WITTER DEAN NATURAL RESOURCE DEVELOPMENT SECURITIES INC
485BPOS, 1996-04-23
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<PAGE>
   
     AS FILED WITH THE SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION ON APRIL 23, 1996
    
 
                                                      REGISTRATION NO.:  2-70421
 
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
 
                       SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION
                             WASHINGTON, D.C. 20549
                                ----------------
 
                                   FORM N-1A
                             REGISTRATION STATEMENT
                       UNDER THE SECURITIES ACT OF 1933                      /X/
                       PRE-EFFECTIVE AMENDMENT NO. ____                      / /
   
                       POST-EFFECTIVE AMENDMENT NO. 18                       /X/
    
                                     AND/OR
              REGISTRATION STATEMENT UNDER THE INVESTMENT COMPANY
                                 ACT OF 1940                                 /X/
   
                               AMENDMENT NO. 19                              /X/
    
                              -------------------
 
                    DEAN WITTER NATURAL RESOURCE DEVELOPMENT
                                SECURITIES INC.
               (EXACT NAME OF REGISTRANT AS SPECIFIED IN CHARTER)
 
                             TWO WORLD TRADE CENTER
                            NEW YORK, NEW YORK 10048
                    (ADDRESS OF PRINCIPAL EXECUTIVE OFFICE)
 
       REGISTRANT'S TELEPHONE NUMBER, INCLUDING AREA CODE: (212) 392-1600
 
                              SHELDON CURTIS, ESQ.
                             TWO WORLD TRADE CENTER
                            NEW YORK, NEW YORK 10048
                    (NAME AND ADDRESS OF AGENT FOR SERVICE)
 
                                    COPY TO:
                            DAVID M. BUTOWSKY, ESQ.
                             GORDON ALTMAN BUTOWSKY
                             WEITZEN SHALOV & WEIN
                              114 WEST 47TH STREET
                            NEW YORK, NEW YORK 10036
                                ----------------
 
                 APPROXIMATE DATE OF PROPOSED PUBLIC OFFERING:
 AS SOON AS PRACTICABLE AFTER THIS POST-EFFECTIVE AMENDMENT BECOMES EFFECTIVE.
 
 IT IS PROPOSED THAT THIS FILING WILL BECOME EFFECTIVE (CHECK APPROPRIATE BOX)
        _X_ IMMEDIATELY UPON FILING PURSUANT TO PARAGRAPH (B)
        ___ ON (DATE) PURSUANT TO PARAGRAPH (B)
        ___ 60 DAYS AFTER FILING PURSUANT TO PARAGRAPH (A)
        ___ ON (DATE) PURSUANT TO PARAGRAPH (A) OF RULE 485.
 
   
    THE  REGISTRANT HAS REGISTERED AN INDEFINITE  NUMBER OF ITS SHARES UNDER THE
SECURITIES ACT OF  1933 PURSUANT  TO SECTION  (A) (1)  OF RULE  24F-2 UNDER  THE
INVESTMENT  COMPANY ACT OF 1940. THE REGISTRANT HAS FILED THE RULE 24F-2 NOTICE,
FOR ITS FISCAL YEAR  ENDED FEBRUARY 29, 1996,  WITH THE SECURITIES AND  EXCHANGE
COMMISSION ON MARCH 26, 1996.
    
 
           AMENDING THE PROSPECTUS AND UPDATING FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
 
            -------------------------------------------------------
            -------------------------------------------------------
<PAGE>
            DEAN WITTER NATURAL RESOURCE DEVELOPMENT SECURITIES INC.
 
                             CROSS-REFERENCE SHEET
 
                                   FORM N-1A
 
<TABLE>
<S>                                             <C>
ITEM                                                                           CAPTION
- ----------------------------------------------  ---------------------------------------------------------------------
PART A                                                                       PROSPECTUS
 1.  .........................................  Cover Page
 2.  .........................................  Prospectus Summary; Summary of Fund Expenses
 3.  .........................................  Financial Highlights; Performance Information
 4.  .........................................  Investment Objective and Policies; The Fund and its Management; Cover
                                                 Page; Investment Restrictions; Prospectus Summary
 5.  .........................................  The Fund and Its Management; Back Cover; Investment Objective and
                                                 Policies
 6.  .........................................  Dividends, Distributions and Taxes; Additional Information
 7.  .........................................  Purchase of Fund Shares; Shareholder Services; Redemptions and
                                                 Repurchases
 8.  .........................................  Redemptions and Repurchases; Shareholder Services
 9.  .........................................  Not Applicable
 
PART B                                                           STATEMENT OF ADDITIONAL INFORMATION
10.  .........................................  Cover Page
11.  .........................................  Table of Contents
12.  .........................................  The Fund and Its Management
13.  .........................................  Investment Practices and Policies; Investment Restrictions; Portfolio
                                                 Transactions and Brokerage
14.  .........................................  The Fund and Its Management; Directors and Officers
15.  .........................................  Directors and Officers
16.  .........................................  The Fund and Its Management; Custodian and Transfer Agent;
                                                 Independent Accountants
17.  .........................................  Portfolio Transactions and Brokerage
18.  .........................................  Shares of the Fund
19.  .........................................  Redemptions and Repurchases; Financial Statements; Determination of
                                                 Net Asset Value; Shareholder Services
20.  .........................................  Dividends, Distributions and Taxes
21.  .........................................  The Distributor
22.  .........................................  Performance Information
23.  .........................................  Experts
</TABLE>
 
PART C
 
    Information  required  to be  included  in Part  C  is set  forth  under the
appropriate item, so numbered, in Part C of this Registration Statement.
<PAGE>
 
   
<TABLE>
<S>                                                        <C>
              PROSPECTUS                                   TABLE OF CONTENTS
              APRIL 23, 1996                               Prospectus Summary/2
              Dean Witter Natural Resource Development     Summary of Fund Expenses/3
Securities Inc. (the "Fund") is an open-end diversified    Financial Highlights/4
management investment company whose investment objective   The Fund and its Management/4
is capital growth. The Fund invests primarily in common    Investment Objective and Policies/5
stock of companies in the natural resources and related    Risk Considerations and Investment Practices/6
areas, including companies engaged in the exploration for  Investment Restrictions/10
and development, production and distribution of natural    Purchase of Fund Shares/10
resources or in the development of energy-efficient        Shareholder Services/13
technologies or other natural resource related supplies    Redemptions and Repurchases/15
or products. (See "Investment Objective and Policies.")    Dividends, Distributions and Taxes/17
               Shares of the Fund are continuously         Performance Information/18
offered at net asset value. However, redemptions and/or    Additional Information/19
repurchases are subject in most circumstances to a         SHARES OF THE FUND ARE NOT DEPOSITS OR OBLIGATIONS OF, OR
contingent deferred sales charge, scaled down from 5% to   GUARANTEED OR ENDORSED BY, ANY BANK, AND THE SHARES ARE
1% of the amount redeemed, if made within six years of     NOT FEDERALLY INSURED BY THE FEDERAL DEPOSIT INSURANCE
purchase, which charge will be paid to the Fund's          CORPORATION, THE FEDERAL RESERVE BOARD, OR ANY OTHER
Distributor, Dean Witter Distributors Inc. (See            AGENCY.
"Redemptions and Repurchases--Contingent Deferred Sales    THESE SECURITIES HAVE NOT BEEN APPROVED OR DISAPPROVED BY
Charge.") In addition, the Fund pays the Distributor a     THE SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION OR ANY STATE
distribution fee pursuant to a Plan of Distribution at     SECURITIES COMMISSION NOR HAS THE SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE
the annual rate of 1% of the lesser of the (i) average     COMMISSION OR ANY STATE SECURITIES COMMISSION PASSED UPON
daily aggregate net sales since inception of the Plan of   THE ACCURACY OR ADEQUACY OF THIS PROSPECTUS. ANY
Distribution or (ii) average daily net assets of the Fund  REPRESENTATION TO THE CONTRARY IS A CRIMINAL OFFENSE.
attributable to shares issued since the inception of the   Dean Witter
Plan of Distribution. (See "Purchase of Fund Shares--Plan  Natural Resource Development
of Distribution.")                                         Securities Inc.
               This Prospectus sets forth concisely the    Two World Trade Center
information you should know before investing in the Fund.  New York, New York 10048
It should be read and retained for future reference.       (212) 392-2550 or
Additional information about the Fund is contained in the  (800) 869-NEWS (toll-free)
Statement of Additional Information, dated April 23,
1996, which has been filed with the Securities and
Exchange Commission, and which is available at no charge
upon request of the Fund at the address or telephone
numbers listed on this page. The Statement of Additional
Information is incorporated herein by reference.
    DEAN WITTER DISTRIBUTORS INC.
    DISTRIBUTOR
</TABLE>
    
<PAGE>
 
   
<TABLE>
<S>                  <C>
PROSPECTUS SUMMARY
The                  The Fund, a Maryland corporation, is an open-end diversified management
Fund                 investment company investing primarily in common stock of companies in the
                     natural resources and related areas.
Shares Offered       Common Stock with $0.01 par value (see page 19).
Offering             At net asset value. (see page 10). Shares redeemed within six years of purchase
Price                are subject to a contingent deferred sales charge under most circumstances (see
                     page 16).
Minimum Purchase     Minimum initial investment $1,000; ($100 if the account is opened through
                     EasyInvest -SM-); minimum subsequent investment $100 (see page 10).
Investment           The investment objective of the Fund is capital growth.
Objective
Investment           Dean Witter InterCapital Inc. ("InterCapital"), the Investment Manager of the
Manager              Fund, and its wholly-owned subsidiary, Dean Witter Services Company Inc., serve
                     in various investment management, advisory, management and administrative
                     capacities to ninety-six investment companies and other portfolios with assets
                     of approximately $82.5 billion at February 29, 1996 (see page 4).
Management           The Investment Manager receives a monthly fee at an annual rate of 0.625 of 1%
Fee                  of daily net assets up to $250 million and 0.50 of 1% of daily net assets over
                     $250 million.
Dividends and        Dividends  from net investment income dividends paid annually; capital gains, if
Capital Gains        any, distributed annually or  retained for reinvestment  by the Fund.  Dividends
Distributions        and capital gains distributions automatically reinvested in additional shares at
                     net asset value unless the shareholder elects to receive cash (see page 17).
Distributor          Dean Witter Distributors Inc. (the "Distributor"). The Distributor receives from
                     the Fund a distribution fee accrued daily and payable monthly at the rate of
                     1.0% per annum of the lesser of (a) the Fund's average daily aggregate net sales
                     or (b) the Fund's average daily net assets. This fee compensates the Distributor
                     for the services provided in distributing shares of the Fund and for its sales
                     related expenses (see pages 11 and 15). The Distributor also receives the
                     proceeds of any contingent deferred sales charges.
Redemption --        Shares are redeemable by the shareholder at net asset value. An account may be
Contingent Deferred  involuntarily redeemed if the total value of the account is less than $100, or,
Sales Charge         if the account was opened through EasyInvest -SM-, if after twelve months the
                     shareholder has invested less than $1,000 in the account. Although no commission
                     or sales charge is imposed upon the purchase of shares, a contingent deferred
                     sales charge (scaled down from 5% to 1%) is imposed on any 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 15).
Retirement           You 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
                     13).
Risks                The net asset value of the Fund's shares will fluctuate with changes in market
                     value of portfolio securities. Emphasis on natural resources may result in
                     exposure of some companies to foreign political and currency risks and
                     substantial price fluctuations (see page 6). 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 pages
                     5 through 9). The Fund may also invest in futures and options which may be
                     considered speculative in nature and may involve greater risks than those
                     customarily assumed by other investment companies which do not invest in such
                     instruments (see pages 7 through 8). In addition, the investor is directed to
                     the discussions of foreign securities on page 6.
       THE ABOVE IS QUALIFIED IN ITS ENTIRETY BY THE DETAILED INFORMATION APPEARING ELSEWHERE
                  IN THE PROSPECTUS AND IN THE STATEMENT OF ADDITIONAL INFORMATION.
</TABLE>
    
 
                                       2
<PAGE>
SUMMARY OF FUND EXPENSES
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
 
   
    The  following table illustrates all expenses and fees that a shareholder of
the Fund will incur. The  expenses and fees set forth  in the table are for  the
fiscal year ended February 29, 1996, except as otherwise noted.
    
 
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
SHAREHOLDER TRANSACTION EXPENSES
<S>                                   <C>                                   <C>                <C>
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%
 A contingent deferred sales charge is imposed at the following declining rates:
</TABLE>
 
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
YEAR SINCE PURCHASE                                                                 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>
 
<TABLE>
<S>                                  <C>                                  <C>                <C>
Redemption Fees............................................................................       None
Exchange Fees..............................................................................       None
</TABLE>
 
   
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
ANNUAL FUND OPERATING EXPENSES (AS A PERCENTAGE OF AVERAGE NET ASSETS)
<S>                                                                                        <C>
Management Fees..........................................................................       0.63%
12b-1 Fees*..............................................................................       0.97%
Other Expenses...........................................................................       0.30%
Total Fund Operating Expenses............................................................       1.90%
<FN>
- ---------------
*     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").
</TABLE>
    
 
   
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
EXAMPLE                                                                 1 YEAR   3 YEARS  5 YEARS  10 YEARS
- ----------------------------------------------------------------------  -------  -------  -------  --------
<S>                                                                     <C>      <C>      <C>      <C>
You would pay the following expenses on a $1,000 investment, assuming
 (1) 5% annual return and (2) redemption at the end of each time
 period...............................................................    $ 69     $ 90     $123     $222
You would pay the following expenses on the same investment, assuming
 no redemption........................................................    $ 19     $ 60     $103     $222
</TABLE>
    
 
    THE ABOVE  EXAMPLE SHOULD  NOT BE  CONSIDERED A  REPRESENTATION OF  PAST  OR
FUTURE  EXPENSES OR PERFORMANCE. ACTUAL  EXPENSES OF THE FUND  MAY BE GREATER OR
LESS THAN THOSE SHOWN.
 
    The purpose of  this table is  to assist the  investor in understanding  the
various  costs and expenses that  an investor in the  Fund will bear directly or
indirectly. For a  more complete description  of these costs  and expenses,  see
"The  Fund  and its  Management," "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
charges permitted by the NASD.
 
                                       3
<PAGE>
FINANCIAL HIGHLIGHTS
 
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
 
   
    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, notes  thereto, and  the unqualified  report of
independent accountants  which  are contained  in  the Statement  of  Additional
Information.  Further information about the performance of the Fund is contained
in the  Fund's Annual  Report to  Shareholders, which  may be  obtained  without
charge upon request to the Fund.
    
 
   
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                                               FOR THE YEAR ENDED FEBRUARY 28
                  ----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
                   1996*    1995     1994     1993     1992*    1991     1990     1989     1988*    1987
                  -------  -------  -------  -------  -------  -------  -------  -------  -------  -------
<S>               <C>      <C>      <C>      <C>      <C>      <C>      <C>      <C>      <C>      <C>
PER SHARE OPERATING
 PERFORMANCE:
  Net asset
   value,
   beginning of
   period........  $10.77   $11.82   $11.36   $10.20   $11.03   $11.33   $ 9.93   $ 9.46   $ 9.10   $ 7.43
                  -------  -------  -------  -------  -------  -------  -------  -------  -------  -------
  Net investment
   income........    0.06     0.09     0.09     0.16     0.20     0.25     0.30     0.23     0.20     0.14
  Net realized
   and unrealized
   gain (loss)...    2.53    (0.24)    1.25     1.18    (0.44)    0.02     1.80     0.72     0.44     1.75
                  -------  -------  -------  -------  -------  -------  -------  -------  -------  -------
  Total from
   investment
   operations....    2.59    (0.15)    1.34     1.34    (0.24)    0.27     2.10     0.95     0.64     1.89
                  -------  -------  -------  -------  -------  -------  -------  -------  -------  -------
  Less dividends
   and
   distributions
   from:
    Net
     investment
     income......   (0.04)   (0.12)   (0.09)   (0.18)   (0.20)   (0.28)   (0.32)   (0.21)   (0.28)   (0.22)
    Net realized
     gain........   (0.62)   (0.78)   (0.79)      --    (0.39)   (0.29)   (0.38)   (0.27)      --       --
                  -------  -------  -------  -------  -------  -------  -------  -------  -------  -------
  Total dividends
   and
 distributions...   (0.66)   (0.90)   (0.88)   (0.18)   (0.59)   (0.57)   (0.70)   (0.48)   (0.28)   (0.22)
                  -------  -------  -------  -------  -------  -------  -------  -------  -------  -------
  Net asset
   value,
   end of
   period........  $12.70   $10.77   $11.82   $11.36   $10.20   $11.03   $11.33   $ 9.93   $ 9.46   $ 9.10
                  -------  -------  -------  -------  -------  -------  -------  -------  -------  -------
                  -------  -------  -------  -------  -------  -------  -------  -------  -------  -------
TOTAL INVESTMENT
 RETURN+.........  24.32%  (1.26)%   12.16%   13.31%  (1.91)%    2.87%   21.11%   10.29%    7.32%   26.21%
RATIOS TO AVERAGE
 NET ASSETS:
  Expenses.......   1.90%    1.90%    1.91%    1.96%    1.93%    1.80%    1.81%    1.92%    1.81%    1.74%
  Net investment
   income........   0.52%    0.77%    0.73%    1.46%    1.67%    2.28%    2.57%    2.09%    2.14%    2.61%
SUPPLEMENTAL
 DATA:
  Net assets, end
   of period, in
   thousands..... $152,661 $132,812 $139,459 $118,496 $113,145 $150,636 $154,741 $136,911 $171,725 $82,985
  Portfolio
   turnover
   rate..........     49%      59%      69%      52%      31%      29%      22%       7%      26%      14%
</TABLE>
    
 
- ---------------
 
* YEAR ENDED FEBRUARY 29.
+ DOES NOT REFLECT THE DEDUCTION OF SALES CHARGE.
 
THE FUND AND ITS MANAGEMENT
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
 
    Dean  Witter Natural Resource Development 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-six investment companies,  thirty of which
are listed on
    
 
                                       4
<PAGE>
   
the New York Stock Exchange, with  combined total assets of approximately  $79.9
billion as of February 29, 1996. The Investment Manager also manages and advises
portfolios of pension plans, other institutions and individuals which aggregated
approximately $2.6 billion at such date.
    
 
    The  Fund  has retained  the  Investment Manager  to  provide administrative
services, manage its business  affairs and manage the  investment of the  Fund's
assets,  including the placing of orders for  the purchase and sale of portfolio
securities. InterCapital  has  retained Dean  Witter  Services Company  Inc.  to
perform the aforementioned administrative services to 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  by applying  the
following  annual rates to the net assets of the Fund determined as of the close
of each  business  day: 0.625%  of  the portion  of  the daily  net  assets  not
exceeding  $250  million  and 0.50%  of  the  portion of  the  daily  net assets
exceeding $250 million. For  the fiscal year ended  February 29, 1996, the  Fund
accrued  total compensation to the Investment  Manager amounting to 0.63% of the
Fund's average daily net assets and the Fund's total expenses amounted to  1.90%
of the Fund's average daily net assets.
    
 
INVESTMENT OBJECTIVE AND POLICIES
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
 
    The  investment  objective  of  the  Fund is  capital  growth.  There  is no
assurance that the objective will be achieved. This objective is fundamental and
may not be changed  without the approval  of the stockholders  of the Fund.  The
Fund will invest primarily in common stock of companies in the natural resources
and  related areas, and will invest at least 65% of its net assets at all times,
except for  temporary and  defensive purposes,  in the  securities of  companies
engaged  in these areas. A portfolio company is considered to be so engaged when
at least 50% of its assets and/or revenues are currently the result of ownership
or development of assets in such areas. Such companies include those engaged  in
the  exploration  for and  development, production  and distribution  of natural
resources, in  the  development of  energy-efficient  technologies or  in  other
natural resource related supplies or services.
 
    The  Fund will  seek capital  growth by  investing in  securities of issuers
believed to be responsive to domestic and world demand for natural resources. As
a result  of  the challenges  presented  by  natural resource  needs,  the  Fund
believes  that opportunities  for growth can  be found in  securities of issuers
which: (1) own  or process  natural resources,  such as  precious metals,  other
minerals,  water, timberland and forest products;  (2) own or produce sources of
energy such  as oil,  natural  gas, coal,  uranium,  geothermal, oil  shale  and
biomass;  (3)  participate in  the exploration  for  and development  of natural
resources supplies from new  and conventional sources; (4)  own or control  oil,
gas,  or  other mineral  leases  (which may  not  produce recoverable  energy or
resources),  rights  or  royalty   interests;  (5)  provide  natural   resources
transportation,  distribution  or  processing  services,  such  as  refining and
pipeline services; (6) provide related  services or supplies, such as  drilling,
well  servicing,  chemicals, parts  and  equipment; and  (7)  contribute energy-
efficient technologies, such as systems for energy conversion, conservation  and
pollution  control. Emphasis on natural resources may result in exposure of some
portfolio companies  to foreign  political and  currency risks  and  substantial
price fluctuations.
 
                                       5
<PAGE>
    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,  may enter  into  repurchase
agreements  and may invest in options  and futures transactions all as described
below.
 
RISK CONSIDERATIONS AND INVESTMENT PRACTICES
 
    FOREIGN SECURITIES.    Foreign securities  investments  may be  affected  by
changes   in  currency  rates  or   exchange  control  regulations,  changes  in
governmental administration or economic or monetary policy (in the United States
and abroad) or changed circumstances  in dealings between nations.  Fluctuations
in  the relative rates  of exchange between the  currencies of different nations
will affect the value of the Fund's investments denominated in foreign currency.
Changes in foreign  currency exchange  rates relative  to the  U.S. dollar  will
affect  the U.S. dollar value of the  Fund's assets denominated in that currency
and thereby impact upon the Fund's total return on such assets.
 
    Foreign currency  exchange rates  are  determined by  forces of  supply  and
demand  on the foreign exchange markets. These forces are themselves affected by
the  international  balance  of  payments  and  other  economic  and   financial
conditions,  government intervention,  speculation and  other factors. Moreover,
foreign currency exchange rates may be affected by the regulatory control of the
exchanges on which the currencies trade.
 
    Investments in  foreign  securities will  also  occasion risks  relating  to
political  and  economic  developments  abroad,  including  the  possibility  of
expropriations or confiscatory taxation, limitations  on the use or transfer  of
Fund   assets  and  any  effects  of   foreign  social,  economic  or  political
instability. Foreign companies are not subject to the regulatory requirements of
U.S. companies and, as  such, there may be  less publicly available  information
about  such companies.  Moreover, foreign companies  are not  subject to uniform
accounting,  auditing  and  financial   reporting  standards  and   requirements
comparable to those applicable to U.S. companies.
 
    Securities  of foreign issuers may be less liquid than comparable securities
of U.S.  issuers  and,  as such,  their  price  changes may  be  more  volatile.
Furthermore,  foreign exchanges and broker-dealers are generally subject to less
government  and   exchange  scrutiny   and   regulation  than   their   American
counterparts.  Brokerage commissions,  dealer concessions  and other transaction
costs may be higher on foreign markets than in the U.S. In addition, differences
in clearance and settlement procedures on foreign markets may occasion delays in
settlements of  the  Fund's  trades  effected in  such  markets.  As  such,  the
inability  to dispose  of portfolio  securities due  to settlement  delays could
result in  losses to  the  Fund due  to subsequent  declines  in value  of  such
securities and the inability of the Fund to make intended security purchases due
to settlement problems could result in a failure of the Fund to make potentially
advantageous   investments.  To   the  extent  the   Fund  purchases  Eurodollar
certificates of deposit  issued by  foreign branches of  domestic Unites  States
banks,  consideration will be  given to their  domestic marketability, the lower
reserve requirements  normally mandated  for  overseas banking  operations,  the
possible   impact  of  interruptions  in  the  flow  of  international  currency
transactions and future international political and economic developments  which
might adversely affect the payment of principal or interest.
 
    PRIVATE  PLACEMENTS.  The  Fund may invest up  to 5% of  its total assets in
securities which are  subject to restrictions  on resale because  they have  not
been  registered under the  Securities Act of 1933,  as amended (the "Securities
Act"), or which are otherwise  not readily marketable. (Securities eligible  for
resale  pursuant to  Rule 144A  under the Securities  Act, and  determined to be
liquid pursuant to the procedures discussed in the following paragraph, are  not
subject  to the foregoing restriction).  These securities are generally referred
to as private placements or restricted securities. Limitations on the resale  of
such  securities  may have  an adverse  effect on  their marketability,  and may
prevent the Fund from disposing of them promptly at reasonable prices. The  Fund
may have to bear the expense of
 
                                       6
<PAGE>
registering  such securities  for resale and  the risk of  substantial delays in
effecting such registration.
 
    The Securities  and Exchange  Commission  has adopted  Rule 144A  under  the
Securities  Act,  which  permits  the  Fund  to  sell  restricted  securities to
qualified institutional  buyers  without  limitation.  The  Investment  Manager,
pursuant  to  procedures adopted  by  the Directors  of  the Fund,  will  make a
determination as to the liquidity of  each restricted security purchased by  the
Fund.  If a restricted security is determined to be "liquid," such security will
not be included within the  category "illiquid securities," which under  current
policy may not exceed 15% of the Fund's total assets.
 
    REPURCHASE AGREEMENTS.  The Fund may enter into repurchase agreements, which
may  be viewed  as a type  of secured lending  by the Fund,  and which typically
involve the acquisition by the Fund of debt securities from a selling  financial
institution  such as a bank, savings  and loan association or broker-dealer. The
agreement provides that the Fund will sell back to the institution, and that the
institution will repurchase, the underlying security at a specified price and at
a fixed time in the  future, usually not more than  seven days from the date  of
purchase.  While repurchase agreements involve certain risks not associated with
direct investments in debt securities,  the Fund follows procedures designed  to
minimize  those risks. See the Statement of Additional Information for a further
discussion of such investments.
 
   
    ZERO COUPON SECURITIES.  A portion of the fixed-income securities  purchased
by  the Fund may be  zero coupon securities. Such  securities are purchased at a
discount from their face amount, giving the purchaser the right to receive their
full value at maturity. The interest  earned on such securities is,  implicitly,
automatically  compounded and paid out at  maturity. While such compounding at a
constant rate eliminates the risk of receiving lower yields upon reinvestment of
interest if  prevailing interest  rates  decline, the  owner  of a  zero  coupon
security  will be  unable to participate  in higher yields  upon reinvestment of
interest received  on interest-paying  securities if  prevailing interest  rates
rise.
    
 
   
    A  zero coupon  security pays  no interest  to its  holder during  its life.
Therefore, to the extent the Fund invests in zero coupon securities, it will not
receive current cash  available for distribution  to shareholders. In  addition,
zero  coupon securities are subject  to substantially greater price fluctuations
during periods  of  changing  prevailing  interest  rates  than  are  comparable
securities  which  pay interest  on  a current  basis.  Current federal  tax law
requires that a holder  (such as the  Fund) of a zero  coupon security accrue  a
portion  of the discount at which the security was purchased as income each year
even though  the Fund  receives no  interest payments  in cash  on the  security
during the year.
    
 
OPTIONS AND FUTURES TRANSACTIONS
 
    The  Fund may  purchase and sell  (write) call  and put options  on debt and
equity securities which  are listed  on Exchanges  or are  written in  over-the-
counter transactions ("OTC Options"). Listed options, which are currently listed
on  several different Exchanges, are issued  by the Options Clearing Corporation
("OCC"). OTC  options  are  purchased  from or  sold  (written)  to  dealers  or
financial  institutions which have entered into direct agreements with the Fund.
The Fund  will  engage  in  OTC  option  transactions  only  with  primary  U.S.
Government  securities dealers  recognized by  the Federal  Reserve Bank  of New
York. The Fund will not write covered options on portfolio securities  exceeding
in the aggregate 25% of the value of its total assets.
 
    The Fund may invest up to 10% of its total assets in the purchase of put and
call options on securities and stock indexes, with a maximum of 5% of the Fund's
total  assets invested in stock index options. The Fund may purchase put options
on securities which it holds (or has the right to acquire) in its portfolio only
to protect itself against a decline in  the value of the security. The Fund  may
also purchase put options to close out written put positions. There are no other
limits on the Fund's ability to purchase call and put options. The Fund may also
purchase and write options on stock indexes. See
 
                                       7
<PAGE>
"Risks of Options on Indexes" in the Statement of Additional Information.
 
    The  Fund may also purchase  and sell interest rate  and stock index futures
contracts ("futures contracts") that are  traded on U.S. commodity exchanges  on
such  underlying securities  as U.S. Treasury  bonds, notes, and  bills and GNMA
Certificates ("interest rate" futures) and such indexes as the S&P 500 Index and
the New York  Stock Exchange  Composite Index  ("stock index"  futures) and  the
Moody's  Investment-Grade Corporate Bond Index  ("bond index" futures). The Fund
will purchase or  sell interest rate  futures contracts and  bond index  futures
contracts  for the purpose of hedging its fixed-income portfolio (or anticipated
portfolio) securities against  changes in  prevailing interest  rates. The  Fund
will  purchase or sell stock index futures  contracts for the purpose of hedging
its equity portfolio  (or anticipated portfolio)  securities against changes  in
their prices.
 
    The  Fund  also may  purchase  and write  call  and put  options  on futures
contracts and enter into  closing transactions with respect  to such options  to
terminate an existing position.
 
    RISKS  OF  OPTIONS AND  FUTURES  TRANSACTIONS. The  Fund  may close  out its
position as writer of an option, or as  a buyer or seller of a futures  contract
only  if a liquid  secondary market exists  for options or  futures contracts of
that series.  There  is  no assurance  that  such  a market  will  exist.  Also,
exchanges  may limit the amount by which the price of many futures contracts may
move on any day. If  the price moves equal the  daily limit on successive  days,
then  it may prove  impossible to liquidate  a futures position  until the daily
limit  moves  have  ceased.  The  extent  to  which  the  Fund  may  enter  into
transactions  involving  options and  futures contracts  may  be limited  by the
Internal Revenue Code's requirements for qualification as a regulated investment
company  and  the  Fund's  intention   to  qualify  as  such.  See   "Dividends,
Distributions and Taxes."
 
    While the futures contracts and options transactions to be engaged in by the
Fund  for  the  purpose  of  hedging the  Fund's  portfolio  securities  are not
speculative in nature, there are risks inherent in the use of such  instruments.
One  such  risk  is  that  the Investment  Manager  could  be  incorrect  in its
expectations as to  the direction or  extent of various  interest rate or  price
movements  or the time span within which  the movements take place. For example,
if the Fund sold futures contracts for the sale of securities in anticipation of
an increase in interest rates, and  then interest rates went down, causing  bond
prices  to rise, the Fund would incur a loss on the sale. Another risk which may
arise in employing futures contracts to protect against the price volatility  of
portfolio  securities is  that the prices  of securities and  indexes subject to
futures contracts  (and  thereby the  futures  contracts prices)  may  correlate
imperfectly  with  the  behavior of  the  cash  prices of  the  Fund's portfolio
securities. See the Statement of  Additional Information for further  discussion
of such risks.
 
    New  futures  contracts, options  and other  financial products  and various
combinations thereof continue to be developed.  The Fund may invest in any  such
futures,  options or products as may be developed, to the extent consistent with
its investment objective and applicable regulatory requirements.
 
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) At least 65% of the Fund's  total assets will be invested in  common
    stock  of  domestic and  foreign companies  in  the natural  resources areas
    described above. The  Fund may  also invest in  securities convertible  into
    common  stock and  may acquire warrants  and other rights  to acquire common
    stock in connection with purchases of portfolio securities.
 
        (2) The Fund may invest in securities of foreign companies. However, the
    Fund will not invest more than 10%  of its net assets in securities of  such
    issuers   (other  than  Canadian  issuers  on  which  there  is  no  limit).
    Investments in
 
                                       8
<PAGE>
    certain Canadian issuers may be  speculative due to certain political  risks
    and may be subject to substantial price fluctuations. The Fund's investments
    in  unlisted foreign securities are deemed  to be illiquid securities, which
    under the Fund's current investment policies may not in the aggregate amount
    to more than 15% of the Fund's total assets. Foreign securities  investments
    may   be  affected  by  changes  in   currency  rates  or  exchange  control
    regulations, changes in governmental administration or economic or  monetary
    policy  (in  the  United  States and  abroad)  or  changed  circumstances in
    dealings  between  nations.  Costs  may  be  incurred  in  connection   with
    conversions between various currencies held by the Fund.
 
        (3)  Up to 35% of  the value of the Fund's  total assets may be invested
    in: (a) common stock  of companies not in  the natural resources areas;  (b)
    investment  grade  corporate debt  securities 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 dividends  received); (c) U.S.  Government securities (securities
    issued or guaranteed as  to principal and interest  by the United States  or
    its  agencies and  instrumentalities); and  (d) 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.
 
        (4) Notwithstanding  any  of the  foregoing  limitations, the  Fund  may
    invest  more than  35% 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 relevant  security or other  change in the  Fund's
assets.  Any  subsequent  change  in any  applicable  percentage  resulting from
fluctuations in value  will not  require elimination  of any  security from  the
portfolio.
    
 
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 the Investment Manager,  the
views  of Trustees  of the Fund  and others regarding  economic developments and
interest rate trends; and  the Investment Manager's own  analysis of factors  it
deems  relevant.  No  particular  emphasis  will  be  given  to  investments  in
securities for the purpose of earning current income. The Fund is managed within
InterCapital's Growth Group, which manages 26 equity funds and fund  portfolios,
with  approximately  $10.1 billion  in assets  as of  February 29,  1996. Konrad
Krill, Vice President of InterCapital and a  member of the Growth Group, is  the
primary portfolio manager of the Fund. Mr. Krill has been a portfolio manager of
the  Fund since May,  1994 and has been  the sole portfolio  manager of the Fund
since April  1995. He  has been  a portfolio  manager or  investment analyst  at
InterCapital for over five years.
    
 
    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.
 
                                       9
<PAGE>
    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. The Fund will incur underwriting discount
costs  (on underwritten  securities) and  brokerage costs  commensurate with its
portfolio turnover  rate. Short  term  gains and  losses  may result  from  such
portfolio  transactions.  See "Dividends,  Distributions and  Taxes" for  a full
discussion of the tax implications of the Fund's trading policy.
 
INVESTMENT RESTRICTIONS
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
 
    The investment restrictions  listed below are  among the restrictions  which
have  been adopted  by the  Fund as  fundamental policies.  Under the Investment
Company Act of 1940,  as amended (the  "Act"), a fundamental  policy may not  be
changed  without the vote of a majority  of the outstanding voting securities of
the Fund, as defined in the Act. For purposes of the following limitations:  (i)
all  percentage  limitations  apply  immediately  after  a  purchase  or initial
investment;  and  (ii)  any  subsequent  change  in  any  applicable  percentage
resulting  from market fluctuations or other changes in total or net assets does
not require elimination of any security from the portfolio.
 
    The Fund may not:
 
        1.   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
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
 
    The  Fund offers its  shares for sale  to the public  on a continuous basis.
Pursuant  to  a  Distribution  Agreement  between  the  Fund  and  Dean   Witter
Distributors  Inc. (the "Distributor"), an  affiliate of the Investment Manager,
shares of the Fund  are distributed by  the Distributor and  offered by DWR  and
other  brokers and dealers who have entered into agreements with the Distributor
("Selected Broker-Dealers"). The principal  executive office of the  Distributor
is located at Two World Trade Center, New York, New York 10048.
 
   
    The minimum initial purchase is $1,000. Subsequent purchases of $100 or more
may  be  made  by sending  a  check,  payable to  Dean  Witter  Natural Resource
Development  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. The minimum  initial
purchase  in  the  case of  investments  through EasyInvest  -SM-,  an automatic
purchase plan (see "Shareholder Services"), is $100, provided that the  schedule
of  automatic investments will  result in investments  totalling at least $1,000
within the  first  twelve  months.  In  the  case  of  investments  pursuant  to
Systematic Payroll Deduction Plans (including
    
 
                                       10
<PAGE>
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.
Certificates  for shares  purchased will not  be issued unless  requested by the
shareholder in writing to the Transfer Agent.
 
   
    Shares of  the Fund  are sold  through  the Distributor  on a  normal  three
business day settlement basis; that is, payment is due on the third business day
(settlement  date) after the order is placed with the Distributor. Shares of the
Fund purchased through the  Distributor are entitled  to dividends beginning  on
the  next business day  following settlement date. Since  DWR and other Selected
Broker-Dealers forward investors'  funds on settlement  date, they will  benefit
from  the temporary use  of the funds  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 (see "Determination of Net Asset Value"). 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 Fund at
the  time of their sale by the  Distributor and/or Selected 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
Plan's  inception 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 Fund's average
daily net assets. This fee is treated by  the Fund as an expense in the year  it
is accrued.
 
    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 29, 1996, the Fund accrued payments under
the  Plan amounting to $1,369,150, which amount  is equal to 0.97% 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. A  portion of  the fee  payable pursuant to  the Plan,  which may  not
exceed  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
    
 
                                       11
<PAGE>
made for personal service and/or maintenance of shareholder accounts.
 
   
    At any given time, the Distributor may incur 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  "Redemption  and
Repurchases--Contingent Deferred Sales Charge"). For  example, if $1 million  in
expenses  in distributing 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  the excess
distribution expenses, including the  carrying charge described above,  totalled
$5,194,326  at February  29, 1996, which  was equal  to 3.40% of  the Fund's net
assets on such date.
    
 
    Because there  is no  requirement under  the Plan  that the  Distributor  be
reimbursed  for all 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 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 Directors  will consider at  that
time  the  manner  in which  to  treat  such expenses.  Any  cumulative expenses
incurred, but not yet recovered through distribution fees or contingent deferred
sales charges, may or may not  be recovered through future distribution fees  or
contingent deferred sales charges.
 
DETERMINATION OF NET ASSET VALUE
 
   
    The  net asset value per share of the Fund is determined 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 of the Fund is determined once daily at 4:00 p.m., New York time
(or, on days when the New York Stock Exchange closes prior to 4:00 p.m., at such
earlier time), on each  day that the  New York Stock Exchange  is open. The  net
asset  value per share will  not be determined on Good  Friday and on such other
federal and non-federal holidays as are observed by the New York Stock Exchange.
    
 
   
    In the calculation of  the Fund's net asset  value: (1) an equity  portfolio
security  listed or traded on  the New York or  American Stock Exchange or other
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 (in cases where a security is traded on more than
one exchange, the security is valued  on the exchange designated as the  primary
market  pursuant  to procedures  adopted by  the Directors),  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.
    
 
    Short-term debt securities with remaining  maturities of sixty days or  less
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  of  the Fund's  portfolio securities  may be  valued by  an outside
pricing service approved by the Fund's Trustees. The pricing service may utilize
a matrix  system incorporating  security  quality, maturity  and coupon  as  the
evaluation model parameters, and/or research evaluations by its staff, including
review  of broker-dealer market price quotations in determining what it believes
is the  fair  valuation of  the  portfolio  securities valued  by  such  pricing
service.
    
 
                                       12
<PAGE>
SHAREHOLDER SERVICES
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
 
    AUTOMATIC  INVESTMENT OF DIVIDENDS AND  DISTRIBUTIONS.  All income dividends
and capital gains distributions  are automatically paid  in full and  fractional
shares  of the  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").
 
    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").
 
   
    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 (see  "Purchase of  Fund Shares"  and "Redemptions  and Repurchases --
Involuntary Redemption").
    
 
    SYSTEMATIC WITHDRAWAL PLAN.  A  systematic withdrawal plan (the  "Withdrawal
Plan")  is available  for shareholders  who own or  purchase shares  of the Fund
having a minimum value of $10,000 based  upon the then current net asset  value.
The  Withdrawal Plan provides  for monthly or  quarterly (March, June, September
and December) checks in  any dollar 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.
 
    Shareholders should  contact  their  DWR  or  other  Selected  Broker-Dealer
account executive or the Transfer Agent for further information about any of the
above services.
 
    TAX-SHELTERED  RETIREMENT PLANS.  Retirement plans  are available for use by
corporations, the  self-employed, 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.
 
    For further information  regarding plan administration,  custodial fees  and
other  details, investors should contact their 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"),  and  for
shares  of Dean Witter Short-Term U.S.  Treasury Trust, Dean Witter Limited Term
Municipal Trust, Dean Witter Intermediate Term U.S. Treasury Trust, Dean  Witter
Short-Term  Bond Fund,  Dean Witter Balanced  Income Fund,  Dean Witter Balanced
Growth Fund  and  five Dean  Witter  Funds which  are  money market  funds  (the
foregoing eleven non-CDSC funds are hereinafter collectively referred to in this
section  as the "Exchange Funds"). Exchanges may be made after the shares of the
Fund acquired by purchase (not by  exchange or dividend reinvestment) have  been
held for thirty days. There is no waiting period for
    
 
                                       13
<PAGE>
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 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 shares of a CDSC fund (see
"Redemptions and Repurchases--Contingent  Deferred Sales  Charge"). However,  in
the  case of shares exchanged for shares  of an Exchange Fund, upon a redemption
of shares which results  in a CDSC  being imposed, a credit  (not to exceed  the
amount  of the CDSC) will be given in an amount equal to the Exchange Fund 12b-1
distribution fees incurred on or after that date which are attributable to those
shares. (Exchange Fund  12b-1 distribution fees,  if any, are  described in  the
prospectus 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.
 
    Also, the Exchange Privilege may be terminated or revised at any time by the
Fund and/or any of such  Dean Witter Funds for which  shares of the Fund 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.
 
                                       14
<PAGE>
    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 the share
certificate(s) have been  received by the  Transfer Agent and  deposited in  the
shareholder's  account.  An  exchange will  be  treated for  federal  income tax
purposes the  same  as  a repurchase  or  redemption  of shares,  on  which  the
shareholder  may realize a capital gain or  loss. However, the ability to deduct
capital losses on an  exchange may be  limited in situations  where there is  an
exchange  of  shares within  ninety  days after  the  shares are  purchased. The
Exchange Privilege is only available in states where an exchange may legally  be
made.
 
   
    If  DWR or  another other  Selected Broker-Dealer  is the  current dealer of
record and its account numbers are part of the account information, shareholders
may initiate an exchange  of shares of the  Fund for shares of  any of the  Dean
Witter  Funds (for which  the Exchange Privilege is  available) pursuant to this
Exchange Privilege  by  contacting their  DWR  or other  Selected  Broker-Dealer
account  executive (no Exchange Privilege Authorization Form is required). Other
shareholders (and those shareholders who are clients of DWR or another  Selected
Broker-Dealer  but who wish to make exchanges directly by writing or telephoning
the Transfer Agent) must complete and forward to the Transfer Agent an  Exchange
Privilege  Authorization Form, copies of which may be obtained from the Transfer
Agent, to initiate an exchange. If the Authorization Form is used, exchanges may
be made by contacting the Transfer Agent at (800) 869-NEWS (toll free).
    
 
    The  Fund  will  employ  reasonable  procedures  to  confirm  that  exchange
instructions  communicated  over  the  telephone  are  genuine.  Such procedures
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 DWR  or other  Selected
Broker-Dealer  account  executive, if  appropriate, or  make a  written exchange
request. Shareholders are  advised that  during periods of  drastic economic  or
market  changes, it  is possible that  the telephone exchange  procedures may be
difficult to implement, although this has not been the case with the Dean Witter
Funds in the past.
 
    Shareholders should  contact  their  DWR  or  other  Selected  Broker-Dealer
account  executive  or  the Transfer  Agent  for further  information  about the
Exchange Privilege.
 
REDEMPTIONS AND REPURCHASES
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
 
    REDEMPTION.  Shares of the Fund can be redeemed for cash at any time at  net
asset value per share next determined; however, such redemption proceeds will be
reduced  by the amount of any  applicable contingent deferred sales charges (see
below).  If  shares  are  held  in  a  shareholder's  account  without  a  stock
certificate, a written request for redemption to the Fund's Transfer Agent at P.
O.  Box 983, Jersey City, New Jersey 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.
 
                                       15
<PAGE>
    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. Morevoer, 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 certain  Unit
Investment  Trusts  (on  which  a  sales charge  has  been  paid)  or  which are
attributable to reinvestment of dividends or distributions from, or the proceeds
of, such Unit Investment Trusts.
 
   
    In addition, the CDSC, if otherwise  applicable, will be waived in the  case
of:
    
 
   
    (1)  redemptions of shares  held at the  time a shareholder  dies or becomes
disabled, only if  the shares  are:   (a) registered either  in the  name of  an
individual  shareholder (not a trust),  or in the names  of such shareholder and
his or her spouse as joint tenants with right of survivorship; or   (b) held  in
a  qualified corporate  or self-employed retirement  plan, Individual Retirement
Account ("IRA") or  Custodial Account  under Section 403(b)(7)  of the  Internal
Revenue  Code ("403(b)  Custodial Account"),  provided in  either case  that the
redemption is requested within one year of the death or initial determination of
disability;
    
 
   
    (2)  redemptions   in  connection   with  the   following  retirement   plan
distributions:   (a) lump-sum or other  distributions from a qualified corporate
or self-employed retirement plan following retirement (or, in the case of a "key
employee"   of   a   "top   heavy"    plan,   following   attainment   of    age
59  1/2);    distributions  from an  IRA or  403(b) Custodial  Account following
attainment of age 59 1/2; or    (C) a tax-free return of an excess  contribution
to an IRA; and
    
 
   
    (3)  all redemptions of  shares held for  the benefit of  a participant in a
corporate or self-employed retirement plan qualified under Section 401(k) of the
Internal  Revenue  Code  which  offers  investment  companies  managed  by   the
Investment  Manager or  its subsidiary,  Dean Witter  Services Company  Inc., as
self-directed investment alternatives and for  which Dean Witter Trust  Company,
an  affiliate  of  the Investment  Manager,  serves as  recordkeeper  or Trustee
("Eligible 401(k) Plan"), provided that either:  (a) the plan continues to be an
Eligible 401(k)  Plan after  the  redemption; or     (b)  the redemption  is  in
connection  with the complete termination of the plan involving the distribution
of all plan assets to participants.
    
 
   
    With reference to (1) above, for the purpose of determining disability,  the
Distributor  utilizes the definition of disability contained in Section 72(m)(7)
of the Internal Revenue Code, which relates to the
    
 
                                       16
<PAGE>
   
inability to engage in gainful employment. With reference to (2) above, the term
"distribution" does not  encompass a  direct transfer of  IRA, 403(b)  Custodial
Account  or  retirement plan  assets to  a successor  custodian or  trustee. All
waivers  will  be  granted  only   following  receipt  by  the  Distributor   of
confirmation of the shareholder's entitlement.
    
 
    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 request of the shareholder. The repurchase price is the net
asset value per  share, 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 upon repurchase by the  Fund,
the  Distributor, DWR  or other Selected  Broker-Dealers. The offers  by DWR and
other Selected  Broker-Dealers to  repurchase shares  may be  suspended  without
notice  by them at any time. In that event, shareholders may redeem their shares
through the Fund's Transfer Agent as set forth above under "Redemption."
 
    PAYMENT FOR SHARES REDEEMED  OR REPURCHASED.   Payment for shares  presented
for  repurchase or  redemption will  be made  by check  within seven  days after
receipt by the Transfer Agent of the certificate and/or written request in  good
order.  Such payment may be postponed or the right of redemption suspended under
unusual circumstances, e.g. when normal trading  is not taking place on the  New
York  Stock Exchange. If the shares to  be redeemed have recently been purchased
by check, payment of the redemption proceeds may be delayed for the minimum time
needed to verify that the check used  for investment has been honored (not  more
than  fifteen days from the time of receipt of the check by the Transfer Agent).
Shareholders  maintaining  margin   accounts  with  DWR   or  another   Selected
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  thirty  days  after  the  date  of  the  redemption  or
repurchase,  reinstate any portion or all of  the proceeds of such redemption or
repurchase in shares of the Fund at the net asset value next determined after  a
reinstatement request, together with 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 on sixty days'  notice
to  redeem at their net  asset value, the shares  of any shareholder (other than
shares held  in an  Individual  Retirement Account  or Custodial  Account  under
Section  403(b)(7) of the  Internal Revenue Code)  whose shares have  a value of
less than $100, or  such lesser amount as  may be fixed by  the Fund's Board  of
Directors  or, in  the case  of an account  opened through  EasyInvest, if after
twelve months the  shareholder has  invested less  than $1,000  in the  account.
However,  before the  Fund redeems  such shares  and sends  the proceeds  to the
shareholder, it will notify the shareholder that the value of the shares is less
than the  applicable amount  and allow  the shareholder  to make  an  additional
investment in an amount which will increase the value of the account to at least
the  applicable  amount before  the  redemption is  processed.  No CDSC  will be
imposed on any involuntary redemption.
    
 
DIVIDENDS, DISTRIBUTIONS AND TAXES
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
 
    DIVIDENDS AND  DISTRIBUTIONS.   The Fund  intends to  pay dividends  and  to
distribute  substantially  all  of  the Fund's  net  investment  income  and net
short-term capital gains, if any, at least once each
 
                                       17
<PAGE>
year. The Fund may, however, determine either to distribute or to retain all  or
part of any net long-term capital gains in any year for reinvestment.
 
    All dividends and any capital gains distributions will be paid in additional
Fund  shares (without  sales charge) 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 otherwise remain
qualified as a regulated investment company  under Subchapter M of the  Internal
Revenue  Code of 1986, it is not expected  that the Fund will be required to pay
any federal income tax  on such income and  capital gains. Shareholders who  are
required  to pay taxes on their income  will normally have to pay Federal income
taxes, and any state  income taxes and/or local  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 distributions in additional
shares or in cash.
 
    As a regulated investment company, the  Fund is subject to the  requirements
that  less than 30%  of the Fund's gross  income be derived  from gains from the
sale or other disposition  of securities held for  less than three months.  This
requirement  may  limit the  Fund's  ability to  engage  in options  and futures
transactions.
 
    After the end  of the year,  shareholders will receive  full information  on
their dividends and capital gains distributions for tax purposes. 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.
 
    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.
 
    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.  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  may  also advertise  the  growth  of
hypothetical    investments    of    $10,000,    $50,000    and    $100,000   in
 
                                       18
<PAGE>
shares of  the  Fund.  The  Fund  from time  to  time  may  also  advertise  its
performance  relative to  certain performance  rankings and  indexes compiled by
independent organizations (such  as mutual fund  performance rankings of  Lipper
Analytical Services, Inc.).
 
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 Stockholders. The Directors may call Special Meetings
of  Stockholders for action by stockholder 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 also prohibits engaging in futures and options transactions
and  profiting on short-term  trading (that is,  a purchase within  60 days of a
sale or  a sale  within 60  days  of a  purchase) of  a security.  In  addition,
investment  personnel may  not purchase  or sell  a security  for their personal
account within 30 days before or after  any transaction in any Dean Witter  Fund
managed  by them. Any violations of the Code of Ethics are subject to sanctions,
including reprimand, demotion  or suspension or  termination of employment.  The
Code  of Ethics comports with regulatory requirements and the recommendations in
the 1994 report by the Investment  Company Institute Advisory Group on  Personal
Investing.
    
 
    SHAREHOLDER  INQUIRIES.  All inquiries regarding the Fund should be directed
to the Fund at the telephone numbers or address set forth on the front cover  of
 
this Prospectus.
 
                                       19
<PAGE>
                        THE DEAN WITTER FAMILY OF FUNDS
 
   
MONEY MARKET FUNDS                       DEAN WITTER RETIREMENT SERIES
Dean Witter Liquid Asset Fund Inc.       Liquid Asset Series
Dean Witter Tax-Free Daily Income Trust  U.S. Government Money Market Series
Dean Witter New York Municipal Money     U.S. Government Securities Series
Market Trust                             Intermediate Income Securities Series
Dean Witter California Tax-Free Daily    American Value Series
Income Trust                             Capital Growth Series
Dean Witter U.S. Government Money        Dividend Growth Series
Market Trust                             Stategist Series
EQUITY FUNDS                             Utilities Series
Dean Witter American Value Fund          Value-Added Market Series
Dean Witter Natural Resource             Global Equity Series
Development Securities Inc.              ASSET ALLOCATION FUNDS
Dean Witter Dividend Growth Securities   Dean Witter Strategist Fund
Inc.                                     Dean Witter Global Asset Allocation
Dean Witter Developing Growth            Fund
Securities Trust                         ACTIVE ASSETS ACCOUNT PROGRAM
Dean Witter World Wide Investment Trust  Active Assets Money Trust
Dean Witter Value-Added Market Series    Active Assets Tax-Free Trust
Dean Witter Utilities Fund               Active Assets California Tax-Free Trust
Dean Witter Precious Metals and          Active Assets Government Securities
Minerals Trust                           Trust
Dean Witter Capital Growth Securities
Dean Witter European Growth Fund Inc.
Dean Witter Pacific Growth Fund Inc.
Dean Witter Health Sciences Trust
Dean Witter Global Dividend Growth
Securities
Dean Witter Global Utilities Fund
Dean Witter International SmallCap Fund
Dean Witter Mid-Cap Growth Fund
Dean Witter Balanced Growth Fund
Dean Witter Capital Appreciation Fund
Dean Witter Information Fund
Dean Witter Japan Fund
FIXED-INCOME FUNDS
Dean Witter High Yield Securities Inc.
Dean Witter Tax-Exempt Securities Trust
Dean Witter U.S. Government Securities
Trust
Dean Witter California Tax-Free Income
Fund
Dean Witter New York Tax-Free Income
Fund
Dean Witter Convertible Securities
Trust
Dean Witter Federal Securities Trust
Dean Witter World Wide Income Trust
Dean Witter Intermediate Income
Securities
Dean Witter Global Short-Term Income
Fund Inc.
Dean Witter Multi-State Municipal
Series Trust
Dean Witter Premier Income Trust
Dean Witter Short-Term U.S. Treasury
Trust
Dean Witter Diversified Income Trust
Dean Witter Limited Term Municipal
Trust
Dean Witter Short-Term Bond Fund
Dean Witter National Municipal Trust
Dean Witter High Income Securities
Dean Witter Balanced Income Fund
Dean Witter Hawaii Municipal Trust
Dean Witter Intermediate Term U.S.
Treasury Trust
    
<PAGE>
 
   
Dean Witter
Natural Resource Development
Securities Inc.
                                    DEAN WITTER
Two World Trade Center
New York, New York 10048
BOARD OF DIRECTORS                  NATURAL RESOURCE
Michael Bozic                       DEVELOPMENT
Charles A. Fiumefreddo              SECURITIES
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
Konrad Krill
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.
 
4/23/96                                    PROSPECTUS -- APRIL 23, 1996
 
    
<PAGE>
 
   
STATEMENT OF ADDITIONAL INFORMATION       Dean Witter
APRIL 23, 1996                            Natural Resource
                                          Development
                                          Securities
 
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
    
 
    Dean  Witter Natural Resource Development Securities Inc. (the "Fund") is an
open-end diversified management investment company whose investment objective is
capital growth. The Fund invests primarily  in common stock of companies in  the
natural  resources  and  related  areas,  including  companies  engaged  in  the
exploration  for  and  development,  production  and  distribution  of   natural
resources  or  in  the  development of  energy-efficient  technologies  or other
natural resource related  supplies or products.  (See "Investment Practices  and
Policies.")
 
   
    A  Prospectus for the  Fund dated April  23, 1996, which  provides the basic
information you  should know  before  investing in  the  Fund, may  be  obtained
without charge from the Fund at the address or telephone numbers listed below or
from  the Fund's Distributor, Dean Witter Distributors Inc., or from Dean Witter
Reynolds Inc.,  at any  of  its branch  offices.  This Statement  of  Additional
Information is not a Prospectus. It contains information in addition to and more
detailed  than  that set  forth in  the  Prospectus. It  is intended  to provide
additional information regarding the activities and operations of the Fund,  and
should be read in conjunction with the Prospectus.
    
 
   
Dean Witter
Natural Resource Development
  Securities Inc.
Two World Trade Center
New York, New York 10048
(212) 392-2550 or
    
   
(800) 869-NEWS (toll-free)
    
<PAGE>
TABLE OF CONTENTS
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
 
   
<TABLE>
<S>                                                                                           <C>
The Fund and its Management.................................................................          3
Directors and Officers......................................................................          6
Investment Practices and Policies...........................................................         11
Investment Restrictions.....................................................................         22
Portfolio Transactions and Brokerage........................................................         24
The Distributor.............................................................................         25
Shareholder Services........................................................................         29
Redemptions and Repurchases.................................................................         33
Dividends, Distributions and Taxes..........................................................         35
Performance Information.....................................................................         36
Shares of the Fund..........................................................................         37
Custodian and Transfer Agent................................................................         37
Independent Accountants.....................................................................         38
Reports to Shareholders.....................................................................         38
Legal Counsel...............................................................................         38
Experts.....................................................................................         38
Registration Statement......................................................................         38
Report of Independent Accountants...........................................................         39
Financial Statements--February 29, 1996.....................................................         40
</TABLE>
    
 
                                       2
<PAGE>
THE FUND AND ITS MANAGEMENT
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
 
THE FUND
 
    The  Fund was  incorporated in  the State of  Maryland on  December 22, 1980
under the  name InterCapital  Natural Resource  Development Securities  Inc.  On
March  16, 1983 the  Fund's shareholders approved  a change in  the Fund's name,
effective March 21, 1983, to Dean Witter Natural Resource Development Securities
Inc.
 
THE INVESTMENT MANAGER
 
    Dean Witter InterCapital Inc. (the "Investment Manager" or  "InterCapital"),
a  Delaware corporation, whose address is Two  World Trade Center, New York, New
York 10048, is  the Fund's  Investment Manager. InterCapital  is a  wholly-owned
subsidiary  of Dean Witter, Discover &  Co. ("DWDC"), a Delaware corporation. In
an internal  reorganization  which took  place  in January,  1993,  InterCapital
assumed  the  investment  advisory,  administrative  and  management  activities
previously performed by the InterCapital  Division of Dean Witter Reynolds  Inc.
("DWR"), a broker-dealer affiliate of InterCapital. (As hereinafter used in this
Statement  of Additional  Information, the terms  "InterCapital" and "Investment
Manager"  refer  to   DWR's  InterCapital   Division  prior   to  the   internal
reorganization  and  to Dean  Witter  InterCapital Inc.  thereafter.)  The daily
management of  the  Fund  and  research relating  to  the  Fund's  portfolio  is
conducted  by  or  under  the direction  of  officers  of the  Fund  and  of the
Investment Manager, subject  to review  of investments  by the  Fund's Board  of
Directors.  In  addition, Directors  of the  Fund  provide guidance  on economic
factors and interest rate trends. Information as to these Directors and Officers
is contained under the caption "Directors and Officers."
 
   
    InterCapital is also  the investment  manager or investment  adviser of  the
following investment companies: Dean Witter Liquid Asset Fund Inc., InterCapital
Income  Securities Inc., InterCapital Insured Municipal Bond Trust, InterCapital
Insured Municipal Trust,  Dean Witter  High Yield Securities  Inc., Dean  Witter
Tax-Free  Daily Income  Trust, Dean  Witter Developing  Growth Securities Trust,
Dean Witter Tax-Exempt Securities Trust, Dean Witter Dividend Growth  Securities
Inc.,  Dean Witter American Value Fund, Dean Witter U.S. Government Money Market
Trust, Dean Witter Variable Investment Series, Dean Witter World Wide Investment
Trust,  Dean  Witter  Select  Municipal  Reinvestment  Fund,  Dean  Witter  U.S.
Government  Securities Trust, Dean Witter  California Tax-Free Income Fund, Dean
Witter New York Tax-Free Income Fund, Dean Witter Convertible Securities  Trust,
Dean  Witter Federal  Securities Trust,  Dean Witter  Value-Added Market Series,
High Income  Advantage  Trust,  High  Income Advantage  Trust  II,  High  Income
Advantage  Trust III, Dean Witter Government Income Trust, Dean Witter Utilities
Fund, Dean Witter Managed  Assets Trust, Dean  Witter California Tax-Free  Daily
Income  Trust, Dean Witter Strategist Fund, Dean Witter World Wide Income Trust,
Dean Witter Intermediate Income Securities, Dean Witter New York Municipal Money
Market Trust, Dean Witter Capital Growth Securities, Dean Witter European Growth
Fund Inc., Dean Witter  Precious Metals and Minerals  Trust, Dean Witter  Global
Short-Term  Income Fund Inc., Dean Witter  Pacific Growth Fund Inc., Dean Witter
Multi-State Municipal Series Trust, Dean Witter Short-Term U.S. Treasury  Trust,
Dean  Witter  Diversified  Income  Trust,  Dean  Witter  Premier  Income  Trust,
InterCapital Quality Municipal Investment Trust, InterCapital Quality  Municipal
Income  Trust, Dean Witter Retirement Series, Dean Witter Health Sciences Trust,
InterCapital Insured  Municipal Income  Trust, InterCapital  California  Insured
Municipal  Income  Trust, Dean  Witter Global  Dividend Growth  Securities, Dean
Witter  Limited  Term  Municipal  Trust,  Dean  Witter  Short-Term  Bond   Fund,
InterCapital  Quality  Municipal  Securities,  InterCapital  California  Quality
Municipal  Securities,  InterCapital  New  York  Quality  Municipal  Securities,
InterCapital  Insured  Municipal  Securities,  InterCapital  Insured  California
Municipal Securities, Dean  Witter Global Utilities  Fund, Dean Witter  National
Municipal  Trust, Dean Witter High  Income Securities, Dean Witter International
SmallCap Fund, Dean Witter  Mid-Cap Growth Fund,  Dean Witter Select  Dimensions
Series,  Dean Witter Global  Asset Allocation Fund,  Dean Witter Balanced Income
Fund, Dean Witter Balanced Growth Fund, Dean Witter Hawaii Municipal Trust, Dean
Witter Capital  Appreciation Fund,  Dean Witter  Information Fund,  Dean  Witter
Intermediate  Term U.S.  Treasury Trust, Dean  Witter Japan  Fund, Active Assets
Money Trust, Active  Assets Tax-Free  Trust, Active  Assets California  Tax-Free
Trust,  Active  Assets  Government  Securities  Trust,  Municipal  Income Trust,
Municipal  Income  Trust  II,  Municipal  Income  Trust  III,  Municipal  Income
Opportunities  Trust, Municipal Income Opportunities  Trust II, Municipal Income
Opportunities Trust III, Prime Income Trust and Municipal Premium Income  Trust.
The  foregoing investment  companies, together  with the  Fund, are collectively
referred to  as  the  Dean  Witter Funds.  In  addition,  Dean  Witter  Services
    
 
                                       3
<PAGE>
   
Company  Inc.  ("DWSC"), a  wholly-owned subsidiary  of InterCapital,  serves as
manager for the following investment  companies, for which TCW Funds  Management
Inc.  is the investment adviser: TCW/DW Core Equity Trust, TCW/DW North American
Government Income Trust, TCW/DW  Latin American Growth  Fund, TCW/DW Income  and
Growth  Fund, TCW/DW Small  Cap Growth Fund, TCW/DW  Balanced Fund, TCW/DW Total
Return Trust, TCW/DW Mid-Cap Equity Trust,  TCW/DW Term Trust 2000, TCW/DW  Term
Trust  2002, TCW/DW  Term Trust 2003  and TCW/DW  Emerging Markets Opportunities
Trust (the  "TCW/DW Funds").  InterCapital  also serves  as (i)  sub-advisor  to
Templeton  Global  Opportunities  Trust, an  open-end  investment  company; (ii)
administrator of  The  Black  Rock  Strategic  Term  Trust  Inc.,  a  closed-end
investment  company; and  (iii) sub-administrator  of Mass  Mutual Participation
Investors and Templeton Global  Governments Income Trust, closed-end  investment
companies.
    
 
    The  Investment Manager also serves as an investment adviser for Dean Witter
World Wide Investment Fund,  an investment company organized  under the laws  of
Luxembourg,  shares of which are not available for purchase in the United States
or by American citizens outside the United States.
 
    Pursuant to an  Investment Management Agreement  (the "Agreement") with  the
Investment  Manager, the Fund has retained  the Investment Manager to manage the
investment of  the  Fund's assets,  including  the  placing of  orders  for  the
purchase  and sale of  portfolio securities. The  Investment Manager obtains and
evaluates such  information  and  advice relating  to  the  economy,  securities
markets,  and  specific  securities  as  it  considers  necessary  or  useful to
continuously manage  the assets  of the  Fund in  a manner  consistent with  its
investment objective and policies.
 
    Under  the  terms  of the  Agreement,  in  addition to  managing  the Fund's
investments, the Investment Manager  maintains certain of  the Fund's books  and
records  and  furnishes,  at its  own  expense, such  office  space, facilities,
equipment, clerical help, bookkeeping and 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.
 
   
    Effective December  31,  1993,  pursuant to  a  Services  Agreement  between
InterCapital  and DWSC, DWSC began to provide the administrative services to the
Fund which  were previously  performed directly  by InterCapital.  On April  17,
1995,  DWSC was  reorganized in the  State of Delaware,  necessitating the entry
into a new Services  Agreement between InterCapital and  DWSC on that date.  The
foregoing  internal reorganization did not result in any change in the nature or
scope of the administrative services  being provided to the  Fund or any of  the
fees  being paid by the Fund for  the overall services being performed under the
terms of the existing Agreement.
    
 
    Expenses not expressly assumed by the Investment Manager under the Agreement
or by  the  Distributor of  the  Fund's  shares Dean  Witter  Distributors  Inc.
("Distributors"  or the "Distributor")  (see "The Distributor")  will be paid by
the Fund.  The expenses  borne by  the Fund  include, but  are not  limited  to:
expenses  of  the  Plan  of  Distribution  pursuant  to  Rule  12b-1  (see  "The
Distributor"); charges and expenses of any registrar, custodian, stock  transfer
and  dividend  disbursing  agent; brokerage  commissions;  taxes;  engraving and
printing stock certificates; registration costs of the Fund and its shares under
federal and state securities laws; the  cost and expense of printing,  including
typesetting,   and  distributing  Prospectuses   and  Statements  of  Additional
Information of the Fund and supplements thereto to the Fund's shareholders;  all
expenses of shareholders' and Directors' meetings and of preparing, printing and
mailing  of  proxy  statements  and reports  to  shareholders;  fees  and travel
expenses of Directors 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
Directors who  are not  interested persons  of  the Fund  or of  the  Investment
Manager  (not including compensation or expenses  of attorneys who are employees
of the  Investment  Manager) and  independent  accountants; membership  dues  of
industry  associations; interest on Fund borrowings; postage; insurance premiums
on
 
                                       4
<PAGE>
property or personnel (including officers and Directors) of the Fund which inure
to its benefit;  extraordinary expenses  (including, but not  limited to,  legal
claims  and liabilities  and litigation  costs and  any indemnification relating
thereto); and all other costs of the Fund's operation.
 
   
    As full compensation for the services  and facilities furnished to the  Fund
and  expenses of the Fund  assumed by the Investment  Manager, the Fund pays the
Investment  Manager  monthly  compensation  calculated  daily  by  applying  the
following  annual rates to the net assets of the Fund determined as of the close
of each  business  day: 0.625%  of  the portion  of  the daily  net  assets  not
exceeding  $250  million  and 0.50%  of  the  portion of  the  daily  net assets
exceeding $250 million. For the fiscal  years ended February 28, 1994,  February
28, 1995 and February 29, 1996, the Fund accrued to the Investment Manager total
compensation  under  the  Agreement in  the  amounts of  $819,273,  $886,340 and
$883,804, respectively.
    
 
   
    Pursuant to the Agreement, total operating expenses of the Fund are  subject
to  applicable limitations under rules and  regulations of states where the Fund
is authorized to sell its shares. Therefore, operating expenses are  effectively
subject  to the most restrictive of such  limitations as the same may be amended
from time to time. Presently, the most restrictive limitation is as follows. If,
in any fiscal  year, the Fund's  total operating expenses,  exclusive of  taxes,
interest,  brokerage fees, distribution fees  and extraordinary expenses (to the
extent permitted by  applicable state securities  laws and regulations),  exceed
2  1/2% of  the first $30,000,000  of average daily  net assets, 2%  of the next
$70,000,000 of  average  daily  net  assets  and  1  1/2%  of  any  excess  over
$100,000,000,  the Investment Manager will reimburse  the Fund for the amount of
such excess. Such amount,  if any, will  be calculated daily  and credited on  a
monthly  basis. During  the fiscal years  ended February 28,  1994, February 28,
1995 and February 29, 1996, the  Fund's expenses did not exceed the  limitations
set forth above.
    
 
    The  Agreement  provides that  in the  absence  of willful  misfeasance, bad
faith, gross negligence or reckless disregard of its obligations thereunder, the
Investment Manager is not liable to the Fund or any of its investors for any act
or omission by the Investment Manager or for any losses sustained by the Fund or
its investors. The  Agreement in no  way restricts the  Investment Manager  from
acting as investment manager or adviser to others.
 
    The  Agreement was initially  approved by the Directors  on October 30, 1992
and by the Shareholders at  a Meeting of Shareholders  on January 12, 1993.  The
Agreement  is substantially identical to a prior investment management agreement
which was initially approved by the Board  of Directors on January 18, 1983  and
by  the shareholders on  March 16, 1983.  The Agreement took  effect on June 30,
1993 upon the spin-off by Sears, Roebuck & Co. of its remaining shares of  DWDC.
The  Agreement may be terminated  at any time, without  penalty, on thirty days'
notice by the Board of Directors of the  Fund, by the holders of a majority,  as
defined  in the Investment Company  Act of 1940, as  amended (the "Act"), of the
outstanding shares of the Fund, or by the Investment Manager. The Agreement will
automatically terminate in the event of its assignment (as defined in the Act).
 
   
    Under its terms, the Agreement had an initial term ending April 30, 1994 and
provides  that  it  will  continue  from  year  to  year  thereafter,   provided
continuance  of the Agreement is  approved at least annually  by the vote of the
holders of a majority, as defined in  the Act, of the outstanding shares of  the
Fund,  or by the Board  of Directors of the Fund;  provided that in either event
such continuance is approved annually by the vote of a majority of the Directors
of the Fund who  are not parties  to the 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. The continuation  of
the  Agreement until April 30, 1997, was  approved by the Directors of the Fund,
including a majority  of the  Independent Directors,  at their  meeting held  on
April 17, 1996.
    
 
    The Fund has acknowledged that the name "Dean Witter" is a property right of
DWR.  The Fund has agreed that the DWR or  its parent company may use or, at any
time, permit others to  use, the name  "Dean Witter." The  Fund has also  agreed
that  in the event  the Agreement is  terminated, or if  the affiliation between
InterCapital and/or DWR  and its  parent company  is terminated,  the Fund  will
eliminate  the name "Dean Witter"  from its name if  InterCapital and/or DWR its
parent company shall so request.
 
                                       5
<PAGE>
DIRECTORS AND OFFICERS
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
 
   
    The Directors and Executive Officers  of the Fund, their principal  business
occupations  during the  last five  years and  their affiliations,  if any, with
InterCapital and with the 80 Dean Witter Funds and the 12 TCW/DW Funds are shown
below.
    
 
   
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
      NAME, AGE, POSITION WITH FUND
               AND ADDRESS                                 PRINCIPAL OCCUPATIONS DURING LAST FIVE YEARS
- -----------------------------------------  -----------------------------------------------------------------------------
 
<S>                                        <C>
Michael Bozic (55)                         Chairman and Chief Executive Officer  of Levitz Furniture Corporation  (since
Director                                   November,  1995);  Director or  Trustee of  the  Dean Witter  Funds; formerly
c/o Levitz Furniture Corporation           President and Chief Executive Officer of Hills Department Stores (since  May,
6111 Broken Sound Parkway, N.W.            1991);  formerly Chairman and Chief  Executive Officer (January, 1987-August,
Boca Raton, Florida                        1990) and President and Chief Operating Officer (August, 1990-February, 1991)
                                           of the  Sears  Merchandise Group  of  Sears,  Roebuck and  Co.;  Director  of
                                           Eaglemark  Financial Services, Inc.,  the United Negro  College Fund, Weirton
                                           Steel Corporation and Domain Inc. (home decor retailer).
 
Charles A. Fiumefreddo* (62)               Chairman, Chief Executive Officer and  Director of InterCapital, Dean  Witter
Chairman, Director,                        Distributors  Inc. ("Distributors")  and DWSC;  Executive Vice  President and
President and Chief                        Director of DWR; Chairman, Trustee or Director, President and Chief Executive
Executive Officer                          Officer of  the Dean  Witter  Funds; Chairman,  Chief Executive  Officer  and
Two World Trade Center                     Trustee  of the TCW/DW Funds; formerly  Executive Vice President and Director
New York, New York                         of DWDC (until February,  1993); Chairman and Director  of Dean Witter  Trust
                                           Company  ("DWTC") (since October,  1989); Director and/or  officer of various
                                           DWDC subsidiaries.
 
Edwin J. Garn (63)                         Director or Trustee of the Dean Witter Funds; formerly United States  Senator
Director                                   (R-Utah)  (1974-1992)  and  Chairman, Senate  Banking  Committee (1980-1986);
c/o Huntsman Chemical Corporation          formerly Mayor of Salt Lake City, Utah (1971-1974); formerly Astronaut, Space
500 Huntsman Way                           Shuttle Discovery  (April  12-19,  1985); Vice  Chairman,  Huntsman  Chemical
Salt Lake City, Utah                       Corporation   (since  January,  1993);  Director   of  Franklin  Quest  (time
                                           management systems) and John  Alden Financial Corp.; member  of the board  of
                                           various civic and charitable organizations.
 
John R. Haire (71)                         Chairman  of  the  Audit  Committee  and Chairman  of  the  Committee  of the
Director                                   Independent Directors or Trustees and Director or Trustee of the Dean  Witter
Two World Trade Center                     Funds;  Trustee of the  TCW/DW Funds; formerly President,  Council for Aid to
New York, New York                         Education (1978-1989) and  formerly Chairman and  Chief Executive Officer  of
                                           Anchor Corporation, an Investment Adviser (1964-1978); Director of Washington
                                           National Corporation (insurance).
 
Dr. Manuel H. Johnson (47)                 Senior  Partner, Johnson Smick  International, Inc., a  consulting firm; Koch
Director                                   Professor of International Economics  and Director of  the Center for  Global
c/o Johnson Smick International, Inc.      Market  Studies at George Mason University;  Co-Chairman and a founder of the
1133 Connecticut Avenue, N.W.              Group of Seven Council (G7C), an international economic commission;  Director
Washington, D.C.                           or Trustee of the Dean Witter Funds; Trustee of the TCW/DW Funds; Director of
                                           NASDAQ  (since  June,  1995);  Director  of  Greenwich  Capital  Markets Inc.
                                           (broker-dealer); formerly  Vice Chairman  of the  Board of  Governors of  the
                                           Federal  Reserve  System  (1986-1990)  and Assistant  Secretary  of  the U.S.
                                           Treasury (1982-1986).
</TABLE>
    
 
                                       6
<PAGE>
 
   
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
      NAME, AGE, POSITION WITH FUND
               AND ADDRESS                                 PRINCIPAL OCCUPATIONS DURING LAST FIVE YEARS
- -----------------------------------------  -----------------------------------------------------------------------------
 
<S>                                        <C>
Paul Kolton (72)                           Director or Trustee of the Dean Witter Funds; Chairman of the Audit Committee
Director                                   and Chairman of  the Committee  of Independent  Trustees and  Trustee of  the
c/o Gordon Altman Butowsky                 TCW/DW  Funds;  formerly  Chairman  of  the  Financial  Accounting  Standards
Weitzen Shalov & Wein                      Advisory Council and  Chairman and  Chief Executive Officer  of the  American
Counsel to the Independent Directors       Stock  Exchange; Director  of UCC  Investors Holding  Inc. (Uniroyal Chemical
114 West 47th Street                       Company, Inc.); director or trustee of various not-for-profit organizations.
New York, New York
 
Michael E. Nugent (59)                     General Partner,  Triumph Capital,  L.P., a  private investment  partnership;
Director                                   Director  or Trustee of the  Dean Witter Funds; Trustee  of the TCW/DW Funds;
c/o Triumph Capital, L.P.                  formerly Vice President,  Bankers Trust  Company and  BT Capital  Corporation
237 Park Avenue                            (September, 1984-March, 1988); Director of various business organizations.
New York, New York
 
Philip J. Purcell* (52)                    Chairman  of the Board of Directors and  Chief Executive Officer of DWDC, DWR
Director                                   and  Novus  Credit  Services  Inc.;   Director  of  InterCapital,  DWSC   and
Two World Trade Center                     Distributors;  Director or Trustee of the  Dean Witter Funds; Director and/or
New York, New York                         officer of various DWDC subsidiaries.
 
John L. Schroeder (65)                     Retired; Director or Trustee of the  Dean Witter Funds; Director of  Citizens
Director                                   Utilities  Company; formerly  Executive Vice  President and  Chief Investment
c/o Gordon Altman Butowsky                 Officer of the Home Insurance  Company (since August, 1991-September,  1995);
Weitzen Shalov & Wein                      formerly Chairman and Chief Investment Officer of Axe-Houghton Management and
Counsel to the Independent Trustees        the Axe- Houghton Funds and President of USF&G Financial Services, Inc. (June
114 West 47th Street                       1990-June, 1991).
New York, New York
 
Sheldon Curtis (64)                        Senior  Vice  President, Secretary  and General  Counsel of  InterCapital and
Vice President, Secretary                  DWSC; Senior  Vice President  and Secretary  of DWTC  (since October,  1989);
and General Counsel                        Senior  Vice President, Assistant Secretary  and Assistant General Counsel of
Two World Trade Center                     Distributors; Assistant  Secretary  of  DWR; Vice  President,  Secretary  and
New York, New York                         General Counsel of the Dean Witter Funds and the TCW/DW Funds.
 
Konrad Krill (36)                          Vice  President  of  InterCapital  (since  1991);  previously  Assistant Vice
Vice President                             President and Portfolio Manager of InterCapital (May, 1986-1991).
Two World Trade Center
New York, New York
 
Thomas F. Caloia (50)                      First Vice  President  (since  May,  1991)  and  Assistant  Treasurer  (since
Treasurer                                  January,  1993) of InterCapital; First Vice President and Assistant Treasurer
Two World Trade Center                     of DWSC  and  Treasurer  of the  Dean  Witter  Funds and  the  TCW/DW  Funds;
New York, New York                         previously Vice President of InterCapital.
<FN>
- ------------------------
*Denotes Directors who are "interested persons" of the Fund, as defined in the
Act.
</TABLE>
    
 
   
    In  addition,  Robert  M.  Scanlan,  President  of  InterCapital  and  Chief
Operating  Officer  of  InterCapital  and  DWSC,  Executive  Vice  President  of
Distributors  and DWTC  and Director  of DWTC,  David A.  Hughey, Executive Vice
President and Chief Administrative  Officer of InterCapital, DWSC,  Distributors
and  DWTC and Director  of DWTC, Robert  S. Giambrone, Senior  Vice President of
InterCapital, DWSC, Distributors  and DWTC and  Director of DWTC  and Joseph  J.
McAlinden,  Executive  Vice President  of InterCapital,  and Paul  Vance, Senior
    
 
                                       7
<PAGE>
   
Vice President of InterCapital,  and Ira Ross,  Vice President of  InterCapital,
are Vice Presidents of the Fund. In addition, Marilyn K. Cranney and Barry Fink,
First  Vice Presidents and  Assistant General Counsels  of InterCapital and DWSC
and LouAnne D.  McInnis and Ruth  Rossi, Vice Presidents  and Assistant  General
Counsels  of  InterCapital and  DWSC, and  Carsten Otto,  a staff  attorney with
InterCapital, are Assistant Secretaries of the Fund.
    
 
   
THE BOARD OF DIRECTORS, THE INDEPENDENT DIRECTORS, AND THE COMMITTEES
    
 
   
    The Board of Trustees consists of nine (9) directors. These same individuals
also serve as directors or  trustees for all of the  Dean Witter Funds, and  are
referred  to in this section  as Directors. As of the  date of this Statement of
Additional Information, there are a total of 80 Dean Witter Funds, comprised  of
120  portfolios. As of  February 29, 1996,  the Dean Witter  Funds had total net
assets of approximately $74.3 billion and more than five million shareholders.
    
 
   
    Seven Directors (77% of  the total number) have  no affiliation or  business
connection with InterCapital or any of its affiliated persons and do not own any
stock  or other securities issued by  InterCapital's parent company, DWDC. These
are the "disinterested" or "independent" Directors. The other two Directors (the
"management Directors")  are affiliated  with InterCapital.  Five of  the  seven
independent Directors are also Independent Trustees of the TCW/DW Funds.
    
 
   
    Law and regulation establish both general guidelines and specific duties for
the  Independent Directors. The Dean Witter  Funds seek as Independent Directors
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 Directors 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 Directors serve as members of the Audit Committee and
the Committee of the Independent Directors. Three of them also serve as  members
of  the Derivatives Committee. During the calendar year ended December 31, 1995,
the three Committees held a combined  total of fifteen meetings. The  Committees
hold  some  meetings at  InterCapital's offices  and some  outside InterCapital.
Management Directors or officers  do not attend these  meetings unless they  are
invited for purposes of furnishing information or making a report.
    
 
   
    The  Committee of the Independent Directors  is charged with recommending to
the full Board  approval of management,  advisory and administration  contracts,
Rule  12b-1  plans  and distribution  and  underwriting  agreements; continually
reviewing Fund performance;  checking on  the pricing  of portfolio  securities,
brokerage  commissions, transfer agent costs  and performance, and trading among
Funds in the  same complex; and  approving fidelity bond  and related  insurance
coverage and allocations, as well as other matters that arise from time to time.
The  Independent Directors  are required to  select and  nominate individuals to
fill any Independent Director vacancy on the  Board of any Fund that has a  Rule
12b-1 plan of distribution. Most of the Dean Witter Funds have such a plan.
    
 
   
    The  Audit  Committee is  charged with  recommending to  the full  Board the
engagement  or  discharge  of  the  Fund's  independent  accountants;  directing
investigations  into matters  within the  scope of  the independent accountants'
duties, including the power  to retain outside  specialists; reviewing with  the
independent  accountants the audit plan and  results of the auditing engagement;
approving professional  services provided  by  the independent  accountants  and
other  accounting firms prior to the performance of such services; reviewing the
independence of the independent accountants; considering the range of audit  and
non-audit  fees;  reviewing  the  adequacy  of  the  Fund's  system  of internal
controls; and preparing  and submitting  Committee meeting minutes  to the  full
Board.
    
 
   
    Finally,  the  Board of  each  Fund has  formed  a Derivatives  Committee to
establish parameters for and oversee the activities of the Fund with respect  to
derivative investments, if any, made by the Fund.
    
 
                                       8
<PAGE>
   
DUTIES OF CHAIRMAN OF COMMITTEES
    
 
   
    The   Chairman  of  the  Committees  maintains   an  office  at  the  Funds'
headquarters in New York.  He is responsible for  keeping abreast of  regulatory
and  industry developments and the Funds'  operations and management. He screens
and/or prepares  written  materials  and  identifies  critical  issues  for  the
Independent  Directors  to consider,  develops  agendas for  Committee meetings,
determines the type and amount of  information that the Committees will need  to
form  a  judgment  on various  issues,  and  arranges to  have  that information
furnished to Committee members. He also arranges for the services of independent
experts and consults with them in advance of meetings to help refine reports and
to focus on critical issues. Members  of the Committees believe that the  person
who  serves as  Chairman of  all three  Committees and  guides their  efforts is
pivotal to the effective functioning of the Committees.
    
 
   
    The Chairman of the  Committees also maintains  continuous contact with  the
Funds'  management, with  independent counsel  to the  Independent Directors and
with the  Funds' independent  auditors.  He arranges  for  a series  of  special
meetings  involving  the annual  review of  investment advisory,  management and
other operating  contracts  of the  Funds  and,  on behalf  of  the  Committees,
conducts  negotiations with the Investment  Manager and other service providers.
In effect,  the Chairman  of the  Committees serves  as a  combination of  chief
executive and support staff of the Independent Directors.
    
 
   
    The Chairman of the Committees is not employed by any other organization and
devotes his time primarily to the services he performs as Committee Chairman and
Independent  Director of the Dean Witter Funds  and as an Independent Trustee of
the TCW/DW Funds.  The current  Committee Chairman has  had more  than 35  years
experience as a senior executive in the investment company industry.
    
 
   
ADVANTAGES OF HAVING SAME INDIVIDUALS AS INDEPENDENT TRUSTEES FOR ALL DEAN
WITTER FUNDS
    
 
   
    The  Independent Directors and the Funds' management believe that having the
same Independent  Directors  for  each  of the  Dean  Witter  Funds  avoids  the
duplication  of  effort  that  would  arise  from  having  different  groups  of
individuals serving as Independent  Directors for each of  the Funds or even  of
sub-groups  of Funds.  They believe  that having  the same  individuals serve as
Independent Directors of  all the Funds  tends to increase  their knowledge  and
expertise regarding matters which affect the Fund complex generally and enhances
their  ability  to negotiate  on behalf  of  each Fund  with the  Fund's service
providers. This arrangement also precludes the possibility of separate groups of
Independent Directors arriving at conflicting decisions regarding operations and
management of the  Funds and  avoids the cost  and confusion  that would  likely
ensue.  Finally, having the same Independent  Directors serve on all Fund Boards
enhances the ability of  each Fund to  obtain, at modest  cost to each  separate
Fund, the services of Independent Directors, and a Chairman of their Committees,
of  the caliber, experience and business acumen  of the individuals who serve as
Independent Directors of the Dean Witter Funds.
    
 
   
COMPENSATION OF INDEPENDENT DIRECTORS
    
 
   
    The Fund pays  each Independent  Director an  annual fee  of $1,000  ($1,200
prior  to September 30, 1995) plus a per  meeting fee of $50 for meetings of the
Board of  Directors or  committees of  the Board  of Directors  attended by  the
Director  (the Fund pays  the Chairman of  the Audit Committee  an annual fee of
$750 and pays  the Chairman  of the Committee  of the  Independent Directors  an
additional annual fee of $2,400, in each case inclusive of the Committee meeting
fees).  The Fund  also reimburses  such Directors  for travel  and other out-of-
pocket expenses incurred  by them  in connection with  attending such  meetings.
Directors  and  officers  of the  Fund  who are  or  have been  employed  by the
Investment Manager or an affiliated  company receive no compensation or  expense
reimbursement from the Fund.
    
 
   
    The  Fund  has  adopted  a retirement  program  under  which  an Independent
Director who  retires after  serving for  at least  five years  (or such  lesser
period  as may be determined by the Board) as an Independent Director or Trustee
of any Dean Witter Fund that has adopted the retirement program (each such  Fund
referred  to as  an "Adopting  Fund" and  each such  Director referred  to as an
"Eligible Director")  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 Director
is entitled to receive  from the Fund,  commencing as of  his or her  retirement
date and continuing for the remainder of his or
    
 
                                       9
<PAGE>
   
her life, an annual retirement benefit (the "Regular Benefit") equal to 25.0% of
his  or her Eligible Compensation plus  0.4166666% of such Eligible Compensation
for each full  month of service  as an  Independent Director or  Trustee of  any
Adopting  Fund in excess of five years up  to a maximum of 50.0% after ten years
of service. The foregoing percentages may be changed by the Board.(1)  "Eligible
Compensation"  is one-fifth  of the total  compensation earned  by such Eligible
Director for service to the  Fund in the five year  period prior to the date  of
the  Eligible Director's retirement.  Benefits under the  retirement program are
not secured  or  funded by  the  Fund.  As of  the  date of  this  Statement  of
Additional  Information,  57  Dean  Witter  Funds  have  adopted  the retirement
program.
    
 
   
    The following table  illustrates the  compensation paid  and the  retirement
benefits  accrued to the Fund's Independent Directors by the Fund for the fiscal
year ended  February 29,  1996 and  the estimated  retirement benefits  for  the
Fund's Independent Directors as of February 29, 1996.
    
 
   
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                             FUND COMPENSATION                             ESTIMATED RETIREMENT BENEFITS
                      -------------------------------   --------------------------------------------------------------------
 
                                                           ESTIMATED                                            ESTIMATED
                                         RETIREMENT       CREDIT YEARS       ESTIMATED                            ANNUAL
                        AGGREGATE         BENEFITS       OF SERVICE AT     PERCENTAGE OF       ESTIMATED         BENEFITS
NAME OF INDEPENDENT    COMPENSATION      ACCRUED AS        RETIREMENT         ELIGIBLE         ELIGIBLE            UPON
DIRECTOR              FROM THE FUND    FUND EXPENSES      (MAXIMUM 10)      COMPENSATION    COMPENSATION(2)   RETIREMENT(3)
- --------------------  --------------   --------------   ----------------   --------------   ---------------   --------------
<S>                   <C>              <C>              <C>                <C>              <C>               <C>
Michael Bozic.......     $ 1,700          $   442                10            50.0%            $1,900           $   950
Edwin J. Garn.......       1,900              672                10            50.0%             1,900               950
John R. Haire.......       4,488(4)         3,008                10            50.0%             4,727             2,363
Dr. Manuel H.
 Johnson............       1,900              273                10            50.0%             1,900               950
Paul Kolton.........       1,850            1,130                10            49.6%             2,260             1,121
Michael E. Nugent...       1,650              480                10            50.0%             1,900               950
John L. Schroeder...       1,850              867                 8            41.7%             1,900               792
</TABLE>
    
 
- ------------------------
   
(1)   An Eligible Director may elect alternate payments of his or her retirement
    benefits based upon the combined  life expectancy of such Eligible  Director
    and  his or her spouse  on the date of  such Eligible Director's retirement.
    The amount estimated to be payable under this method, through the  remainder
    of  the later of the lives of such Eligible Director and spouse, will be the
    actuarial equivalent  of  the Regular  Benefit.  In addition,  the  Eligible
    Director  may elect that the surviving spouse's periodic payment of benefits
    will be equal  to either 50%  or 100%  of the previous  periodic amount,  an
    election  that, respectively,  increases or decreases  the previous periodic
    amount so that the  resulting payments will be  the actuarial equivalent  of
    the Regular Benefit.
    
 
   
(2)  Based on current levels of compensation.
    
 
   
(3)   Based on  current levels of  compensation. Amount of  annual benefits also
    varies depending  on  the Director's  elections  described in  Footnote  (1)
    above.
    
 
   
(4)    Of Mr.  Haire's compensation  from the  Fund,  $3,150 is  paid to  him as
    Chairman of  the Committee  of  the Independent  Directors ($2,400)  and  as
    Chairman of the Audit Committee ($750).
    
 
                                       10
<PAGE>
   
    The  following  table  illustrates  the  compensation  paid  to  the  Fund's
Independent Directors for the calendar year ended December 31, 1995 for services
to the 79 Dean Witter Funds and,  in the case of Messrs. Haire, Johnson,  Kolton
and  Nugent, the 11  TCW/DW Funds that  were in operation  at December 31, 1995.
With respect to Messrs. Haire, Johnson, Kolton and Nugent, the TCW/DW Funds  are
included  solely because of a limited exchange privilege between those Funds and
five Dean Witter Money Market Funds. Mr.  Schroeder was elected as a Trustee  of
the TCW/DW Funds on April 20, 1995.
    
 
   
           CASH COMPENSATION FROM DEAN WITTER FUNDS AND TCW/DW FUNDS
    
 
   
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                                                                   FOR SERVICE AS    TOTAL CASH
                               FOR SERVICE                          CHAIRMAN OF     COMPENSATION
                              AS DIRECTOR OR                       COMMITTEES OF    FOR SERVICES
                               TRUSTEE AND       FOR SERVICE AS     INDEPENDENT          TO
                             COMMITTEE MEMBER     TRUSTEE AND        DIRECTORS/        79 DEAN
                                OF 79 DEAN      COMMITTEE MEMBER    TRUSTEES AND       WITTER
NAME OF INDEPENDENT               WITTER          OF 11 TCW/DW         AUDIT        FUNDS AND 11
 DIRECTOR                         FUNDS              FUNDS           COMMITTEES     TCW/DW FUNDS
- ---------------------------  ----------------   ----------------   --------------   -------------
<S>                          <C>                <C>                <C>              <C>
Michael Bozic..............      $126,050           --                 --             $126,050
Edwin J. Garn..............       136,450           --                 --              136,450
John R. Haire..............        98,450           $82,038           $217,350(5)      397,838
Dr. Manuel H. Johnson......       136,450            82,038            --              218,488
Paul Kolton................       136,450            54,788             36,900(6)      228,138
Michael E. Nugent..........       124,200            75,038            --              199,238
John L. Schroeder..........       136,450            46,964            --              183,414
</TABLE>
    
 
- ------------------------
   
(5)  For the 79 Dean Witter Funds in operation at December 31, 1995.
    
 
   
(6)  For the 11 TCW/DW Funds in operation at December 31, 1995.
    
 
   
    As  of the date  of this Statement of  Additional Information, the aggregate
number of shares of beneficial interest of the Fund owned by the Fund's officers
and Directors  as a  group was  less  than 1  percent of  the Fund's  shares  of
beneficial interest outstanding.
    
 
INVESTMENT PRACTICES AND POLICIES
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
 
FOREIGN SECURITIES
 
   
    As discussed in the Prospectus, the Fund may invest in securities of foreign
companies.  It  should  be  noted  that there  may  be  less  publicly available
information about  foreign  issuers than  about  domestic issuers,  and  foreign
issuers  may  not be  subject to  accounting,  auditing and  financial reporting
standards and requirements comparable to  those of domestic issuers.  Securities
of  some foreign issuers  are less liquid  and more volatile  than securities of
comparable domestic  issuers and  foreign  brokerage commissions  are  generally
higher  than in the United  States. Foreign securities markets  may also be less
liquid, more volatile  and less subject  to government supervision  than in  the
United  States.  Investments in  foreign countries  could  be affected  by other
factors not present in the United States, including expropriation,  confiscatory
taxation and potential difficulties in enforcing contractual obligations. During
the  fiscal year ended February  29, 1996 the Fund's  purchases of securities of
foreign issuers did not exceed 5% of the Fund's net assets.
    
 
SECURITY LOANS
 
    Consistent with applicable  regulatory requirements, the  Fund may lend  its
portfolio  securities  to  brokers, dealers  and  other  financial institutions,
provided that such loans are callable at any time by the Fund (subject to notice
provisions described  below), and  are at  all  times secured  by cash  or  cash
equivalents, which are maintained in a segregated account pursuant to applicable
regulations  and that are at least equal  to the market value, determined daily,
of the loaned securities. The advantage of such loans is that the Fund continues
to receive the income on  the loaned securities while  at the same time  earning
interest  on the cash amounts deposited as collateral, which will be invested in
short-term obligations.
 
    A loan may be terminated by the borrower on one business day's notice, or by
the Fund on four  business days' notice.  If the borrower  fails to deliver  the
loaned   securities   within   four   days   after   receipt   of   notice,  the
 
                                       11
<PAGE>
Fund could  use the  collateral  to replace  the  securities while  holding  the
borrower  liable for any excess of replacement cost over collateral. As with any
extensions of credit, there are risks of  delay in recovery and, in some  cases,
even loss of rights in the collateral should the borrower of the securities fail
financially.  However, these loans of portfolio  securities will only be made to
firms deemed by  the Fund's management  to be creditworthy  and when the  income
which  can  be  earned  from  such loans  justifies  the  attendant  risks. Upon
termination of the loan,  the borrower is required  to return the securities  to
the  Fund. Any  gain or loss  in the market  price of the  securities during the
period of  the loan  would  inure to  the Fund.  The  Fund will  pay  reasonable
finder's,  administrative and  custodial fees in  connection with a  loan of its
securities. The creditworthiness of firms to which the Fund lends its  portfolio
securities will be monitored on an ongoing basis.
 
   
    When  voting or consent rights which accompany loaned securities pass to the
borrower, the Fund will follow the  policy of calling the loaned securities,  to
be  delivered within one day after notice, to permit the exercise of such rights
if the matters involved would have a material effect on the Fund's investment in
such loaned securities. During its fiscal year ended February 29, 1996, the Fund
did not loan any of its portfolio securities and it has no intention of doing so
in the foreseeable future.
    
 
BORROWING OF MONEY
 
   
    The Fund did not borrow any money during its fiscal year ended February  29,
1996  and it has no intention of  borrowing any money in the foreseeable future.
(See Investment Restriction 6.)
    
 
OPTIONS AND FUTURES TRANSACTIONS
 
    As discussed in  the Prospectus,  the Fund  may write  covered call  options
against  securities held  in its portfolio  and covered put  options on eligible
portfolio securities and stock indexes and  purchase options of the same  series
to  effect closing transactions, and may  hedge against potential changes in the
market value of investments (or  anticipated investments) by purchasing put  and
call  options on  portfolio (or eligible  portfolio) securities  and engaging in
transactions involving futures contracts and options on such contracts. Call and
put options on U.S.  Treasury notes, bonds and  bills and equity securities  are
listed  on  Exchanges and  are  written in  over-the-counter  transactions ("OTC
options"). Listed  options  are  issued  by  the  Options  Clearing  Corporation
("OCC").  Ownership of a listed call option gives the Fund the right to buy from
the OCC the  underlying security covered  by the option  at the stated  exercise
price  (the price  per unit  of the underlying  security) by  filing an exercise
notice prior to the expiration  date of the option.  The writer (seller) of  the
option would then have the obligation to sell to the OCC the underlying security
at that exercise price prior to the expiration date of the option, regardless of
its  then current market price. Ownership of  a listed put option would give the
Fund the right to sell the underlying security to the OCC at the stated exercise
price. Upon notice of exercise  of the put option, the  writer of the put  would
have  the obligation  to purchase  the underlying security  from the  OCC at the
exercise price.
 
    OPTIONS ON TREASURY BONDS  AND NOTES.  Because  trading interest in  options
written  on  Treasury bonds  and  notes tends  to  center on  the  most recently
auctioned issues, the exchanges on which such securities trade will not continue
indefinitely to  introduce  options with  new  expirations to  replace  expiring
options  on  particular  issues.  Instead,  the  expirations  introduced  at the
commencement of options  trading on a  particular issue will  be allowed to  run
their  course, with the possible addition of a limited number of new expirations
as the original ones  expire. Options trading  on each issue  of bonds or  notes
will  thus be phased  out as new options  are listed on  more recent issues, and
options representing  a  full  range  of  expirations  will  not  ordinarily  be
available for every issue on which options are traded.
 
    OPTIONS ON TREASURY BILLS.  Because a deliverable Treasury bill changes from
week to week, writers of Treasury bill calls cannot provide in advance for their
potential   exercise  settlement  obligations  by   acquiring  and  holding  the
underlying security. However,  if the  Fund holds  a long  position in  Treasury
bills with a principal amount of the securities deliverable upon exercise of the
option,  the position may be  hedged from a risk standpoint  by the writing of a
call option. For so long as the  call option is outstanding, the Fund will  hold
the Treasury bills in a segregated account with its Custodian, so that they will
be treated as being covered.
 
    OTC  OPTIONS.  Exchange-listed  options are issued by  the OCC which assures
that all transactions  in such options  are properly executed.  OTC options  are
purchased from or sold (written) to dealers or financial
 
                                       12
<PAGE>
institutions  which have entered into direct  agreements with the Fund. With OTC
options, such variables as expiration date,  exercise price and premium will  be
agreed   upon  between  the  Fund  and   the  transacting  dealer,  without  the
intermediation of a third party such as the OCC. If the transacting dealer fails
to make or take delivery of the securities underlying an option it has  written,
in  accordance with the  terms of that  option, the Fund  would lose the premium
paid for the option as well as any anticipated benefit of the transaction.  This
Fund  will engage in  OTC option transactions only  with primary U.S. Government
securities dealers recognized by the Federal Reserve Bank of New York.
 
    COVERED CALL WRITING.  As stated in the Prospectus, the Fund is permitted to
write covered call options on portfolio securities in order to aid in  achieving
its  investment objective.  Generally, a  call option  is "covered"  if the Fund
owns, or has the right to acquire, without additional cash consideration (or for
additional cash consideration held for the Fund by its Custodian in a segregated
account) the underlying security subject to  the option except that in the  case
of  call options on U.S. Treasury Bills,  the Fund might own U.S. Treasury Bills
of a  different  series  from those  underlying  the  call option,  but  with  a
principal  amount and value  corresponding to the exercise  price and a maturity
date no later than that of the  securities deliverable under the call option.  A
call option is also covered if the Fund holds a call on the same security as the
underlying  security of the written option, where the exercise price of the call
used for  coverage is  equal to  or less  than the  exercise price  of the  call
written  or greater than the  exercise price of the call  written if the mark to
market difference is maintained by the Fund in cash, U.S. Government  securities
or  other  high grade  debt obligations  which  the Fund  holds in  a segregated
account maintained with its Custodian.
 
    The Fund  will receive  from the  purchaser, in  return for  a call  it  has
written,  a "premium"; i.e., the price of  the option. Receipt of these premiums
may better enable  the Fund  to achieve  a greater  total return  than would  be
realized  from holding  the underlying  securities alone.  Moreover, the premium
received will offset a portion of the potential loss incurred by the Fund if the
securities underlying the option are ultimately sold by the Fund at a loss.  The
premium  received will fluctuate with varying economic market conditions. If the
market value  of the  portfolio securities  upon which  call options  have  been
written  increases, the Fund may  receive less total return  from the portion of
its portfolio upon which  calls have been  written than it  would have had  such
calls not been written.
 
    During  the option period, the Fund may be required, at any time, to deliver
the underlying security against  payment of the exercise  price on any calls  it
has  written  (exercise of  certain listed  options may  be limited  to specific
expiration dates).  This obligation  is terminated  upon the  expiration of  the
option period or at such earlier time when the writer effects a closing purchase
transaction.  A closing  purchase transaction  is accomplished  by purchasing an
option of the same  series as the option  previously written. However, once  the
Fund  has been assigned an exercise notice, the  Fund will be unable to effect a
closing purchase transaction.
 
    Closing purchase transactions are ordinarily effected to realize a profit on
an outstanding call option, to prevent an underlying security from being called,
to permit the  sale of an  underlying security or  to enable the  Fund to  write
another  call option on the underlying security with either a different exercise
price or expiration date or both. Also, effecting a closing purchase transaction
will permit the  cash or  proceeds from the  concurrent sale  of any  securities
subject to the option to be used for other investments by the Fund. The Fund may
realize  a net gain or  loss from a closing  purchase transaction depending upon
whether the amount of the  premium received on the call  option is more or  less
than  the cost of effecting the  closing purchase transaction. Any loss incurred
in a  closing  purchase  transaction  may  be  wholly  or  partially  offset  by
unrealized  appreciation  in  the  market  value  of  the  underlying  security.
Conversely, a gain resulting from a closing purchase transaction could be offset
in whole  or in  part  or exceeded  by a  decline  in the  market value  of  the
underlying security.
 
    If a call option expires unexercised, the Fund realizes a gain in the amount
of the premium on the option less the commission paid. Such a gain, however, may
be  offset by depreciation in the market value of the underlying security during
the option period. If a  call option is exercised, the  Fund realizes a gain  or
loss  from the sale of  the underlying security equal  to the difference between
the purchase price of the  underlying security and the  proceeds of the sale  of
the security plus the premium received on the option less the commission paid.
 
                                       13
<PAGE>
    Options  written by a Fund normally have expiration dates of from up to nine
months (equity securities) to eighteen months (fixed-income securities) from the
date written. The  exercise price of  a call option  may be below,  equal to  or
above the current market value of the underlying security at the time the option
is written. See "Risks of Options and Futures Transactions," below.
 
    COVERED  PUT WRITING.  As stated in the Prospectus, as a writer of a covered
put option, the  Fund incurs an  obligation to buy  the security underlying  the
option from the purchaser of the put, at the option's exercise price at any time
during  the  option  period, at  the  purchaser's election  (certain  listed put
options written by  the Fund  will be  exercisable by  the purchaser  only on  a
specific  date). A put is  "covered" if, at all times,  the Fund maintains, in a
segregated account maintained on its behalf at the Fund's Custodian, cash,  U.S.
Government  securities or other high grade obligations  in an amount equal to at
least the exercise price of the option,  at all times during the option  period.
Similarly,  a short put position could be covered by the Fund by its purchase of
a put option  on the same  security as  the underlying security  of the  written
option,  where the exercise  price of the  purchased option is  equal to or more
than the exercise price of  the put written or less  than the exercise price  of
the  put written if the  mark to market difference is  maintained by the Fund in
cash, U.S. Government securities or other high grade debt obligations which  the
Fund holds in a segregated account maintained at its Custodian. In writing puts,
the  Fund assumes  the risk of  loss should  the market value  of the underlying
security decline  below  the  exercise  price of  the  option  (any  loss  being
decreased  by the  receipt of  the premium  on the  option written).  During the
option period, the Fund  may be required,  at any time, to  make payment of  the
exercise price against delivery of the underlying security. The operation of and
limitations on covered put options in other respects are substantially identical
to those of call options.
 
    The  Fund will write put options for two purposes: (1) to receive the income
derived from  the premiums  paid  by purchasers;  and  (2) when  the  Investment
Manager  wishes to purchase the security underlying  the option at a price lower
than its current market price, in which case it will write the covered put at an
exercise price reflecting the lower purchase price sought. The potential gain on
a covered put option is limited to the premium received on the option (less  the
commissions  paid  on  the  transaction) while  the  potential  loss  equals the
differences between the  exercise price  of the  option and  the current  market
price  of the  underlying securities  when the put  is exercised,  offset by the
premium received (less the commissions paid on the transaction).
 
    PURCHASING CALL AND PUT OPTIONS.  As stated in the Prospectus, the Fund  may
purchase  listed and OTC call and put options on securities and stock indexes in
amounts equalling up to  10% of its total  assets, with a maximum  of 5% of  the
Fund's  assets  invested in  stock  index options.  The  Fund may  purchase call
options only in order to  close out a covered  call position (see "Covered  Call
Writing" above). The purchase of the call option to effect a closing transaction
on  a call  written over-the-counter may  be a  listed or OTC  option. In either
case, the call purchased  is likely to  be on the same  securities and have  the
same  terms as  the written  option. If  purchased over-the-counter,  the option
would generally  be acquired  from  the dealer  or financial  institution  which
purchased the call written by the Fund.
 
    The  Fund may purchase put options on  securities which it holds (or has the
right to acquire) in its portfolio only  to protect itself against a decline  in
the  value of the security. If the value of the underlying security were to fall
below the exercise  price of the  put purchased  in an amount  greater than  the
premium  paid for the option, the Fund  would incur no additional loss. The Fund
may also purchase put  options to close  out written put  positions in a  manner
similar to call options closing purchase transactions. In addition, the Fund may
sell  a put option  which it has previously  purchased prior to  the sale of the
securities underlying such option.  Such a sale  would result in  a net gain  or
loss  depending on whether the amount received on  the sale is more or less than
the premium and other transaction  costs paid on the  put option which is  sold.
And  such gain or loss  could be offset in  whole or in part  by a change in the
market value of the underlying security. If  a put option purchased by the  Fund
expired without being sold or exercised, the premium would be lost.
 
    RISKS  OF OPTIONS TRANSACTIONS.  During  the option period, the covered call
writer has, in return for  the premium on the  option, given up the  opportunity
for capital appreciation above the exercise price should the market price of the
underlying security increase, but has retained the risk of loss should the price
of the underlying security decline. The secured put writer also retains the risk
of loss should the market value of the
 
                                       14
<PAGE>
underlying  security decline  below the  exercise price  of the  option less the
premium received on the  sale of the  option. In both cases,  the writer has  no
control  over the time  when it may be  required to fulfill  its obligation as a
writer of the option. Once an option writer has received an exercise notice,  it
cannot  effect  a  closing  purchase  transaction  in  order  to  terminate  its
obligation  under  the  option  and  must  deliver  or  receive  the  underlying
securities at the exercise price.
 
    Prior  to exercise or expiration, an  option position can only be terminated
by entering  into a  closing purchase  or sale  transaction. If  a covered  call
option writer is unable to effect a closing purchase transaction, it cannot sell
the  underlying security  until the option  expires or the  option is exercised.
Accordingly, a covered call option writer may not be able to sell an  underlying
security  at a time when it might otherwise  be advantageous to do so. A secured
put option writer who is unable  to effect a closing purchase transaction  would
continue  to bear  the risk  of decline  in the  market price  of the underlying
security until the option  expires or is exercised.  In addition, a secured  put
writer  would be unable to utilize the amount held in cash or U.S. Government or
other high  grade debt  obligations as  security for  the put  option for  other
investment purposes until the exercise or expiration of the option.
 
    The  Fund's ability to  close out its position  as a writer  of an option is
dependent upon the existence of a  liquid secondary market on Option  Exchanges.
There is no assurance that such a market will exist, particularly in the case of
OTC  options. However,  the Fund  may be able  to purchase  an offsetting option
which does not close out  its position as a writer  but constitutes an asset  of
equal  value to the obligation under the option written. If the Fund is not able
to either enter into  a closing purchase transaction  or purchase an  offsetting
position, it will be required to maintain the securities subject to the call, or
the  collateral underlying the put, even though  it might not be advantageous to
do so,  until a  closing  transaction can  be entered  into  (or the  option  is
exercised or expires).
 
    Among  the possible reasons for the absence  of a liquid secondary market on
an Exchange  are: (i)  insufficient trading  interest in  certain options;  (ii)
restrictions  on  transactions  imposed  by an  Exchange;  (iii)  trading halts,
suspensions or other restrictions imposed with respect to particular classes  or
series  of options  or underlying  securities; (iv)  interruption of  the normal
operations on an Exchange;  (v) inadequacy of the  facilities of an Exchange  or
the  OCC to  handle current trading  volume; or (vi)  a decision by  one or more
Exchanges to discontinue the trading of options (or a particular class or series
of options), in which event  the secondary market on  that Exchange (or in  that
class  or series of options) would  cease to exist, although outstanding options
on that Exchange that had been issued by  the OCC as a result of trades on  that
Exchange  would generally continue  to be excercisable  in accordance with their
terms.
 
    In the event of the bankruptcy of a broker through which the Fund engages in
transactions in  options, the  Fund  could experience  delays and/or  losses  in
liquidating  open positions purchased or sold  through the broker and/or incur a
loss of all or part  of its margin deposits with  the broker. Similarly, in  the
event  of the bankruptcy of  the writer of an OTC  option purchased by the Fund,
the Fund could  experience a loss  of all or  part of the  value of the  option.
Transactions  are  entered  into by  the  Fund  only with  brokers  or financial
institutions deemed creditworthy by the Investment Manager.
 
    Each of  the Exchanges  has established  limitations governing  the  maximum
number  of  call or  put  options on  the  same underlying  security  or futures
contract (whether or  not covered) which  may be written  by a single  investor,
whether  acting  alone or  in concert  with others  (regardless of  whether such
options are written on the same or different Exchanges or are held or written on
one or more accounts or through one or more brokers). An Exchange may order  the
liquidation  of positions found  to be in  violation of these  limits and it may
impose other sanctions or restrictions.  These position limits may restrict  the
number of listed options which the Fund may write.
 
                                       15
<PAGE>
    The  hours of trading for options may  not conform to the hours during which
the underlying securities  are traded.  To the  extent that  the option  markets
close  before the markets  for the underlying  securities, significant price and
rate movements can take place in the underlying markets that cannot be reflected
in the option markets.
 
    STOCK INDEX OPTIONS.  As stated in the Prospectus, options on stock  indexes
are  similar to options on  stock except that, rather than  the right to take or
make delivery of stock at  a specified price, an option  on a stock index  gives
the  holder the right to receive, upon exercise of the option, an amount of cash
if the  closing level  of the  stock index  upon which  the option  is based  is
greater  than, in the case  of a call, or  less than, in the  case of a put, the
exercise price of the option.  This amount of cash  is equal to such  difference
between  the closing  price of the  index and  the exercise price  of the option
expressed  in  dollars  times  a  specified  multiple  (the  "multiplier").  The
multiplier  for  an index  option performs  a  function similar  to the  unit of
trading for a stock option. It determines the total dollar value per contract of
each point in the  difference between the  exercise price of  an option and  the
current  level  of  the underlying  index.  A  multiplier of  100  means  that a
one-point difference  will yield  $100. Options  on different  indexes may  have
different  multipliers. The writer of the option is obligated, in return for the
premium received, to  make delivery of  this amount. Unlike  stock options,  all
settlements  are in cash  and a gain or  loss depends on  price movements in the
stock market generally (or  in a particular segment  of the market) rather  than
the  price movements in individual stocks.  Currently, options are traded on the
S&P 100 Index and the S&P 500  Index on the Chicago Board Options Exchange,  the
Major   Market  Index  and   the  Computer  Technology   Index,  Oil  Index  and
Institutional Index on the American Stock  Exchange and the NYSE Index and  NYSE
Beta Index on the New York Stock Exchange, The Financial News Composite Index on
the  Pacific Stock Exchange and  the Value Line Index,  National O-T-C Index and
Utilities Index  on the  Philadelphia  Stock Exchange,  each  of which  and  any
similar  index on which  options are traded  in the future  which include stocks
that are not  limited to any  particular industry  or segment of  the market  is
referred  to as a "broadly based stock  market index." The Fund will invest only
in broadly based indexes. Options on broad-based stock indexes provide the  Fund
with  a  means of  protecting the  Fund against  the risk  of market  wide price
movements. If  the Investment  Manager anticipates  a market  decline, the  Fund
could  purchase  a  stock  index  put option.  If  the  expected  market decline
materialized, the resulting decrease in the value of the Fund's portfolio  would
be  offset to the extent of the increase in  the value of the put option. If the
Investment Manager anticipates  a market  rise, the  Fund may  purchase a  stock
index  call  option  to  enable  the Fund  to  participate  in  such  rise until
completion of  anticipated common  stock purchases  by the  Fund. Purchases  and
sales of stock index options also enable the Investment Manager to more speedily
achieve changes in the Fund's equity positions.
 
    The  Fund will write put options on stock indexes only if such positions are
covered by cash, U.S. Government securities or other high grade debt obligations
equal to the aggregate  exercise price of the  puts, or by a  put option on  the
same  stock index with a strike price no  lower than the strike price of the put
option sold  by the  Fund, which  cover is  held for  the Fund  in a  segregated
account  maintained for it  by the Fund's  Custodian. All call  options on stock
indexes written by  the Fund will  be covered  either by a  portfolio of  stocks
substantially  replicating the movement of the  index underlying the call option
or by holding a separate call option on the same stock index with a strike price
no higher than the strike price of the call option sold by the Fund.
 
    RISKS OF OPTIONS ON INDEXES.   Because exercises of stock index options  are
settled  in cash, call  writers such as  the Fund cannot  provide in advance for
their potential settlement obligations by  acquiring and holding the  underlying
securities. A call writer can offset some of the risk of its writing position by
holding  a  diversified  portfolio  of  stocks similar  to  those  on  which the
underlying index  is  based. However,  most  investors cannot,  as  a  practical
matter,  acquire and hold a portfolio containing  exactly the same stocks as the
underlying index, and, as a result, bear a risk that the value of the securities
held will vary from the value of the  index. Even if an index call writer  could
assemble  a  stock  portfolio that  exactly  reproduced the  composition  of the
underlying index,  the writer  still would  not  be fully  covered from  a  risk
standpoint  because of the "timing risk" inherent in writing index options. When
an index option is exercised, the amount of cash that the holder is entitled  to
receive  is  determined by  the difference  between the  exercise price  and the
closing index level  on the date  when the  option is exercised.  As with  other
kinds  of  options,  the  writer  will  not  learn  that  it  has  been assigned
 
                                       16
<PAGE>
until the next business day, at the earliest. The time lag between exercise  and
notice  of  assignment poses  no risk  for the  writer  of a  covered call  on a
specific underlying security, such as a common stock, because there the writer's
obligation is to deliver the underlying security,  not to pay its value as of  a
fixed  time  in the  past. So  long as  the writer  already owns  the underlying
security, it can satisfy its settlement obligations by simply delivering it, and
the risk that its value  may have declined since the  exercise date is borne  by
the  exercising holder. In contrast,  even if the writer  of an index call holds
stocks that exactly match the composition  of the underlying index, it will  not
be able to satisfy its assignment obligations by delivering those stocks against
payment  of the exercise price.  Instead, it will be required  to pay cash in an
amount based on the closing index value on the exercise date; and by the time it
learns that  it  has  been  assigned,  the  index  may  have  declined,  with  a
corresponding  decrease in the value of  its stock portfolio. This "timing risk"
is an inherent limitation on  the ability of index  call writers to cover  their
risk exposure by holding stock positions.
 
    A  holder of an index option who exercises it before the closing index value
for that day is available runs the  risk that the level of the underlying  index
may  subsequently change. If such  a change causes the  exercised option to fall
out-of-the-money, the exercising holder will  be required to pay the  difference
between  the closing index value and the exercise price of the option (times the
applicable multiplier) to the assigned writer.
 
    If dissemination of the current level of an underlying index is interrupted,
or if trading is interrupted in  stocks accounting for a substantial portion  of
the  value of an index, the trading of  options on that index will ordinarily be
halted. If the trading of options on an underlying index is halted, an  exchange
may impose restrictions prohibiting the exercise of such options.
 
    FUTURES  CONTRACTS.  As stated in the  Prospectus, the Fund may purchase and
sell interest rate and stock index futures contracts ("futures contracts")  that
are  traded on  U.S. commodity exchanges  on such underlying  securities as U.S.
Treasury bonds, notes, bills and GNMA Certificates ("interest rate" futures) and
such indexes as the S&P 500  Index, the Moody's Investment-Grade Corporate  Bond
Index and the New York Stock Exchange Composite Index ("index" futures).
 
    As  a  futures contract  purchaser, the  Fund incurs  an obligation  to take
delivery of a specified  amount of the obligation  underlying the contract at  a
specified  time in the  future for a specified  price. As a  seller of a futures
contract, the Fund incurs an obligation  to deliver the specified amount of  the
underlying obligation at a specified time in return for an agreed upon price.
 
    The  Fund will  purchase or  sell interest  rate futures  contracts and bond
index futures contracts for  the purpose of  hedging its fixed-income  portfolio
(or  anticipated portfolio)  securities against  changes in  prevailing interest
rates. If the Investment Manager anticipates  that interest rates may rise  and,
concomitantly,  the price of fixed-income securities falls, the Fund may sell an
interest rate futures contract  or a bond index  futures contract. If  declining
interest  rates are anticipated, the Fund  may purchase an interest rate futures
contract to protect against a potential increase in the price of U.S. Government
securities the Fund intends to purchase. Subsequently, appropriate  fixed-income
securities may be purchased by the Fund in an orderly fashion; as securities are
purchased,  corresponding futures  positions would  be terminated  by offsetting
sales of contracts.
 
    The Fund will purchase or sell stock index futures contracts for the purpose
of hedging its  equity portfolio (or  anticipated portfolio) securities  against
changes  in their prices. If the  Investment Manager anticipates that the prices
of stock held  by the Fund  may fall, the  Fund may sell  a stock index  futures
contract.  Conversely,  if  the  Investment  Manager  wishes  to  hedge  against
anticipated price rises in those stocks which the Fund intends to purchase,  the
Fund  may purchase stock index futures contracts. In addition, interest rate and
stock index futures contracts  will be bought  or sold in order  to close out  a
short or long position in a corresponding futures contract.
 
    Although  most interest rate  futures contracts call  for actual delivery or
acceptance of  securities,  the contracts  usually  are closed  out  before  the
settlement  date without the  making or taking of  delivery. Stock index futures
contracts provide for the  delivery of an  amount of cash  equal to a  specified
dollar  amount times the difference between the stock index value at the open or
close   of    the    last   trading    day    of   the    contract    and    the
 
                                       17
<PAGE>
futures  contract price. A  futures contract sale  is closed out  by effecting a
futures contract purchase for the same aggregate amount of the specific type  of
equity  security  and the  same delivery  date.  If the  sale price  exceeds the
offsetting purchase price,  the seller would  be paid the  difference and  would
realize  a gain. If  the offsetting purchase  price exceeds the  sale price, the
seller would pay the difference and  would realize a loss. Similarly, a  futures
contract  purchase is closed  out by effecting  a futures contract  sale for the
same aggregate amount  of the specific  type of security  and the same  delivery
date.  If the  offsetting sale price  exceeds the purchase  price, the purchaser
would realize a gain, whereas if the purchase price exceeds the offsetting  sale
price,  the purchaser would realize a loss.  There is no assurance that the Fund
will be able to enter into a closing transaction.
 
    INTEREST RATE FUTURES CONTRACTS.  When the Fund enters into an interest rate
futures contract, it is initially required to deposit with the Fund's Custodian,
in a segregated account in the name of the broker performing the transaction, an
"initial margin"  of cash  or U.S.  Government securities  or other  high  grade
short-term obligations equal to approximately 2% of the contract amount. Initial
margin  requirements are established by the Exchanges on which futures contracts
trade and may,  from time to  time, change. In  addition, brokers may  establish
margin deposit requirements in excess of those required by the Exchanges.
 
    Initial   margin  in  futures  transactions  is  different  from  margin  in
securities transactions in that initial margin does not involve the borrowing of
funds by a brokers' client but is,  rather, a good faith deposit on the  futures
contract  which will be returned to the  Fund upon the proper termination of the
futures contract. The margin  deposits made are marked  to market daily and  the
Fund  may be  required to  make subsequent deposits  of cash  or U.S. Government
securities called "variation margin," with the Fund's futures contract  clearing
broker,  which are  reflective of  price fluctuations  in the  futures contract.
Currently, interest rate 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, GNMA Certificates and Bank Certificates of Deposit.
 
    INDEX FUTURES  CONTRACTS.   As discussed  in the  Prospectus, the  Fund  may
invest  in index  futures contracts. An  index futures contract  sale creates an
obligation by the Fund, as seller, to  deliver cash at a specified future  time.
An  index futures contract purchase  would create an obligation  by the Fund, as
purchaser, to  take  delivery  of  cash at  a  specified  future  time.  Futures
contracts  on indexes  do not require  the physical delivery  of securities, but
provide for  a final  cash  settlement on  the  expiration date  which  reflects
accumulated profits and losses credited or debited to each party's account.
 
    The  Fund  is  required to  maintain  margin deposits  with  brokerage firms
through which it  effects index futures  contracts in a  manner similar to  that
described  above  for interest  rate futures  contracts. Currently,  the initial
margin requirements  range from  3% to  10%  of the  contract amount  for  index
futures.  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.
 
    At any time prior to expiration of the futures contract, the Fund may  elect
to  close the  position by  taking an  opposite position  which will  operate to
terminate the Fund's position in the futures contract. A final determination  of
variation  margin is  then made, additional  cash is  required to be  paid by or
released to the Fund and the Fund realizes a loss or a gain.
 
    Currently, index futures contracts can be purchased or sold with respect to,
among others, the Standard  & Poor's 500  Stock Price Index  and the Standard  &
Poor's  100 Stock Price Index  on the Chicago Mercantile  Exchange, the New York
Stock Exchange  Composite Index  on the  New York  Futures Exchange,  the  Major
Market  Index on the American Stock Exchange,  the Value Line Stock Index on the
Kansas City Board of Trade and the Moody's Investment-Grade Corporate Bond Index
on the Chicago Board of Trade.
 
    OPTIONS ON FUTURES CONTRACTS.  The Fund may purchase and write call and  put
options on futures contracts and enter into closing transactions with respect to
such  options to terminate an existing position. An option on a futures contract
gives the purchaser the right (in return  for the premium paid), and the  writer
the  obligation, to assume a position in  a futures contract (a long position if
the option is a call and a short position if the option is a put) at a specified
exercise price at  any time  during the  term of  the option.  Upon exercise  of
 
                                       18
<PAGE>
the  option, the delivery of the futures position by the writer of the option to
the holder of the option is  accompanied by delivery of the accumulated  balance
in the writer's futures margin account, which represents the amount by which the
market  price of the  futures contract at  the time of  exercise exceeds, in the
case of a call, or is less than, in the case of a put, the exercise price of the
option on the futures contract.
 
    The Fund will purchase and write options on futures contracts for  identical
purposes  to  those set  forth  above for  the  purchase of  a  futures contract
(purchase of a call option or  sale of a put option)  and the sale of a  futures
contract  (purchase of a put option or sale of a call option), or to close out a
long or short  position in futures  contracts. If, for  example, the  Investment
Manager  wished  to  protect  against  an increase  in  interest  rates  and the
resulting negative  impact  on  the  value of  a  portion  of  its  fixed-income
portfolio,  it might write a  call option on an  interest rate futures contract,
the underlying security of  which correlates with the  portion of the  portfolio
the  Investment Manager seeks to hedge. Any  premiums received in the writing of
options on futures  contracts may, of  course, augment the  total return of  the
Fund  and thereby  provide a further  hedge against losses  resulting from price
declines in portions of the Fund's portfolio.
 
    The writer of an option on a futures contract is required to deposit initial
and variation margin  pursuant to  requirements similar to  those applicable  to
futures  contracts. Premiums received from the writing of an option on a futures
contract are included in initial margin deposits.
 
    LIMITATIONS ON FUTURES CONTRACTS AND OPTIONS  ON FUTURES.  The Fund may  not
enter into futures contracts or purchase related options thereon if, immediately
thereafter, the amount committed to margin plus the amount paid for premiums for
unexpired  options on futures  contracts exceeds 5%  of the value  of the Fund's
total assets, after taking into  account unrealized gains and unrealized  losses
on such contracts it has entered into, provided, however, that in the case of an
option that is in-the-money (the exercise price of the call (put) option is less
(more)  than  the  market price  of  the  underlying security)  at  the  time of
purchase, the  in-the-money  amount  may  be excluded  in  calculating  the  5%.
However,  there is no overall limitation on  the percentage of the Fund's assets
which may be subject to  a hedge position. In  addition, in accordance with  the
regulations of the Commodity Futures Trading Commission ("CFTC") under which the
Fund  is exempted from registration  as a commodity pool  operator, the Fund may
only enter into futures contracts and options on futures contracts  transactions
for  purposes of hedging a part or all of its portfolio. If the CFTC changes its
regulations so that  the Fund  would be permitted  to write  options on  futures
contracts  for purposes other  than hedging the  Fund's investments without CFTC
registration, the  Fund may  engage  in such  transactions for  those  purposes.
Except  as described above, there are no other limitations on the use of futures
and options thereon by the Fund.
 
    RISKS OF TRANSACTIONS IN FUTURES CONTRACTS  AND RELATED OPTIONS.  As  stated
in  the Prospectus, the Fund may sell  a futures contract to protect against the
decline in the value  of securities held  by the Fund.  However, it is  possible
that  the futures  market may advance  and the  value of securities  held in the
portfolio of the Fund may decline. If  this occurred, the Fund would lose  money
on  the futures contract and also experience a decline in value of its portfolio
securities. However, while this could occur for a very brief period or to a very
small degree, over time the value of  a diversified portfolio will tend to  move
in the same direction as the futures contracts.
 
    If  the Fund purchases a  futures contract to hedge  against the increase in
value of  securities  it  intends to  buy,  and  the value  of  such  securities
decreases,  then  the Fund  may determine  not  to invest  in the  securities as
planned and will realize a loss on the futures contract that is not offset by  a
reduction in the price of the securities.
 
    In  order to assure that  the Fund is entering  into transactions in futures
contracts for hedging  purposes as  such is  defined by  the CFTC  either: 1)  a
substantial  majority  (i.e.,  approximately  75%)  of  all  anticipatory  hedge
transactions (transactions in which  the Fund does  not own at  the time of  the
transaction,  but  expects to  acquire, the  securities underlying  the relevant
futures contract) involving the purchase of futures contracts will be  completed
by  the purchase  of securities  which are the  subject of  the hedge  or 2) the
underlying value of all long positions in futures contracts will not exceed  the
total value of a) all short-term debt obligations held by the Fund; b) cash held
by the Fund; c) cash proceeds due to the Fund on investments within thirty days;
d)  the margin deposited on the contracts; and e) any unrealized appreciation in
the value of the contracts.
 
                                       19
<PAGE>
    If the Fund maintains a short position  in a futures contract or has sold  a
call  option in a futures contract, it will cover this position by holding, in a
segregated account maintained at its Custodian, cash, U.S. Government securities
or other high grade debt obligations equal  in value (when added to any  initial
or variation margin on deposit) to the market value of the securities underlying
the  futures contract or the  exercise price of the  option. Such a position may
also be covered by owning the securities underlying the futures contract (in the
case of a stock index futures  contract a portfolio of securities  substantially
replicating the relevant index), or by holding a call option permitting the Fund
to  purchase the same contract at a price  no higher than the price at which the
short position was established.
 
    In addition, if the Fund holds a long position in a futures contract or  has
sold  a put  option on a  futures contract,  it will hold  cash, U.S. Government
securities or other high grade debt  obligations equal to the purchase price  of
the contract or the exercise price of the put option (less the amount of initial
or  variation margin on deposit) in a segregated account maintained for the Fund
by its  Custodian. Alternatively,  the Fund  could cover  its long  position  by
purchasing  a put option on the same  futures contract with an exercise price as
high or higher than the price of the contract held by the Fund.
 
    Exchanges limit the amount by which the price of a futures contract may move
on any day. If the price moves equal the daily limit on successive days, then it
may prove impossible to liquidate a futures position until the daily limit moves
have ceased. In the event of adverse price movements, the Fund would continue to
be required to  make daily  cash payments of  variation margin  on open  futures
positions. In such situations, if the Fund has insufficient cash, it may have to
sell  portfolio securities to meet daily variation margin requirements at a time
when it may be disadvantageous to do  so. In addition, the Fund may be  required
to  take or  make delivery of  the instruments underlying  interest rate futures
contracts it holds at a time when it is disadvantageous to do so. The  inability
to  close out options and futures positions could also have an adverse impact on
the Fund's ability to effectively hedge its portfolio.
 
    In the event of the bankruptcy of a broker through which the Fund engages in
transactions in futures  or options  thereon, the Fund  could experience  delays
and/or losses in liquidating open positions purchased or sold through the broker
and/or  incur a  loss of  all or part  of its  margin deposits  with the broker.
Transactions are  entered  into by  the  Fund  only with  brokers  or  financial
institutions deemed creditworthy by the Investment Manager.
 
    As  stated  in  the Prospectus,  there  may exist  an  imperfect correlation
between the price movements of futures  contracts purchased by the Fund and  the
movements in the prices of the securities which are the subject of the hedge. If
participants  in the futures  market elect to close  out their contracts through
offsetting  transactions   rather  than   meet  margin   deposit   requirements,
distortions  in  the  normal  relationship between  the  securities  and futures
markets could  result.  Price distortions  could  also result  if  investors  in
futures  contracts opt to make or  take delivery of underlying securities rather
than engage  in closing  transactions  due to  the  resultant reduction  in  the
liquidity  of the futures  market. In addition,  due to the  fact that, from the
point of view of  speculators, the deposit requirements  in the futures  markets
are  less  onerous  than  margin  requirements  in  the  cash  market, increased
participation by speculators in the  futures market could cause temporary  price
distortions.  Due to the possibility of  price distortions in the futures market
and because of  the imperfect  correlation between  movements in  the prices  of
securities  and movements in the prices of futures contracts, a correct forecast
of stock price or interest rate trends  by the Investment Manager may still  not
result in a successful hedging transaction.
 
    As  stated in the Prospectus, there is  no assurance that a liquid secondary
market will exist for  futures contracts and related  options in which the  Fund
may  invest. In the event a liquid market does not exist, it may not be possible
to close out a futures  position and, in the  event of adverse price  movements,
the  Fund would continue to be required to make daily cash payments of variation
margin. In addition,  limitations imposed by  an exchange or  board of trade  on
which  futures contracts are traded may compel  or prevent the Fund from closing
out a contract which may result in  reduced gain or increased loss to the  Fund.
The absence of a liquid market in futures contracts might cause the Fund to make
or  take  delivery  of  the underlying  securities  at  a time  when  it  may be
disadvantageous to do so.
 
                                       20
<PAGE>
    Compared to the purchase or sale of futures contracts, the purchase of  call
or  put options on  futures contracts involves  less potential risk  to the Fund
because the maximum amount  at risk is  the premium paid  for the options  (plus
transaction  costs). However, there may be  circumstances when the purchase of a
call or put  option on a  futures contract would  result in a  loss to the  Fund
notwithstanding that the purchase or sale of a futures contract would not result
in  a loss, as in the  instance where there is no  movement in the prices of the
futures contract or underlying securities.
 
REPURCHASE AGREEMENTS
 
    When cash may be available  for only a few days,  it may be invested by  the
Fund in repurchase agreements until such time as it may otherwise be invested or
used  for payments of  obligations of the  Fund. These agreements,  which may be
viewed as  a  type  of  secured  lending by  the  Fund,  typically  involve  the
acquisition  by the Fund of debt securities from a selling financial institution
such as a  bank, savings and  loan association or  broker-dealer. The  agreement
provides  that  the  Fund  will  sell back  to  the  institution,  and  that the
institution  will  repurchase,  the  underlying  security  ("collateral")  at  a
specified  price and at a fixed time in  the future, usually not more than seven
days from  the  date  of  purchase.  The collateral  will  be  maintained  in  a
segregated  account and  will be  marked to market  daily to  determine that the
value of the collateral, as specified in the agreement, does not decrease  below
the  purchase price plus  accrued interest. If  such decrease occurs, additional
collateral will  be  requested and,  when  received,  added to  the  account  to
maintain  full  collateralization.  The  Fund  will  accrue  interest  from  the
institution until the time when the  repurchase is to occur. Although such  date
is  deemed by the  Fund to be the  maturity date of  a repurchase agreement, the
maturities of securities subject to repurchase agreements are not subject to any
limits.
 
    While repurchase agreements involve certain risks not associated with direct
investments in debt securities, the Fund follows procedures designed to minimize
such risks. These procedures include effecting repurchase transactions only with
large,  well-capitalized  and  well-established  financial  institutions   whose
financial  condition  will be  continually monitored  by the  Investment Manager
subject to procedures  established by  the Board of  Directors of  the Fund.  In
addition,  as  described  above,  the value  of  the  collateral  underlying the
repurchase agreement will be at least  equal to the repurchase price,  including
any  accrued interest  earned on  the repurchase  agreement. In  the event  of a
default or bankruptcy by a selling financial institution, the Fund will seek  to
liquidate  such  collateral.  However, the  exercising  of the  Fund's  right to
liquidate such collateral  could involve  certain costs  or delays  and, to  the
extent  that  proceeds  from  any  sale upon  a  default  of  the  obligation to
repurchase were less than the repurchase price, the Fund could suffer a loss. It
is the current policy of the Fund not to invest in repurchase agreements that do
not mature within  seven days if  any such investment,  together with any  other
illiquid assets held by the Fund, amounts to more than 15% of its total assets.
 
WHEN-ISSUED AND DELAYED DELIVERY SECURITIES AND FORWARD COMMITMENTS
 
   
    From  time to  time the  Fund may  purchase securities  on a  when-issued or
delayed delivery  basis  or  may  purchase  or  sell  securities  on  a  forward
commitment  basis. When such transactions are  negotiated, the price is fixed at
the time of the commitment, but delivery  and payment can take place a month  or
more  after the date of commitment. While the Fund will only purchase securities
on a  when-issued,  delayed  delivery  or  forward  commitment  basis  with  the
intention  of acquiring the securities, the  Fund may sell the securities before
the settlement date, if it is  deemed advisable. The securities so purchased  or
sold  are subject to market  fluctuation and no interest  or dividends accrue to
the purchaser prior  to the  settlement date.  At the  time the  Fund makes  the
commitment  to purchase or sell securities on a when-issued, delayed delivery or
forward commitment basis, it will record the transaction and thereafter  reflect
the  value, each day, of such security purchased,  or if a sale, the proceeds to
be received, in determining its net asset value. At the time of delivery of  the
securities, their value may be more or less than the purchase or sale price. The
Fund  will also establish a segregated account  with its custodian bank in which
it will continually maintain cash or  cash equivalents or other high grade  debt
portfolio  securities equal in value to  commitments to purchase securities on a
when-issued, delayed delivery  or forward  commitment basis.  During the  fiscal
year  ended  February  29, 1996,  the  Fund  did not  purchase  securities  on a
when-issued, delayed delivery or forward commitment basis.
    
 
                                       21
<PAGE>
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 such  time, the Fund will record
the transaction and, in determining its net asset value, will reflect the  value
of  the security daily. At such time,  the Fund will also establish a segregated
account with  its  custodian  bank  in  which it  will  maintain  cash  or  cash
equivalents  or other  high grade  debt portfolio  securities equal  in value to
recognized commitments for such securities. The value of the Fund's  commitments
to  purchase the securities  of any one  issuer, together with  the value of all
securities of such issuer owned by the Fund,  may not exceed 5% of the value  of
the  Fund's total  assets at  the time the  initial commitment  to purchase such
securities  is  made  (see  "Investment  Restrictions").  An  increase  in   the
percentage  of the Fund's  assets committed to  the purchase of  securities on a
"when, as and  if issued" basis  may increase  the volatility of  its net  asset
value. The Investment Manager and the Board of Directors do not believe that the
net  asset  value of  the Fund  will be  adversely affected  by its  purchase of
securities on such basis.  During the fiscal year  ended February 29, 1996,  the
Fund  did not purchase securities on a "when,  as and if issued" basis. The Fund
may also sell securities on a "when,  as and if issued" basis provided that  the
issuance  of  the  security  will  result  automatically  from  the  exchange or
conversion of a security owned by the Fund at the time of sale.
    
 
PRIVATE PLACEMENTS
 
    The Fund may invest  up to 5%  of its total assets  in securities which  are
subject  to restrictions on  resale because they have  not been registered under
the Securities  Act of  1933, as  amended, or  which are  otherwise not  readily
marketable.  These securities are generally referred to as private placements or
restricted securities. Limitations on the resale of such securities may have  an
adverse  effect on their marketability, and  may prevent the Fund from disposing
of them promptly at reasonable prices. The Fund may have to bear the expense  of
registering  such securities  for resale and  the risk of  substantial delays in
effecting such registration.
 
   
    The Securities and Exchange Commission has recently adopted Rule 144A  under
the  Securities  Act of  1933, which  will  permit the  Fund to  sell restricted
securities to qualified  institutional buyers without  limitation. The Board  of
Directors  of the  Fund will make  a determination  as to the  liquidity of each
restricted  security  purchased  by  the  Fund.  If  a  restricted  security  is
determined  to  be  "liquid," such  security  will  not be  included  within the
category "illiquid securities," which under current policy may not exceed 15% of
the Fund's total  assets. The  Rule 144A  marketplace of  sellers and  qualified
institutional  buyers is new and still developing  and may take a period of time
to develop into a mature liquid market. As such, the market for certain  private
placements  purchased  pursuant to  Rule  144A may  be  initially small  or may,
subsequent to purchase, become illiquid. Furthermore, the Investment Manager may
not be possessed of all the  information concerning an issue of securities  that
it wishes to purchase in a private placement to which it would normally have had
access,  had the registration  statement necessitated by  a public offering been
filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission. During the fiscal year  ended
February 29, 1996, the Fund did not purchase any restricted securities.
    
 
INVESTMENT RESTRICTIONS
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
 
    In addition to the investment restrictions enumerated in the Prospectus, the
investment   restrictions  listed  below  have  been  adopted  by  the  Fund  as
fundamental  policies,  except  as  otherwise   indicated.  Under  the  Act,   a
fundamental  policy may  not be changed  without the  vote of a  majority of the
outstanding voting  securities  of the  Fund,  as defined  in  the Act.  Such  a
majority  is defined as the lesser of (a) 67% or more of the shares present at a
meeting of shareholders  of the Fund,  if the holders  of more than  50% of  the
outstanding  shares are present or represented by proxy; or (b) more than 50% of
the outstanding shares of the Fund. For purposes of the following  restrictions:
(i)  all percentage  limitations apply immediately  after a  purchase or initial
investment;  and  (ii)  any  subsequent  change  in  any  applicable  percentage
resulting  from market fluctuations or other changes in total or net assets does
not require elimination of any security from the portfolio.
 
                                       22
<PAGE>
    The Fund may not:
 
          1.  Invest in  securities of any  issuer if, to  the knowledge of  the
    Fund,  any officer or director of the Fund or of the Investment Manager owns
    more than 1/2 of 1% of the  outstanding securities of such issuer, and  such
    officers and directors who own more than 1/2 of 1% own in the aggregate more
    than 5% of the outstanding securities of such issuer.
 
          2.    Purchase or  sell real  estate  or interests  therein (including
    limited partnership interests), although the Fund may purchase securities of
    issuers which  engage in  real estate  operations and  securities which  are
    secured by real estate or interests therein.
 
          3.  Purchase or sell commodities except that the Fund may purchase and
    sell futures contracts and related options.
 
          4.    Purchase oil,  gas or  other mineral  leases, rights  or royalty
    contracts or exploration or development  programs, except that the Fund  may
    invest  in the securities of companies  which operate, invest in, or sponsor
    such programs.
 
          5.   Purchase  securities of  other  investment companies,  except  in
    connection  with a  merger, consolidation, reorganization  or acquisition of
    assets.
 
          6.  Borrow  money, except that  the Fund  may borrow from  a bank  for
    temporary  or emergency purposes  in amounts not exceeding  5% (taken at the
    lower of  cost or  current value)  of its  total assets  (not including  the
    amount borrowed).
 
          7.   Pledge its assets or assign  or otherwise encumber them except to
    secure borrowings effected within the  limitations set forth in  restriction
    (6).  (To meet the requirements of  regulations in certain states, the Fund,
    as a matter of operating policy but not as a fundamental policy, will  limit
    any  pledge of its assets to 4.5% of its net assets so long as shares of the
    Fund are being sold in those states.) For the purposes of this  restriction,
    collateral   arrangements  with  respect  to  the  writing  of  options  and
    collateral arrangements  with respect  to initial  or variation  margin  for
    futures are not deemed to be pledges of assets.
 
          8.   Issue senior securities  as defined in the  Act except insofar as
    the Fund may be deemed  to have issued a senior  security by reason of:  (a)
    entering  into any repurchase  agreement; (b) borrowing  money in accordance
    with restrictions described above; or (c) lending portfolio securities.
 
          9.  Make loans of money or securities, except: (a) by the purchase  of
    debt obligations in which the Fund may invest consistent with its investment
    objective  and policies; (b) by investment  in repurchase agreements; or (c)
    by lending its portfolio securities.
 
         10.  Make short sales of securities.
 
         11.  Purchase securities on margin, except for such short-term loans as
    are necessary for the  clearance of purchases  of portfolio securities.  The
    deposit  or payment by the Fund of initial or variation margin in connection
    with futures  contracts or  related options  thereon is  not considered  the
    purchase of a security on margin.
 
         12.   Engage in  the underwriting of securities,  except insofar as the
    Fund may  be deemed  an underwriter  under  the Securities  Act of  1933  in
    disposing  of a portfolio security and then  only in an aggregate amount not
    to exceed 5% of the Fund's total assets.
 
         13.  Invest for the purpose of exercising control or management of  any
    other issuer.
 
    In  addition, the  Fund, as a  non-fundamental policy, will  not invest more
than 5% of the value of its net  assets in warrants, including not more than  2%
of  such  assets  in warrants  not  listed on  the  New York  or  American Stock
Exchange. However, the acquisition of  warrants attached to other securities  is
not subject to this restriction.
 
                                       23
<PAGE>
PORTFOLIO TRANSACTIONS AND BROKERAGE
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
 
   
    Subject to the general supervision of the Board of Directors, the Investment
Manager  is responsible for decisions  to buy and sell  securities for the Fund,
the selection  of  brokers and  dealers  to  effect the  transactions,  and  the
negotiation  of brokerage commissions, if any. Purchases and sales of securities
on a stock  exchange are effected  through brokers who  charge a commission  for
their  services. In the over-the-counter market, securities are generally traded
on a "net" basis with dealers acting as principal for their own accounts without
a stated  commission, although  the price  of the  security usually  includes  a
profit to the dealer. The Fund also expects that securities will be purchased at
times  in  underwritten offerings  where the  price includes  a fixed  amount of
compensation, generally referred to as the underwriter's concession or discount.
Options and futures transactions will usually be effected through a broker and a
commission will be  charged. On  occasion, the  Fund may  also purchase  certain
money  market instruments directly from an  issuer, in which case no commissions
or discounts are paid.  For the fiscal years  ended February 28, 1994,  February
28,  1995 and February 29, 1996, the Fund paid a total of $439,781, $373,465 and
$270,398, respectively, in brokerage commissions.
    
 
   
    The Investment Manager currently serves as investment manager or adviser  to
a number of clients, including other investment companies, and may in the future
act  as  investment manager  or adviser  to others.  It is  the practice  of the
Investment Manager to cause purchase and sale transactions to be allocated among
the Fund  and  others  whose assets  it  manages  in such  manner  as  it  deems
equitable.  In making such allocations among the Fund and other client accounts,
the various  factors  may be  considered,  including the  respective  investment
objectives,  the relative size  of portfolio holdings of  the same or comparable
securities, the  availability of  cash for  investment, the  size of  investment
commitments  generally  held and  the opinions  of  the persons  responsible for
managing the portfolios of the  Fund and other client  accounts. In the case  of
certain  initial  and secondary  public  offerings, the  Investment  Manager may
utilize a  pro-rata  allocation based  on  the size  of  the Dean  Witter  Funds
involved and the number of shares available from the public offering.
    
 
    The  policy of the Fund regarding purchases  and sales of securities for its
portfolio is that  primary consideration  will be  given to  obtaining the  most
favorable  prices and efficient executions of transactions. Consistent with this
policy, when  securities transactions  are  effected on  a stock  exchange,  the
Fund's  policy is  to pay commissions  which are considered  fair and reasonable
without necessarily determining that the lowest possible commissions are paid in
all circumstances.  The Fund  believes that  a requirement  always to  seek  the
lowest  possible commission cost could impede effective portfolio management and
preclude the Fund and  the Investment Manager from  obtaining a high quality  of
brokerage  and research services. In seeking  to determine the reasonableness of
brokerage commissions paid  in any  transaction, the  Investment Manager  relies
upon  its experience  and knowledge  regarding commissions  generally charged by
various brokers and  on its judgment  in evaluating the  brokerage and  research
services received from the broker effecting the transaction. Such determinations
are necessarily subjective and imprecise, as in most cases an exact dollar value
for those services is not ascertainable.
 
   
    In  seeking to implement the Fund's policies, the Investment Manager effects
transactions with those brokers and dealers who the Investment Manager  believes
provide  the  most  favorable  prices and  are  capable  of  providing efficient
executions. If  the Investment  Manager believes  such price  and execution  are
obtainable  from more than  one broker or  dealer, it may  give consideration to
placing portfolio transactions with those  brokers and dealers who also  furnish
research and other services to the Fund or the Investment Manager. Such services
may  include,  but  are  not limited  to,  any  one or  more  of  the following:
information  as  to  the  availability  of  securities  for  purchase  or  sale;
statistical  or factual information  or opinions pertaining  to investment; wire
services; and  appraisals or  evaluations of  portfolio securities.  During  the
fiscal  year ended February 29, 1996, the  Fund directed the payment of $165,793
in brokerage commissions in connection with transactions in the aggregate amount
of $27,798,999 to brokers because of research services provided.
    
 
    Consistent with  the  policy  described  above,  brokerage  transactions  in
securities listed on exchanges or admitted to unlisted trading privileges may be
effected  through DWR. In order for DWR to effect any portfolio transactions for
the Fund, the commissions,  fees or other remuneration  received by DWR must  be
reasonable and fair compared to the commissions, fees or other remuneration paid
to other brokers in connection with
 
                                       24
<PAGE>
   
comparable  transactions involving similar securities being purchased or sold on
an exchange during a comparable period of time. This standard would allow DWR to
receive no more than the remuneration which would be expected to be received  by
an  unaffiliated broker in a commensurate arm's-length transaction. Furthermore,
the Directors of the  Fund, including a  majority of the  Directors who are  not
"interested" persons of the Fund, as defined in the Act, have adopted procedures
which  are reasonably  designed to provide  that any commissions,  fees or other
remuneration paid to DWR are consistent with the foregoing standard. During  the
fiscal  years ended February 28, 1994, February  28, 1995 and February 29, 1996,
the Fund  paid  a  total  of $52,240,  $84,230  and  $88,566,  respectively,  in
brokerage  commissions to DWR.  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 DWR. During the year  ended February 29, 1996, the brokerage  commissions
paid  to DWR represented approximately 32.75% of the total brokerage commissions
paid by the Fund during the year and were paid on account of transactions having
an aggregate dollar value equal to approximately 42.45% of the aggregate  dollar
value  of  all portfolio  transactions of  the  Fund during  the year  for which
commissions were paid.
    
 
   
    Pursuant to an order of the Securities and Exchange Commission, the Fund may
effect principal transactions in certain money market instruments with DWR.  The
Fund  will limit  its transactions  with DWR  to U.S.  Government and Government
Agency Securities,  Bank Money  Instruments (i.e.  Certificates of  Deposit  and
Bankers'  Acceptances) and Commercial Paper.  Such transactions will be effected
with DWR only when the  price available from DWR  is better than that  available
from other dealers. During its fiscal year ended February 29, 1996, the Fund did
not effect any principal transactions with DWR.
    
 
    The information and services received by the Investment Manager from brokers
and  dealers may be  of benefit to  the Investment Manager  in the management of
accounts of some of its other clients and may not in all cases benefit the  Fund
directly.  While  the receipt  of  such information  and  services is  useful in
varying degrees and would  generally reduce the amount  of research or  services
otherwise  performed by the Investment Manager  and thereby reduce its expenses,
it is of indeterminable value and the Fund does not reduce the management fee it
pays to the Investment  Manager by any  amount that may  be attributable to  the
value of such services.
 
PORTFOLIO TRADING
 
   
    It  is anticipated that  the Fund's portfolio turnover  rate will not exceed
100% during the fiscal year ending February 28, 1997. A 100% turnover rate would
occur, for  example, if  100% of  the securities  held in  the Fund's  portfolio
(excluding all securities whose maturities at acquisition were one year or less)
were  sold and replaced within one year.  During the fiscal years ended February
28, 1995 and February 29, 1996, the Fund's portfolio turnover rates were 59% and
49%, respectively.
    
 
THE DISTRIBUTOR
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
 
   
    As discussed in the Prospectus, shares  of the Fund are distributed by  Dean
Witter Distributors Inc. (the "Distributor"). The Distributor has entered into a
selected  dealer agreement  with DWR, which  through its  own sales organization
sells shares of the Fund. In  addition, the Distributor may enter into  selected
dealer  agreements  with  other  selected  broker-dealers.  The  Distributor,  a
Delaware corporation,  is  an  indirect wholly-owned  subsidiary  of  DWDC.  The
Directors  of the Fund, including  a majority of the  Directors who are not, and
were not at the time they voted,  interested persons of the Fund, as defined  in
the  Act  (the  "Independent Directors"),  approved,  at their  meeting  held on
October 30,  1992,  a  Distribution  Agreement  (the  "Distribution  Agreement")
appointing  the  Distributor  exclusive  distributor of  the  Fund's  shares and
providing for the  Distributor to bear  distribution expenses not  borne by  the
Fund.  The Distribution Agreement took effect on June 30, 1993 upon the spin-off
by Sears, Roebuck  & Co.  of its  remaining shares of  DWDC. By  its terms,  the
Distribution  Agreement has an initial term  ending April 30, 1994, and provides
that it will remain in  effect from year to year  thereafter if approved by  the
Board.  At their  meeting held  on April  17, 1996,  the Directors,  including a
majority  of  the  Independent  Directors,  approved  the  continuation  of  the
Distribution Agreement until April 30, 1997.
    
 
                                       25
<PAGE>
    The  Distributor bears all expenses it may incur in providing services under
the Distribution Agreement. Such expenses include the payment of commissions for
sales of the Fund's shares and incentive compensation to account executives. The
Distributor also pays certain  expenses in connection  with the distribution  of
the  Fund's shares, including the costs  of preparing, printing and distributing
advertising or promotional materials, and the costs of printing and distributing
prospectuses and supplements thereto  used in connection  with the offering  and
sale  of the  Fund's shares.  The Fund bears  the costs  of initial typesetting,
printing and distribution of prospectuses and supplements thereto to prospective
shareholders. The Fund  also bears  the costs of  registering the  Fund and  its
shares  under federal  and state securities  laws. The Fund  and the Distributor
have agreed  to  indemnify each  other  against certain  liabilities,  including
liabilities under the Securities Act of 1933, as amended. Under the Distribution
Agreement,  the Distributor uses  its best efforts in  rendering services to the
Fund, but in the absence of willful misfeasance, bad faith, gross negligence  or
reckless disregard of its obligations, the Distributor is not liable to the Fund
or  any of its shareholders for any error  of judgement or mistake of law or for
any act or omission or for any losses sustained by the Fund or its shareholders.
 
PLAN OF DISTRIBUTION
 
   
    The Fund has adopted a Plan of Distribution pursuant to Rule 12b-1 under the
Act (the "Plan"), pursuant to which  the Fund pays the Distributor  compensation
accrued  daily and payable monthly at the 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 upon which such charge  has
been  waived, or (b) the  Fund's average daily net  assets. The Distributor also
receives the proceeds of  contingent deferred sales  charges imposed on  certain
redemptions  of shares, which are separate and apart from payments made pursuant
to the  Plan (see  "Redemptions  and Repurchases  -- Contingent  Deferred  Sales
Charge" in the Prospectus). The Distributor has informed the Fund that it and/or
DWR  received  approximately  $143,000,  $177,000  and  $184,694  in  contingent
deferred sales charges for  the fiscal years ended  February 28, 1994,  February
28,  1995 and February 29, 1996, respectively, none of which was retained by the
Distributor.
    
 
   
    The Distributor has informed the Fund that a portion of the fees payable  by
the  Fund each year  pursuant to the Plan  equal to 0.25%  of the Fund's average
daily net assets, is characterized  as a "service fee  under" the Rules of  Fair
Practice  of  the  National  Association of  Securities  Dealers  (of  which the
Distributor is a member). Such portion of the fee is a payment made for personal
service and/or the maintenance of shareholder accounts. The remaining portion of
the Plan of Distribution fee  payments made by the  Fund is characterized as  an
"asset-based  sales  charge"  pursuant  to  the  aforementioned  Rules  of  Fair
Practice. At their meeting held on October 26, 1995, the Directors of the  Fund,
including  all of the Independent 12b-1  Directors, approved an amendment to the
Plan to  permit payments  to be  made under  the Plan  with respect  to  certain
distribution  expenses incurred in  connection with the  distribution of shares,
including personal services  to shareholders  with respect to  holdings of  such
shares,  of an  investment company whose  assets are  acquired by the  Fund in a
tax-free reorganization.
    
 
    The Plan  was  originally  adopted  by  a majority  vote  of  the  Board  of
Directors,  including all of  the Directors who are  not "interested persons" of
the Fund, as defined in the Act, (the "Independent Directors") none of whom  had
or  have any direct or indirect financial  interest in the operation of the Plan
(the "Independent 12b-1 Directors"), cast in person at a meeting called for  the
purpose  of  voting on  the Plan,  on April  16, 1984,  and by  the shareholders
holding a majority,  as defined in  the Act,  of the outstanding  shares of  the
Fund, at the Fund's Annual Meeting of Stockholders held on June 22, 1984.
 
    At  their  meeting held  on October  30,  1992, the  Directors of  the Fund,
including all of the Independent 12b-1 Directors, approved certain amendments to
the Plan which took  effect in January,  1993 and were  designed to reflect  the
fact  that  upon  the  reorganization described  above,  the  share distribution
activities theretofore  performed  for the  Fund  by  DWR were  assumed  by  the
Distributor  and DWR's sales activities are  now being performed pursuant to the
terms of  a selected  dealer  agreement between  the  Distributor and  DWR.  The
amendments  provide that payments under the Plan will be made to the Distributor
rather than to DWR as
 
                                       26
<PAGE>
before the amendment,  and that the  Distributor in turn  is authorized to  make
payments to DWR, its affiliates or other selected broker-dealers (or direct that
the  Fund pay  such entities  directly). The  Distributor is  also authorized to
retain part  of  such  fee  as compensation  for  its  own  distribution-related
expenses.
 
   
    Pursuant  to the Plan, and as required  by Rule 12b-1, the Distributor shall
provide the Fund, for review by  the Directors, and the Directors shall  review,
at  least quarterly, a written report of the amounts expended under the Plan and
the purpose for which such expenditures  were made. The Fund accrued  $1,369,150
to the Distributor, pursuant to the Plan, for the fiscal year ended February 29,
1996.  This is an accrual at an annual rate of 1% of the average daily aggregate
gross sales of the Fund's shares  issued, net of related shares redeemed,  since
the implementation of the Plan.
    
 
    The  Plan was adopted  in order to  permit the implementation  of the Fund's
method of distribution. Under  this distribution method shares  of the Fund  are
sold  without a sales load  being deducted at the time  of purchase, so that the
full amount of an investor's purchase payment will be invested in shares without
any deduction  for  sales charges.  Shares  of the  Fund  may be  subject  to  a
contingent deferred sales charge, payable to the Distributor, if redeemed during
the  six years after  their purchase. DWR compensates  its account executives by
paying them, from its own funds, commissions for the sale of the Fund's  shares,
currently  a gross sales  credit of up  to 5% of  the amount sold  and an annual
residual commission of up to .25 of 1%  of the current value of the amount  sold
(not  including reinvested dividends and  distributions). The gross sales credit
is a charge which reflects commissions paid by DWR to its account executives and
DWR's   Fund   associated   distribution-related   expenses,   including   sales
compensation  and overhead. The  distribution fee that  the Distributor receives
from the Fund under the Plan, in effect, offsets distribution expenses  incurred
on  behalf of  the Fund  and DWR's  opportunity costs,  such as  the gross sales
credit and  an  assumed interest  charge  thereon ("carrying  charge").  In  the
Distributor's  reporting  of distribution  expenses  to the  Fund,  such assumed
interest (computed at the "broker's call rate") has been calculated on the gross
sales credit as it is reduced by  amounts received by the Distributor under  the
Plan  and any contingent deferred sales charges received by the Distributor upon
redemption of shares  of the Fund.  No other  interest charge is  included as  a
distribution  expense in the Distributor's calculation of its distribution costs
for this  purpose.  The broker's  call  rate is  the  interest rate  charged  to
securities brokers on loans secured by exchange-listed securities.
 
   
    The  Fund paid 100% of the $1,369,150  accrued under the Plan for the fiscal
year ended February 29, 1996 to the Distributor and DWR. The Distributor and DWR
estimate that they have  spent, pursuant to the  Plan, $21,460,579 on behalf  of
the  Fund since the inception of the Plan.  It is estimated that this amount was
spent  in  approximately  the  following   ways:  (i)  12.38%  ($2,657,640)   --
advertising  and  promotional expenses;  (ii)  1.46% ($312,369)  --  printing of
prospectuses for  distribution to  other than  current shareholders;  and  (iii)
86.16% ($18,490,570) -- other expenses, including the gross sales credit and the
carrying  charge,  of  which 12.93%  ($2,390,067)  represents  carrying charges,
35.13% ($6,496,553)  represents commission  credits to  DWR branch  offices  for
payments of commissions to account executives and 51.94% ($9,603,950) represents
overhead and other branch office distribution-related expenses.
    
 
   
    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 contingent  deferred  sales  charges  paid  by
investors  upon redemption of shares. The  Distributor has advised the Fund that
the excess  distribution expenses,  including the  carrying charge  designed  to
approximate  the opportunity  costs incurred by  DWR 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 shares, totalled $5,194,326 as of February 29,
1996,  which amount  constitutes 3.40%  of the Fund's  net assets  on such date.
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 and the proceeds of contingent deferred sales charges paid by investors
upon  redemption  of shares,  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, 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.
    
 
                                       27
<PAGE>
    No interested person of the Fund nor any Director of the Fund who is not  an
interested person of the Fund, as defined in the Act, had any direct or indirect
financial  interest in the operation  of the Plan except  to the extent that the
Distributor, InterCapital, DWR or  certain of their employees  may be deemed  to
have such interest as a result of benefits derived from the successful operation
of  the Plan  or as  a result  of receiving  a portion  of the  amounts expended
thereunder by the Fund.
 
   
    Under its  terms,  the Plan  will  continue in  effect  from year  to  year,
provided such continuance is approved annually by a vote of the Directors in the
manner  described above. Continuance of  the Plan for one  year, until April 30,
1997, was approved by the Board of  Directors of the Fund, including a  majority
of  the Independent 12b-1 Directors, at a  Board meeting held on April 17, 1996.
At that  meeting,  the  Directors of  the  Fund,  including a  majority  of  the
Independent  12b-1 Directors, also approved  certain technical amendments to the
Plan in connection with recent amendments adopted by the National Association of
Securities Dealers  to  its Rules  of  Fair  Practice. Prior  to  approving  the
continuation of the Plan, the Board requested and received from DWR and reviewed
all  the  information  which  it  deemed  necessary  to  arrive  at  an informed
determination. In making their determination to continue the Plan, the Directors
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; and
(3) what services had been provided and were continuing to be provided under the
Plan by  the Distributor  to the  Fund and  its stockholders.  Based upon  their
review,  the  Directors of  the Fund,  including each  of the  Independent 12b-1
Directors, 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 Directors' 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 of the shareholders of  the
Fund,  and all  material amendments  of the  Plan must  also be  approved by the
Directors 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 Directors who  are
not  interested persons of the Fund and who have no direct or indirect financial
interest in  the operation  of the  Plan, or  by a  vote of  a majority  of  the
outstanding  voting securities of the  Fund (as defined in  the Act) on not more
than thirty days' written notice to any other party to the Plan. So long as  the
Plan is in effect, the election and nomination of Independent Directors shall be
committed to the discretion of the Independent Directors.
 
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 (or, on days  when the New York Stock Exchange closes  prior
to  4 p.m., at such earlier time), on  each day that the New York Stock Exchange
is open  by  taking  the value  of  all  assets of  the  Fund,  subtracting  its
liabilities,  dividing by the number of  shares outstanding and adjusting to the
nearest cent.  The New  York  Stock Exchange  currently observes  the  following
holidays:   New  Year's  Day,  Presidents'   Day,  Good  Friday,  Memorial  Day,
Independence Day, Labor Day, Thanksgiving Day, and Christmas Day.
    
 
    As stated  in  the Prospectus,  short-term  debt securities  with  remaining
maturities  of 60 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 Trustees. Other  short-term debt securities will be  valued
on  a mark-to-market basis until such time as they reach a remaining maturity of
60 days, whereupon they will  be valued at amortized  cost using their value  on
the  61st  day  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. Listed options on debt securities are
valued at the latest sale price on the exchange on which they are listed  unless
no  sales of such options have taken place  that day, in which case they will be
valued at the mean between their  latest bid and asked prices. Unlisted  options
on  debt securities and all options on  equity securities are valued at the mean
between their latest bid and asked prices. Futures are valued at the latest sale
price on  the commodities  exchange on  which they  trade unless  the  Directors
determine that such price does not reflect their market
 
                                       28
<PAGE>
value,  in which case they  will be valued at their  fair value as determined by
the Directors. 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 Directors.
 
SHAREHOLDER SERVICES
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
 
    Upon the purchase of shares of the Fund, a Shareholder Investment Account is
opened for the investor on the books  of the Fund and maintained by Dean  Witter
Trust  Company (the "Transfer Agent").  This is an open  account in which shares
owned by the investor are credited by the Transfer Agent in lieu of issuance  of
a  stock certificate. If a stock certificate is desired, it must be requested in
writing for each transaction. Certificates are  issued only for full shares  and
may  be  redeposited in  the account  at any  time.  There is  no charge  to the
investor for  issuance  of  a certificate.  Whenever  a  shareholder  instituted
transaction  takes place in the  Shareholder Investment Account, the shareholder
will be mailed a written confirmation of  the transaction from the Fund or  from
DWR or other broker-dealer.
 
    AUTOMATIC  INVESTMENT  OF DIVIDENDS  AND DISTRIBUTIONS.    As stated  in the
Prospectus,  all   income  dividends   and  capital   gains  distributions   are
automatically  paid  in  full and  fractional  shares  of the  Fund,  unless the
shareholder requests that they be paid in  cash. Each purchase of shares of  the
Fund is made upon the condition that the Transfer Agent is thereby automatically
appointed  as agent of the  investor to receive all  dividends and capital gains
distributions on shares owned by the investor. Such dividends and  distributions
will  be paid, at the  net asset value per  share, in shares of  the Fund (or in
cash if the shareholder so requests) as  of the close of business on the  record
date.  At any time  an investor may  request the Transfer  Agent, in writing, to
have subsequent dividends and/or capital gains distributions paid to him or  her
in  cash rather than  shares. To assure  sufficient time to  process the change,
such request should  be received by  the Transfer Agent  at least five  business
days  prior to the record  date of the dividend or  distribution. In the case of
recently purchased  shares for  which registration  instructions have  not  been
received on the record date, cash payments will be made to DWR or other selected
broker-dealer,  and will  be forwarded to  the shareholder, upon  the receipt of
proper instructions.
 
    TARGETED  DIVIDENDS.-TM-    In  states  where  it  is  legally  permissible,
shareholders  may also have all income dividends and capital gains distributions
automatically invested in shares of an open-end Dean Witter Fund other than Dean
Witter Natural Resource Development Securities. Such investment will be made  as
described above for automatic investment in shares of the Fund, at the net asset
value  per share of the selected Dean Witter Fund as of the close of business on
the payment  date  of  the dividend  or  distribution  and will  begin  to  earn
dividends,  if any, in the  selected Dean Witter Fund  the next business day. To
participate in the Targeted Dividends program, shareholders should contact their
DWR or other  selected broker-dealer  account executive of  the Transfer  Agent.
Shareholders  of the Fund must be shareholders  of the Dean Witter Fund targeted
to receive  investments from  dividends  at the  time  they enter  the  Targeted
Dividends  program. Investors should review the  prospectus of the targeted Dean
Witter Fund before entering the program.
 
    EASYINVEST.-TM-   Shareholders may  subscribe  to EasyInvest,  an  automatic
purchase  plan  which  provides  for  any  amount  from  $100  to  $5,000  to be
transferred automatically from a checking or savings account, on a semi-monthly,
monthly or quarterly basis,  to the Transfer Agent  for investment in shares  of
the Fund. Shares purchased through EasyInvest will be added to the shareholder's
existing  account at the  net asset value  calculated the same  business day the
transfer of  funds is  effected.  For further  information  or to  subscribe  to
EasyInvest,   shareholders   should  contact   their   DWR  or   other  selected
broker-dealer account executive or the Transfer Agent.
 
    INVESTMENT OF DIVIDENDS OR DISTRIBUTIONS RECEIVED IN CASH.  Any  shareholder
who  receives a cash payment representing  a dividend or distribution may invest
such dividend or distribution at net asset  value by returning the check or  the
proceeds to the Transfer Agent within thirty days after the payment date. If the
shareholder  returns the proceeds of a dividend or distribution, such funds must
be accompanied by a signed statement  indicating that the proceeds constitute  a
dividend or distribution to be invested. Such investment will be made at the net
asset  value per share next determined after receipt of the check or proceeds by
the Transfer Agent.
 
                                       29
<PAGE>
    SYSTEMATIC WITHDRAWAL PLAN.   As discussed in  the Prospectus, a  withdrawal
plan  (the "Withdrawal Plan") is available  for shareholders who own or purchase
shares of the Fund having a minimum value of $10,000 based upon the then current
net asset value. The Withdrawal Plan  provides for monthly or quarterly  (March,
June, September and December) checks in any dollar amount, not less 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"   in  the  Prospectus).   Therefore,  any   shareholder
participating  in the Withdrawal Plan will  have sufficient shares redeemed from
his or  her account  so that  the  proceeds (net  of any  applicable  contingent
deferred  sales charge)  to the  shareholder will  be the  designated monthly or
quarterly amount.
 
    The Transfer Agent  acts as agent  for the shareholder  in tendering to  the
Fund  for redemption sufficient full and fractional shares to provide the amount
of the periodic  withdrawal payment  designated in the  application. The  shares
will  be  redeemed at  their net  asset value  determined, at  the shareholder's
option, on the tenth or twenty-fifth day (or next following business day) of the
relevant month or quarter and normally a  check for the proceeds will be  mailed
by  the Transfer  Agent, or  amounts credited  to a  shareholder's DWR  or other
broker-dealer brokerage account,  within five  business days after  the date  of
redemption. The Withdrawal Plan may be terminated at any time by the Fund.
 
    Withdrawal  Plan payments should  not be considered  as dividends, yields or
income. If periodic Withdrawal Plan payments continuously exceed net  investment
income  and net  capital gains,  the 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").
 
    Any shareholder who wishes to have  payments under the Withdrawal Plan  made
to  a third party or sent to an address other than the one listed on the account
must send complete written instructions to  the Transfer Agent to enroll in  the
Withdrawal  Plan.  The  shareholder's  signature on  such  instructions  must be
guaranteed  by  an   eligible  guarantor  acceptable   to  the  Transfer   Agent
(shareholders  should  contact  the Transfer  Agent  for a  determination  as to
whether a particular institution is  such an eligible guarantor). A  shareholder
may,  at any time, change the amount and interval of withdrawal payments through
his or her account executive or  by written notification to the Transfer  Agent.
In  addition, the  party and/or the  address to  which checks are  mailed may be
changed by written notification to the Transfer Agent, with signature guarantees
required in the manner described above.  The shareholder may also terminate  the
Withdrawal  Plan at  any time by  written notice  to the Transfer  Agent. In the
event  of  such  termination,  the  account  will  be  continued  as  a  regular
shareholder  investment account. The shareholder may  also redeem all or part of
the  shares  held  in  the   Withdrawal  Plan  account  (see  "Redemptions   and
Repurchases") at any time.
 
    DIRECT  INVESTMENTS THROUGH TRANSFER AGENT.  As discussed in the Prospectus,
a shareholder may  make additional  investments in Fund  shares at  any time  by
sending  a  check in  any amount,  not less  than $100,  payable to  Dean Witter
Natural Resource Development  Securities Inc., directly  to the Fund's  Transfer
Agent.  Such amounts will be  applied to the purchase of  Fund shares at the net
asset value  per share  next computed  after receipt  of the  check or  purchase
payment  by the Transfer Agent. The shares  so purchased will be credited to the
investor's account.
 
EXCHANGE PRIVILEGE
 
   
    As discussed in the Prospectus, the Fund makes available to its shareholders
an Exchange Privilege whereby shareholders of the Fund may exchange their shares
for shares of  other Dean  Witter Funds sold  with a  contingent deferred  sales
charge  ("CDSC funds"), and  for shares of Dean  Witter Short-Term U.S. Treasury
Trust, Dean Witter Intermediate  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
    
 
                                       30
<PAGE>
   
for five Dean Witter  Funds which are money  market funds (the foregoing  eleven
non-CDSC  funds  are  hereinafter  collectively  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 will  be treated for federal  income tax purposes the
same as  a repurchase  or redemption  of shares,  on which  the shareholder  may
realize a capital gain or loss.
    
 
    Any  new account  established through the  Exchange Privilege  will have the
same registration and cash dividend or dividend reinvestment plan as the present
account,  unless  the  Transfer  Agent  receives  written  notification  to  the
contrary.  For  telephone  exchanges,  the exact  registration  of  the existing
account and the account number must be provided.
 
    Any shares  held  in  certificate  form cannot  be  exchanged  but  must  be
forwarded  to the  Transfer Agent and  deposited into  the shareholder's account
before being eligible for exchange.  (Certificates mailed in for deposit  should
not be endorsed.)
 
    As  described  below, and  in the  Prospectus  under the  captions "Exchange
Privilege" and "Contingent Deferred Sales  Charge," a contingent deferred  sales
charge  ("CDSC") may  be imposed  upon a  redemption, depending  on a  number of
factors, including the number of years from the time of purchase until the  time
of  redemption or exchange  ("holding period"). When  shares of the  Fund or any
other CDSC fund are exchanged  for shares of an  Exchange Fund, the exchange  is
executed  at no charge to the shareholder, without the imposition of the CDSC at
the time of the exchange. During the  period of time the shareholder remains  in
the  Exchange  Fund (calculated  from the  last day  of the  month in  which the
Exchange Fund shares were acquired), the holding period or "year since  purchase
payment made" is frozen. When shares are redeemed out of the Exchange Fund, they
will  be subject  to a CDSC  which would  be based upon  the period  of time the
shareholder held shares in the Fund. However, in the case of shares of the  Fund
exchanged into an Exchange Fund on or after April 23, 1990, upon a redemption of
shares which results in a CDSC being imposed, a credit (not to exceed the amount
of  the  CDSC) will  be given  in an  amount  equal to  the Exchange  Fund 12b-1
distribution fees incurred on or after that date which are attributable to those
shares. Shareholders  acquiring shares  of  an Exchange  Fund pursuant  to  this
exchange  privilege  may  exchange those  shares  back  into the  Fund  from the
Exchange Fund, with no CDSC being  imposed on such exchange. The holding  period
previously  frozen when shares  were first exchanged for  shares of the Exchange
Fund resumes on the  last day of the  month in which shares  of a CDSC fund  are
reacquired.  A CDSC is imposed only upon  an ultimate redemption, based upon the
time (calculated as  described above)  the shareholder  was invested  in a  CDSC
fund.
 
    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.
 
    When  shares initially purchased in a CDSC  fund are exchanged for shares of
an Exchange Fund, the date of purchase of the shares of the fund exchanged into,
for purposes of the CDSC upon redemption, will  be the last day of the month  in
which  the shares being  exchanged were originally  purchased. In allocating the
purchase payments  between funds  for  purposes of  the  CDSC the  amount  which
represents  the current net  asset value of  shares at the  time of the exchange
which were (i) purchased  more than three  or six years  (depending on the  CDSC
schedule  applicable  to  the shares)  prior  to the  exchange,  (ii) originally
acquired through reinvestment of dividends  or distributions and (iii)  acquired
in  exchange for shares of front-end sales  charge funds, or for shares of other
Dean Witter Funds  for which shares  of front-end sales  charge funds have  been
exchanged  (all  such shares  called "Free  Shares"),  will be  exchanged first.
Shares of Dean Witter American Value Fund (formerly Dean Witter  Industry-Valued
Securities  Inc.) acquired prior to April 30,  1984, shares of the Fund and Dean
Witter Dividend  Growth Securities  Inc. acquired  prior to  July 2,  1984,  and
shares  of Dean Witter Strategist  Fund acquired prior to  November 8, 1989, are
also considered Free Shares and will be  the first Free Shares to be  exchanged.
After   an   exchange,  all   dividends  earned   on   shares  in   an  Exchange
 
                                       31
<PAGE>
   
Fund will be considered Free Shares.  If the exchanged amount exceeds the  value
of such Free Shares, an exchange is made, on a block-by-block basis, of non-Free
Shares  held for  the longest  period of  time (except  that if  shares held for
identical periods of time  but subject to different  CDSC schedules are held  in
the  same Exchange Privilege account, the shares  of that block that are subject
to a lower CDSC rate  will be exchanged prior to  the shares of that block  that
are  subject to  a higher CDSC  rate). Shares  equal to any  appreciation in the
value of  non-Free Shares  exchanged will  be treated  as Free  Shares, and  the
amount  of the purchase payments  for the non-Free Shares  of the fund exchanged
into will be equal to  the lesser of (a) the  purchase payments for, or (b)  the
current  net  asset value  of,  the exchanged  non-Free  Shares. If  an exchange
between funds would result  in exchange of  only part of  a particular block  of
non-Free Shares, then shares equal to any appreciation in the value of the block
(up  to the amount of the exchange) will be treated as Free Shares and exchanged
first, and the purchase payment for that  block will be allocated on a pro  rata
basis  between the non-Free Shares of that block to be retained and the non-Free
Shares  to  be  exchanged.  The   prorated  amount  of  such  purchase   payment
attributable to the retained non-Free Shares will remain as the purchase payment
for  such shares, and the amount of  purchase payment for the exchanged non-Free
Shares will be equal to  the lesser of (a) the  prorated amount of the  purchase
payment  for, or (b)  the current net  asset value of,  those exchanged non-Free
Shares. Based upon the procedures described in the Prospectus under the  caption
"Contingent Deferred Sales Charge," any applicable CDSC will be imposed upon the
ultimate redemption of shares of any fund, regardless of the number of exchanges
since those shares were originally purchased.
    
 
    With  respect to  the redemption  or repurchase of  shares of  the Fund, the
application of proceeds to the purchase of  new shares in the Fund or any  other
of  the  funds and  the general  administration of  the Exchange  Privilege, the
Transfer Agent  acts as  agent for  the Distributor  and for  the  shareholder's
selected broker-dealer, if any, in the performance of such functions.
 
    With  respect to exchanges,  redemptions or repurchases,  the Transfer Agent
shall be liable for its own negligence and not for the default or negligence  of
its  correspondents or for losses  in transit. The Fund  shall not be liable for
any default or negligence of the Transfer Agent, the Distributor or any selected
broker-dealer.
 
    The Distributor and any selected broker-dealer have authorized and appointed
the Transfer Agent to act as their  agent in connection with the application  of
proceeds of any redemption of Fund shares to the purchase of shares of any other
fund  and the general administration of the Exchange Privilege. No commission or
discounts will be paid to the Distributor or any selected broker-dealer for  any
transactions pursuant to this Exchange Privilege.
 
    Exchanges  are subject to  the minimum investment  requirement and any other
conditions imposed by each fund. (The  minimum initial investment is $5,000  for
Dean  Witter Liquid  Asset Fund Inc.,  Dean Witter Tax-Free  Daily Income Trust,
Dean Witter New  York Municipal Money  Market Trust and  Dean Witter  California
Tax-Free  Daily  Income Trust  although those  funds  may, at  their discretion,
accept initial investments of as low  as $1,000. The minimum initial  investment
for  Dean Witter Short-Term U.S. Treasury  Trust is $10,000. The minimum initial
investment for all other Dean Witter  Funds for which the Exchange Privilege  is
available  is $1,000.) Upon exchange  into an Exchange Fund,  the shares of that
fund will  be held  in  a special  Exchange  Privilege Account  separately  from
accounts of those shareholders who have acquired their shares directly from that
fund.  As a result, certain services normally available to shareholders of those
funds, including the check writing feature, will not be available for funds held
in that account.
 
    The Fund and each  of the other  Dean Witter Funds may  limit the number  of
times  this  Exchange  Privilege  may  be exercised  by  any  investor  within a
specified period of  time. Also,  the Exchange  Privilege may  be terminated  or
revised  at any time by the  Fund and/or any of the  Dean Witter Funds for which
shares of the Fund have been exchanged,  upon such notice as may be required  by
applicable regulatory agencies (presently sixty days for termination or material
revision), provided that six months' prior written notice of termination will be
given  to the shareholders who  hold shares of Exchange  Funds, pursuant to this
Exchange Privilege  and provided  further  that the  Exchange Privilege  may  be
terminated  or materially revised without notice at  times (a) when the New York
Stock Exchange is  closed for other  than customary weekends  and holidays,  (b)
when  trading on that Exchange is restricted,  (c) when an emergency exists as a
result of which disposal by the Fund of securities owned by it is not reasonably
practicable or it is not reasonably practicable
 
                                       32
<PAGE>
for the Fund fairly  to determine the  value of its net  assets, (d) during  any
other  period when  the Securities and  Exchange Commission by  order so permits
(provided that applicable rules and  regulations of the Securities and  Exchange
Commission  shall govern as to  whether the conditions prescribed  in (b) or (c)
exist) or (e)  if the  Fund would  be unable  to invest  amounts effectively  in
accordance with its investment objective, policies and restrictions.
 
    The  current prospectus for each  fund describes its investment objective(s)
and policies, and  shareholders should obtain  a copy and  examine it  carefully
before  investing. An exchange  will be treated for  federal income tax purposes
the same as a repurchase or redemption  of shares, on which the shareholder  may
realize a capital gain or loss. However, the ability to deduct capital losses on
an  exchange may be limited  in situations where there  is an exchange of shares
within ninety days  after the shares  are purchased. The  Exchange Privilege  is
only available in states where an exchange may legally be made.
 
    For  further  information  regarding  the  Exchange  Privilege, shareholders
should contact their DWR  or other selected  broker-dealer account executive  or
the Transfer Agent.
 
REDEMPTIONS AND REPURCHASES
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
 
    REDEMPTION.  As stated in the Prospectus, shares of the Fund can be redeemed
for  cash at any time at the net asset value per share next determined; 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's account  without  a  share  certificate,  a  written  request  for
redemption  to the Fund's Transfer Agent at  P.O. Box 983, Jersey City, NJ 07303
is required. If  certificates are  held by the  shareholder, the  shares may  be
redeemed by surrendering the certificates with a written request for redemption.
The  share  certificate, or  an accompanying  stock power,  and the  request for
redemption must be  signed by  the shareholder  or shareholders  exactly as  the
shares  are registered. Each request for  redemption, whether or not accompanied
by a share certificate, must  be sent to the  Fund's Transfer Agent, which  will
redeem  the shares at their net asset value next computed (see "Purchase of Fund
Shares" in the Prospectus)  after it receives the  request, and certificate,  if
any,  in good order. Any redemption request received after such computation will
be redeemed at the next determined net asset value. The Term "good order"  means
that  the share  certificate, if  any, and  request for  redemption are properly
signed, accompanied by  any documentation  required by the  Transfer Agent,  and
bear  signature guarantees when required  by the Fund or  the Transfer Agent. If
redemption is requested by a  corporation, partnership, trust or fiduciary,  the
Transfer  Agent may require that written evidence of authority acceptable to the
Transfer Agent be submitted before such request is accepted.
 
    Whether certificates are  held by the  shareholder or shares  are held in  a
shareholder's  account, if the proceeds are to  be paid to any person other than
the record owner, or if the proceeds are to be paid to a corporation (other than
the Distributor or a selected broker-dealer for the account of the shareholder),
partnership, trust or fiduciary, or sent to the shareholder at an address  other
than  the  registered  address, signatures  must  be guaranteed  by  an eligible
guarantor acceptable  to the  Transfer Agent  (shareholders should  contact  the
Transfer  Agent for  a determination as  to whether a  particular institution is
such an eligible guarantor). A  stock power may be  obtained from any dealer  or
commercial  bank. The Fund may change  the signature guarantee requirements from
time to  time upon  notice to  shareholders,  which may  be by  means of  a  new
prospectus.
 
    CONTINGENT DEFERRED SALES CHARGE.  As stated in the Prospectus, a contingent
deferred  sales charge ("CDSC") will be imposed on any redemption by an investor
if after such redemption the current value of the investor's shares of the  Fund
is  less  than the  dollar amount  of all  payments by  the shareholder  for the
purchase of Fund shares during the preceding six years. However, no CDSC will be
imposed to the extent that the net  asset value of the shares redeemed does  not
exceed:  (a) the current net asset value of shares purchased more than six years
prior to  the  redemption,  plus (b)  the  current  net asset  value  of  shares
purchased  through reinvestment  of dividends  or distributions  of the  Fund or
another Dean Witter  Fund (see  "Shareholder Services  -- Targeted  Dividends"),
plus  (c) the  current net asset  value of  shares acquired in  exchange for (i)
shares of Dean Witter front-end sales charge funds, or (ii) shares of other Dean
Witter Funds
 
                                       33
<PAGE>
for which  shares of  front-end  sales charge  funds  have been  exchanged  (see
"Shareholder  Services --  Exchange Privilege"), plus  (d) increases  in the net
asset value of the investor's shares above the total amount of payments for  the
purchase  of Fund shares made  during the preceding six  years. The CDSC will be
paid to the Distributor. In addition, no CDSC will be imposed on redemptions  of
shares  which were purchased by certain Unit Investment Trusts (on which a sales
charge has been paid) or which are attributable to reinvestment of dividends  or
distributions from, or the proceeds of, such Unit Investment Trusts.
 
    In  determining the applicability of the CDSC to each redemption, the amount
which represents an  increase in the  net asset value  of the investor's  shares
above  the amount of  the total payments  for the purchase  of shares within the
last six  years will  be redeemed  first.  In the  event the  redemption  amount
exceeds  such increase in value, the next portion of the amount redeemed will be
the amount  which  represents the  net  asset  value of  the  investor's  shares
purchased  more than six  years prior to the  redemption and/or shares purchased
through reinvestment of  dividends or  distributions and/or  shares acquired  in
exchange  for shares  of Dean  Witter front-end sales  charge funds,  or for the
shares of other  Dean Witter funds  for which shares  of front-end sales  charge
funds  have been exchanged.  A portion of  the amount redeemed  which exceeds an
amount which represents  both such  increase in value  and the  value of  shares
purchased  more than six  years prior to the  redemption and/or shares purchased
through reinvestment of dividends or distributions and/or shares acquired in the
above-described exchanges will be subject to a CDSC.
 
    The amount of the CDSC, if any,  will vary depending on the number of  years
from  the time  of payment  for the purchase  of Fund  shares until  the time of
redemption of such shares. For purposes of determining the number of years  from
the  time of any payment for the purchase  of shares, all payments made during a
month will be aggregated  and deemed to have  been made on the  last day of  the
month. The following table sets forth the rates of the CDSC:
 
<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>
 
    In  determining the rate of the CDSC it will be assumed that a redemption is
made of shares held by  the investor for the longest  period of time within  the
applicable  six-year period. This will result in  any such CDSC being imposed at
the  lowest  possible  rate.  Accordingly,  shareholders  may  redeem,   without
incurring  any CDSC,  amounts equal to  any net  increase in the  value of their
shares above the  amount of  their purchase payments  made within  the past  six
years  and amounts equal to the current  value of shares purchased more than six
years prior  to the  redemption  and shares  purchased through  reinvestment  of
dividends  or distributions  or acquired in  exchange for shares  of Dean Witter
front-end sales charge funds, or for shares of other Dean Witter Funds for which
shares of front-end  sales charge funds  have been exchanged.  The CDSC will  be
imposed, in accordance with the table shown above, on any redemptions within six
years of purchase which are in excess of these amounts and which redemptions are
not  (a)  requested  within  one  year  of  death  or  initial  determination of
disability  of  a  shareholder,  or   (b)  made  pursuant  to  certain   taxable
distributions  from retirement plans or retirement accounts, as described in the
Prospectus.
 
    PAYMENT FOR SHARES REDEEMED OR REPURCHASED.  As discussed in the Prospectus,
payment for shares presented for repurchase or redemption will be made by  check
within  seven days after receipt by the Transfer Agent of the certificate and/or
written request in good  order. Such payment  may be postponed  or the right  of
redemption suspended at times (a) when the New York Stock Exchange is closed for
other than customary weekends and holidays, (b) when trading on that Exchange is
restricted,  (c) when an emergency  exists as a result  of which disposal by the
Fund of  securities owned  by it  is not  reasonably practicable  or it  is  not
 
                                       34
<PAGE>
reasonably  practicable for the  Fund fairly to  determine the value  of its net
assets, or  (d)  during  any  other period  when  the  Securities  and  Exchange
Commission  by order so permits; provided  that applicable rules and regulations
of the  Securities  and Exchange  Commission  shall  govern as  to  whether  the
conditions  prescribed in (b)  or (c) exist.  If the shares  to be redeemed have
recently been  purchased  by check  (including  a certified  or  bank  cashier's
check),  payment  of redemption  proceeds may  be delayed  for the  minimum time
needed to verify that the check used  for investment has been honored (not  more
than  fifteen days  from the  time of  investment of  the check  by the Transfer
Agent). If  the shares  to be  redeemed have  recently been  purchased by  check
(including  a  certificate  or  bank  cashier's  check),  payment  of redemption
proceeds may be delayed  for the minimum  time needed to  verify that the  check
used  for investment has been honored (not  more than fifteen days from the time
of investment  of the  check by  the Transfer  Agent). Shareholders  maintaining
margin accounts with DWR or another selected broker-dealer are referred to their
account  executive regarding  restrictions on redemption  of shares  of the Fund
pledged in the margin account.
 
    TRANSFERS OF SHARES.  In the event a shareholder requests a transfer of  any
shares  to a  new registration,  such shares  will be  transferred without sales
charge at the time of  transfer. With regard to the  status of shares which  are
either  subject to the contingent  deferred sales charge 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 shares to be transferred will be determined by using
the  same  order  as  used  in processing  a  redemption  (see  "Redemptions and
Repurchases" in  the Prospectus).  The transferred  shares will  continue to  be
subject  to any applicable contingent  deferred sales charge as  if they had not
been so transferred.
 
    REINSTATEMENT PRIVILEGE.  As discussed in the Prospectus, a shareholder  who
has  had  his or  her  shares redeemed  or  repurchased and  has  not previously
exercised this reinstatement  privilege may, within  30 days after  the date  of
redemption  or repurchase, reinstate any portion or  all of the proceeds of such
redemption or repurchase  in shares  of the  Fund at  the net  asset value  next
determined after a reinstatement request is received by the Transfer Agent.
 
    Exercise  of the reinstatement privilege will  not affect the federal income
tax treatment of any  gain or loss realized  upon the redemption or  repurchase,
except that if the redemption or repurchase resulted in a loss and reinstatement
is  made in shares of the Fund, some or all of the loss, depending on the amount
reinstated, will not be allowed as  a deduction for federal income tax  purposes
but  will  be applied  to  adjust the  cost basis  of  the shares  acquired upon
reinstatement.
 
DIVIDENDS, DISTRIBUTIONS AND TAXES
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
 
    As discussed in the Prospectus, the Fund will determine either to distribute
or to retain  all or part  of any net  long-term capital gains  in any year  for
reinvestment.  If any such gains are retained,  the Fund will pay federal income
tax thereon, and shareholders will be able to claim their share of the tax  paid
by the Fund as a credit against their individual federal income tax.
 
    Because  the Fund intends to distribute all of its net investment income and
capital gains to shareholders and otherwise  continue to qualify as a  regulated
investment  company under Subchapter M  of the Internal Revenue  Code, it is not
expected that  the  Fund  will  be  required to  pay  any  federal  income  tax.
Shareholders  will  normally have  to pay  federal income  taxes, and  any state
and/or income taxes, on  the dividends and distributions  they receive from  the
Fund. Such dividends and distributions, to the extent that they are derived from
net   investment  income  or  short-term  capital  gains,  are  taxable  to  the
shareholder as ordinary  income regardless of  whether the shareholder  receives
such  payments in additional  shares or in  cash. Any dividends  declared in the
last quarter of any year which are paid in the following year prior to  February
1 will be deemed received by the shareholder in the prior year.
 
    Gains or losses on sales of securities by the Fund will be long-term capital
gains  or losses if the securities have been  held by the Fund for more than one
year. Gains or losses on the sale of  securities held for one year or less  will
be short-term gains or losses.
 
                                       35
<PAGE>
    The  Fund  has qualified  and  intends to  remain  qualified as  a regulated
investment company under Subchapter M of  the Internal Revenue Code of 1986.  If
so  qualified, the  Fund will not  be subject to  federal income tax  on its net
investment income  and  net short-term  and  long-term capital  gains,  if  any,
realized  during any fiscal year in which it distributes such income and capital
gains to its shareholders. 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.
 
    Dividends  and  interest  received  by  the  Fund  with  respect  to foreign
securities in its portfolio may give rise to withholding and other taxes imposed
by foreign countries. Tax conventions  between certain countries and the  United
States may reduce or eliminate such taxes.
 
    Any  dividend or capital  gains distribution received  by a shareholder from
any investment company will have the effect  of reducing the net asset value  of
the  shareholder's stock in that company by  the exact amount of the dividend or
capital gains distribution.  Furthermore, capital gains  distributions and  some
portion  of the dividends are subject to  federal income taxes. If the net asset
value of the shares should be reduced below a shareholder's cost as a result  of
the  payment  of dividends  or the  distribution  of realized  long-term capital
gains, such payment or distribution would be a return of capital but nonetheless
would be taxable to the shareholder. Therefore, an investor should consider  the
tax  implications of purchasing Fund shares  immediately prior to a distribution
record date.
 
    Dividend payments  will  be  eligible for  the  federal  dividends  received
deduction  available to the Fund's corporate shareholders only to the extent the
aggregate dividends received by the Fund would be eligible for the deduction  if
the  Fund were  the shareholder claiming  the dividends  received deduction. The
amount of  dividends  paid by  the  Fund which  may  qualify for  the  dividends
received  deduction is limited  to the aggregate  amount of qualifying dividends
which the Fund derives from its portfolio investments which the Fund had held to
a minimum period, usually 46 days. Any  distributions made by the Fund will  not
be  eligible for the  dividends received deduction with  respect to shares which
are held by  the shareholder for  45 days  or less. Any  long-term capital  gain
distributions  will also not  be eligible for  the dividends received deduction.
The ability to take the dividends received deduction will also be limited in the
case of  a Fund  shareholder which  incurs or  continues indebtedness  which  is
directly attributable to its investment in the Fund.
 
    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
long-term  capital gains  and the  portion eligible  for the  dividends received
deduction. 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 are urged to consult their attorneys or tax advisers  regarding
specific questions as to federal, state or local taxes.
 
PERFORMANCE INFORMATION
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
 
    As  discussed in the  Prospectus, from time  to time the  Fund may quote its
"total return"  in  advertisements and  sales  literature. 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. The ending redeemable
value is reduced by any contingent deferred sales charge at the end of the  one,
five  or ten year  or other period. For  the purpose of  this calculation, it is
assumed that all  dividends and  distributions are reinvested.  The formula  for
computing  the average  annual total  return involves  a percentage  obtained by
dividing the ending redeemable  value by the amount  of the initial  investment,
taking  a root of  the quotient (where the  root is equivalent  to the number of
years in the period) and subtracting 1 from the result.
 
                                       36
<PAGE>
   
    The average annual total returns of the Fund for the year ended February 29,
1996, the  five years  ended February  29, 1996,  and for  the ten  years  ended
February 29, 1996, were 19.32%, 8.59% and 11.03%, respectively.
    
 
   
    In  addition to the foregoing, the Fund  may advertise its total return over
different periods of time by means of aggregate, average, year-by-year or  other
types  of total  return figures.  Such calculations may  or may  not reflect the
deduction of the  contingent deferred  sales charge which,  if reflected,  would
reduce the performance quoted. For example, the average total return of the Fund
may  be  calculated in  the  manner described  in  the preceding  paragraph, but
without deduction of any applicable  contingent deferred sales charge. Based  on
this  calculation, the  average annual  total returns of  the Fund  for the year
ended February 29, 1996, for the five years ended February 29, 1996, and for the
ten years ended February 29, 1996 were 24.32%, 8.88% and 11.03%, respectively.
    
 
   
    In addition, the Fund may compute  its aggregate total return for  specified
periods  by determining the  aggregate percentage rate which  will result in the
ending value of a  hypothetical $1,000 investment made  at the beginning of  the
period.  For the purpose of  this calculation, it is  assumed that all dividends
and distributions  are reinvested.  The formula  for computing  aggregate  total
return  involves a percentage obtained by dividing the ending value (without the
reduction for  any  contingent deferred  sales  charge) by  the  initial  $1,000
investment   and  subtracting  1  from  the   result.  Based  on  the  foregoing
calculation, the Fund's total  return for the year  ended February 29, 1996  was
24.32%,  the total return for the five years ended February 29, 1996 was 53.02%,
and the total return for the ten years ended February 29, 1996 was 184.79%.
    
 
   
    The Fund  may  also advertise  the  growth of  hypothetical  investments  of
$10,000,  $50,000 and $100,000 in  shares of the Fund by  adding 1 to the Fund's
aggregate total return to date (expressed  as a decimal and without taking  into
account  the effect of any applicable  CDSC) and multiplying by $10,000, $50,000
and $100,000.  Investments of  $10,000,  $50,000 and  $100,000  in the  Fund  at
inception  would have grown  to $26,749, $133,745  and $267,490, respectively at
February 29, 1996.
    
 
    The Fund from time  to time may also  advertise its performance relative  to
certain performance rankings and indexes compiled by independent organizations.
 
SHARES OF THE FUND
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
 
    The  Fund is authorized to issue 500,000,000 shares of common stock of $0.01
par value. Shares of the Fund, when issued, are fully paid, nonassessable, fully
transferable and redeemable at the option  of the holder. Except for  agreements
entered  into  by  the  Fund  in its  ordinary  course  of  business  within the
limitations of the Fund's fundamental investment policies (which may be modified
only by shareholder  vote), the Fund  will not issue  any securities other  than
common stock.
 
    The  shares of the  Fund do not  have cumulative voting  rights, which means
that the holders of more than 50% of  the shares voting for the election of  the
directors  can elect 100% of the directors if  they choose to do so, and in such
event, the holders of the remaining shares voting for the election of  directors
will not be able to elect any person or persons to the Board of Directors.
 
CUSTODIAN AND TRANSFER AGENT
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
 
    The  Bank of New York, 90 Washington Street, New York, New York 10286 is the
Custodian of  the  Fund's assets.  Any  of the  Fund's  cash balances  with  the
Custodian  in excess of  $100,000 are unprotected  by federal deposit insurance.
Such balances may, at times, be substantial.
 
    Dean Witter Trust  Company, Harborside Financial  Center, Plaza Two,  Jersey
City,  New Jersey 07311 is the Transfer  Agent of the Fund's shares and Dividend
Disbursing Agent for payment of dividends  and distributions on Fund shares  and
Agent  for shareholders  under various  investment plans  described herein. Dean
Witter Trust  Company is  an affiliate  of Dean  Witter InterCapital  Inc.,  the
Fund's  Investment Manager,  and of  Dean Witter  Distributors Inc.,  the Fund's
Distributor. As Transfer Agent and Dividend Disbursing Agent, Dean Witter  Trust
Company's  responsibilities include maintaining  shareholder accounts, including
providing sub-account
 
                                       37
<PAGE>
and recordkeeping  services for  certain  retirement accounts;  disbursing  cash
dividends  and reinvesting  dividends; processing  account registration changes;
handling purchase and redemption transactions; mailing prospectuses and reports;
mailing and tabulating proxies;  processing share certificate transactions;  and
maintaining shareholder records and lists. For these services, Dean Witter Trust
Company receives a per shareholder account fee from the Fund.
 
INDEPENDENT ACCOUNTANTS
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
 
   
    Price  Waterhouse LLP, 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.
    
 
REPORTS TO SHAREHOLDERS
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
 
    The  Fund will send to shareholders, at least semi-annually, reports showing
the Fund's  portfolio  and  other  information.  An  annual  report,  containing
financial  statements  audited  by  independent  accountants,  will  be  sent to
shareholders each year.
 
    The Fund's  fiscal year  ends on  the last  day of  February. The  financial
statements  of the  Fund must  be audited  at least  once a  year by independent
accountants whose selection is made annually by the Fund's Board of Directors.
 
LEGAL COUNSEL
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
 
    Sheldon Curtis,  Esq., who  is an  officer and  the General  Counsel of  the
Investment Manager, is an officer and the General Counsel of the Fund.
 
EXPERTS
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
 
   
    The  financial statements of the Fund for the fiscal year ended February 29,
1996 included in this  Statement of Additional  Information and incorporated  by
reference  in the Prospectus have been  so included and incorporated in reliance
on the report  of Price Waterhouse  LLP, independent accountants,  given on  the
authority of said firm as experts in auditing and accounting.
    
 
REGISTRATION STATEMENT
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
 
    This  Statement of Additional Information and  the Prospectus do not contain
all of the  information set  forth in the  Registration Statement  the Fund  has
filed  with the  Securities and  Exchange Commission.  The complete Registration
Statement may  be obtained  from  the Securities  and Exchange  Commission  upon
payment of the fee prescribed by the rules and regulations of the Commission.
 
                                       38
<PAGE>
DEAN WITTER NATURAL RESOURCE DEVELOPMENT SECURITIES INC.
REPORT OF INDEPENDENT ACCOUNTANTS
 
TO THE SHAREHOLDERS AND BOARD OF DIRECTORS
OF DEAN WITTER NATURAL RESOURCE DEVELOPMENT SECURITIES INC.
 
In our opinion, the accompanying statement of assets and liabilities, including
the portfolio of investments, and the related statements of operations and of
changes in net assets and the financial highlights present fairly, in all
material respects, the financial position of Dean Witter Natural Resource
Development Securities Inc. (the "Fund") at February 29, 1996, the results of
its operations for the year then ended, the changes in its net assets for each
of the two years in the period then ended and the financial highlights for each
of the ten years in the period then ended, in conformity with generally accepted
accounting principles. These financial statements and financial highlights
(hereafter referred to as "financial statements") are the responsibility of the
Fund's management; our responsibility is to express an opinion on these
financial statements based on our audits. We conducted our audits of these
financial statements in accordance with generally accepted auditing standards
which require that we plan and perform the audit to obtain reasonable assurance
about whether the financial statements are free of material misstatement. An
audit includes examining, on a test basis, evidence supporting the amounts and
disclosures in the financial statements, assessing the accounting principles
used and significant estimates made by management, and evaluating the overall
financial statement presentation. We believe that our audits, which included
confirmation of securities owned at February 29, 1996 by correspondence with the
custodian and brokers, and the application of alternative auditing procedures
where confirmations from brokers were not received, provide a reasonable basis
for the opinion expressed above.
 
PRICE WATERHOUSE LLP
1177 AVENUE OF THE AMERICAS
NEW YORK, NEW YORK 10036
APRIL 12, 1996
 
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
                      1996 FEDERAL TAX NOTICE (UNAUDITED)
 
       During  the year  ended February  29, 1996,  the Fund  paid to its
       shareholders $0.46  per share  from long-term  capital gains.  For
       such period, 86.38% of the income paid qualified for the dividends
       received deduction available to corporations.
 
                                       39
<PAGE>
DEAN WITTER NATURAL RESOURCE DEVELOPMENT SECURITIES INC.
PORTFOLIO OF INVESTMENTS FEBRUARY 29, 1996
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
 NUMBER OF
  SHARES                                                VALUE
- ------------------------------------------------------------------
<C>          <S>                                   <C>
             COMMON STOCKS (92.5%)
             BASIC ENERGY (39.2%)
             NATURAL GAS - DIVERSIFIED (2.8%)
    30,000   Enron Corp..........................  $     1,098,750
    30,000   Sonat, Inc..........................        1,005,000
    25,000   Tenneco Inc.........................        1,396,875
    17,000   Williams Companies, Inc.............          807,500
                                                   ---------------
                                                         4,308,125
                                                   ---------------
             NATURAL GAS - EXPLORATION & PRODUCTION (5.1%)
    30,000   Anardarko Petroleum Corp............        1,635,000
    55,000   Apache Corp.........................        1,430,000
    50,000   Enron Oil & Gas Co..................        1,250,000
    65,000   Enserch Exploration, Inc.*..........          617,500
    20,000   Newfield Exploration Co.*...........          585,000
    25,000   Triton Energy Corp. (Canada)*.......        1,240,625
    40,000   Union Pacific Resources Group
             Inc.................................        1,030,000
                                                   ---------------
                                                         7,788,125
                                                   ---------------
             OIL INTEGRATED - DOMESTIC (7.7%)
    30,000   Amerada Hess Corp...................        1,545,000
    48,000   Amoco Corp..........................        3,336,000
    30,000   Kerr-McGee Corp.....................        1,788,750
    35,000   Phillips Petroleum Co...............        1,225,000
    40,000   Unocal Corp.........................        1,200,000
    75,000   USX-Marathon Group..................        1,387,500
    60,000   Vintage Petroleum, Inc..............        1,230,000
                                                   ---------------
                                                        11,712,250
                                                   ---------------
             OIL INTEGRATED - INTERNATIONAL (19.4%)
    25,000   British Petroleum Co. PLC (ADR)
             (United Kingdom)....................        2,509,375
    45,000   Chevron Corp........................        2,503,125
    35,000   Ente Nazionale Idrocarburi SpA (ADR)
             Italy*..............................        1,316,875
    85,000   Exxon Corp..........................        6,757,500
    40,000   Imperial Oil Ltd. (F Shares)
             (Canada)............................        1,460,000
    50,000   Mobil Corp..........................        5,481,250
    25,000   Royal Dutch Petroleum Co. (ADR)
             (Netherlands).......................        3,443,750
    50,000   Texaco, Inc.........................        3,987,500
    30,000   Total S.A. (ADR) (France)...........          986,250
    60,000   Yacimentos Petroliferos Fiscales
             S.A. (ADR) (Argentina)..............        1,162,500
                                                   ---------------
                                                        29,608,125
                                                   ---------------
             OIL INTERNATIONAL - EXPLORATION & PRODUCTION (1.2%)
    90,000   Union Texas Petroleum Holdings,
             Inc.................................        1,777,500
                                                   ---------------
 
<CAPTION>
 NUMBER OF
  SHARES                                                VALUE
- ------------------------------------------------------------------
<C>          <S>                                   <C>
             OIL PRODUCTION - DOMESTIC (2.8%)
    35,000   Louisiana Land &
             Exploration Co......................  $     1,461,250
    40,000   Murphy Oil Corp.....................        1,670,000
    30,000   Oryx Energy Co.*....................          386,250
    35,000   Parker & Parsley
             Petroleum Co........................          752,500
                                                   ---------------
                                                         4,270,000
                                                   ---------------
             OIL REFINERIES (0.2%)
    10,000   Repsol S.A. (ADR) (Spain)...........          362,500
                                                   ---------------
 
             TOTAL BASIC ENERGY..................       59,826,625
                                                   ---------------
 
             ENERGY DEVELOPMENT & TECHNOLOGY (11.8%)
             OIL DRILLING (2.7%)
    20,000   Diamond Offshore
             Drilling, Inc.*.....................          732,500
    35,000   Ensco International Inc.*...........          844,375
    25,000   Helmerich & Payne, Inc..............          837,500
    75,000   Rowan Companies, Inc.*..............          815,625
    20,000   Sonat Offshore Drilling, Inc........          870,000
                                                   ---------------
                                                         4,100,000
                                                   ---------------
             OIL EQUIPMENT & SERVICES (9.1%)
    35,000   BJ Services Co.*....................          966,875
    30,000   Baker Hughes Inc....................          791,250
    25,000   Camco International, Inc............          709,375
    25,000   Coflexip S.A. (ADR) (France)........          437,500
    60,000   Core Laboratories NV
             (Netherlands)*......................          600,000
    30,000   Dresser Industries, Inc.............          843,750
    35,000   Falcon Drilling Company, Inc.*......          704,375
    25,000   Input/Output, Inc.*.................          743,750
    35,000   McDermott International, Inc........          673,750
    35,000   Schlumberger Ltd. (Netherlands
             Antilles)...........................        2,550,625
    25,000   SEACOR Holdings, Inc.*..............          831,250
    25,000   Seitel, Inc.*.......................          646,875
    60,000   Smith International, Inc.*..........        1,222,500
    30,000   Weatherford Enterra, Inc............          918,750
    23,000   Western Atlas Inc.*.................        1,210,375
                                                   ---------------
                                                        13,851,000
                                                   ---------------
 
             TOTAL ENERGY DEVELOPMENT &
             TECHNOLOGY..........................       17,951,000
                                                   ---------------
</TABLE>
 
                       SEE NOTES TO FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
                                       40
<PAGE>
DEAN WITTER NATURAL RESOURCE DEVELOPMENT SECURITIES INC.
PORTFOLIO OF INVESTMENTS FEBRUARY 29, 1996, CONTINUED
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
 NUMBER OF
  SHARES                                                VALUE
- ------------------------------------------------------------------
<C>          <S>                                   <C>
             METALS & BASIC MATERIALS (41.5%)
             ALUMINUM (2.8%)
    25,000   Alumax Inc.*........................  $       903,125
    40,000   Aluminum Co. of America.............        2,270,000
    20,000   Reynolds Metals Co..................        1,032,500
                                                   ---------------
                                                         4,205,625
                                                   ---------------
             BUILDING MATERIALS (0.8%)
    40,000   Masco Corp..........................        1,140,000
                                                   ---------------
             CHEMICALS - DIVERSIFIED (11.2%)
    25,000   Air Products &
             Chemicals, Inc......................        1,331,250
    35,000   Dow Chemical Co.....................        2,808,750
    65,000   Du Pont (E.I.) de Nemours & Co.,
             Inc.................................        4,972,500
    25,000   Engelhard Corp......................          509,375
    30,000   First Mississippi Corp..............          783,750
    50,000   Georgia Gulf Corp...................        1,593,750
    18,000   Grace (W.R.) & Co...................        1,242,000
    22,000   Monsanto Co.........................        2,961,750
    25,000   Praxair, Inc........................          862,500
                                                   ---------------
                                                        17,065,625
                                                   ---------------
             CHEMICALS - SPECIALTY (4.5%)
    65,000   Agrium Inc. (Canada)................        1,002,061
    60,000   Calgon Carbon Corp..................          675,000
    40,000   Corning, Inc........................        1,300,000
    15,000   Cytec Industries Inc.*..............        1,155,000
    50,000   Ethyl Corp..........................          537,500
    25,000   IMC Global, Inc.....................        1,031,250
    30,000   Morton International, Inc...........        1,136,250
                                                   ---------------
                                                         6,837,061
                                                   ---------------
             COAL (0.6%)
    60,000   Hanson PLC (ADR)
             (United Kingdom)....................          885,000
                                                   ---------------
             COPPER (1.5%)
    40,687   Freeport-McMoran Copper & Gold, Inc.
             (Series A)..........................        1,301,984
    15,000   Phelps Dodge Corp...................          916,875
                                                   ---------------
                                                         2,218,859
                                                   ---------------
             GOLD MINING (5.9%)
    60,000   Barrick Gold Corp. (Canada).........        1,815,000
    45,954   Newmont Mining Corp.................        2,613,634
    25,000   Pegasus Gold, Inc.*.................          393,750
    60,000   Placer Dome Inc. (Canada)...........        1,695,000
   105,000   Santa Fe Pacific Gold Corp..........        1,640,625
    90,000   TVX Gold, Inc. (Canada)*............          888,750
                                                   ---------------
                                                         9,046,759
                                                   ---------------
 
<CAPTION>
 NUMBER OF
  SHARES                                                VALUE
- ------------------------------------------------------------------
<C>          <S>                                   <C>
             MACHINERY - CONSTRUCTION & MATERIALS (3.1%)
    15,000   Caterpillar, Inc....................  $     1,003,125
    30,000   Deere & Co..........................        1,173,750
    25,000   Fluor Corp..........................        1,678,125
    40,000   Global Industrial
             Technologies, Inc.*.................          935,000
                                                   ---------------
                                                         4,790,000
                                                   ---------------
             METALS & MINING (1.2%)
    25,000   Inco Ltd. (Canada)..................          796,875
    50,000   Stillwater Mining Co.*..............        1,075,000
                                                   ---------------
                                                         1,871,875
                                                   ---------------
             PAPER & FOREST PRODUCTS (3.8%)
    40,000   International Paper Co..............        1,425,000
    50,000   Jefferson Smurfit Corp.*............          568,750
    40,000   Longview Fibre Co...................          650,000
    50,000   Louisiana-Pacific Corp..............        1,156,250
    25,000   Temple-Inland Inc...................        1,006,250
    25,000   Weyerhaeuser Co.....................        1,059,375
                                                   ---------------
                                                         5,865,625
                                                   ---------------
             RAILROADS (3.6%)
    20,000   Burlington Northern Sante Fe
             Corp................................        1,600,000
    10,000   Conrail, Inc........................          721,250
    25,000   CSX Corp............................        1,121,875
    30,000   Union Pacific Corp..................        1,980,000
                                                   ---------------
                                                         5,423,125
                                                   ---------------
             STEEL (0.7%)
    10,000   Nucor Corp..........................          538,750
    45,000   Oregon Steel Mills, Inc.............          590,625
                                                   ---------------
                                                         1,129,375
                                                   ---------------
             WASTE DISPOSAL (1.8%)
    80,000   Allwaste, Inc.*.....................          350,000
    25,000   Browning-Ferris
             Industries, Inc.....................          740,625
    60,000   WMX Technologies, Inc...............        1,710,000
                                                   ---------------
                                                         2,800,625
                                                   ---------------
 
             TOTAL METALS & BASIC MATERIALS......       63,279,554
                                                   ---------------
 
             TOTAL COMMON STOCKS
             (IDENTIFIED COST $114,540,877)......      141,057,179
                                                   ---------------
 
             CONVERTIBLE PREFERRED STOCK (0.6%)
             STEEL
    20,000   USX Corp. $6.50
             (Identified Cost $1,004,910)........          975,000
                                                   ---------------
</TABLE>
 
                       SEE NOTES TO FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
                                       41
<PAGE>
DEAN WITTER NATURAL RESOURCE DEVELOPMENT SECURITIES INC.
PORTFOLIO OF INVESTMENTS FEBRUARY 29, 1996, CONTINUED
 
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
 PRINCIPAL
 AMOUNT IN
 THOUSANDS                                              VALUE
- ------------------------------------------------------------------
<C>          <S>                                   <C>
             SHORT-TERM INVESTMENT (2.2%)
             REPURCHASE AGREEMENT
  $  3,418   The Bank of New York 5.75% due
             03/01/96 (dated 02/29/96; proceeds
             $3,418,142; collateralized by
             $647,042 Federal Home Loan Mortgage
             Corp. 9.50% due 06/01/25 valued at
             $678,300, and $2,951,567 Federal
             National Mortgage Assoc. 6.36% due
             11/01/22 valued at $2,807,648)
             (Identified Cost $3,417,596)........  $     3,417,596
                                                   ---------------
 
TOTAL INVESTMENTS
(IDENTIFIED COST $118,963,383)
(A)...........................       95.3%   145,449,775
 
OTHER ASSETS IN EXCESS OF
LIABILITIES...................        4.7      7,211,667
                                    -----   ------------
 
NET ASSETS....................      100.0%  $152,661,442
                                    -----   ------------
                                    -----   ------------
 
<FN>
- ---------------------
ADR  American Depository Receipt.
 *   Non-income producing security.
(a)  The aggregate cost for federal income tax purposes approximates identified
     cost.
</TABLE>
 
                       SEE NOTES TO FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
                                       42
<PAGE>
DEAN WITTER NATURAL RESOURCE DEVELOPMENT SECURITIES INC.
FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
 
STATEMENT OF ASSETS AND LIABILITIES
FEBRUARY 29, 1996
 
<TABLE>
<S>                                                           <C>
ASSETS:
Investments in securities, at value
  (identified cost $118,963,383)............................  $145,449,775
Receivable for:
    Capital stock sold......................................     6,752,653
    Investments sold........................................     2,471,708
    Dividends...............................................       433,387
    Foreign withholding taxes reclaimed.....................        22,945
Prepaid expenses............................................        29,138
                                                              ------------
 
     TOTAL ASSETS...........................................   155,159,606
                                                              ------------
 
LIABILITIES:
Payable for:
    Investments purchased...................................     2,095,261
    Plan of distribution fee................................       116,437
    Capital stock repurchased...............................        96,912
    Investment management fee...............................        74,960
Accrued expenses............................................       114,594
                                                              ------------
 
     TOTAL LIABILITIES......................................     2,498,164
                                                              ------------
 
NET ASSETS:
Paid-in-capital.............................................   122,965,473
Net unrealized appreciation.................................    26,486,392
Accumulated undistributed net investment income.............       235,202
Accumulated undistributed net realized gain.................     2,974,375
                                                              ------------
 
     NET ASSETS.............................................  $152,661,442
                                                              ------------
                                                              ------------
 
NET ASSET VALUE PER SHARE,
  12,017,301 SHARES OUTSTANDING (500,000,000 SHARES
  AUTHORIZED OF $.01 PAR VALUE).............................
                                                                    $12.70
                                                              ------------
                                                              ------------
</TABLE>
 
                       SEE NOTES TO FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
                                       43
<PAGE>
DEAN WITTER NATURAL RESOURCE DEVELOPMENT SECURITIES INC.
FINANCIAL STATEMENTS, CONTINUED
 
STATEMENT OF OPERATIONS
FOR THE YEAR ENDED FEBRUARY 29, 1996
 
<TABLE>
<S>                                                           <C>
NET INVESTMENT INCOME:
 
INCOME
Dividends (net of $60,390 foreign withholding tax)..........  $ 3,172,448
Interest....................................................      254,278
                                                              -----------
 
     TOTAL INCOME...........................................    3,426,726
                                                              -----------
 
EXPENSES
Plan of distribution fee....................................    1,369,150
Investment management fee...................................      883,804
Transfer agent fees and expenses............................      222,760
Shareholder reports and notices.............................       67,979
Professional fees...........................................       43,463
Registration fees...........................................       38,845
Custodian fees..............................................       28,491
Directors' fees and expenses................................       22,030
Other.......................................................        6,530
                                                              -----------
 
     TOTAL EXPENSES.........................................    2,683,052
                                                              -----------
 
     NET INVESTMENT INCOME..................................      743,674
                                                              -----------
 
NET REALIZED AND UNREALIZED GAIN:
Net realized gain...........................................    9,657,602
Net change in unrealized appreciation.......................   20,867,725
                                                              -----------
 
     NET GAIN...............................................   30,525,327
                                                              -----------
 
NET INCREASE................................................  $31,269,001
                                                              -----------
                                                              -----------
</TABLE>
 
                       SEE NOTES TO FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
                                       44
<PAGE>
DEAN WITTER NATURAL RESOURCE DEVELOPMENT SECURITIES INC.
FINANCIAL STATEMENTS, CONTINUED
 
STATEMENT OF CHANGES IN NET ASSETS
 
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                                                                FOR THE YEAR        FOR THE YEAR
                                                                    ENDED               ENDED
                                                              FEBRUARY 29, 1996   FEBRUARY 28, 1995
- ---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
<S>                                                           <C>                 <C>
 
INCREASE (DECREASE) IN NET ASSETS:
 
OPERATIONS:
Net investment income.......................................    $    743,674        $  1,091,182
Net realized gain...........................................       9,657,602           4,977,602
Net change in unrealized appreciation.......................      20,867,725          (7,920,860)
                                                              -----------------   -----------------
 
     NET INCREASE (DECREASE)................................      31,269,001          (1,852,076)
                                                              -----------------   -----------------
 
DIVIDENDS AND DISTRIBUTIONS FROM:
Net investment income.......................................        (476,340)         (1,433,023)
Net realized gain...........................................      (7,165,637)         (9,652,919)
                                                              -----------------   -----------------
 
     TOTAL..................................................      (7,641,977)        (11,085,942)
                                                              -----------------   -----------------
Net increase (decrease) from capital stock transactions.....      (3,777,196)          6,290,710
                                                              -----------------   -----------------
 
     TOTAL INCREASE (DECREASE)..............................      19,849,828          (6,647,308)
 
NET ASSETS:
Beginning of period.........................................     132,811,614         139,458,922
                                                              -----------------   -----------------
 
     END OF PERIOD
    (INCLUDING UNDISTRIBUTED NET INVESTMENT INCOME OF
    $235,202 AND DISTRIBUTIONS IN EXCESS OF NET INVESTMENT
    INCOME OF $32,132, RESPECTIVELY)........................    $152,661,442        $132,811,614
                                                              -----------------   -----------------
                                                              -----------------   -----------------
</TABLE>
 
                       SEE NOTES TO FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
                                       45
<PAGE>
DEAN WITTER NATURAL RESOURCE DEVELOPMENT SECURITIES INC.
NOTES TO FINANCIAL STATEMENTS FEBRUARY 29, 1996
 
1. ORGANIZATION AND ACCOUNTING POLICIES
 
Dean Witter Natural Resource Development Securities Inc. (the "Fund") is
registered under the Investment Company Act of 1940, as amended (the "Act"), as
a diversified, open-end management investment company. The Fund's investment
objective is capital growth. The Fund invests primarily in common stock of
companies in the natural resources and related areas. The Fund was incorporated
in Maryland on December 22, 1980.
 
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 -- (1) an equity security listed or traded on the
New York or American Stock Exchange is valued at its latest sale price on that
exchange prior to the time when assets are valued; if there were no sales that
day, the security is valued at the latest bid price; (2) all other portfolio
securities for which over-the-counter market quotations are readily available
are valued at the latest available bid price prior to the time of valuation; (3)
when market quotations are not readily available, including circumstances under
which it is determined by the Investment Manager that sale or bid prices are not
reflective of a security's market value, portfolio securities are valued at
their fair value as determined in good faith under procedures established by and
under the general supervision of the 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); and (4) short-term debt
securities having a maturity date of more than sixty days at time of purchase
are valued on a mark-to-market basis until sixty days prior to maturity and
thereafter at amortized cost based on their value on the 61st day. Short-term
debt securities having a maturity date of sixty days or less at the time of
purchase are valued at amortized cost.
 
B. ACCOUNTING FOR INVESTMENTS -- Security transactions are accounted for on the
trade date (date the order to buy or sell is executed). Realized gains and
losses on security transactions are determined by the identified cost method.
Dividend income and other distributions are recorded on the ex-dividend date.
Discounts are accreted over the life of the respective securities. Interest
income is accrued daily.
 
                                       46
<PAGE>
DEAN WITTER NATURAL RESOURCE DEVELOPMENT SECURITIES INC.
NOTES TO FINANCIAL STATEMENTS FEBRUARY 29, 1996, CONTINUED
 
C. FEDERAL INCOME TAX STATUS -- It is the Fund's policy to comply with the
requirements of the Internal Revenue Code applicable to regulated investment
companies and to distribute all of its taxable income to its shareholders.
Accordingly, no federal income tax provision is required.
 
D. DIVIDENDS AND DISTRIBUTIONS TO SHAREHOLDERS -- The Fund records dividends and
distributions to its shareholders on the ex-dividend 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 Dean Witter InterCapital
Inc. (the "Investment Manager"), the Fund pays a management fee, accrued daily
and payable monthly, by applying the following annual rates to the net assets of
the Fund determined at the close of each business day: 0.625% to the portion of
daily net assets not exceeding $250 million and 0.50% to the portion of daily
net assets exceeding $250 million.
 
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 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 pursuant
to which the Fund pays the Distributor compensation, accrued
 
                                       47
<PAGE>
DEAN WITTER NATURAL RESOURCE DEVELOPMENT SECURITIES INC.
NOTES TO FINANCIAL STATEMENTS FEBRUARY 29, 1996, CONTINUED
 
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
implementation of the Plan on July 2, 1984 (not including reinvestment of
dividend or capital gain distributions) less the average daily aggregate net
asset value of the Fund's shares redeemed since the implementation of the Plan
upon which a contingent deferred sales charge has been imposed or upon which
such charge has been waived; or (b) the Fund's average daily net assets
attributable to shares issued, net of related shares redeemed, since the
implementation of the Plan. Amounts paid under the Plan are paid to the
Distributor to compensate it for the services provided and the expenses borne by
it 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, the account executives of Dean Witter Reynolds Inc. ("DWR"), an
affiliate of the Investment Manager and Distributor, and other employees or
selected broker-dealers who engage in or support distribution of the Fund's
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 be compensated under the
Plan for its opportunity costs in advancing such amounts, which compensation
would be in the form of a carrying charge on any unreimbursed expenses incurred
by the Distributor.
 
Provided that the Plan continues in effect, any cumulative expenses incurred but
not yet recovered may be recovered through future distribution fees from the
Fund and contingent deferred sales charges from the Fund's shareholders.
 
The Distributor has informed the Fund that for the year ended February 29, 1996,
it received approximately $185,000 in contingent deferred sales charges from
certain redemptions of the Fund's shares.
 
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 February 29, 1996 aggregated
$66,474,179 and $87,368,509, respectively.
 
For the year ended February 29, 1996, the Fund incurred brokerage commissions of
$88,566 with DWR for portfolio transactions executed on behalf of the Fund.
 
                                       48
<PAGE>
DEAN WITTER NATURAL RESOURCE DEVELOPMENT SECURITIES INC.
NOTES TO FINANCIAL STATEMENTS FEBRUARY 29, 1996, CONTINUED
 
Dean Witter Trust Company, an affiliate of the Investment Manager and
Distributor, is the Fund's transfer agent. At February 29, 1996, the Fund had
transfer agent fees and expenses payable of approximately $18,000.
 
The Fund has an unfunded noncontributory defined benefit pension plan covering
all independent Directors of the Fund who will have served as independent
Directors/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 February 29,
1996 included in Directors' fees and expenses in the Statement of Operations
amounted to $5,556. At February 29, 1996, the Fund had an accrued pension
liability of $51,995 which is included in accrued expenses in the Statement of
Assets and Liabilities.
 
5. CAPITAL STOCK
 
Transactions in capital stock were as follows:
 
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                                                                        FOR THE YEAR ENDED            FOR THE YEAR ENDED
                                                                        FEBRUARY 29, 1996             FEBRUARY 28, 1995
                                                                   ----------------------------   --------------------------
                                                                     SHARES          AMOUNT         SHARES         AMOUNT
                                                                   -----------   --------------   -----------   ------------
<S>                                                                <C>           <C>              <C>           <C>
Sold.............................................................   17,740,630   $  213,549,836     8,003,288   $ 91,308,700
Reinvestment of dividends and distributions......................      587,535        7,130,881       943,312     10,339,857
                                                                   -----------   --------------   -----------   ------------
                                                                    18,328,165      220,680,717     8,946,600    101,648,557
Repurchased......................................................  (18,637,754)    (224,457,913)   (8,419,961)   (95,357,847)
                                                                   -----------   --------------   -----------   ------------
Net increase (decrease)..........................................     (309,589)  $   (3,777,196)      526,639   $  6,290,710
                                                                   -----------   --------------   -----------   ------------
                                                                   -----------   --------------   -----------   ------------
</TABLE>
 
                                       49
<PAGE>
DEAN WITTER NATURAL RESOURCE DEVELOPMENT SECURITIES INC.
FINANCIAL HIGHLIGHTS
 
Selected ratios and per share data for a share of capital stock outstanding
throughout each period:
 
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                                               FOR THE YEAR ENDED FEBRUARY 28
                  ----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
                   1996*    1995     1994     1993     1992*    1991     1990     1989     1988*    1987
- ----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
 
<S>               <C>      <C>      <C>      <C>      <C>      <C>      <C>      <C>      <C>      <C>
PER SHARE OPERATING
PERFORMANCE:
 
Net asset value,
 beginning of
 period.......... $ 10.77  $ 11.82  $ 11.36  $ 10.20  $ 11.03  $ 11.33  $  9.93  $  9.46  $  9.10  $  7.43
                  -------  -------  -------  -------  -------  -------  -------  -------  -------  -------
 
Net investment
 income..........    0.06     0.09     0.09     0.16     0.20     0.25     0.30     0.23     0.20     0.14
Net realized and
 unrealized gain
 (loss)..........    2.53    (0.24)    1.25     1.18    (0.44)    0.02     1.80     0.72     0.44     1.75
                  -------  -------  -------  -------  -------  -------  -------  -------  -------  -------
 
Total from
 investment
 operations......    2.59    (0.15)    1.34     1.34    (0.24)    0.27     2.10     0.95     0.64     1.89
                  -------  -------  -------  -------  -------  -------  -------  -------  -------  -------
 
Less dividends
 and
 distributions
 from:
   Net investment
   income........   (0.04)   (0.12)   (0.09)   (0.18)   (0.20)   (0.28)   (0.32)   (0.21)   (0.28)   (0.22)
   Net realized
   gain..........   (0.62)   (0.78)   (0.79)   --       (0.39)   (0.29)   (0.38)   (0.27)   --       --
                  -------  -------  -------  -------  -------  -------  -------  -------  -------  -------
 
Total dividends
 and
 distributions...   (0.66)   (0.90)   (0.88)   (0.18)   (0.59)   (0.57)   (0.70)   (0.48)   (0.28)   (0.22)
                  -------  -------  -------  -------  -------  -------  -------  -------  -------  -------
 
Net asset value,
 end of period... $ 12.70  $ 10.77  $ 11.82  $ 11.36  $ 10.20  $ 11.03  $ 11.33  $  9.93  $  9.46  $  9.10
                  -------  -------  -------  -------  -------  -------  -------  -------  -------  -------
                  -------  -------  -------  -------  -------  -------  -------  -------  -------  -------
 
TOTAL INVESTMENT
RETURN+..........   24.32%   (1.26)%   12.16%   13.31%   (1.91)%    2.87%   21.11%   10.29%    7.32%   26.21%
 
RATIOS TO AVERAGE
NET ASSETS:
Expenses.........    1.90%    1.90%    1.91%    1.96%    1.93%    1.80%    1.81%    1.92%    1.81%    1.74%
 
Net investment
 income..........    0.52%    0.77%    0.73%    1.46%    1.67%    2.28%    2.57%    2.09%    2.14%    2.61%
 
SUPPLEMENTAL DATA:
Net assets, end
 of period, in
 thousands....... $152,661 $132,812 $139,459 $118,496 $113,145 $150,636 $154,741 $136,911 $171,725 $82,985
 
Portfolio
 turnover rate...      49%      59%      69%      52%      31%      29%      22%       7%      26%      14%
<FN>
 
- ---------------------
 *   Year ended February 29.
 +   Does not reflect the deduction of sales charge.
</TABLE>
 
                       SEE NOTES TO FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
 
                                       50
<PAGE>

            DEAN WITTER NATURAL RESOURCE DEVELOPMENT SECURITIES INC.

                            PART C  OTHER INFORMATION

Item 24.  Financial Statements and Exhibits

     (a)  FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

     (1)  Financial statements and schedules, included
          in Prospectus (Part A):                                     Page in
                                                                      Prospectus
                                                                      ----------

          Financial highlights for the fiscal years ended
          the last day of February 1987, 1988, 1989, 1990,
          1991, 1992, 1993, 1994, 1995 and 1996. . . . . . . . . . . .      04


     (2)  Financial statements included in the Statement of
          Additional Information (Part B):                               Page in
                                                                           SAI
                                                                           ---

          Portfolio of Investments at February 29, 1996. . . . . . . .      40

          Statement of assets and liabilities at
          February 29, 1996. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .      43

          Statement of operations for the year
          ended February 29, 1996. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .      44

          Statement of changes in net assets for the years
          ended February 28, 1995 and February 29, 1996. . . . . . . .      45

          Notes to Financial Statements. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .      46

          Financial highlights for the fiscal years ended
          the last day of February 1987, 1988, 1989, 1990,
          1991, 1992, 1993, 1994, 1995 and 1996. . . . . . . . . . . .      50

     (3)  Financial statements included in Part C:

          None

   (b)    EXHIBITS:

1. (a)  --     Articles of Incorporation of the Registrant*
   (b)  --     Amendment to the Articles of Incorporation*

6.      --     Form of Selected Dealer Agreement


                                        1
<PAGE>


8. (a)  --     Form of Custody Agreement between Registrant and
               The Bank of New York.*
   (b)  --     Form of Amendment to the Custody Agreement between
               Registrant and The Bank of New York.

9.      --     Form of Services Agreement between Dean Witter
               InterCapital Inc. and Dean Witter Services Company
               Inc.

11.     --     Consent of Independent Accountants

15.     --     Amended and Restated Plan of Distribution pursuant
               to Rule 12b-1

16.     --     Schedule for Computation of Performance Quotations

27.     --     Financial Data Schedule
- ----------------------
 * Previously filed; re-filed via EDGAR with this Amendment to the Registration
Statement. All other exhibits previously filed and incorporated by reference.

Item 25.  PERSONS CONTROLLED BY OR UNDER COMMON CONTROL WITH REGISTRANT.

          None

Item 26.  NUMBER OF HOLDERS OF SECURITIES.

     (1)                                       (2)
                                     Number of Record Holders
     Title of Class                     at March 31, 1996
     --------------                  ------------------------

Shares of Common Stock                        16,780

Item 27.  INDEMNIFICATION

       Reference is made to Section 3.15 of the Registrant's By-Laws and Section
2-418 of the Maryland General Corporation Law.

     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


                                        2
<PAGE>

in connection with the shares being registered, the Registrant will, unless in
the opinion of its counsel the matter has been settled by controlling precedent,
submit to a court of appropriate jurisdiction the question whether such
indemnification by it is against public policy as expressed in the Act, and will
be governed by the final adjudication of such issue.

     The Registrant hereby undertakes that it will apply the indemnification
provision of its by-laws in a manner consistent with Release 11330 of the
Securities and Exchange Commission under the Investment Company Act of 1940, so
long as the interpretation of Sections 17(h) and 17(i) of such Act remains in
effect.

     Registrant, in conjunction with the Investment Manager, Registrant's
Trustees, and other registered investment management companies managed by the
Investment Manager, maintains insurance on behalf of any person who is or was a
Trustee, officer, employee, or agent of Registrant, or who is or was serving at
the request of Registrant as a trustee, director, officer, employee or agent of
another trust or corporation, against any liability asserted against him and
incurred by him or arising out of his position.  However, in no event will
Registrant maintain insurance to indemnify any such person for any act for which
Registrant itself is not permitted to indemnify him.

Item 28. BUSINESS AND OTHER CONNECTIONS OF INVESTMENT ADVISER.

     See "The Fund and Its Management" in the Prospectus regarding the business
of the investment adviser.  The following information is given regarding
officers of Dean Witter InterCapital Inc.  InterCapital is a wholly-owned
subsidiary of Dean Witter, Discover & Co.  The principal address of the Dean
Witter Funds is Two World Trade Center, New York, New York 10048.

     The term "Dean Witter Funds" used below refers to the following registered
investment companies:

CLOSED-END INVESTMENT COMPANIES
 (1) InterCapital Income Securities Inc.
 (2) High Income Advantage Trust
 (3) High Income Advantage Trust II
 (4) High Income Advantage Trust III
 (5) Municipal Income Trust
 (6) Municipal Income Trust II
 (7) Municipal Income Trust III
 (8) Dean Witter Government Income Trust
 (9) Municipal Premium Income Trust
(10) Municipal Income Opportunities Trust
(11) Municipal Income Opportunities Trust II
(12) Municipal Income Opportunities Trust III
(13) Prime Income Trust
(14) InterCapital Insured Municipal Bond Trust


                                        3
<PAGE>

(15) InterCapital Quality Municipal Income Trust
(16) InterCapital Quality Municipal Investment Trust
(17) InterCapital Insured Municipal Income Trust
(18) InterCapital California Insured Municipal Income Trust
(19) InterCapital Insured Municipal Trust
(20) InterCapital Quality Municipal Securities
(21) InterCapital New York Quality Municipal Securities
(22) InterCapital California Quality Municipal Securities
(23) InterCapital Insured California Municipal Securities
(24) InterCapital Insured Municipal Securities

OPEN-END INVESTMENT COMPANIES:
 (1) Dean Witter Short-Term Bond Fund
 (2) Dean Witter Tax-Exempt Securities Trust
 (3) Dean Witter Tax-Free Daily Income Trust
 (4) Dean Witter Dividend Growth Securities Inc.
 (5) Dean Witter Convertible Securities Trust
 (6) Dean Witter Liquid Asset Fund Inc.
 (7) Dean Witter Developing Growth Securities Trust
 (8) Dean Witter Retirement Series
 (9) Dean Witter Federal Securities Trust
(10) Dean Witter World Wide Investment Trust
(11) Dean Witter U.S. Government Securities Trust
(12) Dean Witter Select Municipal Reinvestment Fund
(13) Dean Witter High Yield Securities Inc.
(14) Dean Witter Intermediate Income Securities
(15) Dean Witter New York Tax-Free Income Fund
(16) Dean Witter California Tax-Free Income Fund
(17) Dean Witter Health Sciences Trust
(18) Dean Witter California Tax-Free Daily Income Trust
(19) Dean Witter Global Asset Allocation Fund
(20) Dean Witter American Value Fund
(21) Dean Witter Strategist Fund
(22) Dean Witter Utilities Fund
(23) Dean Witter World Wide Income Trust
(24) Dean Witter New York Municipal Money Market Trust
(25) Dean Witter Capital Growth Securities
(26) Dean Witter Precious Metals and Minerals Trust
(27) Dean Witter European Growth Fund Inc.
(28) Dean Witter Global Short-Term Income Fund Inc.
(29) Dean Witter Pacific Growth Fund Inc.
(30) Dean Witter Multi-State Municipal Series Trust
(31) Dean Witter Premier Income Trust
(32) Dean Witter Short-Term U.S. Treasury Trust
(33) Dean Witter Diversified Income Trust
(34) Dean Witter U.S. Government Money Market Trust
(35) Dean Witter Global Dividend Growth Securities
(36) Active Assets California Tax-Free Trust
(37) Dean Witter Natural Resource Development Securities Inc.
(38) Active Assets Government Securities Trust
(39) Active Assets Money Trust
(40) Active Assets Tax-Free Trust
(41) Dean Witter Limited Term Municipal Trust
(42) Dean Witter Variable Investment Series
(43) Dean Witter Value-Added Market Series
(44) Dean Witter Global Utilities Fund


                                        4
<PAGE>

(45) Dean Witter High Income Securities
(46) Dean Witter National Municipal Trust
(47) Dean Witter International SmallCap Fund
(48) Dean Witter Mid-Cap Growth Fund
(49) Dean Witter Select Dimensions Investment Series
(50) Dean Witter Balanced Growth Fund
(51) Dean Witter Balanced Income Fund
(52) Dean Witter Hawaii Municipal Trust
(53) Dean Witter Capital Appreciation Fund
(54) Dean Witter Intermediate Term U.S. Treasury Trust
(55) Dean Witter Information Fund
(56) Dean Witter Japan Fund

The term "TCW/DW Funds" refers to the following registered investment companies:

OPEN-END INVESTMENT COMPANIES
 (1) TCW/DW Core Equity Trust
 (2) TCW/DW North American Government Income Trust
 (3) TCW/DW Latin American Growth Fund
 (4) TCW/DW Income and Growth Fund
 (5) TCW/DW Small Cap Growth Fund
 (6) TCW/DW Balanced Fund
 (7) TCW/DW Total Return Trust
 (8) TCW/DW Mid-Cap Equity Trust

CLOSED-END INVESTMENT COMPANIES
 (1) TCW/DW Term Trust 2000
 (2) TCW/DW Term Trust 2002
 (3) TCW/DW Term Trust 2003
 (4) TCW/DW Emerging Markets Opportunities Trust



NAME AND POSITION             OTHER SUBSTANTIAL BUSINESS, PROFESSION, VOCATION
WITH DEAN WITTER              OR EMPLOYMENT, INCLUDING NAME, PRINCIPAL ADDRESS
INTERCAPITAL INC.             AND NATURE OF CONNECTION
- -----------------             -------------------------------------------------

Charles A. Fiumefreddo        Executive Vice President and Director of Dean
Chairman, Chief               Witter Reynolds Inc. ("DWR"); Chairman, Chief
Executive Officer and         Executive Officer and Director of Dean Witter
Director                      Distributors Inc. ("Distributors") and Dean
                              Witter Services Company Inc. ("DWSC"); Chairman
                              and Director of Dean Witter Trust Company
                              ("DWTC"); Chairman, Director or Trustee, President
                              and Chief Executive Officer of the Dean Witter
                              Funds and Chairman, Chief Executive Officer and
                              Trustee of the TCW/DW Funds; Formerly Executive
                              Vice President and Director of Dean Witter,
                              Discover & Co. ("DWDC"); Director and/or officer
                              of various DWDC subsidiaries.


                                        5
<PAGE>

NAME AND POSITION             OTHER SUBSTANTIAL BUSINESS, PROFESSION, VOCATION
WITH DEAN WITTER              OR EMPLOYMENT, INCLUDING NAME, PRINCIPAL ADDRESS
INTERCAPITAL INC.             AND NATURE OF CONNECTION
- -----------------             -------------------------------------------------

Philip J. Purcell             Chairman, Chief Executive Officer and Director of
Director                      of DWDC and DWR; Director of DWSC and
                              Distributors; Director or Trustee of the Dean
                              Witter Funds; Director and/or officer of various
                              DWDC subsidiaries.

Richard M. DeMartini          Executive Vice President of DWDC; President and
Director                      Chief Operating Officer of Dean Witter Capital;
                              Director of DWR, DWSC, Distributors and DWTC;
                              Trustee of the TCW/DW Funds; Member (since
                              January, 1993) and Chairman (since January,
                              1995) of the Board of Directors of NASDAQ.

James F. Higgins              Executive Vice President of DWDC; President and
Director                      Chief Operating Officer of Dean Witter Financial;
                              Director of DWR, DWSC, Distributors and DWTC.

Thomas C. Schneider           Executive Vice President and Chief Financial
Executive Vice                Officer of DWDC, DWR, DWSC and Distributors;
President, Chief              Director of DWR, DWSC and Distributors.
Financial Officer and
Director

Christine A. Edwards          Executive Vice President, Secretary and General
Director                      Counsel of DWDC and DWR; Executive Vice President,
                              Secretary and Chief Legal Officer of Distributors;
                              Director of DWR, DWSC and Distributors.

Robert M. Scanlan             President and Chief Operating Officer of DWSC,
President and Chief           Executive Vice President of Distributors;
Operating Officer             Executive Vice President and Director of DWTC;
                              Vice President of the Dean Witter Funds and the
                              TCW/DW Funds.

David A. Hughey               Executive Vice President and Chief Administrative
Executive Vice                Officer of DWSC, Distributors and DWTC; Director
President and Chief           of DWTC; Vice President of the Dean Witter Funds
Administrative Officer        and the TCW/DW Funds.

John Van Heuvelen             President, Chief Operating Officer and Director
Executive Vice                of DWTC.
President

Joseph J. McAlinden
Executive Vice                Vice President of the Dean Witter Funds.
President


                                        6
<PAGE>

NAME AND POSITION             OTHER SUBSTANTIAL BUSINESS, PROFESSION, VOCATION
WITH DEAN WITTER              OR EMPLOYMENT, INCLUDING NAME, PRINCIPAL ADDRESS
INTERCAPITAL INC.             AND NATURE OF CONNECTION
- -----------------             -------------------------------------------------

Sheldon Curtis                Assistant Secretary of DWR; Senior Vice President,
Senior Vice President,        Secretary and General Counsel of DWSC; Senior Vice
General Counsel and           President, Assistant General Counsel and Assistant
Secretary                     Secretary of Distributors; Senior Vice President
                              and Secretary of DWTC; Vice President, Secretary
                              and General Counsel of the Dean Witter Funds and
                              the TCW/DW Funds.

Peter M. Avelar
Senior Vice President         Vice President of various Dean Witter Funds.

Mark Bavoso
Senior Vice President         Vice President of various Dean Witter Funds.

Richard Felegy
Senior Vice President

Edward Gaylor
Senior Vice President         Vice President of various Dean Witter Funds.

Robert S. Giambrone
Senior Vice President         Senior Vice President of DWSC, Distributors and
                              DWTC; Director of DWTC; Vice President of the Dean
                              Witter Funds and the TCW/DW Funds.

Rajesh K. Gupta
Senior Vice President         Vice President of various Dean Witter Funds.

Kenton J. Hinchcliffe
Senior Vice President         Vice President of various Dean Witter Funds.

Kevin Hurley
Senior Vice President         Vice President of various Dean Witter Funds.

John B. Kemp, III             Director of the Provident Savings Bank, Jersey
Senior Vice President         City, New Jersey.

Anita Kolleeny
Senior Vice President         Vice President of various Dean Witter Funds.

Jonathan R. Page
Senior Vice President         Vice President of various Dean Witter Funds.

Ira Ross
Senior Vice President         Vice President of various Dean Witter Funds.

Rochelle G. Siegel
Senior Vice President         Vice President of various Dean Witter Funds.


                                        7
<PAGE>

NAME AND POSITION             OTHER SUBSTANTIAL BUSINESS, PROFESSION, VOCATION
WITH DEAN WITTER              OR EMPLOYMENT, INCLUDING NAME, PRINCIPAL ADDRESS
INTERCAPITAL INC.             AND NATURE OF CONNECTION
- -----------------             -------------------------------------------------

Paul D. Vance
Senior Vice President         Vice President of various Dean Witter Funds.

Elizabeth A. Vetell
Senior Vice President

James F. Willison
Senior Vice President         Vice President of various Dean Witter Funds.

Ronald J. Worobel
Senior Vice President         Vice President of various Dean Witter Funds.

Thomas F. Caloia              First Vice President and Assistant Treasurer of
First Vice President          DWSC, Assistant Treasurer of Distributors;
and Assistant                 Treasurer and Chief Financial Officer of the
Treasurer                     Dean Witter Funds and the TCW/DW Funds.

Marilyn K. Cranney            Assistant Secretary of DWR; First Vice President
First Vice President          and Assistant Secretary of DWSC; Assistant
and Assistant Secretary       Secretary of the Dean Witter Funds and the TCW/DW
                              Funds.

Barry Fink                    First Vice President and Assistant Secretary of
First Vice President          DWSC; Assistant Secretary of the Dean Witter
and Assistant Secretary       Funds and the TCW/DW Funds.

Michael Interrante            First Vice President and Controller of DWSC;
First Vice President          Assistant Treasurer of Distributors;First Vice
and Controller                President and Treasurer of DWTC.

Robert Zimmerman
First Vice President

Joan Allman
Vice President

Joseph Arcieri
Vice President                Vice President of various Dean Witter Funds.

Kirk Balzer
Vice President                Vice President of Dean Witter Mid-Cap Growth Fund.

Douglas Brown
Vice President

Philip Casparius
Vice President

Thomas Chronert
Vice President


                                        8
<PAGE>

NAME AND POSITION             OTHER SUBSTANTIAL BUSINESS, PROFESSION, VOCATION
WITH DEAN WITTER              OR EMPLOYMENT, INCLUDING NAME, PRINCIPAL ADDRESS
INTERCAPITAL INC.             AND NATURE OF CONNECTION
- -----------------             -------------------------------------------------

Rosalie Clough
Vice President

Patricia A. Cuddy
Vice President                Vice President of various Dean Witter Funds.

B. Catherine Connelly
Vice President

Salvatore DeSteno
Vice President                Vice President of DWSC.

Frank J. DeVito
Vice President                Vice President of DWSC.

Dwight Doolan
Vice President

Bruce Dunn
Vice President

Jeffrey D. Geffen
Vice President

Deborah Genovese
Vice President

Peter W. Gurman
Vice President

John Hechtlinger
Vice President

Peter Hermann
Vice President                Vice President of various Dean Witter Funds

David Hoffman
Vice President

David Johnson
Vice President

Christopher Jones
Vice President

Stanley Kapica
Vice President

Michael Knox                  Vice President of Dean Witter Convertible
Vice President                Securities Trust.


                                        9
<PAGE>

NAME AND POSITION             OTHER SUBSTANTIAL BUSINESS, PROFESSION, VOCATION
WITH DEAN WITTER              OR EMPLOYMENT, INCLUDING NAME, PRINCIPAL ADDRESS
INTERCAPITAL INC.             AND NATURE OF CONNECTION
- -----------------             -------------------------------------------------

Konrad J. Krill
Vice President                Vice President of various Dean Witter Funds.

Paula LaCosta
Vice President                Vice President of various Dean Witter Funds.

Thomas Lawlor
Vice President

Gerard Lian
Vice President                Vice President of various Dean Witter Funds.

LouAnne D. McInnis            Vice President and Assistant Secretary of DWSC;
Vice President and            Assistant Secretary of the Dean Witter Funds and
Assistant Secretary           the TCW/DW Funds.

Sharon K. Milligan
Vice President

Julie Morrone
Vice President

David Myers
Vice President

James Nash
Vice President

Richard Norris
Vice President

Hugh Rose
Vice President

Ruth Rossi                    Vice President and Assistant Secretary of DWSC;
Vice President and            Assistant Secretary of the Dean Witter Funds and
Assistant Secretary           the TCW/DW Funds.

Carl F. Sadler
Vice President

Rafael Scolari
Vice President                Vice President of Prime Income Trust

Jayne M. Stevlingson
Vice President                Vice President of various Dean Witter Funds.

Kathleen Stromberg
Vice President                Vice President of various Dean Witter Funds.


                                       10
<PAGE>

NAME AND POSITION             OTHER SUBSTANTIAL BUSINESS, PROFESSION, VOCATION
WITH DEAN WITTER              OR EMPLOYMENT, INCLUDING NAME, PRINCIPAL ADDRESS
INTERCAPITAL INC.             AND NATURE OF CONNECTION
- -----------------             -------------------------------------------------

Vinh Q. Tran
Vice President                Vice President of various Dean Witter Funds.

Alice Weiss
Vice President                Vice President of various Dean Witter Funds.

Marianne Zalys
Vice President

Item 29.    PRINCIPAL UNDERWRITERS

     (a)  Dean Witter Distributors Inc. ("Distributors"), a Delaware
          corporation, is the principal underwriter of the Registrant.
          Distributors is also the principal underwriter of the following
          investment companies:

 (1)           Dean Witter Liquid Asset Fund Inc.
 (2)           Dean Witter Tax-Free Daily Income Trust
 (3)           Dean Witter California Tax-Free Daily Income Trust
 (4)           Dean Witter Retirement Series
 (5)           Dean Witter Dividend Growth Securities Inc.
 (6)           Dean Witter Global Asset Allocation
 (7)           Dean Witter World Wide Investment Trust
 (8)           Dean Witter Capital Growth Securities
 (9)           Dean Witter Convertible Securities Trust
(10)           Active Assets Tax-Free Trust
(11)           Active Assets Money Trust
(12)           Active Assets California Tax-Free Trust
(13)           Active Assets Government Securities Trust
(14)           Dean Witter Short-Term Bond Fund
(15)           Dean Witter Mid-Cap Growth Fund
(16)           Dean Witter U.S. Government Securities Trust
(17)           Dean Witter High Yield Securities Inc.
(18)           Dean Witter New York Tax-Free Income Fund
(19)           Dean Witter Tax-Exempt Securities Trust
(20)           Dean Witter California Tax-Free Income Fund
(21)           Dean Witter Limited Term Municipal Trust
(22)           Dean Witter Natural Resource Development Securities Inc.
(23)           Dean Witter World Wide Income Trust
(24)           Dean Witter Utilities Fund
(25)           Dean Witter Strategist Fund
(26)           Dean Witter New York Municipal Money Market Trust
(27)           Dean Witter Intermediate Income Securities
(28)           Prime Income Trust
(29)           Dean Witter European Growth Fund Inc.
(30)           Dean Witter Developing Growth Securities Trust
(31)           Dean Witter Precious Metals and Minerals Trust
(32)           Dean Witter Pacific Growth Fund Inc.
(33)           Dean Witter Multi-State Municipal Series Trust
(34)           Dean Witter Federal Securities Trust


                                       11
<PAGE>

(35)           Dean Witter Short-Term U.S. Treasury Trust
(36)           Dean Witter Diversified Income Trust
(37)           Dean Witter Health Sciences Trust
(38)           Dean Witter Global Dividend Growth Securities
(39)           Dean Witter American Value Fund
(40)           Dean Witter U.S. Government Money Market Trust
(41)           Dean Witter Global Short-Term Income Fund Inc.
(42)           Dean Witter Premier Income Trust
(43)           Dean Witter Value-Added Market Series
(44)           Dean Witter Global Utilities Fund
(45)           Dean Witter High Income Securities
(46)           Dean Witter National Municipal Trust
(47)           Dean Witter International SmallCap Fund
(48)           Dean Witter Balanced Growth Fund
(49)           Dean Witter Balanced Income Fund
(50)           Dean Witter Hawaii Municipal Trust
(51)           Dean Witter Variable Investment Series
(52)           Dean Witter Capital Appreciation Fund
(53)           Dean Witter Intermediate Term U.S. Treasury Trust
(54)           Dean Witter Information Fund
(55)           Dean Witter Japan Fund
 (1)           TCW/DW Core Equity Trust
 (2)           TCW/DW North American Government Income Trust
 (3)           TCW/DW Latin American Growth Fund
 (4)           TCW/DW Income and Growth Fund
 (5)           TCW/DW Small Cap Growth Fund
 (6)           TCW/DW Balanced Fund
 (7)           TCW/DW Total Return Trust
 (8)           TCW/DW Mid-Cap Equity Trust

     (b)  The following information is given regarding directors and officers of
     Distributors not listed in Item 28 above.  The principal address of
     Distributors is Two World Trade Center, New York, New York 10048.  None of
     the following persons has any position or office with the Registrant.

                                     Positions and
                                     Office with
Name                                 Distributors
- ----                                 -------------

Fredrick K. Kubler                  Senior Vice President, Assistant
                                    Secretary and Chief Compliance
                                    Officer.

Michael T. Gregg                    Vice President and Assistant
                                    Secretary.

Item 30.    LOCATION OF ACCOUNTS AND RECORDS

       All accounts, books and other documents required to be maintained by
Section 31(a) of the Investment Company Act of 1940 and the Rules thereunder are
maintained by the Investment Manager at its offices, except records relating to
holders of shares issued by the Registrant, which are maintained by the
Registrant's Transfer Agent, at its place of business as shown in the
prospectus.


                                       12
<PAGE>

Item 31.    MANAGEMENT SERVICES

        Registrant is not a party to any such management-related service
contract.

Item 32.    UNDERTAKINGS
        Registrant hereby undertakes to furnish each person to whom a prospectus
is delivered with a copy of the Registrant's latest annual report to
stockholders, upon request and without charge.


                                       13
<PAGE>

                                   SIGNATURES

     Pursuant to the requirements of the Securities Act of 1933 and the
Investment Company Act of 1940, the Registrant certifies that it meets all of
the requirements for effectiveness of this Registration Statement pursuant to
Rule 485(b) under the Securities Act of 1933 and has duly caused this Post-
Effective Amendment to the Registration Statement to be signed on its behalf by
the undersigned, thereunto duly authorized, in the City of New York and State of
New York on the 22nd day of April, 1996.

                     DEAN WITTER NATURAL RESOURCE DEVELOPMENT SECURITIES INC.

                                       By /s/ Sheldon Curtis
                                          -----------------------------
                                              Sheldon Curtis
                                           Vice President and Secretary

     Pursuant to the requirements of the Securities Act of 1933, this Post-
Effective Amendment No. 18 has been signed below by the following persons in the
capacities and on the dates indicated.

     Signatures                    Title                     Date
     ----------                    -----                     ----

(1) Principal Executive Officer    President, Chief
                                   Executive Officer,
                                   Director and Chairman
By  /s/ Charles A. Fiumefreddo                             04/22/96
   ---------------------------
        Charles A. Fiumefreddo

(2) Principal Financial Officer    Treasurer and Principal
                                   Accounting Officer

By  /s/ Thomas F. Caloia                                   04/22/96
   ---------------------------
        Thomas F. Caloia

(3) Majority of the Directors

    Charles A. Fiumefreddo (Chairman)
    Philip J. Purcell

By  /s/ Sheldon Curtis                                     04/22/96
   ---------------------------
        Sheldon Curtis
        Attorney-in-Fact

    Michael Bozic           Paul Kolton
    Edwin J. Garn           Michael E. Nugent
    John R. Haire           John L. Schroeder
    Manuel H. Johnson


By  /s/ Stuart Strauss                                     04/22/96
   ---------------------------
        Stuart Strauss
        Attorney-in-Fact
<PAGE>

                                  EXHIBIT INDEX


1. (a)  --     Articles of Incorporation of the Registrant*

   (b)  --     Amendment to the Articles of Incorporation*

6.      --     Form of Selected Dealer Agreement

8. (a)  --     Form of Custody Agreement between Registrant and
               The Bank of New York.*

   (b)  --     Form of Amendment to the Custody Agreement between
               Registrant and The Bank of New York.

9.      --     Form of Services Agreement between Dean Witter
               InterCapital Inc. and Dean Witter Services
               Company Inc.

11.     --     Consent of Independent Accountants

15.     --     Amended and Restated Plan of Distribution pursuant
               to Rule 12b-1.

16.     --     Schedule for Computation of Performance Quotations

27.     --     Financial Data Schedule

- ----------------------
 * Previously filed; re-filed via EDGAR with this Amendment to the Registration
   Statement. All other exhibits previously filed and incorporated by reference.




<PAGE>


                            ARTICLES OF INCORPORATION

                                       OF

            INTERCAPITAL NATURAL RESOURCE DEVELOPMENT SECURITIES INC.

                                    ---------

                                    ARTICLE I

     The undersigned, Dennis H. Greenwald, whose post office address is Five
World Trade Center, New York, New York 10048, and who is of full legal age, does
hereby declare that he is an incorporator intending to form a corporation under
and by virtue of the General Laws of the State of Maryland authorizing the
formation of corporations.


                                   ARTICLE II

     The name of the Corporation is InterCapital Natural Resource Development
Securities Inc.

                                   ARTICLE III

                               PURPOSES AND POWERS

     The purposes for which the Corporation is formed, and its objects, rights,
powers and privileges are:

     (1)  To conduct and carry on the business of an investment company of the
open-end management type;

     (2)  To purchase, sell and generally deal in all forms of securities,
including, but not by way of limitation, stocks (preferred and common), notes,
bonds, debentures, scrip, warrants, participation certificates, mortgages,
commercial paper, choses in action, evidences of indebtedness and other
obligations of every kind and description, in connection therewith to hold part
or all of its assets in cash or cash equivalents or money market instruments;

     (3)  To issue and sell shares of its own capital stock in such amount and
on such terms and conditions, for such purposes and for such amount or kind of
consideration now or hereafter permitted by the General Laws of the State of
Maryland by these Articles of Incorporation, as its Board of Directors may
determine;

     (4)  To redeem, purchase or otherwise acquire, hold, dispose of, resell,
transfer, reissue, retire or cancel (all without the vote or consent of the
stockholders of the Corporation) shares of its capital stock, in any manner and
to the extent now or hereafter permitted by the laws of Maryland and the
Articles of Incorporation and by-laws of the Corporation;

     (5)  To borrow or raise money for any purpose of the Corporation and from
time to time draw, make, accept, endorse, execute and issue promissory notes,
drafts, bills of exchange, warrants, bonds, debentures and other negotiable and
nonnegotiable instruments and evidences of indebtedness, and to pledge,
hypothecate and borrow upon the credit of the assets of the Corporation;

     (6)  To take such action as shall be desirable and necessary to cause its
shares to be licensed or registered for sale under the laws of the United States
and in any state, county, city or other municipality of the United States, the
territories thereof, the District of Columbia or in any foreign country and in
any town, city or subdivision thereof;

     (7)  To make contracts and generally to do any and all acts and things
necessary or desirable in furtherance of any of the corporate purposes or
designed to protect, preserve and/or enhance the value of the corporate assets,
or to the extent permitted to business corporations authorized under the laws of
the State of Maryland, as now or may in the future be authorized by said laws;

     (8)  To do all and everything necessary, suitable and proper for the
accomplishment of any of the purposes, objects or powers hereinbefore set forth
to the same extent and as fully as a natural person might or could do, in any
part of the world and either alone or in association or partnership with other
corporations, firms or individuals;

<PAGE>

     (9)  To have all the rights, powers and privileges now or hereafter
conferred by the laws of the State of Maryland upon a corporation organized
under the General Laws of the State of Maryland, or under any act amendatory
thereof, supplemental thereto or in substitution therefor;

     (10) To do any and all such further acts or things and to exercise any and
all such further powers or rights as may be necessary, incidental, relative,
conducive, appropriate or desirable for the accomplishment, carrying out or
attainment of all or any of the foregoing purposes, objects or powers.

     The foregoing clauses shall be construed both as objects and powers, and 
it is hereby expressly provided that the enumeration herein of any specific 
objects and powers shall not be held to limit or restrict in any way the 
general powers of the Corporation, nor shall such objects and powers, except 
when otherwise expressly provided, be in any way limited or restricted by 
reference to, or inference from the terms of any other clause of the Articles 
of Incorporation of the Corporation but the objects and powers specified in 
each of the foregoing clauses of this Article shall be regarded as 
independent objects and powers.

                                   ARTICLE IV

                       PRINCIPAL OFFICE AND RESIDENT AGENT

     The post-office address of the principal office of the Corporation in the
State of Maryland is c/o The Prentice-Hall Corporation System, Maryland, 929
North Howard Street, Baltimore, Maryland 21201.  The resident agent of the
Corporation in the State of Maryland is The Prentice-Hall Corporation System,
Maryland, a corporation of the State of Maryland, whose post-office address is
929 North Howard Street, Baltimore, Maryland 21201.


                                    ARTICLE V

                                  CAPITAL STOCK

     (1)  The total number of shares of stock which the Corporation shall 
have authority to issue is Five Hundred Million (500,000,000) shares, all of 
one class to be designated "Common Stock" of the par value of one cent ($.01) 
each, and of the aggregate par value of Five Million dollars ($5,000,000).

     (2)  The Corporation may issue, sell, redeem, repurchase and otherwise deal
in and with shares of its stock in fractional denominations and such fractional
denominations shall, for all purposes, be shares of common stock having
proportionately to the respective fractions represented thereby all the rights
of whole shares, including without limitation, the right to vote, the right to
receive dividends and distributions, and the right to participate upon
liquidation of the Corporation; provided that the issue of shares in fractional
denominations shall be limited to such transactions and be made upon such terms
as may be fixed by or under authority of the by-laws.

                                   ARTICLE VI

                                PREEMPTIVE RIGHTS

     No stockholder of the Corporation of any class, whether now or hereafter
authorized, shall have any preemptive or preferential or other right of purchase
of or subscription to any shares of any class of stock, or securities
convertible into, exchangeable for or evidencing the right to purchase stock of
any class whatsoever, whether or not the stock in question be of the same class
as may be held by such stockholders, and whether now or hereafter authorized and
whether issued for cash, property, services or otherwise, other than such, if
any, as the Board of Directors in its discretion may from time to time fix.


                                   ARTICLE VII

                         NUMBER AND POWERS OF DIRECTORS

     (1)  The number of directors of the Corporation shall be three (3) or such
other number not less than three (3) as may from time to time be specified in or
fixed in the manner prescribed by the by-laws of the Corporation.  The by-laws
of the Corporation shall also specify the number of directors which shall be


                                        2
<PAGE>

necessary to and shall constitute a quorum; provided, however that in no case
shall a quorum be less than one-third (1/3) of the total number of directors or
less than two (2) directors.  Unless otherwise provided by the by-laws of the
corporation, directors need not be stockholders thereof.

     (2)  The names of the directors who shall act until the first annual 
meeting or until their successors are duly chosen and qualify are:

                    CHARLES A. FIUMEFREDDO
                    DENNIS H. GREENWALD
                    ANDREW J. MELTON, JR.

     (3)  The Board of Directors of the Corporation is hereby empowered to
authorize the issuance from time to time of shares of capital stock, whether now
or hereafter authorized, for such consideration as the Board of Directors may
deem advisable, subject to such limitations as may be set forth in these
Articles of Incorporation or in the by-laws of the Corporation or in the General
Laws of the State of Maryland.

     (4)  Each Director and each officer of the Corporation shall be indemnified
by the Corporation to the full extent permitted by the General Laws of the State
of Maryland and the by-laws of the Corporation.

     (5)  The Board of Directors of the Corporation may make, alter or repeal
from time to time any of the by-laws of the Corporation except any particular
by-law which is specified as not subject to alteration or repeal by the Board of
Directors.

                                  ARTICLE VIII

                                STOCKHOLDER VOTE

     Notwithstanding any provisions of law requiring a greater proportion than a
majority of the votes of all classes or of any class of stock entitled to be
cast, to take or authorize any action, the Corporation may take or authorize any
such action upon the concurrence of a majority of the aggregate number of the
votes entitled to be cast thereon.


                                   ARTICLE IX

                               PERPETUAL EXISTENCE

     The duration of the Corporation shall be perpetual.

                                    ARTICLE X

                                    AMENDMENT

     The Corporation reserves the right from time to time to make any amendment
of its Articles of Incorporation now or hereafter authorized by law, including
any amendment which alters the contract rights, as expressly set forth in its
Articles of Incorporation, of any outstanding stock.

     IN WITNESS WHEREOF, I have signed these Articles of Incorporation on this
19th day of December, 1980.



                                   /S/ DENNIS H. GREENWALD
                              -----------------------------------
                                       DENNIS H. GREENWALD




WITNESS:



     /S/ ROSALIE SHARIN
- ---------------------------
         ROSALIE SHARIN

                                        3
<PAGE>

State of New York
                    ss.:
County of New York

     I hereby certify that on December 19, 1980, before me, the subscriber, a
notary public of the State of New York, in and for the County of New York,
personally appeared Dennis H. Greenwald, who acknowledged the foregoing Articles
of Incorporation to be his act.

     WITNESS my hand and notarial seal the day and year last above written.


                                   /S/ BARBARA COFFEY
                              -----------------------------------
                                       NOTARY PUBLIC


                                       4


<PAGE>

            INTERCAPITAL NATURAL RESOURCE DEVELOPMENT SECURITIES INC.

                              ARTICLES OF AMENDMENT
                                     TO THE
                            ARTICLES OF INCORPORATION

                            *************************

          INTERCAPITAL NATURAL RESOURCE DEVELOPMENT SECURITIES INC., a Maryland
Corporation having its principal office at 929 North Howard Street.  Baltimore,
Maryland 21201, c/o The Prentice-Hall Corporation System, Maryland (hereinafter
called the Corporation), hereby certifies to the State Department of Assessments
and Taxation of Maryland that:

          FIRST:  The charter of the Corporation is hereby amended by striking
out Article SECOND of the Articles of Incorporation and inserting in lieu
thereof the following:

               "SECOND:  The name of the Corporation is DEAN WITTER NATURAL
               RESOURCE DEVELOPMENT SECURITIES INC."

          SECOND:  The Board of Directors of the Corporation, at a meeting duly
convened and held on January 18, 1983, adopted a resolution in which was set
forth the foregoing amendment to the charter, declaring that the said amendment
of the charter was advisable and directing that it be submitted for action
thereon by the stockholders of the Corporation at a special meeting to be held
on March 16, 1983.

          THIRD:  Notice of said amendment of the charter and stating that a
purpose of the meeting of the stockholders would be to take action thereon, was
given, as required by law, to all stockholders entitled to vote thereon.  The
amendment of the charter of the Corporation as hereinabove set forth was
approved by the stockholders of the Corporation at said meeting by the
affirmative vote of a majority of all the votes entitled to be cast thereon.
Such a majority vote was sufficient to authorize said amendment pursuant to
Article EIGHTH of the Charter of the Corporation which authorizes the
Corporation to

<PAGE>

take any action upon the concurrence of a majority of the aggregate number of
the votes entitled to be cast thereon, notwithstanding any provision of Article
23 of the General Corporation Law to the contrary.

          IN WITNESS WHEREOF, INTERCAPITAL NATURAL RESOURCE DEVELOPMENT
SECURITIES INC. has caused these presents to be signed in its name and on its
behalf by its President and its corporate seal to be hereunto affixed and
attested by its Secretary on March 13, 1983.

          INTERCAPITAL NATURAL RESOURCE DEVELOPMENT SECURITIES INC.

                              By /s/ Charles A. Fiumefreddo
                                -------------------------------------------
                                Charles A. Fiumefreddo, President


(CORPORATE
     SEAL)

ATTEST:


/s/ Sheldon Curtis
- ------------------------------
Sheldon Curtis, Secretary
<PAGE>

STATE OF NEW YORK )
                  : ss.:
COUNTY OF NEW YORK)


          I HEREBY CERTIFY that on March 18, 1983, before me the subscriber, a
notary public of the State of New York in and for the County of New York,
personally appeared Charles A. Fiumefreddo, President of InterCapital Natural
Resource Development Securities Inc., a Maryland Corporation, and in the name
and on behalf of said corporation acknowledged the foregoing Articles of
Amendment to be the corporate act of said corporation and further made oath in
due form of law that the matters and facts set forth in said Articles of
Amendment with respect to the approval thereof are true to the best of his
knowledge, information and belief.

          WITNESS my hand and notarial seal, the day and year last above
written.

                                        /s/ Mary Early-Brosnan
                                        ----------------------
                                             Notary Public

(NOTARIAL
   SEAL)
<PAGE>

                             CONSENT TO USE OF NAME

               InterCapital Liquid Asset Fund Inc., InterCapital High Yield
Securities Inc., InterCapital Tax-Exempt Securities Inc., InterCapital Industry-
Valued Securities Inc., InterCapital Tax-Free Daily Income Fund Inc., and
InterCapital Dividend Growth Securities Inc., all of which are corporations
organized under the laws of the State of Maryland, and which are filing herewith
Articles of Amendment to their respective Articles of Incorporation to change
the names of said corporations to Dean Witter/Sears Liquid Asset Fund Inc., Dean
Witter High Yield Securities Inc., Dean Witter Tax-Exempt Securities Inc., Dean
Witter Industry-Valued Securities Inc., Dean Witter/Sears Tax-Free Daily Income
Fund Inc., and Dean Witter Dividend Growth Securities Inc., respectively, each
hereby consents to the simultaneous change of name by InterCapital Natural
Resource Development Securities Inc., another corporation organized under the
laws of the State of Maryland, to Dean Witter Natural Resource Development
Securities Inc.

          IN WITNESS WHEREOF, each of the said InterCapital Liquid Asset Fund
Inc., InterCapital High Yield Securities Inc., InterCapital Tax-Exempt
Securities Inc., InterCapital Industry-Valued Securities Inc., InterCapital Tax-
Free Daily Income Fund Inc., and InterCapital Dividend Growth Securities Inc.,
has caused this consent to be executed by its President and attested under its
corporate seal by its Secretary, all on this 18th day of March, 1983.

                              INTERCAPITAL LIQUID ASSET FUND INC.

                              By /s/ Charles A. Fiumefreddo
                                -------------------------------------------
                                Charles A. Fiumefreddo, President


(CORPORATE
     SEAL)

ATTEST:


/s/ Sheldon Curtis
- ------------------------------
Sheldon Curtis, Secretary
<PAGE>

                              INTERCAPITAL HIGH YIELD SECURITIES INC.

                              By /s/ Charles A. Fiumefreddo
                                -------------------------------------------
                                Charles A. Fiumefreddo, President


(CORPORATE
     SEAL)

ATTEST:


/s/ Sheldon Curtis
- ------------------------------
Sheldon Curtis, Secretary

                              INTERCAPITAL TAX-EXEMPT SECURITIES INC.

                              By /s/ Charles A. Fiumefreddo
                                -------------------------------------------
                                Charles A. Fiumefreddo, President


(CORPORATE
     SEAL)

ATTEST:


/s/ Sheldon Curtis
- ------------------------------
Sheldon Curtis, Secretary

                              INTERCAPITAL INDUSTRY-VALUED SECURITIES INC.

                              By /s/ Charles A. Fiumefreddo
                                -------------------------------------------
                                Charles A. Fiumefreddo, President


(CORPORATE
     SEAL)

ATTEST:


/s/ Sheldon Curtis
- ------------------------------
Sheldon Curtis, Secretary
<PAGE>

                              INTERCAPITAL TAX-EXEMPT DAILY INCOME FUND INC.

                              By /s/ Charles A. Fiumefreddo
                                -------------------------------------------
                                Charles A. Fiumefreddo, President


(CORPORATE
     SEAL)

ATTEST:


/s/ Sheldon Curtis
- ------------------------------
Sheldon Curtis, Secretary

                              INTERCAPITAL DIVIDEND GROWTH SECURITIES INC.

                              By /s/ Charles A. Fiumefreddo
                                -------------------------------------------
                                Charles A. Fiumefreddo, President


(CORPORATE
     SEAL)

ATTEST:


/s/ Sheldon Curtis
- ------------------------------
Sheldon Curtis, Secretary


<PAGE>

            DEAN WITTER NATURAL RESOURCE DEVELOPMENT SECURITIES INC.

                           SELECTED DEALERS AGREEMENT

Gentlemen:

     DW Distributors, Inc. (the "Distributor") has a distribution agreement (the
"Distribution Agreement") with Dean Witter Natural Resource Development
Securities Inc., a Maryland corporation (the "Fund"), pursuant to which it acts
as the Distributor for the sale of the Fund's shares of common stock, par value
$0.01 per share (the "Shares").  Under the Distribution Agreement, the
Distributor has the right to distribute Shares for resale.

     The Fund is an open-end management investment company registered under the
Investment Company Act of 1940, as amended, and the Shares being offered to the
public are registered under the Securities Act of 1933, as amended.  You have
received a copy of the Distribution Agreement between us and the Fund and
reference is made herein to certain provisions of such Distribution Agreement.
The terms used herein, including "Prospectus" and "Registration Statement" of
the Fund and "Selected Dealer" shall have the same meaning in this Agreement as
in the Distribution Agreement.  As principal, we offer to sell shares to you, as
a Selected Dealer, upon the following terms and conditions:

     1.   In all sales of Shares to the public you shall act as dealer for your
own account, and in no transaction shall you have any authority to act as agent
for the Fund, for us or for any other Selected Dealer.

     2.   Orders received from you will be accepted through us or on our behalf
only at the net asset value applicable to each order, as set forth in the
current Prospectus.  The procedure relating to the handling of orders shall be
subject to instructions which we or the Fund shall forward from time to time to
you.  All orders are subject to acceptance or rejection by the Distributor or
the Fund in the sole discretion of either.

     3.   You shall not place orders for any Shares unless you have already
received purchase orders for such Shares at the applicable net asset values and
subject to the terms hereof and of the Distribution Agreement and the
Prospectus.  You agree that you will not offer or sell any of the Shares except
under circumstances that will result in compliance with the applicable Federal
and state securities laws and that in connection with sales and offers to sell
Shares you will furnish to each person to whom any such sale or offer is made a
copy of the Prospectus (as then amended or supplemented) and will not furnish to
any person any information relating to the Shares, which is inconsistent in any
respect with the information contained in the Prospectus (as then amended or
supplemented) or cause any advertisement to be published by radio or television
or in any newspaper or posted in any public place or use any sales promotional
material without our consent and the consent of the Fund.

     4.   The Distributor will compensate you for sales of shares of the Fund
and personal services to Fund shareholders by paying you a sales charge and/or
other commissions, which may be in the form of a gross sales credit and/or an
annual residual commission and/or service fee, under the terms and in the
percentage amounts as may be in effect from time to time by the Distributor.

     5.   You shall not withhold placing orders received from your customers so
as to profit yourself as a result of such withholding; e.g., by a change in the
"net asset value" from that used in determining the offering price to your
customers.

     6.   If any Shares sold to you under the terms of this Agreement are
repurchased by us for the account of the Fund or are tendered for redemption
within seven business days after the date of the confirmation of the original
purchase by you, it is agreed that you shall forfeit your right to, and refund
to us, any commission received by you with respect to such Shares.

     7.   No person is authorized to make any representations concerning the
Shares or the Fund except those contained in the current Prospectus and in such
printed information subsequently issued by us or the Fund as information
supplemental to such Prospectus.  In purchasing Shares through us you


                                        1
<PAGE>

shall rely solely on the representations contained in the Prospectus and
supplemental information above mentioned.  Any printed information which we
furnish you other than the Prospectus and the Fund's periodic reports and proxy
solicitation material are our sole responsibility and not the responsibility of
the Fund, and you agree that the Fund shall have no liability or responsibility
to you in these respects unless expressly assumed in connection therewith.

     8.   You agree to deliver to each of the purchasers making purchases 
from you a copy of the then current Prospectus at or prior to the time of 
offering or sale and you agree thereafter to deliver to such purchasers 
copies of the annual and interim reports and proxy solicitation materials of 
the Fund.  You further agree to endeavor to obtain proxies from such 
purchasers.  Additional copies of the Prospectus, annual or interim reports 
and proxy solicitation materials of the Fund will be supplied to you in 
reasonable quantities upon request.

     9.   You are hereby authorized (i) to place orders directly with the Fund
or its agent for shares of the Fund to be sold by us to you subject to the
applicable terms and conditions governing the placement of orders for the
purchase of Fund shares, as set forth in the Distribution Agreement, and (ii) to
tender shares directly to the Fund or its agent for redemption subject to the
applicable terms and conditions set forth in the Distribution Agreement.

     10.  We reserve the right in our discretion, without notice, to suspend
sales or withdraw the offering of Shares entirely.  Each party hereto has the
right to cancel this agreement upon notice to the other party.

     11.  We shall have full authority to take such action as we may deem
advisable in respect of all matters pertaining to the distribution and
redemption of Fund shares.  We shall be under no liability to you except for
lack of good faith and for obligations expressly assumed by us herein.  Nothing
contained in this paragraph is intended to operate as, and the provisions of
this paragraph shall not in any way whatsoever constitute, a waiver by you of
compliance with any provision of the Securities Act of 1933, as amended, or of
the rules and regulations of the Securities and Exchange Commission issued
thereunder.

     12.  You represent that you are a member of the National Association of
Securities Dealers, Inc. and, with respect to any sales in the United States, we
both hereby agree to abide by the Rules of Fair Practice of such Association.

     13.  Upon application to us, we will inform you as to the states in which
we believe the Shares have been qualified for sale under, or are exempt from the
requirements of, the respective securities laws of such states, but we assume no
responsibility or obligation as to your right to sell Shares in any
jurisdiction.

     14.  All communications to us should be sent to the address shown below.
Any notice to you shall be duly given if mailed or telegraphed to you at the
address specified by you below.

     15.  This Agreement shall become effective as of the date of your
acceptance hereof, provided that you return to us promptly a signed and dated
copy.


                                   DW DISTRIBUTORS INC.

                                   By
                                     --------------------------------------
                                             (Authorized Signature)


Please return one signed copy
     of this agreement to:

DW Distributors Inc.
Two World Trade Center
New York, New York 10048

Accepted:

Firm Name: DEAN WITTER REYNOLDS INC.
           -------------------------

By:
   ---------------------------------

Address:  2 WTC
        ----------------------------

          New York, New York 10048
- ------------------------------------

Date:     January 4, 1993
     -------------------------------


                                        2

<PAGE>


                                CUSTODY AGREEMENT



     Agreement made as of this 20th day of September,  1991, between DEAN 
WITTER NATURAL RESOURCE DEVELOPMENT SECURITIES INC., a corporation organized 
and existing under the laws of the State of Maryland, having its principal 
office and place of business at 2 World Trade Center, New York, New York 
10048 (hereinafter called the "Fund"), and THE BANK OF NEW YORK, a New York 
corporation authorized to do a banking business, having its principal office 
and place of business at 48 Wall Street, New York, New York 10286 
(hereinafter called the "Custodian").

                              W I T N E S S E T H :


that for and in consideration of the mutual promises hereinafter set forth, the
Fund and the Custodian agree as follows:


                                    ARTICLE I

                                   DEFINITIONS


     Whenever used in this Agreement, the following words and phrases, shall
have the following meanings:

     1.   "Agreement" shall mean this Custody Agreement and all Appendices and
Certifications described in the Exhibits delivered in connection herewith.

     2.   "Authorized Person" shall mean any person, whether or not such 
person is an Officer or employee of the Fund, duly authorized by the Board of 
Directors of the Fund to give Oral Instructions and Written Instructions on 
behalf of the Fund and listed in the Certificate annexed hereto as Appendix A 
or such other Certificate as may be received by the Custodian from time to 
time, provided that each person who is designated in any such Certificate as 
an "Officer of DWTC" shall be an Authorized Person only for purposes of 
Articles XII and XIII hereof.

     3.   "Book-Entry System" shall mean the Federal Reserve/Treasury book-entry
system for United States and federal agency securities, its successor or
successors and its nominee or nominees.
<PAGE>

     4.   "Call Option" shall mean an exchange traded option with respect to
Securities other than Index, Futures Contracts, and Futures Contract Options
entitling the holder, upon timely exercise and payment of the exercise price, as
specified therein, to purchase from the writer thereof the specified underlying
instruments, currency, or Securities.

     5.   "Certificate" shall mean any notice, instruction, or other instrument
in writing, authorized or required by this Agreement to be given to the
Custodian which is actually received (irrespective of constructive receipt) by
the Custodian and signed on behalf of the Fund by any two Officers. The term
Certificate shall also include instructions by the Fund to the Custodian
communicated by a Terminal Link.

     6.   "Clearing Member" shall mean a registered broker-dealer which is a
clearing member under the rules of O.C.C. and a member of a national securities
exchange qualified to act as a custodian for an investment company, or any
broker-dealer reasonably believed by the Custodian to be such a clearing member.

     7.   "Collateral Account" shall mean a segregated account so denominated
which is specifically allocated to a Series and pledged to the Custodian as
security for, and in consideration of, the Custodian's issuance of any Put
Option guarantee letter or similar document described in paragraph 8 of Article
V herein.

     8.   "Covered Call Option" shall mean an exchange traded option entitling
the holder, upon timely exercise and payment of the exercise price, as specified
therein, to purchase from the writer thereof the specified underlying
instruments, currency, or Securities (excluding Futures Contracts) which are
owned by the writer thereof.

     9.   "Depository" shall mean The Depository Trust Company ("DTC"), a
clearing agency registered with the Securities and Exchange Commission, its
successor or successors and its nominee or nominees. The term "Depository" shall
further mean and include any other person authorized to act as a depository
under the Investment Company Act of 1940, its successor or successors and its
nominee or nominees, specifically identified in a certified copy of a resolution
of the Fund's Board of Trustees specifically approving deposits therein by the
Custodian.

     10.  "Financial Futures Contract" shall mean the firm commitment to buy or
sell financial instruments on a U.S. commodities exchange or board of trade at a
specified future time at an agreed upon price.

     11.  "Futures Contract" shall mean a Financial Futures Contract and/or
Index Futures Contracts.


                                      - 2 -
<PAGE>

     12.  "Futures Contract Option" shall mean an option with respect to a
Futures Contract.

     13.  "Investment Company Act of 1940" shall mean the Investment Company Act
of 1940, as amended, and the rules and regulations thereunder.

     14.  "Index Futures Contract" shall mean a bilateral agreement pursuant to
which the parties agree to take or make delivery of an amount of cash equal to a
specified dollar amount times the difference between the value of a particular
index at the close of the last business day of the contract and the price at
which the futures contract is originally struck.

     15.  "Index Option" shall mean an exchange traded option entitling the
holder, upon timely exercise, to receive an amount of cash determined by
reference to the difference between the exercise price and the value of the
index on the date of exercise.

     16.  "Margin Account" shall mean a segregated account in the name of a
broker, dealer, futures commission merchant, or a Clearing Member, or in the
name of the Fund for the benefit of a broker, dealer, futures commission
merchant, or Clearing Member, or otherwise, in accordance with an agreement
between the Fund, the Custodian and a broker, dealer, futures commission
merchant or a Clearing Member (a "Margin Account Agreement"), separate and
distinct from the custody account, in which certain Securities and/or money of
the Fund shall be deposited and withdrawn from time to time in connection with
such transactions as the Fund may from time to time determine. Securities held
in the Book-Entry System or a Depository shall be deemed to have been deposited
in, or withdrawn from, a Margin Account upon the Custodian's effecting an
appropriate entry in its books and records.

     17.  "Money Market Security" shall mean all instruments and obligations
commonly known as a money market instruments, where the purchase and sale of
such securities normally requires settlement in federal funds on the same day as
such purchase or sale, including, without limitation, certain Reverse Repurchase
Agreements, debt obligations issued or guaranteed as to interest and/or
principal by the government of the United States or agencies or
instrumentalities thereof, any tax, bond or revenue anticipation note issued by
any state or municipal government or public authority, commercial paper,
certificates of deposit and bankers' acceptances, repurchase agreements with
respect to Securities and bank time deposits.



                                      - 3 -
<PAGE>

     18.  "O.C.C." shall mean the Options Clearing Corporation, a clearing 
agency registered under Section 17A of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, 
its successor or successors, and its nominee or nominees.

     19.  "Officers" shall mean the President, any Vice President, the
Secretary, the Clerk, the Treasurer, the Controller, any Assistant Secretary,
any Assistant Clerk, any Assistant Treasurer, and any other person or persons,
whether or not any such other person is an officer or employee of the Fund, but
in each case only if duly authorized by the Board of Trustees of the Fund to
execute any Certificate, instruction, notice or other instrument on behalf of
the Fund and listed in the Certificate annexed hereto as Appendix B or such
other Certificate as may be received by the Custodian from time to time;
provided that each person who is designated in any such Certificate as holding
the position of "Officer of DWTC" shall be an Officer only for purposes of
Articles XII and XIII hereof.

     20.  "Option" shall mean a Call Option, Covered Call Option, Index Option
and/or a Put Option.

     21.  "Oral Instructions" shall mean verbal instructions actually received
(irrespective of constructive receipt) by the Custodian from an Authorized
Person or from a person reasonably believed by the Custodian to be an Authorized
Person.

     22.  "Put Option" shall mean an exchange traded option with respect to
instruments, currency, or Securities other than Index Options, Futures
Contracts, and Futures Contract Options entitling the holder, upon timely
exercise and tender of the specified underlying instruments, currency, or
Securities, to sell such instruments, currency, or Securities to the writer
thereof for the exercise price.

     23.  "Reverse Repurchase Agreement" shall mean an agreement pursuant to
which the Fund sells Securities and agrees to repurchase such Securities at a
described or specified date and price.

     24.  "Security" shall be deemed to include, without limitation, Money
Market Securities, Call Options, Put Options, Index Options, Index Futures
Contracts, Index Futures Contract Options, Financial Futures Contracts,
Financial Futures Contract Options, Reverse Repurchase Agreements, over the
counter options on Securities, common stocks and other securities having
characteristics similar to common stocks, preferred stocks, debt obligations
issued by state or municipal governments and by public authorities, (including,
without limitation, general obligation bonds, revenue bonds, industrial bonds
and industrial development bonds), bonds, 


                                      - 4 -
<PAGE>

debentures, notes, mortgages or other obligations, and any certificates, 
receipts, warrants or other instruments representing rights to receive, 
purchase, sell or subscribe for the same, or evidencing or representing any 
other rights or interest therein, or rights to any property or assets.

     25.  "Senior Security Account" shall mean an account maintained and
specifically allocated to a Series under the terms of this Agreement as a
segregated account, by recordation or otherwise, within the custody account in
which certain Securities and/or other assets of the Fund specifically allocated
to such Series shall be deposited and withdrawn from time to time in accordance
with Certificates received by the Custodian in connection with such transactions
as the Fund may from time to time determine.

     26.  "Series" shall mean the various portfolios, if any, of the Fund as
described from time to time in the current and effective prospectus for the
Fund, except that if the Fund does not have more than one portfolio, "Series"
shall mean the Fund or be ignored where a requirement would be imposed on the
Fund or the Custodian which is unnecessary if there is only one portfolio.

     27.  "Shares" shall mean the shares of beneficial interest of the Fund and
its Series.

     28.  "Terminal Link" shall mean an electronic data transmission link
between the Fund and the Custodian requiring in connection with each use of the
Terminal Link the use of an authorization code provided by the Custodian and at
least two access codes established by the Fund, provided, that the Fund shall
have delivered to the Custodian a Certificate substantially in the form of
Appendix C.

     29.  "Transfer Agent" shall mean Dean Witter Trust Company, a New Jersey
limited purpose trust company, its successors and assigns.

     30.  "Transfer Agent Account" shall mean any account in the name of the
Transfer Agent maintained with The Bank of New York pursuant to a Cash
Management and Related Services Agreement between The Bank of New York and the
Transfer Agent.

     31.  "Written Instructions" shall mean written communications actually
received (irrespective of constructive receipt) by the Custodian from an
Authorized Person or from a person reasonably believed by the Custodian to be an
Authorized Person by telex or any other such system whereby the receiver of such
communications is able to verify by codes or otherwise with a reasonable degree
of certainty the identity of the sender of such communication.


                                      - 5 -
<PAGE>

                                   ARTICLE II

                            APPOINTMENT OF CUSTODIAN


     1.   The Fund hereby constitutes and appoints the Custodian as custodian of
the Securities and moneys at any time owned by the Fund during the period of
this Agreement.

     2.   The Custodian hereby accepts appointment as such custodian and agrees
to perform the duties thereof as hereinafter set forth.


                                   ARTICLE III

                         CUSTODY OF CASH AND SECURITIES


     1.   Except as otherwise provided in paragraph 7 of this Article and in
Article VIII, the Fund will deliver or cause to be delivered to the Custodian
all Securities and all moneys owned by it, at any time during the period of this
Agreement, and shall specify with respect to such Securities and money the
Series to which the same are specifically allocated, and the Custodian shall not
be responsible for any Securities or money not so delivered. The Custodian shall
physically segregate, keep and maintain the Securities of the Series separate
and apart from each other Series and from other assets held by the Custodian.
Except as otherwise expressly provided in this Agreement, the Custodian will not
be responsible for any Securities and moneys not actually received by it, unless
the Custodian has been negligent or has engaged in willful misconduct with
respect thereto. The Custodian will be entitled to reverse any credits of money
made on the Fund's behalf where such credits have been previously made and
moneys are not finally collected, unless the Custodian has been negligent or has
engaged in willful misconduct with respect thereto. The Fund shall deliver to
the Custodian a certified resolution of the Board of Directors of the Fund,
substantially in the form of Exhibit A hereto, approving, authorizing and
instructing the Custodian on a continuous and on-going basis to deposit in the
Book-Entry System all Securities eligible for deposit therein, regardless of the
Series to which the same are specifically allocated and to utilize the
Book-Entry System to the extent possible in connection with its performance
hereunder, including, without limitation, in connection with settlements of
purchases and sales of Securities, loans of Securities and deliveries and
returns of Securities collateral. Prior to a deposit of Securities specifically
allocated to a Series in any Depository, the Fund shall deliver to the Custodian
a certified resolution of the Board of Trustees of the Fund, substantially in
the form of Exhibit B hereto, approving,


                                      - 6 -
<PAGE>

authorizing and instructing the Custodian on a continuous and ongoing basis
until instructed to the contrary by a Certificate to deposit in such Depository
all Securities specifically allocated to such Series eligible for deposit
therein, and to utilize such Depository to the extent possible with respect to
such Securities in connection with its performance hereunder, including, without
limitation, in connection with settlements of purchases and sales of Securities,
loans of Securities, and deliveries and returns of Securities collateral.
Securities and moneys deposited in either the Book-Entry System or a Depository
will be represented in accounts which include only assets held by the Custodian
for customers, including, but not limited to, accounts in which the Custodian
acts in a fiduciary or representative capacity and will be specifically
allocated on the Custodian's books to the separate account for the applicable
Series. Prior to the Custodian's accepting, utilizing and acting with respect to
Clearing Member confirmations for Options and transactions in Options for a
Series as provided in this Agreement, the Custodian shall have received a
certified resolution of the Fund's Board of Directors, substantially in the form
of Exhibit C hereto, approving, authorizing and instructing the Custodian on a
continuous and on-going basis, until instructed to the contrary by a
Certificate, to accept, utilize and act in accordance with such confirmations as
provided in this Agreement with respect to such Series. All securities are to be
held or disposed of by the Custodian for, and subject at all times to the
instructions of, the Fund pursuant to the terms of this Agreement. The Custodian
shall have no power or authority to assign, hypothecate, pledge or otherwise
dispose of any Securities except as provided by the terms of this Agreement, and
shall have the sole power to release and deliver Securities held pursuant to
this Agreement.

     2.   The Custodian shall establish and maintain separate accounts, in the
name of each Series, and shall credit to the separate account for each Series
all moneys received by it for the account of the Fund with respect to such
Series. Such moneys will be held in such manner and account as the Fund and the
Custodian shall agree upon in writing from time to time. Money credited to a
separate account for a Series shall be subject only to drafts, orders, or
charges of the Custodian pursuant to this Agreement and shall be disbursed by
the Custodian only:

          (a)  As hereinafter provided;

          (b)  Pursuant to Resolutions of the Fund's Board of Directors 
certified by an Officer and by the Secretary or Assistant Secretary of the Fund
setting forth the name and address of the person to whom the payment is to be 
made, the Series account from which payment is to be made, the purpose for 
which payment is to be made, and declaring such purpose to be a proper 
corporate purpose; provided, however, that amounts


                                      - 7 -
<PAGE>

representing dividends, distributions, or redemptions proceeds with respect 
to Shares shall be paid only to the Transfer Agent Account;

          (c)  In payment of the fees and in reimbursement of the expenses and
liabilities of the Custodian attributable to such Series and authorized by this
Agreement; or

          (d)  Pursuant to Certificates to pay interest, taxes, management fees
or operating expenses (including, without limitation thereto, Board of Trustees'
fees and expenses, and fees for legal accounting and auditing services), which
Certificates set forth the name and address of the person to whom payment is to
be made, state the purpose of such payment and designate the Series for whose
account the payment is to be made.

          3.   Promptly after the close of business on each day, the Custodian
shall furnish the Fund with confirmations and a summary, on a per Series basis,
of all transfers to or from the account of the Fund for a Series, either
hereunder or with any co-custodian or sub-custodian appointed in accordance with
this Agreement during said day. Where Securities are transferred to the account
of the Fund for a Series but held in a Depository, the Custodian shall upon such
transfer also by book-entry or otherwise identify such Securities as belonging
to such Series in a fungible bulk of Securities registered in the name of the
Custodian (or its nominee) or shown on the Custodian's account on the books of
the Book-Entry System or the Depository. At least monthly and from time to time,
the Custodian shall furnish the Fund with a detailed statement, on a per Series
basis, of the Securities and moneys held under this Agreement for the Fund.

     4.   Except as otherwise provided in paragraph 7 of this Article and in
Article VIII, all Securities held by the Custodian hereunder, which are issued
or issuable only in bearer form, except such Securities as are held in the
Book-Entry System, shall be held by the Custodian in that form; all other
Securities held hereunder may be registered in the name of the Fund, in the name
of any duly appointed registered nominee of the Custodian as the Custodian may
from time to time determine, or in the name of the Book-Entry System or a
Depository or their successor or successors, or their nominee or nominees. The
Fund agrees to furnish to the Custodian appropriate instruments to enable the
Custodian to hold or deliver in proper form for transfer, or to register in the
name of its registered nominee or in the name of the Book-Entry System or a
Depository any Securities which it may hold hereunder and which may from time to
time be registered in the name of the Fund. The Custodian shall hold all such
Securities specifically allocated to a Series which are not held in the
Book-Entry System or in a Depository in a separate 


                                      - 8 -
<PAGE>

account in the name of such Series physically segregated at all times from 
those of any other person or persons.

     5.   Except as otherwise provided in this Agreement and unless otherwise
instructed to the contrary by a Certificate, the Custodian by itself, or through
the use of the Book-Entry System or a Depository with respect to Securities held
hereunder and therein deposited, shall with respect to all Securities held for
the Fund hereunder in accordance with preceding paragraph 4:

          (a)  Promptly collect all income and dividends due or payable;

          (b)  Promptly give notice to the Fund and promptly present for payment
and collect the amount of money or other consideration payable upon such
Securities which are called, but only if either (i) the Custodian receives a
written notice of such call, or (ii) notice of such call appears in one or more
of the publications listed in Appendix D annexed hereto, which may be amended at
any time by the Custodian without the prior consent of the Fund, provided the
Custodian gives prior notice of such amendment to the Fund;

          (c)  Promptly present for payment and collect for the Fund's account
the amount payable upon all Securities which mature;

          (d)  Promptly surrender Securities in temporary form in exchange for
definitive Securities;

          (e)  Promptly execute, as custodian, any necessary declarations or
certificates of ownership under the Federal Income Tax Laws or the laws or
regulations of any other taxing authority now or hereafter in effect;

          (f)  Hold directly, or through the Book-Entry System or the Depository
with respect to Securities therein deposited, for the account of a Series, all
rights and similar securities issued with respect to any Securities held by the
Custodian for such Series hereunder; and

          (g)  Promptly deliver to the Fund all notices, proxies, proxy
soliciting materials, consents and other written information (including, without
limitation, notices of tender offers and exchange offers, pendency of calls,
maturities of Securities and expiration of rights) relating to Securities held
pursuant to this Agreement which are actually received by the Custodian, such
proxies and other similar materials to be executed by the registered holder (if
Securities are registered otherwise than in the name of the Fund), but without
indicating the manner in which proxies or consents are to be voted.


                                      - 9 -
<PAGE>

     6.   Upon receipt of a Certificate and not otherwise, the Custodian,
directly or through the use of the Book-Entry System or the Depository, shall:

          (a)  Promptly execute and deliver to such persons as may be designated
in such Certificate proxies, consents, authorizations, and any other instruments
whereby the authority of the Fund as owner of any Securities held hereunder for
the Series specified in such Certificate may be exercised;

          (b)  Promptly deliver any Securities held hereunder for the Series
specified in such Certificate in exchange for other Securities or cash issued or
paid in connection with the liquidation, reorganization, refinancing, merger,
consolidation or recapitalization of any corporation, or the exercise of any
right, warrant or conversion privilege and receive and hold hereunder
specifically allocated to such Series any cash or other Securities received in
exchange;

          (c)  Promptly deliver any Securities held hereunder for the Series
specified in such Certificate to any protective committee, reorganization
committee or other person in connection with the reorganization, refinancing,
merger, consolidation, recapitalization or sale of assets of any corporation,
and receive and hold hereunder specifically allocated to such Series in exchange
therefor such certificates of deposit, interim receipts or other instruments or
documents as may be issued to it to evidence such delivery or such Securities as
may be issued upon such delivery; and

          (d)  Promptly present for payment and collect the amount payable upon
Securities which may be called as specified in the Certificate.

     7.   Notwithstanding any provision elsewhere contained herein, the
Custodian shall not be required to obtain possession of any instrument or
certificate representing any Futures Contract, any Option, or any Futures
Contract Option until after it shall have determined, or shall have received a
Certificate from the Fund stating, that any such instruments or certificates are
available. The Fund shall deliver to the Custodian such a Certificate no later
than the business day preceding the availability of any such instrument or
certificate. Prior to such availability, the Custodian shall comply with Section
17(f) of the Investment Company Act of 1940 in connection with the purchase,
sale, settlement, closing out or writing of Futures Contracts, Options, or
Futures Contract Options by making payments or deliveries specified in
Certificates in connection with any such purchase, sale, writing, settlement or
closing out upon its receipt from a broker, dealer, or futures commission
merchant of a statement or confirmation reasonably believed by the Custodian to
be in the form customarily used by brokers, dealers, or future


                                     - 10 -
<PAGE>

commission merchants with respect to such Futures Contracts, Options, or Futures
Contract Options, as the case may be, confirming that such Security is held by
such broker, dealer or futures commission merchant, in book-entry form or
otherwise, in the name of the Custodian (or any nominee of the Custodian) as
custodian for the Fund, provided, however, that notwithstanding the foregoing,
payments to or deliveries from the Margin Account and payments with respect to
Securities to which a Margin Account relates, shall be made in accordance with
the terms and conditions of the Margin Account Agreement. Whenever any such
instruments or certificates are available, the Custodian shall, notwithstanding
any provision in this Agreement to the contrary, make payment for any Futures
Contract, Option, or Futures Contract Option for which such instruments or such
certificates are available only against the delivery to the Custodian of such
instrument or such certificate, and deliver any Futures Contract, Option or
Futures Contract Option for which such instruments or such certificates are
available only against receipt by the Custodian of payment therefor. Any such
instrument or certificate delivered to the Custodian shall be held by the
Custodian hereunder in accordance with, and subject to, the provisions of this
Agreement.


                                   ARTICLE IV

                  PURCHASE AND SALE OF INVESTMENTS OF THE FUND

                    OTHER THAN OPTIONS, FUTURES CONTRACTS AND

                            FUTURES CONTRACT OPTIONS


     1.   Promptly after each execution of a purchase of Securities by the Fund,
other than a purchase of an Option, a Futures Contract, or a Futures Contract
Option, the Fund shall deliver to the Custodian (i) with respect to each
purchase of Securities which are not Money Market Securities, a Certificate, and
(ii) with respect to each purchase of Money Market Securities, a Certificate,
Oral Instructions or Written Instructions, specifying with respect to each such
purchase: (a) the Series to which such Securities are to be specifically
allocated; (b) the name of the issuer and the title of the Securities; (c) the
number of shares or the principal amount purchased and accrued interest, if any;
(d) the date of purchase and settlement; (e) the purchase price per unit; (f)
the total amount payable upon such purchase; (g) the name of the person from
whom or the broker through whom the purchase was made, and the name of the
clearing broker, if any; and (h) the name of the broker to whom payment is to be
made. The Custodian shall, upon receipt of such Securities purchased by or for
the Fund, pay to the broker specified in


                                     - 11 -
<PAGE>

the Certificate out of the moneys held for the account of such Series the total
amount payable upon such purchase, provided that the same conforms to the total
amount payable as set forth in such Certificate, Oral Instructions or Written
Instructions.

     2.   Promptly after each execution of a sale of Securities by the Fund,
other than a sale of any Option, Futures Contract, Futures Contract Option, or
any Reverse Repurchase Agreement, the Fund shall deliver such to the Custodian
(i) with respect to each sale of Securities which are not Money Market
Securities, a Certificate, and (ii) with respect to each sale of Money Market
Securities, a Certificate, Oral Instructions or Written Instructions, specifying
with respect to each such sale: (a) the Series to which such Securities were
specifically allocated; (b) the name of the issuer and the title of the
Security; (c) the number of shares or principal amount sold, and accrued
interest, if any; (d) the date of sale and settlement; (e) the sale price per
unit; (f) the total amount payable to the Fund upon such sale; (g) the name of
the broker through whom or the person to whom the sale was made, and the name of
the clearing broker, if any; and (h) the name of the broker to whom the
Securities are to be delivered. On the settlement date, the Custodian shall
deliver the Securities specifically allocated to such Series to the broker in
accordance with generally accepted street practices and as specified in the
Certificate upon receipt of the total amount payable to the Fund upon such sale,
provided that the same conforms to the total amount payable as set forth in such
Certificate, Oral Instructions or Written Instructions.


                                    ARTICLE V

                                     OPTIONS


     1.   Promptly after each execution of a purchase of any Option by the Fund
other than a closing purchase transaction the Fund shall deliver to the
Custodian a Certificate specifying with respect to each Option purchased: (a)
the Series to which such Option is specifically allocated; (b) the type of
Option (put or call); (c) the instrument, currency, or Security underlying such
Option and the number of Options, or the name of the in the case of an Index
Option, the index to which such Option relates and the number of Index Options
purchased; (d) the expiration date; (e) the exercise price; (f) the dates of
purchase and settlement; (g) the total amount payable by the Fund in connection
with such purchase; and (h) the name of the Clearing Member through whom such
Option was purchased. The Custodian shall pay, upon receipt of a Clearing
Member's statement confirming the purchase of such Option held by such Clearing
Member for the account of the Custodian (or any duly appointed and registered
nominee of the


                                     - 12 -
<PAGE>

Custodian) as custodian for the Fund, out of moneys held for the account of the
Series to which such Option is to be specifically allocated, the total amount
payable upon such purchase to the Clearing Member through whom the purchase was
made, provided that the same conforms to the total amount payable as set forth
in such Certificate.

     2.   Promptly after the execution of a sale of any Option purchased by the
Fund, other than a closing sale transaction, pursuant to paragraph 1 hereof, the
Fund shall deliver to the Custodian a Certificate specifying with respect to
each such sale: (a) the Series to which such Option was specifically allocated;
(b) the type of Option (put or call); (c) the instrument, currency, or Security
underlying such Option and the number of Options, or the name of the issuer and
the title and number of shares subject to such Option or, in the case of a Index
Option, the index to which such Option relates and the number of Index Options
sold; (d) the date of sale; (e) the sale price; (f) the date of settlement; (g)
the total amount payable to the Fund upon such sale; and (h) the name of the
Clearing Member through whom the sale was made. The Custodian shall consent to
the delivery of the Option sold by the Clearing Member which previously supplied
the confirmation described in preceding paragraph 1 of this Article with respect
to such Option against payment to the Custodian of the total amount payable to
the Fund, provided that the same conforms to the total amount payable as set
forth in such Certificate.

     3.   Promptly after the exercise by the Fund of any Call Option purchased
by the Fund pursuant to paragraph 1 hereof, the Fund shall deliver to the
Custodian a Certificate specifying with respect to such Call Option: (a) the
Series to which such Call Option was specifically allocated; (b) the name of the
issuer and the title and number of shares subject to the Call Option; (c) the
expiration date; (d) the date of exercise and settlement; (e) the exercise price
per share; (f) the total amount to be paid by the Fund upon such exercise; and
(g) the name of the Clearing Member through whom such Call Option was exercised.
The Custodian shall, upon receipt of the Securities underlying the Call Option
which was exercised, pay out of the moneys held for the account of the Series to
which such Call Option was specifically allocated the total amount payable to
the Clearing Member through whom the Call Option was exercised, provided that
the same conforms to the total amount payable as set forth in such Certificate.

     4.   Promptly after the exercise by the Fund of any Put Option purchased by
the Fund pursuant to paragraph 1 hereof, the Fund shall deliver to the Custodian
a Certificate specifying with respect to such Put Option: (a) the Series to
which such Put Option was specifically allocated; (b) the name of the issuer and
the title and number of shares subject to the Put Option; (c) the expiration
date; (d) the date of exercise


                                     - 13 -
<PAGE>

and settlement; (e) the exercise price per share; (f) the total amount to be
paid to the Fund upon such exercise; and (g) the name of the Clearing Member
through whom such Put Option was exercised. The Custodian shall, upon receipt of
the amount payable upon the exercise of the Put Option, deliver or direct a
Depository to deliver the Securities specifically allocated to such Series,
provided the same conforms to the amount payable to the Fund as set forth in
such Certificate.

     5.   Promptly after the exercise by the Fund of any Index Option purchased
by the Fund pursuant to paragraph 1 hereof, the Fund shall deliver to the
Custodian a Certificate specifying with respect to such Index Option: (a) the
Series to which such Index Option was specifically allocated; (b) the type of
Index Option (put or call); (c) the number of Options being exercised; (d) the
index to which such Option relates; (e) the expiration date; (f) the exercise
price; (g) the total amount to be received by the Fund in connection with such
exercise; and (h) the Clearing Member from whom such payment is to be received.

     6.   Whenever the Fund writes a Covered Call Option, the Fund shall
promptly deliver to the Custodian a Certificate specifying with respect to such
Covered Call Option: (a) the Series for which such Covered Call Option was
written; (b) the name of the issuer and the title and number of shares for which
the Covered Call Option was written and which underlie the same; (c) the
expiration date; (d) the exercise price; (e) the premium to be received by the
Fund; (f) the date such Covered Call Option was written; and (g) the name of the
Clearing Member through whom the premium is to be received. The Custodian shall
deliver or cause to be delivered, in exchange for receipt of the premium
specified in the Certificate with respect to such Covered Call Option, such
receipts as are required in accordance with the customs prevailing among
Clearing Members dealing in Covered Call Options and shall impose, or direct a
Depository to impose, upon the underlying Securities specified in the
Certificate specifically allocated to such Series such restrictions as may be
required by such receipts. Notwithstanding the foregoing, the Custodian has the
right, upon prior written notification to the Fund, at any time to refuse to
issue any receipts for Securities in the possession of the Custodian and not
deposited with a Depository underlying a Covered Call Option.

     7.   Whenever a Covered Call Option written by the Fund and described in
the preceding paragraph of this Article is exercised, the Fund shall promptly
deliver to the Custodian a Certificate instructing the Custodian to deliver, or
to direct the Depository to deliver, the Securities subject to such Covered Call
Option and specifying: (a) the Series for which such Covered Call Option was
written; (b) the name of the issuer and the title and number of shares subject
to the Covered Call Option; (c) the Clearing Member to whom the underlying


                                     - 14 -
<PAGE>

Securities are to be delivered; and (d) the total amount payable to the Fund
upon such delivery. Upon the return and/or cancellation of any receipts
delivered pursuant to paragraph 6 of this Article, the Custodian shall deliver,
or direct a Depository to deliver, the underlying Securities as specified in the
Certificate against payment of the amount to be received as set forth in such
Certificate.

     8.   Whenever the Fund writes a Put Option, the Fund shall promptly deliver
to the Custodian a Certificate specifying with respect to such Put Option: (a)
the Series for which such Put Option was written; (b) the name of the issuer and
the title and number of shares for which the Put Option is written and which
underlie the same; (c) the expiration date; (d) the exercise price; (e) the
premium to be received by the Fund; (f) the date such Put Option is written; (g)
the name of the Clearing Member through whom the premium is to be received and
to whom a Put Option guarantee letter is to be delivered; (h) the amount of
cash, and/or the amount and kind of Securities, if any, specifically allocated
to such Series to be deposited in the Senior Security Account for such Series;
and (i) the amount of cash and/or the amount and kind of Securities specifically
allocated to such Series to be deposited into the Collateral Account for such
Series. The Custodian shall, after making the deposits into the Collateral
Account specified in the Certificate, issue a Put Option guarantee letter
substantially in the form utilized by the Custodian on the date hereof, and
deliver the same to the Clearing Member specified in the Certificate against
receipt of the premium specified in said Certificate. Notwithstanding the
foregoing, the Custodian shall be under no obligation to issue any Put Option
guarantee letter or similar document if it is unable to make any of the
representations contained therein.

     9.   Whenever a Put Option written by the Fund and described in the
preceding paragraph is exercised, the Fund shall promptly deliver to the
Custodian a Certificate specifying: (a) the Series to which such Put Option was
written; (b) the name of the issuer and title and number of shares subject to
the Put Option; (c) the Clearing Member from whom the underlying Securities are
to be received; (d) the total amount payable by the Fund upon such delivery; (e)
the amount of cash and/or the amount and kind of Securities specifically
allocated to such Series to be withdrawn from the Collateral Account for such
Series and (f) the amount of cash and/or the amount and kind of Securities,
specifically allocated to such Series, if any, to be withdrawn from the Senior
Security Account. Upon the return and/or cancellation of any Put Option
guarantee letter or similar document issued by the Custodian in connection with
such Put Option, the Custodian shall pay out of the moneys held for the account
of the Series to which such Put Option was specifically allocated the total
amount payable to the Clearing Member specified in the Certificate as set forth
in such Certificate, against delivery of such


                                     - 15 -
<PAGE>

Securities, and shall make the withdrawals specified in such Certificate.

     10.  Whenever the Fund writes an Index Option, the Fund shall promptly
deliver to the Custodian a Certificate specifying with respect to such Index
Option: (a) the Series for which such Index Option was written; (b) whether such
Index Option is a put or a call; (c) the number of options written; (d) the
index to which such Option relates; (e) the expiration date; (f) the exercise
price; (g) the Clearing Member through whom such Option was written; (h) the
premium to be received by the Fund; (i) the amount of cash and/or the amount and
kind of Securities, if any, specifically allocated to such Series to be
deposited in the Senior Security Account for such Series; (j) the amount of cash
and/or the amount and kind of Securities, if any, specifically allocated to such
Series to be deposited in the Collateral Account for such Series; and (k) the
amount of cash and/or the amount and kind of Securities, if any, specifically
allocated to such Series to be deposited in a Margin Account, and the name in
which such account is to be or has been established. The Custodian shall, upon
receipt of the premium specified in the Certificate, make the deposits, if any,
into the Senior Security Account specified in the Certificate, and either (1)
deliver such receipts, if any, which the Custodian has specifically agreed to
issue, which are in accordance with the customs prevailing among Clearing
Members in Index Options and make the deposits into the Collateral Account
specified in the Certificate, or (2) make the deposits into the Margin Account
specified in the Certificate.

     11.  Whenever an Index Option written by the Fund and described in the
preceding paragraph of this Article is exercised, the Fund shall promptly
deliver to the Custodian a Certificate specifying with respect to such Index
Option: (a) the Series for which such Index Option was written; (b) such
information as may be necessary to identify the Index Option being exercised;
(c) the Clearing Member through whom such Index Option is being exercised; (d)
the total amount payable upon such exercise, and whether such amount is to be
paid by or to the Fund; (e) the amount of cash and/or amount and kind of
Securities, if any, to be withdrawn from the Margin Account; and (f) the amount
of cash and/or amount and kind of Securities, if any, to be withdrawn from the
Senior Security Account for such Series; and the amount of cash and/or the
amount and kind of Securities, if any, to be withdrawn from the Collateral
Account for such Series. Upon the return and/or cancellation of the receipt, if
any, delivered pursuant to the preceding paragraph of this Article, the
Custodian shall pay out of the moneys held for the account of the Series to
which such Stock Index Option was specifically allocated to the Clearing Member
specified in the Certificate the total amount payable, if any, as specified
therein.


                                     - 16 -
<PAGE>

     12.  Promptly after the execution of a purchase or sale by the Fund of any
Option identical to a previously written Option described in paragraphs, 6, 8 or
10 of this Article in a transaction expressly designated as a "Closing Purchase
Transaction" or a "Closing Sale Transaction", the Fund shall promptly deliver to
the Custodian a Certificate specifying with respect to the Option being
purchased: (a) that the transaction is a Closing Purchase Transaction or a
Closing Sale Transaction; (b) the Series for which the Option was written; (c)
the instrument, currency, or Security subject to the Option, or, in the case of
an Index Option, the index to which such Option relates and the number of
Options held; (d) the exercise price; (e) the premium to be paid by or the
amount to be paid to the Fund; (f) the expiration date; (g) the type of Option
(put or call); (h) the date of such purchase or sale; (i) the name of the
Clearing Member to whom the premium is to be paid or from whom the amount is to
be received; and (j) the amount of cash and/or the amount and kind of
Securities, if any, to be withdrawn from the Collateral Account, a specified
Margin Account, or the Senior Security Account for such Series. Upon the
Custodian's payment of the premium or receipt of the amount, as the case may be,
specified in the Certificate and the return and/or cancellation of any receipt
issued pursuant to paragraphs 6, 8 or 10 of this Article with respect to the
Option being liquidated through the Closing Purchase Transaction or the Closing
Sale Transaction, the Custodian shall remove, or direct a Depository to remove,
the previously imposed restrictions on the Securities underlying the Call
Option.

     13.  Upon the expiration, exercise or consummation of a Closing Purchase
Transaction with respect to any Option purchased or written by the Fund and
described in this Article, the Custodian shall delete such Option from the
statements delivered to the Fund pursuant to paragraph 3 Article III herein, and
upon the return and/or cancellation of any receipts issued by the Custodian,
shall make such withdrawals from the Collateral Account, and the Margin Account
and/or the Senior Security Account as may be specified in a Certificate received
in connection with such expiration, exercise, or consummation.

     14.  Securities acquired by the Fund through the exercise of an Option
described in this Article shall be subject to Article IV hereof.


                                     - 17 -
<PAGE>


                                   ARTICLE VI

                                FUTURES CONTRACTS


     1.   Whenever the Fund shall enter into a Futures Contract, the Fund 
shall deliver to the Custodian a Certificate specifying with respect to such 
Futures Contract, (or with respect to any number of identical Futures 
Contract(s)): (a) the Series for which the Futures Contract is being entered; 
(b) the category of Futures Contract (the name of the underlying index or 
financial instrument); (c) the number of identical Futures Contracts entered 
into; (d) the delivery or settlement date of the Futures Contract(s); (e) the 
date the Futures Contract(s) was (were) entered into and the maturity date; 
(f) whether the Fund is buying (going long) or selling (going short) such 
Futures Contract(s); (g) the amount of cash and/or the amount and kind of 
Securities, if any, to be deposited in the Senior Security Account for such 
Series; (h) the name of the broker, dealer, or futures commission merchant 
through whom the Futures Contract was entered into; and (i) the amount of fee 
or commission, if any, to be paid and the name of the broker, dealer, or 
futures commission merchant to whom such amount is to be paid. The Custodian 
shall make the deposits, if any, to the Margin Account in accordance with the 
terms and conditions of the Margin Account Agreement. The Custodian shall 
make payment out of the moneys specifically allocated to such Series of the 
fee or commission, if any, specified in the Certificate and deposit in the 
Senior Security Account for such Series the amount of cash and/or the amount 
and kind of Securities specified in said Certificate.

     2.   (a) Any variation margin payment or similar payment required to be
made by the Fund to a broker, dealer, or futures commission merchant with
respect to an outstanding Futures Contract shall be made by the Custodian in
accordance with the terms and conditions of the Margin Account Agreement.

          (b)  Any variation margin payment or similar payment from a broker,
dealer, or futures commission merchant to the Fund with respect to an
outstanding Futures Contract shall be received and dealt with by the Custodian
in accordance with the terms and conditions of the Margin Account Agreement.

     3.   Whenever a Futures Contract held by the Custodian hereunder is
retained by the Fund until delivery or settlement is made on such Futures
Contract, the Fund shall deliver to the Custodian prior to the delivery or
settlement date a Certificate specifying: (a) the Futures Contract and the
Series to which the same relates; (b) with respect to an Index Futures Contract,
the total cash settlement amount to be paid 


                                     - 18 -
<PAGE>

or received, and with respect to a Financial Futures Contract, the Securities 
and/or amount of cash to be delivered or received; (c) the broker, dealer, or 
futures commission merchant to or from whom payment or delivery is to be made 
or received; and (d) the amount of cash and/or Securities to be withdrawn 
from the Senior Security Account for such Series. The Custodian shall make 
the payment or delivery specified in the Certificate, and delete such Futures 
Contract from the statements delivered to the Fund pursuant to paragraph 3 of 
Article III herein.

     4.   Whenever the Fund shall enter into a Futures Contract to offset a
Futures Contract held by the Custodian hereunder, the Fund shall deliver to the
Custodian a Certificate specifying: (a) the items of information required in a
Certificate described in paragraph 1 of this Article, and (b) the Futures
Contract being offset. The Custodian shall make payment out of the money
specifically allocated to such Series of the fee or commission, if any,
specified in the Certificate and delete the Futures Contract being offset from
the statements delivered to the Fund pursuant to paragraph 3 of Article III
herein, and make such withdrawals from the Senior Security Account for such
Series as may be specified in such Certificate. The withdrawals, if any, to be
made from the Margin Account shall be made by the Custodian in accordance with
the terms and conditions of the Margin Account Agreement.


                                   ARTICLE VII

                            FUTURES CONTRACT OPTIONS


     1.   Promptly after the execution of a purchase of any Futures Contract
Option by the Fund, the Fund shall deliver to the Custodian a Certificate
specifying with respect to such Futures Contract Option: (a) the Series to which
such Option is specifically allocated; (b) the type of Futures Contract Option
(put or call); (c) the type of Futures Contract and such other information as
may be necessary to identify the Futures Contract underlying the Futures
Contract Option purchased; (d) the expiration date; (e) the exercise price; (f)
the dates of purchase and settlement; (g) the amount of premium to be paid by
the Fund upon such purchase; (h) the name of the broker or futures commission
merchant through whom such option was purchased; and (i) the name of the broker,
or futures commission merchant, to whom payment is to be made. The Custodian
shall pay out of the moneys specifically allocated to such Series the total
amount to be paid upon such purchase to the broker or futures commissions
merchant through whom the purchase was made, provided that the same conforms to
the amount set forth in such Certificate.


                                     - 19 -
<PAGE>


     2.   Promptly after the execution of a sale of any Futures Contract 
Option purchased by the Fund pursuant to paragraph 1 hereof, the Fund shall 
deliver to the Custodian a Certificate specifying with respect to each such 
sale: (a) Series to which such Futures Contract Option was specifically 
allocated; (b) the type of Future Contract Option (put or call); (c) the type 
of Futures Contract and such other information as may be necessary to 
identify the Futures Contract underlying the Futures Contract Option; (d) the 
date of sale; (e) the sale price; (f) the date of settlement; (g) the total 
amount payable to the Fund upon such sale; and (h) the name of the broker of 
futures commission merchant through whom the sale was made. The Custodian 
shall consent to the cancellation of the Futures Contract Option being closed 
against payment to the Custodian of the total amount payable to the Fund, 
provided the same conforms to the total amount payable as set forth in such 
Certificate.

     3.   Whenever a Futures Contract Option purchased by the Fund pursuant to
paragraph 1 is exercised by the Fund, the Fund shall promptly deliver to the
Custodian a Certificate specifying: (a) the Series to which such Futures
Contract Option was specifically allocated; (b) the particular Futures Contract
Option (put or call) being exercised; (c) the type of Futures Contract
underlying the Futures Contract Option; (d) the date of exercise; (e) the name
of the broker or futures commission merchant through whom the Futures Contract
Option is exercised; (f) the net total amount, if any, payable by the Fund; (g)
the amount, if any, to be received by the Fund; and (h) the amount of cash
and/or the amount and kind of Securities to be deposited in the Senior Security
Account for such Series. The Custodian shall make, out of the moneys and
Securities specifically allocated to such Series, the payments of money, if any,
and the deposits of Securities, if any, into the Senior Security Account as
specified in the Certificate. The deposits, if any, to be made to the Margin
Account shall be made by the Custodian in accordance with the terms and
conditions of the Margin Account Agreement.

     4.   Whenever the Fund writes a Futures Contract Option, the Fund shall
promptly deliver to the Custodian a Certificate specifying with respect to such
Futures Contract Option: (a) the Series for which such Futures Contract Option
was written; (b) the type of Futures Contract Option (put or call); (c) the type
of Futures Contract and such other information as may be necessary to identify
the Futures Contract underlying the Futures Contract Option; (d) the expiration
date; (e) the exercise price; (f) the premium to be received by the Fund; (g)
the name of the broker or futures commission merchant through whom the premium
is to be received; and (h) the amount of cash and/or the amount and kind of
Securities, if any, to be deposited in the Senior Security Account for such
Series. The Custodian shall, upon receipt of the premium specified in 


                                     - 20 -
<PAGE>

the Certificate, make out of the moneys and Securities specifically allocated 
to such Series the deposits into the Senior Security Account, if any, as 
specified in the Certificate. The deposits, if any, to be made to the Margin 
Account shall be made by the Custodian in accordance with the terms and 
conditions of the Margin Account Agreement.

     5.   Whenever a Futures Contract Option written by the Fund which is a call
is exercised, the Fund shall promptly deliver to the Custodian a Certificate
specifying: (a) the Series to which such Futures Contract Option was
specifically allocated; (b) the particular Futures Contract Option exercised;
(c) the type of Futures Contract underlying the Futures Contract Option; (d) the
name of the broker or futures commission merchant through whom such Futures
Contract Option was exercised; (e) the net total amount, if any, payable to the
Fund upon such exercise; (f) the net total amount, if any, payable by the Fund
upon such exercise; and (g) the amount of cash and/or the amount and kind of
Securities to be deposited in the Senior Security Account for such Series. The
Custodian shall, upon its receipt of the net total amount payable to the Fund,
if any, specified in such Certificate make the payments, if any, and the
deposits, if any, into the Senior Security Account as specified in the
Certificate. The deposits, if any, to be made to the Margin Account shall be
made by the Custodian in accordance with the terms and conditions of the Margin
Account Agreement.

     6.   Whenever a Futures Contract Option which is written by the Fund and
which is a put is exercised, the Fund shall promptly deliver to the Custodian a
Certificate specifying: (a) the Series to which such Option was specifically
allocated; (b) the particular Futures Contract Option exercised; (c) the type of
Futures Contract underlying such Futures Contract Option; (d) the name of the
broker or futures commission merchant through whom such Futures Contract Option
is exercised; (e) the net total amount, if any, payable to the Fund upon such
exercise; (f) the net total amount, if any, payable by the Fund upon such
exercise; and (g) the amount and kind of Securities and/or cash to be withdrawn
from or deposited in, the Senior Security Account for such Series, if any. The
Custodian shall, upon its receipt of the net total amount payable to the Fund,
if any, specified in the Certificate, make out of the moneys and Securities
specifically allocated to such Series, the payments, if any, and the deposits,
if any, into the Senior Security Account as specified in the Certificate. The
deposits to and/or withdrawals from the Margin Account, if any, shall be made by
the Custodian in accordance with the terms and conditions of the Margin Account
Agreement.

     7.   Promptly after the execution by the Fund of a purchase of any Futures
Contract Option identical to a previously written Futures Contract Option
described in this 


                                     - 21 -
<PAGE>

Article in order to liquidate its position as a writer of such Futures 
Contract Option, the Fund shall deliver to the Custodian a Certificate 
specifying with respect to the Futures Contract Option being purchased: (a) 
the Series to which such Option is specifically allocated; (b) that the 
transaction is a closing transaction; (c) the type of Future Contract and 
such other information as may be necessary to identify the Futures Contract 
underlying the Futures Option Contract; (d) the exercise price; (e) the 
premium to be paid by the Fund; (f) the expiration date; (g) the name of the 
broker or futures commission merchant to whom the premium is to be paid; and 
(h) the amount of cash and/or the amount and kind of Securities, if any, to 
be withdrawn from the Senior Security Account for such Series. The Custodian 
shall effect the withdrawals from the Senior Security Account specified in 
the Certificate. The withdrawals, if any, to be made from the Margin Account 
shall be made by the Custodian in accordance with the terms and conditions of 
the Margin Account Agreement.

     8.   Upon the expiration, exercise, or consummation of a closing
transaction with respect to, any Futures Contract Option written or purchased by
the Fund and described in this Article, the Custodian shall (a) delete such
Futures Contract Option from the statements delivered to the Fund pursuant to
paragraph 3 of Article III herein and, (b) make such withdrawals from and/or in
the case of an exercise such deposits into the Senior Security Account as may be
specified in a Certificate. The deposits to and/or withdrawals from the Margin
Account, if any, shall be made by the Custodian in accordance with the terms and
conditions of the Margin Account Agreement.

     9.   Futures Contracts acquired by the Fund through the exercise of a
Futures Contract Option described in this Article shall be subject to Article VI
hereof.


                                  ARTICLE VIII

                                   SHORT SALES


     1.   Promptly after the execution of any short sales of Securities by any
Series of the Fund, the Fund shall deliver to the Custodian a Certificate
specifying: (a) the Series for which such short sale was made; (b) the name of
the issuer and the title of the Security; (c) the number of shares or principal
amount sold, and accrued interest or dividends, if any; (d) the dates of the
sale and settlement; (e) the sale price per unit; (f) the total amount credited
to the Fund upon such sale, if any, (g) the amount of cash and/or the amount and
kind of Securities, if any, which are to be deposited in a Margin Account and
the name in which such Margin Account has 


                                     - 22 -
<PAGE>

been or is to be established; (h) the amount of cash and/or the amount and 
kind of Securities, if any, to be deposited in a Senior Security Account, and 
(i) the name of the broker through whom such short sale was made. The 
Custodian shall upon its receipt of a statement from such broker confirming 
such sale and that the total amount credited to the Fund upon such sale, if 
any, as specified in the Certificate is held by such broker for the account 
of the Custodian (or any nominee of the Custodian) as custodian of the Fund, 
issue a receipt or make the deposits into the Margin Account and the Senior 
Security Account specified in the Certificate.

     2.   Promptly after the execution of a purchase to close-out any short sale
of Securities, the Fund shall promptly deliver to the Custodian a Certificate
specifying with respect to each such closing out: (a) the Series for which such
transaction is being made; (b) the name of the issuer and the title of the
Security; (c) the number of shares or the principal amount, and accrued interest
or dividends, if any, required to effect such closing-out to be delivered to the
broker; (d) the dates of closing-out and settlement; (e) the purchase price per
unit; (f) the net total amount payable to the Fund upon such closing-out; (g)
the net total amount payable to the broker upon such closing-out; (h) the amount
of cash and the amount and kind of Securities to be withdrawn, if any, from the
Margin Account; (i) the amount of cash and/or the amount and kind of Securities,
if any, to be withdrawn from the Senior Security Account; and (j) the name of
the broker through whom the Fund is effecting such closing-out. The Custodian
shall, upon receipt of the net total amount payable to the Fund upon such
closing-out, and the return and/or cancellation of the receipts, if any, issued
by the Custodian with respect to the short sale being closed-out, pay out of the
moneys held for the account of the Fund to the broker the net total amount
payable to the broker, and make the withdrawals from the Margin Account and the
Senior Security Account, as the same are specified in the Certificate.


                                   ARTICLE IX

                          REVERSE REPURCHASE AGREEMENTS


     1.   Promptly after the Fund enters a Reverse Repurchase Agreement with
respect to Securities and money held by the Custodian hereunder, the Fund shall
deliver to the Custodian a Certificate, or in the event such Reverse Repurchase
Agreement is a Money Market Security, a Certificate, Oral Instructions, or
Written Instructions specifying: (a) the Series for which the Reverse Repurchase
Agreement is entered; (b) the total amount payable to the Fund in connection
with such Reverse Repurchase Agreement and specifically allocated to such
Series; (c) the broker, dealer, or financial institution with whom the Reverse
Repurchase Agreement is entered; (d) the 


                                     - 23 -
<PAGE>

amount and kind of Securities to be delivered by the Fund to such broker, 
dealer, or financial institution; (e) the date of such Reverse Repurchase 
Agreement; and (f) the amount of cash and/or the amount and kind of 
Securities, if any, specifically allocated to such Series to be deposited in 
a Senior Security Account for such Series in connection with such Reverse 
Repurchase Agreement. The Custodian shall, upon receipt of the total amount 
payable to the Fund specified in the Certificate, Oral Instructions, or 
Written Instructions make the delivery to the broker, dealer, or financial 
institution and the deposits, if any, to the Senior Security Account, 
specified in such Certificate, Oral Instructions, or Written Instructions.

     2.   Upon the termination of a Reverse Repurchase Agreement described in
preceding paragraph 1 of this Article, the Fund shall promptly deliver a
Certificate or, in the event such Reverse Repurchase Agreement is a Money Market
Security, a Certificate, Oral Instructions, or Written Instructions to the
Custodian specifying: (a) the Reverse Repurchase Agreement being terminated and
the Series for which same was entered; (b) the total amount payable by the Fund
in connection with such termination; (c) the amount and kind of Securities to be
received by the Fund and specifically allocated to such Series in connection
with such termination; (d) the date of termination; (e) the name of the broker,
dealer, or financial institution with whom the Reverse Repurchase Agreement is
to be terminated; and (f) the amount of cash and/or the amount and kind of
Securities to be withdrawn from the Senior Securities Account for such Series.
The Custodian shall, upon receipt of the amount and kind of Securities to be
received by the Fund specified in the Certificate, Oral Instructions, or Written
Instructions, make the payment to the broker, dealer, or financial institution
and the withdrawals, if any, from the Senior Security Account, specified in such
Certificate, Oral Instructions, or Written Instructions.

     3.   The Certificates, Oral Instructions, or Written Instructions described
in paragraphs 1 and 2 of this Article may with respect to any particular Reverse
Repurchase Agreement be combined and delivered to the Custodian at the time of
entering into such Reverse Repurchase Agreement.


                                     - 24 -
<PAGE>


                                    ARTICLE X

                    LOANS OF PORTFOLIO SECURITIES OF THE FUND


     1.   Promptly after each loan of portfolio Securities specifically 
allocated to a Series held by the Custodian hereunder, the Fund shall deliver 
or cause to be delivered to the Custodian a Certificate specifying with 
respect to each such loan: (a) the Series to which the loaned Securities are 
specifically allocated; (b) the name of the issuer and the title of the 
Securities, (c) the number of shares or the principal amount loaned, (d) the 
date of loan and delivery, (e) the total amount to be delivered to the 
Custodian against the loan of the Securities, including the amount of cash 
collateral and the premium, if any, separately identified, and (f) the name 
of the broker, dealer, or financial institution to which the loan was made. 
The Custodian shall deliver the Securities thus designated to the broker, 
dealer or financial institution to which the loan was made upon receipt of 
the total amount designated in the Certificate as to be delivered against the 
loan of Securities. The Custodian may accept payment in connection with a 
delivery otherwise than through the Book-Entry System or a Depository only in 
the form of a certified or bank cashier's check payable to the order of the 
Fund or the Custodian drawn on New York Clearing House funds.

     2.   In connection with each termination of a loan of Securities by the
Fund, the Fund shall deliver or cause to be delivered to the Custodian a
Certificate specifying with respect to each such loan termination and return of
Securities: (a) the Series to which the loaned Securities are specifically
allocated; (b) the name of the issuer and the title of the Securities to be
returned, (c) the number of shares or the principal amount to be returned, (d)
the date of termination, (e) the total amount to be delivered by the Custodian
(including the cash collateral for such Securities minus any offsetting credits
as described in said Certificate), and (f) the name of the broker, dealer, or
financial institution from which the Securities will be returned. The Custodian
shall receive all Securities returned from the broker, dealer, or financial
institution to which such Securities were loaned and upon receipt thereof shall
pay, out of the moneys held for the account of the Fund, the total amount
payable upon such return of Securities as set forth in the Certificate.


                                     - 25 -
<PAGE>


                                   ARTICLE XI

                   CONCERNING MARGIN ACCOUNTS, SENIOR SECURITY

                        ACCOUNTS, AND COLLATERAL ACCOUNTS


     1.   The Custodian shall establish a Senior Security Account and from time
to time make such deposits thereto, or withdrawals therefrom, as specified in a
Certificate. Such Certificate shall specify the Series for which such deposit or
withdrawal is to be made and the amount of cash and/or the amount and kind of
Securities specifically allocated to such Series to be deposited in, or
withdrawn from, such Senior Security Account for such Series. In the event that
the Fund fails to specify in a Certificate the Series, the name of the issuer,
the title and the number of shares or the principal amount of any particular
Securities to be deposited by the Custodian into, or withdrawn from, a Senior
Securities Account, the Custodian shall be under no obligation to make any such
deposit or withdrawal and shall promptly notify the Fund that no such deposit
has been made.

     2.   The Custodian shall make deliveries or payments from a Margin Account
to the broker, dealer, futures commission merchant or Clearing Member in whose
name, or for whose benefit, the account was established as specified in the
Margin Account Agreement.

     3.   Amounts received by the Custodian as payments or distributions with
respect to Securities deposited in any Margin Account shall be dealt with in
accordance with the terms and conditions of the Margin Account Agreement.

     4.   The Custodian shall have a continuing lien and security interest in
and to any property at any time held by the Custodian in any Collateral Account
described herein. In accordance with applicable law the Custodian may enforce
its lien and realize on any such property whenever the Custodian has made
payment or delivery pursuant to any Put Option guarantee letter or similar
document or any receipt issued hereunder by the Custodian. In the event the
Custodian should realize on any such property net proceeds which are less than
the Custodian's obligations under any Put Option guarantee letter or similar
document or any receipt, such deficiency shall be a debt owed the Custodian by
the Fund within the scope of Article XIV herein.

     5.   On each business day the Custodian shall furnish the Fund with a
statement with respect to each Margin Account in which money or Securities are
held specifying as of the close of business on the previous business day: (a)
the name of the Margin Account; (b) the amount and kind of Securities held
therein; and (c) the amount of money held therein. The 


                                     - 26 -
<PAGE>

Custodian shall make available upon request to any broker, dealer, or futures 
commission merchant specified in the name of a Margin Account a copy of the 
statement furnished the Fund with respect to such Margin Account.

     6.   The Custodian shall establish a Collateral Account and from time to 
time shall make such deposits thereto as may be specified in a Certificate. 
Promptly after the close of business on each business day in which cash 
and/or Securities are maintained in a Collateral Account for any Series, the 
Custodian shall furnish the Fund with a statement with respect to such 
Collateral Account specifying the amount of cash and/or the amount and kind 
of Securities held therein. No later than the close of business next 
succeeding the delivery to the Fund of such statement, the Fund shall furnish 
to the Custodian a Certificate or Written Instructions specifying the then 
market value of the Securities described in such statement. In the event such 
then market value is indicated to be less than the Custodian's obligation 
with respect to any outstanding Put Option guarantee letter or similar 
document, the Fund shall promptly specify in a Certificate the additional 
cash and/or Securities to be deposited in such Collateral Account to 
eliminate such deficiency.

                                   ARTICLE XII

                      PAYMENT OF DIVIDENDS OR DISTRIBUTIONS


     1.   The Fund shall furnish to the Custodian a copy of the resolution of
the Board of Trustees of the Fund, certified by the Secretary, the Clerk, any
Assistant Secretary or any Assistant Clerk, either (i) setting forth with
respect to the Series specified therein the date of the declaration of a
dividend or distribution, the date of payment thereof, the record date as of
which shareholders entitled to payment shall be determined, the amount payable
per Share of such Series to the shareholders of record as of that date and the
total amount payable to the Dividend Agent and any sub-dividend agent or
co-dividend agent of the Fund on the payment date, or (ii) authorizing with
respect to the Series specified therein and the declaration of dividends and
distributions thereon the Custodian to rely on Oral Instructions, Written
Instructions, or a Certificate setting forth the date of the declaration of such
dividend or distribution, the date of payment thereof, the record date as of
which shareholders entitled to payment shall be determined, the amount payable
per Share of such Series to the shareholders of record as of that date and the
total amount payable to the Dividend Agent on the payment date.


                                     - 27 -
<PAGE>


     2.   Upon the payment date specified in such resolution, Oral Instructions,
Written Instructions, or Certificate, as the case may be, the Custodian shall
pay to the Transfer Agent Account out of the moneys held for the account of the
Series specified therein the total amount payable to the Dividend Agent and any
sub-dividend agent or co-dividend agent of the Fund with respect to such Series.


                                  ARTICLE XIII

                          SALE AND REDEMPTION OF SHARES


     1.   Whenever the Fund shall sell any Shares, it shall deliver or cause to
be delivered, to the Custodian a Certificate duly specifying:

          (a)  The Series, the number of Shares sold, trade date, and price; and

          (b)  The amount of money to be received by the Custodian for the sale
of such Shares and specifically allocated to the separate account in the name of
such Series.

     2.   Upon receipt of such money from the Transfer Agent, the Custodian
shall credit such money to the separate account in the name of the Series for
which such money was received.

     3.   Upon issuance of any Shares of any Series the Custodian shall pay, out
of the money held for the account of such Series, all original issue or other
taxes required to be paid by the Fund in connection with such issuance upon the
receipt of a Certificate specifying the amount to be paid.

     4.   Except as provided hereinafter, whenever the Fund desires the
Custodian to make payment out of the money held by the Custodian hereunder in
connection with a redemption of any Shares, it shall furnish, or cause to be
furnished, to the Custodian a Certificate specifying:

          (a)  The number and Series of Shares redeemed; and

          (b)  The amount to be paid for such Shares.

          5.   Upon receipt of an advice from an Authorized Person setting forth
the Series and number of Shares received by the Transfer Agent for redemption
and that such Shares are in good form for redemption, the Custodian shall make
payment to the Transfer Agent Account out of the moneys held in the separate
account in the name of the Series the total amount specified in the Certificate
issued pursuant to the foregoing paragraph 4 of this Article.


                                     - 28 -
<PAGE>


                                   ARTICLE XIV

                           OVERDRAFTS OR INDEBTEDNESS


     1.   If the Custodian, should in its sole discretion advance funds on 
behalf of any Series which results in an overdraft because the moneys held by 
the Custodian in the separate account for such Series shall be insufficient 
to pay the total amount payable upon a purchase of Securities specifically 
allocated to such Series, as set forth in a Certificate, Oral Instructions, 
or Written Instructions or which results in an overdraft in the separate 
account of such Series for some other reason, or if the Fund is for any other 
reason indebted to the Custodian with respect to a Series, (except a 
borrowing for investment or for temporary or emergency purposes using 
Securities as collateral pursuant to a separate agreement and subject to the 
provisions of paragraph 2 of this Article), such overdraft or indebtedness 
shall be deemed to be a loan made by the Custodian to the Fund for such 
Series payable on demand and shall bear interest from the date incurred at a 
rate per annum (based on a 360-day year for the actual number of days 
involved) equal to the Federal Funds Rate plus 1/2%, such rate to be adjusted 
on the effective date of any change in such Federal Funds Rate but in no 
event to be less than 6% per annum. In addition, the Fund hereby agrees that 
the Custodian shall have a continuing lien and security interest in the 
aggregate amount of such overdrafts and indebtedness as may from time to time 
exist in and to any property specifically allocated to such Series at any 
time held by it for the benefit of such Series or in which the Fund may have 
an interest which is then in the Custodian's possession or control or in 
possession or control of any third party acting in the Custodian's behalf. 
The Fund authorizes the Custodian, in its sole discretion, at any time to 
charge any such overdraft or indebtedness together with interest due thereon 
against any money balance of account standing to such Series' credit on the 
Custodian's books. In addition, the Fund hereby covenants that on each 
Business Day on which either it intends to enter a Reverse Repurchase 
Agreement and/or otherwise borrow from a third party, or which next succeeds 
a Business Day on which at the close of business the Fund had outstanding a 
Reverse Repurchase Agreement or such a borrowing, it shall prior to 9 a.m., 
New York City time, advise the Custodian, in writing, of each such borrowing, 
shall specify the Series to which the same relates, and shall not incur any 
indebtedness, including pursuant to any Reverse Repurchase Agreement, not so 
specified other than from the Custodian.

     2.   The Fund will cause to be delivered to the Custodian by any bank
(including, if the borrowing is pursuant to a separate agreement, the Custodian)
from which it borrows money for investment or for temporary or emergency
purposes using 


                                     - 29 -
<PAGE>

Securities held by the Custodian hereunder as collateral for such borrowings, 
a notice or undertaking in the form currently employed by any such bank 
setting forth the amount which such bank will loan to the Fund against 
delivery of a stated amount of collateral. The Fund shall promptly deliver to 
the Custodian a Certificate specifying with respect to each such borrowing: 
(a) the Series to which such borrowing relates; (b) the name of the bank, (c) 
the amount and terms of the borrowing, which may be set forth by 
incorporating by reference an attached promissory note, duly endorsed by the 
Fund, or other loan agreement, (d) the time and date, if known, on which the 
loan is to be entered into, (e) the date on which the loan becomes due and 
payable, (f) the total amount payable to the Fund on the borrowing date, (g) 
the market value of Securities to be delivered as collateral for such loan, 
including the name of the issuer, the title and the number of shares or the 
principal amount of any particular Securities, and (h) a statement specifying 
whether such loan is for investment purposes or for temporary or emergency 
purposes and that such loan is in conformance with the Investment Company Act 
of 1940 and the Fund's prospectus. The Custodian shall deliver on the 
borrowing date specified in a Certificate the specified collateral and the 
executed promissory note, if any, against delivery by the lending bank of the 
total amount of the loan payable, provided that the same conforms to the 
total amount payable as set forth in the Certificate. The Custodian may, at 
the option of the lending bank, keep such collateral in its possession, but 
such collateral shall be subject to all rights therein given the lending bank 
by virtue of any promissory note or loan agreement. The Custodian shall 
deliver such Securities as additional collateral as may be specified in a 
Certificate to collateralize further any transaction described in this 
paragraph. The Fund shall cause all Securities released from collateral 
status to be returned directly to the Custodian, and the Custodian shall 
receive from time to time such return of collateral as may be tendered to it. 
In the event that the Fund fails to specify in a Certificate the Series, the 
name of the issuer, the title and number of shares or the principal amount of 
any particular Securities to be delivered as collateral by the Custodian, to 
any such bank, the Custodian shall not be under any obligation to deliver any 
Securities.


                                     - 30 -
<PAGE>

                                   ARTICLE XV

                            CONCERNING THE CUSTODIAN


     1.   The Custodian shall use reasonable care in the performance of its
duties hereunder, and, except as hereinafter provided, neither the Custodian nor
its nominee shall be liable for any loss or damage, including counsel fees,
resulting from its action or omission to act or otherwise, either hereunder or
under any Margin Account Agreement, except for any such loss or damage arising
out of its own negligence, bad faith, or willful misconduct or that of its
officers, employees, or agents. The Custodian may, with respect to questions of
law arising hereunder or under any Margin Account Agreement, apply for and
obtain the advice and opinion of counsel to the Fund, at the expense of the
Fund, or of its own counsel, at its own expense, and shall be fully protected
with respect to anything done or omitted by it in good faith in conformity with
such advice or opinion. The Custodian shall be liable to the Fund for any loss
or damage resulting from the use of the Book-Entry System or any Depository
arising by reason of any negligence or willful misconduct on the part of the
Custodian or any of its employees or agents.

     2.   Notwithstanding the foregoing, the Custodian shall be under no
obligation to inquire into, and shall not be liable for:

          (a)  The validity (but not the authenticity) of the issue of any
Securities purchased, sold, or written by or for the Fund, the legality of the
purchase, sale or writing thereof, or the propriety of the amount paid or
received therefor, as specified in a Certificate, Oral Instructions, or Written
Instructions;

          (b)  The legality of the sale or redemption of any Shares, or the
propriety of the amount to be received or paid therefor, as specified in a
Certificate;

          (c)  The legality of the declaration or payment of any dividend by the
Fund, as specified in a resolution, Certificate, Oral Instructions, or Written
Instructions;

          (d)  The legality of any borrowing by the Fund using Securities as
collateral;

          (e)  The legality of any loan of portfolio Securities, nor shall the
Custodian be under any duty or obligation to see to it that the cash collateral
delivered to it by a broker, dealer, or financial institution or held by it at
any time as a result of such loan of portfolio Securities of the 


                                     - 31 -
<PAGE>

Fund is adequate collateral for the Fund against any loss it might sustain as 
a result of such loan, except that this subparagraph shall not excuse any 
liability the Custodian may have for failing to act in accordance with 
Article X hereof or any Certificate, Oral Instructions, or Written 
Instructions given in accordance with this Agreement. The Custodian 
specifically, but not by way of limitation, shall not be under any duty or 
obligation periodically to check or notify the Fund that the amount of such 
cash collateral held by it for the Fund is sufficient collateral for the 
Fund, but such duty or obligation shall be the sole responsibility of the 
Fund. In addition, the Custodian shall be under no duty or obligation to see 
that any broker, dealer or financial institution to which portfolio 
Securities of the Fund are lent pursuant to Article X of this Agreement makes 
payment to it of any dividends or interest which are payable to or for the 
account of the Fund during the period of such loan or at the termination of 
such loan, provided, however, that the Custodian shall promptly notify the 
Fund in the event that such dividends or interest are not paid and received 
when due; or

          (f)  The sufficiency or value of any amounts of money and/or
Securities held in any Margin Account, Senior Security Account or Collateral
Account in connection with transactions by the Fund, except that this
sub-paragraph shall not excuse any liability the Custodian may have for failing
to establish, maintain, make deposits to or withdrawals from such accounts in
accordance with this Agreement. In addition, the Custodian shall be under no
duty or obligation to see that any broker, dealer, futures commission merchant
or Clearing Member makes payment to the Fund of any variation margin payment or
similar payment which the Fund may be entitled to receive from such broker,
dealer, futures commission merchant or Clearing Member, to see that any payment
received by the Custodian from any broker, dealer, futures commission merchant
or Clearing Member is the amount the Fund is entitled to receive, or to notify
the Fund of the Custodian's receipt or non-receipt of any such payment.

     3.   The Custodian shall not be liable for, or considered to be the
Custodian of, any money, whether or not represented by any check, draft, or
other instrument for the payment of money, received by it on behalf of the Fund
until the Custodian actually receives such money directly or by the final
crediting of the account representing the Fund's interest at the Book-Entry
System or the Depository.

     4.   With respect to Securities held in a Depository, except as otherwise
provided in paragraph 5(b) of Article III hereof, the Custodian shall have no
responsibility and shall not be liable for ascertaining or acting upon any
calls, conversions, exchange offers, tenders, interest rate changes or similar
matters relating to such Securities, unless the Custodian shall have actually
received timely notice from the 

                                     - 32 -
<PAGE>

Depository in which such Securities are held. In no event shall the Custodian 
have any responsibility or liability for the failure of a Depository to 
collect, or for the late collection or late crediting by a Depository of any 
amount payable upon Securities deposited in a Depository which may mature or 
be redeemed, retired, called or otherwise become payable. However, upon 
receipt of a Certificate from the Fund of an overdue amount on Securities 
held in a Depository the Custodian shall make a claim against the Depository 
on behalf of the Fund, except that the Custodian shall not be under any 
obligation to appear in, prosecute or defend any action suit or proceeding in 
respect to any Securities held by a Depository which in its opinion may 
involve it in expense or liability, unless indemnity satisfactory to it 
against all expense and liability be furnished as often as may be required, 
or alternatively, the Fund shall be subrogated to the rights of the Custodian 
with respect to such claim against the Depository should it so request in a 
Certificate. This paragraph shall not, however, excuse any failure by the 
Custodian to act in accordance with a Certificate, Oral Instructions, or 
Written Instructions given in accordance with this Agreement.

     5.   The Custodian shall not be under any duty or obligation to take action
to effect collection of any amount due to the Fund from the Transfer Agent of
the Fund nor to take any action to effect payment or distribution by the
Transfer Agent of the Fund of any amount paid by the Custodian to the Transfer
Agent of the Fund in accordance with this Agreement.

     6.   The Custodian shall not be under any duty or obligation to take action
to effect collection of any amount if the Securities upon which such amount is
payable are in default, or if payment is refused after the Custodian has timely
and properly, in accordance with this Agreement, made due demand or
presentation, unless and until (i) it shall be directed to take such action by a
Certificate and (ii) it shall be assured to its satisfaction of reimbursement of
its costs and expenses in connection with any such action, but the Custodian
shall have such a duty if the Securities were not in default on the payable date
and the Custodian failed to timely and properly make such demand for payment and
such failure is the reason for the non-receipt of payment.

     7.   The Custodian may appoint one or more banking institutions as
Sub-Custodian or Sub-Custodians, or as Co-Custodian or Co-Custodians including,
but not limited to, banking institutions located in foreign countries, of
Securities and moneys at any time owned by the Fund, upon such terms and
conditions as may be approved in a Certificate or contained in an agreement
executed by the Custodian, the Fund and the appointed institution.


                                     - 33 -
<PAGE>

     8.   The Custodian agrees to indemnify the Fund against and save the Fund
harmless from all liability, claims, losses and demands whatsoever, including
attorney's fees, howsoever arising or incurred because of the negligence, bad
faith or willful misconduct of any Sub-Custodian of the Securities and moneys
owned by the Fund, provided such Sub-Custodian is a banking institution located
in a foreign country and appointed by the Custodian pursuant to paragraph 7 of
this Article.

     9.   The Custodian shall not be under any duty or obligation (a) to
ascertain whether any Securities at any time delivered to, or held by it, for
the account of the Fund and specifically allocated to a Series are such as
properly may be held by the Fund or such Series under the provisions of its then
current prospectus, or (b) to ascertain whether any transactions by the Fund,
whether or not involving the Custodian, are such transactions as may properly be
engaged in by the Fund.

     10.  The Custodian shall be entitled to receive and the Fund agrees to 
pay to the Custodian all reasonable out-of-pocket expenses and such 
compensation as may be agreed upon from time to time between the Custodian 
and the Fund. The Custodian may charge such compensation, and any such 
expenses with respect to a Series incurred by the Custodian in the 
performance of its duties under this Agreement against any money specifically 
allocated to such Series. The Custodian shall also be entitled to charge 
against any money held by it for the account of a Series the amount of any 
loss, damage, liability or expense, including counsel fees, for which it 
shall be entitled to reimbursement under the provisions of this Agreement 
attributable to, or arising out of, its serving as Custodian for such Series. 
The expenses for which the Custodian shall be entitled to reimbursement 
hereunder shall include, but are not limited to, the expenses of 
sub-custodians and foreign branches of the Custodian incurred in settling 
outside of New York City transactions involving the purchase and sale of 
Securities of the Fund. Notwithstanding the foregoing or anything else 
contained in this Agreement to the contrary, the Custodian shall, prior to 
effecting any charge for compensation, expenses, or any overdraft or 
indebtedness or interest thereon, submit an invoice therefor to the Fund.

     11.  The Custodian shall be entitled to rely upon any Certificate, notice
or other instrument in writing, Oral Instructions, or Written Instructions
received by the Custodian and reasonably believed by the Custodian to be
genuine. The Fund agrees to forward to the Custodian a Certificate or facsimile
thereof confirming Oral Instructions or Written Instructions in such manner so
that such Certificate or facsimile thereof is received by the Custodian, whether
by hand delivery, telecopier or other similar device, 


                                     - 34 -
<PAGE>

or otherwise, by the close of business of the same day that such Oral 
Instructions or Written Instructions are given to the Custodian. The Fund 
agrees that the fact that such confirming instructions are not received by 
the Custodian shall in no way affect the validity of the transactions or 
enforceability of the transactions thereby authorized by the Fund. The Fund 
agrees that the Custodian shall incur no liability to the Fund in acting upon 
Oral Instructions or Written Instructions given to the Custodian hereunder 
concerning such transactions provided such instructions reasonably appear to 
have been received from an Authorized Person.

     12.  The Custodian shall be entitled to rely upon any instrument,
instruction or notice received by the Custodian and reasonably believed by the
Custodian to be given in accordance with the terms and conditions of any Margin
Account Agreement. Without limiting the generality of the foregoing, the
Custodian shall be under no duty to inquire into, and shall not be liable for,
the accuracy of any statements or representations contained in any such
instrument or other notice including, without limitation, any specification of
any amount to be paid to a broker, dealer, futures commission merchant or
Clearing Member. This paragraph shall not excuse any failure by the Custodian to
have acted in accordance with any Margin Agreement it has executed or any
Certificate, Oral Instructions, or Written Instructions given in accordance with
this Agreement.

     13.  The books and records pertaining to the Fund, as described in 
Appendix E hereto, which are in the possession of the Custodian shall be the 
property of the Fund. Such books and records shall be prepared and maintained 
by the Custodian as required by the Investment Company Act of 1940, as 
amended, and other applicable securities laws and rules and regulations. The 
Fund, or the Fund's authorized representatives, shall have access to such 
books and records during the Custodian's normal business hours. Upon the 
reasonable request of the Fund, copies of any such books and records shall be 
provided by the Custodian to the Fund or the Fund's authorized 
representative, and the Fund shall reimburse the Custodian its expenses of 
providing such copies. Upon reasonable request of the Fund, the Custodian 
shall provide in hard copy or on micro-film, whichever the Custodian elects, 
any records included in any such delivery which are maintained by the 
Custodian on a computer disc, or are similarly maintained, and the Fund shall 
reimburse the Custodian for its expenses of providing such hard copy or 
micro-film.

     14.  The Custodian shall provide the Fund with any report obtained by the
Custodian on the system of internal accounting control of the Book-Entry System,
each Depository or O.C.C., and with such reports on its own systems of internal
accounting control as the Fund may reasonably request from time to time.


                                     - 35 -
<PAGE>

     15.  The Custodian shall furnish upon request annually to the Fund a letter
prepared by the Custodian's accountants with respect to the Custodian's internal
systems and controls in the form generally provided by the Custodian to other
investment companies for which the Custodian acts as custodian. 

     16.  The Fund agrees to indemnify the Custodian against and save the 
Custodian harmless from all liability, claims, losses and demands whatsoever, 
including attorney's fees, howsoever arising out of, or related to, the 
Custodian's performance of its obligations under this Agreement, except for 
any such liability, claim, loss and demand arising out of the Custodian's own 
negligence, bad faith, or willful misconduct or that of its officers, 
employees, or agents.

     17.  Subject to the foregoing provisions of this Agreement, the Custodian
shall deliver and receive Securities, and receipts with respect to such
Securities, and shall make and receive payments only in accordance with the
customs prevailing from time to time among brokers or dealers in such Securities
and, except as may otherwise be provided by this Agreement or as may be in
accordance with such customs, shall make payment for Securities only against
delivery thereof and deliveries of Securities only against payment therefor.

     18.  The Custodian shall have no duties or responsibilities whatsoever
except such duties and responsibilities as are specifically set forth in this
Agreement, and no covenant or obligation shall be implied in this Agreement
against the Custodian.

                                   ARTICLE XVI

                                   TERMINATION


     1.   Except as provided in paragraph 3 of this Article, this Agreement
shall continue until terminated by either the Custodian giving to the Fund, or
the Fund giving to the Custodian, a notice in writing specifying the date of
such termination, which date shall be not less than 60 days after the date of
the giving of such notice. In the event such notice or a notice pursuant to
paragraph 3 of this Article is given by the Fund, it shall be accompanied by a
copy of a resolution of the Board of Directors of the Fund, certified by an
Officer and the Secretary or an Assistant Secretary of the Fund, electing to
terminate this Agreement and designating a successor custodian or custodians,
each of which shall be eligible to serve as a custodian for the securities of a
management investment company under the Investment Company Act of 1940. In the
event such notice is given by the Custodian, the Fund shall, on or before the
termination date, deliver to 


                                     - 36 -
<PAGE>

the Custodian a copy of a resolution of the Board of Directors of the Fund, 
certified by the Secretary, the Clerk, any Assistant Secretary or any 
Assistant Clerk, designating a successor custodian or custodians. In the 
absence of such designation by the Fund, the Custodian may designate a 
successor custodian which shall be a bank or trust company having not less 
than $2,000,000 aggregate capital, surplus and undivided profits. Upon the 
date set forth in such notice this Agreement shall terminate, and the 
Custodian shall upon receipt of a notice of acceptance by the successor 
custodian on that date deliver directly to the successor custodian all 
Securities and moneys then owned by the Fund and held by it as Custodian, 
after deducting all fees, expenses and other amounts for the payment or 
reimbursement of which it shall then be entitled.

     2.   If a successor custodian is not designated by the Fund or the
Custodian in accordance with the preceding paragraph, the Fund shall upon the
date specified in the notice of termination of this Agreement and upon the
delivery by the Custodian of all Securities (other than Securities held in the
Book-Entry System which cannot be delivered to the Fund) and moneys then owned
by the Fund be deemed to be its own custodian and the Custodian shall thereby be
relieved of all duties and responsibilities pursuant to this Agreement, other
than the duty with respect to Securities held in the Book Entry System which
cannot be delivered to the Fund to hold such Securities hereunder in accordance
with this Agreement.

     3.   Notwithstanding the foregoing, the Fund may terminate this 
Agreement upon the date specified in a written notice in the event of the 
"Bankruptcy" of The Bank of New York. As used in this sub-paragraph, the term 
"Bankruptcy" shall mean The Bank of New York's making a general assignment, 
arrangement or composition with or for the benefit of its creditors, or 
instituting or having instituted against it a proceeding seeking a judgment 
of insolvency or bankruptcy or the entry of a order for relief under any 
applicable bankruptcy law or any other relief under any bankruptcy or 
insolvency law or other similar law affecting creditors' rights, or if a 
petition is presented for the winding up or liquidation of the party or a 
resolution is passed for its winding up or liquidation, or it seeks, or 
becomes subject to, the appointment of an administrator, receiver, trustee, 
custodian or other similar official for it or for all or substantially all of 
its assets or its taking any action in furtherance or, or indicating its 
consent to approval of, or acquiescence in, any of the foregoing.


                                     - 37 -
<PAGE>

                                  ARTICLE XVII

                                  TERMINAL LINK


     1.   At no time and under no circumstances shall the Fund be obligated to
have or utilize the Terminal Link, and the provisions of this Article shall
apply if, but only if, the Fund in its sole and absolute discretion elects to
utilize the Terminal Link to transmit Certificates to and to receive notices
from the Custodian.

     2.   The parties hereto shall utilize the Terminal Link only for the
purpose of the Fund providing Certificates to the Custodian and the Custodian
providing notices to the Fund and only after the Fund and the Custodian shall
have established access codes and internal safekeeping procedures to safeguard
and protect the confidentiality and availability of such access codes. Each use
of the Terminal Link by the Fund shall constitute a representation and warranty
that at least two such access codes have been utilized and that such procedures
have been established.

     3.   Each party shall obtain and maintain at its own cost and expense all
equipment and services, including, but not limited to communications services,
necessary for it to utilize the Terminal Link, and the other party shall not be
responsible for the reliability or availability of any such equipment or
services, except that the Custodian shall not pay any communications costs of
any line leased by the Fund, even if such line is also used by the Custodian.

     4.   The Fund acknowledges that any data bases made available as part of,
or through the Terminal and any proprietary data, software, processes,
information and documentation (other than any such which are or become part of
the public domain or are legally required to be made available to the public)
(collectively, the "Information"), are the exclusive and confidential property
of the Custodian. The Fund shall, and shall cause others to which it discloses
the Information, to keep the Information confidential by using the same care and
discretion it uses with respect to its own confidential property and trade
secrets, and shall neither make nor permit any disclosure without the express
prior written consent of the Custodian.

     5.   Upon termination of this Agreement for any reason, each Fund shall
return to the Custodian any and all copies of the Information which are in the
Fund's possession or under its control, or which the Fund distributed to third
parties. The provisions of this Article shall not affect the copyright status of
any of the Information which may be copyrighted and shall apply to all
Information whether or not copyrighted.


                                     - 38 -
<PAGE>

     6.   The Custodian reserves the right to modify the Terminal Link from time
to time without notice to the Fund, except that the Custodian shall give the
Fund notice not less than 75 days in advance of any modification which would
materially adversely affect the Fund's operation, and the Fund agrees not to
modify or attempt to modify the Terminal Link without the Bank's prior written
consent. The Fund acknowledges that the Terminal Link is the property of the
Custodian and, accordingly, the Fund agrees that any modifications to the
Terminal Link, whether by the Fund or the Custodian and whether with or without
the Custodian's consent, shall become the property of the Custodian.

     7.   Neither the Custodian nor any manufacturers and suppliers it utilizes
or the Fund utilizes in connection with the Terminal Link makes any warranties
or representations, express or implied, in fact or in law, including but not
limited to warranties of merchantability and fitness for a particular purpose.

     8.   Each party will, and will cause its officers and employees to, treat
the user and authorization codes, passwords and authentication keys applicable
to Terminal Link with extreme care. Each party hereby irrevocably authorizes the
other to act in accordance with and rely on Certificates and notices received by
it through the Terminal Link. Each party acknowledges that it is its
responsibility to assure that only its authorized persons use the Terminal Link
on its behalf, and that a party shall not be responsible nor liable for use of
the Terminal Link on its behalf of the other party by unauthorized persons
except that the other party shall be liable for such use thereof by unauthorized
persons who have obtained access thereto as a result of the bad faith or willful
misconduct of such party or any of its officers or employees.

     9.   Notwithstanding anything else in this Agreement to the contrary,
neither party shall have any liability to the other for any losses, damages,
injuries, claims, costs or expenses arising as a result of a delay, omission or
error in the transmission of a Certificate or notice by use of the Terminal Link
except for money damages for those suffered as the result of the negligence, bad
faith or willful misconduct of such party or its officers, employees or agents
in an amount not exceeding for any incident $100,000, provided, however, that a
party shall have no liability under this Section 9 if the other party fails to
comply with the provisions of Section 11.

     10.  Without limiting the generality of the foregoing, it is hereby agreed
that in no event shall either party or any manufacturer or supplier of its
computer equipment, software or services relating to the Terminal Link be
responsible for any special, indirect, incidental or consequential damages 


                                     - 39 -
<PAGE>

which the other party may incur or experience by reason of its use of the 
Terminal Link even if such party, manufacturer or supplier has been advised 
of the possibility of such damages, nor with respect to the use of the 
Terminal Link shall either party or any such manufacturer or supplier be 
liable for acts of God, or with respect to the following to the extent beyond 
such person's reasonable control: machine or computer breakdown or 
malfunction, interruption or malfunction of communication facilities, labor 
difficulties or any other similar or dissimilar cause.

     11.  The Fund shall notify the Custodian of any errors, omissions or
interruptions in, or delay or unavailability of, the Terminal Link as promptly
as practicable, and in any event within 24 hours after the earliest of (i)
discovery thereof, (ii) the business day on which discovery should have occurred
through the exercise of reasonable care and (iii) in the case of any error, the
date of actual receipt of the earliest notice which reflects such error, it
being agreed that discovery and receipt of notice may only occur on a business
day. The Custodian shall promptly advise the Fund whenever the Custodian learns
of any errors, omissions or interruption in, or delay or unavailability of, the
Terminal Link.

     12.  Each party shall, as soon as practicable after its receipt of a
Certificate or of any notice transmitted by the Terminal Link, verify to the
other party by use of the Terminal Link its receipt of such Certificate or
notice, and in the absence of such verification a party to whom a Certificate or
notice is sent shall not be liable for any failure to act in accordance with
such Certificate or notice, and the sending party may not claim that such
Certificate or notice was received by the other.


                                  ARTICLE XVIII

                                  MISCELLANEOUS


     1.   Annexed hereto as Appendix A is a Certificate signed by two of the
present Officers of the Fund under its seal, setting forth the names and the
signatures of the present Authorized Persons. The Fund agrees to furnish to the
Custodian a new Certificate in similar form in the event that any such present
Authorized Person ceases to be an Authorized Person or in the event that other
or additional Authorized Persons are elected or appointed. Until such new
Certificate shall be received, the Custodian shall be entitled to rely and to
act upon Oral Instructions, Written Instructions, or signatures of the present
Authorized Persons as set forth in the last delivered Certificate to the extent
provided by this Agreement.


                                     - 40 -
<PAGE>

     2.   Annexed hereto as Appendix B is a Certificate signed by two of the
present Officers of the Fund under its seal, setting forth the names and the
signatures of the present Officers of the Fund. The Fund agrees to furnish to
the Custodian a new Certificate in similar form in the event any such present
Officer ceases to be an Officer of the Fund, or in the event that other or
additional Officers are elected or appointed. Until such new Certificate shall
be received, the Custodian shall be entitled to rely and to act upon the
signatures of the Officers as set forth in the last delivered Certificate to the
extent provided by this Agreement.

     3.   Any notice or other instrument in writing, authorized or required by
this Agreement to be given to the Custodian, other than any Certificate or
Written Instructions, shall be sufficiently given if addressed to the Custodian
and mailed or delivered to it at its offices at 90 Washington Street, New York,
New York 10286, or at such other place as the Custodian may from time to time
designate in writing.

     4.   Any notice or other instrument in writing, authorized or required by
this Agreement to be given to the Fund shall be sufficiently given if addressed
to the Fund and mailed or delivered to it at its office at the address for the
Fund first above written, or at such other place as the Fund may from time to
time designate in writing.

     5.   This Agreement may not be amended or modified in any manner except by
a written agreement executed by both parties with the same formality as this
Agreement and approved by a resolution of the Board of Trustees of the Fund,
except that Appendices A and B may be amended unilaterally by the Fund without
such an approving resolution.

     6.   This Agreement shall extend to and shall be binding upon the parties
hereto, and their respective successors and assigns; provided, however, that
this Agreement shall not be assignable by the Fund without the written consent
of the Custodian, or by the Custodian or The Bank of New York without the
written consent of the Fund, authorized or approved by a resolution of the
Fund's Board of Trustees. For purposes of this paragraph, no merger,
consolidation, or amalgamation of the Custodian, The Bank of New York, or the
Fund shall be deemed to constitute an assignment of this Agreement.

     7.   This Agreement shall be construed in accordance with the laws of the
State of New York without giving effect to conflict of laws principles thereof.
Each party hereby consents to the jurisdiction of a state or federal court
situated in New York City, New York in connection with any dispute arising
hereunder and hereby waives its right to trial by jury.


                                     - 41 -
<PAGE>

     8.   This Agreement may be executed in any number of counterparts, each of
which shall be deemed to be an original, but such counterparts shall, together,
constitute only one instrument.


                                     - 42 -
<PAGE>

     IN WITNESS WHEREOF, the parties hereto have caused this Agreement to be
executed by their respective Officers, thereunto duly authorized and their
respective seals to be hereunto affixed, as of the day and year first above
written.


                                    DEAN WITTER NATURAL RESOURCE
                                    DEVELOPMENT SECURITIES INC.





[SEAL]                              By:_______________________


Attest:


_______________________


                                    THE BANK OF NEW YORK


[SEAL]                              By:_______________________


Attest:


_______________________


                                     - 43 -
<PAGE>

                                   APPENDIX A


     I,                           , President and I,                           ,
            of                    , a Maryland corporation (the "Fund"), do 
hereby certify that:

     The following individuals have been duly authorized by the Board of
Directors of the Fund in conformity with the Fund's Articles of Incorporation
By-Laws to give Oral Instructions and Written Instructions on behalf of the
Fund, except that those persons designated as being an "Officer of DWTC" shall
be an Authorized Person only for purposes of Articles XII and XIII. The
signatures set forth opposite their respective names are their true and correct
signatures:


     Name              Position            Signature

_________________   ________________    _________________
<PAGE>

                                   APPENDIX B

     I,                           , President and I,                           ,
            of                    , a Maryland corporation (the "Fund"), do 
hereby certify that:

     The following individuals for whom a position other than "Officer of 
DWTC" is specified serve in the following positions with the Fund and each 
has been duly elected or appointed by the Board of Directors of the Fund to 
each such position and qualified therefor in conformity with the Fund's 
Articles of Incorporation and By-Laws. With respect to the following 
individuals for whom a position of "Officer of DWTC" is specified, each such 
individual has been designated by a resolution of the Board of Directors of 
the Fund to be an Officer for purposes of the Fund's Custody Agreement with 
The Bank of New York, but only for purposes of Articles XII and XIII thereof 
and a certified copy of such resolution is attached hereto. The signatures of 
each individual below set forth opposite their respective names are their 
true and correct signatures:

     Name                 Position             Signature

____________________   ___________________   _________________
<PAGE>

                                   APPENDIX C


     The undersigned,                   hereby certifies that he or she is the
duly elected and acting             of                          (the "Fund"),
further certifies that the following resolutions were adopted by the Board of
Directors of the Fund at a meeting duly held on         , 1991, at which a 
quorum at all times present and that such resolutions have not been modified or
rescinded and are in full force an effect as of the date hereof.

     RESOLVED, that The Bank New York, as Custodian pursuant to a Custody
Agreement between The Bank of New York and the Fund dated as of          , 1991
(the "Custody Agreement") is authorized and instructed on a continuous and
ongoing basis to act in accordance with, and to rely on instructions by the Fund
to the Custodian communicated by a Terminal Link as defined in the Custody
Agreement.

     RESOLVED, that the Fund shall establish access codes and grant use of such
access codes only to officers of the Fund as defined in the Custody Agreement,
and shall establish internal safekeeping procedures to safeguard and protect the
confidentiality and availability of such access codes.

     RESOLVED, that Officers of the Fund as defined in the Custody Agreement
shall, following the establishment of such access codes and such internal
safekeeping procedures, advise the Custodian that the same have been established
by delivering a Certificate, as defined in the Custody Agreement, and the
Custodian shall be entitled to rely upon such advice.


     IN WITNESS WHEREOF, I hereunto set my hand in the seal of 
                 , as of the    day of               , 1991.


                                ---------------
<PAGE>

                                    EXHIBIT A

                                  CERTIFICATION


     The undersigned,                       , hereby certifies that he or she is
the duly elected and acting           of                  , a Maryland 
corporation (the "Fund"), and further certifies that the following resolution
was adopted by the Board of Directors of the Fund at a meeting duly held on
        , 1991, at which a quorum was at all times present and that such
resolution has not been modified or rescinded and is in full force and effect as
of the date hereof.

          RESOLVED, that The Bank of New York, as Custodian pursuant to a
     Custody Agreement between The Bank of New York and the Fund dated as of
               , 1991, (the "Custody Agreement") is authorized and instructed on
     a continuous and ongoing basis to deposit in the Book-Entry System, as
     defined in the Custody Agreement, all securities eligible for deposit
     therein, regardless of the Series to which the same are specifically
     allocated, and to utilize the Book-Entry System to the extent possible in
     connection with its performance thereunder, including, without limitation,
     in connection with settlements of purchases and sales of securities, loans
     of securities, and deliveries and returns of securities collateral.


IN WITNESS WHEREOF, I have hereunto set my hand and the seal of               ,
as of the    day of           , 1991.


                                                    --------------------------


[SEAL]
<PAGE>

                                    EXHIBIT B

                                  CERTIFICATION


     The undersigned,                            , hereby certifies that he or
she is the duly elected and acting         of                   , a
Maryland corporation (the "Fund"), and further certifies that the following 
resolution was adopted by the Board of Directors of the Fund at a meeting duly 
held on        , 1991, at which a quorum was at all times present and that 
such resolution has not been modified or rescinded and is in full force
and effect as of the date hereof.

          RESOLVED, that The Bank of New York, as Custodian pursuant to a
     Custody Agreement between The Bank of New York and the Fund dated as of
              , 1991, (the "Custody Agreement") is authorized and instructed on
     a continuous and ongoing basis until such time as it receives a
     Certificate, as defined in the Custody Agreement, to the contrary to
     deposit in The Depository Trust Company ("DTC"), as a "Depository" as
     defined in the Custody Agreement, all securities eligible for deposit
     therein, regardless of the Series to which the same are specifically
     allocated, and to utilize DTC to the extent possible in connection with its
     performance thereunder, including, without limitation, in connection with
     settlements of purchases and sales of securities, loans of securities, and
     deliveries and returns of securities collateral.

     IN WITNESS WHEREOF, I have hereunto set my hand and the seal of           ,
as of the    day of          , 1991.


                                                    --------------------------


[SEAL]
<PAGE>

                                   EXHIBIT B-1

                                  CERTIFICATION


     The undersigned,                            , hereby certifies that he or
she is the duly elected and acting            of                    , a
Maryland corporation (the "Fund"), and further certifies that the following 
resolution was adopted by the Board of Directors of the Fund at a meeting duly 
held on          , 1991, at which a quorum was at all times present and that 
such resolution has not been modified or rescinded and is in full force and 
effect as of the date hereof.

          RESOLVED, that The Bank of New York, as Custodian pursuant to a
     Custody Agreement between The Bank of New York and the Fund dated as of
             , 1991  (the "Custody Agreement") is authorized and instructed on a
     continuous and ongoing basis until such time as it receives a Certificate,
     as defined in the Custody Agreement, to the contrary to deposit in the
     Participants Trust Company as a Depository, as defined in the Custody
     Agreement, all securities eligible for deposit therein, regardless of the
     Series to which the same are specifically allocated, and to utilize the
     Participants Trust Company to the extent possible in connection with its
     performance thereunder, including, without limitation, in connection with
     settlements of purchases and sales of securities, loans of securities, and
     deliveries and returns of securities collateral.

     IN WITNESS WHEREOF, I have hereunto set my hand and the seal of           ,
as of the    day of         , 1991.


                                                    --------------------------



[SEAL]
<PAGE>

                                    EXHIBIT C

                                  CERTIFICATION


     The  undersigned,                              , hereby certifies that he
or she is the duly elected and acting       of                    , a
Maryland corporation (the "Fund"), and further certifies that the following 
resolution was adopted by the Board of Directors of the Fund at a meeting duly 
held on        , 1991,  at which a quorum was at all times present and that 
such resolution has not been modified or rescinded and is in full force and 
effect as of the date hereof.

          RESOLVED, that The Bank of New York, as Custodian pursuant to a
     Custody Agreement between The Bank of New York and the Fund dated as of
              , 1991, (the "Custody Agreement") is authorized and instructed on
     a continuous and ongoing basis until such time as it receives a
     Certificate, as defined in the Custody Agreement, to the contrary, to
     accept, utilize and act with respect to Clearing Member confirmations for
     Options and transaction in Options, regardless of the Series to which the
     same are specifically allocated, as such terms are defined in the Custody
     Agreement, as provided in the Custody Agreement.

     IN WITNESS WHEREOF, I have hereunto set my hand and the seal of           ,
as of the    day of         , 1991.


                                                    --------------------------


[SEAL]


<PAGE>

                                    APPENDIX D


     I, Richard P. Lando, an Assistant Vice President with THE BANK OF NEW YORK 
do hereby designate the following publications:


The Bond Buyer
Depository Trust Company Notices
Financial Daily Card Service
JJ Kenney Municipal Bond Service
London Financial Times
New York Times
Standard & Poor's Called Bond Record
Wall Street Journal

<PAGE>

                                    APPENDIX E

     The following books and records pertaining to Fund shall be prepared and 
maintained by the Custodian and shall be the property of the Fund:



<PAGE>


                            AMENDMENT TO CUSTODY AGREEMENT

    Amendment made as of this 17th day of April, 1996 by and between Dean 
Witter Natural Resource Development Securities Inc. Fund (the "Fund") and 
The Bank of New York (the "Custodian") to the Custody Agreement between the 
Fund and the Custodian dated September 20, 1991 (the "Custody Agreement"). 
The Custody Agreement is hereby amended as follows:

    Article XV Section 8 of the Custody Agreement shall be deleted and be
replaced by Sections 8.(a), 8.(b) and 8.(c) as set forth below:

    "8.  (a)  The Custodian will use reasonable care with respect to its
obligations under this Agreement and the safekeeping of Securities and moneys
owned by the Fund. The Custodian shall indemnify the Fund against and save the
Fund harmless from all liability, claims, losses and demands whatsoever,
including attorneys' fees, howsoever arising or incurred as the result of the
failure of a subcustodian which is a banking institution located in a foreign
country and identified on Schedule A attached hereto and as amended from time 
to time upon mutual agreement of the parties (each, a "Subcustodian") to
exercise reasonable care with respect to the safekeeping of such Securities and
moneys to the same extent that the Custodian would be liable to the Fund if the
Custodian were holding such securities and moneys in New York. In the event of
any loss to the Fund by reason of the failure of the Custodian or a Subcustodian
to utilize reasonable care, the Custodian shall be liable to the Fund only to
the extent of the Fund's direct damages, to be determined based on the market
value of the Securities and moneys which are the subject of the loss at the date
of discovery of such loss and without reference to any special conditions or
circumstances.

    8.   (b)  The Custodian shall not be liable for any loss which results from
(i) the general risk of investing, or (ii) investing or holding Securities and
moneys in a particular country including, but not limited to, losses resulting
from nationalization, expropriation or other governmental actions; regulation of
the banking or securities industry; currency restrictions, devaluations or
fluctuations; or market conditions which prevent the orderly execution of
securities transactions or affect the value of Securities or moneys.

    8.   (c)  Neither party shall be liable to the other for any loss due to
forces beyond its control including, but not limited to, strikes or work
stoppages, acts of war or terrorism, insurrection, revolution, nuclear fusion,
fission or radiation, or acts of God."

<PAGE>

    IN WITNESS WHEREOF, the parties hereto have caused this Amendment to be
executed by their respective Officers, thereunto duly authorized and their
respective seals to be hereunto affixed; as of the day and year first above
written.

                                              DEAN WITTER
                                               NATURAL RESOURCE DEVELOPMENT
                                               SECURITIES INC.

[SEAL]                                        By:
                                                 -----------------

Attest:

- --------------------

                                               THE BANK OF NEW YORK

[SEAL]                                         By:
                                                  -----------------

Attest:

- --------------------

<PAGE>

 



                       SCHEDULE A

COUNTRY/MARKET                        SUBCUSTODIAN
- --------------                        ------------

Argentina                             The Bank of Boston
Australia                             ANZ Banking Group Limited
Austria                               Girocredit Bank AG
Bangladesh*                           Standard Chartered Bank
Belgium                               Banque Bruxelles Lambert
Botswana*                             Stanbic Bank Botswana Ltd.
Brazil                                The Bank of Boston
Canada                                Royal Trust/Royal Bank of Canada
Chile                                 The Bank of Boston/Banco de Chile
China                                 Standard Chartered Bank
Columbia                              Citibank, N.A.
Denmark                               Den Danske Bank
Euromarket                            CEDEL
                                      Euroclear
                                      First Chicago Clearing Centre
Finland                               Union Bank of Finland
France                                Banque Paribas/Credit Commercial de France
Germany                               Dresdner Bank A.G.
Ghana*                                Merchant Bank Ghana Ltd.
Greece                                Alpha Credit Bank
Hong Kong                             Hong Kong and Shanghai Banking Corp.
Indonesia                             Hong Kong and Shanghai Banking Corp.
Ireland                               Allied Irish Bans
Israel                                Israel Discount Bank
Italy                                 Banca Commerciale Italiana
Japan                                 Yasuda Trust & Banking Co., Ltd.
Korea                                 Bank of Seoul
Luxembourg                            Kredietbank S.A.
Malaysia                              Hong Kong Bank Malaysia Berhad
Mexico                                Banco Nacional de Mexico (Banamex)
Netherlands                           Mees Pierson
New Zealand                           ANZ Banking Group Limited
Norway                                Den Norske Bank

<PAGE>



                       SCHEDULE A

COUNTRY/MARKET                        SUBCUSTODIAN
- --------------                        ------------

Pakistan                              Standard Chartered Bank
Peru                                  Citibank, N.A.
Philippines                           Hong Kong and Shanghai Banking Corp.
Poland                                Bank Handlowy w Warsawie
Portugal                              Banco Comercial Portugues
Singapore                             United Overseas Bank
South Africa                          Standard Bank of South Africa Limited
Spain                                 Banco Bilbao Vizcaya
Sri Lanka                             Standard Chartered Bank
Sweden                                Skandinaviska Enskilda Banken
Switzerland                           Union Bank of Switzerland
Taiwan                                Hong Kong and Shanghai Banking Corp.
Thailand                              Siam Commercial Bank
Turkey                                Citibank, N.A.
United Kingdom                        The Bank of New York
United States                         The Bank of New York
Uruguay                               The Bank of Boston
Venezuela                             Citibank N.A.
Zimbabwe*                             Stanbic Bank Zimbabwe Ltd.

*Not yet 17(f)5 compliant


<PAGE>



                               SERVICES AGREEMENT

   AGREEMENT made as of the 17th day of April, 1995 by and between Dean
Witter InterCapital Inc., a Delaware corporation (herein referred to as
"InterCapital"), and Dean Witter Services Company Inc., a Delaware
corporation (herein referred to as "DWS").

   WHEREAS, InterCapital has entered into separate agreements (each such
agreement being herein referred to as an "Investment Management Agreement")
with certain investment companies as set forth on Schedule A (each such
investment company being herein referred to as a "Fund" and, collectively, as
the "Funds") pursuant to which InterCapital is to perform, or supervise the
performance of, among other services, administrative services for the Funds
(and, in the case of Funds with multiple portfolios, the Series or Portfolios
of the Funds (such Series and Portfolio being herein individually referred to
as "a Series" and, collectively, as "the Series"));

   WHEREAS, InterCapital desires to retain DWS to perform the administrative
services as described below; and

   WHEREAS, DWS desires to be retained by InterCapital to perform such
administrative services:

   Now, therefore, in consideration of the mutual covenants and agreements of
the parties hereto as herein set forth, the parties covenant and agree as
follows:

   1. DWS agrees to provide administrative services to each Fund as
hereinafter set forth. Without limiting the generality of the foregoing, DWS
shall (i) administer the Fund's business affairs and supervise the overall
day-to-day operations of the Fund (other than rendering investment advice);
(ii) provide the Fund with full administrative services, including the
maintenance of certain books and records, such as journals, ledger accounts
and other records required under the Investment Company Act of 1940, as
amended (the "Act"), the notification to the Fund and InterCapital of
available funds for investment, the reconciliation of account information and
balances among the Fund's custodian, transfer agent and dividend disbursing
agent and InterCapital, and the calculation of the net asset value of the
Fund's shares; (iii) provide the Fund with the services of persons competent
to perform such supervisory, administrative and clerical functions as are
necessary to provide effective operation of the Fund; (iv) oversee the
performance of administrative and professional services rendered to the Fund
by others, including its custodian, transfer agent and dividend disbursing
agent, as well as accounting, auditing and other services; (v) provide the
Fund with adequate general office space and facilities; (vi) assist in the
preparation and the printing of the periodic updating of the Fund's
registration statement and prospectus (and, in the case of an open-end Fund,
the statement of additional information), tax returns, proxy statements, and
reports to its shareholders and the Securities and Exchange Commission; and
(vii) monitor the compliance of the Fund's investment policies and
restrictions.

   In the event that InterCapital enters into an Investment Management
Agreement with another investment company, and wishes to retain DWS to
perform administrative services hereunder, it shall notify DWS in writing. If
DWS is willing to render such services, it shall notify InterCapital in
writing, whereupon such other Fund shall become a Fund as defined herein.

   2. DWS shall, at its own expense, maintain such staff and employ or retain
such personnel and consult with such other persons as it shall from time to
time determine to be necessary or useful to the performance of its
obligations under this Agreement. Without limiting the generality of the
foregoing, the staff and personnel of DWS shall be deemed to include officers
of DWS and persons employed or otherwise retained by DWS (including officers
and employees of InterCapital, with the consent of InterCapital) to furnish
services, statistical and other factual data, information with respect to
technical and scientific developments, and such other information, advice and
assistance as DWS may desire. DWS shall maintain each Fund's records and
books of account (other than those maintained by the Fund's transfer agent,
registrar, custodian and other agencies). All such books and records so
maintained shall be the property of the Fund and, upon request therefor, DWS
shall surrender to InterCapital or to the Fund such of the books and records
so requested.

   3.  InterCapital will, from time to time, furnish or otherwise make
available to DWS such financial reports, proxy statements and other
information relating to the business and affairs of the Fund as DWS may
reasonably require in order to discharge its duties and obligations to the
Fund under this Agreement or to comply with any applicable law and regulation
or request of the Board of Directors/Trustees of the Fund.




                                        1

<PAGE>

   4. For the services to be rendered, the facilities furnished, and the
expenses assumed by DWS, InterCapital shall pay to DWS monthly compensation
calculated daily (in the case of an open-end Fund) or weekly (in the case of
a closed-end Fund) by applying the annual rate or rates set forth on Schedule
B to the net assets of each Fund. Except as hereinafter set forth, (i) in the
case of an open-end Fund, compensation under this Agreement shall be
calculated by applying 1/365th of the annual rate or rates to the Fund's or
the Series' daily net assets determined as of the close of business on that
day or the last previous business day and (ii) in the case of a closed-end
Fund, compensation under this Agreement shall be calculated by applying the
annual rate or rates to the Fund's average weekly net assets determined as of
the close of the last business day of each week. If this Agreement becomes
effective subsequent to the first day of a month or shall terminate before
the last day of a month, compensation for that part of the month this
Agreement is in effect shall be prorated in a manner consistent with the
calculation of the fees as set forth on Schedule B. Subject to the provisions
of paragraph 5 hereof, payment of DWS' compensation for the preceding month
shall be made as promptly as possible after completion of the computations
contemplated by paragraph 5 hereof.

   5. In the event the operating expenses of any open-end Fund and/or any
Series thereof, or of InterCapital Income Securities Inc., including amounts
payable to InterCapital pursuant to the Investment Management Agreement, for
any fiscal year ending on a date on which this Agreement is in effect, exceed
the expense limitations applicable to the Fund and/or any Series thereof
imposed by state securities laws or regulations thereunder, as such
limitations may be raised or lowered from time to time, or, in the case of
InterCapital Income Securities Inc. or Dean Witter Variable Investment Series
or any Series thereof, the expense limitation specified in the Fund's
Investment Management Agreement, the fee payable hereunder shall be reduced
on a pro rata basis in the same proportion as the fee payable by the Fund
under the Investment Management Agreement is reduced.

   6. DWS shall bear the cost of rendering the administrative services to be
performed by it under this Agreement, and shall, at its own expense, pay the
compensation of the officers and employees, if any, of the Fund employed by
DWS, and such clerical help and bookkeeping services as DWS shall reasonably
require in performing its duties hereunder.

   7. DWS will use its best efforts in the performance of administrative
activitives on behalf of each Fund, but in the absence of willful
misfeasance, bad faith, gross negligence or reckless disregard of its
obligations hereunder, DWS shall not be liable to the Fund or any of its
investors for any error of judgment or mistake of law or for any act or
omission by DWS or for any losses sustained by the Fund or its investors. It
is understood that, subject to the terms and conditions of the Investment
Management Agreement between each Fund and InterCapital, InterCapital shall
retain ultimate responsibility for all services to be performed hereunder by
DWS. DWS shall indemnify InterCapital and hold it harmless from any liability
that InterCapital may incur arising out of any act or failure to act by DWS
in carrying out its responsibilities hereunder.

   8. It is understood that any of the shareholders, Directors/Trustees,
officers and employees of the Fund may be a shareholder, director, officer or
employee of, or be otherwise interested in, DWS, and in any person
controlling, controlled by or under common control with DWS, and that DWS and
any person controlling, controlled by or under common control with DWS may
have an interest in the Fund. It is also understood that DWS and any
affiliated persons thereof or any persons controlling, controlled by or under
common control with DWS have and may have advisory, management,
administration service or other contracts with other organizations and
persons, and may have other interests and businesses, and further may
purchase, sell or trade any securities or commodities for their own accounts
or for the account of others for whom they may be acting.

   9. This Agreement shall continue until April 30, 1995, and thereafter
shall continue automatically for successive periods of one year unless
terminated by either party by written notice delivered to the other party
within 30 days of the expiration of the then-existing period. Notwithstanding
the foregoing, this Agreement may be terminated at any time, by either party
on 30 days' written notice delivered to the other party. In the event that
the Investment Management Agreement between any Fund and InterCapital is
terminated, this Agreement will automatically terminate with respect to such
Fund.

   10. This Agreement may be amended or modified by the parties in any manner
by written agreement executed by each of the parties hereto.


                                        2

<PAGE>


   11. This Agreement may be assigned by either party with the written
consent of the other party.

   12. This Agreement shall be construed and interpreted in accordance with
the laws of the State of New York.

   IN WITNESS WHEREOF, the parties hereto have executed and delivered this
Agreement as of the day and year first above written in New York, New York.

                                        DEAN WITTER INTERCAPITAL INC.


                                        By:
                                            -------------------------------


Attest:


- -------------------------------


                                        DEAN WITTER SERVICES COMPANY INC.


                                        By:
                                            -------------------------------


Attest:


- -------------------------------


                                        3

<PAGE>


                                   SCHEDULE A
                                DEAN WITTER FUNDS
                                AT APRIL 17, 1995

OPEN-END FUNDS
  1.      Active Assets California Tax-Free Trust
  2.      Active Assets Government Securities Trust
  3.      Active Assets Money Trust
  4.      Active Assets Tax-Free Trust
  5.      Dean Witter American Value Fund
  6.      Dean Witter Balanced Growth Fund
  7.      Dean Witter Balanced Income Fund
  8.      Dean Witter California Tax-Free Daily Income Trust
  9.      Dean Witter California Tax-Free Income Fund
 10.      Dean Witter Capital Growth Securities
 11.      Dean Witter Convertible Securities Trust
 12.      Dean Witter Developing Growth Securities Trust
 13.      Dean Witter Diversified Income Trust
 14.      Dean Witter Dividend Growth Securities Inc.
 15.      Dean Witter European Growth Fund Inc.
 16.      Dean Witter Federal Securities Trust
 17.      Dean Witter Global Asset Allocation Fund
 18.      Dean Witter Global Dividend Growth Securities
 19.      Dean Witter Global Short-Term Income Fund Inc.
 20.      Dean Witter Global Utilities Fund
 21.      Dean Witter Health Sciences Trust
 22.      Dean Witter High Income Securities
 23.      Dean Witter High Yield Securities Inc.
 24.      Dean Witter Intermediate Income Securities
 25.      Dean Witter International Small Cap Fund
 26.      Dean Witter Limited Term Municipal Trust
 27.      Dean Witter Liquid Asset Fund Inc.
 28.      Dean Witter Managed Assets Trust
 29.      Dean Witter Mid-Cap Growth Fund
 30.      Dean Witter Multi-State Municipal Series Trust
 31.      Dean Witter National Municipal Trust
 32.      Dean Witter Natural Resource Development Securities Inc.
 33.      Dean Witter New York Municipal Money Market Trust
 34.      Dean Witter New York Tax-Free Income Fund
 35.      Dean Witter Pacific Growth Fund Inc.
 36.      Dean Witter Precious Metals and Minerals Trust
 37.      Dean Witter Premier Income Trust
 38.      Dean Witter Retirement Series
 39.      Dean Witter Select Dimensions Series
 40.      Dean Witter Select Municipal Reinvestment Fund
 41.      Dean Witter Short-Term Bond Fund
 42.      Dean Witter Short-Term U.S. Treasury Trust
 43.      Dean Witter Strategist Fund
 44.      Dean Witter Tax-Exempt Securities Trust
 45.      Dean Witter Tax-Free Daily Income Trust
 46.      Dean Witter U.S. Government Money Market Trust
 47.      Dean Witter U.S. Government Securities Trust
 48.      Dean Witter Utilities Fund
 49.      Dean Witter Value-Added Market Series
 50.      Dean Witter Variable Investment Series
 51.      Dean Witter World Wide Income Trust
 52.      Dean Witter World Wide Investment Trust
CLOSED-END FUNDS
 53.      High Income Advantage Trust
 54.      High Income Advantage Trust II
 55.      High Income Advantage Trust III
 56.      InterCapital Income Securities Inc.
 57.      Dean Witter Government Income Trust
 58.      InterCapital Insured Municipal Bond Trust
 59.      InterCapital Insured Municipal Trust
 60.      InterCapital Insured Municipal Income Trust
 61.      InterCapital California Insured Municipal Income Trust
 62.      InterCapital Insured Municipal Securities
 63.      InterCapital Insured California Municipal Securities
 64.      InterCapital Quality Municipal Investment Trust
 65.      InterCapital Quality Municipal Income Trust
 66.      InterCapital Quality Municipal Securities
 67.      InterCapital California Quality Municipal Securities
 68.      InterCapital New York Quality Municipal Securities


                                        4

<PAGE>

                                                                      SCHEDULE B

                        DEAN WITTER SERVICES COMPANY INC.
                 SCHEDULE OF ADMINISTRATIVE FEES--APRIL 17, 1995

   Monthly compensation calculated daily by applying the following annual rates
to a fund's net assets:

FIXED INCOME FUNDS

Dean Witter Balanced Income Fund        0.60% to the net assets.

Dean Witter California Tax-Free         0.055% of the portion of daily net
 Income Fund                            assets not exceeding $500 million;
                                        0.0525% of the portion exceeding $500
                                        million but not exceeding $750 million;
                                        0.050% of the portion exceeding $750
                                        million but not exceeding $1 billion;
                                        and 0.0475% of the portion of the daily
                                        net assets exceeding $1 billion.

Dean Witter Convertible Securities      0.060% of the portion of the daily net
 Securities Trust                       assets not exceeding $750 million; .055%
                                        of the portion of the daily net assets
                                        exceeding $750 million but not exceeding
                                        $1 billion; 0.050% of the portion of the
                                        daily net assets of the exceeding $1
                                        billion but not exceeding $1.5 billion;
                                        0.0475% of the portion of the daily net
                                        assets exceeding $1.5 billion but not
                                        exceeding $2 billion; 0.045% of the
                                        portion of the daily net assets
                                        exceeding $2 billion but not exceeding
                                        $3 billion; and 0.0425% of the portion
                                        of the daily net assets exceeding $3
                                        billion.

Dean Witter Diversified                 0.040% of the net assets.
 Income Trust

Dean Witter Federal Securities Trust    0.055% of the portion of the daily net
                                        assets not exceeding $1 billion; 0.0525%
                                        of the portion of the daily net assets
                                        exceeding $1 billion but not exceeding
                                        $1.5 billion; 0.050% of the portion of
                                        the daily net assets exceeding $1.5
                                        billion but not exceeding $2 billion;
                                        0.0475% of the portion of the daily net
                                        assets exceeding $2 billion but not
                                        exceeding $2.5 billion; 0.045% of the
                                        portion of daily net assets exceeding
                                        $2.5 billion but not exceeding $5
                                        billion; 0.0425% of the portion of the
                                        daily net assets exceeding $5 billion
                                        but not exceeding $7.5 billion; 0.040%
                                        of the portion of the daily net assets
                                        exceeding $7.5 billion but not exceeding
                                        $10 billion; 0.0375% of the portion of
                                        the daily net assets exceeding $10
                                        billion but not exceeding $12.5 billion;
                                        and 0.035% of the portion of the daily
                                        net assets exceeding $12.5 billion.

Dean Witter Global Short-Term           0.055% of the portion of the daily net
 Income Fund                            assets not exceeding $500 million; and
                                        0.050% of the portion of the daily net
                                        assets exceeding $500 million.

Dean Witter High Income                 0.050% to the net assets.
 Securities

Dean Witter High Yield                  0.050% of the portion of the daily net
 Securities Inc.                        assets not exceeding $500 million;
                                        0.0425% of the portion of the daily net
                                        assets exceeding $500 million but not
                                        exceeding $750 million; 0.0375% of the
                                        portion of the daily net assets
                                        exceeding $750 million but not exceeding
                                        $1 billion; 0.035% of the portion of


                                       B-1

<PAGE>

                                        the daily net assets exceeding $1
                                        billion but not exceeding $2 billion;
                                        0.0325% of the portion of the daily net
                                        assets exceeding $2 billion but not
                                        exceeding $3 billion; and 0.030% of the
                                        portion of daily net assets exceeding $3
                                        billion.

Dean Witter Intermediate                0.060% of the portion of the daily net
 Income Securities                      assets not exceeding $500 million;
                                        0.050% of the portion of the daily net
                                        assets exceeding $500 million but not
                                        exceeding $750 million; 0.040% of the
                                        portion of the daily net assets
                                        exceeding $750 million but not exceeding
                                        $1 billion; and 0.030% of the portion of
                                        the daily net assets exceeding $1
                                        billion.

Dean Witter Limited Term                0.050% to the net assets.
 Municipal Trust

Dean Witter Multi-State Municipal       0.035% to the net assets.
 Series Trust (10)

Dean Witter National                    0.035% to the net assets.
 Municipal Trust

Dean Witter New York Tax-Free           0.055% to the net assets not exceeding
 Income Fund                            $500 million and 0.0525% of the net
                                        assets exceeding $500 million.

Dean Witter Premier                     0.050% to the net assets.
 Income Trust

Dean Witter Retirement Series           0.065% to the net assets.
 Intermediate Income

Dean Witter Retirement Series           0.065% to the net assets.
 U.S. Government Securities Trust

Dean Witter Select Dimensions           0.65% to the net assets.
 Series-North American Government
 Securities Portfolio

Dean Witter Short-Term                  0.070% to the net assets.
 Bond Fund

Dean Witter Short-Term U.S.             0.035% to the net assets.
 Treasury Trust

Dean Witter Tax-Exempt                  0.050% of the portion of the daily net
 Securities Trust                       assets not exceeding $500 million;
                                        0.0425% of the portion of the daily net
                                        assets exceeding $500 million but not
                                        exceeding $750 million; 0.0375% of the
                                        portion of the daily net assets
                                        exceeding $750 million but not exceeding
                                        $1 billion; and 0.035% of the portion of
                                        the daily net assets exceeding $1
                                        billion but not exceeding $1.25 billion;
                                        .0325% of the portion of the daily net
                                        assets exceeding $1.25 billion.

Dean Witter U.S. Government             0.050% of the portion of such daily net
 Securities Trust                       assets not exceeding $1 billion; 0.0475%
                                        of the portion of such daily net assets
                                        exceeding $1 billion but not exceeding
                                        $1.5 billion; 0.045% of the portion of
                                        such daily net assets exceeding $1.5
                                        billion but not exceeding $2 billion;
                                        0.0425% of the portion of such daily net
                                        assets exceeding $2 billion but not
                                        exceeding $2.5 billion; 0.040% of that
                                        portion of such daily net assets
                                        exceeding $2.5 billion but not exceeding
                                        $5 billion; 0.0375% of that portion


                                       B-2

<PAGE>

                                        of such daily net assets exceeding $5
                                        billion but not exceeding $7.5 billion;
                                        0.035% of that portion of such daily net
                                        assets exceeding $7.5 billion but not
                                        exceeding $10 billion; 0.0325% of that
                                        portion of such daily net assets
                                        exceeding $10 billion but not exceeding
                                        $12.5 billion; and 0.030% of that
                                        portion of such daily net assets
                                        exceeding $12.5 billion.

Dean Witter Variable Investment         0.050% to the net assets.
 Series-High Yield

Dean Witter Variable Investment         0.050% to the net assets.
 Series-Quality Income

Dean Witter World Wide Income           0.075% of the daily net assets up to
 Trust                                  $250 million; 0.060% of the portion of
                                        the daily net assets exceeding $250
                                        million but not exceeding $500 million;
                                        0.050% of the portion of the daily net
                                        assets of the exceeding $500 million but
                                        not exceeding $750 milliion; 0.040% of
                                        the portion of the daily net assets
                                        exceeding $750 million but not exceeding
                                        $1 billion; and 0.030% of the daily net
                                        assets exceeding $1 billion.

Dean Witter Select Municipal            0.050% to the net assets.
 Reinvestment Fund


EQUITY FUNDS

Dean Witter American Value              0.0625% of the portion of the daily net
 Fund                                   assets not exceeding $250 million and
                                        0.050% of the portion of the daily net
                                        assets exceeding $250 million.

Dean Witter Balanced Growth Fund        0.60% to the net assets.

Dean Witter Capital Growth              0.065% to the portion of daily net
 Securities                             assets not exceeding $500 million;
                                        0.055% of the portion exceeding $500
                                        million but not exceeding $1 billion;
                                        0.050% of the portion exceeding $1
                                        billion but not exceeding $1.5 billion;
                                        and 0.0475% of the net assets exceeding
                                        $1.5 billion.

Dean Witter Developing Growth           0.050% of the portion of daily net
 Securities Trust                       assets not exceeding $500 million; and
                                        0.0475% of the portion of daily net
                                        assets exceeding $500 million.

Dean Witter Dividend Growth             0.0625% of the portion of the daily net
 Securities Inc.                        assets not exceeding $250 million;
                                        0.050% of the portion exceeding $250
                                        million but not exceeding $1 billion;
                                        0.0475% of the portion of daily net
                                        assets exceeding $1 billion but not
                                        exceeding $2 billion; 0.045% of the
                                        portion of daily net assets exceeding $2
                                        billion but not exceeding $3 billion;
                                        0.0425% of the portion of daily net
                                        assets exceeding $3 billion but not
                                        exceeding $4 billion; 0.040% of the
                                        portion of daily net assets exceeding $4
                                        billion but not exceeding $5 billion;
                                        0.0375% of the portion of the daily net
                                        assets exceeding $5 billion but not
                                        exceeding $6 billion; 0.035% of the
                                        portion of the daily net assets
                                        exceeding $6 billion but not exceeding
                                        $8 billion; and 0.0325% of the portion
                                        of the daily net assets exceeding $8
                                        billion.


                                       B-3

<PAGE>

Dean Witter European Growth             0.060% of the portion of daily net
 Fund Inc.                              assets not exceeding $500 million; and
                                        0.057% of the portion of daily net
                                        assets exceeding $500 million.

Dean Witter Global Asset Allocation     1.0% to the net assets.
 Fund

Dean Witter Global Dividend             0.075% to the net assets.
 Growth Securities

Dean Witter Global Utilities Fund       0.065% to the net assets.

Dean Witter Health Sciences Trust       0.10% to the net assets.

Dean Witter International               0.075% to the net assets.
 Small Cap Fund

Dean Witter Managed Assets Trust        0.060% to the daily net assets not
                                        exceeding $500 million and 0.055% to the
                                        daily net assets exceeding $500 million.

Dean Witter Mid-Cap Growth Fund         0.75% to the net assets.

Dean Witter Natural Resource            0.0625% of the portion of the daily net
 Development Securities Inc.            assets not exceeding $250 million and
                                        0.050% of the portion of the daily net
                                        assets exceeding $250 million.

Dean Witter Pacific Growth              0.060% of the portion of daily net
 Fund Inc.                              assets not exceeding $1 billion; and
                                        0.057% of the portion of daily net
                                        assets exceeding $1 billion.

Dean Witter Precious Metals             0.080% to the net assets.
 and Minerals Trust

Dean Witter Retirement Series           0.085% to the net assets.
 American Value

Dean Witter Retirement Series           0.085% to the net assets.
 Capital Growth

Dean Witter Retirement Series           0.075% to the net assets.
 Dividend Growth

Dean Witter Retirement Series           0.10% to the net assets.
 Global Equity

Dean Witter Retirement Series           0.065% to the net assets.
 Intermediate Income Securities

Dean Witter Retirement Series           0.050% to the net assets.
 Liquid Asset

Dean Witter Retirement Series           0.085% to the net assets.
 Strategist

Dean Witter Retirement Series           0.050% to the net assets.
 U.S. Government Money Market

Dean Witter Retirement Series           0.065% to the net assets.
 U.S. Government Securities

Dean Witter Retirement Series           0.075% to the net assets.
 Utilities


                                       B-4

<PAGE>

Dean Witter Retirement Series           0.050% to the net assets.
 Value Added

Dean Witter Select Dimensions Series-
 American Value Portfolio               0.625% to the net assets.
 Balanced Portfolio                     0.75% to the net assets.
 Core Equity Portfolio                  0.85% to the net assets.
 Developing Growth Portfolio            0.50% to the net assets.
 Diversified Income Portfolio           0.40% to the net assets.
 Dividend Growth Portfolio              0.625% to the net assets.
 Emerging Markets Portfolio             1.25% to the net assets.
 Global Equity Portfolio                1.0% to the net assets.
 Utilities Portfolio                    0.65% to the net assets.
 Value-Added Market Portfolio           0.50% to the net assets.

Dean Witter Strategist Fund             0.060% of the portion of daily net
                                        assets not exceeding $500 million;
                                        0.055% of the portion of the daily net
                                        assets exceeding $500 million but not
                                        exceeding $1 billion; and 0.050% of the
                                        portion of the daily net assets
                                        exceeding $1 billion.

Dean Witter Utilities Fund              0.065% of the portion of daily net
                                        assets not exceeding $500 million;
                                        0.055% of the portion exceeding $500
                                        million but not exceeding $1 billion;
                                        0.0525% of the portion exceeding $1
                                        billion but not exceeding $1.5 billion;
                                        0.050% of the portion exceeding $1.5
                                        billion but not exceeding $2.5 billion;
                                        0.0475% of the portion exceeding $2.5
                                        billion but not exceeding $3.5 billion;
                                        0.045% of the portion of the daily net
                                        assets exceeding $3.5 but not exceeding
                                        $5 billion; and 0.0425% of the portion
                                        of daily net assets exceeding $5
                                        billion.

Dean Witter Value-Added Market          0.050% of the portion of daily net
 Series                                 assets not exceeding $500 million; and
                                        0.45% of the portion of daily net assets
                                        exceeding $500 million.

Dean Witter Variable Investment         0.065% to the net assets.
 Series-Capital Growth

Dean Witter Variable Investment         0.0625% of the portion of daily net
 Series-Dividend Growth                 assets not exceeding $500 million; and
                                        0.050% of the portion of daily net
                                        assets exceeding $500 million.

Dean Witter Variable Investment         0.050% to the net assets.
 Series-Equity

Dean Witter Variable Investment         0.060% to the net assets.
 Series-European Growth

Dean Witter Variable Investment         0.050% to the net assets.
 Series-Managed

Dean Witter Variable Investment         0.065% of the portion of daily net
 Series-Utilities                       assets exceeding $500 million and 0.055%
                                        of the portion of daily net assets
                                        exceeding $500 million.

Dean Witter World Wide                  0.055% of the portion of daily net
 Investment Trust                       assets not exceeding $500 million; and
                                        0.05225% of the portion of daily net
                                        assets exceeding $500 million.


                                       B-5

<PAGE>

MONEY MARKET FUNDS

Active Assets Account (4)               0.050% of the portion of the daily net
                                        assets not exceeding $500 million;
                                        0.0425% of the portion of the daily net
                                        assets exceeding $500 million but not
                                        exceeding $750 million; 0.0375% of the
                                        portion of the daily net assets
                                        exceeding $750 million but not exceeding
                                        $1 billion; 0.035% of the portion of the
                                        daily net assets exceeding $1 billion
                                        but not exceeding $1.5 billion; 0.0325%
                                        of the portion of the daily net assets
                                        exceeding $1.5 billion but not exceeding
                                        $2 billion; 0.030% of the portion of the
                                        daily net assets exceeding $2 billion
                                        but not exceeding $2.5 billion; 0.0275%
                                        of the portion of the daily net assets
                                        exceeding $2.5 billion but not exceeding
                                        $3 billion; and 0.025% of the portion of
                                        the daily net assets exceeding $3
                                        billion.

Dean Witter California Tax-Free         0.050% of the portion of the daily net
 Daily Income Trust                     assets not exceeding $500 million;
                                        0.0425% of the portion of the daily net
                                        assets exceeding $500 million but not
                                        exceeding $750 million; 0.0375% of the
                                        portion of the daily net assets
                                        exceeding $750 million but not exceeding
                                        $1 billion; 0.035% of the portion of the
                                        daily net assets exceeding $1 billion
                                        but not exceeding $1.5 billion; 0.0325%
                                        of the portion of the daily net assets
                                        exceeding $1.5 billion but not exceeding
                                        $2 billion; 0.030% of the portion of the
                                        daily net assets exceeding $2 billion
                                        but not exceeding $2.5 billion; 0.0275%
                                        of the portion of the daily net assets
                                        exceeding $2.5 billion but not exceeding
                                        $3 billion; and 0.025% of the portion of
                                        the daily net assets exceeding $3
                                        billion.

Dean Witter Liquid Asset                0.050% of the portion of the daily net
 Fund Inc.                              assets not exceeding $500 million;
                                        0.0425% of the portion of the daily net
                                        assets exceeding $500 million but not
                                        exceeding $750 million; 0.0375% of the
                                        portion of the daily net assets
                                        exceeding $750 million but not exceeding
                                        $1 billion; 0.035% of the portion of the
                                        daily net assets exceeding $1 billion
                                        but not exceeding $1.35 billion; 0.0325%
                                        of the portion of the daily net assets
                                        exceeding $1.35 billion but not
                                        exceeding $1.75 billion; 0.030% of the
                                        portion of the daily net assets
                                        exceeding $1.75 billion but not
                                        exceeding $2.15 billion; 0.0275% of the
                                        portion of the daily net assets
                                        exceeding $2.15 billion but not
                                        exceeding $2.5 billion; 0.025% of the
                                        portion of the daily net assets
                                        exceeding $2.5 billion but not exceeding
                                        $15 billion; 0.0249% of the portion of
                                        the daily net assets exceeding $15
                                        billion but not exceeding $17.5 billion;
                                        and 0.0248% of the portion of the daily
                                        net assets exceeding $17.5 billion.

Dean Witter New York Municipal          0.050% of the portion of the daily net
 Money Market Trust                     assets not exceeding $500 million;
                                        0.0425% of the portion of the daily net
                                        assets exceeding $500 million but not
                                        exceeding $750 million; 0.0375% of the
                                        portion of the daily net assets
                                        exceeding $750 million but not exceeding
                                        $1 billion; 0.035% of the portion of the
                                        daily net assets exceeding $1 billion
                                        but not exceeding $1.5 billion; 0.0325%
                                        of the portion of the daily net assets
                                        exceeding $1.5 billion but not exceeding
                                        $2 billion; 0.030% of the portion of the
                                        daily net assets exceeding $2 bil-


                                       B-6

<PAGE>

                                        lion but not exceeding $2.5 billion;
                                        0.0275% of the portion of the daily net
                                        assets exceeding $2.5 billion but not
                                        exceeding $3 billion; and 0.025% of the
                                        portion of the daily net assets
                                        exceeding $3 billion.

Dean Witter Retirement Series           0.050% of the net assets.
 Liquid Assets

Dean Witter Retirement Series           0.050% of the net assets.
 U.S. Government Money Market

Dean Witter Select Dimensions Series-   0.50% to the net assets.
 Money Market Portfolio

Dean Witter Tax-Free Daily              0.050% of the portion of the daily net
 Income Trust                           assets not exceeding $500 million;
                                        0.0425% of the portion of the daily net
                                        assets exceeding $500 million but not
                                        exceeding $750 million; 0.0375% of the
                                        portion of the daily net assets
                                        exceeding $750 million but not exceeding
                                        $1 billion; 0.035% of the portion of the
                                        daily net assets exceeding $1 billion
                                        but not exceeding $1.5 billion; 0.0325%
                                        of the portion of the daily net assets
                                        exceeding $1.5 billion but not exceeding
                                        $2 billion; 0.030% of the portion of the
                                        daily net assets exceeding $2 billion
                                        but not exceeding $2.5 billion; 0.0275%
                                        of the portion of the daily net assets
                                        exceeding $2.5 billion but not exceeding
                                        $3 billion; and 0.025% of the portion of
                                        the daily net assets exceeding $3
                                        billion.

Dean Witter U.S. Government             0.050% of the portion of the daily net
 Money Market Trust                     assets not exceeding $500 million;
                                        0.0425% of the portion of the daily net
                                        assets exceeding $500 million but not
                                        exceeding $750 million; 0.0375% of the
                                        portion of the daily net assets
                                        exceeding $750 million but not exceeding
                                        $1 billion; 0.035% of the portion of the
                                        daily net assets exceeding $1 billion
                                        but not exceeding $1.5 billion; 0.0325%
                                        of the portion of the daily net assets
                                        exceeding $1.5 billion but not exceeding
                                        $2 billion; 0.030% of the portion of the
                                        daily net assets exceeding $2 billion
                                        but not exceeding $2.5 billion; 0.0275%
                                        of the portion of the daily net assets
                                        exceeding $2.5 billion but not exceeding
                                        $3 billion; and 0.025% of the portion of
                                        the daily net assets exceeding $3
                                        billion.

Dean Witter Variable Investment         0.050% to the net assets.
 Series-Money Market


   Monthly compensation calculated weekly by applying the following annual
rates to the weekly net assets.

CLOSED-END FUNDS

Dean Witter Government Income           0.060% to the average weekly net
 Trust                                  assets.

High Income Advantage Trust             0.075% of the portion of the average
                                        weekly net assets not exceeding $250
                                        million; 0.060% of the portion of
                                        average weekly net assets exceeding $250
                                        million and not exceeding $500 million;
                                        0.050% of the portion of average weekly
                                        net assets exceeding $500 million and
                                        not exceeding $750 million; 0.040% of
                                        the portion of average weekly net assets
                                        exceeding


                                       B-7

<PAGE>

                                        $750 million and not exceeding $1
                                        billion; and 0.030% of the portion of
                                        average weekly net assets exceeding $1
                                        billion.

High Income Advantage Trust II          0.075% of the portion of the average
                                        weekly net assets not exceeding $250
                                        million; 0.060% of the portion of
                                        average weekly net assets exceeding $250
                                        million and not exceeding $500 million;
                                        0.050% of the portion of average weekly
                                        net assets exceeding $500 million and
                                        not exceeding $750 million; 0.040% of
                                        the portion of average weekly net assets
                                        exceeding $750 million and not exceeding
                                        $1 billion; and 0.030% of the portion of
                                        average weekly net assets exceeding $1
                                        billion.

High Income Advantage Trust III         0.075% of the portion of the average
                                        weekly net assets not exceeding $250
                                        million; 0.060% of the portion of
                                        average weekly net assets exceeding $250
                                        million and not exceeding $500 million;
                                        0.050% of the portion of average weekly
                                        net assets exceeding $500 million and
                                        not exceeding $750 million; 0.040% of
                                        the portion of the average weekly net
                                        assets exceeding $750 million and not
                                        exceeding $1 billion; and 0.030% of the
                                        portion of average weekly net assets
                                        exceeding $1 billion.

InterCapital Income Securities Inc.     0.050% to the average weekly net assets.

InterCapital Insured Municipal          0.035% to the average weekly net assets.
 Bond Trust

InterCapital Insured Municipal          0.035% to the average weekly net assets.
 Trust

InterCapital Insured Municipal          0.035% to the average weekly net assets.
 Income Trust

InterCapital California Insured         0.035% to the average weekly net assets.
 Municipal Income Trust

InterCapital Quality Municipal          0.035% to the average weekly net assets.
 Investment Trust

InterCapital New York Quality           0.035% to the average weekly net assets.
 Municipal Securities

InterCapital Quality Municipal          0.035% to the average weekly net assets.
 Income Trust

InterCapital Quality Municipal          0.035% to the average weekly net assets.
 Securities

InterCapital California Quality         0.035% to the average weekly net assets.
 Municipal Securities

InterCapital Insured Municipal          0.035% to the average weekly net assets.
 Securities

InterCapital Insured California         0.035% to the average weekly net assets.
 Municipal Securities


                                       B-8


<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. 18 to the Registration
Statement on Form N-1A (the "Registration Statement") of our report dated April
12, 1996, relating to the financial statements and financial highlights of Dean
Witter Natural Resource Development Securities Inc., which appears in such
Statement of Additional Information, and to the incorporation by reference of
our report into the Prospectus which constitutes part of this Registration
Statement. We also consent to the references to us under the headings
"Independent Accountants" and "Experts" in such Statement of Additional
Information and to the reference to us under the heading "Financial Highlights"
in such Prospectus.


/s/ PRICE WATERHOUSE LLP
PRICE WATEROUSE LLP
1177 Avenue of the Americas
New York, New York 10036
April 12, 1996



<PAGE>
        AMENDED AND RESTATED PLAN OF DISTRIBUTION PURSUANT TO RULE 12B-1
                                       OF
            DEAN WITTER NATURAL RESOURCE DEVELOPMENT SECURITIES INC.
 
    WHEREAS,  Dean  Witter  Natural Resource  Development  Securities  Inc. (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, on April 28,  1993, the Fund most  recently amended and restated  a
Plan  of Distribution pursuant to  Rule 12b-1 under the  Act which had initially
been adopted on July 2, 1984, and the Directors then determined that there was a
reasonable likelihood that adoption of the Plan of Distribution, as then amended
and restated, would benefit the Fund and its shareholders; and
 
    WHEREAS,  the  Directors   believe  that  continuation   of  said  Plan   of
Distribution,  as amended and restated herein,  is reasonably likely to continue
to benefit the Fund and its shareholders; and
 
    WHEREAS, on July  2, 1984, the  Fund and Dean  Witter Reynolds Inc.  ("DWR")
amended  and restated a Distribution Agreement  which had initially been adopted
on November 10, 1984, pursuant to which the Fund employed DWR as distributor  of
the Fund's shares; and
 
    WHEREAS,  on  January  4, 1993  the  Fund  and DWR  substituted  Dean Witter
Distributors Inc. (the "Distributor") in the place of DWR as distributor of  the
Fund's shares; and
 
    WHEREAS,  the Fund, DWR and the Distributor intend that DWR will continue to
promote  the  sale  of  Fund  shares  and  provide  personal  services  to  Fund
shareholders with respect to their holdings of Fund shares; and
 
    WHEREAS,  the Fund and the Distributor  entered into a separate Distribution
Agreement dated as of June 30, 1993, pursuant to which the Fund has employed the
Distributor in such  capacity during the  continuous offering of  shares of  the
Fund.
 
    NOW,  THEREFORE, the Fund hereby amends  the Plan of Distribution previously
adopted and amended and restated, and the Distributor hereby agrees to the terms
of said Plan of Distribution (the "Plan"), as amended herein, in accordance with
Rule 12b-1 under the Act on the following terms and conditions:
 
    1.  The Fund shall pay to the Distributor, as the distributor of  securities
of  which the Fund is the issuer, compensation for distribution of its shares at
the rate of  the lesser of  (i) 1.0% per  annum of the  average daily  aggregate
sales  of the  shares of  the Fund  since inception  of the  Plan (not including
reinvestment of dividends and  capital gains distributions  from the Fund)  less
the  average daily aggregate net asset value  of the shares of the Fund redeemed
since the inception of  the Plan upon which  a contingent deferred sales  charge
has  been imposed or  upon which such charge  has been waived,  or (ii) 1.0% per
annum of the Fund's average daily net assets attributable to shares issued since
the inception of  the Plan. Such  compensation shall be  calculated and  accrued
daily  and  paid monthly  or  at such  other  intervals as  the  Directors shall
determine. The  Distributor may  direct that  all  or any  part of  the  amounts
receivable  by it  under this Plan  be paid  directly to DWR,  its affiliates or
other broker-dealers  who provide  distribution  and shareholder  services.  All
payments  made hereunder pursuant  to the Plan  shall be in  accordance with the
terms and limitations of the Rules of Fair Practice of the National  Association
of Securities Dealers, Inc.
 
    2.   The  amount set forth  in paragraph  1 of this  Plan shall  be paid for
services of the Distributor, DWR, its affiliates and other broker-dealers it may
select, including DWR, in connection with the distribution of the Fund's shares,
including personal services to  shareholders with respect  to their holdings  of
Fund  shares, and may be spent by  the Distributor, DWR, its affiliates and such
broker-dealers on any activities or expenses related to the distribution of  the
Fund's  shares  or  services to  shareholders,  including, but  not  limited to:
compensation to, and expenses of, account  executives or other employees of  the
Distributor,  DWR, its  affiliates or  other broker-dealers;  overhead and other
branch office distribution-related  expenses and telephone  expenses of  persons
who engage in or support distribution of shares or who provide personal services
to  shareholders; printing of  prospectuses and reports  for other than existing
shareholders; preparation,  printing and  distribution of  sales literature  and
advertising  materials and opportunity costs in incurring the foregoing expenses
(which may be calculated as a carrying charge on the excess of the  distribution
expenses   incurred   by  the   Distributor,  DWR,   its  affiliates   or  other
 
                                       1
<PAGE>
broker-dealers over distribution  revenues received by  them, such excess  being
hereinafter  referred to as "carryover expenses"). The overhead and other branch
office distribution-related  expenses  referred  to  in  this  paragraph  2  may
include:  (a) the expenses of operating the branch offices of the Distributor or
other broker-dealers, including DWR, 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. Payments  may
also  be made with respect to  distribution expenses incurred in connection with
the distribution of  shares, including  personal services  to shareholders  with
respect  to holdings of such  shares, of an investment  company whose assets are
acquired by  the Fund  in  a tax-free  reorganization, provided  that  carryover
expenses  as  a  percentage of  Fund  assets  will not  be  materially increased
thereby.
 
    3.  This Plan, as amended and  restated, shall not take effect until it  has
been  approved, together with any related agreements,  by votes of a majority of
the Board of Directors of the Fund and of the Directors who are not  "interested
persons"  of the  Fund (as defined  in the Act)  and have no  direct or indirect
financial interest in the operation of this Plan or any agreements related to it
(the "Rule 12b-1 Directors"), cast in  person at a meeting (or meetings)  called
for the purpose of voting on this Plan and such related agreements.
 
    4.   This Plan shall continue in effect  until April 30, 1996, and from year
to year thereafter, provided such continuance is specifically approved at  least
annually in the manner provided for approval of this Plan in paragraph 3 hereof.
 
    5.   The  Distributor shall  provide to  the Directors  of the  Fund and the
Directors shall review, at least quarterly,  a written report of the amounts  so
expended and the purposes for which such expenditures were made. In this regard,
the Directors shall request the Distributor to specify such items of expenses as
the  Directors deem appropriate. The Directors shall consider such items as they
deem relevant in making the determinations required by paragraph 4 hereof.
 
    6.  This Plan  may be terminated at  any time by vote  of a majority of  the
Rule  12b-1  Directors, or  by  vote of  a  majority of  the  outstanding voting
securities of the Fund. In the event of any such termination or in the event  of
nonrenewal,  the Fund shall have  no obligation to pay  expenses which have been
incurred by  the Distributor,  DWR, its  affiliates or  other broker-dealers  in
excess  of payments made by the Fund  pursuant to this Plan. However, this shall
not preclude consideration by the Directors  of the manner in which such  excess
expenses shall be treated.
 
    7.   This Plan may not be amended to increase materially the amount the Fund
may spend for distribution provided in paragraph 1 hereof unless such  amendment
is  approved by a  vote of at  least a majority  (as defined in  the Act) of the
outstanding voting securities of the Fund, and no material amendment to the Plan
shall be made unless approved in the manner provided for approval in paragraph 3
hereof.
 
    8.  While this Plan is in effect, the selection and nomination of  Directors
who  are not  interested persons (as  defined in the  Act) of the  Fund shall be
committed to the discretion of the Directors who are not interested persons.
 
    9.  The Fund shall preserve copies  of this Plan and any related  agreements
and  all reports made pursuant  to paragraph 5 hereof, for  a period of not less
than six  years from  the date  of this  Plan, any  such agreement  or any  such
report, as the case may be, the first two years in an easily accessible place.
 
                                       2
<PAGE>
    IN  WITNESS WHEREOF,  the Fund, the  Distributor and DWR  have executed this
amended and restated Plan of Distribution as of the day and year set forth below
in New York, New York.
 
<TABLE>
<S>                                         <C>
Date: July 2, 1984                          DEAN WITTER NATURAL RESOURCE DEVELOPMENT
     As amended on April 15, 1987,          SECURITIES INC.
     January 4, 1993, April 28, 1993
     and October 26, 1995
                                            By
                                            ..........................................
Attest:
 .........................................
 
                                            DEAN WITTER DISTRIBUTORS INC.
                                            By
                                            ..........................................
Attest:
 
 .........................................
 
                                            DEAN WITTER REYNOLDS INC.
                                            By
                                            ..........................................
Attest:
 
 .........................................
</TABLE>
 
                                       3

<PAGE>

          SCHEDULE FOR COMPUTATIONS OF PERFORMANCE QUOTATIONS
                 NATURAL RESOURCE DEVELOPMENT SECURTITIES




(A) AVERAGE ANNUAL TOTAL RETURNS (I.E. STANDARDIZED COMPUTATIONS)

                     _                            _
                    |        ____________________  |
FORMULA:            |       |                      |
                    |  /\ n |        ERV           |
            T =     |    \  |   -------------      |  - 1
                    |     \ |         P            |
                    |      \|                      |
                    |_                            _|

            T = AVERAGE ANNUAL TOTAL RETURN
            n = NUMBER OF YEARS
          ERV = ENDING REDEEMABLE VALUE
            P = INITIAL INVESTMENT

                                             (A)
  $1,000       ERV AS OF      NUMBER OF      AVERAGE ANNUAL
INVESTED - P   29-Feb-96      YEARS - n      TOTAL RETURN - T
- ----------     -----------    ---------      -------------------

28-Feb-95      $1,193.20              1              19.32%

28-Feb-91      $1,510.20              5               8.59%

28-Feb-86      $2,847.90             10              11.03%


(B) AVERAGE ANNUAL TOTAL RETURNS WITHOUT DEDUCTION FOR APPLICABLE
    SALES CHARGE  (NON STANDARD COMPUTATIONS)

(C) TOTAL RETURN WITHOUT DEDUCTION FOR APPLICABLE SALES CHARGE
    (NON STANDARD COMPUTATIONS)

                     _                              _
                    |        ______________________  |
FORMULA:            |       |                        |
                    |  /\ n |         EV             |
             t  =   |    \  |   -------------        |  - 1
                    |     \ |         P              |
                    |      \|                        |
                    |_                              _|

                        EV
           TR   =   ----------  - 1
                        P


       t = AVERAGE ANNUAL TOTAL RETURN
           (NO DEDUCTION FOR APPLICABLE SALES CHARGE)
       n = NUMBER OF YEARS
      EV = ENDING VALUE (NO DEDUCTION FOR APPLICABLE SALES CHARGE)
       P = INITIAL INVESTMENT
      TR = TOTAL RETURN (NO DEDUCTION FOR APPLICABLE SALES CHARGE)



                              (C)                           (B)
  $1,000        EV AS OF      TOTAL          NUMBER OF      AVERAGE ANNUAL
INVESTED - P    29-Feb-96     RETURN - TR    YEARS - n      TOTAL RETURN - t
- ------------    ---------     -----------    ---------      ----------------

28-Feb-95      $1,243.20      24.32%                 1          24.32%

28-Feb-91      $1,530.20      53.02%                 5           8.88%

28-Feb-86      $2,847.90      184.79%               10          11.03%

(D)  GROWTH OF $10,000
(E)  GROWTH OF $50,000
(F)  GROWTH OF $100,000

FORMULA:  G= (TR+1)*P
          G= GROWTH OF INITIAL INVESTMENT
          P= INITIAL INVESTMENT
         TR= TOTAL RETURN SINCE INCEPTION


<TABLE>
<CAPTION>

$10,000        TOTAL          (D)  GROWTH OF            (E)   GROWTH OF          (F)   GROWTH OF
INVESTED - P   RETURN - TR    $10,000 INVESTMENT - G    $50,000 INVESTMENT - G   $100,000 INVESTMENT - G
- ------------   -----------    ----------------------    ----------------------   -----------------------
<S>            <C>            <C>                       <C>                      <C>

30-Mar-81        167.49             $26,749                   $133,745                 $267,490

</TABLE>


<TABLE> <S> <C>

<PAGE>
<ARTICLE> 6
       
<S>                             <C>
<PERIOD-TYPE>                   12-MOS
<FISCAL-YEAR-END>                          FEB-29-1996
<PERIOD-END>                               FEB-29-1996
<INVESTMENTS-AT-COST>                      118,963,383
<INVESTMENTS-AT-VALUE>                     145,449,775
<RECEIVABLES>                                9,680,693
<ASSETS-OTHER>                                  29,138
<OTHER-ITEMS-ASSETS>                                 0
<TOTAL-ASSETS>                             155,159,606
<PAYABLE-FOR-SECURITIES>                     2,095,261
<SENIOR-LONG-TERM-DEBT>                              0
<OTHER-ITEMS-LIABILITIES>                      402,903
<TOTAL-LIABILITIES>                          2,498,164
<SENIOR-EQUITY>                                      0
<PAID-IN-CAPITAL-COMMON>                   122,965,473
<SHARES-COMMON-STOCK>                       12,017,301
<SHARES-COMMON-PRIOR>                       12,326,890
<ACCUMULATED-NII-CURRENT>                      235,202
<OVERDISTRIBUTION-NII>                               0
<ACCUMULATED-NET-GAINS>                      2,974,375
<OVERDISTRIBUTION-GAINS>                             0
<ACCUM-APPREC-OR-DEPREC>                    26,486,392
<NET-ASSETS>                               152,661,442
<DIVIDEND-INCOME>                            3,172,448
<INTEREST-INCOME>                              254,278
<OTHER-INCOME>                                       0
<EXPENSES-NET>                               2,683,052
<NET-INVESTMENT-INCOME>                        743,674
<REALIZED-GAINS-CURRENT>                     9,657,602
<APPREC-INCREASE-CURRENT>                   20,867,725
<NET-CHANGE-FROM-OPS>                       31,269,001
<EQUALIZATION>                                       0
<DISTRIBUTIONS-OF-INCOME>                    (476,340)
<DISTRIBUTIONS-OF-GAINS>                   (7,165,637)
<DISTRIBUTIONS-OTHER>                                0
<NUMBER-OF-SHARES-SOLD>                     17,740,630
<NUMBER-OF-SHARES-REDEEMED>               (18,637,754)
<SHARES-REINVESTED>                            587,535
<NET-CHANGE-IN-ASSETS>                      19,849,828
<ACCUMULATED-NII-PRIOR>                       (32,132)
<ACCUMULATED-GAINS-PRIOR>                      482,410
<OVERDISTRIB-NII-PRIOR>                              0
<OVERDIST-NET-GAINS-PRIOR>                           0
<GROSS-ADVISORY-FEES>                          883,804
<INTEREST-EXPENSE>                                   0
<GROSS-EXPENSE>                              2,683,052
<AVERAGE-NET-ASSETS>                       141,408,643
<PER-SHARE-NAV-BEGIN>                            10.77
<PER-SHARE-NII>                                    .06
<PER-SHARE-GAIN-APPREC>                           2.53
<PER-SHARE-DIVIDEND>                            (0.04)
<PER-SHARE-DISTRIBUTIONS>                       (0.62)
<RETURNS-OF-CAPITAL>                                 0
<PER-SHARE-NAV-END>                              12.70
<EXPENSE-RATIO>                                   1.90
<AVG-DEBT-OUTSTANDING>                               0
<AVG-DEBT-PER-SHARE>                                 0
        

</TABLE>


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