<PAGE>
AS FILED WITH THE SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION ON FEBRUARY 26, 1999
REGISTRATION NO. 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. 22 [X]
AND/OR
REGISTRATION STATEMENT UNDER THE INVESTMENT COMPANY
ACT OF 1940 [X]
AMENDMENT NO. 23 [X]
---------------------
MORGAN STANLEY DEAN WITTER TAX-EXEMPT SECURITIES TRUST
(FORMERLY 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
BARRY FINK, 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)
----
on (date) pursuant to paragraph (b)
----
60 days after filing pursuant to paragraph (a)
--
X on April 30, 1999 pursuant to paragraph (a) of rule
-----
485.
AMENDING THE PROSPECTUS AND UPDATING FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
<PAGE>
MORGAN STANLEY DEAN WITTER TAX-EXEMPT SECURITIES TRUST
CROSS-REFERENCE SHEET
FORM N-1A
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
Item Caption
- -------------- -------------------------------------------------------
<S> <C>
PART A PROSPECTUS
1. ......... Cover Page; Back Cover
2. ......... Investment Objective; Principal Investment Strategies;
Principal Risks; Past Performance
3. ......... Fees and Expenses
4. ......... Investment Objective; Additional Investment Strategy
Information; Additional Risk Information
5. ......... Not Applicable
6. ......... Fund Management
7. ......... Pricing Fund Shares; How to Buy Shares; How
to Exchange Shares; How to Sell Shares;
Distributions; Tax Consequences
8. ......... Share Class Arrangements
9. ......... Financial Highlights
PART B STATEMENT OF ADDITIONAL INFORMATION
</TABLE>
Information required to be included in Part B is set forth under the
appropriate caption in Part B of this Registration Statement.
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 - MAY 1, 1999
Morgan Stanley Dean Witter
---------------------------------------------------------------------
TAX-EXEMPT SECURITIES TRUST
[GRAPHIC OMITTED]
A MUTUAL FUND THAT SEEKS TO PROVIDE A HIGH LEVEL OF CURRENT INCOME EXEMPT FROM
FEDERAL INCOME TAX, CONSISTENT WITH THE PRESERVATION OF CAPITAL
The Securities and Exchange Commission has not approved or disapproved these
securities or passed upon the adequacy of this Prospectus. Any representation to
the contrary is a criminal offense.
<PAGE>
CONTENTS
<TABLE>
<S> <C>
The Fund Investment Objective............................... 1
Principal Investment Strategies.................... 1
Principal Risks.................................... 2
Past Performance................................... 3
Fees and Expenses.................................. 4
Additional Investment Strategy Information......... 5
Additional Risk Information........................ 5
Fund Management.................................... 6
Shareholder Information Pricing Fund Shares................................ 7
How to Buy Shares.................................. 7
How to Exchange Shares............................. 9
How to Sell Shares.................................11
Distributions......................................12
Tax Consequences...................................13
Share Class Arrangements...........................14
Financial Highlights ...................................................20
Our Family of Funds ....................................Inside Back Cover
This Prospectus contains important information about
the Fund.
Please read it carefully and keep it for future
reference.
</TABLE>
FUND CATEGORY
-------------
[ ] Growth
[ ] Growth and Income
[X] INCOME
[ ] Money Market
<PAGE>
THE FUND
[GRAPHIC OMITTED]
INVESTMENT OBJECTIVE
- --------------------------------------------------
Morgan Stanley Dean Witter Tax-Exempt Securities Trust (the "Fund") is a mutual
fund that seeks to provide a high level of current income exempt from federal
income tax, consistent with the preservation of capital. There is no guarantee
that the Fund will achieve this objective.
[GRAPHIC OMITTED]
PRINCIPAL INVESTMENT STRATEGIES
- ----------------------------------------------------------------
The Fund will normally invest at least 80% of its assets in securities that pay
interest exempt from federal income taxes. The Fund's "Investment Manager,"
Morgan Stanley Dean Witter Advisors Inc., generally invests the Fund's assets
in municipal obligations. Municipal obligations are bonds, notes or short-term
commercial paper issued by state governments, local governments, and their
respective agencies. At least
(sidebar)
INCOME
An investment objective having the goal of selecting securities to pay out
income rather than rise in value.
(end sidebar)
75% of these municipal obligations will have the following ratings at the time
of purchase:
o municipal bonds -- within the three highest grades by Moody's
Investors Service Inc., Standard & Poor's
Corporation, or Fitch Investors Services, LP;
o municipal notes -- within the two highest grades or, if not rated,
have outstanding bonds within the three
highest grades by Moody's, S&P or Fitch; and
o municipal commercial paper -- within the highest grade by Moody's, S&P or
Fitch.
The Fund may invest up to 25% of its assets in municipal obligations that are
rated below the limits stated above or are not rated by those rating agencies.
However, the Fund may only invest up to 5% of its assets in municipal
obligations rated below investment grade or, if unrated, of comparable quality
as determined by the Investment Manager (commonly known as "junk bonds").
The Fund may invest up to 20% of its assets in taxable money market instruments
or securities that pay interest income subject to the "alternative minimum
tax," and some taxpayers may have to pay tax on a Fund distribution of this
income. The Fund therefore may not be a suitable investment for these
investors. See the "Tax Consequences" section for more details.
Municipal obligations typically are "general obligation" or "revenue" bonds,
notes or commercial paper. General obligation securities are secured by the
issuer's faith and credit, and its taxing power, for payment of principal and
interest. Revenue securities, however, are generally payable from a specific
revenue source. They are issued to fund a wide variety of public and private
projects in sectors such as transportation, education and industrial
development. Included within the revenue category are participations in lease
obligations. The Fund's municipal obligation investments may include zero
coupon securities, which are purchased at a discount and make no interest
payments until maturity.
In addition to the securities described above, the Fund may also invest in
futures.
1
<PAGE>
In pursuing the Fund's investment objective, the Investment Manager has
considerable leeway in deciding which investments it buys, holds or sells on a
day-to-day basis -- and which investment strategies it uses. For example, the
Investment Manager in its discretion may determine to use some permitted
investment strategies while not using others.
[GRAPHIC OMITTED]
PRINCIPAL RISKS
- -------------------------------------------
The Fund's share price will fluctuate with changes in the market value of the
Fund's portfolio securities. When you sell Fund shares, they may be worth less
than what you paid for them and, accordingly, you can lose money investing in
this Fund.
CREDIT AND INTEREST RATE RISKS. Municipal obligations, like other debt
securities, are subject to two types of risks: credit risk and interest rate
risk.
Credit risk refers to the possibility that the issuer of a security will be
unable to make interest payments and/or repay the principal on its debt. In the
case of revenue bonds, notes or commercial paper, for example, the credit risk
is the possibility that the user fees from a project or other specified revenue
sources are insufficient to meet interest and/or principal payment obligations.
The issuers of private activity bonds, used to finance projects in sectors such
as industrial development and pollution control, also may be negatively
impacted by the general credit of the user of the project.
Interest rate risk refers to fluctuations in the value of a fixed-income
security resulting from changes in the general level of interest rates. When
the general level of interest rates goes up, the prices of most fixed-income
securities go down. When the general level of interest rates goes down, the
prices of most fixed-income securities go up. (Zero coupon securities are
typically subject to greater price fluctuations than comparable securities that
pay current interest.) As merely illustrative of the relationship between
fixed-income securities and interest rates, the following table shows how
interest rates affect bond prices.
HOW INTEREST RATES AFFECT BOND PRICES
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
PRICE PER $1,000 OF A MUNICIPAL BOND
IF INTEREST RATES:
-----------------------------------
INCREASE DECREASE
--------------- -------------------
<S> <C> <C> <C> <C> <C>
BOND MATURITY COUPON 1% 2% 1% 2%
1 Year 1999 3.00% $990 $981 $1,010 $1,020
5 Years 2003 3.75% $956 $914 $1,046 $1,095
10 Years 2008 4.10% $922 $852 $1,085 $1,180
20 Years 2018 4.90% $883 $785 $1,138 $1,302
30 Years 2028 4.95% $861 $749 $1,175 $1,396
</TABLE>
Coupons reflect yields on AAA-rated municipals as of December 31, 1998. In
addition, the table is an illustration and does not represent expected yields
or share price changes of any Morgan Stanley Dean Witter mutual fund.
The Fund is not limited as to the maturities of the municipal obligations in
which it may invest. Thus, a rise in the general level of interest rates may
cause the price of the Fund's portfolio securities to fall substantially.
2
<PAGE>
OTHER RISKS. The performance of the Fund also will depend on whether the
Investment Manager is successful in pursuing the Fund's investment strategy.
The Fund is also subject to other risks from its permissible investments
including the risks associated with its futures and lease obligations
investments.
Shares of the Fund are not bank deposits and are not guaranteed or insured by
any bank, governmental entity, or the FDIC.
PAST PERFORMANCE
[GRAPHIC OMITTED]
- ----------------------------------------------
The bar chart and table below provide some indication of the risks of investing
in the Fund. The Fund's past performance does not indicate how the Fund will
perform in the future.
ANNUAL TOTAL RETURNS -- CALENDAR YEARS
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
1989 '90 '91 '92 '93 '94 '95 '96 '97 '98
<S> <C> <C> <C> <C> <C> <C> <C> <C> <C>
10.61% 5.86% 12.71% 9.09% 11.23% -5.55% 17.37% 3.61% 8.73% 6.11%
</TABLE>
The bar chart reflects the performance of Class D shares; the performance of
the other Classes will differ because the Classes have different ongoing fees.
The performance information in the bar chart does not reflect the deduction of
sales charges; if these amounts were reflected, returns would be less than
shown.
[GRAPHIC OMITTED]
(sidebar)
ANNUAL TOTAL RETURNS
This chart shows how the performance of the Fund's Class D shares has varied
from year to year over the last 10 years.
(end sidebar)
(sidebar)
AVERAGE ANNUAL
TOTAL RETURNS
This table compares the Fund's average annual returns with those of a broad
measure of market performance over time. The Fund's returns include the maximum
applicable sales charge for each Class and assume you sold your shares at the
end of each period.
(end sidebar)
During the periods shown in the bar chart, the highest return for a calendar
quarter was 6.89% (quarter ended March 31, 1995) and the lowest return for a
calendar quarter was --5.50% (quarter ended March 31, 1994). Year-to-date total
return as of March 31, 1999 was %.
AVERAGE ANNUAL TOTAL RETURNS (FOR THE PERIOD ENDED THE 1998 CALENDAR YEAR)
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
PAST 1 YEAR PAST 5 YEARS PAST 10 YEARS
<S> <C> <C> <C>
Class A 1.36% -- --
Class B 0.50% -- --
Class C 4.37% -- --
Class D1 6.11% 5.79% 7.81%
Lehman Brothers Municipal Bond Index2 6.48% 6.22% 8.22%
Lipper General Municipal Debt Funds Index3 5.64% 5.70% 7.75%
</TABLE>
1 Prior to July 28, 1997, the Fund only issued Class D shares.
2 The Lehman Brothers Municipal Bond Index tracks the performance of Municipal
bonds with maturities of 2 years or more and a minimum credit rating of Baa or
BBB, as measured by Moody's Investor Service, Inc. or Standard & Poor's Corp.
The Index does not include any expenses, fees, or changes. The Index is
unmanaged and should not be considered an investment.
3 The Lipper General Municipal Debt Funds Index is an equally-weighted
performance index of the largest qualifying funds (based on net assets) in the
Lipper General Municipal Debt Funds objective. The Index, which is adjusted
for capital gains distributions and income dividends, is unmanaged and should
not be considered an investment. There are currently 30 funds represented in
this index.
3
<PAGE>
[GRAPHIC OMITTED]
FEES AND EXPENSES
- -----------------------------------------------
The Fund offers four Classes of shares: Classes A, B, C and D. Each Class has a
different combination of fees, expenses and other features. The table below
briefly describes the fees and expenses that you may pay if you buy and hold
shares of the Fund. The Fund does not charge account or exchange fees. See the
"Share Class Arrangements" section for further fee and expense information.
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
CLASS A CLASS B CLASS C CLASS D
<S> <C> <C> <C> <C>
SHAREHOLDER FEES
(sidebar)
SHAREHOLDER FEES
These fees are paid
directly from your
investment.
(end sidebar)
(sidebar)
ANNUAL FUND
OPERATING EXPENSES
These expenses are
deducted from the
Fund's assets and are
based on expenses paid
for the fiscal year ended
December 31, 1998.
(end sidebar)
Maximum sales charge (load) imposed on
4.25%1 None None None
purchases (as a percentage of offering price)
Maximum deferred sales charge (load) (as a
percentage based on the lesser of the offering None2 5.00%3 1.00%4 None
price or net asset value at redemption)
ANNUAL FUND OPERATING EXPENSES
Management fee 0.43% 0.43% 0.43% 0.43%
Distribution and service (12b-1) fees 0.24% 0.60% 0.70% None
Other expenses 0.07% 0.07% 0.07% 0.07%
Total annual Fund operating expenses 0.74% 1.10% 1.20% 0.50%
</TABLE>
1 Reduced for purchases of $25,000 and over.
2 Investments that are not subject to any sales charge at the time of purchase
are subject to a contingent deferred sales charge ("CDSC") of 1.00% that will
be imposed on sales made within one year after purchase, except for certain
specific circumstances.
3 The CDSC is scaled down to 1.00% during the sixth year, reaching zero
thereafter. See "Share Class Arrangements" for a complete discussion of the
CDSC.
4 Only applicable to sales made within one year after purchase.
EXAMPLE
This Example is intended to help you compare the cost of investing in the Fund
with the cost of investing in other mutual funds.
The example assumes that you invest $10,000 in the Fund, your investment has a
5% return each year, and the Fund's operating expenses remain the same.
Although your actual costs may be higher or lower, the tables below show your
costs at the end of each period based on these assumptions depending upon
whether or not you sell (redeem) your shares at the end of each period.
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
IF YOU SOLD YOUR SHARES IF YOU HELD YOUR SHARES
<S> <C> <C> <C> <C> <C> <C> <C> <C>
1 YEAR 3 YEARS 5 YEARS 10 YEARS 1 YEAR 3 YEARS 5 YEARS 10 YEARS
Class A $ 497 $651 $818 $1,302 $ 497 $651 $818 $ 1,302
Class B $ 612 $649 $805 $1,337 $ 112 $349 $605 $ 1,337
Class C $ 222 $380 $607 $1,450 $ 122 $380 $657 $ 1,450
Class D $ 51 $160 $278 $ 625 $ 51 $160 $278 $ 625
</TABLE>
4
<PAGE>
[GRAPHIC OMITTED]
ADDITIONAL INVESTMENT STRATEGY INFORMATION
- -------------------------------------------------------------------------------
This section provides additional information concerning the Fund's principal
investments.
LEASE OBLIGATIONS. Included within the revenue bonds category are
participations in lease obligations or installment purchase contracts of
municipalities. Generally, state and local agencies or authorities issue lease
obligations to acquire equipment and facilities for public and private
purposes.
FUTURES. The Fund may purchase or sell futures contracts with respect to
financial instruments and municipal bond indexes. Futures may be used to seek
to hedge against interest rate changes.
DEFENSIVE INVESTING. The Fund may take temporary "defensive" positions in
attempting to respond to adverse market conditions. The Fund may invest any
amount of its assets in taxable securities, or in tax-exempt securities subject
to the federal alternative minimum tax for individual shareholders when the
Investment Manager believes it is advisable to do so. Although taking a
defensive posture is designed to protect the Fund from an anticipated market
downturn, it could have the effect of reducing the Fund's ability to provide
tax-exempt income.
[GRAPHIC OMITTED]
ADDITIONAL RISK INFORMATION.
- ------------------------------------------------------------
This section provides additional information regarding the principal risks of
investing in the Fund.
BOND INSURANCE RISK. Many of the municipal obligations the Fund invests in
will be covered by insurance at the time of issuance or at a later date. Such
insurance covers the remaining term of the security. Insured municipal
obligations would generally be assigned a lower rating if the rating were based
primarily on the credit quality of the issuer without regard to the insurance
feature. If the claims-paying ability of the insurer were downgraded, the
ratings on the municipal obligations it insures may also be downgraded.
LEASE OBLIGATIONS. 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 that
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 these legislative actions do not occur, the holders of the lease
obligation may experience difficulty in exercising their rights, including
disposition of the property.
FUTURES. If the Fund purchases or sells in futures contracts, its participation
in these markets would subject the Fund's portfolio to certain risks. The
Investment Manager's
5
<PAGE>
predictions of movements in the direction of interest rate markets may be
inaccurate, and the adverse consequences to the Fund (e.g., a reduction in the
Fund's net asset value or a reduction in the amount of income available for
distribution) may leave the Fund in a worse position than if these strategies
were not used. Other risks inherent in the use of futures include, for example,
the possible imperfect correlation between the price of futures contracts and
movements in the prices of the securities being hedged, and the possible
absence of a liquid secondary market for any particular instrument. The risk of
imperfect correlations may be increased by the fact that futures contracts in
which the Fund may invest are taxable securities rather than tax-exempt
securities. The prices of taxable securities may not move in a similar manner
to prices of tax-exempt securities.
[GRAPHIC OMITTED]
FUND MANAGEMENT
- ---------------------------------------------
The Fund has retained the Investment Manager -- Morgan Stanley Dean Witter
Advisors Inc. -- to provide administrative services, manage its business affairs
and invest its assets, including the placing of orders for the purchase and sale
of portfolio securities. The Investment Manager is a wholly-owned subsidiary of
Morgan Stanley Dean Witter & Co., a preeminent global financial services firm
that maintains leading market positions in each of its three primary businesses:
securities, asset management and credit services. Its main business office is
located at Two World Trade Center, New York, New York 10048.
(sidebar)
MORGAN STANLEY DEAN WITTER ADVISORS INC.
The Investment Manager is widely recognized as a leader in the mutual fund
industry and together with Morgan Stanley Dean Witter Services Company Inc.,
its wholly-owned subsidiary, has more than $ billion in assets under
management or administration as of March 31, 1999.
(end sidebar)
The Fund's portfolio is managed within the Investment Manager's Tax-Exempt
Group. James F. Willison, a Senior Vice President of the Investment Manager,
has been a primary portfolio manager of the Fund since its inception. Joseph R.
Arcieri, a Vice President of the Investment Manager, has been a primary
portfolio manager of the Fund since February 1997. Mr. Willison and Mr. Arcieri
have been portfolio managers with the Investment Manager for over five years.
The Fund pays the Investment Manager a monthly management fee as full
compensation for the services and facilities furnished to the Fund, and for
Fund expenses assumed by the Investment Manager. The fee is based on the Fund's
average daily net assets. For the fiscal year ended December 31, 1998, the Fund
accrued total compensation to the Investment Manager amounting to 0.43% of the
Fund's average daily net assets.
6
<PAGE>
SHAREHOLDER INFORMATION
[GRAPHIC OMITTED]
PRICING FUND SHARES
- -------------------------------------------------
The price of Fund shares (excluding sales charges), called "net asset value,"
is based on the value of the Fund's portfolio securities. While the assets of
each Class are invested in a single portfolio of securities, the net asset
value of each Class will differ because the Classes have different ongoing
distribution fees.
The net asset value per share of the Fund is determined once daily at 4:00 p.m.
Eastern time, on each day that the New York Stock Exchange is open (or, on days
when the New York Stock Exchange closes prior to 4:00 p.m., at such earlier
time). Shares will not be priced on days that the New York Stock Exchange is
closed.
The value of the Fund's portfolio securities (except for short-term taxable
debt securities and certain other investments) are valued by an outside
independent pricing service. The service uses a computerized grid matrix of
tax-exempt securities and its evaluations in determining what it believes is
the fair value of the portfolio securities. The Fund's Board of Trustees
believes that timely and reliable market quotations are generally not readily
available to the Fund to value tax-exempt securities and the valuations that
the pricing service supplies are more likely to approximate the fair value of
the securities.
An exception to the Fund's general policy of using market prices concerns its
short-term debt securities. Debt securities with remaining maturities of sixty
days or less at the time of purchase are valued at amortized cost. However, if
the cost does not reflect the securities' market value, these securities will
be valued at their fair value.
[GRAPHIC OMITTED]
HOW TO BUY SHARES
- -----------------------------------------------
(sidebar)
CONTACTING A FINANCIAL ADVISOR
If you are new to the Morgan Stanley Dean Witter Family of Funds and would like
to contact a Financial Advisor, call (800) THE-DEAN for the telephone number of
the Morgan Stanley Dean Witter office nearest you. You may also access our
office locator on our Internet site at:
www.deanwitter.com/funds.
(end sidebar)
You may open a new account to buy Fund shares or buy additional Fund shares for
an existing account by contacting your Morgan Stanley Dean Witter Financial
Advisor. Your Financial Advisor or other authorized financial representative
will assist you, step-by-step, with the procedures to invest in the Fund. You
may also purchase shares directly by calling the Fund's transfer agent and
requesting an application.
Because every investor has different immediate financial needs and long-term
investment goals, the Fund offers investors four Classes of shares: Classes A,
B, C and D. Class D shares are only offered to a limited group of investors.
Each Class of shares offers a distinct structure of sales charges, distribution
and service fees, and other features that are designed to address a variety of
needs. Your Financial Advisor or other authorized financial representative can
help you decide which Class may be most appropriate for you. When purchasing
Fund shares, you must specify which Class of shares you wish to purchase.
When you buy Fund shares, the shares are purchased at the next share price
calculated (less any applicable front-end sales charge for Class A shares)
after we receive your investment order in proper form. We reserve the right to
reject any order for the purchase of Fund shares.
7
<PAGE>
MINIMUM INVESTMENT AMOUNTS
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
MINIMUM INVESTMENT
INVESTMENT OPTIONS INITIAL ADDITIONAL
<S> <C> <C> <C>
Regular Accounts $1,000 $ 100
EasyInvestSM (Automatically from your
checking or savings account $ 100* $ 100*
or Money Market Fund)
</TABLE>
* Provided your schedule of investments totals $1,000 in twelve months.
(sidebar)
EASYINVEST(SM)
A purchase plan that allows you to transfer money automatically from your
checking or savings account or from a Money Market Fund on a semi-monthly,
monthly or quarterly basis. Contact your Morgan Stanley Dean Witter Financial
Advisor for further information about this service.
(end sidebar)
There is no minimum investment amount if you purchase Fund shares through: (1)
the Investment Manager's mutual fund asset allocation plan, (2) a program,
approved by the Fund's distributor, in which you pay an asset-based fee for
advisory, administrative and/or brokerage services, or (3) employer-sponsored
employee benefit plan accounts.
INVESTMENT OPTIONS FOR CERTAIN INSTITUTIONAL AND OTHER INVESTORS/CLASS D
SHARES.
To be eligible to purchase Class D shares, you must qualify under one of the
investor categories specified in the "Share Class Arrangements" section of this
Prospectus.
THREE DAY SETTLEMENT. Fund shares are sold through the Fund's distributor,
Morgan Stanley Dean Witter Distributors Inc., on a normal three business day
basis; that is, your payment for Fund shares is due on the third business day
(settlement day) after you place a purchase order.
SUBSEQUENT INVESTMENTS SENT DIRECTLY TO THE FUND. In addition to buying
additional Fund shares for an existing account by contacting your Morgan
Stanley Dean Witter Financial Advisor, you may send a check directly to the
Fund. To buy additional shares in this manner:
o Write a "letter of instruction" to the Fund specifying the name(s) on the
account, the account number, the social security or tax identification
number, the Class of shares you wish to purchase and the investment amount
(which would include any applicable front-end sales charge). The letter must
be signed by the account owner(s).
o Make out a check for the total amount payable to: Morgan Stanley Dean Witter
Tax-Exempt Securities Trust.
o Mail the letter and check to Morgan Stanley Dean Witter Trust FSB at P.O. Box
1040, Jersey City, NJ 07303.
8
<PAGE>
[GRAPHIC OMITTED]
HOW TO EXCHANGE SHARES
- -------------------------------------------------------
PERMISSIBLE FUND EXCHANGES. You may exchange shares of any Class of the Fund
for the same Class of any other continuously offered Multi-Class Fund, or for
shares of a No-Load Fund, Money Market Fund or Short-Term U.S. Treasury Trust,
without the imposition of an exchange fee. See the inside back cover of this
Prospectus for each Morgan Stanley Dean Witter Fund's designation as a
Multi-Class Fund, No-Load Fund or Money Market Fund. If a Morgan Stanley Dean
Witter Fund is not listed, consult the inside back cover of that Fund's
Prospectus for its designation. For purposes of exchanges, shares of FSC Funds
(subject to a front-end sales charge) are treated as Class A shares of a
Multi-Class Fund.
Exchanges may be made after shares of the Fund acquired by purchase have been
held for thirty days. There is no waiting period for exchanges of shares
acquired by exchange or dividend reinvestment. The current Prospectus for each
fund describes its investment objective(s), policies and investment minimums,
and should be read before investment.
EXCHANGE PROCEDURES. You can process an exchange by contacting your Morgan
Stanley Dean Witter Financial Advisor or other authorized financial
representative. Otherwise, you must forward an exchange privilege authorization
form to the Fund's transfer agent -- Morgan Stanley Dean Witter Trust FSB --
and then write the transfer agent or call (800) 869-NEWS to place an exchange
order. You can obtain an exchange privilege authorization form by contacting
your Financial Advisor or other authorized financial representative, or by
calling (800) 869-NEWS. If you hold share certificates, no exchanges may be
processed until we have received all applicable share certificates.
An exchange to any Morgan Stanley Dean Witter Fund (except a Money Market Fund)
is made on the basis of the next calculated net asset values of the Funds
involved after the exchange instructions are accepted. When exchanging into a
Money Market Fund, the Fund's shares are sold at their next calculated net
asset value and the Money Market Fund's shares are purchased at their net asset
value on the following business day.
The Fund may terminate or revise the exchange privilege upon required notice.
Certain services normally available to shareholders of Money Market Funds,
including the check writing privilege, are not available for Money Market Fund
shares you acquire in an exchange.
TELEPHONE EXCHANGES. For your protection when calling Morgan Stanley Dean
Witter Trust FSB, we will employ reasonable procedures to confirm that exchange
instructions communicated over the telephone are genuine. These procedures may
include requiring various forms of personal identification such as name,
mailing address, social security or other tax identification number. Telephone
instructions also may be recorded.
Telephone instructions will be accepted if received by the Fund's transfer
agent between 9:00 a.m. and 4:00 p.m. Eastern time, on any day the New York
Stock Exchange is open for business. During periods of drastic economic or
market changes, it is possible that the telephone exchange procedures may be
difficult to implement, although this has not been the case with the Fund in
the past.
9
<PAGE>
MARGIN ACCOUNTS. If you have pledged your Fund shares in a margin account,
contact your Morgan Stanley Dean Witter Financial Advisor or other authorized
financial representative regarding restrictions on the exchange of such shares.
TAX CONSIDERATIONS OF EXCHANGES. If you exchange shares of the Fund for shares
of another Morgan Stanley Dean Witter Fund there are important tax
considerations. For tax purposes, the exchange out of the Fund is considered a
sale of Fund shares -- and the exchange into the other Fund is considered a
purchase. As a result, you may realize a capital gain or loss.
You should review the "Tax Consequences" section and consult your own tax
professional about the tax consequences of an exchange.
FREQUENT EXCHANGES. A pattern of frequent exchanges may result in the Fund
limiting or prohibiting, at its discretion, additional purchases and/or
exchanges. The Fund will notify you in advance of limiting your exchange
privileges.
CDSC CALCULATIONS ON EXCHANGES. See the "Share Class Arrangements" section of
this Prospectus for a further discussion of how applicable contingent deferred
sales charges (CDSCs) are calculated for shares of one Morgan Stanley Dean
Witter Fund that are exchanged for shares of another.
For further information regarding exchange privileges, you should contact your
Morgan Stanley Dean Witter Financial Advisor or call (800) 869-NEWS.
10
<PAGE>
[GRAPHIC OMITTED]
HOW TO SELL SHARES
- ------------------------------------------------
You can sell some or all of your Fund shares at any time. If you sell Class A,
Class B or Class C shares, your net sale proceeds are reduced by the amount of
any applicable CDSC. Your shares will be sold at the next price calculated
after we receive your order to sell as described below.
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
<S> <C>
OPTIONS PROCEDURES
- --------------------- -------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Contact Your To sell your shares, simply call your Morgan Stanley Dean Witter Financial
Financial Advisor Advisor or other authorized financial representative.
-------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Payment will be sent to the address to which the account is registered or
deposited in your brokerage account.
-------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
By Letter You can also sell your shares by writing a "letter of instruction" that includes:
o your account number;
o the dollar amount or the number of shares you wish to sell;
o the Class of shares you wish to sell; and
o the signature of each owner as it appears on the account.
-------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
If you are requesting payment to anyone other than the registered owner(s) or
that payment be sent to any address other than the address of the registered
owner(s) or pre-designated bank account, you will need a signature guarantee.
You can obtain a signature guarantee from an eligible guarantor acceptable to
Morgan Stanley Dean Witter Trust FSB. (You should contact Morgan Stanley
Dean Witter Trust FSB at (800) 869-NEWS for a determination as to whether
a particular institution is an eligible guarantor.) A notary public cannot provide a
signature guarantee. Additional documentation may be required for shares held
by a corporation, partnership, trustee or executor.
-------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Mail the letter to Morgan Stanley Dean Witter Trust FSB at P.O. Box 983, Jersey
City, New Jersey 07303. If you hold share certificates, you must return the
certificates, along with the letter and any required additional documentation.
-------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
A check will be mailed to the name(s) and address in which the account is
registered, or otherwise according to your instructions.
-------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
SYSTEMATIC
WITHDRAWAL PLAN
This plan allows you to
withdraw money
automatically from your
Fund account at regular
intervals. Contact your
Morgan Stanley Dean
Witter Financial
Advisor or other
authorized financial
representative for more
details.
Systematic If your investment in all of the Morgan Stanley Dean Witter Family of Funds has
Withdrawal Plan a total market value of at least $10,000, you may elect to withdraw amounts of
$25 or more, or in any whole percentage of a Fund's balance (provided the
amount is at least $25), on a monthly, quarterly, semi-annual or annual basis,
from any Fund with a balance of at least $1,000. Each time you add a Fund to
the plan, you must meet the plan requirements.
-------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Amounts withdrawn are subject to any applicable CDSC. A CDSC may be
waived under certain circumstances. See the Class B waiver categories listed in
the "Share Class Arrangements" section of this Prospectus.
-------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
To sign up for the Systematic Withdrawal Plan, contact your Morgan Stanley
Dean Witter Financial Advisor or call (800) 869-NEWS. You may terminate or
suspend your plan at any time. Please remember that withdrawals from the
plan are sales of shares, not Fund "distributions," and ultimately may exhaust
your account balance. The Fund may terminate or revise the plan at any time.
-------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
</TABLE>
PAYMENT FOR SOLD SHARES. After we receive your complete instructions to sell as
described above, a check will be mailed to you within seven days, although we
will attempt to make payment within one business day. Payment may also be sent
to your brokerage account.
Payment may be postponed or the right to sell your shares suspended, under
unusual circumstances. If you request to sell shares that were recently
purchased by check,
11
<PAGE>
payment of the sale proceeds may be delayed for the minimum time needed to
verify that the check has been honored (not more than fifteen days from the
time we receive the check).
REINSTATEMENT PRIVILEGE. If you sell Fund shares and have not previously
exercised the reinstatement privilege, you may, within 35 days after the date
of sale, invest any portion of the proceeds in the same Class of Fund shares at
their net asset value and receive a pro rata credit for any CDSC paid in
connection with the sale.
INVOLUNTARY SALES. The Fund reserves the right, on sixty days' notice, to sell
the shares of any shareholder (other than shares held in an IRA or 403(b)
Custodial Account) whose shares, due to sales by the shareholder, have a value
below $100, or in the case of an account opened through EasyInvest,SM if after
12 months the shareholder has invested less than $1,000 in the account.
However, before the Fund sells your shares in this manner, we will notify you
and allow you sixty days to make an additional investment in an amount that
will increase the value of your account to at least the required amount before
the sale is processed. No CDSC will be imposed on any involuntary sale.
MARGIN ACCOUNTS. Certain restrictions may apply to Fund shares pledged in
margin accounts with Dean Witter Reynolds or another authorized broker-dealer
of Fund shares. If you hold Fund shares in this manner, please contact your
Morgan Stanley Dean Witter Financial Advisor or other authorized financial
representative for more details.
[GRAPHIC OMITTED]
DISTRIBUTIONS
- ----------------------------------------
The Fund passes substantially all of its earnings from income and capital gains
along to its investors as "distributions." The Fund earns interest from
fixed-income investments. These amounts are passed along to Fund shareholders as
"income dividend distributions." The Fund realizes capital gains whenever it
sells securities for a higher price than it paid for them. These amounts may be
passed along as "capital gain distributions."
(sidebar)
TARGETED DIVIDENDS(SM)
You may select to have your Fund distributions automatically invested in other
Classes of Fund shares or Classes of another Morgan Stanley Dean Witter Fund
that you own. Contact your Morgan Stanley Dean Witter Financial Advisor for
further information about this service.
(end sidebar)
The Fund declares income dividends separately for each Class. Distributions
paid on Class A and Class D shares will be higher than for Class B and Class C
because distribution fees that Class B and Class C pay are higher. Normally,
income dividends are distributed to shareholders monthly and capital gains are
distributed annually in December. The Fund, however, may retain and reinvest
any long-term capital gains. The Fund may at times make payments from sources
other than income or capital gains that represent a return of a portion of your
investment.
Distributions are reinvested automatically in additional shares of the same
Class and automatically credited to your account, unless you request in writing
that all distributions be paid in cash. If you elect the cash option, the Fund
will mail a check to you no later than seven business days after the
distribution is declared. No interest will accrue on uncashed checks. If you
wish to change how your distributions are paid, your request should be received
by the Fund's transfer agent, Morgan Stanley Dean Witter Trust FSB, at least
five business days prior to the record date of the distributions.
12
<PAGE>
[GRAPHIC OMITTED]
TAX CONSEQUENCES
- ----------------------------------------------
As with any investment, you should consider how your Fund investment will be
taxed. The tax information in this Prospectus is provided as general
information. You should consult your own tax professional about the tax
consequences of an investment in the Fund.
You need to be aware of the possible tax consequences when:
o The Fund makes distributions; and
o You sell Fund shares, including an exchange to another Morgan Stanley Dean
Witter Fund.
TAXES ON DISTRIBUTIONS. Your income dividend distributions are normally exempt
from federal income taxes -- to the extent they are derived from municipal
obligations. Income derived from other portfolio securities may be subject to
federal, state and/or local income taxes.
Income derived from some municipal securities is subject to the federal
"alternative minimum tax." Certain tax-exempt securities whose proceeds are
used to finance private, for-profit organizations are subject to this special
tax system that ensures that individuals pay at least some federal taxes.
Although interest on these securities is generally exempt from federal income
tax, some taxpayers who have many tax deductions or exemptions nevertheless may
have to pay tax on the income.
If you borrow money to purchase shares of the Fund, the interest on the
borrowed money is generally not deductible for personal income tax purposes.
If the Fund makes any capital gain distributions, those distributions will
normally be subject to federal income tax when they are paid, whether you take
them in cash or reinvest them in the Fund shares. Any short-term capital gain
distributions are taxable to you as long-term capital gains, no matter how long
you have owned shares in the Fund.
The Fund may derive gains in part from municipal obligations the Fund purchased
below their principal or face values. All, or a portion, of these gains may be
taxable to you as ordinary income rather than capital gains.
TAXES ON SALES. Your sale of Fund shares normally is subject to federal and
state income tax and may result in a taxable gain or loss to you. A sale also
may be subject to local income tax. Your exchange of Fund shares for shares of
another Morgan Stanley Dean Witter Fund is treated for tax purposes like a sale
of your original shares and a purchase of your new shares. Thus, the exchange
may, like a sale, result in a taxable gain or loss to you and will give you a
new tax basis for your new shares.
When you open your Fund account, you should provide your social security or tax
identification number on your investment application. By providing this
information, you will avoid being subject to a federal backup withholding tax
of 31% on taxable distributions and redemption proceeds. Any withheld amount
would be sent to the IRS as an advance tax payment.
13
<PAGE>
[GRAPHIC OMITTED]
SHARE CLASS ARRANGEMENTS
- --------------------------------------------------------
The Fund offers several Classes of shares having different distribution
arrangements designed to provide you with different purchase options according
to your investment needs. Your Morgan Stanley Dean Witter Financial Advisor or
other authorized financial representative can help you decide which Class may
be appropriate for you.
The general public is offered three Classes: Class A shares, Class B shares and
Class C shares, which differ principally in terms of sales charges and ongoing
expenses. A fourth Class, Class D shares, is offered only to a limited category
of investors. Shares that you acquire through reinvested distributions will not
be subject to any front-end sales charge or CDSC -- contingent deferred sales
charge. Sales personnel may receive different compensation for selling each
Class of shares. The sales charges applicable to each Class provide for the
distribution financing of shares of that Class.
The chart below compares the sales charge and annual 12b-1 fee applicable to
each Class:
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
Class Sales Charge Annual 12b-1Fee
<S> <C> <C>
A Maximum 4.25% initial sales charge reduced for purchases of
$25,000 or more; shares sold without an initial sales charge are
generally subject to a 1.0% CDSC during the first year 0.25%
B Maximum 5.0% CDSC during the first year decreasing to 0%
after six years 0.60%
C 1.0% CDSC during the first year 0.70%
D None None
</TABLE>
CLASS A SHARES Class A shares are sold at net asset value plus an initial sales
charge of up to 4.25%. The initial sales charge is reduced for purchases of
$25,000 or more according to the schedule below. Investments of $1 million or
more are not subject to an initial sales charge, but are generally subject to a
contingent deferred sales charge, or CDSC, of 1.0% on sales made within one year
after the last day of the month of purchase. The CDSC will be assessed in the
same manner and with the same CDSC waivers as with Class B shares. Class A
shares are also subject to a distribution (12b-1) fee of up to 0.25% of the
average daily net assets of the Class.
(sidebar)
FRONT-END SALES
CHARGE OR FSC
An initial sales charge you pay when purchasing Class A shares that is based on
a percentage of the offering price. The percentage declines based upon the
dollar value of Class A shares you purchase. We offer three ways to reduce your
Class A sales charges -- the Combined Purchase Privilege, Right of Accumulation
and Letter of Intent.
(end sidebar)
The offering price of Class A shares includes a sales charge (expressed as a
percentage of the offering price) on a single transaction as shown in the
following table:
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
FRONT-END SALES CHARGE
PERCENTAGE OF APPROXIMATE PERCENTAGE
AMOUNT OF SINGLE TRANSACTION PUBLIC OFFERING PRICE OF AMOUNT INVESTED
<S> <C> <C>
Less than $25,000 4.25% 4.44%
$25,000 but less than $50,000 4.00% 4.17%
$50,000 but less than $100,000 3.50% 3.63%
$100,000 but less than $250,000 2.75% 2.83%
$250,000 but less than $1 million 1.75% 1.78%
$1 million and over 0 0
</TABLE>
The reduced sales charge schedule is applicable to purchases of Class A shares
in a single transaction by:
o A single account (including an individual, trust or fiduciary account).
o Family member accounts (limited to husband, wife and children under the age
of 21).
14
<PAGE>
o Pension, profit sharing or other employee benefit plans of companies and
their affiliates.
o Tax-exempt organizations.
o Groups organized for a purpose other than to buy mutual fund shares.
COMBINED PURCHASE PRIVILEGE. You also will have the benefit of reduced sales
charges by combining purchases of Class A shares of the Fund in a single
transaction with purchases of Class A shares of other Multi-Class Funds and
shares of FSC Funds.
RIGHT OF ACCUMULATION. You also may benefit from a reduction of sales charges
if the cumulative net asset value of Class A shares of the Fund purchased in a
single transaction, together with shares of other Funds you currently own which
were previously purchased at a price including a front-end sales charge
(including shares acquired through reinvestment of distributions), amounts to
$25,000 or more. Also, if you have a cumulative net asset value of all your
Class A and Class D shares equal to at least $5 million (or $25 million for
certain employee benefit plans), you are eligible to purchase Class D shares of
any Fund subject to the Fund's minimum initial investment requirement.
You must notify your Morgan Stanley Dean Witter Financial Advisor or other
authorized financial representative (or Morgan Stanley Dean Witter Trust FSB if
you purchase directly through the Fund), at the time a purchase order is
placed, that the purchase qualifies for the reduced charge under the Right of
Accumulation. Similar notification must be made in writing when an order is
placed by mail. The reduced sales charge will not be granted if: (i)
notification is not furnished at the time of the order; or (ii) a review of the
records of Dean Witter Reynolds or other authorized dealer of Fund shares or
the Fund's transfer agent does not confirm your represented holdings.
LETTER OF INTENT. The schedule of reduced sales charges for larger purchases
also will be available to you if you enter into a written "letter of intent." A
letter of intent provides for the purchase of Class A shares of the Fund or
other Multi-Class Funds and/or shares of FSC Funds within a thirteen-month
period. The initial purchase under a letter of intent must be at least 5% of
the stated investment goal. To determine the applicable sales charge reduction,
you may also include: (1) the cost of shares of other Morgan Stanley Dean
Witter Funds which were previously purchased at a price including a front-end
sales charge during the 90-day period prior to the distributor receiving the
letter of intent, and (2) the cost of shares of other Funds you currently own
acquired in exchange for shares of Funds purchased during that period at a
price including a front-end sales charge. You can obtain a letter of intent by
contacting
your Morgan Stanley Dean Witter Financial Advisor or other authorized financial
representative, or by calling (800) 869-NEWS. If you do not achieve the stated
investment goal within the thirteen-month period, you are required to pay the
difference between the sales charges otherwise applicable and sales charges
actually paid.
OTHER FRONT-END SALES CHARGE WAIVERS. In addition to investments of $1 million
or more, your purchase of Class A shares is not subject to a front-end sales
charge (or a CDSC upon sale) if your account qualifies under one of the
following categories:
15
<PAGE>
o A trust for which Morgan Stanley Dean Witter Trust FSB provides discretionary
trustee services.
o Persons participating in a fee-based investment program (subject to all of
its terms and conditions, including mandatory sale or transfer restrictions
on termination) approved by the Fund's distributor pursuant to which they
pay an asset-based fee for investment advisory, administrative and/or
brokerage services.
o A client of a Morgan Stanley Dean Witter Financial Advisor who joined us from
another investment firm within six months prior to the date of purchase of
Fund shares, and you used the proceeds from the sale of shares of a
proprietary mutual fund of that Financial Advisor's previous firm that
imposed either a front-end or deferred sales charge to purchase Class A
shares, provided that: (1) you sold the shares not more than 60 days prior
to the purchase of fund shares, and (2) the sale proceeds were maintained in
the interim in cash or a money market fund.
o Current or retired Directors/Trustees of the Morgan Stanley Dean Witter
Funds, such persons' spouses and children under the age of 21, and trust
accounts for which any of such persons is a beneficiary.
o Current or retired directors, officers and employees of Morgan Stanley Dean
Witter & Co. and any of its subsidiaries, such persons' spouses and children
under the age of 21, and trust accounts for which any of such persons is a
beneficiary.
CLASS B SHARES Class B shares are offered at net asset value with no initial
sales charge but are subject to a contingent deferred sales charge, or CDSC, as
set forth in the table below. For the purpose of calculating the CDSC, shares
are deemed to have been purchased on the last day of the month during which they
were purchased.
(sidebar)
CONTINGENT DEFERRED
SALES CHARGE OR CDSC
A fee you pay when
you sell shares of
certain Morgan Stanley
Dean Witter Funds
purchased without an
initial sales charge. This
fee declines the longer
you hold your shares as
set forth in the table.
(end sidebar)
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
Year Since Purchase Payment Made CDSC as a Percentage of Amount Redeemed
<S> <C>
First 5.0%
Second 4.0%
Third 3.0%
Fourth 2.0%
Fifth 2.0%
Sixth 1.0%
Seventh and thereafter None
</TABLE>
Each time you place an order to sell or exchange shares, shares with no CDSC
will be sold or exchanged first, then shares with the lowest CDSC will be sold
or exchanged next. For any shares subject to a CDSC, the CDSC will be assessed
on an amount equal to the lesser of the current market value or the cost of the
shares being sold.
CDSC WAIVERS. A CDSC, if otherwise applicable, will be waived in the case of:
o Sales of shares held at the time you die or become disabled (within the
definition in Section 72(m)(7) of the Internal Revenue Code which relates to
the ability to engage in gainful employment), if the shares are: (i)
registered either in your name (not a trust) or in the names of you and your
spouse as joint tenants with right of survivorship; or (ii) held in a
qualified corporate or self-employed retirement plan,
16
<PAGE>
IRA or 403(b) Custodial Account, provided in either case that the sale is
requested within one year of your death or initial determination of
disability.
o Sales in connection with the following retirement plan "distributions":
(i) lump-sum or other distributions from a qualified corporate or
self-employed retirement plan following retirement (or, in the case of a "key
employee" of a "top heavy" plan, following attainment of age 5912); (ii)
distributions from an IRA or 403(b) Custodial Account following attainment of
age 5912; or (iii) a tax-free return of an excess IRA contribution (a
"distribution" does not include a direct transfer of IRA, 403(b) Custodial
Account or retirement plan assets to a successor custodian or trustee).
o Sales of shares in connection with the Systematic Withdrawal Plan of up to
12% annually of the value of each Fund from which plan sales are made. The
percentage is determined on the date you establish the Systematic Withdrawal
Plan and based on the next calculated share price. You may have this CDSC
waiver applied in amounts up to 1% per month, 3% per quarter, 6%
semi-annually or 12% annually. Shares with no CDSC will be sold first,
followed by those with the lowest CDSC. As such, the waiver benefit will be
reduced by the amount of your shares that are not subject to a CDSC. If you
suspend your participation in the plan, you may later resume plan payments
without requiring a new determination of the account value for the 12% CDSC
waiver.
All waivers will be granted only following the Distributor receiving
confirmation of your entitlement. If you believe you are eligible for a CDSC
waiver, please contact your Financial Advisor or call (800) 869-NEWS.
DISTRIBUTION FEE. Class B shares are also subject to an annual 12b-1 fee of
0.60% of the average daily net assets of Class B.
CONVERSION FEATURE. After ten (10) years, Class B shares will convert
automatically to Class A shares of the Fund with no initial sales charge. The
ten year period runs from the last day of the month in which the shares were
purchased, or in the case of Class B shares acquired through an exchange, from
the last day of the month in which the original Class B shares were purchased;
the shares will convert to Class A shares based on their relative net asset
values in the month following the ten year period. At the same time, an equal
proportion of Class B shares acquired through automatically reinvested
distributions will convert to Class A shares on the same basis. (Class B shares
held before May 1, 1997, however, will convert to Class A shares in May 2007.)
Currently, the Class B share conversion is not a taxable event; the conversion
feature may be cancelled if it is deemed a taxable event in the future by the
Internal Revenue Service.
If you exchange your Class B shares for shares of a Money Market Fund, No-Load
Fund or Short-Term U.S. Treasury Trust, the holding period for conversion is
frozen as of the last day of the month of the exchange and resumes on the last
day of the month you exchange back into Class B shares.
EXCHANGING SHARES SUBJECT TO A CDSC. There are special considerations when you
exchange Fund shares that are subject to a CDSC. When determining the length of
time you held the shares and the corresponding CDSC rate, any period (starting
at the
17
<PAGE>
end of the month) during which you held shares of a fund that does not charge a
CDSC will not be counted. Thus, in effect the "holding period" for purposes of
calculating the CDSC is frozen upon exchanging into a fund that does not charge
a CDSC.
For example, if you held Class B shares of the Fund for one year, exchanged to
Class B of another Morgan Stanley Dean Witter Multi-Class Fund for another
year, then sold your shares, a CDSC rate of 4% would be imposed on the shares
based on a two year holding period -- one year for each Fund. However, if you
had exchanged the shares of the Fund for a Money Market Fund (which does not
charge a CDSC) instead of the Multi-Class Fund, then sold your shares, a CDSC
rate of 5% would be imposed on the shares based on a one year holding period.
The one year in the Money Market Fund would not be counted. Nevertheless, if
shares subject to a CDSC are exchanged for a Fund that does not charge a CDSC,
you will receive a credit when you sell the shares equal to the distribution
(12b-1) fees, if any, you paid on those shares while in that Fund up to the
amount of any applicable CDSC.
In addition, shares that are exchanged into or from a Morgan Stanley Dean
Witter Fund subject to a higher CDSC rate will be subject to the higher rate,
even if the shares are re-exchanged into a Fund with a lower CDSC rate.
CLASS C SHARES Class C shares are sold at net asset value with no initial sales
charge but are subject to a CDSC of 1.0% on sales made within one year after the
last day of the month of purchase. The CDSC will be assessed in the same manner
and with the same CDSC waivers as with Class B shares.
DISTRIBUTION FEE. Class C shares are subject to an annual distribution (12b-1)
fee of up to 0.70% of the average daily net assets of that Class. The Class C
shares' distribution fee may cause that Class to have higher expenses and pay
lower dividends than Class A or Class D shares. Unlike Class B shares, Class C
shares have no conversion feature and, accordingly, an investor that purchases
Class C shares may be subject to distribution (12b-1) fees applicable to Class
C shares for an indefinite period.
CLASS D SHARES Class D shares are offered without any sales charge on purchases
or sales and without any distribution (12b-1) fee. Class D shares are offered
only to investors meeting an initial investment minimum of $5 million and the
following investor categories:
o Investors participating in the Investment Manager's mutual fund asset
allocation program (subject to all of its terms and conditions, including
mandatory sale or transfer restrictions on termination) pursuant to which
they pay an asset-based fee.
o Persons participating in a fee-based investment program (subject to all of
its terms and conditions, including mandatory sale or transfer restrictions
on termination) approved by the Fund's distributor pursuant to which they
pay an asset-based fee for investment advisory, administrative and/or
brokerage services.
o Employee benefit plans maintained by Morgan Stanley Dean Witter & Co. or any
of its subsidiaries for the benefit of certain employees of Morgan Stanley
Dean Witter & Co. and its subsidiaries.
o Certain unit investment trusts sponsored by Dean Witter Reynolds.
18
<PAGE>
o Certain other open-end investment companies whose shares are distributed by
the Fund's distributor.
o Investors who were shareholders of the Dean Witter Retirement Series on
September 11, 1998 for additional purchases for their former Dean Witter
Retirement Series accounts.
MEETING CLASS D ELIGIBILITY MINIMUMS. To meet the $5 million initial investment
to qualify to purchase Class D shares you may combine: (1) purchases in a
single transaction of Class D shares of the Fund and other Morgan Stanley Dean
Witter Multi-Class Funds and/or (2) previous purchases of Class A and Class D
shares of Multi-Class Funds and shares of FSC Funds you currently own, along
with shares of Morgan Stanley Dean Witter Funds you currently own that you
acquired in exchange for those shares.
NO SALES CHARGES FOR REINVESTED CASH DISTRIBUTIONS. If you receive a cash
payment representing an income dividend or capital gain and you reinvest that
amount in the applicable Class of shares by returning the check within 30 days
of the payment date, the purchased shares would not be subject to an initial
sales charge or CDSC.
PLAN OF DISTRIBUTION (RULE 12B-1 FEES) The Fund has adopted a Plan of
Distribution in accordance with Rule 12b-1 under the Investment Company Act of
1940 with respect to the distribution of Class A, Class B and Class C shares.
The Plan allows the Fund to pay distribution fees for the sale and distribution
of these shares. It also allows the Fund to pay for services to shareholders of
Class A, Class B and Class C shares. Because these fees are paid out of the
Fund's assets on an ongoing basis, over time these fees will increase the cost
of your investment in these Classes and may cost you more than paying other
types of sales charges.
19
<PAGE>
FINANCIAL HIGHLIGHTS
The financial highlights table is intended to help you understand the Fund's
financial performance for the past 5 fiscal years of the Fund. Certain
information reflects financial results for a single Fund share. The total
returns in the table represent the rate an investor would have earned or lost
on an investment in the Fund (assuming reinvestment of all dividends and
distributions).
This information has been audited by PricewaterhouseCoopers LLP, whose report,
along with the Fund's financial statements, is included in the annual report,
which is available upon request.
CLASS D
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
YEARS ENDED DECEMBER 31 1998 1997* 1996 1995 1994
<S> <C> <C> <C> <C> <C>
SELECTED PER-SHARE DATA
NET ASSET VALUE, BEGINNING OF PERIOD $ 12.08 $ 11.77 $ 12.09 $ 11.01 $ 12.41
Income (loss) from investment operations:
Net investment income 0.62 0.63 0.65 0.67 0.70
Net realized and unrealized gain (loss) 0.10 0.36 (0.24) 1.19 (1.37)
Total income (loss) from investment
operations 0.72 0.99 0.41 1.86 (0.67)
Less dividends and distributions from:
Net investment income (0.62) (0.63) (0.65) (0.67) (0.70)
Net realized gain (0.17) (0.05) (0.08) (0.11) (0.03)
Total dividends and distributions (0.79) (0.68) (0.73) (0.78) (0.73)
Net asset value, end of period 12.01 12.08 11.77 12.09 11.01
TOTAL RETURN+ 6.11% 8.73% 3.61% 17.37% (5.55)%
RATIOS TO AVERAGE NET ASSETS
Expenses 0.50%(1)(2) 0.49% 0.48% 0.48% 0.47%
Net investment income 5.12%(2) 5.34% 5.52% 5.76% 6.02%
SUPPLEMENTAL DATA
Net assets, end of period, in millions $1,023 $1,097 $1,190 $1,325 $1,295
Portfolio turnover rate 15% 16% 18% 21% 16%
</TABLE>
* Prior to July 28, 1997, the Fund issued one class of shares. All shares
of the Fund held prior to that date have been designated Class D shares.
+ Calculated based on the net asset value as of the last business day of
the period.
(1) Does not reflect the effect of expense offset of 0.01%.
(2) Reflects overall Fund ratios for investment income and non-class specific
expenses.
20
<PAGE>
CLASS A
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
FOR THE YEAR ENDED FOR THE PERIOD JULY 28, 1997*
SELECTED PER-SHARE DATA DECEMBER 31, 1998 THROUGH DECEMBER 31, 1997
<S> <C> <C>
NET ASSET VALUE, BEGINNING OF PERIOD $ 12.09 $12.00
Income from investment operations:
Net investment income 0.59 0.25
Net realized and unrealized gain 0.10 0.14
Total income from investment operations 0.69 0.39
Less dividends and distributions from:
Net investment income (0.59) (0.25)
Net realized gain (0.17) (0.05)
Total dividends and distributions (0.76) (0.30)
Net asset value, end of period $ 12.02 $12.09
TOTAL RETURN+ 5.86% 3.31%(1)
RATIOS TO AVERAGE NET ASSETS
Expenses 0.74%(4)(5) 0.76%(2)(3)
Net investment income 4.88%(5) 4.96%(2)
SUPPLEMENTAL DATA
Net assets, end of period, in thousands $15,041 $3,857
Portfolio turnover rate 15% 16%
</TABLE>
CLASS B
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
SELECTED PER-SHARE DATA
<S> <C> <C>
NET ASSET VALUE, BEGINNING OF PERIOD $ 12.14 $ 12.00
Income from investment operations:
Net investment income 0.55 0.23
Net realized and unrealized gain 0.10 0.19
Total income from investment operations 0.65 0.42
Less dividends and distributions from:
Net investment income (0.55) (0.23)
Net realized gain (0.17) (0.05)
Total dividends and distributions (0.72) (0.28)
Net asset value, end of period 12.07 12.14
TOTAL RETURN+ 5.47% 3.57%(1)
RATIOS TO AVERAGE NET ASSETS
Expenses 1.10%(4)(5) 1.14%(2)(3)
Net investment income 4.52%(5) 4.87%(2)
SUPPLEMENTAL DATA
Net assets, end of period, in thousands $132,303 $95,573
Portfolio turnover rate 15% 16%
</TABLE>
* The date shares were first issued.
+ Does not reflect the deduction of sales charge. Calculated based on the
net asset value as of the last business day of the period.
(1) Not annualized.
(2) Annualized.
(3) Does not reflect the effect of expense offset of 0.02%.
(4) Does not reflect the effect of expense offset of 0.01%.
(5) Reflects overall Fund ratios for investment income and non-class specific
expenses.
21
<PAGE>
CLASS C
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
FOR THE YEAR ENDED FOR THE PERIOD JULY 28, 1997*
SELECTED PER-SHARE DATA DECEMBER 31, 1998 THROUGH DECEMBER 31, 1997
<S> <C> <C>
NET ASSET VALUE, BEGINNING OF PERIOD $ 12.11 $ 12.00
Income from investment operations:
Net investment income 0.53 0.23
Net realized and unrealized gain 0.10 0.16
Total income from investment operations 0.63 0.39
Less dividends and distributions from:
Net investment income (0.53) (0.23)
Net realized gain (0.17) (0.05)
Total dividends and distributions (0.70) (0.28)
Net asset value, end of period $ 12.04 $ 12.11
TOTAL RETURN+ 5.36% 3.28%(1)
RATIOS TO AVERAGE NET ASSETS
Expenses 1.20%(4)(5) 1.20%(2)(3)
Net investment income 4.42%(5) 4.41%(2)
SUPPLEMENTAL DATA
Net assets, end of period, in thousands $7,599 $2,953
Portfolio turnover rate 15% 16%
</TABLE>
* The date shares were first issued.
+ Does not reflect the deduction of sales charge. Calculated based on the
net asset value as of the last business day of the period.
(1) Not annualized.
(2) Annualized.
(3) Does not reflect the effect of expense offset of 0.02%.
(4) Does not reflect the effect of expense offset of 0.01%.
(5) Reflects overall Fund ratios for investment income and non-class specific
expenses.
22
<PAGE>
NOTES
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23
<PAGE>
MORGAN STANLEY DEAN WITTER
FAMILY OF FUNDS
The Morgan Stanley Dean Witter Family of Funds offers
investors a wide range of investment choices. Come on
in and meet the family!
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
GROWTH FUNDS
GROWTH FUNDS
Aggressive Equity Fund
American Opportunities Fund
Capital Growth Securities
Developing Growth Securities
Equity Fund
Growth Fund
Market Leader Trust
Mid-Cap Growth Fund
Special Value Fund
Value Fund
THEME FUNDS
Financial Services Trust
Health Sciences Trust
Information Fund
Natural Resource Development Securities
Precious Metals and Minerals Trust
Utilities Fund
GLOBAL/INTERNATIONAL FUNDS
Competitive Edge Fund - "Best Ideas" Portfolio
European Growth Fund
Fund of Funds - International Portfolio
Global Dividend Growth Securities
Global Utilities Fund
International SmallCap Fund
Japan Fund
Pacific Growth Fund
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
GROWTH & INCOME FUNDS
Balanced Growth Fund
Balanced Income Fund
Convertible Securities Trust
Dividend Growth Securities
Fund of Funds - Domestic Portfolio
Income Builder Fund
Mid-Cap Dividend Growth Securities
S&P 500 Index Fund
S&P 500 Select Fund
Strategist Fund
Value/Added Market Series/Equity Portfolio
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
<PAGE>
INCOME FUNDS
GOVERNMENT INCOME FUNDS
Federal Securities Trust
Short-Term U.S. Treasury Trust
U.S. Government Securities Trust
DIVERSIFIED INCOME FUNDS
Diversified Income Trust
CORPORATE INCOME FUNDS
High Yield Securities
Intermediate Income Securities
Short-Term Bond Fund(NL)
GLOBAL INCOME FUNDS
World Wide Income Trust
TAX-FREE INCOME FUNDS
California Tax-Free Income Fund
Hawaii Municipal Trust(FSC)
Limited Term Municipal Trust(NL)
Multi-State Municipal Series Trust(FSC)
New York Tax-Free Income Fund
Tax-Exempt Securities Trust
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
MONEY MARKET FUNDS
TAXABLE MONEY MARKET FUNDS
Liquid Asset Fund(MM)
U.S. Government Money Market Trust(MM)
TAX-FREE MONEY MARKET FUNDS
California Tax-Free Daily Income Trust(MM)
New York Municipal Money Market Trust(MM)
Tax-Free Daily Income Trust(MM)
There may be funds created after this Prospectus was published. Please consult
the inside front cover of a new Fund's Prospectus for its designation, e.g.,
Multi-Class Fund or Money Market Fund.
Unless otherwise noted, each listed Morgan Stanley Dean Witter Fund, except for
Short-Term U.S. Treasury Trust, is a Multi-Class Fund. A Multi-Class Fund is a
mutual fund offering multiple Classes of shares. The other types of Funds are:
NL -- No-Load (Mutual) Fund; MM -- Money Market Fund; FSC -- A mutual fund sold
with a front-end sales charge and a distribution (12b-1) fee.
<PAGE>
MORGAN STANLEY DEAN WITTER
TAX-EXEMPT SECURITIES TRUST
Additional information about the Fund's investments is available in the Fund's
Annual and Semi-Annual Reports to Shareholders. In the Fund's Annual Report,
you will find a discussion of the market conditions and investment strategies
that significantly affected the Fund's performance during its last fiscal year.
The Fund's Statement of Additional Information also provides additional
information about the Fund. The Statement of Additional Information is
incorporated herein by reference (legally is part of this Prospectus). For a
free copy of any of these documents, to request other information about the
Fund, or to make shareholder inquiries, please call:
(800) 869-NEWS
You also may obtain information about the Fund by calling your Morgan Stanley
Dean
(sidebar)
TICKER SYMBOLS:
Class A: TAXAX
Class B: TAXBX
Class C: TAXCX
Class D: TAXDX
(end sidebar)
Witter Financial Advisor or by visiting our Internet site at:
WWW.DEANWITTER.COM/FUNDS
Information about the Fund (including the Statement of Additional Information)
can be viewed and copied at the Securities and Exchange Commission's Public
Reference Room in Washington, DC. Information about the Reference Room's
operations may be obtained by calling the SEC at (800) SEC-0330. Reports and
other information about the Fund are available on the SEC's Internet site
(www.sec.gov), and copies of this information may be obtained, upon payment of
a duplicating fee, by writing the Public Reference Section of the SEC,
Washington, DC 20549-6009.
(MORGAN STANLEY DEAN WITTER TAX-EXEMPT SECURITIES; INVESTMENT COMPANY ACT FILE
NO. 811-2979)
<PAGE>
STATEMENT OF ADDITIONAL INFORMATION MORGAN STANLEY DEAN WITTER
TAX-EXEMPT SECURITIES TRUST
MAY 1, 1999
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
This Statement of Additional Information is not a Prospectus. The
Prospectus (dated May 1, 1999) for the Morgan Stanley Dean Witter Tax-Exempt
Securities Trust may be obtained without charge from the Fund at its address or
telephone number listed below or from Dean Witter Reynolds at any of its branch
offices.
Morgan Stanley Dean Witter Tax-Exempt Securities Trust
Two World Trade Center
New York, New York 10048
(800) 869-NEWS
<PAGE>
TABLE OF CONTENTS
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
<S> <C>
I. Fund History ................................................................. 4
II. Description of the Fund and Its Investments and Risks ....................... 4
A. Classification ............................................................ 4
B. Investment Strategies and Risks ........................................... 4
C. Fund Policies/Investment Restrictions ..................................... 9
III. Management of the Fund ..................................................... 11
A. Board of Trustees ......................................................... 11
B. Management Information .................................................... 11
C. Compensation .............................................................. 15
IV. Control Persons and Principal Holders of Securities ......................... 17
V. Investment Management and Other Services ..................................... 17
A. Investment Manager ........................................................ 17
B. Principal Underwriter ..................................................... 18
C. Services Provided by the Investment Manager and Fund Expenses Paid by Third
Parties .................................................................. 18
D. Dealer Reallowances ....................................................... 19
E. Rule 12b-1 Plan ........................................................... 19
F. Other Service Providers ................................................... 23
VI. Brokerage Allocation and Other Practices .................................... 23
A. Brokerage Transactions .................................................... 23
B. Commissions ............................................................... 24
C. Brokerage Selection ....................................................... 24
D. Directed Brokerage ........................................................ 25
E. Regular Broker-Dealers .................................................... 25
VII. Capital Stock and Other Securities ......................................... 25
VIII. Purchase, Redemption and Pricing of Shares ................................ 26
A. Purchase/Redemption of Shares ............................................. 26
B. Offering Price ............................................................ 26
IX. Taxation of the Fund and Shareholders ....................................... 27
X. Underwriters ................................................................. 29
XI. Calculation of Performance Data ............................................. 29
XII. Financial Statements ....................................................... 32
XIII. Appendix .................................................................. 54
</TABLE>
2
<PAGE>
GLOSSARY OF SELECTED DEFINED TERMS
The terms defined in this glossary are frequently used in this Statement
of Additional Information (other terms used occasionally are defined in the
text of the document).
"Custodian" -- The Bank of New York is the Custodian of the Fund's assets.
"Dean Witter Reynolds" -- Dean Witter Reynolds Inc., a wholly-owned
broker-dealer subsidiary of MSDW.
"Distributor" -- Morgan Stanley Dean Witter Distributors Inc., a
wholly-owned broker-dealer subsidiary of MSDW.
"Financial Advisors" -- Morgan Stanley Dean Witter authorized financial
services representatives.
"Fund" -- Morgan Stanley Dean Witter Tax-Exempt Securities Trust, a
registered open-end investment company.
"Investment Manager" -- Morgan Stanley Dean Witter Advisors Inc., a
wholly-owned investment advisor subsidiary of MSDW.
"Independent Trustees" -- Trustees who are not "interested persons" (as
defined by the Investment Company Act) of the Fund.
"Morgan Stanley & Co." -- Morgan Stanley & Co. Incorporated, a
wholly-owned broker-dealer subsidiary of MSDW.
"Morgan Stanley Dean Witter Funds" -- Registered investment companies (i)
for which the Investment Manager serves as the investment advisor and (ii) that
hold themselves out to investors as related companies for investment and
investor services.
"MSDW" -- Morgan Stanley Dean Witter & Co., a preeminent global financial
services firm.
"MSDW Services Company" -- Morgan Stanley Dean Witter Services Company
Inc., a wholly-owned fund services subsidiary of the Investment Manager.
"Transfer Agent" -- Morgan Stanley Dean Witter Trust FSB, a wholly-owned
transfer agent subsidiary of MSDW.
"Trustees" -- The Board of Trustees of the Fund.
3
<PAGE>
I. FUND HISTORY
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
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. Effective June 22, 1998, the Fund's name was
changed to Morgan Stanley Dean Witter Tax-Exempt Securities Trust.
II. DESCRIPTION OF THE FUND AND ITS INVESTMENTS AND RISKS
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
A. CLASSIFICATION
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.
B. INVESTMENT STRATEGIES AND RISKS
The following discussion of the Fund's investment strategies and risks
should be read with the sections of the Fund's Prospectus titled "Principal
Investment Strategies," "Principal Risks," "Additional Investment Strategy
Information," and "Additional Risk Information."
TAXABLE SECURITIES. The Fund may invest up to 20% of its total assets, or
more than 20% of its total assets when assuming a temporary defensive position,
in taxable money market instruments or in tax-exempt securities subject to the
federal alternative minimum tax for individual shareholders. Investments in
taxable money market instruments would generally be made under any one of the
following circumstances: (a) pending investment of proceeds of the sale of the
Fund's 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.
The types of taxable money market instruments in which the Fund may 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 Investors Services, Inc. ("Moody's") or
A-1 by Standard & Poor's Corporation ("S&P"); (iii) certificates of deposit of
domestic banks with assets of $1 billion or more; and (iv) repurchase
agreements with respect to portfolio securities.
VARIABLE RATE AND FLOATING RATE OBLIGATIONS. The Fund may invest in
Municipal Bonds and Municipal Notes ("Municipal Obligations") of the type
called variable rate. 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 issue 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 an obligation prior to
maturity, is enhanced.
FUTURES CONTRACTS AND OPTIONS ON FUTURES. 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.
4
<PAGE>
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 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 Series 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 as 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 change is reflected in the net asset value of the particular
Series holding the options.
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. 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 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 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 the 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.
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 thereon
if, immediately thereafter, the amount committed to margin plus the amount paid
for option premiums exceeds 5% of the value of
5
<PAGE>
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 cash equivalents
or other liquid portfolio securities 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 the net assets of the Fund would be hedged.
Municipal Bond Index Futures. The Fund may utilize municipal bond index
futures contracts for hedging purposes. The 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 a 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 a Series'
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. The Fund will not invest in options on debt securities in
the coming year or until such time as they become available on national
securities exchanges.
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 the total assets of the Fund. 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 liquid portfolio securities in a segregated account with its
custodian. A put option is "covered" if the Fund maintains cash, Treasury bills
or other liquid portfolio securities 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 fund as the option
previously purchased. There can be no assurance that either a closing purchase
or sale transaction on behalf of the Fund 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
6
<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 commission upon the exercise of call options and upon
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.
REPURCHASE AGREEMENTS. The Fund may invest in repurchase agreements. When
cash may be available for only a few days, it may be invested by the Fund in
repurchase agreements until such time as it may otherwise be invested or used
for payments of obligations of the Fund. These agreements, which may be viewed
as a type of secured lending by the Fund, typically involve the acquisition by
the Fund of debt securities from a selling financial institution such as a
bank, savings and loan association or broker-dealer. The agreement provides
that the Fund will sell back to the institution, and that the institution will
repurchase, the underlying security serving as collateral at a specified price
and at a fixed time in the future, usually not more than seven days from the
date of purchase. The collateral will be marked-to-market daily to determine
that the value of the collateral, as specified in the agreement, does not
decrease below the purchase price plus accrued interest. If such decrease
occurs, additional collateral will be requested and, when received, added to
the account to maintain full collateralization. The Fund will accrue interest
form the institution until the time when the repurchase is to occur. Although
this date is deemed by the Fund to be the maturity date of a repurchase
agreement, the maturities of securities subject to repurchase agreements are
not subject to any limits.
While repurchase agreements involve certain risks not associated with
direct investments in debt securities, the Fund follows procedures designed to
minimize such risks. These procedures include effecting repurchase transactions
only with large, well-capitalized and well-established financial institutions
whose financial condition will be continually monitored by the Investment
Manager subject to procedures established by the Trustees. In addition, as
described above, the value of the collateral underlying the repurchase
agreement will be at least equal to the repurchase price, including any accrued
interest earned on the repurchase agreement. In the event of a default or
bankruptcy by a selling financial institution, the Fund will seek to liquidate
such collateral. However, the exercising of the Fund's right to liquidate such
collateral could involve certain costs or delays and, to the extent that
proceeds form 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 net assets.
LENDING PORTFOLIO SECURITIES. The Fund may lend its portfolio securities
to brokers, dealers and other financial institutions, provided that the loans
are callable at any time by the Fund, and are at all times secured by cash or
cash equivalents, which are maintained in a segregated account pursuant to
applicable regulations and that are equal to at least 100% of the market value,
determined daily, of the loaned securities. The advantage of these loans is
that the Fund continues to receive the income on the loaned securities while at
the same time earning interest on the cash amounts deposited as collateral,
which will be invested in short-term obligations. The Fund will not lend more
than 25% of the value of its total assets.
7
<PAGE>
As with any extensions of credit, there are risks of delay in recovery
and, in some cases, even loss of rights in the collateral should the borrower
of the securities fail financially. However, these loans of portfolio
securities will only be made to firms deemed by the Fund's management to be
creditworthy and when the income which can be earned from such loans justifies
the attendant risks. Upon termination of the loan, the borrower is required to
return the securities to the Fund. Any gain or loss in the market price during
the loan period would inure to the Fund.
When voting or consent rights which accompany loaned securities pass to
the borrower, the Fund will follow the policy of calling the loaned securities,
to be delivered within one day after notice, to permit the exercise of the
rights if the matters involved would have a material effect on the Fund's
investment in the loaned securities. The Fund will pay reasonable finder's,
administrative and custodial fees in connection with a loan of its securities.
WHEN-ISSUED AND DELAYED DELIVERY SECURITIES AND FORWARD COMMITMENTS. From
time to time the Fund may purchase securities on a when-issued or delayed
delivery basis or may purchase or sell securities on a forward commitment
basis. When these transactions are negotiated, the price is fixed at the time
of the commitment, but delivery and payment can take place a month or more
after the date of commitment. While the Fund will only purchase securities on a
when-issued, delayed delivery or forward commitment basis with the intention of
acquiring the securities, the Fund may sell the securities before the
settlement date, if it is deemed advisable. The securities so purchased or sold
are subject to market fluctuation and no interest or dividends accrue to the
purchaser prior to the settlement date.
At the time the Fund makes the commitment to purchase or sell securities
on a when-issued, delayed delivery or forward commitment basis, it will record
the transaction and thereafter reflect the value, each day, of such security
purchased, or if a sale, the proceeds to be received, in determining its net
asset value. At the time of delivery of the securities, their value may be more
or less than the purchase or sale price. An increase in the percentage of the
Fund's assets committed to the purchase of securities on a when-issued, delayed
delivery or forward commitment basis may increase the volatility of its net
asset value. The Fund will also establish a segregated account on the Fund's
books in which it will continually maintain cash or cash equivalents or other
liquid portfolio securities equal in value to commitments to purchase
securities on a when-issued, delayed delivery or forward commitment basis.
WHEN, AS AND IF ISSUED SECURITIES. The Fund may purchase securities on a
"when, as and if issued" basis under which the issuance of the security depends
upon the occurrence of a subsequent event, such as approval of a merger,
corporate reorganization or debt restructuring. The commitment for the purchase
of any such security will not be recognized in the portfolio of the Fund until
the Investment Manager determines that issuance of the security is probable. At
that time, the Fund will record the transaction and, in determining its net
asset value, will reflect the value of the security daily. At that time, the
Fund will also establish a segregated account on the Fund's books in which it
will maintain cash or cash equivalents or other liquid portfolio securities
equal in value to recognized commitments for such securities.
The value of the Fund's commitments to purchase the securities of any one
issuer, together with the value of all securities of such issuer owned by the
Fund, may not exceed 5% of the value of the Fund's total assets at the time the
initial commitment to purchase such securities is made. An increase in the
percentage of the Fund's assets committed to the purchase of securities on a
"when, as and if issued" basis may increase the volatility of its net asset
value. The Fund may also sell securities on a "when, as and if issued" basis
provided that the issuance of the security will result automatically from the
exchange or conversion of a security owned by the Fund at the time of sale.
YEAR 2000. The investment management services provided to the Fund by the
Investment Manager and the services provided to shareholders by the Distributor
and the Transfer Agent depend on the smooth functioning of their computer
systems. Many computer software systems in use today cannot recognize the year
2000, but revert to 1900 or some other date, due to the manner in which dates
were encoded and calculated. That failure could have a negative impact on the
handling of securities trades, pricing and account services. The Investment
Manager, the Distributor and the Transfer Agent have been
8
<PAGE>
actively working on necessary changes to their own computer systems to prepare
for the year 2000 and expect that their systems will be adapted before that
date, but there can be no assurance that they will be successful, or that
interaction with other non-complying computer systems will not impair their
services at that time.
In addition, it is possible that the markets for securities in which the
Fund invests may be detrimentally affected by computer failures throughout the
financial services industry beginning January 1, 2000. Improperly functioning
trading systems may result in settlement problems and liquidity issues. In
addition, corporate and governmental data processing errors may result in
production problems for individual companies and overall economic
uncertainties. Earnings of individual issuers will be affected by remediation
costs, which may be substantial and may be reported inconsistently in U.S. and
foreign financial statements. Accordingly, the Fund's investments may be
adversely affected.
C. FUND POLICIES/INVESTMENT RESTRICTIONS
The investment objective, policies and restrictions listed below have been
adopted by the Fund as fundamental policies. Under the Investment Company Act
of 1940 (the "Investment Company Act"), a fundamental policy may not be changed
without the vote of a majority of the outstanding voting securities of the
Fund. The Investment Company Act defines a majority as the lesser of (a) 67% or
more of the shares present at a meeting of shareholders, if the holders of 50%
of the outstanding shares of the Fund are present or represented by proxy; or
(b) more than 50% of the outstanding shares of the Fund.
In addition, 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 a security issued by
the guarantor if the value of all securities 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
total or net assets does not require elimination of any security from the
portfolio.
The Fund will:
1. Seek to provide a high level of current income exempt from federal
income tax, consistent with the preservation of capital.
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 of
any one issuer (other than 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 taxable
securities of issuers in any one industry (industrial development and
pollution control bonds are grouped into industries based upon the
business in which the issuers of such obligations are engaged). This
restriction does not apply to obligations issued or guaranteed by the
United States Government, its agencies or instrumentalities or to cash
equivalents.
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 obligations of the United States Government, its agencies or
instrumentalities.
5. Invest in common stock.
9
<PAGE>
6. Write, purchase or sell puts, calls, or combinations thereof, except
for options on futures contracts or options on debt securities.
7. Invest in securities of any issuer, if, to the knowledge of the Fund,
any officer or trustee of the Fund or of the Investment Manager owns more
than 1/2 of 1% of the outstanding securities of the issuer, and the
officers and trustees who own more than 1/2 of 1% own in the aggregate
more than 5% of the outstanding securities of the issuer.
8. Purchase or sell real estate or interests therein, although it may
purchase securities secured by real estate or interests therein.
9. Purchase or sell commodities except that the Fund may purchase
financial futures contracts and related options.
10. 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).
11. Pledge its assets or assign or otherwise encumber them except to secure
permitted borrowing. 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.
12. Issue senior securities as defined in the Investment Company Act,
except insofar as the Fund may be deemed to have issued a senior security
by reason of: (a) entering into any repurchase agreement; (b) purchasing
any securities on a when-issued or delayed delivery basis; (c) purchasing
or selling any financial futures contracts; (d) borrowing money; or (e)
lending portfolio securities.
13. Make loans of money or securities, except: (a) by the purchase of debt
obligations and (b) by investment in repurchase agreements.
14. Make short sales of securities.
15. Purchase securities on margin, except for such short-term loans as are
necessary for the clearance of purchases of portfolio securities.
16. Engage in the underwriting of securities, except insofar as the Fund
may be deemed an underwriter under the Securities Act in disposing of a
portfolio security.
17. Invest for the purpose of exercising control or management of any
other issuer.
18. Purchase oil, gas or other mineral leases, rights or royalty contracts,
or exploration or development programs.
19. Purchase securities of other investment companies, except in connection
with a merger, consolidation, reorganization or acquisition of assets.
Notwithstanding any other investment policy or restriction, the Fund may
seek to achieve its investment objective by investing all or substantially all
of its assets in another investment company having substantially the same
investment objective and policies as the Fund.
10
<PAGE>
III. MANAGEMENT OF THE FUND
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
A. BOARD OF TRUSTEES
The Board of Trustees of the Fund oversees the management of the Fund but
does not itself manage the Fund. The Trustees review various services provided
by or under the direction of the Investment Manager to ensure that the Fund's
general investment policies and programs are properly carried out. The Trustees
also conduct their review to ensure that administrative services are provided
to the Fund in a satisfactory manner.
Under state law, the duties of the Trustees are generally characterized as
a duty of loyalty and a duty of care. The duty of loyalty requires a Trustee to
exercise his or her powers in the interest of the Fund and not the Trustee's
own interest or the interest of another person or organization. A Trustee
satisfies his or her duty of care by acting in good faith with the care of an
ordinarily prudent person and in a manner the Trustee reasonably believes to be
in the best interest of the Fund and its shareholders.
B. MANAGEMENT INFORMATION
TRUSTEES AND OFFICERS. The Board of the Fund consists of nine (9)
Trustees. These same individuals also serve as directors or trustees for all of
the Morgan Stanley Dean Witter Funds. Seven Trustees (77% of the total number)
have no affiliation or business connection with the Investment Manager or any
of its affiliated persons and do not own any stock or other securities issued
by the Investment Manager's parent company, MSDW. These are the
"non-interested" or "independent" Trustees. The other two Trustees (the
"management Trustees") are affiliated with the Investment Manager. All of the
Independent Trustees also serve as Independent Trustees of "Discover Brokerage
Index Series," a mutual fund for which the Investment Manager is the investment
advisor. Four of the seven Independent Trustees are also Independent Trustees
of certain other mutual funds, referred to as the "TCW/DW Funds," for which
MSDW Services Company is the manager and TCW Funds Management, Inc. is the
investment advisor.
The Trustees and executive officers of the Fund, their principal business
occupations during the last five years and their affiliations, if any, with the
Investment Manager, and with the 84 Morgan Stanley Dean Witter Funds, the 11
TCW/DW Funds and Discover Brokerage Index Series, are shown below.
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
NAME, AGE, POSITION WITH FUND AND ADDRESS PRINCIPAL OCCUPATIONS DURING LAST FIVE YEARS
- ------------------------------------------- ---------------------------------------------------
<S> <C>
Michael Bozic (58) ........................ Vice Chairman of Kmart Corporation (since
Trustee December, 1998); Director or Trustee of the Morgan
c/o Kmart Corporation Stanley Dean Witter Funds; Trustee of Discover
3100 West Big Beaver Road Brokerage Index Series; formerly Chairman and
Troy, Michigan Chief Executive Officer of Levitz Furniture
Corporation (November, 1995-November, 1998)
and President and Chief Executive Officer of Hills
Department Stores (May, 1991-July, 1995); formerly
variously Chairman, Chief Executive Officer,
President and Chief Operating Officer (1987-1991)
of the Sears Merchandise Group of Sears, Roebuck
and Co.; Director of Eaglemark Financial Services,
Inc. and Weirton Steel Corporation.
</TABLE>
11
<PAGE>
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
NAME, AGE, POSITION WITH FUND AND ADDRESS PRINCIPAL OCCUPATIONS DURING LAST FIVE YEARS
- ------------------------------------------- ----------------------------------------------------
<S> <C>
Charles A. Fiumefreddo* (65) .............. Chairman, Director or Trustee, President and Chief
Chairman of the Board, President, Executive Officer of the Morgan Stanley Dean
Chief Executive Officer and Trustee Witter Funds; Chairman, Chief Executive Officer
Two World Trade Center and Trustee of the TCW/DW Funds; Trustee of
New York, New York Discover Brokerage Index Series; formerly
Chairman, Chief Executive Officer and Director of
the Investment Manager, the Distributor and MSDW
Services Company; Executive Vice President and
Director of Dean Witter Reynolds; Chairman and
Director of the Transfer Agent; formerly Director
and/or officer of various MSDW subsidiaries (until
June, 1998).
Edwin J. Garn (66) ........................ Director or Trustee of the Morgan Stanley Dean
Trustee Witter Funds; Trustee of Discover Brokerage Index
c/o Huntsman Corporation Series; formerly United States Senator
500 Huntsman Way (R-Utah)(1974-1992) and Chairman, Senate
Salt Lake City, Utah Banking Committee (1980-1986); formerly Mayor
of Salt Lake City, Utah (1971-1974); formerly
Astronaut, Space Shuttle Discovery (April 12-19,
1985); Vice Chairman, Huntsman Corporation;
Director of Franklin Covey (time management
systems), John Alden Financial Corp. (health
insurance), United Space Alliance (joint venture
between Lockheed Martin and the Boeing
Company) and Nuskin Asia Pacific (multilevel
marketing); member of the board of various civic
and charitable organizations.
Wayne E. Hedien (65) ...................... Retired; Director or Trustee of the Morgan Stanley
Trustee Dean Witter Funds; Trustee of Discover Brokerage
c/o Gordon Altman Butowsky Index Series; Director of The PMI Group, Inc.
Weitzen Shalov & Wein (private mortgage insurance); Trustee and Vice
Counsel to the Independent Trustees Chairman of The Field Museum of Natural History;
114 West 47th Street formerly associated with the Allstate Companies
New York, New York (1966-1994), most recently as Chairman of The
Allstate Corporation (March, 1993-December,
1994) and Chairman and Chief Executive Officer of
its wholly-owned subsidiary, Allstate Insurance
Company (July, 1989-December, 1994); director of
various other business and charitable
organizations.
Dr. Manuel H. Johnson (50) ................ Senior Partner, Johnson Smick International, Inc.,
Trustee a consulting firm; Co-Chairman and a founder of
c/o Johnson Smick International, Inc. the Group of Seven Council (G7C), an international
1133 Connecticut Avenue, N.W. economic commission; Director or Trustee of the
Washington, D.C. Morgan Stanley Dean Witter Funds; Trustee of the
TCW/DW Funds; Trustee of Discover Brokerage
Index Series; Director of NASDAQ (since June,
1995); Director of Greenwich Capital Markets, Inc.
(broker-dealer) and NVR, Inc. (home construction);
Chairman and Trustee of the Financial Accounting
Foundation (oversight organization of the Financial
Accounting Standards Board); formerly Vice
Chairman of the Board of Governors of the Federal
Reserve System (1986-1990) and Assistant
Secretary of the U.S. Treasury.
</TABLE>
12
<PAGE>
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
NAME, AGE, POSITION WITH FUND AND ADDRESS PRINCIPAL OCCUPATIONS DURING LAST FIVE YEARS
- ------------------------------------------- ---------------------------------------------------
<S> <C>
Michael E. Nugent (62) .................... General Partner, Triumph Capital, L.P., a private
Trustee investment partnership; Director or Trustee of the
c/o Triumph Capital, L.P. Morgan Stanley Dean Witter Funds; Trustee of the
237 Park Avenue TCW/DW Funds; Trustee of Discover Brokerage
New York, New York Index Series; formerly Vice President, Bankers
Trust Company and BT Capital Corporation
(1984-1988); director of various business
organizations.
Philip J. Purcell* (55) ................... Chairman of the Board of Directors and Chief
Trustee Executive Officer of MSDW, Dean Witter Reynolds
1585 Broadway and Novus Credit Services Inc.; Director of the
New York, New York Distributor; Director or Trustee of the Morgan
Stanley Dean Witter Funds; Trustee of Discover
Brokerage Index Series; Director and/or officer of
various MSDW subsidiaries.
John L. Schroeder (68) .................... Retired; Director or Trustee of the Morgan Stanley
Trustee Dean Witter Funds; Trustee of the TCW/DW Funds;
c/o Gordon Altman Butowsky Trustee of Discover Brokerage Index Series;
Weitzen Shalov & Wein Director of Citizens Utilities Company; formerly
Counsel to the Independent Trustees Executive Vice President and Chief Investment
114 West 47th Street Officer of the Home Insurance Company (August,
New York, New York 1991-September, 1995).
Barry Fink (44) ........................... Senior Vice President (since March, 1997) and
Vice President, Secretary and General Counsel (since February,
Secretary and General Counsel 1997) and Director (since July, 1998) of the
Two World Trade Center Investment Manager and MSDW Services
New York, New York Company; Senior Vice President (since March,
1997) and Assistant Secretary and Assistant
General Counsel (since February, 1997) of the
Distributor; Assistant Secretary of Dean Witter
Reynolds (since August, 1996); Vice President,
Secretary and General Counsel of the Morgan
Stanley Dean Witter Funds and the TCW/DW
Funds (since February, 1997); Vice President,
Secretary and General Counsel of Discover
Brokerage Index Series; previously First Vice
President (June, 1993-February, 1997), Vice
President and Assistant Secretary and Assistant
General Counsel of the Investment Manager and
MSDW Services Company and Assistant Secretary
of the Morgan Stanley Dean Witter Funds and the
TCW/DW Funds.
James F. Willison (55) .................... Senior Vice President of the Investment Manager;
Vice President Vice President of various Morgan Stanley Dean
Two World Trade Center Witter Funds.
New York, New York
Joseph R. Arcieri (50) .................... Vice President of the Investment Manager; Vice
Vice President President of various Morgan Stanley Dean Witter
Two World Trade Center Funds.
New York, New York
</TABLE>
13
<PAGE>
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
NAME, AGE, POSITION WITH FUND AND ADDRESS PRINCIPAL OCCUPATIONS DURING LAST FIVE YEARS
- ------------------------------------------- ----------------------------------------------------
<S> <C>
Thomas F. Caloia (52) ..................... First Vice President and Assistant Treasurer of the
Treasurer Investment Manager and MSDW Services
Two World Trade Center Company; Treasurer of the Morgan Stanley Dean
New York, New York Witter Funds, the TCW/DW Funds and Discover
Brokerage Index Series.
</TABLE>
- ----------
* Denotes Trustees who are "interested persons" of the Fund as defined by the
Investment Company Act.
In addition, Mitchell M. Merin, President and Chief Operating Officer of
Asset Management of MSDW, President, Chief Executive Officer and Director of
the Investment Manager and MSDW Services Company, Chairman and Director of the
Distributor and the Transfer Agent, Executive Vice President and Director of
DWR, and Director of various MSDW subsidiaries, Ronald E. Robison, Executive
Vice President, Chief Administrative Officer and Director of the Investment
Manager and MSDW Services Company, Robert S. Giambrone, Senior Vice President
of the Investment Manager, MSDW Services Company, the Distributor and the
Transfer Agent and Director of the Transfer Agent, and Joseph J. McAlinden,
Executive Vice President and Chief Investment Officer of the Investment Manager
and Director of the Transfer Agent, Peter M. Avelar, and Jonathan R. Page,
Senior Vice Presidents of the Investment Manager, Katherine H. Stromberg and
Gerard J. Lian, Vice Presidents of the Investment Manager, are Vice Presidents
of the Funds.
In addition, Frank Bruttomesso, Marilyn K. Cranney, Lou Anne D. McInnis,
Carsten Otto and Ruth Rossi, First Vice Presidents and Assistant General
Counsels of the Investment Manager and MSDW Services Company, and Todd Lebo,
Vice President and Assistant General Counsel of the Investment Manager and MSDW
Services Company, are Assistant Secretaries of the Fund.
INDEPENDENT TRUSTEES AND THE COMMITTEES. Law and regulation establish both
general guidelines and specific duties for the Independent Trustees. The Morgan
Stanley Dean Witter Funds seek as Independent Trustees individuals of
distinction and experience in business and finance, government service or
academia; these are people whose advice and counsel are in demand by others and
for whom there is often competition. To accept a position on the Funds' Boards,
such individuals may reject other attractive assignments because the Funds make
substantial demands on their time. Indeed, by serving on the Funds' Boards,
certain Trustees who would otherwise be qualified and in demand to serve on
bank boards would be prohibited by law from doing so. All of the Independent
Trustees serve as members of the Audit Committee. In addition, three of the
Trustees, including two Independent Trustees, serve as members of the
Derivatives Committee and the Insurance Committee.
The Independent Trustees are charged with recommending to the full Board
approval of management, advisory and administration contracts, Rule 12b-1 plans
and distribution and underwriting agreements; continually reviewing Fund
performance; checking on the pricing of portfolio securities, brokerage
commissions, transfer agent costs and performance, and trading among Funds in
the same complex; and approving fidelity bond and related insurance coverage
and allocations, as well as other matters that arise from time to time. The
Independent 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 Morgan Stanley Dean Witter Funds have a Rule
12b-1 plan.
The Audit Committee is charged with recommending to the full Board the
engagement or discharge of the Fund's independent accountants; directing
investigations into matters within the scope of the independent accountants'
duties, including the power to retain outside specialists; reviewing with the
independent accountants the audit plan and results of the auditing engagement;
approving professional services provided by the independent accountants and
other accounting firms prior to the performance of the services; reviewing the
independence of the independent accountants; considering the range of audit and
non-audit fees; reviewing the adequacy of the Fund's system of internal
controls; and preparing and submitting Committee meeting minutes to the full
Board.
14
<PAGE>
The Board of each Fund has a Derivatives Committee to approve parameters
for and monitor the activities of the Fund with respect to derivative
investments, if any, made by the Fund.
Finally, the Board of each Fund has formed an Insurance Committee to
review and monitor the insurance coverage maintained by the Fund.
ADVANTAGES OF HAVING SAME INDIVIDUALS AS INDEPENDENT TRUSTEES FOR ALL
MORGAN STANLEY DEAN WITTER FUNDS. The Independent Trustees and the Funds'
management believe that having the same Independent Trustees for each of the
Morgan Stanley Dean Witter Funds avoids the duplication of effort that would
arise from having different groups of individuals serving as Independent
Trustees for each of the Funds or even of sub-groups of Funds. They believe
that having the same individuals serve as Independent Trustees of all the Funds
tends to increase their knowledge and expertise regarding matters which affect
the Fund complex generally and enhances their ability to negotiate on behalf of
each Fund with the Fund's service providers. This arrangement also precludes
the possibility of separate groups of Independent Trustees arriving at
conflicting decisions regarding operations and management of the Funds and
avoids the cost and confusion that would likely ensue. Finally, having the same
Independent Trustees serve on all Fund Boards enhances the ability of each Fund
to obtain, at modest cost to each separate Fund, the services of Independent
Trustees, of the caliber, experience and business acumen of the individuals who
serve as Independent Trustees of the Morgan Stanley Dean Witter Funds.
TRUSTEE AND OFFICER INDEMNIFICATION. The Fund's Declaration of Trust
provides that no Trustee, officer, employee or agent of the Fund is liable to
the Fund or to a shareholder, nor is any Trustee, officer, employee or agent
liable to any third persons in connection with the affairs of the Fund, except
as such liability may arise from his/her or its own bad faith, willful
misfeasance, gross negligence or reckless disregard of his/her or its 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, 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.
C. COMPENSATION
The Fund pays each Independent Trustee an annual fee of $800 plus a per
meeting fee of $50 for meetings of the Board of Trustees, the Independent
Trustees or Committees of the Board of Trustees attended by the Trustee (the
Fund pays the Chairman of the Audit Committee an additional annual fee of
$750). If a Board meeting and a meeting of the Independent Trustees or a
Committee meeting, or a meeting of the Independent Trustees and/or more than
one Committee meeting, take place on a single day, the Trustees are paid a
single meeting fee by the Fund. The Fund also reimburses such Trustees for
travel and other out-of-pocket expenses incurred by them in connection with
attending such meetings. Trustees and officers of the Fund who are or have been
employed by the Investment Manager or an affiliated company receive no
compensation or expenses reimbursed from the Fund for their services as
Trustee. Effective May 1, 1999, Dr. Johnson serves as Chairman of the Audit
Committee.
The following table illustrates the compensation that the Fund paid to its
Independent Trustees for the fiscal year ended December 31, 1998.
FUND COMPENSATION
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
AGGREGATE
COMPENSATION
NAME OF INDEPENDENT TRUSTEE FROM THE FUND
- ------------------------------- --------------
<S> <C>
Michael Bozic ................. $1,450
Edwin J. Garn ................. 1,600
Wayne E. Hedien ............... 1,600
Dr. Manuel H. Johnson ......... 1,550
Michael E. Nugent ............. 1,600
John L. Schroeder ............. 1,600
</TABLE>
15
<PAGE>
The following table illustrates the compensation paid to the Fund's
Independent Trustees for the calendar year ended December 31, 1998 for services
to the 85 Morgan Stanley Dean Witter Funds and, in the case of Messrs. Johnson,
Nugent and Schroeder, the 11 TCW/DW Funds that were in operation at December
31, 1998. Effective May 1, 1999, Dr. Johnson serves as Chairman of the Audit
Committee of each Morgan Stanley Dean Witter Fund and each TCW/DW Fund. With
respect to Messrs. Haire, Johnson, Nugent and Schroeder, the TCW/DW Funds are
included solely because of a limited exchange privilege between those Funds and
five Morgan Stanley Dean Witter Money Market Funds. No compensation was paid to
the Fund's Independent Trustees by Discover Brokerage Index Series for the
calendar year ended December 31, 1998.
CASH COMPENSATION FROM MORGAN STANLEY DEAN WITTER FUNDS AND TCW/DW FUNDS
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
FOR SERVICE TOTAL CASH
AS DIRECTOR OR COMPENSATION
TRUSTEE AND FOR SERVICES TO
COMMITTEE FOR SERVICE AS 85 MORGAN
MEMBER OF TRUSTEE AND STANLEY DEAN
85 MORGAN COMMITTEE WITTER FUNDS AND
NAME OF STANLEY DEAN MEMBER OF 11 11 TCW/DW
INDEPENDENT TRUSTEE WITTER FUNDS TCW/DW FUNDS FUNDS
- ------------------------------- ---------------- ---------------- -----------------
<S> <C> <C> <C>
Michael Bozic ................. $120,150 -- $120,150
Edwin J. Garn ................. 132,450 -- 132,450
Wayne E. Hedien ............... 132,350 -- 132,350
Dr. Manuel H. Johnson ......... 128,400 62,331 190,731
Michael E. Nugent ............. 132,450 62,131 194,581
John L. Schroeder ............. 132,450 64,731 197,181
</TABLE>
As of the date of this Statement of Additional Information, 55 of the
Morgan Stanley Dean Witter Funds, including the Fund, have adopted a retirement
program under which an Independent Trustee who retires after serving for at
least five years (or such lesser period as may be determined by the Board) as
an Independent Director or Trustee of any Morgan Stanley Dean Witter Fund that
has adopted the retirement program (each such Fund referred to as an "Adopting
Fund" and each such Trustee referred to as an "Eligible Trustee") is entitled
to retirement payments upon reaching the eligible retirement age (normally,
after attaining age 72). Annual payments are based upon length of service.
Currently, upon retirement, each Eligible Trustee is entitled to receive
from the Adopting Fund, commencing as of his or her retirement date and
continuing for the remainder of his or her life, an annual retirement benefit
(the "Regular Benefit") equal to 30.22% of his or her Eligible Compensation
plus 0.5036667% of such Eligible Compensation for each full month of service as
an Independent Director or Trustee of any Adopting Fund in excess of five years
up to a maximum of 60.44% after ten years ofservice. The foregoing percentages
may be changed by the Board.(1) "Eligible Compensation" is one-fifth of the
total compensation earned by such Eligible Trustee for service to the Adopting
Fund in the five year period prior to the date of the Eligible Trustee's
retirement. Benefits under the retirement program are not secured or funded by
the Adopting Funds.
- ----------
(1) An Eligible Trustee may elect alternative payments of his or her
retirement benefits based upon the combined life expectancy of the
Eligible Trustee and his or her spouse on the date of such Eligible
Trustee's retirement. In addition, the Eligible Trustee may elect that
the surviving spouse's periodic payment of benefits will be equal to a
lower percentage of the periodic amount when both spouses were alive. The
amount estimated to be payable under this method, through the remainder
of the later of the lives of the Eligible Trustee and spouse, will be the
actuarial equivalent of the Regular Benefit.
16
<PAGE>
The following table illustrates the retirement benefits accrued to the
Fund's Independent Trustees by the Fund for the fiscal year ended December 31,
1998 and by the 55 Morgan Stanley Dean Witter Funds (including the Fund) for
the year ended December 31, 1998, and the estimated retirement benefits for the
Independent Trustees, to commence upon their retirement, from the Fund as of
December 31, 1998 and from the 55 Morgan Stanley Dean Witter Funds as of
December 31, 1998.
RETIREMENT BENEFITS FROM THE FUND AND ALL MORGAN STANLEY DEAN WITTER FUNDS
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
FOR ALL ADOPTING FUNDS
------------------------------
ESTIMATED ANNUAL
RETIREMENT BENEFITS BENEFITS
ESTIMATED ACCRUED AS EXPENSES UPON RETIREMENT(2)
CREDITED YEARS ESTIMATED ------------------- --------------------
OF SERVICE AT PERCENTAGE BY ALL FROM ALL
NAME OF RETIREMENT OF ELIGIBLE BY THE ADOPTING FROM THE ADOPTING
INDEPENDENT TRUSTEE (MAXIMUM 10) COMPENSATION FUND FUNDS FUND FUNDS
- -------------------------- ---------------- ------------- -------- ---------- ---------- ---------
<S> <C> <C> <C> <C> <C> <C>
Michael Bozic ............ 10 60.44% $396 $22,377 $997 $52,250
Edwin J. Garn ............ 10 60.44 599 35,225 997 52,250
Wayne E. Hedien .......... 9 51.37 740 41,979 848 44,413
Dr. Manuel H. Johnson..... 10 60.44 240 14,047 997 52,250
Michael E. Nugent ........ 10 60.44 421 25,336 997 52,250
John L. Schroeder ........ 8 50.37 807 45,117 838 44,343
</TABLE>
- ----------
(2) Based on current levels of compensation. Amount of annual benefits also
varies depending on the Trustee's elections described in Footnote (1)
above.
IV. CONTROL PERSONS AND PRINCIPAL HOLDERS OF SECURITIES
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
The following owned 5% or more of the outstanding shares of Class A of the
Fund on :
[TO COME]
As of the date of this Statement of Additional Information, the aggregate
number of shares of beneficial interest of the Fund owned by the Fund's
officers and Trustees as a group was less than 1% of the Fund's shares of
beneficial interest outstanding.
V. INVESTMENT MANAGEMENT AND OTHER SERVICES
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
A. INVESTMENT MANAGER
The Investment Manager to the Fund is Morgan Stanley Dean Witter Advisors
Inc., a Delaware corporation, whose address is Two World Trade Center, New
York, New York 10048. The Investment Manager is a wholly-owned subsidiary of
MSDW, a Delaware corporation. MSDW is a preeminent global financial services
firm that maintains leading market positions in each of its three primary
businesses: securities, asset management and credit services.
Pursuant to an Investment Management Agreement (the "Management
Agreement") with the Investment Manager, the Fund has retained the Investment
Manager to provide administrative services and manage the investment of the
Fund's assets, including the placing of orders for the purchase and sale of
portfolio securities. The Fund pays the Investment Manager monthly compensation
calculated daily by applying the 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
17
<PAGE>
of the daily net assets exceeding $1 billion but not exceeding $1.25 billion;
and 0.325% of the portion of the daily net assets exceeding $1.25 billion. The
management fee is allocated among the Classes pro rata based on the net assets
of the Fund attributable to each Class. For the fiscal years ended December 31,
1996, 1997 and 1998, the Investment Manager accrued total compensation under
the Management Agreement in the amounts of $5,320,578, $5,004,702 and
$5,139,570, respectively.
The Investment Manager has retained its wholly-owned subsidiary, MSDW
Services Company, to perform administrative services for the Fund.
B. PRINCIPAL UNDERWRITER
The Fund's principal underwriter is the Distributor (which has the same
address as the Investment Manager). In this capacity, the Fund's shares are
distributed by the Distributor. The Distributor has entered into a selected
dealer agreement with Dean Witter Reynolds, which through its own sales
organization sells shares of the Fund. In addition, the Distributor may enter
into similar agreements with other selected broker-dealers. The Distributor, a
Delaware corporation, is a wholly-owned subsidiary of MSDW.
The Distributor bears all expenses it may incur in providing services
under the Distribution Agreement. These expenses include the payment of
commissions for sales of the Fund's shares and incentive compensation to
Financial Advisors. The Distributor also pays certain expenses in connection
with the distribution of the Fund's shares, including the costs of preparing,
printing and distributing advertising or promotional materials, and the costs
of printing and distributing prospectuses and supplements thereto used in
connection with the offering and sale of the Fund's shares. The Fund bears the
costs of initial typesetting, printing and distribution of prospectuses and
supplements thereto to shareholders. The Fund also bears the costs of
registering the Fund and its shares under federal and state securities laws and
pays filing fees in accordance with state securities laws.
The Fund and the Distributor have agreed to indemnify each other against
certain liabilities, including liabilities under the Securities Act. Under the
Distribution Agreement, the Distributor uses its best efforts in rendering
services to the Fund, but in the absence of willful misfeasance, bad faith,
gross negligence or reckless disregard of its obligations, the Distributor is
not liable to the Fund or any of its shareholders for any error of judgment or
mistake of law or for any act or omission or for any losses sustained by the
Fund or its shareholders.
C. SERVICES PROVIDED BY THE INVESTMENT MANAGER AND FUND EXPENSES PAID BY THIRD
PARTIES
The Investment Manager manages the investment of the Fund's assets,
including the placing of orders for the purchase and sale of portfolio
securities. The Investment Manager obtains and evaluates the information and
advice relating to the economy, securities markets, and specific securities as
it considers necessary or useful to continuously manage the assets of the Fund
in a manner consistent with its investment objective.
Under the terms of the Management Agreement, in addition to managing the
Fund's investments, the Investment Manager maintains certain of the Fund's
books and records and furnishes, at its own expense, the office space,
facilities, equipment, clerical help, bookkeeping and certain legal services as
the Fund may reasonably require in the conduct of its business, including the
preparation of prospectuses, proxy statements and reports required to be filed
with federal and state securities commissions (except insofar as the
participation or assistance of independent accountants and attorneys is, in the
opinion of the Investment Manager, necessary or desirable). In addition, the
Investment Manager pays the salaries of all personnel, including officers of
the Fund, who are employees of the Investment Manager. The Investment Manager
also bears the cost of telephone service, heat, light, power and other
utilities provided to the Fund.
Expenses not expressly assumed by the Investment Manager under the
Management Agreement or by the Distributor, will be paid by the Fund. These
expenses will be allocated among the four Classes of shares pro rata based on
the net assets of the Fund attributable to each Class, except as described
18
<PAGE>
below. Such expenses include, but are not limited to: expenses of the Plan of
Distribution pursuant to Rule 12b-1; charges and expenses of any registrar,
custodian, stock transfer and dividend disbursing agent; brokerage commissions;
taxes; engraving and printing share certificates; registration costs of the
Fund and its shares under federal and state securities laws; the cost and
expense of printing, including typesetting, and distributing prospectuses of
the Fund and supplements thereto to the Fund's shareholders; all expenses of
shareholders' and Trustees' meetings and of preparing, printing and mailing of
proxy statements and reports to shareholders; fees and travel expenses of
Trustees or members of any advisory board or committee who are not employees of
the Investment Manager or any corporate affiliate of the Investment Manager;
all expenses incident to any dividend, withdrawal or redemption options;
charges and expenses of any outside service used for pricing of the Fund's
shares; fees and expenses of legal counsel, including counsel to the Trustees
who are not interested persons of the Fund or of the Investment Manager (not
including compensation or expenses of attorneys who are employees of the
Investment Manager); fees and expenses of the Fund's independent accountants;
membership dues of industry associations; interest on Fund borrowings; postage;
insurance premiums on property or personnel (including officers and Trustees)
of the Fund which inure to its benefit; extraordinary expenses (including, but
not limited to, legal claims and liabilities and litigation costs and any
indemnification relating thereto); and all other costs of the Fund's operation.
The 12b-1 fees relating to a particular Class will be allocated directly to
that Class. In addition, other expenses associated with a particular Class
(except advisory or custodial fees) may be allocated directly to that Class,
provided that such expenses are reasonably identified as specifically
attributable to that Class and the direct allocation to that Class is approved
by the Trustees.
The Management Agreement provides that in the absence of willful
misfeasance, bad faith, gross negligence or reckless disregard of its
obligations thereunder, the Investment Manager is not liable to the Fund or any
of its investors for any act or omission by the Investment Manager or for any
losses sustained by the Fund or its investors.
The Management Agreement will remain in effect from year to year, provided
continuance of the Management Agreement is approved at least annually by the
vote of the holders of a majority, as defined in the Investment Company Act, of
the outstanding shares of the Fund, or by the Trustees; provided that in either
event such continuance is approved annually by the vote of a majority of the
Trustees.
D. DEALER REALLOWANCES
Upon notice to selected broker-dealers, the Distributor may reallow up to
the full applicable front-end sales charge during periods specified in such
notice. During periods when 90% or more of the sales charge is reallowed, such
selected broker-dealers may be deemed to be underwriters as that term is
defined in the Securities Act.
E. RULE 12B-1 PLAN
The Fund has adopted a Plan of Distribution pursuant to Rule 12b-1 under
the Investment Company Act (the "Plan") pursuant to which each Class, other
than Class D, pays the Distributor compensation accrued daily and payable
monthly at the following annual rates: 0.25%, 0.60% and 0.70% of the average
daily net assets of Class A, Class B and Class C, respectively.
The Distributor also receives the proceeds of front-end sales charges
("FSCs") and of contingent deferred sales charges ("CDSCs") imposed on certain
redemptions of shares, which are separate and apart from payments made pursuant
to the Plan. The Distributor has informed the Fund that it and/or Dean Witter
Reynolds received the proceeds of CDSCs and FSCs, for the last two fiscal years
ended December 31, in approximate amounts as provided in the table below (the
Distributor did not retain any of these amounts).
19
<PAGE>
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
1998 1997 1996
------------------- --------------------- ----------------------
<S> <C> <C> <C>
Class A .......... FSCs:(1) $168,708 FSCs: $ 69,207(2) FSCs: $ --(2)
CDSCs: $ 0 CDSCs: $ 0(2) CDSCs: $ --(2)
Class B .......... CDSCs: $119,895 CDSCs: $ 10,314(2) CDSCs: $ --(2)
Class C .......... CDSCs: $ 6,087 CDSCs: $ 530(2) CDSCs: $ --(2)
Class D .......... FSCs: $ 0 FSCs: $448,316(3) FSCs: $1,050,000(3)
</TABLE>
- ----------
(1) FSCs apply to Class A only.
(2) This Class commenced operations on July 28, 1997.
(3) Prior to July 27, 1997 the Fund charged an FSC. On July 28, 1997 existing
shares of the Fund were designated Class D shares, which have no FSC.
The Distributor has informed the Fund that the entire fee payable by Class
A and a portion of the fees payable by each of Class B and Class C each year
pursuant to the Plan equal to 0.15% of the average daily net assets of Class B
and 0.25% of the average daily net assets of Class C are currently each
characterized as a "service fee" under the Rules of the National Association of
Securities Dealers, Inc. (of which the Distributor is a member). The "service
fee" is a payment made for personal service and/or the maintenance of
shareholder accounts. The remaining portion of the Plan fees payable by a
Class, if any, is characterized as an "asset-based sales charge" as such is
defined by the Rules of the Association.
Under the Plan and as required by Rule 12b-1, the Trustees receive and
review promptly after the end of each calendar quarter a written report
provided by the Distributor of the amounts expended under the Plan and the
purpose for which such expenditures were made. Class B shares of the Fund
accrued amounts payable to the Distributor under the Plan, during the fiscal
year ended December 31, 1998, of $670,261. This amount is equal to 0.60% of the
average daily net assets of Class B for the fiscal year and was calculated
pursuant to clause (b) of the compensation formula under the Plan. For the
fiscal year ended December 31, 1998, Class A and Class C shares of the Fund
accrued payments under the Plan amounting to $23,305 and $35,303, respectively,
which amounts are equal to 0.24% and 0.70% of the average daily net assets of
Class A and Class C, respectively, for the fiscal year.
The Plan was adopted in order to permit the implementation of the Fund's
method of distribution. Under this distribution method the Fund offers four
Classes, each with a different distribution arrangement.
With respect to Class A shares, Dean Witter Reynolds compensates its
Financial Advisors by paying them, from proceeds of the FSC, commissions for
the sale of Class A shares, currently a gross sales credit of up to 4.0% of the
amount sold (except as provided in the following sentence) and an annual
residual commission, currently a residual of up to 0.15% of the current value
of the respective accounts for which they are the Financial Advisors or dealers
of record in all cases. On orders of $1 million or more (for which no sales
charge was paid), the Investment Manager compensates Financial Advisors by
paying them, from its own funds, a gross sales credit of 1.0% of the amount
sold.
With respect to Class B shares, Dean Witter Reynolds compensates its
Financial Advisors by paying them, from its own funds, commissions for the sale
of Class B shares, currently a gross sales credit of up to 4.0% of the amount
sold and an annual residual commission, currently a residual of up to 0.15% of
the current value (not including reinvested dividends or distributions) of the
amount sold in all cases.
With respect to Class C shares, Dean Witter Reynolds compensates its
Financial Advisors by paying them, from its own funds, commissions for the sale
of Class C shares, currently a gross sales credit of up to 1.0% of the amount
sold and an annual residual commission, currently up to 0.70% of the current
value of the respective accounts for which they are the Financial Advisors of
record.
With respect to Class D shares other than shares held by participants in
the Investment Manager's mutual fund asset allocation program, the Investment
Manager compensates Dean Witter Reynolds's Financial Advisors by paying them,
from its own funds, commissions for the sale of Class D shares, currently a
gross sales credit of up to 1.0% of the amount sold. There is a chargeback of
100% of the
20
<PAGE>
amount paid if the Class D shares are redeemed in the first year and a
chargeback of 50% of the amount paid if the Class D shares are redeemed in the
second year after purchase. The Investment Manager also compensates Dean Witter
Reynolds's Financial Advisors by paying them, from its own funds, an annual
residual commission, currently up to 0.10% of the current value of the
respective accounts for which they are the Financial Advisors of record (not
including accounts of participants in the Investment Manager's mutual fund
asset allocation program).
The gross sales credit is a charge which reflects commissions paid by Dean
Witter Reynolds to its Financial Advisors and Dean Witter Reynolds's
Fund-associated distribution-related expenses, including sales compensation,
and overhead and other branch office distribution-related expenses including
(a) the expenses of operating Dean Witter Reynolds's branch offices in
connection with the sale of Fund shares, including lease costs, the salaries
and employee benefits of operations and sales support personnel, utility costs,
communications costs and the costs of stationery and supplies, (b) the costs of
client sales seminars, (c) travel expenses of mutual fund sales coordinators to
promote the sale of Fund shares and (d) other expenses relating to branch
promotion of Fund sales.
The distribution fee that the Distributor receives from the Fund under the
Plan, in effect, offsets distribution expenses incurred under the Plan on
behalf of the Fund and, in the case of Class B shares, opportunity costs, such
as the gross sales credit and an assumed interest charge thereon ("carrying
charge"). In the Distributor's reporting of the distribution expenses to the
Fund, in the case of Class B shares, such assumed interest (computed at the
"broker's call rate") has been calculated on the gross credit as it is reduced
by amounts received by the Distributor under the Plan and any contingent
deferred sales charges received by the Distributor upon redemption of shares of
the Fund. No other interest charge is included as a distribution expense in the
Distributor's calculation of its distribution costs for this purpose. The
broker's call rate is the interest rate charged to securities brokers on loans
secured by exchange-listed securities.
The Fund is authorized to reimburse expenses incurred or to be incurred in
promoting the distribution of the Fund's Class A and Class C shares and in
servicing shareholder accounts. Reimbursement will be made through payments at
the end of each month. The amount of each monthly payment may in no event
exceed an amount equal to a payment at the annual rate of 0.25%, in the case of
Class A, and 0.70%, in the case of Class C, of the average net assets of the
respective Class during the month. No interest or other financing charges, if
any, incurred on any distribution expenses on behalf of Class A and Class C
will be reimbursable under the Plan. With respect to Class A, in the case of
all expenses other than expenses representing the service fee, and, with
respect to Class C, in the case of all expenses other than expenses
representing a gross sales credit or a residual to Financial Advisors and other
authorized financial representatives, such amounts shall be determined at the
beginning of each calendar quarter by the Trustees, including, a majority of
the Independent Trustees. Expenses representing the service fee (for Class A)
or a gross sales credit or a residual to Financial Advisors and other
authorized financial representatives (for Class C) may be reimbursed without
prior determination. In the event that the Distributor proposes that monies
shall be reimbursed for other than such expenses, then in making quarterly
determinations of the amounts that may be reimbursed by the Fund, the
Distributor will provide and the Trustees will review a quarterly budget of
projected distribution expenses to be incurred on behalf of the Fund, together
with a report explaining the purposes and anticipated benefits of incurring
such expenses. The Trustees will determine which particular expenses, and the
portions thereof, that may be borne by the Fund, and in making such a
determination shall consider the scope of the Distributor's commitment to
promoting the distribution of the Fund's Class A and Class C shares.
Each Class paid 100% of the amounts accrued under the Plan with respect to
that Class for the fiscal year ended December 31, 1998 to the Distributor. The
Distributor and Dean Witter Reynolds estimate that they have spent, pursuant to
the Plan, $4,860,199 on behalf of Class B since the inception of the Plan. It
is estimated that this amount was spent in approximately the following ways:
(i) 11.78% ($572,309)--advertising and promotional expenses; (ii) 0.29%
($13,883)--printing of prospectuses for distribution to other than current
shareholders; and (iii) 87.93% ($4,274,007)--other expenses, including the
gross sales credit and the carrying charge, of which 0.64% ($27,173) represents
carrying charges,
21
<PAGE>
17.14% ($732,682) represents commission credits to Dean Witter Reynolds branch
offices and other selected broker-dealers for payments of commissions to
Financial Advisors and other authorized financial representatives, and 24.77%
($1,058,716) represents overhead and other branch office distribution-related
expenses. The amounts accrued by Class A and Class C for distribution during
the fiscal year ended December 31, 1998 were for expenses which relate to
compensation of sales personnel and associated overhead expenses.
In the case of Class B shares, at any given time, the expenses of
distributing shares of the Fund may be more or less than the total of (i) the
payments made by the Fund pursuant to the Plan; and (ii) the proceeds of CDSCs
paid by investors upon redemption of shares. For example, if $1 million in
expenses in distributing Class B shares of the Fund had been incurred and
$750,000 had been received as described in (i) and (ii) above, the excess
expense would amount to $250,000. The Distributor has advised the Fund that in
the case of Class B shares the excess distribution expenses, including the
carrying charge designed to approximate the opportunity costs incurred by Dean
Witter Reynolds which arise from it having advanced monies without having
received the amount of any sales charges imposed at the time of sale of the
Fund's Class B shares, totaled $3,972,552 as of December 31, 1998 (the end of
the Fund's fiscal year), which was equal to 3.00% of the net assets of Class B
on such date. Because there is no requirement under the Plan that the
Distributor be reimbursed for all distribution expenses with respect to Class B
shares or any requirement that the Plan be continued from year to year, this
excess amount does not constitute a liability of the Fund. Although there is no
legal obligation for the Fund to pay expenses incurred in excess of payments
made to the Distributor under the Plan and the proceeds of CDSCs paid by
investors upon redemption of shares, if for any reason the Plan is terminated,
the Trustees will consider at that time the manner in which to treat such
expenses. Any cumulative expenses incurred, but not yet recovered through
distribution fees or CDSCs, may or may not be recovered through future
distribution fees or CDSCs.
In the case of Class A and Class C shares, expenses incurred pursuant to
the Plan in any calendar year in excess of 0.25% or 0.70% of the average daily
net assets of Class A or Class C, respectively, will not be reimbursed by the
Fund through payments in any subsequent year, except that expenses representing
a gross sales commission credited to Morgan Stanley Dean Witter Financial
Advisors and other authorized financial representatives at the time of sale may
be reimbursed in the subsequent calendar year. The Distributor has advised the
Fund that there were no such expenses that may be reimbursed in the subsequent
year in the case of Class A or Class C on such date. No interest or other
financing charges will be incurred on any Class A or Class C distribution
expenses incurred by the Distributor under the Plan or on any unreimbursed
expenses due to the Distributor pursuant to the Plan.
No interested person of the Fund nor any Independent Trustee has any
direct financial interest in the operation of the Plan except to the extent
that the Distributor, the Investment Manager, Dean Witter Reynolds, MSDW
Services Company or certain of their employees may be deemed to have such an
interest as a result of benefits derived from the successful operation of the
Plan or as a result of receiving a portion of the amounts expended thereunder
by the Fund.
On an annual basis, the Trustees, including a majority of the Independent
Trustees, consider whether the Plan should be continued. Prior to approving the
last continuation of the Plan, the Trustees requested and received from the
Distributor and reviewed all the information which they deemed necessary to
arrive at an informed determination. In making their determination to continue
the Plan, the Trustees considered: (1) the Fund's experience under the Plan and
whether such experience indicates that the Plan is operating as anticipated;
(2) the benefits the Fund had obtained, was obtaining and would be likely to
obtain under the Plan, including that: (a) the Plan is essential in order to
give Fund investors a choice of alternatives for payment of distribution and
service charges and to enable the Fund to continue to grow and avoid a pattern
of net redemptions which, in turn, are essential for effective investment
management; and (b) without the compensation to individual brokers and the
reimbursement of distribution and account maintenance expenses of Dean Witter
Reynolds's branch offices made possible by the 12b-1 fees, Dean Witter Reynolds
could not establish and maintain an effective system for distribution,
servicing of Fund shareholders and maintenance of shareholder accounts; and (3)
what services had been provided and were continuing to be provided under the
Plan to the Fund and its
22
<PAGE>
shareholders. Based upon their review, the Trustees, including each of the
Independent Trustees, determined that continuation of the Plan would be in the
best interest of the Fund and would have a reasonable likelihood of continuing
to benefit the Fund and its shareholders. In the Trustees' quarterly review of
the Plan, they will consider its continued appropriateness and the level of
compensation provided therein.
The Plan may not be amended to increase materially the amount to be spent
for the services described therein without approval by the shareholders of the
affected Class or Classes of the Fund, and all material amendments to the Plan
must also be approved by the Trustees in the manner described above. The Plan
may be terminated at any time, without payment of any penalty, by vote of a
majority of the Independent Trustees or by a vote of a majority of the
outstanding voting securities of the Fund (as defined in the Investment Company
Act) on not more than thirty days' written notice to any other party to the
Plan. So long as the Plan is in effect, the election and nomination of
Independent Trustees shall be committed to the discretion of the Independent
Trustees.
F. OTHER SERVICE PROVIDERS
(1) TRANSFER AGENT/DIVIDEND-PAYING AGENT
Morgan Stanley Dean Witter Trust FSB is the Transfer Agent for the Fund's
shares and the Dividend Disbursing Agent for payment of dividends and
distributions on Fund shares and Agent for shareholders under various
investment plans. The principal business address of the Transfer Agent is
Harborside Financial Center, Plaza Two, Jersey City, New Jersey 07311.
(2) CUSTODIAN AND INDEPENDENT ACCOUNTANTS
The Bank of New York, 90 Washington Street, New York, New York 10286 is
the Custodian for the portion of the Fund's assets in groupings 2 and 3 in the
Fund's Prospectus. The Chase Manhattan Bank, One Chase Plaza, New York, New
York 10005 is the Custodian for the portion of the Fund's assets in grouping 1
in the Prospectus. As Custodian, The Chase Manhattan Bank has contracted with
various foreign banks and depositaries to hold portfolio securities of non-U.S.
issuers on behalf of the Fund. Any of the Fund's cash balances with either
Custodian in excess of $100,000 are unprotected by federal deposit insurance.
These balances may, at times, be substantial.
PricewaterhouseCoopers LLP, 1177 Avenue of the Americas, New York, New
York 10036, serves as the independent accountants of the Fund. The independent
accountants are responsible for auditing the annual financial statements of the
Fund.
(3) AFFILIATED PERSONS
The Transfer Agent is an affiliate of the Investment Manager, and of the
Distributor. As Transfer Agent and Dividend Disbursing Agent, the Transfer
Agent's responsibilities include maintaining shareholder accounts, disbursing
cash dividends and reinvesting dividends, processing account registration
changes, handling purchase and redemption transactions, mailing prospectuses
and reports, mailing and tabulating proxies, processing share certificate
transactions, and maintaining shareholder records and lists. For these
services, the Transfer Agent receives a per shareholder account fee from the
Fund.
VI. BROKERAGE ALLOCATION AND OTHER PRACTICES
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
A. BROKERAGE TRANSACTIONS
Subject to the general supervision of the Board of Trustees, the
Investment Manager is responsible for decisions to buy and sell securities for
the Fund, the selection of brokers and dealers to effect the transactions, and
the negotiation of brokerage commissions, if any. Purchases and sales of
securities on a stock exchange are effected through brokers who charge a
commission for their services. The Fund expects that the primary market for the
securities in which it intends to invest will generally be the over-the-counter
market. In the over-the-counter market, securities are generally traded on a
"net" basis with dealers acting as principal for their own accounts without a
stated commission, although the price
23
<PAGE>
of the security usually includes a profit to the dealer. The Fund expects that
securities will be purchased at times in underwritten offerings where the price
includes a fixed amount of compensation, generally referred to as the
underwriter's concession or discount. Options and futures transactions will
usually be effected through a broker and a commission will be charged. On
occasion, the Fund may also purchase certain money market instruments directly
from an issuer, in which case no commissions or discounts are paid.
For the fiscal years ended December 31, 1996, 1997 and 1998, the Fund paid
no brokerage commissions.
B. COMMISSIONS
Pursuant to an order of the SEC, the Fund may effect principal
transactions in certain money market instruments with Dean Witter Reynolds. The
Fund will limit its transactions with Dean Witter Reynolds to U.S. Government
and government agency securities, bank money instruments (i.e., certificates of
deposit and bankers' acceptances) and commercial paper. The transactions will
be effected with Dean Witter Reynolds only when the price available from Dean
Witter Reynolds is better than that available from other dealers.
During the fiscal years ended December 31, 1996, 1997 and 1998, the Fund
did not effect any principal transactions with Dean Witter Reynolds.
Consistent with the policy described above, brokerage transactions in
securities listed on exchanges or admitted to unlisted trading privileges may
be effected through Dean Witter Reynolds, Morgan Stanley & Co. and other
affiliated brokers and dealers. In order for an affiliated broker or dealer to
effect any portfolio transactions on an exchange for the Fund, the commissions,
fees or other remuneration received by the affiliated broker or dealer must be
reasonable and fair compared to the commissions, fees or other remuneration
paid to other brokers in connection with comparable transactions involving
similar securities being purchased or sold on an exchange during a comparable
period of time. This standard would allow the affiliated broker or dealer to
receive no more than the remuneration which would be expected to be received by
an unaffiliated broker in a commensurate arm's-length transaction. Furthermore,
the Trustees, including the Independent Trustees, have adopted procedures which
are reasonably designed to provide that any commissions, fees or other
remuneration paid to an affiliated broker or dealer are consistent with the
foregoing standard. The Fund does not reduce the management fee it pays to the
Investment Manager by any amount of the brokerage commissions it may pay to an
affiliated broker or dealer.
During the fiscal years ended December 31, 1996, 1997 and 1998, the Fund
did not effect any securities transactions through any affiliated brokers or
dealers.
C. BROKERAGE SELECTION
The policy of the Fund regarding purchases and sales of securities for its
portfolio is that primary consideration will be given to obtaining the most
favorable prices and efficient executions of transactions. Consistent with this
policy, when securities transactions are effected on a stock exchange, the
Fund's policy is to pay commissions which are considered fair and reasonable
without necessarily determining that the lowest possible commissions are paid
in all circumstances. The Fund believes that a requirement always to seek the
lowest possible commission cost could impede effective portfolio management and
preclude the Fund and the Investment Manager from obtaining a high quality of
brokerage and research services. In seeking to determine the reasonableness of
brokerage commissions paid in any transaction, the Investment Manager relies
upon its experience and knowledge regarding commissions generally charged by
various brokers and on its judgment in evaluating the brokerage and research
services received from the broker effecting the transaction. These
determinations are necessarily subjective and imprecise, as in most cases an
exact dollar value for those services is not ascertainable.
The Fund anticipates that certain of its transactions involving foreign
securities will be effected on securities exchanges. Fixed commissions on such
transactions are generally higher than negotiated
24
<PAGE>
commissions on domestic transactions. There is also generally less government
supervision and regulation of foreign securities exchanges and brokers than in
the United States.
In seeking to implement the Fund's policies, the Investment Manager
effects transactions with those brokers and dealers who the Investment Manager
believes provide the most favorable prices and are capable of providing
efficient executions. If the Investment Manager believes the prices and
executions are obtainable from more than one broker or dealer, it may give
consideration to placing portfolio transactions with those brokers and dealers
who also furnish research and other services to the Fund or the Investment
Manager. The services may include, but are not limited to, any one or more of
the following: information as to the availability of securities for purchase or
sale; statistical or factual information or opinions pertaining to investment;
wire services; and appraisals or evaluations of portfolio securities. The
information and services received by the Investment Manager from brokers and
dealers may be of benefit to the Investment Manager in the management of
accounts of some of its other clients and may not in all cases benefit the Fund
directly.
The Investment Manager currently serves as investment manager to a number
of clients, including other investment companies, and may in the future act as
investment manager or advisor to others. It is the practice of the Investment
Manager to cause purchase and sale transactions to be allocated among the Fund
and others whose assets it manages in such manner as it deems equitable. In
making such allocations among the Fund and other client accounts, various
factors may be considered, including the respective investment objectives, the
relative size of portfolio holdings of the same or comparable securities, the
availability of cash for investment, the size of investment commitments
generally held and the opinions of the persons responsible for managing the
portfolios of the Fund and other client accounts. In the case of certain
initial and secondary public offerings, the Investment Manager utilizes a pro
rata allocation process based on the size of the Morgan Stanley Dean Witter
Funds involved and the number of shares available from the public offering.
D. DIRECTED BROKERAGE
During the fiscal year ended December 31, 1998, the Fund did not pay any
brokerage commissions to brokers because of research services provided.
E. REGULAR BROKER-DEALERS
During the fiscal year ended December 31, 1998, the Fund did not purchase
securities issued by brokers or dealers that were among the ten brokers or the
ten dealers that executed transactions for or with the Fund in the largest
dollar amounts during the year.
VII. CAPITAL STOCK AND OTHER SECURITIES
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
The shareholders of the Fund are entitled to a full vote for each full
share of beneficial interest held. The Fund is authorized to issue an unlimited
number of shares of beneficial interest. All shares of beneficial interest of
the Fund are of $0.01 par value and are equal as to earnings, assets and voting
privileges except that each Class will have exclusive voting privileges with
respect to matters relating to distribution expenses borne solely by such Class
or any other matter in which the interests of one Class differ from the
interests of any other Class. In addition, Class B shareholders will have the
right to vote on any proposed material increase in Class A's expenses, if such
proposal is submitted separately to Class A shareholders. Also, Class A, Class
B and Class C bear expenses related to the distribution of their respective
shares.
The Fund's Declaration of Trust permits the Trustees to authorize the
creation of additional series of shares (the proceeds of which would be
invested in separate, independently managed portfolios) and additional Classes
of shares within any series. The Trustees have not presently authorized any
such additional series or Classes of shares other than as set forth in the
Prospectus.
The Fund is not required to hold annual meetings of shareholders and in
ordinary circumstances the Fund does not intend to hold such meetings. The
Trustees may call special meetings of shareholders for
25
<PAGE>
action by shareholder vote as may be required by the Investment Company Act or
the Declaration of Trust. Under certain circumstances, the Trustees may be
removed by action of the Trustees or by the shareholders.
Under Massachusetts law, shareholders of a business trust may, under
certain limited circumstances, be held personally liable as partners for the
obligations of the Fund. However, the Declaration of Trust contains an express
disclaimer of shareholder liability for acts or obligations of the Fund,
requires that notice of such Fund obligations include such disclaimer, and
provides for indemnification out of the Fund's property for any shareholder
held personally liable for the obligations of the Fund. Thus, the risk of a
shareholder incurring financial loss on account of shareholder liability is
limited to circumstances in which the Fund itself would be unable to meet its
obligations. Given the above limitations on shareholder personal liability, and
the nature of the Fund's assets and operations, the possibility of the Fund
being unable to meet its obligations is remote and thus, in the opinion of
Massachusetts counsel to the Fund, the risk to Fund shareholders of personal
liability is remote.
All of the Trustees have been elected by the shareholders of the Fund,
most recently at a Special Meeting of Shareholders held on May 21, 1997. 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.
VIII. PURCHASE, REDEMPTION AND PRICING OF SHARES
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
A. PURCHASE/REDEMPTION OF SHARES
Information concerning how Fund shares are offered to the public (and how
they are redeemed and exchanged) is provided in the Fund's Prospectus.
TRANSFER AGENT AS AGENT. With respect to the redemption or repurchase of
Fund shares, the application of proceeds to the purchase of new shares in the
Fund or any other Morgan Stanley Dean Witter Funds and the general
administration of the exchange privilege, the Transfer Agent acts as agent for
the Distributor and for the shareholder's authorized broker-dealer, if any, in
the performance of such functions. With respect to exchanges, redemptions or
repurchases, the Transfer Agent shall be liable for its own negligence and not
for the default or negligence of its correspondents or for losses in transit.
The Fund shall not be liable for any default or negligence of the Transfer
Agent, the Distributor or any authorized broker-dealer.
The Distributor and any authorized broker-dealer have appointed the
Transfer Agent to act as their agent in connection with the application of
proceeds of any redemption of Fund shares to the purchase of shares of any
other Morgan Stanley Dean Witter Fund and the general administration of the
exchange privilege. No commission or discounts will be paid to the Distributor
or any authorized broker-dealer for any transaction pursuant to the exchange
privilege.
TRANSFERS OF SHARES. In the event a shareholder requests a transfer of
Fund shares to a new registration, the shares will be transferred without sales
charge at the time of transfer. With regard to the status of shares which are
either subject to the CDSC or free of such charge (and with regard to the
length of time shares subject to the charge have been held), any transfer
involving less than all of the shares in an account will be made on a pro rata
basis (that is, by transferring shares in the same proportion that the
transferred shares bear to the total shares in the account immediately prior to
the transfer). The transferred shares will continue to be subject to any
applicable CDSC as if they had not been so transferred.
B. OFFERING PRICE
The Fund's Class B, Class C and Class D shares are offered at net asset
value per share and the Class A shares are offered at net asset value per share
plus any applicable FSC which is distributed among the Fund's Distributor, Dean
Witter Reynolds and other authorized dealers as described in
26
<PAGE>
Section "V. Investment Management and Other Services -- E. Rule 12b-1 Plan."
The price of the Fund, called "net asset value," is based on the value of the
Fund's portfolio securities.
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 Trustees. The pricing service has informed the Fund that in
valuing the portfolio securities for the Fund 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 portfolio securities for
the Fund 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 Trustees believe
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 Trustees the use of other pricing services or discontinuance
of the use of any pricing service in whole or part. The Trustees may determine
to approve such recommendation or take other provisions for pricing of the
portfolio securities for the Fund.
Short-term taxable debt securities with remaining maturities of 60 days or
less at time of purchase are valued at amortized cost, unless the Trustees
determine such does not reflect the securities' market value, in which case
these securities will be valued at their fair value as determined by the
Trustees. Other 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' fair value, in which case these securities will be valued at
their fair market value as determined by the Trustees. Listed options on debt
securities are valued at the latest sale price on the exchange on which they
are listed unless no sales of such options have taken place that day, in which
case, they will be valued at the mean between their 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 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 Trustees. All other
securities and other assets are valued at their fair value as determined in
good faith under procedures established by and under the supervision of the
Trustees.
IX. TAXATION OF THE FUND AND SHAREHOLDERS
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
The Fund generally will make three basic types of distributions: tax
exempt dividends, ordinary dividends and long-term capital gain distributions.
These types of distributions are reported differently on a shareholder's income
tax return and they are also subject to different rates of tax. The tax
treatment of the investment activities of the Fund will affect the amount and
timing and character of the distributions made by the Fund. Shareholders are
urged to consult their own tax professionals regarding specific questions as to
federal, state or local taxes.
INVESTMENT COMPANY TAXATION. The Fund intends to remain qualified as a
regulated investment company under Subchapter M of the Internal Revenue Code of
1986. As such, the Fund will not be subject to federal income tax on its net
investment income and capital gains, if any, to the extent that it distributes
such income and capital gains to its shareholders.
The Fund generally intends to distribute sufficient income and gains so
that the Fund will not pay corporate income tax on its earnings. The Fund also
generally intends to distribute to its shareholders in each calendar year a
sufficient amount of ordinary income and capital gains to avoid the imposition
of a 4% excise tax. However, the Fund may instead determine to retain all or
part of any ordinary income or capital gains in any year for reinvestment. In
such event, the Fund will pay federal income tax (and possibly excise tax) on
such retained gains.
27
<PAGE>
Gains or losses on sales of securities by the Fund will be long-term
capital gains or losses if the securities have a tax holding period of more
than one year. Gains or losses on the sale of securities with a tax holding
period of one year or less will be short-term gains or losses.
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.
All or a portion of any gain from tax-exempt obligations purchased at a
market discount may be treated as ordinary income rather than capital gain.
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.
TAXATION OF DIVIDENDS AND DISTRIBUTIONS. 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.
The Fund intends to invest a portion of its assets in certain "private
activity bonds". 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.
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 income of the Fund 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.
Shareholders are generally taxed on any ordinary dividend or capital gain
distributions from the Fund in the year they are actually distributed. However,
if any such dividends or distributions are declared in October, November or
December and paid in January then such amounts will be treated for tax purposes
as received by the shareholders on December 31, to shareholders of record of
such month.
Shareholders who are not citizens or residents of the United States and
certain foreign entities may be subject to withholding of United States tax on
distributions made by the Fund of any taxable interest income and short term
capital gains.
After the end of each calendar year, shareholders will be sent full
information on their dividends and capital gain distributions for tax purposes,
including the portion taxable as ordinary income, the portion taxable as
long-term capital gains and the percentage of any distributions which
constitute an item of tax preference for purposes of the alternative minimum
tax.
PURCHASES AND REDEMPTIONS AND EXCHANGES OF FUND SHARES. Any dividend or
capital gains distribution received by a shareholder from the Fund will have
the effect of reducing the net asset value of the shareholder's stock in the
Fund by the exact amount of the dividend or capital gains distribution.
28
<PAGE>
Furthermore, capital gains distributions and some portion of the dividends may
be subject to federal income taxes. If the net asset value of the shares should
be reduced below a shareholder's cost as a result of the payment of dividends
or the distribution of realized long-term capital gains, such payment or
distribution would be in part a return of the shareholder's investment but
nonetheless would be taxable to the shareholder. Therefore, an investor should
consider the tax implications of purchasing shares of the Fund immediately
prior to a distribution record date.
In general, a sale of shares results in capital gain or loss, and for
individual shareholders, is taxable at a federal rate dependent upon the length
of time the shares were held. A redemption of a shareholder's shares is
normally treated as a sale for tax purposes. Shares of the Fund held for a
period of one year or less will, for tax purposes, generally result in
short-term gains or losses and those held for more than one year generally
result in long-term gain or loss. Any loss realized by shareholders upon a
redemption of shares within six months of the date of their purchase will be
treated as a long-term capital loss to the extent of any distributions of net
long-term capital gains with respect to such shares during the six-month
period.
Gain or loss on the sale or redemption of shares in the Fund is measured
by the difference between the amount received and the tax basis of the shares.
Shareholders should keep records of investments made (including shares acquired
through reinvestment of dividends and distributions) so they can compute the
tax basis of their shares. Under certain circumstances a shareholder may
compute and use an average cost basis in determining the gain or loss on the
sale or redemption of shares.
Exchanges of shares in the Fund for shares of other Morgan Stanley Dean
Witter Funds, are also subject to similar tax treatment. Such an exchange is
treated for tax purposes as a sale of the original shares in the Fund, followed
by the purchase of shares in the Fund.
If a shareholder realizes a loss on the redemption or exchange of a shares
in the Fund and reinvests in shares of the Fund within 30 days before or after
the redemption or exchange, the transactions may be subject to the "wash sale"
rules, resulting in a postponement of the recognition of such loss for tax
purposes.
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.
X. UNDERWRITERS
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
The Fund's shares are offered to the public on a continuous basis. The
Distributor, as the principal underwriter of the shares, has certain
obligations under the Distribution Agreement concerning the distribution of the
shares. These obligations and the compensation the Distributor receives are
described above in the sections titled "Principal Underwriter" and "Rule 12b-1
Plans."
XI. CALCULATION OF PERFORMANCE DATA
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
From time to time the Fund may quote its "yield" and/or its "total return"
in advertisements and sales literature. These figures are computed separately
for Class A, Class B, Class C and Class D shares.
Prior to July 28, 1997, the Fund offered only one Class of shares subject
to a maximum sales charge of 4.0% and no 12b-1 fee. Because the distribution
arrangement for Class A most closely resembles the distribution arrangement
applicable prior to the implementation of multiple classes (i.e. Class A is
sold with a front-end sales charge), historical performance information has
been restated to reflect (i) the actual maximum sales charges applicable to
Class A (i.e., 4.25%) and (ii) the ongoing 12b-1 fee applicable to Class A
Shares. Furthermore, because all shares of the Fund held prior to July 28, 1997
have been designated Class D shares, the Fund's historical performance has also
been restated to reflect the absence of any sales charge in the class of Class
D shares. Following the restated
29
<PAGE>
performance information for Class A and Class D is the actual performance of
the Fund based on its original, single class sales charge structure as of its
last fiscal year. Also set forth below is the actual performance of Class B and
Class C as of their last fiscal year.
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 in
accordance with regulatory requirements; 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" of each Class. The
resulting amount is divided by the product of the maximum offering price per
share on the last day of the period, multiplied by the average number of shares
of the applicable Class 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. For the 30-day period ended December 31, 1998, the yield,
calculated pursuant to the formula described above, was approximately 4.05%,
3.88%, 3.77% and 4.49% for Class A, Class B, Class C and Class D, respectively.
The Fund may also quote a "tax-equivalent yield" for each Class 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 yield for Class A, Class B, Class C and Class D shares, 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, 199
were 6.71%, 6.42%, 6.24% and 7.43% respectively, 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 operations, if
shorter than any of the foregoing. The ending redeemable value is reduced by
any contingent deferred sales charge ("CDSC") at the end of the one, five, ten
year or other period. For the purpose of this calculation, it is assumed that
all dividends and distributions are reinvested. The formula for computing the
average annual total return involves a percentage obtained by dividing the
ending redeemable value by the amount of the initial investment (which in the
case of Class A shares is reduced by the Class A initial sales charge), taking
a root of the quotient (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 Class A and Class D shares of the Fund for the year ended December 31,
1998 were 1.36% and 6.11%, respectively; the restated average annual total
returns for the five years ended December 31, 1998 were 4.62% and 5.79%,
respectively; and the restated average annual total returns for the ten years
ended December, 1998 were 7.08% and 7.81%, respectively. The average annual
total returns of Class B for the fiscal year ended December 31, 1998 and for
the period July 28, 1997 (inception of the Class) through December 31, 1998
were 0.50% and 3.65%, respectively. The average annual total returns of Class C
for the fiscal year ended December 31, 1998 and for the period July 28, 1997
(inception of the Class) through December 31, 1998 were 4.37% and 6.10%,
respectively.
In addition, the Fund may advertise its total return for each Class over
different periods of time by means of aggregate, average, year-by-year or other
types of total return figures. These calculations may or may not reflect the
imposition of the maximum front-end sales charge for Class A or the deduction
of the CDSC for each of Class B and Class C which, if reflected, would reduce
the performance quoted. For example, the average annual total return of the
Fund may be calculated in the manner described above, but without deduction for
any applicable sales charge. Based on the foregoing calculation, the Fund's
restated average annual total return for Class A shares for the year ended
December 31, 1998 was 5.86% and the restated average annual total return for
the five years ended December 31, 1998 was 5.53% and the restated average
annual total return for the ten years ended December 31, 1998 was 7.55%.
Because the Class D shares are not subject to any sales charge, the Fund would
only advertise average annual returns as calculated in the previous paragraph.
The average annual total returns of Class B for the fiscal year ended December
31, 1998 and for the period July 28, 1997 through December 31, 1998 were 5.47%
and 6.39%, respectively. The average annual total returns of Class C for the
fiscal year ended December 31, 1998 and for the period July 28, 1997 through
December 31, 1998 were 5.36% and 6.10%, respectively.
30
<PAGE>
In addition, the Fund may compute its aggregate total return for each
Class for specified periods by determining the aggregate percentage rate which
will result in the ending value of a hypothetical $1,000 investment made at the
beginning of the period. For the purpose of this calculation, it is assumed
that all dividends and distributions are reinvested. The formula for computing
aggregate total return involves a percentage obtained by dividing the ending
value (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 restated total returns for Class A and Class D shares for the year ended
December 31, 1998 were 5.86% and 6.11%, respectively, the restated total
returns for the five years ended December 31, 1998 were 31.35% and 32.52%, and
the restated total returns for the ten years ended December 31, 1998 were
107.73% and 112.19%. Based on the foregoing calculation, the Fund's total
returns for Class B and Class C shares for the year ended December 31, 1998
were 5.47% and 5.36%, respectively, the total returns for the period July 28,
1997 through December 31, 1998 were 9.24% and 8.82%, respectively.
The Fund may also advertise the growth of hypothetical investments of
$10,000, $50,000 and $100,000 in each Class of shares of the Fund by adding 1
to the Fund's aggregate total return to date (expressed as a decimal and
without taking into account the effect of any applicable CDSC) and multiplying
by $9,575, $48,250 and $97,250 in the case of Class A (investments of $10,000,
$50,000 and $100,000 adjusted for the initial sales charge) or by $10,000,
$50,000 and $100,000 in the case of each of Class B, Class C and Class D, as
the case may be. Investments of $10,000, $50,000 and $100,000 in each Class at
inception of the Class would have grown to the following amounts at December
31, 1998:
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
INVESTMENT AT INCEPTION OF:
-------------------------------------
INCEPTION
CLASS DATE: $10,000 $50,000 $100,000
- ----------------- ---------------- --------- ----------- -----------
<S> <C> <C> <C> <C>
Class A ......... 3/27/80(1) $49,584 $249,862 $503,609
Class B ......... 07/28/97 10,924 54,620 109,240
Class C ......... 07/28/97 10,882 54,410 108,820
Class D ......... 03/27/80 54,243 271,215 542,430
</TABLE>
- ----------
(1) For purposes of restating the performance of Class A, the inception date
set forth in the above table is the inception date of the Fund. However,
Class A did not actually commence operation until July 28, 1997.
All shares of the Fund held prior to July 28, 1997 were designated
Class D shares and accordingly, the actual performance numbers set forth above
represent the actual performance of the continuing Class D. The actual average
annual total returns of the Fund, calculated with the deduction of maximum
applicable sales charge described above, for the five years ended December 31,
1998 and for the ten years ended December 31, 1998 were 4.93% and 7.37%,
respectively. The actual average annual total returns of the Fund calculated
without the deduction for any applicable sales charge for the five years ended
December 31, 1998 and for the ten years ended December 31, 1998, were 5.79% and
7.81%, respectively. The Fund's actual aggregate total return, without the
deduction for any application sales charge for the five years ended December
31, 1998 was 32.52% and the actual total return for the ten years ended
December 31, 1998 was 112.19%. Investments of $10,000, $50,000 and $100,000,
adjusted for the sales charges in effect at such time (4.0%, 3.25% or 2.75%,
respectively), in the Fund at inception would have grown to $52,073, $262,401
and $527,513, respectively, at December 31, 1998.
The Fund from time to time may also advertise its performance relative to
certain performance rankings and indexes compiled by independent organizations.
31
<PAGE>
XII. FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
EXPERTS. The financial statements of the Fund for the fiscal year ended
December 31, 1998 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 PricewaterhouseCoopers LLP,
independent accountants, given on the authority of said firm as experts in
auditing and accounting.
* * * * *
This Statement of Additional Information and the Prospectus do not contain
all of the information set forth in the Registration Statement the Fund has
filed with the SEC. The complete Registration Statement may be obtained from
the SEC.
32
<PAGE>
MORGAN STANLEY DEAN WITTER TAX-EXEMPT SECURITIES TRUST
PORTFOLIO OF INVESTMENTS December 31, 1998
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
PRINCIPAL
AMOUNT IN COUPON MATURITY
THOUSANDS RATE DATE VALUE
- ----------- -------- ---------- -----------------
<S> <C> <C> <C> <C>
TAX-EXEMPT MUNICIPAL BONDS (95.9%)
General Obligation (12.1%)
North Slope Borough, Alaska,
$ 5,000 Ser 1992 A Conv (MBIA) ....................................................... 5.90% 06/30/03 $ 5,421,950
18,000 Ser 1994 B (FSA) ............................................................. 0.00 06/30/05 13,738,500
18,500 Ser 1995 A (MBIA) ............................................................ 0.00 06/30/06 13,446,170
13,925 Ser 1996 B (MBIA) ............................................................ 0.00 06/30/06 10,120,969
10,000 Ser 1996 B (MBIA) ............................................................ 0.00 06/30/07 6,930,700
1,000 Santa Margarita/Dana Point Authority, California, Impr Dists
#3, 3A, 4 & 4A 1994 Ser B Refg (MBIA) ........................................ 5.75 08/01/20 1,061,700
4,000 Connecticut, College Savings 1989 Ser A ...................................... 0.00 07/01/08 2,677,600
20,000 Massachusetts, Refg 1996 Ser A (AMBAC) ....................................... 6.00 11/01/10 23,090,000
4,000 Clark County, Nevada, Transportation Ser 1992 A (AMBAC) ...................... 6.50 06/01/17 4,800,880
New York City, New York,
1,500 1995 Ser D (MBIA) ............................................................ 6.20 02/01/07 1,701,570
3,405 1990 Ser D ................................................................... 6.00 08/01/07 3,455,632
2,865 1990 Ser D ................................................................... 6.00 08/01/08 2,907,603
10,000 North Carolina, 1997 Ser A ................................................... 5.20 03/01/16 10,488,100
1,000 Delaware City School District, Ohio, Constr & Impr (FGIC) .................... 5.75 12/01/20 1,066,800
10,000 Pennsylvania, First Ser 1995 (FGIC) .......................................... 5.50 05/01/12 10,696,600
7,000 Shelby County, Tennessee, Refg 1995 Ser A .................................... 5.625 04/01/14 7,452,970
20,000 King County, Washington, Ltd Tax 1995 (MBIA) ................................. 6.00 01/01/23 22,057,600
2,000 Washington, 1995 Ser A ....................................................... 5.80 09/01/08 2,169,920
-------- --------------
152,195 143,285,264
-------- --------------
Educational Facilities Revenue (6.3%)
1,000 California Educational Facilities Authority, Claremont Colleges Ser 1992 ..... 6.375 05/01/22 1,071,380
10,000 Indiana University, Student Fee Ser K (MBIA) ................................. 5.875 08/01/20 10,771,300
6,000 Maryland Health & Educational Facilities Authority, The John Hopkins
University Refg Ser 1998 ..................................................... 5.125 07/01/20 6,049,320
Massachusetts Health & Educational Facilities Authority,
7,000 Boston University Ser 1991 (MBIA) ............................................ 6.66 10/01/31 7,592,130
5,000 Brandeis University 1988 Ser I (MBIA) ........................................ 4.75 10/01/28 4,704,050
5,000 Missouri Health & Educational Facilities Authority, Washington University
Ser 1998 A ................................................................... 4.75 11/15/37 4,697,000
10,000 New Hampshire Higher Educational & Health Facilities Authority,
Dartmouth College Ser 1993 ................................................... 5.375 06/01/23 10,181,300
2,000 New Jersey Development Authority, The Seeing Eye Inc 1991 .................... 7.30 04/01/11 2,111,420
New York State Dormitory Authority,
500 City University 1994 3rd Resolution Ser 1 (AMBAC) ............................ 6.30 07/01/24 559,310
5,000 State University Ser 1989 B .................................................. 0.00 05/15/02 4,374,900
20,000 State University Ser 1990 B .................................................. 7.00 05/15/16 21,245,800
1,000 Virginia Polytechnic Institute & State University, Ser 1996 A ................ 5.50 06/01/16 1,046,320
-------- --------------
72,500 74,404,230
-------- --------------
</TABLE>
SEE NOTES TO FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
33
<PAGE>
MORGAN STANLEY DEAN WITTER TAX-EXEMPT SECURITIES TRUST
PORTFOLIO OF INVESTMENTS December 31, 1998, continued
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
PRINCIPAL
AMOUNT IN COUPON MATURITY
THOUSANDS RATE DATE VALUE
- ----------- -------- ---------- -----------------
<S> <C> <C> <C> <C>
Electric Revenue (12.4%)
$ 25,000 Salt River Project Agricultural Improvement & Power District, Arizona,
Refg 1993 Ser C (Secondary MBIA) ............................................... 5.50% 01/01/10 $ 27,584,500
10,000 Sacramento Municipal Utility District, California, Refg 1994 Ser I (MBIA) ...... 5.75 01/01/15 10,718,900
10,000 Municipal Electric Authority of Georgia, Ser Y (Secondary MBIA) ................ 6.50 01/01/17 11,912,500
5,000 Long Island Power Authority, New York, Ser 1998 A (FSA) ........................ 5.125 12/01/22 5,001,900
Eugene, Oregon, Electric Utility
1,000 Ser 1996 (FSA) ................................................................. 5.375 08/01/12 1,058,550
1,000 Ser 1996 (FSA) ................................................................. 5.375 08/01/13 1,058,550
Puerto Rico Electric Power Authority,
1,500 Power Ser X .................................................................... 6.00 07/01/15 1,628,550
15,000 Power Ser O .................................................................... 0.00 07/01/17 6,037,800
5,000 Power Ser EE (MBIA) ............................................................ 4.50 07/01/18 4,790,050
15,000 South Carolina Public Service Authority, 1995 Refg Ser A (AMBAC) ............... 6.25 01/01/22 16,906,650
1,000 Austin, Texas, Combined Utilities Refg Ser 1994 (FGIC) ......................... 6.25 05/15/16 1,122,264
San Antonio, Texas, Electric & Gas
20,000 Refg Ser 1994 C ................................................................ 4.70 02/01/06 20,642,800
5,000 Refg Ser 1998 A ................................................................ 4.50 02/01/21 4,648,850
Intermountain Power Agency, Utah,
5,000 Refg Ser 1998 A (MBIA) ......................................................... 5.25 07/01/15 5,165,150
10,000 Refg Ser 1997 B (MBIA) ......................................................... 5.75 07/01/19 10,716,700
15,000 Washington Public Power System, Proj #2 Refg Ser 1994 A
(Secondary MBIA) ............................................................... 6.00 07/01/07 16,776,900
--------------
144,500 145,770,614
-------- --------------
Hospital Revenue (7.7%)
11,465 Birmingham -- Carraway Special Care Facilities Financing Authority,
Alabama, Carraway Methodist Ser 1995 A (Connie Lee) ............................ 6.25 08/15/09 13,168,814
3,000 Baxter County, Arkansas, Baxter County Regional Hospital Impr & Refg
Ser 1992 ....................................................................... 7.50 09/01/21 3,289,200
4,000 Antelope Valley Healthcare District, California, Ser 1997 B (FSA) .............. 5.20 01/01/17 4,092,920
2,000 Orange County Health Facilities Authority, Florida, Adventist Health/Sunbelt
Ser 1995 (AMBAC) ............................................................... 5.25 11/15/20 2,023,920
10,000 Tampa, Florida, Catholic East Health Ser 1998 A (MBIA) ......................... 4.875 11/15/23 9,698,000
1,000 Maryland Health & Higher Educational Facilities Authority, Kernan Hospital
Ser 1994 (Connie Lee) .......................................................... 6.10 07/01/24 1,099,540
Rochester, Minnesota,
5,000 Mayo Foundation/Medical Center Ser 1992 I ...................................... 5.75 11/15/21 5,222,050
3,700 Mayo Foundation/Medical Center Ser 1992 F ...................................... 6.25 11/15/21 4,021,530
10,000 Missouri Health & Educational Facilities Authority, Barnes-Jewish Inc/
Christian Health Services Ser 1993 A ........................................... 5.25 05/15/14 10,473,600
1,300 New Hampshire Higher Educational & Health Facilities Authority,
St Joseph Hospital Ser 1994 (Connie Lee) ....................................... 6.35 01/01/07 1,463,527
6,000 New York State Medical Care Facilities Finance Agency, Presbyterian
Hospital -- FHA Insured Mtge 1984 Ser A Refg ................................... 5.25 08/15/14 6,241,260
</TABLE>
SEE NOTES TO FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
34
<PAGE>
MORGAN STANLEY DEAN WITTER TAX-EXEMPT SECURITIES TRUST
PORTFOLIO OF INVESTMENTS December 31, 1998, continued
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
PRINCIPAL
AMOUNT IN COUPON MATURITY
THOUSANDS RATE DATE VALUE
- ----------- -------- ---------- -----------------
<S> <C> <C> <C> <C>
$ 5,000 University of North Carolina, Hospitals at Chapel Hill Ser 1996 ............. 5.00% 02/15/29 $ 4,840,950
2,000 Jackson, Tennessee, Jackson-Madison County General Hospital Refg & Impr
Ser 1995 (AMBAC) ............................................................ 5.625 04/01/15 2,116,460
5,000 North Central Texas Health Facilities Development Corporation, University
Medical Center Inc Ser 1997 (FSA) ........................................... 5.45 04/01/15 5,240,500
10,000 Fredericksburg Industrial Development Authority, Virginia, Medicorp
Health Refg Ser 1996 (AMBAC) ................................................ 5.25 06/15/16 10,251,400
2,000 Medical College of Virginia Hospitals Authority, Ser 1998 (MBIA) ............ 5.125 07/01/23 1,990,320
5,000 Washington Health Care Facilities, Swedish Health Ser 1998 (AMBAC) .......... 5.125 11/15/22 4,921,850
-------- --------------
86,465 90,155,841
-------- --------------
Industrial Development/Pollution Control Revenue (4.4%)
1,500 Hawaii Department of Budget & Finance, Hawaiian Electric Co
Ser 1995 A (AMT) (MBIA) ..................................................... 6.60 01/01/25 1,673,010
1,375 Maryland Industrial Development Financing Authority, Medical Waste
Assocs LP 1989 Ser (AMT) .................................................... 8.75 11/15/10 1,390,675
10,000 Clark County, Nevada, Nevada Power Co Ser 1992 A (AMT) (FGIC) ............... 6.70 06/01/22 10,928,200
5,000 Washoe County, Nevada, Sierra Pacific Power Co Ser 1987 (AMBAC) ............. 6.30 12/01/14 5,426,900
5,000 New York City Industrial Development Agency, New York, Brooklyn Navy
Yard Cogeneration Partners LP Ser 1997 (AMT) ................................ 5.75 10/01/36 5,128,450
5,000 Alliance Airport Authority, Texas, AMR Corp Ser 1990 (AMT) .................. 7.50 12/01/29 5,370,750
10,000 Dallas-Fort Worth International Airport Facility Improvement Corporation,
Texas, American Airlines Inc Ser 1995 ....................................... 6.00 11/01/14 10,412,700
10,000 Weston, Wisconsin, Wisconsin Public Service Co Refg Ser 1993 A .............. 6.90 02/01/13 11,194,000
-------- --------------
47,875 51,524,685
-------- --------------
Mortgage Revenue -- Multi-Family (2.2%)
955 Massachusetts Housing Finance Agency, Rental 1994 Ser A (AMT) (AMBAC) 6.65 07/01/19 1,033,472
5,560 Michigan Housing Development Authority, Rental Ser A (Bifurcated FSA) ....... 6.50 04/01/23 5,937,802
9,000 New Jersey Housing & Mortgage Finance Agency, 1995 Ser A (AMBAC) ............ 6.05 11/01/20 9,598,950
New York City Housing Development Corporation, New York,
4,352 Ruppert Proj -- FHA Ins Sec 223F ............................................ 6.50 11/15/18 4,571,266
4,207 Stevenson Commons Proj -- FHA Ins Sec 223F .................................. 6.50 05/15/18 4,418,913
-------- --------------
24,074 25,560,403
-------- --------------
Mortgage Revenue -- Single Family (6.7%)
7,000 Alaska Housing Finance Corporation, Governmental 1995 Ser A (MBIA) .......... 5.875 12/01/24 7,379,330
2,440 California Housing Finance Agency, Home Cap Apprec 1983 Ser B ............... 0.00 08/01/15 448,472
Colorado Housing Finance Authority,
2,000 1998 Ser A-2 (AMT) .......................................................... 6.60 05/01/28 2,241,120
2,500 1997 Ser C-2 (AMT) .......................................................... 6.875 11/01/28 2,815,125
12,100 Illinios Housing Development Authority, Residential 1991 Ser C (AMT) ........ 6.875 02/01/18 12,863,994
Missouri Housing Development Commission, Homeownership,
3,735 GNMA-FNMA Collateralized 1996 Ser C (AMT) ................................... 7.45 09/01/27 4,256,817
3,910 GNMA-FNMA Collateralized 1997 Ser C-1 ....................................... 6.55 09/01/28 4,357,108
</TABLE>
SEE NOTES TO FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
35
<PAGE>
MORGAN STANLEY DEAN WITTER TAX-EXEMPT SECURITIES TRUST
PORTFOLIO OF INVESTMENTS December 31, 1998, continued
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
PRINCIPAL
AMOUNT IN
THOUSANDS
- -----------
<S> <C>
$ 4,200 Nebraska Investment Finance Authority, GNMA-Backed 1990 Ser (AMT) ............
1,810 North Carolina Housing Finance Agency, Ser Q (AMT) ...........................
5,200 Ohio Housing Finance Agency, GNMA-Backed 1990 Ser A (AMT) ....................
10,000 Pennsylvania Housing Finance Agency, Ser 1991-31 (AMT) .......................
Tennessee Housing Development Agency,
4,000 Mortgage Finance 1993 Ser A ..................................................
1,000 Mortgage Finance 1994 Ser B (AMT) ............................................
11,000 Mortgage Finance 1993 Ser A ..................................................
440 Utah Housing Finance Agency, Federally Insured/Guaranteed Loans 1994
Issue E (AMT) ................................................................
4,400 Wisconsin Housing & Economic Development Authority, Home Ownership
1991 Ser (AMT) ...............................................................
75,735
--------
Public Facilities Revenue (1.0%)
2,000 North City West School Facilities Authority, California, Community Dist #1
Special Tax Ser 1995 B (FSA) .................................................
3,500 Denver, Colorado, Excise Tax Ser 1985 A ......................................
6,000 Saint Louis Industrial Development Authority, Missouri, Kiel Center Refg
Ser 1992 (AMT) ...............................................................
11,500
--------
Resource Recovery Revenue (2.4%)
4,950 Connecticut Resources Development Authority, Bridgeport RESCO Ser A ..........
7,000 Savannah Resource Recovery Development Authority, Georgia, Savannah
Energy Systems Co Ser 1992 ...................................................
10,000 Northeast Maryland Waste Disposal Authority, Montgomery County
Ser 1993 A (AMT) .............................................................
5,000 Onondaga County Resource Recovery Agency, New York, 1992 Ser (AMT) ...........
--------
26,950
--------
Transportation Facilities Revenue (15.8%)
5,000 San Francisco Bay Area Rapid Transit District, California, Sales Tax
Ser 1998 (AMBAC) .............................................................
15,000 San Joaquin Hills Transportation Corridor Agency, California, Toll Road
Refg Ser 1997 A (MBIA) .......................................................
10,000 E-470 Public Highway Authority, Colorado, Ser 1997 A (MBIA) ..................
1,000 Lee County, Florida, Ser 1995 (MBIA) .........................................
Mid-Bay Bridge Authority, Florida,
8,965 Ser 1993 A (AMBAC) ...........................................................
1,500 Ser 1997 A (AMBAC) ...........................................................
3,000 Ser 1997 A (AMBAC) ...........................................................
10,000 Atlanta, Georgia, Airport Ser 1990 (AMT) .....................................
5,000 Hawaii, Airports Second Ser 1991 (AMT) .......................................
850 Regional Transportation Authority, Illinois, Ser 1994 A ......................
3,000 Kansas, Highway Refg Ser 1998 ................................................
<PAGE>
<CAPTION>
PRINCIPAL
AMOUNT IN COUPON MATURITY
THOUSANDS RATE DATE VALUE
- ----------- ----------- ---------- -----------------
<S> <C> <C> <C>
$ 4,200 7.631% 09/10/30 $ 4,424,658
1,810 8.00 03/01/18 1,959,596
5,200 6.903 03/01/31 5,503,264
10,000 7.00 10/01/23 10,653,100
4,000 5.90 07/01/18 4,170,680
1,000 6.55 07/01/19 1,064,450
11,000 5.95 07/01/28 11,437,800
440
6.50 07/01/26 451,744
4,400
7.097 10/25/22 4,663,296
--------------
75,735 78,690,554
-------- --------------
2,000
6.00 09/01/19 2,207,660
3,500 5.00 11/01/08 3,508,505
6,000
7.75 12/01/13 6,505,680
--------------
11,500 12,221,845
-------- --------------
4,950 7.625 01/01/09 5,141,070
7,000
6.30 12/01/06 7,473,620
10,000
6.30 07/01/16 10,707,500
5,000 6.875 05/01/06 5,304,350
-------- --------------
26,950 28,626,540
-------- --------------
5,000
4.75 07/01/23 4,797,300
15,000
0.00 01/15/31 2,914,050
10,000 5.00 09/01/26 9,822,800
1,000 5.75 10/01/22 1,069,360
8,965 5.85 10/01/13 9,999,471
1,500 0.00 10/01/20 483,030
3,000 0.00 10/01/21 915,480
10,000 6.25 01/01/21 10,502,300
5,000 7.00 07/01/18 5,395,550
850 6.25 06/01/15 942,803
3,000 5.50 09/01/12 3,307,770
</TABLE>
SEE NOTES TO FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
36
<PAGE>
MORGAN STANLEY DEAN WITTER TAX-EXEMPT SECURITIES TRUST
PORTFOLIO OF INVESTMENTS December 31, 1998, continued
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
PRINCIPAL
AMOUNT IN COUPON MATURITY
THOUSANDS RATE DATE VALUE
- ----------- -------- ---------- -----------------
<S> <C> <C> <C> <C>
Kentucky Turnpike Authority,
$ 9,000 Economic Development Road Refg Ser 1995 (AMBAC) ............................ 6.50% 07/01/08 $ 10,584,720
1,000 Economic Development Road Refg Ser 1995 (AMBAC) ............................ 5.625 07/01/15 1,068,180
30,000 Resource Recovery Road 1987 Ser A .......................................... 5.00 07/01/08 30,011,100
1,500 Massachusetts Port Authority, Refg Ser 1998-A .............................. 5.75 07/01/12 1,682,505
Massachusetts Turnpike Authority,
10,000 Metropolitan Highway 1997 Ser A (MBIA) ..................................... 5.00 01/01/37 9,718,400
13,885 Western 1997 Ser A (MBIA) .................................................. 5.55 01/01/17 14,075,919
10,000 Minneapolis -- St Paul Metropolitan Airports Commission, Minnesota,
Ser 1998 A (AMBAC) ......................................................... 5.00 01/01/30 9,845,100
11,000 New Jersey Highway Authority, Sr Parkway Refg 1992 Ser ..................... 6.25 01/01/14 11,843,040
6,595 Albuquerque, New Mexico, Airport Refg Ser 1997 (AMT) (AMBAC) ............... 6.375 07/01/15 7,420,892
1,500 Port Authority of New York & New Jersey, Cons One Hundredth Ser Second
Installment ++ ............................................................. 5.75 12/15/20 1,602,225
10,000 Ohio Turnpike Commission, Ser 1998 B (FGIC) ................................ 4.50 02/15/24 9,234,900
Pennsylvania Turnpike Commission,
5,000 Ser L of 1991 (MBIA) ....................................................... 6.00 06/01/15 5,331,050
5,000 Ser A 1998 (AMBAC) ......................................................... 4.75 12/01/27 4,722,200
10,000 Puerto Rico Highway & Transportation Authority, Refg Ser X ................. 5.50 07/01/15 10,857,200
4,000 North Texas Tollway Authority, Dallas North Tollway Ser 1998 (FGIC) ........ 4.75 01/01/22 3,801,320
4,000 Virginia Transportation Board, US Route 58 Corridor Ser 1993 B ............. 5.625 05/15/13 4,235,880
-------- --------------
195,795 186,184,545
-------- --------------
Water & Sewer Revenue (12.8%)
2,000 Jefferson County, Alabama, Sewer Refg Ser 1997-A (FGIC) .................... 5.375 02/01/27 2,051,960
10,000 Phoenix Civic Improvement Corporation, Arizona, Jr Lien Water Ser 1994 ..... 5.45 07/01/19 10,329,100
10,000 California Department of Water Resources, Central Valley Ser L ............. 5.50 12/01/23 10,372,000
10,000 Los Angeles, California, Wastewater Ser 1994-A (MBIA) ...................... 5.875 06/01/24 10,802,200
1,000 Dade County, Florida, Water & Sewer Ser 1995 (FGIC) ........................ 5.50 10/01/15 1,057,660
10,000 Tampa Bay Water, Florida, Utility Ser 1998 B (FGIC) ........................ 4.75 10/01/27 9,532,300
5,000 Fulton County, Georgia, Water & Sewerage Ser 1998 (FGIC) ................... 4.75 01/01/28 4,772,900
5,000 Upper Oconee Basin Water Authority, Georgia, Ser 1997 (FGIC) ............... 5.25 07/01/27 5,082,050
10,000 Louisville & Jefferson County Metropolitan Sewer District, Kentucky,
Ser 1998 A (FGIC) .......................................................... 4.75 05/15/28 9,528,000
10,000 Massachusetts Water Pollution Abatement Trust, MWRA Loan Ser 1998 A ........ 4.75 08/01/18 9,731,100
10,000 Massachusetts Water Resources Authority, Refg 1992 Ser B ................... 5.50 11/01/15 10,336,400
Detroit, Michigan,
4,000 Sewage Refg 1993 A (FGIC) .................................................. 5.70 07/01/13 4,312,640
10,000 Water Supply 1997 Ser A (MBIA) ............................................. 5.00 07/01/21 9,814,600
2,000 Asheville, North Carolina, Water Ser 1996 (FGIC) ........................... 5.70 08/01/25 2,140,380
10,000 Cleveland, Ohio, Waterworks Impr & Refg 1998 Ser I (FSA) ................... 5.00 01/01/23 9,889,800
Philadelphia, Pennsylvania,
1,250 Water & Wastewater Ser 1995 (MBIA) ......................................... 6.25 08/01/11 1,457,587
5,000 Water & Wastewater Ser 1993 (FSA) .......................................... 5.50 06/15/15 5,182,350
</TABLE>
SEE NOTES TO FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
37
<PAGE>
MORGAN STANLEY DEAN WITTER TAX-EXEMPT SECURITIES TRUST
PORTFOLIO OF INVESTMENTS December 31, 1998, continued
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
PRINCIPAL
AMOUNT IN
THOUSANDS
- -------------
<S> <C>
Pittsburgh Water & Sewer Authority,
$ 20,000 1998 Ser B (FGIC) .............................................................
20,000 1998 Ser B (FGIC) .............................................................
5,000 Spartanburg, South Carolina, Jr Lien Water Ser 1998 (FGIC) ....................
11,000 Metropolitan Government of Nashville & Davidson County, Tennessee,
Refg Ser 1998 A (FGIC) ........................................................
10,000 Dallas, Texas, Waterworks & Sewer Refg Ser 1998 (FSA) .........................
-----------
181,250
-----------
Other Revenue (1.5%)
1,005 Mashantucket Western Pequot Tribe, Connecticut, Special 1996 Ser A (a) ........
1,000 New Jersey Economic Development Authority, Market Transition Sr Lien
Ser 1994 A (MBIA) .............................................................
5,000 New York Local Government Assistance Corporation, Ser 1994 C ..................
5,000 Ohio Building Authority, 1985 Ser C ...........................................
3,000 Houston, Texas, Sr Lien Hotel Occupancy Tax Refg Ser 1995 (FSA) ...............
-----------
15,005
-----------
Refunded (10.6%)
Birmingham Water Works & Sewer Board, Alabama,
1,000 Ser 1993-A ....................................................................
10,000 Ser 1994 ......................................................................
9,000 Los Angeles Convention and Exhibition Center Authority, California,
Ser 1985 COPs .................................................................
2,500 Mid-Bay Bridge Authority, Florida, Ser 1991 A (ETM) ...........................
5,000 Maryland Health & Higher Educational Facilities Authority, Helix Health
Ser 1997 (AMBAC) (ETM) ........................................................
1,500 Massachusetts Health & Educational Facilities Authority,
Malden Hospital -- FHA Ins Mtge Ser A (ETM) ...................................
10,000 Massachusetts Water Resources Authority, 1996 Ser A (FGIC) ....................
14,000 New York State Dormitory Authority, Suffolk County Judicial Ser 1986 (ETM)
25,000 Intermountain Power Agency, Utah, Refg 1985 Ser H GAINS .......................
5,000 Salt Lake City, Utah, IHC Hospital Inc Ser 1983 (ETM) .........................
28,000 Fairfax County Industrial Development Authority, Virginia, Fairfax Hospital
Inova Health Ser 1991 .........................................................
111,000
-----------
1,144,844 TOTAL TAX-EXEMPT MUNICIPAL BONDS (Identified Cost $1,031,056,358) ...........
-----------
SHORT-TERM TAX-EXEMPT MUNICIPAL OBLIGATIONS (2.8%)
10,000 Idaho Health Facilities Authority, St Luke's Regional Medical Center
Ser 1995 (Demand 01/04/99) ....................................................
5,500 Illinois Health Facilities Authority, Northwestern Memorial Hospital
Ser 1995 (Demand 01/04/99) ....................................................
3,180 Louisiana Public Facilities Authority, Kenner Hotel Ser 1985
(Demand 01/04/99) .............................................................
<PAGE>
<CAPTION>
PRINCIPAL
AMOUNT IN COUPON MATURITY
THOUSANDS RATE DATE VALUE
- ------------- -------- ----------- -----------------
<S> <C> <C> <C>
$ 20,000 0.00% 09/01/26 $ 4,846,000
20,000 0.00 09/01/28 4,374,000
5,000 5.25 06/01/28 5,122,200
11,000
4.75 01/01/22 10,554,060
10,000 5.00 10/01/29 9,784,000
----------- --------------
181,250 151,073,287
----------- --------------
1,005 6.50 09/01/05 1,129,610
1,000
5.875 07/01/11 1,097,930
5,000 5.50 04/01/17 5,407,950
5,000 9.75 10/01/05 6,568,850
3,000 5.50 07/01/11 3,182,310
----------- --------------
15,005 17,386,650
----------- --------------
1,000 6.00 01/01/03+ 1,098,530
10,000 5.50 01/01/04+ 10,375,900
9,000
9.00 12/01/05+ 11,766,330
2,500 6.875 10/01/22 3,139,200
5,000
5.00 07/01/27 5,013,000
1,500
5.00 08/01/16 1,543,215
10,000 5.50 11/01/06+ 10,966,800
14,000 7.375 07/01/16 17,828,160
25,000 0.00 # 07/01/03+ 27,772,500
5,000 5.00 06/01/15 5,152,200
28,000
6.801 08/15/01+ 30,576,000
--------------
111,000 125,231,835
----------- --------------
1,144,844 1,130,116,293
----------- --------------
10,000
5.10* 05/01/22 10,000,000
5,500
5.15* 08/15/25 5,500,000
3,180
5.05* 12/01/15 3,180,000
</TABLE>
SEE NOTES TO FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
38
<PAGE>
MORGAN STANLEY DEAN WITTER TAX-EXEMPT SECURITIES TRUST
PORTFOLIO OF INVESTMENTS December 31, 1998, continued
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
PRINCIPAL
AMOUNT IN
THOUSANDS
- -------------
<S> <C>
$ 9,500 Massachusetts Health & Educational Facilities Authority, Capital Asset
Ser D (MBIA) (Demand 01/04/99) ..........................................
4,000 Harris County Health Facilities Development Corporation, Texas, Methodist
----------
Hospital Ser 1994 (Demand 01/04/99) .....................................
32,180 TOTAL SHORT-TERM TAX-EXEMPT MUNICIPAL OBLIGATIONS
----------
(Identified Cost $32,180,000) .........................................
$1,177,024 TOTAL INVESTMENTS
==========
(Identified Cost $1,063,236,358) (b) ..................................
CASH AND OTHER ASSETS IN EXCESS OF LIABILITIES ........................
NET ASSETS ............................................................
<CAPTION>
PRINCIPAL
AMOUNT IN COUPON MATURITY
THOUSANDS RATE DATE VALUE
- ------------- ------------ ------------- -----------------
<S> <C> <C> <C>
$ 9,500
5.00*% 01/01/35 $ 9,500,000
4,000
----------
5.00* 12/01/25 4,000,000
--------------
32,180
----------
32,180,000
--------------
$1,177,024
==========
98.7% 1,162,296,293
1.3 15,892,556
--------------
100.0% $1,178,188,849
==============
</TABLE>
- --------------
AMT Alternative Minimum Tax.
COPs Certificates of Participation.
ETM Escrowed to maturity.
GAINS Growth and Income Security.
++ Joint exemption in New York and New Jersey.
+ Prerefunded to call date shown.
# Currently a zero coupon bond; will convert to 10.00% coupon on July 1,
2000.
* Current coupon of variable rate demand obligation.
(a) Resale is restricted to qualified institutional investors.
(b) The aggregate cost for federal income tax purposes approximates
identified cost. The aggregate gross unrealized appreciation is
$100,059,253 and the aggregate gross unrealized depreciation is
$999,318, resulting in net unrealized appreciation of $99,059,935.
Bond Insurance:
AMBAC AMBAC Indemnity Corporation.
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
39
<PAGE>
MORGAN STANLEY DEAN WITTER TAX-EXEMPT SECURITIES TRUST
PORTFOLIO OF INVESTMENTS December 31, 1998, continued
GEOGRAPHIC SUMMARY OF INVESTMENTS
Based on Market Value as a Percent of Net Assets
December 31, 1998
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
<S> <C>
Alabama ................... 2.3%
Alaska .................... 4.8
Arizona ................. 3.2
Arkansas ................ 0.3
California ................ 5.1
Colorado .................. 1.6
Connecticut ............... 0.8
Florida ................... 3.2
Georgia ................... 3.4
Hawaii .................... 0.6
Idaho ..................... 0.9
Illinois .................. 1.6
Indiana ................... 0.9
Kansas .................... 0.3
</TABLE>
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
<S> <C>
Kentucky ................ 4.3%
Louisiana ............... 0.3
Maryland ................ 2.1
Massachusetts ............. 8.8
Michigan .................. 1.7
Minnesota ................. 1.6
Missouri .................. 2.6
Nebraska ................ 0.4
Nevada .................... 1.8
New Hampshire ............. 1.0
New Jersey .............. 2.2
New Mexico ................ 0.6
New York .................. 7.6
North Carolina ............ 1.6
</TABLE>
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
<S> <C>
Ohio ...................... 2.7%
Oregon .................... 0.2
Pennsylvania .............. 4.0
Puerto Rico ............... 2.0
South Carolina ............ 1.9
Tennessee ................. 3.1
Texas ..................... 5.8
Utah .................... 4.2
Virginia ................ 4.1
Washington ................ 3.9
Wisconsin ................. 1.3
Joint Exemptions* ......... (0.1)
----
Total ................... 98.7%
====
</TABLE>
- --------------------------------
* Joint exemptions have been included in more than one geographic location.
SEE NOTES TO FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
40
<PAGE>
MORGAN STANLEY DEAN WITTER TAX-EXEMPT SECURITIES TRUST
FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
STATEMENT OF ASSETS AND LIABILITIES
December 31, 1998
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
<S> <C>
ASSETS :
Investments in securities, at value
(identified cost $1,063,236,358).................................. $ 1,162,296,293
Cash ............................................................... 1,900,812
Receivable for :
Interest ......................................................... 17,613,930
Investments sold ................................................. 3,028,939
Shares of beneficial interest sold ............................... 752,644
Prepaid expenses and other assets .................................. 71,333
---------------
TOTAL ASSETS .................................................... 1,185,663,951
---------------
LIABILITIES:
Payable for:
Dividends and distributions to shareholders ..................... 6,660,662
Investment management fee ....................................... 435,962
Shares of beneficial interest repurchased ....................... 179,809
Plan of distribution fee ........................................ 73,871
Accrued expenses and other payables ................................ 124,798
---------------
TOTAL LIABILITIES ............................................... 7,475,102
---------------
NET ASSETS ...................................................... $ 1,178,188,849
===============
COMPOSITION OF NET ASSETS:
Paid-in-capital .................................................... $ 1,075,991,537
Net unrealized appreciation ........................................ 99,059,935
Accumulated undistributed net investment income .................... 18,572
Accumulated net realized gain ...................................... 3,118,805
---------------
NET ASSETS ...................................................... $ 1,178,188,849
===============
CLASS A SHARES:
Net Assets ......................................................... $ 15,041,235
Shares Outstanding (unlimited authorized, $.01 par value)........... 1,251,226
NET ASSET VALUE PER SHARE ........................................ $ 12.02
===============
MAXIMUM OFFERING PRICE PER SHARE,
(net asset value plus 4.44% of net asset value) ................ $ 12.55
===============
CLASS B SHARES:
Net Assets ......................................................... $ 132,302,664
Shares Outstanding (unlimited authorized, $.01 par value) .......... 10,959,373
NET ASSET VALUE PER SHARE ........................................ $ 12.07
===============
CLASS C SHARES:
Net Assets ......................................................... $ 7,599,049
Shares Outstanding (unlimited authorized, $.01 par value) .......... 631,044
NET ASSET VALUE PER SHARE ....................................... $ 12.04
===============
CLASS D SHARES:
Net Assets ......................................................... $ 1,023,245,901
Shares Outstanding (unlimited authoriized, $.01 par value) ......... 85,166,399
NET ASSET VALUE PER SHARE ........................................ $ 12.01
===============
</TABLE>
SEE NOTES TO FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
41
<PAGE>
MORGAN STANLEY DEAN WITTER TAX-EXEMPT SECURITIES TRUST
FINANCIAL STATEMENTS, continued
STATEMENT OF OPERATIONS
For the year ended December 31, 1998
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
<S> <C>
NET INVESTMENT INCOME:
INTEREST INCOME ................................... $ 66,369,139
------------
EXPENSES
Investment management fee ......................... 5,139,570
Plan of distribution fee (Class A shares) ......... 23,305
Plan of distribution fee (Class B shares) ......... 670,261
Plan of distribution fee (Class C shares) ......... 35,313
Transfer agent fees and expenses .................. 427,026
Shareholder reports and notices ................... 81,593
Registration fees ................................. 77,801
Professional fees ................................. 48,253
Custodian fees .................................... 47,924
Trustees' fees and expenses ....................... 18,914
Other ............................................. 43,155
------------
TOTAL EXPENSES ................................. 6,613,115
Less: expense offset .............................. (47,833)
------------
NET EXPENSES ................................... 6,565,282
------------
NET INVESTMENT INCOME .......................... 59,803,857
------------
NET REALIZED AND UNREALIZED GAIN (LOSS) :
Net realized gain ................................. 15,111,631
Net change in unrealized appreciation ............. (5,416,357)
------------
NET GAIN ....................................... 9,695,274
------------
NET INCREASE ...................................... $ 69,499,131
============
</TABLE>
SEE NOTES TO FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
42
<PAGE>
MORGAN STANLEY 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, 1998 DECEMBER 31, 1997*
------------------- -------------------
<S> <C> <C>
INCREASE (DECREASE) IN NET ASSETS:
OPERATIONS:
Net investment income ................................ $ 59,803,857 $ 60,954,344
Net realized gain .................................... 15,111,631 9,545,783
Net change in unrealized appreciation ................ (5,416,357) 25,338,447
-------------- --------------
NET INCREASE ...................................... 69,499,131 95,838,574
-------------- --------------
DIVIDENDS AND DISTRIBUTIONS TO SHAREHOLDERS FROM:
Net investment income
Class A shares .................................... (460,545) (48,774)
Class B shares .................................... (5,022,084) (673,417)
Class C shares .................................... (218,789) (30,406)
Class D shares .................................... (54,102,439) (60,167,993)
Net realized gain
Class A shares .................................... (187,529) (16,080)
Class B shares .................................... (1,743,115) (395,740)
Class C shares .................................... (93,965) (12,228)
Class D shares .................................... (14,360,329) (4,910,430)
-------------- --------------
TOTAL DIVIDENDS AND DISTRIBUTIONS ................. (76,188,795) (66,255,068)
-------------- --------------
Net decrease from transactions in shares of beneficial
interest ........................................... (14,502,186) (20,236,797)
-------------- --------------
NET INCREASE (DECREASE) ........................... (21,191,850) 9,346,709
NET ASSETS:
Beginning of period .................................. 1,199,380,699 1,190,033,990
-------------- --------------
END OF PERIOD
(Including undistributed net investment income of
$18,572 and $34,517, respectively)................. $1,178,188,849 $1,199,380,699
============== ==============
</TABLE>
- ---------------------
* Class A, Class B and Class C shares were issued July 28, 1997.
SEE NOTES TO FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
43
<PAGE>
MORGAN STANLEY DEAN WITTER TAX-EXEMPT SECURITIES TRUST
NOTES TO FINANCIAL STATEMENTS December 31, 1998
1. ORGANIZATION AND ACCOUNTING POLICIES
Morgan Stanley Dean Witter Tax-Exempt Securities Trust (the "Fund"), formerly
Dean Witter Tax-Exempt Securities Trust, 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. On July 28, 1997, the Fund commenced offering
three additional classes of shares, with the then current shares designated as
Class D shares.
The Fund offers Class A shares, Class B shares, Class C shares and Class D
shares. The four classes are substantially the same except that most Class A
shares are subject to a sales charge imposed at the time of purchase and some
Class A shares, and most Class B shares and Class C shares are subject to a
contingent deferred sales charge imposed on shares redeemed within one year,
six years and one year, respectively. Class D shares are not subject to a sales
charge. Additionally, Class A shares, Class B shares and Class C shares incur
distribution expenses.
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.
44
<PAGE>
MORGAN STANLEY DEAN WITTER TAX-EXEMPT SECURITIES TRUST
NOTES TO FINANCIAL STATEMENTS December 31, 1998, continued
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. MULTIPLE CLASS ALLOCATIONS -- Investment income, expenses (other than
distribution fees), and realized and unrealized gains and losses are allocated
to each class of shares based upon the relative net asset value on the date
such items are recognized. Distribution fees are charged directly to the
respective class.
D. 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.
E. 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 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 Morgan Stanley Dean Witter
Advisors Inc. (the "Investment Manager"), formerly Dean Witter Intercapital
Inc., the Fund pays the Investment Manager 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
daily net assets not exceeding $500 million; 0.425% to the portion of daily net
assets exceeding $500 million but not exceeding $750 million; 0.375% to the
portion of daily net assets exceeding $750 million but not exceeding $1
billion; 0.35% to the portion of daily net assets exceeding $1 billion but not
exceeding $1.25 billion; and 0.325% to the portion of daily net assets
exceeding $1.25 billion.
45
<PAGE>
MORGAN STANLEY DEAN WITTER TAX-EXEMPT SECURITIES TRUST
NOTES TO FINANCIAL STATEMENTS December 31, 1998, continued
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. PLAN OF DISTRIBUTION
Shares of the Fund are distributed by Morgan Stanley Dean Witter Distributors
Inc. (the "Distributor"), an affiliate of the Investment Manager. The Fund has
adopted a Plan of Distribution (the "Plan"), pursuant to Rule 12b-1 under the
Act. The Plan provides that the Fund will pay the Distributor a fee which is
accrued daily and paid monthly at the following annual rates: (i) Class A -- up
to 0.25% of the average daily net assets of Class A; (ii) Class B -- 0.60% of
the average daily net assets of Class B; and (iii) Class C -- up to 0.70% of
the average daily net assets of Class C. In the case of Class A shares, amounts
paid under the Plan are paid to the Distributor for services provided. In the
case of Class B and Class C shares, amounts paid under the Plan are paid to the
Distributor for (1) services provided and the expenses borne by it and others
in the distribution of the shares of these Classes, including the payment of
commissions for sales of these Classes and incentive compensation to, and
expenses of, the Morgan Stanley Dean Witter Financial Advisors and others who
engage in or support distribution of the shares or who service shareholder
accounts, including overhead and telephone expenses; (2) printing and
distribution of prospectuses and reports used in connection with the offering
of these shares to other than current shareholders; and (3) preparation,
printing and distribution of sales literature and advertising materials. In
addition, the Distributor may utilize fees paid pursuant to the Plan, in the
case of Class B shares, to compensate Dean Witter Reynolds Inc. ("DWR"), an
affiliate of the Investment Manager and Distributor, and other selected
broker-dealers for their opportunity costs in advancing such amounts, which
compensation would be in the form of a carrying charge on any unreimbursed
expenses.
In the case of Class B shares, provided that the Plan continues in effect, any
cumulative expenses incurred by the Distributor but not yet recovered may be
recovered through the payment of future distribution fees from the Fund
pursuant to the Plan and contingent deferred sales charges paid by investors
upon redemption of Class B shares. Although there is no legal obligation for
the Fund to pay expenses incurred in excess of payments made to the Distributor
under the Plan and the proceeds of contingent deferred sales charges paid by
investors upon redemption of shares, if for any reason the Plan is terminated,
the
46
<PAGE>
MORGAN STANLEY DEAN WITTER TAX-EXEMPT SECURITIES TRUST
NOTES TO FINANCIAL STATEMENTS December 31, 1998, continued
Trustees will consider at that time the manner in which to treat such expenses.
The Distributor has advised the Fund that such excess amounts, including
carrying charges, totaled $3,972,552 at December 31, 1998.
In the case of Class A shares and Class C shares, expenses incurred pursuant to
the Plan in any calendar year in excess of 0.25% or 0.70% of the average daily
net assets of Class A or Class C, respectively, will not be reimbursed by the
Fund through payments in any subsequent year, except that expenses representing
a gross sales credit to Morgan Stanley Dean Witter Financial Advisors or other
selected broker-dealer representatives may be reimbursed in the subsequent
calendar year. For the year ended December 31, 1998, the distribution fee was
accrued for Class A shares and Class C shares at the annual rate of 0.24% and
0.70%, respectively.
The Distributor has informed the Fund that for the year ended December 31,
1998, it received contingent deferred sales charges from certain redemptions of
the Fund's Class B and Class C shares of $119,895 and $6,087, respectively and
received $168,708 in front-end sales charges from sales of the Fund's Class A
shares. The respective shareholders pay such charges which are not an expense
of the Fund.
4. SECURITY TRANSACTIONS AND TRANSACTIONS WITH AFFILIATES
The cost of purchases and proceeds from sales of portfolio securities,
excluding short-term investments, for the year ended December 31, 1998
aggregated $177,148,205 and $232,551,397, respectively.
Morgan Stanley Dean Witter Trust FSB, an affiliate of the Investment Manager
and Distributor, is the Fund's transfer agent. At December 31, 1998, the Fund
had transfer agent fees and expenses payable of approximately $18,900.
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 years
of service. Aggregate pension costs for the year ended December 31, 1998
included in Trustees' fees and expenses in the Statement of Operations amounted
to $5,976. At December 31, 1998, the Fund had an accrued pension liability of
$51,129 which is included in accrued expenses in the Statement of Assets and
Liabilities.
47
<PAGE>
MORGAN STANLEY DEAN WITTER TAX-EXEMPT SECURITIES TRUST
NOTES TO FINANCIAL STATEMENTS December 31, 1998, continued
5. SHARES OF BENEFICIAL INTEREST
Transactions in shares of beneficial interest were as follows:
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
FOR THE YEAR FOR THE YEAR
ENDED ENDED
DECEMBER 31, 1998 DECEMBER 31, 1997*
-------------------------------- ----------------------------------
SHARES AMOUNT SHARES AMOUNT
--------------- ---------------- ---------------- -----------------
<S> <C> <C> <C> <C>
CLASS A SHARES
Sold ................................................... 1,188,860 $ 14,401,331 338,676 $ 4,050,692
Reinvestment of dividends and distributions ............ 23,219 279,925 2,037 24,532
Redeemed ............................................... (279,886) (3,403,298) (21,680) (260,983)
--------- -------------- ------- --------------
Net increase -- Class A ................................ 932,193 11,277,958 319,033 3,814,241
--------- -------------- ------- --------------
CLASS B SHARES
Sold ................................................... 4,978,407 60,561,390 966,475 10,102,415
Reinvestment of dividends and distributions ............ 307,110 3,717,941 50,270 609,389
Shares issued in connection with the acquisition of Dean
Witter National Municipal Trust ....................... -- -- 7,189,021 86,346,821
Redeemed ............................................... (2,198,759) (26,762,285) (333,151) (2,490,026)
---------- -------------- --------- --------------
Net increase -- Class B ................................ 3,086,758 37,517,046 7,872,615 94,568,599
---------- -------------- --------- --------------
CLASS C SHARES
Sold ................................................... 505,118 6,127,960 246,149 2,956,204
Reinvestment of dividends and distributions ............ 18,393 222,199 2,294 27,678
Redeemed ............................................... (136,298) (1,653,180) (4,612) (55,937)
---------- -------------- --------- --------------
Net increase -- Class C ................................ 387,213 4,696,979 243,831 2,927,945
---------- -------------- --------- --------------
CLASS D SHARES
Sold ................................................... 264,495 3,195,718 1,386,806 16,302,673
Reinvestment of dividends and distributions ............ 3,213,005 38,720,154 3,036,080 35,979,041
Redeemed ............................................... (9,095,698) (109,910,041) (14,721,910) (173,829,296)
---------- -------------- ----------- --------------
Net decrease -- Class D ................................ (5,618,198) (67,994,169) (10,299,024) (121,547,582)
---------- -------------- ----------- --------------
Net decrease in Fund ................................... (1,212,034) $ (14,502,186) (1,863,545) $ (20,236,797)
========== ============== =========== ==============
</TABLE>
- ---------------
* For Class A, B and C, for the period July 28, 1997 (issue date) through
December 31, 1997.
48
<PAGE>
MORGAN STANLEY DEAN WITTER TAX-EXEMPT SECURITIES TRUST
NOTES TO FINANCIAL STATEMENTS December 31, 1998, continued
6. ACQUISITION OF DEAN WITTER NATIONAL MUNICIPAL TRUST
As of the close of business on November 7, 1997, the Fund acquired all the net
assets of Dean Witter National Municipal Trust ("National Municipal") pursuant
to a plan of reorganization approved by the shareholders of National Municipal
on October 24, 1997. The acquisition was accomplished by a tax-free exchange of
7,189,021 Class B shares of the Fund at a net asset value of $12.01 per share
for 7,972,312 shares of National Municipal. The net assets of the Fund and
National Municipal immediately before the acquisition were $1,108,511,637 and
$86,346,821, respectively, including unrealized appreciation of $5,153,021.
Immediately after the acquisition, the combined net assets of the Fund amounted
to $1,194,858,458.
49
<PAGE>
MORGAN STANLEY 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,
----------------------------------------------------------------------
1998 1997* 1996 1995 1994
---------------------- ----------- ----------- ----------- -----------
<S> <C> <C> <C> <C> <C>
CLASS D SHARES
SELECTED PER SHARE DATA:
Net asset value, beginning of period ................... $ 12.08 $ 11.77 $ 12.09 $ 11.01 $ 12.41
---------- ------- ------- ------- -------
Income (loss) from investment operations:
Net investment income ................................. 0.62 0.63 0.65 0.67 0.70
Net realized and unrealized gain (loss) ............... 0.10 0.36 ( 0.24) 1.19 ( 1.37)
---------- ------- -------- ------- -------
Total income (loss) from investment operations ......... 0.72 0.99 0.41 1.86 ( 0.67)
---------- ------- -------- ------- -------
Less dividends and distributions from:
Net investment income ................................. ( 0.62) ( 0.63) ( 0.65) ( 0.67) ( 0.70)
Net realized gain ..................................... ( 0.17) ( 0.05) ( 0.08) ( 0.11) ( 0.03)
---------- -------- -------- -------- -------
Total dividends and distributions ...................... ( 0.79) ( 0.68) ( 0.73) ( 0.78) ( 0.73)
---------- -------- -------- -------- -------
Net asset value, end of period ......................... $ 12.01 $ 12.08 $ 11.77 $ 12.09 $ 11.01
========== ======== ======== ======== =======
TOTAL RETURN+ .......................................... 6.11% 8.73% 3.61% 17.37% ( 5.55)%
RATIOS TO AVERAGE NET ASSETS:
Expenses ............................................... 0.50%(1)(2) 0.49% 0.48% 0.48% 0.47 %
Net investment income .................................. 5.12%(2) 5.34% 5.52% 5.76% 6.02 %
SUPPLEMENTAL DATA:
Net assets, end of period, in millions ................. $ 1,023 $ 1,097 $ 1,190 $ 1,325 $1,295
Portfolio turnover rate ................................ 15% 16% 18% 21% 16 %
</TABLE>
- -------------
* Prior to July 28, 1997, the Fund issued one class of shares. All shares
of the Fund held prior to that date have been designated Class D shares.
+ Calculated based on the net asset value as of the last business day of
the period.
(1) Does not reflect the effect of expense offset of 0.01%.
(2) Reflects overall Fund ratios for investment income and non-class specific
expenses.
SEE NOTES TO FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
50
<PAGE>
MORGAN STANLEY DEAN WITTER TAX-EXEMPT SECURITIES TRUST
FINANCIAL HIGHLIGHTS, continued
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
FOR THE PERIOD
FOR THE YEAR JULY 28, 1997*
ENDED THROUGH
DECEMBER 31, 1998 DECEMBER 31, 1997
---------------------- ----------------------
<S> <C> <C>
CLASS A SHARES
SELECTED PER SHARE DATA:
Net asset value, beginning of period ............ $ 12.09 $ 12.00
---------- ----------
Income from investment operations:
Net investment income .......................... 0.59 0.25
Net realized and unrealized gain ............... 0.10 0.14
---------- ----------
Total income from investment operations ......... 0.69 0.39
---------- ----------
Less dividends and distributions from:
Net investment income .......................... ( 0.59) ( 0.25)
Net realized gain .............................. ( 0.17) ( 0.05)
---------- ----------
Total dividends and distributions ............... ( 0.76) ( 0.30)
---------- ----------
Net asset value, end of period .................. $ 12.02 $ 12.09
========== ==========
TOTAL RETURN+ ................................... 5.86% 3.31%(1)
RATIOS TO AVERAGE NET ASSETS:
Expenses ........................................ 0.74%(4)(5) 0.76%(2)(3)
Net investment income ........................... 4.88%(5) 4.96%(2)
SUPPLEMENTAL DATA:
Net assets, end of period, in thousands ......... $ 15,041 $ 3,857
Portfolio turnover rate ......................... 15% 16%
CLASS B SHARES
SELECTED PER SHARE DATA:
Net asset value, beginning of period ............ $ 12.14 $ 12.00
Income from investment operations:
Net investment income .......................... 0.55 0.23
Net realized and unrealized gain ............... 0.10 0.19
------------- -------------
Total income from investment operations ......... 0.65 0.42
------------- -------------
Less dividends and distributions from:
Net investment income .......................... ( 0.55) ( 0.23)
Net realized gain .............................. ( 0.17) ( 0.05)
------------- -------------
Total dividends and distributions ............... ( 0.72) ( 0.28)
------------- -------------
Net asset value, end of period .................. $ 12.07 $ 12.14
============= =============
TOTAL RETURN + .................................. 5.47% 3.57%(1)
RATIOS TO AVERAGE NET ASSETS:
Expenses ........................................ 1.10%(4)(5) 1.14%(2)(3)
Net investment income ........................... 4.52%(5) 4.87%(2)
SUPPLEMENTAL DATA:
Net assets, end of period, in thousands ......... $ 132,303 $ 95,573
Portfolio turnover rate ......................... 15% 16%
</TABLE>
- -------------
* The date shares were first issued.
+ Does not reflect the deduction of sales charge. Calculated based on the
net asset value as of the last business day of the period.
(1) Not annualized.
(2) Annualized.
(3) Does not reflect the effect of expense offset of 0.02%.
(4) Does not reflect the effect of expense offset of 0.01%.
(5) Reflects overall Fund ratios for investment income and non-class specific
expenses.
SEE NOTES TO FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
51
<PAGE>
MORGAN STANLEY DEAN WITTER TAX-EXEMPT SECURITIES TRUST
FINANCIAL HIGHLIGHTS, continued
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
FOR THE PERIOD
FOR THE YEAR JULY 28, 1997*
ENDED THROUGH
DECEMBER 31, 1998 DECEMER 31, 1997
---------------------- ----------------------
<S> <C> <C>
CLASS C SHARES
SELECTED PER SHARE DATA:
Net asset value, beginning of period ............ $ 12.11 $ 12.00
---------- ----------
Income from investment operations:
Net investment income .......................... 0.53 0.23
Net realized and unrealized gain ............... 0.10 0.16
---------- ----------
Total income from investment operations ......... 0.63 0.39
---------- ----------
Less dividends and distributions from:
Net investment income .......................... (0.53) (0.23)
Net realized gain .............................. (0.17) (0.05)
---------- ----------
Total dividends and distributions ............... (0.70) (0.28)
---------- ----------
Net asset value, end of period .................. $ 12.04 $ 12.11
========== ==========
TOTAL RETURN+ ................................... 5.36% 3.28%(1)
RATIOS TO AVERAGE NET ASSETS:
Expenses ........................................ 1.20%(4)(5) 1.20%(2)(3)
Net investment income ........................... 4.42%(5) 4.41%(2)
SUPPLEMENTAL DATA:
Net assets, end of period, in thousands ......... $ 7,599 $ 2,953
Portfolio turnover rate ......................... 15% 16%
</TABLE>
- -------------
* The date shares were first issued.
+ Does not reflect the deduction of sales charge. Calculated based on the
net asset value as of the last business day of the period.
(1) Not annualized.
(2) Annualized.
(3) Does not reflect the effect of expense offset of 0.02%.
(4) Does not reflect the effect of expense offset of 0.01%.
(5) Reflects overall Fund ratios for investment income and non-class specific
expenses.
SEE NOTES TO FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
52
<PAGE>
MORGAN STANLEY DEAN WITTER TAX-EXEMPT SECURITIES TRUST
REPORT OF INDEPENDENT ACCOUNTANTS
TO THE SHAREHOLDERS AND TRUSTEES
OF MORGAN STANLEY 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 Morgan Stanley Dean Witter
Tax-Exempt Securities Trust (the "Fund"), formerly Dean Witter Tax-Exempt
Securities Trust, at December 31, 1998, 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 periods
presented, 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, 1998 by correspondence with the custodian, provide a reasonable
basis for the opinion expressed above.
PricewaterhouseCoopers LLP
1177 Avenue of the Americas
New York, New York 10036
February 10, 1999
1998 FEDERAL TAX NOTICE (unaudited)
During the year ended December 31, 1998, the Fund paid to shareholders
the following per share amounts from net investment income: Class A,
$0.59; Class B, $0.55; Class C, $0.53; and Class D, $0.62 per share. All
of these dividends from net investment income were exempt interest
dividends, excludable from gross income for Federal income tax purposes.
For the year ended December 31, 1998, the Fund paid to Class A, B, C and
D shareholders $0.16 per share from long-term capital gains, all of which
is taxable as 20% rate gain.
53
<PAGE>
XIII. APPENDIX
RATINGS OF INVESTMENTS
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
MOODY'S INVESTORS SERVICE INC. ("MOODY'S")
MUNICIPAL BOND RATINGS
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
<S> <C>
Aaa Bonds which are rated Aaa are judged to be of the best quality. They carry the smallest degree
of investment risk and are generally referred to as "gilt edge." Interest payments are protected
by a large or by an exceptionally stable margin and principal is secure. While the various
protective elements are likely to change, such changes as can be visualized are most unlikely
to impair the fundamentally strong position of such issues.
Aa Bonds which are rated Aa are judged to be of high quality by all standards. Together with the Aaa
group they comprise what are generally known as high grade bonds. They are rated lower than
the best bonds because margins of protection may not be as large as in Aaa securities or
fluctuation of protective elements may be of greater amplitude or there may be other elements
present which make the long-term risks appear somewhat larger than in Aaa securities.
A Bonds which are rated A possess many favorable investment attributes and are to be considered
as upper medium grade obligations. Factors giving security to principal and interest are
considered adequate, but elements may be present which suggest a susceptibility to impairment
sometime in the future.
Baa Bonds which are rated Baa are considered as medium grade obligations; i.e., they are neither
highly protected nor poorly secured. Interest payments and principal security appear adequate
for the present but certain protective elements may be lacking or may be characteristically
unreliable over any great length of time. Such bonds lack outstanding investment characteristics
and in fact have speculative characteristics as well.
Bonds rated Aaa, Aa, A and Baa are considered investment grade bonds.
Ba Bonds which are rated Ba are judged to have speculative elements; their future cannot be
considered as well assured. Often the protection of interest and principal payments may be very
moderate, and therefore not well safeguarded during both good and bad times in the future.
Uncertainty of position characterizes bonds in this class.
B Bonds which are rated B generally lack characteristics of a desirable investment. Assurance of
interest and principal payments or of maintenance of other terms of the contract over any long
period of time may be small.
Caa Bonds which are rated Caa are of poor standing. Such issues may be in default or there may be
present elements of danger with respect to principal or interest.
Ca Bonds which are rated Ca present obligations which are speculative in a high degree. Such
issues are often in default or have other marked shortcomings.
C Bonds which are rated C are the lowest rated class of bonds, and issues so rated can be
regarded as having extremely poor prospects of ever attaining any real investment standing.
</TABLE>
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.
54
<PAGE>
Rating Refinements: Moody's may apply numerical modifiers, 1, 2, and 3 in
each generic rating classification from Aa through B in its municipal bond
rating system. The modifier 1 indicates that the security ranks in the higher
end of its generic rating category; the modifier 2 indicates a mid-range
ranking; and a modifier 3 indicates that the issue ranks in the lower end of
its generic rating category.
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 for 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.
55
<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 exhibits adequate protection parameters, adverse economic
conditions or changing circumstances are more likely to lead to a weakened capacity to pay
interest and repay principal for debt in this category than for debt in higher-rated categories.
Bonds rated AAA, AA, A and BBB are considered investment grade bonds.
BB Debt rated "BB" has less near-term vulnerability to default than other speculative grade debt.
However, it faces major ongoing uncertainties or exposure to adverse business, financial or
economic conditions which 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.
</TABLE>
56
<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.
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 the following:
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.
FITCH INVESTORS SERVICE, LP ("FITCH")
MUNICIPAL BOND RATINGS
[TO COME]
57
<PAGE>
MORGAN STANLEY DEAN WITTER TAX-EXEMPT SECURITIES TRUST
PART C OTHER INFORMATION
Item 23. Exhibits
1. -- Form of Amendment to the Declaration of Trust of the Registrant.
2. -- Amended and Restated By-Laws of the Registrant dated January 28,
1999.
4. -- Form of Amended Investment Management Agreement between the
Registrant and Morgan Stanley Dean Witter Advisors Inc.
5(a). -- Form of Amended Distribution Agreement between the Registrant and
Morgan Stanley Dean Witter Distributors Inc.
5(b). -- Form of Omnibus Selected Dealer Agreement.
8(a). -- Form of Amended and Restated Transfer Agency and Service Agreement
between the Registrant and Morgan Stanley Dean Witter Trust FSB.
8(b). -- Form of Amended Services Agreement between Morgan Stanley Dean
Witter Advisors Inc. and Morgan Stanley Dean Witter Services
Company Inc.
10. -- Consent of Independent Accountants.
14. -- Financial Data Schedules.
15. -- Amended Multiple Class Plan pursuant to Rule 18f-3.
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
All other exhibits were previously filed via EDGAR and are hereby
incorporated by reference.
Item 24. Persons Controlled by or Under Common Control with the Fund
None
Item 25. 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.
<PAGE>
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 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 26. Business and Other Connections of Investment Advisor
See "The Fund and Its Management" in the Prospectus regarding the business
of the investment advisor. The following information is given regarding officers
of Morgan Stanley Dean Witter Advisors Inc. ("MSDW Advisors"). MSDW Advisors is
a wholly-owned subsidiary of Morgan Stanley Dean Witter & Co. The principal
address of the Morgan Stanley Dean Witter Funds is Two World Trade Center, New
York, New York 10048.
The term "Morgan Stanley Dean Witter Funds" refers to the following
registered investment companies:
Closed-End Investment Companies
(1) Morgan Stanley Dean Witter California Insured Municipal Income Trust
(2) Morgan Stanley Dean Witter California Quality Municipal Securities
(3) Morgan Stanley Dean Witter Government Income Trust
(4) Morgan Stanley Dean Witter High Income Advantage Trust
(5) Morgan Stanley Dean Witter High Income Advantage Trust II
2
<PAGE>
(6) Morgan Stanley Dean Witter High Income Advantage Trust III
(7) Morgan Stanley Dean Witter Income Securities Inc.
(8) Morgan Stanley Dean Witter Insured California Municipal Securities
(9) Morgan Stanley Dean Witter Insured Municipal Bond Trust
(10) Morgan Stanley Dean Witter Insured Municipal Income Trust
(11) Morgan Stanley Dean Witter Insured Municipal Securities
(12) Morgan Stanley Dean Witter Insured Municipal Trust
(13) Morgan Stanley Dean Witter Municipal Income Opportunities Trust
(14) Morgan Stanley Dean Witter Municipal Income Opportunities Trust II
(15) Morgan Stanley Dean Witter Municipal Income Opportunities Trust III
(16) Morgan Stanley Dean Witter Municipal Income Trust
(17) Morgan Stanley Dean Witter Municipal Income Trust II
(18) Morgan Stanley Dean Witter Municipal Income Trust III
(19) Morgan Stanley Dean Witter Municipal Premium Income Trust
(20) Morgan Stanley Dean Witter New York Quality Municipal Securities
(21) Morgan Stanley Dean Witter Prime Income Trust
(22) Morgan Stanley Dean Witter Quality Municipal Income Trust
(23) Morgan Stanley Dean Witter Quality Municipal Investment Trust
(24) Morgan Stanley Dean Witter Quality Municipal Securities
Open-end Investment Companies
(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) Morgan Stanley Dean Witter Aggressive Equity Fund
(6) Morgan Stanley Dean Witter American Value Fund
(7) Morgan Stanley Dean Witter Balanced Growth Fund
(8) Morgan Stanley Dean Witter Balanced Income Fund
(9) Morgan Stanley Dean Witter California Tax-Free Daily Income Trust
(10) Morgan Stanley Dean Witter California Tax-Free Income Fund
(11) Morgan Stanley Dean Witter Capital Appreciation Fund
(12) Morgan Stanley Dean Witter Capital Growth Securities
(13) Morgan Stanley Dean Witter Competitive Edge Fund, "Best Ideas Portfolio"
(14) Morgan Stanley Dean Witter Convertible Securities Trust
(15) Morgan Stanley Dean Witter Developing Growth Securities Trust
(16) Morgan Stanley Dean Witter Diversified Income Trust
(17) Morgan Stanley Dean Witter Dividend Growth Securities Inc.
(18) Morgan Stanley Dean Witter Equity Fund
(19) Morgan Stanley Dean Witter European Growth Fund Inc.
(20) Morgan Stanley Dean Witter Federal Securities Trust
(21) Morgan Stanley Dean Witter Financial Services Trust
(22) Morgan Stanley Dean Witter Fund of Funds
(23) Morgan Stanley Dean Witter Global Dividend Growth Securities
(24) Morgan Stanley Dean Witter Global Short-Term Income Fund Inc.
(25) Morgan Stanley Dean Witter Global Utilities Fund
(26) Morgan Stanley Dean Witter Growth Fund
(27) Morgan Stanley Dean Witter Hawaii Municipal Trust
(28) Morgan Stanley Dean Witter Health Sciences Trust
(29) Morgan Stanley Dean Witter High Yield Securities Inc.
(30) Morgan Stanley Dean Witter Income Builder Fund
3
<PAGE>
(31) Morgan Stanley Dean Witter Information Fund
(32) Morgan Stanley Dean Witter Intermediate Income Securities
(33) Morgan Stanley Dean Witter International SmallCap Fund
(34) Morgan Stanley Dean Witter Japan Fund
(35) Morgan Stanley Dean Witter Limited Term Municipal Trust
(36) Morgan Stanley Dean Witter Liquid Asset Fund Inc.
(37) Morgan Stanley Dean Witter Market Leader Trust
(38) Morgan Stanley Dean Witter Mid-Cap Dividend Growth Securities
(39) Morgan Stanley Dean Witter Mid-Cap Growth Fund
(40) Morgan Stanley Dean Witter Multi-State Municipal Series Trust
(41) Morgan Stanley Dean Witter Natural Resource Development Securities Inc.
(42) Morgan Stanley Dean Witter New York Municipal Money Market Trust
(43) Morgan Stanley Dean Witter New York Tax-Free Income Fund
(44) Morgan Stanley Dean Witter Pacific Growth Fund Inc.
(45) Morgan Stanley Dean Witter Precious Metals and Minerals Trust
(46) Morgan Stanley Dean Witter S&P 500 Index Fund
(47) Morgan Stanley Dean Witter S&P 500 Select Fund
(48) Morgan Stanley Dean Witter Select Dimensions Investment Series
(49) Morgan Stanley Dean Witter Select Municipal Reinvestment Fund
(50) Morgan Stanley Dean Witter Short-Term Bond Fund
(51) Morgan Stanley Dean Witter Short-Term U.S. Treasury Trust
(52) Morgan Stanley Dean Witter Special Value Fund
(53) Morgan Stanley Dean Witter Strategist Fund
(54) Morgan Stanley Dean Witter Tax-Exempt Securities Trust
(55) Morgan Stanley Dean Witter Tax-Free Daily Income Trust
(56) Morgan Stanley Dean Witter U.S. Government Money Market Trust
(57) Morgan Stanley Dean Witter U.S. Government Securities Trust
(58) Morgan Stanley Dean Witter Utilities Fund
(59) Morgan Stanley Dean Witter Value-Added Market Series
(60) Morgan Stanley Dean Witter Value Fund
(61) Morgan Stanley Dean Witter Variable Investment Series
(62) Morgan Stanley Dean Witter World Wide Income Trust
The term "TCW/DW Funds" refers to the following registered investment
companies:
Open-End Investment Companies
(1) TCW/DW Emerging Markets Opportunities Trust
(2) TCW/DW Global Telecom Trust
(3) TCW/DW Income and Growth Fund
(4) TCW/DW Latin American Growth Fund
(5) TCW/DW Mid-Cap Equity Trust
(6) TCW/DW North American Government Income Trust
(7) TCW/DW Small Cap Growth Fund
(8) TCW/DW Total Return Trust
Closed-End Investment Companies
(1) TCW/DW Term Trust 2000
(2) TCW/DW Term Trust 2002
(3) TCW/DW Term Trust 2003
4
<PAGE>
NAME AND POSITION WITH OTHER SUBSTANTIAL BUSINESS, PROFESSION, VOCATION
MORGAN STANLEY DEAN OR EMPLOYMENT, INCLUDING NAME, PRINCIPAL ADDRESS
WITTER ADVISORS INC. AND NATURE OF CONNECTION
- ---------------------- ---------------------------------------------------
Mitchell M. Merin President and Chief Operating Officer of Asset
President, Chief Management of Morgan Stanley Dean Witter & Co.
Executive Officer and ("MSDW); Chairman and Director of Morgan Stanley
Director Dean Witter Distributors Inc. ("MSDW Distributors")
and Morgan Stanley Dean Witter Trust FSB ("MSDW
Trust"); President, Chief Executive Officer and
Director of Morgan Stanley Dean Witter Services
Company Inc. ("MSDW Services"); Vice President of
the Morgan Stanley Dean Witter Funds, TCW/DW Funds
and Discover Brokerages Index Series; Executive
Vice President and Director of Dean Witter Reynolds
Inc. ("DWR"); Director of various MSDW
subsidiaries.
Thomas C. Schneider Executive Vice President and Chief Strategic and
Executive Vice Administrative Officer of MSDW; Executive Vice
President and Chief President and Chief Financial Officer of MSDW
Financial Officer Services; Director of DWR and MSDW.
Joseph J. McAlinden Vice President of the Morgan Stanley Dean Witter
Executive Vice President Funds and Discover Brokerage Index Series; Director
and Chief Investment of MSDW Trust.
Officer
Ronald E. Robison Executive Vice President, Chief Administrative
Executive Vice President Officer and Director of MSDW Services; Vice
and Chief Administrative President of the Morgan Stanley Dean Witter Funds,
Officer and Director TCW/DW Funds, and Discover Brokerage Index Series.
Edward C. Oelsner, III
Executive Vice President
Barry Fink Assistant Secretary of DWR; Senior Vice President,
Senior Vice President, Secretary, General Counsel and Director of MSDW
Secretary, General Services; Senior Vice President, Assistant
Counsel and Director Secretary and Assistant General Counsel of MSDW
Distributors; Vice President, Secretary and General
Counsel of the Morgan Stanley Dean Witter Funds,
TCW/DW Funds and Discover Brokerage Index Series.
Peter M. Avelar Vice President of various Morgan Stanley Dean
Senior Vice President Witter Funds.
Mark Bavoso Vice President of various Morgan Stanley Dean
Senior Vice President Witter Funds.
5
<PAGE>
NAME AND POSITION WITH OTHER SUBSTANTIAL BUSINESS, PROFESSION, VOCATION
MORGAN STANLEY DEAN OR EMPLOYMENT, INCLUDING NAME, PRINCIPAL ADDRESS
WITTER ADVISORS INC. AND NATURE OF CONNECTION
- ---------------------- ---------------------------------------------------
Rosalie Clough
Senior Vice President
and Director of Marketing
Richard Felegy
Senior Vice President
Edward F. Gaylor Vice President of various Morgan Stanley Dean
Senior Vice President Witter Funds.
Robert S. Giambrone Senior Vice President of MSDW Services, MSDW
Senior Vice President Distributors and MSDW Trust and Director of MSDW
Trust; Vice President of the Morgan Stanley Dean
Witter Funds, TCW/DW Funds, and Discover Brokerage
Index Series.
Rajesh K. Gupta Vice President of various Morgan Stanley Dean
Senior Vice President Witter Funds.
Kenton J. Hinchliffe Vice President of various Morgan Stanley Dean
Senior Vice President Witter Funds, and Discover Brokerage Index Series.
Kevin Hurley Vice President of various Morgan Stanley Dean
Senior Vice President Witter Funds.
Margaret Iannuzzi
Senior Vice President
Jenny Beth Jones Vice President of various Morgan Stanley Dean
Senior Vice President Witter Funds.
John B. Kemp, III President of MSDW Distributors.
Senior Vice President
Anita H. Kolleeny Vice President of various Morgan Stanley Dean
Senior Vice President Witter Funds.
Jonathan R. Page Vice President of various Morgan Stanley Dean
Senior Vice President Witter Funds.
Ira N. Ross Vice President of various Morgan Stanley Dean
Senior Vice President Witter Funds.
Guy G. Rutherfurd, Jr. Vice President of various Morgan Stanley Dean
Senior Vice President Witter Funds.
Rochelle G. Siegel Vice President of various Morgan Stanley Dean
Senior Vice President Witter Funds.
6
<PAGE>
NAME AND POSITION WITH OTHER SUBSTANTIAL BUSINESS, PROFESSION, VOCATION
MORGAN STANLEY DEAN OR EMPLOYMENT, INCLUDING NAME, PRINCIPAL ADDRESS
WITTER ADVISORS INC. AND NATURE OF CONNECTION
- ---------------------- ---------------------------------------------------
James Solloway
Senior Vice President
Jayne M. Stevlingson Vice President of various Morgan Stanley Dean
Senior Vice President Witter Funds.
Paul D. Vance Vice President of various Morgan Stanley Dean
Senior Vice President Witter Funds.
Elizabeth A. Vetell
Senior Vice President
and Director of Shareholder
Communication
James F. Willison Vice President of various Morgan Stanley Dean
Senior Vice President Witter Funds.
Douglas Brown
First Vice President
Frank Bruttomesso First Vice President and Assistant Secretary of
First Vice President and MSDW Services; Assistant Secretary of the Morgan
Assistant Secretary Stanley Dean Witter Funds, TCW/DW Funds and
Discover Brokerage Index Series.
Thomas F. Caloia First Vice President and Assistant Treasurer of
First Vice President MSDW Services; Assistant Treasurer of MSDW
and Assistant Distributors; Treasurer and Chief Financial Officer
Treasurer of the Morgan Stanley Dean Witter Funds,TCW/DW
Funds and Discover Brokerage Index Series.
Thomas Chronert
First Vice President
Marilyn K. Cranney Assistant Secretary of DWR; First Vice President
First Vice President and Assistant Secretary of MSDW Services; Assistant
and Assistant Secretary Secretary of the Morgan Stanley Dean Witter Funds,
TCW/DW Funds and Discover Brokerage Index Series.
Salvatore DeSteno Vice President of MSDW Services.
First Vice President
Michael Interrante First Vice President and Controller of MSDW
First Vice President Services; Assistant Treasurer of MSDW Distributors;
and Controller First Vice President and Treasurer of MSDW Trust.
7
<PAGE>
NAME AND POSITION WITH OTHER SUBSTANTIAL BUSINESS, PROFESSION, VOCATION
MORGAN STANLEY DEAN OR EMPLOYMENT, INCLUDING NAME, PRINCIPAL ADDRESS
WITTER ADVISORS INC. AND NATURE OF CONNECTION
- ---------------------- ---------------------------------------------------
David Johnson
First Vice President
Stanley Kapica
First Vice President
LouAnne D. McInnis First Vice President and Assistant Secretary of
First Vice President and MSDW Services; Assistant Secretary of the Morgan
Assistant Secretary Stanley Dean Witter Funds, TCW/DW Funds and
Discover Brokerage Index Series.
Carsten Otto First Vice President and Assistant Secretary of
First Vice President MSDW Services; Assistant Secretary of the Morgan
and Assistant Secretary Stanley Dean Witter Funds, TCW/DW Funds and
Discover Brokerage Index Series.
Ruth Rossi First Vice President and Assistant Secretary of
First Vice President and MSDW Services; Assistant Secretary of the Morgan
Assistant Secretary Stanley Dean Witter Funds, TCW/DW Funds and
Discover Brokerage Index Series.
James P. Wallin
First Vice President
Robert Zimmerman
First Vice President
Dale Albright
Vice President
Joan G. Allman
Vice President
Andrew Arbenz
Vice President
Joseph Arcieri Vice President of various Morgan Stanley Dean
Vice President Witter Funds.
Nancy Belza
Vice President
Maurice Bendrihem
Vice President and
Assistant Controller
8
<PAGE>
NAME AND POSITION WITH OTHER SUBSTANTIAL BUSINESS, PROFESSION, VOCATION
MORGAN STANLEY DEAN OR EMPLOYMENT, INCLUDING NAME, PRINCIPAL ADDRESS
WITTER ADVISORS INC. AND NATURE OF CONNECTION
- ---------------------- ---------------------------------------------------
Ronald Caldwell
Vice President
Joseph Cardwell
Vice President
Philip Casparius
Vice President
David Dineen
Vice President
Michael Durbin
Vice President
Sheila Finnerty Vice President of Morgan Stanley Dean Witter Prime
Vice President Income Trust.
Jeffrey D. Geffen
Vice President
Sandra Gelpieryn
Vice President
Michael Geringer
Vice President
Ellen Gold
Vice President
Stephen Greenhut
Vice President
Peter W. Gurman
Vice President
Matthew Haynes Vice President of various Morgan Stanley Dean
Vice President Witter Funds.
Peter Hermann Vice President of various Morgan Stanley Dean
Vice President Witter Funds.
David Hoffman
Vice President
Christopher Jones
Vice President
9
<PAGE>
NAME AND POSITION WITH OTHER SUBSTANTIAL BUSINESS, PROFESSION, VOCATION
MORGAN STANLEY DEAN OR EMPLOYMENT, INCLUDING NAME, PRINCIPAL ADDRESS
WITTER ADVISORS INC. AND NATURE OF CONNECTION
- ---------------------- ---------------------------------------------------
Kevin Jung
Vice President
Carol Espejo Kane
Vice President
Michelle Kaufman Vice President of various Morgan Stanley Dean
Vice President Witter Funds.
Paula LaCosta Vice President of various Morgan Stanley Dean
Vice President Witter Funds.
Thomas Lawlor
Vice President
Todd Lebo Vice President and Assistant Secretary of MSDW
Vice President Services; Assistant Secretary of the Morgan Stanley
Dean Witter Funds, TCW/DW Funds and Discover
Brokerage Index Series.
Gerard J. Lian Vice President of various Morgan Stanley Dean
Vice President Witter Funds.
Nancy Login
Vice President
Steven MacNamara
Vice President
Catherine Maniscalco Vice President of Morgan Stanley Dean Witter
Vice President Natural Resource Development Securities Inc.
Albert McGarity
Vice President
Teresa McRoberts Vice President of Morgan Stanley Dean Witter
Vice President S&P 500 Select Fund.
Mark Mitchell
Vice President
Julie Morrone
Vice President
10
<PAGE>
NAME AND POSITION WITH OTHER SUBSTANTIAL BUSINESS, PROFESSION, VOCATION
MORGAN STANLEY DEAN OR EMPLOYMENT, INCLUDING NAME, PRINCIPAL ADDRESS
WITTER ADVISORS INC. AND NATURE OF CONNECTION
- ---------------------- ---------------------------------------------------
Mary Beth Mueller
Vice President
David Myers Vice President of Morgan Stanley Dean Witter
Vice President Natural Resource Development Securities Inc.
Richard Norris
Vice President
George Paoletti Vice President of Morgan Stanley Dean Witter
Vice President Information Fund.
Anne Pickrell Vice President of various Morgan Stanley Dean
Vice President Witter Funds.
John Roscoe
Vice President
Hugh Rose
Vice President
Robert Rossetti Vice President of various Morgan Stanley Dean
Vice President Witter Funds.
Carl F. Sadler
Vice President
Deborah Santaniello
Vice President
Howard A. Schloss Vice President of Morgan Stanley Dean Witter
Vice President Federal Securities Trust.
Peter J. Seeley Vice President of various Morgan Stanley Dean
Vice President Witter Funds.
Robert Stearns
Vice President
Naomi Stein
Vice President
Michael Strayhorn
Vice President
Kathleen H. Stromberg Vice President of various Morgan Stanley Dean
Vice President Witter Funds.
11
<PAGE>
NAME AND POSITION WITH OTHER SUBSTANTIAL BUSINESS, PROFESSION, VOCATION
MORGAN STANLEY DEAN OR EMPLOYMENT, INCLUDING NAME, PRINCIPAL ADDRESS
WITTER ADVISORS INC. AND NATURE OF CONNECTION
- ---------------------- ---------------------------------------------------
Marybeth Swisher
Vice President
Robert Vanden Assem
Vice President
Alice Weiss Vice President of various Morgan Stanley Dean
Vice President Witter Funds.
John Wong
Vice President
Item 27. Principal Underwriters
(a) Morgan Stanley Dean Witter Distributors Inc. ("MSDW Distributors"), a
Delaware corporation, is the principal underwriter of the Registrant. MSDW
Distributors is also the principal underwriter of the following investment
companies:
(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) Morgan Stanley Dean Witter Aggressive Equity Fund
(6) Morgan Stanley Dean Witter American Value Fund
(7) Morgan Stanley Dean Witter Balanced Growth Fund
(8) Morgan Stanley Dean Witter Balanced Income Fund
(9) Morgan Stanley Dean Witter California Tax-Free Daily Income Trust
(10) Morgan Stanley Dean Witter California Tax-Free Income Fund
(11) Morgan Stanley Dean Witter Capital Appreciation Fund
(12) Morgan Stanley Dean Witter Capital Growth Securities
(13) Morgan Stanley Dean Witter Competitive Edge Fund, "Best Ideas Portfolio"
(14) Morgan Stanley Dean Witter Convertible Securities Trust
(15) Morgan Stanley Dean Witter Developing Growth Securities Trust
(16) Morgan Stanley Dean Witter Diversified Income Trust
(17) Morgan Stanley Dean Witter Dividend Growth Securities Inc.
(18) Morgan Stanley Dean Witter Equity Fund
(19) Morgan Stanley Dean Witter European Growth Fund Inc.
(20) Morgan Stanley Dean Witter Federal Securities Trust
(21) Morgan Stanley Dean Witter Financial Services Trust
(22) Morgan Stanley Dean Witter Fund of Funds
(23) Morgan Stanley Dean Witter Global Dividend Growth Securities
(24) Morgan Stanley Dean Witter Global Short-Term Income Fund Inc.
(25) Morgan Stanley Dean Witter Global Utilities Fund
(26) Morgan Stanley Dean Witter Growth Fund
(27) Morgan Stanley Dean Witter Hawaii Municipal Trust
(28) Morgan Stanley Dean Witter Health Sciences Trust
(29) Morgan Stanley Dean Witter High Yield Securities Inc.
12
<PAGE>
(30) Morgan Stanley Dean Witter Income Builder Fund
(31) Morgan Stanley Dean Witter Information Fund
(32) Morgan Stanley Dean Witter Intermediate Income Securities
(33) Morgan Stanley Dean Witter International SmallCap Fund
(34) Morgan Stanley Dean Witter Japan Fund
(35) Morgan Stanley Dean Witter Limited Term Municipal Trust
(36) Morgan Stanley Dean Witter Liquid Asset Fund Inc.
(37) Morgan Stanley Dean Witter Market Leader Trust
(38) Morgan Stanley Dean Witter Mid-Cap Dividend Growth Securities
(39) Morgan Stanley Dean Witter Mid-Cap Growth Fund
(40) Morgan Stanley Dean Witter Multi-State Municipal Series Trust
(41) Morgan Stanley Dean Witter Natural Resource Development Securities Inc.
(42) Morgan Stanley Dean Witter New York Municipal Money Market Trust
(43) Morgan Stanley Dean Witter New York Tax-Free Income Fund
(44) Morgan Stanley Dean Witter Pacific Growth Fund Inc.
(45) Morgan Stanley Dean Witter Precious Metals and Minerals Trust
(46) Morgan Stanley Dean Witter Prime Income Trust
(47) Morgan Stanley Dean Witter S&P 500 Index Fund
(48) Morgan Stanley Dean Witter S&P 500 Select Fund
(49) Morgan Stanley Dean Witter Short-Term Bond Fund
(50) Morgan Stanley Dean Witter Short-Term U.S. Treasury Trust
(51) Morgan Stanley Dean Witter Special Value Fund
(52) Morgan Stanley Dean Witter Strategist Fund
(53) Morgan Stanley Dean Witter Tax-Exempt Securities Trust
(54) Morgan Stanley Dean Witter Tax-Free Daily Income Trust
(55) Morgan Stanley Dean Witter U.S. Government Money Market Trust
(56) Morgan Stanley Dean Witter U.S. Government Securities Trust
(57) Morgan Stanley Dean Witter Utilities Fund
(58) Morgan Stanley Dean Witter Value-Added Market Series
(59) Morgan Stanley Dean Witter Value Fund
(60) Morgan Stanley Dean Witter Variable Investment Series
(61) Morgan Stanley Dean Witter World Wide Income Trust
(1) TCW/DW Emerging Markets Opportunities Trust
(2) TCW/DW Global Telecom Trust
(3) TCW/DW Income and Growth
(4) TCW/DW Latin American Growth Fund
(5) TCW/DW Mid-Cap Equity Trust
(6) TCW/DW North American Government Income Trust
(7) TCW/DW Small Cap Growth Fund
(8) TCW/DW Total Return Trust
(b) The following information is given regarding directors and officers of MSDW
Di)stributors not listed in Item 26 above. The principal address of MSDW
Distributors is Two World Trade Center, New York, New York 10048. Other than Mr.
Purcell, who is a Trustee of the Registrant, none of the following persons has
any position or office with the Registrant.
13
<PAGE>
Name Positions and Office with MSDW Distributors
- ---- -------------------------------------------
Christine Edwards Executive Vice President, Secretary, Director and Chief
Legal Officer.
Michael T. Gregg Vice President and Assistant Secretary.
James F. Higgins Director
Fredrick K. Kubler Senior Vice President, Assistant Secretary and Chief
Compliance Officer.
Philip J. Purcell Director
John Schaeffer Director
Charles Vidala Senior Vice President and Financial Principal.
Item 28. 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 29. Management Services
Registrant is not a party to any such management-related service contract.
Item 30. Undertakings
None.
14
<PAGE>
SIGNATURES
Pursuant to the requirements of the Securities Act of 1933 and the
Investment Company Act of 1940, the Registrant certifies that it has duly caused
the 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 26th day of February, 1999.
MORGAN STANLEY DEAN WITTER TAX-EXEMPT SECURITIES TRUST
By /s/ Barry Fink
-----------------------------
Barry Fink
Vice President and Secretary
Pursuant to the requirements of the Securities Act of 1933, this
Post-Effective Amendment No. 22 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 02/26/99
---------------------------
Charles A. Fiumefreddo
(2) Principal Financial Officer Treasurer and Principal
Accounting Officer
By /s/ Thomas F. Caloia 02/26/99
---------------------------
Thomas F. Caloia
(3) Majority of the Trustees
Charles A. Fiumefreddo (Chairman)
Philip J. Purcell
By /s/ Barry Fink
---------------------------
Barry Fink 02/26/99
Attorney-in-Fact
Michael Bozic Manuel H. Johnson
Edwin J. Garn Michael E. Nugent
John R. Haire John L. Schroeder
Wayne E. Hedien
By /s/ David M. Butowsky 02/26/99
---------------------------
David M. Butowsky
Attorney-in-Fact
<PAGE>
MORGAN STANLEY DEAN WITTER TAX-EXEMPT SECURITIES TRUST
EXHIBIT INDEX
Exhibit No. Description
1. -- Form of Amendment of the Declaration of Trust of the Registrant.
2. -- Amended and Restated By-Laws of the Registrant dated January 28,
1999.
4. -- Form of Amended Investment Management Agreement between the
Registrant and Morgan Stanley Dean Witter Advisors Inc.
5(a). -- Form of Amended Distribution Agreement between the Registrant and
Morgan Stanley Dean Witter Distributors Inc.
5(b). -- Form of Omnibus Selected Dealer Agreement.
8(a). -- Form of Amended and Restated Transfer Agency and Service Agreement
between the Registrant and Morgan Stanley Dean Witter Trust FSB.
8(b). -- Form of Amended Services Agreement between Morgan Stanley Dean
Witter Advisors Inc. and Morgan Stanley Dean Witter Services
Company Inc.
10. -- Consent of Independent Accountants.
14. -- Financial Data Schedules.
15. -- Amended Multiple Class Plan pursuant to Rule 18f-3.
<PAGE>
CERTIFICATE
The undersigned hereby certifies that he is the Secretary of Dean
Witter Tax-Exempt Securities Trust (the "Trust"), an unincorporated business
trust organized under the laws of the Commonwealth of Massachusetts, that
annexed hereto is an Amendment to the Declaration of Trust of the Trust adopted
by the Trustees of the Trust on April 30, 1998 as provided in Section 9.3 of the
said Declaration, said Amendment to take effect on June 22, 1998, and I do
hereby further certify that such amendment has not been amended and is on the
date hereof in full force and effect.
Dated this 22nd day of June, 1998.
--------------------------------
Barry Fink
Secretary
<PAGE>
AMENDMENT
Dated: June 22, 1998
To be Effective: June 22, 1998
TO
DEAN WITTER TAX-EXEMPT SECURITIES TRUST
DECLARATION OF TRUST
DATED
APRIL 6, 1987
<PAGE>
Amendment dated June 22, 1998 to the Declaration of Trust
(the "Declaration") of Dean Witter Tax-Exempt Securities Trust (the "Trust")
dated April 6, 1987
WHEREAS, the Trust was established by the Declaration on the date
hereinabove set forth under the laws of the Commonwealth of Massachusetts; and
WHEREAS, the Trustees of the Trust have deemed it advisable to change
the name of the Trust to "Morgan Stanley Dean Witter Tax-Exempt Securities
Trust," such change to be effective on June 22, 1998;
NOW, THEREFORE:
1. Section 1.1 of Article I of the Declaration is hereby amended so
that that Section shall read in its entirety as follows:
"Section 1.1 Name. The name of the Trust created hereby is the
Morgan Stanley 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" whenever 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."
2. Subsection (o) of Section 1.2 of Article I of the Declaration is
hereby amended so that that Subsection shall read in its entirety as follows:
"Section 1.2 Definitions...
"(o) "Trust" means the Morgan Stanley Dean Witter Tax-Exempt
Securities Trust."
3. Section 11.7 of Article XI of the Declaration is hereby amended so
that that Section shall read as follows:
"Section 11.7 Use of the name "Morgan Stanley Dean Witter." Morgan
Stanley Dean Witter & Co. ("MSDW") has consented to the use by the
Trust of the identifying name "Morgan Stanley Dean Witter," which
is a property right of MSDW. The Trust will only use the name
"Morgan Stanley 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 "Morgan Stanley Dean Witter" for any
purpose. MSDW, or any
<PAGE>
corporate affiliate of MSDW, may use or grant to others the right
to use the name "Morgan Stanley 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 MSDW
or any corporate affiliate of MSDW, the Trust will take such
action as may be required to provide its consent to the use of the
name "Morgan Stanley Dean Witter," or any combination or
abbreviation thereof, by MSDW or any corporate affiliate of MSDW,
or by any person to whom MSDW or a corporate affiliate of MSDW
shall have granted the right to such use. Upon the termination of
any investment advisory agreement into which a corporate affiliate
of MSDW and the Trust may enter, the Trust shall, upon request of
MSDW or any corporate affiliate of MSDW, cease to use the name
"Morgan Stanley Dean Witter" as a component of its name, and shall
not use the name, or any combination or abbreviation thereof, as
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 MSDW or any corporate affiliate of MSDW may request
to effect the foregoing and to reconvey to MSDW any and all rights
to such name."
4. The Trustees of the Trust hereby reaffirm the Declaration, as
amended, in all respects.
5. This Amendment may be executed in more than one counterpart, each of
which shall be deemed an original, but all of which together shall constitute
one and the same document.
<PAGE>
IN WITNESS WHEREOF, the undersigned, the Trustees of the Trust, have
executed this instrument this 22nd day of June, 1998.
/s/ Michael Bozic /s/ Manuel H. Johnson
- ------------------ ---------------------
Michael Bozic, as Trustee Manuel H. Johnson, as Trustee
and not individually and not individually
c/o Levitz Furniture Corp. c/o Johnson Smick International Inc.
6111 Broken Sound Parkway, NW 1133 Connecticut Avenue, NW
Boca Raton, FL 33487 Washington, D.C. 20036
/s/ Charles A. Fiumefreddo /s/ Michael E. Nugent
- -------------------------- ---------------------
Charles A. Fiumefreddo, as Trustee Michael E. Nugent, as Trustee
and not individually and not individually
Two World Trade Center c/o Triumph Capital, L.P.
New York, NY 10048 237 Park Avenue
New York, NY 10017
/s/ Edwin J. Garn /s/ Philip J. Purcell
- ----------------- ---------------------
Edwin J. Garn, as Trustee Philip J. Purcell, as Trustee
and not individually and not individually
c/o Huntsman Corporation 1585 Broadway
500 Huntsman Way New York, NY 10036
Salt Lake City, UT 84111
/s/ John R. Haire /s/ John L. Schroeder
- ----------------- ---------------------
John R. Haire, as Trustee John L. Schroeder, as Trustee
and not individually and not individually
Two World Trade Center c/o Gordon Altman Butowsky Weitzen
New York, NY 10048 Shalov & Wein
Counsel to the Independent Trustees
114 West 47th Street
New York, NY 10036
/s/ Wayne E. Hedien
- -------------------
Wayne E. Hedien, as Trustee
and not individually
c/o Gordon Altman Butowsky Weitzen
Shalov & Wein
Counsel to the Independent Trustees
114 West 47th Street
New York, NY 10036
<PAGE>
STATE OF NEW YORK )
)ss.:
COUNTY OF NEW YORK )
On this 22nd day of June, 1998, MICHAEL BOZIC, CHARLES A. FIUMEFREDDO, EDWIN J.
GARN, JOHN R. HAIRE, WAYNE E. HEDIEN, MANUEL H. JOHNSON, MICHAEL E. NUGENT,
PHILIP J. PURCELL and JOHN L. SCHROEDER, known to me 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/ Marilyn K. Cranney
----------------------
Notary Public
MARILYN K. CRANNEY
NOTARY PUBLIC, State of New York
No. 24-4795538
Qualified in Kings County
Commission Expires May 31, 1999
<PAGE>
BY-LAWS
OF
MORGAN STANLEY DEAN WITTER TAX-EXEMPT SECURITIES TRUST
AMENDED AND RESTATED AS OF JANUARY 28, 1999
ARTICLE I
DEFINITIONS
The terms "Commission," "Declaration," "Distributor," "Investment
Adviser," "Majority Shareholder Vote," "1940 Act," "Shareholder," "Shares,"
"Transfer Agent," "Trust," "Trust Property," and "Trustees" have the respective
meanings given them in the Declaration of Trust of Morgan Stanley Dean Witter
Tax-Exempt Securities Trust dated April 6, 1987, as amended from time to time.
ARTICLE II
OFFICES
SECTION 2.1. Principal Office. Until changed by the Trustees, the
principal office of the Trust in the Commonwealth of Massachusetts shall be in
the City of Boston, County of Suffolk.
SECTION 2.2. Other Offices. In addition to its principal office in the
Commonwealth of Massachusetts, the Trust may have an office or offices in the
City of New York, State of New York, and at such other places within and
without the Commonwealth as the Trustees may from time to time designate or the
business of the Trust may require.
ARTICLE III
SHAREHOLDERS' MEETINGS
SECTION 3.1. Place of Meetings. Meetings of Shareholders shall be held at
such place, within or without the Commonwealth of Massachusetts, as may be
designated from time to time by the Trustees.
SECTION 3.2. Meetings. Meetings of Shareholders of the Trust shall be held
whenever called by the Trustees or the President of the Trust and whenever
election of a Trustee or Trustees by Shareholders is required by the provisions
of Section 16(a) of the 1940 Act, for that purpose. Meetings of Shareholders
shall also be called by the Secretary upon the written request of the holders
of Shares entitled to vote not less than twenty-five percent (25%) of all the
votes entitled to be cast at such meeting. Such request shall state the purpose
or purposes of such meeting and the matters proposed to be acted on thereat.
The Secretary shall inform such Shareholders of the reasonable estimated cost
of preparing and mailing such notice of the meeting, and upon payment to the
Trust of such costs, the Secretary shall give notice stating the purpose or
purposes of the meeting to all entitled to vote at such meeting. No meeting
need be called upon the request of the holders of Shares entitled to cast less
than a majority of all votes entitled to be cast at such meeting, to consider
any matter which is substantially the same as a matter voted upon at any
meeting of Shareholders held during the preceding twelve months.
SECTION 3.3. Notice of Meetings. Written or printed notice of every
Shareholders' meeting stating the place, date, and purpose or purposes thereof,
shall be given by the Secretary not less than ten (10) nor more than ninety
(90) days before such meeting to each Shareholder entitled to vote at such
meeting. Such notice shall be deemed to be given when deposited in the United
States mail, postage prepaid, directed to the Shareholder at his address as it
appears on the records of the Trust.
SECTION 3.4. Quorum and Adjournment of Meetings. Except as otherwise
provided by law, by the Declaration or by these By-Laws, at all meetings of
Shareholders, the holders of a majority of the Shares issued and outstanding
and entitled to vote thereat, present in person or represented by proxy, shall
be requisite and shall constitute a quorum for the transaction of business. In
the absence of a quorum, the
<PAGE>
Shareholders present or represented by proxy and entitled to vote thereat shall
have the power to adjourn the meeting from time to time. The Shareholders
present in person or represented by proxy at any meeting and entitled to vote
thereat also shall have the power to adjourn the meeting from time to time if
the vote required to approve or reject any proposal described in the original
notice of such meeting is not obtained (with proxies being voted for or against
adjournment consistent with the votes for and against the proposal for which
the required vote has not been obtained). The affirmative vote of the holders
of a majority of the Shares then present in person or represented by proxy
shall be required to adjourn any meeting. Any adjourned meeting may be
reconvened without further notice or change in record date. At any reconvened
meeting at which a quorum shall be present, any business may be transacted that
might have been transacted at the meeting as originally called.
SECTION 3.5. Voting Rights, Proxies. At each meeting of Shareholders,
each holder of record of Shares entitled to vote thereat shall be entitled to
one vote in person or by proxy for each Share of beneficial interest of the
Trust and for the fractional portion of one vote for each fractional Share
entitled to vote so registered in his or her name on the records of the Trust
on the date fixed as the record date for the determination of Shareholders
entitled to vote at such meeting. Without limiting the manner in which a
Shareholder may authorize another person or persons to act for such Shareholder
as proxy pursuant hereto, the following shall constitute a valid means by which
a Shareholder may grant such authority:
(i) A Shareholder may execute a writing authorizing another person or
persons to act for such Shareholder as proxy. Execution may be accomplished
by the Shareholder or such Shareholder's authorized officer, director,
employee, attorney-in-fact or another agent signing such writing or causing
such person's signature to be affixed to such writing by any reasonable
means including, but not limited to, by facsimile or telecopy signature. No
written evidence of authority of a Shareholder's authorized officer,
director, employee, attorney-in-fact or other agent shall be required; and
(ii) A Shareholder may authorize another person or persons to act for such
Shareholder as proxy by transmitting or authorizing the transmission of a
telegram or cablegram or by other means of telephonic, electronic or
computer transmission to the person who will be the holder of the proxy or
to a proxy solicitation firm, proxy support service organization or like
agent duly authorized by the person who will be the holder of the proxy to
receive such transmission, provided that any such telegram or cablegram or
other means of telephonic, electronic or computer transmission must either
set forth or be submitted with information from which it can be determined
that the telegram, cablegram or other transmission was authorized by the
Shareholder.
No proxy shall be valid after eleven months from its date, unless otherwise
provided in the proxy. At all meetings of Shareholders, unless the voting is
conducted by inspectors, all questions relating to the qualification of voters
and the validity of proxies and the acceptance or rejection of votes shall be
decided by the chairman of the meeting. In determining whether a telegram,
cablegram or other electronic transmission is valid, the chairman or inspector,
as the case may be, shall specify the information upon which he or she relied.
Pursuant to a resolution of a majority of the Trustees, proxies may be
solicited in the name of one or more Trustees or Officers of the Trust. Proxy
solicitations may be made in writing or by using telephonic or other electronic
solicitation procedures that include appropriate methods of verifying the
identity of the Shareholder and confirming any instructions given thereby.
SECTION 3.6. Vote Required. Except as otherwise provided by law, by the
Declaration of Trust, or by these By-Laws, at each meeting of Shareholders at
which a quorum is present, all matters shall be decided by Majority Shareholder
Vote.
SECTION 3.7. Inspectors of Election. In advance of any meeting of
Shareholders, the Trustees may appoint Inspectors of Election to act at the
meeting or any adjournment thereof. If Inspectors of Election are not so
appointed, the chairman of any meeting of Shareholders may, and on the request
of any Shareholder or his proxy shall, appoint Inspectors of Election of the
meeting. In case any person appointed as Inspector fails to appear or fails or
refuses to act, the vacancy may be filled by appointment made by the Trustees
in advance of the convening of the meeting or at the meeting by the person
acting as chairman. The Inspectors of Election shall determine the number of
Shares outstanding, the Shares
2
<PAGE>
represented at the meeting, the existence of a quorum, the authenticity,
validity and effect of proxies, shall receive votes, ballots or consents, shall
hear and determine all challenges and questions in any way arising in
connection with the right to vote, shall count and tabulate all votes or
consents, determine the results, and do such other acts as may be proper to
conduct the election or vote with fairness to all Shareholders. On request of
the chairman of the meeting, or of any Shareholder or his proxy, the Inspectors
of Election shall make a report in writing of any challenge or question or
matter determined by them and shall execute a certificate of any facts found by
them.
SECTION 3.8. Inspection of Books and Records. Shareholders shall have such
rights and procedures of inspection of the books and records of the Trust as
are granted to Shareholders under Section 32 of the Business Corporation Law of
the Commonwealth of Massachusetts.
SECTION 3.9. Action by Shareholders Without Meeting. Except as otherwise
provided by law, the provisions of these By-Laws relating to notices and
meetings to the contrary notwithstanding, any action required or permitted to
be taken at any meeting of Shareholders may be taken without a meeting if a
majority of the Shareholders entitled to vote upon the action consent to the
action in writing and such consents are filed with the records of the Trust.
Such consent shall be treated for all purposes as a vote taken at a meeting of
Shareholders.
SECTION 3.10. Presence at Meetings. Presence at meetings of shareholders
requires physical attendance by the shareholder or his or her proxy at the
meeting site and does not encompass attendance by telephonic or other
electronic means.
ARTICLE IV
TRUSTEES
SECTION 4.1. Meetings of the Trustees. The Trustees may in their
discretion provide for regular or special meetings of the Trustees. Regular
meetings of the Trustees may be held at such time and place as shall be
determined from time to time by the Trustees without further notice. Special
meetings of the Trustees may be called at any time by the President and shall
be called by the President or the Secretary upon the written request of any two
(2) Trustees.
SECTION 4.2. Notice of Special Meetings. Written notice of special
meetings of the Trustees, stating the place, date and time thereof, shall be
given not less than two (2) days before such meeting to each Trustee,
personally, by telegram, by mail, or by leaving such notice at his place of
residence or usual place of business. If mailed, such notice shall be deemed to
be given when deposited in the United States mail, postage prepaid, directed to
the Trustee at his address as it appears on the records of the Trust. Subject
to the provisions of the 1940 Act, notice or waiver of notice need not specify
the purpose of any special meeting.
SECTION 4.3. Telephone Meetings. Subject to the provisions of the 1940
Act, any Trustee, or any member or members of any committee designated by the
Trustees, may participate in a meeting of the Trustees, or any such committee,
as the case may be, by means of a conference telephone or similar
communications equipment if all persons participating in the meeting can hear
each other at the same time. Participation in a meeting by these means
constitutes presence in person at the meeting.
SECTION 4.4. Quorum, Voting and Adjournment of Meetings. At all meetings
of the Trustees, a majority of the Trustees shall be requisite to and shall
constitute a quorum for the transaction of business. If a quorum is present,
the affirmative vote of a majority of the Trustees present shall be the act of
the Trustees, unless the concurrence of a greater proportion is expressly
required for such action by law, the Declaration or these By-Laws. If at any
meeting of the Trustees there be less than a quorum present, the Trustees
present thereat may adjourn the meeting from time to time, without notice other
than announcement at the meeting, until a quorum shall have been obtained.
SECTION 4.5. Action by Trustees Without Meeting. The provisions of these
By-Laws covering notices and meetings to the contrary notwithstanding, and
except as required by law, any action required
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or permitted to be taken at any meeting of the Trustees may be taken without a
meeting if a consent in writing setting forth the action shall be signed by all
of the Trustees entitled to vote upon the action and such written consent is
filed with the minutes of proceedings of the Trustees.
SECTION 4.6. Expenses and Fees. Each Trustee may be allowed expenses, if
any, for attendance at each regular or special meeting of the Trustees, and
each Trustee who is not an officer or employee of the Trust or of its
investment manager or underwriter or of any corporate affiliate of any of said
persons shall receive for services rendered as a Trustee of the Trust such
compensation as may be fixed by the Trustees. Nothing herein contained shall be
construed to preclude any Trustee from serving the Trust in any other capacity
and receiving compensation therefor.
SECTION 4.7. Execution of Instruments and Documents and Signing of Checks
and Other Obligations and Transfers. All instruments, documents and other
papers shall be executed in the name and on behalf of the Trust and all checks,
notes, drafts and other obligations for the payment of money by the Trust shall
be signed, and all transfer of securities standing in the name of the Trust
shall be executed, by the Chairman, the President, any Vice President or the
Treasurer or by any one or more officers or agents of the Trust as shall be
designated for that purpose by vote of the Trustees; notwithstanding the above,
nothing in this Section 4.7 shall be deemed to preclude the electronic
authorization, by designated persons, of the Trust's Custodian (as described
herein in Section 9.1) to transfer assets of the Trust, as provided for herein
in Section 9.1.
SECTION 4.8. Indemnification of Trustees, Officers, Employees and
Agents. (a) The Trust shall indemnify any person who was or is a party or is
threatened to be made a party to any threatened, pending, or completed action,
suit or proceeding, whether civil, criminal, administrative or investigative
(other than an action by or in the right of the Trust) by reason of the fact
that he is or was a Trustee, officer, employee, or agent of the Trust. The
indemnification shall be against expenses, including attorneys' fees,
judgments, fines, and amounts paid in settlement, actually and reasonably
incurred by him in connection with the action, suit, or proceeding, if he acted
in good faith and in a manner he reasonably believed to be in or not opposed to
the best interests of the Trust, and, with respect to any criminal action or
proceeding, had no reasonable cause to believe his conduct was unlawful. The
termination of any action, suit or proceeding by judgment, order, settlement,
conviction, or upon a plea of nolo contendere or its equivalent, shall not, of
itself, create a presumption that the person did not act in good faith and in a
manner which he reasonably believed to be in or not opposed to the best
interests of the Trust, and, with respect to any criminal action or proceeding,
had reasonable cause to believe that his conduct was unlawful.
(b) The Trust shall indemnify any person who was or is a party or is
threatened to be made a party to any threatened, pending or completed action or
suit by or on behalf of the Trust to obtain a judgment or decree in its favor
by reason of the fact that he is or was a Trustee, officer, employee, or agent
of the Trust. The indemnification shall be against expenses, including
attorneys' fees actually and reasonably incurred by him in connection with the
defense or settlement of the action or suit, if he acted in good faith and in a
manner he reasonably believed to be in or not opposed to the best interests of
the Trust; except that no indemnification shall be made in respect of any
claim, issue, or matter as to which the person has been adjudged to be liable
for negligence or misconduct in the performance of his duty to the Trust,
except to the extent that the court in which the action or suit was brought, or
a court of equity in the county in which the Trust has its principal office,
determines upon application that, despite the adjudication of liability but in
view of all circumstances of the case, the person is fairly and reasonably
entitled to indemnity for those expenses which the court shall deem proper,
provided such Trustee, officer, employee or agent is not adjudged to be liable
by reason of his willful misfeasance, bad faith, gross negligence or reckless
disregard of the duties involved in the conduct of his office.
(c) To the extent that a Trustee, officer, employee, or agent of the Trust
has been successful on the merits or otherwise in defense of any action, suit
or proceeding referred to in subsection (a) or (b) or in defense of any claim,
issue or matter therein, he shall be indemnified against expenses, including
attorneys' fees, actually and reasonably incurred by him in connection
therewith.
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(d) (1) Unless a court orders otherwise, any indemnification under
subsections (a) or (b) of this section may be made by the Trust only as
authorized in the specific case after a determination that indemnification of
the Trustee, officer, employee, or agent is proper in the circumstances because
he has met the applicable standard of conduct set forth in subsections (a) or
(b).
(2) The determination shall be made:
(i) By the Trustees, by a majority vote of a quorum which consists
of Trustees who were not parties to the action, suit or
proceeding; or
(ii) If the required quorum is not obtainable, or if a quorum of
disinterested Trustees so directs, by independent legal
counsel in a written opinion; or
(iii) By the Shareholders.
(3) Notwithstanding any provision of this Section 4.8, no person shall
be entitled to indemnification for any liability, whether or not
there is an adjudication of liability, arising by reason of willful
misfeasance, bad faith, gross negligence, or reckless disregard of
duties as described in Section 17(h) and (i) of the Investment
Company Act of 1940 ("disabling conduct"). A person shall be deemed
not liable by reason of disabling conduct if, either:
(i) a final decision on the merits is made by a court or other
body before whom the proceeding was brought that the person to
be indemnified ("indemnitee") was not liable by reason of
disabling conduct; or
(ii) in the absence of such a decision, a reasonable determination,
based upon a review of the facts, that the indemnitee was not
liable by reason of disabling conduct, is made by either--
(A) a majority of a quorum of Trustees who are neither
"interested persons" of the Trust, as defined in Section
2(a)(19) of the Investment Company Act of 1940, nor
parties to the action, suit or proceeding, or
(B) an independent legal counsel in a written opinion.
(e) Expenses, including attorneys' fees, incurred by a Trustee, officer,
employee or agent of the Trust in defending a civil or criminal action, suit or
proceeding may be paid by the Trust in advance of the final disposition thereof
if:
(1) authorized in the specific case by the Trustees; and
(2) the Trust receives an undertaking by or on behalf of the Trustee,
officer, employee or agent of the Trust to repay the advance if it
is not ultimately determined that such person is entitled to be
indemnified by the Trust; and
(3) either, (i) such person provides a security for his undertaking, or
(ii) the Trust is insured against losses by reason of any lawful
advances, or
(iii) a determination, based on a review of readily available
facts, that there is reason to believe that such person
ultimately will be found entitled to indemnification, is made
by either--
(A) a majority of a quorum which consists of Trustees who are
neither "interested persons" of the Trust, as defined in
Section 2(a)(19) of the 1940 Act, nor parties to the
action, suit or proceeding, or
(B) an independent legal counsel in a written opinion.
(f) The indemnification provided by this Section shall not be deemed
exclusive of any other rights to which a person may be entitled under any
by-law, agreement, vote of Shareholders or disinterested Trustees or otherwise,
both as to action in his official capacity and as to action in another capacity
while holding the office, and shall continue as to a person who has ceased to
be a Trustee, officer, employee, or agent and inure to the benefit of the
heirs, executors and administrators of such person; provided that no
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person may satisfy any right of indemnity or reimbursement granted herein or to
which he may be otherwise entitled except out of the property of the Trust, and
no Shareholder shall be personally liable with respect to any claim for
indemnity or reimbursement or otherwise.
(g) The Trust may purchase and maintain insurance on behalf of any person
who is or was a Trustee, officer, employee, or agent of the Trust, against any
liability asserted against him and incurred by him in any such capacity, or
arising out of his status as such. However, in no event will the Trust purchase
insurance to indemnify any officer or Trustee against liability for any act for
which the Trust itself is not permitted to indemnify him.
(h) Nothing contained in this Section shall be construed to protect any
Trustee or officer of the Trust against any liability to the Trust or to its
security holders to which he would otherwise be subject by reason of willful
misfeasance, bad faith, gross negligence or reckless disregard of the duties
involved in the conduct of his office.
ARTICLE V
COMMITTEES
SECTION 5.1. Executive and Other Committees. The Trustees, by resolution
adopted by a majority of the Trustees, may designate an Executive Committee
and/or committees, each committee to consist of two (2) or more of the Trustees
of the Trust and may delegate to such committees, in the intervals between
meetings of the Trustees, any or all of the powers of the Trustees in the
management of the business and affairs of the Trust. In the absence of any
member of any such committee, the members thereof present at any meeting,
whether or not they constitute a quorum, may appoint a Trustee to act in place
of such absent member. Each such committee shall keep a record of its
proceedings.
The Executive Committee and any other committee shall fix its own rules or
procedure, but the presence of at least fifty percent (50%) of the members of
the whole committee shall in each case be necessary to constitute a quorum of
the committee and the affirmative vote of the majority of the members of the
committee present at the meeting shall be necessary to take action.
All actions of the Executive Committee shall be reported to the Trustees
at the meeting thereof next succeeding to the taking of such action.
SECTION 5.2. Advisory Committee. The Trustees may appoint an advisory
committee which shall be composed of persons who do not serve the Trust in any
other capacity and which shall have advisory functions with respect to the
investments of the Trust but which shall have no power to determine that any
security or other investment shall be purchased, sold or otherwise disposed of
by the Trust. The number of persons constituting any such advisory committee
shall be determined from time to time by the Trustees. The members of any such
advisory committee may receive compensation for their services and may be
allowed such fees and expenses for the attendance at meetings as the Trustees
may from time to time determine to be appropriate.
SECTION 5.3. Committee Action Without Meeting. The provisions of these
By-Laws covering notices and meetings to the contrary notwithstanding, and
except as required by law, any action required or permitted to be taken at any
meeting of any Committee of the Trustees appointed pursuant to Section 5.1 of
these By-Laws may be taken without a meeting if a consent in writing setting
forth the action shall be signed by all members of the Committee entitled to
vote upon the action and such written consent is filed with the records of the
proceedings of the Committee.
ARTICLE VI
OFFICERS
SECTION 6.1. Executive Officers. The executive officers of the Trust shall
be a Chairman, a President, one or more Vice Presidents, a Secretary and a
Treasurer. The Chairman shall be selected from among the Trustees but none of
the other executive officers need be a Trustee. Two or more offices, except
those of President and any Vice President, may be held by the same person, but
no officer shall execute,
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acknowledge or verify any instrument in more than one capacity. The executive
officers of the Trust shall be elected annually by the Trustees and each
executive officer so elected shall hold office until his successor is elected
and has qualified.
SECTION 6.2. Other Officers and Agents. The Trustees may also elect one or
more Assistant Vice Presidents, Assistant Secretaries and Assistant Treasurers
and may elect, or may delegate to the Chairman the power to appoint, such other
officers and agents as the Trustees shall at any time or from time to time deem
advisable.
SECTION 6.3. Term and Removal and Vacancies. Each officer of the Trust
shall hold office until his successor is elected and has qualified. Any officer
or agent of the Trust may be removed by the Trustees whenever, in their
judgment, the best interests of the Trust will be served thereby, but such
removal shall be without prejudice to the contractual rights, if any, of the
person so removed.
SECTION 6.4. Compensation of Officers. The compensation of officers and
agents of the Trust shall be fixed by the Trustees, or by the President to the
extent provided by the Trustees with respect to officers appointed by the
President.
SECTION 6.5. Power and Duties. All officers and agents of the Trust, as
between themselves and the Trust, shall have such authority and perform such
duties in the management of the Trust as may be provided in or pursuant to
these By-Laws, or to the extent not so provided, as may be prescribed by the
Trustees; provided, that no rights of any third party shall be affected or
impaired by any such By-Law or resolution of the Trustees unless he has
knowledge thereof.
SECTION 6.6. The Chairman. The Chairman shall preside at all meetings of
the Shareholders and of the Trustees, shall be a signatory on all Annual and
Semi-Annual Reports as may be sent to shareholders, and he shall perform such
other duties as the Trustees may from time to time prescribe.
SECTION 6.7. The President. (a) The President shall be the chief executive
officer of the Trust; he shall have general and active management of the
business of the Trust, shall see that all orders and resolutions of the Board
of Trustees are carried into effect, and, in connection therewith, shall be
authorized to delegate to one or more Vice Presidents such of his powers and
duties at such times and in such manner as he may deem advisable.
(b) In the absence of the Chairman, the President shall preside at all
meetings of the shareholders and the Board of Trustees; and he shall perform
such other duties as the Board of Trustees may from time to time prescribe.
SECTION 6.8. The Vice Presidents. The Vice Presidents shall be of such
number and shall have such titles as may be determined from time to time by the
Trustees. The Vice President, or, if there be more than one, the Vice
Presidents in the order of their seniority as may be determined from time to
time by the Trustees or the President, shall, in the absence or disability of
the President, exercise the powers and perform the duties of the President, and
he or they shall perform such other duties as the Trustees or the President may
from time to time prescribe.
SECTION 6.9. The Assistant Vice Presidents. The Assistant Vice President,
or, if there be more than one, the Assistant Vice Presidents, shall perform
such duties and have such powers as may be assigned them from time to time by
the Trustees or the President.
SECTION 6.10. The Secretary. The Secretary shall attend all meetings of
the Trustees and all meetings of the Shareholders and record all the
proceedings of the meetings of the Shareholders and of the Trustees in a book
to be kept for that purpose, and shall perform like duties for the standing
committees when required. He shall give, or cause to be given, notice of all
meetings of the Shareholders and special meetings of the Trustees, and shall
perform such other duties and have such powers as the Trustees, or the
President, may from time to time prescribe. He shall keep in safe custody the
seal of the Trust and affix or cause the same to be affixed to any instrument
requiring it, and, when so affixed, it shall be attested by his signature or by
the signature of an Assistant Secretary.
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SECTION 6.11. The Assistant Secretaries. The Assistant Secretary, or, if
there be more than one, the Assistant Secretaries in the order determined by
the Trustees or the President, shall, in the absence or disability of the
Secretary, perform the duties and exercise the powers of the Secretary and
shall perform such duties and have such other powers as the Trustees or the
President may from time to time prescribe.
SECTION 6.12. The Treasurer. The Treasurer shall be the chief financial
officer of the Trust. He shall keep or cause to be kept full and accurate
accounts of receipts and disbursements in books belonging to the Trust, and he
shall render to the Trustees and the President, whenever any of them require
it, an account of his transactions as Treasurer and of the financial condition
of the Trust; and he shall perform such other duties as the Trustees, or the
President, may from time to time prescribe.
SECTION 6.13. The Assistant Treasurers. The Assistant Treasurer, or, if
there shall be more than one, the Assistant Treasurers in the order determined
by the Trustees or the President, shall, in the absence or disability of the
Treasurer, perform the duties and exercise the powers of the Treasurer and
shall perform such other duties and have such other powers as the Trustees, or
the President, may from time to time prescribe.
SECTION 6.14. Delegation of Duties. Whenever an officer is absent or
disabled, or whenever for any reason the Trustees may deem it desirable, the
Trustees may delegate the powers and duties of an officer or officers to any
other officer or officers or to any Trustee or Trustees.
ARTICLE VII
DIVIDENDS AND DISTRIBUTIONS
Subject to any applicable provisions of law and the Declaration, dividends
and distributions upon the Shares may be declared at such intervals as the
Trustees may determine, in cash, in securities or other property, or in Shares,
from any sources permitted by law, all as the Trustees shall from time to time
determine.
Inasmuch as the computation of net income and net profits from the sales
of securities or other properties for federal income tax purposes may vary from
the computation thereof on the records of the Trust, the Trustees shall have
power, in their discretion, to distribute as income dividends and as capital
gain distributions, respectively, amounts sufficient to enable the Trust to
avoid or reduce liability for federal income taxes.
ARTICLE VIII
CERTIFICATES OF SHARES
SECTION 8.1. Certificates of Shares. Certificates for Shares of each
series or class of Shares shall be in such form and of such design as the
Trustees shall approve, subject to the right of the Trustees to change such
form and design at any time or from time to time, and shall be entered in the
records of the Trust as they are issued. Each such certificate shall bear a
distinguishing number; shall exhibit the holders' name and certify the number
of full Shares owned by such holder; shall be signed by or in the name of the
Trust by the President, or a Vice President, and countersigned by the Secretary
or an Assistant Secretary or the Treasurer and an Assistant Treasurer of the
Trust; shall be sealed with the seal; and shall contain such recitals as may be
required by law. Where any certificate is signed by a Transfer Agent or by a
Registrar, the signature of such officers and the seal may be facsimile,
printed or engraved. The Trust may, at its option, determine not to issue a
certificate or certificates to evidence Shares owned of record by any
Shareholder.
In case any officer or officers who shall have signed, or whose facsimile
signature or signatures shall appear on, any such certificate or certificates
shall cease to be such officer or officers of the Trust, whether because of
death, resignation or otherwise, before such certificate or certificates shall
have been delivered by the Trust, such certificate or certificates shall,
nevertheless, be adopted by the Trust and be issued and delivered as though the
person or persons who signed such certificate or certificates or whose
facsimile signature or signatures shall appear therein had not ceased to be
such officer or officers of the Trust.
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No certificate shall be issued for any share until such share is fully
paid.
SECTION 8.2. Lost, Stolen, Destroyed and Mutilated Certificates. The
Trustees may direct a new certificate or certificates to be issued in place of
any certificate or certificates theretofore issued by the Trust alleged to have
been lost, stolen or destroyed, upon satisfactory proof of such loss, theft, or
destruction; and the Trustees may, in their discretion, require the owner of
the lost, stolen or destroyed certificate, or his legal representative, to give
to the Trust and to such Registrar, Transfer Agent and/or Transfer Clerk as may
be authorized or required to countersign such new certificate or certificates,
a bond in such sum and of such type as they may direct, and with such surety or
sureties, as they may direct, as indemnity against any claim that may be
against them or any of them on account of or in connection with the alleged
loss, theft or destruction of any such certificate.
ARTICLE IX
CUSTODIAN
SECTION 9.1. Appointment and Duties. The Trust shall at times employ a
bank or trust company having capital, surplus and undivided profits of at least
five million dollars ($5,000,000) as custodian with authority as its agent, but
subject to such restrictions, limitations and other requirements, if any, as
may be contained in these By-Laws and the 1940 Act:
(1) to receive and hold the securities owned by the Trust and deliver
the same upon written or electronically transmitted order;
(2) to receive and receipt for any moneys due to the Trust and deposit
the same in its own banking department or elsewhere as the Trustees may
direct;
(3) to disburse such funds upon orders or vouchers;
all upon such basis of compensation as may be agreed upon between the Trustees
and the custodian. If so directed by a Majority Shareholder Vote, the custodian
shall deliver and pay over all property of the Trust held by it as specified in
such vote.
The Trustees may also authorize the custodian to employ one or more
sub-custodians from time to time to perform such of the acts and services of
the custodian and upon such terms and conditions as may be agreed upon between
the custodian and such sub-custodian and approved by the Trustees.
SECTION 9.2. Central Certificate System. Subject to such rules,
regulations and orders as the Commission may adopt, the Trustees may direct the
custodian to deposit all or any part of the securities owned by the Trust in a
system for the central handling of securities established by a national
securities exchange or a national securities association registered with the
Commission under the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, or such other person as
may be permitted by the Commission, or otherwise in accordance with the 1940
Act, pursuant to which system all securities of any particular class or series
of any issuer deposited within the system are treated as fungible and may be
transferred or pledged by bookkeeping entry without physical delivery of such
securities, provided that all such deposits shall be subject to withdrawal only
upon the order of the Trust.
ARTICLE X
WAIVER OF NOTICE
Whenever any notice of the time, place or purpose of any meeting of
Shareholders, Trustees, or of any committee is required to be given in
accordance with law or under the provisions of the Declaration or these
By-Laws, a waiver thereof in writing, signed by the person or persons entitled
to such notice and filed with the records of the meeting, whether before or
after the holding thereof, or actual attendance at the meeting of Shareholders,
Trustees or committee, as the case may be, in person, shall be deemed
equivalent to the giving of such notice to such person.
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ARTICLE XI
MISCELLANEOUS
SECTION 11.1. Location of Books and Records. The books and records of the
Trust may be kept outside the Commonwealth of Massachusetts at such place or
places as the Trustees may from time to time determine, except as otherwise
required by law.
SECTION 11.2. Record Date. The Trustees may fix in advance a date as the
record date for the purpose of determining the Shareholders entitled to (i)
receive notice of, or to vote at, any meeting of Shareholders, or (ii) receive
payment of any dividend or the allotment of any rights, or in order to make a
determination of Shareholders for any other proper purpose. The record date, in
any case, shall not be more than one hundred eighty (180) days, and in the case
of a meeting of Shareholders not less than ten (10) days, prior to the date on
which such meeting is to be held or the date on which such other particular
action requiring determination of Shareholders is to be taken, as the case may
be. In the case of a meeting of Shareholders, the meeting date set forth in the
notice to Shareholders accompanying the proxy statement shall be the date used
for purposes of calculating the 180 day or 10 day period, and any adjourned
meeting may be reconvened without a change in record date. In lieu of fixing a
record date, the Trustees may provide that the transfer books shall be closed
for a stated period but not to exceed, in any case, twenty (20) days. If the
transfer books are closed for the purpose of determining Shareholders entitled
to notice of a vote at a meeting of Shareholders, such books shall be closed
for at least ten (10) days immediately preceding the meeting.
SECTION 11.3. Seal. The Trustees shall adopt a seal, which shall be in
such form and shall have such inscription thereon as the Trustees may from time
to time provide. The seal of the Trust may be affixed to any document, and the
seal and its attestation may be lithographed, engraved or otherwise printed on
any document with the same force and effect as if it had been imprinted and
attested manually in the same manner and with the same effect as if done by a
Massachusetts business corporation under Massachusetts law.
SECTION 11.4. Fiscal Year. The fiscal year of the Trust shall end on such
date as the Trustees may by resolution specify, and the Trustees may by
resolution change such date for future fiscal years at any time and from time
to time.
SECTION 11.5. Orders for Payment of Money. All orders or instructions for
the payment of money of the Trust, and all notes or other evidences of
indebtedness issued in the name of the Trust, shall be signed by such officer
or officers or such other person or persons as the Trustees may from time to
time designate, or as may be specified in or pursuant to the agreement between
the Trust and the bank or trust company appointed as Custodian of the
securities and funds of the Trust.
ARTICLE XII
COMPLIANCE WITH FEDERAL REGULATIONS
The Trustees are hereby empowered to take such action as they may deem to
be necessary, desirable or appropriate so that the Trust is or shall be in
compliance with any federal or state statute, rule or regulation with which
compliance by the Trust is required.
ARTICLE XIII
AMENDMENTS
These By-Laws may be amended, altered, or repealed, or new By-Laws may be
adopted, (a) by a Majority Shareholder Vote, or (b) by the Trustees; provided,
however, that no By-Law may be amended, adopted or repealed by the Trustees if
such amendment, adoption or repeal requires, pursuant to law, the Declaration,
or these By-Laws, a vote of the Shareholders. The Trustees shall in no event
adopt By-Laws which are in conflict with the Declaration, and any apparent
inconsistency shall be construed in favor of the related provisions in the
Declaration.
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ARTICLE XIV
DECLARATION OF TRUST
The Declaration of Trust establishing Morgan Stanley Dean Witter
Tax-Exempt Securities Trust, dated April 6, 1987, a copy of which, together
with all amendments thereto, is on file in the office of the Secretary of the
Commonwealth of Massachusetts, provides that the name Morgan Stanley Dean
Witter Tax-Exempt Securities Trust refers to the Trustees under the Declaration
collectively as Trustees, but not as individuals or personally; and no Trustee,
Shareholder, officer, employee or agent of Morgan Stanley Dean Witter
Tax-Exempt Securities Trust shall be held to any personal liability, nor shall
resort be had to their private property for the satisfaction of any obligation
or claim or otherwise, in connection with the affairs of said Morgan Stanley
Dean Witter Tax-Exempt Securities Trust, but the Trust Estate only shall be
liable.
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INVESTMENT MANAGEMENT AGREEMENT
AGREEMENT made as of the 31st day of May, 1997, and amended as of April 30,
1998, by and between Dean Witter Tax-Exempt Securities Trust, an unincorporated
business trust organized under the laws of the Commonwealth of Massachusetts
(hereinafter called the "Fund"), and Dean Witter InterCapital Inc., a Delaware
corporation (hereinafter called the "Investment Manager"):
WHEREAS, The Fund is engaged in business as an open-end management
investment company and is registered as such under the Investment Company Act of
1940, as amended (the "Act"); and
WHEREAS, The Investment Manager is registered as an investment adviser under
the Investment Advisers Act of 1940, and engages in the business of acting as
investment adviser; and
WHEREAS, The Fund desires to retain the Investment Manager to render
management and investment advisory services in the manner and on the terms and
conditions hereinafter set forth; and
WHEREAS, The Investment Manager desires to be retained to perform services
on said terms and conditions:
Now, Therefore, this Agreement
W I T N E S S E T H:
that in consideration of the premises and the mutual covenants hereinafter
contained, the Fund and the Investment Manager agree as follows:
1. The Fund hereby retains the Investment Manager to act as investment
manager of the Fund and, subject to the supervision of the Trustees, to
supervise the investment activities of the Fund as hereinafter set forth.
Without limiting the generality of the foregoing, the Investment Manager shall
obtain and evaluate such information and advice relating to the economy,
securities and commodities markets and securities and commodities as it deems
necessary or useful to discharge its duties hereunder; shall continuously manage
the assets of the Fund in a manner consistent with the investment objectives and
policies of the Fund; shall determine the securities and commodities to be
purchased, sold or otherwise disposed of by the Fund and the timing of such
purchases, sales and dispositions; and shall take such further action, including
the placing of purchase and sale orders on behalf of the Fund, as the Investment
Manager shall deem necessary or appropriate. The Investment Manager shall also
furnish to or place at the disposal of the Fund such of the information,
evaluations, analyses and opinions formulated or obtained by the Investment
Manager in the discharge of its duties as the Fund may, from time to time,
reasonably request.
2. The Investment Manager shall, at its own expense, maintain such staff and
employ or retain such personnel and consult with such other persons as it shall
from time to time determine to be necessary or useful to the performance of its
obligations under this Agreement. Without limiting the generality of the
foregoing, the staff and personnel of the Investment Manager shall be deemed to
include persons employed or otherwise retained by the Investment Manager to
furnish statistical and other factual data, advice regarding economic factors
and trends, information with respect to technical and scientific developments,
and such other information, advice and assistance as the Investment Manager may
desire. The Investment Manager shall, as agent for the Fund, maintain the Fund's
records and books of account (other than those maintained by the Fund's transfer
agent, registrar, custodian and other agencies). All such books and records so
maintained shall be the property of the Fund and, upon request therefor, the
Investment Manager shall surrender to the Fund such of the books and records so
requested.
3. The Fund will, from time to time, furnish or otherwise make available to
the Investment Manager such financial reports, proxy statements and other
information relating to the business and affairs of the Fund as the Investment
Manager may reasonably require in order to discharge its duties and obligations
hereunder.
4. The Investment Manager shall bear the cost of rendering the investment
management and supervisory 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 who are also directors, officers or employees of
the Investment Manager, and provide such office space, facilities and equipment
and such clerical help and
<PAGE>
bookkeeping services as the Fund shall 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). The Investment Manager shall also bear the cost of telephone
service, heat, light, power and other utilities provided to the Fund.
5. The Fund assumes and shall pay or cause to be paid all other expenses of
the Fund, including without limitation: the charges and expenses of any
registrar, any custodian or depository appointed by the Fund for the safekeeping
of its cash, portfolio securities or commodities and other property, and any
stock transfer or dividend agent or agents appointed by the Fund; brokers'
commissions chargeable to the Fund in connection with portfolio transactions to
which the Fund is a party; all taxes, including securities or commodities
issuance and transfer taxes, and fees payable by the Fund to federal, state or
other governmental agencies; the cost and expense of engraving or printing
certificates representing shares of the Fund; all costs and expenses in
connection with the registration and maintenance of registration of the Fund and
its shares with the Securities and Exchange Commission and various states and
other jurisdictions (including filing fees and legal fees and disbursements of
counsel); 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
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 the payment of any dividend, distribution, withdrawal or
redemption, whether in shares or in cash; charges and expenses of any outside
service used for pricing of the Fund's shares; charges and expenses of legal
counsel, including counsel to the Trustees of the Fund who are not interested
persons (as defined in the Act) of the Fund or the Investment Manager, and of
independent accountants, in connection with any matter relating to the Fund;
membership dues of industry associations; interest payable on Fund borrowings;
postage; insurance premiums on property or personnel (including officers and
Trustees) of the Fund which inure to its benefit; extraordinary expenses
(including but not limited to legal claims and liabilities and litigation costs
and any indemnification related thereto); and all other charges and costs of the
Fund's operation unless otherwise explicitly provided herein.
6. For the services to be rendered, the facilities furnished, and the
expenses assumed by the Investment Manager, the Fund shall pay to the Investment
Manager monthly compensation determined by applying the following annual rates
to the Fund's daily net assets: 0.50% of daily net assets up to $500 million;
0.425% of the next $250 million; 0.375% of the next $250 million; 0.35% of the
next $250 million; and 0.325% of daily net assets over $1.25 billion. Except as
hereinafter set forth, compensation under this Agreement shall be calculated and
accrued daily and the amounts of the daily accruals shall be paid monthly. Such
calculations shall be made by applying 1/365ths of the annual rates to the
Fund's net assets each day determined as of the close of business on that day or
the last previous business day. If this Agreement becomes effective subsequent
to the first day of a month or shall terminate before the last day of a month,
compensation for that part of the month this Agreement is in effect shall be
prorated in a manner consistent with the calculation of the fees as set forth
above.
Subject to the provisions of paragraph 7 hereof, payment of the Investment
Manager's compensation for the preceding month shall be made as promptly as
possible after completion of the computations contemplated by paragraph 7
hereof.
7. In the event the operating expenses of the Fund, including amounts
payable to the Investment Manager pursuant to paragraph 6 hereof, for any fiscal
year ending on a date on which this Agreement is in effect, exceed the expense
limitations applicable to the Fund imposed by state securities laws or
regulations thereunder, as such limitations may be raised or lowered from time
to time, the Investment Manager shall reduce its management fee to the extent of
such excess and, if required, pursuant to any such laws or regulations, will
reimburse the Fund for annual operating expenses in excess of any expense
limitation that may be applicable; provided, however, there shall be excluded
from such expenses the amount of any interest, taxes, brokerage commissions and
extraordinary expenses (including but not limited to legal claims
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<PAGE>
and liabilities and litigation costs and any indemnification related thereto)
paid or payable by the Fund. Such reduction, if any, shall be computed and
accrued daily, shall be settled on a monthly basis, and shall be based upon the
expense limitation applicable to the Fund as at the end of the last business day
of the month. Should two or more such expense limitations be applicable as at
the end of the last business day of the month, that expense limitation which
results in the largest reduction in the Investment Manager's fee shall be
applicable.
For purposes of this provision, should any applicable expense limitation be
based upon the gross income of the Fund, such gross income shall include, but
not be limited to, interest on debt securities in the Fund's portfolio accrued
to and including the last day of the Fund's fiscal year, and dividends declared
on equity securities in the Fund's portfolio, the record dates for which fall on
or prior to the last day of such fiscal year, but shall not include gains from
the sale of securities.
8. The Investment Manager will use its best efforts in the supervision and
management of the investment activities of the Fund, but in the absence of
willful misfeasance, bad faith, gross negligence or reckless disregard of its
obligations hereunder, the Investment Manager shall not be liable to the Fund or
any of its investors for any error of judgment or mistake of law or for any act
or omission by the Investment Manager or for any losses sustained by the Fund or
its investors.
9. Nothing contained in this Agreement shall prevent the Investment Manager
or any affiliated person of the Investment Manager from acting as investment
adviser or manager for any other person, firm or corporation and shall not in
any way bind or restrict the Investment Manager or any such affiliated person
from buying, selling or trading any securities or commodities for their own
accounts or for the account of others for whom they may be acting. Nothing in
this Agreement shall limit or restrict the right of any Trustee, officer or
employee of the Investment Manager to engage in any other business or to devote
his or her time and attention in part to the management or other aspects of any
other business whether of a similar or dissimilar nature.
10. This Agreement shall remain in effect until April 30, 1999 and from year
to year thereafter provided such continuance is approved at least annually by
the vote of holders of a majority, as defined in the Investment Company Act of
1940, as amended (the "Act"), of the outstanding voting securities of the Fund
or by the Trustees of the Fund; provided that in either event such continuance
is also approved annually by the vote of a majority of the Trustees of the Fund
who are not parties to this Agreement or "interested persons" (as defined in the
Act) of any such party, which vote must be cast in person at a meeting called
for the purpose of voting on such approval; provided, however, that (a) the Fund
may, at any time and without the payment of any penalty, terminate this
Agreement upon thirty days' written notice to the Investment Manager, either by
majority vote of the Trustees of the Fund or by the vote of a majority of the
outstanding voting securities of the Fund; (b) this Agreement shall immediately
terminate in the event of its assignment (to the extent required by the Act and
the rules thereunder) unless such automatic terminations shall be prevented by
an exemptive order of the Securities and Exchange Commission; and (c) the
Investment Manager may terminate this Agreement without payment of penalty on
thirty days' written notice to the Fund. Any notice under this Agreement shall
be given in writing, addressed and delivered, or mailed post-paid, to the other
party at the principal office of such party.
11. This Agreement may be amended by the parties without the vote or consent
of the shareholders of the Fund to supply any omission, to cure, correct or
supplement any ambiguous, defective or inconsistent provision hereof, or if they
deem it necessary to conform this Agreement to the requirements of applicable
federal laws or regulations, but neither the Fund nor the Investment Manager
shall be liable for failing to do so.
12. This Agreement shall be construed in accordance with the laws of the
State of New York and the applicable provisions of the Act. To the extent the
applicable law of the State of New York, or any of the provisions herein,
conflicts with the applicable provisions of the Act, the latter shall control.
13. The Investment Manager and the Fund each agree that the name "Dean
Witter," which comprises a component of the Fund's name, is a property right of
Dean Witter Reynolds Inc. The Fund agrees and consents that (i) it will only use
the name "Dean Witter" as a component of its name and for no other
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<PAGE>
purpose, (ii) it will not purport to grant to any third party the right to use
the name "Dean Witter" for any purpose, (iii) the Investment Manager or its
parent, Morgan Stanley Dean Witter & Co., or any corporate affiliate of the
Investment Manager's parent, 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, (iv) at the request of
the Investment Manager or its parent, the Fund will take such action as may be
required to provide its consent to the use of the name "Dean Witter," or any
combination or abbreviation thereof, by the Investment Manager or its parent or
any corporate affiliate of the Investment Manager's parent, or by any person to
whom the Investment Manager or its parent or any corporate affiliate of the
Investment Manager's parent shall have granted the right to such use, and (v)
upon the termination of any investment advisory agreement into which the
Investment Manager and the Fund may enter, or upon termination of affiliation of
the Investment Manager with its parent, the Fund shall, upon request by the
Investment Manager 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 the Investment Manager or its parent may request to effect the
foregoing and to reconvey to the Investment Manager or its parent any and all
rights to such name.
14. The Declaration of Trust establishing Dean Witter Tax-Exempt Securities
Trust, dated April 6, 1987, a copy of which, together with all amendments
thereto (the "Declaration"), is on file in the office of the Secretary of the
Commonwealth of Massachusetts, provides that the name Dean Witter Tax-Exempt
Securities Trust refers to the Trustees under the Declaration collectively as
Trustees, but not as individuals or personally; and no Trustee, shareholder,
officer, employee or agent of Dean Witter Tax-Exempt Securities Trust shall be
held to any personal liability, nor shall resort be had to their private
property for the satisfaction of any obligation or claim or otherwise, in
connection with the affairs of said Dean Witter Tax-Exempt Securities Trust, but
the Trust Estate only shall be liable.
IN WITNESS WHEREOF, the parties hereto have executed and delivered this
Agreement, as amended, on April 30, 1998 in New York, New York.
DEAN WITTER TAX-EXEMPT SECURITIES TRUST
By: /s/ BARRY FINK
......................................
Attest:
/s/ FRANK BRUTTOMESSO
.......................................
DEAN WITTER INTERCAPITAL INC.
By: /s/ CHARLES A. FIUMEFREDDO
......................................
Attest:
/s/ MARILYN K. CRANNEY
.......................................
4
<PAGE>
MORGAN STANLEY DEAN WITTER FUNDS
DISTRIBUTION AGREEMENT
AGREEMENT made as of this 28th day of July, 1997, and amended as of June
22, 1998, between each of the open-end investment companies to which Morgan
Stanley Dean Witter Advisors Inc. acts as investment manager, that are listed
on Schedule A, as may be amended from time to time (each, a "Fund" and
collectively, the "Funds"), and Morgan Stanley Dean Witter Distributors Inc., a
Delaware corporation (the "Distributor").
W I T N E S S E T H:
WHEREAS, each Fund is registered as an open-end investment company under
the Investment Company Act of 1940, as amended (the "1940 Act"), and it is in
the interest of each Fund to offer its shares for sale continuously, and
WHEREAS, each Fund and the Distributor wish to enter into an agreement
with each other with respect to the continuous offering of each Fund's
transferable shares, of $0.01 par value (the "Shares"), to commence on the date
listed above, in order to promote the growth of each Fund and facilitate the
distribution of its shares.
NOW, THEREFORE, the parties agree as follows:
SECTION 1. Appointment of the Distributor.
(a) Each Fund hereby appoints the Distributor as the principal underwriter
and distributor of the Fund to sell Shares to the public on the terms set forth
in this Agreement and that Fund's prospectus and the Distributor hereby accepts
such appointment and agrees to act hereunder. Each Fund, during the term of
this Agreement, shall sell Shares to the Distributor upon the terms and
conditions set forth herein.
(b) The Distributor agrees to purchase Shares, as principal for its own
account, from each Fund and to sell Shares as principal to investors, and
securities dealers, including Dean Witter Reynolds Inc. ("DWR"), an affiliate
of the Distributor, upon the terms described herein and in that Fund's
prospectus (the "Prospectus") and statement of additional information included
in the Fund's registration statement (the "Registration Statement") most
recently filed from time to time with the Securities and Exchange Commission
(the "SEC") and effective under the Securities Act of 1933, as amended (the
"1933 Act"), and the 1940 Act or as the Prospectus may be otherwise amended or
supplemented and filed with the SEC pursuant to Rule 497 under the 1933 Act.
SECTION 2 Exclusive Nature of Duties. The Distributor shall be the
exclusive principal underwriter and distributor of each Fund, except that the
exclusive rights granted to the Distributor to sell the Shares shall not apply
to Shares issued by each Fund: (i) in connection with the merger or
consolidation of any other investment company or personal holding company with
the Fund or the acquisition by purchase or otherwise of all (or substantially
all) the assets or the outstanding shares of any such company by the Fund; (ii)
pursuant to reinvestment of dividends or capital gains distributions; or (iii)
pursuant to the reinstatement privilege afforded redeeming shareholders.
SECTION 3. Purchase of Shares from each Fund. The Shares are offered in
four classes (each, a "Class"), as described in the Prospectus, as amended or
supplemented from time to time.
(a) The Distributor shall have the right to buy from each Fund the Shares
of the particular class needed, but not more than the Shares needed (except for
clerical errors in transmission), to fill unconditional orders for Shares of
the applicable class placed with the Distributor by investors or securities
dealers. The price which the Distributor shall pay for the Shares so purchased
from the Fund shall be the net asset value, determined as set forth in the
Prospectus, used in determining the public offering price on which such orders
were based.
(b) The Shares are to be resold by the Distributor at the public offering
price of Shares of the applicable class as set forth in the Prospectus, to
investors or to securities dealers, including DWR, who have entered into
selected dealer agreements with the Distributor upon the terms and conditions
set forth in Section 7 hereof ("Selected Dealers").
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(c) Each Fund shall have the right to suspend the sale of the Shares at
times when redemption is suspended pursuant to the conditions set forth in
Section 4(f) hereof. Each Fund shall also have the right to suspend the sale of
the Shares if trading on the New York Stock Exchange shall have been suspended,
if a banking moratorium shall have been declared by federal or New York
authorities, or if there shall have been some other extraordinary event which,
in the judgment of a Fund, makes it impracticable to sell its Shares.
(d) Each Fund, or any agent of a Fund designated in writing by the Fund,
shall be promptly advised of all purchase orders for Shares received by the
Distributor. Any order may be rejected by a Fund; provided, however, that a
Fund will not arbitrarily or without reasonable cause refuse to accept orders
for the purchase of Shares. The Distributor will confirm orders upon their
receipt, and each Fund (or its agent) upon receipt of payment therefor and
instructions will deliver share certificates for such Shares or a statement
confirming the issuance of Shares. Payment shall be made to the Fund in New
York Clearing House funds. The Distributor agrees to cause such payment and
such instructions to be delivered promptly to the Fund (or its agent).
(e) With respect to Shares sold by any Selected Dealer, the Distributor is
authorized to direct each Fund's transfer agent to receive instructions
directly from the Selected Dealer on behalf of the Distributor as to
registration of Shares in the names of investors and to confirm issuance of the
Shares to such investors. The Distributor is also authorized to instruct the
transfer agent to receive payment directly from the Selected Dealer on behalf
of the Distributor, for prompt transmittal to each Fund's custodian, of the
purchase price of the Shares. In such event the Distributor shall obtain from
the Selected Dealer and maintain a record of such registration instructions and
payments.
SECTION 4. Repurchase or Redemption of Shares.
(a) Any of the outstanding Shares of a Fund may be tendered for redemption
at any time, and each Fund agrees to redeem its Shares so tendered in
accordance with the applicable provisions set forth in its Prospectus. The
price to be paid to redeem the Shares shall be equal to the net asset value
determined as set forth in the Prospectus less any applicable contingent
deferred sales charge ("CDSC"). Upon any redemption of Shares the Fund shall
pay the total amount of the redemption price in New York Clearing House funds
in accordance with applicable provisions of the Prospectus.
(b) The redemption by a Fund of any of its Class A Shares purchased by or
through the Distributor will not affect the applicable front-end sales charge
secured by the Distributor or any Selected Dealer in the course of the original
sale, except that if any Class A Shares are tendered for redemption within
seven business days after the date of the confirmation of the original
purchase, the right to the applicable front-end sales charge shall be forfeited
by the Distributor and the Selected Dealer which sold such Shares.
(c) The proceeds of any redemption of Class A, Class B or Class C Shares
shall be paid by each Fund as follows: (i) any applicable CDSC shall be paid to
the Distributor or to the Selected Dealer, or, when applicable, pursuant to the
Rules of the Association of the National Association of Securities Dealers,
Inc. ("NASD"), retained by the Fund and (ii) the balance shall be paid to the
redeeming shareholders, in each case in accordance with applicable provisions
of its Prospectus in New York Clearing House funds. The Distributor is
authorized to direct a Fund to pay directly to the Selected Dealer any CDSC
payable by a Fund to the Distributor in respect of Class A, Class B, or Class C
Shares sold by the Selected Dealer to the redeeming shareholders.
(d) The Distributor is authorized, as agent for the Fund, to repurchase
Shares, represented by a share certificate which is delivered to any office of
the Distributor in accordance with applicable provisions set forth in each
Fund's Prospectus. The Distributor shall promptly transmit to the transfer
agent of the Fund for redemption all Shares so delivered. The Distributor shall
be responsible for the accuracy of instructions transmitted to the Fund's
transfer agent in connection with all such repurchases.
(e) The Distributor is authorized, as agent for each Fund, to repurchase
Shares held in a shareholder's account with a Fund for which no share
certificate has been issued, upon the telephonic request of the shareholders,
or at the discretion of the Distributor. The Distributor shall promptly
transmit to the
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<PAGE>
transfer agent of the Fund, for redemption, all such orders for repurchase of
Shares. Payment for Shares repurchased may be made by a Fund to the Distributor
for the account of the shareholder. The Distributor shall be responsible for
the accuracy of instructions transmitted to the Fund's transfer agent in
connection with all such repurchases.
(f) Redemption of its Shares or payment by a Fund may be suspended at
times when the New York Stock Exchange is closed, when trading on said Exchange
is restricted, when an emergency exists as a result of which disposal by a Fund
of securities owned by it is not reasonably practicable or it is not reasonably
practicable for a Fund fairly to determine the value of its net assets, or
during any other period when the SEC, by order, so permits.
(g) With respect to its Shares tendered for redemption or repurchase by
any Selected Dealer on behalf of its customers, the Distributor is authorized
to instruct the transfer agent of a Fund to accept orders for redemption or
repurchase directly from the Selected Dealer on behalf of the Distributor and
to instruct the Fund to transmit payments for such redemptions and repurchases
directly to the Selected Dealer on behalf of the Distributor for the account of
the shareholder. The Distributor shall obtain from the Selected Dealer, and
shall maintain, a record of such orders. The Distributor is further authorized
to obtain from the Fund, and shall maintain, a record of payment made directly
to the Selected Dealer on behalf of the Distributor.
SECTION 5. Duties of the Fund.
(a) Each Fund shall furnish to the Distributor copies of all information,
financial statements and other papers which the Distributor may reasonably
request for use in connection with the distribution of its Shares, including
one certified copy, upon request by the Distributor, of all financial
statements prepared by the Fund and examined by independent accountants. Each
Fund shall, at the expense of the Distributor, make available to the
Distributor such number of copies of its Prospectus as the Distributor shall
reasonably request.
(b) Each Fund shall take, from time to time, but subject to the necessary
approval of its shareholders, all necessary action to fix the number of its
authorized Shares and to register Shares under the 1933 Act, to the end that
there will be available for sale such number of Shares as investors may
reasonably be expected to purchase.
(c) Each Fund shall use its best efforts to pay the filing fees for an
appropriate number of its Shares to be sold under the securities laws of such
states as the Distributor and the Fund may approve. Any qualification to sell
its Shares in a state may be withheld, terminated or withdrawn by a Fund at any
time in its discretion. As provided in Section 8(c) hereof, such filing fees
shall be paid by the Fund. The Distributor shall furnish any information and
other material relating to its affairs and activities as may be required by a
Fund in connection with the sale of its Shares in any state.
(d) Each Fund shall, at the expense of the Distributor, furnish, in
reasonable quantities upon request by the Distributor, copies of its annual and
interim reports.
SECTION 6. Duties of the Distributor.
(a) The Distributor shall sell shares of each Fund through DWR and may
sell shares through other securities dealers and its own Financial Advisors,
and shall devote reasonable time and effort to promote sales of the Shares, but
shall not be obligated to sell any specific number of Shares. The services of
the Distributor hereunder are not exclusive and it is understood that the
Distributor may act as principal underwriter for other registered investment
companies, so long as the performance of its obligations hereunder is not
impaired thereby. It is also understood that Selected Dealers, including DWR,
may also sell shares for other registered investment companies.
(b) Neither the Distributor nor any Selected Dealer shall give any
information or make any representations, other than those contained in the
Registration Statement or related Prospectus and any sales literature
specifically approved by the appropriate Fund.
(c) The Distributor agrees that it will at all times comply with the
applicable terms and limitations of the Rules of the Association of the NASD.
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SECTION 7. Selected Dealers Agreements.
(a) The Distributor shall have the right to enter into selected dealer
agreements with Selected Dealers for the sale of Shares. In making agreements
with Selected Dealers, the Distributor shall act only as principal and not as
agent for a Fund. Shares sold to Selected Dealers shall be for resale by such
dealers only at the public offering price set forth in the Prospectus. With
respect to Class A Shares, in such agreement the Distributor shall have the
right to fix the portion of the applicable front-end sales charge which may be
allocated to the Selected Dealers.
(b) Within the United States, the Distributor shall offer and sell Shares
only to Selected Dealers that are members in good standing of the NASD.
(c) The Distributor shall adopt and follow procedures, as approved by each
Fund, for the confirmation of sales of its Shares to investors and Selected
Dealers, the collection of amounts payable by investors and Selected Dealers on
such sales, and the cancellation of unsettled transactions, as may be necessary
to comply with the requirements of the NASD, as such requirements may from time
to time exist.
SECTION 8. Payment of Expenses.
(a) Each Fund shall bear all costs and expenses of the Fund, including
fees and disbursements of legal counsel including counsel to the
Directors/Trustees of each Fund who are not interested persons (as defined in
the 1940 Act) of the Fund or the Distributor, and independent accountants, in
connection with the preparation and filing of any required Registration
Statements and Prospectuses and all amendments and supplements thereto, and the
expense of preparing, printing, mailing and otherwise distributing prospectuses
and statements of additional information, annual or interim reports or proxy
materials to shareholders.
(b) The Distributor shall bear all expenses incurred by it in connection
with its duties and activities under this Agreement including the payment to
Selected Dealers of any sales commissions, service fees and other expenses for
sales of a Fund's Shares (except such expenses as are specifically undertaken
herein by a Fund) incurred or paid by Selected Dealers, including DWR. The
Distributor shall bear the costs and expenses of preparing, printing and
distributing any supplementary sales literature used by the Distributor or
furnished by it for use by Selected Dealers in connection with the offering of
the Shares for sale. Any expenses of advertising incurred in connection with
such offering will also be the obligation of the Distributor. It is understood
and agreed that, so long as a Fund's Plan of Distribution pursuant to Rule
12b-1 under the 1940 Act ("Rule 12b-1 Plan") continues in effect, any expenses
incurred by the Distributor hereunder may be paid in accordance with the terms
of such Rule 12b-1 Plan.
(c) Each Fund shall pay the filing fees, and, if necessary or advisable in
connection therewith, bear the cost and expense of qualifying each Fund as a
broker or dealer, in such states of the United States or other jurisdictions as
shall be selected by the Fund and the Distributor pursuant to Section 5(c)
hereof and the cost and expenses payable to each such state for continuing to
offer Shares therein until the Fund decides to discontinue selling Shares
pursuant to Section 5(c) hereof.
SECTION 9. Indemnification.
(a) Each Fund shall indemnify and hold harmless the Distributor and each
person, if any, who controls the Distributor against any loss, liability,
claim, damage or expense (including the reasonable cost of investigating or
defending any alleged loss, liability, claim, damage or expense and reasonable
counsel fees incurred in connection therewith) arising by reason of any person
acquiring any Shares, which may be based upon the 1933 Act, or on any other
statute or at common law, on the ground that the Registration Statement or
related Prospectus and Statement of Additional Information, as from time to
time amended and supplemented, or the annual or interim reports to shareholders
of a Fund, includes an untrue statement of a material fact or omits to state a
material fact required to be stated therein or necessary in order to make the
statements therein not misleading, unless such statement or omission was made
in reliance upon, and in conformity with, information furnished to the Fund in
connection therewith by or on behalf of the Distributor; provided, however,
that in no case (i) is the indemnity of a Fund in
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favor of the Distributor and any such controlling persons to be deemed to
protect the Distributor or any such controlling persons thereof against any
liability to a Fund or its security holders to which the Distributor or any
such controlling persons would otherwise be subject by reason of willful
misfeasance, bad faith or gross negligence in the performance of its duties or
by reason of reckless disregard of its obligations and duties under this
Agreement; or (ii) is a Fund to be liable under its indemnity agreement
contained in this paragraph with respect to any claim made against the
Distributor or any such controlling persons, unless the Distributor or any such
controlling persons, as the case may be, shall have notified the Fund in
writing within a reasonable time after the summons or other first legal process
giving information of the nature of the claim shall have been served upon the
Distributor or such controlling persons (or after the Distributor or such
controlling persons shall have received notice of such service on any
designated agent), but failure to notify the Fund of any such claim shall not
relieve it from any liability which it may have to the person against whom such
action is brought otherwise than on account of its indemnity agreement
contained in this paragraph. Each Fund will be entitled to participate at its
own expense in the defense, or, if it so elects, to assume the defense, of any
such suit brought to enforce any such liability, but if a Fund elects to assume
the defense, such defense shall be conducted by counsel chosen by it and
satisfactory to the Distributor or such controlling person or persons,
defendant or defendants in the suit. In the event the Fund elects to assume the
defense of any such suit and retain such counsel, the Distributor or such
controlling person or persons, defendant or defendants in the suit, shall bear
the fees and expenses of any additional counsel retained by them, but, in case
the Fund does not elect to assume the defense of any such suit, it will
reimburse the Distributor or such controlling person or persons, defendant or
defendants in the suit, for the reasonable fees and expenses of any counsel
retained by them. Each Fund shall promptly notify the Distributor of the
commencement of any litigation or proceedings against it or any of its officers
or Directors/Trustees in connection with the issuance or sale of the Shares.
(b) (i) The Distributor shall indemnify and hold harmless each Fund and
each of its Directors/Trustees and officers and each person, if any, who
controls the Fund against any loss, liability, claim, damage, or expense
described in the indemnity contained in subsection (a) of this Section, but only
with respect to statements or omissions made in reliance upon, and in conformity
with, information furnished to a Fund in writing by or on behalf of the
Distributor for use in connection with the Registration Statement or related
Prospectus and Statement of Additional Information, as from time to time
amended, or the annual or interim reports to shareholders.
(ii) The Distributor shall indemnify and hold harmless each Fund and
each Fund's transfer agent, individually and in its capacity as the Fund's
transfer agent, from and against any claims, damages and liabilities which
arise as a result of actions taken pursuant to instructions from, or on behalf
of, the Distributor to: (1) redeem all or a part of shareholder accounts in the
Fund pursuant to Section 4(g) hereof and pay the proceeds to, or as directed
by, the Distributor for the account of each shareholder whose Shares are so
redeemed; and (2) register Shares in the names of investors, confirm the
issuance thereof and receive payment therefor pursuant to Section 3(e) hereof.
(iii) In case any action shall be brought against a Fund or any person
so indemnified by this Section 9(b) in respect of which indemnity may be sought
against the Distributor, the Distributor shall have the rights and duties given
to a Fund, and the Fund and each person so indemnified shall have the rights
and duties given to the Distributor, by the provisions of subsection (a) of
this Section 9.
(c) If the indemnification provided for in this Section 9 is unavailable
or insufficient to hold harmless an indemnified party under subsection (a) or
(b) above in respect of any losses, claims, damages, liabilities or expenses
(or actions in respect thereof) referred to herein, then each indemnifiying
party shall contribute to the amount paid or payable by such indemnified party
as a result of such losses, claims, damages, liabilities or expenses (or
actions in respect thereof) in such proportion as is appropriate to reflect the
relative benefits received by a Fund on the one hand and the Distributor on the
other from the offering of the Shares. If, however, the allocation provided by
the immediately preceding sentence is not permitted by applicable law, then
each indemnifying party shall contribute to such amount paid or payable by such
indemnified party in such proportion as is appropriate to reflect not only such
relative benefits but also the relative fault of a Fund on the one hand and the
Distributor on the other in connection with the statements or omissions which
resulted in such losses, claims, damages, liabilities or expenses (or actions
5
<PAGE>
in respect thereof), as well as any other relevant equitable considerations.
The relative benefits received by a Fund on the one hand and the Distributor on
the other shall be deemed to be in the same proportion as the total net
proceeds from the offering (before deducting expenses) received by the Fund
bear to the total compensation received by the Distributor, in each case as set
forth in the Prospectus. The relative fault shall be determined by reference
to, among other things, whether the untrue or alleged untrue statement of a
material fact or the omission or alleged omission to state a material fact
relates to information supplied by a Fund or the Distributor and the parties'
relative intent, knowledge, access to information and opportunity to correct or
prevent such statement or omission. Each Fund and the Distributor agree that it
would not be just and equitable if contribution were determined by pro rata
allocation or by any other method of allocation which does not take into
account the equitable considerations referred to above. The amount paid or
payable by an indemnified party as a result of the losses, claims, damages,
liabilities or expenses (or actions in respect thereof) referred to above shall
be deemed to include any legal or other expenses reasonably incurred by such
indemnified party in connection with investigating or defending any such claim.
Notwithstanding the provisions of this subsection (c), the Distributor shall
not be required to contribute any amount in excess of the amount by which the
total price at which the Shares distributed by it to the public were offered to
the public exceeds the amount of any damages which it has otherwise been
required to pay by reason of such untrue or alleged untrue statement or
omission or alleged omission. No person guilty of fraudulent misrepresentation
(within the meaning of Section 11(f) of the 1933 Act) shall be entitled to
contribution from any person who was not guilty of such fraudulent
misrepresentation.
SECTION 10. Duration and Termination of this Agreement. This Agreement
shall remain in force until April 30, 1999, and thereafter, but only so long as
such continuance is specifically approved at least annually by (i) the Board of
Directors/Trustees of each Fund, or by the vote of a majority of the
outstanding voting securities of the Fund, cast in person or by proxy, and (ii)
a majority of those Directors/Trustees who are not parties to this Agreement or
interested persons of any such party and who have no direct or indirect
financial interest in this Agreement or in the operation of the Fund's Rule
12b-1 Plan or in any agreement related thereto, cast in person at a meeting
called for the purpose of voting upon such approval.
This Agreement may be terminated at any time without the payment of any
penalty, by the Directors/Trustees of a Fund, by a majority of the
Directors/Trustees of a Fund who are not interested persons of the Fund and who
have no direct or indirect financial interest in this Agreement, or by vote of
a majority of the outstanding voting securities of a Fund, or by the
Distributor, on sixty days' written notice to the other party. This Agreement
shall automatically terminate in the event of its assignment.
The terms "vote of a majority of the outstanding voting securities,"
"assignment" and "interested person," when used in this Agreement, shall have
the respective meanings specified in the 1940 Act.
SECTION 11. Amendments of this Agreement. This Agreement may be amended by
the parties only if such amendment is specifically approved by (i) the
Directors/Trustees of a Fund, or by the vote of a majority of outstanding
voting securities of a Fund, and (ii) a majority of those Directors/Trustees of
a Fund who are not parties to this Agreement or interested persons of any such
party and who have no direct or indirect financial interest in this Agreement
or in any Agreement related to the Fund's Rule 12b-1 Plan, cast in person at a
meeting called for the purpose of voting on such approval.
SECTION 12. Additional Funds. If at any time another Fund desires to
appoint the Distributor as its principal underwriter and distributor under this
Agreement, it shall notify the Distributor in writing. If the Distributor is
willing to serve as the Fund's principal underwriter and distributor under this
Agreement, it shall notify the Fund in writing, whereupon such other Fund shall
become a Fund hereunder.
SECTION 13. Governing Law. This Agreement shall be construed in accordance
with the law of the State of New York and the applicable provisions of the 1940
Act. To the extent the applicable law of the State of New York, or any of the
provisions herein, conflicts with the applicable provisions of the 1940 Act,
the latter shall control.
6
<PAGE>
SECTION 14. Personal Liability. With respect to any Fund that is organized
as an unincorporated business trust under the laws of the Commonwealth of
Massachusetts, its Declaration of the Trust (each, a "Declaration") is on file
in the office of the Secretary of the Commonwealth of Massachusetts. Each
Declaration provides that the name of the Fund refers to the Trustees under the
Declaration collectively as Trustees, but not as individuals or personally; and
no Trustee, shareholder, officer, employee or agent of any Fund shall be held
to any personal liability, nor shall resort be had to their private property
for the satisfaction of any obligation or claim or otherwise, in connection
with the affairs of any Fund, but the Trust Estate only shall be liable.
IN WITNESS WHEREOF, the parties hereto have executed and delivered this
Agreement, as amended, on June 22, 1998 in New York, New York.
ON BEHALF OF THE FUNDS SET FORTH ON
SCHEDULE A, ATTACHED HERETO
By:
........................................
MORGAN STANLEY DEAN WITTER DISTRIBUTORS INC.
By:
........................................
7
<PAGE>
MORGAN STANLEY DEAN WITTER FUNDS
DISTRIBUTION AGREEMENT
SCHEDULE A
AT FEBRUARY 9, 1999
1) Morgan Stanley Dean Witter Aggressive Equity Fund
2) Morgan Stanley Dean Witter American Value Fund
3) Morgan Stanley Dean Witter Balanced Growth Fund
4) Morgan Stanley Dean Witter Balanced Income Fund
5) Morgan Stanley Dean Witter California Tax-Free Income Fund
6) Morgan Stanley Dean Witter Capital Appreciation Fund
7) Morgan Stanley Dean Witter Capital Growth Securities
8) Morgan Stanley Dean Witter Competitive Edge Fund
9) Morgan Stanley Dean Witter Convertible Securities Trust
10) Morgan Stanley Dean Witter Developing Growth Securities Trust
11) Morgan Stanley Dean Witter Diversified Income Trust
12) Morgan Stanley Dean Witter Dividend Growth Securities Inc.
13) Morgan Stanley Dean Witter Equity Fund
14) Morgan Stanley Dean Witter European Growth Fund Inc.
15) Morgan Stanley Dean Witter Federal Securities Trust
16) Morgan Stanley Dean Witter Financial Services Trust
17) Morgan Stanley Dean Witter Fund of Funds
18) Morgan Stanley Dean Witter Global Dividend Growth Securities
19) Morgan Stanley Dean Witter Global Utilities Fund
20) Morgan Stanley Dean Witter Growth Fund
21) Morgan Stanley Dean Witter Health Sciences Trust
22) Morgan Stanley Dean Witter High Yield Securities Inc.
23) Morgan Stanley Dean Witter Income Builder Fund
24) Morgan Stanley Dean Witter Information Fund
25) Morgan Stanley Dean Witter Intermediate Income Securities
26) Morgan Stanley Dean Witter International Fund
27) Morgan Stanley Dean Witter International SmallCap Fund
28) Morgan Stanley Dean Witter Japan Fund
29) Morgan Stanley Dean Witter Managers Focus Fund
30) Morgan Stanley Dean Witter Market Leader Trust
31) Morgan Stanley Dean Witter Mid-Cap Dividend Growth Securities
32) Morgan Stanley Dean Witter Mid-Cap Growth Fund
33) Morgan Stanley Dean Witter Natural Resource Development Securities Inc.
34) Morgan Stanley Dean Witter New York Tax-Free Income Fund
35) Morgan Stanley Dean Witter Pacific Growth Fund Inc.
36) Morgan Stanley Dean Witter Precious Metals and Minerals Trust
37) Morgan Stanley Dean Witter Real Estate Fund
38) Morgan Stanley Dean Witter Special Value Fund
39) Morgan Stanley Dean Witter S&P 500 Index Fund
40) Morgan Stanley Dean Witter S&P 500 Select Fund
41) Morgan Stanley Dean Witter Strategist Fund
42) Morgan Stanley Dean Witter Tax-Exempt Securities Trust
43) Morgan Stanley Dean Witter U.S. Government Securities Trust
44) Morgan Stanley Dean Witter Utilities Fund
45) Morgan Stanley Dean Witter Value-Added Market Series
46) Morgan Stanley Dean Witter Value Fund
47) Morgan Stanley Dean Witter Worldwide High Income Fund
48) Morgan Stanley Dean Witter World Wide Income Trust
8
<PAGE>
MORGAN STANLEY DEAN WITTER DISTRIBUTORS INC.
OMNIBUS SELECTED DEALER AGREEMENT
Dear Sir or Madam:
We, Morgan Stanley Dean Witter Distributors Inc. (the "Distributor") have
a distribution agreement (the "Distribution Agreement") with each of the
open-end investment companies listed in Schedule A attached hereto (each, a
"Fund"), pursuant to which we act as the Distributor for the sale of each
Fund's shares of common stock or beneficial interest, as the case may be, (the
"Shares"). Under the Distribution Agreement, we have the right to distribute
Shares for resale.
Each 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 (the
"Securities Act"). You have received a copy of the Distribution Agreements
between us and each Fund and reference is made herein to certain provisions of
such Distribution Agreements. The terms used herein, including "Prospectus" and
"Registration Statement" of each Fund and "Selected Dealer" shall have the same
meaning in this Agreement as in the Distribution Agreements. As principal, we
offer to sell Shares to your customers, upon the following terms and
conditions:
1. In all sales of Shares to the public you shall act on behalf of your
customers which for purposes of this Agreement are limited to customers for
which Nations Banc Investments, Inc. is the Introducing Broker, and in no
transaction shall you have any authority to act as agent for a Fund, for us or
for any Selected Dealer.
2. Orders received from you will be accepted through us or on our behalf
only at the public offering price applicable to each order, as set forth in the
applicable current Prospectus. The procedure relating to the handling of orders
shall be subject to written instructions which we or the applicable Fund shall
forward from time to time to you. All orders are subject to acceptance or
rejection by us or a Fund in the sole discretion of either. The Distributor of
the Fund will promptly notify you in writing of any such rejection.
3. You shall not place orders for any Shares unless you have already
received purchase orders for such Shares at the applicable public offering
price and subject to the terms hereof and of the applicable Distribution
Agreement and Prospectus. In connection herewith, you agree to abide by the
terms of the applicable Distribution Agreement and Prospectus to the extent
required hereunder. Furthermore, you agree that (i) you will offer or sell any
of the Shares only under circumstances that will result in compliance with all
applicable Federal and state securities laws; (ii) you will not furnish or
cause to be furnished to any person any information relating to the Shares
which is inconsistent in any respect with the information contained in the
applicable Prospectus (as then amended or supplemented) or cause any
advertisements 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 applicable Fund; and (iii) you will endeavor to
obtain proxies from purchasers of Shares. You also agree that you will be
liable to Distributor for payment of the purchase price for Shares purchased by
customers and that you shall make payment for such shares when due.
4. We will compensate you for sales of shares of the Funds and personal
services to Fund shareholders by paying you a sales charge and/or other
commission (which may be in the form of a gross sales credit and/or an annual
residual commission) and/or a service fee, each as separately agreed by you and
us with respect to each Fund.
5. If any Shares sold to your customers under the terms of this Agreement
are repurchased by us for the account of a Fund or are tendered for redemption
within seven business days after the date of the confirmation of the original
purchase by you, it is agreed that you shall forfeit your right to, and refund
to us, any commission received by you with respect to such Shares.
6. No person is authorized to make any representations concerning the
Shares or the Funds except those contained in the current applicable Prospectus
and in such printed information subsequently issued by us or a Fund as
information supplemental to such Prospectus. In selling Shares, you shall rely
solely on the representations contained in the applicable Prospectus and
supplemental information mentioned above. Any printed information which we
furnish you other than the Prospectus and the Funds' periodic reports and
<PAGE>
proxy solicitation materials are our sole responsibility and not the
responsibility of the Funds, and you agree that the Funds shall have no
liability or responsibility to you in these respects unless expressly assumed
in connection therewith.
7. You are hereby authorized (i) to place orders directly with a Fund or
its agent for shares of the Fund to be sold by us subject to the applicable
terms and conditions governing the placement of orders for the purchase of Fund
Shares, as set forth in the Distribution Agreement, and (ii) to tender Shares
directly to the Fund or its agent for redemption subject to the applicable
terms and conditions set forth in the Distribution Agreement. We will provide
you with copies of any updates to the Distribution Agreement.
8. 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 with respect to one or more Funds upon fifteen
days prior written notice to the other party.
9. I. You shall indemnify and hold us harmless from and against any and
all losses, costs, (including reasonable attorney's fees) claims, damages and
liabilities which arise as a result of action taken pursuant to instructions
from you, or on your behalf to: (a)(i) place orders for Shares of a Fund with
the Fund's transfer agent or direct the transfer agent to receive instructions
for the order of Shares, and (ii) accept monies or direct that the transfer
agent accept monies as payment for the order of such Shares, all as
contemplated by and in accordance with Section 3 of the applicable Distribution
Agreement; (b)(i) place orders for the redemption of Shares of a Fund with the
Fund's transfer agent or direct the transfer agent to receive instruction for
the redemption of such Shares and (ii) to pay redemption proceeds or to direct
that the transfer agent pay redemption proceeds in connection with orders for
the redemption of Shares, all as contemplated by and in accordance with
Section 4 of the applicable Distribution Agreement; Distributor agrees to
indemnify and hold harmless you and your affiliates, officers, directors,
control persons and employees from and against any and all losses, costs
(including reasonable attorney's fees), claims, damages and liabilities which
arise as a result of Distributor's failure to fulfill its obligations hereunder
and from any alleged inaccuracy, omission or misrepresentation contained in any
prospectus or any advertising, or sales literature prepared by Distributor or
the Fund provided, however, that in no case, (i) is this indemnity in favor of
you or us and any of other party's such controlling persons to be deemed to
protect us or any such controlling persons against any liability to which we or
any such controlling persons would otherwise be subject by reason of willful
misfeasance, bad faith or gross negligence in the performance of our duties or
by reason of reckless disregard of our obligations and duties under this
Agreement or the applicable Distribution Agreement; or (ii) are you to be liable
under the indemnity agreement contained in this paragraph with respect to any
claim made against us or any such controlling persons, unless we or any such
controlling persons, as the case may be, shall have notified you in writing
within a reasonable time after the summons or other first legal process giving
information of the nature of the claim shall have been served upon us or such
controlling persons (or after we or such controlling persons shall have received
notice of such service on any designated agent), notwithstanding the failure to
notify you of any such claim shall not relieve you from any liability which you
may have to the person against whom such action is brought otherwise than on
account of the indemnity agreement contained in this paragraph.
II. You will be entitled to participate at your own expense in the
defense, or, if you so elect, to assume the defense, of any suit brought to
enforce any such liability, but if you elect to assume the defense, such
defense shall be conducted by counsel chosen by you and reasonably satisfactory
to us or such controlling person or persons, defendant or defendants in the
suit. In the event you elect to assume the defense of any such suit and retain
such counsel, we or such controlling person or persons, defendant or defendants
in the suit, shall bear the fees and expenses of any additional counsel
retained by them, but, in case you do not elect to assume the defense of any
such suit, you will reimburse us or such controlling person or persons,
defendant or defendants in the suit, for the reasonable fees and expenses of
any counsel retained by them. Each party shall promptly notify the other party
to this Agreement of the commencement of any litigation or proceedings against
it or any of its officers or directors in connection with the issuance or sale
of the Shares pursuant to this Agreement.
2
<PAGE>
III. If the indemnification provided for in this Section 9 is unavailable
or insufficient to hold harmless the Distributor, as provided above in respect
of any losses, claims, damages, liabilities or expenses (or actions in respect
thereof) referred to herein, then you shall contribute to the amount paid or
payable by us as a result of such losses, claims, damages, liabilities or
expenses (or actions in respect thereof) in such proportion as is appropriate
to reflect the relative benefits received by you on the one hand and us on the
other from the offering of the Shares. If, however, the allocation provided by
the immediately preceding sentence is not permitted by applicable law, then you
shall contribute to such amount paid or payable by such indemnified party in
such proportion as is appropriate to reflect not only such relative benefits
but also your relative fault on the one hand and our relative fault on the
other, in connection with the statements or omissions which resulted in such
losses, claims, damages, liabilities or expenses (or actions in respect
thereof), as well as any other relevant equitable considerations. You and we
agree that it would not be just and equitable if contribution were determined
by pro rata allocation or by any other method of allocation which does not take
into account the equitable considerations referred to above. The amount paid or
payable by us as a result of the losses, claims, damages, liabilities or
expenses (or actions in respect thereof) referred to above shall be deemed to
include any legal or other expenses reasonably incurred by us in connection
with investigating or defending any such claim. Notwithstanding the provisions
of this subsection (III), you shall not be required to contribute any amount in
excess of the amount by which the total price at which the Shares distributed
by you to the public were offered to the public exceeds the amount of any
damages which you have otherwise been required to pay by reason of such untrue
or alleged untrue statement or omission or alleged omission. No person guilty
of fraudulent misrepresentation (within the meaning of Section 11(f) of the
Securities Act) shall be entitled to contribution from any person who was not
guilty of such fraudulent misrepresentation.
IV. Notwithstanding the provisions of subsections (I), (II) and (III), we
shall indemnify, defend and hold harmless you and your officers, directors,
employees, affiliates, agents, successors and assigns from and against any and
all claims and all related losses, expenses, damages, cost and liabilities
including reasonable attorneys' fees and expenses incurred in investigation or
defense, arising out of or related to any breach of any representation,
warranty or covenant by us contained in Section 15 of this Agreement.
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 Shares. Neither party shall be under any liability to the other
party except for lack of good faith and for obligations expressly assumed
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, or of the
rules and regulations of the Securities and Exchange Commission issued
thereunder.
12. Each party represents that it is a member in good standing of the
National Association of Securities Dealers, Inc. and, with respect to any sales
in the United States, each party hereby agrees to abide by the Rules of Fair
Practice of such Association relating to the performance of the obligations
hereunder.
13. We will inform you in writing 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. Notwithstanding any other provision of this Agreement to the contrary,
we represent and warrant that the names and addresses of your customers (or
customers of your affiliates) which have or which may come to our attention in
connection with this Agreement are confidential and are your exclusive property
and shall not be utilized by us except in connection with the functions
performed by us in connection with this Agreement. Notwithstanding the
foregoing, should a customer request, that we or an organization affiliated
with us, provide services to such customer, we or such affiliated organization
shall in no way violate this representation and warranty, nor be considered in
breach of this Agreement.
15. We represent, warrant, and covenant to you that the marketing
materials, any communications distributed to the public and training materials
designed by us or our agents relating to the product sold under this Agreement
are true and accurate and do not omit to state a fact necessary to make the
3
<PAGE>
information contained therein not misleading and comply with applicable federal
and state laws. We further represent, warrant, and covenant to you that the
performance by us of our obligations under this Agreement in no way constitutes
an infringement on or other violation of copyright, trade secret, trademark,
proprietary information or non-disclosure rights of any other party.
16. We shall maintain a contingency disaster recovery plan, and, in the
event you are so required by any regulatory or governmental agency, we shall
make such plan available to you for inspection at your office upon reasonable
advance notice by you. Each party agrees that it will at all times conduct its
activities under this Agreement in an equitable, legal and professional manner.
17. We understand that the performance of your and our obligations under
this Agreement is subject to examination during business hours by your
authorized representatives and auditors and by federal and state regulatory
agencies, and we agree that upon being given reasonable notice and proper
identification we shall submit or furnish at a reasonable time and place to any
such representative or regulatory agency reports, information, or other data
relating to this Agreement as may reasonably be required or requested by you.
We shall maintain and make available to you upon reasonable notice all
material, data, files, and records relating to this Agreement for a period of
not less than three years after the termination of this Agreement.
18. The sales, advertising and promotional materials designed by either
party or its agents relating to products sold under this Agreement shall comply
with applicable federal and state laws. Each party agrees that the sales,
advertising and promotional materials shall be made available to the other
party prior to distribution to your employees or customers.
19. Any controversy or claim between or among the parties hereto arising
out of or relating to this Agreement, including any claim based on or arising
from an alleged tort, shall be determined by binding arbitration in accordance
with the rules of the National Association of Securities Dealers, Inc. Judgment
upon any arbitration award may be entered in any court having jurisdiction. Any
party to this Agreement may bring an action, including a summary or expedited
proceeding, to compel arbitration of any controversy or claim to which this
Agreement applies in any court having jurisdiction over such action.
20. All notices or other communications under this Agreement shall be in
writing and given as follows:
If to us: Morgan Stanley Dean Witter Distributors Inc.
Attn: Barry Fink,
Two World Trade Center
New York, NY 10048
If to you: National Financial
Services Corporation
Attn: Robert Masabuy
4201 Congress Street, Suite 245
Boston, MA
or such other address as the parties may hereafter specify in writing. Each
such notice to any party shall be either hand-delivered or transmitted, postage
prepaid, by registered or certified United States mail with return receipt
requested, and shall be deemed effective only upon receipt.
4
<PAGE>
21. 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.
MORGAN STANLEY DEAN WITTER DISTRIBUTORS INC.
By /s/
-----------------------------------------
(Authorized Signature)
Please return one signed copy
of this agreement to:
Morgan Stanley Dean Witter Distributors Inc.
Two World Trade Center
New York, New York 10048
Accepted:
Firm Name: National Financial Services Corp.
----------------------------------
By: /s/
-----------------------------------------
200 Liberty Street
Address: -----------------------------------
New York, New York
-----------------------------------
Date: October 17, 1998
---------------------------------------
5
<PAGE>
SCHEDULE A
Dean Witter Global Asset Allocation Fund
Morgan Stanley Dean Witter American Value Fund
Morgan Stanley Dean Witter Balanced Growth Fund
Morgan Stanley Dean Witter Balanced Income Fund
Morgan Stanley Dean Witter California Tax-Free Income Fund
Morgan Stanley Dean Witter Capital Appreciation Fund
Morgan Stanley Dean Witter Capital Growth Securities
Morgan Stanley Dean Witter Competitive Edge Fund, "Best Ideas" Portfolio
Morgan Stanley Dean Witter Convertible Securities Trust
Morgan Stanley Dean Witter Developing Growth Securities Trust
Morgan Stanley Dean Witter Diversified Income Trust
Morgan Stanley Dean Witter Dividend Growth Securities Inc.
Morgan Stanley Dean Witter Equity Fund
Morgan Stanley Dean Witter European Growth Fund Inc.
Morgan Stanley Dean Witter Federal Securities Trust
Morgan Stanley Dean Witter Financial Services Trust
Morgan Stanley Dean Witter Fund of Funds
Morgan Stanley Dean Witter Global Dividend Growth Securities
Morgan Stanley Dean Witter Global Short-Term Income Fund Inc.
Morgan Stanley Dean Witter Global Utilities Fund
Morgan Stanley Dean Witter Growth Fund
Morgan Stanley Dean Witter Hawaii Municipal Trust
Morgan Stanley Dean Witter Health Sciences Trust
Morgan Stanley Dean Witter High Yield Securities Inc.
Morgan Stanley Dean Witter Income Builder Fund
Morgan Stanley Dean Witter Information Fund
Morgan Stanley Dean Witter Intermediate Income Securities Inc.
Morgan Stanley Dean Witter International SmallCap Fund
Morgan Stanley Dean Witter Japan Fund
Morgan Stanley Dean Witter Limited Term Municipal Trust
Morgan Stanley Dean Witter Market Leader Trust
Morgan Stanley Dean Witter Mid-Cap Dividend Growth Securities
Morgan Stanley Dean Witter Mid-Cap Growth Fund
Morgan Stanley Dean Witter Multi-State Municipal Series Trust
Morgan Stanley Dean Witter Natural Resource Development Securities Inc.
Morgan Stanley Dean Witter New York Tax-Free Income Fund
Morgan Stanley Dean Witter Pacific Growth Fund Inc.
Morgan Stanley Dean Witter Precious Metals and Minerals Trust
Morgan Stanley Dean Witter S&P 500 Index Fund
Morgan Stanley Dean Witter S&P 500 Select Fund
Morgan Stanley Dean Witter Short-Term Bond Fund
Morgan Stanley Dean Witter Short-Term U.S. Treasury Trust
Morgan Stanley Dean Witter Special Value Fund
Morgan Stanley Dean Witter Strategist Fund
Morgan Stanley Dean Witter Tax-Exempt Securities Trust
Morgan Stanley Dean Witter U.S. Government Securities Trust
Morgan Stanley Dean Witter Utilities Fund
Morgan Stanley Dean Witter Value-Added Market Series
Morgan Stanley Dean Witter Value Fund
Morgan Stanley Dean Witter World Wide Income Trust
A-1
<PAGE>
AMENDED AND RESTATED
TRANSFER AGENCY AND SERVICE AGREEMENT
with
MORGAN STANLEY DEAN WITTER TRUST FSB
[open-end funds]
<PAGE>
TABLE OF CONTENTS
-----------------
Page
Article 1 Terms of Appointment............................................ 1
Article 2 Fees and Expenses............................................... 5
Article 3 Representations and Warranties of MSDW TRUST.................... 6
Article 4 Representations and Warranties of the Fund...................... 7
Article 5 Duty of Care and Indemnification................................ 7
Article 6 Documents and Covenants of the Fund and MSDW TRUST.............. 10
Article 7 Duration and Termination of Agreement........................... 13
Article 8 Assignment...................................................... 14
Article 9 Affiliations.................................................... 14
Article 10 Amendment....................................................... 15
Article 11 Applicable Law.................................................. 15
Article 12 Miscellaneous................................................... 15
Article 13 Merger of Agreement............................................. 17
Article 14 Personal Liability.............................................. 17
-i-
<PAGE>
AMENDED AND RESTATED TRANSFER AGENCY AND SERVICE AGREEMENT
AMENDED AND RESTATED AGREEMENT made as of the 22nd day of June, 1998 by
and between each of the Funds listed on the signature pages hereof, each of such
Funds acting severally on its own behalf and not jointly with any of such other
Funds (each such Fund hereinafter referred to as the "Fund"), each such Fund
having its principal office and place of business at Two World Trade Center, New
York, New York, 10048, and MORGAN STANLEY DEAN WITTER TRUST FSB ("MSDW TRUST"),
a federally chartered savings bank, having its principal office and place of
business at Harborside Financial Center, Plaza Two, Jersey City, New Jersey
07311.
WHEREAS, the Fund desires to appoint MSDW TRUST as its transfer agent,
dividend disbursing agent and shareholder servicing agent and MSDW TRUST desires
to accept such appointment;
NOW THEREFORE, in consideration of the mutual covenants herein
contained, the parties hereto agree as follows:
Article 1 Terms of Appointment; Duties of MSDW TRUST
1.1 Subject to the terms and conditions set forth in this Agreement,
the Fund hereby employs and appoints MSDW TRUST to act as, and MSDW TRUST agrees
to act as, the transfer agent for each series and class of shares of the Fund,
whether now or hereafter authorized or issued ("Shares"), dividend disbursing
agent and shareholder servicing agent in
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connection with any accumulation, open-account or similar plans provided to the
holders of such Shares ("Shareholders") and set out in the currently effective
prospectus and statement of additional information ("prospectus") of the Fund,
including without limitation any periodic investment plan or periodic withdrawal
program.
1.2 MSDW TRUST agrees that it will perform the following services:
(a) In accordance with procedures established from time to time by
agreement between the Fund and MSDW TRUST, MSDW TRUST shall:
(i) Receive for acceptance, orders for the purchase of Shares, and
promptly deliver payment and appropriate documentation therefor to the custodian
of the assets of the Fund (the "Custodian");
(ii) Pursuant to purchase orders, issue the appropriate number of
Shares and issue certificates therefor or hold such Shares in book form in the
appropriate Shareholder account;
(iii) Receive for acceptance redemption requests and redemption
directions and deliver the appropriate documentation therefor to the Custodian;
(iv) At the appropriate time as and when it receives monies paid to it
by the Custodian with respect to any redemption, pay over or cause to be paid
over in the appropriate manner such monies as instructed by the redeeming
Shareholders;
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(v) Effect transfers of Shares by the registered owners thereof upon
receipt of appropriate instructions;
(vi) Prepare and transmit payments for dividends and distributions
declared by the Fund;
(vii) Calculate any sales charges payable by a Shareholder on purchases
and/or redemptions of Shares of the Fund as such charges may be reflected in the
prospectus;
(viii) Maintain records of account for and advise the Fund and its
Shareholders as to the foregoing; and
(ix) Record the issuance of Shares of the Fund and maintain pursuant to
Rule 17Ad-10(e) under the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 ("1934 Act") a record
of the total number of Shares of the Fund which are authorized, based upon data
provided to it by the Fund, and issued and outstanding. MSDW TRUST shall also
provide to the Fund on a regular basis the total number of Shares that are
authorized, issued and outstanding and shall notify the Fund in case any
proposed issue of Shares by the Fund would result in an overissue. In case any
issue of Shares would result in an overissue, MSDW TRUST shall refuse to issue
such Shares and shall not countersign and issue any certificates requested for
such Shares. When recording the issuance of Shares, MSDW TRUST shall have no
obligation to take cognizance of any Blue Sky laws relating to the issue of sale
of such Shares, which functions shall be the sole responsibility of the Fund.
(b) In addition to and not in lieu of the services set forth in the
above paragraph (a), MSDW TRUST shall:
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(i) perform all of the customary services of a transfer agent, dividend
disbursing agent and, as relevant, shareholder servicing agent in connection
with dividend reinvestment, accumulation, open-account or similar plans
(including without limitation any periodic investment plan or periodic
withdrawal program), including but not limited to, maintaining all Shareholder
accounts, preparing Shareholder meeting lists, mailing proxies, receiving and
tabulating proxies, mailing shareholder reports and prospectuses to current
Shareholders, withholding taxes on U.S. resident and non-resident alien
accounts, preparing and filing appropriate forms required with respect to
dividends and distributions by federal tax authorities for all Shareholders,
preparing and mailing confirmation forms and statements of account to
Shareholders for all purchases and redemptions of Shares and other confirmable
transactions in Shareholder accounts, preparing and mailing activity statements
for Shareholders and providing Shareholder account information;
(ii) open any and all bank accounts which may be necessary or
appropriate in order to provide the foregoing services; and
(iii) provide a system that will enable the Fund to monitor the total
number of Shares sold in each State or other jurisdiction.
(c) In addition, the Fund shall:
(i) identify to MSDW TRUST in writing those transactions and assets to
be treated as exempt from Blue Sky reporting for each State; and
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(ii) verify the inclusion on the system prior to activation of each
State in which Fund shares may be sold and thereafter monitor the daily
purchases and sales for shareholders in each State. The responsibility of MSDW
TRUST for the Fund's status under the securities laws of any State or other
jurisdiction is limited to the inclusion on the system of each State as to which
the Fund has informed MSDW TRUST that shares may be sold in compliance with
state securities laws and the reporting of purchases and sales in each such
State to the Fund as provided above and as agreed from time to time by the Fund
and MSDW TRUST.
(d) MSDW TRUST shall provide such additional services and functions not
specifically described herein as may be mutually agreed between MSDW TRUST and
the Fund. Procedures applicable to such services may be established from time to
time by agreement between the Fund and MSDW TRUST.
Article 2 Fees and Expenses
2.1 For performance by MSDW TRUST pursuant to this Agreement, each Fund
agrees to pay MSDW TRUST an annual maintenance fee for each Shareholder account
and certain transactional fees, if applicable, as set out in the respective fee
schedule attached hereto as Schedule A. Such fees and out-of-pocket expenses and
advances identified under Section 2.2 below may be changed from time to time
subject to mutual written agreement between the Fund and MSDW TRUST.
2.2 In addition to the fees paid under Section 2.1 above, the Fund
agrees to reimburse MSDW TRUST for out of pocket expenses in connection with the
services rendered
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by MSDW TRUST hereunder. In addition, any other expenses incurred by MSDW TRUST
at the request or with the consent of the Fund will be reimbursed by the Fund.
2.3 The Fund agrees to pay all fees and reimbursable expenses within a
reasonable period of time following the mailing of the respective billing
notice. Postage for mailing of dividends, proxies, Fund reports and other
mailings to all Shareholder accounts shall be advanced to MSDW TRUST by the Fund
upon request prior to the mailing date of such materials.
Article 3 Representations and Warranties of MSDW TRUST
MSDW TRUST represents and warrants to the Fund that:
3.1 It is a federally chartered savings bank whose principal office is
in New Jersey.
3.2 It is and will remain registered with the U.S. Securities and
Exchange Commission ("SEC") as a Transfer Agent pursuant to the requirements of
Section 17A of the 1934 Act.
3.3 It is empowered under applicable laws and by its charter and
By-Laws to enter into and perform this Agreement.
3.4 All requisite corporate proceedings have been taken to authorize it
to enter into and perform this Agreement.
3.5 It has and will continue to have access to the necessary
facilities, equipment and personnel to perform its duties and obligations under
this Agreement.
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Article 4 Representations and Warranties of the Fund
The Fund represents and warrants to MSDW TRUST that:
4.1 It is a corporation duly organized and existing and in good
standing under the laws of Delaware or Maryland or a trust duly organized and
existing and in good standing under the laws of Massachusetts, as the case may
be.
4.2 It is empowered under applicable laws and by its Articles of
Incorporation or Declaration of Trust, as the case may be, and under its By-Laws
to enter into and perform this Agreement.
4.3 All corporate proceedings necessary to authorize it to enter into
and perform this Agreement have been taken.
4.4 It is an investment company registered with the SEC under the
Investment Company Act of 1940, as amended (the "1940 Act").
4.5 A registration statement under the Securities Act of 1933 (the
"1933 Act") is currently effective and will remain effective, and appropriate
state securities law filings have been made and will continue to be made, with
respect to all Shares of the Fund being offered for sale.
Article 5 Duty of Care and Indemnification
5.1 MSDW TRUST shall not be responsible for, and the Fund shall
indemnify and hold MSDW TRUST harmless from and against, any and all losses,
damages, costs,
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charges, counsel fees, payments, expenses and liability arising out of or
attributable to:
(a) All actions of MSDW TRUST or its agents or subcontractors required
to be taken pursuant to this Agreement, provided that such actions are taken in
good faith and without negligence or willful misconduct.
(b) The Fund's refusal or failure to comply with the terms of this
Agreement, or which arise out of the Fund's lack of good faith, negligence or
willful misconduct or which arise out of breach of any representation or
warranty of the Fund hereunder.
(c) The reliance on or use by MSDW TRUST or its agents or
subcontractors of information, records and documents which (i) are received by
MSDW TRUST or its agents or subcontractors and furnished to it by or on behalf
of the Fund, and (ii) have been prepared and/or maintained by the Fund or any
other person or firm on behalf of the Fund.
(d) The reliance on, or the carrying out by MSDW TRUST or its agents or
subcontractors of, any instructions or requests of the Fund.
(e) The offer or sale of Shares in violation of any requirement under
the federal securities laws or regulations or the securities or Blue Sky laws of
any State or other jurisdiction that notice of offering of such Shares in such
State or other jurisdiction or in violation of any stop order or other
determination or ruling by any federal agency or any State or other jurisdiction
with respect to the offer or sale of such Shares in such State or other
jurisdiction.
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5.2 MSDW TRUST shall indemnify and hold the Fund harmless from or
against any and all losses, damages, costs, charges, counsel fees, payments,
expenses and liability arising out of or attributable to any action or failure
or omission to act by MSDW TRUST as a result of the lack of good faith,
negligence or willful misconduct of MSDW TRUST, its officers, employees or
agents.
5.3 At any time, MSDW TRUST may apply to any officer of the Fund for
instructions, and may consult with legal counsel to the Fund, with respect to
any matter arising in connection with the services to be performed by MSDW TRUST
under this Agreement, and MSDW TRUST and its agents or subcontractors shall not
be liable and shall be indemnified by the Fund for any action taken or omitted
by it in reliance upon such instructions or upon the opinion of such counsel.
MSDW TRUST, its agents and subcontractors shall be protected and indemnified in
acting upon any paper or document furnished by or on behalf of the Fund,
reasonably believed to be genuine and to have been signed by the proper person
or persons, or upon any instruction, information, data, records or documents
provided to MSDW TRUST or its agents or subcontractors by machine readable
input, telex, CRT data entry or other similar means authorized by the Fund, and
shall not be held to have notice of any change of authority of any person, until
receipt of written notice thereof from the Fund. MSDW TRUST, its agents and
subcontractors shall also be protected and indemnified in recognizing stock
certificates which are reasonably believed to bear the proper manual or
facsimile signature of the officers of the Fund, and the proper countersignature
of any former transfer agent or registrar, or of a co-transfer agent or
co-registrar.
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<PAGE>
5.4 In the event either party is unable to perform its obligations
under the terms of this Agreement because of acts of God, strikes, equipment or
transmission failure or damage reasonably beyond its control, or other causes
reasonably beyond its control, such party shall not be liable for damages to the
other for any damages resulting from such failure to perform or otherwise from
such causes.
5.5 Neither party to this Agreement shall be liable to the other party
for consequential damages under any provision of this Agreement or for any act
or failure to act hereunder.
5.6 In order that the indemnification provisions contained in this
Article 5 shall apply, upon the assertion of a claim for which either party may
be required to indemnify the other, the party seeking indemnification shall
promptly notify the other party of such assertion, and shall keep the other
party advised with respect to all developments concerning such claim. The party
who may be required to indemnify shall have the option to participate with the
party seeking indemnification in the defense of such claim. The party seeking
indemnification shall in no case confess any claim or make any compromise in any
case in which the other party may be required to indemnify it except with the
other party's prior written consent.
Article 6 Documents and Covenants of the Fund and MSDW TRUST
6.1 The Fund shall promptly furnish to MSDW TRUST the following, unless
previously furnished to Dean Witter Trust Company, the prior transfer agent of
the Fund:
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(a) If a corporation:
(i) A certified copy of the resolution of the Board of Directors of the
Fund authorizing the appointment of MSDW TRUST and the execution and delivery of
this Agreement;
(ii) A certified copy of the Articles of Incorporation and By-Laws of
the Fund and all amendments thereto;
(iii) Certified copies of each vote of the Board of Directors
designating persons authorized to give instructions on behalf of the Fund and
signature cards bearing the signature of any officer of the Fund or any other
person authorized to sign written instructions on behalf of the Fund;
(iv) A specimen of the certificate for Shares of the Fund in the form
approved by the Board of Directors, with a certificate of the Secretary of the
Fund as to such approval;
(b) If a business trust:
(i) A certified copy of the resolution of the Board of Trustees of the
Fund authorizing the appointment of MSDW TRUST and the execution and delivery of
this Agreement;
(ii) A certified copy of the Declaration of Trust and By-Laws of the
Fund and all amendments thereto;
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<PAGE>
(iii) Certified copies of each vote of the Board of Trustees
designating persons authorized to give instructions on behalf of the Fund and
signature cards bearing the signature of any officer of the Fund or any other
person authorized to sign written instructions on behalf of the Fund;
(iv) A specimen of the certificate for Shares of the Fund in the form
approved by the Board of Trustees, with a certificate of the Secretary of the
Fund as to such approval;
(c) The current registration statements and any amendments and
supplements thereto filed with the SEC pursuant to the requirements of the 1933
Act or the 1940 Act;
(d) All account application forms or other documents relating to
Shareholder accounts and/or relating to any plan, program or service offered or
to be offered by the Fund; and
(e) Such other certificates, documents or opinions as MSDW TRUST deems
to be appropriate or necessary for the proper performance of its duties.
6.2 MSDW TRUST hereby agrees to establish and maintain facilities and
procedures reasonably acceptable to the Fund for safekeeping of Share
certificates, check forms and facsimile signature imprinting devices, if any;
and for the preparation or use, and for keeping account of, such certificates,
forms and devices.
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<PAGE>
6.3 MSDW TRUST shall prepare and keep records relating to the services
to be performed hereunder, in the form and manner as it may deem advisable and
as required by applicable laws and regulations. To the extent required by
Section 31 of the 1940 Act, and the rules and regulations thereunder, MSDW TRUST
agrees that all such records prepared or maintained by MSDW TRUST relating to
the services performed by MSDW TRUST hereunder are the property of the Fund and
will be preserved, maintained and made available in accordance with such Section
31 of the 1940 Act, and the rules and regulations thereunder, and will be
surrendered promptly to the Fund on and in accordance with its request.
6.4 MSDW TRUST and the Fund agree that all books, records, information
and data pertaining to the business of the other party which are exchanged or
received pursuant to the negotiation or the carrying out of this Agreement shall
remain confidential and shall not be voluntarily disclosed to any other person
except as may be required by law or with the prior consent of MSDW TRUST and the
Fund.
6.5 In case of any request or demands for the inspection of the
Shareholder records of the Fund, MSDW TRUST will endeavor to notify the Fund and
to secure instructions from an authorized officer of the Fund as to such
inspection. MSDW TRUST reserves the right, however, to exhibit the Shareholder
records to any person whenever it is advised by its counsel that it may be held
liable for the failure to exhibit the Shareholder records to such person.
Article 7 Duration and Termination of Agreement
7.1 This Agreement shall remain in full force and effect until
August 1,
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2000 and from year-to-year thereafter unless terminated by either party as
provided in Section 7.2 hereof.
7.2 This Agreement may be terminated by the Fund on 60 days written
notice, and by MSDW TRUST on 90 days written notice, to the other party without
payment of any penalty.
7.3 Should the Fund exercise its right to terminate, all out-of-pocket
expenses associated with the movement of records and other materials will be
borne by the Fund. Additionally, MSDW TRUST reserves the right to charge for any
other reasonable fees and expenses associated with such termination.
Article 8 Assignment
8.1 Except as provided in Section 8.3 below, neither this Agreement nor
any rights or obligations hereunder may be assigned by either party without the
written consent of the other party.
8.2 This Agreement shall inure to the benefit of and be binding upon
the parties and their respective permitted successors and assigns.
8.3 MSDW TRUST may, in its sole discretion and without further consent
by the Fund, subcontract, in whole or in part, for the performance of its
obligations and duties hereunder with any person or entity including but not
limited to companies which are affiliated with MSDW TRUST; provided, however,
that such person or entity has and maintains the qualifications, if any,
required to perform such obligations and duties, and that MSDW TRUST
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shall be as fully responsible to the Fund for the acts and omissions of any
agent or subcontractor as it is for its own acts or omissions under this
Agreement.
Article 9 Affiliations
9.1 MSDW TRUST may now or hereafter, without the consent of or notice
to the Fund, function as transfer agent and/or shareholder servicing agent for
any other investment company registered with the SEC under the 1940 Act and for
any other issuer, including without limitation any investment company whose
adviser, administrator, sponsor or principal underwriter is or may become
affiliated with Morgan Stanley Dean Witter & Co. or any of its direct or
indirect subsidiaries or affiliates.
9.2 It is understood and agreed that the Directors or Trustees (as the
case may be), officers, employees, agents and shareholders of the Fund, and the
directors, officers, employees, agents and shareholders of the Fund's investment
adviser and/or distributor, are or may be interested in MSDW TRUST as directors,
officers, employees, agents and shareholders or otherwise, and that the
directors, officers, employees, agents and shareholders of MSDW TRUST may be
interested in the Fund as Directors or Trustees (as the case may be), officers,
employees, agents and shareholders or otherwise, or in the investment adviser
and/or distributor as directors, officers, employees, agents, shareholders or
otherwise.
Article 10 Amendment
10.1 This Agreement may be amended or modified by a written agreement
executed by both parties and authorized or approved by a resolution of the Board
of Directors or the Board of Trustees (as the case may be) of the Fund.
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Article 11 Applicable Law
11.1 This Agreement shall be construed and the provisions thereof
interpreted under and in accordance with the laws of the State of New York.
Article 12 Miscellaneous
12.1 In the event that one or more additional investment companies
managed or administered by Morgan Stanley Dean Witter Advisors Inc. or any of
its affiliates ("Additional Funds") desires to retain MSDW TRUST to act as
transfer agent, dividend disbursing agent and/or shareholder servicing agent,
and MSDW TRUST desires to render such services, such services shall be provided
pursuant to a letter agreement, substantially in the form of Exhibit A hereto,
between MSDW TRUST and each Additional Fund.
12.2 In the event of an alleged loss or destruction of any Share
certificate, no new certificate shall be issued in lieu thereof, unless there
shall first be furnished to MSDW TRUST an affidavit of loss or non-receipt by
the holder of Shares with respect to which a certificate has been lost or
destroyed, supported by an appropriate bond satisfactory to MSDW TRUST and the
Fund issued by a surety company satisfactory to MSDW TRUST, except that MSDW
TRUST may accept an affidavit of loss and indemnity agreement executed by the
registered holder (or legal representative) without surety in such form as MSDW
TRUST deems appropriate indemnifying MSDW TRUST and the Fund for the issuance of
a replacement certificate, in cases where the alleged loss is in the amount of
$1,000 or less.
12.3 In the event that any check or other order for payment of money on
the
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account of any Shareholder or new investor is returned unpaid for any
reason, MSDW TRUST will (a) give prompt notification to the Fund's distributor
("Distributor") (or to the Fund if the Fund acts as its own distributor) of such
non-payment; and (b) take such other action, including imposition of a
reasonable processing or handling fee, as MSDW TRUST may, in its sole
discretion, deem appropriate or as the Fund and, if applicable, the Distributor
may instruct MSDW TRUST.
12.4 Any notice or other instrument authorized or required by this
Agreement to be given in writing to the Fund or to MSDW TRUST shall be
sufficiently given if addressed to that party and received by it at its office
set forth below or at such other place as it may from time to time designate in
writing. To the Fund:
[Name of Fund]
Two World Trade Center
New York, New York 10048
Attention: General Counsel
To MSDW TRUST:
Morgan Stanley Dean Witter Trust FSB
Harborside Financial Center
Plaza Two
Jersey City, New Jersey 07311
Attention: President
Article 13 Merger of Agreement
13.1 This Agreement constitutes the entire agreement between the
parties hereto and supersedes any prior agreement with respect to the subject
matter hereof whether oral or written.
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Article 14 Personal Liability
14.1 In the case of a Fund organized as a Massachusetts business trust,
a copy of the Declaration of Trust of the Fund is on file with the Secretary of
The Commonwealth of Massachusetts, and notice is hereby given that this
instrument is executed on behalf of the Board of Trustees of the Fund as
Trustees and not individually and that the obligations of this instrument are
not binding upon any of the Trustees or shareholders individually but are
binding only upon the assets and property of the Fund; provided, however, that
the Declaration of Trust of the Fund provides that the assets of a particular
Series of the Fund shall under no circumstances be charged with liabilities
attributable to any other Series of the Fund and that all persons extending
credit to, or contracting with or having any claim against, a particular Series
of the Fund shall look only to the assets of that particular Series for payment
of such credit, contract or claim.
IN WITNESS WHEREOF, the parties hereto have caused this Amended and
Restated Agreement to be executed in their names and on their behalf by and
through their duly authorized officers, as of the day and year first above
written.
MORGAN STANLEY DEAN WITTER FUNDS
MONEY MARKET FUNDS
1. Morgan Stanley Dean Witter Liquid Asset Fund Inc.
2. Active Assets Money Trust
3. Morgan Stanley Dean Witter U.S. Government Money Market Trust
4. Active Assets Government Securities Trust
5. Morgan Stanley Dean Witter Tax-Free Daily Income Trust
6. Active Assets Tax-Free Trust
7. Morgan Stanley Dean Witter California Tax-Free Daily Income Trust
8. Morgan Stanley Dean Witter New York Municipal Money Market Trust
9. Active Assets California Tax-Free Trust
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EQUITY FUNDS
10. Morgan Stanley Dean Witter American Value Fund
11. Morgan Stanley Dean Witter Mid-Cap Growth Fund
12. Morgan Stanley Dean Witter Dividend Growth Securities Inc.
13. Morgan Stanley Dean Witter Capital Growth Securities
14. Morgan Stanley Dean Witter Global Dividend Growth Securities
15. Morgan Stanley Dean Witter Income Builder Fund
16. Morgan Stanley Dean Witter Natural Resource Development Securities Inc.
17. Morgan Stanley Dean Witter Precious Metals and Minerals Trust
18. Morgan Stanley Dean Witter Developing Growth Securities Trust
19. Morgan Stanley Dean Witter Health Sciences Trust
20. Morgan Stanley Dean Witter Capital Appreciation Fund
21. Morgan Stanley Dean Witter Information Fund
22. Morgan Stanley Dean Witter Value-Added Market Series
23. Morgan Stanley Dean Witter European Growth Fund Inc.
24. Morgan Stanley Dean Witter Pacific Growth Fund Inc.
25. Morgan Stanley Dean Witter International SmallCap Fund
26. Morgan Stanley Dean Witter Japan Fund
27. Morgan Stanley Dean Witter Utilities Fund
28. Morgan Stanley Dean Witter Global Utilities Fund
29. Morgan Stanley Dean Witter Special Value Fund
30. Morgan Stanley Dean Witter Financial Services Trust
31. Morgan Stanley Dean Witter Market Leader Trust
32. Morgan Stanley Dean Witter Fund of Funds
33. Morgan Stanley Dean Witter S&P 500 Index Fund
34. Morgan Stanley Dean Witter Competitive Edge Fund
35. Morgan Stanley Dean Witter Mid-Cap Dividend Growth Securities
36. Morgan Stanley Dean Witter Equity Fund
37. Morgan Stanley Dean Witter Growth Fund
38. Morgan Stanley Dean Witter S&P 500 Select Fund
BALANCED FUNDS
39. Morgan Stanley Dean Witter Balanced Growth Fund
40. Morgan Stanley Dean Witter Balanced Income Trust
ASSET ALLOCATION FUNDS
41. Morgan Stanley Dean Witter Strategist Fund
42. Dean Witter Global Asset Allocation Fund
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FIXED INCOME FUNDS
43. Morgan Stanley Dean Witter High Yield Securities Inc.
44. Morgan Stanley Dean Witter High Income Securities
45. Morgan Stanley Dean Witter Convertible Securities Trust
46. Morgan Stanley Dean Witter Intermediate Income Securities
47. Morgan Stanley Dean Witter Short-Term Bond Fund
48. Morgan Stanley Dean Witter World Wide Income Trust
49. Morgan Stanley Dean Witter Global Short-Term Income Fund Inc.
50. Morgan Stanley Dean Witter Diversified Income Trust
51. Morgan Stanley Dean Witter U.S. Government Securities Trust
52. Morgan Stanley Dean Witter Federal Securities Trust
53. Morgan Stanley Dean Witter Short-Term U.S. Treasury Trust
54. Morgan Stanley Dean Witter Intermediate Term U.S. Treasury Trust
55. Morgan Stanley Dean Witter Tax-Exempt Securities Trust
56. Morgan Stanley Dean Witter Limited Term Municipal Trust
57. Morgan Stanley Dean Witter California Tax-Free Income Fund
58. Morgan Stanley Dean Witter New York Tax-Free Income Fund
59. Morgan Stanley Dean Witter Hawaii Municipal Trust
60. Morgan Stanley Dean Witter Multi-State Municipal Series Trust
61. Morgan Stanley Dean Witter Select Municipal Reinvestment Fund
SPECIAL PURPOSE FUNDS
62. Dean Witter Retirement Series
63. Morgan Stanley Dean Witter Variable Investment Series
64. Morgan Stanley Dean Witter Select Dimensions Investment Series
TCW/DW FUNDS
65. TCW/DW North American Government Income Trust
66. TCW/DW Latin American Growth Fund
67. TCW/DW Income and Growth Fund
68. TCW/DW Small Cap Growth Fund
69. TCW/DW Total Return Trust
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70. TCW/DW Global Telecom Trust
71. TCW/DW Mid-Cap Equity Trust
72. TCW/DW Emerging Markets Opportunities Trust
By:
----------------------------------
Barry Fink
Vice President and General Counsel
ATTEST:
- ----------------------------------
Assistant Secretary
MORGAN STANLEY DEAN WITTER TRUST FSB
By:
----------------------------------
John Van Heuvelen
President
ATTEST:
- ----------------------------------
Executive Vice President
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Exhibit A
Morgan Stanley Dean Witter Trust FSB
Harborside Financial Center
Plaza Two
Jersey City, NJ 07311
Gentlemen:
The undersigned, (inset name of investment company) a (Massachusetts
business trust/Maryland corporation) (the "Fund"), desires to employ and appoint
Morgan Stanley Dean Witter Trust FSB ("MSDW TRUST") to act as transfer agent for
each series and class of shares of the Fund, whether now or hereafter authorized
or issued ("Shares"), dividend disbursing agent and shareholder servicing agent,
registrar and agent in connection with any accumulation, open-account or similar
plan provided to the holders of Shares, including without limitation any
periodic investment plan or periodic withdrawal plan.
The Fund hereby agrees that, in consideration for the payment by the
Fund to MSDW TRUST of fees as set out in the fee schedule attached hereto as
Schedule A, MSDW TRUST shall provide such services to the Fund pursuant to the
terms and conditions set forth in the Transfer Agency and Service Agreement
annexed hereto, as if the Fund was a signatory thereto.
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Please indicate MSDW TRUST's acceptance of employment and appointment
by the Fund in the capacities set forth above by so indicating in the space
provided below.
Very truly yours,
(name of fund)
By:
-------------------------------------
Barry Fink
Vice President and General Counsel
ACCEPTED AND AGREED TO:
MORGAN STANLEY DEAN WITTER TRUST FSB
By:
---------------------------------
Its:
--------------------------------
Date:
-------------------------------
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SCHEDULE A
Fund: Morgan Stanley Dean Witter Tax-Exempt Securities Trust
Fees: (1) Annual maintenance fee of $13.20 per shareholder account, payable
monthly.
(2) A fee equal to 1/12 of the fee set forth in (1) above, for
providing Forms 1099 for accounts closed during the year, payable
following the end of the calendar year.
(3) Out-of-pocket expenses in accordance with Section 2.2 of the
Agreement.
(4) Fees for additional services not set forth in this Agreement shall
be as negotiated between the parties.
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SERVICES AGREEMENT
AGREEMENT made as of the 17th day of April, 1995, and amended as of June
22, 1998, by and between Morgan Stanley Dean Witter Advisors Inc., a Delaware
corporation (herein referred to as "MSDW Advisors"), and Morgan Stanley Dean
Witter Services Company Inc., a Delaware corporation (herein referred to as
"MSDW Services").
WHEREAS, MSDW Advisors 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 MSDW Advisors 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, MSDW Advisors desires to retain MSDW Services to perform the
administrative services as described below; and
WHEREAS, MSDW Services desires to be retained by MSDW Advisors 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. MSDW Services agrees to provide administrative services to each Fund as
hereinafter set forth. Without limiting the generality of the foregoing, MSDW
Services 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 MSDW Advisors of available funds
for investment, the reconciliation of account information and balances among
the Fund's custodian, transfer agent and dividend disbursing agent and MSDW
Advisors, 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 MSDW Advisors enters into an Investment Management
Agreement with another investment company, and wishes to retain MSDW Services
to perform administrative services hereunder, it shall notify MSDW Services in
writing. If MSDW Services is willing to render such services, it shall notify
MSDW Advisors in writing, whereupon such other Fund shall become a Fund as
defined herein.
2. MSDW Services 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 MSDW Services shall be deemed to include
officers of MSDW Services and persons employed or otherwise retained by MSDW
Services (including officers and employees of MSDW Advisors, with the consent
of MSDW Advisors) to furnish services, statistical and other factual data,
information with respect to technical and scientific developments, and such
other information, advice and assistance as MSDW Services may desire. MSDW
Services 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, MSDW Services shall surrender to MSDW
Advisors or to the Fund such of the books and records so requested.
1
<PAGE>
3. MSDW Advisors will, from time to time, furnish or otherwise make
available to MSDW Services such financial reports, proxy statements and other
information relating to the business and affairs of the Fund as MSDW Services
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.
4. For the services to be rendered, the facilities furnished, and the
expenses assumed by MSDW Services, MSDW Advisors shall pay to MSDW Services
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 MSDW Services' 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 MSDW Advisors 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 Morgan Stanley 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. MSDW Services 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 MSDW Services, and such clerical help and bookkeeping services
as MSDW Services shall reasonably require in performing its duties hereunder.
7. MSDW Services 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, MSDW Services 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 MSDW Services 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 MSDW Advisors, MSDW
Advisors shall retain ultimate responsibility for all services to be performed
hereunder by MSDW Services. MSDW Services shall indemnify MSDW Advisors and
hold it harmless from any liability that MSDW Advisors may incur arising out of
any act or failure to act by MSDW Services 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, MSDW Services, and in any person
controlling, controlled by or under common control with MSDW Services, and that
MSDW Services and any person controlling, controlled by or under common control
with MSDW Services may have an interest in the Fund. It is also understood that
MSDW Services and any affiliated persons thereof or any persons controlling,
controlled by or under common control with MSDW Services 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.
2
<PAGE>
9. This Agreement shall continue until April 30, 1999, 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 MSDW Advisors 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.
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 amended, on June 22, 1998 in New York, New York.
MORGAN STANLEY DEAN WITTER ADVISORS
INC.
By:
..................................
Attest:
..................................
MORGAN STANLEY DEAN WITTER SERVICES
COMPANY INC.
By:
..................................
Attest:
..................................
3
<PAGE>
SCHEDULE A
MORGAN STANLEY DEAN WITTER FUNDS
AS AMENDED AS OF DECEMBER 2, 1998
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 Retirement Series
6. Morgan Stanley Dean Witter American Value Fund
7. Morgan Stanley Dean Witter Balanced Growth Fund
8. Morgan Stanley Dean Witter Balanced Income Fund
9. Morgan Stanley Dean Witter California Tax-Free Daily Income Trust
10. Morgan Stanley Dean Witter California Tax-Free Income Fund
11. Morgan Stanley Dean Witter Capital Appreciation Fund
12. Morgan Stanley Dean Witter Capital Growth Securities
13. Morgan Stanley Dean Witter Competitive Edge Fund,
"Best Ideas" Portfolio
14. Morgan Stanley Dean Witter Convertible Securities Trust
15. Morgan Stanley Dean Witter Developing Growth Securities Trust
16. Morgan Stanley Dean Witter Diversified Income Trust
17. Morgan Stanley Dean Witter Dividend Growth Securities Inc.
18. Morgan Stanley Dean Witter Equity Fund
19. Morgan Stanley Dean Witter European Growth Fund Inc.
20. Morgan Stanley Dean Witter Federal Securities Trust
21. Morgan Stanley Dean Witter Financial Services Trust
22. Morgan Stanley Dean Witter Fund of Funds
(i) Domestic Portfolio
(ii) International Portfolio
23. Morgan Stanley Dean Witter Global Dividend Growth Securities
24. Morgan Stanley Dean Witter Global Short-Term Income Fund Inc.
25. Morgan Stanley Dean Witter Global Utilities Fund
26. Morgan Stanley Dean Witter Growth Fund
27. Morgan Stanley Dean Witter Hawaii Municipal Trust
28. Morgan Stanley Dean Witter Health Sciences Trust
29. Morgan Stanley Dean Witter High Yield Securities Inc.
30. Morgan Stanley Dean Witter Income Builder Fund
31. Morgan Stanley Dean Witter Information Fund
32. Morgan Stanley Dean Witter Intermediate Income Securities
33. Morgan Stanley Dean Witter Intermediate Term U.S. Treasury Trust
34. Morgan Stanley Dean Witter International SmallCap Fund
35. Morgan Stanley Dean Witter Japan Fund
36. Morgan Stanley Dean Witter Limited Term Municipal Trust
37. Morgan Stanley Dean Witter Liquid Asset Fund Inc.
38. Morgan Stanley Dean Witter Market Leader Trust
39. Morgan Stanley Dean Witter Mid-Cap Dividend Growth Securities
40. Morgan Stanley Dean Witter Mid-Cap Growth Fund
41. Morgan Stanley Dean Witter Multi-State Municipal Series Trust
42. Morgan Stanley Dean Witter Natural Resource Development
Securities Inc.
43. Morgan Stanley Dean Witter New York Municipal Money Market Trust
44. Morgan Stanley Dean Witter New York Tax-Free Income Fund
45. Morgan Stanley Dean Witter Pacific Growth Fund Inc.
46. Morgan Stanley Dean Witter Precious Metals and Minerals Trust
47. Morgan Stanley Dean Witter Select Dimensions Investment Series
(i) American Value Portfolio
(ii) Balanced Growth Portfolio
(iii) Developing Growth Portfolio
(iv) Diversified Income Portfolio
(v) Dividend Growth Portfolio
(vi) Emerging Markets Portfolio
(vii) Global Equity Portfolio
(viii) Growth Portfolio
(ix) Mid-Cap Growth Portfolio
(x) Money Market Portfolio
(xi) North American Government Securities Portfolio
(xii) Utilities Portfolio
(xiii) Value-Added Market Portfolio
48. Morgan Stanley Dean Witter Select Municipal Reinvestment Fund
49. Morgan Stanley Dean Witter U.S. Government Money Market Trust
50. Morgan Stanley Dean Witter Utilities Fund
A-1
<PAGE>
51. Morgan Stanley Dean Witter Short-Term Bond Fund
52. Morgan Stanley Dean Witter Short-Term U.S. Treasury Trust
53. Morgan Stanley Dean Witter Special Value Fund
54. Morgan Stanley Dean Witter Strategist Fund
55. Morgan Stanley Dean Witter S&P 500 Index Fund
56. Morgan Stanley Dean Witter S&P 500 Select Fund
57. Morgan Stanley Dean Witter Tax-Exempt Securities Trust
58. Morgan Stanley Dean Witter Tax-Free Daily Income Trust
59. Morgan Stanley Dean Witter U.S. Government Securities Trust
60. Morgan Stanley Dean Witter Value Fund
61. Morgan Stanley Dean Witter Value-Added Market Series
62. Morgan Stanley Dean Witter Variable Investment Series
(i) Capital Appreciation Portfolio
(ii) Capital Growth Portfolio
(iii) Competitive Edge "Best Ideas" Portfolio
(iv) Dividend Growth Portfolio
(v) Equity Portfolio
(vi) European Growth Portfolio
(vii) Global Dividend Growth Portfolio
(viii) High Yield Portfolio
(ix) Income Builder Portfolio
(x) Money Market Portfolio
(xi) Quality Income Plus Portfolio
(xii) Pacific Growth Portfolio
(xiii) S&P 500 Index Portfolio
(xiv) Strategist Portfolio
(xv) Utilities Portfolio
63. Morgan Stanley Dean Witter World Wide Income Trust
64. Morgan Stanley Dean Witter Worldwide High Income Fund
65. Dean Witter Global Asset Allocation Fund
CLOSED-END FUNDS
66. High Income Advantage Trust
67. High Income Advantage Trust II
68. High Income Advantage Trust III
69. InterCapital Income Securities Inc.
70. Dean Witter Government Income Trust
71. InterCapital Insured Municipal Bond Trust
72. InterCapital Insured Municipal Trust
73. InterCapital Insured Municipal Income Trust
74. InterCapital California Insured Municipal Income Trust
75. InterCapital Insured Municipal Securities
76. InterCapital Insured California Municipal Securities
77. InterCapital Quality Municipal Investment Trust
78. InterCapital Quality Municipal Income Trust
79. InterCapital Quality Municipal Securities
80. InterCapital California Quality Municipal Securities
81. InterCapital New York Quality Municipal Securities
A-2
<PAGE>
SCHEDULE B
MORGAN STANLEY DEAN WITTER SERVICES COMPANY INC.
SCHEDULE OF ADMINISTRATIVE FEES
AS AMENDED AS OF DECEMBER 2, 1998
Monthly compensation calculated daily by applying the following annual
rates to a fund's daily net assets:
FIXED INCOME FUNDS
<TABLE>
<S> <C>
Morgan Stanley Dean Witter 0.060% of the daily net assets.
Balanced Income Fund
Morgan Stanley Dean Witter 0.055% of the portion of the daily net assets not exceeding
California Tax-Free Income Fund $500 million; 0.0525% of the portion of the daily net assets
exceeding $500 million but not exceeding $750 million; 0.050%
of the portion of the daily net assets exceeding $750 million
but not exceeding $1 billion; 0.0475% of the portion of the
daily net assets exceeding $1 billion but not exceeding $1.25
billion; and 0.045% of the portion of the daily net assets
exceeding $1.25 billion.
Morgan Stanley Dean Witter 0.060% of the portion of the daily net assets not exceeding
Convertible Securities Trust $750 million; 0.055% 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.
Morgan Stanley Dean Witter 0.040% of the daily net assets.
Diversified Income Trust
Morgan Stanley Dean Witter Federal 0.055% of the portion of the daily net assets not exceeding
Securities Trust $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 the 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.
Morgan Stanley Dean Witter Global 0.055% of the portion of the daily net assets not exceeding
Short-Term Income Fund Inc. $500 million; and 0.050% of the portion of the daily net assets
exceeding $500 million.
Morgan Stanley Dean Witter Hawaii 0.035% of the daily net assets.
Municipal Trust
</TABLE>
B-1
<PAGE>
<TABLE>
<S> <C>
Morgan Stanley Dean Witter High 0.050% of the portion of the daily net assets not exceeding
Yield Securities Inc. $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 $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.
Morgan Stanley Dean Witter 0.060% of the portion of the daily net assets not exceeding
Intermediate Income Securities $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.
Morgan Stanley Dean Witter Limited 0.050% of the daily net assets.
Term Municipal Trust
Morgan Stanley Dean Witter 0.035% of the daily net assets.
Multi-State Municipal Series Trust
(10 Series)
Morgan Stanley Dean Witter New 0.055% of the portion of the daily net assets not exceeding
York Tax-Free Income Fund $500 million; and 0.0525% of the portion of the daily net assets
exceeding $500 million.
Morgan Stanley Dean Witter Select 0.039% of the daily net assets.
Dimensions Investment
Series--North American
Government Securities Portfolio
Morgan Stanley Dean Witter Select 0.050% of the daily net assets.
Municipal Reinvestment Fund
Morgan Stanley Dean Witter 0.070% of the daily net assets.
Short-Term Bond Fund
Morgan Stanley Dean Witter 0.035% of the daily net assets.
Short-Term U.S. Treasury Trust
Morgan Stanley Dean Witter 0.050% of the portion of the daily net assets not exceeding
Tax-Exempt Securities Trust $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.
Morgan Stanley Dean Witter U.S. 0.050% of the portion of the daily net assets not exceeding $1
Government Securities Trust billion; 0.0475% of the portion of the daily net assets
exceeding $1 billion but not exceeding $1.5 billion; 0.045%
of the portion of the daily net assets exceeding $1.5
billion but not exceeding $2 billion; 0.0425% of the portion
of the daily net assets exceeding $2 billion but not
exceeding $2.5 billion; 0.040% of the portion of the daily
net assets exceeding $2.5 billion but not exceeding $5
billion; 0.0375% of the portion of the daily net assets
exceeding $5 billion but not exceeding $7.5 billion; 0.035%
of the portion of the daily net assets exceeding $7.5
billion but
</TABLE>
B-2
<PAGE>
<TABLE>
<S> <C>
not exceeding $10 billion; 0.0325% of the portion of the
daily net assets exceeding $10 billion but not exceeding
$12.5 billion; and 0.030% of the portion of the daily net
assets exceeding $12.5 billion.
Morgan Stanley Dean Witter
Variable Investment Series-
High Yield Portfolio 0.050% of the portion of the daily net assets not exceeding
$500 million; and 0.0425% of the daily net assets exceeding
$500 million.
Quality Income Plus Portfolio 0.050% of the portion of the daily the net assets up to $500
million; and 0.045% of the portion of the daily net assets
exceeds $500 million.
Morgan Stanley Dean Witter World 0.075% of the portion of the daily net assets up to $250 million;
Wide Income Trust 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 portion of the daily net assets exceeding $1
billion.
Morgan Stanley Dean Witter 0.060% of the daily net assets.
Worldwide High Income Fund
EQUITY FUNDS
Morgan Stanley Dean Witter 0.075% of the daily net assets.
Aggressive Equity Fund
Morgan Stanley Dean Witter 0.0625% of the portion of the daily net assets not exceeding
American Value Fund $250 million; 0.050% of the portion of the daily net assets
exceeding $250 million but not exceeding $2.25 billion; 0.0475%
of the portion of the daily net assets exceeding $2.25 billion
but not exceeding $3.5 billion; 0.0450% of the portion of the
daily net assets exceeding 3.5 billion but not exceeding 4.5
billion; and 0.0425% of the portion of the daily net assets
exceeding $4.5 billion.
Morgan Stanley Dean Witter 0.060% of the daily net assets.
Balanced Growth Fund
Morgan Stanley Dean Witter Capital 0.075% of the portion of the daily net assets not exceeding
Appreciation Fund $500 million; and 0.0725% of the portion of the daily net assets
exceeding $500 million.
Morgan Stanley Dean Witter Capital 0.065% of the portion of the daily net assets not exceeding
Growth Securities $500 million; 0.055% of the portion exceeding $500 million but
not exceeding $1 billion; 0.050% of the portion of the daily net
assets exceeding $1 billion but not exceeding $1.5 billion; and
0.0475% of the portion of the daily net assets exceeding $1.5
billion.
Morgan Stanley Dean Witter 0.065% of the portion of the daily net assets not exceeding
Competitive Edge Fund, "Best $1.5 billion; and 0.0625% of the portion of the daily net assets
Ideas" Portfolio exceeding $1.5 billion.
</TABLE>
B-3
<PAGE>
<TABLE>
<S> <C>
Morgan Stanley Dean Witter 0.050% of the portion of the daily net assets not exceeding
Developing Growth Securities $500 million; and 0.0475% of the portion of the daily net assets
Trust exceeding $500 million.
Morgan Stanley Dean Witter 0.0625% of the portion of the daily net assets not exceeding
Dividend Growth Securities Inc. $250 million; 0.050% of the portion of the daily net assets
exceeding $250 million but not exceeding $1 billion; 0.0475% of
the portion of the daily net assets exceeding $1 billion but not
exceeding $2 billion; 0.045% of the portion of the daily net
assets exceeding $2 billion but not exceeding $3 billion;
0.0425% of the portion of the daily net assets exceeding $3
billion but not exceeding $4 billion; 0.040% of the portion of
the 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; 0.0325% of the portion of the daily net assets exceeding
$8 billion but not exceeding $10 billion; 0.030% of the portion
of the daily net assets exceeding $10 billion but not exceeding
$15 billion; and 0.0275% of the portion of the daily net assets
exceeding $15 billion.
Morgan Stanley Dean Witter 0.051% of the daily net assets.
Equity Fund
Morgan Stanley Dean Witter 0.060% of the portion of the daily net assets not exceeding
European Growth Fund Inc. $500 million; 0.057% of the portion of the daily net assets
exceeding $500 million but not exceeding $2 billion; and
0.054% of the portion of the daily net assets exceeding $2
billion.
Morgan Stanley Dean Witter 0.075% of the daily net assets.
Financial Services Trust
Morgan Stanley Dean Witter Fund
of Funds-
Domestic Portfolio None
International Portfolio None
Morgan Stanley Dean Witter Global 0.075% of the portion of the daily net assets not exceeding
Dividend Growth Securities $1 billion; 0.0725% of the portion of the daily net assets
exceeding $1 billion but not exceeding $1.5 billion; 0.070% of
the portion of the daily net assets exceeding $1.5 billion but
not exceeding $2.5 billion; 0.0675% of the portion of the daily
net assets exceeding $2.5 billion but not exceeding $3.5 billion;
0.0650% of the portion of the daily net assets exceeding $3.5
billion but not exceeding $4.5 billion; and 0.0625% of the
portion of the daily net assets exceeding $4.5 billion.
Morgan Stanley Dean Witter Global 0.065% of the portion of the daily net assets not exceeding
Utilities Fund $500 million; and 0.0625% of the portion of the daily net assets
exceeding $500 million.
Morgan Stanley Dean Witter 0.048% of the portion of daily net assets not exceeding $750
Growth Fund million; 0.045% of the portion of daily net assets exceeding
$750 million but not exceeding $1.5 billion; and 0.042% of the
portion of daily net assets exceeding $1.5 billion.
</TABLE>
B-4
<PAGE>
<TABLE>
<S> <C>
Morgan Stanley Dean Witter Health 0.10% of the portion of daily net assets not exceeding $500
Sciences Trust million; and 0.095% of the portion of daily net assets exceeding
$500 million.
Morgan Stanley Dean Witter Income 0.075% of the portion of the net assets not exceeding $500
Builder Fund million; and 0.0725% of the portion of daily net assets
exceeding $500 million.
Morgan Stanley Dean Witter 0.075% of the portion of the daily net assets not exceeding
Information Fund $500 million; and 0.0725% of the portion of the daily net assets
exceeding $500 million.
Morgan Stanley Dean Witter 0.075% of the daily net assets.
International SmallCap Fund
Morgan Stanley Dean Witter Japan 0.060% of the daily net assets.
Fund
Morgan Stanley Dean Witter Market 0.075% of the daily net assets.
Leader Trust
Morgan Stanley Dean Witter 0.075% of the daily net assets.
Mid-Cap Dividend Growth
Securities
Morgan Stanley Dean Witter 0.075% of the portion of the daily net assets not exceeding
Mid-Cap Growth Fund $500 million; and 0.0725% of the portion of the daily net assets
exceeding $500 million.
Morgan Stanley Dean Witter Natural 0.0625% of the portion of the daily net assets not exceeding
Resource Development Securities $250 million and 0.050% of the portion of the daily net assets
Inc. exceeding $250 million.
Morgan Stanley Dean Witter Pacific 0.060% of the portion of the daily net assets not exceeding $1
Growth Fund Inc. billion; 0.057% of the portion of the daily net assets exceeding
$1 billion but not exceeding $2 billion; and 0.054% of the
portion of the daily net assets exceeding $2 billion.
Morgan Stanley Dean Witter 0.080% of the daily net assets.
Precious Metals and Minerals Trust
Morgan Stanley Dean Witter
Dimensions Investment Series--
American Value Series 0.085% of the daily net assets.
Balanced Growth Portfolio 0.065% of the daily net assets.
Developing Growth Portfolio 0.050% of the daily net assets.
Diversified Income Portfolio 0.040% of the daily net assets.
Dividend Growth Portfolio 0.0625% 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.
</TABLE>
B-5
<PAGE>
<TABLE>
<S> <C>
Emerging Markets Portfolio 0.075% of the daily net assets.
Global Equity Portfolio 0.10% of the daily net assets.
Growth Portfolio 0.048% of the daily net assets.
Mid-Cap Growth Portfolio 0.075% of the daily net assets
Utilities Portfolio 0.065% of the daily net assets.
Value-Added Market Portfolio 0.050% of the daily net assets.
Morgan Stanley Dean Witter Special 0.075% of the daily net assets.
Value Fund
Morgan Stanley Dean Witter 0.060% of the portion of the daily net assets not exceeding
Strategist Fund $500 million; 0.055% of the portion of the daily net assets
exceeding $500 million but not exceeding $1 billion; 0.050% of
the portion of the daily net assets 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 $2.0 billion; and
0.045% of the portion of the daily net assets exceeding $2.0
billion.
Morgan Stanley Dean Witter 0.040% of the daily net assets.
S&P 500 Index Fund
Morgan Stanley Dean Witter 0.060% of the daily net assets.
S&P 500 Select Fund
Morgan Stanley Dean Witter 0.065% of the portion of the daily net assets not exceeding
Utilities Fund $500 million; 0.055% of the portion of the daily net assets
exceeding $500 million but 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 $2.5 billion;
0.0475% of the portion of the daily net assets 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 daily net assets exceeding $5 billion.
Morgan Stanley Dean Witter 0.10% of the daily net assets.
Value Fund
Morgan Stanley Dean Witter 0.050% of the portion of the daily net assets not exceeding
Value-Added Market Series $500 million; 0.45% of the portion of the daily net assets
exceeding $500 million but not exceeding $1 billion; 0.0425%
of the portion of the daily net assets exceeding $1.0
billion but not exceeding $2.0 billion; and 0.040% of the
portion of the daily net assets exceeding $2 billion.
Morgan Stanley Dean Witter
Variable Investment Series-
Capital Appreciation Portfolio 0.075% of the daily net assets.
Capital Growth Portfolio 0.065% of the daily net assets.
Competitive Edge "Best Ideas" 0.065% of the daily net assets.
Portfolio
</TABLE>
B-6
<PAGE>
<TABLE>
<S> <C>
Dividend Growth Portfolio 0.0625% 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 but not exceeding $1 billion; 0.0475% of
the portion of the daily net assets exceeding $1.0 billion but
not exceeding $2.0 billion; and 0.045% of the portion of the
daily net assets exceeding $2 billion.
Equity Portfolio 0.050% of the net assets of the portion of the daily net assets
not exceeding $1 billion; and 0.0475% of the portion of the
daily net assets exceeding $1 billion.
European Growth Portfolio 0.060% of the portion of the daily net assets not exceeding
$500 million; and 0.057% of the portion of the daily net assets
exceeding $500 million.
Income Builder Portfolio 0.075% of the daily net assets.
S&P 500 Index Portfolio 0.040% of the daily net assets.
Strategist Portfolio 0.050% of the daily net assets.
Utilities Portfolio 0.065% of the portion of the daily net assets not exceeding
$500 million and 0.055% of the portion of the daily net assets
exceeding $500 million.
MONEY MARKET FUNDS
Active Assets Trusts: 0.050% of the portion of the daily net assets not exceeding
(1) Active Assets Money Trust $500 million; 0.0425% of the portion of the daily net assets
(2) Active Assets Tax-Free Trust exceeding $500 million but not exceeding $750 million; 0.0375%
(3) Active Assets California of the portion of the daily net assets exceeding $750 million
Tax-Free Trust but not exceeding $1 billion; 0.035% of the portion of the daily
(4) Active Assets Government net assets exceeding $1 billion but not exceeding $1.5 billion;
Securities Trust 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.
Morgan Stanley Dean Witter 0.050% of the portion of the daily net assets not exceeding
California Tax-Free Daily $500 million; 0.0425% of the portion of the daily net assets
Income Trust 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.
Morgan Stanley Dean Witter Liquid 0.050% of the portion of the daily net assets not exceeding
Asset Fund Inc. $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
</TABLE>
B-7
<PAGE>
<TABLE>
<S> <C>
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.
Morgan Stanley Dean Witter New 0.050% of the portion of the daily net assets not exceeding
York Municipal Money $500 million; 0.0425% of the portion of the daily net assets
Market Trust 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.
Morgan Stanley Dean Witter Select
Dimensions Investment Series-
Money Market Portfolio 0.050% of the daily net assets.
Morgan Stanley Dean Witter 0.050% of the portion of the daily net assets not exceeding
Tax-Free Daily Income Trust $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.
Morgan Stanley Dean Witter U.S. 0.050% of the portion of the daily net assets not exceeding
Government Money Market Trust $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.
Morgan Stanley Dean Witter 0.050% of the daily net assets.
Variable Investment Series-
Money Market Portfolio
</TABLE>
B-8
<PAGE>
Monthly compensation calculated weekly by applying the following annual
rates to a fund's weekly net assets:
CLOSED-END FUNDS
<TABLE>
<S> <C>
Dean Witter Government 0.060% of the average weekly net assets.
IncomeTrust
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 $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% of the average weekly net assets.
InterCapital Insured Municipal 0.035% of the average weekly net assets.
Bond Trust
InterCapital Insured Municipal Trust 0.035% of the average weekly net assets.
InterCapital Insured Municipal 0.035% of the average weekly net assets.
Income Trust
InterCapital California Insured 0.035% of the average weekly net assets.
Municipal Income Trust
InterCapital Quality Municipal 0.035% of the average weekly net assets.
Investment Trust
InterCapital New York Quality 0.035% of the average weekly net assets.
Municipal Securities
InterCapital Quality Municipal 0.035% of the average weekly net assets.
Income Trust
</TABLE>
B-9
<PAGE>
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
<S> <C>
InterCapital Quality Municipal 0.035% of the average weekly net assets.
Securities
InterCapital California Quality 0.035% of the average weekly net assets.
Municipal Securities
InterCapital Insured Municipal 0.035% of the average weekly net assets.
Securities
InterCapital Insured California 0.035% of the average weekly net assets.
Municipal Securities
</TABLE>
B-10
<PAGE>
CONSENT OF INDEPENDENT ACCOUNTANTS
We hereby consent to the use in the Statement of Additional Information
constituting part of this Post-Effective Amendment No. 22 to the registration
statement on Form N-1A (the "Registration Statement") of our report dated
February 10, 1999, relating to the financial statements and financial highlights
of Morgan Stanley Dean Witter Tax-Exempt Securities Trust, formerly 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 Registation Statement. We also consent
to the references to us under the headings "Custodian and Independent
Accountants" and "Experts" in such Statement of Additional Information and to
the reference to us under the heading "Financial Highlights" in such Prospectus.
PricewaterhouseCoopers LLP
1177 Avenue of the Americas
New York, New York 10036
February 22, 1999
<PAGE>
MORGAN STANLEY DEAN WITTER FUNDS
MULTIPLE CLASS PLAN
PURSUANT TO RULE 18F-3
INTRODUCTION
This plan (the "Plan") is adopted pursuant to Rule 18f-3(d) of the
Investment Company Act of 1940, as amended (the "1940 Act"), effective as of
July 28, 1997, and amended as of June 22, 1998. The Plan relates to shares of
the open-end investment companies to which Morgan Stanley Dean Witter Advisors
Inc. acts as investment manager, that are listed on Schedule A, as may be
amended from time to time (each, a "Fund" and collectively, the "Funds"). The
Funds are distributed pursuant to a system (the "Multiple Class System") in
which each class of shares (each, a "Class" and collectively, the "Classes") of
a Fund represents a pro rata interest in the same portfolio of investments of
the Fund and differs only to the extent outlined below.
I. DISTRIBUTION ARRANGEMENTS
One or more Classes of shares of the Funds are offered for purchase by
investors with the sales load structures described below. In addition, pursuant
to Rule 12b-1 under the 1940 Act, the Funds have each adopted a Plan of
Distribution (the "12b-1 Plan") under which shares of certain Classes are
subject to the service and/or distribution fees ("12b-1 fees") described below.
1. Class A Shares
Class A shares are offered with a front-end sales load ("FESL"). The
schedule of sales charges applicable to a Fund and the circumstances under
which the sales charges are subject to reduction are set forth in each Fund's
current prospectus. As stated in each Fund's current prospectus, Class A shares
may be purchased at net asset value (without a FESL): (i) in the case of
certain large purchases of such shares; and (ii) by certain limited categories
of investors, in each case, under the circumstances and conditions set forth in
each Fund's current prospectus. Class A shares purchased at net asset value may
be subject to a contingent deferred sales charge ("CDSC") on redemptions made
within one year of purchase. Further information relating to the CDSC,
including the manner in which it is calculated, is set forth in paragraph 6
below. Class A shares are also subject to payments under each Fund's 12b-1 Plan
to reimburse Morgan Stanley Dean Witter Distributors Inc., Dean Witter Reynolds
Inc. ("DWR"), its affiliates and other broker-dealers for distribution expenses
incurred by them specifically on behalf of the Class, assessed at an annual
rate of up to 0.25% of average daily net assets. The entire amount of the 12b-1
fee represents a service fee within the meaning of National Association of
Securities Dealers, Inc. ("NASD") guidelines.
2. Class B Shares
Class B shares are offered without a FESL, but will in most cases be
subject to a six-year declining CDSC which is calculated in the manner set
forth in paragraph 6 below. Class B shares purchased by certain qualified
employer-sponsored benefit plans are subject to a three-year declining CDSC
which is calculated in the manner set forth in paragraph 6 below. The schedule
of CDSC charges applicable to each Fund is set forth in each Fund's current
prospectus. With the exception of certain of the Funds which have a different
formula described below (Morgan Stanley Dean Witter American Value Fund, Morgan
Stanley Dean Witter Natural Resource Development Securities Inc., Morgan
Stanley Dean Witter
1
<PAGE>
Strategist Fund and Morgan Stanley Dean Witter Dividend Growth Securities
Inc.)(1), Class B shares are also subject to a fee under each Fund's respective
12b-1 Plan, assessed at the annual rate of up to 1.0% of either: (a) the lesser
of (i) the average daily aggregate gross sales of the Fund's Class B shares
since the inception of the Fund (not including reinvestment of dividends or
capital gains distributions), less the average daily aggregate net asset value
of the Fund's Class B shares redeemed since the Fund's inception upon which a
CDSC has been imposed or waived, or (ii) the average daily net assets of Class
B; or (b) the average daily net assets of Class B. A portion of the 12b-1 fee
equal to up to 0.25% of the Fund's average daily net assets is characterized as
a service fee within the meaning of the NASD guidelines and the remaining
portion of the 12b-1 fee, if any, is characterized as an asset-based sales
charge. Also, Class B shares have a conversion feature ("Conversion Feature")
under which such shares convert to Class A shares after a certain holding
period. Details of the Conversion Feature are set forth in Section IV below.
3. Class C Shares
Class C shares are offered without imposition of a FESL, but will in most
cases be subject to a CDSC of 1.0% on redemptions made within one year after
purchase. Further information relating to the CDSC is set forth in paragraph 6
below. In addition, Class C shares, under each Fund's 12b-1 Plan, are subject
to 12b-1 payments to reimburse Morgan Stanley Dean Witter Distributors Inc.,
DWR, its affiliates and other broker-dealers for distribution expenses incurred
by them specifically on behalf of the Class, assessed at the annual rate of up
to 1.0% of the average daily net assets of the Class. A portion of the 12b-1
fee equal to up to 0.25% of the Fund's average daily net assets is
characterized as a service fee within the meaning of NASD guidelines. Unlike
Class B shares, Class C shares do not have the Conversion Feature.
4. Class D Shares
Class D shares are offered without imposition of a FESL, CDSC or a 12b-1
fee for purchases of Fund shares by (i) investors meeting an initial minimum
investment requirement and (ii) certain other limited categories of investors,
in each case, as may be approved by the Boards of Directors/Trustees of the
Funds and as disclosed in each Fund's current prospectus.
5. Additional Classes of Shares
The Boards of Directors/Trustees of the Funds have the authority to create
additional Classes, or change existing Classes, from time to time, in
accordance with Rule 18f-3 under the 1940 Act.
6. Calculation of the CDSC
Any applicable CDSC is calculated based upon the lesser of net asset value
of the shares at the time of purchase or at the time of redemption. The CDSC
does not apply to amounts representing an increase
- ----------
(1) The payments under the 12b-1 Plan for each of Morgan Stanley Dean Witter
American Value Fund, Morgan Stanley Dean Witter Natural Resource Development
Securities Inc. and Morgan Stanley Dean Witter Dividend Growth Securities Inc.
are assessed at the annual rate of 1.0% of the lesser of: (a) the average daily
aggregate gross sales of the Fund's Class B shares since the inception of the
Fund's Plan (not including reinvestment of dividends or capital gains
distributions), less the average daily aggregate net asset value of the Fund's
Class B shares redeemed since the Plan's inception upon which a contingent
deferred sales charge has been imposed or waived, or (b) the average daily net
assets of Class B attributable to shares issued, net of related shares
redeemed, since inception of the Plan. The payments under the 12b-1 Plan for
the Morgan Stanley Dean Witter Strategist Fund are assessed at the annual rate
of: (i) 1% of the lesser of (a) the average daily aggregate gross sales of the
Fund's Class B shares since the effectiveness of the first amendment of the
Plan on November 8, 1989 (not including reinvestment of dividends or capital
gains distributions), less the average daily aggregate net asset value of the
Fund's Class B shares redeemed since the effectiveness of the first amended
Plan, upon which a contingent deferred sales charge has been imposed or waived,
or (b) the average daily net assets of Class B attributable to shares issued,
net of related shares redeemed, since the effectiveness of the first amended
Plan; plus (ii) 0.25% of the average daily net assets of Class B attributable
to shares issued, net of related shares redeemed, prior to effectiveness of the
first amended Plan.
2
<PAGE>
in share value due to capital appreciation and shares acquired through the
reinvestment of dividends or capital gains distributions. The CDSC schedule
applicable to a Fund and the circumstances in which the CDSC is subject to
waiver are set forth in each Fund's prospectus.
II. EXPENSE ALLOCATIONS
Expenses incurred by a Fund are allocated among the various Classes of
shares pro rata based on the net assets of the Fund attributable to each Class,
except that 12b-1 fees relating to a particular Class are allocated directly to
that Class. In addition, other expenses associated with a particular Class
(except advisory or custodial fees), may be allocated directly to that Class,
provided that such expenses are reasonably identified as specifically
attributable to that Class and the direct allocation to that Class is approved
by the Fund's Board of Directors/Trustees.
III. CLASS DESIGNATION
All shares of the Funds held prior to July 28, 1997 (other than the shares
held by certain employee benefit plans established by DWR and its affiliate,
SPS Transaction Services, Inc., shares of Funds offered with a FESL, and shares
of Morgan Stanley Dean Witter Balanced Growth Fund and Morgan Stanley Dean
Witter Balanced Income Fund) have been designated Class B shares. Shares held
prior to July 28, 1997 by such employee benefit plans have been designated
Class D shares. Shares held prior to July 28, 1997 of Funds offered with a FESL
have been designated Class D shares. In addition, shares of Morgan Stanley Dean
Witter American Value Fund purchased prior to April 30, 1984, shares of Morgan
Stanley Dean Witter Strategist Fund purchased prior to November 8, 1989 and
shares of Morgan Stanley Dean Witter Natural Resource Development Securities
Inc. and Morgan Stanley Dean Witter Dividend Growth Securities Inc. purchased
prior to July 2, 1984 (with respect to such shares of each Fund, including such
proportion of shares acquired through reinvestment of dividends and capital
gains distributions as the total number of shares acquired prior to each of the
preceding dates in this sentence bears to the total number of shares purchased
and owned by the shareholder of that Fund) have been designated Class D shares.
Shares of Morgan Stanley Dean Witter Balanced Growth Fund and Morgan Stanley
Dean Witter Balanced Income Fund held prior to July 28, 1997 have been
designated Class C shares except that shares of Morgan Stanley Dean Witter
Balanced Growth Fund and Morgan Stanley Dean Witter Balanced Income Fund held
prior to July 28, 1997 that were acquired in exchange for shares of an
investment company offered with a CDSC have been designated Class B shares and
those that were acquired in exchange for shares of an investment company
offered with a FESL have been designated Class A shares.
IV. THE CONVERSION FEATURE
Class B shares held before May 1, 1997 will convert to Class A shares in
May, 2007, except that Class B shares which were purchased before July 28, 1997
by trusts for which Dean Witter Trust FSB ("MSDW Trust") provides discretionary
trustee services converted to Class A shares on August 29, 1997 (the CDSC was
not applicable to such shares upon the conversion). In all other instances,
Class B shares of each Fund will automatically convert to Class A shares, based
on the relative net asset values of the shares of the two Classes on the
conversion date, which will be approximately ten (10) years after the date of
the original purchase. Conversions will be effected once a month. The 10 year
period will be calculated from the last day of the month in which the shares
were purchased or, in the case of Class B shares acquired through an exchange
or a series of exchanges, from the last day of the month in which the original
Class B shares were purchased, provided that shares originally purchased before
May 1, 1997 will convert to Class A shares in May, 2007. Except as set forth
below, the conversion of shares purchased on or after May 1, 1997 will take
place in the month following the tenth anniversary of the purchase. There will
also be converted at that time such proportion of Class B shares acquired
through automatic reinvestment of dividends owned by the shareholder as the
total number of his or her Class B shares converting at the time bears to the
total number of outstanding Class B shares purchased and owned by the
shareholder. In the case of Class B shares held by a 401(k) plan or other plan
qualified under Section 401(a) of the Internal Revenue Code (the "Code") and
for which MSDW Trust serves as Trustee or DWR's Retirement Plan Services serves
as recordkeeper pursuant to a written Recordkeeping Services Agreement, all
Class B
3
<PAGE>
shares will convert to Class A shares on the conversion date of the first
shares of a Fund purchased by that plan. In the case of Class B shares
previously exchanged for shares of an "Exchange Fund" (as such term is defined
in the prospectus of each Fund), the period of time the shares were held in the
Exchange Fund (calculated from the last day of the month in which the Exchange
Fund shares were acquired) is excluded from the holding period for conversion.
If those shares are subsequently re-exchanged for Class B shares of a Fund, the
holding period resumes on the last day of the month in which Class B shares are
reacquired.
Effectiveness of the Conversion Feature is subject to the continuing
availability of a ruling of the Internal Revenue Service or an opinion of
counsel to the effect that (i) the conversion of shares does not constitute a
taxable event under the Code; (ii) Class A shares received on conversion will
have a basis equal to the shareholder's basis in the converted Class B shares
immediately prior to the conversion; and (iii) Class A shares received on
conversion will have a holding period that includes the holding period of the
converted Class B shares. The Conversion Feature may be suspended if the Ruling
or opinion is no longer available. In such event, Class B shares would continue
to be subject to Class B fees under the applicable Fund's 12b-1 Plan.
V. EXCHANGE PRIVILEGES
Shares of each Class may be exchanged for shares of the same Class of the
other Funds and for shares of certain other investment companies without the
imposition of an exchange fee as described in the prospectuses and statements
of additional information of the Funds. The exchange privilege of each Fund may
be terminated or revised at any time by the Fund upon such notice as may be
required by applicable regulatory agencies as described in each Fund's
prospectus.
VI. VOTING
Each Class shall have exclusive voting rights on any matter that relates
solely to its 12b-1 Plan, except that Class B shareholders will have the right
to vote on any proposed material increase in Class A's expenses, including
payments under the Class A 12b-1 Plan, if such proposal is submitted separately
to Class A shareholders. If the amount of expenses, including payments under
the Class A 12b-1 Plan, is increased materially without the approval of Class B
shareholders, the Fund will establish a new Class A for Class B shareholders
whose shares automatically convert on the same terms as applied to Class A
before the increase. In addition, each Class shall have separate voting rights
on any matter submitted to shareholders in which the interests of one Class
differ from the interests of any other Class.
4
<PAGE>
MORGAN STANLEY DEAN WITTER FUNDS
MULTIPLE CLASS PLAN PURSUANT TO RULE 18F-3
SCHEDULE A
AT FEBRUARY 9, 1999
1) Morgan Stanley Dean Witter Aggressive Equity Fund
2) Morgan Stanley Dean Witter American Value Fund
3) Morgan Stanley Dean Witter Balanced Growth Fund
4) Morgan Stanley Dean Witter Balanced Income Fund
5) Morgan Stanley Dean Witter California Tax-Free Income Fund
6) Morgan Stanley Dean Witter Capital Appreciation Fund
7) Morgan Stanley Dean Witter Capital Growth Securities
8) Morgan Stanley Dean Witter Competitive Edge Fund
9) Morgan Stanley Dean Witter Convertible Securities Trust
10) Morgan Stanley Dean Witter Developing Growth Securities Trust
11) Morgan Stanley Dean Witter Diversified Income Trust
12) Morgan Stanley Dean Witter Dividend Growth Securities Inc.
13) Morgan Stanley Dean Witter Equity Fund
14) Morgan Stanley Dean Witter European Growth Fund Inc.
15) Morgan Stanley Dean Witter Federal Securities Trust
16) Morgan Stanley Dean Witter Financial Services Trust
17) Morgan Stanley Dean Witter Fund of Funds
18) Morgan Stanley Dean Witter Global Dividend Growth Securities
19) Morgan Stanley Dean Witter Global Utilities Fund
20) Morgan Stanley Dean Witter Growth Fund
21) Morgan Stanley Dean Witter Health Sciences Trust
22) Morgan Stanley Dean Witter High Yield Securities Inc.
23) Morgan Stanley Dean Witter Income Builder Fund
24) Morgan Stanley Dean Witter Information Fund
25) Morgan Stanley Dean Witter Intermediate Income Securities
26) Morgan Stanley Dean Witter International Fund
27) Morgan Stanley Dean Witter International SmallCap Fund
28) Morgan Stanley Dean Witter Japan Fund
29) Morgan Stanley Dean Witter Managers Focus Fund
30) Morgan Stanley Dean Witter Market Leader Trust
31) Morgan Stanley Dean Witter Mid-Cap Dividend Growth Securities
32) Morgan Stanley Dean Witter Mid-Cap Growth Fund
33) Morgan Stanley Dean Witter Natural Resource Development Securities Inc.
34) Morgan Stanley Dean Witter New York Tax-Free Income Fund
35) Morgan Stanley Dean Witter Pacific Growth Fund Inc.
36) Morgan Stanley Dean Witter Precious Metals and Minerals Trust
37) Morgan Stanley Dean Witter Real Estate Fund
38) Morgan Stanley Dean Witter Special Value Fund
39) Morgan Stanley Dean Witter S&P 500 Index Fund
40) Morgan Stanley Dean Witter S&P 500 Select Fund
41) Morgan Stanley Dean Witter Strategist Fund
42) Morgan Stanley Dean Witter Tax-Exempt Securities Trust
43) Morgan Stanley Dean Witter U.S. Government Securities Trust
44) Morgan Stanley Dean Witter Utilities Fund
45) Morgan Stanley Dean Witter Value-Added Market Series
46) Morgan Stanley Dean Witter Value Fund
47) Morgan Stanley Dean Witter Worldwide High Income Fund
48) Morgan Stanley Dean Witter World Wide Income Trust
5
<TABLE> <S> <C>
<PAGE>
<ARTICLE> 6
<SERIES>
<NUMBER> 01
<NAME> Morgan Stanley Dean Witter Tax Exempt Securities Trust -- Class A
<S> <C>
<PERIOD-TYPE> YEAR
<FISCAL-YEAR-END> DEC-31-1998
<PERIOD-END> DEC-31-1998
<INVESTMENTS-AT-COST> 1,063,236,358
<INVESTMENTS-AT-VALUE> 1,162,296,293
<RECEIVABLES> 21,395,513
<ASSETS-OTHER> 71,333
<OTHER-ITEMS-ASSETS> 1,900,812
<TOTAL-ASSETS> 1,185,663,951
<PAYABLE-FOR-SECURITIES> 0
<SENIOR-LONG-TERM-DEBT> 0
<OTHER-ITEMS-LIABILITIES> 7,475,102
<TOTAL-LIABILITIES> 7,475,102
<SENIOR-EQUITY> 0
<PAID-IN-CAPITAL-COMMON> 1,075,975,592
<SHARES-COMMON-STOCK> 1,251,226
<SHARES-COMMON-PRIOR> 319,033
<ACCUMULATED-NII-CURRENT> 34,517
<OVERDISTRIBUTION-NII> 0
<ACCUMULATED-NET-GAINS> 3,118,805
<OVERDISTRIBUTION-GAINS> 0
<ACCUM-APPREC-OR-DEPREC> 99,059,935
<NET-ASSETS> 15,041,235
<DIVIDEND-INCOME> 0
<INTEREST-INCOME> 66,369,139
<OTHER-INCOME> 0
<EXPENSES-NET> 6,565,282
<NET-INVESTMENT-INCOME> 59,803,857
<REALIZED-GAINS-CURRENT> 15,111,631
<APPREC-INCREASE-CURRENT> (5,416,357)
<NET-CHANGE-FROM-OPS> 69,499,131
<EQUALIZATION> 0
<DISTRIBUTIONS-OF-INCOME> (460,545)
<DISTRIBUTIONS-OF-GAINS> (187,529)
<DISTRIBUTIONS-OTHER> 0
<NUMBER-OF-SHARES-SOLD> 1,188,860
<NUMBER-OF-SHARES-REDEEMED> (279,886)
<SHARES-REINVESTED> 23,219
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<NAME> Morgan Stanley Dean Witter Tax Exempt Securities Trust -- Class B
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<NAME> Morgan Stanley Dean Witter Tax Exempt Securities Trust -- Class C
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<NAME> Morgan Stanley Dean Witter Tax Exempt Securities Trust -- Class D
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