<PAGE>
AS FILED WITH THE SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION ON JANUARY 25, 1996
REGISTRATION NOS.: 33-10363
811-4917
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
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. 10 /X/
AND/OR
REGISTRATION STATEMENT UNDER THE INVESTMENT COMPANY
ACT OF 1940 /X/
AMENDMENT NO. 11 /X/
------------------
DEAN WITTER FEDERAL SECURITIES TRUST
(A MASSACHUSETTS BUSINESS TRUST)
(EXACT NAME OF REGISTRANT AS SPECIFIED IN CHARTER)
TWO WORLD TRADE CENTER
NEW YORK, NEW YORK 10048
(ADDRESS OF PRINCIPAL EXECUTIVE OFFICE)
REGISTRANT'S TELEPHONE NUMBER, INCLUDING AREA CODE: (212) 392-1600
SHELDON CURTIS, ESQ.
TWO WORLD TRADE CENTER
NEW YORK, NEW YORK 10048
(NAME AND ADDRESS OF AGENT FOR SERVICE)
------------------------
COPY TO:
DAVID M. BUTOWSKY, ESQ.
GORDON ALTMAN BUTOWSKY
WEITZEN SHALOV & WEIN
114 WEST 47TH STREET
NEW YORK, NEW YORK 10036
----------------
APPROXIMATE DATE OF PROPOSED PUBLIC OFFERING:
As soon as practicable after this Post-Effective Amendment becomes effective.
IT IS PROPOSED THAT THIS FILING WILL BECOME EFFECTIVE (CHECK APPROPRIATE BOX)
___ immediately upon filing pursuant to paragraph (b)
_X_ on February 1, 1996 pursuant to paragraph (b)
___ 60 days after filing pursuant to paragraph (a)
___ on (date) pursuant to paragraph (a) of rule 485.
THE REGISTRANT HAS REGISTERED AN INDEFINITE NUMBER OF ITS SHARES UNDER THE
SECURITIES ACT OF 1933 PURSUANT TO SECTION (A)(1) OF RULE 24F-2 UNDER THE
INVESTMENT COMPANY ACT OF 1940. PURSUANT TO SECTION (B)(2) OF RULE 24F-2, THE
REGISTRANT FILED A RULE 24F-2 NOTICE FOR ITS FISCAL YEAR ENDED OCTOBER 31, 1995
WITH THE SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION ON NOVEMBER 22, 1995.
AMENDING THE PROSPECTUS AND UPDATING FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
<PAGE>
DEAN WITTER FEDERAL SECURITIES TRUST
CROSS-REFERENCE SHEET
FORM N-1A
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
ITEM CAPTION
- ----------------------------------------------- -----------------------------------------------------------------------
<S> <C>
PART A PROSPECTUS
1. .......................................... Cover Page
2. .......................................... Prospectus Summary
3. .......................................... Financial Highlights; Performance Information
4. .......................................... Investment Objective and Policies; Financial Highlights; The Fund and
Its Management, Cover Page; Investment Restrictions; Prospectus
Summary
5. .......................................... The Fund and Its Management; Back Cover; Investment Objectives and
Policies
6. .......................................... Dividends, Distributions and Taxes; Additional Information
7. .......................................... Purchase of Fund Shares; Shareholder Services; Prospectus Summary
8. .......................................... Redemptions and Repurchases; Shareholder Services
9. .......................................... Additional Information
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; Trustees and Officers
15. .......................................... The Fund and Its Management; Trustees and Officers
16. .......................................... The Fund and Its Management; The Distributor; Shareholder Services;
Custodian and Transfer Agent; Independent Accountants
17. .......................................... Portfolio Transactions and Brokerage
18. .......................................... Description of Shares of the Fund
19. .......................................... The Distributor; Redemptions and Repurchases; Financial Statements;
Shareholder Services; Determination of Net Asset Value
20. .......................................... Dividends, Distributions and Taxes; Financial Statements
21. .......................................... The Distributor
22. .......................................... Performance Information
23. .......................................... Experts; Financial Statements
</TABLE>
PART C
Information required to be included in Part C is set forth under the
appropriate item, so numbered, in Part C of this Registration Statement.
<PAGE>
PROSPECTUS
FEBRUARY 1, 1996
Dean Witter Federal Securities Trust (the "Fund") is an open-end
diversified management investment company whose investment objective is to earn
a high level of current income. The Fund will seek to achieve its investment
objective by investing primarily in debt securities issued by the U.S.
Government, its agencies or instrumentalities, including mortgage-backed
securities, and by writing covered call and put options against such securities.
The Fund may also purchase options on such securities to effect closing
transactions. In addition, to hedge the Fund's portfolio of securities against
changes in prevailing interest rates, the Fund may purchase put options on U.S.
Government securities and engage in transactions involving interest rate futures
contracts and options on such contracts. Shares of the Fund are not issued,
insured or guaranteed, as to value or yield, by the U.S. Government, its
agencies or instrumentalities.
Shares of the Fund are continuously offered at net asset value
without the imposition of a sales charge. However, redemptions and/ or
repurchases are subject in most cases to a contingent deferred sales charge,
scaled down from 5% to 1% of the amount redeemed, if made within six years of
purchase, which charge will be paid to the Fund's Distributor, Dean Witter
Distributors Inc. (See "Redemptions and Repurchases-- Contingent Deferred Sales
Charge.") In addition, the Fund pays the Distributor a Rule 12b-1 distribution
fee pursuant to a Plan of Distribution at the annual rate of 0.85% of the lesser
of (i) the average daily aggregate net sales or (ii) the average daily net
assets of the Fund. (See "Purchase of Fund Shares--Plan of Distribution.")
This Prospectus sets forth concisely the information you should
know before investing in the Fund. It should be read and retained for future
reference. Additional information about the Fund is contained in the Statement
of Additional Information, dated February 1, 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 OF CONTENTS
Prospectus Summary/2
Summary of Fund Expenses/3
Financial Highlights/4
The Fund and its Management/5
Investment Objective and Policies/5
Risk Considerations/10
Investment Restrictions/14
Purchase of Fund Shares/15
Shareholder Services/17
Redemptions and Repurchases/20
Dividends, Distributions and Taxes/22
Performance Information/24
Additional Information/24
SHARES OF THE FUND ARE NOT DEPOSITS OR OBLIGATIONS OF, OR GUARANTEED OR ENDORSED
BY, ANY BANK, AND THE SHARES ARE NOT FEDERALLY INSURED BY THE FEDERAL DEPOSIT
INSURANCE CORPORATION, THE FEDERAL RESERVE BOARD, OR ANY OTHER AGENCY.
THESE SECURITIES HAVE NOT BEEN APPROVED OR DISAPPROVED BY THE SECURITIES AND
EXCHANGE COMMISSION OR ANY STATE SECURITIES COMMISSION NOR HAS THE SECURITIES
AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION OR ANY STATE SECURITIES COMMISSION PASSED UPON THE
ACCURACY OR ADEQUACY OF THIS PROSPECTUS. ANY REPRESENTATION TO THE CONTRARY IS A
CRIMINAL OFFENSE.
Dean Witter
Federal Securities Trust
Two World Trade Center
New York, New York 10048
(212) 392-2550 or
(800) 869-NEWS
<PAGE>
PROSPECTUS SUMMARY
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
<TABLE>
<S> <C>
The The Fund is organized as a Trust, commonly known as a Massachusetts business trust, and is an
Fund open-end diversified management investment company which invests principally in U.S. Government
securities.
- ----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Shares Offered Shares of beneficial interest with $.01 par value (see page 24).
- ----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Offering At net asset value without sales charge (see page 15). Shares redeemed within six years of purchase
Price are subject to a contingent deferred sales charge under most circumstances (see page 20).
- ----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Minimum Minimum initial investment, $1,000 ($100 if the account is opened through EasyInvest-SM-); minimum
Purchase subsequent investments, $100 (see page 15).
- ----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Investment The investment objective of the Fund is to earn a high level of current income.
Objective
- ----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Investment Dean Witter InterCapital Inc. ("InterCapital"), the Investment Manager of the Fund, and its wholly-
Manager owned subsidiary, Dean Witter Services Company, Inc., serve in various investment management,
advisory, management and administrative capacities to ninety-five investment companies and other
portfolios with assets of approximately $79.5 billion at December 31, 1995 (see page 5).
- ----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Management The Investment Manager receives a monthly fee at the annual rate of 0.55% of the Fund's daily net
Fee assets not exceeding $1 billion, scaled down at various asset levels to 0.35% of the Fund's daily
net assets on assets exceeding $12.5 billion (see page 5).
- ----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Dividends and Dividends from net investment income are declared daily and paid monthly. Capital gains
Distributions distributions are paid at least annually. Dividends and capital gains distributions are
automatically reinvested in additional shares at net asset value unless the shareholder elects to
receive cash (see pages 17 and 22).
- ----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Distributor and Dean Witter Distributors Inc. (the "Distributor"). The Distributor receives from the Fund a
Distribution Fee distribution fee accrued daily and paid monthly at the rate of 0.85% per annum of the lesser of (i)
the Fund's average daily aggregate net sales or (ii) the Fund's average daily net assets. This fee
compensates the Distributor for the services provided in distributing shares of the Fund and for
sales-related expenses. The Distributor also receives the proceeds of any contingent deferred sales
charges (see pages 16 and 20).
- ----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Redemption-- Shares are redeemable by the shareholder at net asset value. An account may be involuntarily
Contingent redeemed if the total value of the account is less than $100 or, if the account was opened through
Deferred Sales EasyInvest, if after twelve months the shareholder has invested less than $1,000 in the account.
Charge Although no commission or sales load 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 if after such
redemption the aggregate current value of an account with the Fund falls below the aggregate amount
of the investor's purchase payments made during the six years preceding the redemption. However,
there is no charge imposed on redemption of shares purchased through reinvestment of dividends or
distributions (see pages 20-22).
- ----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Special Risk The net asset value of the Fund's shares will fluctuate with changes in the market value of its
Considerations portfolio securities. The Fund may purchase and write options on debt instruments, in both
exchange-listed and over-the-counter transactions, and engage in transactions involving futures
contracts and options thereon. In addition, the Fund may borrow money and thereby leverage its
securities investments (in an amount up to 25% of the Fund's total assets) and purchase securities
on a when-issued and delayed delivery and firm commitment basis. These investments may involve
special risks (see pages 5-14).
- ----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
</TABLE>
THE ABOVE IS QUALIFIED IN ITS ENTIRETY BY THE DETAILED INFORMATION APPEARING
ELSEWHERE
IN THIS PROSPECTUS AND IN THE STATEMENT OF ADDITIONAL INFORMATION.
2
<PAGE>
SUMMARY OF FUND EXPENSES
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
The following table illustrates all expenses and fees that a shareholder of
the Fund will incur. The expenses and fees set forth in the table are for the
fiscal year ended October 31, 1995.
<TABLE>
<S> <C>
SHAREHOLDER TRANSACTION EXPENSES
- ---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
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%
</TABLE>
A deferred sales charge is imposed at the following declining rates:
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
YEAR SINCE PURCHASE
PAYMENT MADE PERCENTAGE
- -------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- ---------------
<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>
Redemption Fees....................................................................... None
Exchange Fees......................................................................... None
ANNUAL FUND OPERATING EXPENSES (AS A PERCENTAGE OF AVERAGE NET ASSETS)
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Management Fees....................................................................... 0.55%
12b-1 Fees*........................................................................... 0.85%
Other Expenses........................................................................ 0.12%
Total Fund Operating Expenses......................................................... 1.52%
<FN>
- ------------
* A PORTION OF THE 12B-1 FEE EQUAL TO 0.20% OF THE FUND'S AVERAGE DAILY NET
ASSETS IS CHARACTERIZED AS A SERVICE FEE WITHIN THE MEANING OF NATIONAL
ASSOCIATION OF SECURITIES DEALERS, INC. ("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:.............................................................. $ 65 $ 78 $ 103 $ 181
You would pay the following expenses on the same investment, assuming
no redemption:....................................................... $ 15 $ 48 $ 83 $ 181
</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 beneficial interest
outstanding throughout each period have been audited by Price Waterhouse LLP,
independent accountants. The financial highlights should be read in conjunction
with the financial statements, 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
PERIOD
MARCH 31,
1987*
FOR THE YEAR ENDED OCTOBER 31 THROUGH
-------------------------------------------------------------------- OCTOBER
1995 1994 1993 1992 1991 1990 1989 1988 31, 1987
------ ------- ------ ------ ------- ------ ------- ------ ----------
<S> <C> <C> <C> <C> <C> <C> <C> <C> <C>
PER SHARE OPERATING
PERFORMANCE:
Net asset value,
beginning of period........ $ 8.74 $ 10.03 $ 9.57 $ 9.46 $ 8.87 $ 9.27 $ 9.13 $ 9.27 $ 10.00
------ ------- ------ ------ ------- ------ ------- ------ ----------
Net investment income....... 0.59 0.60 0.65 0.68 0.72 0.72 0.71 0.74 0.43
Net realized and unrealized
gain (loss)................ 0.75 (1.28) 0.46 0.11 0.59 (0.40) 0.34 0.08 (0.58)
------ ------- ------ ------ ------- ------ ------- ------ ----------
Total from investment
operations................. 1.34 (0.68) 1.11 0.79 1.31 0.32 1.05 0.82 (0.15)
------ ------- ------ ------ ------- ------ ------- ------ ----------
Less dividends and
distributions from:
Net investment income..... (0.59) (0.61) (0.65) (0.68) (0.72) (0.72) (0.71) (0.74) (0.43)
Net realized gain......... -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- (0.15)
Paid-in-capital........... -- -- -- -- -- -- (0.20) (0.22) --
------ ------- ------ ------ ------- ------ ------- ------ ----------
Total dividends and
distributions.............. (0.59) (0.61) (0.65) (0.68) (0.72) (0.72) (0.91) (0.96) (0.58)
------ ------- ------ ------ ------- ------ ------- ------ ----------
Net asset value, end of
period..................... $ 9.49 $ 8.74 $10.03 $ 9.57 $ 9.46 $ 8.87 $ 9.27 $ 9.13 $ 9.27
------ ------- ------ ------ ------- ------ ------- ------ ----------
------ ------- ------ ------ ------- ------ ------- ------ ----------
TOTAL INVESTMENT RETURN +... 15.89% (6.92)% 12.03% 8.56% 15.26% 3.64% 12.32% 9.21% (1.47)%(1)
RATIOS TO AVERAGE NET
ASSETS:
Expenses.................... 1.52% 1.52% 1.50% 1.48% 1.50% 1.54% 1.47% 1.50% 1.54%(2)
Net investment income....... 6.53% 6.56% 6.59% 7.18% 7.79% 7.92% 7.90% 8.04% 7.76%(2)
SUPPLEMENTAL DATA:
Net assets, end of period,
in millions................ $829 $841 $1,128 $1,171 $1,252 $1,397 $1,824 $2,122 $2,067
Portfolio turnover rate..... 7% 18% 7% 6% -- %++ 5% 19% 44% 32%(1)
<FN>
- ------------------------------
* COMMENCEMENT OF OPERATIONS.
+ DOES NOT REFLECT THE DEDUCTION OF SALES CHARGE.
++ LESS THAN 0.5%.
(1) NOT ANNUALIZED.
(2) ANNUALIZED.
</TABLE>
4
<PAGE>
THE FUND AND ITS MANAGEMENT
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Dean Witter Federal Securities Trust (the "Fund") is an open-end diversified
management investment company. The Fund is a trust of the type commonly known as
a "Massachusetts business trust" and was organized under the laws of
Massachusetts on November 20, 1986.
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-five investment companies, thirty of which
are listed on the New York Stock Exchange, with combined total assets of
approximately $76.9 billion at December 31, 1995. The Investment Manager also
manages portfolios of pension plans, other institutions and individuals which
aggregated approximately $2.6 billion at such date.
The Fund has retained the Investment Manager to provide administrative
services, manage its business affairs and manage the investment of the Fund's
assets, including the placing of orders for the purchase and sale of portfolio
securities. InterCapital has retained Dean Witter Services Company Inc. to
perform the aforementioned administrative services for the Fund.
The Fund's Trustees review the various services provided by or under the
direction of the Investment Manager to ensure that the Fund's general investment
policies and programs are being properly carried out and that administrative
services are being provided to the Fund in a satisfactory manner.
As full compensation for the services and facilities furnished to the Fund
and for expenses of the Fund assumed by the Investment Manager, the Fund pays
the Investment Manager monthly compensation calculated daily by applying the
following annual rates to the Fund's net assets determined as of the close of
each business day: 0.55% of the portion of the Fund's daily net assets not
exceeding $1 billion, scaled down at various asset levels to 0.35% of the
portion of daily net assets exceeding $12.5 billion. For the fiscal year ended
October 31, 1995, the Fund accrued total compensation to the Investment Manager
amounting to 0.55% of the Fund's average daily net assets and the Fund's total
expenses amounted to 1.52% of the Fund's average daily net assets.
INVESTMENT OBJECTIVE AND POLICIES
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
The investment objective of the Fund is to earn a high level of current
income. There can be no assurance that the investment objective will be
achieved. This objective is fundamental and cannot be changed without
shareholder approval. The following policies may be changed by the Board of
Trustees without shareholder approval.
The Fund will seek to achieve its objective primarily by investing at least
65% of its total assets in U.S. Government securities (including such
securities purchased on a when-issued, delayed delivery or firm commitment
basis). U.S. Government securities include:
(1) U.S. Treasury bills (maturities of one year or less), U.S. Treasury notes
(maturities of one to ten years) and U.S. Treasury bonds (generally maturities
of greater than ten years), all of which are direct obligations of the U.S.
Government and, as such, are backed by the "full faith and credit" of the United
States.
5
<PAGE>
(2) Securities issued by agencies and instrumentalities of the U.S.
Government which are backed by the full faith and credit of the United States.
Among the agencies and instrumentalities issuing such obligations are the
Federal Housing Administration, the Government National Mortgage Association
("GNMA"), the Department of Housing and Urban Development, the Export-Import
Bank, the Farmers Home Administration, the General Services Administration, the
Maritime Administration and the Small Business Administration. The maturities of
such obligations range from three months to thirty years.
(3) Securities issued by agencies and instrumentalities which are not backed
by the full faith and credit of the United States, but whose issuing agency or
instrumentality has the right to borrow, to meet its obligations, from an
existing line of credit with the U.S. Treasury. Among the agencies and
instrumentalities issuing such obligations are the Tennessee Valley Authority,
the Federal National Mortgage Association ("FNMA"), the Federal Home Loan
Mortgage Corporation ("FHLMC") and the U.S. Postal Service.
(4) Securities issued by agencies and instrumentalities which are not backed
by the full faith and credit of the United States, but which are backed by the
credit of the issuing agency or instrumentality. Among the agencies and
instrumentalities issuing such obligations are the Federal Farm Credit System
and the Federal Home Loan Banks.
The Fund is not limited as to the maturities of the U.S. Government
securities in which it may invest. For a discussion of the risks of investing in
such securities (including such securities purchased on a when-issued, delayed
delivery or firm commitment basis and zero coupon securities), see "Risk
Considerations" below.
MORTGAGE-BACKED SECURITIES. The Fund may invest in fixed-rate and
adjustable rate U.S. mortgage-backed securities ("Mortgage-Backed Securities").
There are currently three basic types of U.S. Mortgage-Backed Securities: (i)
those issued or guaranteed by the U.S. Government or one of its agencies or
instrumentalities, such as GNMA, FNMA and FHLMC (securities issued by GNMA, but
not those issued by FNMA or FHLMC, are backed by the "full faith and credit" of
the United States); (ii) those issued by private issuers that represent an
interest in or are collateralized by Mortgage-Backed Securities issued or
guaranteed by the U.S. Government or one of its agencies or instrumentalities;
and (iii) those issued by private issuers that represent an interest in or are
collateralized by whole mortgage loans or Mortgage-Backed Securities without a
government guarantee but usually having some form of private credit enhancement.
The Fund will invest in mortgage pass-through securities representing
participation interests in pools of residential mortgage loans originated by
U.S. governmental or private lenders such as banks, broker-dealers and financing
corporations and guaranteed, to the extent provided in such securities, by the
U.S. Government or one of its agencies or instrumentalities. Such securities,
which are ownership interests in the underlying mortgage loans, differ from
conventional debt securities, which provide for periodic payment of interest in
fixed amounts (usually semi-annually) and principal payments at maturity or on
specified call dates. Mortgage pass-through securities provide for monthly
payments that are a "pass-through" of the monthly interest and principal
payments (including any prepayments) made by the individual borrowers on the
pooled mortgage loans, net of any fees paid to the guarantor of such securities
and the servicer of the underlying mortgage loans.
The guaranteed mortgage pass-through securities in which the Fund may invest
include those issued or guaranteed by GNMA, FNMA and FHLMC. GNMA certificates
are direct obligations of the U.S. Government and, as such, are backed by the
"full faith and credit" of the United States. FNMA and FHLMC certificates are
not backed by the full faith and credit of the United States but, as noted
above, the issuing agency or instrumentality has the right to borrow, to meet
its obligations, from an existing line of credit with the U.S. Treasury. The
U.S.
6
<PAGE>
Treasury has no legal obligation to provide such line of credit and may choose
not to do so.
Certificates for Mortgage-Backed Securities evidence an interest in a
specific pool of mortgages. These certificates are, in most cases, "modified
pass-through" instruments, wherein the issuing agency guarantees the payment of
principal and interest on mortgages underlying the certificates, whether or not
such amounts are collected by the issuer on the underlying mortgages.
ADJUSTABLE RATE MORTGAGE SECURITIES. The Fund may also invest in adjustable
rate mortgage securities ("ARMs"), which are pass-through mortgage securities
collateralized by mortgages with adjustable rather than fixed rates. ARMs
eligible for inclusion in a mortgage pool generally provide for a fixed initial
mortgage interest rate for either the first three, six, twelve or thirteen
scheduled monthly payments. Thereafter, the interest rates are subject to
periodic adjustment based on changes to a designated benchmark index.
ARMs contain maximum and minimum rates beyond which the mortgage interest
rate may not vary over the lifetime of the security. In addition, certain ARMs
provide for additional limitations on the maximum amount by which the mortgage
interest rate may adjust for any single adjustment period. Alternatively,
certain ARMs contain limitations on changes in the required monthly payment. In
the event that a monthly payment is not sufficient to pay the interest accruing
on an ARM, any such excess interest is added to the principal balance of the
mortgage loan, which is repaid through future monthly payments. If the monthly
payment for such an instrument exceeds the sum of the interest accrued at the
applicable mortgage interest rate and the principal payment required at such
point to amortize the outstanding principal balance over the remaining term of
the loan, the excess is utilized to reduce the then outstanding principal
balance of the ARM.
PRIVATE MORTGAGE PASS-THROUGH SECURITIES. The Fund may invest in private
mortgage pass-through securities, which are structured similarly to the GNMA,
FNMA and FHLMC mortgage pass-through securities and are issued by originators of
and investors in mortgage loans, including savings and loan associations,
mortgage banks, commercial banks, investment banks and special purpose
subsidiaries of the foregoing. These securities usually are backed by a pool of
conventional fixed rate or adjustable rate mortgage loans. Since private
mortgage pass-through securities typically are not guaranteed by an entity
having the credit status of GNMA, FNMA and FHLMC, such securities generally are
structured with one or more types of credit enhancement.
COLLATERALIZED MORTGAGE OBLIGATIONS AND MULTICLASS PASS-THROUGH
SECURITIES. The Fund may invest in collateralized mortgage obligations or
"CMOs," which are debt obligations collateralized by mortgage loans or mortgage
pass-through securities. Typically, CMOs are collateralized by GNMA, FNMA or
FHLMC certificates, but also may be collateralized by whole loans or private
mortgage pass-through securities (such collateral collectively hereinafter
referred to as "Mortgage Assets"). Multiclass pass-through securities are equity
interests in a trust composed of Mortgage Assets. Payments of principal of and
interest on the Mortgage Assets, and any reinvestment income thereon, provide
the funds to pay debt service on the CMOs or make scheduled distributions on the
multiclass pass-through securities. CMOs may be issued by agencies or
instrumentalities of the U.S. government, or by private originators of, or
investors in, mortgage loans, including savings and loan associations, mortgage
banks, commercial banks, investment banks and special purpose subsidiaries of
the foregoing. The issuer of a series of CMOs may elect to be treated as a Real
Estate Mortgage Investment Conduit ("REMIC"). REMICs include governmental and/or
private entities that issue a fixed pool of mortgages secured by an interest in
real property. REMICs are similar to CMOs in that they issue multiple classes of
securities but, unlike CMOs, which are required to be structured as debt
securities, REMICs may be structured as indirect ownership interests in the
underlying assets of the REMICs themselves. However, there are no effects on the
Fund from investing in CMOs issued by entities that have elected to be treated
as REMICs,
7
<PAGE>
and all future references to CMOs shall also be deemed to include REMICs. In
addition, in reliance upon an interpretation by the staff of the Securities and
Exchange Commission, the Fund may invest without limitation in CMOs and other
Mortgage-Backed Securities which are not by definition excluded from the
provisions of the Act, and which have obtained exemptive orders from such
provisions from the Securities and Exchange Commission.
In a CMO, a series of bonds or certificates is issued in multiple classes.
Each class of CMOs, often referred to as a "tranche," is issued at a specific
fixed or floating coupon rate and has a stated maturity or final distribution
date. Principal prepayments on the Mortgage Assets may cause the CMOs to be
retired substantially earlier than their stated maturities or final distribution
dates. Interest is paid or accrues on all classes of the CMOs on a monthly,
quarterly or semi-annual basis. Certain CMOs may have variable or floating
interest rates and others may be stripped (securities which provide only the
principal or interest feature of the underlying security).
The principal of and interest on the Mortgage Assets may be allocated among
the several classes of a CMO series in a number of different ways. Generally,
the purpose of the allocation of the cash flow of a CMO to the various classes
is to obtain a more predictable cash flow to the individual tranches than exists
with the underlying collateral of the CMO. As a general rule, the more
predictable the cash flow is on a CMO tranche, the lower the anticipated yield
will be on that tranche at the time of issuance relative to prevailing market
yields on Mortgage-Backed Securities. As part of the process of creating more
predictable cash flows on most of the tranches in a series of CMOs, one or more
tranches generally must be created that absorb most of the volatility in the
cash flows on the underlying mortgage loans. The yields on these tranches are
generally higher than prevailing market yields on Mortgage-Backed Securities
with similar maturities. As a result of the uncertainty of the cash flows of
these tranches, the market prices of and yield on these tranches generally are
more volatile.
The Fund also may invest in, among other things, parallel pay CMOs and
Planned Amortization Class CMOs ("PAC Bonds"). Parallel pay CMOs are structured
to provide payments of principal on each payment date to more than one class.
These simultaneous payments are taken into account in calculating the stated
maturity date or final distribution date of each class which, as with other CMO
structures, must be retired by its stated maturity date or final distribution
date but may be retired earlier. PAC Bonds generally require payments of a
specified amount of principal on each payment date. PAC Bonds always are
parallel pay CMOs with the required principal payment on such securities having
the highest priority after interest has been paid to all classes.
TYPES OF CREDIT ENHANCEMENT. Mortgage-Backed Securities are often backed by
a pool of assets representing the obligations of a number of different parties.
To lessen the effect of failures by obligors on underlying assets to make
payments, those securities may contain elements of credit support, which fall
into two categories: (i) liquidity protection and (ii) protection against losses
resulting from ultimate default by an obligor on the underlying assets.
Liquidity protection refers to the provision of advances, generally by the
entity administering the pool of assets, to ensure that the receipt of payments
on the underlying pool occurs in a timely fashion. Protection against losses
resulting from default ensures ultimate payment of the obligations on at least a
portion of the assets in the pool. This protection may be provided through
guarantees, insurance policies or letters of credit obtained by the issuer or
sponsor from third parties, through various means of structuring the transaction
or through a combination of such approaches. The degree of credit support
provided for each issue is generally based on historical information respecting
the level of credit risk associated with the underlying assets. Delinquencies or
losses in excess of those anticipated could adversely affect the return on an
investment in a security. The Fund will not pay any fees for credit support,
although the existence of credit support may increase the price of a security.
8
<PAGE>
For a discussion of the risks of investing in Mortgage-Backed Securities,
see "Risk Considerations" below.
To hedge against adverse changes in the prices of securities it anticipates
purchasing for its portfolio, the Fund may also write covered call and put
options against U.S. Government securities and cash held in its portfolio and
purchase options of the same or similar series to effect closing transactions.
In addition, the Fund may hedge portions of its portfolio securities against
potential changes in prevailing interest rates by purchasing put options on U.S.
Government securities and engaging in transactions involving interest rate
futures contracts and options on such contracts. See "Options and Futures
Transactions" below.
While the Fund will be investing primarily in U.S. Government securities, it
may invest up to 35% of its total assets in options on U.S. Government
securities; options on futures contracts and futures contracts; repurchase
agreements; reverse repurchase agreements and dollar rolls (see "Risk
Considerations" below); money market instruments, including commercial paper
rated within the two highest grades by Standard & Poor's Corporation ("S&P") or
the highest grade by Moody's Investors Service, Inc. ("Moody's"), or, if not
rated, issued by a company having an outstanding debt issue rated at least AA by
S&P or Aa by Moody's); certificates of deposit; bankers' acceptances and other
obligations of domestic banks or domestic branches of foreign banks, in each
case having total assets of at least $500 million; and obligations of foreign
governments or their respective instrumentalities or agencies. Moreover, and
notwithstanding any of the above, the Fund may invest in such instruments
without limitation, on a temporary basis, when market conditions dictate a
"defensive" investment strategy. The Fund may also borrow money for the purpose
of leveraging its investments and lend its portfolio securities, as discussed
under "Risk Considerations" below.
OPTIONS AND FUTURES TRANSACTIONS
OPTIONS. The Fund is permitted to enter into call and put options on U.S.
Treasury notes, bonds and bills which are listed on Exchanges and 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.
OTC OPTIONS. OTC options are purchased from or sold (written) to dealers or
financial institutions which have entered into direct agreements with the Fund.
With OTC options, such variables as expiration date, exercise price and premium
will be agreed upon between the Fund and the transacting dealer, without the
intermediation of a third party such as the OCC. The Fund will engage in OTC
option transactions only with member banks of the Federal Reserve System or
primary U.S. Government securities dealers or with affiliates of such banks or
dealers which have capital of at least $50 million or whose obligations are
guaranteed by an entity having capital of at least $50 million.
COVERED CALL WRITING. The Fund is permitted to write covered call options
on U.S. Government securities only, without limit, in order to aid it in
achieving its investment objective. As a writer of a call option, the Fund has
the obligation, upon notice of exercise of the option, to deliver the security
underlying the option (certain listed call options written by the Fund will be
exercisable by the purchaser only on a specific date). See "Options and Futures
Transactions-- Covered Call Writing" in the Statement of Additional Information.
COVERED PUT WRITING. As a writer of covered put options, the Fund incurs an
obligation to buy the security underlying the option from the purchaser of
9
<PAGE>
the put at the option's exercise price at any time during the option period. The
Fund will write put options for two purposes: (1) to receive 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 aggregate value of the obligations underlying
the puts determined as of the date the options are sold will not exceed 50% of
the Fund's net assets. See "Options and Futures Transactions--Covered Put
Writing" in the Statement of Additional Information.
PURCHASING CALL AND PUT OPTIONS. The Fund may invest up to 10% of its total
assets in the purchase of put and call options on U.S. Government securities.
The Fund may purchase call options only in order to close out a covered call
position. The Fund may purchase put options on U.S. Government 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 in a manner similar to call option
closing purchase transactions. There are no other limits on the Fund's ability
to purchase call and put options.
FUTURES CONTRACTS. The Fund may also purchase and sell interest rate
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. 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 futures contracts only for
the purpose of hedging its portfolio (or anticipated portfolio) securities
against changes in prevailing interest rates. The Fund may also purchase and
write call and put options on futures contracts which are traded on an Exchange
and enter into closing transactions with respect to such options to terminate an
existing position. See "Options and Futures Transactions--Futures Contracts" and
"Options on Futures Contracts" in the Statement of Additional Information.
For a discussion of the risks of options and futures transactions, see "Risk
Considerations" below and "Options and Futures Transactions" in the Statement of
Additional Information.
RISK CONSIDERATIONS
The net asset value of the Fund's shares will fluctuate with changes in the
market value of its portfolio securities. Neither the value nor the yield of the
U.S. Government securities invested in by the Fund (or the value or yield of the
shares of the Fund) is guaranteed by the U.S. Government. Such values and yield
will fluctuate with changes in prevailing interest rates and other factors.
Generally, as prevailing interest rates rise, the value of the U.S.
Government securities held by the Fund, and, concomitantly, the net asset value
of the Fund's shares, will fall. Such securities with longer maturities
generally tend to produce higher yields and are subject to greater market
fluctuation as a result of changes in interest rates than debt securities with
shorter maturities. As noted above, the Fund is not limited as to the maturities
of the U.S. Government securities in which it may invest.
RISKS OF MORTGAGE-BACKED SECURITIES. Mortgage-Backed Securities have
certain different characteristics than traditional debt securities. Among the
major differences are that interest and principal payments are made more
frequently, usually monthly, and that principal may be prepaid at any time
because the underlying mortgage loans or other assets generally may be prepaid
at any time. As a result, if the Fund purchases such a security at a premium, a
prepayment rate that is faster than expected may reduce yield to maturity, while
a prepayment rate that is slower than expected may have the opposite effect of
increasing yield to maturity.
10
<PAGE>
Alternatively, if the Fund purchases these securities at a discount, faster than
expected prepayments will increase, while slower than expected prepayments may
reduce, yield to maturity.
Mortgage-Backed Securities, like all fixed-income securities, generally
decrease in value as a result of increases in interest rates. In addition,
although generally the value of fixed-income securities increases during periods
of falling interest rates, Mortgage-Backed Securities may benefit less than
other fixed-income securities from declining interest rates because of the risk
of prepayments.
The average life of Mortgage-Backed Securities varies with the maturities of
the underlying mortgage instruments, which may be up to thirty years but which
may include mortgage instruments with maturities of fifteen years, adjustable
rate mortgage instruments, variable rate mortgage instruments, graduated rate
mortgage instruments and/or other types of mortgage instruments. The assumed
average life of mortgages backing the majority of GNMA and FNMA certificates is
twelve years, and of FHLMC certificates is ten years. This average life is
likely to be substantially shorter than the original maturity of the mortgage
pools underlying the certificates, as a pool's duration may be shortened by
unscheduled or early payments of principal on the underlying mortgages. As
prepayment rates vary widely, it is not possible to accurately predict the
average life of a particular pool.
Although the extent of prepayments on a pool of mortgage loans depends on
various factors, including the prevailing level of interest rates, general
economic conditions, the location and age of the mortgage and other social and
demographic conditions, as a general rule prepayments on fixed rate mortgage
loans will increase during a period of falling interest rates and decrease
during a period of rising interest rates. If the Fund has purchased securities
backed by pools containing mortgages whose yields exceed the prevailing interest
rate, any premium paid for such securities may be lost. As a result, the net
asset value of shares of the Fund and the Fund's ability to achieve its
investment objective may be adversely affected by mortgage prepayments. Amounts
available for reinvestment by the Fund are likely to be greater during a period
of declining interest rates and, as a result, likely to be reinvested at lower
interest rates than during a period of rising interest rates.
There are certain risks associated specifically with CMOs. CMOs issued by
private entities are not U.S. Government securities and are not guaranteed by
any government agency, although the securities underlying a CMO may be subject
to a guarantee. Therefore, if the collateral securing the CMO, as well as any
third party credit support or guarantees, is insufficient to make payment, the
holder could sustain a loss. However, the Fund will invest in CMOs issued by
private entities only if the CMOs are rated Aaa by Moody's or AAA by S&P, or, if
unrated, such CMOs are determined to be of comparable quality to the permitted
rated investments. Also, a number of different factors, including the extent of
prepayment of principal of the Mortgage Assets, affect the availability of cash
for principal payments by the CMO issuer on any payment date and, accordingly,
affect the timing of principal payments on each CMO class.
RISKS OF OPTIONS AND FUTURES TRANSACTIONS. The Fund may close out its
position as writer of an option only if a liquid secondary market exists for
options of that series. There is no assurance that such a market will exist,
particularly in the case of OTC options, as such options will generally only be
closed out by entering into a closing purchase transaction with the purchasing
dealer. Also, Exchanges may 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.
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."
11
<PAGE>
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 movements or
the time span within which the movements take place. For example, if the Fund
sold futures contracts for the sale of securities in anticipation of an increase
in interest rates, and then interest rates went down instead, causing bond
prices to rise, the Fund would lose money on the sale. Another risk which may
arise in employing futures contracts to protect against the price volatility of
portfolio securities is that the prices of securities subject to futures
contracts (and thereby the futures contract 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.
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. 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 Trustees of the Fund.
In addition, the value of the collateral underlying the repurchase agreement
will be at least equal to the repurchase price, including any accrued interest
earned on the repurchase agreement. In the event of a default or bankruptcy by a
selling financial institution, the Fund will seek to liquidate such collateral.
However, the exercising of the Fund's right to liquidate such collateral could
involve certain costs or delays and, to the extent that proceeds from any sale
upon a default of the obligation to repurchase were less than the repurchase
price, the Fund could suffer a loss. The Fund may not invest in repurchase
agreements that do not mature within seven days if any such investment, together
with any other illiquid assets held by the Fund, amounts to more than 10% of its
total assets.
LEVERAGING. The Fund may borrow money, but only from a bank and in an
amount up to 25% of the Fund's total assets taken at the lower of market value
or cost, not including the amount borrowed. When the Fund borrows it will be
because it seeks additional income by leveraging its investments through
purchasing securities with the borrowed funds. The Fund will be required to
maintain an asset coverage (including the proceeds of borrowings) of at least
300% of such borrowings in accordance with the provisions of the Investment
Company Act of 1940, as amended (the "Act"). The investment policy provides that
the Fund may not purchase or sell a security on margin. Borrowings for
leveraging will be subject to current margin requirements of the Federal Reserve
Board and where necessary the Fund may use any or all of its securities as
collateral for such borrowings. Any investment gains made with the additional
monies in excess of interest paid will cause the net asset value of the Fund's
shares to rise to a greater extent than would otherwise be the case. Conversely,
if the investment performance of the additional monies fails to cover their cost
to the Fund, net asset value will decrease to a greater extent than would
otherwise be the case. This is the speculative factor involved in leverage. If,
due to market fluctuations or other reasons, the value of the Fund's assets
(including the proceeds of borrowings) becomes at any time less than three times
the amount of any outstanding bank debt, the Fund, within three business days,
will reduce its bank debt to the extent
12
<PAGE>
necessary to meet the required 300% asset coverage. In doing this, the Fund may
have to sell a portion of its investments at a time when it may be
disadvantageous to do so.
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.
WHEN-ISSUED AND DELAYED DELIVERY SECURITIES AND FIRM COMMITMENTS. From time
to time, in the ordinary course of business, the Fund may purchase U.S.
Government securities on a when-issued or delayed delivery basis or may purchase
or sell U.S. Government securities on a firm 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 the
commitment. There is no overall limit on the percentage of the Fund's assets
which may be committed to the purchase of securities on a when-issued, delayed
delivery or forward commitment basis. An increase in the percentage of the
Fund's assets committed to the purchase of securities on a when-issued, delayed
delivery or forward commitment basis may increase the volatility of the Fund's
net asset value.
REVERSE REPURCHASE AGREEMENTS AND DOLLAR ROLLS. The Fund may also use
reverse repurchase agreements and dollar rolls as part of its investment
strategy. Reverse repurchase agreements involve sales by the Fund of portfolio
assets concurrently with an agreement by the Fund to repurchase the same assets
at a later date at a fixed price. The Fund may enter into dollar rolls in which
the Fund sells securities for delivery in the current month and simultaneously
contracts to repurchase substantially similar (same type and coupon) securities
on a specified future date. Reverse repurchase agreements and dollar rolls
involve the risk that the market value of the securities the Fund is obligated
to repurchase under the agreement may decline below the repurchase price. In the
event the buyer of securities under a reverse repurchase agreement or dollar
roll files for bankruptcy or becomes insolvent, the Fund's use of the proceeds
of the agreement may be restricted pending a determination by the other party,
or its trustee or receiver, whether to enforce the Fund's obligation to
repurchase the securities.
Reverse repurchase agreements and dollar rolls are speculative techniques
involving leverage, and are considered borrowings by the Fund.
LENDING OF PORTFOLIO SECURITIES. 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 certain notice provisions described in the Statement of
Additional Information), and are at all times secured by cash or money market
instruments, which are maintained in a segregated account pursuant to applicable
regulations and that are equal to at least the market value, determined daily,
of the loaned securities. As with any extensions of credit, there are risks of
delay in recovery and in some
13
<PAGE>
cases even loss of rights in the collateral should the borrower of the
securities fail financially. However, loans of portfolio securities will only be
made to firms deemed by the Investment Manager to be creditworthy and when the
income which can be earned from such loans justifies the attendant risks.
For additional risk disclosure, please refer to the discussion of specific
investments under the "Investment Objective and Policies" section of the
Prospectus and the "Investment Practices and Policies" section of the Statement
of Additional Information.
PORTFOLIO MANAGEMENT
The Fund's portfolio is actively managed by its Investment Manager with a
view to achieving the Fund's investment objective. In determining which
securities to purchase for the Fund or hold in the Fund's portfolio, the
Investment Manager will rely on information from various sources, including
research, analysis and appraisals of brokers and dealers, including Dean Witter
Reynolds Inc. ("DWR"), a broker-dealer affiliate of InterCapital, the views of
Trustees of the Fund and others regarding economic developments and interest
rate trends, and the Investment Manager's own analysis of factors it deems
relevant. The Fund is managed within InterCapital's Taxable Fixed-Income Group,
which manages twenty-five funds and fund portfolios, with approximately $13.5
billion in assets at December 31, 1995. Rajesh K. Gupta, Senior Vice President
of InterCapital and a member of InterCapital's Taxable Fixed-Income Group, has
been the primary portfolio manager of the Fund since June, 1987 and has been
managing portfolios comprised of government securities at InterCapital for over
five years.
Brokerage commissions are not normally charged on the purchase or sale of
U.S. Government obligations, but such transactions may involve costs in the form
of spreads between bid and asked prices. Orders for transactions in other
portfolio securities and commodities are placed for the Fund with a number of
brokers and dealers, including DWR. 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. It is not anticipated that
the portfolio trading engaged in by the Fund will result in its portfolio
turnover rate exceeding 100%.
Except as specified, the investment policies noted above are not fundamental
policies and may be changed without shareholder approval.
INVESTMENT RESTRICTIONS
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
The investment restrictions listed below are among the restrictions that
have been adopted by the Fund as fundamental policies. 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.
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 10% of its total assets in "illiquid securities"
(securities for which market quotations are not readily available) and
repurchase agreements which have a maturity of longer than seven days. The staff
of the Securities and Exchange Commission ("SEC") has taken the position that
purchased OTC options and the assets used as "cover" for written OTC options are
illiquid securities. The Investment Manager disagrees with this position.
Nevertheless, the Fund has agreed to treat OTC options and the covering assets
thereon as illiquid securities for purposes of this investment restriction.
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
14
<PAGE>
of continuous operation. This restriction shall not apply to any obligation of
the United States Government, its agencies or instrumentalities.
5. Purchase or sell commodities or commodities contracts except that the Fund
may purchase or write interest rate futures contracts and related options
thereon.
6. Pledge its assets or assign or otherwise encumber them except to secure
permitted borrowings. (For the purpose 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.)
7. Purchase securities on margin (but the
Fund may obtain short-term loans as are necessary for the clearance of
transactions). 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.
8. Borrow money, except from banks for investment purposes or as a temporary
measure for extraordinary or emergency purposes in an amount up to 25% of the
Fund's total assets, within the limits set forth in the Act or enter into
reverse repurchase agreements in an amount exceeding 10% of the Fund's total
assets other than for purposes of meeting redemptions.
If a percentage restriction is adhered to at the time of investment, a later
increase or decrease in percentage resulting from a change in values of
portfolio securities or amount of total or net assets will not be considered a
violation of any of the foregoing restrictions.
PURCHASE OF FUND SHARES
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
The Fund offers its shares for sale to the public on a continuous basis.
Pursuant to a Distribution Agreement between the Fund and Dean Witter
Distributors Inc. (the "Distributor"), an affiliate of the Investment Manager,
shares of the Fund are distributed by the Distributor and offered by DWR and
other dealers who have entered into selected dealer agreements with the
Distributor ("Selected Broker-Dealers"). The principal executive office of the
Distributor is located at Two World Trade Center, New York, New York 10048.
The minimum initial purchase is $1,000. Subsequent purchases of $100 or more
may be made by sending a check, payable to Dean Witter Federal Securities Trust,
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, 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
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 all accounts under such Plans to at least $1,000.
Certificates for shares purchased will not be issued unless a request is made by
the shareholder in writing to the Transfer Agent. The offering price will be the
net asset value per share next determined following receipt of an order (see
"Determination of Net Asset Value" below).
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,
15
<PAGE>
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. Investors will be entitled to receive capital gains distributions if
their order is received by the close of business on the day prior to the record
date for such distributions. 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 Broker-Dealer. In addition, some sales personnel of the Selected
Broker-Dealer will receive various types of non-cash compensation as special
sales incentives, including trips, educational and/or business seminars and
merchandise. The Fund and the Distributor reserve the right to reject any
purchase orders.
PLAN OF DISTRIBUTION
The Fund has adopted a Plan of Distribution pursuant to Rule 12b-1 under the
Act (the "Plan"), under which the Fund pays the Distributor a fee, which is
accrued daily and paid monthly, at an annual rate of 0.85% of the lesser of: (a)
the average daily aggregate gross sales of the Fund's shares since the inception
of the Fund (not including reinvestments of dividends or distributions), less
the average daily aggregate net asset value of the Fund's shares redeemed since
the Fund'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. A portion of the
fee payable pursuant to the Plan, equal to 0.20% of the Fund's average daily net
assets, is characterized as a service fee within the meaning of NASD guidelines.
The service fee is a payment made for personal service and/or the maintenance of
shareholder accounts.
Amounts paid under the Plan are paid to the Distributor to compensate it for
the services provided and the expenses borne by the Distributor and others in
the distribution of the Fund's shares, including the payment of commissions for
sales of the Fund's shares and incentive compensation to and expenses of DWR
account executives and others who engage in or support distribution of shares or
who service shareholder accounts, including overhead and telephone expenses;
printing and distribution of prospectuses and reports used in connection with
the offering of the Fund's shares to other than current shareholders; and
preparation, printing and distribution of sales literature and advertising
materials. In addition, the Distributor may utilize fees paid pursuant to the
Plan to compensate DWR and other Selected Broker-Dealers for their opportunity
costs in advancing such amounts, which compensation would be in the form of a
carrying charge on any unreimbursed distribution expenses.
For the fiscal year ended October 31, 1995, the Fund accrued payments under
the Plan amounting to $7,020,532, which amount is equal to 0.85% of the Fund's
average daily net assets for the fiscal year. The payments accrued under the
Plan were calculated pursuant to clause (b) of the compensation formula under
the Plan.
At any given time, the expenses of distributing shares of the Fund may be in
excess of the total of (i) the payments made by the Fund pursuant to the Plan,
and (ii) the proceeds of contingent deferred sales charges paid by investors
upon the redemption of shares (see "Redemptions and Repurchases--Contingent
Deferred Sales Charge"). For example, if $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 such excess amount, including the carrying
charge described above, totalled $30,515,587 at October 31, 1995, which was
equal to 3.68% of the Fund's net assets on such date. Because there is no
requirement under the Plan that the Distributor be reimbursed for all
distribution expenses or any requirement that the
16
<PAGE>
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 Trustees will
consider at that time the manner in which to treat such expenses. Any cumulative
expenses incurred, but not yet recovered through distribution fees or contingent
deferred sales charges, may or may not be recovered through future distribution
fees or contingent deferred sales charges.
DETERMINATION OF NET ASSET VALUE
The net asset value per share of the Fund is determined once daily at 4:00
p.m., New York time (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 by taking the value of all assets of the Fund, subtracting all
its liabilities, dividing by the number of shares outstanding and adjusting to
the nearest cent. The net asset value per share will not be determined on Good
Friday and on such other federal and non-federal holidays as are observed by the
New York Stock Exchange.
In the calculation of the Fund's net asset value: (1) all portfolio
securities for which over-the-counter market quotations are readily available
are valued at the latest bid price prior to the time of valuation, and (2) when
market quotations are not readily available, including circumstances under which
it is determined by the Investment Manager that sale or bid prices are not
reflective of a security's market value, portfolio securities are valued at
their fair value as determined in good faith under procedures established by and
under the general supervision of the Fund's Trustees (valuation of securities
for which market quotations are not readily available may also be based upon
current market prices of securities which are comparable in coupon, rating and
maturity or an appropriate matrix utilizing similar factors).
Short-term debt securities with remaining maturities of sixty days or less
at the time of purchase are valued at amortized cost, unless the Trustees
determine such does not reflect the securities' market value, in which case
these securities will be valued at their fair value as determined by the
Trustees. The value of other assets will be determined in good faith under
procedures established by and under the supervision of the Trustees.
Certain of the Fund's portfolio securities may
be valued by an outside pricing service approved
by the Fund's Trustees. The pricing service utilizes
a matrix system incorporating security quality, maturity and coupon as the
evaluation model parameters, and/or research evaluations by its staff, including
review of broker-dealer market price quotations, in determining what it believes
is the fair valuation of the portfolio securities valued by such pricing
service.
SHAREHOLDER SERVICES
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
AUTOMATIC INVESTMENT OF DIVIDENDS AND DISTRIBUTIONS. All income dividends
and capital gains distributions are automatically paid in full and fractional
shares of the Fund (or, if specified by the shareholder, any other open-end
investment company for which InterCapital serves as investment manager
(collectively, with the Fund, the "Dean Witter Funds")), unless the shareholder
requests that they be paid in cash. Shares so acquired are not subject to the
imposition of a contingent deferred sales charge upon their redemption (see
"Redemptions and Repurchases"). 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) on the monthly payment date, which will be no later
than the last business day of the month for which the dividend or distribution
is payable. Processing of dividend checks begins immediately following the
monthly payment date. Shareholders who have requested to receive dividends in
cash will normally
17
<PAGE>
receive their monthly dividend check during the first ten days of the following
month.
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 through the
Distributor for use by corporations, the self-employed, 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 Fund.
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 Short-Term Bond Fund, Dean
Witter Balanced Growth Fund, Dean Witter Balanced Income Fund, Dean Witter
Intermediate Term U.S. Treasury Trust and five Dean Witter Funds which are money
market funds (the foregoing eleven non-CDSC funds are hereinafter referred to as
the "Exchange Funds"). Exchanges may be made after the shares of the Fund
acquired by purchase (not by exchange or dividend reinvestment) have been held
for thirty days. There is no waiting period for exchanges of shares acquired by
exchange or dividend reinvestment.
An exchange to another CDSC fund or any Exchange Fund that is not a money
market fund is on the basis of the next calculated net asset value per share of
each fund after the exchange order is received. When exchanging into a money
market fund from the Fund, shares of the Fund are redeemed out of the Fund at
their next calculated net asset value and the proceeds of the redemption are
used to purchase shares of the money market fund at their net asset value
determined the following business day. Subsequent exchanges between any of the
money market funds and any of the CDSC funds can be effected on the same basis.
No
18
<PAGE>
contingent deferred sales charge ("CDSC") is imposed at the time of any
exchange, although any applicable CDSC will be imposed upon ultimate redemption.
Shares of the Fund acquired in exchange for shares of another CDSC fund having a
different CDSC schedule than that of this Fund will be subject to the CDSC
schedule of this Fund, even if such shares are subsequently re-exchanged for
shares of the CDSC fund originally purchased. During the period of time the
shareholder remains in the Exchange Fund (calculated from the last day of the
month in which the Exchange Fund shares were acquired), the holding period (for
the purpose of determining the rate of the CDSC) is frozen. If those shares are
subsequently reexchanged for shares of a CDSC fund, the holding period
previously frozen when the first exchange was made resumes on the last day of
the month in which shares of a CDSC fund are reacquired. Thus, the CDSC is based
upon the time (calculated as described above) the shareholder was invested in a
CDSC fund (see "Redemptions and Repurchases--Contingent Deferred Sales Charge").
However, in the case of shares exchanged into an Exchange Fund on or after April
23, 1990, upon a redemption of shares which results in a CDSC being imposed, a
credit (not to exceed the amount of the CDSC) will be given in an amount equal
to the Exchange Fund 12b-1 distribution fees incurred on or after that date
which are attributable to those shares. (Exchange Fund 12b-1 distribution fees
are described in the prospectuses for those funds.)
In addition, shares of the Fund may be acquired in exchange for shares of
Dean Witter Funds sold with a front-end sales charge ("front-end sales charge
funds"), but shares of the Fund, however acquired, may not be exchanged for
shares of front-end sales charge funds. Shares of a CDSC fund acquired in
exchange for shares of a front-end sales charge fund (or in exchange for shares
of other Dean Witter Funds for which shares of a front-end sales charge fund
have been exchanged) are not subject to any CDSC upon their redemption.
Purchases and exchanges should be made for investment purposes only. A
pattern of frequent exchanges may be deemed by the Investment Manager to be
abusive and contrary to the best interests of the Fund's other shareholders and,
at the Investment Manager's discretion, may be limited by the Fund's refusal to
accept additional purchases and/ or exchanges from the investor. Although the
Fund does not have any specific definition of what constitutes a pattern of
frequent exchanges, and will consider all relevant factors in determining
whether a particular situation is abusive and contrary to the best interests of
the Fund and its other shareholders, investors should be aware that the Fund and
each of the other Dean Witter Funds may in their discretion limit or otherwise
restrict the number of times this Exchange Privilege may be exercised by any
investor. Any such restriction will be made by the Fund on a prospective basis
only, upon notice to the shareholder not later than ten days following such
shareholder's most recent exchange. 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 have been exchanged, upon such notice as may
be required by applicable regulatory agencies. Shareholders maintaining margin
accounts with DWR or another Selected Broker-Dealer are referred to their
account executive regarding restrictions on exchange of shares of the Fund
pledged in the margin account.
The current prospectus for each fund describes its investment objective(s)
and policies, and shareholders should obtain a copy and examine it carefully
before investing. Exchanges are subject to the minimum investment requirement
and any other conditions imposed by each fund. 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.
19
<PAGE>
If DWR or another 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 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 in writing or
by contacting the Transfer Agent at (800) 869-NEWS (toll-free).
The Fund will employ reasonable procedures to confirm that exchange
instructions communicated over the telephone are genuine. Such procedures may
include requiring various forms of personal identification such as name, mailing
address, social security or other tax identification number and DWR or other
Selected Broker-Dealer account number (if any). Telephone instructions may also
be recorded. If such procedures are not employed, the Fund may be liable for any
losses due to unauthorized or fraudulent instructions.
Telephone exchange instructions will be accepted if received by the Transfer
Agent between 9:00 a.m. and 4:00 p.m., New York time, on any day the New York
Stock Exchange is open. Any shareholder wishing to make an exchange who has
previously filed an Exchange Privilege Authorization Form and who is unable to
reach the Fund by telephone should contact his or her DWR or other Selected
Broker-Dealer account executive, if appropriate, or make a written exchange
request. 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 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(s), the shares may be redeemed by surrendering the certificate(s)
with a written request for redemption, along with any additional information
required by the Transfer Agent.
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
20
<PAGE>
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 ON A PERCENTAGE OF
PAYMENT MADE AMOUNT REDEEMED
- ----------------------------------- ------------------------
<S> <C>
First.............................. 5.0%
Second............................. 4.0%
Third.............................. 3.0%
Fourth............................. 2.0%
Fifth.............................. 2.0%
Sixth.............................. 1.0%
Seventh and thereafter............. None
</TABLE>
A CDSC will not be imposed on: (i) any amount which represents an increase
in value of shares purchased within the six years preceding the redemption; (ii)
the current net asset value of shares purchased more than six years prior to the
redemption; and (iii) the current net asset value of shares purchased through
reinvestment of dividends or distributions and/or shares acquired in exchange
for shares of Dean Witter Funds sold with a front-end sales charge or of other
Dean Witter Funds acquired in exchange for such shares. Moreover, in determining
whether a CDSC is applicable it will be assumed that amounts described in (i),
(ii), and (iii) above (in that order) are redeemed first.
In addition, 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); (B) 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 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 share certificate which is delivered to any
of their offices. Shares held in a shareholder's account without a share
certificate may also be repurchased by DWR and other Selected Broker-Dealers
upon the telephonic request of the shareholder. The repurchase price is the net
asset value next computed (see "Purchase of Fund Shares") after such repurchase
order is received by DWR or other Selected Broker-Dealer, reduced by any
applicable CDSC.
21
<PAGE>
The CDSC, if any, will be the only fee imposed upon repurchase by the Fund,
the Distributor, DWR and other Selected Broker-Dealers. The offer 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 the proceeds, is received by the Transfer
Agent and receive a pro-rata credit for any CDSC paid in connection with such
redemption or repurchase.
INVOLUNTARY REDEMPTION. The Fund reserves the right, 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 due to redemptions
by the shareholder have a value of less than $100 or such lesser amount as may
be fixed by the Trustees or, in the case of an account opened through
EasyInvest, if after twelve months the shareholder has invested less than $1,000
in the account. However, before the Fund redeems such shares and sends the
proceeds to the shareholder, it will notify the shareholder that the value of
the shares is less than the applicable amount and allow him or her sixty days to
make an additional investment in an amount which will increase the value of his
of her 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 declares dividends from net
investment income on each day the New York Stock Exchange is open for business
to shareholders of record as of the close of business the preceding business
day. Such dividends are paid monthly. The Fund intends to distribute all of the
Fund's net investment income on an annual basis.
The Fund may pay quarterly dividends of realized net short-term capital
gains, if any. Such dividends may include a portion of the premiums
received by the Fund from expired call and put options written by the Fund on
U.S. Government securities, and of the net gains realized on closing purchase
transactions with respect to such options. The Fund may elect to retain a
portion of any net short-term capital gains for reinvestment. Net realized
long-term capital gains, if any, will be distributed at least once per year,
although the Investment Manager reserves the right to retain a portion of such
gains for reinvestment.
As of October 31, 1995, the Fund had a net capital loss carryover of
approximately $84,656,000. To the extent of such carryover, the Fund could
retain gains realized in future years without either the Fund or its
shareholders being required to pay a tax on
22
<PAGE>
such gains. However, the Fund may distribute to shareholders realized gains.
Such distributions could, notwithstanding the loss carryover, be taxable to
shareholders to the extent of the Fund's realized gains. Also, the Fund may at
times make payments from sources other than income or net capital gains.
Payments from such sources would, in effect, represent a return of a portion of
each shareholder's investment. All, or a portion, of such payments would not be
taxable to shareholders.
All dividends and capital gains distributions will be paid in additional
Fund shares (without sales charge) and automatically credited to the
shareholder's account without issuance of a share certificate unless the
shareholder requests in writing that all dividends be paid in cash. (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 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 on such income and capital gains.
Gains or losses on the Fund's transactions in listed options on securities,
futures and options on futures may be treated as 60% long-term and 40%
short-term. When the Fund engages in options and futures transactions, various
tax regulations applicable to the Fund may have the effect of causing the Fund
to recognize a gain or loss for tax purposes before that gain or loss is
realized, or to defer recognition of a realized loss for tax purposes.
Recognition, for tax purposes, of an unrealized loss may result in a lesser
amount of the Fund's realized net short-term gains being available for quarterly
distribution.
As a regulated investment company, the Fund is subject to the requirement
that less than 30% of its gross income be derived from the sale or other
disposition of securities held for less than three months. Accordingly, the Fund
may be restricted in the writing of options on securities held for less than
three months, in the writing of options which expire in less than three months,
and in effecting closing transactions with respect to call or put options which
have been written or purchased less than three months prior to such
transactions. The Fund may also be restricted in its ability to engage in
transactions involving futures contracts.
Shareholders who are required to pay taxes on their income will normally
have to pay federal income taxes, and any applicable state 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 and 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.
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 corporate dividends received deduction.
After the end of the calendar year, shareholders will be sent 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, distributions and the proceeds of redemptions and repurchases,
shareholders' taxpayer identification numbers must be furnished and certified as
to their accuracy.
The foregoing discussion relates solely to the federal income tax
consequences of an investment in the Fund. Distributions may also be subject to
state and local taxes; therefore, each shareholder is advised to consult his or
her own tax adviser.
23
<PAGE>
PERFORMANCE INFORMATION
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
From time to time the Fund may quote its "yield" and/or its "total return"
in advertisements and sales literature. Both the yield and the total return of
the Fund are based on historical earnings and are not intended to indicate
future performance. The yield of the Fund is computed by dividing the Fund's net
investment income over a 30-day period by an average value (using the average
number of shares entitled to receive dividends and the net asset value per share
at the end of the period), all in accordance with applicable regulatory
requirements. Such amount is compounded for six months and then annualized for a
twelve-month period to derive the Fund's yield.
The "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 and five years, as
well as over the life of the Fund. Average annual total return reflects all
income earned by the Fund, any appreciation or depreciation of the Fund's
assets, all expenses incurred by the Fund and all sales charges incurred by
shareholders, for the stated periods. It also assumes reinvestment of all
dividends and distributions paid by the Fund.
In addition to the foregoing, the Fund may advertise its total return over
different periods of time by means of aggregate, average, year-by-year or other
types of total return figures. Such calculations may or may not reflect the
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 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 Lipper Analytical Services, Inc. and Salomon Brothers Treasury Index,
Shearson Lehman Government Bond Index, Merrill Lynch Mortgage Master Index and
Donahue's Money Market Index).
ADDITIONAL INFORMATION
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
VOTING RIGHTS. All shares of beneficial interest of the Fund are of $0.01
par value and are equal as to earnings, assets and voting privileges.
The Fund is not required to hold Annual Meetings of Shareholders and in
ordinary circumstances the Fund does not intend to hold such meetings. The
Trustees may call Special Meetings of Shareholders for action by shareholder
vote as may be required by the Act or the Declaration of Trust. Under certain
circumstances the Trustees may be removed by action of the Trustees or by the
shareholders.
Under Massachusetts law, shareholders of a business trust may, under certain
circumstances, be held personally liable as partners for the obligations of the
Fund. However, the Declaration of Trust contains an express disclaimer of
shareholder liability for acts or obligations of the Fund, requires that Fund
obligations include such disclaimer, and provides for indemnification and
reimbursement of expenses out of the Fund's property for any shareholder held
personally liable for the obligations of the Fund. Thus, the risk of a
shareholder incurring financial loss on account of shareholder liability is
limited to circumstances in which the Fund itself would be unable to meet its
obligations. Given the above limitations on shareholder personal liability, and
the nature of the Fund's assets and operations, the possibility of the Fund
being unable to meet its obligations is remote and, in the opinion of
Massachusetts counsel to the Fund, the risk to Fund shareholders of personal
liability is remote.
CODE OF ETHICS. Directors, officers and employees of InterCapital, Dean
Witter Services Company Inc. and the Distributor are subject to a strict Code of
Ethics adopted by those companies. The Code of Ethics is intended to ensure that
the
24
<PAGE>
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 sixty days of a
sale or a sale within sixty days of a purchase) of a security. In addition,
investment personnel may not purchase or sell a security for their personal
account within thirty days before or after any transaction in any Dean Witter
Fund managed by them. Any violations of the Code of Ethics are subject to
sanctions, including reprimand, demotion or suspension or termination of
employment. The Code of Ethics comports with regulatory requirements and the
recommendations in the 1994 report by the Investment Company Institute Advisory
Group on Personal Investing.
SHAREHOLDER INQUIRES. 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.
25
<PAGE>
THE DEAN WITTER FAMILY OF FUNDS
<TABLE>
<S> <C>
MONEY MARKET FUNDS FIXED-INCOME FUNDS
Dean Witter Liquid Asset Fund Inc. Dean Witter High Yield Securities Inc.
Dean Witter Tax-Free Daily Income Trust Dean Witter Tax-Exempt Securities Trust
Dean Witter New York Municipal Money Market Trust Dean Witter U.S. Government Securities Trust
Dean Witter California Tax-Free Daily Income Trust Dean Witter California Tax-Free Income Fund
Dean Witter U.S. Government Money Market Trust Dean Witter New York Tax-Free Income Fund
EQUITY FUNDS Dean Witter Convertible Securities Trust
Dean Witter American Value Fund Dean Witter Federal Securities Trust
Dean Witter Natural Resource Development Dean Witter World Wide Income Trust
Securities Inc. Dean Witter Intermediate Income Securities
Dean Witter Dividend Growth Securities Inc. Dean Witter Global Short-Term Income Fund Inc.
Dean Witter Developing Growth Securities Trust Dean Witter Multi-State Municipal Series Trust
Dean Witter World Wide Investment Trust Dean Witter Premier Income Trust
Dean Witter Value-Added Market Series Dean Witter Short-Term U.S. Treasury Trust
Dean Witter Utilities Fund Dean Witter Diversified Income Trust
Dean Witter Precious Metals and Minerals Trust Dean Witter Limited Term Municipal Trust
Dean Witter Capital Growth Securities Dean Witter Short-Term Bond Fund
Dean Witter European Growth Fund Inc. Dean Witter High Income Securities
Dean Witter Pacific Growth Fund Inc. Dean Witter National Municipal Trust
Dean Witter Health Sciences Trust Dean Witter Balanced Income Fund
Dean Witter Global Dividend Growth Securities Dean Witter Hawaii Municipal Trust
Dean Witter Global Utilities Fund Dean Witter Intermediate Term U.S. Treasury
Dean Witter International SmallCap Fund Trust
Dean Witter Mid-Cap Growth Fund DEAN WITTER RETIREMENT SERIES
Dean Witter Balanced Growth Fund Liquid Asset Series
Dean Witter Capital Appreciation Fund U.S. Government Money Market Series
Dean Witter Information Fund U.S. Government Securities Series
ASSET ALLOCATION FUNDS Intermediate Income Securities Series
Dean Witter Strategist Fund American Value Series
Dean Witter Global Asset Allocation Fund Capital Growth Series
ACTIVE ASSETS ACCOUNT PROGRAM Dividend Growth Series
Active Assets Money Trust Strategist Series
Active Assets Tax-Free Trust Utilities Series
Active Assets Government Securities Trust Value-Added Market Series
Active Assets California Tax-Free Trust Global Equity Series
</TABLE>
<PAGE>
Dean Witter
Federal Securities Trust
Two World Trade Center
Dean Witter
New York, New York 10048
TRUSTEES Federal
Michael Bozic Securities Trust
Charles A. Fiumefreddo
Edwin J. Garn
John R. Haire
Dr. Manuel H. Johnson
Paul Kolton
Michael E. Nugent
Philip J. Purcell
John L. Schroeder
OFFICERS
Charles A. Fiumefreddo
Chairman and Chief Executive
Officer
Sheldon Curtis
Vice President, Secretary and
General Counsel
Rajesh K. Gupta
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.
02/01/96
PROSPECTUS -- FEBRUARY 1, 1996
<PAGE>
<TABLE>
<S> <C>
STATEMENT OF ADDITIONAL INFORMATION DEAN WITTER
FEBRUARY 1, 1996 FEDERAL SECURITIES
TRUST
</TABLE>
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Dean Witter Federal Securities Trust (the "Fund") is an open-end diversified
management investment company whose investment objective is to earn a high level
of current income. The Fund will seek to achieve its investment objective by
investing primarily in debt securities issued by the U.S. Government, its
agencies or instrumentalities and by writing covered call and put options
against such securities. The Fund may also purchase options on such securities
to effect closing transactions. In addition, to hedge the Fund's portfolio of
securities against changes in prevailing interest rates, the Fund may purchase
put options on U.S. Government securities and engage in transactions involving
interest rate futures contracts and options on such contracts. Shares of the
Fund are not issued, insured or guaranteed by the U.S. Government, its agencies
or instrumentalities.
A Prospectus for the Fund dated February 1, 1996, which provides the basic
information you should know before investing in the Fund, may be obtained
without charge from the Fund at its address or telephone numbers listed below or
from the Fund's Distributor, Dean Witter Distributors Inc., or from Dean Witter
Reynolds Inc. at any of its branch offices. This Statement of Additional
Information is not a Prospectus. It contains information in addition to and more
detailed than that set forth in the Prospectus. It is intended to provide you
additional information regarding the activities and operations of the Fund, and
should be read in conjunction with the Prospectus.
Dean Witter
Federal Securities Trust
Two World Trade Center
New York, New York 10048
(212) 392-2550 or
(800) 869-NEWS
<PAGE>
TABLE OF CONTENTS
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
<TABLE>
<S> <C>
The Fund and its Management............................................................ 3
Trustees and Officers.................................................................. 6
Investment Practices and Policies...................................................... 12
Investment Restrictions................................................................ 23
Portfolio Transactions and Brokerage................................................... 24
The Distributor........................................................................ 26
Shareholder Services................................................................... 29
Redemptions and Repurchases............................................................ 33
Dividends, Distributions and Taxes..................................................... 36
Performance Information................................................................ 38
Description of Shares of the Fund...................................................... 39
Custodian and Transfer Agent........................................................... 40
Independent Accountants................................................................ 40
Reports to Shareholders................................................................ 40
Legal Counsel.......................................................................... 40
Experts................................................................................ 40
Registration Statement................................................................. 41
Report of Independent Accountants...................................................... 42
Financial Statements -- October 31, 1995............................................... 43
Appendix -- Ratings of Corporate Debt Instruments...................................... 54
</TABLE>
2
<PAGE>
THE FUND AND ITS MANAGEMENT
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
THE FUND
The Fund is a Trust of the type commonly known as a "Massachusetts business
trust" and was organized under the laws of the Commonwealth of Massachusetts on
November 20, 1986. The Fund's name was changed from Dean Witter Government
Securities Plus to Dean Witter Federal Securities Trust by the Trustees of the
Fund on August 17, 1992.
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 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 by the Fund's Board of Trustees. In
addition, Trustees of the Fund provide guidance on economic factors and interest
rate trends. Information as to these Trustees and officers is contained under
the caption "Trustees and Officers."
InterCapital is also the investment manager or investment adviser of the
following investment companies: Dean Witter Liquid Asset Fund Inc., InterCapital
Income Securities Inc., Dean Witter High Yield Securities Inc., Dean Witter
Tax-Free Daily Income Trust, Dean Witter Developing Growth Securities Trust,
Dean Witter Tax-Exempt Securities Trust, Dean Witter Natural Resource
Development Securities, Inc., Dean Witter Dividend Growth Securities Inc., Dean
Witter American Value Fund, Dean Witter U.S. Government Money Market Trust, Dean
Witter Variable Investment Series, Dean Witter World Wide Investment Trust, Dean
Witter Select Municipal Reinvestment Fund, Dean Witter U.S. Government
Securities Trust, Dean Witter California Tax-Free Income Fund, Dean Witter New
York Tax-Free Income Fund, Dean Witter Convertible Securities Trust, Dean Witter
Intermediate Income Securities, Dean Witter Value-Added Market Series, High
Income Advantage Trust, High Income Advantage Trust II, High Income Advantage
Trust III, Dean Witter Government Income Trust, Dean Witter Utilities Fund, Dean
Witter California Tax-Free Daily Income Trust, Dean Witter Strategist Fund, Dean
Witter World Wide Income Trust, Dean Witter New York Municipal Money Market
Trust, Dean Witter Capital Growth Securities, Dean Witter European Growth Fund
Inc., Dean Witter Precious Metals and Minerals Trust, Dean Witter Global
Short-Term Income Fund Inc., Dean Witter Pacific Growth Fund Inc., Dean Witter
Multi-State Municipal Series Trust, Dean Witter Premier Income Trust, Dean
Witter Short-Term U.S. Treasury Trust, InterCapital Insured Municipal Bond
Trust, InterCapital Insured Municipal Trust, InterCapital Insured Municipal
Income Trust, InterCapital California Insured Municipal Income Trust,
InterCapital Insured Municipal Securities, InterCapital Insured California
Municipal Securities, InterCapital Quality Municipal Investment Trust,
InterCapital Quality Municipal Income Trust, InterCapital Quality Municipal
Securities, InterCapital California Quality Municipal Securities, InterCapital
New York Quality Municipal Securities, Dean Witter Diversified Income Trust,
Dean Witter Health Sciences Trust, Dean Witter Retirement Series, Dean Witter
Global Dividend Growth Securities, Dean Witter Limited Term Municipal Trust,
Dean Witter Short-Term Bond Fund, 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 Investment Series, Dean Witter Balanced Growth Fund, Dean Witter
Balanced Income Fund, Dean Witter Hawaii Municipal Trust, Dean Witter Capital
Appreciation Fund, Dean Witter Information Fund, Dean Witter Intermediate Term
U.S. Treasury Trust, 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
3
<PAGE>
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 Company Inc. ("DWSC"), a wholly-owned
subsidiary of InterCapital, serves as manager for the following companies for
which TCW Funds Management, Inc. is the investment adviser: TCW/DW Core Equity
Trust, TCW/DW North American Government Income Trust, TCW/DW Latin American
Growth Fund, TCW/DW Income and Growth Fund, TCW/DW Small Cap Growth Fund, TCW/DW
Balanced Fund, TCW/DW Total Return Trust, TCW/DW Mid-Cap Equity Trust, TCW/DW
Emerging Markets Opportunities Trust, TCW/DW Term Trust 2000, TCW/DW Term Trust
2002 and TCW/DW Term Trust 2003 (the "TCW/DW Funds"). InterCapital also serves
as: (i) sub-adviser to Templeton Global Opportunities Trust, an open-end
investment company; (ii) administrator of The BlackRock Strategic Term Trust
Inc., a closed-end investment company; and (iii) sub-administrator of MassMutual
Participation Investors and Templeton Global Governments Income Trust,
closed-end investment companies.
Pursuant to an Investment Management Agreement (the "Agreement") with the
Investment Manager, the Fund has retained the Investment Manager to manage the
investment of the Fund's assets, including the placing of orders for the
purchase and sale of portfolio securities. The Investment Manager obtains and
evaluates such information and advice relating to the economy, securities
markets, and specific securities as it considers necessary or useful to
continuously manage the assets of the Fund in a manner consistent with its
investment objective and policies.
Under the terms of the Agreement, in addition to managing the Fund's
investments, the Investment Manager maintains certain of the Fund's books and
records and furnishes, at its own expense, such office space, facilities,
equipment, clerical help, bookkeeping and legal services as the Fund may
reasonably require in the conduct of its business, including the preparation of
prospectuses, statements of additional information, proxy statements and reports
required to be filed with federal and state securities commissions (except
insofar as the participation or assistance of independent accountants and
attorneys is, in the opinion of the Investment Manager, necessary or desirable).
In addition, the Investment Manager pays the salaries of all personnel,
including officers of the Fund, who are employees of the Investment Manager. The
Investment Manager also bears the cost of telephone service, heat, light, power
and other utilities provided to the Fund.
Effective December 31, 1993, pursuant to a Services Agreement between
InterCapital and DWSC, DWSC began to provide the administrative services to the
Fund which were previously performed directly by InterCapital. On April 17,
1995, DWSC was reorganized in the State of Delaware, necessitating the entry
into a new Services Agreement by InterCapital and DWSC on that date. The
foregoing internal reorganizations did not result in any change in the nature or
scope of the administrative services being provided to the Fund or any of the
fees being paid by the Fund for the overall services being performed under the
terms of the existing Agreement.
Expenses not expressly assumed by the Investment Manager under the Agreement
or by the Distributor of the Fund's shares, Dean Witter Distributors Inc.
("Distributors" or the "Distributor") (see "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 of share certificates; registration costs of the Fund and its shares
under federal and state securities laws; the cost and expense of printing,
including typesetting, and distributing Prospectuses and Statements of
Additional Information of the Fund and supplements thereto to the Fund's
shareholders; all expenses of shareholders' and Trustees' meetings and of
preparing, printing and mailing of proxy statements and reports to shareholders;
fees and travel expenses of Trustees or members of any advisory board or
committee who are not employees of the Investment Manager or any corporate
affiliate of the Investment Manager; all expenses incident to any dividend,
withdrawal or redemption options; charges and expenses of any outside service
used for
4
<PAGE>
pricing of the Fund's shares; fees and expenses of legal counsel, including
counsel to the Trustees who are not interested persons of the Fund or of the
Investment Manager (not including compensation or expenses of attorneys who are
employees of the Investment Manager) and independent accountants; membership
dues of industry associations; interest on Fund borrowings; postage; insurance
premiums on property or personnel (including officers and Trustees) of the Fund
which inure to its benefit; extraordinary expenses (including, but not limited
to, legal claims and liabilities and litigation costs and any indemnification
relating thereto); and all other costs of the Fund's operation.
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 Fund's daily net assets: 0.55% of the portion of
the daily net assets of the Fund not exceeding $1 billion; 0.525% of the portion
of the Fund's daily net assets exceeding $1 billion but not exceeding $1.5
billion; 0.50% of the portion of the Fund's daily net assets exceeding $1.5
billion but not exceeding $2 billion; 0.475% of the portion of the Fund's daily
net assets exceeding $2 billion but not exceeding $2.5 billion; 0.45% of the
portion of the Fund's daily net assets exceeding $2.5 billion but not exceeding
$5 billion; 0.425% of the portion of the Fund's daily net assets exceeding $5
billion but not exceeding $7.5 billion; 0.40% of the portion of the Fund's daily
net assets exceeding $7.5 billion but not exceeding $10 billion; 0.375% of the
portion of the Fund's daily net assets exceeding $10 billion but not exceeding
$12.5 billion; and 0.35% of the portion of the Fund's daily net assets exceeding
$12.5 billion. Total compensation accrued to the Investment Manager for the
fiscal years ended October 31, 1993, 1994 and 1995 amounted to $6,311,824,
$5,387,156 and $4,542,697, 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 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. The Fund did not exceed the
expense limitation during its fiscal years ended October 31, 1993, 1994 and
1995.
The Agreement provides that in the absence of willful misfeasance, bad
faith, gross negligence or reckless disregard of its obligations thereunder, the
Investment Manager is not liable to the Fund or any of its investors for any act
or omission by the Investment Manager or for any losses sustained by the Fund or
its investors. The Agreement in no way restricts the Investment Manager from
acting as investment manager or adviser to others.
The Agreement was initially approved by the Trustees on October 30, 1992 and
by the shareholders of the Fund at a Special Meeting of Shareholders on January
12, 1993. The Agreement is substantially identical to a prior investment
agreement which was initially approved by the Trustees on December 15, 1986, by
DWR as the then sole shareholder on January 13, 1987 and by the shareholders at
a Meeting of Shareholders on May 31, 1988, as such prior agreement had been
amended by the Independent Trustees at their meeting held on April 28, 1988 to
lower the management fee payable to the Investment Manager to the current fee
payable. The Agreement took effect on June 30, 1993 upon the spin-off by Sears,
Roebuck and Co. of its remaining shares of DWDC. The Agreement may be terminated
at any time, without penalty, on thirty days' notice by the Board of Trustees of
the Fund, by the holders of a majority, as defined in the Investment Company Act
of 1940 (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 will remain in effect from year to year thereafter, provided continuance of
the Agreement is approved at least annually by the vote of the holders of a
majority (as defined in the Act) of the outstanding shares of the Fund, or by
the
5
<PAGE>
Trustees of the Fund; provided that in either event such continuance is approved
annually by the vote of a majority of the Trustees of the Fund who are not
parties to the Agreement or "interested persons" (as defined in the Act) of any
such party (the "Independent Trustees"), which vote must be cast in person at a
meeting called for the purpose of voting on such approval. At their meeting held
on April 20, 1995, the Fund's Board of Trustees, including all of the
Independent Trustees, approved continuation of the Agreement until April 30,
1996.
The Fund has acknowledged that the name "Dean Witter" is a property right of
DWR. The Fund has agreed that DWR or its parent company may use or, at any time,
permit others to use, the name "Dean Witter". The Fund has also agreed that in
the event the Agreement is terminated, or if the affiliation between
InterCapital and its parent company is terminated, the Fund will eliminate the
name "Dean Witter" from its name if DWR or its parent company shall so request.
TRUSTEES AND OFFICERS
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
The Trustees and Executive Officers of the Fund, their principal business
occupations during the last five years and their affiliations, if any, with
InterCapital and with the 79 Dean WItter Funds and the 12 TCW/DW Funds are shown
below.
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
NAME, AGE, POSITION WITH FUND AND ADDRESS PRINCIPAL OCCUPATIONS DURING LAST FIVE YEARS
- ------------------------------------------------------ ----------------------------------------------------------
<S> <C>
Michael Bozic (55) Chairman and Chief Executive Officer of Levitz Furniture
Trustee Corporation (since November, 1995); Director or Trustee of
c/o Levitz Furniture Corporation the Dean Witter Funds; formerly President and Chief
6111 Broken Sound Parkway, N.W. Executive Officer of Hills Department Stores (May,
Boca Raton, Florida 1991-July, 1995); formerly Chairman and Chief Executive
Officer (January, 1987-August, 1990) and President and
Chief Operating Officer (August, 1990-February, 1991) of
the Sears Merchandise Group of Sears, Roebuck and Co.;
Director of Eaglemark Financial Services, Inc., the United
Negro College Fund, Weirton Steel Corporation and Domain
Inc. (home decor retailer).
Charles A. Fiumefreddo* (62) Chairman, Chief Executive Officer and Director of
Chairman of the Board, President, InterCapital, DWSC and Distributors; Executive Vice
Chief Executive Officer and Trustee President and Director of DWR; Chairman, Director or
Two World Trade Center Trustee, President and Chief Executive Officer of the Dean
New York, New York Witter Funds; Chairman, Chief Executive Officer and
Trustee of the TCW/DW Funds; Chairman and Director of Dean
Witter Trust Company ("DWTC"); Director and/or officer of
various DWDC subsidiaries; formerly Executive Vice
President and Director of DWDC (until February, 1993).
Edwin J. Garn (63) Director or Trustee of the Dean Witter Funds; formerly
Trustee United States Senator (R-Utah) (1974-1992) and Chairman,
c/o Huntsman Chemical Corporation Senate Banking Committee (1980-1986); formerly Mayor of
500 Huntsman Way Salt Lake City, Utah (1971-1974); formerly Astronaut,
Salt Lake City, Utah Space Shuttle Discovery (April 12-19, 1985); Vice
Chairman, Huntsman Chemical Corporation (since January,
1993); Director of Franklin Quest (time management
systems) and John Alden Financial Corp.; member of the
board of various civic and charitable organizations.
</TABLE>
6
<PAGE>
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
NAME, AGE, POSITION WITH FUND AND ADDRESS PRINCIPAL OCCUPATIONS DURING LAST FIVE YEARS
- ------------------------------------------------------ ----------------------------------------------------------
<S> <C>
John R. Haire (70) Chairman of the Audit Committee and Chairman of the
Trustee Committee of the Independent Directors or Trustees and
Two World Trade Center Director or Trustee of the Dean Witter Funds; Trustee of
New York, New York the TCW/DW Funds; formerly President, Council for Aid to
Education (1978-October, 1989) and Chairman and Chief
Executive Officer of Anchor Corporation, an Investment
Adviser (1964-1978); Director of Washington National
Corporation (insurance).
Dr. Manuel H. Johnson (46) Senior Partner, Johnson Smick International, Inc., a
Trustee consulting firm; Koch Professor of International Eco-
c/o Johnson Smick International, Inc. nomics and Director of the Center for Global Market
1133 Connecticut Avenue, N.W. Studies at George Mason University (since September,
Washington, DC 1990); Co-Chairman and a founder of the Group of Seven
Council (G7C), an international economic commission (since
September, 1990); Director or Trustee of the Dean Witter
Funds; Trustee of the TCW/DW Funds; Director of NASDAQ
(since June, 1995); Director of Greenwich Capital Markets,
Inc. (broker-dealer); formerly Vice Chairman of the Board
of Governors of the Federal Reserve System (February,
1986-August, 1990) and Assistant Secretary of the U.S.
Treasury (1982-1986).
Paul Kolton (72) Director or Trustee of the Dean Witter Funds; Chairman of
Trustee the Audit Committee and Chairman of the Committee of the
c/o Gordon Altman Butowsky Weitzen Independent Trustees and Trustee of the TCW/DW Funds;
Shalov & Wein formerly Chairman of the Financial Accounting Standards
Counsel to the Independent Trustees Advisory Council and Chairman and Chief Executive Officer
114 West 47th Street of the American Stock Exchange; Director of UCC Investors
New York, New York Holding Inc. (Uniroyal Chemical Company, Inc.); director
or trustee of various not-for-profit organizations.
Michael E. Nugent (59) General Partner, Triumph Capital, L.P., a private in-
Trustee vestment partnership (since April, 1988); Director or
c/o Triumph Capital, L.P. Trustee of the Dean Witter Funds; Trustee of the TCW/DW
237 Park Avenue Funds; formerly Vice President, Bankers Trust Company and
New York, New York BT Capital Corporation (1984-1988); Director of various
business organizations.
Philip J. Purcell* (52) Chairman of the Board of Directors and Chief Executive
Trustee Officer of DWDC, DWR and Novus Credit Services Inc.;
Two World Trade Center Director of InterCapital, DWSC and Distributors; Director
New York, New York or Trustee of the Dean Witter Funds; Director and/or
officer of various DWDC subsidiaries.
</TABLE>
7
<PAGE>
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
NAME, AGE, POSITION WITH FUND AND ADDRESS PRINCIPAL OCCUPATIONS DURING LAST FIVE YEARS
- ------------------------------------------------------ ----------------------------------------------------------
<S> <C>
John L. Schroeder (65) Retired; Director or Trustee of the Dean Witter Funds;
Trustee Trustee of the TCW/DW Funds; Director of Citizens
c/o Gordon Altman Butowsky Weitzen Utilities Company; formerly Executive Vice President and
Shalov & Wein Chief Investment Officer of the Home Insurance Company
Counsel to the Independent Trustees (August, 1991-September, 1995), and Chairman and Chief
114 West 47th Street Investment Officer of Axe-Houghton Management and the
New York, New York Axe-Houghton Funds (April, 1983-June, 1991) and President
of USF&G Financial Services, Inc. (June, 1990-June, 1991).
Sheldon Curtis (64) Senior Vice President, Secretary and General Counsel of
Vice President, Secretary and General Counsel InterCapital and DWSC; Senior Vice President, Assistant
Two World Trade Center Secretary and Assistant General Counsel of Distributors;
New York, New York Senior Vice President and Secretary of DWTC; Assistant
Secretary of DWR; Vice President, Secretary and General
Counsel of the Dean Witter Funds and the TCW/DW Funds.
Rajesh K. Gupta (35) Senior Vice President of InterCapital (since May, 1991);
Vice President Vice President of various Dean Witter Funds; previously
Two World Trade Center Vice President of InterCapital.
New York, New York
Thomas F. Caloia (49) First Vice President (since May, 1991) and Assistant
Treasurer Treasurer (since January, 1993) of InterCapital; First
Two World Trade Center Vice President and Assistant Treasurer of DWSC; Treasurer
New York, New York of the Dean Witter Funds and the TCW/DW Funds; previously
Vice President of InterCapital.
</TABLE>
- ------------------------
* Denotes Trustees who are "interested persons" of the Fund, as defined in the
Act.
In addition, Robert M. Scanlan, President and Chief Operating Officer of
InterCapital and DWSC, Executive Vice President of Distributors and DWTC and
Director of DWTC, David A. Hughey, Executive Vice President and Chief
Administrative Officer of InterCapital, DWSC, Distributors and DWTC and Director
of DWTC, Edmund C. Puckhaber, Executive Vice President of InterCapital, Robert
S. Giambrone, Senior Vice President of InterCapital, DWSC, Distributors and
DWTC, and Joseph J. McAlinden, Kenton J. Hinchliffe, Jonathan R. Page and James
F. Willison, Senior Vice Presidents of InterCapital, are Vice Presidents of the
Fund, and Marilyn K. Cranney and Barry Fink, First Vice Presidents and Assistant
General Counsels of InterCapital and DWSC, Lou Anne D. McInnis and Ruth Rossi,
Vice Presidents and Assistant General Counsels of InterCapital and DWSC, and
Carsten Otto, a Staff Attorney with InterCapital, are Assistant Secretaries of
the Fund.
8
<PAGE>
THE BOARD OF TRUSTEES, THE INDEPENDENT TRUSTEES, AND THE COMMITTEES
The Board of Trustees consists of nine (9) trustees. These same individuals
also serve as directors or trustees for all of the Dean Witter Funds, and are
referred to in this section as Trustees. As of the date of this Statement of
Additional Information, there are a total of 79 Dean Witter Funds, comprised of
119 portfolios. As of December 31, 1995, the Dean Witter Funds had total net
assets of approximately $71.5 billion and more than five million shareholders.
Seven Trustees (77% of the total number) have no affiliation or business
connection with InterCapital or any of its affiliated persons and do not own any
stock or other securities issued by InterCapital's parent company, DWDC. These
are the "disinterested" or "independent" Trustees. The other two Trustees (the
"management Trustees") are affiliated with InterCapital. Five of the seven
independent Trustees are also Independent Trustees of the TCW/DW Funds.
Law and regulation establish both general guidelines and specific duties for
the Independent Trustees. The Dean Witter Funds seek as Independent Trustees
individuals of distinction and experience in business and finance, government
service or academia; these are people whose advice and counsel are in demand by
others and for whom there is often competition. To accept a position on the
Funds' Boards, such individuals may reject other attractive assignments because
the Funds make substantial demands on their time. Indeed, by serving on the
Funds' Boards, certain Trustees who would otherwise be qualified and in demand
to serve on bank boards would be prohibited by law from doing so.
All of the Independent Trustees serve as members of the Audit Committee and
the Committee of the Independent Trustees. Three of them also serve as members
of the Derivatives Committee. During the calendar year ended December 31, 1995,
the three Committees held a combined total of fifteen meetings. The Committees
hold some meetings at InterCapital's offices and some outside InterCapital.
Management Trustees or officers do not attend these meetings unless they are
invited for purposes of furnishing information or making a report.
The Committee of the Independent Trustees is charged with recommending to
the full Board approval of management, advisory and administration contracts,
Rule 12b-1 plans and distribution and underwriting agreements; continually
reviewing Fund performance; checking on the pricing of portfolio securities,
brokerage commissions, transfer agent costs and performance, and trading among
Funds in the same complex; and approving fidelity bond and related insurance
coverage and allocations, as well as other matters that arise from time to time.
The Independent Trustees are required to select and nominate individuals to fill
any Independent Trustee vacancy on the Board of any Fund that has a Rule 12b-1
plan of distribution. Most of the Dean Witter Funds have such a plan.
The Audit Committee is charged with recommending to the full Board the
engagement or discharge of the Fund's independent accountants; directing
investigations into matters within the scope of the independent accountants'
duties, including the power to retain outside specialists; reviewing with the
independent accountants the audit plan and results of the auditing engagement;
approving professional services provided by the independent accountants and
other accounting firms prior to the performance of such services; reviewing the
independence of the independent accountants; considering the range of audit and
non-audit fees; reviewing the adequacy of the Fund's system of internal
controls; and preparing and submitting Committee meeting minutes to the full
Board.
Finally, the Board of each Fund has formed a Derivatives Committee to
establish parameters for and oversee the activities of the Fund with respect to
derivative investments, if any, made by the Fund.
DUTIES OF CHAIRMAN OF COMMITTEES
The Chairman of the Committees maintains an office at the Funds'
headquarters in New York. He is responsible for keeping abreast of regulatory
and industry developments and the Funds' operations and management. He screens
and/or prepares written materials and identifies critical issues for the
Indepen-
dent Trustees to consider, develops agendas for Committee meetings, determines
the type and amount of information that the Committees will need to form a
judgment on various issues, and arranges to have that information furnished to
Committee members. He also arranges for the services of independent
9
<PAGE>
experts and consults with them in advance of meetings to help refine reports and
to focus on critical issues. Members of the Committees believe that the person
who serves as Chairman of all three Committees and guides their efforts is
pivotal to the effective functioning of the Committees.
The Chairman of the Committees also maintains continuous contact with the
Funds' management, with independent counsel to the Independent Trustees and with
the Funds' independent auditors. He arranges for a series of special meetings
involving the annual review of investment advisory, management and other
operating contracts of the Funds and, on behalf of the Committees, conducts
negotiations with the Investment Manager and other service providers. In effect,
the Chairman of the Committees serves as a combination of chief executive and
support staff of the Independent Trustees.
The Chairman of the Committees is not employed by any other organization and
devotes his time primarily to the services he performs as Committee Chairman and
Independent Trustee of the Dean Witter Funds and as an Independent Trustee of
the TCW/DW Funds. The current Committee Chairman has had more than 35 years
experience as a senior executive in the investment company industry.
ADVANTAGES OF HAVING SAME INDIVIDUALS AS INDEPENDENT TRUSTEES FOR ALL DEAN
WITTER FUNDS
The Independent Trustees and the Funds' management believe that having the
same Independent Trustees for each of the Dean Witter Funds avoids the
duplication of effort that would arise from having different groups of
individuals serving as Independent Trustees for each of the Funds or even of
sub-groups of Funds. They believe that having the same individuals serve as
Independent Trustees of all the Funds tends to increase their knowledge and
expertise regarding matters which affect the Fund complex generally and enhances
their ability to negotiate on behalf of each Fund with the Fund's service
providers. This arrangement also precludes the possibility of separate groups of
Independent Trustees arriving at conflicting decisions regarding operations and
management of the Funds and avoids the cost and confusion that would likely
ensue. Finally, having the same Independent Trustees serve on all Fund Boards
enhances the ability of each Fund to obtain, at modest cost to each separate
Fund, the services of Independent Trustees, and a Chairman of their Committees,
of the caliber, experience and business acumen of the individuals who serve as
Independent Trustees of the Dean Witter Funds.
COMPENSATION OF INDEPENDENT TRUSTEES
The Fund pays each Independent Trustee an annual fee of $1,000 ($1,200 prior
to September 30, 1995) plus a per meeting fee of $50 for meetings of the Board
of Trustees or committees of the Board of Trustees attended by the Trustee (the
Fund pays the Chairman of the Audit Committee an annual fee of $750 ($1,000
prior to January 1, 1995) and pays the Chairman of the Committee of the
Independent Trustees an additional annual fee of $2,400, in each case inclusive
of the Committee meeting fees). The Fund also reimburses such Trustees for
travel and other out-of-pocket expenses incurred by them in connection with
attending such meetings. Trustees and officers of the Fund who are or have been
employed by the Investment Manager or an affiliated company receive no
compensation or expense reimbursement from the Fund.
The Fund has adopted a retirement program under which an Independent Trustee
who retires after serving for at least five years (or such lesser period as may
be determined by the Board) as an Independent Director or Trustee of any Dean
Witter Fund that has adopted the retirement program (each such Fund referred to
as an "Adopting Fund" and each such Trustee referred to as an "Eligible
Trustee") is entitled to retirement payments upon reaching the eligible
retirement age (normally, after attaining age 72). Annual payments are based
upon length of service. Currently, upon retirement, each Eligible Trustee is
entitled to receive from the Fund, commencing as of his or her retirement date
and continuing for the remainder of his or her life, an annual retirement
benefit (the "Regular Benefit") equal to 25.0% of his or her Eligible
Compensation plus 0.4166666% of such Eligible Compensation for each full month
of service as an Independent Director or Trustee of any Adopting Fund in excess
of five years up to a maximum of 50.0% after ten years of service. The foregoing
percentages may be changed by the Board.(1) "Eligible Compensation" is one-fifth
of the total compensation earned by such Eligible Trustee for service to the
Fund in the five year period prior to the date of the Eligible Trustee's
retirement. Benefits under the retirement program are not secured or funded by
the Fund. As of the date of this Statement of Additional Information, 57 Dean
Witter Funds have adopted the retirement program.
10
<PAGE>
The following table illustrates the compensation paid and the retirement
benefits accrued to the Fund's Independent Trustees by the Fund for the fiscal
year ended October 31, 1995 and the estimated retirement benefits for the Fund's
Independent Trustees as of October 31, 1995.
<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
TRUSTEE FROM THE FUND FUND EXPENSES (MAXIMUM 10) COMPENSATION COMPENSATION(2) RETIREMENT(3)
- -------------------- -------------- -------------- ---------------- -------------- --------------- --------------
<S> <C> <C> <C> <C> <C> <C>
Michael Bozic....... $ 1,900 $ 379 10 57.5% $1,950 $ 1,121
Edwin J. Garn....... 2,000 655 10 57.5 1,950 1,121
John R. Haire....... 4,600(4) 3,299 10 57.5 5,162 2,968
Dr. Manuel H.
Johnson............ 2,000 266 10 57.5 1,950 1,121
Paul Kolton......... 2,000 1,442 10 57.0 2,445 1,394
Michael E. Nugent... 1,850 468 10 57.5 1,950 1,121
John L. Schroeder... 2,000 744 8 47.9 1,950 934
</TABLE>
- ------------------------
(1) An Eligible Trustee may elect alternate payments of his or her retirement
benefits based upon the combined life expectancy of such Eligible Trustee
and his or her spouse on the date of such Eligible Trustee's retirement. The
amount estimated to be payable under this method, through the remainder of
the later of the lives of such Eligible Trustee and spouse, will be the
actuarial equivalent of the Regular Benefit. In addition, the Eligible
Trustee may elect that the surviving spouse's periodic payment of benefits
will be equal to either 50% or 100% of the previous periodic amount, an
election that, respectively, increases or decreases the previous periodic
amount so that the resulting payments will be the actuarial equivalent of
the Regular Benefit.
(2) Based on current levels of compensation.
(3) Based on current levels of compensation. Amount of annual benefits also
varies depending on the Trustee's elections described in Footnote (1) above.
(4) Of Mr. Haire's compensation from the Fund, $3,400 was paid to him as
Chairman of the Committee of the Independent Trustees ($2,400) and as
Chairman of the Audit Committee ($1,000).
The following table illustrates the compensation paid to the Fund's
Independent Trustees for the calendar year ended December 31, 1995 for services
to the 79 Dean Witter Funds and, in the case of Messrs. Haire, Johnson, Kolton
and Nugent, the 11 TCW/DW Funds that were in operation at December 31, 1995.
With respect to Messrs. Haire, Johnson, Kolton and Nugent, the TCW/DW Funds are
included solely because of a limited exchange privilege between those Funds and
five Dean Witter Money Market Funds. Mr. Schroeder was elected as a Trustee of
the TCW/DW Funds on April 20, 1995.
CASH COMPENSATION FROM DEAN WITTER FUNDS AND TCW/DW FUNDS
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
FOR SERVICE AS 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
WITTER OF 11 TCW/DW AUDIT FUNDS AND 11
NAME OF INDEPENDENT TRUSTEE 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 Trustees as a group was less than 1 percent of the Fund's shares of
beneficial interest outstanding.
11
<PAGE>
INVESTMENT PRACTICES AND POLICIES
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
As discussed in the Prospectus, certain of the U.S. Government securities
purchased by the Fund are "mortgage-backed securities", which evidence an
interest in a specific pool of mortgages. Such securities are issued by the
Government National Mortgage Association ("GNMA"), Federal National Mortgage
Association ("FNMA") and the Federal Home Loan Mortgage Corporation ("FHLMC").
GNMA CERTIFICATES. GNMA Certificates evidence an interest in a specific
pool of mortgages insured by the Federal Housing Administration ("FHA") or the
Farmers Home Administration or guaranteed by the Veterans Administration ("VA").
Scheduled payments of principal and interest are made to the registered holders
of GNMA Certificates. The GNMA Certificates that the Fund will invest in are of
the modified pass-through type. GNMA guarantees the timely payment of monthly
installments of principal and interest on modified pass-through certificates at
the time such payments are due, whether or not such amounts are collected by the
issuer on the underlying mortgages. The National Housing Act provides that the
full faith and credit of the United States is pledged to the timely payment of
principal and interest by GNMA of amounts due on these GNMA Certificates.
The average life of GNMA Certificates varies with the maturities of the
underlying mortgage instruments, with maximum maturities of 30 years. The
average life is likely to be substantially less than the original maturity of
the mortgage pools underlying the securities as the result of prepayments or
refinancing of such mortgages or foreclosure. Such prepayments are passed
through to the registered holder with the regular monthly payments of principal
and interest, which has the effect of reducing future payments. Due to the GNMA
guarantee, foreclosures impose no risk to principal investments.
The average life of pass-through pools varies with the maturities of the
underlying mortgage instruments. In addition, a pool's term may be shortened by
unscheduled or early payments of principal on the underlying mortgages. The
occurrence of mortgage prepayments is affected by such factors as the level of
interest rates, general economic conditions, the location and age of the
mortgage and other social and demographic conditions. As prepayment rates vary
widely, it is not possible to accurately predict the average life of a
particular pool. However, statistics indicate that the average life of the type
of mortgages backing the majority of GNMA Certificates is approximately 12
years. For this reason, it is standard practice to treat GNMA Certificates as
30-year mortgage-backed securities which prepay fully in the twelfth year. Pools
of mortgages with other maturities or different characteristics will have
varying assumptions for average life. The assumed average life of pools of
mortgages having terms of less than 30 years is less than 12 years, but
typically not less than 5 years.
The coupon rate of interest of GNMA Certificates is lower than the interest
rate paid on the VA-guaranteed or FHA-insured mortgages underlying the
Certificates, but only by the amount of the fees paid to GNMA and the issuer.
Such fees in the aggregate usually amount to approximately .50 of 1%.
Yields on pass-through securities are typically quoted by investment dealers
and vendors based on the maturities of the underlying instruments and the
associated average life assumption. In periods of falling interest rates, the
rate of prepayment tends to increase, thereby shortening the actual average life
of a pool of mortgage-related securities. Conversely, in periods of rising
rates, the rate of prepayment tends to decrease, thereby lengthening the actual
average life of the pool. Reinvestment by the Fund of prepayments may occur at
higher or lower interest rates than the original investment. Historically,
actual average life has been consistent with the 12-year assumption referred to
above. The actual yield of each GNMA Certificate is influenced by the prepayment
experience of the mortgage pool underlying the Certificates. Interest on GNMA
Certificates is paid monthly, rather than semiannually, as is the case with
traditional bonds.
FHLMC SECURITIES. The Federal Home Loan Mortgage Corporation was created in
1970 through enactment of Title III of the Emergency Home Finance Act of 1970.
Its purpose is to promote development of a nationwide secondary market in
conventional residential mortgages.
The FHLMC issues two types of mortgage pass-through securities, mortgages
participation certificates ("PCs") and guaranteed mortgages certificates
("GMCs"). PCs resemble GNMA Certificates in
12
<PAGE>
that each PC represents a pro rata share of all interest and principal payments
made and owned on the underlying pool. The FHMLC guarantees timely monthly
payment of interest on PCs and the full return of principal when due. PCs have
an assumed average life similar to GNMA Certificates.
GMCs also represent a pro rata interest in a pool of mortgages. However,
these instruments pay interest semi-annually and return principal once a year in
guaranteed minimum payments. The expected average life of these securities is
approximately ten years.
FNMA SECURITIES. The Federal National Mortgage Association was established
in 1938 to create a secondary market in mortgages insured by the FHA.
FNMA issues guaranteed mortgage pass-through certificates ("FNMA
Certificates"). FNMA Certificates resemble GNMA Certificates in that each FNMA
Certificate represents a pro rata share of all interest and principal payments
made and owed on the underlying pool. FNMA guarantees timely payment of interest
on FNMA Certificates and the full return of principal. FNMA Certificates have an
assumed average life similar to GNMA Certificates.
LEVERAGING. As discussed in the Prospectus, the Fund may borrow money, but
only from a bank and in an amount up to 25% of the value of the Fund's total
assets taken at the lower of market value or cost, not including the amount
borrowed, in an effort to obtain additional income by leveraging its investments
through purchasing securities with the borrowed funds. Such borrowings will be
subject to current margin requirements of the Federal Reserve Board and where
necessary the Fund may use any or all of its securities as collateral for such
borrowings. Any investment gains made with the additional monies in excess of
interest paid will cause the net asset value of the Fund's shares to rise to a
greater extent than would otherwise be the case. Conversely, if the investment
performance of the additional monies fails to cover their cost to the Fund, net
asset value will decrease to a greater extent than would otherwise be the case.
This is the speculative factor involved in leverage.
The Fund will be required to maintain an asset coverage (including the
proceeds of borrowings) of at least 300% of such borrowings in accordance with
the provisions of the Act. If, due to market fluctuations or other reasons, the
value of the Fund's assets (including the proceeds of borrowings) becomes at any
time less than three times the amount of any outstanding bank debt, the Fund,
within three business days, will reduce its bank debt to the extent necessary to
meet the required 300% asset coverage. In restoring the 300% asset coverage, the
Fund may have to sell a portion of its investments at a time when it may be
disadvantageous to do so.
The investment policy provides that the Fund may not purchase or sell a
security on margin. The margin and bank borrowing restrictions will prevent the
ordinary purchase of a security which involves a cash borrowing from a broker of
any part of the purchase price of a security.
The Fund may also borrow from banks as a temporary measure for extraordinary
or emergency purposes, and for these purposes and leveraging combined, in no
event an amount greater than 25% of the value of the Fund's total assets. The
Fund did not borrow any money during its fiscal year ended October 31, 1995.
LENDING OF PORTFOLIO SECURITIES. 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 equal to at least 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. The Fund will not
lend its portfolio securities if such loans are not permitted by the laws or
regulations of any state in which its shares are qualified for sale and will not
lend more than 25% of the value of its total assets.
A loan may be terminated by the borrower on one business day's notice, or by
the Fund on two business days' notice. If the borrower fails to deliver the
loaned securities within two days after receipt of notice, the 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
13
<PAGE>
in recovery and in some cases even loss of rights in the collateral should the
borrower of the securities fail financially. However, these loans of portfolio
securities will only be made to firms deemed by the Fund's management to be
creditworthy and when the income which can be earned from such loans justifies
the attendant risks. Upon termination of the loan, the borrower is required to
return the securities to the Fund. Any gain or loss in the market price during
the loan period would inure to the Fund. The creditworthiness of firms to which
the Fund lends its portfolio securities will be monitored on an ongoing basis by
the Investment Manager pursuant to procedures adopted and reviewed, on an
ongoing basis, by the Board of Trustees of the Fund.
When voting or consent rights which accompany loaned securities pass to the
borrower, the Fund will follow the policy of calling the loaned securities, to
be delivered within one day after notice, to permit the exercise of such rights
if the matters involved would have a material effect on the Fund's investment in
such loaned securities. The Fund will pay reasonable finder's, administrative
and custodial fees in connection with a loan of its securities. The Fund has not
to date lent any of its portfolio 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"), which is held by the Fund's Custodian, at a specified price and
at a fixed time in the future, usually not more than seven days from the date of
purchase. The collateral will be maintained in a segregated account and will be
marked to market daily to determine that the full value of the collateral, as
specified in the agreement, does not decrease. If such decrease occurs,
additional collateral (Government securities) will be added to the account to
maintain full collateralization. In the event the original seller defaults on
its obligations, the Fund will seek to sell the collateral, which action could
involve costs or delays. In such case, the Fund's ability to dispose of the
collateral to recover its investment may be restricted or delayed.
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. In addition, the value of the collateral underlying the
repurchase agreement will always 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 10% of its total assets.
The Fund's investments in repurchase agreements may at times be substantial
when, in the view of the Investment Manager, liquidity or other considerations
warrant.
REVERSE REPURCHASE AGREEMENTS AND DOLLAR ROLLS. The Fund may also use
reverse repurchase agreements and dollar rolls as part of its investment
strategy. Reverse repurchase agreements involve sales by the Fund of portfolio
assets concurrently with an agreement by the Fund to repurchase the same assets
at a later date at a fixed price. Generally, the effect of such a transaction is
that the Fund can recover all or most of the cash invested in the portfolio
securities involved during the term of the reverse repurchase agreement, while
it will be able to keep the interest income associated with those portfolio
securities. Such transactions are only advantageous if the interest cost to the
Fund of the reverse repurchase transaction is less than the cost of obtaining
the cash otherwise. Opportunities to achieve this advantage may not always be
available, and the Fund intends to use the reverse repurchase technique only
when it will be to its advantage to do so.
14
<PAGE>
The Fund may enter into dollar rolls in which the Fund sells securities for
delivery in the current month and simultaneously contracts to repurchase
substantially similar (same type and coupon) securities on a specified future
date. During the roll period, the Fund foregoes principal and interest paid on
the securities. The Fund is compensated by the difference between the current
sales price and the lower forward price for the future purchase (often referred
to as the "drop") as well as by the interest earned on the cash proceeds of the
initial sale.
The Fund will establish a segregated account with its Custodian in which it
will maintain cash or cash equivalents or other portfolio securities (i.e., U.S.
Government securities) equal in value to its obligations in respect of reverse
repurchase agreements. Reverse repurchase agreements and dollar rolls are
considered borrowings by the Fund and for purposes other than meeting
redemptions may not exceed 10% of the Fund's total assets.
WHEN-ISSUED AND DELAYED DELIVERY SECURITIES AND FORWARD COMMITMENTS. As
discussed in the Prospectus, 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 the 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 portfolio (U.S. Government) securities equal in value to
commitments to purchase securities on a when-issued, delayed delivery or forward
commitment basis.
OPTIONS AND FUTURES TRANSACTIONS
The Fund may write covered call options against securities held in its
portfolio and covered put options on eligible portfolio securities 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 are listed on
Exchanges (currently the Chicago Board Options Exchange and the American Stock
Exchange) 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.
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 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
15
<PAGE>
terms of that option, the Fund would lose the premium paid for the option as
well as any anticipated benefit of the transaction. The Fund will engage in OTC
option transactions only with member banks of the Federal Reserve System or
primary U.S. Government securities dealers or with affiliates of such banks or
dealers which have capital of at least $50 million or whose obligations are
guaranteed by an entity having capital of at least $50 million.
OPTIONS ON TREASURY BONDS AND NOTES. Because trading interest in options
written on Treasury bonds and notes tends to center mostly 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 it will
be treated as being covered.
OPTIONS ON GNMA CERTIFICATES. Currently, options on GNMA Certificates are
only traded over-the-counter. Since the remaining principal balance of GNMA
Certificates declines each month as a result of mortgage payments, the Fund, as
a writer of a GNMA call holding GNMA Certificates as "cover" to satisfy its
delivery obligation in the event of exercise, may find that the GNMA
Certificates it holds no longer have a sufficient remaining principal balance
for this purpose. Should this occur, the Fund will purchase additional GNMA
Certificates from the same pool (if obtainable) or replacement GNMA Certificates
in the cash market in order to maintain its cover. A GNMA Certificate held by
the Fund to cover an option position in any but the nearest expiration month may
cease to represent cover for the option in the event of a decline in the GNMA
coupon rate at which new pools are originated under the FHA/VA loan ceiling in
effect at any given time, as such decline may increase the prepayments made on
other mortgage pools. If this should occur, the Fund will no longer be covered,
and the Fund will either enter into a closing purchase transaction or replace
such Certificate with a Certificate which represents cover. When the Fund closes
out its position or replaces such Certificate, it may realize an unanticipated
loss and incur transaction costs.
RISKS OF OPTIONS ON U.S. GOVERNMENT SECURITIES. 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 underlying security
decline below the exercise price 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 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 or to purchase
an offsetting OTC option, 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 or to purchase an offsetting OTC option
would continue to bear the risk of decline in the market price of the underlying
security until the option
16
<PAGE>
expires or is exercised. In addition, a secured put writer would be unable to
utilize the amount held in cash or U.S. Government securities as security for
the put option for other investment purposes until the exercise or expiration of
the option.
As discussed in the Prospectus, the Fund's ability to close out its position
as a writer of an exchange-listed option is dependent upon the existence of a
liquid secondary market on Option Exchanges. 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 Options Clearing Corporation
("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 exercisable in accordance with their
terms.
The hours of trading for options on U.S. Government securities 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.
COVERED CALL WRITING. The Fund is permitted to write covered call options
on portfolio securities, without limit. 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.
As regards listed options and certain OTC options, 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 and OTC 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
17
<PAGE>
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.
Options written by a Fund normally have expiration dates of up to eighteen
months from the date written. The exercise price of a call option may be below,
equal to or above the current market value of the underlying security at the
time the option is written. See "Risks of Options and Futures Transactions,"
below.
COVERED PUT WRITING. As a writer of a covered put option, the Fund incurs
an obligation to buy the security underlying the option from the purchaser of
the put, at the option's exercise price at any time during the option period, at
the purchaser's election (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
debt obligations in an amount equal to at least the exercise price of the
option, at all times during the option period. Similarly, a written 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). In the case of listed options, 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. The Fund may purchase listed and OTC call
and put options in amounts equalling up to 10% of its total assets. The Fund may
purchase call options only in order to close out a covered call position (see
"Covered Call Writing" above). The call purchased is likely to be on the same
securities and have the same terms as the written option.
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
18
<PAGE>
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. Any 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 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 or to purchase
an offsetting OTC option, 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 or to purchase an offsetting OTC option
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
securities 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, as such options will generally only be closed out by entering into
a closing purchase transaction with the purchasing dealer. 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 Options Clearing Corporation ("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
exercisable 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.
19
<PAGE>
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.
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.
INTEREST RATE FUTURES CONTRACTS. As a purchaser of an interest rate futures
contract ("futures contract"), the Fund incurs an obligation to take delivery of
a specified amount of the obligation underlying the futures 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 futures contracts for the purpose of hedging
its 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 U.S. Government securities fall,
the Fund may sell a futures contract. If declining interest rates are
anticipated, the Fund may purchase a futures contract to protect against a
potential increase in the price of U.S. Government securities the Fund intends
to purchase. Subsequently, appropriate U.S. Government 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. In addition, futures contracts will be bought or sold in order to
close out a short or long position in a corresponding futures contract.
Although most futures contracts call for actual delivery or acceptance of
securities, the contracts usually are closed out before the settlement date
without the making or taking of delivery. A futures contract sale is closed out
by effecting a futures contract purchase for the same aggregate amount of the
specific type of security and the same delivery date. If the sale price exceeds
the offsetting purchase price, the seller would be paid the difference and would
realize a gain. If the offsetting purchase price exceeds the sale price, the
seller would pay the difference and would realize a loss. Similarly, a futures
contract purchase is closed out by effecting a futures contract sale for the
same aggregate amount of the specific type of security and the same delivery
date. If the offsetting sale price exceeds the purchase price, the purchaser
would realize a gain, whereas if the purchase price exceeds the offsetting sale
price, the purchaser would realize a loss. There is no assurance that the Fund
will be able to enter into a closing transaction.
When the Fund enters into a futures contract it is initially required to
deposit with its Custodian, in a segregated account in the name of the broker
performing the transaction an "initial margin" of cash or U.S. Government
securities 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 into the segregated account,
maintained at its Custodian for that purpose, of cash or U.S. Government
securities, called "variation margin", in the name of the broker, which are
reflective
20
<PAGE>
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.
OPTIONS ON FUTURES CONTRACTS. The Fund may purchase and write call and put
options on futures contracts which are traded on an Exchange 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 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 U.S. Government
securities 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 U.S. Government securities held by the Fund. However, it
is possible that the futures market may advance and the value of securities held
in the Fund's portfolio may decline. If this were to occur, the Fund would lose
money on the futures contracts and also experience a decline in value in its
portfolio securities. However, while this could occur for a very brief period or
to a very small degree, over time the market prices of the securities of a
diversified portfolio will tend to move in the same direction as the prices of
futures contracts.
21
<PAGE>
If the Fund purchases a futures contract to hedge against the increase in
value of U.S. Government 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 Commodities Futures
Trading Commission 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.
If the Fund maintains a short position in a futures contract or has sold a
call option on 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, 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.
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 broker
or financial institutions deemed creditworthy by the Investment Manager.
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 which may arise in employing futures contracts to protect against
the price volatility of portfolio securities is that the prices of securities
subject to futures contracts (and thereby the futures contract prices) may
correlate imperfectly with the behavior of the cash prices of the Fund's
portfolio securities. Another such risk is that prices of interest rate futures
contracts may not move in tandem with the changes in prevailing interest rates
against which the Fund seeks a hedge. A correlation may also be distorted by the
fact that the futures market is dominated by short-term traders
22
<PAGE>
seeking to profit from the difference between a contract or security price
objective and their cost of borrowed funds. Such distortions are generally minor
and would diminish as the contract approached maturity. 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 relationships between the debt
securities and futures market 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 U.S. Government securities and movements in the prices of futures
contracts, a correct forecast of interest rate trends by the Investment Manager
may still not result in a successful hedging transaction.
There is no assurance that a liquid secondary market will exist for futures
contracts and related options in which the Fund may invest. In the event a
liquid market does not exist, it may not be possible to close out a futures
position, and in the event of adverse price movements, the Fund would continue
to be required to make daily cash payments of variation margin. 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.
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 contracts or underlying U.S. Government securities.
The Investment Manager has substantial experience in the use of the
investment techniques described above under the heading "Options and Futures
Transactions," which techniques require skills different from those needed to
select the portfolio securities underlying various options and futures
contracts.
PORTFOLIO TURNOVER
The Fund may sell portfolio securities without regard to the length of time
they have been held whenever such sale will, in the Investment Manager's
opinion, strengthen the Fund's position and contribute to its investment
objective. As a result, the Fund's portfolio turnover rate may exceed 100%
(although it is not anticipated to do so). 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.
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, if the holders of 50% of the outstanding shares of the
Fund are present or represented by proxy or (b) more than 50% of the outstanding
shares of the Fund.
23
<PAGE>
The Fund may not:
1. Invest in securities of any issuer if, to the knowledge of the Fund,
any officer or trustee/director of the Fund or of the Investment Manager
owns more than 1/2 of 1% of the outstanding securities of such issuer, and
such officers and trustees/directors who own more than 1/2 of 1% own in the
aggregate more than 5% of the outstanding securities of such issuer.
2. Purchase or sell real estate or interests therein, although the Fund
may purchase securities of issuers which engage in real estate operations
and securities secured by real estate or interests therein.
3. 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.
4. Purchase securities of other investment companies, except in
connection with a merger, consolidation, reorganization or acquisition of
assets.
5. 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 reverse repurchase agreement; (b) borrowing money; or (c)
purchasing any securities on a when-issued, delayed delivery or forward
commitment basis.
6. Make loans of money or securities, except: (a) by the purchase of
publicly distributed debt obligations in which the Fund may invest
consistent with its investment objectives and policies; (b) by investment in
repurchase or reverse purchase agreements; or (c) by lending its portfolio
securities.
7. 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.
8. Invest for the purpose of exercising control or management of any
other issuer.
9. Invest 25% or more of the value of its total assets in securities of
issuers in any one industry. This restriction does not apply to obligations
issued or guaranteed by the United States Government or its agencies or
instrumentalities.
10. Make short sales of securities or maintain a short position, unless
at all times when a short position is open it owns an equal amount of such
securities or securities convertible into or exchangeable, without payment
of any further consideration, for securities of the same issue as, and equal
in amount to, the securities sold short, and unless not more than 10% of the
Fund's net assets (taken at market value) is held as collateral for such
sales at any one time (it is the present intention of management to make
such sales only for the purpose of deferring realization of gain or loss for
Federal income tax purposes; such sales would not be made of securities
subject to outstanding options).
If a percentage restriction is adhered to at the time of investment, a later
increase or decrease in percentage resulting from a change in values of
portfolio securities or amount of total or net assets will not be considered a
violation of the foregoing restrictions.
PORTFOLIO TRANSACTIONS AND BROKERAGE
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Subject to the general supervision of the Trustees of the Fund, the
Investment Manager is responsible for the investment decisions and the placing
of the orders for portfolio transactions for the Fund. The Fund's portfolio
transactions will occur primarily with issuers, underwriters or major dealers in
U.S. Government securities acting as principals. Such transactions are normally
on a net basis and do not involve payment of brokerage commissions. The cost of
securities purchased from an underwriter usually includes a commission paid by
the issuer to the underwriters; transactions with dealers normally reflect the
spread between bid and asked prices. Options and futures transactions will
usually be
24
<PAGE>
effected through a broker and a commission will be charged. During the fiscal
years ended October 31, 1993, 1994 and 1995, the Fund paid a total of $82,663,
$104,215 and $111,547, respectively, in brokerage commissions.
The Investment Manager currently serves as investment manager to a number of
clients, including other investment companies, and may in the future act as
investment manager or adviser to others. It is the practice of the Investment
Manager to cause purchase or sale transactions to be allocated among the Fund
and others whose assets it manages in such manner as it deems equitable. In
making such allocations among the Fund and other client accounts, the main
factors considered are the respective investment objectives, the relative size
of portfolio holdings of the same or comparable securities, the availability of
cash for investment, the size of investment commitments generally held and the
opinions of the persons responsible for managing the portfolios of the Fund and
other client accounts.
The policy of the Fund regarding purchases and sales of securities and
futures contracts for its portfolio is that primary consideration will be given
to obtaining the most favorable prices and efficient execution of transactions.
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 October 31, 1995, the Fund did not direct the payment of any
brokerage commissions because of research services provided.
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 management fee paid to the Investment
Manager is not reduced by any amount that may be attributable to the value of
such services.
Pursuant to an order of the Securities and Exchange Commission, the Fund may
effect principal transactions in certain money market instruments with DWR. The
Fund will limit its transactions with DWR to U.S. Government and Government
Agency Securities, Bank Money Instruments (I.E., Certificates of Deposit and
Bankers' Acceptances) and Commercial Paper. Such transactions will be effected
with DWR only when the price available from DWR is better than that available
from other dealers.
Consistent with the policy described above, brokerage transactions in
securities listed on exchanges or admitted to unlisted trading privileges may be
effected through DWR. In order for DWR to effect portfolio transactions for the
Fund, the commissions, fees or other remuneration received by DWR must be
reasonable and fair compared to the commissions, fees or other remuneration paid
to other brokers in connection with comparable transactions involving similar
securities being purchased or sold on an exchange during a comparable period of
time. This standard would allow DWR to receive no more than the remuneration
which would be expected to be received by an unaffiliated broker in a
commensurate arm's-length transaction. Furthermore, the Trustees of the Fund,
including a majority of the Trustees who are not "interested" Trustees, have
adopted procedures which are reasonably designed to provide that any
commissions, fees or other remuneration paid to DWR are consistent with the
foregoing standard. During the fiscal years ended October 31, 1993, 1994 and
1995, the Fund paid a total of $8,910, $10,971 and $9,495, 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 fiscal year ended October 31, 1995, the brokerage
commissions paid to DWR represented approximately 8.51% of the total brokerage
commissions paid by the Fund during the year and were paid on account of
transactions having an aggregate dollar value
25
<PAGE>
equal to approximately 8.78% of the aggregate dollar value of all portfolio
transactions of the Fund during the year for which commissions were paid. In
addition, during the fiscal years ended October 31, 1993, 1994 and 1995, the
Fund paid DWR $69,450, $81,776 and $80,741, respectively, for clearing options
and futures transactions.
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 a wholly-owned subsidiary of DWDC. The Trustees of the
Fund, including a majority of the Trustees who are not, and were not at the time
they voted, interested persons of the Fund, as defined in the Act (the
"Independent Trustees"), approved, at their meeting held on October 30, 1992,
the current Distribution Agreement appointing the Distributor as exclusive
distributor of the Fund's shares and providing for the Distributor to bear
distribution expenses not borne by the Fund. The current Distribution Agreement
is substantively identical to the Fund's previous distribution agreements. By
its terms, the Distribution Agreement had an initial term ending April 30, 1994,
and will remain in effect from year to year thereafter if approved by the Board.
At their meeting held on April 20, 1995, the Trustees, including all of the
Independent Trustees, approved the continuation of the Distribution Agreement
until April 30, 1996.
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 to prospective shareholders. The Fund bears
the costs of initial typesetting, printing and distribution of prospectuses and
supplements thereto to shareholders. The Fund 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 of 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 0.85% of the lesser of:
(a) the average daily aggregate gross sales of the Fund's shares since the
inception of the Fund (not including reinvestment of dividends or
distributions), less the average daily aggregate net asset value of the Fund's
shares redeemed since the Fund's inception upon which a contingent deferred
sales charge has been imposed or 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 $960,000, $822,000
and $750,000 in contingent deferred sales charges for the fiscal years ended
October 31, 1993, 1994 and 1995, 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 0.20% 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, Inc. (of which the
26
<PAGE>
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 fees payable by the Fund is characterized as an "asset-based sales
charge" as such is defined by the aforementioned Rules of Fair Practice.
The Plan was adopted by a majority vote of the Board of Trustees, including
all of the Trustees of the Fund who are not "interested persons" of the Fund (as
defined in the Act) and who have no direct or indirect financial interest in the
operation of the Plan (the "Independent 12b-1 Trustees"), cast in person at a
meeting called for the purpose of voting on the Plan, on December 15, 1986, by
DWR as the then sole shareholder of the Fund on January 13, 1987 and by the
shareholders holding a majority, as defined in the Act, of the outstanding
voting securities of the Fund at a Special Meeting of Shareholders of the Fund
held on May 31, 1988.
At their meeting held on October 30, 1992, the Trustees of the Fund,
including all of the Independent 12b-1 Trustees, 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 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. At their meeting held on April 28, 1993,
the Trustees, including a majority of the Independent 12b-1 Trustees, approved
certain technical amendments to the Plan in connection with amendments adopted
by the National Association of Securities Dealers, Inc. to its Rules of Fair
Practice. At their meeting held on October 26, 1995, the Trustees of the Fund,
including all of the Independent 12b-1 Trustees, 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.
Under the Plan and as required by Rule 12b-1, the Trustees receive and
review promptly after the end of each calendar quarter a written report provided
by the Distributor of the amounts expended under the Plan and the purpose for
which such expenditures were made. The Fund accrued amounts payable to the
Distributor and DWR under the Plan, during the fiscal year ended October 31,
1995, of $7,020,532. This amount is equal to 0.85% of the Fund's average daily
net assets for the fiscal year and was calculated pursuant to clause (b) of the
compensation formula under the Plan. This amount is treated by the Fund as an
expense in the year it is accrued.
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 4% of the amount sold and an annual
residual commission of up to 0.20 of 1% of the current value (not including
reinvested dividends or distributions) of the amount sold. 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 and other branch office distribution-related
expenses including: (a) the expenses of operating DWR's branch offices in
connection with the sale of Fund shares, including lease costs, the salaries and
employee benefits of operations and sales support personnel, utility costs,
communications costs and the costs of stationery and supplies, (b) the costs of
client sales seminars, (c) travel expenses of mutual fund sales coordinators to
promote the sale of Fund shares and (d) other expenses relating to branch
promotion of Fund sales. The distribution fee that the Distributor receives from
the Fund under
27
<PAGE>
the Plan, in effect, offsets distribution expenses incurred under the Plan on
behalf of the Fund and opportunity costs, such as the gross sales credit and an
assumed interest charge thereon ("carrying charge"). In the Distributor's
reporting of the distribution expenses to the Fund, 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 charge 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 $7,020,532 accrued under the Plan for the fiscal
year ended October 31, 1995 to the Distributor. The Distributor and DWR estimate
that they have spent, pursuant to the Plan, $171,843,962 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) 2.32% ($3,991,144) -- advertising and
promotional expenses; (ii) 0.23% (400,838) -- printing of prospectuses for
distribution to other than current shareholders; and (iii) 97.45% ($167,451,980)
- -- other expenses, including the gross sales credit and the carrying charge, of
which 16.72% ($28,002,561) represents carrying charges, 33.60% ($56,267,841)
represents commission credits to DWR branch offices for payments of commissions
to account executives and 49.68% ($83,181,578) 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 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 $30,515,587 as of October 31, 1995. Because
there is no requirement under the Plan that the Distributor be reimbursed for
all distribution 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 Trustees will consider at that
time the manner in which to treat such expenses. Any cumulative expenses
incurred, but not yet recovered through distribution fees or contingent deferred
sales charges, may or may not be recovered through future distribution fees or
contingent deferred sales charges.
No interested person of the Fund nor any Trustee of the Fund who is not an
interested person of the Fund, as defined in the Act, has any direct 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 an
interest as a result of benefits derived from the successful operation of the
Plan or as a result of receiving a portion of the amounts expended thereunder by
the Fund.
Under its terms, the Plan remained in effect until April 30, 1987 and will
continue from year to year thereafter, provided such continuance is approved
annually by a vote of the Trustees in the manner described above. The most
recent continuance of the Plan for one year, until April 30, 1996, was approved
by the Board of Trustees of the Fund, including a majority of the Independent
12b-1 Trustees, at a Board meeting held on April 20, 1995. Prior to approving
the continuation of the Plan, the Trustees requested and received from the
Distributor and reviewed all the information which they deemed necessary to
arrive at an informed determination. In making their determination to continue
the Plan, the Trustees considered: (1) the Fund's experience under the Plan and
whether such experience indicates that the Plan is operating as anticipated; (2)
the benefits the Fund had obtained, was obtaining and would be likely to obtain
under the Plan; and (3) what services had been provided and were continuing to
be provided under the Plan to the Fund and its shareholders. Based upon their
review, the Trustees of the Fund, including each of the Independent 12b-1
Trustees, determined that continuation of the Plan
28
<PAGE>
would be in the best interest of the Fund and would have a reasonable likelihood
of continuing to benefit the Fund and its shareholders. In the Trustees'
quarterly review of the Plan, they will consider its continued appropriateness
and the level of compensation provided herein.
The Plan may not be amended to increase materially the amount to be spent
for the services described therein without approval by the shareholders of the
Fund, and all material amendments to the Plan must also be approved by the
Trustees in the manner described above. The Plan may be terminated at any time,
without payment of any penalty, by vote of a majority of the Independent 12b-1
Trustees 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. The Plan will automatically terminate in the event of
its assignment (as defined in the Act). So long as the Plan is in effect, the
election and nomination of Independent 12b-1 Trustees shall be committed to the
discretion of the Independent 12b-1 Trustees.
DETERMINATION OF NET ASSET VALUE
As stated in the Prospectus, short-term debt securities with remaining
maturities of sixty days or less at the time of purchase are valued at amortized
cost, unless the Trustees determine such does not reflect the securities' market
value, in which case these securities will be valued at their fair value as
determined by the Trustees. Other short-term debt securities will be valued on a
mark-to-market basis until such time as they reach a remaining maturity of sixty
days, whereupon they will be valued at amortized cost using their value on the
61st day unless the Trustees determine such does not reflect the securities'
market value, in which case these securities will be valued at their fair value
as determined by the Trustees. Listed options 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 are valued at the mean
between their latest bid and asked prices. Futures are valued at the latest sale
price on the commodities exchange on which they trade unless the Trustees
determine such price does not reflect their market value, in which case they
will be valued at their fair value as determined by the Trustees. All other
securities and other assets are valued at their fair value as determined in good
faith under procedures established by and under the supervision of the Trustees.
As stated in the Prospectus, the Investment Manager will compute the Fund's
net asset value 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 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.
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 the Fund's
Transfer Agent, 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 share certificate. If a share certificate is
desired, it must be requested in writing for each transaction. Certificates are
issued only for full shares and may be redeposited in the account at any time.
There is no charge to the investor for issuance of a certificate. Whenever a
shareholder-instituted transaction takes place in the Shareholder Investment
Account, the shareholder will be mailed a confirmation of the transaction from
the Fund or from DWR or other selected 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
29
<PAGE>
shareholder so requests) as of the close of business on the monthly payment
date, as stated in the Prospectus. 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 payment date of the
dividend or the record date of the distribution. In the case of recently
purchased shares for which registration instructions have not been received on
the payment or 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.-SM- 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 Federal Securities Trust. 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 monthly
payment date and will begin to earn dividends, if any, in the selected Dean
Witter Fund the next business day. To participate in the Targeted Dividends
program, shareholders should contact their DWR or other selected broker-dealer
account executive or the Transfer Agent. Shareholders of the Fund must be
shareholders of the Dean Witter Fund targeted to receive investments from
dividends at the time they enter the Targeted Dividends program. Investors
should review the prospectus of the targeted Dean Witter Fund before entering
the program.
EASYINVEST-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. 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. As discussed in
the Prospectus, any shareholder who receives a cash payment representing a
dividend or distribution may invest such dividend or distribution at net asset
value, without the imposition of a contingent deferred sales charge upon
redemption, 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 proceeds by the Transfer Agent.
SYSTEMATIC WITHDRAWAL PLAN. As discussed in the Prospectus, 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.
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
selected broker-dealer account, within five business days after the date of
redemption. The Withdrawal Plan may be terminated at any time by the Fund.
30
<PAGE>
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 "Redemption 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" in the Prospectus) 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 through
a Shareholder Investment Account by sending a check in any amount, not less than
$100, 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 determined after
receipt of the check or purchase payment by the Transfer Agent. The shares so
purchased will be credited to the investment 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 Limited Term Municipal Trust, Dean Witter Short-Term Bond
Fund, Dean Witter Balanced Growth Fund, Dean Witter Balanced Income Fund, Dean
Witter Intermediate Term U.S. Treasury Trust and five Dean Witter Funds which
are money market funds (the foregoing eleven non-CDSC funds are hereinafter
referred to as the "Exchange Funds"). Exchanges may be made after the shares of
the Fund acquired by purchase (not by exchange or dividend reinvestment) have
been held for thirty days. There is no waiting period for exchanges of shares
acquired by exchange or dividend reinvestment. An exchange 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
31
<PAGE>
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 a CDSC fund. However, in the case of shares exchanged into an Exchange
Fund on or after April 23, 1990, upon a redemption of shares which results in a
CDSC being imposed, a credit (not to exceed the amount of the CDSC) will be
given in an amount equal to the 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 a CDSC 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
another CDSC fund, or 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
acquired prior to April 30, 1984, shares of Dean Witter Dividend Growth
Securities Inc. and Dean Witter Natural Resource Development 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 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
32
<PAGE>
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. 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-broker 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 California Tax-Free Daily Income Trust and Dean Witter New York
Municipal Money Market Trust, although those funds may, at their discretion,
accept initial investments of as low as $1,000. The minimum initial investment
is $10,000 for Dean Witter Short-Term U.S Treasury Trust, although that fund
may, at its discretion, accept initial purchases of as low as $5,000. The
minimum initial investment for all other Dean Witter Funds for which the
Exchange Privilege is available is $1,000.) Upon exchange into an Exchange Fund,
the shares of that fund will be held in a special Exchange Privilege Account
separately from accounts of those shareholders who 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' prior written for
termination or material revision), provided that six months' prior written
notice of termination will be given to the shareholders who hold shares of an
Exchange Fund pursuant to the Exchange Privilege, and provided further that the
Exchange Privilege may be terminated or materially revised without notice at
times (a) when the New York Stock Exchange is closed for other than customary
weekends and holidays, (b) when trading on that Exchange is restricted, (c) when
an emergency exists as a result of which disposal by the Fund of securities
owned by it is not reasonably practicable or it is not reasonably practicable
for the Fund fairly to determine the value of its net assets, (d) during any
other period when the Securities and Exchange Commission by order so permits
(provided that applicable rules and regulations of the Securities and Exchange
Commission shall govern as to whether the conditions prescribed in (b) or (c)
exist) or (e) if the Fund would be unable to invest amounts effectively in
accordance with its investment objective, policies and restrictions.
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. 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
33
<PAGE>
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 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 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 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
34
<PAGE>
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 AS A
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>
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. The term good order means that the share
certificate, if any, and request for redemption are properly signed, accompanied
by any documentation required by the Transfer Agent, and bear signature
guarantees when required by the Fund or the Transfer Agent. Such payment may be
postponed or the right of redemption suspended at times (a) when the New York
Stock Exchange is closed for other than customary weekends and holidays, (b)
when trading on that Exchange is restricted, (c) when an emergency exists as a
result of which disposal by the Fund of securities owned by it is not reasonably
practicable or it is not reasonably practicable for the Fund fairly to determine
the value of its net assets, or (d) during any other period when the Securities
and Exchange Commission by order so permits; provided that applicable rules and
regulations of the Securities and Exchange Commission shall govern as to whether
the conditions prescribed in (b) or (c) exist. If the shares to be redeemed have
recently been purchased by check (including a certified or bank cashier's
check), payment of redemption proceeds may be delayed for the minimum time
needed to verify that the check used for investment has been honored (not more
than fifteen days from the time of 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 accounts.
TRANSFERS OF SHARES. In the event a shareholder requests a transfer of
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
35
<PAGE>
proportion that the transferred shares bear to the total shares in the account
immediately prior to the transfer). The transferred shares will continue to be
subject to any applicable 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 thirty 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 the reinstatement request, together with such proceeds, is
received by the Transfer Agent.
Exercise of the reinstatement privilege will not affect the federal income
tax treatment of any gain or loss realized upon 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 will notify shareholders that, following an election by the
Fund, the shareholders will be required to include the amount of such
undistributed gains in determining their taxable income and will be able to
claim their share of the tax paid by the Fund as a credit against their 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 applicable
state 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 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 calendar 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 the sales of securities by the Fund will generally be
long-term capital gains or losses if the securities have been held by the Fund
for more than twelve months. Gains or losses on the sale of securities held for
twelve months or less will be short-term capital gains or losses.
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.
One of the requirements for the Fund to remain qualified as a regulated
investment company is that less than 30% of its gross income be derived from
gains from the sale or other disposition of securities held for less than three
months. Accordingly, the Fund may be restricted in the writing of options on
securities held for less than three months, in the writing of options which
expire in less than three months, and in effecting closing transactions with
respect to call or put options which have been written or purchased less than
three months prior to such transactions. The Fund may also be restricted in its
ability to engage in transactions involving futures contracts.
Under current federal law, the Fund will receive net investment income in
the form of interest by virtue of holding Treasury bills, notes and bonds, and
will recognize income attributable to it from holding zero coupon Treasury
securities. 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
36
<PAGE>
each year even though the Fund receives no interest payment in cash on the
security during the year. As an investment company, the Fund must pay out
substantially all of its net investment income each year. Accordingly, the Fund,
to the extent it invests in zero coupon Treasury securities, may be required to
pay out as an income distribution each year an amount which is greater than the
total amount of cash receipts of interest the Fund actually received. Such
distributions will be made from the available cash of the Fund or by liquidation
of portfolio securities if necessary. If a distribution or cash necessitates the
liquidation of portfolio securities, the Investment Manager will select which
securities to sell. The Fund may realize a gain or loss from such sales. In the
event the Fund realizes net capital gains from such transactions, its
shareholders may receive a larger capital gain distribution, if any, than they
would in the absence of such transactions.
In computing net investment income, the Fund will not amortize premiums or
accrue discounts on fixed-income securities in the portfolio, except those
original issue discounts for which amortization is required for federal income
tax purposes. Additionally, with respect to market discounts on bonds, a portion
of any capital gain realized upon disposition will be characterized as taxable
ordinary income in accordance with the provisions of the Internal Revenue Code.
Realized gains and losses on security transactions are determined on the
identified cost method.
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
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 in part a return of the shareholder's
investment to the extent of such reduction below the shareholder's cost, but
nonetheless would be fully taxable at either ordinary or capital gain rates.
Therefore, an investor should consider the tax implications of purchasing Fund
shares immediately prior to a dividend or distribution record date.
OPTIONS AND FUTURES. Exchange-traded futures contracts, listed options on
futures contracts and listed options on U.S. Government securities are
classified as "Section 1256" contracts under the Code. The character of gain or
loss resulting from the sale, disposition, closing out, expiration or other
termination of Section 1256 contracts is generally treated as long-term capital
gain or loss to the extent of 60 percent thereof and short-term capital gain or
loss to the extent of 40 percent thereof. Section 1256 contracts are also
required to be marked-to-market at the end of the Fund's fiscal year, for
purpose of Federal income tax calculations. These rules may be different if
these transactions represent straddles for tax purposes.
Over-the-counter options are not classified as Section 1256 contracts and
are not subject to the mark-to-market or 60 percent-40 percent taxation rules.
When call options written, or put options purchased, by the Fund are exercised,
the gain or loss realized on the sales of the underlying securities may be
either short-term or long-term, depending upon the holding period of the
securities. In determining the amount of gain or loss, the sales proceeds are
reduced by the premium paid for over-the-counter puts or increased by the
premium received for over-the-counter calls.
If the Fund holds a U.S. Government security which is offset by a Section
1256 contract, the Fund would be deemed to hold a "mixed straddle" position, as
such is defined in the Code. The Fund may elect to identify its mixed straddle
positions and thereby avoid the application of certain rules which could, in
certain circumstances, cause deferral or disallowance of losses, change
long-term capital gains into short-term gains, or change short-term capital
losses into long-term capital losses.
Whether the portfolio security constituting part of the identified mixed
straddle is deemed to have been held for less than three months for purposes of
determining qualification of the Fund as a regulated investment company will be
determined generally by the actual holding period of the security, without
regard to the recognition of gain or loss upon entering into the mixed straddle.
This recognition of unrealized gain or loss will be taken into account, however,
in determining the amount of income available for the Fund's quarterly
distributions, and can result in an amount which is greater or less than
37
<PAGE>
the Fund's net realized gains being available for distribution. If an amount
which is less than the Fund's net realized gains is available for distribution,
the Fund may elect to distribute more than such available amount, up to the full
amount of such net realized gains. Such a distribution may, in part, constitute
a return of capital to the shareholders.
If the Fund does not elect to identify a mixed straddle, no recognition of
gain or loss on the U.S. Government securities in the Fund's portfolio will
result when the mixed straddle is entered into. However, any losses realized on
the straddle will be governed by a number of tax rules which might, under
certain circumstances, defer or disallow the losses in whole or in part, change
long-term gains into short-term gains, or change short-term losses into
long-term losses. A deferral or disallowance of recognition of a realized loss
may result in an amount being available for the Fund's quarterly distributions
which is greater than the Fund's net realized gains.
After the end of the calendar 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 any portion treated as a non-taxable
return of capital. Any such return of capital will reduce the shareholders' tax
basis in their shares. 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
"yield" and/or its "total return" in advertisements and sales literature. Yield
is calculated for any 30-day period as follows: the amount of interest and/or
dividend income for each security in the Fund's portfolio is determined in
accordance with regulatory requirements; the total for the entire portfolio
constitutes the Fund's gross income for the period. Expenses accrued during the
period are subtracted to arrive at "net investment income". The resulting amount
is divided by the product of the net asset value per share on the last day of
the period multiplied by the average number of Fund shares outstanding during
the period that were entitled to dividends. This amount is added to 1 and raised
to the sixth power. 1 is then subtracted from the result and the difference is
multiplied by 2 to arrive at the annualized yield. For the 30-day period ended
October 31, 1995, the Fund's yield, calculated pursuant to the formula described
above, was 5.80%.
The Fund's "average annual total return" represents an annualization of the
Fund's total return over a particular period and is computed by finding the
annual percentage rate which will result in the ending redeemable value of a
hypothetical $1,000 investment made at the beginning of a one, five or ten year
period, or for the period from the date of commencement of the Fund's
operations, if shorter than any of the foregoing. 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. The average annual total returns of
the Fund for the fiscal year ended October 31, 1995, for the five years ended
October 31, 1995 and for the period from March 31, 1987 (commencement of
operations) through October 31, 1995 were 10.89%, 8.33% and 7.72%, 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 annual total return of
the Fund may be calculated in
38
<PAGE>
the manner described above, but without deduction for any applicable contingent
deferred sales charge. Based on this calculation, the average annual total
returns of the Fund for the fiscal year ended October 31, 1995, for the five
years ended October 31, 1995 and for the period from March 31, 1987 through
October 31, 1995 were 15.89%, 8.62% and 7.72%, 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 returns for the fiscal year ended October 31,
1995, for the five years ended October 31, 1995 and for the period from March
31, 1987 through October 31, 1995 were 15.89%, 51.21% and 89.42%, respectively.
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
or $100,000, as the case may be. Investments of $10,000, $50,000 and $100,000 in
the Fund at inception would have grown to $18,942, $94,710 and $189,420,
respectively, at October 31, 1995.
The Fund may advertise, from time to time, its performance relative to
certain performance rankings and indexes compiled by independent organizations.
DESCRIPTION OF SHARES OF THE FUND
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
The shareholders of the Fund are entitled to a full vote for each full share
held. All of the Trustees, except for Messrs. Bozic, Purcell and Schroeder, have
been elected by the shareholders of the Fund, most recently at a Special Meeting
of Shareholders held on January 12, 1993. Messrs. Bozic, Purcell and Schroeder
were elected by the other Trustees of the Fund on April 8, 1994. The Trustees
themselves have the power to alter the number and the terms of office of the
Trustees, and they may at any time lengthen or shorten their own terms or make
their terms of unlimited duration and appoint their own successors, provided
that always at least a majority of the Trustees has been elected by the
shareholders of the Fund. Under certain circumstances, the Trustees may be
removed by action of the Trustees. The shareholders also have the right, under
certain circumstances, to remove the Trustees. The voting rights of shareholders
are not cumulative, so that holders of more than 50 percent of the shares voting
can, if they choose, elect all Trustees being selected, while the holders of the
remaining shares would be unable to elect any Trustees.
The Declaration of Trust permits the Trustees to authorize the creation of
additional series of shares (the proceeds of which would be invested in
separate, independently managed portfolios) and additional classes of shares
within any series (which would be used to distinguish among the rights of
different categories of shareholders, as might be required by future regulations
or other unforeseen circumstances). However, the Trustees have not authorized
any such additional series or classes of shares.
The Declaration of Trust further provides that no Trustee, officer, employee
or agent of the Fund is liable to the Fund or to a shareholder, nor is any
Trustee, officer, employee or agent liable to any third persons in connection
with the affairs of the Fund, except as such liability may arise from his/her or
its own bad faith, willful misfeasance, gross negligence, or reckless disregard
of his duties. It also provides that all third persons shall look solely to the
Fund property for satisfaction of claims arising in connection
39
<PAGE>
with the affairs of the Fund. With the exceptions stated, the Declaration of
Trust provides that a Trustee, officer, employee or agent is entitled to be
indemnified against all liability in connection with the affairs of the Fund.
The Fund is authorized to issue an unlimited number of shares of beneficial
interest. The Fund shall be of unlimited duration subject to the provisions in
the Declaration of Trust concerning termination by action of the shareholders or
the Trustees.
CUSTODIAN AND TRANSFER AGENT
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
The Bank of New York, 90 Washington Street, New York, New York 10286 is the
Custodian of the Fund's assets. 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 subaccounting and recordkeeping services for certain retirement
accounts; disbursing cash dividends and reinvesting dividends; processing
account registration changes; handling purchase and redemption transactions;
mailing prospectuses and reports; mailing and tabulating proxies; processing
share certificate transactions; and maintaining shareholder records and lists.
For these services Dean Witter Trust Company receives a per shareholder account
fee from the Fund.
INDEPENDENT ACCOUNTANTS
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Price Waterhouse LLP serves as the independent accountants of the Fund. The
independent accountants are responsible for auditing the annual financial
statements of the Fund.
REPORTS TO SHAREHOLDERS
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
The Fund will send to shareholders, at least semi-annually, reports showing
the Fund's portfolio and other information. An annual report, containing
financial statements audited by independent accountants, will be sent to
shareholders each year.
The Fund's fiscal year ends on October 31. 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 Trustees.
LEGAL COUNSEL
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Sheldon Curtis, Esq., who is an officer and the General Counsel of the
Investment Manager, is an officer and the General Counsel of the Fund.
EXPERTS
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
The financial statements of the Fund for the year ended October 31, 1995
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.
40
<PAGE>
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.
41
<PAGE>
DEAN WITTER FEDERAL SECURITIES TRUST
REPORT OF INDEPENDENT ACCOUNTANTS
TO THE SHAREHOLDERS AND TRUSTEES
OF DEAN WITTER FEDERAL SECURITIES TRUST
In our opinion, the accompanying statement of assets and liabilities, including
the portfolio of investments, and the related statements of operations and of
changes in net assets and the financial highlights present fairly, in all
material respects, the financial position of Dean Witter Federal Securities
Trust (the "Fund") at October 31, 1995, the results of its operations for the
year then ended, the changes in its net assets for each of the two years in the
period then ended and the financial highlights for each of the eight years in
the period then ended and for the period March 31, 1987 (commencement of
operations) through October 31, 1987, in conformity with generally accepted
accounting principles. These financial statements and financial highlights
(hereafter referred to as "financial statements") are the responsibility of the
Fund's management; our responsibility is to express an opinion on these
financial statements based on our audits. We conducted our audits of these
financial statements in accordance with generally accepted auditing standards
which require that we plan and perform the audit to obtain reasonable assurance
about whether the financial statements are free of material misstatement. An
audit includes examining, on a test basis, evidence supporting the amounts and
disclosures in the financial statements, assessing the accounting principles
used and significant estimates made by management, and evaluating the overall
financial statement presentation. We believe that our audits, which included
confirmation of securities at October 31, 1995 by correspondence with the
custodian and brokers, provide a reasonable basis for the opinion expressed
above.
PRICE WATERHOUSE LLP
1177 AVENUE OF THE AMERICAS
NEW YORK, NEW YORK 10036
DECEMBER 7, 1995
42
<PAGE>
DEAN WITTER FEDERAL SECURITIES TRUST
PORTFOLIO OF INVESTMENTS OCTOBER 31, 1995
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
PRINCIPAL DESCRIPTION
AMOUNT IN AND COUPON
THOUSANDS MATURITY DATE RATE VALUE
- ----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
<C> <S> <C> <C>
U.S. GOVERNMENT & AGENCY OBLIGATIONS (72.1%)
$ 38,323 Federal National Mortgage Assoc. (4.3%)
Principal Strip 12/20/01 - 03/09/02..................... 7.56- $ 35,446,116
---------------
7.89++%
U.S. Treasury Bonds (66.6%)
20,000 11/15/15................................................ 9.875 27,781,250
22,000 11/15/12................................................ 10.375 29,528,125
225,600 08/15/13................................................ 12.00+ 337,836,000
25,000 08/15/14................................................ 12.50 39,125,000
73,000 11/15/11................................................ 14.00 118,020,469
---------------
552,290,844
---------------
U.S. Treasury Note (1.2%)
10,000 01/31/99................................................ 5.00 9,782,812
---------------
TOTAL U.S. GOVERNMENT & AGENCY OBLIGATIONS
(IDENTIFIED COST $544,244,915)........................................ 597,519,772
---------------
MORTGAGE-BACKED SECURITIES (25.8%)
Federal Home Loan Mortgage Corp. (6.6%)
32,159 10/01/10 - 02/01/20..................................... 9.50 33,666,760
15,930 09/01/15 - 10/01/19..................................... 10.00 17,219,113
4,065 01/01/16 - 10/01/18..................................... 10.50 4,439,151
---------------
55,325,024
---------------
Federal National Mortgage Assoc. (7.1%)
18,898 10/01/23 - 12/01/23..................................... 6.50 18,324,956
5,000 *....................................................... 7.00 4,946,875
19,007 05/01/24 - 06/01/25..................................... 8.00 19,464,782
12,185 01/01/22 - 04/01/25..................................... 8.50 12,615,779
2,975 09/01/16 - 05/01/20..................................... 9.50 3,136,985
246 03/01/16 - 02/01/18..................................... 9.75 263,788
---------------
58,753,165
---------------
Government National Mortgage Assoc. (12.1%)
37,415 12/15/22 - 05/15/24..................................... 7.00 37,122,505
36,565 06/15/17 - 01/15/23..................................... 7.50 37,010,946
22,955 10/15/19 - 10/15/24..................................... 8.50 23,880,333
1,641 05/15/16 - 11/15/20..................................... 10.00 1,790,691
282 09/15/18................................................ 11.00 315,940
---------------
100,120,415
---------------
TOTAL MORTGAGE-BACKED SECURITIES
(IDENTIFIED COST $209,372,996)........................................ 214,198,604
---------------
</TABLE>
SEE NOTES TO FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
43
<PAGE>
DEAN WITTER FEDERAL SECURITIES TRUST
PORTFOLIO OF INVESTMENTS OCTOBER 31, 1995, CONTINUED
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
PRINCIPAL DESCRIPTION
AMOUNT IN AND COUPON
THOUSANDS MATURITY DATE RATE VALUE
- ----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
<C> <S> <C> <C>
SHORT-TERM INVESTMENTS (a) (1.1%)
U.S. GOVERNMENT & AGENCY OBLIGATIONS
$ 5,900 Federal Home Loan Mortgage Corp. 11/01/95............... 5.82% $ 5,900,000
3,000 U.S. Treasury Bill 12/07/95............................. 5.17 2,984,490
---------------
TOTAL SHORT-TERM INVESTMENTS
(AMORTIZED COST $8,884,490)........................................... 8,884,490
---------------
TOTAL INVESTMENTS
(IDENTIFIED COST $762,502,401) (C).................................... $ 820,602,866
---------------
---------------
</TABLE>
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
DESCRIPTION,
NUMBER OF EXPIRATION MONTH
CONTRACTS AND STRIKE PRICE VALUE
- ----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
<C> <S> <C> <C>
WRITTEN OPTIONS (0.0%)
Call options on Treasury bond futures December/1995/118-119
600 (Premiums Received $330,674)..........................................
$ (326,563)**
---------------
---------------
</TABLE>
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
DESCRIPTION,
NUMBER OF DELIVERY YEAR
CONTRACTS AND MONTH VALUE
- -----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
<C> <S> <C>
FINANCIAL FUTURES (b) (0.0%)
SHORT POSITIONS
161 U.S. Treasury bonds December/1995...................................... $ (45,281)
---------------
---------------
TOTAL INVESTMENTS
(IDENTIFIED COST $762,502,401) (C).......... 99.0% $820,602,866
TOTAL WRITTEN OPTIONS OUTSTANDING........... 0.0 (326,563)
TOTAL FINANCIAL FUTURES..................... (0.0) (45,281)
OTHER ASSETS IN EXCESS OF OTHER
LIABILITIES................................. 1.0 9,013,453
----- ------------
NET ASSETS.................................. 100.0% $829,244,475
----- ------------
----- ------------
<FN>
- ---------------------
* Securities purchased on a forward commitment with an approximate principle
amount and no definite maturity date, the actual principal amount and
maturity date will be determined upon settlement.
** The market value of U.S. Treasury securities pledged to cover written
options on futures and open futures contracts is $22,462,500.
+ Some or all of these securities are segregated in connection with open
written options.
++ Currently zero coupon bond and will pay interest at the rate shown at a
future specified date.
(a) Securities were purchased on a discount basis. The interest rates shown
have been adjusted to reflect a money market equivalent yield.
(b) Value represents variation margin on open futures contract at October 31,
1995. The market value of these futures contracts is $18,847,063 and the
unrealized depreciation is $326,117
(c) The aggregate cost of investments for federal income tax purposes is
$765,602,245; the aggregate gross unrealized appreciation is $59,225,896
and the aggregate gross unrealized depreciation is $4,225,275, resulting
in appreciation of $55,000,621.
</TABLE>
SEE NOTES TO FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
44
<PAGE>
DEAN WITTER FEDERAL SECURITIES TRUST
FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
STATEMENT OF ASSETS AND LIABILITIES
OCTOBER 31, 1995
<TABLE>
<S> <C>
ASSETS:
Investments in securities, at value
(identified cost $762,502,401)............................ $ 820,602,866
Receivable for:
Investments sold........................................ 110,937
Interest................................................ 15,047,866
Principal paydowns...................................... 1,108,951
Shares of beneficial interest sold...................... 371,323
Written options......................................... 30,633
Prepaid expenses and other assets........................... 46,732
-------------
TOTAL ASSETS........................................... 837,319,308
-------------
LIABILITIES:
Written call options outstanding, at value
(premiums received $330,674).............................. 326,563
Payable for:
Investments purchased................................... 4,916,354
Plan of distribution fee................................ 617,258
Dividends to shareholders............................... 548,423
Shares of beneficial interest repurchased............... 448,616
Investment management fee............................... 399,402
Variation margin........................................ 45,281
Payable to bank............................................. 552,437
Accrued expenses and other payables......................... 220,499
-------------
TOTAL LIABILITIES...................................... 8,074,833
-------------
NET ASSETS:
Paid-in-capital............................................. 873,904,427
Net unrealized appreciation................................. 57,778,459
Distributions in excess of net investment income............ (517,433)
Accumulated net realized loss............................... (101,920,978)
-------------
NET ASSETS............................................. $ 829,244,475
-------------
-------------
NET ASSET VALUE PER SHARE,
87,365,878 SHARES OUTSTANDING (UNLIMITED SHARES AUTHORIZED
OF $.01 PAR VALUE)........................................
$9.49
-------------
-------------
</TABLE>
STATEMENT OF OPERATIONS
FOR THE YEAR ENDED OCTOBER 31, 1995
<TABLE>
<S> <C>
NET INVESTMENT INCOME:
INTEREST INCOME............................................. $ 66,502,572
------------
EXPENSES
Plan of distribution fee.................................... 7,020,532
Investment management fee................................... 4,542,697
Transfer agent fees and expenses............................ 702,036
Shareholder reports and notices............................. 91,322
Custodian fees.............................................. 72,408
Professional fees........................................... 59,427
Registration fees........................................... 40,536
Trustees' fees and expenses................................. 27,018
Other....................................................... 10,592
------------
TOTAL EXPENSES......................................... 12,566,568
------------
NET INVESTMENT INCOME.................................. 53,936,004
------------
NET REALIZED AND UNREALIZED GAIN (LOSS):
Net realized gain (loss) on:
Investments............................................. (79,063)
Futures contracts....................................... (12,753,544)
Options written......................................... 1,758,392
------------
TOTAL LOSS............................................. (11,074,215)
Net change in unrealized depreciation....................... 79,255,121
------------
NET GAIN............................................... 68,180,906
------------
NET INCREASE................................................ $122,116,910
------------
------------
</TABLE>
SEE NOTES TO FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
45
<PAGE>
DEAN WITTER FEDERAL SECURITIES TRUST
FINANCIAL STATEMENTS, CONTINUED
STATEMENT OF CHANGES IN NET ASSETS
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
FOR THE YEAR FOR THE YEAR
ENDED ENDED
OCTOBER 31, 1995 OCTOBER 31, 1994
- -------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
<S> <C> <C>
INCREASE (DECREASE) IN NET ASSETS:
OPERATIONS:
Net investment income....................................... $ 53,936,004 $ 64,333,610
Net realized gain (loss).................................... (11,074,215) 12,133,071
Net change in unrealized appreciation/depreciation.......... 79,255,121 (149,350,543)
---------------- ----------------
NET INCREASE (DECREASE)................................ 122,116,910 (72,883,862)
Dividends from net investment income........................ (53,936,003) (64,700,229)
Net decrease from transactions in shares of beneficial
interest.................................................. (79,663,066) (150,082,996)
---------------- ----------------
TOTAL DECREASE......................................... (11,482,159) (287,667,087)
NET ASSETS:
Beginning of period......................................... 840,726,634 1,128,393,721
---------------- ----------------
END OF PERIOD
(INCLUDING DISTRIBUTIONS IN EXCESS OF NET INVESTMENT
INCOME OF $517,433 AND $517,434, RESPECTIVELY).......... $829,244,475 $ 840,726,634
---------------- ----------------
---------------- ----------------
</TABLE>
SEE NOTES TO FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
46
<PAGE>
DEAN WITTER FEDERAL SECURITIES TRUST
NOTES TO FINANCIAL STATEMENTS OCTOBER 31, 1995
1. ORGANIZATION AND ACCOUNTING POLICIES
Dean Witter Federal Securities Trust (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 commenced operations on March
31, 1987.
The following is a summary of significant accounting policies:
A. VALUATION OF INVESTMENTS -- (1) all 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; (2) listed options
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 price; (3) futures
contracts are valued at the latest sale price as of the close of the commodities
exchange on which they trade unless the Trustees determine that such price does
not reflect their market value, in which case it will be valued at fair value as
determined by the Trustees; (4) when market quotations are not readily
available, portfolio securities are valued at their fair value as determined in
good faith under procedures established by and under the general supervision of
the Trustees (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 (5) short-term debt securities having a maturity date of
more than sixty days at the 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.
Discounts are accreted over the life of the respective securities. Interest
income is accrued daily.
C. OPTIONS AND FUTURES -- (1) Written options on debt obligations: When the Fund
writes a call or put option, an amount equal to the premium received is included
in the Fund's Statement of Assets and Liabilities as a liability which is
subsequently marked-to-market to reflect the current market value. If a written
option either expires or the Fund enters into a closing purchase transaction,
the Fund realizes a gain or loss without regard to any unrealized gain or loss
on the underlying security and the liability related to such option is
extinguished. If a written call option is exercised, the Fund realizes a gain or
loss from the sale of the underlying security and the proceeds from such sale
are
47
<PAGE>
DEAN WITTER FEDERAL SECURITIES TRUST
NOTES TO FINANCIAL STATEMENTS OCTOBER 31, 1995, CONTINUED
increased by the premium originally received. If a written put option is
exercised, the amount of the premium originally received reduces the cost of the
security which the Fund purchases upon exercise of the option; (2) Purchased
options on debt obligations: When the Fund purchases a call or put option, the
premium paid is recorded as an investment which is subsequently marked-to-market
to reflect the current market value. If a purchased option expires, the Fund
will realize a loss to the extent of the premium paid. If the Fund enters into a
closing sale transaction, a gain or loss is realized for the difference between
the proceeds from the sale and the cost of the option. If a put option is
exercised, the cost of the security sold upon exercise will be increased by the
premium originally paid. If a call option is exercised, the cost of the security
purchased upon exercise will be increased by the premium originally paid; (3)
Options on futures contracts: The Fund is required to deposit U.S. Government
securities as "initial margin" and "variation margin" with respect to written
call and put options on futures contracts. If a written option expires, the Fund
realizes a gain. If a written call or put option is exercised, the premium
received will decrease or increase the unrealized loss or gain on the futures
contract. If the Fund enters into a closing purchase transaction, the Fund
realizes a gain or loss without regard to any unrealized gain or loss on the
underlying futures contract and the liability related to such option is
extinguished; and (4) Futures contracts: A futures contract is an agreement
between two parties to buy and sell financial instruments at a set price on a
future date. Upon entering into such a contract, the Fund is required to pledge
to the broker cash or U.S. Government securities equal to the minimum initial
margin requirements of the applicable futures exchange. Pursuant to the
contract, the Fund agrees to receive from or pay to the broker an amount of cash
equal to the daily fluctuation in the value of the contract. Such receipts or
payments known as variation margin are recorded by the Fund as unrealized gains
or losses. Upon closing of the contract, the Fund realizes a gain or loss equal
to the difference between the value of the contract at the time it was opened
and the value at the time it was closed.
D. FEDERAL INCOME TAX STATUS -- It is the Fund's policy to comply with the
requirements of the Internal Revenue Code applicable to regulated investment
companies and to distribute all of its taxable income to its shareholders.
Accordingly, no federal income tax provision is required.
E. DIVIDENDS AND DISTRIBUTIONS TO SHAREHOLDERS -- The Fund records dividends and
distributions to its shareholders on the 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
48
<PAGE>
DEAN WITTER FEDERAL SECURITIES TRUST
NOTES TO FINANCIAL STATEMENTS OCTOBER 31, 1995, CONTINUED
federal tax-basis treatment; temporary differences do not require
reclassification. Dividends and distributions which exceed net investment income
and net realized capital gains for financial reporting purposes but not for tax
purposes are reported as dividends in excess of net investment income or
distributions in excess of net realized capital gains. To the extent they exceed
net investment income and net realized capital gains for tax purposes, they are
reported as distributions of paid-in-capital.
2. INVESTMENT MANAGEMENT AGREEMENT
Pursuant to an Investment Management Agreement with Dean Witter InterCapital
Inc. (the "Investment Manager"), the Fund pays a management fee, accrued daily
and payable monthly, by applying the following annual rates to the Fund's net
assets determined at the close of each business day: 0.55% to the portion of
daily net assets not exceeding $1 billion; 0.525% to the portion of daily net
assets exceeding $1 billion but not exceeding $1.5 billion; 0.50% to the portion
of daily net assets exceeding $1.5 billion but not exceeding $2 billion; 0.475%
to the portion of daily net assets exceeding $2 billion but not exceeding $2.5
billion; 0.45% to the portion of daily net assets exceeding $2.5 billion but not
exceeding $5 billion; 0.425% to the portion of daily net assets exceeding $5
billion but not exceeding $7.5 billion; 0.40% to the portion of daily net assets
exceeding $7.5 billion but not exceeding $10 billion; 0.375% to the portion of
daily net assets exceeding $10 billion but not exceeding $12.5 billion; and
0.35% to the portion of daily net assets exceeding $12.5 billion.
Under the terms of the Agreement, in addition to managing the Fund's
investments, the Investment Manager maintains certain of the Fund's books and
records and furnishes, at its own expense, office space, facilities, equipment,
clerical, bookkeeping and certain legal services and pays the salaries of all
personnel, including officers of the Fund who are employees of the Investment
Manager. The Investment Manager also bears the cost of telephone services, heat,
light, power and other utilities provided to the Fund.
3. 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 daily and payable
monthly, at an annual rate of 0.85% of the lesser of: (a) the average daily
aggregate gross sales of the Fund's shares since the Fund's inception (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
Fund's inception upon which a contingent deferred sales charge has been
49
<PAGE>
DEAN WITTER FEDERAL SECURITIES TRUST
NOTES TO FINANCIAL STATEMENTS OCTOBER 31, 1995, CONTINUED
imposed or upon which such charge has been waived; or (b) the Fund's average
daily net assets. 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 by
the Distributor 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 October 31, 1995,
it received approximately $750,000 in contingent deferred sales charges from
certain redemptions of the Fund's shares. The Fund's shareholders pay such
charges which are not an expense of the Fund.
4. SECURITY TRANSACTIONS AND TRANSACTIONS WITH AFFILIATES
Purchases and sales/prepayments of portfolio securities, excluding short-term
investments, for the year ended October 31, 1995 were $59,343,346 and
$139,243,860, respectively.
Transactions in written options for the year ended October 31, 1995 were as
follows:
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
CONTRACTS PREMIUMS
----------- -----------
<S> <C> <C>
Option contracts written, outstanding at beginning
of the period.................................... 100 $ 27,508
Options written................................... 14,143 8,024,396
Options closed.................................... (12,013 ) (6,961,271)
Options exercised................................. (1,630 ) (759,959)
----------- -----------
Option contracts written, outstanding at end of
the period....................................... 600 $ 330,674
----------- -----------
----------- -----------
</TABLE>
For the year ended October 31, 1995, the Fund incurred $9,495 and $80,741 in
brokerage commissions for transactions executed and for clearing options and
futures transactions, respectively, with DWR on behalf of the Fund.
50
<PAGE>
DEAN WITTER FEDERAL SECURITIES TRUST
NOTES TO FINANCIAL STATEMENTS OCTOBER 31, 1995, CONTINUED
Dean Witter Trust Company, an affiliate of the Investment Manager and
Distributor, is the Fund's transfer agent. At October 31, 1995, the Fund had
transfer agent fees and expenses payable of approximately $66,000.
The Fund has an unfunded noncontributory defined benefit pension plan covering
all independent Trustees of the Fund who will have served as independent
Trustees for at least five years at the time of retirement. Benefits under this
plan are based on years of service and compensation during the last five years
of service. Aggregate pension costs for the year ended October 31, 1995 included
in Trustees' fees and expenses in the Statement of Operations, amounted to
$7,393. At October 31, 1995, the Fund had an accrued pension liability of
$53,847 included in accrued expenses in the Statement of Assets and Liabilities.
5. SHARES OF BENEFICIAL INTEREST
Transactions in shares of beneficial interest were as follows:
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
FOR THE YEAR ENDED FOR THE YEAR ENDED
OCTOBER 31, 1995 OCTOBER 31, 1994
-------------------------- --------------------------
SHARES AMOUNT SHARES AMOUNT
----------- ------------- ----------- -------------
<S> <C> <C> <C> <C>
Sold.............................................. 9,811,932 $ 88,420,535 10,119,372 $ 93,966,925
Reinvestment of dividends......................... 3,274,181 29,717,628 3,923,981 36,393,372
----------- ------------- ----------- -------------
13,086,113 118,138,163 14,043,353 130,360,297
Repurchased....................................... (21,931,274) (197,801,229) (30,316,610) (281,320,721)
Reclassification due to permanent book/tax
difference....................................... -- -- -- 877,428
----------- ------------- ----------- -------------
Net decrease...................................... (8,845,161) $ (79,663,066) (16,273,257) $(150,082,996)
----------- ------------- ----------- -------------
----------- ------------- ----------- -------------
</TABLE>
6. FEDERAL INCOME TAX STATUS
During the year ended October 31, 1995, the Fund utilized approximately $896,000
of its net capital loss carryover.
At October 31, 1995, the Fund had an approximate net capital loss carryover of
$84,656,000, which may be used to offset future capital gains to the extent
provided by regulations, which is available through October 31 in the following
years:
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
AMOUNTS IN THOUSANDS
- ------------------------------------------------------------------------
1996 1997 1998 2000 2002 TOTAL
- ----------- ----------- --------- --------- ----------- -----------
<S> <C> <C> <C> <C> <C>
$27,140 $ 15,672 $ 6,866 $ 3,854 $ 31,124 $ 84,656
- ----------- ----------- --------- --------- ----------- -----------
- ----------- ----------- --------- --------- ----------- -----------
</TABLE>
At October 31, 1995, the Fund was required for Federal income tax purposes to
defer approximately $14,165,000 of realized losses on certain closed options and
futures contracts.
51
<PAGE>
DEAN WITTER FEDERAL SECURITIES TRUST
NOTES TO FINANCIAL STATEMENTS OCTOBER 31, 1995, CONTINUED
As of October 31, 1995, the Fund had temporary book/tax differences primarily
attributable to capital loss deferrals on wash sales and straddles.
7. PURPOSES OF AND RISKS RELATING TO CERTAIN FINANCIAL INSTRUMENTS
To hedge against adverse interest rate and market risks on portfolio positions
or anticipated positions in U.S. Government securities, or in the case of
written options, to close out long or short positions in futures contracts, the
Fund may enter into written options on interest rate futures and interest rate
futures contracts ("derivative instruments").
These derivative instruments involve elements of market risk in excess of the
amount reflected in the Statement of Assets and Liabilities. The Fund bears the
risk of an unfavorable change in the value of the underlying securities or
currencies.
At October 31, 1995, there were no outstanding written options on interest rate
futures and interest rate futures other than those used to manage interest rate
and market exposure on portfolio positions or anticipated positions in U.S.
Government securities.
52
<PAGE>
DEAN WITTER FEDERAL SECURITIES TRUST
FINANCIAL HIGHLIGHTS
Selected ratios and per share data for a share of beneficial interest
outstanding throughout each period:
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
FOR THE
PERIOD
MARCH 31,
1987*
FOR THE YEAR ENDED OCTOBER 31 THROUGH
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- OCTOBER
1995 1994 1993 1992 1991 1990 1989 1988 31, 1987
- -----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
<S> <C> <C> <C> <C> <C> <C> <C> <C> <C>
PER SHARE OPERATING
PERFORMANCE:
Net asset value,
beginning of
period.......... $ 8.74 $ 10.03 $ 9.57 $ 9.46 $ 8.87 $ 9.27 $ 9.13 $ 9.27 $ 10.00
---------- --------- --------- ---------- --------- --------- ---------- --------- ----------
Net investment
income.......... 0.59 0.60 0.65 0.68 0.72 0.72 0.71 0.74 0.43
Net realized and
unrealized gain
(loss).......... 0.75 (1.28) 0.46 0.11 0.59 (0.40) 0.34 0.08 (0.58)
---------- --------- --------- ---------- --------- --------- ---------- --------- ----------
Total from
investment
operations...... 1.34 (0.68) 1.11 0.79 1.31 0.32 1.05 0.82 (0.15)
---------- --------- --------- ---------- --------- --------- ---------- --------- ----------
Less dividends
and
distributions
from:
Net investment
income........ (0.59) (0.61) (0.65) (0.68) (0.72) (0.72) (0.71) (0.74) (0.43)
Net realized
gain.......... -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- (0.15)
Paid-in-capital... -- -- -- -- -- -- (0.20) (0.22) --
---------- --------- --------- ---------- --------- --------- ---------- --------- ----------
Total dividends
and
distributions... (0.59) (0.61) (0.65) (0.68) (0.72) (0.72) (0.91) (0.96) (0.58)
---------- --------- --------- ---------- --------- --------- ---------- --------- ----------
Net asset value,
end of period... $ 9.49 $ 8.74 $ 10.03 $ 9.57 $ 9.46 $ 8.87 $ 9.27 $ 9.13 $ 9.27
---------- --------- --------- ---------- --------- --------- ---------- --------- ----------
---------- --------- --------- ---------- --------- --------- ---------- --------- ----------
TOTAL INVESTMENT
RETURN+.......... 15.89% (6.92)% 12.03% 8.56% 15.26% 3.64% 12.32% 9.21% (1.47)%(1)
RATIOS TO AVERAGE
NET ASSETS:
Expenses......... 1.52% 1.52% 1.50% 1.48% 1.50% 1.54% 1.47% 1.50% 1.54%(2)
Net investment
income.......... 6.53% 6.56% 6.59% 7.18% 7.79% 7.92% 7.90% 8.04% 7.76%(2)
SUPPLEMENTAL DATA:
Net assets, end
of period, in
millions........ $829 $841 $1,128 $1,171 $1,252 $1,397 $1,824 $2,122 $2,067
Portfolio
turnover rate... 7% 18% 7% 6% -- %++ 5% 19% 44% 32%(1)
<FN>
- ---------------------
* Commencement of operations.
+ Does not reflect the deduction of sales charge.
++ Less than 0.5%.
(1) Not annualized.
(2) Annualized.
</TABLE>
SEE NOTES TO FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
53
<PAGE>
APPENDIX
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
RATINGS OF CORPORATE DEBT INSTRUMENTS
BONDS
The four highest ratings of Moody's Investors Service, Inc. ("Moody's") for
corporate bonds are Aaa, Aa, A and Baa, all of which are considered investment
grade. Bonds rated Aaa are judged to be of the "best quality". The rating of Aa
is assigned to bonds which are of "high quality by all standards", but as to
which margins of protection or other elements make long-term risks appear
somewhat larger than Aaa rated bonds. The Aaa and Aa rated bonds comprise what
are generally known as "high grade bonds". Bonds which are rated A by Moody's
possess many favorable investment attributes and are considered "upper medium
grade obligations". Bonds rated Baa are considered "medium grade" obligations.
They are neither highly protected nor poorly secured. Interest payments and
principal security appear adequate for the present but certain protective
elements may be lacking or may be characteristically unreliable over any great
length of time. Such bonds lack outstanding investment characteristics and in
fact have speculative characteristics as well. Moody's applies numerical
modifiers, 1, 2, and 3, in each rating classification for Aa and below. The
modifier 1 indicates that the security ranks in the higher end of its category;
the modifier 2 indicates a mid-range ranking; and the modifier 3 indicates that
the issue ranks in the lower end of its category. The foregoing ratings are
sometimes presented in parentheses preceded with a "con" indicating that the
bonds are rated conditionally. Bonds, the security for which depends upon the
completion of some act or the fulfillment of some condition, are rated
conditionally. These are bonds secured by (a) earnings of projects under
construction, (b) earnings of projects when facilities are completed, or (c)
payments to which some other limiting condition attaches. Such parenthetical
rating denotes the probable credit stature upon completion of construction or
elimination of the basis of the condition.
The four highest ratings of Standard & Poor's Corporation ("Standard &
Poor's") for bonds are AAA, AA, A and BBB, all of which are considered
investment grade. Bonds rated AAA bear the highest rating assigned by Standard &
Poor's to a debt obligation, and the rating indicates an extremely strong
capacity to pay interest and repay principal. Bonds rated AA also qualify as
high-quality debt obligations. Capacity to pay interest and repay principal is
very strong, and in the majority of instances they differ from AAA issues only
in small degree. Bonds rated A have strong capacity to pay interest and repay
principal although they are somewhat more susceptible to the adverse effects of
changes in circumstances and economic conditions. The BBB rating, which is the
lowest "investment grade" security rating by Standard & Poor's, indicates an
adequate capacity to repay principal and pay interest. Whereas they normally
exhibit adequate protection parameters, adverse economic conditions or changing
circumstances are more likely to lead to a weakened capacity to pay principal
and interest for bonds in this category than for bonds in the A category. The
ratings of AA and below may be modified by the addition of a plus or minus sign
to show relative standing within the major rating categories. The foregoing
ratings are sometimes followed by a "p" which indicates that the rating is
provisional. A provisional rating assumes the successful completion of the
project being financed by the bonds being rated and indicates that payment of
debt service requirements is largely or entirely dependent upon the successful
and timely completion of the project. This rating, however, while addressing
credit quality subsequent to completion of the project, makes no comment on the
likelihood or risk of default upon failure of such completion.
COMMERCIAL PAPER
Moody's Commercial Paper ratings are opinions of the ability of issuers to
repay punctually promissory obligations not having an original maturity in
excess of nine months. Moody's employs the following three designations, all
judged to be investment grade, to indicate the relative repayment capacity of
rated issuers: Prime-1, Highest Quality; Prime-2, Higher Quality; and Prime-3,
High Quality.
Standard & Poor's commercial paper rating is a current assessment of the
likelihood of timely payment of debt having an original maturity of no more than
365 days. The commercial paper rating is
54
<PAGE>
not a recommendation to purchase or sell a security. The ratings are based upon
current information furnished by the issuer or obtained by S&P from other
sources it considers reliable. The ratings may be changed, suspended, or
withdrawn as a result of changes in or unavailability of such information.
Ratings are graded into four categories, ranging from "A" for the highest
quality obligations to "D" for the lowest. Issues assigned A ratings are
regarded as having the greatest capacity for timely payment. Issues in this
category are further refined with the designations 1, 2, and 3 to indicate the
relative degree of safety. The "A-1+" and "A-1" designations indicate that the
degree of safety regarding timely payment is very strong.
55
<PAGE>
DEAN WITTER FEDERAL SECURITIES TRUST
PART C OTHER INFORMATION
Item 24. Financial Statements and Exhibits
(a) FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
(1) Financial statements and schedules, included
in Prospectus (Part A):
Page in
Prospectus
----------
Financial highlights for the period March 31, 1987
through October 31, 1987 and for the fiscal years
ended October 31, 1988, 1989, 1990, 1991, 1992,
1993, 1994 and 1995 ................................. 4
(2) Financial statements included in the Statement of
Additional Information (Part B):
Page in
SAI
-------
Portfolio of Investments at October 31, 1995.......... 43
Statement of assets and liabilities at
October 31, 1995...................................... 45
Statement of operations for the year ended
October 31, 1995......................................
Statement of changes in net assets for the
years ended October 31, 1994 and 1995................. 45
Notes to Financial Statements......................... 46
Financial highlights for the period March 31, 1987
through October 31, 1987 and for the fiscal years
ended October 31, 1988, 1989, 1990, 1991, 1992, 1993,
1994 and 1995 ........................................ 53
(3) Financial statements included in Part C:
None
(b) EXHIBITS:
1. (a) -- Declaration of Trust of Registrant
dated November 20, 1986*
(b) -- Amended and Restated Declaration of
Trust dated March 25, 1987*
(c) -- Amendment dated August 10, 1992 to
the Declaration of Trust
2. -- Amended and Restated By-laws of the
Registrant
6. -- Form of Selected Dealer Agreement
<PAGE>
8. -- Form of Custodian Agreement between Registrant and
The Bank of New York.*
9. -- Form of Services Agreement between Dean Witter
InterCapital Inc. and Dean Witter Services Company Inc.
11. -- Consent of Independent Accountants
15. -- Amended and Restated Plan of Distribution pursuant
to Rule 12b-1
16. -- Schedules for Computation of Performance Quotations
27. -- Financial Data Schedule
* Previously filed; re-filed with this Registration
Amendment via EDGAR
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 December 29, 1995
-------------- ------------------------
Shares of Beneficial Interest 48,708
Item 27. INDEMNIFICATION.
Pursuant to Section 5.3 of the Registrant's Declaration of
Trust and under Section 4.8 of the Registrant's By-Laws, the indemnification of
the Registrant's trustees, officers, employees and agents is permitted if it is
determined that they acted under the belief that their actions were in or not
opposed to the best interest of the Registrant, and, with respect to any
criminal proceeding, they had reasonable cause to believe their conduct was not
unlawful. In addition, indemnification is permitted only if it is determined
that the actions in question did not render them liable by reason of willful
misfeasance, bad faith or gross negligence in the performance of their duties or
by reason of reckless disregard of their obligations and duties to the
Registrant. Trustees, officers, employees and agents will be indemnified for
the expense of litigation if it is determined that they are entitled to
indemnification against any liability established in such litigation. The
Registrant may also advance money for these expenses provided that they give
their undertakings to repay the Registrant unless their conduct is later
determined to permit indemnification.
2
<PAGE>
Pursuant to Section 5.2 of the Registrant's Declaration of Trust and
paragraph 8 of the Registrant's Investment Management Agreement, neither the
Investment Manager nor any trustee, officer, employee or agent of the Registrant
shall be liable for any action or failure to act, except in the case of bad
faith, willful misfeasance, gross negligence or reckless disregard of duties to
the Registrant.
Insofar as indemnification for liabilities arising under the
Securities Act of 1933 (the "Act") may be permitted to trustees, officers and
controlling persons of the Registrant pursuant to the foregoing provisions or
otherwise, the Registrant has been advised that in the opinion of the
Securities and Exchange Commission such indemnification is against public policy
as expressed in the Act and is, therefore, unenforceable. In the event that a
claim for indemnification against such liabilities (other than the payment by
the Registrant of expenses incurred or paid by a trustee, officer, or
controlling person of the Registrant in connection with the successful defense
of any action, suit or proceeding) is asserted against the Registrant by such
trustee, officer or controlling person in connection with the shares being
registered, the Registrant will, unless in the opinion of its counsel the matter
has been settled by controlling precedent, submit to a court of appropriate
jurisdiction the question whether such indemnification by it is against public
policy as expressed in the Act, and will be governed by the final adjudication
of such issue.
The Registrant hereby undertakes that it will apply the
indemnification provision of its by-laws in a manner consistent with Release
11330 of the Securities and Exchange Commission under the Investment Company Act
of 1940, so long as the interpretation of Sections 17(h) and 17(i) of such Act
remains in effect.
Registrant, in conjunction with the Investment Manager, Registrant's
Trustees, and other registered investment management companies managed by the
Investment Manager, maintains insurance on behalf of any person who is or was a
Trustee, officer, employee, or agent of Registrant, or who is or was serving at
the request of Registrant as a trustee, director, officer, employee or agent of
another trust or corporation, against any liability asserted against him and
incurred by him or arising out of his position. However, in no event will
Registrant maintain insurance to indemnify any such person for any act for which
Registrant itself is not permitted to indemnify him.
Item 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.
3
<PAGE>
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
(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
4
<PAGE>
(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
(45) Dean Witter High Income Securities
(46) Dean Witter National Municipal Trust
(47) Dean Witter International SmallCap Fund
(48) Dean Witter Mid-Cap Growth Fund
(49) Dean Witter Select Dimensions Investment Series
(50) Dean Witter Balanced Growth Fund
(51) Dean Witter Balanced Income Fund
(52) Dean Witter Hawaii Municipal Trust
(53) Dean Witter Capital Appreciation Fund
(54) Dean Witter Intermediate Term U.S. Treasury Trust
(55) Dean Witter Information Fund
The term "TCW/DW Funds" refers to the following registered investment companies:
Open-End Investment Companies
- -----------------------------
(1) TCW/DW Core Equity Trust
(2) TCW/DW North American Government Income Trust
(3) TCW/DW Latin American Growth Fund
(4) TCW/DW Income and Growth Fund
(5) TCW/DW Small Cap Growth Fund
(6) TCW/DW Balanced Fund
(7) TCW/DW Total Return Trust
(8) TCW/DW Mid-Cap Equity Trust
5
<PAGE>
Closed-End Investment Companies
- -------------------------------
(1) TCW/DW Term Trust 2000
(2) TCW/DW Term Trust 2002
(3) TCW/DW Term Trust 2003
(4) TCW/DW Emerging Markets Opportunities Trust
NAME AND POSITION OTHER SUBSTANTIAL BUSINESS, PROFESSION, VOCATION
WITH DEAN WITTER OR EMPLOYMENT, INCLUDING NAME, PRINCIPAL ADDRESS
INTERCAPITAL INC. AND NATURE OF CONNECTION
- ---------------------- ------------------------------------------------
Charles A. Fiumefreddo Executive Vice President and Director of Dean
Chairman, Chief Witter Reynolds Inc. ("DWR"); Chairman, Chief
Executive Officer and Executive Officer and Director of Dean Witter
Director Distributors Inc. ("Distributors") and Dean
Witter Services Company Inc. ("DWSC"); Chairman
and Director of Dean Witter Trust Company
("DWTC"); Chairman, Director or Trustee, President
and Chief Executive Officer of the Dean Witter
Funds and Chairman, Chief Executive Officer and
Trustee of the TCW/DW Funds; Formerly Executive
Vice President and Director of Dean Witter,
Discover & Co. ("DWDC"); Director and/or officer
of various DWDC subsidiaries.
Philip J. Purcell Chairman, Chief Executive Officer and Director of
Director of DWDC and DWR; Director of DWSC and
Distributors; Director or Trustee of the Dean
Witter Funds; Director and/or officer of various
DWDC subsidiaries.
Richard M. DeMartini Executive Vice President of DWDC; President and
Director Chief Operating Officer of Dean Witter Capital;
Director of DWR, DWSC, Distributors and DWTC;
Trustee of the TCW/DW Funds; Member (since
January, 1993) and Chairman (since January,
1995) of the Board of Directors of NASDAQ.
James F. Higgins Executive Vice President of DWDC; President and
Director Chief Operating Officer of Dean Witter Financial;
Director of DWR, DWSC, Distributors and DWTC.
Thomas C. Schneider Executive Vice President and Chief Financial
Executive Vice Officer of DWDC, DWR, DWSC and Distributors;
President, Chief Director of DWR, DWSC and Distributors.
Financial Officer and
Director
6
<PAGE>
NAME AND POSITION OTHER SUBSTANTIAL BUSINESS, PROFESSION, VOCATION
WITH DEAN WITTER OR EMPLOYMENT, INCLUDING NAME, PRINCIPAL ADDRESS
INTERCAPITAL INC. AND NATURE OF CONNECTION
- ---------------------- ------------------------------------------------
Christine A. Edwards Executive Vice President, Secretary and General
Director Counsel of DWDC and DWR; Executive Vice President,
Secretary and Chief Legal Officer of Distributors;
Director of DWR, DWSC and Distributors.
Robert M. Scanlan President and Chief Operating Officer of DWSC,
President and Chief Executive Vice President of Distributors;
Operating Officer Executive Vice President and Director of DWTC;
Vice President of the Dean Witter Funds and the
TCW/DW Funds.
David A. Hughey Executive Vice President and Chief Administrative
Executive Vice Officer of DWSC, Distributors and DWTC; Director
President and Chief of DWTC; Vice President of the Dean Witter Funds
Administrative Officer and the TCW/DW Funds.
Edmund C. Puckhaber Director of DWTC; Vice President of the Dean
Executive Vice Witter Funds.
President
John Van Heuvelen President, Chief Operating Officer and Director
Executive Vice of DWTC.
President
Sheldon Curtis Assistant Secretary of DWR; Senior Vice President,
Senior Vice President, Secretary and General Counsel of DWSC; Senior Vice
General Counsel and President, Assistant General Counsel and Assistant
Secretary Secretary of Distributors; Senior Vice President
and Secretary of DWTC; Vice President, Secretary
and General Counsel of the Dean Witter Funds and
the TCW/DW Funds.
Peter M. Avelar
Senior Vice President Vice President of various Dean Witter Funds.
Mark Bavoso
Senior Vice President Vice President of various Dean Witter Funds.
Richard Felegy
Senior Vice President
Edward Gaylor
Senior Vice President Vice President of various Dean Witter Funds.
Robert S. Giambrone
Senior Vice President Senior Vice President of DWSC, Distributors
and DWTC; Vice President of the Dean Witter Funds
and the TCW/DW Funds.
7
<PAGE>
NAME AND POSITION OTHER SUBSTANTIAL BUSINESS, PROFESSION, VOCATION
WITH DEAN WITTER OR EMPLOYMENT, INCLUDING NAME, PRINCIPAL ADDRESS
INTERCAPITAL INC. AND NATURE OF CONNECTION
- ---------------------- ------------------------------------------------
Rajesh K. Gupta
Senior Vice President Vice President of various Dean Witter Funds.
Kenton J. Hinchcliffe
Senior Vice President Vice President of various Dean Witter Funds.
Kevin Hurley
Senior Vice President Vice President of various Dean Witter Funds.
John B. Kemp, III Director of the Provident Savings Bank, Jersey
Senior Vice President City, New Jersey.
Anita Kolleeny
Senior Vice President Vice President of various Dean Witter Funds.
Joseph J. McAlinden
Senior Vice President Vice President of the Dean Witter Funds.
Jonathan R. Page
Senior Vice President Vice President of various Dean Witter Funds.
Ira Ross
Senior Vice President Vice President of various Dean Witter Funds.
Rochelle G. Siegel
Senior Vice President Vice President of various Dean Witter Funds.
Paul D. Vance
Senior Vice President Vice President of various Dean Witter Funds.
Elizabeth A. Vetell
Senior Vice President
James F. Willison
Senior Vice President Vice President of various Dean Witter Funds.
Ronald J. Worobel
Senior Vice President Vice President of various Dean Witter Funds.
Thomas F. Caloia First Vice President and Assistant Treasurer of
First Vice President DWSC, Assistant Treasurer of Distributors;
and Assistant Treasurer and Chief Financial Officer of the
Treasurer Dean Witter Funds and the TCW/DW Funds.
Marilyn K. Cranney Assistant Secretary of DWR; First Vice President
First Vice President and Assistant Secretary of DWSC; Assistant
and Assistant Secretary Secretary of the Dean Witter Funds and the TCW/DW
Funds.
8
<PAGE>
NAME AND POSITION OTHER SUBSTANTIAL BUSINESS, PROFESSION, VOCATION
WITH DEAN WITTER OR EMPLOYMENT, INCLUDING NAME, PRINCIPAL ADDRESS
INTERCAPITAL INC. AND NATURE OF CONNECTION
- ---------------------- ------------------------------------------------
Barry Fink First Vice President and Assistant Secretary of
First Vice President DWSC; Assistant Secretary of the Dean Witter
and Assistant Secretary Funds and the TCW/DW Funds.
Michael Interrante First Vice President and Controller of DWSC;
First Vice President Assistant Treasurer of Distributors;First Vice
and Controller President and Treasurer of DWTC.
Robert Zimmerman
First Vice President
Joan Allman
Vice President
Joseph Arcieri
Vice President Vice President of various Dean Witter Funds.
Douglas Brown
Vice President
Thomas Chronert
Vice President
Rosalie Clough
Vice President
Patricia A. Cuddy
Vice President Vice President of various Dean Witter Funds.
B. Catherine Connelly
Vice President
Salvatore DeSteno
Vice President Vice President of DWSC.
Frank J. DeVito
Vice President Vice President of DWSC.
Dwight Doolan
Vice President
Bruce Dunn
Vice President
Jeffrey D. Geffen
Vice President
Deborah Genovese
Vice President
9
<PAGE>
NAME AND POSITION OTHER SUBSTANTIAL BUSINESS, PROFESSION, VOCATION
WITH DEAN WITTER OR EMPLOYMENT, INCLUDING NAME, PRINCIPAL ADDRESS
INTERCAPITAL INC. AND NATURE OF CONNECTION
- ---------------------- ------------------------------------------------
Peter W. Gurman
Vice President
Russell Harper
Vice President
John Hechtlinger
Vice President
Peter Hermann
Vice President Vice President of Dean Witter Mid-Cap Growth Fund.
David Hoffman
Vice President
David Johnson
Vice President
Christopher Jones
Vice President
Stanley Kapica
Vice President
Michael Knox Vice President of Dean Witter Convertible
Vice President Securities Trust.
Konrad J. Krill
Vice President Vice President of various Dean Witter Funds.
Paula LaCosta
Vice President Vice President of various Dean Witter Funds.
Thomas Lawlor
Vice President
Gerard Lian
Vice President Vice President of various Dean Witter Funds.
LouAnne D. McInnis Vice President and Assistant Secretary of DWSC;
Vice President and Assistant Secretary of the Dean Witter Funds and
Assistant Secretary the TCW/DW Funds.
Sharon K. Milligan
Vice President
Julie Morrone
Vice President
10
<PAGE>
NAME AND POSITION OTHER SUBSTANTIAL BUSINESS, PROFESSION, VOCATION
WITH DEAN WITTER OR EMPLOYMENT, INCLUDING NAME, PRINCIPAL ADDRESS
INTERCAPITAL INC. AND NATURE OF CONNECTION
- ---------------------- ------------------------------------------------
David Myers
Vice President
James Nash
Vice President
Richard Norris
Vice President
Hugh Rose
Vice President
Ruth Rossi Vice President and Assistant Secretary of DWSC;
Vice President and Assistant Secretary of the Dean Witter Funds and
Assistant Secretary the TCW/DW Funds.
Carl F. Sadler
Vice President
Rafael Scolari
Vice President Vice President of Prime Income Trust
Jayne M. Stevlingson
Vice President Vice President of various Dean Witter Funds.
Kathleen Stromberg
Vice President Vice President of various Dean Witter Funds.
Vinh Q. Tran
Vice President Vice President of various Dean Witter Funds.
Alice Weiss
Vice President Vice President of various Dean Witter Funds.
Marianne Zalys
Vice President
Item 29. PRINCIPAL UNDERWRITERS
(a) Dean Witter Distributors Inc. ("Distributors"), a Delaware
corporation, is the principal underwriter of the Registrant.
Distributors is also the principal underwriter of the following
investment companies:
(1) Dean Witter Liquid Asset Fund Inc.
(2) Dean Witter Tax-Free Daily Income Trust
(3) Dean Witter California Tax-Free Daily Income Trust
(4) Dean Witter Retirement Series
(5) Dean Witter Dividend Growth Securities Inc.
11
<PAGE>
(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
(35) Dean Witter Short-Term U.S. Treasury Trust
(36) Dean Witter Diversified Income Trust
(37) Dean Witter Health Sciences Trust
(38) Dean Witter Global Dividend Growth Securities
(39) Dean Witter American Value Fund
(40) Dean Witter U.S. Government Money Market Trust
(41) Dean Witter Global Short-Term Income Fund Inc.
(42) Dean Witter Premier Income Trust
(43) Dean Witter Value-Added Market Series
(44) Dean Witter Global Utilities Fund
(45) Dean Witter High Income Securities
(46) Dean Witter National Municipal Trust
(47) Dean Witter International SmallCap Fund
(48) Dean Witter Balanced Growth Fund
(49) Dean Witter Balanced Income Fund
(50) Dean Witter Hawaii Municipal Trust
(51) Dean Witter Variable Investment Series
(52) Dean Witter Capital Appreciation Fund
(53) Dean Witter Intermediate Term U.S. Treasury Trust
(54) Dean Witter Information Fund
(1) TCW/DW Core Equity Trust
(2) TCW/DW North American Government Income Trust
(3) TCW/DW Latin American Growth Fund
12
<PAGE>
(4) TCW/DW Income and Growth Fund
(5) TCW/DW Small Cap Growth Fund
(6) TCW/DW Balanced Fund
(7) TCW/DW Total Return Trust
(8) TCW/DW Mid-Cap Equity Trust
(b) The following information is given regarding directors and
officers of Distributors not listed in Item 28 above. The
principal address of Distributors is Two World Trade Center,
New York, New York 10048. None of the following persons has any
position or office with the Registrant.
Positions and
Office with
Name Distributors
- ---- -------------
Fredrick K. Kubler Senior Vice President, Assistant
Secretary and Chief Compliance
Officer.
Michael T. Gregg Vice President and Assistant
Secretary.
Item 30. LOCATION OF ACCOUNTS AND RECORDS
All accounts, books and other documents required to be maintained by
Section 31(a) of the Investment Company Act of 1940 and the Rules thereunder are
maintained by the Investment Manager at its offices, except records relating to
holders of shares issued by the Registrant, which are maintained by the
Registrant's Transfer Agent, at its place of business as shown in the
prospectus.
Item 31. MANAGEMENT SERVICES
Registrant is not a party to any such management-related service
contract.
Item 32. UNDERTAKINGS
Registrant hereby undertakes to furnish each person to whom a prospectus
is delivered with a copy of the Registrant's latest annual report to
shareholders, upon request and without charge.
13
<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 24th day of January, 1996.
DEAN WITTER FEDERAL SECURITIES TRUST
By /s/ Sheldon Curtis
----------------------------------
Sheldon Curtis
Vice President and Secretary
Pursuant to the requirements of the Securities Act of 1933, this Post-
Effective Amendment No. 10 has been signed below by the following persons in the
capacities and on the dates indicated.
Signatures Title Date
---------- ----- ----
(1) Principal Executive Officer President, Chief
Executive Officer,
Trustee and Chairman
By /s/Charles A. Fiumefreddo 01/24/96
----------------------------
Charles A. Fiumefreddo
(2) Principal Financial Officer Treasurer and Principal
Accounting Officer
By /s/Thomas F. Caloia 01/24/96
--------------------------
Thomas F. Caloia
(3) Majority of the Trustees
Charles A. Fiumefreddo (Chairman)
Philip J. Purcell
By /s/Sheldon Curtis 01/24/96
--------------------------
Sheldon Curtis
Attorney-in-Fact
Michael Bozic
Edwin J. Garn
John R. Haire
Manuel H. Johnson
Paul Kolton
Michael E. Nugent
John L. Schroeder
By /s/David M. Butowsky 01/24/96
---------------------------
David M. Butowsky
Attorney-in-Fact
<PAGE>
DEAN WITTER FEDERAL SECURITIES TRUST
EXHIBIT INDEX
Exhibit No. Description
- ----------- -----------
1. (a) -- Declaration of Trust of Registrant
dated November 20, 1986*
(b) -- Amended and Restated Declaration of
Trust dated March 25, 1987*
(c) -- Amendment dated August 10, 1992 to
the Declaration of Trust
2. -- Amended and Restated By-Laws of the
Registrant
6. -- Form of Selected Dealer Agreement
8. -- Form of Custodian Agreement between Registrant
and the Bank of New York*
9. -- Form of Services Agreement between Dean Witter
InterCapital Inc. and Dean Witter Services
Company Inc.
11. -- Consent of Independent Accountants
15. -- Amended and Restated Plan of Distribution pursuant
to Rule 12b-1
16. -- Schedules 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>
DEAN WITTER GOVERNMENT SECURITIES PLUS
DECLARATION OF TRUST
Dated: November 20, 1986
<PAGE>
TABLE OF CONTENTS
PAGE
ARTICLE I -- NAME AND DEFINITIONS 2
Section 1.1 Name 2
Section 1.2 Definitions 2
ARTICLE II -- TRUSTEES 4
Section 2.1 Number of Trustees 4
Section 2.2 Election and Term 4
Section 2.3 Resignation and Removal 4
Section 2.4 Vacancies 5
Section 2.5 Delegation of Power to Other Trustees 5
ARTICLE III -- POWERS OF TRUSTEES 6
Section 3.1 General 6
Section 3.2 Investments 6
Section 3.3 Legal Title 7
Section 3.4 Issuance and Repurchase of Securities 7
Section 3.5 Borrowing Money; Lending Trust Assets 8
Section 3.6 Delegation; Committees 8
Section 3.7 Collection and Payment 8
Section 3.8 Expenses 8
Section 3.9 Manner of Acting; By-Laws 8
Section 3.10 Miscellaneous Powers 8
Section 3.11 Principal Transactions 9
Section 3.12 Litigation 9
ARTICLE IV -- INVESTMENT ADVISER, DISTRIBUTOR, CUSTODIAN
AND TRANSFER AGENT 11
Section 4.1 Investment Adviser 11
Section 4.2 Administrative Services 11
Section 4.3 Distributor 11
Section 4.4 Transfer Agent 12
Section 4.5 Custodian 12
Section 4.6 Parties to Contract 12
-i-
<PAGE>
PAGE
ARTICLE V -- LIMITATIONS OF LIABILITY OF SHAREHOLDERS, 13
TRUSTEES, AND OTHERS
Section 5.1 No Personal Liability of Shareholders,
Trustees, etc. 13
Section 5.2 Non-Liability of Trustees, etc. 13
Section 5.3 Indemnification 13
Section 5.4 No Bond Required of Trustees 14
Section 5.5 No Duty of Investigation;
Notice in Trust Instruments, etc. 14
Section 5.6 Reliance on Ecperts, etc. 15
ARTICLE VI -- SHARES OF BENEFICIAL INTEREST 16
Section 6.1 Beneficial Interest 16
Section 6.2 Rights of Shareholders 16
Section 6.3 Trust Only 16
Section 6.4 Issuance of Shares 17
Section 6.5 Register of Shares 17
Section 6.6 Transfer of Shares 17
Section 6.7 Notices 18
Section 6.8 Voting Powers 18
Section 6.9 Series or Classes of Shares 19
ARTICLE VII -- REDEMPTIONS 22
Section 7.1 Redemptions 22
Section 7.2 Redemption of Shares; Disclosure of Holding 22
Section 7.3 Redemptions of Accounts of Less than $100 23
-ii-
<PAGE>
PAGE
ARTICLE VIII -- DETERMINATION OF NET ASSET VALUE, NET
INCOME AND DISTRIBUTION
Section 8.1 Net Asset Value 24
Section 8.2 Distribution to Shareholders 24
Section 8.3 Determination of Net Income 25
Section 8.4 Power to Modify Foregoing Procedures 25
ARTICLE IX -- DURATION; TERMINATION OF TRUST; AMENDMENT;
MERGERS, ETC. 26
Section 9.1 Duration 26
Section 9.2 Termination of Trust 26
Section 9.3 Amendment Procedure 27
Section 9.4 Merger, Consolidation and Sale of Assets 28
Section 9.5 Incorporation 28
ARTICLE X -- REPORTS TO SHAREHOLDERS 29
ARTICLE XI -- MISCELLANEOUS 30
Section 11.1 Filing 30
Section 11.2 Governing Law 30
Section 11.3 Residing Agent 30
Section 11.4 Counterparts 30
Section 11.5 Reliance by Third Parties 30
Section 11.6 Provisions in Conflict with Law
or Regulations 31
Section 11.7 Use of the Name "Dean Witter" 31
SIGNATURE PAGE 32
-iii-
<PAGE>
DECLARATION OF TRUST
OF
DEAN WITTER GOVERNMENT SECURITIES PLUS
Dated: November 20, 1986
THE DECLARATION OF TRUST of Dean Witter Government Securities Plus
is made the 20th day of November, 1986 by the parties signatory hereto, as
trustees (such persons, so long as they shall continue in office in
accordance with the terms of this Declaration of Trust, and all other persons
who at the time in question have been duly elected or appointed as trustees
in accordance with the provisions of this Declaration of Trust and are then
in office, being hereinafter called the "Trustees").
W I T N E S S E T H:
WHEREAS, the Trustees desire to form a trust fund under the laws of
Massachusetts for the investment and reinvestment of funds contributed
thereto; and
WHEREAS, it is provided that the beneficial interest in the trust
assets be divided into transferable shares of beneficial interest as
hereinafter provided;
NOW, THEREFORE, the Trustees hereby declare that they will hold in
trust, all money and property contributed to the trust fund to manage and
dispose of the same for the benefit of the holders from time to time of the
shares of beneficial interest issued hereunder and subject to the provisions
hereof, to wit:
-1-
<PAGE>
ARTICLE I
NAME AND DEFINITIONS
SECTION 1.1 NAME. The name of the trust created hereby is the "Dean
Witter Government Securities Plus," and so far as may be practicable the
Trustees shall conduct the Trust's activities, execute all documents and sue
or be sued under that name, which name (and the word "Trust" wherever herein
used) shall refer to the Trustees as Trustees, and not as individuals, or
personally, and shall not refer to the officers, agents, employees or
Shareholders of the Trust. Should the Trustees determine that the use of
such name is not advisable, they may use such other name for the Trust as
they deem proper and the Trust may hold its property and conduct its
activities under such other name.
SECTION 1.2 DEFINITIONS. Wherever they are used herein, the
following terms have the following respective meanings:
(a) "BY-LAWS" means the By-Laws referred to in Section 3.9 hereof,
as from time to time amended.
(b) the terms "COMMISSION," "AFFILIATED PERSON" and "INTERESTED
PERSON," have the meanings given them in the 1940 Act.
(c) "DECLARATION" means this Declaration of Trust as amended from
time to time. Reference in this Declaration of Trust to "DECLARATION,"
"HEREOF," "HEREIN" and "HEREUNDER" shall be deemed to refer to this
Declaration rather than the article or section in which such words appear.
(d) "DISTRIBUTOR" means the party, other than the Trust, to a
contract described in Section 4.3 hereof.
(e) "FUNDAMENTAL POLICIES" shall mean the investment policies and
restrictions set forth in the Prospectus and designated as fundamental
policies therein.
(f) "INVESTMENT ADVISER" means any party, other than the Trust, to
a contract described in Section 4.1 hereof.
(g) "MAJORITY SHAREHOLDER VOTE" means the vote of the holders of a
majority of Shares, which shall consist of: (i) a majority of Shares
represented in person or by proxy and entitled to vote at a meeting of
Shareholders at which a quorum, as determined in accordance with the By-Laws,
is present; (ii) a majority of Shares issued and outstanding and entitled to
vote when action is taken by written consent of Shareholders; and (iii) a
"majority of the outstanding voting securities," as the phrase is defined in
the 1940 Act, when any action is required by the 1940 Act by such majority as
so defined.
-2-
<PAGE>
(h) "1940 ACT" means the Investment Company Act of 1940 and the
rules and regulations thereunder as amended from time to time.
(i) "PERSON" means and includes individuals, corporations,
partnerships, trusts, associations, joint ventures and other entities,
whether or not legal entities, and governments and agencies and political
subdivisions thereof.
(j) "PROSPECTUS" means the Prospectus and Statement of Additional
Information constituting parts of the Registration Statement of the Trust
under the Securities Act of 1933 as such Prospectus and Statement of
Additional Information may be amended or supplemented and filed with the
Commission from time to time.
(k) "SERIES" means one of the separately managed components of the
Trust (or, if the Trust shall have only one such component, then that one) as
set forth in Section 6.1 hereof or as may be established and designated from
time to time by the Trustees pursuant to that section.
(l) "SHAREHOLDER" means a record owner of outstanding Shares.
(m) "SHARES" means the units of interest into which the beneficial
interest in the Trust shall be divided from time to time, including the
shares of any and all series or classes which may be established by the
Trustees, and includes fractions of Shares as well as whole Shares.
(n) "TRANSFER AGENT" means the party, other than the Trust, to the
contract described in Section 4.4 hereof.
(o) "TRUST" means the Dean Witter Government Securities Plus.
(p) "TRUST PROPERTY" means any and all property, real or personal,
tangible or intangible, which is owned or held by or for the account of the
Trust or the Trustees.
(q) "TRUSTEES" means the persons who have signed the Declaration,
so long as they shall continue in office in accordance with the terms hereof,
and all other persons who may from time to time be duly elected or appointed,
qualified and serving as Trustees in accordance with the provisions hereof,
and reference herein to a Trustee or the Trustees shall refer to such person
or persons in their capacity as trustees hereunder.
-3-
<PAGE>
ARTICLE II
TRUSTEES
SECTION 2.1. NUMBER OF TRUSTEES. The number of Trustees shall be
such number as shall be fixed from time to time by a written instrument
signed by a majority of the Trustees, provided, however, that the number of
Trustees shall in no event be less than three (3) nor more than fifteen (15).
SECTION 2.2. ELECTION AND TERM. The Trustees shall be elected by a
Majority Shareholder Vote at the first meeting of Shareholders following the
public offering of Shares of the Trust. The Trustees shall have the power to
set and alter the terms of office of the Trustees, and they may at any time
lengthen or lessen their own terms or make their terms of unlimited duration,
subject to the resignation and removal provisions of Section 2.3 hereof.
Subject to Section 16(a) of the 1940 Act, the Trustees may elect their own
successors and may, pursuant to Section 2.4 hereof, appoint Trustees to fill
vacancies. The Trustees shall adopt By-Laws not inconsistent with this
Declaration or any provision of law to provide for election of Trustees by
Shareholders at such time or times as the Trustees shall determine to be
necessary or advisable.
SECTION 2.3. RESIGNATION AND REMOVAL. Any Trustee may resign his
trust (without need for prior or subsequent accounting) by an instrument in
writing signed by him and delivered to the other Trustees and such
resignation shall be effective upon such delivery, or at a later date
according to the terms of the instrument. Any of the Trustees may be removed
(provided the aggregate number of Trustees after such removal shall not be
less than the number required by Section 2.1 hereof) by the action of
two-thirds of the remaining Trustees or by the action of the Shareholders of
record of not less than two-thirds of the Shares outstanding (for purposes of
determining the circumstances and procedures under which such removal by the
Shareholders may take place, the provisions of Section 16(c) of the 1940 Act
shall be applicable to the same extent as if the Trust were subject to the
provisions of that Section). Upon the resignation or removal of a Trustee,
or his otherwise ceasing to be a Trustee, he shall execute and deliver such
documents as the remaining Trustees shall require for the purpose of
conveying to the Trust or the remaining Trustees any Trust Property held in
the name of the resigning or removed Trustee. Upon the incapacity or death
of any Trustee, his legal representative shall execute and deliver on his
behalf such documents as the remaining Trustees shall require as provided in
the preceding sentence.
-4-
<PAGE>
SECTION 2.4. VACANCIES. The term of office of a Trustee shall
terminate and a vacancy shall occur in the event of the death, resignation,
removal, bankruptcy, adjudicated incompetence or other incapacity to perform
the duties of the office of a Trustee. No such vacancy shell operate to
annul the Declaration or to revoke any existing agency created pursuant to
the terms of the Declaration. In the case of an existing vacancy existing by
reason of an increase in the number of Trustees, subject to the provisions of
Section 16(a) of the 1940 Act, the remaining Trustees or, prior to the public
offering of Shares of the Trust, if only one Trustee shall then remain in
office, the remaining Trustee, shall fill such vacancy by the appointment of
such other person as they or he, in their or his discretion, shall see fit,
made by a written instrument signed by a majority of the remaining Trustees
or by the remaining Trustee, as the case may be. Any such appointment shall
not become effective, however, until the person named in the written
instrument of appointment shall have accepted in writing such appointment and
agreed in writing to be bound by the terms of the Declaration. An
appointment of a Trustee may be made in anticipation of a vacancy to occur at
a later date by reason of retirement, resignation or increase in the number
of Trustees, provided that such appointment shall not become effective prior
to such retirement, resignation or increase in the number of Trustees.
Whenever a vacancy in the number of Trustees shall occur, until such vacancy
is filled as provided in this Section 2.4, the Trustees in office, regardless
of their number, shall have all the powers granted to the Trustees and shall
discharge all the duties imposed upon the Trustees by the Declaration. A
written instrument certifying the existence of such vacancy signed by a
majority of the Trustees shall be conclusive evidence of the existence of
such vacancy.
SECTION 2.5 DELEGATION OF POWER TO OTHER TRUSTEES. Any Trustee
may, by power of attorney, delegate his power for a period not exceeding six
(6) months at any one time to any other Trustee or Trustees; provided that in
no case shall less than two (2) Trustees personally exercise the powers
granted to the Trustees under the Declaration except as herein otherwise
expressly provided.
-5-
<PAGE>
ARTICLE III
POWERS OF TRUSTEES
SECTION 3.1 GENERAL. The Trustees shall have exclusive and
absolute control over the Trust Property and over the business of the Trust
to the same extent as if the Trustees were the sole owners of the Trust
Property and business in their own right, but with such powers of delegation
as may be permitted by the Declaration. The Trustees shall have power to
conduct the business of the Trust and carry on its operations in any and all
of its branches and maintain offices both within and without the Commonwealth
of Massachusetts, in any and all states of the United States of America, in
the District of Columbia, and in any and all commonwealths, territories,
dependencies, colonies, possessions, agencies or instrumentalities
wheresoever in the world they may be located as they deem necessary, proper
or desirable in order to promote the interests of the Trust although such things
are not herein specifically mentioned. Any determination as to what is in the
interests of the Trust made by the Trustees in good faith shall be conclusive.
In construing the provisions of the Declaration, the presumption shall be in
favor of a grant of power to the Trustees.
The enumeration of any specific power herein shall not be construed
as limiting the aforesaid power. Such powers of the Trustees may be
exercised without order of or resort to any court.
SECTION 3.2. INVESTMENTS. The Trustees shall have the power to:
(a) conduct, operate and carry on the business of an investment
company;
(b) subscribe for, invest in, reinvest in, purchase or otherwise
acquire, hold, pledge, sell, assign, transfer, exchange, distribute,
lend or otherwise deal in or dispose of negotiable or nonnegotiable
instruments, obligations, evidences of indebtedness, certificates of
deposit or indebtedness, commercial paper, repurchase agreements,
reverse repurchase agreements, options, commodities, commodity futures
contracts and related options, currencies, currency futures and forward
contracts, and other securities, investment contracts and other
instruments of any kind, including, without limitation, those issued,
guaranteed or sponsored by any and all Persons including, without
limitation, states, territories and possessions of the United States,
the
-6-
<PAGE>
District of Columbia and any of the political subdivisions, agencies
or instrumentalities thereof, and by the United States Government
or its agencies or instrumentalities, foreign or international
instrumentalities, or by any bank or savings institution, or by any
corporation or organization organized under the laws of the United
States or of any state, territory or possession thereof, and of
corporations or organizations organized under foreign laws, or in
"when issued" contracts for any such securities, or retain Trust
assets in cash and from time to time change the investments of the
assets of the Trust; and to exercise any and all rights, powers and
privileges of ownership or interest in respect of any and all such
investments of every kind and description, including, without
limitation, the right to consent and otherwise act with respect
thereto, with power to designate one or more persons, firms,
associations or corporations to exercise any of said rights, powers
and privileges in respect of any of said instruments; and the Trustees
shall be deemed to have the foregoing powers with respect to any
additional securities in which the Trust may invest should the
Fundamental Policies be amended.
The Trustees shall not be limited to investing in obligations maturing before
the possible termination of the Trust, nor shall the Trustees be limited by
any law limiting the investments which may be made by fiduciaries.
SECTION 3.3. LEGAL TITLE. Legal title to all the Trust Property
shall be vested in the Trustees as joint tenants except that the Trustees
shall have power to cause legal title to any Trust Property to be held by or
in the name of one or more of the Trustees, or in the name of the Trust, or
in the name of any other Person as nominee, on such terms as the Trustees may
determine, provided that the interest of the Trust therein is appropriately
protected. The right, title and interest of the Trustees in the Trust
Property shall vest automatically in each Person who may hereafter become a
Trustee. Upon the resignation, removal or death of a Trustee he shall
automatically cease to have any right, title or interest in any of the Trust
Property, and the right, title and interest of such Trustee in the Trust
Property shall vest automatically in the remaining Trustees. Such vesting
and cessation of title shall be effective whether or not conveyancing
documents have been executed and delivered.
SECTION 3.4. ISSUANCE AND REPURCHASE OF SECURITIES. The Trustees
shall have the power to issue, sell, repurchase, redeem, retire, cancel,
acquire, hold, resell, reissue, dispose of, transfer, and otherwise deal in
Shares and, subject to the provisions set forth in Articles VII, VIII and IX
and Section 6.9 hereof, to apply to any such repurchase, redemption,
retirement, cancellation or acquisition of Shares any funds or
-7-
<PAGE>
property of the Trust, whether capital or surplus or otherwise, to the full
extent now or hereafter permitted by the laws of the Commonwealth of
Massachusetts governing business corporations.
SECTION 3.5. BORROWING MONEY; LENDING TRUST ASSETS. Subject to
the Fundamental Policies, the Trustees shall have power to borrow money or
otherwise obtain credit and to secure the same by mortgaging, pledging or
otherwise subjecting as security the assets of the Trust, to endorse,
guarantee, or undertake the performance of any obligation, contract or
engagement of any other Person and to lend Trust assets.
SECTION 3.6. DELEGATION; COMMITTEES. The Trustees shall have
power, consistent with their continuing exclusive authority over the
management of the Trust and the Trust Property, to delegate from time to time
to such of their number or to officers, employees or agents of the Trust the
doing of such things and the execution of such instruments either in the name
of the Trust or the names of the Trustees or otherwise as the Trustees may
deem expedient.
SECTION 3.7. COLLECTION AND PAYMENT. The Trustees shall have power
to collect all property due to the Trust; to pay all claims, including taxes,
against the Trust Property; to prosecute, defend, compromise or abandon any
claims relating to the Trust Property; to foreclose any security interest
securing any obligations, by virtue of which any property is owed to the
Trust; and to enter into releases, agreements and other instruments.
SECTION 3.8. EXPENSES. The Trustees shall have the power to incur
and pay any expenses which in the opinion of the Trustees are necessary or
incidental to carry out any of the purposes of the Declaration, and to pay
reasonable compensation from the funds of the Trust to themselves as
Trustees. The Trustees shall fix the compensation of all officers, employees
and Trustees.
SECTION 3.9. MANNER OF ACTING; BY-LAWS. Except as otherwise
provided herein or in the By-Laws or by any provision of law, any action to
be taken by the Trustees may be taken by a majority of the Trustees present
at a meeting of Trustees (a quorum being present), including any meeting held
by means of a conference telephone circuit or similar communications
equipment by means of which all persons participating in the meeting can hear
each other, or by written consents of all the Trustees. The Trustees may
adopt By-Laws not inconsistent with this Declaration to provide for the
conduct of the business of the Trust and may amend or repeal such By-Laws to
the extent such power is not reserved to the Shareholders.
SECTION 3.10. MISCELLANEOUS POWERS. The Trustees shall have the
power to: (a) employ or contract with such Persons as the Trustees may deem
desirable for the transaction of the
-8-
<PAGE>
business of the Trust; (b) enter into joint ventures, partnerships and any
other combinations or associations; (c) remove Trustees or fill vacancies in
or add to their number, elect and remove such officers and appoint and
terminate such agents or employees as they consider appropriate, and appoint
from their own number, and terminate, any one or more committees which may
exercise some or all of the power and authority of the Trustees as the
Trustees may determine; (d) purchase, and pay for out of Trust Property,
insurance policies insuring the Shareholders, Trustees, officers, employees,
agents, investment advisers, distributors, selected dealers or independent
contractors of the Trust against all claims arising by reason of holding any
such position or by reason of any action taken or omitted to be taken by any
such Person in such capacity, whether or not constituting negligence, or
whether or not the Trust would have the power to indemnify such Person
against such liability; (e) establish pension, profit-sharing, Share
purchase, and other retirement, incentive and benefit plans for any Trustees,
officers, employees and agents of the Trust; (f) to the extent permitted by
law, indemnify any person with whom the Trust has dealings, including any
Investment Adviser, Distributor, Transfer Agent and selected dealers, to such
extent as the Trustees shall determine; (g) guarantee indebtedness or
contractual obligations of others; (h) determine and change the fiscal year
of the Trust and the method by which its accounts shall be kept; and (i)
adopt a seal for the Trust but the absence of such seal shall not impair the
validity of any instrument executed on behalf of the Trust.
SECTION 3.11. PRINCIPAL TRANSACTIONS. Except in transactions
permitted by the 1940 Act or any rule or regulation thereunder, or any order
of exemption issued by the Commission, or effected to implement the
provisions of any agreement to which the Trust is a party, the Trustees shall
not, on behalf of the Trust, buy any securities (other than Shares) from or
sell any securities (other than Shares) to, or lend any assets of the Trust
to, any Trustee or officer of the Trust or any firm of which any such Trustee
or officer is a member acting as principal, or have any such dealings with
any Investment Adviser, Distributor or Transfer Agent or with any Affiliated
Person of such Person; but the Trust may employ any such Person, or firm or
company in which such Person is an Interested Person, as broker, legal
counsel, registrar, transfer agent, dividend disbursing agent or custodian
upon customary terms.
SECTION 3.12. LITIGATION. The Trustees shall have the power to
engage in and to prosecute, defend, compromise, abandon, or adjust, by
arbitration, or otherwise, any actions, suits, proceedings, disputes, claims,
and demands relating to the Trust, and out of the assets of the Trust to pay
or to satisfy any debts, claims or expenses incurred in connection therewith,
including those of litigation, and such power shall
-9-
<PAGE>
include without limitation the power of the Trustees or any appropriate
committee thereof, in the exercise of their or its good faith business
judgment, to dismiss any action, suit, proceeding, dispute, claim, or demand,
derivative or otherwise, brought by any person, including a Shareholder in
its own name or the name of the Trust, whether or not the Trust or any of the
Trustees may be named individually therein or the subject matter arises by
reason of business for or on behalf of the Trust.
-10-
<PAGE>
ARTICLE IV
INVESTMENT ADVISER, DISTRIBUTOR, CUSTODIAN AND TRANSFER AGENT
SECTION 4.1. INVESTMENT ADVISER. Subject to approval by a Majority
Shareholder Vote, the Trustees may in their discretion from time to time
enter into one or more investment advisory or management contracts whereby
the other party or parties to any such contracts shall undertake to furnish
the Trust such management, investment advisory, administration, accounting,
legal, statistical and research facilities and services, promotional or
marketing activities, and such other facilities and services, if any, as the
Trustees shall from time to time consider desirable and all upon such terms
and conditions as the Trustees may in their discretion determine.
Notwithstanding any provisions of the Declaration, the Trustees may authorize
the Investment Advisers, or any of them, under any such contracts (subject to
such general or specific instructions as the Trustees may from time to time
adopt) to effect purchases, sales, loans or exchanges of portfolio securities
and other investments of the Trust on behalf of the Trustees or may authorize
any officer, employee or Trustee to effect such purchases, sales, loans or
exchanges pursuant to recommendations of such Investment Advisers, or any of
them (and all without further action by the Trustees). Any such purchases,
sales, loans and exchanges shall be deemed to have been authorized by all of
the Trustees. The Trustees may, in their sole discretion, call a meeting of
Shareholders in order to submit to a vote of Shareholders at such meeting the
approval or continuance of any such investment advisory or management
contract. If the Shareholders of any one or more of the Series of the Trust
should fail to approve any such investment advisory or management contract,
the Investment Adviser may nonetheless serve as Investment Adviser with
respect to any Series whose Shareholders approve such contract.
SECTION 4.2. ADMINISTRATIVE SERVICES. The Trustees may in their
discretion from time to time contract for administrative personnel and
services whereby the other party shall agree to provide the Trustees or the
Trust administrative personnel and services to operate the Trust on a daily
or other basis, on such terms and conditions as the Trustees may in their
discretion determine. Such services may be provided by one or more persons or
entities.
SECTION 4.3. DISTRIBUTOR. The Trustees may in their discretion from
time to time enter into one or more contracts, providing for the sale of
Shares to net the Trust not less than the net asset value per Share (as
described in Article VIII hereof) and pursuant to which the Trust may either
agree to sell the Shares to the other parties to the contracts, or any of
them, or appoint any such other party its sales agent for such Shares. In
either case, any such contract shall be on such terms and conditions as the
Trustees may in their
-11-
<PAGE>
discretion determine not inconsistent with the provisions of this Article IV,
including, without limitation, the provision for the repurchase or sale of
shares of the Trust by such other party as principal or as agent of the Trust.
SECTION 4.4. TRANSFER AGENT. The Trustees may in their discretion from
time to time enter into a transfer agency and shareholder service contract
whereby the other party to such contract shall undertake to furnish transfer
agency and shareholder services to the Trust. The contract shall have such
terms and conditions as the Trustees may in their discretion determine not
inconsistent with the Declaration. Such services may be provided by one or
more Persons.
SECTION 4.5. CUSTODIAN. The Trustees may appoint or otherwise engage
one or more banks or trust companies, each having an aggregate capital,
surplus and undivided profits (as shown in its last published report) of at
least five million dollars ($5,000,000) to serve as Custodian with authority
as its agent, but subject to such restrictions, limitations and other
requirements, if any, as may be contained in the By-Laws of the Trust.
SECTION 4.6. PARTIES TO CONTRACT. Any contract of the character
described in Sections 4.1, 4.2, 4.3, 4.4 or 4.5 of this Article IV and any
other contract may be entered into with any Person, although one or more of
the Trustees or officers of the Trust may be an officer, director, trustee,
shareholder, or member of such other party to the contract, and no such
contract shall be invalidated or rendered voidable by reason of the existence
of any such relationship; nor shall any Person holding such relationship be
liable merely by reason of such relationship for any loss or expense to the
Trust under or by reason of said contract or accountable for any profit
realized directly or indirectly therefrom, provided that the contract when
entered into was not inconsistent with the provisions of this Article IV. The
same Person may be the other party to any contracts entered into pursuant to
Sections 4.1, 4.2, 4.3, 4.4 or 4.5 above or otherwise, and any individual may
be financially interested or otherwise affiliated with Persons who are
parties to any or all of the contracts mentioned in this Section 4.6.
-12-
<PAGE>
ARTICLE V
LIMITATIONS OF LIABILITY OF SHAREHOLDERS,
TRUSTEES AND OTHERS
SECTION 5.1. NO PERSONAL LIABILITY OF SHAREHOLDERS, TRUSTEES, ETC. No
Shareholder shall be subject to any personal liability whatsoever to any
Person in connection with Trust Property or the acts, obligations or affairs
of the Trust. No Trustee, officer, employee or agent of the Trust shall be
subject to any personal liability whatsoever to any Person, other than the
Trust or its Shareholders, in connection with the Trust Property or the
affairs of the Trust, save only that arising from bad faith, willful
misfeasance, gross negligence or reckless disregard for his duty to such
Person; and all such Persons shall look solely to the Trust Property for
satisfaction of claims of any nature arising in connection with the affairs
of the Trust. If any Shareholder, Trustee, officer, employee or agent, as
such, of the Trust is made a party to any suit or proceeding to enforce any
such liability, he shall not, on account thereof, be held to any personal
liability. The Trust shall indemnify and hold each Shareholder harmless from
and against all claims and liabilities, to which such Shareholder may become
subject by reason of his being or having been a Shareholder, and shall
reimburse such Shareholder for all legal and other expenses reasonably
incurred by him in connection with any such claim or liability; provided
that, in the event the Trust shall consist of more than one Series,
Shareholders of a particular Series who are faced with claims or liabilities
solely by reason of their status as Shareholders of that Series shall be
limited to the assets of that Series for recovery of such loss and related
expenses. The rights accruing to a Shareholder under this Section 5.1 shall
not exclude any other right to which such Shareholder may be lawfully
entitled, nor shall anything herein contained restrict the right of the Trust
to indemnify or reimburse a Shareholder in any appropriate situation even
though not specifically provided herein.
SECTION 5.2. NON-LIABILITY OF TRUSTEES, ETC. No Trustee, officer,
employee or agent of the Trust shall be liable to the Trust, its Shareholders,
or to any Shareholder, Trustee, officer, employee, or agent thereof for any
action or failure to act (including without limitation the failure to compel
in any way any former or acting Trustee to redress any breach of trust)
except for his own bad faith, willful misfeasance, gross negligence or
reckless disregard of his duties.
SECTION 5.3 INDEMNIFICATION. (a) The Trustees shall provide for
indemnification by the Trust of any person who is, or has been, a Trustee,
officer, employee or agent of the Trust against all liability and against all
expenses reasonably incurred or paid by him in connection with any claim,
action, suit or proceeding in which he becomes involved as a party or
-13-
<PAGE>
otherwise by virtue of his being or having been a Trustee, officer, employee
or agent and against amounts paid or incurred by him in the settlement
thereof, in such manner as the Trustees may provide from time to time in the
By-Laws.
(b) The words "claim," "action," "suit," or "proceeding" shall apply to
all claims, actions, suits or proceedings (civil, criminal, or other,
including appeals), actual or threatened; and the words "liability" and
"expenses" shall include, without limitation, attorneys' fees, costs,
judgments, amounts paid in settlement, fines, penalties and other liabilities.
SECTION 5.4. NO BOND REQUIRED OF TRUSTEES. No Trustee shall be obligated
to give any bond or other security for the performance of any of his duties
hereunder.
SECTION 5.5. NO DUTY OF INVESTIGATION; NOTICE IN TRUST INSTRUMENTS, ETC.
No purchaser, lender, transfer agent or other Person dealing with the
Trustees or any officer, employee or agent of the Trust shall be bound to
make any inquiry concerning the validity of any transaction purporting to be
made by the Trustees or by said officer, employee or agent or be liable for
the application of money or property paid, loaned, or delivered to or on the
order of the Trustees or of said officer, employee or agent. Every
obligation, contract, instrument, certificate, Share, other security of the
Trust or undertaking, and every other act or thing whatsoever executed in
connection with the Trust shall be conclusively presumed to have been
executed or done by the executors thereof only in their capacity as officers,
employees or agents of the Trust. Every written obligation, contract,
instrument, certificate, Share, other security of the Trust or undertaking made
or issued by the Trustees shall recite that the same is executed or made by
them not individually, but as Trustees under the Declaration, and that the
obligations of any such instrument are not binding upon any of the Trustees
or Shareholders, individually, but bind only the Trust Estate (or, in the
event the Trust shall consist of more than one Series, in the case of any
such obligation which relates to a specific Series, only the Series which is
a party thereto), and may contain any further recital which they or he may
deem appropriate, but the omission of such recital shall not operate to bind
the Trustees or Shareholders individually. The Trustees shall at all times
maintain insurance for the protection of the Trust Property, its
Shareholders, Trustees, officers, employees and agents in such amount as the
Trustees shall deem adequate to cover possible tort liability, and such other
insurance as the Trustees in their sole judgment shall deem advisable.
-14-
<PAGE>
SECTION 5.6. RELIANCE ON EXPERTS, ETC. Each Trustee and officer or
employee of the Trust shall, in the performance of his duties, be fully and
completely justified and protected with regard to any act or any failure to
act resulting from reliance in good faith upon the books of account or other
records of the Trust, upon an opinion of counsel, or upon reports made to the
Trust by any of its officers or employees or by any Investment Adviser,
Distributor, Transfer Agent, selected dealers, accountants, appraisers or
other experts or consultants selected with reasonable care by the Trustees,
officers or employees of the Trust, regardless of whether such counsel or
expert may also be a Trustee.
-15-
<PAGE>
ARTICLE VI
SHARES OF BENEFICIAL INTEREST
SECTION 6.1. BENEFICIAL INTEREST. The interest of the beneficiaries
hereunder shall be divided into transferable shares of beneficial interest of
$.01 par value. The number of such shares of beneficial interest authorized
hereunder is unlimited. The Trustees shall have the authority to establish
and designate one or more Series or classes of shares. Each share of any
Series shall represent an equal proportionate share in the assets of that
Series with each other Share in that Series. The Trustees may divide or
combine the shares of any Series into a greater or lesser number of shares in
that Series without thereby changing the proportionate interests in the
assets of that Series. Subject to the provisions of Section 6.9 hereof, the
Trustees may also authorize the creation of additional series of shares (the
proceeds of which may be invested in separate, independently managed
portfolios) and additional classes of shares within any series. All Shares
issued hereunder including, without limitation, Shares issued in connection
with a dividend in Shares or a split in Shares, shall be fully paid and
nonassessable.
SECTION 6.2. RIGHTS OF SHAREHOLDERS. The ownership of the Trust
Property of every description and the right to conduct any business
hereinbefore described are vested exclusively in the Trustees, and the
Shareholders shall have no interest therein other than the beneficial
interest conferred by their Shares, and they shall have no right to call for
any partition or division of any property, profits, rights or interests of
the Trust nor can they be called upon to assume any losses of the Trust or
suffer an assessment of any kind by virtue of their ownership of Shares. The
Shares shall be personal property giving only the rights in the Declaration
specifically set forth. The Shares shall not entitle the holder to
preference, preemptive, appraisal, conversion or exchange rights, except as
the Trustees may determine with respect to any series of Shares.
SECTION 6.3. TRUST ONLY. It is the intention of the Trustees to create
only the relationship of Trustee and beneficiary between the Trustees and
each Shareholder from time to time. It is not the intention of the Trustees
to create a general partnership, limited partnership, joint stock
association, corporation, bailment or any form of legal relationship other
than a trust. Nothing in the Declaration shall be construed to make the
Shareholders, either by themselves or with the Trustees, partners or members
of a joint stock association.
-16-
<PAGE>
SECTION 6.4. ISSUANCE OF SHARES. The Trustees, in their discretion
may, from time to time without vote of the Shareholders, issue Shares of any
Series, in addition to the then issued and outstanding Shares and Shares held
in the treasury, to such party or parties and for such amount and type of
consideration, including cash or property, at such time or times and on such
terms as the Trustees may deem best, and may in such manner acquire other
assets (including the acquisition of assets subject to, and in connection
with the assumption of liabilities) and businesses. In connection with any
issuance of Shares, the Trustees may issue fractional Shares. The Trustees
may from time to time divide or combine the Shares of any Series into a
greater or lesser number without thereby changing the proportionate
beneficial interests in that Series. Contributions to the Trust may be
accepted for, and Shares shall be redeemed as, whole Shares and/or fractions
of a Share as described in the Prospectus.
SECTION 6.5. REGISTER OF SHARES. A register shall be kept in respect
of each Series at the principal office of the Trust or at an office of the
Transfer Agent which shall contain the names and addresses of the
Shareholders and the number of Shares of each Series held by them
respectively and a record of all transfers thereof. Such register may be in
written form or any other form capable of being converted into written form
within a reasonable time for visual inspection. Such register shall be
conclusive as to who are the holders of the Shares and who shall be entitled
to receive dividends or distributions or otherwise to exercise or enjoy the
rights of Shareholders. No Shareholder shall be entitled to receive payment
of any dividend or distribution, nor to have notice given to him as herein or
in the By-Laws provided, until he has given his address to the Transfer Agent
or such other officer or agent of the Trustees as shall keep the said
register for entry thereon. It is not contemplated that certificates will be
issued for the Shares; however, the Trustees, in their discretion, may
authorize the issuance of Share certificates and promulgate appropriate rules
and regulations as to their use.
SECTION 6.6. TRANSFER OF SHARES. Shares shall be transferable on the
records of the Trust only by the record holder thereof or by his agent
thereunto duly authorized in writing, upon delivery to the Trustees or the
Transfer Agent of a duly executed instrument of transfer, together with such
evidence of the genuineness of each such execution and authorization and of
other matters as may reasonably be required. Upon such delivery the transfer
shall be recorded on the register of the Trust. Until such record is made,
the Shareholder of record shall be deemed to be the holder of such Shares for
all purposes hereunder and neither the Trustees nor any Transfer Agent or
registrar nor any officer, employee or agent of the Trust shall be affected
by any notice of the proposed transfer.
-17-
<PAGE>
Any person becoming entitled to any Shares in consequence of the death,
bankruptcy, or incompetence of any Shareholder, or otherwise by operation of
law, shall be recorded on the register of Shares as the holder of such Shares
upon production of the proper evidence thereof to the Trustees or the
Transfer Agent, but until such record is made, the Shareholder of record
shall be deemed to be the holder of such Shares for all purposes hereunder
and neither the Trustees nor any Transfer Agent or registrar nor any officer
or agent of the Trust shall be affected by any notice of such death,
bankruptcy or incompetence, or other operation of law, except as may
otherwise be provided by the laws of the Commonwealth of Massachusetts.
SECTION 6.7. NOTICES. Any and all notices to which any Shareholder may
be entitled and any and all communications shall be deemed duly served or
given if mailed, postage prepaid, addressed to any Shareholder of record at
his last known address as recorded on the register of the Trust.
SECTION 6.8. VOTING POWERS. The Shareholders shall have power to vote
only (i) for the election of Trustees as provided in Section 2.2 hereof, (ii)
for the removal of Trustees as provided in Section 2.3 hereof, (iii) with
respect to any investment advisory or management contract as provided in
Section 4.1, (iv) with respect to termination of the Trust as provided in
Section 9.2, (v) with respect to any amendment of the Declaration to the
extent and as provided in Section 9.3, (vi) with respect to any merger,
consolidation or sale of assets as provided in Section 9.4, (vii) with
respect to incorporation of the Trust to the extent and as provided in
Section 9.5, (viii) to the same extent as the stockholders of a Massachusetts
business corporation as to whether or not a court action, proceeding or claim
should or should not be brought or maintained derivatively or as a class
action on behalf of the Trust or the Shareholders (provided that Shareholders
of a Series are not entitled to vote in connection with the bringing of a
derivative or class action with respect to any matter which only affects
another Series or its Shareholders), and (ix) with respect to such additional
matters relating to the Trust as may be required by law, the Declaration, the
By-Laws or any registration of the Trust with the Commission (or any
successor agency) or any state, or as and when the Trustees may consider
necessary or desirable. Each whole Share shall be entitled to one vote as to
any matter on which it is entitled to vote and each fractional Share shall be
entitled to a proportionate fractional vote, except that Shares held in the
treasury of the Trust as of the record date, as determined in accordance with
the By-Laws, shall not be voted. On any matter submitted to a vote of
Shareholders, all Shares shall be voted by individual Series except (1) when
required by the 1940 Act. Shares shall be voted in the aggregate and not by
individual
-18-
<PAGE>
Series; and (2) when the Trustees have determined that the matter
affects only the interests of one or more Series, then only the Shareholders
of such Series shall be entitled to vote thereon. The Trustees may, in
conjunction with the establishment of any further Series or any classes of
Shares, establish conditions under which the several series or classes of
Shares shall have separate voting rights or no voting rights. There shall be
no cumulative voting in the election of Trustees. Until Shares are issued,
the Trustees may exercise all rights of Shareholders and may take any action
required by law, the Declaration or the By-Laws to be taken by Shareholders.
The By-Laws may include further provisions for Shareholders' votes and
meetings and related matters.
SECTION 6.9. SERIES OR CLASSES OF SHARES. The following provisions are
applicable regarding the Series of Shares of the Trust established in Section
6.1 hereof and shall be applicable if the Trustees shall establish additional
Series or shall divide the shares of any Series into two or more classes,
also as provided in Section 6.1 hereof:
(a) The number of authorized shares and the number of shares of each
Series or of each class that may be issued shall be unlimited. The Trustees
may classify or reclassify any unissued shares or any shares previously
issued and reacquired of any Series or class into one or more Series or one or
more classes that may be established and designated from time to time. The
Trustees may hold as treasury shares (of the same or some other Series or
class), reissue for such consideration and on such terms as they may
determine, or cancel any shares of any Series or any class reacquired by the
Trust at their discretion from time to time.
(b) The power of the Trustees to invest and reinvest the Trust Property
shall be governed by Section 3.2 of this Declaration with respect to any one
or more Series which represents the interests in the assets of the Trust
immediately prior to the establishment of any additional Series and the power
of the Trustees to invest and reinvest assets applicable to any other Series
shall be as set forth in the instrument of the Trustees establishing such
series which is hereinafter described.
(c) All consideration received by the Trust for the issue or sale of
shares of a particular Series or class together with all assets in which such
consideration is invested or reinvested, all income, earnings, profits, and
proceeds thereof, including any proceeds derived from the sale, exchange or
liquidation of such assets, and any funds or payments derived from any
reinvestment of such proceeds in whatever form the same may be, shall
irrevocably belong to that
-19-
<PAGE>
Series or class for all purposes, subject only to the rights of creditors,
and shall be so recorded upon the books of account of the Trust. In the event
that there are any assets, income, earnings, profits, and proceeds thereof,
funds, or payments which are not readily identifiable as belonging to any
particular Series or class, the Trustees shall allocate them among any one or
more of the Series or classes established and designated from time to time in
such manner and on such basis as they, in their sole discretion, deem fair
and equitable. Each such allocation by the Trustees shall be conclusive and
binding upon the shareholders of all Series or classes for all purposes.
(d) The assets belonging to each particular Series shall be charged with
the liabilities of the Trust in respect of that Series and all expenses,
costs, charges and reserves attributable to that Series. All expenses and
liabilities incurred or arising in connection with a particular Series, or in
connection with the management thereof, shall be payable solely out of the
assets of that Series and creditors of a particular Series shall be entitled
to look solely to the property of such Series for satisfaction of their
claims. Any general liabilities, expenses, costs, charges or reserves of the
Trust which are not readily identifiable as belonging to any particular
Series shall be allocated and charged by the Trustees to and among any one or
more of the series established and designated from time to time in such
manner and on such basis as the Trustees in their sole discretion deem fair
and equitable. Each allocation of liabilities, expenses, costs, charges and
reserves by the Trustees shall be conclusive and binding upon the holders of
all Series for all purposes. The Trustees shall have full discretion, to the
extent not inconsistent with the 1940 Act, to determine which items shall be
treated as income and which items as capital; and each such determination and
allocation shall be conclusive and binding upon the shareholders.
(e) The power of the Trustees to pay dividends and make distributions
shall be governed by Section 8.2 of this Declaration with respect to any one
or more Series or classes which represents the interests in the assets of the
Trust which represents the interests in the assets of the Trust immediately
prior to the establishment of any additional Series or classes. With respect
to any other Series or class, dividends and distributions on shares of a
particular Series or class may be paid with such frequency as the Trustees
may determine, which may be daily or otherwise, pursuant to a standing
resolution or resolutions adopted only once or with such frequency as the
Trustees may determine, to the holders of shares of that Series or class,
from such of the income and capital gains, accrued or realized, from the
assets belonging to that Series or class, as the Trustees may determine,
after providing for actual and accrued liabilities belonging to that Series
or class. All dividends and distributions on shares of a particular Series or
class shall be distributed pro rata to
-20-
<PAGE>
the holders of that Series or class in proportion to the number of shares of
that Series or class held by such holders at the date and time of record
established for the payment of such dividends or distributions.
(f) The Trustees shall have the power to determine the designations,
preferences, privileges, limitations and rights, including voting and
dividend rights, of each class and Series of Shares.
(g) Subject to compliance with the requirements of the 1940 Act, the
Trustees shall have the authority to provide that the holders of Shares of
any Series or class shall have the right to convert or exchange said Shares
into Shares of one or more Series of Shares in accordance with such
requirements and procedures as may be established by the Trustees.
(h) The establishment and designation of any Series or class of shares
in addition to those established in Section 6.1 hereof shall be effective
upon the execution by a majority of the then Trustees of an instrument
setting forth such establishment and designation and the relative rights,
preferences, voting powers, restrictions, limitations as to dividends,
qualifications, and terms and conditions of redemption of such Series or
class, or as otherwise provided in such instrument. At any time that there
are no shares outstanding of any particular Series or class previously
established and designated, the Trustees may by an instrument executed by a
majority of their number abolish that Series or class and the establishment
and designation thereof. Each instrument referred to in this paragraph shall
have the status of an amendment to this Declaration.
(i) Shareholders of a Series shall not be entitled to participate in a
derivative or class action with respect to any matter which only affects
another Series or its Shareholders.
(j) In the event of the liquidation of a particular Series, the
Shareholders of that Series which has been established and designated and
which is being liquidated shall be entitled to receive, when and as declared
by the Trustees, the excess of the assets belonging to that Series over the
liabilities belonging to that Series. The holders of Shares of any Series
shall not be entitled hereby to any distribution upon liquidation of any
other Series. The assets so distributable to the Shareholders of any Series
shall be distributed among such Shareholders in proportion to the number of
Shares of that Series held by them and recorded on the books of the Trust.
The liquidation of any particular Series in which there are Shares then
outstanding may be authorized by an instrument in writing, without a meeting,
signed by a majority of the Trustees then in office, subject to the approval
of a majority of the outstanding voting securities of that Series, as that
phrase is defined in the 1940 Act.
-21-
<PAGE>
ARTICLE VII
REDEMPTIONS
7.1. REDEMPTIONS. Each Shareholder of a particular Series shall have
the right at such times as may be permitted by the Trust to require the Trust
to redeem all or any part of his Shares of that Series, upon and subject to
the terms and conditions provided in this Article VII. The Trust shall, upon
application of any Shareholder or pursuant to authorization from any
Shareholder, redeem or repurchase from such Shareholder outstanding shares
for an amount per share determine by the Trustees in accordance with any
applicable laws and regulations; provided that (a) such amount per share
shall not exceed the cash equivalent of the proportionate interest of each
share or of any class or Series of shares in the assets of the Trust at the
time of the redemption or repurchase and (b) if so authorized by the
Trustees, the Trust may, at any time and from time to time charge fees for
effecting such redemption or repurchase, at such rates as the Trustees may
establish, as and to the extent permitted under the 1940 Act and the rules
and regulations promulgated thereunder, and may, at any time and from time to
time, pursuant to such Act and such rules and regulations, suspend such right
of redemption. The procedures for effecting and suspending redemption shall
be as set forth in the Prospectus from time to time. Payment will be made in
such manner as described in the Prospectus.
7.2. REDEMPTION OF SHARES; DISCLOSURE OF HOLDING. If the Trustees
shall, at any time and in good faith, be of the opinion that direct or
indirect ownership of Shares or other securities of the Trust has or may
become concentrated in any Person to an extent which would disqualify the
Trust as a regulated investment company under the Internal Revenue Code, then
the Trustees shall have the power by lot or other means deemed equitable by
them (i) to call for redemption by any such Person a number, or principal
amount, of Shares or other securities of the Trust sufficient, in the opinion
of the Trustees, to maintain or bring the direct or indirect ownership of
Shares or other securities of the Trust into conformity with the requirements
for such qualification and (ii) to refuse to transfer or issue Shares or
other securities of the Trust to any Person whose acquisition of the Shares
or other securities of the Trust in question would in the opinion of the
Trustees result in such disqualification. The redemption shall be effected at
a redemption price determined in accordance with Section 7.1.
-22-
<PAGE>
The holders of Shares or other securities of the Trust shall upon demand
disclose to the Trustees in writing such information with respect to direct
and indirect ownership of Shares or other securities of the Trust as the
Trustees deem necessary to comply with the provisions of the Internal Revenue
Code, or to comply with the requirements of any other authority.
SECTION 7.3. REDEMPTIONS OF ACCOUNTS OF LESS THAN $1,000. The Trustees
shall have the power at any time to redeem Shares of any Shareholder at a
redemption price determined in accordance with Section 7.1 if at such time
the aggregate net asset value of the Shares in such Shareholder's account is
less than $1,000 or such lesser amount as may be designated by the Trustees.
A Shareholder will be notified that the value of his account is less than
$1,000 (or such lesser amount as may be designated by the Trustees) and allow
sixty (60) days to make an additional investment before the redemption is
processed.
-23-
<PAGE>
ARTICLE VIII
DETERMINATION OF NET ASSET VALUE,
NET INCOME AND DISTRIBUTIONS
SECTION 8.1. NET ASSET VALUE. The net asset value of each outstanding
Share of each Series of the Trust shall be determined on such days and at
such time or times as the Trustees may determine. The method of determination
of net asset value shall be determined by the Trustees and shall be as set
forth in the Prospectus and Statement of Additional Information. The power
and duty to make the daily calculations may be delegated by the Trustees to
any Investment Adviser, the Custodian, the Transfer Agent or such other
person as the Trustees by resolution may determine. The Trustees may suspend
the daily determination of net asset value to the extent permitted by the
1940 Act.
SECTION 8.2. DISTRIBUTIONS TO SHAREHOLDERS. The Trustees shall from
time to time distribute ratably among the Shareholders of any Series such
proportion of the net income, earnings, profits, gains, surplus (including
paid-in surplus), capital, or assets of such Series held by the Trustees as
they may deem proper. Such distribution may be made in cash or property
(including without limitation any type of obligations of such Series or any
assets thereof), and the Trustees may distribute ratably among the
Shareholders of that Series additional Shares issuable hereunder in such
manner, at such times, and on such terms as the Trustees may deem proper.
Such distributions may be among the Shareholders of record (determined in
accordance with the Prospectus and Statement of Additional Information) of
such Series at the time of declaring a distribution or among the Shareholders
of record of such Series at such later date as the Trustees shall determine.
The Trustees may always retain from the net income, earnings, profits or
gains of such Series such amount as they may deem necessary to pay the debts
or expenses of such Series or to meet obligations of such Series, or as they
may deem desirable to use in the conduct of its affairs or to retain for
future requirements or extensions of the business. The Trustees may adopt and
offer to Shareholders of any Series such dividend reinvestment plans, cash
dividend payout plans or related plans as the Trustees deem appropriate.
Inasmuch as the computation of net income and gains for Federal income
tax purposes may vary from the computation thereof on the books, the above
provisions shall be interpreted to give the Trustees the power in their
discretion to distribute for any fiscal year as ordinary dividends and as
capital gains distributions, respectively, additional amounts sufficient to
enable the Trust to avoid or reduce liability for taxes.
-24-
<PAGE>
SECTION 8.3. DETERMINATION OF NET INCOME. The Trustees shall have the
power to determine the net income of any Series of the Trust and from time to
time to distribute such net income ratably among the Shareholders as
dividends in cash or additional Shares of such Series issuable hereunder. The
determination of net income and the resultant declaration of dividends shall
be as set forth in the Prospectus and Statement of Additional Information.
The Trustees shall have full discretion to determine whether any cash or
property received by any Series of the Trust shall be treated as income or as
principal and whether any item of expense shall be charged to the income or
the principal account, and their determination made in good faith shall be
conclusive upon the Shareholders. In the case of stock dividends received,
the Trustees shall have full discretion to determine, in the light of the
particular circumstances, how much, if any, of the value thereof shall be
treated as income, the balance, if any, to be treated as principal.
SECTION 8.4. POWER TO MODIFY FOREGOING PROCEDURES. Notwithstanding any
of the foregoing provisions of this Article VIII, the Trustees may prescribe,
in their absolute discretion, such other bases and times for determining the
per Share net asset value of the Shares or net income, or the declaration and
payment of dividends and distributions, as they may deem necessary or
desirable to enable the Trust to comply with any provision of the 1940 Act,
or any rule or regulation thereunder, including any rule or regulation
adopted pursuant to Section 22 of the 1940 Act by the Commission or any
securities association registered under the Securities Exchange Act of 1934,
or any order of redemption issued by said Commission, all as in effect now or
hereafter amended or modified. Without limiting the generality of the
foregoing, the Trustees may establish classes or additional Series of Shares
in accordance with Section 6.9.
-25-
<PAGE>
ARTICLE IX
DURATION; TERMINATION OF
TRUST; AMENDMENT; MERGERS, ETC.
SECTION 9.1. DURATION. The Trust shall continue without limitation of
time but subject to the provisions of this Article IX.
SECTION 9.2. TERMINATION OF TRUST. (a) The Trust may be terminated
(i) by the affirmative vote of the holders of not less than two-thirds of the
Shares outstanding and entitled to vote at any meeting of Shareholders, or
(ii) by an instrument in writing, without a meeting, signed by a majority of
the Trustees and consented to by the holders of not less than two-thirds of
such Shares, or by such other vote as may be established by the Trustees with
respect to any class or Series of Shares, or (iii) by the Trustees by written
notice to the Shareholders. Upon the termination of the Trust:
(i) The Trust shall carry on no business except for the purpose of
winding up its affairs.
(ii) The Trustees shall proceed to wind up the affairs of the
Trust and all of the powers of the Trustees under this Declaration shall
continue until the affairs of the Trust shall have been wound up,
including the power to fulfull or discharge the contracts of
the Trust, collect its assets, sell, convey, assign, exchange, transfer
or otherwise dispose of all or any part of the remaining Trust Property
to one or more persons at public or private sale for consideration which
may consist in whole or in part of cash, securities or other property of
any kind, discharge or pay its liabilities, and to do all other acts
appropriate to liquidate its business; provided that any sale,
conveyance, assignment, exchange, transfer or other disposition of
all or substantially all the Trust Property shall require Shareholder
approval in accordance with Section 9.4 hereof.
(iii) After paying or adequately providing for the payment of all
liabilities, and upon receipt of such releases, indemnities and
refunding agreements, as they deem necessary for their protection, the
Trustees may distribute the remaining Trust Property, in cash or in kind
or partly each, among the Shareholders of each Series according to their
respective rights.
(b) After termination of the Trust and distribution to the Shareholders
as herein provided, a majority of the Trustees
-26-
<PAGE>
shall execute and lodge among the records of the Trust an instrument in
writing setting forth the fact of such termination, and the Trustees shall
thereupon be discharged from all further liabilities and duties hereunder, and
the rights and interests of all Shareholders shall thereupon cease.
SECTION 9.3. AMENDMENT PROCEDURE. (a) This Declaration may be amended
by a Majority Shareholder Vote, at a meeting of Shareholders, or by written
consent without a meeting. The Trustees may also amend this Declaration
without the vote or consent of Shareholders to change the name of the Trust
or any Series or classes of Shares, to supply any omission, to cure, correct
or supplement any ambiguous, defective or inconsistent provision hereof, or
if they deem it necessary to conform this Declaration to the requirements of
applicable federal laws or regulations or the requirements of the Internal
Revenue Code, or to eliminate or reduce any federal, state or local taxes
which are or may be payable by the Trust or the Shareholders, but the
Trustees shall not be liable for failing to do so.
(b) No amendment may be made under this Section 9.3 which would change
any rights with respect to any Shares of any Series of the Trust by reducing
the amount payable thereon upon liquidation of such Series of the Trust or by
diminishing or eliminating any voting rights pertaining thereto, except with
the vote or consent of the holders of two-thirds of the Shares outstanding
and entitled to vote, or by such other vote as may be established by the
Trustees with respect to any Series or class of Shares. Nothing contained in
this Declaration shall permit the amendment of this Declaration to impair the
exemption from personal liability of the Shareholders, Trustees, officers,
employees and agents of the Trust or to permit assessments upon Shareholders.
(c) A certificate signed by a majority of the Trustees or by the
Secretary or any Assistant Secretary of the Trust, setting forth an amendment
and reciting that it was duly adopted by the Shareholders or by the Trustees
as aforesaid or a copy of the Declaration as amended, and executed by a
majority of the Trustees or certified by the Secretary or any Assistant
Secretary of the Trust, shall be conclusive evidence of such amendment when
lodged among the records of the Trust.
Notwithstanding any other provision hereof, until such time as a
Registration Statement under the Securities Act of 1933, as amended, covering
the first public offering of securities of the Trust shall have become
effective, this Declaration may be terminated or amended in any respect by
the affirmative vote of a majority of the Trustees or by an instrument signed
by a majority of the Trustees.
-27-
<PAGE>
SECTION 9.4. MERGER, CONSOLIDATION AND SALE OF ASSETS. The Trust may
merge or consolidate with any other corporation, association, trust or other
organization or may sell, lease or exchange all or substantially all of the
Trust Property, including its good will, upon such terms and conditions and
for such consideration when and as authorized, at any meeting of Shareholders
called for the purpose, by the affirmative vote of the holders of not less
than two-thirds of the Shares outstanding and entitled to vote, or by an
instrument or instruments in writing without a meeting, consented to by the
holders of not less than two-thirds of such Shares, or by such other vote as
may be established by the Trustees with respect to any series or class of
Shares; provided, however, that, if such merger, consolidation, sale, lease
or exchange is recommended by the Trustees, a Majority Shareholder Vote shall
be sufficient authorization; and any such merger, consolidation, sale, lease
or exchange shall be deemed for all purposes to have been accomplished under
and pursuant to the statutes of the Commonwealth of Massachusetts. In respect
of any such merger, consolidation, sale or exchange of assets, any
Shareholder shall be entitled to rights of appraisal of his Shares to the
same extent as a shareholder of a Massachusetts business corporation in
respect of a merger, consolidation, sale or exchange of assets of a
Massachusetts business corporation, and such rights shall be his exclusive
remedy in respect of his dissent from any such action.
SECTION 9.5. INCORPORATION. With approval of a Majority Shareholder
Vote, or by such other vote as may be established by the Trustees with
respect to any Series or class of Shares, the Trustees may cause to be
organized or assist in organizing a corporation or corporations under the
laws of any jurisdiction or any other trust, partnership, association or
other organization to take over all of the Trust Property or to carry on any
business in which the Trust shall directly or indirectly have any interest,
and to sell, convey and transfer the Trust Property to any such corporation,
trust, partnership, association or organization in exchange for the shares or
securities thereof or otherwise, and to lend money to, subscribe for the
shares or securities of, and enter into any contracts with any such
corporation, trust, partnership, association or organization in which the
Trust holds or is about to acquire shares or any other interest. The Trustees
may also cause a merger or consolidation between the Trust or any successor
thereto and any such corporation, trust, partnership, association or other
organization if and to the extent permitted by law, as provided under the law
then in effect. Nothing contained herein shall be construed as requiring
approval of Shareholders for the Trustees to organize or assist in organizing
one or more corporations, trusts, partnerships, associations or other
organizations and selling, conveying or transferring a portion of the Trust
Property to such organization or entities.
-28-
<PAGE>
ARTICLE X
REPORTS TO SHAREHOLDERS
The Trustees shall at least semi-annually submit or cause the officers of
the Trust to submit to the Shareholders a written financial report of each
Series of the Trust, including financial statements which shall at least
annually be certified by independent public accountants.
-29-
<PAGE>
ARTICLE XI
MISCELLANEOUS
SECTION 11.1. FILING. This Declaration and any amendment hereto shall
be filed in the office of the Secretary of the Commonwealth of Massachusetts
and in such other places as may be required under the laws of Massachusetts
and may also be filed or recorded in such other places as the Trustees deem
appropriate. Each amendment so filed shall be accompanied by a certificate
signed and acknowledged by a Trustee or by the Secretary or any Assistant
Secretary of the Trust stating that such action was duly taken in a manner
provided herein, and unless such amendment or such certificate sets forth
some later time for the effectiveness of such amendment, such amendment shall
be effective upon its filing. A restated Declaration, integrating into a
single instrument all of the provisions of the Declaration which are then in
effect and operative, may be executed from time to time by a majority of the
Trustees and shall, upon filing with the Secretary of the Commonwealth of
Massachusetts, be conclusive evidence of all amendments contained therein and
may thereafter be referred to in lieu of the original Declaration and the
various amendments thereto.
SECTION 11.2. RESIDENT AGENT. The Prentice-Hall Corporation System,
Inc., 84 State Street, Boston, Massachusetts 02109 is the resident agent of
the Trust in the Commonwealth of Massachusetts.
SECTION 11.3. GOVERNING LAW. This Declaration is executed by the
Trustees with reference to the laws of the Commonwealth of Massachusetts, and
the rights of all parties and the validity and construction of every
provision hereof shall be subject to and construed according to the laws of
said State.
SECTION 11.4. COUNTERPARTS. The Declaration may be simultaneously
executed in several counterparts, each of which shall be deemed to be an
original, and such counterparts, together, shall constitute one and the same
instrument, which shall be sufficiently evidenced by any such original
counterpart.
SECTION 11.5. RELIANCE BY THIRD PARTIES. Any certificate executed by
an individual who, according to the records of the Trust, appears to be a
Trustee hereunder, or Secretary or Assistant Secretary of the Trust,
certifying to: (a) the number or identity of Trustees or Shareholders,
(b) the due authorization of the execution of any instrument or
-30-
<PAGE>
writing, (c) the form of any vote passed at a meeting of Trustees or
Shareholders, (d) the fact that the number of Trustees or Shareholders
present at any meeting or executing any written instrument satisfies the
requirements of this Declaration, (e) the form of any By-Laws adopted by or
the identity of any officers elected by the Trustees, or (f) the existence of
any fact or facts which in any manner relate to the affairs of the Trust,
shall be conclusive evidence as to the matters so certified in favor of any
Person dealing with the Trustees and their successors.
SECTION 11.6. PROVISIONS IN CONFLICT WITH LAW OR REGULATIONS. (a) The
provisions of the Declaration are severable, and if the Trustees shall
determine, with the advice of counsel, that any of such provisions is in
conflict with the 1940 Act, the regulated investment company provisions of
the Internal Revenue Code or with other applicable laws and regulations, the
conflicting provisions shall be deemed superseded by such law or regulation
to the extent necessary to eliminate such conflict; provided, however, that
such determination shall not affect any of the remaining provisions of the
Declaration or render invalid or improper any action taken or omitted prior
to such determination.
(b) If any provision of the Declaration shall be held invalid or
unenforceable in any jurisdiction, such invalidity or unenforceability shall
pertain only to such provision in such jurisdiction and shall not in any
manner affect such provision in any other jurisdiction or any other provision
of the Declaration in any jurisdiction.
SECTION 11.7. USE OF THE NAME "DEAN WITTER." Dean Witter Reynolds Inc.
("DWR") has consented to the use by the Trust of the identifying name "Dean
Witter," which is a property right of DWR. The Trust will only use the name
"Dean Witter" as a component of its name and for no other purpose, and will
not purport to grant to any third party the right to use the name "Dean
Witter" for any purpose. DWR, or any corporate affiliate of the parent of
DWR, may use or grant to others the right to use the name "Dean Witter", or
any combination or abbreviation thereof, as all or a portion of a corporate
or business name or for any commercial purpose, including a grant of such
right to any other investment company. At the request of DWR or its parent,
the Trust will take such action as may be required to provide its consent to
the use by DWR or its parent, or any corporate affiliate of DWR's parent, or
by any person to whom DWR or its parent or an affiliate of DWR's parent shall
have granted the right to the use, of the name "Dean Witter," or any
combination or abbreviation thereof. Upon the termination of any investment
advisory agreement into which DWR and the Trust may enter, the Trust shall,
upon request by DWR or its parent, cease to use the name "Dean Witter" as a
component of its name,
-31-
<PAGE>
and shall not use the name, or any combination or abbreviation thereof, as a
part of its name or for any other commercial purpose, and shall cause its
officers, trustees and shareholders to take any and all actions which DWR or
its parent may request to effect the foregoing and to reconvey to DWR or its
parent any and all rights to such name.
IN WITNESS WHEREOF, the undersigned have executed this instrument this
20th day of November, 1986.
/s/ Charles A. Fiumefreddo /s/ Andrew J. Melton, Jr.
- ------------------------------------ -------------------------------------
Charles A. Fiumefreddo, as Andrew J. Melton, Jr., as
Trustee and not individually Trustee and not individually
One World Trade Center Five World Trade Center
New York, New York 10048 New York, New York 10048
/s/ Sheldon Curtis
- ------------------------------------ -------------------------------------
Sheldon Curtis, as Trustee , as Trustee and
not individually not individually
One World Trade Center
New York, New York 10048
-32-
<PAGE>
STATE OF NEW YORK )
:ss:
COUNTY OF NEW YORK )
On this 20th day of November, 1986, ANDREW J. MELTON, JR., CHARLES A.
FIUMEFREDDO and SHELDON CURTIS, known to me and known to be the individuals
described in and who executed the foregoing instrument, personally appeared
before me and they severally acknowledged the foregoing instrument to be their
free act and deed.
Barry Fink
---------------------------------
Notary Public
My commission expires:
-33-
<PAGE>
DEAN WITTER GOVERNMENT SECUTITIES PLUS
AMENDED AND RESTATED
DECLARTION OF TRUST
Dated: March 25, 1987
<PAGE>
TABLE OF CONTENTS
PAGE
----
ARTICLE I -- NAME AND DEFINITIONS 2
Section 1.1 Name 2
Section 1.2 Definitions 2
ARTICLE II -- TRUSTEES 4
Section 2.1 Number of Trustees 4
Section 2.2 Election and Term 4
Section 2.3 Resignation and Removal 4
Section 2.4 Vacancies 5
Section 2.5 Delegation of Power to Other Trustees 5
ARTICLE III -- POWERS OF TRUSTEES 6
Section 3.1 General 6
Section 3.2 Investments 6
Section 3.3 Legal Title 7
Section 3.4 Issuance and Repurchase of Securities 7
Section 3.5 Borrowing Money; Lending Trust Assets 8
Section 3.6 Delegation; Committees 8
Section 3.7 Collection and Payment 8
Section 3.8 Expenses 8
Section 3.9 Manner of Acting; By-Laws 8
Section 3.10 Miscellaneous Powers 8
Section 3.11 Principal Transactions 9
Section 3.12 Litigation 9
ARTICLE IV -- INVESTMENT ADVISER, DISTRIBUTOR, CUSTODIAN
AND TRANSFER AGENT 11
Section 4.1 Investment Adviser 11
Section 4.2 Administrative Services 11
Section 4.3 Distributor 11
Section 4.4 Transfer Agent 12
Section 4.5 Custodian 12
Section 4.6 Parties to Contract 12
-i-
<PAGE>
PAGE
----
ARTICLE V -- LIMITATIONS OF LIABILITY OF SHAREHOLDERS, 13
TRUSTEES, AND OTHERS
Section 5.1 No Personal Liability of Shareholders,
Trustees, etc. 13
Section 5.2 Non-Liability of Trustees, etc. 13
Section 5.3 Indemnification 13
Section 5.4 No Bond Required of Trustees 14
Section 5.5 No Duty of Investigation;
Notice in Trust Instruments, etc. 14
Section 5.6 Reliance on Experts, etc. 15
ARTICLE VI -- SHARES OF BENEFICIAL INTEREST 16
Section 6.1 Beneficial Interest 16
Section 6.2 Rights of Shareholders 16
Section 6.3 Trust Only 16
Section 6.4 Issuance of Shares 17
Section 6.5 Register of Shares 17
Section 6.6 Transfer of Shares 17
Section 6.7 Notices 18
Section 6.8 Voting Powers 18
Section 6.9 Series or Classes of Shares 19
ARTICLE VII -- REDEMPTIONS 22
Section 7.1 Redemptions 22
Section 7.2 Redemption of Shares; Disclosure of Holding 22
Section 7.3 Redemptions of Accounts of Less than $100 23
-ii-
<PAGE>
PAGE
----
ARTICLE VIII -- DETERMINATION OF NET ASSET VALUE, NET
INCOME AND DISTRIBUTIONS
Section 8.1 Net Asset Value 24
Section 8.2 Distributions to Shareholders 24
Section 8.3 Determination of Net Income 25
Section 8.4 Power to Modify Foregoing Procedures 25
ARTICLE IX -- DURATION; TERMINATION OF TRUST; AMENDMENT;
MERGERS, ETC. 26
Section 9.1 Duration 26
Section 9.2 Termination of Trust 26
Section 9.3 Amendment Procedure 27
Section 9.4 Merger, Consolidation and Sale of Assets 28
Section 9.5 Incorporation 28
ARTICLE X -- REPORTS TO SHAREHOLDERS 29
ARTICLE XI -- MISCELLANEOUS 30
Section 11.1 Filing 30
Section 11.2 Governing Law 30
Section 11.3 Residing Agent 30
Section 11.4 Counterparts 30
Section 11.5 Reliance by Third Parties 30
Section 11.6 Provisions in Conflict with Law
or Regulations 31
Section 11.7 Use of the Name "Dean Witter" 31
SIGNATURE PAGE 32
-iii-
<PAGE>
Amended and Restated
Declaration of Trust
OF
DEAN WITTER GOVERNMENT SECURITIES PLUS
Dated: March 25, 1987
Amended and Restated Declaration of Trust made March 25, 1987, by the
Trustees.
WHEREAS, by a Declaration of Trust dated November 20, 1986 (the
"Declaration") the Trustees signatory thereto established a trust under the
laws of Massachussetts for the investment of reinvestment of funds contributed
thereto; and
WHEREAS, the Declaration provided that the beneficial interest in the
trust assets be divided into transferable shares of beneficial interest as
therein and herein provided; and
WHEREAS, the Trustees in the Declaration declare that they will hold
in trust, all money and property contributed to the trust fund to manage and
dispose of the same for the benefit of the holders from time to time of the
shares of beneficial interest issued thereunder and subject to the provisions
thereof; and
WHEREAS, the Declaration provides that it may be amended by a
Majority Shareholder Vote; and
WHEREAS, the amendment set forth herein has been made by written
consent of the sole shareholder of the Trust; and
WHEREAS, the Declaration provides that a restated Declaration
integrating into a single instrument all of the provisions of the Declaration
which are then in effect and operative, may be executed from time to time by a
majority of the Trustees; and
WHEREAS, the Trustees desire to restate the Declaration so that this
Amended and Restated Declaration, on the date of its filing in the office of
the Secretary of the Commonwealth of Massachussetts (the "Effective Date"),
shall contain all of the provisions of the Declaration which are then in
effect and operative;
NOW, THEREFORE, the Trustees hereby amend and restate the
Declaration, and, on the Effective Date, the following provisions shall
constitute all of the provisions of the Declaration which are then in effect
and operative, to wit:
-1-
<PAGE>
ARTICLE I
NAME AND DEFINITIONS
SECTION 1.1 NAME. The name of the trust created hereby is the "Dean
Witter Government Securities Plus," and so far as may be practicable the
Trustees shall conduct the Trust's activities, execute all documents and sue
or be sued under that name, which name (and the word "Trust" wherever herein
used) shall refer to the Trustees as Trustees, and not as individuals, or
personally, and shall not refer to the officers, agents, employees or
Shareholders of the Trust. Should the Trustees determine that the use of
such name is not advisable, they may use such other name for the Trust as
they deem proper and the Trust may hold its property and conduct its
activities under such other name.
SECTION 1.2 DEFINITIONS. Wherever they are used herein, the
following terms have the following respective meanings:
(a) "BY-LAWS" means the By-Laws referred to in Section 3.9 hereof,
as from time to time amended.
(b) the terms "COMMISSION," "AFFILIATED PERSON" and "INTERESTED
PERSON," have the meanings given them in the 1940 Act.
(c) "DECLARATION" means this Declaration of Trust as amended from
time to time. Reference in this Declaration of Trust to "DECLARATION,"
"HEREOF," "HEREIN" and "HEREUNDER" shall be deemed to refer to this
Declaration rather than the article or section in which such words appear.
(d) "DISTRIBUTOR" means the party, other than the Trust, to a
contract described in Section 4.3 hereof.
(e) "FUNDAMENTAL POLICIES" shall mean the investment policies and
restrictions set forth in the Prospectus and designated as fundamental
policies therein.
(f) "INVESTMENT ADVISER" means any party, other than the Trust, to
a contract described in Section 4.1 hereof.
(g) "MAJORITY SHAREHOLDER VOTE" means the vote of the holders of a
majority of Shares, which shall consist of: (i) a majority of Shares
represented in person or by proxy and entitled to vote at a meeting of
Shareholders at which a quorum, as determined in accordance with the By-Laws,
is present; (ii) a majority of Shares issued and outstanding and entitled to
vote when action is taken by written consent of Shareholders; and (iii) a
"majority of the outstanding voting securities," as the phrase is defined in
the 1940 Act, when any action is required by the 1940 Act by such majority as
so defined.
-2-
<PAGE>
(h) "1940 ACT" means the Investment Company Act of 1940 and the
rules and regulations thereunder as amended from time to time.
(i) "PERSON" means and includes individuals, corporations,
partnerships, trusts, associations, joint ventures and other entities,
whether or not legal entities, and governments and agencies and political
subdivisions thereof.
(j) "PROSPECTUS" means the Prospectus and Statement of Additional
Information constituting parts of the Registration Statement of the Trust
under the Securities Act of 1933 as such Prospectus and Statement of
Additional Information may be amended or supplemented and filed with the
Commission from time to time.
(k) "SERIES" means one of the separately managed components of the
Trust (or, if the Trust shall have only one such component, then that one) as
set forth in Section 6.1 hereof or as may be established and designated from
time to time by the Trustees pursuant to that section.
(l) "SHAREHOLDER" means a record owner of outstanding Shares.
(m) "SHARES" means the units of interest into which the beneficial
interest in the Trust shall be divided from time to time, including the
shares of any and all series or classes which may be established by the
Trustees, and includes fractions of Shares as well as whole Shares.
(n) "TRANSFER AGENT" means the party, other than the Trust, to the
contract described in Section 4.4 hereof.
(o) "TRUST" means the Dean Witter Government Securities Plus.
(p) "TRUST PROPERTY" means any and all property, real or personal,
tangible or intangible, which is owned or held by or for the account of the
Trust or the Trustees.
(q) "TRUSTEES" means the persons who have signed the Declaration,
so long as they shall continue in office in accordance with the terms hereof,
and all other persons who may from time to time be duly elected or appointed,
qualified and serving as Trustees in accordance with the provisions hereof,
and reference herein to a Trustee or the Trustees shall refer to such person
or persons in their capacity as trustees hereunder.
-3-
<PAGE>
ARTICLE II
TRUSTEES
SECTION 2.1. NUMBER OF TRUSTEES. The number of Trustees shall be
such number as shall be fixed from time to time by a written instrument
signed by a majority of the Trustees, provided, however, that the number of
Trustees shall in no event be less than three (3) nor more than fifteen (15).
SECTION 2.2. ELECTION AND TERM. The Trustees shall be elected by a
Majority Shareholder Vote at the first meeting of Shareholders following the
public offering of Shares of the Trust. The Trustees shall have the power to
set and alter the terms of office of the Trustees, and they may at any time
lengthen or lessen their own terms or make their terms of unlimited duration,
subject to the resignation and removal provisions of Section 2.3 hereof.
Subject to Section 16(a) of the 1940 Act, the Trustees may elect their own
successors and may, pursuant to Section 2.4 hereof, appoint Trustees to fill
vacancies. The Trustees shall adopt By-Laws not inconsistent with this
Declaration or any provision of law to provide for election of Trustees by
Shareholders at such time or times as the Trustees shall determine to be
necessary or advisable.
SECTION 2.3. RESIGNATION AND REMOVAL. Any Trustee may resign his
trust (without need for prior or subsequent accounting) by an instrument in
writing signed by him and delivered to the other Trustees and such
resignation shall be effective upon such delivery, or at a later date
according to the terms of the instrument. Any of the Trustees may be removed
(provided the aggregate number of Trustees after such removal shall not be
less than the number required by Section 2.1 hereof) by the action of
two-thirds of the remaining Trustees or by the action of the Shareholders of
record of not less than two-thirds of the Shares outstanding (for purposes of
determining the circumstances and procedures under which such removal by the
Shareholders may take place, the provisions of Section 16(c) of the 1940 Act
shall be applicable to the same extent as if the Trust were subject to the
provisions of that Section). Upon the resignation or removal of a Trustee,
or his otherwise ceasing to be a Trustee, he shall execute and deliver such
documents as the remaining Trustees shall require for the purpose of
conveying to the Trust or the remaining Trustees any Trust Property held in
the name of the resigning or removed Trustee. Upon the incapacity or death
of any Trustee, his legal representative shall execute and deliver on his
behalf such documents as the remaining Trustees shall require as provided in
the preceding sentence.
-4-
<PAGE>
SECTION 2.4. VACANCIES. The term of office of a Trustee shall
terminate and a vacancy shall occur in the event of the death, resignation,
removal, bankruptcy, adjudicated incompetence or other incapacity to perform
the duties of the office of a Trustee. No such vacancy shall operate to
annul the Declaration or to revoke any existing agency created pursuant to
the terms of the Declaration. In the case of an existing vacancy existing by
reason of an increase in the number of Trustees, subject to the provisions of
Section 16(a) of the 1940 Act, the remaining Trustees or, prior to the public
offering of Shares of the Trust, if only one Trustee shall then remain in
office, the remaining Trustee, shall fill such vacancy by the appointment of
such other person as they or he, in their or his discretion, shall see fit,
made by a written instrument signed by a majority of the remaining Trustees
or by the remaining Trustee, as the case may be. Any such appointment shall
not become effective, however, until the person named in the written
instrument of appointment shall have accepted in writing such appointment and
agreed in writing to be bound by the terms of the Declaration. An
appointment of a Trustee may be made in anticipation of a vacancy to occur at
a later date by reason of retirement, resignation or increase in the number
of Trustees, provided that such appointment shall not become effective prior
to such retirement, resignation or increase in the number of Trustees.
Whenever a vacancy in the number of Trustees shall occur, until such vacancy
is filled as provided in this Section 2.4, the Trustees in office, regardless
of their number, shall have all the powers granted to the Trustees and shall
discharge all the duties imposed upon the Trustees by the Declaration. A
written instrument certifying the existence of such vacancy signed by a
majority of the Trustees shall be conclusive evidence of the existence of
such vacancy.
SECTION 2.5 DELEGATION OF POWER TO OTHER TRUSTEES. Any Trustee
may, by power of attorney, delegate his power for a period not exceeding six
(6) months at any one time to any other Trustee or Trustees; provided that in
no case shall less than two (2) Trustees personally exercise the powers
granted to the Trustees under the Declaration except as herein otherwise
expressly provided.
-5-
<PAGE>
ARTICLE III
POWERS OF TRUSTEES
SECTION 3.1 GENERAL. The Trustees shall have exclusive and
absolute control over the Trust Property and over the business of the Trust
to the same extent as if the Trustees were the sole owners of the Trust
Property and business in their own right, but with such powers of delegation
as may be permitted by the Declaration. The Trustees shall have power to
conduct the business of the Trust and carry on its operations in any and all
of its branches and maintain offices both within and without the Commonwealth
of Massachusetts, in any and all states of the United States of America, in
the District of Columbia, and in any and all commonwealths, territories,
dependencies, colonies, possessions, agencies or instrumentalities
wheresoever in the world they may be located as they deem necessary, proper
or desirable in order to promote the interests of the Trust although such things
are not herein specifically mentioned. Any determination as to what is in the
interests of the Trust made by the Trustees in good faith shall be conclusive.
In construing the provisions of the Declaration, the presumption shall be in
favor of a grant of power to the Trustees.
The enumeration of any specific power herein shall not be construed
as limiting the aforesaid power. Such powers of the Trustees may be
exercised without order of or resort to any court.
SECTION 3.2. INVESTMENTS. The Trustees shall have the power to:
(a) conduct, operate and carry on the business of an investment
company;
(b) subscribe for, invest in, reinvest in, purchase or otherwise
acquire, hold, pledge, sell, assign, transfer, exchange, distribute,
lend or otherwise deal in or dispose of negotiable or nonnegotiable
instruments, obligations, evidences of indebtedness, certificates of
deposit or indebtedness, commercial paper, repurchase agreements,
reverse repurchase agreements, options, commodities, commodity futures
contracts and related options, currencies, currency futures and forward
contracts, and other securities, investment contracts and other
instruments of any kind, including, without limitation, those issued,
guaranteed or sponsored by any and all Persons including, without
limitation, states, territories and possessions of the United States,
the
-6-
<PAGE>
District of Columbia and any of the political subdivisions, agencies
or instrumentalities thereof, and by the United States Government
or its agencies or instrumentalities, foreign or international
instrumentalities, or by any bank or savings institution, or by any
corporation or organization organized under the laws of the United
States or of any state, territory or possession thereof, and of
corporations or organizations organized under foreign laws, or in
"when issued" contracts for any such securities, or retain Trust
assets in cash and from time to time change the investments of the
assets of the Trust; and to exercise any and all rights, powers and
privileges of ownership or interest in respect of any and all such
investments of every kind and description, including, without
limitation, the right to consent and otherwise act with respect
thereto, with power to designate one or more persons, firms,
associations or corporations to exercise any of said rights, powers
and privileges in respect of any of said instruments; and the Trustees
shall be deemed to have the foregoing powers with respect to any
additional securities in which the Trust may invest should the
Fundamental Policies be amended.
The Trustees shall not be limited to investing in obligations maturing before
the possible termination of the Trust, nor shall the Trustees be limited by
any law limiting the investments which may be made by fiduciaries.
SECTION 3.3. LEGAL TITLE. Legal title to all the Trust Property
shall be vested in the Trustees as joint tenants except that the Trustees
shall have power to cause legal title to any Trust Property to be held by or
in the name of one or more of the Trustees, or in the name of the Trust, or
in the name of any other Person as nominee, on such terms as the Trustees may
determine, provided that the interest of the Trust therein is appropriately
protected. The right, title and interest of the Trustees in the Trust
Property shall vest automatically in each Person who may hereafter become a
Trustee. Upon the resignation, removal or death of a Trustee he shall
automatically cease to have any right, title or interest in any of the Trust
Property, and the right, title and interest of such Trustee in the Trust
Property shall vest automatically in the remaining Trustees. Such vesting
and cessation of title shall be effective whether or not conveyancing
documents have been executed and delivered.
SECTION 3.4. ISSUANCE AND REPURCHASE OF SECURITIES. The Trustees
shall have the power to issue, sell, repurchase, redeem, retire, cancel,
acquire, hold, resell, reissue, dispose of, transfer, and otherwise deal in
Shares and, subject to the provisions set forth in Articles VII, VIII and IX
and Section 6.9 hereof, to apply to any such repurchase, redemption,
retirement, cancellation or acquisition of Shares any funds or
-7-
<PAGE>
property of the Trust, whether capital or surplus or otherwise, to the full
extent now or hereafter permitted by the laws of the Commonwealth of
Massachusetts governing business corporations.
SECTION 3.5. BORROWING MONEY; LENDING TRUST ASSETS. Subject to
the Fundamental Policies, the Trustees shall have power to borrow money or
otherwise obtain credit and to secure the same by mortgaging, pledging or
otherwise subjecting as security the assets of the Trust, to endorse,
guarantee, or undertake the performance of any obligation, contract or
engagement of any other Person and to lend Trust assets.
SECTION 3.6. DELEGATION; COMMITTEES. The Trustees shall have
power, consistent with their continuing exclusive authority over the
management of the Trust and the Trust Property, to delegate from time to time
to such of their number or to officers, employees or agents of the Trust the
doing of such things and the execution of such instruments either in the name
of the Trust or the names of the Trustees or otherwise as the Trustees may
deem expedient.
SECTION 3.7. COLLECTION AND PAYMENT. The Trustees shall have power
to collect all property due to the Trust; to pay all claims, including taxes,
against the Trust Property; to prosecute, defend, compromise or abandon any
claims relating to the Trust Property; to foreclose any security interest
securing any obligations, by virtue of which any property is owed to the
Trust; and to enter into releases, agreements and other instruments.
SECTION 3.8. EXPENSES. The Trustees shall have the power to incur
and pay any expenses which in the opinion of the Trustees are necessary or
incidental to carry out any of the purposes of the Declaration, and to pay
reasonable compensation from the funds of the Trust to themselves as
Trustees. The Trustees shall fix the compensation of all officers, employees
and Trustees.
SECTION 3.9. MANNER OF ACTING; BY-LAWS. Except as otherwise
provided herein or in the By-Laws or by any provision of law, any action to
be taken by the Trustees may be taken by a majority of the Trustees present
at a meeting of Trustees (a quorum being present), including any meeting held
by means of a conference telephone circuit or similar communications
equipment by means of which all persons participating in the meeting can hear
each other, or by written consents of all the Trustees. The Trustees may
adopt By-Laws not inconsistent with this Declaration to provide for the
conduct of the business of the Trust and may amend or repeal such By-Laws to
the extent such power is not reserved to the Shareholders.
SECTION 3.10. MISCELLANEOUS POWERS. The Trustees shall have the
power to: (a) employ or contract with such Persons as the Trustees may deem
desirable for the transaction of the
-8-
<PAGE>
business of the Trust; (b) enter into joint ventures, partnerships and any
other combinations or associations; (c) remove Trustees or fill vacancies in
or add to their number, elect and remove such officers and appoint and
terminate such agents or employees as they consider appropriate, and appoint
from their own number, and terminate, any one or more committees which may
exercise some or all of the power and authority of the Trustees as the
Trustees may determine; (d) purchase, and pay for out of Trust Property,
insurance policies insuring the Shareholders, Trustees, officers, employees,
agents, investment advisers, distributors, selected dealers or independent
contractors of the Trust against all claims arising by reason of holding any
such position or by reason of any action taken or omitted to be taken by any
such Person in such capacity, whether or not constituting negligence, or
whether or not the Trust would have the power to indemnify such Person
against such liability; (e) establish pension, profit-sharing, Share
purchase, and other retirement, incentive and benefit plans for any Trustees,
officers, employees and agents of the Trust; (f) to the extent permitted by
law, indemnify any person with whom the Trust has dealings, including any
Investment Adviser, Distributor, Transfer Agent and selected dealers, to such
extent as the Trustees shall determine; (g) guarantee indebtedness or
contractual obligations of others; (h) determine and change the fiscal year
of the Trust and the method by which its accounts shall be kept; and (i)
adopt a seal for the Trust but the absence of such seal shall not impair the
validity of any instrument executed on behalf of the Trust.
SECTION 3.11. PRINCIPAL TRANSACTIONS. Except in transactions
permitted by the 1940 Act or any rule or regulation thereunder, or any order
of exemption issued by the Commission, or effected to implement the
provisions of any agreement to which the Trust is a party, the Trustees shall
not, on behalf of the Trust, buy any securities (other than Shares) from or
sell any securities (other than Shares) to, or lend any assets of the Trust
to, any Trustee or officer of the Trust or any firm of which any such Trustee
or officer is a member acting as principal, or have any such dealings with
any Investment Adviser, Distributor or Transfer Agent or with any Affiliated
Person of such Person; but the Trust may employ any such Person, or firm or
company in which such Person is an Interested Person, as broker, legal
counsel, registrar, transfer agent, dividend disbursing agent or custodian
upon customary terms.
SECTION 3.12. LITIGATION. The Trustees shall have the power to
engage in and to prosecute, defend, compromise, abandon, or adjust, by
arbitration, or otherwise, any actions, suits, proceedings, disputes, claims,
and demands relating to the Trust, and out of the assets of the Trust to pay
or to satisfy any debts, claims or expenses incurred in connection therewith,
including those of litigation, and such power shall
-9-
<PAGE>
include without limitation the power of the Trustees or any appropriate
committee thereof, in the exercise of their or its good faith business
judgment, to dismiss any action, suit, proceeding, dispute, claim, or demand,
derivative or otherwise, brought by any person, including a Shareholder in
its own name or the name of the Trust, whether or not the Trust or any of the
Trustees may be named individually therein or the subject matter arises by
reason of business for or on behalf of the Trust.
-10-
<PAGE>
ARTICLE IV
INVESTMENT ADVISER, DISTRIBUTOR, CUSTODIAN AND TRANSFER AGENT
SECTION 4.1. INVESTMENT ADVISER. Subject to approval by a Majority
Shareholder Vote, the Trustees may in their discretion from time to time
enter into one or more investment advisory or management contracts whereby
the other party or parties to any such contracts shall undertake to furnish
the Trust such management, investment advisory, administration, accounting,
legal, statistical and research facilities and services, promotional or
marketing activities, and such other facilities and services, if any, as the
Trustees shall from time to time consider desirable and all upon such terms
and conditions as the Trustees may in their discretion determine.
Notwithstanding any provisions of the Declaration, the Trustees may authorize
the Investment Advisers, or any of them, under any such contracts (subject to
such general or specific instructions as the Trustees may from time to time
adopt) to effect purchases, sales, loans or exchanges of portfolio securities
and other investments of the Trust on behalf of the Trustees or may authorize
any officer, employee or Trustee to effect such purchases, sales, loans or
exchanges pursuant to recommendations of such Investment Advisers, or any of
them (and all without further action by the Trustees). Any such purchases,
sales, loans and exchanges shall be deemed to have been authorized by all of
the Trustees. The Trustees may, in their sole discretion, call a meeting of
Shareholders in order to submit to a vote of Shareholders at such meeting the
approval or continuance of any such investment advisory or management
contract. If the Shareholders of any one or more of the Series of the Trust
should fail to approve any such investment advisory or management contract,
the Investment Adviser may nonetheless serve as Investment Adviser with
respect to any Series whose Shareholders approve such contract.
SECTION 4.2. ADMINISTRATIVE SERVICES. The Trustees may in their
discretion from time to time contract for administrative personnel and
services whereby the other party shall agree to provide the Trustees or the
Trust administrative personnel and services to operate the Trust on a daily
or other basis, on such terms and conditions as the Trustees may in their
discretion determine. Such services may be provided by one or more persons or
entities.
SECTION 4.3. DISTRIBUTOR. The Trustees may in their discretion from
time to time enter into one or more contracts, providing for the sale of
Shares to net the Trust not less than the net asset value per Share (as
described in Article VIII hereof) and pursuant to which the Trust may either
agree to sell the Shares to the other parties to the contracts, or any of
them, or appoint any such other party its sales agent for such Shares. In
either case, any such contract shall be on such terms and conditions as the
Trustees may in their
-11-
<PAGE>
discretion determine not inconsistent with the provisions of this Article IV,
including, without limitation, the provision for the repurchase or sale of
shares of the Trust by such other party as principal or as agent of the Trust.
SECTION 4.4. TRANSFER AGENT. The Trustees may in their discretion from
time to time enter into a transfer agency and shareholder service contract
whereby the other party to such contract shall undertake to furnish transfer
agency and shareholder services to the Trust. The contract shall have such
terms and conditions as the Trustees may in their discretion determine not
inconsistent with the Declaration. Such services may be provided by one or
more Persons.
SECTION 4.5. CUSTODIAN. The Trustees may appoint or otherwise engage
one or more banks or trust companies, each having an aggregate capital,
surplus and undivided profits (as shown in its last published report) of at
least five million dollars ($5,000,000) to serve as Custodian with authority
as its agent, but subject to such restrictions, limitations and other
requirements, if any, as may be contained in the By-Laws of the Trust.
SECTION 4.6. PARTIES TO CONTRACT. Any contract of the character
described in Sections 4.1, 4.2, 4.3, 4.4 or 4.5 of this Article IV and any
other contract may be entered into with any Person, although one or more of
the Trustees or officers of the Trust may be an officer, director, trustee,
shareholder, or member of such other party to the contract, and no such
contract shall be invalidated or rendered voidable by reason of the existence
of any such relationship; nor shall any Person holding such relationship be
liable merely by reason of such relationship for any loss or expense to the
Trust under or by reason of said contract or accountable for any profit
realized directly or indirectly therefrom, provided that the contract when
entered into was not inconsistent with the provisions of this Article IV. The
same Person may be the other party to any contracts entered into pursuant to
Sections 4.1, 4.2, 4.3, 4.4 or 4.5 above or otherwise, and any individual may
be financially interested or otherwise affiliated with Persons who are
parties to any or all of the contracts mentioned in this Section 4.6.
-12-
<PAGE>
ARTICLE V
LIMITATIONS OF LIABILITY OF SHAREHOLDERS,
TRUSTEES AND OTHERS
SECTION 5.1. NO PERSONAL LIABILITY OF SHAREHOLDERS, TRUSTEES, ETC. No
Shareholder shall be subject to any personal liability whatsoever to any
Person in connection with Trust Property or the acts, obligations or affairs
of the Trust. No Trustee, officer, employee or agent of the Trust shall be
subject to any personal liability whatsoever to any Person, other than the
Trust or its Shareholders, in connection with the Trust Property or the
affairs of the Trust, save only that arising from bad faith, willful
misfeasance, gross negligence or reckless disregard for his duty to such
Person; and all such Persons shall look solely to the Trust Property for
satisfaction of claims of any nature arising in connection with the affairs
of the Trust. If any Shareholder, Trustee, officer, employee or agent, as
such, of the Trust is made a party to any suit or proceeding to enforce any
such liability, he shall not, on account thereof, be held to any personal
liability. The Trust shall indemnify and hold each Shareholder harmless from
and against all claims and liabilities, to which such Shareholder may become
subject by reason of his being or having been a Shareholder, and shall
reimburse such Shareholder for all legal and other expenses reasonably
incurred by him in connection with any such claim or liability; provided
that, in the event the Trust shall consist of more than one Series,
Shareholders of a particular Series who are faced with claims or liabilities
solely by reason of their status as Shareholders of that Series shall be
limited to the assets of that Series for recovery of such loss and related
expenses. The rights accruing to a Shareholder under this Section 5.1 shall
not exclude any other right to which such Shareholder may be lawfully
entitled, nor shall anything herein contained restrict the right of the Trust
to indemnify or reimburse a Shareholder in any appropriate situation even
though not specifically provided herein.
SECTION 5.2. NON-LIABILITY OF TRUSTEES, ETC. No Trustee, officer,
employee or agent of the Trust shall be liable to the Trust, its Shareholders,
or to any Shareholder, Trustee, officer, employee, or agent thereof for any
action or failure to act (including without limitation the failure to compel
in any way any former or acting Trustee to redress any breach of trust)
except for his own bad faith, willful misfeasance, gross negligence or
reckless disregard of his duties.
SECTION 5.3 INDEMNIFICATION. (a) The Trustees shall provide for
indemnification by the Trust of any person who is, or has been, a Trustee,
officer, employee or agent of the Trust against all liability and against all
expenses reasonably incurred or paid by him in connection with any claim,
action, suit or proceeding in which he becomes involved as a party or
-13-
<PAGE>
otherwise by virtue of his being or having been a Trustee, officer, employee
or agent and against amounts paid or incurred by him in the settlement
thereof, in such manner as the Trustees may provide from time to time in the
By-Laws.
(b) The words "claim," "action," "suit," or "proceeding" shall apply to
all claims, actions, suits or proceedings (civil, criminal, or other,
including appeals), actual or threatened; and the words "liability" and
"expenses" shall include, without limitation, attorneys' fees, costs,
judgments, amounts paid in settlement, fines, penalties and other liabilities.
SECTION 5.4. NO BOND REQUIRED OF TRUSTEES. No Trustee shall be obligated
to give any bond or other security for the performance of any of his duties
hereunder.
SECTION 5.5. NO DUTY OF INVESTIGATION; NOTICE IN TRUST INSTRUMENTS, ETC.
No purchaser, lender, transfer agent or other Person dealing with the
Trustees or any officer, employee or agent of the Trust shall be bound to
make any inquiry concerning the validity of any transaction purporting to be
made by the Trustees or by said officer, employee or agent or be liable for
the application of money or property paid, loaned, or delivered to or on the
order of the Trustees or of said officer, employee or agent. Every
obligation, contract, instrument, certificate, Share, other security of the
Trust or undertaking, and every other act or thing whatsoever executed in
connection with the Trust shall be conclusively presumed to have been
executed or done by the executors thereof only in their capacity as officers,
employees or agents of the Trust. Every written obligation, contract,
instrument, certificate, Share, other security of the Trust or undertaking made
or issued by the Trustees shall recite that the same is executed or made by
them not individually, but as Trustees under the Declaration, and that the
obligations of any such instrument are not binding upon any of the Trustees
or Shareholders, individually, but bind only the Trust Estate (or, in the
event the Trust shall consist of more than one Series, in the case of any
such obligation which relates to a specific Series, only the Series which is
a party thereto), and may contain any further recital which they or he may
deem appropriate, but the omission of such recital shall not operate to bind
the Trustees or Shareholders individually. The Trustees shall at all times
maintain insurance for the protection of the Trust Property, its
Shareholders, Trustees, officers, employees and agents in such amount as the
Trustees shall deem adequate to cover possible tort liability, and such other
insurance as the Trustees in their sole judgment shall deem advisable.
-14-
<PAGE>
SECTION 5.6. RELIANCE ON EXPERTS, ETC. Each Trustee and officer or
employee of the Trust shall, in the performance of his duties, be fully and
completely justified and protected with regard to any act or any failure to
act resulting from reliance in good faith upon the books of account or other
records of the Trust, upon an opinion of counsel, or upon reports made to the
Trust by any of its officers or employees or by any Investment Adviser,
Distributor, Transfer Agent, selected dealers, accountants, appraisers or
other experts or consultants selected with reasonable care by the Trustees,
officers or employees of the Trust, regardless of whether such counsel or
expert may also be a Trustee.
-15-
<PAGE>
ARTICLE VI
SHARES OF BENEFICIAL INTEREST
SECTION 6.1. BENEFICIAL INTEREST. The interest of the beneficiaries
hereunder shall be divided into transferable shares of beneficial interest of
$.01 par value. The number of such shares of beneficial interest authorized
hereunder is unlimited. The Trustees shall have the authority to establish
and designate one or more Series or classes of shares. Each share of any
Series shall represent an equal proportionate share in the assets of that
Series with each other Share in that Series. The Trustees may divide or
combine the shares of any Series into a greater or lesser number of shares in
that Series without thereby changing the proportionate interests in the
assets of that Series. Subject to the provisions of Section 6.9 hereof, the
Trustees may also authorize the creation of additional series of shares (the
proceeds of which may be invested in separate, independently managed
portfolios) and additional classes of shares within any series. All Shares
issued hereunder including, without limitation, Shares issued in connection
with a dividend in Shares or a split in Shares, shall be fully paid and
nonassessable.
SECTION 6.2. RIGHTS OF SHAREHOLDERS. The ownership of the Trust
Property of every description and the right to conduct any business
hereinbefore described are vested exclusively in the Trustees, and the
Shareholders shall have no interest therein other than the beneficial
interest conferred by their Shares, and they shall have no right to call for
any partition or division of any property, profits, rights or interests of
the Trust nor can they be called upon to assume any losses of the Trust or
suffer an assessment of any kind by virtue of their ownership of Shares. The
Shares shall be personal property giving only the rights in the Declaration
specifically set forth. The Shares shall not entitle the holder to
preference, preemptive, appraisal, conversion or exchange rights, except as
the Trustees may determine with respect to any series of Shares.
SECTION 6.3. TRUST ONLY. It is the intention of the Trustees to create
only the relationship of Trustee and beneficiary between the Trustees and
each Shareholder from time to time. It is not the intention of the Trustees
to create a general partnership, limited partnership, joint stock
association, corporation, bailment or any form of legal relationship other
than a trust. Nothing in the Declaration shall be construed to make the
Shareholders, either by themselves or with the Trustees, partners or members
of a joint stock association.
-16-
<PAGE>
SECTION 6.4. ISSUANCE OF SHARES. The Trustees, in their discretion
may, from time to time without vote of the Shareholders, issue Shares of any
Series, in addition to the then issued and outstanding Shares and Shares held
in the treasury, to such party or parties and for such amount and type of
consideration, including cash or property, at such time or times and on such
terms as the Trustees may deem best, and may in such manner acquire other
assets (including the acquisition of assets subject to, and in connection
with the assumption of liabilities) and businesses. In connection with any
issuance of Shares, the Trustees may issue fractional Shares. The Trustees
may from time to time divide or combine the Shares of any Series into a
greater or lesser number without thereby changing the proportionate
beneficial interests in that Series. Contributions to the Trust may be
accepted for, and Shares shall be redeemed as, whole Shares and/or fractions
of a Share as described in the Prospectus.
SECTION 6.5. REGISTER OF SHARES. A register shall be kept in respect
of each Series at the principal office of the Trust or at an office of the
Transfer Agent which shall contain the names and addresses of the
Shareholders and the number of Shares of each Series held by them
respectively and a record of all transfers thereof. Such register may be in
written form or any other form capable of being converted into written form
within a reasonable time for visual inspection. Such register shall be
conclusive as to who are the holders of the Shares and who shall be entitled
to receive dividends or distributions or otherwise to exercise or enjoy the
rights of Shareholders. No Shareholder shall be entitled to receive payment
of any dividend or distribution, nor to have notice given to him as herein or
in the By-Laws provided, until he has given his address to the Transfer Agent
or such other officer or agent of the Trustees as shall keep the said
register for entry thereon. It is not contemplated that certificates will be
issued for the Shares; however, the Trustees, in their discretion, may
authorize the issuance of Share certificates and promulgate appropriate rules
and regulations as to their use.
SECTION 6.6. TRANSFER OF SHARES. Shares shall be transferable on the
records of the Trust only by the record holder thereof or by his agent
thereunto duly authorized in writing, upon delivery to the Trustees or the
Transfer Agent of a duly executed instrument of transfer, together with such
evidence of the genuineness of each such execution and authorization and of
other matters as may reasonably be required. Upon such delivery the transfer
shall be recorded on the register of the Trust. Until such record is made,
the Shareholder of record shall be deemed to be the holder of such Shares for
all purposes hereunder and neither the Trustees nor any Transfer Agent or
registrar nor any officer, employee or agent of the Trust shall be affected
by any notice of the proposed transfer.
-17-
<PAGE>
Any person becoming entitled to any Shares in consequence of the death,
bankruptcy, or incompetence of any Shareholder, or otherwise by operation of
law, shall be recorded on the register of Shares as the holder of such Shares
upon production of the proper evidence thereof to the Trustees or the
Transfer Agent, but until such record is made, the Shareholder of record
shall be deemed to be the holder of such Shares for all purposes hereunder
and neither the Trustees nor any Transfer Agent or registrar nor any officer
or agent of the Trust shall be affected by any notice of such death,
bankruptcy or incompetence, or other operation of law, except as may
otherwise be provided by the laws of the Commonwealth of Massachusetts.
SECTION 6.7. NOTICES. Any and all notices to which any Shareholder may
be entitled and any and all communications shall be deemed duly served or
given if mailed, postage prepaid, addressed to any Shareholder of record at
his last known address as recorded on the register of the Trust.
SECTION 6.8. VOTING POWERS. The Shareholders shall have power to vote
only (i) for the election of Trustees as provided in Section 2.2 hereof, (ii)
for the removal of Trustees as provided in Section 2.3 hereof, (iii) with
respect to any investment advisory or management contract as provided in
Section 4.1, (iv) with respect to termination of the Trust as provided in
Section 9.2, (v) with respect to any amendment of the Declaration to the
extent and as provided in Section 9.3, (vi) with respect to any merger,
consolidation or sale of assets as provided in Section 9.4, (vii) with respect
to incorporation of the Trust to the extent and as provided in Section 9.5,
(viii) to the same extent as the stockholders of a Massachusetts business
corporation as to whether or not a court action, proceeding or claim should or
should not be brought or maintained derivatively or as a class action on
behalf of the Trust or the Shareholders (provided that Shareholders of a
Series are not entitled to vote in connection with the bringing of a
derivative or class action with respect to any matter which only affects
another other Series or its Shareholders), and (ix) with respect to such
additional matters relating to the Trust as may be required by law, the
Declaration, the By-Laws or any registration of the Trust with the Commission
(or any successor agency) or any state, or as and when the Trustees may
consider necessary or desirable. Each whole Share shall be entitled to one
vote as to any matter on which it is entitled to vote and each fractional
Share shall be entitled to a proportionate fractional vote, except that Shares
held in the treasury of the Trust as of the record date, as determined in
accordance with the By-Laws, shall not be voted. On any matter submitted to a
vote of Shareholders, all Shares shall be voted by individual Series except
(1) when required by the 1940 Act, Shares shall be voted in the aggregate and
not by individual
-18-
<PAGE>
Series; and (2) when the Trustees have determined that the matter
affects only the interests of one or more Series, then only the Shareholders
of such Series shall be entitled to vote thereon. The Trustees may, in
conjunction with the establishment of any further Series or any classes of
Shares, establish conditions under which the several series or classes of
Shares shall have separate voting rights or no voting rights. There shall be
no cumulative voting in the election of Trustees. Until Shares are issued,
the Trustees may exercise all rights of Shareholders and may take any action
required by law, the Declaration or the By-Laws to be taken by Shareholders.
The By-Laws may include further provisions for Shareholders' votes and
meetings and related matters.
SECTION 6.9. SERIES OR CLASSES OF SHARES. The following provisions are
applicable regarding the Series of Shares of the Trust established in Section
6.1 hereof and shall be applicable if the Trustees shall establish additional
Series or shall divide the shares of any Series into two or more classes,
also as provided in Section 6.1 hereof:
(a) The number of authorized shares and the number of shares of each
Series or of each class that may be issued shall be unlimited. The Trustees
may classify or reclassify any unissued shares or any shares previously
issued and reacquired of any Series or class into one or more Series or one or
more classes that may be established and designated from time to time. The
Trustees may hold as treasury shares (of the same or some other Series or
class), reissue for such consideration and on such terms as they may
determine, or cancel any shares of any Series or any class reacquired by the
Trust at their discretion from time to time.
(b) The power of the Trustees to invest and reinvest the Trust Property
shall be governed by Section 3.2 of this Declaration with respect to any one
or more Series which represents the interests in the assets of the Trust
immediately prior to the establishment of any additional Series and the power
of the Trustees to invest and reinvest assets applicable to any other Series
shall be as set forth in the instrument of the Trustees establishing such
series which is hereinafter described.
(c) All consideration received by the Trust for the issue or sale of
shares of a particular Series or class together with all assets in which such
consideration is invested or reinvested, all income, earnings, profits, and
proceeds thereof, including any proceeds derived from the sale, exchange or
liquidation of such assets, and any funds or payments derived from any
reinvestment of such proceeds in whatever form the same may be, shall
irrevocably belong to that
-19-
<PAGE>
Series or class for all purposes, subject only to the rights of creditors,
and shall be so recorded upon the books of account of the Trust. In the event
that there are any assets, income, earnings, profits, and proceeds thereof,
funds, or payments which are not readily identifiable as belonging to any
particular Series or class, the Trustees shall allocate them among any one or
more of the Series or classes established and designated from time to time in
such manner and on such basis as they, in their sole discretion, deem fair
and equitable. Each such allocation by the Trustees shall be conclusive and
binding upon the shareholders of all Series or classes for all purposes.
(d) The assets belonging to each particular Series shall be charged with
the liabilities of the Trust in respect of that Series and all expenses,
costs, charges and reserves attributable to that Series. All expenses and
liabilities incurred or arising in connection with a particular Series, or in
connection with the management thereof, shall be payable solely out of the
assets of that Series and creditors of a particular Series shall be entitled
to look solely to the property of such Series for satisfaction of their
claims. Any general liabilities, expenses, costs, charges or reserves of the
Trust which are not readily identifiable as belonging to any particular
Series shall be allocated and charged by the Trustees to and among any one or
more of the series established and designated from time to time in such
manner and on such basis as the Trustees in their sole discretion deem fair
and equitable. Each allocation of liabilities, expenses, costs, charges and
reserves by the Trustees shall be conclusive and binding upon the holders of
all Series for all purposes. The Trustees shall have full discretion, to the
extent not inconsistent with the 1940 Act, to determine which items shall be
treated as income and which items as capital; and each such determination and
allocation shall be conclusive and binding upon the shareholders.
(e) The power of the Trustees to pay dividends and make distributions
shall be governed by Section 8.2 of this Declaration with respect to any one
or more Series or classes which represents the interests in the assets of the
Trust immediately prior to the establishment of any additional Series or
classes. With respect to any other Series or class, dividends and
distributions on shares of a particular Series or class may be paid with such
frequency as the Trustees may determine, which may be daily or otherwise,
pursuant to a standing resolution or resolutions adopted only once or with
such frequency as the Trustees may determine, to the holders of shares of that
Series or class, from such of the income and capital gains, accrued or
realized, from the assets belonging to that Series or class, as the Trustees
may determine, after providing for actual and accrued liabilities belonging to
that Series or class. All dividends and distributions on shares of a
particular Series or class shall be distributed pro rata to
-20-
<PAGE>
the holders of that Series or class in proportion to the number of shares of
that Series or class held by such holders at the date and time of record
established for the payment of such dividends or distributions.
(f) The Trustees shall have the power to determine the designations,
preferences, privileges, limitations and rights, including voting and
dividend rights, of each class and Series of Shares.
(g) Subject to compliance with the requirements of the 1940 Act, the
Trustees shall have the authority to provide that the holders of Shares of
any Series or class shall have the right to convert or exchange said Shares
into Shares of one or more Series of Shares in accordance with such
requirements and procedures as may be established by the Trustees.
(h) The establishment and designation of any Series or class of shares
in addition to those established in Section 6.1 hereof shall be effective
upon the execution by a majority of the then Trustees of an instrument
setting forth such establishment and designation and the relative rights,
preferences, voting powers, restrictions, limitations as to dividends,
qualifications, and terms and conditions of redemption of such Series or
class, or as otherwise provided in such instrument. At any time that there
are no shares outstanding of any particular Series or class previously
established and designated, the Trustees may by an instrument executed by a
majority of their number abolish that Series or class and the establishment
and designation thereof. Each instrument referred to in this paragraph shall
have the status of an amendment to this Declaration.
(i) Shareholders of a Series shall not be entitled to participate in a
derivative or class action with respect to any matter which only affects
another Series or its Shareholders.
(j) In the event of the liquidation of a particular Series, the
Shareholders of that Series which has been established and designated and
which is being liquidated shall be entitled to receive, when and as declared
by the Trustees, the excess of the assets belonging to that Series over the
liabilities belonging to that Series. The holders of Shares of any Series
shall not be entitled hereby to any distribution upon liquidation of any
other Series. The assets so distributable to the Shareholders of any Series
shall be distributed among such Shareholders in proportion to the number of
Shares of that Series held by them and recorded on the books of the Trust.
The liquidation of any particular Series in which there are Shares then
outstanding may be authorized by an instrument in writing, without a meeting,
signed by a majority of the Trustees then in office, subject to the approval
of a majority of the outstanding voting securities of that Series, as that
phrase is defined in the 1940 Act.
-21-
<PAGE>
ARTICLE VII
REDEMPTIONS
7.1. REDEMPTIONS. Each Shareholder of a particular Series shall have
the right at such times as may be permitted by the Trust to require the Trust
to redeem all or any part of his Shares of that Series, upon and subject to
the terms and conditions provided in this Article VII. The Trust shall, upon
application of any Shareholder or pursuant to authorization from any
Shareholder, redeem or repurchase from such Shareholder outstanding shares
for an amount per share determined by the Trustees in accordance with any
applicable laws and regulations; provided that (a) such amount per share
shall not exceed the cash equivalent of the proportionate interest of each
share or of any class or Series of shares in the assets of the Trust at the
time of the redemption or repurchase and (b) if so authorized by the
Trustees, the Trust may, at any time and from time to time charge fees for
effecting such redemption or repurchase, at such rates as the Trustees may
establish, as and to the extent permitted under the 1940 Act and the rules
and regulations promulgated thereunder, and may, at any time and from time to
time, pursuant to such Act and such rules and regulations, suspend such right
of redemption. The procedures for effecting and suspending redemption shall
be as set forth in the Prospectus from time to time. Payment will be made in
such manner as described in the Prospectus.
7.2. REDEMPTION OF SHARES; DISCLOSURE OF HOLDING. If the Trustees
shall, at any time and in good faith, be of the opinion that direct or
indirect ownership of Shares or other securities of the Trust has or may
become concentrated in any Person to an extent which would disqualify the
Trust as a regulated investment company under the Internal Revenue Code, then
the Trustees shall have the power by lot or other means deemed equitable by
them (i) to call for redemption by any such Person a number, or principal
amount, of Shares or other securities of the Trust sufficient, in the opinion
of the Trustees, to maintain or bring the direct or indirect ownership of
Shares or other securities of the Trust into conformity with the requirements
for such qualification and (ii) to refuse to transfer or issue Shares or
other securities of the Trust to any Person whose acquisition of the Shares
or other securities of the Trust in question would in the opinion of the
Trustees result in such disqualification. The redemption shall be effected at
a redemption price determined in accordance with Section 7.1.
-22-
<PAGE>
The holders of Shares or other securities of the Trust shall upon demand
disclose to the Trustees in writing such information with respect to direct
and indirect ownership of Shares or other securities of the Trust as the
Trustees deem necessary to comply with the provisions of the Internal Revenue
Code, or to comply with the requirements of any other authority.
SECTION 7.3. REDEMPTIONS OF ACCOUNTS OF LESS THAN $1,000. The Trustees
shall have the power at any time to redeem Shares of any Shareholder at a
redemption price determined in accordance with Section 7.1 if at such time
the aggregate net asset value of the Shares in such Shareholder's account is
less than $1,000 or such lesser amount as may be designated by the Trustees.
A Shareholder will be notified that the value of his account is less than
$1,000 (or such lesser amount as may be designated by the Trustees) and allowed
sixty (60) days to make an additional investment before the redemption is
processed.
-23-
<PAGE>
ARTICLE VIII
DETERMINATION OF NET ASSET VALUE,
NET INCOME AND DISTRIBUTIONS
SECTION 8.1. NET ASSET VALUE. The net asset value of each outstanding
Share of each Series of the Trust shall be determined on such days and at
such time or times as the Trustees may determine. The method of determination
of net asset value shall be determined by the Trustees and shall be as set
forth in the Prospectus and Statement of Additional Information. The power
and duty to make the daily calculations may be delegated by the Trustees to
any Investment Adviser, the Custodian, the Transfer Agent or such other
person as the Trustees by resolution may determine. The Trustees may suspend
the daily determination of net asset value to the extent permitted by the
1940 Act.
SECTION 8.2. DISTRIBUTIONS TO SHAREHOLDERS. The Trustees shall from
time to time distribute ratably among the Shareholders of any Series such
proportion of the net income, earnings, profits, gains, surplus (including
paid-in surplus), capital, or assets of such Series held by the Trustees as
they may deem proper. Such distribution may be made in cash or property
(including without limitation any type of obligations of such Series or any
assets thereof), and the Trustees may distribute ratably among the
Shareholders of that Series additional Shares issuable hereunder in such
manner, at such times, and on such terms as the Trustees may deem proper.
Such distributions may be among the Shareholders of record (determined in
accordance with the Prospectus and Statement of Additional Information) of
such Series at the time of declaring a distribution or among the Shareholders
of record of such Series at such later date as the Trustees shall determine.
The Trustees may always retain from the net income, earnings, profits or
gains of such Series such amount as they may deem necessary to pay the debts
or expenses of such Series or to meet obligations of such Series, or as they
may deem desirable to use in the conduct of its affairs or to retain for
future requirements or extensions of the business. The Trustees may adopt and
offer to Shareholders of any Series such dividend reinvestment plans, cash
dividend payout plans or related plans as the Trustees deem appropriate.
Inasmuch as the computation of net income and gains for Federal income
tax purposes may vary from the computation thereof on the books, the above
provisions shall be interpreted to give the Trustees the power in their
discretion to distribute for any fiscal year as ordinary dividends and as
capital gains distributions, respectively, additional amounts sufficient to
enable the Trust to avoid or reduce liability for taxes.
-24-
<PAGE>
SECTION 8.3. DETERMINATION OF NET INCOME. The Trustees shall have the
power to determine the net income of any Series of the Trust and from time to
time to distribute such net income ratably among the Shareholders as
dividends in cash or additional Shares of such Series issuable hereunder. The
determination of net income and the resultant declaration of dividends shall
be as set forth in the Prospectus and Statement of Additional Information.
The Trustees shall have full discretion to determine whether any cash or
property received by any Series of the Trust shall be treated as income or as
principal and whether any item of expense shall be charged to the income or
the principal account, and their determination made in good faith shall be
conclusive upon the Shareholders. In the case of stock dividends received,
the Trustees shall have full discretion to determine, in the light of the
particular circumstances, how much, if any, of the value thereof shall be
treated as income, the balance, if any, to be treated as principal.
SECTION 8.4. POWER TO MODIFY FOREGOING PROCEDURES. Notwithstanding any
of the foregoing provisions of this Article VIII, the Trustees may prescribe,
in their absolute discretion, such other bases and times for determining the
per Share net asset value of the Shares or net income, or the declaration and
payment of dividends and distributions, as they may deem necessary or
desirable to enable the Trust to comply with any provision of the 1940 Act,
or any rule or regulation thereunder, including any rule or regulation
adopted pursuant to Section 22 of the 1940 Act by the Commission or any
securities association registered under the Securities Exchange Act of 1934,
or any order of exemption issued by said Commission, all as in effect now or
hereafter amended or modified. Without limiting the generality of the
foregoing, the Trustees may establish classes or additional Series of Shares
in accordance with Section 6.9.
-25-
<PAGE>
ARTICLE IX
DURATION; TERMINATION OF
TRUST; AMENDMENT; MERGERS, ETC.
SECTION 9.1. DURATION. The Trust shall continue without limitation of
time but subject to the provisions of this Article IX.
SECTION 9.2. TERMINATION OF TRUST. (a) The Trust may be terminated
(i) by the affirmative vote of the holders of not less than two-thirds of the
Shares outstanding and entitled to vote at any meeting of Shareholders, or
(ii) by an instrument in writing, without a meeting, signed by a majority of
the Trustees and consented to by the holders of not less than two-thirds of
such Shares, or by such other vote as may be established by the Trustees with
respect to any class or Series of Shares, or (iii) by the Trustees by written
notice to the Shareholders. Upon the termination of the Trust:
(i) The Trust shall carry on no business except for the purpose of
winding up its affairs.
(ii) The Trustees shall proceed to wind up the affairs of the
Trust and all of the powers of the Trustees under this Declaration shall
continue until the affairs of the Trust shall have been wound up,
including the power to fulfull or discharge the contracts of
the Trust, collect its assets, sell, convey, assign, exchange, transfer
or otherwise dispose of all or any part of the remaining Trust Property
to one or more persons at public or private sale for consideration which
may consist in whole or in part of cash, securities or other property of
any kind, discharge or pay its liabilities, and to do all other acts
appropriate to liquidate its business; provided that any sale,
conveyance, assignment, exchange, transfer or other disposition of
all or substantially all the Trust Property shall require Shareholder
approval in accordance with Section 9.4 hereof.
(iii) After paying or adequately providing for the payment of all
liabilities, and upon receipt of such releases, indemnities and
refunding agreements, as they deem necessary for their protection, the
Trustees may distribute the remaining Trust Property, in cash or in kind
or partly each, among the Shareholders of each Series according to their
respective rights.
(b) After termination of the Trust and distribution to the Shareholders
as herein provided, a majority of the Trustees
-26-
<PAGE>
shall execute and lodge among the records of the Trust an instrument in
writing setting forth the fact of such termination, and the Trustees shall
thereupon be discharged from all further liabilities and duties hereunder, and
the rights and interests of all Shareholders shall thereupon cease.
SECTION 9.3. AMENDMENT PROCEDURE. (a) This Declaration may be amended
by a Majority Shareholder Vote, at a meeting of Shareholders, or by written
consent without a meeting. The Trustees may also amend this Declaration
without the vote or consent of Shareholders to change the name of the Trust
or any Series or classes of Shares, to supply any omission, to cure, correct
or supplement any ambiguous, defective or inconsistent provision hereof, or
if they deem it necessary to conform this Declaration to the requirements of
applicable federal laws or regulations or the requirements of the Internal
Revenue Code, or to eliminate or reduce any federal, state or local taxes
which are or may be payable by the Trust or the Shareholders, but the
Trustees shall not be liable for failing to do so.
(b) No amendment may be made under this Section 9.3 which would change
any rights with respect to any Shares of any Series of the Trust by reducing
the amount payable thereon upon liquidation of such Series of the Trust or by
diminishing or eliminating any voting rights pertaining thereto, except with
the vote or consent of the holders of two-thirds of the Shares outstanding
and entitled to vote, or by such other vote as may be established by the
Trustees with respect to any series or class of Shares. Nothing contained in
this Declaration shall permit the amendment of this Declaration to impair the
exemption from personal liability of the Shareholders, Trustees, officers,
employees and agents of the Trust or to permit assessments upon Shareholders.
(c) A certificate signed by a majority of the Trustees or by the
Secretary or any Assistant Secretary of the Trust, setting forth an amendment
and reciting that it was duly adopted by the Shareholders or by the Trustees
as aforesaid or a copy of the Declaration, as amended, and executed by a
majority of the Trustees or certified by the Secretary or any Assistant
Secretary of the Trust, shall be conclusive evidence of such amendment when
lodged among the records of the Trust.
Notwithstanding any other provision hereof, until such time as a
Registration Statement under the Securities Act of 1933, as amended, covering
the first public offering of securities of the Trust shall have become
effective, this Declaration may be terminated or amended in any respect by
the affirmative vote of a majority of the Trustees or by an instrument signed
by a majority of the Trustees.
-27-
<PAGE>
SECTION 9.4. MERGER, CONSOLIDATION AND SALE OF ASSETS. The Trust may
merge or consolidate with any other corporation, association, trust or other
organization or may sell, lease or exchange all or substantially all of the
Trust Property, including its good will, upon such terms and conditions and
for such consideration when and as authorized, at any meeting of Shareholders
called for the purpose, by the affirmative vote of the holders of not less
than two-thirds of the Shares outstanding and entitled to vote, or by an
instrument or instruments in writing without a meeting, consented to by the
holders of not less than two-thirds of such Shares, or by such other vote as
may be established by the Trustees with respect to any series or class of
Shares; provided, however, that, if such merger, consolidation, sale, lease
or exchange is recommended by the Trustees, a Majority Shareholder Vote shall
be sufficient authorization; and any such merger, consolidation, sale, lease
or exchange shall be deemed for all purposes to have been accomplished under
and pursuant to the statutes of the Commonwealth of Massachusetts. In respect
of any such merger, consolidation, sale or exchange of assets, any
Shareholder shall be entitled to rights of appraisal of his Shares to the
same extent as a shareholder of a Massachusetts business corporation in
respect of a merger, consolidation, sale or exchange of assets of a
Massachusetts business corporation, and such rights shall be his exclusive
remedy in respect of his dissent from any such action.
SECTION 9.5. INCORPORATION. With approval of a Majority Shareholder
Vote, or by such other vote as may be established by the Trustees with
respect to any Series or class of Shares, the Trustees may cause to be
organized or assist in organizing a corporation or corporations under the
laws of any jurisdiction or any other trust, partnership, association or
other organization to take over all of the Trust Property or to carry on any
business in which the Trust shall directly or indirectly have any interest,
and to sell, convey and transfer the Trust Property to any such corporation,
trust, partnership, association or organization in exchange for the shares or
securities thereof or otherwise, and to lend money to, subscribe for the
shares or securities of, and enter into any contracts with any such
corporation, trust, partnership, association or organization in which the
Trust holds or is about to acquire shares or any other interest. The Trustees
may also cause a merger or consolidation between the Trust or any successor
thereto and any such corporation, trust, partnership, association or other
organization if and to the extent permitted by law, as provided under the law
then in effect. Nothing contained herein shall be construed as requiring
approval of Shareholders for the Trustees to organize or assist in organizing
one or more corporations, trusts, partnerships, associations or other
organizations and selling, conveying or transferring a portion of the Trust
Property to such organization or entities.
-28-
<PAGE>
ARTICLE X
REPORTS TO SHAREHOLDERS
The Trustees shall at least semi-annually submit or cause the officers of
the Trust to submit to the Shareholders a written financial report of each
Series of the Trust, including financial statements which shall at least
annually be certified by independent public accountants.
-29-
<PAGE>
ARTICLE XI
MISCELLANEOUS
SECTION 11.1. FILING. This Declaration and any amendment hereto shall
be filed in the office of the Secretary of the Commonwealth of Massachusetts
and in such other places as may be required under the laws of Massachusetts
and may also be filed or recorded in such other places as the Trustees deem
appropriate. Each amendment so filed shall be accompanied by a certificate
signed and acknowledged by a Trustee or by the Secretary or any Assistant
Secretary of the Trust stating that such action was duly taken in a manner
provided herein, and unless such amendment or such certificate sets forth
some later time for the effectiveness of such amendment, such amendment shall
be effective upon its filing. A restated Declaration, integrating into a
single instrument all of the provisions of the Declaration which are then in
effect and operative, may be executed from time to time by a majority of the
Trustees and shall, upon filing with the Secretary of the Commonwealth of
Massachusetts, be conclusive evidence of all amendments contained therein and
may thereafter be referred to in lieu of the original Declaration and the
various amendments thereto.
SECTION 11.2. RESIDENT AGENT. The Prentice-Hall Corporation System,
Inc., 84 State Street, Boston, Massachusetts 02109 is the resident agent of
the Trust in the Commonwealth of Massachusetts.
SECTION 11.3. GOVERNING LAW. This Declaration is executed by the
Trustees and finally delivered in the Commonwealth of Massachusetts with
reference to the laws of the Commonwealth of Massachusetts, and the rights of
all parties and the validity and construction of every provision hereof shall
be subject to and construed according to the laws of said Commonwealth.
SECTION 11.4. COUNTERPARTS. The Declaration may be simultaneously
executed in several counterparts, each of which shall be deemed to be an
original, and such counterparts, together, shall constitute one and the same
instrument, which shall be sufficiently evidenced by any such original
counterpart.
SECTION 11.5. RELIANCE BY THIRD PARTIES. Any certificate executed by
an individual who, according to the records of the Trust, appears to be a
Trustee hereunder, or Secretary or Assistant Secretary of the Trust,
certifying to: (a) the number or identity of Trustees or Shareholders,
(b) the due authorization of the execution of any instrument or
-30-
<PAGE>
writing, (c) the form of any vote passed at a meeting of Trustees or
Shareholders, (d) the fact that the number of Trustees or Shareholders
present at any meeting or executing any written instrument satisfies the
requirements of this Declaration, (e) the form of any By-Laws adopted by or
the identity of any officers elected by the Trustees, or (f) the existence of
any fact or facts which in any manner relate to the affairs of the Trust,
shall be conclusive evidence as to the matters so certified in favor of any
Person dealing with the Trustees and their successors.
SECTION 11.6. PROVISIONS IN CONFLICT WITH LAW OR REGULATIONS. (a) The
provisions of the Declaration are severable, and if the Trustees shall
determine, with the advice of counsel, that any of such provisions is in
conflict with the 1940 Act, the regulated investment company provisions of
the Internal Revenue Code or with other applicable laws and regulations, the
conflicting provisions shall be deemed superseded by such law or regulation
to the extent necessary to eliminate such conflict; provided, however, that
such determination shall not affect any of the remaining provisions of the
Declaration or render invalid or improper any action taken or omitted prior
to such determination.
(b) If any provision of the Declaration shall be held invalid or
unenforceable in any jurisdiction, such invalidity or unenforceability shall
pertain only to such provision in such jurisdiction and shall not in any
manner affect such provision in any other jurisdiction or any other provision
of the Declaration in any jurisdiction.
SECTION 11.7. USE OF THE NAME "DEAN WITTER." Dean Witter Reynolds Inc.
("DWR") has consented to the use by the Trust of the identifying name "Dean
Witter," which is a property right of DWR. The Trust will only use the name
"Dean Witter" as a component of its name and for no other purpose, and will
not purport to grant to any third party the right to use the name "Dean
Witter" for any purpose. DWR, or any corporate affiliate of the parent of
DWR, may use or grant to others the right to use the name "Dean Witter", or
any combination or abbreviation thereof, as all or a portion of a corporate
or business name or for any commercial purpose, including a grant of such
right to any other investment company. At the request of DWR or its parent,
the Trust will take such action as may be required to provide its consent to
the use by DWR or its parent, or any corporate affiliate of DWR's parent, or
by any person to whom DWR or its parent or an affiliate of DWR's parent shall
have granted the right to the use, of the name "Dean Witter," or any
combination or abbreviation thereof. Upon the termination of any investment
advisory agreement into which DWR and the Trust may enter, the Trust shall,
upon request by DWR or its parent, cease to use the name "Dean Witter" as a
component of its name,
-31-
<PAGE>
and shall not use the name, or any combination or abbreviation thereof, as a
part of its name or for any other commercial purpose, and shall cause its
officers, trustees and shareholders to take any and all actions which DWR or
its parent may request to effect the foregoing and to reconvey to DWR or its
parent any and all rights to such name.
IN WITNESS WHEREOF, the undersigned have executed this instrument this
23rd day of March, 1987.
/s/ Paul Kolton
- ------------------------------------ -------------------------------------
Andrew J. Melton, Jr., Paul Kolton,
as Trustee and not individually as Trustee and not individually
Five World Trade Center High Ridge Park
New York, New York 10048 P.O. Box 3821, Building #5
Stamford, CT 06905
/s/ Irwin Friend
- ------------------------------------ -------------------------------------
Irwin Friend, John J. Scanlon,
as Trustee and not individually as Trustee and not individually
1250 Round Hill Road 2345 Redding Road
Bryn Mawr, PA 19010 Fairfield, CT 06436
- ------------------------------------ -------------------------------------
Robert M. Gardiner, Albert T. Sommers,
as Trustee and not individually as Trustee and not individually
130 Liberty Street 16 Bonnie Heights Road
New York, New York 10006 Manhasset, NY 11030
- ------------------------------------ -------------------------------------
John R. Haire, Edward A. Telling,
as Trustee and not individually as Trustee and not individually
439 East 51st Street Sears Roebuck & Co.
New York, New York 10022 Sears Tower, 68th Floor
Chicago, IL 60684
<PAGE>
and shall not use the name, or any combination or abbreviation thereof, as a
part of its name or for any other commercial purpose, and shall cause its
officers, trustees and shareholders to take any and all actions which DWR or
its parent may request to effect the foregoing and to reconvey to DWR or its
parent any and all rights to such name.
IN WITNESS WHEREOF, the undersigned have executed this instrument this
24th day of March, 1987.
- ------------------------------------ -------------------------------------
Andrew J. Melton, Jr., Paul Kolton,
as Trustee and not individually as Trustee and not individually
Five World Trade Center High Ridge Park
New York, New York 10048 P.O. Box 3821, Building #5
Stamford, CT 06905
- ------------------------------------ ------------------------------------
Irwin Friend, John J. Scanlon,
as Trustee and not individually as Trustee and not individually
1250 Round Hill Road 2345 Redding Road
Bryn Mawr, PA 19010 Fairfield, CT 06436
- ------------------------------------ -------------------------------------
Robert M. Gardiner, Albert T. Sommers,
as Trustee and not individually as Trustee and not individually
130 Liberty Street 16 Bonnie Heights Road
New York, New York 10006 Manhasset, NY 11030
/s/ John R. Haire
- ------------------------------------ -------------------------------------
John R. Haire, Edward A. Telling,
as Trustee and not individually as Trustee and not individually
439 East 51st Street Sears Roebuck & Co.
New York, New York 10022 Sears Tower, 68th Floor
Chicago, IL 60684
<PAGE>
and shall not use the name, or any combination or abbreviation thereof, as a
part of its name or for any other commercial purpose, and shall cause its
officers, trustees and shareholders to take any and all actions which DWR or
its parent may request to effect the foregoing and to reconvey to DWR or its
parent any and all rights to such name.
IN WITNESS WHEREOF, the undersigned have executed this instrument this
24th day of March, 1987.
- ------------------------------------ -------------------------------------
Andrew J. Melton, Jr., Paul Kolton,
as Trustee and not individually as Trustee and not individually
Five World Trade Center High Ridge Park
New York, New York 10048 P.O. Box 3821, Building #5
Stamford, CT 06905
/s/ John J. Scanlon
- ------------------------------------ -------------------------------------
Irwin Friend, John J. Scanlon,
as Trustee and not individually as Trustee and not individually
1250 Round Hill Road 2345 Redding Road
Bryn Mawr, PA 19010 Fairfield, CT 06436
- ------------------------------------ -------------------------------------
Robert M. Gardiner, Albert T. Sommers,
as Trustee and not individually as Trustee and not individually
130 Liberty Street 16 Bonnie Heights Road
New York, New York 10006 Manhasset, NY 11030
- ------------------------------------ -------------------------------------
John R. Haire, Edward A. Telling,
as Trustee and not individually as Trustee and not individually
439 East 51st Street Sears Roebuck & Co.
New York, New York 10022 Sears Tower, 68th Floor
Chicago, IL 60684
<PAGE>
and shall not use the name, or any combination or abbreviation thereof, as a
part of its name or for any other commercial purpose, and shall cause its
officers, trustees and shareholders to take any and all actions which DWR or
its parent may request to effect the foregoing and to reconvey to DWR or its
parent any and all rights to such name.
IN WITNESS WHEREOF, the undersigned have executed this instrument this
24th day of March, 1987.
- ------------------------------------ -------------------------------------
Andrew J. Melton, Jr., Paul Kolton,
as Trustee and not individually as Trustee and not individually
Five World Trade Center High Ridge Park
New York, New York 10048 P.O. Box 3821, Building #5
Stamford, CT 06905
- ------------------------------------ -------------------------------------
Irwin Friend, John J. Scanlon,
as Trustee and not individually as Trustee and not individually
1250 Round Hill Road 2345 Redding Road
Bryn Mawr, PA 19010 Fairfield, CT 06436
/s/ Albert T. Sommers
- ------------------------------------ -------------------------------------
Robert M. Gardiner, Albert T. Sommers,
as Trustee and not individually as Trustee and not individually
130 Liberty Street 16 Bonnie Heights Road
New York, New York 10006 Manhasset, NY 11030
- ------------------------------------ -------------------------------------
John R. Haire, Edward A. Telling,
as Trustee and not individually as Trustee and not individually
439 East 51st Street Sears Roebuck & Co.
New York, New York 10022 Sears Tower, 68th Floor
Chicago, IL 60684
<PAGE>
STATE OF NEW YORK )
:ss.:
COUNTY OF NEW YORK )
On this 23rd day of March, 1987, PAUL KOLTON and IRWIN FRIEND, known to
me and known to be the individuals described in and who executed the foregoing
instrument, personally appeared before me and they severally acknowledged the
foregoing instrument to be their free act and deed.
/s/ Mindy Brockman
---------------------------------
Notary Public
My commission expires:
MINDY BROCKMAN
Notary Public, State of New York
No. 41-4833785
Qualified in Queens County
Commission Expires
<PAGE>
STATE OF NEW YORK )
:ss.:
COUNTY OF NEW YORK )
On this 24th day of March, 1987, JOHN R. HAIRE, known to me and known
to be the individual described in and who executed the foregoing instrument,
personally appeared before me and he acknowledged the foregoing instrument to be
his free act and deed.
/s/ Mindy Brockman
---------------------------------
Notary Public
My commission expires:
MINDY BROCKMAN
Notary Public, State of New York
No. 41-4833785
Qualified in Queens County
Commission Expires
<PAGE>
STATE OF NEW YORK )
:ss.:
COUNTY OF NEW YORK )
On this 24th day of March, 1987, ALBERT T. SOMMERS, known to me and known
to be the individual described in and who executed the foregoing instrument,
personally appeared before me and he acknowledged the foregoing instrument to be
his free act and deed.
/s/ Carol Volpe
---------------------------------
Notary Public
My commission expires:
CAROL VOLPE
Notary Public, State of New York
No. 31-4652446
Qualified in New York County
Commission Expires March 30, 1987
<PAGE>
/s/ David M. Elwood
- ----------------------------
David M. Elwood
One Federal Street
Boston, Massachusetts 02110
COMMONWEALTH OF MASSACHUSETTS )
:ss.:
COUNTY OF SUFFOLK )
On this 25th day of March, 1987, DAVID M. ELWOOD, known to me and known
to be the individual described in and who executed the foregoing instrument,
personally appeared before me and he acknowledged the foregoing instrument to
be his free act and deed.
/s/ Janice M. Mahoney
---------------------------------
Notary Public
My commission expires:
JANICE M. MAHONEY, Notary Public
My Commission Expires Jan. 7, 1994
<PAGE>
A M E N D M E N T
Dated: August 10, 1992
To be Effective: August 17, 1992
TO
DEAN WITTER GOVERNMENT SECURITIES PLUS
DECLARATION OF TRUST
NOVEMBER 20, 1986
614B/34
<PAGE>
Amendment dated August 10, 1992, to the
Declaration of Trust (the "Declaration")
of Dean Witter Government Securities Plus
(the "Trust") dated November 20, 1986
WHEREAS, the Trust was established by the Declaration on the date hereinabove
set forth under the laws of the Commonwealth of Massachusetts; and
WHEREAS, the Trustees of the Trust have deemed it advisable to change the name
of the Trust to "Dean Witter Federal Securities Trust," to be effective on
August 17, 1992;
1. Section 1.1 of Article I of the Declaration is hereby amended so that
that Section shall read in its entirety as follows:
"SECTION 1.1 NAME. The name of the Trust created hereby is the "Dean
Witter Federal Securities Trust," and so far as may be practicable the
Trustees shall conduct the Trust's activities, execute all documents and
sue or be sued under that name, which name (and the word "Trust" whenever
herein used) shall refer to the Trustees as Trustees, and not as
individuals, or personally, and shall not refer to the officers, agents,
employees or Shareholders of the Trust. Should the Trustees determine
that the use of such name is not advisable, they may use such other name
for the Trust as they deem proper and the Trust may hold its property and
conduct its activities under such other name."
2. Subsection (o) of Section 1.2 of Article I of the Declaration is
hereby amended so that that Section shall read in its entirety as follows:
"SECTION 1.2 DEFINITIONS.....
"(o) "TRUST" means the "Dean Witter Federal Securities Trust."
3. The Trustees of the Trust hereby reaffirm the Declaration, as amended,
in all respects.
4. This Amendment may be executed in more than one counterpart, each of
which shall be deemed an original, but all of which together shall constitute
one and the same document.
614B/35
<PAGE>
IN WITNESS WHEREOF, the undersigned, a majority of Trustees of the Trust,
have executed this instrument this 10th day of August, 1992.
/s/ Jack F. Bennett /s/ Paul Kolton
- ------------------------------------ -------------------------------------
Jack F. Bennett, as Trustee Paul Kolton, as Trustee
and not individually and not individually
14 Taconic Road Nine Hunting Ridge Road
Greenwich, CT 06831 Stamford, CT 06903
/s/ Robert M. Gardiner /s/ Andrew J. Melton, Jr.
- ------------------------------------ -------------------------------------
Robert M. Gardiner, as Trustee Andrew J. Melton, Jr., as Trustee
and not individually and not individually
Two World Trade Center Five World Trade Center
New York, NY 10048 New York, NY 10048
/s/ John R. Haire /s/ Albert T. Sommers
- ------------------------------------ -------------------------------------
John R. Haire, as Trustee Albert T. Sommers, as Trustee
and not individually and not individually
439 East 51st Street 16 Bonnie Heights Road
New York, NY 10022 Manhasset, NY 11030
/s/ John E. Jeuck /s/ Edward A. Telling
- ------------------------------------ -------------------------------------
John E. Jeuck, as Trustee Edward A. Telling, as Trustee
and not individually and not individually
70 East Cedar Street Sears Roebuck & Co.
Apt. 1402S Sears Tower, 68th Floor
Chicago, IL 60611 Chicago, IL 60684
/s/ Charles A. Fiumefreddo
-------------------------------------
Charles A. Fiumefreddo, as Trustee
and not individually
Two World Trade Center
New York, New York 10048
72785
<PAGE>
STATE OF NEW YORK )
:ss:
COUNTY OF NEW YORK )
On this 10th day of August, 1992, CHARLES A. FIUMEFREDDO, ANDREW J.
MELTON, JR., JACK F. BENNETT, PAUL KOLTON, ROBERT M. GARDINER, JOHN R. HAIRE,
ALBERT T. SOMMERS, JOHN E. JEUCK and EDWARD R. TELLING, known
to me to be the individuals described in and who executed the foregoing
instrument, personally appeared before me and they severally acknowledged the
foregoing instrument to be their free act and deed.
/s/ Janet A. Herbert
---------------------------------
Notary Public
My commission expires:
JANET A. HERBERT
NOTARY PUBLIC, State of New York
No. O3HE4942266
Qualified in New York County
Commission Expires November 30, 1993
614B/3
<PAGE>
BY-LAWS
OF
DEAN WITTER FEDERAL SECURITIES TRUST
AMENDED AND RESTATED AS OF JANUARY 25, 1995
ARTICLE I
DEFINITIONS
The terms "COMMISSION", "DECLARATION", "DISTRIBUTOR", "INVESTMENT
ADVISER", "MAJORITY SHAREHOLDER VOTE", "1940 ACT", "SHAREHOLDER", "SHARES",
"TRANSFER AGENT", "TRUST", "TRUST PROPERTY", and "TRUSTEES" have the
respective meanings given them in the Declaration of Trust of Dean Witter
Federal Securities Trust dated November 20, 1986, as amended from time to
time.
ARTICLE II
OFFICES
SECTION 2.1. PRINCIPAL OFFICE. Until changed by the Trustees, the
principal office of the Trust in the Commonwealth of Massachusetts shall be
in the City of Boston, County of Suffolk.
SECTION 2.2. OTHER OFFICES. In addition to its principal office in the
Commonwealth of Massachusetts, the Trust may have an office or offices in the
City of New York, State of New York, and at such other places within and
without the Commonwealth as the Trustees may from time to time designate or
the business of the Trust may require.
ARTICLE III
SHAREHOLDERS' MEETINGS
SECTION 3.1. PLACE OF MEETINGS. Meetings of Shareholders shall be held at
such place, within or without the Commonwealth of Massachusetts, as may be
designated from time to time by the Trustees.
SECTION 3.2. MEETINGS. Meetings of Shareholders of the Trust shall be held
whenever called by the Trustees or the President of the Trust and whenever
election of a Trustee or Trustees by Shareholders is required by the
provisions of Section 16(a) of the 1940 Act, for that purpose. Meetings of
Shareholders shall also be called by the Secretary upon the written request
of the holders of Shares entitled to vote not less than twenty-five percent
(25%) of all the votes entitled to be cast at such meeting. Such request
shall state the purpose or purposes of such meeting and the matters proposed
to be acted on thereat. The Secretary shall inform such Shareholders of the
reasonable estimated cost of preparing and mailing such notice of the
meeting, and upon payment to the Trust of such costs, the Secretary shall
give notice stating the purpose or purposes of the meeting to all entitled to
vote at such meeting. No meeting need be called upon the request of the
holders of Shares entitled to cast less than a majority of all votes entitled
to be cast at such meeting, to consider any matter which is substantially the
same as a matter voted upon at any meeting of Shareholders held during the
preceding twelve months.
SECTION 3.3. NOTICE OF MEETINGS. Written or printed notice of every
Shareholders' meeting stating the place, date, and purpose or purposes
thereof, shall be given by the Secretary not less than ten (10) nor more than
ninety (90) days before such meeting to each Shareholder entitled to vote at
such meeting. Such notice shall be deemed to be given when deposited in the
United States mail, postage prepaid, directed to the Shareholder at his
address as it appears on the records of the Trust.
<PAGE>
SECTION 3.4. QUORUM AND ADJOURNMENT OF MEETINGS. Except as otherwise
provided by law, by the Declaration or by these By-Laws, at all meetings of
Shareholders the holders of a majority of the Shares issued and outstanding
and entitled to vote thereat, present in person or represented by proxy,
shall be requisite and shall constitute a quorum for the transaction of
business. In the absence of a quorum, the Shareholders present or represented
by proxy and entitled to vote thereat shall have power to adjourn the meeting
from time to time. Any adjourned meeting may be held as adjourned without
further notice. At any adjourned meeting at which a quorum shall be present,
any business may be transacted as if the meeting had been held as originally
called.
SECTION 3.5. VOTING RIGHTS, PROXIES. At each meeting of Shareholders, each
holder of record of Shares entitled to vote thereat shall be entitled to one
vote in person or by proxy, executed in writing by the Shareholder or his
duly authorized attorney-in-fact, for each Share of beneficial interest of
the Trust and for the fractional portion of one vote for each fractional
Share entitled to vote so registered in his name on the records of the Trust
on the date fixed as the record date for the determination of Shareholders
entitled to vote at such meeting. No proxy shall be valid after eleven months
from its date, unless otherwise provided in the proxy. At all meetings of
Shareholders, unless the voting is conducted by inspectors, all questions
relating to the qualification of voters and the validity of proxies and the
acceptance or rejection of votes shall be decided by the chairman of the
meeting. Pursuant to a resolution of a majority of the Trustees, proxies may
be solicited in the name of one or more Trustees or Officers of the Trust.
SECTION 3.6. VOTE REQUIRED. Except as otherwise provided by law, by the
Declaration of Trust, or by these By-Laws, at each meeting of Shareholders at
which a quorum is present, all matters shall be decided by Majority
Shareholder Vote.
SECTION 3.7. INSPECTORS OF ELECTION. In advance of any meeting of
Shareholders, the Trustees may appoint Inspectors of Election to act at the
meeting or any adjournment thereof. If Inspectors of Election are not so
appointed, the chairman of any meeting of Shareholders may, and on the
request of any Shareholder or his proxy shall, appoint Inspectors of Election
of the meeting. In case any person appointed as Inspector fails to appear or
fails or refuses to act, the vacancy may be filled by appointment made by the
Trustees in advance of the convening of the meeting or at the meeting by the
person acting as chairman. The Inspectors of Election shall determine the
number of Shares outstanding, the Shares represented at the meeting, the
existence of a quorum, the authenticity, validity and effect of proxies,
shall receive votes, ballots or consents, shall hear and determine all
challenges and questions in any way arising in connection with the right to
vote, shall count and tabulate all votes or consents, determine the results,
and do such other acts as may be proper to conduct the election or vote with
fairness to all Shareholders. On request of the chairman of the meeting, or
of any Shareholder or his proxy, the Inspectors of Election shall make a
report in writing of any challenge or question or matter determined by them
and shall execute a certificate of any facts found by them.
SECTION 3.8. INSPECTION OF BOOKS AND RECORDS. Shareholders shall have such
rights and procedures of inspection of the books and records of the Trust as
are granted to Shareholders under the Corporations and Associations Law of
the State of Maryland.
SECTION 3.9. ACTION BY SHAREHOLDERS WITHOUT MEETING. Except as otherwise
provided by law, the provisions of these By-Laws relating to notices and
meetings to the contrary notwithstanding, any action required or permitted to
be taken at any meeting of Shareholders may be taken without a meeting if a
majority of the Shareholders entitled to vote upon the action consent to the
action in writing and such consents are filed with the records of the Trust.
Such consent shall be treated for all purposes as a vote taken at a meeting
of Shareholders.
ARTICLE IV
TRUSTEES
SECTION 4.1. MEETINGS OF THE TRUSTEES. The Trustees may in their
discretion provide for regular or special meetings of the Trustees. Regular
meetings of the Trustees may be held at such time and place as shall be
determined from time to time by the Trustees without further notice. Special
meetings of the Trustees may be called at any time by the President and shall
be called by the President or the Secretary upon the written request of any
two (2) Trustees.
2
<PAGE>
SECTION 4.2. NOTICE OF SPECIAL MEETINGS. Written notice of special
meetings of the Trustees, stating the place, date and time thereof, shall be
given not less than two (2) days before such meeting to each Trustee,
personally, by telegram, by mail, or by leaving such notice at his place of
residence or usual place of business. If mailed, such notice shall be deemed
to be given when deposited in the United States mail, postage prepaid,
directed to the Trustee at his address as it appears on the records of the
Trust. Subject to the provisions of the 1940 Act, notice or waiver of notice
need not specify the purpose of any special meeting.
SECTION 4.3. TELEPHONE MEETINGS. Subject to the provisions of the 1940
Act, any Trustee, or any member or members of any committee designated by the
Trustees, may participate in a meeting of the Trustees, or any such
committee, as the case may be, by means of a conference telephone or similar
communications equipment if all persons participating in the meeting can hear
each other at the same time. Participation in a meeting by these means
constitutes presence in person at the meeting.
SECTION 4.4. QUORUM, VOTING AND ADJOURNMENT OF MEETINGS. At all meetings
of the Trustees, a majority of the Trustees shall be requisite to and shall
constitute a quorum for the transaction of business. If a quorum is present,
the affirmative vote of a majority of the Trustees present shall be the act
of the Trustees, unless the concurrence of a greater proportion is expressly
required for such action by law, the Declaration or these By-Laws. If at any
meeting of the Trustees there be less than a quorum present, the Trustees
present thereat may adjourn the meeting from time to time, without notice
other than announcement at the meeting, until a quorum shall have been
obtained.
SECTION 4.5. ACTION BY TRUSTEES WITHOUT MEETING. The provisions of these
By-Laws covering notices and meetings to the contrary notwithstanding, and
except as required by law, any action required or permitted to be taken at
any meeting of the Trustees may be taken without a meeting if a consent in
writing setting forth the action shall be signed by all of the Trustees
entitled to vote upon the action and such written consent is filed with the
minutes of proceedings of the Trustees.
SECTION 4.6. EXPENSES AND FEES. Each Trustee may be allowed expenses, if
any, for attendance at each regular or special meeting of the Trustees, and
each Trustee who is not an officer or employee of the Trust or of its
investment manager or underwriter or of any corporate affiliate of any of
said persons shall receive for services rendered as a Trustee of the Trust
such compensation as may be fixed by the Trustees. Nothing herein contained
shall be construed to preclude any Trustee from serving the Trust in any
other capacity and receiving compensation therefor.
SECTION 4.7. EXECUTION OF INSTRUMENTS AND DOCUMENTS AND SIGNING OF CHECKS
AND OTHER OBLIGATIONS AND TRANSFERS. All instruments, documents and other
papers shall be executed in the name and on behalf of the Trust and all
checks, notes, drafts and other obligations for the payment of money by the
Trust shall be signed, and all transfer of securities standing in the name of
the Trust shall be executed, by the Chairman, the President, any Vice
President or the Treasurer or by any one or more officers or agents of the
Trust as shall be designated for that purpose by vote of the Trustees;
notwithstanding the above, nothing in this Section 4.7 shall be deemed to
preclude the electronic authorization, by designated persons, of the Trust's
Custodian (as described herein in Section 9.1) to transfer assets of the
Trust, as provided for herein in Section 9.1.
SECTION 4.8. INDEMNIFICATION OF TRUSTEES, OFFICERS, EMPLOYEES AND
AGENTS. (a) The Trust shall indemnify any person who was or is a party or is
threatened to be made a party to any threatened, pending, or completed
action, suit or proceeding, whether civil, criminal, administrative or
investigative (other than an action by or in the right of the Trust) by
reason of the fact that he is or was a Trustee, officer, employee, or agent
of the Trust. The indemnification shall be against expenses, including
attorneys' fees, judgments, fines, and amounts paid in settlement, actually
and reasonably incurred by him in connection with the action, suit, or
proceeding, if he acted in good faith and in a manner he reasonably believed
to be in or not opposed to the best interests of the Trust, and, with respect
to any criminal action or proceeding, had no reasonable cause to believe his
conduct was unlawful. The termination of any action, suit or proceeding by
judgment, order, settlement, conviction, or upon a plea of nolo contendere or
its equivalent, shall not, of itself, create a presumption that the person
did not act in good faith and in a manner which he reasonably believed to be
in or not opposed to the best interests of the Trust, and, with respect to
any criminal action or proceeding, had reasonable cause to believe that his
conduct was unlawful.
3
<PAGE>
(b) The Trust shall indemnify any person who was or is a party or is
threatened to be made a party to any threatened, pending or completed action
or suit by or on behalf of the Trust to obtain a judgment or decree in its
favor by reason of the fact that he is or was a Trustee, officer, employee,
or agent of the Trust. The indemnification shall be against expenses,
including attorneys' fees actually and reasonably incurred by him in
connection with the defense or settlement of the action or suit, if he acted
in good faith and in a manner he reasonably believed to be in or not opposed
to the best interests of the Trust; except that no indemnification shall be
made in respect of any claim, issue, or matter as to which the person has
been adjudged to be liable for negligence or misconduct in the performance of
his duty to the Trust, except to the extent that the court in which the
action or suit was brought, or a court of equity in the county in which the
Trust has its principal office, determines upon application that, despite the
adjudication of liability but in view of all circumstances of the case, the
person is fairly and reasonably entitled to indemnity for those expenses
which the court shall deem proper, provided such Trustee, officer, employee
or agent is not adjudged to be liable by reason of his willful misfeasance,
bad faith, gross negligence or reckless disregard of the duties involved in
the conduct of his office.
(c) To the extent that a Trustee, officer, employee, or agent of the Trust
has been successful on the merits or otherwise in defense of any action, suit
or proceeding referred to in subsection (a) or (b) or in defense of any
claim, issue or matter therein, he shall be indemnified against expenses,
including attorneys' fees, actually and reasonably incurred by him in
connection therewith.
(d) (1) Unless a court orders otherwise, any indemnification under
subsections (a) or (b) of this section may be made by the Trust only as
authorized in the specific case after a determination that indemnification of
the Trustee, officer, employee, or agent is proper in the circumstances
because he has met the applicable standard of conduct set forth in
subsections (a) or (b).
(2) The determination shall be made:
(i) By the Trustees, by a majority vote of a quorum which consists
of Trustees who were not parties to the action, suit or proceeding; or
(ii) If the required quorum is not obtainable, or if a quorum of
disinterested Trustees so directs, by independent legal counsel in a
written opinion; or
(iii) By the Shareholders.
(3) Notwithstanding any provision of this Section 4.8, no person
shall be entitled to indemnification for any liability, whether or not
there is an adjudication of liability, arising by reason of willful
misfeasance, bad faith, gross negligence, or reckless disregard of duties
as described in Section 17(h) and (i) of the Investment Company Act of
1940 ("disabling conduct"). A person shall be deemed not liable by reason
of disabling conduct if, either:
(i) a final decision on the merits is made by a court or other body
before whom the proceeding was brought that the person to be indemnified
("indemnitee") was not liable by reason of disabling conduct; or
(ii) in the absence of such a decision, a reasonable determination,
based upon a review of the facts, that the indemnitee was not liable by
reason of disabling conduct, is made by either--
(A) a majority of a quorum of Trustees who are neither
"interested persons" of the Trust, as defined in Section 2(a)(19) of
the Investment Company Act of 1940, nor parties to the action, suit
or proceeding, or
(B) an independent legal counsel in a written opinion.
(e) Expenses, including attorneys' fees, incurred by a Trustee, officer,
employee or agent of the Trust in defending a civil or criminal action, suit
or proceeding may be paid by the Trust in advance of the final disposition
thereof if:
(1) authorized in the specific case by the Trustees; and
(2) the Trust receives an undertaking by or on behalf of the
Trustee, officer, employee or agent of the Trust to repay the advance if
it is not ultimately determined that such person is entitled to be
indemnified by the Trust; and
4
<PAGE>
(3) either, (i) such person provides a security for his
undertaking, or
(ii) the Trust is insured against losses by reason of any lawful
advances, or
(iii) a determination, based on a review of readily available
facts, that there is reason to believe that such person ultimately
will be found entitled to indemnification, is made by either--
(A) a majority of a quorum which consists of Trustees who are
neither "interested persons" of the Trust, as defined in Section
2(a)(19) of the 1940 Act, nor parties to the action, suit or
proceeding, or
(B) an independent legal counsel in a written opinion.
(f) The indemnification provided by this Section shall not be deemed
exclusive of any other rights to which a person may be entitled under any
by-law, agreement, vote of Shareholders or disinterested Trustees or
otherwise, both as to action in his official capacity and as to action in
another capacity while holding the office, and shall continue as to a person
who has ceased to be a Trustee, officer, employee, or agent and inure to the
benefit of the heirs, executors and administrators of such person; provided
that no person may satisfy any right of indemnity or reimbursement granted
herein or to which he may be otherwise entitled except out of the property of
the Trust, and no Shareholder shall be personally liable with respect to any
claim for indemnity or reimbursement or otherwise.
(g) The Trust may purchase and maintain insurance on behalf of any person
who is or was a Trustee, officer, employee, or agent of the Trust, against
any liability asserted against him and incurred by him in any such capacity,
or arising out of his status as such. However, in no event will the Trust
purchase insurance to indemnify any officer or Trustee against liability for
any act for which the Trust itself is not permitted to indemnify him.
(h) Nothing contained in this Section shall be construed to protect any
Trustee or officer of the Trust against any liability to the Trust or to its
security holders to which he would otherwise be subject by reason of willful
misfeasance, bad faith, gross negligence or reckless disregard of the duties
involved in the conduct of his office.
ARTICLE V
COMMITTEES
SECTION 5.1. EXECUTIVE AND OTHER COMMITTEES. The Trustees, by resolution
adopted by a majority of the Trustees, may designate an Executive Committee
and/or committees, each committee to consist of two (2) or more of the
Trustees of the Trust and may delegate to such committees, in the intervals
between meetings of the Trustees, any or all of the powers of the Trustees in
the management of the business and affairs of the Trust. In the absence of
any member of any such committee, the members thereof present at any meeting,
whether or not they constitute a quorum, may appoint a Trustee to act in
place of such absent member. Each such committee shall keep a record of its
proceedings.
The Executive Committee and any other committee shall fix its own rules or
procedure, but the presence of at least fifty percent (50%) of the members of
the whole committee shall in each case be necessary to constitute a quorum of
the committee and the affirmative vote of the majority of the members of the
committee present at the meeting shall be necessary to take action.
All actions of the Executive Committee shall be reported to the Trustees
at the meeting thereof next succeeding to the taking of such action.
SECTION 5.2. ADVISORY COMMITTEE. The Trustees may appoint an advisory
committee which shall be composed of persons who do not serve the Trust in
any other capacity and which shall have advisory functions with respect to
the investments of the Trust but which shall have no power to determine that
any security or other investment shall be purchased, sold or otherwise
disposed of by the Trust. The number of persons constituting any such
advisory committee shall be determined from time to time by the Trustees. The
members of any such advisory committee may receive compensation for their
services and may be allowed such fees and expenses for the attendance at
meetings as the Trustees may from time to time determine to be appropriate.
5
<PAGE>
SECTION 5.3. COMMITTEE ACTION WITHOUT MEETING. The provisions of these
By-Laws covering notices and meetings to the contrary notwithstanding, and
except as required by law, any action required or permitted to be taken at
any meeting of any Committee of the Trustees appointed pursuant to Section
5.1 of these By-Laws may be taken without a meeting if a consent in writing
setting forth the action shall be signed by all members of the Committee
entitled to vote upon the action and such written consent is filed with the
records of the proceedings of the Committee.
ARTICLE VI
OFFICERS
SECTION 6.1. EXECUTIVE OFFICERS. The executive officers of the Trust shall
be a Chairman, a President, one or more Vice Presidents, a Secretary and a
Treasurer. The Chairman shall be selected from among the Trustees but none of
the other executive officers need be a Trustee. Two or more offices, except
those of President and any Vice President, may be held by the same person,
but no officer shall execute, acknowledge or verify any instrument in more
than one capacity. The executive officers of the Trust shall be elected
annually by the Trustees and each executive officer so elected shall hold
office until his successor is elected and has qualified.
SECTION 6.2. OTHER OFFICERS AND AGENTS. The Trustees may also elect one or
more Assistant Vice Presidents, Assistant Secretaries and Assistant
Treasurers and may elect, or may delegate to the President the power to
appoint, such other officers and agents as the Trustees shall at any time or
from time to time deem advisable.
SECTION 6.3. TERM AND REMOVAL AND VACANCIES. Each officer of the Trust
shall hold office until his successor is elected and has qualified. Any
officer or agent of the Trust may be removed by the Trustees whenever, in
their judgment, the best interests of the Trust will be served thereby, but
such removal shall be without prejudice to the contractual rights, if any, of
the person so removed.
SECTION 6.4. COMPENSATION OF OFFICERS. The compensation of officers and
agents of the Trust shall be fixed by the Trustees, or by the Chairman to the
extent provided by the Trustees with respect to officers appointed by the
President.
SECTION 6.5. POWER AND DUTIES. All officers and agents of the Trust, as
between themselves and the Trust, shall have such authority and perform such
duties in the management of the Trust as may be provided in or pursuant to
these By-Laws, or to the extent not so provided, as may be prescribed by the
Trustees; provided, that no rights of any third party shall be affected or
impaired by any such By-Law or resolution of the Trustees unless he has
knowledge thereof.
SECTION 6.6. THE CHAIRMAN. The Chairman shall preside at all meetings of
the Shareholders and of the Trustees, shall be a signatory on all Annual and
Semi-Annual Reports as may be sent to shareholders, and he shall perform such
other duties as the Trustees may from time to time prescribe.
SECTION 6.7. THE PRESIDENT. (a) The President shall be the chief executive
officer of the Trust; he shall have general and active management of the
business of the Trust, shall see that all orders and resolutions of the Board
of Trustees are carried into effect, and, in connection therewith, shall be
authorized to delegate to one or more Vice Presidents such of his powers and
duties at such times and in such manner as he may deem advisable.
(b) In the absence of the Chairman, the President shall preside at all
meetings of the shareholders and the Board of Trustees; and he shall perform
such other duties as the Board of Trustees may from time to time prescribe.
SECTION 6.8. THE VICE PRESIDENTS. The Vice Presidents shall be of such
number and shall have such titles as may be determined from time to time by
the Trustees. The Vice President, or, if there be more than one, the Vice
Presidents in the order of their seniority as may be determined from time to
time by the Trustees or the President, shall, in the absence or disability of
the President, exercise the powers and perform the duties of the President,
and he or they shall perform such other duties as the Trustees or the
President may from time to time prescribe.
6
<PAGE>
SECTION 6.9. THE ASSISTANT VICE PRESIDENTS. The Assistant Vice President,
or, if there be more than one, the Assistant Vice Presidents, shall perform
such duties and have such powers as may be assigned them from time to time by
the Trustees or the President.
SECTION 6.10. THE SECRETARY. The Secretary shall attend all meetings of
the Trustees and all meetings of the Shareholders and record all the
proceedings of the meetings of the Shareholders and of the Trustees in a book
to be kept for that purpose, and shall perform like duties for the standing
committees when required. He shall give, or cause to be given, notice of all
meetings of the Shareholders and special meetings of the Trustees, and shall
perform such other duties and have such powers as the Trustees, or the
President, may from time to time prescribe. He shall keep in safe custody the
seal of the Trust and affix or cause the same to be affixed to any instrument
requiring it, and, when so affixed, it shall be attested by his signature or
by the signature of an Assistant Secretary.
SECTION 6.11. THE ASSISTANT SECRETARIES. The Assistant Secretary, or, if
there be more than one, the Assistant Secretaries in the order determined by
the Trustees or the President, shall, in the absence or disability of the
Secretary, perform the duties and exercise the powers of the Secretary and
shall perform such duties and have such other powers as the Trustees or the
President may from time to time prescribe.
SECTION 6.12. THE TREASURER. The Treasurer shall be the chief financial
officer of the Trust. He shall keep or cause to be kept full and accurate
accounts of receipts and disbursements in books belonging to the Trust, and
he shall render to the Trustees and the President, whenever any of them
require it, an account of his transactions as Treasurer and of the financial
condition of the Trust; and he shall perform such other duties as the
Trustees, or the President, may from time to time prescribe.
SECTION 6.13. THE ASSISTANT TREASURERS. The Assistant Treasurer, or, if
there shall be more than one, the Assistant Treasurers in the order
determined by the Trustees or the President, shall, in the absence or
disability of the Treasurer, perform the duties and exercise the powers of
the Treasurer and shall perform such other duties and have such other powers
as the Trustees, or the President, may from time to time prescribe.
SECTION 6.14. DELEGATION OF DUTIES. Whenever an officer is absent or
disabled, or whenever for any reason the Trustees may deem it desirable, the
Trustees may delegate the powers and duties of an officer or officers to any
other officer or officers or to any Trustee or Trustees.
ARTICLE VII
DIVIDENDS AND DISTRIBUTIONS
Subject to any applicable provisions of law and the Declaration, dividends
and distributions upon the Shares may be declared at such intervals as the
Trustees may determine, in cash, in securities or other property, or in
Shares, from any sources permitted by law, all as the Trustees shall from
time to time determine.
Inasmuch as the computation of net income and net profits from the sales
of securities or other properties for federal income tax purposes may vary
from the computation thereof on the records of the Trust, the Trustees shall
have power, in their discretion, to distribute as income dividends and as
capital gain distributions, respectively, amounts sufficient to enable the
Trust to avoid or reduce liability for federal income taxes.
ARTICLE VIII
CERTIFICATES OF SHARES
SECTION 8.1. CERTIFICATES OF SHARES. Certificates for Shares of each
series or class of Shares shall be in such form and of such design as the
Trustees shall approve, subject to the right of the Trustees to change such
form and design at any time or from time to time, and shall be entered in the
records of the Trust as they are issued. Each such certificate shall bear a
distinguishing number; shall exhibit the holder's name and certify the number
of full Shares owned by such holder; shall be signed by or in the name of
7
<PAGE>
the Trust by the President, or a Vice President, and countersigned by the
Secretary or an Assistant Secretary or the Treasurer and an Assistant
Treasurer of the Trust; shall be sealed with the seal; and shall contain such
recitals as may be required by law. Where any certificate is signed by a
Transfer Agent or by a Registrar, the signature of such officers and the seal
may be facsimile, printed or engraved. The Trust may, at its option,
determine not to issue a certificate or certificates to evidence Shares owned
of record by any Shareholder.
In case any officer or officers who shall have signed, or whose facsimile
signature or signatures shall appear on, any such certificate or certificates
shall cease to be such officer or officers of the Trust, whether because of
death, resignation or otherwise, before such certificate or certificates
shall have been delivered by the Trust, such certificate or certificates
shall, nevertheless, be adopted by the Trust and be issued and delivered as
though the person or persons who signed such certificate or certificates or
whose facsimile signature or signatures shall appear therein had not ceased
to be such officer or officers of the Trust.
No certificate shall be issued for any share until such share is fully
paid.
SECTION 8.2. LOST, STOLEN, DESTROYED AND MUTILATED CERTIFICATES. The
Trustees may direct a new certificate or certificates to be issued in place
of any certificate or certificates theretofore issued by the Trust alleged to
have been lost, stolen or destroyed, upon satisfactory proof of such loss,
theft, or destruction; and the Trustees may, in their discretion, require the
owner of the lost, stolen or destroyed certificate, or his legal
representative, to give to the Trust and to such Registrar, Transfer Agent
and/or Transfer Clerk as may be authorized or required to countersign such
new certificate or certificates, a bond in such sum and of such type as they
may direct, and with such surety or sureties, as they may direct, as
indemnity against any claim that may be against them or any of them on
account of or in connection with the alleged loss, theft or destruction of
any such certificate.
ARTICLE IX
CUSTODIAN
SECTION 9.1. APPOINTMENT AND DUTIES. The Trust shall at times employ a
bank or trust company having capital, surplus and undivided profits of at
least five million dollars ($5,000,000) as custodian with authority as its
agent, but subject to such restrictions, limitations and other requirements,
if any, as may be contained in these By-Laws and the 1940 Act:
(1) to receive and hold the securities owned by the Trust and deliver
the same upon written or electronically transmitted order;
(2) to receive and receipt for any moneys due to the Trust and
deposit the same in its own banking department or elsewhere as the
Trustees may direct;
(3) to disburse such funds upon orders or vouchers;
all upon such basis of compensation as may be agreed upon between the
Trustees and the custodian. If so directed by a Majority Shareholder Vote,
the custodian shall deliver and pay over all property of the Trust held by it
as specified in such vote.
The Trustees may also authorize the custodian to employ one or more
sub-custodians from time to time to perform such of the acts and services of
the custodian and upon such terms and conditions as may be agreed upon
between the custodian and such sub-custodian and approved by the Trustees.
SECTION 9.2. CENTRAL CERTIFICATE SYSTEM. Subject to such rules,
regulations and orders as the Commission may adopt, the Trustees may direct
the custodian to deposit all or any part of the securities owned by the Trust
in a system for the central handling of securities established by a national
securities exchange or a national securities association registered with the
Commission under the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, or such other person as
may be permitted by the Commission, or otherwise in accordance with the 1940
Act, pursuant to which system all securities of any particular class or
series of any issuer deposited within the system are treated as fungible and
may be transferred or pledged by bookkeeping entry without physical delivery
of such securities, provided that all such deposits shall be subject to
withdrawal only upon the order of the Trust.
8
<PAGE>
ARTICLE X
WAIVER OF NOTICE
Whenever any notice of the time, place or purpose of any meeting of
Shareholders, Trustees, or of any committee is required to be given in
accordance with law or under the provisions of the Declaration or these
By-Laws, a waiver thereof in writing, signed by the person or persons
entitled to such notice and filed with the records of the meeting, whether
before or after the holding thereof, or actual attendance at the meeting of
shareholders, Trustees or committee, as the case may be, in person, shall be
deemed equivalent to the giving of such notice to such person.
ARTICLE XI
MISCELLANEOUS
SECTION 11.1. LOCATION OF BOOKS AND RECORDS. The books and records of the
Trust may be kept outside the Commonwealth of Massachusetts at such place or
places as the Trustees may from time to time determine, except as otherwise
required by law.
SECTION 11.2. RECORD DATE. The Trustees may fix in advance a date as the
record date for the purpose of determining Shareholders entitled to notice
of, or to vote at, any meeting of Shareholders, or Shareholders entitled to
receive payment of any dividend or the allotment of any rights, or in order
to make a determination of Shareholders for any other proper purpose. Such
date, in any case, shall be not more than ninety (90) days, and in case of a
meeting of Shareholders not less than ten (10) days, prior to the date on
which particular action requiring such determination of Shareholders is to be
taken. In lieu of fixing a record date the Trustees may provide that the
transfer books shall be closed for a stated period but not to exceed, in any
case, twenty (20) days. If the transfer books are closed for the purpose of
determining Shareholders entitled to notice of a vote at a meeting of
Shareholders, such books shall be closed for at least ten (10) days
immediately preceding such meeting.
SECTION 11.3. SEAL. The Trustees shall adopt a seal, which shall be in
such form and shall have such inscription thereon as the Trustees may from
time to time provide. The seal of the Trust may be affixed to any document,
and the seal and its attestation may be lithographed, engraved or otherwise
printed on any document with the same force and effect as if it had been
imprinted and attested manually in the same manner and with the same effect
as if done by a Massachusetts business corporation under Massachusetts law.
SECTION 11.4. FISCAL YEAR. The fiscal year of the Trust shall end on such
date as the Trustees may by resolution specify, and the Trustees may by
resolution change such date for future fiscal years at any time and from time
to time.
SECTION 11.5. ORDERS FOR PAYMENT OF MONEY. All orders or instructions for
the payment of money of the Trust, and all notes or other evidences of
indebtedness issued in the name of the Trust, shall be signed by such officer
or officers or such other person or persons as the Trustees may from time to
time designate, or as may be specified in or pursuant to the agreement
between the Trust and the bank or trust company appointed as Custodian of the
securities and funds of the Trust.
ARTICLE XII
COMPLIANCE WITH FEDERAL REGULATIONS
The Trustees are hereby empowered to take such action as they may deem to
be necessary, desirable or appropriate so that the Trust is or shall be in
compliance with any federal or state statute, rule or regulation with which
compliance by the Trust is required.
9
<PAGE>
ARTICLE XIII
AMENDMENTS
These By-Laws may be amended, altered, or repealed, or new By-Laws may be
adopted, (a) by a Majority Shareholder Vote, or (b) by the Trustees;
provided, however, that no By-Law may be amended, adopted or repealed by the
Trustees if such amendment, adoption or repeal requires, pursuant to law, the
Declaration, or these By-Laws, a vote of the Shareholders. The Trustees shall
in no event adopt By-Laws which are in conflict with the Declaration, and any
apparent inconsistency shall be construed in favor of the related provisions
in the Declaration.
ARTICLE XIV
DECLARATION OF TRUST
The Declaration of Trust establishing Dean Witter Federal Securities
Trust, dated November 20, 1986, a copy of which, together with all amendments
thereto, is on file in the office of the Secretary of the Commonwealth of
Massachusetts, provides that the name Dean Witter Federal Securities Trust
(formerly known as Dean Witter Government Securities Plus) refers to the
Trustees under the Declaration collectively as Trustees, but not as
individuals or personally; and no Trustee, Shareholder, officer, employee or
agent of Dean Witter Federal Securities Trust shall be held to any personal
liability, nor shall resort be had to their private property for the
satisfaction of any obligation or claim or otherwise, in connection with the
affairs of said Dean Witter Federal Securities Trust, but the Trust Estate
only shall be liable.
10
<PAGE>
DEAN WITTER DISTRIBUTORS INC.
Gentlemen:
Dean Witter Distributors Inc. (the "Distributor") has a distribution
agreement (the "Distribution Agreement") with Dean Witter Federal Securities
Trust, a Massachusetts business trust (the "Fund"), pursuant to which it acts
as the Distributor for the sale of the Fund's shares of beneficial interest,
par value $0.01 per share (the "Shares"). Under the Distribution Agreement,
the Distributor has the right to distribute Shares for resale.
The Fund is an open-end management investment company registered under
the Investment Company Act of 1940, as amended, and the Shares being offered
to the public are registered under the Securities Act of 1933, as amended.
You have received a copy of the Distribution Agreement between us and the
Fund and reference is made herein to certain provisions of such Distribution
Agreement. The terms used herein, including "Prospectus" and "Registration
Statement" of the Fund and "Selected Dealer" shall have the same meaning in
this Agreement as in the Distribution Agreement. As principal, we offer to
sell shares to your customers, upon the following terms and conditions:
1. In all sales of Shares to the public you shall act on behalf of your
customers, and in no transaction shall you have any authority to act as agent
for the Fund, for us or for any Selected Dealer.
2. Orders received from you will be accepted through us or on our behalf
only at the 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 commission (which may be in the form of a gross sales credit
and/or an annual residual commission) and/or a service fee, under the terms
as are set forth in the Fund's Prospectus.
5. If any Shares sold to your customers 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.
6. 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 selling Shares, you shall rely solely on
the representations contained in the Prospectus and supplemental information
mentioned above. 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.
1
<PAGE>
7. You agree to deliver to each of the purchasers making purchases 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.
8. 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 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.
9. 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.
10. I. You shall indemnify and hold harmless the Distributor, from and
against any claims, damages and liabilities which arise as a result of action
taken pursuant to instructions from you, or on your behalf to: a)(i) place
orders for Shares of the Fund with the Fund's transfer agent or direct the
transfer agent to receive instructions for the order of Shares, and (ii)
accept monies or direct that the transfer agent accept monies as payment for
the order of such Shares, all as contemplated by and in accordance with
Section 3 of the Distribution Agreement; b)(i) place orders for the
redemption of Shares of the Fund with the Fund's transfer agent or direct the
transfer agent to receive instruction for the redemption of Shares and (ii)
to pay redemption proceeds or to direct that the transfer agent pay
redemption proceeds in connection with orders for the redemption of Shares,
all as contemplated by and in accordance with Section 4 of the Distribution
Agreement; provided, however, that in no case, (i) is this indemnity in favor
of the Distributor and any such controlling persons to be deemed to protect
the Distributor or any such controlling persons thereof against any liability
to which the Distributor or any such controlling persons would otherwise be
subject by reason of willful misfeasance, bad faith or gross negligence in
the performance of its duties or by reason of reckless disregard of its
obligations and duties under this Agreement or the Distribution Agreement; or
(ii) are you to be liable under the indemnity agreement contained in this
paragraph with respect to any claim made against the Distributor or any such
controlling persons, unless the Distributor or any such controlling persons,
as the case may be, shall have notified you in writing within a reasonable
time after the summons or other first legal process giving information of the
nature of the claim shall have been served upon the Distributor or such
controlling persons (or after the Distributor or such controlling persons
shall have received notice of such service on any designated agent), but
failure to notify you of any such claim shall not relieve you from any
liability which you may have to the person against whom such action is
brought otherwise than on account of the indemnity agreement contained in
this paragraph. You will be entitled to participate at your own expense in
the defense, or, if you so elect, to assume the defense, of any suit brought
to enforce any such liability, but if you elect to assume the defense, such
defense shall be conducted by counsel chosen by you and satisfactory to the
Distributor or such controlling person or persons, defendant or defendants in
the suit. In the event you elect to assume the defense of any such suit and
retain such counsel, the Distributor or such controlling person or persons,
defendant or defendants in the suit, shall bear the fees and expenses of any
additional counsel retain by them, but, in case you do not elect to assume
the defense of any such suit, you will reimburse the Distributor or such
controlling person or persons, defendant or defendants in the suit, for the
reasonable fees and expenses of any counsel retained by them. You shall
promptly notify the Distributor of the commencement of any litigation or
proceedings against it or any of its officers or directors in connection with
the issuance or sale of the Shares.
II. If the indemnification provided for in this Section 10 is
unavailable or insufficient to hold harmless the Distributor, as provided
above in respect of any losses, claims, damages, liabilities or expenses (or
actions in respect thereof) referred to herein, then you shall contribute to
the amount paid or payable by the Distributor as a result of such losses,
claims, damages, liabilities or expenses (or actions in respect thereof) in
such proportion as is appropriate to reflect the relative benefits received
by you on the one hand and the
2
<PAGE>
Distributor on the other from the offering of the Shares. If, however, the
allocation provided by the immediately preceding sentence is not permitted by
applicable law, then you shall contribute to such amount paid or payable by
such indemnified party in such proportion as is appropriate to reflect not
only such relative benefits but also your relative fault on the one hand and
the relative fault of the Distributor on the other, in connection with the
statements or omissions which resulted in such losses, claims, damages,
liabilities or expenses (or actions in respect thereof), as well as any other
relevant equitable considerations. You and the Distributor agree that it
would not be just and equitable if contribution were determined by pro rata
allocation or by any other method of allocation which does not take into
account the equitable considerations referred to above. The amount paid or
payable by the Distributor as a result of the losses, claims, damages,
liabilities or expenses (or actions in respect thereof) referred to above
shall be deemed to include any legal or other expenses reasonably incurred by
the Distributor in connection with investigating or defending any such claim.
Notwithstanding the provisions of this subsection (II), you shall not be
required to contribute any amount in excess of the amount by which the total
price at which the Shares distributed by it to the public were offered to the
public exceeds the amount of any damages which it has otherwise been required
to pay by reason of such untrue or alleged untrue statement or omission or
alleged omission. No person guilty of fraudulent misrepresentation (within
the meaning of Section 11(f) of the Securities Act of 1933 Act) shall be
entitled to contribution from any person who was not guilty of such
fraudulent misrepresentation.
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.
3
<PAGE>
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.
DEAN WITTER DISTRIBUTORS INC.
By /s/ Sheldon Curtis
--------------------------
(Authorized Signature)
Please return one signed copy
of this agreement to:
Dean Witter Distributors Inc.
Two World Trade Center
New York, New York 10048
Accepted:
Firm Name: Nations Securities
--------------------------
By: /s/ Charles P. Holland
---------------------------------
Address: 4201 Congress St., Suite 245
----------------------------
Charlotte, NC 28209
----------------------------
Date: 6/7/93
----------------------------
4
<PAGE>
CUSTODY AGREEMENT
Agreement made as of this 20th day of September, 1991, between DEAN
WITTER GOVERNMENT SECURITIES PLUS, a Massachusetts business trust organized and
existing under the laws of the Commonwealth of Massachusetts, having its
principal office and place of business at 2 World Trade Center, New York,
New York 10048 (hereinafter called the "Fund"), and THE BANK OF NEW YORK, a
New York corporation authorized to do a banking business, having its principal
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 Trustees
of the Fund to give Oral Instructions and Written Instructions on behalf of the
Fund and listed in the Certificate annexed hereto as Appendix A or such other
Certificate as may be received by the Custodian from time to time, provided that
each person who is designated in any such Certificate as an "Officer of DWTC"
shall be an Authorized Person only for purposes of Articles XII and XIII hereof.
3. "Book-Entry System" shall mean the Federal Reserve/Treasury book-entry
system for United States and federal agency securities, its successor or
successors and its nominee or nominees.
<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.
18. "O.C.C." shall mean the Options Clearing Corporation, a clearing
agency registered under Section 17A of the
- 3 -
<PAGE>
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, debentures, notes, mortgages or other
obligations, and any certificates, receipts, warrants or other instruments
representing rights to receive, purchase, sell or subscribe
- 4 -
<PAGE>
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 Trustees 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 Trustees, substantially in the form
of Exhibit C hereto, approving, authorizing and instructing the Custodian on a
continuous and on-going basis, until instructed to the contrary by a
Certificate, to accept, utilize and act in 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 Trustees 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 or distributions 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 account in the name of such
Series physically segregated at all times from those of any other person or
persons.
- 8 -
<PAGE>
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.
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,
- 17 -
<PAGE>
(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 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
- 18 -
<PAGE>
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.
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
- 19 -
<PAGE>
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 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.
- 20 -
<PAGE>
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 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
- 21 -
<PAGE>
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 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
- 22 -
<PAGE>
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 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
- 23 -
<PAGE>
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.
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
- 24 -
<PAGE>
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.
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.
- 25 -
<PAGE>
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 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,
- 26 -
<PAGE>
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.
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
- 27 -
<PAGE>
(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.
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
- 28 -
<PAGE>
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 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
- 29 -
<PAGE>
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.
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:
- 30 -
<PAGE>
(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 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
- 31 -
<PAGE>
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 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.
- 32 -
<PAGE>
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.
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
- 33 -
<PAGE>
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, 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
- 34 -
<PAGE>
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.
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.
- 35 -
<PAGE>
ARTICLE XVI
TERMINATION
1. Except as provided in paragraph 3 of this Article, this Agreement
shall continue until terminated by either the Custodian giving to the Fund, or
the Fund giving to the Custodian, a notice in writing specifying the date of
such termination, which date shall be not less than 60 days after the date of
the giving of such notice. In the event such notice or a notice pursuant to
paragraph 3 of this Article is given by the Fund, it shall be accompanied by a
copy of a resolution of the Board of Trustees of the Fund, certified by an
Officer and the Secretary or an Assistant Secretary of the Fund, electing to
terminate this Agreement and designating a successor custodian or custodians,
each of which shall be eligible to serve as a custodian for the securities of a
management investment company under the Investment Company Act of 1940. In the
event such notice is given by the Custodian, the Fund shall, on or before the
termination date, deliver to the Custodian a copy of a resolution of the Board
of Trustees 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
- 36 -
<PAGE>
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.
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
- 37 -
<PAGE>
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.
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.
- 38 -
<PAGE>
9. Notwithstanding anything else in this Agreement to the contrary,
neither party shall have any liability to the other for any losses, damages,
injuries, claims, costs or expenses arising as a result of a delay, omission or
error in the transmission of a Certificate or notice by use of the Terminal Link
except for money damages for those suffered as the result of the negligence, bad
faith or willfull misconduct of such party or its officers, employees or agents
in an amount not exceeding for any incident $100,000, provided, however, that a
party shall have no liability under this Section 9 if the other party fails to
comply with the provisions of Section 11.
10. Without limiting the generality of the foregoing, it is hereby agreed
that in no event shall either party or any manufacturer or supplier of its
computer equipment, software or services relating to the Terminal Link be
responsible for any special, indirect, incidental or consequential damages which
the other party may incur or experience by reason of its use of the Terminal
Link even if such party, manufacturer or supplier has been advised of the
possibility of such damages, nor with respect to the use of the Terminal Link
shall either party or any such manufacturer or supplier be liable for acts of
God, or with respect to the following to the extent beyond such person's
reasonable control: machine or computer breakdown or malfunction, interruption
or malfunction of communication facilities, labor difficulties or any other
similar or dissimilar cause.
11. The Fund shall notify the Custodian of any errors, omissions or
interruptions in, or delay or unavailability of, the Terminal Link as promptly
as practicable, and in any event within 24 hours after the earliest of (i)
discovery thereof, (ii) the business day on which discovery should have occurred
through the exercise of reasonable care and (iii) in the case of any error, the
date of actual receipt of the earliest notice which reflects such error, it
being agreed that discovery and receipt of notice may only occur on a business
day. The Custodian shall promptly advise the Fund whenever the Custodian learns
of any errors, omissions or interruption in, or delay or unavailability of, the
Terminal Link.
12. Each party shall, as soon as practicable after its receipt of a
Certificate or of any notice transmitted by the Terminal Link, verify to the
other party by use of the Terminal Link its receipt of such Certificate or
notice, and in the absence of such verification a party to whom a Certificate or
notice is sent shall not be liable for any failure to act in accordance with
such Certificate or notice, and the sending party may not claim that such
Certificate or notice was received by the other.
- 39 -
<PAGE>
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.
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.
- 40 -
<PAGE>
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.
8. This Agreement may be executed in any number of counterparts, each of
which shall be deemed to be an original, but such counterparts shall, together,
constitute only one instrument.
9. A copy of the Declaration of Trust of the Fund is on file with the
Secretary of The Commonwealth of Massachusetts, and notice is hereby given that
this instrument is executed on behalf of the Board of Trustees of the Fund as
Trustees and not individually and that the obligations of this instrument are
not binding upon any of the Trustees or shareholders individually but are
binding only upon the assets and property of the Fund; provided, however, that
the Declaration of Trust of the Fund provides that the assets of a particular
Series of the Fund shall under no circumstances be charged with liabilities
attributable to any other Series of the Fund and that all persons extending
credit to, or contracting with or having any claim against a particular Series
of the Fund shall look only to the assets of that particular Series for payment
of such credit, contract or claim.
- 41 -
<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 GOVERNMENT SECURITIES PLUS
[SEAL] By:_______________________
Attest:
_______________________
THE BANK OF NEW YORK
[SEAL] By:_______________________
Attest:
_______________________
- 42 -
<PAGE>
APPENDIX A
I, , President and I, ,
of DEAN WITTER , a Massachusetts business trust (the
"Fund"), do hereby certify that:
The following individuals have been duly authorized by the Board of
Trustees of the Fund in conformity with the Fund's Declaration of Trust and
By-Laws to give Oral 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 DEAN WITTER , a Massachusetts business trust (the
"Fund"), do hereby certify that:
The following individuals for whom a position other than "Officer of DWTC"
is specified serve in the following positions with the Fund and each has been
duly elected or appointed by the Board of Trustees of the Fund to each such
position and qualified therefor in conformity with the Fund's Declaration of
Trust and By-Laws. With respect to the following individuals for whom a position
of "Officer of DWTC" is specified, each such individual has been designated by a
resolution of the Board of Trustees of the Fund to be an Officer for purposes of
the Fund's Custody Agreement with The Bank of New York, but only for purposes of
Articles XII and XIII thereof and a certified copy of such resolution is
attached hereto. The signatures of each individual below set forth opposite
their respective names are their true and correct signatures:
Name Position Signature
____________________ ___________________ _________________
<PAGE>
APPENDIX C
The undersigned, hereby certifies that he or she is the
duly elected and acting of DEAN WITTER (the "Fund"),
further certifies that the following resolutions were adopted by the Board of
Trustees of the Fund at a meeting duly held on , 199 , 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 , 199
(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 DEAN WITTER
, as of the day of , 199 .
<PAGE>
APPENDIX D
I, , 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>
EXHIBIT A
CERTIFICATION
The undersigned, , hereby certifies that he or she is
the duly elected and acting of , a Massachusetts
business trust (the "Fund"), and further certifies that the following resolution
was adopted by the Board of Trustees of the Fund at a meeting duly held on
, 199 , 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
, 199 , (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 , 199 .
[SEAL]
<PAGE>
EXHIBIT B
CERTIFICATION
The undersigned, , hereby certifies that he or
she is the duly elected and acting of , a
Massachusetts business Trust (the "Fund"), and further certifies that the
following resolution was adopted by the Board of Trustees of the Fund at a
meeting duly held on , 199 , 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
, 199 , (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 , 199 .
[SEAL]
<PAGE>
EXHIBIT B-1
CERTIFICATION
The undersigned, , hereby certifies that he or
she is the duly elected and acting of , a
Massachusetts business Trust (the "Fund"), and further certifies that the
following resolution was adopted by the Board of Trustees of the Fund at a
meeting duly held on , 199 , 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
, 199 (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 , 199 .
[SEAL]
<PAGE>
EXHIBIT C
CERTIFICATION
The undersigned, , hereby certifies that he
or she is the duly elected and acting of , a
Massachusetts business trust (the "Fund"), and further certifies that the
following resolution was adopted by the Board of Trustees of the Fund at a
meeting duly held on , 199 , 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
, 199 , (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 , 199 .
[SEAL]
<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 assets not
Income Fund 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 0.060% of the portion of the daily net
Securities 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 0.055% of the portion of the daily net assets
Trust 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 0.035% to the net assets.
Municipal 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 assets
Securities Trust 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 0.60% to the net assets.
Fund
Dean Witter Capital Growth 0.065% to the portion of daily net assets
Securities 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 1.0% to the net assets.
Allocation Fund
Dean Witter Global Dividend 0.075% to the net assets.
Growth Securities
Dean Witter Global Utilities 0.065% to the net assets.
Fund
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 assets
Fund Inc. 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 assets
Series 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 assets
Series-Utilities 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 assets
Investment Trust 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 0.50% to the net assets.
Series-
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 assets.
Trust
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 0.050% to the average weekly net assets.
Inc.
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. 10 to the registration
statement on Form N-1A (the "Registration Statement") of our report dated
December 7, 1995, relating to the financial statements and financial
highlights of Dean Witter Federal Securities Trust, which appears in such
Statement of Additional Information, and to the incorporation by reference of
our report into the Prospectus which constitutes part of this Registration
Statement. We also consent to the reference to us under the heading "Financial
Highlights" in such Prospectus and to the references to us under the headings
"Independent Accountants" and "Experts" in such Statement of Additional
Information.
/s/ Price Waterhouse LLP
PRICE WATERHOUSE LLP
1177 Avenue of the Americas
New York, New York 10036
January 22, 1996
<PAGE>
AMENDED AND RESTATED PLAN OF DISTRIBUTION PURSUANT TO RULE 12b-1
OF
DEAN WITTER FEDERAL SECURITIES TRUST
WHEREAS, Dean Witter Federal Securities Trust (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 January 22, 1987, and the Trustees 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 Trustees 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 January 13, 1987, the Fund and Dean Witter Reynolds Inc.
("DWR") entered into a Distribution Agreement 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) 0.85% per annum of the average
daily aggregate sales of the shares of the Fund since its inception (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 Fund's inception upon which a contingent deferred
sales charge has been imposed or upon which such charge has been waived, or
(ii) 0.85% per annum of the Fund's average daily net assets. Such
compensation shall be calculated and accrued daily and paid monthly or at
such other intervals as the Trustees 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 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 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
1
<PAGE>
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 Trustees of the Fund and of the Trustees 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 Trustees"), 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 Trustees of the Fund and the
Trustees 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 Trustees shall request the Distributor to specify such items of
expenses as the Trustees deem appropriate. The Trustees 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 Trustees, 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 Trustees 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
Trustees who are not interested persons (as defined in the Act) of the Fund
shall be committed to the discretion of the Trustees 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.
10. The Declaration of Trust establishing Dean Witter Federal Securities
Trust, dated November 20, 1986, a copy of which, together with all amendments
thereto (the "Declaration"), is on file in the office of the Secretary of
the Commonwealth of Massachusetts, provides that the name Dean Witter Federal
Securities Trust refers to the Trustees under the Declaration collectively as
Trustees but not as individuals or personally; and no Trustee, shareholder,
officer, employee or agent of Dean Witter Federal Securities Trust shall be
held to any personal liability, nor shall resort be had to their private
property for the satisfaction of any obligation or claim or otherwise, in
connection with the affairs of said Dean Witter Federal Securities Trust,
but the Trust Estate only shall be liable.
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: January 22, 1987 DEAN WITTER FEDERAL SECURITIES TRUST
As amended on 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>
DEAN WITTER FEDERAL SECURITIES TRUST
SCHEDULE OF COMPUTATION OF YIELD QUOTATION
10/31/95
6
YIELD=2{[((a-b)/cd)+1]-1}
WHERE: a=Dividends and interest eanred during the period
b=Expenses accrued for the period
c=The average daily number of shares outstanding
during the period that were entitled to receive
dividends
d=The maximum offering price per share on the last
day of the period
6
YIELD=2{[((4,986,267.14-1,018,794.18)/87,483,018.974X9.49)+1]-1}
= 5.80%
<PAGE>
SCHEDULE FOR COMPUTATIONS OF PERFORMANCE QUOTATIONS
FEDERAL SECURITIES TRUST
(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 31-Oct-95 YEARS - n TOTAL RETURN - T
- ------------- ----------- ----------- -----------------
31-Oct-94 $1,108.90 1 10.89%
31-Oct-90 $1,492.10 5.00 8.33%
31-Mar-87 $1,894.20 8.59 7.72%
(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)
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
(C) (B)
$1,000 EV AS OF TOTAL NUMBER OF AVERAGE ANNUAL
INVESTED - P 31-Oct-95 RETURN - TR YEARS - n TOTAL RETURN - t
- ------------- ----------- ----------- -------------- ----------------
<S> <C> <C> <C> <C>
31-Oct-94 $1,158.90 15.89% 1.00 15.89%
31-Oct-90 $1,512.10 51.21% 5.00 8.62%
31-Mar-87 $1,864.20 89.42% 8.59 7.72%
</TABLE>
(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>
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>
31-Mar-87 89.42 $16,942 $94,710 $189,420
</TABLE>
<TABLE> <S> <C>
<PAGE>
<ARTICLE> 6
<S> <C>
<PERIOD-TYPE> YEAR
<FISCAL-YEAR-END> OCT-31-1995
<PERIOD-END> OCT-31-1995
<INVESTMENTS-AT-COST> 762,502,401
<INVESTMENTS-AT-VALUE> 820,602,866
<RECEIVABLES> 16,669,710
<ASSETS-OTHER> 46,732
<OTHER-ITEMS-ASSETS> 0
<TOTAL-ASSETS> 837,319,308
<PAYABLE-FOR-SECURITIES> 4,916,354
<SENIOR-LONG-TERM-DEBT> 0
<OTHER-ITEMS-LIABILITIES> 3,158,479
<TOTAL-LIABILITIES> 8,074,833
<SENIOR-EQUITY> 0
<PAID-IN-CAPITAL-COMMON> 873,904,427
<SHARES-COMMON-STOCK> 87,365,878
<SHARES-COMMON-PRIOR> 96,211,039
<ACCUMULATED-NII-CURRENT> 0
<OVERDISTRIBUTION-NII> (517,433)
<ACCUMULATED-NET-GAINS> (101,920,978)
<OVERDISTRIBUTION-GAINS> 0
<ACCUM-APPREC-OR-DEPREC> 57,778,459
<NET-ASSETS> 829,244,475
<DIVIDEND-INCOME> 0
<INTEREST-INCOME> 66,502,572
<OTHER-INCOME> 0
<EXPENSES-NET> 12,566,568
<NET-INVESTMENT-INCOME> 53,936,004
<REALIZED-GAINS-CURRENT> (11,074,215)
<APPREC-INCREASE-CURRENT> 74,255,121
<NET-CHANGE-FROM-OPS> 68,180,906
<EQUALIZATION> 0
<DISTRIBUTIONS-OF-INCOME> 53,936,003
<DISTRIBUTIONS-OF-GAINS> 0
<DISTRIBUTIONS-OTHER> 0
<NUMBER-OF-SHARES-SOLD> 9,811,932
<NUMBER-OF-SHARES-REDEEMED> 21,931,274
<SHARES-REINVESTED> 3,274,181
<NET-CHANGE-IN-ASSETS> (11,482,159)
<ACCUMULATED-NII-PRIOR> 0
<ACCUMULATED-GAINS-PRIOR> (90,846,763)
<OVERDISTRIB-NII-PRIOR> (517,434)
<OVERDIST-NET-GAINS-PRIOR> 0
<GROSS-ADVISORY-FEES> 0
<INTEREST-EXPENSE> 0
<GROSS-EXPENSE> 12,566,568
<AVERAGE-NET-ASSETS> 82,594,495,996
<PER-SHARE-NAV-BEGIN> 8.74
<PER-SHARE-NII> .59
<PER-SHARE-GAIN-APPREC> .75
<PER-SHARE-DIVIDEND> 0
<PER-SHARE-DISTRIBUTIONS> (.59)
<RETURNS-OF-CAPITAL> 0
<PER-SHARE-NAV-END> 9.49
<EXPENSE-RATIO> 1.52
<AVG-DEBT-OUTSTANDING> 0
<AVG-DEBT-PER-SHARE> 0
</TABLE>
