exchange.
Portfolio securities (other than short-term taxable debt securities,
futures and options) are valued for the Fund by an outside independent
pricing service approved by the Fund's Trustees. The service utilizes a
computerized grid matrix of tax- exempt securities and evaluations by its
staff in determining what it believes is the fair value of the Fund's
portfolio securities. The Board believes that timely and reliable market
quotations are generally not readily available to the Fund for purposes of
valuing tax-exempt securities and that the valuations supplied by the pricing
services are more likely to approximate the fair value of such securities.
Short-term taxable debt securities with remaining maturities of 60 days or
less at time of purchase are valued at amortized cost, unless the Board
determines such does not reflect the securities' fair value, in which case
these securities will be valued at their market value as determined by the
Board of Trustees. Other taxable short-term debt securities with maturities
of more than 60 days will be valued on a mark to market basis until such time
as they reach a maturity of 60 days, whereupon they will be valued at
amortized cost using their value on the 61st day unless the Trustees
determine such does not reflect the securities' market value, in which case
these securities will be valued at their fair market value as determined by
the Board of Trus- tees. 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 closing bid and asked prices. Unlisted options on debt
securities are valued at the mean between their latest bid and asked price.
Futures are valued at the latest sale price on the commodities exchange on
which they trade unless the Board of Trustees determines that such price does
not reflect their fair value, in which case they will be valued at their fair
market value as determined by the Board of Trustees. All other
13
CAPITAL PRINTING SYSTEMS]
<PAGE>
securities and other assets are valued at their fair value as determined in
good faith under procedures established by and under the supervision of the
Board of Trustees.
SHAREHOLDER SERVICES
- -----------------------------------------------------------------------------
Automatic Investment of Dividends and Distri- butions. All income
dividends and capital gains distributions are automatically paid in full and
fractional shares of the Fund (or, if specified by the shareholder, any other
open-end investment company for which InterCapital serves as investment
manager (collectively, with the Fund, the "Dean Witter Funds")), unless the
shareholder requests that they be paid in cash. Each purchase of shares of
the Fund is made upon the condition that the Transfer Agent is thereby
automatically appointed as agent of the investor to receive all dividends and
capital gains distributions on shares owned by the investor. Such dividends
and distributions will be paid in shares of the Fund (or in cash if the
shareholder so requests) at the net asset value per share (without sales
charge) on the monthly payment date, which will be no later than the last
business day of the month for which the dividend or distribution is payable.
Processing of dividend checks begins immediately following the monthly
payment date. Shareholders who have requested to receive dividends in cash
will normally receive their monthly dividend checks during the first ten days
of the following month.
EasyInvest (Service Mark) . Shareholders may subscribe to EasyInvest, an
automatic purchase plan which pro- vides for any amount from $100 to $5,000
to be transferred automatically from a checking or savings account, on a
semi-monthly, monthly or quarterly basis, to the Transfer Agent for
investment in shares of the Fund (see "Purchase of Fund Shares" and
"Redemptions and Repurchases--Involuntary Redemption").
Systematic Withdrawal Plan. A withdrawal plan is available for
shareholders who own or purchase shares of the Fund having a minimum value of
$10,000 based upon the then current net asset value. The plan provides for
monthly or quarterly (March, June, September, December) checks in any dollar
amount, not less than $25, or in any whole percentage of the account balance,
on an annualized basis.
Withdrawal plan payments should not be considered as dividends, yields or
income. If periodic withdrawal plan payments continuously exceed net
investment income and net capital gains, the shareholder's original
investment will be correspondingly reduced and ultimately exhausted.
Each withdrawal constitutes a redemption of shares and any gain or loss
realized must be recognized for federal income tax purposes. Although the
shareholder may make additional investments of $2,500 or more under the
Systematic Withdrawal Plan, withdrawals made concurrently with purchases of
additional shares are inadvisable because of the sales charges applicable to
the purchase of additional shares.
Shareholders should contact their DWR or other Selected Broker-Dealer
account executive or the Transfer Agent for further information about any of
the above services.
Exchange Privilege. The Fund makes available to its shareholders an
"Exchange Privilege" allowing the exchange of shares of the Fund for shares
of other Dean Witter Funds sold with a front-end (at time of purchase) sales
charge ("FESC" funds), Dean Witter Funds sold with a contingent deferred
sales charge ("CDSC funds"), five Dean Witter Funds which are money market
funds and Dean Witter Short-Term U.S. Treasury Trust, Dean Witter Short-Term
Bond Fund, Dean Witter Limited Term Municipal Trust, Dean Witter Balanced
Income Fund, Dean Witter Balanced Growth Fund and Dean Witter Intermediate
Term U.S. Treasury Trust (the foregoing eleven non-CDSC or FESC funds are
hereinafter collectively referred to in this section as the "Exchange
Funds"). Exchanges may be made after the shares of the Fund acquired by
purchase
14
<PAGE>
(not by exchange or dividend reinvestment) have been held for thirty days.
There is no holding period for exchanges of shares acquired by exchange or
dividend reinvestment. However, shares of CDSC funds, including shares
acquired in exchange for shares of FESC funds, may not be exchanged for
shares of FESC funds. Thus, shareholders who exchange their Fund shares for
shares of CDSC funds may subsequently exchange those shares for shares of
other CDSC funds or money market funds but may not reacquire FESC fund shares
by exchange.
An exchange to another FESC fund, to a CDSC fund, or to any Exchange Fund
that is not a money market fund is on the basis of the next calculated net
asset value per share of each fund after the exchange order is received. When
exchanging into a money market fund from the Fund, shares of the Fund are
redeemed out of the Fund at their next calculated net asset value and the
proceeds of the redemption are used to purchase shares of the money market
fund at their net asset value determined the following business day.
Subsequent exchanges between any of the Exchange Funds, FESC funds and CDSC
funds can be effected on the same basis (except that CDSC fund shares may not
be exchanged for shares of FESC funds). Shares of a CDSC fund acquired in
exchange for shares of an FESC fund (or in exchange for shares of other Dean
Witter Funds for which shares of an FESC fund have been exchanged) are not
subject to any contingent deferred sales charge upon their redemption.
Purchases and exchanges should be made for investment purposes only. A
pattern of frequent exchanges may be deemed by the Investment Manager to be
abusive and contrary to the best interests of the Fund's other shareholders
and, at the Investment Manager's discretion, may be limited by the Fund's
refusal to accept additional purchases and/or exchanges from the investor.
Although the Fund does not have any specific definition of what constitutes a
pattern of frequent exchanges, and will consider all relevant factors in
determining whether a particular situation is abusive and contrary to the
best interests of the Fund and its other shareholders, investors shoud be
aware that the Fund and each of the other Dean Witter Funds may in their
discretion limit or otherwise restrict the number of times this Exchange
Privilege may be exercised by any investor. Any such restriction will be made
by the Fund on a prospective basis only, upon notice to the shareholder not
later than ten days following such shareholder's most recent exchange.
The Exchange Privilege may be terminated or revised at any time by the
Fund and/or any of such Dean Witter Funds for which shares of the Fund may be
exchanged, upon such notice as may be required by applicable regulatory
agencies. Shareholders maintaining margin accounts with DWR or another
Selected Broker-Dealer are referred to their account executive regarding
restrictions on exchange of shares of the Fund pledged in their margin
account.
The current prospectus for each fund describes its investment objectives
and policies, and shareholders should obtain one and read it carefully before
investing. Exchanges are subject to the minimum investment requirement and
other conditions imposed by each fund. In the case of any shareholder holding
a share certificate or certificates, no exchanges may be made until the share
certificate(s) have been received by the Transfer Agent and deposited in the
shareholder's account. An exchange will be treated for federal income tax
purposes as a redemption or repurchase of shares, on which the shareholder
may realize a capital gain or loss. However, the ability to deduct capital
losses on an exchange is limited in situations where there is an exchange of
shares within ninety days after the shares are purchased. There are also
limits on the deduction of losses after the payment of exempt- interest
dividends for shares held for less than six months (see "Dividends,
Distributions and Taxes"). The Exchange Privilege is only available in states
where an exchange may legally be made.
If DWR or another Selected Broker-Dealer is the current dealer of record
and its account numbers are part of the account information, shareholders
15
<PAGE>
may initiate an exchange of shares of the Fund for shares of any of the Dean
Witter Funds (for which the Exchange Privilege is available) pursuant to this
Exchange Privilege by contacting their DWR or other Selected Broker-Dealer
account executive (no Exchange Privilege Authorization Form is required).
Other shareholders (and those shareholders who are clients of DWR or another
Selected Broker- Dealer but who wish to make exchanges directly by writing or
telephoning the Transfer Agent) must complete and forward to the Transfer
Agent an Exchange Privilege Authorization form, copies of which may be
obtained from the Transfer Agent, to initiate an exchange. If the
Authorization Form is used, exchanges may be made by contacting the Transfer
Agent at (800) 869-NEWS (toll-free). The Fund will employ reasonable
procedures to confirm that exchange instructions communicated over the
telephone are genuine. Such procedures may include requiring various forms of
personal identification such as name, mailing address, social security or
other tax identification number and DWR or other Selected Broker-Dealer
account number (if any). Telephone instructions may also be recorded. If such
procedures are not employed, the Fund may be liable for any losses due to
unauthorized or fraudulent instructions.
Telephone exchange instructions will be accepted if received by the
Transfer Agent between 9:00 a.m. and 4:00 p.m. New York time, on any day the
New York Stock Exchange is open. Any shareholder wishing to make an exchange
who has previously filed an Exchange Privilege Authorization Form and who is
unable to reach the Fund by telephone should contact his or her DWR or other
Selected Broker-Dealer account executive, if appropriate, or make a written
exchange request (see "Redemptions and Repurchases"). Shareholders are
advised that during periods of drastic economic or market changes, it is
possible that the telephone exchange procedures may be difficult to
implement, although this has not been the case with the Dean Witter Funds in
the past.
For further information regarding the Exchange Privilege, shareholders
should contact their DWR or other Selected Broker-Dealer account executive or
the Transfer Agent.
REDEMPTIONS AND REPURCHASES
- -----------------------------------------------------------------------------
Redemption. Shares of the Fund can be redeemed for cash at any time at the
net asset value per share next determined (without any redemption or other
charge). If shares are held in a shareholder's account without a share
certificate, a written request for redemption is required. If certificates
are held by the shareholder(s), the shares may be redeemed by surrendering
the certificate(s) with a written request for redemption, along with any
additional information required by the Transfer Agent.
Repurchase. DWR and other Selected Broker- Dealers are authorized to
repurchase shares represented by a share certificate which is delivered to
any of their offices. Shares held in a shareholder's account without a share
certificate may also be repurchased by DWR and other Selected Broker- Dealers
upon the telephonic request of the shareholder. The repurchase price is the
net asset value next determined (see "Purchase of Fund Shares-- Determination
of Net Asset Value") after such repurchase order is received by DWR or other
Selected Broker-Dealer. Payment for shares repurchased may be made by the
Fund to the Distributor for the account of the shareholder. The offers by DWR
and other Selected Broker-Dealers to repurchase shares from shareholders may
be suspended by them at any time. In that event, shareholders may redeem
their shares through the Fund's Transfer Agent as set forth above under
"Redemption."
Payment for Shares Redeemed or Repurchased. Payment for shares presented
for repurchase or redemption will be made by check within seven days after
receipt by the Transfer Agent of the certificate and/or written request in
good order. Such payment may be postponed or the right of redemption
suspended at times when normal trading is not taking place on the New York
Stock Exchange. If the shares to be redeemed have recently been pur-
16
<PAGE>
chased by check, payment of the redemption proceeds may be delayed for the
minimum time needed to verify that the check used for investment has been
honored (not more than fifteen days from the time of investment of the check
by the Transfer Agent). Shareholders maintaining margin accounts with DWR or
another Selected Broker-Dealer are referred to their account executive
regarding restrictions on redemption of shares of the Fund pledged in the
margin account.
Reinstatement Privilege. A shareholder who has had his or her share
redeemed or repurchased and has not previously exercised this reinstatement
privilege may, within 30 days after the date of the redemption or repurchase,
reinstate any portion or all of the proceeds of such redemption or repurchase
in shares of the Fund at their net asset value (without a sales charge) next
determined after a reinstatement request, to gether with the proceeds, is
received by the Transfer Agent.
Involuntary Redemption. The Fund reserves the right, on sixty days notice,
to redeem at net asset value, the shares of any shareholder whose shares have
a value of less than $100 as a result of redemptions or repurchases, or such
lesser amount as may be fixed by the Board of Trustees or, in the case of an
account opened through EasyInvest, if after twelve months the shareholder has
invested less than $1,000 in the account. However, before the Fund redeems
such shares and sends the proceeds to the shareholder, it will notify the
shareholder that the value of the shares is less than the applicable amount
and allow the shareholder to make an additional investment in an amount which
will increase the value of the account to at least the applicable amount
before the redemption is processed. No charge will be imposed on any
involuntary redemption.
DIVIDENDS, DISTRIBUTIONS AND TAXES
- -----------------------------------------------------------------------------
Dividends and Distributions. The Fund declares dividends from net
investment income on each day the New York Stock Exchange is open for
business (see "Purchase of Fund Shares"). Such dividends are paid monthly.
The Fund intends to distribute all of the Fund's net investment income on an
annual basis.
The Fund will distribute at least once each year all net realized
short-term capital gains in excess of any realized net long-term capital
losses, if any. The Fund intends to distribute all of its realized net
long-term capital gains, if any, in excess of any realized net short-term
capital losses and any available net capital loss carryovers, at least once
per fiscal year, although it may elect to retain all or part of such gains
for reinvestment. Taxable capital gains may be generated by the sale of
portfolio securities and by transactions in options and futures contracts
engaged in by the Fund. All dividends and capital gains distributions will be
paid in additional Fund shares (without sales charge) and automatically
credited to the shareholder's account without issuance of a share certificate
unless the shareholder requests in writing that all dividends be paid in cash
and such request is received by the close of business on the day prior to the
record date for such distributions (see "Shareholder Services--Automatic
Investment of Dividends and Distributions"). Any dividends declared in the
last quarter of any calendar year which are paid in the following calendar
year prior to February 1 will be deemed received by the shareholder in the
prior calendar year.
Taxes. Because the Fund intends to distribute all of its net investment
income and capital gains to shareholders and intends to otherwise continue to
qualify as a regulated investment company under Subchapter M of the Internal
Revenue Code, it is not expected that the Fund will be required to pay any
federal income tax.
The Fund intends to qualify to pay "exempt- interest dividends" to its
shareholders by maintaining, as of the close of each quarter of its taxable
17
<PAGE>
year, at least 50% of the value of its total assets in tax-exempt securities.
If the Fund satisfies such requirement, distributions from net investment
income to shareholders, whether taken in cash or reinvested in additional
shares, will be excludable from gross income for federal income tax purposes
to the extent net investment income is represented by interest on tax-exempt
securities. Exempt-interest dividends are included, however, in determining
what portion, if any, of a person's Social Security benefits are subject to
federal income tax. The Internal Revenue Code may subject interest received
on certain otherwise tax-exempt securities to an alternative minimum tax.
This alternative minimum tax may be incurred due to interest received on
certain "private activity bonds" (in general, bonds that benefit
non-government entities) issued after August 7, 1986 which, although
tax-exempt, are used for purposes other than those generally performed by
government units (e.g., bonds used for commercial or housing purposes).
Income received on such bonds is classified as a "tax preference item," under
the alternative minimum tax, for both individual and corporate investors. The
Fund anticipates that a portion of its investments will be made in such
"private activity bonds," with the result that a portion of the
exempt-interest dividends paid by the Fund will be an item of tax preference
to shareholders subject to the alternative minimum tax. In addition, certain
corporations which are subject to the alternative minimum tax may also have
to include exempt-interest dividends in calculating their alternative minimum
taxable income in situations where the "adjusted current earnings" of the
corporation exceeds its alternative minimum taxable income.
Under the Revenue Reconciliation Act of 1993, all or a portion of the
Fund's gain from the sale or redemption of tax-exempt obligations purchased
at a market discount after April 30, 1993 will be treated as ordinary income
rather than capital gain. This rule may increase the amount of ordinary
income dividends received by shareholders.
Within sixty days after the end of its fiscal year, the Fund will mail to
its shareholders a statement indicating the percentage of the dividend
distributions for such fiscal year which constitutes exempt- interest
dividends and the percentage, if any, that is taxable, and the percentage, if
any, of the exempt- interest dividends which constitutes an item of tax
preference.
Shareholders will normally be subject to federal income tax on dividends
paid from interest income derived from taxable securities and on
distributions of net short-term capital gains, if any. Distributions of
long-term capital gains, if any, are taxable as long- term capital gains,
regardless of how long the shareholder has held the Fund shares and
regardless of whether the distribution is received in additional shares or in
cash. To avoid being subject to a 31% federal backup withholding tax on
taxable dividends, capital gains distributions and proceeds of redemptions or
repurchases, shareholders' taxpayer identification numbers must be furnished
and certified as to accuracy.
Any loss on the sale or exchange of shares of the Fund which are held for
six months or less is disallowed to the extent of the amount of any
exempt-interest dividend paid with respect to such shares. Treasury
Regulations may provide for a reduction in such required holding periods. If
a shareholder receives a distribution that is taxed as a long-term capital
gain on shares held for six months or less and sells those shares at a loss,
the loss will be treated as a long-term capital loss.
Interest on indebtedness incurred by shareholders to purchase or carry
shares of an investment company paying exempt-interest dividends, such as the
Fund, will not be deductible by the investor for federal income tax purposes.
The exemption of interest income for federal income tax purposes does not
necessarily result in exemption under the income or other tax laws of any
state or local taxing authority. Thus, shareholders of the Fund may be
subject to state and local taxes on exempt-interest dividends.
Shareholders should consult their tax advisers as to the applicability of
the above to their own tax situation.
18
<PAGE>
PERFORMANCE INFORMATION
- -----------------------------------------------------------------------------
From time to time the Fund may quote its "yield" and/or its "total return"
in advertisements and sales literature. Both the yield and the total return
of the Fund are based on historical earnings and are not intended to indicate
future performance. The yield of the Fund is computed by dividing the Fund's
net investment income over a 30-day period by an average value (using the
average number of shares entitled to receive dividends and the maximum
offering price per share at the end of the period), all in accordance with
applicable regulatory requirements. Such amount is compounded for six months
and then annualized for a twelve-month period to derive the Fund's yield. The
Fund may also quote tax-equivalent yield, which is calculated by determining
the pre-tax yield which, after being taxed at a stated rate, would be
equivalent to the yield determined as described above.
The "average annual total return" of the Fund refers to a figure
reflecting the average annualized percentage increase (or decrease) in the
value of an initial investment of $1,000 over periods of one, five and ten
years. Average annual total return reflects all income earned by the Fund,
any appreciation or depreciation of the Fund's assets, all expenses incurred
by the Fund and all sales charges incurred by shareholders, for the stated
periods. It also assumes reinvestment of all dividends and distributions paid
by the Fund.
In addition to the foregoing, the Fund may advertise its total return over
different periods of time by means of aggregate, average, year-by-year or
other types of total return figures. Such calculations may or may not reflect
the imposition of the front-end sales charge which, if reflected, would
reduce the performance quoted. The Fund may also advertise the growth of
hypothetical investments of $10,000, $50,000 or $100,000 in shares of the
Fund by adding 1 to the Fund's aggregate total return to date and multiplying
by $9,600, $48,375 or $97,250 ($10,000, $50,000 or $100,000 adjusted for
4.00%, 3.25% and 2.75% sales charges, respectively). The Fund from time to
time may also advertise its performance relative to certain performance
rankings and indexes compiled by independent organizations (such as mutual
fund performance rankings of Lipper Analytical Services, Inc.).
ADDITIONAL INFORMATION
- -----------------------------------------------------------------------------
Voting Rights. All shares of beneficial interest of the Fund are of $.01
par value and are equal as to earnings, assets and voting privileges.
The Fund is not required to hold Annual Meetings of Shareholders and in
ordinary circumstances the Fund does not intend to hold such meetings. The
Trustees may call Special Meetings of Shareholders for action by shareholder
vote as may be required by the Act or the Declaration of Trust. Under certain
circumstances the Trustees may be removed by action of the Trustees or by the
shareholders.
Under Massachusetts law, shareholders of a business trust may, under
certain circumstances, be held personally liable as partners for 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 Fund obligations include such disclaimer, and provides
for indemnification and reimbursement of expenses out of the Fund's property
for any share holder 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's being unable to meet its
obligations is remote and, in the opinion of Massachusetts counsel to the
Fund, the risk to Fund shareholders of personal liability is remote.
Code of Ethics. Directors, officers and employees of InterCapital, Dean
Witter Services Company Inc. and the Distributor are subject to a strict Code
of
19
<PAGE>
Ethics adopted by those companies. The Code of Ethics is intended to ensure
that the interests of shareholders and other clients are placed ahead of any
personal interest, that no undue personal benefit is obtained from a person's
employment activities and that actual and potential conflicts of interest are
avoided. To achieve these goals and comply with regulatory requirements, the
Code of Ethics requires, among other things, that personal securities
transactions by employees of the companies be subject to an advance clearance
process to monitor that no Dean Witter Fund is engaged at the same time in a
purchase or sale of the same security. The Code of Ethics bans the purchase
of securities in an initial public offering, and also prohibits engaging in
futures and options transactions and profiting on short-term trading (that
is, a purchase within 60 days of a sale or a sale within 60 days of a
purchase) of a security. In addition, investment personnel may not purchase
or sell a security for their personal account within 30 days before or after
any transaction in any Dean Witter Fund managed by them. Any violations of
the Code of Ethics are subject to sanctions, including reprimand, demotion or
suspension or termination of employment. The Code of Ethics comports with
regulatory requirements and the recommendations in the recent report by the
Investment Company Institute Advisory Group on Personal Investing.
Shareholder Inquiries. All inquiries regarding the Fund should be directed
to the Fund at the telephone numbers or address set forth on the front cover
of this Prospectus.
20
<PAGE>
THE DEAN WITTER FAMILY OF FUNDS
MONEY MARKET FUNDS
Dean Witter Liquid Asset Fund Inc.
Dean Witter Tax-Free Daily Income Trust
Dean Witter U.S. Government Money Market Trust
Dean Witter California Tax-Free Daily Income Trust
Dean Witter New York Municipal Money Market Trust
EQUITY FUNDS
Dean Witter American Value Fund
Dean Witter Natural Resource Development Securities Inc.
Dean Witter Dividend Growth Securities Inc.
Dean Witter Developing Growth Securities Trust
Dean Witter World Wide Investment Trust
Dean Witter Value-Added Market Series
Dean Witter Utilities Fund
Dean Witter Capital Growth Securities
Dean Witter European Growth Fund Inc.
Dean Witter Precious Metals and Minerals Trust
Dean Witter Pacific Growth Fund Inc.
Dean Witter Health Sciences Trust
Dean Witter Global Dividend Growth Securities
Dean Witter Global Utilities Fund
Dean Witter International SmallCap Fund
Dean Witter Mid-Cap Growth Fund
Dean Witter Balanced Growth Fund
Dean Witter Capital Appreciation Fund
Dean Witter Information Fund
FIXED-INCOME FUNDS
Dean Witter High Yield Securities Inc.
Dean Witter Tax-Exempt Securities Trust
Dean Witter U.S. Government Securities Trust
Dean Witter Federal Securities Trust
Dean Witter Convertible Securities Trust
Dean Witter California Tax-Free Income Fund
Dean Witter New York Tax-Free Income Fund
Dean Witter World Wide Income Trust
Dean Witter Intermediate Income Securities
Dean Witter Global Short-Term Income Fund Inc.
Dean Witter Multi-State Municipal Series Trust
Dean Witter Premier Income Trust
Dean Witter Short-Term U.S. Treasury Trust
Dean Witter Diversified Income Trust
Dean Witter Limited Term Municipal Trust
Dean Witter Short-Term Bond Fund
Dean Witter High Income Securities
Dean Witter National Municipal Trust
Dean Witter Balanced Income Fund
Dean Witter Hawaii Municipal Trust
Dean Witter Intermediate Term U.S.
Treasury Trust
DEAN WITTER RETIREMENT SERIES
Liquid Asset Series
U.S. Government Money Market Series
U.S. Government Securities Series
Intermediate Income Securities Series
American Value Series
Capital Growth Series
Dividend Growth Series
Strategist Series
Utilities Series
Value-Added Market Series
Global Equity Series
ASSET ALLOCATION FUNDS
Dean Witter Strategist Fund
Dean Witter Global Asset Allocation Fund
ACTIVE ASSETS ACCOUNT PROGRAM
Active Assets Money Trust
Active Assets Tax-Free Trust
Active Assets California Tax-Free Trust
Active Assets Government Securities Trust
<PAGE>
DEAN WITTER
TAX-EXEMPT SECURITIES TRUST
Two World Trade Center
New York, New York 10048
TRUSTEES
Michael Bozic
Charles A. Fiumefreddo
Edwin J. Garn
John R. Haire
Dr. Manuel H. Johnson
Paul Kolton
Michael E. Nugent
Philip J. Purcell
John L. Schroeder
OFFICERS
Charles A. Fiumefreddo
Chairman and Chief Executive Officer
Sheldon Curtis
Vice President, Secretary and
General Counsel
James F. Willison
Vice President
Thomas F. Caloia
Treasurer
CUSTODIAN
The Bank of New York
90 Washington Street
New York, New York 10286
TRANSFER AGENT AND
DIVIDEND DISBURSING AGENT
Dean Witter Trust Company
Harborside Financial Center
Plaza Two
Jersey City, New Jersey 07311
INDEPENDENT ACCOUNTANTS
Price Waterhouse LLP
1177 Avenue of the Americas
New York, New York 10036
INVESTMENT MANAGER
Dean Witter InterCapital Inc.
DEAN WITTER
TAX-EXEMPT
SECURITIES
TRUST
PROSPECTUS--FEBRUARY 27, 1996
<PAGE>
STATEMENT OF ADDITIONAL INFORMATION
FEBRUARY 27, 1996
DEAN WITTER
TAX-EXEMPT
SECURITIES
TRUST
- -----------------------------------------------------------------------------
Dean Witter Tax-Exempt Securities Trust (the "Fund") is an open-end,
diversified management investment company whose investment objective is to
provide a high level of current income exempt from federal income tax,
consistent with the preservation of capital. The Fund invests principally in
tax-exempt fixed-income securities which are rated in the three highest
categories by Moody's Investors Service, Inc. or Standard & Poor's
Corporation. (See "Investment Practices and Policies.")
A Prospectus for the Fund dated February 27, 1996, which provides the
basic information you should know before investing in the Fund, may be
obtained without charge from the Fund at its address or telephone numbers
listed below or from the Fund's Distributor, Dean Witter Distributors Inc.,
or from Dean Witter Reynolds Inc. at any of its branch offices. This
Statement of Additional Information is not a Prospectus. It contains
information in addition to and more detailed than that set forth in the
Prospectus. It is intended to provide additional information regarding the
activities and operations of the Fund, and should be read in conjunction with
the Prospectus.
Dean Witter
Tax-Exempt Securities Trust
Two World Trade Center
New York, New York 10048
(212) 392-2550 or
(800) 869-NEWS (toll-free)
<PAGE>
TABLE OF CONTENTS
- -----------------------------------------------------------------------------
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
<S> <C>
The Fund and its Management .......... 3
Trustees and Officers ................ 6
Investment Practices and Policies ... 12
Investment Restrictions .............. 17
Portfolio Transactions and Brokerage 19
Purchase of Fund Shares .............. 20
Shareholder Services ................. 22
Redemptions and Repurchases .......... 25
Dividends, Distributions and Taxes .. 26
Performance Information .............. 28
Shares of the Fund ................... 29
Custodian and Transfer Agent ......... 30
Independent Accountants .............. 30
Reports to Shareholders .............. 30
Legal Counsel ........................ 30
Experts .............................. 30
Registration Statement ............... 30
Financial Statements--December 31,
1995 ................................ 31
Report of Independent Accountants ... 45
Appendix ............................. 46
</TABLE>
2
<PAGE>
THE FUND AND ITS MANAGEMENT
- -----------------------------------------------------------------------------
THE FUND
The Fund was incorporated in the State of Maryland on December 31, 1979
under the name InterCapital Tax-Exempt Securities Inc. On March 17, 1983, the
Fund's shareholders approved a change in the Fund's name, effective March 21,
1983, to Dean Witter Tax-Exempt Securities Inc. On April 30, 1987 the Fund
reorganized as a Massachusetts business trust, with the name Dean Witter
Tax-Exempt Securities Trust.
THE INVESTMENT MANAGER
Dean Witter InterCapital Inc. (the "Investment Manager" or
"InterCapital"), whose address is Two World Trade Center, New York, New York
10048, is the Fund's Investment Manager. InterCapital is a wholly-owned
subsidiary of Dean Witter, Discover & Co. ("DWDC"), a Delaware corporation.
In an internal reorganization which took place in January, 1993, InterCapital
assumed the investment advisory, administrative and management activities
previously performed by the InterCapital Division of Dean Witter Reynolds
Inc. ("DWR"), a broker-dealer affiliate of InterCapital. (As hereinafter used
in this Statement of Additional Information, the terms "InterCapital" and
"Investment Manager" refer to DWR's InterCapital Division prior to the
internal reorganization and to Dean Witter InterCapital Inc. thereafter.) The
daily management of the Fund and research relating to the Fund's portfolio is
conducted by or under the direction of officers of the Fund and of the
Investment Manager, subject to periodic review by the Fund's Board of
Trustees. In addition, Trustees of the Fund provide guidance on economic
factors and interest rate trends. Information as to these trustees and
officers is contained under the caption "Trustees and Officers."
InterCapital is the investment manager or investment adviser of the
following investment companies: Dean Witter Liquid Asset Fund Inc.,
InterCapital Income Securities Inc., InterCapital Insured Municipal Bond
Trust, InterCapital Quality Municipal Investment Trust, InterCapital Insured
Municipal Trust, InterCapital Quality Municipal Income Trust, InterCapital
Insured Municipal Income Trust, InterCapital California Insured Municipal
Income Trust, InterCapital Quality Municipal Securities, InterCapital
California Quality Municipal Securities, InterCapital New York Quality
Municipal Securities, InterCapital Insured Municipal Securities, InterCapital
California Insured Municipal Securities, Dean Witter High Yield Securities
Inc., Dean Witter Tax-Free Daily Income Trust, Dean Witter Developing Growth
Securities Trust, Dean Witter Tax-Exempt Securities Trust, Dean Witter
Natural Resource Development Securities Inc., Dean Witter Dividend Growth
Securities Inc., Dean Witter American Value Fund, Dean Witter U.S. Government
Money Market Trust, Dean Witter Variable Investment Series, Dean Witter World
Wide Investment Trust, Dean Witter Select Municipal Reinvestment Fund, Dean
Witter U.S. Government Securities Trust, Dean Witter California Tax-Free
Income Fund, Dean Witter New York Tax-Free Income Fund, Dean Witter
Convertible Securities Trust, Dean Witter Federal Securities Trust, Dean
Witter Value-Added Market Series, High Income Advantage Trust, High Income
Advantage Trust II, High Income Advantage Trust III, Dean Witter Government
Income Trust, Dean Witter Utilities Fund, Dean Witter California Tax-Free
Daily Income Trust, Dean Witter Strategist Fund, Dean Witter World Wide
Income Trust, Dean Witter Intermediate Income Securities, Dean Witter New
York Municipal Money Market Trust, Dean Witter Capital Growth Securities,
Dean Witter European Growth Fund Inc., Dean Witter Precious Metals and
Minerals Trust, Dean Witter Global Short-Term Income Fund Inc., Dean Witter
Pacific Growth Fund Inc., Dean Witter Multi-State Municipal Series Trust,
Dean Witter Premier Income Trust, Dean Witter Short-Term U.S. Treasury Trust,
Dean Witter Health Sciences Trust, Dean Witter Retirement Series, Dean Witter
Limited Term Municipal Trust, Dean Witter Short-Term Bond Fund, Dean Witter
Global Dividend Growth Securities, Dean Witter Global Utilities Fund, Dean
Witter National Municipal Trust, Dean Witter High Income Securities, Dean
Witter International Small Cap Fund, Dean Witter Mid-Cap Growth Fund, Dean
Witter Select Dimensions Investment Series, Dean Witter Global Asset
Allocation Fund, Dean Witter Balanced Growth Fund, Dean Witter Balanced
Income Fund, Dean Witter Hawaii Municipal Trust, Dean Witter Capital
Appreciation Fund, Dean Witter Intermediate Term U.S. Treasury Trust, Dean
Witter Information Fund, Active Assets Money Trust, Active Assets Tax-Free
Trust, Active Assets California Tax-Free Trust, Active Assets Government
Securities Trust, Municipal Income Trust, Municipal Income Trust II,
Municipal Income Trust III, Municipal Income Opportunities Trust, Municipal
Income Opportunities Trust II, Municipal Income Opportunities Trust III,
Prime Income
3
<PAGE>
Trust and Municipal Premium Income Trust. The foregoing investment companies,
together with the Fund, are collectively referred to as the Dean Witter
Funds.
In addition, Dean Witter Services Company Inc. ("DWSC"), a wholly-owned
subsidiary of InterCapital, serves as manager for the following companies for
which TCW Funds Management, Inc. is the investment adviser: TCW/DW Core
Equity Trust, TCW/DW North American Government Income Trust, TCW/DW Latin
American Growth Fund, TCW/DW Income and Growth Fund, TCW/DW Small Cap Growth
Fund, TCW/DW Balanced Fund, TCW/DW Total Return Trust, TCW/DW Mid-Cap Equity
Trust, TCW/DW Emerging Market Opportunities Trust, TCW/DW Term Trust 2000,
TCW/DW Term Trust 2002 and TCW/DW Term Trust 2003 (the "TCW/DW Funds").
InterCapital also serves as (i) sub-adviser to Templeton Global Opportunities
Trust, an open-end investment company; (ii) administrator of The Black Rock
Strategic Term Trust Inc., a closed-end investment company; and (iii)
sub-administrator of MassMutual Participation Investors and Templeton Global
Governments Income Trust, closed-end investment companies.
Pursuant to an Investment Management Agreement (the "Agreement") with the
Investment Manager, the Fund has retained the Investment Manager to manage
the investment of the Fund's assets, including the placing of orders for the
purchase and sale of portfolio securities. The Investment Manager obtains and
evaluates such information and advice relating to the economy, securities
markets, and specific securities as it considers necessary or useful to
continuously manage the assets of the Fund in a manner consistent with its
investment objective and policies.
Under the terms of the Agreement, in addition to managing the Fund's
investments, the Investment Manager maintains certain of the Fund's books and
records and furnishes, at its own expense, such office space, facilities,
equipment, clerical help, bookkeeping and 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.
Effective December 31, 1993, pursuant to a Services Agreement between
InterCapital and DWSC, DWSC began to provide the administrative services to
the Fund which were previously performed directly by InterCapital. On April
17, 1995, DWSC was reorganized in the State of Delaware, necessitating the
entry into a new Services Agreement by InterCapital and DWSC on that date.
The foregoing internal reorganizations did not result in any change in the
nature or scope of the administrative services being provided to the Fund or
any of the fees being paid by the Fund for the overall services being
performed under the terms of the existing Agreement.
Expenses not expressly assumed by the Investment Manager under the
Agreement or by the Distributor of the Fund's shares, Dean Witter
Distributors Inc. ("Distributors" or the "Distributor") (see "Purchase of
Fund Shares"), will be paid by the Fund. The expenses borne by the Fund
include, but are not limited to: 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 and Statements of Additional Information of the Fund and
supplements thereto to the Fund's shareholders; all expenses of shareholders'
and Trustees' meetings and of preparing, printing and mailing of proxy
statements and reports to shareholders; fees and travel expenses of Trustees
or members of any advisory board or committee who are not employees of the
Investment Manager or any corporate affiliate of the Investment Manager; all
expenses incident to any dividend, withdrawal or redemption options; charges
and expenses of any outside service used for pricing of the Fund's shares;
fees and expenses of legal counsel, including counsel to the Trustees who are
not interested persons of the Funds or of the Investment Manager (not
including compensation or expenses of attorneys who are employees of the
Investment Manager) and independent accountants; membership dues of industry
associations; interest on Fund borrowings; postage; insurance premiums
4
<PAGE>
on property or personnel (including officers and Trustees) of the Fund which
inure to its benefit; extraordinary expenses (including, but not limited to,
legal claims and liabilities and litigation costs and any indemnification
relating thereto); and all other costs of the Fund's operation. As full
compensation for the services and facilities furnished to the Fund and
expenses of the Fund assumed by the Investment Manager, the Fund pays the
Investment Manager monthly compensation calculated daily by applying the
following annual rates to the net assets of the Fund determined as of the
close of each business day: 0.50% of the portion of the daily net assets not
exceeding $500 million; 0.425% of the portion of the daily net assets
exceeding $500 million but not exceeding $750 million; 0.375% of the portion
of the daily net assets exceeding $750 million but not exceeding $1 billion;
0.35% of the portion of the daily net assets exceeding $1 billion but not
exceeding $1.25 billion; and 0.325% of the portion of daily net assets
exceeding $1.25 billion. For the fiscal years ended December 31, 1993, 1994
and 1995, the Fund accrued to the Investment Manager total compensation of
$6,085,516, $6,003,589 and $5,608,466, respectively.
Pursuant to the Agreement, total operating expenses of the Fund are
subject to applicable limitations under rules and regulations of states where
the Fund is authorized to sell its shares. Therefore, operating expenses are
effectively subject to the most restrictive of such limitations as the same
may be amended from time to time. Presently, the most restrictive limitations
are as follows: if, in any fiscal year, the Fund's total operating expenses,
including the investment management fee but exclusive of taxes, interest,
brokerage fees and extraordinary expenses (to the extent permitted by
applicable state securities laws and regulations), exceed 2 1/2% of the first
$30,000,000 of the average daily net assets, 2% of the next $70,000,000 of
average daily net assets and 1 1/2% of any excess over $100,000,000, the
Investment Manager will reimburse the Fund for the amount of such excess.
Such amount, if any, will be calculated daily and credited on a monthly
basis. During the fiscal years ended December 31, 1993, 1994 and 1995, the
Fund's expenses did not exceed the expense limitation.
The Agreement provides that in the absence of willful misfeasance, bad
faith, gross negligence or reckless disregard of its obligations thereunder,
the Investment Manager is not liable to the Fund or any of its investors for
any act or omission by the Investment Manager or for any losses sustained by
the Fund or its investors. The Agreement in no way restricts the Investment
Manager from acting as investment manager or adviser to others.
The Agreement was initially approved by the Trustees on October 30, 1992
and by the shareholders on January 12, 1993. The Agreement is substantially
identical to a prior investment management agreement which was initially
approved by the Fund's Trustees on April 15, 1987 and subsequently by the
Fund's shareholders on April 21, 1987. The Agreement took effect on June 30,
1993, upon the spin-off by Sears, Roebuck and Co. of its remaining shares of
DWDC. The Agreement may be terminated at any time, without penalty, on thirty
days notice, by the Board of Trustees of the Fund, by the holders of a
majority, as defined in the Investment Company Act of 1940, as amended (the
"Act"), of the outstanding shares of the Fund, or by the Investment Manager.
The Agreement will automatically terminate in the event of its assignment (as
defined in the Act).
Under its terms, the Agreement had an initial term ending April 30, 1994,
and provides that it will continue in effect from year to year thereafter,
provided continuance of the Agreement is approved at least annually by the
vote of the holders of a majority (as defined in the Act) of the outstanding
shares of the Fund, or by the Board of Trustees of the Fund; provided that in
either event such continuance is approved annually by the vote of a majority
of the Independent Trustees, which vote must be cast in person at a meeting
called for the purpose of voting on such approval. At their meeting held on
April 20, 1995, the Fund's Board of Trustees, including a majority of the
Independent Trustees, approved continuation of the Agreement until April 30,
1996.
The Fund has acknowledged that the name "Dean Witter" is a property right
of DWR. The Fund has agreed that DWR or its parent company may use or, at any
time, permit others to use, the name "Dean Witter". The Fund has also agreed
that in the event the Agreement is terminated, or if the affiliation between
InterCapital and its parent company is terminated, the Fund will eliminate
the name "Dean Witter" from its name if DWR or its parent company shall so
request.
5
<PAGE>
TRUSTEES AND OFFICERS
- -----------------------------------------------------------------------------
The Trustees and Executive Officers of the Fund, their principal business
occupations during the last five years and their affiliations, if any, with
InterCapital, and with the 79 Dean Witter Funds and the 12 TCW/DW Funds, are
shown below.
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
NAME, AGE, POSITION WITH FUND AND ADDRESS PRINCIPAL OCCUPATIONS DURING LAST FIVE YEARS
- -------------------------------------------- --------------------------------------------------------
<S> <C>
Michael Bozic (54) Chairman and Chief Executive Officer of Levitz Furniture
Trustee Corporation (since November, 1995); Director or Trustee of
c/o Levitz Furniture Corporation the Dean Witter Funds; formerly President and Chief Executive
6111 Broken Sound Parkway, N.W. Officer of Hills Department Stores (May, 1991-July, 1995);
Boca Raton, Florida formerly Chairman and Chief Executive Officer (January,
1987-August, 1990) and President and Chief Operating Officer
(August, 1990-February, 1991) of the Sears Merchandise Group
of Sears, Roebuck and Co.; Director of Eaglemark Financial
Services, Inc., the United Negro College Fund, Weirton Steel
Corporation and Domain Inc. (home decor retailer).
Charles A. Fiumefreddo* (62) Chairman, Chief Executive Officer and Director of InterCapital,
Trustee, Chairman, President and Chief Distributors and DWSC; Executive Vice President and Director
Executive Officer of DWR; Chairman, Director or Trustee, President and Chief
Two World Trade Center Executive Officer of the Dean Witter Funds; Chairman, Chief
New York, New York Executive Officer and Trustee of the TCW/DW Funds; Chairman
and Director of Dean Witter Trust Company ("DWTC"); Director
and/or officer of various DWDC subsidiaries; formerly Executive
Vice President and Director of DWDC (until February, 1993).
Edwin J. Garn (63) Director or Trustee of the Dean Witter Funds; formerly United
Trustee States Senator (R-Utah) (1974-1992) and Chairman, Senate
c/o Huntsman Chemical Corporation Banking Committee (1980-1986); formerly Mayor of Salt Lake
500 Huntsman Way City, Utah (1971-1974); formerly Astronaut, Space Shuttle
Salt Lake City, Utah Discovery (April 12-19, 1985); Vice Chairman, Huntsman Chemical
Corporation (since January, 1993); Director of Franklin Quest
(time management systems) and John Alden Financial Corp.;
Member of the board of various civic and charitable
organizations.
John R. Haire (71) Chairman of the Audit Committee and Chairman of the Committee
Trustee of Independent Directors or Trus- tees and Director or Trustee
Two World Trade Center of the Dean Witter Funds; Trustee of the TCW/DW Funds; formerly
New York, New York President, Council for Aid to Education (1978-1989) and Chairman
and Chief Executive Officer of Anchor Corporation, an Investment
Adviser (1964-1978); Director of Washington National
Corporation (insurance).
</TABLE>
6
<PAGE>
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
NAME, AGE, POSITION WITH FUND AND ADDRESS PRINCIPAL OCCUPATIONS DURING LAST FIVE YEARS
- -------------------------------------------- --------------------------------------------------------
<S> <C>
Dr. Manuel H. Johnson (47) Senior Partner, Johnson Smick International, Inc., a consulting
Trustee firm; Koch Professor of International Economics and Director
c/o Johnson Smick International, Inc. of the Center for Global Market Studies at George Mason
1133 Connecticut Avenue, N.W. University (since September, 1990); Co-Chairman and a founder
Washington, D.C. of the Group of Seven Council (G7C), an international economic
commission (since September, 1990); Director or Trustee of
the Dean Witter Funds; Trustee of the TCW/DW Funds; Director
of NASDAQ (since June, 1995); Director of Greenwich Capital
Markets Inc. (broker-dealer); formerly Vice Chairman of the
Board of Governors of the Federal Reserve System (February,
1986-August, 1990) and Assistant Secretary of the U.S. Treasury
(1982-1986).
Paul Kolton (72) Director or Trustee of the Dean Witter Funds; Chairman of
Trustee the Audit Committee and Chairman of the Committee of the
c/o Gordon Altman Butowsky Independent Trustees and Trustee of the TCW/DW Funds; formerly
Weitzen Shalov & Wein Chairman of the Financial Accounting Standards Advisory Council
Counsel to the Independent Trustees and Chairman and Chief Executive Officer of the American Stock
114 West 47th Street Exchange; Director of UCC Investors Holding Inc. (Uniroyal
New York, New York Chemical Company, Inc.); director or trustee of various
not-for-profit organizations.
Michael E. Nugent (59) General Partner, Triumph Capital, L.P., a private investment
Trustee partnership (since 1988); Director or Trustee of the Dean
c/o Triumph Capital, L.P. Witter Funds; Trustee of the TCW/DW Funds; formerly Vice
237 Park Avenue President, Bankers Trust Company and BT Capital Corporation
New York, New York (1984-1988); Director of various business organizations.
Philip J. Purcell* (52) Chairman of the Board of Directors and Chief Executive Officer
Trustee of DWDC, DWR and Novus Credit Services Inc.; Director of
Two World Trade Center InterCapital, DWSC and Distributors; Director or Trustee of
New York, New York the Dean Witter Funds; Director and/or officer of various
DWDC subsidiaries.
John L. Schroeder (65) Retired; Director or Trustee of the Dean Witter Funds; Trustee
Trustee of the TCW/DW Funds; Director of Citizens Utilities Company;
c/o Gordon Altman Butowsky Formerly Executive Vice President and Chief Investment Officer
Weitzen Shalov & Wein of the Home Insurance Company (August, 1991- September, 1995);
Counsel to the Independent Trustees formerly Chairman and Chief Investment Officer of Axe-Houghton
114 W. 47th Street Management and the Axe-Houghton Funds (April, 1983-June, 1991)
New York, NY and President of USF&G Financial Services, Inc. (June,
1990-June, 1991).
</TABLE>
7
<PAGE>
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
NAME, AGE, POSITION WITH FUND AND ADDRESS PRINCIPAL OCCUPATIONS DURING LAST FIVE YEARS
- -------------------------------------------- --------------------------------------------------------
<S> <C>
Sheldon Curtis (64) Senior Vice President, Secretary and General Counsel of
Vice President, Secretary InterCapital and DWSC; Senior Vice President and Secretary
and General Counsel of DWTC; Senior Vice President, Assistant Secretary and
Two World Trade Center Assistant General Counsel of Distributors; Assistant Secretary
New York, New York of DWR; Vice President, Secretary and General Counsel of the
Dean Witter Funds and the TCW/DW Funds.
James F. Willison (52) Senior Vice President of InterCapital; Vice President of various
Vice President Dean Witter Funds.
Two World Trade Center
New York, New York
Thomas F. Caloia (49) First Vice President (since May, 1991) and Assistant Treasurer
Treasurer (since January, 1993) of InterCapital; First Vice President
Two World Trade Center and Assistant Treasurer of DWSC and Treasurer of the Dean
New York, New York Witter Funds and the TCW/DW Funds; previously Vice President
of InterCapital.
</TABLE>
* Denotes Trustees who are "interested persons" of the Fund, as defined in
the Act.
In addition, Robert M. Scanlan, President and Chief Operating Officer of
InterCapital and DWSC, Executive Vice President of Distributors and DWTC and
Director of DWTC, David A. Hughey, Executive Vice President and Chief
Administrative Officer of InterCapital, DWSC, Distributors and DWTC and
Director of DWTC, and Edmund C. Puckhaber, Executive Vice President of
InterCapital and Director of DWTC, Robert S. Giambrone, Senior Vice President
of InterCapital, DWSC, Distributors and DWTC, and Joseph J. McAlinden, Peter
M. Avelar, and Jonathan R. Page, Senior Vice Presidents of InterCapital, and
Joseph R. Arcieri, Katherine H. Stromberg and Gerard J. Lian, Vice Presidents
of InterCapital, are Vice Presidents of the Fund, and Marilyn K. Cranney and
Barry Fink, First Vice Presidents and Assistant General Counsels of
InterCapital, and DWSC, and Lou Anne D. McInnis and Ruth Rossi, Vice
Presidents and Assistant General Counsels of InterCapital and DWSC, and
Carsten Otto, a Staff Attorney with InterCapital, are Assistant Secretaries
of the Fund.
THE BOARD OF TRUSTEES, THE INDEPENDENT TRUSTEES, AND THE COMMITTEES
The Board of Trustees consists of nine (9) trustees. These same
individuals also serve as directors or trustees for all of the Dean Witter
Funds, and are referred to in this section as Trustees. As of the date of
this Statement of Additional Information, there are a total of 79 Dean Witter
Funds, comprised of 119 portfolios. As of January 31, 1996, the Dean Witter
Funds had total net assets of approximately $73.5 billion and more than five
million shareholders.
Seven Trustees (77% of the total number) have no affiliation or business
connection with InterCapital or any of its affiliated persons and do not own
any stock or other securities issued by InterCapital's parent company, DWDC.
These are the "disinterested" or "independent" Trustees. The other two
Trustees (the "management Trustees") are affiliated with InterCapital. Five
of the seven independent Trustees are also Independent Trustees of the TCW/DW
Funds.
Law and regulation establish both general guidelines and specific duties
for the Independent Trustees. The Dean Witter Funds seek as Independent
Trustees individuals of distinction and experience in business and finance,
government service or academia; these are people whose advice and counsel are
in demand by others and for whom there is often competition. To accept a
position on the Funds' Boards, such individuals may reject other attractive
assignments because the Funds make substantial demands on their time. Indeed,
by serving on the Funds' Boards, certain Trustees who would otherwise be
qualified and in demand to serve on bank boards would be prohibited by law
from doing so.
8
<PAGE>
All of the Independent Trustees serve as members of the Audit Committee
and the Committee of the Independent Trustees. Three of them also serve as
members of the Derivatives Committee. During the calendar year ended December
31, 1995, the three Committees held a combined total of fifteen meetings. The
Committees hold some meetings at InterCapital's offices and some outside
InterCapital. Management Trustees or officers do not attend these meetings
unless they are invited for purposes of furnishing information or making a
report.
The Committee of the Independent Trustees is charged with recommending to
the full Board approval of management, advisory and administration contracts,
Rule 12b-1 plans and distribution and underwriting agreements; continually
reviewing Fund performance; checking on the pricing of portfolio securities,
brokerage commissions, transfer agent costs and performance, and trading
among Funds in the same complex; and approving fidelity bond and related
insurance coverage and allocations, as well as other matters that arise from
time to time. The Independent Trustees are required to select and nominate
individuals to fill any Independent Trustee vacancy on the Board of any Fund
that has a Rule 12b-1 plan of distribution. Most of the Dean Witter Funds
have such a plan.
The Audit Committee is charged with recommending to the full Board the
engagement or discharge of the Fund's independent accountants; directing
investigations into matters within the scope of the independent accountants'
duties, including the power to retain outside specialists; reviewing with the
independent accountants the audit plan and results of the auditing
engagement; approving professional services provided by the independent
accountants and other accounting firms prior to the performance of such
services; reviewing the independence of the independent accountants;
considering the range of audit and non-audit fees; reviewing the adequacy of
the Fund's system of internal controls; and preparing and submitting
Committee meeting minutes to the full Board.
Finally, the Board of each Fund has formed a Derivatives Committee to
establish parameters for and oversee the activities of the Fund with respect
to derivative investments, if any, made by the Fund.
DUTIES OF CHAIRMAN OF COMMITTEES
The Chairman of the Committees maintains an office at the Funds'
headquarters in New York. He is responsible for keeping abreast of regulatory
and industry developments and the Funds' operations and management. He
screens and/or prepares written materials and identifies critical issues for
the Independent Trustees to consider, develops agendas for Committee
meetings, determines the type and amount of information that the Committees
will need to form a judgment on various issues, and arranges to have that
information furnished to Committee members. He also arranges for the services
of independent experts and consults with them in advance of meetings to help
refine reports and to focus on critical issues. Members of the Committees
believe that the person who serves as Chairman of all three Committees and
guides their efforts is pivotal to the effective functioning of the
Committees.
The Chairman of the Committees also maintains continuous contact with the
Funds' management, with independent counsel to the Independent Trustees and
with the Funds' independent auditors. He arranges for a series of special
meetings involving the annual review of investment advisory, management and
other operating contracts of the Funds and, on behalf of the Committees,
conducts negotiations with the Investment Manager and other service
providers. In effect, the Chairman of the Committees serves as a combination
of chief executive and support staff of the Independent Trustees.
The Chairman of the Committees is not employed by any other organization
and devotes his time primarily to the services he performs as Committee
Chairman and Independent Trustee of the Dean Witter Funds and as an
Independent Trustee of the TCW/DW Funds. The current Committee Chairman has
had more than 35 years experience as a senior executive in the investment
company industry.
ADVANTAGES OF HAVING SAME INDIVIDUALS AS INDEPENDENT TRUSTEES FOR ALL DEAN
WITTER FUNDS
The Independent Trustees and the Funds' management believe that having the
same Independent Trustees for each of the Dean Witter Funds avoids the
duplication of effort that would arise from having different groups of
individuals serving as Independent Trustees for each of the Funds or even of
9
<PAGE>
sub-groups of Funds. They believe that having the same individuals serve as
Independent Trustees of all the Funds tends to increase their knowledge and
expertise regarding matters which affect the Fund complex generally and
enhances their ability to negotiate on behalf of each Fund with the Fund's
service providers. This arrangement also precludes the possibility of
separate groups of Independent Trustees arriving at conflicting decisions
regarding operations and management of the Funds and avoids the cost and
confusion that would likely ensue. Finally, having the same Independent
Trustees serve on all Fund Boards enhances the ability of each Fund to
obtain, at modest cost to each separate Fund, the services of Independent
Trustees, and a Chairman of their Committees, of the caliber, experience and
business acumen of the individuals who serve as Independent Trustees of the
Dean Witter Funds.
COMPENSATION OF INDEPENDENT TRUSTEES
The Fund pays each Independent Trustee an annual fee of $1,000 ($1,200
prior to September 30, 1995) plus a per meeting fee of $50 for meetings of
the Board of Trustees or committees of the Board of Trustees attended by the
Trustee (the Fund pays the Chairman of the Audit Committee an annual fee of
$750 and pays the Chairman of the Committee of the Independent Trustees an
additional annual fee of $2,400, in each case inclusive of the Committee
meeting fees). 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.
The Fund has adopted a retirement program under which an Independent
Trustee who retires after serving for at least five years (or such lesser
period as may be determined by the Board) as an Independent Director or
Trustee of any Dean Witter Fund that has adopted the retirement program (each
such Fund referred to as an "Adopting Fund" and each such Trustee referred to
as an "Eligible Trustee") is entitled to retirement payments upon reaching
the eligible retirement age (normally, after attaining age 72). Annual
payments are based upon length of service. Currently, upon retirement, each
Eligible Trustee is entitled to receive from the Fund, commencing as of his
or her retirement date and continuing for the remainder of his or her life,
an annual retirement benefit (the "Regular Benefit") equal to 25.0% of his or
her Eligible Compensation plus 0.4166666% of such Eligible Compensation for
each full month of service as an Independent Director or Trustee of any
Adopting Fund in excess of five years up to a maximum of 50.0% after ten
years of service. The foregoing percentages may be changed by the Board.(1)
"Eligible Compensation" is one-fifth of the total compensation earned by such
Eligible Trustee for service to the Fund in the five year period prior to the
date of the Eligible Trustee's retirement. Benefits under the retirement
program are not secured or funded by the Fund. As of the date of this
Statement of Additional Information, 57 Dean Witter Funds have adopted the
retirement program.
10
<PAGE>
The following table illustrates the compensation paid and the retirement
benefits accrued to the Fund's Independent Trustees by the Fund for the
fiscal year ended December 31, 1995 and the estimated retirement benefits for
the Fund's Independent Trustees as of December 31, 1995.
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
FUND COMPENSATION ESTIMATED RETIREMENT BENEFITS
-------------------------------- ----------------------------------------------------------------
ESTIMATED
RETIREMENT CREDIT YEARS OF ESTIMATED ESTIMATED
AGGREGATE BENEFITS SERVICE AT PERCENTAGE OF ESTIMATED ANNUAL
NAME OF INDEPENDENT COMPENSATION ACCRUED AS FUND RETIREMENT ELIGIBLE ELIGIBLE BENEFITS UPON
TRUSTEE FROM THE FUND EXPENSES (MAXIMUM 10) COMPENSATION COMPENSATION(2) RETIREMENT(3)
- ----------------------- --------------- --------------- --------------- --------------- --------------- -------------
<S> <C> <C> <C> <C> <C> <C>
Michael Bozic ......... $1,800 $ 454 10 57.5% $1,950 $1,121
Edwin J. Garn ......... 1,950 698 10 57.5% 1,950 1,121
John R. Haire ......... 4,550(4) 3,610 10 57.5% 5,110 2,938
Dr. Manuel H. Johnson . 1,950 281 10 57.5% 1,950 1,121
Paul Kolton ........... 1,950 1,604 10 57.0% 2,435 1,388
Michael E. Nugent ..... 1,800 498 10 57.5% 1,950 1,121
John L. Schroeder ..... 1,950 893 8 47.9% 1,950 934
</TABLE>
(1) An Eligible Trustee may elect alternate payments of his or her
retirement benefits based upon the combined life expectancy of such Eligible
Trustee and his or her spouse on the date of such Eligible Trustee's
retirement. The amount estimated to be payable under this method, through the
remainder of the later of the lives of such Eligible Trustee and spouse, will
be the actuarial equivalent of the Regular Benefit. In addition, the Eligible
Trustee may elect that the surviving spouse's periodic payment of benefits
will be equal to either 50% or 100% of the previous periodic amount, an
election that, respectively, increases or decreases the previous periodic
amount so that the resulting payments will be the actuarial equivalent of the
Regular Benefit.
(2) Based on current levels of compensation.
(3) Based on current levels of compensation. Amount of annual benefits
also varies depending on the Trustee's elections described in Footnote (1)
above.
(4) Of Mr. Haire's compensation from the Fund, $3,150 is paid to him as
Chairman of the Committee of the Independent Trustees ($2,400) and as
Chairman of the Audit Committee ($750).
The following table illustrates the compensation paid to the Fund's
Independent Trustees for the calendar year ended December 31, 1995 for
services to the 79 Dean Witter Funds and, in the case of Messrs. Haire,
Johnson, Kolton and Nugent, the 11 TCW/DW Funds that were in operation at
December 31, 1995. With respect to Messrs. Haire, Johnson, Kolton and Nugent,
the TCW/DW Funds are included solely because of a limited exchange privilege
between those Funds and five Dean Witter Money Market Funds. Mr. Schroeder
was elected as a Trustee of the TCW/DW Funds on April 20, 1995.
CASH COMPENSATION FROM DEAN WITTER FUNDS AND TCW/DW FUNDS
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
FOR SERVICE AS
FOR SERVICE AS CHAIRMAN OF TOTAL CASH
DIRECTOR OR FOR SERVICE AS COMMITTEES OF COMPENSATION
TRUSTEE AND TRUSTEE AND INDEPENDENT FOR SERVICES TO
COMMITTEE MEMBER COMMITTEE MEMBER DIRECTORS/ 79 DEAN WITTER
NAME OF INDEPENDENT OF 79 DEAN WITTER OF 11 TCW/DW TRUSTEES AND FUNDS AND 11
TRUSTEE FUNDS FUNDS AUDIT COMMITTEES TCW/DW FUNDS
- -------------------------- ----------------- ---------------- ---------------- ---------------
<S> <C> <C> <C> <C>
Michael Bozic ............. $126,050 -- -- $126,050
Edwin J. Garn ............. 136,450 -- -- 136,450
John R. Haire ............. 98,450 $82,038 $217,350(5) 397,838
Dr. Manuel H. Johnson .... 136,450 82,038 -- 218,488
Paul Kolton ............... 136,450 54,788 36,900(6) 228,138
Michael E. Nugent ......... 124,200 75,038 -- 199,238
John L. Schroeder ......... 136,450 46,964 -- 183,414
</TABLE>
(5) For the 79 Dean Witter Funds in operation at December 31, 1995.
(6) For the 11 TCW/DW Funds in operation at December 31, 1995.
As of the date of this Statement of Additional Information, the aggregate
number of shares of beneficial interest of the Fund owned by the Fund's
officers and Trustees as a group was less than 1 percent of the Fund's shares
of beneficial interest outstanding.
11
<PAGE>
INVESTMENT PRACTICES AND POLICIES
- -----------------------------------------------------------------------------
PORTFOLIO SECURITIES
The payment of principal and interest by issuers of certain Municipal
Bonds and Notes ("Municipal Obligations") purchased by the Fund may be
guaranteed by letters of credit or other credit facilities offered by banks
or other financial institutions. Such guarantees will be considered in
determining whether a Municipal Obligation meets the Fund's investment
quality requirements. In addition, some issues may contain provisions which
permit the Fund to demand from the issuer repayment of principal at some
specified period(s) prior to maturity.
Municipal Bonds. Municipal Bonds, as referred to in the Prospectus, are
debt obligations of a state, its cities, municipalities and municipal
agencies (all of which are generally referred to as "municipalities") which
generally have a maturity at the time of issuance of one year or more, and
the interest from which is, in the opinion of bond counsel, exempt from
federal income tax. They are issued to raise funds for various public
purposes, such as construction of a wide range of public facilities, to
refund outstanding obligations and to obtain funds for general operating
expenses or to loan to other public institutions and facilities. In addition,
certain types of industrial development bonds and pollution control bonds are
issued by or on behalf of public authorities to provide funding for various
privately operated facilities.
Municipal Notes. Municipal Notes are short-term obligations of
municipalities, generally with a maturity at the time of issuance ranging
from six months to three years, the interest from which is, in the opinion of
bond counsel, exempt from federal income tax. The principal types of
Municipal Notes include tax anticipation notes, bond anticipation notes,
revenue anticipation notes and project notes, although there are other types
of Municipal Notes in which the Fund may invest. Notes sold in anticipation
of collection of taxes, a bond sale or receipt of other revenues are usually
general obligations of the issuing municipality or agency. Project Notes are
issued by local agencies and are guaranteed by the United States Department
of Housing and Urban Development. Such notes are secured by the full faith
and credit of the United States Government. Project Notes are not currently
being issued.
Municipal Commercial Paper. Municipal Commercial Paper refers to
short-term obligations of municipalities the interest from which is, in the
opinion of bond counsel, exempt from federal income tax, and which may be
issued at a discount and is sometimes referred to as Short-Term Discount
Notes. Municipal Commercial Paper is likely to be used to meet seasonal
working capital needs of a municipality or interim construction financing and
to be paid from general revenues of the municipality or refinanced with
long-term debt. In most cases, Municipal Commercial Paper is backed by
letters of credit, lending agreements, note repurchase agreements or other
credit facility agreements offered by banks or other institutions.
Obligations of issuers of Municipal Bonds, Municipal Notes and Municipal
Commercial Paper are subject to provisions of bankruptcy, insolvency and
other laws affecting the rights and remedies of creditors, such as the
Federal Bankruptcy Act, and laws, if any, which may be enacted by Congress or
any state extending the time for payment of principal or interest, or both,
or imposing other constraints upon enforcement of such obligations or upon
municipalities to levy taxes. There is also the possibility that, as a result
of litigation or other conditions, the power or ability of any one or more
issuers to pay, when due, principal of and interest on its, or their,
Municipal Bonds, Municipal Notes and Municipal Commercial Paper may be
materially affected.
Special Investment Considerations. The percentage and rating policies in
the Prospectus apply at the time of acquisition of a security based upon the
last previous determination of the Fund's net asset value; any subsequent
change in any ratings by a rating service or change in percentages resulting
from market fluctuations or other changes in the amount of total assets will
not require elimination of any security from the Fund's portfolio until such
time as the Investment Manager determines that it is practicable to sell the
security without undue market or tax consequences to the Fund. Therefore, the
Fund may hold securities which have been downgraded to ratings of Ba or BB or
lower by Moody's or S&P. Such securities are considered to be speculative
investments.
12
APITAL PRINTING SYSTEMS]
<PAGE>
Furthermore, the Fund does not have any minimum quality rating standard
for its downgraded or lower-rated investments. As such, the Fund may invest
in securities rated as low as Caa, Ca or C by Moody's or CCC, CC, C or CI by
S&P. Bonds rated Caa or Ca by Moody's may already be in default on payment of
interest or principal, while bonds rated C by Moody's, their lowest bond
rating, can be regarded as having extremely poor prospects of ever attaining
any real investment standing. Bonds rated CI by S&P, their lowest bond
rating, are no longer making interest payments.
Because of the special nature of securities which are rated below
investment grade by national credit rating agencies ("lower-rated
securities"), the Investment Manager must take account of certain special
considerations in assessing the risks associated with such investments. For
example, as the lower rated securities market is relatively new, its growth
has paralleled a long economic expansion and it has not weathered a recession
in its present size and form. Therefore, an economic downturn or increase in
interest rates is likely to have a negative effect on this market and on the
value of the lower rated securities held by the Fund, as well as on the
ability of the securities' issuers to repay principal and interest on their
borrowings.
The prices of lower rated securities have been found to be less sensitive
to changes in prevailing interest rates than higher rated investments, but
are likely to be more sensitive to adverse economic changes or individual
corporate developments. During an economic downturn or substantial period of
rising interest rates, highly leveraged issuers may experience financial
stress which would adversely affect their ability to service their principal
and interest payment obligations, to meet their projected business goals or
to obtain additional financing. If the issuer of a fixed-income security
owned by the Fund defaults, the Fund may incur additional expenses to seek
recovery. In addition, periods of economic uncertainty and change can be
expected to result in an increased volatility of market prices of lower rated
securities and a concomitant volatility in the net asset value of a share of
the Fund. Moreover, the market prices of certain of the Fund's portfolio
securities which are structured as zero coupon securities are affected to a
greater extent by interest rate changes and thereby tend to be more volatile
than securities which pay interest periodically and in cash (see "Dividends,
Distributions and Taxes" for a discussion of the tax ramifications of
investments in such securities).
The secondary market for lower rated securities may be less liquid than
the markets for higher quality securities and, as such, may have an adverse
effect on the market prices of certain securities. The limited liquidity of
the market may also adversely affect the ability of the Fund's Trustees to
arrive at a fair value for certain lower rated securities at certain times
and should make it difficult for the Fund to sell certain securities. In
addition, new laws and potential new laws may have an adverse effect upon the
value of lower rated securities and a concomitant negative impact upon the
net asset value of a share of the Fund.
PORTFOLIO CHARACTERISTICS
Variable Rate Obligations. As stated in the Prospectus, the Fund may
invest in obligations of the type called "variable rate obligations".
The interest rate payable on a variable rate obligation is adjusted either
at predesignated periodic intervals or whenever there is a change in the
market rate of interest on which the interest rate payable is based. Other
features may include the right whereby the Fund may demand prepayment of the
principal amount of the obligation prior to its stated maturity (a "demand
feature") and the right of the issuer to prepay the principal amount prior to
maturity. The principal benefit of a variable rate obligation is that the
interest rate adjustment minimizes changes in the market value of the
obligation. The principal benefit to the Fund of purchasing obligations with
a demand feature is that liquidity, and the ability of the Fund to obtain
repayment of the full principal amount of the obligation prior to maturity,
is enhanced.
When-Issued and Delayed Delivery Securities. As stated in the Prospectus,
the Fund may purchase tax-exempt securities on a when-issued or delayed
delivery basis. When such transactions are negotiated, the price is fixed at
the time of the commitment, but delivery and payment can take place a month
or more after the date of the commitment. While the Fund will only purchase
securities on a when-issued or delayed delivery 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
13
<PAGE>
subject to market fluctuation and no interest accrues to the purchaser during
this period. At the time the Fund makes the commitment to purchase a
Municipal Obligation on a when-issued or delayed delivery basis, it will
record the transaction and thereafter reflect the value, each day, of the
Municipal Obligation in determining its net asset value. The Fund will also
establish a segregated account with its custodian bank in which it will
maintain cash, cash equivalents or other high quality Municipal Obligations
equal in value to commitments for such when-issued or delayed delivery
securities. The Fund does not believe that its net asset value or income will
be adversely affected by its purchase of Municipal Obligations on a
when-issued or delayed delivery basis. The Fund may sell securities on a
when-issued or delayed delivery basis provided that the Fund owns the
security at the time of the sale.
Repurchase Agreements. When cash may be available for only a few days, it
may be invested by the Fund in repurchase agreements until such time as it
may otherwise be invested or used for payments of obligations of the Fund.
These agreements, which may be viewed as a type of secured lending by the
Fund, typically involve the acquisition by the Fund of debt securities from a
selling financial institution such as a bank, savings and loan association or
broker-dealer. The agreement provides that the Fund will sell back to the
institution, and that the institution will repurchase, the underlying
security ("collateral"), which is held by the Fund's Custodian, at a
specified price and at a fixed time in the future, usually not more than
seven days from the date of purchase. The Fund will receive interest from the
institution until the time when the repurchase is to occur. Although such
date is deemed by the Fund to be the maturity date of a repurchase agreement,
the maturities of securities subject to repurchase agreements are not subject
to any limits and may exceed one year. 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. In addition, the value of
the collateral underlying the repurchase agreement will always be a 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 10% of its total assets. The Fund's
investments in repurchase agreements may at times be substantial when, in the
view of the Investment Manager, liquidity or other considerations warrant.
However, the Fund did not enter into any repurchase agreements during its
fiscal year ended December 31, 1995 and it has no intention of entering into
any such agreements in the foreseeable future.
FUTURES CONTRACTS AND OPTIONS ON FUTURES
As discussed in the Prospectus, the Fund may invest in financial futures
contracts ("futures contracts") and related options thereon. These futures
contracts and related options thereon will be used only as a hedge against
anticipated interest rate changes. A futures contract sale creates an
obligation by the Fund, as seller, to deliver the specific type of instrument
called for in the contract at a specified future time for a specified price.
A futures contract purchase would create an obligation by the Fund, as
purchaser, to take delivery of the specific type of financial instrument at a
specified future time at a specified price. The specific securities delivered
or taken, respectively, at settlement date, would not be determined until on
or near that date. The determination would be in accordance with the rules of
the exchange on which the futures contract sale or purchase was effected.
Although the terms of futures contracts specify actual delivery or receipt
of securities, in most instances the contracts are closed out before the
settlement date without the making or taking of delivery of the securities.
Closing out of a futures contract is usually effected by entering into an
offsetting transaction. An offsetting transaction for a futures contract sale
is effected by the Fund entering into a futures contract purchase for the
same aggregate amount of the specific type of financial instrument at the
same delivery date. If the price in the sale exceeds the price in the
offsetting purchase, the Fund is
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immediately paid the difference and thus realizes a gain. If the offsetting
purchase price exceeds the sale price, the Fund pays the difference and
realizes a loss. Similarly, the closing out of a futures contract purchase is
effected by the Fund entering into a futures contract sale. If the offsetting
sale price exceeds the purchase price the Fund realizes a gain, and if the
offsetting sale price is less than the purchase price the Fund realizes a
loss.
Unlike a futures contract, which requires the parties to buy and sell a
security on a set date, an option on a futures contract entitles its holder
to decide on or before a future date whether to enter into such a contract (a
long position in the case of a call option and a short position in the case
of a put option). If the holder decides not to enter into the contract, the
premium paid for the contract is lost. Since the value of the option is fixed
at the point of sale, there are no daily payments of cash to reflect the
change in the value of the underlying contract, as discussed below for
futures contracts. The value of the option changes is reflected in the net
asset value of the Fund.
The Fund is required to maintain margin deposits with brokerage firms
through which it effects futures contracts and options thereon. The initial
margin requirements vary according to the type of the underlying security. In
addition, due to current industry practice, daily variations in gains and
losses on open contracts are required to be reflected in cash in the form of
variation margin payments. The Fund may be required to make additional margin
payments during the term of the contract.
Currently, futures contracts can be purchased on debt securities such as
U.S. Treasury Bills and Bonds, U.S. Treasury Notes with maturities between 6
1/2 and 10 years, Certificates of the Government National Mortgage
Association, Bank Certificates of Deposit and on a municipal bond index (see
below). The Fund may invest in interest rate futures contracts covering these
types of financial instruments as well as in new types of contracts that
become available in the future.
Financial futures contracts are traded in an auction environment on the
floors of several Exchanges--principally, the Chicago Board of Trade, the
Chicago Mercantile Exchange and the New York Futures Exchange. Each Exchange
guarantees performance under contract provisions through a clearing
corporation, a nonprofit organization managed by the Exchange membership
which is also responsible for handling daily accounting of deposits or
withdrawals of margin.
A risk in employing futures contracts to protect against the price
volatility of portfolio securities is that the prices of securities subject
to futures contracts may correlate imperfectly with the behavior of the cash
prices of the Fund's portfolio securities. The correlation may be distorted
by the fact that the futures market is dominated by short-term traders
seeking to profit from the difference between a contract or security price
objective and their cost of borrowed funds. This would reduce the value of
futures contracts for hedging purposes over a short time period. The
correlation may be further distorted since the futures contracts that are
being used to hedge are not based on municipal obligations.
Another risk is that the Fund's Investment Manager could be incorrect in
its expectations as to the direction or extent of various interest rate
movements or the time span within which the movements take place. For
example, if the Fund sold futures contracts for the sale of securities in
anticipation of an increase in interest rates, and then interest rates went
down instead, causing bond prices to rise, the Fund would lose money on the
sale.
Put and call options on financial futures have characteristics similar to
Exchange traded options. For a further description of options, see below and
the Prospectus.
In addition to the risks associated in investing in options on securities,
there are particular risks associated with investing in options on futures.
In particular, the ability to establish and close out positions on such
options will be subject to the development and maintenance of a liquid
secondary market. It is not certain that such a market will develop.
The Fund may not enter into futures contracts or related options theron
if, immediately thereafter, the amount committed to margin plus the amount
paid for option premiums exceeds 5% of the value of the Fund's total assets.
In instances involving the purchase of futures contracts by the Fund, an
amount equal to the market value of the futures contract will be deposited in
a segregated account of cash and
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<PAGE>
cash equivalents to collateralize the position and thereby ensure that the
use of such futures is unleveraged. The Fund may not purchase or sell futures
contracts or related options if, immediately thereafter, more than one-third
of its net assets would be hedged.
Municipal Bond Index Futures--The Fund may utilize municipal bond index
futures contracts and options thereon for hedging purposes. The Fund's
strategies in employing such contracts will be similar to that discussed
above with respect to financial futures and options thereon. A municipal bond
index is a method of reflecting in a single number the market value of many
different municipal bonds and is designed to be representative of the
municipal bond market generally. The index fluctuates in response to changes
in the market values of the bonds included within the index. Unlike futures
contracts on particular financial instruments, futures contracts on a
municipal bond index will be settled in cash if held until the close of
trading in the contract. However, as in any other futures contract, a
position in the contract may be closed out by purchase or sale of an
offsetting contract for the same delivery month prior to expiration of the
contract.
Options--The Fund may purchase or sell (write) options on debt securities
as a means of achieving additional return or hedging the value of the Fund's
portfolio. The Fund will only buy options listed on national securities
exchanges. The Fund will not purchase options if, as a result, the aggregate
cost of all outstanding options exceeds 10% of the Fund's total assets.
Presently there are no options on tax-exempt securities traded on national
securities exchanges and until such time as they become available, the Fund
will not invest in options on debt securities.
A call option is a contract that gives the holder of the option the right
to buy from the writer of the call option, in return for a premium, the
security underlying the option at a specified exercise price at any time
during the term of the option. The writer of the call option has the
obligation, upon exercise of the option, to deliver the underlying security
upon payment of the exercise price during the option period. A put option is
a contract that gives the holder of the option the right to sell to the
writer, in return for a premium, the underlying security at a specified price
during the term of the option. The writer of the put has the obligation to
buy the underlying security upon exercise, at the exercise price during the
option period.
The Fund will only write covered call or covered put options listed on
national exchanges. The Fund may not write covered options in an amount
exceeding 20% of the value of its total assets. A call option is "covered" if
the Fund owns the underlying security covered by the call or has an absolute
and immediate right to acquire that security or futures contract without
additional cash consideration (or for additional cash consideration held in a
segregated account by its custodian) 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 or futures contract 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 high grade short-term obligations in a segregated
account with its custodian. A put option is "covered" if the Fund maintains
cash, Treasury bills or other high grade short-term obligations with a value
equal to the exercise price in a segregated account with its custodian, or
else holds a put on the same security or futures contract as the put written
where the exercise price of the put held is equal to or greater than the
exercise price of the put written.
If the Fund has written an option, it may terminate its obligation by
effecting a closing purchase transaction. This 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. Similarly, if the Fund is the holder
of an option, it may liquidate its position by effecting a closing sale
transaction. This is accomplished by selling an option of the same series as
the option previously purchased. There can be no assurance that either a
closing purchase or sale transaction can be effected when the Fund so
desires.
The Fund will realize a profit from a closing transaction if the price of
the transaction is less than the premium received from writing the option or
is more than the premium paid to purchase the option; the
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<PAGE>
Fund will realize a loss from a closing transaction if the price of the
transaction is more than the premium received from writing the option or is
less than the premium paid to purchase the option. Since call option prices
generally reflect increases in the price of the underlying security, any loss
resulting from the purchase of a call option may also be wholly or partially
offset by unrealized appreciation of the underlying security. If a put option
written by the Fund is exercised, the Fund may incur a loss equal to the
difference between the exercise price of the option and the sum of the sale
price of the underlying security plus the premiums received from the sale of
the option. Other principal factors affecting the market value of a put or a
call option include supply and demand, interest rates, the current market
price and price volatility of the underlying security and the time remaining
until the expiration date.
An option position may be closed out only on an exchange which provides a
secondary market for an option of the same series. Although the Fund will
generally purchase or write only those options for which there appears to be
an active secondary market, there is no assurance that a liquid secondary
market on an exchange will exist for any particular option. In such event, it
might not be possible to effect closing transactions in particular options,
so that the Fund would have to exercise its options in order to realize any
profit and would incur brokerage commissions upon the exercise of call
options and upon the subsequent disposition of underlying securities for the
exercise of put options. If the Fund as a covered call option writer is
unable to effect a closing purchase transaction in a secondary market, it
will not be able to sell the underlying security until the option expires or
it delivers the underlying security upon exercise.
PORTFOLIO MANAGEMENT
The Fund may engage in short-term trading consistent with its investment
objective. Securities may be sold in anticipation of a market decline (a rise
in interest rates) or purchased in anticipation of a market rise (a decline
in interest rates). In addition, a security may be sold and another security
of comparable equality purchased at approximately the same time to take
advantage of what the Investment Manager believes to be a temporary disparity
in the normal yield relationship between the two securities. These yield
disparities may occur for reasons not directly related to the investment
quality of particular issues or the general movement of interest rates, such
as changes in the overall demand for, or supply of, various types of
tax-exempt securities.
In general, purchases and sales may also be made to restructure the
portfolio in terms of average maturity, quality, coupon yield, or
diversification for any one or more of the following purposes: (a) to
increase income, (b) to improve portfolio quality, (c) to minimize capital
depreciation, (d) to realize gains or losses, or for such other reasons as
the Investment Manager deems relevant in light of economic and market
conditions.
The Fund may invest in obligations customarily sold to institutional
investors in private transactions with the issuers thereof and up to 5% of
its total assets in securities for which a bona fide market does not exist at
the time of purchase. With respect to any securities as to which a bona fide
market does not exist, the Fund may be unable to dispose of such securities
promptly at reasonable prices.
The Fund does not generally intend to invest more than 25% of its total
assets in securities of any one governmental unit or in the securities of
governmental units located in any one state, territory or possession of the
United States. Subject to investment restriction number 3 disclosed in the
Prospectus under the Section "Investment Restrictions," the Fund may invest
more than 25% of its total assets in industrial development and pollution
control bonds (two kinds of tax-exempt Municipal Bonds).
INVESTMENT RESTRICTIONS
- -----------------------------------------------------------------------------
In addition to the investment restrictions enumerated in the Prospectus,
the investment restrictions listed below have been adopted by the Fund as
fundamental policies, which may not be changed without the vote of a majority
of the outstanding voting securities of the Fund, as defined in the Act. Such
a majority is defined as the lesser of (a) 67% of the shares present at a
meeting of shareholders, if the holders of more than 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: (a) an "issuer" of a security is the entity whose assets and
revenues are committed to the payment of
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<PAGE>
interest and principal on that particular security, provided that the
guarantee of a security will be considered a separate security, and provided
further that a guarantee of a security shall not be deemed to be a security
issued by the guarantor if the value of all securities issued or guaranteed
by the guarantor and owned by the Fund does not exceed 10% of the value of
the total assets of the Fund; (b) a "taxable security" is any security the
interest on which is subject to federal income tax; and (c) all percentage
limitations apply immediately after a purchase or initial investment, and any
subsequent change in any applicable percentage resulting from market
fluctuations or other changes in the amount of total or net assets does not
require elimination of any security from the portfolio.
The Fund may not:
1. Invest in common stock.
2. Invest in securities of any issuer if, to the knowledge of the
Fund, any officer or trustee/director of the Fund or of the Investment
Manager owns more than 1/2 of 1% of the outstanding securities of such
issuer, and such officers and trustees/directors who own more than 1/2 of
1% own in the aggregate more than 5% of the outstanding securities of such
issuer.
3. Purchase or sell real estate or interests therein, although it may
purchase securities secured by real estate or interests therein.
4. Purchase or sell commodities except that the Fund may purchase or
sell financial futures contracts and related options thereon.
5. Purchase oil, gas or other mineral leases, rights or royalty
contracts, or exploration or development programs.
6. Write, purchase or sell puts, calls, or combinations thereof,
except for options on futures contracts or options on debt securities.
7. Purchase securities of other investment companies, except in
connection with a merger, consolidation, reorganization or acquisition of
assets.
8. 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 the value of its total assets (not
including the amount borrowed).
9. Pledge its assets or assign or otherwise encumber them except to
secure borrowing effected within the limitations set forth in Restriction
8. However, for the purpose of this restriction, collateral arrangements
with respect to the writing of options and collateral arrangements with
respect to initial margin for futures are not deemed to be pledges of
assets.
10. Issue senior securities as defined in the Act, except insofar as
the Fund may be deemed to have issued a senior security by reason of: (a)
entering into any repurchase agreement; (b) purchasing any securities on a
when-issued or delayed delivery basis; (c) purchasing or selling any
financial futures contracts; (d) borrowing money in accordance with
restrictions described above; or (e) lending portfolio securities.
11. Make loans of money or securities, except: (a) by the purchase of
debt obligations in which the Fund may invest consistent with its
investment objective and policies; and (b) by investment in repurchase
agreements.
12. Make short sales of securities.
13. Purchase securities on margin, except for such short-term loans as
are necessary for the clearance of purchases of portfolio securities.
14. Engage in the underwriting of securities, except insofar as the
Fund may be deemed an underwriter under the Securities Act of 1933 in
disposing of a portfolio security.
15. Invest for the purpose of exercising control or management of any
other issuer.
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<PAGE>
PORTFOLIO TRANSACTIONS AND BROKERAGE
- -----------------------------------------------------------------------------
Subject to the general supervision of the Board of Trustees, the
Investment Manager is responsible for decisions to buy and sell securities
and futures contracts for the Fund, the selection of brokers and dealers to
effect the transactions, and the negotiation of brokerage commissions, if
any. The Fund expects that the primary market for the securities in which it
intends to invest will generally be the over-the-counter market. Securities
are generally traded in the over-the-counter market on an "net" basis with
dealers acting as principal for their own account without charging a stated
commission, although the price of the security usually includes a profit to
the dealer. Options and futures transactions will usually be effected through
a broker and a commission will be charged. 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. On occasion, the Fund may also purchase
certain money market instruments directly from an issuer, in which case no
commissions or discounts are paid. During the fiscal years ended December 31,
1993, 1994 and 1995, the Fund paid no brokerage commissions.
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 adviser to others. It is the practice of the
Investment Manager to cause purchase and sale transactions to be allocated
among the Fund and others whose assets it manages in such manner as it deems
equitable. In making such allocations among the Fund and other client
accounts, the main factors considered are the respective investment
objectives, the relative size of portfolio holdings of the same or comparable
securities, the availability of cash for investment, the size of investment
commitments generally held and the opinions of the persons responsible for
managing the portfolios of the Fund and other client accounts.
The policy of the Fund regarding purchases and sales of securities and
futures contracts for its portfolio is that primary consideration will be
given to obtaining the most favorable prices and efficient execution 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 commission cost could impede
effective portfolio management and preclude the Fund and the Investment
Manager from obtaining a high quality of brokerage and research services. In
seeking to determine the reasonableness of brokerage commissions paid in any
transaction, the Investment Manager relies upon its experience and knowledge
regarding commissions generally charged by various brokers and on its
judgment in evaluating the brokerage and research services received from the
broker effecting the transaction. Such determinations are necessarily
subjective and imprecise, as in most cases an exact dollar value for those
services is not ascertainable.
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 who are capable of
providing efficient executions. If the Investment Manager believes such price
and execution are obtainable from more than one broker or dealer, it may give
consideration to placing portfolio transactions with those brokers and
dealers who also furnish research and other services to the Fund or the
Investment Manager. Such services may include, but are not limited to, any
one or more of the following: information as to the availability of
securities for purchase or sale; statistical or factual information or
opinions pertaining to investment; wire services; and appraisals or
evaluations of portfolio securities.
The information and services received by the Investment Manager from
brokers and dealers may be of benefit to the Investment Manager in the
management of accounts of some of its other clients and may not in all cases
benefit the Fund directly. While the receipt of such information and services
is useful in varying degrees and would generally reduce the amount of
research or services otherwise performed by the Investment Manager and thus
reduce its expenses, it is of indeterminable value and the management fee
paid to the Investment Manager is not reduced by any amount that may be
attributable to the value of such services.
Pursuant to an order of the Securities and Exchange Commission, the Fund
may effect principal transactions in certain money market instruments with
DWR. The Fund will limit its transactions with DWR to U.S. Government and
Government Agency Securities, Bank Money Instruments (i.e., Certificates of
Deposit and Bankers' Acceptances) and Commercial Paper (not including
Tax-Exempt Municipal Paper). Such transactions will be effected with DWR only
when the price available from DWR is better than that available from other
dealers.
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<PAGE>
Consistent with the policy described above, brokerage transactions in
securities listed on exchanges or admitted to unlisted trading privileges may
be effected through DWR. In order for DWR to effect portfolio transactions
for the Fund, the commissions, fees or other remuneration received by DWR
must be reasonable and fair compared to the commissions, fees or other
remuneration paid to other brokers in connection with comparable transactions
involving similar securities being purchased or sold on an exchange during a
comparable period of time. This standard would allow DWR to receive no more
than the remuneration which would be expected to be received by an
unaffiliated broker in a commensurate arm's-length transaction. Furthermore,
the Trustees of the Fund, including a majority of the Trustees who are not
"interested" Trustees, have adopted procedures which are reasonably designed
to provide that any commissions, fees or other remuneration paid to DWR are
consistent with the foregoing standard. The Fund did not effect any
securities transactions with or through DWR or any other selected
broker-dealer affiliated with the Fund or its Investment Manager during its
fiscal years ended December 31, 1993, 1994 and 1995.
PURCHASE OF FUND SHARES
- -----------------------------------------------------------------------------
As discussed in the Prospectus, the Fund offers its shares on a continuous
basis at an offering price equal to the net asset value per share next
determined following receipt of an effective order, plus a sales charge based
upon the aggregate amount of the investment (see the Prospectus--"Purchase of
Fund Shares"). The "Statement of Assets and Liabilities" set forth in the
Financial Statements contained within this Statement of Additional
Information illustrates the computation of the offering price for a share of
the Fund on December 31, 1995 and is incorporated herein by reference.
As discussed in the Prospectus, shares of the Fund are distributed by Dean
Witter Distributors Inc. (the "Distributor"). The Distributor has entered
into a selected dealer agreement with DWR, which through its own sales
organization sells shares of the Fund. In addition, the Distributor may enter
into selected dealer agreements with other selected broker-dealers. The
Distributor, a Delaware corporation, is a wholly-owned subsidiary of DWDC.
The Board of Trustees of the Fund, including a majority of the Trustees who
are not, and were not at the time of their vote "interested persons" (as
defined in the Act) of either party to the Distribution Agreement (the
"Independent Trustees"), approved, at its meeting held on October 30, 1992,
the current Distribution Agreement appointing the Distributor exclusive
distributor of the Fund's shares and providing for the Distributor to bear
distribution expenses not borne by the Fund. The Distribution Agreement took
effect on June 30, 1993 upon the spin-off by Sears, Roebuck and Co. of its
remaining shares of DWDC. By its terms, the Distribution Agreement had an
initial term ending April 30, 1994, and provides that it will remain in
effect from year to year thereafter if approved by the Board. At their
meeting held on April 20, 1995, the Trustees, including a majority of the
Independent Trustees, approved the continuation of the Distribution Agreement
until April 30, 1996.
The Distributor has agreed to pay certain expenses of the offering of the
Fund's shares, including the cost of printing and distributing prospectuses
and supplements thereto used in connection with the offering and sale of the
Fund's shares. The Fund will bear the costs of initial typesetting, printing
and distribution of prospectuses, statements of additional information,
proxies and annual and interim reports to shareholders. The Fund and the
Distributor have agreed to indemnify each other against certain liabilities,
including liabilities under the Securities Act of 1933, as amended.
The Distributor has informed the Fund that it and/or DWR received sales
charges on sales of the Fund's shares in the approximate amounts of
$7,812,000, $2,276,000 and $972,000, for the fiscal years ended December 31,
1993, 1994 and 1995, respectively.
REDUCED SALES CHARGES
Right of Accumulation. As discussed in the Prospectus, investors may
combine the current value of shares purchased in separate transactions for
purposes of benefitting from the reduced sales charges available for
purchases of shares of the Fund totalling at least $25,000 in net asset
value. For example, if any person or entity who qualifies for this privilege
holds shares of the Fund having a current value of $5,000, and purchases
$20,000 of additional shares of the Fund, the sales charge applicable to the
$20,000 purchase would be 3.5% of the offering price.
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<PAGE>
For the purposes of this Right of Accumulation, the cumulative current net
asset value of any shares of Dean Witter Liquid Asset Fund Inc., Dean Witter
Tax-Free Daily Income Trust, Dean Witter California Tax-Free Daily Income
Trust, Dean Witter New York Municipal Money Market Trust, Dean Witter U.S.
Government Money Market Trust, Dean Witter Short-Term U.S. Treasury Trust,
Dean Witter Short-Term Bond Fund, Dean Witter Limited Term Municipal Trust,
Dean Witter Balanced Income Fund, Dean Witter Balanced Growth Fund and Dean
Witter Intermediate Term U.S. Treasury Trust, originally purchased with the
proceeds of shares of the Fund or Dean Witter High Yield Securities Inc. or
with the proceeds of shares of a Dean Witter Fund sold with a contingent
deferred sales charge ("CDSC fund") and held in an Exchange Privilege Account
of that fund in the name of a shareholder of the Fund (see "Shareholder
Services--Exchange Privilege") and shares of Dean Witter High Yield
Securities Inc. or a CDSC fund held by the shareholder will be added to the
value of shares of the Fund owned by the shareholder in determining the sales
charge applicable to any new purchases of Fund shares.
The Distributor must be notified by the selected broker-dealer or the
shareholder at the time a purchase order is placed that the purchase
qualifies for the reduced charge under the Right of Accumulation. Similar
notification must be made in writing by the selected broker-dealer or
shareholder when such an order is placed by mail. The reduced sales charge
will not be granted if: (a) such notification is not furnished at the time of
the order; or (b) a review of the records of the Distributor or Dean Witter
Trust Company (the "Transfer Agent") fails to confirm the investor's
represented holdings.
Letter of Intent. As discussed in the prospectus under the caption
"Reduced Sales Charges," reduced sales charges are available to investors who
enter into a written Letter of Intent providing for the purchase, within a
thirteen-month period, of shares of the Fund from the Distributor or from a
single selected broker-dealer which has entered into a Selected Dealer
Agreement with the Distributor.
A Letter of Intent permits an investor to establish a total investment
goal to be achieved by any number of purchases over a thirteen-month period.
Each purchase made during the period will receive the reduced sales
commission applicable to the amount represented by the goal, as if it were a
single purchase. A number of shares equal in value to 5% of the dollar amount
of the Letter of Intent will be held in escrow by the Transfer Agent, in the
name of the shareholder. The initial purchase under a Letter of Intent must
be equal to at least 5% of the stated investment goal.
The Letter of Intent does not obligate the investor to purchase, nor the
Fund to sell, the indicated amount. In the event the Letter of Intent goal is
not achieved within the thirteen-month period, the investor is required to
pay the difference between the sales charge otherwise applicable to the
purchases made during this period and sales charges actually paid. Such
payment may be made directly to the Distributor or, if not paid, the
Distributor is authorized by the shareholder to liquidate a sufficient number
of his or her escrowed shares to obtain such difference.
If the goal is exceeded and purchases pass the next sales charge level,
the sales charge on the entire amount of the purchase that results in passing
that level and on subsequent purchases will be subject to further reduced
sales charges in the same manner as set forth above under Right of
Accumulation, but there will be no retroactive reduction of sales charges on
previous purchases. For the purpose of determining whether the investor is
entitled to a further reduced sales charge applicable to purchases at or
above a sales charge level which exceeds the stated goal of a Letter of
Intent, the cumulative current net asset value of any shares owned by the
investor in an Exchange Privilege Account with Dean Witter Liquid Asset Fund
Inc., Dean Witter Tax-Free Daily Income Trust, Dean Witter California
Tax-Free Daily Income Trust, Dean Witter New York Municipal Money Market
Trust, Dean Witter U.S. Government Money Market Trust, Dean Witter Short-Term
U.S. Treasury Trust, Dean Witter Short-Term Bond Fund, Dean Witter Limited
Term Municipal Trust, Dean Witter Balanced Income Fund, Dean Witter Balanced
Growth Fund and Dean Witter Intermediate Term U.S. Treasury Trust, if such
shares were originally purchased with the proceeds of shares of the Fund,
Dean Witter High Yield Securities Inc. or CDSC fund held by the shareholder
will be added to the cost or net asset value of shares of the Fund owned by
the investor. (See "Shareholder Services--Exchange Privilege.") However,
shares of Dean Witter Liquid Asset Fund Inc., Dean Witter Tax-Free Daily
Income Trust, Dean Witter California Tax-Free Daily Income Trust, Dean Witter
New York Municipal Money Market Trust, Dean
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Witter U.S. Government Money Market Trust, Dean Witter Short-Term U.S.
Treasury Trust, Dean Witter Short-Term Bond Fund or Dean Witter Limited Term
Municipal Trust held in an Exchange Privilege Account and the purchase of
shares of any other Dean Witter Funds will not be included in determining
whether the stated goal of a Letter of Intent has been reached.
At any time while a Letter of Intent is in effect, a shareholder may, by
written notice to the Distributor, increase the amount of the stated goal. In
that event, only shares purchased during the previous 90-day period and still
owned by the shareholder will be included in the new sales charge reduction.
The 5% escrow and minimum purchase requirements will be applicable to the new
stated goal. Investors electing to purchase shares of the Fund pursuant to a
Letter of Intent should carefully read such Letter of Intent.
Acquisition of Certain Investment Companies. The public offering price of
a share of the Fund may be reduced to the net asset value per share in
connection with the acquisition of the assets of, or merger or consolidation
with, a personal holding company or public or private investment company. The
value of the assets or company acquired in a tax-free transaction may, in
appropriate cases, be adjusted to reduce possible adverse tax consequences to
the Fund which might result from an acquisition of assets having net
unrealized appreciation which is disproportionately higher at the time of
acquisition than the realized or unrealized appreciation of the Fund.
DETERMINATION OF NET ASSET VALUE
As discussed in the Prospectus, the net asset value of a share of the Fund
is determined once daily at 4:00 p.m., New York time (or, on days when the
New York Stock Exchange closes prior to 4 p.m., at such earlier time), on
each day that the New York Stock Exchange is open. The New York Stock
Exchange currently observes the following holidays: New Year's Day;
Presidents' Day; Good Friday; Memorial Day; Independence Day; Labor Day;
Thanksgiving Day; and Christmas Day.
Portfolio securities (other than short-term debt securities and futures
and options) are valued for the Fund by an outside independent pricing
service approved by the Board of Trustees. The pricing service has informed
the Fund that in valuing the Fund's portfolio securities it uses both a
computerized grid matrix of tax-exempt securities and evaluations by its
staff, in each case based on information concerning market transactions and
quotations from dealers which reflect the bid side of the market each day.
The Fund's portfolio securities are thus valued by reference to a combination
of transactions and quotations for the same or other securities believed to
be comparable in quality, coupon, maturity, type of issue, call provisions,
trading characteristics and other features deemed to be relevant. The Board
of Trustees believes that timely and reliable market quotations are generally
not readily available to the Fund for purposes of valuing tax-exempt
securities and that the valuations supplied by the pricing service, using the
procedures outlined above and subject to periodic review, are more likely to
approximate the fair value of such securities. The Investment Manager will
periodically review and evaluate the procedures, methods and quality of
services provided by the pricing service then being used by the Fund and may,
from time to time, recommend to the Board of Trustees the use of other
pricing services or discontinuance of the use of any pricing service in whole
or part. The Board may determine to approve such recommendation or take other
provisions for pricing of the Fund's portfolio securities.
SHAREHOLDER SERVICES
- -----------------------------------------------------------------------------
Upon the purchase of shares of the Fund, a Shareholder Investment Account
is opened for the investor on the books of the Fund, maintained by the
Transfer Agent. This is an open account in which shares owned by the investor
are credited by the Transfer Agent in lieu of issuance of a share
certificate. If a share certificate is desired, it must be requested in
writing for each transaction. Certificates are issued only for full shares
and may be redeposited in the account at any time. There is no charge to the
investor for issuance of a certificate. Whenever a shareholder instituted
transaction takes place in the Shareholder Investment Account, the
shareholder will be mailed a confirmation of the transaction from the Fund or
DWR or other selected broker-dealer.
Targeted Dividends. (Service Mark) In states where it is legally
permissible, shareholders may also have all income dividends and capital
gains distributions automatically invested in shares of an open-end Dean
Witter Fund other than Dean Witter Tax-Exempt Securities Trust. Such
investment will be made as
22
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described above for automatic investment in shares of the Fund, at the net
asset value per share (without sales charge) of the selected Dean Witter Fund
as of the close of business on the monthly payment date and will begin to
earn dividends, if any, in the selected Dean Witter Fund the next business
day. To participate in the Targeted Dividends program, shareholders should
contact their DWR or other selected broker-dealer account executive or the
Transfer Agent. Shareholders of the Fund must be shareholders of the Dean
Witter Fund targeted to receive investments from dividends at the time they
enter the Targeted Dividends program. Investors should review the prospectus
of the targeted Dean Witter Fund before entering the program.
EasyInvest. (Service Mark) Shareholders may subscribe to EasyInvest, an
automatic purchase plan which provides for any amount from $100 to $5,000 to
be transferred automatically from a checking or savings account, on a
semi-monthly, monthly or quarterly basis, to the Transfer Agent for
investment in shares of the Fund. Shares purchased through EasyInvest will be
added to the shareholder's existing account at the net asset value calculated
the same business day the transfer of funds is effected. For further
information or to subscribe to EasyInvest, shareholders should contact their
DWR or other selected broker-dealer account executive or the Transfer Agent.
Investment of Dividends or Distributions Received in Cash. Any shareholder
who receives a cash payment representing a dividend or capital gains
distribution may invest such dividend or distribution at the net asset value
(without sales charge) next determined by returning the check or the proceeds
to the Transfer Agent within 30 days after the payment date. If the
shareholder returns the proceeds of a dividend or distribution, such funds
must be accompanied by a signed statement indicating that the proceeds
constitute a dividend or distribution to be invested. Such investment will be
made at the net asset value per share (without sales charge) next determined
after receipt of the proceeds by the Transfer Agent.
Direct Investments through Transfer Agent. A shareholder may make
additional investments in Fund shares at any time through the Shareholder
Investment Account by sending a check in any amount, not less than $100,
payable to Dean Witter Tax-Exempt Securities Trust, directly to the Fund's
Transfer Agent. After deduction of the applicable sales charge, the balance
will be applied to the purchase of Fund shares at the net asset value per
share next determined after receipt of the check or purchase payment by the
Transfer Agent. The shares so purchased will be credited to the investment
account.
Systematic Withdrawal Plan. As discussed in the Prospectus, a withdrawal
plan is available for shareholders who own or purchase shares of the Fund
having a minimum value of $10,000 based upon their current net asset value.
The plan provides for monthly or quarterly (March, June, September and
December) checks in any dollar amount, not less than $25, or in any whole
percentage of the account balance, on an annualized basis.
Dividends and capital gains distributions on shares held under the
Systematic Withdrawal Plan will be invested in additional full and fractional
shares at net asset value (without a sales charge). Shares will be credited
to an open account for the investor by the Transfer Agent; no share
certificates will be issued. A shareholder is entitled to a share certificate
upon written request to the Transfer Agent, although in that event the
shareholder's Systematic Withdrawal Plan will be terminated.
The Transfer Agent acts as agent for the shareholder in tendering to the
Fund for redemption sufficient full and fractional shares to provide the
amount of the periodic withdrawal payment designated in the application. The
shares will be redeemed at their net asset value determined on the tenth or
twenty-fifth day (or next following business day) of the relevant month or
quarter and normally a check for the proceeds will be mailed by the Transfer
Agent within five days after the date of redemption. The Systematic
Withdrawal Plan may be terminated at any time by the Transfer Agent.
Any shareholder who wishes to have payments under the Withdrawal Plan made
to a third party or sent to an address other than the one listed on the
account must send complete written instructions to the Transfer Agent to
enroll in the Withdrawal Plan. The shareholder's signature on such
instructions must be guaranteed by an eligible guarantor acceptable to the
Transfer Agent (shareholders should contact the Transfer Agent for a
determination as to whether a particular institution is such an eligible
23
<PAGE>
guarantor). A shareholder may, at any time, change the amount and interval of
withdrawal payments and the address to which checks are mailed by written
notification to the Transfer Agent. In addition, the party and/or the address
to which checks are mailed may be changed by written notification to the
Transfer Agent, with signature guarantees required in the manner described
above. The shareholder may also terminate the Systematic Withdrawal Plan at
any time by written notice to the Transfer Agent. In the event of such
termination, the account will be continued as a Shareholder Investment
Account. The shareholder may also redeem all or part of the shares held in
the Systematic Withdrawal Plan Account (see "Redemptions and Repurchases") at
any time.
EXCHANGE PRIVILEGE
As discussed in the Prospectus, the Fund makes available to its
shareholders an Exchange Privilege whereby shareholders of the Fund may
exchange their shares for shares of other Dean Witter Funds sold with a
front-end (at the time of purchase) sales charge ("FESC funds"), for shares
of Dean Witter Funds sold with a contingent deferred sales charge ("CDSC
funds"), for shares of five Dean Witter Funds which are money market funds,
and for shares of Dean Witter Limited Term Municipal Trust, Dean Witter
Short-Term Bond Fund, Dean Witter Short-Term U.S. Treasury Trust, Dean Witter
Balanced Growth Fund, Dean Witter Balanced Income Fund and Dean Witter
Intermediate Term U.S. Treasury Trust (the foregoing eleven non-FESC or CDSC
funds are hereinafter referred to for purposes of this section as the
"Exchange Funds"). Exchanges may be made after the shares of the CDSC fund or
FESC fund acquired by purchase (not by exchange or dividend reinvestment)
have been held for thirty days. There is no holding period for exchanges of
shares acquired by exchange or dividend reinvestment. However, shares of CDSC
funds, including shares acquired in exchange for shares of FESC funds, may
not be exchanged for shares of FESC funds. Thus, shareholders who exchange
their Fund shares for shares of CDSC funds may subsequently exchange those
shares for shares of other CDSC funds or for shares of Exchange Funds, but
may not reacquire FESC fund shares by exchange. An exchange will be treated
for federal income tax purposes the same as a repurchase or redemption of
shares, on which the shareholder may realize a capital gain or loss.
Any new account established through the Exchange Privilege will have the
same registration and cash dividend or dividend reinvestment plan as the
present account, unless the Transfer Agent receives written notification to
the contrary. For telephone exchanges, the exact registration of the existing
account and the account number must be provided.
Any shares held in certificate form cannot be exchanged but must be
forwarded to the Transfer Agent and deposited into the shareholder's account
before being eligible for exchange. (Certificates mailed in for deposit
should not be endorsed).
With respect to the repurchase of shares of the Fund, the application of
proceeds to the purchase of new shares in the Fund or any other of the funds
and the general administration of the Exchange Privilege, the Transfer Agent
acts as agent for the Distributor and for the shareholder's selected
broker-dealer, if any, in the performance of such functions.
With respect to exchanges, redemptions or repurchases, the Transfer Agent
shall be liable for its own negligence and not for the default or negligence
of its correspondents or for losses in transit. The Fund shall not be liable
for any default or negligence of the Transfer Agent, the Distributor or any
selected broker-dealer.
The Distributor and any selected broker-dealer have authorized and
appointed the Transfer Agent to act as their agent in connection with the
application of proceeds of any redemption of Fund shares to the purchase of
shares of any other fund and the general administration of the Exchange
Privilege. No commission or discounts will be paid to the Distributor or any
selected broker-dealer for any transactions pursuant to this Exchange
Privilege.
Exchanges are subject to the minimum investment requirement and any other
conditions imposed by each fund. (The minimum initial investment is $5,000
for Dean Witter Liquid Asset Fund Inc., Dean Witter Tax-Free Daily Income
Trust, Dean Witter New York Municipal Money Market Trust and Dean Witter
California Tax-Free Daily Income Trust, although those funds may, at their
discretion, accept initial
24
<PAGE>
investments of as low as $1,000. The minimum initial investment for Dean
Witter Short-Term U.S. Treasury Trust is $10,000, although that fund may, at
its discretion, accept initial investments of as low as $5,000. The minimum
initial investment for all other Dean Witter Funds for which the Exchange
Privilege is available is $1,000.) Upon exchange into an Exchange Fund, the
shares of that fund will be held in a special Exchange Privilege Account
separately from accounts of those shareholders who haved acquired their
shares directly from that fund. As a result, certain services normally
available to shareholders of Exchange Funds, including the check writing
feature, will not be available for funds held in that account.
The Fund and each of the other Dean Witter Funds may limit the number of
times this Exchange Privilege may be exercised by any investor within a
specified period of time. Also, the Exchange Privilege may be terminated or
revised at any time by the Fund and/or any of the Dean Witter Funds for which
shares of the Fund have been exchanged, upon such notice as may be required
by applicable regulatory agencies (presently sixty days prior written notice
for termination or material revision), provided that six months prior written
notice of termination will be given to the shareholders who hold shares of
Exchange Funds, pursuant to the Exchange Privilege and provided further that
the Exchange Privilege may be terminated or materially revised without notice
at times (a) when the New York Stock Exchange is closed for other than
customary weekends and holidays, (b) when trading on that Exchange is
restricted, (c) when an emergency exists as a result of which disposal by the
Fund of securities owned by it is not reasonably practicable or it is not
reasonably practicable for the Fund fairly to determine the value of its net
assets, (d) during any other period when the Securities and Exchange
Commission by order so permits (provided that applicable rules and
regulations of the Securities and Exchange Commission shall govern as to
whether the conditions prescribed in (b) or (c) exist), or (e) if the Fund
would be unable to invest amounts effectively in accordance with its
investment objective(s), policies and restrictions.
For further information regarding the Exchange Privilege, shareholders
should contact their DWR or other selected broker-dealer account executive or
the Transfer Agent.
REDEMPTIONS AND REPURCHASES
- -----------------------------------------------------------------------------
Redemption. As stated in the Prospectus, shares of the Fund can be
redeemed for cash at any time at the net asset value per share next
determined. If shares are held in a shareholder's account without a share
certificate, a written request for redemption to the Fund's Transfer Agent at
P.O. Box 983, Jersey City, NJ 07303 is required. If certificates are held by
the shareholder, the shares may be redeemed by surrendering the certificates
with a written request for redemption. The share certificate, or an
accompanying stock power, and the request for redemption, must be signed by
the shareholder or shareholders exactly as the shares are registered. Each
request for redemption, whether or not accompanied by a share certificate,
must be sent to the Fund's Transfer Agent, which will redeem the shares at
their net asset value next computed (see "Purchase of Fund Shares" in the
Prospectus) after it receives the request, and certificate, if any, in good
order. Any redemption request received after such computation will be
redeemed at the next determined net asset value. The term "good order" means
that the share certificate, if any, and request for redemption are properly
signed, accompanied by any documentation required by the Transfer Agent, and
bear signature guarantees when required by the Fund or the Transfer Agent. If
redemption is requested by a corporation, partnership, trust or fiduciary,
the Transfer Agent may require that written evidence of authority acceptable
to the Transfer Agent be submitted before such request is accepted.
Whether certificates are held by the shareholder or shares are held in a
shareholder's account, if the proceeds are to be paid to any person other
than the record owner, or if the proceeds are to be paid to a corporation
(other than the Distributor or a selected broker-dealer for the account of
the shareholder), partnership, trust or fiduciary, or sent to the shareholder
at an address other than the registered address, signatures must be
guaranteed by an eligible guarantor acceptable to the Transfer Agent
(shareholders should contact the Transfer Agent for a determination as to
whether a particular institution is such an eligible guarantor). A stock
power may be obtained from any dealer or commercial bank. The Fund may change
the signature guarantee requirements from time to time upon notice to
shareholders, which may be by means of a revised prospectus.
25
<PAGE>
Payment for Shares Redeemed or Repurchased. As discussed in the
Prospectus, payment for shares presented for repurchase or redemption will be
made by check within seven days after receipt by the Transfer Agent of the
certificate and/or written request in good order. The term good order means
that the share certificate, if any, and request for redemption are properly
signed, accompanied by any documentation required by the Transfer Agent, and
bear signature guarantees when required by the Fund or the Transfer Agent.
Such payment may be postponed or the right of redemption suspended at times
(a) when the New York Stock Exchange is closed for other than customary
weekends and holidays, (b) when trading on that Exchange is restricted, (c)
when an emergency exists as a result of which disposal by the Fund of
securities owned by it is not reasonably practicable or it is not reasonably
practicable for the Fund fairly to determine the value of its net assets, or
(d) during any other period when the Securities and Exchange Commission by
order so permits; provided that applicable rules and regulations of the
Securities and Exchange Commission shall govern as to whether the conditions
prescribed in (b) or (c) exist.
If the shares to be redeemed have recently been purchased by check
(including a certified or bank cashier's check), payment of redemption
proceeds may be delayed for the minimum time needed to verify that the check
used for investment has been honored (not more than fifteen days from the
time of receipt of the check by the Transfer Agent). Shareholders maintaining
margin accounts with DWR or another selected broker-dealer are referred to
their account executive regarding restrictions on redemption of shares of the
Fund pledged in the margin account.
Reinstatement Privilege. As described in the Prospectus, a shareholder who
has had his or her shares redeemed or repurchased and has not previously
exercised this reinstatement privilege may, within thirty days after the date
of the redemption or repurchase, reinstate any portion or all of the proceeds
of such redemption or repurchase in shares of the Fund at the net asset value
(without sales charge) next determined after a reinstatement request,
together with such proceeds, is received by the Transfer Agent.
Exercise of the reinstatement privilege will not affect the federal income
tax treatment of any gain or loss realized upon the redemption or repurchase,
except that if the redemption or repurchase resulted in a loss and
reinstatement is made in shares of the Fund, some or all of the loss,
depending on the amount reinstated, will not be allowed as a deduction for
federal income tax purposes but will be applied to adjust the cost basis of
the shares acquired upon reinstatement.
Involuntary Redemption. As described in the Prospectus, due to the
relatively high cost of handling small investments, the Fund reserves the
right to redeem, at net asset value, the shares of any shareholder whose
shares have a value of less than $100, or such lesser amount as may be fixed
by the Board of Trustees. However, before the Fund redeems such shares and
sends the proceeds to the shareholder, it will notify the shareholder that
the value of the shares is less than $100 and allow him or her sixty days to
make an additional investment in an amount which will increase the value of
his or her account to $100 or more before the redemption is processed.
DIVIDENDS, DISTRIBUTIONS AND TAXES
- -----------------------------------------------------------------------------
Each shareholder will receive at least a quarterly summary of his or her
account, including information as to reinvested dividends and capital gains
distributions. Share certificates for dividends or distributions will not be
issued unless a shareholder requests in writing that a certificate be issued
for a specific number of shares.
In computing net investment income, the Fund will amortize any premiums
and original issue discounts on securities owned, if applicable. Capital
gains or losses realized upon sale or maturity of such securities will be
based on their amortized cost.
Gains or losses on the sales of securities by the Fund will be long-term
capital gains or losses if the securities have been held by the Fund for more
than twelve months. Gains or losses on the sale of securities held for twelve
months or less will be short-term capital gains or losses.
The Fund has qualified and intends to remain qualified as a regulated
investment company under Subchapter M of the Internal Revenue Code. If so
qualified, the Fund will not be subject to federal income
26
<PAGE>
tax on its net investment income and capital gains, if any, realized during
any fiscal year to the extent that it distributes such income and capital
gains to its shareholders.
With respect to the Fund's investments in zero coupon bonds, the Fund
accrues income prior to any actual cash payments by their issuers. In order
to continue to comply with Subchapter M of the Internal Revenue Code and
remain able to forego payment of federal income tax on its income and capital
gains, the Fund must distribute all of its net investment income, including
income accrued from zero coupon bonds. As such, the Fund may be required to
dispose of some of its portfolio securities under disadvantageous
circumstances to generate the cash required for distribution.
As discussed in the Prospectus, the Fund intends to qualify to pay
"exempt-interest dividends" to its shareholders by maintaining, as of the
close of each of its taxable years, at least 50% of the value of its assets
in tax-exempt securities. An exempt-interest dividend is that part of the
dividend distributions made by the Fund which consists of interest received
by the Fund on tax-exempt securities upon which the shareholder incurs no
federal income taxes. Exempt-interest dividends are included however, in
determining what portion, if any, of a person's Social Security benefits are
subject to federal income tax.
As also discussed in the Prospectus, the Fund intends to invest a portion
of its assets in certain "private activity bonds" issued after August 7,
1986. As a result, a portion of the exempt-interest dividends paid by the
Fund will be an item of tax preference to shareholders subject to the
alternative minimum tax. Certain corporations which are subject to the
alternative minimum tax may also have to include exempt-interest dividends in
calculating their alternative minimum taxable income in situations where the
"adjusted current earnings" of the corporation exceeds its alternative
minimum taxable income.
Within sixty days after the end of its fiscal year, the Fund will mail to
shareholders a statement indicating the percentage of the dividend
distributions for each fiscal year which constitutes exempt- interest
dividends, the percentage, if any, that is taxable, and the percentage, if
any, of the exempt- interest dividends which constitutes an item of tax
preference, and to what extent the taxable portion is long-term capital gain,
short-term capital gain or ordinary income. This percentage should be applied
uniformly to all monthly distributions made during the fiscal year to
determine the proportion of dividends that is tax-exempt. The percentage may
differ from the percentage of tax-exempt dividend distributions for any
particular month.
Shareholders will be subject to federal income tax on dividends paid from
interest income derived from taxable securities and on distributions of net
short-term capital gains. Such dividends and distributions are taxable to the
shareholder as ordinary dividend income regardless of whether the shareholder
receives such distributions in additional shares or in cash. Distributions of
long-term capital gains, if any, are taxable as long-term capital gains,
regardless of how long the shareholder has held the Fund shares and
regardless of whether the distribution is received in additional shares or in
cash. Since the Fund's income is expected to be derived entirely from
interest rather than dividends, it is anticipated that no portion of such
dividend distributions will be eligible for the federal dividends received
deduction available to corporations.
Interest on indebtedness incurred by shareholders to purchase or carry
shares of the Fund is not deductible. Furthermore, entities or persons who
are "substantial users" (or related persons) of facilities financed by
industrial development bonds should consult their tax advisers before
purchasing shares of the Fund. "Substantial user" is defined generally by
Income Tax Regulation 1.103-11(b) as including a "non-exempt person" who
regularly uses in a trade or business a part of a facility financed from the
proceeds of industrial development bonds.
From time to time, proposals have been introduced before Congress for the
purpose of restricting or eliminating the federal income tax exemption for
interest on municipal securities. Similar proposals may be introduced in the
future. If such a proposal were enacted, the availability of municipal
securities for investment by the Fund could be affected. In that event, the
Fund would re-evaluate its investment objective and policies.
27
<PAGE>
Any dividends or capital gains distributions received by a shareholder
from any investment company will have the effect of reducing the net asset
value of the shareholder's shares in that fund by the exact amount of the
dividend or capital gains distribution. Furthermore, capital gains
distributions are, and some portion of the dividends may be, subject to
income tax. If the net asset value of the shares should be reduced below a
shareholder's cost as a result of the payment of taxable dividends or the
distribution of capital gains, such payment or distribution would be in part
a return of capital but nonetheless taxable to the shareholder. Therefore, an
investor should consider the tax implications of purchasing Fund shares
immediately prior to a distribution record date.
Shareholders should consult their tax advisers regarding specific
questions as to state or local taxes.
PERFORMANCE INFORMATION
- -----------------------------------------------------------------------------
As discussed in the Prospectus, from time to time the Fund may quote its
"yield" and/or its "total return" in advertisements and sales literature.
Yield is calculated for any 30-day period as follows: the amount of interest
income for each security in the Fund's portfolio is determined as described
below; the total for the entire portfolio constitutes the Fund's gross income
for the period. Expenses accrued during the period are subtracted to arrive
at "net investment income". The resulting amount is divided by the product of
the maximum offering price per share on the last day of the period (reduced
by any undeclared earned income per share that is expected to be declared
shortly after the end of the period) multiplied by the average number of Fund
shares outstanding during the period that were entitled to dividends. This
amount is added to 1 and raised to the sixth power. 1 is then subtracted from
the result and the difference is multiplied by 2 to arrive at the annualized
yield.
To determine interest income from debt obligations, a yield-to-maturity,
expressed as a percentage, is determined for obligations held at the
beginning of the period, based on the current market value of the security
plus accrued interest, generally as of the end of the month preceding the
30-day period, or, for obligations purchased during the period, based on the
cost of the security (including accrued interest). The yield-to-maturity is
multiplied by the market value (plus accrued interest) for each security and
the result is divided by 360 and multiplied by 30 days or the number of days
the security was held during the period, if less. Modifications are made for
determining yield-to-maturity on certain tax-exempt securities. For the
30-day period ended December 31, 1995, the Fund's yield, calculated pursuant
to the formula described above, was 4.85%.
The Fund may also quote a "tax-equivalent yield" determined by dividing
the tax-exempt portion of quoted yield by 1 minus the stated income tax rate
and adding the result to the portion of the yield that is not tax-exempt. The
Fund's tax-equivalent yield, based upon a Federal personal income tax bracket
of 39.60% (the highest current individual marginal tax rate), for the 30-day
period ended December 31, 1995 was 8.03% based upon the yield quoted above.
The Fund's "average annual total return" represents an annualization of
the Fund's total return over a particular period and is computed by finding
the annual percentage rate which will result in the ending redeemable value
of a hypothetical $1,000 investment made at the beginning of a one, five or
ten year period, or for the period from the date of commencement of the
Fund's operations, if shorter than any of the foregoing. For the purpose of
this calculation, it is assumed that all dividends and distributions are
reinvested. The formula for computing the average annual total return
involves a percentage obtained by dividing the ending redeemable value by the
amount of the initial investment, taking a root of the quotient (where the
root is equivalent to the number of years in the period) and subtracting 1
from the result.
The average annual total returns of the Fund for the year ended December
31, 1995, for the five years ended December 31, 1995, and for the ten years
ended December 31, 1995, were 12.68%, 7.79% and 8.60%, respectively.
In addition to the foregoing, the Fund may advertise its total return over
different periods of time by means of aggregate, average, year-by-year or
other types of total return figures. Such calculation may or may not reflect
the imposition of the maximum front-end sales charge which, if reflected,
would reduce
28
<PAGE>
the performance quoted. For example, the average annual total return of the
Fund may be calculated in the manner described in the preceding paragraph,
but without the deduction for any applicable sales charge. Based on this
calculation, the Fund's average annual total return for the year ended
December 31, 1995 was 17.37%, the average annual total return for the five
years ended December 31, 1995 was 8.68% and the average annual total return
for the ten years ended December 31, 1995 was 9.04%.
In addition, the Fund may compute its aggregate total return for specified
periods by determining the aggregate percentage rate which will result in the
ending value of a hypothetical $1,000 investment made at the beginning of the
period. For the purpose of this calculation, it is assumed that all dividends
and distributions are reinvested. The formula for computing aggregate total
return involves a percentage obtained by dividing the ending value (without
reduction for any sales charge) by the initial $1,000 investment and
subtracting 1 from the result. Based on the foregoing calculation, the Fund's
total return for the year ended December 31, 1995 was 17.37%, the total
return for five years ended December 31, 1995 was 51.60%, and the total
return for the ten years ended December 31, 1995 was 137.61%.
The Fund may also advertise the growth of hypothetical investments of
$10,000, $50,000 and $100,000 in shares of the Fund by adding 1 to the Fund's
aggregate total return to date and multiplying by $9,600, $48,375 or $97,250
($10,000, $50,000 or $100,000 adjusted for a 4.0%, 3.25% or 2.75% sales
charge, respectively). Investments of $10,000, $50,000 and $100,000, adjusted
for the aforementioned sales charges, in the Fund at inception (March 27,
1980) would have grown to $43,542, $219,410 and $441,087, respectively, at
December 31, 1995. The Fund from time to time may also advertise its
performance relative to certain performance rankings and indexes compiled by
independent organizations.
SHARES OF THE FUND
- -----------------------------------------------------------------------------
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. The shareholders of the
Fund are entitled to a full vote for each full share held. All of the
Trustees, except for Messrs. Bozic, Purcell and Schroeder, have been elected
by the shareholders of the Fund, most recently at a Special Meeting of
Shareholders held on January 12, 1993. Messrs. Bozic, Purcell and Schroeder
were elected by the other Trustees of the Fund on April 8, 1994. The Trustees
themselves have the power to alter the number and the terms of office of the
Trustees (as provided for in the Declaration of Trust), and they may at any
time lengthen or shorten their own terms or make their terms of unlimited
duration and appoint their own successors, provided that always at least a
majority of the Trustees has been elected by the shareholders of the Fund.
Under certain circumstances the Trustees may be removed by action of the
Trustees. The shareholders also have the right under certain circumstances to
remove the Trustees. The voting rights of shareholders are not cumulative, so
that holders of more than 50 percent of the shares voting can, if they
choose, elect all Trustees being selected, while the holders of the remaining
shares would be unable to elect any Trustees.
The Declaration of Trust permits the Trustees to authorize the creation of
additional series of shares (the managed portfolios) and additional classes
of shares within any series (which would be used to distinguish among the
rights of different categories of shareholders, as might be required by
future regulations or other unforeseen circumstances). However, the Trustees
have not authorized any such additional series or classes of shares and the
Fund has no present intention to add additional classes or series of shares.
The Declaration of Trust further provides that no Trustee, officer,
employee or agent of the Fund is liable to the Fund or to a shareholder, nor
is any Trustee, officer, employee or agent liable to any third persons in
connection with the affairs of the Fund, except as such liability may arise
from his/her or its own bad faith, willful misfeasance, gross negligence, or
reckless disregard of his duties. It also provides that all third persons
shall look solely to the Fund property for satisfaction of claims arising in
connection with the affairs of the Fund. With the exceptions stated above,
the Declaration of Trust provides that a Trustee, officer, employee or agent
is entitled to be indemnified against all liability in connection with the
affairs of the Fund.
29
<PAGE>
The Fund shall be of unlimited duration subject to the provisions in the
Declaration of Trust concerning termination by action of the shareholders or
the Trustees.
CUSTODIAN AND TRANSFER AGENT
- -----------------------------------------------------------------------------
The Bank of New York, 90 Washington Street, New York, New York 10286 is
the Custodian of the Fund's assets. The Custodian has no part in deciding the
Fund's investment policies or which securities are to be purchased or sold
for the Fund's portfolio. Any of the Fund's cash balances with the Custodian
in excess of $100,000 are unprotected by Federal deposit insurance. Such
balances may, at times, be substantial.
Dean Witter Trust Company, Harborside Financial Center, Plaza Two, Jersey
City, New Jersey 07311 is the Transfer Agent of the Fund's shares and
Dividend Disbursing Agent for payment of dividends and distributions on Fund
shares and Agent for shareholders under various investment plans described
herein. Dean Witter Trust Company is an affiliate of Dean Witter InterCapital
Inc., the Fund's Investment Manager, and Dean Witter Distributors Inc., the
Fund's Distributor. As Transfer Agent and Dividend Disbursing Agent, Dean
Witter Trust Company's responsibilities include maintaining shareholder
accounts; including providing subaccounting and recordkeeping services for
certain retirement accounts; disbursing cash dividends and reinvesting
dividends; processing account registration changes; handling purchase and
redemption transactions; mailing prospectuses and reports; mailing and
tabulating proxies; processing share certificate transactions; and
maintaining shareholder records and lists. For these services Dean Witter
Trust Company receives a per shareholder account fee from the Fund.
INDEPENDENT ACCOUNTANTS
- -----------------------------------------------------------------------------
Price Waterhouse LLP serves as the independent accountants of the Fund.
The independent accountants are responsible for auditing the annual financial
statements of the Fund.
REPORTS TO SHAREHOLDERS
- -----------------------------------------------------------------------------
The Fund will send to shareholders, at least semi-annually, reports
showing the Fund's portfolio and other information. An annual report,
containing financial statements audited by independent accountants, will be
sent to shareholders each year.
The Fund's fiscal year is the calendar year. The financial statements of
the Fund must be audited at least once a year by independent accountants
whose selection is made annually by the Fund's Board of Trustees.
LEGAL COUNSEL
- -----------------------------------------------------------------------------
Sheldon Curtis, Esq., who is an officer and the General Counsel of the
Investment Manager, is an officer and the General Counsel of the Fund.
EXPERTS
- -----------------------------------------------------------------------------
The annual financial statements of the Fund for the year ended December
31, 1995, which are included in this Statement of Additional Information and
incorporated by reference in the Prospectus, have been so included and
incorporated in reliance on the report of Price Waterhouse LLP, independent
accountants, given on the authority of said firm as experts in auditing and
accounting.
REGISTRATION STATEMENT
- -----------------------------------------------------------------------------
This Statement of Additional Information and the Prospectus do not contain
all of the information set forth in the Registration Statement the Fund has
filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission. The complete Registration
Statement may be obtained from the Securities and Exchange Commission upon
payment of the fee prescribed by the rules and regulations of the Commission.
30
<PAGE>
DEAN WITTER TAX-EXEMPT SECURITIES TRUST
PORTFOLIO OF INVESTMENTS December 31, 1995
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
PRINCIPAL
AMOUNT IN
THOUSANDS COUPON RATE MATURITY DATE VALUE
- ------------ ------------------------------------------------------- ----------- ------------- ---------------
<C> <S> <C> <C> <C>
MUNICIPAL BONDS (99.9%) General Obligation (9.9%)
North Slope Borough, Alaska,
$ 3,900 Ser 1992 A (MBIA) .................................... 0.00 % 06/30/03 $ 2,737,176
5,000 Ser 1992 A Conv (MBIA) ............................... 5.90 06/30/03 5,378,950
15,000 Ser 1994 B (CGIC) .................................... 0.00 06/30/05 9,383,400
18,500 Ser 1995 A (MBIA) .................................... 0.00 06/30/06 10,932,205
4,000 Connecticut, College Savings 1989 Ser A ............... 0.00 07/01/08 2,143,840
10,000 Florida Board of Education, Capital Outlay Refg 1995
Ser A ................................................ 5.50 06/01/13 10,279,100
Massachusetts,
10,000 Refg 1993 Ser A ...................................... 5.50 02/01/11 10,178,300
8,000 1994 Ser C (FGIC) .................................... 6.75 11/01/12 9,072,080
4,000 Clark County, Nevada, Transportation Ser 1992 A (AMBAC) 6.50 06/01/17 4,666,800
New York City, New York,
12,000 1990 Ser D ........................................... 6.00 08/01/07 12,052,920
10,000 1990 Ser D ........................................... 6.00 08/01/08 10,028,100
5,000 1996 Refg Ser E ...................................... 5.50 02/15/08 4,857,600
10,000 Pennsylvania, First Ser 1995 (FGIC) ................... 5.50 05/01/12 10,279,100
7,500 Shelby County, Tennesee, Refg 1995 Ser A .............. 5.625 04/01/14 7,798,650
20,120 King County, Washington, Ltd Tax 1995 (MBIA) .......... 6.00 01/01/23 20,996,427
- ------------ ---------------
143,020 130,784,648
- ------------ ---------------
Educational Facilities Revenue (5.4%)
10,000 FSU Financial Assistance Inc, Florida, Impr & Refg Ser
1994 ................................................. 5.25 10/01/15 9,676,800
10,000 Indiana University, Student Fee Ser K (MBIA) .......... 5.875 08/01/20 10,369,800
7,000 Massachusetts Health & Educational Facilities
Authority,
Boston University Ser 1991 (MBIA) ................... 6.66 10/01/31 7,612,500
15,000 New Hampshire Higher Educational & Health Facilities
Authority,
Dartmouth College Ser 1993 .......................... 5.375 06/01/23 14,819,100
2,000 New Jersey Development Authority, The Seeing Eye Inc
1991 ................................................. 7.30 04/01/11 2,092,280
New York State Dormitory Authority, State University
5,000 Ser 1989 B ........................................... 0.00 05/15/02 3,586,100
20,000 Ser 1990 B ........................................... 7.00 05/15/16 21,694,800
2,000 Pennsylvania Higher Educational Facilities Authority,
University of Pennsylvania Ser 1987 ................. 6.625 01/01/17 2,040,740
- ------------ ---------------
71,000 71,892,120
- ------------ ---------------
</TABLE>
SEE NOTES TO FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
31
<PAGE>
DEAN WITTER TAX-EXEMPT SECURITIES TRUST
PORTFOLIO OF INVESTMENTS December 31, 1995, continued
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
PRINCIPAL
AMOUNT IN
THOUSANDS COUPON RATE MATURITY DATE VALUE
- ------------ ------------------------------------------------------- ----------- ------------- ---------------
<C> <S> <C> <C> <C>
Electric Revenue (13.6%)
$ 25,000 Salt River Project Agricultural Improvement & Power
District, Arizona, Refg 1993 Ser C .................. 5.50 % 01/01/10 $ 26,119,750
10,000 Sacramento Municipal Utility District, California, Refg
1994 Ser I (MBIA) .................................... 5.75 01/01/15 10,283,400
20,000 Southern California Public Power Authority,
Mead-Adelanto 1994 Ser A (AMBAC) .................... 5.15 07/01/15 19,902,600
10,000 Municipal Electric Authority of Georgia, Fifth
Crossover Ser ........................................ 6.50 01/01/17 11,290,400
15,000 Nebraska Public Power District, Power 1993 Ser C ...... 5.00 01/01/17 14,143,800
15,000 New York State Power Authority, Gen Purpose Ser CC .... 5.25 01/01/18 14,655,600
5,000 North Carolina Municipal Power Agency #1, Catawba Ser
1988 ................................................. 6.00 01/01/15 5,004,650
15,000 Puerto Rico Electric Power Authority, Power Ser O ..... 0.00 07/01/17 4,683,900
15,000 South Carolina Public Service Authority, 1995 Refg Ser
A (AMBAC) ............................................ 6.25 01/01/22 16,185,900
6,000 Austin, Texas, Combined Utilities Refg Ser 1993 A ..... 5.75 11/15/13 6,161,400
Intermountain Power Agency, Utah,
15,000 Refg 1985 Ser H ...................................... 6.00 07/01/21 15,001,650
5,000 Refg 1985 Ser I ...................................... 6.00 07/01/21 5,000,550
8,000 Refg 1993 Ser A ...................................... 5.00 07/01/23 7,414,880
8,000 Lewis County Public Utility District #1, Washington,
Cowlitz Falls Hydro Refg Ser 1993 ................... 5.50 10/01/13 7,910,000
15,000 Washington Public Power Supply System, Proj #2 Refg Ser
1994 A ............................................... 6.00 07/01/07 15,949,050
- ------------ ---------------
187,000 179,707,530
- ------------ ---------------
Hospital Revenue (8.5%)
10,000 Birmingham - Carraway Special Care Facilities Financing
Authority, Alabama Carraway Methodist Health Systems
Ser 1995 A (Connie Lee) .............................. 6.25 08/15/09 10,933,300
3,000 Baxter County, Arkansas, Baxter County Regional
Hospital Inc
Impr & Refg Ser 1992 ................................ 7.50 09/01/21 3,250,020
10,000 California Health Facilities Financing Authority,
Kaiser Permanente Ser 1985 .......................... 5.55 08/15/25 9,799,900
3,000 Colorado Springs, Colorado, Memorial Hospital Refg Ser
1995 (MBIA) .......................................... 6.00 12/15/24 3,151,620
6,000 Connecticut Health & Educational Facilities Authority,
Yale-New Haven Hospital Ser F (MBIA) ................ 7.10 07/01/25 6,673,320
Massachusetts Health & Educational Facilities
Authority,
1,500 Malden Hospital - FHA Insured Mtge Ser A ............. 5.00 08/01/16 1,350,120
10,000 New England Medical Center Ser G (MBIA) .............. 5.375 07/01/24 9,863,600
Rochester, Minnesota, Mayo Foundation/Mayo Medical
Center
7,000 Ser 1992 I ........................................... 5.75 11/15/21 7,099,540
3,700 Ser 1992 F ........................................... 6.25 11/15/21 3,908,532
15,000 Missouri Health & Educational Facilities Authority,
Barnes-Jewish Inc/Christian Health Services Ser 1993
A .................................................... 5.25 05/15/14 14,484,600
</TABLE>
SEE NOTES TO FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
32
<PAGE>
DEAN WITTER TAX-EXEMPT SECURITIES TRUST
PORTFOLIO OF INVESTMENTS December 31, 1995, continued
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
PRINCIPAL
AMOUNT IN
THOUSANDS COUPON RATE MATURITY DATE VALUE
- ------------ ------------------------------------------------------- ----------- ------------- ---------------
<C> <S> <C> <C> <C>
$ 6,000 New York State Medical Care Facilities Finance Agency,
Presbyterian Hospital - FHA Insured Mtge 1984 Ser A
Refg ................................................. 5.25 % 08/15/14 $ 5,874,000
10,000 Charlotte-Mecklenburg County Hospital Authority, North
Carolina, Ser 1992 ................................... 6.00 01/01/22 10,210,000
4,000 Cuyahoga County, Ohio, The Cleveland Clinic Foundation
Refg Ser 1988 A ...................................... 8.00 12/01/15 4,272,400
9,000 North Central Texas Health Facilities Development
Corporation,
University Medical Center Inc Ser 1987 .............. 7.75 04/01/17 9,368,460
7,000 Fairfax County Industrial Development Authority,
Virginia, Inova Health System Foundation Refg Ser
1993 A ............................................... 5.25 08/15/19 6,733,860
5,000 University of Virginia, Refg Ser E .................... 6.00 06/01/13 5,109,550
- ------------ ---------------
110,200 112,082,822
- ------------ ---------------
Industrial Development/Pollution Control Revenue (9.0%)
10,000 Jefferson County, Kentucky, Louisville Gas & Electric
Co 1993 Ser B ........................................ 5.625 08/15/19 10,076,900
1,490 Maryland Industrial Development Financing Authority,
Medical Waste Assocs LP 1989 Ser (AMT) .............. 8.75 11/15/10 1,490,000
7,000 Becker, Minnesota, Northern States Power Co Ser A 1989 6.80 04/01/07 7,532,210
18,000 Claiborne County, Mississippi, Middle South Energy Inc
Ser C ................................................ 9.875 12/01/14 20,659,140
10,000 Clark County, Nevada, Nevada Power Co Ser 1992 A (AMT)
(FGIC) ............................................... 6.70 06/01/22 10,782,500
10,000 Washoe County, Nevada, Sierra Pacific Power Co Ser 1987
(AMBAC) .............................................. 6.30 12/01/14 10,684,100
8,000 Alliance Airport Authority, Texas, AMR Corp Ser 1990
(AMT) ................................................ 7.50 12/01/29 8,609,760
20,000 Dallas-Fort Worth International Airport Facility
Improvement Corporation, Texas, American Airlines Inc
Ser 1995 ............................................. 6.00 11/01/14 19,946,600
Matagorda County Navigational District #1, Texas,
Central Power & Light Co
7,000 Collateralized Ser 1984 A ............................ 7.50 12/15/14 7,794,290
10,000 Ser 1986 (AMT) ....................................... 7.875 12/01/16 10,476,200
10,000 Weston, Wisconsin, Wisconsin Public Service Corp Refg
Ser 1993 A ........................................... 6.90 02/01/13 11,050,600
- ------------ ---------------
111,490 119,102,300
- ------------ ---------------
Mortgage Revenue - Multi-Family (2.1%)
2,060 Massachusetts Housing Finance Agency, Hsg Dev 1986 Ser
A (AMT) .............................................. 7.75 12/01/19 2,132,615
7,000 Michigan Housing Development Authority, Rental Ser A
(Bifurcated FSA) ..................................... 6.50 04/01/23 7,254,170
9,000 New Jersey Housing & Mortgage Finance Agency, 1995 Ser
A (AMBAC) ............................................ 6.05 11/01/20 9,191,700
New York City Housing Development Corporation, New
York,
4,585 Ruppert Proj - FHA Insured Sec 223F .................. 6.50 11/15/18 4,787,933
4,445 Stevenson Commons Proj - FHA Insured Sec 223F ........ 6.50 05/15/18 4,638,917
- ------------ ---------------
27,090 28,005,335
- ------------ ---------------
</TABLE>
SEE NOTES TO FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
33
<PAGE>
DEAN WITTER TAX-EXEMPT SECURITIES TRUST
PORTFOLIO OF INVESTMENTS December 31, 1995, continued
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
PRINCIPAL
AMOUNT IN
THOUSANDS COUPON RATE MATURITY DATE VALUE
- ------------ ------------------------------------------------------- ----------- ------------- ---------------
<C> <S> <C> <C> <C>
Mortgage Revenue - Single Family (6.5%)
$10,000 Alaska Housing Finance Corporation, Governmental 1995
Ser A (MBIA) ......................................... 5.875% 12/01/24 $10,054,800
2,440 California Housing Finance Agency, Home Cap Apprec 1983
Ser B ................................................ 0.00 08/01/15 334,231
12,100 Illinois Housing Development Authority, Residential
1991 Ser C (AMT) ..................................... 6.875 02/01/18 12,792,846
7,600 Nebraska Investment Finance Authority, GNMA-Backed 1990
Ser (AMT) ............................................ 7.631 09/10/30 8,208,532
4,010 North Carolina Housing Finance Agency, Ser Q (AMT) .... 8.00 03/01/18 4,303,813
7,450 Ohio Housing Finance Agency, GNMA-Backed 1990 Ser A
(AMT) ................................................ 6.903 03/01/31 7,848,128
Pennsylvania Housing Finance Agency,
8,000 Ser 1993-37 A ........................................ 5.45 10/01/17 7,722,640
10,000 Ser 1991-31 (AMT) .................................... 7.00 10/01/23 10,566,400
Tennessee Housing Development Agency, Mortgage Finance
4,000 1993 Ser A ........................................... 5.90 07/01/18 4,037,640
11,000 1993 Ser A ........................................... 5.95 07/01/28 11,055,440
8,620 Wisconsin Housing & Economic Development Authority,
Home Ownership 1991 Ser (AMT) ....................... 7.097 10/25/22 9,126,597
- ------------ ---------------
85,220 86,051,067
- ------------ ---------------
Public Facilities Revenue (3.7%)
10,000 Los Angeles Convention & Exhibition Center Authority,
California, 1993 Refg Ser A COPs (MBIA) ............. 5.375 08/15/18 9,966,900
5,000 Palm Beach County, Florida, Criminal Justice Ser 1990
(FGIC) ............................................... 6.00 06/01/13 5,150,000
10,000 Metropolitan Pier & Exposition Authority, Illinois,
McCormick Place Ser 1992 A .......................... 6.50 06/15/27 10,556,100
10,000 Michigan Building Authority, 1993 Refg Ser I (AMBAC) .. 5.30 10/01/16 9,936,900
6,000 Saint Louis Industrial Development Authority, Missouri,
Kiel Center Refg Ser 1992 (AMT) ..................... 7.75 12/01/13 6,405,060
5,000 Ohio Building Authority, Correctional 1985 Ser C BIGS . 0.00+ 10/01/05 6,403,400
- ------------ ---------------
46,000 48,418,360
- ------------ ---------------
Resource Recovery Revenue (6.8%)
Connecticut Resources Recovery Authority,
9,000 American REF-FUEL Co of Southeastern Connecticut 1988
Ser A (AMT) .......................................... 8.00 11/15/15 9,972,000
4,950 Bridgeport RESCO Ser A ............................... 7.625 01/01/09 5,212,647
6,705 Broward County, Florida, SES Broward County South Ser
1984 ................................................. 7.95 12/01/08 7,587,512
7,000 Savannah Resource Recovery Development Authority,
Georgia, Savannah Energy Systems Co Ser 1992 ........ 6.30 12/01/06 7,465,220
10,000 Northeast Maryland Waste Disposal Authority, Montgomery
County Ser 1993 A (AMT) ............................. 6.30 07/01/16 10,413,300
3,000 Greater Detroit Resource Recovery Authority, Michigan,
Ser C ................................................ 9.25 12/13/08 3,098,130
9,000 Mercer County Improvement Authority, New Jersey, Refg
Ser A 1992 (AMT) (FGIC) ............................. 6.70 04/01/13 9,476,190
</TABLE>
SEE NOTES TO FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
34
<PAGE>
DEAN WITTER TAX-EXEMPT SECURITIES TRUST
PORTFOLIO OF INVESTMENTS December 31, 1995, continued
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
PRINCIPAL
AMOUNT IN
THOUSANDS COUPON RATE MATURITY DATE VALUE
- ------------ ------------------------------------------------------- ----------- ------------- ---------------
<C> <S> <C> <C> <C>
$ 9,000 Union County Utilities Authority, New Jersey, 1991 Ser
A (AMT) .............................................. 7.20 % 06/15/14 $ 9,621,990
10,000 Hempstead Industrial Development Agency, New York, 1985
American REF-FUEL Co of Hempstead ................... 7.40 12/01/10 10,413,400
6,000 New York State Environmental Facilities Corporation,
Huntington 1989 Ser A (AMT) ......................... 7.50 10/01/12 6,389,760
5,000 Onondaga County Resource Recovery Agency, New York,
1992 Ser (AMT) ....................................... 6.875 05/01/06 5,170,600
5,000 Fairfax County Economic Development Authority,
Virginia, Ogden Martin Systems of Fairfax Inc Ser
1988 A (AMT) ......................................... 7.75 02/01/11 5,502,300
- ------------ ---------------
84,655 90,323,049
- ------------ ---------------
Transportation Facilities Revenue (10.8%)
Mid-Bay Bridge Authority, Florida,
8,965 Sr Lien Crossover Refg Ser 1993 A .................... 6.00 10/01/13 9,136,321
2,500 Jr Lien Advance Refg Ser 1993 D ...................... 6.125 10/01/22 2,522,550
10,000 Atlanta, Georgia, Airport Ser 1990 (AMT) .............. 6.25 01/01/21 10,395,800
8,100 Metropolitan Atlanta Rapid Transit Authority, Georgia,
Sales Tax
Refg Ser K .......................................... 7.25 07/01/10 8,779,185
5,000 Hawaii, Airports Second Ser 1991 (AMT) ................ 7.00 07/01/18 5,436,250
Kentucky Turnpike Authority,
9,000 Economic Development Road Refg Ser 1995 (AMBAC) ...... 6.50 07/01/08 10,316,340
30,000 Resource Recovery Road Refg 1987 Ser A ............... 5.00 07/01/08 29,862,000
11,000 New Jersey Highway Authority, Sr Parkway Refg 1992 Ser 6.25 01/01/14 11,726,220
6,595 Albuquerque, New Mexico Airport Refg Ser 1997
(AMT)(AMBAC) (WI) .................................... 6.375 07/01/15 6,916,374
7,000 Ohio Turnpike Commission, 1994 Ser A .................. 5.75 02/15/24 7,123,130
Pennsylvania Turnpike Commission,
5,000 Ser L of 1991 (MBIA) ................................. 6.00 06/01/15 5,193,600
5,000 Ser A of 1986 ........................................ 6.00 12/01/17 5,025,050
10,000 Puerto Rico Highway & Transportation Authority, Refg
Ser X ................................................ 5.50 07/01/15 10,095,600
10,000 Texas Turnpike Authority, Dallas North
Tollway/President George Bush Turnpike Refg Ser 1995
(FGIC) (WI) .......................................... 5.25 01/01/23 9,872,000
4,000 Virginia Transportation Board, US Route 58 Corridor Ser
1993 B ............................................... 5.625 05/15/13 4,094,840
7,000 Port of Seattle, Washington, Ser 1992 B (AMT) ......... 6.00 11/01/17 7,077,490
- ------------ ---------------
139,160 143,572,750
- ------------ ---------------
Water & Sewer Revenue (11.4%)
10,000 Birmingham Water Works & Sewer Board, Alabama, Ser 1994 5.50 01/01/20 10,061,100
10,000 Phoenix Civic Improvement Corporation, Arizona, Jr Lien
Water Ser 1994 ....................................... 5.45 07/01/19 10,000,000
10,000 California Department of Water Resources, Central
Valley Refg Ser L .................................... 5.50 12/01/23 9,900,900
5,000 Central Coast Water Authority, California, Ser 1992
(AMBAC) .............................................. 6.60 10/01/22 5,482,700
19,750 East Bay Municipal Utility District, California, Water
Refg Ser 1993 (MBIA) ................................. 5.00 06/01/21 19,060,528
10,000 Los Angeles, California, Wastewater Ser 1994-A (MBIA) . 5.875 06/01/24 10,326,000
</TABLE>
SEE NOTES TO FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
35
<PAGE>
DEAN WITTER TAX-EXEMPT SECURITIES TRUST
PORTFOLIO OF INVESTMENTS December 31, 1995, continued
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
PRINCIPAL
AMOUNT IN
THOUSANDS COUPON RATE MATURITY DATE VALUE
- ------------ ------------------------------------------------------- ----------- ------------- ---------------
<C> <S> <C> <C> <C>
$ 10,000 Dade County, Florida, Water & Sewer Ser 1995 (FGIC) ... 5.50 % 10/01/25 $ 10,068,000
15,000 Chicago, Illinois, Wastewater Ser 1995 (FGIC) ......... 5.125 01/01/25 14,505,450
Massachusetts Water Resources Authority,
10,000 1993 Ser C ........................................... 5.25 12/01/15 9,938,500
10,000 Refg 1992 Ser B ...................................... 5.50 11/01/15 9,892,100
4,000 Detroit, Michigan, Sewage Refg Ser 1993-A (FGIC) ...... 5.70 07/01/13 4,123,080
8,500 New York City Municipal Water Finance Authority, New
York, 1994 Ser B ..................................... 5.30 06/15/06 8,696,605
Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, Water & Wastewater
10,000 Ser 1993 (CGIC) ...................................... 5.50 06/15/15 10,007,000
5,000 Ser 1995 (MBIA) ...................................... 5.60 08/01/18 5,046,400
15,000 Upper Occoquan Sewerage Authority, Virginia, Regl
Sewerage Ser 1995 A
(MBIA) (WI) ......................................... 5.00 07/01/25 14,332,350
- ------------ ---------------
152,250 151,440,713
- ------------ ---------------
Other Revenue (2.9%)
3,500 Denver, Colorado, Excise Tax Ser 1985 A ............... 5.00 11/01/08 3,504,620
New York Local Government Assistance Corporation,
9,000 Ser 1993 C Refg ...................................... 5.375 04/01/14 8,870,580
11,000 Ser 1994 A ........................................... 5.50 04/01/17 11,263,450
10,000 Ser 1995 A ........................................... 6.00 04/01/24 10,483,000
5,000 Houston, Texas, Sr Lien Hotel Occupancy Tax Refg Ser
1995 (FSA) ........................................... 5.50 07/01/11 5,079,750
- ------------ ---------------
38,500 39,201,400
- ------------ ---------------
Refunded (9.3%)
9,000 Los Angeles Convention & Exhibition Center Authority,
California, Ser 1985 COPs ........................... 9.00 12/01/05++ 12,125,790
2,500 Mid-Bay Bridge Authority, Florida, Ser 1991 A
(Crossover) .......................................... 6.875 10/01/22 2,962,525
8,500 Albuquerque, New Mexico, Joint Water & Sewer 1986 Ser A 6.00 07/01/00++ 9,129,340
14,000 New York State Dormitory Authority, Suffolk County
Judicial
Ser 1986 (ETM) ...................................... 7.375 07/01/16 17,007,620
10,000 Ohio Building Authority, Correctional 1986 Ser A ...... 7.35 08/01/99++ 11,254,000
25,000 Intermountain Power Agency, Utah, Refg 1985 Ser H
(GAINS) .............................................. 0.00 ++ 07/01/03++ 23,281,000
5,000 Salt Lake City, Utah, IHC Hospital Inc Ser of 1983
(ETM) ................................................ 5.00 06/01/15 4,842,800
10,000 Fairfax County, Virginia, Sewer Ser A (AMBAC) ......... 7.00 11/15/99++ 11,207,900
28,000 Fairfax County Industrial Development Authority,
Virginia,
Fairfax Hospital System Inc/Inova Health Ser 1991 ... 6.801 08/15/01++ 31,899,280
- ------------ ---------------
112,000 123,710,255
- ------------ ---------------
1,307,585 TOTAL MUNICIPAL BONDS (Identified Cost $1,220,477,089) .......................... 1,324,292,349
- ------------ ---------------
</TABLE>
SEE NOTES TO FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
36
<PAGE>
DEAN WITTER TAX-EXEMPT SECURITIES TRUST
PORTFOLIO OF INVESTMENTS December 31, 1995, continued
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
PRINCIPAL
AMOUNT IN
THOUSANDS COUPON RATE MATURITY DATE VALUE
- ------------ ------------------------------------------------------- ----------- ------------- ---------------
<C> <S> <C> <C> <C>
SHORT-TERM MUNICIPAL OBLIGATIONS (1.3%)
$ 2,500 Illinois Health Facilities Authority, Resurrection
Health Care Ser 1993 (Demand 01/02/96) .............. 6.05*% 05/01/11 $ 2,500,000
5,000 Guadalupe-Blanco River Authority, Texas, Central Power
& Light Co Refg Ser 1995 (Demand 01/02/96) .......... 5.90* 11/01/15 5,000,000
9,800 Gulf Coast Waste Disposal Authority, Texas, Amoco Oil
Co Ser 1992 (Demand 01/02/96) ....................... 5.90* 10/01/17 9,800,000
- ------------ ---------------
17,300 TOTAL SHORT-TERM MUNICIPAL OBLIGATIONS (Identified Cost $17,300,000) ............ 17,300,000
- ------------ ---------------
$1,324,885 TOTAL INVESTMENTS (Identified Cost $1,237,777,089) (a) ............ 101.2 % 1,341,592,349
============
LIABILITIES IN EXCESS OF CASH AND OTHER ASSETS .................... (1.2 ) (16,283,848)
---------------
NET ASSETS ........................................................ 100.0 % $1,325,308,501
===============
</TABLE>
- ------------
AMT Alternative Minimum Tax.
BIGS Bond Income Growth Security.
COPs Certificates of Participation.
ETM Escrowed to Maturity.
GAINS Growth and Income Security.
WI Security purchased on a when issued basis.
+ Currently a zero coupon bond; will convert to 9.75% on October 1,
1996.
++ Currently a zero coupon bond; will convert to 10.00% on July 1,
2000.
++ Prerefunded to call date shown.
* Current coupon of variable rate security.
(a) The aggregate cost for federal income tax purposes is
$1,237,777,089; the aggregate gross unrealized appreciation is
$105,926,422 and the aggregate gross unrealized depreciation is
$2,111,162, resulting in net unrealized appreciation of
$103,815,260.
Bond Insurance:
- ---------------
AMBAC AMBAC Indemnity Corporation.
CGIC Capital Guaranty Insurance Company.
Connie Lee Connie Lee Insurance Company.
FGIC Financial Guaranty Insurance Company.
FSA Financial Security Assurance Inc.
MBIA Municipal Bond Investors Assurance Corporation.
SEE NOTES TO FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
37
<PAGE>
DEAN WITTER TAX-EXEMPT SECURITIES TRUST
PORTFOLIO OF INVESTMENTS December 31, 1995, continued
Geographic Summary of Investments
Based on Market Value as a Percent of Net Assets
December 31, 1995
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
<S> <C>
Alabama ....... 1.6%
Alaska ........ 2.9
Arizona ....... 2.7
Arkansas ...... 0.2
California .... 8.1
Colorado ...... 0.5
Connecticut .. 1.8
Florida ....... 4.3
Georgia ....... 2.9
Hawaii ........ 0.4
Illinois ...... 3.0%
Indiana ....... 0.8
Kentucky ...... 3.8
Maryland ...... 0.9
Massachusetts 4.5
Michigan ...... 1.8
Minnesota ..... 1.4
Mississippi .. 1.6
Missouri ...... 1.6
Nebraska ...... 1.7
Nevada ........ 2.0%
New Hampshire 1.1
New Jersey .... 3.2
New Mexico .... 1.2
New York ...... 12.1
North Carolina 1.5
Ohio .......... 2.8
Pennsylvania . 4.2
Puerto Rico .. 1.1
South Carolina 1.2
Tennessee ..... 1.7%
Texas ......... 7.0
Utah .......... 4.2
Virginia ...... 6.0
Washington .... 3.9
Wisconsin ..... 1.5
-------
Total ......... 101.2%
=======
</TABLE>
SEE NOTES TO FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
38
<PAGE>
DEAN WITTER TAX-EXEMPT SECURITIES TRUST
FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
STATEMENT OF ASSETS AND LIABILITIES
DECEMBER 31, 1995
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
<S> <C>
ASSETS:
Investments in securities, at value
(identified cost $1,237,777,089) ....... $1,341,592,349
Cash ..................................... 2,129,087
Receivable for:
Interest ............................... 20,070,485
Shares of beneficial interest sold .... 238,429
Prepaid expenses ......................... 27,920
--------------
TOTAL ASSETS ........................... 1,364,058,270
--------------
LIABILITIES:
Payable for:
Investments purchased .................. 30,521,741
Dividends and distributions ............ 6,765,089
Shares of beneficial interest
repurchased ........................... 817,062
Investment management fee .............. 476,646
Accrued expenses ......................... 169,231
--------------
TOTAL LIABILITIES ...................... 38,749,769
--------------
NET ASSETS:
Paid-in-capital .......................... 1,215,536,596
Net unrealized appreciation .............. 103,815,260
Accumulated undistributed net realized
gain .................................... 5,578,332
Accumulated undistributed net investment
income .................................. 378,313
--------------
NET ASSETS ............................. $1,325,308,501
==============
NET ASSET VALUE PER SHARE,
109,609,420 shares outstanding
(unlimited shares authorized of
$.01 par value) ......................... $ 12.09
==============
MAXIMUM OFFERING PRICE PER SHARE
(net asset value plus 4.17% of net asset
value)* ................................. $ 12.59
==============
</TABLE>
- ------------
* On sales of $25,000 or more, the offering price is reduced.
STATEMENT OF OPERATIONS
FOR THE YEAR ENDED DECEMBER 31, 1995
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
<S> <C>
NET INVESTMENT INCOME:
INTEREST INCOME ....................... $ 82,466,837
-------------
EXPENSES
Investment management fee ............. 5,608,466
Transfer agent fees and expenses ..... 474,485
Shareholder reports and notices ...... 73,205
Professional fees ..................... 64,387
Custodian fees ........................ 63,091
Registration fees ..................... 39,052
Trustees' fees and expenses ........... 26,709
Other ................................. 44,656
-------------
TOTAL EXPENSES BEFORE EXPENSE
OFFSET ............................... 6,394,051
LESS: EXPENSE OFFSET ................ (62,815)
-------------
TOTAL EXPENSES AFTER EXPENSE OFFSET 6,331,236
-------------
NET INVESTMENT INCOME ............... 76,135,601
-------------
NET REALIZED AND UNREALIZED GAIN:
Net realized gain ..................... 17,721,238
Net change in unrealized depreciation 117,785,387
-------------
NET GAIN ............................ 135,506,625
-------------
NET INCREASE .......................... $211,642,226
=============
</TABLE>
SEE NOTES TO FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
39
<PAGE>
DEAN WITTER TAX-EXEMPT SECURITIES TRUST
FINANCIAL STATEMENTS, continued
STATEMENT OF CHANGES IN NET ASSETS
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
FOR THE YEAR FOR THE YEAR
ENDED ENDED
DECEMBER 31, 1995 DECEMBER 31, 1994
- ------------------------------------------------------ ----------------- -----------------
<S> <C> <C>
INCREASE (DECREASE) IN NET ASSETS:
OPERATIONS:
Net investment income ................................. $ 76,135,601 $ 86,889,974
Net realized gain ..................................... 17,721,238 317,254
Net change in unrealized appreciation/depreciation ... 117,785,387 (174,483,958)
----------------- -----------------
NET INCREASE (DECREASE) ............................. 211,642,226 (87,276,730)
----------------- -----------------
DIVIDENDS AND DISTRIBUTIONS FROM:
Net investment income ................................. (75,983,289) (86,663,973)
Net realized gain ..................................... (12,426,304) (3,275,754)
----------------- -----------------
TOTAL ............................................... (88,409,593) (89,939,727)
----------------- -----------------
Net decrease from transactions in shares of beneficial
interest ............................................. (93,207,593) (109,486,128)
----------------- -----------------
TOTAL INCREASE (DECREASE) ........................... 30,025,040 (286,702,585)
NET ASSETS:
Beginning of period ................................... 1,295,283,461 1,581,986,046
----------------- -----------------
END OF PERIOD
(Including undistributed net investment income of
$378,313 and $226,001, respectively) ................. $1,325,308,501 $1,295,283,461
================= =================
</TABLE>
SEE NOTES TO FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
40
<PAGE>
DEAN WITTER TAX-EXEMPT SECURITIES TRUST
NOTES TO FINANCIAL STATEMENTS December 31, 1995
1. ORGANIZATION AND ACCOUNTING POLICIES
Dean Witter Tax-Exempt Securities Trust (the "Fund") is registered under the
Investment Company Act of 1940, as amended, as a diversified, open-end
management investment company. The Fund's investment objective is to provide
a high level of current income which is exempt from federal income tax,
consistent with the preservation of capital. The Fund was incorporated in
Maryland in 1979, commenced operations on March 27, 1980 and reorganized as a
Massachusetts business trust on April 30, 1987.
The preparation of financial statements in accordance with generally accepted
accounting principles requires management to make estimates and assumptions
that affect the reported amounts and disclosures. Actual results could differ
from those estimates. The following is a summary of significant accounting
policies:
A. VALUATION OF INVESTMENTS -- -- Portfolio securities are valued for the
Fund by an outside independent pricing service approved by the Trustees. The
pricing service has informed the Fund that in valuing the Fund's portfolio
securities, it uses both a computerized matrix of tax-exempt securities and
evaluations by its staff, in each case based on information concerning market
transactions and quotations from dealers which reflect the bid side of the
market each day. The Fund's portfolio securities are thus valued by reference
to a combination of transactions and quotations for the same or other
securities believed to be comparable in quality, coupon, maturity, type of
issue, call provisions, trading characteristics and other features deemed to
be relevant. Short-term debt securities having a maturity date of more than
sixty days at time of purchase are valued on a mark-to-market basis until
sixty days prior to maturity and thereafter at amortized cost based on their
value on the 61st day. Short-term debt securities having a maturity date of
sixty days or less at the time of purchase are valued at amortized cost.
B. ACCOUNTING FOR INVESTMENTS -- Security transactions are accounted for on
the trade date (date the order to buy or sell is executed). Realized gains
and losses on security transactions are determined by the identified cost
method. The Fund amortizes premiums and accretes discounts over the life of
the respective securities. Interest income is accrued daily.
C. FEDERAL INCOME TAX STATUS -- It is the Fund's policy to comply with the
requirements of the Internal Revenue Code applicable to regulated investment
companies and to distribute all of its taxable and nontaxable income to its
shareholders. Accordingly, no federal income tax provision is required.
D. DIVIDENDS AND DISTRIBUTIONS TO SHAREHOLDERS -- The Fund records dividends
and distributions to its shareholders on the record date. The amount of
dividends and distributions from net investment income and net realized
capital gains are determined in accordance with federal income tax
regulations which may
41
<PAGE>
DEAN WITTER TAX-EXEMPT SECURITIES TRUST
NOTES TO FINANCIAL STATEMENTS December 31, 1995, continued
differ from generally accepted accounting principles. These "book/tax"
differences are either considered temporary or permanent in nature. To the
extent these differences are permanent in nature, such amounts are
reclassified within the capital accounts based on their federal tax-basis
treatment; temporary differences do not require reclassification. Dividends
and distributions which exceed net investment income and net realized capital
gains for financial reporting purposes but not for tax purposes are reported
as dividends in excess of net investment income or distributions in excess of
net realized capital gains. To the extent they exceed net investment income
and net realized capital gains for tax purposes, they are reported as
distributions of paid-in-capital.
2. INVESTMENT MANAGEMENT AGREEMENT
Pursuant to an Investment Management Agreement with Dean Witter InterCapital
Inc. (the "Investment Manager"), the Fund pays a management fee, accrued
daily and payable monthly, by applying the following annual rates to the
Fund's net assets determined as of the close of each business day: 0.50% to
the portion of average daily net assets not exceeding $500 million; 0.425% to
the portion of average daily net assets exceeding $500 million but not
exceeding $750 million; 0.375% to the portion of average daily net assets
exceeding $750 million but not exceeding $1 billion; 0.35% to the portion of
average daily net assets exceeding $1 billion but not exceeding $1.25
billion; and 0.325% to the portion of average daily net assets exceeding
$1.25 billion.
Under the terms of the Agreement, in addition to managing the Fund's
investments, the Investment Manager maintains certain of the Fund's books and
records and furnishes, at its own expense, office space, facilities,
equipment, clerical, bookkeeping and certain legal services and 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 services, heat, light, power and other utilities provided to the
Fund.
3. SECURITY TRANSACTIONS AND TRANSACTIONS WITH AFFILIATES
The cost of purchases and proceeds from sales of portfolio securities,
excluding short-term investments, for the year ended December 31, 1995
aggregated $277,176,837 and $258,806,176, respectively.
Dean Witter Trust Company, an affiliate of the Investment Manager, is the
Fund's transfer agent. At December 31, 1995, the Fund had transfer agent fees
and expenses payable of approximately $57,400.
The Fund has an unfunded noncontributory defined benefit pension plan
covering all independent Trustees of the Fund who will have served as
independent Trustees for at least five years at the time of retirement.
Benefits under this plan are based on years of service and compensation
during the last five
42
<PAGE>
DEAN WITTER TAX-EXEMPT SECURITIES TRUST
NOTES TO FINANCIAL STATEMENTS December 31, 1995, continued
years of service. Aggregate pension costs for the year ended December 31,
1995 included in Trustees' fees and expenses in the Statement of Operations
amounted to $8,161. At December 31, 1995, the Fund had an accrued pension
liability of $53,592 which is included in accrued expenses in the Statement
of Assets and Liabilities.
Shares of the Fund are distributed by Dean Witter Distributors Inc. (the
"Distributor"), an affiliate of the Investment Manager. The Distributor has
informed the Fund that for the year ended December 31, 1995, it received
approximately $972,000 in commissions from the sale of the Fund's shares.
Such commissions are not an expense of the Fund; they are deducted from the
proceeds of the shares.
4. SHARES OF BENEFICIAL INTEREST
Transactions in shares of beneficial interest were as follows:
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
FOR THE YEAR ENDED FOR THE YEAR ENDED
DECEMBER 31, 1995 DECEMBER 31, 1994
------------------------------- -------------------------------
SHARES AMOUNT SHARES AMOUNT
-------------- --------------- -------------- ---------------
<S> <C> <C> <C> <C>
Sold ........................................ 3,469,058 $ 40,446,608 7,312,606 $ 84,305,647
Reinvestment of dividends and distributions 4,260,271 50,182,467 4,215,782 50,735,434
-------------- --------------- -------------- ---------------
7,729,329 90,629,075 11,528,388 135,041,081
Repurchased ................................. (15,722,604) (183,836,668) (21,399,631) (244,527,209)
-------------- --------------- -------------- ---------------
Net decrease ................................ (7,993,275) $ (93,207,593) (9,871,243) $(109,486,128)
============== =============== ============== ===============
</TABLE>
43
<PAGE>
DEAN WITTER TAX-EXEMPT SECURITIES TRUST
FINANCIAL HIGHLIGHTS
Selected ratios and per share data for a share of beneficial interest
outstanding throughout each period:
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
FOR THE YEAR ENDED DECEMBER 31
- --------------------------------------- ----------------------------------------
1995 1994 1993 1992
- --------------------------------------- -------- --------- -------- ---------
<S> <C> <C> <C> <C>
PER SHARE OPERATING PERFORMANCE:
Net asset value, beginning of period .. $ 11.01 $ 12.41 $ 11.88 $ 11.65
-------- --------- -------- ---------
Net investment income .................. 0.67 0.70 0.77 0.79
Net realized and unrealized gain (loss) 1.19 (1.37) 0.54 0.23
-------- --------- -------- ---------
Total from investment operations ...... 1.86 (0.67) 1.31 1.02
-------- --------- -------- ---------
Less dividends and distributions from:
Net investment income ................ (0.67) (0.70) (0.77) (0.79)
Net realized gain .................... (0.11) (0.03) (0.01) --
-------- --------- -------- ---------
Total dividends and distributions ..... (0.78) (0.73) (0.78) (0.79)
-------- --------- -------- ---------
Net asset value, end of period ......... $ 12.09 $11.01 $ 12.41 $11.88
======== ========= ======== =========
TOTAL INVESTMENT RETURN+ ............... 17.37 % (5.55)% 11.23 % 9.09 %
RATIOS TO AVERAGE NET ASSETS:
Expenses ............................... 0.48% 0.47 % 0.47 % 0.49 %
Net investment income .................. 5.76% 6.02 % 6.23 % 6.74 %
SUPPLEMENTAL DATA:
Net assets, end of period, in millions $ 1,325 $1,295 $ 1,582 $1,323
Portfolio turnover rate ................ 21 % 16 % 13 % 4 %
</TABLE>
(RESTUBBED TABLE CONTINUED FROM ABOVE)
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
- ---------------------------------------
1991 1990 1989 1988 1987 1986
- --------------------------------------- -------- --------- -------- -------- --------- --------
<S> <C> <C> <C> <C> <C> <C>
PER SHARE OPERATING PERFORMANCE:
Net asset value, beginning of period .. $ 11.09 $ 11.28 $ 10.96 $ 10.45 $ 11.50 $ 10.79
-------- --------- -------- -------- --------- --------
Net investment income .................. 0.80 0.80 0.81 0.81 0.80 0.85
Net realized and unrealized gain (loss) 0.56 (0.18) 0.32 0.51 (0.97) 1.21
-------- --------- -------- -------- --------- --------
Total from investment operations ...... 1.36 0.62 1.13 1.32 (0.17) 2.06
-------- --------- -------- -------- --------- --------
Less dividends and distributions from:
Net investment income ................ (0.80) (0.81) (0.81) (0.81) (0.83) (0.87)
Net realized gain .................... -- -- -- -- (0.05) (0.48)
-------- --------- -------- -------- --------- --------
Total dividends and distributions ..... (0.80) (0.81) (0.81) (0.81) (0.88) (1.35)
-------- --------- -------- -------- --------- --------
Net asset value, end of period ......... $ 11.65 $11.09 $ 11.28 $ 10.96 $10.45 $ 11.50
======== ========= ======== ======== ========= ========
TOTAL INVESTMENT RETURN+ ............... 12.71 % 5.86 % 10.61 % 13.02 % (1.44)% 20.17 %
RATIOS TO AVERAGE NET ASSETS:
Expenses ............................... 0.51 % 0.51 % 0.51 % 0.54 % 0.52 % 0.56 %
Net investment income .................. 7.05 % 7.25 % 7.31 % 7.51 % 7.42 % 7.51 %
SUPPLEMENTAL DATA:
Net assets, end of period, in millions $ 1,145 $1,010 $ 1,033 $ 908 $ 896 $ 966
Portfolio turnover rate ................ 10 % 19 % 13 % 17 % 37 % 42 %
<FN>
- ------------
+ Does not reflect the deduction of sales load.
SEE NOTES TO FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
44
<PAGE>
DEAN WITTER TAX-EXEMPT SECURITIES TRUST
REPORT OF INDEPENDENT ACCOUNTANTS
TO THE SHAREHOLDERS AND TRUSTEES
OF DEAN WITTER TAX-EXEMPT SECURITIES TRUST
In our opinion, the accompanying statement of assets and liabilities,
including the portfolio of investments, and the related statements of
operations and of changes in net assets and the financial highlights present
fairly, in all material respects, the financial position of Dean Witter
Tax-Exempt Securities Trust (the "Fund") at December 31, 1995, the results of
its operations for the year then ended, the changes in its net assets for
each of the two years in the period then ended and the financial highlights
for each of the ten years in the period then ended, in conformity with
generally accepted accounting principles. These financial statements and
financial highlights (hereafter referred to as "financial statements") are
the responsibility of the Fund's management; our responsibility is to express
an opinion on these financial statements based on our audits. We conducted
our audits of these financial statements in accordance with generally
accepted auditing standards which require that we plan and perform the audit
to obtain reasonable assurance about whether the financial statements are
free of material misstatement. An audit includes examining, on a test basis,
evidence supporting the amounts and disclosures in the financial statements,
assessing the accounting principles used and significant estimates made by
management, and evaluating the overall financial statement presentation. We
believe that our audits, which included confirmation of securities at
December 31, 1995 by correspondence with the custodian and brokers, provide a
reasonable basis for the opinion expressed above.
PRICE WATERHOUSE LLP
1177 Avenue of the Americas
New York, New York 10036
February 7, 1996
1995 FEDERAL TAX NOTICE (unaudited)
During the year ended December 31, 1995, the Fund paid to the shareholders
$0.67 per share from net investment income. All of the Fund's dividends
from net investment income were exempt interest dividends, excludable from
gross income for Federal income tax purposes. For the year ended December
31, 1995, the Fund paid to shareholders $0.11 per share from long-term
capital gains.
45
<PAGE>
APPENDIX
RATINGS OF INVESTMENTS
- -----------------------------------------------------------------------------
Moody's Investors Service Inc. ("Moody's")
MUNICIPAL BOND RATINGS
</TABLE>
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
<S> <C>
Aaa Bonds which are rated Aaa are judged to be of the best quality. They carry the
smallest degree of investment risk and are generally referred to as "gilt edge."
Interest payments are protected by a large or by an exceptionally stable margin
and principal is secure. While the various protective elements are likely to change,
such changes as can be visualized are most unlikely to impair the fundamentally
strong position of such issues.
Aa Bonds which are rated Aa are judged to be of high quality by all standards. Together
with the Aaa group they comprise what are generally known as high grade bonds.
They are rated lower than the best bonds because margins of protection may not
be as large as in Aaa securities or fluctuation of protective elements may be of
greater amplitude or there may be other elements present which make the long-term
risks appear somewhat larger than in Aaa securities.
A Bonds which are rated A possess many favorable investment attributes and are to
be considered as upper medium grade obligations. Factors giving security to principal
and interest are considered adequate, but elements may be present which suggest
a susceptibility to impairment sometime in the future.
Baa Bonds which are rated Baa are considered as medium grade obligations; i.e., they
are neither highly protected nor poorly secured. Interest payments and principal
security appear adequate for the present but certain protective elements may be
lacking or may be characteristically unreliable over any great length of time.
Such bonds lack outstanding investment characteristics and in fact have speculative
characteristics as well.
Bonds rated Aaa, Aa, A and Baa are considered investment grade bonds.
Ba Bonds which are rated Ba are judged to have speculative elements; their future
cannot be considered as well assured. Often the protection of interest and principal
payments may be very moderate, and therefore not well safeguarded during both good
and bad times in the future. Uncertainty of position characterizes bonds in this
class.
B Bonds which are rated B generally lack characteristics of the desirable investment.
Assurance of interest and principal payments or of maintenance of other terms of
the contract over any long period of time may be small.
Caa Bonds which are rated Caa are of poor standing. Such issues may be in default or
there may be present elements of danger with respect to principal or interest.
Ca Bonds which are rated Ca present obligations which are speculative in a high degree.
Such issues are often in default or have other marked shortcomings.
C Bonds which are rated C are the lowest rated class of bonds, and issues so rated
can be regarded as having extremely poor prospects of ever attaining any real investment
standing.
</TABLE>
Conditional Rating: Bonds for which the security depends upon the
completion of some act or the fulfillment of some condition are rated
conditionally. These bonds are secured by (a) earnings of projects under
construction, (b) earnings of projects unseasoned in operation experience,
(c) rentals which begin when facilities are completed or (d) payments to
which some other limiting condition attaches. Parenthetical rating denotes
probable credit stature upon completion of construction or elimination of
basis of condition.
46
<PAGE>
Rating Refinements: Moody's may apply numerical modifiers, 1, 2, and 3 in
each generic rating classification from Aa though B in its municipal bond
rating system. The modifier 1 indicates that the security ranks in the higher
end of its generic rating category; the modifier 2 indicates a mid-range
ranking; and a modifier 3 indicates that the issue ranks in the lower end of
its generic rating category.
MUNICIPAL NOTE RATINGS
Moody's ratings for state and municipal note and other short-term loans
are designated Moody's Investment Grade (MIG). MIG 1 denotes best quality and
means there is present strong protection from established cash flows,
superior liquidity support or demonstrated broad-based access to the market
for refinancing. MIG 2 denotes high quality and means that margins of
protection are ample although not as large as in MIG 1. MIG 3 denotes
favorable quality and means that all security elements are accounted for but
that the undeniable strength of the previous grades, MIG 1 and MIG 2, is
lacking. MIG 4 denotes adequate quality and means that the protection
commonly regarded as required of an investment security is present and that
while the notes are not distinctly or predominantly speculative, there is
specific risk.
VARIABLE RATE DEMAND OBLIGATIONS
A short-term rating, in addition to the Bond or MIG ratings, designated
VMIG may also be assigned to an issue having a demand feature. The assignment
of the VMIG symbol reflects such characteristics as payment upon periodic
demand rather than fixed maturity dates and payment relying on external
liquidity. The VMIG rating criteria are identical to the MIG criteria
discussed above.
COMMERCIAL PAPER RATINGS
Moody's Commercial Paper ratings are opinions of the ability to repay
punctually promissory obligations not having an original maturity in excess
of nine months. These ratings apply to Municipal Commercial Paper as well as
taxable Commercial Paper. Moody's employs the following three designations,
all judged to be investment grade, to indicate the relative repayment
capacity of rated issuers: Prime-1, Prime-2, Prime-3.
Issuers rated Prime-1 have a superior capacity for repayment of short-term
promissory obligations. Issuers rated Prime-2 have a strong capacity for
repayment of short-term promissory obligations; and Issuers rated Prime-3
have an acceptable capacity for repayment of short-term promissory
obligations. Issuers rated Not Prime do not fall within any of the Prime
rating categories.
STANDARD & POOR'S CORPORATION ("STANDARD & POOR'S")
MUNICIPAL BOND RATINGS
A Standard & Poor's municipal bond rating is a current assessment of the
creditworthiness of an obligor with respect to a specific obligation. This
assessment may take into consideration obligors such as guarantors, insurers
or lessees.
The ratings are based on current information furnished by the issuer or
obtained by Standard & Poor's from other sources it considers reliable. The
ratings are based, in varying degrees, on the following considerations: (1)
likelihood of default-capacity and willingness of the obligor as to the
timely payment of interest and repayment of principal in accordance with the
terms of the obligation; (2) nature of and provisions of the obligation; and
(3) protection afforded by, and relative position of the obligation in the
event of bankruptcy, reorganization or other arrangement under the laws of
bankruptcy and other laws affecting creditors' rights.
Standard & Poor's does not perform an audit in connection with any rating
and may, on occasion,rely on unaudited financial information. The ratings may
be changed, suspended or withdrawn as a result of changes in, or
unavailability of, such information, or for other reasons.
47
<PAGE>
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
<S> <C>
AAA Debt rated "AAA" has the highest rating assigned by Standard & Poor's. Capacity
to pay interest and repay principal is extremely strong.
AA Debt rated "AA" has a very strong capacity to pay interest and repay principal
and differs from the highest-rated issues only in small degree.
A Debt rated "A" has a strong capacity to pay interest and repay principal although
they are somewhat more susceptible to the adverse effects of changes in circumstances
and economic conditions than debt in higher-rated categories.
BBB Debt rated "BBB" is regarded as having an adequate capacity to pay interest and
repay principal. Whereas it normally eibits adequate protection parameters, adverse
economic conditions or changing circumstances are more likely to lead to a weakened
capacity to pay interest and repay principal for debt in this category than for
debt in higher-rated categories.
Bonds rated AAA, AA, A and BBB are considered investment grade bonds.
BB Debt rated "BB" has less near-term vulnerability to default than other speculative
grade debt. However, it faces major ongoing uncertainties or exposure to adverse
business, financial or economic conditions which would lead to inadequate capacity
or willingness to pay interest and repay principal.
B Debt rated "B" has a greater vulnerability to default but presently has the capacity
to meet interest payments and principal repayments. Adverse business, financial
or economic conditions would likely impair capacity or willingness to pay interest
and repay principal.
CCC Debt rated "CCC" has a current identifiable vulnerability to default, and is dependent
upon favorable business, financial and economic conditions to meet timely payments
of interest and repayments of principal. In the event of adverse business, financial
or economic conditions, it is not likely to have the capacity to pay interest and
repay principal.
CC The rating "CC" is typically applied to debt subordinated to senior debt which
is assigned an actual or implied "CCC" rating.
C The rating "C" is typically applied to debt subordinated to senior debt which is
assigned an actual or implied "CCC-" debt rating.
Cl The rating "Cl" is reserved for income bonds on which no interest is being paid.
D Debt rated "D" is in payment default. The 'D' rating category is used when interest
payments or principal payments are not made on the date due even if the applicable
grace period has not expired, unless S&P believes that such payments will be made
during such grace period. The 'D' rating also will be used upon the filing of a
bankruptcy petition if debt service payments are jeopardized.
NR Indicates that no rating has been requested, that there is insufficient information
on which to base a rating or that Standard & Poor's does not rate a particular
type of obligation as a matter of policy.
Bonds rated "BB", "B", "CCC", "CC" and "C" are regarded as having predominantly
speculative characteristics with respect to capacity to pay interest and repay
principal. "BB" indicates the least degree of speculation and "C" the highest degree
of speculation. While such debt will likely have some quality and protective
characteristics, these are outweighed by large uncertainties or major risk exposures
to adverse conditions.
Plus (+) or minus(-): The ratings from "AA" to "CCC" may be modified by the addition
of a plus or minus sign to show relative standing within the major ratings categories.
48
<PAGE>
The foregoing ratings are sometimes followed by a "p" which indicates that the
rating is provisional. A provisional rating assumes the successful completion of
the project being financed by the bonds being rated and indicates that payment
of debt service requirements is largely or entirely dependent upon the successful
and timely completion of the project. This rating, however, while addressing credit
quality subsequent to completion of the project, makes no comment on the likelihood
or risk of default upon failure of such completion.
</TABLE>
MUNICIPAL NOTE RATINGS
Commencing on July 27, 1984, Standard & Poor's instituted a new rating
category with respect to certain municipal note issues with a maturity of
less than three years. The new note ratings denote thefollowing:
SP-1 denotes a very strong or strong capacity to pay principal and
interest. Issues determined to possess overwhelming safety characteristics
are given a plus (+) designation (SP-1+).
SP-2 denotes a satisfactory capacity to pay principal and interest.
SP-3 denotes a speculative capacity to pay principal and interest.
COMMERCIAL PAPER RATINGS
Standard and Poor's commercial paper rating is a current assessment of the
likelihood of timely payment of debt having an original maturity of no more
than 365 days. The commercial paper rating is not a recommendation to
purchase or sell a security. The ratings are based upon current information
furnished by the issuer or obtained by S&P from other sources it considers
reliable. The ratings may be changed, suspended, or withdrawn as a result of
changes in or unavailability of such information. Ratings are graded into
group categories, ranging from "A" for the highest quality obligations to "D"
for the lowest. Ratings are applicable to both taxable and tax-exempt
commercial paper. The categories are as follows:
Issues assigned A ratings are regarded as having the greatest capacity
for timely payment. Issues in this category are further refined with the
designation 1, 2 and 3 to indicate the relative degree of safety.
A-1 indicates that the degree of safety regarding timely payments is
very strong.
A-2 indicates capacity for timely payment on issues with this
designation is strong. However, the relative degree of safety is not as
overwhelming as for issues designated "A-1".
A-3 indicates a satisfactory capacity for timely payment. Obligations
carrying this designation are, however, somewhat more vulnerable to the
adverse effects of changes in circumstances than obligations carrying the
higher designations.
49
DEAN WITTER TAX-EXEMPT SECURITIES TRUST
PART C OTHER INFORMATION
Item 24. Financial Statements and Exhibits
(a) Financial Statements
(1) Financial statements and schedules, included
in Prospectus (Part A): Page in
Prospectus
Financial highlights for for the fiscal years ended
December 31, 1986, 1987, 1988, 1989, 1990, 1991, 1992,
1993, 1994 and 1995................................... 04
(2) Financial statements included in the Statement of
Additional Information (Part B): Page in
SAI
Statement of assets and liabilities at
December 31, 1995..................................... 31
Statement of operations for the year ended
December 31, 1995..................................... 39
Statement of changes in net assets for the
years ended December 31, 1994 and 1995................ 39
Notes to Financial Statements......................... 40
Portfolio of Investments at December 31, 1995......... 41
Financial highlights for for the fiscal years ended
December 31, 1986, 1987, 1988, 1989, 1990, 1991, 1992,
1993, 1994 and 1995................................... 44
(3) Financial statements included in Part C:
None
(b) Exhibits:
1. -- Declaration of Trust of the Registrant*
6. -- Form of Selected Dealer Agreement*
8. -- Form of Custodian Agreement between Registrant and
The Bank of New York.*
9. -- Form of Services Agreement between Dean Witter
InterCapital Inc. and Dean Witter Services Company Inc.
11. -- Consent of Independent Accountants
16. -- Schedule for Computation of Performance Quotations
27. -- Financial Data Schedule
*Previously filed; re-filed via EDGAR with this Amendment
to the Registration Statement. All other exhibits were
previously filed and are hereby incorporated by reference.
Item 25. Persons Controlled by or Under Common Control With Registrant.
None
Item 26. Number of Holders of Securities.
(1) (2)
Number of Record Holders
Title of Class at January 31, 1996
-------------- ------------------------
Shares of Beneficial Interest 29,449
Item 27. Indemnification.
Pursuant to Section 5.3 of the Registrant's Declaration of
Trust and under Section 4.8 of the Registrant's By-Laws, the
indemnification of the Registrant's trustees, officers, employees and
agents is permitted if it is determined that they acted under the belief
that their actions were in or not opposed to the best interest of the
Registrant, and, with respect to any criminal proceeding, they had
reasonable cause to believe their conduct was not unlawful. In addition,
indemnification is permitted only if it is determined that the actions in
question did not render them liable by reason of willful misfeasance, bad
faith or gross negligence in the performance of their duties or by reason
of reckless disregard of their obligations and duties to the Registrant.
Trustees, officers, employees and agents will be indemnified for the
expense of litigation if it is determined that they are entitled to
indemnification against any liability established in such litigation. The
Registrant may also advance money for these expenses provided that they
give their undertakings to repay the Registrant unless their conduct is
later determined to permit indemnification.
Pursuant to Section 5.2 of the Registrant's Declaration of Trust
and paragraph 8 of the Registrant's Investment Management Agreement,
neither the Investment Manager nor any trustee, officer, employee or agent
of the Registrant shall be liable for any action or failure to act, except
in the case of bad faith, willful misfeasance, gross negligence or reckless
disregard of duties to the Registrant.
Insofar as indemnification for liabilities arising under the
Securities Act of 1933 (the "Act") may be permitted to trustees, officers
and controlling persons of the Registrant pursuant to the foregoing
provisions or otherwise, the Registrant has been advised that in the
opinion of the Securities and Exchange Commission such indemnification is
2
against public policy as expressed in the Act and is, therefore,
unenforceable. In the event that a claim for indemnification against such
liabilities (other than the payment by the Registrant of expenses incurred
or paid by a trustee, officer, or controlling person of the Registrant in
connection with the successful defense of any action, suit or proceeding)
is asserted against the Registrant by such trustee, officer or controlling
person in connection with the shares being registered, the Registrant will,
unless in the opinion of its counsel the matter has been settled by
controlling precedent, submit to a court of appropriate jurisdiction the
question whether such indemnification by it is against public policy as
expressed in the Act, and will be governed by the final adjudication of
such issue.
The Registrant hereby undertakes that it will apply the
indemnification provision of its by-laws in a manner consistent with
Release 11330 of the Securities and Exchange Commission under the
Investment Company Act of 1940, so long as the interpretation of Sections
17(h) and 17(i) of such Act remains in effect.
Registrant, in conjunction with the Investment Manager,
Registrant's Trustees, and other registered investment management companies
managed by the Investment Manager, maintains insurance on behalf of any
person who is or was a Trustee, officer, employee, or agent of Registrant,
or who is or was serving at the request of Registrant as a trustee,
director, officer, employee or agent of another trust or corporation,
against any liability asserted against him and incurred by him or arising
out of his position. However, in no event will Registrant maintain
insurance to indemnify any such person for any act for which Registrant
itself is not permitted to indemnify him.
Item 28. Business and Other Connections of Investment Adviser.
See "The Fund and Its Management" in the Prospectus regarding the
business of the investment adviser. The following information is given
regarding officers of Dean Witter InterCapital Inc. InterCapital is a
wholly-owned subsidiary of Dean Witter, Discover & Co. The principal
address of the Dean Witter Funds is Two World Trade Center, New York, New
York 10048.
The term "Dean Witter Funds" used below refers to the following
registered investment companies:
Closed-End Investment Companies
(1) InterCapital Income Securities Inc.
(2) High Income Advantage Trust
(3) High Income Advantage Trust II
(4) High Income Advantage Trust III
(5) Municipal Income Trust
(6) Municipal Income Trust II
(7) Municipal Income Trust III
(8) Dean Witter Government Income Trust
3
(9) Municipal Premium Income Trust
(10) Municipal Income Opportunities Trust
(11) Municipal Income Opportunities Trust II
(12) Municipal Income Opportunities Trust III
(13) Prime Income Trust
(14) InterCapital Insured Municipal Bond Trust
(15) InterCapital Quality Municipal Income Trust
(16) InterCapital Quality Municipal Investment Trust
(17) InterCapital Insured Municipal Income Trust
(18) InterCapital California Insured Municipal Income Trust
(19) InterCapital Insured Municipal Trust
(20) InterCapital Quality Municipal Securities
(21) InterCapital New York Quality Municipal Securities
(22) InterCapital California Quality Municipal Securities
(23) InterCapital Insured California Municipal Securities
(24) InterCapital Insured Municipal Securities
Open-end Investment Companies:
(1) Dean Witter Short-Term Bond Fund
(2) Dean Witter Tax-Exempt Securities Trust
(3) Dean Witter Tax-Free Daily Income Trust
(4) Dean Witter Dividend Growth Securities Inc.
(5) Dean Witter Convertible Securities Trust
(6) Dean Witter Liquid Asset Fund Inc.
(7) Dean Witter Developing Growth Securities Trust
(8) Dean Witter Retirement Series
(9) Dean Witter Federal Securities Trust
(10) Dean Witter World Wide Investment Trust
(11) Dean Witter U.S. Government Securities Trust
(12) Dean Witter Select Municipal Reinvestment Fund
(13) Dean Witter High Yield Securities Inc.
(14) Dean Witter Intermediate Income Securities
(15) Dean Witter New York Tax-Free Income Fund
(16) Dean Witter California Tax-Free Income Fund
(17) Dean Witter Health Sciences Trust
(18) Dean Witter California Tax-Free Daily Income Trust
(19) Dean Witter Global Asset Allocation Fund
(20) Dean Witter American Value Fund
(21) Dean Witter Strategist Fund
(22) Dean Witter Utilities Fund
(23) Dean Witter World Wide Income Trust
(24) Dean Witter New York Municipal Money Market Trust
(25) Dean Witter Capital Growth Securities
(26) Dean Witter Precious Metals and Minerals Trust
(27) Dean Witter European Growth Fund Inc.
(28) Dean Witter Global Short-Term Income Fund Inc.
(29) Dean Witter Pacific Growth Fund Inc.
(30) Dean Witter Multi-State Municipal Series Trust
(31) Dean Witter Premier Income Trust
(32) Dean Witter Short-Term U.S. Treasury Trust
(33) Dean Witter Diversified Income Trust
(34) Dean Witter U.S. Government Money Market Trust
(35) Dean Witter Global Dividend Growth Securities
(36) Active Assets California Tax-Free Trust
4
(37) Dean Witter Natural Resource Development Securities Inc.
(38) Active Assets Government Securities Trust
(39) Active Assets Money Trust
(40) Active Assets Tax-Free Trust
(41) Dean Witter Limited Term Municipal Trust
(42) Dean Witter Variable Investment Series
(43) Dean Witter Value-Added Market Series
(44) Dean Witter Global Utilities Fund
(45) Dean Witter High Income Securities
(46) Dean Witter National Municipal Trust
(47) Dean Witter International SmallCap Fund
(48) Dean Witter Mid-Cap Growth Fund
(49) Dean Witter Select Dimensions Investment Series
(50) Dean Witter Balanced Growth Fund
(51) Dean Witter Balanced Income Fund
(52) Dean Witter Hawaii Municipal Trust
(53) Dean Witter Capital Appreciation Fund
(54) Dean Witter Intermediate Term U.S. Treasury Trust
(55) Dean Witter Information Fund
The term "TCW/DW Funds" refers to the following registered investment
companies:
Open-End Investment Companies
(1) TCW/DW Core Equity Trust
(2) TCW/DW North American Government Income Trust
(3) TCW/DW Latin American Growth Fund
(4) TCW/DW Income and Growth Fund
(5) TCW/DW Small Cap Growth Fund
(6) TCW/DW Balanced Fund
(7) TCW/DW Total Return Trust
(8) TCW/DW Mid-Cap Equity Trust
5
Closed-End Investment Companies
(1) TCW/DW Term Trust 2000
(2) TCW/DW Term Trust 2002
(3) TCW/DW Term Trust 2003
(4) TCW/DW Emerging Markets Opportunities Trust
NAME AND POSITION OTHER SUBSTANTIAL BUSINESS, PROFESSION, VOCATION
WITH DEAN WITTER OR EMPLOYMENT, INCLUDING NAME, PRINCIPAL ADDRESS
INTERCAPITAL INC. AND NATURE OF CONNECTION
- ----------------- -------------------------------------------------
Charles A. Fiumefreddo Executive Vice President and Director of Dean
Chairman, Chief Witter Reynolds Inc. ("DWR"); Chairman, Chief
Executive Officer and Executive Officer and Director of Dean Witter
Director Distributors Inc. ("Distributors") and Dean
Witter Services Company Inc. ("DWSC"); Chairman
and Director of Dean Witter Trust Company
("DWTC"); Chairman, Director or Trustee, President
and Chief Executive Officer of the Dean Witter
Funds and Chairman, Chief Executive Officer and
Trustee of the TCW/DW Funds; Formerly Executive
Vice President and Director of Dean Witter,
Discover & Co. ("DWDC"); Director and/or officer
of various DWDC subsidiaries.
Philip J. Purcell Chairman, Chief Executive Officer and Director of
Director of DWDC and DWR; Director of DWSC and
Distributors; Director or Trustee of the Dean
Witter Funds; Director and/or officer of various
DWDC subsidiaries.
Richard M. DeMartini Executive Vice President of DWDC; President and
Director Chief Operating Officer of Dean Witter Capital;
Director of DWR, DWSC, Distributors and DWTC;
Trustee of the TCW/DW Funds; Member (since
January, 1993) and Chairman (since January,
1995) of the Board of Directors of NASDAQ.
James F. Higgins Executive Vice President of DWDC; President and
Director Chief Operating Officer of Dean Witter Financial;
Director of DWR, DWSC, Distributors and DWTC.
Thomas C. Schneider Executive Vice President and Chief Financial
Executive Vice Officer of DWDC, DWR, DWSC and Distributors;
President, Chief Director of DWR, DWSC and Distributors.
Financial Officer and
Director
6
NAME AND POSITION OTHER SUBSTANTIAL BUSINESS, PROFESSION, VOCATION
WITH DEAN WITTER OR EMPLOYMENT, INCLUDING NAME, PRINCIPAL ADDRESS
INTERCAPITAL INC. AND NATURE OF CONNECTION
- ----------------- -------------------------------------------------
Christine A. Edwards Executive Vice President, Secretary and General
Director Counsel of DWDC and DWR; Executive Vice President,
Secretary and Chief Legal Officer of Distributors;
Director of DWR, DWSC and Distributors.
Robert M. Scanlan President and Chief Operating Officer of DWSC,
President and Chief Executive Vice President of Distributors;
Operating Officer Executive Vice President and Director of DWTC;
Vice President of the Dean Witter Funds and the
TCW/DW Funds.
David A. Hughey Executive Vice President and Chief Administrative
Executive Vice Officer of DWSC, Distributors and DWTC; Director
President and Chief of DWTC; Vice President of the Dean Witter Funds
Administrative Officer and the TCW/DW Funds.
Edmund C. Puckhaber Director of DWTC; Vice President of the Dean
Executive Vice Witter Funds.
President
John Van Heuvelen President, Chief Operating Officer and Director
Executive Vice of DWTC.
President
Sheldon Curtis Assistant Secretary of DWR; Senior Vice President,
Senior Vice President, Secretary and General Counsel of DWSC; Senior Vice
General Counsel and President, Assistant General Counsel and Assistant
Secretary Secretary of Distributors; Senior Vice President
and Secretary of DWTC; Vice President, Secretary
and General Counsel of the Dean Witter Funds and
the TCW/DW Funds.
Peter M. Avelar
Senior Vice President Vice President of various Dean Witter Funds.
Mark Bavoso
Senior Vice President Vice President of various Dean Witter Funds.
Richard Felegy
Senior Vice President
Edward Gaylor
Senior Vice President Vice President of various Dean Witter Funds.
Robert S. Giambrone
Senior Vice President Senior Vice President of DWSC, Distributors
and DWTC; Vice President of the Dean Witter Funds
and the TCW/DW Funds.
7
NAME AND POSITION OTHER SUBSTANTIAL BUSINESS, PROFESSION, VOCATION
WITH DEAN WITTER OR EMPLOYMENT, INCLUDING NAME, PRINCIPAL ADDRESS
INTERCAPITAL INC. AND NATURE OF CONNECTION
- ----------------- -------------------------------------------------
Rajesh K. Gupta
Senior Vice President Vice President of various Dean Witter Funds.
Kenton J. Hinchcliffe
Senior Vice President Vice President of various Dean Witter Funds.
Kevin Hurley
Senior Vice President Vice President of various Dean Witter Funds.
John B. Kemp, III Director of the Provident Savings Bank, Jersey
Senior Vice President City, New Jersey.
Anita Kolleeny
Senior Vice President Vice President of various Dean Witter Funds.
Joseph J. McAlinden
Senior Vice President Vice President of the Dean Witter Funds.
Jonathan R. Page
Senior Vice President Vice President of various Dean Witter Funds.
Ira Ross
Senior Vice President Vice President of various Dean Witter Funds.
Rochelle G. Siegel
Senior Vice President Vice President of various Dean Witter Funds.
Paul D. Vance
Senior Vice President Vice President of various Dean Witter Funds.
Elizabeth A. Vetell
Senior Vice President
James F. Willison
Senior Vice President Vice President of various Dean Witter Funds.
Ronald J. Worobel
Senior Vice President Vice President of various Dean Witter Funds.
Thomas F. Caloia First Vice President and Assistant Treasurer of
First Vice President DWSC, Assistant Treasurer of Distributors;
and Assistant Treasurer and Chief Financial Officer of the
Treasurer Dean Witter Funds and the TCW/DW Funds.
Marilyn K. Cranney Assistant Secretary of DWR; First Vice President
First Vice President and Assistant Secretary of DWSC; Assistant
and Assistant Secretary Secretary of the Dean Witter Funds and the TCW/DW
Funds.
8
NAME AND POSITION OTHER SUBSTANTIAL BUSINESS, PROFESSION, VOCATION
WITH DEAN WITTER OR EMPLOYMENT, INCLUDING NAME, PRINCIPAL ADDRESS
INTERCAPITAL INC. AND NATURE OF CONNECTION
- ----------------- -------------------------------------------------
Barry Fink First Vice President and Assistant Secretary of
First Vice President DWSC; Assistant Secretary of the Dean Witter
and Assistant Secretary Funds and the TCW/DW Funds.
Michael Interrante First Vice President and Controller of DWSC;
First Vice President Assistant Treasurer of Distributors;First Vice
and Controller President and Treasurer of DWTC.
Robert Zimmerman
First Vice President
Joan Allman
Vice President
Joseph Arcieri
Vice President Vice President of various Dean Witter Funds.
Douglas Brown
Vice President
Thomas Chronert
Vice President
Rosalie Clough
Vice President
Patricia A. Cuddy
Vice President Vice President of various Dean Witter Funds.
B. Catherine Connelly
Vice President
Salvatore DeSteno
Vice President Vice President of DWSC.
Frank J. DeVito
Vice President Vice President of DWSC.
Dwight Doolan
Vice President
Bruce Dunn
Vice President
Jeffrey D. Geffen
Vice President
Deborah Genovese
Vice President
9
NAME AND POSITION OTHER SUBSTANTIAL BUSINESS, PROFESSION, VOCATION
WITH DEAN WITTER OR EMPLOYMENT, INCLUDING NAME, PRINCIPAL ADDRESS
INTERCAPITAL INC. AND NATURE OF CONNECTION
- ----------------- -------------------------------------------------
Peter W. Gurman
Vice President
John Hechtlinger
Vice President
Peter Hermann
Vice President Vice President of Dean Witter Mid-Cap Growth Fund.
David Hoffman
Vice President
David Johnson
Vice President
Christopher Jones
Vice President
Stanley Kapica
Vice President
Michael Knox Vice President of Dean Witter Convertible
Vice President Securities Trust.
Konrad J. Krill
Vice President Vice President of various Dean Witter Funds.
Paula LaCosta
Vice President Vice President of various Dean Witter Funds.
Thomas Lawlor
Vice President
Gerard Lian
Vice President Vice President of various Dean Witter Funds.
LouAnne D. McInnis Vice President and Assistant Secretary of DWSC;
Vice President and Assistant Secretary of the Dean Witter Funds and
Assistant Secretary the TCW/DW Funds.
Sharon K. Milligan
Vice President
Julie Morrone
Vice President
10
NAME AND POSITION OTHER SUBSTANTIAL BUSINESS, PROFESSION, VOCATION
WITH DEAN WITTER OR EMPLOYMENT, INCLUDING NAME, PRINCIPAL ADDRESS
INTERCAPITAL INC. AND NATURE OF CONNECTION
- ----------------- -------------------------------------------------
David Myers
Vice President
James Nash
Vice President
Richard Norris
Vice President
Hugh Rose
Vice President
Ruth Rossi Vice President and Assistant Secretary of DWSC;
Vice President and Assistant Secretary of the Dean Witter Funds and
Assistant Secretary the TCW/DW Funds.
Carl F. Sadler
Vice President
Rafael Scolari
Vice President Vice President of Prime Income Trust
Jayne M. Stevlingson
Vice President Vice President of various Dean Witter Funds.
Kathleen Stromberg
Vice President Vice President of various Dean Witter Funds.
Vinh Q. Tran
Vice President Vice President of various Dean Witter Funds.
Alice Weiss
Vice President Vice President of various Dean Witter Funds.
Marianne Zalys
Vice President
Item 29. Principal Underwriters
(a) Dean Witter Distributors Inc. ("Distributors"), a Delaware
corporation, is the principal underwriter of the Registrant.
Distributors is also the principal underwriter of the following
investment companies:
(1) Dean Witter Liquid Asset Fund Inc.
(2) Dean Witter Tax-Free Daily Income Trust
(3) Dean Witter California Tax-Free Daily Income Trust
(4) Dean Witter Retirement Series
(5) Dean Witter Dividend Growth Securities Inc.
(6) Dean Witter Global Asset Allocation
11
(7) Dean Witter World Wide Investment Trust
(8) Dean Witter Capital Growth Securities
(9) Dean Witter Convertible Securities Trust
(10) Active Assets Tax-Free Trust
(11) Active Assets Money Trust
(12) Active Assets California Tax-Free Trust
(13) Active Assets Government Securities Trust
(14) Dean Witter Short-Term Bond Fund
(15) Dean Witter Mid-Cap Growth Fund
(16) Dean Witter U.S. Government Securities Trust
(17) Dean Witter High Yield Securities Inc.
(18) Dean Witter New York Tax-Free Income Fund
(19) Dean Witter Tax-Exempt Securities Trust
(20) Dean Witter California Tax-Free Income Fund
(21) Dean Witter Limited Term Municipal Trust
(22) Dean Witter Natural Resource Development Securities Inc.
(23) Dean Witter World Wide Income Trust
(24) Dean Witter Utilities Fund
(25) Dean Witter Strategist Fund
(26) Dean Witter New York Municipal Money Market Trust
(27) Dean Witter Intermediate Income Securities
(28) Prime Income Trust
(29) Dean Witter European Growth Fund Inc.
(30) Dean Witter Developing Growth Securities Trust
(31) Dean Witter Precious Metals and Minerals Trust
(32) Dean Witter Pacific Growth Fund Inc.
(33) Dean Witter Multi-State Municipal Series Trust
(34) Dean Witter Federal Securities Trust
(35) Dean Witter Short-Term U.S. Treasury Trust
(36) Dean Witter Diversified Income Trust
(37) Dean Witter Health Sciences Trust
(38) Dean Witter Global Dividend Growth Securities
(39) Dean Witter American Value Fund
(40) Dean Witter U.S. Government Money Market Trust
(41) Dean Witter Global Short-Term Income Fund Inc.
(42) Dean Witter Premier Income Trust
(43) Dean Witter Value-Added Market Series
(44) Dean Witter Global Utilities Fund
(45) Dean Witter High Income Securities
(46) Dean Witter National Municipal Trust
(47) Dean Witter International SmallCap Fund
(48) Dean Witter Balanced Growth Fund
(49) Dean Witter Balanced Income Fund
(50) Dean Witter Hawaii Municipal Trust
(51) Dean Witter Variable Investment Series
(52) Dean Witter Capital Appreciation Fund
(53) Dean Witter Intermediate Term U.S. Treasury Trust
(54) Dean Witter Information Fund
(1) TCW/DW Core Equity Trust
(2) TCW/DW North American Government Income Trust
(3) TCW/DW Latin American Growth Fund
12
(4) TCW/DW Income and Growth Fund
(5) TCW/DW Small Cap Growth Fund
(6) TCW/DW Balanced Fund
(7) TCW/DW Total Return Trust
(8) TCW/DW Mid-Cap Equity Trust
(b) The following information is given regarding directors and officers
of Distributors not listed in Item 28 above. The principal address of
Distributors is Two World Trade Center, New York, New York 10048. None
of the following persons has any position or office with the Registrant.
Positions and
Office with
Name Distributors
Fredrick K. Kubler Senior Vice President, Assistant
Secretary and Chief Compliance
Officer.
Michael T. Gregg Vice President and Assistant
Secretary.
Item 30. Location of Accounts and Records
All accounts, books and other documents required to be maintained by
Section 31(a) of the Investment Company Act of 1940 and the Rules thereunder
are maintained by the Investment Manager at its offices, except records
relating to holders of shares issued by the Registrant, which are maintained
by the Registrant's Transfer Agent, at its place of business as shown in the
prospectus.
Item 31. Management Services
Registrant is not a party to any such management-related service
contract.
Item 32. Undertakings
Registrant hereby undertakes to furnish each person to whom a
prospectus is delivered with a copy of the Registrant's latest annual report
to shareholders, upon request and without charge.
13
SIGNATURES
Pursuant to the requirements of the Securities Act of 1933 and the
Investment Company Act of 1940, the Registrant certifies that it meets all of
the requirements for effectiveness of this Registration Statement pursuant to
Rule 485(b) under the Securities Act of 1933 and has duly caused this Post-
Effective Amendment to the Registration Statement to be signed on its behalf by
the undersigned, thereunto duly authorized, in the City of New York and State
of New York on the 22nd day of February, 1996.
DEAN WITTER TAX-EXEMPT SECURITIES TRUST
By /s/Sheldon Curtis
-----------------------------------
Sheldon Curtis
Vice President and Secretary
Pursuant to the requirements of the Securities Act of 1933, this Post-
Effective Amendment No. 18 has been signed below by the following persons in
the capacities and on the dates indicated.
Signatures Title Date
---------- ----- ----
(1) Principal Executive Officer President, Chief
Executive Officer,
Trustee and Chairman
By /s/Charles A. Fiumefreddo 02/22/96
----------------------------
Charles A. Fiumefreddo
(2) Principal Financial Officer Treasurer and Principal
Accounting Officer
By /s/Thomas F. Caloia 02/22/96
----------------------------
Thomas F. Caloia
(3) Majority of the Trustees
Charles A. Fiumefreddo (Chairman)
Philip J. Purcell
By /s/Sheldon Curtis 02/22/96
----------------------------
Sheldon Curtis
Attorney-in-Fact
Michael Bozic Paul Kolton
Edwin J. Garn Michael E. Nugent
John R. Haire John L. Schroeder
Manuel H. Johnson
By /s/David M. Butowsky 02/22/96
----------------------------
David M. Butowsky
Attorney-in-Fact
DEAN WITTER TAX-EXEMPT SECURITIES TRUST
EXHIBIT INDEX
1. -- Declaration of Trust of the Registrant*
6. -- Form of Selected Dealer Agreement*
8. -- Form of Custodian Agreement between Registrant and
The Bank of New York.*
9. -- Form of Services Agreement between Dean Witter
InterCapital Inc. and Dean Witter ServicesCompany Inc.
11. -- Consent of Independent Accountants
16. -- Schedule for Computation of Performance Quotations
27. -- Financial Data Schedule
- ---------------
* Previouly filed; re-filed via EDGAR with this
Amendment to the Registration Statement. All
other exhibits were previously filed and are
hereby incorporated by reference.
<PAGE>
DEAN WITTER TAX-EXEMPT SECURITIES TRUST
DECLARATION OF TRUST
DATED: APRIL 6, 1987
<PAGE>
TABLE OF CONTENTS
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
PAGE
--------
<S> <C> <C>
ARTICLE I -- Name and Definitions ................................................ 2
Section 1.1 Name ........................................................... 2
Section 1.2 Definitions .................................................... 2
ARTICLE II -- Trustees ........................................................... 4
Section 2.1 Number of Trustees ............................................. 4
Section 2.2 Election and Term .............................................. 4
Section 2.3 Resignation and Removal ........................................ 4
Section 2.4 Vacancies ...................................................... 5
Section 2.5 Delegation of Power to Other Trustees .......................... 5
ARTICLE III -- Powers of Trustees ................................................ 6
Section 3.1 General ........................................................ 6
Section 3.2 Investments .................................................... 6
Section 3.3 Legal Title .................................................... 7
Section 3.4 Issuance and Repurchase of Securities .......................... 7
Section 3.5 Borrowing Money; Lending Trust Assets .......................... 8
Section 3.6 Delegation; Committees ......................................... 8
Section 3.7 Collection and Payment ......................................... 8
Section 3.8 Expenses ....................................................... 8
Section 3.9 Manner of Acting; By-Laws ...................................... 8
Section 3.10 Miscellaneous Powers ........................................... 9
Section 3.11 Principal Transactions ......................................... 9
Section 3.12 Litigation ..................................................... 9
ARTICLE IV -- Investment Adviser, Distributor, Custodian and Transfer Agent....... 11
Section 4.1 Investment Adviser ............................................. 11
Section 4.2 Administrative Services ........................................ 11
Section 4.3 Distributor .................................................... 11
Section 4.4 Transfer Agent ................................................. 12
Section 4.5 Custodian ...................................................... 12
Section 4.6 Parties to Contract ............................................ 12
</TABLE>
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ARTICLE V -- Limitations of Liability of Shareholders, Trustees and Others ........ 13
Section 5.1 No Personal Liability of Shareholders, Trustees, etc. ......... 13
Section 5.2 Non-Liability of Trustees, etc. ................................ 13
Section 5.3 Indemnification ................................................ 14
Section 5.4 No Bond Required of Trustees ................................... 14
Section 5.5 No Duty of Investigation; Notice in Trust Instruments, etc. ... 14
Section 5.6 Reliance on Experts, etc. ...................................... 15
ARTICLE VI -- Shares of Beneficial Interest.......................................... 16
Section 6.1 Beneficial Interest ............................................ 16
Section 6.2 Rights of Shareholders ......................................... 16
Section 6.3 Trust Only ..................................................... 16
Section 6.4 Issuance of Shares ............................................. 17
Section 6.5 Register of Shares ............................................. 17
Section 6.6 Transfer of Shares ............................................. 17
Section 6.7 Notices ........................................................ 18
Section 6.8 Voting Powers .................................................. 18
Section 6.9 Series or Classes of Shares .................................... 19
ARTICLE VII -- Redemptions........................................................ 23
Section 7.1 Redemptions .................................................... 23
Section 7.2 Redemption at the Option of the Trust .......................... 23
Section 7.3 Effect of Suspension of Determination of Net Asset Value ...... 23
Section 7.4 Suspension of Right of Redemption .............................. 24
</TABLE>
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ARTICLE VIII -- Determination of Net Asset Value, Net Income and Distributions....
Section 8.1 Net Asset Value ................................................ 25
Section 8.2 Distributions to Shareholders .................................. 25
Section 8.3 Determination of Net Income .................................... 26
Section 8.4 Power to Modify Foregoing Procedures ........................... 26
ARTICLE IX -- Duration; Termination of Trust; Amendment; Mergers, etc. .......... 27
Section 9.1 Duration ....................................................... 27
Section 9.2 Termination of Trust or a Series ............................... 27
Section 9.3 Amendment Procedure ............................................ 28
Section 9.4 Merger, Consolidation and Sale of Assets ....................... 29
Section 9.5 Incorporation .................................................. 29
ARTICLE X -- Reports to Shareholders ............................................. 31
ARTICLE XI -- Miscellaneous ...................................................... 32
Section 11.1 Filing ......................................................... 32
Section 11.2 Governing Law .................................................. 32
Section 11.3 Resident Agent ................................................. 32
Section 11.4 Counterparts ................................................... 32
Section 11.5 Reliance by Third Parties ...................................... 32
Section 11.6 Provisions in Conflict with Law or Regulations ................. 33
Section 11.7 Use of the Name "Dean Witter" .................................. 33
SIGNATURE PAGE ................................................................... 34
</TABLE>
iii
<PAGE>
DECLARATION OF TRUST
OF
DEAN WITTER TAX-EXEMPT SECURITIES TRUST
Dated: April 6, 1987
THE DECLARATION OF TRUST of Dean Witter Tax-Exempt Securities Trust is
made the 6th day of April, 1987 by the parties signatory hereto, as trustees
(such persons, so long as they shall continue in office in accordance with
the terms of this Declaration of Trust, and all other persons who at the time
in question have been duly elected or appointed as trustees in accordance
with the provisions of this Declaration of Trust and are then in office,
being hereinafter called the "Trustees").
W I T N E S S E T H:
WHEREAS, the Trustees desire to form a trust fund under the laws of
Massachusetts for the investment and reinvestment of funds contributed
thereto; and
WHEREAS, it is provided that the beneficial interest in the trust assets
be divided into transferable shares of beneficial interest as hereinafter
provided;
NOW, THEREFORE, the Trustees hereby declare that they will hold in trust,
all money and property contributed to the trust fund to manage and dispose of
the same for the benefit of the holders from time to time of the shares of
beneficial interest issued hereunder and subject to the provisions hereof, to
wit:
1
<PAGE>
ARTICLE I
NAME AND DEFINITIONS
Section 1.1. Name. The name of the trust created hereby is the "Dean
Witter Tax-Exempt Securities Trust," and so far as may be practicable the
Trustees shall conduct the Trust's activities, execute all documents and sue
or be sued under that name, which name (and the word "Trust" wherever herein
used) shall refer to the Trustees as Trustees, and not as individuals, or
personally, and shall not refer to the officers, agents, employees or
Shareholders of the Trust. Should the Trustees determine that the use of such
name is not advisable, they may use such other name for the Trust as they
deem proper and the Trust may hold its property and conduct its activities
under such other name.
Section 1.2. Definitions. Wherever they are used herein, the following
terms have the following respective meanings:
(a) "By-Laws" means the By-Laws referred to in Section 3.9 hereof, as
from time to time amended.
(b) the terms "Commission," "Affiliated Person" and "Interested
Person," have the meanings given them in the 1940 Act.
(c) "Declaration" means this Declaration of Trust as amended from time
to time. Reference in this Declaration of Trust to "Declaration,"
"hereof," "herein" and "hereunder" shall be deemed to refer to this
Declaration rather than the article or section in which such words appear.
(d) "Distributor" means the party, other than the Trust, to a contract
described in Section 4.3 hereof.
(e) "Fundamental Policies" shall mean the investment policies and
restrictions set forth in the Prospectus and Statement of Additional
Information and designated as fundamental policies therein.
(f) "Investment Adviser" means any party, other than the Trust, to a
contract described in Section 4.1 hereof.
(g) "Majority Shareholder Vote" means the vote of the holders of a
majority of Shares, which shall consist of: (i) a majority of Shares
represented in person or by proxy and entitled to vote at a meeting of
Shareholders at which a quorum, as determined in accordance with the
By-Laws, is present; (ii) a majority of Shares issued and outstanding and
entitled to vote when action is taken by written consent of Shareholders;
and (iii) a "majority of the outstanding voting securities," as the phrase
is defined in the 1940 Act, when any
2
action is required by the 1940 Act by such majority as so defined.
(h) "1940 Act" means the Investment Company Act of 1940 and the rules
and regulations thereunder as amended from time to time.
(i) "Person" means and includes individuals, corporations,
partnerships, trusts, associations, joint ventures and other entities,
whether or not legal entities, and governments and agencies and political
subdivisions thereof.
(j) "Prospectus" means the Prospectus and Statement of Additional
Information constituting parts of the Registration Statement of the Trust
under the Securities Act of 1933 as such Prospectus and Statement of
Additional Information may be amended or supplemented and filed with the
Commission from time to time.
(k) "Series" means one of the separately managed components of the
Trust (or, if the Trust shall have only one such component, then that one)
as set forth in Section 6.1 hereof or as may be established and designated
from time to time by the Trustees pursuant to that section.
(l) "Shareholder" means a record owner of outstanding Shares.
(m) "Shares" means the units of interest into which the beneficial
interest in the Trust shall be divided from time to time, including the
shares of any and all series or classes which may be established by the
Trustees, and includes fractions of Shares as well as whole Shares.
(n) "Transfer Agent" means the party, other than the Trust, to the
contract described in Section 4.4 hereof.
(o) "Trust" means the Dean Witter Tax-Exempt Securities Trust.
(p) "Trust Property" means any and all property, real or personal,
tangible or intangible, which is owned or held by or for the account of
the Trust or the Trustees.
(q) "Trustees" means the persons who have signed the Declaration, so
long as they shall continue in office in accordance with the terms hereof,
and all other persons who may from time to time be duly elected or
appointed, qualified and serving as Trustees in accordance with the
provisions hereof, and reference herein to a Trustee or the Trustees shall
refer to such person or persons in their capacity as trustees hereunder.
3
ARTICLE II
TRUSTEES
Section 2.1. Number of Trustees. The number of Trustees shall be such
number as shall be fixed from time to time by a written instrument signed by
a majority of the Trustees, provided, however, that the number of Trustees
shall in no event be less than three (3) nor more than fifteen (15).
Section 2.2. Election and Term. The Trustees shall be elected by a
Majority Shareholder Vote at the first meeting of Shareholders immediately
prior to the public offering of Shares of the Trust. The Trustees shall have
the power to set and alter the terms of office of the Trustees, and they may
at any time lengthen or lessen their own terms or make their terms of
unlimited duration, subject to the resignation and removal provisions of
Section 2.3 hereof. Subject to Section 16(a) of the 1940 Act, the Trustees
may elect their own successors and may, pursuant to Section 2.4 hereof,
appoint Trustees to fill vacancies. The Trustees shall adopt By-Laws not
inconsistent with this Declaration or any provision of law to provide for
election of Trustees by Shareholders at such time or times as the Trustees
shall determine to be necessary or advisable.
Section 2.3. Resignation and Removal. Any Trustee may resign his trust
(without need for prior or subsequent accounting) by an instrument in writing
signed by him and delivered to the other Trustees and such resignation shall
be effective upon such delivery, or at a later date according to the terms of
the instrument. Any of the Trustees may be removed (provided the aggregate
number of Trustees after such removal shall not be less than the number
required by Section 2.1 hereof) by the action of two-thirds of the remaining
Trustees or by the action of the Shareholders of record of not less than
two-thirds of the Shares outstanding (for purposes of determining the
circumstances and procedures under which such removal by the Shareholders may
take place, the provisions of Section 16(c) of the 1940 Act shall be
applicable to the same extent as if the Trust were subject to the provisions
of that Section). Upon the resignation or removal of a Trustee, or his
otherwise ceasing to be a Trustee, he shall execute and deliver such
documents as the remaining Trustees shall require for the purpose of
conveying to the Trust or the remaining Trustees any Trust Property held in
the name of the resigning or removed Trustee. Upon the incapacity or death of
any Trustee, his legal representative shall execute and deliver on his behalf
such documents as the remaining Trustees shall require as provided in the
preceding sentence.
4
Section 2.4. Vacancies. The term of office of a Trustee shall terminate
and a vacancy shall occur in the event of the death, resignation, removal,
bankruptcy, adjudicated incompetence or other incapacity to perform the
duties of the office of a Trustee. No such vacancy shall operate to annul the
Declaration or to revoke any existing agency created pursuant to the terms of
the Declaration. In the case of an existing vacancy existing by reason of an
increase in the number of Trustees, subject to the provisions of Section
16(a) of the 1940 Act, the remaining Trustees or, prior to the public
offering of Shares of the Trust, if only one Trustee shall then remain in
office, the remaining Trustee, shall fill such vacancy by the appointment of
such other person as they or he, in their or his discretion, shall see fit,
made by a written instrument signed by a majority of the remaining Trustees
or by the remaining Trustee, as the case may be. Any such appointment shall
not become effective, however, until the person named in the written
instrument of appointment shall have accepted in writing such
appointment and agreed in writing to be bound by the terms of
the Declaration. An appointment of a Trustee may be made in
anticipation of a vacancy to occur at a later date by reason of
retirement, resignation or increase in the number of Trustees, provided that
such appointment shall not become effective prior to such retirement,
resignation or increase in the number of Trustees. Whenever a vacancy in the
number of Trustees shall occur, until such vacancy is filled as provided in
this Section 2.4, the Trustees in office, regardless of their number, shall
have all the powers granted to the Trustees and shall discharge all the
duties imposed upon the Trustees by the Declaration. A written instrument
certifying the existence of such vacancy signed by a majority of the Trustees
shall be conclusive evidence of the existence of such vacancy.
Section 2.5. Delegation of Power to Other Trustees. Any Trustee may, by
power of attorney, delegate his power for a period not exceeding six (6)
months at any one time to any other Trustee or Trustees; provided that in no
case shall less than two (2) Trustees personally exercise the powers granted
to the Trustees under the Declaration except as herein otherwise expressly
provided.
5
ARTICLE III
POWERS OF TRUSTEES
Section 3.1. General. The Trustees shall have exclusive and absolute
control over the Trust Property and over the business of the Trust to the
same extent as if the Trustees were the sole owners of the Trust Property and
business in their own right, but with such powers of delegation as may be
permitted by the Declaration. The Trustees shall have power to conduct the
business of the Trust and carry on its operations in any and all of its
branches and maintain offices both within and without the Commonwealth of
Massachusetts, in any and all states of the United States of America, in the
District of Columbia, and in any and all commonwealths, territories,
dependencies, colonies, possessions, agencies or instrumentalities
wheresoever in the world they may be located as they deem necessary, proper
or desirable in order to promote the interests of the Trust although such
things are not herein specifically mentioned. Any determination as to what is
in the interests of the Trust made by the Trustees in good faith shall be
conclusive. In construing the provisions of the Declaration, the presumption
shall be in favor of a grant of power to the Trustees.
The enumeration of any specific power herein shall not be construed as
limiting the aforesaid power. Such powers of the Trustees may be exercised
without order of or resort to any court.
Section 3.2. Investments. The Trustees shall have the power to:
(a) conduct, operate and carry on the business of an investment
company;
(b) subscribe for, invest in, reinvest in, purchase or otherwise
acquire, hold, pledge, sell, assign, transfer, exchange, distribute, lend
or otherwise deal in or dispose of negotiable or nonnegotiable
instruments, obligations, evidences of indebtedness, certificates of
deposit or indebtedness, commercial paper, repurchase agreements, reverse
repurchase agreements, options, commodities, commodity futures contracts
and related options, currencies, currency futures and forward contracts,
and other securities, investment contracts and other instruments of any
kind, including, without limitation, those issued, guaranteed or sponsored
by any
6
and all Persons including, without limitation, states, territories
and possessions of the United States, the District of Columbia and any of
the political subdivisions, agencies or instrumentalities thereof, and by
the United States Government or its agencies or instrumentalities, foreign
or international instrumentalities, or by any bank or savings institution,
or by any corporation or organization organized under the laws of the
United States or of any state, territory or possession thereof, and of
corporations or organizations organized under foreign laws, or in "when
issued" contracts for any such securities, or retain Trust assets in cash
and from time to time change the investments of the assets of the Trust;
and to exercise any and all rights, powers and privileges of ownership or
interest in respect of any and all such investments of every kind and
description, including, without limitation, the right to consent and
otherwise act with respect thereto, with power to designate one or more
persons, firms, associations or corporations to exercise any of said
rights, powers and privileges in respect of any of said instruments; and
the Trustees shall be deemed to have the foregoing powers with respect to
any additional securities in which the Trust may invest should the
Fundamental Policies be amended.
The Trustees shall not be limited to investing in obligations maturing before
the possible termination of the Trust, nor shall the Trustees be limited by
any law limiting the investments which may be made by fiduciaries.
Section 3.3. Legal Title. Legal title to all the Trust Property shall be
vested in the Trustees as joint tenants except that the Trustees shall have
power to cause legal title to any Trust Property to be held by or in the name
of one or more of the Trustees, or in the name of the Trust, or in the name
of any other Person as nominee, on such terms as the Trustees may determine,
provided that the interest of the Trust therein is appropriately protected.
The right, title and interest of the Trustees in the Trust Property shall
vest automatically in each Person who may hereafter become a Trustee. Upon
the resignation, removal or death of a Trustee he shall automatically cease
to have any right, title or interest in any of the Trust Property, and the
right, title and interest of such Trustee in the Trust Property shall vest
automatically in the remaining Trustees. Such vesting and cessation of title
shall be effective whether or not conveyancing documents have been executed
and delivered.
Section 3.4. Issuance and Repurchase of Securities. The Trustees shall
have the power to issue, sell, repurchase, redeem, retire, cancel, acquire,
hold, resell, reissue, dispose of, transfer, and otherwise deal in Shares
and, subject to the provisions set forth in Articles VII, VIII and IX and
Section
7
6.9 hereof, to apply to any such repurchase, redemption, retirement,
cancellation or acquisition of Shares any funds or property of the Trust,
whether capital or surplus or otherwise, to the full extent now or hereafter
permitted by the laws of the Commonwealth of Massachusetts governing business
corporations.
Section 3.5. Borrowing Money; Lending Trust Assets. Subject to the
Fundamental Policies, the Trustee shall have power to borrow money or
otherwise obtain credit and to secure the same by mortgaging, pledging or
otherwise subjecting as security the assets of the Trust, to endorse,
guarantee, or undertake the performance of any obligation, contract or
engagement of any other Person and to lend Trust assets.
Section 3.6. Delegation; Committees. The Trustees shall have power,
consistent with their continuing exclusive authority over the management of
the Trust and the Trust Property, to delegate from time to time to such of
their number or to officers, employees or agents of the Trust the doing of
such things and the execution of such instruments either in the name of the
Trust or the names of the Trustees or otherwise as the Trustees may deem
expedient.
Section 3.7. Collection and Payment. Subject to Section 6.9 hereof, the
Trustees shall have power to collect all property due to the Trust; to pay
all claims, including taxes, against the Trust Property; to prosecute,
defend, compromise or abandon any claims relating to the Trust Property; to
foreclose any security interest securing any obligations, by virtue of which
any property is owed to the Trust; and to enter into releases, agreements and
other instruments.
Section 3.8. Expenses. Subject to Section 6.9 hereof, the Trustees shall
have the power to incur and pay any expenses which in the opinion of the
Trustees are necessary or incidental to carry out any of the purposes of the
Declaration, and to pay reasonable compensation from the funds of the Trust
to themselves as Trustees. The Trustees shall fix the compensation of all
officers, employees and Trustees.
Section 3.9. Manner of Acting; By-Laws. Except as otherwise provided
herein or in the By-Laws or by any provision of law, any action to be taken
by the Trustees may be taken by a majority of the Trustees present at a
meeting of Trustees (a quorum being present), including any meeting held by
means of a conference telephone circuit or similar communications equipment
by means of which all persons participating in the meeting can hear each
other, or by written consents of all the Trustees. The Trustees may adopt
By-Laws not inconsistent with this Declaration to provide for the conduct of
the business of the Trust and may amend or repeal such By-Laws to the extent
such power is not reserved to the Shareholders.
8
Section 3.10. Miscellaneous Powers. The Trustees shall have the power to:
(a) employ or contract with such Persons as the Trustees may deem desirable
for the transaction of the business of the Trust or any Series thereof; (b)
enter into joint ventures, partnerships and any other combinations or
associations; (c) remove Trustees or fill vacancies in or add to their number,
elect and remove such officers and appoint and terminate such agents or
employees as they consider appropriate, and appoint from their own number, and
terminate, any one or more committees which may exercise some or all of the
power and authority of the Trustees as the Trustees may determine; (d)
purchase, and pay for out of Trust Property or the property of the appropriate
Series of the Trust, insurance policies insuring the Shareholders, Trustees,
officers, employees, agents, investment advisers, distributors, selected
dealers or independent contractors of the Trust against all claims arising by
reason of holding any such position or by reason of any action taken or omitted
to be taken by any such Person in such capacity, whether or not constituting
negligence, or whether or not the Trust would have the power to indemnify such
Person against such liability; (e) establish pension, profit-sharing, Share
purchase, and other retirement, incentive and benefit plans for any Trustees,
officers, employees and agents of the Trust; (f) to the extent permitted by
law, indemnify any person with whom the Trust or any Series thereof has
dealings, including any Investment Adviser, Distributor, Transfer Agent and
selected dealers, to such extent as the Trustees shall determine; (g)
guarantee indebtedness or contractual obligations of others; (h) determine
and change the fiscal year of the Trust or any Series thereof and the method
by which its accounts shall be kept; and (i) adopt a seal for the Trust but
the absence of such seal shall not impair the validity of any instrument
executed on behalf of the Trust.
Section 3.11. Principal Transactions. Except in transactions permitted by
the 1940 Act or any rule or regulation thereunder, or any order of exemption
issued by the Commission, or effected to implement the provisions of any
agreement to which the Trust is a party, the Trustees shall not, on behalf of
the Trust, buy any securities (other than Shares) from or sell any securities
(other than Shares) to, or lend any assets of the Trust or any Series thereof
to, any Trustee or officer of the Trust or any firm of which any such Trustee
or officer is a member acting as principal, or have any such dealings with
any Investment Adviser, Distributor or Transfer Agent or with any Affiliated
Person of such Person; but the Trust or any Series thereof may employ any
such Person, or firm or company in which such Person is an Interested Person,
as broker, legal counsel, registrar, transfer agent, dividend disbursing
agent or custodian upon customary terms.
9
Section 3.12. Litigation. The Trustees shall have the power to engage in
and to prosecute, defend, compromise, abandon, or adjust, by arbitration, or
otherwise, any actions, suits, proceedings, disputes, claims, and demands
relating to the Trust, and out of the assets of the Trust or any Series
thereof to pay or to satisfy any debts, claims or expenses incurred in
connection therewith, including those of litigation, and such power shall
include without limitation the power of the Trustees or any appropriate
committee thereof, in the exercise of their or its good faith business
judgment, to dismiss any action, suit, proceeding, dispute, claim, or demand,
derivative or otherwise, brought by any person, including a Shareholder in
its own name or the name of the Trust, whether or not the Trust or any of the
Trustees may be named individually therein or the subject matter arises by
reason of business for or on behalf of the Trust.
10
ARTICLE IV
INVESTMENT ADVISER, DISTRIBUTOR, CUSTODIAN AND TRANSFER AGENT
Section 4.1. Investment Adviser. Subject to approval by a Majority
Shareholder Vote, the Trustees may in their discretion from time to time
enter into one or more investment advisory or management contracts or, if the
Trustees establish multiple Series, separate investment advisory or
management contracts with respect to one or more Series whereby the other
party or parties to any such contracts shall undertake to furnish the Trust
or such Series such management, investment advisory, administration,
accounting, legal, statistical and research facilities and services,
promotional or marketing activities, and such other facilities and services,
if any, as the Trustees shall from time to time consider desirable and all
upon such terms and conditions as the Trustees may in their discretion
determine. Notwithstanding any provisions of the Declaration, the Trustees
may authorize the Investment Advisers, or any of them, under any such
contracts (subject to such general or specific instructions as the Trustees
may from time to time adopt) to effect purchases, sales, loans or exchanges
of portfolio securities and other investments of the Trust on behalf of the
Trustees or may authorize any officer, employee or Trustee to effect such
purchases, sales, loans or exchanges pursuant to recommendations
of such Investment Advisers, or any of them (and all without further action
by the Trustees). Any such purchases, sales, loans and exchanges shall be
deemed to have been authorized by all of the Trustees. The Trustees may, in
their sole discretion, call a meeting of Shareholders in order to submit to a
vote of Shareholders at such meeting the approval or continuance of any such
investment advisory or management contract. If the Shareholders of any one or
more of the Series of the Trust should fail to approve any such investment
advisory or management contract, the Investment Adviser may nonetheless serve
as Investment Adviser with respect to any Series whose Shareholders approve
such contract.
Section 4.2. Administrative Services. The Trustees may in their discretion
from time to time contract for administrative personnel and services whereby
the other party shall agree to provide the Trustees or the Trust
administrative personnel and services to operate the Trust on a daily or
other basis, on such terms and conditions as the Trustees may in their
discretion determine. Such services may be provided by one or more persons or
entities.
Section 4.3. Distributor. The Trustees may in their discretion from time
to time enter into one or more contracts,
11
providing for the sale of Shares to net the Trust or the applicable Series of
the Trust not less than the net asset value per Share (as described in Article
VIII hereof) and pursuant to which the Trust may either agree to sell the
Shares to the other parties to the contracts, or any of them, or appoint any
such other party its sales agent for such Shares. In either case, any such
contract shall be on such terms and conditions as the Trustees may in their
discretion determine not inconsistent with the provisions of this Article IV,
including, without limitation, the provision for the repurchase or sale of
shares of the Trust by such other party as principal or as agent of the Trust.
Section 4.4. Transfer Agent. The Trustees may in their discretion from
time to time enter into a transfer agency and shareholder service contract
whereby the other party to such contract shall undertake to furnish transfer
agency and shareholder services to the Trust. The contract shall have such
terms and conditions as the Trustees may in their discretion determine not
inconsistent with the Declaration. Such services may be provided by one or
more Persons.
Section 4.5. Custodian. The Trustees may appoint or otherwise engage one
or more banks or trust companies, each having an aggregate capital, surplus
and undivided profits (as shown in its last published report) of at least
five million dollars ($5,000,000) to serve as Custodian with authority as its
agent, but subject to such restrictions, limitations and other requirements,
if any, as may be contained in the By-Laws of the Trust.
Section 4.6. Parties to Contract. Any contract of the character described
in Sections 4.1, 4.2, 4.3, 4.4 or 4.5 of this Article IV and any other
contract may be entered into with any Person, although one or more of the
Trustees or officers of the Trust may be an officer, director, trustee,
shareholder, or member of such other party to the contract, and no such
contract shall be invalidated or rendered voidable by reason of the existence
of any such relationship; nor shall any Person holding such relationship be
liable merely by reason of such relationship for any loss or expense to the
Trust under or by reason of said contract or accountable for any profit
realized directly or indirectly therefrom, provided that the contract when
entered into was not inconsistent with the provisions of this Article IV. The
same Person may be the other party to any contracts entered into pursuant to
Sections 4.1, 4.2, 4.3, 4.4 or 4.5 above or otherwise, and any individual may
be financially interested or otherwise affiliated with Persons who are
parties to any or all of the contracts mentioned in this Section 4.6.
12
ARTICLE V
LIMITATIONS OF LIABILITY OF SHAREHOLDERS,
TRUSTEES AND OTHERS
Section 5.1. No Personal Liability of Shareholders, Trustees, etc. No
Shareholder shall be subject to any personal liability whatsoever to any
Person in connection with Trust Property or the acts, obligations or affairs
of the Trust. No Trustee, officer, employee or agent of the Trust shall be
subject to any personal liability whatsoever to any Person, other than the
Trust or its Shareholders, in connection with the Trust Property or the
affairs of the Trust, save only that arising from bad faith, willful
misfeasance, gross negligence or reckless disregard for his duty to such
Person; and all such Persons shall look solely to the Trust Property, or to the
Property of one or more specific Series of the Trust if the claim arises from
the conduct of such Trustee, officer, employee or agent with respect to only
such Series, for satisfaction of claims of any nature arising in connection
with the affairs of the Trust. If any Shareholder, Trustee, officer, employee
or agent, as such, of the Trust is made a party to any suit or proceeding to
enforce any such liability, he shall not, on account thereof, be held to any
personal liability. The Trust shall indemnify and hold each Shareholder
harmless from and against all claims and liabilities, to which such Shareholder
may become subject by reason of his being or having been a Shareholder, and
shall reimburse such Shareholder for all legal and other expenses reasonably
incurred by him in connection with any such claim or liability; provided that,
in the event the Trust shall consist of more than one Series, Shareholders of a
particular Series who are faced with claims or liabilities solely by reason of
their status as Shareholders of that Series shall be limited to the assets of
that Series for recovery of such loss and related expenses. The rights accruing
to a Shareholder under this Section 5.1 shall not exclude any other right to
which such Shareholder may be lawfully entitled, nor shall anything herein
contained restrict the right of the Trust to indemnify or reimburse a
Shareholder in any appropriate situation even though not specifically
provided herein.
Section 5.2. Non-Liability of Trustees, etc. No Trustee, officer, employee
or agent of the Trust shall be liable to the Trust, its Shareholders, or to
any Shareholder, Trustee, officer, employee, or agent thereof for any action
or failure to act (including without limitation the failure to compel in any
way any former or acting Trustee to redress any breach of trust) except for
his own bad faith, willful misfeasance, gross negligence or reckless
disregard of his duties.
13
Section 5.3. Indemnification. (a) The Trustees shall provide for
indemnification by the Trust, or by one or more Series thereof if the claim
arises from his or her conduct with respect to only such Series, of any
person who is, or has been, a Trustee, officer, employee or agent of the
Trust against all liability and against all expenses reasonably incurred or
paid by him in connection with any claim, action, suit or proceeding in which
he becomes involved as a party or otherwise by virtue of his being or having
been a Trustee, officer, employee or agent and against amounts paid or
incurred by him in the settlement thereof, in such manner as the Trustees may
provide from time to time in the By-Laws.
(b) The words "claim," "action," "suit," or "proceeding" shall apply to
all claims, actions, suits or proceedings (civil, criminal, or other,
including appeals), actual or threatened; and the words "liability" and
"expenses" shall include, without limitation, attorneys' fees, costs,
judgments, amounts paid in settlement, fines, penalties and other
liabilities.
Section 5.4. No Bond Required of Trustees. No Trustee shall be obligated
to give any bond or other security for the performance of any of his duties
hereunder.
Section 5.5. No Duty of Investigation; Notice in Trust Instruments,
etc. No purchaser, lender, transfer agent or other Person dealing with the
Trustees or any officer, employee or agent of the Trust or a Series thereof
shall be bound to make any inquiry concerning the validity of any transaction
purporting to be made by the Trustees or by said officer, employee or agent
or be liable for the application of money or property paid, loaned or
delivered to or on the order of the Trustees or of said officer, employee or
agent. Every obligation, contract, instrument, certificate, Share, other
security of the Trust or a Series thereof or undertaking, and every other act
or thing whatsoever executed in connection with the Trust shall be
conclusively presumed to have been executed or done by the executors thereof
only in their capacity as officers, employees or agents of the Trust or a
Series thereof. Every written obligation, contract, instrument, certificate,
Share, other security of the Trust or undertaking made or issued by the
Trustees shall recite that the same is executed or made by them not
individually, but as Trustees under the Declaration, and that the obligations
of the Trust or a Series thereof under any such instrument are not binding
upon any of the Trustees or Shareholders, individually, but bind only the
Trust Estate (or, in the event the Trust shall consist of more than one
Series, in the case of any such obligation
14
which relates to a specific Series, only the Series which is a party thereto),
and may contain any further recital which they or he may deem appropriate, but
the omission of such recital shall not affect the validity of such obligation,
contract instrument, certificate, Share, security or undertaking and shall not
operate to bind the Trustees or Shareholders individually. The Trustees shall
at all times maintain insurance for the protection of the Trust Property, its
Shareholders, Trustees, officers, employees and agents in such amount as the
Trustees shall deem adequate to cover possible tort liability, and such other
insurance as the Trustees in their sole judgment shall deem advisable.
Section 5.6. Reliance on Experts, etc. Each Trustee and officer or
employee of the Trust shall, in the performance of his duties, be fully and
completely justified and protected with regard to any act or any failure to
act resulting from reliance in good faith upon the books of account or other
records of the Trust, upon an opinion of counsel, or upon reports made to the
Trust by any of its officers or employees or by any Investment Adviser,
Distributor, Transfer Agent, selected dealers, accountants, appraisers or
other experts or consultants selected with reasonable care by the Trustees,
officers or employees of the Trust, regardless of whether such counsel or
expert may also be a Trustee.
15
ARTICLE VI
SHARES OF BENEFICIAL INTEREST
Section 6.1. Beneficial Interest. The interest of the beneficiaries
hereunder shall be divided into transferable shares of beneficial interest of
$.01 par value. The number of such shares of beneficial interest authorized
hereunder is unlimited. The Trustees shall have the authority to establish
and designate one or more Series or classes of shares. Each share of any
Series shall represent an equal proportionate share in the assets of that
Series with each other Share in that Series. The Trustees may divide or
combine the shares of any Series into a greater or lesser number of shares in
that Series without thereby changing the proportionate interests in the
assets of that Series. Subject to the provisions of Section 6.9 hereof, the
Trustees may also authorize the creation of additional series of shares (the
proceeds of which may be invested in separate, independently managed
portfolios) and additional classes of shares within any series. All Shares
issued hereunder including, without limitation, Shares issued in connection
with a dividend in Shares or a split in Shares, shall be fully paid and
nonassessable.
Section 6.2. Rights of Shareholders. The ownership of the Trust Property
of every description and the right to conduct any business hereinbefore
described are vested exclusively in the Trustees, and the Shareholders shall
have no interest therein other than the beneficial interest conferred by
their Shares, and they shall have no right to call for any partition or
division of any property, profits, rights or interests of the Trust nor can
they be called upon to assume any losses of the Trust or suffer an assessment
of any kind by virtue of their ownership of Shares. The Shares shall be
personal property giving only the rights in the Declaration specifically set
forth. The Shares shall not entitle the holder to preference, preemptive,
appraisal, conversion or exchange rights, except as the Trustees may
determine with respect to any series of Shares.
Section 6.3. Trust Only. It is the intention of the Trustees to create
only the relationship of Trustee and beneficiary between the Trustees and
each Shareholder from time to time. It is not the intention of the Trustees
to create a general partnership, limited partnership, joint stock
association, corporation, bailment or any form of legal relationship other
than a trust. Nothing in the Declaration shall be construed to make the
Shareholders, either by themselves or with the Trustees, partners or members
of a joint stock association.
16
Section 6.4 Issuance of Shares. The Trustees, in their discretion may,
from time to time without vote of the Shareholders, issue Shares of any
Series, in addition to the then issued and outstanding Shares and Shares held
in the treasury, to such party or parties and for such amount and type of
consideration, including cash or property, at such time or times and on such
terms as the Trustees may deem best, and may in such manner acquire other
assets (including the acquisition of assets subject to, and in connection
with the assumption of liabilities) and businesses. In connection with any
issuance of Shares, the Trustees may issue fractional Shares. The Trustees
may from time to time divide or combine the Shares of any Series into a
greater or lesser number without thereby changing the proportionate
beneficial interests in that Series. Contributions to the Trust may be
accepted for, and Shares shall be redeemed as, whole Shares and/or fractions
of a Share as described in the Prospectus.
Section 6.5. Register of Shares. A register shall be kept in respect of
each Series at the principal office of the Trust or at an office of the
Transfer Agent which shall contain the names and addresses of the
Shareholders and the number of Shares of each Series held by them
respectively and a record of all transfers thereof. Such register may be in
written form or any other form capable of being converted into written form
within a reasonable time for visual inspection. Such register shall be
conclusive as to who are the holders of the Shares and who shall be entitled
to receive dividends or distributions or otherwise to exercise or enjoy the
rights of Shareholders. No Shareholder shall be entitled to receive payment
of any dividend or distribution, nor to have notice given to him as herein or
in the By-Laws provided, until he has given his address to the Transfer Agent
or such other officer or agent of the Trustees as shall keep the said
register for entry thereon. It is not contemplated that certificates will be
issued for the Shares; however, the Trustees, in their discretion, may
authorize the issuance of Share certificates and promulgate appropriate rules
and regulations as to their use.
Section 6.6. Transfer of Shares. Shares shall be transferable on the
records of the Trust only by the record holder thereof or by his agent
thereunto duly authorized in writing, upon delivery to the Trustees or the
Transfer Agent of a duly executed instrument of transfer, together with such
evidence of the genuineness of each such execution and authorization and of
other matters as may reasonably be required. Upon such delivery the transfer
shall be recorded on the register of the Trust. Until such record is made,
the Shareholder of record shall be deemed to be the holder of such
17
Shares for all purposes hereunder and neither the Trustees nor any Transfer
Agent or registrar nor any officer, employee or agent of the Trust shall be
affected by any notice of the proposed transfer.
Any person becoming entitled to any Shares in consequence of the death,
bankruptcy, or incompetence of any Shareholder, or otherwise by operation of
law, shall be recorded on the register of Shares as the holder of such Shares
upon production of the proper evidence thereof to the Trustees or the
Transfer Agent, but until such record is made, the Shareholder of record
shall be deemed to be the holder of such Shares for all purposes hereunder
and neither the Trustees nor any Transfer Agent or registrar nor any officer
or agent of the Trust shall be affected by any notice of such death,
bankruptcy or incompetence, or other operation of law, except as may
otherwise be provided by the laws of the Commonwealth of Massachusetts.
Section 6.7. Notices. Any and all notices to which any Shareholder may be
entitled and any and all communications shall be deemed duly served or given
if mailed, postage prepaid, addressed to any Shareholder of record at his
last known address as recorded on the register of the Trust. Annual reports
and proxy statements need not be sent to a shareholder if: (i) an annual
report and proxy statement for two consecutive annual meetings, or (ii) all,
and at least two, checks (if sent by first class mail) in payment of
dividends or interest and shares during a twelve month period have been
mailed to such shareholder's address and have been returned undelivered.
However, delivery of such annual reports and proxy statements shall resume
once a Shareholder's current address is determined.
Section 6.8. Voting Powers. The Shareholders shall have power to vote only
(i) for the election of Trustees as provided in Section 2.2 hereof, (ii) for
the removal of Trustees as provided in Section 2.3 hereof, (iii) with respect
to any investment advisory or management contract as provided in Section 4.1,
(iv) with respect to termination of the Trust as provided in Section 9.2, (v)
with respect to any amendment of the Declaration to the extent and as
provided in Section 9.3, (vi) with respect to any merger, consolidation or
sale of assets as provided in Section 9.4, (vii) with respect to
incorporation of the Trust to the extent and as provided in Section 9.5,
(viii) to the same extent as the stockholders of a Massachusetts business
corporation as to whether or not a court action, proceeding or claim should
or should not be brought or maintained derivatively or as a class action on
behalf of the Trust or the Shareholders (provided that Shareholders of a
18
Series are not entitled to vote in connection with the bringing of a
derivative or class action with respect to any matter which only affects
another Series or its Shareholders), (ix) with respect to any plan adopted
pursuant to Rule 12b-1 (or any successor rule) under the 1940 Act and (x)
with respect to such additional matters relating to the Trust as may be
required by law, the Declaration, the By-Laws or any registration of the
Trust with the Commission (or any successor agency) or any state, or as and
when the Trustees may consider necessary or desirable. Each whole Share shall
be entitled to one vote as to any matter on which it is entitled to vote and
each fractional Share shall be entitled to a proportionate fractional vote,
except that Shares held in the treasury of the Trust as of the record date, as
determined in accordance with the By-Laws, shall not be voted. On any matter
submitted to a vote of Shareholders, all Shares shall be voted by individual
Series except (1) when required by the 1940 Act, Shares shall be voted in the
aggregate and not by individual Series; and (2) when the Trustees have
determined that the matter affects only the interests of one or more Series,
then only the Shareholders of such Series shall be entitled to vote thereon.
The Trustees may, in conjunction with the establishment of any further Series
or any classes of Shares, establish conditions under which the several series
or classes of Shares shall have separate voting rights or no voting rights.
There shall be no cumulative voting in the election of Trustees. Until Shares
are issued, the Trustees may exercise all rights of Shareholders and may take
any action required by law, the Declaration or the By-Laws to be taken by
Shareholders. The By-Laws may include further provisions for Shareholders'
votes and meetings and related matters.
Section 6.9. Series or Classes of Shares. The following provisions are
applicable regarding the Series of Shares of the Trust established in Section
6.1 hereof and shall be applicable if the Trustees shall establish additional
Series or shall divide the shares of any Series into two or more classes,
also as provided in Section 6.1 hereof, and all provisions relating to the
Trust shall apply equally to each Series thereof except as the context
requires:
(a) The number of authorized shares and the number of shares of each
Series or of each class that may be issued shall be unlimited. The
Trustees may classify or reclassify any unissued shares or any shares
previously issued and reacquired of any Series or class into one or more
Series or one or more classes that may be established and designated from
time to time. The Trustees may hold as treasury shares (of the same or
some other Series or class), reissue for such consideration and on such
terms as they may determine, or cancel any shares of any Series or any
class reacquired by the Trust at their discretion from time to time.
19
(b) The power of the Trustees to invest and reinvest the Trust
Property shall be governed by Section 3.2 of this Declaration with respect
to any one or more Series which represents the interests in the assets of
the Trust immediately prior to the establishment of any additional Series
and the power of the Trustees to invest and reinvest assets applicable to
any other Series shall be as set forth in the instrument of the Trustees
establishing such series which is hereinafter described.
(c) All consideration received by the Trust for the issue or sale of
shares of a particular Series or class together with all assets in which
such consideration is invested or reinvested, all income, earnings,
profits, and proceeds thereof, including any proceeds derived from the
sale, exchange or liquidation of such assets, and any funds or payments
derived from any reinvestment of such proceeds in whatever form the same
may be, shall irrevocably belong to that Series or class for all purposes,
subject only to the rights of creditors, and shall be so recorded upon the
books of account of the Trust. In the event that there are any assets,
income, earnings, profits, and proceeds thereof, funds, or payments which
are not readily identifiable as belonging to any particular Series or
class, the Trustees shall allocate them among any one or more of the
Series or classes established and designated from time to time in such
manner and on such basis as they, in their sole discretion, deem fair and
equitable. Each such allocation by the Trustees shall be conclusive and
binding upon the shareholders of all Series or classes for all purposes.
No holder of Shares of any Series shall have any claim on or right to any
assets allocated or belonging to any other Series.
(d) The assets belonging to each particular Series shall be charged
with the liabilities of the Trust in respect of that Series and all
expenses, costs, charges and reserves attributable to that Series. All
expenses and liabilities incurred or arising in connection with a
particular Series, or in connection with the management thereof, shall be
payable solely out of the assets of that Series and creditors of a
particular Series shall be entitled to look solely to the property of such
Series for satisfaction of their claims. Any general liabilities,
expenses, costs, charges or reserves of the Trust which are not readily
identifiable as belonging to any particular Series shall be allocated and
charged by the Trustees to and among any one or more of the series
established and designated from time to time in such manner and on such
basis as the Trustees in their sole discretion deem fair and equitable.
Each allocation of liabilities, expenses, costs, charges and reserves by
the Trustees shall be conclusive and
20
binding upon the holders of all Series for all purposes. The Trustees shall
have full discretion, to the extent not inconsistent with the 1940 Act, to
determine which items shall be treated as income and which items as
capital; and each such determination and allocation shall be conclusive and
binding upon the shareholders.
(e) The power of the Trustees to pay dividends and make distributions
shall be governed by Section 8.2 of this Declaration with respect to any
one or more Series or classes which represents the interests in the assets
of the Trust immediately prior to the establishment of any additional
Series or classes. With respect to any other Series or class, dividends
and distributions on shares of a particular Series or class may be paid
with such frequency as the Trustees may determine, which may be daily or
otherwise, pursuant to a standing resolution or resolutions adopted only
once or with such frequency as the Trustees may determine, to the holders
of shares of that Series or class, from such of the income and capital
gains, accrued or realized, from the assets belonging to that Series or
class, as the Trustees may determine, after providing for actual and
accrued liabilities belonging to that Series or class. All dividends and
distributions on shares of a particular Series or class shall be
distributed pro rata to the holders of that Series or class in proportion
to the number of shares of that Series or class held by such holders at
the date and time of record established for the payment of such dividends
or distributions.
(f) The Trustees shall have the power to determine the designations,
preferences, privileges, limitations and rights, including voting and
dividend rights, of each class and Series of Shares.
(g) Subject to compliance with the requirements of the 1940 Act, the
Trustees shall have the authority to provide that the holders of Shares of
any Series or class shall have the right to convert or exchange said
Shares into Shares of one or more Series of Shares in accordance with such
requirements and procedures as may be established by the Trustees.
(h) The establishment and designation of any Series or class of shares
in addition to those established in Section 6.1 hereof shall be effective
upon the execution by a majority of the then Trustees of an instrument
setting forth such establishment and designation and the relative rights,
preferences, voting powers, restrictions, limitations as to dividends,
qualifications, and terms and conditions of redemption of such Series or
class, or as otherwise provided in such instrument. At any time that there
are no shares outstanding of any particular Series or class previously
21
established and designated, the Trustees may by an instrument executed by
a majority of their number abolish that Series or class and the
establishment and designation thereof. Each instrument referred to in this
paragraph shall have the status of an amendment to this Declaration.
(i) Shareholders of a Series shall not be entitled to participate in a
derivative or class action with respect to any matter which only affects
another Series or its Shareholders.
(j) Each Share of a Series of the Trust shall represent a beneficial
interest in the net assets of such Series. Each holder of Shares of a
Series shall be entitled to receive his pro rata share of distributions of
income and capital gains made with respect to such Series. In the event of
the liquidation of a particular Series, the Shareholders of that Series
which has been established and designated and which is being liquidated
shall be entitled to receive, when and as declared by the Trustees, the
excess of the assets belonging to that Series over the liabilities
belonging to that Series. The holders of Shares of any Series shall not be
entitled hereby to any distribution upon liquidation of any other Series.
The assets so distributable to the Shareholders of any Series shall be
distributed among such Shareholders in proportion to the number of Shares
of that Series held by them and recorded on the books of the Trust. The
liquidation of any particular Series in which there are Shares then
outstanding may be authorized by an instrument in writing, without a
meeting, signed by a majority of the Trustees then in office, subject to
the approval of a majority of the outstanding voting securities of that
Series, as that phrase is defined in the 1940 Act.
22
<PAGE>
ARTICLE VII
REDEMPTIONS
Section 7.1. Redemptions. Each Shareholder of a particular Series shall
have the right at such times as may be permitted by the Trust to require the
Trust to redeem all or any part of his Shares of that Series, upon and
subject to the terms and conditions provided in this Article VII. The Trust
shall, upon application of any Shareholder or pursuant to authorization from
any Shareholder, redeem or repurchase from such Shareholder outstanding
shares for an amount per share determined by the Trustees in accordance with
any applicable laws and regulations; provided that (a) such amount per share
shall not exceed the cash equivalent of the proportionate interest of each
share or of any class or Series of shares in the assets of the Trust at the
time of the redemption or repurchase and (b) if so authorized by the
Trustees, the Trust may, at any time and from time to time charge fees for
effecting such redemption or repurchase, at such rates as the Trustees may
establish, as and to the extent permitted under the 1940 Act and the rules
and regulations promulgated thereunder, and may, at any time and from time to
time, pursuant to such Act and such rules and regulations, suspend such right
of redemption. The procedures for effecting and suspending redemption shall
be as set forth in the Prospectus from time to time. Payment will be made in
such manner as described in the Prospectus.
Section 7.2. Redemption at the Option of the Trust. Each Share of the
Trust or any Series of the Trust shall be subject to redemption at the option
of the Trust at the redemption price which would be applicable if such Share
were then being redeemed by the Shareholder pursuant to Section 7.1: (i) at
any time, if the Trustees determine in their sole discretion that failure to
so redeem may have materially adverse consequences to the holders of the
Shares of the Trust or of any Series, or (ii) upon such other conditions with
respect to maintenance of Shareholder accounts of a minimum amount as may
from time to time be determined by the Trustees and set forth in the then
current Prospectus of the Trust. Upon such redemption the holders of the
Shares so redeemed shall have no further right with respect thereto other
than to receive payment of such redemption price.
Section 7.3. Effect of Suspension of Determination of Net Asset Value. If,
pursuant to Section 7.4 hereof, the Trustees shall declare a suspension of
the determination of net asset value with respect to Shares of the Trust or
of any Series thereof,
23
the rights of Shareholders (including those who shall
have applied for redemption pursuant to Section 7.1 hereof but who shall not
yet have received payment) to have Shares redeemed and paid for by the Trust
or a Series thereof shall be suspended until the termination of such
suspension is declared. Any record holder who shall have his redemption right
so suspended may, during the period of such suspension, by appropriate
written notice of revocation at the office or agency where application was
made, revoke any application for redemption not honored and withdraw any
certificates on deposit. The redemption price of Shares for which redemption
applications have not been revoked shall be the net asset value of such
Shares next determined as set forth in Section 8.1 after the termination of
such suspension, and payment shall be made within seven (7) days after the
date upon which the application was made plus the period after such
application during which the determination of net asset value was suspended.
Section 7.4. Suspension of Right of Redemption. The Trust may declare a
suspension of the right of redemption or postpone the date of payment or
redemption for the whole or any part of any period (i) during which the New
York Stock Exchange is closed other than customary weekend and holiday
closings, (ii) during which trading on the New York Stock Exchange is
restricted, (iii) during which an emergency exists as a result of which
disposal by the Trust or a Series thereof of securities owned by it is not
reasonably practicable or it is not reasonably practicable for the Trust or a
Series thereof fairly to determine the value of its net assets, or (iv)
during any other period when the Commission may for the protection of
security holders of the Trust by order permit suspension of the rights of
redemption or postponement of the date of payment or redemption; provided
that applicable rules and regulations of the Commission shall govern as to
whether the conditions prescribed in (ii), (iii) or (iv) exist. Such
suspension shall take effect at such time as the Trust shall specify but not
later than the close of business on the business day next following the
declaration of suspension, and thereafter there shall be no right of
redemption or payment on redemption until the Trust shall declare the
suspension at an end, except that the suspension shall terminate in any event
on the first day on which said stock exchange shall have reopened or the period
specified in (ii) or (iii) shall have expired (as to which in the absence of an
official ruling by the Commission, the determination of the Trust shall be
conclusive). In the case of a suspension of the right of redemption, a
Shareholder may either withdraw his request for redemption or receive payment
based on the net asset value existing after the termination of the suspension.
24
ARTICLE VIII
DETERMINATION OF NET ASSET VALUE,
NET INCOME AND DISTRIBUTIONS
Section 8.1. Net Asset Value. The net asset value of each outstanding
Share of each Series of the Trust shall be determined on such days and at
such time or times as the Trustees may determine. The method of determination
of net asset value shall be determined by the Trustees and shall be as set
forth in the Prospectus and Statement of Additional Information. The power
and duty to make the daily calculations may be delegated by the Trustees to
any Investment Adviser, the Custodian, the Transfer Agent or such other
person as the Trustees by resolution may determine. The Trustees may suspend
the daily determination of net asset value to the extent permitted by the
1940 Act.
Section 8.2. Distributions to Shareholders. The Trustees shall from time
to time distribute ratably among the Shareholders of the Trust or of any
Series such proportion of the net income, earnings, profits, gains, surplus
(including paid-in surplus), capital, or assets of the Trust or of such
Series held by the Trustees as they may deem proper. Such distribution may be
made in cash or property (including without limitation any type of
obligations of the Trust or of such Series or any assets thereof), and the
Trustees may distribute ratably among the Shareholders of the Trust or of
that Series additional Shares issuable hereunder in such manner, at such
times, and on such terms as the Trustees may deem proper. Such distributions
may be among the Shareholders of record (determined in accordance with the
Prospectus and Statement of Additional Information) of the Trust or of such
Series at the time of declaring a distribution or among the Shareholders of
record of the Trust or of such Series at such later date as the Trustees
shall determine. The Trustees may always retain from the net income,
earnings, profits or gains of the Trust or of such Series such amount as they
may deem necessary to pay the debts or expenses of the Trust or of such
Series or to meet obligations of the Trust or of such Series, or as they may
deem desirable to use in the conduct of its affairs or to retain for future
requirements or extensions of the business. The Trustees may adopt and offer
to Shareholders of the Trust or of any Series such dividend reinvestment
plans, cash dividend payout plans or related plans as the Trustees deem
appropriate.
Inasmuch as the computation of net income and gains for Federal income tax
purposes may vary from the computation thereof on the books, the above
provisions shall be interpreted
25
to give the Trustees the power in their discretion to distribute for any fiscal
year as ordinary dividends and as capital gains distributions, respectively,
additional amounts sufficient to enable the Trust to avoid or reduce liability
for taxes.
Section 8.3. Determination of Net Income. The Trustees shall have the
power to determine the net income of any Series of the Trust and from time to
time to distribute such net income ratably among the Shareholders as
dividends in cash or additional Shares of such Series issuable hereunder. The
determination of net income and the resultant declaration of dividends shall
be as set forth in the Prospectus and Statement of Additional Information.
The Trustees shall have full discretion to determine whether any cash or
property received by any Series of the Trust shall be treated as income or as
principal and whether any item of expense shall be charged to the income or
the principal account, and their determination made in good faith shall be
conclusive upon the Shareholders. In the case of stock dividends received,
the Trustees shall have full discretion to determine, in the light of the
particular circumstances, how much, if any, of the value thereof shall be
treated as income, the balance, if any, to be treated as principal.
Section 8.4. Power to Modify Foregoing Procedures. Notwithstanding any of
the foregoing provisions of this Article VIII, the Trustees may prescribe, in
their absolute discretion, such other bases and times for determining the per
Share net asset value of the Shares or net income, or the declaration
and payment of dividends and distributions, as they may deem necessary or
desirable to enable the Trust to comply with any provision of the 1940 Act,
or any rule or regulation thereunder, including any rule or regulation
adopted pursuant to Section 22 of the 1940 Act by the Commission or any
securities association registered under the Securities Exchange Act of 1934,
or any order of exemption issued by said Commission, all as in effect now or
hereafter amended or modified. Without limiting the generality of the
foregoing, the Trustees may establish classes or additional Series of Shares
in accordance with Section 6.9.
26
ARTICLE IX
DURATION; TERMINATION OF TRUST; AMENDMENT; MERGERS, ETC.
Section 9.1. Duration. The Trust shall continue without limitation of time
but subject to the provisions of this Article IX.
Section 9.2. Termination of Trust or a Series. (a) The Trust or any Series
may be terminated (i) by the affirmative vote of the holders of not less than
two-thirds of the Shares outstanding and entitled to vote at any meeting of
Shareholders of the Trust or the appropriate Series thereof, or (ii) by an
instrument in writing, without a meeting, signed by a majority of the
Trustees and consented to by the holders of not less than two-thirds of such
Shares of the Trust or the appropriate Series thereof, or by such other vote
as may be established by the Trustees with respect to any class or Series of
Shares, or (iii) by the Trustees by written notice to the Shareholders, or
(iv) with respect to a Series as provided in Section 6.9(h). Upon the
termination of the Trust or the Series:
(i) The Trust or the Series shall carry on no business except for the
purpose of winding up its affairs.
(ii) The Trustees shall proceed to wind up the affairs of the Trust or
the Series and all of the powers of the Trustees under this Declaration
shall continue until the affairs of the Trust shall have been wound up,
including the power to fulfill or discharge the contracts of the Trust or
the Series, collect its assets, sell, convey, assign, exchange, transfer
or otherwise dispose of all or any part of the remaining Trust Property or
Trust Property allocated or belonging to such Series to one or more
persons at public or private sale for consideration which may consist in
whole or in part of cash, securities or other property of any kind,
discharge or pay its liabilities, and to do all other acts appropriate to
liquidate its business; provided that any sale, conveyance, assignment,
exchange, transfer or other disposition of all or substantially all the
Trust Property or Trust Property allocated or belonging to such Series
shall require Shareholder approval in accordance with Section 9.4 hereof.
(iii) After paying or adequately providing for the payment of all
liabilities, and upon receipt of such releases, indemnities and refunding
agreements, as they
27
deem necessary for their protection, the Trustees may
distribute the remaining Trust Property or Trust Property allocated or
belonging to such Series, in cash or in kind or partly each, among the
Shareholders of the Trust or of each Series according to their respective
rights.
(b) After termination of the Trust or the Series and distribution to the
Shareholders as herein provided, a majority of the Trustees shall execute and
lodge among the records of the Trust an instrument in writing setting forth
the fact of such termination, and the Trustees shall thereupon be discharged
from all further liabilities and duties with respect to the Trust or the
terminated Series, and the rights and interest of all Shareholders of the
Trust or the terminated Series shall thereupon cease.
Section 9.3. Amendment Procedure. (a) This Declaration may be amended by a
Majority Shareholder Vote, at a meeting of Shareholders, or by written
consent without a meeting. The Trustees may also amend this Declaration
without the vote or consent of Shareholders (i) to change the name of the
Trust or any Series or classes of Shares, (ii) to supply any omission, or
cure, correct or supplement any ambiguous, defective or inconsistent
provision hereof, (iii) if they deem it necessary to conform this Declaration
to the requirements of applicable federal or state laws or regulations or the
requirements of the Internal Revenue Code, or to eliminate or reduce any
federal, state or local taxes which are or may be payable by the Trust or the
Shareholders, but the Trustees shall not be liable for failing to do so, or
(iv) for any other purpose which does not adversely affect the rights of any
Shareholder with respect to which the amendment is or purports to be
applicable.
(b) No amendment may be made under this Section 9.3 which would change any
rights with respect to any Shares of the Trust or of any Series of the Trust
by reducing the amount payable thereon upon liquidation of the Trust or of
such Series of the Trust or by diminishing or eliminating any voting rights
pertaining thereto, except with the vote or consent of the holders of
two-thirds of the Shares of the Trust or of such Series outstanding and
entitled to vote, or by such other vote as may be established by the Trustees
with respect to any Series or class of Shares. Nothing contained in this
Declaration shall permit the amendment of this Declaration to impair the
exemption from personal liability of the Shareholders, Trustees, officers,
employees and agents of the Trust or to permit assessments upon Shareholders.
(c) A certificate signed by a majority of the Trustees or by the Secretary
or any Assistant Secretary of the Trust, setting forth an amendment and
reciting that it was duly
28
adopted by the Shareholders or by the Trustees as
aforesaid or a copy of the Declaration, as amended, and executed by a
majority of the Trustees or certified by the Secretary or any Assistant
Secretary of the Trust, shall be conclusive evidence of such amendment when
lodged among the records of the Trust. Unless such amendment or such
certificate sets forth some later time for the effectiveness of such
amendment, such amendment shall be effective when lodged among the records of
the Trust.
Notwithstanding any other provision hereof, until such time as a
Registration Statement under the Securities Act of 1933, as amended, covering
the first public offering of securities of the Trust shall have become
effective, this Declaration may be terminated or amended in any respect by
the affirmative vote of a majority of the Trustees or by an instrument signed
by a majority of the Trustees.
Section 9.4. Merger, Consolidation and Sale of Assets. The Trust or any
Series thereof may merge or consolidate with any other corporation,
association, trust or other organization or may sell, lease or exchange all
or substantially all of the Trust Property or Trust Property allocated or
belonging to such Series, including its good will, upon such terms and
conditions and for such consideration when and as authorized, at any meeting
of Shareholders called for the purpose, by the affirmative vote of the
holders of not less than two-thirds of the Shares of the Trust or such Series
outstanding and entitled to vote, or by an instrument or instruments in
writing without a meeting, consented to by the holders of not less than
two-thirds of such Shares, or by such other vote as may be established by the
Trustees with respect to any series or class of Shares; provided, however,
that, if such merger, consolidation, sale, lease or exchange is recommended
by the Trustees, a Majority Shareholder Vote shall be sufficient
authorization; and any such merger, consolidation, sale, lease or exchange
shall be deemed for all purposes to have been accomplished under and pursuant
to the laws of the Commonwealth of Massachusetts.
Section 9.5. Incorporation. With approval of a Majority Shareholder Vote,
or by such other vote as may be established by the Trustees with respect to
any Series or class of Shares, the Trustees may cause to be organized or
assist in organizing a corporation or corporations under the laws of any
jurisdiction or any other trust, partnership, association or other
organization to take over all of the Trust Property or the Trust Property
allocated or belonging to such Series or to carry on any business in which
the Trust shall directly or indirectly have any interest, and to sell, convey
and transfer the Trust Property or the Trust Property allocated or belonging
to such Series to any such corporation, trust, partnership, association or
organization in exchange for the shares or
29
securities thereof or otherwise, and to lend money to, subscribe for the shares
or securities of, and enter into any contracts with any such corporation,
trust, partnership, association or organization in which the Trust or such
Series holds or is about to acquire shares or any other interest. The Trustees
may also cause a merger or consolidation between the Trust or any successor
thereto and any such corporation, trust, partnership, association or other
organization if and to the extent permitted by law, as provided under the law
then in effect. Nothing contained herein shall be construed as requiring
approval of Shareholders for the Trustees to organize or assist in organizing
one or more corporations, trusts, partnerships, associations or other
organizations and selling, conveying or transferring a portion of the Trust
Property to such organization or entities.
30
<PAGE>
ARTICLE X
REPORTS TO SHAREHOLDERS
The Trustees shall at least semi-annually submit or cause the officers of
the Trust to submit to the Shareholders a written financial report of each
Series of the Trust, including financial statements which shall at least
annually be certified by independent public accountants.
31
ARTICLE XI
MISCELLANEOUS
Section 11.1. Filing. This Declaration and any amendment hereto shall be
filed in the office of the Secretary of the Commonwealth of Massachusetts and
in such other places as may be required under the laws of Massachusetts and
may also be filed or recorded in such other places as the Trustees deem
appropriate. Each amendment so filed shall be accompanied by a certificate
signed and acknowledged by a Trustee or by the Secretary or any Assistant
Secretary of the Trust stating that such action was duly taken in a manner
provided herein. A restated Declaration, integrating into a single instrument
all of the provisions of the Declaration which are then in effect and
operative, may be executed from time to time by a majority of the Trustees
and shall, upon filing with the Secretary of the Commonwealth of
Massachusetts, be conclusive evidence of all amendments contained therein and
may thereafter be referred to in lieu of the original Declaration and the
various amendments thereto.
Section 11.2. Resident Agent. The Prentice-Hall Corporation System, Inc.,
84 State Street, Boston, Massachusetts 02109 is the resident agent of the
Trust in the Commonwealth of Massachusetts.
Section 11.3. Governing Law. This Declaration is executed by the Trustees
and delivered in the Commonwealth of Massachusetts and with reference to the
laws thereof and the rights of all parties and the validity and construction
of every provision hereof shall be subject to and construed according to the
laws of said State.
Section 11.4. Counterparts. The Declaration may be simultaneously executed
in several counterparts, each of which shall be deemed to be an original, and
such counterparts, together, shall constitute one and the same instrument,
which shall be sufficiently evidenced by any such original counterpart.
Section 11.5. Reliance by Third Parties. Any certificate executed by an
individual who, according to the records of the Trust, appears to be a
Trustee hereunder, or Secretary or Assistant Secretary of the Trust,
certifying to: (a) the number or identity of Trustees or Shareholders, (b)
the due authorization of the execution of any instrument or writing, (c) the
form of any vote passed at a meeting of Trustees or Shareholders, (d) the
fact that the number of Trustees or Shareholders present at any meeting or
executing any written instrument satisfies the requirements of this
32
Declaration, (e) the form of any By-Laws adopted by or the identity of any
officers elected by the Trustees, or (f) the existence of any fact or facts
which in any manner relate to the affairs of the Trust, shall be conclusive
evidence as to the matters so certified in favor of any Person dealing with
the Trustees and their successors.
Section 11.6. Provisions in Conflict with Law or Regulations. (a) The
provisions of the Declaration are severable, and if the Trustees shall
determine, with the advice of counsel, that any of such provisions is in
conflict with the 1940 Act, the regulated investment company provisions of
the Internal Revenue Code or with other applicable laws and regulations, the
conflicting provisions shall be deemed superseded by such law or regulation
to the extent necessary to eliminate such conflict; provided, however, that
such determination shall not affect any of the remaining provisions of the
Declaration or render invalid or improper any action taken or omitted prior
to such determination.
(b) If any provision of the Declaration shall be held invalid or
unenforceable in any jurisdiction, such invalidity or unenforceability shall
pertain only to such provision in such jurisdiction and shall not in any
manner affect such provision in any other jurisdiction or any other provision
of the Declaration in any jurisdiction.
Section 11.7. Use of the name "Dean Witter." Dean Witter Reynolds Inc.
("DWR") has consented to the use by the Trust of the identifying name "Dean
Witter," which is a property right of DWR. The Trust will only use the name
"Dean Witter" as a component of its name and for no other purpose, and will
not purport to grant to any third party the right to use the name "Dean
Witter" for any purpose. DWR, or any corporate affiliate of the parent of
DWR, may use or grant to others the right to use the name "Dean Witter", or
any combination or abbreviation thereof, as all or a portion of a corporate
or business name or for any commercial purpose, including a grant of such
right to any other investment company. At the request of DWR or its parent,
the Trust will take such action as may be required to provide its consent to
the use by DWR or its parent, or any corporate affiliate of DWR's parent, or
by any person to whom DWR or its parent or an affiliate of DWR's parent shall
have granted the right to the use, of the name "Dean Witter", or any
combination or abbreviation thereof. Upon the termination of any investment
advisory agreement into which DWR and the Trust may enter, the Trust shall,
upon request by DWR or its parent, cease to use the name "Dean Witter" as a
component of its name, and shall not use the name, or any combination or
abbreviation thereof, as a part of its name or for any other commercial
purpose, and shall cause its officers, trustees and shareholders to take any
and all actions which DWR or its parent may request to effect the foregoing
and to reconvey to DWR or its parent any and all rights to such name.
33
<PAGE>
IN WITNESS WHEREOF, the undersigned have executed this Declaration of
Trust this 6th day of April, 1987.
/s/ Charles A. Fiumefreddo
- ------------------------------------------------
Charles A. Fiumefreddo, as
Trustee and not individually
One World Trade Center
New York, New York 10048
/s/ Sheldon Curtis
- ------------------------------------------------
Sheldon Curtis, as Trustee
not individually
One World Trade Center
New York, New York 10048
/s/ Andrew J. Melton, Jr.
- ------------------------------------------------
Andrew J. Melton, Jr., as
Trustee and not individually
Five World Trade Center
New York, New York 10048
- ------------------------------------------------
, as Trustee and not individually
34
IN WITNESS WHEREOF, the undersigned has executed this instrument this 6th
day of April, 1987.
/s/ David M. Elwood
---------------------------------
, as Trustee and not
individually
One Federal Street
Boston, MA 02110
COMMONWEALTH OF MASSACHUSETTS
Suffolk, SS. Boston, MA
April 6, 1987
Then personally appeared the above-named David M. Elwood who acknowledged
the foregoing instrument to be his free act and deed.
before me.
/s/ Pauline F. Martin
---------------------------------
Notary Public
My commission expires: November 12, 1993
<PAGE>
STATE OF NEW YORK
}
COUNTY OF NEW YORK : ss.:
On this 6th day of April, 1987, ANDREW J. MELTON, JR., CHARLES A.
FIUMEFREDDO and SHELDON CURTIS, known to me and known to be the individuals
described in and who executed the foregoing instrument, personally appeared
before me and they severally acknowledged the foregoing instrument to be
their free act and deed.
/s/ Barry Fink
---------------------------------
Notary Public
My commission expires: December 31, 1996
<PAGE>
DEAN WITTER TAX-EXEMPT SECURITIES TRUST
SELECTED DEALERS AGREEMENT
Gentlemen:
DW Distributors Inc. (the "Distributor") has a distribution
agreement (the "Distribution Agreement") with Dean Witter Tax-Exempt
Securities Trust, a Massachusetts business trust (the "Fund"), pursuant
to which it acts as the Distributor for the sale of the Fund's shares
of beneficial interest, par value $0.01 per share (the "Shares"). Under
the Distribution Agreement, the Distributor has the right to distribute
Shares for resale.
The Fund is an open-end management investment company registered under the
Investment Company Act of 1940, as amended, and the Shares being offered to
the public are registered under the Securities Act of 1933, as amended. You
have received a copy of the Distribution Agreement between us and the Fund
and reference is made herein to certain provisions of such Distribution
Agreement. The terms used herein, including "Prospectus" and "Registration
Statement" of the Fund and "Selected Dealer" shall have the same meaning in
this Agreement as in the Distribution Agreement. As principal, we offer to
sell shares to you, as a Selected Dealer, upon the following terms and
conditions:
1. In all sales of Shares to the public you shall act as dealer for your
own account, and in no transaction shall you have any authority to act as
agent for the Fund, for us or for any other Selected Dealer.
2. Orders received from you will be accepted through us or on our behalf
only at the net asset value applicable to each order plus any applicable
sales charge (the "public offering price"), as set forth in the current
Prospectus. The procedure relating to the handling of orders shall be subject
to instructions which we or the Fund shall forward from time to time to you.
All orders are subject to acceptance or rejection by the Distributor or
the Fund in the sole discretion of either.
3. You shall not place orders for any Shares unless you have already
received purchase orders for such Shares at the public offering price,
and subject to the terms hereof and of the Distribution Agreement and the
Prospectus. You agree that you will not offer or sell any of the Shares
except under circumstances that will result in compliance with the applicable
Federal and state securities laws and that in connection with sales and
offers to sell Shares you will furnish to each person to whom any such sale
or offer is made a copy of the Prospectus (as then amended or supplemented)
and will not furnish to any person any information relating to the Shares,
which is inconsistent in any respect with the information contained in the
Prospectus (as then amended or supplemented) or cause any advertisement to be
published by radio or television or in any newspaper or posted in any public
place or use any sales promotional material without our consent and the
consent of the Fund.
4. The Distributor will compensate you for sales of shares of the Fund and
personal services to Fund shareholders by paying you a portion of the
applicable sales charge and/or other commissions, which may be in the form
of a gross sales credit and/or an annual residual commission or service
fee, under the terms and in the percentage amounts as may be in effect from
time to time by the Distributor.
5. You shall not withhold placing orders received from your customers so
as to profit yourself as a result of such withholding; e.g., by a change in
the "net asset value" from that used in determining the offering price to
your customers.
6. If any Shares sold to you under the terms of this Agreement are
repurchased by us for the account of the Fund or are tendered for redemption
within seven business days after the date of the confirmation of the original
purchase by you, it is agreed that you shall forfeit your right to, and
refund to us, any sales charge or other commission received by you on such
Shares.
7. No person is authorized to make any representations concerning the
Shares or the Fund except those contained in the current Prospectus and in
such printed information subsequently issued by us or
1
<PAGE>
the Fund as information supplemental to such Prospectus. In purchasing
Shares through us you shall rely solely on the representations contained in
the Prospectus and supplemental information above mentioned. Any printed
information which we furnish you other than the Prospectus and the Fund's
periodic reports and proxy solicitation material are our sole responsibility
and not the responsibility of the Fund, and you agree that the Fund shall
have no liability or responsibility to you in these respects unless expressly
assumed in connection therewith.
8. You agree to deliver to each of the purchasers making purchases from
you a copy of the then current Prospectus at or prior to the time of offering
or sale and you agree thereafter to deliver to such purchasers copies of the
annual and interim reports and proxy solicitation materials of the Fund. You
further agree to endeavor to obtain proxies from such purchasers. Additional
copies of the Prospectus, annual or interim reports and proxy solicitation
materials of the Fund will be supplied to you in reasonable quantities upon
request.
9. You are hereby authorized (i) to place orders directly with the Fund or
its agent for shares of the Fund to be sold by us to you subject to the
applicable terms and conditions governing the placement of orders for the
purchase of Fund shares, as set forth in the Distribution Agreement, and (ii)
to tender shares directly to the Fund or its agent for redemption subject to
the applicable terms and conditions set forth in the Distribution Agreement.
10. We reserve the right in our discretion, without notice, to suspend
sales or withdraw the offering of Shares entirely. Each party hereto has the
right to cancel this agreement upon notice to the other party.
11. We shall have full authority to take such action as we may deem
advisable in respect of all matters pertaining to the distribution and
redemption of Fund shares. We shall be under no liability to you except for
lack of good faith and for obligations expressly assumed by us herein.
Nothing contained in this paragraph is intended to operate as, and the
provisions of this paragraph shall not in any way whatsoever constitute, a
waiver by you of compliance with any provision of the Securities Act of 1933,
as amended, or of the rules and regulations of the Securities and Exchange
Commission issued thereunder.
12. You represent that you are a member of the National Association of
Securities Dealers, Inc. and, with respect to any sales in the United States,
we both hereby agree to abide by the Rules of Fair Practice of such
Association.
13. Upon application to us, we will inform you as to the states in which
we believe the Shares have been qualified for sale under, or are exempt from
the requirements of, the respective securities laws of such states, but we
assume no responsibility or obligation as to your right to sell Shares in any
jurisdiction.
14. All communications to us should be sent to the address shown below.
Any notice to you shall be duly given if mailed or telegraphed to you at the
address specified by you below.
15. This Agreement shall become effective as of the date of your
acceptance hereof, provided that you return to us promptly a signed and dated
copy.
DW DISTRIBUTORS INC.
By ...............................
(Authorized Signature)
Please return one signed copy
of this agreement to:
DW Distributors Inc.
Two World Trade Center
New York, New York 10048
Accepted:
Firm Name:
...................................................................
By:
...................................................................
Address:
...................................................................
...................................................................
Date:
...................................................................
2
Exhibit 8
CUSTODY AGREEMENT
Agreement made as of this 20th day of September, 1991,
between DEAN WITTER TAX-EXEMPT SECURITIES TRUST, a
Massachusetts business trust organized and existing under the
laws of the Commonwealth of Massachusetts, having its
principal office and place of business at 2 World Trade
Center, New York, New York 10048 (hereinafter called the
"Fund"), and THE BANK OF NEW YORK, a New York corporation
authorized to do a banking business, having its principal of-
fice and place of business at 48 Wall Street, New York, New
York 10286 (hereinafter called the "Custodian").
W I T N E S S E T H :
that for and in consideration of the mutual promises
hereinafter set forth, the Fund and the Custodian agree as
follows:
ARTICLE I
DEFINITIONS
Whenever used in this Agreement, the following words and
phrases, shall have the following meanings:
1. "Agreement" shall mean this Custody Agreement and all
Appendices and Certifications described in the Exhibits
delivered in connection herewith.
2. "Authorized Person" shall mean any person, whether
or not such person is an Officer or employee of the Fund, duly
authorized by the Board of Trustees of the Fund to give Oral
Instructions and Written Instructions on behalf of the Fund
and listed in the Certificate annexed hereto as Appendix A or
such other Certificate as may be received by the Custodian
from time to time, provided that each person who is designated
in any such Certificate as an "Officer of DWTC" shall be an
Authorized Person only for purposes of Articles XII and XIII
hereof.
3. "Book-Entry System" shall mean the Federal
Reserve/Treasury book-entry system for United States and
federal agency securities, its successor or successors and its
nominee or nominees.
4. "Call Option" shall mean an exchange traded option
with respect to Securities other than Index, Futures
Contracts, and Futures Contract Options entitling the holder,
upon timely exercise and payment of the exercise price, as
specified therein, to purchase from the writer thereof the
specified underlying instruments, currency, or Securities.
5. "Certificate" shall mean any notice, instruction, or
other instrument in writing, authorized or required by this
Agreement to be given to the Custodian which is actually
received (irrespective of constructive receipt) by the
Custodian and signed on behalf of the Fund by any two Offic-
ers. The term Certificate shall also include instructions by
the Fund to the Custodian communicated by a Terminal Link.
6. "Clearing Member" shall mean a registered
broker-dealer which is a clearing member under the rules of
O.C.C. and a member of a national securities exchange
qualified to act as a custodian for an investment company, or
any broker-dealer reasonably believed by the Custodian to be
such a clearing member.
7. "Collateral Account" shall mean a segregated account
so denominated which is specifically allocated to a Series and
pledged to the Custodian as security for, and in consideration
of, the Custodian's issuance of any Put Option guarantee let-
ter or similar document described in paragraph 8 of Article V
herein.
8. "Covered Call Option" shall mean an exchange traded
option entitling the holder, upon timely exercise and payment
of the exercise price, as specified therein, to purchase from
the writer thereof the specified underlying instruments, cur-
rency, or Securities (excluding Futures Contracts) which are
owned by the writer thereof.
9. "Depository" shall mean The Depository Trust Company
("DTC"), a clearing agency registered with the Securities and
Exchange Commission, its successor or successors and its
nominee or nominees. The term "Depository" shall further mean
and include any other person authorized to act as a depository
under the Investment Company Act of 1940, its successor or
successors and its nominee or nominees, specifically identi-
fied in a certified copy of a resolution of the Fund's Board
of Trustees specifically approving deposits therein by the
Custodian.
10. "Financial Futures Contract" shall mean the firm
commitment to buy or sell financial instruments on a U.S. com-
modities exchange or board of trade at a specified future time
at an agreed upon price.
11. "Futures Contract" shall mean a Financial Futures
Contract and/or Index Futures Contracts.
- 2 -
12. "Futures Contract Option" shall mean an option with
respect to a Futures Contract.
13. "Investment Company Act of 1940" shall mean the
Investment Company Act of 1940, as amended, and the rules and
regulations thereunder.
14. "Index Futures Contract" shall mean a bilateral
agreement pursuant to which the parties agree to take or make
delivery of an amount of cash equal to a specified dollar
amount times the difference between the value of a particular
index at the close of the last business day of the contract
and the price at which the futures contract is originally
struck.
15. "Index Option" shall mean an exchange traded option
entitling the holder, upon timely exercise, to receive an
amount of cash determined by reference to the difference
between the exercise price and the value of the index on the
date of exercise.
16. "Margin Account" shall mean a segregated account in
the name of a broker, dealer, futures commission merchant, or
a Clearing Member, or in the name of the Fund for the benefit
of a broker, dealer, futures commission merchant, or Clearing
Member, or otherwise, in accordance with an agreement between
the Fund, the Custodian and a broker, dealer, futures commis-
sion merchant or a Clearing Member (a "Margin Account Agree-
ment"), separate and distinct from the custody account, in
which certain Securities and/or money of the Fund shall be
deposited and withdrawn from time to time in connection with
such transactions as the Fund may from time to time
determine. Securities held in the Book-Entry System or a
Depository shall be deemed to have been deposited in, or
withdrawn from, a Margin Account upon the Custodian's effect-
ing an appropriate entry in its books and records.
17. "Money Market Security" shall mean all instruments
and obligations commonly known as a money market instruments,
where the purchase and sale of such securities normally
requires settlement in federal funds on the same day as such
purchase or sale, including, without limitation, certain
Reverse Repurchase Agreements, debt obligations issued or
guaranteed as to interest and/or principal by the government
of the United States or agencies or instrumentalities thereof,
any tax, bond or revenue anticipation note issued by any state
or municipal government or public authority, commercial paper,
certificates of deposit and bankers' acceptances, repurchase
agreements with respect to Securities and bank time deposits.
18. "O.C.C." shall mean the Options Clearing Corpora-
tion, a clearing agency registered under Section 17A of the
- 3 -
Securities Exchange Act of 1934, its successor or successors,
and its nominee or nominees.
19. "Officers" shall mean the President, any Vice
President, the Secretary, the Clerk, the Treasurer, the
Controller, any Assistant Secretary, any Assistant Clerk, any
Assistant Treasurer, and any other person or persons, whether
or not any such other person is an officer or employee of the
Fund, but in each case only if duly authorized by the Board of
Trustees of the Fund to execute any Certificate, instruction,
notice or other instrument on behalf of the Fund and listed in
the Certificate annexed hereto as Appendix B or such other
Certificate as may be received by the Custodian from time to
time; provided that each person who is designated in any such
Certificate as holding the position of "Officer of DWTC" shall
be an Officer only for purposes of Articles XII and XIII
hereof.
20. "Option" shall mean a Call Option, Covered Call Op-
tion, Index Option and/or a Put Option.
21. "Oral Instructions" shall mean verbal instructions
actually received (irrespective of constructive receipt) by
the Custodian from an Authorized Person or from a person
reasonably believed by the Custodian to be an Authorized
Person.
22. "Put Option" shall mean an exchange traded option
with respect to instruments, currency, or Securities other
than Index Options, Futures Contracts, and Futures Contract
Options entitling the holder, upon timely exercise and tender
of the specified underlying instruments, currency, or Securi-
ties, to sell such instruments, currency, or Securities to the
writer thereof for the exercise price.
23. "Reverse Repurchase Agreement" shall mean an agree-
ment pursuant to which the Fund sells Securities and agrees to
repurchase such Securities at a described or specified date
and price.
24. "Security" shall be deemed to include, without
limitation, Money Market Securities, Call Options, Put Op-
tions, Index Options, Index Futures Contracts, Index Futures
Contract Options, Financial Futures Contracts, Financial
Futures Contract Options, Reverse Repurchase Agreements, over
the counter options on Securities, common stocks and other
securities having characteristics similar to common stocks,
preferred stocks, debt obligations issued by state or
municipal governments and by public authorities, (including,
without limitation, general obligation bonds, revenue bonds,
industrial bonds and industrial development bonds), bonds,
debentures, notes, mortgages or other obligations, and any
certificates, receipts, warrants or other instruments
representing rights to receive, purchase, sell or subscribe
- 4 -
for the same, or evidencing or representing any other rights
or interest therein, or rights to any property or assets.
25. "Senior Security Account" shall mean an account
maintained and specifically allocated to a Series under the
terms of this Agreement as a segregated account, by recorda-
tion or otherwise, within the custody account in which certain
Securities and/or other assets of the Fund specifically al-
located to such Series shall be deposited and withdrawn from
time to time in accordance with Certificates received by the
Custodian in connection with such transactions as the Fund may
from time to time determine.
26. "Series" shall mean the various portfolios, if any,
of the Fund as described from time to time in the current and
effective prospectus for the Fund, except that if the Fund
does not have more than one portfolio, "Series" shall mean the
Fund or be ignored where a requirement would be imposed on the
Fund or the Custodian which is unnecessary if there is only
one portfolio.
27. "Shares" shall mean the shares of beneficial inter-
est of the Fund and its Series.
28. "Terminal Link" shall mean an electronic data
transmission link between the Fund and the Custodian requiring
in connection with each use of the Terminal Link the use of an
authorization code provided by the Custodian and at least two
access codes established by the Fund, provided, that the Fund
shall have delivered to the Custodian a Certificate
substantially in the form of Appendix C.
29. "Transfer Agent" shall mean Dean Witter Trust
Company, a New Jersey limited purpose trust company, its suc-
cessors and assigns.
30. "Transfer Agent Account" shall mean any account in
the name of the Transfer Agent maintained with The Bank of New
York pursuant to a Cash Management and Related Services Agree-
ment between The Bank of New York and the Transfer Agent.
31. "Written Instructions" shall mean written communica-
tions actually received (irrespective of constructive receipt)
by the Custodian from an Authorized Person or from a person
reasonably believed by the Custodian to be an Authorized
Person by telex or any other such system whereby the receiver
of such communications is able to verify by codes or otherwise
with a reasonable degree of certainty the identity of the
sender of such communication.
- 5 -
ARTICLE II
APPOINTMENT OF CUSTODIAN
1. The Fund hereby constitutes and appoints the
Custodian as custodian of the Securities and moneys at any
time owned by the Fund during the period of this Agreement.
2. The Custodian hereby accepts appointment as such
custodian and agrees to perform the duties thereof as
hereinafter set forth.
ARTICLE III
CUSTODY OF CASH AND SECURITIES
1. Except as otherwise provided in paragraph 7 of this
Article and in Article VIII, the Fund will deliver or cause to
be delivered to the Custodian all Securities and all moneys
owned by it, at any time during the period of this Agreement,
and shall specify with respect to such Securities and money
the Series to which the same are specifically allocated, and
the Custodian shall not be responsible for any Securities or
money not so delivered. The Custodian shall physically
segregate, keep and maintain the Securities of the Series
separate and apart from each other Series and from other as-
sets held by the Custodian. Except as otherwise expressly
provided in this Agreement, the Custodian will not be
responsible for any Securities and moneys not actually
received by it, unless the Custodian has been negligent or has
engaged in willful misconduct with respect thereto. The
Custodian will be entitled to reverse any credits of money
made on the Fund's behalf where such credits have been previ-
ously made and moneys are not finally collected, unless the
Custodian has been negligent or has engaged in willful
misconduct with respect thereto. The Fund shall deliver to the
Custodian a certified resolution of the Board of Trustees of
the Fund, substantially in the form of Exhibit A hereto, ap-
proving, authorizing and instructing the Custodian on a
continuous and on-going basis to deposit in the Book-Entry
System all Securities eligible for deposit therein, regardless
of the Series to which the same are specifically allocated and
to utilize the Book-Entry System to the extent possible in
connection with its performance hereunder, including, without
limitation, in connection with settlements of purchases and
sales of Securities, loans of Securities and deliveries and
returns of Securities collateral. Prior to a deposit of
Securities specifically allocated to a Series in any
Depository, the Fund shall deliver to the Custodian a certi-
fied resolution of the Board of Trustees of the Fund,
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substantially in the form of Exhibit B hereto, approving,
authorizing and instructing the Custodian on a continuous and
ongoing basis until instructed to the contrary by a
Certificate to deposit in such Depository all Securities
specifically allocated to such Series eligible for deposit
therein, and to utilize such Depository to the extent possible
with respect to such Securities in connection with its
performance hereunder, including, without limitation, in con-
nection with settlements of purchases and sales of Securities,
loans of Securities, and deliveries and returns of Securities
collateral. Securities and moneys deposited in either the
Book-Entry System or a Depository will be represented in ac-
counts which include only assets held by the Custodian for
customers, including, but not limited to, accounts in which
the Custodian acts in a fiduciary or representative capacity
and will be specifically allocated on the Custodian's books to
the separate account for the applicable Series. Prior to the
Custodian's accepting, utilizing and acting with respect to
Clearing Member confirmations for Options and transactions in
Options for a Series as provided in this Agreement, the
Custodian shall have received a certified resolution of the
Fund's Board of Trustees, substantially in the form of Exhibit
C hereto, approving, authorizing and instructing the Custodian
on a continuous and on-going basis, until instructed to the
contrary by a Certificate, to accept, utilize and act in ac-
cordance with such confirmations as provided in this Agreement
with respect to such Series. All securities are to be held or
disposed of by the Custodian for, and subject at all times to
the instructions of, the Fund pursuant to the terms of this
Agreement. The Custodian shall have no power or authority to
assign, hypothecate, pledge or otherwise dispose of any
Securities except as provided by the terms of this Agreement,
and shall have the sole power to release and deliver Securi-
ties held pursuant to this Agreement.
2. The Custodian shall establish and maintain separate
accounts, in the name of each Series, and shall credit to the
separate account for each Series all moneys received by it for
the account of the Fund with respect to such Series. Such
moneys will be held in such manner and account as the Fund and
the Custodian shall agree upon in writing from time to time.
Money credited to a separate account for a Series shall be
subject only to drafts, orders, or charges of the Custodian
pursuant to this Agreement and shall be disbursed by the
Custodian only:
(a) As hereinafter provided;
(b) Pursuant to Resolutions of the Fund's Board of
Trustees certified by an Officer and by the Secretary or As-
sistant Secretary of the Fund setting forth the name and ad-
dress of the person to whom the payment is to be made, the
Series account from which payment is to be made, the purpose
for which payment is to be made, and declaring such purpose to
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be a proper corporate purpose; provided, however, that amounts
representing dividends, distributions, or redemptions proceeds
with respect to Shares shall be paid only to the Transfer
Agent Account;
(c) In payment of the fees and in reimbursement of
the expenses and liabilities of the Custodian attributable to
such Series and authorized by this Agreement; or
(d) Pursuant to Certificates to pay interest,
taxes, management fees or operating expenses (including,
without limitation thereto, Board of Trustees' fees and
expenses, and fees for legal accounting and auditing
services), which Certificates set forth the name and address
of the person to whom payment is to be made, state the purpose
of such payment and designate the Series for whose account the
payment is to be made.
3. Promptly after the close of business on each day,
the Custodian shall furnish the Fund with confirmations and a
summary, on a per Series basis, of all transfers to or from
the account of the Fund for a Series, either hereunder or with
any co-custodian or sub-custodian appointed in accordance with
this Agreement during said day. Where Securities are
transferred to the account of the Fund for a Series but held
in a Depository, the Custodian shall upon such transfer also
by book-entry or otherwise identify such Securities as
belonging to such Series in a fungible bulk of Securities
registered in the name of the Custodian (or its nominee) or
shown on the Custodian's account on the books of the
Book-Entry System or the Depository. At least monthly and
from time to time, the Custodian shall furnish the Fund with a
detailed statement, on a per Series basis, of the Securities
and moneys held under this Agreement for the Fund.
4. Except as otherwise provided in paragraph 7 of this
Article and in Article VIII, all Securities held by the
Custodian hereunder, which are issued or issuable only in
bearer form, except such Securities as are held in the
Book-Entry System, shall be held by the Custodian in that
form; all other Securities held hereunder may be registered in
the name of the Fund, in the name of any duly appointed
registered nominee of the Custodian as the Custodian may from
time to time determine, or in the name of the Book-Entry
System or a Depository or their successor or successors, or
their nominee or nominees. The Fund agrees to furnish to the
Custodian appropriate instruments to enable the Custodian to
hold or deliver in proper form for transfer, or to register in
the name of its registered nominee or in the name of the
Book-Entry System or a Depository any Securities which it may
hold hereunder and which may from time to time be registered
in the name of the Fund. The Custodian shall hold all such
Securities specifically allocated to a Series which are not
held in the Book-Entry System or in a Depository in a separate
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account in the name of such Series physically segregated at
all times from those of any other person or persons.
5. Except as otherwise provided in this Agreement and
unless otherwise instructed to the contrary by a Certificate,
the Custodian by itself, or through the use of the Book-Entry
System or a Depository with respect to Securities held
hereunder and therein deposited, shall with respect to all
Securities held for the Fund hereunder in accordance with
preceding paragraph 4:
(a) Promptly collect all income and dividends due
or payable;
(b) Promptly give notice to the Fund and promptly
present for payment and collect the amount of money or other
consideration payable upon such Securities which are called,
but only if either (i) the Custodian receives a written notice
of such call, or (ii) notice of such call appears in one or
more of the publications listed in Appendix D annexed hereto,
which may be amended at any time by the Custodian without the
prior consent of the Fund, provided the Custodian gives prior
notice of such amendment to the Fund;
(c) Promptly present for payment and collect for
the Fund's account the amount payable upon all Securities
which mature;
(d) Promptly surrender Securities in temporary form
in exchange for definitive Securities;
(e) Promptly execute, as custodian, any necessary
declarations or certificates of ownership under the Federal
Income Tax Laws or the laws or regulations of any other taxing
authority now or hereafter in effect;
(f) Hold directly, or through the Book-Entry System
or the Depository with respect to Securities therein
deposited, for the account of a Series, all rights and similar
securities issued with respect to any Securities held by the
Custodian for such Series hereunder; and
(g) Promptly deliver to the Fund all notices, prox-
ies, proxy soliciting materials, consents and other written
information (including, without limitation, notices of tender
offers and exchange offers, pendency of calls, maturities of
Securities and expiration of rights) relating to Securities
held pursuant to this Agreement which are actually received by
the Custodian, such proxies and other similar materials to be
executed by the registered holder (if Securities are
registered otherwise than in the name of the Fund), but
without indicating the manner in which proxies or consents are
to be voted.
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6. Upon receipt of a Certificate and not otherwise, the
Custodian, directly or through the use of the Book-Entry
System or the Depository, shall:
(a) Promptly execute and deliver to such persons as
may be designated in such Certificate proxies, consents,
authorizations, and any other instruments whereby the author-
ity of the Fund as owner of any Securities held hereunder for
the Series specified in such Certificate may be exercised;
(b) Promptly deliver any Securities held hereunder
for the Series specified in such Certificate in exchange for
other Securities or cash issued or paid in connection with the
liquidation, reorganization, refinancing, merger,
consolidation or recapitalization of any corporation, or the
exercise of any right, warrant or conversion privilege and
receive and hold hereunder specifically allocated to such
Series any cash or other Securities received in exchange;
(c) Promptly deliver any Securities held hereunder
for the Series specified in such Certificate to any protective
committee, reorganization committee or other person in connec-
tion with the reorganization, refinancing, merger, consolida-
tion, recapitalization or sale of assets of any corporation,
and receive and hold hereunder specifically allocated to such
Series in exchange therefor such certificates of deposit,
interim receipts or other instruments or documents as may be
issued to it to evidence such delivery or such Securities as
may be issued upon such delivery; and
(d) Promptly present for payment and collect the
amount payable upon Securities which may be called as
specified in the Certificate.
7. Notwithstanding any provision elsewhere contained
herein, the Custodian shall not be required to obtain posses-
sion of any instrument or certificate representing any Futures
Contract, any Option, or any Futures Contract Option until
after it shall have determined, or shall have received a
Certificate from the Fund stating, that any such instruments
or certificates are available. The Fund shall deliver to the
Custodian such a Certificate no later than the business day
preceding the availability of any such instrument or
certificate. Prior to such availability, the Custodian shall
comply with Section 17(f) of the Investment Company Act of
1940 in connection with the purchase, sale, settlement, clos-
ing out or writing of Futures Contracts, Options, or Futures
Contract Options by making payments or deliveries specified in
Certificates in connection with any such purchase, sale,
writing, settlement or closing out upon its receipt from a
broker, dealer, or futures commission merchant of a statement
or confirmation reasonably believed by the Custodian to be in
the form customarily used by brokers, dealers, or future
- 10 -
commission merchants with respect to such Futures Contracts,
Options, or Futures Contract Options, as the case may be,
confirming that such Security is held by such broker, dealer
or futures commission merchant, in book-entry form or
otherwise, in the name of the Custodian (or any nominee of the
Custodian) as custodian for the Fund, provided, however, that
notwithstanding the foregoing, payments to or deliveries from
the Margin Account and payments with respect to Securities to
which a Margin Account relates, shall be made in accordance
with the terms and conditions of the Margin Account
Agreement. Whenever any such instruments or certificates are
available, the Custodian shall, notwithstanding any provision
in this Agreement to the contrary, make payment for any
Futures Contract, Option, or Futures Contract Option for which
such instruments or such certificates are available only
against the delivery to the Custodian of such instrument or
such certificate, and deliver any Futures Contract, Option or
Futures Contract Option for which such instruments or such
certificates are available only against receipt by the
Custodian of payment therefor. Any such instrument or
certificate delivered to the Custodian shall be held by the
Custodian hereunder in accordance with, and subject to, the
provisions of this Agreement.
ARTICLE IV
PURCHASE AND SALE OF INVESTMENTS OF THE FUND
OTHER THAN OPTIONS, FUTURES CONTRACTS AND
FUTURES CONTRACT OPTIONS
1. Promptly after each execution of a purchase of
Securities by the Fund, other than a purchase of an Option, a
Futures Contract, or a Futures Contract Option, the Fund shall
deliver to the Custodian (i) with respect to each purchase of
Securities which are not Money Market Securities, a
Certificate, and (ii) with respect to each purchase of Money
Market Securities, a Certificate, Oral Instructions or Writ-
ten Instructions, specifying with respect to each such
purchase: (a) the Series to which such Securities are to be
specifically allocated; (b) the name of the issuer and the
title of the Securities; (c) the number of shares or the
principal amount purchased and accrued interest, if any; (d)
the date of purchase and settlement; (e) the purchase price
per unit; (f) the total amount payable upon such purchase; (g)
the name of the person from whom or the broker through whom
the purchase was made, and the name of the clearing broker, if
any; and (h) the name of the broker to whom payment is to be
made. The Custodian shall, upon receipt of such Securities
purchased by or for the Fund, pay to the broker specified in
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the Certificate out of the moneys held for the account of such
Series the total amount payable upon such purchase, provided
that the same conforms to the total amount payable as set
forth in such Certificate, Oral Instructions or Written
Instructions.
2. Promptly after each execution of a sale of Securi-
ties by the Fund, other than a sale of any Option, Futures
Contract, Futures Contract Option, or any Reverse Repurchase
Agreement, the Fund shall deliver such to the Custodian (i)
with respect to each sale of Securities which are not Money
Market Securities, a Certificate, and (ii) with respect to
each sale of Money Market Securities, a Certificate, Oral
Instructions or Written Instructions, specifying with respect
to each such sale: (a) the Series to which such Securities
were specifically allocated; (b) the name of the issuer and
the title of the Security; (c) the number of shares or
principal amount sold, and accrued interest, if any; (d) the
date of sale and settlement; (e) the sale price per unit; (f)
the total amount payable to the Fund upon such sale; (g) the
name of the broker through whom or the person to whom the sale
was made, and the name of the clearing broker, if any; and (h)
the name of the broker to whom the Securities are to be
delivered. On the settlement date, the Custodian shall
deliver the Securities specifically allocated to such Series
to the broker in accordance with generally accepted street
practices and as specified in the Certificate upon receipt of
the total amount payable to the Fund upon such sale, provided
that the same conforms to the total amount payable as set
forth in such Certificate, Oral Instructions or Written
Instructions.
ARTICLE V
OPTIONS
1. Promptly after each execution of a purchase of any
Option by the Fund other than a closing purchase transaction
the Fund shall deliver to the Custodian a Certificate specify-
ing with respect to each Option purchased: (a) the Series to
which such Option is specifically allocated; (b) the type of
Option (put or call); (c) the instrument, currency, or
Security underlying such Option and the number of Options, or
the name of the in the case of an Index Option, the index to
which such Option relates and the number of Index Options
purchased; (d) the expiration date; (e) the exercise price;
(f) the dates of purchase and settlement; (g) the total amount
payable by the Fund in connection with such purchase; and (h)
the name of the Clearing Member through whom such Option was
purchased. The Custodian shall pay, upon receipt of a Clear-
ing Member's statement confirming the purchase of such Option
held by such Clearing Member for the account of the Custodian
(or any duly appointed and registered nominee of the
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Custodian) as custodian for the Fund, out of moneys held for
the account of the Series to which such Option is to be
specifically allocated, the total amount payable upon such
purchase to the Clearing Member through whom the purchase was
made, provided that the same conforms to the total amount pay-
able as set forth in such Certificate.
2. Promptly after the execution of a sale of any Option
purchased by the Fund, other than a closing sale transaction,
pursuant to paragraph 1 hereof, the Fund shall deliver to the
Custodian a Certificate specifying with respect to each such
sale: (a) the Series to which such Option was specifically
allocated; (b) the type of Option (put or call); (c) the
instrument, currency, or Security underlying such Option and
the number of Options, or the name of the issuer and the title
and number of shares subject to such Option or, in the case of
a Index Option, the index to which such Option relates and the
number of Index Options sold; (d) the date of sale; (e) the
sale price; (f) the date of settlement; (g) the total amount
payable to the Fund upon such sale; and (h) the name of the
Clearing Member through whom the sale was made. The Custodian
shall consent to the delivery of the Option sold by the Clear-
ing Member which previously supplied the confirmation
described in preceding paragraph 1 of this Article with
respect to such Option against payment to the Custodian of the
total amount payable to the Fund, provided that the same
conforms to the total amount payable as set forth in such
Certificate.
3. Promptly after the exercise by the Fund of any Call
Option purchased by the Fund pursuant to paragraph 1 hereof,
the Fund shall deliver to the Custodian a Certificate specify-
ing with respect to such Call Option: (a) the Series to which
such Call Option was specifically allocated; (b) the name of
the issuer and the title and number of shares subject to the
Call Option; (c) the expiration date; (d) the date of exercise
and settlement; (e) the exercise price per share; (f) the
total amount to be paid by the Fund upon such exercise; and
(g) the name of the Clearing Member through whom such Call
Option was exercised. The Custodian shall, upon receipt of
the Securities underlying the Call Option which was exercised,
pay out of the moneys held for the account of the Series to
which such Call Option was specifically allocated the total
amount payable to the Clearing Member through whom the Call
Option was exercised, provided that the same conforms to the
total amount payable as set forth in such Certificate.
4. Promptly after the exercise by the Fund of any Put
Option purchased by the Fund pursuant to paragraph 1 hereof,
the Fund shall deliver to the Custodian a Certificate specify-
ing with respect to such Put Option: (a) the Series to which
such Put Option was specifically allocated; (b) the name of
the issuer and the title and number of shares subject to the
Put Option; (c) the expiration date; (d) the date of exercise
- 13 -
and settlement; (e) the exercise price per share; (f) the
total amount to be paid to the Fund upon such exercise; and
(g) the name of the Clearing Member through whom such Put Op-
tion was exercised. The Custodian shall, upon receipt of the
amount payable upon the exercise of the Put Option, deliver or
direct a Depository to deliver the Securities specifically
allocated to such Series, provided the same conforms to the
amount payable to the Fund as set forth in such Certificate.
5. Promptly after the exercise by the Fund of any Index
Option purchased by the Fund pursuant to paragraph 1 hereof,
the Fund shall deliver to the Custodian a Certificate specify-
ing with respect to such Index Option: (a) the Series to which
such Index Option was specifically allocated; (b) the type of
Index Option (put or call); (c) the number of Options being
exercised; (d) the index to which such Option relates; (e) the
expiration date; (f) the exercise price; (g) the total amount
to be received by the Fund in connection with such exercise;
and (h) the Clearing Member from whom such payment is to be
received.
6. Whenever the Fund writes a Covered Call Option, the
Fund shall promptly deliver to the Custodian a Certificate
specifying with respect to such Covered Call Option: (a) the
Series for which such Covered Call Option was written; (b) the
name of the issuer and the title and number of shares for
which the Covered Call Option was written and which underlie
the same; (c) the expiration date; (d) the exercise price; (e)
the premium to be received by the Fund; (f) the date such
Covered Call Option was written; and (g) the name of the
Clearing Member through whom the premium is to be received.
The Custodian shall deliver or cause to be delivered, in
exchange for receipt of the premium specified in the
Certificate with respect to such Covered Call Option, such
receipts as are required in accordance with the customs
prevailing among Clearing Members dealing in Covered Call Op-
tions and shall impose, or direct a Depository to impose, upon
the underlying Securities specified in the Certificate
specifically allocated to such Series such restrictions as may
be required by such receipts. Notwithstanding the foregoing,
the Custodian has the right, upon prior written notification
to the Fund, at any time to refuse to issue any receipts for
Securities in the possession of the Custodian and not
deposited with a Depository underlying a Covered Call Option.
7. Whenever a Covered Call Option written by the Fund
and described in the preceding paragraph of this Article is
exercised, the Fund shall promptly deliver to the Custodian a
Certificate instructing the Custodian to deliver, or to direct
the Depository to deliver, the Securities subject to such
Covered Call Option and specifying: (a) the Series for which
such Covered Call Option was written; (b) the name of the is-
suer and the title and number of shares subject to the Covered
Call Option; (c) the Clearing Member to whom the underlying
- 14 -
Securities are to be delivered; and (d) the total amount pay-
able to the Fund upon such delivery. Upon the return and/or
cancellation of any receipts delivered pursuant to paragraph 6
of this Article, the Custodian shall deliver, or direct a
Depository to deliver, the underlying Securities as specified
in the Certificate against payment of the amount to be
received as set forth in such Certificate.
8. Whenever the Fund writes a Put Option, the Fund
shall promptly deliver to the Custodian a Certificate specify-
ing with respect to such Put Option: (a) the Series for which
such Put Option was written; (b) the name of the issuer and
the title and number of shares for which the Put Option is
written and which underlie the same; (c) the expiration date;
(d) the exercise price; (e) the premium to be received by the
Fund; (f) the date such Put Option is written; (g) the name of
the Clearing Member through whom the premium is to be received
and to whom a Put Option guarantee letter is to be delivered;
(h) the amount of cash, and/or the amount and kind of Securi-
ties, if any, specifically allocated to such Series to be
deposited in the Senior Security Account for such Series; and
(i) the amount of cash and/or the amount and kind of Securi-
ties specifically allocated to such Series to be deposited
into the Collateral Account for such Series. The Custodian
shall, after making the deposits into the Collateral Account
specified in the Certificate, issue a Put Option guarantee
letter substantially in the form utilized by the Custodian on
the date hereof, and deliver the same to the Clearing Member
specified in the Certificate against receipt of the premium
specified in said Certificate. Notwithstanding the foregoing,
the Custodian shall be under no obligation to issue any Put
Option guarantee letter or similar document if it is unable to
make any of the representations contained therein.
9. Whenever a Put Option written by the Fund and
described in the preceding paragraph is exercised, the Fund
shall promptly deliver to the Custodian a Certificate specify-
ing: (a) the Series to which such Put Option was written; (b)
the name of the issuer and title and number of shares subject
to the Put Option; (c) the Clearing Member from whom the
underlying Securities are to be received; (d) the total amount
payable by the Fund upon such delivery; (e) the amount of cash
and/or the amount and kind of Securities specifically al-
located to such Series to be withdrawn from the Collateral
Account for such Series and (f) the amount of cash and/or the
amount and kind of Securities, specifically allocated to such
Series, if any, to be withdrawn from the Senior Security Ac-
count. Upon the return and/or cancellation of any Put Option
guarantee letter or similar document issued by the Custodian
in connection with such Put Option, the Custodian shall pay
out of the moneys held for the account of the Series to which
such Put Option was specifically allocated the total amount
payable to the Clearing Member specified in the Certificate as
set forth in such Certificate, against delivery of such
- 15 -
Securities, and shall make the withdrawals specified in such
Certificate.
10. Whenever the Fund writes an Index Option, the Fund
shall promptly deliver to the Custodian a Certificate specify-
ing with respect to such Index Option: (a) the Series for
which such Index Option was written; (b) whether such Index
Option is a put or a call; (c) the number of options written;
(d) the index to which such Option relates; (e) the expiration
date; (f) the exercise price; (g) the Clearing Member through
whom such Option was written; (h) the premium to be received
by the Fund; (i) the amount of cash and/or the amount and kind
of Securities, if any, specifically allocated to such Series
to be deposited in the Senior Security Account for such
Series; (j) the amount of cash and/or the amount and kind of
Securities, if any, specifically allocated to such Series to
be deposited in the Collateral Account for such Series; and
(k) the amount of cash and/or the amount and kind of Securi-
ties, if any, specifically allocated to such Series to be
deposited in a Margin Account, and the name in which such ac-
count is to be or has been established. The Custodian shall,
upon receipt of the premium specified in the Certificate, make
the deposits, if any, into the Senior Security Account
specified in the Certificate, and either (1) deliver such
receipts, if any, which the Custodian has specifically agreed
to issue, which are in accordance with the customs prevailing
among Clearing Members in Index Options and make the deposits
into the Collateral Account specified in the Certificate, or
(2) make the deposits into the Margin Account specified in the
Certificate.
11. Whenever an Index Option written by the Fund and
described in the preceding paragraph of this Article is
exercised, the Fund shall promptly deliver to the Custodian a
Certificate specifying with respect to such Index Option: (a)
the Series for which such Index Option was written; (b) such
information as may be necessary to identify the Index Option
being exercised; (c) the Clearing Member through whom such
Index Option is being exercised; (d) the total amount payable
upon such exercise, and whether such amount is to be paid by
or to the Fund; (e) the amount of cash and/or amount and kind
of Securities, if any, to be withdrawn from the Margin
Account; and (f) the amount of cash and/or amount and kind of
Securities, if any, to be withdrawn from the Senior Security
Account for such Series; and the amount of cash and/or the
amount and kind of Securities, if any, to be withdrawn from
the Collateral Account for such Series. Upon the return
and/or cancellation of the receipt, if any, delivered pursuant
to the preceding paragraph of this Article, the Custodian
shall pay out of the moneys held for the account of the Series
to which such Stock Index Option was specifically allocated to
the Clearing Member specified in the Certificate the total
amount payable, if any, as specified therein.
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12. Promptly after the execution of a purchase or sale
by the Fund of any Option identical to a previously written
Option described in paragraphs, 6, 8 or 10 of this Article in
a transaction expressly designated as a "Closing Purchase
Transaction" or a "Closing Sale Transaction", the Fund shall
promptly deliver to the Custodian a Certificate specifying
with respect to the Option being purchased: (a) that the
transaction is a Closing Purchase Transaction or a Closing
Sale Transaction; (b) the Series for which the Option was
written; (c) the instrument, currency, or Security subject to
the Option, or, in the case of an Index Option, the index to
which such Option relates and the number of Options held; (d)
the exercise price; (e) the premium to be paid by or the
amount to be paid to the Fund; (f) the expiration date; (g)
the type of Option (put or call); (h) the date of such
purchase or sale; (i) the name of the Clearing Member to whom
the premium is to be paid or from whom the amount is to be
received; and (j) the amount of cash and/or the amount and
kind of Securities, if any, to be withdrawn from the
Collateral Account, a specified Margin Account, or the Senior
Security Account for such Series. Upon the Custodian's
payment of the premium or receipt of the amount, as the case
may be, specified in the Certificate and the return and/or
cancellation of any receipt issued pursuant to paragraphs 6, 8
or 10 of this Article with respect to the Option being
liquidated through the Closing Purchase Transaction or the
Closing Sale Transaction, the Custodian shall remove, or
direct a Depository to remove, the previously imposed
restrictions on the Securities underlying the Call Option.
13. Upon the expiration, exercise or consummation of a
Closing Purchase Transaction with respect to any Option
purchased or written by the Fund and described in this
Article, the Custodian shall delete such Option from the
statements delivered to the Fund pursuant to paragraph 3
Article III herein, and upon the return and/or cancellation of
any receipts issued by the Custodian, shall make such
withdrawals from the Collateral Account, and the Margin Ac-
count and/or the Senior Security Account as may be specified
in a Certificate received in connection with such expiration,
exercise, or consummation.
14. Securities acquired by the Fund through the exercise
of an Option described in this Article shall be subject to
Article IV hereof.
- 17 -
ARTICLE VI
FUTURES CONTRACTS
1. Whenever the Fund shall enter into a Futures
Contract, the Fund shall deliver to the Custodian a
Certificate specifying with respect to such Futures Contract,
(or with respect to any number of identical Futures
Contract(s)): (a) the Series for which the Futures Contract is
being entered; (b) the category of Futures Contract (the name
of the underlying index or financial instrument); (c) the
number of identical Futures Contracts entered into; (d) the
delivery or settlement date of the Futures Contract(s); (e)
the date the Futures Contract(s) was (were) entered into and
the maturity date; (f) whether the Fund is buying (going long)
or selling (going short) such Futures Contract(s); (g) the
amount of cash and/or the amount and kind of Securities, if
any, to be deposited in the Senior Security Account for such
Series; (h) the name of the broker, dealer, or futures commis-
sion merchant through whom the Futures Contract was entered
into; and (i) the amount of fee or commission, if any, to be
paid and the name of the broker, dealer, or futures commission
merchant to whom such amount is to be paid. The Custodian
shall make the deposits, if any, to the Margin Account in ac-
cordance with the terms and conditions of the Margin Account
Agreement. The Custodian shall make payment out of the moneys
specifically allocated to such Series of the fee or commis-
sion, if any, specified in the Certificate and deposit in the
Senior Security Account for such Series the amount of cash
and/or the amount and kind of Securities specified in said
Certificate.
2. (a) Any variation margin payment or similar payment
required to be made by the Fund to a broker, dealer, or
futures commission merchant with respect to an outstanding
Futures Contract shall be made by the Custodian in accordance
with the terms and conditions of the Margin Account Agree-
ment.
(b) Any variation margin payment or similar payment
from a broker, dealer, or futures commission merchant to the
Fund with respect to an outstanding Futures Contract shall be
received and dealt with by the Custodian in accordance with
the terms and conditions of the Margin Account Agreement.
3. Whenever a Futures Contract held by the Custodian
hereunder is retained by the Fund until delivery or settlement
is made on such Futures Contract, the Fund shall deliver to
the Custodian prior to the delivery or settlement date a
Certificate specifying: (a) the Futures Contract and the
Series to which the same relates; (b) with respect to an Index
Futures Contract, the total cash settlement amount to be paid
- 18 -
or received, and with respect to a Financial Futures Contract,
the Securities and/or amount of cash to be delivered or
received; (c) the broker, dealer, or futures commission
merchant to or from whom payment or delivery is to be made or
received; and (d) the amount of cash and/or Securities to be
withdrawn from the Senior Security Account for such Series.
The Custodian shall make the payment or delivery specified in
the Certificate, and delete such Futures Contract from the
statements delivered to the Fund pursuant to paragraph 3 of
Article III herein.
4. Whenever the Fund shall enter into a Futures
Contract to offset a Futures Contract held by the Custodian
hereunder, the Fund shall deliver to the Custodian a
Certificate specifying: (a) the items of information required
in a Certificate described in paragraph 1 of this Article, and
(b) the Futures Contract being offset. The Custodian shall
make payment out of the money specifically allocated to such
Series of the fee or commission, if any, specified in the
Certificate and delete the Futures Contract being offset from
the statements delivered to the Fund pursuant to paragraph 3
of Article III herein, and make such withdrawals from the
Senior Security Account for such Series as may be specified in
such Certificate. The withdrawals, if any, to be made from
the Margin Account shall be made by the Custodian in ac-
cordance with the terms and conditions of the Margin Account
Agreement.
ARTICLE VII
FUTURES CONTRACT OPTIONS
1. Promptly after the execution of a purchase of any
Futures Contract Option by the Fund, the Fund shall deliver to
the Custodian a Certificate specifying with respect to such
Futures Contract Option: (a) the Series to which such Option
is specifically allocated; (b) the type of Futures Contract
Option (put or call); (c) the type of Futures Contract and
such other information as may be necessary to identify the
Futures Contract underlying the Futures Contract Option
purchased; (d) the expiration date; (e) the exercise price;
(f) the dates of purchase and settlement; (g) the amount of
premium to be paid by the Fund upon such purchase; (h) the
name of the broker or futures commission merchant through whom
such option was purchased; and (i) the name of the broker, or
futures commission merchant, to whom payment is to be made.
The Custodian shall pay out of the moneys specifically al-
located to such Series the total amount to be paid upon such
purchase to the broker or futures commissions merchant through
whom the purchase was made, provided that the same conforms to
the amount set forth in such Certificate.
- 19 -
2. Promptly after the execution of a sale of any
Futures Contract Option purchased by the Fund pursuant to
paragraph 1 hereof, the Fund shall deliver to the Custodian a
Certificate specifying with respect to each such sale: (a)
Series to which such Futures Contract Option was specifically
allocated; (b) the type of Future Contract Option (put or
call); (c) the type of Futures Contract and such other
information as may be necessary to identify the Futures
Contract underlying the Futures Contract Option; (d) the date
of sale; (e) the sale price; (f) the date of settlement; (g)
the total amount payable to the Fund upon such sale; and (h)
the name of the broker of futures commission merchant through
whom the sale was made. The Custodian shall consent to the
cancellation of the Futures Contract Option being closed
against payment to the Custodian of the total amount payable
to the Fund, provided the same conforms to the total amount
payable as set forth in such Certificate.
3. Whenever a Futures Contract Option purchased by the
Fund pursuant to paragraph 1 is exercised by the Fund, the
Fund shall promptly deliver to the Custodian a Certificate
specifying: (a) the Series to which such Futures Contract Op-
tion was specifically allocated; (b) the particular Futures
Contract Option (put or call) being exercised; (c) the type of
Futures Contract underlying the Futures Contract Option; (d)
the date of exercise; (e) the name of the broker or futures
commission merchant through whom the Futures Contract Option
is exercised; (f) the net total amount, if any, payable by the
Fund; (g) the amount, if any, to be received by the Fund; and
(h) the amount of cash and/or the amount and kind of Securi-
ties to be deposited in the Senior Security Account for such
Series. The Custodian shall make, out of the moneys and
Securities specifically allocated to such Series, the payments
of money, if any, and the deposits of Securities, if any, into
the Senior Security Account as specified in the Certificate.
The deposits, if any, to be made to the Margin Account shall
be made by the Custodian in accordance with the terms and
conditions of the Margin Account Agreement.
4. Whenever the Fund writes a Futures Contract Option,
the Fund shall promptly deliver to the Custodian a Certificate
specifying with respect to such Futures Contract Option: (a)
the Series for which such Futures Contract Option was written;
(b) the type of Futures Contract Option (put or call); (c) the
type of Futures Contract and such other information as may be
necessary to identify the Futures Contract underlying the
Futures Contract Option; (d) the expiration date; (e) the
exercise price; (f) the premium to be received by the Fund;
(g) the name of the broker or futures commission merchant
through whom the premium is to be received; and (h) the amount
of cash and/or the amount and kind of Securities, if any, to
be deposited in the Senior Security Account for such Series.
The Custodian shall, upon receipt of the premium specified in
- 20 -
the Certificate, make out of the moneys and Securities
specifically allocated to such Series the deposits into the
Senior Security Account, if any, as specified in the
Certificate. The deposits, if any, to be made to the Margin
Account shall be made by the Custodian in accordance with the
terms and conditions of the Margin Account Agreement.
5. Whenever a Futures Contract Option written by the
Fund which is a call is exercised, the Fund shall promptly
deliver to the Custodian a Certificate specifying: (a) the
Series to which such Futures Contract Option was specifically
allocated; (b) the particular Futures Contract Option
exercised; (c) the type of Futures Contract underlying the
Futures Contract Option; (d) the name of the broker or futures
commission merchant through whom such Futures Contract Option
was exercised; (e) the net total amount, if any, payable to
the Fund upon such exercise; (f) the net total amount, if any,
payable by the Fund upon such exercise; and (g) the amount of
cash and/or the amount and kind of Securities to be deposited
in the Senior Security Account for such Series. The Custodian
shall, upon its receipt of the net total amount payable to the
Fund, if any, specified in such Certificate make the payments,
if any, and the deposits, if any, into the Senior Security
Account as specified in the Certificate. The deposits, if any,
to be made to the Margin Account shall be made by the
Custodian in accordance with the terms and conditions of the
Margin Account Agreement.
6. Whenever a Futures Contract Option which is written
by the Fund and which is a put is exercised, the Fund shall
promptly deliver to the Custodian a Certificate specifying:
(a) the Series to which such Option was specifically al-
located; (b) the particular Futures Contract Option exercised;
(c) the type of Futures Contract underlying such Futures
Contract Option; (d) the name of the broker or futures commis-
sion merchant through whom such Futures Contract Option is
exercised; (e) the net total amount, if any, payable to the
Fund upon such exercise; (f) the net total amount, if any,
payable by the Fund upon such exercise; and (g) the amount and
kind of Securities and/or cash to be withdrawn from or
deposited in, the Senior Security Account for such Series, if
any. The Custodian shall, upon its receipt of the net total
amount payable to the Fund, if any, specified in the
Certificate, make out of the moneys and Securities
specifically allocated to such Series, the payments, if any,
and the deposits, if any, into the Senior Security Account as
specified in the Certificate. The deposits to and/or
withdrawals from the Margin Account, if any, shall be made by
the Custodian in accordance with the terms and conditions of
the Margin Account Agreement.
- 21 -
7. Promptly after the execution by the Fund of a
purchase of any Futures Contract Option identical to a previ-
ously written Futures Contract Option described in this
Article in order to liquidate its position as a writer of such
Futures Contract Option, the Fund shall deliver to the
Custodian a Certificate specifying with respect to the Futures
Contract Option being purchased: (a) the Series to which such
Option is specifically allocated; (b) that the transaction is
a closing transaction; (c) the type of Future Contract and
such other information as may be necessary to identify the
Futures Contract underlying the Futures Option Contract; (d)
the exercise price; (e) the premium to be paid by the Fund;
(f) the expiration date; (g) the name of the broker or futures
commission merchant to whom the premium is to be paid; and (h)
the amount of cash and/or the amount and kind of Securities,
if any, to be withdrawn from the Senior Security Account for
such Series. The Custodian shall effect the withdrawals from
the Senior Security Account specified in the Certificate. The
withdrawals, if any, to be made from the Margin Account shall
be made by the Custodian in accordance with the terms and
conditions of the Margin Account Agreement.
8. Upon the expiration, exercise, or consummation of a
closing transaction with respect to, any Futures Contract Op-
tion written or purchased by the Fund and described in this
Article, the Custodian shall (a) delete such Futures Contract
Option from the statements delivered to the Fund pursuant to
paragraph 3 of Article III herein and, (b) make such withdraw-
als from and/or in the case of an exercise such deposits into
the Senior Security Account as may be specified in a
Certificate. The deposits to and/or withdrawals from the
Margin Account, if any, shall be made by the Custodian in ac-
cordance with the terms and conditions of the Margin Account
Agreement.
9. Futures Contracts acquired by the Fund through the
exercise of a Futures Contract Option described in this
Article shall be subject to Article VI hereof.
ARTICLE VIII
SHORT SALES
1. Promptly after the execution of any short sales of
Securities by any Series of the Fund, the Fund shall deliver
to the Custodian a Certificate specifying: (a) the Series for
which such short sale was made; (b) the name of the issuer and
the title of the Security; (c) the number of shares or
principal amount sold, and accrued interest or dividends, if
any; (d) the dates of the sale and settlement; (e) the sale
- 22 -
price per unit; (f) the total amount credited to the Fund upon
such sale, if any, (g) the amount of cash and/or the amount
and kind of Securities, if any, which are to be deposited in a
Margin Account and the name in which such Margin Account has
been or is to be established; (h) the amount of cash and/or
the amount and kind of Securities, if any, to be deposited in
a Senior Security Account, and (i) the name of the broker
through whom such short sale was made. The Custodian shall
upon its receipt of a statement from such broker confirming
such sale and that the total amount credited to the Fund upon
such sale, if any, as specified in the Certificate is held by
such broker for the account of the Custodian (or any nominee
of the Custodian) as custodian of the Fund, issue a receipt or
make the deposits into the Margin Account and the Senior
Security Account specified in the Certificate.
2. Promptly after the execution of a purchase to
close-out any short sale of Securities, the Fund shall
promptly deliver to the Custodian a Certificate specifying
with respect to each such closing out: (a) the Series for
which such transaction is being made; (b) the name of the is-
suer and the title of the Security; (c) the number of shares
or the principal amount, and accrued interest or dividends, if
any, required to effect such closing-out to be delivered to
the broker; (d) the dates of closing-out and settlement; (e)
the purchase price per unit; (f) the net total amount payable
to the Fund upon such closing-out; (g) the net total amount
payable to the broker upon such closing-out; (h) the amount of
cash and the amount and kind of Securities to be withdrawn, if
any, from the Margin Account; (i) the amount of cash and/or
the amount and kind of Securities, if any, to be withdrawn
from the Senior Security Account; and (j) the name of the
broker through whom the Fund is effecting such closing-out.
The Custodian shall, upon receipt of the net total amount pay-
able to the Fund upon such closing-out, and the return and/ or
cancellation of the receipts, if any, issued by the Custodian
with respect to the short sale being closed-out, pay out of
the moneys held for the account of the Fund to the broker the
net total amount payable to the broker, and make the withdraw-
als from the Margin Account and the Senior Security Account,
as the same are specified in the Certificate.
- 23 -
ARTICLE IX
REVERSE REPURCHASE AGREEMENTS
1. Promptly after the Fund enters a Reverse Repurchase
Agreement with respect to Securities and money held by the
Custodian hereunder, the Fund shall deliver to the Custodian a
Certificate, or in the event such Reverse Repurchase Agreement
is a Money Market Security, a Certificate, Oral Instructions,
or Written Instructions specifying: (a) the Series for which
the Reverse Repurchase Agreement is entered; (b) the total
amount payable to the Fund in connection with such Reverse
Repurchase Agreement and specifically allocated to such
Series; (c) the broker, dealer, or financial institution with
whom the Reverse Repurchase Agreement is entered; (d) the
amount and kind of Securities to be delivered by the Fund to
such broker, dealer, or financial institution; (e) the date of
such Reverse Repurchase Agreement; and (f) the amount of cash
and/or the amount and kind of Securities, if any, specifically
allocated to such Series to be deposited in a Senior Security
Account for such Series in connection with such Reverse
Repurchase Agreement. The Custodian shall, upon receipt of
the total amount payable to the Fund specified in the
Certificate, Oral Instructions, or Written Instructions make
the delivery to the broker, dealer, or financial institution
and the deposits, if any, to the Senior Security Account,
specified in such Certificate, Oral Instructions, or Written
Instructions.
2. Upon the termination of a Reverse Repurchase Agree-
ment described in preceding paragraph 1 of this Article, the
Fund shall promptly deliver a Certificate or, in the event
such Reverse Repurchase Agreement is a Money Market Security,
a Certificate, Oral Instructions, or Written Instructions to
the Custodian specifying: (a) the Reverse Repurchase Agreement
being terminated and the Series for which same was entered;
(b) the total amount payable by the Fund in connection with
such termination; (c) the amount and kind of Securities to be
received by the Fund and specifically allocated to such Series
in connection with such termination; (d) the date of termina-
tion; (e) the name of the broker, dealer, or financial
institution with whom the Reverse Repurchase Agreement is to
be terminated; and (f) the amount of cash and/or the amount
and kind of Securities to be withdrawn from the Senior Securi-
ties Account for such Series. The Custodian shall, upon
receipt of the amount and kind of Securities to be received by
the Fund specified in the Certificate, Oral Instructions, or
Written Instructions, make the payment to the broker, dealer,
or financial institution and the withdrawals, if any, from the
Senior Security Account, specified in such Certificate, Oral
Instructions, or Written Instructions.
- 24 -
3. The Certificates, Oral Instructions, or Written
Instructions described in paragraphs 1 and 2 of this Article
may with respect to any particular Reverse Repurchase Agree-
ment be combined and delivered to the Custodian at the time of
entering into such Reverse Repurchase Agreement.
ARTICLE X
LOANS OF PORTFOLIO SECURITIES OF THE FUND
1. Promptly after each loan of portfolio Securities
specifically allocated to a Series held by the Custodian
hereunder, the Fund shall deliver or cause to be delivered to
the Custodian a Certificate specifying with respect to each
such loan: (a) the Series to which the loaned Securities are
specifically allocated; (b) the name of the issuer and the
title of the Securities, (c) the number of shares or the
principal amount loaned, (d) the date of loan and delivery,
(e) the total amount to be delivered to the Custodian against
the loan of the Securities, including the amount of cash col-
lateral and the premium, if any, separately identified, and
(f) the name of the broker, dealer, or financial institution
to which the loan was made. The Custodian shall deliver the
Securities thus designated to the broker, dealer or financial
institution to which the loan was made upon receipt of the
total amount designated in the Certificate as to be delivered
against the loan of Securities. The Custodian may accept pay-
ment in connection with a delivery otherwise than through the
Book-Entry System or a Depository only in the form of a certi-
fied or bank cashier's check payable to the order of the Fund
or the Custodian drawn on New York Clearing House funds.
2. In connection with each termination of a loan of
Securities by the Fund, the Fund shall deliver or cause to be
delivered to the Custodian a Certificate specifying with
respect to each such loan termination and return of Securi-
ties: (a) the Series to which the loaned Securities are
specifically allocated; (b) the name of the issuer and the
title of the Securities to be returned, (c) the number of
shares or the principal amount to be returned, (d) the date of
termination, (e) the total amount to be delivered by the
Custodian (including the cash collateral for such Securities
minus any offsetting credits as described in said
Certificate), and (f) the name of the broker, dealer, or
financial institution from which the Securities will be
returned. The Custodian shall receive all Securities returned
from the broker, dealer, or financial institution to which
such Securities were loaned and upon receipt thereof shall
pay, out of the moneys held for the account of the Fund, the
total amount payable upon such return of Securities as set
forth in the Certificate.
- 25 -
ARTICLE XI
CONCERNING MARGIN ACCOUNTS, SENIOR SECURITY
ACCOUNTS, AND COLLATERAL ACCOUNTS
1. The Custodian shall establish a Senior Security Ac-
count and from time to time make such deposits thereto, or
withdrawals therefrom, as specified in a Certificate. Such
Certificate shall specify the Series for which such deposit or
withdrawal is to be made and the amount of cash and/or the
amount and kind of Securities specifically allocated to such
Series to be deposited in, or withdrawn from, such Senior
Security Account for such Series. In the event that the Fund
fails to specify in a Certificate the Series, the name of the
issuer, the title and the number of shares or the principal
amount of any particular Securities to be deposited by the
Custodian into, or withdrawn from, a Senior Securities Ac-
count, the Custodian shall be under no obligation to make any
such deposit or withdrawal and shall promptly notify the Fund
that no such deposit has been made.
2. The Custodian shall make deliveries or payments from
a Margin Account to the broker, dealer, futures commission
merchant or Clearing Member in whose name, or for whose
benefit, the account was established as specified in the
Margin Account Agreement.
3. Amounts received by the Custodian as payments or
distributions with respect to Securities deposited in any
Margin Account shall be dealt with in accordance with the
terms and conditions of the Margin Account Agreement.
4. The Custodian shall have a continuing lien and
security interest in and to any property at any time held by
the Custodian in any Collateral Account described herein. In
accordance with applicable law the Custodian may enforce its
lien and realize on any such property whenever the Custodian
has made payment or delivery pursuant to any Put Option
guarantee letter or similar document or any receipt issued
hereunder by the Custodian. In the event the Custodian should
realize on any such property net proceeds which are less than
the Custodian's obligations under any Put Option guarantee
letter or similar document or any receipt, such deficiency
shall be a debt owed the Custodian by the Fund within the
scope of Article XIV herein.
5. On each business day the Custodian shall furnish the
Fund with a statement with respect to each Margin Account in
which money or Securities are held specifying as of the close
- 26 -
of business on the previous business day: (a) the name of the
Margin Account; (b) the amount and kind of Securities held
therein; and (c) the amount of money held therein. The
Custodian shall make available upon request to any broker,
dealer, or futures commission merchant specified in the name
of a Margin Account a copy of the statement furnished the Fund
with respect to such Margin Account.
6. The Custodian shall establish a Collateral Account
and from time to time shall make such deposits thereto as may
be specified in a Certificate. Promptly after the close of
business on each business day in which cash and/or Securities
are maintained in a Collateral Account for any Series, the
Custodian shall furnish the Fund with a statement with respect
to such Collateral Account specifying the amount of cash
and/or the amount and kind of Securities held therein. No
later than the close of business next succeeding the delivery
to the Fund of such statement, the Fund shall furnish to the
Custodian a Certificate or Written Instructions specifying the
then market value of the Securities described in such state-
ment. In the event such then market value is indicated to be
less than the Custodian's obligation with respect to any
outstanding Put Option guarantee letter or similar document,
the Fund shall promptly specify in a Certificate the ad-
ditional cash and/or Securities to be deposited in such Col-
lateral Account to eliminate such deficiency.
ARTICLE XII
PAYMENT OF DIVIDENDS OR DISTRIBUTIONS
1. The Fund shall furnish to the Custodian a copy of
the resolution of the Board of Trustees of the Fund, certified
by the Secretary, the Clerk, any Assistant Secretary or any
Assistant Clerk, either (i) setting forth with respect to the
Series specified therein the date of the declaration of a
dividend or distribution, the date of payment thereof, the
record date as of which shareholders entitled to payment shall
be determined, the amount payable per Share of such Series to
the shareholders of record as of that date and the total
amount payable to the Dividend Agent and any sub-dividend
agent or co-dividend agent of the Fund on the payment date, or
(ii) authorizing with respect to the Series specified therein
and the declaration of dividends and distributions thereon
the Custodian to rely on Oral Instructions, Written Instruc-
tions, or a Certificate setting forth the date of the declara-
tion of such dividend or distribution, the date of payment
thereof, the record date as of which shareholders entitled to
payment shall be determined, the amount payable per Share of
such Series to the shareholders of record as of that date and
the total amount payable to the Dividend Agent on the payment
date.
- 27 -
2. Upon the payment date specified in such resolution,
Oral Instructions, Written Instructions, or Certificate, as
the case may be, the Custodian shall pay to the Transfer Agent
Account out of the moneys held for the account of the Series
specified therein the total amount payable to the Dividend
Agent and any sub-dividend agent or co-dividend agent of the
Fund with respect to such Series.
ARTICLE XIII
SALE AND REDEMPTION OF SHARES
1. Whenever the Fund shall sell any Shares, it shall
deliver or cause to be delivered, to the Custodian a
Certificate duly specifying:
(a) The Series, the number of Shares sold, trade
date, and price; and
(b) The amount of money to be received by the
Custodian for the sale of such Shares and specifically al-
located to the separate account in the name of such Series.
2. Upon receipt of such money from the Transfer Agent,
the Custodian shall credit such money to the separate account
in the name of the Series for which such money was received.
3. Upon issuance of any Shares of any Series the
Custodian shall pay, out of the money held for the account of
such Series, all original issue or other taxes required to be
paid by the Fund in connection with such issuance upon the
receipt of a Certificate specifying the amount to be paid.
4. Except as provided hereinafter, whenever the Fund
desires the Custodian to make payment out of the money held by
the Custodian hereunder in connection with a redemption of any
Shares, it shall furnish, or cause to be furnished, to the
Custodian a Certificate specifying:
(a) The number and Series of Shares redeemed; and
(b) The amount to be paid for such Shares.
5. Upon receipt of an advice from an Authorized Person
setting forth the Series and number of Shares received by the
Transfer Agent for redemption and that such Shares are in
good form for redemption, the Custodian shall make payment to
the Transfer Agent Account out of the moneys held in the
separate account in the name of the Series the total amount
- 28 -
specified in the Certificate issued pursuant to the foregoing
paragraph 4 of this Article.
ARTICLE XIV
OVERDRAFTS OR INDEBTEDNESS
1. If the Custodian, should in its sole discretion
advance funds on behalf of any Series which results in an
overdraft because the moneys held by the Custodian in the
separate account for such Series shall be insufficient to pay
the total amount payable upon a purchase of Securities
specifically allocated to such Series, as set forth in a
Certificate, Oral Instructions, or Written Instructions or
which results in an overdraft in the separate account of such
Series for some other reason, or if the Fund is for any other
reason indebted to the Custodian with respect to a Series,
(except a borrowing for investment or for temporary or
emergency purposes using Securities as collateral pursuant to
a separate agreement and subject to the provisions of
paragraph 2 of this Article), such overdraft or indebtedness
shall be deemed to be a loan made by the Custodian to the Fund
for such Series payable on demand and shall bear interest from
the date incurred at a rate per annum (based on a 360-day year
for the actual number of days involved) equal to the Federal
Funds Rate plus 1/2%, such rate to be adjusted on the effec-
tive date of any change in such Federal Funds Rate but in no
event to be less than 6% per annum. In addition, the Fund
hereby agrees that the Custodian shall have a continuing lien
and security interest in the aggregate amount of such
overdrafts and indebtedness as may from time to time exist in
and to any property specifically allocated to such Series at
any time held by it for the benefit of such Series or in which
the Fund may have an interest which is then in the Custodian's
possession or control or in possession or control of any third
party acting in the Custodian's behalf. The Fund authorizes
the Custodian, in its sole discretion, at any time to charge
any such overdraft or indebtedness together with interest due
thereon against any money balance of account standing to such
Series' credit on the Custodian's books. In addition, the
Fund hereby covenants that on each Business Day on which
either it intends to enter a Reverse Repurchase Agreement and/
or otherwise borrow from a third party, or which next succeeds
a Business Day on which at the close of business the Fund had
outstanding a Reverse Repurchase Agreement or such a borrow-
ing, it shall prior to 9 a.m., New York City time, advise the
Custodian, in writing, of each such borrowing, shall specify
the Series to which the same relates, and shall not incur any
indebtedness, including pursuant to any Reverse Repurchase
Agreement, not so specified other than from the Custodian.
2. The Fund will cause to be delivered to the Custodian
by any bank (including, if the borrowing is pursuant to a
- 29 -
separate agreement, the Custodian) from which it borrows money
for investment or for temporary or emergency purposes using
Securities held by the Custodian hereunder as collateral for
such borrowings, a notice or undertaking in the form currently
employed by any such bank setting forth the amount which such
bank will loan to the Fund against delivery of a stated amount
of collateral. The Fund shall promptly deliver to the
Custodian a Certificate specifying with respect to each such
borrowing: (a) the Series to which such borrowing relates; (b)
the name of the bank, (c) the amount and terms of the borrow-
ing, which may be set forth by incorporating by reference an
attached promissory note, duly endorsed by the Fund, or other
loan agreement, (d) the time and date, if known, on which the
loan is to be entered into, (e) the date on which the loan
becomes due and payable, (f) the total amount payable to the
Fund on the borrowing date, (g) the market value of Securities
to be delivered as collateral for such loan, including the
name of the issuer, the title and the number of shares or the
principal amount of any particular Securities, and (h) a
statement specifying whether such loan is for investment
purposes or for temporary or emergency purposes and that such
loan is in conformance with the Investment Company Act of 1940
and the Fund's prospectus. The Custodian shall deliver on the
borrowing date specified in a Certificate the specified col-
lateral and the executed promissory note, if any, against
delivery by the lending bank of the total amount of the loan
payable, provided that the same conforms to the total amount
payable as set forth in the Certificate. The Custodian may,
at the option of the lending bank, keep such collateral in its
possession, but such collateral shall be subject to all rights
therein given the lending bank by virtue of any promissory
note or loan agreement. The Custodian shall deliver such
Securities as additional collateral as may be specified in a
Certificate to collateralize further any transaction described
in this paragraph. The Fund shall cause all Securities
released from collateral status to be returned directly to the
Custodian, and the Custodian shall receive from time to time
such return of collateral as may be tendered to it. In the
event that the Fund fails to specify in a Certificate the
Series, the name of the issuer, the title and number of shares
or the principal amount of any particular Securities to be
delivered as collateral by the Custodian, to any such bank,
the Custodian shall not be under any obligation to deliver any
Securities.
- 30 -
ARTICLE XV
CONCERNING THE CUSTODIAN
1. The Custodian shall use reasonable care in the
performance of its duties hereunder, and, except as
hereinafter provided, neither the Custodian nor its nominee
shall be liable for any loss or damage, including counsel
fees, resulting from its action or omission to act or
otherwise, either hereunder or under any Margin Account Agree-
ment, except for any such loss or damage arising out of its
own negligence, bad faith, or willful misconduct or that of
its officers, employees, or agents. The Custodian may, with
respect to questions of law arising hereunder or under any
Margin Account Agreement, apply for and obtain the advice and
opinion of counsel to the Fund, at the expense of the Fund,
or of its own counsel, at its own expense, and shall be fully
protected with respect to anything done or omitted by it in
good faith in conformity with such advice or opinion. The
Custodian shall be liable to the Fund for any loss or damage
resulting from the use of the Book-Entry System or any
Depository arising by reason of any negligence or willful
misconduct on the part of the Custodian or any of its
employees or agents.
2. Notwithstanding the foregoing, the Custodian shall
be under no obligation to inquire into, and shall not be li-
able for:
(a) The validity (but not the authenticity) of the
issue of any Securities purchased, sold, or written by or for
the Fund, the legality of the purchase, sale or writing
thereof, or the propriety of the amount paid or received
therefor, as specified in a Certificate, Oral Instructions, or
Written Instructions;
(b) The legality of the sale or redemption of any
Shares, or the propriety of the amount to be received or paid
therefor, as specified in a Certificate;
(c) The legality of the declaration or payment of
any dividend by the Fund, as specified in a resolution,
Certificate, Oral Instructions, or Written Instructions;
(d) The legality of any borrowing by the Fund using
Securities as collateral;
(e) The legality of any loan of portfolio Securi-
ties, nor shall the Custodian be under any duty or obligation
to see to it that the cash collateral delivered to it by a
broker, dealer, or financial institution or held by it at any
time as a result of such loan of portfolio Securities of the
- 31 -
Fund is adequate collateral for the Fund against any loss it
might sustain as a result of such loan, except that this sub-
paragraph shall not excuse any liability the Custodian may
have for failing to act in accordance with Article X hereof or
any Certificate, Oral Instructions, or Written Instructions
given in accordance with this Agreement. The Custodian
specifically, but not by way of limitation, shall not be under
any duty or obligation periodically to check or notify the
Fund that the amount of such cash collateral held by it for
the Fund is sufficient collateral for the Fund, but such duty
or obligation shall be the sole responsibility of the Fund.
In addition, the Custodian shall be under no duty or obliga-
tion to see that any broker, dealer or financial institution
to which portfolio Securities of the Fund are lent pursuant to
Article X of this Agreement makes payment to it of any
dividends or interest which are payable to or for the account
of the Fund during the period of such loan or at the termina-
tion of such loan, provided, however, that the Custodian shall
promptly notify the Fund in the event that such dividends or
interest are not paid and received when due; or
(f) The sufficiency or value of any amounts of
money and/or Securities held in any Margin Account, Senior
Security Account or Collateral Account in connection with
transactions by the Fund, except that this sub-paragraph shall
not excuse any liability the Custodian may have for failing to
establish, maintain, make deposits to or withdrawals from such
accounts in accordance with this Agreement. In addition, the
Custodian shall be under no duty or obligation to see that any
broker, dealer, futures commission merchant or Clearing Member
makes payment to the Fund of any variation margin payment or
similar payment which the Fund may be entitled to receive from
such broker, dealer, futures commission merchant or Clearing
Member, to see that any payment received by the Custodian from
any broker, dealer, futures commission merchant or Clearing
Member is the amount the Fund is entitled to receive, or to
notify the Fund of the Custodian's receipt or non-receipt of
any such payment.
3. The Custodian shall not be liable for, or considered
to be the Custodian of, any money, whether or not represented
by any check, draft, or other instrument for the payment of
money, received by it on behalf of the Fund until the
Custodian actually receives such money directly or by the
final crediting of the account representing the Fund's inter-
est at the Book-Entry System or the Depository.
4. With respect to Securities held in a Depository,
except as otherwise provided in paragraph 5(b) of Article III
hereof, the Custodian shall have no responsibility and shall
not be liable for ascertaining or acting upon any calls,
conversions, exchange offers, tenders, interest rate changes
or similar matters relating to such Securities, unless the
Custodian shall have actually received timely notice from the
- 32 -
Depository in which such Securities are held. In no event
shall the Custodian have any responsibility or liability for
the failure of a Depository to collect, or for the late col-
lection or late crediting by a Depository of any amount pay-
able upon Securities deposited in a Depository which may
mature or be redeemed, retired, called or otherwise become
payable. However, upon receipt of a Certificate from the Fund
of an overdue amount on Securities held in a Depository the
Custodian shall make a claim against the Depository on behalf
of the Fund, except that the Custodian shall not be under any
obligation to appear in, prosecute or defend any action suit
or proceeding in respect to any Securities held by a
Depository which in its opinion may involve it in expense or
liability, unless indemnity satisfactory to it against all
expense and liability be furnished as often as may be
required, or alternatively, the Fund shall be subrogated to
the rights of the Custodian with respect to such claim against
the Depository should it so request in a Certificate. This
paragraph shall not, however, excuse any failure by the
Custodian to act in accordance with a Certificate, Oral
Instructions, or Written Instructions given in accordance with
this Agreement.
5. The Custodian shall not be under any duty or obliga-
tion to take action to effect collection of any amount due to
the Fund from the Transfer Agent of the Fund nor to take any
action to effect payment or distribution by the Transfer Agent
of the Fund of any amount paid by the Custodian to the
Transfer Agent of the Fund in accordance with this Agreement.
6. The Custodian shall not be under any duty or obliga-
tion to take action to effect collection of any amount if the
Securities upon which such amount is payable are in default,
or if payment is refused after the Custodian has timely and
properly, in accordance with this Agreement, made due demand
or presentation, unless and until (i) it shall be directed to
take such action by a Certificate and (ii) it shall be assured
to its satisfaction of reimbursement of its costs and expenses
in connection with any such action, but the Custodian shall
have such a duty if the Securities were not in default on the
payable date and the Custodian failed to timely and properly
make such demand for payment and such failure is the reason
for the non-receipt of payment.
7. The Custodian may appoint one or more banking
institutions as Sub-Custodian or Sub-Custodians, or as
Co-Custodian or Co-Custodians including, but not limited to,
banking institutions located in foreign countries, of
Securities and moneys at any time owned by the Fund, upon such
terms and conditions as may be approved in a Certificate or
contained in an agreement executed by the Custodian, the Fund
and the appointed institution.
- 33 -
8. The Custodian agrees to indemnify the Fund against
and save the Fund harmless from all liability, claims, losses
and demands whatsoever, including attorney's fees, howsoever
arising or incurred because of the negligence, bad faith or
willful misconduct of any Sub-Custodian of the Securities and
moneys owned by the Fund, provided such Sub-Custodian is a
banking institution located in a foreign country and appointed
by the Custodian pursuant to paragraph 7 of this Article.
9. The Custodian shall not be under any duty or obliga-
tion (a) to ascertain whether any Securities at any time
delivered to, or held by it, for the account of the Fund and
specifically allocated to a Series are such as properly may be
held by the Fund or such Series under the provisions of its
then current prospectus, or (b) to ascertain whether any
transactions by the Fund, whether or not involving the
Custodian, are such transactions as may properly be engaged in
by the Fund.
10. The Custodian shall be entitled to receive and the
Fund agrees to pay to the Custodian all reasonable
out-of-pocket expenses and such compensation as may be agreed
upon from time to time between the Custodian and the Fund.
The Custodian may charge such compensation, and any such
expenses with respect to a Series incurred by the Custodian in
the performance of its duties under this Agreement against any
money specifically allocated to such Series. The Custodian
shall also be entitled to charge against any money held by it
for the account of a Series the amount of any loss, damage,
liability or expense, including counsel fees, for which it
shall be entitled to reimbursement under the provisions of
this Agreement attributable to, or arising out of, its serving
as Custodian for such Series. The expenses for which the
Custodian shall be entitled to reimbursement hereunder shall
include, but are not limited to, the expenses of
sub-custodians and foreign branches of the Custodian incurred
in settling outside of New York City transactions involving
the purchase and sale of Securities of the Fund.
Notwithstanding the foregoing or anything else contained in
this Agreement to the contrary, the Custodian shall, prior to
effecting any charge for compensation, expenses, or any
overdraft or indebtedness or interest thereon, submit an
invoice therefor to the Fund.
11. The Custodian shall be entitled to rely upon any
Certificate, notice or other instrument in writing, Oral
Instructions, or Written Instructions received by the
Custodian and reasonably believed by the Custodian to be
genuine. The Fund agrees to forward to the Custodian a
Certificate or facsimile thereof confirming Oral Instructions
or Written Instructions in such manner so that such
Certificate or facsimile thereof is received by the Custodian,
whether by hand delivery, telecopier or other similar device,
- 34 -
or otherwise, by the close of business of the same day that
such Oral Instructions or Written Instructions are given to
the Custodian. The Fund agrees that the fact that such
confirming instructions are not received by the Custodian
shall in no way affect the validity of the transactions or
enforceability of the transactions thereby authorized by the
Fund. The Fund agrees that the Custodian shall incur no li-
ability to the Fund in acting upon Oral Instructions or Writ-
ten Instructions given to the Custodian hereunder concerning
such transactions provided such instructions reasonably appear
to have been received from an Authorized Person.
12. The Custodian shall be entitled to rely upon any
instrument, instruction or notice received by the Custodian
and reasonably believed by the Custodian to be given in ac-
cordance with the terms and conditions of any Margin Account
Agreement. Without limiting the generality of the foregoing,
the Custodian shall be under no duty to inquire into, and
shall not be liable for, the accuracy of any statements or
representations contained in any such instrument or other
notice including, without limitation, any specification of any
amount to be paid to a broker, dealer, futures commission
merchant or Clearing Member. This paragraph shall not excuse
any failure by the Custodian to have acted in accordance with
any Margin Agreement it has executed or any Certificate, Oral
Instructions, or Written Instructions given in accordance with
this Agreement.
13. The books and records pertaining to the Fund, as
described in Appendix E hereto, which are in the possession of
the Custodian shall be the property of the Fund. Such books
and records shall be prepared and maintained by the Custodian
as required by the Investment Company Act of 1940, as amended,
and other applicable securities laws and rules and regula-
tions. The Fund, or the Fund's authorized representatives,
shall have access to such books and records during the
Custodian's normal business hours. Upon the reasonable
request of the Fund, copies of any such books and records
shall be provided by the Custodian to the Fund or the Fund's
authorized representative, and the Fund shall reimburse the
Custodian its expenses of providing such copies. Upon reason-
able request of the Fund, the Custodian shall provide in hard
copy or on micro-film, whichever the Custodian elects, any
records included in any such delivery which are maintained by
the Custodian on a computer disc, or are similarly maintained,
and the Fund shall reimburse the Custodian for its expenses of
providing such hard copy or micro-film.
14. The Custodian shall provide the Fund with any report
obtained by the Custodian on the system of internal accounting
control of the Book-Entry System, each Depository or O.C.C.,
and with such reports on its own systems of internal account-
ing control as the Fund may reasonably request from time to
time.
- 35 -
15. The Custodian shall furnish upon request annually to
the Fund a letter prepared by the Custodian's accountants with
respect to the Custodian's internal systems and controls in
the form generally provided by the Custodian to other invest-
ment companies for which the Custodian acts as custodian.
16. The Fund agrees to indemnify the Custodian against
and save the Custodian harmless from all liability, claims,
losses and demands whatsoever, including attorney's fees,
howsoever arising out of, or related to, the Custodian's
performance of its obligations under this Agreement, except
for any such liability, claim, loss and demand arising out of
the Custodian's own negligence, bad faith, or willful
misconduct or that of its officers, employees, or agents.
17. Subject to the foregoing provisions of this Agree-
ment, the Custodian shall deliver and receive Securities, and
receipts with respect to such Securities, and shall make and
receive payments only in accordance with the customs prevail-
ing from time to time among brokers or dealers in such Securi-
ties and, except as may otherwise be provided by this
Agreement or as may be in accordance with such customs, shall
make payment for Securities only against delivery thereof and
deliveries of Securities only against payment therefor.
18. The Custodian shall have no duties or
responsibilities whatsoever except such duties and
responsibilities as are specifically set forth in this Agree-
ment, and no covenant or obligation shall be implied in this
Agreement against the Custodian.
ARTICLE XVI
TERMINATION
1. Except as provided in paragraph 3 of this Article,
this Agreement shall continue until terminated by either the
Custodian giving to the Fund, or the Fund giving to the
Custodian, a notice in writing specifying the date of such
termination, which date shall be not less than 60 days after
the date of the giving of such notice. In the event such
notice or a notice pursuant to paragraph 3 of this Article is
given by the Fund, it shall be accompanied by a copy of a
resolution of the Board of Trustees of the Fund, certified by
an Officer and the Secretary or an Assistant Secretary of the
Fund, electing to terminate this Agreement and designating a
successor custodian or custodians, each of which shall be
eligible to serve as a custodian for the securities of a
management investment company under the Investment Company Act
of 1940. In the event such notice is given by the Custodian,
the Fund shall, on or before the termination date, deliver to
the Custodian a copy of a resolution of the Board of Trustees
- 36 -
of the Fund, certified by the Secretary, the Clerk, any
Assistant Secretary or any Assistant Clerk, designating a
successor custodian or custodians. In the absence of such
designation by the Fund, the Custodian may designate a
successor custodian which shall be a bank or trust company
having not less than $2,000,000 aggregate capital, surplus and
undivided profits. Upon the date set forth in such notice
this Agreement shall terminate, and the Custodian shall upon
receipt of a notice of acceptance by the successor custodian
on that date deliver directly to the successor custodian all
Securities and moneys then owned by the Fund and held by it as
Custodian, after deducting all fees, expenses and other
amounts for the payment or reimbursement of which it shall
then be entitled.
2. If a successor custodian is not designated by the
Fund or the Custodian in accordance with the preceding
paragraph, the Fund shall upon the date specified in the
notice of termination of this Agreement and upon the delivery
by the Custodian of all Securities (other than Securities held
in the Book-Entry System which cannot be delivered to the
Fund) and moneys then owned by the Fund be deemed to be its
own custodian and the Custodian shall thereby be relieved of
all duties and responsibilities pursuant to this Agreement,
other than the duty with respect to Securities held in the
Book Entry System which cannot be delivered to the Fund to
hold such Securities hereunder in accordance with this Agree-
ment.
3. Notwithstanding the foregoing, the Fund may
terminate this Agreement upon the date specified in a written
notice in the event of the "Bankruptcy" of The Bank of New
York. As used in this sub-paragraph, the term "Bankruptcy"
shall mean The Bank of New York's making a general assignment,
arrangement or composition with or for the benefit of its
creditors, or instituting or having instituted against it a
proceeding seeking a judgment of insolvency or bankruptcy or
the entry of a order for relief under any applicable
bankruptcy law or any other relief under any bankruptcy or
insolvency law or other similar law affecting creditors'
rights, or if a petition is presented for the winding up or
liquidation of the party or a resolution is passed for its
winding up or liquidation, or it seeks, or becomes subject to,
the appointment of an administrator, receiver, trustee,
custodian or other similar official for it or for all or
substantially all of its assets or its taking any action in
furtherance or, or indicating its consent to approval of, or
acquiescence in, any of the foregoing.
- 37 -
ARTICLE XVII
TERMINAL LINK
1. At no time and under no circumstances shall the Fund
be obligated to have or utilize the Terminal Link, and the
provisions of this Article shall apply if, but only if, the
Fund in its sole and absolute discretion elects to utilize the
Terminal Link to transmit Certificates to and to receive
notices from the Custodian.
2. The parties hereto shall utilize the Terminal Link
only for the purpose of the Fund providing Certificates to the
Custodian and the Custodian providing notices to the Fund and
only after the Fund and the Custodian shall have established
access codes and internal safekeeping procedures to safeguard
and protect the confidentiality and availability of such
access codes. Each use of the Terminal Link by the Fund shall
constitute a representation and warranty that at least two
such access codes have been utilized and that such procedures
have been established.
3. Each party shall obtain and maintain at its own cost
and expense all equipment and services, including, but not
limited to communications services, necessary for it to
utilize the Terminal Link, and the other party shall not be
responsible for the reliability or availability of any such
equipment or services, except that the Custodian shall not pay
any communications costs of any line leased by the Fund, even
if such line is also used by the Custodian.
4. The Fund acknowledges that any data bases made
available as part of, or through the Terminal and any
proprietary data, software, processes, information and
documentation (other than any such which are or become part of
the public domain or are legally required to be made available
to the public) (collectively, the "Information"), are the
exclusive and confidential property of the Custodian. The
Fund shall, and shall cause others to which it discloses the
Information, to keep the Information confidential by using the
same care and discretion it uses with respect to its own
confidential property and trade secrets, and shall neither
make nor permit any disclosure without the express prior writ-
ten consent of the Custodian.
5. Upon termination of this Agreement for any reason,
each Fund shall return to the Custodian any and all copies of
the Information which are in the Fund's possession or under
its control, or which the Fund distributed to third parties.
The provisions of this Article shall not affect the copyright
status of any of the Information which may be copyrighted and
shall apply to all Information whether or not copyrighted.
- 38 -
6. The Custodian reserves the right to modify the
Terminal Link from time to time without notice to the Fund,
except that the Custodian shall give the Fund notice not less
than 75 days in advance of any modification which would
materially adversely affect the Fund's operation, and the Fund
agrees not to modify or attempt to modify the Terminal Link
without the Bank's prior written consent. The Fund
acknowledges that the Terminal Link is the property of the
Custodian and, accordingly, the Fund agrees that any
modifications to the Terminal Link, whether by the Fund or the
Custodian and whether with or without the Custodian's consent,
shall become the property of the Custodian.
7. Neither the Custodian nor any manufacturers and sup-
pliers it utilizes or the Fund utilizes in connection with the
Terminal Link makes any warranties or representations, express
or implied, in fact or in law, including but not limited to
warranties of merchantability and fitness for a particular
purpose.
8. Each party will, and will cause its officers and
employees to, treat the user and authorization codes,
passwords and authentication keys applicable to Terminal Link
with extreme care. Each party hereby irrevocably authorizes
the other to act in accordance with and rely on Certificates
and notices received by it through the Terminal Link. Each
party acknowledges that it is its responsibility to assure
that only its authorized persons use the Terminal Link on its
behalf, and that a party shall not be responsible nor liable
for use of the Terminal Link on its behalf of the other party
by unauthorized persons except that the other party shall be
liable for such use thereof by unauthorized persons who have
obtained access thereto as a result of the bad faith or
willful misconduct of such party or any of its officers or
employees.
9. Notwithstanding anything else in this Agreement to
the contrary, neither party shall have any liability to the
other for any losses, damages, injuries, claims, costs or
expenses arising as a result of a delay, omission or error in
the transmission of a Certificate or notice by use of the
Terminal Link except for money damages for those suffered as
the result of the negligence, bad faith or willfull misconduct
of such party or its officers, employees or agents in an
amount not exceeding for any incident $100,000, provided,
however, that a party shall have no liability under this
Section 9 if the other party fails to comply with the
provisions of Section 11.
10. Without limiting the generality of the foregoing, it
is hereby agreed that in no event shall either party or any
manufacturer or supplier of its computer equipment, software
or services relating to the Terminal Link be responsible for
- 39 -
any special, indirect, incidental or consequential damages
which the other party may incur or experience by reason of its
use of the Terminal Link even if such party, manufacturer or
supplier has been advised of the possibility of such damages,
nor with respect to the use of the Terminal Link shall either
party or any such manufacturer or supplier be liable for acts
of God, or with respect to the following to the extent beyond
such person's reasonable control: machine or computer
breakdown or malfunction, interruption or malfunction of
communication facilities, labor difficulties or any other
similar or dissimilar cause.
11. The Fund shall notify the Custodian of any errors,
omissions or interruptions in, or delay or unavailability of,
the Terminal Link as promptly as practicable, and in any event
within 24 hours after the earliest of (i) discovery thereof,
(ii) the business day on which discovery should have occurred
through the exercise of reasonable care and (iii) in the case
of any error, the date of actual receipt of the earliest
notice which reflects such error, it being agreed that
discovery and receipt of notice may only occur on a business
day. The Custodian shall promptly advise the Fund whenever the
Custodian learns of any errors, omissions or interruption in,
or delay or unavailability of, the Terminal Link.
12. Each party shall, as soon as practicable after its
receipt of a Certificate or of any notice transmitted by the
Terminal Link, verify to the other party by use of the
Terminal Link its receipt of such Certificate or notice, and
in the absence of such verification a party to whom a
Certificate or notice is sent shall not be liable for any
failure to act in accordance with such Certificate or notice,
and the sending party may not claim that such Certificate or
notice was received by the other.
ARTICLE XVIII
MISCELLANEOUS
1. Annexed hereto as Appendix A is a Certificate signed
by two of the present Officers of the Fund under its seal,
setting forth the names and the signatures of the present
Authorized Persons. The Fund agrees to furnish to the
Custodian a new Certificate in similar form in the event that
any such present Authorized Person ceases to be an Authorized
Person or in the event that other or additional Authorized
Persons are elected or appointed. Until such new Certificate
shall be received, the Custodian shall be entitled to rely and
to act upon Oral Instructions, Written Instructions, or
signatures of the present Authorized Persons as set forth in
the last delivered Certificate to the extent provided by this
Agreement.
- 40 -
2. Annexed hereto as Appendix B is a Certificate signed
by two of the present Officers of the Fund under its seal,
setting forth the names and the signatures of the present Of-
ficers of the Fund. The Fund agrees to furnish to the
Custodian a new Certificate in similar form in the event any
such present Officer ceases to be an Officer of the Fund, or
in the event that other or additional Officers are elected or
appointed. Until such new Certificate shall be received, the
Custodian shall be entitled to rely and to act upon the
signatures of the Officers as set forth in the last delivered
Certificate to the extent provided by this Agreement.
3. Any notice or other instrument in writing,
authorized or required by this Agreement to be given to the
Custodian, other than any Certificate or Written Instructions,
shall be sufficiently given if addressed to the Custodian and
mailed or delivered to it at its offices at 90 Washington
Street, New York, New York 10286, or at such other place as
the Custodian may from time to time designate in writing.
4. Any notice or other instrument in writing,
authorized or required by this Agreement to be given to the
Fund shall be sufficiently given if addressed to the Fund and
mailed or delivered to it at its office at the address for the
Fund first above written, or at such other place as the Fund
may from time to time designate in writing.
5. This Agreement may not be amended or modified in any
manner except by a written agreement executed by both parties
with the same formality as this Agreement and approved by a
resolution of the Board of Trustees of the Fund, except that
Appendices A and B may be amended unilaterally by the Fund
without such an approving resolution.
6. This Agreement shall extend to and shall be binding
upon the parties hereto, and their respective successors and
assigns; provided, however, that this Agreement shall not be
assignable by the Fund without the written consent of the
Custodian, or by the Custodian or The Bank of New York without
the written consent of the Fund, authorized or approved by a
resolution of the Fund's Board of Trustees. For purposes of
this paragraph, no merger, consolidation, or amalgamation of
the Custodian, The Bank of New York, or the Fund shall be
deemed to constitute an assignment of this Agreement.
7. This Agreement shall be construed in accordance with
the laws of the State of New York without giving effect to
conflict of laws principles thereof. Each party hereby
consents to the jurisdiction of a state or federal court
situated in New York City, New York in connection with any
dispute arising hereunder and hereby waives its right to trial
by jury.
- 41 -
8. This Agreement may be executed in any number of
counterparts, each of which shall be deemed to be an original,
but such counterparts shall, together, constitute only one
instrument.
9. A copy of the Declaration of Trust of the Fund is on
file with the Secretary of The Commonwealth of Massachusetts,
and notice is hereby given that this instrument is executed on
behalf of the Board of Trustees of the Fund as Trustees and
not individually and that the obligations of this instrument
are not binding upon any of the Trustees or shareholders
individually but are binding only upon the assets and property
of the Fund; provided, however, that the Declaration of Trust
of the Fund provides that the assets of a particular Series of
the Fund shall under no circumstances be charged with li-
abilities attributable to any other Series of the Fund and
that all persons extending credit to, or contracting with or
having any claim against a particular Series of the Fund shall
look only to the assets of that particular Series for payment
of such credit, contract or claim.
- 42 -
IN WITNESS WHEREOF, the parties hereto have caused this
Agreement to be executed by their respective Officers,
thereunto duly authorized and their respective seals to be
hereunto affixed, as of the day and year first above written.
DEAN WITTER Tax-Exempt Securities Trust
[SEAL] By:
_______________________
Attest:
_______________________
THE BANK OF NEW YORK
[SEAL] By:
_______________________
Attest:
__________________________
- 43 -
APPENDIX A
I, , President and I,
, of
, a Massachusetts business trust (the "Fund"), do
hereby certify that:
The following individuals have been duly authorized by
the Board of Trustees of the Fund in conformity with the
Fund's Declaration of Trust and By-Laws to give Oral Instruc-
tions and Written Instructions on behalf of the Fund, except
that those persons designated as being an "Officer of DWTC"
shall be an Authorized Person only for purposes of Articles
XII and XIII. The signatures set forth opposite their
respective names are their true and correct signatures:
Name Position Signature
_________________ ________________ _________________
APPENDIX B
I, , President and I,
, of , a
Massachusetts business trust (the "Fund"), do hereby certify
that:
The following individuals for whom a position other than
"Officer of DWTC" is specified serve in the following posi-
tions with the Fund and each has been duly elected or ap-
pointed by the Board of Trustees of the Fund to each such
position and qualified therefor in conformity with the Fund's
Declaration of Trust and By-Laws. With respect to the
following individuals for whom a position of "Officer of DWTC"
is specified, each such individual has been designated by a
resolution of the Board of Trustees of the Fund to be an
Officer for purposes of the Fund's Custody Agreement with The
Bank of New York, but only for purposes of Articles XII and
XIII thereof and a certified copy of such resolution is
attached hereto. The signatures of each individual below set
forth opposite their respective names are their true and
correct signatures:
Name Position Signature
____________________ ___________________ _________________
<PAGE>
APPENDIX C
The undersigned, hereby
certifies that he or she is the duly elected and acting
(the "Fund"), further
certifies that the following resolutions were adopted by the
Board of Trustees of the Fund at a meeting duly held on
, 1991, at which a quorum at all times present and that such
resolutions have not been modified or rescinded and are in
full force an effect as of the date hereof.
RESOLVED, that The Bank New York, as Custodian pursuant
to a Custody Agreement between The Bank of New York and the
Fund dated as of , 1991 (the "Custody Agree-
ment") is authorized and instructed on a continuous and ongo-
ing basis to act in accordance with, and to rely on instruc-
tions by the Fund to the Custodian communicated by a Terminal
Link as defined in the Custody Agreement.
RESOLVED, that the Fund shall establish access codes and
grant use of such access codes only to officers of the Fund as
defined in the Custody Agreement, and shall establish internal
safekeeping procedures to safeguard and protect the
confidentiality and availability of such access codes.
RESOLVED, that Officers of the Fund as defined in the
Custody Agreement shall, following the establishment of such
access codes and such internal safekeeping procedures, advise
the Custodian that the same have been established by deliver-
ing a Certificate, as defined in the Custody Agreement, and
the Custodian shall be entitled to rely upon such advice.
IN WITNESS WHEREOF, I hereunto set my hand in the seal of
, as of the day of ,
1991.
_________________
APPENDIX D
I, Richard P. Lando, an Assistant Vice President with
THE BANK OF NEW YORK do hereby designate the following publications:
The Bond Buyer
Depository Trust Company Notices
Financial Daily Card Service
JJ Kenney Municipal Bond Service
London Financial Times
New York Times
Standard & Poor's Called Bond Record
Wall Street Journal
APPENDIX E
The following books and records pertaining to Fund shall
be prepared and maintained by the Custodian and shall be the
property of the Fund:
EXHIBIT A
CERTIFICATION
The undersigned, , hereby certifies
that he or she is the duly elected and acting of
, a Massachusetts business trust (the "Fund"),
and further certifies that the following resolution was
adopted by the Board of Trustees of the Fund at a meeting
duly held on , 1991, at which a quorum was at all
times present and that such resolution has not been modified
or rescinded and is in full force and effect as of the date
hereof.
RESOLVED, that The Bank of New York, as Custodian
pursuant to a Custody Agreement between The Bank of New
York and the Fund dated as of , 1991, (the
"Custody Agreement") is authorized and instructed on a
continuous and ongoing basis to deposit in the Book-Entry
System, as defined in the Custody Agreement, all securi-
ties eligible for deposit therein, regardless of the
Series to which the same are specifically allocated, and
to utilize the Book-Entry System to the extent possible
in connection with its performance thereunder, including,
without limitation, in connection with settlements of
purchases and sales of securities, loans of securities,
and deliveries and returns of securities collateral.
IN WITNESS WHEREOF, I have hereunto set my hand and the seal
of , as of the day of
, 1991.
________________________________
,
[SEAL]
EXHIBIT B
CERTIFICATION
The undersigned, , hereby
certifies that he or she is the duly elected and acting
of , a Massachusetts
business Trust (the "Fund"), and further certifies that the
following resolution was adopted by the Board of Trustees
of the Fund at a meeting duly held on , 1991, at
which a quorum was at all times present and that such reso-
lution has not been modified or rescinded and is in full
force and effect as of the date hereof.
RESOLVED, that The Bank of New York, as Custodian
pursuant to a Custody Agreement between The Bank of New
York and the Fund dated as of , 1991, (the
"Custody Agreement") is authorized and instructed on a
continuous and ongoing basis until such time as it
receives a Certificate, as defined in the Custody Agree-
ment, to the contrary to deposit in The Depository Trust
Company ("DTC"), as a "Depository" as defined in the
Custody Agreement, all securities eligible for deposit
therein, regardless of the Series to which the same are
specifically allocated, and to utilize DTC to the extent
possible in connection with its performance thereunder,
including, without limitation, in connection with
settlements of purchases and sales of securities, loans
of securities, and deliveries and returns of securities
collateral.
IN WITNESS WHEREOF, I have hereunto set my hand and the
seal of , as of the day of , 1991.
________________________________
,
[SEAL]
EXHIBIT B-1
CERTIFICATION
The undersigned, , hereby
certifies that he or she is the duly elected and acting
of , a Massachusetts
business Trust (the "Fund"), and further certifies that the
following resolution was adopted by the Board of Trustees of
the Fund at a meeting duly held on , 1991, at
which a quorum was at all times present and that such reso-
lution has not been modified or rescinded and is in full
force and effect as of the date hereof.
RESOLVED, that The Bank of New York, as Custodian
pursuant to a Custody Agreement between The Bank of New
York and the Fund dated as of , 1991 (the
"Custody Agreement") is authorized and instructed on a
continuous and ongoing basis until such time as it
receives a Certificate, as defined in the Custody Agree-
ment, to the contrary to deposit in the Participants
Trust Company as a Depository, as defined in the Custody
Agreement, all securities eligible for deposit therein,
regardless of the Series to which the same are
specifically allocated, and to utilize the Participants
Trust Company to the extent possible in connection with
its performance thereunder, including, without limita-
tion, in connection with settlements of purchases and
sales of securities, loans of securities, and deliveries
and returns of securities collateral.
IN WITNESS WHEREOF, I have hereunto set my hand and the
seal of , as of the day
of , 1991.
___________________________________
,
[SEAL]
EXHIBIT C
CERTIFICATION
The undersigned, , hereby
certifies that he or she is the duly elected and acting
of , a Massachusetts business
trust (the "Fund"), and further certifies that the following
resolution was adopted by the Board of Trustees of the Fund at
a meeting duly held on , 1991, at which a quorum was
at all times present and that such resolution has not been
modified or rescinded and is in full force and effect as of
the date hereof.
RESOLVED, that The Bank of New York, as Custodian
pursuant to a Custody Agreement between The Bank of New
York and the Fund dated as of , 1991, (the
"Custody Agreement") is authorized and instructed on a
continuous and ongoing basis until such time as it
receives a Certificate, as defined in the Custody Agree-
ment, to the contrary, to accept, utilize and act with
respect to Clearing Member confirmations for Options and
transaction in Options, regardless of the Series to which
the same are specifically allocated, as such terms are
defined in the Custody Agreement, as provided in the
Custody Agreement.
IN WITNESS WHEREOF, I have hereunto set my hand and the
seal of , as of the day of April, 1991.
______________________________________
,
[SEAL]
<PAGE>
Exhibit 9
SERVICES AGREEMENT
AGREEMENT made as of the 17th day of April, 1995 by and between Dean
Witter InterCapital Inc., a Delaware corporation (herein referred to as
"InterCapital"), and Dean Witter Services Company Inc., a Delaware
corporation (herein referred to as "DWS").
WHEREAS, InterCapital has entered into separate agreements (each such
agreement being herein referred to as an "Investment Management Agreement")
with certain investment companies as set forth on Schedule A (each such
investment company being herein referred to as a "Fund" and, collectively, as
the "Funds") pursuant to which InterCapital is to perform, or supervise the
performance of, among other services, administrative services for the Funds
(and, in the case of Funds with multiple portfolios, the Series or Portfolios
of the Funds (such Series and Portfolio being herein individually referred to
as "a Series" and, collectively, as "the Series"));
WHEREAS, InterCapital desires to retain DWS to perform the administrative
services as described below; and
WHEREAS, DWS desires to be retained by InterCapital to perform such
administrative services:
Now, therefore, in consideration of the mutual covenants and agreements of
the parties hereto as herein set forth, the parties covenant and agree as
follows:
1. DWS agrees to provide administrative services to each Fund as
hereinafter set forth. Without limiting the generality of the foregoing, DWS
shall (i) administer the Fund's business affairs and supervise the overall
day-to-day operations of the Fund (other than rendering investment advice);
(ii) provide the Fund with full administrative services, including the
maintenance of certain books and records, such as journals, ledger accounts
and other records required under the Investment Company Act of 1940, as
amended (the "Act"), the notification to the Fund and InterCapital of
available funds for investment, the reconciliation of account information and
balances among the Fund's custodian, transfer agent and dividend disbursing
agent and InterCapital, and the calculation of the net asset value of the
Fund's shares; (iii) provide the Fund with the services of persons competent
to perform such supervisory, administrative and clerical functions as are
necessary to provide effective operation of the Fund; (iv) oversee the
performance of administrative and professional services rendered to the Fund
by others, including its custodian, transfer agent and dividend disbursing
agent, as well as accounting, auditing and other services; (v) provide the
Fund with adequate general office space and facilities; (vi) assist in the
preparation and the printing of the periodic updating of the Fund's
registration statement and prospectus (and, in the case of an open-end Fund,
the statement of additional information), tax returns, proxy statements, and
reports to its shareholders and the Securities and Exchange Commission; and
(vii) monitor the compliance of the Fund's investment policies and
restrictions.
In the event that InterCapital enters into an Investment Management
Agreement with another investment company, and wishes to retain DWS to
perform administrative services hereunder, it shall notify DWS in writing. If
DWS is willing to render such services, it shall notify InterCapital in
writing, whereupon such other Fund shall become a Fund as defined herein.
2. DWS shall, at its own expense, maintain such staff and employ or retain
such personnel and consult with such other persons as it shall from time to
time determine to be necessary or useful to the performance of its
obligations under this Agreement. Without limiting the generality of the
foregoing, the staff and personnel of DWS shall be deemed to include officers
of DWS and persons employed or otherwise retained by DWS (including officers
and employees of InterCapital, with the consent of InterCapital) to furnish
services, statistical and other factual data, information with respect to
technical and scientific developments, and such other information, advice and
assistance as DWS may desire. DWS shall maintain each Fund's records and
books of account (other than those maintained by the Fund's transfer agent,
registrar, custodian and other agencies). All such books and records so
maintained shall be the property of the Fund and, upon request therefor, DWS
shall surrender to InterCapital or to the Fund such of the books and records
so requested.
3. InterCapital will, from time to time, furnish or otherwise make
available to DWS such financial reports, proxy statements and other
information relating to the business and affairs of the Fund as DWS may
reasonably require in order to discharge its duties and obligations to the
Fund under this Agreement or to comply with any applicable law and regulation
or request of the Board of Directors/Trustees of the Fund.
1
<PAGE>
4. For the services to be rendered, the facilities furnished, and the
expenses assumed by DWS, InterCapital shall pay to DWS monthly compensation
calculated daily (in the case of an open-end Fund) or weekly (in the case of
a closed-end Fund) by applying the annual rate or rates set forth on Schedule
B to the net assets of each Fund. Except as hereinafter set forth, (i) in the
case of an open-end Fund, compensation under this Agreement shall be
calculated by applying 1/365th of the annual rate or rates to the Fund's or
the Series' daily net assets determined as of the close of business on that
day or the last previous business day and (ii) in the case of a closed-end
Fund, compensation under this Agreement shall be calculated by applying the
annual rate or rates to the Fund's average weekly net assets determined as of
the close of the last business day of each week. If this Agreement becomes
effective subsequent to the first day of a month or shall terminate before
the last day of a month, compensation for that part of the month this
Agreement is in effect shall be prorated in a manner consistent with the
calculation of the fees as set forth on Schedule B. Subject to the provisions
of paragraph 5 hereof, payment of DWS' compensation for the preceding month
shall be made as promptly as possible after completion of the computations
contemplated by paragraph 5 hereof.
5. In the event the operating expenses of any open-end Fund and/or any
Series thereof, or of InterCapital Income Securities Inc., including amounts
payable to InterCapital pursuant to the Investment Management Agreement, for
any fiscal year ending on a date on which this Agreement is in effect, exceed
the expense limitations applicable to the Fund and/or any Series thereof
imposed by state securities laws or regulations thereunder, as such
limitations may be raised or lowered from time to time, or, in the case of
InterCapital Income Securities Inc. or Dean Witter Variable Investment Series
or any Series thereof, the expense limitation specified in the Fund's
Investment Management Agreement, the fee payable hereunder shall be reduced
on a pro rata basis in the same proportion as the fee payable by the Fund
under the Investment Management Agreement is reduced.
6. DWS shall bear the cost of rendering the administrative services to be
performed by it under this Agreement, and shall, at its own expense, pay the
compensation of the officers and employees, if any, of the Fund employed by
DWS, and such clerical help and bookkeeping services as DWS shall reasonably
require in performing its duties hereunder.
7. DWS will use its best efforts in the performance of administrative
activitives on behalf of each Fund, but in the absence of willful
misfeasance, bad faith, gross negligence or reckless disregard of its
obligations hereunder, DWS shall not be liable to the Fund or any of its
investors for any error of judgment or mistake of law or for any act or
omission by DWS or for any losses sustained by the Fund or its investors. It
is understood that, subject to the terms and conditions of the Investment
Management Agreement between each Fund and InterCapital, InterCapital shall
retain ultimate responsibility for all services to be performed hereunder by
DWS. DWS shall indemnify InterCapital and hold it harmless from any liability
that InterCapital may incur arising out of any act or failure to act by DWS
in carrying out its responsibilities hereunder.
8. It is understood that any of the shareholders, Directors/Trustees,
officers and employees of the Fund may be a shareholder, director, officer or
employee of, or be otherwise interested in, DWS, and in any person
controlling, controlled by or under common control with DWS, and that DWS and
any person controlling, controlled by or under common control with DWS may
have an interest in the Fund. It is also understood that DWS and any
affiliated persons thereof or any persons controlling, controlled by or under
common control with DWS have and may have advisory, management,
administration service or other contracts with other organizations and
persons, and may have other interests and businesses, and further may
purchase, sell or trade any securities or commodities for their own accounts
or for the account of others for whom they may be acting.
9. This Agreement shall continue until April 30, 1995, and thereafter
shall continue automatically for successive periods of one year unless
terminated by either party by written notice delivered to the other party
within 30 days of the expiration of the then-existing period. Notwithstanding
the foregoing, this Agreement may be terminated at any time, by either party
on 30 days' written notice delivered to the other party. In the event that
the Investment Management Agreement between any Fund and InterCapital is
terminated, this Agreement will automatically terminate with respect to such
Fund.
10. This Agreement may be amended or modified by the parties in any manner
by written agreement executed by each of the parties hereto.
2
<PAGE>
11. This Agreement may be assigned by either party with the written
consent of the other party.
12. This Agreement shall be construed and interpreted in accordance with
the laws of the State of New York.
IN WITNESS WHEREOF, the parties hereto have executed and delivered this
Agreement as of the day and year first above written in New York, New York.
DEAN WITTER INTERCAPITAL INC.
By: .......................
Attest:
.....................................
DEAN WITTER SERVICES COMPANY INC.
By: ................................
Attest:
......................................
3
<PAGE>
SCHEDULE A
DEAN WITTER FUNDS
AT APRIL 17, 1995
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
<S> <C>
OPEN-END FUNDS
1. Active Assets California Tax-Free Trust
2. Active Assets Government Securities Trust
3. Active Assets Money Trust
4. Active Assets Tax-Free Trust
5. Dean Witter American Value Fund
6. Dean Witter Balanced Growth Fund
7. Dean Witter Balanced Income Fund
8. Dean Witter California Tax-Free Daily Income Trust
9. Dean Witter California Tax-Free Income Fund
10. Dean Witter Capital Growth Securities
11. Dean Witter Convertible Securities Trust
12. Dean Witter Developing Growth Securities Trust
13. Dean Witter Diversified Income Trust
14. Dean Witter Dividend Growth Securities Inc.
15. Dean Witter European Growth Fund Inc.
16. Dean Witter Federal Securities Trust
17. Dean Witter Global Asset Allocation Fund
18. Dean Witter Global Dividend Growth Securities
19. Dean Witter Global Short-Term Income Fund Inc.
20. Dean Witter Global Utilities Fund
21. Dean Witter Health Sciences Trust
22. Dean Witter High Income Securities
23. Dean Witter High Yield Securities Inc.
24. Dean Witter Intermediate Income Securities
25. Dean Witter International Small Cap Fund
26. Dean Witter Limited Term Municipal Trust
27. Dean Witter Liquid Asset Fund Inc.
28. Dean Witter Managed Assets Trust
29. Dean Witter Mid-Cap Growth Fund
30. Dean Witter Multi-State Municipal Series Trust
31. Dean Witter National Municipal Trust
32. Dean Witter Natural Resource Development Securities Inc.
33. Dean Witter New York Municipal Money Market Trust
34. Dean Witter New York Tax-Free Income Fund
35. Dean Witter Pacific Growth Fund Inc.
36. Dean Witter Precious Metals and Minerals Trust
37. Dean Witter Premier Income Trust
38. Dean Witter Retirement Series
39. Dean Witter Select Dimensions Series
40. Dean Witter Select Municipal Reinvestment Fund
41. Dean Witter Short-Term Bond Fund
42. Dean Witter Short-Term U.S. Treasury Trust
43. Dean Witter Strategist Fund
44. Dean Witter Tax-Exempt Securities Trust
45. Dean Witter Tax-Free Daily Income Trust
46. Dean Witter U.S. Government Money Market Trust
47. Dean Witter U.S. Government Securities Trust
48. Dean Witter Utilities Fund
49. Dean Witter Value-Added Market Series
50. Dean Witter Variable Investment Series
51. Dean Witter World Wide Income Trust
52. Dean Witter World Wide Investment Trust
CLOSED-END FUNDS
53. High Income Advantage Trust
54. High Income Advantage Trust II
55. High Income Advantage Trust III
56. InterCapital Income Securities Inc.
57. Dean Witter Government Income Trust
58. InterCapital Insured Municipal Bond Trust
59. InterCapital Insured Municipal Trust
60. InterCapital Insured Municipal Income Trust
61. InterCapital California Insured Municipal Income Trust
62. InterCapital Insured Municipal Securities
63. InterCapital Insured California Municipal Securities
64. InterCapital Quality Municipal Investment Trust
65. InterCapital Quality Municipal Income Trust
66. InterCapital Quality Municipal Securities
67. InterCapital California Quality Municipal Securities
68. InterCapital New York Quality Municipal Securities
</TABLE>
4
<PAGE>
SCHEDULE B
DEAN WITTER SERVICES COMPANY INC.
SCHEDULE OF ADMINISTRATIVE FEES--APRIL 17, 1995
Monthly compensation calculated daily by applying the following annual
rates to a fund's net assets:
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
FIXED INCOME FUNDS
<S> <C>
Dean Witter Balanced Income Fund 0.60% to the net assets.
Dean Witter California Tax-Free
Income Fund 0.055% of the portion of daily net assets not exceeding $500 million; 0.0525% of
the portion exceeding $500 million but not exceeding $750 million; 0.050% of the
portion exceeding $750 million but not exceeding $1 billion; and 0.0475% of the
portion of the daily net assets exceeding $1 billion.
Dean Witter Convertible Securities
Securities Trust 0.060% of the portion of the daily net assets not exceeding $750 million; .055% of
the portion of the daily net assets exceeding $750 million but not exceeding $1
billion; 0.050% of the portion of the daily net assets of the exceeding $1 billion
but not exceeding $1.5 billion; 0.0475% of the portion of the daily net assets
exceeding $1.5 billion but not exceeding $2 billion; 0.045% of the portion of the
daily net assets exceeding $2 billion but not exceeding $3 billion; and 0.0425% of
the portion of the daily net assets exceeding $3 billion.
Dean Witter Diversified
Income Trust 0.040% of the net assets.
Dean Witter Federal Securities Trust 0.055% of the portion of the daily net assets not exceeding $1 billion; 0.0525% of
the portion of the daily net assets exceeding $1 billion but not exceeding $1.5
billion; 0.050% of the portion of the daily net assets exceeding $1.5 billion but
not exceeding $2 billion; 0.0475% of the portion of the daily net assets exceeding
$2 billion but not exceeding $2.5 billion; 0.045% of the portion of daily net
assets exceeding $2.5 billion but not exceeding $5 billion; 0.0425% of the
portion of the daily net assets exceeding $5 billion but not exceeding $7.5
billion; 0.040% of the portion of the daily net assets exceeding $7.5 billion
but not exceeding $10 billion; 0.0375% of the portion of the daily net assets
exceeding $10 billion but not exceeding $12.5 billion; and 0.035% of the portion
of the daily net assets exceeding $12.5 billion.
Dean Witter Global Short-Term
Income Fund 0.055% of the portion of the daily net assets not exceeding $500 million; and
0.050% of the portion of the daily net assets exceeding $500 million.
Dean Witter High Income
Securities 0.050% to the net assets.
Dean Witter High Yield
Securities Inc. 0.050% of the portion of the daily net assets not exceeding $500 million; 0.0425%
of the portion of the daily net assets exceeding $500 million but not exceeding
$750 million; 0.0375% of the portion of the daily net assets exceeding $750 million
but not exceeding $1 billion; 0.035% of the portion of
</TABLE>
B-1
<PAGE>
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
<S> <C>
the daily net assets exceeding $1 billion but not exceeding $2 billion; 0.0325% of
the portion of the daily net assets exceeding $2 billion but not exceeding $3
billion; and 0.030% of the portion of daily net assets exceeding $3 billion.
Dean Witter Intermediate
Income Securities 0.060% of the portion of the daily net assets not exceeding $500 million; 0.050% of
the portion of the daily net assets exceeding $500 million but not exceeding $750
million; 0.040% of the portion of the daily net assets exceeding $750 million but
not exceeding $1 billion; and 0.030% of the portion of the daily net assets
exceeding $1 billion.
Dean Witter Limited Term
Municipal Trust 0.050% to the net assets.
Dean Witter Multi-State Municipal
Series Trust (10) 0.035% to the net assets.
Dean Witter National
Municipal Trust 0.035% to the net assets.
Dean Witter New York Tax-Free
Income Fund 0.055% to the net assets not exceeding $500 million and 0.0525% of the net assets
exceeding $500 million.
Dean Witter Premier
Income Trust 0.050% to the net assets.
Dean Witter Retirement Series
Intermediate Income 0.065% to the net assets.
Dean Witter Retirement Series
U.S. Government Securities Trust 0.065% to the net assets.
Dean Witter Select Dimensions
Series-North American Government
Securities Portfolio 0.65% to the net assets.
Dean Witter Short-Term
Bond Fund 0.070% to the net assets.
Dean Witter Short-Term U.S.
Treasury Trust 0.035% to the net assets.
Dean Witter Tax-Exempt
Securities Trust 0.050% of the portion of the daily net assets not exceeding $500 million; 0.0425%
of the portion of the daily net assets exceeding $500 million but not exceeding
$750 million; 0.0375% of the portion of the daily net assets exceeding $750 million
but not exceeding $1 billion; and 0.035% of the portion of the daily net assets
exceeding $1 billion but not exceeding $1.25 billion; .0325% of the portion of the
daily net assets exceeding $1.25 billion.
Dean Witter U.S. Government
Securities Trust 0.050% of the portion of such daily net assets not exceeding $1 billion; 0.0475% of
the portion of such daily net assets exceeding $1 billion but not exceeding $1.5
billion; 0.045% of the portion of such daily net assets exceeding $1.5 billion but
not exceeding $2 billion; 0.0425% of the portion of such daily net assets exceeding
$2 billion but not exceeding $2.5 billion; 0.040% of that portion of such daily net
assets exceeding $2.5 billion but not exceeding $5 billion; 0.0375% of that portion
</TABLE>
B-2
<PAGE>
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
<S> <C>
of such daily net assets exceeding $5 billion but not exceeding $7.5 billion;
0.035% of that portion of such daily net assets exceeding $7.5 billion but not
exceeding $10 billion; 0.0325% of that portion of such daily net assets
exceeding $10 billion but not exceeding $12.5 billion; and 0.030% of that
portion of such daily net assets exceeding $12.5 billion.
Dean Witter Variable Investment
Series-High Yield 0.050% to the net assets.
Dean Witter Variable Investment
Series-Quality Income 0.050% to the net assets.
Dean Witter World Wide Income
Trust 0.075% of the daily net assets up to $250 million; 0.060% of the portion of the
daily net assets exceeding $250 million but not exceeding $500 million; 0.050% of
the portion of the daily net assets of the exceeding $500 million but not exceeding
$750 milliion; 0.040% of the portion of the daily net assets exceeding $750 million
but not exceeding $1 billion; and 0.030% of the daily net assets exceeding $1
billion.
Dean Witter Select Municipal
Reinvestment Fund 0.050% to the net assets.
<CAPTION>
EQUITY FUNDS
<S> <C>
Dean Witter American Value
Fund 0.0625% of the portion of the daily net assets not exceeding $250 million and
0.050% of the portion of the daily net assets exceeding $250 million.
Dean Witter Balanced Growth Fund 0.60% to the net assets.
Dean Witter Capital Growth
Securities 0.065% to the portion of daily net assets not exceeding $500 million; 0.055% of the
portion exceeding $500 million but not exceeding $1 billion; 0.050% of the portion
exceeding $1 billion but not exceeding $1.5 billion; and 0.0475% of the net assets
exceeding $1.5 billion.
Dean Witter Developing Growth
Securities Trust 0.050 of the portion of daily net assets not exceeding $500 million; and 0.0475% of
the portion of daily net assets exceeding $500 million.
Dean Witter Dividend Growth
Securities Inc. 0.0625% of the portion of the daily net assets not exceeding $250 million; 0.050%
of the portion exceeding $250 million but not exceeding $1 billion; 0.0475% of the
portion of daily net assets exceeding $1 billion but not exceeding $2 billion;
0.045% of the portion of daily net assets exceeding $2 billion but not exceeding $3
billion; 0.0425% of the portion of daily net assets exceeding $3 billion but not
exceeding $4 billion; 0.040% of the portion of daily net assets exceeding $4
billion but not exceeding $5 billion; 0.0375% of the portion of the daily net
assets exceeding $5 billion but not exceeding $6 billion; 0.035% of the portion of
the daily net assets exceeding $6 billion but not exceeding $8 billion; and 0.0325%
of the portion of the daily net assets exceeding $8 billion.
</TABLE>
B-3
<PAGE>
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
<S> <C>
Dean Witter European Growth
Fund Inc. 0.060% of the portion of daily net assets not exceeding $500 million; and 0.057% of
the portion of daily net assets exceeding $500 million.
Dean Witter Global Asset Allocation Fund 1.0% to the net assets.
Dean Witter Global Dividend
Growth Securities 0.075% to the net assets.
Dean Witter Global Utilities Fund 0.065% to the net assets.
Dean Witter Health Sciences Trust 0.10% to the net assets.
Dean Witter International
Small Cap Fund 0.075% to the net assets.
Dean Witter Managed Assets Trust 0.060% to the daily net assets not exceeding $500 million and 0.055% to the daily
net assets exceeding $500 million.
Dean Witter Mid-Cap Growth Fund 0.75% to the net assets.
Dean Witter Natural Resource
Development Securities Inc. 0.0625% of the portion of the daily net assets not exceeding $250 million and
0.050% of the portion of the daily net assets exceeding $250 million.
Dean Witter Pacific Growth
Fund Inc. 0.060% of the portion of daily net assets not exceeding $1 billion; and 0.057% of
the portion of daily net assets exceeding $1 billion.
Dean Witter Precious Metals
and Minerals Trust 0.080% to the net assets.
Dean Witter Retirement Series
American Value 0.085% to the net assets.
Dean Witter Retirement Series
Capital Growth 0.085% to the net assets.
Dean Witter Retirement Series
Dividend Growth 0.075% to the net assets.
Dean Witter Retirement Series
Global Equity 0.10% to the net assets.
Dean Witter Retirement Series
Intermediate Income Securities 0.065% to the net assets.
Dean Witter Retirement Series
Liquid Asset 0.050% to the net assets.
Dean Witter Retirement Series
Strategist 0.085% to the net assets.
Dean Witter Retirement Series
U.S. Government Money Market 0.050% to the net assets.
Dean Witter Retirement Series
U.S. Government Securities 0.065% to the net assets.
Dean Witter Retirement Series
Utilities 0.075% to the net assets.
</TABLE>
B-4
<PAGE>
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
<S> <C>
Dean Witter Retirement Series
Value Added 0.050% to the net assets.
Dean Witter Select Dimensions Series-
American Value Portfolio 0.625% to the net assets.
Balanced Portfolio 0.75% to the net assets.
Core Equity Portfolio 0.85% to the net assets.
Developing Growth Portfolio 0.50% to the net assets.
Diversified Income Portfolio 0.40% to the net assets.
Dividend Growth Portfolio 0.625% to the net assets.
Emerging Markets Portfolio 1.25% to the net assets.
Global Equity Portfolio 1.0% to the net assets.
Utilities Portfolio 0.65% to the net assets.
Value-Added Market Portfolio 0.50% to the net assets.
Dean Witter Strategist Fund 0.060% of the portion of daily net assets not exceeding $500 million; 0.055% of the
portion of the daily net assets exceeding $500 million but not exceeding $1
billion; and 0.050% of the portion of the daily net assets exceeding $1 billion.
Dean Witter Utilities Fund 0.065% of the portion of daily net assets not exceeding $500 million; 0.055% of the
portion exceeding $500 million but not exceeding $1 billion; 0.0525% of the portion
exceeding $1 billion but not exceeding $1.5 billion; 0.050% of the portion
exceeding $1.5 billion but not exceeding $2.5 billion; 0.0475% of the portion
exceeding $2.5 billion but not exceeding $3.5 billion; 0.045% of the portion of the
daily net assets exceeding $3.5 but not exceeding $5 billion; and 0.0425% of the
portion of daily net assets exceeding $5 billion.
Dean Witter Value-Added Market
Series 0.050% of the portion of daily net assets not exceeding $500 million; and 0.45% of
the portion of daily net assets exceeding $500 million.
Dean Witter Variable Investment
Series-Capital Growth 0.065% to the net assets.
Dean Witter Variable Investment
Series-Dividend Growth 0.0625% of the portion of daily net assets not exceeding $500 million; and 0.050%
of the portion of daily net assets exceeding $500 million.
Dean Witter Variable Investment
Series-Equity 0.050% to the net assets.
Dean Witter Variable Investment
Series-European Growth 0.060% to the net assets.
Dean Witter Variable Investment
Series-Managed 0.050% to the net assets.
Dean Witter Variable Investment
Series-Utilities 0.065% of the portion of daily net assets exceeding $500 million and 0.055% of the
portion of daily net assets exceeding $500 million.
Dean Witter World Wide
Investment Trust 0.055% of the portion of daily net assets not exceeding $500 million; and 0.05225%
of the portion of daily net assets exceeding $500 million.
</TABLE>
B-5
<PAGE>
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
<S> <C>
MONEY MARKET FUNDS
Active Assets Account (4) 0.050% of the portion of the daily net assets not exceeding $500 million;
0.0425% of the portion of the daily net assets exceeding $500 million but not
exceeding $750 million; 0.0375% of the portion of the daily net assets
exceeding $750 million but not exceeding $1 billion; 0.035% of the portion of
the daily net assets exceeding $1 billion but not exceeding $1.5 billion;
0.0325% of the portion of the daily net assets exceeding $1.5 billion but not
exceeding $2 billion; 0.030% of the portion of the daily net assets exceeding
$2 billion but not exceeding $2.5 billion; 0.0275% of the portion of the
daily net assets exceeding $2.5 billion but not exceeding $3 billion; and
0.025% of the portion of the daily net assets exceeding $3 billion.
Dean Witter California Tax-Free
Daily Income Trust 0.050% of the portion of the daily net assets not exceeding $500 million; 0.0425%
of the portion of the daily net assets exceeding $500 million but not exceeding
$750 million; 0.0375% of the portion of the daily net assets exceeding $750 million
but not exceeding $1 billion; 0.035% of the portion of the daily net assets
exceeding $1 billion but not exceeding $1.5 billion; 0.0325% of the portion of the
daily net assets exceeding $1.5 billion but not exceeding $2 billion; 0.030% of
the portion of the daily net assets exceeding $2 billion but not exceeding $2.5
billion; 0.0275% of the portion of the daily net assets exceeding $2.5 billion but
not exceeding $3 billion; and 0.025% of the portion of the daily net assets
exceeding $3 billion.
Dean Witter Liquid Asset
Fund Inc. 0.050% of the portion of the daily net assets not exceeding $500 million; 0.0425%
of the portion of the daily net assets exceeding $500 million but not exceeding
$750 million; 0.0375% of the portion of the daily net assets exceeding $750 million
but not exceeding $1 billion; 0.035% of the portion of the daily net assets
exceeding $1 billion but not exceeding $1.35 billion; 0.0325% of the portion of
the daily net assets exceeding $1.35 billion but not exceeding $1.75 billion;
0.030% of the portion of the daily net assets exceeding $1.75 billion but not
exceeding $2.15 billion; 0.0275% of the portion of the daily net assets exceeding
$2.15 billion but not exceeding $2.5 billion; 0.025% of the portion of the daily
net assets exceeding $2.5 billion but not exceeding $15 billion; 0.0249% of the
portion of the daily net assets exceeding $15 billion but not exceeding $17.5
billion; and 0.0248% of the portion of the daily net assets exceeding $17.5
billion.
Dean Witter New York Municipal
Money Market Trust 0.050% of the portion of the daily net assets not exceeding $500 million; 0.0425%
of the portion of the daily net assets exceeding $500 million but not exceeding
$750 million; 0.0375% of the portion of the daily net assets exceeding $750
million but not exceeding $1 billion; 0.035% of the portion of the daily net
assets exceeding $1 billion but not exceeding $1.5 billion; 0.0325% of the portion
of the daily net assets exceeding $1.5 billion but not exceeding $2 billion;
0.030% of the portion of the daily net assets exceeding $2 bil-
</TABLE>
B-6
<PAGE>
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
<S> <C>
lion but not exceeding $2.5 billion; 0.0275% of the portion of the daily net assets
exceeding $2.5 billion but not exceeding $3 billion; and 0.025% of the portion of
the daily net assets exceeding $3 billion.
Dean Witter Retirement Series
Liquid Assets 0.050% of the net assets.
Dean Witter Retirement Series
U.S. Government Money Market 0.050% of the net assets.
Dean Witter Select Dimensions Series-
Money Market Portfolio 0.50% to the net assets.
Dean Witter Tax-Free Daily
Income Trust 0.050% of the portion of the daily net assets not exceeding $500 million; 0.0425%
of the portion of the daily net assets exceeding $500 million but not exceeding
$750 million; 0.0375% of the portion of the daily net assets exceeding $750
million but not exceeding $1 billion; 0.035% of the portion of the daily net
assets exceeding $1 billion but not exceeding $1.5 billion; 0.0325% of the portion
of the daily net assets exceeding $1.5 billion but not exceeding $2 billion;
0.030% of the portion of the daily net assets exceeding $2 billion but not
exceeding $2.5 billion; 0.0275% of the portion of the daily net assets exceeding
$2.5 billion but not exceeding $3 billion; and 0.025% of the portion of the daily
net assets exceeding $3 billion.
Dean Witter U.S. Government
Money Market Trust 0.050% of the portion of the daily net assets not exceeding $500 million; 0.0425%
of the portion of the daily net assets exceeding $500 million but not exceeding
$750 million; 0.0375% of the portion of the daily net assets exceeding $750
million but not exceeding $1 billion; 0.035% of the portion of the daily net
assets exceeding $1 billion but not exceeding $1.5 billion; 0.0325% of the portion
of the daily net assets exceeding $1.5 billion but not exceeding $2 billion;
0.030% of the portion of the daily net assets exceeding $2 billion but not
exceeding $2.5 billion; 0.0275% of the portion of the daily net assets exceeding
$2.5 billion but not exceeding $3 billion; and 0.025% of the portion of the daily
net assets exceeding $3 billion.
Dean Witter Variable Investment
Series-Money Market 0.050% to the net assets.
</TABLE>
Monthly compensation calculated weekly by applying the following annual
rates to the weekly net assets.
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
CLOSED-END FUNDS
<S> <C>
Dean Witter Government Income
Trust 0.060% to the average weekly net assets.
High Income Advantage Trust 0.075% of the portion of the average weekly net assets not exceeding $250 million;
0.060% of the portion of average weekly net assets exceeding $250 million and not
exceeding $500 million; 0.050% of the portion of average weekly net assets
exceeding $500 million and not exceeding $750 million; 0.040% of the portion of
average weekly net assets exceeding
</TABLE>
B-7
<PAGE>
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
<S> <C>
$750 million and not exceeding $1 billion; and 0.030% of the portion of average
weekly net assets exceeding $1 billion.
High Income Advantage Trust II 0.075% of the portion of the average weekly net assets not exceeding $250 million;
0.060% of the portion of average weekly net assets exceeding $250 million and not
exceeding $500 million; 0.050% of the portion of average weekly net assets
exceeding $500 million and not exceeding $750 million; 0.040% of the portion of
average weekly net assets exceeding $750 million and not exceeding $1 billion;
and 0.030% of the portion of average weekly net assets exceeding $1 billion.
High Income Advantage Trust III 0.075% of the portion of the average weekly net assets not exceeding $250 million;
0.060% of the portion of average weekly net assets exceeding $250 million and not
exceeding $500 million; 0.050% of the portion of average weekly net assets
exceeding $500 million and not exceeding $750 million; 0.040% of the portion of
the average weekly net assets exceeding $750 million and not exceeding $1 billion;
and 0.030% of the portion of average weekly net assets exceeding $1 billion.
InterCapital Income Securities Inc. 0.050% to the average weekly net assets.
InterCapital Insured Municipal
Bond Trust 0.035% to the average weekly net assets.
InterCapital Insured Municipal
Trust 0.035% to the average weekly net assets.
InterCapital Insured Municipal
Income Trust 0.035% to the average weekly net assets.
InterCapital California Insured
Municipal Income Trust 0.035% to the average weekly net assets.
InterCapital Quality Municipal
Investment Trust 0.035% to the average weekly net assets.
InterCapital New York Quality
Municipal Securities 0.035% to the average weekly net assets.
InterCapital Quality Municipal
Income Trust 0.035% to the average weekly net assets.
InterCapital Quality Municipal
Securities 0.035% to the average weekly net assets.
InterCapital California Quality
Municipal Securities 0.035% to the average weekly net assets.
InterCapital Insured Municipal
Securities 0.035% to the average weekly net assets.
InterCapital Insured California
Municipal Securities 0.035% to the average weekly net assets.
</TABLE>
B-8
CONSENT OF INDEPENDENT ACCOUNTANTS
We hereby consent to the use in the Statement of Additional Information
constituting part of this Post-Effective Amendment No. 18 to the registration
statement on Form N-1A (the "Registration Statement") of our report dated
February 7, 1996, relating to the financial statements and financial highlights
of Dean Witter Tax-Exempt Securities Trust, which appears in such Statement of
Additional Information, and to the incorporation by reference of our report into
the Prospectus which constitutes part of this Registration Statement. We also
consent to the references to us under the headings "Experts" and "Independent
Accountants" in such Statement of Additional Information and to the reference to
us under the heading "Financial Highlights" in such Prospectus.
/s/ PRICE WATERHOUSE LLP
PRICE WATERHOUSE LLP
1177 Avenue of the Americas
New York, New York 10036
February 7, 1996
SCHEDULE OF COMPUTATION OF YIELD QUOTATION
DEAN WITTER TAX EXEMPT SECURITIES
FOR THE 30 DAY PERIOD ENDED DECEMBER 30, 1995
6
(A) YIELD = 2{ [ ((a-b)/c d) + 1] -1}
WHERE: a = Dividends and interest earned during the period
b = Expenses accrued for the period
c = The average daily number of shares outstanding
during the period that were entitled to receive
dividends
d = The maximum offering price per share on the last
day of the period
6
YIELD = 2{ [((5814130.37 -517416.25)/109076686.219 *12.59)+1] -1}
= 4.85%
(B) TAX EQUIVALENT YIELD = SEC Yield - (1- stated tax rate)
= 4.85% / (1-.3960)
= 8.03%
<PAGE>
SCHEDULE FOR COMPUTATIONS OF PERFORMANCE QUOTATIONS
DEAN WITTER TAX-EXEMPT SECURITIES
(A) AVERAGE ANNUAL TOTAL RETURNS (I.E. STANDARDIZED COMPUTATIONS)
- -
| ---------------------- |
FORMULA: | | |
| /\ n | ERV |
T = | \ | ------------- | - 1
| \ | P |
| \| |
|_ _|
T = AVERAGE ANNUAL COMPOUND RETURN
n = NUMBER OF YEARS
ERV = ENDING REDEEMABLE VALUE
P = INITIAL INVESTMENT
(A)
$1,000 ERV AS OF AGGREGATE NUMBER OF AVERAGE ANNUAL
INVESTED - P 31-Dec-95 TOTAL RETURN YEARS - n COMPOUND RETURN - T
- ------------ ----------- -------------- ----------- -------------------
31-Dec-94 $1,126.80 12.68% 1 12.68%
31-Dec-90 $1,455.40 45.54% 5 7.79%
31-Dec-85 $2,281.10 128.11% 9.99 8.60%
(B) AVERAGE ANNUAL TOTAL RETURNS WITHOUT DEDUCTION FOR APPLICABLE
SALES CHARGE (NON STANDARD COMPUTATIONS)
(C) TOTAL RETURN WITHOUT DEDUCTION FOR APPLICABLE SALES CHARGE
(NON STANDARD COMPUTATIONS)
- -
| ---------------------- |
FORMULA: | | |
| /\ n | EV |
t = | \ | ------------- | - 1
| \ | P |
| \| |
|_ _|
EV
TR = ---------- - 1
P
t = AVERAGE ANNUAL COMPOUND RETURN
(NO DEDUCTION FOR APPLICABLE SALES CHARGE)
n = NUMBER OF YEARS
EV = ENDING VALUE (NO DEDUCTION FOR APPLICABLE SALES CHARGE)
P = INITIAL INVESTMENT
TR = TOTAL RETURN (NO DEDUCTION FOR APPLICABLE SALES CHARGE)
(C) (B)
$1,000 EV AS OF TOTAL NUMBER OF AVERAGE ANNUAL
INVESTED - P 31-Dec-95 RETURN - TR YEARS - n COMPOUND RETURN - t
- ------------ ----------- ----------- ---------- -------------------
31-Dec-94 $1,173.70 17.37% 1 17.37%
31-Dec-90 $1,516.00 51.60% 5.00 8.68%
31-Dec-85 $2,376.10 137.61% 9.99 9.04%
(D) GROWTH OF $10,000*
(E) GROWTH OF $50,000*
(F) GROWTH OF $100,000*
FORMULA: G= (TR+1)*P
G= GROWTH OF INITIAL INVESTMENT
P= INITIAL INVESTMENT
TR= TOTAL RETURN SINCE INCEPTION
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
(D) (E) (F)
$10,000 TOTAL GROWTH OF GROWTH OF GROWTH OF
INVESTED - P RETURN - TR $10,000 INVESTMENT - G $50,000 INVESTMENT - G $100,000 INVESTMENT - G
- ------------ ------------ ---------------------- ---------------------- -----------------------
<S> <C> <C> <C> <C>
27-Mar-80 353.56 $43,542 $219,410 $441,087
<FN>
* INITIAL INVESTMENT $9600,$48,375 & $97,250 RESPECTIVELY REFLECTS A 4%,3.25% & 2.75% SALES CHARGE
</TABLE>
<TABLE> <S> <C>
<ARTICLE> 6
<S> <C>
<PERIOD-TYPE> 12-MOS
<FISCAL-YEAR-END> DEC-31-1995
<PERIOD-END> DEC-31-1995
<INVESTMENTS-AT-COST> 1,237,777,089
<INVESTMENTS-AT-VALUE> 1,341,592,349
<RECEIVABLES> 20,308,914
<ASSETS-OTHER> 2,157,007
<OTHER-ITEMS-ASSETS> 0
<TOTAL-ASSETS> 1,364,058,270
<PAYABLE-FOR-SECURITIES> 30,521,741
<SENIOR-LONG-TERM-DEBT> 0
<OTHER-ITEMS-LIABILITIES> 8,228,028
<TOTAL-LIABILITIES> 38,749,769
<SENIOR-EQUITY> 0
<PAID-IN-CAPITAL-COMMON> 1,215,536,596
<SHARES-COMMON-STOCK> 109,609,420
<SHARES-COMMON-PRIOR> 117,602,695
<ACCUMULATED-NII-CURRENT> 378,313
<OVERDISTRIBUTION-NII> 0
<ACCUMULATED-NET-GAINS> 5,578,332
<OVERDISTRIBUTION-GAINS> 0
<ACCUM-APPREC-OR-DEPREC> 103,815,260
<NET-ASSETS> 1,325,308,501
<DIVIDEND-INCOME> 0
<INTEREST-INCOME> 82,466,837
<OTHER-INCOME> 0
<EXPENSES-NET> 6,331,236
<NET-INVESTMENT-INCOME> 76,135,601
<REALIZED-GAINS-CURRENT> 17,121,238
<APPREC-INCREASE-CURRENT> 117,785,387
<NET-CHANGE-FROM-OPS> 211,642,226
<EQUALIZATION> 0
<DISTRIBUTIONS-OF-INCOME> (75,983,289)
<DISTRIBUTIONS-OF-GAINS> (12,426,304)
<DISTRIBUTIONS-OTHER> 0
<NUMBER-OF-SHARES-SOLD> 3,469,058
<NUMBER-OF-SHARES-REDEEMED> (15,722,604)
<SHARES-REINVESTED> 4,260,271
<NET-CHANGE-IN-ASSETS> 30,025,040
<ACCUMULATED-NII-PRIOR> 226,001
<ACCUMULATED-GAINS-PRIOR> 283,398
<OVERDISTRIB-NII-PRIOR> 0
<OVERDIST-NET-GAINS-PRIOR> 0
<GROSS-ADVISORY-FEES> 5,608,466
<INTEREST-EXPENSE> 0
<GROSS-EXPENSE> 6,394,051
<AVERAGE-NET-ASSETS> 1,321,889,407
<PER-SHARE-NAV-BEGIN> 11.01
<PER-SHARE-NII> 0.67
<PER-SHARE-GAIN-APPREC> 1.19
<PER-SHARE-DIVIDEND> (0.67)
<PER-SHARE-DISTRIBUTIONS> (0.11)
<RETURNS-OF-CAPITAL> 0
<PER-SHARE-NAV-END> 12.09
<EXPENSE-RATIO> 0.48
<AVG-DEBT-OUTSTANDING> 0
<AVG-DEBT-PER-SHARE> 0
</TABLE>
