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DEAN WITTER
DIVIDEND GROWTH SECURITIES
PROSPECTUS--APRIL 28, 1995
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DEAN WITTER DIVIDEND GROWTH SECURITIES INC. (THE "FUND") IS AN OPEN-END,
DIVERSIFIED MANAGEMENT INVESTMENT COMPANY WHOSE INVESTMENT OBJECTIVE IS TO
PROVIDE REASONABLE CURRENT INCOME AND LONG-TERM GROWTH OF INCOME AND CAPITAL.
THE FUND INVESTS PRIMARILY IN COMMON STOCK OF COMPANIES WITH A RECORD OF PAYING
DIVIDENDS AND THE POTENTIAL FOR INCREASING DIVIDENDS. (SEE "INVESTMENT OBJECTIVE
AND POLICIES.")
Shares of the Fund are continuously offered at net asset value. However,
redemptions and/or repurchases are subject in most circumstances to a contingent
deferred sales charge, scaled down from 5% to 1% of the amount redeemed, if made
within six years of purchase, which charge will be paid to the Fund's
Distributor, Dean Witter Distributors Inc. See "Redemptions and
Repurchases--Contingent Deferred Sales Charge." In addition, the Fund pays the
Distributor a distribution fee pursuant to a Plan of Distribution at the annual
rate of 1% of the lesser of the (i) average daily aggregate net sales since
inception of the Plan of Distribution or (ii) average daily net assets of the
Fund attributable to shares issued since inception of the Plan of Distribution.
See "Purchase of Fund Shares--Plan of Distribution."
This Prospectus sets forth concisely the information you should know before
investing in the Fund. It should be read and retained for future reference.
Additional information about the Fund is contained in the Statement of
Additional Information, dated April 28, 1995, which has been filed with the
Securities and Exchange Commission, and which is available at no charge upon
request of the Fund at the address or telephone numbers listed on this page. The
Statement of Additional Information is incorporated herein by reference.
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TABLE OF CONTENTS
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Prospectus Summary................................ 2
Summary of Fund Expenses.......................... 3
Financial Highlights.............................. 4
The Fund and its Management....................... 5
Investment Objective and Policies................. 5
Risk Considerations............................. 6
Investment Restrictions........................... 7
Purchase of Fund Shares........................... 7
Shareholder Services.............................. 9
Redemptions and Repurchases....................... 11
Dividends, Distributions and Taxes................ 12
Performance Information........................... 13
Additional Information............................ 13
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SHARES OF THE FUND ARE NOT DEPOSITS OR OBLIGATIONS OF, OR GUARANTEED OR ENDORSED
BY, ANY BANK, AND THE SHARES ARE NOT FEDERALLY INSURED BY THE FEDERAL DEPOSIT
INSURANCE CORPORATION, THE FEDERAL RESERVE BOARD, OR ANY OTHER AGENCY.
DEAN WITTER
DIVIDEND GROWTH SECURITIES INC.
TWO WORLD TRADE CENTER
NEW YORK, NEW YORK 10048
(212) 392-2550 or (800) 526-3143
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THESE SECURITIES HAVE NOT BEEN APPROVED OR DISAPPROVED BY THE SECURITIES AND
EXCHANGE COMMISSION OR ANY STATE SECURITIES COMMISSION NOR HAS THE SECURITIES
AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION OR ANY STATE SECURITIES COMMISSION PASSED UPON THE
ACCURACY OR ADEQUACY OF THIS PROSPECTUS. ANY REPRESENTATION TO THE CONTRARY IS A
CRIMINAL OFFENSE.
DEAN WITTER DISTRIBUTORS INC., DISTRIBUTOR
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PROSPECTUS SUMMARY
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THE FUND The Fund, a Maryland corporation, is an open-end, diversified management investment
company investing primarily in common stock of companies with a record of paying
dividends and the potential for increasing dividends.
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SHARES OFFERED Shares of common stock with $0.01 par value (see page 13).
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OFFERING At net asset value without sales charge (see page 7). Shares redeemed within six years
PRICE of purchase are subject to a contingent deferred sales charge under most circumstances
(see page 11).
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MINIMUM Minimum initial investment, $1,000; minimum subsequent investment, $100 (see page 7).
PURCHASE
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INVESTMENT The investment objective of the Fund is to provide reasonable current income and
OBJECTIVE long-term growth of income and capital.
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INVESTMENT Dean Witter InterCapital Inc., ("InterCapital"), the Investment Manager of the Fund, and
MANAGER its wholly- owned subsidiary, Dean Witter Services Company Inc., serve in various
investment management, advisory, management and administrative capacities to
ninety-three investment companies and other portfolios with assets of approximately
$69.6 billion at March 31, 1995 (see page 5).
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MANAGEMENT The Investment Manager receives a monthly fee at an annual rate of 0.625 of 1% of daily
FEE net assets, scaled down on assets over $250 million. The fee should not be compared with
fees paid by other investment companies without also considering applicable sales loads
and distribution fees, including those noted below.
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DIVIDENDS AND Income dividends are paid quarterly; capital gains, if any, are distributed at least
CAPITAL GAINS annually or retained for reinvestment by the Fund. Dividends and capital gains
DISTRIBUTIONS distributions are automatically reinvested in additional shares at net asset value
unless the shareholder elects to receive cash (see page 12).
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DISTRIBUTOR Dean Witter Distributors Inc. (the "Distributor"). For its services as Distributor,
AND which include payment of sales commissions to account executives and various other
DISTRIBUTION promotional and sales-related expenses, the Distributor receives from the Fund a
FEE distribution fee accrued daily and payable monthly at the rate of 1.0% per annum of the
lesser of (i) the Fund's average daily aggregate net sales of the Fund's shares since
the inception of a plan of distribution pursuant to Rule 12b-1 under the Investment
Company Act of 1940, as amended (the "Plan") or (b) the average daily net assets of the
Fund attributable to shares issued, net of related shares redeemed, since the inception
of the Plan. This fee compensates the Distributor for the services provided in
distributing shares of the Fund and for sales related expenses. The Distributor also
receives the proceeds of any contingent deferred sales charges (see pages 11 and 12).
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REDEMPTION-- At net asset value; redeemable involuntarily if total value of the account is less than
CONTINGENT $100. Although no commission or sales charge is imposed upon the purchase of shares, a
DEFERRED contingent deferred sales charge (scaled down from 5% to 1%) is imposed on any
SALES CHARGE redemption of shares which causes the aggregate current value of an account with the
Fund to fall below the aggregate amount of the investor's purchase payments made during
the preceding six years. There is no charge imposed on redemption of shares purchased
through reinvestment of dividends or distributions (see page 11).
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RETIREMENT Investors can take advantage of tax benefits for personal retirement accounts by
PLANS investing in the Fund through an IRA (Individual Retirement Account) or Custodial
Account under Section 403(b)(7) of the Internal Revenue Code (see page 9).
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RISKS The net asset value of the Fund's shares will fluctuate with changes in market value of
portfolio securities. Dividends payable by the Fund will vary in relation to the amounts
of dividends and interest earned on portfolio securities. Investors should review the
investment objective and policies of the Fund carefully and consider their ability to
assume the risks involved in purchasing shares of the Fund (see page 6).
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THE ABOVE IS QUALIFIED IN ITS ENTIRETY BY THE DETAILED INFORMATION APPEARING
ELSEWHERE IN THE PROSPECTUS
AND IN THE STATEMENT OF ADDITIONAL INFORMATION.
2
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SUMMARY OF FUND EXPENSES
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The following table illustrates all expenses and fees that a shareholder of the
Fund will incur. The expenses and fees set forth in the table are for the fiscal
year ended February 28, 1995, except as otherwise noted.
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SHAREHOLDER TRANSACTION EXPENSES
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Maximum Sales Charge Imposed on Purchases......... None
Maximum Sales Charge Imposed on Reinvested
Dividends........................................ None
Deferred Sales Charge
(as a percentage of the lesser of original
purchase price or redemption proceeds)........... 5.0%
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A contingent deferred sales charge is imposed at the following declining rates:
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<CAPTION>
PERCENTAGE
OF
AMOUNT
YEAR SINCE PURCHASE PAYMENT MADE REDEEMED
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First............................................. 5.0%
Second............................................ 4.0%
Third............................................. 3.0%
Fourth............................................ 2.0%
Fifth............................................. 2.0%
Sixth............................................. 1.0%
Seventh and thereafter............................ None
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Redemption Fees................................... None
Exchange Fees..................................... None
ANNUAL FUND OPERATING EXPENSES (AS A PERCENTAGE OF
AVERAGE NET ASSETS)
Management Fees................................... 0.43%
12b-1 Fees*....................................... 0.88%
Other Expenses.................................... 0.11%
Total Fund Operating Expenses..................... 1.42%
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* A portion of the 12b-1 fee which may not exceed 0.25% of the Fund's average
daily net assets is characterized as a service fee within the meaning of
National Association of Securities Dealers ("NASD") guidelines (See "Purchase
of Fund Shares").
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10
EXAMPLE 1 YEAR 3 YEARS 5 YEARS YEARS
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You would pay the following expenses on a $1,000
investment, assuming (1) 5% annual return and (2)
redemption at the end of each time period:....... $65 $75 $98 $171
You would pay the following expenses on the same
investment, assuming no redemption:.............. $15 $45 $78 $171
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THE ABOVE EXAMPLE SHOULD NOT BE CONSIDERED A REPRESENTATION OF PAST OR FUTURE
EXPENSES OR PERFORMANCE. ACTUAL EXPENSES AND RETURNS OF THE FUND MAY BE GREATER
OR LESS THAN THOSE SHOWN.
The purpose of this table is to assist the investor in understanding the various
costs and expenses that an investor in the Fund will bear directly or
indirectly. For a more complete description of these costs and expenses, see
"The Fund and its Management," "Plan of Distribution" and "Redemptions and
Repurchases."
Long-term shareholders of the Fund may pay more in sales charges and
distribution fees than the economic equivalent of the maximum front-end sales
charge permitted by the NASD.
3
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FINANCIAL HIGHLIGHTS
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The following ratios and per share data for a share of capital stock outstanding
throughout each period have been audited by Price Waterhouse LLP, independent
accountants. The financial highlights should be read in conjunction with the
financial statements and notes thereto and the unqualified report of independent
accountants which are contained in the Statement of Additional Information.
Further information about the performance of the Fund is contained in the Fund's
Annual Report to Stockholders, which may be obtained without charge upon request
to the Fund.
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FOR THE YEAR ENDED FEBRUARY 28,
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1995 1994 1993 1992* 1991 1990 1989 1988* 1987 1986
------- ------- ------- ------- ------- ------- ------- ------- ------- -------
<S> <C> <C> <C> <C> <C> <C> <C> <C> <C> <C>
PER SHARE OPERATING
PERFORMANCE:
Net asset value,
beginning of
period.............. $30.86 $28.70 $27.01 $23.50 $22.47 $20.32 $19.28 $20.63 $17.56 $13.79
------- ------- ------- ------- ------- ------- ------- ------- ------- -------
Net investment
income............. 0.72 0.68 0.70 0.71 0.79 0.72 0.68 0.67 0.51 0.49
Net realized and
unrealized gain
(loss)............. 0.24 2.16 1.72 3.63 1.04 2.83 1.78 (0.99) 3.56 3.90
------- ------- ------- ------- ------- ------- ------- ------- ------- -------
Total from
investment
operations......... 0.96 2.84 2.42 4.34 1.83 3.55 2.46 (0.32) 4.07 4.39
------- ------- ------- ------- ------- ------- ------- ------- ------- -------
Less dividends and
distributions from:
Net investment
income........... (0.66) (0.68) (0.69) (0.76) (0.80) (0.76) (0.62) (0.73) (0.52) (0.52)
Net realized
gain............. -0- -0- (0.04) (0.07) -0- (0.64) (0.80) (0.30) (0.48) (0.10)
------- ------- ------- ------- ------- ------- ------- ------- ------- -------
Total dividends and
distributions...... (0.66) (0.68) (0.73) (0.83) (0.80) (1.40) (1.42) (1.03) (1.00) (0.62)
------- ------- ------- ------- ------- ------- ------- ------- ------- -------
Net asset value, end
of period.......... $31.16 $30.86 $28.70 $27.01 $23.50 $22.47 $20.32 $19.28 $20.63 $17.56
------- ------- ------- ------- ------- ------- ------- ------- ------- -------
------- ------- ------- ------- ------- ------- ------- ------- ------- -------
TOTAL INVESTMENT
RETURN+............. 3.25% 9.98% 9.13% 18.82% 8.51% 17.85% 13.26% (1.40%) 23.96% 32.88%
RATIOS TO AVERAGE NET
ASSETS:
Expenses............ 1.42% 1.37% 1.40% 1.42% 1.51% 1.41% 1.55% 1.55% 1.52% 1.55%
Net investment
income............. 2.42% 2.31% 2.67% 2.91% 3.62% 3.46% 3.44% 3.47% 3.35% 4.73%
SUPPLEMENTAL DATA:
Net assets, end of
period (in
millions).......... $7,101 $6,712 $5,386 $4,071 $3,015 $2,760 $1,860 $1,824 $1,652 $610
Portfolio turnover
rate............... 6% 13% 8% 5% 5% 3% 8% 7% 12% 6%
<FN>
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* YEAR ENDED FEBRUARY 29.
+ DOES NOT REFLECT THE DEDUCTION OF SALES CHARGE.
</TABLE>
SEE NOTES TO FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
4
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THE FUND AND ITS MANAGEMENT
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Dean Witter Dividend Growth Securities Inc. (the "Fund") is an open-end,
diversified management investment company incorporated in Maryland on December
22, 1980.
Dean Witter InterCapital Inc. ("InterCapital" or the "Investment Manager"),
whose address is Two World Trade Center, New York, New York 10048, is the Fund's
investment manager. The Investment Manager, which was incorporated in July,
1992, is a wholly-owned subsidiary of Dean Witter, Discover & Co. ("DWDC"), a
balanced financial services organization providing a broad range of nationally
marketed credit and investment products.
InterCapital and its wholly-owned subsidiary, Dean Witter Services Company
Inc., serve in various investment management, advisory, management and
administrative capacities to ninety-three investment companies, thirty of which
are listed on the New York Stock Exchange, with combined total assets of
approximately $69.6 billion at March 31, 1995. The Investment Manager also
manages portfolios of pension plans, other institutions and individuals which
aggregated approximately $2.0 billion at such date.
The Fund has retained the Investment Manager to provide administrative
services, manage its business affairs and manage the investment of the Fund's
assets, including the placing of orders for the purchase and sale of portfolio
securities. InterCapital has retained Dean Witter Services Company Inc. to
perform the aforementioned administrative services for the Fund. The Fund's
Board of Directors reviews the various services provided by the Investment
Manager to ensure that the Fund's general investment policies and programs are
being properly carried out and that administrative services are being provided
to the Fund in a satisfactory manner.
As full compensation for the services and facilities furnished to the Fund
and for expenses of the Fund assumed by the Investment Manager, the Fund pays
the Investment Manager monthly compensation calculated daily at an annual rate
of 0.625% of the daily net assets of the Fund up to $250 million, scaled down at
various asset levels to 0.325% on assets over $8 billion. For the fiscal year
ended February 28, 1995, the Fund accrued total compensation to the Investment
Manager amounting to 0.43% of the Fund's average daily net assets and the Fund's
total expenses amounted to 1.42% of the Fund's average daily net assets.
INVESTMENT OBJECTIVE AND POLICIES
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The investment objective of the Fund is to provide reasonable current income and
long-term growth of income and capital. This objective is fundamental and may
not be changed without shareholder approval. There is no assurance that the
objective will be achieved. The Fund seeks to achieve its investment objective
primarily through investments in common stock of companies with a record of
paying dividends and the potential for increasing dividends. Net asset value of
the Fund's shares will fluctuate with changes in market values of portfolio
securities. The Fund will attempt to avoid speculative securities or those with
speculative characteristics.
SPECIFIC INVESTMENT POLICIES
The Fund has adopted the following specific policies which are not fundamental
investment policies and which may be changed by the Fund's Board of Directors:
1. Up to 30% of the value of the Fund's total assets may be invested in:
(a) convertible debt securities, convertible preferred securities, U.S.
Government securities (securities issued or guaranteed as to principal and
interest by the United States or its agencies and instrumentalities),
investment grade corporate debt securities and/or money market instruments
when, in the opinion of the Investment Manager, the projected total return
on such securities is equal to or greater than the expected total return on
equity securities or when such holdings might be expected to reduce the
volatility of the portfolio (for purposes of this provision, the term "total
return" means the difference between the cost of a security and the
aggregate of its market value and income earned); or (b) in money market
instruments under any one or more of the following circumstances: (i)
pending investment of proceeds of sale of Fund shares or of portfolio
securities; (ii) pending settlement of purchases of portfolio securities; or
(iii) to maintain liquidity for the purpose of meeting anticipated
redemptions.
2. Notwithstanding any of the foregoing limitations, the Fund may invest
more than 30% of its total assets in money market instruments to maintain,
temporarily, a "defensive" posture when, in the opinion of the Investment
Manager, it is advisable to do so because of economic or market conditions.
The foregoing limitations will apply at the time of acquisition based on the
last determined value of the Fund's assets. Any subsequent change in any
applicable percentage resulting from fluctuations in value or other change in
total assets will not require elimination of any security from the portfolio.
The Fund may purchase securities on a when-issued or delayed delivery basis, may
purchase or sell securities on a forward commitment basis and may purchase
securities on a "when, as and if issued" basis.
5
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REPURCHASE AGREEMENTS
The Fund may enter into repurchase agreements, which may be viewed as a type of
secured lending by the Fund, and which typically involve the acquisition by the
Fund of government securities or other securities from a selling financial
institution such as a bank, savings and loan association or broker-dealer. The
agreement provides that the Fund will sell back to the institution, and that the
institution will repurchase, the underlying security at a specified price and at
a fixed time in the future, usually not more than seven days from the date of
purchase.
RISK CONSIDERATIONS
AMERICAN DEPOSITORY RECEIPTS. The Fund may invest in ADRs. These securities may
not necessarily be denominated in the same currency as the securities into which
they may be converted. ADRs are receipts typically issued by a United States
bank or trust company evidencing ownership of the underlying securities.
INVESTMENTS IN SECURITIES RATED BAA BY MOODY'S OR BBB BY S&P. The Fund may
invest a portion of its assets in fixed-income securities rated at the time of
purchase Baa or better by Moody's Investors Service, Inc. ("Moody's") or BBB or
better by Standard & Poor's Corporation ("S&P"). Investments in fixed-income
securities rated either Baa by Moody's or BBB by S&P (the lowest credit ratings
designated "investment grade") may have speculative characteristics and,
therefore, changes in economic conditions or other circumstances are more likely
to weaken their capacity to make principal and interest payments than would be
the case with investments in securities with higher credit ratings. If a bond
held by the Fund is downgraded by a rating agency to a rating below Baa or BBB,
the Fund will retain such security in its portfolio until the Investment Manager
determines that it is practicable to sell the security without undue market or
tax consequences to the Fund. In the event that such downgraded securities
constitute 5% or more of the Fund's assets, the Investment Manager will seek to
sell immediately sufficient securities to reduce the total to below 5%.
INVESTMENTS IN FIXED-INCOME SECURITIES. The Fund may invest a portion of its
assets in fixed-income securities. All fixed-income securities are subject to
two types of risks: the credit risk and the interest rate risk. The credit risk
relates to the ability of the issuer to meet interest or principal payments or
both as they come due. Generally, higher yielding fixed-income securities are
subject to a credit risk to a greater extent than lower yielding fixed-income
securities. The interest rate risk refers to the fluctuations in the net asset
value of any portfolio of fixed-income securities resulting from the inverse
relationship between price and yield of fixed-income securities; that is, when
the general level of interest rates rises, the prices of outstanding
fixed-income securities generally decline, and when interest rates fall, prices
generally rise.
CONVERTIBLE SECURITIES. The Fund may invest a portion of its assets in
convertible securities. A convertible security is a bond, debenture, note,
preferred stock or other security that may be converted into or exchanged for a
prescribed amount of common stock of the same or a different issuer within a
particular period of time at a specified price or formula. Convertible
securities rank senior to common stocks in a corporation's capital structure
and, therefore, entail less risk than the corporation's common stock. The value
of a convertible security is a function of its "investment value" (its value as
if it did not have a conversion privilege), and its "conversion value" (the
security's worth if it were to be exchanged for the underlying security, at
market value, pursuant to its conversion privilege).
To the extent that a convertible security's investment value is greater than
its conversion value, its price will be primarily a reflection of such
investment value and its price will be likely to increase when interest rates
fall and decrease when interest rates rise, as with a fixed-income security (the
credit standing of the issuer and other factors may also have an effect on the
convertible security's value). If the conversion value exceeds the investment
value, the price of the convertible security will rise above its investment
value and, in addition, will sell at some premium over its conversion value.
(This premium represents the price investors are willing to pay for the
privilege of purchasing a fixed-income security with a possibility of capital
appreciation due to the conversion privilege.) At such times the price of the
convertible security will tend to fluctuate directly with the price of the
underlying equity security.
REPURCHASE AGREEMENTS. While repurchase agreements involve certain risks not
associated with direct investments in debt securities, the Fund follows
procedures designed to minimize such risks. These procedures include effecting
repurchase transactions only with large, well-capitalized and well-established
financial institutions whose financial condition will be continually monitored
by the Investment Manager. In addition, the value of the collateral underlying
the repurchase agreement will be at least equal to the repurchase price,
including any accrued interest earned on the repurchase agreement. In the event
of a default or bankruptcy by a selling financial institution, the Fund will
seek to liquidate such collateral. However, the exercising of the Fund's right
to liquidate such collateral could involve certain costs or delays and, to the
extent that proceeds from any sale upon a default of the obligation to
repurchase were less than the repurchase price, the Fund could suffer a loss. It
is the current policy of the Fund not to invest in repurchase agreements that do
not mature within seven days if any such investment, together with any other
illiquid assets held by the Fund, amounts to more than 15% of its net assets.
6
<PAGE>
For additional risk disclosure, please refer to the "Investment Objective
and Policies" section of the Prospectus and to the "Investment Practices and
Policies" section of the Statement of Additional Information.
PORTFOLIO MANAGEMENT
The Fund's portfolio is actively managed by its Investment Manager with a view
to achieving the Fund's investment objective. In determining which securities to
purchase for the Fund or hold in the Fund's portfolio, the Investment Manager
will rely on information from various sources, including research, analysis and
appraisals of brokers and dealers, including Dean Witter Reynolds Inc. ("DWR"),
a broker-dealer affiliate of InterCapital, the views of Directors of the Fund
and others regarding economic developments and interest rate trends, and the
Investment Manager's own analysis of factors it deems relevant. The Fund's
portfolio is managed within InterCapital's Large Capitalization Equities Group,
which manages 35 equity funds and fund portfolios with approximately $18.7
billion in assets as of March 31, 1995. Paul D. Vance, Senior Vice President of
InterCapital and a member of InterCapital's Large Capitalization Equity Group,
has been the primary portfolio manager of the Fund since its inception and has
been a portfolio manager at InterCapital for over five years.
Although the Fund does not engage in substantial short-term trading as a
means of achieving its investment objective, it may sell portfolio securities
without regard to the length of time they have been held, in accordance with the
investment policies described earlier. Pursuant to an order of the Securities
and Exchange Commission, the Fund may effect principal transactions in certain
money market instruments with DWR. In addition, the Fund may incur brokerage
commissions on transactions conducted through DWR.
INVESTMENT RESTRICTIONS
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The investment restrictions listed below are among the restrictions which have
been adopted by the Fund as fundamental policies. Under the Investment Company
Act of 1940, as amended (the "Act"), a fundamental policy may not be changed
without the vote of a majority of the outstanding voting securities of the Fund,
as defined in the Act. For purposes of the following limitations: (i) all
percentage limitations apply immediately after a purchase or initial investment;
and (ii) any subsequent change in any applicable percentage resulting from
market fluctuations or other changes in total or net assets does not require
elimination of any security from the portfolio.
The Fund may not:
1. 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 voting securities or any
class of securities of any one issuer.
3. Invest more than 25% of the value of its total assets in securities
of issuers in any one industry. This restriction does not apply to bank
obligations or obligations issued or guaranteed by the United States
Government or its agencies or instrumentalities.
4. Invest more than 5% of the value of its total assets in securities of
issuers having a record, together with predecessors, of less than three
years of continuous operation. This restriction shall not apply to any
obligation issued or guaranteed by the United States Government, its
agencies or instrumentalities.
PURCHASE OF FUND SHARES
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The Fund offers its shares for sale to the public on a continuous basis.
Pursuant to a Distribution Agreement between the Fund and Dean Witter
Distributors Inc. (the "Distributor"), shares of the Fund are distributed by the
Distributor and offered by DWR and others who have entered into selected dealer
agreements with the Distributor ("Selected Broker-Dealers"). The principal
executive office of the Distributor is located at Two World Trade Center, New
York, New York 10048.
The minimum initial purchase is $1,000. Subsequent purchases of $100 or more
may be made by sending a check, payable to Dean Witter Dividend Growth
Securities Inc., directly to Dean Witter Trust Company (the "Transfer Agent") at
P.O. Box 1040, Jersey City, NJ 07303 or by contacting an account executive of
DWR or other Selected Broker-Dealer. In the case of investments pursuant to
Systematic Payroll Deduction Plans (including Individual Retirement Plans), the
Fund, in its discretion, may accept investments without regard to any minimum
amounts which would otherwise be required, if the Fund has reason to believe
that additional investments will increase the investment in each account under
such Plans to at least $1,000. The Fund will waive the minimum purchase
requirement for investments in connection with certain Unit Investment Trusts.
Certificates for shares purchased
7
<PAGE>
will not be issued unless requested by the shareholder in writing to the
Transfer Agent.
Shares of the Fund are sold through the Distribution on a normal five
business day settlement basis; that is, payment is due on the fifth business day
(settlement date) after the order is placed with the Distributor. Shares of the
Fund purchased through the Distributor are entitled to any dividends declared
beginning on the next business day following settlement date. Since DWR and
other Selected Broker-Dealers forward investors' funds on settlement date, they
will benefit from the temporary use of the funds if payment is made prior
thereto. Shares purchased through the Transfer Agent are entitled to dividends
beginning on the next business day following receipt of an order. As noted
above, orders placed directly with the Transfer Agent must be accompanied by
payment.
The offering price will be the net asset value per share next determined
following receipt of an order. While no sales charge is imposed at the time
shares are purchased, a contingent deferred sales charge may be imposed at the
time of redemption (see "Redemptions and Repurchases"). Sales personnel are
compensated for selling shares of the Trust by the Distributor and/or Selected
Broker-Dealer. In addition, some sales personnel of the Selected Broker-Dealer
will receive various types of non-cash compensation as special sales incentives,
including trips, educational and/ or business seminars and merchandise. The Fund
and the Distributor reserve the right to reject any purchase orders.
PLAN OF DISTRIBUTION
The Fund has adopted a Plan of Distribution, pursuant to Rule 12b-1 under the
Act (the "Plan"), under which the Fund will pay the Distributor a fee, which is
accrued daily and payable monthly, at an annual rate of 1.0% of the lesser of:
(a) the average daily aggregate gross sales of the Fund's shares since the
inception of the Plan on July 2, 1984 (not including reinvestments of dividends
or capital gains distributions), less the average daily aggregate net asset
value of the Fund's shares redeemed since the Plan's inception upon which a
contingent deferred sales charge has been imposed or waived; or (b) the average
daily net assets of the Fund attributable to shares issued, net of related
shares redeemed, since inception of the Plan. This fee is treated by the Fund as
an expense in the year it is accrued. A portion of the fee payable pursuant to
the Plan, equal to 0.25% of the Fund's average daily net assets, is
characterized as a service fee within the meaning of NASD guidelines. The
service fee is a payment made for personal service and/or the maintenance of
shareholder accounts.
Amounts paid under the Plan are paid to the Distributor to compensate it for
the services provided and the expenses borne by the Distributor and others in
the distribution of the Fund's shares, including the payment of commissions for
sales of the Fund's shares and incentive compensation to and expenses of DWR
account executives and others who engage in or support distribution of shares or
who service shareholder accounts, including overhead and telephone expenses;
printing and distribution of prospectuses and reports used in connection with
the offering of the Fund's shares to other than current shareholders; and
preparation, printing and distribution of sales literature and advertising
materials. In addition, the Distributor may utilize fees paid pursuant to the
Plan to compensate DWR and other Selected Broker-Dealers for their opportunity
costs in advancing such amounts, which compensation would be in the form of a
carrying charge on any unreimbursed expenses incurred.
For the fiscal year ended February 28, 1995, the Fund accrued payments under
the Plan amounting to $59,193,009, which amount is equal to 0.88% of the Fund's
average daily net assets for the fiscal year. The payments accrued under the
Plan were calculated pursuant to clause (a) of the compensation formula under
the Plan.
At any given time, expenses in distributing shares of the Fund may be in
excess of the total of (i) the payments made by the Fund pursuant to the Plan,
and (ii) the proceeds of contingent deferred sales charges paid by investors
upon the redemption of shares (see "Redemptions and Repurchases--Contingent
Deferred Sales Charge"). For example, if the Distributor incurred $1 million in
expenses in distributing shares of the Fund and $750,000 had been received by
the Distributor as described in (i) and (ii) above, the excess expense would
amount to $250,000.
Because there is no requirement under the Plan that the Distributor be
reimbursed for all its expenses or any requirement that the Plan be continued
from year to year, this excess amount does not constitute a liability of the
Fund. Although there is no legal obligation for the Fund to pay expenses
incurred by the Distributor in excess of payments made to the Distributor under
the Plan, if for any reason the Plan is terminated, the Directors will consider
at that time the manner in which to treat such expenses. Any cumulative expenses
incurred by the Distributor, but not yet recovered through distribution fees or
contingent deferred sales charges, may or may not be recovered through future
distribution fees or contingent deferred sales charges.
DETERMINATION OF NET ASSET VALUE
The net asset value per share of the Fund is determined once daily at 4:00 p.m.,
New York time, on each day that the New York Stock Exchange is open by taking
the value of all assets of the Fund, subtracting all its liabilities, dividing
by the number of shares outstanding and adjusting to the nearest cent. The net
asset value per share will not be determined on Good Friday and on such other
federal and non-federal holidays as are observed by the New York Stock Exchange.
8
<PAGE>
In the calculation of the Fund's net asset value: (1) an equity portfolio
security listed or traded on the New York or American Stock Exchange or quoted
by NASDAQ is valued at its latest sale price on that exchange or quotation
service; if there were no sales that day, the security is valued at the latest
bid price; and (2) all other portfolio securities for which over-the-counter
market quotations are readily available are valued at the latest bid price. When
market quotations are not readily available, including circumstances under which
it is determined by the Investment Manager that sale and bid prices are not
reflective of a security's market value, portfolio securities are valued at
their fair value as determined in good faith under procedures established by and
under the general supervision of the Fund's Directors (valuation of debt
securities for which market quotations are not readily available may be based
upon current market prices of securities which are comparable in coupon, rating
and maturity or an appropriate matrix utilizing similar factors).
Short-term debt securities with remaining maturities of sixty days or less
at the time of purchase are valued at amortized cost, unless the Directors
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
Directors.
Certain securities in the Fund's portfolio may be valued by an outside
pricing service approved by the Fund's Directors. The pricing service utilizes a
matrix system incorporating security quality, maturity and coupon as the
evaluation model parameters, and/or research evaluations by its staff, including
review of broker-dealer market price quotations, in determining what it believes
is the fair valuation of the portfolio securities valued by such pricing
service.
SHAREHOLDER SERVICES
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
AUTOMATIC INVESTMENT OF DIVIDENDS AND DISTRIBUTIONS. All income dividends and
capital gains distributions are automatically paid in full and fractional shares
of the Fund (or, if specified by the shareholder, any other open-end investment
company for which InterCapital serves as investment manager [collectively, with
the Fund, the "Dean Witter Funds"]), unless the shareholder requests that they
be paid in cash. Shares so acquired are not subject to the imposition of a
contingent deferred sales charge upon their redemption (see "Redemptions and
Repurchases").
EASYINVEST.-SM- Shareholders may subscribe to EasyInvest, an automatic purchase
plan which provides for any amount from $100 to $5,000 to be transferred
automatically from a checking or savings account, on a semi-monthly, monthly or
quarterly basis, to the Transfer Agent for investment in shares of the Fund.
INVESTMENT OF DIVIDENDS AND DISTRIBUTIONS RECEIVED IN CASH. Any shareholder who
receives a cash payment representing a dividend or capital gains distribution
may invest such dividend or distribution at the net asset value per share next
determined after receipt by the Transfer Agent, by returning the check or the
proceeds to the Transfer Agent within thirty days after the payment date. Shares
so acquired are not subject to the imposition of a contingent deferred sales
charge upon their redemption (see "Redemptions and Repurchases.")
SYSTEMATIC WITHDRAWAL PLAN. A systematic withdrawal plan (the "Withdrawal
Plan") is available for shareholders who own or purchase shares of the Fund
having a minimum value of $10,000 based upon the then current net asset value.
The Withdrawal Plan provides for monthly or quarterly (March, June, September
and December) checks in any amount, not less than $25, or in any whole
percentage of the account balance, on an annualized basis. Any applicable
contingent deferred sales charge will be imposed on shares redeemed under the
Withdrawal Plan (See "Redemptions and Repurchases--Contingent Deferred Sales
Charge"). Therefore, any shareholder participating in the Withdrawal Plan will
have sufficient shares redeemed from his or her account so that the proceeds
(net of any applicable contingent deferred sales charge) to the shareholder will
be the designated monthly or quarterly amount.
Withdrawal Plan payments should not be considered as dividends, yields or
income. If periodic withdrawal plan payments continuously exceed net investment
income and net capital gains, the shareholder's original investment will be
correspondingly reduced and ultimately exhausted.
Each withdrawal constitutes a redemption of shares and any gain or loss
realized must be recognized for Federal income tax purposes. Although the
shareholder may make additional investments of $2,500 or more under the
Withdrawal Plan, withdrawals made concurrently with purchases of additional
shares may be inadvisable because of the contingent deferred sales charge
applicable to the redemption of shares purchased during the preceding six years
(see "Redemptions and Repurchases--Contingent Deferred Sales Charge").
Shareholders wishing to enroll in the Withdrawal Plan should contact their
account executive or the Transfer Agent.
TAX SHELTERED RETIREMENT PLANS. Retirement plans are available through DWR for
use by corporations, the self-employed, eligible Individual Retirement Accounts
and Custodial Accounts under Section 403(b)(7) of the Internal Revenue Code.
Adoption of such plans should be on advice of legal counsel or tax adviser.
9
<PAGE>
For further information regarding plan administration, custodial fees and
other details, investors should contact their DWR or other Selected
Broker-Dealer account executive or the Transfer Agent.
EXCHANGE PRIVILEGE
The Fund makes available to its shareholders an "Exchange Privilege" allowing
the exchange of shares of the Fund for shares of other Dean Witter Funds sold
with a contingent deferred sales charge ("CDSC funds"), for shares of Dean
Witter Short-Term U.S. Treasury Trust, Dean Witter Limited Term Municipal Trust,
Dean Witter Short-Term Bond Fund, Dean Witter Balanced Income Fund, Dean Witter
Balanced Growth Fund and of five Dean Witter Funds which are money market funds
(the foregoing ten non-CDSC funds are hereinafter referred to as the "Exchange
Funds"). Exchanges may be made after the shares of the Fund acquired by purchase
(not by exchange or dividend reinvestment) have been held for thirty days. There
is no waiting period for exchanges of shares acquired by exchange or dividend
reinvestment.
An exchange to another CDSC fund or any Exchange Fund that is not a money
market fund is on the basis of the next calculated net asset value per share of
each fund after the exchange order is received. When exchanging into a money
market fund from the Fund, shares of the Fund are redeemed out of the Fund at
their next calculated net asset value and the proceeds of the redemption are
used to purchase shares of the money market fund at their net asset value
determined the following business day. Subsequent exchanges between any of the
money market funds and any of the CDSC funds can be effected on the same basis.
No contingent deferred sales charge ("CDSC") is imposed at the time of any
exchange, although any applicable CDSC will be imposed upon ultimate redemption.
Shares of the Fund acquired in exchange for shares of another CDSC fund having a
different CDSC schedule than that of this Fund will be subject to the CDSC
schedule of this Fund, even if such shares are subsequently re-exchanged for
shares of the CDSC fund originally purchased. During the period of time the
shareholder remains in the Exchange Fund (calculated from the last day of the
month in which the Exchange Fund shares were acquired), the holding period (for
the purpose of determining the rate of the CDSC) is frozen. If those shares are
subsequently reexchanged for shares of a CDSC fund, the holding period
previously frozen when the first exchange was made resumes on the last day of
the month in which shares of a CDSC fund are reacquired. Thus, the CDSC is based
upon the time (calculated as described above) the shareholder was invested in a
CDSC fund (see "Redemptions and Repurchases--Contingent Deferred Sales Charge").
However, in the case of shares exchanged into an Exchange Fund on or after April
23, 1990, upon a redemption of shares which results in a CDSC being imposed, a
credit (not to exceed the amount of the CDSC) will be given in an amount equal
to the the Exchange Fund 12b-1 distribution fees incurred on or after that date
which are attributable to those shares. (Exchange fund 12b-1 distribution fees
are described in the prospectuses for those funds.)
In addition, shares of the Fund may be acquired in exchange for shares of
Dean Witter Funds sold with a front-end sales charge ("front-end sales charge
funds"), but shares of the Fund, however acquired, may not be exchanged for
shares of front-end sales charge funds. Shares of a CDSC fund acquired in
exchange for shares of a front-end sales charge fund (or in exchange for shares
of other Dean Witter Funds for which shares of a front-end sales charge fund
have been exchanged) are not subject to any CDSC upon their redemption.
Purchases and exchanges should be made for investment purposes only. A
pattern of frequent exchanges may be deemed by the Investment Manager to be
abusive and contrary to the best interests of the Fund's other shareholders and,
at the Investment Manager's discretion, may be limited by the Fund's refusal to
accept additional purchases and/or exchanges from the investor. Although the
Fund does not have any specific definition of what constitutes a pattern of
frequent exchanges, and will consider all relevant factors in determining
whether a particular situation is abusive and contrary to the best interests of
the Fund and its other shareholders, investors should be aware that the Fund and
each of the other Dean Witter Funds may in their discretion limit or otherwise
restrict the number of times this Exchange Privilege may be exercised by any
investor. Any such restriction will be made by the Fund on a prospective basis
only, upon notice to the shareholder not later than ten days following such
shareholder's most recent exchange.
The Exchange Privilege may be terminated or revised at any time by the Fund
and/or any of such Dean Witter Funds for which shares of the Fund may be
exchanged, upon such notice as may be required by applicable regulatory
agencies. Shareholders maintaining margin accounts with DWR or another Selected
Broker-Dealer are referred to their account executive regarding restrictions on
exchange of shares of the Fund pledged in the margin account.
The current prospectus for each fund describes its investment objective(s)
and policies, and shareholders should obtain one and examine it carefully before
investing. Exchanges are subject to the minimum investment requirement and any
other conditions imposed by each fund. In the case of any shareholder holding a
share certificate or certificates, no exchanges may be made until all applicable
share certificates have been received by the Transfer Agent and deposited in the
shareholder's account. An exchange will be treated for federal income tax
purposes the same as a repurchase or redemption of shares, on which the
shareholder may realize a capital gain or loss. However, the ability to deduct
capital losses on an exchange may be limited in situations where there is an
exchange of shares
10
<PAGE>
within ninety days after the shares are purchased. The Exchange Privilege is
only available in states where an exchange may legally be made.
If DWR or another Selected Broker-Dealer is the current broker-dealer of
record and its account numbers are part of the account information, shareholders
may initiate an exchange of shares of the Fund for shares of any of the Dean
Witter Funds (for which the Exchange Privilege is available) pursuant to this
Exchange Privilege by contacting their account executive (no Exchange Privilege
Authorization Form is required). Other shareholders (and those shareholders who
are clients of DWR or another Broker-Dealer but who wish to make exchanges
directly by writing or telephoning the Transfer Agent) must complete and forward
to the Transfer Agent an Exchange Privilege Authorization Form, copies of which
may be obtained from the Transfer Agent, to initiate an exchange. If the
Authorization Form is used, exchanges may be made by contacting the Transfer
Agent at (800) 526-3143 (toll-free).
The Fund will employ reasonable procedures to confirm that exchange
instructions communicated over the telephone are genuine. Such procedures
include requiring various forms of personal identification such as name, mailing
address,social security or other tax identification number and DWR or other
Selected Broker-Dealer account number (if any). Telephone instructions will also
be recorded. If such procedures are not employed, the Fund may be liable for any
losses due to unauthorized or fraudulent instructions.
Telephone exchange instructions will be accepted if received by the Transfer
Agent between 9:00 a.m. and 4:00 p.m. New York time, on any day the New York
Stock Exchange is open. Any shareholder wishing to make an exchange who has
previously filed an Exchange Privilege Authorization Form and who is unable to
reach the Fund by telephone should contact his or her account executive, if
appropriate, or make a written exchange request. Shareholders are advised that
during periods of drastic economic or market changes, it is possible that the
telephone exchange procedures may be difficult to implement, although this has
not been the case with the Dean Witter Funds in the past.
For further information concerning the Exchange Privilege, shareholders
should contact their DWR or other Selected Broker-Dealer account executive or
the Transfer Agent.
REDEMPTIONS AND REPURCHASES
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
REDEMPTION. Shares of the Fund can be redeemed for cash at any time at the net
asset value per share next determined; however, such redemption proceeds may be
reduced by the amount of any applicable contingent deferred sales charges (see
below). If shares are held in a Shareholder Investment Account without a share
certificate, a written request for redemption to the Fund's Transfer Agent at
P.O. Box 983, Jersey City, NJ 07303 is required. If certificates are held by the
shareholder, the shares may be redeemed by surrendering the certificates with a
written request for redemption, along with any additional information required
by the Transfer Agent.
CONTINGENT DEFERRED SALES CHARGE. Shares of the Fund which are held for six
years or more after purchase (calculated from the last day of the month in which
the shares were purchased) will not be subject to any charge upon redemption.
Shares redeemed sooner than six years after purchase may, however, be subject to
a charge upon redemption. This charge is called a "contingent deferred sales
charge" ("CDSC"), which will be a percentage of the dollar amount of shares
redeemed and will be assessed on an amount equal to the lesser of the current
market value or the cost of the shares being redeemed. The size of this
percentage will depend upon how long the shares have been held, as set forth in
the table below:
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
CONTINGENT DEFERRED
YEAR SINCE SALES CHARGE
PURCHASE AS A PERCENTAGE OF
PAYMENT MADE 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>
A CDSC will not be imposed on: (i) any amount which represents an increase
in value of shares purchased within the six years preceding the redemption; (ii)
the current net asset value of shares purchased more than six years prior to the
redemption; and (iii) the current net asset value of shares purchased through
reinvestment of dividends or distributions and/or shares acquired in exchange
for shares of Dean Witter Funds sold with a front-end sales charge or of other
Dean Witter Funds acquired in exchange for such shares. Moreover, in determining
whether a CDSC is applicable it will be assumed that amounts described in (i),
(ii), and (iii) above (in that order) are redeemed first. In addition, no CDSC
will be imposed on redemptions of shares which were purchased by the employee
benefit plans established by DWR and SPS Transaction Services, Inc. (an
affiliate of DWR) for their employees as qualified under Section 401(k) of the
Internal Revenue Code.
11
<PAGE>
In addition, the CDSC, if otherwise applicable, will be waived in the case
of (i) redemptions of shares held at the time a shareholder dies or becomes
disabled, only if the shares are (a) registered either in the name of an
individual shareholder (not a trust), or in the names of such shareholder and
his or her spouse as joint tenants with right of survivorship, or (b) held in a
qualified corporate or self-employed retirement plan, Individual Retirement
Account or Custodial Account under Section 403(b)(7) of the Internal Revenue
Code, provided in either case that the redemption is requested within one year
of the death or initial determination of disability, and (ii) redemptions in
connection with the following retirement plan distributions: (a) lump-sum or
other distributions from a qualified corporate or self-employed retirement plan
following retirement (or in the case of a "key employee" of a "top heavy" plan,
following attainment of age 59 1/2); (b) distributions from an Individual
Retirement Account or Custodial Account under Section 403(b)(7) of the Internal
Revenue Code following attainment of age 59 1/2; and (c) a tax-free return of an
excess contribution to an IRA. For the purpose of determining disability, the
Distributor utilizes the definition of disability contained in Section 72(m)(7)
of the Internal Revenue Code, which relates to the inability to engage in
gainful employment. All waivers will be granted only following receipt by the
Distributor of confirmation of the investor's entitlement.
REPURCHASE. DWR and other Selected Broker-Dealers are authorized to repurchase
shares represented by a stock certificate which is delivered to any of their
offices. Shares held in a shareholder's account without a stock certificate may
also be repurchased by DWR and other Selected Broker-Dealers upon the telephonic
or telegraphic request of the shareholder. The repurchase price is the net asset
value next determined (see "Purchase of Fund Shares") after such repurchase
order is received by DWR or other Selected Broker-Dealer, reduced by any
applicable CDSC.
The CDSC, if any, will be the only fee imposed by any of the Fund, the
Distributor, or DWR or other Selected Broker-Dealer. The offer by the
Distributor and other Selected Broker-Dealers to repurchase shares may be
suspended without notice by the Distributor at any time. In that event,
shareholders may redeem their shares through the Fund's Transfer Agent as set
forth above under "Redemption".
PAYMENT FOR SHARES REDEEMED OR REPURCHASED. Payment for shares presented for
repurchase or redemption will be made by check within seven days after receipt
by the Transfer Agent of the certificate and/or written request in good order.
Such payment may be postponed or the right of redemption suspended under unusual
circumstances; E.G., when normal trading is not taking place on the New York
Stock Exchange. If the shares to be redeemed have recently been purchased by
check, payment of the redemption proceeds may be delayed for the minimum time
needed to verify that the check used for investment has been honored (not more
than fifteen days from the time of receipt of the check by the Transfer Agent).
Shareholders maintaining margin accounts with DWR or another Selected
Broker-Dealer are referred to their account executive regarding restrictions on
redemption of shares of the Fund pledged in the margin account.
REINSTATEMENT PRIVILEGE. A shareholder who has had his or her shares redeemed
or repurchased and has not previously exercised this reinstatement privilege
may, within 30 days after the date of the redemption or repurchase, reinstate
any portion or all of the proceeds of such redemption or repurchase in shares of
the Fund at the net asset value next determined after a reinstatement request,
together with the proceeds, is received by the Transfer Agent and receive a pro
rata credit for any CDSC paid in connection with such redemption or repurchase.
INVOLUNTARY REDEMPTION. The Fund reserves the right to redeem, upon 60 days
notice and at net asset value, the shares of any shareholder (other than shares
held in an Individual Retirement Account or custodial account under Section
403(b)(7) of the Internal Revenue Code) whose shares have a value of less than
$100, or such lesser amount as may be fixed by the Fund's Board of Directors.
However, before the Fund redeems such shares and sends the proceeds to the
shareholder, it will notify the shareholder that the value of the shares is less
than $100 and allow the shareholder to make an additional investment in an
amount which will increase the value of the account to $100 or more before the
redemption is processed. No CDSC will be imposed on any involuntary redemption.
DIVIDENDS, DISTRIBUTIONS AND TAXES
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
DIVIDENDS AND DISTRIBUTIONS. The Fund intends to pay quarterly dividends and to
distribute substantially all of the Fund's net investment income and net
short-term capital gains, if there are any, at least once each year. The Fund
may, however, determine either to distribute or to retain all or part of any net
long-term capital gains for reinvestment.
All dividends and any capital gains distributions will be paid in additional
Fund shares and will be automatically credited to the shareholder's account
without issuance of a stock certificate unless the shareholder requests in
writing that all dividends be paid in cash. (See "Shareholder
Services--Automatic Investment of Dividends and Distributions".)
TAXES. Because the Fund intends to distribute all of its net investment income
and net short-term capital gains to shareholders and remain qualified as a
regulated
invest-
12
<PAGE>
ment company under Subchapter M of the Internal Revenue Code, it is not expected
that the Fund will be required to pay any federal income tax on such income and
capital gains. Shareholders will normally have to pay Federal income taxes, and
any state income taxes, on the dividends and distributions they receive from the
Fund. Such dividends and distributions, to the extent that they are derived from
net investment income or net short-term capital gains, are taxable to the
shareholder as ordinary dividend income regardless of whether the shareholder
receives such payments in additional shares or in cash. Any dividends declared
in the last quarter of any calendar year which are paid in the following
calendar year prior to February 1 will be deemed received by the shareholder in
the prior year. Dividend distributions will be eligible for the Federal
dividends received deduction available to the Fund's corporate shareholders only
to the extent the aggregate dividends received by the Fund would be eligible for
the deduction if the Fund were the shareholder claiming the dividends received
deduction. In this regard, a 46-day holding period generally must be met.
Distributions of net long-term capital gains, if any, are taxable to
shareholders as long-term capital gains regardless of how long a shareholder has
held the Fund's shares and regardless of whether the distribution is received in
additional shares or in cash. Capital gains distributions are not eligible for
the dividends received deduction.
After the end of the year, shareholders will be sent full information on
their dividends and capital gains distributions for tax purposes, including
information as to the portion taxable as ordinary income, the portion taxable as
capital gains, and the amount of dividends eligible for the Federal dividends
received deduction available to corporations. To avoid being subject to a 31%
Federal backup withholding tax on taxable dividends, capital gains distributions
and the proceeds of redemptions and repurchases, shareholders' taxpayer
identification numbers must be furnished and certified as to their accuracy.
Shareholders should consult their tax advisers as to the applicability of
the foregoing to their current situation.
PERFORMANCE INFORMATION
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
From time to time the Fund may quote its "total return" in advertisements and
sales literature. The total return of the Fund is based on historical earnings
and is not intended to indicate future performance. The "average annual total
return" of the Fund refers to a figure reflecting the average annualized
percentage increase (or decrease) in the value of an initial investment in the
Fund of $1,000 over periods of one, five and ten years. Average annual total
return reflects all income earned by the Fund, any appreciation or depreciation
of the Fund's assets, all expenses incurred by the Fund and all sales charges
which would be incurred by redeeming shareholders, for the stated periods. It
also assumes reinvestment of all dividends and distributions paid by the Fund.
In addition to the foregoing, the Fund may advertise its total return over
different periods of time by means of aggregate, average, year-by-year or other
types of total return figures. The Fund may also advertise the growth of a
hypothetical investment of $10,000, $50,000 or $100,000 in shares of the Fund.
Such calculations may or may not reflect the deduction of the contingent
deferred sales charge which, if reflected, would reduce the performance quoted.
The Fund from time to time may also advertise its performance relative to
certain performance rankings and indexes compiled by independent organizations,
such as mutual fund performance rankings of Lipper Analytical Services, Inc.
ADDITIONAL INFORMATION
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
VOTING RIGHTS. All shares of common stock of the Fund are of $0.01 par value
and are equal as to earnings, assets and voting privileges. There are no
conversion, pre-emptive or other subscription rights. In the event of
liquidation, each share of common stock of the Fund is entitled to its portion
of all of the Fund's assets after all debts and expenses have been paid. The
shares do not have cumulative voting rights.
Under ordinary circumstances, the Fund is not required, nor does it intend,
to hold Annual Meetings of Shareholders. The Directors may call Special Meetings
of Shareholders for action by shareholder vote as may be required by the Act or
the Fund's By-Laws.
CODE OF ETHICS. Directors, officers and employees of InterCapital, Dean Witter
Services Company Inc. and the Distributor are subject to a strict Code of Ethics
adopted by those companies. The Code of Ethics is intended to ensure that the
interests of shareholders and other clients are placed ahead of any personal
interest, that no undue personal benefit is obtained from a person's employment
activities and that actual and potential conflicts of interest are avoided. To
achieve these goals and comply with regulatory requirements, the Code of Ethics
requires, among other things, that personal securities transactions by employees
of the companies be subject to an advance clearance process to monitor that no
Dean Witter Fund is engaged at the same time in a purchase or sale of the same
security. The Code of Ethics bans the purchase of securities in an initial
public offering and prohibits engaging in futures and option transactions and
profiting on short-term trading (that is, a purchase within sixty days of a sale
or a sale within sixty days of a purchase) of a security. In addition,
investment
13
<PAGE>
personnel may not purchase or sell a security for their personal account within
thirty days before or after any transaction in any Dean Witter Fund managed by
them. Any violations of the Code of Ethics are subject to sanctions, including
reprimand, demotion or suspension or termination of employment. The Code of
Ethics comports with regulatory requirements and the recommendations in the
recent report by the Investment Company Institute Advisory Group on Personal
Investing.
SHAREHOLDER INQUIRIES. All inquiries regarding the Fund should be directed to
the Fund at the telephone number or address set forth on the front cover of this
Prospectus.
14
<PAGE>
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15
<PAGE>
DEAN WITTER
DIVIDEND GROWTH SECURITIES
TWO WORLD TRADE CENTER
NEW YORK, NEW YORK 10048
BOARD OF DIRECTORS
Jack F. Bennett
Michael Bozic
Charles A. Fiumefreddo
Edwin J. Garn
John R. Haire
Dr. Manuel H. Johnson
Paul Kolton
Michael E. Nugent
Philip J. Purcell
John L. Schroeder
OFFICERS
Charles A. Fiumefreddo
Chairman and Chief Executive
Officer
Sheldon Curtis
Vice President, Secretary and
General Counsel
Paul D. Vance
Vice President
Thomas F. Caloia
Treasurer
CUSTODIAN
The Bank of New York
90 Washington Street
New York, New York 10286
TRANSFER AGENT AND
DIVIDEND DISBURSING AGENT
Dean Witter Trust Company
Harborside Financial Center
Plaza Two
Jersey City, New Jersey 07311
INDEPENDENT ACCOUNTANTS
Price Waterhouse LLP
1177 Avenue of the Americas
New York, New York 10036
INVESTMENT MANAGER
Dean Witter InterCapital Inc.
